• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2016

Sewage treatment using microorganisms is affected by multiple factors such as microbial properties, characteristics of sewage and operating conditions, and nanoparticles inflow may cause negative effects on sewage treatment system especially on the system stability and efficiency. It was studied to assess the toxic effects of nanoparticles on microorganism growth. The activated sludge in the sewage treatment plant of university was cultured in the optimized medium for each strain. Bacillus (gram-positive), Pseudomonas and E.coli (gram-negative) in the activated sludge were selected as target microorganisms, and ZnO and $TiO_2$ were chosen as nanoparticles. For same concentration of nanoparticles, average growth inhibition rate of Bacillus was 60% or more, while that of Pseudomonas was less than 10%. The toxicity of nanoparticles was shown to be higher for gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria because of their differences on structure of cell wall, components of cell wall protein, physiology of cells and metabolism. ZnO affected 3 times more negative on the growth of microorganisms as compared to $TiO_2$. It was assumed that, therefore, toxicity of ZnO was found to be greater than $TiO_2$.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.257-270
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• 2019

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in a variety of applications in innovative development; consequently, people are more exposed to this particle. Growing concern about toxicity from AgNP exposure has attracted greater attention, while questions about nanosilver-responsive genes and consequences for human health remain unanswered. By considering early detection and prevention of nanotoxicology at the genetic level, this study aimed to identify 1) changes in gene expression levels that could be potential indicators for AgNP toxicity and 2) morphological phenotypes correlating to toxicity of HepG2 cells. To detect possible nanosilver-responsive genes in xenogenic targeted organs, a comprehensive systematic literature review of changes in gene expression in HepG2 cells after AgNP exposure and in silico method, connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays (CU-DREAM), were performed. In addition, cells were extracted and processed for transmission electron microscopy to examine ultrastructural alterations. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Series database, we selected genes that were up- and down-regulated in AgNPs, but not up- and down-regulated in silver ion exposed cells, as nanosilver-responsive genes. HepG2 cells in the AgNP-treated group showed distinct ultrastructural alterations. Our results suggested potential representative gene data after AgNPs exposure provide insight into assessment and prediction of toxicity from nanosilver exposure.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-65
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• 2008

The tissue distribution of $TiO_2$, nanopaprticles was investigated in mice after oral administration, and skin treatment. Male mice were treated with the dose of 5 g/kg of $TiO_2$ for three consecutive days and sacrificed at 24 hours after the last administration. As results, the orally administered $TiO_2$ nanoparticels were shown to be distributed in the testis, lung, and brain at 24 hours after the last treatment. Kidney does not seem to be the main target of $TiO_2$ nanoparticle distribution. It means that $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (17 nm) are easily absorbed through entero-gastric system and may cause toxicity in brain, lung, and reproductive organs. The distribution of skin treatment showed the same pattern like oral administration.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.106-109
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• 2008

Almost monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles with an average particle size ranging from 5 to 43 nm were fabricated using an environmentally friendly starting material, ferrous acetate. The smallest particles were formed in the presence of a reductant, 1,2-dodecanediol, while the particle size increased with increasing concentration of dispersing agents. The dispersants consisted of various combinations of oleic acid, oleylamine, trioctylphosphine, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The threshold temperature to form crystalline particles was found to be $240^{\circ}C$. The 43 nm nanoparticles exhibited a room temperature saturation magnetization and coercivity of 57 emu/g and 47 Oe, respectively.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2010

Genotoxic- and ecotoxic assessments of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were conducted on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. AgNPs may have genotoxic effects on D. magna, given that the DNA strand breaks increased when exposed to this nanoparticle. Increased mortality was concomitantly observed with DNA damage in the AgNPs-exposed D. magna, which suggests AgNPs-induced DNA damage might provoke higher-level consequences. The results of the comparative toxicities of AgNPs and Ag ions suggest that AgNPs are slightly more toxic than Ag ions. Overall, these results suggest that AgNPs may be genotoxic toward D. magna, which may contribute to the knowledge relating to the aquatic toxicity of AgNPs on aquatic ecosystems, for which little data are available.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-134
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• 2022

Emerge of nanotechnology impacts all aspects of humans' life. One of important aspects of the nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) is in the food production industry. The safety of such foods is not well recognized and producing safe foods using nanoparticles involves delicate experiments. In this study, we aim to incorporate intelligent computer simulation in predicting safety degree of nanofoods. In this regard, the safety concerns on the nano-foods are addressed considering cytotoxicity levels in metal oxides nanoparticles using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and response surface method (RSM). Three descriptors including chemical bond length, lattice energy and enthalpy of formation gaseous cation of 15 selected NPs are examined to find their influence on the cytotoxicity of NPs. The most effective descriptor is selected using RSM method and dependency of the toxicity of these NPs on the descriptors are presented in 2D and 3D graphs obtained using ANFIS technique. A comprehensive parameters study is conducted to observe effects of different descriptors on cytotoxicity of NPs. The results indicated that combinations of descriptors have the most effects on the cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2022

2-Dimensional inorganic nanoparticles with high surface area and ion-exchangeable properties have been continuously growing based on nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine. Among one of the 2-D nanoparticles, layered double hydroxide (LDH) has been intensively explored as drug delivery due to its low toxicity, enhanced cellular permeability, and high drug loading capacity. Moreover, controllable chemical composition makes possible varying isomorphic layered materials for therapy and imaging of diseases. In this review, specific structural characteristics of LDH were introduced, and its potential for application as a biocompatible therapeutic agent and diagnostic one was addressed in nuclear medicine, one of promising fields in nanomedicine.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

Nanotechnology, one of the technologies that forms the core of the recent scientific innovation, is used much in our real lives. Especially products that use nano silver are being sold, with its positive characteristics resulting from the antibacterial effects of both nano materials and silver. But critiques have pointed out that nano silver diffused into everyday life too quickly as we do not have done any comprehensive research about the material, and worry that nano silver will affect the ecology adversely. Therefore, this research focuses on investigating the toxicity of silver nanoparticles first. To compare the effects of exposure to silver nanoparticles at pre-somite stage and somite stage(10 hours after fertilization), we exposed zebrafish embryos to silver nanoparticles(15, 30 ppt) during embryogenesis, and then checked the details of catalase enzyme activity. The hatch rate decreased in the silver nanoparticles exposed groups(15 and 30 ppt); furthermore, the hatched fishes had an abnormal notochord, damaged eyes and curved tail. The catalase activities of the 15 ppt exposed group at somite stage increased relative to those in the control group. Therefore, the silver nanoparticles could seriously damage the development of zebrafish embryos. Especially, exposure to silver nanoparticles at somite stage did severer damage than exposure since pre-somite stage did.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.94-94
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• 2018

The gold (LC-AuNPs) and silver (LC-AgNPs) nanoparticles were rapidly synthesized by fruit extract of Lycium chinense within 1.15 and 25 min respectively in an eco-friendly way. The synthesized nanoparticles confirmed by relevant surface plasmon resonance peaks for gold and silver nanoparticles at 536 and 480 nm, respectively. FE-TEM results revealed that LC-AuNPs were 20-50 nm and LC-AgNPs were 50-100 nm. The maximum distribution of gold, silver elements and the crystallographic nature of synthesized were confirmed using EDX, elemental mapping and XRD. LC-AgNPs showed inhibitory activity against pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli and S. aureus, whereas LC-AuNPs did not show inhibitory activity. The LC-AgNps nanoparticles exhibited significant cytotoxicity to human breast cancer MCF7 cell line and less cytotoxicity to non-diseased RAW264.7 (murine macrophage) cells whereas LC-AuNps showed minimal toxicity to both cell lines. In-depth research on this rapid, facile and greenery nanoparticles may play a potential role in biomedical applications.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2020

Iron has a crucial role in growth as part of metalo-proteins like haemoglobin or myoglobin, enzymes; they are also involved in energetic reactions. Iron plays a vital role in fertility. At high doses, Iron has a harmful consequence on the reproductive system, which can be strongly reflected the final stage of spermatogenesis. Nutritional products are claiming to use nanotechnology and it is important to recognize the potential toxicity of nano-sized nutrients. Recently iron nanoparticles were proposed as a food additive for poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in male quails. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer and Scaning Electron Microscopy showed that iron oxide nanoparticles was produced and have been coated with L-cycstein (Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs). A total of 100 one-week-old quail chicks were randomly placed to five groups of five replicates. Four quails (two male and two females) were raised in an individual cage for each replicate. The five experimental treatment diets consisted; negative control diet, with no Iron supplementation; positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄; treatment diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The hemoglobin, Red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, gonadal somatic index, daily sperm production, total testicular sperm and sperm viability of the male quails that were fed with diet supplemented by 0.6 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs were improved as compare with negative control. This study showed that not only the use of the Fe₃O₄-Cys nanoparticles had no side effects but also it can be used as a feed additive to improve the reproductive performance in male quails.