• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2015

Skin is an emerging target tissue in pharmaceutical and cosmetic science. Safety assessment for dermal toxicity is a critical step for development of topically applicable pharmaceutical agents and ingredients in cosmetics. Urgent needs exist to set up toxicity testing methods for dermal safety, and identification of novel biomarkers for pathological cutaneous alteration is highly required. Here we will discuss if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has a potential as a biomarker for dermal impairment. Experimental and clinical evidences for induction of keratinocytic VEGF under pathological conditions will be reviewed.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2001

The potential for a given anticholinesterase pesticide to exhibit age-related toxicity is essential information for an accurate and proper risk assessment of that compound. This investigation was designed to study the age-related toxicity of active metabolites of four organophosphates using in vitro detoxification measurement. The blood samples were collected from 1 month and 18 months old rats. The $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrifos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were 10.35, 112.84, 151.28 and 18.43 nM, respectively. When the plasma of young rats, and $CaCI_2$were added, the $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrfos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were 31.89, 164.25, 139.94 and 16.36 nM, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrifos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were changed to 136.840, 1244.45, 654.54 and 52.66 nM by A-esterases In adult rats. These results suggest that four organophosphates have a potential toxicity to exhibit age-related sensitivity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1311-1323
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• 2012

In the present work, current knowledge on the potential fate, microbial degradation, and toxicity of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was thoroughly reviewed, focusing on the toxicological assessment of a variety of potential RDX degradation pathways in bacteria and fungi. The present review on microbial degradation pathways and toxicities of degradation intermediates suggests that, among aerobic RDX degradation pathways, the one via denitration may be preferred in a toxicological perspective, and that among anaerobic pathways, those forming 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal (NDAB) via ring cleavage of 1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (MNX) may be toxicologically advantageous owing to its potential mineralization under partial or complete anoxic conditions. These findings provide important information on RDX-degrading microbial pathways, toxicologically most suitable to be stimulated in contaminated fields.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.61-69
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• 1997

Exposure of splenocytes to 2-chloroethylethyl sulfide (CEES) resulted in the cell death, and the cytotoxicity of CEES was prevented by inhibitors of lysosomal hydrolases. Therefore, it has been postulated that the cytotoxicity of CEES may be partially due to the lysosomal labilization. This study, based on this mechanism, was undertaken to determine whether aminoglycoside antibiotics as inhibitors of lysosomal phospholipases and their combinations with other lysosome stabilizers can be useful as a treatment to reduce the CEES toxicity in mice. 2-Chloroethylethyl sulfide (20 mg/kg body weight) was injected ip into female ICR mice, and candidate compounds were administered ip before or after the CEES challenge. Kanamycin (40 mg/kg body weight) as effective as deferoxamine (100 mg/kg body weight) enhanced the survival rate after 5 days of intoxication from 10% of control to 50 - 60%. The most effective was found to be the combination of kanamycin, cycloheximide, deferoxamine and dextrose showing an almost full protection against 2LD50 of CEES. Consistent with the protection of the CEES toxicity, the decrease of body weight in mice intoxicated with CEES was effectively prevented by kanamycin or its combinations. It is suggested that kanamycin or its combination (kanamycin, cycloheximide, deferoxamine and dextrose) would be one of effective antidotes against the CEES poisoning in mice.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is the work environment management method through risk assessment and investigation of the work place that deals with Ammonium nitrate, based on information in and outside the country. Methods: This study suggests method of work environment management through risk assessment and investigation of the work place that deals with Ammonium nitrate, and finds out cases of Ammonium nitrate causing hazard, danger and health risk, based on literature investigation. Results: Rats exposed repeatedly to $LD_{50}$ 2,217 mg/kg(rat), $LC_{50}$ 88.8 mg/L(rat, skin) which cause high level of skin irritation, reported 1 $mg/m^3$ of NOAEL, while LOAEL was less than 100 mg/kg for the rats orally administered with the $LD_{50}$ 2,217 mg/kg(rat), $LC_{50}$ 88.8 mg/L(rat, skin), for 13 weeks. Domestically 31,640 ton/y of ammonium nitrate has been used in 22 workplace and the result of workplace assessment was 0.0171-0.9983 $mg/m^3$. ADD was 8.77-59.63 ${\mu}g/kg-day$ according to the exposure scenario. In other words the result of the risk assessment goes beyond the 'standard 1'. Conclusions: Ammonium nitrate creates a high level of irritation and toxicity when coming in breathe it or contact with skin, and is classified as category3 of GHS and specific target organ toxicant (irritating respiratory system). Exposure level at work places needs to be maintained under $1mg/m^3$, to prevent workers from being damaged.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2005

Bioassay using the marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, and chemical analyses were conducted to assess the toxicity of the various sewage sludges, one of the major ocean dumped materials in the Yellow Sea of Korea. Sludge elutriates extracted by filtered seawater were used to estimate the ecotoxicity of the sludge. Chemical characterization included the analyses of organic contents, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants in sludge. Bacterial bioluminescent inhibition (15 min), rotifer mortality (24 hr) and rotifer population growth inhibition (48 hr) assay were conducted to estimate the sludge toxicity. EC50 15 min (inhibition concentration of bioluminescence after 15 minutes exposed) values by Microtox(R) bioassay clearly revealed different toxicity levels depending on the sludge sources. Highest toxicity for the bacteria was found with the sludge extract from dyeing waste and followed by industrial waste, livestock waste, and leather processing waste. Clear toxic effects on the bacteria were not found in the sludge extract from filtration bed sludge and rural sewage sludge. Consistent with Microtox(R) results, rotifer neonate mortality and population growth inhibition test also showed highest toxicity in dyeing waste and low in filtration bed and rural sewage sludge. High concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals were measured in the samples from the industrial wastes, leather processing plant waste sludge, and urban sewage sludge. However, there was no significant correlation between pollutant concentration levels and the toxicity values of the sludge. This suggests that the ecotoxicity in addition to the chemical analyses of various sludge samples must be estimated before release of potential harmful waste in the natural environment as part of an ecological risk assessment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.146-150
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• 2004

Degradation efficiency of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by using direct UV photolysis and $TiO_2$ photocatalysis was evaluated with both chemical analyses and acute toxicity assessment employing luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri. PCP was chosen as a target compound in this study because of its wide application as fungicide, bactericide, insecticide and wood preservative in agriculture and many industries, in addition to its well-known environmental consequences. The acute toxicity to the microbe was reduced by >60% when applying UV alone, and was completely removed when treated with $UV-TiO_2$ combinations. Toxicity reduction pattern determined with the Microtox Assay generally corresponds with the chemistry data: However, it should be noted that toxicity was greater than expected by the chemistry data. Formation of TCBQ, a toxic byprodut, could not explain observed microbial toxicity. These observations are probably due to the presence of unidentified toxic PCP byproducts, which may include polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. When Microtox results were compared between different exposure time, i.e.,5 min and 15 min, an interesting pattern was noted with $UVA-\;TiO_2$ treatment. While no microbial toxicity was observed with 5 min exposure, an EC50 value of 45.4% was estimated with 15 min exposure, which was not observed in $UVB-\;TiO_2$ exposure. This result may suggest the presence of unidentified toxic degradation products generated in the later stage of treatment. Based on this study, $TiO_2$ photocatalyst, together with UVB photolysis could improve the removal of both PCP and its toxic derivatives in more efficient way. The Microtox Assay is promising and economical method for monitoring efficiency of wastewater treatment processes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.333-342
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• 2017

Ethyl formate, a volatile solvent, has insecticidal and fungicidal properties and is suggested as a potential fumigant for stored crop and fruit. Its primary contact route is through the respiratory tract; however, reliable repeated toxicological studies focusing on the inhalation route have not been published to date. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the safety of a 90-day repeated inhalation exposure in rats. Forty male and 40 female rats were exposed to ethyl formate vapor via inhalation at concentrations of 0, 66, 330, and 1,320 ppm for 6 hr/day, 5 days a week for 13 weeks. Clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, urinalysis, hematologic parameters, serum chemistry measurements, organ weights, necropsy, and histopathological findings were compared between the control and ethyl formate-exposed groups. Locomotor activity decreased during exposure and recovered afterward in male and female rats exposed to 1,320 ppm ethyl formate. Body weight and food consumption continuously decreased in both sexes exposed to 1,320 ppm ethyl formate from week 1 or 3 compared with the control values. The increases in adrenal weight and decreases in thymus weight were noted in both sexes exposed to ethyl formate at 1,320 ppm. Degeneration, squamous metaplasia of olfactory epithelium in the nasopharyngeal tissue, or both were noted in the male and female rats at 1,320 ppm and female rats at 330 ppm ethyl formate. Taken together, our results indicate that ethyl formate-induced changes were not observed in male and female rats at 330 and 66 ppm, respectively. This indicates that exposure to ethyl formate at concentrations below 66 ppm for 90 days is relatively safe in rats. This is the first report of a full-scale repeated inhalation toxicity assessment in rats and could contribute to controlling occupational environmental hazards related to ethyl formate.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 1993

The benefits of pesticides in improving the food quantity and quality requirements for an increasing world population are significant, and they can be described in agronomic, economic and social terms. The risks are assessed from the hazards which are likely to occur in practice ; the hazards are defined by the toxicity of the pesticide to non-target organisms at various exposure levels. There are ways of reducing the risks (mainly by reducing exposure in practice) and improving the benefits of pesticides ; these are known as risk management and benefit management respectively. The overall risk-benefit assessment is facilitated if each component can be expressed in financial terms, but it must be made nationally or locally on a sound technical basis against the prevailing agronomic, socio-economic and political circumstances. Paraquat is used to illustrate the risk-benefit assessment process in general terms, and the conclusion is that the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. It is important to keep the risks of pesticides in perspective with those associated with other naturally occurring chemicals in our diet and with other everyday aspects of life. In an overall context, the pesticide risk is small.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2004

A battery of sediment bioassays was performed for the sediments from the intertidal flat zone along the middle west coast of Korea to assess their potential toxicity. In the bioassays, three crustaceans, Daphnia magna, Nitocra spines, and Hyalella aztec a were exposed to $16\%$ sediments (wet weight) collected from 14 sites. Immobility($\%$) was checked as an endpoint after 24- and 48-h exposure of Daphnia magna and after 96-h exposure of Hyalella azteca and Nitocra spines. Among the three bioassays, the 48-h Daphnia bioassay showed the most distinct differential sensitivity in relation to sediment contamination, while the Nitocra and the Hyalella bioassays failed to show the differential sensitivity properly among the sites classified as polluted. Significantly different levels of immobility ($\%$) were obtained between the sites classified as chemical/nutrient polluted and the sites classified as non-polluted in the Daphnia bioassays, but not in the Nitocra bioassay and the Hyalella bioassay. Some differences of toxic response to the same sediments among bioassays were observed, suggesting that there may be a chemical specificity of response sensitivity to sediment toxicity, due to differences in bio-availability of sediment toxicants among test species.