• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.912-919
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• 2020

Purpose This study aimed to compare the brain perfusion status of patients with chronic kidney disease to a normal control group to identify any significant differences. Materials and Methods The perfusion state of the brain was measured by MRI using the arterial spin labeling technique in 36 patients undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic kidney disease and 36 normal controls. Images were then analyzed in a voxel-wise manner to detect brain areas showing significant perfusion differences between the two groups. Results Patients with chronic kidney disease showed increased perfusion in the form of large clusters across the right fronto-parieto-temporal lobe and the left parieto-occipital lobe. In addition, perfusion increased in the bilateral thalami, midbrain, pons, and cerebellum (p < 0.01, familywise error corrected). Conclusion Brain perfusion appears to increase in patients with chronic kidney disease compared to normal controls. Uremic toxicity is thought to be the cause of this increase as it can cause damage to the microscopic blood vessels and their surrounding structures.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2024

Antimalarial drugs are an urgently need and crucial tool in the campaign against malaria, which can threaten public health. In this study, we examined the cytotoxicity of the 9 antimalarial compounds chemically synthesized using SKM13-2HCl. Except for SKM13-2HCl, the 5 newly synthesized compounds had a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) >100 μM, indicating that they would be less cytotoxic than SKM13-2HCl. Among the 5 compounds, only SAM13-2HCl outperformed SKM13-2HCl for antimalarial activity, showing a 3- and 1.3-fold greater selective index (SI) (CC₅₀/IC₅₀) than SKM13-2HCl in vitro against both chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine -resistant (K1) Plasmodium falciparum strains, respectively. Thus, the presence of morpholine amide may help to effectively suppress human-infectious P. falciparum parasites. However, the antimalarial activity of SAM13-2HCl was inferior to that of the SKM13-2HCl template compound in the P. berghei NK65-infected mouse model, possibly because SAM13-2HCl had a lower polarity and less efficient pharmacokinetics than SKM13-2HCl. SAM13-2HCl was more toxic in the rodent model. Consequently, SAM13-2HCl containing morpholine was selected from screening a combination of pharmacologically significant structures as being the most effective in vitro against human-infectious P. falciparum but was less efficient in vivo in a P. berghei-infected animal model when compared with SKM13-2HCl. Therefore, SAM13-2HCl containing morpholine could be considered a promising compound to treat chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum infections, although further optimization is crucial to maintain antimalarial activity while reducing toxicity in animals.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-222
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• 2024

The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is widely used for underground tunnel construction for its advantages, such as eliminating the need for additional facilities compared to the slurry shield TBM, which requires Slurry Treatment Plant (STP). During EPB shield TBM excavation, a soil conditioning technique is employed to enhance the physical properties of the excavated soil by injecting additives, thus broadening the range of applicable ground conditions to EPB shield TBMs. This study explored the use of xanthan gum, a type of biopolymer, as an alternative to the commonly used polymer additive. Biopolymers, derived from biological sources, are fully biodegradable. In contrast to traditional polymers such as polyacrylic acid, which contain environmentally harmful components, xanthan gum is gaining attention as an eco-friendly material due to its minimal toxicity and environmental impact. Test conditions with similar workability were established through slump tests, and the rheological characteristics were assessed using a laboratory pressurized vane shear test apparatus. The experiments demonstrated that, despite exhibiting similar workability, the peak strength in the flow curve decreased with increasing the content of xanthan gum. Consequently, a correlation between the xanthan gum content and peak strength was established. Replacing the traditional polymers with xanthan gum could enable stable EPB shield TBM operation by reducing equipment load, in addition to offering environmental benefits.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the extent of pain response and objective response to palliative radiotherapy (RT) for bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma according to RT dose. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to June 2010, palliative RT was conducted for 103 patients (223 sites) with bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment sites were divided into the high RT dose and low RT dose groups by biologically effective dose (BED) of 39 $Gy_{10}$. Pain responses were evaluated using the numeric rating scale. Pain scores before and after RT were compared and categorized into 'Decreased', 'No change' and 'Increased'. Radiological objective responses were categorized into complete response, partial response, stable disease and progression using modified RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) criteria; the factors predicting patients' survival were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up period was 6 months (range, 0 to 46 months), and the radiologic responses existed in 67 RT sites (66.3%) and 44 sites (89.8%) in the high and low RT dose group, respectively. A dose-response relationship was found in relation to RT dose (p=0.02). Pain responses were 75% and 65% in the high and low RT dose groups, respectively. However, no statistical difference in pain response was found between the two groups (p=0.24). There were no differences in the toxicity profiles between the high and low RT dose groups. Median survival from the time of bone metastases diagnosis was 11 months (range, 0 to 46 months). The Child-Pugh classification at the time of palliative RT was the only significant predictive factor for patient survival after RT. Median survival time was 14 months under Child-Pugh A and 2 months under Child-Pugh B and C. Conclusion: The rate of radiologic objective response was higher in the high RT dose group. Palliative AT with a high dose would provide an improvement in patient quality of life through enhanced tumor response, especially in patients with proper liver function.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.657-665
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• 2017

This study is for checking the possibility of Lotus Rhizome and node of Lotus Rhizome as cosmetic materials. For this we carried out biological active evaluation about anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle by using ethanol extract of Lotus Rhizome and node of Lotus Rhizome. We extracted Lotus Rhizome and node of Lotus Rhizome with 95% ethanol and then in order to evaluate anti-oxidant activity we treated samples by concentrations (100, 500, 1000) ${\mu}g/mL$ and carried out 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and The activity of 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical scavenging. Also, in order to evaluate effect of anti-wrinkle we carried out evaluation of Elastase inhibitory activity. To evaluate effect of anti-inflammatory we evaluated toxicity of samples through MTT assay with a macrophage (Raw 264.7 cells) and measured nitric oxide production inhibitory activity. As a result, DPPH radical scavenging activity of Lotus Rhizome and node of Lotus Rhizome at $1000{\mu}g/mL$ was 66.7% and 99.5%, respectively and ABTS + radical scavenging activity was 51.2% and 98.3% at the same concentration, respectively. Elastase inhibitory activity results showed that the nodes of the Lotus Rhizom extract excellent anti-wrinkle efficacy than Lotus Rhizom. Node of Lotus Rhizome showed higher anti-wrinkle activity than the positive the control group BHT at $1000{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. According to the result of nitric oxide production inhibitory activity, Lotus Rhizom showed 55.8% effect and nodes of the Lotus Rhizom showed 66.6% effect respectively. This showed that effect of anti-inflammatory was greater in nodes of the Lotus Rhizom extracts. As a result it suggests that Lotus Rhizome and node of Lotus Rhizome extracts can be used as natural substance of cosmetics which are safe in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-wrinkle.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2010

Purpose: We retrospectively investigated the effect of irradiation using helical tomotherapy in recurrent pelvic tumors that underwent prior irradiation. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients with recurrent pelvic tumors consisting of rectal cancer (57.1%), cervical cancer (35.7%) and cancer with an unknown origin (7.1%) were treated with tomotherapy. At the time of irradiation, median tumor size was 3.5 cm and 7 patients complained of pain originating from a recurrent tumor. The median radiation dose delivered to the gross tumor volume, clinical target volume, and planning target volume was 50 Gy, 47.8 Gy and 45 Gy, respectively and delivered at 5 fractions per week over the course of 4 to 5 weeks. Treatment response and duration of local disease control were evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (ver. 1.0) and the Kaplan-Meyer method. Treatment-related toxicities were assessed through Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (ver. 3.0). Results: The median follow-up time was 17.3 months, while the response rate was 64.3%. Symptomatic improvement appeared in 6 patients (85.7%). The median duration time of local disease control was 25.8 months. The rates of local failure, distant failure, and synchronous local and distant failure were 57.1%, 21.4%, and 7.1%, respectively. Acute toxicities were limited in grade I or II toxicities, except for one patient. No treatment related death or late toxicity was observed. Conclusion: Helical tomotherapy could be suggested as a feasible palliative option in recurrent pelvic tumors with prior radiotherapy. However, to increase treatment effect and overcome the limitation of this outcome, a large clinical study should be performed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.227-249
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• 2016

Arsenic and its compounds vary in their toxicity according to the chemical forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic and known as carcinogen. The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of $15{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has been withdrawn, while the EFSA panel suggested $BMDL_{0.1}$ $0.3{\sim}8{\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ for cancers of the lung, skin and bladder, as well as skin lesions. Rice, seaweed and beverages are known as food being rich in inorganic arsenic. As(III) is the major form of inorganic arsenic in rice and anaerobic paddy soils, while most of inorganic arsenic in seaweed is present as As(V). The inorganic arsenic in food was extracted with solvent such as distilled water, methanol, nitric acid and so on in heat-assisted condition or at room temperature. Arsenic speciation analysis was based on ion-exchange chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, there has been no harmonized and standardized method for inorganic arsenic analysis internationally. The inorganic arsenic exposure from food has been estimated to range of $0.13{\sim}0.7{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for European, American and Australian, and $0.22{\sim}5{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for Asian. The maximum level (ML) for inorganic arsenic in food has established by EU, China, Australia and New Zealand, but are under review in Korea. Until now, several studies have conducted for reduction of inorganic arsenic in food. Inorganic arsenic levels in rice and seaweed were reduced by more polishing and washing, boiling and washing, respectively. Further research for international harmonization of analytical method, monitoring and risk assessment will be needed to strengthen safety management of inorganic arsenic of foods in Korea.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of tumor response, local control, and treatment-related complications after hypofractionated radiotherapy for recurrent hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) less than 5 cm in size. Materials and Methods: Among the HCC patients who were treated by radiotherapy (RT) between 2006 and 2007 after the failure of previous treatment, a total of 12 patients were treated with hypofractionated RT. The criteria for hypofractionated RT was as follows: 1) HCC less than 5 cm, 2) HCC not adjacent to a critical organ, 3) HCC without portal vein tumor thrombosis, and 4) less than 15% of normal liver volume that irradiated 50% of the prescribed dose. Hypofractionated RT was performed with 50 Gy delivered in 10 fractions, at a rate of 5 fractions per week. The evaluation of tumor response was determined by CT scans performed at 3 months after the cessation of RT, followed by the evaluation of toxicity by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. The median follow-up period after radiotherapy was 18 months. Results: A complete response (CR) was achieved in 5 of 12 lesions (41.7%) at CT performed at 3 months after the cessation, whereas the overall complete response was observed in 7 of 12 cases (58.3%). In-field local control rate was sustained in 83.3% of patients. All patients developed intra-hepatic metastases except for 2 patients. The overall survival rate was 90.0% at 1 year and 67.5% at 2 years, respectively. Three patients developed Grade 1 nausea during RT and 1 patient showed a progression of ascites after RT. There was no grade 3 or greater treatment-related toxicities. Conclusion: Hypofractionated RT for small-sized HCC as a salvage therapy showed a 58.3% CR rate and 83.3% of local control. Fifty Gy administered in 10 fractions of partial liver irradiation is considered as a tolerable dose that does not cause severe complications.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2020

We evaluated the toxic effects of antifouling paint (irgarol and diuron) on the population growth rate (r) of the marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum. The r of S. costatum was determined after 96 hrs of exposure to irgarol (0, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 ㎍ l^-1) and diuron (0, 7.81, 15.63, 31.25, 62.5 and 125 ㎍ l^-1). It was observed that r in the control (absence of irgarol and diuron) were greater than 0.04, while r in the treatment groups decreased with increasing irgarol and diuron concentrations. Irgarol and diuron reduced r in a dose-dependent manner with significant decreases occurring at concentrations above 0.63 and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1, respectively. The EC₅₀ values of r in irgarol and diuron exposure were 1.09 and 45.45 ㎍ l^-1. No observed effect concentration (NOEC) were 0.31 and 7.81 ㎍ l^-1, the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) were 0.63 and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1. This result indicate that a concentration of greater than 0.63 ㎍ l^-1 of irgarol and 15.63 ㎍ l^-1 of diuron in marine ecosystems induced to decreasing r of S. costatum. Also, these toxic values can be useful as a baseline data for the toxic evaluation of irgarol and diuron in marine ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1003-1012
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• 2018

This study is for checking the possibility of Lentinula edodes as cosmetic materials. For this we carried out biological active evaluation about anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by Lentinula edodes extracts. We extracted Lentinula edodes with water and 70% ethanol and then in order to evaluate anti-oxidant activity we treated samples by concentrations (100, 500, 1000) ${\mu}g/ml$ and carried out 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, the activity of 2,2'-azino-bis ( 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid )-diammonium salt (ABTS) cation radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase(SOD) like activity. Also, in order to evaluate effect of anti-inflammatory the samples in macrophages(RAW 264.7 cells), we carried out evaluation of cell viability, nitric oxide inhibitory activity western blot. The results of DPPH, $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity of the Lentinula edodes extracts increased in dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxic of samples by MTT assay showed no toxicity at the concentrations of 10, 25 and $50{\mu}g/ml$ of Lentinula edodes extract. Nitric oxide inhibition activity results showed that the extracts reduced NO productions in a concentration-dependent manner. Expression of inflammatory cytokines as $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ decreased in a concentration-dependent manner and iNOS and COX-2 proteins expression rates were decreased significantly in western blot analysis. From the results of the experiment, it was comfirmed that the Lentinula edodes extracts had excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect and could be used as a safe natural cosmetic material in the future.