Backgrounds Heavy metals cadmium has been used as a yellow pigment due to its bright and lasting color. Considering the toxicity of cadmium, yellow iron oxide has been suggested as a substitute due to its cost-effectiveness. However, cellular and molecular safety information of yellow iron oxide is not fully understood. Methods Metal-mediated cellular stress indicated by metallothionein 1 expression

Purpose of review The Cre recombinase/loxP (Cre/loxP) system has emerged as a useful tool in genetic manipulations. Generally, any DNA sequence of interest can be deleted when flanked with loxP sites. The conditional (timely or spatially controlled) expression of Cre recombinase enables to determine, where (e.g. in which cell type or tissue) and when (at which time of life or of developmental stage

Background Visualizing educational contents makes learning more efficient and effective especially in the area such as molecular toxicology, which is time consuming and intellectually taxing to learn. Objective A design principle based on cognitive neuroscience was developed for spatiotemporality of information and optimized virtual reality (VR) for molecular toxicology. We modeled VR with the tricarboxylic

Unfortunately the second affiliation of the author Eun-Hwa Sohn has been omitted.

Background Accumulating study indicated that microRNA (miRNA) played critical role in the osteosarcoma (OS). The role and mechanisms of miR-193b in OS cell lines were still unknown. Objective We resolved the miR-193b expression in OS cell line and normal cell by RT-PCR assay. The effects of upregulated miR-193b on OS cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were evaluated using CCK-8 assay

Background Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, commonly known as the pine wood nematode (PWN), is one of the most destructive nematode species. It causes pine wilt, a slow progressive disease that results in economic loss worldwide. Objective Here, we review the nematode detection methods, including morphological, molecular, chemical, and protein-based methods, and assess how the nematode’s distribution, virulence

Background Excessive sunlight exposure leads to photodamaged skin, resulting in wrinkles, roughness, relaxation, and pigmentation. We examined photoprotective effects of aqueous extracts of dried Phragmites communis rhizome (PCWE) on ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-mediated photodamage in skin cells. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), melanocytes (B16F10 cells), and keratinocytes (HaCaT cells)

Background The spider venom is composed of various bioactive peptides and has well-known physiological characteristics, such as cytolytic and neurotoxic activities. However, there have been few studies on neurotoxic peptides derived from domestic indigenous spiders in Korea. Objective The study aimed to characterize and identify the venom peptide through genomic analysis from the domestic indigenous

Background Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a potent host antiviral effector protein that blocks the invasion of various viruses, including the influenza A virus (IAV). The C allele of the rs12252 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) shows vulnerability to the pandemic 2009 H1N1 IAV in European and Asian populations. Objective Here, we estimated the disease susceptibility of the

Background Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy (PN) is used as a traditional herb in East Asia and exhibits anti-parasitic, purgative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity are not well understood. Objective This study aims to elucidate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated after treatment with the compound

Due to an unfortunate oversight, one of the author names has been given erroneously.

Background Lewy bodies are pathological hallmarks for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, where the core components are composed of aggregated forms of α-synuclein (α-syn). Although α-syn has been investigated as a potential biomarker for PD, its usage has been limited and still remains controversial. Objective An accurate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection

Background Alpha-mangostin has potential as a chemopreventive agent but there is little information on its toxicological profile and developmental toxicity. Objective We evaluated the effects of α-mangostin on embryonic development and hepatogenesis in zebrafish. Result Exposure of embryos to 0.25–4 μM α-mangostin from 4–120 h post-fertilization (hpf) caused mortality of embryos with LC50 1.48 ± 0

Background Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) is a kind of common diabetic chronic complications and affects life quality of patients. Given the protective function of propofol in multiple diseases, the aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of propofol in DPNP. Methods The streptozocin (STZ)-induced DPNP rat models were established for in vivo study and the high glucose (HG)-induced

Backgrounds In this study, Jellyfish extract at immunity reaction (JEI) captured Ag citrate nanoparticles (Ag citrate NPs) and reduce toxicity was investigated. Methods JEI obtained from Aurelia aurita was used to assess the capture of Ag citrate NPs (10 mg/L, 2 mg/L) during 24 h, and the toxicity of JEI was assessed using a human cell line BEAS-2B. Results JEI was to reduce Ag citrate NPs in water

Background Indole-6-carboxaldehyde (I6CA), a natural indole derivative derived from the brown algae Sargassum thunbergii (Mertens) Kuntze, is known to have several pharmacological activities. However, the antioxidant effects of I6CA have not been identified. Objective The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of I6CA and its underlying mechanism against oxidative stress-induced damage in

Backgrounds Heavy metals are environmental pollutants and their breakdown is regarded as a serious risk to human health. Despite increasing evidence that heavy metals have adverse effects in vivo and in vitro, there is no evidence of the effect of heavy metals during placental formation. Objective We determined the effect of heavy metals on cell viability of BeWo human placental cells using MTS assay

Background Parabens are frequently used as antimicrobial preservatives in various commercials, pharmaceutical products, and foods. Recent studies have suggested that the exposure of pregnant women to methylparaben has adverse effects on the fetus. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of methylparaben on human placental cells are yet to be elucidated. Objective In this study, we

Purpose of review Within the last two decades several members of the Coronaviridae family namely Severe Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) have demonstrated epidemic potential. In late, 2019 an unnamed genetic relative, later named SARS-CoV-2 realized its potential in the highly populous neighborhoods of Wuhan, China. Unchecked, the virus rapidly spread

Background Cisplatin (CIS) is widely applied as an anticancer drug for various cancer types, including liver, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers; however, its usage is limited due to side effects. Objective We investigated whether combined therapy of Graviola (Annona muricata) leaves extract (GLE) and CIS could reduce CIS doses without decreasing its anticancer potential. Methods The MCF7,

Background Organophosphorus agents are potent neurotoxins that widely used as insecticides and also as poison in warfare. In the current study, we examined the neuroprotective role of NMDA receptors in Paraoxon (POX)-induced neurotoxicity of hippocampal cultured neurons. Objective Hippocampal neurons were isolated from the brains of neonatal rats. The cells treated with POX (100 µM) for 48 h or NMDA

Backgrounds Recent research has shown that stress has a significant influence on the functions of many organs. Objective The present study investigated the effect of acute or chronic restraint stress on physiological and psychological processes. Results In the acute stress group, body weight and food intake did not change, but in the chronic stress group, food intake significantly increased and body

Background Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug for cancer, which is isolated from the Pacific yew tree. However, and the molecular mechanism and the antitumor effects of paclitaxel on osteosarcoma cell remain to be explored. Objective The aim of our study was to explore the possible molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in osteosarcoma induced by paclitaxel. Results Paclitaxel can obviously decrease

Background PM2.5 is airborne particulate matter that is involved in air pollution and has become an important problem endangering human health. LncRNAs play important roles in malignant tumors. However, few studies have reported the mechanisms by which PM2.5 affects lung cancer. Objective To investigate the functional changes in PM2.5-exposed cells, we conducted tubule formation assays to determine

Background HS1793, a novel analogue of resveratrol, was previously determined to be more potent at lower dosages by improving mitochondrial function and increased mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins. In this study, we focused on targeting the mitochondria to address muscle wasting with HS-1793. Method Dosage screening was performed by evaluating for cytotoxicity and cell proliferation. Mitochondrial

Background Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is employed in the production of cosmetics, sunscreen, food, and drugs; however, TiO2 is toxic at the nanometric scale. Objective To analyze the in vitro toxic effect of TiO2 NPs on mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Methods The hMSCs from Wharton`s jelly were exposed to 4, 62.5 and 500 μg/mL of TiO2 NPs. Viability and cell proliferation tests were carried out at 2,

Background Myricetin is a polyphenolic compound that is cytostatic and/or cytotoxic for several cancer cell types; however, little is known about its effect on mammary carcinoma cells. Objective The objective of this study is to determine whether myricetin affects the growth of mammarycarcinoma cells. Results Myricetin inhibited the growth of 4T1 and E0771 mouse mammary carcinoma cells to a greater

Background Development of genetically modified crops has rapidly increased in last few years. The most widely grown GM crops express genes that confer herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. Detection system of GM crops is important for safety evaluation before its consumption. Objective The purpose of this research is to detect GM crops, especially PAT, in food-samples. Results The bar gene (PAT

Background Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) produces hemolytic cytotoxins, ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV, causing a huge loss to the swine industry. Objective We developed the PadLysis protocol for extracting genomic DNA (gDNA) for the LAMP—LeucoCrystal Violet (LCV) colorimetric detection. A paper-based well pad for gDNA extraction was fabricated using a wax printing method. Furthermore

Background Nisoldipine can effectively suppress pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and c-Fos expression. Objective To identify the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), focusing on the c-Fos/NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. Results In a mice model of monocrotaline-induced PAH, miRNA-155 expression was increased. In an in

Backgrounds The environmental impacts of microplastics (MPs) are increasingly of concern, particularly for their sources, global distribution, and persistency in aquatic ecosystems. Although the ubiquitous and persistent nature of MPs in waterbodies is evident, their effects and health implications for aquatic animals are still open to debate. Objective The brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana was exposed

Background Silica dioxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) have been used for various medical applications, including therapeutics and imaging, and the use of SiONPs has increased gradually over the years. However, despite an increase in the use of SiONPs, not much is known about mechanism of action of SiONPs and their pulmonary toxicity. Objective The present study investigated the pulmonary toxicity of SiONPs

Background Lack of universal replication system for hepatitis B virus with narrow host range and organ tropism has hampered to uncover the pathogenesis of HBV. Previously, we reported the essentiality of humoral milieu and its components toward HBV and hepatitis C virus survival/viability in vitro. Of these components, the precise role of enterohepatic humoral milieu such as bile acid (BA) on HBV cultivation

Backgrounds Methylmercury (MeHg) is regarded as a developmental neurotoxicant but the detailed mechanism remains not completely clear. Methods The Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to methylmercury chloride and the expression of neurodevelopment and oxidative stress genes was detected by qRT-PCR or Western blotting. PC12 cells were exposed to various levels of H2O2, and then cell cycle, neurite length

Background Pericardial effusion (PE) can develop in patients with virtually any condition that affects the pericardium, including acute pericarditis and a variety of systemic disorders. Thus, definite differentiation of malignant pericardial effusion and rapid diagnosis are known to have therapeutic and prognostic importance. Objective The aim of this study was to identify novel molecular markers for

Background Malathion (organophosphate) and cypermethrin (pyrethroid) are widely in use to facilitate protection of major food crops in agriculture, due to which it is important to understand their toxic potential. Allium cepa L. has been considered as a reliable genetic model to detect the toxicity of all sorts of pollutants. Objective The objective of the present work is to determine the cytotoxic

Background Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common industrial solvent and an occupational toxicant. TCE exposure can cause severe hepatotoxicity, but its mode of action is poorly understood. Many studies have shown TCE-induced liver damage in mice, while few have examined the effects of TCE in rats. Objective To explore the effects of TCE in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and the potential mechanisms in TCE-induced

Background Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have anti-cancer effects with fewer side effects than standard chemotherapeutic agents, however, they exert oxidative stress-based adverse effects on normal cells and so their applications have raised concern about possible health and environmental risks. Objective We evaluated whether green tea extract (GTE), which contains potent antioxidants, could ameliorate

Background Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and deletion ratio may be asymmetrically determined using physiologic or pathologic conditions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective Here, we investigated the association between mtDNA copy number and/or deletion ratio and the risk of developing MetS in a general population

Background Oxidative stress is involved in the development of many inflammatory, metabolic and aging diseases. Objective In this study we investigated, the protective effects of H2 on RAW 264.7 macrophage cell against LPS-and H2O2-induced oxidative stress by the inhibition of MAPK pathway and also activate the Nrf2 pathway. Results Our results showed H2 increased the macrophage cell proliferation and

Background Glypicans play a role in the growth and metastasis of several human cancers. However, little is known about its function in thyroid cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specific functions of glypican 2 (GPC2) in thyroid cancer cells. Objective The expression of six glypican family members (GPC1 to GPC6) was detected in different thyroid cancer cell lines. The abnormal expression

Background Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious clinical fatal disease. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lncRNA NEAT1 have been implied in its development and progression. Objective To study the role of lncRNA NEAT1 in the progression of fibrosis in human pulmonary epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Specifically, BEAS-2B was transfected with NEAT1 and miR-29c, EMT and cell proliferation were measured

Background It is known that flavonoids in Resina Draconis (FRD) have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but the function and mechanisms of FRD against pulmonary fibrosis remain unknown. Objective The study aimed to study the effect and mechanism of FRD on pulmonary fibrosis. Methods Pulmonary fibroblasts were isolated and identified. After treatment with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and

Backgrounds Exposure to a toxic stress environment leads to excessive inflammatory reactions and induces allergic asthma resulting in airway hyper-responsiveness. We investigated whether Rosa laevigata Michx. (RL) exhibits anti-inflammatory effects related allergic asthma in both an in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods To investigate the preventive effect of RL, A549 cells were pretreated with non-toxic

Background Natural killer (NK) cells are typical innate lymphocytes that directly kill cancer cells. However, the anti-tumor function of NK cells can be modulated by various cancers in a tumor microenvironment. Objective We investigated whether the functional characteristics of NK cells are affected by coculture with human breast carcinoma MCF-7 or MDA-MB231 cells and further examined the underlying

Backgrounds 3,4-Dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) is a transformation product of herbicides that is commonly used as a reference in developmental toxicity studies (OECD TG 236) (Bonnet et al. in Environ Toxicol 22:78–91, 2007). However, the mechanisms underlying 3,4-DCA-induced hepatotoxicity are not well known. Methods We exposed zebrafish larvae at 72 hpf to 3,4-DCA for 3 days and observed lipid accumulation

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental estrogen widely exposed to human beings, and there are more studies on its reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption and neurobehavioral disorders. Recent few studies have found that BPA has immunotoxicity, and its mechanism is not clear. Therefore, the effects of BPA on immune system have attracted extensive attention. The aim of this study was to

Backgrounds miRNAs, about 20–25 bases in length, are short-chain non-coding RNAs existing in the body, which are widely involved in the biological regulation of the organism. miRNAs inhibit the expression of target genes by specifically binding to target genes, thereby exerting biological effects. Methods We investigated the function of miRNA-338-5p on inflammation and its possible mechanisms in colitis

Background Particulate matter (PM)2.5 is a concern for public health nowadays. Although few studies have reported the skin diseases associated with PM2.5, its effects on keratinocytes have yet to be elucidated. Objective The goal of this experiment was to analyze and identify the changes of gene expression in PM2.5-treated keratinocytes using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. Results PM2.5-treated keratinocytes

Background Environmental exposure and genotype variation influence DNA methylation. Studies on the effects of genotype variation were performed mainly on European ancestries. We analyzed the genetic effects on cord blood methylation of Koreans. Methods As part of the Korean Exposome study project, DNA was extracted from 192 cord blood samples for analysis. Cord blood samples were genotyped via Asian

Background Deltamethrin, a type II pyrethroid insecticide, has been widely used due to its high efficacy against insects and low toxicity to mammals. However, recently, potential adverse health effects during deltamethrin exposure have been reported. Methods A proteomic analysis using two-dimensional electrophoresis with mass spectrometry was performed, and the proteomic data were validated by western

Background Cooking oil fumes (COFs) are composed of particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, and ketones, and are currently a global health concern. Some agents in COFs are mutagenic and carcinogenic. However, only a few reports have addressed the hazardous effects of COF exposure on the female reproductive system. In this study, we explored the effects

Backgrounds Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are extensively used for various products. In this study, the effects of ZnO NPs exposure in diversity and community composition of the bacteria associated with H. magnipapillata were investigated. This study provides insight into possible impacts of ZnO NPs on aquatic organisms. Methods 454-pyrosequencing analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was applied

Backgrounds Our previous work has confirmed that Hydra magnipapillata extract reduces the toxicity of nanomaterials. We investigated the effects of the Hydra protein (HP) and its role in reducing the toxicity of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles (Ag–PVP NPs) using the A549 lung epithelial cell line. Results The viability of cells exposed to Ag–PVP NPs or Ag–PVP NPs + HP was 77.93 ± 6.96% or 95.04 ± 9

Backgrounds Propylparaben is one of the most commonly used preservatives in pharmaceuticals, food items, and personal care products. However, growing evidence demonstrates that propylparaben has a harmful effect on various human tissues. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of propylparaben on the human placental cell line, BeWo. Objective We investigated whether propylparaben caused

Backgrounds PU.1 is a pioneer transcription factor and a master regulator of the myeloid lineage. However, the role of PU.1 in lipopolysaccharide-dependent microglial activation has yet to be investigated. So, this study was conducted to determine the effects of PU.1 in LPS-induced activation of microglial cells. Methods We knocked out PU.1 in murine BV-2 cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to investigate

Background Excessive intake of fat, one of the causes of obesity, is associated with low-grade inflammation in various susceptible organs and eventually causes tissue toxicity. This study examines the multifaceted suppressive effects of Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced lipotoxicity and inflammatory responses in the aorta, liver, and brain. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were

Background Roasted coffee beans are broadly consumed in nearly all classes of the population. 2,3-Butanedione is a food flavor that causes obstructive bronchiolitis in microwave popcorn manufacturing workers. It can be naturally produced when coffee is roasted. Objective To determine effects of 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl) and 2,3-pentanedione on workers’ health during the coffee roasting process, we