• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.311-314
• /
• 2023

Thallium poisoning is usually accidental. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who was evaluated in June 2018 for myalgia, vertigo, asthenia, and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed temporal-spatial disorientation, jaundice, and asterixis. The laboratory reported the following: bilirubin, 10.3 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase, 78 U/L; alanine transaminase, 194 U/L; albumin, 2.3 g/dL; prothrombin time, 40%; and platelet count, 60,000/mm³. Serology performed for hepatitis A, B, and C; Epstein-Barr virus; cytomegalovirus; and human immunodeficiency virus was negative, and a collagenogram was negative. Physical reevaluation revealed alopecia on the scalp, armpits, and eyebrows; macules on the face; plantar hyperkeratosis; and ulcers on the lower limbs. Tests for lead, arsenic, copper, and mercury were carried out, which were normal; however, elevated urinary thallium (540 ㎍/g; range, 0.4-10 ㎍/g) was observed. The patient was treated with D-penicillamine 1,000 mg/day and recovered her urinary thallium levels were within normal range at annual follow-up. Thallium poisoning is extremely rare and can be fatal in small doses. An adequate clinical approach can facilitate early diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.194-203
• /
• 2005

This study was peformed to investigate effect of feeding experimental mixture containing chitosan, hibiscus extract and L-carnitine on body weight and lipid metabolism in rats. Forty-eight male rats(Charles River CD) of eight weeks old and weighing $336.5{\pm}2.3g$ were raised for five weeks with high fat diet(40% fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats weighing $560.4{\pm}5.6g$ were blocked into four groups according to body weight and raised for eight weeks with diet containing either 0.09%(+1D group), 0.9%(+10D group) or 4.5%(+50D group) of experimental mixture. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total protein and albumin were normal levels in plasma. Body weight gain and epididymal fat pad weight were lower in experimental mixture groups than control group However, weights of perirenal fat pad and brown adipose tissue were not significantly different among all groups. There was no significant difference in plasma and hepatic lipid levels among all groups. Liver citrate lyase and camitine acyltransferase activities were not significantly different among all groups, however, citrate lyase activity was tended to be decreased with increasing experimental mixture level in diet. Fecal total lipid and total cholesterol excretions were highest in +50D group, and triglyceride excretion was highest in +1D group. in conclusion, intake of experimental mixture containing chitosan, hibiscus extract and L-camitine was effective in reducing body weight and body fat, and its inhibitory effects might lead to obesity improvement.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.187-196
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity in the past decades has caused non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to become the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was aimed at determining the effect of vitamin D (Vit D) on ultrasonography and laboratory indices of NAFLD and some blood biochemical indicators in children. Methods: In this interventional study liver ultrasonography was performed in 200 children with overweight and obesity. A 108 had fatty liver among which 101 were randomly divided into two groups of study (n=51) and control (n=50). The study group was treated with Vit D, 50000 U once a week whereas the control group received placebo with the same dose and package, both for 12 weeks. At the end of the intervention lab tests and ultrasound study was performed once again to evaluate the response to treatment. Results: It was found out that Vit D supplementation improved the fatty liver grade in the study group. The mean changes in hemoglobin (Hb), uric acid, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin, albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly higher in the study group compared to controls (p<0.05). After the intervention and means adjustment, a significant difference was obtained in HDL-C, insulin, LDL-C and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between the two groups. Conclusion: Vit D supplementation in addition to improving the fatty liver grade in ultrasonography and increasing the blood Vit D level, increases the HDL and Hb level besides decreasing uric acid, LDL, HOMA-IR, insulin and ALT levels.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.3_spc
• /
• pp.405-416
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of feeding diets naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol (supplemental 2 mg/kg) on health, growth, and the effects of a mycotoxin-detoxifying additive in newly-weaned pigs. Methods: Thirty-six pigs (27 day-old) were housed individually and assigned to 3 treatments for 5 weeks: CON (diet containing minimal deoxynivalenol), MT (diet with supplemental 1.9 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol), and MT+D (MT + mycotoxin-detoxifying additive, 0.2%, MegaFix, ICC, São Paulo, Brazil). The mycotoxin-detoxifying additive included bentonite, algae, enzymes, and yeast. Blood was taken at week 2 and 5. Jejunal tissue were taken at week 5. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Results: Pigs fed MT+D tended to have decreased (p = 0.056) averaged daily feed intake during week 1 than MT. At week 2, serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase in MT tended to be lower (p = 0.059) than CON, whereas it was increased (p<0.05) for MT+D than MT, indicating hepatic damages in MT and recovery in MT+D. Pigs fed MT had lower (p<0.05) blood urea nitrogen/creatinine than CON, supporting hepatic damage. At week 5, pigs fed MT tended to have reduced (p = 0.079) glucose than CON, whereas it was increased (p<0.05) for MT+D than MT, indicating impaired intestinal glucose absorption in MT, which was improved in MT+D. Pigs fed CON tended to have increased (p = 0.057) total glutathione in jejunum than MT, indicating oxidative stress in MT. Pigs fed MT+D had a reduced (p<0.05) proportion of Ki-67-positive cells in jejunum than MT, indicating lower enterocyte proliferation in MT+D. Conclusion: Feeding supplemental 1.9 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol reduced growth and debilitated hepatic health of pigs, as seen in leakage of hepatic enzymes, impaired nitrogen metabolism, and increase in oxidative stress. The mycotoxin-detoxifying enhanced hepatic health and glucose levels, and attenuated gut damage in pigs fed deoxynivalenol contaminated diets.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.712-722
• /
• 2022

In this study, we investigated the residual properties of tebuconazole-treated pigs. Twenty pigs were treated with different concentrations (0.25, 1.25, 2.5, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg bw/d) of tebuconazole for 28 d. Blood biochemistry, histology, and residual levels were analyzed using the VetTest analyzer, Masson's trichrome staining kit, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The final body weights were not significantly different between the control and treatment groups. Alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were significantly different from those of the control after exposure for 14 d. However, alanine aminotransferase levels showed changes only after exposure to pesticides for 28 d. The biochemical parameters were separated during the experimental period (14 d versus 28 d) by principal component analysis. Based on variable importance plots, blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase are candidate biomarkers for tebuconazole exposure. The residual levels were observed at T4 (12.5 mg/kg bw/d) and T5 (25 mg/kg bw/d) in the liver and fat tissues, respectively. Fibrosis increased in the liver, kidney, and fat tissues, depending on the tebuconazole concentration. In conclusion, the residue limits of tebuconazole and the physiological changes caused by dietary tebuconazole in pigs provide important information for establishing maximum residue limits of pork and pork products.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.61 no.1
• /
• pp.12-16
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To differentiate adenoviral pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF) from acute Kawasaki disease (KD) using laboratory tests before results of virus-real time polymerase chain reaction and ophthalmologic examination are obtained. Methods: Baseline patient characteristics and laboratory measurements were compared between 40 patients with adenovirus infection and 123 patients with KD. Results: The patients with adenovirus infection were generally older than those with KD (median: 3.9 years vs. 2 years, P=0.000). White blood cell and, platelet count, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels showed significant differences between the 2 groups, but the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels did not ($6.8{\pm}3.0mg/dL$ vs. $8.3{\pm}5.8mg/dL$, P=0.126). In the adenovirus infection group, the CRP levels were <1, <3, <10, and ${\geq}10mg/dL$ in 2 (5%), 3 (7.5%), 30 (75%), and 5 patients (12.5%), respectively. The cutoff NT-proBNP level was 265 pg/mL. Discrepancy was defined as CRP and NT-proBNP levels of ${\geq}3$ or <3 mg/dL, and <265 or ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Among the 35 patients with adenovirus infection whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 29 (82.9%) showed a discrepancy. Conversely, of the 103 patients with KD whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 83 (80.6%) showed no discrepancy. Between the groups, a significant difference in discrepancy rate was observed (P=0.000). None of the patients with adenovirus infection had CRP and NT-proBNP levels of <3 mg/dL and ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Conclusion: With a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 80.6%, CRP and NT-proBNP levels may differentiate between adenoviral PCF and acute KD.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.1720-1726
• /
• 2014

(S)-Alanine Racemase Chiral Analogue ((S)-ARCA) was used as an efficient adsorbent for the selective separation of D-amino acids (D-AAs), which are industrially important as chiral building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates. The organic phase, containing (S)-ARCA adsorbent and phase transfer reagents, such as ionic liquid type molecules (Tetraphenylphosphonium chloride (TPPC), Octyltriphenylphosponium bromide (OTPPBr)), were coated on the surfaces of mesoporous carbon supports. For the immobilization of chiral adsorbents, meso/macroporous monolithic carbon (MMC), having bimodal pore structures with high surface areas and pore volumes, were fabricated. The separation of chiral AAs by adsorption onto the heterogeneous (S)-ARCA was performed using a continuous flow type packed bed reactor system. The effects of loading amount of ARCA on the support, the molar ratio of AA to ARCA, flow rates, and the type of phase transfer reagent (PTR) on the isolation yields and the optical purity of product D-AAs were investigated. D-AAs were selectively combined to (S)-ARCA through imine formation reaction in an aqueous basic solution of racemic D/L-AA. The (S)-ARCA coated MMC support showed a high selectivity, up to 95 ee%, for the separation of D-type phenylalanine, serine and tryptophan from racemic mixtures. The ionic liquids TPPC and OTPPBr exhibited superior properties to those of the ionic surfactant Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), as a PTR, showing constant optical purities of 95 ee%, with high isolation yields for five repeated reuses. The unique separation properties in this heterogeneous adsorption system should provide for an expansion of the applications of porous materials for commercial processes.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 1978

The relative permeabilities, distribution coefficients and diffusion coefficient of some salts which are important components in blood plasma through a poly(HEMA) membrane were measured. The crosslinker which was used for preparing the membrane was tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate(TEGDMA), the weight percentage of the latter was about 2.8. We found that the diffusion coefficients ($D_m$) of the solutes decrease exponentially with increasing molecular weight, and also that $D_m$'s decrease linearly (except urea) with cylindrical radius (a). These facts were explained by a sieve pore flow model. The relative permeability and diffusion coefficient of urea at various temperature were larger than those of other solutes such as glycine, ${\beta}$-alanine, D-glucose, saccharose and maleic acid. The result indicates that the poly(HEMA) membrane might be suitable for hemodialysis application.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Aging is an unconscious and gradual process that can lead to changes in biological systems. Induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity are involved in the aging process. Regarding the antioxidant property of black seed oil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-aging effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) oil on d-galactose-induced aging in mice. Methods: For induction of aging, D-galactose (500 mg/kg, subcoutaneously SC) was administrated to male mice for 42 days. Animals were treated with D-galactose alone or with b lack seed oil (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)). Additionally, vitamin E (200 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. At the end of treatment, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and the glutathione (GSH) contents in brain and liver tissues were measured. Also, enzymes in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), were determined. The levels of the proteins Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) in brain and liver tissues were evaluated. Results: Administration of D-galactose (500 mg/kg, SC) for 42 days increased serum levels of ALT and AST, as well as the MDA content, in brain and liver tissues, but decreased the GSH content. Additionally, the levels of apoptotic proteins, including Bax, procaspase-3 and caspase-3 cleaved, were markedly increased. N. sativa oil (0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg) diminished the levels of the biochemical markers ALT and AST. Administration of black seed oil (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mL/kg) reduced lipid peroxidation and at doses 0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg significantly recovered the GSH content. The oil decreased Bax/Bcl2 levels and at 0.1 mL/kg down-regulated the expressions of caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) proteins in brain and liver tissues. Conclusion: Through its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis properties, black seed oil exhibited an anti-aging effect in a model of aging induced with D-galactose.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.251-261
• /
• 1999

The effects of carnosine and related compounds (CRCs) including anserine, homocarnosine, histidine, and ${\beta}-alanine$ on monosaccharide autoxidation and $H_2O_2$ formation were investigated. The incubation of CRCs with D-glucose, D-glucosamine, and D, L-glyceraldehyde at $37^{\circ}C$ increased the absorption maxima at 285 nm, 273 nm, and $290{\sim}330$ nm, respectively. D, L-glyceraldehyde was the most reactive sugar with CRCs. The presence of copper strongly stimulated the reaction of carnosine and anserine with D-glucose or D-glucosamine. Carnosine and anserine stimulated $H_2O_2$ formation from D-glucose autoxidation in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of 10 ${\mu}M$ Cu (II). The presence of human serum albumin (HSA) decreased their effect on $H_2O_2$ formation. Carnosine and anserine has a biphasic effect on ${\alpha}-ketoaldehyde$ formation from glucose autoxidation. CRCs inhibited glycation of HSA as determined by hydroxymethyl furfural, lysine residue with free ${\varepsilon}-amino$ group, and fructosamine assay. These results suggest that CRCs may be protective against diabetic complications by reacting with sugars and protecting glycation of protein.