• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.725-732
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• 2016

Plasmodium vivax produces numerous caveola-vesicle complex (CVC) structures beneath the membrane of infected erythrocytes. Recently, a member helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) superfamily protein, $PcyPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$, was identified as CVCs-associated protein in Plasmodium cynomolgi and essential for survival of this parasite. Very little information has been documented to date about $PHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ protein in P. vivax. In this study, the recombinant $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C termini were expressed, and immunoreactivity was assessed using confirmed vivax malaria patients sera by protein microarray. The subcellular localization of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C termini in blood stage parasites was also determined. The antigenicity of recombinant $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ N and C terminal proteins were analyzed by using serum samples from the Republic of Korea. The results showed that immunoreactivities to these proteins had 61% and 43% sensitivity and 96.9% and 93.8% specificity, respectively. The N terminal of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ which contains transmembrane domain and export motif (PEXEL; RxLxE/Q/D) produced CVCs location throughout the erythrocytic-stage parasites. However, no fluorescence was detected with antibodies against C terminal fragment of $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$. These results suggest that the $PvPHIST/CVC-81_{95}$ is localized on the CVCs and may be immunogenic in natural infection of P. vivax.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.326-332
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• 1999

Background: In korea the agricultural community widely uses organophosphorous, and organophosphorous poisonings are increasing every year. We compared change in activity of acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase by organophosphorous and by the interaction of ethanol and organophosphorous. We also compared the effect of reversible anticholinesterase drugs, physostigmine and neostigmine The object of this study is to investigate the effects of several anticholinesterase drugs and on how ethanol influences the activity of cholinesterase. Materials and Methods: Fifteen male university students were randomly selected, and blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein. The acetylcholinesterase in the RBC and the pseudocholinesterase in the serum were extracted and separated. The enzyme activity change was measured by the electrometric method. After adding acetylcholine, the pH change was measured with a pH meter. Results and Conclusion: Our results indicated that reversible anticholinesterase drugs decreased the cholinesterase activity more efficiently than organophosphorous. The acetyl cholinesterase and pseudocholinosterase activity were decreased by ethanol. When ethanol was added, oxime a cholinesterase activator, increased acetylcholinesterase activity but does not increased pseudocholinesterase activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6427-6431
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• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world and deeply threatens people's health, especially in China. Techniques of early diagnosis, prevention and prediction are still being discovered, among which the approaches based on single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNA genes (miRNA SNPs) are newly proposed and show prospective potential. In particular, the association between SNPs in miRNA196a-2 (rs11614913) and miRNA146a (rs2910164) and HCC has been investigated. However, the conclusions made were conflicting, possibly due to insufficient sample size or population stratification. Further confirmations in well-designed large samples are still required. In this study, we verified the association between these two SNPs and the susceptibility to HCC by MassARRAY assay in a 2,000 large Chinese case-control sample. Significant association between rs11614913 and HCC was confirmed. Subjects with the genotype of CT+TT or T allele in rs11614913 were more resistant to HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.73 (0.57-0.92), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.85 (0.75-0.97), P=0.02) and HBV-related HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.69 (0.53-0.90), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.82 (0.71-0.95), P=0.01). The affected carriers of CT or TT also tended to have lower levels of serum AFP (P=0.01). This study demonstrated a role of rs11614913 in the etiology of HCC. Further research should focus on the clinical use of this miRNA SNP, so as to facilitate conquering HCC.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2007

Hepatitis B is a serious public health problem leading to chronic infection and liver cancer. Quantitation of circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) is important for monitoring disease progression and for assessing the response to antiviral therapy. In this study, by using Real-Time PCR and novel Micro-PCR assay method, we measured HBV concentration in the clinical sample. A total of 120 serum samples from patients with HBV infection collected was in Dankook university hospital to compare the detection limit, sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the two assay methods. These findings of this study suggest that Micro-PCR and Real-Time PCR assay methods are comparable to each other in there detection limit, sensitivity, and reproducibility for HBV DNA quantitation. However, Micro-PCR assay is more efficient than Real-Time PCR method, because Real-Time PCR is not so time - consuming, technically easy and need to reagent of a small quantity. It will be useful for rapid and reliable clinical diagnosis of HBV in many countries.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 1997

The study of present study was to determine the valuable laboratory tests for the differential diagnosis of lead poisoning in dogs. Sixteen mongrel dogs were divided into 2 experimental groups (A and B) and a control group (C). The A and B groups were administered orally 2 mg and 20 mg of lead per kilogram of body weight for 49 days, respectively. In addition to clinical observation, blood, urine and hair samples were collected on appointed day and examined for hematological changes, lead content of serum, whole blood and hair, and urinary $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid concentrations. All dogs were necropside on 49th day and examined for the lead content and histological changes of organs. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The group B showed digestive and nervous signs, and weight loss. The group A showed no significant hematological changes except polychromatophilla on the 7th day. But group B showed polychromatophilia as well as mild anemia and nucleated erythrocyte on the 7th and 35th day. Basophlic stippling erythrocytes were observed in some of the group B on the 14th day. The lead content of whole blood was increased significantly in both A and B groups on the 21the day. The urinary $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid content was increased in both A and B groups on the 7th day. The hair lead content of A and B groups was increased significantly on the 49th and 21th day, respectively. The lead contents of organs including liver, kidney, spleen, muscle and bone were increased significantly in group B. Histopathologic changes were characterized by hemorrhages, necrosis and intranuclear inclusion body in the epithelial cells of convoluted tubles of kidney, cloudy swelling and degeneration and/or necrosis of liver, enlargement of Virchow-Robin space, and swelling of endothelial cells and hyperplasia of the pericytes of brain. From these results it may be concluded that examination of nucleated erythrocyte/polychromatophilia, urinary $\delta$ -aminolevulinic acid, and whole blood and hair lead contents is a reliable clinico-pathological diagnostic methods, and that examination of the Virchow-Robin space, endothelial cells and pericytes of brain as well as intranuclear inclusion body in the epithelial cells of convoluted tubles of kidney is valualble postmortem diagnostic methods for lead poisoning in dogs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.300-309
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• 2001

Background : Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory and hemodynamic response to severe bacterial infections that involve various mediators. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasoconstrictor is associated with mu1tiple organ failure, and interleukin (IL)-8, a proinflammtory cytokine, plays a major role in neurophil activation. Both have been reported to be useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis. The levels of ET-1 and IL-8 in the blood were measured in patients with sepsis, and the correlation of both parameters and their relationship with the clinical data was assessed. Methods : 19 sepsis patients and 17 controls were studied. Blood samples of the sepsis patients were drawn in day 1, 3, 7, and 14. The APACHE III scores were calculated in concurrent days. The ET-1 and IL-8 levels were measured using immunoassay methods. Results : The ET-1 levels of patients with sepsis were significantly higher than in the controls. In patients with sepsis, non-survivors had higher ET-1 levels than survivors on day 1 and 7, and patients with shock also had higher ET-1 levels than normotensive patients on admission. The ET-1 levels were significantly correlated with the creatinine levels on day 1, 7, and 14. The IL-8 levels showed a significant correlation with the ET-1 levels on day 14. Conclusion : ET-1 was found to be closely related with the clinical outcome, shock, and renal failure, and showed a correlation with IL-8. These mediators can be considered not only to play pathophysiologic roles but also as useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2015

During pregnancy, the maternal body undergoes significant physiological changes. The present study assessed the changes on calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) metabolism in singleton and twin-pregnant dairy goats. The 42 goats used ($49.5kg{\pm}7.6$ body weight [BW]) were assigned at random to treatments that were factorially arranged to account for 2 breeds (Oberhasli and Saanen), 2 pregnancy types (singleton and twin) and 3 gestation periods (80, 110, and 140 days). Digestibility trials were performed at 80, 110, and 140 days of gestation. Mineral retention during pregnancy was determined in the maternal body, femur, uterus, mammary gland, fetus and fetal fluid. Blood samples were taken during pregnancy before and after a meal, and Ca, P, Mg, Na, K ions and alkaline phosphatase activity determined in serum. Bone mineral density was determined in the right femur. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS MIXED procedure. Dry matter intake decreased linearly up to 140 days of gestation. Maternal BW gain, and Ca, P, and Mg retention (g/kg) decreased linearly with the advance of gestation days. Macromineral retention in maternal body (g/kg) was greater in Oberhasli than Saanen goats, and their fetuses had higher Ca, P, and Mg deposition (mg/g). Mineral retention (mg/g) increased in fetuses according to pregnancy development, with no differences between singleton and twin pregnancy. In the mammary gland, the retention of all minerals (g) increased with the days of pregnancy. In conclusion, related to Ca, P, and Mg metabolism can be divided into two stages. Up to 80 days of gestation, was characterized by the preparation of the maternal body reserves for future mineral demands. From 80 days of gestation onward, was characterized by the transfer of maternal body reserves for fetal development and colostrum production. Na and K supply was provided by adjustments in endogenous excretion and an increase in intestinal absorption. Finally, mineral metabolism was specific to each genotype and, except for Na, was not affected by the number of fetuses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3779-3784
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• 2014

Aims: To study alterations of plasma lipid profiles in carcinoma cervix and to assess significance comparedwith controls in different histological grades and stages. Materials and Methods: Totals of 99 histopathologically diagnosed cases and 35 controls from a tertiary hospital situated in the southern part of India which caters the rural and semi-urban populations were considered for the study. Fasting blood samples were taken to analyze total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), for comparison of cases, grouped according to histological grades and stages, and controls. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons and the Student's t test (unpaired) for group wise comparisons. For all tests a 'p' value of 0.05 or less was considered as significant. Results: Out of 99 cases, most (n-39) were seen in the 40-49 year age group followed by 60-69 years (n-22). Serum TG significantly differed between cases and controls but without any relation to differentiation grade. The lipid profile parameters in various grades of cervical cancer were not statistically significant. Statistically significant increase of TC and LDL-C values was observed with increase in stage of the disease. Conclusions: The study showed TG is elevated in cervical cancer, and that TC and LDL-C are proportional to the spread of cancer as it increases from stage I to stage IV. An in-depth study of molecular changes in lipid metabolism in cervical cancer patients, enzymes/genes responsible and alterations in LDL receptors is necessary to provide information to decide whether the lipid profile has any diagnostic/prognostic role in cervical cancer.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT) and Gungangbuja-tang (GBT) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of inflammation. HHT and GBT are one of the representative prescriptions of cold drug and one of the representative prescriptions of hot drug, respectively. For experimental evaluation of their efficacy, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of HHT and GBT on LPS-induced inflammation and the mechanisms of their action. Methods : ICR mice were given a HHT (50, 500 mg/kg), GBT (100, 1000 mg/kg) extract orally on three consecutive days. On the third day, they were administered LPS intraperitoneally (35 mg/kg), 1 h after the last sample administration. Blood and liver samples were taken 6 h after the LPS challenge. Cytokine expression and inflammation-related protein factor analyses were performed by Western blotting. Results : Oral administration of HHT significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ in the serum. While GBT inhibited an increase of IL-6, IFN-${\gamma}$ was not affected. Immunoblot analysis showed that LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}b$ activation was inhibited by GBT, meanwhile HHT only inhibited NF-${\kappa}b$ expression at high does (500 mg/kg). In addition, HHT and GBT inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2, Jnk and p38 MAPKs. GBT also significantly inhibited i-Nos and Cox-2 expression, and HHT inhibited only i-Nos expression. Conclusions : Both of HHT and GBT showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-induced endotoxemia. However, HHT significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, such as IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ more than GBT, while GBT significantly inhibited inflammatory proteins, including NF-${\kappa}b$, MAP Kinases, i-Nos and Cox-2, more than HHT. These results suggest that HHT and GBT regulate the different mechanisms of action and pathways, presumably by regulating cytokine levels (IL-6, IFN-${\gamma}$), NF-${\kappa}b$ activation, and several pro-inflammatory gene expression, although both of HHT and GBT have anti-inflammatory effects.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.208-213
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• 2004

In this study, we examined the effects of dietary 1,3-diacylglycerol (DG) compared to conventional triacylglycerol (TG) oil on the postprandial response of total and chylomicron TG, glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid (FFA). This study was conducted using a cross-over design. Ninety subjects participated in the high-fat meal tolerance test where they were randomly assigned to consume two experimental sandwiches containing mayonnaise with TG or DG oil with a seven-day interval. Blood samples were collected before ingestion and at 2, 3, 4 and 6 hr time point after ingestion and analyzed for total and chylomicron TG, glucose, insulin, FFA and phospholipid fatty acid composition. Both TG and DG ingestion had similar effects on postprandial TG response, but a different response from chylomicron TG. Compared with the TG group, TG levels were significantly lower only at 6 hr time point in the DG group. On the other hand, chylomicron TG rose steeply at 2 hr time point and decreased faster in this group. Also, the adjusted value to fasting levels was the same as the unadjusted level. Fasting levels and net differences in insulin were significantly lower at 3 hr time point where chylomicron TG levels were significantly lower in the DG group. But those of glucose and FFA in the TG and DG groups did not differ significantly. Fasting and postprandial levels of fatty acid composition in serum phospholipids in the two groups did not differ significantly. In conclusion, this study indicated that one could reduce the magnitude of postprandial lipemia without influencing glucose metabolism by consumning DG oil as a substitute for TG oil. Based on the correlation of coronary artery disease and postprandial lipemia, dietary DG ingestion might have a beneficial effect in treating such a disease. Further studies are required to clarify the long-tenn effects of dietary DG on blood lipid levels in humans.