• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.290-297
• /
• 2021

Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 (LK1) is a newly isolated cyanobacterium that shows no obvious cytotoxicity and contains high protein content for both human and animal diets. However, only limited information is available on its toxic effects. The purpose of this study was to validate the safety of LK1 powder. Following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, a single-dose oral toxicity test in Sprague Dawley rats was performed. Genotoxicity was assessed using a bacterial reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537) and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA, an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test using Chinese hamster lung cells, and an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test using Hsd:ICR (CD-1) SPF mouse bone marrow. After LK1 administration (2,500 mg/kg), there were no LK1-related body weight changes or necropsy findings. The reverse mutation test showed no increased reverse mutation upon exposure to 5,000 ㎍/plate of the LK1 powder, the maximum tested amount. The chromosome aberration test and micronucleus assay demonstrated no chromosomal abnormalities and genotoxicity, respectively, in the presence of the LK1 powder. The absence of physiological findings and genetic abnormalities suggests that LK1 powder is appropriate as a candidate biomass to be used as a safe food ingredient.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.18.1-18.8
• /
• 2021

Jawarishe Jalinoos (JJ) is an orally used formulation available in semisolid dosage form, prepared with powdered plant materials mixed in honey or sugar syrup. It has many admirable pharmacological effects and used in Unani medicine to treat various acute and chronic disorders since ancient times. The ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline stated that photostability testing should be an essential part of stability testing to confirm that light exposure does not result in an unacceptable change in drugs substance and finished products. To date, the effect of light on JJ is not studied, in this study photostability evaluation of JJ was carried out. The test sample was manufactured with genuine ingredients in the in-door pharmacy of the National Institute of Unani Medicine. JJ was packed in two transparent polyethylene terephthalate airtight containers. The first sample was analysed at zero-day and the second sample was placed in a stability chamber subjected to light challenge with an overall illumination of 1.2 million lux hours combined with near ultraviolet energy of 200-watt hours per square meter by using option 2, along with 30±2℃ temperature and relative humidity 70±5%. Analysis of both finished products showed no considerable changes in organoleptic characters. Less than 5% variation was observed in physicochemical parameters. HPTLC fingerprinting showed justifiable variation. Microbial load and specific counts were within the limit prescribed by WHO. As no unacceptable changes were noted in JJ subjecting to light challenge, it is concluded that JJ is a photostable Unani compound formulation.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.52.1-52.7
• /
• 2022

This paper reports a presumptive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in a cat. A cat with respiratory disease living with three individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 showed bilateral ground-glass opacities in the lung on X-ray and computed tomography. The clinical swabs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, but the serum was positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Interstitial pneumonia and prominent type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia were noted on histopathology. Respiratory tissues were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen, but the cat was positive for feline parvovirus DNA. In conclusion, the respiratory disease and associated pathology in this cat could have been due to exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.310-316
• /
• 2022

Background: Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside, which is among the active components of some medicinal herbs such as Verbena officinalis Linn, and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. Previous studies have confirmed the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective potential of verbenalin. To confirm the safety of verbenalin, an approximate lethal dose was determined based on a single oral dose toxicity study. Methods: Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly assigned to three verbenalin exposure groups (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) and a control group (5% methylcellulose solution). There were (5 male and 5 female mice per group). Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight were monitored for 14 days, and necropsies were conducted. Results: No mortalities were observed in the control group or the verbenalin 250 mg/kg group, whereas mortalities were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the observation period, stool abnormalities such as mucous stools were observed. Clinical signs such as loss of locomotor activity were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the study period, significant changes in body weight were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups; however, no gross abnormalities were observed at necropsy. Overall, no toxicity was found in the 250 mg/kg group. Conclusion: The approximate lethal dose of verbenalin was estimated to be 500 mg/kg. For a more accurate assessment of the safety of verbenalin, other types of studies such as repeated-dose toxicity studies should also be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.20-25
• /
• 2021

[Purpose] The aim of this review was to discuss the effects of vitamin D on physical performance and musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and provide information on the field applications of vitamin D. [Methods] A systematic review was conducted to identify studies on vitamin D in athletes that assessed serum vitamin D levels, vitamin D and physical performance, vitamin D and musculoskeletal injuries, and practical guidelines for supplementation of vitamin D. [Results] Several studies reported that a high proportion of athletes had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Low serum levels of vitamin D in athletes were more pronounced in winter than in other seasons, and indoor athletes had lower serum vitamin D levels than outdoor athletes. Low vitamin D levels have been demonstrated to have negative effects on muscle strength, power, and endurance; increase stress fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries; and affect acute muscle injuries and inflammation following high-intensity exercises. Therefore, periodic assessment and monitoring of vitamin D levels are necessary in athletes; the recommended serum level of 25(OH)D is > 32 ng/mL and the preferred level is > 40 ng/mL (-1). In those with low levels of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight and an improved diet or supplements may be helpful. Particularly, 2000-6000 IU of supplemental vitamin D3 can be consumed daily. [Conclusion] Vitamin D is a potential nutritional factor that can significantly affect physical performance and musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. The importance and role of vitamin D in athletes should be emphasized, and the current levels of vitamin D should be assessed. Therefore, it is essential to periodically evaluate and monitor serum vitamin D levels in athletes.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.135-145
• /
• 2023

Antibiotics are frequently administered during pregnancy. Although necessary to address acute infections, their use facilitates antibiotic resistance. Other associations have also been found with the use of antibiotics, such as perturbations of gut bacteria, delays in microbial maturation, and increased risks of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Little is known about how the prenatal and perinatal administration of antibiotics to mothers affects the clinical outcomes of their offspring. A literature search was conducted of the Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed engines. The retrieved articles were reviewed by two authors and verified for relevance. The primary outcome was the effect of pre- and perinatal maternal antibiotic use on clinical outcomes. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. Various aspects are discussed, including infections, allergies, obesity, and psychosocial factors. In animal studies, antibiotic intake during pregnancy has been suggested to cause long-term alterations in immune regulation. In humans, associations have been found between antibiotic intake during pregnancy and different types of infections and an increased risk of pediatric infection-related hospitalization. A dose-dependent positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use and asthma severity has been reported in animal and human studies, while positive associations with atopic dermatitis and eczema were reported by human studies. Multiple associations were identified between antibiotic intake and psychological problems in animal studies; however, relevant data from human studies are limited. However, one study reported a positive association with autism spectrum disorders. Multiple animal and human studies reported a positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use by mothers and diseases in their offspring. Our findings have potentially significant clinical relevance, particularly considering the implications for health during infancy and later in life as well as the related economic burden.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.441-449
• /
• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.85 no.1
• /
• pp.124-137
• /
• 2024

Malrotation and midgut volvulus are surgical emergencies that commonly occur within the first month of life. The classic symptom is acute bilious vomiting, while nonspecific symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain may be present in older children. Malrotation can be associated with duodenal obstruction caused by an abnormal peritoneal fibrous band or congenital anomalies, such as an annular pancreas or a preduodenal portal vein. Volvulus can lead to bowel ischemia and a life-threatening condition, thus prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Diagnosis can be made through upper gastrointestinal series, ultrasonography, and CT, with ultrasonography being preferred as a screening tool due to its rapid and accurate diagnosis, without radiation exposure, in children. This pictorial essay discusses the key imaging findings and diagnostic approaches for malrotation and midgut volvulus, as well as diagnostic pitfalls based on actual cases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.242-248
• /
• 2016

Thymic atrophy is a complication that results from exposure to many environmental stressors, disease treatments, and microbial challenges. Such acute stress-associated thymic loss can have a dramatic impact on the host's ability to replenish the necessary naïve T cell output to reconstitute the peripheral T cell numbers and repertoire to respond to new antigenic challenges. We have previously reported that treatment with the orexigenic hormone ghrelin results in an increase in the number and proliferation of thymocytes after dexamethasone challenge, suggesting a role for ghrelin in restraint stress-induced thymic involution and cell apoptosis and its potential use as a thymostimulatory agent. In an effort to understand how ghrelin suppresses thymic T cell apoptosis, we have examined the various signaling pathways induced by receptor-specific ghrelin stimulation using a restraint stress mouse model. In this model, stress-induced apoptosis in thymocytes was effectively blocked by ghrelin. Western blot analysis demonstrated that ghrelin prevents the cleavage of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bim, Caspase-3, and PARP. In addition, ghrelin stimulation activates the Akt and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways in a time/dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we also revealed the involvement of the FoxO3a pathway in the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Together, these findings suggest that ghrelin inhibits apoptosis by modulating the stress-induced apoptotic signal pathway in the restraint-induced thymic apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 1995

Acute and chronic toxicity of phenol on the mortality, long-term survival and respiration rates of the mysid, Archaeomysis kokuboi adult and juvenile were examined. This experiment was condurted by static bioassay procedure with the different salinity at $25^{\circ}C$ In lethal test, the test animals were exposed to 6 different phenol concentrations to determine $LC_{50}$ and I$LT_{50}$ (median lethal concentration and time) values. The $LC_{50}$ values with the exposure time for the mysid adult ranged from 31.31ppm to 1.49ppm phenol and for the mysid juvenile ranged from 6.90ppm to 0.26ppm in all experimental groups. Mortality was increased with the decrease of salinity, The $96hr-LC_{50}$ values at 16, 24 and $32\%o$ salinity for the mysid adult were 1.49, 2.71 and 4.53ppm phenol, white the values for the mysid juvenile were 0.26, 0.56 and 0.71ppm, respectively. The ratios of $96hr-LC_{50}$ values for the mysid adult to those for the mysid juvenile at 16, 24 and $32\%p$ salinity were 5.73, 4.84 and 6.38, respectively. The mysid juveniles were more sensitive to phenol than the mysid adults. Compared $LT_{50}$ values for the mysid adult with those for the mysid juvenile, the $LT_{50}$ values for the mysid adult ranged from 384.7 to 29.0 hours at 1.7-127ppm phenol concentrations and for the mysid juvenile ranged from 132.2 to 18.7 hours at 0.5~6.Oppm phenol concentrations. The lowest $LT_{50}$ values for the mysid adult and juvenile were showed at the combination of the highest experimental concentration of phenol and the lowest experimental salinity. The mysid juveniles showed lower $LT_{50}$ values than those of adults. The chronic effects of phenol on the mysid at the sublethal effective concentration of phenol were lower in the $32\%o$ salinitr group than 16 or $24\%o$ salinity groups. Oxygen consumption rates of the mysid adult were decreased with the increase of phenol concentration and exposure time, and decreased significantly in lower salinity at the same concentration or phenol.