Dual effects of a mixture of grape pomace (Campbell Early) and Omija fruit ethanol extracts on lipid metabolism and the antioxidant defense system in diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of a combination of grape pomace (Vitis labrusca, Campbell Early) and Omija fruit (Schizandra chinensis, Baillon) ethanol extracts on lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense system in diet-induced obese mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups and fed high-fat diet (control group, CON) or high-fat diet added 0.5% grape pomace extract (GPE), 0.05% Omija fruit extract (OFE) or 0.5% GPE plus 0.05% OFE (GPE+OFE) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: In contrast to the GPE- or OFE-supplemented groups, the GPE+OFE group showed significantly lower body weight and white adipose tissue weights than the CON group. Moreover, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol and increased the plasma HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio (HTR) compared to the control diet. The hepatic triglyceride level was significantly lower in the GPE+OFE and GPE groups by increasing beta-oxidation and decreasing lipogenic enzyme compared to the CON group. Furthermore, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities with a simultaneous decrease in liver H2O2 content compared to the control diet. CONCLUSIONS: Together our results suggest that supplementation with the GPE+OFE mixture may be more effective in improving adiposity, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice than those with GPE and OFE alone.

Investigation of disinfectants for foot-and-mouth disease in the Republic of Korea

Disinfectants for foot-and-mouth disease were sprayed on livestock barns and roads from early February to May 2011. Although 90% of the disinfectant was concentrated on the roads, 10% was sprayed on cattle sheds and other sites where foot-and-mouth disease occurred. Since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in November 2010, there has been a steady increase in disinfectant use. Consequently, its adverse environmental effects have prompted government officials to take preventive measures. The major chemical components of the disinfectants are citric acid, potassium sulfate base complex, quaternary ammonium compound, malic acid, and glutaraldehyde, ranging in amounts from tons to hundreds of tons. The exact amount of each component of the disinfectants could not be identified because the types of components used in the different commercial formulations overlapped. In this review, we obtained information on disinfectants that are widely used nationwide, including the types of major chemical components and their respective toxicities [both human and ecological]

Aquatic Toxicity Assessment of Phosphate Compounds

OBJECTIVES: Tricalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogenorthophosphate are high production volume chemicals, mainly used as foodstuff additives, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, synthetic resin, and disinfectants. Phosphate has the potential to cause increased algal growth leading to eutrophication in the aquatic environment. However, there is no adequate information available on risk assessment or acute and chronic toxicity. The aim of this research is to evaluate the toxic potential of phosphate compounds in the aquatic environment. METHODS: An aquatic toxicity test of phosphate was conducted, and its physico-chemical properties were obtained from a database recommended in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidance manual. An ecotoxicity test using fish, Daphnia, and algae was conducted by the good laboratory practice facility according to the OECD TG guidelines for testing of chemicals, to secure reliable data. RESULTS: The results of the ecotoxicity tests of tricalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogenorthophosphate are as follows: In an acute toxicity test with Oryzias latipes, 96 hr 50% lethal concentration (LC50) was >100 (measured:>2.14) mg/L and >100 (measured: >13.5) mg/L, respectively. In the Daphnia test, 48 hr 50% effective concentration (EC50) was >100 (measured: >5.35) mg/L and >100 (measured: >2.9) mg/L, respectively. In a growth inhibition test with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, 72 hr EC50 was >100 (measured: >1.56) mg/L and >100 (measured: >4.4) mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the ecotoxicity test of phosphate using fish, Daphnia, and algae, L(E)C50 was above 100 mg/L (nominal), indicating no toxicity. In general, the total phosphorus concentration including phosphate in rivers and lakes reaches levels of several ppm, suggesting that phosphate has no toxic effects. However, excessive inflow of phosphate into aquatic ecosystems has the potential to cause eutrophication due to algal growth.

The Incidence and Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Noncardiothoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery is known to be very rare; there have been few prior studies on this topic. We evaluated the incidence, predictors, and prognosis of atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent noncardiothoracic surgery at our medical center under general anesthesia were enrolled. We reviewed medical records retrospectively and evaluated whether the atrial fibrillation developed postoperatively or was pre-existing. Patients who had a previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation on the pre-operative electrocardiogram were excluded. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and December 2006, 7,756 patients (mean age: 69 years, male: 46%) underwent noncardiothoracic surgery in Samsung Medical Center and 30 patients (0.39%) were diagnosed with newly-developed atrial fibrillation. Patients who developed atrial fibrillation were significantly older and had significantly lower body mass indexes. Newly-developed atrial fibrillation was detected in 0.53% of the male patients and 0.26% of the female patients. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after an emergency operation was more frequent than that of elective operations (p<0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, age and emergency operations were independent predictors for new onset atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery. Postoperative atrial fibrillation developed after a median of 2 days after the noncardiothoracic surgery and was associated with a longer hospitalization and increased in-hospital mortality. Four (13.3%) patients died and the causes of death were non-cardiovascular events such as pneumonia or hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Postoperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery is a rare complication and is associated with older age and emergency operations. Patients who develop atrial fibrillation have longer hospitalizations and higher in-hospital mortality rates.

Two Cases of Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus

Caseous mitral annular calcification describes a heavy calcification of the mitral annulus with central liquefaction. This rare variant of mitral annular calcification may resemble an intracardiac tumor, abscess, vegetation, or thrombus, a resemblance that often leads to unnecessary surgery. Typical echocardiographic findings include a large, round, bright echogenic mass with a central echolucent area. It is known to have a benign clinical outcome, and it is thus managed conservatively. Because this entity is not well known and has only rarely been described, we report two cases of mitral annular calcification encountered at our institution. The first patient was an elderly woman with exertional dyspnea who was found to have a solitary pulmonary nodule on plain chest radiography. This was determined to represent caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. The other patient was an elderly woman who had a history of cerebral embolic infarction. She did not have an intracardiac thrombus, but she did have caseous mitral annular calcification. Both patients were managed conservatively.

Pulmonary Strongyloidiasis with alveolar hemorrhage in a patient receiving chemotherapy / 대한내과학회지

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that infects a large portion of the world's population, especially in tropical areas and other hot, humid regions. In immunocompromised patients, the parasite is augmented by autoinfection, resulting in hyperinfection or systemic dissemination. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a rare presentation of Strongyloides hyperinfection. We experienced a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection with alveolar hemorrhage in an immunocompromised patient. A 63-year-old man with small cell lung carcinoma on chemotherapy presented with abdominal pain and dyspnea. He developed a pulmonary hemorrhage and migrating pneumonia 1 week later, and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology revealed helminthic larvae identified as Strongyloides. The patient received albendazole therapy for 6 weeks, and the Strongyloides hyperinfection and pneumonia were resolved.

A Case of Right Coronary Artery Hematoma Detected by Echocardiography after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

A 69-year-old man was admitted to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion of right coronary artery. He had diabetes mellitus, stable angina pectoris. Diagnostic coronary angiography demonstrated proximal total occlusion of right coronary artery. PCI was failed due to failure of balloon passage. Echocardiography was performed after PCI and thickened epicardial tissue at right atrioventricular groove was noted. It was highly echogenic and localized along the course of mid right coronary artery. In following echocardiogram after 12 days, the size of echogenic mass was decreased from 3.4 cmx2.6 cm to 1.7 cmx0.7 cm and we could conclude it was right coronary artery hematoma associated with PCI.

A Case of Coarctation of Aorta with Left Isomerism Associated with Inferior Vena Cava Interruption and Polysplenia

A 27-year-old female visited outpatient clinic for the evaluation of palpitation and dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiographic examination including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed coarctation of aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, mitral valve prolapse, and sealed-up ventricular septal defect. Further evaluation with computed tomography angiography revealed another combined congenital anomaly of left isomerism with polysplenism and interrupted inferior vena cava and pulmonary embolism with deep vein thrombosis. After corrective surgery for the coarctation, she received anticoagulation therapy for the treatment and the secondary prevention of pulmonary embolism.

Cloning of a pore-forming subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium channel from Clonorchis sinensis

A complete cDNA sequence encoding a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.2) of ATP-senstive potassium channel in the adult worm, Clonorchis sinensis, termed CsKir6.2, was isolated from an adult cDNA library. The cDNA contained a single open-reading frame of 333 amino acids, which has a structural motif (a GFG-motif) of the putative pore-forming loop of the Kir6.2. Peculiarly, the CsKir6.2 shows a lack-sequence structure, which deleted 57 amino acids were deleted from its N-terminus. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed a highly conserved sequence as other known other Kir6.2 subunits. The mRNA was weekly expressed in the adult worm.