Protective Effect of Boiled and Freeze-dried Mature Silkworm Larval Powder Against Diethylnitrosamine-induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a representative inflammation-associated cancer and known to be the most frequent tumors. HCC may also induce important pro- and anti-tumor immune reactions. However, the underlying mechanisms are unsatisfactorily identified. We investigated the protective effect of boiled and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (BMSP) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. METHODS: Mice were fed with diet containing BMSP (0.1, 1, and 10 g/kg) for two weeks and DEN (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was injected 18 hours before the end of this experiment. Liver toxicity was determined in serum and histopathological examination was assessed in the liver tissues. Infiltration of immune cells and expressions of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were also examined. RESULTS: Pretreatment with BMSP reduced necrotic and histopathological changes induced by DEN in the liver. Measurement of serum biochemical indicators, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, showed that pretreatment with BMSP also decreased DEN-induced hepatotoxicity. In addition, BMSP inhibited the macrophage and CD31 infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. The expressions of interleukin-1β, IFN-γ and chemokines for T cell activation were decreased in BMSP pretreatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: BMSP may have a protective effect against acute liver injury by inhibiting necrosis and inflammatory response in DEN-treated mice.

Synnemata Production Using Silkworm Variety, Female Yangwonjam by Isaria tenuipes

This study was conducted to confirm the possible use of female Yangwonjam as a host for synnemata production of Isaria tenuipes in eight local areas in Korea. Silkworm pupation rate, infection rate and synnemata characteristics of I. tenuipes were examined. Normal silkworms had a higher pupation rate than silkworms inoculated with I. tenuipes. The pupae survival percentage of normal silkworm in cocoons was 92.5~97.6%, whereas it ranged from 91.1~95.6% in silkworms sprayed with I. tenuipes. Female Yangwonjam showed the highest survival percentage at 97.6% among the silkworm varieties tested. I. tenuipes infection rate of larvae of 5th instar newly-exuviated silkworms was 89.2~90.7% in the spring rearing season and 98.2~99.3% in the autumn rearing season. Synnemata production of I. tenuipes was excellent in female Yangwonjam with an incidence rate of 98.0% followed by male Yangwonjam (94.1%) and Baegokjam (93.3%) in the spring rearing season. Synnemata living weight ranged from 1.44~0.94 g in the spring rearing season. The female Yangwonjam had the heaviest synnemata weight (1.44 g) in the spring rearing season. The synnemata of I. tenuipes produced on pupae were white or milky-white in color, and were similar in shape and color to wild synnemata collected in Korea.

Breeding of a Silkworm Variety for Synnemata Production of Isaria tenuipes

This study was conducted out to select a silkworm variety suitable for synnemata production of Isaria tenuipes. Four kinds of the mulberry silkworm varieties, Bombyx mori, were hybridized using a Japanese parental line and a Chinese parental line, and used to test for synemata formation in I. tenuipes. The larval period of normal silkworms was 22 hr longer than the silkworms inoculated with this fungus. Among the silkworm varieties tested, Hachojam had the shortest larval period with 23.02 days. The non-cocooning silkworm had a shorter larval period than the cocoon producing silkworms. The pupation rate of normal silkworms was about 9% higher than that of silkworms sprayed with I. tenuipes. Hachojam had the highest infection rate at 99.8%, but no significant difference was observed for the infection rate by silkworm variety. The production of synnemata was the best in JS171 x CS188 with an incidence rate of 99.3%, followed by Hachojam, and Chugangjam. The synnemata produced from Hachojam were the heaviest and showed white or milky-white in color.

Sister-Chromatid Exchanges in Lymphocytes of Medical Students Exposed to Formaldehyde / 대한산업의학회지

Sister-chromatic exchanges measured in the peripheral lymphocytes of 15 non-smoking medical students after exposure to formaldehyde during a 24-week anatomy class showed a small but significant (p=0.0468) increase when compared with samples obtained from the same individuals immediately before exposure. Mean frequencies of sister-chromatic exchange of cultured peripheral lymphocytes were 5.40+/-0.24 from the samples before exposure and 5.87+/-0.22 from the same samples after exposure. Breathing-zone air samples collected by formaldehyde monitoring kit with digital colorimeter (SKC) showed a mean concentration of 0.72+/-0.02 ppm formaldehyde.

Endophthalmitis: Riview of the Literature and Report of Three Cases

In the past decade, a decrease in the incidence of endophthalmitis has been attributed to many factors-surgical technic, delicate surgical Instruments, sterile technic, and antibioticsetc. On the other hand, immunosuppressive agents and drug addiction and/or abuse may be contributing to rise in the number of endophthalmitis like one of our cases. Recently, we have experienced three cases of endophthalmitis, each case has different etiologic causes-multiple myeloma, meningococcal meningitis, and subacute bacterial endocarditis. By case and chart review, we feels not enough to do reemphasize not only early recognition and early aggressive systemic and topical therapy, which are the most necessary, and may prevent blinding complication, more over panophthalmitis, but a certain common ocular symptoms, which may playa role as a early developing sings of endophthalmitis.

Intraocular Lens (Binkhorst 2-Loop Lens) Implantation in 7 Cases

7 cases of monocular senile cataract patients have received intraocular lens implant: operations. Among the 7 patients, 4 males and 3 females are included and the mean age was 63.7 years old. The operations were performed during the period between Aug, 1978 to Oct, 1979. The mean visual acuity after IOL implant was 0.62 and there is no difference from other repoters for postoperative visual improvements. Binocular visual functions are well maintained in all cases by the Titmus test. The final results with iridocapsular lens implantation after extracapsular cataract extraction reveaeld very encouraging facts although the observation periods were too short.

A Clinical Experience of Ocular Toxoplasmosis, Treated with Acetyl Spiramycin

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the most frequent etiological factor of the known retinochoroiditis in the world. But there are very few cases of confirmed toxoplasmosis in Korea. In this paper we report a 5 year old girl who had suffered from left visual disturbance since Aug, 1978. The HA. titer for toxoplasmosis was 1:2048 and she had a typical focal exudative retinochoroiditis in the macular lesion and one small daughter lesion on superior temporal retinal arteriolar branch. She was treated with oral acetyl spiramycin(600 mg.) for 6 months. After all the active retinochoroidal lesion was changed into scar tissue and the vision has improved slightly from 0.02 to 0.2 during the followup period of one year. And also the HA. titer had decreased to 1:512. The fluorescein angiographic finding could be a helpful method to determine the healed lesion after anti toxoplasmic theraphy.

Carvernous Hemangioma of the Orbit-A Case Report

The 44 years old male patient had admitted to our clinic with the marked exophthalmos and blindness in his left eye for more than 10 years. The exophthalmometry revealed 10 mm in right and 25mm in left eye. Before operation ultrasonography (A-scan) and phleboorbitography were performed, and retroorbital mass was suspected. Using Kronlein method, lateral orbitotomy was performed on April 11, 1979 and large well encapsulated tumor mass (3.5 x 3 x 3 cm.) was extracted. By pathological study the tumor was confirmed as a carvenous hemangioma. After first operation he had two subsequent operation for the cosmetic problem.

Clinical Experiences of Extended wear Soft Contact Lens: Permalens(Perfilcon-A): in Aphakic Patients

Extended wear soft contact lens will be the fascinating idea among the contact lens wearers in near future. A contact lens that is to be left on the eye surface during periods of sleep must achieve a degree of ocular compatibilities not previously encountered in contact lens practice. In this paper I report the clinical studies of Permalens, that is made by Global Vision, England, in 6 aphakic patients. During the 4 months periods of follow-up studies, all patients ara using their lenses very comfortably and no specific complications are found until now.

A Clinical Experience of Acute Ocular Hypotension Caused by Ocular Contusion

After ocular contusion the ocular tension is unstable and may show considerable variation, sometimes being raised, sometimes lowered. But ocular contusion is one of the commonest causes of ocular hypotension, which may be dramatic and indeed, may be the dominant factor in determining the fate of the eye. The lowering ocular tension is slowly attaining its normal height after some variation, that this instability is frequently shared by the uninjured fellow eye. We had experienced a fall in tension-ocular hypotension as 0 mm.Hg. lasting for 13 day by ocular contusion, which was associated with mild anterior uveitis, Descemet's membrane tear, localized angle recession and hypotonic retinal changes, and shared lower ocular tension by the uninjured eye, as l4.6 mmHg. All these acute ocular hypotensive symptoms and signs were recovered 27 days after contusion, but mild Descemet's scar and angle recession with peripheral anterior synechia were remained. The final IOP in both eyes was 18.3 mmHg, and the visual acuity was 20/20.

Treatment of Behcet's Disease: 4 Cases of the Behcet's Disease Treated with Chlorambucil

4 CasEs of Behcet's disease treated with oral chlorambucil were presented. Administration of chlorambucil was 6 mg daily during the period of 3 months. 9 months, 12 months, and 24 months respectively. All cases showed improved systemic and ocular symptoms, and gave an impression that the symptoms and signs were ceased and/or became milder.