Dietary exposure and liver cancer risk assessment of aflatoxins in foods consumed in Mongolian people / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven district of the capital city Ulaanbaatar ofMongolia, and border post in Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province from March to December 2015.A total of 380 samples including 70 flours, 114 rice’, 41 various peanuts, 15 maize and maizeproducts, 24 milks, 6 yoghurts, 39 beers, 27 dried fruits and 44 herbal teas were randomly collectedfrom supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, factories, and bazaars in Ulaanbaatar city,and Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province.HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)were used for the total aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1 detection.The survey found that (148) 38.9% of all analysed food samples were contained aflatoxins (B1+B2),and aflatoxin M1 were ranging from 0.0094 μg kg-1to 2.4μg kg-1. The levels of aflatoxins (B1+B2)were below the maximum tolerance limit in EU and worldwide regulations. Mean concentrationlevel of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.17 μg kg-1 in all positive samples. Mean daily low and high foodintake were respectively, 63 g and 245 g. Based on the daily food consumption data, estimatedexposure dose of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.16734 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily low foodintake, and 0.65078 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily high food intake (95th percentile). Theexposure dose of aflatoxins from daily high food intake exceeds the estimated provisional maximumtolerable daily intakes, 0.4 μg kg-1 body weight day-1 for adults with hepatitis B (Kuiper-Goodman,1998). Furthermore, estimated excess cancer risk values to liver cancer incidence by ingestion ofthese foods for aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1were calculated to be 0.0448 mg kg-1bw day-1forindividuals negative for hepatitis Band 1.344 mg kg-1bw day-1 for individuals positive for hepatitis B.Thus, the findings of our survey showed that the potential hazard associated with aflatoxin in foodin Mongolia has not been serious. However, most researchers suggested that no level of aflatoxinexposure is considered safe.Conclusion: Currently, the levels of the total aflatoxins and aflatoxin M1 were lower than the maximumpermissible levels in UE and the USFDA, and worldwide regulations. Currently, estimated exposuredose of the total aflatoxins and M1aflatoxin through daily high food intake was risked in populationwith hepatitis B virus. However, in Mongolian population has not been excess liver cancer risk.

Influencia del Aloe vera L. sobre la respuesta inmune humoral de ratones Balb/C inmunizados contra el virus de la hepatitis B / Influence of Aloe vera L. on the immune humoral response of Balb/C mice immunized against the hepatitis B virus

Se realizó un estudio utilizando el extracto acuoso de Aloe vera L. para determinar su actividad inmunogénica en ratones Bal/C inmunizados con la vacuna recombinante contra hepatitis B (Herbiovac HB) de producción nacional. Específicamente se evaluó la latencia, la intensidad, la durabilidad y la memoria inmunológica a través de extracciones que se les hicieron en varios tiempos (3, 5, 27 semanas, 1 año y 15 días después de los 2 últimos tiempos); la muestra obtenida fue procesada mediante micro ELISA tipo sandwich para cuantificar anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis B (anti HB). Se trabajó con 2 grupos de trabajo (control y tratamiento con Aloe) a los que se les inoculó por vía subcutánea solución salina y extracto acuoso inyectable de Aloe B M respectivamente durante 21 días. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que todos los animales sero-convirtieron y tuvieron hiper-respuesta; además se encontró elevación de la respuesta humoral con presencia de los títulos de anticuerpos protectores después del año. Los estudios de anatomía patológica a los órganos primarios y secundarios de la respuesta inmune denotaron proliferación celular en timo y aumento del área de células B en el bazo.

A study was conducted by using the aqueous extract of Aloe vera L. to determine its immunogenic activity on Balb/C mice immunized with the recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B (Herbiovac HB) of national production. The latency, intensity, durability and the immunological memory were evaluated through extractions made at different times (3, 5, 27 weeks, 1 year and 15 days after the last 2 times). The sample obtained was processed by sandwich micro ELISA to quantify antibodies against the hepatitis B virus (anti HB). The control group and the group treated with Aloe were inoculated saline solution and injectable aqueous extract of Aloe B M by subcutaneous route, respectively, during 21 days. The results attained showed that all the seroconverted animals and had a hyperresponse. Elevation of the humoral response with presence of titers of protective antibodies was found after a year. The studies of pathological anatomy undertaken in the primary and secondary organisms of the immune response showed cellular proliferation in the thymus and increase of the area of B cells in the spleen.

Three Cases with Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa / 대한류마티스학회지

Systemic polyarteritis nodosa is a necrotizing vasculitis that involves small and medium-sized muscular arteries in the multiple organ systems, whereas cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a localized disease characterized by necrotizing vasculitis of small and medium-sized arteries in the skin without life-threatening organ involvement. CPAN is usually limited to skin, muscle, and joints. It is chronic but takes a benign course. The most common cutaneous manifestations include nodules, ulcers and a livedo reticularis pattern on the extremities. We describe three cases with CPAN showing necrotizing vasculitis on the skin without systemic symptoms or visceral involvement. In Korea, most previously published cases with CPAN have shown a good response to a short term of corticosteroids or colchicine administration. However, two of our three patients required another immunosuppressive agent in addition to corticosteroids to manage their intractable skin lesions, and the remaining one showed a good response to a short course of prednisolone. In addition, there was one patient with CPAN having hepatitis B surface antigen, which might be associated with his refractory skin disease.

Subtypes of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Chronic Liver Disease / 영남의대학술지

Four subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen are useful in the epidemiologic studies of the route of virus transmission and clinical significance of simultaneous occurance of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in the same serum as well as useful marker for population migration. The sera were obtained from 214 HBs Ag positive patients who are diagnosed as chronic liver disease and following up in the Yeungnam university hospital. The subtypes were determined by solid-phase sandwich EM using monoclonal antibodies. Among 214 specimens, the subtype adr was 93.9%, adw was 2.8%, ayr was 0.9%, ar was 0.9%, adwr was 1.4% and ayw was not detected. There were no correlation between subtype pattern and disease. In summary, the subtype adr was prominent in our study and the difference of subtype pattern by severity of disease was not significant. However, to determine the prognostic value of HBs Ag subtype and relationship between subtype and disease progression, long-term follow up will be needed.

Immunohistochemical Investigation on Expression of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Transforming Growth Factor-alpha, and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In an attempt to evaluate the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), transforming growth factor-ct(TGF-alpha), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), an immunohistochemical investigation(ABC method) was performed using 31 surgically resected HCCS. The authors examined the expression rate and patterns, histopathologic correlation, and inter-relationships among these expressions. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Among 25 seropositive HCCS, 15 cases showed tissue expression of HBs Ag(60.0%), being expressed as a predominantly cytoplasmic pattern. Its expression rate in low grade HCC was significantly high(76.9%), in contrast to a low rate in high grade HCC(41.7%)(P<0.05). Adjacent nonenoplatic tissue showed a higher expression rate(82.6%). 2) TGF-alpha was expressed in 23 of 31 cases of HCC(74.3%). The intensity and extent of its expression did not correlate tyros with histopathologic features. Bile duct epithelium, juxtaposed and/or entrapped liver cells, and cirrhotic nodules were variably expressed, of which intense peripheral reaction within the nodules was frequently noted. 3) PCNA was expressed throughout the neoplastic tissue of HCC. Its index was significantly high(34.4 13.6), being compared to low index index(3.5 2. 1) in the nonneoplastic tissue(P<0.005). High grade tumors revealed a higher index than the low grade tumors(P<0.05). Conclusively, this data confirms that PCNA index offers useful information about cell proliferation associated with histologic degrees of malignancy of HCC, albeit TGF-alpha is also involved in cellular proliferation of both liver cell and bile duct epithelium. Changes in incidence and cellular localization of HBs Ag expression between the neoplastic and nonneoplastic tissues suggest that an integrated viral genome could be functionally altered during hepatocarcinogenesis. A significant inter-relationship among these expressions was not observed.

Analysis of The Test Results about The Disease Possibly Transmitted by Donor Eye

We analyzed the result of the tests about HBs Ag, HCv Ag, HIV Ag and VDRL in the blood of the donor and evaluated sex and age distribution, cause of death of the donor, which were obtained from Central Eye Bank at St. Mary's Hospital from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1994. 1. Hepatitis B surface Ag in the blood was positive in 13 donors(4.80%) and Hepatitis C Ag was in 4 donors(1.48%). 2. VDRL test in the blood was positive in 11 donors(4.06%) and HIV Ag was in 1 donor(0.37%). 3. In sex and age distribution, 128 donors(47.23%) were male and 3 donors(52.77%) were from 71 to 80 years was the major group of donors(67 donors: 24.72%). 4. The most common cause of death was respiratory disease(94 donors: 34.69%) and then tumor(76 donors: 28.04%), circulatory disease(66 donors: 24.35%), metabolic disease (19 donors: 7.01%), infection(9 donors: 3.32%) and trauma(7 donors: 2.58%).