• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.188-192
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• 2021

The persistent increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) due to the presence of a macro-AST can confuse diagnostic or therapeutic decisions in many clinical situations. In this study, we report a case of isolated and persistent AST-elevation without any clinical sign of dysfunction in organs such as the liver, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, etc. Despite various investigations, no definite cause for the elevation of AST could be found. With the help of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, we showed that macro-AST formation was responsible for the elevation of the AST titer in this case. Early recognition of macro-AST by PEG precipitation can prevent diagnostic confusion and unnecessary and even invasive tests.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8271-8279
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• 2016

Background: Hepato-carcinogenesis is multifaceted in its molecular aspects. Among the interplaying agents are altered gap junctions, the proteasome/autophagy system, and mitochondria. The present experimental study was designed to outline the roles of these players and to investigate the tumor suppressive effects of curcumin with or without mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Adult female albino rats were divided into normal controls and animals with HCC induced by diethyl-nitrosamine (DENA) and $CCl_4$. Additional groups treated after HCC induction were: Cur/HCC which received curcumin; MSCs/HCC which received MSCs; and Cur+MSCs/HCC which received both curcumin and MSCs. For all groups there were histopathological examination and assessment of gene expression of connexin43 (Cx43), ubiquitin ligase-E3 (UCP-3), the autophagy marker LC3 and coenzyme-Q10 (Mito.Q10) mRNA by real time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, along with measurement of LC3II/LC3I ratio for estimation of autophagosome formation in the rat liver tissue. In addition, the serum levels of ALT, AST and alpha fetoprotein (AFP), together with the proinflammatory cytokines $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6, were determined in all groups. Results: Histopathological examination of liver tissue from animals which received DENA-$CCl_4$ only revealed the presence of anaplastic carcinoma cells and macro-regenerative nodules. Administration of curcumin, MSCs; each alone or combined into rats after induction of HCC improved the histopathological picture. This was accompanied by significant reduction in ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein together with proinflammatory cytokines and significant decrease of various liver enzymes, in addition to upregulation of Cx43, UCP-3, LC3 and Mito.Q10 mRNA. Conclusions: Improvement of Cx43 expression, nonapoptotic cell death and mitochondrial function can repress tumor growth in HCC. Administration of curcumin and/or MSCs have tumor suppressive effects as they can target these mechanisms. However, further research is still needed to verify their effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with the effective microorganism (EM) on the growth performance, blood parameter, small intestinal microflora, and noxious gas emission of broilers. A total 720 1-d old ROSS 308 was randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups: control, virginiamycin (6 mg/kg), 0.1% PB 0.1% EM, 0.5% EM, and 1.0% EM. Each treatment was fed to 4 replicates of 30 birds per diet for d 35. Two-phase feeding program with a starter diet from 0 to 3 wk, and a finisher diet from 4 to 5 wk was used in the experiment. Within each phase, a diet was formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirements of broilers for macro- and micronutrients. The diet and water were available ad libitum. Result indicated that during overall periods of the experiment, final weight, body weight gain, and feed intake were not different among dietary treatments. Feed conversion ratio was less (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TRG), glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), calcium (CA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not different among dietary treatments. White blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heterophils (HE), lymphocyte (LY), monocytes (MO), and eosinophils (EO) were not different among dietary treatments. HE:LY was less (P<0.05) for EM0.5 treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Lactobacillus was greater (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control and antibiotics. E. coli and Salmonella were not different among dietary treatments. $NH_3$ and $CO_2$ wereless (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control. These results indicated that EM treatments were effective feed conversion ratio, noxious gas emission and micro flora population on the cecum in broilers.