• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 2010

Artesunate, a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, is used primarily as a treatment for malaria. Its effects on the central nervous system, general behavior, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and other organ systems were studied using mice, rats, guinea pigs, and dogs. Artesunate was administered orally to mice at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg and to rats and guinea pigs at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. In dogs, test drugs were administered orally in gelatin capsules at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. Artesunate induced insignificant changes in general pharmacological studies, including general behavior, motor coordination, body temperature, analgesia, convulsion modulation, blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and electrocardiogram (ECG) in dogs in vivo; respiration in guinea pigs; and gut motility or direct effects on isolated guinea pig ileum, contractile responses, and renal function. On the other hand, artesunate decreased the HR and coronary flow rate (CFR) in the rat in vitro; however, the extent of the changes was small and they were not confirmed in in vivo studies in the dog. Artesunate increased hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in a dose-related manner. Artesunate induced dose-related decreases in the volume of gastric secretions and the total acidity of gastric contents, and induced increases in pH at a dose of 400 mg/kg. However, all of these changes were observed at doses much greater than clinical therapeutic doses (2.4 mg/kg in humans, when used as an anti-malarial). Thus, it can be concluded that artesunate is safe at clinical therapeutic doses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제24권8호
• /
• pp.1034-1043
• /
• 2014

This study determined the effect of light intensity and photoperiod on the dry cell weight and total amount of carotenoids in four isolates of purple non-sulfur bacteria obtained from shaded and exposed microhabitats of a mangrove ecosystem in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The initial isolation of the bacteria was carried out using synthetic 112 medium under anaerobic conditions (2.5 klx) at $30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. On the basis of colony appearance, cell morphology, gram staining, motility test, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses, all four bacteria were identified as Afifella marina. One of the bacterial isolates, designated as Af. marina strain ME, which was extracted from an exposed mud habitat within the mangrove ecosystem, showed the highest yield in dry cell weight ($4.32{\pm}0.03g/l$) as well as total carotenoids ($0.783{\pm}0.002mg/g$ dry cell weight). These values were significantly higher than those for dry cell weight ($3.77{\pm}0.02g/l$) and total carotenoid content ($0.706{\pm}0.008mg/g$) produced by the isolates from shaded habitats. Further analysis of the effect of 10 levels of light intensity on the growth characteristics of Af. marina strain ME showed that the optimum production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids was achieved at different light intensities and incubation periods. The bacterium produced the highest dry cell weight of 4.98 g/l at 3 klx in 72 h incubation, but the carotenoid production of 0.783 mg/g was achieved at 2.5 klx in 48 h incubation. Subsequent analysis of the effect of photoperiod on the production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids at optimum light intensities (3 and 2.5 klx, respectively) revealed that 18 and 24 h were the optimum photoperiods for the production of dry cell weight and total carotenoids, respectively. The unique growth characteristics of the Af. marina strain ME can be exploited for biotechnology applications.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.265-273
• /
• 2009

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to identify risk factors and clinical signs associated with parasitic helminth infections of cattle in Mymensignh district of Bangladesh. A nonrandom convenience sampling method was used to select 138 animals from 40 farmers/herds. The eggs per gram of faeces (epg) for nematodes and trematodes were determined by McMaster and Stoll's methods respectively. Animal-level and herd-level data were recorded by means of a questionnaire. Multi-collinearity amongst explanatory variables were assessed using $2{\times}2{\times}\;X^2$ test and one variable in a pair was dropped if $P{\leq}0.05$ formultiple logistic regression models. Association study between outcome and explanatory variables was conducted using classification tree, random forests and multiple logistic regression. A positive epg was considered as infected. Analyses were performed using $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled and $R^{(R)}$, Version 2.3.0. Seventy eight percent of the cattle were found to be infected with at least one type of helminth. Twenty four pairs of combinations of explanatory variables showed significant associations. Male animals (OR=3.3, P=.006, 95% CI=1.4, 7.7) were associated with significantly increased prevalence of nematode infection. Female cattle of the study area are mostly cross-breed, kept indoor, fed relatively good diet and not used for draught purpose. Males are used for draught purpose thereby more exposed to nematode infective stage and provided with relatively poor diet. So stressed male cattle may become more susceptible to nematode infection. All of the three statistical techniques selected gender and lumen motility as most important variables in association with nematode infection in cattle. The result of this survey can only be extrapolated to the periurban cattle population of traditional management system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권9호
• /
• pp.5067-5072
• /
• 2013

Background: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a significant role in apoptosis, cellular proliferation and motility. The aim of the present study was to analyze mutations and gene expression profiles of the PI3KCA gene to determine any role in breast carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 38 breast cancers for mutations in the two PIK3CA hotspots in exons 9 and 20 by direct sequencing of DNA obtained from biopsy samples. We have also analyzed expression of the PI3KCA gene in 38 breast carcinoma tumor and corresponding control tissue samples at the mRNA level by RT-PCR. The Fisher's exact test ($2{\times}2$ only) was performed using MedCalc software for to examine associations with mRNA levels. Results: In the present study a total of 13 cases demonstrated somatic mutations. In 9/13 cases 1633 G>A (E545K) were found in exon 9, whereas in exon 20, 4/13 cases had 3140A>G mutation. Our combined analysis showed PI3KCA mutations present in 34% of human breast cancer patients. In our study, we have also clearly found significantly higher expression in breast cancer tissues in comparison with control tissues (p=0.001). Conclusions: PIK3CA mutation is an emerging tumor marker that, in the future, might be used in the process of choosing a treatment. The detection of PI3KCA mutation might have important clinical implications for diagnosis, progression and therapy.

• 한국균학회지
• /
• 제14권4호
• /
• pp.265-271
• /
• 1986

털목이버섯의 저분자 독성물질로부터 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 털목이버섯 열수추출액의 $LD_{50}$은 복강 및 경구투여시 각각 1.25와 4.18 g/kg이었다. 건조 털목이버섯 100 g에는 650$\sim$700 mouse lethal unit(=MLU)이 함유되어 있었다. 열수총추출액, C분흑 및 최종성분의 1 MLU는 각각 및 28.5, 25.0 및 12.0 mg/mouse이었다. 독성물질의 일반적일 증상은 행동둔화, 체모기립, 전율, 두부진동, 안구돌출, 사지마비, 사망직전의 급격한 다리운동 및 호흡마비 등이었다.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.545-551
• /
• 2012

고분자물질의 사용으로 인한 건축 재료의 다변화에 따라 화재 시 발생되는 연소가스 또한 다양해지고 있다. 그중 HBr은 NES 713과 BS 6853, FTP Code Part 2에서 연소 가스의 독성 평가 시 측정되는 독성가스이다. 특히 산업안전물질보건자료(MSDS)에서는 HBr가스를 흡입할 경우 화상을 일으키며 호흡부전, 두통 등을 유발시킬 수 있고 50ppm의 HBr가스에 노출된 사람은 생명과 건강에 즉시 영향을 받을 수 있는 매우 유독한 연소가스이다. 본 논문에서는 HBr 표준가스에 노출된 동물의 운동성 측정실험인 가스유해성 시험 및 HBr가스에 노출된 마우스의 생물학적 검사 결과를 비교 분석하여 HBr의 연소 독성에 관한 연구를 수행하였다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.435-439
• /
• 2011

Sildenafil citrate (SIL) a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) has been used for long time as a first line oral drug for erectile dysfunction. Though it has beneficial effects on erectile organ it also has some adverse effects in other cells and/or tissues related to reproductive system when exposed to longer duration. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the long term effect of SIL on sperm parameters in Wistar albino rat. The animals are divided into two groups, for group I - rats were treated with saline (vehicle alone) and group - II oral administration of 5 mg/kg b.w. of SIL was administrated orally once in a day for 120 days. At the end of the trial period animals were sacrificed and epididymal sperm were subjected to various analysis. Results showed significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and morphologically intact sperm in long term PDE5I exposed animals when compared to control. Acrosomal status and fertility test also showed significant reduction in long term PDE5I exposed animals. The present study clearly indicated that long term SIL has shown to induce alteration in sperm quality and quantity, leading to decline in fertility rate. Indicate that SIL impinge on spermatogenesis as well as epididymal function. Understanding the molecular down-stream events involved in long-term exposure to PDE5 inhibitor can be valuable to supervise on related infertility issues and to suggest corrective measures.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.131-136
• /
• 2004

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol(3-MCPD) is a toxic compound, often present in different foods containing acid hydrolyzed(AH) protein, like seasonings and savory food products. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3-MCPD on male fertility, sperm and testosterone secretion. In vivo male fertility test was performed for observing the adverse effects of 3-MCPD on the function of male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome. 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 1 and 5 mg/kg b.w. of 3-MCPD was given daily by gavage to groups of 15 adult male SD rats for 4 weeks. At the end of pre-treatment period, males were mated overnight with normal females. Following morning, males demonstrating successful induction of pregnancy were sacrificed on that day to assess sperm parameters and histopathology of reproductive organs. The resulting pregnant females were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation to evaluate pregnancy outcome. As a result, four-week paternal administration with 3-MCPD resulted in adverse effects on male fertility and pregnancy outcome without remarkable histopathological changes in testes and epididymides; sperm motility, copulation index and fertility index were markedly decreased in the treated group and numbers of live fetuses showed steep dose-response curves. Also, spermatogenesis was investigated in this experiment. However, no effect was observed on production of sperm in testes treated with 3-MCPD for 4 weeks. Hormone assay was performed for observing the effects of 3-MCPD on testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood and testes of male SD rats and cultured primary Leydig cell. In result, significant changes of related hormones did not observed by treatment of 3-MCPD. These results indicated that paternal treatment with 3-MCPD induced spermatotoxic effect, which caused an antifertility on male.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
• /
• 제11권1호
• /
• pp.88-98
• /
• 2011

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanidine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), enzyme to recycle purines. Case history: born induced vaginal delivery at 40 weeks complicated by premature membrane ruputure, body weight 2.820 gm. He showed failure to thrive showing severe protein aversion like milk products and pink daper. Developmental delay revealing rolling over at 10.5 month, followed by regression. Seizure at 2 months, His poor oral feeding was lifelong problem. Weak crying, spastic, choreoathetoid movement. Self mutilating behavior noted and diagnosed at age 3 years. No family history of consanguinity and neurological disorders. Method: Laboratory test, physical exam, imaging study and molecular. Clinical follow up Treat ment with allopurinol. Result: uric acid 10.5 mg/dL (N 3.5-7.9), APRT 151.1uM/ min/ml pro(25.7-101), HPRT 7.6 (N 233.5-701) and c.151C>T hemizygote (p,Arg51X). Abdominal sonogram showed staghorn calculi in both kidneys, brain MRI brain atrophy. Clinical follow up showed, seizure at 2 mo, developmental delay (head control and, rolling over at at 11mo, pointing body part at 2 yr 7 mo, eye hand coordination at 2 y 11mo,creeping at 3 y 7 mo, speaking words at 6 y 6 mo ),and developmental regression at 3 yr of age. Sleeping problem including insomnia and severe constipation. Self mutilating behavior (lip bite) started at 2.5 yr, neurologic sx including intermittent upward gaze accompanied by swallowing difficulty at 3 y 7 mo grand mal seizure at 4.5 yr and spastic extremity and trunchal hypotonia and choleoathetoid movement and ataxia at 6.5 yr. Scoliosis with severe spasticity at 9 yr 9 mo. Acute life threatening episode with irregular breathing at 9 yr and 9 mo, Emaciation and nephrolithiasis and recurrent pneumonia. Died suddenly at 10 yr 3 mo. Conclusion: life long feeding problem, chronic gut motility dysfunction, sleeping difficulty and progressing neurologic deterioration and nephrolithiasis despite normal serum uric acid maintence by allopurinol treatment.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제55권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2011

Mastic is a bleed resin formed in pistacia lentiscus tree extract form the anacatdiaceae family. Mastic is used as a food ingredient in the Mediteraanean resin, and has been used by local inhabitants as a traditional medicine for relief of upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsiaand peptic ulcer. Clinically, mastic has been effective in the treatment of benign gastric and duodenal, ulcers, giving symptomatic relief and endoscopically proven healing. In this study, to enhance activiteies of poorly water soluble Mastic with oils, surfactants and cosurfactants and then the mixure was microemulsified in aqueous media under condition of gentle agitation and digestive motility that would be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. Formulation development and screening were based on phase diagrams and characteristics of resultant microemulsion. For optimum mastic formulation, microemulsions with various ratio (w/w%) of mastics, oils, surfactants and cosurfactants were prepared and their solubility was evaluated by monitoring particles size in their buffer through visual asessment and electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotomerter (ELS). In vitro activity of self microemulsified mastic (SME mastic) was determined by minimum ingibition concentration (MIC) test against a panel of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) clinical strains. Additionally, in vivo activity of SME masitc was investigated us mouse infected by CH275 of H. pylori. The mean diameter of SME mastic was less then 100 nm in water and SME mastic was showed similar antiboisis effect compared to tometronidazole, clarithromycin and omeproazole. Consequently, SME mastic would be effective system to exterminate H. pylori. If mastic were dose with combined treatment, mastic might augur well for effect of H. pylori eradication as good remedy.