Definition of Sarcopenia in Chronic Liver Disease.

Sarcopenia, which is characterized by decline in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, is common in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Several consensus definitions for community-dwelling elderly people have been proposed, and these recommend the use of various tools and tests to assess muscle properties and performance. These measurement tools have also been applied in patients with CLD and have been useful for predicting prognosis.

Multiresidue Screening of Veterinary Drugs in Meat, Milk, Egg, and Fish Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

New approaches to veterinary drug screening based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToF/MS) are rapid and have high selectivity and sensitivity. In this study, we developed a multiresidue method for screening over 100 veterinary drug residues using ion trap (IT)-ToF/MS. The screened compounds comprised major drug classes used in veterinary practice, representing the following: amphenicols, anthelmintics, benzimidazoles, β-lactams, coccidiostats, ionophores, macrolides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and tranquilizers.

[A Case of Pylephlebitis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sepsis and Liver Abscess Secondary to Diverticulitis].

Pylephlebitis, or suppurative thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system, is a rare condition occurring secondary to abdominal infections such as diverticulitis. Pylephlebitis can be diagnosed via ultrasonography or CT scan, and is characterized by the presence of a thrombus in the portal vein and bacteremia. However, the diagnosis may be delayed due to the vague nature of the clinical symptoms, causing morbidity and mortality due to pylephlebitis to remain high.

Cadmium and lead in animal tissue (muscle, liver and kidney), cow milk and dairy products in Korea.

A survey of Cd and Pb in animal tissue, milk and dairy products was conducted. Muscle, liver and kidney of domestically produced cows, pigs, chickens and ducks were collected from eight regions in Korea. Raw cow milk was collected from 9 regions, and imported dairy products (butter, cheese, cream and powdered milk) were collected from 15 countries.

Extensive Bilateral Lemierre Syndrome due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in a Patient with Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Lemierre syndrome (LS) is a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) following an oropharyngeal infection. LS is commonly caused by normal anaerobic flora and treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. Although the incidence of disease is very rare, 15% cases of LS are fatal even in the antibiotic era because of disseminated septic thromboemboli.

Magnetic nanoparticle based purification and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibody against enrofloxacin.

Monoclonal anti-enrofloxacin antibody was prepared for a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and purification system using monoclonal antibody (mAb) coupled magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The IC50 values of the developed mAb for enrofloxacin (ENR), ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, sarafloxacin, pefloxacin, and norfloxacin were 5.0, 8.

Effect on the H19 gene methylation of sperm and organs of offspring after chlorpyrifos-methyl exposure during organogenesis period.

To elucidate the effect on the H19 gene methylation of sperm and organs in offspring by chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPM) exposure during organogenesis period, CPM was administered at doses of 4 (CPM4), 20 (CPM20), and 100 (CPM100) mg/kg bw/day from 7 days post coitum (d.p.c.

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in stomach contents of postmortem animals by QuEChERS and gas chromatography.

The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method for sample preparation was applied to determine seven organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in stomach contents of poisoned postmortem animals. The pesticides consisted of diazinon, edifenphos, ethyl p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate, fenitrothion, monocrotophos, parathion and phosphamindon, and tested samples included stomach contents from postmortem animals of cattle, goat, dog, cat, birds, deer and rabbit. The pesticides were spiked into the samples which were found to be negative through previous pesticide poisoning analysis, and the pesticides were extracted and cleaned up based on the QuEChERS process and then they were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC)-flame photometric detector (FPD) or GC-nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD) with a DB-5 column.

Zearalenone affects immune-related parameters in lymphoid organs and serum of rats vaccinated with porcine parvovirus vaccine.

Rats were administered zearalenone (ZEA) via gavage at dosages of 0, 1, 5, and 30 mg/kg for 36 days. On treatment day 8, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (Vac) was injected intraperitoneally. Antibody production against porcine parvovirus was then measured as a function of ZEA treatment.

Toxic effects of methylmercury, arsanilic acid and danofloxacin on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into neural cells.

This study was performed to assess the neurotoxic effects of methylmercury, arsanilic acid and danofloxacin by quantification of neural-specific proteins in vitro. Quantitation of the protein markers during 14 days of differentiation indicated that the mouse ESCs were completely differentiated into neural cells by Day 8. The cells were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of three chemicals during differentiation.

Effects of oral deoxynivalenol exposure on immune-related parameters in lymphoid organs and serum of mice vaccinated with porcine parvovirus vaccine.

Mice were exposed to deoxynivalenol (DON) via drinking water at a concentration of 2 mg/L for 36 days. On day 8 of treatment, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (PPV) was injected intraperitoneally. The relative and absolute weight of the spleen was significantly decreased in the DON-treated group (DON).

Concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs, PBDEs, and hexachlorobenzene in fat samples from cattle of different ages and gender in Korea.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) concentrations were determined in abdominal fat samples from 30 cattle. The relationships between chemicals, age, and gender were investigated. The concentration of PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.

Chemical residues and contaminants in foods of animal origin in Korea during the past decade.

Residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides, and environmental contaminants in domestic and imported foods of animal origin were monitored by the National Residue Program and inspection service in Korea in the past decade. In all, 134 substances were analyzed in the monitoring plan; 35 substances were examined in the surveillance and enforcement testing program, and 27 substances were investigated in exploratory projects. The overall trend of violation rates gradually decreased over the past decade.

Development of a monoclonal antibody against deoxynivalenol for magnetic nanoparticle-based extraction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb, NVRQS-DON) against deoxynivalenol (DON) was prepared. DON-Ag coated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DON-Ab coated ELISA were prepared by coating the DON-BSA and DON mAb. Quantitative DON calculation ranged from 50 to 4,000 ng/mL for DON-Ab coated ELISA and from 25 to 500 ng/mL for DON-Ag coated ELISA.

Exposure of pregnant mice to chlorpyrifos-methyl alters embryonic H19 gene methylation patterns.

The aim of this study was to identify whether chlorpyrifos methyl (CPM) exposure during pregnancy leads to changes in the methylation patterns of H19 gene. CPM 4, 20, 100 mg/kg bw/day was administered to 4 pregnant mice per group between 7 and 12 days post coitum (d.p.

Evaluation of hepatotoxicity of chemicals using hepatic progenitor and hepatocyte-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: effect of chemicals on ESC-derived hepatocyte differentiation.

Embryonic stem cell testing is an alternative model system to assess drug and chemical toxicities because of its similar developmental characteristics with in vivo embryogenesis and organogenesis. This study evaluated the toxicity of chemicals at specific developmental stages of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hepatic differentiation; hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and hepatocyte-like cells (HCs). The toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and arsanilic acid (Ars) were evaluated by measuring the expressions of Cytokeratin (CK18) and GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) and the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during the hepatic differentiation process.

Production of a highly group-specific monoclonal antibody against zearalenone and its application in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against zearalenone (ZEN) was produced using ZEN-carboxymethoxylamine and -BSA conjugates. Antibody produced by one clone showing a very high binding ability was selected and found to have a higher affinity for ZEN compared to a commerciall ZEN antibody. We developed two direct competitive ELISA systems using the selected antibody (ZEN-coated and anti-ZEN antibody-coated ELISA).

Production of Group Specific Monoclonal Antibody to Aflatoxins and its Application to Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Through the present study, we produced a monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using AFB1- carboxymethoxylamine BSA conjugates. One clone showing high binding ability was selected and it was applied to develop a direct competitive ELISA system. The epitope densities of AFB1-CMO against BSA and KLH were about 1 : 6 and 1 : 545, respectively.

Pathway analysis of gene expression in local lymph nodes draining skin exposed to three different sensitizers.

Genomic analysis in the local lymph node assays (LLNAs) is useful for assessing skin sensitization of chemicals and providing insights into mechanisms of sensitization. In this study, we collected 1406 genes from previous microarray findings, validated changes in their expression by RT-PCR analysis in local lymph nodes draining skin exposed to different sensitizers, and interpreted their biological function through pathway-based genomic analysis, in which 468 genes were identified as being in the KEGG pathway database. The top-ranked functions (P < 0.

Evaluation of embryotoxic potential of olaquindox and vitamin a in micromass culture and in rats.

Limb bud (LB) and central nerve system (CNS) cells were prepared from 12.5 day old pregnant female Crj:CD (SD) rats and treated with olaquindox and vitamin A. Cytotoxicity and inhibition on differentiation were measured in each cell.

Molecular identification of the vaccine strain from the inactivated oil emulsion H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza vaccine.

In order to control the H9N2 subtype low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), an inactivated vaccine has been used in Korea since 2007. The Korean veterinary authority permitted the use of a single H9N2 LPAI vaccine strain to simplify the evolution of the circulating virus due to the immune pressure caused by the vaccine use. It is therefore important to determine the suitability of the vaccine strain in the final inactivated oil emulsion LPAI vaccine.

Intracellular expression of cytokines and granzyme B in auricular lymph nodes draining skin exposed to irritants and sensitizers.

The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) has been extensively utilized to evaluate sensitizing chemicals. However, there have been some concerns that its use to discriminate between classes of chemicals is minimal. It is thus desirable to identify better or alternative immune endpoints with in LLNA itself.