Effect of Fermented Sauropus Androgynus Leaves on Blood Lipid Fraction and Haematological Profile in Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate effect of fermented Sauropus androgynus leaves on blood lipid fractions and haematological profiles in broilers. One hundred and twelve broilers were distributed to 7 treatment groups. One group was fed diets without Sauropus androgynus leaves as the control, and other six groups were fed Sauropus androgynus leaves fermented by Neurospora crassa, Lactobacillus sp. or Saccharomyces cerevisiae at level of 25 g or 50 g/kg diet. Experimental results showed that the treatments had no effect on cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and atherogenic index, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c) and triglyceride concentration (P>0.05). It was shown that fermented Sauropus androgynus leaves significantly affected red blood count (RBC), white blood count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), trombosit dan erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (

Temperature and Humidity Influences on Inactivation Kinetics of Enteric Viruses on Surfaces

Norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are pathogenic enteric viruses responsible for public health concerns worldwide. The viral transmission occurs through fecally contaminated food, water, fomites, or direct contact. However, the difficulty in cultivating these viruses makes it a challenge to characterize the resistance to various environmental stresses. In this study, we characterized the inactivation rates of murine norovirus (MNV), MS2, and HAV on either lacquer coating rubber tree wood or stainless steel under different temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions. The viruses were analyzed at temperatures of 15 °C, 25 °C, 32 °C, and 40 °C and at RHs of 30%, 50%, and 70% for 30 days. Overall, they survived significantly longer on wood than on steel at lower temperature (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The inactivation rate of MS2 and MNV increased at higher RH levels, whereas HAV survived the best at a medium RH level (50%). The effect of RH was significant only for MS2 (<i>P</i> < 0.05). MS2 persisted longest under all of the environmental conditions examined. Both a linear and a nonlinear Weibull model were used to describe the viral inactivation data in this study. The data produced a better fit to the survival curves that were predicted by the Weibull model

A Biodegradation Study of SBA-15 Microparticles in Simulated Body Fluid and <i>in Vivo</i>

Mesoporous silica has received considerable attention as a drug delivery vehicle because of its large surface area and large pore volume for loading drugs and large biomolecules. Recently, mesoporous silica microparticles have shown potential as a three-dimensional vaccine platform for modulating dendritic cells via spontaneous assembly of microparticles in a specific region after subcutaneous injection. For further <i>in vivo</i> applications, the biodegradation behavior of mesoporous silica microparticles must be studied and known. Until now, most biodegradation studies have focused on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs); here, we report the biodegradation of hexagonally ordered mesoporous silica, SBA-15, with micrometer-sized lengths (∼32 μm with a high aspect ratio). The degradation of SBA-15 microparticles was investigated in simulated body fluid (SBF) and in mice by analyzing the structural change over time. SBA-15 microparticles were found to degrade in SBF and <i>in vivo</i>. The erosion of SBA-15 under biological conditions led to a loss of the hysteresis loop in the nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and fingerprint peaks in small-angle X-ray scattering, specifically indicating a degradation of ordered mesoporous structure. Via comparison to previous results of degradation of MSNs in SBF, SBA-15 microparticles degraded faster than MCM-41 nanoparticles presumably because SBA-15 microparticles have a pore size (∼8 nm) and a pore volume larger than those of MCM-41 mesoporous silica. The surface functional groups, the residual amounts of organic templates, and the hydrothermal treatment during the synthesis could affect the rate of degradation of SBA-15. In <i>in vivo</i> testing, previous studies focused on the evaluation of toxicity of mesoporous silica particles in various organs. In contrast, we studied the change in the physical properties of SBA-15 microparticles depending on the duration after subcutaneous injection. The pristine SBA-15 microparticles injected into mice subcutaneously slowly degraded over time and lost ordered structure after 3 days. These findings represent the possible <i>in vivo</i> use of microsized mesoporous silica for drug delivery or vaccine platform after local injection

Weight change and risk of uterine leiomyomas: Korea Nurses’ Health Study

<p><b>Objective:</b> This study examined the associations between anthropometric measures and uterine leiomyomas.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This study included a total of 5,062 women (median age of 35.5 years) who had experienced pregnancy and, of these women, 210 reported a diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas within the past 2 years prior to baseline in the Korea Nurses’ Health Study. Participants were asked about their anthropometric factors. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using logistic regression models.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.8 kg/m² among non-cases. An increase in weight from the age of 18 years to the present was associated with increased risk of uterine leiomyomas (<i>p</i> for trend = .002); compared to women whose weight remained stable, the multivariate ORs (95% CIs) were 1.84 (1.22–2.76) for weight gain of 5–10 kg and 2.00 (1.25–3.20) for weight gain of more than 10 kg since age 18. A similar pattern was observed when the analysis was limited to women with a BMI of 18.5–25 kg/m². Current weight was associated with higher odds of uterine leiomyomas. No associations were found for body size in childhood or in adolescence, weight at age 18, current BMI, or current body size.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Weight gain in adulthood was associated with increased risk of uterine leiomyomas in Korean women, even in those with normal weight.</p

Prevalence of subclinical cerebro-cardio vascular atherosclerosis increased with the severity of NAFLD.

<p>Prevalence of subclinical cerebro-cardio vascular atherosclerosis increased with the severity of NAFLD.</p

Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion Protein‑1 (MATE1/SLC47A1) Is a Novel Flavonoid Transporter

Dietary flavonoids have various biological functions. However, their cellular transport mechanisms are largely unknown. We have determined that the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporter-1 (MATE1) is a membrane transporter for flavonoids and has a high affinity for quercetin. HEK293T cells overexpressing MATE1 exhibited increased intracellular quercetin accumulation. This effect disappeared in the presence of a MATE1 inhibitor and after MATE1 gene knockdown. HepG2 cells expressed MATE1 significantly, with the uptake quercetin of which was dramatically reduced with MATE1 inhibition. On the basis of immunofluorescence analysis, MATE1 was highly expressed in peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as well as in plasma membranes in the liver and intestine, which suggests potential accumulation of quercetin in peroxisomes and the ER in these tissues. Fluorescent microscopic analysis confirmed selective accumulation of qurcetin in peroxisome. The effects of quercetin on cellular lipid reduction and glucose uptake were exaggerated with MATE1 overexpression. In conclusion, MATE1 is a membrane transporter for quercetin; its overexpression enhances the hypolipidemic activity of quercetin and cellular glucose transport. Considering the low bioavailability of quercetin, appropriate regulation of MATE1 expression may optimize cellular quercetin concentrations and promote health benefits

Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection among HIV-Infected Men in Korea

<div><p>Background</p><p>Little is known about the epidemiology on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among HIV-infected men in Korea. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, genotype distribution and risk factors associated with anal HPV infection among HIV-infected men in Korea.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted with HIV-infected men in Korea. Participants completed a detailed sexual behavior risk factor questionnaire. Anal samples were collected for cytology and HPV genotyping. Factors associated with anal HPV infection were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, stratifying by sexual behaviour.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 201 HIV-infected men were included in the study: 133 were from men who have sex with men (MSM) and 68 from men who have sex with women (MSW). Any anal HPV infection was detected in 82.7% of HIV-infected MSM and in 51.5% of HIV- infected MSW (<i>P</i> < 0.001). High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) prevalence was higher among MSM (47.4%) than MSW (25.0%; <i>P</i> = 0.002). The HR-HPV types identified most frequently were HPV 16 (11%), HPV 18 (9.9%), and HPV 58 (5%) in MSM, and HPV 58(11%) and HPV 16 (8.9%) in MSW. Prevalence of any HPV types in 9-valent vaccine types was higher among MSM than MSW (47.4% vs 22.1%. <i>P</i> = 0.001). Abnormal anal cytology was more commonly detected in MSM than MSW (42.9% vs.19.1%, <i>P</i> < 0.001). In HIV-infected MSM, higher number of lifetime male sex partners was significantly associated with any anal HPV infection, but age was a significant risk factor associated with anal HR-HPV infection.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Anal HPV infection was highly prevalent in HIV-infected MSM in Korea, and also commonly found in HIV-infected MSW. In HIV-infected MSM, the significant risk factor for being infected with any HPV infection was lifetime number of male sexual partners, and with anal oncogenic HPV infection was age.</p></div

Results of univariate analyses to assess the relationship between clinical variables and subclinical cerebro-cardiovascular atherosclerosis (CCVA).

<p>Results of univariate analyses to assess the relationship between clinical variables and subclinical cerebro-cardiovascular atherosclerosis (CCVA).</p

Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk of subclinical cerebro-cardio vascular atherosclerosis according to severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adult men.

<p>Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk of subclinical cerebro-cardio vascular atherosclerosis according to severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adult men.</p

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypic distribution among HIV-infected Men who have sex with men and among HIV-infected men who have sex with women.

<p>(MSM, men who have sex with men; MSW, men who have sex with women; U, untypeable)</p