OBJECTIVE: This study has been conducted to determine the protein efficiency ratio (PER) of selected indigenous legumes, namely pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), as alternative protein sources.

METHODS: Experimental diets (pigeon pea-based and lima bean-based) and control diet (casein-based) were formulated and standardized using proximate analysis to have 10% protein basal diet based on the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) guidelines. Diets were given to corresponding groups (2 experimental, 1 control) using 30 albino Sprague-Dawley weanling rats aged 21 days old, over a 28-day growth assay.

RESULTS: Results showed that the mean final weight and weight gain were significantly higher in rats fed with casein-based diet (p0.05). The PER of the casein (3.37 ± 2.71) is higher than that of the pigeon pea (1.87) and lima bean (1.32). These results can be attributed to the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) in the seeds of pigeon pea and lima bean. Reduced protein intake (due to bitter taste), toxicity, and interference with protein digestibility (through interaction with digestive enzymes) imparted by these ANFs can explain the weight loss among the experimental groups and consequently the low PER. Heat treatment done in the study were not adequate to remove the ANFs.

CONCLUSION: The study shows that pigeon pea and lima bean as protein sources alone are not as adequate and efficient in providing necessary protein requirements for weanling rats. Proper processing and treatment should be done to remove inhibitors of protein digestibility and quality.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectivity of Chitosan in the reconstruction of conjunctival defect created during surgical removal MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preparation of Chitosan biofilm. Chitin was isolated and purified from giant tiger prawn (Penaeous monodon) exoskeleton waste and converted to a 97 percent deacetylated form by reaction with 40 percent NaOH then dissolved in 0.1M acetic acid forming a chitosan-acetate solution. The solution was poured into a petri dish and dried forming a film. Animal Study. Conjunctival defects were induced by excising the conjunctiva (6 x 6 mm) of 32 rabbit eyes. Sixteen experimental eyes received the chitosan biofilm sutured in continuous fashion using 8-0 conjunctiva, where the previous incision was made, were harvested and sent for histopathology to look for re-epithelialization and fibroblast formation. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Text was utilized in data analysis RESULTS: Epithelial growth was significantly higher in the Chitosan treated group as compared to the control (p0.05). Fibroblast formation was likewise significantly higher in the Chitosan treated group than in the control CONCLUSION: Chitosan is effective in promoting re-epithelialization and fibroblast formation and can thus be used as a possible alternative in ocular surface reconstruction. (Author)
Animal ; SURGERY

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine current trends and the mode of future development in the field of medical radiology and to promote research among the nation's radiologists by analyzing the contents of the Korean Radiologic Society(JKRS) and Radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The number of articles published in JKRS each year between 1990 and 1994 was counted. The research articles in JKRS(n=740) and in Radiology(n=1748) between 1992 and 1994 were categorized according to the objective, type, topic, materials, and radiologic techniques of their contents on the basis of predetermined criteria. Domestic Masters theses(n=126) and doctoral dissertations(n=75) accepted between 1990 and 1994, and domestic materials published in international journals(n=416) between 1986 and 1994 were also categorized using the same criteria. RESULTS: The greatest increase in the number of articles published in JKRS was seen during 1994. The majority of these aimed to retrospectively analyse the findings of diseases while the majority of articles published in Radiology dealt prospectively with the development and/or evaluation of diagnostic methods. More variety of topics and issues was seen in Radiology than in JKRS. The number of articles of domestic materials published in international journals increased from1986 to 1994, while the number of articles of foreign materials published in korea was relatively stationary. A significant number of theses and dissertations dealt, mostly prospectively, with studies of pathophysiologic and/or pharmacologic mechanisms using animal models. CONCLUSION: In order to understand both current trends and the direction and mode of future developments in the field of radiology, and to be able to actively deal with challenges at the forefront of radiologic development, it is essential to review research articles published in radiology-related journals.
Korea ; Models, Animal

Diuretic effect of Bach hac fluid extract was investigated on white rat. Results showed that Bach hac (Acaramthus nasutin – Acanthaceae) in the dose of 4g/kg – 6g/kg body weight has increased the elimination of Na+, K+, Cl- and Ca++ ions through kidney, the effect was most obvious in the 2nd and 4th hours after administration under any doses.
Animal Experimentation ; diuretics ; Acanthaceae

Restorative effects of Radix Notoginseng on liver damage provoked by CCl4 in experimental rats. Results showed that an oral adminitration of Radix Notoginseng (RN) 5g/kg of body weight exerted moderate effect of recovering on CCl4 induced liver damage in rats. Although the serum ASAT enzym/concentration in CCl4 – intoxicated and RN treated group was still higher than that of control group after 1 day, it was significantly lower than that of intoxicated and non treated group (p<0,01). There were no difference in ALAT concentration between these 2 groups. 4day course of treatment by RN has reduced both ASAT and ALAT serum levels to normal levels while ASAT level in CCl4 intoxicated rats was still higher
Animal Experimentation ; Mice ; Liver

The sub-chronic toxicity of piperaquine phosphate was assessed in rabbits. Piperaquine phosphate (PQP), at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of body weight per day for 28 consecutive days, was administered orally. The influences of PQP on rabbits' laboratory indices were observed during the PQP administration and after the treatment. Rabbits treated with PQP by oral administration were found to have normal action dinning. At the dose of 50mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days, the body weights of rabbits was increased significantly during study period (p<0.05), but was not changed significantly at the dose of 100 mg/kg per dayx 28 days. PQP, at the dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days, did not change significantly biochemical indices (SGOT,SGPT, bilirubin and protein) and some hematological indices (leukocytes, leukocyte formula and hemoglobin), but significantly increased erythrocytes and creatinine on days 14 and 28. At the treated dose 100mg/kg per dayx28days, biochemical indices (SGOT, protein) and some hematological indices (erythrocytes, leukocytes and leukocyte formula) did not change significantly during study period, but creatinine, bilirubin and SGPT were significantly changed
Animal Experimentation ; Rabbits

The BB 1O1's effects on the reproductive progress of parents (P), the first (Fl) and the second (F2) generations of mice were investigated at the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology & Entomology (NIMPE) between February and October 2004. The mice were dosed with BB 101 50mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days. BB 101 was found to cause no effects on birth progress, mating rate, fertilization. Early died fetuses and late died fetuses were similar among P, F1 and F2. The new born mice were found to have no innate defects. Their size and weight were normal.
Reproduction ; Animal Experimentation ; Mice

Study on the extract of Morinda citrifolia (MC) fruit with the ratio of 5:1 (1g extract was prepared from 5g of dried MC fruit) in order to determine the effects of extract on radiation-induced immunosuppressive mice. The results showed that: oral administration of this extract with daily dose of 6 g/kg in 9 consecutive days (3 days before and 6 days during receiving gamma ray) has increased the relative weight of spleen and thymus, total leukocyte count, number of lymphocytes, natural killers and monocytes, rate of immune rosette forming cells, hemolytic halo, and the skin test with OA antigen, compared with the mice group that has been only received gamma ray without drug
Morinda ; Animal Experimentation ; Radiation

Method of dissemination intravascular coagulation (DIC) was used on experimental rabbits by intravenous thrombin solution 15 IU. Then rabbits were divided into 3 groups: the control group (8 rabbits) received NaCI 0.9% solution 2 ml/kg W.b/24h; the study group (10 rabbits) received mixed pollution cracetin 10.5 mg/kg/24h; the compare drug group (10 rabbits) received Tanakan solution 4.8 mg/kg w.b. All 3 rabbits groups were orally received in one continuous week. On experimental model of DIC at the dose of 10.5 mg/kg W.b/24h orally within 7 days, cracetin elongated the values of the Howell time, Quick time, thrombin time, partial thrombin time. The drug cracetin increased amount of fibrinogen, restored the number of thrombosis that were consumed more in the progress of forming blood coagulation before.
Blood ; Animal Experimentation

The BB134's sub-chronic toxicity in rabbits was investigated at NIMPE's laboratory. BB134 was orally administered at the dose of 9mg/kg of body weight per day for 28 consecutive days. The influence of BB134 on rabbit's laboratory indices and cardiovascular system were observed during and after the BB134 administration. The BB134 had not change the normal indices of development as well as the biochemical and some hematological indices of the experimental rabbits. During the study time the rabbits acted and ate normally. The body weight was increased significantly. SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin and creatinine as well as leukocytes, leukocyte formula and hemoglobin had no change. However erythrocytes decreased significantly by day 14. BB134 was also found not to affect significantly on rabbits' cardiovascular system (rabbits' heart rhythms and cardiovascular waves such as P, QP, QRS, T and QT of the control and treated groups were not changed significantly
Malaria ; Animal Experimentation ; Artemisinins