PURPOSE: Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, is associated with insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Many strategies, including natural alternative anti-obesity agents, are used widely to prevent obesity. This study examined the effects of silkworm hemolymph on the weight control of C57BL/6N mice fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: The mice were divided into five groups: normal group (N), high-fat diet group (HFC), high-fat diet and silkworm hemolymph (at dose of 1 mL/kg BW (HFS-1), 5 mL/kg BW (HFS-5) and 10 mL/kg (HFS-10) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After 12 weeks treatment, the administration of silkworm hemolymph decreased the final body weight significantly along with a decrease in the weights of epididymal fat and total fat. The plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the HFS-1, HFS-5, and HFS-10 groups than in the HFC group. In addition, the leptin level of the HFS groups was significantly lower than those of the HFC group without a change in the plasma insulin concentration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the silkworm hemolymph may have the potential to prevent obesity.
Animals ; Anti-Obesity Agents ; Body Weight ; Bombyx* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Hemolymph* ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Mice* ; Obesity ; Plasma ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Transfusion service, as a task directly affecting the patient's life, must be performed as expeditiously as possible. However, for various reasons, we have experienced difficulty in supplying blood products in a timely manner. In this study, we analyzed the turnaround time (TAT) of blood issue and attempted to find a solution. METHODS: We evaluated the TATs for the request and preparation of blood transfusions in our hospital from January to December 2011. The time of blood issue, from acceptance of the request to preparation in the blood bank, was calculated from computerized medical records. In cases in which the TAT exceeded 24 hours, we investigated the type of blood component and the cause of the delay. RESULTS: A total of 12,856 units of blood were issued during the study year. Of these, 1,333 units (10.4%) had TATs exceeding 24 hours. These units included 148 units of red blood cells (RBC) (2.1%), 49 units of leukocyte-filtered red blood cells (F-RBC) (69.0%), 92 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (3.9%), six units of cryoprecipitates (CRYO) (7.4%), 818 units of platelets (PLT) (27.1%), and 220 units of apheresis platelets (A-PLT) (66.5%). The preparation times for PLT and A-PLT were more delayed. The cause of the delays was lack of inventory at the blood center. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the blood center keep blood products even at the risk that they will be discarded for exceeding the expiration date. In addition, we suggest that testing of donated blood be performed within the region.
Blood Banks ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Plasma

BACKGROUND: Transfusion service, as a task directly affecting the patient's life, must be performed as expeditiously as possible. However, for various reasons, we have experienced difficulty in supplying blood products in a timely manner. In this study, we analyzed the turnaround time (TAT) of blood issue and attempted to find a solution. METHODS: We evaluated the TATs for the request and preparation of blood transfusions in our hospital from January to December 2011. The time of blood issue, from acceptance of the request to preparation in the blood bank, was calculated from computerized medical records. In cases in which the TAT exceeded 24 hours, we investigated the type of blood component and the cause of the delay. RESULTS: A total of 12,856 units of blood were issued during the study year. Of these, 1,333 units (10.4%) had TATs exceeding 24 hours. These units included 148 units of red blood cells (RBC) (2.1%), 49 units of leukocyte-filtered red blood cells (F-RBC) (69.0%), 92 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (3.9%), six units of cryoprecipitates (CRYO) (7.4%), 818 units of platelets (PLT) (27.1%), and 220 units of apheresis platelets (A-PLT) (66.5%). The preparation times for PLT and A-PLT were more delayed. The cause of the delays was lack of inventory at the blood center. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the blood center keep blood products even at the risk that they will be discarded for exceeding the expiration date. In addition, we suggest that testing of donated blood be performed within the region.
Blood Banks ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; Plasma

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activities of 50%, 70%, and 100% ethanol extracts of Lycium barbarum leaf and chlorophyll removal extract. METHODS: The antioxidant activities were estimated by measuring total polyphenol content and by assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA fragmentation, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities of the extracts were measured in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stressed HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The total polyphenol content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and FRAP value of the extracts increased in an ethanol concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidant activities of the chlorophyll-removal extracts were much higher than those of the chlorophyll-containing extracts. Cytotoxicity was not observed in HepG2 cells with extracts up to 1,000 µg/mL. All extracts inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner from 31.3 µg/mL and inhibited DNA damage at 250 µg/mL. The SOD and catalase activities of cell lines treated with the extracts and H2O2 were similar to those of normal cells, indicating a strong protective effect. CONCLUSION: Lycium barbarum leaf extracts had high antioxidant activities and protected H2O2-stressed HepG2 cells. Since the chlorophyll-removal extract exhibited higher antioxidant activities than the chlorophyll-containing ones and the cytoprotective effect was similar, chlorophyll removal extract of Lycium barbarum leaf could be developed as ingredients of functional food and cosmetics.
Catalase ; Cell Line ; Chlorophyll ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation ; Ethanol ; Functional Food ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lycium ; Reactive Oxygen Species

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is often performed to support successful brain surgery. In this study, we looked at two groups of surgery patients to analyze the transfusion requirements for patients undergoing brain surgery in our hospital. Group A patients received elective surgery, whereby blood products were prepared in advance, and Group B patients required emergency surgery which is often accompanied massive bleeding, and therefore adequate transfusion blood may not be available in advance. METHODS: During a one year period, patients who received brain surgery were classified as requiring either elective (Group A) or emergency (Group B) surgery. In each group, operation time and blood transfusion requirements were compared. RESULTS: Of the 35 total patients included in this study, 14 cases were Group A and 21 cases were group B. Average operation time was 4 hours and 13 minutes (253 minutes), and 2 hours and 50 minutes (170 minutes), respectively for Groups A and B. Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion was conducted in more than 90% of all patients. Average volume of RBC transfusion per operation was 2.5 units (Group A) and 3.1 units (Group B). Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was transfused in 21% of Group A patients and in 38% of Group B patients. Platelet Concentrate (PC) was transfused in 19% of Group B patients, only. CONCLUSION: FFP and PC were more frequently transfused in patients who received emergency surgery than those who received elective surgery. Preparation of, not only RBC, but FFP and PC is required for emergency brain surgery. Therefore, efforts to retain adequate amounts of blood are needed to support emergency brain surgery.
Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Brain ; Emergencies ; Erythrocytes ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Plasma