Effect of L-carnitine on quality of life in covert hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

( Eileen L. Yoon ),( Sang Bong Ahn ),( Dae Won Jun ),( Yong Kyun Cho ),( Do Seon Song ),( Jae Yoon Jeong ),( Hee Yeon Kim ),( Young Kul Jung ),( Myeong Jun Song ),( Sung Eun Kim ),( Hyoung Su Kim ),( 대한내과학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.37 No.4

Background/Aims: L-carnitine is potentially beneficial in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). We aimed to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on the quality of life and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and covert HE. Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated, prospective, multi-center, double-blind, randomized phase III trial in patients with covert HE. A total of 150 patients were randomized 1:1 to L-carnitine (2 g/day) or placebo for 24 weeks. Changes in quality of life and liver function were assessed at 6 months. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), and the Stroop Test were evaluated in all patients. Results: The total SF-36 score significantly improved in the L-carnitine group after 24 weeks (difference: median, 2; interquartile range, 0 to 11; p < 0.001); however, these values were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, there was a significant ordinal improvement in PHES scores among patients with minimal HE who were in the L-carnitine group (p = 0.007). Changes in the total carnitine level also positively correlated with improvements in the Stroop test in the L-carnitine group (color test, r = 0.3; word test, r = 0.4; inhibition test, r = 0.5; inhibition/switching test, r = 0.3; all p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the MELD scores at week 24 did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Twenty-four weeks of L-carnitine supplementation was safe but ineffective in improving quality of life and liver function.

Oral L-Carnitine on Quality of Life and Cognition in Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Randomized, Double- Blind, Placebo-Controlled (HELIOS) Study

( Eileen L. Yoon ),( Dae Won Jun ),( Sang Bong Ahn ),( Yong Kyun Cho ),( Do Seon Song ),( Jae Yoon Jeong ),( Hee Yeon Kim ),( Young Kul Jung ),( Myeong Jun Song ),( Sung Eun Kim ),( Hyoung Su Kim ),( 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: To evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on the improvement of quality of life (QOL) and cognitive function in liver cirrhosis patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Methods: We conducted a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, phase III clinical trial in patients with covert HE. A total of 150 covert HE patients were randomized 1:1 to L-carnitine (1 g) or placebo for 24 weeks. Changes in QOL and cognitive function were assessed at 6 months. West Haven criteria, 36- Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), and the Stroop Test were evaluated in all patients. Results: The L-carnitine supplement improved QOL compared to baseline. PHES scores were improved and normalization rates of minimal HE were increased in the L-carnitine group compared to baseline; however, median PHES scores and normalization rates were not different between the L-carnitine group and the placebo group at Week 24. Assessment of cognitive inhibition via the Stroop test showed significant improvement following 24 weeks of treatment in the L-carnitine group. Model for end stage liver disease scores were increased in the placebo group and significantly decreased in the L-carnitine group. Changes in total carnitine level positively correlated with rate correct scores of the Stroop test in the L-carnitine group. The incidence of adverse events was not different between the treatment groups. Conclusions: L-carnitine supplement was safe and effective for the improvement of QOL and cognitive dysfunction in covert HE patients with liver cirrhosis. (Clinical trial No. KCT0002029)

Dipyrenylcalix[4]arene—A Fluorescence-Based Chemosensor for Trinitroaromatic Explosives

Lee, Young Hoon,Liu, Hongguang,Lee, Jin Yong,Kim, Sang Hoon,Kim, Sung Kuk,Sessler, Jonathan L.,Kim, Yang,Kim, Jong Seung WILEY-VCH Verlag 2010 Chemistry Vol.16 No.20

<P>A new chemosensor-based approach to the detection of nitroaromatics is described. It involves the analyte-induced quenching of excimer emission of a dipyrenyl calix[4]arene (L). The chemical and photophysical properties of the complexes formed between L and mono-, di-, and trinitrobenzene, and di- and trinitrotoluene were studied in acetonitrile and chloroform by using <SUP>1</SUP>H NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the trinitroaromatics engendered the largest response among the various substrates tested, with the sensitivity for these analytes being correspondingly high. Quantitative analysis of the fluorescence titration profile generated from the titration of L with TNT provided evidence that this particular functionalized calix[4]arene receptor allows for the detection of TNT down to the low ppb level in CH<SUB>3</SUB>CN. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that in the solid state the complex L⋅TNT consists of a supramolecular crystalline polymeric structure, the formation of which appears to be driven by intermolecular π–π interactions between two pyrene units and a TNT molecule held at a distance of 3.2–3.6 Å, as well as by intra- and intermolecular hydrogen-bonds among the amide linkages. Nevertheless, the changes in the <SUP>1</SUP>H NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectrum, including sharp color changes, are ascribed to a charge-transfer interaction arising from complementary π–π overlap between the pyrene subunits and the bound trinitroaromatic substrates. A number of ab initio calculations were also carried out and, considered in concert, they provide further support for the proposed charge-transfer interactions, particularly in the case of L⋅TNT.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>How to find TNT! A new chemosensor-based approach for the detection of nitrated aromatics is described. It involves the analyte-induced quenching of excimer emission of a dipyrenyl-calix[4]-arene (L; see graphic). In the solid state, the complex L⋅TNT consists of a supramolecular crystalline polymeric structure, the formation of which appears to be driven by intermolecular π–π interactions between two pyrene units and a TNT molecule held at a distance of 3.2–3.6 Å. <img src='wiley_img_2010/09476539-2010-16-20-CHEM200903439-content.gif' alt='wiley_img_2010/09476539-2010-16-20-CHEM200903439-content'> </P>

Morphology and biology of cabbage whitefly, Aleyrodes proletella L.(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Yong Seok Choi,Hyo Ryu Jo,In Soo Hwang,Gyung-Joo Lee 한국응용곤충학회 2016 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2016 No.04

The cabbage whitefly Aleyrodes proletella L. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a specialized insect that uses its mouthparts(stylets) to feed from the phloem of its host plants, which are found among the Brassicaceae and Asteraceae. Female whiteflies lay their eggs in circular patterns embedded in wax on the underside of the leaves. These were collected from the leaf of triangular lettuce, Crepidiastrum sonchifolium throughout the whole Chungnam province, 2013. We reared the cabbage whitefly on the egg-plant. The elongate-oval eggs are laid upright in a semicircle on the underside of Brassica leaves but didn’t in lab. Initially pale and translucent, the eggs become darker. Nymphs are scale-like and covered with wax; their color is white with two yellow spots on the abdomen. On the dorsal surface of the last abdomial segment is the vasiform orifice charactersitic of the group. The fourth instar is called the “pupa”. The pupa is thicker, immobile, and pale in color with red eyes. The adults are tiny, about 1.5 mm long, and moth-like. The head and thorax are dark. The abdomen is yellow and covered by a conspicuous white waxy layer. The forewings have a faint, dark bar. If disturbed, the adults fly readily. The duration of development of immature stages of Aleyrodes proletella decreased with increase in temperature, the mortality was higher below 16 ℃ and above 28 ℃.

Two distinct extracellular RNA signatures released by a single cell type identified by microarray and next-generation sequencing

Lä,sser, Cecilia,Shelke, Ganesh Vilas,Yeri, Ashish,Kim, Dae-Kyum,Crescitelli, Rossella,Raimondo, Stefania,Sjö,strand, Margareta,Gho, Yong Song,Van Keuren Jensen, Kendall,Lö,tvall, Jan TaylorFrancis 2017 RNA BIOLOGY Vol.14 No.1

<P><B>ABSTRACT</B></P><P>Cells secrete extracellular RNA (exRNA) to their surrounding environment and exRNA has been found in many body fluids such as blood, breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid. However, there are conflicting results regarding the nature of exRNA. Here, we have separated 2 distinct exRNA profiles released by mast cells, here termed high-density (HD) and low-density (LD) exRNA. The exRNA in both fractions was characterized by microarray and next-generation sequencing. Both exRNA fractions contained mRNA and miRNA, and the mRNAs in the LD exRNA correlated closely with the cellular mRNA, whereas the HD mRNA did not. Furthermore, the HD exRNA was enriched in lincRNA, antisense RNA, vault RNA, snoRNA, and snRNA with little or no evidence of full-length 18S and 28S rRNA. The LD exRNA was enriched in mitochondrial rRNA, mitochondrial tRNA, tRNA, piRNA, Y RNA, and full-length 18S and 28S rRNA. The proteomes of the HD and LD exRNA-containing fractions were determined with LC-MS/MS and analyzed with Gene Ontology term finder, which showed that both proteomes were associated with the term extracellular vesicles and electron microscopy suggests that at least a part of the exRNA is associated with exosome-like extracellular vesicles. Additionally, the proteins in the HD fractions tended to be associated with the nucleus and ribosomes, whereas the LD fraction proteome tended to be associated with the mitochondrion.</P><P>We show that the 2 exRNA signatures released by a single cell type can be separated by floatation on a density gradient. These results show that cells can release multiple types of exRNA with substantial differences in RNA species content. This is important for any future studies determining the nature and function of exRNA released from different cells under different conditions.</P>

Production of Bioactive Yoghurt containing Cichorium intybus L. (Chicory) Extract - Preliminary Study

Jeong, Dana,Kim, Dong-Hyeon,Oh, Yong-Taek,Chon, Jung-Whan,Kim, Hyunsook,Jeong, Dong-Kwan,Kim, Hong-Seok,Kim, Yun-Gyeong,Song, Kwang-Young,Kim, Young-Ji,Kang, Il-Byung,Park, Jin-Hyeong,Chang, Ho-Seok,L Korean Society of Dairy Science and Biotechnology 2017 한국유가공기술과학회지 Vol.35 No.1

Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) roots and leaves are widely used in herbal preparations, which have beneficial effects on the stimulation of digestion and metabolism of food ingredients, gastric juice excretion, diuretic action, and bile excretion. Notably, chicory root is well known as a source of polyphenols, compounds with recognized value in health improvement. In this study, we examined the physicochemical characteristics (TA, pH, and sensory evaluation) of bioactive yoghurt containing different concentrations of chicory. With increasing incubation time (5 h), the TA of the yoghurt increased whereas the pH decreased, regardless of the amount of chicory. As the amount of chicory increased, the scores for color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability generally decreased. Among the tested groups, yoghurt with the addition of 1% chicory attained the highest scores. Further studies on the production of bioactive yogurt with optimum chicory concentration are needed.

Nk Cell Activities in Marek`s Disease

Lee, Woo Yong,Sah, R. L.,Pradhan, H. K. 한국수의공중보건학회 1988 예방수의학회지 Vol.12 No.2

Effects of L-malic acid on alpha-glucosidase: inhibition kinetics and computational molecular dynamics simulations.

Gou, Lin,Zhan, Yi,Lee, Jinhyuk,Li, Xuan,Lü,, Zhi-Rong,Zhou, Hai-Meng,Lu, Hang,Wang, Xi-Yao,Park, Yong-Doo,Yang, Jun-Mo Humana Press 2015 Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol.175 No.4

<P>The inhibitory effect of L-malic acid (MA) on alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) was investigated by combination study between inhibition kinetics and computational simulations. The results from the serial kinetics demonstrated that MA could directly inactivate the enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner and a typical non-competitive type, as well as in a fast inactivate process without detectable time course. The tertiary conformation study with an application of spectrofluorimetry showed that MA modulated the tertiary structural conformation of alpha-glucosidase both on the overall and on regional active site pocket, which monitored by red-shift intrinsic fluorescence peak with decreases intensities, and the significant intensity increasing of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS)-binding fluorescence, respectively. To have more insight, we also adapted the computational molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results showed that MA was located in the entrance of active pocket for the catalytic reaction and blocked the passage of substrate. It confirmed that MA inhibits as a non-competitive type, not direct docking to the glucose binding site. Our study provides important molecular mechanisms to figure out alpha-glucosidase inhibition that might associate to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus drug.</P>

Effects on MATSA-bearing cells in Marek`s Disease

Lee, Woo Yong,Sah, R. L.,Pradhan, H. K.,Mohanty, G. C. 한국수의공중보건학회 1989 예방수의학회지 Vol.13 No.3

Selection of drought-tolerant durum (Triticum turgidum L.) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from Korea and Tunisia

Sang Heon Kim,Dae Yeon Kim,Yacoubi Inès,Yong Jin Lee,Oonha Shin,Jin-Seok Yoon,Woo-Joo Jung,Yong Weon Seo 한국육종학회 2013 한국육종학회 심포지엄 Vol.2013 No.07

Drought tolerance is the ability of a plant to live, grow, and reproduce properly with limited water supply or under periodic conditions of water deficit. However, the climate changes and worldwide water shortages would result in the loss of applied water to irrigated land, increasing soil water deficit. To control the situation, we have carried out the international joint research project for the aim of developing that drought tolerance common wheat and durum wheat in Korea and Tunisia. Total 79 (41 common wheat, 39 durum wheat) Tunisian lines and 33 Korean wheat cultivars were incorporated in this study. Drought stress was applied for 25 days of stopping irrigation from the 3-leaf stage followed by re-watering for restoration in greenhouse. We selected top 13 (5 Korean line, 8 Tunisian line) tolerant lines and 11 (5 Korean, 6 Tunisian) susceptible lines based on growth parameter analysis. Primers (Operon primers and wheat Dreb1 gene) that have been known to be related drought resistance were applied to explain selected population. The correlation between PCR-based length polymorphism of selected lines and their resistance were evaluated. The obtained primer information will aid selection for drought tolerance durum as well as hexaploid common wheat.