• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.727-731
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of skin pigmentation on physiological parameters of thermoregulation and grazing behaviour of dairy goats in a hot and humid climate. The study used 26 crossbred Saanen yearling goats (95% Saanen+5% Local Hair Breed). The animals were raised at semi-intensive private farms in Adana (36 59'N, 35 18'E). Groups were selected 2 d before the start of observations. Goats were categorized as predominantly pigmented (P) skin and unpigmented (UP) skin. All observations and measurements were collected on grassland during the grazing period of June and July 2007 (60 d). Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded at 10 min intervals by a portable data logger. The physiological data (rectal temperature, respiration and pulse rate, and skin temperatures from head and udder) were recorded twice weekly in the morning (07:00-08:00); at midday (13:00-14:00); and in the evening (18:00-19:00). Additionally, the activity of the animals was observed and classified (eating, ruminating, drinking, standing, walking, lying) for 12 h during the day twice weekly, using a portable camera system linked directly to a computer. Panting behaviour was also observed. According to the THI values, the experimental goats were subjected to stressful conditions. The pigmented goats had significantly lower rectal temperatures (39.68 vs. $29.89^{\circ}C$), pulse rate (74.08 vs. 84.10 beat/min) and respiration rate (65.65 vs. 88.23 breath/min.) compared with unpigmented goats at midday when the THI exceeded 92. The rectal, head and udder temperatures, pulse and respiration rates of the non-pigmented group exceeded $40^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$, $37.5^{\circ}C$, 84 beats/min and 78 breaths/min, respectively. Higher activity was observed among pigmented compared with unpigmented goats. Unpigmented goats grazed (4.3 vs. 5.6 h), ruminated (2.0 vs. 2.4 h), and stood (0.8 vs. 1.2 h) less, but lay down (2.2 vs. 1.8 h) more than pigmented goats. The data obtained in this experiment support the hypothesis that unpigmented goats are more adversely affected by climatic stress, likely due to their decreased activity and increased water consumption, as demonstrated by previous studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4643-4646
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• 2016

The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) delta 32 allele results in a nonfunctional form of the chemokine receptor and has been implicated in a variety of immune-mediated diseases. $CCR5{\Delta}32$ may also predispose one to chronic liver disease or be linked with resistance to HBV infection. This study was undertaken to investigate any association between CCR5 polymorphism with resistance to hepatitis B or susceptibility to HBV infection. A total of 812 Iranian individuals were enrolled into two groups: HBV infected cases (n=357), who were HBsAg-positive, and healthy controls (n=455). We assessed polymorphisms in the CCR5 gene using specific CCR5 oligonucleotide primers surrounding the breakpoint deletion. Genotype distributions of the HBV infected cases and healthy controls were determined and compared. The CCR5/CCR5 (WW) and $CCR5/CCR5{\Delta}32$ (W/D) genotypes were found in (98%) and (2%) of HBV infected cases, respectively. The $CCR5{\Delta}32/{\Delta}32$genotype was not found in HBV infected cases. Genotype distributions of CCR5 in healthy controls were W/W genotype in (87.3%), W/D genotype in (11.2%) and D/D genotype in (1.5%). Heterozygosity for $CCR5/CCR5{\Delta}32$ (W/D) in healthy controls was greater than in HBV infected cases (11.2% vs 2%, p < 0.001). W/D and D/D genotypes were more prominent in healthy controls than in HBV infected cases. This study provides evidence that the $CCR5{\Delta}32$ polymorphism may have a protective effect in resistance to HBV infection at least in the Iranian population.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.146-150
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• 2002

We performed the point contact spectroscopy on newly discovered superconductor $MgB_2$ thin films with Au tip. In the point contact spectroscopy of the metallic Sharvin limit, the differential conductance below the gap is twice as that above the gap by virtue of Andreev Reflection. After some surface cleaning processes of sample preparation such as ion-milling and wet etching, the obtained dI/dV versus voltage curves are relatively well fitted to the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) formalism. Gaps determined by this technique were distributed in the range of 3meV~ 8meV with the BCS value of 5.9meV in the weak coupling limit. We attribute these discrepancies to the symmetry of the gap parameter and the degradation of the surface of the sample. We also present the temperature dependence of the conductance vs voltage curve and thereby the temperature dependence of the gap.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2015

This study was designed to know the possibility in repeat uses of elite donor cows for getting mass production of OPU-derived embryo production (OPU-IVP). Ultrasound transvaginal ovum pick-up (OPU) performed in 6 Korean native cows was aged 4 to 10 years old. The aspiration of immature oocytes for OPU derived embryo was carried out 2 times per week, and OPU-IVP of $1^{st}$ period was carried out 22~48 sessions from each donors. And the break time for OPU-IVP of $2^{nd}$ period after $1^{st}$ OPU from each donors were 2~25 months. The OPU-IVP of $2^{nd}$ period each donors conducted total 15~65 times for 2~8 months by an ultrasonographic, was guided follicular aspiration system. The average numbers of collected oocytes, grade 1 + grade 2(G1+G2) oocytes and cleavage embryo from $1^{st}$ period OPU-IVP were significantly differences between donors (p<0.05). Total collected oocytes of donor D were significantly higher compared with donors of A, B, C, E and F (average 17.0 per session vs. 11.2, 10.1, 8.5, 10.2 and 9.6; p<0.05) and also oocytes of G1+G2 were significantly higher compared with r A and D and subsequently to donors of B, C, E and F (average 7.9 and 8.5 per session vs. 5.0, 2.7, 6.0 and 1.6; p<0.05). Cleavage rate of donor D was significantly higher compared with donors of A, B, C, E and F (average 13.1 per session vs. 10.1, 9.1, 6.9, 8.9 and 6.7; p<0.05). The average numbers of OPU-IVP for $1^{st}$ period was significantly higher from donors of B, D and E than those from donors of A, C and F (average 6.5, 7.1 and 6.5 per session vs. 3.5, 4.2 and 2.8; p<0.05). The possibility investigation of $2^{nd}$ OPU-IVP was carried out after 2~25 months rest periods from $1^{st}$ period OPU session. Total average numbers of collected oocytes, cleavages and blastocyst development rates were significantly higher from $1^{st}$ period OPU compared with $2^{nd}$ period one (p<0.05). The OPU-IVP efficiency by break for more embryo production from elite cow was analysis comparing without rest of donor A, under 6 months rest period as B and over 6 months rest period as C and then the average numbers of collected oocytes, cleavages and blastocysts were significantly higher from A group (11.8, 9.5 and 5.2 per session) than those from B and C groups (7.9, 6.2 and 2.6 vs. 9.2, 7.5 and 3.9, p<0.05), and also C group was significantly higher than B group. In conclusion, $1^{st}$ period OPU-IVP was more efficient compared with $2^{nd}$ period repeated uses of donor, and the break times for additional production of embryo on donor were needed more than over 6 months after $1^{st}$ period OPU-IVP. This repeating uses of elite donor cows given more emphasis for getting the opportunity on mass production of elite cow OPU-IVP embryo should be increased G1+G2 possibility of genetic improvement of livestock within short period.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1266-1278
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to compare the aortic valve area (AVA) calculated using fast high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition with that of the conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MR technique. Materials and Methods: We included 139 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 68.5 ± 9.4 years) with aortic valvular stenosis (AS) and 21 asymptomatic controls (52.3 ± 14.2 years). High-resolution T2-prepared 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) images (2.0 mm slice thickness, 10 contiguous slices) for 3D planimetry (3DP) were acquired with a single breath hold during mid-systole. 2D SSFP cine MR images (6.0 mm slice thickness) for 2D planimetry (2DP) were also obtained at three aortic valve levels. The calculations for the effective AVA based on the MR images were compared with the transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) measurements using the continuity equation. Results: The mean AVA ± SD derived by 3DP, 2DP, and TTE in the AS group were 0.81 ± 0.26 cm², 0.82 ± 0.34 cm², and 0.80 ± 0.26 cm², respectively (p = 0.366). The intra-observer agreement was higher for 3DP than 2DP in one observer: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91), respectively, for observer 1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99), respectively, for observer 2. Inter-observer agreement was similar between 3DP and 2DP, with the ICC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89-0.94) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93), respectively. 3DP-derived AVA showed a slightly higher agreement with AVA measured by TTE than the 2DP-derived AVA, with the ICC of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91) vs. 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89). Conclusion: High-resolution 3D MR image acquisition, with single-breath-hold SSFP sequences, gave AVA measurement with low observer variability that correlated highly with those obtained by TTE.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.507-514
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• 2015

D-Xylulose is phosphorylated to D-xylulose-5-phosphate by D-xylulose kinase before it enters glycolysis via the nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway. A gene encoding a novel D-xylulose kinase (XK) from K. gwangalliensis strain SJ2 was sequenced and expressed in E. coli. The sequence of the isolated XK gene was 1,419 bp, encoding 472 amino acids. The XK protein was more closely related to the Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans XK than to the Bifidobacterium catenulatum one, as reflected in the sequence identity (54.9% vs. 38.7%). The XK gene was subcloned into the pCold-II expression vector. The resulting plasmid was transformed into E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) cells and the expression of the recombinant XK protein was induced by the addition of IPTG. The resulting protein was expressed as a fusion protein of approximately 48 kDa containing a N-terminal six-histidine extension that was derived from the expression vector. The expressed protein was homogenized by affinity chromatography and showed enzymatic activity corresponding to D-xylulose kinase. XK enzyme kinetic studies with D-xylulose and ATP showed a Km of 250±20 μM and 1,300±50 μM, respectively. The results obtained from this study will provide a wider knowledge base for the characterization of D-xylulose kinase at the molecular level.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effect of silkworm, and its by-products on exercise endurance, muscle mass, and fatigue recovery using ICR mice model. Powders of silkworm, pupae, dongchunghacho, and silk powder were suspended in water and feed to mice for 2 weeks. The forced swimming time was increased by 4.3, 4.1 and 2.8 seconds after silkworm, pupae, and dongchughacho administration compared to DW fed group. Increases in exercise ability were achieved by difference mechanism according to feeding materials. Pupae increased muscle mass by 129% compared with the control group which may effect on elongation of swimming time. Dongchunghacho improved the plasma concentrations of fatigue markers such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and D-lactate. Silkworm administration showed dual effect, the muscle mass induction (114% vs. control) and anti-fatigue (plasma creatinine, BUN, and D-lactate were 63, 75, and 78% vs. con) effect which contributed most elongated swimming time. In conclusion, silkworm and its by-products including pupae and dongchunghacho with the predominant protein and bioactive components improved muscle mass and showed anti-fatigue effect which could promote exercise performance ability.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2013.11a
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• pp.46-47
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• 2013

본 논문에서는 6 직렬 연결된 ITER VS 컨버터의 시퀀스 제어 비교 해석에 대하여 서술하였다. 소자의 가용성이나 크기등의 한계로 인하여 여러개의 싸이리스터 정류기를 직렬로 연결하게 되는데 이때 각각의 컨버터를 제어하는 방식에 따라 출력전압과 유효 무효전력의 값이 변하게 된다. 본 논문에서는 ${\alpha}_{min}$, ${\alpha}_{max}$, 중복값에 대하여 시퀀스제어를 사용하지 않을 경우와 2개조 3대와 1개조 6대로 시퀀스 제어를 하였을 때를 비교하였다. 모든 경우에서 출력전압인 $V_d$의 값은 동일하지만 무효전력은 시퀀스 제어를 할 경우 각각 22%, 27%감소 하였으며, 6대 싸이리스터 정류기들의 점호각 ${\alpha}$의 변화를 최소화하는 스위칭 방법을 제안하였다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1374-1388
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• 2007

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the hypothesis that cows grazing on pasture produce the highest proportion of c-9 t-11 CLA in milk fat and no further increase can be achieved through supplementation of diets rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or soybean oil. In experiment 1, 18 lactating Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design with measurements made from wk 4 to 6 of the experiment. In experiment 2, three cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Each period was 4 wk with measurements made in the final wk of each period. Cows in both experiments were assigned at random to treatments: a, conventional total mixed ration (TMR); b, pasture (PS); or c, PS supplemented with 2.5 kg/cow per day of full-fat extruded soybeans (PES). In both experiments, feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile of milk and blood serum were measured, along with fatty acid composition of bacteria harvested from rumen digesta in experiment 2. In experiment 3, 10 cows which had continuously grazed a pasture for six weeks were assigned to two groups, with one group (n = 5) on pasture diet alone (PS) and the other group (n = 5) supplemented with 452 g of soy oil/cow per day for 7 d (OIL). In experiment 1, cows in PS treatment produced 350% more c-9, t-11 CLA compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.70 vs. 0.5% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.50% of fat). Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 233% in PS treatment compared with TMR treatment (0.21 vs. 0.09% of fat) with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.18% of fat). In experiment 2, cows in PS treatment produced 300% more c-9 t-11 CLA in their milk fat compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.77 vs. 0.59% of fat), but no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.84% of fat) was observed. Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 250% for cows in PS treatment compared with cows in TMR treatment (0.27 vs. 0.11% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.31% of fat). The c-9, t-11 CLA content of ruminal bacteria for cows in PS treatment was 200% or more of TMR treatment, but no further increase in bacterial c-9, t-11 CLA for cows in PES treatment was observed. Supplementation of soy oil in experiment 3 also did not increase the c-9 t-11 CLA content of milk fat compared with cows fed a full pasture diet (1.60 vs. 1.54% of fat). Based on these findings, it was concluded that supplementing with feeds rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or an equivalent amount of soy oil, to cows grazing perennial ryegrass pasture may not increase milk fat c-9 t-11 CLA contents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.122-127
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• 2013

The hypochlorite ion ($OCl^-$) is a widely used disinfecting agent in pig rearing in Korea, but its residual effect on $CH_4$ production from pig slurry is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibition effects of residual $OCl^-$ on $CH_4$ production during the initial anaerobic digestion stage of pig slurry. Three organic concentrations (9.9, 26.2 and 43.7 g/L) of volatile solids (VS) were tested with the addition of 52.3 mg/L $OCl^-$, ten times of the typical concentration used in Korea, or without $OCl^-$ (Control) in anaerobic batch culture. The culture was run under mesophilic ($38^{\circ}C$) conditions for 20 d. At the lowest organic concentration with $OCl^-$, the VS degradation was 10.3% lower (p<0.05) than Control, while at the higher organic concentration with $OCl^-$, it did not differ from Control. $CH_4$ yields were higher in the control treatments than their $OCl^-$ counterpart cultures, and $CH_4$ yields of Control and $OCl^-$ treatments at the organic concentrations of 9.9, 26.2 and 43.7 g/L differed in the probability level (p) of 0.31, 0.04, and 0.06, respectively. Additionally, $CH_4$ concentration increased steeply and reached 70.0% within 4 d in the absence $OCl^-$, but a gradual increase up to 60.0% was observed in 6 d in the $OCl^-$ treated cultures. The $R_m$ (the maximum specific $CH_4$ production rate) and ${\lambda}$ (lag phase time) of 9.9 g/L with $OCl^-$ were 8.1 ml/d and 25.6 d, while the $R_m$ was increased to 15.1 ml/d, and ${\lambda}$ was reduced to 11.4 d in PS-III (higher organic concentration) with $OCl^-$. The results suggest that a prolonged fermentation time was necessary for the methanogens to overcome the initial $OCl^-$ inhibitory effect, and an anaerobic reactor operated with high organic loadings was more advantageous to mitigate the inhibitory effect of residual hypochlorite ion.