• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1881-1889
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• 2018

Objective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2012

We studied the electrochemical phenomena and increase of capacity according to the polymer composite electrode of two different polymeric materials with different the voltage range and capacity. Polyaniline (PANI) with relatively high voltage and small capacity and poly [1,2] bis-thio[1,8]-naphthylidine (PTND) with slightly low voltage and large capacity were used as polymer composite electrode materials. After PTND was synthesized, PANI was synthesized on the surface of PTND. The synthesis and the fine structure were analyzed by FT-IR, XPS, FE-SEM, and FE-TEM. Charge/discharge capacity and cyclic voltammetry measurements were carried out for the electrochemical performance as a polymer cathode active material for lithium secondary batteries. The discharge capacities of PANI/PTND after 1,5, and 10 cycles at 1.3~4.0 V voltage range and room temperature 167 mAh/g, 90 mAh/g, and 81 mAh/g. When we compared with PANI (80, 67, and 62 mAh/g), the discharge capacity after 10 cycles was improved about 30%. After 50 cycles, the discharge capacity of PANI/PTND was 67 mAh/g.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.289-294
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• 2012

Gene expressions of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and vitellogenin (Vg) by endocrine disruptors, benzo[${\alpha}$]pyrene (B[a]P) and tributyltin (TBT) were examined in cultured eel hepatocytes which were isolated from eels treated previously with B[a]P (10 mg/kg) or estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (20 mg/kg) in vivo, and the relationship between CYP1A, AhR and Vg genes were studied. When the cultured eel hepatocytes were treated with B[a]P ($10^{-6}-10^{-5}M$) the gene expressions of CYP1A and AhR were enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner. However, when treated with TBT ($10^{-9}-10^{-5}M$) the gene expressions of CYP1A and AhR were suppressed at high concentrations ($10^{-6}-10^{-5}M$), while having no effects at low concentrations ($10^{-9}-10^{-7}M$). Gene expression of Vg was also suppressed by TBT in a concentration-dependent manner in cultured eel hepatocytes which was previously treated in vivo with estradiol-$17{\beta}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1382-1389
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• 2022

Asterias pectinifera, a species of starfish and cause of concern in the aquaculture industry, was recently identified as a source of non-toxic and highly water-soluble collagen peptides. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-photoaging functions of compounds formulated using collagen peptides from extracts of Asterias pectinifera and Halocynthia roretzi (AH). Our results showed that AH compounds have various skin protective functions, including antioxidant effects, determined by measuring the scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, as well as anti-melanogenic effects, determined by measuring tyrosinase inhibition activity. To determine whether ethosome-encapsulated AH compounds (E(AH)) exert ultraviolet (UV)-protective effects, human dermal fibroblasts or keratinocytes were incubated with E(AH) before and after exposure to UVA or UVB. E(AH) treatment led to inhibition of photoaging-induced secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and interleukin-6 and -8, which are associated with inflammatory responses during UV irradiation. Finally, the antibacterial effects of AH and E(AH) were confirmed against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Our results indicate that E(AH) has the potential for use in the development of cosmetics with a range of skin protective functions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

Objectives : The aerial parts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (Agrimoniae Herba; AH) has been traditionally used as a Korean medicine to treatment of abdominal pain, sore throat, headaches, bloody discharge, parasitic infections and eczema. In this study, we investigated the effect of AH ethanol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.Methods : AH was extracted by 30% ethanol (AH-E). Raw264.7 cells were treated with AH-E extract at different concentrations for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS (1㎍/㎖) or without for indicated times. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess assay. The expression of inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was detected by RT-PCR, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAP kinases (MAPKs) was analyzed by Western blot. Also, the expression of NF-κB in nuclear and cytosol was detected by Western blot.Results : AH-E extract significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. AH-E extract inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated cells with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK MAPKs was also inhibited by AH-E extract. AP-E extract inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated cells.Conclusions : Our results suggest that AH-E extract has an anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages-mediated inflammation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.570-576
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• 2006

Phytoestrogen biochanin A is an isoflavone derivative isolated from red clover Trifolium pratense with anticarcinogenic properties. This study examined the action of biochanin A with the carcinogen activation pathway that is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Treating the cells with biochanin A alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and an increase in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. A concomitant treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and biochanin A markedly reduced the DMBA-inducible EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA level. In addition, the biochanin A treatment alone activated the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the dioxin-response element (DRE) of CYP1A1, as measured by the electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). EMSA revealed that biochanin A reduced the level of the DMBA-inducible AhR-DRE binding complex. Furthermore, biochanin A competed with the prototypical AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), for binding to the AhR in an isolated rat cytosol. The biochanin A competitively inhibited the metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of the DMBA-DNA adducts. These results suggest that biochanin A may thus be a natural ligand to bind on AhR. Therefore, biochanin A may be due to act an antagonist/agonist of the AhR pathway.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2008

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the artificial shrinkage and assisted hatching (PZD; patial zona dissetion) before vitrification on the development of vitrified mouse expanding blastocyst. Methods: Mouse 2-cell embryos were collected and cultured in G1.1 and G2.2 to expanding blastocyst. For artificial shrinkage (AS) the micro injection pipette was inserted into blastocoele cavity and blastocoele fluid was aspirated. For assisted hatching (AH) PZD method was used. Control group was -AS/-AH and treatment groups were -AS/+AH, +AS/-AH and +AS/+AH. After AS and AH mouse blastocysts were equillibrated in G10 and G10E20 for 3 mins, respectively, and vitrified in G25E25 after loading on capped pulled-straw. Vitrified mouse blastocysts were thawed and cultured for 24 hrs. The survival and hatching rate was compared among one control and three treatment groups. Results: The survival rates were 99%, 92% in +AS/+AH and +AS/-AH groups and 54%, 58% in -AS/-AH and -AS/+AH group, respectively. The survival rate was significantly higher in +AS group than in -AS group (p<0.01). Hatching rates were 34%, 96% in -AS/-AH and -AS/+AH groups and 41%, 100% in +AS/-AH and +AS/+AH, respectively. The hatching rates was higher in +AH group than in -AH group (p<0.01). After thawing recovery rates were 100%. Loading on capped pulled-straw, that is effective and useful method on vitrification. Conclusion: This study showed that artificial shrinkage of blastocoele cavity and assisted hatching (PZD) significantly improved the development of the vitrified mouse expanding blastocysts.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.245-248
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• 2009

Present study was investigated the hepatic effects of equol on the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced enzymatic activity and expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in mice. Equol was administered orally at 5 and 25 mg/kg BW for 4 weeks. Subsequently, mice pretreated with equol received DMBA intragastrically twice a week for 2 weeks. DMBA induced CYP1 activity as well as the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Each of these effects was significantly reduced by equol in dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Equol also reduced the relative AhR mRNA expression, similar to its effect on CYP1A1. These results suggest that equol modulates the CYP1A1 through a reduction of AhR expression in mice treated with DMBA.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2007

Formononetin is an isoflavonoid phytoestrogen found in certain foodstuffs such as soy and red clover. In this study, we examined the action of formononetin with the carcinogen activation pathway mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Treating the cells with formononetin alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA as well as elevation in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. However, a concomitant treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and formononetin markedly reduced both the DMBA-inducible EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA level. Under the same conditions, formononetin inhibited the DMBA-induced AhR transactivation, as shown by reporter gene analysis using a xenobiotic responsive element (XRE). Additionally, formononetin inhibited both DMBA-inducible nuclear localization of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of the DMBA-DNA adducts. Furthermore, formononetin competed with the prototypical AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), for binding to the AhR in an isolated rat cytosol. These results suggest that formononetin might be considered as a natural ligand to bind on AhR and consequently produces a potent protective effect against DMBA-induced genotoxicity. Therefore, that's the potential to act as a chemopreventive agent that is related to its effect on AhR pathway as antagonist/agonist.