• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1761-1768
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• 2005

Effects of alpha-galactosidase (GAL) on broiler corn-soybean meal diet was investigated. In experiment 1, sixty cockerels were allocated to five groups, including three enzyme treatments (GAL added at 0, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg diet), a nitrogen-free diet group and a fast group. The true nitrogen-corrected ME (TME$_n$) and true amino acid availability were determined. In experiment 2, 324 day-old chicks were used in a 2${\times}$3 factorial design consisting of two energy contents (high and low) and three GAL levels (0, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Three feeding phases, comprising 0-21 d, 22-35 d and 36-48 d, were involved. GAL addition improved TME$_n$ and the availability of methionine and cystine (p<0.05). The apparent ME (AME) or nitrogen-corrected AME (AME$_n$) and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, calcium, and phosphorus were improved significantly on d 21, so was crude protein and an interaction of energy and GAL on AME$_n$ (p<0.05) was found on d 35. However, daily intake and daily gain were significantly improved with GAL addition (p<0.05) during 21 d. The small intestine relative weight decreased at 250 mg/kg GAL (p<0.05) on d 35, whereas presented an interaction between GAL and energy on d 21 (p<0.05). Likewise, this treatment increased breast muscle ratio (p<0.05). On d 21, triglycerides level of broilers showed interaction between energy and enzyme levels (p<0.05). Uric acid level in 500 mg/kg GAL declined linearly (p<0.05). On d 35, quadratic effects (p<0.05) were observed in total protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol content for enzyme supplementation. And the interactive effects of energy and GAL on serum values showed more obviously. The study implies that GAL improved energy and nutrient availability of corn-soybean meal diet in broiler. The GAL supplementation to corn-soybean meal based diet can improve performance of broilers in early stages of growth.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.691-700
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• 2008

One suggested mechanism underlying copper (Cu) deficiency teratogenicity is a low availability of nitric oxide (NO), signaling molecule which is essential in developmental processes. Increased superoxide anions secondary to decreased activities of Cu-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) in Cu deficiency can interact with NO to form peroxynitrite, which can nitrate proteins at tyrosine residues. In addition, peroxynitrite formation can limit NO bioavailability. We previously reported low NO availability and increased protein nitration in Cu deficient (Cu-) embryos. In the current study, we tested whether Cu deficiency alters downstream signaling of NO by assessing cyclic GMP (cGMP) and phosphorylated vasodilator-stimulating phosphoprotein (VASP) levels, and whether NO supplementation can affect these targets as well as protein nitration. Gestation day 8.5 embryos from Cu adequate (Cu+) or Cu- dams were collected and cultured in either Cu+ or Cu- media for 48 hr. A subset of embryos was cultured in Cu- media supplemented with a NO donor (DETA/NONOate; 20 ${\mu}M$) and/or Cu-Zn SOD. Cu-/Cu- embryos showed a higher incidence of embryonic and yolk sac abnormalities, low NO availability, blunted dose-response in NO concentrations to increasing doses of acetylcholine, low mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) compared to Cu+/Cu+ controls. cGMP concentrations tended to be low in Cu-/Cu- embryos, and they were significantly lower in Cu-/Cu- yolk sacs than in controls. Levels of phosphorylated VASP at serine 239 (P-VASP) were similar in all groups. NO donor supplementation to the Cu- media ameliorated embryonic and yolk sac abnormalities, and resulted in increased levels of cGMP without altering levels of P-VASP and 3-NT. Taken together, these data support the concept that Cu deficiency limits NO availability and alters NO/cGMP-dependent signaling in Cu- embryos and yolk sacs, which contributes to Cu deficiency-induced abnormal development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.149-164
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The economic recession caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic disproportionately affected poor and vulnerable populations globally. Better uunderstanding of vulnerability to shocks in food supply and demand in the Asia Pacific region is needed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using secondary data from rapid assessment surveys during the pandemic response (n = 10,420 in mid-2020; n = 6,004 in mid-2021) in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, this study examined the risk factors for reported income reduction or job loss in mid-2021 and the temporal trend in food security status (household food availability, and market availability and affordability of essential items) from mid-2020 to mid-2021. RESULTS: The proportion of job loss/reduced household income was highest in India (60.4%) and lowest in Indonesia (39.0%). Urban residence (odds ratio [OR] range, 2.20-4.11; countries with significant results only), female respondents (OR range, 1.40-1.69), engagement in daily waged labor (OR range, 1.54-1.68), and running a small trade/business (OR range, 1.66-2.71) were significantly associated with income reduction or job loss in three out of 4 countries (all P < 0.05). Food stock availability increased significantly in 2021 compared to 2020 in all four countries (OR range, 1.91-4.45) (all P < 0.05). Availability of all essential items at markets increased in India (OR range, 1.45-3.99) but decreased for basic foods, hygiene items, and medicine in Vietnam (OR range, 0.81-0.86) in 2021 compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05). In 2021, the affordability of all essential items significantly improved in India (OR range, 1.18-3.49) while the affordability of rent, health care, and loans deteriorated in Indonesia (OR range, 0.23-0.71) when compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term social protection programs need to be carefully designed and implemented to address food insecurity among vulnerable groups, considering each country's market conditions, consumer food purchasing behaviors, and financial support capacity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.407-418
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• 2002

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of wheat and wheat bran  as the source of phytase in a 5 week broiler feeding trial. One thousand day-old broiler chickens(Ross$^{(R)}$) were divided into 20 pens of 50 broilers(25 male and 25 female) each. Four pens were randomly arranged to one of the five dietary treatments: T1, control diet containing normal nonphytate P(NPP) ;  T2, T1 － 0.1% NPP; T3, T2 ＋ 600IU microbial phytase(NOVO$^{(R)}$) per kg diet; T4, T2 ＋ 600IU plant phytase from wheat and wheat bran; T5, T2 ＋ 600IU plant phytase from wheat and hydrothermally treated wheat bran. Reduction of NPP level by 0.1%(T2) reduced weight gain and feed intake but plant phytase treatments(T4 and T5) recovered the lost performance. Plant phytase treatments showed better (p<0.05) weight gain and intake than the microbial phytase treatment(T3). There was no difference between regular wheat bran treatment(T4) and hydrothermally treated wheat bran treatment(T5). Mortality was the highest by low NPP diet(T2). Availability of ether extract and crude ash of grower diet was the highest(p<0.05) in normal wheat bran diet(T4). Availability of Ca and P of grower diet was the highest(p<0.05) in T4 followed by T3 and T5. Availability of Mg, Fe and Zn was drastically improved by phytase treatments(T3, T4 and T5). Excretion of Ca, P, Mg, Fe and Zn was the lowest(p<0.05) with microbial phytase treatment(T3). Serum level of Ca and Mg was the highest(p<0.05) with the low NPP treatment(T2). Tibial ash content of T2 and T3 was lower(p<0.05) than that of T1, T4 and T5. However, tibial Ca content was higher(p<0.05) in T1 and T2 than other treatments. Tibial P and Mg contents were the highest(p<0.05) in T1. It was concluded that plant phytase from wheat bran can be effectively used to improve P utilization. Hydrothermal treatment of wheat bran prior to inclusion in the diet had no beneficial effects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

With the increasing cultivation of acid-loving plants such as blueberries, the artificial acidification of soils is frequently required. This research was conducted to determine the application rates of elemental sulfur (S) required in the soil acidification for blueberry cultivation. Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to acidify three arable soils (pH 6-7) of different texture to pH 4.5-5.0 by the addition of varying amounts of elemental S. All rates of elemental S addition reduced soil pH, although the efficacy of acidification was related to the application rate and soil characteristics. pH reduction was slow in sandy loam soil, and the final equilibrium pH was obtained after 60, 43, and 30 days of incubation in sandy loam, loam, and silty clay, respectively. Although the final pHs obtained after 93 days of incubation were not significantly different among the three soils, the equilibrium pH was relatively higher in soil of higher clay content in the application rates of 1.5-2.0 g S $kg^{-1}$ soil. The estimated amounts of elemental S required in lowering pH to 4.5-5.0 were 0.59-1.01, 0.67-1.03, and 0.53-0.88 g S $kg^{-1}$ for sandy loam, loam, and silty clay, respectively. The lowest estimated amount of elemental S in the acidification of silty clay soil was attributable to the low organic matter content. For clay soils containing optimum level of organic matter, the application rates of elemental S should be much higher than those values estimated in this research. Soil acidification did not significantly increase the available concentrations of Ca, Mg and K. Extractable Cu and Zn was not greatly affected by the acidification, but extractable Fe, Mn, and Al in the acidified soils were higher than those found in non-acidified soils. Such increases in solubility are attributable to the dissolution of oxides and hydroxides of the elements.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1491-1499
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• 2010

Rhizosphere microorganisms possessing phytase activity are considered important for rendering phytate-phosphorus (P) available to plants. In the present study, the Citrobacter braakii phytase gene (appA) was overexpressed in rhizobacteria possessing plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, for increasing their potential as bioinoculants. AppA was cloned under the lac promoter in the broadhost-range expression vector pBBR1MCS-2. Transformation of the recombinant construct pCBappA resulted in high constitutive phytase activity in all of the eight rhizobacterial strains belonging to genera Pantoea, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas (two strains), Rhizobium (two strains), and Ensifer that were studied. Transgenic rhizobacterial strains were found to display varying levels of phytase activity, ranging from 10-folds to 538-folds higher than the corresponding control strains. The transgenic derivative of Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0, a well-characterized plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, showed the highest expression of phytase (~8 U/mg) activity in crude extracts. Although all transformants showed high phytase activity, rhizobacteria having the ability to secrete organic acid showed significantly higher release of P from Ca-phytate in buffered minimal media. AppA overexpressing rhizobacteria showed increased P content, and dry weight (shoot) or shoot/ root ratio of mung bean (Vigna radiata) plants, to different extents, when grown in semisolid agar (SSA) medium containing Na-phytate or Ca-phytate as the P sources. This is the first report of the overexpression of phytase in rhizobacterial strains and its exploitation for plant growth enhancement.

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.145-153
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• 2023

In a P2P-based distributed storage system where peers frequently join and leave, it is essential to guarantee not only data availability but also playback quality comparable to that provided by local storage devices when playing back video files with real-time constraints. In addition, cloud storage services based on distributed storage systems provide each user with the functionality to share their files with other users, so when multiple users request playback of the same video file at the same time, all playback should be supported seamlessly in real time. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a scheme that process multiple simultaneous playback requests for each video file in real time as well as data availability in a P2P-based distributed storage system that supports file sharing. This scheme can support real-time simultaneous playback and efficiently use storage space by adjusting the amount of redundant data encoded through erasure coding according to the number of concurrent playback requests for each video file.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2002

During acute stages of hospitalized stroke patients, family caregivers face many challenges. They often experience emotional distress, social isolation, and financial constraints. However, the burden of caregiving of stroke patients in acute stages has never been studied properly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to the caregivers' burden with acute stroke. The subjects were 123 acute stroke patients and their caregivers who were admitted to neurology and neurosurgery units at Dan Kook University Hospital in Chung-Nam area. An interview was performed with the use of standardized questionnaire which included data pertaining to the patients/caregivers characteristics, caregiver burden (Modified Zarit's Burden Scale), and social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire). Our results showed that the mean burden score was 3.11, indicating high level of burden. Among the sub-domain scores, financial burden was the highest. In univariate analysis, the factors related to caregiver burdens were: inability to communicate between patients and caregiver(p<.001); low cognitive function of the patients(p<.001); low level of ADL(p<.001); the gender of caregiver(p<.001); the current employment status of caregivers(p<.01); the presence of social support for caregiver(p<.001); and the availability of alternative caregivers(p<.001). In multiple regression analysis, social support for family caregivers (87%), low level of patient's cognition (2%), availability of 2nd caregiver (1%), and gender of caregiver (female, 0.4%) were significant explanatory factors of overall burden. The caregivers' burden in acute stages during hospitalization following stroke was high. Recognition of high levels of caregivers' burden and those relating factors affecting caregiver burden may allow us to develop different nursing strategies to unload the level of burden for caregivers in acute stages of stroke.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1993

To investigate the availability of hamster test in assaying the fertilizing capacity of dog sperm and the effect of canine sperm motility on sperm binding and penetration, semen were collected from four dogs(three dogs had been proven to be fertile and one dog to be subfertile during the past two years) and then preserved in BWW(Biggers, Whitten, Whittingham) medium for about 20 hours. The semen were given each different treatment according to the experimental design and coincubated with zona-free hamster ova for 5 hours. The ova were stained by lacmoid and examined under phase contrast microscope to investigate the rates of ova bound with sperm(sperm binding) and ova penetrated by sperm(penetration), and also numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm per ovum. In comparison between fertile dogs and a subfertile dog, the rate of sperm binding was higher in fertile dogs than the subfertile dog(p<0.01, p<0.05). The number of bound sperm per ovum was considerably higher in a fertile dog than the subfertile dog((p<0.01), and also difference of number of the bound sperm was obtained among the fertile dogs(p<0.01, p<0.05). The rate of penetration as well as the number of penetrated sperm per ovum was higher in the fertile dogs than the subfertile dog(p<0.01, p<0.05). In fertile dogs. the canine semen preserved at 4$^{\circ}C$ for 18 to 22 hours showed from 30 to 80% motility at Insemination, however, no difference in hamster test was obtained according to different degree of sperm motility. These results indicated that hamster test would be of avail in assaying the fertilizing capacity of dog sperm.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.867-875
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychosocial factors influencing dairy product consumption of female university students in Daejeon. The Theory of Planned Behavior provided the basis for this study. As a result of the pilot-study, 18 behavioral beliefs, 8 normative beliefs, and 12 control beliefs were identified. The subjects (n=236) were grouped into a high-consumption group (1 serving/day, n=117) and a low consumption group (< 1 serving/day, n=119). The data were analyzed using t-tests or $\chi$$^2$-tests. Among the general characteristics, there were significant differences in the amount of pocket money spent per month, residence type (p<0.01), weight, frequency of exercise and perceived health status (p<0.05) of the subjects. With respect to the 18 behavioral beliefs, the high consumption group responded less negatively on ‘eating dairy foods would not be convenient’ than the low consumption group (p<0.05). None of the subjective normative items were significantly different between the two groups. However, notable differences were found in regard to the control beliefs (8 out of 12 control beliefs). These included overall control over consuming dairy products (p< 0.001), as well as specific beliefs regarding barriers such as easy spoilage of dairy products, the cost, eating them for snacks and dislike for them (p<0.05). In addition, specific situations, such as ‘when I want them I get them’ (p<0.01), eating out and the availability of dairy foods at home (p<0.05) were significantly different between the two groups. The high consumption group showed more control over these barriers or situations. These results suggest that nutritional education for young female adults should incorporate strategies to increase their perceived control over the consumption of dairy products by removing barriers and including environmental approaches which address the availability issues.