• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.529-539
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• 2019

Purpose: Sprouts of evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata, OL) were reported to have high contents of flavonoids and potent antioxidant activity. This study examined the antioxidant and antiobesity activities of OL sprouts to determine if they could be a natural health-beneficial resource preventing obesity and oxidative stress. Methods: OL sprouts were extracted with 50% ethanol, evaporated, and lyophilized (OLE). The in vitro antioxidant activity of OLE was examined using four different tests. The antiobesity activity and in vivo antioxidant activity from OLE consumption were examined using high fat diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mice. Results: The IC₅₀ for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of OLE were 26.2 ㎍/mL and 327.6 ㎍/mL, respectively. OLE exhibited the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity of 56.7 ㎍ ascorbic acid eq./mL at 100 ㎍/mL, and an increased glutathione level by 65.1% at 200 ㎍/mL compared to the control in the hUC-MSC stem cells. In an animal study, oral treatment with 50 mg or 100 mg of OLE/kg body weight for 14 weeks reduced the body weight gain, visceral fat content, fat cell size, blood leptin, and triglyceride levels, as well as the atherogenic index compared to the high fat diet control group (HFC) (p < 0.05). The blood malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the catalase and SOD-1 activities in adipose tissue were reduced significantly by the OLE treatment compared to HFC as well (p < 0.05). In epididymal adipose tissue, the OLE treatment reduced the mRNA expression of leptin, PPAR-γ and FAS significantly (p < 0.05) compared to HFC while it increased adiponectin expression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: OLE consumption has potent antioxidant and antiobesity activities via the suppression of oxidative stress and lipogenesis in DIO mice. Therefore, OLE could be a good candidate as a natural resource to develop functional food products that prevent obesity and oxidative stress.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infections affect domestic dogs, cats, and various wild mammals with increasing incidence in temperate and tropical areas. More sensitive antibody detection methodologies are required to diagnose asymptomatic dirofilariasis with low worm burdens. Applying current transcriptomic technologies would be useful to discover potential diagnostic markers for D. immitis infection. A filarial homologue of the mammalian translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was initially identified by screening the assembled transcriptome of D. immitis (DiTCTP). A BLAST analysis suggested that the DiTCTP gene shared the highest similarity with TCTP from Loa loa at protein level (97%). A histidine-tagged recombinant DiTCTP protein (rDiTCTP) of 40 kDa expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) showed immunoreactivity with serum from a dog experimentally infected with heartworms. Localization studies illustrated the ubiquitous presence of rDiTCTP protein in the lateral hypodermal chords, dorsal hypodermal chord, muscle, intestine, and uterus in female adult worms. Further studies on D. immitis-derived TCTP are warranted to assess whether this filarial protein could be used for a diagnostic purpose.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.7
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• pp.83-97
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• 1989

This study was carried out to obtain basic information necessary for aggregation and in-vitro culture of mouse embryos by treating phytohemagglutinin-p (PHA-P). The 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos were obtained from female mice of albino BALE/C, CBA and C57BL strains, those were injected 5 i.u pregenant mare serum gonadotrophin and 5 i.u human chorionic gonadotrophin to superovulation. The zona pellucidia was removed by placing the embryos in Acidic Tyrode solution containing 1.0% protease or/and 5 ug/ml PHA-P. The pairs of zona free embryos were subjected to aggregation by glassneedle in BMOC-3 containing 5 ug/ml PHA-P. The aggregation embryos were cultured in Brinster's mouse ova culture-3(BMOC-3) medium under the gas phase of 5% $CO_2$ in air $37^{\circ}C$ for 13 to 50 hours. The results obtained in this study are summarised as follows : 1. When 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos were zona-freed in acidic Tyrode solution containing 1.0% protease or/and 5 ug/ml PHA-P, and cultured in vitro to blastocysts, the 4- and 8-cell embryos showed slightly less development rates than the morula one did, and solution of 5 ug/ml PHA-P brought some higher development rate than negative control. 2. As 2, 5 or 10 ug/ml PHA-P was added to the solution to aggregate 4-, 8-cell or morula embryos, 2 ug/ml solution represented slightly lower aggregation rate than the higher levels solutions, and 4- and 8-cell embryos showed higher rates than morula one did (P<.05). 3. In respect to the development rates of aggregated embryos to morula no significant difference was found among PHA-P levels and between 4-and 8-cell embryos. With respect to those of aggregated embryos to blastocysts the different levels of PHA-P showed similar results, however, the 4- and 8-cell embryos represented higher rates than the morula one did (P<.05). 4. The mean time necessary for development of aggregated 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos to blastocysts were 38.5-40, 26-27 and 19-20hrs. Respectively in solution for aggregation. 5. The aggregation rates of embryos were 34-94%, when treated protease or/and PHA-P. Supplementation of 5 ug/ml PHA-P to the solution for aggregation showed a trend demonstrating higher aggregation rate compared to negative control, although no significance was found. However, 4- and 8-cell embryos represented significantly higher aggregation rates than the morula one did (P<.05). 6. The development rates of 4- and 8-cell embryos to morula were 52.7-84.7 and 73.8-87.2%, respectively, showing no significant difference between two cell stages. However, the aggregation rates of embryos treated with solution containing PHA-P were higher than negative control (P<.05). 7. The development rates of 4- and 8-cell and morula embryos to blastocysts were 41.7-77.7 78.7-83.0 and 0-19.2%, respectively. The rates of 4-cell embryos treated with PHA-P were significant higher than the negative control (P<.05). The 8-cell and morula embryos also showed more rates when treated PHA-P.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for productive traits in swine. Productive traits were considered on average daily gain (ADG), body height (BH) and body length (BL). Genetic analysis was consisted of 18,668 heads for productive traits which were based on on-farm performance tested from May, 2007 to Apr, 2011. For estimating genetic parameters on productive traits, single best model was fitted after finding source of variance on fixed and random effects and estimated with a multiple trait animal model by using DF-REML (Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood). The estimated heritabilities of Duroc, Berkshire, Landrace and Yorkshire 0.22-0.58 for the average daily gain, 0.34-0.41 for the body height and 0.4-0.52 for the body length, respectively. Phenotypic correlations of average daily gain with body height and body length for the four breeds were 0.42-0.48, 0.53-0.58, 0.34-0.46 and 0.47-0.56, respectively. Phenotypic correlations of body height with body length were 0.41, 0.57, 0.52, 0.59, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of average daily gain with body height and body length estimated for the four breeds were 0.34-0.47, 0.70-0.75, 0.17-0.38 and 0.50-0.53, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of body height with body length were 0.57, 0.69, 0.61 and 0.71, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.395-400
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• 2012

This study was conducted to estimate the growth curve parameters for the body weight (BW) and body length (BL) of miniature pigs in Korea. Growth curve parameters were estimated through a nonlinear regression model using Gompertz, Logistic, and von Bertalanffy methods. A total of 25 piglets were measured monthly from birth up to 15 months of age to estimate both body weight and length. Results showed that the estimated average values for the body weight (body length) were 31.83 kg (58.77 cm) for the mature weight (A), 3.06 (1.74) for the growth ratio (${\beta}$), and 0.28 (0.52) for the maturing rate (${\kappa}$). Average inflection points showing maximum growth rate estimated each month for body weight were 3.97 kg and 11.70 cm, while for the body length were 1.06 kg and 21.61 cm. Moreover, the estimated maturation rates of the body weight and length for the group of Sire 1 were 0.22 and 0.40 respectively, whereas for the group of Sire 2 these values were 0.34 and 0.39. On the other hand, for the groups of Dam 1, Dam 2, and Dam 3, maturation rates for their body weights were 0.26, 0.28 and 0.33 respectively, while for their body lengths these values were 0.43, 0.37, and 0.38, respectively. The study also indicated a negative relationship between the values of mature weight and maturity rate for the body weight will result to a higher inflection point which is in contrast for the body length where results show that a positive relationship between the values of mature length and the maturity rate will result to a higher inflection point. Furthermore, the growth performance of miniature pig varies across stages but using these estimated growth curve parameters could improve the genetic traits of miniature pig.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.510-519
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the microbiological contamination of the indoor air of the lunchrooms at child care centers and investigate the toxin genes and toxin production ability of food-borne pathogens. Methods: A total of 64 child care centers were sampled to test total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, fungi, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. according to the Korea Food Code. All toxin genes of pathogens were detected using the Polymerase Chain Reaction method. The Sthaph. aureus enterotoxin was detected by a Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin-reversed passive latex agglutination kit. The heamolysin BL (HBL) and non-heamolytic enterotoxin (NHE) produced by B. cereus were detected using a B. cereus enterotoxin-reversed passive latex agglutination kit and Bacillus diarrheal enterotoxin visual immunoassay kit, respectively. Results: The means of total aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria were $1.91{\pm}1.84$ log CFU/plate and $0.47{\pm}0.62$ log CFU/plate, respectively. The mean of fungi also showed $0.59{\pm}0.71$ log CFU/plate. Among the pathogenic bacteria tested in this study, Staphy. aureus and B. cereus were detected in four (6.3%) and 21 (32.8%) out of 64 indoor air samples from lunchrooms in child care centers, respectively. All Staphy. aureus tested in this study possessed no toxin genes and did not produce enterotoxin. The detection rate of nheABC, hblCDA, entFM and ces toxin gene in B. cereus was 100, 57.1, 76.2 and 0%, respectively. B. cereus isolates were classified into four groups according to the presence or absence of toxin genes. The nheABC gene was the major toxin gene among B. cereus tested in this study. The HBL was detected in 11 out of 21 B. cereus isolates (52.4%) and three B. cereus isolates produced NHE (14.3%). Conclusion: The results indicated that the contamination by microorganisms in the indoor air of lunchrooms was unqualified to supply safe catering in child care centers. The ongoing control of indoor air quality is required.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.67-83
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• 2006

The present study examined that in Vivo/Vitro test is investigated in normotensive sham-operated rats (NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats (ADHR) and that the antihypertensive effect was induced by silver spike point (SSP) electrical stimulation at meridian points(CV-3, -4, Ki-12, SP-6, LR-3, BL-25, -28, -32, -52), specifically, such as aldosterone in 24 hour urine analysis from healthy volunteer. The gross examination and morphometric-histological changes, such as hypertrophy, production of necrotic tissues, and the changes of cell arrangement on the kidney, and adrenal gland were markedly observed in aldosterone-analogue DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those from normotensive sham-operated rats. The systolic blood pressure, weight of kidney and adrenal gland were significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. The required time of PSS-induced resting tone was significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. However, the voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) currents were significantly decreased in ADHR than that in NSR. The urine analysis showed that the concentration of aldosterone was significantly decreased in resting state from the elderly people compared with those from the adolescent healthy volunteer. The current of 1 Hz continue type of SSP electrical stimulation significantly decreased in the concentration of aldosterone of 24 hour urine from the elderly people. These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with changed the weight of kidney and adrenal gland, blood pressure, resting tone and Kv currents, which directly affects blood pressure. Therefore, the hypertension is a risk factor on cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, these results suggest that the diminished responsiveness to SSP electrical stimulation, especially current of 1Hz continue type, in elderly people may be, in part, related by the increased of antihypertensive effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.665-680
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• 1996

Bovine Pneumonic Pasteurellosis는 수송열(輸送熱)로 일반적으로 알려져 있는 질병으로서, 여러가지 요인의 복합적(複合的)인 작용에 의해 발병하는 것으로 알려져 있으나, Pasteurella haemolytica A1이 가장 주요(主要)한 인자(因子)로 밝혀져 있다. P haemolytica A1은 leukotoxin(LKT), lipopolysaccharide(LPS), capsular polysaccharide 등 여러가지의 병원성인자(病原性因子)을 생성한다. 이들 인자중 LKT가 가장 중요한 병원성인자로 밝혀져 있다. 이에 본 실험은 P haemolytical A1의 LKT 유전자를 Bacillus subtilis에서 발현(發現)시킴으로서 LPS에 오염(汚染)되지 않은 LKT을 대량으로 생산할 목적으로 실시되었다. 실험의 첫 단계(段階)로서 pLKT52 plasmid을 Sau3 A1의 제한효소을 이용하여 부분소화(部分消化)시킨 후 이 부분 소화(消化)된 유전자들로부터 3~5kb 크기의 유전자들을 순수분리하여 pUC18와 결합시킨 후 E coli NM522에 형질전환(形質轉換)시켰다. 이때 형질전환된 균주들은 LKT에 대한 단크론 항체인 MAb601을 이용하여 colony blot 법에 의해서 LKT 유전자 보유 및 발현여부(發現與否)을 조사하였다. 이들 양성 clone들은 제한효소분석(制限酵素分析), 염기서열분석(鹽基序列分析) 및 Western blot 등에 의해서 재확인(再確認)하였다. 총 9개의 양성 clone중 위의 방법에 의해서 한 clone을 선택(選擇)하여 lktCA insert를 재분리하여 shuttle vector에 subcloning 하였다. Subcloning된 LKT 유전자들은 shuttle vector의 종류(種類)(pHPS9, p602/20, pHPS9-Sac)와 각기(各其) 다른 종류(種類)의 B subtilis(spoO12A, BR121, WB3O, Raj1105) 숙주내(宿主內)에서 발현정도를 Western blot 법에 의해서 비교(比較)하였다. 이때 최적발현조건(最適發現條件)은 p602/20와 pBL1의 dual plasmid system을 이용하여 B subtilis spoO12A에서 2시간동안 IPTG로 발현을 유도(誘導)하는 것이었다. B subtilis에서 발현된 LKT을 visual 법과 neutral red uptake 법을 이용하여 소 폐포(肺胞) 대식구(大食求)에 대한 biological activity를 확인하였다. 발현된 LKT에 대한 LPS 오염은 LKT을 SDS-PAGE 후 silver stain에 의해서 확인하였다. 본 실험을 통해서 볼 때에 lktCA 유전자를 보유(保有)하고 있는 p602/20는 B subtilis에서 매우 불안정(不安定)하였고, 발현된 LKT는 세균자체(細菌自體)에서 생성되는 protease들에 의해서 파괴(破壞)됨으로서 농도(濃度)가 매우 낮았다. 이러한 문제점들은 다음 단계(段階)의 실험에서 해결되어야할 문제들이다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.18.1-18.5
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• 2014

Background: A six-week study involving two hundred and fifty (250) Harco Black layer birds at point of lay was conducted to investigate the effects of potential natural colorant on performance and Egg quality traits. The birds were assigned to five (5) dietary treatments, each containing supplements either of control, Baobab Leaf (BL), Waterleaf (WL), Red Pepper (RP), Canthaxanthin (CTX) at 40 g/kg feed and 50 mg/kg feed of natural and commercial colorants, respectively. Results: Performance records shows that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in feed intake across the supplements of Red pepper, Water leaf, Canthaxanthin and control diet, however, birds fed Baobab leaf treatment had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) feed intake value (94.07 g) when compared with other treatments. Body weight gain and Hen Day Production were not significant influenced (p > 0.05) by the dietary treatments, although laying hens fed Baobab leaf supplement had lowest mean HDP of 48.80%, while birds fed Red pepper and Water leaf supplement had an average value of 52.79%. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of colorants on egg external traits, compared with the control; birds fed Canthaxanthin treatment had higher mean egg weight (51.79 g), egg length (4.55 g), egg breadth (3.29 g); Red pepper treatment had highest mean shell thickness (0.29 g), however these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Yolk height, Albumen height, Yolk index, and Haugh unit were not significantly affected (p > 0.05) across treatments. Yolk width was lowest (p < 0.05) in Baobab leaf treatment (2.54 cm); Red pepper, Water leaf and Canthaxanthin (2.89 cm, 2.62 cm and 2.89 cm respectively) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control (2.73 cm). Yolk colour score was significantly highest (p < 0.05) in Red pepper treatment (7.50); Water leaf, Baobab leaf and Canthaxanthin ranged between 2.25-3.31 on the DSM yolk colour fan, Control treatment had the lowest yolk colour score (p < 0.05) of 1.31. Conclusion: The study showed Red pepper as a worthy alternative to commercial yolk colorant. Water leaf and baobab are not good substitutes for canthaxanthin as a yolk colourant.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.129-144
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• 2002

We investigated anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax ginseng berry extract and its major constituent, ginsenoside Re, in obese diabetic C57BL/6J ob/ob mice and their lean littermates. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of Panax ginseng berry extract for 12 days. On Day 5, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice $(156{\pm}9.0\;mg/dl\;vs.\;243{\pm}15.8mg/dl,$ P<0.01). On Day 12, the extract-treated ob/ob mice became normoglycemic $(137{\pm}6.7\;mg/dl)$ and had significantly improved glucose tolerance. The overall glucose excursion during the two-hour intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), calculated as area under the curve (AUC), decreased by $46\%$ (P<0.01) compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice. Glucose levels of lean mice were not significantly affected by the extract. The improvement in blood glucose levels in 150 mg/kg extracttreated ob/ob mice was associated with significant reduction in serum insulin levels of fed and fasting mice. Consistent with an improvement in insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study revealed a more than 2-fold increase in the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in treated ob/ob mice $(112{\pm}19.1\;vs.\;52{\pm}11.8{\mu}mol/kg/min$ for the vehicle group, P<0.01). In addition, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice, but not the lean mice, lost significant weight (from $51.7{\pm}1.9g\;on\;Day\;0\;to\;45.7{\pm}1.2$ on Day 12, P<0.01 compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice), associated with a significant reduction in food intake (P<0.05) and a very significant increase in energy expenditure (P<0.01) and body temperature (P<0.01). A 12-day treatment with 150 mg/kg Panax ginseng berry extract also significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in ob/ob mice. Additional studies demonstrated that ginsenoside Re, a major constituent of the ginseng berry, but not from the root, plays a significant role in anti-hyperglycemic action. This anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Re was not associated with body weight changes, suggesting that other constituents in the extract have distinct pharmacological mechanisms on energy metabolism. The identification of a significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in ginsenoside Re may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agent.