• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phase feeding methods on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pork quality, and economical efficiency in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace] ${\times}$ Duroc), average initial body weight 25.23 ${\pm}$ 2.66 kg, were allotted to 5 treatments by body weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. The treatments were 1) A (fed late weaner feed during whole phase), 2) B (fed late weaner feed in growing phase and grower feed in finishing phase), 3) C (fed grower feed during whole phase), 4) D (fed grower feed in growing phase and early finisher feed in early and late finishing phase), 5) E (fed grower feed in growing phase, early finisher feed in early finishing phase and late finisher feed in late finishing phase). Commercial diets bought from private feed company were used for this experiment. During the early growing phase (6 wks), treatments A and B showed higher growth performance than that of other treatments (P<0.05). However, growth performance tended to be similar among treatments at 10 wks after feeding and there was no difference in time of market weight (13 wks). Moreover, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was lowered in treatment E than other treatments during whole experimental period (P<0.01). Carcass characteristics and pork quality were measured when body weight of pigs reached at 110.33 ${\pm}$ 2.1 kg. Days to market weight (110 kg), quality grade, pork color, and pork pH did not show any significant difference among treatments. These results suggested that phase feeding based upon growth stages of pigs showed no detrimental effects on growth performance and the pork quality. Moreover, feed cost was saved approximately 37% by phase feeding method without delaying of days to market weight compared to general conventional feeding method (B) of swine farm in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.747-753
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• 2008

Purpose : Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Early atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls begin in adolescence and the risk factors are associated with its development. To assess the usefulness of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), as a marker of early atherosclerosis, we evaluated the structural and functional characteristics of the carotid artery and investigated their relationshop with the metabolic and anthropometric parameters in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods : For this study, we enrolled 23 children with type 1 diabet and 19 age and sex-equivalent healthy children as the control group. Metabolic and anthropometric parameters such as serum lipid levels, plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body mass index were measured after a 12-h fasting period. The carotid artery IMT was measured by a high-quality ultrasound system, and compliance, and distensibility were calculated by an equation. Results : There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to the sex ratio, age, blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels' however, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the diabetic children ($8.5{\pm}1.8$ vs. $5.0{\pm}0.2$, P=0.001). Ultrasonographic findings showed that compared with the control group, the diabetic group had higher IMT ($0.45{\pm}0.06mm$ vs. $0.41{\pm}0.04mm$, P=0.04), but there were no significant differences in compliance and distensibility. The HbA1c (P=0.002) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.026) levels were independent IMT predictors in the diabetic group. Conclusion : Here, the carotid artery IMT was higher in the diabetic group, and it is correlated with atherosclerotic risk factor. Thus, carotid IMT could be evaluated as a marker of early atherosclerosis in diabetic children.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.762-767
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• 2009

In this study, the feasibility of using vegetable oil extracted from tropical crop seed as a biodiesel feedstock was investigated by producing biodiesel and analysing the quality parameters as a transport fuel. In order to produce biodiesel efficiently, two step reaction process(pre-treatment and transesterificaion) was required because the tropical crop oil have a high content of free fatty acids. To determine the suitable acid catalyst for the pre-esterification, three kinds of acid catalysts were tested and sulfuric acid was identified as the best catalyst. After constructing the experimental matrix based on RSM and analysing the statistical data, the optimal pre-treatment conditions were determined to be 26.7% of methanol and 0.982% of sulfuric acid. Trans-esterification experiments of the pre-esterified oil based on RSM were carried out, then discovered 1.24% of KOH catalyst and 22.76% of methanol as the optimal trans-esterification conditions. However, the quantity of KOH was higher than the previously established KOH concentration of our team. So, we carried out supplemental experiment to determine the quantity of catalyst and methanol. As a result, the optimal transesterification conditions were determined to be 0.8% of KOH and 16.13% of methanol. After trans-esterification of tropical crop oil, the produced biodiesel could meet the major quality standard specifications; 100.8% of FAME, 0.45 mgKOH/g of acid value, 0.00% of water, 0.04% of total glycerol, $4.041mm^2/s$ of kinematic viscosity(at $40^{\circ}C$).

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2011

The specific antibody response of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus to change in rearing-environmental conditions post immunization with antigen (bovine serum albumin, BSA) and different routes of antigen administration were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To test the effect of routes of antigen administration, flounder were injected intraperioneally or intramuscularlly with 1 mg of BSA. In addition, to test the effect of change in environmental condition post immunization, flounder were injected intraperioneally with 1 mg of antigen, and then were exposed to acute thermal change (the water temperature (WT) was decreased from $21^{\circ}C$ to $15^{\circ}C$ within 30 min and maintained at $15^{\circ}C$ for 3 h), handling (fish were caught and subsequently held out of water for 1 min) or heavy oil (76 g/200 L for 2 days). Consequently, there was no significant difference between intraperioneal (IP) and intramuscular (IM) injections except at 10 days post-immunization. With these results, it suggests that both 1M and IP injections may be used as route of vaccination. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in the antibody response among the groups exposed to heavy oil, handling, sudden drop of WT and positive control except at 10 days post-immunization. From these results, it was confirmed that specific antibody response was not affected by the above mentioned rearing-environmental conditions, suggesting that vaccination can be employed at changing rearing-environmental conditions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2001

Steroid hormones control the expression of many cellular regulators, and a role thor estrogen in mouse oocytes has been well documented. The preovulatory $E_2$increment is generally accepted as the endocrine process regulating induction of in vivo oocyte maturation To address whether the activity of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel is altered by 17 beta-estradiol ( $E_2$), we examined the actions of $E_2$on the calcium channel of mouse oocytes and early embryos. Oocrtes were collected from the oviduct of mice treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human choronic gonadotropin (hCG). Whole cell voltage clamp technique and confocal microscopy were used to examine that $E_2$increase intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([C $a^{2+}$]$_{i}$ ) via voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel (VDC) and estrogen receptor (FSR), and $E_2$concentration by the use of radioimmunoassay (RIA) were examined in mouse. The results obtained were as follows: The peak of $Ca^{2+}$ current induced by $E_2$increased 122% to 1.50$\pm$0.03 nA from 1.23$\pm$0.21 nA (n=15) in the presence of 5 mM extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([C $a^{2+}$]$_{o}$ ). The increased $Ca^{2+}$ current was temporally associated with $Ca^{2+}$ transients. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level increased 207%~30 s following the addition of 1${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ $E_2$(relative fluorescence intensity: 836.4$\pm$131.2 for control, n=10, 1736.4$\pm$192.0 in the presence of $E_2$, n=10). $E_2$increased amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ current and [C $a^{2+}$]$_{i}$ . $E_2$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current and $E_2$concentration in blood were showed difference on the stage of embryo. These results suggest that $E_2$modulate $Ca^{2+}$ channel to increase $Ca^{2+}$ influx.$Ca^{2+}$ influx.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.799-806
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• 2012

This experiment was conducted to establish the optimum conditions for high $CO_2$ gas treatment in combination with a proper gas-permeable packaging film to maintain the quality of fig fruit (Ficus carica L). Among the fig fruits with different high $CO_2$ treatments, the quality change was most effectively controlled during storage in the 70%-$CO_2$-treated fig fruit. Harvested fig fruit was packaged using microperforated oriented polypropylene (MP) film to maintain the optimum gas concentrations in the headspace of packaging for the modified-atmosphere system. MP film had an oxygen transmission rate of about $10,295cm^3/m^2$/day/atm at $25^{\circ}C$. The weight loss, firmness, soluble-solid content (SSC), acidity (pH), skin color (Hunter L, a, b), and decay ratio of the fig fruits were monitored during storage at 5 and $25^{\circ}C$. The results of this study showed that the OPP film, OPP film + 70% $CO_2$, and MP film+70% $CO_2$ were highly effective in reducing the loss rate, firmness and decay occurrence rate of fig fruits that were packaged with them during storage. In the case of using treatments with packages of OPP film and OPP film+70% $CO_2$, however, adverse effects like package bursting or physiological injury of the fig may occur due to the gas pressure or long exposure to $CO_2$. Therefore, the results indicated that MP film containing 70% $CO_2$ can be used as an effective treatment to extend the freshness of fig fruits for storage at a proper low temperature.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.130-134
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• 2016

How does $CO_2$ affect on the stomatal mechanism? The mechanism of stomatal opening by $CO_2$ is not clear as it is difficult to see $CO_2$ effect on light-induced stomatal opening. Furthermore, stomata may react differently according to the concentration of $CO_2$. The significance of the possible endogenous rhythms must consider to understand on $CO_2$-related response. It is clear that $CO_2$ has an effect on the accumulation of osmotic materials which determines the degree of stomatal apertures because it is known that stomata open in the condition of the reduced $CO_2$ concentration. However, it is not fully understood how $CO_2$ leads to the stomatal opening. It has been thought that $CO_2$ can not affect on the ion fluxes which determines the increase of osmotic potential in guard cells. However, in this study, the changes of guard cell membrane permeability by $CO_2$ have been focused on. There are many reports that $CO_2$ related reactions are dominant when the leaf is exposed to certain a mount of $CO_2$. The hypothesis of the stomatal opening by light is based on the increase of osmotic materials in guard cells including $K^+$, $Cl^-$, sucrose and $malate^{2-}$. It was reported that $CO_2$ induced a big hyperpolarization indicating that $H^+$ was extruded to the cell outside. It was also found that $CO_2$ caused guard cell membrane hyperpolarization in the intact leaf up to 3 or 4 times higher than that of light induced membrane hyperpolarization. These results represent that $CO_2$ can affect on the change of physical characteristics which affects on the change of the membrane permeability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2011

This study was performed to develop an odor-reduced Korean traditional Cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste) by adding Job's tears to Cheonggukjang made with soybean (control) only. The study included the determination of best addition percentage of Job's tears versus soybean, sensory evaluation, and aroma patterns and its components as well as proximate composition analyses of Cheonggukjang. Job's tears Cheonggukjang (CAJT) was prepared by inoculating Bacillus subtilis and fermented at $40^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. Ratios of soybean : Job's tears for Job's tears Cheonggukjang were 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1, respectively. In comparison of proximal composition, Job's tears Cheonggukjang was high in moisture and carbohydrates, but low in calorie, fat, protein, ash and amino nitrogen. The pH of CAJT was lower than those of control and conventional Cheonggukjang (CC) sold in the market, and the acidity was the lowest in CC. The color of Job's tears Cheonggukjang appeared the whiter and more yellowish, but less reddish in proportion to contents of Job's tears. The contents of viscous substances were higher in CAJT compared with those of control and CC. The contents of glutamic acid, the major components of viscous substances were lower in CAJT than in control and CC, and the contents of fructose higher in CAJT. The scores of sensory evaluation were the highest in Job's tears Cheonggukjang mixed with soybean : Job's tears=4:1. The aroma pattern of CC analyzed was conspicuously dissimilar to the control and CAJT and also discriminated by electronic nose examination. The pyrazines, volatile compounds peculiar to Cheonggukjang, were found to be lower in CAJT by SPME-GC/MS assay. Additionally, the acetic acid, butanoic acid, and naphthalene causing off-flavor were identified in CC, but not in Job's tears Cheonggukjang. The strength of odor through sensory evaluation was by far the lowest in CAJT among the groups. From the findings, it had shown that Job's tears Cheonggukjang would be produced successfully when the ratio of 4:1 (soybean : Job's tears) is employed. Also, it was proved that appropriate ratio of Job's tears addition makes Cheonggukjang odor-reduced and well accepted by people.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.545-554
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• 2016

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important macromolecule in medical and pharmaceutical fields. HA is a natural and linear polymer composed of repeating disaccharide units of β-1, 3-N-acetyl glucosamine and β-1, 4-glucuronic acid. This work aimed to confirm the structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory activities of HA and its chemically sulfated-HA. HA was produced from a fed-batch fermentation process using Streptococcus dysgalactiae in a 5 l bioreactor. HA was isolated water-soluble form (HA-WS) and water-insoluble form (HA-WI) from culture medium, and was obtained chemically sulfated-derivative (S-HA) that resulted in a 90% yield from HA-WI. The structural features of the sulfated- HA (S-HA) were investigated by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The FT-IR and NMR patterns revealed the similarity in both the FTIR spectrum as well as NMR spectrum of both reference standard and purified HA from S. dysgalactiae. The anti-inflammatory activities of HA and S-HA were examined on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. S-HA was significantly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and PGE₂ and the gene levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are responsible for the production of NO and PGE₂, respectively. Furthermore, S-HA also suppressed the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (<80 pg/ml) and IL-6 (<100 pg/ml) compared to that of HA-WI. The present study clearly demonstrates that HA-S exhibits anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.