• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6285-6288
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at late stages in countries with limited resources. In Morocco, breast cancer is ranked the first female cancer (36.1%) and screening methods could reduce the proportion presenting with a late diagnosis. Morocco is currently adopting a breast cancer screening program based on clinical examination at primary health facilities, diagnosis at secondary level and treatment at tertiary level. So far, there is no systematic information on the performance of the screening program for breast cancer in Morocco. The aim of this study was to analyze early performance indicators. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluative study conducted in Temara city. The target population was the entire female population aged between 45-70 years. The study was based on process and performance indicators collected at the individual level from the various health structures in Tamara between 2009 and 2011. Results: A total of 2,350 women participated in the screening program; the participation rate was 35.7%. Of these, 76.8% (1,806) were married and 5.2% (106) of this group had a family history of breast cancer. Of the women who attended screening, 9.3% (190) were found to have an abnormal physical examination findings. A total of 260 (12.7%) were referred for a specialist consultation. The positive predictive value of clinical breast examination versus mammography was 23.0%. Forty four (35.5%) of the lesions found on the mammograms were classified as BI-RADs 3; 4 or 5 category. Cancer was found in 4 (1.95%) of the total number of screened women and benign cases represented 0.58%. Conclusions: These first results of the programme are very encouraging, but there is a need to closely monitor performance and to improve programme procedures with the aim of increasing both the participation rate and the proportion of women eligible to attend screening.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.222-226
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• 2016

This research was carried out to investigate the germination and seedling growth characteristics of the halophyte Suaeda asparagoides under various salt concentrations, temperatures, and the presence or absence of light S. asparagoides has a non-endospermic dicotyledonous seed structure that is go stone-shaped with a dark brown color and covered by a star-shaped perianth. Germination within the temperature range $5{\sim}40^{\circ}C$ varied from 8% to 65%. The highest germination occurred at $15^{\circ}C$. In seeds exposed to salt concentrations in the range 0~400 mM, the highest germination occurred at 0 mM, and the germination progressively decreased as the salt concentration increased. When the perianth of the seed was removed, the germination increased significantly. In the presence or absence of light, germination under white light was 5~20% higher than that under darkness, which varied according to salt concentrations in the range 0~300 mM. The plant growth of S. asparagoides, evaluated by plant height, branch number, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight, was higher in the concentration range 50~100 mM, and it decreased in the other concentrations. In conclusion, the seeds of S. asparagoides showed higher germination in fresh water at low temperature of approximately $15^{\circ}C$ under light when the perianth was removed, and the plant growth was higher at salt concentrations of 50~100 mM.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.352-357
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• 2006

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ leaves, stems, roots (ACL, ACS, ACR) on the change of weight and the serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, total lipid and phospholipid level in obese mice induced Dy high fat diet. Experimental groups were as follows ; Normal group was fed with normal diet and administered with distilled water during 7 weeks, Control group was fed with high fat diet and administered with distilled water during 7 weeks, Sample A group was fed with high fat diet and administered with ACL of 500 mg/kg/mouse/day during 7 weeks, Sample B group was fed with high fat diet and administered with ACS of 500 mg/kg/mouse/day during 7 weeks, Sample C group was fed with high fat diet and administered with ACR of 500 mg/kg/mouse/day during 7 weeks. The results were as follows ; 1. Sample A group, Sample B group and Sample C group were significantly decreased the serum total lipid level in comparison with Control group. 2. Sample A group was decreased the body weight (4 weeks, 7 weeks), the serum total cholesterol level, the serum LDL-cholesterol level, the serum triglyceride level, the serum free fatty acid and phospholipid level but increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level in comparison with Control group. 3. Sample B group was increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level but decreased the body weight (4weeks), the serum total cholesterol level, the serum free fatty acid and triglyceride level in comparison with Control group. 4. Sample B group was significantly decreased the body weight (7 weeks), the serum LDL-cholesterol and phospholipid level in comparison with Control group. 5. Sample C group was increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level but decreased the body weight (4 weeks) and the serum free fatty acid level in comparison with Control group. 6. Sample C group was significantly decreased the body weight (7 weeks), the serum total cholesterol level, the serum LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride level in comparison with Control group. According to above results, I suggest ACR is able to be used for the obesity.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological responses of Bupleurum latissimum, endangered plants by light condition. We investigated photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll contents and chlorophyll fluorescence under different shading treatments (Shaded 50%, 70%, 90% and non-treated). Results showed that net apparent quantum yield (AQY) and chlorophyll contents were significantly increased with elevating shading level. However, light compensation point (LCP) and dark respiration ($R_d$) were shown the opposite trend. Especially, non-treated exhibited photoinhibition such as reduction of chlorophyll contents and maximum photosynthesis rate ($Pn_{max}$) also variation trend of stomatal conductance ($g_s$), and transpiration rate (E) were decreased to prevent water loss. Photosynthetic rate ($P_{Nmax}$) and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of 90% treatment showed a drastic reduction in July. This implies that photosynthetic activity will be sharply decreased with a long period of low light intensity. The 50% treatment showed relatively higher photosynthetic activity than other treated. This result suggested that growth and physiology of B. latissimum adapted to 50% of full sunlight.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2018

The king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) is widely consumed because of its flavor, texture, and its functional properties such as antioxidant activity and prebiotic effects. However, long-term product storage and transportation (e.g., export) are difficult because of its limited durability. The shelf-life of king oyster mushroom is affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, gas composition, and ventilation, which may affect sensory characteristics including respiration rate, texture, moisture, flavor, color, and pH. The major problems regarding storage of mushrooms are browning, flavor changes, and softening. To address these problems, novel preservation techniques were developed, and more durable variants were bred. Different drying methods, gamma irradiation, chitosan coating, modified atmosphere (MA) packaging, and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage were evaluated in order to extend the shelf-life of king oyster mushrooms. Freeze drying showed better results for the preservation of mushrooms than other drying methods. Irradiation with 1 kGy was more effective for extending mushroom shelf-life than higher doses. The preservative performance of chitosan-based films was improved by combining the compound with other hydrocolloids, such as oil, protocatechuic acid, and wax. The CA storage conditions recommended for king oyster mushrooms are 5kPa $O_2$ and 10 to 15kPa $CO_2$ at temperatures below $10^{\circ}C$. Active MA packaging with microperforated PP film was also effective for maintaining quality during storage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.886-894
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• 2012

Well-designed housing systems are important from the viewpoint of animal welfare and improvement of meat production. In this study, we investigated the effects of outdoor housing of pigs on their behavior, cortisol levels, and meat characteristics. Two groups that were born and raised in a spacious outdoor pen ($4{\times}10$ m for every two sows) or a minimum-sized standard pen in a piggery ($1.9{\times}2.2$ m for every sow) were studied. When their behaviors at the age of 2 to 3 wk were observed, the number of rooting episodes tended to be larger (p = 0.0509) and the total time of rooting tended to be longer (p = 0.0640) in the outdoor-housed piglets although the difference was not significant. Basal salivary cortisol levels of the outdoor piglets at the age of 4 wk were significantly lower than those of the indoor piglets ($5.0{\pm}0.59$ ng/ml vs. $11.6{\pm}0.91$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment), although their plasma cortisol levels were similar ($53.3{\pm}3.54$ ng/ml vs. $59.9{\pm}4.84$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment). When the ears were pierced at weaning, plasma and salivary cortisol levels were increased in both groups, even at 15 min after piercing. However, the increase in the outdoor-housed group was significantly less than that in the indoor-housed group. Throughout their lives, body weight and daily gain of the pigs were not significantly different between the two groups. In a meat taste preference test taken by 20 panelists, saltiness, flavor, and color of the outdoor-housed pork were found to be more acceptable. Moreover, when an electronic taste-sensing device was utilized, the C00 and CPA-C00 outputs ($3.78{\pm}0.07$ and $-0.20{\pm}0.023$), which correspond to compounds of bitterness and smells, respectively, were significantly lower in the outdoor-housed pork ($5.03{\pm}0.16$ and $-0.13{\pm}0.009$). Our results demonstrate that the outdoor housing system for piglets induces natural behaviors such as rooting and suppresses the strongest stress reaction of piglets, which could be important for animal welfare. Moreover, the outdoor housing system might change muscle characteristics and improve pork bitterness, flavor, and color. These changes may be preferred by consumers, increasing the sale of these meats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2014

In this study, we show that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis MAP1305 induces the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), a representative antigen presenting cell (APC). MAP1305 protein induces DC maturation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$) through Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling by directly binding with TLR4. MAP1305 activates the phosphorylation of MAPKs, such as ERK, p38MAPK, and JNK, which is essential for DC maturation. Furthermore, MAP1305-treated DCs transform naive T cells to polarized $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cells, thus indicating a key role for this protein in the Th1 polarization of the resulting immune response. Taken together, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis MAP1305 is important for the regulation of innate immune response through DC-mediated proliferation of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cells.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2005

This work was conducted to evaluate the effects of rooting on tissue cultured M.9 (Malus domestica Bork. cv, tcM.9) after layering in field. We investigated an appearance period of first root in shoot, rooting ratio, contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), inorganic matters, sugars, and lignin in rooting areas of stems by layering. First root in shoot of tcM.9 and natural M.9 appeared 25 and 30 days after layering (DAL), respectively. Rooting ratio was much higher in tcM.9 than in natural M.9. The content of IAA was higher in tcM.9 than in natural M.9 before layering, but it was reversed at 20 and 30 DAL. In contrast, the content of ABA was much higher in natural M.9 than in tcM.9 in case of both before and 10 and 20 DAL. The contents of N, B, Mn, and Zn were significantly higher in tcM.9 than in natural M.9 both before and 10 and 20 DAL. The contents of sugars in tcM.9 had the similar pattern of the contents of inorganic materials. There were statistically significant differences in the contents of sucrose and glucose at 30 DAL as well as the content of maltose at 20 and 30 DAL. The content of lignin was significantly higher in tcM.9 than in natural M.9 before layering and 10 and 30 DAL while there was no difference 20 DAL. Therefore, improvement of rooting ability in the tissue cultured root stock M.9 might be due to the changes of inorganic matters or lignin rather than that of sugars and hormones.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1064-1072
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• 2013

Circadian rhythm is controlled by hormonal oscillations governing the physiology of all living organisms. In mammals, the main function of the pineal gland is to transform the circadian rhythm generated in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus into rhythmic signals of circulating melatonin characterized by a largely nocturnal increase that closely reflects the duration of night time. The pineal gland has lost direct photosensitivity, but responds to light via multi-synaptic pathways that include a subset of retinal ganglion cells. Rhythmic control is achieved through a tight coupling between environmental lighting and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) expression, which is the rhythm-controlling enzyme in melatonin synthesis. Previous studies on the nocturnal expression of AANAT protein have described transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. Molecular mechanisms for dependent AANAT expression provide novel aspects for melatonin's circadian rhythmicity. Extensive animal research has linked pineal melatonin for the expression of seasonal rhythmicity in many mammalian species to the modulation of circadian rhythms and to sleep regulation. It has value in treating various circadian rhythm disorders, such as jet lag or shift-work sleep disorders. Melatonin, also, in a broad range of effects with a significant regulation influences many of the body's physiological functions. In addition, this hormone is known to influence reproductive, cardiovascular, and immunological regulation as well as psychiatric disorders.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 1998

The transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) plants containing Bacillus subtilis protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene with cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter have recently been generated by using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation. The nontransgenic and the transgenic tobacco plants were compared with respect to responses to diphenyl ether herbicide oxyfluorfen and under various environmental conditions. Both cellular leakage and lipid peroxidation caused by oxyfluorfen were found to be less in the transgenic than in the nontransgenic plants. Growth responses of the transgenic plants under various temperature, light, and water conditions were almost the same as those of the nontransgenic plants, although the transgenic plants exhibited slightly more retarded growth under low light or saturated water condition. These results revealed that the transgenic tobacco plants containing B. subtilis protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene under cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter were relatively resistant to oxyfluorfen and exhibited normal growth pattern. Possible mechanism of resistance to oxyfluorfen in the transgenic plants is also discussed.