• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 1996

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of sprinkler and fan cooling system on the physiological parameter, milk production and milk composition for Holstein cows in hot, humid climates. Thirty cows were assigned to one of two sections of open-sided loose barn. Water nozzles of sprinkler system were spaced in line at 1.2m intervals. Forced air was provided by 85cm diameter fans at rate of 3.4㎥/sec. The results obtained from these experiments are as follows: 1. There was no significant difference in meteorological data between control and fan + sprinkler cooling system(treatment group). 2. Skin temperature and rectal temperature of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (32.96 : 39.53$^{\circ}C$ vs 34.02 : 41.21$^{\circ}C$ respectively) (P<0.05). 3. Serum cortisol concentration of the treatment group(0.90$\mu\textrm{g}$/dL) was lower than that of control group(1.44$\mu\textrm{g}$/dL)(P<0.05). 4. Milk production of cows cooled with a sprinkler and fan cooling system was significantly higher than that of no cooling system (P<0.0l). 5. Lactose, protein and solid-not-fat content of milk were not changed by the treatments. Milk fat content of the control(3.23%) was low compared with the treatment group(3.38%). Somatic cell count was reduced by 26.63% in the treatment. The results indicate that a sprinkler and fan cooling systems can provide an effective means to relieve heat stress and enhance productivity of lactating Holstein cows during hot and humid summer season.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.277-300
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• 2016

Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections are becoming an increasingly popular solution for constructing floors in residential, healthcare and education buildings. Their reduced weight, however, makes them prone to excessive vibrations, increasing the need for accurate prediction of CFS floor modal properties. By combining experimental modal analysis of a full-scale CFS framed building and its floors and their numerical finite element (FE) modelling this paper demonstrates that the existing methods (based on the best engineering judgement) for predicting CFS floor modal properties are unreliable. They can yield over 40% difference between the predicted and measured natural frequencies for important modes of vibration. This is because the methods were adopted from other floor types (e.g., timber or standard steel-concrete composite floors) and do not take into account specific features of CFS floors. Using the adjusted and then updated FE model, featuring semi-rigid connections led to markedly improved results. The first four measured and calculated CFS floor natural frequencies matched exactly and all relevant modal assurance criterion (MAC) values were above 90%. The introduction of flexible supports and more realistic modelling of the floor boundary conditions, as well as non-structural $fa{\c{c}}ade$ walls, proved to be crucial in the development of the new more successful modelling strategy. The process used to develop 10 identified and experimentally verified FE modelling parameters is based on published information and parameter adjustment resulting from FE model updating. This can be utilised for future design of similar lightweight steel floors in prefabricated buildings when checking their vibration serviceability, likely to be their governing design criterion.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.383-395
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• 2006

Four different Trichoderma strains, T. harzianum CECT 2413, T. asperellum T53, T. atroviride T11 and T. longibrachiatum T52, which represent three of the four sections contained in this genus, were transformed by two different techniques: a protocol based on the isolation of protoplasts and a protocol based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Both methods were set up using hygromycin B or phleomycin resistance as the selection markers. Using these techniques, we obtained phenotypically stable transformants of these four different strains. The highest transformation efficiencies were obtained with the T. longibrachiatum T52 strain: 65-70 $transformants/{\mu}g$ DNA when transformed with the plasmid pAN7-1 (hygromycin B resistance) and 280 $transformants/l0^7$ spores when the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was performed with the plasmid pUR5750 (hygromycin B resistance). Overall, the genetic analysis of the transform ants showed that some of the strains integrated and maintained the transforming DNA in their genome throughout the entire transformation and selection process. In other cases, the integrated DNA was lost.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.475-487
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the deproteinated bovine bone powder (DBBP) coated with calcium phosphate (Ca-P) on osseous regeneration in the calvarial bone defect of rat. Materials and Methods : The DBBP (Control group, n=6) and the Ca-P coated DBBP (Experimental group, n=6) were grafted in the critical sized calvarial bone defect (8 mm) of rat weighing 250 g. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 4 week. The biopsy specimens were decalcified with 5%formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. The rats were sacrificed at 8 week received tetracycline (1 week), calcein blue (4 week), and alizarin red (7 week), and the biopsy specimens were taken. The specimens were embedded in methylmethacrylate and ground to 10 ${\mu}m$ thin sections were made. All of the specimens were stained with H & E and Masson's trichrome and examined under light microscope. The specimens at 8 week were examined under fluorescent microscope. Results : In the Control group, the grafted DBBP was surrounded with connective tissue, and osteoblasts were observed partially around the grafted particles at 1 week. At 4 week, some osteoid was observed and, new bone formation was observed at the periphery of grafted materials at 8 week, In the Experimental group, some osteoid was seen at the periphery of the grafted Ca-P coated DBBP at 1 week, and osteoblast and newly formed bone were observed around the grafted materials. At 8 week, newly formed bone was observed at the periphery of the grafted materials. Conclusion: These results suggest that Ca-P coated DBBP group was more and faster than DBBP group in new bone formation and Ca-P could contribute to enhance bone formation in the critical sized calvarial bone defect of rat.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.92-95
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• 2016

Ultra-high pressure (UHP) was applied to glutinous rice (Dongjin) and brown rice (Shindongjin) to determine its effects on the textural characteristics of cooked rice and bacterial reduction in uncooked rice. Hardness and stickiness of the cooked glutinous and brown rice pretreated with 500 MPa for 5 min were significantly attenuated compared to that of the control rice (p<0.05). After the UHP treatment, particles of the glutinous and brown rice were observed to be finer when cross sections of the rice were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope. The total bacterial count in the brown rice treated with 600 MPa for 5 min was reduced from $10^7CFU/g$ to $10^4CFU/g$, while the number of thermoduric bacteria in the brown rice was not significantly different after the UHP treatment. These results suggest that UHP may be an effective method for improving texture of dried rice and to reduce bacterial count in raw rice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2004

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a complex Lactobacilli preparation on performance, resistance to E. coli infection and gut microbial flora of weaning pigs. In exp. 1, twelve pigs (7.65$\pm$1.10 kg BW), weaned at 28 d, were randomly allotted into 2 groups and placed in individual metabolic cages. During the first 7 d, one group of pigs was provided ad libitum access to water containing $10^5$ colony forming units (CFU) Lactobacilli per ml and the control group was provided tap water. The Lactobacilli preparation included Lactobacillus gasseri, L. reuteri, L. acidophilus and L. fermentum, which were isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa of weaning pigs. On d 8, 20 ml of $10^8$ CFU/ml E. coli solution (serovars K99, K88 and 987P at the ratio of 1:1:1) was orally administered to each pig. Diarrhea scores and diarrhea incidence were recorded from d 7 to 14. On d 14, pigs were euthanized and digesta and mucosa from the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon were sampled using aseptic technique to determine microflora by culturing bacteria in selective medium. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly decreased E. coli and aerobe counts (p<0.01) but increased Lactobacilli and anaerobe counts (p<0.01) in digesta and mucosa of most sections of the GI tract. A 66 and 69.1% decrease in diarrhea index and diarrhea incidence, respectively, was observed in the Lactobacilli treated group. In exp. 2, Thirty-six crossbred Duroc$\times$Landrace$\times$Yorkshire piglets, weaned at 28$\pm$2 days, were selected and randomly allocated into 2 groups. There were 18 piglets in each group, 3 piglets in one pen and 6 replicates in each treatment with 3 pens of barrow and 3 pens of female piglet in each treatment. Piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. The initial body weight of piglet was 7.65$\pm$1.09 kg. Dietary treatments included a non-medicated basal diet with Lactobacilli ($10^5$ CFU/g diet) or carbadox (60 mg/kg) as control. On d 21, six pigs per group (one pig per pen) were euthanized. Ileal digesta was collected to determine apparent amino acid digestibility. Microflora content was determined similarly to exp.1. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) of pigs compared to carbadox (p<0.05) during the first 2 wks after weaning and average daily gain (ADG) and ADFI increased significantly (p<0.05) from d 8 to 14. Nitrogen and total phosphorus digestibility also increased (p<0.05). Bacterial counts were similar to exp. 1. The results indicate that the complex Lactobacilli preparation improved performance for 2 wks after weaning, enhanced resistance to E. coli infection, and improved microbial balance in the GI tract.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.263-271
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• 2010

This trial was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a diet containing solid-state fermented rapeseed meal on performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal ecology and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A mixed liquid culture, containing approximately 5 log cfu/ml Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, Saccharomyces cerevisae and Bacillus subtilis was prepared in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. A basal substrate (BS) containing 75% rapeseed, 24% wheat bran and 1% brown sugar was mixed with the liquid culture in a ratio of 10:3. Over the 30-day fermentation, isothiocyanates were reduced from 119.6 to 14.7 mmol/kg. A total of 168, day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to one of three dietary treatments including a corn-soybean meal based control diet as well as two experimental diets in which the control diet was supplemented with 10% of the BS containing unfermented rapeseed meal or 10% of the BS containing rapeseed meal subjected to solid state fermentation. There were 8 pens per treatment and 7 birds per pen. From days 19-21 and days 40-42, uncontaminated excreta were collected from each pen for digestibility determinations. In addition, digesta from the colon and ceca were collected to determine the number of lactobacilli, enterobacteria and total aerobes. The middle sections of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected for intestinal morphology. Over the entire experimental period (d 1-42), the weight gain and feed conversion of birds fed fermented rapeseed meal were superior (p<0.05) to that of birds fed nonfermented rapeseed meal and did not differ from the soybean control. On day 42, birds fed fermented rapeseed meal had higher (p<0.05) total tract apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, energy, and calcium than birds fed non-fermented rapeseed meal. Colon and ceca digesta from broilers fed the fermented feed had higher (p<0.05) lactobacilli counts than birds fed the control and non-fermented rapeseed meal diets on day 21 and 42. Fermentation also improved (p<0.05) villus height and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in the ileum and jejunum on day 21 and 42. The results indicate that solid-state fermentation of rapeseed meal enhanced performance and improved the intestinal morphology of broilers and may allow greater quantities of rapeseed meal to be fed to broilers potentially reducing the cost of broiler production.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 1995

This study was designed to investigate the morphological alterations of zonula occludens, macula adherences and gap junctions between the hepatocytes in the fasting conditions. Animals (Sprague Dawley, $250{\sim}280g$) were divided into two groups: normal and fasting. The latter were fasted for eight days prior to sampling. Liver tissues were sectioned and replicated after freeze fracturing for the transmission electron microscopy. In the normal rat liver, the interhepatocellular space at the area of some zonula occludens appeared to be widened in thin sections. On the freeze fracture replicas., the zonula occludens appeared as an anastomosing network of $2{\sim}4$ strands or grooves on P or E faces. Free ends and fragments of the strands were observed. In the rat fasted for eight days, the hepatocytes were diminished in size and the organelles were decreased in number and size. The intercellular space was wide at many areas of zonula occludens in thin section. On the freeze fracture replicas, the zonula occludens showed diminution or disappearence of anastomosing network of strands or grooves. Free ends and small fragments of the strands or grooves were frequently encountered. The macula adherens was markedly increased in number in thin sections, although they could not be found on the freeze fracture replicas. The gap junctions were increased in number in thin sections. Small aggregations of the intramembranous particles appeared with larger ones on the freeze fracture replica. The evidences may suggest the followings: (1) The disassembly of zonula occludens in the fasting states is led from the diminished mechanical stress on the luminal surface of bile canaliculus with the impaired secretion of bile components from the hepatocytes. (2) The increase of macula adherens is necessary to maintain the liver parenchyma integrity in the fasting state which leads the hepatocyte to be diminished and finally the intercellular space to be separated. (3) The rise in both number and size of gap junctions is owing to the need of increasing intercellular communication between the hepatocytes during the fasting. (4) The alteration of zonula occludens is easily led by the physiological condition of hepatocytes even in the normal ones.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2022

Objective : Osteoporosis result from age-related decline in the number of osteoblast progenitors in the bone marrow. Probiotics have beneficial effects on the host, when administered in appropriate amounts. This study investigated the effects of probiotics expressing specific genes, especially the effects of genetically modified bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-expressing Lactobacillus plantarum CJNU 3003 (LP) on ovariectomized rats. Methods : Twenty-eight female Wistar rats (250-300 g, 12 weeks old) were divided into four groups : the sham (control), the ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis group (OVX), the OVX and LP (OVX/LP), OVX and genetically modified BMP-2-expressing LP (OVX/LP with BMP) groups. The three groups underwent bilateral OVX and two of these groups were administered two different types of LP via oral gavage daily. At 16 weeks post-OVX, blood was collected from the heart and the bilateral tibiae were extracted and were scanned by ex-vivo micro-computed tomography and stained with hematoxylin-and-eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome stain for pathological assessment. The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), rat C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), BMP-2, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-ĸB ligand (RANKL) were measured. Results : The 3D-micro-computed tomography images showed that the trabecular structure in the OVX/LP with BMP group was maintained compared with OVX and OVX/LP groups. No significant differences were detected in trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) between control and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p>0.05). Furthermore, a tendency toward increased BMD, trabecular bone volume, Tb.Th, and trabecular number and decreased trabecular separation was found in rats in the OVX/LP with BMP groups when compared with the OVX and OVX/LP groups (p>0.05). The H&E and Masson's trichrome stained sections showed a thicker trabecular bone in the OVX/LP with BMP group compared with the OVX and OVX/LP groups. There was no difference in serum levels of OC, CTX and RANKL control and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p>0.05). In contrast, significant differences were found in OC and CTX-1 levels between the OVX and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p<0.05). Conclusion : Our results showed that the expression of genetically modified BMP-2 showed inhibition effect for bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.565-570
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• 2013

Objectives: To describe the development and validation of a cancer awareness questionnaire (CAQ) based on a literature review of previous studies, focusing on cancer awareness and prevention. Materials and Methods: A total of 388 Chinese undergraduate students in a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were recruited to evaluate the developed self-administered questionnaire. The CAQ consisted of four sections: awareness of cancer warning signs and screening tests; knowledge of cancer risk factors; barriers in seeking medical advice; and attitudes towards cancer and cancer prevention. The questionnaire was evaluated for construct validity using principal component analysis and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha (${\alpha}$) coefficient. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a 10-14 days interval and measured using Pearson product-moment correlation. Results: The initial 77-item CAQ was reduced to 63 items, with satisfactory construct validity, and a high total internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=0.77). A total of 143 students completed the questionnaire for the test-retest reliability obtaining a correlation of 0.72 (p<0.001) overall. Conclusions: The CAQ could provide a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess cancer awareness among local Chinese undergraduate students. However, further studies among students from different backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity) are required in order to facilitate the use of the cancer awareness questionnaire among all university students.