• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제58권3호
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• pp.12.1-12.7
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• 2016

Background: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of rice bran oil (RBO) on growth performance, blood parameter, and immune response in broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 240 1-d-old ROSS 308 male broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments with six replicated pens consisting of ten chicks. The basal diet was formulated to be adequate in energy and nutrients. Three additional diets were prepared by adding 5, 10 or 20 g/kg of RBO to the basal diet. The experimental diets were fed on an ad libitum basis to the birds during 35 d. Results: Results indicated that increasing inclusion level of RBO in diets improved BW gain (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01), improve feed conversion ratio (linear, P < 0.05) of birds during 0 to 35 d. There was no effect of inclusion level of RBO in diets on feed intake of birds. There was no effect of inclusion level of RBO in diets on erythrocytes of birds. However, heterophil, lymphocyte, and monocytes increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) with inclusion level of RBO in diets increased. Feeding the diets containing increasing amount of RBO to birds increased (linear, P < 0.01) the concentrations of total cholesterol. Increasing inclusion level of RBO in diets increased concentrations of IgG (linear, P < 0.01). There was no effect of inclusion level of RBO in diets on concentrations of IgM. Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary RBO may be used functional ingredient to improve growth performance, total cholesterol in serum, and immune response of birds.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.3.1-3.8
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• 2020

Background: The IGF system plays important roles in controlling growth, development, reproduction, and aging of organisms. Methods: To estimate maturation of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, we investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system components and sex-specific genes. To determine the role of the IGF system in the growth and spawning period of female and male oysters, we examined mRNA expression levels of the C. gigas insulin receptor-related receptor (CIR), IGF binding protein complex acid labile subunit (IGFBP_ALS), and molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP), as well as those of vitellogenin (Vg) and receptor-type guanylate cyclase (Gyc76C) in gonads of C. gigas collected between April and October, when sex can be determined visually in this species. Results: We found that MIP, IGFBP_ALS, and CIR mRNA expression levels were dependent on sex and month and were greater in males than in females. CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were very similar among females, whereas IGF system components and Gyc76C were very similarly expressed among males. The highest expression values were observed in May, when oysters are mature; CIR and Vg mRNA expression levels were highest in females, and those of MIP, IGFBP_ALS, CIR, and Gyc76C were highest in males. Interestingly, we observed a 1:1 proportion of females to males during this period. Conclusion: Our results suggest that IGF system components, as well as Vg and Gyc76C, are associated with sexual maturation in C. gigas.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2016

Background : Acer pictum is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Aceraceae. This study was conducted to collect basic data on mass propagation techniques by surveying the germination and growth characteristics of A. pictum seeds. Methods and Results : A. pictum seeds were harvested in 2014 on August 19, September 5, September 29 and October 31. The seeds were then sown on the same dates they were harvested. A portion of seeds harvested in August 2014 were stored at low temperatures and subsequently sown on March 11, 2015. The germination rate of A. pictum seeds was highest in seeds that were stored harvested on October 31. Mean germination time (MGT) was shortest and germination velocity (Rs) was fastest in seeds harvested on October 31. Root collar diameter, total root length, and dry weight were also highest from seeds collected October 31. Conclusions : A. pictum seeds harvested on October 31 had highest germination and growth rates compared with seeds harvested on earlier dates. It is expected that these results demonstrating optimum harvesting and sowing dates will be applicable to future seedling production for this tree species.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.360-370
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• 2020

Background: Sophora flavescens AIT root is used as a herbal medicine in Asian culture. This study was aimed at selecting the best cultivars, by comparing growth characteristics, active ingredients, and antioxidant activities. Methods and Results: A total twenty nine accessions of S. flavescens were collected from five different regions in Korea. Plant height, leaf length, peduncle length, fresh root weight, and seed weight were the growth characteristics selected. Antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) as well as the radical scavenging activity of DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Oxymatrine and matrine, active ingredients in S. flavescens were analyzed by HPLC. Results indicated that accession YS-11 had the highest plant height (152.5 cm) and peduncle length (54.0 cm). The fresh root weight was highest in JA-01 at 4.9 kg, while the highest total seed weight was recorded in accession BH-04 at 77.7 g. The YS-03 accession contained the highest oxymatrine and matrine total contents (0.9616% and 0.9638%, respectively). Accessions BH-02, YS-11, YS-05, and MJ-03 had the highest levels of antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Oxymatrine showed a high correlation with TPC and FRAP. TPC showed high correlations with TFC, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. TFC showed a high correlation with DPPH. Conclusions: The superior lines can be selected for use as standard variety breeding material by comparing the growth characteristics of the accessions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.1511-1515
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• 2014

Background and Aims: To explore the molecular mechanisms of miR-886-5p in breast cancer., we examined roles in inhibiting growth and migration of MCF-7 cells. Methods: MiR-886-5p mimics and inhibitors were used to express or inhibit MiR-886-5p, respectively, and MTT and clone formation assays were used to determine the survival and proliferation. Hoechst 33342/ PI double staining was applied to detect apoptosis. The expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, MT1-MMP, VEGF-C and VEGF-D was detected by Western blotting, and the levels of MMP2 and MMP9 secreted from MCF-7 cells were assessed by ELISA. MCF-7 cell migration was determined by wound healing and Transwell assays. Results: We found that the growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited upon decreasing miR-886-5p levels. Inhibiting miR-866-5p also significantly induced apoptosis and decreased the migratory capacity of these cells. The expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, MT1-MMP, MMP2, and MMP9 was also found to be decreased as compared to controls. Conclusions: Our data show that downregulation of miR-886-5p expression in MCF-7 cells could significantly inhibit cell growth and migration. This might imply that inhibiting miR-886-5p could be a therapeutic strategy in breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.195-199
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• 2015

Background: This study was conducted to determine the influence of MACC1 expression on chemotherapy sensitivity in human U251 glioblastoma cells. Materials and Methods: Expression of the MACC1 gene in 49 cases of human brain glioma was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Silencing effects of RNA interference on MACC1 was detected by Western-blotting. Flow cytometry methods and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT) were used to determine the apoptosis and growth inhibitory rates of the U251 cells with MACC1 silencing. before and after treatment with cisplatin (DDP). Results: MACC1 mRNA in gliomas was up-regulated remarkably, to 158.8% of that in peri-cancerous tissues (P<0.05). The siRNA-MACC1 could inhibit the expression of MACC1 protein significantly (p<0.05), associated with an increase in apoptosis rate from 2.57% to 5.39% in U251 cells and elevation of the growth inhibitory rate from 1.5% to 17.8% (p<0.05 for both). After treatment with DDP at various concentrations (1, 3, $5{\mu}g/ml$), compared with control U251 cells, the apoptosis rate of MACC1-silenced U251 cells rose from 8.41%, 13.2% and 19.5% to 12.8%, 17.8% and 25.8%; the growth inhibitory rate increased from 16.2%, 19.3% and 24.5% to 23.7%, 28.4% and 36.3%. Conclusions: There is a notable relationship between over-expression of MACC1 and the characteristics of glioma cells. Silencing of MACC1 was found to enhance the apoptosis and growth inhibitory rates of U251 glioma cells, and thereby increase their sensitivity to DDP chemotherapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권20호
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• pp.8623-8629
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• 2014

Background: As an important component of the NDC80 kinetochore complex, NUF2 is essential for kinetochore-microtubule attachment and chromosome segregation. Previous studies also suggested its involvement in development of various kinds of human cancers, however, its expression and functions in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that NUF2 is aberrant in human HCCs and associated with cell growth. Results: Our results showed significantly elevated expression of NUF2 in human HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and high expression of NUF2 in HCC cell lines. Using lentivirus-mediated silencing of NUF2 in HepG2 human HCC cells, we found that NUF2 depletion markedly suppressed proliferation and colony formation capacity in vitro, and dramatically hampered tumor growth of xenografts in vivo. Moreover, NUF2 silencing could induce cell cycle arrest and trigger cell apoptosis. Additionally, altered levels of cell cycle and apoptosis related proteins including cyclin B1, Cdc25A, Cdc2, Bad and Bax were also observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results demonstrate that NUF2 plays a critical role in the regulation of HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis, indicating that NUF2 may serve as a potential molecular target for therapeutic approaches.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.204-213
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Since the number of crops cultivated in reclaimed land is huge, it is very difficult to quantify the total crop production. Therefore, a non-destructive method for predicting crop production is needed. Salt tolerant root vegetables such as red beets and sugar beet are suitable for cultivation in reclaimed land. If their underground biomass can be predicted, it helps to estimate crop productivity. Objectives of this study are to investigate maximum leaf length and weight of red beet, sugar beet, and turnips grown in reclaimed land, and to determine optimal model with regression analysis for linear and allometric growth models. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maximum leaf length, width, and root fresh weight of red beets, sugar beets, and turnips were measured. Ten linear models and six allometric growth models were selected for estimation of root fresh weight and non-linear regression analysis was conducted. The allometric growth model, which have a variable multiplied by square of maximum leaf length and maximum leaf width, showed highest R² values of 0.67, 0.70, and 0.49 for red beets, sugar beets, and turnips, respectively. Validation results of the models for red beets and sugar beets showed the R² values of 0.63 and 0.65, respectively. However, the model for turnips showed the R² value of 0.48. The allometric growth model was suitable for estimating the root fresh weight of red beets and sugar beets, but the accuracy for turnips was relatively low. CONCLUSION: The regression models established in this study may be useful to estimate the total production of root vegetables cultivated in reclaimed land, and it will be used as a non-destructive method for prediction of crop information.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제76권3호
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• pp.120-126
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• 2014

Background: We investigated whether wogonin and apigenin significantly affect the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway involved in MUC5AC mucin gene expression, and production from cultured airway epithelial cells; this was based on our previous report that apigenin and wogonin suppressed MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production from human airway epithelial cells. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with wogonin or apigenin for 15 minutes or 24 hours and then stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 24 hours or the indicated periods. Results: We found that incubation of NCI-H292 cells with wogonin or apigenin inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR. The downstream signals of EGFR such as phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were also inhibited by wogonin or apigenin. Conclusion: The results suggest that wogonin and apigenin inhibits EGFR signaling pathway, which may explain how they inhibit MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production induced by EGF.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2016

Background: This study determined the effects of mulching, an environment friendly organic cultivation method, on antioxidant compound contents and growth in Codonopsis lanceolata, commonly known as Deodeok. Methods and Results: C. lanceolata was treated by mulching with several different methods (a non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, or rice husks) and also treated with hand weeding. A non-treatment plot was used as a control. The growth and levels of weed control in C. lanceolata were better in plants cultivated under mulching treatments (non-woven fabric, biodegradable film, and rice husks) than in those under non-mulching treatments (hand weeding and non-treatment). The contents of antioxidant compounds, such as total flavonoids, phenolics, and anthocyanins, were highest under the biodegradable film treatment, followed by the non-woven fabric treatment, rice husks treatment hand weeding, and non-treatment. There were identifiable differences in DPPH and ABTS activity in comparison to antioxidant compound content by solvent fractions. Mulching treatments resulted in higher DPPH scavenging activity in water and ethyl ether fractions and ABTS scavenging activity in n-butanol fractions than in other fractions, as opposed to hand weeding and non-treatment groups, although total activity of DPPH and ABTS did not increase with mulching treatments. Conclusions: Mulching C. lanceolata with biodegradable film and non-woven fabric is an effective method for improving plant growth and inhibiting the occurrence of weeds as well as for increasing antioxidant compound content and altering antioxidant activity.