• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.494-500
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• 2019

Objective: Feed consumption contributes a large percentage for total production costs in the poultry industry. Detecting genes associated with feeding traits will be of benefit to improve our understanding of the molecular determinants for feed efficiency. The objective of this study was to identify candidate genes associated with feed conversion ratio (FCR) via genomewide association study (GWAS) using sequence data imputed from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel in a Chinese indigenous chicken population. Methods: A total of 435 Chinese indigenous chickens were phenotyped for FCR and were genotyped using a 600K SNP genotyping array. Twenty-four birds were selected for sequencing, and the 600K SNP panel data were imputed to whole sequence data with the 24 birds as the reference. The GWAS were performed with GEMMA software. Results: After quality control, 8,626,020 SNPs were used for sequence based GWAS, in which ten significant genomic regions were detected to be associated with FCR. Ten candidate genes, ubiquitin specific peptidase 44, leukotriene A4 hydrolase, ETS transcription factor, R-spondin 2, inhibitor of apoptosis protein 3, sosondowah ankyrin repeat domain family member D, calmodulin regulated spectrin associated protein family member 2, zinc finger and BTB domain containing 41, potassium sodium-activated channel subfamily T member 2, and member of RAS oncogene family were annotated. Several of them were within or near the reported FCR quantitative trait loci, and others were newly reported. Conclusion: Results from this study provide valuable prior information on chicken genomic breeding programs, and potentially improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism for feeding traits.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.351-361
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• 2019

In our previous study, pyrrolnitrin produced in Pseudomonas chlororaphis G05 plays more critical role in suppression of mycelial growth of some fungal pathogens that cause plant diseases in agriculture. Although some regulators for pyrrolnitrin biosynthesis were identified, the pyrrolnitrin regulation pathway was not fully constructed. During our screening novel regulator candidates, we obtained a white conjugant G05W02 while transposon mutagenesis was carried out between a fusion mutant $G05{\Delta}phz{\Delta}prn::lacZ$ and E. coli S17-1 (pUT/mini-Tn5Kan). By cloning and sequencing of the transposon-flanking DNA fragment, we found that a vfr gene in the conjugant G05W02 was disrupted with mini-Tn5Kan. In one other previous study on P. fluorescens, however, it was reported that the deletion of the vfr caused increased production of pyrrolnitrin and other antifungal metabolites. To confirm its regulatory function, we constructed the vfr-knockout mutant $G05{\Delta}vfr$ and $G05{\Delta}phz{\Delta}prn::lacZ{\Delta}vfr$. By quantifying ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activities, we found that deletion of the vfr decreased the prn operon expression dramatically. Meanwhile, by quantifying pyrrolnitrin production in the mutant $G05{\Delta}vfr$, we found that deficiency of the Vfr caused decreased pyrrolnitrin production. However, production of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid was same to that in the wild-type strain G05. Taken together, Vfr is required for pyrrolnitrin but not for phenazine-1-carboxylic acid biosynthesis in P. chlororaphis G05.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.1112-1121
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• 2019

Objective: Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be associated with uterine impairment, embryonic resorption, ovarian dysfunction, and follicle retardation. Here, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: First, we developed an in vitro model to study the response of bovine cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) to LPS stress. After incubating germinal vesicle COCs in $10{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS, we analyzed the following three aspects: the expression levels of the LPS receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in COCs, activities of intracellular signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$); and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, we determined the effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Results: The results revealed that LPS treatment significantly elevated TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in COCs. Exposure of COCs to LPS also resulted in a marked increase in activity of the intracellular signaling protein p-p38 MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing LPS had significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. LPS exposure significantly decreased the first polar body extrusion rate. The cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by polar body extrusion and distribution of peripheral cortical granules, was significantly impaired in LPS-treated oocytes. Moreover, LPS exposure significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and the relative mRNA abundance of the antioxidants thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2, and peroxiredoxin 1 in oocytes. Moreover, the early apoptotic rate and the release of cytochrome C were significantly increased in response to LPS. The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower in parthenogenetically activated oocytes exposed to LPS, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was significantly increased. Conclusion: Together, these results provide an underlying mechanism by which LPS impairs maturation potential in bovine oocytes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권9호
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• pp.1231-1240
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• 2021

Members of the genus Bacillus are known to play an important role in promoting plant growth and protecting plants against phytopathogenic microorganisms. In this study, 21 isolates of Bacillus spp. were obtained from the root micro-ecosystem of Suaeda glauca. Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes indicated that the isolates belong to the species Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus aryabhattai and Brevibacterium frigoritolerans. One of the interesting findings of this study is that the four strains B1, B5, B16 and B21 are dominant in rhizosphere soil. Based on gyrA, gyrB, and rpoB gene analyses, B1, B5, and B21 were identified as B. amyloliquefaciens and B16 was identified as B. velezensis. Estimation of antifungal activity showed that the isolate B1 had a significant inhibitory effect on Fusarium verticillioides, B5 and B16 on Colletotrichum capsici (syd.) Butl, and B21 on Rhizoctonia cerealis van der Hoeven. The four strains grew well in medium with 1-10% NaCl, a pH value of 5-8, and promoted the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results indicate that these strains may be promising agents for the biocontrol and promotion of plant growth and further study of the relevant bacteria will provide a useful reference for the development of microbial resources.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권11호
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• pp.1739-1748
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• 2021

Objective: In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in many species, and some of them have been shown to play important roles in muscle development and myogenesis. However, the differences in lncRNAs between Kazakh cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle remain undefined; therefore, we aimed to confirm whether lncRNAs are differentially expressed in the longissimus dorsi between these two types of cattle and whether differentially expressed lncRNAs regulate muscle differentiation. Methods: We used RNA-seq technology to identify lncRNAs in longissimus muscles from these cattle. The expression of lncRNAs were analyzed using StringTie (1.3.1) in terms of the fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads values of the encoding genes. The differential expression of the transcripts in the two samples were analyzed using the DESeq R software package. The resulting false discovery rate was controlled by the Benjamini and Hochberg's approach. KOBAS software was utilized to measure the expression of different genes in Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. We randomly selected eight lncRNA genes and validated them by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: We found that 182 lncRNA transcripts, including 102 upregulated and 80 downregulated transcripts, were differentially expressed between Kazakh cattle and Xinjiang brown cattle. The results of RT-qPCR were consistent with the sequencing results. Enrichment analysis and functional annotation of the target genes revealed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase, Ras, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k)/Akt signaling pathways. We also constructed a lncRNA/mRNA coexpression network for the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study provides insights into cattle muscle-associated lncRNAs and will contribute to a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying muscle growth and development in cattle.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권3_spc호
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• pp.417-426
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• 2021

Objective: Effects of inulin supplementation in diet of Haidong chicks under hypoxic conditions on production performance, intestinal morphologic change, microflora contents and the incidence of ascites were studied. Methods: Commercial male chicks (360) were randomly divided into 6 groups and were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg of inulin, respectively. Results: The body weight gain and feed intake were improved in chicks fed the diets supplemented with 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg of inulin, from d 1 to d 42 (p<0.05); moreover, blood parameters were positively affected when inulin was included in the diets and the thickness of the intestinal wall and muscle tissue in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum tended to increase (p<0.05), and the villi height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p<0.05). Regarding the number of goblet cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum tended to increase when chicks were fed the diets supplemented with 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg (p<0.05) of inulin. When chicks were fed diets supplemented with 0.75 or 0.1 g/kg of inulin, a significant reduction of Escherichia coli counts in the cecum was observed; for a contrary, a significant increment of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus was observed in cecum and ileum. Finally, supplementing the feed with inulin determined an overall reduction of ascites incidences in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Thus, the results observed in the present study clearly suggest that the diet supplementation with a quantity of inulin ranging between 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg, can improve growth performances, intestinal morphology, internal microbial balance and ascites incidence, in broiler chicks raised at high altitude area. Even though these findings may be of interest for the poultry industry, they may particularly be relevant in those areas characterized by high altitude such as Northwest China regions.

• 한국철학논집
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• 제43호
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• pp.55-80
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• 2014

박세당의 경학사상에 대한 평가는 '반주자학' 혹은 '탈성리학'적인 요소라는 경우와 그렇지 않다는 경우로 나누어진다. 그렇지 않다는 경우에는 박세당이 주자의 성리학을 완전히 부정하지 않았다는 주장, 박세당의 경학사상은 경학사적인 의미에서 접근해야 한다는 주장이 있다. 이 글에서는 박세당의 학문을 주자학 혹은 성리학이라는 틀을 통한 이해보다는 박세당 자신의 관점이 무엇이었으며, 그 관점에서 주자가 어떻게 이해되었는가를 밝히고자 한다. 박세당은 경문의 새로운 이해에 있어서 필요한 경우에만 주희의 주석을 비판 또는 수용하였다고 볼 수 있다. 그래서 박세당이 "사변록"을 저술하게 된 동기와 그 속에 나타나 있는 그의 경전 해석의 기본 관점을 통하여 그의 주희 이해 방식이 설명될 수 있을 것이라고 본다. 박세당은 학문에서 멀고 깊은 것은 가깝고 얕은 것을 통하여 도달할 수 있는 것이라고 보았다. 인간이 도달하기 쉽고, 헤아리거나 얻거나 알기 쉬운 것으로부터 공부를 시작해야 한다는 말이다. 그것을 버려두고 멀고 깊은 것을 탐구하게 되면 본령에서 어긋난 공부가 될 수 있다는 지적이다. 이것이 박세당의 경전 해석의 기본 관점인 '하학상달'의 방법이다. 박세당은 한당대(漢唐代)의 잘못된 학문 경향을 바로잡은 공로는 바로 정주학(程朱學)이며, 정자(程子) 주자(朱子) 두 선생에 의해 육경(六經)의 뜻이 다시 세상에 밝혀지게 되었다고 극찬하였다. 그리고 박세당은 육경의 이치는 하나지만 그것을 이해하는 길은 여러 가지이므로 주자학(朱子學)도 그 중에 하나라고 인정하였다. 물론 자신의 방법도 그 중의 하나가 될 수 있기 때문에 "사변록"을 짓게 된 것이라고 밝혔다. 이 견해와 하학상달의 방법론이 박세당 경학의 기본 입장이며, 이 관점에서 박세당은 주희의 경전 주석을 이해하였던 것이다. 그러므로 박세당은 경전에 대한 기본 입장과 하학이라는 방법론을 통하여 유교 경전을 새롭게 해석하기 위하여 필요한 경우에 주희의 주석을 비판 혹은 수용하였다고 할 수 있다.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권7호
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• pp.1193-1201
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• 2021

Objective: According to market demand, meat duck breeding mainly includes 2 breeding directions: lean Pekin duck (LPD) and fat Pekin duck (FPD). The aim of the present study was to compare carcass and meat quality traits between 2 strains, and to provide basic data for guidelines of processing and meat quality improvement. Methods: A total of 62 female Pekin ducks (32 LPDs and 30 FPDs) were slaughtered at the age of 42 days. The live body weight and carcass traits were measured and calculated. Physical properties of breast muscle were determined by texture analyzer and muscle fibers were measured by paraffin sections. The content of inosine monophosphate (IMP), intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acids composition were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, Soxhlet extraction method and automated gas chromatography respectively. Results: The results showed that the bodyweight of LPDs was higher than that of FPDs. FPDs were significantly higher than LPDs in subcutaneous fat thickness, subcutaneous fat weight, subcutaneous fat percentage, abdominal fat percentage and abdominal fat shear force (p<0.01). LPDs were significantly higher than FPDs in breast muscle thickness, breast muscle weight, breast muscle rate and breast muscle shear force (p<0.01). The muscle fiber average area and fiber diameter of LPDs were significantly higher than those of FPDs (p<0.01). The muscle fiber density of LPDs was significantly lower than that of FPDs (p<0.01). The IMF of LPDs in the breast muscle was significantly higher than that in the FPDs (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the 2 strains in IMP content (p>0.05). The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of LPDs was significantly higher than that of FPDs (p<0.01), and FPDs had higher saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Long-term breeding work resulted in vast differences between the two strains Pekin ducks. This study provides a reference for differences between LPD and FPD that manifest as a result of long-term selection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.147-157
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• 2021

Coronary microembolization (CME) is associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Puerarin confers protection against multiple cardiovascular diseases, but its effects and specific mechanisms on CME are not fully known. Hence, our study investigated whether puerarin pretreatment could alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac function following CME. The molecular mechanism associated was also explored. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into CME, CME + Puerarin (CME + Pue), sham, and sham + Puerarin (sham + Pue) groups (with 12 rats per group). A CME model was established in CME and CME + Pue groups by injecting 42 ㎛ microspheres into the left ventricle of rats. Rats in the CME + Pue and sham + Pue groups were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin at 120 mg/kg daily for 7 days before operation. Cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis index were determined via cardiac ultrasound, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) stainings, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway. We found that, puerarin significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction after CME, attenuated myocardial infarct size, and reduced myocardial apoptotic index. Besides, puerarin inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as revealed by decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway related proteins. Collectively, puerarin can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and thus attenuate myocardial injury caused by CME. Mechanistically, these effects may be achieved through activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

• 청정기술
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

팜유(palm oil)와 캐슈넛 껍질액(cashew nut shell liquid, CNSL)과 같은 식물유는 한국에서 수송용 바이오-디젤 혹은 발전용 바이오-중유의 주요 원료로서 사용되고 있다. 그러나, 이들은 탄화수소의 이중결합에 의한 높은 불포화도와 더불어 카르복실산에 기인한 높은 산소의 함량으로 인하여 연료유로서의 적용 범위에 한계가 있다. 이러한 관점에서, 본 연구는 팜유와 CNSL이 1/1 v/v%으로 이루어진 혼합 바이오오일에 포함된 불포화탄화수소를 포화시키고 산소 성분을 제거하기 위한 수소화처리 반응을 단일금속촉매(Ni과 Cu)와 이원금속촉매(Ni-Zn, Ni-Fe, Ni-Cu Ni-Co, Ni-Pd와 Ni-Pt) 들을 적용하여 완화된 반응조건(온도 250 ~ 400 ℃, 압력 5 ~ 80 bar와 LHSV 1 h-1) 하에서 수행하였다. Ni 활성성분에 대한 귀금속과 전이금속의 첨가는 수소화반응(HYD)과 탈산소반응(HDO)의 두 반응에 대한 활성을 증가시키는 시너지 효과를 보였다. 가장 활성이 뛰어난 유망한 촉매는 Ni-Cu/��-Al2O3으로서 Ni/Cu의 원소비가 9/1 ~ 1/4의 넓은 범위에서 HYD반응과 HDO반응에 대한 전환율이 각각 90 ~ 93%와 95 ~ 99%을 보였다. 이와 같이 Ni/Cu의 원소 비율이 넓은 범위에서 일정한 촉매반응활성을 보임에 따라 전형적인 구조비민감성 반응임을 알 수 있다. 그리고, 수소화처리 반응에 의해 정제된 혼합 바이오오일은 원료 혼합 바이오오일에 비해 요오드가, 산가 및 동점도가 크게 낮아졌으며, 고위발열량은 약 10% 증가되었다.