• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.907-915
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• 2014

Alpha-lipoic acid (${\alpha}$-LA) is not only involved in energy metabolism, but is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect against hepatic oxidative stress induced by some drugs, toxins, or under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Here, we investigated the effect of ${\alpha}$-LA against liver oxidative damage in broilers exposed to aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$). Birds were randomly divided into four groups and assigned different diets: basal diet, 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in basal diet, diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, and 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, for 3 weeks. The results revealed that the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA protected against the liver function damage of broilers induced by chronic low dose of $AFB_1$ as estimated by a significant (p<0.05) change in levels of plasma total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and the activities of liver glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. The histopathological analysis also showed that liver tissues were injured in the $AFB_1$ diet, but this effect was alleviated by the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA. Additionally, $AFB_1$ induced a profound elevation of oxidative stress in birds, as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde level, a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity and a depletion of the glutathione content in the liver. All of these negative effects were inhibited by treatment with ${\alpha}$-LA. Our results suggest that the inhibition of $AFB_1$-induced excess production of lipid peroxides and the maintenance of intracellular antioxidant status may play important roles in the protective effects of ${\alpha}$-LA against $AFB_1$-induced oxidative damage in the liver.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1768-1773
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• 2016

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of variety and planting year on the nutritive values of corn fed to growing pigs. Four corn varieties examined in this experiment were planted in the same village located in Longhua County, Heibei Province, China, in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. During each year, corn was hand-harvested in early October and sun dried to about 14% moisture content. Three batches of twenty-four barrows ($33.27{\pm}4.30$, $31.88{\pm}2.93$, $34.21{\pm}3.81kg$ body wight [BW] in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively) were used and allotted to a complete block design with 4 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet. Pigs were individually placed in metabolic crates. The four experimental diets were formulated by mixing each variety of corn and vitamins and minerals, respectively. A five-day collection period followed a seven-day diet acclimation period. The results indicated that variety of corn significantly influenced the available energy content (digestible energy [DE] on dry matter basis, p<0.05; metabolizable energy (ME) on dry matter basis, p<0.05, respectively), and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter (p<0.01), dry matter (p<0.05), gross energy (p<0.05), neutral detergent fiber (p<0.01), acid detergent fiber and ether extract (p<0.05). The planting year also significantly influenced the available energy contents (DE on dry matter basis, p<0.05; ME on dry matter basis, p<0.01, respectively) and the ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (p<0.01), acid detergent fiber (p<0.01), crude protein (p<0.01), and ether extract (p<0.01). No interaction was observed between the variety and planting year in DE and ME contents in corn. In conclusion, the variety and planting year significantly influenced the available energy and nutrient digestibility of corn fed to growing pigs.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2011

Introduction: Hash functions are computer algorithms that protect information and secure transactions. In response to the NIST's "International Call for Hash Function", we developed a biological hash function using the computing capabilities of bacteria. We designed a DNA-based XOR logic gate that allows bacterial colonies arranged in a series on an agar plate to perform hash function calculations. Results and Discussion: In order to provide each colony with adequate time to process inputs and perform XOR logic, we designed and successfully demonstrated a system for time-delayed bacterial growth. Our system is based on the diffusion of ${\ss}$-lactamase, resulting in destruction of ampicillin. Our DNA-based XOR logic gate design is based on the op-position of two promoters. Our results showed that $P_{lux}$ and $P_{OmpC}$ functioned as expected individually, but $P_{lux}$ did not behave as expected in the XOR construct. Our data showed that, contrary to literature reports, the $P_{lux}$ promoter is bidirectional. In the absence of the 3OC6 inducer, the LuxR activator can bind to the $P_{lux}$ promoter and induce backwards transcription. Conclusion and Prospects: Our system of time delayed bacterial growth allows for the successive processing of a bacterial hash function, and is expected to have utility in other synthetic biology applications. While testing our DNA-based XOR logic gate, we uncovered a novel function of $P_{lux}$. In the absence of autoinducer 3OC6, LuxR binds to $P_{lux}$ and activates backwards transcription. This result advances basic research and has important implications for the widespread use of the $P_{lux}$ promoter.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Zinc finger-containing transcription factors are the largest single family of transcriptional regulators in mammals, which play an essential role in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoplastic transformation. Here we have cloned a novel KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF424, encoding a protein of 555aa. ZNF424 gene consisted of 4 exons and 3 introns, and mapped to chromosome 19p13.3. ZNF424 gene was ubiquitously expressed in human embryo tissues by Northern blot analysis. ZNF424 is conserved across species in evolution. Using a GFP-labeled ZNF424 protein, we demonstrate that ZNF424 localizes mostly in the nucleus. Transcriptional activity assays shows ZNF424 suppresses transcriptional activity of L8G5-luciferase. Overexpression of ZNF424 in HEK-293 cells inhibited the transcriptional activity of NFAT and p21, which may be silenced by siRNA. The results suggest that ZNF424 protein may act as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses NFAT and p21 pathway to mediate cellular functions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2001

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of extracts from cultured hairy roots of R. undulatum on human kidney epithelial cells. The cytotoxicity was measured by colorimetric assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB) with human kidney epithelial cell lines A498. MTT, NR and SRB quantities decreased propotionally in cultured A498 cells treated with the water or chloroform extracts of cultured hairy roots at increasing concentrations. These results suggest that extracts of cultured hairy roots are cytotoxic on human epithelial cells. The cytotoxicity of chloroform fraction was stronger than that of water fraction. The values of $MTT_{50},\;NR_{50}\;SRB_{50}$ of the extracts of chloroform fraction and those of water fraction were measured to be $289.3{\mu}g/ml,\;302.7{\mu}g/ml,\;433.8{\mu}g/ml\;and\;475.8{\mu}g/ml,\;428.3{\mu}g/ml,\;549.5{\mu}g/ml$, in A498 cell line.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.344-344
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• 2014

Transparent amorphous oxide semiconductors such as a In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO) have advantages for large area electronic devices; e.g., uniform deposition at a large area, optical transparency, a smooth surface, and large electron mobility >10 cm2/Vs, which is more than an order of magnitude larger than that of hydrogen amorphous silicon (a-Si;H).1) Thin film transistors (TFTs) that employ amorphous oxide semiconductors such as ZnO, In-Ga-Zn-O, or Hf-In-Zn-O (HIZO) are currently subject of intensive study owing to their high potential for application in flat panel displays. The device fabrication process involves a series of thin film deposition and photolithographic patterning steps. In order to minimize contamination, the substrates usually undergo a cleaning procedure using deionized water, before and after the growth of thin films by sputtering methods. The devices structure were fabricated top-contact gate TFTs using the a-IGZO films on the plastic substrates. The channel width and length were 80 and 20 um, respectively. The source and drain electrode regions were defined by photolithography and wet etching process. The electrodes consisting of Ti(15 nm)/Al(120 nm)/Ti(15nm) trilayers were deposited by direct current sputtering. The 30 nm thickness active IGZO layer deposited by rf magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The deposition condition is as follows: a rf power 200 W, a pressure of 5 mtorr, 10% of oxygen [O2/(O2+Ar)=0.1], and room temperature. A 9-nm-thick Al2O3 layer was formed as a first, third gate insulator by ALD deposition. A 290-nm-thick SS6908 organic dielectrics formed as second gate insulator by spin-coating. The schematic structure of the IGZO TFT is top gate contact geometry device structure for typical TFTs fabricated in this study. Drain current (IDS) versus drain-source voltage (VDS) output characteristics curve of a IGZO TFTs fabricated using the 3-layer gate insulator on a plastic substrate and log(IDS)-gate voltage (VG) characteristics for typical IGZO TFTs. The TFTs device has a channel width (W) of $80{\mu}m$ and a channel length (L) of $20{\mu}m$. The IDS-VDS curves showed well-defined transistor characteristics with saturation effects at VG>-10 V and VDS>-20 V for the inkjet printing IGZO device. The carrier charge mobility was determined to be 15.18 cm^2 V-1s-1 with FET threshold voltage of -3 V and on/off current ratio 10^9.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.118-128
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• 2017

The scope of this work is to determine and compare the effect of electron temperature ($T_e$) and number density ($N_e$) on the yield rate and concentration of reactive chemical species ($^{\bullet}OH$, $H_2O_2$ and $O_3$) in an argon, air and oxygen injected negative DC (0-4 kV) capillary discharge with water flow(0.1 L/min). The discharge was created between tungsten pin-to pin electrodes (${\Phi}=0.5mm$) separated by a variable distance (1-2 mm) in a quartz capillary tube (2 mm inner diameter, 4 mm outer diameter), with various gas injection rates (100-800 sccm). Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of the hydrogen Balmer lines was carried out to investigate the line shapes and intensities as functions of the discharge parameters such as the type of gas, gas injection rate and inter electrode gap distances. The intensity ratio method was used to calculate $T_e$ and Stark broadening of Balmer ${\beta}$ lines was adopted to determine $N_e$. The effects of $T_e$ and $N_e$ on the reactive chemical species formation were evaluated and presented. The enhancement in yield rate of reactive chemical species was revealed at the higher electron temperature, higher gas injection rates, higher discharge power and larger inter-electrode gap. The discharge with oxygen injection was the most effective one for increasing the reactive chemical species concentration. The formation of reactive chemical species was shown more directly related to $T_e$ than $N_e$ in a flowing water gas injected negative DC capillary discharge.

• Water for future
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.17-29
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• 1972

The persent study aims at finding out a means of prevention cool spell damages on the hilly areas. The irrigation plots of 24 hour stored water warm water way and warm water plots, cool water way are respectively established to find out water temperature and influnce on the growing rice plants. The results obtained are summed up as follows. 1. Warm water areas consisted of $5 m^2 Q=0.93 1{\ell}/sec$, V=31 cm/sec, S=1/1, 000, L=81.6m, B=5cm, h=6cm, t=4min 33sec, drops=9 areas, are constructed to help the water temperature of $14.5^{\circ}C$ rise to that of $21.6^{\circ}C$. This indicates lower temperature than $23^{\circ}C$ of critical water temperature in irrigation facilities by $1.45^{\circ}C$ and than $26.2^{\circ}C$ of balanced water temperature of Seoul arears by $4.6^{\circ}C$. But this does not give much influance on rice plant cultivation. 2. The rising of water temperature is influened according to the temperature, solar radiation but the water temperature changes according to the heat absorption of organized materials, weather and terraces. The difference of water temperature could be found in the first growing stage. 3. Through the warm water way of water rises to the temperature of $21.6^{\circ}C$ which also rises to the temperature of around $30^{\circ}C$ in the paddy field of submerged irrigation. The rice plants are comparatively free from prolonged cool damage, reproduction abstructive damage. 4. The water temperature in rice field in proportion to temperature influence of weather condition but the water temperature approaches to that of weather in the days of later growing stage and water temperature become lower than the air temperature in the fruit stage. 5. The water in the submreged field is $10^{\circ}C$ warmer than in the warm water way during the first growing stage period but the water temperature in the warm water way is warmer in the later growing stage period. The cool water of $14.5^{\circ}C$ is warmed to $30.1^{\circ}C$ and rice plants cultivation is free from other damages. 6. The 12% increased production or 570.98kg/10a is made cool water plot by rising the temperature of water from $14.5^{\circ}C$ to $21.6^{\circ}C$ making the water run through warm water way. 7. The damage inflicted by the cool water irrigation during the first growing stage period is the obstruction of peak tillering stage and the obstruction of heading the later growing stage period and the obstruction of fruiting and number of panides per fill.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2020

Most studies defined microplastic (MP) as plastic particles less than 5 mm. The ubiquity of MP is raising awareness due to its potential risk to humans and the environment. MP can cause harmful effects to humans and living organisms. This paper review aimed to provide a better understanding of the sources, pathways, and impacts of MP in the environment. MP can be classified as primary and secondary in nature. Moreover, microplastic can also be classified as based on its physical and chemical characteristics. Stormwater and wastewater are important pathways of introducing MP in large water bodies. As compared to stormwater, the concentrations of MP in wastewater were relatively lower since wastewater treatment processes can contribute to the removal of MP. In terms of polymer distribution, wastewater contains a wider array of polymer varieties than stormwater runoff. The most common types of polymer found in wastewater and stormwater runoff were polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The continuous discharge and the increasing number of MP in the environment can pose greater hazards and harmful effects on humans and other living organisms. Despite the growing number of publications in relation to MP, further studies are needed to define concrete regulations and management strategies for mitigating the detrimental effects of MP in the environment.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2006

Tissue engineering techniques require the use of a porous biodegradable/bioresorbable scaffold, which server as a three-dimensional template for initial cell attachment and subsequent tissue formation in both in vitro and in vivo. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has been investigated as a source of collagenous tissue with the potential to be used as biomaterials because of its inherent strength and biocompatibility. SIS-loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glicolide)(PLGA) scaffolds were prepared by solvent casting/particle leaching. Characterizations of SIS/PLGA scaffold were carried out by SEM, mercury porosimeter, and so on. Muscle-derived stem cells can be differentiated in culture into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and even myoblasts by the controlling the culture environment. Cellular viability and proliferation were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide(MTT) test. Osteogenic differential cells were analyzed by alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity. SIS/PLGA scaffolds were implanted into the back of athymic nude mouse to observe the effect of SIS on the osteoinduction compared with controlled PLGA scaffolds. Thin sections were cut from paraffin embedded tissues and histological sections were conducted hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Trichrome, and von Kossa. We observed that bone formatioin of SIS/PLGA hybrid scaffold as natural/synthetic scaffold was better thean that of only PLGA scaffold. It canb be explained that SIS contains various kinds of bioactive molecules for osteoinduction.