• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infections affect domestic dogs, cats, and various wild mammals with increasing incidence in temperate and tropical areas. More sensitive antibody detection methodologies are required to diagnose asymptomatic dirofilariasis with low worm burdens. Applying current transcriptomic technologies would be useful to discover potential diagnostic markers for D. immitis infection. A filarial homologue of the mammalian translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was initially identified by screening the assembled transcriptome of D. immitis (DiTCTP). A BLAST analysis suggested that the DiTCTP gene shared the highest similarity with TCTP from Loa loa at protein level (97%). A histidine-tagged recombinant DiTCTP protein (rDiTCTP) of 40 kDa expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) showed immunoreactivity with serum from a dog experimentally infected with heartworms. Localization studies illustrated the ubiquitous presence of rDiTCTP protein in the lateral hypodermal chords, dorsal hypodermal chord, muscle, intestine, and uterus in female adult worms. Further studies on D. immitis-derived TCTP are warranted to assess whether this filarial protein could be used for a diagnostic purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2010

The glass-ceramics made from the mixture of coal bottom ash, produced from a thermal power plant mixed with $Na_2O$ and $Li_2O$ was fabricated and their crystallization behavior was studied using a non-isothermal analyzing method. The temperature for 50% crystallization was higher than the exothermic peak temperature $T_p$ at DTA curve and the quickest crystallization temperature was much the same as $T_p$ as identified from the relationships of crystallized fraction and crystallization rate with temperature. By using Kissinger equation describing a crystallization behavior, the activation energy (262 kJ/mol), the Avrami constant (1.7) and the frequency ($5.7{\times}10^{16}/s$) for crystallization were calculated from which the nepheline crystal could be expected as showing an 1~2-dimensional surface crystallization behavior mainly with some bulk crystallization tendency at the same time. The actual observation of microstructure using SEM showed the considerable amount of surface crystals of dendrite and the bulk crystals with low fraction, so the prediction by the Kissinger equation was in accord with the crystallization behavior of glass-ceramics fabricated in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2010

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with single emissive layer structures using two fluorescent dopants were fabricated and the device was composed of ITO / NPB ($700{\AA}$) / MADN : C545T - 1.0% : DCJTB - 0.3% ($300{\AA}$) / Bphen ($300{\AA}$) / LiF ($10{\AA}$) /Al ($1,000{\AA}$). C545T and DCJTB were functioned as green fluorescent dye and red fluorescent dye under MADN as host material. Concentrations of C545T and DCJTB was changed in emissive layer of MADN. Optimized OLED device using two fluorescence dopants shows emission efficiency of 8.42 cd/A and luminescence of 3169 cd/$m^2$at 6 V with CIE color coordinate, (0.43, 0.50). Electroluminescence of optimized OLED showed two peak at 500 and 564 nm according to C545T and DCJTB. These results indicate that F$\ddot{o}$ster energy transfer energy transfer was from MADN to C545T and rather than to DCJTB continuously.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.886-894
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• 2015

Macrophages are divided into two subpopulations: classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). BCG (Bacilli Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$) activates disabled $na{\ddot{i}}ve$ macrophages to M1 macrophages, which act as inflammatory, microbicidal and tumoricidal cells through cell-cell contact and/or the release of soluble factors. Various transcription factors and signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of macrophage activation and polarization. We discovered that BCG-activated macrophages (BAM) expressed a new molecule, and we named it Novel Macrophage Activated Associated Protein 1 (NMAAP1). 1 The current study found that the overexpression of NMAAP1 in macrophages results in M1 polarization with increased expression levels of M1 genes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 12 (IL-12), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), and decreased expression of some M2 genes, such as Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), but not other M2 genes, including arginase-1 (Arg-1), Interleukin (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-${\beta}$) and found in inflammatory zone 1 (Fizz1). Moreover, NMAAP1 overexpression in the RAW264.7 cell line increased cytotoxicity against MCA207 tumor cells, which depends on increased inflammatory cytokines rather than cell-cell contact. NMAAP1 also substantially enhanced the phagocytic ability of macrophages, which implies that NMAAP1 promoted macrophage adhesive and clearance activities. Our results indicate that NMAAP1 is an essential molecule that modulates macrophages phenotype and plays an important role in macrophage tumoricidal functions.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.437-450
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• 2024

Objective: Vanin-1 (VNN1) is a pantetheinase that catalyses the hydrolysis of pantetheine to produce pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Our previous studies have shown that the VNN1 is specifically expressed in chicken liver which negatively regulated by microRNA-122. However, the functions of the VNN1 in lipid metabolism in chicken liver haven't been elucidated. Methods: First, we detected the VNN1 mRNA expression in 4-week chickens which were fasted 24 hours. Next, knocked out VNN1 via CRISPR/Cas9 system in the chicken Leghorn Male Hepatoma cell line. Detected the lipid deposition via oil red staining and analysis the content of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) after VNN1 knockout in Leghorn Male Hepatoma cell line. Then we captured various differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between VNN1-modified LMH cells and original LMH cells by RNA-seq. Results: Firstly, fasting-induced expression of VNN1. Meanwhile, we successfully used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to achieve targeted mutations of the VNN1 in the chicken LMH cell line. Moreover, the expression level of VNN1 mRNA in LMH-KO-VNN1 cells decreased compared with that in the wild-type LMH cells (p<0.0001). Compared with control, lipid deposition was decreased after knockout VNN1 via oil red staining, meanwhile, the contents of TG and LDL-C were significantly reduced, and the content of HDL-C was increased in LMH-KO-VNN1 cells. Transcriptome sequencing showed that there were 1,335 DEGs between LMH-KO-VNN1 cells and original LMH cells. Of these DEGs, 431 were upregulated, and 904 were downregulated. Gene ontology analyses of all DEGs showed that the lipid metabolism-related pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis and long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, were enriched. KEGG pathway analyses showed that "lipid metabolism pathway", "energy metabolism", and "carbohydrate metabolism" were enriched. A total of 76 DEGs were involved in these pathways, of which 29 genes were upregulated (such as cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1, ELOVL fatty acid elongase 2, and apolipoprotein A4) and 47 genes were downregulated (such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1) by VNN1 knockout in the LMH cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that VNN1 plays an important role in coordinating lipid metabolism in the chicken liver.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2024

Objective: Tibetan chickens, which have unique adaptations to extreme high-altitude environments, exhibit phenotypic and physiological characteristics that are distinct from those of lowland chickens. However, the mechanisms underlying hypoxic adaptation in the liver of chickens remain unknown. Methods: RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hypoxia adaptation in highland chickens (native Tibetan chicken [HT]) and lowland chickens (Langshan chicken [LS], Beijing You chicken [BJ], Qingyuan Partridge chicken [QY], and Chahua chicken [CH]). Results: A total of 352 co-DEGs were specifically screened between HT and four native lowland chicken breeds. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses indicated that these co-DEGs were widely involved in lipid metabolism processes, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. To further determine the relationship from the 352 co-DEGs, protein-protein interaction network was carried out and identified eight genes (ACSL1, CPT1A, ACOX1, PPARC1A, SCD, ACSBG2, ACACA, and FASN) as the potential regulating genes that are responsible for the altitude difference between the HT and other four lowland chicken breeds. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating hypoxia adaptation via lipid metabolism in Tibetan chickens and other highland animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.568-573
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effects on the oral cavity in dogs which are treated with xylazine and electroacupuncture (EA). Furthermore, this study aims to find out its effects on glucose (GLU), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) variation values, vital signs (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate) and pain responses to the noxious stimuli. Eight healthy dogs were randomly assigned to receive either xylazine or EA. Xylazine group dogs with weight of 3.6${\pm}$1.0 kg received 1.5 mg/kg of xylazine intramuscularly. EA group dogs with weight of 3.9${\pm}$1.0 kg received 1 volt (10-15 hz) for 5 minutes, and then 1-9 Volts (25-30 hz) for 60 minutes totally. The acupoints used were LI-3 (San Jian), LI-4 (He Gu) and ST-7 (Xia Guan). All dogs were examined before and 10, 25, 40, 55 and 120 minutes after administration of xylazine or EA. The mean rectal temperatures of the EA group were significantly higher than those of xylazine group after 25, 40 and 55 minutes (p < 0.05). The mean heart rates of the EA group were significantly higher than those of xylazine group after 10, 25, 40 and 55 minutes (p < 0.05). The mean respiratory rates of the EA group were significantly higher than those of xylazine group after 55 and 120 minutes (p < 0.05). The mean GLU concentration of the EA group were significantly lower than those of xylazine group after 55 and 120 minutes (p < 0.05). The sum of mean pain scores (SMPS) of the EA group were significantly higher than those of xylazine group after 10, 25 40 and 55 minutes (p < 0.05). In this study, the pain control of the EA group was shown to be better than that of the xylazine group. Also, there do not appear to be any negative physiologic effects associated with acupuncture-induced surgical analgesia. So, it was considered that these acupoints of EA analgesia might be useful for minor oral surgery in weak patients.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2005

One case of patient with urinary retention was reported in this clinical study. After the study, the results were as follows: 1. Anulesis belongs to l$\acute{o}$ng-bi(癃閉) in oriental medicine and the patient of this case belongs to chronic anulesis. 2. The patient of this case was thought as broke out anuresis by vesical nerve palsy of diabetic bladder pathy and sequela of stroke, and ischuria of long lie down 3. The patient of this case changeable process is supposed to urinary frequency, 'bi(閉)', 'l$\acute{o}$ong(癃)', urinary incontinence and urinary frequency. 4. First time of drug treatment is GAMIPHALJENG-SAN(ji$\bar{a}$-w$\grave{e}$i-b$\bar{a}$-h$\bar{e}$ng-s$\check{a}$n) by oral administration that action of alleviate a fever, water utilization and metaphase, convalescence time of drug treatment is PHALMIWANGAMI (b$\bar{a}$-w$\grave{e}$i-w$\acute{a}$n-ji$\bar{a}$-w$\grave{e}$i), YIKLUENG-TANG(yi-ling-t$\bar{a}$ng), CHUKYOO-TANG(s$\grave{u}$-ni$\grave{a}$o-t$\bar{a}$ng) that action of recreation. 5. Accupuncture treatment is s$\bar{a}$n-x$\bar{i}$ng-xuw$\acute{e}$, zw$\acute{u}$-s$\bar{a}$n-li, qi-h$\check{a}$i, gu$\bar{a}$n-yu$\acute{a}$n, zh$\bar{o}$ng-ji by mild supplementing and reducing manipulation of needle and heat accupuncture is qi-h$\check{a}$i, gu$\bar{a}$n-yu$\acute{a}$n, zh$\bar{o}$ng-ji-xu$\acute{e}$. 6. The other treatment is a sitz bath that prevent of urinary tract infection, and relieve of initial acute auresis by using of urethral catheterization.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2008

The pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim acts as a sensor for apoptotic stimuli and initiates apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. To identify novel regulators of Bim, we employed the yeast two-hybrid system and isolated the human gene encoding macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a ubiquitously expressed proinflammatory mediator that has also been implicated in cell proliferation, the cell cycle and carcinogenesis. The interaction between MIF and Bim was confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo protein interaction assays. Intriguingly, protein complexes between MIF and the three major Bim isoforms (BimEL/BimL/BimS) could be detected in HEK293 and K562 cells, especially in cells undergoing apoptosis. Moreover, exogenous expression of MIF partially inhibited Bim-induced apoptosis in HEK293 cells. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of MIF increased apoptosis in K562 cells exposed to the chemical oxidant diamide. Endogenous MIF may regulate the pro-apoptotic activity of Bim and inhibit the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2010

To improve the antifouling characteristics of polypropylene hollow fiber microporous membranes in a submerged membrane-bioreactor for wastewater treatment, the surface-modification was conducted by Ar plasma treatment. Surface hydrophilicity was assessed by water contact angle measurements. The advancing and receding water contact angles reduced after the surface modification, and hysteresis between the advancing and receding water contact angles was enlarged after Ar plasma treatment due to the increased surface roughness after surface plasma treatment. After continuous operation in a submerged membrane-bioreactor for about 55 h, the flux recovery after water cleaning and the flux ratio after fouling were improved by 20.0 and 143.0%, while the reduction of flux was reduced by 28.6% for the surface modified membrane after 1 min Ar plasma treatment, compared to those of the unmodified membrane. Morphological observations showed that the mean membrane pore size after Ar plasma treatment reduced as a result of the deposition of the etched species; after it was used in the submerged membrane-bioreactor, the further decline of the mean membrane pore size was caused by the deposition of foulants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy confirmed that proteins and polysaccharide-like substances were the main foulants in the precipitate.