• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

Cockroaches have been recognized as a major cause of asthma. Bla g 4 is one of the most important German cockroach allergens. The aim of this study is to investigate IgE reactivity to the recombinant Bla g 4 (rBla g 4) in the sera of allergic patients and identify linear IgE binding epitope. For protein expression, full-length Bla g 4 (EF202172) was divided into 5 overlapping peptide fragments (E1: aa 1-100, E2: aa 34-77, E3: aa 74-117, E4: aa 114-156, and E5: aa 153-182). The full-length and 5 peptide fragments of Bla g 4 was generated by PCR and over-expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The IgE binding reactivities of the full-length and peptide fragments were measured by ELISA using 32 serum samples of cockroach allergy. The sera of 8 patients (25%) reacted with rBla g 4. Four sera (100%) showed IgE-binding reactivity to full-length and peptide fragment 4, and 2 sera (50%) reacted with peptide fragment 2. One (20%) serum reacted with peptide fragment 3. The results of ELISA using overlapping recombinant fragments indicated that the epitope region was located at amino acid sequences 34-73 and 78-113, and major IgE epitope of Bla g 4 was located at amino acid sequences 118-152 of C-terminal. B-cell epitope analysis of German cockroach allergen Bla g 4 could contribute to the strategic development of more specific and potentially efficacious immunotherapy.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2004

To search a new porcine pheromonal odorants, this research for biostimulation and role of pheromone was augmented by means of "control system technologies" to offer a potentially useful and practical way to improve reproductive efficiency in livestock species. Therefore the 13 physicochemical parameters such as similarity indice (S), hydrophobicity (logP) and van der Waals molecule volume (MV) etc. of 54 steroid analogues, which are analogous of substrate molecules, 5$\alpha$-androst-16-en-3-one (P1) and 5$\alpha$-androst-16-en-3-ol (P2) of lipocalin as receptor of pig pheromones were calculated and discussed. The physicochemical properties of these steroid analogues were mainly followed by steric dissimilar of A and D ring in steroid nucleus. And we found that from correlation with S values and MV constants of molecules, the more MV constants are small, the more S values tend to approach 1. Based on this results, the S-values of 4-androsten-3,17-dione (P1-1) and 5 $\alpha$ -androstan-3-one (P2-1) were 1.0, respectively. The two compounds of them were chosen because they showed the same value each other at a side of hydrophobicity, molar refractivity and molecular volume. It is expected that the new two compounds will be able to substitute for P1 and P2, porcine pheromonal odorants.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2013

Low temperature is one of the major environmental factors that affect productivity including reduced growth and budding of vines, and changes of metabolic processes in grape (Vitis spp.). To screen the specific expression of abiotic stress-related genes against cold treatment in 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early' grapevines, expression of various defense-related genes was investigated by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Among the 67 genes analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, 17 and 16 types of cDNA were up-regulated, while 5 and 6 types were down-regulated in cold-treated 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early' grapevines, respectively. Genes encoding carotene (Cart3564 and Cart4472), chalcone isomerase (CHI), cytochrome P450 (CYP), flavonol synthase (FLS), endo-${\beta}$-glucanase precursor (Glu), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), leucine-rich repeats (LRR), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP), proline rich protein 2 (PRP2), small heat shock protein (sHSP), temperature induced lipocalin (TIL), and thaumatin-like protein (TLP) were up-regulated, while those encoding CBF like transcription factor (CBF1), chitinase-like protein (CLP), cold induced protein (CIP), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were down-regulated by low temperature treatment in both in 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early'.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Objective: To investigate molecular and functional consequences of additional exposures to iodine- or gadolinium-based contrast agents within 24 hours from the initial intravenous administration of iodine-based contrast agents through an animal study. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were equally divided into eight groups: negative control, positive control (PC) with single-dose administration of CT contrast agent, and additional administration of either CT or MR contrast agents 2, 4, or 24 hours from initial CT contrast agent injection. A 12 µL/g of iodinated contrast agent or a 0.47 µL/g of gadolinium-based contrast agent were injected into the tail vein. Serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C (Cys C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. mRNA and protein levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were evaluated. Results: Levels of serum creatinine (SCr) were significantly higher in repeated CT contrast agent injection groups than in PC (0.21 ± 0.02 mg/dL for PC; 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.03, and 0.41 ± 0.10 mg/dL for 2-, 4-, and 24-hour interval groups, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the average Cys C and MDA levels between PC and repeated CT contrast agent injection groups (Cys C, P = 0.256-0.362; MDA, P > 0.99). Additional doses of MR contrast agent did not make significant changes compared to PC in SCr (P > 0.99), Cys C (P = 0.262), and MDA (P = 0.139-0.771) levels. mRNA and protein levels of KIM-1 and NGAL were not significantly different among additional CT or MR contrast agent groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A sufficient time interval, probably more than 24 hours, between repeated contrast-enhanced CT examinations may be necessary to avoid deterioration in renal function. However, conducting contrast-enhanced MRI on the same day as contrast-enhanced CT may not induce clinically significant kidney injury.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.700-715
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic colitis is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) development in both animals and humans. Previously, we reported that a diet rich in protein (with casein as the protein source) significantly increased the risk of mouse CRC development in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the effects of different protein sources on the risk of colitis development. MATERIALS/METHODS: Balb/c mice were divided into 7 experimental groups: 20% casein (20C), 20C-dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), 40% casein-DSS (40CD), 40% whey protein-DSS (40WD), 40% soy protein-DSS (40SD), 40% white meat-DSS (40WMD), and 40% red meat-DSS (40RMD). Mice were fed an experimental diet for 4 wk and received 3% DSS in their drinking water for 6 days during the 4th wk of the experimental period. RESULTS: Compared to other groups, the 40CD group showed the most aggravated colitis with increased disease activity and inflammatory markers. In the 40RMD group, interleukin (IL)-6 levels were the highest among all the groups. The 40SD group showed conflicting effects, for example, elevated mortality and disease activity but decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels. The 40WD group showed attenuated colitis with increased IL-10 levels and decreased NO levels. The 40WMD group showed conflicting effects, including decreased NO levels and elevated fecal lipocalin-2 and IL-6 levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, at levels of 40% in the diet, casein and red meat exacerbate colitis, whereas whey protein mitigates it the most effectively.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2021

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major reason for stopping or changing anticancer therapy. Among the proposed pathomechanisms underlying CIPN, proinflammatory processes have attracted increasing attention. Here we assessed the role of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) signaling in cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: CIPN was induced by intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin 2 mg/kg for 4 consecutive days using adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. PGD2 receptor DP1 and/or DP2 antagonists were administered intrathecally and the paw withdrawal thresholds were measured using von Frey filaments. Spinal expression of DP1, DP2, hematopoietic PGD synthase (H-PGDS), and lipocalin PGD synthase (L-PGDS) proteins were analyzed by western blotting. Results: The DP1 and DP2 antagonist AMG 853 and the selective DP2 antagonist CAY10471, but not the DP1 antagonist MK0524, significantly increased the paw withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle controls (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). Western blotting analyses revealed comparable protein expression levels in DP1 and DP2 in the spinal cord. In the CIPN group the protein expression level of L-PGDS, but not of H-PGDS, was significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings presented here indicate that enhanced PGD2 signaling, via upregulation of L-PGDS in the spinal cord, contributes to mechanical allodynia via DP2 receptors in a cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain model in rats, and that a blockade of DP2 receptor activation may present a novel therapeutic target for managing CIPN.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.989-1001
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• 2023

The study evaluated the effects of dietary fiber and energy levels administered during two growing periods (d 0-28 and d 29-56) for pigs exposed to a high temperature. A total of 96 growing pigs were used in six treatments as: Two treatments in thermoneutral temperature (21℃-24℃) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, two treatments in heat stress (30℃-34℃) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, and two treatments in heat stress with dietary energy of 3,450 and the inclusion of high or low fiber. Among standard energy level treatments, heat-stressed pigs showed lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fiber in phases 1 and 2. Moreover, higher concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in feces were shown in pigs fed high fiber diets. There was a negative interaction between dietary fiber and energy for the fecal concentration of isobutyrate in phase 1 and valerate in phase 2. Pigs in heat stress treatments showed a higher rectal temperature, respiratory rate, hair cortisol, plasma zonulin, and fecal lipocalin-2. Among heat stress treatments, the overall ADG was increased in pigs fed high fiber. Pigs fed high dietary fiber showed a greater concentration of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA. High fiber treatments decreased plasma zonulin. In conclusion, the inclusion of beet pulp, soluble fiber, at the level of 4% looks necessary in pigs diet during heat stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.845-852
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• 2010

Our previous study showed that lungs infected by Pseudomonas, a gram-negative bacteria, produce prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), the two major prostanoids generated by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and that the ratio of $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ can affect the outcome of the bacterial lung infection. In this study, we sought to uncover the mechanism that determines the ratio of $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ produced in lung inflammation. When treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), primary alveolar macrophages, extracted from mouse lung, more $PGE_2$ was produced than $PGD_2$, whereas MH-S, a murine alveolar macrophage cell line, produced more $PGD_2$ than $PGE_2$ in a similar experiment. Western blot analyses showed that the kinetics of COX-2 expression in both cell types is similar and epigenetic silencing of COX-2 expression did not affect expressions of lipocalin-PGD synthase (L-PGDS) and PGE synthase (mPGES-1), major enzymes synthesizing $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ in inflammation, respectively, indicating no effect of COX-2 on expressions of the two enzymes. Expressions of L-PGDS and mPGES-1 were also similar in both cell types, suggesting no effect of the two key enzymes in determining the ratio of $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ in these cells. A single intraperitoneal injection of LPS to C57BL/6 mice induced COX-2 expression and, similar to alveolar macrophages, produced more $PGE_2$ than $PGD_2$ in the lung. These results suggest that the differential expressions of $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ in the lung reflect those in alveolar macrophages and may not be directly determined by the enzymes responsible for $PGD_2$ and $PGE_2$ synthesis.