• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.521-528
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effects of surgical castration on behavior, physiological and inflammatory indicators, and leukocyte cytokine mRNA levels in Korean cattle bull calves. Methods: Nineteen Korean cattle bull calves (average body weight, 254.5 kg; average age, 8.2 months) were divided into two treatment groups: control (n = 9) and castration (n = 10). Surgical castration was performed using Newberry knives and a Henderson castrating tool. Blood was obtained just before castration (0 h) and at 0.5 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d after castration. Plasma cortisol (PC), saliva cortisol (SC), plasma substance P, and plasma haptoglobin concentrations, and the leucocyte mRNA levels of the interleukin-1-alpha (IL1A), interleukin-1-beta (IL1B), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), and interleukin-6 (IL6) genes were analyzed. Results: Castration decreased (p<0.01) the average daily gain and gain/feed ratio. Castration reduced the time spent eating (p<0.001) and the eating frequency (p<0.01) and increased (p<0.001) the lying frequency. Castration temporarily increased (p<0.05) circulating PC and SC concentrations at 0.5 h after castration. Castration temporarily increased (p<0.05) plasma substance P concentrations at 1 d after castration. Castration increased (p<0.05) plasma haptoglobin concentrations at 1 and 3 d after castration. Castration increased (p<0.05) leukocyte mRNA levels of the IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, and IL6 genes at 6 h after castration. Conclusion: Castration temporarily induced stress and expression of leucocyte inflammatory cytokine genes in Korean cattle bull calves.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.305-318
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• 2022

To minimize the effects of aging-related comorbidities and to maintain a good quality of life and physical independence for a longer period, the improvement of lifestyle and dietary habits is essential, and healthy foods can be helpful. Among them, medicinal plant such as ginseng (Panax ginseng) and bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorum) contain natural functional substances and have been used for disease treatment and prevention since ancient times. This review summarizes the scientific of these treatments basis by investigating the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic effects of major functional substances on the aging-related health effects of Panax ginseng and Platycodon grandiflorum. The main functional substances of Panax ginseng and Platycodon grandiflorum are saponins, which have a similar molecular structure and confirmed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-metabolic syndrome effects (improvement of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity). Both types of saponins in Panax ginseng (Ginseonside) and Platycodon grandiflorum (Platycoside) have very low absorption profiles in their purified state, but methods to increase absorption in the body through extraction or fermentation have been studied.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2023

Background: Due to the interrupted blood supply in cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), ischemic and hypoxia results in neuronal depolarization, insufficient NAD+, excessive levels of ROS, mitochondrial damages, and energy metabolism disorders, which triggers the ischemic cascades. Currently, improvement of mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism is as a vital therapeutic target and clinical strategy. Hence, it is greatly crucial to look for neuroprotective natural agents with mitochondria protection actions and explore the mediated targets for treating CIS. In the previous study, notoginseng leaf triterpenes (PNGL) from Panax notoginseng stems and leaves was demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the potential mechanisms have been not completely elaborate. Methods: The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) was adopted to verify the neuroprotective effects and potential pharmacology mechanisms of PNGL in vivo. Antioxidant markers were evaluated by kit detection. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by ATP content measurement, ATPase, NAD and NADH kits. And the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pathological staining (H&E and Nissl) were used to detect cerebral morphological changes and mitochondrial structural damages. Western blotting, ELISA and immunofluorescence assay were utilized to explore the mitochondrial protection effects and its related mechanisms in vivo. Results: In vivo, treatment with PNGL markedly reduced excessive oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial injury, alleviated energy metabolism dysfunction, decreased neuronal loss and apoptosis, and thus notedly raised neuronal survival under ischemia and hypoxia. Meanwhile, PNGL significantly increased the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) in the ischemic regions, and regulated its related downstream SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α pathways. Conclusion: The study finds that the mitochondrial protective effects of PNGL are associated with the NAMPT-SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α signal pathways. PNGL, as a novel candidate drug, has great application prospects for preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.282-291
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• 2023

Despite the recent progress in public health measures, malaria remains a troublesome disease that needs to be eradicated. It is essential to develop new antimalarial medications that are reliable and secure. This report evaluated the pharmacokinetics and antimalarial activity of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in vivo. After a single oral dose (75 mg /kg) of N-89, its pharmacokinetic parameters were measured, and t_1/2 was 0.97 h, T_max was 0.75 h, and bioavailability was 7.01%. A plasma concentration of 8.1 ng/ml of N-89 was maintained for 8 h but could not be detected at 10 h. The dose inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (ED₅₀) and ED₉₀ values of oral N-89 obtained following a 4-day suppressive test were 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the plasma concentration of N-89, we evaluated the antimalarial activity and cure effects of oral N-89 at a dose of 75 mg/kg 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days in mice harboring more than 0.5% parasitemia. In all the N-89-treated groups, the parasites were eliminated on day 5 post-treatment, and all mice recovered without a parasite recurrence for 30 days. Additionally, administering oral N-89 at a low dose of 50 mg/kg was sufficient to cure mice from day 6 without parasite recurrence. This work was the first to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and antimalarial activity of N-89 as an oral drug. In the future, the following steps should be focused on developing N-89 for malaria treatments; its administration schedule and metabolic pathways should be investigated.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.500-513
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• 2023

The effects of prolonged photoperiod (additional night lighting) were investigated on the production of Ocimum basilicum (lemon basil) and fish/crayfish raised in a nutrient film technique aquaponic system. Hybrid lemon fin barb and red claw crayfish juveniles were co-cultured with O. basilicum and subjected to 12 h of ambient natural daylight and additional 0, 4, 8, and 12 h of night lighting for 14 weeks (two batches of 7 weeks each). The water quality parameters and the performance characteristics of the fish/crayfish/plant were evaluated, and the nutri- ent uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in the system by the three organisms was also measured. The fish growth performance showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in all the growth parameters measured across the treatments. The body proximate and nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium (NPK) composition of the fish and crayfish were not significantly (p > 0.05) different across the treatments. Similarly, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the NPK uptake by the fish and crayfish across the treatments. The plant growth performance showed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the plant growth parameters measured, except for % plant height gained in the 12 h-light treatment (403.2 ± 26.0%) which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than other treatments and cycles. Hence, this study demonstrat- ed that varying supplementary night lighting has no significant effect on the growth performance of O. basilicum, hybrid lemon fin barb, and red claw crayfish. This study, therefore, suggests that supplementary night lighting should not be considered for O. basilicum production as it does not significantly improve the performance characteristics of the plant nor the fish co-cultured with it in a polyculture aquaponic system.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.24.1-24.13
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• 2023

Background: Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural amino acid derivative in various animal organs and is a bioactive compound recognized as a food and medicine. Objectives: This study examined the effects of EGT supplementation during the in vitro maturation (IVM) period on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Each EGT concentration (0, 10, 50, and 100 μM) was supplemented in the maturation medium during IVM. After IVM, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of oocytes were investigated. In addition, the genes related to cumulus function and antioxidant pathways in oocytes or cumulus cells were investigated. Finally, this study examined whether EGT could affect embryonic development after IVF. Results: After IVM, the EGT supplementation group showed significantly higher intracellular GSH levels and significantly lower intracellular ROS levels than the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of hyaluronan synthase 2 and Connexin 43 were significantly higher in the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. The expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) were significantly higher in the oocytes of the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. In the assessment of subsequent embryonic development after IVF, the 10 μM EGT treatment group improved the cleavage and blastocyst rate significantly than the control group. Conclusions: Supplementation of EGT improved oocyte maturation and embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress in IVM oocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.222-231
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• 2022

This study aimed to confirm the possibility of being used as a cosmetic material material through the verification of the whitening and anti-inflammatory activities of an ethyl acetate fraction from Glechoma hederacea var. longituba (GHEA). The observed electron donating and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging abilities of GHEA were 89.6% and 88.7%, respectively, at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, with a tyrosinase inhibitory effect of 22.3% at the same concentration. For cell viability, a rate of 80% or more was observed in all concentrations that treated GHEA on melanoma and macrophage cells. Protein and mRNA expression inhibition was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR for 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ ml concentrations, and it was confirmed that expression decreases in a concentration-dependent manner as GHEA concentration increases. The inhibition of the whitening-related factors MITF and TRP-2 were superior following GHEA treatment than those of the control group treated with kojic acid of 100 ㎍/ml concentration. For tyrosinase, the lowest mRNA expression rate was 29.1% at 100 ㎍/ml which confirmed excellent inhibition. In analyzing the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on protein and mRNA expression, IL-6 and TNF-α showed high protein and mRNA inhibition compared to a vitamin C control group. Based on these experimental results, GHEA could be applied as a natural cosmetic material.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2023

Sphaeranthus africanus is commonly used as a traditional remedy for sore throats and pain treatment in Vietnam. The aerial parts have been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. However, the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the plant has not been explored. In this work, hydrophilic extracts of the plant's aerial parts were prepared in order to investigate its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Also, the cytotoxicity of the root was evaluated and compared to that of the aerial parts. All of the extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.05 to 3.56 ㎍/mL, indicating substantial antioxidant activity. At an IC₅₀ value of 4.80 ㎍/mL, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent inhibition of α-glucosidase. The cytotoxic activity of root extracts is 2 to 5-fold less than that of the aerial parts. Nevertheless, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root demonstrated a selective effect on leukemia cells, with no harm towards the normal HEK-293 cell line. This work provides a scientific support for the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the plant. Hence, it may find a promising material for the development of novel antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. More research can be conducted on the phytochemistry and anticancer activities of the plant's root.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3C
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• pp.159-165
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• 2010

The problems such as natural resource exhaustion, pollutant emission and waste generation are increasing worldwide with the industrial development. The quantity of the industrial by-product in Korea is 6 million tons a year, and even its basic treatment processes including landfill, incineration and storage have reached their limits. In this study, fly ash and silica fume were applied to shotcrete to develop a method for the reuse of resources and to increase the use of fly ash, which is an industrial waste. An environmental hazard evaluation is a must to actively address the worldwide environmental problems, though. Therefore, an environmental impact assessment was conducted using the chemical content analysis test and heavy metal exudation test, for ten mixtures that were obtained through the pre-mixing and compressive strength tests. The results of the compressive strength test showed that all mixtures satisfied national and international standards. Cr, Cd and Hg were not detected, and Pb was detected only in some cases with fly ash. Cu and As were detected in all mixtures, but all of them satisfied national and international standards.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.170-170
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• 2022

Grain filling traits of rice were traced to determine the critical temperature that ceased grain filling process, from the late transplanted temperate rice varieties in the field conditions of2020 and 2021. The tested three varieties were transplanted six times with four target heading dates of 20 Aug. (control), 10 Sep., 20 Sep. and 30 Sep. Nine times of sampling were made from a week after heading with three replicates for each treatment. Development of grain filling percentage, grain dry weight and milled rice weight demonstrated sigmoid curves in the first and second transplants of 2020, and in the first to third transplants of 2021. The three grain filling traits in the 2020 third transplants and in the 2021 fourth transplants initially increased with the progress of grain development, and reached the peaks at certain time points, then decreased thereafter. Non-linear regression analyses, performed for the traits in the transplants that showed sigmoid curves except control, indicated that 95% of the final data (95% FD) was attained when the seven-day moving temperature (Sd-MovT) was 8.4-9.6℃, which excluded the cases when the temperature before the dates of 95% FD was lower than that on the dates of 95% FD. Sd-MovT on the date of peak data was 8.5-9.8℃ in the 2020 third transplants and 6.9-8.3℃ in the 2021 fourth transplants. Grain development was observed when seven-day mean temperature (Sd-MT) from 35 to 41 days after heading date was 9.4-10.8℃ in the 2020 third transplants and 10.1-11.9℃ in the 2021 fourth transplants. But Sd-MT of 8.7-9.1℃ in 2020 and 6.9-7.6℃ in 2021, at 42-48 days after heading, resulted in no progress of grain development. Overall, Sd-MovT at the point of stagnated grain development appeared in the range of 6.9-9.8℃. The lowest Sd-MT that showed the progress of grain development was 9.4-9.5℃ and the highest Sd-MT that showed no grain development was 9.1℃, both of which appeared in Odae and Haiami of the 2020 third transplants Therefore it is concluded that critical temperature for the grain development of temperate rice in natural conditions exists between 9.1℃ and 9.5℃.