• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the level of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) in whole and skim milk samples, and its suitability for early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Methods: A two-step sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system for estimation of milk PAG was developed and validated, which employed caprine-PAG specific polyclonal antisera. Whole and skim milk samples (n = 210 each) from fifteen multiparous goats were collected on alternate days from d 10 to d 30, and thereafter weekly till d 51 post-mating. PAG levels in milk samples were estimated by ELISA and the pregnancies were confirmed at d40 post-mating by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Results: The level of PAG in whole and skim milk samples of both pregnant and nonpregnant goats remained below the threshold values until d 24 after mating. Thereafter, PAG concentration in whole and skim milk increased steadily in pregnant goats, whereas it continued below the threshold in non-pregnant does. The PAG profiles in whole and skim milk of pregnant goats were almost similar and exhibited strong positive relationship (r = 0.891; p<0.001). Day 26 post-mating was identified as the first time-point for significantly (p<0.05) higher milk PAG concentration in pregnant goats than to non-pregnant goats. When compared to TRUS examination for pregnancy diagnosis, the accuracy and specificity of PAG ELISA using whole and skim milk samples were 94.5% and 95.4%; and 95.3% and 100%, respectively. The high values of area-under-curve (0.904 [whole milk] and 0.922 [skim milk]), demonstrate outstanding discrimination ability of the milk assays. Among the sampling dates chosen, d 37 post-mating was identified as the best suitable time point for collection of milk samples to detect pregnancy in goats. Conclusion: The PAG concentration in whole and skim milk of goats collected between days 26 and 51 post-breeding can be used for the accurate prediction of pregnancy and may be useful for assisting management decisions in goat flocks.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes-related neuropathic pain frequently occurs, and the underpinning mechanism remains elusive. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) exhibits descending inhibitory effects on central pain transmission. The current work aimed to examine whether inflammatory cytokines regulate mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by diabetes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the PAG. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered intraperitoneally to mimic allodynia and hyperalgesia evoked by diabetes in rats. Behavioral assays were carried out for determining mechanical pain and thermal hypersensitivity. Immunoblot and ELISA were performed to examine PAG protein amounts of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as their corresponding receptors in STZ rats, and the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR signaling effectors. Results: Increased PAG p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR protein amounts were observed in STZ-induced animals, a PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in the PAG attenuated neuropathic pain responses. Moreover, the PAG concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and their receptors (namely, IL-1R, IL-6R, and tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR] subtype TNFR1, respectively) were increased in the STZ rats. Additionally, inhibiting IL-1R, IL-6R, and TNFR1 ameliorated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in STZ rats, alongside the downregulation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Conclusions: Overall, the current study suggests that upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the PAG activate PI3K-mTOR signaling, thereby producing a de-inhibition effect on descending pathways in modulating pain transmission, and eventually contributing to neuropathic pain.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.271-276
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• 2008

The oil trap in oil separator is one of the most important characteristics for normal operation of compressor. In this study, oil separation characteristics has been investigated for $CO_2$/PAG mixture using a gravity type of oil separator. The experimental study has been carried out in the range of oil concentration 0 to 5 weight-percent and the mixture temperature range of $0^{\circ}C$ to $15^{\circ}C$. The results obtained indicate that oil separation ratio in oil separator is increased with an increase in the oil concentration and mixture temperature.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2001

Bacillus anthracis is a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. The anthrax toxin contains three components, including the protective antigen (PA), which binds to eucaryotic cell surface receptors and mediates the transport of toxins into the cell. In this study, the entire 2,294-nucleotide protective antigen gene (pag) was sequenced from 4 of B. anthracis strains to identify potential variation in the toxin and to further our understanding of B. anthracis evolution in Korea. Sequence alignment of the entire PA gene from 30 strains representative of the four B. anthracis diversity groups revealed mutations. The mutation of B. anthracis BAK are located adjacent to a highly antigenic region crossing the junction between PA domains 3 and 4 shown to be critical to LF binding. The different mutational combinations observed in this study give rise to 11 PA genotypes and 4PA phenotypes. Three-dimensional analysis of all the amino acid changes (Ala to Val) observed in BAK indicated that these changes are not only close sequentially but also very close in three-dimensional space to the antigenic region importan tfor LF binding. Phylogenetic (cladistic) analysis of the pag corresponded with previous strain grouping based on chromosomal variation, suggesting that plasmid evolution in B. anthracis has occurred with little or no horizontal transfer between the different strains.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electroacupuncture according to acupoints combination on NOS positive neurons in the PAG and Hippocampus of Rat with adjuvant induced Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental group were divided into 6 group ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$, and NA. Normal group was injected with normal saline and not treated electroacupuncture. Control group was injected with FCA and not treated electroacupuncture. ST36 group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$. $SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $SP_9$. $ST_{36}+SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}+SP_9$. NA group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at non acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NOS-positive neurons in PAG and hippocampus by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the NA group were significantly decreased in the CA2-3. 2. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and CA2-3. 3. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and DG 4. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36+SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG, CA1 and DG. Conclusions : It is expected that low frequency electroacupuncture can be used a treatment of rheumatoid arthritic pain and that treatment of electroacupuncture at combined acupoints is more efficient than treatment of low frequency electroacupuncture at one acupoint.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.10-10
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• 2007

• The Magazine of the Society of Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.61-65
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• 2009

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2008

The present study is directed at flow and heat transfer of $CO_2$ and oil mixtures in a circular tube. PAG and POE oils are considered in this study. Flow characteristics of $CO_2$ and oil mixtures have been investigated by flow visualization. Pressure drop has been measured in the range of operating mass flow rate from 0.1 to 0.4 kg/min in a circular tube. Heat transfer characteristics of $CO_2$/oil mixtures have been investigated using a counterflow heat exchanger. In case of pure liquid $CO_2$ as well as $CO_2$ and POE mixtures, flow are seen to be uniform so that $CO_2$ and POE oil are still miscible even at flowing state. However, it is found that $CO_2$ and PAG are not miscible. Pressure drop of $CO_2$/PAG mixtures are much higher than that of $CO_2$/POE mixtures as well as pure $CO_2$ at a fixed mass flow rate. As the concentration of POE oil is increased from 0 to 5 wt%, pressure drop is increased. However, heat transfer rate and heat transfer coefficient of $CO_2$/POE mixtures are much higher than that of $CO_2$/PAG mixtures. The f-factor correlation and Nusselt number correlation for $CO_2$/POE oil mixtures are suggested in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2007

An experimental apparatus was constructed to obtain vapor-liquid equilibrium data for $CO_2/oil$ mixtures using mass analysis method with sample cylinder. Lubricants employed were POE (poly-ol ester) and PAG (poly alkylene glycol). The phase equilibria of $CO_2/oil$ mixtures prevailed in an equilibrium cell were observed through a couple of sight glasses at the opposite ends. Data were obtained over the temperatures $-10^{\circ}C,\;-5^{\circ}C,\;0^{\circ}C,\;5^{\circ}C,\;10^{\circ}C,\;25^{\circ}C,\;40^{\circ}C,\;60^{\circ}C,\;and\;80^{\circ}C$ under pressures up to 14 MPa and then mole fractions were calculated, respectively In general, more solubility of $CO_2$ is observed in POE than in PAG. Miscibility gap is closed for $CO_2/POE$ mixture but not for $CO_2/PAG$.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

The oil separation in an oil separator is one of the most important characteristics for proper compressor operation. In this study, a gravity type of oil separator is used. Oil separation characteristics has been investigated for $CO_2$/PAG mixture in the range of oil concentration 0 to 5 weight-percent and the mixture temperature range of $5^{\circ}C$ to $15^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$ to $90^{\circ}C$. The results obtained indicate that the oil separation is increased with an increase in the oil concentration. It is also found that the oil separation in liquid state is increased with an increase in the mixture temperature while the oil separation in gas state is decreased.