• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1112-1121
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• 2019

Objective: Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be associated with uterine impairment, embryonic resorption, ovarian dysfunction, and follicle retardation. Here, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: First, we developed an in vitro model to study the response of bovine cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) to LPS stress. After incubating germinal vesicle COCs in $10{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS, we analyzed the following three aspects: the expression levels of the LPS receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in COCs, activities of intracellular signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$); and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, we determined the effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Results: The results revealed that LPS treatment significantly elevated TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in COCs. Exposure of COCs to LPS also resulted in a marked increase in activity of the intracellular signaling protein p-p38 MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing LPS had significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. LPS exposure significantly decreased the first polar body extrusion rate. The cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by polar body extrusion and distribution of peripheral cortical granules, was significantly impaired in LPS-treated oocytes. Moreover, LPS exposure significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and the relative mRNA abundance of the antioxidants thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2, and peroxiredoxin 1 in oocytes. Moreover, the early apoptotic rate and the release of cytochrome C were significantly increased in response to LPS. The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower in parthenogenetically activated oocytes exposed to LPS, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was significantly increased. Conclusion: Together, these results provide an underlying mechanism by which LPS impairs maturation potential in bovine oocytes.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2005

The relationships among mechanical properties, rheological properties, and morphology by reactive extrusion based on commingled pckaging film wastes contains polypropylene (PP) pckaging film system [PP/polyethylene (PE)/aluminum (Al)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)] and Nylon packaging film system[Nylon/PE/linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE)] were investigated to improve the compatibility and toughness of these wastes using various compatibilizers such as ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene-graft-maleic anhydride copolymer (SEBS-g-MA), polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA), polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) , polyethylene-graft-acrylic acid (PE-g-AA) and polypropylene-graft-acrylic acid (PP-g-AA). Compared with simple melt blend system, the blends showed improvement of about $50\%$ increase in physical properties when SEBS and EVA were added. However, SEBS-g-MA thermoplastic elastomer which is highly reactive with amine terminal group of nylon, resulted in about $200\%$ increase in impact strength. This compatibilization effect resulted from the increase of interfacial adhesion and the reduction of domain size of dispersed phase in PP/Nylon blend system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1420-1430
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• 2018

Objective: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major ingredient of catechin polyphenols and is considered one of the most promising bioactive compounds in green tea because of its strong antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of EGCG in bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of EGCG on IVM of bovine oocytes. Methods: Bovine oocytes were treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$), and the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, cumulus cell expansion, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity, the early apoptosis and the developmental competence of in vitro fertilized embryos were measured. The mRNA abundances of antioxidant genes (nuclear factor erythriod-2 related factor 2 [NRF2], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) in matured bovine oocytes were also quantified. Results: Nuclear maturation which is characterized by first polar body extrusion, and cytoplasmic maturation characterized by peripheral and cortical distribution of cortical granules and homogeneous mitochondrial distribution were significantly improved in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated group compared with the control group. Adding $50{\mu}M$ EGCG to the maturation medium significantly increased the cumulus cell expansion index and upregulated the mRNA levels of cumulus cell expansion-related genes (hyaluronan synthase 2, tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6, pentraxin 3, and prostaglandin 2). Both the intracellular ROS level and the early apoptotic rate of matured oocytes were significantly decreased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG group, and the total antioxidant ability was markedly enhanced. Additionally, both the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes after in vitro fertilization than in the control oocytes. The mRNA abundance of NRF2, SOD1, CAT, and GPX4 were significantly increased in the $50{\mu}M$ EGCG-treated oocytes. Conclusion: In conclusion, $50{\mu}M$ EGCG can improve the bovine oocyte maturation, and the protective role of EGCG may be correlated with its antioxidative property.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.493-498
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• 2018

There has been widespread warming and a general increase in summer temperatures over the Korean peninsula ($0.5^{\circ}C$/10 years from 2001 to 2010). South Korea is transforming into a subtropical region, and the productivity of livestock is affected by the climatic changes. In this study, we investigated whether the summer heat waves affect the developmental competency of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), a taurine type of cattle with a small portion of indicine varieties. We collected oocytes during the summer (heat stress, HS) and autumn (non-HS condition) and examined the developmental competencies including in vitro maturation and preimplantation embryo development. No significant differences were observed between the HS and non-HS oocytes in nuclear maturation (extrusion of the polar body); however, the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly lower in the HS group than those in the non-HS group. The lower developmental competence of the HS oocytes compared to the non-HS is, in part, due to insufficient cytoplasmic maturation because of a higher production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as peri/cortical distributed mitochondria in the HS oocytes after in vitro maturation. Next, we examined the ROS and mitochondria distribution and found a significant increase in the levels of ROS in the HS oocytes and a polarized distribution (pericortical cytoplasm) of mitochondria in the HS oocytes. In summary, impaired cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes from exposure to HS affects the preimplantation embryo development by dysfunction of mitochondria. To improve reproductive performance, embryo transfer using cryopreserved embryos/oocytes is recommended in the hot summer season of South Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.78-83
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• 2012

In this study, some experimental results of the peroxide-degradation process of polypropylene(PP) in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder to produce controlled rheology polypropylene(CRPP) are presented. The peroxide was dicumyl peroxide(DCP) and the concentration of DCP was in the range 0-0.3 wt%. It was found that the rheological properties of PP change significantly during reactive extrusion. Melt flow index(MFI) increased with DCP concentration. Intrinsic viscosity decreases with increasing DCP concentration. From dynamic rheological data, number average molecular weight(Mn), weight average molecular weight(Mn) and molecular weight distribution(MWD) were calculated. Results indicated that Mw decreases and MWD becomes narrower with increasing peroxide concentration. Especially, particle size distribution of CRPP decreases with increasing DCP concentration by chemical powdering process, and anti-slip floor paint, CRPP(DCP 0.2 wt%) powder by 10phr was friction coefficient 2.15 ${\mu}$, abrasion resistance 511.18%.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.305-315
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• 2021

An intermeshing corotating twin screw extruder is mainly used for compounding polymeric materials. Twin screw extruder can adopt modular-type screw configurations, which directly controls the quality and productivity of the products. The types, shapes, and specifications of the screw and kneading elements are summarized, and the effects of screw configuration on the processabiliy of the materials are discussed. The principles of screw configuration universally applied to mass production of general-purpose resins are explained, and the guidelines of screw combination according to the roles of feeding, melt mixing, and metering zones are listed. The strategies of screw combination suitable for various cases, such as side feeding of liquid additives or inorganic fillers, reactive extrusion, devolatilization process, production of products requiring bright color and transparency, and processing of materials with low apparent specific gravity, are presented.