• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.935-944
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• 2021

It has been suggested that bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, interferes with the endocrine system, causing reproductive dysfunction. Recently, BPA has been found in waste water due to incomplete sewage purification, possibly threatening health through its ingestion via tap water. In this study, young male mice (6 - 7 weeks old) were administered water containing BPA (50 mg·kg^-1) for four weeks, while control mice consumed water without BPA. Serum, epididymal spermatozoa and testicular sections were assessed after sacrificing the mice on day 28. No significant differences were obtained between the groups in the body, testis and seminal vesicle weights. However, the epididymal sperm motility and count levels were significantly reduced in BPA-fed mice. Significantly higher hepatotoxicity levels were also observed in mice ingesting BPA as compared to the control mice. The level of serum testosterone was reduced, and testicular sections revealed incomplete and irregular spermatogenesis in BPA-ingested mice. The sperm proteasomal-proteolytic activity level has been implicated in sperm function and is measured in motile spermatozoa using fluorometric substrates. High ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase activity levels were observed in the control mice without BPA. During a mating trial, a low pregnancy rate (71.4%) was observed in females mated with males who had consumed BPA (100% in the control mice). Overall, BPA adversely affected spermatogenesis and quality, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, concentration and serum testosterone levels, resulting in reduced fertility competence.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.451-461
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• 2023

Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment for early gastrointestinal neoplasms. However, this is a time-consuming procedure requiring various devices. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ClearCut^TM Knife H-type, which is an integrated needle-tipped and insulated-tipped (IT) knife. Materials and Methods: Between July 2020 and September 2021, 99 patients with gastric epithelial neoplasms scheduled for ESD at three tertiary care hospitals were randomly assigned to H-knife (ClearCut^TM Knife H-type) or IT-knife (conventional IT knife) groups. Procedure times, therapeutic outcomes, and adverse events were analyzed. Results: A total of 98 patients (50 in the H-knife group and 48 in the IT-knife group) were analyzed. The median total procedure time was 11.9 minutes (range, 4.4-47.2 minutes) in the H-knife group and 12.7 minutes (range, 5.2-137.7 minutes) in the IT-knife group (P=0.209). Unlike the IT-knife group, which required additional devices in all cases, no additional devices were used in the H-knife group (P<0.001). En-bloc resection was performed for all lesions in both groups. The incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between groups (4.0% in the H-knife group vs. 8.3% in the IT-knife group; P=0.431). Conclusions: The newly developed hybrid device, the ClearCut^TM Knife H-type, had comparable efficacy to the conventional IT knife for gastric ESD.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.281-285
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• 2023

Background: Dentists bend needles prior to certain injections; however, there are concerns regarding needle fracture, lumen occlusion, and sharps handling. A previous study found that a 30-gauge needle fractures after four to nine 90° bends. This fatigue life study evaluated how many 90° bends a 30-gauge dental needle will sustain before fracture when bent using a needle guide. Methods: Two operators at Element Materials Technology, an independent testing, inspection, and certification company tested 48 30-gauge needles. After applying the needle guide, the operators bent the needle to a 90° angle and expressed the anesthetic from the tip. The needle was then bent back to a 0° angle, and the functionality was tested again. This process was repeated until the anesthetic failed to pass through the end of the needle due to fracture or obstruction. Each operator tested 24 needles (12 needles from each lot), and the number of sustained bends before the needle fracture was recorded. Results: The average number of sustained bends before needle failure was 40.33 (95% confidence interval = 37.41-43.26), with a minimum of 20, median of 40, and a maximum of 54. In each trial, the lumen remained patent until the needle fractured. The difference between the operators was statistically significant (P < 0.001). No significant differences in performance between needle lots were observed (P = 0.504). Conclusion: Our results suggest that using a needle guide increases the number of sustained bends before needle fracture (P < 0.000001) than those reported in previous studies. Future studies should further evaluate the use of needle guides with other needle types across a variety of operators. Furthermore, additional opportunities lie in exploring workplace safety considerations and clinical applications of anesthetic delivery using a bent needle.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.734-740
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• 2023

The effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, body nutrient composition, and hematological parameters of juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta was investigated. The juveniles (10.9±0.3 g) were fed commercial feed for 30 days with feeding frequencies of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 meal (s)/day (n=2 tanks per treatment) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Fish were fed to satiation at each of the feeding frequencies. At the end of the feeding trial, final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate of fish fed 2 meals/day were significantly higher than those of fish fed 1 meal/day(P<0.05); however, no difference was detected among the other feeding frequencies. Daily feed intake significantly increased with increasing feeding frequency, whereas feed and protein utilization efficiencies continuously decreased with increase in the feeding frequency. Among the treatments, fish fed 1 meal/day showed the lowest value in whole-body lipid content and total protein concentration in plasma. Taken together, the optimal feeding frequency for growth performance and feed utilization efficiency in chum salmon juveniles reared in the RAS was determined to be 2 meals/day.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.766-772
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an effective anti-stress treatment. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of KRG on relieving stress in a general population using transcriptome analysis. Methods: We conducted an 8-week clinical pilot study on 90 healthy men who reported stress. The study was completed by 43 participants in the KRG group and 44 participants in the placebo group. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the KRG and placebo groups. We evaluated the stress by stress response inventory (SRI) at baseline and 8 weeks. The main outcomes were changes in the levels of neurotransmitters (NTs) and NT-related gene expression. NTs were analyzed using automated (GC) content, and levels of gene expression were measured by reads per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (RPKM). Results: The KRG group showed significantly preserved epinephrine decrease compared with placebo group at 8 weeks (changes in epinephrine, KRG vs. placebo; -1623.2 ± 46101.5 vs. -35116.3 ± 86288.2, p = 0012). Among subjects who higher SRI score, meaning stress increased compared to baseline, the KRG group showed a smaller decrease in serotonin than the placebo group (changes in serotonin, KRG vs. placebo; -2627.5 ± 5859.1 vs, -8087.4 ± 7162.4, p = 0.005) and a smaller increase in cortisol than the placebo group (changes in cortisol, KRG vs. placebo; 1912.7 ± 10097.75 vs. 8046.2 ± 8050.6 , p = 0.019) in subgroup analysis. Transcriptome findings indicated that KRG intake affects gene expression related with metabolism of choline, adrenalin, and monoamine. Conclusion: These findings suggest that KRG has beneficial effects on the amelioration of stress response in NTs, and this effect is more prominent in stressful situations. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the anti-stress effect of KRG.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2024

Purpose : This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture for each condition using information from laser acupuncture trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov from January 2013 to June 2023. Methods : We quantitatively and qualitatively analysed the results of 16 clinical trials of laser acupuncture whose research results were confirmed. A risk of bias assessment was also carried out to assess the quality of each clinical trial. Results : A meta-analysis including three clinical trials was conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of laser acupuncture and sham laser acupuncture in reducing pain and found that the laser acupuncture group had a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the sham laser acupuncture group. In addition, 11 of the 13 trials not included in the meta-analysis showed a positive effect of laser acupuncture. Conclusion : Although laser acupuncture has a long history of clinical use and a lot of research, there is still some scepticism due to the lack of a clear mechanism of action and inconsistent reports of clinical effectiveness. In addition, there is a significant lack of systematic reviews of clinical evidence for major disease specific, and ongoing research is needed to establish an objective evidence base for the clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.233-244
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to evaluate two different types of feed additive as an alternative for antibiotics on growth performance and feed cost in growing and finishing pigs. One additive is an herb extract, with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as the main component, while the other feed additive contains aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In the first experiment, 128 grower pigs were allotted to 4 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 28 days. The positive control group (PC) which is the control group supplemented with antibiotics was significantly higher (p<0.05) in growth rate (580.6 g/d) followed by the ALA group (532.0 g/d), there was no significant differences in terms of feed intake and feed efficiency. There were marginal reductions in feed costs measured as feed cost per head in ALA and HE added diet. However, the feed cost per weight gain of ALA treatment was higher than the control group (PC) supplemented with antibiotics. In the second experiment, 80 finisher pigs were allotted to 4 treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 5 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 70 days. The treatment group supplemented with an herb extract (HE) had a significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake (2,415.8 g/d) compared to the other treatment groups, but there was no significant differences in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. Feed cost per head in HE and ALA treatments were higher than PC treatment, and feed cost per weight gain of HE was higher than PC treat (p<0.05). The results from these experiments suggests that these two types of feed additives can both be used as an alternative for antibiotics without having a negative effect on the performance of the animals. And aminolevulinic acid was good in performance and production cost of grower and finisher pigs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2008

This study was conducted to identify the correlation of bacterial phytase ($Transphos^{(R)}$) to the calcium level in feed. Of all 21-week-old 720 HyLine brown laying hens, 2 birds of similar weight were placed on each individual cage. The experiment was conducted by $3{\times}2{\times}3$ factorial design with including 3 different levels of phytase (0, 300, and 1,000 DPU/kg), 2 different levels of calcium (3.5% and 4.0%), and 3 different levels of no NPP addition 0% (0.095 NPP), 0.5% (0.185% NPP), and 1.0% (0.275% NPP). The feeding trial maintained the ME level of 2,800 kcal/kg and 16% for crude protein. The diet was fed ad libitum and 17 hours of lighting was provided throughout the experimental period. Egg production seemed to increase, in the 300 DPU of bacterial phytase added group and the cracked egg tended to reduce in Transphos added group. The egg productivity between treatment groups did not show significant difference by dietary calcium level, whereas non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) was found to be low compared to NPP added groups (P<0.05). The highest mean egg weight and the highest daily egg mass were detected in 300 DPU phytase added group. Although the mean egg weight was significantly higher in treatment groups fed with 3.5% calcium containing feeds (P<0.05), daily egg mass was no among treatment groups. The mean egg weight and daily egg mass were the lowest in non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) compared to other treatment groups (P<0.05). The feed intake showed similar pattern regardless of the bacterial phytase and calcium levels in the diet. However, the treatment groups fed diets containing NPP level of 0.275% and 0.165% showed significantly higher feed intake than the group fed with 0.095% NPP (P<0.05). Although the feed conversion was not affected by calcium and NPP levels in the diet, the most improved result was obtained from 300 DPU phytase added group (P<0.05). The eggshell breaking strength and thickness increased as dietary calcium level increase the level of calcium increases in diet. The treatment groups fed diet containing 0.275% and 0.165% NPP revealed to show improvement in eggshell breaking strength and yolk color index compared to the NPP non added (0.095% NPP) treatment group. The result of the present study suggests that the appropriate level of microbial phytase is 300 DPU and at this level, tricalciumphosphate supplementation in feed can be reduced to 40% of NRC recommendation. Higher calcium level in feed fail to show synergistic effect by adding microbial phytase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1998

The possibility of using rice gruel compared to that of the cane molasses as a source of readily fermentable energy for a urea supplemented straw diet has been studied. Twelve native growing bulls of $237{\pm}8.7kg $ live weight and months old were randomly allocated to three treatments fed solely rice straw enriched with : (1) 3% urea (US), (2) 3% urea + 15% molasses (UMS) and (3) 3% urea + 30% rice gruel (UGS). The feeding trial continued for sixty days. Organic matter (OM) intake was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the UMS ( $64g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$) followed by UGS ($53g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$) and US ($49g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$). Estimated (from digestible OM intake) metabolizable energy (ME) intake were 396, 348 and $301kJ/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$ for UMS, UGS and US respectively. The maintenance (i.e., no change in live weight) ME intake calculated to be $308{\pm}7.4kJ/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$. Urinary purine derivatives excretion was nonsignificantly higher in the UMS (51.73 mmol/d), followed by UGS (42.53 mmol/d) and US (35.26 mmol/d). The estimated microbial N (MN) yield were 21.10, 14.00 and 11.60 g/d for UMS, UGS and US respectively. For each MJ increase in ME intade, MN yield increased by $1.29{\pm}0.134g$. Observed live weight changes during the experimental period were 292, 125 and -19 g/d respectively for UMS, UGS and US. It was concluded that supplementation of readily fermentable N (urea) alone was not enough to optimize the rumen function and a source of readily fermentable energy was required. Rice gruel was less effective than molasses as fermentable energy source to remove a restriction on voluntary intake and provide less amino acids of microbial origin for absorption from the small intestine, Thus more substrate for protein synthesis and gluconeogenesis were available for growth in the molasses than the rice gruel supplemented animals. However, in situation where molasses is not available or costly, rice gruel does appear to have a place as readily fermentable energy source on a urea supplemented straw diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1715-1720
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• 2005

Two promising varieties of forage sorghum viz. HD-15 and J. Sel-10 were identified for their higher forage yield (350-400 quintals per hectare) compared to traditional/existing variety, HC-136 at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. Silage of these three forage sorghum varieties viz., HD-15, J.Sel-10 and HC-136 were prepared in three concrete silos for their nutritional evaluation in sheep. Twelve adult Muzaffarnagari Ewes, divided into three equal groups of 4 each, were offered a particular variety of sorghum silage ad libitum over a period of 30 days followed by a 6 day metabolism trial and a collection of rumen liquor and blood samples. The HD-15 variety of forage sorghum silage contained higher crude protein (CP) than both the J.Sel-10 and HC-136. Average daily dry matter (DM) intake (% of live weight) differed significantly (p<0.05) in sheep that were fed the different varieties of silage, with the maximum amount in HD-15 (2.55) followed by J.Sel-10 (2.49) and HC-136 (1.84). The average apparent digestibility of all the nutrients was low in the sheep that were fed the HC-136 variety of sorghum silage when compared to both HD-15 and J.Sel-10. However, digestibility of organic matter (p<0.05) and crude protein (p<0.01) was significantly low in the HC-136 variety. The average daily nitrogen retention was-0.19, 2.15 and 0.42 g in HC-136, HD-15 and J.Sel-10, respectively which differed significantly (p<0.01). The average digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents (%) of the silage varieties were higher in HD-15 (3.14 and 55.3) than HC-136 (0.25 and 58.6) and J.Sel-10 (1.58 and 55.3) varieties. On comparing to the maintenance requirements (ICAR, 1985) for dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients, both the improved varieties (HD-15 and J.Sel-10) almost met the requirements except crude protein, which met only 73.3% of the requirement by J.Sel-10, while the HC-136 variety was unable to meet the requirements. The average rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids concentrations were comparable among the groups. However, concentrations of nitrogen metabolites were higher in the animals fed the HD-15 variety of silage. Varieties of sorghum silage also did not have any influence on the concentration of the blood metabolites. It was concluded that the HD-15 variety of sorghum silage was nutritionally superior to both J.Sel-10 and HC-136 silage.