• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2005

Bisphenol A (SPA), a environmental endocrine disruptor, is considered to bind to estrogen receptors and to regulate the expressions of estrogen responsive genes. This study was to evaluate the effect of SPA administration on body weight, sex ratio and litter size on 18 days in prenatal periods, the effect of reproductive organ weight and blood hematological values on 24 days postpartum in pregnant mice. The female mice was administrated to low doses of SPA (0, 0.05, 0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg B.W.) by intraperitoneal injection in gestation days $0\~15$ with 5 times at 3 days interval. The maternal body weight, litter size and sex ratios were similar to in all experimental groups, but body weights of male and female offspring was significantly lower in 5.0mg SPA group when compared to any other groups (P<0.05). No treatment-related effects on body weight, ovary weight and blood hematological values were observed in dams on 24 days after delivery. The uterine weight in 5.0mg SPA group was slightly higher than those of any other groups, but not significantly difference. The histological evaluation of ovary in dam mice on 24 days after dilivery was not difference in all experimental groups, but the endometriosis of uterus in dam mice were significantly increased in 0.5mg SPA group when compared to control group. These results indicates that low concentration of SPA should not be considered as a selective reproductive toxicant.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.843-850
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• 2015

The1hepatic cell death induced by acetaminophen (APAP) is closely related to cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, which is mainly caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of low energy status. AMPK regulates metabolic homeostasis by stimulating catabolic metabolism and suppressing anabolic pathways to increase cellular energy levels. We found that the decrease in active phosphorylation of AMPK in response to APAP correlates with decreased ATP levels, in vivo. Therefore, we hypothesized that the enhanced production of ATP via AMPK stimulation can lead to amelioration of APAP-induced liver failure. A769662, an allosteric activator of AMPK, produced a strong synergistic effect on AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation with APAP in primary hepatocytes and liver tissue. Interestingly, activation of AMPK by A769662 ameliorated the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6N mice treated with APAP at a dose of 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally. However, mice treated with APAP alone developed massive centrilobular necrosis, and APAP increased their serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Furthermore, A769662 administration prevented the loss of intracellular ATP without interfering with the APAP-mediated reduction of mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, inhibition of glycolysis by 2-deoxy-glucose eliminated the beneficial effects of A769662 on APAP-mediated liver injury. In conclusion, A769662 can effectively protect mice against APAP-induced liver injury through ATP synthesis by anaerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, stimulation of AMPK may have potential therapeutic application for APAP overdose.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.113-125
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• 2023

In this study, we explored the synergistic effects of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and soybean protein components after fermentation with lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi, and identified several peptides with desirable physiological functions, proteolysis, and immune effects. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, followed by cross-validation of the four antioxidant activities. These assays revealed that samples with a 8:2 and 9:1 whey to soy ratio possessed higher antioxidant activity than the control samples. Antibacterial potency testing revealed high antibacterial activity in the 9:1 and 8:2 samples. Cytotoxicity testing of samples using 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide revealed that only the 10:0, 1:9, and 0:10 samples had <80% viable cells, indicating no significant cytotoxicity. Nitric oxide (NO) assays revealed that NO expression was reduced in 8:2, 5:5, and 0:10 protein ratio fermentations, indicating low inflammatory reaction stimulatory potential. Cytokine expression was confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The 8:2 sample had the lowest inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) levels compared with the lipopolysaccharide-treated group. Amino acid profiling of the 8:2 sample identified 17 amino acids. These results suggest that inoculating and fermenting Lactobacillus plantarum DK203 and Lactobacillus paracasei DK209 with an 8:2 mixture of WPC and soybean protein releases bioactive peptides with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them suitable for functional food development.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.715-725
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• 2023

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic environments is a growing concern worldwide. This study investigated the abundance, types, and attributes of MPs in the surface water at two industrial sites (Avoimitro Ghat and Kalurghat) along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Sampling was conducted over eight months across three transects encompassing a total area of 500 m at each site. A manta net of 200 ㎛ mesh size was used to sample MPs. The obtained samples were subsequently filtered, enumerated, and characterized using a stereo microscope and imaging software. The mean abundance of MP particles (per km² ) was found higher in Avoimitro Ghat (94,861 ± 57,126) than in Kalurghat (31,343 ± 23,183). A significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the mean abundance of MP particles between the wet and dry seasons. The fragment group of MP exhibited the most abundant category, whereas the pellet category displayed the lowest. MPs with an elongated shape prevailed at both locations throughout all seasons. At Avoimitro Ghat, blue-colored MPs demonstrated the highest mean count, while in Kalurghat, the highest mean count belonged to brown-colored MPs. The size distribution of MPs differed between the two sites, with 1-2 mm MPs being plentiful in both seasons and Avoimitro Ghat, whereas MPs ranging from 500 ㎛ to less than 1 mm were abundant in Kalurghat. Ten (10) polymer types were found from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis with high levels of polypropylene atactic in both Avoimitro Ghat (32%) and Kalurghat (17%). The findings provide important insights into MP pollution in the Karnaphuli River, which may aid in developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of MP pollution on the aquatic ecosystem and human health.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.479-489
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• 2023

Livestock production depends on the utilization of nutrients, and when this is accomplished, there is accelerated momentum toward growth with a low cost-to-feed ratio. Public concern over the consumption of pork with antibiotic residues in animals fed antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has paved the way for using other natural additives to antibiotics, such as herbs and their products, probiotics, prebiotics, etc. Numerous feed additives are trending to achieve this goal, and a classic example is vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals represent a relatively small percentage of the diet, but they are critical to animal health, well-being, and performance; both play a well-defined role in metabolism, and their requirements can vary depending on the physiological stage of the animals. At the same time, the absence of these vitamins and minerals in animal feed can impair the growth and development of muscles and bones. Most commercial feeds contain vitamins and trace minerals that meet nutrient requirements recommended by National Research Council and animal feeding standards. However, the potential variability and bioavailability of vitamins and trace elements in animal feeds remain controversial because daily feed intake varies, and vitamins are degraded by transportation, storage, and processing. Accordingly, the requirement for vitamins and minerals may need to be adjusted to reflect increased production levels, yet the information presented on this topic is still limited. Therefore, this review focuses on the role and function of different sources of minerals, the mode of action, the general need for micro and macro minerals in non-ruminant diets, and how they improve animal performance.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2004

This study is illustrated that 1) the effects of DEHP administration on body weight, sex ratio and litter size on 19 days in the prenatal period 2) the effects of reproductive organ weight and blood hematological values on 25 days postpartum in pregnant mice. DEHP was administrated to pregnant mice by intraperitoneal injection at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg/kg B.W from day 1 to day 16 in the gestation period with 5 times at 3 days interval. There were no significantly differences in the material body weight, litter size and sex ratio on 19 days in the prenatal period. The body weight of the fatal male mice was slightly lower in 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP groups than in any other groups. The reproductive organ weight and hematological values in dam mice on 25 days postpartum were not affected by DEHP administration. The histological evaluation of ovary in dam mice on 25 days after dilivery was not different in all experimental groups, but the endometriosis and edema of uterus in dam mice were significantly decreased in 0.5mg DEHP group than that of control group.These results indicate that the administration of low concentration of DEHP was not affected on reproductive characteristic and blood hematological values in pregnant mice.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on egg production and egg quality in laying hens. A total of 114 (30-wk age) ISA brown commercial hens were used in current trial for 28 days. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) 0.05 (basal diet + ALA 0.05%), 3) 0.1 (basal diet + ALA 0.1%) and 4) 0.2 (basal diet + ALA 0.2%). There were four dietary treatments with four replication per treatment and twelve laying hens per replication. During the overall period, egg production was quadratically affected (P=0.01) by ALA supplementation compared with control treatment. Egg weight increased (linear effect, P=0.01; quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. Yolk color was increased quadratically (P=0.03). The difference of hemoglobin concentration was increased (quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. In conclusion, the results of the experiment suggest that dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid could affect egg weight, yolk color and hemoglobin concentration in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.574-579
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• 2014

A lysozyme gene from breast of Tibetan sheep was successfully expressed by secretion using a-factor signal sequence in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris GS115. An expression yield and specific activity greater than 500 mg/L and 4,000 U/mg was obtained. Results at optimal pH and temperature showed recombinant lysozyme has higher lytic activity at pH 6.5 and $45^{\circ}C$. This study demonstrates the successful expression of recombinant lysozyme using the eukaryotic host organism P. pastoris paving the way for protein engineering. Additionally, this study shows the feasibility of subsequent industrial manufacture of the enzyme with this expression system together with a high purity scheme for easy high-yield purification.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2010

During a last decade, there have been considerable reports of novel thread-like structures (NTSs) in animals. The NTSs are thought to be a part of the Bonghan Ducts (BHD) system, which is described as a newly-discovered circulatory system. Networks of BHD system are completely different from blood vessels or lymphatic system in animal. To demonstrate intravascular NTSs, it is necessary to develop the effective method to observe the NTSs morphology. We considered several methods to study morphologically with NTSs. There are not explaining such structure in the current knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But we found very effective and easy method to study NTSs and BHD by agar-mediated embedding method.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2013

An 11-year-old poodle bitch was presented for investigation of multicentric mammary masses. Abdominal sonography and radiography demonstrated abnormal enlargement of uterus and ovaries. Blood analysis revealed high progesterone concentration. The ovariohysterectomy and mastectomy were performed. Histopathologically, the mammary masses revealed complex carcinoma-tubulopapillary carcinoma with papillary pattern and tubule pattern. In the uterus, cystic endometrial hyperplasia was observed. Scattered inflammatory cells were observed in the endometrial stroma and mucinous material was protruded from endometrial surface. Also, in the ovaries, bilateral ovary granulosa cell tumor was detected. The bitch made a complete recovery following the ovariohysterectomy and mastectomy. This case was a very rare multiple tumor occurrence with bilateral ovary granulosa cell tumor and mammary complex carcinoma. High progesterone concentration was characterized clinically in the bitch.