• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.649-658
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• 2003

Early introducing the ducks into the paddy field involves a variety of environmental changes such as new surroundings and contact with water, so that some free-ranged ducks show behavioral and physiological changes indicative of stress or die from not adapted for new circumstances. Moreover, the free-ranged ducks was tread on the rice plant, and required a great deal of labor and time for captured the ducks after finishing the introducing. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of accustoming and imprinting of duckling on behavior patterns, body weight gain and yield of the rice plant in paddy fields. Three paddy plots were used as control (no imprinting and no contact with people), taming (imprinting and regular handling) and roughness (handling roughly and strike terror to ducks) plots. Right after introducing the ducks into the paddy field, eating and moving behaviour of taming plot ducks tended to be longer time spend than that of other treatments. However, eating and moving time tended to be longer in the control than that of other two treatments on the 2 weeks after. Flighting distance was not showed in the free-ranging period taming plot, but the control plot was significantly (P<0.05) longer than the roughness plot. The captured time of free-ranged ducks tended to be shorter in the order of taming, control and roughness plots. Body weight gains was not significant. The number of rice plants damaged by free-ranging ducks in the taming plot were significantly (P<0.05) less than that in the control plot, but the yield and yield components of the rice plant were not differ among 3 treatments. These results indicated that the imprinting or regular handling and related treatments of duckling was reducing badly damage of rice plants, captured time and labor of free-ranged ducks in paddy field, although the working behavior of ducks and yield ability of the rice plants were not affected.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.288-295
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• 2010

Metal exposure experiments using polychaete (Perinereis nuntia) as a bio-indicator of trace metals contamination were conducted to evaluate the bioaccumulation and the biomarkers responses such as metallothionein-like protein (MTLPs) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) which was simultaneously exposed to Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu). Cu and Cd concentrations in polychaete were enhanced with increasing exposure time and their concentrations of aqueous medium. Initial accumulation of Cd was higher than that of Cu. Our results showed that the bioaccumulation of Cu and Cd were prohibited, especially at higher Cu levels, suggesting the different cellular uptake mechanisms when Cu and Cd are co-exist. Net accumulation rate of Cu was declined with exposure time but it did not show any significant change for Cd. Although the highest MTLPs concentration was observed at 6 hr of exposure time, it did not show any significant change related to exposure times and metals concentrations. An increase of GST activity tended to increase as a function of exposure time and metals concentrations. And GST activities in P. nuntia have similar tendency with bioconcentration factors in high concentration of Cu (treatment group IV) at post 24 h of exposure. Our results provide new information of the bioaccumulation and biomarker responses to understand the effects of co-existing contaminants (Cu and Cd) using polychaete. Further studies are required to elucidate the bioaccumulation and biomarkers responses for various contaminants.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1990

We established an in vitro system of central serotonergic neurons by culturing dissociated rat embryonic (El4) brainstem cells to 14 days in vitro and monitored the serotonergic neuronal growth by measuring 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents in the cells with hish performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). We studied also tile effects of various drugs on the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, confirming in vivo reports. The 5-HT content (13 ng/mg protein) and 5-HT turnover rate (17 pmol/mg protein/h) at 14 days in vitro were in good agreement with those reported in the adult rat brain. The 5-HT content was more easily depleted with p-chlorophenylalanine, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor than with NSD 1015 (3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine), an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibitor. Incubation of the cultures with tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan increased the rate of serotonin formation implying that neither tryptophan hydroxylase nor AADC is saturated with its amino acid substrate in this in vitro system . The 5-HT content was depleted by reserpine. The 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were increased and decreased, respectively, by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. All the above results indicate that the biochemical properties of the central serotonergic neurons in this culture system reflect reliably those of central serotonergic neurons in vivo. We suggest that measuring 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the primary cultured dissociated brainstem-cells with HPLC-EC is useful in the study of pharmacology as well as toxicolgy of the central serotonergic neurons.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 1991

In order to evaluate a potential role of mitochondria in the mediation of toxicity of paraquat (PQ), submitochondrial particle and microsome of mouse liver were compared by oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation. With NADH in submitochondrial particle and NADPH in microsome as electron donors, PQ stimulated production of superoxide anion and $H_2O_2$ in both fractions. Under the same conditions, PQ enhanced the generation of ethylene from methional suggestiong stimulation of OH production by PQ. But these effects by PQ were somewhat lower in submitochondrial particle than in microsome. In addition, lipid peroxidation(measured as MDA production) was stimulated by PQ in both fractions. The stimulation of lipid peroxidation in both fractions seemed to occur by the same mechanism probably through perferryl ion. This was supported by the following findings: i) The lipid peroxidation in both fractions was partially inhibited by SOD and completely inhibited by DETAPAC(an iron chelator) but not by catalase or OH scavenger. ii) Addition of $ADP-Fe^{3+}$ further increased PQ-induced lipid peroxidation but decreased ethylene production from methional suggesting no correlation between OH production and lipid peroxidation. The redox-cycling of PQ in mitochondria appeared to be linked to NADH dehydrogenase, not to CoQ since all of the observed stimulations by PQ in submitochondrial particle were inhibited by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate(a NADH dehydrogenase inhibitor) but not affected by other respiratory chain blockers. The above results demonstrate that redox-cycling properties of PQ leading to oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation can also occur in mitochondria in the same manner as in microsome. Therefore, the observed actions of PQ in mitochondria suggest that mitochondria may also contribute to toxicity of this drug in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.235-241
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• 2003

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the characteristics of algae-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) was examined by comparing the biodegradability and DOM fraction distribution of algal DOM before and after UV exposure. Algal DOM from two axenic cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria agardhii were irradiated for 24 h at a UV intensity of 42 W/$m^2$. A complete degradation of algal DOM during the UV exposure did not occur, remaining at constant concentrations of dissolved organic carbon(DOC). After UV exposure, however, microbial degradations were reduced by 17% in M. aeruginosa and 53% in O. agardhii, respectively, and decomposition rates also were two times lower in UV exposed algal DOM. In addition, the chemical compositions of algal DOM altered substantially after UV radiation exposure. The proportions of hydrophilic bases (HiB; protein-like DOM) decreased considerably in both algal DOM sources after UV exposure (16.8% and 20.0% of DOM, respectively), whereas those of hydrophilic acids (HiA; carboxylic acids-like DOM) increased as much as the decrease of the HiB fraction. Capillary ion electrophoresis (CE) analysis showed that several carboxylic acids increased significantly after UV exposure, further confirming an increase in HiA fractions. The results of this study clearly indicate that algal DOM can be changed in its chemical composition as well as biodegradability without complete degradation by UV radiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6627-6632
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• 2015

Background: We conducted a study exploring the clinical safety and efficacy of decitabine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), combined with a complex karyotype. Materials and Methods: From April 2009 to September 2013, a total of 35 patients with AML/MDS combined with a complex karyotype diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included for retrospective analysis. All patients were treated with decitabine alone ($20mg/m^2$ daily for 5 days) or combination AAG chemotherapy (Acla 20mg qod*4d, Ara-C $10mg/m^2$ q12h*7d, G-CSF $300{\mu}g$ qd, the dose of G-CSF adjusted to the amount in blood routinely). Results: In 35 patients, 15 exhibited a complete response (CR), and 6 a partial response (PR), the overall response rate (CR+PR) being 60% (21 of 35). Median disease-free survival was 18 months and overall survival was 14 months. In the 15 MDS patients with a complex karyotype, the CR rate was 53.3% (8 of 15); in 20 AML patients with complex karyotype, the overall response rate was 65% (13 of 20). The response rate of decitabine alone (22 cases) was 56.5% (13 of 22), while in the combination chemotherapy group (13 cases), the effective rate was 61.5% (8 of 13)(P>0.05). There are 15 patients with chromosome 7 aberration, after treatment with decitabine, 7 CR, 3 PR, overall response rate was 66.7% (10 of 15). Of 18 patients with 3 to 5 kinds of chromosomal abnormalities, 66.7% demonstrated a response; of 17 with more than 5 chromosomal abnormalities, 52.9% had a response. In the total of 35 patients, with one course (23 patients) and ${\geq}$two courses (12 patients), the overall response rate was 40.9% and 92.3% (P<0.05). Grade III to IV hematological toxicity was observed in 27 cases (75%). Grade III to IV infections were clinically documented in 7 (20%). Grades I to II non-hematological toxicity were infections (18 patients), haematuria (2 patients), and bleeding (3 patients). With follow-up until September 2013, 7 patients were surviving, 18 had died and 10 were lost to follow-up. In the 6 cases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) all were still relapse-free survivors. Conclusions: Decitabine alone or combination with AAG can improve outcome of AML/MDS with a complex karyotype, there being no significant difference decitabine in inducing remission rates in patients with different karyotype. Increasing the number of courses can improve efficiency. This approach with fewer treatment side effects in patients with a better tolerance should be employed in order to create an improved subsequent chance for HSCT.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2009

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of surfactin in combination with Bacillus subtilis BC1212 isolated from Korean soybean paste, on feed utilization and growth performance during 4 weeks in weaning piglets. Eighteen weaning piglets(Landrace$\times$Yorkshire$\times$Duroc; weighing $7.68{\pm}0.97\;kg$) were divided into control(n=9) and experimental groups(n=9). The treatments included a control group consisting of the basal diet with no additives(control) and an experimental group consisting of the basal diet supplemented with 1 g of surfactin C and $1.0{\times}10^9CFU$ of Bacillus subtilis BC1212/kg feed. Piglets fed Bacillus subtilis BC1212 increased in average daily weight gain and feed efficiency. In comparison with the control group, the fecal Bacillus subtilis were significantly increased and the fecal coliform bacteria were markedly reduced in the experimental group. In addition, Bacillus subtilis BC1212 had excellent acid and bile tolerance. The treatment of surfactin($50{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated swine peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) for 6 h showed a significant inhibitory effect on INF-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ and NO secretion(p<0.05) in comparison with LPS treatment alone but not on IL-10 secretion, with levels of secreted IL-10 similar to those secreted by PBMCs stimulated with LPS alone. Supplementation with surfactin in combination with Bacillus subtilis BC1212 in diets improved the ecosystem of gastrointestinal tract by increasing probiotic population and enhanced the systemic immune response in weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.527-539
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effect of probiotics as an alternative for antibiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, noxious gas emission and fecal microbial population in growing piglets. A total of 96 piglets ($22.5{\pm}1.3$kg average body weight) were allotted to 3 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 piglets per replicate in randomized complete block design. Treatments were T1) (Control, basal diet+0.2% antibiotics), T2) 0.2% probiotics complex and T3) 0.3% Bacillus probiotics. During the whole experiment period, there were no differences (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency. However, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen free extract and crude ash were showed higher in probiotics groups (T2 and T3) than those of control. In noxious gas emission, ammonia, amine, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in T2 and T3 treatments compared to those in control. Moisture content of feces was not significantly different among treatments. The colony forming units (CFU) of total bacteria, E. coli and thermoduric bacteria in feces were significantly different among treatments. The CFU of total bacteria, E. coli and thermoduric bacteria in T3 treatment were reduced by feeding probiotics B. From this study, we suggest that probiotics A and B are likely able to improve the growth performance and nutrients digestibility, reduce noxious gas emission and change the fecal microbial composition in growing piglets.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2009

The compost leachate was dark-colored solution that leaches out of the bottom of the compost pile. The compost leachate was rich in nutrients and can potentially used in plant culture. In the organic production, commercial liquid fertilizer was used to insure the availability of nutrients during the formation of the yield. The cost of supplemental liquid fertilizer could be reduced by developing a fertilizer based on animal fertilizer. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different combination of compost leachate and conventional inorganic solution in hydroponic culture for lettuce growth. Six different treatments were applied. The compost leachate(CL) and nutrient solution(NS) were mixed by six different mixing ratios of 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40%, 80:20 and 100%:0% based on nitrogen content. The chemical nutrient solution was the solution of National Horticulture Research Station for the growth of leaf lettuce. The concentration of nutrient solution was adjusted 1.5 mS/cm in EC. The compost leachate was low in phosphorus(P), calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), but rich in potassium(K). The plant height of lettuce treated with CL 20+NS 80% was similar with 100% NS of control plot. Plant height was highest in the plot of CL 20+NS 80%. The treatment of 100% compost leachate was lowest in the growth characteristics of leaf lettuce. Number of leaf was very low in 100% compost leachate compared with plot of chemical nutrient solution. In the beginning of growth stage, SPAD value was reduced in plot treated with CL100%, but CL20+NS80% plot was higher compared to 100% compost leachate. SPAD value of leaf lettuce leaves was decreased as the amount of CL was increased. The dry weight of lettuce were 107.4, 104.2g in plot of NS 100% and CL 20%+NS80%, respectively. The leaf number and plant weight were decreased at high application plots of compost leachate. The leaf lettuce showed lowest in the plot treated with 100% compost leachate, and the growth of lettuce severely decreased after application of 100% CL treatment. The results showed that compost leachate can be use as liquid fertilizer for the organic hydroponic production. The mixture solution of 20% of compost leachate and 80% of nutrient solution could be used as a nutrition solution in hydroponic culture of leaf lettuce. Our studies have shown that is possible to produce using compost leachate, although growth is slower than when using a conventional inorganic hydroponic solution.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2009

This study, tasting 14 months, was conducted to investigate the effects of different pen size and group size on growing-fattening characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Forty-eight, 12-month-old Hanwoo steers($305.8{\pm}32.2\;kg$) were randomly assigned to three groups($35.28\;m^2$; n=4 heads, $70.56\;m^2$; n=8 heads, $105.84\;m^2$; n=12 heads) and reared in separate pens with a constant space allowance of $8.82m^2$ per head from 12 to 21 month of age and then regrouped to 4 heads per pen. A common diet including concentrate(limited) and forage(ad lib) was provided to all the animals. Images of live animal ultrasonic back fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and Marbling score were evaluated in three months interval from 12 months of age using an ultrasound equipment(HS-2000) at the 13th rib and lumber vertebra interface of left side. Significant differences of ADG was found mainly at $15{\sim}18$ month and $18{\sim}21$ month fattening stages(p<0.05). Marbling score(MS) was higher(p<0.05) in 12 heads group when compared with that of 4 and 8 heads groups after 18 months. Animals in 12 heads group had the lowest Average daily gain(ADG) but showed the highest longissimus muscle area(LMA) and marbling score(MS). In addition, Hanwoo steers in 12 heads group obtained a higher quality appearance(HQA) of 82.7% than that of other treatments. The results indicated that Hanwoo steers housed on large group size and pen size decreased their ADG but improved meat quality.