• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

An investigation was done to evaluate the effects of adding green tea probiotics, Alisma canaliculatum probiotics and fermented Kelp meal on the growth performance and immune response in sows and piglets. A total of 32 pregnant sows were assigned to 4 treatments in 8 replications with 1 sow as a replicate in this experiment from 2 months before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Three hundred nineteen (319) piglets were produced from experimental sows after parturition. The dietary treatments were CON group (without antibiotics), GTP (basal+green tea probiotics, 0.5% of the diet), ACP group (basal + Alisma canaliculatum probiotics, 0.5% of the diet) and FKM group (basal+fermented Kelp meal, 0.5% of the diet). Litter size and body weight at birth and weaning size and body weight at weanling in piglets were greater in additives group compared to CON group but no statistical differences were found (P>0.05). Diarrhea score showed a decreasing tendency with three additives groups compared to CON group. The lymphocytes in blood of sows fed ACP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to CON group (P<0.05), and the MID of GTP and FKM group were significantly lower compared to CON group (P<0.05). The serum IgG concentration in sows tended to increase with additives groups compared to CON group and the serum IgA and IgM concentration in GTP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to ACP group (P<0.05). The cortisol levels showed a decreasing tendency in additives groups without statistical differences among the groups (P>0.05). Based on these observations, it can be inferred that the GTP and FKM may have such efficacy as antibiotics in growing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2007

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the immunocastration on the growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality in boar. Total 45 piglets(Landrace×Yorkshire) were prepared from the birth and were fed the experimental diet by the time to be slaughtered at around 110 kg of body weight. The experimental groups consisted of five piglets per pen with 3 replicates in three treatment groups, non castrated(NC), surgically castrated(SC), and GnRH antagonist(GA). In SC group, all piglets aged 3-4 days after birth were castrated by the surgical method. For the immunocastration, 2ml of GnRH antagonist(Improvac, Pfizer, Australia) were subcutaneously injected into piglets twice on the 16th and 20th week after the beginning of the trial in the GA group. The immunocastration did not make any significant influences on the growth performance, as compared with the other treatments. The different castration method used in either GA or SC group pigs had similar effects on the dressing percentage and body fat content as carcass parameters. In respect of a meat quality, the meat color, pH, shearing force and cooking loss were not significantly different in all treatment groups. Testosterone concentration in serum was shown to be similar between GA and SC group at 2 weeks after the 2nd injection of GnRH antagonist. The weight of bulbourethral gland and the radius and weight of testis were significantly smaller in GA than in NC(P=0.002). All together, this study suggested that the castration by immunocastration can be an alternative method for the surgical castration without any changes in growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality shown in surgical castration group.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2010

Background: The commercially used vascular xenografts have some problems such as calcification, fibrosis and tissue degeneration that are associated with inflammatory and immunologic reactions. We compared two methods of xenograft preservation (fresh cryopreservation versus acellularized cryopreservation) of goat aorta. Material and Method: Aortic valved xenografts were harvested from adult pigs, and these were preserved using fresh cryopreservation (FC group, n=4) or acellularized crypreservation (AC group, n=4). These xenografts were implanted into adult goats. There were 2 short-term survivors (less than 100 days) and 2 long-term survivors in each group. These xenografts were explanted and they underwent microscopic examination. Result: The goats survived 31, 40, 107 and 411 days in the FC group and the other goats survived 5, 40, 363 and 636 days in the AC group. All the short-term survivors in each group expired because of rupture at the proximal anastomosis site. Marked neutrophil infiltration was observed in the FC group FC and lymphocytes were observed in the AC group. There were no differences in the occurrence of calcification, fibrosis and thrombosis among the groups. Conclusion: Some goats survived more than 100 days after the xenograft implantation irrespective of the methods of preservation. Because severe tissue degeneration developed in both groups, we think these methods are not appropriate for xenograft preservation of aorta. It was worth a preliminary trial for improving the preservation method or to modify the processing of xenografts.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2007

Purpose: Biological parameters can be quantified using dynamic PET data with compartment modeling and Nonlinear Least Square (NLS) estimation. However, the generation of parametric images using the NLS is not appropriate because of the initial value problem and excessive computation time. In irreversible model, Patlak graphical analysis (PGA) has been commonly used as an alternative to the NLS method. In PGA, however, the start time ($t^*$, time where linear phase starts) has to be determined. In this study, we suggest a new Multiple Linear Analysis for irreversible radiotracer (MLAIR) to estimate fluoride bone influx rate (Ki). Methods: $[^{18}F]Fluoride$ dynamic PET scans was acquired for 60 min in three normal mini-pigs. The plasma input curve was derived using blood sampling from the femoral artery. Tissue time-activity curves were measured by drawing region of interests (ROls) on the femur head, vertebra, and muscle. Parametric images of Ki were generated using MLAIR and PGA methods. Result: In ROI analysis, estimated Ki values using MLAIR and PGA method was slightly higher than those of NLS, but the results of MLAIR and PGA were equivalent. Patlak slopes (Ki) were changed with different $t^*$ in low uptake region. Compared with PGA, the quality of parametric image was considerably improved using new method. Conclusion: The results showed that the MLAIR was efficient and robust method for the generation of Ki parametric image from $[^{18}F]Fluoride$ PET. It will be also a good alternative to PGA for the radiotracers with irreversible three compartment model.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.180-192
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• 2007

Background: As determined from the recent investigations of discordant cardiac xenotransplantation, hyperacute rejection occurs mainly at the endothelial cells in donor microvascular systems, but this does not occur at cardiac valve leaflets or at medium-to-large caliber vessels. On the basis of this background, this study was performed to look into the biocompatibility for transplantation of a middle or large diameter xenogenic blood vessel by conducting xenogenic arterial transplantation with the carotid artery in a pig-to-goat model. Material and Method: The experimental group was composed of 10 pairs of pig-to-goat combinations. They were divided into each period of 1 week, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Four carotid artery grafts obtained through collection of the bilateral carotid arteries from two pigs were preserved at $-70^{\circ}C$ without other treatment, and then they were transplanted into the bilateral carotid arteries of two goats. Doppler ultrasonography was done on a periodic basis after transplantation to evaluate the patency of the grafted blood vessel. At the ends of a predetermined period, the grafts were explanted from the goats and they underwent gross examination. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were conducted. In addition, in order to examine the immunological rejection of the grafted xenogenic blood vessel, immunohistochemical staining was conducted with T-lymphocyte indicator and von Willebrand factor. Result: Two goats at the each one-week period and the one-year period died during the experimental period because of a reason unrelated to the experimental procedure, and the remaining 8 goats survived until the end of each experiment period. On Doppler ultrasonography, unilateral carotid artery occlusion was found in a goat, whose period was specified as 3 months, among the 8 survived goats. However, the vascular patency was maintained well and there was no graft that formed aneurysms in the other goats. On gross examination, the region of vascular anastomosis was preserved well, and calcification of the grafted blood vessel was not shown. Histologically, the endothelial cells of the graft disappeared one week after transplantation, and then there was progressive spread of the recipients' endothelial cells from the anastomotic site. The reendothelialization occurred over the whole graft at one month after transplantation. The neointimal thickening and adventitial inflammation became severe by 3 months after transplantation, but this lessened at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The rate of CD3 positive cells was very low among the infiltrated inflammatory cells. Conclusion: The fresh-frozen xenogenic artery kept its patency without being greatly influenced by xenogenic immune reaction.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.571-584
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• 2004

It is known widely that granulosa cell apoptosis leads follicular atresia and macrophages exert their effects directly and/or indirectly from the initiation to the completion of follicular atresia by phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies and secretion of various cytokines. However, the site of initiation, propagation routes and the elimination methods of apoptotic bodies, and the time and methods of penetration of macrophages into the follicles are not known completely. Using pig(Yorkshire-breed) ovary, immunohistochemical studies with TUNEL for apoptotic bodies and pig macrophage monoclonal antibody 4E9 for macrophages, and light and transmission electron microscopic observations were performed. In the pig, follicular atresia began with the granulosa cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis of theca intema cells occured at the same time. The apoptosis of granulosa cells initiated randomly within the granulosa cell layer and propagated rapidly into the whole layer. Ultrastructura1ly, apoptotic granulosa cells showed characteristic pyknotic and deformed nucleus and intracytoplasmic vesicles. Apoptotic bodies were eliminated by intact granulosa cells and macrophages. Intact granulosa cells ingested apoptotic bodies transiently, soon after they fell into the apoptosis. Finally, apoptotic bodies and degenerated oocyte were phagocytosed by macrophages. Macrophages entered the ovarian follicle at the time of initiation of granulosa cell apoptosis, and migrated with the progression of apoptosis. By elimination of theca cells, macrophages contributed the completion of follicular atresia These results will provide valuable informations on the study of the interrelation between macrophage and ovarian follicular atresia.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to find relationships of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II concentrations to litter size and lactation performance. Sixty pure-bred Landrace and Yorkshire pigs having similar farrowing weeks which had been selected from a large number of pregnant gilts and sows were divided into low- (<${\mu}$－0.5SD) and high-litter size (>${\mu}$+0.5 SD) lines under a 2 (breed)${\times}$2 (line) factorial arrange of treatments. After adjusting the litter size to nine piglets per sow at farrowing, total litter weight was measured at three weeks postpartum at weaning as an index of milk yield. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein at day (d)-90 pregnancy (Px) and at d-15 postpartum. The litter size or the number of piglets born during the present experiment and the average litter size during the entire parities up to the present one were greater in the high-line than in the low-line by 3.7 and 2.4 piglets, respectively (P<0.01); effect of the breed on litter size was not significant. Plasma IGF-II concentration at d-90 Px was greater in the high-line than in the low-line. Litter size and d-90 Px IGF-I concentration were negatively correlated in Landrace (r=－0.46; P<0.05) and tended to be negatively correlated in Yorkshire (r=－0.31; P=0.09), which resulted in a significant negative correlation between these two variables in total animals (r=－0.35; P<0.01). Litter weight at weaning was not different between the two breeds or lines. Relationships between the litter weight and IGF concentration were not consistent across the breed ${\times}$ physiological stage combinations. Results suggest that d-90 Px IGF concentrations may be indicative of the litter size at impending farrowing.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2009

(Y $\times$ L) $\times$ D-crossbred gilts and barrows weighing $80.2\pm0.2$ kg were fed a "medium-energy" (ME) or "low-energy" (LE) diet (3.2 vs 3.0 M cal DE/kg) and slaughtered at 110, 125, or 138 kg, after which physicochemical and sensory quality traits of major primal cuts of resulting carcasses were analyzed, under a 2 (sex) $\times$ 2 (diet) $\times$ 3 (slaughter weight; SW) factorial arrangement of treatments. The ADG and ADFI were greater (P<0.01) in barrows than in gilts and also in 125- and 138-kg vs 110-kg SW. Moreover, ADG and gain:feed were greater in ME vs LE (P<0.01), whereas ADFI was greater in LE vs ME (P<0.01). Backfat thickness, which increased with increasing SW (P<0.01), was not affected by sex or diet. Carcass marbling score was greater (P<0.01) in gilts and LE than in barrows and ME, respectively. Carcass quality grade, which was superior in LE vs ME, was not affected by SW, whereas the yield grade decreased abruptly between 125- and 138-kg SW primarily due to the upper limit of carcass weight imposed on the A and B grades. Physicochemical characteristics including pH, drip loss, and variables pertaining to color of belly, ham, and loin were not affected significantly by any of the treatment factors, albeit statistically significant in some cases, in terms of quality criteria. In sensory evaluation, the acceptability of fresh belly was not influenced by any of the treatment factors. Marbling score of fresh ham was greater in LE vs ME (P<0.01) and tended to increase between 110- and 125-kg SW (P=0.10); in loin, the increase of this variable between the two SW was significant (P<0.01). Following cooking, LE was superior to ME in the acceptability in belly and ham, but the effect of SW was insignificant in any of the sensory quality traits evaluated in this study in any of the three major primal cuts. In conclusion, the present results suggest that SW can be increased to up to 138 kg without compromising carcass quality and that LE has some beneficial effects on quality of the whole carcass and the major primal cuts.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of sow breeding environment on the reproduction in the first litter in a large-sized hog farm, located in Dangjin-gun, Chungnam from July 1st, 2007 to June 30th, 2008 and provide basic information to improve the sow productivity in a family farming sows. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The gestation periods were proved to be similar without significant differences between indoor and outdoor breeding grounds, The average of farrowing rate was 91.91%, and 92.54% farrowing rate of out-door ground breeding sows was slightly greater than 91.57% of group-housed sows, but there was no significance between two groups. 2. The average of total litter size and the number of born alive per litter were 9.81 and 9.02, respectively. The number of total number was 0.98 and the number of born alive per litter was 1.18 in the outdoor-ground breeding sows, which was significantly greater than group-housed sows(p<0.001). 3. The number(rate) of piglets stillborn was 0.22(2.10%) from the outdoor-ground breeding sows was significantly greater, compared with 0.33(3.53%) from group-housed sows(p<0.01). The number of piglets culled was 0.23(2.27%) and 0.26(2.77%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively and it was not significantly similar between two groups. And, the number of mummies was 0.21(2.1%) and 0.28(2.29%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively, which showed no significance. 4. The weaning number in the playground breeding sows was 9.48 and it was significantly greater than that in the group-housed sows(p<0.001). The average of weaned age was observed to be 22.91 days. The weaned age in the out-door ground breeding sows was 22.39 days, and it was significantly smaller than that in group-housed sows(p<0.001). The breeding rate for the weaning of pigs was satisfactory as 96.82%, but there was no significant difference between two groups.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 1998

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA), in which systemic temperatures of 2$0^{\circ}C$ or less are used to allow temporary cessation of the circulation, is an useful adjunct in cardiac surgery. Because man in natural circumstances is never exposed to the extreme hypothermic condition, however, one of the controversial aspects is appropriate blood gas management($\alpha$STAT versus PH-STAT) during DHCA. This study aims to compare $\alpha$STAT with PH-STAT management for control of blood gases in experimental cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) circuits with a membrane oxygenator. Fourteen young pigs were assigned to one of two strategies of gas manipulation. After a median sternotomy, CPB was established. Core cooling was initiated and continued until nasopharyngeal temperature fell below 2$0^{\circ}C$. The flow rate was set at 2,500 ml/min. Once their temperatures were below 2$0^{\circ}C$, the animals were subjected to circulatory arrest for 40mins. During cooling, blood gas was maintained according to either $\alpha$$\alpha$STAT or pH-STAT strategies. After DHCA, the body was rewarmed to normal body temperature. Arterial blood gases were measured before the onset of CPB, before cooling, before DHCA, at the point of 27$^{\circ}C$ during re-warming, on completion of re-warming. Cooling time was significantly shorter in $\alpha$-STAT than PH-STAT strategy, while there was no significant differences in rewarming time between two groups. Carbon dioxide was added between 5.5 and 3.0% in PH-STAT, while no carbon dioxide was added in $\alpha$STAT management. Amounts of oxygen administration were gradually lowered as temperature decreased. In this way, criteria of PH, PaCO, and PaO adjustments were satisfied in both $\alpha$STAT and PH-STAT management groups.