• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2010

The effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on the weight of small intestine and the expression of nutrient transporter mRNA in the small intestine of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were investigated. One hundred and eight sevenday-old birds were randomly divided into two equal groups comprising a control group (CTRL) and an experimental group (CORT). CTRL birds were fed a basal diet and the CORT birds were fed a basal diet containing 30 mg corticosterone/kg from d 8 to 21. At 21 d of age, average daily feed intake (ADFI), serum corticosterone level, small intestinal absolute wet weight and relative weight, and relative abundance of SGLT1, CaBP-D28k, PepT1 mRNA in the duodenum and L-FABP mRNA in the jejunum were determined. The results showed that serum corticosterone level, liver weight and small intestinal relative weight (small intestinal wet weight/body weight) of CORT chickens were about 30.15%, 26.72% and 42.20% higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). CORT birds had relative mRNA abundance of CaBP-D28k and PepT1 in the duodenum, and L-FABP in the jejunum which was 1.77, 1.37 and 1.94 fold higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05); the relative abundance of SGLT1 was 1.67 fold higher than in the CTRL group (p = 0.097). ADFI, small intestinal wet weight and length in CORT-treated broiler chickens was about 29.11%, 31.12% and 12.35% lower, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). In conclusion, corticosterone administration lowered the wet weight but increased the relative weight of the small intestine and the expression of intestinal nutrient transporter mRNA of broiler chickens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1500-1506
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• 2012

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$-dependent apoptosis is important in the elimination of damaged or abnormal cells from normal tissues, especially in liver, in vivo. To investigate which gene expressions are critical for TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes, gene expression profiling experiments were performed with TGF-${\beta}$-treated and non-treated mouse hepatocytes AML12 cells. Findings showed that serum and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase1 (SGK1) expression is markedly downregulated during TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis. Findings confirmed that expression of SGK1 protein, as well as mRNA, is also markedly decreased with TGF-${\beta}$ treatment. Infection of adenoviral vector encoding constitutively active SGK1 (CA-SGK1), but not kinase dead SGK1 (KD-SGK1), attenuated TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis. All of these results suggest that downregulation of SGK1 expression is critical for TGF-${\beta}$-induced apoptosis in AML12 cells.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.154-160
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• 2000

Protease production and its characteristics were investigated with Bacillus subtilis PCA20-3 which was isolated from Korean traditional meju. The optimum culture conditions of Bacillus subtilis PCA20-3 for the production of the protease were as follow: 0.2% soytone, 2% starch, 0.1% $(NH_4)_2SO_4,\;0.2%\;CaCl_2,\;0.01%\;yeast\;extract,\;0.1%\; K_2HPO_4,\;0.1%\;KH_2PO_4,\;pH\;7.0,\;30^{\circ}C$ and 20 hrs. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity of protease producing Bacillus subtilis PCA20-3 were pH 8.0-10.0 and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was relatively stable at pH $6.0{\sim}11.0$ and at temperature below $50^{\circ}C$. The activity of the enzyme was inhibited by $Fe^(2＋)\;and\;Cu^(2＋)$. 2 mM phenymethanesulfonyl fluoride inhibited 89.2% of enzyme activity. This indicates that the enzyme is serine protease. The $K_m$ value was $5\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M,\;V_{max}\;value\;was\;100\;{\mu}g/min$. This enzyme hydrolyzed casein more rapidly than bovine serum albumin.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.303-315
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of resistance training on BMD and bone metabolism related markers in aging rats. Thirty male Spraugue-Daweley rats were divided into sedentary (CON; n=10 ) non-load resistance trained(NLRTG; n=10), and load resistance trained(LRTG; n=10) groups at the age of 64 weeks. The rats in the resistance training groups((NLRTG and LRTG) performed the tower climbing exercise 4 times a week. The LRTG groups were conditioned to climb a vertical ladder with weights appended to their tail 4 days/wk for 12 wks. After 12 weeks of exercise, serum osteocalcin, bone mineral density (BMD), breaking force, ash, Ca, and P in the femur were measured. After training, serum osteocalcin (OC) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in both LRTG and NLRTG when compared to Control. Right femur BMD was significantly (p < 0.05) greater for LRTG when compared to both NLRTG and Control with no significant difference between NLRTG and Conrtol. The breaking force of femur was significantly (p < 0.05) greater for LRTG and NLRTG when compared to Control. The Ash, Ca, content of femur were significantly increased in resistance training groups than control group. These results suggest that the increase in bone mineral density induced by resistance training is mediated by changes in bone microarchitecture as well as training intensity and osteocalcin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 1997

Many reports represent that angiotensin II (ANG II) caused a dose dependent biphasic effects on fluid transport in the proximal tubule. However, respective roles of different signaling pathways in mediating these effects remain unsettled. The aim of the present study was to examine signaling pathways at high doses of ANG II on the $Na^+$ uptake of primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells(PTCs) in hormonally defined serum-free medium. High concentrations of ANG II $(>10^{-9}\;M)$ inhibited $Na^+$ uptake and increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i\;level$ in the PTCs. However, low concentrations of $(<10^{-11}\;ANG\;II)$ stimulated $Na^+$ uptake and did not affect $[Ca^{2+}]_i\;level$. 8-(N, N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,3,5- trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), ethylene glycol-bis$({/beta}-amino\;ethyl ether)-N,N,N'$, N'-tetra acetic acid (EGTA), and nifedifine partially blocked the inhibitory effects of ANG II on $Na^+$ uptake. When ANG II and bradykinin (BK) were treated together, $Na^+$ uptake was further reduced $(88.47{\pm}1.98%\;of\;that\;of\;ANG\;II,\;81.85{\pm}1.84%\;of\;that\;of\;BK)$. In addition, W-7 and KN-62 blocked the ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake. Arachidonic acid reduced $Na^+$ uptake in a dose-dependent manner. When ANG II and arachidonic acid were treated together, inhibitory effects on $Na^+$ uptake significantly exhibited greater reduction than that of each group, respectively. When PTCs were treated by mepacrine $(10^{-6}\;M)$ and AACOCF3 $(10^{-5}\;M)$ for 1 hr before the addition of $(<10^{-9}\;ANG\;II)$, the inhibitory effect of ANG II was reversed. In addition, econazole $(>10^{-6}\;M)$ blocked ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake. In conclusion, the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ (calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase) and phospholipase $A_2\;(PLA_2)$ metabolites are involved in the inhibitory effects of ANG II on $Na^+$ uptake in the PTCs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to examine the dietary effects of local granular ark shell(GAS) replacing limestone on egg shell quality in aged hens. A total of 200 Hy-Line Brown layers of 54-weeks-old were allotted into four treatments with five replications each. They were fed control(limestone only) 1% GAS, 2% GAS and 3% GAS diets for 6 weeks. GAS was substituted for coarse-type limestone at 0, 1, 2 or 3% of diet on weight basis. Particle sizes of limestone and GAS were within the ranges of 2~4 mm in diameters. In vitro HCl solubility of GAS was significantly lower(6.27 vs. 7.90%) compared to that of limestone(p < 0.05). The dietary treatment did not affect feed intake and egg production rate of the birds. Egg shell strength and thickness tended to be improved for birds fed the diets containing higher levels of GAS. The average egg shell strength and thickness of 2 or 3% GAS groups were significantly greater than those of the control (P < 0.05). The Tibial ash content of birds from 3% GAS group increased significantly as compared to that of the control. Tibial breaking strength, however, was not affected by the dietary treatment. Serum Ca and P contents of the birds were also not different among the dietary treatments. In conclusion, locally prepared GAS can be used as a calcium source in aged layer diet.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.463-469
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin with increased transepidermal water loss. Both an abnormal inflammatory response and a defective skin barrier are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$. PAR2 is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis and regulates inflammatory responses and barrier homeostasis. In this study, we show that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) inhibits the PAR2-mediated signal pathway and plays a role in skin barrier recovery in atopic dermatitis. Specifically, NDGA reduces the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes by down-regulating inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes. Also, NDGA decreases the protein expression of involucrin, a differentiation maker of keratinocyte, in both HaCaT keratinocytes and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. We examined NDGA-recovered skin barrier in atopic dermatitis by using an oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis model in hairless mice. Topical application of NDGA produced an increase in transepidermal water loss recovery and a decrease in serum IgE level, without weight loss. Accordingly, we suggest that NDGA acts as a PAR2 antagonist and may be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.337-343
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• 1993

To determine the test conditions to enhance the use of hamster test in dogs, semen were collected from four dogs which had been proven to be fertile in the past and then preserved in BWW (Biggers, Whitten, Whittingham) medium for about 20 hours. The semen were given each different treatment according to the experimental design and coincubated with zona-free hamster ova for 5 hours. The ova were stained by lacmoid and examined under phase contrast microscope to investigate the rates of ova bound with sperm(sperm binding) and ova penetrated by sperm (penetration), and also numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm per ovum. In comparison of different concentrations of canine sperm, the rate of sperm binding was higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$, $1{\times}10^8$, and $5{\times}10^7$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$ concentration(p<0.01), and also than $5{\times}10^6$ concentration(p<0.05), respectively. The number of bound sperm per ovum was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ sperm concentration than $5{\times}10^7$, $1.5{\times}10^6$, and $5{\times}10^5$ concentrations(p<0.01). The rate of penetration was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ and $1{\times}10^8$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$ concentration,(p<0.01), and also the higher result of penetration was shown in $5{\times}10^7$ than $5{\times}10^5$ (p<0.05). The number of penetrated sperm per ovum was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$(p<0.01), and also the higher number was shown in $1{\times}10^8$ than $5{\times}10^5$ (p<0.05). In comparison of the different preincubation period of canine spermatozoa, no difference was obtained in the results of hamster test among the preincubation periods of 4 hours, 18~24 hours and 48 hours. The canine spermatozoa in BWW medium with $Ca^{2+}$(1.3mM) and without FCS(fetal calf serum), with both $Ca^{2+}$(1.3mM) and FCS, with $Ca^{2+}$(2.6mM) and without FCS, and with both $Ca^{2+}$(2.6mM) and FCS showed no difference in the results of hamster test.These results indicated that the appropriate concentration of sperm should be given in hamster test for dog sperm.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.495-506
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the nutrient intake, dietary and weight control behaviors and iron deficiency of adolescent girls. The subjects were 216 female middle school students living in urban and rural areas of Inchon. Thin cross- sectional study was conducted by questionnaires and data were analyze by SAS program. Nutrient intakes collected from 3 day-recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program(CAN-pro). The mean height, weight. BMI and obesity index for the subjects were 158.2 cm, 51.1kg, 20.4 and -5.3 % in urban students and 155.9 cm, 49.3 kg 21.1 and -8.2% in rural students, respectively. Easting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron nutritional status. The mean obesity index of the urban students was higher than that of the rural students. The proportion of the overweight group was higher in urban students compared to rural students, However, over 10% of both area students belonged to the low weight group, respectively. Most students of both areas skipped breakfast and the main reason was on appetite and lack of time. Urban students were more concerned with body image. The nutrients which showed a lower mean intake as percentile of RDA were Ca, iron, vit A an Vit B$_2$ and most nutrient intakes of urban students were significantly higher compared to those of rural students. These results indicate that nutrient intakes in the female middle school students were considerably lower than the RDA. Also they had undesirable food habits and lower self-satisfaction with their body image, There were significant differences in the mean MCV, TIBC and serum ferritin between urban and rural area subjects. Mean Hb, Hct, MCH, MCHC and TS, bowaver, were not significantly different. Prevalence of iron deficiency greatly varied by indices from urban(11.5%) and rural (8.7%) when judged by Hb to urban(23.1) and rural (23.3%) by serum ferrition. Therefore, proper nutrition education is required for good nutrition desirable food habits, weight control, and guidance for iron deficiency in anemic female of adolescents.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-113
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• 2009

Objectives This study was investigated to find how the orally administrated Moschus, herbal combination with Moschus, and herbal combination improves the rats' memory and rats' liver. These medications are generally known asthe memory improvement. Methods This study used the Sprague Dawley rats. They were divided into two groups - SD rats and orally administrated Saline(Control group). 0.473 mg/kg Moschus(HM-A), 153.9 mg/kg herbal composition without Moschus(HM-B), and 165.95 mg/kg herbal composition with Moschus combined(HM-C) Control, saline were orally administered. Each group was trained in the eight-arm radial maze task at the conditions of before oral administrated, and also right after third, sixth, and eighth by oral administration. Lastly, these animals were killed and were tested for brain tissue and serum AST/ALT level to measure how the medications were effected to the liver function. Results The result of radial eight-arm maze task test, the HM-B and HM-C groups showed significant decrease in mistakes from the fourth day of testing. Whereas, the HM-A group showed increasing in the error rate. HM-A and HM-C group of rats had significantly increased amount of acetylcholinesterase in the CA1 region of hippocampus, compared to the control group. Whereas, HM-B and HM-C group had increased level of ChAT compared to the control group. On the other hand, each experimental group did not show any significant difference to the level of serum AST/ALT and the weight ratio of the liver to the body. Conclusions This study provided evidences that the orally administered memory improvement herbal medication, and Moschus were effective to improve memory.