• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.45-55
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• 1983

A role for brain serotonin(5-HT) in regulation of the HPA axis has been suggested but remains contoversial and poorly defined. The present experiments were designed to check kinetic parameters of 5-HT turnover in rat hypothalamus and remainder brain areas before and after stress and to test whether using various different pharmacologic approaches to stimulate or eliminate the control serotonergic system have any consistent effect on the stress-induced activation of HPA system. Steady state brain serotonin and 5-HIAA concentrations during 1 min ether stress were significantly elevated without significant rise in the levels of plasma corticosterone, which highly increased 2 minutes after stress. This suggests that the increase in serotonergic neuron activity precede that in HPA activity. Furthermore, during 1 ruin-ether stress or 30 min immobilization stress there is a marked increase in hypothalamic and remainder brain serotonin (5-HT) turnover or synthesis rates assessed by both the pargline/5-HT method and pargyline/5-HIAA method. The stress-induced corticosterone levels were increased by serotonin precursors and serotonin agonist in a dose-related fashion. The stress- induced corticosterone levels were highly elevated by L-tryptophan (100 mg/kg) and Potentiated by monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline or serotonin agonist, 5-MeoDMT. The stress-induced elevation of corticosterone and 5-HT levels in rat brain were not significantly decreased by the administration of 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, PCPA and 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,7-DHT. However, the stress-induced elevation of corticosterone and 5-HT levels were decreased by the destruction of midline raphe nuclei. There was a strong positive correlation between plasma corticosterone and 5-HT concentrations changed by drugs which mainly manipulating 5-HT system in the hyhothalamus and in the remainder of the brain. In conclusion, our present data stongly suggest that 5-HT is an important key neurotransmitter involved in the stress-induced activation of the HPA system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.321-331
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• 2000

Multiple 15-hue tests were designed and implemented on a PC in the study so as to quickly and quantitatively evaluate color vision acuity. Difficulty of the test was control)ed by the value of CDBACC (color difference between adjacent color chips) calculated using a CIELAB formula. The multiple 15-hue tests consist of eight of the hue tests (test 3-10) and three of the basic color (red, green, blue) tests (test 11-13). The 15 colors used for the hue tests were specified by the 15 color coordinates that were located at a constant distance (d = 2. 3. 5. 7, 10, 20, 30. 40) from white reference in the CIE chromaticity coordinate system and were separated by a constant color difference (CDBACC = 0.75, 1.1, 1.8. 2.5. 3.5. 7.5. 11, 14) from the adjacent chips. The color coordinates for the 15 chips for the basic color tests were the same as those of the 15 points spaced equally by a constant color difference (6.87 for the green color test. 7.27 for the red color test, 7.86 for the blue color test) from the white reference along the axis of red, green and blue. Thirty normal subjects who were not color blind were taken to undergo the multiple 15-hue tests. It was observed that most of the subjects correctly arranged color chips for the tests with CDBACC greater than 5, whereas no one correctly answered for those with CDBACC less than 2. Rapid changes in the number of the subjects correctly arranged took place when CDBACC of the tests was between 2 and 4.5. In the basic color tests, unlike the hue tests having similar values of CDBACC, it was seen that the subjects arranged color chips even less correctly. It was found that JNCD (just noticeable color difference) - a measure of color vision acuity was about 3 in average for the subjects. The JNCD was chosen as the value of the CDBACC of the test for which about $50\%$ of the subjects failed to successfully arrange color chips. ERCCA (error rate of color chips arrangement) for the test with CDBACC the same as the JNCD was shown to be about $20\%$. It is expected that the multi 15-hue tests implemented on a PC in the study will be an economical tool to quickly and quantitatively evaluate color vision acuity and, accordingly, the tests can be used for early diagnosis to massive potential patients suffering from diseases (ex. diabetes, glaucoma) which may induce changes in color vision acuity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권10호
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• pp.1383-1389
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• 2004

The nutritive value and utilization of whole crop rice silage (WCRS), Hamasari, at yellow mature stage was determined by three studies. In first study, chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) content of WCRS was determined by Holstein steers. WCRS contains 6.23% CP, its digestibility is 48.4% and estimated TDN is 56.4%. Its ME content was 1.91 Mcal/kg DM. Gross energy (GE) retention (% of GE intake) in steers is only 22.7% most of which was lost through feces (44.7% of GE intake). It takes 81 minutes to chew a kg of WCRS by steers. In another study, the effect of Hamasari at yellow mature stage at three stages of lactation (early, mid and late lactation) and two levels of concentrate (40 or 60%) on voluntary intake, ME content and ME intake, milk yield and composition using lactating Holstein dairy cows were investigated. Total intake increased with the concentrate level in early and mid lactation, but was similar irrespective of concentrate level in late lactation. WCRS intake was higher with 40% concentrate level than with 60% concentrate. ME intake by cows increased with the concentrate level and WCRS in early lactating cows with 40% concentrate can support only 90% of the ME requirement. Milk production in accordance with ME intake increased with the increase in concentrate level in early and mid lactating cows but was similar in late lactating cows irrespective of concentrate level. Fat and protein percent of milk in mid and late lactating cows were higher with for 60% concentrate than 40%, but reverse was in early lactating cows. Solids-not-fat was higher with for 60% concentrate than 40% concentrate. Finally in situ degradability of botanical fractions such as leaf, stem, head and whole WCRS, Hamasari at yellow mature stage was incubated from 0 to 96 h in Holstein steers to determine DM and N degradability characteristics of botanical fractions and whole WCRS. Both DM and N solubility, rate of degradation and effective degradability of leaf of silage was lower, but slowly degradable fraction was higher compared to stem and head. Solubility of DM and N of stem was higher than other fractions. The 48 h degradability, effective degradability and rate of degradation of leaf were always lower than stem or head. In conclusion, voluntary intake of silage ranged from 5 to 12 kg/d and was higher with low levels of concentrate, but milk yield was higher with high levels of concentrate. Fat corrected milk yield ranged from 19 to 37 kg per day. For consistency of milk, early lactating cows should not be allowed more than 40% whole crop rice silage in the diet, but late lactating cows may be allowed 60% whole crop rice silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.510-521
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• 1998

The effects of two types of protein, soybean meal (SBM) and fish meal (FM); and two types of energy supplements, corn flour (CF) and paper pulp (PP), on intake of guinea grass (Panicum maximum), fibre digestion and microbial activities in four Merino rams with an average weight of $54.4{\pm}4.5kg$ were studied. Each animal was fitted with a ruminal cannula and a duodenal cannula at the proximal position. The animals were fed twice daily with chopped guinea grass (5 cm) ad libitum and one of the four dietary supplements: 170 g FM+268 g PP; 170 g FM+268 g CF; 200 g SBM+200 g PP or 200 g SBM+200 g CF. All the supplements were mixed with 100 g molasses. In sacco and in vivo digestibilities, digesta flow rates, fermentation and microbial population were studied in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The effects of energy or protein sources were not significant on grass intake of sheep. The potential degradabilities of NDF and ADF were not significantly affected by any of the supplements. However, the energy and protein sources had significant efects on disappearance rate of NDF and ADF. The disappearance rate of both NDF and ADF were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in animals fed PP when compared to animals fed CF. Animals fed FM also showed significantly (p < 0.03) higher disappearance rate of ADF than those fed SBM. Animals fed PP showed better digestion in the rumen and total tract. Total flow of NDF and ADF through the duodenum was not significantly affected by the various supplements. The mean rumen pH values (5.8-6.1) were not significantly different among the four different diets. The concentration of rumen ammonia was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in animals fed SBM (235-266.4 mg N/L) supplement than in animals fed FM (174.9-179.7 mg N/L), while total VFA concentration was not significantly affected by both energy and protein supplements. Mean values of total VFA ranged from 72.5-82.3 mM. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate were typical of a roughage type fermentation. Molar proportion of acetate was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in sheep fed PP when compared to sheep fed CF. Animals fed FM had higher total viable bacterial counts, while animals fed CF showed higher protozoal numbers. Proportions of cellulolytic bacteria were only slightly higher in animals fed SBM or PP.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.719-726
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• 2013

Mitochondrial genomes have been extensively studied for phylogenetic purposes and to investigate intra- and interspecific genetic variations. In recent years, numerous groups have undertaken sequencing of platyhelminth mitochondrial genomes. Haplorchis taichui (family Heterophyidae) is a trematode that infects humans and animals mainly in Asia, including the Mekong River basin. We sequenced and determined the organization of the complete mitochondrial genome of H. taichui. The mitochondrial genome is 15,130 bp long, containing 12 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs, a small and a large subunit), and 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Like other trematodes, it does not encode the atp8 gene. All genes are transcribed from the same strand. The ATG initiation codon is used for 9 protein-coding genes, and GTG for the remaining 3 (nad1, nad4, and nad5). The mitochondrial genome of H. taichui has a single long non-coding region between trnE and trnG. H. taichui has evolved as being more closely related to Opisthorchiidae than other trematode groups with maximal support in the phylogenetic analysis. Our results could provide a resource for the comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of trematodes, and may yield genetic markers for molecular epidemiological investigations into intestinal flukes.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 1994

To investigate the relationship between leaf growth of several woody plants and ait tempera ture in early growing season (from April to June) in deciduous forests, I surveyed the changes of leaf area (LA), leaf weight (LW) and specific leaf area (SLA) of 19 specles, in two areas Namhansansung (NA) and Taegwallyong (TA) area in which that the latitudes are similer ($37^{\circ}28'N$ at NA and $37^{\circ}27'N$ an TA), but annual mean-temperatures were different ($11.8^{\circ}C\;in\;NA, \;6.3^{\circ}C$ in TA) for two years, 1991 and 1992. In the same species, the plants of NA began to grow 10-25 days earlier than those of TA, but the latter grew faster than the former. On 10 June the values of LA and LW per leaf were similar in the two areas but the maximum values of SLA were higher in NA. In the same plant, the values of LA and LW were constant year by year, except for PYIOLUS leveilleana, Quercus mongolica, Symplocos chznensis for. pilosa and S t y a r ubussiu. In N A , the leaves be gan to grow during the first ten days of April, and eariler in 1992 than in 1991, and daily mean temperature (DMT) of the former from 27 March to 6 April were higher than those of thc latter. But the LA increased faster in 1991 than in 1992. and DMT from 10 April to 16 April were higher in 1991 than in 1992.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.19-24
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to detect expression of genes related to egg production in Taiwan Country chickens by suppression subtractive hybridization. Liver samples of mRNA extraction from two Taiwan Country chicken strains (L2 and B), originated from the same population but with very distinct egg production rates after long-term selection for egg and meat production respectively. Two-way subtraction was performed. The hepatic cDNA from the low egg production chickens (B) was subtracted from the hepatic cDNA from the high egg production strain (L2). The reversed subtraction (L2 from B) was also performed. The resulting differentially expressed gene fragments were cloned and sequenced. We sequenced 288 clones from the forward subtraction and 96 clones from the reverse subtraction. These genes were subjected to further screening to confirm the differential expression between the two genetic breeds of chickens. The apolipoprotein B (apoB) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the L2 than in the B line chickens. The 5-aminoimidazole- 4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (PURH) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the B than in the L2 strain chickens. We demonstrated that both apoB and PURH were more highly expressed in the liver than that in other tissues (muscle, ovary, and oviduct) in laying Taiwan Country chickens. Taken together, these data suggest that after the selection for egg production, expression of apoB and PURH genes were also changed. Whether the changed expression of these genes is directly related to egg production is not known, but these two genes may be useful markers for egg laying performance in Taiwan Country chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.366-377
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• 2013

We examined the nutritive value of common grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of Borana in southern Ethiopia using local experience based herbage preference (LEBHP) perception and laboratory techniques. Local pastoralists in the study area were asked to identify common grass species and rank them according to the species' preferences and palatability to cattle. The pastoralists listed a total of 15 common grass species which were then sampled during the main rain and cold dry seasons and analyzed for crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and ash content to verify pastoralists' claim regarding the quality of individual species. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were also calculated using NDF and ADF contents. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine possible relationships between laboratory results and pastoralists' experience on grass quality. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis papposa and Panicum maximum were the top five species based on LEBHP perception. There were indications of inconsistency in terms of LEBHP perception among the different pastoral communities. The chemical composition of all grass species showed significant (p<0.05) variation between sites, seasons and species. The results showed that the CP values for the Borana rangelands were in the range of 8.7% in the main rain season to 5.1% for the cold dry season. The fiber constituents were relatively low in the main rain season compared to the cold dry season. Overall, Digitaria milanjiana had the highest CP (16.5%) content, while the least was recorded with Heteropogon contortus (10.8) and Aristida adoensis (9.8%) during the main rain season. It seems that the spatial variability of landscapes within the wider geographical regions, soil properties and texture, and land-use patterns probably contributed to site differences in species quality. Generally, the RFV of individual grass species was significantly (p<0.05) varied between and within sites. The ranking of species by pastoralists according to their preferences by cattle was highly correlated with the chemical composition of laboratory results of individual grass species with 'r' values for CP (0.94), ash (0.95), NDF (-0.98), ADF (-0.93) and ADL (-0.93). We suggest the complimentary use of LEBHP and laboratory techniques in evaluating the nutritive quality of rangeland forage species for sustainable animal production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2006

A study was conducted to predict the rumen microbial protein production based on urinary excretion of purine derivatives in buffaloes fed a diet of wheat straw and concentrate (40:60) at four fixed levels of feed intake. (95, 80, 60 and 40% of preliminary voluntary feed intake) following experimental protocol of IAEA (Phase I). The buffaloes were allocated according to a $4{\times}4$ latin square design. The urinary allantoin, uric acid, total PD excretion (mmol/d) in treatments L-95, L-80, L-60 and L-40 was 20.13, 16.00, 12.96 and 9.17; 1.88, 2.12, 2.11 and 2.15; 22.01, 18.12, 15.07 and 11.32, respectively and were significantly (p<0.05) different among treatments except for uric acid. The rate of PD excretion (mmol/d) was positively correlated with the digestible organic matter intake. Variations were observed in PD and creatinine concentration in spot samples collected at 6-hour interval. However, daily PD:Creatinine ratio (PDC index) appears to be a reasonably good predictor of microbial-N supply. The contribution of basal purine excretion to total excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was determined in pre-fasting period followed by a fasting period of 6 d (Phase II). Daily PD and creatinine excretion (mmol/kg $W^{0.75}$) during fasting averaged 0.117 and 0.456 respectively for buffaloes. The excretion rates of PD decreased significantly (p<0.01) during fasting compare to pre-fasting period, the urinary creatinine excretion remained almost similar. Except for creatinine, plasma concentration of target parameters significantly (p<0.01) declined during fasting. Likewise, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal clearance of allantoin and uric acid also decreased. Based on the PD excretion rates during fasting and at different levels of feed intake obtained in this study, a relationship between daily urinary PD excretion (Y-mmol) and microbial purine absorption (X-mmol) was developed for buffaloes as Y = 0.74X+0.117 kg $W^{0.75}$. The microbial N supply (g/kg DOMI) remained statistically similar irrespective of dietary treatment. The results showed that excretion of urinary purine derivatives is positively correlated with the levels of feed intake in Murrah buffaloes and thus, estimation of urinary purine derivatives and PDC index could be used to determine microbial nitrogen supply when there is large variation in level of feed intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2006

A 2,656 bp fragment of chicken ghrelin gene was cloned and SNPs were detected by PCR-RFLP and Allele Specific PCR (ASP) in 12 Chinese indigenous chicken breeds and a commercial chicken population. The results showed that there were 23 base variations and an amino acid change ($Gln{\rightarrow}Arg$) in cloned chicken ghrelin gene. Three SNPs were confirmed in 13 populations and associations between this gene and growth traits of Tibetan chicken (TC) and Recessive White chicken (RW) were investigated. The results of haplotype analysis revealed that 26 haplotype genotypes were composed of eight haplotypes. The results of $x^2$ tests indicated that there were significant differences between genotypes or haplotype genotype frequencies in some of the breeds or sexes at 0.05 or 0.01 levels. The results of ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences between genotypes or haplotype genotypes on some growth traits of TC and RW chicken breeds at 0.05 or 0.01 levels. Multiple comparisons showed that there were significant associations between genotype CT at site 71 and some growth traits of two chicken breeds and between genotype AG at site 1,215 and body weight at 16 wk of two chicken breeds, and there was a significant association between haplotype genotype CAA/CAG and body weight and shank girth at 16 wk of two chicken breeds.