• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4977-4982
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• 2016

Introduction: Elevated serum interleukin (IL) 6 has been reported in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), but it remains debatable whether this influences the production of autoantibodies and the biochemical profile of HCV disease. Therefore, this current study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between IL-6 and circulating autoantibody levels in HCV positive patients. Methods: Levels of IL-6 in serum samples from 102 patients with HCV and 103 normal controls were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Autoantibodies were detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher (p=0.028) in patients infected with (HCV) compared with normal group. Autoantibodies were noted in in 43.1% of the patients; of these, 23.5% featured anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA+), 16.7% anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA+), 7.8% anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA+), 17.6% anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA+), 7.8% anti canalicular antibodies, and 2.9% anti reticulin antibodies (ARA+). No patients were found to be positive for anti-brush border antibodies (ABBA) or anti-ribosomal antibodies. (ARiA). No links with IL-6 levels were apparent. Conclusions: IL-6 levels are increased in patients infected with HCV disease and could influence the production of autoantibodies. However, this study did not provide evidence of a specific relationship between IL6 and circulating autoantibodies in such cases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2002

This study was performed to obtain the thermostable $\beta$-glycosidase producing bacteria from hot spring of volcanic area at Atagawa in Japan. KNOUC 202 was selected because it showed thermostable $\beta$-glycosidase activity in sodium phosphate buffer(pH 6.8) at $70^{\circ}C$ for 4h, and it was identified. The strain was aerobic, asporogenic bacilli, immobile, gram negative, catalase positive, oxidase positive, and pigment-producing. Optimum growth was at $70~72^{\circ}C$, pH 7.0~7.2, and it could grow in the presence of 3% NaCl. The main fatty acids in cell were iso-15:0 and iso-l7:0. 16S rRNA sequence of KNOUC 202 showed 99.9% similarity with that of Thermus thermophilus ATCC 27634(HB8). Based on morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics, cellular fatty acids profile and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, KNOUC 202 was identified as Thermus thermophilus.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.296-302
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• 2012

A bacterial strain was isolated from soybean paste fermented in a Korean Buddhist temple as a producer of the extracellular thermostable ${\alpha}$-amylase. The isolate YB-1234 has been identified as Bacillus licheniformis on the basis of its 16S rDNA sequence, morphology and biochemical properties. A gene encoding the thermostable ${\alpha}$-amylase of B. licheniformis YB-1234 was cloned into Escherichia coli and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of ${\alpha}$-amylase was very highly homologous to those of the thermostable ${\alpha}$-amylases of B. licheniformis belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 13. The ${\alpha}$-amylase produced by recombinant E. coli carrying the ${\alpha}$-amylase gene exhibited maximal activity at pH 6.0, identical to ${\alpha}$-amylase in the culture filtrate of B. licheniformis, while the temperature profile was somewhat different between the two. Particularly, ${\alpha}$-amylase produced from B. lcheniformis is much more thermostable than that from recombinant E. coli. The predominant products resulting from the ${\alpha}$-amylase hydrolysis were glucose, maltose and maltotriose for maltotetraose and maltohexaose.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.388-391
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• 2017

A 8-month-old, spayed female, Domestic shorthair cat lived in a shelter was presented with pelvic limbs ataxia and dysuria. Serum biochemical profile abnormalities were hyperproteinemia and decreased albumin/globulin (A:G) ratio (0.70). Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were mixed cells pleocytosis with predominance neutrophils and an increase in protein concentration. In addition, feline coronavirus was detected by realtime RT-PCR in CSF. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed lesions of the lumbar spinal cord. Based on clinical signs, MR finding, CSF analysis and realtime RT-PCR result in CSF, this case was diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) associated meningomyelitis. Although prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil were administrated, clinical signs were not resolved and progressed to tetraplegia and coma status. This case presentation describes that feline infectious peritonitis virus could affect the lumbar spinal cord only and cause meningomyelitis with pelvic limbs ataxia without other neurological signs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.190-194
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• 2018

Recently, the horse racing industry in Korea has developed rapidly with good betting turnover. One of the most important factors in enhancing the performance of racehorses is the study of equine exercise physiology. This study was performed to analyze the results of pre-race blood test on race day and evaluate its correlation with the race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Twenty-one, healthy 3- to 6-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used to collect blood samples and hematological and biochemical measurements were performed. Results were analyzed to identify its correlation with racing performance. Analysis of hematological profile of pre-race blood of the racehorses revealed that red blood cell indices including RBC, Hb, and PCV levels were elevated. Additionally, levels of AP, AST, and GGT were also elevated in pre-race blood of horses on race day. RBC, Hb, and PCV levels of high performance racehorses were significantly lower than those of low class racehorses. Moreover, the analysis of correlation between blood test results and racing ability-related categories have shown negative correlations for rating, placing strike rate, prize money per race, RBC, Hb, and PCV and positive correlations for G3F and PCV. Additionally, AST value was positively correlated to prize money per race. Thus, the results of this study show that red blood cell indices and AST are good parameters for evaluating racing performance of horses before the race.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.331-348
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for nutrition education of the children in a health promoting elementry school. The data was collected by a questionaire of food habits, and anthropometric measurement and biochemical test in comparison with obesity index. The study subjects were boys and girls aged 10 to 12 years who participated in the “99 Children Nutrition Camp”. The average obesity index was 1.7$\pm$21.6% in boys and -11.4$\pm$12.6% in girls. After school, major leisure items were significnatly different by gender but both boys and girls played mainly computer game. In concern for body image and eating habits, girls had more concern and girls had attempted weight control more than boys. 80.2% of subjects had prejudice for special food, especially, all subjects in the severely underweight group had prejudice. But this tendency was significantly decreased with the increasing obesity index. The lowest preferency was for vegetables(64.4%). The tendency of prejudice of subjects was higher whose mother are thirties than those of subjects whose mother are in fourties. The serum GOT and GPT values were significantly higher in overweight and obese group than the other groups. The only serum T-chol was significantly higher in boys than in girls. The number of risk factors related to coronary heart disease(CHD) based on coresponding criteria of TG, T-chol, HDL-chol, and LDL-chol was not increased significantly with the degree of obesity index. The results indicated the need of nutritional management for the children. At a point of view, to educate children early who are able to change food habits and life-styles means to help heathy growth and to deliver up heathy adults. Active nutrition education for both children and mothers will be recommended with joint participation of nutritionists in community public health center and elementary school.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2011

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of soaking time (6, 12 and 24 hr) and steeping temperature (25, 30 and $35^{\circ}C$) on germination time, germination percentage and weight loss of wheat and barley. Changes in chemical composition (such as protein, fat, and ash), reducing sugar content, enzyme activity and pasting profile and GABA ($\gamma$-animobutyric acid) content of germinated wheat and barley were also evaluated. The results clearly suggest that the short soaking time and lower steeping temperature significantly decreased germination time and weight loss, while germination percentage increased. Regarding the chemical composition, the protein content of wheat and barley was slightly increased after germination but there was no significant difference in content of crude fat and ash of both germinated cereals. The reducing sugar content of both germinated cereals decreased as the steeping temperature increased from $25^{\circ}C$ to $35^{\circ}C$. Increasing soaking time and steeping temperature led to increased amylase activity, and also corresponded to reduced paste viscosity. The highest GABA content that occurred with soaking times of 6 and 12 hr and a steeping temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ was 1,467.74 and 1,474.70 ${\mu}g/g$ for germinated wheat and 2,108.13 and 1,691.85 ${\mu}g/g$ for germinated barley. This study indicated that the optimum germination process for wheat and barley is a low steeping temperature and a short soaking time.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

In this study, the 4-week oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity of the hexane layer of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino's bark extract were investigated. We carried out a hollow fiber (HF) assay and 28-day repeated toxicity study to confirm the anti-cancer effect and safety of the hexane layer. The HF assay was carried out using an A549 human adenocarcinoma cell via intraperitoneal (IP) site with or without cisplatin. In the result, the 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer with 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin treated group, showed the highest cytotoxicity aginst A549 carcinoma cells. For the 28-day repeated toxicity study, 6 groups of 10 male and female mice were given by gavage 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer with or without 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin against body weight, and were then sacrificed for blood and tissue sampling. The subacute oral toxicity study in mice with doses of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer showed no significant changes in body weight gain and general behavior. The cisplatin-treated group significantly decreased in body weight compared to the control group but regained weight with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer. The biochemical analysis showed significant increase in several parameters (ALT, total billirubin, AST, creatinine, and BUN) in cisplatin-treated groups. However, in the group given a co-treatment of hexane layer (200 mg/kg b.w), levels of these parameters decreased. In hematological analysis, cisplatin induced the reduction of WBCs and neutrophils but co-treatment with hexane layer (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) improved these toxicities caused by cisplatin. The histological profile of the livers showed eosinophilic cell foci in central vein and portal triad in cisplatin treated mice. These results show that hexane layer might have an anti-cancer activity and could improve the toxicity of cisplatin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.418-424
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to explore the efficacy of lacquer (Rhus verniciflua) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and serum biochemical values in commercial broilers. Eight hundred and forty Hubbard broiler chicks (1d old) were randomly distributed and allotted to four dietary treatments for five weeks. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 42 birds each. The dietary treatments were (1) control (2) 1% lacquer, (3) 2% lacquer and 4) 4% lacquer supplied as meal in the diet. Supplementation with lacquer improved weight gain (p = 0.0960) showing a linear trend during the starter phase (0-3 wk), but weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio remained unaffected at the finisher phase (4-5 wk) and overall (0-5 wk). The nutrient digestibility studies conducted after 18 and 35 days of experimental feeding showed a linear (p<0.05) increase in digestibility of CP and ether extract at both measurement timess. The carcass studies were conducted on two birds per replicate (10 per treatment) at the end of both 3 and 5 wk. The dressing percentage, liver weight, heart weight, abdominal fat and the breast meat expressed as a percentage of live weight, did not differ significantly due to treatments at both phases. The serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) showed a linear decrease (p = 0.0683 and p = 0.0322, respectively) as the level of supplementation increased at 3 wk; at 5 wk serum cholesterol, HDL and triglyceride levels decreased significantly showing a positive linear effect of lacquer on fat metabolism. The meat color values such as lightness, redness and yellowness did not reveal any significant trend. Overall, it could be concluded that lacquer supplementation at higher levels did not affect growth performance, but had a positive impact on fat metabolism by influencing fat digestibility and reducing serum cholesterol and triglyceride.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1130-1134
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• 2005

An experiment was performed using 20 calves of about one-month old to investigate the effect of chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate ($CaNa_2$EDTA) alone or along with antioxidant $\alpha$-tocopherol in lead loaded calves on blood trace minerals, erythrocytic sulfahydryl groups and some haematobiochemical parameters. Fifteen calves were given lead orally at a daily dose of 7.5 mg of 99% pure lead acetate/kg body weight for 28 days. Then the lead was withdrawn on day 28 and the calves were randomly divided into three groups. Each group of five animals was either treated with $CaNa_2$EDTA alone at the dose rate of 110 mg/kg body weight in two divided doses for 4 days or along with $\alpha$-tocopherol at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight orally daily for 7 days, keeping the remaining five calves as lead-exposed untreated controls. Blood samples were collected at the end of the lead exposure (day 0) and thereafter on day 2, 4, 7 and 10 from the start of the chelation treatment. The treatment with EDTA alone led to slow but non-significant improvement in blood copper level, but incorporation of antioxidant $\alpha$-tocopherol in chelation therapy resulted in its significant decline, as recorded on day 7-post treatment. Withdrawal of lead or treatment with $CaNa_2$EDTA alone or along with $\alpha$-tocopherol enhanced the erythrocytic thiol contents and the levels of T-SH and P-SH became statistically (p<0.05) comparable to those of lead-exposed controls by day 7 and 4, respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) change in serum urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin levels between the treatment groups. It is concluded from the present investigation that treatment with $CaNa_2$EDTA at the present dose rate is safe to be used for chelation in lead loaded calves.