• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2005

Homeotic proteins have pivotal roles during the development of both plant and animals. Many homeotic proteins exert control over cell fate in cells where their genes are not expressed, i.e., in a non-cell autonomous manner. Cell-to-cell communication, which delivers critical information for position-dependent specification of cell fate, is an essential biological process in multicellular organisms. In plants, there are two pathways for intercellular communication that have been identified: the ligand/receptor-mediated apoplastic pathway and the plasmodesmata-mediated symplasmic pathway. Regulatory proteins and RNAs traffic symplasmically via plasmodesmata and play a critical role in intercellular communication. Thus, the non-cell autonomous function of homeotic proteins can be explained by the recent discovery of cell-to-cell trafficking of proteins or RNAs. This article specifically focuses on understanding the intercellular movement of homeodomain proteins, a family of homeotic proteins.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.3
• /
• pp.479-489
• /
• 2023

Livestock production depends on the utilization of nutrients, and when this is accomplished, there is accelerated momentum toward growth with a low cost-to-feed ratio. Public concern over the consumption of pork with antibiotic residues in animals fed antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has paved the way for using other natural additives to antibiotics, such as herbs and their products, probiotics, prebiotics, etc. Numerous feed additives are trending to achieve this goal, and a classic example is vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals represent a relatively small percentage of the diet, but they are critical to animal health, well-being, and performance; both play a well-defined role in metabolism, and their requirements can vary depending on the physiological stage of the animals. At the same time, the absence of these vitamins and minerals in animal feed can impair the growth and development of muscles and bones. Most commercial feeds contain vitamins and trace minerals that meet nutrient requirements recommended by National Research Council and animal feeding standards. However, the potential variability and bioavailability of vitamins and trace elements in animal feeds remain controversial because daily feed intake varies, and vitamins are degraded by transportation, storage, and processing. Accordingly, the requirement for vitamins and minerals may need to be adjusted to reflect increased production levels, yet the information presented on this topic is still limited. Therefore, this review focuses on the role and function of different sources of minerals, the mode of action, the general need for micro and macro minerals in non-ruminant diets, and how they improve animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2008

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the laying stage which is a critical period for chick survival. We investigated the relationship of neonatal chick performance, brain antioxidant status and vitamin E supplementation level in hens. Starting at 17 weeks, hens were randomly divided into five groups. The control group received a basal diet without supplemental vitamin E (VE, dl-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate). Other groups received the same basal diet supplemented with vitamin E (40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg) through growth to egg production. Hens were artificially inseminated at 28 weeks of age and egg yolks were collected at day two. All remaining eggs were hatched. Yolk vitamin E content, hatchability and fertility of eggs were evaluated. Brains of the newly hatched chicks were further evaluated for their oxidative stress status, antioxidative status and vitamin E levels. Increased reproductive performance was observed in fertility and hatchability in the group supplemented at 40 mg/kg. Egg yolk and neonatal brain ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was highest in eggs from hens fed 120 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg supplemental vitamin E, respectively. Brain MDA, ROS and iron levels were significantly higher in unsupplemented hens (p<0.01). SOD activity was significantly higher in the group supplemented at 160 mg/kg than in all other groups. We concluded that maternal supplementation of vitamin E had beneficial effects on fertility, hatchability of eggs, neonatal brain oxidative status and SOD activity.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.8
• /
• pp.1151-1161
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the association of age at first calving (AFC) with first lactation traits as well as lifetime performance traits in Murrah buffaloes. Methods: Data on first lactation and life time performance of Murrah buffaloes (n = 679), maintained at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India during the period 1983 through 2017, were deduced to calculate heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlation of different first lactation and lifetime traits. The univariate animal model was fitted to estimate variance components and heritability separately for each trait, while bivariate animal models were set to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits under study. Results: The heritability was high for first peak milk yield (FPY, 0.64±0.08), moderate for AFC (0.48±0.07) and breeding efficiency (BE 0.39±0.09). High genetic correlations of first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY) with first lactation standard milk yield (FLSMY, 305 days or less), FPY, and first lactation length (FLL) was seen. Likewise, genetic correlation of AFC was positive with FLTMY, FLL, first dry period (FDP), first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI), herd life (HL) and productive days (PD). Significant phenotypic correlation of FLTMY was observed with HL, productive life (PL), PD, total lifetime milk yield (LTMY), standard lifetime milk yield (standard LTMY). Moreover, positive genetic and phenotypic correlation of FPY was observed with HL, PL, PD, total LTMY and standard LTMY. Conclusion: This study reports that AFC had positive genetic correlation with FDP, FSP, FCI, and unproductive days while, negative association of AFC was observed with FLSMY, PL, total LTMY, standard LTMY, and BE. This suggests that reduction of AFC would results in improvement of lifetime performance traits.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.14-29
• /
• 2020

Dietary nitrate supplementation from green leafy vegetables and beetroot is involved in the 'nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway' and is reported to have important vascular impacts. This study evaluated the blood parameters and blood flow change subsequent to a raw juice diet program. The 28 subjects who voluntarily participated in the raw juice diet program at Sahmyook University were instructed to drink the juice composed of fruits and vegetables instead of partaking the usual meal, at a scheduled time daily. The study was approved by the research ethics council of the Sahmyook University (SYUIRB 2014-043). Evaluation of the participants after the required duration revealed decreased levels of soft lean mass (P<0.05), skeletal muscle mass (P<0.001), body fat mass (P<0.001), body mass index (P<0.001) and circulating levels of total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglycerides (P<0.05), HDL-cholesterol (P<0.01), LDL-cholesterol (P<0.01), and blood urea nitrogen (P<0.001). Conversely, circulating levels of creatinine (P<0.001), hemoglobin (P<0.001), and hematocrit (P<0.01) were increased after the intervention. The blood flow levels were also increased after the program (P<0.001). Our results indicate that a short-term raw juice diet contributes to the improvement of vascular blood flow and blood lipid parameters, and decreases the lean muscle mass related to dehydration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.1469-1474
• /
• 2003

Twenty four weaner lambs, eight each of Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino${\times}$Patanwadi breeds (9.9 to 10.8 kg) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments on body weight basis Viz. $T_1$-conventional (Maize-38%, GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-24%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%) and $T_2$-supplemented non conventional group (GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-14%, Mango seed kernel-25%, Babul Pods chuni-23%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%). The Jaggery solution was prepared by mixing 6.5 kg Jaggery and 3.5 kg water. The average final body weight at the end of the experiment was recorded to be $19.33{\pm}0.76$ and $19.72{\pm}0.8kg$ in conventional and non-conventional groups, respectively. The total dry matter intake (DMI) during the entire experiment period was recorded to be $89.56{\pm}5.19$ and $95.08{\pm}1.06$ (kg/head) and $532.83{\pm}9.94$ and $566.75{\pm}10.49g/d$ in conventional and nonconventional groups, respectively. The body weight gain and body measurements did not influenced by diet. The ration effect was found to be significant when the DMI was expressed in terms of g/d. The crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake/head and per kg gain observed during experiment under conventional and non-conventional treatment group did not differ from each other. However, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake per kg gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented non-conventional group. The intake values of DCP and TDN were more or less in agreement with Indian Council Agricultural Research (1985) recommendations. The estimated total feed cost (Rs./animal) for experimental lambs was $274.16{\pm}8.57$ and $242.67{\pm}5.10$ in conventional and non- group, respectively. The non-conventional group had significantly (p<0.05) lower feed cost (11.6%). The return as percent of feed cost and feed cost/kg dressed weight were $92.89{\pm}5.58$ (%) and Rs. $35.40{\pm}1.11$ and $122.61{\pm}5.06$ (%) and Rs.$30.47{\pm}1.71$ in conventional and non-conventional group (p<0.05), respectively which is the reflection of significantly lower total feed cost incurred during feeding in non-conventional group. Lambs fed non-conventional based diet had similar live weights as those fed conventional diets but costed less money to achieve those weights.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.1381-1388
• /
• 2019

Objective: The aims of this study were to reveal the magnitude of the differences in protein structures at a cellular level as well as protein utilization and availability among soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM), and rapeseed meal (RSM) as feedstocks in China. Methods: Experiments were designed to compare the three different types of feedstocks in terms of: i) protein chemical profiles; ii) protein fractions partitioned according to Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System; iii) protein molecular structures and protein second structures; iv) special protein compounds-amino acid (AA); v) total digestible protein and energy values; vi) in situ rumen protein degradability and intestinal digestibility. The protein second structures were measured using FT/IR molecular spectroscopy technique. A summary chemical approach in National Research Council (NRC) model was applied to analyze truly digestible protein. Results: The results showed significant differences in both protein nutritional profiles and protein structure parameters in terms of ${\alpha}-helix$, ${\beta}-sheet$ spectral intensity and their ratio, and amide I, amide II spectral intensity and their ratio among SBM, CM, and RSM. SBM had higher crude protein (CP) and AA content than CM and RSM. For dry matter (DM), SBM, and CM had a higher DM content compared with RSM (p<0.05), whereas no statistical significance was found between SBM and CM (p = 0.28). Effective degradability of CP and DM did not demonstrate significant differences among the three groups (p>0.05). Intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein measured by three-step in vitro method showed that there was significant difference (p = 0.05) among SBM, CM, and RSM, which SBM was the highest and RSM was the lowest with CM in between. NRC modeling results showed that digestible CP content in SBM was significantly higher than that of CM and RSM (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggested that SBM and CM contained similar protein value and availability for dairy cattle, while RSM had the lowest protein quality and utilization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.1167-1179
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens. Methods: Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming control diet, or control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC. Liver mRNA expression of antioxidant, inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways were analyzed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) concentration in each group were tested in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) of 35-d old broilers to represent the stress level of the chickens. Furthermore, these cells were stimulated with 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the cell stress tolerance by measuring cell viability and oxidative species. Results: Heme oxygenase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, and superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the above antioxidant genes were all up-regulated significantly in FAC groups. Reactive oxygen species modulator protein 1 and NADPH oxygenase 1 were both rather down-regulated in 10% FAC group as comparison with two WB groups. Despite expressing higher level than control group, birds receiving diet containing FAC had significantly lower expression level in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and other genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-richcontaining family, pyrin domain-containing-3, and cyclooxygenase 2) involving in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, except for 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that showed relatively higher in both groups, the WB, lipoprotein lipase, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid binding protein, fatty acid desaturase 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha genes were expressed at higher levels in 10% FAC group. In support of above results, promoted Nrf2 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in chicken liver were found in FAC containing groups. H₂O₂ and NO levels induced by LPS and AAPH in cPBMCs were compromised in FAC containing diet. In 35-d-old birds, PGE₂ production in cPBMCs was also suppressed by the FAC diet. Conclusion: FAC may promote Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and positively regulate lipid metabolism, both are potential inhibitor of NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 2024

LS-RUG-com preparation in a complex extract from mixture of three natural plants. Rubus crataegifolius/unriped, Gardenia jasminoides and Ulmus marcrocarpa that have been widely used in traditional functional health food. This study was conducted to establish the HPLC analysis methods that can be used to establish quantitative analysis of R. crataegifolius, G. jasminoides and U. macrocarpa for standardization of LS-RUG-com preparations. HPLC analysis methods for simultaneous determination of ellagic acid and geniposide and single determination of catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside were established for the quality control of natural plants complex (LS-RUG-com). Validation of HPLC analysis were performed by checking specificity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and quantitation, and linearity following ICH (International Council for Harmonisation) guideline. As the result of quantitative analysis, the contents of ellagic acid, geniposide and catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside in each plant extracts were 11.2 mg/g (ellagic acid) and 72 mg/g (geniposide) and 10.2 mg/g (catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside). The contents of ellagic acid, geniposide and catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside in LS-RUG-com were 4.62~6.82 mg/g (ellagic acid), 19.2~28.8 mg/g (geniposide) and 1.36~2.04 mg/g (catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside) respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.851-860
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to manufacture the wood based roughage using lumber from thinning of oak and pitch pine (Pinus rigida). And the study also aimed to investigate a feed value evaluation of wood based roughages. To investigate the optimization condition of steam-digestion treatment for roughage, the wood chips of oak and pitch pine were steam-digestion treated at $160^{\circ}C$ under pressure 6 atm depending on treatment times (60 min, 90 min and 120 min) followed by the content of essential oils analyzed. The essential oil content of steam-digestion treated roughages for 90 min and 120 min were under 0.1 mL/kg. The evaluation of feed value was carried out from steam-digestion treated roughages for 90 min through feed chemical composition analysis, NRC (National research Council) modeling, ruminal degradability analysis and relative economic value analysis. The feed chemical compositions including DM (dry mater), CP (crude protein), EE (ether extract), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), ADF (acid detergent fiber), ADL (acid detergent lignin), NFC (nonfiber carbohydrate) in oak roughage were 95.4, 1.36, 3.11, 90.05, 83.85, 17.33, 6.50%, respectively, and in pitch pine roughage were 94.37, 1.33, 5.48, 87.89, 86.88, 30.56, 6.32%, respectively. Both roughages showed low level of protein and very high level of NDF. The TDN (total digestible nutrient) levels using NRC (2001) model in oak and pitch pine roughages were 40.55, 31.22%, respectively. The ruminal in situ dry matter degradability was higher in oak roughage (23.84%) than in pitch pine roughage (10.02%). The economic values of oak and pitch pine rough-ages were 235, and 210 \, respectively.