• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2023

Non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus oryzae and aflatoxigenic A. flavus cannot be clearly identified by partial sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (18S rRNA) regions. This study aimed to compare the accuracy among three aflatoxin detection methods using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and to select the non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus sp. isolated from soybean paste. All analytical methods were suitable according to the international standards of Codex Alimentarius FAO-WHO (CODEX) or the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). UPLC exhibited the best of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Based on UPLC, HPLC, and the ELISA kit assay, the P5 and P7 strains isolated from soybean paste had 1,663.49, 1,468.12, and >20 ㎍/kg and 1,470.08, 1,056.73, and >20 ㎍/kg, respectively, detected and re-identified as A. flavus. In contrast, the P3 and P4 strains (A. oryzae), which were detected below the MFDS standards in all assays, were confirmed as non-aflatoxigenic fungi. Among the methods evaluated for quantitative analysis of aflatoxin, UPLC and HPLC are superior in terms of accuracy, and the ELISA kit rapidly detects low concentrations of aflatoxin. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that any Aspergillus sp. isolated for use as a fermentation starter should be analyzed for potential aflatoxin production using UPLC and HPLC for accurate quantitative analysis or ELISA for the rapid detection of low-level concentrations of aflatoxin.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2024

Background: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is essential for various biological processes, including fetal Leydig cell differentiation. The PDGFRα^EGFP mouse model, which expresses an eGFP fusion gene under the native Pdgfrα promoter, serves as a valuable resource for exploring PDGFRα's expression and function in vivo. This study investigates PDGFRα expression in adult testicular cells using PDGFRα^EGFP mouse model. Methods: Genotyping PCR and gel electrophoresis were used to confirm the zygosity of PDGFRα^EGFP mice. Histological examination and fluorescence imaging were used to identify PDGFRα expression within testicular tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis assessed the co-expression of PDGFRα with c-Kit, ANO-1, and TASK-1 in testicular cells. Results: Genotyping confirmed the heterozygous status of the mice, which is crucial for studies due to the embryonic lethal phenotype observed in homozygotes. Histological and fluorescence imaging revealed that PDGFRα⁺ cells were primarily located in the interstitial spaces of the testis, specifically within Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells (PMCs). Immunohistochemical results showed PDGFRα co-localization with c-Kit and ANO-1 in Leydig cells and a complete co-localization with TASK-1 in both Leydig cells and PMCs. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate specific expression of PDGFRα in Leydig cells and PMCs in adult testicular tissue. The co-expression of PDGFRα with c-Kit, ANO-1, and TASK-1 suggests complex regulatory mechanisms, possibly influencing testicular function and broader physiological processes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2024

Herbal medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris has been traditionally used as tonic medicine for metabolic syndrome. Cordycepin, main extract of C. militaris, has been reported with immunomodulatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective effect of cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris, against high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis (HS) in male obese (ob/ob) mice. HFD was provided to ob/ob mice ad libitum (except negative control). Cordycepin-enriched C. militaris extract powder (CM) was orally administered once daily at dose levels of 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg·kg^-1 for 4 weeks. During the study, body weight gain was statistically increased in all HFD fed groups compared to negative control, but body weight gain in CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group shows a low tendency compared to HS model group. In organ weights, absolute and relative weights (to body weight) in liver and perirenal adipose tissue were increased in all HFD treated groups except CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group compared to the negative control. In clinical chemistry, serum glucose and total cholesterol levels in CM 250 and/or 500 mg·kg^-1 treated groups were lower than HS model group. In microscopical examination, hepatocyte vacuolation with macrovesicles in HS model group was increased compared to negative control, but this finding was decreased in CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group compared to HS model group. In this study, CM exhibited hepatoprotective effects against hepatic steatosis at mg·kg^-1 in ob/ob mice.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.509-514
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• 2020

Satsuma dwarf virus (SDV) seriously damages citrus production by reducing the quality and yield of fruit. To avoid contamination with SDV, mother trees are checked to be SDV-free in advance of nursery tree distribution. In this study, we compared an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) kit with double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) for large-scale diagnosis of SDV in orchardgrown trees in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The two methods gave conflicting results for 11 of 1,705 samples, all of which were negative by DAS-ELISA but positive by ICA. The samples scored as positive by either DAS-ELISA or ICA were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and all were confirmed to be positive. These results validate the use of ICA as a screening method for large-scale diagnosis. Strain discrimination revealed that 16 of 22 isolates belonged to SDV, while citrus mosaic virus (CiMV) infection only and co-infection (SDV and CiMV) were in a minority.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.445-448
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• 2017

A 1.5-year-old neutered male domestic short hair cat was presented with multiple nodular mass, and suspected mast cell tumor on the surface of the right ear, accompanied by submandibular lymph node involvement. Histopathological Examinations and KIT (CD117) immunohistochemical staining was performed after the surgical resection of the entire right ear pinna. This patient was diagnosed with an anaplastic mast cell tumor with a diffuse positive cytoplasmic expression of KIT. Imatinib mesylate was prescribed after surgical resection; the patient presented without recurrence or metastasis for 2 years. Mild leukopenia was observed as the only side effect of imatinib mesylate during medication.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.275-287
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• 2020

Since its introduction in the forensic field, quantitative PCR (qPCR) has played an essential role in DNA analysis. Quality of DNA should be evaluated before short tandem repeat (STR) profiling to obtain reliable results and reduce unnecessary costs. To this end, various human DNA quantification kits have been developed. Among these kits, the PowerQunat® System was designed not only to determine the total amount of human DNA and human male DNA from a forensic evidence item, but also to offer data about degradation of DNA samples. However, a crucial limitation of the PowerQunat® System is its high cost. Therefore, to minimize the cost of DNA quantification, we evaluated kit performance using a reduced volume of reagents (1/2-volume) using DNA samples of varying types and concentrations. Our results demonstrated that the low-volume method has almost comparable performance to the manufacturer's method for human DNA quantification, human male DNA quantification, and DNA degradation index. Furthermore, using a reduced volume of regents, it is possible to run 2 times more reactions per kit. We expect the proposed low-volume method to cut costs in half for laboratories dealing with large numbers of DNA samples.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2023

As the demand for large flexible displays such as tablet computers continues to rise, there is an increasing need for cost-efficient colorless and optically transparent polyimide film that can meet the desired performance, particularly optical transmittance. In this study, we investigated a detailed procedure for achieving optimal optical transmittance using two different combinations of monomers: 6FDA+BAPB and 6FDA+BPA+TFDB. We employed a design of experiment method to systematically synthesize polymers, allowing for the optimization of optical transmittance. In addition, we were able to achieve uniform thickness in the films by using a doctor blade. By comparing the price and optical transmittance of four different monomer combinations, we obtained fundamental data on the production of polyimide films that can be customized to meet the specific price and performance requirements of manufacturers. This approach enables users to select the most suitable polyimide film based on their desired price and performance parameters while achieving optimal optical transmittance.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.515-519
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• 2007

Rapid immunochromatographic assay (ICA) kits were developed using flagella-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and rabbit polyclonal antibodies for screening Listeria spp. in food. The establishment of different formats, MAb 2B1 as capture antibody and MAb 7A3 or rabbit polyclonal antibodies as detector antibody, was compared. The 2 formats of the ICA kit were shown to have specific reactions with Listeria and no cross-reactivity with any of the non-Listeria including Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enteritidis. The detection limits of the ICA kit using the combination of gold-labeled MAb 7A3 and MAb 2B1 showed $1{\times}10^5$ and $1{\times}10^6\;CFU/0.1\;mL$ at 22 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The other format of the ICA kit using the combination of gold-labeled rabbit polyclonal antibodies and MAb 2B1 showed $1{\times}10^6\;CFU/0.1\;mL$ at $22^{\circ}C$ but weak signal at 30 culture. The format utilizing MAb was more sensitive than the one using polyclonal antibodies for capture antibody. Samples contaminated with L. monocytogenes 4b culture (9-10, 5-6, and 1-2 CFU/mL) on pork and pasteurized milk were confirmed as positive results. Current data suggests that this ICA kit is a rapid, simple and effective tool to screen for Listeria spp. in food.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.25.1-25.7
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• 2017

Background: Rabbit breeding with high performance imported ones would be of benefit for genetic diversity and improvement of performance in domestic rabbit breeds. The rearing of more productive rabbit breeds could be pathway to improve the productivity and reduce the production cost. Maternal nutritional status exert a great influence on reproductive functions of does, which may expand from conception, through gestation and parturition and development of kits to puberty. Methods: Four breeds of rabbit were evaluated for their parturition, weaning and pubertal differences among the rabbit population in Ibadan, Nigeria. The breed consist of Fauve De Bourgogne (FDB), Chinchilla (CHA), British Spot (BS) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 60 bucks and 360 does consisting of 15 bucks and 90 does per breed were mated in 6 mating cycles, three each of natural mating and artificial insemination. All does were synchronized for estrus with 20 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin 48 h prior to mating. The does after parturition were assessed for milk yield (g) and kit survival rate (%) till weaning, weight changes of kits from birth to puberty. At puberty, the pubertal age (days) and weight (g) of the offspring were assessed. Result: Results obtained reveals that British Spot doe had highest milk yield among the breeds which significantly increased growth of kit and weight at weaning in British Spot rabbits. Survival rates of Chinchilla kits were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Fauve de Bourgogne, British Spot and New Zealand White kits. Puberty attainment of the rabbits indicates that British spot does and Fauve de Bourgogne bucks are early maturing. Conclusion: Chinchilla shows high kit survivability and British spot has highest milk yield among the four breeds of rabbit.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.169-174
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• 2014

The effect of varying amounts of graphite and $TiB_2$ on the electrical conductivity of composite bipolar plates was systematically studied. In this study, Titanium diboride ($TiB_2$) which has a high electrical conductivity, was selected as a filler and a additive material instead of conventional graphite. For proper distribution of the filler and matrix materials, ball milling using alumina balls was conducted for 1h, and then the hot press method was applied for the preparation of composite samples. The results showed a rapid increase in the electrical conductivity of composite bipolar plates at the critical filler content. However, $TiB_2$ and graphite composite bipolar plates showed similar increases in the electrical conductivity even though $TiB_2$ has a higher electrical conductivity than graphite. In addition, it was also found that a small addition of $TiB_2$ to graphite filler could be very effective for increasing the electrical conductivity and flexural strength of the composite bipolar plate.