• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2001

The antigenic domain of the major surface protein (Nc-p43) of Neospora caninum was examined by polymerase chain reaction of its gene fragments and recombinant expression as GST fusion proteins. The fragments of Nc-p43 were as follow: a total open reading frame (OFR), T: OFR without signal sequence and C-terminal hydrophobic sequence, S: N-terminal 2/3 parts of S, A: C-terminal 2/3 parts, P; N-terminal 1/3 part, X: middle 1/3 part Y; and C-terminal 1/3 part, Z, respectively. The DNA fragments were cloned into pGEX-47 vector. Recombinant plasmids transformed into Escherichia coli of BL21 pLysS (DE3) strain were induced to express GST or GST fused fragments of Nc-p43 such as 69 kDa protein for T,66 kDa for S, 52 kDa for A,53 kDa for P, and 40 kDa proteins for X, Y, and Z, respectively in SDS-PAGE. The Nc-p43 fragments of T, S, and P reacted with a bovine serum of neosporosis while those of A, X, Y, and Z together with GST did not in the western blot. These findings suggest that the antigenic domain of Nc-p43 of N. caninum may be localized in the C-terminal 2/3 parts. Together with Al9 clone in SAGI of Toxoplasma gondii (Nam et at., 1996), the P fragment of Nc-p43 could be used as efficient antigens to diagnose and differentiate those infections with both species .

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.175-177
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• 2003

An ELISA was established to measure bovine IgG directed against the recombinant antigenic determinant of Nc-p43, a major surface antigen of Neospora caninum. In a previous study, two thirds of the C-terminal of the molecule was expressed as a $6{\;}{\times}{\;}His$ tagged protein (Ncp43p) for ELISA using 2/3 of the N-terminal of SAG1 from Toxoplasma gondii as a control (TgSAG1A). Among 852 cattle sera collected from stock farms scattered nation-wide, 103 sera (12.1％) were found to react with Ncp43p positively, but no positive reaction was observed with TgSAG1A. This study shows that Ncp43p could be available as an efficient antigen for the diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle. Furthermore, it together with TgSAG1A, could be useful for the differential diagnosis of N. caninum and T.gondii infections in other mammals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment plans using full Arc and Partial Arc Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy and Non-Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy to minimize radiation treatment side effects, such as pneumonia, and protect normal organs in esophageal cancer radiotherapy. 30 patients who underwent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer were included. Compared planning target volume, lung, heart, spinal cord and total monitor units among three treatment plans: fVMAT(2 Full Arc), pVMAT(4 Partial Arc), and ncVMAT(2 Partial Arc + 2 Non-Coplanar Arc). All plans met the PTV criteria, showing uniform distribution. The average dose to the heart was 5.8 Gy for fVMAT, 6.97 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.6 Gy for ncVMAT, with the lowest value in fVMAT, which was statistically significant. However, the average lung dose was 9.01 Gy for fVMAT, 7.71 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.12 Gy for ncVMAT, with V_5Gy(%) values of 52.22%, 38.61%, 36.35% and V_10Gy(%) values of 37.8%, 27.33%, 24.15% respectively. ncVMAT showed the lowest values, while fVMAT had the highest, with statistical significance. In conclusion, ncVMAT effectively reduces lung radiation exposure in esophageal cancer radiotherapy, potentially reducing the incidence of side effects such as pneumonia. However, considering factors like setup accuracy and treatment time, applying an appropriate treatment plan may lead to better outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.80-88
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• 1999

Hypercholesterolemia is a well known major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, now the leading cause of death in Korea. This study was carried out to examine the relationships of hypercholesterolemia(HC$\geq$240 mg/dL) with obesity, blood pressure and blood glucose level in 649 male subjects aged 20-69 in Kwangju, Korea. The mean plasma total cholesterol level was 212${\pm}$43 mg/dL, and 25.3% of the subjects was diagnosed as HC and 39.3% as nomorcholesterolemia(NC〈200 mg/dL). The prevalence of HC seemed to increase with age. The subjects with HC were highly overweighted and had higher body mass index(BMI) than the NC subjects. The incidence of overweight(25$\leq$BMI〈30) and obesity(BMI$\geq$30) among the HC subjects were 44.5%, and 1.8%, respectively. The HC subjects had higher systolic(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) than the NC subjects. The incidence of borderline hypertension (160/95〉SBP/DBP$\geq$140/90) and hypertension(SBP/DBP$\geq$160/95) among the HC subjects were 18.3%, and 9.1%, respectively. However, there was no difference in blood glucose level between the HC and NC subjects. The plasma total cholesterol level had positive relationships with BMI(P〈0.001), weight(P〈0.001), DBP(P〈0.001), SBP(P〈0.01), and age(P〈0.01), whereas inverse relationships with height/weight ratio(P〈0.001), and height(P〈0.01). The relative risks on HC were 1.99 for obesity, 1.53 for overweight, 1.82 for hypertension, 1.44 for borderline hypertension and 1.08 for hyperglycemia. Attributable risks on HC were 0.25 for obesity, 0.11 for overweight, 0.20 for hypertension, 0.10 for borderline hypertension and 0.02 for hyperglycemia. The results indicate that the level of plasma total cholesterol was closely associated with the incidences of obesity and hypertension. (Korean J of Human Ecology 2(1) : 80-88, 1999)

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) extract on blood glucose and insulin resistance in db/db mice. Seven weeks old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC), diabetic control group (DC) and Corni Fructus treated diabetic group (DCF). Over an 8-week experimental period, Corni Fructus extract was administered orally at 500 mg/kg BW/day. Corni Fructus inhibited increase in blood glucose level during the OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test). At 8 weeks after beginning of the experiment, blood glucose level in the DCF group was significantly lower (p<0.01) than the DC group. Final fasting serum glucose and triglyceride in the DCF group were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the DC group by 32% and 41% respectively. Serum insulin did not differ among the NC, DC and DCF groups. The mRNA expression of adiponectin, GLUT 4 and PPAR-$\gamma$ in adipose tissue in the DC group were significantly lower than the NC group and they were higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 76%, 130% (p<0.05) and 43%, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that Corni Fructus would have antidiabetic effects via improving insulin resistance in favor of higher glucose utilization and reducing blood glucose level in db/db mice.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.23-37
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• 2022

Thirty-six weaned piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 8.43 ± 0.40 kg (28 days of age, ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments for a 2-week feeding trial to determine the effects of different inorganic zinc (IZ), organic zinc (OZ) or combination of low crude protein diet (LP) and Mixed feed additive (MFA) on diarrhea score, nutrient digestibility, zinc utilization, blood profiles, organ weight, and fecal microflora in weaned piglet diet. The pigs were individually placed in 45 × 55 × 45 cm stainless steel metabolism cages in an environmentally controlled room (30 ± 1℃). The dietary treatments included a negative control (NC), positive control (PC; zinc oxide, 1,000 mg/kg), T1 (IZ : OZ, 850 : 150), T2 (IZ : OZ 700 : 300), T3 (IZ : OZ, 500 : 500), and T4 (LP + MFA [0.1% Essential oils + 0.08% Protease + 0.02% Xylanase]). The daily feed allowance was adjusted to 2.7 times the maintenance requirement for digestible energy (2.7 × 110 kcal of DE/kg BW^0.75). This allowance was divided into two equal parts, and the piglets were fed at 08 : 30 and 17 : 30 each day. Water was provided ad libitum through a drinking nipple. The diarrhea score was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in NC treatment compared with other treatments. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and gross energy (GE) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the T2 treatment compared with the PC and NC treatments in week 1. In week 2, the ATTD of DM, N, and GE was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the NC treatment compared with other treatments. The T3 treatment had significantly higher (p < 0.05) ATTD and apparent ileal digestibility of zinc than the PC and T1 treatments. The Escherichia coli count in feces was significantly decreased in the T4 treatment compared with the NC and T2 treatments. The Lactobacillus count in feces was significantly increased in the T4 and T1 treatment compared with the T2 and T3 treatments. In conclusion, IZ : OZ 500 : 500 levels could improve nutrient digestibility and zinc utilization in weaned piglets, Moreover, MFA in LP diets could be used as a zinc alternative.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.761-767
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with a functional fatty acid blend (FA) that contains 31.4% butyric acid and 4.99% medium-chain FA improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity status, and anti-inflammatory ability in weaned piglets. Methods: One hundred and forty-four healthy piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 7.98±3.43 kg were randomly divided into three groups with six replicate pens and eight piglets per pen: Normal control (NC): a corn-soybean basal diet; FA1: a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg of a functional FA; FA2: a basal diet supplemented with 2,000 mg/kg of a functional FA. The experiment lasted for 28 d. On d 14 and 28, one piglet in each pen from NC and FA2 groups was randomly selected for antioxidative index and immunoglobulins. On d 28, one piglet in each pen from NC and FA2 groups was randomly selected for intestinal morphology and inflammatory factor. Results: We observed that FA supplementation linearly increased (p<0.05) average daily gain and the final BW. There was higher (p<0.05) catalase on d 14, and immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgM on d 28 in piglets supplemented with FA2 than in the NC group. Moreover, dietary FA2 reduced (p<0.05) crypt depth of ileum in piglets. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 in jejunum were lower (p<0.05) in the FA2 group compared with the NC group. Conclusion: Therefore, the overall results suggests that the FA may help to improve gut health, antioxidant status, and immune parameters resulting in the improvement of growth performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.1974-1980
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in growing pigs fed diets containing increasing levels of copra meal (CM) with β-mannanase supplementation. Methods: Twenty barrows (initial body weight: 34.43±0.11 kg) surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were individually housed in metabolism crates. Pigs were allotted to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments were: i) NC, negative control, corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diet, ii) PC, positive control, basal diet + 0.10% β-mannanase supplementation (800 IU/kg), iii) CM6, PC diet with 6% CM supplementation, iv) CM12, PC diet with 12% CM supplementation, and v) CM18, PC diet with 18% CM supplementation. A nitrogen-free diet was used to estimate basal endogenous losses of AA for SID calculation. All experimental diets contained 0.5% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Each period consisted of a 4-d diet adaptation period and a 3-d ileal digesta collection period. Results: There were no differences in apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and SID of all AA between the NC and PC treatments except that the PC treatment had lower AID and SID of glycine than the NC treatment (p<0.05). There were linear decreases in AID and SID of lysine (p<0.05) and aspartic acid (p = 0.06; tendency) with increasing levels of CM in the diets with β-mannanase. Conclusion: The β-mannanase supplementation had no effect on AA digestibility in pigs fed the corn-SBM based diet but increasing levels of CM reduced SID of lysine and aspartic acid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of green tea polyphenol and vitamin C on type 2 diabetes mellitus by administering polyphenon 60 (P60) and sodium ascorbate (SA) to diabetic rats induced by high fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin. The experimental group was divided into five different groups: non-diabetic control group (NC), diabetes control group (DC), diabetes+P60 group (DM+P60), diabetes+SA group (DM+SA), and diabetes+P60+SA group (DM+P60+SA). P60 and SA were dissolved in 0.1% drinking water. After P60 and SA were administered for 16 weeks, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, serum triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels as well as kidney alkaline phosphatase (AP) and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activities were measured. Fasting blood glucose level increased 5-fold in the DC group compared to the NC group. In the DM+P60 group, fasting blood glucose level decreased by 14%. In the DM+P60+SA group, fasting blood glucose level decreased by 28% compared to the DC group, whereas the DM+SA group did not show any significant difference. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index increased in the DC group and decreased in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. Serum creatinine level increased in the DC group, but decreased by 17% in the DM+P60 group and by 43% in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. The serum BUN level increased in the DC group, but decreased by 41% in the DM+P60+SA group compared to the DC group. Kidney GGT and AP activities decreased in the DC group compared to the NC group; however, they were reversed by DM+P60+SA group. These results show that combined administration of both green tea polyphenol and vitamin C had better effects on improving blood glucose level, insulin resistance, serum triglyceride level, and protecting kidneys than administration of either green tea polyphenol or vitamin C alone in the context of type 2 diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.203-217
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• 2019

The present study was designed to examine the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction by cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) on the cardiac functions and morphology, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, myocardial antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione [GSH]), and expression of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 and connexin 43 (Cx-43) in myocardial muscles in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty two adult male Sprague Dawely rats were divided into 4 groups (each 8 rats): normal control (NC) group, ISO group: received ISO at dose of 150 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 2 successive days; ISO + Trizma group: received (ISO) and Trizma (solvent of CoPP) at dose of 5 mg/kg i.p. injection 2 days before injection of ISO, with ISO at day 0 and at day 2 after ISO injections; and ISO + CoPP group: received ISO and CoPP at a dose of 5 mg/kg dissolved in Trizma i.p. injection as Trizma. We found that, administration of ISO caused significant increase in heart rate, corrected QT interval, ST segment, cardiac enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-muscle/brain), cardiac HO-1, Hsp70 with significant attenuation in myocardial GSH, SOD, and Cx-43. On the other hand, administration of CoPP caused significant improvement in ECG parameters, cardiac enzymes, cardiac morphology; antioxidants induced by ISO with significant increase in HO-1, Cx-43, and Hsp70 expression in myocardium. In conclusions, we concluded that induction of HO-1 by CoPP ameliorates ISO-induced myocardial injury, which might be due to up-regulation of Hsp70 and gap junction protein (Cx-43).