• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 2005

To define the effect of silica on the stimulator of signaling pathway, we studied the phospholipase D (PLD) activity in the Rat2 fibroblasts. Silica stimulated the accumulation of labeled $[^3H]$ phosphatidylethanol$([^3H]\;PEt)$ in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This Silicainduced PLD activity was partially attenuated by the pretreatment with U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), genistein (protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor), PD 98056 (MEK inhibitor) and mepacrine (phospholipase $A_2$ inhibitor). But, sphingosine (protein kinase C inhibitor) and DPI (NADPH reductase inhibitor) had not effect the PLD activity. Silica also increased the PLD activity about four fold, which imply that the PLD activity is more influenced by the mobilization of PLD than other signaling mediators. The PLD activity also partially inhibited calcium chelator EGTA or/and BAPTA/AM compared to silica. Finally, we concluded that a silica-stimulated phospholipase D activity is present in the Rat2 fibroblasts and is modulated by combination of various signaling mediators.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.11
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• pp.348-354
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the causes, symptoms, and complications of hypoproteinemia to prevent hypoproteinemia and provide appropriate treatment to children with atopic dermatitis. Methods: Children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis with hypoproteinemia and/or hypoalbuminemia were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' medical records, including family history, weight, symptoms, treatment, complications, and laboratory test results for allergies and skin cultures, were examined. Results: Twenty-six patients (24 boys) were enrolled. Seven cases had growth retardation; 7, keratoconjunctivitis; 6, aural discharges; 5, eczema herpeticum; 4, gastrointestinal tract symptoms; and 2, developmental delays. In 21 cases, topical steroids were not used. According to the blood test results, the median values of each parameter were elevated: total IgE, 1,864 U/mL; egg white-specific IgE, $76.5kU_A/L$; milk IgE, $20.5kU_A/L$; peanut IgE, $30kU_A/L$; eosinophil count, $5,810/{\mu}L$; eosinophil cationic protein, $93.45{\mu}g/L$; and platelet count, $666.5{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$. Serum albumin and total protein levels decreased to 2.7 g/dL and 4.25 g/dL, respectively. Regarding electrolyte abnormality, 10 patients had hyponatremia, and 12, hyperkalemia. Systemic antibiotics were used to treat all cases, and an antiviral agent was used in 12 patients. Electrolyte correction was performed in 8 patients. Conclusion: Hypoproteinemia accompanying atopic dermatitis is common in infants younger than 1 year and may occur because of topical steroid treatment continuously being declined or because of eczema herpeticum. It may be accompanied by growth retardation, keratoconjunctivitis, aural discharge, and eczema herpeticum and can be managed through skin care and topical steroid application without intravenous albumin infusion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1103-1109
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to screen and identify the target genes of miR-375 in pig Sertoli (ST) cells and to elucidate the effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells. Methods: In this study, bioinformatics software was used to predict and verify miR-375 target genes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the relationship between miR-375 and its target genes in ST cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of rearranged L-myc fusion (RLF) and hypoxia-induced gene domain protein 1A (HIGD1A) was performed on porcine ST cells, which were transfected with a miR-375 mimics and inhibitor to verify the results. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to assess the interactions among miR-375, RLF, and HIGD1A. The effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells was analyzed by CellTiter 96 AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS). Results: Five possible target genes of miR-375, including RLF, HIGD1A, colorectal cancer associated 2, POU class 3 homeobox 1, and WW domain binding protein 1 like, were found. The results of quantitative PCR suggested that mRNA expression of RLF and HIGD1A had a negative correlation with miR-375, indicating that RLF and HIGD1A are likely the target genes of miR-375. The ELISA results revealed that RLF and HIGD1A were negatively correlated with the miR-375 protein level. The luminescence results for the miR-375 group cotransfected with wild-type RLF and HIGD1A vector were significantly lower than those of the miR-375 group co-transfected with the blank vector or mutant RLF and HIGD1A vectors. The present findings suggest that RLF and HIGD1A are target genes of miR-375 and that miR-375 inhibits ST cell proliferation according to MTS analysis. Conclusion: It was speculated that miR-375 affects cell proliferation through its target genes, which play an important role in the development of testicular tissue.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7843-7846
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• 2015

Background: Some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in invasion and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, there are few studies on association between stromelysin-2 (ST-2) and invasive behavior of HNSCC. The purpose of this study was to investigate Stromelysin-2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 81 specimens, including 61 HNSCC and 20 non neoplastic epithelium. Sections with 5 micron thickness were prepared and stained with immunohistochemistry technique. Then expression of ST-2 was evaluated according to percentage of stained cells and intensity of staining. Data were analyzed by SPSS (V.21) using Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Results: The 61 HNSCC specimens were grades I 36.1%, II 34.4% and III 29.5%. The level of ST-2 expressions were moderate (++) and intensive (+++) in 21.3% and 78.7% of tumors, respectively. The ST-2 expression level was only significant between the tumors with grade I and grade III (P=0.016). Tumors presented ST-2 expression with staining intensity of mild 6.6%, moderate 26.2% and strong 67.2%. Staining intensity of ST-2 in grade I tumors was significantly lower than grade II and grade III (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between grades II and III (P=0.99). Conclusions: According to this study, the expression of ST-2 is associated with histopathological grade and tumor differentiation in HNSCCs.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of inflammatory biomarkers in acute infectious diarrhea among children. Methods: Clinical parameters including fever, bacterial and viral etiology based on stool culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and nine biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and leukocytes in blood and calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, polymorphonuclear elastase, leukocytes, and occult blood in feces were evaluated in children who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea without underlying disease. Results: A total of 62 patients were included. Among these patients, 33 had fever, 18 showed bacterial infections, and 40 patients were infected with 43 viruses. Of all the biomarkers, CRP was significantly correlated with fever (p<0.001). CRP, ESR, calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, fecal leukocytes, and occult blood were significantly associated with infection with bacterial pathogens (p<0.001, p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.003, p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.002, respectively). The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin at their best cut-off values (13.7 mg/L and $22.8{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) yielded a sensitivity of 72.2%, and a specificity of 95.5% for bacterial etiology compared with their individual use. Conclusion: Blood CRP is a useful diagnostic marker for both fever and bacterial etiology in acute pediatric diarrhea. The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin yields better diagnostic capability for bacterial etiology than their use alone for acute diarrhea in children without underlying gastrointestinal disease.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1345-1357
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• 2018

Objective: This study examined the influence of dietary supplementation of Nigella sativa seeds, Rosmarinus officinalis leaves and their combination on carcass attributes, fatty acid (FA) composition, gene expression, lipid oxidation and physicochemical properties of longissimus dorsi (LD), semitendinosus (ST), and supraspinatus (SS) muscles in Dorper lambs. Methods: Twenty-four Dorper lambs ($18.68{\pm}0.6kg$, 4 to 5 months old) were randomly assigned to a concentrate mixture containing either, no supplement (control, T1), 1% Rosmarinus officinalis leaves (T2), 1% Nigella sativa seeds (T3), or 1% Rosmarinus officinalis leaves+1% Nigella sativa seeds (T4) on a dry matter basis. The lambs were fed the treatments with urea-treated rice straw for 90 days, slaughtered and the muscles were subjected to a 7 d postmortem chill storage. Results: The T2 lambs had greater (p<0.05) slaughter and cold carcass weights than the control lambs. Dietary supplements did not affect (p>0.05) chill loss, dressing percentage, carcass composition, intramuscular fat and muscle pH in Dorper lambs. Meat from supplemented lambs had lower (p<0.05) cooking and drip losses, shear force, lightness, and lipid oxidation and greater (p<0.05) redness compared with the control meat. The impact of dietary supplements on muscle FA varied with muscle type. Diet had no effect (p>0.05) on the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase and lipoprotein lipase genes in LD and ST muscles in Dorper lambs. The T2 and T3 diets up regulated the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha 2 gene in LD and ST muscles and up regulated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 in ST muscle in Dorper lambs. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of Nigella sativa seeds and Rosmarinus officinalis leaves had beneficial effects on meat quality in Dorper lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.404-413
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• 2008

Major objectives were to evaluate effects of three schemes of bST-supplementation of Holstein cows (142.8 mg/14 d, POSILAC) during the prepartum and/or postpartum periods through 63 d (${\pm}3d$) of lactation. Measures evaluated the potential of treatments to improve body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), provoke changes in plasma concentrations of somatotropin (ST) and IGF-I, and improve milk yield, milk composition (percentages of protein and fat, and somatic cell counts), and several calving variables. Multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments (TRT) to give four groups (I = no bST, n = 26; II = bST postpartum, n = 25; III = bST prepartum, n = 27; IV = bST prepartum and postpartum, n = 25). During the prepartum period, cows in groups I and II were not supplemented but those in groups III and IV were supplemented every 2-wk beginning 21 d before expected calving date through calving. During the first 63 DIM only cows in groups II and IV were supplemented with bST. From 64 DIM through the end of lactation cows in all groups were supplemented with the full lactation dose of bST (500 mg/14 d). The BW and BCS were recorded weekly throughout the prepartum and postpartum periods and every 2-wk beyond 70 DIM. Blood samples were collected 3-times a week for analyses of ST and IGF-I. Milk yields were recorded daily though 150 DIM. Prepartum supplementation of bST did not affect BW or BCS, but mean concentrations of ST were increased 12.2% and were 15.5% greater at calving. Overall, mean concentration of IGF-I was not affected by treatment but concentrations were greater at 1 and 2 wk before calving in bST-supplemented cows. During the first 63 DIM the BW and BCS were not affected by treatment. Significant effects of bST-supplementation were detected on concentrations of ST, IGF-I and on milk yield compared to non-supplemented cows in group I. Postpartum concentrations of ST were greater in bST-supplemented cows (TRT II and IV; +41.9 and 54.6%). However, concentrations of IGF-I were greater only in cows in group IV (+25.9%) during the postpartum period. Overall, the three bST-supplemented groups had greater actual milk yield than the control group (I) during the first 63 and 150 DIM. The actual milk yields during 63 and 150 DIM were 6.5 and 4.6 kg/d greater for cows in group IV than cows in group I and the 305-d ME milk yield also was 15.6% greater. No adverse effects of TRT were observed on calf birth weight, colostrum immunoglobulins, ease of calving or other measures evaluated.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.6
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• 2020

Background: As the cost of fishmeal continues to rise, there will be a need to optimize the diet by minimizing dietary fishmeal inclusion in aquafeed. In this study, a 7-week experiment was conducted to evaluate soybean meal, fermented soybean meal (soytide), and sesame meal as fishmeal replacers in whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Methods: A 30%-based fishmeal diet was considered as control (CON), six other diets were prepared by replacing 20% or 40% of fishmeal with soybean meal (SB₂₀ and SB₄₀), fermented soybean meal (ST₂₀ and ST₄₀), or sesame meal (SM₂₀ and SM₄₀) from the CON diet. Twenty shrimp with average initial weight of 0.65 ± 0.05 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 21 tanks (45 L) and fed four times a day. Water temperature was controlled at 28 ± 1 ℃ and aeration was provided by air stones. Results: Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio of shrimp fed CON showed no significant differences compared to shrimp fed all the other diets. However, growth performance of shrimp fed ST₂₀ diet was significantly higher than those of shrimp fed the SM₂₀ and SM₄₀ diets (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of shrimp fed CON, ST₂₀, and ST₄₀ diets was significantly higher than those of shrimp fed the SB₄₀ and SM₄₀ diets. But there were no significant differences among shrimp fed CON, SB₂₀, ST₂₀, ST₄₀, and SM₂₀ diets. Also, lysozyme activity of shrimp fed ST₂₀ diet was significantly higher than those of shrimp fed the SB₄₀ and SM₄₀ diets. Although, lysozyme activity of shrimp fed the CON diet was not significantly different compared to shrimp fed all the other experimental diets. Conclusions: Therefore, SB, ST, and SM could replace 40% of fishmeal based on growth performance and lysozyme. According to the SOD activity, SB and SM could replace 20% of fishmeal and ST could replace 40% of fishmeal in juvenile whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.363-368
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• 2006

Objective : Little is known about the comprehensive molecular and biological mechanism on the development of the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Many kinds of matrix metalloproteinase[MMP] initiate the degradation of the extracellular matrix including several kinds of collagens and proteoglycans. We compared molecular and immunohistochemical features of degenerated intervertebral disc and normal counterparts in order to investigate the role of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9. Methods : We have evaluated MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 expression in 30 surgically resected lumbar disc from degenerative disc disease patients and 5 normal control cases. RT-PCR[reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction] and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results : By RT-PCR, normal tissue samples showed merely scant expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 mRNA, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. mRNA amplifications were detected in 60%, 63.3%, 70%, 53.3% cases By immunohistochemistry, normal tissue samples showed minimal protein expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. Protein expressions were detected in 73.3%, 63.3%, 76.7%, 63.3% cases. Both the mRNA amplification and protein overexpression rates were significantly higher in degenerated disc than in the normal tissue. Concordance between both the mRNA amplification and protein expressions of MMP-1, 3, 9 were not observed, but there is well correlation in MMP-2 expression. Conclusion : We concluded that the over-expressions of the MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 may contribute to the development of degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 1994.12a
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• pp.15-26
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• 1994

Bovine somatotropin(bST) or bovine growth hormone (bGH) is a protein of 191 amino acids produced by the anterior pituitary gland of cattle. Recombinant bovine somatotropin(rbST) is biosynthetic versions of the naturally occurring pituitary hormone in cows. The use of rbST in dairy cows promises to improve the efficiency of milk production around the world. Using recombinant DNA technology, bST can now be produced in commercial quantities. The recombinant bST(rbST) is biologically identical to the found in the bovine pituitary. Milk from rbST-treated cows has been found to have the same nutritional value and composition as milk from untreated cows. In November of 1993, rbST finally was approved by the FDA, nearly 10 years after filing a licence applica-tion. rbST has been one of the most extensively studied animal drug products to be reviewed by the agency. Three scientific facts will help to reassure the public about the safety of the milk suppy.: 1. rbST has no biological activity in humans when indigested orally or when given by intramuscular injection. 2. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) is not orally active. Any changes in IGF-1 levels in milk are well within normal variation and are lower than those reported in human milk. 3. All cow's milk contains bST, and no significant change in bST levels in milk occurs as a result of giving cows supplemental bST. Based on the scientific evidence, the public can be confident that milk and meat from rbST-treated cows is safe to consumers.