• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 1994

In order to determine the utilization of ascidian tunic, which has been blamed for problems of costal environmental pollution when discharged into the sea after being used as a natural dietary pigment sources for rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss), fingerlings were fed on experimental diets containing acetone-extracts for 6 weeks. The amounts of acetone-extracts were 11,000mg/Kg and contained 50mg/100g wet tissues of carotenoid and $6\%$ of carotenoids were astaxanthin. From the results of feeding experiments, the growth rate in the extract group was a little higher than that of the control and pink groups after 6 weeks. The redness and yellowness of the fish skin and muscle in the extract group were similar to the pink group. Therefore, acetone-extracts of ascidian tunic were judged to be a natural dietary pigment source suitable as a substitute synthetic pigment for aquaculture use.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 1984

The growth response, lipid deposition, fat free body mass and energy expenditure of weanling rats fed the equal amount of isocaloric diets containing 8%, 13% and 18% casein were investigated. After a period of 30day feeding, the rats fed low level of protein diet were 43.01g lighter than 18% protein group (weight gains of ${85.57}{\pm}{7.50g}$ vs. ${128.58}{\pm}{11.64g}$, p<0.01). Despite of the smaller body size, there were no significant differences in lipid deposition in grams per carcass. Whereas, nitrogen accumulation was significantly greater in 13% and 18% protein fed groups compared to 8%. The estimated energy expenditure were 4,576.61 kJ, 5,440.80kJ and 5,607.67kJ for 8%, 13% and 18% protein groups respectively. The part of excess energy consumed by the low protein group may have been dissipated. The malic enzyme activity in the liver of rats was found to be unaltered by different dietary treatments. From these observations, it was conluded that the retarded growth response in lower protein level may have been originated from the shortage ge of protein supply rather than that of the energy. The protein restriction appeared to be resulted in the lower fat free compartment without affecting the ability of rats to synthesize body lipid in a similar rate to the higher protein group when energy intakes were equalized.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.422-428
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• 2014

Endophytic bacterial strains from root tissue of strawberry were screened for their efficacy in growth improvement and control of Phytophthora blight disease of chili pepper plant under greenhouse condition. Plants treated with the strain EP103, identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, showed growth improvement in terms of fresh weight and root length compared to the untreated control and other endophytic strains. When challenged with Phytophthora capsici, there was significant reduction of disease in EP103 treated plants with an efficacy of 78.7%. There was no direct inhibition of the target pathogen by EP103 when tested under in vitro antibiosis assay. Analysis of differential expression of selected marker genes for induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants treated with EP103 and challenged with P. capsici showed up-regulation of PR1 and PR10 pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. PCR analysis showed that EP103 produced secondary metabolites such as pyoluteorin, pyrrolnitrin, hydrogen cyanide and orfamide A. This study indicated the potential of endophytic P. fluorescens strain EP103 as an efficient biocontrol agent against P. capsici in chili pepper plant.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of tissue inhibitor of matalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), Activin A and Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) on in vitro production of bovine embryos. In experiment 1, presumptive zygotes were cultured in the medium supplemented with TIMP-1 ($0.5{\mu}g/ml$), Activin A (100 ng/ml), or HB-EGF (100 ng/ml) at $39^{\circ}C$ in a humidified atmosphere of 5% (v/v) $CO_2$, 5% (v/v) $O_2$ and 90% (v/v) $N_2$. In experiment 2, TIMP-1 + HB-EGF or Activin A + HB-EGF combinations were supplemented in the culture medium. The developmental rate to blastocysts, hatching rate and total cell numbers of the blastocysts were evaluated in both experiments. The embryos cultured in medium without growth factor supplementation was used as control group. In experiment 1, the embryos cultured in medium supplemented with TIMP-1 and Activin A showed significantly higher developmental rate to blastocysts than those cultured with HB-EGF and control (36.9%, 34.1%, 21.2% and 23.1%, respectively) (P<0.0001). However, the hatching rate of blastocyst was significantly higher in embryos with HB-EGF than those with TIMP-1, Actvin A and Control groups (84.4%, 58.8%, 51.4% and 49.3%, respectively) (P<0.001). Total cell number per blastocyst was also significantly higher in embryos with HB-EGF group ($174.3{\pm}2.5$) than those with TIMP-1, Activin A (149.7 and 150.0, respectively) (P<0.05) and Control (119.0) (P<0.001). In experiment 2, embryos cultured with combined treatment of Activin A and HB-EGF resulted in significantly higher rates of blastocysts formation (48.0%), hatching rate (89.7%) and total cell number in blastocyst ($182.3{\pm}2.1$) than those with TIMP-1 and HB-EGF combination group (32.0%, P<0.001; 76.6%, P<0.05; $165.7{\pm}4.2$, P<0.001, respectively). Our data demonstrate that in vitro production of bovine embryos could be improved by combined supplementation of Activin A and HB-EGF in culture medium.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.527-539
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• 1993

To investigate the effects of crude protein and thyroxine on growth performance, nutrient utilizability, carcass composition, the content of total fat and cholesterol in leg muscle, breast muscle and liver, and caloric efficiency in broiler chicks. The experiment involved 3 levels of dietary crude protein (1-3 weeks: 20, 23, 26%; 4-6 weeks: 17, 20, 23%) and 3 levels of thyroxine (0.0, 1.5, 3.0 mg/kg). In the starting period (1-3 weeks), body weight gain of chicks fed diets containing 26% crude protein and 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine was higher than any other groups, and among thyroxine levels, 3.0 mg/kg thyroxine groups were lower. The best feed efficiency was obtained at 26% crude protein with no thyroxine supplemented or 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine supplemented groups. In the finishing period (4-6 weeks) the highest body weight gain was obtained at 23% crude protein with no thyroxine supplemented group. Feed intake of 17% crude protein with 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine supplemented group was higher than those of the other groups. It was found that the utilizability of crude protein in the starting period, showed the best utilizability at 20% crude protein with 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine group. Increasing crude protein level from 17 to 23%, utilizability of crude fat was decreased. The carcass composition was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by crude protein and thyroxine. Increasing thyroxine level from 0.0 to 3.0 mg/kg, crude protein content was increased whereas, crude fat content was decreased. Chicks fed diet containing 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine showed the lowest total fat content in liver tissue. In breast muscle, it was significantly (p<0.05) affected by crude protein and thyroxine. Present data revealed that the cholesterol content was increased for the chicks fed 3.0 mg/kg thyroxine. It the caloric efficiency, chicks fed a diet containing 20% crude protein with no thyroxine supplementation showed the highest caloric efficiency and the lowest efficiency was from 23% crude protein group with 1.5 mg/kg thyroxine. From this study it may be concluded that crude fat content of carcass could be successfully reduced by dietary supplementation of thyroxine, whereas crude protein content was increased.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1149-1161
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• 2014

Cotton plants were sampled and ranked according to their resistance to Verticillium wilt. In total, 642 endophytic fungi isolates representing 27 genera were recovered from Gossypium hirsutum root, stem, and leaf tissues, but were not uniformly distributed. More endophytic fungi appeared in the leaf (391) compared with the root (140) and stem (111) sections. However, no significant difference in the abundance of isolated endophytes was found among resistant cotton varieties. Alternaria exhibited the highest colonization frequency (7.9%), followed by Acremonium (6.6%) and Penicillium (4.8%). Unlike tolerant varieties, resistant and susceptible ones had similar endophytic fungal population compositions. In three Verticillium-wilt-resistant cotton varieties, fungal endophytes from the genus Alternaria were most frequently isolated, followed by Gibberella and Penicillium. The maximum concentration of dominant endophytic fungi was observed in leaf tissues (0.1797). The evenness of stem tissue endophytic communities (0.702) was comparatively more uniform than the other two tissues. Eighty endophytic fungi selected from 27 genera were evaluated for their inhibition activity against highly virulent Verticillium dahliae isolate Vd080 in vitro. Thirty-nine isolates exhibited fungistasis against the pathogen at varying degrees. Seven species, having high growth inhibition rates (${\geq}75%$), exhibited strong antifungal activity against V. dahliae. The antifungal activity of both volatile and nonvolatile metabolites was also investigated. The nonvolatile substances produced by CEF-818 (Penicillium simplicissimum), CEF-325 (Fusarium solani), CEF-714 (Leptosphaeria sp.), and CEF-642 (Talaromyces flavus) completely inhibited V. dahliae growth. These findings deepen our understanding of cotton-endophyte interactions and provide a platform for screening G. hirsutum endophytes with biocontrol potential.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

Purpose: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important diabetic complications prompted by chronic hyperglycemia, characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubular fibrosis, and it eventually causes kidney failure. Nobiletin is a polymethoxyflavone present in tangerine and other citrus peels, and has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effects of nobiletin on glomerular fibrosis through inhibition of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-Src-caveolin-1 pathway. Methods: Human renal mesangial cells (HRMC) were incubated in media containing 33 mM glucose with or without 1-20 uM nobiletin for 3 day. The cellular expression levels of fibrogenic collagen IV, fibronectin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), TGF-β1, Src and caveolin-1 were all examined. In addition, TGF-β1, Src and caveolin-1 proteins were screened to reveal the relationship among TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 signaling in glomerular fibrosis. Results: High glucose promoted the production of collagen IV, fibronectin and CTGF in HRMC, which was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by 1-20 uM nobiletin. The Western blot data showed that high glucose elevated the expression of TGF-β1, Src, caveolin-1 and Rho GTPase. When nobiletin was treated to the HRMC exposed to high glucose, the expression of TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 was dampened. Finally, TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 signaling pathway was activated in high glucose-exposed HRMC, and such activation was encumbered by nobiletin. Conclusion: These result demonstrated that nobiletin blunted high glucose-induced extracellular matrix accumulation via inhibition of the TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 related intracellular signaling pathway. Nobiletin may be a potent renoprotective agent to counteract diabetes-associated glomerular fibrosis that leads to kidney failure.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1080-1087
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• 2004

A trial with twenty-four newly weaned Awassi lambs (initial body weight=21.5$\pm$0.8 kg) was conducted using a 3$\times$2 factorial design to study the effect of feeding three sources of protein supplements (soybean meal (SBM), sunflower seed meal (SSM), and cottonseed meal (CSM)), either untreated or formaldehyde-treated on the growth performance and carcass traits of Awassi lambs. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of the six diets (4 lambs/treatment diet) and were individually fed for a period of 107 days. Experimental diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Final live weight and average daily gain (ADG) were affected by both source of protein and formaldehyde treatment (undegradable protein). Lambs fed untreated diets had better (p<0.01) daily gain compared to those fed formaldehyde-treated diets. Similarly total feed intake per animal was significantly (p<0.05) affected by protein source and formaldehyde treatment. Formaldehyde treatment caused a significant decrease (p<0.01) in feed intake compared to lambs fed untreated diets. Feed requirement per unit of gain was not affected by formaldehyde treatment during all periods of the experiment except for the second period (the second 28 day period), whereby untreated SBM, SSM and CSM had better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the treated groups. Source of protein had a moderate effect (p<0.10) on FCR but had a significant effect (p<0.05) on hot and cold carcass weight, digestive tract empty weight and liver weight, with lambs fed SBM having higher values than lambs fed SSM and CSM diets. Supplementation with undegradable protein had a significant effect (p<0.05) on dressing-out percentage (p<0.05), final live weight, and hot and cold carcass weight (p<0.01). The lower values pertain to lambs fed treated diets compared to lambs fed untreated diets. In general, there were no significant differences among all carcass linear dimensions, carcass cut weights and dissected loin tissue weights for both treatments (protein source and formaldehyde treatment). Supplementation with undegradable protein but not the source of protein resulted in significantly higher dissected leg total bone weight (p<0.05), tibia and femur weight (p<0.05), and femur length (p<0.01) at the same carcass weight. Results suggest that the treatment of SBM, SSM and CSM with formaldehyde did not improve efficiency of feed utilization, lamb performance or carcass traits and that the SBM diet resulted in an increase in lamb performance compared to other experimental diets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4871-4876
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• 2014

Background: We sought to evaluate the role of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) on the promotion of coal tar pitch extract (CTPE)-induced tumorigenesis of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and tumor metastasis in nude mice, and related mechanisms. Materials and Methods: BEAS-2B cells were first treated with 2.4 mg/mL CTPE for 72 hours. After removal of CTPE, the cells were continuously cultured and passaged using trypsin-EDTA. THP-1 cells were used as macrophage-like cells. BEAS-2B cells under different conditions (n=6/group) were injected into the back necks of nude mice, and alterations of tumor xenograft growth, indicative of tumorigenicity, and tumor metastasis were determined. Pathological changes (tumor nests and microvascular lesions) of HE-stained tumor tissues were also evaluated. The expression of AP-1(c-Jun) in xenografts and metastatic tumors was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: Tumor size and weight in nude mice transplanted with the mixture of CTPE-induced passage 30 BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells (2:1) were increased compared to those from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells at passage 30 alone at different observation time points. Tumor metastasis to lymph nodes and liver was only detected after transplantation of a mixture the two kinds of cells. The numbers of tumor nests and microvascular lesions, and the expression levels of AP-1 (c-Jun) in tumors from the mixture of two kinds of cells were increased apparently in contrast to those in tumor from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells of passage 30 alone. In addition, there was positive correlation between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and the number of microvascular lesions, or between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and tumor metastasis in these two groups. Conclusions: TAMs not only facilitate tumorigenesis transformation of CTPE-induced BEAS-2B cells, but also promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in nude mice in vivo, which may be mediated by AP-1.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2012

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of brushing treatment during cultivation on the postharvest quality of the baby leaf vegetable, specifically tah tasai Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. narinosa). The effect of mechanical brushing during cultivation on the postharvest quality was determined in terms of the quality changes in weight loss, gas partial pressure, leaf color, and appearance during storage using a 30-${\mu}m$-thick polypropylene film at $16^{\circ}C$. The brushing treatment included brushing with A4 paper back and forth 50 times a day. The study revealed that the growths on the brushing-treated plant group were less than those on the control group. The structure of the leaf tissue of the brushing-treated plant also tended to be less compact than that of the non-treated plant. The brushing treatment resulted in less growth and denser plant tissues as well as in differences in the gas $O_2$ consumption and $CO_2$ accumulation after packaging. For the gas partial pressure, the $O_2$ consumption and $CO_2$ accumulation of the brushing-treated plant tended to be less than those of the non-treated plant. There were no differences, however, between the brushing-treated plant and control groups in the SPAD value and appearance. The study results also suggested that after packaging, the effects of the brushing treatment during cultivation on the quality of the tah tasai Chinese cabbage baby leaf vegetable was not significant. As such, it is recommended that effective post-harvest methods of improving the product quality of the baby leaf vegetable be further investigated.