• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.415-420
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• 2015

Purpose: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by inflammation with proteolytic damage to the lung extracellular matrix. The results from previous studies are inconsistent regarding the role of proteinases and antiproteinases in the development of BPD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2, and TIMP-1 levels in the serum of preterm infants at birth are related to the development of BPD. Methods: Serum was collected from 62 preterm infants at birth and analyzed for MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and TIMP-1 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMPs and TIMPs were compared in BPD (n=24) and no BPD groups (n=38). Clinical predictors of BPD (sex, birth weight, gestational age, etc.) were assessed for both groups. The association between predictors and outcome, BPD, was assessed by using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Sex, birth weight, and mean gestational age were similar between the groups. BPD preterm infants had significantly lower TIMP-2 levels at birth compared with no BPD preterm infants ($138.1{\pm}23.0ng/mL$ vs. $171.8{\pm}44.1ng/mL$, P=0.027). No significant difference was observed in MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the TIMP-2 levels were predictive of BPD after adjusting for sex, birth weight, gestational age, proteinuric preeclampsia, and intraventricular hemorrhage (${\beta}=-0.063$, P=0.041). Conclusion: Low TIMP-2 serum levels at birth may be associated with the subsequent development of BPD in preterm infants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2019

Mobilization of storage lipids is critical for the germination of oil seeds, as they supply carbon and energy until photosynthesis commences in cotyledons. In this study, we determined the levels of plant carnitine and associated changes in these levels from seed germination to cotyledon senescence. We also examined changes in the content of unsaturated fatty acids throughout seedling development. Carnitine levels peaked on day 3 at 14.5 nM in cotyledons and decreased sharply to 7.2 nM on day 4. On development day 3 carnitine levels were maintained at around 3 nM until day 7. The unsaturated fatty acid content dropped by half at the same time as carnitine peaked (day-3), and storage lipids were almost depleted by day 5. Thereafter, carnitine was hardly detected until the second stage of cotyledon senescence, at which stage the carnitine content was 6.8 nM, similar to that on day 4 at the time of fatty acid depletion in the cotyledons. Unsaturated fatty acids levels remained constant in green cotyledons but slightly increased in the senescing cotyledons. The latter can be explained by intracellular breakdown of membrane lipids. This is the first such discovery in developing cotyledons and may offer clues regarding other roles of the acetyl unit transport system in plants. The expression of BOU was closely associated with carnitine metabolism during seed germination and cotyledon development. The results provide support for the possibility of carbon re-routing during the glyoxylate cycle in the supply of energy for early germination and development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.742-752
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated the effects of vitamin A (VA) supplementation during late-stage pregnancy on longissimus dorsi muscle tissue development, birth traits, and growth performance of postnatal Korean native calves. Methods: In the preliminary experiment, twenty-six pregnant cattle (initial body weight [BW] = 319 kg (standard deviation [SD] = 30.1; 1st parity) were randomly assigned to the control and treatment groups. The treatment group received VA supplementation at 24,000 IU/d from gestational day 225 until delivery. In the main experiment, twelve pregnant cattle (initial BW = 317 kg [SD = 31.3]; 1st parity) were treated with VA supplementation at 24,000 IU/d (gestational days 150 to 225) and at 78,000 IU/d (gestational day 225 until delivery). Serum VA levels were analyzed in pregnant cattle, and the growth performance, gene expression, and serum VA levels were analyzed in the offspring. Results: Serum VA levels in pregnant cattle decreased the late gestation in both experiments (p<0.001). In the main experiment, pregnant cattle at parturition and offspring at birth in the treatment group had higher serum VA levels than those in the control group (p<0.05). In the treatment groups, an increased birth weight was observed in the main experimental group (p = 0.022), and a tendency (p = 0.088) toward an increased birth weight was observed in the preliminary experimental group. However, no differences were observed in the feed intake, average daily gain, gain-to-feed ratio, or BW of 31-day-old calves. Gene expression was analyzed in longissimus dorsi muscles of 31-day-old calves. VA supplementation in pregnant cattle stimulated postnatal muscle development in offspring by elevating myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), MYF6, and myoblast determination levels (p<0.05). Moreover, preadipocyte-related marker genes such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and krüppel-like factor 2 were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VA supplementation (78,000 IU/d) in late-stage pregnant cattle maintained serum VA levels. In addition, 78,000 IU/d VA supplementation increased the birth weight and expression of genes related to muscle and preadipocyte development in offspring. Overall, 78,000 IU/d VA supplementation in pregnant cattle is beneficial to newborn calves.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.214-217
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• 2004

Dietary intervention and simvastatin is beneficial in the prevention cardiovascular diseases by lowering plasma lipid levels. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with coronary artery disease and its risk factors and is reversed by dietary intervention. It has been suggested that hyperlipidemia contributes to the development of atherosclerosis by increasing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression via intimal thickening. Statins treatment has been found to decrease iNOS expression and atherogenensis in animal models. We hypothesized that dietary intervention and simvastatin therapy could decrease plasma nitric oxide in hypercholesterolemic patients, which would suggest the opportunity for modulation of iNOS expression through the use of statins in a clinical situation. We measured the plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate (NOx) in 19 hyperlipidemia patients. The subjects were under dietary intervention following simvastatin therapy for 12 weeks. As a result, the plasma level of NOx, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), saw a two-fold elevation in hyperlipidemic patients as compared to normal levels. Although 12 weeks of dietary intervention did not lower NOx levels, subsequent 12-week simvastatin (10 mg/day) treatment, along with dietary intervention, lowered NOx levels significantly. This NOx reduction, induced by simvastatin therapy, positively correlated with lowered coronary risk factors (r=0.40, p=0.02). It indicated that simvastatin therapy decreases plasma NOx levels by, perhaps, decreasing iNOS expression or activity leading to the attenuation of the development of neointima.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.243-254
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• 2000

The effect of supplemental microbial phytase and non - phytate phosphorus(NPP) levels on layer productivity and nutrient digestibility were conducted in 640 21 weeks - old HyLine brown layer for 12 weeks. Supplemented phytase levels were 0, 300, 500 and 1,000 DPU/kg diet. NPP levels were adjusted with tricalcium phosphate(TCP), which were 0(0.11% NPP), 0.5(0.20), 1.0(0.29) and 1.5%(0.38). ME, CP and Ca levels were maintained at 2,800㎉/kg diet, 16% and 3.5%, respectively. Egg production was increased with phytase compared to without phytase(P〈0.05). Increasement of egg production was higher latter of experimental period. Egg production was not different to phytase levels. Egg production in TCP levels were increased in above 0.5% compared to 0% TCP. Difference of egg production by TCP was higher after 6 week. Especially, egg production to supplemental phytase was higher in 0% TCP. Egg weight was not different to phytase and TCP levels. Egg mass was increased with phytase compared to without phytase, but not difference significantly. There was similar to phytase levels. Egg mass in TCP group was increased in TCP supplementation(P〈0.05). Feed intake was not different in phytase levels, and greater with increasing TCP levels(P〈0.05). Feed conversion was improved with phytase(P〈0.05), and not difference in TCP levels. All of nutrients digestibility tended to improve with phytase, P(P〈0.05), especially. There were not different among phytase levels. The effect of adding phytase was higher in low phosphorus diets compared normal levels. Eggshell breaking strength and eggshell thickness also improved in added phytase(P〈0.05). Tibial ash and P content were slightly increased with phytase, and Ca content also was higher(P〈0.05) compared without phytase. We concluded that supplemental phytase in low phosphorus diet was showed to increase laying performance, feed efficiency, nutrients digestibility, egg quality, and bone development. Phytase supplementation was able to compensate for low NPP diet. We also thought optimum phytase level is 300 DPU, and can decrease NPP supplementation adding phytase in later diet.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2004

Plasma steroid hormone levels in the viviparous rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) were examined in relation to gonadal histology under controlled photoperiods and water temperatures. To investigate those effects in S. schlegeli the photoperiod was maintained at 15L:9D in June and then it was gradually decreased to 9L: 15D in October. It was then gradually increased to 12L:12D in January, followed by 14L:I0D in February. The water temperature was $19-20^{\circ}C$ in July. From August to October, it was from $18^{\circ}C\;to\;12^{\circ}C$. Then, it was dropped to a low of $19-11^{\circ}C$ in November to December and then gradually increased to $14-15^{\circ}C$ in February. In females, both plasma $estradiol-l7\beta\;$ (E2) and testosterone (T) levels from August to February showed a similar pattern in both the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, the peaks of plasma E2 and T were observed in November, and the peaks were closely correlated to histological observations. Oocytes contained many yolk globules (final vitellogenic oocytes), and oocytes at the migratory nucleus stage increased in size. Plasma levels of progesterone did not change much throughout the experimental period. However, in the control group, the peaks of E2, T, and progesterone were observed in February. These results indicate that the controlled photoperiod and water temperature accelerated sexual maturity, corresponding to the advancement of plasma E2 and T peaks by approximately 3 months. In males, plasma T levels showed a similar pattern from August to October in the treatment and control groups, though levels in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group. From histological observations, the treatment group copulated one month earlier.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.24.1-24.13
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• 2023

Background: Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural amino acid derivative in various animal organs and is a bioactive compound recognized as a food and medicine. Objectives: This study examined the effects of EGT supplementation during the in vitro maturation (IVM) period on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Each EGT concentration (0, 10, 50, and 100 μM) was supplemented in the maturation medium during IVM. After IVM, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of oocytes were investigated. In addition, the genes related to cumulus function and antioxidant pathways in oocytes or cumulus cells were investigated. Finally, this study examined whether EGT could affect embryonic development after IVF. Results: After IVM, the EGT supplementation group showed significantly higher intracellular GSH levels and significantly lower intracellular ROS levels than the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of hyaluronan synthase 2 and Connexin 43 were significantly higher in the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. The expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) were significantly higher in the oocytes of the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. In the assessment of subsequent embryonic development after IVF, the 10 μM EGT treatment group improved the cleavage and blastocyst rate significantly than the control group. Conclusions: Supplementation of EGT improved oocyte maturation and embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress in IVM oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Coreopsis lanceolate extract against hydrogen-peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage and cell death in pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbebzothiazoloine-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities, as well as the expression levels of proteins associated with oxidative damage and cell death were investigated. According to the results, C. lanceolate extract exhibited inhibitory activity against intracellular ROS generation and cell-damaging effects induced by hydroxyl radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 22.3 mg·g^-1 gallic acid equivalent and 16.2 mg·g^-1 catechin equivalent, respectively. Additionally, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay based on the internal standard method used to detect phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds identified in C. lanceolata extract contained (+)-catechin hydrate (5.0 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), ferulic acid (1.6 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), chlorogenic acid (1.5 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), caffeic acid (1.2 ± 0.0 mg·g-1), naringin (0.9 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), and p-coumaric acid (0.5 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1). C. lanceolata extract attenuated pro-apoptotic Bax expression levels and enhanced the expression levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 proteins. Therefore, C. lanceolata is a potential source of materials with neuroprotective properties against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1973

The yield of rice is increased to amounts of fertilizer applied in paddy field but excessive application of fertilizer stimulates outbreaks of disease and insect pest. If, therefore, diseases and pests stimulated by excessive application of fertilizer would be effectively controlled, increaseed yield of rice would be possible. This experiment was conducted to determine the fertilizer application rate that would produce maximum yields when diseases and pests are controlled. 1. The fertilizer application rates and the incidence of leaf and apanicle blast were positively correlated at the $1\%$ level. 2, Without disease and pest control the maximum yield of hulled rice was 347-378kg/10a, which occurred at nitorgen application levels of 8.0-8.5 kg/10a. with effective control of diseases and pests the maximum yield of hulled was 453-462 kg/10a, which occurred at nitrogen application levels of 18.5-19.0 kg/10a. Yield increase at appropriate nitrogen levels by disease and pest control resulted in more than 100 kg/10a. 3. There was no significant yield difference between the NPK experimental plots with fixed PK levels and with varying PK levels. 4. The maximum effect of disease and pest .control as expressed biy yield index of hulled rice was $65\%$, the minimum effect was $30\%$, the average effects were $42-45\%$.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2009

Feeding trials were performed at two different water temperatures (summer and winter seasons) to identify suitable protein and lipid (energy) levels to be used in formulating extruded pellets for olive flounder. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of protein and lipid levels in extruded pellets on the growth and body composition of the flounder in both feeding trials. Six experimental diets were prepared containing three protein levels (46%, 51%, and 56%) and two lipid levels (10% and 17%). In the first experiment, during the summer season ($22{\pm}2.2^{\circ}C$), a triplicate group of fish (initial weight, 114 g) were fed to satiation one of the six diets for 11 weeks. The highest weight gain was observed in fish fed the 56/17 (% protein/% lipid) diet, but this weight gain was not significantly different from that of fish fed the other diets, except for those fed the 46/10 diet. The feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the 17% lipid diets were higher than those of fish fed the 10% lipid diets at each protein level. In the second experiment, during the winter season ($13{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$), a triplicate group of fish (initial weight, 107 g) were fed to satiation one of the six diets for 9 weeks. Weight gain was not significantly different among all groups. The feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio tended to increase with increasing dietary lipid level at each protein level. The whole-body crude lipid content of the of fish fed the 17% lipid diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed the 10% lipid diets at each protein level in both feeding trials. Based on the data obtained in this study, the inclusion of dietary protein at a level of 46% appears to be sufficient to support optimal growth, and increasing the dietary lipid level from 10% to 17% had no beneficial effects on the growth and feed utilization of olive flounder (110-300 g), except for fish fed a 56% protein diet in the summer season.