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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary phytoncides extracted from discarded Korean pine cones (Pinus koraiensis) on the performance, egg quality, immune response and gut microflora in laying hens. A total of 400 Hy-Line brown laying hens (50-week old) were allotted into four dietary treatments including a control diet or a diet supplemented with phytoncides at 0.002%, 0.004% and 0.008%. During the 6 weeks of experimental feeding, 0.008% of dietary phytoncides improved egg production, feed conversion ratio (p

Objective This study investigated the effects of oral administration of rumen-protected L-tryptophan (RPL-T) on duodenal starch digestion and gastrointestinal hormones (GIH) secretions using Hanwoo beef steers as the animal models. Methods Four steers (423±24 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were employed in a crossover design replicated twice. Treatments were control (basal diet) and RPL-T (basal diet+191.1 mg/kg body weight [BW]) group. Blood and duodenal samples were collected to measure serum GIH levels and pancreatic α-amylase activity at day 0, 1, 3, and 5 (−30, 30, 90, 150, and 210 min) of the study. Samples from each segment of the gastrointestinal tract were collected via ruminal and duodenal cannulas and were used to determine soluble protein and the starch digestion rate at days 6 (−30, 180, 360, and 540 min) and 8 (−30, 90, 270, and 450 min) of the experiment. Results No significant difference in ruminal pH, NH3-N, and total volatile fatty acid including the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and the acetate-to-propionate ratio was observed between groups (p>0.05). Crude protein uptake was higher and feces starch content was lower in RPL-T group than the control group (p0.05). Serum cholecystokinin (CCK), melatonin, duodenal pancreatic α-amylase activity, and starch digestion were significantly higher in RPL-T group than the control group (p

Simple Summary The aim of this study was to explore the genes associated with milk protein content in dairy cows. Seven down-regulated and three up-regulated proteins were found in isolated milk epithelial cells (MECs) from dairy cows with high milk protein level (group High). l-leucine depletion not only decreased the proteins synthesis (p < 0.05), but also decreased l-lactate dehydrogenase B chain (LDH-B) mRNA expression in bovine mammary alveolar cells MAC-T cells (p < 0.05). This study suggested that LDH-B is negatively associated with the milk protein content of dairy cows and has a positive relationship with l-leucine. These findings may provide some theoretical basis to study individual differences in the milk protein synthesis ability of dairy cows. Abstract This study aimed to explore genes associated with milk protein content in dairy cows and their relationships with l-leucine. Ten primiparous Holstein cows (93.8 ± 11.56 milking days) fed the same diet were divided into two groups depending on their milk protein contents (group High, 3.34 ± 0.10%; and group Low, 2.86 ± 0.05%). Milk epithelial cells (MECs) were isolated from the collected morning milk and differentially expressed proteins in MECs were explored by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Then, the mRNA expression of these proteins was detected by real time PCR in MAC-T cells incubated with three different media named positive control (PC), negative control (NC), and l-leucine depletion (NO-leu). Results showed that ten proteins were differentially expressed in MECs from cows in group High. They included seven down-regulated ones (heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP-78), l-lactate dehydrogenase B chain (LDH-B), malate dehydrogenase, cytoplasmic (MDH1), annexin I (ANXA1), cytokeratin-7 (CK-7), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)), and three up-regulated ones (prohibitin (PHB), beta casein (CSN2), and alpha S1 casein (CSN1S1)). When l-leucine was depleted from the medium, not only proteins content was lowered (p < 0.05), but also the LDH-B mRNA expression was decreased in MAC-T cells (p < 0.05). In conclusion, LDH-B is negatively associated with the milk protein content of dairy cows and has a positive association with l-leucine.

This study aimed to determine the effective dose of intravenous administration of L-tryptophan (L-T) on gastrointestinal hormones (GIH) secretions and melatonin using Hanwoo cattle. Three steers (362 ± 23 kg) fitted with indwelling jugular vein catheters were assigned in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments were intravenous administration of saline (control), 28.9 mg L-T/kg body weight (BW; low) and 57.8 mg L-T/kg BW (high) L-T for 1 day with 7 days of adaptation. Samples were collected after adaptation period at −60, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 min of sampling day. The levels of serum cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin were higher (p < 0.05) in the high L-T group than those in the other groups. Serum Melatonin (MEL) levels were increased upon L-T administration (p < 0.05) in the high L-T group. Taken together, the effective dose of L-T administration was defined at 57.8 mg L-T/kg BW in order to stimulate increase of GIH and MEL.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of adding phytoncide oil extracted from Korean pine nut cone by-product to the diet of dairy cows on milk yield and compositions, fatty acid characteristics, complete blood count and stress response. A total of 74 Holstein cows were used for 30 days and divided into two groups. Each group was given a basal diet (C) or an experimental diet containing phytoncide additives at 0.016% (T) in feed. The results showed that phytoncide feeding had no effect on milk yield. In addition, there were no observed effects on milk composition, but the ratio of fatty acid in milk was significantly affected by the phytoncide diet, and it showed a positive effect. Not only were the major functional fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid increased, but also omega 6:omega 3 fatty acid ratio was reduced in milk of T group (p

Direct influences of dietary trans-11 18:1 vaccenic acid (TVA) at physiological concentrations of 50-200 μM were evaluated for cell growth, cytotoxic activity, and cytokine production in leukocytes isolated from the mouse spleen. TVA supplementation for 24 h induced growth of splenocytes at concentrations of 50-200 μM, except for 100 μM. The cytokines TNFα, IFNγ, and IL-10 of splenocytes were stimulated by 100 μM TVA. Induced production of TNFα in splenocytes challenged with lipopolisaccharides was suppressed by 100 μM TVA. Physiological levels of TVA had direct effects on growth and cytokine production in splenocytes. Further in vivo studies are needed to improve understanding of the precise influence of trans fatty acids on production of pro-inflammatory markers under acute inflammation conditions.

cis-9, trans-11 Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is one of the most extensively studied CLA isomers due to its multiple isomer-specific effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of cis-9,trans-11 CLA synthesis in ruminant mammary gland are still not clearly understood. This process may be mediated, to a certain extent, by trans-11 C18:1 regulated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and/or its syntrophic proteins. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TVA on SCD1-mediated cis-9,trans-11 CLA synthesis in MAC-T cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Results showed that trans-11 C18:1 was continually taken up and converted into cis-9,trans-11 CLA in MAC-T cells during the 4-h incubation of 50 μM trans-11 C18:1. SCD1 protein expression increased more than twofold at 2 h (P

This study was conducted to examine the effects of adding phytoncide oil extracted from Korean pine nut cone byproduct to the diet of dairy cows on milk yield and compositions, fatty acid characteristics, complete blood count and stress response. A total of 74 Holstein cows were used for 30 days and divided into two groups. Each group was given a basal diet (C) or an experimental diet containing phytoncide additives at 0.016% (T) in feed. The results showed that phytoncide feeding had no effect on milk yield. In addition, there were no observed effects on milk composition, but the ratio of fatty acid in milk was significantly affected by the phytoncide diet, and it showed a positive effect. Not only were the major functional fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid increased, but also ω6:ω3 fatty acid ratio was reduced in milk of T group (p

Evidence suggests that even low-dose irradiation can lead to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits, which implicates, in part, hippocampal dysfunction in both humans and experimental animals. This study examined whether diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) could attenuate memory impairment, using passive avoidance and object recognition test, and suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis, using the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical detection with markers of neurogenesis (Kiel 67 (Ki-67) and doublecortin (DCX)) in adult mice treated with gamma radiation (0.5 or 2 Gy). DDC was administered intraperitonially at a dosage of 1,000 of body weight at 30 min. before irradiation. In passive avoidance and object recognition memory test, the mice, trained for 1 day after acute irradiation (2 Gy) showed significant memory deficits compared with the sham controls. The number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic nuclei in the dentate gyrus (DG) was increased 12 h after irradiation. In addition, the number of Ki-67- and DCX-positive cells were significantly decreased. DDC treatment prior to irradiation attenuated the memory defect, and blocked the apoptotic death. DDC may attenuate memory defect in a relatively low-dose exposure of radiation in adult mice, possibly by inhibiting a detrimental effect of irradiation on hippocampal neurogenesis.

To evaluate the ability of Dongchongxiacao ( ) extract (PJE) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and PJE-treated mice exposed chronically to ultraviolet (UV) were examined. The skin of the UV-irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back. PJE-treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score. By the 22nd week, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 44.4% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV-irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. PJE delayed tumor onset significantly. PJE (i.p.) was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation-induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 80.0% (i.p.) and 75.0% (topical) of the mice treated with PJE were tumor-free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 96.2% (i.p.) in the PJE treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and regular use of PJE would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV.

Summary This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a combined mixture of phytogenic extracts (garlic and coriander) and probiotics on growth performance and immune responses in laying hens based on the results of in vitro studies to screen for immunomodulatory potency of each ingredient. Several parameters of immunomodulatory potency were estimated using lamina propria leucocytes (LPLs) isolated from rat intestinal mucosa tissue. Results show that the combined mixture enhanced LPLs proliferation, increased LPL-mediated cytotoxicity against YAC-1 tumour cells, and decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine production including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in LPLs. For in vivo study, laying hens (n = 50/each diet group) were fed with control diet, a diet containing antibiotics (0.01% per kg feed) or the combined mixture (0.02% per kg feed) for 21 days. The dietary combined mixture improved egg production (p

The rate of vulcanization of nonpolar ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer(EPDM)/carbon black compounds was investigated by using hot air and microwave as a heating source. The present study parameters such as heating source, sample thickness, and loading of an additive. The compound thickness was the main factor in the hot air vulcanization. It was due to the poor thermal conductivity of EPDM; that is, the thicker thickness, the lower vulcanization rate. For 100% vulcanization, the compound with 3 mm thickness required 7 min at in the hot air system. However, the vulcanization of EPDM compounds by microwave system was not affected by the thickness while strongly dependent on the amount of a polar additive, carbon black. A compound with 80 phr of carbon black was perfectly vulcanized within 30 sec. These results suggest that the use of microwave as a heating source is an effective method for the vulcanization of compounds including a polar component.

The anti-diabetic effects of two variants of Artemisia princeps Pampanini, sajabalssuk (SB) and sajuarissuk (SS), were investigated in type 2 diabetic animal using their ethanol extracts. Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice were divided into control, SB ethanol extract (SBE), SS ethanol extract (SSE), or rosiglitazone (RG) groups and their age-matched littermates (db/+) were used. Supplementation of the SBE (0.171 g/100 g diet), SSE (0.154 g/100 g diet), and RG (0.005 g/100 g diet) improved glucose and insulin tolerance and significantly lowered blood glycosylated hemoglobin levels, as compared to the control group. Plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucagon levels in db/db mice were higher in the db/+ mice, however these values were significantly lowered by SBE, SSE or RG-supplement. Hepatic GK activity was significantly lower in the db/db mice than in the db/+ mice, while hepatic G6Pase activity was vice versa. Supplementation of SBE, SSE and RG reversed these hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities. In addition, SBE and SSE markedly increased the hepatic glycogen content and muscle ratio as compared to the control group, but they did not alter the food intake, body weight and plasma leptin level. The RG group, however, showed a significant increase in the food intake, body weight and plasma leptin. These results suggest that SBE and SSE exert an anti-diabetic effect in type 2 diabetic mice.

Chemerin is a chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) produced by adipocytes and hepatocytes; it regulates insulin sensitivity and adipocyte differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chemerin on the expression of genes related to lactogenesis and the regulators of chemerin signaling in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T). Two types of chemerin receptors, chemokine like-receptor 1 (CMKLR1) and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-like 2 (CCRL2), were detected in cultured MAC-T cells, whereas chemerin was not detected. G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1), another receptor of chemerin, was undetectable in MAC-T cells. Chemerin upregulated transcript expression of CMKLR1, CCRL2, and genes associated with fatty acid synthesis, glucose uptake, insulin signaling, and casein synthesis in MAC-T cells. Lactogenic hormones (insulin, growth hormone, and prolactin) downregulated the expression of CMKLR1 in MAC-T cells. Adiponectin suppressed CMKLR1 expression. TNF-α suppressed CMKLR1, but induced CCRL2 expression. These data suggest chemerin is a novel regulator of lactogenesis via its own receptor in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary trans fatty acids in mice. Following the administration of a 0.5/100 g diet of trans-9 octadecenoic acid (EA), trans-11 vaccenic acid (TVA) or cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for 4 weeks, the body weights and the weights of the liver, testis and mediastinal adipose tissue (MAT) of the animals gradually decreased (P

Obesity is correlated with low education, low economic status, and lower rates of Pap smears, which are known as socio-demographic risk factors for cervical cancer. However, the association between obesity and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, the necessary cause of cervical cancer, and its related precursors, is not established.The authors examined the association between obesity and HR-HPV infection in 6,868 patients, who participated in annual health examinations at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from January through December 2007.The prevalence of HR-HPV infection was 14.8%. Women infected with HR-HPV had a lower body mass index (BMI), when compared with non-infected women. After adjustment for alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and marital status, HR-HPV infection was found to be negatively associated with BMI. When the analysis was stratified according to BMI, the risk of HR-HPV infection was significantly lower among those who were overweight (OR = 0.817, 95% CI = 0.680-0.982), or obese (OR = 0.688, 95% CI = 0.556-0.851), when compared with women with normal weight.HR-HPV infection was associated with obesity defined by BMI, with a lower prevalence of infection observed in obese women.

Ultrathin SiO2 grown by plasma-assisted oxidation (plasma oxide) has been investigated by high-resolution x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and medium energy ion scattering spectroscopy. We found that the plasma oxide grown at the low temperature of 400°C has a thinner transition layer than conventional thermal oxide. This thinner transition layer in the plasma oxide not only decreased the gate leakage current effectively, but also enhanced the reliability of the gate oxide. We attribute these electrical properties of the plasma oxide to the reduction of the transition layer.

To increase vigilance among gynecological surgeons for the presence of accessory polar renal artery (APRA) encountered with transperitoneal systemic laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy (LPAL).A retrospective review was conducted on 156 women who underwent LPAL for various gynecologic malignancies between November 2003 and December 2009.The median age, parity, body mass index, and number of previous abdominal surgeries, respectively, of the women were 52 years (range, 23-82 years), two (range, 0-7), 24.1 kg/m2 (range, 17.4-35.0 kg/m2), and 0 (range, 0-3). During the study period, we found four women with APRA. There were three cases of right lower APRAs arising from the abdominal aorta, caudal to the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), terminating at the parenchyma of the lower pole of the right kidney. In the other case, the APRA arose from the abdominal aorta superior to the IMA. There were no vascular complications, such as transection or ligation of the APRA.It is important for the gynecological oncologic surgeon to have knowledge of retroperitoneal vascular anatomy, experience in laparoscopic surgery, and an accurate surgical technique to avoid vascular injury during LPAL.

This study aimed to evaluate the validity of a surgically created interproximal periodontal defect in dogs.Surgery was performed in the interproximal area between the maxillary second and third premolars in two beagle dogs. Following an incision and reflection of the gingival flap, a 3-mm wide and 5-mm high defect was prepared surgically at the interproximal area. A thorough root planing was performed and the flap was coronally positioned and sutured. The contra-lateral area was served as the control with no surgical intervention. After 8 weeks of healing, the animals were killed and the defect was analysed histometrically and radiographically.The interproximal periodontal defect resembled a naturally occurring defect and mimicked a clinical situation. After healing, the defect showed limited bone (0.89±0.02mm) and cementum regeneration (1.50± 0.48mm).Within the limitations of this pilot study, the interproximal periodontal defect showed limited bone and cementum regeneration. Thus, it can be considered as a standardized, reproducible defect model for testing new biomaterials.

Purpose To evaluate the oncologic outcomes and postoperative complications of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a salvage therapy after external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) failure in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Between February 2002 and August 2010, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent salvage HIFU for transrectal ultrasound-guided, biopsy-proven locally recurred prostate cancer after EBRT failure (by ASTRO definition: prostate-specific antigen [PSA] failure after three consecutive PSA increases after a nadir, with the date of failure as the point halfway between the nadir date and the first increase or any increase great enough to provoke initiation of therapy). All patients underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy and had no evidence of distant metastasis. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined according to the Stuttgart definition (PSA nadir plus 1.2 ng/mL). Results A total of 13 patients with a median age of 68 years (range, 60-76 years) were included. The median pre-EBRT PSA was 21.12 ng/mL, the pre-HIFU PSA was 4.63 ng/mL, and the period of salvage HIFU after EBRT was 32.7 months. The median follow-up after salvage HIFU was 44.5 months. The overall BCR-free rate was 53.8%. In the univariate analysis, predictive factors for BCR after salvage HIFU were higher pre-EBRT PSA (p=0.037), pre-HIFU PSA (p=0.015), and short time to nadir (p=0.036). In the multivariate analysis, there were no significant predictive factors for BCR. The complication rate requiring intervention was 38.5%. Conclusions Salvage HIFU for prostate cancer provides effective oncologic outcomes for local recurrence after EBRT failure. However, salvage HIFU had a relatively high rate of complications.

Negative bias-induced instability of amorphous hafnium indium zinc oxide (α-HIZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) was investigated at various temperatures. In order to examine temperature-induced effects, fabricated TFTs with different combinations of gate insulator and gate metal were stressed by a negative gate bias at various temperatures. As a result, it is proved that negative bias-induced hole-trapping in the gate insulators and temperature-enhanced electron injection from the gate metals occurs at the same time at all temperatures, and the instability of HIZO TFT is more affected by the dominant factor out of the two mechanisms.

A comprehensive study is done regarding stabilities under simultaneous stress of light and dc-bias in amorphous hafnium-indium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors. The positive threshold voltage (Vth) shift is observed after negative gate bias and light stress, and it is completely different from widely accepted phenomenon which explains that negative-bias stress results in Vth shift in the left direction by bias-induced hole-trapping. Gate current measurement is performed to explain the unusual positive Vth shift under simultaneous application of light and negative gate bias. As a result, it is clearly found that the positive Vth shift is derived from electron injection from gate electrode to gate insulator.

Bipolar ac stress-induced instability of amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors is comparatively investigated with that under a positive dc gate bias stress. While the positive dc gate bias stress-induced threshold voltage shift (ΔVT) is caused by the charge trapping into the interface/gate dielectric as reported in previous works, the dominant mechanism of the ac stress-induced ΔVT is observed to be due to the increase in the acceptorlike deep states of the density of states (DOS) in the a-IGZO active layer. Furthermore, it is found that the variation of deep states in the DOS makes a parallel shift in the IDS-VGS curve with an insignificant change in the subthreshold slope, as well as the deformation of the CG-VG curves.