Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a gastrointestinal disorder with diverse symptoms but no structural or organic manifestations. Benachio-F® (herein named ‘BF-1’) is an over-the-counter liquid digestive formulated with multiple herbal extracts, which has been reported to improve symptoms of FD. A total two experiments were conducted. First, we examined whether BF-1 can modulate the progression of FD through two experimental rat models. A total of three doses (0.3x, 1x, 3x of the human equivalent dose) were used. In the gastric emptying model, both 1x (standard) or 3x (3-fold-concentrated) BF-1 enhanced gastric emptying was compared with that of vehicle-treated animals. In a feeding inhibition model induced by acute restraint stress, treatment with 1x or 3x BF-1 led to a similar degree of restoration in food intake that was comparable to that of acotiamide-treated animals. Among the constituents of BF, fennel is known for its choleretic effect. Thus, we next investigated whether a novel BF-based formula (named ‘BF-2’) that contains an increased amount of fennel extract (3.5-fold over BF-1), has greater potency in increasing bile flow. BF-2 showed a superior choleretic effect compared to BF-1. Furthermore, the postprandial concentration of serum secretin was higher in animals pretreated with BF-2 than in those pretreated with BF-1, suggesting that the increased choleretic effect of BF-2 is related to secretin production. Our results demonstrate that BF-1 can modulate the pathophysiological mechanisms of FD by exerting prokinetic and stress-relieving effects, and that BF-2 has a better choleretic effect than BF-1.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein level and supplementation of protease on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microflora, intestinal morphology and fecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 240 weaned pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc, 5.82±0.3 kg) were used during 4 weeks in 2 phases (days 0-14, phase 1; and days 15-28, phase 2) feeding program based on age and initial body weight. Pigs were allocated to 2×2 factorial arrangement, including 2 protein levels (HP, high protein; LP, low protein) and 2 protease levels (with or without protease). The average daily gain in the LP treatment (357 g/d) was increased rather than the HP treatment (339 g/d). A greater avarage daily gain was observed in dietary suppiemented protease treatment (358 vs 339 g/d). Average feed intake was greater in the LP treatment (544 g/d) rather than the HP treatment (530 g/d). A greater average daily feed intake was observed in dietary supplemented protease treatment (552 vs 523 g/d). Dry matter and crude protein digestibility were increased in dietary supplemented protease treatment (82.62% and 76.08%, respectively) rather than non-supplemented treatment (81.74% and 75.13%, respectively). Ileal Lactobacillus spp. count increased in dietary supplemented protease treatment (7.42 vs 7.32 log10CFU/g). Emission of H2S was decreased in the LP treatment (4.41 ppm) rather than HP treatment (4.78 ppm). Emission of NH3 was decreased in dietary supplemented protease treatment (10.43 ppm vs 11.76 ppm). In conclusion, the decrease of dietary protein level and supplementation of protease had beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microflora, and noxious gas emission in weanling pigs.

This study aimed to examine the effect of a mild elevation in serum cholesterol level in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model using a balloon angioplasty catheter or drug-eluting coronary stent. Pigs were divided into two groups and were fed a commercial normal diet (CND, n = 4) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 4) for 5 weeks. Coronary overstretch injury by balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was induced in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery after 1 week of feeding. Histopathological analysis was performed at 4 weeks after coronary injury. During the experiment, the total cholesterol level in the HFD group increased by approximately 44.9% (from 65.9 ± 3.21 mg/dL at baseline to 95.5 ± 9.94 mg/dL at 5 weeks). The lumen area in the CND group was reduced in comparison with that in the HFD group after balloon angioplasty. After stent implantation, the injury score showed no significant difference. There were significant differences in the neointimal area (2.7 ± 0.33 mm2 in the CND group vs. 3.3 ± 0.34 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), lumen area (2.6 ± 0.54 mm2 in the CND group vs. 2.0 ± 0.33 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), and percent area stenosis (52.0 ± 7.96% in the CND group vs. 62.4 ± 5.15% in the HFD group, p<0.05). Body weight change was not different between the two groups. Increased serum cholesterol level activated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

1. 키르키즈스탄에서 한국형 토마토 재배 온실 내 최저온도는 12월 상순에 12℃ 내외였고 딸기 재배온실은 10℃ 내외로 상당히 양호하였다. 2. 10월 1일부터 12월 2일까지의 최고 광량은 토마토 온실에서 400W/m2, 딸기 온실에서 300W/m2 미만인 날이 대부분으로 광은 부족하였다. 3. 환기관리가 정상적으로 이루어지지 않아 잎 결로시간이 토마토는 10시간, 딸기는 12시간 이상 되는 날이 많아 곰팡이 병에 매우 취약한 것으로 나타났다. 4. 한국형 온실에서 문제점은 온도보다는 광량이 적은 것이 토마토, 딸기의 생산성을 감소시키는 요인으로 판단되었다. 5. 온실 시공 시 보온다겹커튼보다는 광 환경에 유리한 알루미늄보온스크린, 투광보온스크린 등이 설치되어야 할 것으로 생각된다. 6. 재배기술에 있어서는 수경재배에서 일사제어와 배액구 적정 위치를 충분히 이해하지 못하고 있었으며 타이머로 관수하였다. 7. 키르키즈스탄에서 저온기 과채류의 생산을 증대하기 위해서는 온실 시공 시 광량을 증가시키는데 중점을 두어야 하며, 결로를 예방할 수 있는 보일러, 환기 제어시설 등과 함께 온실을 운영하는 기본적인 관리기술도 함께 보급되어야 할 것이다.

The objectives of the present study were to examine the antioxidant activity of fractions with different isoelectric points from salmon enzymatic hydrolysates and obtain peptide fractions of sufficient amounts with higher antioxidant peptide fraction, which could be applied to the food and animal model systems. The salmon enzymatic hydrolysates were fractionated on the basis of the amphoteric nature of sample peptides by preparative isoelectric focusing without toxic solvents and reagents, which is termed autofocusing. Acidic and basic fractions showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than the other fractions. The basic fractions showed higher hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging activity. The weak acidic and weak basic fractions showed higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values than the acidic and basic fractions. The acidic fraction showed higher metal chelating activity than other fractions. The acidic fraction suppressed lipid oxidation in the cooked patties to a greater extent than other fractions. These results suggest that peptides fractions from salmon enzymatic hydrolysate are effective antioxidant, and that autofocusing could be useful to increase antioxidant activity for application to food and animal model systems.

Most known species in the Strophariaceae are decomposers and grow on various kind of organic matter. Approximately 18 genera and 1,316 species in the Strophariaceae have been reported worldwide. Through an ongoing survey of indigenous fungi in Korea, 29 specimens belonging to the Strophariaceae were collected from 2012 to 2016. These specimens were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences. Fifteen taxa were confirmed, with eight species matching those previously recorded. Seven species in five genera were shown to be new records in Korea: Galerina marginata, Gymnopilus crociphyllus, Gymnopilus picreus, Hebeloma birrus, Hebeloma cavipes, Pholiota multicingulata, and Psilocybe thaizapoteca. In this study, we provide detailed morphological descriptions of these species and investigate their evolutionary relationships by constructing phylogenetic trees.

Value of excellent breeding animals is important in livestock industry, but their economic life time is limited. And, many countries have been trying procuration of genetic resource in good animals. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine embryo production and to test efficiency of embryo transfer via non-surgical artificial insemination (AI) in different breed of superior sows. A total of 17 sows were used in this experiment (Duroc, n=10; Landrace, n=4; Yorkshire, n=3). The sows were artificially inseminated by semen of same breed boars. After 4 or 5 days following the AI, the embryos were obtained from the sows and then transferred to Landrace and Yorkshire recipients (n=3, respectively) by non-surgical method. The corpora lutea tended to be increased in Yorkshire and Landrace than Duroc(28 and 26 vs. 17, respectively). The recovery of embryo was 78.8% in Landrace, 65.4% in Duroc and 51.4% in Yorkshire. Duroc showed lower morulaes and early blastocyst embryos than 2, 4 ,8 and 16 cell. The morula in Yorkshire was higher (P<0.05) than that of Duroc (4.7 vs. 3.4). Similarly, the morulaes and early blastocyst embryos presented greater (P<0.05) in Landrace compared with other breed sows. The recipient sows were pregnant in a Landrace only. This reason may be due to little embryos inserted in the recipients. In addition, pregnancy results were limited because of the little sows. In conclusion, ovulated ovum in sows can be affected by different breed. Also, further study needed pregnant test by using the many embryo in each breed.

Precise determination of insemination time is an important factor. However, the detection is intensive labor observing behaviors of sows. Previous researchers have tried to find indicators for easy detection of optimum time of insemination. The one of the indicators is change of temperature for estrous cycle. Therefore, this study was conducted to determined alteration of vulvar and rectal temperature in Duroc sows during estrus period for detection of optimum time of insemination. Experimental animals were twelve Duroc sows 2 parity for winter season. The sows were feeding 5 ml regumate (estrus synchronization agent) during 15 days, and then measured temperature of vulva and rectum when half day by thermal camera and thermometer. Also, conventional method was utilized as control. By the conventional method, estrus was identified at four days after ending supply of regumate. At the same time, temperature of the vulva and rectum was higher than other days. Average temperature in valva and rectum was 38.8 ℃ in estrous sows, wherease non-estrous sows were 38.7℃. This difference of temperature suggested feasibility as indicator inseminating optimum time. Henceforward, ummanned estrous detection system can be useful by economic improvement via reduction of labor in swine farm.

Swine industry has been focusing selection of excellent breeding pigs for post decades. This result is created to superior breeding sows with larger litter size, which are leads to low birth weight piglets (LBW) because of intrauterine growth retardation. The LBW on development of pigs have well known to postpone growth performance and to disrupt body metabolisms than normal birth weight piglets (NBW). However, effect of LBW on reproductive functions is very not documented. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify effect of birth weight on reproductive function in the LBW compared with normal birth weight piglets (NBW) by RNA sequencing and pathway studio. The experimental animals utilized 3d old LBW (0.96±95.07 kg, n=4) and NBW (1.69±83.39 kg, n=4). The differentially expressed genes were approximately 800 genes above 2 fold. The genes were related to steroid hormone synthesis, estrogen receptors signaling and growth and proliferation of cells. These results may be suggested to affect development of reproductive organ. However, our data are restricted using young experimental animals.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but their effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity (VCL), Straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Estrogen receptors 2(ESR2) is involved in estrogen related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis, but their functions have not been confirmed in pig until now. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 105 Duroc pigs with records of semen motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were analyzed. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A > G in exon 5 was associated with MOT (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the porcine ESR2 gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effects were not defined yet. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate gene for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.

Cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm–egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen motility and kinematic characteristics. This study was performed to investigatetheir association with semen motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 96 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were used in present study. A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.358A>T) in intron 6 was associated with MOT, VCL, VAP and ALH in Duroc population (p < 0.05). Therefore, we suggest that the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not clear yet. These results will improve the understanding of the functions of the CD9 in spermatogenesis within the reproductive tracts, and will shed light on CD9 as a candidate gene in the selection of good sperm quality boars.

Oxalic acid has a nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. High producer of oxalic acid was isolated, and then named as Aspergillus niger F22. Oxalic acid production was investigated under various temperatures from 20 – 33oC and rotational speeds in 5 L jar fermenters. Yield of oxalic acid increased with decreasing temperature. The highest yield was obtained at 23oC, showing the yield of oxalic acid of 8.7 g/L, whereas oxalic acid production was least at 33oC. At 20oC, the yield was lower than that of 23oC. At a rotational speed of 300 rpm, serious oxygen depletion was present from 48 - 72 h, resulting in low productivity of 26.2 mg /L·h. When a rotational speed was set at 600 rpm, dissolved oxygen tension was over 40% and oxalic acid production increased up to approximately 55%. Viscosity during the culture differed with temperatures. Viscosity increased with the increment of temperatures. When A. niger F22 was cultured at 23oC, viscosity was 810 cP, which was favorable for oxalic acid production.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli on boar sperm quality and reproductive performance in sows after artificial insemination. Three different levels of E. coli were artificially inoculated to semen with following concentrations; Control, 500, 5,000 and 50,000 colony forming unit (cfu)/ml. Semen samples were preserved at 17℃ for 5 days. Sperm motility was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 3 in the group inoculated with 5,000cfu/ml compared to control groups. In all treatment groups, sperm motility was gradually decreased as storage time increased, but the decline pattern was more drastic in the groups inoculated with 5,000 and 50,000 cfu/ml groups from day 3 (p<0.05) compared to control group. After 3 day of storage at 17℃, sperm viability in sample inoculated with the highest concentration (50,000 cfu/ml) of bacteria was less (p<0.05) than that of control group. The pH of semen sample pH was maintained 7.2～7.5 in all groups during the experimental period. No differences (p>0.05) were found for both storage time and bacterial concentration. The pregnancy rate and live born piglets tend to decrease by increasing the concentration of E. coli in semen. In particular, the rate of pregnancy was lower in the group inoculated with 50,000 cfu/ml (58.3%) compare to the other groups (81.8, 75.0, 76.5%). These results suggest that the contamination of E. coli in boar semen negatively affects fertilizing ability of boar sperm and the reproductive performance obtained from sows after artificial insemination.

A total of 30 Korean native pigs (gilt 15, boar 15) were used to investigate the carcass characteristics, meat quality, amino acid, and fatty acid composition by gender. The carcass weight of boars were significantly higher than gilts, whereas the carcass yield of gilts had significantly higher than boars (p<0.01). Boars had significantly higher moisture contents in loin muscle than gilts, whereas the protein contents of loin muscle had significantly higher in gilts than boars (p<0.01). In the results of meat quality analysis, the cooking loss (p<0.01), shearing force (p<0.05), lightness (L) and yellowness (b) in meat color (p<0.05) were significantly higher, but the pH was significantly lower (p<0.01) in gilts compared with boars. Arginine (p<0.05), alanine, aspartic acid, histidine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine and tyrosin (p<0.01) for gilts were significantly higher than those for boars. The results of fatty acid composition showed that gilts had significantly higher contents of C16:1n7, C18:1n9, C20:1n9 (p<0.01) than boars in intramuscular fat, whereas boars had significantly higher contents of C18:2n6, C20:4n6 (p<0.01) and C18:3n3 (p<0.05) than gilts in intramuscular fat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of pelleted-Italian Ryegrass (IRG) as a source of fiber on reproduction performance in pregnant sows. A total of 24 pregnant sows were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, which was given a corn-soybean diet with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% pelleted-IRG from 105 days prepartum to 7 days postpartum. During experimental period, the sows fed the IRG supplemented diet showed the lower feed intake than the sows fed the control diet (p<0.05). The changes of body weight in sows from initial to pre- and/or post-partum was significantly smaller in sows fed the IRG supplemented diet than control group. It is thought that the lower weight gain in IRG supplemented groups is caused by low feed intake. Although there was no significant difference, sows fed the IRG supplemented diet tended to increase the litter size and birth weight in piglets compared with sows fed the control diet. This result suggests that the dietary supplementation of IRG has the positive effects to improve the reproductive performance in sows. But, the excessive feeding of IRG to sows might cause to retard the days of return to estrus, and decrease the contents of solid, milk protein, and milk fat in colostrum. Thus, the addition of about 10% IRG is desirable to increase the reproductive performance. Meanwhile, the feeding energy diet is better effective than feeding the fiber diets to improve overall productivity in sows after postpartum.