Topiramate Improves Neuroblast Differentiation of Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in the d-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice via Its Antioxidant Effects

Shen, H.,Wang, J.,Jiang, D.,Xu, P.,Zhu, X.,Zhang, Y.,Yu, X.,Won, M. H.,Su, P. Q.,Yan, B. C. Springer Science + Business Media 2017 Cellular and molecular neurobiology Vol.37 No.5

<P>Some anticonvulsant drugs are associated with cognitive ability in patients; Topiramate (TPM) is well known as an effective anticonvulsant agent applied in clinical settings. However, the effect of TPM on the cognitive function is rarely studied. In this study, we aimed to observe the effects of TPM on cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the d-galactose-induced aging mice by Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX) immunohistochemistry. The study is divided into four groups including control, d-galactose-treated group, 25 and 50 mg/kg TPM-treated plus d-galactose-treated groups. We found, 50 mg/kg (not 25 mg/kg) TPM treatment significantly increased the numbers of Ki-67(+) cells and DCX immunoreactivity, and improved neuroblast injury induced by d-galactose treatment. In addition, we also found that decreased immunoreactivities and protein levels of antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and catalase induced by d-galactose treatment were significantly recovered by 50 mg/kg TPM treatment in the mice hippocampal DG (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our present results indicate that TPM can ameliorate neuroblast damage and promote cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampal DG via increasing SODs and catalase levels in the d-galactose mice.</P>

Effects of Keratinase on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Intestinal Morphology, Intestinal Ecology and Inflammatory Response of Weaned Piglets Fed Diets with Different Levels of Crude Protein

Wang, D.,Piao, X.S.,Zeng, Z.K.,Lu, T.,Zhang, Q.,Li, P.F.,Xue, L.F.,Kim, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.12

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the in vitro ability of keratinase to hydrolyze soybean glycinin and ${\beta}$-conglycinin and to evaluate the in vivo effects of keratinase when included in corn-soybean diets with different levels of crude protein and fed to nursery pigs. In experiment 1, a saturated keratinase solution (1 ml) was added to two blank controls of either glycinin or ${\beta}$-conglycinin resulting in the hydrolysis of 94.74% glycinin and 88.89% ${\beta}$-conglycinin. In experiment 2, 190 pigs (8.3${\pm}$0.63 kg BW) were allotted to one of four treatments in a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement on the basis of body weight, and sex was balanced among the pens. The effects of crude protein (19 vs. 22%) and keratinase (0 vs. 0.05%) were studied. Each treatment was applied to six pens with seven (two pens) or eight pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved (p<0.05) with keratinase supplementation while feed intake was reduced (p<0.05). Keratinase supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein and phosphorus. Keratinase supplementation also increased n-butyric acid in the cecum and colon, lactobacilli and total anaerobe counts in the colon as well as the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum. Additionally, fecal score, ammonia nitrogen and branch chain volatile fatty acids in the colon, E. coli and total aerobe counts in the colon, crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum as well as serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) by keratinase supplementation. A reduction in dietary crude protein decreased (p<0.05) colon ammonia nitrogen concentration and cecal propionic acid and branch chain volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, cecal E. coli counts, colon total anaerobe counts, ileal crypt depth, and serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) with the reduction of dietary crude protein. With the exception of fecal scores, there were no significant interactions between crude protein and keratinase. This study provides evidence that dietary keratinase supplementation improved nursery pig performance by improving intestinal morphology and ecology, thus improving nutrient digestibility and alleviating the inflammatory response.

Effect of Ca²⁺ on the activity and structure of α-glucosidase: Inhibition kinetics and molecular dynamics simulations

Zhang, X.,Shi, L.,Li, X.,Sheng, Q.,Yao, L.,Shen, D.,Lu, Z.R.,Zhou, H.M.,Park, Y.D.,Lee, J.,Zhang, Q. Society for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Japan ; 2014 Journal of bioscience and bioengineering Vol.117 No.6

Understanding the mechanism of inhibition of α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) is clinically important because of the involvement of this enzyme in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we conducted inhibition kinetics of α-glucosidase with Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> and 10-ns molecular dynamics simulations. We found that direct binding of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> to the enzyme induced structural changes and inhibited enzyme activity. Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> inhibited α-glucosidase in a mixed-type reaction (K<SUB>i</SUB> = 27.0 +/- 2.0 mM) and directly induced the unfolding of α-glucosidase, which resulted in the exposure of hydrophobic residues. The simulations suggest that thirteen Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> ions may interact with α-glucosidase residues and that the Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> binding sites are associated with the structural changes in α-glucosidase. Our study provides insight into the mechanism of the Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>-induced structural changes in α-glucosidase and the inhibition of ligand binding. These results suggest that Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> could act as a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Corrosion Behavior and Oxide Film Formation of T91 Steel under Different Water Chemistry Operation Conditions

( D. Q. Zhang ),( C. Shi ),( J. Li ),( L. X. Gao ),( K. Y. Lee ) 한국부식방식학회(구 한국부식학회) 2017 Corrosion Science and Technology Vol.16 No.1

The corrosion behavior of a ferritic/martensitic steel T91 exposed to an aqueous solution containing chloride and sulfate ions is investigated depending on the stimulated all-volatile treatment (AVT) and under oxygenated treatment (OT) conditions. The corrosion of T91 steel under OT condition is severe, while the corrosion under AVT condition is not. The co-existence of chloride and sulfate ions has antagonistic effect on the corrosion of T91 steel in both AVT and OT conditions. Unlike to corrosion resistance in the aqueous solution, OT pretreatment provides T91 steel lower oxidation-resistance than VAT pretreatment. From scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the lower corrosion resistance in the aqueous solution by VAT conditions possibly is due to the formation of pits. In addition, the lower oxidation resistance of T91 steel pretreated by OT conditions is explained as follows: the cracks formed during the immersion under OT conditions accelerated peeling-off rate of the oxide film.

The Metabolizable Energy Value, Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Soybean Meal, Soy Protein Concentrate and Fermented Soybean Meal, and the Application of These Products in Early-weaned Piglets

Zhang, H.Y.,Yi, J.Q.,Piao, X.S.,Li, P.F.,Zeng, Z.K.,Wang, D.,Liu, L.,Wang, G.Q.,Han, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.5

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the metabolizable energy (ME) value, standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) of soybean meal (SBM), soy protein concentrate (SPC) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM), and the application of these products in early-weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, four barrows with initial body weight (BW) of $14.2{\pm}1.4$ kg were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. The diet 1 contained corn as the only energy source. The other three diets replaced 25% of corn in diet 1 with one of the three soybean products, and the digestable energy (DE) and ME contents were determined by difference. In Exp. 2, four barrows (initial BW of $18.2{\pm}1.5$ kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and allotted to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Three cornstarch-based diets were formulated using each of the soybean products as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of AA. In Exp. 3, ninety six piglets (initial BW of $5.6{\pm}0.9$ kg) weaned at $21{\pm}2$ d were blocked by weight and assigned to one of three treatments for a 21-d growth performance study. The control diet was based on corn and SBM, the two treatments' diets contained either 10% SPC or FSBM and were formulated to same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal. The results showed that the ME content of SPC was greater than SBM (p<0.05). The SID of most AA in SPC was greater than the SID of AA in SBM (p<0.05). For the essential AA, the SID of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and threonine in FSBM were greater than in SBM (p<0.05). Even though they were fed same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal diets, pigs fed SPC and FSBM diets had greater weight gain, G:F (p<0.05) and better fecal score (p<0.05) than pigs fed SBM diet. In conclusion, SPC showed a higher ME content and SID of AA than the SBM. SID of some essential AA in FSBM was higher than SBM and was similar with SPC. But the lower antigenic proteins and anti-nutritional factors content in SPC and FSBM may be the main factors affecting the performance of early-weaned piglets rather than the increased ME content and SID of AA.

CORROSION BEHAVIORS OF ND: YAG LASER-GMA HYBRID WELDMENT OF AA5052-H32 Al ALLOYS

Zhang, D.-Q.,Park, Y.W.,Lee, K.Y. WORLD SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING 2009 SURFACE REVIEW AND LETTERS Vol.16 No.1

Effect of Deformation Temperature on Crystal Texture Formation in Hot Deformed Nanocrystalline SmCo₅ Permanent Magnets

Q. Ma,M. Yue,W. C. Lv,H. G. Zhang,X. K. Yuan,D. T. Zhang,X. F. Zhang,J. X. Zhang,X. X. Gao 한국자기학회 2016 Journal of Magnetics Vol.21 No.1

In the present study, bulk anisotropic nanocrystalline SmCo₅ magnets were prepared by hot deformation. The effect of deformation temperature on the texture and magnetic properties are presented, based on which the mechanism of plastic deformation and texture formation during the hot deformation process is discussed. Our analyses reveal that deformation temperature is one of the most important parameters that determine the texture of SmCo5 grains. We suggest that diffusion creep plastic deformation occurs during hot deformation, which is very sensitive to the energy gain provided by an increase in temperature.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON VIBRATING PLATE AND ITS RADIATION FIELD USING NEARFIELD ACOUSTIC HOLOGRAPHY

D. J. Zhang,J. Z. Cheng,N. Q. Zhu,Q. Wang,X. H. XIA 한국소음진동공학회 1994 한국소음진동공학회 국제학술대회논문집 Vol.1994 No.4

Effects of Single Cell Protein Replacing Fish Meal in Diet on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Intestinal Morphology in Weaned Pigs

Zhang, H.Y.,Piao, X.S.,Li, P.,Yi, J.Q.,Zhang, Q.,Li, Q.Y.,Liu, J.D.,Wang, G.Q. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.9

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the ME value, standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) of fish meal, and the effects of single cell protein (Prosin and Protide) replacing fish meal in diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology in weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, twenty-four barrows with initial BW of $30.8{\times}2.6kg$ were allotted to one of four dietary treatments. Diet 1 contained corn as the only energy source. The other three diets replaced 20% of the corn in diet 1 with one of the three protein feeds (fish meal, Prosin and Protide), and the DE and ME contents were determined by difference. In Exp. 2, eight barrows (initial BW of $25.6{\pm}3.2kg$) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and allotted to a replicated $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Three cornstarch-based diets were formulated using each of the protein feeds as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of AA. In Exp. 3, one hundred and eighty piglets (initial BW of $7.95{\pm}1.59kg$) weaned at $28{\times}2d$ were blocked by weight and assigned to one of five treatments for a 28-d growth performance study, each treatment was fed to six pens with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. The five treatments consisted of the control group (CON), which was a corn-soybean meal diet containing 5% fish meal, and the other four treatments, which replaced a set amount of fish meal with either Prosin (2.5% or 5%) or Protide (2.5% or 5%). The diets were formulated to provide same nutrient levels. The results showed that on a DM basis, both of the DE and ME contents were lower in Prosin and Protide than that of fish meal (p<0.05). The SID of CP and all essential AA were greater in fish meal than in Prosin and Protide (p<0.05). The pigs fed CON diet had greater weight gain and lower feed conversion rate (FCR) than pigs fed 5% Prosin and 5% Protide diets (p<0.05). The digestibility of CP was greater in pigs fed CON, 2.5% Prosin and 2.5% Protide diets than the pigs fed 5% Prosin and 5% Protide diets (p<0.05). Villus height in jejunum and ileum, and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum were higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed CON, 2.5% Prosin and 2.5% Protide diets compared with the 5% Prosin and 5% Protide diets. Pigs fed CON diet had greater villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum than the pigs fed 5% Prosin and 5% Protide diets (p<0.05). In conclusion, although Prosin and Protide contained lower ME content and SID of AA than fish meal, Prosin and Protide replacing 50% of fish meal in diet with identical nutrient levels could obtain similar performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs.

Blast response of cracked reinforced concrete slabs repaired with CFRP composite patch

X. Q Kong,Q. Zhao,Y. D. Qu,W. J. Zhang 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.4

In the present study, a numerical model is developed for investigating the capacity of the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer(CFRP) patch to improve the blast response of cracked reinforced concrete (RC) slab. The model uses a finite element methodadopted by LS-DYNA. To achieve this aim, a 3D nonlinear Finite-element (FE) model is developed to study the blast resistance ofcracked RC slab with and without external reinforcement by CFRP. After model validation, the blast response of the cracked RCslabs with several different crack parameters (e.g. orientation, width and depth) under the blast loading is firstly studied. Then toimprove the blast resistance, the cracked RC slabs are stiffened by CFRP composite patches. Numerical results show that the repairedpatches can significantly reduce the mid-span deflection and improve the damage distribution of the cracked RC slab. The CFRP isproved to be a valid solution for repairing of cracked RC slab and can increase the blast resistance of RC structures under blastloading. Finally, a parametric analysis is further conducted to investigate the influences of the layer number and layer size of theCFRP patch on the blast resistance of the retrofitted model.