Effects of L-tryptophan, Fructan, and Casein on Reducing Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Skatole in Fermented Swine Manure

Sheng, Q.K.,Yang, Z.J.,Zhao, H.B.,Wang, X.L.,Guo, J.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.8

The effects of daily dietary Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and adding L-tryptophan, fructan, or casein to fecal fermentation broths were investigated as means to reduce the production of noxious gas during manure fermentation caused by ammonia, hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), and 3-methylindole (skatole). Eighty swine ($50.0{\pm}0.5kg$) were equally apportioned to an experimental group given Bs in daily feed, or a control group without Bs. After 6 weeks, fresh manure was collected from both groups for fermentation studies using a $3{\times}3$ orthogonal array, in which tryptophan, casein, and fructan were added at various concentrations. After fermentation, the ammonia, $H_2S$, L-tryptophan, skatole, and microflora were measured. In both groups, L-tryptophan was the principle additive increasing skatole production, with significant correlation (r = 0.9992). L-tryptophan had no effect on the production of ammonia, $H_2S$, or skatole in animals fed Bs. In both groups, fructan was the principle additive that reduced $H_2S$ production (r = 0.9981). Fructan and Bs significantly interacted in $H_2S$ production (p = 0.014). Casein was the principle additive affecting the concentration of ammonia, only in the control group. Casein and Bs significantly interacted in ammonia production (p = 0.039). The predominant bacteria were Bacillus spp. CWBI B1434 (26%) in the control group, and Streptococcus alactolyticus AF201899 (36%) in the experimental group. In summary, daily dietary Bs reduced ammonia production during fecal fermentation. Lessening L-tryptophan and increasing fructan in the fermentation broth reduced skatole and $H_2S$.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis Natto on Meat Quality and Skatole Content in TOPIGS Pigs

Sheng, Q.K.,Zhou, K.F.,Hu, H.M.,Zhao, H.B.,Zhang, Y.,Ying, W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

This study investigated the effect of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) natto on meat quality and skatole in TOPIGS pigs. Sixty TOPIGS pigs were randomly assigned to 3 groups (including 5 pens per group, with 4 pigs in each pen) and fed with basic diet (control group), basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto (B group), and basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto plus 0.1% B. coagulans (BB group), respectively. All pigs were sacrificed at 100 kg. Growth performance, meat quality, serum parameters and oxidation status in the three groups were assessed and compared. Most parameters regarding growth performance and meat quality were not significantly different among the three groups. However, compared with the control group, meat $pH_{24}$, fat and feces skatole and the content of Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Clostridium, $NH_3$-N were significantly reduced in the B and BB groups, while serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, the levels of liver P450, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1, total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase and Lactobacilli in feces were significantly increased in the B and BB groups. Further, the combined supplementation of B. subtilis natto and B. coagulans showed more significant effects on the parameters above compared with B. subtilis, and Clostridium, and $NH_3$-N. Our results indicate that the supplementation of pig feed with B. subtilis natto significantly improves meat quality and flavor, while its combination with B. coagulans enhanced these effects.

Effects of L-tryptophan, Fructan, and Casein on Reducing Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Skatole in Fermented Swine Manure

Q.K. Sheng,Z.J. Yang,H.B. Zhao,X.L. Wang,J.F. Guo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.8

The effects of daily dietary Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and adding L-tryptophan, fructan, or casein to fecal fermentation broths were investigated as means to reduce the production of noxious gas during manure fermentation caused by ammonia, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and 3-methylindole (skatole). Eighty swine (50.0±0.5 kg) were equally apportioned to an experimental group given Bs in daily feed, or a control group without Bs. After 6 weeks, fresh manure was collected from both groups for fermentation studies using a 3×3 orthogonal array, in which tryptophan, casein, and fructan were added at various concentrations. After fermentation, the ammonia, H2S, L-tryptophan, skatole, and microflora were measured. In both groups, L-tryptophan was the principle additive increasing skatole production, with significant correlation (r = 0.9992). L-tryptophan had no effect on the production of ammonia, H2S, or skatole in animals fed Bs. In both groups, fructan was the principle additive that reduced H2S production (r = 0.9981). Fructan and Bs significantly interacted in H2S production (p = 0.014). Casein was the principle additive affecting the concentration of ammonia, only in the control group. Casein and Bs significantly interacted in ammonia production (p = 0.039). The predominant bacteria were Bacillus spp. CWBI B1434 (26%) in the control group, and Streptococcus alactolyticus AF201899 (36%) in the experimental group. In summary, daily dietary Bs reduced ammonia production during fecal fermentation. Lessening L-tryptophan and increasing fructan in the fermentation broth reduced skatole and H2S.

Small molecule inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 DNA binding activity interferes with replication and persistence of the viral genome

Lee, E.K.,Kim, S.Y.,Noh, K.W.,Joo, E.H.,Zhao, B.,Kieff, E.,Kang, M.S. Elsevier/North-Holland 2014 ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH Vol.104 No.-

The replication and persistence of extra chromosomal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) episome in latently infected cells are primarily dependent on the binding of EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) to the cognate EBV oriP element. In continuation of the previous study, herein we characterized EBNA1 small molecule inhibitors (H20, H31) and their underlying inhibitory mechanisms. In silico docking analyses predicted that H20 fits into a pocket in the EBNA1 DNA binding domain (DBD). However, H20 did not significantly affect EBNA1 binding to its cognate sequence. A limited structure-relationship study of H20 identified a hydrophobic compound H31, as an EBNA1 inhibitor. An in vitro EBNA1 EMSA and in vivo EGFP-EBNA1 confocal microscopy analysis showed that H31 inhibited EBNA1-dependent oriP sequence-specific DNA binding activity, but not sequence-nonspecific chromosomal association. Consistent with this, H31 repressed the EBNA1-dependent transcription, replication, and persistence of an EBV oriP plasmid. Furthermore, H31 induced progressive loss of EBV episome. In addition, H31 selectively retarded the growth of EBV-infected LCL or Burkitt's lymphoma cells. These data indicate that H31 inhibition of EBNA1-dependent DNA binding decreases transcription from and persistence of EBV episome in EBV-infected cells. These new compounds might be useful probes for dissecting EBNA1 functions in vitro and in vivo.

Preparation and characterization of glass-ceramics with α-cordierite as the main crystalline phase from bluestone tailings

C.H. Li,W. Zhao,J.L. Zhang,W. Lu,P. Li,B.J. Yan,H.W. Guo 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2021 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.22 No.4

The bluestone tailings are quickly expanded in China with the continuous utilization and mining of bluestone resources. Theincremental recycling of bluestone tailings is important to solve the resources waste and environmental pollution. This studyaims to reuse the bluestone tailings as the main material to prepare α-cordierite glass-ceramics based on melting process. Theresults show that the nucleation temperature, crystallization peak temperature and the activation energy for crystallizationdecreased gradually with increasing the percentage of bluestone tailings. The complete preparation parameters of α-cordieriteglass-ceramics include a bluestone tailings percentage of 70%, a heating rate of 5 oC·min^-1, a crystallization duration of 1.5h, a crystallization temperature of 970 oC, a nucleation temperature of 830 oC, and a nucleation duration of 1.0 h. Theperformances analyses reveals that the α-cordierite glass-ceramics based on the optimized parameters exhibits high densityand Vickers hardness, low dielectric loss and water absorption, and strong chemical resistance.

Improvement of lower hybrid current drive systems for high-power and long-pulse operation on EAST

Wang M.,Liu L.,Zhao L.M.,Li M.H.,Ma W.D.,Hu H.C.,Wu Z.G.,Feng J.Q.,Yang Y.,Zhu L.,Chen M.,Zhou T.A.,Jia H.,Zhang J.,Cao L.,Zhang L.,Liang R.R.,Ding B.J.,Zhang X.J.,Shan J.F.,Liu F.K.,Ekedahl A.,Gonich 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.11

Aiming at high-power and long-pulse operation up to 1000 s, some improvements have been made for both 2.45 GHz and 4.6 GHz lower hybrid (LH) systems during the recent 5 years. At first, the guard limiters of the LH antennas with graphite tiles were upgraded to tungsten, the most promising material for plasma facing components in nuclear fusion devices. These new guard limiters can operate at a peak power density of 12.9 MW/m2 . Strong hot spots were usually observed on the old graphite limiters when 4.6 GHz system operated with power >2.0 MW [B. N. Wan et al., Nucl. Fusion 57 (2017) 102019], leading to a reduction of the maximum power capability. With the new limiters, 4.6 GHz LH system, the main current drive (CD) and electron heating tool for EAST, can be operated with power >2.5 MW routinely. Long-pulse operation up to 100 s with 4.6 GHz LH power of 2.4 MW was achieved in 2021 and the maximal temperature on the guard limiters measured by an infrared (IR) camera was about 540 C, much below the permissible value of tungsten material (~1200 C). A discharge with a duration of 1056 s was achieved and the 4.6 GHz LH energy injected into the plasma was up to 1.05 GJ. Secondly, the fully-activemultijunction (FAM) launcher of 2.45 GHz system was upgraded to a passive-active-multijunction (PAM), for which the density of optimum coupling was relatively low (below the cut-off value). Good coupling with reflection coefficient ~3% has been achieved with plasma-antenna distance up to 11 cm for the new PAM. Finally, in order to eliminate the effect of ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) wave on 4.6 GHz LH wave coupling, the location of the ICRF launcher was changed to a port that is located 157.5 toroidally from the 4.6 GHz LH system and is not magnetically connected

Effects of galacto-oligosaccharides and a bifidobacteria lactis-based probiotic strain on the growth performance and fecal microflora of broiler chickens.

Jung, S J,Houde, R,Baurhoo, B,Zhao, X,Lee, B H Poultry Science Association, etc 2008 Poultry science Vol.87 No.9

<P>A galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotic was prepared by reacting a high concentration of lactose (40% wt/vol) with a beta-galactosidase enzyme for 24 h at 37 degrees C. The enzyme was produced from recombinant Pichia pastoris X-33 cells. The study aimed at evaluating the effects of the prebiotic, a Bifidobacterium lactis-based probiotic, and the combination of these dietary additives on BW, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and fecal counts of total anaerobic bacteria, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria in broiler chickens. No significant differences in BW, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were found among the various groups. The study showed that GOS selectively stimulated the fecal microflora of broiler chickens. Total anaerobic bacteria and lactobacilli were increased by 3.4- and 3.56-fold, respectively, in chickens fed the diet containing GOS (3 kg per 25 kg) and B. lactis for 40 d compared with those fed the control diet. The bifidobacteria population in chickens fed the diet containing GOS (3 kg per 25 kg) and B. lactis significantly increased 21-fold in comparison to the control-fed birds. In particular, increasing the dietary concentration of GOS was accompanied by significant increases (P < 0.05) in bifidobacteria counts. The detectable population of bifidobacteria was also greater (P < 0.05) in chickens fed the diet containing GOS and bifidobacteria when compared with chickens fed a bifidobacteria-containing ration only. These results suggest that using GOS in combination with a B. lactis-based probiotic favored intestinal growth of bifidobacteria in broiler chickens.</P>

Au-MPY/DTNBΣiO₂ SERS nanoprobe for immunosorbent assay

Chen, L.,Sa, Y.,Park, Y.,Hwang, H.,Ji, H.,Zhao, B.,Jung, Y.M. Elsevier 2016 Vibrational spectroscopy Vol.87 No.-

<P>In this paper, we developed a biocompatible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobe that employs 4-mercaptopyridine (MPY)/5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB)-decorated gold aggregates embedded in silicon dioxide. This highly sensitive SERS nanoprobe was applied in immunoassays. Furthermore, we constructed a sandwich (silver-proteins-Au-MPY/DTNB@SiO2) model that contributes very strong electromagnetic (EM) fields. Compared with a single layer of the SERS-active substrate, the designed model exhibited highly sensitive detection capabilities. This method demonstrates considerable potential for ultrasensitive SERS immunoassay applications. In addition, the proposed silica protected gold nanoaggregates possess good biocompatibility with proteins. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Fungal diversity notes 367–490: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

Hyde, K. D.,Hongsanan, S.,Jeewon, R.,Bhat, D. J.,McKenzie, E. H.,Jones, E. B.,Phookamsak, R.,Ariyawansa, H. A.,Boonmee, S.,Zhao, Q. Springer Science and Business Media 2016 FUNGAL DIVERSITY Vol.80 No.1

<P>This is a continuity of a series of taxonomic papers where materials are examined, described and novel combinations are proposed where necessary to improve our traditional species concepts and provide updates on their classification. In addition to extensive morphological descriptions and appropriate asexual and sexual connections, DNA sequence data are also analysed from concatenated datasets (rDNA, TEF-alpha, RBP2 and beta-Tubulin) to infer phylogenetic relationships and substantiate systematic position of taxa within appropriate ranks. Wherever new species or combinations are being proposed, we apply an integrative approach (morphological and molecular data as well as ecological features wherever applicable). Notes on 125 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper, including eight new genera, 101 new species, two new combinations, one neotype, four reference specimens, new host or distribution records for eight species and one alternative morphs. The new genera introduced in this paper are Alloarthopyrenia, Arundellina, Camarosporioides, Neomassaria, Neomassarina, Neotruncatella, Paracapsulospora and Pseudophaeosphaeria. The new species are Alfaria spartii, Alloarthopyrenia italica, Anthostomella ravenna, An. thailandica, Arthrinium paraphaeospermum, Arundellina typhae, Aspergillus koreanus, Asterina cynometrae, Bertiella ellipsoidea, Blastophorum aquaticum, Cainia globosa, Camarosporioides phragmitis, Ceramothyrium menglunense, Chaetosphaeronema achilleae, Chlamydotubeufia helicospora, Ciliochorella phanericola, Clavulinopsis aurantiaca, Colletotrichum insertae, Comoclathris italica, Coronophora myricoides, Cortinarius fulvescentoideus, Co. nymphatus, Co. pseudobulliardioides, Co. tenuifulvescens, Cunninghamella gigacellularis, Cyathus pyristriatus, Cytospora cotini, Dematiopleospora alliariae, De. cirsii, Diaporthe aseana, Di. garethjonesii, Distoseptispora multiseptata, Dis. tectonae, Dis. tectonigena, Dothiora buxi, Emericellopsis persica, Gloniopsis calami, Helicoma guttulatum, Helvella floriforma, H. oblongispora, Hermatomyces subiculosa, Juncaceicola italica, Lactarius dirkii, Lentithecium unicellulare, Le. voraginesporum, Leptosphaeria cirsii, Leptosphaeria irregularis, Leptospora galii, Le. thailandica, Lindgomyces pseudomadisonensis, Lophiotrema bambusae, Lo. fallopiae, Meliola citri-maximae, Minimelanolocus submersus, Montagnula cirsii, Mortierella fluviae, Muriphaeosphaeria ambrosiae, Neodidymelliopsis ranunculi, Neomassaria fabacearum, Neomassarina thailandica, Neomicrosphaeropsis cytisi, Neo. cytisinus, Neo. minima, Neopestalotiopsis cocoA << s, Neopestalotiopsis musae, Neoroussoella lenispora, Neotorula submersa, Neotruncatella endophytica, Nodulosphaeria italica, Occultibambusa aquatica, Oc. chiangraiensis, Ophiocordyceps hemisphaerica, Op. lacrimoidis, Paracapsulospora metroxyli, Pestalotiopsis sequoiae, Peziza fruticosa, Pleurotrema thailandica, Poaceicola arundinis, Polyporus mangshanensis, Pseudocoleophoma typhicola, Pseudodictyosporium thailandica, Pseudophaeosphaeria rubi, Purpureocillium sodanum, Ramariopsis atlantica, Rhodocybe griseoaurantia, Rh. indica, Rh. luteobrunnea, Russula indoalba, Ru. pseudoamoenicolor, Sporidesmium aquaticivaginatum, Sp. olivaceoconidium, Sp. pyriformatum, Stagonospora forlicesenensis, Stagonosporopsis centaureae, Terriera thailandica, Tremateia arundicola, Tr. guiyangensis, Trichomerium bambusae, Tubeufia hyalospora, Tu. roseohelicospora and Wojnowicia italica. New combinations are given for Hermatomyces mirum and Pallidocercospora thailandica. A neotype is proposed for Cortinarius fulvescens. Reference specimens are given for Aquaphila albicans, Leptospora rubella, Platychora ulmi and Meliola pseudosasae, while new host or distribution records are provided for Diaporthe eres, Di. siamensis, Di. foeniculina, Dothiorella iranica, Do. sarmentorum, Do. vidmadera, Helvella tinta and Vaginatispora fuckelii, with full taxonomic details. An asexual state is also reported for the

Preferential association of a functional variant in complement receptor 2 with antibodies to double-stranded DNA

Zhao, Jian,Giles, Brendan M,Taylor, Rhonda L,Yette, Gabriel A,Lough, Kara M,Ng, Han Leng,Abraham, Lawrence J,Wu, Hui,Kelly, Jennifer A,Glenn, Stuart B,Adler, Adam J,Williams, Adrienne H,Comeau, Mary E H. K. Lewis 2016 Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol.75 No.1

<P><B>Objectives</B></P><P>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; OMIM 152700) is characterised by the production of antibodies to nuclear antigens. We previously identified variants in complement receptor 2 (<I>CR2/CD21</I>) that were associated with decreased risk of SLE. This study aimed to identify the causal variant for this association.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Genotyped and imputed genetic variants spanning <I>CR2</I> were assessed for association with SLE in 15 750 case-control subjects from four ancestral groups. Allele-specific functional effects of associated variants were determined using quantitative real-time PCR, quantitative flow cytometry, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The strongest association signal was detected at rs1876453 in intron 1 of <I>CR2</I> (p<SUB>meta</SUB>=4.2×10<SUP>−4</SUP>, OR 0.85), specifically when subjects were stratified based on the presence of dsDNA autoantibodies (case-control p<SUB>meta</SUB>=7.6×10<SUP>−7</SUP>, OR 0.71; case-only p<SUB>meta</SUB>=1.9×10<SUP>−4</SUP>, OR 0.75). Although allele-specific effects on B cell <I>CR2</I> mRNA or protein levels were not identified, levels of complement receptor 1 (<I>CR1/CD35)</I> mRNA and protein were significantly higher on B cells of subjects harbouring the minor allele (p=0.0248 and p=0.0006, respectively). The minor allele altered the formation of several DNA protein complexes by EMSA, including one containing CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), an effect that was confirmed by ChIP-PCR.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>These data suggest that rs1876453 in <I>CR2</I> has long-range effects on gene regulation that decrease susceptibility to lupus. Since the minor allele at rs1876453 is preferentially associated with reduced risk of the highly specific dsDNA autoantibodies that are present in preclinical, active and severe lupus, understanding its mechanisms will have important therapeutic implications.</P>