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.

Enhanced strength and ductility in particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by flake powder metallurgy

Kai, X.Z.,Li, Z.Q.,Fan, G.L.,Guo, Q.,Xiong, D.B.,Zhang, W.L.,Su, Y.S.,Lu, W.J.,Moon, W.J.,Zhang, D. Elsevier Sequoia 2013 Materials science & engineering. properties, micro Vol.587 No.-

Reinforcement agglomeration always leads to severe stress concentration and porosity, which is detrimental to the deformation ability and mechanical properties of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites. In this study, uniform distribution of 32vol%B<SUB>4</SUB>C has been achieved in B<SUB>4</SUB>C/Al composite by means of flake powder metallurgy (Flake PM), in which flake Al powder is used as the starting material. The flake Al powder exhibits higher apparent volume than spherical powders of the same mass, and thus can provide more space to accommodate the B<SUB>4</SUB>C particles. Therefore, compared with conventional PM, Flake PM can lead to more uniform distribution of B<SUB>4</SUB>C particles in the composite powder as well as in the consolidated composite. Meanwhile, the flake Al powder has a nano skin of Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>, which could be fractured and dispersed inside the fine matrix grains during consolidation, and were found to induce a higher normalized strain hardening rate for the composite during deformation. As a result, the Flake PM 32vol%B<SUB>4</SUB>C/Al composite exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of 305MPa and a uniform elongation of 6.6%, 63% stronger and 13% more ductile than its counterpart fabricated by conventional PM.

Strain path effects on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Zr702

Cao, W.Q.,Yu, S.H.,Chun, Y.B.,Yoo, Y.C.,Lee, C.M.,Shin, D.H.,Hwang, S.K. Elsevier 2005 Materials science & engineering. properties, micro Vol.395 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>A commercial-purity Zr702 was grain-refined from 20μm to 0.2–0.5μm by equal channel angular pressing. Grain refinement was most evident in the first pass but was insignificant during the subsequent passes. Two microstructural characteristics evolved: a lamellar structure and an equiaxed subgrain structure during the route A pressing and the route B<SUB>C</SUB> pressing, respectively. Due to the rotation of specimen in between passes, two sets of geometrically necessary boundaries were formed during the route B<SUB>C</SUB> pressing. The mechanism of grain refinement during the route A pressing was evolution of high-angle geometrically necessary boundaries from the low-angled ones, while that during the route B<SUB>C</SUB> pressing was decomposition and rearrangement of pre-existing boundaries. The yield stress of severely deformed specimens increased with the reducing grain size according to a Hall–Petch relationship.</P>

Early Regulation of Viral Infection Reduces Inflammation and Rescues Mx-positive Mice from Lethal avian Influenza Infection

Song, M.S.,Cho, Y.H.,Park, S.J.,Pascua, P.N.Q.,Baek, Y.H.,Kwon, H.I.,Lee, O.J.,Kong, B.W.,Kim, H.,Shin, E.C.,Kim, C.J.,Choi, Y.K. American Association of Pathologists and Bacteriol 2013 The American journal of pathology Vol.182 No.4

Differing sensitivity of influenza A viruses to antiviral effects of the Myxovirus resistance (Mx) protein implies varying global gene expression profiles in the host. The role of Mx protein during lethal avian influenza (AI) virus infection was examined using Mx1-deficient C57BL/6 (B6-Mx1<SUP>-/-</SUP>) and congenic Mx1-expressing (B6-Mx1<SUP>+/+</SUP>) mice infected with a virulent, mouse-adapted avian H5N2 Ab/Korea/ma81/07 (Av/ma81) virus. After infection, B6-Mx1<SUP>+/+</SUP> mice were completely protected from lethal AI-induced mortality, and exhibited attenuated clinical disease and reduced viral titers and pathology in the lungs, compared with B6-Mx1<SUP>-/-</SUP> mice. Transcriptional profiling of lung tissues revealed that most of the genes up-regulated after infection are involved in activation of the immune response and host defense. Notably, more abundant and sustained expression of cytokine/chemokine genes was observed up to 3 dpi in B6-Mx1<SUP>-/-</SUP> mice, and this was associated with excessive induction of cytokines and chemokines. Consequently, massive infiltration of macrophages/monocytes and granulocytes into lung resulted in severe viral pneumonia and potentially contributed to decreased survival of B6-Mx1<SUP>-/-</SUP> mice. Taken together, our data show that dysregulated gene transcriptional activity corresponded to persistent induction of cytokine/chemokines and recruitment of cytokine-producing cells that promote inflammation in B6-Mx1<SUP>-/-</SUP> mouse lungs. Thus, we provide additional evidence of the interplay of genetic, molecular, and cellular correlates governed by the Mx1 protein that critically determine disease outcome during lethal AI virus infection.

Comparison of Motility, Acrosome, Viability and ATP of Boar Sperm with or without Cold Shock Resistance in Liquid Semen at 17℃ and 4℃, and Frozen-thawed Semen

Yi, Y.J.,Li, Z.H.,Kim, E.S.,Song, E.S.,Kim, H.B.,Cong, P.Q.,Lee, J.M.,Park, Chang-Sik Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.2

This study was designed to analyze boar sperm to compare motility, acrosome morphology, viability and ATP by various preservation methods between Duroc boar A with cold shock resistance sperm and Duroc boar B with cold shock sensitivity sperm. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal acrosome between Duroc boar A and B did not show any differences within 2 h after collection. There were no differences in sperm motility and normal acrosome between boar A and B at 1 day of preservation at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. However, sperm motility and normal acrosome from 2 day of preservation at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively, were higher for boar A than boar B. The frozen-thawed sperm motility and normal acrosome were higher for boar A than boar B. The sperm viability and ATP concentration according to storage period of liquid semen at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$ were higher for boar A than boar B. Also, the sperm viability and ATP concentration of frozen-thawed semen were higher for boar A than boar B. In conclusion, we found out that the original quality of boar semen with cold shock resistance sperm played an important role.

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.

Enhancement of contraction and L-type Ca²⁺ current by murrayafoline-A via protein kinase C in rat ventricular myocytes

Chidipi, B.,Son, M.J.,Kim, J.C.,Lee, J.H.,Toan, T.Q.,Cuong, N.M.,Lee, B.H.,Woo, S.H. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 european journal of pharmacology Vol.784 No.-

<P>We previously reported that murrayafoline-A (1-methoxy-3-methyl-9H-carbazole, Mu-A) increases the contractility of ventricular myocytes, in part, via enhancing Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, and that it increases the Ca2+ transients by activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In the present study, we further examined the cellular mechanisms for the enhancement of contractility and L-type Ca2+ current (I-ca,I-L) by Mu-A. Cell shortening and I-Ca,I-L were measured in rat ventricular myocytes using a video edge detection method and perforated patch-clamp technique, respectively. We found that the positive inotropic effect of Mu-A was not affected by pre-exposure to the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol, the protein kinase A (PIGS) inhibitors KT5720 or H-89, or the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Interestingly, the Mu-A-mediated increases in cell shortening and in the rate of contraction were completely suppressed by pre-treatment with the PKC inhibitor GF109203X. The stimulatory effect of Mu-A on I-Ca,I-L was not altered by inhibition of PKA (KT5720), G-protein coupled receptors (suramin), or alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (prazosin). However, pre-exposure to the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X or chelerythrine, abolished the Mu-A-induced increase in I-Ca,I-L. Pre-exposure to the Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN93 slightly reduced the stimulatory effects on contraction and I-Ca,I-L by Mu-A. Phosphorylation of PKC was enhanced by Mu-A in ventricular myocytes. These data suggest that Mu-A increases contraction and I-Ca,I-L via PKC in rat ventricular myocytes, and that the PKC-mediated responses in the presence of Mu-A may be partly mediated by CaMKII. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

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 CoO additive on structure and electrical properties of (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.93Ba_0.07TiO₃ ceramics prepared by the citrate method

Xu, Q.,Chen, M.,Chen, W.,Liu, H.X.,Kim, B.H.,Ahn, B.K. Elsevier Science 2008 ACTA MATERIALIA Vol.56 No.3

(Na<SUB>0.5</SUB>Bi<SUB>0.5</SUB>)<SUB>0.93</SUB>Ba<SUB>0.07</SUB>TiO<SUB>3</SUB> ceramics with added 0-0.8 wt.% CoO were prepared by a citrate method and the influence of the CoO additive on the structure and electrical properties of the ceramics was investigated. All the specimens maintained a rhombohedral-tetragonal phase coexistence in crystal structure and the addition of CoO caused a remarkably promoted grain growth. Adding CoO led to a disappearance of the response in the dielectric constant (ε<SUB>r</SUB>) to the ferroelectric-antiferroelectric transition and increased the diffuseness of the dielectric constant peak around 230<SUP>o</SUP>C. Polarization-electric field hysteresis loops at varied temperatures revealed that adding CoO served to increase the depolarization temperature (T<SUB>d</SUB>). The addition of CoO tailored the dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties at room temperature basically following a hard doped effect. The specimen with 0.8 wt.% CoO added showed a low dissipation factor (tanδ) of 0.8% and a high mechanical quality factor (Q<SUB>m</SUB>) of 297 while retaining a piezoelectric constant (d<SUB>33</SUB>) of 137 pC N<SUP>-1</SUP>.

Comparative Palm Oil Trade Performance in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines

Maria Noriza Q,Herrera,Renen Szilardo C,de Guzman,Dinah Pura T,Depositario,Loida E,Mojica,Jeanette Angelin B,Madamba The International Academy of Global Business and T 2019 The International Academy of Global Business and T Vol.15 No.2

Purpose – As one of the most traded commodities in the world with tremendous economic significance, palm oil is an inexpensive source of oil. This paper examined and compared the palm oil trade performance of the Philippines relative to its top palm oil producing neighbors, Indonesia and Malaysia, by analyzing importexport volume trends of the said food commodity, consumption and production trends, self-sufficiency, import dependence, and shifting patterns of comparative advantage. Design/Methodology/Approach – Secondary data covering the period from 1964 through 2018 were collected from various sources, and descriptive analysis coupled with trend analysis were employed with respect to import and export, production, and consumption performance. Other trade indicators were computed, to wit: balance of trade, self-sufficiency ratio, import dependency ratio, and normalized trade balance. Implications were drawn after the comparative analysis among the three countries was done. Findings – An increase in the volume of the palm oil supply in the Philippines is evident, and this is attributed to increasing importation. Relative to Malaysia and Indonesia, the Philippines lags behind in international trade. While Philippine palm oil industry growth has been stagnant in terms of international trade by virtue of its net importer status, Malaysia and Indonesia have overtaken the country significantly, having attained selfsufficiency in the commodity with trade surpluses, and the gap is expected to widen in the coming years. It is interesting to note that the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia had identical production volumes and growth rates until the last decade of the 21st century. A steadily growing industry, palm oil is foreseen to continue being a vital industry, not only to top producing countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia but also in the Philippines, which is trying to improve its palm oil trade performance by expanding production. Research Implications – The study findings imply expansion and income opportunities not only for local oil palm producers, processors, and traders in the Philippines but also for foreign market entrants.