Effects of Diets Supplemented with Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor and Glutamine on Gastrointestinal Tract Development of Early-weaned Piglets

Lee, D.N.,Chang, W.F.,Yu, I.T.,Chiou, Peter W.S.,Weng, C.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.4

This study attempted to determine effects of recombinant porcine epidermal growth factor (pEGF) and glutamine (Gln) supplement on the growth performance and intestinal development of piglets weaned at 14 days of age. A total of ninety-six piglets were allotted to one of four dietary treatments which comprised inclusion of 1.0 mg pEGF supernatant/kg diet or 0.5% Gln both alone and in combination. Each treatment consisted of four replicates with six pigs per pen for a 28 days experimental period. Two pigs per replicate were sacrificed and gastrointestinal tract samples were collected on day 14. Data showed that dietary treatment failed to promote growth performance. On day 14, diets supplemented with pEGF elevated pancreatic chymotrypsin, jejunal alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, lactase and maltase activities (p<0.05), but failed to alter the small intestinal villus morphology, DNA, or protein content of gastrointestinal mucosa. Diets supplemented with Gln increased pancreatic chymotrypsin activity, tended to enhance the protein contents of gastric (p = 0.08) and jejunal mucosa (p = 0.09) but did not influence the serum IgA level or the enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract. On day 28, the diets supplemented with Gln increasedt (p<0.05) serum IgA and the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by PHA stimulation. However, a combination of pEGF and Gln did not have a synergistic effect on these biomarkers in early-weaned piglets. The results demonstrate that diets supplemented with recombinant pEGF supernatant indeed improve intestinal digestive enzyme activity and diets supplemented with Gln increases the immune response in early-weaned piglets.

Dietary Modification for Reducing Electrical Conductivity of Piggery Wastewater

Yu, I.T.,Su, J.J.,Wu, J.F.,Lee, S.L.,Ju, C.C.,Yen, H.T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.9

A total of 108 pigs (including 36 starters, 36 growers, and 36 finishers) were randomly allocated to six treatments, which involved a 2 (Crude Protein (CP): 100 and 80% of control diet)${\times}$3 (Ca, P, Salt (CPS): 100, 80 and 60% of control diet) factorial design to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing CP and CPS in reducing wastewater EC in different stages. Another 72 starters were adopted to examine the effect of the six treatment diets (as mentioned above) on the growth performance of pigs. Activated carbon and Reverse Osmosis System (RO) were adopted to examine the reducing efficiency of wastewater EC, and ion analysis was also applied to compare with the wastewater EC in different stages of the metabolism trial. The results of wastewater EC of the six treatment diets in different stages of metabolism trial demonstrated that diminishing dietary CP or CPS decreased wastewater EC. The largest decrease of EC was approximately 30%, and was achieved with 20 and 40% reduced dietary CP and CPS, respectively. Pig growth performance deteriorated somewhat when dietary CP or CPS was diminished. Wastewater ion concentration was not always consistent with dietary CP or CPS content, except for $NO_2^{-}$, $NH_4^{+}$ and $K^{+}$, which were positively correlated with dietary CP or CPS in different stages. Activated carbon is not effective for reducing wastewater EC, while, RO system is effective (90% elimination rate) in reducing wastewater EC, but the EC of concentrated (excreted) water is around 10% higher than that of intact wastewater, representing an additional problem besides the high cost of RO system treatment.

Investigation of PCR-RFLPs within Major Histocompatibility Complex B-G Genes Using Two Restriction Enzymes in Eight Breeds of Chinese Indigenous Chickens

R. F. Xu,K. Li,G. H. Chen,B. Y. Z. Qiang,D. L. Mo,B. Fan,C. C. Li,M. Yu,M. J. Zhu,T. A. Xiong,B. Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.7

New polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex B-G genes was investigated by amplification and digestion of a 401bp fragment including intron 1 and exon 2 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) technique with two restriction enzymes of Msp I and Tas I in eight breeds of Chinese indigenous chickens and one exotic breed. In the fragment region of the gene, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected at the two restriction sites. We found the transition of two nucleotides of A294G and T295C occurred at Tas I restriction site, and consequently led to a nonsynonymous substitution of asparagine into serine at position 54 within the deduced amino acid sequence of immunoglobulin variableregion- like domain encoded by the exon 2 of B-G gene. It was observed at rare frequency that a single mutation of A294G occurring at the site, also caused an identical substitution of amino acid, asparagine 54-to-serine, to that we described previously. And the transversion of G319C at Msp I site led to a non-synonymous substitution, glutamine 62-to-histidine. The new alleles and allele frequencies identified by the PCR-RFLP method with the two enzymes were characterized, of which the allele A and B frequencies at Msp I and Tas I loci were given disequilibrium distribution either in the eight Chinese local breeds or in the exotic breed. By comparison, allele A at Msp I locus tended to be dominant, while, the allele B at Tas I locus tended to be dominant in all of the breeds analyzed. In Tibetan chickens, the preliminary association analysis revealed that no significant difference was observed between the different genotypes identified at the Msp I and Tas I loci and the laying performance traits, respectively.

Responsiveness to reduced dosage of rituximab in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica

Yang, C.-S.,Yang, L.,Li, T.,Zhang, D.-Q.,Jin, W.-N.,Li, M.-S.,Su, N.,Zhangning, N.,Liu, Q.,Shao, Z.-H.,Yu, C.,Shi, F.-D. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer) - American Acad 2013 Neurology Vol.81 No.8

Even with nonnative interactions, the updated folding transition states of the homologs Proteins G & L are extensive and similar

Baxa, Michael C.,Yu, Wookyung,Adhikari, Aashish N.,Ge, Liang,Xia, Zhen,Zhou, Ruhong,Freed, Karl F.,Sosnick, Tobin R. National Academy of Sciences 2015 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.112 No.27

<P><B>Significance</B></P><P>An outstanding issue in protein science is identifying the relationship between sequence and folding, e.g., do sequences having similar structures have similar folding pathways? The homologs Proteins G & L have been cited as a primary example where sequence variations dramatically affect folding dynamics. However, our new results indicate that the homologs have similar folding behavior. At the highest point on the reaction surface, the pathways converge to similar ensembles. These findings are distinct from descriptions based on the widely used mutational ϕ analysis, partly due to nonnative behavior. Our study emphasizes that significant challenges remain both in characterizing and predicting transition state ensembles even for relatively simple proteins whose folding behavior is believed to be well understood.</P><P>Experimental and computational folding studies of Proteins L & G and NuG2 typically find that sequence differences determine which of the two hairpins is formed in the transition state ensemble (TSE). However, our recent work on Protein L finds that its TSE contains both hairpins, compelling a reassessment of the influence of sequence on the folding behavior of the other two homologs. We characterize the TSEs for Protein G and NuG2b, a triple mutant of NuG2, using ψ analysis, a method for identifying contacts in the TSE. All three homologs are found to share a common and near-native TSE topology with interactions between all four strands. However, the helical content varies in the TSE, being largely absent in Proteins G & L but partially present in NuG2b. The variability likely arises from competing propensities for the formation of nonnative β turns in the naturally occurring proteins, as observed in our <I>TerItFix</I> folding algorithm. All-atom folding simulations of NuG2b recapitulate the observed TSEs with four strands for 5 of 27 transition paths [Lindorff-Larsen K, Piana S, Dror RO, Shaw DE (2011) <I>Science</I> 334(6055):517–520]. Our data support the view that homologous proteins have similar folding mechanisms, even when nonnative interactions are present in the transition state. These findings emphasize the ongoing challenge of accurately characterizing and predicting TSEs, even for relatively simple proteins.</P>

GaMnAs의 Be 병행 도핑에 의한 자기 수송 특성 연구

임완순,윤대식,우부성,고존서,김도진,임영언,김효진,김창수,김종오,Im W. S.,Yoon T. S.,Yu F. C.,Gao C. X.,Kim D. J.,Ibm Y. E.,Kim H. J.,Kim C. S.,Kim C. O. 한국재료학회 2005 한국재료학회지 Vol.15 No.1

Motivated by the enhanced magnetic properties of Mg-codoped GaMnN ferromagnetic semiconductors, Be-codoped GaMnAs films were grown via molecular beam epitaxy with varying Mn flux at a fixed Be flux. The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties were investigated. GaAs:(Mn,Be) films showed metallic behavior while GaAs:Mn films showed semiconducting behavior as determined by the temperature dependent resistivity measurements. The Hall-effect measurements with varying magnetic field showed clear anomalous Hall effect up to room temperature proving ferromagnetism and magnetotransport in the GaAs:(Mn,Be) films. Planar Hall resistance measurement also confirmed the properties. The dramatic enhancement of the Curie temperature in GaMnAs system was attributed to Be codoping in the GaMnAs films as well as MnAs precipitation.

Impact of structural disorder on the magnetic ordering and magnetocaloric response of amorphous Gd-based microwires

Biswas, Anis,Yu, Y. Y.,Bingham, N. S.,Wang, H.,Qin, F. X.,Sun, J. F.,Yu, S. C.,Franco, V.,Srikanth, H.,Phan, M. H. American Institute of Physics 2014 JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS - Vol.115 No.17

<P>We have studied the impact of structural disorder on the magnetic ordering and magnetocaloric response of amorphous Gd68Ni32 and Gd53Al24Co20Zr3 microwires. We find that the presence of structural disorder significantly broadens the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (PM-FM) transition and the temperature-dependent magnetic entropy change, while the nature of the second-order magnetic transition and long-range ferromagnetic order are not essentially affected by this effect. The large magnetic moment of Gd and the presence of the long-range ferromagnetic order are believed to result in a large magnetic entropy change, which together with the broadening of the PM-FM transition due to structural disorder contribute to a large refrigerant capacity. The excellent magnetocaloric properties of the amorphous microwires make them very promising candidates for active magnetic refrigeration. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.</P>

Genome-wide association study in a Chinese population identifies a susceptibility locus for type 2 diabetes at 7q32 near <i>PAX4</i>

Ma, R. C. W.,Hu, C.,Tam, C. H.,Zhang, R.,Kwan, P.,Leung, T. F.,Thomas, G. N.,Go, M. J.,Hara, K.,Sim, X.,Ho, J. S. K.,Wang, C.,Li, H.,Lu, L.,Wang, Y.,Li, J. W.,Wang, Y.,Lam, V. K. L.,Wang, J.,Yu, W.,Ki Springer-Verlag 2013 Diabetologia Vol.56 No.6

<P><B>Aims/hypothesis</B></P><P>Most genetic variants identified for type 2 diabetes have been discovered in European populations. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in a Chinese population with the aim of identifying novel variants for type 2 diabetes in Asians.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We performed a meta-analysis of three GWAS comprising 684 patients with type 2 diabetes and 955 controls of Southern Han Chinese descent. We followed up the top signals in two independent Southern Han Chinese cohorts (totalling 10,383 cases and 6,974 controls), and performed in silico replication in multiple populations.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>We identified <I>CDKN2A/B</I> and four novel type 2 diabetes association signals with <I>p</I> < 1 × 10<SUP>−5</SUP> from the meta-analysis. Thirteen variants within these four loci were followed up in two independent Chinese cohorts, and rs10229583 at 7q32 was found to be associated with type 2 diabetes in a combined analysis of 11,067 cases and 7,929 controls (<I>p</I><SUB>meta</SUB> = 2.6 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>; OR [95% CI] 1.18 [1.11, 1.25]). In silico replication revealed consistent associations across multiethnic groups, including five East Asian populations (<I>p</I><SUB>meta</SUB> = 2.3 × 10<SUP>−10</SUP>) and a population of European descent (<I>p</I> = 8.6 × 10<SUP>−3</SUP>). The rs10229583 risk variant was associated with elevated fasting plasma glucose, impaired beta cell function in controls, and an earlier age at diagnosis for the cases. The novel variant lies within an islet-selective cluster of open regulatory elements. There was significant heterogeneity of effect between Han Chinese and individuals of European descent, Malaysians and Indians.</P><P><B>Conclusions/interpretation</B></P><P>Our study identifies rs10229583 near <I>PAX4</I> as a novel locus for type 2 diabetes in Chinese and other populations and provides new insights into the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-013-2874-4) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.</P>

Control of Chironomid Larvae(Chironomidae; Diptera) in Shallow Earthen Ponds by Planarian, Dugesia dorotocephala(Woodworth)

Yu, H.S.,Legner, E.F.,McFarland, G.C.,Pelsue, F. 한국곤충학회 1976 Korean journal of entomology Vol.6 No.2

미캘리포니아주의 천소지에서 발생하는 깔따구 유충에 대한 야외 구제실험을 위하여 1974년 5월 24일부터 10월 28일까지 5개월간 로스안젤스에 위치한 10개의 야외실험연못(6.1$\times$11m)을 사용, 각 5개의 임의선택된 연못에 천적 플라나리아 Dugesia dorotocephala(Woodworth)를 300마리의 비율로 투입 처리하였다. 천적투입후 1개월인 6월 24일에는 깔따구 유충의 구제율은 50.4%였고, 7월 24일에는 51.9%의 성적을 얻었다. 8월 7일에 재투입처리로 200마리의 플라나리아를 각 5개의 상기 처리된 연못에 가한 결과, 8월 26일에는 84.2% 9월 28일에는 60.6%, 10월 28일에는 63.7%의 구제율을 보였다. 천적은 야외실험이 끝날때까지 양호한 잠식율을 보였으며, 9월말에는 약 2배의 수적인 증식을 볼 수 있었다. 한편 옥내실험실에서의 깔따구 유충실험의 치사율은 24시간내에 86.7%, 48시간후에는 100%의 성적을 보였다. Degesia dorotocephala(Woodworth) were introduced at the rate of 300 per replicate in 5 shallow 9.1 $\times$ 11m earthern poods at Whittier Narrows, California on May 24th, 1974. By June 24th, 50.6% and July 24th 51.9% chironomid larval control achieved. Two hundred additional Dugesia introduced per replicate on August 7th and August 26th produced 84.2% control on August 26th followed by 60.6% and 63.7% control on Sep. 28th and Oct. 28th, respectively. Dugesia were observed to persist in all treated replicates through the study period; and although exact densities could not be estimated, a doubling of their population appeared to have occurred by the end of September. In a laboratory experiment chironomid larval mortality reached 86.7% 24 hrs. after the Dugesia treatment and 100% in 48 hrs.

Association Between Leisure Time Physical Activity, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Workload at Work in Firefighters

Yu, Clare C.W.,Au, Chun T.,Lee, Frank Y.F.,So, Raymond C.H.,Wong, John P.S.,Mak, Gary Y.K.,Chien, Eric P.,McManus, Alison M. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among firefighters in some developed countries. It is unclear whether physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness reduce cardiovascular disease risk and the cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters. The present study investigated the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters in Hong Kong. Methods: Male firefighters (n = 387) were randomly selected from serving firefighters in Hong Kong (n = 5,370) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, known cardiovascular diseases). One-third (Target Group) were randomly selected for the assessment of off-duty leisure-time physical activity using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed, as well as cardiovascular workload using heart rate monitoring for each firefighter for four "normal" 24-hour working shifts and during real-situation simulated scenarios. Results: Overall, 33.9% of the firefighters had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the Target Group, firefighters who had higher leisure-time physical activity had a lower resting heart rate and a lower average working heart rate, and spent a smaller proportion of time working at a moderate-intensity cardiovascular workload. Firefighters who had moderate aerobic fitness and high leisure-time physical activity had a lower peak working heart rate during the mountain rescue scenario compared with firefighters who had low leisure-time physical activities. Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity conferred significant benefits during job tasks of moderate cardiovascular workload in firefighters in Hong Kong.