Evaluation of mango saponin in broilers: effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma biochemical indices

Y.N. Zhang,J. Wang,B. Qi,S.G. Wu,H.R. Chen,H.Y. Luo,D.J. Yin,F.J. Lu,H.J. Zhang,G.H. Qi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.8

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether mango saponin (MS) could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks by evaluating growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and plasma biochemical indices. Methods: A total of 216 1-d-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments supplemented with 0 (control), 0.14% (MS 0.14%), or 0.28% (MS 0.28%) MS. Each treatment had six replicates (cages) with 12 chicks each. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks. Results: Compared with the control, dietary supplemented with 0.14% or 0.28% MS increased average daily weight gain of chicks in the grower (22 to 42 d) and the whole (1 to 42 d) phases, and the final body weight of chicks on d 42 was higher in MS supplemented groups (p<0.05). Lower L45 min* (lightness) and L24 h* values, lower b24 h* (yellowness) value, and higher a45 min* (redness) and a24 h* values of the breast muscle were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 42 (p<0.05). The total antioxidant capacity in plasma increased in MS 0.14% group on d 21 (p<0.001). Lower contents of plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 21 and d 42, whereas the group supplemented with 0.14% MS only decreased plasma triglyceride content on d 21 (p<0.05). The glucose content in plasma decreased in MS 0.28% group on d 42 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Overall, MS could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks, and the supplemental level of 0.28% MS in diet could improve growth performance, meat quality, and plasma lipid metabolism in broiler chicks.

Single-Inductor, Multiple-Input-Single-Output Converter Based Energy Mixer for Power Packet Distribution System

Reza, C.M.F.S.,Lu, Dylan Dah-Chuan,Qin, Ling,Qi, Jian The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.5

Power packet (PP) distribution system distributes power to different loads that share the same distribution cable in a packetized form. When compared with conventional power systems, a PP distribution system (PPDS) can reduce standby power, eliminate Point-of-Load (PoL) power conversion, and intelligently control the load demand from the source side. Due to the absence of PoL conversion, when multiple power sources at different voltage levels and conditioning requirements jointly send power to various loads at different voltage ratings, the generated voltage has an irregular shape. A large filter at each of the load sides is required to reduce such a large voltage ripple. In this paper, a single-inductor, multiple-input-single-output converter structure based multiple-energy-source mixer is proposed. It combines PP generation, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of renewable energy sources (RESs) and filtering at the source side. To demonstrate the possible renewable energy integration, a PV panel is used as a power source together with other constant voltage sources. The PV power is approximately tracked using the constant voltage method and it is used for each of the PP generations. The proposed PP distribution system is experimentally verified and it is shown that a conventional PI controller is sufficient for stable system operation.

Effects of Dietary Octacosanol on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Broiler Chicks

Long, L.,Wu, S.G.,Yuan, F.,Wang, J.,Zhang, H.J.,Qi, G.H. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.10

Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) $pH_{45min}$ value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers' diet.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF FUEL INJECTION IN INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INTAKE PROCESS OF A MPI NATURAL GAS ENGINE

XU B. Y.,LIANG F. Y.,CAI S. L.,QI Y. L. The Korean Society of Automotive Engineers 2005 International journal of automotive technology Vol.6 No.6

Unsteady state free natural gas jets injected from several types of injectors were numerically simulated. Simulations showed good agreements with the schlieren experimental results. Moreover, injections of natural gas in intake manifolds of a single-valve engine and a double-valve engine were predicted as well. Predictions revealed that large volumetric injections of natural gas in intake manifolds led to strong impingement of natural gas with the intake valves, which as a result, gave rise to pronounced backward reflection of natural gas towards the inlets of intake manifolds, together with significant increase in pressure in intake manifold. Based on our simulations, we speculated that for engines with short intake manifolds, reflections of the mixture of natural gas and air were likely to approach the inlets of intake manifolds and subsequently be inbreathed into other cylinders, resulting in non-uniform mixture distributions between the cylinders. For engines with long intake manifolds, inasmuch as the degrees of intake interferences between the cylinders were not identical in light of the ignition sequences, non-uniform intake charge distributions between the cylinders would occur.

Therapeutic effect of Active Hexose-Correlated Compound (AHCC) combined with CpG-ODN (oligodeoxynucleotide) in B16 melanoma murine model

Ignacio, R.M.,Kim, C.S.,Kim, Y.D.,Lee, H.M.,Qi, X.F.,Kim, S.K. Saunders Scientific Publications, W.B. Saunders ; 2015 Cytokine Vol.76 No.2

While Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) are separately known to modulate oxidative stress and immune responses in cancer patients, the combined effect of these two compounds is unknown. To clarify this, we investigated whether AHCC plus KSK-CpG ODN would be therapeutic in B16 melanoma mouse model, if so, and how in reduction-oxidation (redox) balance and cytokines network. We found that treatment groups (AHCC only, KSK-CpG ODN only and AHCC/KSK-CpG ODN) markedly reduced (p<0.001) tumor size when compared to the positive control (PC) group. The total white blood cell (WBC) of AHCC only and KSK-CpG ODN only-treated groups showed significant lower counts than that of PC group. Next, the production of nitric oxide (NO) was significantly increased (p<0.01) in AHCC/KSK-CpG ODN group compared to the PC group. Further, the redox balance was improved in AHCC/KSK-CpG ODN group through significantly low (p<0.001) reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and significantly high (p<0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity compared to the PC group. Finally, AHCC/KSK-CpG ODN (p<0.01) and KSK-CpG ODN (p<0.001)-treated groups augmented tumor immune surveillance as shown by significantly increased level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and significantly decreased (p<0.05) level of pro-tumorigenic IL-6 of AHCC/KSK-CpG ODN treated group as compared to the PC group. Collectively, our study indicates therapeutic effect of Active Hexose-Correlated Compound (AHCC) combined with KSK-CpG ODN in B16 melanoma murine model via balancing redox and cytokines network.

Phosphorus-cadmium interactions in paddy soils

Seshadri, B.,Bolan, N.S.,Wijesekara, H.,Kunhikrishnan, A.,Thangarajan, R.,Qi, F.,Matheyarasu, R.,Rocco, C.,Mbene, K.,Naidu, R. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2016 Geoderma Vol.270 No.-

<P>Regular application of phosphate (P) fertilisers has been identified as the main source of heavy metal(loid) contamination including cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils. Some of these P fertilisers that act as a source of Cd contamination of soils have also been found to act as a sink for the immobilisation of this metal(loid). In paddy soils, redox reactions play an important role in the (im)mobilisation of nutrients and heavy metal(loid)s, as a result of flooding of the rice plains. Although a number of studies have examined the potential value of P compounds in the immobilisation of metals in contaminated soils, there has been no comprehensive review on the mechanisms involved in the P-induced (im)mobilisation of Cd in paddy soils. There are a number of factors that influences P induced Cd (im)mobilisation in paddy soils that include pH, redox reactions, liming effect, rhizosphere acidification and root iron plaques. Following a brief overview of the reactions of Cd and common P compounds that are used as fertiliser in soils, the review focuses on the above mentioned mechanisms for the (im)mobilisation of Cd by P compounds in paddy soils. The role of iron plaques on Cd status in soil and rice plants is also discussed followed by a summary and future research needs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Orbital-dependent polaron formation in the relativistic Mott insulatorSr2IrO4

Sohn, C. H.,Lee, Min-Cheol,Park, H. J.,Noh, Kyung Joo,Yoo, H. K.,Moon, S. J.,Kim, K. W.,Qi, T. F.,Cao, G.,Cho, Deok-Yong,Noh, T. W. American Physical Society 2014 Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials Vol.90 No.4

Mixing betweenJeff=12and32orbitals in Na2IrO3: A spectroscopic and density functional calculation study

Sohn, C. H.,Kim, H.-S.,Qi, T. F.,Jeong, D. W.,Park, H. J.,Yoo, H. K.,Kim, H. H.,Kim, J.-Y.,Kang, T. D.,Cho, Deok-Yong,Cao, G.,Yu, J.,Moon, S. J.,Noh, T. W. American Physical Society 2013 Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials Vol.88 No.8

In vitro reconstitution of the cyclosporine specific P450 hydroxylases using heterologous redox partner proteins

Sun, Y.,Ma, L.,Han, D.,Du, L.,Qi, F.,Zhang, W.,Sun, J.,Huang, S.,Kim, E. S.,Li, S. SPRINGER 2017 Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology Vol.44 No.2

<P>The cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) CYP-sb21 from Sebekia benihana and CYP-pa1 from Pseudonocardia autotrophica are able to hydroxylate the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) in a regioselective manner, giving rise to the production of two hair-stimulating agents (with dramatically attenuated immunosuppressant activity), gamma-hydroxy-N-methyl-l-Leu4-CsA (CsA-4-OH) and gamma-hydroxy-N-methyl-l-Leu9-CsA (CsA-9-OH). Recently, the in vitro activity of CYP-sb21 was identified using several surrogate redox partner proteins. Herein, we reconstituted the in vitro activity of CYP-pa1 for the first time via a similar strategy. Moreover, the supporting activities of a set of ferredoxin (Fdx)/ferredoxin reductase (FdR) pairs from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 were comparatively analyzed to identify the optimal redox systems for these two CsA hydroxylases. The results suggest the great value of cyanobacterial redox partner proteins for both academic research and industrial application of P450 biocatalysts.</P>

Trypsin immobilization in ordered porous polymer membranes for effective protein digestion

Qiao, J.,Kim, J.Y.,Wang, Y.Y.,Qi, L.,Wang, F.Y.,Moon, M.H. Elsevier Pub. Co 2016 Analytica chimica acta Vol.906 No.-

Fast and effective protein digestion is a vital process for mass spectrometry (MS) based protein analysis. This study introduces a porous polymer membrane enzyme reactor (PPMER) coupled to nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem MS (nLC-ESI-MS/MS) for on-line digestion and analysis of proteins. Poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PS-co-MAn) was fabricated by the breath figure method to make a porous polymer membrane in which the MAn group was covalently bound to enzyme. Based on this strategy, microscale PPMER (μPPMER) was constructed for on-line connection with the nLC-ESI-MS/MS system. Its capability for enzymatic digestion with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated with varied digestion periods. The on-line proteolysis of BSA and subsequent analysis with μPPMER-nLC-ESI-MS/MS revealed that peptide sequence coverage increased from 10.3% (digestion time 10 min) to 89.1% (digestion time 30 min). μPPMER can efficiently digest proteins due to the microscopic confinement effect, showing its potential application in fast protein identification and protease immobilization. Applications of on-line digestion using μPPMER with human plasma and urinary proteome samples showed that the developed on-line method yielded equivalent or better performance in protein coverage and identified more membrane proteins than the in-solution method. This may be due to easy accommodation of hydrophobic membrane proteins within membrane pores.