Comparison of single and competitive metal adsorption by pepper stem biochar

Carbon-based sorbents have been proven to be cost-effective in removing pollutants from wastewater. Biochar from plant residue and agricultural waste is an emerging treatment technology. However, there is a limited number of studies on the effects of various biochar sources on metal adsorption. The aim of this study was using batch experiment to evaluate the adsorption of heavy metals in single- and multi-metal conditions onto pepper stem biochar. The maximum adsorption capacities (mg g^?1) of metals by pepper stem biochar were in the order of Pb (131) ? Cr (76) > Cd (67) > Cu (48) > Zn (31) in the single-metal adsorption isotherm and Pb (91) ? Cu (39) > Cr (29) > Zn (20) > Cd (13) in the multi-metal adsorption isotherm. Lead was the most retained cation, whereas Cr and Cd could be easily exchanged and substituted by other metals (Pb or Cu). For pepper stem biochar, the Langmuir model provided a slightly better fit than the Freundlich model. Results from the batch experiments show that competitive adsorption among metals increases the mobility of these metals. Particularly, Cd adsorption capacity in multi-metal conditions was significantly reduced. Overall, the results suggested that competitive adsorption studies are necessary for obtaining an accurate estimation of the metal retention capacity of pepper stem biochar in natural environments.     

Evaluation of dietary methionine requirement of male Korean native ducks for 3 weeks post‐hatching

A total of 336 1‐day‐old male Korean native ducks (KND) were used in a completely randomized design with seven dietary methionine levels (0.30–0.90% with 0.1% increment) to determine the methionine requirement of male Korean native ducks for 3 weeks after hatching. Each dietary treatment had six replicates with eight ducklings per pen. One duckling from each pen (n = 6) was sacrificed to weigh empty body and drumsticks at the end of the experiment. Final body weight and weight gain of 3 weeks old KND were increased with increasing dietary methionine levels up to 0.4%, and then decreased (P < 0.05) with a further increasing dietary methionine level. In contrast, feed conversion ratio of the KND decreased up to 0.4% and increased (P < 0.05) with the increasing dietary methionine level. Both empty body weight and proportions of empty body weight were linearly increased (P < 0.05) while the dietary methionine level elevated up to 0.4%. Estimated dietary methionine requirement for maximum body weights, daily gain and minimum feed conversion ratio were 0.36, 0.39 and 0.40%, respectively, when it was fitted into linear‐ and quadratic‐plateau models.     

Antiproliferative Activity of Korean Wild Vegetables on Different Human Tumor Cell Lines

This study was conducted to determine the antiproliferative activity of 24 Korean wild vegetables. The methanol extracts of these wild vegetables were used against lung, breast, colon and gastric cancer cells, and the results were assessed by MTT assay. It was found that at the extract concentration of 400 mgL⁻¹ 14 plants exercised antiproliferative activity over 80% against the lung cancer cells, one plant among six—against breast cancer cells, and two plants among six—against colon cancer cells, respectively. Eighteen wild vegetables had the hyperplasia inhibition activity against gastric cancer cells over 23.6% at all extract concentrations, however, only six plants had the antiproliferative activity over 80% in 600 mgL⁻¹. It was found that the extracts from Youngia sonchifolia, Synurus deltoides, Syneilesis palmata, and Cephalonoplos segetum, in concentration of 400 mgL⁻¹ inhibited the hyperplasia of lung cancer cells over 95% and Angelica gigas—both lung and colon cancer cells over 95%. In conclusion, the studied wild vegetables’ methanol extracts possess dose dependent antiproliferative properties, based on their bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, but some of them as Hypericum ascyron against lung cancer are not effective and even course harm.     

A 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Marine Collagen Scaffold Reinforced with Carbonated Hydroxyapatite from Fish Bones for Bone Regeneration

In bone tissue regeneration, extracellular matrix (ECM) and bioceramics are important factors, because of their osteogenic potential and cell–matrix interactions. Surface modifications with hydrophilic material including proteins show significant potential in tissue engineering applications, because scaffolds are generally fabricated using synthetic polymers and bioceramics. In the present study, carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) and marine atelocollagen (MC) were extracted from the bones and skins, respectively, of Paralichthys olivaceus. The extracted CHA was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, while MC was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The scaffolds consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL), and different compositions of CHA (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were fabricated using a three-axis plotting system and coated with 2% MC. Then, the MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the scaffolds to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation in vitro, and in vivo calvarial implantation of the scaffolds was performed to study bone tissue regeneration. The results of mineralization confirmed that the MC/PCL, 2.5% CHA/MC/PCL, 5% CHA/MC/PCL, and 10% CHA/MC/PCL scaffolds increased osteogenic differentiation by 302%, 858%, 970%, and 1044%, respectively, compared with pure PCL scaffolds. Consequently, these results suggest that CHA and MC obtained from byproducts of P. olivaceus are superior alternatives for land animal-derived substances.     

Genetic characterization of H9N2 avian influenza virus previously unrecognized in Korea

In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of previously unreported Y280-lineage H9N2 viruses from two live bird markets in Korea in June 2020. Genetic analysis revealed that they were distinct from previous H9N2 viruses circulating in Korea and had highest homology to A/chicken/Shandong/1844/2019(H9N2) viruses. Their genetic constellation showed they belonged to genotype S, which is the predominant genotype in China since 2010, where genotype S viruses have infected humans and acted as internal gene donors to H5 and H7 zoonotic influenza viruses. Active surveillance and control measures need to be enhanced to protect the poultry industry and public health.     

Efficacy of Liriope platyphylla on Hematology and Immune Response in Olive Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus,Against Flexibacter maritimus Infection

The effect of different solvent‐based (methanol, ethanol, and aqueous) extracts of Liriope platyphylla at 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 mg doses on hematology and innate immune response in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, against Flexibacter maritimus is reported. The red blood cells and white blood cells significantly increased with ethanol and aqueous extracts with any dose against F. maritimus while the hematocrit level significantly increased with methanol or ethanol extracts. However, the hemoglobin content significantly increased irrespective of the doses and type of extracts, whereas the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration significantly decreased. The lymphocytes and monocytes significantly increased in all doses and extracts, whereas neutrophils increased in ethanol or aqueous extracts. However, the thrombocytes level neither the doses nor extracts did not significant changes to the control against pathogen. Total protein and globulin levels significantly increased with all the doses of ethanol extract while does not significant change in methanol extract. The phagocytic activity and complement activity were significantly enhanced with any dose of ethanol extract while with aqueous extract it was only at 1.0 and 2.0 mg doses. At all the doses of each extract significantly enhanced the leucocytes activity against F. maritimus. The results confirm that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L. platyphylla stimulate the immune response against F. maritimus in P. olivaceus.     

PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(4,5)P2 lipids target proteins with polybasic clusters to the plasma membrane

Many signaling, cytoskeletal, and transport proteins have to be localized to the plasma membrane (PM) in order to carry out their function. We surveyed PM-targeting mechanisms by imaging the subcellular localization of 125 fluorescent protein-conjugated Ras, Rab, Arf, and Rho proteins. Out of 48 proteins that were PM-localized, 37 contained clusters of positively charged amino acids. To test whether these polybasic clusters bind negatively charged phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] lipids, we developed a chemical phosphatase activation method to deplete PM PI(4,5)P2. Unexpectedly, proteins with polybasic clusters dissociated from the PM only when both PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] were depleted, arguing that both lipid second messengers jointly regulate PM targeting.     

Development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for the detection of baculovirus associated with white spot syndrome (WSBV) in penaeid shrimp

The causative viral agent was purified from diseased shrimp Penaeus japonicus with white spot syndrome (WSBV). Several hundred clones were obtained from libraries of the purified viral genomic DNA. According to the results of nucleotide sequence analysis, none of the WSBV clones showed considerable sequence homology with those of other known viruses, indicating that WSBV is a new virus causing a serious disease in shrimp. Based on the sequence data of WSBV genomic DNA, a pair of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers was designed. After 30 cycles of PCR amplification of viral genomic DNA extracted from WSBV, a single product of the expected size was detected. Southern blot hybridization confirmed that the amplified product was specific to the DNA of WSBV. The PCR system was able to detect 1 pg of WSBV DNA after 30 cycles, and efficiently amplify the target region of WSBV gene in the total nucleic acids extracted either from the diseased shrimp or hatchery shrimp with no signs of viral infection.     

Growth Performance,Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of Korean Native Duck

This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality of large-type Korean native ducks （KND）. A total of 420 day-old ducklings were divided into four treatments （seven replicates/treatment, 15 birds/replicate） by strains （A and B） and gender （male and female） in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement under complete randomized design. The body weight （BW） of female KND was higher at week 2 and for male it was higher in week 8 （P 〈 0.05）. BW gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of male KND were higher than those of female KND （P 〈 0.05） during week 0 to week 8. The carcass yield of both strains increased from 6 weeks to 8 weeks （P 〈 0.05）. The breast meat ratio was the highest at week 8 whereas the leg meat ratio was the highest at 6 weeks of age in both strains （P 〈 0.01）. Lightness （L＊）, yellowness （b＊） and juiciness of meat were the highest at 6 weeks （P 〈 0.05）. Moisture, ash and fat contents of meat were the highest at 7 weeks （P 〈 0.05） and protein content was the highest at 8 weeks （P 〈 0.01）. These results may provide the basic data on growth performance and meat quality of large-type KND, which can be used for genetic improvements and rearing at commercial scale.