Catalytic Hydrodechlorination of 4-Chlorophenol by Palladium-Based Catalyst Supported on Alumina and Graphene Materials.

Hydrodechlorination (HDC) is a reaction that involves the use of hydrogen to cleave the C-Cl bond in chlorinated organic compounds such as chlorophenols and chlorobenzenes, thus reducing their toxicity. In this study, a palladium (Pd) catalyst, which is widely used for HDC due to its advantageous physical and chemical properties, was immobilized on alumina (Pd/Al) and graphene-based materials (graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide; Pd/GO and Pd/rGO, respectively) to induce the HDC of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). The effects of the catalyst dosage, initial 4-CP concentration, and pH on 4-CP removal were evaluated.

Analyses of pig genomes provide insight into porcine demography and evolution.

For 10,000 years pigs and humans have shared a close and complex relationship. From domestication to modern breeding practices, humans have shaped the genomes of domestic pigs. Here we present the assembly and analysis of the genome sequence of a female domestic Duroc pig (Sus scrofa) and a comparison with the genomes of wild and domestic pigs from Europe and Asia.

Neuronal genes for subcutaneous fat thickness in human and pig are identified by local genomic sequencing and combined SNP association study.

Obesity represents a major global public health problem that increases the risk for cardiovascular or metabolic disease. The pigs represent an exceptional biomedical model related to energy metabolism and obesity in humans. To pinpoint causal genetic factors for a common form of obesity, we conducted local genomic de novo sequencing, 18.

Establishment of a resource population of SLA haplotype-defined Korean native pigs.

The highly polymorphic porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or the swine leukocyte antigens (SLA), has been repeatedly associated with variations in swine immune response to pathogens and vaccines as well as with production traits. The SLA antigens are also important targets for immunological recognition of foreign tissue grafts. We recently established a resource population of Korean native pigs as models for human transplantation and xenotransplantation research.

The robust phylogeny of Korean wild boar (Sus scrofa coreanus) using partial D-loop sequence of mtDNA.

In order to elucidate the precise phylogenetic relationships of Korean wild boar (Sus scrofa coreanus), a partial mtDNA D-loop region (1,274 bp, NC_000845 nucleotide positions 16576-1236) was sequenced among 56 Korean wild boars. In total, 25 haplotypes were identified and classified into four distinct subgroups (K1 to K4) based on Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. An extended analysis, adding 139 wild boars sampled worldwide, confirmed that Korean wild boars clearly belong to the Asian wild boar cluster.

Cloning and characterization of cat POU5F1 and NANOG for identification of embryonic stem-like cells.

POU5F1 and NANOG play important roles in the maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Recently, we isolated cat embryonic stem (ES)-like cells from cat blastocysts generated in vivo. In an effort to identify genetic markers for the characterization of cat ES-like cells, we have determined the coding sequences (CDSs) of cat POU5F1 (cPOU5F1) and NANOG (cNANOG).

Rat mesenchymal stem cells increase tyrosine hydroxylase expression and dopamine content in ventral mesencephalic cells in vitro.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent adult stem cells. It has been shown that MSCs secrete neurotrophic factors involving nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Also, these neurotrophic factors can upregulate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression in PC12 cells and neural stem cells.

Generation of neuronal-like cells from umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells of a RFP-transgenic cloned cat.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells, which can differentiation into cells of connective tissue and neural lineages. This study investigated the potential for neuronal differentiation of red fluorescent protein (RFP)-transgenic cat UCB-derived MSCs. The cells were cultured in pre-induction medium for 24 hr and in neuronal-induction medium for 72 hr.

Minimizing a QTL region for intramuscular fat content by characterizing the porcine Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) gene.

Three isoforms of pig PDE4B were cloned and classified as two forms: PDE4B1 and PDE4B3, which contain UCR1 and UCR2; and PDE4B2, which contains only UCR2. The amino acid sequences of each isoform showed good conservation in human and rat. PDE4B2 is expressed in a wide range of tissues, but PDE4B1 and PDE4B3 are not.

Isolation and characterization of embryonic stem-like cells derived from in vivo-produced cat blastocysts.

Embryonic stem (ES)-like cells were isolated from in vivo-produced cat embryos. Total of 101 blastocysts were collected from female cats. The inner cell mass (ICM) were mechanically isolated and cultured on mitomycin-C-treated cat embryonic fibroblast feeder layers in medium supplemented with knockouttrade mark Serum Replacement (KSR-medium) or fetal bovine serum (FBS-medium).

An accurate method for quantifying and analyzing copy number variation in porcine KIT by an oligonucleotide ligation assay.

Background: Aside from single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations (CNVs) are the most important factors in susceptibility to genetic disorders because they affect expression levels of genes. In previous studies, pyrosequencing, mini-sequencing, real-time PCR, invader assays and other techniques have been used to detect CNVs. However, the higher the copy number in a genome, the more difficult it is to resolve the copies, so a more accurate method for measuring CNVs and assigning genotype is needed.

Identification of differentially expressed genes related to intramuscular fat development in the early and late fattening stages of hanwoo steers.

Marbling of cattle meat is dependent on the coordinated expression of multiple genes. Cattle dramatically increase their intramuscular fat content in the longissimus dorsi muscle between 12 and 27 months of age. We used the annealing control primer (ACP)-differential display RT-PCR method to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may participate in the development of intramuscular fat between early (12 months old) and late fattening stages (27 months old).

Effect of culture medium and prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) analogue on in vitro development of parthenogenetically activated cat oocytes.

A method of reliably producing developmentally competent cat embryos in vitro is a prerequisite for study of the physiology of early development and application of assisted reproductive techniques. Oocytes were collected and then cultured in TCM-199 + 10% FBS for 4 h. The matured oocytes were activated with a 20 microsec electric pulse at 1.

Textural and sensory properties of low fat pork sausages with added hydrated oatmeal and tofu as texture-modifying agents.

Low fat sausages were prepared with added hydrated oatmeal or tofu as texture-modifying agents at levels of 10%, 15%, and 25% (w/w), respectively. The effects of the type and level of texture-modifying agents on the physical and sensory properties of low fat sausages were investigated. The water-holding capacity in sausage products increased by increasing the hydrated oatmeal level, but no significant differences was observed by the addition of tofu.

Molecular genetic analysis of ancient cattle bones excavated from archaeological sites in Jeju, Korea.

Ancient cattle bones were excavated from archaeological sites in Jeju, Korea. We used molecular genetic techniques to identify the species and establish its relationship to extant cattle breeds. Ancient DNA was extracted from four sources: a humerus (Gonae site, A.