Hibiscus protocatechuic acid or esculetin can inhibit oxidative LDL induced by either copper ion or nitric oxide donor

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) could increase the incidence of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that copper and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) possess the ability to oxidize LDL in a dose-dependent condition. They increase the existing negative charge in LDL and increase the electrophoretic mobility. In this study, we used protocatechuic acid (PCA) and/or esculetin (ECT) to define the antioxidative activity in oxidative LDL by relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) and thiobarbituric acid-relative substances (TBARS). The data showed that ECT and PCA possessed stronger antioxidative activity than vitamin E in oxidative LDL. A previous study showed that the level of oxidative LDL can be determined by the cholesterol degradation and fragmentation of Apo B. Our results showed that Cu(2+)-mediated oxidative LDL can induce 31% cholesterol degradation and significant fragmentation of Apo B. Both PCA and ECT exhibited remarkable ability to rescue the cholesterol degradation and Apo B fragmentation. Taken together, both PCA and ECT showed strong potency to inhibit oxidative LDL induced by copper or an NO donor. Additionally, their nontoxic characteristics elevated the possibility for their use in the daily diet; and should further prevent atherosclerosis effectively.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of puffer fish inferred from partial sequences of cytochrome b gene and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Phylogenetic relationships among puffer fish were investigated by comparing cytochrome b gene sequences and restriction endonuclease assays of 16 species from Taiwan. DNA was prepared for sequencing by PCR. No variation in sequences was detected among individuals within each species. Direct estimates of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence divergence among 16 puffer fish were from 3.41 to 31.78%. Different restriction patterns were found among 16 puffer fish with 10 restriction endonucleases, whereas no variation in patterns was detected among individuals within each species. The polymorphisms obtained by RFLP have provided a new set of genetic markers for the accurate identification of sibling puffer species. It is the first molecularly based study of puffer diversity and sheds light on the evolution and taxonomy of this major puffer fish family.     

Mosquito-killing water molds isolated from soil samples collected in Taiwan

Mosquito-killing water molds were isolated from soils collected from various parts in Taiwan. The first-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were used as baits. A total of 453 soil samples were collected from Taipei, Ilan, Hualien, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Tainan, Nantou, Chiayi, Yunlin and Pintung. Four mosquito-killing Pythium spp. and one Saprolegnia sp. were isolated from the soil samples. Using zoospores of the Pythium spp. as inoculum to infect the first-instar larvae, scanning electron micrographs showed that most zoospores attached in the anal gill and a few attached between head and thorax. Thus, Pythium spp. is a potential biocontrol agent against first-instar larvae of A. aegypti and A. albopictus.     

Ralstonia solanacearum nlpD (RSc1206) contributes to host adaptation

Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne xylem-inhibited pathogen and causes a deadly wilting disease on a wide range of crops. This bacterium can also colonize many weeds and native plants without necessarily causing symptoms, leading to devastating epidemiological consequences; however, little is known about the biology. A R. solanacearum mutant harbouring a transposon insertion in the annotated gene RSc1206 was previously shown to retain virulence in tomato but displayed reduced virulence in model weed host Arabidopsis. In this study, we investigated the function of RSc1206 in bacterial pathogenesis in weed hosts. RSc1206 encodes a putative protein that is homologous to E. coli NlpD, and the organization of RSc1206-related gene cluster is mostly conserved among representative gram-negative bacteria analyzed. We therefore designate it R. solanacearum gene nlpD. Microscopic data revealed that the nlpD mutant had defects in cell separation and envelope integrity. An increased sensitivity to hydrophobic toxic chemicals confirmed that the cell integrity of the nlpD mutant was damaged. In addition, the activity of the nlpD mutant in biofilm formation and motility was reduced. However, enzymatic activity and tobacco pathogenesis assays revealed that this mutant functioned normally in the Type II and III secretion systems. Trans-mutation and trans-complementation analyses further verified that disruption of nlpD function was responsible for the observed defects. Our study provides evidence that NlpD contributes to R. solanacearum cell integrity and pathogenesis in weed host Arabidopsis.     

Protein-protein interactions during high-moisture extrusion for fibrous meat analogues and comparison of protein solubility methods using different solvent systems

Soy protein, mixed with gluten and starch, was extruded into fibrous meat analogues under high-moisture and high-temperature conditions. The protein solubility of samples collected at different extruder zones and extrudates made with different moistures was determined by 11 extraction solutions consisting of 6 selective reagents and their combinations: phosphate salts, urea, DTT, thiourea, Triton X-100, and CHAPS. Protein solubility by most extractants showed decreasing patterns as the material passed through the extruder, but the solution containing all 6 reagents, known as isoelectric focus (IEF) buffer, solubilized the highest levels and equal amounts of proteins in all samples, indicating that there are no other covalent bonds involved besides disulfide bonds. With regard to relative importance between disulfide bonds and non-covalent interactions, different conclusions could be made from protein solubility patterns, depending on the type of extracting systems and a baseline used for comparison. The observation points out pitfalls and limitation of current protein solubility methodology and explains why controversy exists in the literature. Using the IEF buffer system with omission of one or more selective reagents is considered to be the right methodology to conduct protein solubility study and thus recommended. Results obtained with this system indicate that disulfide bonding plays a more important role than non-covalent bonds in not only holding the rigid structure of extrudates but also forming fibrous texture. The sharpest decrease in protein solubility occurred when the mix passed through the intermediate section of the extruder barrel, indicating formation of new disulfide bonds during the stage of dramatic increase in both temperature and moisture. After this stage, although the physical form of the product might undergo change and fiber formation might occur as it passed through the cooling die, the chemical nature of the product did not change significantly.     

Modelling the impacts of environmental variation on habitat suitability for Pacific saury in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean

We developed habitat suitability index (HSI) models for two size classes of Pacific saury Cololabis saira in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Environmental data, including sea surface temperature, sea surface height, salinity, and net primary production, and catch and effort data from Taiwanese distant‐water stick‐held dip net fisheries during the main fishing season (August–October) during 2002–2015 were used. Habitat preferences and suitable habitat area differed between size classes. The suitable habitat was located between 40–47.5°N and 145–165°E for large‐sized Pacific saury but encompassed a greater area (35–47°N and 140–165°E) for medium‐sized Pacific saury. Both size classes were affected by substantial interannual variation in the environmental variables, which in turn can be important in determining the potential fishing grounds. We found a significant negative relationship between the suitable habitat area and the Niño3.4 indices with a time‐lag of 6 months for the large‐sized (r = ?0.68) and medium‐sized (r = ?0.42) Pacific saury, respectively, as well as the total landings of Pacific saury by all fishing fleets (r = ?0.46). As remotely‐sensed environmental data become increasingly available, HSI models may prove useful for evaluation of possible changes in habitat suitability resulting from climate change or other environmental phenomena and in formulating scientific advice for management.     

Effects of structure design on resilience and acoustic absorption properties of porous flexible-foam based perforated composites

In this paper, perforated composite panel was combined with porous and resonance structures to investigate the influence on acoustic absorption and resilient properties. The perforated composite panel was fabricated based on highdensity flexible-foam via perforating and reinforcing with laminated hybrid nonwoven fabric. Effect of aperture size (AS) (ranging from 3 mm to 6 mm), perforation ratio (PR) (5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 %) and perforation depth (PD) (25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %) on the compressive hardness, rebound resilience and acoustic absorption properties was explored. Multiply hybrid nonwoven fabric which was fabricated with low-melting point polyester (LMPET), flame-retardant polyester (FRPET) and recycled Kevlar fibers was utilized to reinforce the flexible composites and improve the acoustic property. Nonwoven that was fabricated with entangled LMPET fibers had porous structures which could reinforce the flexible foam and enhance the acoustic absorption properties. The result revealed that the continuity and supporting of porous flexible foam had directly influence the compressive hardness. The maximum hardness of the flexible-foam based perforated composites reached 420 N. The rebound resilience result showed that the sample had high resilient structure and the resilience was up to 48 %. The perforated flexible composites plate (PFP) with 4 mm-AS performed the highest acoustic absorption coefficient at 0.9. The acoustic absorption coefficient was higher than 0.8 in the frequency range from 800 to 1600 Hz and 1600 to 2400 Hz when perforated composites had 4 mm-AS at 5 % and 10 % perforation ratio. With the increase in perforation ratio, absorption peak moved from 3200 Hz to 4000 Hz. Hybrid nonwoven laminated layer help to broaden the frequency range of acoustic absorption of perforated high-density flexible foam based composites panel. Acoustic absorption coefficient was higher than 0.4 when frequency ranging from 900 Hz to 4000 Hz.     

Influence of planting papaya ringspot virus resistant transgenic papaya on soil microbial biodiversity

To investigate the influence of papaya ringspot virus resistant transgenic papaya on soil microorganisms, upper (0-15 cm) and lower layers (15-30 cm) of soil samples were collected around transgenic papaya planting area and nontransgenic papaya planting area and from soils in which plants had not been grown. The moisture content, pH value, total organic carbon content, and total nitrogen content were not significantly different among groups. The populations of total count, fungi, and actinomycete were highest in upper layer soils around transgenic papaya planting area and lowest in lower layer soils in which plants had not been grown. The microbial populations were all higher in upper layer of soils. Amplified fragment length polymorphism, amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses indicated that the similarity of soil microorganisms of upper layer soils around transgenic papaya planting area and around nontransgenic papaya planting area was >80%. A similar result was observed in lower layer soils. Thus, planting transgenic papayas does have a limited impact on soil microorganisms.     

A spatial aggregation index for effective fallow decision in paddy irrigation demand planning

As irrigation demands usually take the largest share of water supply, paddy fallow is considered as a drought relieving measure in some Asian paddy growing countries by transferring the water saved to the municipal and industrial sectors. But the relationship between fallow area and irrigation demand reduction is not necessarily linear, there may be more than dozens combinations of fallow farm that can meet the same amount of irrigation demand reduction requirement. The Joint Count Statistics (JCS), an index commonly used in spatial analysis to measure the spatial coherence among cells was modified as a spatial aggregation index for evaluating the irrigation demand reduction effectiveness from a spatial perspective. This Modified JCS is supposed to identify the degree of spatial aggregation by taking underlying irrigation network into considerations. The modified JCS was proved to be effective to identify better fallow pattern through a case study in Taiwan.