Evaluation of Intestinal Absorption of Dietary Halocynthiaxanthin,a Carotenoid from the Sea Squirt Halocynthia roretzi

Halocynthiaxanthin is an acetylenic carotenoid mainly found in Halocynthia roretzi. To date, several bioactivities of halocynthiaxanthin have been reported, but its mechanism of digestion and absorption in mammals has not been studied yet. In this study, we evaluated the intestinal absorption of halocynthiaxanthin in mice. The halocynthiaxanthin-rich fraction was prepared from the tunicate Halocynthia roretzi. Mice were orally administered the fraction at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. The halocynthiaxanthin levels in the plasma, liver, and small intestine, were quantified using HPLC-PDA, 1, 3, 6, and 9 h after ingestion. The halocynthiaxanthin-rich fraction mainly consisted of the all-trans form and a small amount of cis forms. These three isomers were detected in the plasma of mice 3 h after ingestion. Time-course changes after the ingestion of this fraction were found, with cis isomers being more abundant than the all-trans isomer in the mouse plasma and liver. In the small intestine, however, the all-trans isomer was primarily detected. The possibility that cis isomers might be absorbed rapidly from the small intestine cannot be denied, but our results suggest that dietary all-trans-halocynthiaxanthin might be isomerized to the cis isomer after intestinal absorption.     

Increased proportions of CCR4+ cells among peripheral blood CD4+ cells and serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibody in canine chronic rhinitis and bronchitis

Canine chronic rhinitis (CR) and bronchitis (CB) are suspected to be allergic diseases. The present study tested whether dogs diagnosed with CR or CB present an atopic predisposition based on the ratio of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)-positive cells among peripheral blood CD4-positive cells (CCR4/CD4) and the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. We found that most dogs with CR and CB have a possibility of atopic predisposition, and macrolide therapy constitutes an alternative to corticosteroid therapy in controlling the clinical signs.     

Methylation of free-floating deoxyribonucleic acid fragments in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of dogs with chronic bronchitis exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

Background

The etiology of canine chronic bronchitis (CB) is not completely understood, although exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) affects the airway inflammatory responses in some dogs with CB. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown.

Findings

We investigated the concentrations and methylation rates of free-floating DNA fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from dogs with chronic bronchitis. Based on serum cotinine levels, dogs with CB were divided into 2 groups: dogs that either had or had not been exposed to ETS. Our results demonstrated that the total nucleated cell and macrophage numbers increased in BALF of ETS-exposed dogs with CB. There were no significant differences in DNA concentrations and methylation rates in BALF between the 2 groups. However, 3 out of 8 dogs exposed to ETS had high DNA methylation rates in their BALF samples.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that ETS exposure leads to epigenetic modifications of cellular components in BALF in dogs diagnosed with CB.     

Pharmacokinetics of metoclopramide in calves with renal dysfunction

To clarify the effect of renal dysfunction on pharmacokinetics of the prokinetic agent metoclopramide (MCP), we administered intravenously 0.4 mg/kg MCP to healthy calves and calves subjected to right kidney vessel ligation (ligation) without or with a subsequent left nephrectomy (ligation plus removal). Plasma MCP concentration, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and plasma prolactin level were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, simplified equation using iodixanol and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Only in calves with ligation plus removal, plasma MCP concentrations were increased significantly 6, 8 and 12 hr after injection, showing that a negative correlation was observed between the plasma MCP concentrations and GFR value. A tendency to increase in plasma PRL concentration was noted also in these calves. In conclusions, plasma MCP concentrations depend on the GFR mode in calves, and its critical GFR value was estimated.     

Genotype by environment interactions (GEIs) for barley grain yield under salt stress condition

Changes in the relative genetic performance of genotypes across environments are referred to as genotype × environment interactions (GEIs). GEIs can affect barley breeding improvement for salt tolerance because it often complicates the evaluation and selection of superior genotypes. The present study evaluated the GEIs over 60 barley genotypes for yield components and grain yield in six salinity environments in North Delta, Egypt. Data were analyzed using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and Tai’s stability parameters. GEIs effects on yield explained 20.3, 20.1, 14.6, and 33.0% of the total variation besides, the first two principal components account for 67.3, 56.3, 64.3, and 83.7% of the explained variance in the four sets, respectively. Six genotypes namely G-4, G-7, G-20, G-34, G-36, and G-39 were found to be most stable and high yielding across environments (GY >2.00 t ha^-1), and located close to zero projection onto the AEC ordinate. Tai’s stability parameters demonstrated that these genotypes were more responsive to the environmental changes. The genotypes G-50 and G-53 showed perfect/static stability (α = -0.95, -0.91, respectively). In contrast, the genotype; G-36 had α = 0 and λ = 1.10, indicating parallel with the environmental effects followed by G-44. Overall, we found that GEIs for grain yield are highly significant in all sets, suggesting that responded differently across environments. This interaction may be a result of changes in genotypes’ relative performance across environments, due to their differential responses to various abiotic factors.     

Epidemiological study on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus garvieae</Emphasis> isolates from fish in Japan

In Japan, Lactococcus garvieae infection has been the main fish disease in aquaculture. Although commercial oral and injectable vaccines have been used to prevent L. garvieae infection in Japan, L. garvieae has been isolated not only from unvaccinated fish but also from vaccinated fish in which immunity induced by vaccination had diminished. In order to obtain epidemiological information on this fish pathogen, we conducted biased sinusoidal field gel electrophoresis (BSFGE) pattern analysis and phage typing of L. garvieae isolates (n = 427) from fish in Japan. These isolates were obtained from 13 different fish species between 1980 and 2007. In the BSFGE analysis, L. garvieae isolates were classified into 17 groups (S1–S17) based on the SmaI digestion patterns and into four groups (A1–A4) based on the ApaI digestion patterns. Phage typing revealed five different phage susceptibility profiles (A–E) in L. garvieae isolates. Since 2005, comparisons of the results of phage typing and BSFGE have indicated the presence of a novel genotype (S16/A4) with phage type E. All the strains belonging to this type showed lincomycin sensitivity.     

Design and pilot production of a “spiral-winder” for the manufacture of cylindrical laminated veneer lumber

A new spiral-winder was developed for continuous manufacturing of cylindrical laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and a suitable resin adhesive for this cylindrical LVL manufacturing system was investigated. This phase was followed by trial manufacturing and evaluation of cylindrical LVL with the optimum resin adhesive identified. The results are summarized as follows. (1) The shortest gelation time was recorded with a mixture of two commercial resorcinol based resins (DF-1000 and D-33) at a weight ratio of 2575. (2) Bath temperature had a remarkable effect on the gelation time of the adhesive mix. (3) High bonding strength was recorded by 2575 DF-1000/D-33 adhesive mix at a high press temperature despite a short pressing duration. Based on the results of items (1) to (3), 2575 DF-1000/ D-33 is recommended for use in the new spiral-winder. (4) The mechanical properties of cylindrical LVL could be improved by using 2575 DF-1000/D-33 with wider veneer width and longer pressing time. (5) The mechanical properties, especially the modulus of rupture, of the cylindrical LVL manufactured require further improvement for practical structural application.     

Iristectorone K,a novel monocyclic triterpene ester from Iris germanica rhizomes growing in Turkey

A new monocyclic triterpene ester (1) was isolated from the rhizomes of Iris germanica from Turkey. Structure elucidation of compound (1) was carried out by the combined application of HMQC, HMBC, DEPT, COSY and NOESY experiments and named as iristectorone K.     

Effect of dietary addition of seaweed and licorice on the immune performance of pigs

In pig production, dietary additive antibiotics are usually used for growth stimulation and disease prevention, although there is public concern about the increased incidence of resistant antibiotics and food safety. It is possible that such antibiotics might be replaced by naturally derived products such as seaweed and licorice. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary addition of seaweed and licorice on enhancing the immune function in swine. The animals of each group (eight animals per group) were sensitized at day 42 and 49, and the immunoglobulin production and the expression of cytokines were detected by the ELISA and real‐time PCR. As the results, saliva IgA production of the seaweed‐treated group increased around five times compared to that of control (day 56). Delayed hypersensitivity reaction and IgG production of the seaweed‐treated group increased around 1.8–2.0 times. In addition, enhanced saliva IgA production was detected at day 50 (around two times) and day 51 (around five times) by the licorice treatment, and lower expression level of tumor necrosis factor‐α messenger RNA at day 51 (around 1/25) was observed in the licorice treatment. We conclude that the replacement of antibiotics by naturally derived dietary additives might be feasible for immune system enhancement.     

Phenolics composition and antioxidant activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) was examined using different in vitro assay model systems. The crude extract was fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column, and six fractions were identified. The DPPH scavenging assay system and the oxidation of the soy phosphotidylcholin liposome model system were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each fraction. Fraction IV showed the strongest activity followed by fractions V and VI. Phenolic compounds responsible for the antioxidative activity of the fractions were characterized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major antioxidant compound in fraction IV was confirmed as rosmarinic acid by (1)H NMR and characteristic fragmentations in the mass spectrum. Moreover, the native of antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid in the liposome system was examined. The results showed that one rosmarinic acid can capture 1.52 radicals, and furthermore, the existence of a synergistic effect between alpha-tocopherol and rosmarinic acid was revealed.