Anti-oxidative/oxidative status of rat liver after ovariectomy

The lack of protective action of oestrogens which appears during menopausal period may be the reason of serious metabolic disturbances including oxidative stress. The hypothesis was stated that ovariectomy may induce the variations of antioxidant/oxidant status which can be detected in rat liver. A total of 102 healthy Wistar female rats were included in the experiment and divided into control (CON; n = 6), sham-operated (SHO; n = 48) and ovariectomized (OVX; n = 48) groups. Animals from SHO (n = 6) and OVX (n = 6) groups were killed every week during 8 weeks of experiment to detect dynamic changes in examined parameters. Anti-oxidative enzyme activities [glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); superoxide dismutase (SOD)] as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the intensity of lipid peroxidation, measured by the concentration of N,N,diethyl-p-phenylene diamine (DEPPD) radical, were determined in liver homogenates by the use of spectrophotometric methods. Wave-like patterns of examined parameters within 8 weeks of experiment were detected. GSH-Px activity tended to be higher in OVX animals and was significantly lower at 8th week when compared with 1st week of experiment. SOD activity was higher in SHO animals and showed significant differences between 3rd, 4th, 7th and 1st week. TAC values were significantly higher in OVX when compared with SHO groups in 2nd, 4th, 5th week and significantly lower in 3rd, 6th and 7th week of the experiment. The concentration of DEPPD radicals tended to increase in OVX group. In conclusion, ovariectomy which leads to oestrogen insufficiency is reflected as well in variation of anti-oxidative/oxidative parameters in rat liver homogenates.     

The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

In Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty-brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.     

Cellular Localization of Rice SUMO/SUMO Conjugates and in vitro Sumoylation Using Rice Components

正Many proteins are regulated by post-translational modifications,such as the reversible covalent attachment of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins in eukaryotes(Kerscher et al, 2006). Post-translational modification of proteins by the SUMO protein family is involved in diverse cellular processes, including development, hormonal responses, and biotic and abiotic stress signaling(Park et al, 2011). SUMO modification can modulate protein-protein interactions, intracellular localization or the activities of the protein(Gareau and Lima, 2010).     

Isolation and Characterization of a Yellow Xanthophyll Pigment-Producing Marine Bacterium,Erythrobacter sp. SDW2 Strain,in Coastal Seawater

Xanthophylls, a yellow pigment belonging to the carotenoid family, have attracted much attention for industrial applications due to their versatile nature. We report the isolation of a homo xanthophyll pigment-producing marine bacterium, identified as the Erythrobacter sp. SDW2 strain, from coastal seawater. The isolated Erythrobacter sp. SDW2 strain can produce 263 ± 12.9 mg/L (89.7 ± 5.4 mg/g dry cell weight) of yellow xanthophyll pigment from 5 g/L of glucose. Moreover, the xanthophyll pigment produced by the SDW2 strain exhibits remarkable antioxidative activities, confirmed by the DPPH (73.4 ± 1.4%) and ABTS (84.9 ± 0.7%) assays. These results suggest that the yellow xanthophyll pigment-producing Erythrobacter sp. SDW2 strain could be a promising industrial microorganism for producing marine-derived bioactive compounds with potential for foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.     

Early development and allometric growth in hatchery‐reared Eurasian perch,Perca fluviatilis L.

The morphological development and allometric growth patterns of Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L., a highly valued commercial species, were studied under intensive rearing conditions from hatching up to 50 DPH (Days Post Hatch). Based on the external morphology, four different phases during early development of Eurasian perch were identified: pre‐flexion larva 0–20 DPH (5.70–10.16 mm TL); flexion larva 22–30 DPH (11.09–15.14 mm TL) and post‐flexion larva/juvenile 32–50 DPH (18.00–24.75 mm TL). The results indicate that growth period when final replacement of all temporary (larval) structures and most important changes in the shape of P. fluviatilis occurred (between 13.95 and 24.06 mm TL, during flexion and post‐flexion phase) can be considered as a transitional period between the larva and juvenile. All body segments, except trunk length and tail length showed fast growth (positive allometry) throughout the entire studied period or up to the respective inflexion point with a common tendency to isometry. In addition, the specific behaviours (e.g. pelagic way of life) of Eurasian perch larvae resulted in some characteristic allometric growth patterns in the posterior region, different from the majority of other teleosts. The results are discussed with respect to the ontogeny of the functional morphology under both ecological and aquaculture considerations.     

The application of tannic acid to the elimination of egg stickiness at varied moments of the egg swelling process in pikeperch,Sander lucioperca (L.)

The aim of this article was to analyse the process of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, egg swelling and to apply tannic acid to eliminate egg stickiness at different moments of the swelling process on artificially obtained eggs. The first experiment involved observation of egg swelling process and the second determined the effect of temperature (12, 14 and 16°C) on the egg swelling rate. The third experiment involved elimination of egg stickiness in a tannin solution (0.75 g L^?1) where eggs were submerged in a solution for 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 min – 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min following gamete activation. The results indicate that the pikeperch egg swelling process lasts 30 min. It was found that the temperature did not affect the process duration. The results of the third experiment showed that the effectiveness of tannic acid application in egg stickiness elimination increases with time. The best result was obtained in groups of eggs submerged for 1 and 2 min (86.5% and 80.5% of larvae were obtained respectively) 30 min following the gamete activation. The results presented in this study for the first time indicate the possibility of highly effective procedure of egg stickiness elimination with tannic acid in pikeperch aquaculture.     

Distribution and migration of Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea

Data on squid catches of Korean and Japan, water temperatures at depth of 100 m, and night-visible images of fishing boats collected in the East (Japan) Sea from 1970 to 1999 were analyzed to examine the distribution and migration of the Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The main fishing grounds detected from squid catch in each grid (0.5° latitude × 0.5° longitude) by Korean squid fishery and night-visible images provided by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) were situated in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The distribution and migration route was illustrated from squid catch in each grid and DMSP OLS image. In years of high catches, the fishing grounds were situated mainly between Ulleung Island and the eastern coastal waters of Korea, while in years of low catches they were situated between Ulleung Island and the Yamato Bank in the central East (Japan) Sea. The center of fishing activity began moving northward from around the Korea/Tsushima strait to the northern boundary of the Tsushima Warm Current in March, reaching into the Yamato Bank in September, and then returning to the strait by February. The northward and southward migration routes differed; the northward migration route occurred closer to the mainland coast of Korea than the southward migration route did. This work suggests T. pacificus begin their northward migration almost 2 months earlier than previously suggested.     

The effect of various nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition regimes on the concentrations of nitrates,ammonium ions,dry matter and N-total in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots

Two field experiments (Experiment I in 2003–2005 and Experiment II in 2004–2005) with carrot c.v. ‘Kazan F₁’ were conducted at Trzciana village (50°06′N, 21°85′E). The experiments were arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Two sub-blocks were identified in both experiments: I, without foliar nutrition; II, receiving plant foliar nutrition. The plants were sprayed three times alternately with: 2% urea solution, 1% solution of multi-component ‘Supervit R’ fertilizer (produced by Intermag, Poland) and again with 2% urea solution. Combinations with diversified nitrogen fertilization were distinguished within both sub-blocks. Experiment I comprised of: (1) Control, (2) Ca(NO₃)₂ 70, (3) Ca(NO₃)₂ 70 + 70, (4) (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70 and (5) (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70 + 70. Experiment II included: (1) Control, (2) ENTEC-26 35 + 35, (3) ENTEC-26 70 + 70, (4) ENTEC 26 105 + 105, (5) NH₄NO₃ 35 + 35, (6) NH₄NO₃ 70 + 70, (7) NH₄NO₃ 105 + 105. Where 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was used before sowing, whereas 35 + 35, 70 + 70 and 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ were applied before sowing and as top dressing. Solid nitrogen fertilizer was added to the soil (produced by): Ca(NO₃)₂, Yara International ASA (Hydro); (NH₄)₂SO₄, Zak?ady Azotowe in Tarnów, Poland; NH₄NO₃, Zak?ady Azotowe in Pu?awy, Poland; and ENTEC-26, COMPO GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. The research aimed at determining the effect of diversified nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition on NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, N-total and dry matter (d.m.) concentrations in carrot, and N uptake by storage roots. In Experiment I, nitrogen fertilization did not affect NO₃⁻ concentration, whereas in Experiment II, the applied N treatment increased NO₃⁻ concentration in carrot in relation to the control, except for the storage roots of plants fertilized with ENTEC-26 35 + 35. Nitrogen fertilization applied in both experiments caused a significant increase in N-total concentration in carrot and N uptake by storage roots in comparison with the control plants. In both experiments, nitrogen fertilization had a different effect on the concentrations of NH₄⁺ and d.m. in carrot. What is more, foliar nutrition treatments in both experiments had a different effect on the concentrations on NO₃⁻, N-total, d.m. in carrot and N uptake by carrot storage roots.