Implication of Echinochrome A in the Plasticity and Damage of Intestinal Epithelium

The diverse therapeutic feasibility of the sea urchin-derived naphthoquinone pigment, Echinochrome A (Ech A), has been studied. Simple and noninvasive administration routes should be explored, to obtain the feasibility. Although the therapeutic potential has been proven through several preclinical studies, the biosafety of orally administered Ech A and its direct influence on intestinal cells have not been evaluated. To estimate the bioavailability of Ech A as an oral administration drug, small intestinal and colonic epithelial organoids were developed from mice and humans. The morphology and cellular composition of intestinal organoids were evaluated after Ech A treatment. Ech A treatment significantly increased the expression of LGR5 (~2.38-fold change, p = 0.009) and MUC2 (~1.85-fold change, p = 0.08). Notably, in the presence of oxidative stress, Ech A attenuated oxidative stress up to 1.8-fold (p = 0.04), with a restored gene expression of LGR5 (~4.11-fold change, p = 0.0004), as well as an increased expression of Ly6a (~3.51-fold change, p = 0.005) and CLU (~2.5-fold change, p = 0.01), markers of revival stem cells. In conclusion, Ech A is harmless to intestinal tissues; rather, it promotes the maintenance and regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, suggesting possible beneficial effects on the intestine when used as an oral medication.     

Osmoregulation,growth and moulting cycles of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) at different salinities

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a species with a high commercial value in aquaculture. Two experiments were performed to determine the effects of salinities on the osmoregulation, growth and molting cycles of M. rosenbergii during growout. The first experiment was designed to determine whether these animals are capable of adapting to the changes in salinity seen in salinity intrusions in tropical deltas, with an incremental increase in salinity of 3‰ per day from 0‰ to 30‰ Haemolymph osmolality was rapidly regulated up to salinities of 15‰ , whereas animals conformed at higher salinities. The second experiment determined the growth, moulting cycle, osmolality, muscle water content and mortality during a 4‐month experiment at 0‰, 15‰ or 25‰ salinity. The weight gains in 0‰ and 15‰ were not significantly different and were comparable to the growth rates achieved in production farms with body mass increases of 2.6 and 2.3‐fold their initial body mass, respectively, after 4 months. The 25‰ group suffered from low growth, high mortality and a significantly lower moulting frequency. These data show that this species can be reared in brackish water up to 15‰, allowing for farming in the large areas impacted by salt water intrusions in tropical deltas.     

Tropical spiny lobster (Panulirus ornatus) farming in Vietnam – bioeconomics and perceived constraints to development

This paper presents bioeconomic data on lobster farming in Vietnam, and perceived constraints to the development of the industry. The farms were found to be profitable, with an average benefit cost ratio of 1.44 and an average net revenue of 262 million VND year^?1 (or just under US$15 000 year^?1). Investment in the enterprise is high compared with other enterprises in the region. However, disease has the potential to devastate lobster crops and there is little information available to lobster farmers about disease prevention and management. Hence, the lobster enterprise is a high‐risk high‐return industry. The predominant perceived constraints to the development of lobster operations include water quality and temperature issues, insufficient access to credit, good‐quality affordable feed and accurate information about technology improvements in lobster farming. It seems that improving the livelihood of lobster farmers in Vietnam is dependent on reducing their dependence on wild stocks for seed and feed, improving access to credit and improving technical and market information flows. Such improvements are likely to lead to higher profitability, given high export demand and hence sustained high prices for their lobster product.     

Genetic characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) varieties conserved in Vietnam through SCoT marker-based polymorphisms

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production sustains millions of smallholder farmers and their families around the globe, and also powers a thriving industry of...     

Residual Organic Compound Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Commercial Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Modified by a Mixture of Seven Metal Salts

The modified activated carbon (MAC) derived from commercial coconut shell activated carbon (AC) with mixture of seven metal salts was used as an adsorbent to remove target residual organic compound (sucrose) from aqueous solutions in batch modes. The results indicated that the highest adsorption capacity of sucrose onto MAC reached when the AC was modified at the ratio of impregnation of AC with mixture of seven metal salts, including nitrate silver (AgNO₃), manganese nitrate (Mn (NO₃)₂), potassium bichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇), nitrate cobalt (Co (NO₃)₂·6H₂O), nitrate copper (Cu (NO₃)₂·3H₂O), nitrate nickel (Ni (NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and nitrate iron (Fe (NO₃)₂·9H₂O) of 3% (w/w). The most appropriate conditions for sucrose adsorption onto MAC in batch experiments obtained at pH 7, contact time of 120 min, 800 mg MAC/50 mL of sucrose solution with initial concentration of 1500 mg/L. At this condition, the highest adsorption capacity of sucrose onto MAC reached 28.28 mg/g. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips adsorption isothermal equilibrium models can adequately describe the adsorption properties of sucrose on MAC. The adsorption kinetic of sucrose onto MAC obeyed pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models with the chemical sorption process. The saturated MAC was recovered by heat from an oven. The highest recovery efficiency of saturated MAC obtained at 180 °C in 120 min. The highest adsorption capacity of sucrose onto recovered MAC was 24.31 mg/g, appropriately adsorption capacity of initial MAC.     

Applying Activated Carbon Derived from Coconut Shell Loaded by Silver Nanoparticles to Remove Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution

This study developed a new adsorbent, specifically activated carbon-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-AC) by coating the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto activated carbon (AC). The obtained AgNPs-AC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The ability of AgNPs-AC to remove methylene blue (MB) was evaluated using different experimental factors, these being pH solution, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial MB concentration. Results indicated that the highest adsorption capacity of MB onto AgNPs-AC was obtained when the AC was loaded onto AgNPs at the impregnation ratio of 0.5% w/w for AC and AgNPs. The best conditions in which AgNPs-AC could remove MB were as follows: pH 10, contact time lasting 120 min, and adsorbent dose being 250 mg/25 mL solution. In this scenario, the maximum adsorption capacity of MB onto AgNPs-AC was 172.22 mg/g. The adsorption isothermal equilibrium was well described by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips models. The Sips equations had the highest correlation coefficient value (R²?=?0.935). The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models agree well with the dynamic behavior of the adsorption of dye MB on AgNPs-AC.     

Detection of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‐Related Coronavirus and Alphacoronavirus in the Bat Population of Taiwan

Bats have been demonstrated to be natural reservoirs of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV. Faecal samples from 248 individuals of 20 bat species were tested for partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase gene of CoV and 57 faecal samples from eight bat species were tested positive. The highest detection rate of 44% for Scotophilus kuhlii, followed by 30% for Rhinolophus monoceros. Significantly higher detection rates of coronaviral RNA were found in female bats and Scotophilus kuhlii roosting in palm trees. Phylogenetic analysis classified the positive samples into SARS‐related (SARSr) CoV, Scotophilus bat CoV 512 close to those from China and Philippines, and Miniopterus bat CoV 1A‐related lineages. Coronaviral RNA was also detected in bat guano from Scotophilus kuhlii and Myotis formosus flavus on the ground and had potential risk for human exposure. Diverse bat CoV with zoonotic potential could be introduced by migratory bats and maintained in the endemic bat population in Taiwan.     

基于热重红外联用技术的竹综纤维素热解过程及动力学特性

利用热重红外联用技术(TG-FTIR)研究了竹材综纤维素在不同升温速率下(5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0和30.0℃·min-1)的热解特性和热解动力学。热重分析/热重一次微分曲线(TG/DTG)表明:竹材综纤维素热解可分为干燥、快速裂解和慢速裂解等3个阶段; 随着升温速率增加, TG/DTG曲线往高温一侧移动; 竹综纤维素热解过程发生复杂的化学反应, 包括多重、平行和连续反应; 热解挥发分主要由小分子CO, H₂O, CH₄和CO₂, 以及一些醛类、酮类、酸类、烷烃、醇类和酚类等有机物组成。利用无模式函数积分法, 即Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(FWO)和Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose(KAS)积分法, 对其热解动力学进行研究。结果表明:竹材综纤维素的活化能随着转化率的升高先增大后减小再增大, 活化能数值的变化与纤维素/半纤维素不同的热解特性有紧密联系。