Anuretes grandis sp. n., a caligid copepod (Siphonostomatoida) parasitic on Diagramma pictum (Pisces) in Taiwan, with discussion of Anuretes Heller, 1865

A new species of caligid copepod (Siphonostomatoida), Anuretes grandis sp. n., parasitic on the painted sweetlips [Diagramma pictum (Thunberg)] in Taiwan is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having: (1) free margin of cephalothorax not covering fourth pediger, (2) large genital complex longer than 2/3 of the cephalic shield, (3) no maxillary whip, (4) leg 3 with 9 setae on the terminal segment of exopod and 8 plumose setae on the terminal segment of endopod, and (5) armature of I,III on leg 4 exopod. Genus Anuretes Heller, 1865 is reviewed and redefined. Based on the new diagnosis three species (A. chelatus Prabha et Pillai, A. fedderni Price and A. parvulus Wilson) were transferred to Pseudanuretes, and two species (A. furcatus Capart and A. renalis Heegaard) were transferred to Lepeophtheirus. In addition, the following three species of caligids were transferred to Anuretes: Lepeophtheirus fallolunulus Lewis, Heniochophilus indicus Pillai, and Lepeophtheirus rotundigenitalis Prabha et Pillai. The latter is renamed Anuretes occultus nom. n. due to the homonym encountered through this transfer. "Anuretes plectorhynchi Yamaguti" reported by Prabha and Pillai (1986) is renamed Anuretes similis sp. n. and Anuretes yamagutii Prabha et Pillai is relegated to the synonym of Anuretes anomalus Pillai. A key to the 18 species of Anuretes is provided.     

Gibberellin A(4/7) promotes cone production on potted grafts of eastern white pine

Potted grafts of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) growing in a heated greenhouse were sprayed weekly with 0, 250 or 500 mg l(-1) of gibberellin A(4/7) for four different 6-week periods between mid-May and mid-September. At different periods, gibberellin A(4/7) concentrations of 250 and 500 mg l(-1) were effective in promoting pollen- and seed-cone production. Spraying in May and June, during the period of rapid terminal shoot elongation, significantly increased pollen-cone production, whereas spraying in August and September, about a month after terminal shoot elongation, significantly increased seed-cone production.     

5-Hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species production, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 expression, and caspase activation in human leukemia cells

This study examined the growth inhibitory effects of structurally related polymethoxylated flavones in human cancer cells. Here, we report that 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone (5-OH-HxMF) induces growth inhibition of human cancer cells and induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells through modulation of mitochondrial functions regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS generation occurs in the early stages of 5-OH-HxMF-induced apoptosis, preceding cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. The changes occurred after single breaks in DNA were detected, suggesting that 5-OH-HxMF induced irreparable DNA damage, which in turn triggered the process of apoptosis. Up-regulation of Bax was found in 5-OH-HxMF-treated HL-60 cells. In addition, a caspase-independent pathway indicated by endonuclease G also contributed to apoptosis caused by 5-OH-HxMF. Antioxidants suppress 5-OH-HxMF-induced apoptosis. 5-OH-HxMF markedly enhanced growth arrest DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153) protein in a time-dependent manner. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and catalase prevented up-regulation of GADD153 expression caused by 5-OH-HxMF. These findings suggest that 5-OH-HxMF creates an oxidative cellular environment that induces DNA damage and GADD153 gene activation, which in turn helps trigger apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Meanwhile, ROS were proven an important inducer in this apoptotic process. The C-5 hydroxyl on the ring of 5-OH-HxMF was found to be essential for the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity. Our study identified the novel mechanisms of 5-OH-HxMF-induced apoptosis and indicated that these results have significant applications as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.     

Suppressive effect of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract from longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) flowers on nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells

Anthocyanidins found in certain flowers have been shown to act as strong antioxidants in various systems, exhibiting multiple biological actions. The antioxidative effects of water extract and ethanolic extract of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) flowers were evaluated by radical scavenging activity and compared to those of gallic acid, myricetin, and epigallocatechin gallate. In this study, the suppressive effects of longan flower extracts on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production were investigated using a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell model. Abundant levels of phenolic compounds including flavonoids, condensed tannins, and proanthocyanidins were found in water or ethanolic extracts prepared from dried longan flowers. The antioxidative effect of longan flower extract was similar to the effect exhibited by pure antioxidants. Moreover, longan flower extract showed prominent inhibitory effects on prostaglandin E2 production. Significant concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide production was detected when cells were cotreated with lipopolysaccharide and various concentrations of longan flower extracts. These inhibitory effects were further attributed to suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression and not to reduced enzymatic activity. These results suggest that longan flower crude extracts, especially ethanolic extract, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and the probable mechanism involves inhibition of inflammation by proanthocyanidins. Preliminary observations suggest that longan flower extract, especially alcoholic extract, could be another potential source of natural dietary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.     

The study on the cytology and histochemistry of lymphoid organ spheroids in Penaeus chinensis

The lymphoid organ spheroids (LOS) were investigated by cytological and histochemical techniques in Penaeus chinensis. The results showed that the LOS only appeared in the individuals with relatively large lymphoid organ (long diameter>2 mm.). The LOS were mainly made up of two types of cells, one of which had a low cytoplasm to nuclear volumetric ratio, developed marginated chromatin and 1–2 nucleoli, while the other had large cytoplasm to nuclear volumetric ratio, homogeneous chromatin, and no or only one nucleolus. These two kinds of cells all contained mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The necrotic cells could usually be observed. The LOS showed negative PAS reaction, weak positive phenoloxidase, and negative -naphthyl-acetate esterase (-NAE).     

Short-term storage and cryopreservation of Urechis unicinctus (Echiura: Urechidae) sperm

In the present study, attempts were made to preserve Urechis unicinctus sperm at 4°C. Cryopreservation procedures were optimized for various cryoprotectants and freezing rates, equilibration times and dilution ratios. During short‐term storage, the motility of undiluted sperm was extended for 6 days of cold storage,and in 70% and 100% artificial seawater only persisted for 2 and 4 days respectively. The survival rate of undiluted sperm was maintained at a high level accordingly. After cryopreservation, the highest motility and survival rate (41.5±2.2%) were obtained in 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (Me₂SO) using a freezing rate of 30°C min^?1. After thawing the sperm cryopreserved in glycerol lost almost all motility. The motility and survival rate of post‐thawing sperm did not show significant differences after 8 and 15 min equilibration using 15% Me₂SO as cryoprotectant; the values were significantly higher than those of 2 min equilibration. Comparisons of motility and survival rate between treatments pooled by dilution ratio showed that the effect of 1:1 ratio (sperm volume to cryoprotectant volume) was best. There was no difference between 1:3 and 1:5, and other ratioswere significantly worse.     

A concept to define a quantitative measure of mixture state

Mixing is a mechanical operation to distribute components evenly in a plane or a space. Composite molding and textile manufacturing industries are routinely taking advantage of mixing operations in order to distribute raw materials uniformly or in a specific way during composite molding or textile producing processes. Key issues to identify any mixed state are (1) the time needed to accomplish through mixing (the time scale) and (2) the extent of the homogeneity of the mixture in a plane (the length scale). In this paper, a new concept of mixture status is focused on the length scale. The goal to derive a new concept of mixture status is to establish a measure to describe the mixed extent of a mixture consisting of two components, derived from clump size and clump distribution. To verify the usefulness of the newly conceived “Mixedness Index”, the suggested definition was compared with the existing coefficient of variation (CV) method based on simulation and experiments. Results showed a reasonable relationship between the Mixedness Index and observation, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed Mixedness Index for industrial applications.     

Synthesis and properties of Nylon 4/5 copolymers for hydrophilic fibers

Nylon 4, which can be synthesized by anionic ring-opening polymerization, has good mechanical properties and a very high affinity for water owing to its high polarity. On the other hand, despite its high melting temperature, the polymer has not been commercialized because of its low thermal stability. In this study, copolymerization of 2-pyrrolidone (C4) with 2-piperidone (C5) was performed to reduce the melting temperature of Nylon 4 homopolymer. The copolymerization reaction was controlled by changing the comonomer content, catalyst content, temperature, initiator content, and reaction time. The Nylon copolymers were characterized by ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The hydrophilic properties of Nylon 4 and its copolymers were evaluated by surface free energy analysis and moisture regain measurement. The intrinsic viscosity and polymerization yield of Nylon 4 increased with increasing catalyst concentration until 5 mole% and decreased with further increases in catalyst loading. The proton NMR spectrum revealed the composition of the Nylon 4/5 copolymer to be 62.5 % C4 moiety at a 5:5 comonomer feed ratio. The melting temperature of the Nylon 4/5 copolymers decreased considerably according to the composition. The moisture regain of the Nylon 4/5 copolymer was higher than 6.4 % even at 77.3 % C4 in composition.