Separation of sardine oil without heating from surimi waste and its effect on lipid metabolism in rats

Sardine oil was obtained by centrifugation of surimi wastewater without heating or chemical refining. This oil (CE) showed light yellow color and the peroxide value was less than 1.0 meq/kg. The main lipid class of CE was triacylglycerol (TG) (>99%). These features indicate that CE can be directly used as food materials without further purification. Commercial sardine oil (CO) is usually prepared via some kind of refining process with high temperature (250 degrees C) and chemical treatment. The comparative study on the physiological effects of these sardine oils (CE and CO) revealed that the dietary sardine oils were more effective in reducing abdominal fat pads, plasma total cholesterol, and TG levels of rats than was a soybean oil diet (control). Furthermore, these effects were greater in CE than CO, although there was little difference in the fatty acid composition of both oils. Although the main lipid class of CE was TG (>99%), CE was prepared by centrifugation from surimi waste and directly used as dietary fat without further purification. Therefore, CE may contain some kinds of minor components, which could be attributed to the higher physiological activity of CE. To reveal the involvement of the minor compounds in CE, we prepared TG from CE by column chromatography and measured its effect on lipid metabolism of rats. TG from CE also showed the reducing effects on abdominal fad pads and plasma lipid levels. The effect of TG from CE was almost the same as that of original CE, suggesting that the higher nutritional activity of CE than CO may not be due to the minor compounds in CE.     

Protostellar feedback halts the growth of the first stars in the universe

The first stars fundamentally transformed the early universe by emitting the first light and by producing the first heavy elements. These effects were predetermined by the mass distribution of the first stars, which is thought to have been fixed by a complex interplay of gas accretion and protostellar radiation. We performed radiation-hydrodynamics simulations that followed the growth of a primordial protostar through to the early stages as a star with thermonuclear burning. The circumstellar accretion disk was evaporated by ultraviolet radiation from the star when its mass was 43 times that of the Sun. Such massive primordial stars, in contrast to the often-postulated extremely massive stars, may help explain the fact that there are no signatures of the pair-instability supernovae in abundance patterns of metal-poor stars in our galaxy.     

Changes in oxidative status in periparturient dairy cows in hot conditions

We investigated the changes in the plasma concentrations of oxidative stress markers in periparturient dairy cows in hot conditions. This study was performed on 10 cows from day ?5 to day 10 after parturition. The experimental duration was divided into three periods: period 1 (5 days before parturition); period 2 (5 days after parturition); and period 3 (from day 6 to day 10 after parturition). The average rectal temperature in the cows during the experimental period was more than 39°C. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase activities in periods 2 and 3 were higher than that in period 1 (P < 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen concentration in period 3 was lower than those in periods 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). The total ascorbic acid concentration in the plasma in period 2 was greater than those in periods 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in periods 2 and 3 were greater than that in period 1 (P < 0.05). TBARS concentration was positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase activity (P < 0.05). These results suggested that oxidative stress increased in cows after parturition under hot climatic conditions.     

Fluid accumulation in the ligated intestinal loop and histopathological changes of the intestinal mucosa caused by Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin in the pheasant and chicken

Fluid accumulation was induced in ligated intestinal loops of both pheasants and chickens injected with crude Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin. Necrosis of the epithelium and lamina propria of the duodenum and jejunum occurred in both species of bird after intraduodenal administration of crude C2 toxin. The severity of such reactions depended upon the dose and the period after administration of C2 toxin up to eight hours, and such reactions were suppressed specifically with rabbit anti-C2 toxin. These results confirm that C2 toxin is one of the causes of diarrhoea in avian botulism.     

Modeling of Solute Transport with Bioremediation Processes using Sawdust as a Matrix

Hg and As are widespread contaminants globally and particularly in Asia. We conducted a field study in Baiyangdian Lake, the largest lake in the North China Plain, to investigate bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of potentially toxic metals (total mercury and arsenic) in sites differing in proximity from the major point sources of nutrients and metals. Hg concentrations in fish and As concentrations in water are above critical threshold levels (US Environmental Protection Agency based) considered to pose some risk to humans and wildlife. Hg concentrations in biota are within the range of concentrations in lakes in the Northeast US despite the high levels of Hg emission and deposition in China whereas As concentrations are much higher. Dissolved concentrations of both Hg and As decrease with increasing chlorophyll concentrations suggesting that there is significant uptake of metal from water by algae. These results provide evidence for algal blooms controlling dissolved metal concentrations and potentially mitigating the trophic transfer of Hg to fish. This study also underscores the need for further investigation into this contaminated ecosystem and others like it in China that are an important source of fish and drinking water for consumption by local human populations.     

Fecal and urinary lignans, intrafollicular estradiol, and endometrial receptors in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with hydrogenated animal fat, flaxseed or sunflower seed

We hypothesized that the inclusion of flaxseed in the diets of lactating dairy cows will increase urinary and fecal concentrations of the lignans, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), enterolactone and enterodiol, reduce intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I and estradiol, and subsequently reduce estradiol and oxytocin receptor expression in the endometrium. To test this hypothesis, 27 cycling, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 3 diets supplemented with saturated fatty acids (SAT), flax (FLX), or sunflower (SUN) seed. Rations were formulated to provide 750 g supplemental fat/cow/d in all dietary groups. Ovulation (Day 0) was synchronized, and 5 d later, follicles>8 mm were ablated by an ultrasound-guided procedure in all cows. Samples of blood (Days 0 to 14), follicular fluid (Day 5 and 15), endometrium (Day 15), as well as urine and feces were collected in a subset of the animals. The fecal concentrations of SDG and enterodiol were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX than in those fed SAT or SUN. Enterodiol increased (P<0.05) in urine samples of cows fed FLX, compared to those of cows fed SUN. However, follicular estradiol concentrations on Day 5 and 15 and endometrial concentrations of estradiol and oxytocin receptors on Day 15 did not differ among the dietary groups. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX and SUN than in those fed SAT. In summary, a diet supplemented with flaxseed increased the concentrations of SDG and enterodiol in feces, as hypothesized, but did not alter intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I or estradiol, or endometrial populations of oxytocin or estrogen receptors in lactating dairy cows.     

A transdisciplinary research of coastal fisheries co-management: the case of the hairtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus japonicus</Emphasis> trolling line fishery around the Bungo Channel,Japan

Under the coastal fisheries co-management regime in Japan, local fishers play important roles in deciding on and implementing local management measures. Therefore, using the case study of a hairtail trolling line fishery, we conducted a transdisciplinary research with fishers, processors, government officers, etc. Taking social and biological factors into account, we defined management criteria and targets (resource, economic, human community, and local food culture) in collaboration with local fishers. We chartered local fishing vessels to determine parameters that were easily understood by local fishers. We established a local consultative committee comprising fishers, processors, and distributors, and developed a fish distribution strategy to nurture the local hairtail food culture. The integrated effects of various management scenarios were evaluated by the operating model. We found that co-ordinated management by both the trolling line fishery and purse seiners in the neighbouring prefecture was required to achieve targets. Two realistic scenarios are recommended: a conservative scenario that could achieve targets even with few strong year classes, and an adaptive scenario that protects strong year classes, but relies on a higher frequency of these. We shared these results with the local fishers and government officers, which led to actual improvements in management measures.     

Response of the carbon cycle in sub-arctic black spruce forests to climate change: Reduction of a carbon sink related to the sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration

Assessment of the response of the carbon cycle to climate change is important for predicting future climate, especially in northern high latitudes, where the warming may be highly pronounced. In this paper, three years of data measured by the eddy covariance method were used to verify the carbon dynamics of a black spruce forest in interior Alaska with the BIOME-BGC model. The model was modified and calibrated to the cold regions. The calibrated model simulation satisfactorily performed reproduction of the observed net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RE). The daily output of the model also correlated with field-based estimates of NEE (42%), GPP (89%), and RE (89%). The model simulation showed that the heterotrophic respiration occupied a substantial portion of total carbon exchange, and that inter-annual variation of the heterotrophic respiration determined the sink/source strength of carbon. According to our simulation, the black spruce forest in interior Alaska was a net carbon sink between 1949 and 2005, and the trend of the projected sink strength was not obvious in the recent climate warming. The model analysis suggested that the change in the seasonal weather pattern strongly affected the carbon balance. A potentially increased carbon sink due to future warming climate and elevated CO₂ will be at least partly offset by a concurrent increase of VPD, since the response of the stomatal conductance to increased VPD could increase the soil moisture, and thus stimulate heterotrophic respiration, rather than net primary productivity. The results of this study should be useful to forecast the response of the carbon cycle to warming in black spruce forests of interior Alaska.     

Pathological and phylogenetic features of prevalent canine distemper viruses in wild masked palm civets in Japan

Ten wild masked palm civets infected with canine distemper virus (CDV), captured in Japan from 2005 to 2007, were histopathologically and phylogenetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of the H protein of two CDV isolates from masked palm civets revealed that the two isolates were classified into the clade of recent isolates in Japan. Histopathologically marked lesions of virus encephalitis were present in the brain, whereas gastrointestinal lesions were absent or at a mild degree. The distribution of the lesions resembles that of recent CDV cases in dogs. Therefore, recent CDV infections in masked palm civets could be caused by recently prevalent CDV in dogs. The possibility of the masked palm civet as a spreader of CDV among wildlife is also discussed.