Parathyrsoidins A–D,Four New Sesquiterpenoids from the Soft Coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides

Four new nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoids, parathyrsoidins A–D (1–4) were isolated from the soft coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides. The structures of parathyrsoidins A–D (1–4) were determined by extensive spectral analysis and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cell lines as well as antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were evaluated in vitro.     

Partial neuromuscular block impairs arytenoid abduction during hypercarbic challenge in anesthetized dogs

Objective

To evaluate the effect of two levels of partial neuromuscular block (NMB) on arytenoid abduction, tidal volume (V_T) and peak inspiratory flow (PIF) in response to a hypercarbic challenge in anesthetized dogs.

Effects of dietary supplementation with coconut oil on the growth,fatty acid profiles and some lipid metabolism relative gene expressions of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides

This study investigated the effects of coconut oil as a dietary supplement on the growth, lipid metabolism and related gene expressions of juvenile orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides. Coconut oil at concentrations of 0, 10, 30 and 50 g/kg was used to replace dietary lipids in a basal diet containing 150 g/kg lipids. The four experimental diets were, respectively, fed to triplicate groups of juvenile groupers (initial weight: 8.53 ± 0.13 g) in a recirculating system for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 50 g/kg coconut oil exhibited lower (p < .05) weight gain than did fish fed the diet containing 30 g/kg coconut oil; however, no significant differences in weight gain were observed between fish fed diets containing 0 and 10 g/kg coconut oil. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid elongase, fatty acid desaturase and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma gene expressions were all the highest in fish fed the diet containing 10 g/kg coconut oil. Fish fed the coconut oil‐free basal diet demonstrated upregulated gene expression of neuropeptide Y. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with 10 g/kg coconut oil exerted beneficial effects on lipid metabolism by E. coioides.     

Production and Characterization of Antioxidant Properties of Exopolysaccharide(s) from Peanibacillus mucilaginosus TKU032

Natural polysaccharides have received much attention due to their wide range of applications. Although most microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) use sugars as the major carbon source, such as glucose or sucrose, in this study, EPSs were induced from a squid pen powder (SPP)-containing medium by Paenibacillus mucilaginosus TKU032, a bacterial strain isolated from Taiwanese soil. Under the optimal culture conditions, the maximum EPS yield (14.8 g/L) was obtained. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of an EPS fraction purified by gel filtration revealed two mass peaks with molecular weights of ∼1.05 × 10⁴ and ∼1.35 × 10⁴ Da, respectively. The analysis of the hydrolysates of TKU032 EPS with cellulase, pectinase or α-amylase indicated that the glycosidic bond of TKU032 EPS is most likely an α-1,4 glycosidic bond and the hydrolysates are similar to those of starch. In addition, the purified EPS demonstrated strong antioxidant abilities.     

Effects of dietary levan on growth performance,nonspecific immunity,pathogen resistance and body composition of orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides H.)

This study investigated the effects of levan produced by Bacillus licheniformis FRI MY‐55 on growth performance, intestinal count of viable bacteria, immune status, pathogen resistance and body composition of orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Orange‐spotted grouper were fed diets supplemented with levan at concentrations of 0 (control), 5.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 g kg^?1 for 12 weeks. The final weight and per cent weight gain were significantly higher in the 25.0 g kg^?1 levan‐supplemented group than in the control group (p < 0.05). All levan‐supplemented diets significantly decreased the count of total viable aerobic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in the intestines of groupers (p < 0.05). Serum total protein levels, globulin levels, lysozyme activity and survival rate of orange‐spotted grouper after challenge with V. harveyi were significantly higher in the 25.0 g kg^?1 levan‐supplemented group than in the control group (p < 0.05). This study also found that the 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 g kg^?1 levan‐supplemented diets significantly increased the crude protein level in the body composition of orange‐spotted grouper. Overall, the results of this study indicate that dietary levan (25.0 g kg^?1) could be an effective method for enhancing the growth performance and disease resistance in orange‐spotted grouper.