Preventive effect of t,t-conjugated linoleic acid on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication in human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells

The anti-tumor promotional effects of t9,t11-conjugated linoleic acid (t9,t11-CLA) and t10,t12-CLA were evaluated on the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A. The results were compared to those obtained from c9,t11-CLA, which is a more effective anti-tumor promoter on TPA-induced GJIC inhibition in MCF-10A cells than t10,c12-CLA. Cells were treated with 20 μM t9,t11-CLA, t10,t12-CLA, or c9,t11-CLA for 24 h followed by 60 nM TPA for 1 h. Both t9,t11-CLA and t10,t12-CLA equally protected MCF-10A cells from TPA-induced inhibition of GJIC with inferior efficacy to c9,t11-CLA.The protection was due to the ameliorated phosphorylation of connexin43 via suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) activation. Suppression of TPA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by t9,t11-CLA and t10,t12-CLA was less effective, relative to c9,t11-CLA. The results suggest that the anti-promotional activities of t9,t11-CLA and t10,t12-CLA are equal but less potent than c9,t11-CLA in TPA-treated MCF-10A cells. The activity might be mediated by the attenuation of ROS production in MCF-10A cells by preventing the downregulation of GJIC during the cancer promotion stage.     

Identification of a novel trait associated with phytotoxicity of an insecticide etofenprox in soybean

Synthetic insecticides are widely used to control pests in various crop fields. Especially in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields, the insecticide etofenprox, which is a pyrethroid derivative, has been used to manage hemiptera pests. To date, soybean phytotoxicity response has not been reported to etofenprox derivatives, two Korean cultivars, Danbaek and Kwangan, were first identified to show leaf shape shrinkage damage after etofenprox application. We confirmed that the causal substance for phytotoxicity is etofenprox and that it had dosage effects. Through genetic analysis using three F₂ populations, sensitivity to etofenprox is confirmed to be managed by a single dominant gene, and that gene is the same in Danbaek and Kwangan. Although further genetic research is required to identify the gene responsible for sensitivity to etofenprox, the results of this study will help to elucidate the interaction between plants and chemicals when breeding new cultivars or developing pesticides.     

Fucoxanthin Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis via Modulation of MAP Kinase and Nrf2 Signaling

Fucoxanthin (FX), a natural carotenoid present in edible brown seaweed, is known for its therapeutic potential in various diseases, including bone disease. However, its underlying regulatory mechanisms in osteoclastogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of FX on osteoclast differentiation and its regulatory signaling pathway. In vitro studies were performed using osteoclast-like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with the soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand or tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interleukin-6. FX treatment significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption ability, and downregulated the expression of osteoclast-specific markers such as nuclear factor of activated T cells 1, dendritic cell-specific seven transmembrane protein, and matrix metallopeptidase 9. Intracellular signaling pathway analysis revealed that FX specifically decreased the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 kinase, and increased the nuclear translocation of phosphonuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Our results suggest that FX regulates the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Nrf2. Therefore, FX is a potential therapeutic agent for osteoclast-related skeletal disorders including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.     

Echinochrome A Treatment Alleviates Fibrosis and Inflammation in Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease caused by the abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis and is activated by non-regulated inflammatory cells and cytokines. Echinochrome A (EchA), a natural pigment isolated from sea urchins, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant activities and beneficial effects in various disease models. The present study demonstrates for the first time that EchA treatment alleviates bleomycin-induced scleroderma by normalizing dermal thickness and suppressing collagen deposition in vivo. EchA treatment reduces the number of activated myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA, vimentin, and phosphorylated Smad3 in bleomycin-induced scleroderma. In addition, it decreased the number of macrophages, including M1 and M2 types in the affected skin, suggesting the induction of an anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, EchA treatment markedly attenuated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, in a murine scleroderma model. Taken together, these results suggest that EchA is highly useful for the treatment of scleroderma, exerting anti-fibrosis and anti-inflammatory effects.     

春大棚黄瓜新品种津优10号的选育

津优10号黄瓜以本所优良自交系81为母本,以荷兰黄瓜与中国黄瓜杂交后代经多代自交获得的自交系48为父本杂交而成.生长势强,第1雌花节位在第4节左右,前期以主蔓结瓜为主,早熟,坐瓜率高,瓜条顺直,亮绿色,中等刺瘤,瓜长36cm,横径3cm,单瓜质量160g,抗黄瓜霜霉病、白粉病、枯萎病能力强,适合春秋大棚栽培,每667m2可达5500kg,目前已在天津、河南、河北、山东、内蒙等地示范推广.     

黑河上游冰沟流域4种土壤有机碳分布特征与土壤特性的关系

为了探讨黑河上游冰沟流域不同土壤有机碳分布特征与土壤特性的关系,为黑河上游冰沟流域水源涵养研究提供科学依据,采用野外采样,室内分析方法,研究了4种土壤有机碳分布特征及其与土壤特性的关系。结果表明：4种土壤有机碳含量和密度在整个土壤剖面上均表现为：森林灰褐土＞高山灌丛草甸土＞高山草甸土＞山地栗钙土,且垂直分布均随土壤深度增加而减少,说明黑河上游冰沟流域的森林灰褐土比其它土壤更有利于土壤有机碳储存和积累。森林灰褐土0～10 cm土壤有机碳密度为4．54 kg·m-2,略高于我国森林土壤0～10 cm土壤平均碳密度（4．24 kg ·m-2）,说明黑河上游冰沟流域的森林灰褐土区雨量充沛,林下植被丰富,凋落物现存量充足。4种土壤0～10 cm土层有机碳含量是整个土壤剖面土壤有机碳含量的30．69％～37．99％,有机碳密度是整个土壤剖面有机碳密度的29．31％～36．77％,说明黑河上游冰沟流域土壤有机碳含量和有机碳密度在表层具有很强的表聚性,不合理的人为活动引发的水土流失极易造成土壤有机碳储量的减少,应增加黑河上游冰沟流域植被覆盖度,保护生态环境,减少水土流失。4种土壤有机碳、全氮、CEC、田间持水量、团聚体在整个土壤剖面上均随土层深度增加而降低,而土壤容重、pH值在整个土壤剖面上均随土层深度增加而增大。经回归统计分析,4种土壤有机碳含量与土壤田间持水量、团聚体、全氮、CEC之间呈显著的正相关关系,与土壤容重、pH之间呈显著的负相关关系。这种变化规律与多数学者研究结果基本一致。     

Policosanol Content and Composition of Korean Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars

Policosanols (PCs) are a group of long‐chain alcohols that have been reported to have many beneficial physiological activities. In this study, the total content and composition of PCs in 15 rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars from Korea were characterized by gas chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. This method proved to be sufficiently precise and accurate with respect to the degree of endogenous biological variability found in the rice samples. Octacosanol (C28) and triacontanol (C30) were the major components of PCs in all cultivars. In addition, there were positive correlations among the determined PC contents. Given its high PC content, the Heughyangbyeo cultivar may appear to be a good candidate for future breeding programs.     

Prevalence of a gene encoding adhesin involved in diffuse adherence among Escherichia coli isolates in pigs with postweaning diarrhea or edema disease.

A total of 604 Escherichia coli strains isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea or edema disease on 653 swine farms were screened for the presence of the adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Escherichia coli isolates that carried AIDA genes were also tested by PCR for the detection of 5 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18, and F41), 3 heat-stable (STa, STb, and EAST1) and 1 heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin, and Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) genes. Forty-five (7.5%) of the 604 E. coli isolates carried the gene for AIDA. Of these 45 isolates, 5 (11.1%) carried EAST1 genes only, 1 (2.2%) carried genes for at least one of the fimbrial adhesins, 12 (26.7%) carried genes for at least one of the toxins, and 27 (60%) carried genes for at least one of the fimbrial adhesins and toxins. Fifty-one percent of strains that carried AIDA genes carried Stx2e genes, and 40% of strains that carried AIDA genes carried F18ab. The isolation rate of enterotoxigenic E. coli strain carrying genes for AIDA was 87%, and the isolation rate of Shiga toxin-producing E. coil strain carrying genes for AIDA was 49%. AIDA may represent an important virulence determinant in pigs with postweaning diarrhea or edema disease.     

Effects of Feeding Rate and Feeding Frequency on Survival, Growth, and Body Composition of Ayu Post-Larvae Plecoglossus altivelis

The effects of feeding rate and feeding frequency on survival, growth and body composition of ayu post‐larvae (0.15 g in body weight and 3.5 cm in total length) were investigated in this study. A factorial experimental design of two feeding rates (3 and 6% of body weight of fish per meal) five feeding frequencies (one meal in 2 d, one meal a day, two meals a day, four meals a day, and six meals a day) with three replicates was used. Survival of ayu post‐larvae was significantly (P 0.05) affected by feeding frequency but not by feeding rate. Survival of ayu improved linearly with feeding frequency at both feeding rates. Weight and length gains and specific growth rate (SGR) of ayu was significantly (P 0.05) affected by feeding frequency but not by feeding rate, with weight and length gains and SGR linearly elevated with increasing feeding frequency at both feeding rates. The greatest weight and length gains were observed in fish receiving six meals daily at both feeding rates; however, no significant difference in weight gain was observed among two, four, and six meals a day, or in length gain between four and six meals a day. Feed efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly (P 0.05) affected by both feeding rate and feeding frequency. FER linearly decreased with feeding frequency at both feeding rates or feeding rate in the same feeding frequency. When the total daily amount of feed supply was constant with various feeding frequencies at different feeding rates (one meal a day at 3% feeding rate and one meal in 2 d at 6% feeding rate, two meals a day at 3% feeding rate and one meal a day at 6% feeding rate, or four meals a day at 3% feeding rate and two meals a day at 6% feeding rate), improvement in survival, weight and length gains, and SGR was observed in fish with higher feeding frequency at lower feeding rate. Moisture, protein, and lipid content of fish were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by either feeding rate or feeding frequency. However, lipid content of ayu linearly increased with feeding frequency at 6% feeding rate. The highest body lipid content was observed in fish receiving six meals daily at both feeding rates. Ash content of fish was significantly (P 0.05) affected by feeding frequency but not by feeding rate. Based on performance of ayu, it can be concluded that optimum feeding rate and feeding frequency for ayu post‐larvae (an initial weight of 0.15 g) were 3% per meal and four meals a day, respectively, under these experimental conditions.     

在绵羊冷冻精液解冻液中添加复合VB提高冻精解冻后品质的研究

按照L9(34)正交表进行实验设计,将复合维生素B、亚硒酸钠维生素E、谷胱甘肽及抗坏血酸在绵羊冻精解冻液中进行单独或组合添加.6号(50.70%±4.32%)和7号解冻液的解冻后活率(55.35%±2.20%)除与4号解冻液(45.29%±4.11%)差异不明显外,均显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)高于其它解冻液.结果表明在解冻液中添加复合维生素B可明显提高冻精的解冻后活率.推荐在绵羊冷冻精液的解冻过程中使用.