A black soybean seed coat extract prevents obesity and glucose intolerance by up-regulating uncoupling proteins and down-regulating inflammatory cytokines in high-fat diet-fed mice

Black soybean seed coat extract (BE) is a polyphenol-rich food material consisting of 9.2% cyanidin 3-glucoside, 6.2% catechins, 39.8% procyanidins, and others. This study demonstrated that BE ameliorated obesity and glucose intolerance by up-regulating uncoupling proteins (UCPs) and down-regulating inflammatory cytokines in C57BL/6 mice fed a control or high-fat diet containing BE for 14 weeks. BE suppressed fat accumulation in mesenteric adipose tissue, reduced the plasma glucose level, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in the high-fat diet-fed mice. The gene and protein expression levels of UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue and UCP-2 in white adipose tissue were up-regulated by BE. Moreover, the gene expression levels of major inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were remarkably decreased by BE in white adipose tissue. BE is a beneficial food material for the prevention of obesity and diabetes by enhancing energy expenditure and suppressing inflammation.     

Cutaneous lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with systemic metastasis in a cat

A lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma was diagnosed in a 12- year-old domestic cat that had a primary cutaneous mass involving the stomach, liver, kidneys, heart, abdominal wall, diaphragm, bone marrow and several lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this tumor was the heterogeneity of cell components, such as small lymphocytes, well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes. Amyloid was deposited in the skin, stomach, and several lymph nodes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic small lymphocytes were positive for CD20, and well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes were positive for λ-Ig light chains and MUM1/IRF-4. These results emphasize the importance of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as a differential diagnosis of extramedullary cutaneous plasmacytoma in cats.     

Efficacy of some biodegradable films as pre-harvest covering material for guava

To produce guavas with good commercial or industrial potential, fruit farmers use phytosanitary practices such as fruit bagging. Bagging protects the fruit mainly from the attack of pests, such as the fruit fly (Anastrepha spp.) and the guava weevil (Conotrachelus psidii), and reduces the use of insecticides and fungicides. This investigation aimed to develop and produce biodegradable films from cassava starch and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by extrusion for application in pre-harvest guava fruit bagging. After the fruit harvest, for 6–9 weeks all films were more fragile and rigid, but did not present cracks. BF70 was the most fragile and had the greatest tendency to tear; however, it remained whole until harvesting. Fruit bagged with films BF30, BF50, BF70 was analyzed for fruit quality and compared with PSF control and non-bagged fruit. There was no difference between the treatments relative to physical and chemical characteristics, indicating that biodegradable film did not influence fruit development when compared to the PSF control.     

QTL analysis of morphological traits and pseudostem pigmentation in bunching onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium fistulosum</Emphasis>)

Pseudostems of bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) show wide variation in morphological traits and skin color. However, despite being one of the most important agronomic traits, molecular studies of bunching onion pseudostems remain limited. In this study, six morphological traits (plant height, leaf length, pseudostem length, leaf width, pseudostem width and number of leaf sheaths) along with pseudostem pigmentation indices were evaluated in two field trials using an F_2:3 population derived from a single F₁ cross between a white single pseudostem (non-tillering) and a red tillering bunching onion. Plant height was highly correlated with both leaf length and pseudostem length, but not the number of leaf sheaths. In contrast, the number of leaf sheaths was significantly negatively correlated with both leaf width and pseudostem width. A total of 27 QTLs for the six morphological traits were detected in 16 regions of 11 linkage groups, with a major QTL for the number of leaf sheaths repeatedly detected on Chr. 8. Meanwhile, two QTLs associated with pseudostem pigmentation were repeatedly detected on linkage groups Chr. 4a and Chr. 5a-2. The latter (qPig5a-2) was considered a major QTL, and its location estimated by marker genotyping of the F₂ population around the qPig5a-2 region as being within a 7.6 cM interval.     

Effect of a stepwise lighting method termed “stage reduced lighting” using LED and metal halide fishing lamps in the Japanese common squid jigging fishery

Lighting systems combining light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and metal halide lamps (MHs) are expected to be energy-saving tools in Japan??s squid jigging fishery. Previous research has shown the need for light stronger than LEDs (9?kW) and 36 MHs (108?kW) to catch the Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus. We tested a stepwise lighting method termed ??stage reduced lighting?? in the Tsushima Strait in January and February 2010 using nine fishing boats. LEDs (9?kW) and 50 MHs (150?kW) were lit for 3.9?h on average, and then the number of MHs was reduced to either 30 or 36 until the end of fishing (7.3?h on average). This method reduced fuel consumption by 22?C25?% compared to the continuous use of all fishing lamps (159?kW). We carried out a catch analysis of nine experimental boats and 21 commercial boats during the experimental period. Generalized linear modeling analysis suggested that the squid catch can be explained by the illuminated fraction of the moon and monthly changes in squid abundance, and the lighting method. The stage reduced lighting using LEDs and MHs has the potential to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining the squid catch.     

Self-feeding behavior of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, in net cages: diel and seasonal patterns and influences of environmental factors

The self-feeding pattern of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, maintained in floating net cages was examined throughout a year, and the influence of seasonal changes of the photoperiod and water temperature on the feeding pattern was investigated. Two groups of 50 yellowtail (initial mean body weight about 50 and 80 g, respectively) were kept in two experimental net cages (2×3×4 m deep), with a self-feeding device installed on each. It was possible to maintain yellowtail in net cages using a self-feeder throughout almost a year. The number of daily food demands was greatly affected by the seasonal changes in water temperature. Yellowtail showed high self-feeding activity, above 18 °C; depressing water temperatures did not influence the activity when the water temperature was over 18 °C. However, the activity decreased when the water temperature fell below 18 °C. The feeding pattern in a 24-h period was greatly affected by the temporal changes in light intensity. Annual observations revealed that yellowtail showed generally crepuscular plus nocturnal feeding behavior and had two peaks of feeding activity a day. These peaks appeared at dawn and dusk; moreover, a clear association between the most active time of self-feeding and the period of the greatest change in light intensity was observed. The results suggest that a change in light intensity might stimulate the appetite of yellowtail or that there is a light level at which yellowtail prefer to eat.     

Hemolytic suppression roles of taurine in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata fed non-fishmeal diet based on soybean protein

ABSTRACT:   To elucidate the hemolytic suppression roles of taurine and the necessity of dietary taurine supplementation in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata fed a diet without fishmeal, juvenile fish with an initial body weight of 250 g were fed for 40 weeks in floating net cages on soybean protein diets supplemented with 0, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0% taurine. Taurine concentration of the experimental diets were 0.03, 33.9, 52.8 and 71.6 mg/g, respectively. On the 21st week, fish fed the taurine unsupplemented diet had inferior growth and feed performances, higher death, and there were incidences of green liver and hemolytic anemia. In this group, hepatic and plasma taurine concentrations, serum osmolality and osmotic tolerance of erythrocytes (EC50 value) were significantly lower, and plasma hydroperoxide concentration was markedly higher than in the taurine supplemented groups. These conditions markedly improved corresponding with the increase of dietary taurine concentration. These results indicate that taurine plays a role in hemolytic suppression through osmoregulation and biomembrane stabilization in fish. In addition, it is suggested that yellowtail requires dietary taurine as an essential nutrition for maintaining physiological condition normally.     

Non‐target site SDHI resistance is present as standing genetic variation in field populations of Zymoseptoria tritici

BACKGROUND

A new generation of more active succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh) inhibitors (SDHIs) is currently widely used to control Septoria leaf blotch in northwest Europe. Detailed studies were conducted on Zymoseptoria tritici field isolates with reduced sensitivity to fluopyram and isofetamid; SDHIs which have only just or not been introduced for cereal disease control, respectively.

RESULTS

Strong cross‐resistance between fluopyram and isofetamid, but not with other SDHIs, was confirmed through sensitivity tests using laboratory mutants and field isolates with and without Sdh mutations. The sensitivity profiles of most field isolates resistant to fluopyram and isofetamid were very similar to a lab mutant carrying SdhC‐A84V, but no alterations were found in SdhB, C and D. Inhibition of mitochondrial Sdh enzyme activity and control efficacy in planta for those isolates was severely impaired by fluopyram and isofetamid, but not by bixafen. Isolates with similar phenotypes were not only detected in northwest Europe but also in New Zealand before the widely use of SDHIs.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of SDHI‐specific non‐target site resistance in Z. tritici. Monitoring studies show that this resistance mechanism is present and can be selected from standing genetic variation in field populations. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Isolation, characterization, and quantitative analysis of ceruloplasmin from horses.

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) was isolated from fresh equine plasma by precipitation, cellulose chromatography, and improved ion-exchange chromatography. Purified equine Cp is a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 115,000. In electrophoresis, equine Cp migrated to the alpha 1-globulin region, its isoelectric point was about 4.15 and consisted of about 890 amino acid residues. Serum Cp concentration was measured by use of the single radial immunodiffusion method. In clinically normal horses, the mean (+/- SD) serum Cp concentration of newborn foals was 2.87 +/- 0.40 mg/ml and that of 3-month-old foals was 5.02 +/- 0.92 mg/ml, which was similar to the adult value. It reached a peak of 6.06 +/- 0.74 mg/ml in 2-year-old horses. The Cp concentration in mares was not statistically different for the perinatal period, but it decreased immediately before and after delivery. Concentration of Cp increased at 6 days after IM administration of turpentine oil, castration, or jejunojejunostomy in adult horses, and increased to peak values twice as high as baseline values at 7 to 14 days, returning to baseline values at 28 days after treatment. We concluded that equine serum Cp is an acute-phase reactive protein increased in the intermediary or later phase of acute inflammation.