Variation and correlation analysis of flavonoids and carotenoids in Korean pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Flavonoids and carotenoids of pigmented rice ( Oryza sativa L.), including five black cultivars and two red cultivars, from Korea were characterized to determine the diversity among the phytochemicals and to analyze the relationships among their contents. Black cultivars were higher in flavonoids and carotenoids than the red and white cultivars. The profiles of eight phytochemicals identified from the rice grains were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the differences among cultivars. PCA could fully distinguish between these cultivars. The Heugjinjubyeo (BR-1) and Heugseolbyeo (BR-2) cultivars were separated from the others based on flavonoid and carotenoid concentrations. Flavonoid contents had a positive correlation with carotenoid contents among all rice grains. The BR-1 and BR-2 cultivars appear to be good candidates for future breeding programs because they have simultaneously high flavonoid and carotenoid contents.     

Essential regulation of CNS angiogenesis by the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR124

The orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR124/tumor endothelial marker 5 is highly expressed in central nervous system (CNS) endothelium. Here, we show that complete null or endothelial-specific GPR124 deletion resulted in embryonic lethality from CNS-specific angiogenesis arrest in forebrain and neural tube. Conversely, GPR124 overexpression throughout all adult vascular beds produced CNS-specific hyperproliferative vascular malformations. In vivo, GPR124 functioned cell-autonomously in endothelium to regulate sprouting, migration, and developmental expression of the blood-brain barrier marker Glut1, whereas in vitro, GPR124 mediated Cdc42-dependent directional migration to forebrain-derived, vascular endothelial growth factor-independent cues. Our results demonstrate CNS-specific angiogenesis regulation by an endothelial receptor and illuminate functions of the poorly understood adhesion GPCR subfamily. Further, the functional tropism of GPR124 marks this receptor as a therapeutic target for CNS-related vascular pathologies.     

Management factors associated with farrowing rate in commercial sow herds in Ontario

The objectives of this study were to determine associations between low farrowing rate and various management factors in sow herds. In 30 sow herds, a management survey, breeding observations, semen evaluation, and semen storage temperature monitoring were completed. Herds with an average farrowing rate of < 85% were classified as low farrowing rate herds while those with an average farrowing rate of ≥ 85% were classified as good farrowing rate herds. Low farrowing rate herds were more likely than good farrowing rate herds to move boars into gilt pens for estrus detection, breed a high proportion of sows by artificial insemination (AI) only, start heat detection 3 d post-weaning, wipe the vulva prior to breeding, and use “hands-free” AI devices.     

Dehydro-alpha-lapachone isolated from Catalpa ovata stems: activity against plant pathogenic fungi

The methanol extract of stems of Catalpa ovata G Don exhibits potent in vivo antifungal activity against Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr (rice blast) on rice plants, Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr (tomato grey mould) and Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary (tomato late blight) on tomato plants, Puccinia recondita Rob ex Desm (wheat leaf rust) on wheat plants and Blumeria graminis (DC) Speer f. sp. hordei Marchal (barley powdery mildew) on barley plants. An antifungal substance was isolated and identified as dehydro-alpha-lapachone from mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. It completely inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Simmonds, M. grisea and Pythium ultimum Trow over a range of 0.4-33.3 mg litre(-1). It also controlled the development of rice blast, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, barley powdery mildew and red pepper anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr) S Hughes). The chemical was particularly effective in suppressing red pepper anthracnose by 95% at a concentration of 125 mg litre(-1).     

Fabrication of electropsun PLGA and small intestine submucosa-blended nanofibrous membranes and their biocompatibility for wound healing

In recent decades, tremendous research has focused on the production of nanoscale fibers using synthetic polymers, with the goal of fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds for wound healing. However, the hydrophobicity of such polymers typically hinders attachment and proliferation of the cells. In this study, we combined poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and small intestine submucosa (SIS) to fabricate blended nanofibers for wound healing by electrospinning. PLGA and SIS were dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro isopropanol to produce different weight ratios of PLGA/SIS-blended nanofibrous membranes (NFM). Physicochemical characterization of the electrospun NFM was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle analysis, degradation test and tensile testing. The PLGA/SIS-blended NFM showed improved hydrophilicity and tensile strength. Better infiltration, attachment and proliferation of rat granulation fibroblasts of PLGA/SIS-blended NFMs compared to PLGA NFMs were identified by morphological differences determined by SEM and a water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay kit. Based on our results, the PLGA/SIS blended NFMs were found to be suitable for use as a potential material for wound dressing.     

Identification and quantification of cyclolinopeptides in five flaxseed cultivars

Cyclolinopeptides are a group of naturally occurring hydrophobic cyclic peptides found in flaxseed and flax oil that have immunosuppressive activity. This study describes the measurement of flaxseed cyclolinopeptide concentrations using an internal standard HPLC method. In addition, the concentration of cyclolinopeptides in the seed of Canadian flax cultivars grown at two locations over two years is reported. The data are consistent with the formation of flaxseed cyclolinopeptides from two ribosome-derived precursors. Each precursor protein includes the sequences corresponding to three cyclolinopeptides from which those cyclolinopeptides are presumably derived by precursor processing. The concentrations of cyclolinopeptides C and E, which are encoded by the same gene sequence, are highly correlated, and the concentrations of cyclolinopeptides D, F, and G, which are encoded by a second gene sequence, are also highly correlated. The strong correlation between the cyclolinopeptides arising from the same gene may prove to be important in understanding how peptide concentration is controlled. Additional research may lead to approaches to improve flax either as a platform for peptide production or as a source of oil with improved drying properties and flavor.     

Impaired respiratory and body temperature control upon acute serotonergic neuron inhibition

Physiological homeostasis is essential for organism survival. Highly responsive neuronal networks are involved, but their constituent neurons are just beginning to be resolved. To query brain serotonergic neurons in homeostasis, we used a neuronal silencing tool, mouse RC::FPDi (based on the synthetic G protein-coupled receptor Di), designed for cell type-specific, ligand-inducible, and reversible suppression of action potential firing. In mice harboring Di-expressing serotonergic neurons, administration of the ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) by systemic injection attenuated the chemoreflex that normally increases respiration in response to tissue carbon dioxide (CO(2)) elevation and acidosis. At the cellular level, CNO suppressed firing rate increases evoked by CO(2) acidosis. Body thermoregulation at room temperature was also disrupted after CNO triggering of Di; core temperatures plummeted, then recovered. This work establishes that serotonergic neurons regulate life-sustaining respiratory and thermoregulatory networks, and demonstrates a noninvasive tool for mapping neuron function.     

Effect of feeding level on growth and nutrient deposition in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) growing from 150 to 600 g

The effects of feeding level on growth and energy partitioning were studied in rainbow trout growing from 150 to 600 g. Triplicate groups of fish (initial weight 158 g fish^?1) were fed a practical diet at various feeding levels (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of near satiation) for 24 weeks at 8.5°C. The final body weights of fish were 235, 381, 526 and 621 g. Restricted feeding levels significantly reduced live weight gain. Feeding levels had less pronounced effects on feed efficiency ratio, which were 0.98, 1.08, 1.02 and 0.83, respectively, for the 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% feeding levels. The growth of fish fed to near satiation was accurately described by the thermal‐unit growth coefficient. The growth data also showed that the widely used specific growth rate was not an appropriate model. Fish fed at the lowest feeding level (25%), which represented a maintenance ration (energy gain was less than 2 kJ fish^?1 day^?1), showed positive protein deposition but negative lipid deposition. This indicates that fish fed a maintenance ration mobilize body lipid reserve to support protein deposition. The efficiency of energy for growth (k_g) was estimated to be 0.63. The factorial multiple regression approach estimated that the partial efficiencies of metabolizable energy utilization for protein deposition (k_p) and lipid deposition (k_f) were 0.63 and 0.72, and that maintenance energy requirement was about 19 kJ (kg BW^0.824)^?1, for rainbow trout held at 8.5°C.     

Use of marine yeasts as an available diet for mass cultures of Moina macrocopa

A 4‐week feeding trial was conducted to test the use of marine yeasts purified from seawater and sediments as a dietary source in cultivating a cladoceran, Moina macrocopa, a potential alternative live food for fish larvae. Optimal growth conditions of two yeast strains were obtained for NaCl concentration, pH and temperature. Moina macrocopa was cultivated using different diets: marine yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii Yeast‐14 and Candida austromarina Yeast‐16) and a commercial diet (Erythrobacter sp. Sπ‐I). The essential amino acids of both the yeast strains were nearly as great as those in M. microcopa. Further, the yeast‐fed M. macrocopa had essential amino acid profiles similar to the documented values for rotifers and Artemia enriched in microalgae and commercial diets. Erythrobacter sp. Sπ‐I lacked n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3, which were also low but detected in both yeasts. An increase in the 20:5n‐3 [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)] and 22:6n‐3 [docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] levels, compared with the levels in yeast strains themselves, was more pronounced in the 22:6n‐3 level of Moina fed the C. austromarina, resulting in a high DHA:EPA ratio. When the Moina diets were switched, their δ¹³C values shifted gradually towards the values of the switched diets. Diet switch from Erythrobacter sp. Sπ‐I to C. austromarina Yeast‐16 resulted in a more rapid turnover of Moina tissue carbon than that in the inverse case. When fed a mixed diet, the δ¹³C values of Moina tissue approached the value of marine yeasts immediately. These temporal changes in the δ¹³C values of Moina tissue indicate the preferential ingestion of marine yeasts and a selective assimilation of the carbon originated from marine yeasts. These findings suggest that marine yeasts, particularly C. austromarina Yeast‐16, are highly available to mass cultures of M. macrocopa, providing better nutritional and dietary values than the commercial diet (Erythrobacter sp. Sπ‐I).