Increased Anti-oxidative Potency of Garlic by Spontaneous Short-term Fermentation

Fundamental anti-oxidative properties of 80% ethanol extract from garlic fermented for the relatively short period of time (40 days at 60–70°C, 85–95% relative humidity) were examined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide and the polyphenol content of the garlic extract were increased 13-folds, more than 10-folds, and 7-folds, respectively, as compared with those of the control garlic extract. The results indicate that relatively short-term spontaneous fermentation potentiates anti-oxidative properties of garlic in fresh form, which is, at least in part, attributable to the increased level of polyphenols. Since superoxide is the primary upstream radical of the chain reaction with reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide is generated from the scavenging reaction by SOD, the fermented- garlic is suggested to possess desirable anti-oxidative properties.     

A sesquiterpene quinone, 5-Epi-smenospongine, promotes TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Eight sesquiterpene quinones: ilimaquinone (1), smenospongidine (3), smenospongiarine (5), smenospongine (7), and their corresponding 5-epimers 2, 4, 6, and 8, isolated from the Palauan marine sponge Hippospongia sp., were examined regarding their effects on TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. 5-Epi-smenospongine (8) promoted the production of TNF-α to a level three times greater than the control at 10 μM, but compounds 1–7 did not show apparent activity. The results suggest that the cis-decaline ring and a primary amine in the benzoquinone ring are necessary for activity. This is the first study to report the modulation of TNF-α production by a sesquiterpene quinone.     

The Importance of Sr Isotopic Compositions as an Indicator of Acid-Soluble Minerals in Arid Soils in China

Aeolian particles originating from arid areas in China, termed Kosa, are considered to be a major source of non-sea-salt Ca, a dominant base cation, in acid precipitation in northeastern Asia. We extracted evaporite minerals (halite, gypsum, and carbonate) from the surface soil collected at eight desert and loess areas in northern China with water and acetic acid. Most ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the extracted fractions fell in a restricted range (0.7115 ± 0.0015) and differed from those of bulk soils and acid-insoluble minerals (0.712–0.717). The selective dissolution of the soil carbonates in the atmosphere is consistent with two facts: (1) their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are close to the maximum ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of spring precipitation in Japan, when Kosa activity is marked; and (2) their mole ratios of Mg/Ca (0.15) and Sr/Ca (0.001) are almost identical to those of precipitation in China and Japan when Kosa activity is marked. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, Mg/Ca, and Sr/Ca ratios in the acid-soluble components can be used as indexes of Kosa aerosols in the precipitation of the northwestern Pacific.     

Intrinsic Biodegradation of Heavy Oil from Nakhodka and the Effect of Exogenous Fertilization at a Coastal Area of the Sea of Japan

We performed a field experiment in thebiodegradation of heavy oil spilled from the Russian tankerNakhodka on a beach in the Sea of Japan. We collectedoil-contaminated cobbles and treated half with nitrogen andphosphorus slow-release fertilizers to stimulate microbialdegradation of the oil; the other half acted as unfertilizedcontrols. The cobbles were placed in porous acrylic vessels andsubmerged. We monitored changes in the oils, macronutrients,microbial community structure and amount of chlorophyll a. There were no significant differences in these criteriabetween the fertilized and unfertilized vessels, apart from anincrease in chlorophyll a in the fertilized vessels.However, there was a major intrinsic degradation of semi-volatile oil compounds in the unfertilized vessels; this occurred at a rate similar to that in the fertilized vessels, despite the low concentration of macronutrients in the seawater at the site.     

Serum concentration and safety of intravenous drip versus subcutaneous administration of carboplatin in dogs

Carboplatin is used to treat certain cancers in dogs and cats and is routinely administered via intravenous drip (IVD). Subcutaneous (SC) administration has also been described. However, the toxicity, serum concentrations, and area under blood concentration-time curves (AUCs) of SC carboplatin are unknown. This study aimed to compare serum carboplatin concentrations in dogs after SC and IVD and to monitor any adverse events. In this crossover study, five dogs received SC or IV carboplatin (300 mg/m²). After a minimum of 3 weeks, each dog received the other treatment. No gross skin toxicity or abnormal clinical signs were observed in any of the dogs. Blood test abnormalities were detected in most dogs. Decreased neutrophil and platelet counts, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were found. There was no significant difference in the neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and CRP scores between the groups. Systemic toxicities of SC carboplatin were comparable to those of IVD carboplatin. The time to maximum carboplatin concentration after SC was longer than that after IVD (P<0.001). SC carboplatin remained in the serum longer than IVD carboplatin (P=0.008). The AUC of SC was less than that of IVD (P=0.002). The AUC and time taken to reach the maximum concentration of SC carboplatin were lower than those of IVD carboplatin. This study suggests that SC carboplatin may be an efficacious option for the treatment of tumors in dogs, particularly where IVD administration is challenging.     

Attention but not awareness modulates the BOLD signal in the human V1 during binocular suppression

Although recent psychophysical studies indicate that visual awareness and top-down attention are two distinct processes, it is not clear how they are neurally dissociated in the visual system. Using a two-by-two factorial functional magnetic resonance imaging design with binocular suppression, we found that the visibility or invisibility of a visual target led to only nonsignificant blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) effects in the human primary visual cortex (V1). Directing attention toward and away from the target had much larger and robust effects across all study participants. The difference in the lower-level limit of BOLD activation between attention and awareness illustrates dissociated neural correlates of the two processes. Our results agree with previously reported V1 BOLD effects on attention, while they invite a reconsideration of the functional role of V1 in visual awareness.     

Interactions between the renin-angiotensin system and catecholamines on the cardiovascular system of elasmobranchs

The interaction between homologous dogfish angiotensin II ([Asn¹, Pro³, Ile⁵]-AngII) and catecholamines was examined using blood pressure bioassay. Both noradrenaline and [Asn¹, Pro³, Ile⁵]-Ang II elicited a pressor response. Pre-treatment with phentolamine (1 mg kg^-1) completely abolished the noradrenaline pressor response but did not alter the magnitude of the [Asn¹, Pro³, Ile⁵]-Ang II pressor response although there was an initial delay in the response to [Asn¹, Pro³, Ile⁵]-Ang II. These results indicate that the Ang II-induced pressor response is a direct Ang II-mediated vascular response in elasmobranchs.     

New size measurement for the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Stichopodidae) estimated from the body length and body breadth

ABSTRACT:   Anesthetized body length ( La ), an accurate measurement of body size of Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus , is measured by using l -menthol anesthetizer but it is difficult to apply La in the field. An estimation method of La from only one simultaneous measurement of body length ( L ) and body breadth ( B ), regardless of the degree of contraction or extension of the body, is proposed. In simultaneous measurement of L and B for each of 150 animals of both the green and the black types of A. japonicus , there were significant negative correlations between L and B in all animals. Further, √( L  ×  B ) was approximately constant regardless of the animals' body form (coefficient of variance: 0.01–0.06). Thus, the regression equations for Le , estimated La , were calculated: the green type, Le  = 2.32 + 2.02 × √( L · B ); and the black type, Le  = 1.34 + 2.12 × √( L · B ). The error values between Le from these equations and La were small. The variances of Le were approximately one-quarter of those of L and half of B . From these, the equations can be used for body size measurements taken in the field.     

Granulomatous lymphadenitis associated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 in slaughter barrows

This study evaluated the occurrence of granulomatous lymphadenitis and its association with Actinobacillus spp. in 151 653 slaughtered pigs. Markedly enlarged pulmonary hilar, mediastinal, mandibular or hepatic lymph nodes were detected in 6 castrated males. The cut surfaces showed multifocal yellow-white lesions. Histologically, gram-negative bacilli were visible in the centers of the lesions with asteroid bodies, epithelioid cells, and multinucleated giant cells. Dense fibrous connective tissue surrounded these granulomatous lesions. Immunohistochemically, the organisms reacted with polyclonal antibodies against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 in all 6 barrows. The organism was isolated from the lymph nodes of all 6 animals. The results indicate that the granulomatous lymphadenitis was associated with A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 and the disorder had a tendency to occur in slaughter barrows.