Growth variability of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis: survival potential of minority versus majority

Growth variability was examined for Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis, based on samples collected during the winter spawning season in 2013 and 2014. The growth rate index (residual of the otolith marginal 3‐day mean increment width from the linear regression on knob length) of larvae was compared among three areas: the inshore side of the Kuroshio axis, the Kuroshio axis, and the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis in relation to sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS) and chlorophyll‐a (CHL) concentration. The larvae were more densely distributed in the Kuroshio axis and offshore areas of higher temperature and salinity and lower chlorophyll‐a concentration than in the inshore areas of lower temperature and salinity and higher chlorophyll‐a concentration. No marked differences in the growth rate index were found among the three areas, even though the larvae in the inshore areas showed slightly higher growth rates in 2013. Despite the broad ranges of environmental factors, no clear relationship between the growth rate index and any environmental factor was detected. The survival potential of Pacific saury larvae was considered to be at least comparable under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis. Such a geographical homogeneity is concluded to be attributable to compensable effects of physical and biological factors. We hypothesize that the minority under physically‐unfavorable but biologically‐favorable conditions on the inshore side of the Kuroshio axis could survive equally well as the majority under physically‐favorable but biologically‐unfavorable conditions around the Kuroshio axis and on the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis.     

Induced ovulation of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) using a combination of a gonadotrop‐releasing hormone analogue and domperidone

The effects of an intraperitoneal hormone injection of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹‐NEt GnRHa) alone or in combination with a dopamine antagonist, domperidone (DOM), on ovulation induction in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were tested. The hormone treatments were as follows: 6 mg kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) of carp pituitary extract as a positive control, GnRHa 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg⁻¹ BW and a combination of GnRHa and DOM as follows: 10 μg+5 mg, 20 μg+10 mg, 40 μg+20 mg and 80 μg+40 mg kg⁻¹ BW. Physiological saline (0.7% NaCl) was used as a negative control. Significant differences in the ovulation ratio, latency period and ovulation index (OI) were observed among treatments (P<0.05). The combination of GnRHa and DOM at doses of 40 μg+20 mg kg⁻¹ BW had higher values of the ovulation ratio and OI, and a shorter latency period compared with other treatments. The highest OI in GnRHa treatments was only 56.67%, suggesting a dopaminergic tone on gonadotropin secretion in this fish at the pre‐ovulatory stage. Therefore, ovulation can be successfully induced in yellow catfish with 40 μg kg⁻¹ GnRHa+20 mg kg⁻¹ DOM without affecting the egg quality.     

Nod2 mutation in Crohn's disease potentiates NF-kappaB activity and IL-1beta processing

Variants of NOD2, an intracellular sensor of bacteria-derived muramyl dipeptide (MDP), increase susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). These variants are thought to be defective in activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and antibacterial defenses, but CD clinical specimens display elevated NF-kappaB activity. To illuminate the pathophysiological function of NOD2, we introduced such a variant to the mouse Nod2 locus. Mutant mice exhibited elevated NF-kappaB activation in response to MDP and more efficient processing and secretion of the cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). These effects are linked to increased susceptibility to bacterial-induced intestinal inflammation and identify NOD2 as a positive regulator of NF-kappaB activation and IL-1beta secretion.     

瑞香狼毒根提取物杀虫活性成分的分离与鉴定

通过活性跟踪的方法,对瑞香狼毒(StellerachameajasmeL.)根的乙醇提取物的石油醚萃取物和氯仿萃取物作了进一步分离,从其石油醚萃取物中分离得活性成分β-谷甾醇;从其氯仿萃取物中分离得3种活性成分,即伞形花内酯、瑞香亭和狼毒色原酮.     

Pairing without superfluidity: the ground state of an imbalanced Fermi mixture

We used radio-frequency spectroscopy to study pairing in the normal and superfluid phases of a strongly interacting Fermi gas with imbalanced spin populations. At high spin imbalances, the system does not become superfluid even at zero temperature. In this normal phase, full pairing of the minority atoms was observed. Hence, mismatched Fermi surfaces do not prevent pairing but can quench the superfluid state, thus realizing a system of fermion pairs that do not condense even at the lowest temperature.     

Immunohistochemical study of osteopontin in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury

Expression of osteopontin (OPN) was investigated in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury. Western blot analysis demonstrated that OPN protein increased significantly in the spinal cord during the early stages after injury. The increased expression of OPN was partially paralleled by that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Immunohistochemical staining showed that OPN was expressed in proliferating activated microglia/macrophages in core lesions and in some astrocytes at the periphery of lesions. These results indicate that expression of OPN protein increases mainly in activated microglia/macrophages after spinal cord injury, suggesting that OPN is related to cell proliferation during the early stages after injury, probably leading to tissue remodeling.     

荔蝽中乙酰胆碱酯酶活性与自然抗药性的关系

本文研究了荔蝽头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性的季节性变化与自然抗药性的关系,以及敌百虫对AChE的影响,同时运用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法,探讨了荔蝽酯酶同功酶的变动情况。结果表明:荔蝽正常成虫头部AChE活性在新羽化成虫中最高,比活力达3.5μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,越冬期最低,仅1.17μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,到生殖期又上升为2.67μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质。经敌百虫处理后,在新羽化成虫期和生殖期AChE活性有明显被抑制现象,其比活力分别为2.21μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质和2.04μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,而在越冬期AChE活性几乎不受敌百虫影响,为1.24μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,同功酶谱也显示AChE在不同季节中无明显变化。     

Optimization of Enzymatic Treatments for Deskinning of Catfish Nuggets

One collagenase (CLS1^®) and two proteases (Proleather FG-F^® and Protease N^®) were used to deskin the peritoneal membrane of catfish nuggets. The factors were used in a full factorial experiment design: enzyme solution concentration (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4% by weight), temperature of enzyme solution (30, 37, and 44°C), and immersion time (10, 15, and 20 min). Contour plots showed that the enzyme Proleather FG-F^® maximized whiteness of catfish nuggets at 40–44°C for 15–19 min. Treatment of the enzyme Proleather FG-F^® at 0.2% for 15 min had the highest yield (103.4%) at 44°C. Enzymatic skinning has potential in removing the peritoneal membrane from catfish nuggets, improving color (whiteness), and yield.