Green tea polyphenol extract regulates the expression of genes involved in glucose uptake and insulin signaling in rats fed a high fructose diet

Green tea has antidiabetic, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models, but the molecular mechanisms of these effects have not been fully understood. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate the relative expression levels and the effects of green tea (1 and 2 g solid extract/kg diet) on the expression of glucose transporter family genes (Glut1/Slc2a1, Glut2/Slc2a2, Glut3/Slc2a3, and Glut4/Slc2a4) and insulin signaling pathway genes (Ins1, Ins2, Insr, Irs1, Irs2, Akt1, Grb2, Igf1, Igf2, Igf1r, Igf2r, Gsk3b, Gys1, Pik3cb, Pik3r1, Shc1, and Sos1) in liver and muscle of rats fed a high-fructose diet known to induce insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Glut2 and Glut4 were the major Glut mRNAs in rat liver and muscle, respectively. Green tea extract (1 g) increased Glut1, Glut4, Gsk3b, and Irs2 mRNA levels by 110, 160, 30, and 60% in the liver, respectively, and increased Irs1 by 80% in the muscle. Green tea extract (2 g) increased Glut4, Gsk3b, and Pik3cb mRNA levels by 90, 30, and 30% but decreased Shc1 by 60% in the liver and increased Glut2, Glut4, Shc1, and Sos1 by 80, 40, 60, and 50% in the muscle. This study shows that green tea extract at 1 or 2 g/kg diet regulates gene expression in the glucose uptake and insulin signaling pathway in rats fed a fructose-rich diet.     

Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume,plasma chemistry parameters,and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride

This study evaluated the effects of administering oral powder electrolytes on packed cell volume (PCV), plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating on a 6-day 162-km trail ride in which water was not offered ad libitum. Twenty-three horses received grain with powder electrolytes daily while 19 control horses received grain only. Horses were ridden approximately 32 km a day at a walk or trot. Packed cell volume and plasma chemistry parameters were analyzed daily. Episodes of colic were diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian unaware of treatment group allocation. Blood parameters and incidence of colic were compared between treatment groups. Electrolyte administration did not alter PCV or plasma chemistry parameters compared to controls. The incidence of colic was significantly higher in treated horses (P = 0.05). Oral powder electrolytes did not enhance hydration status or electrolyte homeostasis and may be associated with colic in horses participating on long distance trail rides similar to this model.     

Broken eggs as a cause of infertility of coho salmon gametes

Egg content originating from ruptured ova progressively reduced the success of fertilization in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) eggs. The salmon egg differs in ionic composition from the ovarian fluid in exhibiting higher K⁺ and Mg²⁺ and lower Na⁺ concentrations. Normal ovarian fluid induced spermatozoan motility whereas ovarian fluid contaminated with egg content progressively lost the ability to induce motility. Loss of motility was related to decreasing $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ratios in the ovarian fluid, indicating that reduced fertility may be caused by inactivation of sperm cells in the insemination medium. Removal of contaminated ovarian fluid by rinsing ova in isotonic media induced spermatozoan motility and restored fertility completely. The use of an isotonic NaHCO₃ solution for rinsing of ova is suggested as a routine procedure for artificial insemination in salmonids where the presence of broken eggs is suspected.     

The hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for microalgal production

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for the mass production of microalgae was designed, constructed and preliminarily evaluated. The 9266-l experimental system consists of two enclosed turbidostats hydraulically linked to a series of six open continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs). The system was monitored and controlled using GENESIS process control software. A production study was preformed using Isochrysis sp. (C-iso) to assess system stability and production potential under commercial-like conditions. The study was performed at the following target system parameters: system dilution rate of 0.49 per day, pH 7.6, NITROGEN=10 mg l⁻¹, PHOSPHORUS=2 mg l⁻¹, and artificial illumination (photosynthetic photon flux density) from 1000 W metal halide LAMPS=800 μmol s⁻¹ m⁻². At steady state conditions, daily harvested algal paste was 1454 g (wet), mean areal system PRODUCTIVITY=47.8±3.04 g m⁻² per day (17.1±1.09 g C m⁻² per day) and mean CFSTR6 DENSITY=105.5±6.71 mg l⁻¹.     

Bench-Scale Evaluation of a Micro-Computer Automated Algal Turbidostat

A bench-scale, micro-computer automated algal turbidostat was constructed and its production and culture maintenance capabilities were evaluated. The computer program "Supervisor," written in Turbo Pascal, consisted of a series of functions and procedures integrated through a core program consisting of a: 1) stack; 2) bubble sort routine; and 3) supervisor procedure. The program controlled the daily routine procedures including harvesting, feeding, monitoring and a semimonthly disinfection process. Data received from the monitoring devices were used by the computer for decision making processes concerning changes in operation. In addition to reducing labor, continuous computer monitoring insured more reliable system operation.
The system operated successfully for five months, reliably producing Chlorella minutissima . For each harvesting event, the percent volume removed from each chamber depended on the solar cell reading recorded immediately before the harvest cycle began. Significant correlations between millivolts and algal biomass concentrations allowed the use of solar cells as a reliable and inexpensive method of culture density management. Kinetic studies using Chlorella minutissima resulted in a maximum biomass concentration of approximately 190 g/m³ and an average specific growth rate of 0.66/d. Experimental data combined with a first order computer analysis projected a daily harvest of 82 g/m³/d (dry weight) based on a 38% turnover rate, the average observed harvest rate for the three chambers.     

Big impacts from small abstractions: The effects of surface water abstraction on freshwater fish assemblages

1. Abstractions and diversions are prevalent in river networks worldwide; however, specific mechanisms and measures reflecting changes in functional characteristics of aquatic assemblages in response to flow abstraction have not been well established. In particular, the influence of small takes on fish assemblages is poorly understood.
2. Field surveys and stable‐isotope analyses were used to evaluate the impact of differing levels of flow abstraction on fish assemblage structure, and native–non‐native patterns of coexistence, associated with small surface water abstractions in four streams in New Zealand. Study design accounted for longitudinal processes (spatial autocorrelation) to isolate the effects of abstractions on fish assemblages.
3. Reaches with reduced flows downstream of abstraction points had significantly lower fish abundances per metre of stream length, probably because of decreased habitat size, altered interspecific interactions and barriers to movement. The loss of larger fish in reaches with high abstraction resulted in shallower mass–abundance slopes and shorter stable isotope‐derived food‐chain lengths, likely to have been caused by fewer trophic links in the food web. The large fish absent from these reaches were flow‐sensitive introduced salmonids, resulting in higher relative abundances of small‐bodied native fish, probably as a result of predatory and competitive release.
4. Quantification of metrics designed to characterize ecosystem functioning as well as abundance and species composition indicated that small water abstractions can alter both the structure and composition of stream fish assemblages and modify the outcomes of native–non‐native species interactions. Thus, a better understanding of the effects of small abstractions could be used to improve the strategic management of fish in invaded riverscapes.

     

Mammalian Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Indirectly Stimulates Sex Steroid Production in Tilapia

Abstract.— Fish possess a growth hormone similar to mammalian growth hormone, and the presence of a growth hormone-releasing hormone-like material in the brain has been demonstrated in several teleost species. We investigated the effect of a mammalian growth hormone-releasing hormone on serum estradiol-17β and testosterone concentrations in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus and a hybrid O. niloticus × O aureus because growth hormone has been implicated in the regulation of gonadal functions in teleosts. Three hours after injecting the releasing hormone, male and female serum testosterone concentrations significantly increased compared to controls, while serum estradiol-17β concentrations increased significantly only in females. These increases were commensurate with respective serum steroid concentrations in fish injected with gonadotropin releasing-hormone. Studies utilizing hypophysectomized fish resulted in non-detectable levels of serum sex steroids in fish treated with the growth hormone-releasing hormone; however, significant increases occurred in fish treated with human chorionic gonadotropin. Similarly, gonadal tissue incubated with growth hormone releasing hormone had non-detectable levels of sex steroids in the media, whereas gonads incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin had significant increases in sex steroid concentrations. These studies suggest that growth hormone-releasing hormone acts at the level of the pituitary. Although mammalian growth hormones have been shown to increase serum gonadotropic hormone concentrations, this study provides evidence that a mammalian growth hormone-releasing hormone has the ability to indirectly increase sex steroid levels in fish.     

Trophic niche segregation among native whitefish and invasive vendace in a north Norwegian lake system

Introductions and invasions of non-native species alter nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics resulting in significant ecological disturbance. Stable isotope data were used to test for evidence of invader-induced trophic niche differences in a north Norwegian lake system differentially dominated by native European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) morphotypes and invasive vendace (Coregonus albula). Aspects of both realised trophic niche position and trophic niche width were affected by the invader, with the effects varying by whitefish morphotype. Densely rakered pelagic whitefish demonstrated a relatively lower reliance on pelagic resources in the presence of the invader and the isotopic niche size was relatively larger in conjunction with the broadening of the prey base. Within the benthic-dwelling sparsely rakered whitefish morphotype, the trophic impacts of invading vendace were size-dependent, with larger individuals experiencing niche compression. Smaller sparsely rakered whitefish increased, contrary to our hypothesis, reliance on pelagic-based energy in the face of invasion. Our findings demonstrate that the trophic ecology of invaded systems can differ in multiple and subtle ways that have consequences for community- and ecosystem-level energy flows, which if persisting over time are likely to have implications for the recruitment, growth and reproductive rate of the native fishes.