Evaluation of Caspase-3 and Ki-67 expression in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by Platycodi radix water extract in Sprague–Dawley rats

Platycodi radix is widely used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. This study aimed to investigate cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) potential in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by a Platycodi radix water extract in a subchronic toxicity study. One hundred formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded stomach tissues of rats treated with Platycodi radix at doses of 0, 500, 1,000, and 3,000 mg/kg body weight/day were used for the analysis. They were conventionally stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemically (IHC) stained using caspase-3 and Ki-67 antibodies. The incidence of squamous cell hyperplasia was significantly increased in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group in both sexes (p<0.01). However, the hyperplastic change was completely repaired after 4 weeks of recovery period. Ki-67 expression was similar in all groups, with no statistically significant differences among the groups. Caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in both sexes in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group (p<0.01), compared with the vehicle control groups, and then reduced to normal levels in the recovery groups in both sexes. In conclusion, this study showed that squamous cell hyperplasia induced by the Platycodi radix water extract in the limiting ridge of the stomach is not considered to be abnormal proliferative change; as a result, squamous cell hyperplasia is considered to be a non-adverse effect when induced by the oral administration of the Platycodi radix water extract once daily for 13 weeks in rats.     

An ecosystem-based assessment of the Korean blue crab trammel net fishery in the Yellow Sea and management implications

Landings in the blue crab, Portunus trituberculatus, fishery in Korean waters of the Yellow Sea have declined substantially from 11,000 t in the 1980s to 2,300 t in 2004. Blue crab habitat quality in the Yellow Sea has been degraded by anthropogenic activities including sand mining, land reclamation, and coastal pollution. Various traditional management measures have been implemented, including closed seasons during spawning and size limits, but these measures alone have been unsuccessful to conserve blue crab stocks. Consequently, a total allowable catch and a stock-rebuilding program using an ecosystem-based management approach were implemented in 2003 and 2006, respectively to rebuild blue crab stocks and restore habitats. This program involved assessment of both blue crab stock status and trammel-net fishery impacts at an ecosystem-level using an ecosystem-based fisheries assessment method ( [Zhang et al., 2009] and [Zhang et al., 2010]), which considered fishery data from catch and effort time-series, crab population biology, and ecosystem characteristics, including habitats and environmental conditions. Recent (2008) management status indices have shown significant positive change compared to conditions in 2000 with respect to sustainability of the stock and fishery and with regards to biodiversity and ecosystem habitat quality.     

Evaluation and characterization of a novel probiotic Lactobacillus pentosus PL11 isolated from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) for its use in aquaculture

In the present study, a potential Lactobacilli probiotics were isolated from Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) and characterized and evaluated for their possible use in eel farming. Sixteen Lactobacilli were isolated from intestines of Japanese eels, using selective media. The lactobacilli strains (represented as PL1 to PL16) were screened by their ability to produce digestive enzyme. Among these, three strains (PL11, PL13 and PL16) producing four digestive enzymes (amylase, cellulase, protease and phytase) simultaneously were characterized further using API ZYM kit. From these, PL11 (Lactobacillu (L.) pentosus) was identified as potential probiotics candidate producing 15 enzymes among 20 tested. Further examination of biological activities of PL11 revealed tolerance against pH, artificial bile juice and antibacterial activity against several fish pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro competitive exclusion assay also revealed 88.4% reduction in adhesion of fish pathogen (Edwardsiella tarda) by PL11 to host intestinal mucus. In vitro incubation of Japanese eel foregut with Baclight‐labelled PL11 showed colonization of the enterocyte surface by confocal and scanning electron microscopy. In summary, PL11 isolated from eels could serve as a potential probiotics with acid and bile tolerance, production of digestive enzymes, antibacterial activity and inhibition of fish pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucus.     

唇(鱼骨)(♀)×花(鱼骨)(♂)杂交育种初步研究

研究分析了唇(鱼骨)(♀)×花(鱼骨)(♂)杂交育种的特点和可行性.结果表明:2008-2011年,共计获得约164万粒受精卵,杂交F1鱼苗111.7万尾.在水温18～26℃条件下,唇(鱼骨)(♀)×花(鱼骨)(♂)的催产率、受精率和孵化率可达到85.5％～89.2％、80.6％～81.2％和80％～85.6％.在水温(20±1)℃条件下,杂交F1受精卵在受精后94 h 10 min,仔鱼开始出膜.初孵仔鱼全长5.75 ～ 6.83 mm.杂交F1成鱼的体色和体型与母本比较相近.唇(鱼骨)(♀)×花(鱼骨)(♂)的杂交育种是可行的.     

16S rRNA在海洋微生物系统分子分类鉴定及分子检测中的应用

16SrRNA序列分析作为微生物系统分类的主要依据已得到了广泛认同，随着微生物核糖体RNA数据库的日臻完善，该技术成为细菌分类和鉴定的一个有力工具。本文总结了16SrRNA作为海洋微生物系统分子分类鉴定的理论基础和具体方法，分析了用16SrRNA研究海洋微生物的进化关系，并且对16SrRNA在海洋微生物分子检测中的应用作一评述。     

Distribution and migration of Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea

Data on squid catches of Korean and Japan, water temperatures at depth of 100 m, and night-visible images of fishing boats collected in the East (Japan) Sea from 1970 to 1999 were analyzed to examine the distribution and migration of the Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The main fishing grounds detected from squid catch in each grid (0.5° latitude × 0.5° longitude) by Korean squid fishery and night-visible images provided by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) were situated in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The distribution and migration route was illustrated from squid catch in each grid and DMSP OLS image. In years of high catches, the fishing grounds were situated mainly between Ulleung Island and the eastern coastal waters of Korea, while in years of low catches they were situated between Ulleung Island and the Yamato Bank in the central East (Japan) Sea. The center of fishing activity began moving northward from around the Korea/Tsushima strait to the northern boundary of the Tsushima Warm Current in March, reaching into the Yamato Bank in September, and then returning to the strait by February. The northward and southward migration routes differed; the northward migration route occurred closer to the mainland coast of Korea than the southward migration route did. This work suggests T. pacificus begin their northward migration almost 2 months earlier than previously suggested.     

Structure of the intratesticular duct system for sperm emission in the starspotted smooth-hound Mustelus manazo

We conducted histological observation of male germ cells and reproductive organs of the starspotted smooth-hound Mustelus manazo in Tokyo Bay to reveal any abnormality in male reproductive traits, as part of a study to elucidate the factors causing recent fluctuation in abundance of the population. Spermatogenesis proceeded in spermatocysts from the germinal zone in the ventral part of the testis to the degenerative zone in the dorsal part, where the spermatozoa were conveyed into the ciliated lumina of the attached terminal branches of the intratesticular ducts. The intratesticular ducts were classified from their terminal ends into branch, stem, and collecting tubules. The ducts formed in the germinal zone and grew as the spermatocysts developed. An opening formed through the wall of each of the most mature spermatocysts into a branch tubule; bundles of spermatozoa were evacuated through this opening into the branch and then the stem tubule and subsequently into the collecting tubules in the rete testis and the efferent duct connected to the epididymis. Spermatocysts that were unable to emit sperm because of failure of adhesion to the branch tubules were disorganized in situ, as were their spermatozoa. The collapsed spermatocysts seem to be cleared by hemophagocytosis with lymphocytes and leukocytes, which may have been recruited from the epigonal organ. There were no specific abnormalities in the spermatogenesis or the morphological structure of testes, which suggested that an abnormality of male reproductive traits was not the major cause of the recent fluctuation in the population abundance of this species. Details of the intratesticular duct system for sperm emission to the epididymis are the first findings in elasmobranchs worldwide.     

扇贝多肽对氧化所致胸腺细胞凋亡的影响

观察扇贝多肽(Polypeptide from Chlamys ferreri)(PCF)对实验性氧化所致小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的影响。采用台盼蓝(Trypan Blue)活细胞拒染法在普通光学显微镜下观察细胞的存活率；以四甲基氮唑盐(MTT)法测定细胞的增殖活性；以生化检测(DNA ladder)法观察PCF对细胞DNA片断化的影响；用透射电镜观察细胞的超微形态结构变化。台盼蓝染色法证实PCF能增强细胞的活性并与PCF浓度成正比；MTT法表明PCF不仅能保护细胞免受损伤，而且还能促进细胞的增殖，并有PCF依赖性；生化检测显示PCF能减少细胞凋亡的DNA片断化数目；细胞的超微结构还表明PCF能维持细胞结构的完整性。PCF可明显抑制实验性氧化损伤小鼠胸腺细胞的凋亡并有药物依赖性，而且明显优于维生素C。     

Biochemical Properties of Pelagic Fish Proteins as Affected by Isolation Methods and Gel Properties by Heating Methods

The biochemical and gel properties of Pacific sardine and Pacific mackerel were characterized as affected by preparation and cooking methods. Four to eight times more salt soluble proteins were extracted from water-washed paste than fish protein isolate (FPI) paste. Higher total sulfhydryl content was measured in FPI, indicating the exposure of sulfhydryl groups during alkaline extraction. Comparing gel properties based on two cooking methods (slow and fast), the two pelagic fish proteins performed quite differently. Heating rate did not differentiate between surimi and FPI gels from sardine. However, mackerel exhibited higher texture values when using the fast cooking method, indicating the presence of high levels of proteolytic enzymes. Water-washed surimi gels were whiter than FPI for both species. Water retention ability appeared to be higher with mackerel than sardine, regardless of isolation and cooking method. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) also supported a difference in processing chemistry and thermal behavior between two methods for protein isolation and cooking, respectively.     

秋季济南地区鱼类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

于2014年和2015年秋季对济南地区23个采样点的鱼类群落结构和环境因子特征进行了野外调查。结果表明:两年调查中采集到鱼类分别为5目25种和6目28种,各采样点鱼类个体数量平均值为45.61尾和66.48尾,香农威纳指数分别为1.45和1.81,均匀度指数分别为0.72和0.74。典范对应分析表明,2014年影响鱼类群落结构的主要环境因子是水温和总氮;2015年影响鱼类群落结构的主要环境因子是总磷和总氮。