Lipid content and fatty acid composition of freshwater eels Anguilla japonica caught in different seasons and locations in South Korea

Fisheries Science - The objective of this study is to determine the lipid content and fatty acid composition of Anguilla japonica caught in South Korea. Seventy-nine eels caught at four different...     

DEMAND FOR AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS IN TAIWAN: AN APPLICATION OF THE GENERALIZED MODEL

ABSTRACT

Policy decisions on what aquaculture products to develop require information on consumer demand for cultured species. However, information on the structure of demand for aquaculture products is limited and what few studies there are in Taiwan, where aquaculture is a major industry, suffer from methodological problems. To clear up some of these problems, we used modified nonnested testing techniques and performance forecasting to determine which generalized models could best estimate the demand for Taiwanese aquaculture products. The results of modified nonnested testing of the aquaculture demand system showed that prices predetermined and quantities predetermined could be used to estimate demand. The generalized ordinary demand model was able to better forecast performance than the generalized inverse demand model. We used the likelihood ratio test to discriminate among the four competing models for the generalized ordinary model; the AIDS model could be more suitably applied to the data. A more general model that is able to incorporate different dynamic structures (partial adjustment, first autoregressive, and static). This general framework is applied to the AIDS model. The first autoregressive AIDS model we used to calculate the own and cross-price elasticities for milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, shellfish, and carps found that price elasticities varied across fish type, that some products had high long-run own price elasticities, and that the demand for aquaculture products was largely determined by inertia.     

Scalarane-Type Sesterterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Lendenfeldia sp. Alleviate Inflammation in Human Neutrophils

Sponge-derived scalaranes are remarkable sesterterpenoids previously found to exhibit profound inhibitory effects against neutrophilic inflammation. In our current work, we constructed the metabolomic profile of marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. for the first time using a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) molecular networking approach. The results highlighted the rich chemical diversity of these scalaranes, motivating us to conduct further research to discover novel scalaranes targeting neutrophilic inflammation. MS- and NMR-assisted isolation and elucidation led to the discovery of seven new homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes K–Q (1–7), characterized by methylation at C-24, together with five known derivatives, lendenfeldarane B (8), 25-nor-24-methyl-12,24-dioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (9), 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (10), felixin B (11), and 23-hydroxy-20-methyldeoxoscalarin (12). Scalaranes 1–4 and 6–12 were assayed against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively. The results indicated that 1–3 and 6–12 exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities (IC₅₀ for superoxide anion scavenging: 0.87~6.57 μM; IC₅₀ for elastase release: 1.12~6.97 μM).     

Evidence of a pluripotent human embryonic stem cell line derived from a cloned blastocyst

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology has recently been used to generate animals with a common genetic composition. In this study, we report the derivation of a pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cell line (SCNT-hES-1) from a cloned human blastocyst. The SCNT-hES-1 cells displayed typical ES cell morphology and cell surface markers and were capable of differentiating into embryoid bodies in vitro and of forming teratomas in vivo containing cell derivatives from all three embryonic germ layers in severe combined immunodeficient mice. After continuous proliferation for more than 70 passages, SCNT-hES-1 cells maintained normal karyotypes and were genetically identical to the somatic nuclear donor cells. Although we cannot completely exclude the possibility that the cells had a parthenogenetic origin, imprinting analyses support a SCNT origin of the derived human ES cells.     

Influence of protein characteristics and the proportion of gluten on end-use quality in Korean wheat cultivars

The effects of protein characteristics and the proportion of gluten on end-use quality in 13 Korean wheat cultivars for three years were verified in this study. Year, cultivar, and the interaction between the year and the cultivar influenced protein characteristics, the proportion of gluten except for γ-and ω-gliadin using RP-HPLC(reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography), and end-use quality. Protein characteristics and the proportion of gluten in Korean wheat cultivars were between those of Australian standard white(ASW) and hard wheat(AH). Korean wheat cultivars exhibited a higher average α+β gliadin proportion than imported wheat, a γ-gliadin proportion similar to that of dark northern spring wheat, and the same ω-gliadin proportion as AH. They showed a bread-loaf volume intermediate between those of ASW and AH and a texture of cooked noodles similar to that of soft white wheat, but less springiness than imported wheat. The cookie diameter of Korean wheat cultivars was similar to that of hard red winter wheat. There was a correlation between bread-loaf volume and protein characteristics, except for the protein content in Korean wheat cultivars. Springiness and cohesiveness of cooked noodles were not correlated with protein characteristics, while hardness was correlated with the protein content and water absorption of a mixograph. Cookie diameter was negatively correlated with the sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) sedimentation volume and water absorption of a mixograph. The end-use quality was not correlated with any proportion of gluten composition. Principal component analysis(PCA) showed that the proportion of gluten was not related to the quality of the bread(both PCs, 81.3%), noodle(77.7%), and cookie(82.4%). PCA explained that Keumkang is suitable for superior bread, while Uri is good for cooked noodles and cookies.     

Structure elucidation and antifungal activity of an anthracycline antibiotic, daunomycin, isolated from Actinomadura roseola

The actinomycete strain Ao108 producing antifungal metabolites active against some plant pathogenic fungi was identified as Actinomadura roseola, based on the analyses of morphological and physiological characteristics. The antibiotic Da2B that showed a strong antifungal activity was isolated from the culture broth and mycelial mats of A. roseola strain Ao108 using various chromatographic procedures. On the basis of (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2-D NMR correlation data, the antibiotic Da2B was confirmed to have the structure of an anthracycline antibiotic, daunomycin. In vitro antimicrobial spectrum tests showed that the antibiotic Da2B had substantial inhibitory activity (10 microg mL(-)(1) of MICs) against mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. The antibiotic also showed antiyeast activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but the growth of Candida albicans was not affected. Antibacterial activity was found only against Gram-positive bacteria. In the further evaluation of in vivo efficacy, application of the antibiotic Da2B effectively inhibited the development of Phytophthora blight in pepper plants. However, the control efficacy of the antibiotic against Phytophthora infection was somewhat less than that of metalaxyl. The antibiotic Da2B did not show any phytotoxicity on pepper plants even at 500 microg mL(-)(1).     

Water usage by potato plants at different stages of growth

Three groups of single-halm potato plants were tested for water usage at different stages of growth under growth chamber, greenhouse and field conditions by conducting 24-hour uptake studies at weekly intervals. Although the water usage was higher and more variable in the greenhouse and field than in the growth chamber because of varying environmental conditions during the 24-hour test periods, similar patterns were obtained. From emergence, the potato plant appeared to have four growth stages based on morphological development and water use. The young plant stage from emergence to tuber initiation is characterized by rapid growth, high transpiration rate per unit of plant material (essentially foliage), transpiration significantly correlated with the amount of foliage and a higher percentage of moisture being retained in the plant. The second stage is essentially a short transition stage of tuber initiation where top growth continues, transpiration levels off and a lower percentage of moisture is retained in the plant. The third stage is the tuber bulking stage where transpiration and water use remain relatively static because of non-expanding top growth and a lower percentage of moisture being retained in the plant during the bulking process. The final stage of senescence and tuber ripening is characterized by a marked reduction in water use primarily because of lower transpiration and loss of functioning foliage.     

长豇豆抗枯萎病的遗传

两个抗镰刀菌枯萎病(Fusarium oxysporum Schl.f.sp.tracheiphilum)的长豇豆品种“猪肠豆”和“珠燕”分别与感病品种“红嘴燕”及“四季青”进行正、反杂交及回交。用分离自广州地区的5个长豇豆枯萎病菌株的混合孢子液进行苗期人工接种鉴定,测定亲本F_1、F_2及回交群体的抗病性。遗传分析的结果表明:“猪肠豆”与“珠燕”这两个抗源品种对枯萎病的抗性均受一个显性基因控制。     

Use of monoclonal antibodies to identify outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus species

Three monoclonal antibodies (LG17, LG30, and LG33) were used to identify outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus sp (As8C isolate) cultured from the epididymides of an infected ram lamb. Specificity of the 3 antibodies to As8C antigens was determined by use of bacterial agglutination, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Results of immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that each antibody was specific for epitopes on As8C outer membrane antigens. Evaluation by use of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot indicated that target antigens for LG17 and LG33 antibodies had molecular weights of 10 kilodaltons and 43 kilodaltons, respectively. Multiple-band staining was observed with the LG33 antibody. The target antigen for the LG30 antibody could not be discerned by use of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot. For each of the 3 monoclonal antibodies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers were obtained for Actinobacillus seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and 10 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp. Target antigens for LG17 and LG30 antibodies occurred infrequently or were absent on these bacteria. However, the target antigen for the LG33 antibody was shared by Actinobacillus seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and the 10 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp, indicating some diversity of outer membrane antigens between isolates.     

SWAT modeling of best management practices for Chungju dam watershed in South Korea under future climate change scenarios

Suitable and practicable best management practices (BMPs) need to be developed due to steadily increasing agricultural land development, intensified fertilization practices, and increased soil erosion and pollutant loads from cultivated areas. The soil and water assessment tool model was used to evaluate the present and future proper BMP scenarios for Chungju dam watershed (6,642 km²) of South Korea, which includes rice paddy and upland crop areas. The present (1981–2010) and future (2040s and 2080s) BMPs of streambank stabilization, building recharge structures, conservation tillage, and terrace and contour farming were examined individually in terms of reducing nonpoint source pollution loads by applying MIROC3.2 HiRes A1B and B1 scenarios. Streambank stabilization achieved the highest reductions in sediment and T-N, and slope terracing was a highly effective BMP for sediment and T-P removal in both present and future climate conditions.