The use of desalinated-dried jellyfish and rice bran for controlling weeds and rice yield

To achieve higher rice production, rice-growing countries have used great amounts of synthetic chemical compounds (chemical fertilizers and pesticides) that can have adverse effects on the environment and humans. Organic products and organic farming technologies are friendlier to the environment and more conducive to sustainable agriculture but require different inputs, knowledge and skills. Weed control is one of the major challenges in organic rice cultivation. The present study proposes and tests the use of desalinated-dried jellyfish chips in the development of sustainable rice production. Vast amounts of jellyfishes have been found in the Sea of Japan (Nomura's jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai Kishinouye) and Japan inland sea areas (Water jelly, Aurelia aurita (Linne)), and jellyfish populationc can have a negative impact on the fishery industry. In this context, the use of jellyfish in organic agriculture has attracted attention. The present study found that the application of desalinated-dried jellyfish (small pieces of jellyfish which are desalinated and dried) mixed in soil before transplanting can effectively control weeds in rice fields and has a nutrient effect because of the high nitrogen content (12-13%). Desalinated-dried jellyfish has potential as an agricultural material that replaces herbicides and chemical fertilizers. It also contributes to environment-friendly rice production. It was found that both desalinated-dried jellyfish and rice bran effectively controlled rice weeds when mixed in the soil before the transplanting.The grain yields of desalinated-dried jellyfish treatments were consistently higher than the corresponding rice bran treatments. The rice yield from the desalinated-dried jellyfish treatments were comparable to the chemical fertilizer treatment.

Promotive effects of hyperthermia on the inhibition of DNA synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids

Aim: To evaluate inhibitory effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on DNA synthesis in combination with hyperthermia in vitro. Methods: A suspension of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EAT) was mixed with DHA or EPA in a glass tube, heated at 37 °C, 40 °C, or 42 °C for 1 h in a water bath, and cultured at 37 °C for 19 or 96 h. DNA synthesis was assayed by monitoring of the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into the acid-insoluble fraction. DHA or EPA incorporated into EAT cells was extracted and measured by thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. Results: The inhibition of DNA synthesis by EPA or DHA increased markedly upon the treatment at 42 °C and 40 °C compared to that at 37 °C. At 37 °C, inhibitory action of EPA was more potent than that of DHA at low concentrations (at 50 µM — DNA synthesis level: EPA, 63.1%; DHA, 87.9%), whereas inhibitory action of DHA was higher at 150 µM (16.7%, 4.4%, ibid.). The effect of DHA compared to EPA was more marked at 40 °C (29.0%, 19.2% at 100 µM) or 42 °C (19.7%, 10.6% at 100 µM). Evaluation of DNA synthesis rate in the cells treated for 1 h by EPA or DHA with the next culturing of EAT cells for 19 h resulted in the enhanced inhibitory activity of EPA even at concentrations as low as 50 µM at either 37 °C (0.5%, 11.3%) or 42 °C (0.6%, 4.5%), which in these conditions was higher than that of DHA. At the same time the rate of incorporation of EPA in EAT cells at 37 °C or 42 °C was lower than that of DHA. Conclusion: Administration of DHA or EPA in vitro significantly inhibit DNA synthesis, and such effect is enhanced by combination of PUFAs with hyperthermia.Цель: исследовать ингибирующее воздействие эйкозопентаеновой кислоты (EPA) и докозагексаеновой кислоты (DHA) на синтез ДНК в комбинации с гипертермией в модели in vitro. Методы: суспензию клеток асцитной карциномы Эрлиха (EAT) смешивали с DHA или EPA в стеклянной пробирке, инкубировали в течение 1 ч при 37 °C, 40 °C или 42 °C в водяной бане и культивировали при 37 °C 19 или 96 ч. Синтез ДНК оценивали по уровню включения [3 H]-тимидина. DHA или EPA, включившиеся в клетки EAT cells, экстрагировали, а их количество определяли методами тонкослойной и газожидкостной хроматографии. Результаты: степень ингибирования синтеза ДНК при действии EPA или DHA значительно возрастала при обработке клеток при 42 °C в сравнении с таковым при 37 °C. При 37 °C ингибирующее действие EPA было более выраженным, чем таковое DHA в низких концентрациях (при концентрации 50 μM — 63,1 против 87,9%), а DHA — более сильным при концентрации 150 μM (16,7 vs 4,4%). Эффект DHA в сравнении с EPA был более выраженным при 40 °C (29,0 vs 19,2% при концентрации 100 μM) или 42 °C (19,7 vs 10,6% при концентрации 100 μM). При обработке клеток EPA или DHA с последующим культивированием в течение 96 ч наблюдалось усиление ингибирующего воздействия EPA даже при концентрации 50 μM как при 37 °C (0,5 vs 11,3%), так и при 42 °C (0,6 vs 4,5%), что в таких условиях было значительнее, чем у DHA. В то же время степень включения EPA в клетки EAT при 37 °C или 42 °C была ниже, чем таковая DHA. Выводы: введение DHA или EPA in vitro значительно ингибирует синтез ДНК, и этот эффект усиливается на фоне комбинированного применения кислот и гипертермии