Assessment of benthic disturbance associated with stingray foraging for ghost shrimp by aerial survey over an intertidal sandflat

One notable type of bioturbation in marine soft sediments involves the excavation of large pits and displacement of sediment associated with predator foraging for infaunal benthos. Batoids are among the most powerful excavators, yet their impact on sediment has been poorly studied. For expansive tidal flats, only relatively small proportions of the habitat can be sampled due to physical and logistical constraints. The knowledge of the dynamics of these habitats, including the spatial and temporal distribution of ray bioturbation, thus remains limited. We combined the use of aerial photogrammetry and in situ benthic sampling to quantify stingray feeding pits in Tomioka Bay, Amakusa, Japan. Specifically, we mapped newly-formed pits over an 11-ha section of an intertidal sandflat over two consecutive daytime low tides. Pit size and distribution patterns were assumed to scale with fish size and reflect size-specific feeding behaviors, respectively. In situ benthic surveys were conducted for sandflat-surface elevation and prey density (callianassid shrimp). The volume versus area relationship was established as a logistic function for pits of varying sizes by photographing and refilling them with sediment. This relationship was applied to the area of every pit detected by air to estimate volume, in which special attention was paid to ray ontogenetic change in space utilization patterns. In total, 18,103 new pits were formed per day, with a mean individual area of 1060cm2. The pits were divided into six groups (G1 to G6 in increasing areas), with abundances of G1, G2+G3, and G4-G6 being medium, high, and low, respectively. Statistical analyses using generalized linear models revealed a marked preference for the higher prey-density areas in G1 and the restriction of feeding grounds of G4-G6 to the lower shore, with G2+G3 being generalists for prey density and sandflat elevation. The lower degrees of overall bioturbation by G1 and G4-G6 were spatially structured for the eight sub-areas demarcated by prey density and sandflat elevation, while G2+G3 homogenized the state over the sandflat. The newly-formed pits[U+05F3] sub-areal mean numerical, excavated-areal, and displaced-sediment-volume densities per day were confined to small ranges: 0.14-0.17m-2, 132-223cm2m-2, and 551-879cm3m-2 (latter two including 119 shallow non-pit excavations). These bioturbation rates are positioned at relatively high levels compared with those by rays from other geographic regions. The present procedure is applicable to the assessment of disturbance by any surface-sediment excavators on tidal flats if their pit dimensions are discernible from the air

Repellent Effect of Neem against the Cabbage Armyworm on Leaf Vegetables

We investigated the pest repellent effect of azadirachtin formulation and neem seed kernel oil cake. In laboratory tests, the repellent effect of komatsuna and spinach treated with azadirachtin formulation or neem seed kernel oil cake for 7 days on the feeding cabbage armyworm were evaluated. The feeding repellent effect of azadirachtin formulation treatment was equivalent to that of commercial biological pesticide, while the effect of neem seed kernel oil cake treatment was higher. This result clarified that neem seed kernel oil cake has a high feeding repellent effect against cabbage armyworms. In field tests, although the feeding percentage for komatsuna and spinach controls was 70%, that for komatsuna and spinach treated with azadirachtin formulation and neem seed kernel oil cake was about 40% and 30%, respectively. These laboratory and field test findings demonstrated that despite having an affect less than that of azadirachtin, neem seed kernel oil cake is a high effective feeding repellent

Accuracy and Time Delay of Glucose Measurements of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Bedside Artificial Pancreas During Hyperglycemic and Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Glucose Clamp Study

Background: Glucose values of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) have time delays compared with plasma glucose (PG) values. Artificial pancreas (STG-55, Nikkiso, Japan) (AP), which measures venous blood glucose directly, also has a time delay because of the long tubing lines from sampling vessel to the glucose sensor. We investigate accuracy and time delay of CGM and AP in comparison with PG values during 2-step glucose clamp study. Methods: Seven patients with type 2 diabetes and 2 healthy volunteers were included in this study. CGM (Enlite sensor, Medtronic, CA) was attached on the day before the experiment. Hyperglycemic (200 mg/dL) clamp was performed for 90 minutes, followed by euglycemic (100 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic (100 μU/mL) clamp for 90-120 minutes using AP. CGM sensor glucose was calibrated just before and after the clamp study. AP and CGM values were compared with PG values. Results: AP values were significantly lower than PG values at 5, 30 minute during hyperglycemic clamp. In comparison, CGM value at 0 minute was significantly higher, and its following values were almost significantly lower than PG values. The time delay of AP and CGM values to reach maximum glucose levels were 5.0 ± 22.3 (NS) and 28.6 ± 32.5 (p<0.05) min, respectively. Mean absolute rate difference of CGM was significantly higher than AP (24.0 ± 7.6 vs. 15.3 ± 4.6, p < 0.05) during glucose rising period (0-45 min), however, there are no significant difference during other periods. Conclusions: Both CGM and AP failed to follow plasma glucose values during non-physiologically rapid glucose rising, however, indicated accurate values during physiological glucose change

Sarcopenia and AGEs in type 1 diabetes

Accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is thought to contribute to muscle weakness in a diabetic animal model. Skin autofluorescence is a proposed marker for accumulation of AGEs in the skin. We aimed to investigate the relationship between AGEs accumulation, sarcopenia and muscle function of Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes. A total of 36 patients with type 1 diabetes participated in the present cross-sectional study. Sarcopenia parameters (skeletal muscle mass index and knee extension strength) were compared with subcutaneous AGEs accumulation using skin autofluorescence. The prevalence of sarcopenia and impaired knee extension strength was 16.6% (men 0.0%, women 22.2%) and 47.2% (men 22.2%, women 55.6%), respectively. Knee extension strength was negatively correlated with skin autofluorescence (r² = 0.14, P < 0.05), but not with skeletal muscle mass index. In conclusion, the AGEs accumulation might be one of the reasons of impaired lower limb muscle function in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes

Cardiomyocyte Formation by Skeletal Muscle-Derived Multi-Myogenic Stem Cells after Transplantation into Infarcted Myocardium

BACKGROUND: Cellular cardiomyoplasty for myocardial infarction has been developed using various cell types. However, complete differentiation and/or trans-differentiation into cardiomyocytes have never occurred in these transplant studies, whereas functional contributions were reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: Skeletal muscle interstitium-derived CD34(+)/CD45(-) (Sk-34) cells were purified from green fluorescent protein transgenic mice by flowcytometory. Cardiac differentiation of Sk-34 cells was examined by in vitro clonal culture and co-culture with embryonic cardiomyocytes, and in vivo transplantation into a nude rat myocardial infarction (MI) model (left ventricle). Lower relative expression of cardiomyogenic transcription factors, such as GATA-4, Nkx2-5, Isl-1, Mef2 and Hand2, was seen in clonal cell culture. However, vigorous expression of these factors was seen on co-culture with embryonic cardiomyocytes, together with formation of gap-junctions and synchronous contraction following sphere-like colony formation. At 4 weeks after transplantation of freshly isolated Sk-34 cells, donor cells exhibited typical cardiomyocyte structure with formation of gap-junctions, as well as intercalated discs and desmosomes, between donor and recipient and/or donor and donor cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis detecting the rat and mouse genomic DNA and immunoelectron microscopy using anti-GFP revealed donor-derived cells. Transplanted Sk-34 cells were incorporated into infarcted portions of recipient muscles and contributed to cardiac reconstitution. Significant improvement in left ventricular function, as evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and micro-tip conductance catheter, was also observed. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Skeletal muscle-derived multipotent Sk-34 cells that can give rise to skeletal and smooth muscle cells as reported previously, also give rise to cardiac muscle cells as multi-myogenic stem cells, and thus are a potential source for practical cellular cardiomyoplasty

Morphological character changes through decapodid-stage larva and juveniles in the ghost shrimp Nihonotrypaea harmandi from western Kyushu, Japan: Clues for inferring pre- and post-settlement states and processes

Some decapod crustaceans release larvae from estuarine or coastal shores to coastal oceans. Decapodids (last-stage larvae) return home, settle, and metamorphose into juveniles I, which go through further instars. Several morphological characters degenerate or develop in response to lifestyle transitions. Using a burrow-dwelling callianassid shrimp, Nihonotrypaea harmandi, inhabiting an intertidal sandflat in a coastal boundary layer adjacent to coastal ocean, this study described morphological changes and drew inferences about states and processes in its early life history. Decapodid and juveniles were differentiated by linea thalassinica on carapace. In the laboratory, the decapodid stage lasted 3-6d. Given choice between sandy sediments from coastal ocean bed and adult habitat, decapodids exhibited no preference, suggesting broad receptiveness. The shortest durations of the juvenile-I, -II, and -III were estimated at 6d each. Starved decapodids normally metamorphosed into juveniles I, showing secondary lecithotrophy. The non-feeding state could be extended through the juvenile I (and possibly juvenile II), where the mean total lengths of shrimps reared in groups with food (diatoms) remained about 4.6mm. Post-settlement decapodids reared individually resumed feeding. The rostrum lengths in decapodids were ≥0.36mm on the initial two dates (Days 0 and 1), after which the mean values rapidly reduced to 0.30-0.36mm on Day 2 and below 0.30mm thereafter. The pereiopod exopods disappeared through the decapodid stage from four pairs to almost zero by Day 4. In the coastal ocean, no juveniles occurred, and almost all decapodids had rostrum lengths ≥0.30mm and 3 or 4 pereiopod exopods, suggesting their pre-settlement state. Of the smallest shrimps collected on the sandflat for their subsequent rearing there, 74% were estimated to be Day-0 or -1 decapodids based on their rostrum lengths. This and the laboratory experimental results suggest (1) the acquisition of competence for settlement by newly-metamorphosed decapodids while in the coastal ocean, which was nevertheless realized there and (2) their rapid transport by flood tidal currents from coastal ocean to sandflat. The newly-settled decapodids grew steadily at 0.2mmd-1 in total length. The reared juveniles reached the smallest adult size in 80d. The uropod expod changed from elliptical to sub-circular in shape markedly around the termination of the juvenile II or III, suggesting the acquisition of ventilating function for benthic life. Overall, the post-settlement shrimps can be staged by total-length ranges as 4-5.5mm for decapodids, 5.5-10mm for juveniles, and 10-20mm for sub-adults. •Decapodid and juveniles of a callianassid shrimp were reared in laboratory and field.•Ontogenetic morphological change and growth in decapodid and juveniles were given.•Feeding mode, substratum selectivity, and duration for decapodid stage were examined•Two degenerating characters gave clues to infer states in field-collected decapodids.•One developing character in juveniles was related with burrow-dwelling lifestyle

2ガタ トウニョウビョウ カンジャ ニオケル ケットウ シヒョウ ト ゲンエン ガ モタラス ケツアツ テイカ トノ レンカン

Background : The majority of patients with type２diabetes mellitus（T２DM）have hypertension, leading to serious cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. Therefore, blood pressure（BP）control is a critical issue in patients with T２DM. Although sodium restriction is known to reduce BP, it is unclear what factors are associated with sodium restriction-induced BP reduction in T２DM patients. Subjects and Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed in hospitalized patients with T２DM（６６males and６１females, mean age :５８．１±１４．２years, mean HbA１c :９．５±２．０％）. They received diet therapy including sodium restriction as NaCl of５to８g/day during admission. The relationship between changes in systolic BP（SBP）during admission and clinical parameters at the time of admission was statistically analyzed. Results : Mean SBP in the sodium-restricted patients was significantly reduced during admission（ from １３０．２±１６．１ to １２２．７±１３．９ mmHg, p＜０．０１）. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum creatinine levels and presence of hypertension were inversely associated with and that initial SBP value was positively associated with the change in SBP. On the other hand, no glycemic parameters, including fasting plasma glucose levels, HbA１c, M values calculated from daily blood glucose profile, duration of T２DM and duration of hospitalization, were associated with the change in SBP. Conclusion : Sodium restriction-induced BP reduction in T２DM patients was associated with presence of hypertension, serum creatinine levels and initial SBP values. Sodium restriction is a useful treatment for T２DM patients regardless of their glycemic condition

Skin Autofluorescence and Atherosclerosis

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Skin autofluorescence (AF) was recently reported to represent tissue AGEs accumulation with a non-invasive method. The aim of the present study was to evaluate association between AF value and diabetic vascular complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy and cervical atherosclerosis using the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), an established marker of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 68 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a cross-sectional manner. AGEs accumulation was measured with AF reader. Clinical parameters were collected at the time of AF and IMT measurement. Max-IMT was correlated with age and AF (r=0.407, p=0.001), but not with HbA1c, GA, and pentosidine. Also, AF was not correlated with HbA1c, GA and pentosidine, but was correlated with age (r=0.560, p<0.001), duration of diabetes (r=0.256, p<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that AF, but not age, was an independent determinant of max-IMT. In conclusion, AF might be a beneficial surrogate marker for evaluating carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes non-invasively

Skin Autofluorescence and Atherosclerosis

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Skin autofluorescence (AF) was recently reported to represent tissue AGEs accumulation with a non-invasive method. The aim of the present study was to evaluate association between AF value and diabetic vascular complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy and cervical atherosclerosis using the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), an established marker of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 68 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a cross-sectional manner. AGEs accumulation was measured with AF reader. Clinical parameters were collected at the time of AF and IMT measurement. Max-IMT was correlated with age and AF (r=0.407, p=0.001), but not with HbA1c, GA, and pentosidine. Also, AF was not correlated with HbA1c, GA and pentosidine, but was correlated with age (r=0.560, p<0.001), duration of diabetes (r=0.256, p<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that AF, but not age, was an independent determinant of max-IMT. In conclusion, AF might be a beneficial surrogate marker for evaluating carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes non-invasively