Freshwater gobies of the genus Stiphodon from Japan and Taiwan (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Sicydiini)

Abstract Three species of the freshwater goby genus Stiphodon (Sicydiini) recognized from Japan and Taiwan, are compared in text and tabular information. Stiphodon atropurpureus Stiphodon imperiorientis sp. n., is a rare species known from 10 specimens from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, and has 15 (15-16) pectoral rays, 9 segmented second dorsal fin rays, and 35-36 (34-36) lateral scales. It is distinguished in males always being without white fatty tissue posterior to lower base of pectoral fin, spines 4 and 5 elongate in first dorsal fin, in preservation body and head mostly tannish or brownish with dusky bars on trunk and caudal peduncle, in life head bright blue, laterally blue between dusky bars. Female with midlateral stripe appearing mostly straight with blotches present ventral to second dorsal and on caudal peduncle. Stiphodon percnopterygionus sp. n., is a fairly common species in the islands of Iriomote and Ishigaki, Ryukyu Islands, Japan and eastern Taiwan, but very rare in Micronesia. It is distinguished by usually having 14 pectoral rays and 10 segmented second dorsal fin rays. Males are unusual in having two distinctive colour phases, young males mostly blue and older males mostly orange: colour phases are associated with size and not geographical distribution. La diagnose de Stiphodon atropurpureus (Herre, 1927) est revue. Commun aux Philippines, il est rare au Japon et à Taiwan. Il est habituellement caractérisé par la présence de 15 rayons pectoraux, 9 rayons articulés de la seconde nageoire dorsale et 30 à 33 écailles latérales. Les mâles se distinguent de ceux des autres espèces par les caractères suivants : présence d'une excroissance adipeuse en arrière du bas de l'insertion de la nageoire pectorale, rayons de la première nageoire dorsale ni allongés ni prolongés par des filaments, coloration grisâtre du corps et de la tête chez l'animal conservé, bande vert vif métallique au-dessus de la ligne médiane chez l'animal en vie, virant au bleu après la mort. Les femelles portent une bande médiolatérale en zigzag et n'ont jamais d'excroissance adipeuse à la base de la nageoire pectorale. Zusammenfassung Drei Arten der Süßwasser Grundeln der Gattung Stiphodon imperiorentis sp. n. est rare et connu seulement de 10 spécimens de l'île Iriomote de l'archipel Ryuku. Il présente 15 (15 à 16) rayons pectoraux, 9 rayons articulés de la nageoire dorsale et 35 à 36 (34 à 36) écailles latérale. Les mâles sont caractérisés par l'absence d'excroissance adipeuse à la base de la pectorale, un allongement des 4ème et 5ème rayons durs de la nageoire dorsale, une coloration du corps et de la tête bronze ou brunâtre avec des barres sombres sur le tronc et le pédoncule caudal chez l'animal préservé, une coloration bleu vif de la tête, bleue sur les flancs entre les barres ombres chez l'animal en vie. Les femelles portent une bande médiolatérale, rectiligne pratiquement sur toute sa longueur, avec des marbrures sous la seconde dorsale et sur le pédoncule caudal. Stiphodon percnopterygionus sp. n. est assez commun dans les îles Iriomote et Ishigaki de l'archipel Ryuku, Japon et dans l'est de Taiwan mais très rare en Micronésie. Il est caractérisée par la présence de 14 rayons pectoraux et 10 rayons articulés de la nageoire dorsale. Les mâles se distinguent par l'existence de deux phases de couleur : les jeunes sont principalement bleus, ils deviennent principalement oranges en vieillissant. Ces phases ne sont pas corrélatives à la réparti-tion géographique. Sommario Lo Stiphodon atropurpureus Il Stiphodon imperiorientis sp. n., é una rara specie di cui si conoscono 10 esemplari dell'Isola di Iriomote, Isola di Ryukyu, e ha 15 (15-16) raggi pettorali, 9 raggi segmentati della seconda pinna dorsale e 35-36 squame laterali (34-36). Si distingue perché i maschi non hanno tessuto grasso bianco dietro la base inferiore della pinna pettorale, e 4-5 lische allungate nella prima pinna dorsale, durante la conservazione il corpo e la testa sono di colorazione scura o marroncina con barre scure sul tronco e sul peduncolo caudale, durante la vita la testa é azzurro brillante, lateralmente blu tra le barre scure, le femmine hanno una banda mediana che appare soprattutto diritta con grosse macchie presenti ventralmente fino alla seconda dorsale e sul peduncolo caudale. Il Stiphodon percnopterygionus sp. n., è una specie piuttosto conosciuta nelle isole di Iriomote e Ishigaki, Isola di Ryukyu, Giappone e Taiwan orientale, ma molto raro in Micronesia. Si distingue perché normalmente ha 14 raggi pettorali e 10 raggi segmentati nella seconda pinna dorsale. I maschi non sono soliti avere due distinte fasi colorate, i giovani sono soprattutto blu e i più anziani arancione, le fasi di colore vengono associate con la dimensione e non con la diffusione geografica

Behavioral ontogeny in larvae and early juveniles of the giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) (Pisces: Carangidae)

Behavior of young (8−18 mm SL) giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis), a large coral-reef−associated predator, was observed in the laboratory and the ocean. Size was a better predictor of swimming speed and endurance than was age. Critical speed increased with size from 12 to 40 cm/s at 2.7 cm/s for each mm increase in size. Mean scaled critical speed was 19 body lengths/s and was not size related. Swimming speed in the ocean was 4 to 20 cm/s (about half of critical speed) and varied among areas, but within each area, it increased at 2 cm/s for each mm increase in size. Swimming endurance in the laboratory increased from 5 to 40 km at 5 km for each mm increase in size. Vertical distribution changed ontogenetically: larvae swam shallower, but more variably, and then deeper with growth. Two-thirds of individuals swam directionally with no ontogenetic increase in orientation precision. Larvae swam offshore off open coasts, but not in a bay. In situ observations of C. ignobilis feeding, interacting with pelagic animals, and reacting to reefs are reported. Manus

The Assessment for Sensitivity of a NO2 Gas Sensor with ZnGa2O4/ZnO Core-Shell Nanowires—a Novel Approach

The application of novel core-shell nanowires composed of ZnGa2O4/ZnO to improve the sensitivity of NO2 gas sensors is demonstrated in this study. The growth of ZnGa2O4/ZnO core-shell nanowires is performed by reactive evaporation on patterned ZnO:Ga/SiO2/Si templates at 600 °C. This is to form the homogeneous structure of the sensors investigated in this report to assess their sensitivity in terms of NO2 detection. These novel NO2 gas sensors were evaluated at working temperatures of 25 °C and at 250 °C, respectively. The result reveals the ZnGa2O4/ZnO core-shell nanowires present a good linear relationship (R2 > 0.99) between sensitivity and NO2 concentration at both working temperatures. These core-shell nanowire sensors also possess the highest response (<90 s) and recovery (<120 s) values with greater repeatability seen for NO2 sensors at room temperature, unlike traditional sensors that only work effectively at much higher temperatures. The data in this study indicates the newly-developed ZnGa2O4/ZnO core-shell nanowire based sensors are highly promising for industrial applications

The relationship between gallbladder status and recurrent biliary complications in patients with choledocholithiasis following endoscopic treatment

AbstractBackgroundEndoscopic methods are currently the treatment of choice for patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones, but subsequent management of the intact gallbladder for patients following endoscopic treatment is still controversial. The primary aim of this study was to discover the association between gallbladder status and recurrent biliary complications for patients with CBD stones after endoscopic treatment. Additionally, we also sought to determine risk factors for recurrent biliary complications in these patients.MethodsThe records of 1625 patients with CBD stones following endoscopic treatment were reviewed. A total of 681 patients were enrolled and subsequently categorized into four groups: Group 1 (n = 201), calculous gallbladder; Group 2 (n = 140), acalculous gallbladder; Group 3 (n = 175), elective cholecystectomy after endoscopic treatment; and Group 4 (n = 165), prior cholecystectomy. The basic demographics and recurrent biliary complications during follow-up among these four groups were analyzed by Chi-square test, ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and log-rank test.ResultsDuring the median follow-up period of 34 months, 133 patients (20%) with recurrent biliary complications were identified. The recurrence rates of Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 29%, 11%, 15%, and 19%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with calculous gallbladder had a significantly higher rate of recurrent biliary complication. In multivariate analysis, patients with a history of cirrhosis, juxta-papillary diverticulum, calculous gallbladder, CBD size ≥1.5 cm, and endoscopic management with endoscopic sphincterotomy were at a higher risk for developing biliary complications (p = 0.029, p = 0.039, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.021, respectively.)ConclusionPatients with cholecystolithiasis and CBD stones had a higher incidence of recurrent biliary complications. For some of these patients, elective cholecystectomy following endoscopic treatment may be considered. However, routine elective cholecystectomy in patients with normal gallbladder is not appropriate because of the low recurrence of biliary complications. Whether gallbladder function affects the biliary clearance and biliary complications requires further research

Subsistencia y movilidad de los cazadores-recolectores que ocuparon Cueva TrafulI durante el Holoceno Medio y Tardío.

Se presentan los resultados del análisis del conjunto óseo del Holoceno Medio y tardío de cueva TrafulI (provincia del Neuquén, Argentina). A partir de ellos discutiremos aspectos como la subsistencia y la movilidad de las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras y la estacionalidad de sus ocupaciones. Las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras que ocuparon este espacio explotaron recurrentemente al guanaco como parte de sus prácticas de subsistencia. Esta forma de vida se generalizó a mediados del Holoceno, en el ecotono y la estepa, pero siempre se complementó con fauna menor, moluscos, peces o vegetales. En el tránsito de los últimos 2.000 años la cantidad de especies explotadas aumentó significativamente junto con la diversidad. Este fenómeno se debió a la reducción de los rangos de acción mayormente impulsada por la circunscripción territorial de los grupos, que comenzaron a diferenciarse interétnicamente. La incorporación de la tecnología cerámica permitió: diferir el consumo de algunos recursos, extraer más eficientemente la grasa de los huesos y procesar vegetales. Estas condiciones materiales de existencia son interrumpidas por la conquista española. Posteriormente a ésta, la adopción del caballo cambió radicalmente el modo de vida de los cazadores-recolectores pedestres.publishedVersio

The Efficacy of Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilation for Patients with Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

Background. No study investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for the treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Method. We retrospectively reviewed the effects of EPBD on patients with ABP from February 2003 to December 2012. The general data, findings of image studies, details of the procedure, and outcomes after EPBD were analyzed. Result. Total 183 patients (male/female: 110/73) were enrolled. The mean age was 65.9 years. Among them, 155 patients had mild pancreatitis. The meantime from admission to EPBD was 3.3 days. Cholangiogram revealed filling defects inside the common bile duct (CBD) in 149 patients. The mean dilating balloon size was 10.5 mm and mean duration of the dilating procedure was 4.3 minutes. Overall, 124 patients had gross stones retrieved from CBD. Four (2.2%) adverse events and 2 (1.1%) intraprocedure bleeding incidents but no procedure-related mortality were noted. Bilirubin and amylase levels significantly decreased after EPBD. On average, patients resumed oral intake within 1.4 days. The clinical parameters and outcomes were similar in patients with different severity of pancreatitis. Conclusion. EPBD can be effective and safe for the treatment of ABP, even in patients presenting with severe disease

Isolation and Characterization of Novel Murine Epiphysis Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: While bone marrow (BM) is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), previous studies have shown that MSCs derived from mouse BM (BMMSCs) were difficult to manipulate as compared to MSCs derived from other species. The objective of this study was to find an alternative murine MSCs source that could provide sufficient MSCs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we described a novel type of MSCs that migrates directly from the mouse epiphysis in culture. Epiphysis-derived MSCs (EMSCs) could be extensively expanded in plastic adherent culture, and they had a greater ability for clonogenic formation and cell proliferation than BMMSCs. Under specific induction conditions, EMSCs demonstrated multipotency through their ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Immunophenotypic analysis demonstrated that EMSCs were positive for CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, Sca-1 and SSEA-4, while negative for CD11b, CD31, CD34 and CD45. Notably, EMSCs did not express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) or MHC II under our culture system. EMSCs also successfully suppressed the proliferation of splenocytes triggered by concanavalin A (Con A) or allogeneic splenocytes, and decreased the expression of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in Con A-stimulated splenocytes suggesting their anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, EMSCs enhanced fracture repair, ameliorated necrosis in ischemic skin flap, and improved blood perfusion in hindlimb ischemia in the in vivo experiments. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCES: These results indicate that EMSCs, a new type of MSCs established by our simple isolation method, are a preferable alternative for mice MSCs due to their better growth and differentiation potentialities

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of black-fin stream jewel goby Stiphodon percnopterygionus (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Taiwan

The complete mitochondrial genome of the black-fin stream jewel goby Stiphodon percnopterygionus has been amplified and sequenced. The whole mitochondrial genome is 16,502 base pairs (bp) in total length and consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (CR). The overall base composition is 28.1% for A, 17.1% for G, 28.7% for C and 26.0% for T with AT comprising 54.1%. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) sequence data for 34 related taxa of the order Gobiiformes showed that S. percnopterygionus is closely related to S. tuivi. These findings will contribute for phylogenetic, phylogeography and further genetic studies in genus Stiphodon and related gobiid fishes

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF INTERTIDAL FRILLFIN GOBY, Bathygobius fuscus IN KEELUNG, TAIWAN

ABSTRACT The reproductive biology of intertidal, black brown frillfin goby, Bathygobius fuscus (Rüppell) have been surveyed from the coastal region of Keelung, Taiwan. The species always belongs to the dominant species found in the fish community of the tidal pools for different seasons. The overall fecundity of adult female is from 2335 to 13332 eggs with the average of 5605 eggs with average eggs-size is 0.34 ± 0.06 mm. The female minimum measure body-size would be 40.4 mm SL. The higher reproductive season can be well observed from female GSI (Gonadosomatic Index) during May to September. During that time, there may represent more abundant food sources to host its offspring as well as more suitable climate