Effect of colored light regimes on the stress response and RNA/DNA ratio of juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major

We hypothesized that fish with red-sensitive retina would be stressed by red light and thus inhibited in somatic growth. Red sea bream (Pagrus major) juveniles (total length =3 cm) with red-sensitive retina were chosen to test this hypothesis. We examined the effect of different color lights (red with λmax 605 nm; green with λmax 540 nm; blue with λmax at 435 nm; and white with full spectrum) on unfed juveniles in laboratory tanks. Stress level was measured by the plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations, and nutritional status by muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Under red light, plasma cortisol and glucose, and muscle RNA/DNA were significantly higher than under green, blue, or white light. Our hypothesis was partly supported by previous findings on the effects of the color environment and spectral sensitivity of reared fishes. However, the levels of cortisol, glucose, and RNA/DNA in this study were low compared to published values. It seems that hatchery-bred juvenile red sea bream have adapted to red-rich surface light and are able to cope with the stress of living in surface floating cages which is so different from their deep-water habitats

Effects of Assistance of High Frequency Dielectric and Infrared Heating on Vacuum Freeze Drying Characteristics of Food Model

[EN] By combining vacuum freeze drying combined with high-frequency dielectric and/or infrared heating, the drying time for frozen gels containing 1% agar with sucrose or sodium chloride was successfully shorten, and the drying time was influenced by the heating methods and by the additive component to the sample. Additionally, it was experimentally confirmed that the power consumption for freeze drying combined with electromagnetic wave heating could be reduced because of the shortened drying time. Consequently, this study could be a very important step for designing a vacuum freeze drying process optimally combining electromagnetic wave heating for each sample component.Hashimoto, A.; Suehara, K.; Kameoka, T.; Kawamura, K. (2018). Effects of Assistance of High Frequency Dielectric and Infrared Heating on Vacuum Freeze Drying Characteristics of Food Model. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 795-802. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7461OCS79580

Pigmented Neurofibroma in the Appendix Diagnosed with Colonoscopy

Pigmented (melanotic) neurofibromas in the appendix are extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case of appendiceal pigmented neurofibroma in a patient without neurofibromatosis 1, which was colonoscopically diagnosed. Histologically, the tumor cells were spindle shaped with indistinct cell borders. The tumor cells had cytoplasms with many gray-brown pigments. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for S-100 protein, and were focally positive for Melan-A. They were also diffusely positive for Leu7 (CD57), or neuron-specific enolase (NSE). No positive expression of tumor cells was observed for -smooth muscle actin, desmin, CD34, c-kit, HMB45. No mitotic figures were observed. The Ki-67 labeling index was less than 1%. The tumor was thus diagnosed as primary pigmented neurofibroma in the appendix. In the present case, tumor cells showed no mitotic activity and a Ki-67 index of less than 1%, suggesting a benign tumor

Predisposition for borderline personality disorder with comorbid major depression is associated with that for polycystic ovary syndrome in female Japanese population

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common lifestyle-related endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age and is associated with several mental health problems. We examined the genotypic distributions of IRS-1 Gly972Arg and CYP11B2 -344T/C, which were previously described as influencing PCOS, and assayed the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in a set of female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 50) and age-matched control subjects (n = 100), to investigate the predisposition for BPD with MDD. The results showed that the patients were more frequently IRS-1 972Arg variant allele carriers (P = 0.013; OR 6.68; 95% CI = 1.30–34.43) and homozygous for the CYP11B2 −344C variant allele (P = 0.022; OR = 3.32; 95% CI = 1.18–9.35) than the control subjects. The IL-6 level was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the serum TNF-α level between patients with BPD with MDD and the healthy comparison group (P = 0.5273). In conclusion, the predisposition for BPD with MDD is associated with that for PCOS, in the female Japanese population. An elevated serum IL-6 level is considered to be a possible biomarker of BPD with MDD

Soft chromophore featured liquid porphyrins and their utilization toward liquid electret applications

Optoelectronically active viscous liquids are ideal for fabricating foldable/stretchable electronics owing to their excellent deformability and predictable π-unit-based optoelectronic functions, which are independent of the device shape and geometry. Here we show, unprecedented 'liquid electret' devices that exhibit mechanoelectrical and electroacoustic functions, as well as stretchability, have been prepared using solvent-free liquid porphyrins. The fluidic nature of the free-base alkylated-tetraphenylporphyrins was controlled by attaching flexible and bulky branched alkyl chains at different positions. Furthermore, a subtle porphyrin ring distortion that originated from the bulkiness of alkyl chains was observed. Its consequences on the electronic perturbation of the porphyrin-unit were precisely elucidated by spectroscopic techniques and theoretical modelling. This molecular design allows shielding of the porphyrin unit by insulating alkyl chains, which facilitates its corona-charged state for a long period under ambient conditions

肝硬変例における呼吸同期肝イメージングおよびフーリエ解析による肝運動性評価の試み

金沢大学大学院医学系研究