The SEAFDEC/AQD experience in stock enhancement

The Aquaculture Department (AQD) of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) started stock enhancement activities in 2000 as part of the Coastal Fishery Management Project in Malalison Is., Culasi, Antique, Philippines (SEAFDEC/AQD 1998). This was the same year as the Bangkok Declaration and Strategy for Aquaculture Development (NACA/FAO, 2000), which affirmed the potential of stock enhancement to increase fish supply. Since then, research on seed production, and release and monitoring strategies has been initiated on the abalone (Haliotis asinina), seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri, and H. kuda), mud crabs (Scylla serrata, S. olivacea and S. tranquebarica), top shell (Trochus niloticus), and window-pane oyster (Placuna placenta). Closing the life cycle and mass production of juveniles have been attained for most of these species, but actual releases have been conducted only for abalone and mud crabs. In this review article, we describe the present situation of stock enhancement of abalone, mud crab and seahorse at AQD

Ganglioside GM3 Has an Essential Role in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that principally attacks synovial joints, afflicts over 2 million people in the United States. Interleukin (IL)-17 is considered to be a master cytokine in chronic, destructive arthritis. Levels of the ganglioside GM3, one of the most primitive glycosphingolipids containing a sialic acid in the structure, are remarkably decreased in the synovium of patients with RA. Based on the increased cytokine secretions observed in in vitro experiments, GM3 might have an immunologic role. Here, to clarify the association between RA and GM3, we established a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model using the null mutation of the ganglioside GM3 synthase gene. GM3 deficiency exacerbated inflammatory arthritis in the mouse model of RA. In addition, disrupting GM3 induced T cell activation in vivo and promoted overproduction of the cytokines involved in RA. In contrast, the amount of the GM3 synthase gene transcript in the synovium was higher in patients with RA than in those with osteoarthritis. These findings indicate a crucial role for GM3 in the pathogenesis and progression of RA. Control of glycosphingolipids such as GM3 might therefore provide a novel therapeutic strategy for RA

Biological mechanism and clinical effect of protein-bound polysaccharide K (KRESTIN®): review of development and future perspectives

The mechanism of action of protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK; KRESTIN®) involves the following actions: (1) recovery from immunosuppression induced by humoral factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or as a result of surgery and chemotherapy; (2) activation of antitumor immune responses including maturation of dendritic cells, correction of Th1/Th2 imbalance, and promotion of interleukin-15 production by monocytes; and (3) enhancement of the antitumor effect of chemotherapy by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of metastasis through direct actions on tumor cells. The clinical effectiveness of PSK has been demonstrated for various cancers. In patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, combined use of PSK with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival, and this effect has been confirmed in multiple meta-analyses. For small-cell lung carcinoma, PSK in conjunction with chemotherapy prolongs the remission period. In addition, PSK has been shown to be effective against various other cancers, reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy, and improve quality of life. Future studies should examine the effects of PSK under different host immune conditions and tumor properties, elucidate the mechanism of action exhibited in each situation, and identify biomarkers

Neural network prediction of relativistic electrons at geosynchronous orbit during the storm recovery phase: effects of recurring substorms

During the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms, the flux of relativistic (>2 MeV) electrons at geosynchronous orbits is enhanced. This enhancement reaches a level that can cause devastating damage to instruments on satellites. To predict these temporal variations, we have developed neural network models that predict the flux for the period 1–12 h ahead. The electron-flux data obtained during storms, from the Space Environment Monitor on board a Geostationary Meteorological Satellite, were used to construct the model. Various combinations of the input parameters AL, SAL, Dst and SDst were tested (where S denotes the summation from the time of the minimum Dst). It was found that the model, including SAL as one of the input parameters, can provide some measure of relativistic electron-flux prediction at geosynchronous orbit during the recovery phase. We suggest from this result that the relativistic electron-flux enhancement during the recovery phase is associated with recurring substorms after Dst minimum and their accumulation effect.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (energetic particles, trapped; magnetospheric configuration and dynamics; storms and substorms

Seabream GnRH: partial cDNA cloning, localization and stage-dependent expression in the ovary of snake head murrel, Channa striatus

Vertebrate reproduction is under the neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamic decapeptide GnRH which synchronizes various reproductive events and influences other reproduction related aspects like spawning behavior and pheromonal action in fish. Multiple forms of GnRH peptides have been reported across diverse vertebrate and invertebrate classes. Here we report the partial seabream GnRH (sbGnRH) cDNA sequence cloned from the brain of Channa striatus (snake head murrel) a fresh water perciform with immense economic and medicinal value across Asiatic countries. sbGnRH mRNA was found in brain, gill and ovary of mature murrel with possible implications to the effect of GnRH on pheromonal phenomena and on reinitiation of oocyte meiosis. In keeping with the earlier reported role of GnRH in initiation of oocyte meiosis we here present evidence from RT-PCR, ICC demonstrating an increase in the level of sbGnRH mRNA in ovary from pre-vitellogenic to post-vitellogenic follicles.IS, GS and MKR acknowledges the financial support obtained as CSIR-JRF/SRF from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India. IS and BS gratefully acknowledge Prof. Aparna Dutta Gupta and Prof. A.S. Raghavendra for allowing to use the microtome and microscope facility. The work is in part supported by a Grant-in-aid (F.30-195/2004[SR]) to BS from the University Grants Commission, India

An experimental model for amoebic abscess production in the cheek pouch of the Syrian golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus

A new experimental model was developed in hamsters for amoebic abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica. E. histolytica trophozoites were cultured in a liquid axenic medium, and then injected intradermally into the cheek pouch of the Syrian golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus. Inoculation consistently resulted in abscess formation at the site in 20 of 22 (91%) study animals. The amoebic nature of the abscesses was confirmed by light microscopy and histopathologic examination. Abscess formation was maximal at day 12 post-inoculation. Potential applications of this simple and reliable model include further elucidation of the pathogenesis of invasive amoebiasis, studies of the host response to amoebae, and in vivo evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents that show in vitro efficacy against E. histolytica