Disinfection by Ozone Microbubbles Can Cause Morphological Change of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Spores

To investigate the difference in the disinfectant efficiency of ozone microbubbles (O₃MB) and ozone millibubbles (O₃MMB), the morphological change of the treated Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis spores was observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). The disinfectant efficiency of O₃MB on F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis spores was greater than that of O₃MMB. On observation with SEM, it was revealed that morphological change of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis spores was caused by O₃MB and O₃MMB, and damage to the spore surfaces by O₃MB occurred sooner than that by O₃MMB. On observation with TEM, it was furthermore confirmed that F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis spores treated with O₃MB induced wavy deformation of cell membrane and the intracellular change different from that with O₃MMB. Therefore, the greater disinfection efficiency of O₃MB was suggested to be caused due to the function of the MB in addition to the oxidative power of O₃

Acute Effect of Metformin on Postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia through Delayed Gastric Emptying

Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia is a potential target for cardiovascular disease prevention in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia. Metformin has been reported to reduce plasma triglyceride concentrations in the postprandial states. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the triglyceride-lowering effect of metformin. Here, we examined the effects of metformin on lipid metabolism after olive oil-loading in 129S mice fed a high fat diet for three weeks. Metformin administration (250 mg/kg) for one week decreased postprandial plasma triglycerides. Pre-administration (250 mg/kg) of metformin resulted in a stronger triglyceride-lowering effect (approximately 45% lower area under the curve) than post-administration. A single administration (250 mg/kg) of metformin lowered plasma postprandial triglycerides comparably to administration for one week, suggesting an acute effect of metformin on postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. To explore whole body lipid metabolism after fat-loading, stomach size, fat absorption in the intestine, and fat oxidation (13C/12C ratio in expired CO2 after administration of glyceryl-1-13C tripalmitate) were measured with and without metformin (250 mg/kg) pre-treatment. In metformin-treated mice, larger stomach size, lower fat oxidation, and no change in lipid absorption were observed. In conclusion, metformin administration before fat loading reduced postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, most likely by delaying gastric emptying