Cribrilina mutabilisn. sp., an Eelgrass-Associated Bryozoan (Gymnolaemata: Cheilostomata) with Large Variationin Zooid Morphology Related to Life History

We describe the cribrimorph cheilostome bryozoan Cribrilina mutabilis n. sp., which we detected as an epibiont on eelgrass (Zostera marina) at Akkeshi, Hokkaido, northern Japan. This species shows three distinct zooid types during summer: the R (rib), I (intermediate), and S (shield) types. Evidence indicates that zooids commit to development as a given type, rather than transform from one type to another with age. Differences in the frontal spinocyst among the types appear to be mediated by a simple developmental mechanism, acceleration or retardation in the production of lateral costal fusions as the costae elongate during ontogeny. Colonies of all three types were identical, or nearly so, in partial nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene (555–631 bp), suggesting that they represent a single species. Zooid types varied temporally in overall frequency in the population: colonies contained nearly exclusively R-type zooids in mid-June; predominantly I-type, or both R- and I-type, zooids in mid-July; and I-type, S-type, or both I- and S-type zooids (interspersed or in discrete bands) in mid- to late August. Reproduction occurred throughout the season, but peaked in July, with only R- and I-type zooids reproducing. Reproductive zooids bear a vestigial compound (tripartite) ooecium and brood internally; S-type zooids, first appearing in August, were non-reproductive, which suggests that they may serve as an overwintering stage. As this species is easily accessible, common, and simple in form, it is potentially useful as a model system for studying polyphenism at multiple levels (zooid, colony, and population) in the context of life-history adaptations

Competitive Adsorption on Graphite Investigated Using Frequency-Modulation Atomic Force Microscopy: Interfacial Liquid Structure Controlled by the Competition of Adsorbed Species

The competitive adsorption of long-chain (C₁₈ and C₂₄) carboxylic acids versus <i>n</i>-decanol on graphite was investigated using frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy. A long-range-ordered monolayer of the solute (stearic acid or lignoceric acid) developed in saturated decanol solution, whereas an ordered decanol monolayer was deposited from dilute solutions. The piconewton-order tip–surface force was observed in solutions as a function of the vertical and lateral coordinates, together with the topography of the monolayers. The tip–surface force was periodically modulated, which was interpreted with a solution structure commensurate with the ordered assembly of adsorbed monolayers. These results show that the solution structure at the interface was controlled by the competitively adsorbed species and thus was sensitive to the composition of the bulk solution

Cross-Sectional Structure of Liquid 1‑Decanol over Graphite

The interface of graphite and liquid 1-decanol was studied using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM). The topography of epitaxially physisorbed decanol on the substrate was traced with submolecular resolution. The tip–surface force was monitored in the liquid as a function of the vertical and lateral tip coordinates to reveal the cross-sectional structure of the interfacial decanol. Four or more liquid layers were identified by vertically modulated force distributions. The first and second liquid layers were laterally heterogeneous, as evidenced by a force distribution that was periodically modulated along lateral coordinates. A possible structuring mechanism is proposed on the basis of energy gain by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions

Screening dataset of food components that enhance transcriptional activity of PGC1-beta

PGC-1β is a transcriptional co-activator of nuclear receptors, which acts to increase energy expenditure. PGC-1β fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain transfected in HEK293T cells showed a reporter luciferase activity. We screened food-derived and natural compounds using a reporter assay system to measure the transcriptional activity of PGC-1β.We found that soy-derived isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, and several resveratrols activated PGC-1β, see “Genistein, daidzein, and resveratrols stimulate PGC-1β-mediated gene expression” [1]. The list of 166 compounds and their reporter activity is shown here. Keywords: Screening, Reporter assay, Transcriptional activit

Association of serum adiponectin and myostatin levels with skeletal muscle in patients with obesity: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAdiponectin has been reported to be associated with lower skeletal muscle mass and skeletal strength and may be involved in skeletal muscle regulation along with myostatin. This study aims to evaluate the association between serum adiponectin and myostatin levels and identify independent factors using body composition and metabolic parameters in patients with obesity.MethodsOverall, 148 patients (age, 45.9 ± 14.3 years, body mass index, 37.2 ± 8.0 kg/m2) who initially visited the outpatient clinic of obesity between November 2013 and November 2019 were included. Body composition was measured using InBody 720 and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. In addition, muscle strength, vascular function, and metabolic parameters were measured. Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, myostatin, and irisin were measured from blood samples.ResultsThe serum adiponectin level was 2.9 μg/mL (1.7-4.1 μg/mL), and the serum myostatin level was 2398.4 pg/mL (1,777.1-2952.5 pg/mL). The stepwise regression analysis revealed less leg strength, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and C-reactive protein as an independent predictor of serum adiponectin levels based on the significance of the univariate analysis (R2 = 0.190, P ConclusionThe serum adiponectin level was associated with less muscle strength. Although serum myostatin was associated with a high appendicular lean mass, it is possible that myostatin was regulated by the percentage of body weight from appendicular lean mass