Immunomodulation and Humoral Immune Response in Teleost Immunized with -Derived Antigenic Extracellular Bioactive Molecules.

The common use of antimicrobials in food-animal production can lead to drug residues in edible tissues for consumers. However, immunomodulators enhance immune responses and vaccine effectiveness. A new perspective explores bacterial extracellular bioactive molecules (EBMs) in food-animal production to modulate host immune responses, potentially transforming pathogen management and antimicrobial use.

Genetic relationships between and within some Malawian cichlid genera.

Genetic relationships were examined for a total of 90 individuals of 90 species or species var. from 13 genera of Malawian cichlids based on the sequences of an amplified 991-bp fragment of the mtDNA control region (mtDNA-CR). In the network analysis, no exclusive clades were made by all the members of any genera in this study.

Host range differences between two species of freshwater horsehair worm (Nematomorpha: Chordiidae) Chordodes japonensis and C. formosanus in Japan.

Horsehair worms (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea) are endoparasites of terrestrial arthropods, of which two species, Chordodes japonensis and C. formosanus, may have been historically confused due to their morphological similarity. In this study, we conducted field surveys and laboratory parasite inoculation experiments to clarify the characteristics and differences in host range and specificity between the two species.

Host Size Selection in the Ectoparasite (Isopoda: Corallanidae) under Laboratory Conditions.

is a temporary ectoparasite infesting freshwater shrimps and prawns in eastern Asia. This study investigated the host size selection by across common freshwater shrimps under laboratory conditions. A total of 70 isopods were allowed to select between host shrimps of different size and different species in pairwise selection experiments.

Host selection and potential predation in the host-parasite interaction between the isopod and freshwater host species.

is an ectoparasite commonly found on diverse ecologically and commercially valuable freshwater shrimps and prawns. Previous studies on this parasite have focused on its distribution and taxonomical identification, while its host preference and/or the potential predation in this host-parasite interaction remained poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the host preference and potential predation of the isopod using manipulative choice and predation experiments under laboratory settings.

Molecular phylogeny of Japanese marine Tanytarsini chironomids (Chironomidae: Chironominae).

Tanytarsini is a large tribe of Chironomidae with at least 11 recorded marine species grouped in three genera. In this study, we performed a phylogenic analysis using molecular data from 13 Tanytarsini genera, including all Japanese marine species in a large tribe of Chironominae, to estimate their phylogenetic positions and evolutionary history. The phylogenetic reconstruction grouped the marine species in two clades.

Size Relationship of the Ectoparasite in the Host Shrimp From Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

Monthly sampling of freshwater shrimps infested by the corallanid ectoparasite was conducted at an agricultural canal of the Etsura River system, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, from April 2018 through December 2019. A total of 944 and 279 spp. were collected, and 203 immature were found attached to the carapace of these hosts.

16S rRNA Gene Sequence Identification of Cultivable-Bacterioplankton Between Ambient Water and Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) of Resident Teleost.

This study was conducted to evaluate the ambient water bacterial dynamics and its influence on the gut of resident teleosts; . The bacterial communities in the ambient water and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of . were profiled using a culture-dependent method and followed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Transcriptome analysis of Chironomus sulfurosus larvae living in acidic environments: Insights into molecular mechanisms for acid tolerance.

Larvae of chironomid Chironomus sulfurosus mainly live in acidic rivers near hot springs, suggesting that they naturally select acidic environments as preferred habitats. Here we showed that C. sulfurosus larvae moved toward acidic areas and stayed alive on agar gels with a pH gradient of HSO, and the body fluid pH of the homogenized larvae was near neutral even acclimated under the acidic conditions, indicating mechanisms for acid tolerance.

Antibacterial activity of Mallotus japonicus (L.F.) Müller Argoviensis on growth of Aeromonas hydrophila, A. salmonicida, Edwardsiella tarda and Vibrio anguillarum.

Aims: The present study evaluated the antimicrobial activities of the medicinal plant Mallotus japonicus against the fish pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas salmonicida, Edwardisella tarda and Vibrio anguillarum, and also describes the antimicrobial activities of the major and minor active compounds present within the plant extract. The synergistic effects by way of combination of these compounds were also evaluated and described. Chemical constituents of the plant extracts were analysed using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and described.

Population Dynamics of Lancelet in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan.

The population dynamics of lancelet are reported for six sampling sites in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, for November 2007-2016. Lancelet growth and life span varied spatially, being faster and shorter, respectively, at Stn 3 (off Marugame, western Bisan-seto) than at other sites; average body length at Stn 3 was 36.1 mm for 2-year-old lancelets, and 38.

A new species of Tanytarsus van der Wulp, 1874 (Diptera: Chironomidae) and the first Japanese record of Tanytarsus ovatus Johannsen, 1932 with DNA barcodes.

A new species of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp, 1874 was described and illustrated based on an adult male. Tanytarsus trichovalis sp. nov.

Determination of the serum metallothionein (MT)1/2 concentration in patients with Wilson's disease and Menkes disease.

We have developed an easy and specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the simultaneous determination of serum metallothinein-1 (MT-1) and 2 (MT-2) in both humans and experimental animals. A competitive ELISA was established using a specific polyclonal antibody against rat MT-2. The antibody used for this ELISA had exhibited the same cross-reactivity with MT in humans and experimental animals.

Determination of metallothionein-3 by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in experimental animals.

An easy and specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the determination of metallothinein-3 (MT-3) in experimental animals for the research of heavy metal and chemical toxicity has not been reported yet. Therefore, we have developed a competitive ELISA, using a specific monoclonal antibody raised against human recombinant MT-3 (rMT-3). The epitope mapping of the antibody was conducted using mouse, rat, and human MT-3s and peptide fragments of human MT-3.

[Correlation between required quality assurance equipment and radiation therapy institutional level].

Radiotherapy institutions carry out various types of treatments such as conventional radiation treatment, stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). According to the radiation treatment type, various kinds of quality assurance (QA) equipment are used to maintain the accurate dose delivery to a patient with accurate positioning. The aim of this report was to propose the QA equipment required at various institutional levels.

Temporal and spatial dynamics of a lower-intertidal lancelet population in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan.

The population dynamics of Branchiostoma japonicum, formerly known as B. belcheri, were Investigated from September 2003 to August 2005 in the intertidal zone at Takehara (Hiroshima Prefecture), Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The intertidal population appeared from spring to autumn and disappeared during winter.

Industrial production of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) from crude inulin extracted from chicory roots using Arthrobacter sp. H65-7 fructosyltransferase.

A practical, economical, and industrial process for the enzymatic production of difructose anhydride III (DFA III) was investigated for crude inulin prepared from chicory roots using Arthrobacter sp. H65-7 fructosyltransferase. A comparable level of DFA III production to that from commercial inulin was obtained using crude inulin, suggesting the feasibility of this production process.

Aggressive carcinoid tumors arising in the duodenum, ileum, and rectum with liver metastasis: a report of three cases.

Three aggressive carcinoid tumors with liver metastasis arising in the duodenum (Case 1, 72-year-old man), ileum (Case 2, 72-year-old man), and rectum (Case 3, 67-year-old woman) were studied. Case 1 initially suffered from hemorrhage from an exophytic large tumor and developed a liver metastasis after operation. Cases 2 and 3 first presented as multiple liver metastases.

Osteosarcoma arising in the breast.

We report on a 49-year-old woman with osteosarcoma arising in the breast. She had undergone two consecutive excision biopsies for right breast tumors at ages 40 and 42 years. The tumors were diagnosed as a fibroadenoma and a benign phyllodes tumor, respectively.

Renewal of genetic composition of a lancelet, Branchiostoma belcheri, in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan.

We studied renewal of genetic composition of a lancelet, Branchiostoma belcheri, at a station in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. We detected a total of 49 DNA bands from 27 individuals of 5 seasonal samples. Among these, some were specific to individual or seasonal sample.

A case report of plasmapheresis in paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia associated with anti-Tr antibody.

A 53-year-old-male patient was admitted to the Hiroshima University Hospital in August 2001, with a history of progressive cerebellar ataxia, notable by standing and gait disturbances. Brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no signs of ischemic damage. Two weeks later, left axillary lymphadenopathy developed.

Variations in body size of the lancelet Branchiostoma belcheri at different depths in the Seto Inland Sea: effect of food supply on the growth rate.

Variations in body size of the suspension-feeding lancelet Branchiostoma belcheri were examined from April 2001 to December 2001 at different water depths of 10-80 m. The lancelets were abundantly collected (220 indiv./dredge) at water depth of 10 m.

Species-independent detection of RNA virus by representational difference analysis using non-ribosomal hexanucleotides for reverse transcription.

A method for the isolation of genomic fragments of RNA virus based on cDNA representational difference analysis (cDNA RDA) was developed. cDNA RDA has been applied for the subtraction of poly(A)(+) RNAs but not for poly(A)(-) RNAs, such as RNA virus genomes, owing to the vast quantity of ribosomal RNAs. We constructed primers for inefficient reverse transcription of ribosomal sequences based on the distribution analysis of hexanucleotide patterns in ribosomal RNA.

Primary jejunal malignant melanoma first noticed because of the presence of parotid lymph node metastasis.

The case of a 71-year-old Japanese man with primary jejunal melanoma with an unusual clinical course is reported. Several cases of primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine have been reported, but in most cases no clear evidence has shown whether the lesions were primary or metastatic. We discuss why the tumor in our case was considered primary, and we review similar cases of primary melanoma of the small intestine.