18S rRNA gene sequences of leptocephalus gut contents, particulate organic matter, and biological oceanographic conditions in the western North Pacific.

Eel larvae apparently feed on marine snow, but many aspects of their feeding ecology remain unknown. The eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene sequence compositions in the gut contents of four taxa of anguilliform eel larvae were compared with the sequence compositions of vertically sampled seawater particulate organic matter (POM) in the oligotrophic western North Pacific Ocean. Both gut contents and POM were mainly composed of dinoflagellates as well as other phytoplankton (cryptophytes and diatoms) and zooplankton (ciliophoran and copepod) sequences.

Molecular diet analysis of Anguilliformes leptocephalus larvae collected in the western North Pacific.

Natural diets of leptocephalus larvae have been enigmatic. In this study, we collected DNA samples from the gut contents and body surface of leptocephali belonging to the five Anguilliform families (Anguillidae, Chlopsidae, Congridae, Muraenidae, and Serrivomeridae) from the northwest Pacific and performed next-generation 18S rDNA sequencing. Wide variety of eukaryotes was detected in both samples, from which eight eukaryotic groups (jellyfish, conoid parasite, tunicate, copepod, krill, segmented worm, fungi, and dinoflagellate) were selected on the basis of abundance.

Dynamics of seagrass bed microbial communities in artificial Chattonella blooms: A laboratory microcosm study.

The influence of algicidal and growth-inhibiting bacteria in a seagrass (Zostera marina) bed, and their capability of controlling blooms of the fish-killing raphidophyte flagellate, Chattonella antiqua, were examined in laboratory microcosm experiments. Bacterial communities in seawater collected from the seagrass bed and Z. marina biofilm suppressed artificial Chattonella blooms in the presence of their natural competitors and predators.

Algicidal and growth-inhibiting bacteria associated with seagrass and macroalgae beds in Puget Sound, WA, USA.

The algicidal and growth-inhibiting bacteria associated with seagrasses and macroalgae were characterized during the summer of 2012 and 2013 throughout Puget Sound, WA, USA. In 2012, Heterosigma akashiwo-killing bacteria were observed in concentrations of 2.8×10CFUg wet in the outer organic layer (biofilm) on the common eelgrass (Zostera marina) in north Padilla Bay.

Down-regulation of EGFR prolonged cell growth of glioma but did not increase the sensitivity to temozolomide.

Background: Malignant glioma is an invasive disease of the central nervous system. One of the factors that regulate growth of these tumors is expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the cells. This study investigated the effects of down-regulation of EGFR on cell proliferation, cell cycle and cytotoxicity to antineoplastic agent.

The effect of PTEN on proliferation and drug-, and radiosensitivity in malignant glioma cells.

Background: Deletions or mutations of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are frequently observed in malignant glioma and are responsible for progression of the disease. Since the molecule is a promising target for gene therapy, the effects of PTEN on glioma proliferation in combination with the anti-neoplastic agent, temozolomide, and ionizing radiation were investigated.

Materials And Methods: An adenoviral vector encoding PTEN was used.

Effect of inhibition of the ROCK isoform on RT2 malignant glioma cells.

Background: Malignant glioma is one of the most intractable diseases in the human body. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is overexpressed and has been proposed as the main cause for the refractoriness of the disease. Since efficacious treatment is required, this study investigated the effect of inhibition of ROCK isoforms.