Easy and Reproducible Low-Density Primary Culture using Frozen Stock of Embryonic Hippocampal Neurons.

Neuronal culture is a valuable system for evaluating synaptic functions and drug screenings. In particular, a low-density culture of primary hippocampal neurons allows the study of individual neurons or subcellular components. We have shown subcellular protein localization within a neuron by immunocytochemistry, neuronal polarity, synaptic morphology, and its developmental change using a low-density primary hippocampal culture.

Use of a filamentous green alga (Chaetomorpha sp.) and microsnail (Stenothyra sp.) as feed at an early stage of intensive aquaculture promotes growth performance, artificial feed efficiency, and profitability of giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon).

With the worldwide demand for tropical penaeid prawn increasing in recent decades, more research on shrimp culture methods is needed to enhance efficiency and profitability for shrimp farmers. The objective of this study was to develop a technique to boost the productivity, feed efficiency, and profitability of the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). To accomplish this, a novel culture setup was established in which two benthic organisms, a filamentous green alga (Chaetomorpha sp.

Uncertainty Relation for Errors Focusing on General POVM Measurements with an Example of Two-State Quantum Systems.

A novel uncertainty relation for errors of general quantum measurement is presented. The new relation, which is presented in geometric terms for maps representing measurement, is completely operational and can be related directly to tangible measurement outcomes. The relation violates the naïve bound ℏ/2 for the position-momentum measurement, whilst nevertheless respecting Heisenberg's philosophy of the uncertainty principle.

Calcium dynamics during trap closure visualized in transgenic Venus flytrap.

The leaves of the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula (Dionaea) close rapidly to capture insect prey. The closure response usually requires two successive mechanical stimuli to sensory hairs on the leaf blade within approximately 30 s (refs. ).

Stimulation of asymbiotic sporulation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by fatty acids.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are obligate symbionts that depend on living host plants to complete their life cycle. This feature, which leads to their unculturability in the absence of plants, strongly hinders basic research and agricultural application of AM fungi. However, at least one AM fungus can grow and develop fertile spores independently of a host plant in co-culture with the bacterium Paenibacillus validus.

When Photons Are Lying about Where They Have Been.

The history of photons in a nested Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an inserted Dove prism is analyzed. It is argued that the Dove prism does not change the past of the photon. Alonso and Jordan correctly point out that an experiment by Danan et al.

Immunostimulation and yellow head virus (YHV) disease resistance induced by a lignin-based pulping by-product in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Linn.).

Yellow head virus (YHV) is classified as one of the most serious pathogens causing a harmful disease in many penaeids, especially black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), with high economic loss. To determine a potent and practical prophylactic strategy for controlling this disease, the toxicity of the by-product kraft lignin and its ability to control severe YHV infection were investigated in juvenile black tiger shrimp (15.9 ± 1.

Ecological and morphological profile of floating spherical Cladophora socialis aggregations in central Thailand.

The unique beauty of spherical aggregation forming algae has attracted much attention from both the scientific and lay communities. Several aegagropilous seaweeds have been identified to date, including the plants of genus Cladophora and Chaetomorpha. However, this phenomenon remains poorly understood.

Occurrence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas spp. in marine species of shrimps cultured at inland low salinity ponds.

We aimed to document the risk of Aeromonas spp. in marine shrimp species cultured in inland low salinity ponds in Thailand. In 14 of 18 shrimp samples retrieved from inland grow-up ponds, Aeromonas spp.

Diversity and characterization of oxytetracycline-resistant bacteria associated with non-native species, white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), and native species, black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), intensively cultured in Thailand.

Aims: This study aimed at surveying prevalence of oxytetracycline (OTC)-resistant bacteria in the white-leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, and the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, intensively cultured in Thailand. We investigated the phylogenetic diversity of the bacterial isolates, as well as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OTC, the occurrence of major OTC-resistant genes and multiple-antibiotic resistance in the isolates.

Methods And Results: Shrimps were collected from culture ponds, and the homogenates of whole bodies were plated on tryptic soy agar supplemented with or without OTC.

Mapping of a major locus controlling seed dormancy using backcrossed progenies in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Seed dormancy is an important factor regulating preharvest sprouting (PHS) but is a complex trait for genetic analysis. We previously identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling seed dormancy on the long arm of chromosome 4A (4AL) in common wheat. To transfer the QTL from the dormant lines 'OS21-5' and 'Leader' into the Japanese elite variety 'Haruyokoi', which has an insufficient level of seed dormancy, backcrossing was carried out through marker-assisted selection (MAS) using PCR-based codominant markers.

Long-lasting potassium channel inactivation in myoepithelial fibres is related to characteristics of swimming in diphyid siphonophores.

Diphyid siphonophores swim using bursts of propulsive jets, which are produced by contractions of a monolayer of subumbrellar myoepithelial fibres lining the nectophore. This swimming behaviour is characterised by successive increases in the force generating the jets during the initial jets of the burst. Action potentials that generate the contractions propagate throughout the myoepithelial layer: both their amplitude and duration successively increase during the first part of the burst.

Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal and caudal heart muscle of the hagfish Eptatretus burgeri Girard.

Hagfishes are regarded as the most primitive living craniates. Excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling mechanisms were studied in skeletal and caudal heart muscle fibres of the hagfish Eptatretus burgeri. In white (fast) skeletal muscle fibres from the musculus tubulatus, force generation in response to electrical stimulation was maintained in nominally Ca(2+) free artificial seawater (ASW) (0Ca(2+)-ASW) containing 10 mmol l(-1) Co(2+) (a blocker of Ca(2+) currents).

Excitation-contraction coupling in isolated locomotor muscle fibres from the pelagic tunicate Doliolum which lack both sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubular system.

In the locomotor muscle of the pelagic tunicate Doliolum, both the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the transverse-tubular (T-tubular) system are absent. The mechanism of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling was studied in single muscle fibres enzymatically dissociated from Doliolum denticulatum. Whole cell voltage clamp experiments demonstrated an inward ionic current associated with membrane depolarisation.

Ionic currents in isolated and in situ squid Schwann cells.

Ionic currents from Schwann cells isolated enzymatically from the giant axons of the squids Loligo forbesi, Loligo vulgaris and Loligo bleekeri were compared with those obtained in situ. Macroscopic and single channel ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell voltage and patch clamp. In the whole-cell configuration, depolarisation from negative holding potentials evoked two voltage-dependent currents, an inward current and a delayed outward current.

Regulation of the H+ pump activity in the plasma membrane of internally perfused Chara corallina.

The role of cytoplasm for the maintenance of the H+ pump activity in Chara corallina internodal cells was examined by the intracellular perfusion technique. Cytoplasm-rich and -poor states were obtained by changing the perfusion time, short-term (less than 2 min) and long-term (more than 5 min), respectively. A large portion of cytoplasm was left by short-term perfusion but most of the cytoplasm was removed by long-term perfusion.

Cyclic AMP-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline-induced contraction and Ca2+ influx in guinea-pig vas deferens.

The relaxation effects of forskolin and methylxanthines on noradrenaline (NA)-induced contractions were investigated by measuring isotonic contraction and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the epididymal side of guinea-pig vas deferens. NA (100 microM) and high K+ (55 mM) induced a biphasic contraction; fast, transient (phasic) and slow, sustained (tonic) phases. Both phases in either NA or high K+ stimulation were abolished in Ca2+-free solution.

Activation of locomotor and grasping spine muscle fibres in chaetognaths: a curious paradox.

Chaetognath muscle fibres resemble vertebrate muscle fibres in having an abundant sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and analogues of the transverse (T) tubular system. but contraction is regulated differently. In intact chaetognaths electrically-evoked contractions of the striated locomotor muscles were largely or totally blocked by d-tubocurarine, by surgical removal of the ventral ganglion and by Co2 +.

Contraction and relaxation in the absence of a sarcoplasmic reticulum: muscle fibres in the small pelagic tunicate Doliolum.

Previous ultrastructural observations suggested that Doliolum muscle fibres apparently lacked both sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubular-system. External Ca2+ is required for contraction, caffeine does not evoke contraction, nor does it increase intracellular Ca2+ level. Ryanodine at 50 microM has no effect on electrically-evoked contractions.

K+ accumulation and K+ conductance inactivation during action potential trains in giant axons of the squid Sepioteuthis.

1. During action potential trains in giant axons from the squid Sepioteuthis, decline of the peak level of the undershoot potential was observed. The time course of the decline of the undershoot could be fitted with a three-exponential function with time constants of approximately 25, approximately 400 and approximately 7,000 ms, respectively.

Regional differences in the contractile and intracellular Ca2+ responses of the guinea-pig vas deferens to neurotransmitters and excess K+.

The contractile responses to various concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), acetylcholine (ACh) and excess external K+ in the epididymal, middle and prostatic portions of the guinea-pig vas deferens were investigated by measuring the isotonic contraction, and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) using fura-2 fluorescence. In the epididymal portion, the contractions evoked by each of these agonists were biphasic, comprising a transient followed by a tonic phase. In the middle portion, NA and ACh evoked biphasic contractions, whereas the ATP-induced contraction was an almost monophasic transient.

Emergence of a chloride permeability after internal perfusion with calcium in squid giant axons.

In the resting condition, the membrane of the squid giant axon is highly permeable to K+, and shows large changes in membrane potential following an increase in external or internal K-concentration. When 3-5 mM Ca2+ was applied internally for 3 min, the membrane became highly permeable to Cl- as compared to K+. The permeability ratio PCl/PK was about 0.