Network of Inorganic Nanocrystals Can Swell: Study of Swelling-Induced Surface Instability.

A unique organic-inorganic hybrid network composed of inorganic nanocores (ranging from semiconductors to metallic ones) interconnected through organic molecules can be produced by crosslinking the organic ligands of colloidal inorganic nanocrystals in assemblies. This work reports that this network, which is conventionally considered an inorganic film, can swell when exposed to a solvent because of the interaction between the solvent and the organic linkage within the network. Intriguingly, this work discovers that drying the solvent of the swollen organic-inorganic hybrid network can significantly affect the morphology owing to the swelling-induced compress stress, which is widely observed in various organic network systems. This work studies the surface instability of crosslinked organic-inorganic hybrid networks swollen by various organic solvents, which led to buckling delamination. Specifically, this work investigates the effects of the i) solvent-network interaction, ii) crosslinking density of the network, and iii) thickness of the film on the delamination behavior of the crosslinked network.

Extending the Operational Lifetime of Electrochemiluminescence Devices by Installing a Floating Bipolar Electrode.

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) holds significant promise for the development of cost-effective light-emitting devices because of its simple structure. However, conventional ECL devices (ECLDs) have a major limitation of short operational lifetimes, rendering them impractical for real-world applications. Typically, the luminescence of these devices lasts no longer than a few minutes during operation. In the current study, a novel architecture is provided for ECLDs that addresses this luminescence lifespan issue. The device architecture features an ECL active layer between two coplanar driving electrodes and a third floating bipolar electrode. The inclusion of the floating bipolar electrode enables modulating the electrical-field distribution within the active layer when a bias is applied between the driving electrodes. This, in turn, enables the use of opaque yet electrochemically stable noble metals as the driving electrodes while allowing ECL light to escape through the transparent floating bipolar electrode. A significant extension on operational lifetime is achieved, defined as the time required for the initial luminance (>100 cd m-2) to decrease by 50%, surpassing 1 h. This starkly contrasts the short lifetime (<1 min) attained by ECLDs in a conventional sandwich-type architecture with two transparent electrodes. These results provide simple strategies for developing durable ECL-based light-emitting devices.

An artificial intelligence system for comprehensive pathologic outcome prediction in early gastric cancer through endoscopic image analysis (with video).

BACKGROUND: Accurate prediction of pathologic results for early gastric cancer (EGC) based on endoscopic findings is essential in deciding between endoscopic and surgical resection. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to assess comprehensive pathologic characteristics of EGC using white-light endoscopic images and videos. METHODS: To train the model, we retrospectively collected 4,336 images and prospectively included 153 videos from patients with EGC who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection. The performance of the model was tested and compared to that of 16 endoscopists (nine experts and seven novices) using a mutually exclusive set of 260 images and 10 videos. Finally, we conducted external validation using 436 images and 89 videos from another institution. RESULTS: After training, the model achieved predictive accuracies of 89.7% for undifferentiated histology, 88.0% for submucosal invasion, 87.9% for lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and 92.7% for lymph node metastasis (LNM), using endoscopic videos. The area under the curve values of the model were 0.992 for undifferentiated histology, 0.902 for submucosal invasion, 0.706 for LVI, and 0.680 for LNM in the test. In addition, the model showed significantly higher accuracy than the experts in predicting undifferentiated histology (92.7% vs. 71.6%), submucosal invasion (87.3% vs. 72.6%), and LNM (87.7% vs. 72.3%). The external validation showed accuracies of 75.6% and 71.9% for undifferentiated histology and submucosal invasion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AI may assist endoscopists with high predictive performance for differentiation status and invasion depth of EGC. Further research is needed to improve the detection of LVI and LNM.

Decision to perform additional surgery after non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer based on the risk of lymph node metastasis: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Radical surgery after non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) may be excessive, since only 5-10% of patients have lymph node metastasis (LNM). This study investigated the suitability of the eCura system for determining the need for radical surgery after non-curative ESD. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 343 patients who underwent non-curative ESD for EGC from 2006 to 2021 at a tertiary hospital in Korea. These patients were divided into surgery (n = 191) and observation (n = 152) groups based on whether they underwent additional surgery post-ESD. Each group was further classified into low-risk (eCura score 0-1), intermediate-risk (eCura score 2-4) and high-risk (eCura score 5-7). All patients were regularly followed-up at least annually after the initial treatment. The cumulative overall and recurrence-free survival rates were calculated for each category and compared between the surgery and observation groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in overall survival were found between the surgery and observation groups in low-risk (p = 0.168) and intermediate-risk patients (p = 0.306); however, high-risk patients had better 5-year overall survival rate in the surgery group than in the follow-up group (95.2% vs. 71.4%, p < 0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was higher in the surgery group than in the observation group for low-risk (100% vs. 84.3%; p = 0.034), intermediate-risk (96.1% vs. 88.4%; p = 0.081) and high-risk patients (100% vs. 83.3%; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up without additional surgery after non-curative ESD can be a reasonable option for low-risk and even intermediate-risk patients according to the eCura system. However, surgery is warranted for eCura high-risk patients.

Assessment of Safety, Effects, and Muscle-Specific Accumulation of Dietary Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in Paralichthys olivaceus.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a commonly used antioxidant added to animal/fish feed to limit lipid autoxidation and peroxidation. Although there have been reviews and reports of BHT toxicity in animals, limited information is available with respect to the toxic effects and accumulation of BHT due to oral exposure in aquaculture species. Therefore, 120 days of feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary BHT on the marine fish olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Graded levels of BHT were added to the basal diet in increments of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg BHT/kg, corresponding to 0 (BHT0), 11 (BHT11), 19 (BHT19), 35 (BHT35), 85 (BHT85), and 121 (BHT121) mg BHT/kg diets, respectively. Fish with an average weight of 77.5 ± 0.3 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. Growth performance, feed utilization, and survival rate were not significantly affected by the dietary BHT levels among all experimental groups, whereas BHT concentration in the muscle tissue was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner up to 60 days of the experimental period. Thereafter, BHT accumulation in muscle tissue showed a declining trend among all treatment groups. Furthermore, the whole-body proximate composition, nonspecific immune responses, and hematological parameters (except triglycerides) were not significantly influenced by the dietary levels of BHT. Blood triglyceride content was significantly higher in fish fed the BHT-free diet compared to all other treatment groups. Thus, this study demonstrates that dietary BHT (up to 121 mg/kg) is a safe and effective antioxidant without exhibiting any adverse effects on the growth performance, body composition, and immune responses in the marine fish olive flounder, P. olivaceus.

Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replacement with Alternative Protein Ingredients and Their Combinations on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Fillet Composition, and Biochemical Parameters of Red Seabream (Pagrus major).

The experiment was conducted to evaluate alternative protein ingredients in a low-fish meal (FM) diet for red seabream (Pagrus major). Twelve experimental diets were formulated. Control diet (CON) was designed to contain 60% FM. Other experimental diets were formulated by replacing 50% of FM from the CON with soy protein concentrate (SPC), corn gluten (CG), meat meal (MM), and/or chicken byproduct meal (CBM). Four diets were designed including one of SPC, CG, MM, or CBM as FM replacer and designated as SPC, CG, MM, and CBM. Six other diets were formulated by adding two ingredients as SPC and CG, SPC and MM, SPC and CBM, CG and MM, CG and CBM, or MM and CBM, and designated as SCG, SMM, SCM, CMM, CCM, and MCM, respectively. The 12th diet (MIX) was formulated by including SPC, CGM, MM, and CBM. Triplicate fish groups (50.2 ± 0.1 g) were hand-fed for 12 weeks. Weight gain (WG) of fish was significantly improved by MM and MCM diets compared to CG, SCG, CMM, and CCM diets. WG of CON, SPC, CM, SMM, SCM, and MIX groups were comparable with MM and MCM groups. The lowest WG was observed in CG and CMM groups. Feed efficiency (FE) was significantly higher in MM group compared to SPC, CG, SGC, and CMC groups. FE of MCM group was significantly higher than CG and SCG groups. Fillet linolenic acid (C18:2n-6) level in CG group was significantly higher than CON, MM, CM, SCM, CCM, and MCM groups. Serum lysozyme activity was significantly higher in MCM and MIX groups. Therefore, a high level of dietary CG reduces the growth performance and feed utilization of red seabream. A mixture of MM and CBM seems to be more efficient in replacing FM from red seabream diet.

Update on the medial longitudinal fasciculus syndrome.

The medial longitudinal fasciculus is a key structure for conjugate horizontal eye movements by relaying signals from the abducens internuclear neurons to the medial rectus subdivision of the contralateral oculomotor nucleus. Thus, lesions involving the medial longitudinal fasciculus give rise to a typical neuro-ophthalmological sign, the internuclear ophthalmoplegia, which is characterized by impaired adduction of the ipsilesional eye and dissociated abducting nystagmus of the contralateral eye during attempted contralesional horizontal gaze. In addition, medial longitudinal fasciculus lesions may produce various other ocular motor abnormalities since the medial longitudinal fasciculus also conveys the signals for the control of the vestibulo-ocular reflex and smooth pursuit. Other possible ocular motor abnormalities include spontaneous vertical-torsional nystagmus, contraversive ocular tilt reaction, and impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex, especially for the contralesional posterior canal. Recognition of the ocular motor findings observed in the medial longitudinal fasciculus syndrome would aid in detection and localization of potentially grave lesions involving the brainstem.

Comparison of MOG and AQP4 antibody seroprevalence in Korean adults with inflammatory demyelinating CNS diseases.

We aimed to compare seroprevalence of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies in Korean adults with inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDDs) of the central nervous system (CNS), based on a multicenter nationwide database. Sera were analyzed using a live cell-based assay for MOG and AQP4 antibodies. Of 586 Korean adults with IDDs of the CNS, 36 (6.1%) and 185 (31.6%) tested positive for MOG and AQP4 antibodies, respectively. No participant showed double positivity. Seroprevalence of MOG antibodies was about five times lower than that of AQP4 antibodies in a large cohort of Korean adults with IDDs of the CNS.

Characterization of a Bacillus sp. KRF-7 isolated from the intestine of rockfish and effects of dietary supplementation with mannan oligosaccharide in rockfish aquaculture.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the bacteria isolated from rockfish intestines and to investigate the effects of feed supplementation in rockfish aquaculture. Bacillus sp. KRF-7 isolated from the intestine of rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) was demonstrated to be safe based on in vitro tests confirming the absence of hemolysis, cytotoxicity, and genes with toxigenic potential. In a feeding trial, providing a supplemental diet of 1 × 108 CFU g-1Bacillus sp. KRF-7 was observed to positively alter the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio of juvenile rockfish. KRF-7 supplementation showed positive regulation of nonspecific immune parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, lysozyme activity, and myeloperoxidase activity. This analysis also revealed a change in the composition of the intestinal microbiota at the phylum level from Proteobacteria to Firmicutes. In both the kidney and spleen, the expression levels of IL-10, NF-κB, and B cell activating factors in the KRF-7-supplemented group were significantly increased compared to those in the control group. Therefore, this study verified the safety of KRF-7 isolated from the intestine of rockfish and suggests that dietary supplementation with KRF-7 enhances the growth performance of rockfish and has beneficial effects on the regulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune response.

Cerebellar infarction presenting with isolated positional vertigo: differentiating factors for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Isolated central positional vertigo (CPV) due to cerebellar infarction is often difficult to differentiate from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Here, we aimed to evaluate whether vascular risk factors and serum vitamin D level can differentiate between positional vertigo types. METHODS: A total of 78 consecutive patients were consecutively enrolled from January 2017. All CPV patients had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 0 and cerebellar infarctions confirmed by brain MR imaging. Vascular risk factors and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The proportion of men was higher in the CPV than in the BPPV group (p = 0.004). Atrial fibrillation was common in the CPV group on univariate analysis (p = 0.046). However, there were no independent differentiating factors between the two groups. The proportion of patients according to the number of risk factors was significantly different between the two groups (linear by linear association test, p = 0.02). The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level did not differ. Also, the proportions of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased number of vascular risk factors including male sex suggested more CPV than BPPV. However, the serum vitamin D level was below the normal range in both groups. Our results demonstrate that serum vitamin D level has little value in the differential diagnosis of positional vertigo. Efforts to identify differentiating factors are warranted, and accumulating evidences including our research may lead to a diagnostic algorithm for isolated positional vertigo.

Differential diagnosis of acute vascular vertigo.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current review covers recent advances in vascular vertigo in terms of diagnostic strategies, clinical/laboratory features, pathophysiology, and differential diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Acute strokes presenting with isolated dizziness/vertigo without other obvious symptoms or signs of central nervous system involvements may be easily mistaken as peripheral vestibulopathy. For correct diagnosis of vascular vertigo, the importance of clinical history (timing and triggers) and targeted bedside examination cannot be overemphasized. In addition to Head Impulse-Nystagmus-Test of Skew, several differential strategies have been advanced by adopting a combination of clinical history, bedside or laboratory examination, and imaging for diagnosis of vascular vertigo. Circumscribed cerebellar and brainstem lesions may cause isolated central vestibular syndromes with characteristic vestibular and ocular motor manifestations. Recognition of these findings would aid in localizing the lesions and understanding the function of each central vestibular structure. Central positional nystagmus (CPN) may mimic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), but additional oculomotor or neurological findings mostly permit differentiation of CPN from BPPV. SUMMARY: In acute vestibular syndrome, discriminating vascular causes is still challenging especially when other central symptoms and signs are not evident. An integrated approach based on understanding of clinical features, laboratory findings, speculated mechanisms, and limitations of current diagnostic tests will lead to better clinical practice.

Meiobenthic nematodes in the assessment of the relative impact of human activities on coastal marine ecosystem.

Ecological quality (EcoQ) status of the Southwest and West coasts of South Korea was evaluated within the "National Investigation of Marine Ecosystems in Korea" in the 2015. In particular, the study dealt to assess the ecological quality of the sediments using free-living nematode communities. A total of 149 species were found in the study area, and Daptonema, Sabatieria, Parodontophora, Sphaerolaimus, and Viscosia were found as dominant genera. Statistical analysis of both environmental and faunal parameters showed an increasing human pressure from Western to Southern coasts. The community structure changed with the environmental features of the study area and allowed the detection of a suite of possible nematode indicators that might be used in monitoring studies. In particular, Dorylaimopsis spp. appeared heavy metal and organic matter resistant taxa, Sabatieria an eutrophication resistant genus, while Paracanthonchus and Neotonchus as heavy metal and organic matter sensitive genera. The principal component analysis (PCA) results showed a clear negative correlation between maturity index and both heavy metal and organic matter increasing, while diversity indices did not appear to be significantly influenced by them. Appling the thresholds of the synthetic nematode indices, the EcoQ of the study area was assessed as poor to moderate.

Impact of Visceral Adipose Tissue on Clinical Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between adiposity using adipose tissue imaging and stroke outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Methods- A total of 127 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis who underwent abdominal computed tomography on admission were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Patients were grouped according to their visceral adipose tissue (VAT) proportion tertile. The primary outcome was measured using the modified Rankin Scale 3 months after symptom onset. Favorable and excellent outcomes were defined as modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2 and 0 to 1, respectively. Results- As VAT proportion tertile increased, the number of patients exhibiting a favorable or excellent outcome decreased. In the final multivariable analysis after adjustments for confounders, patients in the highest VAT proportion tertile showed a decreased probability of a favorable and excellent outcome compared with those in the lowest tertile (odds ratio=0.18; 95% CI, 0.05-0.60; P=0.005 and odds ratio=0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.64; P=0.012, respectively). Obese patients (body mass index ≥25) also showed an excellent outcome compared with nonobese patients (odds ratio=4.88; 95% CI, 1.47-7.85; P=0.011). Among obese patients, those with an excellent outcome presented a significantly lower VAT proportion than those without (38.2% versus 46.1%, P=0.006). Conclusions- Results of this study indicate that low visceral abdominal fat proportion is associated with a favorable and excellent outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Better clinical outcomes in obese patients were also associated with a lower proportion of VAT.

HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Levels and Clinical Outcome Post-Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background and Purpose- We analyzed the relationship between HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) levels and clinical outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods- A total of 534 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with MT were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. The primary outcome measured was the modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months, according to HbA1c level. High HbA1c levels were defined as a plasma level of HbA1c >6.5%. Favorable outcomes were defined as functional independence, with modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2. Secondary functional outcomes included mortality, early clinical outcomes, and intracranial hemorrhage. Results- The number of patients with a favorable outcome was significantly lower in patients with HbA1c >6.5% than in those with HbA1c ≤6.5% (28.8% versus 42.1%; P=0.006). In multivariate analysis, high HbA1c levels (especially >7.0% HbA1c) were significantly associated with poor functional outcomes 3 months after AIS in patients with large vessel occlusion treated with MT. High HbA1c was also significantly associated with increased mortality and worse early clinical outcomes after AIS in patients treated with MT. Subgroup analyses showed that HbA1c >6.5% was associated with significantly lower odds of functional independence at 3 months after AIS, when comparing the recanalized group with nonrecanalized patients. Conclusions- These results suggest that high HbA1c level is an independent predictor of a poor outcome at 3 months after AIS in patients with large vessel occlusion treated with MT, particularly in those with recanalization, and may augment the risk of mortality and early clinical worsening after AIS.

Impact of Microbleeds on Outcome Following Recanalization in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- We analyzed the association between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients and especially in a subgroup of patients with successful recanalization. Methods- A total of 1532 acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was measured using the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months, according to the CMB status based on magnetic resonance imaging at admission. Favorable outcome was defined as functional independence with modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Results- There was no statistically significant association between the presence of CMB and favorable outcome at 3 months when considering all patients (44.3% versus 37.6%; P=0.121). In patients with recanalization, the number of patients with favorable outcomes was significantly higher in the CMB-negative than in the CMB-positive group (57.0% versus 36.0%; P<0.001). In the final multivariate analysis, the presence of CMB, and in particular high CMB burden (≥5), and lobar location, were significantly associated with less favorable 3-month outcomes (odds ratio=0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.97; P=0.038) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio=3.21; 95% CI, 1.37-7.49; P=0.007) in patients with recanalization. In the analysis of subgroups, a statistically significant interaction was found between CMB presence and recanalization in predicting functional outcomes at 3 months. Conclusions- These results indicate that the presence of CMBs, and especially high burden and lobar location, are independent predictors of poor 3-month clinical outcomes and may increase symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk in acute ischemic stroke patients with recanalization. Our findings suggest that CMBs lead to more unfavorable effects in patients with recanalization after large vessel occlusion than in those without recanalization.

Central vertigo.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review considers recent advances in central vertigo in terms of clinical and laboratory features and pathophysiology. RECENT FINDINGS: Strokes presenting dizziness-vertigo are more likely to be associated with a misdiagnosis in the emergency setting. The risk of future strokes after discharge is higher in patients diagnosed with peripheral vertigo than in control patients. Strokes and transient ischemic attacks account for one-quarter of acute transient vestibular syndrome. Diagnosis of acute combined central and peripheral vestibulopathy such as anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction requires additional consideration whenever applying the HINTS (head impulse test, direction-changing gaze-evoked nystagmus, and test of skew). Heat illness and metronidazole have been recognized as new causes of central vestibulopathy. Some new findings have also been added to the clinical and laboratory features of central vertigo. SUMMARY: Central vertigo is a heterogeneous group of disorders with diverse clinical spectrums. An integrated approach based on understanding of clinical features, laboratory findings, speculated mechanisms, and limitations of current diagnostic tests will lead to better clinical practice.

Synergistic effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis WB60 and mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) on growth performance, immunity and disease resistance in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica.

This study evaluated the synergistic effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis WB60 and mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) in juvenile Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Seven treatment diets were formulated to contain three different levels of B. subtilis (0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 × 107 CFU/g diet denoted as BS0, BS0.5, and BS1, respectively) with two MOS levels (0 and 5 g/kg diet denoted as M0 and M5, respectively), and one diet with oxytetracycline (OTC) at 5 g/kg diet. Each diet (BS0M0 (CON), BS0M5, BS0.5M0, BS0.5M5, BS1M0, BS1M5, and OTC) was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish averaging 9.00 ±â€¯0.11 g (mean ±â€¯SD) for eight weeks. Average weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the BS0.5M5 and BS1M5 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed CON, BS0.5M0 and OTC diets (P < 0.05). Significant increases in the nonspecific enzymatic activities (e.g., lysozyme and myeloperoxidase) were detected from fish fed the BS0.5M5, BS1M5, and OTC diets compared to the CON, BS0.5M0, and BS0M5 diets (P < 0.05). Whereas, immunoglobulin M expressions were recorded significantly higher for fish fed the BS0.5M5 and BS1M5 diets compared to those of fish fed the other diets (P < 0.05). Also, heat shock protein 70 mRNA levels of fish fed BS0.5M5 and BS1M5 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the CON diet (P < 0.05). Histological observations of the intestinal morphology showed healthier gut for fish fed BS0.5M5 and BS1M5 diets than those fed CON, BS0M5, and OTC diets. Additionally, resistance to bacterial challenge with Vibrio anguillarum was recorded significantly lower for fish fed the CON diet than those fed other diets (P > 0.05). Therefore, the results for growth performance, non-specific immune responses, intestinal morphology, and disease resistance demonstrated that supplementation of B. subtilis at 0.5 × 107 CFU/g diet and mannanoligosaccharide at 5 g/kg diet could have beneficial synergistic effects in Japanese eel. The isolated probiotic from eel and the selected prebiotic could lead to the development of a specific and potential synbiotic in Japanese eel aquaculture.

Ocular Motor Dysfunction Due to Brainstem Disorders.

BACKGROUND: The brainstem contains numerous structures including afferent and efferent fibers that are involved in generation and control of eye movements. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: These structures give rise to distinct patterns of abnormal eye movements when damaged. Defining these ocular motor abnormalities allows a topographic diagnosis of a lesion within the brainstem. RESULTS: Although diverse patterns of impaired eye movements may be observed in lesions of the brainstem, medullary lesions primarily cause various patterns of nystagmus and impaired vestibular eye movements without obvious ophthalmoplegia. By contrast, pontine ophthalmoplegia is characterized by abnormal eye movements in the horizontal plane, while midbrain lesions typically show vertical ophthalmoplegia in addition to pupillary and eyelid abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of the patterns and characteristics of abnormal eye movements observed in brainstem lesions is important in understanding the roles of each neural structure and circuit in ocular motor control as well as in localizing the offending lesion.

Comparative evaluation of dietary probiotics Bacillus subtilis WB60 and Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3928 on the growth performance, immunological parameters, gut morphology and disease resistance in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica.

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two different probiotics Bacillus subtilis WB60 and Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3928 in diet of Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Seven experimental diets were formulated to contain no probiotics (CON), three graded levels of B. subtilis at 106 (BS1), 107 (BS2), 108 (BS3) and L. plantarum at 106 (LP1), 107 (LP2), 108 (LP3) CFU/g diet. Twenty fish averaging 8.29 ± 0.06 g were distributed in to 21 aquaria and were randomly assigned to one of the experimental diets in triplicate groups. Average weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed B. subtilis at 107 (BS2) and 108 (BS3) CFU/g diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed other experimental diets (P < 0.05). Nonspecific enzymatic activities including lysozyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) from fish fed B. subtilis at 107 (BS2) and 108 (BS3) CFU/g diet were detected to be significantly higher than that from fish fed CON diet (P < 0.05). Whereas, level of intestine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), heat shock protein 70, 90 (HSP70, 90) and immunoglobulin (IgM) from fish fed B. subtilis at 107 and 108 CFU/g diet were recorded to be significantly higher than those of fish fed other experimental diets (P < 0.05). Parameters for intestinal morphology and histology suggested a healthier gut for the fish fed108 (BS3) CFU/g diet as compared to other treatment groups. Whereas, results from the disease challenge test with bacteria Vibrio angulillarum showed significantly lower survival rate for fish fed CON diet than those of fish fed other experimental diets. Therefore, these results indicated that oral supplement of B. subtilis at 108 (BS3) CFU/g diet could be a more effective source of probiotic compared to L. plantarum in Japanese eel.