In vivo and in vitro studies using larval and adult antigens from Neobenedenia melleni on immune response in yellowtail (Seriola lalandi).

Neobenedenia melleni is a monogenean parasite that causes significant mortality and economic losses in fish aquaculture. Changes in the antigenic composition of this parasite occur during its developmental stages. In this study, we evaluated humoral parameters in serum and transcriptional immune responses of yellowtail naturally infected with N. melleni. In addition, in vitro assays were performed to study the stimulatory effects of antigens from larvae and adults on spleen leucocytes from non-infected fish at 6 and 24 h post-stimulation. The results showed enhanced total protein, myeloperoxidase and antiprotease activities in N. melleni-infected fish compared with non-infected ones. The induction of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in spleen leucocytes during natural infection with N. melleni suggests that these immune-related genes play an important role in the initiation of the immune defence mechanism for controlling parasite infection. Interestingly, the magnitude of in vitro responses of spleen leucocytes was dependent on the parasitic stage. An important stimulation of gene expression by adult antigens on spleen leucocytes was observed. Differential expression patterns of TLRs and target cytokines in yellowtail leucocytes in both in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the quality of yellowtail immune response is conditioned by N. melleni development.

Yakohama s risk management through information technology

Describe los sistemas de emergencias instalados por la empresa Yokohama Water Works para asegurar el suministro de agua en caso de emergencias, como terremotos. Entre ellos se destacan los sistemas de reserva, los de monitoreo de la calidad del agua, y los sistemas de informacion de prevencion de desastres que cubre la ciudad

Yakohama s risk management through information technology

Describe los sistemas de emergencias instalados por la empresa Yokohama Water Works para asegurar el suministro de agua en caso de emergencias, como terremotos. Entre ellos se destacan los sistemas de reserva, los de monitoreo de la calidad del agua, y los sistemas de informacion de prevencion de desastres que cubre la ciudad

Ethnic differences in blood pressure level between Japanese school children in Bolivia and native Bolivians.

Blood pressure levels were measured in 626 children (138 Japanese, 477 Bolivian and 11 of mixed blood) in a Japanese agricultural settlement in Bolivia. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was higher in Japanese children than in Bolivian children at each measured age by 4.09 mmHg (P = 0.0001) and 2.25 mmHg (P = 0.0038), respectively, using analysis of covariance. Although the slope of the regression line both for SBP and for DBP with age tended to be greater in Japanese, this was not statistically significant. There were no ethnic differences in height, weight or body mass index, however, which are usually indicators that correlate well with blood pressure. Ethnic differences in blood pressure were also shown at each of the measured values of height (SBP: 3.93, DBP: 2.19) and weight (SBP: 4.03, DBP: 2.23). Factors causing these ethnic differences are discussed in relation to cultural and genetic considerations.

The mercury content of hair of Japanese immigrants in various locations in South America.

Hair mercury levels in four Japanese immigrant settlements in South America were determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The levels in the two Bolivian settlements were relatively higher (6.22 and 3.53 ppm for males, 3.66 and 2.23 ppm for females) than those in Brazil (2.19 ppm for males, 1.57 ppm for females) and in Paraguay (2.40 ppm for males, 2.04 ppm for females). The levels in Bolivia were almost the same as recent Japanese levels. Dose-response relationships between frequency of eating fish and hair mercury level were found in all the settlements. However, even in the same fish-eating category, the content varied from place to place. Significant correlations between husbands and wives were demonstrated in three out of four settlements. These results imply that the mercury content of hair is regulated by the life style within each family. That is, inhabitants of Japanese settlements, especially in Bolivia, maintain their Japanese habit of fish eating. This results in a high hair mercury content, even when they live in a rural area and consume only fish from the head rivers of the Amazon.