Interspecific and sexual differences in riverine distribution of tropical eels Anguilla spp.

A total of 261 individuals of the four tropical eel species, Anguilla celebesensis, Anguilla marmorata, Anguilla bicolor pacifica and Anguilla interioris, were collected from 12 locations around Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, to gain knowledge about the riverine distribution of tropical eels. Anguilla marmorata was predominant in the lower reaches of Poso River (94·4% of total eel catch in the sampling area), Poso Lake (93·3%), three small inlet rivers of Tomini Bay (100%) and Laa River (92·3%). Anguilla celebesensis occurred frequently in the inlet rivers of Poso Lake (63·5%). Anguilla bicolor pacifica and Anguilla interioris were rare (1.5% and 0.4%, respectively). Otolith Sr:Ca ratio electron-probe micro analysis (EPMA) for individual migratory histories revealed that 15 A. celebesensis caught in Poso Lake and its inlet rivers were categorized into 14 river eels (Sr:Ca < 2·5) showing upstream migration seemingly at their elver stage and only one sea eel (Sr:Ca ≥ 6·0) that stayed in the marine habitat for the majority of its life after recruiting to Sulawesi Island before its late upstream migration. In A. marmorata, 19 examined eels from Poso Lake and its inlet rivers were all river eels, while 17 eels from the lower reaches of Poso River were two river eels, six sea eels and nine estuarine eels (2·5 ≤ Sr:Ca <6·0) that mostly lived in the brackish water. The sex ratio of A. celebesensis was highly skewed towards a dominance of females (99%). In A. marmorata, females were predominant in Poso Lake (95·2%), its inlet rivers (94·7%) and Laa River (100%), while males were more frequent in the lower reaches of Poso River (76·5%) and small inlet rivers of Tomini Bay (94·1%). These results indicate that the riverine distribution pattern of tropical eels differs among species and between sexes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Age and growth of migrating tropical eels, Anguilla celebesensis and Anguilla marmorata.

The age and growth of migrating tropical eels, Anguilla celebesensis and Anguilla marmorata from central Sulawesi, Indonesia, were examined. Migrating eels (63 A. celebesensis and 38 A. marmorata) were obtained from weirs near the Poso Lake outlet and non-migrating eels (35 A. celebesensis and 119 A. marmorata) were captured by baited hooks, eel pots, scoop net and electro-fishing in the Poso River system, Laa River system, Baluga River, Tongku River and Padapu River from February 2009 to October 2010. In both species, the proportion of eels with opaque otolith edges showed a single peak in July, suggesting that one annulus (a pair of translucent and opaque zones) was formed each year in their otoliths. Mean ± s.d. and range of total length (LT ) and age was 785·2 ± 114·9 (585-1083) mm and 7·5 ± 1·6 (5-11) years in migrating female A. celebesensis and 1132·2 ± 173·7 (800-1630) mm and 11·6 ± 3·3 (7-23) years in A. marmorata. The age of migrating female eels was negatively correlated with annual growth rate, 100·7 ± 17·2 (68·1-145·0) mm year-1 in A. celebesensis and 97·9 ± 19·3 (66·6-131·6) mm year-1 in A. marmorata, but there was no significant correlation between the LT and annual growth rate in either species. The annual growth rates of these female tropical eels were typically higher than those of temperate anguillid species, suggesting a latitudinal cline in growth rate in the genus Anguilla reflecting the environmental conditions of their growth habitat.

Morphological and physiological changes of female tropical eels, Anguilla celebesensis and Anguilla marmorata, in relation to downstream migration.

The morphological and physiological characteristics of migrating and non-migrating female tropical eels, Anguilla celebesensis and Anguilla marmorata were examined in relation to their downstream migration on central Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Migrating eels (64 A. celebesensis and 37 A. marmorata) were obtained from weirs set near the outlet area of Poso Lake and non-migrating eels (21 A. celebesensis and 21 A. marmorata) were sampled by set-lines and eel pots in Poso Lake, its inlet rivers, and in the La River system during February 2009 to October 2010. In both species, values of eye index, pectoral-fin length index, gonado-somatic index (I(G)), hepato-somatic index, swimbladder-somatic index and cardio-somatic index of migrating eels were significantly higher than those of non-migrating eels and the gut-somatic index values of the migrating eels were significantly lower than that of non-migrating eels. When silvering stages of eels were classified by the silvering index for Anguilla japonica, in A. celebesensis, all non-migrating eels were Y1 stage and the migrating eels consisted of Y2, S1 and S2 stages eels. In A. marmorata, the non-migrating eels consisted of Y1 and Y2 eels, and the migrating eels consisted of Y2 and S1 eels, but there were no S2 eels. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) of morphological and physiological variables suggested that these characteristics changed drastically between the Y1 and Y2 stages in A. celebesensis, while A. marmorata showed a gradual change with silvering, which differs from the temperate species A. japonica. The mean ±S.D. I(G) value of migrating A. celebesensis (6.9 ± 1.8, 3.3-11.4) was very high and that of A. marmorata (3.1 ± 0.8, 1.8-5.7) was comparatively low. The very different rates of maturation that were found between these two species provide support for the hypothesis that the reproductive characteristics of silver eels can reflect their migration scale.

Sympatric spawning of Anguilla marmorata and Anguilla japonica in the western North Pacific Ocean.

Extensive collections were made of the larvae of the temperate Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and the tropical giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata in an overlapping area of the North Equatorial Current region of the western North Pacific Ocean. Collections of 189 A. marmorata and > 2500 A. japonica larvae during nine surveys from 1991 to 2007 showed that these two anguillid eels have similar spawning areas just west of the southern West Mariana Ridge. In July to August 2006 and August 2007, morphologically and genetically identified A. marmorata preleptocephali were mainly collected between 14.5-15 degrees N and 142-142.5 degrees E, where A. japonica preleptocephali were also caught in some of the same net tows. Fewer A. marmorata preleptocephali, however, were collected (n = 31) compared to those of A. japonica (n = c. 165), and fewer small larvae of A. marmorata were collected per tow than A. japonica (n = 1-10 and 1-294, respectively), suggesting relatively smaller spawning aggregations of A. marmorata. The distribution of preleptocephali and small larvae was wider in longitude in A. marmorata (131- 143 degrees E) than in A. japonica (137-143 degrees E), while the latitudinal range was almost the same (12-17 degrees N). Although spawning by these two species overlaps both spatially and temporally, the tropical eels of the North Pacific population of A. marmorata probably have a much longer spawning season with fewer spawners, at least in summer, and recruit to a much wider latitudinal range of growth habitats.

Fabrication of gravity-driven microfluidic device.

We have studied the micro total analysis system as a blood test. A microfluidic device with a three-pronged microchannel and artificial capillary vessels was fabricated. The microchannel is to transport blood, focus blood cells, and line them up. The vessels are to observe red blood cell deformation. An excimer laser was used to form grooves and so on. Numbers of thermosetting resin film and fluororesin were piled up on a cover glass. A laser fabricated part of the channel at the each film every lamination, and then a three-dimensional structure microchannel was fabricated. The channel sizes have widths of 50-150 microm and depths of 45 mum. Through holes used as artificial capillary vessels are made in the fluororesin having a minimum diameter of 5 microm and a length of 100 microm. As blood and a physiological saline are injected into the microchannel, the device stands upward facing the channel, and blood cells go into the vessels by the force of gravity and sheath flow of the saline. By gravity various groove patterns were made changing the width and length for measurement of blood focusing. Moreover, the red blood cell deformation was observed in the vessels with a microscope.

Selective intercalation of charge neutral intercalators into GG and CG steps: implication of HOMO-LUMO interaction for sequence-selective drug intercalation into DNA.

We have synthesized naphthopyranone epoxide 4 from D-isoascorbic acid together with its three diastereoisomers. DNA alkylation of ODNs containing 5'XGT3' and 5'TGY3' by 4 (11R, 13R), where X and Y are any nucleotide bases, occurred at all G residues except at G of the 5'TGC3' sequence. In contrast, the three other diastereoisomers of 4 showed only weak G alkylation activity. Differential (1)H NMR NOE of the 4-G adduct confirmed the G-N7 alkylation at the epoxide carbon of 4 with concomitant S(N)2 ring opening of the epoxide. Quantitative HPLC analysis of G alkylation efficiency for 4 showed the order of G alkylation susceptibility as TGGT approximately CGT >> TGA > AGT > TGT >> TGC. The order was fully consistent with those reported for aflatoxin B(1) oxide and kapurimycin A(3), suggesting that the sequence selectivity observed for these DNA alkylating agents is not structure dependent but most likely due to the intrinsic property of DNA sequences. We found that the order of G alkylation susceptibility obtained for 4 completely matched the calculated HOMO energy level of G-containing sequences. These results underscore that 4 is a unique molecular probe for ranking the HOMO level of G-containing sequences by well-known G alkylation chemistry and suggests that the intercalation of charge neutral intercalators is a HOMO-controlled process.

The signaling pathway of cardiotrophin-1 is not activated in hypertrophied ventricles of carnitine-deficient juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice.

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a novel cytokine which is involved in the growth and survival of cardiac cells. We examined whether CT-1 plays a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in carnitine-deficient juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice. The CT-1 mRNA level was quantitatively measured by the competitive RT-PCR method. In contrast to other models including spontaneously hypertensive rats, CT-1 mRNA in the ventricles of JVS mice was comparable to the control at 5 days and was less than half the control value at 2 and 8 weeks when the ventricles of the JVS mice were highly hypertrophied. There were no significant differences in CT-1 mRNA levels in the lung, liver, kidney, small intestine and skeletal muscle between the JVS and control mice at 2 weeks. We did not find any difference between JVS and control mice at 2 weeks in the mRNA level of ventricular leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) which binds to the same receptor as CT-1. Furthermore, almost no phosphorylated STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), downstream of the LIF receptor and the gp130 signaling subunit, was observed in the ventricles of JVS and control mice. These data show that the CT-1 signaling pathway does not play a significant role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in JVS mice. Furthermore, we could not detect any differences in insulin-like growth factor I and II mRNA levels. All these data suggest distinct differences in the mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy between JVS mice and other model animals.

[Effects of music on relieving pain associated with a compulsory posture].

To assess the role of music on pain management, we examined effects of music to relieve a pain associated with a compulsory posture. Classical musics, which are recognized to make persons feel well, were chosen in this study. Five healthy adult females kept a supine position for 2 hours without music. Complains, and variations of heart beat and respiration were observed in each individual during the 2 hour experiment. After 5 days or more, these subjects had the same experience with music. Frequency and intensity of complains were significantly diminished by music. Heart rate was not changed by music. Respiration rate was increased in 3 subjects with music. Frequency of irregular respiration was significantly decreased by music. There was a positive correlation between frequency of irregular respiration and number of complaints in subjects kept without music. The present study demonstrated that music is effective to relieve a pain associated with a compulsory posture. Our results suggest that music plays a significant role on pain management in palliative therapy.

[False positive reaction in measurement of allergen-specific IgE--comparison of 3M IgE FAST-Plus Test using polystyrene well as adsorbent with Phadezym RAST].

Irrelevant IgE binding to cellulose discs is known to give false positive results in Phadezym RAST (Pharmacia) for the estimation of allergen-specific IgE in serum. We investigated FAST-Plus Test (3M Diagnostic Systems), an enzyme-linked sandwich type Fluoro-Allergo-Sorbent Test in which a particular allergen was coated to polystyrene well. Phadezym RAST and CAP RAST (Pharmacia) using cellulose-derivative discs as adsorbent were used as reference methods. Patients' sera which gave negative blank reactions to uncoated filter paper disc in the Phadezym RAST system were assayed for specific IgE to 6 allergens using FAST-Plus Test, CAP RAST and Phadezym RAST, and the results of the former two were compared with those of Phadezym RAST using a comparable class system. FAST-Plus Test showed variable correlations with Phadezym RAST, the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.41 to 0.97 (r = 0.462 in house dust 1, r = 0.713 in house dust 2, r = 0.412 in Candida albicans, r = 0.952 in Dermatophagoides peteronyssinus, r = 0.969 in Dermatophagoides farinae and r = 0.682 in Japanese cedar), although most of the results were within one class difference. Similar correlations were obtained between CAP RAST and Phadezym RAST. Of 3004 patients' sera tested in the past two years using Phadezym RAST, 132 (96 cases) displayed positive blank reactions to the uncoated filter paper disc. Of the 96 cases, 80 sera were assayed for binding of IgE to the uncoated cellulose-derivative disc in the CAP RAST system. 18 showed positive results up to 7 IU/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma--characteristics of intracystic fluid associated with renal cell carcinoma from Japanese reports].

The patient was a 56-year-old male. Renal cyst and intracystic mass were incidentally found in the right kidney by ultrasound sonography. Intracystic mass was enhanced. At operation, intracystic fluid was clear and yellow, and its cytology was negative. However, rapid histological examination of the intracystic mass showed malignancy. Accordingly, nephrectomy was performed. We then reviewed the characteristics of the intracystic fluid in renal cell carcinoma reported in Japan and found that 70% was bloody intracystic fluid and 30% showed positive cytology. These findings suggested that we should to be more careful when diagnosing renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma only by the examination of the intracystic fluid.

Increase of brain ammonia after microwave irradiation and its mechanism.

Microwave irradiation at 4kW for 0.4 sec applied to the heads of mice produced an increase in brain ammonia. This increase resulted from stimulated breakdown of glutamine initiated by microwave irradiation and proceeded until freezing of the brain. Two glutamine-related enzymes, in the brain, phosphate-dependent glutaminase (assayed in the presence of 200mM phosphate) and glutamine synthetase, were inactivated by microwave irradiation in a similar fashion. On the other hand, glutaminase activity in the presence of 10mM phosphate increased. This is considered to be a probable cause of the increase in brain ammonia. The increased 10mM-phosphate glutaminase activity remained stable in the precipitate fraction even after 5% Triton X-100 treatment.

The heterogeneous distribution of argininosuccinate synthetase in the liver of type II citrullinemic patients. Its specificity and possible clinical implications.

The authors analyzed the heterogeneous distribution of hepatic argininosuccinate synthetase of type II citrullinemia in reference to its specificity and clinical implications. The low content of the enzyme in the liver of type II citrullinemic patients is associated with two kinds of the enzyme distribution that can be visualized by means of an immunohistochemical method (Saheki and colleagues. Biomed Res 1983;4:235-238). Among the 25 cases of type II citrullinemia examined, 11 exhibited homogeneous distribution of the enzyme, as in the control livers. On the other hand, 14 presented the clustered distribution, in which the hepatocytes stained positively with antisera to argininosuccinate synthetase formed a cluster among the poorly stained cells. No clustered distribution of the enzyme was present in the liver of control patients either with or without liver diseases. No clustered distribution of arginase and aldolase B was observed even in the liver of type II citrillinemic patients. These results suggest that clustered distribution is specific to argininosuccinate synthetase in the liver of type II citrullinemic patients. From considerations concerning the heterogeneous distribution of the enzyme and certain clinical parameters as well, the authors suggest that the clustered type in type II citrullinemia has a less favorable prognosis with regard to fatality.

Increased urinary excretion of argininosuccinate in type II citrullinemia.

Although argininosuccinate is a product of the catalytic action of deficient argininosuccinate synthetase in citrullinemia, its concentration was found to be elevated in the urine of patients with type II citrullinemia. Urinary argininosuccinate was identified by two methods; its conversions to anhydride by boiling in an acidic solution and to arginine by the enzymatic action of argininosuccinate lyase. Oral administration of citrulline to patients with type II citrullinemia and control subjects increased urinary argininosuccinate levels. These phenomena are consistent with our previous findings on type II citrullinemia (Adv Exp Med Biol 1983;153:63-76,J Clin Biochem Nutr 1986;1:129-142), namely that renal argininosuccinate synthetase which plays a role in arginine synthesis is not deficient in patients with type II citrullinemia; and that serum arginine levels in patients with type II citrullinemia are rather higher than the controls, and increase after the oral administration of citrulline. The organ-specific deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase in type II citrullinemia is further confirmed by this paper.

Molecular basis of enzyme abnormalities in urea cycle disorders. With special reference to citrullinemia and argininosuccinic aciduria.

This paper deals with enzymological, immunochemical and molecular genetic analyses of citrullinemia and argininosuccinic aciduria. Citrullinemia has been classified by Saheki et al. [J. inher. Metab. Dis. 8: 155-156, 1985] into three types from the properties of the deficient argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) of the patients. Analysis of hepatic mRNA coding for ASS revealed certain characteristics in type II and III citrullinemic patients whose hepatic ASS protein was low. A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) protein showed that 8 out of ten cases of argininosuccinic aciduria had no detectable ASL protein in the liver, erythrocytes, cultured skin fibroblasts or cultured amniocytes.

Messenger RNA coding for argininosuccinate synthetase in citrullinemia.

Messenger RNA coding for argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), extracted from the livers of some patients with citrullinemia, was analyzed using a cell-free translation system and dot and Northern blot hybridization with cDNA probe for ASS. In patients with quantitative-type citrullinemia, called type II here, previous studies have demonstrated that the hepatic content of the enzyme was about 10% of the control value, whereas the translatable mRNA level for the enzyme was similar to that of control livers. Here, we confirmed that the type II liver contained an almost normal amount of mRNA coding for ASS, judged by the dot-blot hybridization technique with cDNA. Northern blot hybridization of RNA indicated that there was hybridizable mRNA of approximately normal size (about 1.7 kilobase [kb]) in each, suggesting that large structural gene deletions had not occurred. These results indicate that in type II citrullinemia, the decrease in the enzyme protein is due either to increased degradation of the enzyme or to decreased or inhibited translation in the liver. Another type of citrullinemia was found and classified as type III. It is characterized by no detectable enzyme activity for ASS or translation activity for ASS mRNA. However, a smaller amount of RNA molecule hybridized for ASS cDNA was detected.

Specificity of hemorrhagic proteinase from Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) venom.

Hemorrhagic proteinase, HTb, isolated from Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) venom was studied for its specificity. HTb showed fibrinogenase activity, hydrolyzing the A alpha chain of fibrinogen first, followed by the cleavage of the B beta chain. HTb is different from thrombin and did not produce a fibrin clot. The degradation products of fibrinogen were found to be different, indicating that the cleavage sites in the A alpha and B beta chains are different from those of thrombin. N-Benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg-p-nitroanilide was not hydrolyzed by HTb, although this substrate was hydrolyzed by thrombin and reptilase.