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In the search for antibiotic alternatives from safe and effective medicinal plants against fish pathogenic bacteria, we found that a combined extract (CE) of 1:1 (w/w) ratio of Angelica gigas Nakai roots and aerial parts of Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura showed antibacterial activity against the fish pathogenic bacteria. By antibacterial activity-guided fractionations and isolations, five com-pounds were isolated and identified as decursinol angelate (1), decursin (2), xanthotoxin (3), demethylsuberosin (4), and 2,4-di-hydroxy-6-methoxyacetophenone (5) through spectroscopic analyses, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Among the compounds, 1 and 2 showed the highest antibacterial activities against Streptococcus iniae and Vibrio anguillarum, showing minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 62.5–250 μg/mL. Compounds 3, 4, and 5 were also found to be active, with MICs of 31.25–1,000 μg/mL for those strains. Furthermore, active compounds, 1 and 2 in CE were simul-taneously quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem MS (HPLC-MS/MS). The average contents of 1 and 2 in CE was 3.68% and 6.14%, respectively. The established method showed reliable linearity (r2 > 0.99), good precision, accuracy, and specificity with intra- and inter-day variations of < 2 % and recoveries of 90.13%–108.57%. These results may be helpful for establishing the chemical profile of CE for its commercialization as an antibiotic alternative in aquaculture.

We previously demonstrated that a marine bacterial pathogen Vibrio vulnificus isolated from sea foods modulated gene expression levels and defense responses of a land plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Although the interaction between V. vulnificus and A. thaliana was verified under artificial and greenhouse conditions, the simultaneous changes in host and pathogen transcriptomes remained obscure. In this study, we simultaneously analyzed the transcriptome of V. vulnificus MO6-24/O and A. thaliana by dual RNA-sequencing analysis. Disease symptoms appeared at 5 and 7 days post-inoculation in vitro and post-infiltration in planta, respectively. A total of 31, 128, 303, 219, and 130 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in V. vulnificus MO6-24/O at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-infiltration. Out of these, 14 genes involved in the virulence and pathogenicity of V. vulnificus MO6 were characterized. These genes were clustered into six categories, including adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis and motility, iron uptake, toxin and secretion system. In plant side, the bacterium DEGs potentially played a pivotal role in activating pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)-mediated defense responses. A. thaliana genes related to PRRs, reactive oxygen species burst, mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade induction, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, abscisic acid, auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin were highly induced by V. vulnificus MO6-24/O challenge. Taken together, our results indicate that the sophisticated communication between a marine bacterial pathogen V. vulnificus and A. thaliana occurs. It is the first report demonstration that V. vulnificus actively modulates its virulence factors and potential host immune regulator in a land plant species.

Use of SiPM has been considered as an alternative to PMT, because of its compact size, low-operating voltage, non-sensitive to electromagnetic, low costs and so on. The main limitation for the use of SiPM is due to its small sensitive area compared to PMT that limits the light collection, and therefore the sensor energy resolution. In this article we studied the effect of increasing the number of SiPM by connecting them in parallel to increase the active detection area. This allowed us to compare the different energy resolution measurements. 137Cs has been selected as reference to study the energy resolution for 662 keV gamma-rays. Another investigation was to compare the minimum detectable gamma energy under various SiPM configurations. It has been found that the use of 4 SiPM arrays can greatly improve the energy resolution up to 4% than only one SiPM array, meanwhile use of more than 2 SiPM arrays does not increase the energy resolution significantly. Thus we can conclude that for a large area of cylindrical scintillator (3 × 3 inches), the use of SiPMs are limited to a certain number or certain active area depending on the commercial SiPMs, and its cost should be less than traditional PMT for the cost-effective and compact size considerations. It is well known that the gain of SiPM varies with temperature. In this article, we also calibrated gain to guarantee the same position of photoelectric peak in response of different temperatures. Keywords: SiPM configuration, Energy resolution, Minimum detectable gamma energy

A mixer with a new concept design has been adapted into water treatment plants. It reportedly cuts down the energy consumption of the mixer by the new mixer, which moves vertically and creates internal flows toward its bottom. However, no experimental observations have been made on the internal flow caused by a vertical impeller. In this study, a radiotracer experiment, radioactive particle tracking (RPT) technique, and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were carried out to visualize the flow in the mixer, and compared to each other. The results show that the flow patterns from these techniques are very similar to each other, and the performance of the mixer was good enough to mix the inner materials. Keywords: Radioisotope tracer, Vertical impeller, Water treatment process, Digester, Flow visualization, Radioactive particle tracking, Particle image velocimetry

After the Fukushima accident in 2011, there has been increased public concern about radioactive contamination of water resources through fallout in neighboring countries. However, there is still no available initial response system that can promptly detect radionuclides. The purpose of this research is to develop the most efficient gamma spectrometer to monitor radionuclides in an aquatic environment. We chose a thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) scintillator readout with a silicon photo multiplier (SiPM) due to its compactness and low operating voltage. Three types of a scintillation detector were tested. One was composed of a scintillator and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) as a reference; another system consisted of a scintillator and an array of SiPMs with a light guide; and the other was a scintillator directly coupled with an array of SiPMs. Among the SiPM-based detectors, the direct coupling system showed the best energy resolution at all energy peaks. It achieved 9.76% energy resolution for a 662 keV gamma ray. Through additional experiments and a simulation, we proved that the light guide degraded energy resolution with increasing statistical uncertainty. The results indicated that the SiPM-based scintillation detector with no light guide is the most efficient design for monitoring radionuclides in an aquatic environment. Keywords: Gamma spectrometer, NaI(Tl), SiPM, Energy resolution, Optical simulation

Sound vibration (SV) is one of the several environmental stimuli that induce physiological changes in plants including changes in plant immunity. Immune activation is a complicated process involving epigenetic modifications, however, SV-induced epigenetic modifications remain unexplored. Here, we performed an integrative analysis comprising chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) to understand the role of SV-mediated epigenetic modifications in immune activation in Arabidopsis thaliana against the root pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Plants exposed to SV (10 kHz) showed abundant H3K27me3 modification in the promoter regions of aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis and cytokinin signaling genes, leading to transcriptional changes that promote immunity. Additionally, 10 kHz SV down-regulated miR397b expression, thus activating three target LACCASE transcripts that mediate cell wall reinforcement via lignin accumulation. Taken together, SV triggers epigenetic modification of genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, defense hormone signaling, and pre-formed defense in A. thaliana, leading to the activation of plant immunity against R. solanacearum.

This article provides a simple model of anti-import campaigns that explains why the anti-import campaigns may surge during the periods of economic crisis. Given the existence of anti-import culture, the state of economy is crucial to deciding whether this campaign would be instigated or not. This article also shows the possibility that a government launches campaigns to reduce consumption of its own domestic products.

This article examines the existence of the first and second order investigation and trade diversion effects from anti-dumping (AD) petition initiations and provides rationales why such effects may arise. Contrary to the existing, literature, our evidence points to the existence of the second order investigation effect in an industry where numerous AD petitions have occurred. We offer a psychological rationale for this seemingly counter-intuitive phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The exportation of cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Korea has been recently decreasing due to the infections with a myxozoan parasite Kudoa septempunctata, and there is a strong demand for strict food safety management because the food poisoning associated with consumption of raw olive flounder harbouring K. septempunctata has been frequently reported in Japan. The life cycle and infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in aquatic environment are currently unknown, which hamper establishment of effective control methods. We investigated sea water and marine invertebrates collected from olive flounder farms for detecting K. septempunctata by DNA-based analysis, to elucidate infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in aquaculture farms. In addition, live marine polychaetes were collected and maintained in well plates to find any possible actinosporean state of K. septempunctata. The level of K. septempunctata DNA in rearing water fluctuated during the sampling period but the DNA was not detected in summer (June–July in farm A and August in farm B). K. septempunctata DNA was also detected in the polychaetes Naineris laevigata intestinal samples, showing decreased pattern of 40 to 0%. No actinosporean stage of K. septempunctata was observed in the polychaetes by microscopy. The absence of K. septempunctata DNA in rearing water of fish farm and the polychaetes N. laevigata intestinal samples during late spring and early summer indicate that the infection may not occur during this period. N. laevigata was suspected as the possible alternate invertebrate host of K. septempunctata, but the actinosporean stage was not found by well plate method and further studies will be necessary. This research provides important baseline information for understanding the infection dynamics of K. septempunctata in olive flounder farms and further establishment of control strategies.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) and hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV) belong to the genus Novirhabdovirus and are the causative agents of a serious disease in cultured flounder. However, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), a prototype of the genus Novirhabdovirus, does not cause disease in flounder. To determine whether IHNV growth is restricted in flounder cells, we compared the growth of IHNV with that of VHSV and HIRRV in hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells infected with novirhabdoviruses at 1 multiplicity of infection. Unexpectedly, we found that IHNV grew as well as VHSV and HIRRV. For successful growth in host cells, viruses modulate innate immune responses exerted by virus-infected cells. Our results suggest that IHNV, like VHSV and HIRRV, has evolved the ability to overcome the innate immune response of flounder cells. To determine the innate immune response genes of virus-infected HINAE cells which are commonly modulated by the three novirhabdoviruses, we infected HINAE cells with novirhabdoviruses at multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1 and performed an RNA sequencing-based transcriptome analysis at 24 h post-infection. We discovered ~12,500 unigenes altered by novirhabdovirus infection and found that many of these were involved in multiple cellular pathways. After novirhabdovirus infection, 170 genes involved in the innate immune response were differentially expressed compared to uninfected cells. Among them, 9 genes changed expression by more than 2-fold and were commonly modulated by all three novirhabdoviruses. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1), Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter protein (TIRAP), cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11, duplicate 5 (CXCL11.5), and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) were up-regulated, whereas C-C motif chemokine receptor 6a (CCR6a), interleukin-12a (IL12a), and Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) were down-regulated. These genes have been reported to be involved in antiviral responses and, thus, their modulation may be critical for the growth of novirhabdovirus in flounder cells. This is the first report to identify innate immune response genes in flounder that are commonly modulated by IHNV, VHSV, and HIRRV. These data will provide new insights into how novirhabdoviruses survive the innate immune response of flounder cells.

Streptococcus parauberis is a known etiologic agent that causes damage leading to death in flatfish (paralichthys olivaceus). Liposomes were used to deliver streptococcal oral vaccines to the intestinal mucous membranes of paralichthys olivaceus. The liposomes were coated for stabilization, and stability was measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The liposomes were stable until day nine and were orally administered to flatfish as a vaccine. The resultant antibody titers were analyzed. The titers resulting from the uncoated liposomes were highest two weeks after the oral administration, and those resulting from the coated liposomes were highest one week after boosting. In addition, the bacteria were subcutaneously injected to artificially infect flatfish and the survival rates and relative survival rates were analyzed. The coated liposomes were found to yield the highest survival rate.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with plant roots can trigger plant growth promotion and induced systemic resistance. Several bacterial determinants including cell-wall components and secreted compounds have been identified to date. Here, we review a group of low-molecular-weight volatile compounds released by PGPR, which improve plant health, mostly by protecting plants against pathogen attack under greenhouse and field conditions. We particularly focus on C4 bacterial volatile compounds (BVCs), such as 2,3-butanediol and acetoin, which have been shown to activate the plant immune response and to promote plant growth at the molecular level as well as in large-scale field applications. We also disc/ uss the potential applications, metabolic engineering, and large-scale fermentation of C4 BVCs. The C4 bacterial volatiles act as airborne signals and therefore represent a new type of biocontrol agent. Further advances in the encapsulation procedure, together with the development of standards and guidelines, will promote the application of C4 volatiles in the field.

The cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor is known as a receptor that is overexpressed in many human tumors. The present study was designed to investigate the targeting ability of cyclic CCK analogue in AR42J pancreatic cells. The CCK analogues, DOTA-K(glucose)-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe (DOTA-glucose-CCK) and DOTA-Nle-cyclo(Glu-Trp-Nle-Asp-Phe-Lys-NH2) (DOTA-[Nle]-cCCK), were synthesized and radiolabeled with 177Lu, and competitive binding was evaluated. The binding appearance of synthesized peptide with AR42J cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy. And bio-distribution was performed in AR42J xenografted mice. Synthesized peptides were prepared by a solid phase synthesis method, and their purity was over 98%. DOTA is the chelating agent for 177Lu-labeling, in which the peptides were radiolabeled with 177Lu by a high radiolabeling yield. A competitive displacement of 125I-CCK8 on the AR42J cells revealed that the 50% inhibitory concentration value (IC50) was 12.3 nM of DOTA-glucose-CCK and 1.7 nM of DOTA-[Nle]-cCCK. Radio-labeled peptides were accumulated in AR42J tumor in vivo, and %ID/g of the tumor was 0.4 and 0.9 at 2 h p.i. It was concluded that 177Lu-DOTA-[Nle]-cCCK has higher binding affinity than 177Lu-DOTA-glucose-CCK and can be a potential candidate as a targeting modality for a CCK receptor over-expressing tumors.