Description of a new species Coomansus batxatensis (Mononchida, Mononchidae) from Vietnam, with an updated key to species.

Coomansus batxatensis sp. nov., recorded from Vietnam, is described and illustrated and its phylogenetic relationship within the Mononchida is analysed. The molecular data (18S and 28S ribosomal DNA) are provided for the new species. The new species is characterized by small body size (body length, L = 0.7-0.9 mm); buccal cavity sub-rectangular in shape, flattened at base, 21-24 × 12-13 µm or 1.9 (1.7-2.0) times as long as wide; posterior position of dorsal tooth apex (59-63% from the base of buccal cavity); pars refringens vaginae with faint and small (2.5 × 1.7 µm) teardrop-shaped pieces, short pars distalis vaginae; and males with short spicules (50-51.5 µm) with rounded head and conical blade part. The new species is close to Coomansus parvus but differs from it by the smaller buccal cavity size, more posterior position of the dorsal tooth apex, longer tail and presence of males. An updated identification key to Coomansus species and a compendium of all the species known are presented.

Inactivation of Vibrio sp. in pure cultures and mussel homogenates using high hydrostatic pressure.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the inactivation of Vibrio sp. in pure cultures and mussel homogenates. Four Vibrio strains including V. alginolyticus, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were used. HHP treatments were performed with both pure Vibrio sp. cultures in alkaline peptone water (2% NaCl) and artificially inoculated mussel homogenates at pressure levels of 250, 350 and 450 MPa for 1 and 3 min at 25°C. Counts of Vibrio were determined before and after treatment using drop plating method. The effect of high pressure on the reduction level significantly differed among the respective Vibrio species. Vibrio vulnificus was the most susceptible species to HHP. To achieve a >5 log reduction in mussel homogenates, pressure treatment needs to be (i) 350-450 MPa for ≥1 min at 25°C for both V. alginolyticus and V. cholerae, (ii) 250 MPa for ≥3 min or 350-450 MPa for ≥1 min for V. vulnificus and (iii) 350 MPa for ≥3 min or 450 MPa for ≥1 min for V. parahaemolyticus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has been applied to inactivate spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms in a variety of food products, including seafood. Vibrio sp. are frequently reported as the main cause of foodborne illness associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood particularly shellfish worldwide. To date, data on the inactivation of Vibrio sp. via HHP are still limited and most of the trials only investigated HHP application in oysters and clams. This study demonstrates the efficacy of HHP inactivating Vibrio sp. in both pure culture and mussel homogenates.

Crystal Phase Quantum Well Emission with Digital Control.

One of the major challenges in the growth of quantum well and quantum dot heterostructures is the realization of atomically sharp interfaces. Nanowires provide a new opportunity to engineer the band structure as they facilitate the controlled switching of the crystal structure between the zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) phases. Such a crystal phase switching results in the formation of crystal phase quantum wells (CPQWs) and quantum dots (CPQDs). For GaP CPQWs, the inherent electric fields due to the discontinuity of the spontaneous polarization at the WZ/ZB junctions lead to the confinement of both types of charge carriers at the opposite interfaces of the WZ/ZB/WZ structure. This confinement leads to a novel type of transition across a ZB flat plate barrier. Here, we show digital tuning of the visible emission of WZ/ZB/WZ CPQWs in a GaP nanowire by changing the thickness of the ZB barrier. The energy spacing between the sharp emission lines is uniform and is defined by the addition of single ZB monolayers. The controlled growth of identical quantum wells with atomically flat interfaces at predefined positions featuring digitally tunable discrete emission energies may provide a new route to further advance entangled photons in solid state quantum systems.

Association of DNA Methylation Levels with Tissue-specific Expression of Adipogenic and Lipogenic Genes in Longissimus dorsi Muscle of Korean Cattle.

Epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation status, may regulate adipogenesis and lipogenesis, thus affecting intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) of beef cattle. In Korean cattle steers, the LM consists mainly of muscle tissue. However, the LM tissue also contains IMF. We compared the gene expression levels between the IMF and muscle portions of the LM after tissue separation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the mRNA levels of both adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma isoform 1 (PPARG1) and lipogenic fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) were higher (p<0.01) in the IMF than in the muscle portion of the LM. We determined DNA methylation levels of regulatory regions of the PPARG1 and FABP4 genes by pyrosequencing of genomic DNA. DNA methylation levels of two of three CpG sites in the PPARG1 gene promoter region were lower (p<0.05) in the IMF than in the muscle portion of the LM. DNA methylation levels of all five CpG sites from the FABP4 gene promoter region were also lower (p<0.001) in the IMF than in the muscle portion. Thus, mRNA levels of both PPARG1 and FABP4 genes were inversely correlated with DNA methylation levels in regulatory regions of CpG sites of the corresponding gene. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation status regulates tissue-specific expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes in the IMF and muscle portions of LM tissue in Korean cattle.

An intrauterine catch-up growth regimen increases food intake and post-natal growth in rats.

Nutritional conditions during the intrauterine stage are an important developmental programming factor that can affect the growth and metabolic status during foetal development and permanently alter the phenotypes of newborn offspring and adults. This study was performed to examine the effects of intrauterine catch-up growth (IUCG) on food intake, post-natal body growth and the metabolic status of offspring and growing rats. Control pregnant rats were fed ad libitum during the entire gestation period. For the IUCG regimen, pregnant rats were fed 50% of the food of the controls from pregnancy days 4 through 11 (8 days), followed by ad libitum feeding from pregnancy days 12 through parturition. The birth weight of offspring was not affected by the IUCG regimen. At weaning, offspring from each treatment group were assigned to two groups and given either a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks until 103 days of age. In the normal diet group, the IUCG offspring showed a 9.0% increase (P < 0.05) in total food intake, were 11.2% heavier (p < 0.05) at 103 days of age and had an 11.0% greater (p < 0.05) daily weight gain compared with control offspring. The IUCG regimen did not affect body glucose and lipid metabolism. After exposure to the HFD, the IUCG regimen has not exacerbated metabolic disorders. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the IUCG nutritional regimen during pregnancy can increase the food intake and post-natal body growth of offspring without inducing metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance. The IUCG nutritional regimen might be used to improve the food intake and post-natal body growth of domestic animals.

Variability in radiation oncologists' opinion on the indication of a bolus in post-mastectomy radiotherapy: an international survey.

AIMS: Post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) decreases locoregional recurrence and increases survival for women with large tumours and/or node-positive disease. The American Society of Clinical Oncology has published treatment guidelines, but has also indicated that the optimal technique for PMRT remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variability in which a bolus is currently used in PMRT and to identify the clinical situations in which a bolus is used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2004, an e-mail survey was sent to all active physician members of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists and the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. The survey focused on the technical details regarding the use of a bolus in PMRT. RESULTS: In total, 1035 responses were obtained: 642 from the Americas (568 from the USA), 327 from Europe and 66 from Australasia. Respondents from the Americas were significantly more likely to always use a bolus (82%) than the Europeans (31%), as were the Australasians (65%) (P < 0.0001). Europeans were significantly more likely to use a bolus for specific indications (P < 0.0001). The results also showed wide variation in the schedule of application (every day [33%] and alternate days [46%]) and thickness used (< 1 cm [35%] and > or = 1 cm [48%]). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide variation in the use of a bolus in PMRT with significant regional differences. This probably translates into a variation in the dose delivered to the skin and may have an effect on local recurrence and/or toxicity. A randomised clinical trial is needed to evaluate the benefit and toxicity associated with the use of a bolus in PMRT.