Evidences for Red Pigment Concentrating Hormone (RPCH) and Beta-Pigment Dispersing Hormone (β-PDH) Inducing Oocyte Meiotic Maturation in the Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH) and pigment dispersing hormone (PDH) are crustacean neuropeptides involved in broad physiological processes including body color changes, circadian rhythm, and ovarian growth. In this study, the full-length cDNA of RPCH and PDH were identified from the brain of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The deduced RPCH and PDH mature peptides shared identical sequence to the adipokinetic hormone/RPCH peptides family and the β-PDH isoforms and were designated as Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH, respectively. Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH transcripts were distributed in the brain and eyestalks. The positive signals of Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH were localized in the neuronal clusters 6, 8, 9, 10, and 17 of the brain as revealed by in situ hybridization. The expression level of Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH mRNA in nervous tissues were all significantly increased at vitellogenic stage, and then decreased at the final meiotic maturation stage. The administrated with synthesized Es-RPCH peptide results in germinal vesicles shift toward the plasma membrane in vitellogenic oocyte, and significant decrease of the gonad-somatic index (GSI) and mean oocyte diameter as well as the expression of vitellogenin mRNA at 30 days post injection in vivo. Similar results were also found when injection of the Es-β-PDH peptide. In vitro culture demonstrated that Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH induced germinal vesicle breakdown of the late vitellogenic oocytes. Comparative ovarian transcriptome analysis indicated that some reproduction/meiosis-related genes such as cdc2 kinase, cyclin B, 5-HT-R and retinoid-X receptor were significantly upregulated in response to Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH treatments. Taken together, these results provided the evidence for the inductive effect of Es-RPCH and Es-β-PDH on the oocyte meiotic maturation in E. sinensis.

Study on Scientific Analysis about Red Pigment And Binder - The Korean Ancient Red Pottery -

From the collection of the National Kimhae Museum, qualitative analyses using microscopic observation, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR-ATR spectroscopy, and GC-MS were conducted on three burnished red potteries—Jeoksaekmaoyeonwa burnished red pottery (Neolithic age red pottery), Dandomaoyeonwan burnished red pottery(Bronze age red pottery) and Jeoksaekmaoyeongajimun burnished red pottery(Bronze age red pottery)—to investigate the components of the red pigments and the binder. After the layers of the primer were separated from the red surface, crystals of red pigment particles and minerals were found on the red surface. Through SEM-EDS, Raman estimates that the red pigment is Among soil pigments with iron oxide(Fe2O3) as the main color development source, Red Ocher(Fe2O3). A band characteristic of the Urushiol polymer was detected in the FTIR-ATRspectra(4000∼600cm-1), GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of the benzenemethanol-2-prophenyl, 4-heptylphenol, 1-tetracecanol, heptafluorobutyric texidecane, all of which are the ingredients of the directional structure of the lacquer present in the red layer. Therefore, it seemed that the three burnished red pottery: Jeoksaekmaoyeonwan pottery(Neolithic age burnished red pottery), Dandomaoyeonwan pottery(bronze age burnished red pottery) and the Jeoksaekmaoyeongajimun pottery(bronze age burnished red pottery) made by mixing minerals and Red Ocher(Fe2O3), with lacquer.

Synthetic Study on Carthamin, Part 4. Improved Synthesis of a C-Glycosyl Quinochalcone by Installation of a Side Chain through Regioselective De-O-methylation and Acyl Rearrangement

We report an improved synthesis of a C-Glycosyl quinochalcone that is a key intermediate in our total synthesis of carthamin, a natural red pigment of traditional heritage. The C-glycosyl quinochalcone is prepared by regioselective de-O-methylation of a C-glycosyl bromodienone, and installation of a p-coumaroyl side chain through an O→C acyl rearrangement.

Analysis of Characteristics Pigment And Paper Excavated At The Site of Hoeamsa Temple (12th-Century), Korea

One paper fragment and three pigments were excavated from earthenware found in the Hoeamsa Temple site (Historic Site No. 128), which is presumed to have been constructed in the 12th century. This study identifies the types and characteristics of the paper and pigments through methods such as fiber identification, pigment component analysis, and crystal structure analysis. Using the Graff 'C' staining method, the paper fragment is identified as paper-mulberry bast fiber (B. kazinoki Siebold), and according to radiocarbon dating results, the paper is believed to be from the Joseon Dynasty, between 1460 and 1640, which is when the Hoeamsa temple was believed to have been rebuilt. The green pigment consists of cerussite, malachite, and ataccamite, while quartz, muscovite, and illite were detected in the white pigment, and quartz, hematite, illite, and kaolinite were detected in the red pigment. The L* value ranged from 41.59 to 79.05. The white pigment showed the highest brightness value at 79.05, while the green pigment was measured at 58.20 and the red pigment at 41.59. The a* value ranged from -2.25 to 22.75: the a* value of the red pigment was the highest at 22.75, the green pigment was the lowest at -2.25. The b* value ranged from 7.44 to 26.26: the b*value of the red pigment was the highest at 26.26 and the white pigment was the lowest at 7.44.These scientific data identified the raw materials of paper used during the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, the data can be used for repair and restoration of ancient dancheong (traditional Korean decorative coloring on wooden buildings and artifacts) by analyzing the composition of pigments and identifying the characteristics of crystal structure.

Lycopene Aggravates Acute Gastric Injury Induced by Ethanol

Lycopene is an important natural red pigment with strong singlet oxygen and peroxide free radical quenching ability. Ethanol directly destroys the epithelial cells of gastric mucosa, causing oxidative damage and inflammation. To evaluate the effect of lycopene on the ethanol induced gastric injury, 112 adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control, lycopene control, gastric injury control, omeprazole (20 mg/kg) positive control, and lycopene experimental groups (at doses of 10, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight) in this study. The general and pathological evaluation, gastric secretion, as well as the levels of antioxidant and inflammatory factors were detected. In lycopene experimental groups, the amount of gastric juice were lower than that in the gastric injury control group; the levels of T-SOD, and the levels of MDA and inflammatory factors (MMP-9 and MCP-1) decreased. However, general and pathological evaluation of gastric tissues revealed that lycopene (especially at high doses) could aggravate acute gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol. Therefore, lycopene (especially at high doses) aggravates acute gastric mucosal injury caused by ethanol, but this was not due to oxidative stress or inflammatory factors. In lycopene control group, the levels of MTL, T-SOD, and NO increased, but the levels of ALT and AST decreased, indicating that lycopene has a protective effect on the stomach and liver when ethanol wasn't taken. It reminds us that, when alcohol is consumed in large quantities, consumption of lycopene products should be carefully considered.