Obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance, which are aggravated by the interaction between hypertrophic adipocytes and macrophages. In this study, we investigated the effects of tangeretin on inflammatory changes and glucose uptake in a coculture of hypertrophic adipocytes and macrophages. Tangeretin decreased nitric oxide production and the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in a coculture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 cells. Tangeretin also increased glucose uptake in the coculture system, but did not affect the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and Akt. These results suggest that tangeretin improves insulin resistance by attenuating obesity-induced inflammation in adipose tissue.

Melatonin has several known physiological functions, the main one being synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms. In addition, melatonin has been reported to influence reproduction and behavioral rhythms with varying results depending on the species. To date, it remains unknown how this rhythm in locomotor activity is controlled endogenously, although there must be coordination of chemical and molecular drivers. However, the species is poorly characterized at molecular level with little sequence information available in public databases. The aim of study was to clarify involvement of endogenous melatonin rhythms and locomotor activity in day-night activity of the eel, Anguilla japonica which is an economically important but endangered species. The levels during daytime (zeitgeber time; ZT 6) were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those during nighttime (ZT 18). A similar pattern was persisted under DD conditions, whereas it disappeared under LL conditions and ocular melatonin levels remained low. Therefore, it is likely that ocular melatonin levels of the nocturnal eel reared under LD and DD conditions fluctuate in a daily/circadian manner and night-related physiological processes are dependent on eel locomotor activities which is a nocturnal species. We found that similar number of genes were differentially expressed between day (ZT6) and nighttime (ZT18), suggesting that during the nighttime also important in differential gene expression with daytime. This work also provides essential information for further studies investigating the molecular basis of daily/circadian system in this species.

The differentiation of sex is important for species preservation. However, Fairy Pitta is sexually monomorphic and sex of an individual is indistinguishable with its external characteristics. We determined the sex of Fairy Pitta through DNA analysis and investigated the causes and time of injury and mortality and the size based on sex. We collected 21 samples at Jeju Island, Korean Peninsula from 2004 to 2013 and extracted DNA from them and amplified chromo helicase DNA-binding gene from Z and W chromosomes through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We confirmed their sex with the banding pattern through Agarose gel electrophoresis, i.e. male (ZZ): one banded and female (ZW) two banded. We distinguished the sex of 17 of 21 samples resulting in 9 males and 8 females. Most casualties were recorded in adult of both sexes. Causes of injury and mortality proved that female casualties occurred from window strikes, dehydration, car accident, predation by natural enemies, and male occurred from window strikes, car accident and dehydration. The time of injury and mortality in adults differ by sex. There was no difference between sexes in any of the six size parameters. As the time of injury and mortality differ by sex, the survey on the role and ecological nature by sex in breeding season must be carried out in the future. External measurements may not be reliable for sexing of Fairy Pitta and other traits such as vocal or characteristics are required to identify the sex of individuals in the field.