Euglena gracilis Z is a micro-algae that is used as a food or nutritional supplement. Paramylon, the carbohydrate storage substance of Euglena gracilis Z has β-1, 3-glucan structure. Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon are reported to affect the immune system. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon against influenza virus infection in mice. Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon were administered to mice as a 2% dietary mixture ad libitum. At 2 weeks after initiation of dietary administration, mice were infected intranasally with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). Survival rate was monitored 10 days after infection. In addition, we performed virus titer and cytokine profiles in the lung. High survival rates were observed for Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon-treated groups compared to the control group. Significantly lower virus titer in the lung was observed in the Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon-treated groups compared to the control group from day 1 after infection. Higher amount of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 (p70), IFN-γ, and IL-10 was observed in the paramylon groups compared to the control group. Our data therefore reveals a novel immunoregulatory role of the Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon which provides protection against influenza virus infection.

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We performed density functional calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the structural properties of LiMn2O4. The periodic density functional calculations revealed that LiMn2O4 had a locally distorted structure due to the different local structures around Mn3+ and Mn4+. The trajectory plots of Mn3+ in Li0.4Mn2O4 at 300 K obtained by MD simulations indicated that Mn3+ ions moved easily from the 16d site, which is the original position of Mn3+ ion in the spinel structure. It was observed that the Mn3+ ions moved with greater ease at low lithium concentrations, resulting in unstable Li x Mn2O4 structures.

A pulsed high voltage was applied to logs for mushroom cultivation to investigate an effect of pulse high voltage on mushroom growth. Inductive energy storage system was utilized to construct a pulsed power generator with compact size. Copper fuse of 0.03 mm diameter was used as an opening switch to interrupt large circuit current in short time. The voltage charged in primary energy storage capacitor was multiplied using secondary energy storage inductor. The output voltage of the pulsed power generator was 120 kV with 100 ns pulse width at 14 kV charging voltage of 0.22 µF primary energy storage capacitor and 15 µH secondary energy storage inductor. This pulsed high voltage was applied to 90 cm length logs inoculated Pholiota nameko fungus. The yield of Pholiota nameko mushrooms was successfully improved with the pulse voltage stimulation. The total weight of the cropped Pholiota nameko after the pulse voltage stimulation was 6.3 kg for fifteen logs and this value was 1.5 times larger than 4.3 kg of total weight without the stimulation. The number of logs with lower than 0.27 kg cropped Pholiota nameko weight which was an average value for control group was only one in fifteen, whereas four logs in control group showed almost zero weight of cropped Pholiota nameko.

Euglena gracilis Z is a microorganism classified as a microalga and is used as a food or nutritional supplement. Paramylon, the carbohydrate storage substance of E. gracilis Z, is reported to affect the immunological system. This study evaluated the symptom-relieving effects of E. gracilis Z and paramylon in rheumatoid arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. The efficacy of both substances was assessed based on clinical arthritis signs, as well as cytokine (interleukin [IL]-17, IL-6, and interferon [IFN]-γ) levels in lymphoid tissues. Additionally, the knee joints were harvested and histopathologically examined. The results showed that both substances reduced the transitional changes in the visual assessment score of arthritis symptoms compared with those in the control group, indicating their symptom-relieving effects on rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, E. gracilis Z and paramylon significantly reduced the secretion of the cytokines, IL-17, IL-6, and IFN-γ. The histopathological examination of the control group revealed edema, inflammation, cell hyperplasia, granulation tissue formation, fibrosis, and exudate in the synovial membrane, as well as pannus formation and articular cartilage destruction in the femoral trochlear groove. These changes were suppressed in both treatment groups. Particularly, the E. gracilis Z group showed no edema, inflammation, and fibrosis of the synovial membrane, or pannus formation and destruction of articular cartilage in the femoral trochlear groove. Furthermore, E. gracilis Z and paramylon exhibited symptom-relieving effects on rheumatoid arthritis and suppressed the secretion of cytokines IL-17, IL-6, and IFN-γ. These effects were likely mediated by the regulatory activities of E. gracilis Z and paramylon on Th17 immunity. In addition, the symptom-relieving effects of both substances were comparable, which suggests that paramylon is the active component of Euglena gracilis Z.