Procyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds prevents cataract formation in hereditary cataractous (ICR/f) rats

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids have been reported to prevent the progression of experimentally induced cataracts. However, little is known of the effect of procyanidins, a powerful antioxidant, on cataract formation. This paper investigates the anticataract activity of grape seed extract (GSE, which contains 38.5% procyanidins) in hereditary cataractous rats (ICR/f rats). The ICR/f rats were fed a standard diet containing 0 or 0.213% GSE [0.082% procyanidins in the diet (w/w)] for 27 days. The GSE significantly prevented and postponed development of cataract formation by evaluation of slit lamp observations of the rats' eyes. Lens weight and malondialdehyde concentration in the lens and plasma cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (ChE-OOH) level induced by CuSO4 were significantly lower in the GSE group compared with the control group. The rats were also fed for 14 days either the diet containing 0.085% procyanidin dimer to tetramer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), the diet containing 0.090% procyanidin pentamer to heptamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), or the diet containing 0.093% procyanidin oligomers more than decamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins). The ChE-OOH levels in the procyanidin pentamer to heptamer and procyanidin oligomers more than decamer groups were significantly lower than in the procyanidin dimer to tetramer group. These results suggested that procyanidins and their antioxidative metabolites prevented the progression of cataract formation by their antioxidative action. The larger molecular procyanidins in the GSE might contribute this anticataract activity.     

Spatial variations in nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emission potential on a slope of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest

To quantify the spatial variation and spatial structure of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitric oxide (NO) emission from forest soils, we measured N₂O and NO emission rates from surface soil cores taken at 1 m intervals on a cross-line transect (65 m × 20 m) on a slope of Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica ) forest in a temperate region of central Japan and analyzed the spatial dependency of N oxide gas emissions using geostatistics. We divided N₂O emission into N₂O from denitrification and N₂O from nitrification using the acetylene inhibition method. According to the geostatistical analysis, N₂O emission rates on the slope had large spatial variation and weak spatial dependency. This weak spatial dependency was caused by the inordinately high N₂O emissions on the slope, which were derived mainly from denitrification. In contrast, NO emission rate on the slope had large spatial variation, but strong spatial dependency and a distinct spatial distribution related to slope position, that is, high in the middle of the slope and low in the shoulder and the foot of the slope. The CN ratio and water-filled pore space were the dominant factors controlling NO emission rate on a slope. Our results suggest that spatial information about topographic factors helps to improve the estimation of both N₂O emission and NO emission from forest soils.     

Relationship between N2O and NO emission potentials and soil properties in Japanese forest soils

To determine the relationship between nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitric oxide (NO) emission rates and soil properties in forest soils, N₂O and NO emission rates in soils were measured in incubation experiments under standardized temperature and water conditions (water content at a water-holding capacity of 60%) using soils packed into a cylindrical core, and variations in the soil properties were also determined. The N₂O emission rates from nitrification and from denitrification were determined separately using a nitrification inhibitor (10 Pa acetylene). Soil samples were taken from 25 forest stands in a central temperate area of Japan. The N₂O and NO emission rates were highly variable, even under the standardized temperature and water-holding capacity (60%) conditions. According to a partial least squared regression model analysis, the C:N ratio and pH strongly affected the N₂O emission rate, whereas     , water-soluble Al and the C:N ratio strongly affected the NO emission rate. The C:N ratio negatively affected the emission rate of both N oxide gases, suggesting that N mineralization is an important factor in the rates of N oxide gas emission. The acetylene inhibition experiment showed that N₂O emission from denitrification was positively affected by pH, water-filled pore space and filling density, and negatively affected by the C:N ratio, total carbon and total nitrogen.     

Construction of a linkage map and identification of DNA markers linked to Fom-1, a gene conferring resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 2 in melon

Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 2 is conferred by a single dominant gene, Fom-1 in melon. Here, we identified DNA markers tightly linked to Fom-1 that could be used for marker assisted selection in breeding programs. First, we developed 125 F₂ plants derived from the cross between melon lines P11 (fom-1fom-1) and MR-1 (Fom-1Fom-1). Using the F₂ population, we constructed a linkage map including 14 SSR markers which had not been mapped previously. Fom-1 was confirmed to be allocated to linkage group 7. Then, we identified four AFLP markers using bulked segregant analysis. The AFLP marker TAG/GCC-470 was completely linked to Fom-1 and other three markers were mapped near Fom-1. TAG/GCC-470 and TCG/GGT-400 were respectively converted to STS and CAPS markers. Usefulness of DNA markers was confirmed in the analysis with several melon cultivars and lines.     

Chromosomal Location of HWA1 and HWA2, Complementary Hybrid Weakness Genes in Rice

Hybrid weakness phenomena in rice reportedly have two causes: those of HWC1 and HWC2 genes and those of HWA1 and HWA2 genes. No detailed study of the latter has been reported. For this study, we first produced crosses among cultivars carrying the weakness-causing allele on the HWA1 and HWA2 loci to confirm the phenotype of the hybrid weakness and the genotypes of the cultivars on the two loci, as reported earlier. We then confirmed that these cultivars belong to Indica. Subsequent linkage analysis of HWA1 and HWA2 genes conducted using DNA markers revealed that both genes are located in the 1,637-kb region, surrounded by the same DNA markers on the long arm of chromosome 11. The possibility of allelic interaction inducing hybrid weakness is discussed.     

Moisture Distribution and Texture of Various Types of Cooked Spaghetti

Cooked spaghetti of various types (fresh, dried, frozen, luncheon, and long‐life spaghetti) was examined for moisture distribution by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moisture content was calculated from spinspin relaxation time (T₂) of water proton, based on the correlation between T₂ and moisture content of pulverized durum semolina standard gel samples. Boiled samples of dried and frozen spaghetti had a distinct low moisture region at the center, which was not clearly observed in the other types of boiled spaghetti samples. In particular, the moisture content of boiled long‐life spaghetti was almost homogeneous. Texture of cooked spaghetti samples was evaluated using the force‐distance curve of a mechanical property test. For dried and frozen spaghetti, higher force was observed at the region corresponding to the low moisture core compared with the other types. The luncheon spaghetti and long‐life spaghetti showed a lower breaking force and a larger dip after the peak force representing soft and brittle texture caused by moisture homogeneity. These results indicated that MRI could be used for the quality evaluation of cooked spaghetti through imaging of the moisture distribution, which reflects the mechanical property.     

Quantifying lignin and holocellulose content in coniferous decayed wood using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

To determine the independent decomposition rates of lignin and cellulose of decayed woody debris, a technique for the rapid analysis of lignin and cellulose is required. We applied a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique to measure the lignin and holocellulose content in decayed wood. We succeeded in creating partial least-squares (PLS) models to estimate the lignin and holocellulose content in the decayed wood of five species using NIR spectra. Although the accuracy was acceptable for the estimation of a five-species mixed model (R ² = 0.970 for lignin and R ² = 0.962 for holocellulose), it was further improved when the model was applied to each species independently. This combination of NIRS and a PLS model is a valuable tool for the determination of the lignin and holocellulose content in decayed wood. The technique is time efficient (3 min per sample) and non-hazardous (no acid treatment is required).