Genetic homogeneity between adult and juvenile populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scombrops gilberti</Emphasis> (Percoid,Scombropidae) in the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese Islands

Scombrops gilberti is a member of the percoid family Scombropidae, which includes a single genus and three to four species worldwide. Little is known about the ecology of this species. Juvenile S. gilberti have been found in the waters off northern Japan (Iwate Prefecture), whereas adults are found in the waters around the southern counterpart (Izu Islands), approximately 700 km from the northern waters. In the present study, we captured immature S. gilberti (106–248 mm standard length, SL) in the northern waters by set net at 8–80 m depth, whereas larger individuals (150–328 mm SL) were captured by trawling at 150–500 m depth. By contrast, only adult S. gilberti (422–590 mm SL) were captured in the southern waters. The genetic composition of the adult population of S. gilberti from the southern waters and of the juvenile population from the northern waters was compared using the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b gene. No significant differences in genetic parameters such as fixation index, neutrality test or mismatch distribution analysis were found between these geographically distinct populations of S. gilberti, showing that these populations are genetically homogeneous.     

Inhibition of Df-protease associated with allergic diseases by polyphenol.

It was reported that Df-protease from house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) catalyzes the activation of the kallikrein-kinin system in human plasma and is closely associated with mite-induced allergy. Therefore, to prevent the release of kinin by Df-protease, the inhibitory activity of polyphenols including catechins and flavonols was tested in vitro and in vivo. Among them, myricetin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) effectively inhibited the amidase activity of Df-protease with K(i) values of 1 x 10(-)(8) and 6 x 10(-)(4) M, respectively. The kinin release in human plasma was extensively inhibited by the addition of EGCg in comparison with myricetin. Enhancement of vascular permeability in guinea pigs caused by Df-protease was markedly suppressed by EGCg.     

Phytotoxic potential of Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin. (Poaceae)

The creeping weed, Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin., is widely known for its use as folk medicine, while its phytotoxic potential has not been examined. Therefore, we carried out an investigation into the phytotoxic potential of C. aciculatus to identify phytotoxic substances. C. aciculatus extracts showed inhibitory effects on shoot and root growth of cress, lettuce, rapeseed, and Italian ryegrass. Inhibition was both species‐dependent and concentration‐dependent. Two substances, (9S,10E,12Z)‐9‐hydroxyoctadeca‐10,12‐dienoic acid (9‐HO‐ODDEA) and rhizopycnin A, were isolated using chromatographies and characterized by spectral analysis. 9‐HO‐ODDEA retarded shoot and root growth of cress at concentrations higher than 1.0 and 0.3 mM, respectively, while on cress seedling by rhizopycnin A, the inhibition began from 1.0 mM. The concentrations needed for 50% inhibition of the shoot and root growth of test plants ranged from 1.71–2.31, and 0.71–0.72 mM for 9‐HO‐ODDEA and rhizopycnin A, respectively. These results indicate that these substances may contribute, to a certain extent, to the phytotoxic activity of C. aciculatus.     

Isolation and identification of two phytotoxic compounds from the medicinal plant Cassia alata L.

Cassia alata (Caesalpiniaceae), an ornamental shrub, has many biological properties such as antifungal and antibacterial activities. Several bioactive and phytotoxic compounds have already been isolated from C. alata. Phytotoxic substances from plants have drawn attention as an alternative biological approach to control weeds. Thus, we conducted this research to explore other phytotoxic compounds in C. alata leaves. Aqueous methanol extracts of C. alata leaves strongly inhibited the seedling growth of broccoli, cabbage, cress, radish and rapeseed, in which the level of inhibition correlated with concentration. Two active compounds were isolated through chromatographies and identified using spectral data as (S)‐4‐(3‐hydroxybutyl)phenol [(+)‐rhododendrol] and (E)‐4‐((1R,4R)‐4‐hydroxy‐2,6,6‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl)but‐3‐en‐2‐one [3‐hydroxy‐α‐ionone]. These two active compounds inhibited the growth of cress seedlings in a concentration‐dependent manner. The required concentrations for 50% growth inhibition (I₅₀ value) of cress seedlings were 192.0–296.1 μM for (+)‐rhododendrol and 132.4–195.3 μM for 3‐hydroxy‐α‐ionone. These results indicate that the two phytotoxic compounds play a part in the phytotoxic activity of C. alata leaves.     

Comparative study of anti-oncogenic microRNA-145 in canine and human malignant melanoma

MicroRNA-145 (miRNA-145; miR-145) is aberrantly expressed in most of human cancers and plays a significant role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the current study, we focused on how miR-145 plays a role in canine and human malignant melanomas. MiR-145 was significantly downregulated in canine malignant melanoma tissues and canine melanoma cell lines, as well as human melanoma cell lines tested. The ectopic expression of miR-145 showed a significant growth inhibition in both canine and human melanoma cells tested, and the effect was achieved partly by suppressing c-MYC in canine melanoma LMeC and in human melanoma A2058 and Mewo cells. At the same time, a suppressive tendency on cell migration in canine melanoma KMeC cells and significant suppression of cell migration in human melanoma A2058 cells by suppressing FASCIN1 were also found. These findings suggest that miR-145 acts as a tumor suppressor in both canine and human malignant melanomas.     

Effect of inter-annual climate variability on evapotranspiration and canopy CO2 exchange of a tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

We investigated inter-annual variation of canopy CO₂ exchange (NEE) and evapotranspiration during a 7-year period over a lowland Dipterocarp forest in Pasoh, Peninsular Malaysia, using the eddy covariance method. Annual rainfall fluctuated between 1,451 and 2,235?mm during this period. Annual evapotranspiration estimated by energy budget correction and gap filling using the relationship between latent heat and available energy was 1,287?±?52?mm. Despite inter-annual variation in rainfall, annual evapotranspiration was stable, except for a slight decrease in the driest year (2009). Evapotranspiration was roughly related to the amount of available energy, but was regulated by stomatal closure to prevent excessive water loss at high vapour pressure deficit. Even during dry periods, no significant decrease in evapotranspiration occurred, as water was supplied from soil layers deeper than 0.5?m. Ecosystem respiration (RE) increased with soil water content. Daytime NEE was also stable during the 7?years, despite climate variability. Afternoon inhibition of canopy photosynthesis was seen every month. Daytime NEE did not become more negative with increasing solar radiation, or with increasing soil water content. During dry periods, gross primary production (GPP) and thus canopy gross photosynthesis decreased slightly, coupled with decreased daytime RE. In this forest, variability in rainfall pattern resulted in seasonal and inter-annual variability in micrometeorology; evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, and RE responded to these changes, and compensated for each other and/or other components of micrometeorology, resulting in rather stable annual evapotranspiration and NEE, even during a very dry year associated with an El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event.     

Pluripotency‐associated genes reposition during early embryonic developmental stages in pigs

We examined the allelic expression and positioning of two pluripotency‐associated genes, OCT4 and SOX2, and two housekeeping genes, ACTB and TUBA, in 4‐ and 8‐cell porcine embryos utilizing RNA and DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in single blastomeres. The proportion of blastomeres expressing SOX2 bi‐allelically increased from 45% at the 4‐cell stage to 60% at the 8‐cell stage. Moreover, in 8‐cell embryos, SOX2 was expressed bi‐allelically in significantly more blastomeres than was the case for OCT4, and this was associated with a tendency for SOX2 alleles to move toward the nuclear interior during 4‐ to 8‐cell transition. However, the radial location of OCT4 alleles did not change significantly during this transition. The locations of active and inactive alleles based on DNA and RNA FISH signals were also calculated. Inactive OCT4 alleles were located in very close proximity to the nuclear membrane, whereas active OCT4 alleles were more centrally disposed in the nucleus. Nevertheless, the nuclear location of active and inactive SOX2 alleles did not change in either 4‐ or 8‐cell blastomeres. Our RNA and DNA FISH data provide novel information on the allelic expression patterns and positioning of pluripotency‐associated genes, OCT4 and SOX2, during embryonic genome activation in pigs.     

精细农业机械化作物生产计算机集成技术(英)

介绍了一项适用于精细农业机械化的新技术：计算机集成作物生产技术（CCP）。该技术融合信息采集、网络通讯、数据处理、过程决策、自动执行等功能，能有效地完成作物生产的精确机械化作业。计算机集成作物生产技术的3个主要功能是先根据需要实时采集传感数据，然后根据传感信息构建合理的行动决策，最后将传递上述决策并付诸实施。为了说明CCP的工作原理和结构设计，介绍了由伊利诺依大学机械电子系统实验室设计开发的CCP技术系统的关键功能。研究结果表明，在车辆自动导航，主从机械控制，在线式变量作业等利用农业机械实施田间作物生产作业的领域，有必要在农业机械上集成CCP技术，使机械自动地完成各项最优化项目作业。最后，根据以往工作中的经验，简要讨论了目前CPP技术发展所面临的问题和挑战。     

Impacts of logging disturbance on hillslope saturated hydraulic conductivity in a tropical forest in Peninsular Malaysia

Using a constant-head permeameter we found an abrupt natural decrease in saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) within the upper 1.0-m soil profile of an Orthoxic Tropudult at the Bukit Tarek Experimental Catchments research area in tropical, Peninsular Malaysia. The depth at which low K_s could cause a perched water table in response to high-intensity rainfall, however, was too great to generate saturation overland flow on planar hillslopes in the study area. The effects of logging activity on K_s at five subsurface depths (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 m) on the non-roaded portion of the harvest area were examined at the three following sites, which differed in the degree of disturbance and recovery since timber harvesting: (1) selective logging conducted in the 1960s; (2) mechanized selective tree removal conducted 4 years ago; and (3) high-impact clear-cutting just prior to measurement. This recent logging greatly disturbed the soil surface (via compaction, topsoil/subsoil mixing, burning) and produced comparatively high variability in near-surface K_s. Changes in K_s at or below 0.25-m, however, were not detected with certainty at any sites. In terms of hillslope hydrologic response, the connectivity of zones of low K_s in the harvest area with dense networks of skid trails and terraces was identified as one of the most important consequences of timber harvesting, although this phenomenon was not quantified. We estimate the recovery time for near-surface K_s on the non-roaded hillslope to be less than 40 years.