Oxygen isotopic compositions of asteroidal materials returned from Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission

Meteorite studies suggest that each solar system object has a unique oxygen isotopic composition. Chondrites, the most primitive of meteorites, have been believed to be derived from asteroids, but oxygen isotopic compositions of asteroids themselves have not been established. We measured, using secondary ion mass spectrometry, oxygen isotopic compositions of rock particles from asteroid 25143 Itokawa returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Compositions of the particles are depleted in (16)O relative to terrestrial materials and indicate that Itokawa, an S-type asteroid, is one of the sources of the LL or L group of equilibrated ordinary chondrites. This is a direct oxygen-isotope link between chondrites and their parent asteroid.     

Bacteriological and genetic assessment of game meat from Japanese wild boars

Bacterial tests were used to assess bacterial contamination of game meat from Japanese wild boars. The bacterial contamination of wild boar meat was less than that of domestic pork, as determined by aerobic plate counts (APC) and coliform counts. None of the meat examined in this study was contaminated by Salmonella or E. coli O-157. To detect adulteration by domestic pig meat or European wild boar meat, 46 samples of game meat sold as Japanese wild boar were examined genetically. A total of 17 samples showed genetic haplotypes of European and Asian domestic pigs in the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and 16 samples showed nuclear glucosephosphate isomerase-processed pseudogene (GPIP) genotypes of European domestic pigs. The European GPIP genotypes of these samples were confirmed by PCR-RFLP analysis. These results indicate that some game meat sold as Japanese wild boar is adulterated by cross-breeding between pigs and wild boars or by contamination with meat from domestic pigs or European wild boars.     

Stepwise extraction of proteins and carbohydrates from soybean seed

The stepwise hot water extraction of soybeans, which were extractions in a series of procedures of whole soybean seeds, dehulled and sliced ones, and pressed ones carried out by autoclaving, was investigated to study the localization in the seed and their characteristics. The characteristics of each extraction were studied by HPLC, SDS-PAGE, components analysis, microscopic observation, and effect for some enzymes. Carbohydrates were easier to extract than protein. In the extractions, the ratio of uronic acid per total sugar was constantly about 0.3. A comparison of these extracts, soybean milk, extraction from defatted soybean meal, and soybean milk residues was also carried out, and the characteristics and the localization were investigated. Mid-sized proteins in soybean milk were easy to extract. However, hardly any high molecular weight proteins or high molecular weight carbohydrates were extracted. The proteins and carbohydrates were considered to be localized in the middle lamella and in the protein and/or oil bodies of the cell, and the proteins and carbohydrates were gradually extracted through seed and cell breaking. Gelation was observed only in the boiled extracts from whole seeds. Pepsin and trypsin digests of the high molecular weight protein had inhibitory activity against the angiotensin I converting enzyme.     

Extracellular virulence factors of fish Vibrio: relationships between toxic material, hemolysin, and proteolytic enzyme

Biological activities of cell-free culture filtrate of 3 virulent strains of fish Vibrio were examined to determine the relationship to the pathogenesis of fish vibriosis. Among the 3 strains examined, V anguillarum strains NCMB6 and NCMB571 produced hemolysin and protease, whereas V ordalii strain N7802 did not. Culture filtrate of strain NCMB571 were lethal to rainbow trout and produced a cytotoxic effect on fish cell line. Results revealed that the extracellular products may be involved in the pathogenesis of fish vibriosis.     

Endothelin receptor mediating contraction of isolated bovine coronary artery

We studied endothelin (ET) receptors and their subtypes on isolated bovine coronary arteries. Endothelin receptors that mediated contraction of isolated bovine coronary artery were characterized by the use of antagonists and agonists. Contractions induced by the nonselective agonist ET-1 (10-10-10-7 M) were not affected by the removal of the endothelium (pEC50: 8.52, maximal contraction: 105% of that induced by 60 mM KCl). BQ-123 (3 x 10-7 M) antagonized contractions of endothelium-denuded coronary rings induced by low concentrations of ET-1 (10-10 or 10-9 M), but potentiated the contractions induced by higher concentrations of ET-1 (3 x 10-8 and 10-7 M). BQ-788 (10-6 M) potentiated contractions induced by ET-1 (3 x 10-10 and 10-7 M). In the presence of BQ-788 (10-6 M), BQ-123 (3 x 10-8-3 x 10-6 M) concentration - dependently inhibited contractions induced by ET-1 (3 x 10-10 and 10-7 M) (pA2: 6.61). Sarafotoxin S6b (10-9-3 x 10-7 M) evoked contractions in the denuded coronary artery (pEC50: 8.49, maximal contraction: 139% of 60 mM KCl). The BQ-123 caused a concentration-dependent rightward shift of contractions induced by sarafotoxin S6b (pA2: 7.89). The present study indicates that ET-1 and sarafotoxin S6b contract the isolated bovine coronary artery by stimulating ETA receptors on smooth muscle cells, and that ETB receptors might suppress the ET-1-induced contractions.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of expression patterns of tumor necrosis factor receptors on lymphoma cells in enzootic bovine leukosis

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been reported to be associated with the progression of lymphoproliferative neoplastic diseases and retroviral infections. Hence we examined immunohistochemically the expression patterns of TNF-receptors (TNF-RI and RII) on lymphoma cells derived from the 29 cases of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). Lymphomas obtained in 29 animals with EBL were histopathologically classified into three types: diffuse mixed type (10 cases), diffuse large type (9 cases), and diffuse large cleaved type (10 cases). Immunohistochemically using a monoclonal antibody to a bovine lymphocyte surface antigen, the lymphomas were classified into three phenotypes: B-1a (CD5+/CD11b+), B-1b (CD5-/CD11b+) and B-2 (conventional B) (CD5-/CD11b-). Interestingly, the lymphoma cells in all animals expressed TNF-RII, but not TNF-RI. Although, in EBL, lymphoma cells of which the histopathological and immunological property differs has been formed, the expression patterns of TNF-Rs had the universality in all lymphoma cells. TNF-RII, which induces cell proliferation, was expressed but TNF-RI, which induces cell apoptosis was not expressed on all lymphoma cells, suggesting that TNF-Rs play an important role in the malignant proliferation of B cells and formation of lymphomas in EBL.     

A newly established bovine intestinal epithelial cell line is effective for in vitro screening of potential antiviral immunobiotic microorganisms for cattle

We evaluated whether a bovine intestinal epithelial (BIE) cell line could serve as a useful in vitro model system for studying antiviral immune responses in bovine intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and for the primary screening of immunobiotic microorganisms with antiviral protective capabilities. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) was expressed in BIE cells, and the results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that these cells respond to stimulation with poly(I:C) by up-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. In addition, we demonstrated that BIE cells are useful for the primary screening of immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria strains which are able to beneficially modulate antiviral immune responses triggered by TLR3 activation in bovine IECs. The characterization of BIE cells performed in the present study represents an important step towards the establishment of a valuable bovine in vitro system that could be used for the development of immunomodulatory feed for bovine hosts.     

Spontaneous Malignant T Cell Lymphoma in a Young Male Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

We histopathologically and immunohistochemically investigated a case of malignant lymphoma that spontaneously developed in a male common marmoset at two years of age. Beginning at two years four months of age, the animal had an enlargement of the submandibular and inguinal lymph nodes, small subcutaneous nodules near the right breast and an approximately fivefold increase in peripheral lymphocyte count compared with the previous examination value. The postmortem findings at two years eight months of age showed lymphadenopathy with enlargement of the thymus and spleen. Small- to intermediate-sized neoplastic lymphocytes had diffusely proliferated in the enlarged nodes. The neoplastic cells were pleomorphic and had irregularly shaped nuclei. The nuclear chromatin staining revealed hyperchromatism in the small-sized cells, and the intermediate-sized cells exhibited vesicular staining. An immunohistochemical examination indicated that the neoplastic lymphocytes were positive for CD3 and negative for CD20, thus suggesting that they had originated from T cells. In addition, the proliferation of high endothelial venules and reactive epithelioid histiocytes was observed. Scattered tingible body-laden macrophages were infrequently detected. Neoplastic lymphocytes were also observed in the thymus, spleen, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and femoral and sternal bone marrow. This malignant lymphoma in a young male common marmoset was considered to fit the category of “peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS)” according to the new WHO system of classification.     

Growth and yield responses of upland NERICAs to variable water management under field conditions

This study aimed to investigate the possible causes for inconsistent performances of upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties in uplands and lowlands, while identifying important determinants in grain yield under deficient soil moisture. We compared the growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 5 to those of Yumenohatamochi, a Japanese upland variety, and Hinohikari, a Japanese lowland variety, subjected to different water management regimes (continually flooded, supplementary irrigation, and non-irrigation). Under conditions of deficient soil moisture, panicle number per square meter, spikelet number per panicle, and 1000-grain weight of NERICAs decreased, whereas the panicle number of the Japanese varieties experienced little change. In contrast, the grain filling ratio was unaffected by water management, irrespective of variety. The primary source of yield reduction under low soil water conditions was a decrease in spikelet number per panicle, and water stress intensity was the primary factor for the degree of this reduction. Variation in the abortion of secondary rachis-branches caused differences between NERICAs in their spikelet number response to soil moisture deficiency. The inconsistency in NERICA performance across uplands vs. lowlands can be partially attributed to variation in yield response to low soil water conditions. Moreover, water stress intensity and the presence of a water gradient along the vertical soil profile may combine to affect the fluctuation in NERICA performance under upland conditions.