Differentiation and elimination of uterine natural killer cells in delayed implantation and parturition mice

To clarify the roles of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in implantation and parturition, differentiation and elimination of uNK cells in the pregnant uterus was examined using artificial delayed implantation (DI) and delayed parturition (DP) mice. To prepare DI mice, pregnant mice were ovariectomized on the third day of pregnancy (D3) and treated with 2 mg progesterone daily. The same amount of progesterone was administered on D15 or D17 of normal pregnant mice at 24 h intervals until sampling to prepare DP mice. The uNK cells contained PAS-positive granules on D8 in DI mice. The uNK cells in DI mice were smaller in size, and differentiation of these cells was delayed compared to those of the control mice. From D19 to D21 in DP mice, the metrial gland was well developed and uNK cells were present. The number of uNK cell granules decreased on D21, and there were no uNK cells in the normal pregnant mice. This result suggests that differentiation of uNK cells is not directly related to implantation, but elimination of these cells is closely involved in parturition.     

Histological study of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells in beige (DA-bg/bg) rats

To clarify the roles of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells for successful pregnancy in rats, GMG cells in beige rats (genotype: DA-bg/bg), whose NK cells show lysosomal dysfunction because of abnormalities in cytoplasmic granules, were examined in mid- and late-pregnancy by light and electron microscopies. The GMG cells of beige rats were significantly less in number than those of the two controls (genotypes: DA-bg/+ and DA-+/+) in mid- and late-pregnancy, and this accompanied a low reproductive performance in the beige rats. The size of intracellular granules in the GMG cells of the beige rats was larger than for the two controls on each corresponding day of pregnancy. These results suggest that the activity of rat GMG cells and peripheral NK cells might be influenced by the beige gene, which is involved in reproductive performance.     

No straight path: roaming in both ground- and excited-state photolytic channels of NO3 → NO + O2

Roaming mechanisms have recently been observed in several chemical reactions alongside trajectories that pass through a traditional transition state. Here, we demonstrate that the visible light-induced reaction NO(3) → NO + O(2) proceeds exclusively by roaming. High-level ab initio calculations predict specific NO Λ doublet propensities (orientations of the unpaired electron with respect to the molecular rotation plane) for this mechanism, which we discern experimentally by ion imaging. The data provide direct evidence for roaming pathways in two different electronic states, corresponding to both previously documented photolysis channels that produce NO + O(2). More broadly, the results raise intriguing questions about the overall prevalence of this unusual reaction mechanism.     

Computed tomography and radiographic lymphography of the thoracic duct by subcutaneous or submucosal injection

A simple method of lymphography of the thoracic duct was investigated. Using three female beagles, contrast media were administered rectally, vaginally and into the perianal tissue. The administration sites were gently massaged, and imaging was carried out at constant intervals using computed tomography and radiograph. Moreover, Indian ink was administered into the rectum mucous membrane in dogs for proof of this method of lymphography, and the lymph drainage routes were observed. The investigation showed that clear computed tomography and radiographic contrast images of the thoracic duct were obtained by subcutaneous and submucosa injection of angiography contrast medium and 3D processing of these images revealed the three-dimensional positions and course of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli.     

Influences of anthropogenic disturbances on the dynamics of white birch (Betula platyphylla) forests at the southern boundary of the Mongolian forest-steppe

We investigated the effects of disturbances on the dynamics of white birch-dominated forests at the southern boundary of the Mongolian forest-steppe. Dendroecological techniques were used to assess regeneration patterns and recent mortality trends in three stands with no evidence of recent anthropogenic disturbance (undisturbed) and four stands with evidence of cutting or fire (disturbed). In the undisturbed stands, only one distinct stem establishment was observed in the period between 1910 and 1950, and no establishment has been observed since then. In the disturbed stands, however, high establishment mainly by sprouting was observed in the period between 1960 and 1980. Percentages of standing dead stems were higher in the undisturbed stands than in the disturbed stands. Mean ages at death in the undisturbed stands were ≥70 years old. The high mortality was likely induced by the death of smaller stems due to light competition, whereas the mortality of larger stems was likely the result of tree senescence. In summary, the undisturbed stands seem to be in danger of decline due to a lack of regeneration during the last half of the previous century and recent high mortality rates of older stems, while the disturbed stands may be maintained for the next several decades by the younger cohort established between 1960 and 1980. White birch-dominated forests at the southern boundary of Mongolian forest-steppe have probably relied on relatively short disturbance intervals in the past because of the disturbance-dependent regeneration trait and relatively short longevity of Betula species.     

Rapid discrimination of two cryptic species within Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) by PCR–RFLP

Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a serious invasive pest of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) supposedly originating from Indonesia and New Guinea. It has recently invaded Southeast and East Asia, where it has caused serious damage to coconut plants. Brontispa longissima as currently defined contains two cryptic species: we herein referred to one as the “Asian clade”, which is distributed over a wide area, including Asia and the Pacific region; and we referred to the other one as the “Pacific clade”, which is found in a limited area in the Pacific region. We developed a PCR–RFLP method for differentiating the two clades. Digestion of the PCR product of a 1,014-bp region within the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) with BslI, HpyCH4III, or NlaIV resulted in clade-specific patterns as estimated by the sequence data. We applied the method to specimens newly obtained from various locations to investigate the geographical distribution of B. longissima. Although B. longissima collected from Samoa in April 2003 had been placed in the Pacific clade, specimens collected from the same island in April 2010 were placed in the Asian clade, suggesting that the predominant clade may have been changing from the former to the latter. On Timor, specimens included both clades in apparently segregated habitats.     

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in calves using the contrast medium iodixanol

To develop a simple procedure for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in calves, a three-sample method using iodixanol was first compared to that using the standard agent inulin. Iodixanol and inulin were co-administered intravenously to calves at 40 mg I/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and blood was collected 30, 60, 120, and 180 min later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were separately determined by high performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry. Serum urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations were also measured. GFR estimated by iodixanol was consistent with that using inulin in clinically healthy calves. Based on GFR estimations in healthy calves and those renal-loaded with iodixanol, it was found that the serum creatinine concentrations became elevated when GFR decreased to 60% of the reference value. In contrast, serum UN concentrations fluctuated widely, presumably due to extra-renal factors. When GFR was estimated using the three-sample method and compared with the single-blood-sample method, 62/69 (90%) of samples tested were within the agreement plots. The results demonstrated that the single-blood-sample method using iodixanol may be useful in monitoring GFR in calves.     

Proposal of new return flow analysis by replacement-in-order method for paddy irrigation water

Return flow and repeated use of irrigation water for paddies is the most important issue in the Asian monsoon region, because sometimes this water is applied in greater quantity than that of evapotranspiration plus percolation. A new return flow analysis, the “replacement-in-order method”, which introduces a unique numbering system for very complicated irrigation and drainage networks, is proposed for the main canal with the dual purposes of irrigation and drainage. The method is applied to the Shichika irrigation district in the ordinal (season) irrigation period, resulting in a return flow ratio of 45 % for the entire area. Of this amount, 25 % is available for irrigation again. The remaining 20 % is unavailable, because the return flow discharged directly into a canal lacking a diversion weir in the drainage system, or into the Japan Sea. The return flow ratio is very different at the main canal location, from no return flow to 88 %. With the aid of the above method, theoretical analysis of return flow for paddy irrigation water can be done. This includes the deterministic return flow ratio inside and outside the irrigation area, plus precise information of return flow ratios at various main canal locations and routes of irrigation and drainage water.     

Total synthesis of norzoanthamine

Norzoanthamine, an alkaloid isolated from Zoanthus sp., can suppress the loss of bone weight and strength in ovariectomized mice. Norzoanthamine derivatives can also strongly inhibit the growth of P-388 murine leukemia cell lines and human platelet aggregation. However, norzoanthamine's densely functionalized complex stereostructure and scarce availability from natural sources have proved a synthetic challenge. We report the stereoselective total synthesis of norzoanthamine in 41 steps, with an overall yield of 3.5% (an average of 92% yield each step).