Regulated fast nucleocytoplasmic shuttling observed by reversible protein highlighting

The observation of the regulation of fast protein dynamics in a cellular context requires the development of reliable technologies. Here, a signal regulation cascade reliant on the stimulus-dependent acceleration of the bidirectional flow of mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) across the nuclear envelope was visualized by reversible protein highlighting. Light-induced conversion between the bright and dark states of a monomeric fluorescent protein engineered from a novel coral protein was employed. Because of its photochromic properties, the protein could be highlighted, erased, and highlighted again in a nondestructive manner, allowing direct observation of regulated fast nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of key signaling molecules.     

Evaluating the rumen‐protected lysine stability in forage‐based total mixed rations in vitro and determining the lysine Brix value

Three rumen‐protected lysine (RPL) products (AjiPro^®‐L, LysiPEARL^TM, and Feedtech Bypass Lysine^TM: A, B, and C, respectively) were tested for stability in two forage‐based total mixed rations (TMR1, 41.3% dry matter (DM), and TMR2, 49.5% DM) (experiment 1) and for Brix value (experiment 2). In experiment 1, each RPL product (2 g each) and TMR diet (200 g) were mixed and stored in plastic bags at 20°C for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr. In experiment 2, each RPL product (2 g) was dispensed into ion‐exchanged water (20 ml) and kept at 20°C for 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr. At each time point, free lysine (Lys) content and Brix values of extracts were measured, and Lys release (LR, %) was calculated. All RPL products LR% varied with varying diets DM and increased with increasing of time exposed to diets; it was highest in C, followed by B, and then A. Water LR% positively correlated with that from diets and with Brix values of Lys dissociated in water. Our results indicated that Lys dissociation from RPL products is affected by diet DM content. Brix value may be used as a potential marker for RPL protection efficacy.     

Prediction of grain protein content in winter wheat through leaf color measurements using a chlorophyll meter

A field trial was conducted over a 3-year period at the Hokkaido Kitami Agricultural Experiment Station to examine whether the grain protein content (GPC) of a winter wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chihokukomugi) suitable for Japanese noodle-making could be predicted before harvest. The prediction of the GPC was accurate based on the color of the second leaf (just below the flag leaf) at the end of the emergence of the inflorescence, when nitrogen application was graded. In order to evaluate the reliability of this test, a survey of 95 wheat fields in the eastern part of Hokkaido was also carried out during a 3-year period. The prediction of the GPC for this cultivar based on the color of the second leaf was less accurate across many sites. The results of this survey, however, suggested that the leaf color could be used as an index for ranking the GPC as low or high in relation to processing requirements. When the leaf color value of the second leaf measured with a chlorophyll meter at the end of the emergence of the inflorescence was less than 40, it was predicted that the GPC would be lower than the processing requirement. This index could be applied to the cultivars grown in the eastern part of Hokkaido, except for those grown on peat soils.     

Effects of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum sex hormones in overweight subjects

(-) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an active ingredient extracted from the Garcinia cambogia fruit rind, has been commonly used as a dietary supplement for weight management. Given the controversy over HCA related testicular toxicity in animal studies, we investigated changes in serum sex hormones levels as an extension of our previous double-blind placebo-controlled trial in human subjects, in which 44 participants received either G. cambogia extract (1667.3 mg/day equivalent to 1000 mg HCA/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, administration of the extract did not significantly alter the serum testosterone, estrone, and estradiol levels. Similarly, hematology, serum triacylglycerol and serum clinical pathology parameters did not reveal any significant adverse effects. The results of this preliminary investigation indicate that ingestion of G. cambogia extract at dose levels commonly recommended for human use does not affect serum sex hormone levels and blood parameters.     

Formation and chemical structures of acid-soluble lignin II: reaction of aromatic nuclei model compounds with xylan in the presence of a counterpart for condensation,and behavior of lignin model compounds with guaiacyl and syringyl nuclei in 72% sulfuric acid

To elucidate the formation and chemical structures of water-soluble material in acid-soluble lignin (ASL), lignin aromatic nuclei model compounds of creosol (I) and 5-methoxycreosol (II) were reacted with xylose or xylan in the presence of apocynol as a counterpart for condensation in 72% sulfuric acid (SA). The reaction of I gave mainly condensation product. However, the condensation reaction of II with apocynol was suppressed because of steric hindrance from the methoxyl group, and II yielded a C-xyloside after refluxing in 3% SA together with condensation products. To obtain information on CHCl₃-soluble material in ASL, model compounds of arylglycerol--aryl ethers with guaiacyl (VIII) and syringyl (X) nuclei were treated by the Klason procedure. VIII gave only insoluble polymerized product, while X gave insoluble polymerized product and CHCl₃-soluble low molecular weight products, which were dissolved in 3% SA. These results prove earlier views that water-soluble material in ASL consists of condensation products formed from syringyl lignin and monosaccharide units in hemicellulose. In addition, the CHCl₃-soluble material in ASL appears to be composed of low molecular weight degradation products from SA treatment of Klason lignin with the syringyl nucleus.Part of this report was presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 2001 and at the 47th Lignin Symposium, Fukuoka, October 2002, and was reviewed in Mokuzai Gakkaishi (2002) 48:55–62     

Lectin binding pattern of gastric mucosa of pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens

The stomach of the Pacific white-sided dolphin is divided into three parts: forestomach, proper gastric gland portion, and pyloric chamber. The histological features of the dolphin stomach are similar to those of terrestrial mammal stomachs, although the distribution of glycoconjugates in mucosal cells of the dolphin stomach is unknown. To learn about glycoconjugates in cetacean gastric mucosa, the glycoconjugate distribution in the mucous epithelium of the Pacific white-sided dolphin was studied using 21 lectins. Among the lectins tested, GSL-I and DBA specifically labelled the superficial layer of the forestomach epithelium. GSL-I, SBA, RCA-I, VVA, GSL-II, DSL, LEL, STL, s-WGA, WGA, PNA, and Jacalin labelled the luminal surface of the chief cells in the proper gastric gland. GSL-I, SBA, RCA-I, DSL, LEL, STL, s-WGA, PNA, and LCA labelled tubular structures in the cytoplasm of parietal cells. The surface portion of the pits in the pyloric chamber strongly reacted with RCA-I, GSL-II, WGA, PNA, LCA, PHA-L, and UEA-I, whereas the neck portion reacted weakly. Although lining one tubular portion, individual secretory cells in the pyloric gland displayed a heterogeneous reaction. This is the first report on the lectin histochemistry of a cetacean stomach and reveals GSL-I and DBA as specific marker lectins for the cornified stratified squamous epithelium cells of the Pacific white-sided dolphin. The stomachs of cetaceans and terrestrial mammals have similar histological features and mucous glycoconjugate content.     

Portal vein aneurysm in a dog

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare abnormal dilatation of the portal vein, which has not been reported in dogs. We describe the findings of ultrasound and computed tomography in a case of PVA in a young male toy poodle, with the final diagnosis established by explorative surgical observation. The dog had an aneurysmal fusiform dilatation in the extrahepatic portal vein with portal hypertension and multiple portsystemic shunts. This is the first report of canine PVA.     

Lectin histochemistry of respiratory mucosa in the Pacific white-sided dolphin

Sugars in the glycocalyx play an important role in the attachment of infectious agents to the respiratory mucosa. We examined the histochemistry of 23 lectins to survey the sugar expression in the glycocalyx of the respiratory mucosa of the Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens. The ciliated and basal cells were positive for all of the lectins studied. SBA, WFA, GSL-II, STL, S-WGA, and PNA staining in the cytoplasm showed different intensities between basal cells and ciliated cells. These results suggest that multiple terminal glycosylation occurs on ciliated and basal cells, such as GalNAc, GlcNAc, NeuNAc, galactose, glucose/mannose, oligosaccharide, and fucose, and that sugar residue expression changes during cell differentiation. The Pacific white-sided dolphin respiratory mucosa might express multiple sugar residues in the glycocalyx, to prevent the attachment and colonisation of infectious agents.