Involvement of microaerophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria in the iron-oxidizing process at the surface layer of flooded paddy field soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments - To reveal whether microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) participate in the Fe(II) oxidation at the oxic-anoxic interface in flooded paddy field soil,...     

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis on cut stumps in the sub-boreal forests of Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis Carr. and Abies sachalinensis Masters on cut stumps in natural forest under selection cutting and natural regeneration were studied in a sub-boreal forest of the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest. The following points were investigated: (1) what decay class of cut stumps are suitable for regeneration of the two conifer species; (2) what part, either a root collar or a cut surface, of a cut stump is suitable for regeneration; and (3) what percentages of cut stumps support conifer seedlings. The percentages of cut stumps that supported conifer seedlings increased as the decay class advanced, but slightly decreased in the latest stage of decay class, V. Both P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis seedling densities per cut stump and per square meter of cut stumps increased as the decay class advanced. Some root collars in decay class IV supported A. sachalinensis seedlings, but few supported P. jezoensis. Densities of P. jezoensis per cut surface and per square meter of cut surface in decay class IV were higher than those of A. sachalinensis. On the other hand, densities of A. sachalinensis per root collar and per square meter of root collar in decay class IV were higher than those of P. jezoensis. Cut stumps in advanced decay classes are more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis than those in early decay classes. Whereas a cut surface is more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis, a root collar is more suitable for regeneration of A. sachalinensis. Cut stumps are not sufficient to ensure enough conifer regeneration because not all conifer cut stumps in advanced decay classes support conifer seedlings.     

Preparation, characterization, and antioxidative effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidin-L-cysteine complexes

Controlled acid-catalyzed degradation of proanthocyanidin polymers in grape seeds together with L-cysteine led to oligomeric proanthocyanidin-L-cysteine complexes along with monomeric flavan-3-ol derivatives being isolated, and their structures were confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic data and by chemical means. In addition, comparative studies on the antioxidative and survival effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidin-L-cysteine complexes and proanthocyanidin polymers were performed. The oligomeric proanthocyanidin-L-cysteine complexes showed higher bioavailability and antioxidant capacity and enhanced survival time in the animal test groups. In addition, it is suggested that the oligomeric complexes may help to prevent oxidative stress and may reduce free radical production.     

Effects of delayed first feeding on the survival and growth of tiger grouper,Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775), larvae

The effects of delayed first feeding on the survival and growth of tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål 1775), larvae were examined under controlled conditions. The total length, yolk sac volume, oil globule volume, yolk sac absorption time and nutritional transition period (NTP) of the larvae fed at different first times (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after the mouth opening stage; h AMO) were compared. Larval first feed intake was observed at 54 h after hatching (h AH) at 27.5 ± 0.5 °C. The yolk sac was consumed more rapidly with an increase in delayed first feeding and was significantly different among treatments (P<0.05). Larvae first fed at 0 h AMO had the longest yolk sac absorption (72 h AH) and NTP (20 h) times and had the highest survival and growth rates at the end of the experimental period (360 h AH), being significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other treatments. First mortality was observed at 69 h AH, approximately 2 h after point of no return (PNR) occurred. This study suggests that first feeding of tiger grouper larvae should commence at 0 h AMO for enhancement of larval survival and growth.     

Ceramide aminoethylphosphonate from jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas attenuates the toxicity of cyanotoxin microcystin-LR

We have previously established the method for isolation of ceramide aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP) from jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas. In this study, we performed a MTT assay to evaluate the safety of CAEP to the cell lines for the application to health food and supplements. The CAEP did not show any cytotoxicity to various HEK293-transfectant cells. Next, we elucidated the positive function of CAEP to the somatic cells. Recently, we have reported that hepatotoxin microcystin-LR was taken up into the hepatocytes mediated by hepatocellular uptake transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, and the cells were induced cytotoxicity subsequently. Cytotoxicity of microcystin-LR to permanently OATP1B3-expressing HEK293-OATP1B3 cells rather than to HEK293-OATP1B1 cells was preferentially attenuated by CAEP in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the enzyme activity of serine/threonine phosphatase, which was inhibited by microcystin-LR, was recuperated by co-exposure to CAEP. Furthermore, microcystin-LR-induced cellular protein phosphorylation were disrupted by CAEP exposure. These results suggested that CAEP is a promising remedy and/or preventive medicine for liver damage with microcystin-LR.     

Modeling of Salt Sorption in Volcanic Ash Soil

Groundwater pollution by nitrate from agricultural fields is a worldwide problem. To improve the understanding of nitrate transport processes through volcanic ash soils overlying groundwater aquifers, salt sorption experiments were performed. Salt sorption is the process that involves the simultaneous use of cation and anion adsorption mechanisms without changing the pH. Prepared six different concentrations of potassium chloride (KCl) solutions were mixed with soil samples. Anion and cation contents of the liquid and solid phases were determined. Experiments were performed in triplicate of six kinds of KCl solutions for three types of soils. Thus, total 54 of samples were analyzed. Relationships between ionic strength and sorption capacity increments of cations and anions were determined. The results show that if ionic strength of the infiltrating solution to the volcanic ash soil is known, the ECEC (effective cation exchange capacity) and EAEC (effective anion exchange capacity) can be reliably estimated. The resulting prediction equations can be included to improve reactive transport simulation models. Consequently, it will be possible to better understand solute transport with changing sorption capacity for the solid soil phase.