Physiological response,blood chemistry profile and mucus secretion of red sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>) fed diets supplemented with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus rhamnosus</Emphasis> under low salinity stress

Environmental stressors caused by inadequate aquaculture management strategies suppress the immune response of fish and make them more susceptible to diseases. Therefore, efforts have been made to relieve stress in fish by using various functional feed additives in the diet, including probiotics. The present work evaluates the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) on physiological stress response, blood chemistry and mucus secretion of red sea bream (Pagrus major) under low salinity stress. Fish were fed four diets supplemented with LR at [0 (LR0), 1 × 10² (LR1), 1 × 10⁴ (LR2) and 1 × 10⁶ (LR3) cells g^?1] for 56 days. Before stress, blood cortisol, urea nitrogen (BUN) and total bilirubin (T-BIL) showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), whereas plasma glucose and triglyceride (TG) of fish-fed LR2 and LR3 diets were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the other groups. Plasma total cholesterol (T-CHO) of fish-fed LR3 diet was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of the other groups. Furthermore, total plasma protein, mucus myeloperoxidase activity and the amount of mucus secretion were significantly enhanced in LR-supplemented groups when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After the application of the low salinity stress test, plasma cortisol, glucose, T-CHO and TG contents in all groups showed an increased trend significantly (P < 0.01) compared to the fish before the stress challenge. However, plasma total protein and the amount of secreted mucus showed a decreased trend in all groups. On the other hand, BUN, T-BIL and mucus myeloperoxidase activity showed no significant difference after exposure to the low salinity stress (P > 0.05). In addition, the fish that received LR-supplemented diets showed significantly higher tolerance against low salinity stress than the fish-fed LR-free diet (P < 0.05). The physiological status and the detected immune responses, including total plasma protein and mucus myeloperoxidase activity in red sea bream, will provide a more comprehensive outlook of the effects of probiotics to relieve stress in fish.     

Time course of the incidence/multiplicity and histopathological features of murine colonic dysplasia,adenoma and adenocarcinoma induced by benzo[a]pyrene and dextran sulfate sodium

Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is mutagenic but noncarcinogenic in the murine colon. Recently, we reported rapid induction of colonic tumors by treatment of CD2F₁ mice with BP (125 mg/kg for 5 days) followed by a colitis inducer, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) (4% in drinking water for 1 or 2 weeks). However, there are no reports on detailed time course and histopathological features of colonic proliferative lesions in this model. Here, we show the detailed time course of colonic dysplasia, adenoma and adenocarcinoma induced by treatment with BP, DSS, and a combination of the two (BP/DSS). In the colon of mice exposed to BP/DSS, 14.6 dysplastic foci per mouse were present one week after DSS treatment (week 4). The number of dysplastic foci decreased with time to 3.1 at week 9 and thereafter remained almost constant. At week 4, 1.5 adenocarcinomas were also observed, with a marked increase in numbers with time, reaching 29.3 at week 14. In contrast, the number of dysplastic foci induced by DSS alone showed a time course similar to that following BP/DSS treatment; however, only a few tumors appeared. Neither dysplastic foci nor neoplastic lesions were induced by BP only. In mice exposed to BP/DSS, β-catenin was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of the tumor cells, and this translocation from the cell membrane was evident in subsets of dysplastic foci. In dysplastic foci induced by DSS alone, β-catenin was absent in the nucleus/cytoplasm. These finding suggest that aberrant β-catenin accumulation in dysplastic foci is associated with tumor progression in this BP/DSS model.     

Atmospheric lead and cadmium deposition within forests in the Kanto district, Japan

Atmospheric lead and cadmium deposition in bulk precipitation and throughfall was investigated at four forests in the Kanto district, Japan, to assess the impact of human activities on the environmental health of forests. Annual lead and cadmium depositions in bulk precipitation ranged from 8.9 to 25.7 g ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and from 0.77 to 1.30 g ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. Lead and cadmium deposition increased in the summer at every forest due to large amounts of rainfall. At one of the forests, the depositions were also high in the winter due to heavy snowfall. These depositions were similar to recent depositions observed at other rural and urban sites in Japan and several forests in Europe and North America after 1990. These results indicate that although anthropogenic lead and cadmium are deposited at these rates over wide areas, depositions are still higher than in remote areas.     

Biosynthesis of a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan in Eucommia ulmoides: formation of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether from sinapyl alcohol

To investigate the biosynthesis and stereochemistry of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether (SGSE), a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan, feeding experiments and enzyme assays using Eucommia ulmoides were carried out. Diastereoselective formation of erythro-SGSE was found. When [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol was administered to excised shoots of E. ulmoides, ¹⁴C was incorporated into free SGSE and SGSE glucosides. In stems, incorporation into (+)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.037%) with 9.1% enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) was found; incorporation into the threo isomer was not detectable. Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (0.047%) dominated over threo forms (0.007%) with 74.0% diastereomeric excess (% d.e.); both diastereomers were levorotatory with 32.0% e.e. and 18.3% e.e., respectively. In leaves, higher incorporation into (−)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.500%, 15.9% e.e.) than into the threo isomer (0.206%, 7.4% e.e.) was observed (41.6% d.e.). (−)-Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (1.692%, 25.0% e.e.) were produced at higher rates than threo isomers (0.177%, 16.4% e.e.) with 81.0% d.e. In incubations of a mixture of [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl and [8-¹⁴C]coniferyl alcohols with an insoluble enzyme preparation from stems of E. ulmoides, erythro-SGSE was preferentially produced. The highest % d.e. (82.8) was observed at 60 min with the (+)-erythro isomer (21.4% e.e.) and the (−)-threo form (4.3% e.e.).Part of this report was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002, and the 47th Lignin Symposium, Fukuoka, October 2002     

Rapid assessment of wood chemical properties and pulp yield of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Thailand tree plantations by near infrared spectroscopy for improving wood selection for high quality pulp

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been demonstrated as a means for rapid nondestructive determination of the chemical composition and final pulp yield of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Thailand tree plantations. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis and partial least squares (PLS) analysis were introduced to develop statistical models in terms of calibration equations for total pulp yield, screened pulp yield, and contents of -cellulose, pentosans, and lignin in wood. In MLR analysis, a reasonably good calibration equation was found only for pentosans (standard error of prediction (SEP): 0.98%). The PLS analysis improved the accuracy of prediction for every criterion variable, especially for pentosans (SEP: 0.91%) and lignin (SEP: 0.52%). Also, in the case of screened pulp yield, we were able to use such a statistical result as an indicator of the characteristics of the pulp and paper. Thus, NIR spectroscopy could be satisfactorily used as an effective assessment technique for Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation trees.     

Evaluation of biological activities of extracts from the fruiting body of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus citrinopileatus</Emphasis> for skin cosmetics

Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer has recently become a popular delicacy in East Asian countries. We prepared a methanol extract, soluble fractions from the methanol extract, and a hot water extract of the fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus. The biological activities such as melanin biosynthesis inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity], antibacterial activities, and antihyaluronidase activities of these extracts were evaluated. We found that the n-hexanesoluble, diethyl ether-soluble, and ethyl acetate-soluble fractions exhibited melanin biosynthesis inhibition in B16 melanoma cells, as well as antioxidant (ORAC) and antibacterial activities. However, the n-butanol-soluble and water-soluble fractions and the methanol and hot water extracts exhibited antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging, SOD-like activity) and antihyaluronidase activities. These results indicate that the fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus have the potential to be used as an ingredient in skin cosmetics.     

Evaluation of genetic variation among wild rice populations in Cambodia

A total of 448 samples in five natural populations of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) were collected in Cambodia. They were examined using 12 SSR and two chloroplast markers to evaluate the degree of variation among populations and the genetic structure within populations. In the two annual populations, the number of plants with homozygous alleles at all 12 SSR loci were high (66.3% and 79.5%), suggesting that these plants propagate mainly through self-pollination. In the three perennial populations, no individuals had all homozygous genotypes, but redundant genotypes resulted from clonal propagation were observed. Percentages of the redundant genotypes were highly varied (3.6%, 29.2% and 86.0%). This may be due to the different stable levels of environmental conditions. As for chloroplast genome, most of the wild plants showed the same chloroplast types as most Indica-type cultivars have. However, plants with different chloroplast types were maintained, even in the same population. In tropical Asian countries, many wild rice populations were observed under similar ecological conditions examined in this study. Therefore, the present results concerning population structure will be important to further elucidate genetic features of wild rice, and will also give strong clues to utilize and conserve wild natural genetic resources.     

Cytoplasmic relatedness of apple landraces and cultivars: a molecular analysis

Summary Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity has been determined in apple landraces and cultivars, based upon restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for several mitochondrial genes. Our analysis includes three cultivars, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Delicious, which represent the various patterns of mtDNA polymorphisms previously described (Ishikawa et al., 1992). A total of five RFLPs were detected, allowing classification of the apple genotypes into four cytoplasmic groups: GroupI, Golden Delicious-type; GroupII, McIntosh-type; GroupIII, Delicious-type; and Group IV, Dolgo Crab-type. European landraces and cultivars were assigned to Groups I, II, and III, while chinese crab apples were placed in either Group III or IV.     

Mitochondrial DNA Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms in Malus Species

Three apple (Malus×domestica) cultivars and 11 Malus accessions have been investigated by the probe hybridization method on their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The gene probes used were: coxI, coxII, atpA, atp6, and atp9. Our results revealed enough variation to characterize ten mtDNA haplotypes among the Malus genotypes examined. The taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of mtDNA polymorphism are also discussed.