Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in bovine luteal cells induced by prostaglandin F2α, interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α

We recently demonstrated that luteal cells flow out from the ovary via lymphatic vessels during luteolysis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of the outflow of luteal cells are not known. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade the extracellular matrix and basal membrane, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) inhibit the activity of MMPs. To test the hypothesis that MMP expression in luteal cells is regulated by luteolytic factors, we investigated the effects of prostaglandin F2α (PGF), interferon γ (IFNG) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) on the mRNA expression of MMPs and TIMPs in cultured luteal cells. Luteal cells obtained from the CL at the mid-luteal stage (days 8–12 after ovulation) were cultured with PGF (0.01, 0.1, 1 μM), IFNG (0.05, 0.5, 5 nM) and TNF (0.05, 0.5, 0.5 nM) alone or in combination for 24 h. PGF and IFNG significantly increased the expression of MMP-1 mRNA. In addition, 1 μM PGF in combination with 5 nM IFNG stimulated MMP-1 and MMP-9 mRNA expression significantly more than either treatment alone. In contrast, IFNG significantly decreased the level of MMP-14 mRNA. The mRNA expression of TIMP-1, which preferentially inhibits MMP-1, was suppressed by 5 nM INFG. One μM PGF and 5 nM IFNG suppressed TIMP-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest a new role of MMPs: luteal MMPs stimulated by PGF and IFNG break down the extracellular matrix surrounding luteal cells, which accelerates detachment from the CL during luteolysis, providing an essential prerequisite for outflow of luteal cells from the CL to lymphatic vessels.     

The importance of riparian subtropical lucidophyllous forest to odonate conservation

1. Glossy, broad‐leaved, evergreen (lucidophyllous) forests are found mainly in humid subtropical regions of East Asia and are recognized as a biodiverse biome harbouring numerous endemic species. To date, however, few studies have considered the conservation importance of rivers draining these unique environments. In this study, lotic Odonata were used as indicators to examine factors affecting riparian forest–stream linkages in a lucidophyllous forest in south‐western Japan.
2. Lotic odonates of 10 species, including seven endemic species, and their habitats were studied along 30 stream reaches with varying environmental characteristics.
3. Odonate species richness was greatest in shadier reaches as well as in heterogeneous locations in larger streams. In contrast, larger streams modified by channel enlargement for flood control had few or no odonate species.
4. Protecting larger streams with less human impact and streams in dense riparian forest are the best options for conserving lotic odonates and their habitats in this globally unique forest type.

     

Computer-Simulated Evaluation of the Hybrid Weakness Gene System as a Means of Preventing Genetic Contamination of Rice Cultivars

Effectivness of the hybrid-weakness caused by a complementary interaction of two dominant genes Hwc₁ and Hwc₂ to suppress the spread of the red-grain gene into ordinary white-grained rice cultivars was investigated using the Monte Carlo computer simulation method. It was shown that the weakness genes, as far as being capable of reducing the fitness of the carrier by 80 percent or more, work quite effectively to suppress the genetic contamination of white-grained cultivars due to inflow of pollen from red-grained cultivars due to inflow of pollen from red-grain gene once the gene has been incorporated in to the population in the form of red-grained progeny produced as a result of the imperfect lethality of the initial hybrid between red-and white-grained cultivars. The weakness genes have little or no effect cultivars. The weakness genes have little or no effect either, when the contamination is initiated by an inflow of seeds or seedlings from ed-grained cultivars in these situations, removal (selection)of red grained plants Is the only countermeasure to exterminate the red-grain gene. The removal of red grained plants need not be intensive if carried out continuously. The spread of the red-grain gene after initial contamination is suppressed if the red-grain gene and weakness genes are linked. The suppressing effect of the linkage, however, is not substantial when the outcrossing rate is around or smaller than 0.01 as can be assumed in most rice cultivars.     

Dielectric relaxation due to heterogeneous structure in moist wood

Dielectric properties in three main directions for hinoki wood (Chamaecyparis obtusa) specimens conditioned at various levels of relative humidity were measured in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 10 MHz over the temperature range from −150°C to 20°C. Three relaxations were observed in the specimens conditioned at high levels of relative humidity. The relaxation in the highest frequency range was ascribed to the motions of adsorbed water molecules. The relaxation in the middle frequency range remained unchanged by the ethanol–benzene extraction of specimens. The relaxation location was independent of measuring directions. The relaxation in the lowest frequency range was not detected in the specimens impregnated with methyl methacrylate (MMA). This result suggested that the relaxation was due to electrode polarization. The Cole-Cole circular arc law applied well to two relaxations recognized in the specimens impregnated with MMA. The relaxation magnitude in the middle frequency range was extremely large, and the distribution of relaxation times was very narrow. These characteristics suggested relaxation of the Maxwell-Wagner type resulting from the interfacial polarization in the heterogeneous structure, which included adsorbed water with large electrical conductivity within the insulating cell walls.     

Enzymatic and mechanistic studies on the formation of N-phenylglycolohydroxamic acid from nitrosobenzene and pyruvate in spinach leaf homogenate

The biotransformation mechanism of an unknown metabolite formed enzymatically from nitrosobenzene (NOB) and pyruvate in spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) was investigated using spinach leaf homogenate. The unknown metabolite was identified as N-phenylglycolohydroxamic acid (PGA). The activity of PGA formation was decreased by l-alanine, increased by l-serine, and completely inhibited by aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of transaminases. These results indicate that the transaminase participates in PGA formation. Indeed, hydroxypyruvate and alanine were produced in the transamination between pyruvate and serine. Hydroxypyruvate served as a direct-acting glycoloyl donor for PGA formation. A good correlation between the activities of the 200 g supernatant of spinach homogenate and commercial yeast transketolase for PGA formation from several glycoloyl donors was obtained. These results suggest the following mechanism for PGA formation from NOB and pyruvate: transamination of l-serine into hydroxypyruvate, which serves as a glycoloyl donor to NOB.     

Uptake by dietary exposure and elimination of aflatoxins in muscle and liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Uptake and elimination of aflatoxins (AFs) by rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) during a long-term (21 days) dietary exposure were studied to assess contamination by AFs in aquaculture fish fed AF-containing feed. The uptake factor (UF) of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) in muscle ranged from 0.40 × 10(-3) to 1.30 × 10(-3). AFB(1) concentrations in liver were 165-342 times higher than in muscle. AFs from feed were more highly accumulated in liver than in muscle. Aflatoxicol (AFL) and aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) were detected in muscle and liver and also in the rearing water. AFL concentrations were higher than AFM(1) by 2 orders of magnitude in muscle, and AFL was a major metabolite of AFB(1). The elimination rate constants (α) of AFB(1) and AFL in muscle (1.83 and 2.02 day(-1), respectively) and liver (1.38 and 2.41 day(-1), respectively) were very large. The elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of AFB(1) was 0.38 days (9.12 h) in muscle and 0.50 days (12.00 h) in liver. The elimination half-life of AFL in muscle and liver was 0.34 day (8.16 h) and 0.29 day (6.96 h), respectively. These data show that AFs are eliminated rapidly and are not biomagnified in fish. Thus, AFB(1) concentration in muscle of fish fed AFB(1)-containing feed (ca. 500 μg/kg) decreased to below the detection limit (20 ng/kg) of the most sensitive analytical method at 1.54 days (36.96 h) after the change to uncontaminated feed.     

A simple,low‐cost technique for in situ measurement of leaf P concentration in field‐grown rice

Simple tools for diagnosing crop nutritional status are in great demand by agricultural extension staff, particularly in low‐fertility environments. We developed the first practical method for in situ diagnosis of phosphorus (P) nutrition in field‐grown cereal crops by using a handheld colorimeter. The concentration of P in extracts from fresh leaves of lowland rice grown under various P availabilities was closely correlated with that of oven‐dried leaves measured with the standard molybdenum‐blue method in the laboratory, over a range of values from 0.319 to 1.420 mg P g ^?1 DW (r = 0.885^**, n = 14). It takes only 3–5 min to estimate the P concentration of plant samples using the new technique. Although not as accurate as the laboratory method, the new method can easily detect P deficiency of rice in the field (and possibly other cereal crops) without requiring costly, off‐site equipment. Thus, extension staff and agronomists can easily adopt this technique.