Application of DGGE analysis to the study of bacterial community structure in plant roots and in nonrhizosphere soil

To analyze the structure of bacterial communities in spinach roots and in the nonrhizosphere soil, we used PeR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DGGE revealed a large number of band patterns, which were ascribed to various bacterial species composing each of the bacterial communities. The pattern from the roots was less complex than that from the soil. It is considered that DGGE analysis is suitable for studies of bacterial community structure in soil-plant ecosystems.     

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in paddy soils (Part 1) Characteristics of the nitrogen fixation in paddy soils

In most paddy soils, as is already well-known, the crop yield goes on decreasing just for the first few years and then stabilizes at a comparatively high level with no supply of fertilizer or manure.     

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in paddy soils (Part 2) distribution of blue-green algae in paddy soils and the relationship between the growth of them and soil properties

As was shown in the previous report^l), a close connection between the photosynthetic autotrophs and nitrogen fixation in paddy soils was demonstrated.     

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in paddy soils (Part 3) distribution of non-sulphur purple bacteria in paddy soils

The possible significance of blue-green algae in the nitrogen economy of paddy soil has been pointed out by many investigators.     

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in paddy soils: VI

During the experimental study of the role of blue-green algae in the nitrogen economy of paddy fields which were hitherto carried out in our laboratory, it was observed that small animals in paddy fields such as water fleas, mud snails, small freshwater fish, tadopoles or larvae of small insects had a preference for feeding on blue-green algae.     

Metabolomic Analyses of Blood Plasma after Oral Administration of D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride to Dogs

D-Glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN∙HCl) is an endogenous amino monosaccharide synthesized from glucose that is useful in the treatment of joint diseases in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to examine amino acid metabolism in dogs after oral administration of GlcN∙HCl. Accelerated fumarate respiration and elevated plasma levels of lactic acid and alanine were observed after administration. These results suggest that oral administration of GlcN∙HCl induces anaerobic respiration and starvation in cells, and we hypothesize that these conditions promote cartilage regeneration. Further studies are required to evaluate the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).     

Effects of Oral Administration of Fucoidan Extracted from Cladosiphon okamuranus on Tumor Growth and Survival Time in a Tumor-Bearing Mouse Model

We evaluated the anti-tumor activities of the oral administration of fucoidan extracted from Cladosiphon okamuranus using a tumor (colon 26)-bearing mouse model. The materials used included low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMWF: 6.5–40 kDa), intermediate-molecular-weight fucoidan (IMWF: 110–138 kDa) and high-molecular-weight fucoidan (HMWF: 300–330 kDa). The IMWF group showed significantly suppressed tumor growth. The LMWF and HMWF groups showed significantly increased survival times compared with that observed in the control group (mice fed a fucoidan-free diet). The median survival times in the control, LMWF, IMWF and HMWF groups were 23, 46, 40 and 43 days, respectively. It was also found that oral administration of fucoidan increased the population of natural killer cells in the spleen. Furthermore, from the results of the experiment using Myd-88 knockout mice, it was found that these effects are related to gut immunity. These results suggest that fucoidan is a candidate anti-tumor functional food.     

Metabolomic Analysis of Blood Plasma after Oral Administration of N-acetyl-d-Glucosamine in Dogs

N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide that polymerizes linearly through (1,4)-β-linkages. GlcNAc is the monomeric unit of the polymer chitin. GlcNAc is a basic component of hyaluronic acid and keratin sulfate found on the cell surface. The aim of this study was to examine amino acid metabolism after oral GlcNAc administration in dogs. Results showed that plasma levels of ectoine were significantly higher after oral administration of GlcNAc than prior to administration (p < 0.001). To our knowledge, there have been no reports of increased ectoine concentrations in the plasma. The mechanism by which GlcNAc administration leads to increased ectoine plasma concentration remains unclear; future studies are required to clarify this mechanism.     

Protective Effect of Chitin Urocanate Nanofibers against Ultraviolet Radiation

Urocanic acid is a major ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing chromophore. Chitins are highly crystalline structures that are found predominantly in crustacean shells. Alpha-chitin consists of microfibers that contain nanofibrils embedded in a protein matrix. Acid hydrolysis is a common method used to prepare chitin nanofibrils (NFs). We typically obtain NFs by hydrolyzing chitin with acetic acid. However, in the present study, we used urocanic acid to prepare urocanic acid chitin NFs (UNFs) and examined its protective effect against UVB radiation. Hos: HR-1 mice coated with UNFs were UVB irradiated (302 nm, 150 mJ/cm²), and these mice showed markedly lower UVB radiation-induced cutaneous erythema than the control. Additionally, sunburn cells were rarely detected in the epidermis of UNFs-coated mice after UVB irradiation. Although the difference was not as significant as UNFs, the number of sunburn cells in mice treated with acetic acid chitin nanofibrils (ANFs) tended to be lower than in control mice. These results demonstrate that ANFs have a protective effect against UVB and suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of NFs influence the protective effect of ANFs against UVB radiation. The combination of NFs with other substances that possess UV-protective effects, such as urocanic acid, may provide an enhanced protective effect against UVB radiation.     

Effect of placental soluble factors on growth and differentiation of mouse ectoplacental cone in vitro.

The effect of soluble fractions derived from the placenta on the outgrowth and giant cell transformation of the ectoplacental cone (EPC) was investigated in vitro. EPCs taken from the fetal mice on day 7.5 post coitum (pc) were incubated with alpha-MEM-containing fetal calf serum (FCS) (FCS-alpha-MEM) for 24 hr. Then, the medium was exchanged with alpha-MEM alone, FCS-alpha-MEM, or alpha-MEM containing a crude extract from placental region on day 8.5, 10.5 or 12.5 pc (10 ml phosphate buffer/g placenta). Each EPC was continued to be incubated for 6 days, and the rate of EPC outgrowth and the number of trophoblastic giant cells (TGCs) were evaluated under a phase-contrast microscope. As a result, the administration of each placental extract significantly induced the cell spreading and TGC transformation of EPC as compared with the culture in alpha-MEM alone. The rate of cell-spreading rapidly increased on the 2nd day after incubation in the medium containing placental extracts. In particular, EPC outgrowth was more remarkable in the medium containing the 10.5-day placental extract than in the other media including FCS-containing medium. The number of transformed TGCs was also the largest in the 10.5-day medium among the groups examined. These results indicate that certain placental factors at mid-gestation, especially on day 10.5 pc, may facilitate the EPC differentiation.