Use of Jeffries acid oxalate treatment in particle-size analyses of Ando soils

Use of Jeffries acid-oxalate treatment in particle-size analyses of Ando soils for breaking up the sand- and silt-size aggregates bound by allophane, allophane-like constituents and hydrous iron oxides was studied. The analyses by this method and those by a method using sonic-wave oscillation were compared for nine Ando soil samples having different clay-mineral compositions and organic-matter contents. There were minor differences in the sand contents between the two analyses, but the clay contents were higher and the silt contents were lower after Jeffries acid oxalate treatment.

Characterization of the silt-size separates by an X-ray powder method, water vapor adsorption and electron microscopy indicated that the lower silt contents after Jeffries acid oxalate treatment were mainly due to dissolution of allophane and allophane-like constituents, whereas the silt-size separates after sonic-wave treatment still contained these mineral constituents. The proposed procedure for particle-size analysis was also useful for two ferruginous soils representing the Hydrandept and Torrox.     

Identification of whale species by thin-layer isoelectric focusing of sarcoplasmic proteins.

Thin-layer isoelectric focusing was applied to the identification of whale (Cetacea) species by using water-soluble sarcoplasmic proteins of skeletal muscles. Twenty-eight samples consisting of 4 species (10 samples) of baleen whales (Mysticeti) and 8 species (18 samples) of toothed whales (Odontoceti) were analyzed. Each sample (approximately 1 g) was electrophoresed with Ampholine PAGplate, pH 3.5-9.5. The electrophoretic profiles were species-specific on the 4 toothed whale species that did not have a marked intra-species difference, and all 4 baleen whale species. However, the profiles were not specific on the 4 other dolphin species, even though they were discriminable from the other 4 toothed whale species. Numerical values of pIs and relative peak heights were obtained by densitometric analysis of the isoelectro-focused protein bands. The bands were also species-specific for the 8 toothed whale species mentioned. The values may be applicable to species identification without the need for a standard sample, which may not be readily obtainable. Experiments on test samples of minke and sel whales showed that bloodletting with ice water made the densities of isoelectro-focused bands thinner, although species identification was still possible by using the inside part of muscles. Heat treatment at below 60 degrees C for 10 min caused little denaturation; at higher temperatures the protein bands were diminished in a temperature-dependent fashion. Therefore, the present isoelectric focusing analysis should be applicable to small samples of whale meat, excluding several species of dolphins.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens using mitochondrial D-loop sequence reveals their characteristics as a genetic resource

Myanmar indigenous chickens play important roles in food, entertainment, and farm business for the people of Myanmar. In this study, complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences (1232 bp) were analyzed using 176 chickens, including three indigenous breeds, two fighting cock populations, and three indigenous populations to elucidate genetic diversity and accomplish a phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens. The average haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.948 ± 0.009 and 0.00814 ± 0.00024, respectively, exhibiting high genetic diversity of Myanmar indigenous chickens. Sixty-four haplotypes were classified as seven haplogroups, with the majority being haplogroup F. The breeds and populations except Inbinwa had multiple maternal haplogroups, suggesting that they experienced no recent purifying selection and bottleneck events. All breeds and populations examined shared haplogroup F. When 232 sequences belonging to haplogroup F (79 from Myanmar and 153 deposited sequences from other Asian countries/region) were analyzed together, the highest genetic diversity was observed in Myanmar indigenous chickens. Furthermore, Myanmar indigenous chickens and red junglefowls were observed in the center of the star-like median-joining network of 37 F-haplotypes, suggesting that Myanmar is one of the origins of haplogroup F. These findings revealed the unique genetic characteristic of Myanmar indigenous chickens as important genetic resources.     

Pathogenicity of Rhodococcus equi expressing a virulence-associated 20 kDa protein (VapB) in foals

Rhodococcus equi strains of intermediate virulence (IMV) for mice possess a 20kDa protein designated Virulence Associated Protein B (VapB) and a virulence plasmid of 79-100kb, and can be recovered from the submaxillary lymph nodes of pigs. The pathogenicity of such R. equi strains for foals is unknown. In this study, two foals, 42 and 43 days of age, were infected intratracheally with 10(6) and 10(9) cells of R. equi IMV strain A5, respectively. The foal infected with 10(9) cells of strain A5 became clinically ill, with the onset of illness (pyrexia and depression) occurring 21 days after inoculation. R. equi was isolated from the feces and tracheal washings of the foal from 14 to 28 days after inoculation. The foal infected with 10(6) cells of A5 showed no clinical signs, and no R. equi was isolated from any of the samples of feces or tracheal washings during the 28 days of observation. Two foals of 45 and 50 days of age were infected with 10(5) or 10(6) of virulent R. equi ATCC 33701 having 15-17kDa surface proteins designated VapA. Both exhibited severe clinical signs (pyrexia, depression and anorexia) at 12 and 13 days after inoculation. Histopathological examination revealed that strain A5 caused focal granulomatous pneumonia in the foals. R. equi IMV strain A5 was isolated from lung lesions of both foals and from the contents of the intestinal tracts of the foal infected with 10(9) bacteria. These results suggest that IMV R. equi having VapB is less virulent than virulent R. equi having VapA in foals. This finding supports our previous results on the pathogenicities of R. equi strains having these virulence-associated antigens assessed by mouse pathogenicity tests.     

Phospholipase A<Subscript>1</Subscript> activity of crude enzyme extracted from the ovaries of skipjack tuna

The phospholipid class composition, fatty acid composition and phospholipase A₁ (PLA₁) activity from the ovaries of skipjack tuna were compared with those of six other species of marine fish. In the skipjack ovaries, the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) proportion for the phospholipid, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) percentage for the total fatty acids of the phospholipids and the PLA₁ activity of the crude enzyme were the highest among those of the seven species. The optimum pH and temperature for the PLA₁ activity of the crude enzyme from the skipjack ovaries were in the range of pH 6–7 and 20–30°C, respectively, and calcium ions were not required. As a substrate, phosphatidylcholine was more easily hydrolyzed than phosphatidylethanolamine by this enzyme, and the plasmalogen-type phospholipid was much lower than the acyl-type phospholipid. After a 6-h hydrolysis reaction of the purified phospholipid extracted from the mixed ovaries of skipjack and yellowfin tuna by this enzyme, the LPC ratio of the phospholipid increased from 20 to 72.6% and the percentage of DHA for the total fatty acids of the phospholipid also increased. Thus, skipjack ovaries might possibly be used as a source of PLA₁.     

Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species in Yoro,western Wakasa Bay,Sea of Japan

ABSTRACT:   Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species was investigated in Yoro, western Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan. The Sargassaceae species were collected at a depth of 2.0–2.5 m and subjected to stratified clipping for 13 months. Annual net production was estimated at 2407 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum patens , 2132 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum macrocarpum , 1458 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum siliquastrum , 1197 g dry wt/m² for Myagropsis myagroides , and 1471 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum piluliferum . The ratio of annual net production to maximum biomass (P/B_max) for these species ranged between 1.3 and 1.7, being higher than in previous studies which used the same method. Winter storms with strong wave exposure and relatively calm condition in Yoro were considered to augment P/B_max. The total losses estimated from the different units of stratified clipping were compared. If larger and less segregated units were applied, the total loss would decrease. It was suggested that a 50 cm stratum would be applicable to the larger species (3 m or longer) and a stratum of 20 cm or less would be applicable to mid-sized or smaller species (less than 3 m).     

Evaluation of Intestinal Absorption of Dietary Halocynthiaxanthin,a Carotenoid from the Sea Squirt Halocynthia roretzi

Halocynthiaxanthin is an acetylenic carotenoid mainly found in Halocynthia roretzi. To date, several bioactivities of halocynthiaxanthin have been reported, but its mechanism of digestion and absorption in mammals has not been studied yet. In this study, we evaluated the intestinal absorption of halocynthiaxanthin in mice. The halocynthiaxanthin-rich fraction was prepared from the tunicate Halocynthia roretzi. Mice were orally administered the fraction at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. The halocynthiaxanthin levels in the plasma, liver, and small intestine, were quantified using HPLC-PDA, 1, 3, 6, and 9 h after ingestion. The halocynthiaxanthin-rich fraction mainly consisted of the all-trans form and a small amount of cis forms. These three isomers were detected in the plasma of mice 3 h after ingestion. Time-course changes after the ingestion of this fraction were found, with cis isomers being more abundant than the all-trans isomer in the mouse plasma and liver. In the small intestine, however, the all-trans isomer was primarily detected. The possibility that cis isomers might be absorbed rapidly from the small intestine cannot be denied, but our results suggest that dietary all-trans-halocynthiaxanthin might be isomerized to the cis isomer after intestinal absorption.     

Glycosylated Porphyra-334 and Palythine-Threonine from the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are water-soluble UV-absorbing pigments, and structurally different MAAs have been identified in eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria. In this study novel glycosylated MAAs were found in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune (N. commune). An MAA with an absorption maximum at 334 nm was identified as a hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative with a molecular mass of 508 Da. Another MAA with an absorption maximum at 322 nm was identified as a two hexose-bound palythine-threonine derivative with a molecular mass of 612 Da. These purified MAAs have radical scavenging activities in vitro, which suggests multifunctional roles as sunscreens and antioxidants. The 612-Da MAA accounted for approximately 60% of the total MAAs and contributed approximately 20% of the total radical scavenging activities in a water extract, indicating that it is the major water-soluble UV-protectant and radical scavenger component. The hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative and the glycosylated palythine-threonine derivatives were found in a specific genotype of N. commune, suggesting that glycosylated MAA patterns could be a chemotaxonomic marker for the characterization of the morphologically indistinguishable N. commune. The glycosylation of porphyra-334 and palythine-threonine in N. commune suggests a unique adaptation for terrestrial environments that are drastically fluctuating in comparison to stable aquatic environments.     

Comparisons among MRI signs,apparent diffusion coefficient,and fractional anisotropy in dogs with a solitary intracranial meningioma or histiocytic sarcoma

Although MRI has become widely used in small animal practice, little is known about the validity of advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion‐weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. The aim of this retrospective analytical observational study was to investigate the characteristics of diffusion parameters, that is the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy, in dogs with a solitary intracranial meningioma or histiocytic sarcoma. Dogs were included based on the performance of diffusion MRI and histological confirmation. Statistical analyses were performed to compare apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy for the two types of tumor in the intra‐ and peritumoral regions. Eleven cases with meningioma and six with histiocytic sarcoma satisfied the inclusion criteria. Significant differences in apparent diffusion coefficient value (× 10^?3 mm²/s) between meningioma vs. histiocytic sarcoma were recognized in intratumoral small (1.07 vs. 0.76) and large (1.04 vs. 0.77) regions of interest, in the peritumoral margin (0.93 vs. 1.08), and in the T2 high region (1.21 vs. 1.41). Significant differences in fractional anisotropy values were found in the peritumoral margin (0.29 vs. 0.24) and the T2 high region (0.24 vs. 0.17). The current study identified differences in measurements of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy for meningioma and histiocytic sarcoma in a small sample of dogs. In addition, we observed that all cases of intracranial histiocytic sarcoma showed leptomeningeal enhancement and/or mass formation invading into the sulci in the contrast study. Future studies are needed to determine the sensitivity of these imaging characteristics for differentiating between these tumor types.