Phytomonitoring and phytoremediation of agrochemicals and related compounds based on recombinant cytochrome P450s and aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs)

Molecular mechanisms of metabolism and modes of actions of agrochemicals and related compounds are important for understanding selective toxicity, biodegradability, and monitoring of biological effects on nontarget organisms. It is well-known that in mammals, cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) monooxygenases metabolize lipophilic foreign compounds. These P450 species are inducible, and both CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 are induced by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) combined with a ligand. Gene engineering of P450 and NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (P450 reductase) was established for bioconversion. Also, gene modification of AhRs was developed for recombinant AhR-mediated β-glucronidase (GUS) reporter assay of AhR ligands. Recombinant P450 genes were transformed into plants for phytoremediation, and recombinant AhR-mediated GUS reporter gene expression systems were each transformed into plants for phytomonitoring. Transgenic rice plants carrying CYP2B6 metabolized the herbicide metolachlor and remarkably reduced the residues in the plants and soils under paddy field conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants carrying recombinant guinea pig (g) AhR-mediated GUS reporter genes detected PCB126 at the level of 10 ng/g soils in the presence of biosurfactants MEL-B. Both phytomonitoring and phytoremediation plants were each evaluated from the standpoint of practical uses.     

Relationships of survival time, productivity and cause of death with telomere lengths of cows produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

The reproductive ability, milk-producing capacity, survival time and relationships of these parameters with telomere length were investigated in 4 groups of cows produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Each group was produced using the same donor cells (6 Holstein (1H), 3 Holstein (2H), 4 Jersey (1J) and 5 Japanese Black (1B) cows). As controls, 47 Holstein cows produced by artificial insemination were used. The SCNT cows were artificially inseminated, and multiple deliveries were performed after successive rounds of breeding and conception. No correlation was observed between the telomere length and survival time in the SCNT cows. Causes of death of SCNT cows included accidents, accident-associated infections, inappropriate management, acute mastitis and hypocalcemia. The lifetime productivity of SCNT cows was superior to those of the controls and cell donor cows. All SCNT beef cows with a relatively light burden of lactation remained alive and showed significantly prolonged survival time compared with the cows in the SCNT dairy breeds. These results suggest that the lifetime productivity of SCNT cows was favorable, and their survival time was more strongly influenced by environmental burdens, such as pregnancy, delivery, lactation and feeding management, than by the telomere length.     

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis associated with abnormal liver development in a young dog

A 6-month-old male miniature pinscher dog developed chronic ascites, formation of fibrous membrane covering the abdominal organs, and numerous adhesions between the intestinal loops. The membrane and adhesions were surgically removed twice, but the dog died 1 month after initial presentation. Necropsy revealed recurrence of the membrane and intestinal adhesions. The fibrous membrane was composed of a thick layer of mature collagenous connective tissue, covered by immature collagenous connective tissue with mild lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, prominent neovascularization, and fibrin exudation. Similar fibrotic lesions were observed in the serosa of the liver, spleen, stomach and intestines. These findings are consistent with encapsulating peritoneal fibrosis reported in humans and dogs. The dog also had a maldeveloped liver, which is characterized by disorganized hepatic lobules and disarranged hepatic cords.     

Maturation and spawning of the small penaeid shrimp Metapenaeopsis dalei in Tosa Bay, Pacific coast of southern Japan

SUMMARY: Seasonal changes in the percentage of mature female Metapenaeopsis dalei were studied histologically, and the annual cycle of maturation and spawning of this species was discussed. Specimens were collected at night by a beam trawler in Tosa Bay (33°N, 133°E) during the period from April 1995 to March 1996. All individuals had a gonado somatic index [ GSI = 100 (gonado weight/body weight)] of higher than 8, and 66.7% of those individuals with a GSI of 6–8 had oocytes in the late phase of the prematuration stage after germinal vesicle shrinking and migrating to the margin of the oocyte or had oocytes in the maturation stage. Such individuals with developed oocytes appeared in April, June, July, August, October, November and March. Individuals with a GSI above 6 appeared throughout the year, except during September and February. Individuals with ovulated oocytes were sampled in March when the water temperature near the bottom depths was lowest (15.4°C) during the year, being similar to February (15.1°C). These facts indicate that maturation occurs all year-round and suggests that spawning in the Metapenaeopsis dalei population in Tosa Bay occurs all year-round. This is the first report of year-round maturation in penaeid shrimps in Japanese waters.     

Effects of physical properties of diets on evacuation time of digesta and plasma free amino acid patterns in yellowtail

SUMMARY: The periodical changes of feed digesta contents in the digestive tracts and plasma free amino acid levels of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (average weight 690 g) were investigated at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 48 h after feeding on three different types of diets. The diets were: (i) extruded pellets prepared using a large-sized twin screw extruder (SDP); (ii) pellets processed using a small-sized twin screw extruder (EP); and (iii) single moist pellets (SMP). Three types of experimental fish meal diets were formulated so as to have an almost similar ingredient composition, and were supplemented with crystalline methionine, lysine, and tryptophan. Digesta contents in the stomach of fish fed the SDP diet during the experimental period were highest, whereas fish fed the SMP diet were lowest, and the stomach digesta evacuation time was different for the different types of diets. This might be caused by the differences in the chemical and physical properties of the diets. The evacuation times of the feed digesta contents of the stomach influence those of the intestine. Three crystalline amino acids added to the diets seemed to be absorbed effectively into blood plasma immediately after feed intake irrespective of the diet types. Periodical changes in the plasma levels of methionine seemed to be linked to the feed digesta contents of the stomach. Therefore, it is suggested that utilization of supplemented methionine might be affected by diet characteristics which, in turn, influence the stomach digesta evacuation times.     

Larval recruitment of the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Ariake Sound, southern Japan

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms by which catch yields of the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum have decreased drastically in Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, and the larval recruitment by which benthic populations of the clam are maintained were studied. Samples at different growth stages (planktonic larvae, new settlers, and small to large bivalves of the species) were collected from February 1997 to December 1998 on two tidal flats (Kawaguchi and Nameishi, 20 km distance from each other) along the eastern coast of Ariake Sound. Densities of planktonic larvae, new settlers and small bivalves were generally higher at Kawaguchi than Nameishi. The higher density of large bivalves at Kawaguchi depends on a high larval density. Larval retention mechanisms coupled with water movement at Kawaguchi, such as tidal residual currents, may be related intimately with the higher larval density at Kawaguchi. Predation by shore birds at and after recruitment may be related to the lower density of large bivalves recorded at Kawaguchi in 1998, despite larval densities being higher there.     

Severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae in a Japanese Black steer with chronic bloat--a case report

An 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with chronic bloat underwent clinical and histological analyses. During the observation period, it showed normal appetite and fecal volume but persistent chronic bloat symptoms. Compared to controls, the steer's feces contained undigested large straws. Necropsy revealed normal rumen, reticulum, and abomasum but a small omasum. The rumen, reticulum, and abomasum mucosa was normal, with well-developed ruminal papillae. However, severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae was observed along with hypoplasia reticular groove and ruminoreticular fold. The contents of the reticulum, omasum, and abomasums comprised undigested large sized hay particles. The omasum papillae showed no pathological abnormalities. This is a rare case of a steer with chronic bloat probably caused by severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae.     

The influences of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a lower pressure and oxygen concentration than previous methods on physiological mechanisms in dogs

Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a lower pressure and oxygen concentration (L-HBOT) than previous methods has been used for dogs in Japan; however, the influences of L-HBOT on dogs have not been clarified. To verify the influences of L-HBOT on physiological mechanism in dogs, we investigated blood gas parameters, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, heart rate variability, stress-related hormones and skin conductance (SC) in 4 clinically normal beagle dogs with catheters in their carotid arteries and jugular veins when they were quiet, after running, after receiving L-HBOT (30% oxygen concentration, 1.3 atmospheres absolute, 30 min) or after not receiving L-HBOT. The results showed there were no changes in blood gas parameters, heart rate variability and catecholamine levels after L-HBOT. GPx activity was significantly higher, and the SC and cortisol level were lower in dogs that received L-HBOT than those when they were quiet. These results suggested that L-HBOT may have a small influence on oxygenation dynamics, activate antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, restrain autonomic nervous activity and control the balance between oxidation and antioxidation inside the body.     

Toward the development of a weather index insurance for rice farmers in the coastal region of Myanmar

Paddy and Water Environment - Climate change is expected to exacerbate damage to agricultural production from natural disasters. Examination of measures to adapt to the damage represents an urgent...