Results of metabolic profile test in Japanese black cattle with growth retardation

To evaluate the nutriture of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation, a metabolic profile test was carried out in 8 cattle with growth retardation and in 10 cattle with normal growth. During our observation for 1 month before blood sampling, the cattle with growth retardation ingested their forage completely. They showed lower low-density lipoprotein and albumin concentrations, and higher urea nitrogen, actoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations than the control. There were no significant differences in glucose, free fatty acid, total cholesterol, ammonia, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium concentrations between the cattle with growth retardation and the control. These data suggested that the cattle with growth retardation subjected to energy-negative condition in spite of their good forage intake.     

Ultrastructural study of uterine natural killer cells found in pregnant, interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic mice

We previously reported that all fetuses died or were resorbed on day 12 of pregnancy (Day 1= the day of plug) in interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic (Tg2Rbeta) mice. In this study, to clarify the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in pregnancy, the ultrastructure of Tg2Rbeta mouse uNK cells was analyzed using a transmission electron microscope. uNK cells and their granules on day 10 of pregnancy were larger in Tg2Rbeta mice than control mice, indicating that differentiation of uNK cells in Tg2Rbeta mice progressed rapidly. Additionally, the granules of uNK cells in Tg2Rbeta mice on day 10 of pregnancy had an irregular morphology. The multivesicular regions were present in the cap structure of these granules, suggesting that the uNK cells of the Tg2Rbeta mice had cytotoxic activity.     

Distribution of lignin and lignin precursors in differentiating xylem of Japanese cypress and poplar

Lignin is an integral component of the cell wall of vascular plants. The mechanism of supply of lignin precursors from the cytosol into the cell wall of differentiating xylem has not yet been elucidated. The present study showed that a certain amount of coniferyl alcohol glucoside (coniferin) occurred in the differentiating xylem of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), as previously reported in gymnosperms. Coniferin content peaked in the early stages of secondary wall formation and decreased during lignification. In contrast to gymnosperms, coniferin content was limited in the differentiating xylem of poplar (Populus sieboldii × Populus grandidentata). Moreover, coniferyl alcohol was not detected in all specimens. In the differentiating xylem of poplar, a higher amount of sinapyl alcohol occurred than glucoside (syringin). However, the phloem contained syringin and not sinapyl alcohol. The sinapyl alcohol content in the xylem peaked in the cells with ceasing cell wall formation, and decreased gradually towards the boundary of the annual ring, where the lignin content kept increasing. Sinapyl alcohol in the differentiating xylem of poplar may be used for the lignification of the xylem.     

Ultrasonographic imaging of abomasal curd in preruminant calves

The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasonography could be used to evaluate curd formation in the abomasum of preruminant calves. Holstein-Friesian calves were fed one of three milk replacers: clotting (five calves), non-clotting (four calves) and pH-dependent clotting (clots form at pH 5.5, but not at pH 6.5; six calves). Ultrasonography was performed until 6h after feeding the milk replacers. In calves fed the clotting milk replacer, a large clot of curd was visualised by ultrasonography as a clearly outlined echogenic image and whey as an anechoic image. In calves fed the non-clotting milk replacer, abomasal contents were visualised as a uniform, entirely echogenic image, indicating the absence of curd formation. In calves fed milk replacer with pH-dependent clotting properties, several small curds and whey were visualised by ultrasonography. It was concluded ultrasonography can be used to visualise abomasal curd and to distinguish the presence and absence of curds in the abomasum of calves.     

Immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein in plant tissues

The localization of metallothionein ( MT ) in the seeds and roots of soybean was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The germinating seeds at 2 hr, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 d including 1-mo root tips of soybean ( c.v. Toyosuzu ) with and without heavy metals ( Cu 400 μg Lor Zn 3 μg ml^?1) treatment were used to demonstrate the localization of MT by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique using polyclonal rabbit antirat MT conjugated to ascaris as a primary antibody. Metallothionein was localized in the proliferating regions such as the embryo in seeds, and root and shoot apices of both the control and heavy metals-treated plants. The intensity of MT staining in the proliferating regions generally increased as the soybean seeds germinate. Starting at about 1 day after germination, MT was found in the veins and vascular bundles suggesting its translocation to other organs. Similar observation hold true in the case of plants treated with heavy metals. This means that heavy metals treatment had no effect on MT localization. However, the heavy metals-treated plants showed higher concentration of MT over the control with respect to the growth stage of soybean seeds. These indicate that MT found in soybean plays a physiological role in heavy metal transport, detoxification and cell division in a similar manner to mammalian MT.

     

Earthquake source fault beneath Tokyo

Devastating earthquakes occur on a megathrust fault that underlies the Tokyo metropolitan region. We identify this fault with use of deep seismic reflection profiling to be the upper surface of the Philippine Sea plate. The depth to the top of this plate, 4 to 26 kilometers, is much shallower than previous estimates based on the distribution of seismicity. This shallower plate geometry changes the location of maximum finite slip of the 1923 Kanto earthquake and will affect estimations of strong ground motion for seismic hazards analysis within the Tokyo region.     

Mnemonic function of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in conflict-induced behavioral adjustment

Our cognitive abilities in performing tasks are influenced by experienced competition/conflict between behavioral choices. To determine the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in the conflict detection-resolution process, we conducted complementary lesion and single-cell recording studies in monkeys that were resolving a conflict between two rules. We observed conflict-induced behavioral adjustment that persisted after lesions within the ACC but disappeared after lesions within the DLPFC. In the DLPFC, activity was modulated in some cells by the current conflict level and in other cells by the conflict experienced in the previous trial. These results show that the DLPFC, but not the ACC, is essential for the conflict-induced behavioral adjustment and suggest that encoding and maintenance of information about experienced conflict is mediated by the DLPFC.     

Attention but not awareness modulates the BOLD signal in the human V1 during binocular suppression

Although recent psychophysical studies indicate that visual awareness and top-down attention are two distinct processes, it is not clear how they are neurally dissociated in the visual system. Using a two-by-two factorial functional magnetic resonance imaging design with binocular suppression, we found that the visibility or invisibility of a visual target led to only nonsignificant blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) effects in the human primary visual cortex (V1). Directing attention toward and away from the target had much larger and robust effects across all study participants. The difference in the lower-level limit of BOLD activation between attention and awareness illustrates dissociated neural correlates of the two processes. Our results agree with previously reported V1 BOLD effects on attention, while they invite a reconsideration of the functional role of V1 in visual awareness.     

Differences in plant canopy bi-directional reflectance factors among rice varieties

We statistically discuss the possible ways to classify rice varieties using canopy bi-directional reflectance factor (BRF) data. Fourteen varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown in an experimental paddy field where environmental conditions such as soil, nutrients, water supply, and local climate were homogeneous. Spectral reflectance of each of the rice varieties was measured at nadir and at off-nadir angles of 45°, 30°, 15°, –15°, –30°, and –45° on both the principal and perpendicular planes at intervals of 1 nm from 400 to 850 nm. The reflectances in green (550–560 nm), red (675–685 nm), and near infrared (745–749 nm) bands at every measuring angle were computed for each rice variety. As a result of unpaired Student t-tests, the number of pairs of rice varieties that can be statistically distinguished using BRF data was larger than the number that can be distinguished using just the spectral reflectance data at the nadir angle. The difference in BRF among rice varieties was statistically significant.