Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis in diploid cultivars of rhodesgrass

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to detect genetic variation in a sample of 47 plants representing 12 diploid cultivars of rhodesgrass. In this analysis, 50±91 easily scorable fragments could be detected in a single reaction. Each of the individual plants was uniquely identified by a combination of three primer pairs and an 80.2% level of polymorphism was obtained. Large amounts of genetic variation were present within all the cultivars. The results showed that AFLPs could be a robust technique for genome analysis in rhodesgrass with a promising potential as a breeding tool.     

Effects of trypsin on cytosolic calcium levels in the rat aortic endothelium

The effect of trypsin on vascular tone and the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of endothelial and smooth muscle cells were examined in the rat aorta. A calcium indicator, fura-PE3, was used to measure [Ca(2+)](i) simultaneously with vascular tone. In the endothelium-intact rat aorta, carbachol and trypsin increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a dose-dependent manner. In the endothelium-denuded rat aorta, carbachol did not change [Ca(2+)](i), but trypsin slightly increased it. Addition of trypsin to the norepinephrine-stimulated rat aorta relaxed the muscle with an additional increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Under calcium-free conditions, trypsin induced a transient increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Trypsin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was inhibited by preincubation with l-NMMA, an endothelial NO synthase inhibitor, U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase blocker, and lanthanum, a nonselective Ca(2+) channel blocker. However, indomethacin, a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and SKF-96365, a store-operated Ca(2+)-channel blocker, had no effect on the trypsin-induced relaxation. These results suggest that trypsin increases [Ca(2+)](i) in the endothelial cells through SKF-96365-insensitive Ca(2+) channels and regulates the release of NO, which results in relaxation of the rat aorta.     

On mechanical behavior of traditional timber shear wall in Taiwan II: simplified calculation and experimental verification

In the previous report of this ongoing study, results of an extensive field survey were collated and a theoretical model was proposed to predict the mechanical behavior of timber shear walls of traditional design in Taiwan. The initial objective of the present report was to propose a simplified calculation method for estimating the initial stiffness and yield strength of traditional timber shear walls. Based on the results of the field survey, a total of 15 full-scale specimens were tested to verify the theoretical model and simplified calculation proposed previously. Good agreement was found from comparison of analytical and experimental results. The results of this study show that the friction behavior between board units and beams plays the major role in resisting the lateral force applied on the timber shear wall, followed by the resistance supplied by embedment. The resistance provided by bamboo nails is minor due to the small section. Another trend found was that for set dimensions of a timber shear wall, the board width can be increased to obtain higher stiffness and strength of the shear wall.     

Mechanical stress grading of tropical timbers without regard to species

Some reports have shown that for single species the correlation between modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in bending is quite high. Tropical timbers consist of hundreds of species that are difficult to identify. This report deals with the mechanical stress grading of tropical timber regardless of species. Nine timber species or groups of species with a total number of 1094 pieces measuring 60 × 120 × 3000 mm, were tested in static bending. The MOE was measured flat wise, while MOR was tested edge wise. Statistical analysis of linear regression with a dummy model and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the role of MOE and the effect of species on prediction of MOR. The analysis showed that using MOE as a single predictor caused under/overestimation for one or more species and/or groups of species. The accuracy of prediction would be increased with species identification. An allowable stress and reference resistance for species and/or groups of species were provided to compare with the prediction of strength through timber grading. The timber strength class for species and/or groups of species was also established to support the application of mechanical timber grading.     

Stand-scale transpiration estimates in a Moso bamboo forest: (I) Applicability of sap flux measurements

The applicability of sap flux (F_d) measurements to bamboo forests has not been studied. This study was undertaken to establish an optimal and effective design for stand-scale transpiration (E) estimates in a Moso bamboo forest. To this aim, we validated F_d measurements in Moso bamboos in a cut bamboo experiment. In addition, we analyzed how sample sizes affect the reliability of E estimates calculated from F_d and conducting culm area (A_{S_b}). In the cut bamboo experiments, we found that F_d measurement using a 10 mm probe was a valid means of determining the water-use behavior of a Moso bamboo, although a specific correction was needed. Furthermore, we calculated E from stand A_{S_b} (A_{S_stand}) and mean stand F_d (J_S). Employing Monte Carlo analysis, we examined potential errors associated with sample size in E, A_{S_stand}, and J_S using an original dataset with A_{S_b} and F_d measured for 40 and 16 individuals, respectively. Consequently, we determined the optimal sample size for both A_{S_stand} and J_S estimates as 11. The optimal sample sizes for J_S were almost the same under different vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture conditions. The optimal sample size for J_S at the study site was less than that of a coniferous plantation in the same region probably owing to small individual-to-individual variations in sap flux in the Moso bamboo forest. Our study concludes that sap flux measurements are an applicable technique for assessing water use in Moso bamboo forests.     

Virucidal and Immunostimulating Activities of Monogalactosyl Diacylglyceride from Coccomyxa sp. KJ,a Green Microalga,against Murine Norovirus and Feline Calicivirus

Human noroviruses are the most common pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis and may lead to more severe illnesses among immunosuppressed people, including elderly and organ transplant recipients. To date, there are no safe and effective vaccines or antiviral agents for norovirus infections. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the antiviral activity of monogalactosyl diacylglyceride (MGDG) isolated from a microalga, Coccomyxa sp. KJ, against murine norovirus (MNV) and feline calicivirus (FCV), the surrogates for human norovirus. MGDG showed virucidal activities against these viruses in a dose- and time-dependent manner—MGDG at 100 μg/mL reduced the infectivity of MNV and FCV to approximately 10% after 60 min incubation. In the animal experiments of MNV infection, intraoral administration of MGDG (1 mg/day) exerted a therapeutic effect by suppressing viral shedding in the feces and produced high neutralizing antibody titers in sera and feces. When MGDG was orally administered to immunocompromised mice treated with 5-fluorouracil, the compound exhibited earlier stopping of viral shedding and higher neutralizing antibody titers of sera than those in the control mice administered with distilled water. Thus, MGDG may offer a new therapeutic and prophylactic alternative against norovirus infections.     

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on muscle glycogen content in Japanese Black cattle

Monosaccharides such as glucose contribute to the development of meat flavor upon heating via the Maillard reaction; therefore, monosaccharide content is related to beef palatability. Here, we analyzed the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the content of glycogen, one of the precursors of monosaccharides, in the muscles of 958 fattened Japanese Black cattle from Yamagata Prefecture. Analysis of variance showed that muscle glycogen content was affected by the farm and postmortem periods, but not by sex, slaughter age, slaughter month or number of days detained at the slaughter yard. Additionally, consumption of digestible brown rice feed elevated muscle glycogen levels. Glycogen heritability was estimated to be 0.34, and genetic correlations between glycogen and carcass weight (CW) or beef marbling standard (BMS) were weak. The predicted breeding values varied among paternal lines. These results demonstrated that genetic factors might improve muscle glycogen content and therefore beef palatability, but do not influence CW or BMS.