Correlation between skeletal muscle fiber type and free amino acid levels in Japanese Black steers

Free amino acids are important components of tastants and flavor precursors in meat. To clarify the correlation between muscle fiber type and free amino acids, we determined the concentrations of various free amino acids and dipeptides in samples of different muscle tissues (n = 21), collected from 26‐month‐old Japanese Black steers (n = 3) at 2 days postmortem. The proportions of the myosin heavy chain (MyHC), slow (MyHC1) and fast (MyHC2) isoforms were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The contents of free amino acids and dipeptides were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MyHC isoform composition varied among the tissue samples. The MyHC1 proportion ranged from 6.9% ± 3.9% to 83.3% ± 16.7%. We confirmed that there was a strong positive correlation between MyHC1 composition and total free amino acid concentrations, including those for two dipeptides. Among the 31 measured free amino acids and dipeptides, 11 showed significant positive correlations and five showed significant negative correlations with MyHC1 composition. These results suggest that a high MyHC1 content induces high free amino acid contents in bovine muscles possibly because of greater oxidative metabolism. This high level of free amino acids could contribute to the intense flavor of meat that is rich in slow‐twitch fibers.     

Two New Lyngbyatoxin Derivatives from the Cyanobacterium,Moorea producens

The toxin-producing cyanobacterium, Moorea producens, is a known causative organism of food poisoning and seaweed dermatitis (also known as “swimmer’s itch”). Two new toxic compounds were isolated and structurally elucidated from an ethyl acetate extract of M. producens collected from Hawaii. Analyses of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopies, as well as optical rotations and CD spectra indicated two new lyngbyatoxin derivatives, 2-oxo-3(R)-hydroxy-lyngbyatoxin A (1) and 2-oxo-3(R)-hydroxy-13-N-desmethyl-lyngbyatoxin A (2). The cytotoxicity and lethal activities of 1 and 2 were approximately 10- to 150-times less potent than lyngbyatoxin A. Additionally, the binding activities of 1 and 2 possessed 10,000-times lower affinity for the protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)-C1B peptide when compared to lyngbyatoxin A. These findings suggest that these new lyngbyatoxin derivatives may mediate their acute toxicities through a non-PKC activation pathway.     

Renal Tubular Cyst Formation in Newborn Rats Treated with p-Cumylphenol

In this study, we investigated the sequential changes in the development of renal tubular cysts in newborn rats treated with p-cumylphenol (PCP). Fifteen animals per sex were treated orally with 300 mg/kg/day of PCP for up to 18 days from postnatal day (PND) 4 and were sacrificed on PNDs 8, 12, 19 and 22 and after a 7 day recovery period. On PNDs 8 and 12, slight dilatation of the collecting ducts was frequently observed in the medulla and slight papillary necrosis was also noted in some cases. These dilated collecting ducts were lined with slightly hyperplastic epithelial cells. On PNDs 19 and 22, multiple large cystic changes arising from the collecting ducts in the outer medulla were seen. These cystically dilated ducts were also lined with hyperplastic epithelial cells. During the dosing period, the labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the collecting duct epithelium was higher in the PCP-treated group than in the control group at all time points. After a 7 day recovery period, the cystic change still remained, although the cell density was decreased and the epithelial cells became flattened. On the other hand, basophilic tubules with peritubular lymphoid cell infiltration were multifocally observed in the cortex. In conclusion, PCP induced multiple renal cysts that developed in the collecting ducts of the outer medulla in neonatal rats, and it is suggested that epithelial cell proliferation may play some roles in the induction of cystic lesions.     

Sequence analysis of VP2 gene of canine parvovirus isolated from domestic dogs in Japan in 1999 and 2000

Seven strains of canine parvovirus (CPV) were isolated from affected dogs in Japan between 1999 and 2000, and their VP2 genes were genetically analyzed. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of VP2 suggested that three field isolates corresponded to CPV type 2a, while the other four to CPV type 2b. The phylogenetic tree constructed from the VP2 genes showed that the newly isolated strains are classified into the cluster consisting of recent Japanese and Taiwanese field isolates, which are distinct from Vietnamese isolates, United States Isolates, or classical CPV type 2. These results suggest that the CPV transmission occurred between Japan and Taiwan in 1990s, and the offspring are still circulating in both countries.     

玉米和小麦在光合诱导期间非光化学猝灭（qN）差异

为了比较玉米(Zea mays L.)（C4）与小麦 (Triticum aestivum L.)（C3）黑暗向光照变化过程中的光诱导适应性反应，对非光化学猝灭（Non-photochemical quenching, qN）的动态变化特征进行了观察和分析。结果表明，在15 min至24 h的不同暗适应处理中，根据qN的光适应的动态变化可分为F型（快速稳定型）、M型（中速稳定型）和S型（慢速稳定型）3种。在暗适应后的光诱导期间，小麦q_N主要表现出M和F型，玉米则表现出S和M型。通过对主要的荧光参数分析，小麦与玉米的F_v/F_m,qp和Φ_psII差异较小，而且qN稳定值有一定的差异，但TqNmex(q_N达到最大值的时间）和Tq_N（q_N达到稳定值的时间）玉米明显高于小麦，差异极明显。进一步分析经黑暗处理后光诱导的光合速率和气孔导度的动态变化，两作物虽然在增加的速率和稳定后的绝对值有差异，但达到稳定的时间无明显的不同。通过塑料膜包封叶片的方法阴止CO₂同化，而qN变化特征也基本不改变。这意味着短时间的C代谢不明显影响q_N对光诱导的反应。对光系统I反应中心P₇₀₃的典型氧化还原方式的测定和电子库容能力的分析也表明它们不是造成qN动态变化的主要原因。然而，对qNmex成分的分析证明高能态猝灭（high-energy state quenching,q_E）、转化猝灭（transition quenching,q_T)和光抑制猝灭（photoinhibitory quenching,q1)分别为55.6%、18.5%和25.9%，说明qE是导致玉米qN在暗处理后的光诱导表现出TqN_mex高、Tq_N长的主要原因。这意味着玉米（C4）在暗一光的变化中维持较高的qE，保持较高的类囊体质子梯度，有益于启动NADPH和ATP的形成。     

Population genetic structure and diversity of the East Balkan Swine (Sus scrofa) in Bulgaria,revealed by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses

The East Balkan Swine (EBS) is the only indigenous pig breed in Bulgaria. We analyzed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and 21 microsatellite loci for 198 individuals from 11 farms in Bulgaria. Obtained 11 mtDNA haplotypes including three novel ones were grouped to two major clades, European clade E1 (146/198 individuals, 73.7%) and Asian clade A (52/198, 26.3%). The mixture of the two clades may have resulted from historical crossbreeding between the European and Asian pig breeds. Clade A was frequent in southeastern Bulgaria (Burgas Province), but less frequent or absent in northeastern Bulgaria (Varna and Shumen Provinces). The distribution of Europe- and Asia-specific haplotypes relative to EBS farm locations could be attributed to regional differences of breeding systems (e.g., crossbreeding with imported commercial pigs). A microsatellite analysis showed high heterozygosities for all the EBS farms, and negative inbreeding coefficients presumably due to crossing with commercial pigs or wild boars and/or efforts to reduce inbreeding by farmers. Bayesian clustering analyses showed that all farm populations are genetically well distinguishable from one another. Although diversity has been maintained by the efforts of farmers and a breeding association, the effective population size remains small, and conservation efforts should be continued.     

Relationship of Fe-tolerance to morphological changes in roots in upland NERICA lines under Fe-treated hydroponic conditions

Twenty-six upland lines of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) were tested with four Oryza sativa varieties in relation to Fe toxicity tolerance under hydroponic culture containing 1.44 mM Fe (+Fe) and 0 mM Fe (-Fe as a control). Three NERICAs, WAB450-IBP-24-HB (P24), WAB450-IBP-82-1-1 (P82), and WAB450-IBP-163-3-1 (P163) among the 30 lines/varieties tested possessed relatively strong tolerance judging from reduction of root length and dry weight and shoot dry weight in +Fe compared to -Fe and from iron toxicity score (ITS) in +Fe. Only P24, P82, and P163 showed emerged lateral roots from pericycle at the root elongation zone, whereas in the other 23 NERICAs and four O. sativa varieties lateral root was not observed in the root elongation or differentiation zones. Less disruption of cortex on root tissues was observed in P24, P82, and P163 than in WAB450-16-2-BL2-DV2 (BL2-DV2), the most susceptible NERICA identified. P24, P82, and P163 showed significantly lower Fe content in the shoots than BL2-DV2, suggesting that the tolerant NERICAs could have some mechanism to inhibit the absorption of Fe. The emergence of lateral roots from the root elongation zone in the three tolerant NERICAs would be closely associated with reducing Fe absorption into the plants.     

Soil hardness regulates the root penetration by trees planted on anthropogenic growing bases in coastal forests in Japan: new endeavors to reforest the coastal disaster prevention forests with high resilience for tsunami

Journal of Soils and Sediments - To restore the disaster resilience of coastal forests in tsunami-prone areas, growing bases have been artificially constructed with embanking before afforestation...     

Breeding of a practical rice line ‘TJTT8’ for phytoextraction of cadmium contamination in paddy fields

ABSTRACT

Previously, we showed that qCdp7, an allele identified in the high-Cd-accumulating indica rice variety ‘Jarjan,’ is associated with effective phytoextraction of Cd from paddy soils. However, ‘Jarjan’ may not be practical for phytoextraction because it is susceptible to seed shattering and culm lodging, which are unfavorable traits for mechanical rice harvesting. In this study, to develop a practical rice line for phytoextraction, we introduced the qCdp7 allele into ‘Tachisugata,’ a rice variety with a nonshattering habit and lodging resistance, to produce a new high-Cd-accumulating rice line designated ‘TJTT8.’ This line inherited high-Cd accumulation and brown pericarps from ‘Jarjan’ and a nonshattering habit and lodging resistance from ‘Tachisugata;’ all of these traits are necessary for rice intended for Cd phytoextraction in Japan. Backcross inbred lines (BILs) were produced by two backcrosses to ‘Tachisugata’ after a cross between ‘Jarjan’ and ‘Tachisugata.’ ‘TJTT8’ was selected from the BILs by means of marker-assisted selection and phenotypic evaluation. When ‘TJTT8,’ the parents, and ‘Cho-ko-koku’ which is a high-Cd-accumulating indica variety were cultivated in Cd-contaminated paddy fields in four locations in Japan, ‘TJTT8’ exhibited lodging resistance and shattering resistance that were higher than those of ‘Jarjan’ and ‘Cho-ko-koku’ and equivalent to those of ‘Tachisugata.’ ‘TJTT8’ accumulated Cd in the aerial parts of the plants at concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 22.7 mg m^?2: it showed significantly higher Cd accumulation than ‘Tachisugata’ and was equivalent to ‘Jarjan’ and slightly superior to ‘Cho-ko-koku.’ Soil Cd concentration was estimated to have been reduced by 8.7–33.6% based on the amount of Cd accumulation in the aerial parts of the plants. Thus, we succeeded in using the qCdp7 allele to produce a practical rice line for Cd phytoextraction by improving several agronomic traits for compatibility with Japanese cultivation systems.