Chemical characterization of milk oligosaccharides of the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

Although a considerable amount of information has accumulated about oligosaccharides in the milk and colostrum of representatives of various mammalian orders, nothing is so far known concerning these sugars in the milk of any bat species (order Chiroptera). In this study, we determined that the following oligosaccharides occur in milk of the island flying fox, Pteropus hypomelanus (Chiroptera: Pteropidae): Gal(α1–3)Gal(β1–4)Glc (isoglobotriose), Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)Gal(β1–4)Glc (lacto‐N‐neotetraose), Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)[Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–6)]Gal(β1–4)Glc (lacto‐N‐neohexaose) and Neu5Gc(α2–3)Gal(β1–4)Glc (3′‐NGc‐SL). However, lactose was found to be the dominant saccharide in this milk, as in most eutherian mammals. The biologic importance of oligosaccharides in Chiropteran milks warrants further study.     

Natural Gradient Drift Tests for Assessing the Feasibility of In Situ Aerobic Cometabolism of Trichloroethylene and Evaluating the Microbial Community Change

The objective of this study is to develop a method for using the single-well natural gradient drift test (SWNGDT) in the field to assess in situ aerobic cometabolism of trichloroethylene (TCE) and to analyze microbial community changes. The SWNGDT was performed in a monitoring well installed in a TCE-contaminated aquifer in Wonju, South Korea. The natural gradient drift biostimulation test (NGDBT) and surrogate test (NGDST) were performed by injecting dissolved solutes (bromide (a tracer), toluene (a growth substrate), ethylene (a nontoxic surrogate substrate to probe for TCE transformation activity), dissolved oxygen (DO, an electron acceptor), and nitrate (nutrient)) into the aquifer. Push?Cpull blocking tests (PPBT) were also performed to examine whether the monooxygenase of toluene oxidizers is involved in the degradation of toluene and the transformation of ethylene. Through the NGDBT, NGDST, and PPBT, we confirmed that the addition of toluene and oxygen in these field tests stimulated indigenous toluene utilizers to cometabolize aerobically TCE, with the following results: (1) the observed simultaneous utilization of toluene and DO; (2) the transformation of ethylene to ethylene oxide and propylene to propylene oxide; and (3) the transformation of TCE. Furthermore, the results of restriction fragment length polymorphism suggested that the microbial community shifts and the microbes capable of transforming TCE are stimulated by injecting the growth substrate, toluene.     

METABOLITE PROFILING OF SHOOT EXTRACTS,ROOT EXTRACTS,AND ROOT EXUDATES OF RICE PLANT UNDER PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY

We applied a metabolite profiling technique to investigate root exudates under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Oryza sativa was grown in culture solution containing three P levels (0, 1, and 8 mg P L^?1). Shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates were obtained from 18 and 23-day-old plants and their metabolites were determined by capillary electrophoresis/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Eighty, 90, and 65 metabolites were identified in shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates, respectively. Sixty-three to eighty-four percent of the metabolites were exuded to the rhizosphere. More than 33% of the metabolites in the root exudates showed higher concentration at low P than at high P. On the other hand, only 14% of the metabolites in the root extracts showed lower concentration at low P than at high P. These results suggest that rice roots actively release many metabolites in response to P deficiency.     

Relative importance of protons and solution calcium concentration in phosphate rock dissolution by organic acids

A series of experiments was conducted to quantify the relative contribution of protons and other mechanisms to the dissolution of phosphate rocks (PRs) from six countries in solutions of low-molecular-weight-aliphatic organic acids. The amounts of P and Ca released after 3 d of incubation at 28°C were determined in all the experiments. In the first experiment the solubility of the PRs < 500 μm particle size) in 100 M (25 mL g^-1 PR) oxalic, tartaric, and citric acids was compared with that in three mineral acids and four chelating compounds. There were no differences in the amount of P released by the mineral acids, but the organic acids released more P than could be accounted for by protonation. The chelating compounds were the least effective. In the second experiment, 1 g each of Sri Lanka and Togo PRs was incubated with 2.5 mmol of the organic acids using three acid concentration (mM) : acid volume ratios (250:10, 100:25, and 25:100). The amount of P dissolved from the PRs and the amount of acid remaining in the filtrate were about the same for all three treatments. A mixture of the organic acids and the respective Na-salts was prepared at six different acid: salt ratios in the third experiment. Total acid concentration in all the solutions was 100 mM. Higher proportion of the Na-salt in the mixture decreased PR dissolution, while the amount of the acid remaining in the filtrate increased. The Ca concentration in the filtrate showed an opposite trend. The results indicated that PR dissolution by the organic acids was initially dependent on protonation, which accounted for only 13–38% of the amount of P dissolved. Most of the amount of P dissolved could therefore be attributed to other mechanisms. Removal of dissolved Ca from the solution appears to be the major factor controlling the subsequent dissolution of the PRs. The ability of tartaric and oxalic acids to dissolve effectively the PRs was attributed to the formation of an insoluble calcium compound which was precipitated from the solution. For the use of organic acids as a potential amendment for improving the P availability of PRs, the Ca binding power of the organic acids should also be considered.     

Historical aspects of soil classification in Japan

Historical perspective of soil classification in Japan from Max Fesca's soil classification in 1882 to the “Unified Soil Classification System of Japan (2002)” was outlined, aiming at reviewing the progress in soil classification. The evolution can be divided into the following five aspects: 1) Max Fesca's soil texture survey and soil classification from the agro-geological point of view under the influence of the German school; 2) Introduction of the concept of pedology into the classification under the influence of the Russian school led by Dokchaev; 3) Brief history of the classification of Andosols which has exerted a considerable influence on soil classification worldwide; 4) Soil classifications developed through the implementation of national soil survey projects to independently evaluate land suitability for the cultivation of paddy rice, upland crops, and for forest establishment; 5) Attempts to develop a comprehensive soil classification system in order to unify soil classification systems for the above-mentioned land uses from 1963 to the present.     

The membrane lipid bilayer as a regulated barrier to cope with detrimental ionic conditions: making new tolerant plant lines with altered membrane lipid bilayer

Several detrimental ionic conditions can occur in crop fields: soil acidity, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, and/or nutrient deficiency. Crop plants tolerant to these detrimental ionic conditions have excellent strategies that are related to external and/or internal mechanisms. Recently, we proposed a new concept of aluminum (Al) tolerance in plants; specifically, a plasma membrane (PM) lipid bilayer mechanism. This mechanism is defined as the retardation of Al permeation through the PM lipid bilayer based on the specific composition of the lipid molecules in the PM. The molecular basis of a less negatively charged PM lipid bilayer is smaller proportions of phospholipids and greater proportions of galactolipids and sterols. This leads to reduced adsorbability of detrimental ions onto the PM lipid bilayer, resulting in less permeabilization. Phenolics and carotenoids have two moieties; a hydrophilic moiety and a hydrophobic moiety. The hydrophobic moieties of these compounds can occlude the permeabilized spaces in the PM lipid bilayer, thereby reinforcing it. Another strategy to retard the permeability of the PM to detrimental ions is to decrease the proportion of stigmasterol, which has been shown to have no ability to reduce water permeability. The beneficial or harmful effects of various organic materials (organic fertilizers, soil organic matter, agrochemicals, or organic pollutants) on the productivity or quality of crop plants in relation to changes in the PM lipid bilayer are discussed. Modulation of the PM lipid bilayer is a promising strategy to produce new crop lines tolerant to detrimental ionic conditions.     

Neutral and acidic milk oligosaccharides of the striped skunk (Mephitidae: Mephitis mephitis)

The biological significance of the tremendous variation in proportions of oligosaccharides and lactose among mammalian milks is poorly understood. We investigated milk oligosaccharides of the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and compared these results to other species of the clade Mustelida. Individual oligosaccharides were identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the striped skunk, six oligosaccharides were identified: isoglobotriose, 2′‐fucosyllactose, A‐tetrasaccharide, Galili pentasaccharide, 3′‐sialyllactose and monosialyl monogalactosyl lacto‐N‐neohexaose. Four of these have been found in related Mustelida and the other two in more distantly related carnivorans. The neutral and acidic oligosaccharides derive from three core structures: lactose (Gal(β1–4)Glc), lacto‐N‐neotetraose (Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)Gal(β1–4)Glc) and lacto‐N‐neohexaose (Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)[Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–6)]Gal(β1–4)Glc).     

Proposal of screening method for intestinal mucus adhesive lactobacilli using the enzymatic activity of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)

Adhesion tests are complex, time‐consuming and expensive, while the most important criterion for a probiotic lactobacilli is the ability to adhere to the human intestine. Thirty lactobacilli isolates from human intestinal tissues were measured for cell surface glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity using a microtiter plate screening method. GAPDH activities were detected in 21 out of 30 samples from 12 h cultures and in all samples from 18 h cultures. This suggests GAPDH is universally expressed on the bacterial cell surfaces from many lactobacilli. A statistically significant positive correlation was shown between GAPDH activity and adhesion using the BIACORE adhesion assay (P < 0.01). The new screening method using GAPDH enzymatic activity without an adhesion test may be possible due to the significant positive correlation of GAPDH activity with adhesion of lactobacilli derived from the human intestine.     

Statistical Analysis of Metal Concentrations in a Sediment Core to Reveal Influences of Human Activities on Atmospheric Environment for 200 Years

Metal concentrations in a sediment core from a moat outside Osaka Castle in Japan were measured by ICP-MS following a microwave extraction method. Concentrations of metals in the sediment core samples peaked around 1945 when the World War II ended. This is in part due to great air raids on Osaka. In cluster analysis using metal concentrations, the fractions of sediment core samples were classified into two groups, representing natural sources (1795–1915) and anthropogenic sources (1922–1976), respectively. Results of lead isotope ratios also showed the anthropogenic influences from 1915 by changing the ratio values compared to those of natural sources. In addition, several components contributing to metal concentrations were identified by principal component analysis. The main component was controlled by natural sources and a decrease of the component score corresponded to an increased influence from anthropogenic sources. The largest impact of anthropogenic sources was shown around 1945.