Antimicrobial and bactericidal activities of esters of 2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole as new aroma chemicals

Fourteen kinds of alkyl esters of 2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole were synthesized, with yields of 57.8-98.0%. Each ester had a characteristic and unique odor. Especially, the tert-butyl acetate of 2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole had the most interesting odor of all the synthetic esters. The antimicrobial and bactericidal activities of these synthetic esters against test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) were examined using the broth dilution method. As a result, the tert-butyl acetate of 2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole showed the highest antimicrobial and bactericidal activities against all kinds of the test bacteria.     

Stress wave velocity,basic density,and compressive strength in 34-year-old <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus merkusii</Emphasis> planted in Indonesia

The relationship between the growth speed and wood properties of Pinus merkusii was investigated using 34-year-old trees planted in Indonesia in an attempt to promote the establishment of plantation of this species. The trees in the test plot were categorized as fast, middle, or slow growing according to the mean stem diameter and standard deviation in the plot. Five trees were selected from each category to investigate the effects of the growth rate on the wood properties [basic density (BD) and compressive strength parallel to the grain in a 5-mm-diameter core sample (CS)]. No significant correlation was recognized between the stem diameter and the stress wave velocity of trees. Clearly lower values of BD and CS were found in slow-growing trees than in fast- and middle-growing trees. The BD of xylem near the pith was reduced by extraction with organic solvent. BD after extraction and CS gradually increased from pith to bark. The results obtained in this study clarified that an early selection of trees with high BD is possible by using the BD after extraction at 4 cm from the pith.     

Psychiatric investigation of 18 bereaved pet owners

This survey explores the grief associated with the loss of a pet, and was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaires were handed out to 50 bereaved pet owners attending a public animal cremation service, and we received 18 responses. Participants responded within 0 to 44 (median 4) days of the death of their pet. Although most mental health problems immediately following mourning are presumed to be normal grief reactions, on the basis of several psychiatric scales, 8 of the 16 valid responses indicated depression and/or neurosis. Statistical analyses showed that the following factors were significantly associated with grief reactions: age of owner, other stressful life events, family size, age of deceased animal, rearing place, and preliminary veterinary consultation.     

Enzymatic saccharification of spent wood-meal media made of 5 different tree species after cultivation of edible mushroom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Auricularia polytricha</Emphasis>

The chemical characteristics and the suitability for enzymatic saccharification in the spent culture media (SCM) of Auricularia polytricha were examined in order to investigate the utilization of the SCM as a biomass resource for alternative energy production. Wood meals from 3 hardwood species (Quercus serrata, Betula platyphylla var. japonica, and Alnus japonica) and 2 softwood species (Pinus densiflora and Cryptomeria japonica) were used as basal culture media. Dry weight of fruiting bodies were higher in the cultural media made of B. platphylla var. japonica and A. japonica. Amount of weight loss in media showed almost the same value among the cultural media made of 5 species, except for media made of C. japonica. The amounts of the main chemical components (Klason lignin, holocellulose, and α-cellulose) in SCM showed lower values than those in wood meals (WM) and fresh media (FM). After saccharification of the media by Meiselase for 48 h, the hydrolysis weight decrease dramatically increased in SCM. The amount of glucose in SCM ranged from 10.9 to 19.2 g/100 g dry biomass. The highest amount of glucose was obtained in the SCM from B. platyphylla var. japonica. These results indicate that SCM of A. polytricha is a suitable biomass material to produce fermentable sugars for bio-ethanol production.     

Winter longitudinal variation in the body size of larval fishes in the Seto Inland Sea,Japan

This study revealed the spatial variation in abundance and body size of larval fishes in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, in January 2014 and 2015. Fish larvae were collected by a 1.3-m-diameter ring net towed at the surface and at 10-m depth at 21 stations. The most dominant species was the sandlance Ammodytes japonicus, constituting 82% of total larval fish caught. The body size of A. japonicus was greater [ca. 9 mm total length (TL) in 2014] in eastern areas than in western areas (ca. 5 mm TL in 2014). This trend was also observed in rockfishes (Sebastiscus marmoratus and Sebastes inermis species complex), suggesting a common phenomenon in this region. Because the water temperature was lower in eastern areas, it is likely that the longitudinal differences in larval body size are attributable to earlier spawning in eastern areas caused by different temperature conditions.     

Expression of podoplanin in various types of feline tumor tissues

Podoplanin is expressed in various human tumors where it promotes tumor progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and distant metastasis. Podoplanin is also expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and induces tumor malignancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate podoplanin expression in various types of feline tumor tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that podoplanin was expressed in cells of 13/15 (87%) squamous cell carcinomas and 5/19 (26%) fibrosarcomas. Moreover, cancer-associated fibroblasts expressed podoplanin in most tumor types, including 18/21 (86%) mammary adenocarcinoma tissues. Our findings demonstrate that various types of feline tumor tissues expressed podoplanin, indicating the importance of the comparative aspects of podoplanin expression, which may be used as a novel research model for podoplanin biology.