Genotypic effects on the variation of wood quality and growth traits in plantation forest made by cutting cultivars of Japanese cedar

We studied the effect of genotypes of planting stocks regarding the variation of the modulus of elasticity of tree trunks on standing trees (trunk-MOE), tree height (TH), and diameter at breast height (DBH) in a 19-year-old Japanese cedar plantation made with root cuttings. Trunk-MOE was assessed nondestructively using a tree-bending method. Genotypes of individual trees were detected using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. RAPD analysis revealed that the sampled plantation consisted of 14 genotypes. Genotypic effects on DBH and TH were unclear, and there was no significant difference among genotypes. This result indicated that an acquired variation should have more influence than an inherited variation on DBH and TH. For trunk-MOE, there were significant differences among the four largest genotypes at the 5% level. However the coefficient of variation in trunk-MOE of each genotype ranged from 7.5% to 26.8%. It seems reasonable to assume that the wide variation in trunk-MOE in a sampled plantation may depend on the environmental effect within a clone as well as on the genetic origin of clones. We therefore conclude that the use of multiple planting stocks from different cuttings for which the wood quality is unknown contributed strongly to the wide variation in trunk-MOE in the plantation of Japanese cedar.     

Use of microsatellite DNA and amplified fragment length polymorphism for Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) complex identification

Formosa landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus), an endemic, critically endangered subspecies of Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) complex, is only found in Taiwan. Because the eyed eggs and ungutted carcasses of Pacific salmons (genus Oncorhynchus) are imported for aquaculture and food to Taiwan from overseas every year, the requirement for preventing illegal trade or accidental commercial imports to avoid unwanted fish from contaminating the gene pool of Formosa landlocked salmon and infect them with diseases is critical for the conservation of Formosa landlocked salmon. Traditional morphology‐based species identification is impossible for salmon eggs and larvae that lack clearly defined morphological features. In the present study, the genetic differences among four subspecies (Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae, O. masou subsp., Oncorhynchus masou masou and O. masou formosanus) of Cherry salmon complex were determined from microsatellite DNA and amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses. We successfully generated a genetic marker to aid traditional taxonomy and investigate the integrity of the current taxonomic status among members of Cherry salmon complex. Use of molecular markers, in combination with traditional morphological identification, is a promising tool for identifying four closely related subspecies of Cherry salmon complex.     

Novel method to reduce fishy aftertaste in wine and seafood pairing using alcohol-treated yeast cells

"Fishy aftertaste" is sometimes perceived in wine consumed with seafood. Iron in wine has been reported to be a key compound that produces fishy aftertaste. However, cost-effective methods to remove iron from wine have not been developed. Here, we describe a cost-effective and safe iron adsorbent consisting of alcohol-treated yeast (ATY) cells based on the observation that nonviable cells adsorbed iron after completion of fermentation. Treatment of cells with more than 40% (v/v) ethanol killed them without compromising their ability to adsorb iron. Drying the ATY cells did not reduce iron adsorption. Use of ATY cells together with phytic acid had a synergistic effect on iron removal. We term this means of removing iron the "ATY-PA" method. Sensory analysis indicated that fishy aftertaste in wine-seafood pairings was not perceived if the wine had been pretreated with both ATY cells and phytic acid.     

A Novel Pair of HMW Glutenin Subunits from Aegilops searsii Improves Quality of Hexaploid Wheat

This study involved screening of wild species of wheat in search of functionally useful seed storage proteins for improvement of breadmaking quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum). After screening of 177 disomic addition lines (DALs) of wheat belonging to different wild species, Aegilops searsii DALs were selected and studied in detail. These DALs of Ae. searsii were from chromosome 1S^s to 7S^s in the background of cultivated wheat cv. Chinese Spring (CS). By analyzing these addition lines, genetic loci of actively expressed genes for the high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) and gliadin were found on the chromosome 1S^s for the first time and have been designated as Glu‐S^s1 and Gli‐S^s1, respectively. Disomic addition line of chromosome 1S^s (DAL1S^s) showed improved dough strength in different generations compared with CS. SDS sedimentation value and specific sedimentation of DAL1S^s were higher than CS. Mixograph peak height and band width were higher, with no difference in mixing peak time from CS. All these factors indicate a positive effect of quantity as well as quality of gluten proteins of Ae. searsii. This was further supported by increased polymer formation in DAL1S^s because the ratio of unextractable polymeric protein to total polymeric protein (UPP/TPP%) of DAL1S^s was significantly higher than CS. Genes for HMW‐GS (major determinant of end‐product quality in wheat) of Ae. searsii were cloned and sequenced from the DAL1S^s. Phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino acid sequences showed that both x and y HMW‐GS were more similar to that of D genome rather than B genome of wheat. Although S genome is structurally more similar to B genome of wheat, functionally it is more similar to the D genome of wheat and possesses good quality HMW‐GS required for improvement of breadmaking quality of wheat.     

Asphericity in supernova explosions from late-time spectroscopy

Core-collapse supernovae (CC-SNe) are the explosions that announce the death of massive stars. Some CC-SNe are linked to long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and are highly aspherical. One important question is to what extent asphericity is common to all CC-SNe. Here we present late-time spectra for a number of CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars and use them to explore any asphericity generated in the inner part of the exploding star, near the site of collapse. A range of oxygen emission-line profiles is observed, including a high incidence of double-peaked profiles, a distinct signature of an aspherical explosion. Our results suggest that all CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars are aspherical explosions and that SNe accompanied by GRBs exhibit the highest degree of asphericity.     

Neuroanatomical distribution of disease-associated prion protein in cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected by fallen stock surveillance in Japan

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder of cattle characterized by accumulation of the disease-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in the central nervous system (CNS). The immunohistochemical patterns and distribution of PrP(Sc) were investigated in the CNS, brains, and spinal cords of 7 naturally occurring BSE cases confirmed by the fallen stock surveillance program in Japan. No animals showed characteristic clinical signs of the disease. Coronal slices of 14 different brain areas in each case were immunohistochemically analyzed using an anti-prion protein antibody. Immunolabeled PrP(Sc) deposition was widely observed throughout each brain and spinal cord. Intense PrP(Sc) deposition was greater in the thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord of the gray matter than in the neocortices. The topographical distribution pattern and severity of PrP(Sc) accumulation were mapped and plotted as immunohistochemical profiles of the different brain areas along the caudal-rostral axis of the brain. The distribution pattern and severity of the immunolabeled PrP(Sc) in the CNS were almost the same among the 7 cases analyzed, suggesting that the naturally occurring cases in this study were at the preclinical stage of the disease. Immunohistochemical mapping of the PrP(Sc) deposits will be used to clarify the different stages of BSE in cattle.     

GM2-gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff-like disease) in a family of Japanese domestic cats

A five-month-old, female Japanese domestic shorthair cat with proportionate dwarfism developed neurological disorders, including ataxia, decreased postural responses and generalised body and head tremors, at between two and five months of age. Leucocytosis due to lymphocytosis with abnormal cytoplasmic vacuolations was observed. The concentration of G(M2)-ganglioside in its cerebrospinal fluid was markedly higher than in normal cats, and the activities of beta-hexosaminidases A and B in its leucocytes were markedly reduced. On the basis of these biochemical data, the cat was diagnosed antemortem with G(M2)-gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff-like disease). The neurological signs became more severe and the cat died at 10 months of age. Histopathologically, neurons throughout the central nervous system were distended, and an ultrastructural study revealed membranous cytoplasmic bodies in these distended neurons. The compound which accumulated in the brain was identified as G(M2)-ganglioside, confirming G(M2)-gangliosidosis. A family study revealed that there were probable heterozygous carriers in which the activities of leucocyte beta-hexosaminidases A and B were less than half the normal value. The Sandhoff-like disease observed in this family of Japanese domestic cats is the first occurrence reported in Japan.     

Brazilian isolates of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri: diagnosis and differentiation of isolates from cattle and water buffalo based on biological characteristics and randomly amplified DNA sequences

We detected and cultivated isolates of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri from cattle and water buffaloes in S?o Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, which were characterized by comparing morphological, growth and molecular features. Although isolates from cattle and water buffalo were morphologically indistinguishable, they differed in their growth characteristics. A dendrogram based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns indicated close-genetic relationships among all isolates from both species, which were all tightly clustered together and distant from Megatrypanum species from wild mammals. In addition, isolates within the T. theileri-cluster were clearly segregated into two host-associated groups. The sequence of a synapomorphic RAPD-derived DNA fragment (Tth625), which was shared by all T. theileri trypanosomes from cattle and buffalo but not detected in any of 13 other trypanosome species, was used as target for a conventional T. theileri-specific PCR assay. We also defined RAPD fragments (Tthc606 and Tthb606) that distinguished cattle from buffalo isolates. Thus, distinct growth features and genetic variability distinguished between isolates from cattle and water buffaloes of the same geographic origin, suggesting an association of these isolates with their host species. The trypanosomes from water buffalo reported here are the first T. theileri-like isolates from the Asiatic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) to be continuously cultured and compared with cattle isolates using biological and molecular methods.     

Pressure-flow relationship and longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance in heartworm-infected dogs

The pressure-flow relationships and the longitudinal distributions of pulmonary vascular resistance in normal and heartworm-infected (HWI) dogs were compared in an isolated, blood perfused preparation. The pulmonary circulation was partitioned into pulmonary arterial, middle, and venous segment based on the concept of a five element lumped model. The pulmonary arterial pressure-flow relationships were found to be non-linear and convex to the pressure axis in both normal and HWI lungs. The pressure-flow relationships of the pulmonary arterial and venous segment were linear and these slopes in the HWI lungs were significantly higher than the normal lungs. The pressure gradient of the middle segment was increased as flow increased at lower flow range, however, it was not increased during higher perfusion range in both lungs. At higher flow, the pressure gradient of the middle segment in the HWI lungs was significantly higher than the normal lungs. These results suggest that the ohmic resistance was almost equal to the sum of the two slopes of the pressure-flow relationships of the pulmonary arterial and venous segment because the pressure gradient of the middle segment was not altered as flow increased during higher perfusion rate. Because the slopes of the pressure-flow relationships of the pulmonary arterial and venous segment were increased with heartworm infection, the ohmic resistance of HWI lungs would be higher than normal lungs. The intercept pressure on the pressure axis of the linear portion of the pulmonary arterial pressure-flow relationship, a critical closing pressure, was regarded as pressure gradient of the middle segment during higher perfusing rate because the intercept pressures of pressure-flow relationships of pulmonary arterial and venous segment were almost equal to zero. Therefore, the critical closing pressure of HWI lungs would be higher than normal lungs. The pulmonary hypertension of filariasis appears to be due to an increase in ohmic resistance and elevated critical closing pressure.