Effect of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist on concanavalin A response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from newborn calves

The coexistence of interleukin (IL)-1beta with IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) in bovine colostrum and the possibility of simultaneous transfer of these cytokines to neonates via colostrum have been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IL-1ra on the mitogenic response of calf peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated by concanavalin A (ConA), which was mediated by IL-1. Pretreatment of PBMC with recombinant bovine (rb) IL-1ra alone significantly suppressed the proliferation of ConA-stimulated cells. However, in the presence of rbIL-1beta, the suppressive activity of rbIL-1ra was counteracted. These results suggest that coexistence of IL-1ra with IL-1 in colostrum may have no effect on the activation of the neonatal immune system by IL-1beta.     

A draft sequence of the rice genome (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica)

The genome of the japonica subspecies of rice, an important cereal and model monocot, was sequenced and assembled by whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The assembled sequence covers 93% of the 420-megabase genome. Gene predictions on the assembled sequence suggest that the genome contains 32,000 to 50,000 genes. Homologs of 98% of the known maize, wheat, and barley proteins are found in rice. Synteny and gene homology between rice and the other cereal genomes are extensive, whereas synteny with Arabidopsis is limited. Assignment of candidate rice orthologs to Arabidopsis genes is possible in many cases. The rice genome sequence provides a foundation for the improvement of cereals, our most important crops.     

Molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates derived from Japanese fish

Sixty-four isolates of Flavobacterium psychrophilum from ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis (Temminck & Schlegel), and other fish (n=16) in Japan and the type strain (NCIMB 1947(T)) were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with endonuclease BlnI and XhoI. These isolates were classified into 20 clusters and 42 genotypes by PFGE analysis. The most predominant cluster of isolates from ayu was cluster XII (n=20), followed by clusters XVII, XVI, XX, XI, IX, X, XIII and XV; the remaining 17 isolates from other fish were divided into clusters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVIII and XIX. The PFGE genotype of isolates from ayu clearly differed from those of other fish. The isolates from ayu in Gunma Prefecture belonged to clusters XII, XVI, XVII and XX, and the strains of three of these clusters (XII, XVII and XX) were isolated from ayu in 15 of 19 prefectures. PFGE typing enabled more accurate classification of isolates into clusters than previously achieved by analysing the restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products. These results suggest that F. psychrophilum isolated from ayu and other fish are genetically different and strains with several PFGE types have spread within Japan.     

Effect of taurine enrichment in rotifer (Brachionus sp.) on growth of larvae of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel) and yellowfin tuna T. albacares (Temminck & Schlegel)

To investigate the dietary effect of taurine on the larval stage of tuna species, Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) and yellowfin tuna (YFT), larvae were reared until 16 days after hatching (dAH) and 14 dAH, respectively, and replicate samples were fed either non‐taurine‐enriched rotifers (T‐0) or rotifers enriched with 800 mg taurine L^?1 (T‐800). Most PBF and YFT larvae were at the preflexion stage until 7 and 8 dAH, and there were no differences in the growth performance and total protein content of larvae between the T‐0 and T‐800 groups (t‐test; P > 0.05). Thereafter, however, for larvae of both species, these parameters in the T‐800 group significantly increased with enhanced notochord development compared to those in T‐0 group (t‐test; P < 0.05). Except for the RNA content in PBF larvae, there were no significant differences in changes of DNA and RNA content with larval growth between the T‐0 and T‐800 groups, but both PBF and YFT larvae showed increased protein DNA^?1 and protein RNA^?1 ratios in the T‐800 group compared to the T‐0 group after notochord flexion. This indicates that taurine is an important nutrient for the rapid growth of early stage PBF and YFT larvae, and we conclude that the growth improvement of PBF and YFT larvae by dietary taurine supplementation is due to the increase in protein synthesis efficiency after notochord flexion.     

Three-dimensional structure of Hayabusa samples: origin and evolution of Itokawa regolith

Regolith particles on the asteroid Itokawa were recovered by the Hayabusa mission. Their three-dimensional (3D) structure and other properties, revealed by x-ray microtomography, provide information on regolith formation. Modal abundances of minerals, bulk density (3.4 grams per cubic centimeter), and the 3D textures indicate that the particles represent a mixture of equilibrated and less-equilibrated LL chondrite materials. Evidence for melting was not seen on any of the particles. Some particles have rounded edges. Overall, the particles' size and shape are different from those seen in particles from the lunar regolith. These features suggest that meteoroid impacts on the asteroid surface primarily form much of the regolith particle, and that seismic-induced grain motion in the smooth terrain abrades them over time.     

Identification, quantitative determination, and antioxidative activities of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune (Prunus domestica L. )

Neochlorogenic acid (3-CQA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), isolated from prune (Prunus domestica L.), were identified by NMR and MS analyses. In addition, the quantity of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune were measured by HPLC. These isomers, 3-CQA, 4-CQA, and chlorogenic acid (5-CQA), were contained in the ratio 78.7:18. 4:3.9, respectively. 4-CQA was identified and quantified in prune for the first time, and relatively high amounts of this isomer were characteristic. Antioxidative activities of the chlorogenic acid isomers, such as scavenging activity on superoxide anion radicals and inhibitory effect against oxidation of methyl linoleate, were also evaluated. Each isomer showed antioxidative activities which were almost the same.     

Extension of the culture period for the in vitro growth of bovine oocytes in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein‐4 increases oocyte diameter,but impairs subsequent developmental competence

Bone morphogenetic protein‐4 (BMP‐4) inhibits luteinization of granulosa cells during in vitro growth (IVG) culture of bovine oocytes; however, oocytes derived from a 12 day IVG were less competent for development than in vivo‐grown oocytes. We herein investigated whether an extended IVG culture with BMP‐4 improves oocyte growth and development to blastocysts after in vitro fertilization. Oocyte‐granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were cultured for 14 or 16 days with BMP‐4 (10 ng/mL), while a 12 day culture with BMP‐4 served as the in vitro control. OGC viability was maintained for the 16 day culture with BMP‐4 (83.2%), but was significantly lower without BMP‐4 (58.9%) than the control (83.0%). Prolong‐cultured oocytes at 16 days had statistically greater diameter (114.6 μm) than the control (111.7 μm). IVG oocytes with BMP‐4 for the 16 day culture had a similar nuclear maturation rate to the control (approximately 67%); however, blastocyst rates in BMP‐4 treated oocytes of 14 (1.8%) and 16 day (0%) IVG were statistically lower than that of 12 day IVG (9.0%). In conclusion, BMP‐4 maintained OGC viability and promoted oocyte growth in a prolonged culture, but impaired the developmental competence of oocytes. Prolonged culture may not be an appropriate strategy for enhancing the developmental competence of IVG oocytes.     

Relationship among growth, steroid production and immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the normally developing mouse follicles cultured in vitro

This study examined the relationship among growth, steroid production and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) immunolocalization in the mouse follicles cultured in vitro to evaluate the hypothesis that normally developing follicles should express TGF-beta 1 in the granulosa cells around the time of antrum formation. Preantral follicles with 151-175 microns (large category) and 125-150 microns (small category) of initial diameters were used as models for normal and retarded follicles, respectively. Growth rate and timing of antrum formation in both categories were comparable to those of in-vivo grown follicles. At the time of antrum formation, follicular diameters were similar between the two follicle categories; however, antral follicles from the large category showed larger number of granulosa cells, higher estradiol production and proportion of follicles with TGF-beta 1 positive granulosa cells. Two days after antrum formation, there were no differences in the number of granulosa cells and the proportions of follicles with TGF-beta 1 positive granulosa or theca cells between the two categories. Temporal association in large follicles between the increase in estradiol production and proportion of follicles with TGF-beta 1 positive granulosa cells at the time of antrum formation supports our hypothesis. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the usefulness of the follicle culture system in the investigations of follicular physiology.     

In vitro culture of mouse preantral follicles using membrane inserts and developmental competence of in vitro ovulated oocytes

To develop a reliable follicle culture system, mouse preantral follicles 150-200 microm in diameter were cultured individually for 5 or 6 days in membrane inserts or in droplets, and then induced to ovulate with hCG (Experiment 1). The nuclear maturation and developmental competence of the oocytes that ovulated from the follicles cultured in inserts were determined (Experiment 2). There was no significant difference between the two culture systems in the survival rate (83 and 77%). However, follicles cultured in inserts showed a higher ovulation rate (63%) than those cultured in droplets (39%, P<0.05). About 80% of the oocytes that ovulated from the follicles cultured in inserts were at the metaphase II stage. After in vitro fertilization, 75 and 48% of in vitro ovulated oocytes cleaved and developed into blastocysts, respectively. These results demonstrate that the insert culture system is superior to the droplet culture system in terms of follicular growth and ovulation, and can be used to investigate the growth and ovulation of follicles in vitro.