Quantitative trait loci responsible for the difference in γ-oryzanol content in brown rice between japonica-type and indica-type rice cultivars

γ-Oryzanol is a main oleophilic component in rice bran oil and has been well recognized as a good dietary supplement for human health, as well as having uses in industrial materials. japonica-type rice cultivars generally showed significantly higher contents of total γ-oryzanol in brown rice compared with indica-type cultivars, although within-group variation was significant. The objective of this study was to explore quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for the difference in the γ-oryzanol content between japonica-type and indica-type rice cultivars, using recombinant inbred lines (RILs), backcross inbred lines (BILs), and corresponding chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from crosses between japonica-type and indica-type. Results from RILs and BILs showed that eight QTLs were detected with R² from .09 to .16. Nine candidate regions for QTL were also suggested from corresponding CSSLs. These QTLs from RILs and BILs and the candidate regions from CSSLs were not overlapped, although one QTLs was mapped near the boundaries of the respective candidate region. At four QTLs and three candidate regions, alleles or segments from japonica-type caused higher contents than those from indica-type. On the other hand, at the other four QTLs and six candidate regions, alleles or segments from indica-type caused higher contents than those from japonica-type, which is a reverse result to the parental differences. This result strongly suggested that alleles with increasing effects on γ-oryzanol content could be accumulated not only from japonica-type but also from indica-type, leading to a potential for increase in γ-oryzanol content in future breeding programs.     

Kinetic Parameters of Gross N Mineralization of Peat Soils as Related to the Composition of Soil Organic Matter

Peat land has been considered as an alternative type of land for agricultural development especially in the tropics. In the present study, the N-supplying capacity, one of the most important soil properties in terms of crop production, of peat soils was examined. Ten peat soil samples were collected from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. Gross N mineralization in the soil samples was estimated using a zero-order model, and kinetic parameters of mineralization were determined using a simple type model. Soil organic matter composition was investigated using ¹³C CPMAS NMR. Mineralization potential ( N ₀), apparent activation energy ( E _a), and mineralization rate constant ( k ) ranged between 571–2,445 mg kg⁻¹, 281–8,181 J mol⁻¹, and 0.009–0.020 d⁻¹, respectively. Although none of the parameters showed a significant correlation with the soil C/N ratio, a negative correlation was observed between the k value and the ratio of the proportion of alkyl C in total C to that of O -alkyl C estimated by ¹³C CPMAS NMR. The latter suggested that the k values were higher in the peat soils relatively rich in readily decomposable organic matter including carbohydrates.     

Chemical characteristics and potential source of fulvic acids leached from the plow layer of paddy soil

To understand better the chemical characteristics and source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached from the plow layer of rice paddies, a lysimeter study was conducted, which simulated submerged paddy topsoil during rice growth. The fulvic acid (FA) fraction in the percolation water from the lysimeter was collected by adsorption onto insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the temporal variations in its elemental composition, molecular size distribution, IR spectra, ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra, and δ¹³C values were investigated. The proportion of the FA fraction to bulk DOM varied greatly, but the chemical characteristics of the FA fraction did not change appreciably during the experimental period. Thus, it is considered that the changes in the DOM composition in percolation water were mainly due to the differing contributions of the FA fraction. Further, to investigate the source of the FA fraction in the leachate, the chemical characteristics of the FA fraction in the leachate were compared with those extracted from the plow layer soil. A sequential extraction of the FA fraction was conducted using a sequence of water, 0.25 M Na₂SO₄, 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 7.0), 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5), and NaBH₄+0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5). It was found that the water- and 0.25 M Na₂SO₄-extractable fractions, which were most mobile, were not the only source of the FA fraction in the leachate. The small molecular size sub-fraction of the NaBH₄+0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (pH 10.5)-extractable FAs, most of which are probably bound mainly to iron oxides, are considered to be another source of the FA fraction leached from the plow layer of paddy fields.     

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking pancreatic insulinoma with intrapancreatic metastasis in a cat

An 11-year-old neutered male Domestic Shorthair cat presented with a 3-month history of hypoglycemia, two episodes of seizure, and intermittent tick-like signs. Serum biochemistry revealed severe hypoglycemia associated with high insulin concentrations. Dynamic abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated two pancreatic masses, which were enhanced most during the late arterial phase but had different degrees and variations of attenuation. Partial pancreatectomy was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed that one mass was an insulinoma and the other was an ectopic splenic tissue, consistent with the differences in imaging findings. When an intrapancreatic lesion with hyper-attenuation on dynamic abdominal CT is detected, not only insulinoma or metastasis of malignancies but also intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) should be considered as differential diagnoses.     

GM1 gangliosidosis in a Japanese domestic cat: a new variant identified in Hokkaido,Japan

A male Japanese domestic cat with retarded growth in Hokkaido, Japan, showed progressive motor dysfunction, such as ataxia starting at 3 months of age and tremors, visual disorder and seizure after 4 months of age. Finally, the cat died of neurological deterioration at 9 months of age. Approximately half of the peripheral blood lymphocytes had multiple abnormal vacuoles. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bisymmetrical hyperintensity in the white matter of the parietal and occipital lobes in the forebrain on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, and mild encephalatrophy of the olfactory bulbs and temporal lobes. The activity of lysosomal acid β-galactosidase in leukocytes was negligible, resulting in the biochemical diagnosis of GM1 gangliosidosis. Histologically, swollen neurons characterized by accumulation of pale, slightly granular cytoplasmic materials were observed throughout the central nervous system. Dysmyelination or demyelination and gemistocytic astrocytosis were observed in the white matter. Ultrastructually, membranous cytoplasmic bodies were detected in the lysosomes of neurons. However, genetic analysis did not identify the c.1448G>C mutation, which is the single known mutation of feline GM1 gangliosidosis, suggesting that the cat was affected with a new variant of the feline disease.     

Biomass distribution in 40-year-old trees of Japanese black pine

Measurements were carried out to survey the quantity of above- and below-ground biomass and its distribution of five Japanese black pines (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) growing on a sandy soil. The roots, divided into diameter groups, were surveyed using two methods—soil coring and excavation. Average dry weight of total biomass of the trees was 176,185 g. Roots represented 13.2%, below-ground stump 6.5%, stem 70.4% and branches with needles 9.9% of total biomass. Roots made up about two thirds and stump one third of below-ground biomass. Total length of below-ground biomass (except roots with diameter < 0.1 cm) was 479.1 m/tree. Roots with diameter of 0.1–0.2 cm represented only 0.7% of below-ground biomass, however as much as 49.9% of their total length. Roots with diameter over 10.0 cm constituted as much as 21.6% of below-ground biomass, however were only 0.3% of its total length. Root systems had well developed tap roots to maximal depth of 231 cm. The results indicated that mass and length of roots with diameter 0.5–2.0 cm had a close correlation with branch mass. Mass and length of roots with diameter 2.0–10.0 cm closely correlated to stem mass. Stem mass, root mass and root length closely correlated to DBH. A rather low correlation was found between DBH and mass of branches and below-ground stump. DBH was a suitable variable for predicting total biomass.     

Two-decadal trends in aboveground litterfall and net primary production in self-thinning Pinus banksiana stands in Wood Buffalo National Park,NWT, Canada

We estimated the aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in five self-thinning jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands in Wood Buffalo National Park, NWT, Canada. The stands (11 to ca.175 years old) were selected to examine the relationship between stand density and tree size and its effect on carbon dynamics. Aboveground litterfall was collected from each stand from 1997 to 2012. Stand biomass was estimated by measuring tree size every 5 years and estimating the individual mass using allometric relationships. ANPP was then estimated by summing the litterfall mass, dead stem mass increment and stand biomass increment. We determined the proportional contribution of each organ to the total litter and the seasonal pattern of needle litterfall. There was a lower turnover rate of aboveground biomass in older stands than younger stands. The ANPP increased in the youngest stand (<30 years old) showed a decreasing trend in stands >50 years old. The maximum ANPP was estimated to be ca. 500?g m^?2 year^?1 in dry matter, which was found in 30–50 year-old stands.     

Spermatogenesis and its endocrine regulation

Three major phases compose spermatogenesis: mitotic proliferation of spermatogonia, meiosis of spermatocytes, and spermiogenesis, the restructuring of spermatids into flagellated spermatozoa. The process is fuelled by stem cells that, when dividing, either self-renew or produce spermatogonia that are committed to proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During all phases, germ cells are in close contact with and require the structural and functional support of Sertoli cells. In contrast to germ cells, these somatic cells express receptors for sex steroids and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the most important hormones that regulate spermatogenesis. A typical Sertoli cell response to an endocrine stimulus would be to change the release of a growth factor that would then mediate the hormone's effect to the germ cells. Recent studies in the Japanese eel have shown, for example, that in the absence of gonadotropin Sertoli cells produce a growth factor (an orthologue of anti-Müllerian hormone) that restricts stem cell divisions to the self-renewal pathway; also estrogens stimulate stem cell renewal divisions but not spermatogonial proliferation. Gonadotropin or 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) stimulation, however, induces spermatogonial proliferation, which is in part mimicked by another Sertoli cell-derived growth factor (activin B). Since FSH (besides luteinizing hormone, LH) stimulates steroidogenesis in fish, and since FSH is the only gonadotropin detected in the plasma of sexually immature salmonids, increased FSH signalling may be sufficient to initiate spermatogenesis by activating both Sertoli cell functions and 11-KT production. Another important androgen is testosterone (T), which seems to act via feedback mechanisms that can compromise FSH-dependent signalling or steroidogenesis. The testicular production of T and 11-KT therefore needs to be balanced adequately. Further research is required to elucidate in what way(s) 11-KT stimulates later stages of development, such as entry into meiosis and spermiogenesis. At this period, LH becomes increasingly important for the regulation of androgen production. Results from mammalian models suggest that during the later phases, the control of germ cell apoptosis via Sertoli cell factors is an important regulatory mechanism. In many species, sperm cells cannot fertilize eggs until having passed a maturation process known as capacitation, which includes the acquisition of motility. Progestins that are produced under the influence of LH appear to play an important role in this context, which involves the control of the composition of the seminal plasma (e.g., pH values). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Differentiation and development of Leydig cell, and induction of spermatogenesis during testicular differentiation in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica

The initial appearance and the development of Leydig cells (LCs), the sites of steroid hormone production in the testis, were investigated ultrastructurally during testicular differentiation in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. In addition, the effects of a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG; 5 IU g body weight^-1) on histological changes of the testes and serum 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were examined at various stages (15–18, 20–23, 26–29, 32–35, 38–41 and 46–50 cm body length (BL)) of testicular differentiation. Testicular differentiation was morphologically characterized by the development of loose connective tissue on the medial side in animals 18–29 cm in BL. Ultrastructurally, LCs were first identified in the loose connective tissue of the testis of the 23 cm fish. In the testes of fish over 32 cm, clusters of LCs were distributed throughout the interstitial region accompanying the increase in number of spermatogonia. In fish larger than 32 cm, spermatogenesis was induced by administration of HCG; serum 11-KT levels were also raised. On the other hand, there was no effect on spermatogenesis or serum 11-KT levels in fish less than 29 cm, or in the controls. These result suggests that morphological differentiation of LCs occurs in testis of the 23 cm eel, and subsequently, the testes of eels of BL more than 32 cm acquire the capability to produce steroid hormones.