Reactivity of green tea catechins with formaldehyde

In the reaction of green tea catechins with formaldehyde at room temperature (25°C), tea catechins were found to have reactivity. In particular, (-)-epicatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, which have a galloyl moiety at the C-3 position, showed higher reactivity than (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, or (-)-epigallocatechin. Reactivity of various kinds of simple phenolic compounds and flavonoids with formaldehyde was also examined. Among these compounds, only phloroglucinol showed reactivity to the same degree as that of nongalloylated catechins. These results suggest that factors for reactivity with formaldehyde at room temperature may be the presence of a phloroglucinolic A-ring structure and the absence of the electron-attractive group such as a carbonyl group in Cring. The comparison of the reactivity of 3-O-acylated catechins with that of 3-O-galloylated catechins indicated that only a galloyl group effectively enhanced reactivity with formaldehyde.     

Pathogens and their products affecting weedy plants

There are many natural enemies of weedy plants; among them are plant pathogens. Plant pathogens are capable of affecting plants, in part because of the phytotoxins they produce. Phytoloxins of weedy pathogens are produced in culture media by most of the phytopathogenic fungi of weeds that we have studied. In most cases the phytotoxin(s) usually belongs to a family of related compounds produced by the pathogen. Phytotoxin production in the medium can be optimized by placement of the host extract into the medium. Lethal activity is usually observed in the concentration range of 10^-3-10^-6M. The concept of using these molecules, or derivatives thereof, or related compounds as herbicides, should be explored.     

Enhancement of neurotransmitter release from invertebrate synaptosomes by pyrethroids during pulsed-depolarization: A functional assay for effects on repolarization

The release of [³H]neurotransmitters was used as a functional assay to assess the actions of selected neurotoxins on the synaptosomal membranes prepared from the invertebrate nervous systems of squid and house fly. A reproducible release of [³]neurotransmitter was evoked by pulsed-depolarization in the presence of elevated K⁺ or of veratridine. Pretreatment with deltamethrin resulted in a substantial enhancement of [³H]neuro-transmitter release during pulsed-depolarization. This enhanced neurotransmitter release was greatly reduced or absent when synaptosomes of knockdown-resistant house flies were examined. No enhanced neurotransmitter release due to deltamethrin pretreatment was apparent from any synaptosomal preparation under non-depolarizing conditions. Under similar conditions, collaborative experiments demonstrated that deltamethrin causes a significant change in protein phosphorylation activities which follow depolarization. The most significant change caused by deltamethrin was the prolonged elevation of the level of phosphorylation on a number of key synaptic proteins beyond the normal time of their recovery to the dephosphorylated state. The most notable protein reacting to deltamethrin in this manner was calcium-cadlmodulin-dependent protein kinase.     

Anatomical variation of habitat‐related changes in scapular morphology

The mammalian forelimb is adapted to different functions including postural, locomotor, feeding, exploratory, grooming and defence. Comparative studies on morphology of the mammalian scapula have been performed in an attempt to establish the functional differences in the use of the forelimb. In this study, a total of 102 scapulae collected from 66 species of animals, representatives of all major taxa from rodents, sirenians, marsupials, pilosa, cetaceans, carnivores, ungulates, primates and apes, were analysed. Parameters measured included scapular length, width, position, thickness, area, angles and index. Structures included supraspinous and infraspinous fossae, scapular spine, glenoid cavity, acromium and coracoid processes. Images were taken using computed tomographic (CT) scanning technology (CT‐Aquarium, Toshiba and micro CT‐LaTheta, Hotachi, Japan), and measurement values were acquired and processed using Avizo computer software and CanvasTM 11 ACD systems. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results obtained showed that there were differences in morphological characteristics of scapula between mammals with arboreal locomotion and living in forest and mountainous areas and those with leaping and terrestrial locomotion living in open habitat or savannah. Differences were seen in the ratio of maximum length and maximum width, the orientation of scapular spine and the horizontal length of acromion and coracoid processes. The cause for the statistical grouping of the animals and the way the scapular shape covaries with habitat and to the type of locomotion and speed are discussed in detail.     

Transfer of the Rsv3 locus from ‘Harosoy’ for resistance to soybean mosaic virus strains C and D in Japan

Resistance to soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is imperative for soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production in the Tohoku region. Molecular markers for SMV resistance were previously reported for U.S. SMV strains, but they cannot be applied because of the differences in strain classification between Japan and the U.S. A U.S. variety ‘Harosoy’ has been used mainly as a donor of resistance to SMV strains C and D in a Japanese breeding program, resulting in resistant varieties such as ‘Fukuibuki.’ Because ‘Harosoy’ harbors the Rsv3 gene conferring resistance to the virulent SMV strain groups, G5 through G7, it appears that the Rsv3 gene confers resistance to strains C and D. In this study, we introduced resistance to the two strains from ‘Fukuibuki’ into a leading variety ‘Ohsuzu’ by recurrent backcrossing with marker-assisted selection. All lines selected with markers near Rsv3 showed resistance to the strains, suggesting that the Rsv3 locus is responsible for the resistance. Three years of trials showed that one of the breeding lines, ‘Tohoku 169,’ was equivalent to ‘Ohsuzu’ with respect to agricultural characteristics such as seed size, maturity date, and seed yield, except for the SMV resistance.     

Efficacy of omeprazole paste in the prevention of gastric ulcers in 2 years old thoroughbreds

Prevalence of equine gastric ulcer syndrome in 85 young Thoroughbreds was investigated. The presence of gastric ulcers was confirmed in 27.1% (23/85) of the horses by endoscopic examination. Sixty-two horses without gastric ulcers were allocated randomly to either the treated group (31 horses) or sham-dosed control group (31 horses) in order to investigate the efficacy of omeprazole oral paste in the prevention of gastric ulcers. At the second endoscopic examination conducted after 28 days of administration, only 1 horse in the treated group developed gastric ulcers, while 12 horses developed gastric ulcers in the control group. Based on these data, the efficacy of omeprazole in prevention of equine gastric ulcers in young Thoroughbreds during the training period was confirmed.     

Effect of SCD and SREBP genotypes on fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle herds

Fatty acid composition of beef adipose tissue is one of important traits because high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid are related to favorable beef flavor and tenderness. In this study, we investigated effects of genetic factors such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) on beef carcass traits including fatty acid composition using two cattle populations. Sire effect was significantly related to almost all traits except BMS, suggesting that the trait examined in this study is highly controlled by genetic factors. The effect of SCD genotype on fatty acid composition was detected remarkably in both cattle groups, especially on stearic and oleic acids. This result was consistent with our previous studies and suggests that SCD is associated with fatty acid composition. Unlike SCD genotyping, the effect of SREBP genotype was not identified in this study. Our results suggested that SCD genotype would contribute to improving beef quality in field populations. Further studies about the relationship among these factors will bring an insight into the molecular mechanism of fatty acid metabolism in cattle.