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.     

O2 supports 3-phosphoglycerate-dependent O2 evolution in chloroplasts from spinach leaves

We tested the hypothesis that the Mehler-ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) pathway supports 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA)-dependent oxygen (O₂) evolution using intact chloroplasts. Lowering O₂ concentration (<1?µM) suppressed PGA-dependent O₂ evolution rate. High O₂ concentration (about 250?µM) enhanced the electron fluxes in Photosystem II (PSII). Also, high O₂ concentration oxidized both Q_A in PSII and Cyt f in thylakoid membranes. These results indicated that the MAP pathway stimulated photosynthetic electron transport. Furthermore, electrochromic shift signal was also increased at high O₂ concentration, compared to low O₂ concentration. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence was also enhanced at high O₂ concentration. These data support our hypothesis that the MAP pathway functioned in intact chloroplasts and accelerated PGA-dependent O₂ evolution by inducing ΔpH formation to produce and supply adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the conversion reaction of PGA to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through 1,3-diphosphoglycerate in chloroplasts.     

O2-enhanced induction of photosynthesis in rice leaves: the Mehler-ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) pathway drives cyclic electron flow within PSII and cyclic electron flow around PSI

Lowering the oxygen (O₂) partial pressure from 21?kPa to 1?kPa delayed the light-dependent increase of the net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Notohikari) leaves. Researching the underlying molecular mechanisms that act before the start of photosynthesis, we established the following facts. First, O₂ at 21?kPa enhanced the quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)] and PSI [Y(I)]. More than 90% of Y(II) and Y(I) were not accounted for by O₂-dependent electron flow in the Mehler-ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) pathway. Both yields increased further with the start of photosynthesis. Second, O₂ enhanced photochemical quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (qL). qL also increased further with the rate of photosynthesis. Third, O₂ enhanced the photo-oxidation of P700. Fourth, O₂ suppressed the reduction of P700. Fifth, O₂ enhanced non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (NPQ). These results showed that the MAP pathway triggered cyclic electron flow within PSII (CEF-II) and cyclic electron flow around PSI (CEF-I) by inducing ΔpH across thylakoid membranes and oxidizing the plastoquinone pool, before photosynthesis started. We propose that the photosynthetic electron transport system is controlled by the MAP pathway, which would explain the O₂-dependent enhancement of the induction of photosynthesis.     

Influence of Soil Chemical Properties on Adsorption and Oxidation of Phenolic Acids in Soil Suspension

Relationships between abiotic oxidation and adsorption of phenolic acids added to soils and soil chemical properties were investigated by using 32 soil samples and ferulic, vanillic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids. Soil properties studied were as follows: (as adsorption factors) contents of acid oxalate extractable Al (Alo), Fe (Feo), dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) extractable Fe (Fed), total carbon and clay, and (as oxidation factors) level of soil oxidative activity (Cr oxidation) determined by the amount of Cr(VI) converted from Cr(III) added to soils. Soil samples were divided into 3 types based on chemical properties: Andosols A (A horizon of Andosols), Andosols B (B horizon of Andosols and light-colored Andosols), and non-Andosols.

The recovery of all phenolic acids (RPA) was negatively correlated with the total carbon and Feo contents in Andosols A and B, respectively, which suggested adsorption onto soil organic matter in Andosols A and onto Feo in Andosols B. It was considered that almost no oxidation of phenolic acids occurred in Andosols A, because a very small amount of Cr(VI) was obtained. The recovery of ferulic acid (RFA) and vanillic acid (RVA), however, was negatively correlated with Cr oxidation in non-Andosols, suggesting that these phenolic acids were oxidized, while almost all of the p-hydroxybenzoic acid was recovered.

These results were also supported by the comparison between RFA and recovery of dissolved organic carbon (RTOC). RFA was very similar to RTOC in Andosols A and B, which indicated that adsorption occurred, whereas RFA was lower than RTOC in the non-Andosols that showed a high level of Cr oxidation, indicating that oxidation took place. Manganese dissolution which occurred when phenolic acids were added to soils was also examined.     

Cardiopulmonary bypass influences the plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptides in dogs: effects of hemofiltration and hemodilution

Calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), which are potent vasodilators, are elevated during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in humans. We evaluated the plasma levels of CGRP in dogs during CPB with hemofiltration with and without hemodilution. Female beagles were divided into control (n=5) and hemodilution (n=5) groups. The CPB with hemofiltration was performed with or without hemodilution. For the measurement of CGRP, blood samples were collected pre-CPB, during CPB, and post-CPB. The concentrations of CGRP in the hemofiltration solution were measured. Although the CPB elevated the plasma CGRP levels in both groups, its elevation was significant in the hemodilution group when compared to the pre-CPB levels. CGRP levels returned to normal post-CPB. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the CGRP amount in hemofiltration. The results show that hemofiltration should be used during CPB to decrease the plasma levels of CGRP.     

Epsilon-polylysine microparticle adjuvant drives cytokine production to Th1 profile

Epsilon-polylysine micro particles (SGEPL) and polyethyleneimine micro particles (SGPEI) were developed by the addition of a hydrophobic group and the immunological characterization of these micro particles and aluminum hydroxide (ALUM) was investigated. BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA) as an antigen and SGEPL, SGPEI or ALUM as an adjuvant. The results showed that the mice injected with SGEPL produced a significant portion of anti-OVA antibody subclass IgG2a in the sera and suppressed interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, but enhanced IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from the spleen cells. Similar results relating to cytokines were also obtained, even without OVA. Direct stimulation with SGEPL to na?ve BALB/c mouse spleen cells induced IL-12 and IFN-gamma. Both spleen and purified B cells produced IgG1 and IgE after stimulation with IL-4 and the anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. With the addition of SGEPL, the IgE production from the cells was suppressed as a result of enhanced IFN-gamma production. Furthermore, IgE production was also suppressed in the purified B cells without the influence of IFN-gamma or IL-12. Thus, we suggest SGEPL drives cytokine production to Th1 profile. It will be a novel promising adjuvant based on this viewpoint.     

Establishment of the PCR system specific to Salmonella spp. and its application for the inspection of food and fecal samples

We established the PCR detection system specific to Salmonella species using Salmonella enterotoxin gene (stn). The detection limit was one bacterial cell per one gram of fecal and minced-meat samples using enrichment procedure by Tripticase soy broth or Salmonella enrichment broth, respectively. We concluded that this PCR system is useful for the practical application in the field of the public hygiene.     

Introduction: from the birth to the table of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma

Fisheries provide food, feedstuff, and materials which are reliant on ecosystem services provided by marine and freshwater systems. Fish spawn and mature in aquatic systems, from which they are harvested by fishers, distributed and processed in households, restaurants, or processing plants, and either eaten by consumers, used in aquaculture, horticulture or agriculture, or used in manufacturing. The movement of fish from sea to plate follows distinct sequential stages. We call this the “fisheries system”. While each stage of the fisheries system has been the focus of specific research activities, these activities have generally proceeded from the perspective of individual disciplines, e.g., oceanography, chemistry, biology, ecology, resource dynamics, economics, business management, food science, processing, nutrition studies, etc. As a result, their objectives, data, models, discussions, etc., do not present an effectively integrated perspective of the fisheries system as a whole. This Special Feature brings together research from across disciplines to provide a broad perspective of the walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma fisheries system. While this falls short of being a fully integrated model, it highlights key interfaces among disciplines and illustrates fundamental research questions for each stage. By highlighting these questions and interfaces, we hope to foster an intellectual environment that will lead to true “integrated research” that can best be pursued by multi-disciplinary teams rather than by individual scientists who limit their research activities to the narrow scope of their specific disciplines.     

Yield and growth characteristics of erect panicle type rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar,Shennong265 under various crop management practices in Western Japan

Erect panicle rice cultivars utilize solar energy effectively and have improved ecological growing conditions. Among such cultivars, Shennong265 has been grown successfully throughout Northern China. Nevertheless, no studies have yet examined the relationships between crop dry matter productivity, weather conditions, and nitrogen uptake of the erect panicle type rice cultivar in Japan. The objective of our study was to evaluate the productivity of erect panicle rice Shennong265 in Western Japan under varied conditions. Three rice cultivars, Shennong265, Nipponbare, and Takanari were grown in the field under different fertilizer and plant density conditions in Western Japan; using this information, we compared yield and growth characteristics of Shennong265 with those of Nipponbare and Takanari. Although Shennong265 had radiation use efficiency similar to that of the high yielding cultivar (Takanari) and much higher leaf nitrogen content than Takanari and Nipponbare, the average grain yield of Shennong265 grown under normal fertilizer and plant density conditions was approximately 6.9 t ha^?1 as against 6.2 t ha^?1 for Nipponbare and 9.6 t ha^?1 for Takanari. These results suggest that, while Shennong265 has a high yield potential, the environmental conditions including climate, fertilizer, and planting period provided in this study were not suitable for achieving its maximum yield. The reduced performance of Shennong265 may be caused by insufficient fertilizer after heading and by shorter growth periods, as well as by the climate of Western Japan. Additional fertilizer application during the heading stage and earlier transplanting may be needed to obtain higher Shennong265 yields in Western Japan.     

Seasonal characteristics of surface water quality in the wastewater catchment system of an urbanizing basin

Vientiane, Lao PDR, has been subject to extensive and ongoing urbanization plans, including development of natural marshes and residentialization of paddy fields into suburban areas, despite natural marshes playing a vital role in treating wastewater from urban areas. Therefore, it is important to understand the current situation regarding the nutrient balance in these natural wastewater treatment systems to predict future conditions and design appropriate measures against water quality deterioration. However, limited data are available in Vientiane on the hydrological characteristics of water and nutrient runoff that flow into marshes through drainage canals. In this study, we conducted a periodic survey of drainage canals and Mak Hiao River in the wastewater catchment system surrounding Vientiane during the rainy and dry seasons. We monitored the discharge of surface water at 21 observation sites and analyzed water quality of nitrogen, phosphorus, and total organic carbon. These observations revealed that the concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus were significantly higher at sites in urban areas, followed by sites in the main river basin and those in agricultural areas. Dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations varied with runoff discharge, especially in urban and river basin sites, with lower concentrations in the rainy season and higher concentrations in the dry season. On the other hand, we found no significant differences between the rainy and dry seasons in nutrient concentrations in the agricultural basin. Finally, we proposed measures to counteract the deterioration of water quality during dry seasons and simulated the impact of these measures.