Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against canine P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1)

Thirteen different monoclonal antibodies against canine P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (cPSGL-1) were obtained by immunization of rats with cells of a canine lymphoma cell line (Ema). O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase treatment of Ema cells showed that all of these antibodies recognized O-glycosylated peptides of canine PSGL-1. Experiments using deletion or point mutants of cPSGL-1 indicated that these antibodies could be categorized into several groups based on their cPSGL-1 recognition characteristics. These anti-cPSGL-1 monoclonal antibodies will be useful for analysis of the canine P-selectin and PSGL-1 system.     

Aluminum oxyhydroxide polymorphs and some micromorphological characteristics in sclerotium grains

The presence of aluminum oxyhydroxide and its micromorphological characteristics in sclerotium grains were examined by SEM, TEM, and EDX analyses. A spherical fraction with a diameter of 100 nm, which contained C and Al as the predominant elements, was recognized as the unit particle of the matrix of sclerotium grains. The Al polymorphs and the Si spherical structures found in the ignited grains were assumed to correspond to boehmite and opaline silica particles, respectively. SEMI analysis revealed the presence of a needle ball structure inside the hollow part of sclerotium grains. The relationship between the inner structure of sclerotium and biochemical processes of the host fungi was discussed.     

Changes in radiocesium concentration in a blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) orchard resulting from radioactive fallout

We investigated changes in the radiocesium concentration in a blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) orchard in Fukushima prefecture to clarify the radiocesium contamination for 3 years after the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident occurred in mid-March 2011. In the aboveground part of blueberry bushes, the concentrations of radiocesium in branches that were directly affected by radioactive fallout were the highest among the samples investigated, and the concentrations in fruits were the lowest. The concentration of radiocesium decreased exponentially in the fruits and leaves over 3 years. The radiocesium concentrations in soils were higher in the surface layer. The amount of radiocesium in organic matter on the soil surface under the canopy greatly decreased from 2011 to 2012. The transfer factor of the radiocesium from soil to blueberry fruits decreased annually. These results suggest that radiocesium adhered directly to the aboveground organs of blueberry bushes in March 2011, and it is possible that the accumulation of radiocesium in fruits is mainly due to radiocesium transfer from the branches and trunk to fruits for several years after the nuclear power plant accident.     

Varietal differences in the growth of rice plants in response to aluminum and silicon

Effects of Al (0–100 μM) and Si (0–2,000 μM) supplied singly or in combination on root growth of different rice varieties were examined under hydroponic conditions. Al addition inhibited root elongation of rice plants, and the inhibition increased with increasing amount of Al in the culture solution. Among 22 indica varieties and among 8 japonica varieties tested, IAC3 and Nakateshinsenbon were relatively tolerant to AI, respectively, whereas IR45 and Norinl were relatively sensitive to AI, respectively. Si exerted a beneficial effect at all levels of Si treatment on indica varieties, whereas Si supply resulted in a slight increase in the root dry weight of japonica varieties only at the highest level (2,000 μM Silo The alleviation of Al inhibition of rice root growth by Si was observed in the combination of Al and Si treatments. Alleviation was more pronounced for all the Si treatments in indica varieties than in japonica varieties, and the alleviation was maximum with 2,000 μM Si in IR45. The alleviation effect by Si was more pronounced in the AI-sensitive varieties than in the AI-tolerant varieties. The application of Si resulted in an increase in the contents of Al and Si in plants, and there was no relationship between the Al content and Al inhibition in plants.     

Sulfonylurea-resistant biotypes of Monochoria vaginalis generate higher ultraweak photon emissions than the susceptible ones

All living organisms spontaneously generate ultraweak photon emissions, which originate from biochemical reactions in cells. Current research uses the ultraweak photon emission from organisms as a novel indicator in nondestructive analyses of an organisms living state. This study indicates that ultraweak photon emissions from Monochoria vaginalis are different between resistant biotypes (R) to sulfonylurea (SU) and susceptible biotypes (S). In SU-R biotypes, distinct increases in photon emissions were observed, but there was little increase in SU-S biotypes. In addition, photon emissions from the resistant biotypes of M. vaginalis were suppressed by treatment with P450 inhibitors. This suggests that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, which plays a crucial role in the metabolic detoxification of SUs, could be associated with the generation of ultraweak photon emissions. Ultraweak photon emissions have a potential use in a novel diagnosis system as an indicator in a nondestructive testing of weeds resistant to SUs.     

Development of GIS-based FUSLE model in a Chinese fir forest sub-catchment with a focus on the litter in the Dabie Mountains,China

Land use plays an important role in soil loss and other environmental problems. Correct prediction of soil loss from different types of land use is very important to land use policy making in the Dabie Mountains, China. Field observations of water and soil loss were carried out in the Shangshe catchment in four types of land use in 1999–2002. This paper reports the study of soil loss in the sub-catchment of Chinese fir forest.     

Polyelectrolyte titration of whisky

Polyelectrolyte titration using a fluorescent indicator was applied to determine the electrolytic charges in 10 whiskies at various pH levels. Tannic acid was also titrated to compare the relation between pH and charge because the polyelectrolytes in whisky were postulated to be polyphenols, mainly tannic acid, which are gradually extracted from a wood cask over the years. Below pH 7, the pH-charge curves for whisky were analogous to those for tannic acid, indicating that carboxyl groups in tannic acid were fairly stable on maturation of the whisky. The charge of the tannic acid increased with increasing pH, whereas that of whisky had a tendency to level off. The degree of leveling off was higher for whiskies with longer maturation. These phenomena are believed to be due to the oxidation of pyrogallol and catechol moieties in tannic acid, which occurs during storage of the whisky. There was a clear tendency for the whiskies with higher prices to have higher charges, that is, a higher tannic acid content.     

Pilot Study to Examine Radial Variation in Annual Ring Width, Density and Shrinkage

The annual ring width, density and shrinkage variation from pith to bark in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and Boka sugi (Cryptomeria japonicd) were studied and compared. The results show that the ring width decreased sharply from pith to bark for Chinese fir. However, the ring width variation pattern for Boka sugi followed a different way, i.e., the ring width decreased to the fifth ring, increased to the tenth ring, decreased again to the fifteenth, and then increased to the twentieth, where it became constant. The large variations of Boka sugi appeared to show the maintenance of fast growth for many years. The annual ring mean density of Chinese fir increased gradually from pith to bark. However, the density changes for Boka sugi indicated the opposite trend, i.e., the mean density decreased gradually from pith to bark. The former showed a pattern as the same as a pine and a larch, and the latter was often found in a cedar and a cypress. The longitudinal shrinkage in juvenile wood was much hig     

Effects of utilization of local food by‐products as total mixed ration silage materials on fermentation quality and intake,digestibility, rumen condition and nitrogen availability in sheep

Four wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate in vivo digestibility of total mixed ration (TMR) silage with food by‐products for dairy cows, and the ruminal condition and nitrogen (N) balance were examined. Five by‐products (i.e. potato waste, noodle waste, soybean curd residue, soy sauce cake and green tea waste) were obtained. Four types of TMR silage were used: control (C) containing roughage and commercial concentrate, T1:20% and T1:40% containing the five by‐products replacing 20% and 40% of the commercial concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively, and T2:40% containing three by‐products (potato waste, noodle waste and soybean curd residue) replacing 40% of the commercial concentrate on a DM basis. The ingredients were mixed and preserved in oil drum silos for 4 months. The TMR silages showed 4.02–4.44% and 1.75–2.19% for pH and lactic acid contents, respectively. The digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrient content were higher (P < 0.05) for T2:40% feeding than for C feeding. Urinary nitrogen excretion tended to be lower (P = 0.07) for T2:40% than for C. The results suggested 40% replacing of commercial concentrate by using the three food by‐products can be most suitable for TMR silage.     

Flow cytometric analysis of chicken NK activity and its use on the effect of restraint stress

Immune system is organized by the influence of both neural and endocrine systems. NK activity plays an important role in the innate immunity. In this study, we observed the effects of restraint stress on chicken peripheral blood NK activity. Viability of FITC-labeled RP9 was measured with PI after treatment with the effector cells. Chicken peripheral blood CD8alpha+ cells expressed strong cytotoxic activity, in contrast to thrombocytes, while peripheral blood CD3+ CD8alpha+ cells and CD4+ cells had little cytotoxic activity. Con A supernatant enhanced the cytotoxic activity of CD8alpha+ cells. Therefore, it is considered that these cytotoxic activities measured by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis are NK activity. When chickens were exposed to restraint stress, the levels of serum corticosterone increased transiently over a short period of time while the NK activity decreased. The decreased NK activity, however, did not recover to the intact levels for a long time, even once the serum corticosterone levels had recovered. These data indicate that chicken NK activity is able to be measured by flow cytometric analysis and that restraint stress causes severe damage to the chicken NK activity.