Plant secondary metabolites regulating behaviour of zoospores of the phytopathogenic fungus Aphanomyces cochlioides

A number of compounds isolated from various plant species were tested for their ability to affect the mobility of zoospores of the fungus Aphanomyces cochlioides which causes root rot in spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Compounds may act as attractants, repellents or stimulants of zoosphore movement or they may halt movement by causing the spore to clump and settle. Bioassay revealed compounds with these methods of action, as well as some which acted directly on the fungus. ©1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

A pre-harvest method for predicting understory light levels created by artificial canopy gaps

A new method for predicting understory light levels around an artificial canopy gap prior to the selective cutting is presented. In two even-aged coppice stands, hemispherical photographs were taken at a height of 1.3 m, and crowns of each canopy stem on the photographs were identified by field observations. To predict light levels after cutting, we used computerized images of the hemispherical photographs, in which we digitally erased all crowns to be cut (named ‘erasing method’). Light levels were calculated by an analyzing program; HEMIPHOT. Light levels predicted by the ‘erasing method’ were compared with that calculated by the ordinary photograph-analyzing method using photographs taken after the actual cutting. The correlations between the two methods were highly significant in the two stands. The ‘erasing method’ is eminently effective for the prediction of understory light levels in an artificial canopy gap.     

Expression and localization of estrogen receptors α and β mRNA in medullary bone of laying hens

The aim of this study was to observe the expression and localization of estrogen receptor (ER) α and ER β mRNA in the medullary bone of laying hens. First, medullary bone, liver, kidney, and shell gland of the oviduct tissues were dissected from laying hens. Then, the total cellular RNA was isolated from each tissue specimen, and the ER α and ER β mRNA expression was observed using semiquantitative RT‐PCR. Second, the localization of ER α mRNA in the medullary bone was detected with in situ hybridization using digoxigenin‐11‐UTP‐labeled cRNA probes. As a result, the expression of ER α mRNA was higher than that of ER β mRNA in the medullary bone, liver, and shell gland of the oviduct from laying hens. In the kidney, ER α mRNA expression was lower than that of ER β mRNA. The expression pattern of ER α and ER β mRNA of the medullary bone was similar to that of the shell gland of the oviduct. Moreover, ER α mRNA was intensively expressed in osteoblasts on the medullary bone surface and bone marrow stromal cells but was not expressed in osteoclasts. These results suggest that in medullary bone, estrogen action may be regulated not by ER β but by ER α.     

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on muscle glycogen content in Japanese Black cattle

Monosaccharides such as glucose contribute to the development of meat flavor upon heating via the Maillard reaction; therefore, monosaccharide content is related to beef palatability. Here, we analyzed the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the content of glycogen, one of the precursors of monosaccharides, in the muscles of 958 fattened Japanese Black cattle from Yamagata Prefecture. Analysis of variance showed that muscle glycogen content was affected by the farm and postmortem periods, but not by sex, slaughter age, slaughter month or number of days detained at the slaughter yard. Additionally, consumption of digestible brown rice feed elevated muscle glycogen levels. Glycogen heritability was estimated to be 0.34, and genetic correlations between glycogen and carcass weight (CW) or beef marbling standard (BMS) were weak. The predicted breeding values varied among paternal lines. These results demonstrated that genetic factors might improve muscle glycogen content and therefore beef palatability, but do not influence CW or BMS.     

Effects of water activity and lipid addition on secondary structure of zein in powder systems

The effects of water activity (A(w)) and lipid addition on the secondary structure of powdery zein were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Two fatty acid esters, i.e., the linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl esters (LAE and EPE), were mixed with the zein powder. The powders were stored in the "dry" state (with silica gel) and the "humid" state (A(w) = 0.9). The powdery zein without the lipids was shown to have a high content of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonded beta-sheet in the "dry" state, indicating the presence of protein aggregates. An increase in A(w) induced a decrease in this beta-sheet, concomitant with increases in the alpha-helix and beta-turn structures. The addition of LAE caused decreases in the alpha-helix and intermolecular hydrogen-bonded beta-sheet of zein when the powder was stored in the "humid" state, suggesting the strong interaction of LAE and zein molecules. However, LAE did not affect the secondary structure of zein in the "dry" state. The addition of EPE hardly influenced the secondary structure of zein, irrespective of A(w). These results are discussed in relation to the antioxidative activity of zein in the powder system, which had studied previously.     

Oogenesis and relevant changes in egg quality of abalone Haliotis discus hannai during a single spawning season

Oogenesis of abalone Haliotis discus hannai was examined histologically during a single spawning season using broodstock of various maturation conditions, which were controlled by effective accumulative temperature (EAT). The quality of eggs spawned was determined in relation to oogenesis. For histological examinations, three to five females were sacrificed at 300, 600, 850, 1050, and 1150 °C days EAT, without induction of artificial spawning. Other females were successfully induced to spawn at 700 °C days EAT and were reared following spawning. Three of these females were then sacrificed every 200 °C days EAT until 1300 °C days EAT. Gonad histology showed that two oocyte cohorts matured in H. discus hannai ovaries during a single spawning season. One mature oocyte cohort could be spawned in multiple times. The second oocyte cohort started developing after the first oocyte cohort had been spawned or reabsorbed, and became fully mature 400 °C days EAT after the first cohort was depleted. For egg quality measurements, three to five females were successfully induced to spawn at 850, 1050, 1150, 1900, and 2350 °C days EAT (Experiment 1). Three females were induced to spawn twice, at 700 and 1500 °C days EAT, resulting in two batches of eggs from the same individuals (Experiment 2). Total lipid and protein content of eggs were measured and were greater in eggs from the second cohort than in eggs from the first cohort. No carbohydrates were detected in eggs and there was no difference in cytoplasm volume between the two cohorts. In hatcheries producing H. discus hannai, it is important to increase post-larval starvation tolerance by increasing the quality of eggs, to yield higher and more consistent survival. The results of this study suggest that H. discus hannai hatcheries should use eggs from the second oocyte cohort, which are of higher quality, rather than eggs from the first oocyte cohort.     

Maturation and spawning of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spratelloides gracilis</Emphasis> Clupeidae in temperate waters off Cape Shionomisaki,central Japan

ABSTRACT:   The reproductive ecology of Spratelloides gracilis was investigated in the temperate waters off Cape Shionomisaki, central Japan. Cape Shionomisaki is located at the northern margin of the distribution range of this species. Females of S. gracilis with gonadosomatic index (GSI) ≥ 4.0 were defined as mature based on the relationship between GSI and the histological maturity phases of their ovaries. More than 50% of females greater than 60 mm standard length (SL) were mature. Hatch dates of larvae and juveniles collected in the study area were determined by otolith daily ring counts and found to extend from April to November. The size at maturity of females (60 mm SL) and the spawning season of S. gracilis in the temperate waters off Cape Shionomisaki (April–November) was larger and shorter, respectively, than those in tropical waters in the western Pacific. The reproductive traits observed for S. gracilis off Cape Shionomisaki appear to be adaptive to northern temperate waters with seasonal changes in environmental conditions.     

Effects of enzymatic deamidation by protein-glutaminase on structure and functional properties of alpha-zein

The performance of novel protein-glutaminase (PG) purified from Chryseobacterium proteolyticumon alpha-zein was investigated. Highly insoluble alpha-zein was able to be deamidated to the extent of deamidation degree 62% by using 50 mM potassium phosphate (pH 8) containing 11.7% ethanol, at 40 degrees C for 137 h. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed that deamidated and non-deamidated zeins have different mobilities. Results of circular dichroism spectra revealed the decline in alpha-helix contents of alpha-zein by deamidation. Besides, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis demonstrated alterations in the secondary structure of alpha-zein by deamidation. The assignment of the amide I region showed a remarkable decrease in antiparallel intermolecular beta-sheets (around 1690 cm(-1)) as an indication of the weakening aggregation ability of the deamidated molecules. Solubility and emulsification properties of alpha-zein, particularly at pH 7, were remarkably improved after the deamidation by PG. Gas chromatography and peroxide value studies pointed out that deamidated alpha-zein in powder form exhibited an inferior antioxidative property as compared with the non-deamidated one.     

Effects of ovariectomy on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in spontaneously diabetic Torii-Lepr(fa) rats

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii-Lepr(fa) (SDT- fa/fa) rat is a new model of obese type 2 diabetes. The female SDT-fa/fa rat shows obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia from a young age. However, it is not known whether diabetes and estrogen deficiency can lead to bone abnormalities in the female SDT-fa/fa rat. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy (OVX) on bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in the female SDT-fa/fa rat. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as control animals. The BMDs of the whole tibia and fifth lumbar (L5) vertebral body were analyzed at 30 weeks after OVX. Serum osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD), a bone resorption marker, were sequentially analyzed before and at 5, 15 and 30 weeks after OVX. Serum osteocalcin and urine DPD levels were lower in SDT-fa/fa rats than in control rats before OVX. Both serum osteocalcin and urine DPD levels were elevated in control rats 5-30 weeks after OVX, but only the urine DPD levels were elevated in SDT-fa/fa rats 5-30 weeks after OVX. SDT-fa/fa rats showed a decrease in the BMDs of the whole tibia and L5 vertebral body compared with control rats. OVX decreased the BMDs of the whole tibia and L5 vertebral body in control rats, but not in SDT-fa/fa rats. These data suggest that estrogen deficiency is not a risk factor for bone loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus.