Characterization of depth-related changes and site-specific differences of microbial communities in marine sediments using quinone profiles

ABSTRACT:   Respiratory quinone compositions were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography to characterize the depth-related changes and site-specific differences of microbial communities in marine sediments. Two deep-sea sediment samples and one coastal sediment sample were investigated from three sites on the coast of Japan, Sagami Bay, Suruga Bay and Tokyo Bay. Although depth-related changes in microbial community structures were observed, site-specific differences appeared to have greater influence on overall community structures. A variety of quinone homologs was commonly identified at all sampling sites and depths examined, but a few minor quinone fractions, mainly derived from Actinobacteria , were detected only at specific sampling sites. Methylmenaquinone-7 (MMK-7) was the major component throughout the examined depths in Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay. Most abundant quinone homologs changed with each depth in Suruga Bay. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) predominated in the 0 to 2-cm layer (19%). Below 0–2 cm, the most abundant homolog in each sampling depth was phylloquinone (K₁; 13%, 4–6 cm), MK-8 (19%, 8–10 cm) and MK-7 (13%, 16–18 cm). The microbial respiratory quinone profiling method shown here, successfully demonstrates the usefulness of this approach to characterize microbial communities in marine sediments.     

Application of NaLA,a fishing net configuration and loading analysis system,to bottom gill nets

ABSTRACT:   The net-shape and loading analysis system (NaLA) was developed to determine fishing net configuration and load in a previous study. The system has since been applied to general gill nets and aquaculture nets, and its validity has been proven through model experiments in tanks. In this study, the system was applied to estimate the dynamic behavior of a bottom gill net for walleye pollock, to test the system's applicability of the system to gear operations in the field. To obtain in situ data, four bottom gill net operations were performed in February 2004 off the coast of Sawara, Hokkaido, Japan. During operations, vertical displacements of the bottom gill net's float and sinker lines were measured as representative values of gear behavior, and ocean current direction, and speed at the gear position were observed simultaneously. Then, bottom gill net behavior was simulated using NaLA, incorporating observed environmental conditions and gear specifications. The resulting calculated behavior was compared to measured behavior in terms of the relationship between net height and environmental or setting conditions. Agreement between the calculated and measured net behavior was found. Thus, it is believe that our NaLA calculation model has the potential to simulate the dynamic behavior of bottom gill nets in situ .     

Preventive effect of Kaempferia parviflora ethyl acetate extract and its major components polymethoxyflavonoid on metabolic diseases

Previously, we reported that rhizome powder of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker prevented obesity and a range of metabolic diseases. In this study, to clarify which molecular mechanisms and active ingredients of K. parviflora have an anti-obesity effect, we investigated the effect of ethyl acetate extract of K. parviflora (KPE) on TSOD mice, a spontaneously obese Type II diabetes model, and on pancreatic lipase. In the TSOD groups, KPE showed a suppressive effect on body weight increase and visceral fat accumulation and also showed preventive effects on symptoms related to insulin resistance, hypertension and fatty liver. In addition, KPE also suppressed body weight increase and food intake in TSNO mice groups, which served as reference animals, at an early stage of administration. Searching for the ingredients in KPE revealed that KPE contains at least 12 kinds of polymethoxyflavonoid (PMF). Furthermore, KPE and its component PMFs showed an inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase. The above results suggest that KPE has a preventive effect on obesity and various metabolic diseases. The mechanisms of action probably involve inhibition of pancreatic lipase by the PMFs in KPE.     

Difference in mass concentration of airborne dust during circular sawing of five wood-based materials

The object of this study was to compare the mass concentration of airborne dust during circular sawing of five wood-based materials: solid sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) lumber, tropical hardwood plywood, softwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard. Specimens were sawn at a constant feed per tooth (0.05 mm) using two saw speeds. The mass concentration of airborne dust of diameter 7.07 μm or less (respirable dust) was measured with a light-scattering dust monitor. The mass concentration showed a log-normal distribution, and the geometric means of mass concentration at saw speeds of 2000 and 3000 rpm were 2.33 and 2.89 mg/m³ for tropical hardwood plywood, 1.13 and 2.84 mg/m³ for particleboard, 0.91 and 2.28 mg/m³ for medium-density fiberboard, 1.09 and 1.38 mg/m³ for softwood plywood, and 0.32 and 0.66 mg/m³ for sugi lumber. The mass concentration for all five wood-based materials increased with the revolution speed of the circular saw.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of anthocyanins in Japanese garden iris and its wild forms

Summary Following bud pollination of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) with pollens from common buckwheat (F. esculentum), cv. Mancan, 31% of the ovaries began to grow but all turned brown and withered after 6 to 14 days. Fluorescence microscopy of the growing ovaries showed the pollen-tube entering the embryo-sac. The ovules from the growing ovaries failed to produce any embryo in the culture medium in which the immature embryos from the self-pollinated (compatible) tartary flowers were able to mature and germinate. No embryo development was observed after cross-pollination. The interspecific incompatibility is attributed to the failure of gametes to fuse.Abbreviations BAP benzylaminopurine - IAA indoleacetic acid     

Release of trace elements from wood ash by nitric acid

Currently wood ash is being used as a soil amendment. Its use is regulated based on trace element content. However, no published information exists on solubilities of trace elements in wood ash. We investigated the release of environmentally-significant trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) from wood ash as a function of pH and of particle size. Wood ash was sampled from three sources in Maine and sieved into <0.5 mm, 0.5–1 mm, and 1–2 mm fractions. Elemental compositions were determined using a HNO₃/H₂O₂ digestion. Sub-samples (1 g) from each of the nine samples (three sources and three size fractions) were reacted with 50 mLs of standardized HNO₃ for a week using a range of acid concentrations (0.01–0.25 M) to achieve a range in final pH values. The resulting solutions were filtered and analyzed. The compositions of the three wood ashes varied widely. The dominant elements were Si (9.7–34%), Ca (5.8–21%), K (0.8–5.7%), Al (0.8–4.9%), and Mg (0.5–3.0%). Trace elements were present in the following concentrations ranges: Cd (1.9–12 mg kg^?1), Cr (24–92 mg kg^?1), Cu (33–75 mg kg^?1), and Zn (130–1400 mg kg^?1). Both Cd and Zn were released readily from the ashes at final pH values of approximately 6.5 and below. In the final pH range of 3–4, 80–100% of the total Cd and 70–90% of the total Zn was released by the ashes. All three wood ashes showed somewhat different patterns of Cr release. Level of Cr(VI) in a water extract of the ash fractions was found to be a much better predictor of relative Cr solubility than total Cr. Solubility of Cu was low, and Pb was very insoluble. There was little influence of particle size on release of trace elements. The relatively high Cd concentration of wood ash compared with soil, and its relative solubility in wood ash, should be considered in evaluating the potential environmental impact of spreading wood ash on land.     

Determination of 4(5)-methylimidazole in soy sauce and other foods by LC-MS/MS after solid-phase extraction

A method for the determination of 4(5)-methylimidazole (4MeI) in naturally brewed soy sauce was developed for the first time using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). SPE on silica-based reversed-phase cartridges with heptafluorobutyric acid as an ion-pairing reagent was used for the efficient cleanup of 4MeI. A multimode ODS column was employed for the chromatographic separation. To subtract the matrix effect during LC-MS/MS analysis, a standard addition method was used. The levels of 4MeI found in naturally brewed soy sauce were extremely low (ranging from <0.002 to 0.023 μg/g), whereas those in soy sauces containing caramel color were generally high (ranging from 0.43 to 4.8 μg/g). The method proved to be useful for the analysis of 4MeI in other foods such as caramel colors, drinks, and Worcestershire sauce.     

Acute myeloid leukemia with mastocytic and megakaryocytic differentiation in a calf

A diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia was made in a 10-month-old Holstein female calf. The leukemia was macroscopically characterized by great enlargement of the spleen and moderate enlargement of some lymph nodes. Histochemical and immunohistochemical examination disclosed the presence of neoplastic cells either containing metachromatic and tryptase-positive granules or expressing factor VIII-related antigen. The granules, which were positive for naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase and did not have particulate contents, were distinct from those of basophilic leukemia cells. This leukemia was thought to be derived from a common myeloid progenitor capable of giving rise to megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors with the ability to differentiate into mast cells.     

Biological characters of bats in relation to natural reservoir of emerging viruses

Many investigators focused on bats (Chiroptera) for their specific character, i.e. echolocation system, phylogenic tree, food practice and unique reproduction. However, most of basic information about the vital functions related to anti-viral activity has been unclear. For evaluating some animals as a natural reservoir or host of infectious pathogens, it is necessary that not only their immune system but also their biology, the environment of their living, food habits and physiological features should be clarified and they should be analyzed from these multi-view points. The majority of current studies on infectious diseases have been conducted for the elucidation of viral virulence using experimental animals or viral gene function in vitro, but in a few case, researchers focused on wild animal itself. In this paper, we described basic information about bats as follows; genetic background, character of the immunological factors, histological character of immune organs, the physiological function and sensitivity of bat cells to viral infection.     

Serological differentiation of FIV-infected cats from dual-subtype feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV) inoculated cats

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccine, Fel-O-Vax FIV, was released for sale in the US in 2002. The antibodies of vaccinated cats interfere with serological assays by currently available FIV diagnostic kits. In this study, we investigated whether it is possible to distinguish serologically cats vaccinated with Fel-O-Vax FIV from cats experimentally or naturally infected with FIV. A total of 153 sera taken from 97 cats were used as serum samples. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed using whole FIV antigen and formalin treated whole FIV antigen, recombinant-gag (r-gag) antigen, and transmembrane (TM) peptide. Statistical analysis was performed using ELISA optical density (O.D.) values obtained with each antigen as variables. Except for the ELISA O.D. values obtained with r-gag antigen, a significant difference in ELISA O.D. values was observed between the vaccinated and the infected groups. However, it was not possible to distinguish both groups unequivocally. Using discriminant analysis, it was possible to distinguish the two groups with an accuracy of 97.1% with two discriminating variables (ELISA O.D. values obtained with formalin treated whole FIV antigen, and TM peptide), 97.8% with three discriminating variables (ELISA O.D. values obtained with whole FIV antigen, formalin treated whole FIV antigen, and TM peptide). Therefore, it was considered possible to distinguish cats vaccinated with Fel-O-Vax FIV from FIV-infected cats by ELISA using two types of antigens including formalin treated whole FIV antigen and TM peptide, or three types of antigens including formalin treated whole FIV antigen, TM peptide and whole FIV antigen.