Cloning of estrogen receptor-β cDNA of common Japanese conger Conger myriaster and expression of the gene during oocyte development

ABSTRACT:   Estrogen receptor (ER) cDNA was cloned from the liver of common Japanese conger Conger myriaster . Common Japanese conger ER cDNA contains 2543 nucleotides including an open reading frame that encodes 596 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 66.1 kDa. The deduced amino-acid sequence of the common Japanese conger ER shares 85% identity with that of eel Anguilla japonica ER-β, and 39–46% and 53–59% identity with the deduced sequences of ER-α and ER-β of other species, respectively. In a phylogenetic analysis, the common Japanese conger ER was found to cluster with the ER-β of other species. The common Japanese conger ER-β also has six domains (A–F), which are conserved in the nuclear receptor superfamily. The amino-acid sequences in the C and E domains were highly conserved between common Japanese conger ER-β and other ER. However, the other domains showed low homology. In the female common Japanese conger, ER-β mRNA was highly expressed in the liver and pituitary gland. The expression levels of the ER-β gene increased from the oil droplet stage to the primary yolk globule stage and were maintained until the migratory nucleus stage.     

Oral antibiotics enhance antibody responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin in orally but not muscularly immunized chickens

Recent studies have emphasized the crucial role of gut microbiota in triggering and modulating immune response. We aimed to determine whether the modification of gut microbiota by oral co‐administration of two antibiotics, ampicillin and neomycin, would lead to changes in the antibody response to antigens in chickens. Neonatal chickens were given or not given ampicillin and neomycin (0.25 and 0.5 g/L, respectively) in drinking water. At 2 weeks of age, the chicks were muscularly or orally immunized with antigenic keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and then serum anti‐KLH antibody levels were examined by ELISA. In orally immunized chicks, oral antibiotics treatment enhanced antibody responses (IgM, IgA, IgY) by 2–3‐fold compared with the antibiotics‐free control, while the antibiotics did not enhance antibody responses in the muscularly immunized chicks. Concomitant with their enhancement of antibody responses, the oral antibiotics also lowered the Lactobacillus species in feces. Low doses of antibiotics (10‐fold and 100‐fold lower than the initial trial), which failed to change the fecal Lactobacillus population, did not modify any antibody responses when chicks were orally immunized with KLH. In conclusion, oral antibiotics treatment enhanced the antibody response to orally exposed antigens in chickens. This enhancement of antibody response was associated with a modification of the fecal Lactobacillus content, suggesting a possible link between gut microbiota and antibody response in chickens.     

Domestication and cereal feeding developed domestic pig‐type intestinal microbiota in animals of suidae

Intestinal microbiota are characterized by host‐specific microorganisms, which have been selected through host‐microbe interactions under phylogenetic evolution and transition of feeding behavior by the host. Although many studies have focused on disease‐related intestinal microbiota, the origin and evolution of host‐specific intestinal microbiota have not been well elucidated. Pig is the ideal mammal model to reveal the origin and evolution of host‐specific intestinal microbiota because their direct wild ancestor and close phylogenetic neighbors are available for comparison. The pig has been recognized as a Lactobacillus‐type animal. We analyzed the intestinal microbiota of various animals in Suidae: domestic pigs, wild boars and Red river hogs to survey the origin and evolution of Lactobacillus‐dominated intestinal microbiota by metagenomic approach and following quantitative PCR confirmation. The metagenomic datasets were separated in two clusters; the wild animal cluster being characterized by a high abundance of Bifidobacterium, whereas the domesticated (or captured) animal cluster by Lactobacillus. In addition, Enterobacteriaceae were harbored as the major family only in domestic Sus scrofa. We conclude that domestication may have induced a larger Enterobacteriaceae population in pigs, and the introduction of modern feeding system further caused the development of Lactobacillus‐dominated intestinal microbiota, with genetic and geographical factors possibly having a minor impact.     

A canine case with cystic meningioma showing miraculous reduction of the cystic lesion

A 12-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever was presented with forebrain signs. Brain MRI revealed a huge cystic lesion with the thickened falx in the frontal region. The brain parenchyma surrounding the lesion showed significant signs of a mass effect and also increased intracranial pressure. However, the dog suddenly became lucid after about two weeks, and an MRI scan one month after the initial study revealed a dramatically shrunken cystic lesion. The dog survived for over a year until it was euthanized for other reasons, and the brain lesion was diagnosed as a cystic meningioma histologically. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report that described the reduction of the cystic lesion of a cystic meningioma in dogs.     

A preliminary investigation on microstructural characteristics of interfacial zone between cement and exploded wood fiber strand by using SEM-EDS

The hydration behavior and strength performance of cement mixed with exploded wood fiber strand (WFS) obtained by the water-vapor explosion process have been studied previously. In the current study, the microstructural characteristics of cement–exploded WFS interfacial zone were examined using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The Ca/Si ratios at the interfacial zones and the elemental compositions of hydration products deposited in the tracheid lumen were investigated. In addition, the morphological differences and compositional variations of hydration products that developed on the wood surfaces were examined. The results revealed that the Ca/Si ratios at the interfacial zones were strongly influenced by the mixture compositions, and that the elemental compositions of the hydration products that filled the tracheid lumen were significantly different from those of the cement paste in the mixtures. Differences in morphology and composition of hydration products at the wood surfaces were also observed to correspond to the different mixture compositions. These characteristics are considered to be directly related to the bond property, and thus, to the mechanical performance of WCM.Part of this report was presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Fukuoka, March 2003     

Horizontal distribution of stolons of a temperate lianaWisteria floribunda DC. and its ecological significance

The spatial distribution of stolons ofWisteria floribunda DC. was investigated, and the ecological significance of clonal growth of this temperate liana is discussed. The study plot (0.15 ha) was located in a secondary deciduous broad-leaved forest dominated byQuercus serrata in central Japan. The tree canopy was almost closed with a mean openness of 4.2%.W. floribunda was dominant among lianas accounting for 86% of their total basal area.W. floribunda stolons of three individuals branched numerous times and intersected among individuals, and showed a large horizontal “web-like” extension on the ground. The total length of stolons was 66.0, 260.2, and 310.6 m, respectively, for each individual. A mean of 25 ramets were established on stolons per individual, and one-third of the ramets obtained a host tree. These results suggested that the expansion of stolons was effective in obtaining host trees forW. floribunda individuals. On the other hand, clonal growth ofW. floribunda did not always contribute to vertical growth of ramets in the study forest, since few ramets reached the forest canopy. Lack of sub-canopy trees in this forest appeared to constrain the vertical growth ofW. floribunda ramets, since sub-canopy trees are thought to bridge lianas from smaller trees to canopy trees.     

Development of room-temperature curing aqueous emulsion-type acrylic adhesive II: effect of monomer composition on the final adhesive strength

In a series of studies, development of a new aqueous emulsion-type adhesive for use with wood or paper, which does not release formaldehyde or volatile organic solvents, was attempted. For the purpose of increasing both initial and final adhesive strengths, we selected a system consisting of acrylic monomers copolymerized with functional monomers such as diacetone acrylamide and some cross-linking agents such as dihydrazide or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). It was found that dihydrazide cross-linker was effective for both the initial and final adhesive strengths, suggesting contribution of hydrazone bonds to the bonding strengths. Cross-linking with pMDI might be slow and was not important in the initial bonding. However, its cross-linking effect might develop gradually, because the adhesive showed good final strengths using pMDI as a cross-linker.     

Preparation of polyols from methyl-α-d-glucoside and cyclic esters for design and fabrication of biodegradable polyurethane foams

A ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters -caprolactone (CL) and/or l-lactide (LACD) was carried out in the presence of methyl--d-glucoside (m-Glc) as an activated substrate and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnEht₂) as a catalyst. This led to successful synthesis of an armed polyester polyol with m-Glc as the core. These polyols were characterized through gel permeation chromatography, hydroxyl value assessment, differential scanning calorimetry, and viscosity measurements. It was clarified that the thermal properties and tractability of the synthesized polyols are closely related to the structural characteristics of the side chain polyesters, such as their length and chemical composition. Polyurethane foams were also prepared by mixing an appropriate amount of the polyols with diphenyl methane diisocyanate, a foaming agent (water), and other additives, and their mechanical properties were examined. Two polyurethane foams manufactured from polycaprolactone-polyols that were synthesized at a CL/m-Glc ratio of 2 or 5, were used in a biodegradation test in a closed system of activated sludge suspension. Evidence of their biodegradation is presented based on data showing oxygen consumption by the pulverized samples.     

Gentan probability analysis with a state-dependent discrete forest growth model

The previous stochastic models applied for Gentan probability estimation utilized either a stationary or nonstationary Poisson process to describe the forest owners’ harvesting behavior by means of the counting process. A nonstationary Poisson process has the advantage over a stationary Poisson process of capturing a time-dependent change of harvesting events. However, a nonstationary Poisson process can lack one preferred characteristic of the probability theory when utilizing an average growth function with an asymptotic nature of growth. That is, the sum of the derived Gentan probabilities over time does not always become unity. In this paper, we introduce a state-dependent discrete forest growth model with an asymptotic nature of growth to overcome the problem, then propose a stochastic model applied for Gentan probability estimation. The Mitscherlich type growth function is utilized. The derived probability law to capture the harvesting behavior is shown to be the binomial probability law. The derived probabilities prove to sum up to unity over time.     

Biosynthesis of (+)-syringaresinol inLiriodendron tulipifera I: feeding experiments withl-[U-14C]phenylalanine and [8-14C]sinapyl alcohol

To clarify the biosynthesis of syringyl lignans and lignan formation by stereoselective coupling of monolignols, formation of (+)-syringaresinol and (+)-pinoresinol inLiriodendron tulipifera were investigated by means of feeding experiments. Following individual administration ofl-[U-¹⁴C]phenylalanine and [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol to excised shoots ofL. tulipifera and their subsequent metabolism for 3h, free [¹⁴C] lignans and [¹⁴C] lignan glucosides were extracted from both of the stems and leaves with methanol and divided into an ether fraction and an aqueous one, respectively. The glucosides were hydrolyzed by a combination of cellulase and-glucosidase to liberate [¹⁴C]lignans as aglycones.l-[U-¹⁴C]Phenylalanine was incorporated into free (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol and its glucosides; the (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinols in the stems and leaves had 52% enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) and 42% e.e., respectively; and the (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol aglycones from the glucosides in the stems and leaves had 20% e.e. and 22% e.e., respectively. Furthermore, [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol was incorporated into (+)-[¹⁴C]syringaresinol and its glucosides in the stems. These results suggest that the (+)-enantiomer of syringaresinol was enantioselectively formed from two molecules of sinapyl alcohol inL. tulipifera followed by transformation into the (+)-syringaresinol glucosides, accompanying the formation of racemic syringaresinol by nonselective coupling and the subsequent transformation of the racemate into their glucosides.l-[U-¹⁴C]Phenylalanine was incorporated also into free (+)-[¹⁴C]pinoresinol and its glucosides with 12%–42% e.e.Part of this paper was presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April 1997