Population structure of pigs determined by single nucleotide polymorphisms observed in assembled expressed sequence tags

We have collected more than 190 000 porcine expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from full‐length complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries and identified more than 2800 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this study, we tentatively chose 222 SNPs observed in assembled ESTs to study pigs of different breeds; 104 were selected by comparing the cDNA sequences of a Meishan pig and samples of three‐way cross pigs (Landrace, Large White, and Duroc: LWD), and 118 were selected from LWD samples. To evaluate the genetic variation between the chosen SNPs from pig breeds, we determined the genotypes for 192 pig samples (11 pig groups) from our DNA reference panel with matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Of the 222 reference SNPs, 186 were successfully genotyped. A neighbor‐joining tree showed that the pig groups were classified into two large clusters, namely, Euro‐American and East Asian pig populations. F‐statistics and the analysis of molecular variance of Euro‐American pig groups revealed that approximately 25% of the genetic variations occurred because of intergroup differences. As the F_IS values were less than the F_ST values_, the clustering, based on the Bayesian inference, implied that there was strong genetic differentiation among pig groups and less divergence within the groups in our samples.     

Intrafiber distribution of aluminum components in alum-treated handsheets

The distribution of aluminum components in cross sections of pulp fibers for alum-treated handsheets was successfully measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. In this case, gas-phase osmium coating of paper samples is necessary for the samples to have improved stability to long-term irradiation by electron beams at high magnification during the SEM-EDX measurements. The EDX line-analysis method was superior to the elemental mapping image method in the quantification of aluminum components. According to the SEM-EDX measurement for handsheets prepared from a pulp suspension by adding 2% (on dry weight of pulp) aluminum sulfate, the aluminum components were distributed almost homogeneously in the cross sections of pulp fibers. Aluminum species with smaller sizes than those of A1(OH)₃ flocs could probably penetrate the pulp fibers. Thus, aluminum components present only at the pulp fiber surfaces may contribute to retention of colloidal substances in pulp suspensions. From this aspect, a large amount of aluminum components present in the inside pulp fibers may be wasted.This report was presented at the 49th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Tokyo, April 1997     

Retention behavior of size and aluminum components in handsheets prepared in rosin soap size-alum systems

Handsheets were prepared with rosin soap size and aluminum sulfate under various conditions, and the retention behavior of the rosin size and aluminum components in the handsheets was studied. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography and X-ray fluorescence analysis were used to determine the size and aluminum contents in the handsheets, respectively. When the addition level of rosin soap size varied from 0% to 4% and that of aluminum sulfate was fixed at 2%, the rosin size content increased with the increase in the size addition level, whereas aluminum and calcium contents were roughly constant. Under these conditions, handsheets prepared from fines-free pulp had aluminum contents less than those for the original beaten pulp, probably because the former pulp had a carboxyl content less than that of the latter pulp. Not only the conventional rosin retention mechanism but also mechanism proposed below must exist in the rosin soap size-alum systems. That is, some aluminum compounds originating from aluminum sulfate are adsorbed on pulp fibers immediately after the aluminum sulfate addition. These adsorbed aluminum compounds form cationic sites on pulp fibers, and free rosin acid components with anionic charges are then adsorbed onto the cationic sites of pulp fibers at the wet-end.This research was presented in part at the 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kumamoto, April 1996     

Functional changes of the LH-immunoreactive cells in adenohypophysis of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from rivers contaminated with estrogenic chemicals

The adverse effect of estrogenic chemicals on luteinizing hormone-immunoreactive (LH-ir) cells in the adenohypophysis of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined using immunocytochemical and morphometric methods. Adult male fish were collected from two contaminated sites (Ishizu and Wada Rivers) and from a control pond at Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Research Center of Osaka Prefecture. The concentration of nonylphenol, bisphenol A and 17beta-estradiol in the Ishizu River was 3-4 times higher than that in the Wada River. The proportion and size of LH-ir cells were evaluated using the point-counting method by optical microscopy. In control carp, the proportion of LH-ir cells in the breeding season was significantly lower than in the pre- and post-breeding seasons. The same tendency was also found in Ishizu and Wada River carp, but without statistical significance. The proportion of LH-ir cells in Ishizu River carp was significantly lower than that of the control and the Wada River in all seasons. The LH-ir cells in control carp increased in size in the breeding season. LH-ir cells in Ishizu River carp were significantly (p<0.05) smaller than those in control fish, but not different from Wada River carp. A disturbance in the secretory function of LH-ir cells was found in carp from the Ishizu River; granulation and vacuolation were not in synchronization with those of control and Wada River fish. Our data suggest that the estrogenic chemicals in the Ishizu River interfere with functions of LH-ir cells directly or through the testis.     

Pentosan polysulfate regulates hepcidin expression in native Mongolian horses

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-hepcidin effect of pentosan polysulfate (PPS) in Mongolian horses. Twenty-six healthy horses were randomly allocated in to two-groups; one group was treated with a PPS once a week for 4-weeks while another group keeping as placebo. Blood samples at day 0 (D0), before race (BR; day 28) and after race (AR; day 28) were analyzed for serum biochemistry, hepcidin and iron concentrations. Significant reduction of hepcidin was observed at AR in PPS group when compared with BR placebo (P<0.05) and AR placebo (P<0.01). Mean hepcidin concentration difference of D0-BR and BR-AR in PPS was greater than the placebo whereas the iron concentration difference is reduced compared to placebo. Results indicate a novel therapeutic application of PPS as an anti-hepcidin compound to control hepcidin in horses while emphasizing further molecular studies.