Decomposition behavior of woody biomass in water-added supercritical methanol

The chemical conversion of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) in water-added supercritical methanol was studied for a wide range of water content using a batch-type reaction vessel to obtain chemicals from lignocellulosics. It was consequently found that addition of water enhanced the decomposition of wood cell wall components; cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. In cases of high water content, however, it resulted in low solubility of lignin-derived products causing an increase in the mass of the residue. The water content was thus optimized to be around 10% (v/v) for the decomposition of wood. Concomitantly, the yields and selectivity of the chemicals from wood could be regulated by the addition of water, especially for the lignin-derived products. As a result, the monomeric compounds of lignin, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol, were recovered as their γ-methyl ethers in the presence of water in higher yields than those obtained without addition of water.     

Genetic and morphologic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinochloa crus-galli</Emphasis> populations from different origins

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (barnyardgrass) is an annual weed that is native to Asia and found throughout the world. The broad ecological tolerance and competitive ability of E. crus-galli makes it the most important weed species in rice. Genetic studies of plants are becoming increasingly common because reliable information is necessary to better understand population dynamics, occurrence of herbicide resistance, and demographic data. Echinochloa crus-galli populations from 34 different locations in Turkey were compared with respect to morphological differences and genetic variation. For morphological variation, five seeds of each population were sown in pots and grown in a screenhouse using a randomized block design. Morphological parameters such as germination speed, flowering time, leaf area, plant height, spikelet length, above-ground biomass, root dry weight and number of seeds were measured. Distinct differences among populations with respect to hierarchical cluster analysis were observed. Genetic variations among populations were performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The seven RAPD primers amplified 55 bands whose molecular weight varied between 200 and 4000 bp. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 74.54%. Results showed high morphological and genetic variability among individual genotypes within geographic locations. Phenotypic and genetic variability among E. crus-galli populations would be influenced by agricultural practices, crop characteristics, geographic location and herbicide pressure. Differences between weed populations may affect response to chemical or biological control.     

Effects of Short-Term High Carbohydrate or Fat Intakes on Leptin, Growth Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Secretions in Prepubertal Fat-Tailed Tuj Lambs

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of high carbohydrate or fat diets, fed for 15 days at the end of breeding season, on leptin, GH and LH secretions in prepubertal fat‐tailed Tuj lambs. For that purpose, 9‐month‐old ram‐lambs were divided into three groups as control group (fed with basal ration, n = 4), high carbohydrate (HC) group, basal ration plus barley, n = 4), or high fat (HF) group (basal ration plus by‐pass fat, n = 4). For the measurement of leptin and GH, blood plasma samples were collected on days 1, 4, 9 and 14 of the experiment. For the measurement of LH pulse frequency, serial blood samples were collected every 15 min for 6 h on day 14. Lambs were weighed and body condition scored (BCS) on days 1 and 15. Body weight and BCS increased towards the end of the study (p < 0.05). The BCS was higher in high energy groups at the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). Diet affected plasma leptin concentrations (p = 0.002) but time did not. The GH concentrations were not affected by diet or time. The LH pulse frequency appeared to be higher in HC and HF groups but there were no statistical difference between the groups. There was a significant positive relationship between overall BCS and corresponding leptin concentrations (R² = 0.263; p = 0.010) and between LH pulse frequency and leptin concentrations (R² = 0.594; p = 0.003). In conclusion, the present study suggests that rather than type of energy, amount of energy intake and body energy reserves are much important regulators of plasma leptin concentrations and LH pulse frequency in fat‐tailed Tuj lambs.     

Photodynamic hyperthermal therapy with indocyanine green (ICG) induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in B16F10 murine melanoma cells

We examined the effects of photodynamic hyperthemal therapy (PHT), which is a combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and hyperthermia (HT), on the apoptosis and cell cycle progression of murine melanoma B16F10 cells. The percentage of apoptotic cell was determined by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) double staining. The cell cycle analysis was performed by PI staining with flow cytometry. The expression of cyclins and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) were examined by a Western blotting analysis. PHT induces death in B16F10 cells, and PHT-mediated apoptosis occurred acutely and persistently in vitro. Our study demonstrated that PHT using indocyanine green (ICG) and near infrared (NIR) light source induces apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in the B16F10 cells.     

Glycosylated Porphyra-334 and Palythine-Threonine from the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are water-soluble UV-absorbing pigments, and structurally different MAAs have been identified in eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria. In this study novel glycosylated MAAs were found in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune (N. commune). An MAA with an absorption maximum at 334 nm was identified as a hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative with a molecular mass of 508 Da. Another MAA with an absorption maximum at 322 nm was identified as a two hexose-bound palythine-threonine derivative with a molecular mass of 612 Da. These purified MAAs have radical scavenging activities in vitro, which suggests multifunctional roles as sunscreens and antioxidants. The 612-Da MAA accounted for approximately 60% of the total MAAs and contributed approximately 20% of the total radical scavenging activities in a water extract, indicating that it is the major water-soluble UV-protectant and radical scavenger component. The hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative and the glycosylated palythine-threonine derivatives were found in a specific genotype of N. commune, suggesting that glycosylated MAA patterns could be a chemotaxonomic marker for the characterization of the morphologically indistinguishable N. commune. The glycosylation of porphyra-334 and palythine-threonine in N. commune suggests a unique adaptation for terrestrial environments that are drastically fluctuating in comparison to stable aquatic environments.     

Spontaneous Malignant T Cell Lymphoma in a Young Male Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

We histopathologically and immunohistochemically investigated a case of malignant lymphoma that spontaneously developed in a male common marmoset at two years of age. Beginning at two years four months of age, the animal had an enlargement of the submandibular and inguinal lymph nodes, small subcutaneous nodules near the right breast and an approximately fivefold increase in peripheral lymphocyte count compared with the previous examination value. The postmortem findings at two years eight months of age showed lymphadenopathy with enlargement of the thymus and spleen. Small- to intermediate-sized neoplastic lymphocytes had diffusely proliferated in the enlarged nodes. The neoplastic cells were pleomorphic and had irregularly shaped nuclei. The nuclear chromatin staining revealed hyperchromatism in the small-sized cells, and the intermediate-sized cells exhibited vesicular staining. An immunohistochemical examination indicated that the neoplastic lymphocytes were positive for CD3 and negative for CD20, thus suggesting that they had originated from T cells. In addition, the proliferation of high endothelial venules and reactive epithelioid histiocytes was observed. Scattered tingible body-laden macrophages were infrequently detected. Neoplastic lymphocytes were also observed in the thymus, spleen, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and femoral and sternal bone marrow. This malignant lymphoma in a young male common marmoset was considered to fit the category of “peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS)” according to the new WHO system of classification.     

The contribution of agricultural practices to nitrous oxide emissions in semi-arid Mali

The yield and flux of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emitted from continuous cereals (with and without urea), legumes/cereal in rotation and cereal/legume in rotation all with or without organic manure was monitored from January 2004 to February 2005. All treatments except continuous cereals had phosphate added. The cereal grown July–October in 2003 and 2004 was pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum) and the legume was a bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ). The 10 m × 10 m plots were established in a semi-arid climate in Mali. The addition of organic manure and both inorganic fertilizers increased yield and N₂O emissions. Continuous cereals treated with both organic manure and urea emitted significantly less N₂O (882 g N/ha per year) than plots receiving no organic manure(1535 g N/ha per year). Growing N-fixing crops in rotation did not significantly increase N₂O emissions. This study supports the new practice of growing cereal and legumes in rotation as an environmentally sustainable system in semi-arid Mali.     

Serotypes and electrophoretic protein profiles of Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from pneumonic ovine lungs.

Serotypes and SDS-PAGE protein profiles of P. haemolytica isolated from pneumonic ovine lungs were investigated. Of 268 P. haemolytica isolates, 232 (86.6%) were serotypable. A total of 12 serotypes were recognized in 20 different geographic origins of central Turkey. The most common serotype was A2, followed by A7, A1 and T4. Serotypes A13, A14, A16 and T15 could not be detected. In SDS-PAGE, marked differences between major bands of biotype A and T strains were found. In numerical analysis of protein profiles, biotype A and T strains were separated at 58% similarity level. Biotype A isolates produced a cluster at 80% similarity level, and biotype T isolates at 92% similarity level. No single cut off level was able to discriminate between each serotype studied and isolates could not be clustered on the basis of their geographic origins.     

Computerized digital image processing on radiographs of canine filariosis.

For objective evaluation in the lung arterial lesions, density histogram revealed by survey thoracic radiographies of fifteen canine filariosis and five normal canine were digitally analyzed, and preparation of pulmonary artery angiogram with inflated-fixed lung, the changes in the histogram and the pulmonary arterial lesion by a soft x-ray examination were compared. In the lung areas affected by filariosis, the density histogram increased the white level and decreased the black level in each part compared to a normal lung. In comparison with the normal parameters, those of the filariosis it were significantly increased in minimum grey level values (Min), maximum grey level values (Max), and the maximum frequency grey level values (Mode) and, it was significantly decreased in maximum frequency values (MaF). The pulmonary arterial lesion of the filariosis showed obvious morphological changes such as in distinction, pruning, angiectasis, and meandering. In the grade of pulmonary arterial lesion, the parameter Min, Max, Mode and MaF were changed significantly. From these results, it was clear that the methods for the lung arterial lesions analysis of x-ray images were confirmed to be highly beneficial in the lung arterial lesions for objective diagnosis.