Relationship between reservoir size and genetic differentiation of the stream caddisfly Stenopsyche marmorata

Reservoirs have the potential to block the gene flow of stream macroinvertebrates along a channel, which takes place via larval drift and adult flight, resulting in genetic differentiation above and below the reservoirs. Gene flow across the reservoirs may be strongly obstructed if the area of standing water is larger. Using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers, we investigated the genetic structure of Stenopsyche marmorata (Stenopsychidae: Trichoptera) populations found above and below the reservoirs, and the reference stream of six reservoirs with small to large water surface area ranging from 0.12 km² to 6.00 km². As a result, the two largest reservoirs with a standing water area larger than 3.27 km² showed significant differences in pairwise θ between fragmented and reference streams, whereas the other four reservoirs with a standing water area smaller than 1.64 km² showed insignificant differences. The genetic differentiations in the two largest reservoirs did not result in the reduction of genetic diversities in the fragments. Based on the significant correlation between relative population size and mean expected heterozygosity, we concluded that local genetic diversities were constrained in smaller populations due to the effect of genetic drift.     

基于三维激光扫描技术的粮食储量监测系统的设计与试验

为实现仓储粮储量在线实时监测,该研究开发了一种基于三维激光扫描技术的粮食储量在线监测系统。采用自主研制的倒置式粮仓专用型三维激光扫描仪对储粮进行扫描,通过上位机通讯、采集点云数据并控制扫描仪的工作过程,应用粮食体积计算软件实时计算储粮体积和数量,从而解决了仓储粮储量快速高精度监测的问题。使用该系统在中储粮某直属库进行系统验证试验,结果表明,测量得到的粮食体积满足最大误差不超过1%的技术指标,且经过多次试验检验,系统具有较好的稳定性、测量精度高、操作简便等优点,能够满足仓储粮储量监测的要求。该研究为实现仓储粮储量的快速实时在线监测提供了有效的方法。     

Induction of T cell anergy by the treatment with IL-10-treated dendritic cells

In order to apply for reducing graft versus host disease in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the study concerning the induction of specific T cell anergy was designed. Normal allogeneic lymphocytes, which were co-cultured with IL-10-treated immature dendritic cells in the first mixed leukocyte culture (MLC), were cultured with mature dendritic cells of the same origin as IL-10-treated immature dendritic cells in the second MLC. By co-culturing with IL-10-treated immature dendritic cells, the response of normal lymphocytes to mature dendritic cells cultured from the same individual as that of IL-10-treated dendritic cells was markedly reduced, compared with the lymphocytes cultured with non-treated dendritic cells or IL-10-treated dendritic cells from a third party individual. The present study demonstrated that antigen specific T cell anergy was generated by priming allogeneic lymphocytes with IL-10-treated immature dendritic cells. These data suggested the applicability of IL-10-treated recipient dendritic cells for the induction of recipient cell-specific donor T cell anergy in donor graft.     

Distribution of the pores of epithelial basement membrane in the rat small intestine

The distribution and diameter of the pores of epithelial basement membrane in the intestinal villi and the lymph nodules of ileal Peyer's patches were investigated in the rat small intestine by scanning electron microscopy after the removal of the overlying epithelial cells with OsO(4) maceration. In the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the pores were mainly distributed at the upper three fourths of the villi, but were scarce around the top of the villi. The diameter of some of the pores in the upper three fourths of the villi was larger than that of those in the lower portion. The protrusion of lymphocytes and the cytoplasmic processes of macrophages were also seen at the orifices of the pores. In ileal Peyer's patches, in contrast, pores were densely distributed in the lower one third of the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) where M cells were mainly seen. Furthermore, these pores were larger than those found in the upper two thirds. Lymphocytes or cytoplasmic processes of macrophages were frequently seen in the lower one third of FAE. These results suggest that the pores at the basement membrane correspond to the passage of the immunocompetent cells which are in contact with M cells or villous columnar epithelial cells and that the abundance of pores is a sign of aggressive interaction between the particular epithelial cells and the immunocompetent cells at the upper three fourths of intestinal villi and the lower one third of FAE in the rat small intestine.     

Identification of 4-methylspinaceamine, a pictet-spengler condensation reaction product of histamine with acetaldehyde, in fermented foods and its metabolite in human urine

Previous study demonstrated that 4-methylspinaceamine (4-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine), a Pictet-Spengler condensation reaction product of histamine with acetaldehyde, is present in human urine. The current study sought to determine whether 4-methylspinaceamine is present in fermented foods; its presence might be expected since both histamine and acetaldehyde are often present in these foods. Soy sauce, fish sauce, cheese, and shao hsing wine (Chinese wine) were found to contain 4-methylspinaceamine. The concentration of 4-methylspinaceamine excreted in human urine was greatly elevated after ingestion of a meal containing soy sauce as a dietary source of 4-methylspinaceamine, demonstrating that the level of 4-methylspinaceamine in human urine was affected by dietary foods. In addition, a metabolite of 4-methylspinaceamine in human urine was investigated. An enhanced peak in the HPLC chromatogram of human urine samples after ingestion of 4-methylspinaceamine-containing foods was observed. A peak at the same retention time was also observed from a human urine sample after administration of 4-methylspinaceamine, suggesting that the peak was due to a metabolite. By comparison with the newly synthesized authentic compound, the metabolite was identified as 1,4-dimethylspinaceamine.     

A survey of avian polyomavirus (APV) infection in imported and domestic bred psittacine birds in Japan

Although birds infected with avian polyomavirus (APV) subclinically could be a source of infection, no epidemiological studies of APV in psittacine birds have been reported in Japan. In the present study, we investigated subclinical morbidity rate of APV in imported and domestically bred psittacine birds by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of 402 live birds from which blood or feather samples were taken between April, 2003 and March, 2004, 11 (2.7%) were found to be APV positive. The DNA sequences of the APV t/T antigen region were determined for five APV-positive randomly selected samples and were found to be conserved.     

PKA implicated in the phosphorylation of Cx43 induced by stimulation with FSH in rat granulosa cells

Connexin 43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junctional communication in granulosa cells is crucial for germ line development and postnatal folliculogenesis. We previously showed that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promoted phosphorylation of Cx43 in rat primary granulosa cells. We further identified Ser365, Ser368, Ser369, and Ser373 in the carboxy-terminal tail as the major sites of phosphorylation by FSH, and found that the phosphorylation of these residues was essential for channel activity. In this study, we investigated the protein kinase(s) responsible for FSH-induced phosphorylation. H89, a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor, inhibited FSH-induced phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro, whereas PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, had little effect on the phosphorylation level. Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (PKC) appeared to negatively regulate phosphorylation. Phosphopeptide mapping with or without H89 treatment indicated that PKA could be responsible for phosphorylation of the four serine residues. In addition, the purified catalytic subunit of PKA could phosphorylate the recombinant C-terminal region of Cx43, but not the variant in which all four serine residues were substituted with alanine. These results suggest that FSH positively regulates Cx43-mediated channel formation and activity through phosphorylation of specific sites by PKA.     

The oral administration of thermophile-fermented compost extract and its influence on stillbirths and growth rate of pre-weaning piglets

Food produced via fermentation with mesophilic bacteria has been used to confer health benefits. In contrast, mammalian physiological responses to the intake of thermophile-fermented products have not been thoroughly investigated. We examined the effects of administering a compost extract consisting of fermented marine animals with thermophiles, including Bacillaceae, to pregnant sows and piglets. Retrospective studies were performed on two different swine farms (n=330-1050 sows). The rate of stillbirth was markedly lower in all parities of the compost extract-fed group compared to those of the control group (p≦0.001). Additionally, the birth to weaning period of newborns was significantly shorter (p<0.0001), while the ratio of weanlings per liveborn piglets was increased by more than 6.5% in the compost extract-fed group. Thus thermophiles and their products in the compost extract might promote growth and reduce stillbirths of piglets during the birth to weaning period.