Serotonin derivatives, major safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed antioxidants, inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The effects of defatted safflower seed extract and its phenolic constituents, serotonin derivatives, on atherosclerosis were studied. Ethanol-ethyl acetate extract of safflower seeds (SSE) inhibited low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation induced in vitro by an azo-containing free-radical initiator V70 or copper ions. Two serotonin derivatives [N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin, CS; N-feruloylserotonin, FS] and their glucosides were identified as the major phenolic constituents of the extract. The study with chemically synthesized materials revealed that a majority of the antioxidative activity of SSE was attributable to the aglycones of these two serotonin derivatives. Orally administered CS and FS suppressed CuSO(4)-induced plasma oxidation ex vivo. Long-term (15 week) dietary supplementation of SSE (1.0 wt %/wt) and synthetic serotonin derivatives (0.2-0.4%) significantly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic sinus of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (29.2-79.7% reduction). The plasma level of both lipid peroxides and anti-oxidized LDL autoantibody titers decreased concomitantly with the reduction of lesion formation. Serotonin derivatives were detected as both intact and conjugated metabolites in the plasma of C57BL/6J mice fed on 1.0% SSE diet. These findings demonstrate that serotonin derivatives of SSE are absorbed into circulation and attenuate atherosclerotic lesion development possibly because of the inhibition of oxidized LDL formation through their strong antioxidative activity.     

Fluorous nanodroplets structurally confined in an organopalladium sphere

The distinct properties of fluorous phases are practically useful for separation, purification, and reaction control in organic synthesis. Here, we report the formation of a liquid-like fluorous droplet, composed of 24 perfluoroalkyl chains confined in the interior of a 5-nanometer-sized, roughly spherical shell that spontaneously assembled in solution from 12 palladium ions and 24 bridging ligands. Crystallographic analysis confirmed the rigid shell framework and amorphous interior. Perfluoroalkanes can dissolve in this well-defined fluorous phase, whereas they can hardly dissolve in a surrounding polar organic solution, and their solubility (up to approximately eight perfluoroalkane molecules per spherical complex) can be finely controlled by tuning the length of perfluoroalkyl chains tethered to the shell.     

Evaluation of the effects of five QTL regions on Fusarium head blight resistance and agronomic traits in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions for resistance to FHB and estimate their effects on reducing FHB damage to wheat in Hokkaido, northern Japan. We examined 233 F₁-derived doubled-haploid (DH) lines from a cross between ‘Kukeiharu 14’ and ‘Sumai 3’ to determine their reaction to FHB during two seasons under field conditions. The DH lines were genotyped at five known FHB-resistance QTL regions (on chromosomes 3BS, 5AS, 6BS, 2DL and 4BS) by using SSR markers. ‘Sumai 3’ alleles at the QTLs at 3BS and 5AS effectively reduced FHB damage in the environment of Hokkaido, indicating that these QTLs will be useful for breeding spring wheat cultivars suitable for Hokkaido. Some of the QTL regions influenced agronomic traits: ‘Sumai 3’ alleles at the 4BS and 5AS QTLs significantly increased stem length and spike length, that at the 2DL QTL significantly decreased grain weight, and that at the 6BS QTL significantly delayed heading, indicating pleiotropic or linkage effects between these agronomic traits and FHB resistance.     

Traits of shattering resistant buckwheat ‘W/SK86GF’

Seed shattering is a significant problem with buckwheat, especially at harvesting time. Several reports have shown that a green-flower mutant of buckwheat, such as W/SK86GF, has a strong pedicel. Although a strong pedicel may provide some resistance to shattering in the field, no study has thoroughly examined this issue. In this paper, we demonstrate that a W/SK86GF has shattering resistance by comparing the degrees of shattering of W/SK86GF and Kitawasesoba (leading variety of Hokkaido with non-green-flower traits) through a test for four years, including a typhoon hit year in the field. In a non-typhoon year, the shattering seed ratio (shattering seed weight/(yield + shattering seed weight) × 100) of W/SK86GF at maturing time +15 days (+15D) was lower than that of Kitawasesoba. In a typhoon hit year, the shattering seed ratios of Kitawasesoba at maturing time and +15D were surprisingly high, 14.4 and 21.1%, respectively. On the other hand, those of W/SK86GF were only 3.08% and 2.57%, respectively; indicating W/SK86GF is promising as a shattering resistant line even in a typhoon hit year. From these results, shattering resistance of W/SK86GF can be evaluated after maturing time such as +15D and pedicel strength would confer W/SK86GF a shattering resistant trait.     

Comparison of the prevalence of Salmonella infection in layer hens from commercial layer farms with high and low rodent densities

A comparison on the prevalence of Salmonella infection in layer hens from commercial layer farms with high and low rodent densities was investigated. Out of 280 laying hens sampled from three commercial layer farms with high rodent densities, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) was isolated from 20 (7.14%) hens and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (Salmonella Infantis) from three (1.07%) hens. In contrast, layer hens sampled from four commercial layer farms with low rodent densities were negative for any salmonellae. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in the isolation rates of Salmonella from various organs of infected layer hens were also noted. For Salmonella Enteritidis, liver (55.0%) and the oviduct (55.0%) had the highest isolation rates while all Salmonella Infantis isolates were from the oviduct. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of BlnI-digested chromosomal DNA of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from layer hens and rodents showed similar patterns. PFGE analysis of Salmonella Infantis isolated from layer hens, rodents, eggs, and the environment yielded identical patterns. In this study, the significantly higher prevalence rate (P < 0.05) of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Infantis in layer hens from high rodent density farms could be attributed to the high rodent population density. The persistent Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Infantis infection inside layer houses may have been amplified by the increasing numbers in the rodent population over the years, which increased the opportunity for environment-rodent-chicken interaction and the transmission of salmonellae to chickens. Monitoring of salmonellae from rodents inside poultry premises is recommended to be an effective additional tool in the assessment of the Salmonella status of layer flocks.     

Significance of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in spontaneous canine mammary gland tumor: 140 cases

The numbers of tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells were evaluated in an immunohistochemical manner in 140 canine spontaneous mammary gland tumor (MGT) tissues. As a result, we found a statistically significant increase in the number of intratumoral T lymphocytes (23.2 ± 23.8) in the malignant MGT group (n=51) compared with the benign MGT group (14.0 ± 16.0, n=89; P<0.05). Moreover, the high T lymphocyte infiltration in the malignant group correlated with poor prognosis in multivariate analysis (P<0.05). This study indicated the relationship between increased infiltrating T lymphocytes and canine MGT malignancy.     

A retrospective study of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Medical records of dogs with colorectal polyps were retrospectively reviewed, and clinical presentation of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds was evaluated. Of 33 dogs found to have colorectal polyps, miniature dachshunds were markedly over-represented with 16 dogs (48%), of which 12 (75%) were found to have inflammatory polyps. Multiple polyps localized between the rectum and the descending colon was the most common finding in miniature dachshunds with inflammatory polyps. Twenty dogs (80%) out of 25 miniature dachshunds with inflammatory colorectal polyps responded to immunosuppressive therapy using prednisolone and cyclosporine. The results of this study indicate that miniature dachshunds are predisposed to develop inflammatory colorectal multiple polyps, for which immunosuppressive therapy may be a treatment option.     

Comparison of behavioral effects of morphine and fentanyl in dogs and cats

Behavioral effects induced by intravenous administration of morphine at 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 μg/kg and fentanyl at 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/kg were evaluated in dogs and cats. In dogs, fentanyl and morphine depressed activity and level of consciousness in a dose- dependant manner. In cats, higher doses of fentanyl stimulated activity temporarily, but excitement, so-called "opioid mania," was not observed. Morphine induced distinctive behavioral changes characterized by sitting with fixed staring, and "opioid mania" was not observed in cats.     

Remote sensing analysis of forest damage by selection logging in the Kabaung Reserved Forest, Bago Mountains, Myanmar

Selection logging is a principal management scheme in natural teak-bearing forests in Myanmar. Monitoring the spatial extent and intensity of selection logging is important for sustainable forest management. This study applied the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) image differencing method using two SPOT-5 pan-sharpened images (2.5 m spatial resolution) taken in October 2007 and January 2009 to analyze canopy changes associated with damage from forest harvesting. According to the pixel-based analysis, NDVI changes were larger in most logging road/log landing points whereas smaller NDVI changes were seen in most unlogged points. NDVI changes in teak stump areas were related to distance from a logging road and the number of stumps within the estimated crown area (a circular area with a 10 m radius from the center of each stump). A Fisher’s exact test showed that one of the main factors causing the high NDVI change in teak stump areas was the effect of road construction. The distribution pattern of teak stumps indicated that teak stumps with estimated crown areas that contained more than one stump had high mean change in NDVI. The spectral difference between before and after logging revealed that logging roads had a greater effect on canopy changes than teak stumps.     

Interannual variability of net ecosystem production for a broadleaf deciduous forest in Sapporo, northern Japan

To estimate net ecosystem production (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R _E), and gross primary production (GPP), and to elucidate the interannual variability of NEP in a cool temperate broadleaf deciduous forest in Sapporo, northern Japan, we measured net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using an eddy covariance technique with a closed-path infrared gas analyzer from 2000 to 2003. NEP, R _E, and GPP were derived from NEE, and data gaps were filled using empirical regression models with meteorological variables such as photosynthetic active radiation and soil temperature. In general, NEP was positive (CO₂ uptake) from May to September, either positive or negative in October, and negative (CO₂ release) from November to the following April. NEP rapidly increased during leaf expansion in May and reached its maximum in June or July. The four-year averages (±?standard deviation) of annual NEP, GPP, and R _E were 443?±?45, 1,374?±?39, and 931?±?11?g?C?m^?2?year^?1, respectively. The lower annual NEP and GPP in 2000 may have been caused by lower solar radiation in the foliated season. During the foliated season, monthly GPP varied from year to year more than monthly R _E. Variations in the amount of incoming solar radiation may have caused the interannual variations in the monthly GPP. Additionally, in May, the timing of leaf expansion had a large impact on GPP. Variations in GPP affected the interannual variation in NEP at our site. Thus, interannual variation in NEP was affected by the incoming solar radiation and the timing of leaf expansion.