Feasibility of radial and circumferential strain analysis using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in cats

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of strain analysis using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in cats and to evaluate STE variables in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Sixteen clinically healthy cats and 17 cats with HCM were used. Radial and circumferential strain and strain rate variables in healthy cats were measured using STE to assess the feasibility. Comparisons of global strain and strain variables between healthy cats and cats with HCM were performed. Segmental assessments of left ventricle (LV) wall for strain and strain rate variables in cats with HCM were also performed. As a result, technically adequate images were obtained in 97.6% of the segments for STE analysis. Sedation using buprenorphine and acepromazine did not affect any global strain nor strain rate variable. In LV segments of cats with HCM, reduced segmental radial strain and strain rate variables had significantly related with segmental LV hypertrophy. It is concluded that STE analysis using short axis images of LV appeared to be clinically feasible in cats, having the possibility to be useful for detecting myocardial dysfunctions in cats with diseased heart.     

First Report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pepper mottle virus</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> in Japan

Pepper mottle virus, genus Potyvirus, was first identified in Japan based on particle morphology, host range, aphid transmission, and molecular classification using the nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene and 3-untranslated region.     

Abstracts of Nippon Dojohiryogaku Zasshi

Soil profiles with different vegetation, developed on igneous rock-derived areas in Northern Kyushu have been sampled at 13 locations and analyzed for total Hg with a flameless atomic absorption spectrometer. The associated parent rock was also analyzed. The Hg levels of each rock sample were too low, not exceeding 10 ppb, to exert a significant effect within the profiles on the total Hg content. The Hg content was generally higher in the soil than in the underlying rock, irrespective of the depth of the horizon. Surface enrichment of Hg was observed at most of the sample sites, some paddy fields in particular, resulting in steep concentration gradient down the profiles. The total Hg in all the surface horizons ranged from 459 to 64 ppb with a mean of 197 ppb. Obviously, mercurial application in recent years was a principal factor above all with regard to the establishment of the elevated Hg levels in the upper soil horizon under cultivation.

Man-made loading of this element, probably through rain, was indicated even in the soils under natural vegetation, after taking into account a possible residual Hg concentration in the soil formation process. A close relationship in the profile distribution pattern between total Hg and organic matter contents was observed. This fact, in conjunction with the results of pyrolysis studies, did suggest that a large proportion of the total Hg in these soils could be firmly held by chemical forces, very likely as highly insoluble organic complexes.     

Procyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds prevents cataract formation in hereditary cataractous (ICR/f) rats

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids have been reported to prevent the progression of experimentally induced cataracts. However, little is known of the effect of procyanidins, a powerful antioxidant, on cataract formation. This paper investigates the anticataract activity of grape seed extract (GSE, which contains 38.5% procyanidins) in hereditary cataractous rats (ICR/f rats). The ICR/f rats were fed a standard diet containing 0 or 0.213% GSE [0.082% procyanidins in the diet (w/w)] for 27 days. The GSE significantly prevented and postponed development of cataract formation by evaluation of slit lamp observations of the rats' eyes. Lens weight and malondialdehyde concentration in the lens and plasma cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (ChE-OOH) level induced by CuSO4 were significantly lower in the GSE group compared with the control group. The rats were also fed for 14 days either the diet containing 0.085% procyanidin dimer to tetramer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), the diet containing 0.090% procyanidin pentamer to heptamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), or the diet containing 0.093% procyanidin oligomers more than decamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins). The ChE-OOH levels in the procyanidin pentamer to heptamer and procyanidin oligomers more than decamer groups were significantly lower than in the procyanidin dimer to tetramer group. These results suggested that procyanidins and their antioxidative metabolites prevented the progression of cataract formation by their antioxidative action. The larger molecular procyanidins in the GSE might contribute this anticataract activity.     

Starch degradation by alpha-amylase in tobacco leaves during the curing process

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf starch is degraded to sugars through curing (42°C/82.3% relative humidity/72 h). Total carbohydrate content remained almost constant, starch content decreased markedly, and soluble sugar content (mostly glucose) increased. α-Amylase and starch phosphorylase activities increased sixfold and threefold, respectively, whereas β-amylase activity was unaltered and isoamylase activity decreased. Increased α-amylase activity was accompanied by increased α-amylase protein levels. Although tobacco has four α-amylase gene members, only NtAMY1 mRNA levels increased. For other starch degradation genes, such as NtBAM1 and NtBMY2 (β-amylase), NtISO1 and NtISO2 (isoamylase) and NtGWD1 and NtGWD3 (glucan water dikinase), the mRNA levels remained unaltered during the first 48 h of curing. NtAMY1 expression was induced by osmotic stress but was unaffected by high temperature and/or injury stresses. Similarly, soluble sugar contents were largely increased by osmotic stress. This suggests that starch is degraded by α-amylase during curing and that α-amylase is coded by NtAMY1, induced by osmotic stress.     

Hd3a protein is a mobile flowering signal in rice

Florigen, the mobile signal that moves from an induced leaf to the shoot apex and causes flowering, has eluded identification since it was first proposed 70 years ago. Understanding the nature of the mobile flowering signal would provide a key insight into the molecular mechanism of floral induction. Recent studies suggest that the Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is a candidate for encoding florigen. We show that the protein encoded by Hd3a, a rice ortholog of FT, moves from the leaf to the shoot apical meristem and induces flowering in rice. These results suggest that the Hd3a protein may be the rice florigen.     

Effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on placentation and survival of the neonates in mice

The effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on placentation have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to clarify the structural changes of the placenta, abortion rate, and survival of neonates after BPA administration in mice. BPA (10 mg/kg/day) was administered to pregnant mice (BPA mice) subcutaneously from the first day of pregnancy (Day 0) to Day 7 (8 days total). The number of embryos and weights of whole uteri were measured on Days 10 and 12. Morphological changes in the placentae were examined by light microscopy on the corresponding days of pregnancy. The number of neonates was also counted. Survival rates were periodically calculated for neonates from the first day after parturition (P-Day 0) to P-Day 56. The number of embryos and weight of the uterus on Days 10 and 12 were significantly decreased by BPA injection. No notable differences were recognized between the left and right uteri. The proportion of the labyrinthine zone per whole placenta in the BPA mice became lower than that in the controls, and that of the metrial gland was higher in the BPA mice. The intervillous spaces of the placenta were narrower in the BPA mice. Degenerative changes were found in the trophoblastic giant cells and spongiotrophoblast layers of the BPA mice. The number of BPA mouse neonates was drastically decreased within 3 days after birth, and no mice survived after P-Day 56. The results suggest that BPA not only disrupts placental functions and leads to abortion through chronic stimulation of gene expression by binding to DNA but that it also affects the mortality of neonates through indirect exposure of embryos.     

IT field monitoring in a Japanese system of rice intensification (J-SRI)

A demonstration study on Information Technology (IT) field monitoring was conducted in a rice field under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) environment in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The IT system used in this study consisted of an intelligent sensor node web-server that is equipped with in situ camera and sensor networks for agrometeorological, soil, and plant growth monitoring. Dynamic changes in soil moisture, water level, agrometeorological, and environmental conditions were measured and monitored. With this precision farming set-up, understanding and easy assessment of the salient field conditions and phenomena such as cyclic soil wetting and drying as well as critical crop growth stages were made possible. Based on the findings of the demonstration experiment, the system was effective, reliable, and efficient in monitoring soil moisture parameters and agrometeorological information in remote rice field environment. The actual field conditions were captured well by a combination of images, numerical, and graphical data sets. With this precise information, the frequency of irrigation was found to be every 7 days. The rice field was irrigated up to a moisture level of 0.592 m³/m³ (~600 mV) and allowed to be depleted to a moisture level of 0.417 m³/m³ (~400 mV). With this alternate drying and wetting method (AWD), a 25.71% of irrigation water was saved. In this study, rice production was made more scientific and more reliable. Hence, the use of IT field monitoring system represented a viable medium for the realization of better rice productivity which leads to the ethic of sustainable agriculture.