Stimulatory effect of cyanidin 3-glycosides on the regeneration of rhodopsin

Anthocyanins have been suggested to improve visual functions. This study examined the effect of four anthocyanins in black currant fruits on the regeneration of rhodopsin using frog rod outer segment (ROS) membranes. Cyanidin 3-glycosides, glucoside and rutinoside, stimulated the regeneration, but the corresponding delphinidins showed no significant effect. The formation of a regeneration intermediate was suggested to be accelerated by cyanidin 3-rutinoside. Their effects on the cGMP-phosphodiesterase activity in the ROS membranes were also investigated but found to be negligible. It was concluded that the major effect of anthocyanins in rod photoreceptors is on the regeneration of rhodopsin.     

调味河鲀休闲制品工艺研究

以河豚鱼肉为原料,开发即食调味河豚鱼片。采用色泽、口感、气味和组织形态的感官评分作为评价指标,在糖用量、盐用量、酱油用量3个单因素试验的基础上,采用响应面法优化调味制备工艺;在最佳工艺制备条件下,以感官分值和质构特性为评价指标确定满足商业无菌要求的最佳杀菌时间。结果显示:在糖用量6.7%、盐用量4.0%、酱油用量4.2%、用水煮香料液补至100%的条件下,预测感官分值高达8.15,感官评分结果为8.40,与预测值接近;确定最佳杀菌时间是15 min。研究表明:即食调味河豚鱼片的制备工艺可行,并可为其他水产制品的深加工提供参考。     

Genome‐wide association studies reveal additional related loci for fatty acid composition in a Duroc pig multigenerational population

The aim of the present study was to detect quantitative trait loci affecting fatty acid composition in back fat and intramuscular fat in a Duroc pig population comprising seventh‐generation pedigrees using genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). In total, 305 animals were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) array and five selected SNPs from regions containing known candidate genes related to fatty acid synthesis or metabolism. In total, 24 genome‐wide significant SNP regions were detected in 12 traits, and 76 genome‐wide suggestive SNP regions were detected in 33 traits. The Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 7 at 10.3 Mb was significantly associated with C17:0 in intramuscular fat, while the SSC9 at 13.6 Mb was significantly associated with C14:0 in intramuscular fat. The SSC12 at 1.0 Mb was significantly associated with C14:0 in back fat and the SSC14 at 121.0 Mb was significantly associated with C18:0 in intramuscular fat. These regions not only replicated previously reported loci containing some candidate genes involved in fatty acid composition (fatty acid synthase and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase) but also included several additional related loci.     

Epidemiological and morphological studies of double-chambered right ventricle in dogs

The double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital cardiac disease in dogs, and its detailed epidemiological and morphological features are not clearly understood. By investigating the profile, clinical signs, and characteristics of examination findings of eleven dogs with DCRV by means of a retrospective study, we attempted to clarify the epidemiology and morphology of the condition. The study group consisted of nine males and two females. Breeds included Pug (n=3), Miniature Dachshund (n=1), French Bull-dog (n=1), Shiba (n=1), and Retrievers (n=5). The attachment site of the anomalous muscular bundle was continuous with the cardiac apex in nine dogs, and it was attached to the right ventricle free wall in the other two dogs. In dogs with DCRV, at least one of the following conditions was present concurrently: congenital or acquired tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR), ventricular septal defect, and atrial septal defect. Also, the pressure difference between the two chambers increased over time, and progressive right-sided heart failure was observed. In summary, DCRV occurs in small breeds of dog as well as in large breeds of dog and it may be more prevalent in males. The existence of two types of DCRV in dogs was established. Dog with DCRVs will have a high incidence of concurrent cardiac abnormalities. Concurrent TR may be either congenital or acquired. DCRV is a congenital disorder, but the clinical condition progresses as the dog develops.     

Abstracts of nippon Dozyohiryogaku Zasshi

The present study was carried out to analyze the factors that affected the growth of sugar beet in four different soil types by using concrete-framed plots as follows: soil acidity (soil pH, exchange acidity y ₁) and nitrification of fertilizer introduced by row application. Comparison of the value of the exchange acidity y ₁ of the four soil types with the pH value adjusted to the same level (pH 5.1) revealed that the Humic Gray Upland soil displayed the highest y ₁ value (y ₁: 18.0), followed by the Humic Volcanogenous Regosol (y ₁: 6.9), Haplic Brown Lowland soil (y ₁: 5.3), and Low-humic Andosol (y ₁: 2.2). Al release to the soil solution was considered to occur at soil pH values of 4.8 and lower except in the Low-humic Andosol. Al concentration in the soil solution of the Low-humic Andosol was substantially lower than that of the other soils. On the other hand, the soil pH value decreased temporarily by nitrification of the fertilizer introduced by row application, especially in the Humic Gray Upland soil. In this case, the soil pH value became lower than 4.8 for a time. At this pH level, Al release to the soil solution was assumed to occur. As described above, the soils displayed different properties in terms of soil acidity. In the four soils, although the growth of sugar beet was significantly related to both soil pH and exchange acidity y ₁ values before sowing, these relations were not strictly valid. On the other hand, the linear correlation coefficients of the relationships between the growth of sugar beet (leaf length) and NO₃-N content in rows were higher than those of the soil pH and exchange acidity y ₁. No appreciable variation associated with the differences in the soil types was observed in this relation. Furthermore, the values of both soil pH and exchange acidity y ₁ were closely related to the NO₃-N content in rows and the relationship between the NO₃-N content and y ₁ value appeared to be somewhat closer than that with the soil pH. These closer relations had two important implications. Firstly, NO₃-N content reflected the nitrogen nutrient conditions. NO₃-N promoted the growth of sugar beet directly. Secondly, the NO₃-N content was affected by the soil acidity, which is expressed by the value of the exchange acidity y ₁. Low NO₃-N content indicated indirectly the toxicity of soil acidity to sugar beet growth. It was thus suggested that in the present study, nitrification of the fertilizer expressed by the NO₃-N content was a beneficial factor for the growth of sugar beet regardless of the soil types. Finally, to promote the nitrification of fertilizer and to minimize the Al toxicity enhanced by the decrease of the soil pH associated with nitrification, it is important to avoid low values for the soil pH.     

Efficient haploid and doubled haploid production from unfertilized ovule culture of gentians (Gentiana spp.)

Factors affecting reliable plant regeneration from unfertilized ovule culture of gentians (Gentiana spp.) were examined. Cold pretreatment (4°C) of flower buds enhanced or maintained production of embryo-like structure (ELS). When 43 genotypes were surveyed in two different labs, 40 of them produced ELSs ranging from 0.01 to 26.5 ELSs per flower bud. No ELSs could be obtained in three genotypes. A significant correlation (r = 0.64) was observed between the number of ELS per flower and the frequency of responding flower buds. Eight genotypes of G. triflora, which were used as common materials in two different labs, produced ELSs in both labs. The ploidy levels of a total of 1,515 regenerated plantlets were determined, revealing that the majority of these plants consisted of haploids (57.9%) and diploids (34.3%). However, the frequency of haploids and diploids was different between G. triflora and G. scabra, and G. triflora showed higher frequencies of haploids than G. scabra. When haploids were treated with oryzalin for chromosome doubling, diploids and tetraploids were obtained. These results demonstrate that the unfertilized ovule culture technique of gentians is a powerful tool for obtaining haploids and DHs because of its reproducible and reliable nature and application to a wide range of genotypes.     

Effects of salt and low light intensity during the vegetative stage on susceptibility of rice to male sterility induced by chilling stress during the reproductive stage

We tested whether exposing rice plants to abiotic stress (salt or shade) during vegetative growth affects the chilling tolerance of reproductive organs, which is one of the most important traits for rice growing in a cool climate; we used two rice cultivars with different tolerance in two growing seasons. We divided the vegetative growth into three phases to clarify the most sensitive period: 7–22 days after transplanting (DAT), 23–38 DAT and 39–54 DAT. Chilling tolerance of the pre-stressed plants was based on the male sterility induced by low temperatures. Shade and salt stress during all three vegetative growth phases significantly reduced stomatal conductance. Shade decreased the specific leaf weight and the leaf sugar and starch contents, but salt had no significant effect, despite causing leaf damage. Low temperatures during the reproductive stage induced spikelet sterility in all plants, but the magnitude was greater in the salt- and shade-stressed plants of both cultivars, especially those stressed late during vegetative growth. The increased spikelet sterility caused by chilling was closely related to the reduction of the total spikelet number per panicle. This is the first study to show that salt and low light stress during vegetative growth increased the susceptibility of rice plants to chilling damage during panicle development.