Formation and Deposition of Ozone in a Red Pine Forest

Concentrations of ozone and nitrogen oxides, together with air temperature and solar radiation intensity, were measured at several heights on a tower standing through the canopy of a red pine forest in summer and in autumn. In the summer observation, the diurnal variation patterns of ozone concentration both above and below the canopy were all similar and parallel to the solar radiation intensity. Using the data collected immediately above the canopy, deviation from the Leighton relationship and variations of concentration sums [O₃] + [NO] and [NO₂] + [NO] were examined, and as a result, it was supposedthat ozone was photochemically formed there in the daytime, probably because hydrocarbons emitted from pine trees broke the photostationary state among ozone and nitrogen oxides. The vertical temperature profile exhibited an inversion at the leaf-layer, which must have hindered vertical mixing of the air and made the trunk space more or less isolated from the upper atmosphere. These observations led to an idea that the similarity of the ozone variation pattern at every height was caused by the photochemical formation that proceeded simultaneously above and below the canopy rather than by vertical transport. Such situations of ozone formation were supported by observation of two maximums in the ozone vertical profile, one immediately above the canopy and another in the trunk space. Another feature of the ozone profile was a deep minimum in the leaf layer, which indicated ozone deposition onto leaf surfaces. This study thus revealed concurrence of ozone formation and deposition, and left two potentially important implications worthy of further investigation: (1) a forest is not always a sink but can be a source of ozone in sunlit conditions, and (2) deposition of ozone to trees can take place not only from outside but also from inside of a forest. In the autumn observation, however, the ozone formation was barely recognizable above the canopy and no longer found in the trunk space; in addition, the ozone concentration minimum in the leaf layer disappeared, suggesting that the deposition or removal was dependent on temperature.     

Green and black tea suppress hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by retaining the expression of glucose transporter 4 in muscle of high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

To investigate the preventive effects of tea on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, male C57BL/6J mice were given a high-fat diet containing 29% lard and also green or black tea ad libitum for 14 weeks. Both teas suppressed body weight gain and deposition of white adipose tissue caused by the diet. In addition, they improved hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance by stimulating glucose uptake activity accompanied by the translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 to the plasma membrane in muscle. Long-term consumption of the high-fat diet reduced levels of insulin receptor β-subunit, GLUT4 and AMP-activated protein kinase α in muscle, and green and black tea suppressed these decreases. The results strongly suggest that green and black tea suppress high-fat diet-evoked hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by retaining the level of GLUT4 and increasing the level of GLUT4 on the plasma membrane in muscle.     

Comparative study of methods for the extraction of eleven organophosphorus pesticide residues in rice.

Several extraction methods are compared for the simultaneous analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in unpolished rice. Four stationary phases were used for the subsequent gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) determination of the selected pesticides. Using 3 different GLC columns, 11 pesticides were completely separated and identified. The efficiency of the cleanup and the sensitivity of the analytical method were evaluated by using powdered unpolished rice samples fortified with the pesticides and also wheat and dried bean samples. Average recoveries ranged from 74.7% for disulfoton to 97.4% for malathion in unpolished rice and from 68.1% for disulfoton to 108.3% for malathion in other crops. The method described is applicable to the analysis of selected organophosphorus pesticide residues in unpolished rice, wheat, buckwheat, and dried beans.     

Imatinib mesylate treatment in a dog with gastrointestinal stromal tumors with a c-kit mutation

A 13-year-old spayed mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after histopathological examination of an abdominal mass. Five months after surgical resection of the tumor, we detected the recurrence of GIST with multiple disseminated abdominal lesions. A sequence analysis of cDNA obtained from a biopsy of the recurrent tumors revealed a mutation within exon 9 of the c-kit gene (1523A>T, Asn⁵⁰⁸Ile), which has been shown to cause ligand-independent phosphorylation of the KIT protein in GISTs and canine mast cell tumors (MCTs). Upon detection of the recurrent tumors, we initiated treatment with imatinib mesylate (10 mg/kg, q 24 hr). After 2 months, the dog achieved complete remission. Our findings indicate that canine GIST, and possibly MCT, may be responsive to molecular-targeted therapy.     

Activation of spontaneous murine leukemia virus-related antigen by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Persistent infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus activates a phenotypic expression of murine leukemia viruis-related antigen. NZB and (NZB x NZW)F(1) mice, which normally carry large amounts of Gross virus, and C57BL/6 and NZW mice, which normally carry little virus, were infected with LCM virus. All had Gross soluble antigen in their plasmas at 3 months of age, while noninfected matched controls of all strains did not. This effect was seen after infection with LCM virus that was tissue passed or plaque purified. Similarly, cultures of mouse-embryo fibroblasts produced Gross soluble antigen when infected with LCM virus, but noninfected cultures failed to do so.     

A "Green" route to adipic acid: direct oxidation of cyclohexenes with 30 percent hydrogen peroxide

Currently, the industrial production of adipic acid uses nitric acid oxidation of cyclohexanol or a cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone mixture. The nitrous oxide emission from this process measurably contributes to global warming and ozone depletion. Therefore, the development of an adipic acid production process that is less damaging to the environment is an important subject in chemical research. Cyclohexene can now be oxidized directly to colorless crystalline adipic acid with aqueous 30 percent hydrogen peroxide under organic solvent- and halide-free conditions, which could provide an ideal solution to this serious problem.     

Effects of ingested turmeric oleoresin on glucose and lipid metabolisms in obese diabetic mice: a DNA microarray study

Turmeric, the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., has a wide range of effects on human health. Turmeric oleoresin, an extract of turmeric, is often used for flavoring and coloring. Curcuminoids and turmeric essential oil are both contained in turmeric oleoresin, and both of these fractions have hypoglycemic effects. In the present study, we comprehensively assessed the effect of turmeric oleoresin on hepatic gene expression in obese diabetic KK-Ay mice using DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Female KK-Ay mice aged 6 weeks (n = 6/group) were fed a high-fat diet containing turmeric oleoresin, curcuminoids, and essential oil for 5 weeks. The same diet without any of these fractions was used as a control diet. Ingestion of turmeric oleoresin and essential oil inhibited the development of increased blood glucose and abdominal fat mass, while curcuminoids only inhibited the increase in blood glucose. DNA microarray analysis indicated that turmeric oleoresin ingestion up-regulated the expression of genes related to glycolysis, beta-oxidation, and cholesterol metabolism in the liver of KK-Ay mice, while expression of gluconeogenesis-related genes was down-regulated. Real-time PCR analysis was conducted to assess the contribution of the curcuminoids and essential oil in turmeric oleoresin to the changes in expression of representative genes selected by DNA microarray analysis. This analysis suggested that curcuminoids regulated turmeric oleoresin ingestion-induced expression of glycolysis-related genes and also that curcuminoids and turmeric essential oil acted synergistically to regulate the peroxisomal beta-oxidation-related gene expression induced by turmeric oleoresin ingestion. These changes in gene expression were considered to be the mechanism by which the turmeric oleoresin affected the control of both blood glucose levels and abdominal adipose tissue masses. All of these results suggest that the use of whole turmeric oleoresin is more effective than the use of either curcuminoids or the essential oil alone.     

Germination and growth inhibitors from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) husks

On the basis of our findings that the germination of intact wheat seeds (with husks) belonging to dormancy varieties was restrained as compared with that of the dehusked seeds (grains), the germination inhibitors in the husks were explored. The water-soluble extracts from the husks were separated by the aid of inhibition assay experiments, resulting in the characterization of 2-phenylethyl alcohol 1, 4-vinylphenol 2 and its 2-methoxy derivative 3, and dihydroactinidiolide 4, all of which showed clear inhibition of germination at 500 ppm in aqueous solution. The related compounds 1-phenylethyl alcohol 5 and tetrahydroactinidiolide 6 were as active as 1 and 4, while no noticeable difference in activity was detected among both enantiomers and the DL-form of compounds 4-6. Clear synergistic relations were observed between 4 and 1 and also 4 and 3. Since the present inhibitors have been isolated from various kinds of seed plants, they may be responsible for the general germination inhibition in the seed plants.     

Diversity and population structure of black soybean landraces originating from Tanba and neighboring regions

Black soybean landraces that had been cultivated in Tanba region and the neighboring regions and conserved black soybean landraces, including those from other regions in Japan, were used in this study. The polymorphisms of 78 SSR markers in nuclear DNA and 6 SSRs in chloroplast DNA were analyzed in the black soybean landrace populations. The result of phylogenic analysis revealed that the black soybeans can be classified into six clades. The landraces originating from Tanba region were classed into first and second clades, and two chloroplast genotypes were found in the population of black soybeans from the Tanba region. Genotype A chloroplast was predominantly identified in major populations of the Tanba, while genotype B was widely distributed in the black soybean population. Population structure analysis in the Japanese black soybean accessions inferred there are six groups. The black soybean landrace from the Tanba region was classified into three groups, mainly corresponding to the distance-based phylogenic results. The two groups were probably derived from different ancestors with Type A and B chloroplast genomes, respectively, whereas the other group showed both types of chloroplast genome. The admixture situations suggested that the landraces in the main group have been widely cultivated in Tanba region, while the landraces that belong to other groups were cultivated in localized area. Several phenotypes were compared among genotype groups, dividing into two sub-groups: founder sub-group and admixed sub-group. Phenotypic differences were observed between founder landraces in group 1 and group 3. On the other hand, landraces in admixture landraces in group 1 and group 2 segregated for several traits, while founder landraces in group 1 were stabled for each trait. These observations suggest that gene flow events have occurred between different founder landraces.     

Relationship between physical property of soil and growth of Monochoria vaginalis under paddy condition of organic farming—analysis using settled soil volume in water of superficial layer.

Field experiments were conducted to analyze the relationship between the settled soil volume in water (SSVW) and the growth of Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Kunth under organic farming conditions. SSVW corresponds to the mud volume per dry matter weight. Soil was sampled from the superficial layer of the topsoil (<10 mm), which was of a finer texture than the rest of the topsoil. Without the application of rice bran, there was a negative correlation between SSVW and the number of individuals of M. vaginalis. This finding suggests that SSVW is useful as a physical indicator for the growth suppression of M. vaginalis. The application of rice bran dramatically reduced the number of M. vaginalis. The values of SSVW with rice bran were greater than those without rice bran. The analysis of SSVW indicates that the change in soil physical properties following the application of rice bran was one of the factors responsible for the suppression of M. vaginalis growth.