Software development for estimating the concentration of radioactive cesium in the skeletal muscles of cattle from blood samples

The 2011 earthquake severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), resulting in the release of large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. The deposition of these radionuclides in rice straw as livestock feed led to the circulation of contaminated beef in the market. Based on the safety concern of the consumers, a reliable method for estimating concentrations of radioactive cesium in muscle tissue is needed. In this study, we analyzed the concentrations of radioactive cesium in the blood and skeletal muscle of 88 cattle, and detected a linear correlation between them. We then developed software that can be used to estimate radioactive cesium concentrations in muscle tissue from blood samples. Distribution of this software to the livestock production field would allow us to easily identify high‐risk cattle, which would be beyond the safety regulation, before shipping out to the market. This software is planned to be released as freeware. This software would contribute to food safety, and aid the recovery of the livestock industry from the damage creacted by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.     

Gizzard erosion in broiler chicks by group I avian adenovirus

Incidences of mortality without any clinical signs occurred in growing chicks in a broiler flock. Five 17-day-old dead broilers with gizzard erosions were investigated pathologically. Macroscopically, the gizzards were found to be dilated with bloody fluids. The koilin layer of the gizzards showed multifocal black patches (erosions). Histologically, there was necrosis of the koilin layer, degeneration and depletion of the gizzard glandular epithelium with intranuclear inclusion bodies, and hyperplasia of the macrophages in the lamina propria. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed intranuclear inclusion bodies in the degenerating gizzard glandular epithelial cells that stained positively for group I avian adenovirus antigen. Ultrastructurally, numerous viral particles (an average of 72 nm in diameter, from 63 to 88 nm) were in the intranuclear inclusions of glandular epithelium. This study suggests that the gizzard erosions may have been caused by group I avian adenovirus. In addition, the degeneration and depletion of gizzard glands secreting koilin substances, by adenovirus, may induce a reduction of koilin substances, which may then cause gizzard erosion (focal loss of the koilin layer).     

Effect of extraction method on the concentrations of selected bioactive compounds in mandarin juice

A mandarin-type citrus fruit, ponkan (Citrus reticulata), was processed by in-line, chopper pulper, and hand-press extractions to investigate the effect of extraction method on the concentrations of bioactive compounds in processed juice. Concentrations of polymethoxylated flavones (tangeretin, nobiletin, and sinensetin) and beta-cryptoxanthin in juice, and inhibitory activities against arachidonate cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenases of the juice extract were analyzed. The juice processed by hand-press extraction contained the largest amounts of nobiletin (3.56 mg/100 mL), tangeretin (4.10 mg/100 mL), and sinensetin (0.13 mg/100 mL). Concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin were 0.66, 0.59, 0.55, and 0.50 mg/100 mL in chopper pulper, in-line (5/64 in.), in-line (8/64 in.) and hand-press juices, respectively. Both extracts of in-line juices showed greater inhibitory activity toward platelet 12-lipoxygenase than the others. The inhibitory effect of hand-press juice extract on platelet cyclooxygenase activity was remarkable among juice extracts. All juice extracts effectively inhibited polymorphonuclear 5-lipoxygenase activity at nearly the same rate.     

Phosphate fixation by bentonite

Introduction

The relative ability of soils, clay minerals, and hydrous oxides to fix phosphorus has been determined by a variety of methods. In order to study phosphate fixation, it is necessary to rigidly control such factors as concentration of phosphorus added, time of reaction, temperature, and pH.     

QTL analysis of black rot resistance in cabbage using newly developed EST-SNP markers

One hundred sixty-one EST-SNP markers were newly developed for analysis of QTLs for resistance to black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris by determining EST sequences of a resistant line obtained from cabbage ‘Early Fuji’ and a susceptible broccoli line. A linkage map consisting of nine linkage groups was constructed with a total of 209 markers, including these new SNP markers and previously reported DNA markers. F₂ plants grown in a field for 1 month were inoculated by spraying bacteria of race 1, and disease severity of each plant was recorded. Three QTLs, i.e., QTL-1, QTL-2, and QTL-3, were detected on linkage group C2, C4 and C5, respectively. QTL-1, which showed the highest LOD score and additive effect, was again detected in another F₂ population used the next year, suggesting QTL-1 to be a major QTL. QTL-2 and QTL-3 could be minor QTLs influenced by environmental factors. The genomic region harboring QTL-1 showed synteny with a region from 5.3 to 7.4 Mb from the short arm end of chromosome 5 of Arabidopsis thaliana, which is rich in TIR-NBS-LRR family genes. The identified SNP markers in QTL-1 are considered to be useful in marker-assisted selection for black rot resistance in Brassica oleracea lines.     

Mediator-type biosensor for real-time wireless monitoring of blood glucose concentrations in fish

We developed a wireless mediator-type biosensor system to rapidly monitor blood glucose concentrations in free-swimming fish. Glucose oxidase was used to determine the glucose concentration, but fluctuations in the oxygen concentrations in the samples affected the measurements. In this work, we used a mediator, a synthetic electron acceptor, as a substitute in the oxidation–reduction reaction, thus ensuring that changes in the concentration of oxygen do not affect the measurements of glucose concentration performed by the sensor. We especially focused on the use of ferrocene as a mediator. The resulting enzyme sensor utilized a Pt–Ir wire (diameter 0.178 mm) as the working electrode and Ag/AgCl paste as the reference electrode. Chitosan was used to fix ferrocene and glucose oxidase to the working electrode. The characteristics of the sensor were tested, and it was found to be capable of measuring glucose independent of the oxygen concentration of the sample. Its reproducibility was also tested, and the results showed that the sensor was suitable for performing measurements in vivo. The sensor was then inserted into to eyeball interstitial sclera fluid in order to wirelessly monitor the glucose concentration in free-swimming fish. Measurements were taken for a total of 48 h. During these measurements, artificial stress was applied to the fish. The glucose concentrations of fish rise with their stress levels. The output current from the sensor gradually increased during the application of stress, which hinted that the stress was monitored by this system.     

Pythium wilt of lettuce caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium uncinulatum</Emphasis> in Japan

Pythium wilt of lettuce was found in two fields in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in January 2007. On the basis of morphological characteristics and the rDNA-ITS sequences, the causal organism was identified as Pythium uncinulatum, unknown in Japan. A pot inoculation test demonstrated that P. uncinulatum was pathogenic to lettuce and garland chrysanthemum (both in Compositae), but no symptoms developed on nine species of vegetable plants from Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, or Solanaceae.     

Improvement of fiberboard made from acetylated fibers by ozonation I: effect of ozonation on mechanical properties

Acetylated fibers with a 24.8% weight gain by acetylation were ozonated with 0%–2.0% ozone on fibers. Fiberboards were then made from these treated fibers. The internal bond and bending strength of the acetylated fiberboards increased drastically with increasing ozone charge up to 0.5%–1.0%, whereas the thickness swelling of the fiberboards decreased. Ozone selectively cleaves the aromatic rings of hydrophobic lignin and introduces a hydrophilic carboxyl group into lignin. Thus, the wettability and thermoplasticity of acetylated fibers increased, and this structural modification improved the interfiber contact. Internal bond and bending strength increased as a result. In addition, steep density profiles were formed by the ozonation, resulting in high bending strength. The high compaction ratio accelerated the effect of ozonation. The optimum ozone charges for improving mechanical properties were 0.5%–1.0%.Part of this report was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Physicochemical properties and chemical compositions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melaleuca leucadendron</Emphasis> leaf oils taken from the plantations in Java,Indonesia

Melaleuca leucadendron Linn. leaf oils from Gunung Kidul, Gundih and Sukun, Java, Indonesia, at tree ages of 5, 10, and 15 years were analyzed to elucidate their qualities and chemical compositions. These oils gave yields from 0.61% to 1.59%. The samples from Gundih produced the highest yields (1.42–1.59%) compared to those from Gunung Kidul and Sukun. These oils were colorless with an odor typical of Melaleuca oils. The specific gravity of essential oils in this study ranged from 0.870 to 0.912. The samples from Gunung Kidul were the highest in specific gravity (0.905–0.912). The refractive index values of oil samples ranged from 1.468 to 1.470, optical rotation ranged from (−)2.47° to (−)0.98°, and ratio miscibility of oils in 70% ethanol ranged from 1:1 to 1:9.67. The organoleptic profiles and physicochemical properties of M. leucadendron Linn. leaf oils in this study were evaluated based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 06-3954-2006 for standard quality of Melaleuca essential oils; only a few specific gravity values were below the standard. GC-MS spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of 26 compounds. Among them, 1,8-cineole (44.76–60.19%), α-terpineol (5.93–12.45%), d(+)-limonene (4.45–8.85%), and β-caryophyllene (3.78–7.64%) were the major components. Samples from each site tended to decrease in 1,8-cineole content and increase in β-caryophyllene content as plant age increased. α-Terpineol was highest at plant age 10 years, and d(+)-limonene varied according to plant site and age.