Effects of five oleanolic acid triterpenoid saponins from the rhizome of Anemone raddeana on stimulus-induced superoxide generation, phosphorylation of proteins and translocation of cytosolic compounds to cell membrane in human neutrophils

Five oleanolic acid triterpenoid saponins (OTS-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were isolated from the rhizome of Anemone raddeana. The effect of these triterpenoid saponins on stimulus-induced superoxide generation in human neutrophils was assayed by measuring the reduction of ferricytochrome c using a dual-beam spectrophotometer. The phosphorylation of neutrophil proteins, and translocation of p67(phox), p47(phox) and Rac to plasma membrane were investigated using specific monoclonal antibodies. The five oleanolic acid triterpenoid saponins used in this experiment suppressed N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner. OTS-1, 2 and 4 suppressed phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced superoxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner, but OTS-3 and 5 showed no effect. fMLP- and PMA-induced tyrosyl or serine/threonine phosphorylation, and fMLP-, PMA- and AA-induced translocation of p67(phox), p47(phox) and Rac to plasma membrane were in parallel with the suppression of the stimulus-induced superoxide generation.     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis density and fiber length estimated by near-infrared spectroscopy

Density and fiber length belong to the parameters that are used by the pulping industry as indicators of wood quality for different industrial processes and final paper products. The feasibility of Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy for the non-destructive evaluation of fiber length and air-dry density of fast-growing E. camaldulensis from Thailand was investigated using 50 samples. NIR spectra taken from solid wood and air-dry density as well as fiber length were used for partial least squares (PLS) regression analyses. It is the first time that the fiber length of E. camaldulensis solid wood could be predicted with high accuracy and precision and that the ratios of performance to deviation (RPD) obtained are the first that fully fulfill the requirements of AACC Method 39-00 (AACC 1999) for screening in breeding programs (RPD?≥?2.5). The RPDs for cross-validation (test set validation) of the NIR-PLS-R models of 3.3 (3.8) for air-dry density and 3.5 (3.9) for fiber length allow drawing the conclusion that the models are at least applicable for screening in breeding programs as they lie in-between screening (RPD?≥?2.5) and quality control (RPD?≥?5). Even when 40% of the samples were removed in cross-validation of the air-dry density model, the RPD is 3.2, which confirms that the model is robust, stable, and well qualified for prediction. The good model statistics obtained in this study might be due to the fact that measurement sites for the measurement of NIR spectra, air-dry density, and fiber lengths were strictly coincided.     

Pore structure and the properties of electric double layer capacitor electrode of bamboo-derived activated carbon prepared by superheated steam

Bamboo-derived activated carbon prepared by superheated steam (BAC) exhibited performance for utilization as an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) electrode. Pore structure and EDLC performances were investigated by comparison with phenol resin-derived activated carbon (MSP-20), which is commercially available and often used for the purpose. The nitrogen adsorption isotherm showed that BAC had a large BET-specific surface area of 1268 g/m² with a developed pore structure, especially of the mesopore, in comparison with MSP-20. It is considered that inherent ash in bamboo promoted activation, in addition to physical activation by superheated steam. Capacitance per electrode volume (C_V) was 52 F/cm³ with BAC. Because the density of BAC is high (0.78 g/cm³) compared with that of MSP-20 (0.58 g/cm³), sufficient C_V for usage was obtained, although the capacitance per electrode mass (C_M) at 5 mA/cm² itself of BAC (67 F/g) was lower than that of MSP-20 (126 F/g). With IR drop, the resistance value of BAC (9.7 Ω) was lower than that of MSP-20 (10.5 Ω). Especially, the diffusion resistance of BAC disclosed to be smaller than that of MSP-20. These results indicated that BAC produced by steam activation is a promising material with a pore structure suitable for ion transfer in EDLC.     

Improvement of diagnostic markers for resistance to Globodera pallida and application for selection of resistant germplasms in potato breeding

Occurrence of pale potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida (Stone) Behrens, was first recorded in Japan in 2015. Among several control measures, cultivation of resistant potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties is the most effective in cost and environmental impact. As no G. pallida-resistant varieties have yet been developed in Japan, great emphasis is being placed on screening of germplasm possessing the resistance and development of the resistant varieties. In this study, we first improved previously reported DNA markers linked to the G. pallida resistance loci (GpaIV^s_adg and Gpa5) and then used these to screen more than 1,000 germplasms to select several candidate germplasms with resistance. We performed inoculation testing on the selected candidates and identified several resistant germplasms to the Japanese G. pallida population. Furthermore, we developed a simultaneous detection method combining three DNA markers linked to G. pallida and Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens resistance loci. We validated the ability of C237-I marker to select resistant allele of GpaIV^s_adg and predict the presence of resistance in a Japanese breeding population. Resistant germplasms identified in this study could potentially be used to develop G. pallida-resistant varieties. The marker evaluation methods developed in this study will contribute to the efficient development of resistant varieties.     

Seed productivity test of CMS lines of Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) possessing the cytoplasm of a wild species, A. galanthum Kar. et Kir.

In a previous study, we developed male sterile lines of Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) possessing the cytoplasm of a wild species, A. galanthum Kar. et Kir., by backcrossing. To evaluate seed productivity of the male sterile lines in practise, they were crossed with the male fertile line, cultivar 'Kujyo', using honeybees as pollinators under field conditions. The number of florets and seeds per inflorescence, seed set and seed germination of the material were investigated. Although variation was observed among the male sterile lines, there were several lines having seed productivity equal to cultivar 'Kujyo'. Our data demonstrate that the male sterile lines of A. fistulosum possessing the cytoplasm of A. galanthum are useful as seed parents for the commercial F seed production of A. fistulosum.     

Evaluation of genetic variation among wild rice populations in Cambodia

A total of 448 samples in five natural populations of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) were collected in Cambodia. They were examined using 12 SSR and two chloroplast markers to evaluate the degree of variation among populations and the genetic structure within populations. In the two annual populations, the number of plants with homozygous alleles at all 12 SSR loci were high (66.3% and 79.5%), suggesting that these plants propagate mainly through self-pollination. In the three perennial populations, no individuals had all homozygous genotypes, but redundant genotypes resulted from clonal propagation were observed. Percentages of the redundant genotypes were highly varied (3.6%, 29.2% and 86.0%). This may be due to the different stable levels of environmental conditions. As for chloroplast genome, most of the wild plants showed the same chloroplast types as most Indica-type cultivars have. However, plants with different chloroplast types were maintained, even in the same population. In tropical Asian countries, many wild rice populations were observed under similar ecological conditions examined in this study. Therefore, the present results concerning population structure will be important to further elucidate genetic features of wild rice, and will also give strong clues to utilize and conserve wild natural genetic resources.     

地下水硝酸盐污染来源的推断与溯源方法概述

不同地区的地下水中硝酸盐污染物的来源可能不同,这些差异可以通过一定的方法分析和追溯,本文概述了地下水硝酸盐污染来源的推断与溯源几种常用方法,包括六成分法、派珀图法、相关性分析,以及稳定同位素方法。