Production of aromatic amino acids and related compounds from p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid by rumen microorganisms in vitro

Suspensions of mixed rumen bacteria (B), protozoa (P), and mixed rumen microorganisms (BP) prepared from rumen contents of fistulated goats were anaerobically incubated with 1 mM p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA) at 39°C for 24 h. Tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp) and other related compounds in both supernatants and hydrolyzates of microbial cells in all incubations were analyzed by HPLC. Large amounts of Tyr (32.1, 42.7 and 36.1% of disappeared HPA in B, P and BP, respectively) were produced from HPA during a 12 h incubation period. The formation of Tyr in P (178.6 µmol/g MN) was 1.5 and 2 times higher than in B and BP, respectively. Phe (7–11% of the disappeared HPA) and Trp (3–6% of the disappeared HPA) were also synthesized from HPA in B, P, and BP. Phe synthesis in P (46.3 µmol/g MN) was 1.7 times higher than in B but, in contrast, Trp synthesis in B, was 1.6 times higher than in P. The metabolites p‐hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (in the range of 5–14% of disappeared HPA), phenylacetic acid (1–11%), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3–7%) and benzoic acid (1–6%) were produced from HPA in B, P and BP. Phenylpropionic acid (6% of the disappeared HPA) was produced only in B and BP.     

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.     

中国首都圈土地沙化过程及防治对策——以河北省丰宁县小坝子乡为例

以河北省丰宁县小坝子乡的土地沙化为例，从地质过程、生物过程、人文过程探讨和研究了沙化演变与治理对策，指出了治穷和治沙的关系，绿化与水平衡的因果关系，提出绿色、人文、科技结合，林草兼顾、经济发展与环境建设是步，是为北京堵沙源、保水源的有效措施。     

Response of denitrifying communities to successive soil freeze–thaw cycles

The effect of soil freeze–thaw cycles on the denitrification potential was examined based on the C₂H₂ inhibition method. The gross N₂O production curve of the soil sample (incubation with C₂H₂) showed minor changes between the freeze–thaw treatment and the unfrozen control. However, kinetics analysis revealed that the initial production rate, an indicator of the population density of denitrifying communities, decreased (P = 0.043) and the specific growth rate constant, an indicator of the activity of denitrifying communities, increased (P = 0.039) as a result of the freeze–thaw cycles in five of six soil samples examined. The increase in the specific growth rate constant suggested the stimulation of the activity of denitrifying communities that survived after the freeze–thaw cycles and may explain the minor suppression on the gross N₂O production in spite of decreasing the population density of denitrifying communities that was suggested by the initial production rate. The net N₂O production curve of the soil sample (incubation without C₂H₂) showed a remarkable change in one out of six soil samples, and in that one soil sample, N₂O release to the atmosphere was largely stimulated (7.6 times) by the freeze–thaw cycles. However, the stimulation of the N₂O release by the freeze–thaw cycles was even observed in two other selected soil samples (4.6 and 1.8 times), suggesting that an imbalance in the N₂O-producing and N₂O-reducing activities of denitrifying communities might complementally explain the N₂O release stimulated by the freeze–thaw cycles.     

Quantum criticality without tuning in the mixed valence compound beta-YbAlB4

Fermi liquid theory, the standard theory of metals, has been challenged by a number of observations of anomalous metallic behavior found in the vicinity of a quantum phase transition. The breakdown of the Fermi liquid is accomplished by fine-tuning the material to a quantum critical point by using a control parameter such as the magnetic field, pressure, or chemical composition. Our high-precision magnetization measurements of the ultrapure f-electron-based superconductor β-YbAlB(4) demonstrate a scaling of its free energy that is indicative of zero-field quantum criticality without tuning in a metal. The breakdown of Fermi liquid behavior takes place in a mixed-valence state, which is in sharp contrast with other known examples of quantum critical f-electron systems that are magnetic Kondo lattice systems with integral valence.     

DNA methylation analysis on satellite I region in blastocysts obtained from somatic cell cloned cattle

Many observations have been made on cloned embryos and on adult clones by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), but it is still unclear whether the progeny of cloned animals is presenting normal epigenetic status. Here, in order to accumulate the information for evaluating the normality of cloned cattle, we analyzed the DNA methylation status on satellite I region in blastocysts obtained from cloned cattle. Embryos were produced by artificial insemination (AI) to non‐cloned or cloned dams using semen from non‐cloned or cloned sires. After 7 days of AI, embryos at blastocyst stage were collected by uterine flushing. The DNA methylation levels in embryos obtained by using semen and/or oocytes from cloned cattle were similar to those in in vivo embryos from non‐cloned cattle. In contrast, the DNA methylation levels in SCNT embryos were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those in in vivo embryos from non‐cloned and cloned cattle, approximately similar to those in somatic cells used as donor cells. Thus, this study provides useful information that epigenetic status may be normal in the progeny of cloned cattle, suggesting the normality of germline cells in cloned cattle.     

Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid</Emphasis> in floral organs of tomato

In situ hybridization was used to analyze the distribution pattern of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) in floral organs of tomato plants. Following TCDVd invasion of floral organs, it became localized only in sepals at an early developmental stage, then reached other floral organs at the flower opening stage, with the exception of part of the placenta and ovules. When distribution of TCDVd was compared with that of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), TCDVd was not detected in the outer integument around the embryo sac even though PSTVd was able to invade there, suggesting that such specific distribution might reflect the frequent occurrence of viroid disease on crops caused by PSTVd-seed transmission.     

Characteristics of fertilizer uptake and biodistribution in strawberry plants in two Japanese cultivars in hydroponic culture

ABSTRACT

The fertilizer absorption characteristics of strawberries are not clear, although appropriate fertilization is definitely necessary to ensure produce quality and quantity. This study aimed to determine the amounts of macro- and micronutrients absorbed during cultivation of strawberries and their biodistribution and utilization in the plant body. We cultivated Japanese strawberries ‘Benihoppe’ and ‘Kirapika’ in small hydroponic equipment containing a nutrient solution and determined the amounts of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, and Mo absorbed during and at the end of cultivation. The results revealed the adsorption levels of these elements during the cultivation period. The nutrient concentrations varied greatly among plant organs. In particular, P and B accumulated at high levels in the leaves and stem, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu accumulated in the crown, and N, Fe, and Mo accumulated in the roots. In addition, the uptake levels of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu differed between Benihoppe and Kirapika. Our results provide useful information for determining fertilizer application rates in strawberry cultivation.