A bronchopulmonary artery fistula in a horse

A 24-year-old, Thoroughbred gelding presented with difficulty breathing for a few days and intermittent nose bleeding before dying. At necropsy, the bronchoesophageal artery and the bronchial artery that flowed into the left anterior lobe were tortuous and dilated, and it was found that dilated tortuous branches of the bronchial artery ran over the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the left anterior lobe. Histopathologically, an anastomosis between a muscular artery and an elastic artery were demonstrated, which were identified as bronchial and pulmonary arteries, respectively. Based on the gross and histopathological findings, a bronchopulmonary artery fistula was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pulmonary vascular anastomosis in a horse.     

Influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding granule-bound starch synthase I on amylose content in Vietnamese rice cultivars

Amylose content is one of the most important factors influencing the physical and chemical properties of starch in rice. Analysis of 352 Vietnamese rice cultivars revealed a wide range of variation in apparent amylose content and the expression level of granule-bound starch synthase. On the basis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the splicing donor site of the first intron and in the coding region of the granule-bound starch synthase I gene, Waxy gene, alleles can be classified into seven groups that reflect differences in apparent amylose content. The very low and low apparent amylose content levels were tightly associated with a G to T in the first intron whereas intermediate and high amylose was associated with a T genotype at SNP in exon 10. The correlation between the combination of T genotype at SNP in the first intron, C in exon 6, or C in exon 10 was predominant among low amylose rice varieties. Our analysis confirmed the existence of Wx^op allele in Vietnamese rice germplasm. The results of this study suggest that the low amylose properties of Vietnamese local rice germplasm are attributable to spontaneous mutations at exons, and not at the splicing donor site.     

Azimuthal variations of sap flux density within Japanese cypress xylem trunks and their effects on tree transpiration estimates

Sap flow techniques are practical tools for estimating tree transpiration. Though many previous studies using sap flow techniques did not consider azimuthal variations of sap flux density (F _d) on xylem trunk to estimate tree transpiration, a few studies reported that ignoring the azimuthal variations in F _d could cause large errors in tree transpiration estimates for some tree species. Therefore, examining azimuthal variations in F _d for major plantation tree species is critical for estimating tree transpiration. Using the thermal dissipation method, we examined azimuthal variations in F _d in six trees of Japanese cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., which is one of the most common plantation tree species in Japan. We recorded considerable variations among F _d at four different azimuthal directions. The F _d value for one aspect was more than 100% larger than those for the other aspects. We calculated differences between tree transpiration estimates based on F _d for one to three azimuthal directions and those based on F _d for four aspects. The differences relative to tree transpiration estimates based on F _d for four aspects were typically 30, 20, and 10% in accordance with the F _d for one, two, and three measurement aspects, respectively. This finding indicates that ignoring azimuthal variations could cause large errors in tree transpiration estimates for Japanese cypress.     

Formation of a complex with aluminum by ozone-treated kraft lignins and their low molecular weight fragments

The formation of a complex with aluminum by low molecular weight compounds and saponified ozone-treated kraft lignins was evaluated based on the decrease in pH of their solutions on the addition of 0.1 M AlCl₃. Decreases in pH were observed with the solutions containing compounds having adjacent carboxyl groups (oxalic acid), carboxyl/alcoholic hydroxyl groups (glycolic acid), carboxyl/formyl groups (glyoxylic acid), and phenolic hydroxyl groups (protocatechuic acid) on the addition of 0.1 M AlCl₃. The malonic and phthalic acids, having two carboxyl groups, were also effective. These results show that the compounds were effective in forming complexes with aluminum. This finding corresponds to the fact that aluminum toxicity is reduced by formation of a complex with aluminum, except in phthalic acid. The chemical structures stated above in ozone-treated kraft lignins contribute, at least partly, to the complex with aluminum. The pH of solutions containing saponified ozone-treated kraft lignins and alkaline-treated kraft lignin decreased more than that without modified kraft lignins on the addition of 0.1 M AlCl₃, showing that they were effective in forming a complex with aluminum. The high molecular weight part of saponified ozone-treated kraft lignin was effective in forming a complex with aluminum and in reducing its toxicity.     

Gene response in rice plants treated with continuous fog influenced by pH,was similar to that treated with biotic stress

Background

Throughout Asia, including Japan, rice plants are cultivated in a wide range of areas from lowlands to highlands and are frequently exposed to fog, including acid fog. Some physiological studies have shown that acid fog can be a stress factor for plants. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of rice plants treated with artificially prepared simulated acid fog (SiAF) or simulated neutral fog (SiNF) for 1 or 7 days.

Results

Microarray analysis results suggested that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments induced the expression of genes involved in the defense and stress responses in rice plants. Induction of such genes was detected in plants treated with SiAF for 1 day, and the number of induced genes increased in plants treated with SiAF for 7 days. The genes for defense and stress responses were also induced by SiNF for 7 days, although they were not induced by SiNF for 1 day. The gene expression profiles of the SiAF-treated and the SiNF-treated plants were compared to those of plants treated with other stress factors. The comparison revealed that both SiAF and SiNF treatments have similar effects to biotic stresses and ozone stress. The genes encoding NADPH oxidase and germin, which function in apoplasts, were also induced by SiAF, SiNF and biotic stresses.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments may result in oxidative stress through the apoplastic production of reactive oxygen species.     

Ten-year evapotranspiration estimates in a Bornean tropical rainforest

This study was undertaken to quantify interannual variations of total evaporation (ET) in a tropical rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia. To this end, we conducted 10-year meteorological measurements and formulated a simplified big-leaf model that reproduces transpiration (Et), rainfall interception (Ei), and ET as the sum of these. The model was validated independently using eddy covariance fluxes, rainfall interception based on throughfall and stemflow measurements, and sap flow measurements conducted for more than 2 years. Using the model, Et, Ei, and ET were estimated for the period 2000-2009. Annual Et, Ei, and ET averaged over 10 years were estimated as 1114, 209, and 1323 mm, respectively, with small seasonal fluctuations. The derived estimates showed conservative year-to-year variations in annual Et, Ei, and ET (CV = 5-7%) in contrast to considerable year-to-year variations in annual rainfall (CV = 11%). Specific rainfall characteristics (e.g. intense short duration storms) at this site can explain the conservative year-to-year Ei variations. Small interannual variations in meteorological conditions and absence of severe drought during the study period can explain the small year-to-year Et variations. To characterize ET at our site, we also compared Ei and ET at our site with those of other tropical forests. Based on the derived ET characteristics, we discuss possible ET changes in response to changes in rainfall regime at this site.     

Characteristics of pregelatinized ae mutant rice flours prepared by boiling after preroasting

As ae mutant rice, such as EM10, lacks the starch branching enzyme IIb, its amylopectin contains more long-chain glucans than that of ordinary Indica and Japonica rice grains. Although boiled grains of ae rice cultivars are too hard and nonsticky for table rice, they are promising in terms of biofunctionality, such as prevention of diabetes. The present paper investigates the characterization of a novel group of four ae mutant rice cultivars (EM72, EM145, EM174, and EM189). They were subjected to the evaluation for their main chemical components, physical properties, and enzyme activities at different grain conditions (raw milled rice, roasted rice, boiled rice, and rice boiled after preroasting). These mutant rice grains are characterized by high apparent amylose, high protein and high glucose contents, high pasting temperature, high α-amylase activities, high resistant starch, and low degree of gelatinization. A novel method was developed to maintain the high resistant starch contents of gelatinized rice grains. Rice boild after preroasting showed a higher ratio of resistant starch and a lower amount of glucose than ordinary boiled rice. It became possible to produce high-quality and biofunctional pregelatinized rice flours by boiling with frozen fruits, such as tomatoes, after rice grains had been preroasted. These ae mutants were found to be suitable materials for rice/fruit or rice/vegetable products to serve as palatable, low-glucose, and high resistant starch rice products.     

Effect of Extraction Variables on the Biodegradable Chelant-Assisted Removal of Toxic Metals from Artificially Contaminated European Reference Soils

Development of aminopolycarboxylate chelants (APCs) having enhanced biodegradability is gaining increasing focus to replace the EDTA and its homologs with those used widely for the ex situ treatment of contaminated soils and are potential eco-threats. The paper reports the chelant-assisted extraction of the toxic metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) from the metal-spiked European reference soils (Eurosoil 1 and Eurosoil 4) using biodegradable APCs, namely EDDS, GLDA, and HIDS. The effects of chelant-to-metal molar ratio, solution pH, and metal/chelant stability constants were evaluated, and compared with that of EDTA. The selectivity aptitude of the biodegradable chelants towards the toxic metals was assumed from the speciation calculations, and a proportionate correlation was observed at neutral pH. Pre- and post-extractive solid phase distributions of the target metals were defined using the sequential extraction procedure and dissolution of metals from the theoretically immobilized fraction was witnessed. The effect of competing species (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Mn) concentrations was proven to be minimized with an excess of chelant in solution. The highlight of the outcomes is the superior decontamination ability of GLDA, a biodegradable APC, at minimum chelant concentration in solution and applicability at a wide range of pH environments.