Reduction of fungal growth and lignin decomposition in needle litter by avian excreta

The effects of excessive addition of excreta from the Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, a colonial piscivorous bird, on the growth and the ability of fungi to decompose needle litter of Chamaecyparis obtusa were examined by a pure-culture test. Colony growth rate, mass loss of needle litter, and utilization patterns of lignin and carbohydrates were investigated and compared for 22 species in basidiomycetes, ascomycetes, and zygomycetes. Colony growth rate of basidiomycetes decreased on medium supplemented with excreta (excreta medium) as compared to control medium without excreta, whereas such a difference was not found for ascomycetes. Mass loss of needle litter caused by basidiomycetes was generally higher than those caused by ascomycetes and zygomycetes. Basidiomycetes decomposed both lignin and carbohydrates in various proportions, whereas ascomycetes and zygomycetes decomposed carbohydrates selectively. Mass loss of litter caused by basidiomycetes and ascomycetes was lower when incubated on excreta medium than on control medium. Mass loss of lignin and nitrogen caused by basidiomycetes was lower on excreta medium than on control medium, whereas such differences were not found for ascomycetes. Mass loss of carbohydrate was not different between the media for basidiomycetes or ascomycetes.     

Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in Japan: The Miyagi Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: Adequate fruit and vegetable intake has been suggested to protect against colorectal cancer. However, several recent prospective studies have reported no association. We therefore examined the association between fruit and vegetable intakes and the risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective cohort study in Japan. DESIGN: Between June and August 1990, 47 605 Japanese men and women completed a self-administered questionnaire, including a food-frequency questionnaire. We divided the subjects into quartiles based on their self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption. There were 165 colon cancer and 110 rectal cancer incidences identified during 7 years of follow-up, to the end of December 1997. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the relative risk (RR) of developing colorectal cancer according to the level of fruit and vegetable consumption, applying adjustments for potential confounders. RESULTS: No statistically significant association was observed between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer. The multivariate RR of colon cancer in the highest quartile of fruit and vegetable intake compared with the lowest was 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-1.75), the RR for vegetables alone was 1.24 (95% CI 0.79-1.95) and that for fruit alone was 1.45 (95% CI 0.85-2.47). The corresponding multivariate RRs for rectal cancer were 1.12 (95% CI 0.67-1.89), 1.14 (95% CI 0.67-1.93) and 1.41 (95% CI 0.73-2.73). CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and the risk of colorectal cancer among the Japanese population.     

Effects of reactive radicals and heat on <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-isomerization of eicosapentaenoic acid

Trans geometric isomers of eicosapentaenoic acid (TEPA) have been found as minor components in human platelets. However, there is little information on the mechanism of trans-isomerization of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in vitro and in vivo. The effects of reactive radicals and heat on trans-isomerization of EPA were examined. Trans-isomerization occurred when EPA ethyl ester reacted with nitrogen dioxide radical (NO₂) but not with 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). TEPA was also produced from EPA ethyl ester heated at 200°C for 60 h. No TEPA, however, was detected in sardines Sardinops melanostictus after boiling, roasting, or microwave heating. These results suggest that EPA is trans-isomerized by NO₂ in vivo while trans-isomerization of EPA does not occur during conventional cooking.     

EFFECT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ON ROOT FERRIC CHELATE REDUCTASE,PROTON EXTRUSION,BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND MINERAL ABSORPTION OF CITRUS ROOT STOCK ORANGE JASMINE (MURRAYA EXOTICA L.)

Three-week iron (Fe) deficiency stress experiments were conducted using two citrus root stocks, Fe-deficiency tolerant Orange Jasmine (OJ, Murraya exotica L.) and the sensitive Flying Dragon [FD, Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa (T. Ito) Swingle]. Root ferric chelate reductase activity and proton extrusion increased in OJ between 12 and 18 d of stress, whereas there was no change in FD. Dry weight of OJ roots increased in contrast to FD which decreased. The Mn content in OJ remained the same even under Fe stress. Zn content in OJ roots doubled while that of FD increased 4-folds. The shoot/root Fe accumulation ratio increased in OJ while it decreased in FD. OJ apparently has mechanisms for increasing root biomass, controlling Fe reutilization and regulating manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) absorption in response to Fe deficiency. These mechanisms could help maintain homeostasis under heavy metal stress, which would be useful for improved growth of economically important citrus species.     

The first detection of Dicrocoelium chinensis sporocysts from the land snail Aegista vulgivaga in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Trematodes of the genus Dicrocoelium are one of the most common parasites in ruminant animals; however, their life cycles in Japan are unclear. To find the sporocysts of D. chinensis in the natural field, we sampled 269 land snails (14 species) at a location with high level infection of sika deer in Gifu Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan in autumn between 2017 and 2019. During the sampling period, we found mother sporocysts in the hepatopancreas of Aegista vulgivaga and Cyclophorus herklotsi. DNA barcoding based on the sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 showed that the sporocysts from A. vulgivaga belonged to D. chinensis, indicating that this snail has potential as the first intermediate host of D. chinensis at this location.     

Phytophthora rot of alpine delphinium caused by Phytophthora sp. kelmania

Severe stunting and root rot were observed on alpine delphinium plants (Delphinium elatum) from Aomori Prefecture, Japan, in 2010 and 2011. A Phytophthora isolate from the diseased crown was identified as Phytophthora sp. kelmania based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data. Inoculation of alpine delphinium plants with the isolate produced a similar root rot. Pathogenicity of the isolate on four species of plants that are known hosts for P. sp. kelmania was confirmed. We propose the name “Phytophthora rot” (eki-byo in Japanese) for the present new disease on alpine delphinium.

     

Post-mortem evaluation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) used in mitral valve repair in dogs

Mitral valve repair is one of the treatment options for mitral regurgitation. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a polymer that has been widely used in cardiovascular surgery. In this case series, we report the autopsy and histological findings in 6 dogs that underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for mitral annuloplasty using ePTFE sheets and chordoplasty using ePTFE sutures.From May 2005 to October 2009, 3 female and 3 male dogs with severe mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair. This case series included 3 Cavalier King Charles spaniels, 2 Maltese, and 1 Shih Tzu. The survival period after surgery was 19–72 (35 ± 19) months.In all the cases, autopsy revealed that the ePTFE sheets and sutures were not damaged and well integrated into the surrounding highly differentiated, connective tissues. Low-power microscopy revealed that in all cases, the tissues surrounding the ePTFE sheet in the mitral valve annulus had almost completely been covered by granulation tissue. No inflammatory infiltrate or thrombogenesis was observed around the ePTFE in any of the cases.There was no evidence of reactive changes in the region surrounding the ePTFE. These results suggest that ePTFE has excellent tissue compatibility and durability and can be effectively used for canine mitral valve repair.     

Absorption and urinary excretion of quercetin,rutin, and alphaG-rutin,a water soluble flavonoid,in rats

Quercetin, rutin, alphaG-rutin (a water soluble flavonoid), and a mixture of rutin and alphaG-rutin were administered to rats by a single gastric intubation, and their absorption and urinary excretion were examined. The plasma and 24 h urinary levels of aglycons (quercetin and tamarixetin/isorhamnetin) were measured by HPLC after deconjugation with beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment. alphaG-rutin was absorbed more rapidly than quercetin or rutin, and the plasma concentrations of quercetin and tamarixetin/isorhamnetin reached the highest peak level 30 min after dosing. Quercetin, rutin, and the mixture of rutin and alphaG-rutin showed the first peak level 8 h, 8 h, and 30 min after dosing, respectively. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for quercetin in rats administered alphaG-rutin was approximately 4.5- and 2-fold higher than those in rats administered quercetin and rutin, respectively, and was almost the same as that in rats administered a mixture of rutin and alphaG-rutin. The highest 24 h urinary excretion was observed in alphaG-rutin-administered rats. These results suggest that alphaG-rutin is absorbed more efficiently than either quercetin or rutin and that a high plasma concentration can be maintained by supplying rutin and alphaG-rutin in combination.