Absorption and tissue distribution of an immunomodulatory alpha-D-glucan after oral administration of Tricholoma matsutake

Alpha-D-glucan (MPG-1) separated from Tricholoma matsutake (CM6271) has been reported to show immunomodulatory activities. In this study, the plasma concentration and tissue distribution of MPG-1 after CM6271 oral administration were investigated as part of the action mechanism analysis. When CM6271 was orally administered in a single dose to mice, MPG-1 was absorbed via the intestinal tract, appeared in plasma after 16 h, was gradually excreted from the blood, and fell to background level after 48 h. The time course analysis of MPG-1 in plasma showed the following pharmacokinetic parameters of MPG-1: tmax = 24 h; Cmax = 161.1 ng/mL; AUC(0-infinity) = 2559.7 ng x h/mL. Moreover, MPG-1 was confirmed to localize in Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and the spleen and to promote IL-12 p70 production and NK cell activity. These results suggest that MPG-1 stimulated the intestinal immune system through Peyer's patches; moreover, it was taken into the blood and stimulated the systemic immune system.     

Evaluation of the mineralizable organic nitrogen in soil using an immunological technique

Phosphate buffer-extractable organic nitrogen (PEON), which can be extracted from soil with a 67-mM neutral phosphate buffer solution, is considered to be a major source of mineralizable nitrogen (N) that is ubiquitous in soil. We have developed a Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) method for determining PEON. First, anti-PEON antibody (IgG) from a rabbit was produced using purified PEON from a volcanic ash soil. PEON was detected as a ladder-like staining pattern in the high-molecular-weight region and as a single band under 14 kDa in Western blot analysis using the anti-PEON IgG. In the ELISA assay, the anti-PEON IgG could specifically react with PEON irrespective of soil type and management. Furthermore, the absorbance at 450 nm in ELISA was highly correlated to the concentration of organic N (N_org) in phosphate extracts of different soils. We propose the immune assay using the anti-PEON IgG as a possible novel method for evaluating available N in soil.     

Characterization of a new Apple dimple fruit viroid variant that causes yellow dimple fruit formation in ‘Fuji’ apple trees

A 303-nucleotide viroid was isolated from an apple tree (Malus × domestica, ‘Fuji’) cultivated in Japan. The viroid had 84.9% overall nucleotide sequence homology to Apple dimple fruit viroid (ADFVd), a member of Pospiviroidae, reported from Italy. This viroid differed from the Italian variant by 47 mutations (38 substitutions, six deletions and three insertions), and most of these mutations occurred on either side of the central conserved region. The leaves and branches of the infected trees did not have any disease symptoms, but the fruits were dimpled and yellow. The infected scions were top-grafted onto a healthy ‘Fuji’ apple tree, which tested positive for this viroid in a northern hybridization analysis, and yellow dimple fruits were produced in the second growing season. We propose that this viroid is a new variant of ADFVd and causes yellow dimple fruit formation in ‘Fuji’ apple trees.     

Comparison of right atrium incision and right ventricular outflow incision for surgical repair of membranous ventricular septal defect using cardiopulmonary bypass in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare right atrium incision (RAI) and right ventricular outflow incisions (RVI) for surgical repair of membranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) facilitated by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n=10) with VSD. METHODS: Medical records of dogs that had VSD repair were reviewed. Membranous VSD without any malformation and abnormality was confirmed on several clinical examinations and by angiocardiography. RAI (5 dogs) and RVI (5 dogs) was used for VSD access and repair facilitated by CPB. Procedure comparison was by surgical duration, postoperative recovery period, and occurrence of postoperative arrhythmia. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was similar for RAI and RVI; however, postoperative recovery time was significantly reduced with RAI. Significant moderate operative damage occurred with right atrium incision. CONCLUSIONS: Right atrium incision was more effective than RVI for repair of membranous VSD using CPB. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RAI should be considered in preference to RVI for repair of membranous VSD using CPB.     

Effects of acidified seawater on early life stages of scleractinian corals (Genus Acropora)

Ocean acidification, caused by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, is currently an important environmental problem. It is therefore necessary to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on all life stages of a wide range of marine organisms. However, few studies have examined the effects of increased CO₂ on early life stages of organisms, including corals. Using a range of pH values (pH 7.3, 7.6, and 8.0) in manipulative duplicate aquarium experiments, we have evaluated the effects of increased CO₂ on early life stages (larval and polyp stages) of Acropora spp. with the aim of estimating CO₂ tolerance thresholds at these stages. Larval survival rates did not differ significantly between the reduced pH and control conditions. In contrast, polyp growth and algal infection rates were significantly decreased at reduced pH levels compared to control conditions. These results suggest that future ocean acidification may lead to reduced primary polyp growth and delayed establishment of symbiosis. Stress exposure experiments using longer experimental time scales and lower levels of CO₂ concentrations than those used in this study are needed to establish the threshold of CO₂ emissions required to sustain coral reef ecosystems.     

Effects of dapagliflozin in combination with insulin on cytochrome P450 activities in a diabetes type 1 rat model

Previous studies reported that diabetes alters the activities of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, which, in turn, affects the disposition of some drugs. We herein examined and compared the effects of the combination of dapagliflozin with a low insulin dose, a full dose of insulin alone, and dapagliflozin alone for 3 and 8 weeks on CYP activities in a diabetes type 1 rat model. We induced type 1 diabetes in rats using a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Daily treatment with the full dose of insulin alone, dapagliflozin alone, or dapagliflozin in combination with a low dose of insulin was then initiated. STZ-induced rats developed marked hyperglycemia and altered CYP2E activities. Dapagliflozin in combination with a low dose of insulin stabilized hyperglycemia and CYP1A, 2D, 2E and 3A activities. However, dapagliflozin alone did not improve blood glucose levels or CYP activities. These results suggest that the effects of dapagliflozin in combination with a low dose of insulin are similar to those of a full dose of insulin, and stabilize CYP activities in type 1 diabetes.     

Development of an optimizing method for the operation rule curves of a multipurpose reservoir in a Southeast Asian watershed

Paddy and Water Environment - Water scarcity and flooding constitute major problems for developing countries located within the tropical climatic region of Southeast Asia. In addition, regional...     

Effect of L‐carnitine on proliferative response and mRNA expression of some of its associated factors in splenic mononuclear cells of male broiler chicks

The effect of L‐carnitine supplementation on mitogen (concanavalin A, Con A) induced proliferation of mononuclear cells (MNC) in the spleen was investigated in broiler chickens at different ages. Day‐old chickens were fed a diet supplemented with or without L‐carnitine (100 ppm) for 24 days. The carnitine‐supplemented group showed greater proliferation of MNC in the spleen in response to Con A than that of the control group at 24 days of age. In addition, at 24 days of age the carnitine‐supplemented group showed higher expression of interleukin (IL)‐2 and interferon (IFN)‐γ mRNA, but lower expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the Con A‐stimulated splenic MNC than the control group. The enhancement effect of L‐carnitine on MNC proliferation and IL‐2 mRNA expression was not found in chicks at 14 days of age. Addition of L‐carnitine (50 nmol/mL) to the culture medium enhanced proliferation and IL‐2 mRNA expression of splenic MNC obtained from 24‐day‐old but not from 14‐day‐old broiler chickens. The results suggest that L‐carnitine is capable of enhancing MNC proliferation in broiler chickens at 24 days of age partly through increasing IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production and decreasing NO production.     

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Fowl Adenovirus and Avian Reovirus from Breeder Chickens in Japan in 2019–2021

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) and avian reoviruses (ARVs) are ubiquitous in poultry farms and most of them are not pathogenic, yet often cause damage to chicks. A total of 104 chicken fecal samples were collected from 7 farms of breeder chickens (layers and broilers) in Japan from 2019 to 2021, and yielded 26 FAdV plus 14 ARV isolates. By sequencing, FAdV isolates were classified as FAdV-1, 5 and 8b. ARV isolates were classified as genotype II, IV and V. These results suggest that FAdVs and ARVs are resident in the breeder chicken farms in Japan.     

Soil chemical properties of an Indonesian red acid soil as affected by land use and crop management

In the middle terrace area of south Sumatra, Indonesia, where red acid soils poor in crop productivity are widely distributed, the effects of cropping pattern and cultivation techniques on physico-chemical properties of soil were investigated. Five patterns for cassava cropping, including monoculture, a rotation with annual food crops, and three intercroppings with differences in the combination with annual crops and in the planting density, were evaluated in Experiment I. In Experiment II, eight plots composed of the combinations of two tillage methods (no-tillage or conventional tillage), the presence or absence of surface mulch from crop residues, and two rates of chemical fertilizers were established for a maize–soybean–cowpea sequential cropping pattern. At the end of 3 years, there was no difference in total C and total N concentrations among the plots in Experiment I irrespective of the mulch treatment using crop residues. Soil organic matter (SOM) concentration was not affected even in the no-tillage plot where the maximum crop residues (20 t ha⁻¹) was given as surface mulch with the increased root residues due to higher rates of fertilizers (Experiment II). In Experiment I, available P concentration was highest in an intercropping with higher fertilizer rates and lowest cassava planting density. In Experiment II, an increase in available P was attained by mulching and the higher rate of fertilizers, and a minor positive effect of fertilizer was also observed in exchangeable Mg and K concentrations. Surface mulch resulted in less clay fraction compared with the non-mulch plots in both the experiments, suggesting its effect on the maintenance of soil particle distribution. An additional finding suggested no prominent influence of cassava monoculture on the level of SOM in this area based on the comparison with other major land uses, including secondary forest, rubber plantation, and mixed cultivation of fruits with crops. Nevertheless, the introduction of crop residue mulch and higher rates of fertilizers are recommended for sustaining soil quality and achieving higher crop yields.