Role of uncoupling protein 1 in the anti-obesity effect of beta3-adrenergic agonist in the dog

We have reported that chronic treatment with beta3-adrenoceptor agonists reduces body fat content and induces the expression of mitochondrial thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in adipose tissue in the dog. To evaluate the role of UCP1 in the anti-obesity effect of the agonists, we isolated adipocytes from subcutaneous fat pad of beagles before and after a 2-week treatment with AJ-9677, a specific beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, and examined their thermogenic activity in vitro. Histological and protein analysis revealed that adipose tissues before the treatment were composed of unilocular cells filled with a single large droplet, while the tissues after the treatment contained many smaller and some multilocular adipocytes expressing UCP1 and abundant mitochondrial proteins. Before the treatment, oxygen consumption rate was very low and did not change even when the cells were stimulated by AJ-9677. Two-week AJ-9677 treatment increased basal oxygen consumption rate by 7-fold, and produced a clear responsiveness to AJ-9677 stimulation. Thus, chronic treatment with AJ-9677 induced UCP1 in adipocytes, where oxygen consumption increased in response to AJ-9677 stimulation. It was suggested that UCP1-dependent energy expenditure in adipose tissue contributes to the anti-obesity effect of beta3-adrenoceptor agonist in dogs.     

Annual Changes in Some Physiological Properties of Cryptomeria Japonica Leaves from Kanto, Japan

C. japonica leaves were sampled monthly in a heavily damaged area (a-I: Saitama), a slightly damaged area (a-II: plains in Ibaraki), and a healthy area (a-III: mountainous areas in Ibaraki) in Kanto. The leaves were analyzed for apparent cuticular transpiration rates, amounts of epicuticular wax, and contact angles. Sb in aerosols deposited on the leaves was also analyzed. The transpiration rates and the increase in transpiration with leaf aging were higher in a-I than in a-II and a-III. Erosion rates of the wax were higher in a-I and a-II than in a-III. The decrease of contact angles with aging tended to be higher in a-I and a-II than in a-III. Rates of aerosol-Sb deposition on the leaves were in the order a-I ? a-II > a-III. The transpiration rates correlated with the values obtained from a linear binomial function that included the amounts of wax and aerosol-Sb as variables (r = 0.855, P < 0.01). In a-I, the large quantity of aerosols on the leaves (and probably gaseous air pollutants) may have increased the transpiration rates by ca. 50% owing to erosion of the wax and stomatal malfunction, placing C. japonica under chronic water stress.     

Neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma of the small intestine in an F344 rat

An intestinal mass was found in the border area of the jejunum and ileum of a 110-week-old male F344 rat. Histopathologically, the mass protruded into the lumen and was covered with intestinal epithelium, exhibiting a normal architecture. The lesion was located in the submucosa and consisted of loose connective tissue, smooth muscle, scattered ganglion cells, and blood vessels of various sizes. Although these components showed an irregular and disordered structure, no cellular atypia, increased proliferation activity, or invasive growth to adjacent tissues were detected. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that smooth muscle, ganglion, and endothelial cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, S-100, and CD34 and von Willebrand factor, respectively, indicating maturation of these cells. Thus, the mass was diagnosed as a neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma of the small intestine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this type of lesion in rodents.     

Blue-fluorescent antibodies

The forte of catalytic antibodies has resided in the control of the ground-state reaction coordinate. A principle and method are now described in which antibodies can direct the outcome of photophysical and photochemical events that take place on excited-state potential energy surfaces. The key component is a chemically reactive optical sensor that provides a direct report of the dynamic interplay between protein and ligand at the active site. To illustrate the concept, we used a trans-stilbene hapten to elicit a panel of monoclonal antibodies that displayed a range of fluorescent spectral behavior when bound to a trans-stilbene substrate. Several antibodies yielded a blue fluorescence indicative of an excited-state complex or "exciplex" between trans-stilbene and the antibody. The antibodies controlled the isomerization coordinate of trans-stilbene and dynamically coupled this manifold with an active-site residue. A step was taken toward the use of antibody-based photochemical sensors for diagnostic and clinical applications.     

A novel blast resistance locus in a rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) cultivar,Chumroo, of Bhutan

The rice cultivar ‘Chumroo’ is commonly cultivated in the mid- and high-altitude areas of Bhutan. This cultivar has shown durable blast resistance in that area, without evidence of breakdown, for over 20 years. Chumroo was inoculated with 22 blast isolates selected from the race differential standard set of Japan. The cultivar showed resistance to all the isolates. To identify the resistance gene(s), Chumroo was crossed with a susceptible rice cultivar, Koshihikari. The F₁ plants of the cross showed resistance. Segregation analyses of 300 F₃ family lines fitted the segregation ratio of 1:2:1 and indicated that a single dominant gene controls the resistance to a blast isolate Ao 92-06-2 (race 337.1). The Chumroo resistance locus (termed Pi46(t)) was mapped between two SSR markers, RM6748 and RM5473, on the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome 4, using linkage analysis with SSR markers. The nearest marker, RM5473, was linked to the putative resistance locus at a map distance of 3.2 cM. At the chromosomal region, no true resistance genes were identified, whereas two field resistance genes were present. Therefore, we designated Pi46(t) as a novel blast resistance locus.     

Genetic diversity and spatial distribution of rhizobial bacteria nodulating on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) rhizospheres

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an economically and ecologically important tree in Japan. The species is widely used for afforestation because of its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. In this study, genetic diversity of rhizobia isolated from black locust nodules and spatial distribution of their genotypes were examined. From a coastal forest, six black locust saplings including the whole root systems were collected and positions of nodules on the roots were recorded. Bacteria were isolated from each nodule and then genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Dendrogram analysis based on PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis indicated that Mesorhizobium species dominantly colonized black locust roots in this forest, occupying at least 77% of living nodules. Positions and PCR-RFLP genotypes of the nodules revealed that rhizobia isolated from neighbouring nodules tended to have the same genotype in some cases. Statistical analysis has supported this fact. The clustering distribution of nodules in the same RFLP groups should be considered to contribute to the large genetic diversity of rhizobia.     

Catch performance of coastal squid jigging boats using LED panels in combination with metal halide lamps

Squid attracting light systems consisting of low power light emitting diode panels (LEDs) and conventional metal halide lamps (MHs) were tested to describe the influence of combinations of LEDs and MHs on squid catch. Fishing trials using LEDs (9 kW) and different numbers of MHs were carried out in August and September 2009 targeting two squid species: (1) Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus in northern waters of the Sea of Japan (off Hokkaido) by 4 coastal squid jigging boats (19 gross tonnage) and (2) swordtip squid Photololigo edulis in western waters (off Iki) by 5 boats of the same class. Catches of both species tended to increase with the number of MHs. Generalized Linear Model analysis revealed that in addition to the number of MHs, the catch amount was influenced by fishing power (ability) of boat and by the monthly variation of squid abundance (only for P. edulis off Iki). The expected catch (number of boxes) was not proportional to the number of MHs. The largest catch was expected for P. edulis off Iki by using LEDs with 24 MHs. The optimal combination of LEDs and MHs for T. pacificus off Hokkaido was less clear because the combination with 36 MHs had the largest positive effect on the catch; this was the maximum number MHs used.     

The effect of lunar cycle,tidal condition and wind direction on the catches and profitability of Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus jigging and trap-net fishing

Jigging with artificial lights (squid jigging) and deploying of large scale trap-net (also known as a set-net in Japan), are the major methods to capture Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus in western Japan. Squid jigging is a highly selective fishing method. However, it consumes large amount of energy for steaming to the fishing ground and for lighting. In contrast, trap-net fishing requires substantially less energy but its capture efficiency is strongly influenced by its stationary mode of capture. The primary objective of this study was to analyze how various environmental and biological factors such as the lunar cycle, tidal condition, wind direction and squid abundance affect the capture efficiency of squid jigging and trap-net fishing. We analyzed the effect of these factors on squid catch in five Fisheries Cooperative Associations located on four islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, western Japan. Our analysis shows that squid catch in jigging and trap-net fishing is mainly influenced by the lunar cycle but also tide and wind direction play a marked role. In addition, squid abundance significantly affects the catches in trap-net fishing. Recommendations are made to improve the overall profitability of squid fishing by proper choice of the capture method, location and season.