Prediction of dry veneer stiffness using near infrared spectra from transverse section of green log

This study examined the feasibility of near infrared spectroscopy as a novel technique for log assessment on the basis of wood property. Near infrared (NIR) spectra were obtained from the transverse section of green log and multivariate regression analysis was carried out to predict the stiffness of veneer processed from the log. The stiffness of the veneer was dynamic modulus of elasticity measured using ultrasonic method. The calibrations of veneer stiffness had moderate relationships between measured and NIR-predicted values, with regression coefficients ranging from 0.84 to 0.88. The calibration equations were applied to the test set and it was found that predictions were also well fitted, with regression coefficients ranging from 0.67 to 0.89. The results indicate that the variation of wood stiffness within the logs could be assessed using the NIR spectra from the cross-section of logs. The spectra were obtained from green condition of the log and the stiffness of veneer was measured after kiln drying. Thus, the results imply that the wood stiffness in dry condition could be predicted using the spectra collected from green logs. If the models obtained in this study put into the imaging system, the two-dimensional map of the stiffness would be visualized on the cross-section of logs. The NIR spectroscopy coupled with imaging system could compensate the weak point of the traditional methods for log assessment.     

Patterns of root respiration rates and morphological traits in 13 tree species in a tropical forest

The root systems of forest trees are composed of different diameters and heterogeneous physiological traits. However, the pattern of root respiration rates from finer and coarser roots across various tropical species remains unknown. To clarify how respiration is related to the morphological traits of roots, we evaluated specific root respiration and its relationships to mean root diameter (D) of various diameter and root tissue density (RTD; root mass per unit root volume; gcm(-3)) and specific root length (SRL; root length per unit root mass; mg(-1)) of the fine roots among and within 14 trees of 13 species from a primary tropical rainforest in the Pasoh Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia. Coarse root (2-269mm) respiration rates increased with decreasing D, resulting in significant relationships between root respiration and diameter across species. A model based on a radial gradient of respiration rates of coarse roots simulated the exponential decrease in respiration with diameter. The respiration rate of fine roots (<2mm) was much higher and more variable than those of larger diameter roots. For fine roots, the mean respiration rates for each species increased with decreasing D. The respiration rates of fine roots declined markedly with increasing RTD and increased with increasing SRL, which explained a significant portion of the variation in the respiration among the 14 trees from 13 species examined. Our results indicate that coarse root respiration in tree species follows a basic relationship with D across species and that most of the variation in fine root respiration among species is explained by D, RTD and SRL. We found that the relationship between root respiration and morphological traits provides a quantitative basis for separating fine roots from coarse roots and that the pattern holds across different species.     

Varied occurrence of diverse sulfonylurea‐resistant biotypes of Schoenoplectus juncoides [Roxb.] Palla in Japan,as classified by an acetolactate synthase gene mutation

Suspected sulfonylurea (SU)‐resistant Schoenoplectus juncoides plants were collected from rice paddy fields at 24 sites in Japan in order to discover the occurrence pattern of target‐site substitutions on a nationwide scale and at a local field scale. A genetic analysis of the two acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes, ALS1 and ALS2, of the collected plants confirmed that a single‐nucleotide mutation at the Pro₁₉₇, Asp₃₇₆ or Trp₅₇₄ site of either ALS1 or ALS2 existed in each suspected SU‐resistant plant. On a nationwide scale, it was shown that the ALS1 mutations and the ALS2 mutations occurred at a similar frequency, that the P197S and the P197L substitutions were found most frequently among all the substitutions, and that the W574L substitutions (known as global resistance to any ALS‐inhibiting herbicide) were found at a relatively low frequency but in a geographically wide range. In the local field‐scale survey, which was conducted at two sites in Hyogo Prefecture, it was shown that the substitutions were less diverse, compared to on a nationwide scale, probably because the investigation involved a limited number of local fields, and that several substitutions and a susceptible biotype were found in single fields suggesting that a number of collections is required in order to understand the local SU‐resistant status of S. juncoides. In addition, this study reported new findings, that of the P197R, P197T and D376E substitutions in S. juncoides. This set of diverse substitutions in a weed species can be used for further research purposes.     

Inhibition of appressorial adhesion of Pyricularia oryzae to barley leaves by fungicides

The effects of rice blast fungicides known to inhibit melanisation or penetration on the adhesion of Pyricularia oryzae to the leaf surface of barley were investigated. Adhering appressoria were counted after shaking inoculated leaves vigorously with water. On untreated leaves, appressoria began to adhere at the time when appressorial melanisation was initiated. The number of adhering appressoria then increased gradually, and most were melanised. On chlobenthiazone-treated leaves, appressoria were not melanised and were easily detached from the surface. Similar results were obtained with tricyclazole. However, after treatment with tetrachlorophthalide or pentachlorobenzyl alcohol, which are also known to prevent penetration of P. oryzae, melanised appressoria still remained after shaking in water. It is suggested that appressorial melanisation in P. oryzae is involved in appressorial adhesion. The antipenetrant action of the melanin biosynthesis inhibitors chlobenthiazone and tricyclazole may be ascribed to the lack of adhesive intensity necessary to support the mechanical shearing of the cuticle of rice plants.     

First report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Impatiens necrotic spot virus</Emphasis> infecting chrysanthemum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysanthemum morifolium</Emphasis>) in Japan

In 2009, chlorotic mottle and necrosis were observed on chrysanthemums (cv. Jimba) in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. A virus was isolated from the chrysanthemum plants by serial local-lesion transfer. The symptoms exhibited by the test plants, the particle morphology, the features of the protein and the potential for transmission by thrips were similar to those for Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV). The partial nucleotide sequences of the nucleocapsid protein gene and the 3′-untranslated sequence of the S RNA shared 99% identity with that of an INSV isolate. This report is the first of INSV infection of chrysanthemums in Japan.     

Metabolism of the herbicides chlorotoluron, diuron, linuron, simazine, and atrazine by CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)

Through the use of a number of bioconversion experiments we demonstrated that P450 proteins (CYP1A9 and CYP1C1) from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) metabolized a number of herbicides and the drug phenacetin. We performed bioconversion experiments in which substrates were added directly to incubation medium. The resulting metabolites were extracted and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Proteins CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 metabolized 50 nmol of the drug phenacetin to yield 12.1 and 1.1 nmol of product (acetaminophen), respectively. Further incubation of CYP1A9 with 50 nmol of the herbicides chlorotoluron, diuron, linuron, simazine, or atrazine yielded 16.5, 18.5, 7.3, 1.6, or 0.8 nmol of product, respectively. CYP1C1 also metabolized linuron, diuron, and simazine yield 5.4, 4.6, or 0.7 nmol of product, respectively. Next, polyclonal antibody was isolated by immunizing with two conjugated-peptides (amino acid residues 272–290 and 294–310) of CYP1A9. This antibody did not recognize human CYP1A2 or CYP1C1. Western blotting using the antibody revealed one band in the livers of Japanese eel and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Theses results suggest that CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 metabolize herbicides, and that CYP1A9 is an useful biomarker of contamination when detected with this antibody.     

Incidence of canine glaucoma with goniodysplasia in Japan : a retrospective study

The incidence of primary and secondary glaucoma in dogs was investigated. A total of 1244 dogs received ophthalmologic examinations, including tonometry and gonioscopy. Goniophotographs were taken using a goniolens to evaluate the iridocorneal angle (ICA) as well as pectinate ligament (PL). The anterior width of the ciliary cleft and the total distance from the origin of the PL to the anterior corneal surface were measured from the goniophotographs. Glaucoma was diagnosed based on the cupping of the optic nerve head, clinical signs, ocular changes, and high IOP, and it was synchronized with gonioscopic grades to differentiate between primary and secondary glaucoma. We investigated 1244 dogs of 29 breeds, including the mixed breed; among these, glaucoma was diagnosed in 127 dogs (162 eyes). Of 162 eyes, primary glaucoma was diagnosed in 129 eyes and secondary glaucoma in 33 eyes. Shiba Inu dogs (42 dogs, 33%) showed the highest incidence of glaucoma, followed by Shih-Tzu (21 dogs, 16.5%). Furthermore, all the glaucomatous Shiba Inu dogs had primary glaucoma with abnormal ICA grades and dysplastic PLs. The findings of our study reveal that the Shiba Inu breed in Japan may have a hereditary predisposition to glaucoma.     

Intraperitoneal administration of synthetic microRNA-214 elicits tumor suppression in an intraperitoneal dissemination mouse model of canine hemangiosarcoma

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) has an extremely poor prognosis, making it necessary to develop new systemic treatment methods. MicroRNA-214 (miR-214) is one of many microRNAs (miRNA) that can induce apoptosis in HSA cell lines. Synthetic miR-214 (miR-214/5AE), which showed higher cytotoxicity and greater nuclease resistance than mature miR-214, has been developed for clinical application. In this study, we evaluated the effects of miR-214/5AE on stage 2 HSA in a mouse model. Mice intraperitoneally administered with miR-214/5AE (5AE group) had significantly fewer intraperitoneal dissemination tumor foci (median number: 72.5 vs. 237.5; p?<?0.05) and a lower median foci weight (0.26 g vs. 0.61 g; p?<?0.05). Mice in the 5AE group had increased expression of p53 and cleaved caspase-3, and a significantly lower proportion of Ki-67-positive cells, than those in the non-specific miR group. Notably, no significant side effects were observed. These results indicate that intraperitoneal administration of miR-214/5AE exhibits antitumor effects in an intraperitoneal dissemination mouse model of HSA by inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation. These results provide a basis for future studies on the antitumor effect of miR-214/5AE for HSA.