Ability of salmon growth hormone to accelerate somatic growth of juvenil abalone Haliotis discus hannai

ABSTRACT:   The ability of salmon growth hormone (sGH) to accelerate the somatic growth of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai by immersion was examined. After immersion for one hour into a sGH-rich solution at a concentration of 30 mg/L, the sGH immunoreactivity in the body fluid of abalone was maximal after one day, and levels were still detectable at two days. No immunoreactivity was observed in the control group. Following immersion for one hour at one or two-week intervals for 120 weeks into the sGH-rich solution at 30 mg/L, the sGH-immersed abalone exhibited a significant increase in shell length and body weight. On the other hand, abalone immersed into a salmon prolactin (sPRL)-rich solution at 30 mg/L for one hour showed a lower increase in both shell length and body weight than the sGH-immersed abalone. No increases in shell length and body weight were observed in either the bovine serum albumin-immersed abalone or untreated controls. These results provide evidence that sGH can be transported from ambient water into the circulatory system of abalone, and can subsequently improve the somatic growth of juveniles.     

Impact of land use on nitrogen concentration in groundwater and river water

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of land use on nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) in shallow groundwater (G-N) and total nitrogen (N) in river water (R-N). The study area consisted of 26 watersheds (1342 km²) covering 72% of Kagawa Prefecture in Japan. We estimated G-N specific concentrations, which showed the magnitude of the upland fields, paddy fields, forests and urban land-use contributions to watershed-mean G-N. G-N specific concentrations were gained as partial regression coefficients using a multiple regression analysis of the watershed-mean G-N concentrations and the land-use ratios in each of the 26 watersheds. The results showed that the G-N specific concentration, which was gained as the partial regression coefficient for the multiple regression analysis, was 15.2 mg L^?1, 10.3 mg L^?1, 2.3 mg L^?1 and 2.5 mg L^?1 for the upland fields, paddy fields, forests and urban land-use types, respectively. R-N pollution load runoff to the river mouth was calculated by multiplying R-N specific concentration (previously reported) by river flow at the river mouth. Similarly, G-N pollution load arrival to groundwater was calculated by multiplying G-N specific concentration by the groundwater flow. The R-N pollution load runoff was 19.3 kg ha^?1 y^?1, 7.7 kg ha^?1 y^?1, 1.7 kg ha^?1 y^?1 and 7.6 kg ha^?1 y^?1, while the G-N pollution load arrival was 7.3 kg ha^?1 y^?1, 5.0 kg ha^?1 y^?1, 1.1 kg ha^?1 y^?1 and 1.2 kg ha^?1 y^?1, for upland fields, paddy fields, forests and urban areas, respectively. These results showed that the N in river water and groundwater was derived mainly from runoff and leaching from croplands. Therefore, the relationships between watershed-mean non-absorbed, applied nitrogen (NAA-N: nitrogen applied to cropland via fertilizer and manure without being absorbed by crops), R-N concentration and watershed-mean G-N concentration were investigated. A curvilinear correlation was observed between NAA-N and R-N concentrations (r² = 0.68) except for one small, high-density, urban watershed, and a weak linear correlation was observed between NAA-N and G-N concentrations (r² = 0.42).     

The amount of heavy metals derived from domestic sources in Japan

The amount of heavy metals discharged from daily life was estimated in order to know the origin of the metals contained in the sewage sludge which is produced in the wastewater treatment plant treating only domestic wastewater. The amounts of the metals discharged from our daily life were estimated to be in the range of 0.2 to 0.3 for Cd, 1.6 to 1.9 for Ni, 3.5 to 6.8 for Pb, 0.8 to 1.4 for Cr, 8.2 to 19.3 for Mn 9.4 to 55.8 for Cu, 44.3 to 62.7 for Zn and 111 to 293 for Fe in mg.d^–1 per person, Using these data, the cycle of the metals in our daily life was discussed in relation to land application of sewage sludge.     

A rat model for the energetic regulation of gonadotropin secretion: role of the glucose-sensing mechanism in the brain

Energy availability has been considered to regulate gonadal activity by modulating the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) at various reproductive phases, such as lactation and puberty in domestic as well as wild animals. Experimental models with rats and sheep have demonstrated that fasting or glucoprivation suppresses pulsatile LH release. From those experiments, the information on energy deficiency is considered to be detected by specific central sensors and conveyed to the hypothalamus to regulate LH release as well as food intake. Noradrenergic neurons, originating in the medulla oblongata and projecting to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), is reported to be one of the pathways mediating the response of LH release to energy deficiency. The other component is considered to be an energy-sensing mechanism in the brain. Glucose or other oxidizable fuels may function as a metabolic signal to regulate LH release. Previous studies suggest the presence of a glucose-sensing mechanism in the rat hindbrain. From our previous results in the rat, the ependymocytes lining the wall of the cerebroventricle could possibly serve as a glucose sensor to regulate GnRH/LH release. Greater understanding of the nature of the energy-sensing mechanism in the brain will contribute to the nutritional manipulation of reproductive performance in domestic animals in various conditions.     

Langerhans cells within the follicular epithelium and the intradermal sweat duct in equine insect hypersensitivity "Kasen"

Histopathologic and electron microscopic observations were given on Langerhans cells (LCs) within the follicular epithelium (FE) and intradermal sweat duct (ISD) of equine "Kasen". By light microscopy, LCs were present in the greatest numbers within the FE and ISD than within the epidermal layer and the normal skin, with an occasional formation of several aggregated foci. By electron microscopy, LCs within the FE and ISD widely extended their dendritic processes between the keratinocytes and contained Birbeck granules (Bgs), mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticula and ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Numerous Type 2 LCs, with a number of Bgs and endocytosis, and Type 3 LCs, with multivesicular bodies and endosomes of various sizes, were recognized within the FE and ISD, although inactive Type 1 LCs, with a narrow and lucid cytoplasm, were rarely seen. LCs observed within the FE and ISD in the "Kasen" skin lesions might express the particular stage corresponded to recognize, intake and process the antigens which permeate them.     

Daily incremental lines in sika deer (Cervus nippon) dentine

This work was designed to observe the dentine incremental lines of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) fawns and to investigate their periodicity using the chronological labeling method with fluorochromes. The incremental lines were observed in decalcified specimens stained by Bodian's silver technique, and the fluorescence-labeled lines were observed in undecalcified and ground specimens. In the silver stained specimens, there were two types of lines, deeply stained thick lines and faintly stained minute regular incremental lines. The intervals and staining intensities of the deeply stained thick lines were very similar to those of the fluorescence-labeled lines in the ground specimens obtained from the same tooth, and hence, it appeared that the both lines were identical. The number of minute incremental lines between the deeply stained thick lines was the same as that of days between the time when each fluorescent labeling injection was made. Therefore, it seemed that each minute incremental line was formed each day. The possibility of age estimation in days using diurnal dentine increments was discussed.     

Stand structure and the regeneration ofChamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. on sites with different soil development in an old-growth coniferous forest, central Japan

Stand structure and the regeneration ofChamaecyparis pisifera on sites with and without well-developed soil in an old-growth coniferous forest, Akasawa Forest Reserve, central Japan, were investigated, along with their relationships to other important coniferous species. Of stems ofC. pisifera≥5 cm diameter at breast height, stems with intermediate size were absent in stands on the developed-soil site, while those with smaller size increased in stands on the undeveloped-soil site, which supported a higher density ofC. pisifera. In the stands without recent tree-fall of canopy stems on the developed-soil site, canopy stems ofC. pisifera were distributed uniformly and the understory stems, patchily. On the other hand, both canopy and understory stems ofC. pisifera in stands on the undeveloped-soil site were distributed patchily. In the understory,C. pisifera occurred as clonal patches formed by vegetative reproduction on various types of microsites including bare rocks. However, the clonal patches did not occur in a stand on the developed-soil site with dense saplings of an evergreen conifer,Thujopsis dolabrata, which can expand vegetatively with a well developed soil layer. Gap formation may induceC. pisifera to develop tree-form stems from shrubby clonal patches. On developed-soil sites,C. pisifera stands that survive a long disturbance-free period on this site need catastrophic disturbance for their regeneration, which will eliminateT. dolabrata in the understory and create bare soil for colonization ofC. pisifera from seeds. On undeveloped-soil sites,C. pisifera replaces itself continuously by effective vegetative reproduction. Ground instability and the wet condition of this site may promote the replacement.     

Variations in the morphology of Rhizomucor pusillus in granulomatous lesions of a Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)

This report presents a new case of mucormycosis encountered in penguin characterized by morphological variation of hyphae and presence of sporangia with numerous sporangiospores. A 4.5-year-old Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) died after exhibiting anorexia, poor nutritional condition and dyspnea. Multiple nodular lesions were observed in the thoracic and abdominal regions. Histopathologically, hyphae of various sizes were seen in the lungs, air sac and nodular lesions. Myriad sporangiospores and several sporangia were observed in/around the bronchi or parabronchi. The very narrow and short hyphae in the nodules were not consistent with the characteristics of Mucorales. However, for most hyphae, including those in the nodules, sporangiospores and sporangia, immunohistochemistry revealed Mucorales-positive reactions. In addition, these fungi were identified as Rhizomucor pusillus by gene analysis.     

The Physcomitrella genome reveals evolutionary insights into the conquest of land by plants

We report the draft genome sequence of the model moss Physcomitrella patens and compare its features with those of flowering plants, from which it is separated by more than 400 million years, and unicellular aquatic algae. This comparison reveals genomic changes concomitant with the evolutionary movement to land, including a general increase in gene family complexity; loss of genes associated with aquatic environments (e.g., flagellar arms); acquisition of genes for tolerating terrestrial stresses (e.g., variation in temperature and water availability); and the development of the auxin and abscisic acid signaling pathways for coordinating multicellular growth and dehydration response. The Physcomitrella genome provides a resource for phylogenetic inferences about gene function and for experimental analysis of plant processes through this plant's unique facility for reverse genetics.     

Comment on "A G protein coupled receptor is a plasma membrane receptor for the plant hormone abscisic acid"

Liu et al. (Reports, 23 March 2007, p. 1712) reported that the Arabidopsis thaliana gene GCR2 encodes a seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor for abscisic acid. We argue that GCR2 is not likely to be a transmembrane protein nor a G protein-coupled receptor. Instead, GCR2 is most likely a plant homolog of bacterial lanthionine synthetases.