Cadmium transport and tolerance in rice: perspectives for reducing grain cadmium accumulation

In recent decades, numerous studies have attempted to project the impact of hypothesised anthropogenic climate change on rice production. In this study, we offer a comprehensive review of our current understanding related to temperature, CO₂, and water-demand parameters in rice growth models. As to future rice yield, night time temperature should be focused in the models as well as day time temperature owing to the contribution of temperature on the night time respiration. Furthermore, although CO₂-enhanced photosynthesis is critical for the accurate prediction of rice production in a higher CO₂ atmosphere, we found that recent well-developed photosynthesis-stomatal model cannot realize the variation of CO₂ stomatal sensitivity with humidity conditions. To estimate water stress under projected climate-change conditions, rice growth model should be required to link with water resource model, which includes natural processes and anthropogenic regulations. The understanding of abilities and limitations in the models is important not only to improve the schemes that models employ, but to also critically review the simulated results.     

Field trap test for bioassay of synthetic (1<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-4-isopropyl-1-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol as an aggregation pheromone of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platypus quercivorus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Platipodidae)

An ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus, is a vector of Japanese oak wilt, which causes massive mortality of oak trees in Japan. Previous studies have identified (1S,4R)-4-isopropyl-1-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol ((−)-IMCH) as the major component of the aggregation pheromone of P. quercivorus. We tested the ability of synthetic (−)-IMCH to attract P. quercivorus adults. The synthetic compound attracted 14.4 times as many P. quercivorus, of both sexes, as control traps. Control and (−)-IMCH-baited traps both captured 3.32 times as many males as females, probably because of the nature of Lindgren funnel traps and of male-biased emergence sex ratio early in the season of adult flights. (−)-IMCH was proved to be a major component of the aggregation pheromone of P. quercivorus.     

Adventitious root formation of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) cuttings is stimulated by soaking basal portion of cuttings in warmed water while cooling their apical portion

To improve the propagation of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), we investigated the effects of apical and basal temperatures during a water soaking treatment on the adventitious root formation of 70-mm long shoot tip cuttings which have an apical bud. The basal portion of the cuttings was soaked for 28 days in water with temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 °C, at an air temperature of 5 or 10 °C. Control cuttings were soaked in water at 25 °C, with an air temperature of 25 °C. Treated cuttings were then planted in vermiculite rooting medium and grown at an air temperature of 25 °C for 35 days. Adventitious roots initiated earlier and developed more in the cuttings treated with apical temperatures of 5 or 10 °C and basal temperatures of 20–30 °C than in the control cuttings. The rooting percentage was greatest (93 %) in the cuttings treated with a 10/25 °C apical/basal temperature, whereas few control cuttings rooted (13 %). This suggests that the temperature gradient created by warming the basal portion of the cuttings while cooling their apical end stimulates adventitious root formation. When we tested seasonal variation of rootability at 10/25 °C, the rooting percentage increased from early autumn to winter, and decreased from winter to summer. The soluble sugar contents did not directly affect the formation of adventitious roots in the present study.     

Effect of ovary lipid of skipjack tuna on rat serum components after stress application

Lipid extracted from the ovary of skipjack tuna by the method that we developed is rich in phospholipid-type docosahexaenoic acid. The ovary lipid of skipjack tuna (OLS) was studied for its anti-stress activity in male Wistar rats, focusing on stress-related blood components: recovery from stress was examined after application of water immersion restraint stress. As a result, serum corticosterone (CORT) secretion was inhibited and decreased rapidly after stress application in rats given OLS compared with control rats. As CORT acts as a glucocorticoid, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) is expected to increase by stress application. However, the concentration tended to be lower in rats given OLS than in control rats. With respect to OLS concentration, OLS increased serum dehydroepiandrosterone, secretion concentration-dependently. In addition, as with the recovery study, it tended to inhibit the increase in NEFA. These results indicate that OLS may have an anti-stress activity against acute stress.     

Study on the glass transition for several processed fish muscles and its protein fractions using differential scanning calorimetry

ABSTRACT:   The glass transition behavior of processed fish muscles (bonito, tuna, mackerel, sea bream, cod) and its muscle protein fractions (sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Each dried processed fish muscle and the extracted protein fractions showed clear glass transition phenomenon. The T _g values of muscles and myofibrillar proteins from red muscle fishes tended to be lower than those from white muscle fishes though there was no difference on T _g of sarcoplasmic proteins. The T _g value of whole muscle was considerably lower than that of extracted protein fractions because of the plasticizing effects of low molecular weight materials contained in the muscle.     

Matrix-metalloproteinases-2 and -9 production in bovine endometrial cell culture

In vitro cell culture is a convenient tool for studying cellular mechanisms. In the present study, production of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in bovine endometrial (containing both epithelial and stromal cells) monolayer cells was examined. Blastocysts attached to the endometrial cells in a monolayer culture were examined for their effects on MMP-2 production. Initial attachment of blastocysts to the monolayer inhibited MMP-2 production by endometrial cells. But once trophoblast cells began to migrate into the endometrial cell layer, MMP-2 production increased, and at the same time MMP-9 production also became evident in the medium. In order to understand how blastocysts affected MMP-2 production, we examined the effect of progesterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), and interferon-tau (IFN-tau) supplementation. It was IFN-tau that inhibited the production of MMP-2. In addition, progesterone at a lower dose appeared to inhibit MMP-2 production. Both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta strongly stimulated the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9, whereas IGFs had no effect. Based on these findings, it appears that conceptus has the capacity to inhibit MMP activity.     

Efficacy of enamel matrix protein applied to spontaneous periodontal disease in two dogs

Enamel matrix protein (EMP) was applied for regeneration of periodontal tissue in 2 dogs with spontaneous periodontal disease. Case 1 had bony resorption around the root and root apex of the maxillary fourth premolars. Case 2 had vertical resorption of bone between the mandibular first and second molars. A flap was formed in the buccal gingiva, and EMP was applied onto the surface of the exposed root. One or 4 months postoperatively, increased bone level and clinical attachment were recognized. EMP was therefore suggested to be effective to induce regeneration of periodontal tissues in the cases with periodontal disease.     

Distribution of mecA-harboring staphylococci in healthy mares

The prevalence of staphylococci that harbor the mecA gene responsible for methicillin resistance was examined in healthy breeding mares. Staphylococci often cause diseases of horses such as metritis, keratitis, and abscess. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci would make antibiotic treatments ineffective, so it may be significant to know the distribution of mecA-harboring staphylococci in mares. Isolation of mecA-harboring staphylococci was achieved from nares and pasterns of 100 mares in Hokkaido, Japan. From 13% of the mares, mecA-harboring staphylococci, including 15 isolates of Staphylococcus sciuri and 3 of Staphylococcus lentus, were isolated. Isolates of S. sciuri were found to be genetically polyclonal by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. These isolates produced no PCase and showed low or no resistance to beta-lactam and other classes of antibiotics. Distribution of staphylococcal species and levels of antibiotic resistance were found to be different between isolates from the present mares and those previously reported from riding-horses. Antibiotic pressure may lead to these differences. In addition, it appears that mecA-harboring S. sciuri may be native to horses.