Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against canine trypsin

Canine cationic trypsin was purified by salting-out, gel filtration and affinity chromatography. Purity was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight was ca. 28 kDa by SDS-PAGE.

Thirty hybridomas were obtained which produced mAb to canine cationic trypsin by the cell fusion technique. Twenty-two of these recognized cationic trypsin only, while eight hybridomas recognized both cationic and anionic trypsin. Several of the anti-canine cationic trypsin mAb were purified by salting-out and DEAE ion-change chromatography using ascites fluid of immunized BALB/c mice. The mAb proved to have very high specificity to canine cationic trypsin as shown by immunoblotting and it may be possible to use them to develop clinical assays.     

Diversity in the carotenoid profiles and the expression of genes related to carotenoid accumulation among citrus genotypes

Carotenoids are not only important to the plants themselves but also are beneficial to human health. Since citrus fruit is a good source of carotenoids for the human diet, it is important to study carotenoid profiles and the accumulation mechanism in citrus fruit. Thus, in the present paper, we describe the diversity in the carotenoid profiles of fruit among citrus genotypes. In regard to carotenoids, such as β-cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin, lycopene, and β-citraurin, the relationship between the carotenoid profile and the expression of carotenoid-biosynthetic genes is discussed. Finally, recent results of quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of carotenoid contents and expression levels of carotenoid-biosynthetic genes in citrus fruit are shown.     

Differences in lectin-binding properties between the common mucosal epithelium and follicle-associated epithelium in the rabbit small intestine

Differences in sugar distribution between the villous epithelium and follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) were compared using lectins in the rabbit small intestine. In every portion, villous columnar epithelial cells primarily exhibited a positive reaction to the GalNAc, GlcNAc, galactose, and oligosaccharide. In the ileal Peyer's patch (PP), whereas microvillous epithelial cells exhibited positive reactions, M cells tended to be negative. The villous epithelial reaction to the fucose group was negative, but M cells and microvillous epithelial cells showed a positive to the fucose. No epithelium had a positive reaction to the mannose and glucose. The variety of lectin-binding properties of villous epithelial cells and M cells may reflect specificity for the recognizing luminal substances such as antigenic molecules and bacterial elements.     

Relationship between the ultrasonographic findings of suspected superficial digital flexor tendon injury and the prevalence of subsequent severe superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in Thoroughbred horses: a retrospective study

The onset of severe injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is extremely difficult to predict from slight changes in ultrasonographic findings in cases with no apparent clinical signs. This study investigated the relationship between an increased cross-sectional area (CSA) or edema in the subcutaneous tissue around the tendon and the subsequent onset of severe SDFT injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Horses were classified into three groups based on ultrasound diagnosis (USD) findings: Group A included cases with enlarged tendons; Group B included cases with tendons of normal size but with prominent edema in the peritendinous tissue; and Group C (control group) included cases with no abnormal USD findings. The incidence of subsequent severe tendon injury was significantly higher in the horses in Groups A (25.7%, 28/101) and B (28.3%, 65/212) than in those in Group C (4.9%, 2/41). There were no significant differences in the median period and the median number of races from the first examination to the subsequent tendon injury between Groups A (140 days, 1 race) and B (120 days, 1 race). The results of this study revealed that horses with increased CSA and peritendinous edema are likely to suffer a subsequent severe tendon injury. Also, these two USD findings, i.e., increased CSA and peritendinous edema, indicate the risk of onset of severe SDFT injury.     

Effect of nitrogen application during ripening period on photosynthesis and dry matter production and its impact on yield and yield components of semidwarf iniica rice varieties under water culture conditions

Abstract

A water culture pot experiment was conducted to analyze the effects of N application during the ripening period (RP) on photosynthesis, dry matter production, and its impact on grain ripening and yield in two semidwarf indica type varieties viz. Gui Zhao 2 (GZ) and BR3 (BR) compared with a japonica type variety Koganemasari (KO) under four N rates viz. 0 (N₀), 10 (N₁₀), 20 (N₂₀), and 40 (N₄₀) mg L^?1. Results showed that N application enabled to maintain a higher leaf area and delay leaf senescence in both indica and japonica type varieties but the decrease in the rate, of leaf area was higher in the former than in the latter and the rate was reduced with increasing N rates. Flag leaf photosynthesis and SPAD values of N treated plants were higher throughout the RP, showing the presence of a significant correlation either for each variety or all the varieties together. Higher photosynthetic rate was supported by higher leaf chlorophyll (SPAD value basis) content, stomatai conductance, and N concentration in leaf blades. Top dry matter content increased with increasing N rates mainly due to mean leaf area rather than NAR except for BR during RP but it was higher in KO than in GZ and BR. Reduction of shoot weight due to translocation of dry matter to panicles during RP was suppressed by N rates both in GZ and BR while shoot weight increased in the N-treated plants in KO. The dependency of KO on current photosynthates for panicle weight was found to be almost hundred percent while the contribution of stored carbohydrates in shoot before heading to panicle weight in GZ and BR was in the range of 4-27 and 33-54%, respectively and the rest was contributed by current photosynthates. The percentage increased with increasing N rates. Percentage of ripened grains (PRG) increased with increasing N rates in GZ and BR due to the increase in dry matter production and in the photosynthetic rates of apex leaves, despite the larger spikelet number and larger hull size. However, KO showed almost no variation although it had the highest PRG among the varieties. Brown rice yield followed the same pattern as that of PRG in GZ and BR and the highest yield was produced by BR followed by GZ and KO. These results suggest that N application during RP was more effective in increasing yield in the semidwarf indica type varieties than in the japonica type variety.     

Effect of a cytochrome P450 inhibitor on abscisic acid biosynthesis and stomatal regulation in citrus trees in water-stressed conditions

The effect of diniconazole, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450, on drought tolerance was examined in ‘Shiranui’ [(Citrus unshiu Marc. × Citrus unshiu Osbeck) × Citrus reticulate Blanco] trees. Diniconazole treatment increased abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in leaves compared with untreated controls in water-stressed conditions after 20 days of water-stress treatment. Diniconazole significantly decreased the stomatal aperture at 9 h after application compared with untreated controls in water-stressed conditions. The photosynthetic rate decreased in water-stressed conditions; however, regardless of the earlier stomatal closure induced by diniconazole application, the decrease of photosynthetic rate was delayed by the application.     

猕猴桃采摘机器人末端执行器设计与试验

进行了棚架式栽培模式自然生长条件下簇生猕猴桃无损采摘机器人末端执行器的研究。基于果实与果柄的分离特性,提出面向机器人的果实采摘方法和简化几何模型,进行了果实与果柄分离试验的可行性验证;基于果实采摘方法设计了从底部接近、旋转包络分离毗邻果实并抓取、向上运动分离果实的末端执行器,并试制样机,进行了现场评价试验。结果表明,采摘模型能够实现果实与果柄的分离,末端执行器解决了毗邻果实分离问题,能够实现单个果实稳定抓取、无损采摘和采后抓持,成功率达到96.0%,平均单果耗时22 s。     

Functional properties of oat globulin modified by a calcium-independent microbial transglutaminase

Oat globulin was modified by a calcium-independent microbial transglutaminase (TG). The TG-polymerized protein had higher solubility than the control at acidic pH and had improved water- and fat-binding properties. Incubation of 10% (w/v) oat globulin dispersions in the presence of TG at 37 degrees C led to the formation of a well-developed viscoelastic gel network with a microstructure characterized by thick strands and large clusters. The TG-induced gels had higher modulus values, lower loss tangent values, and lower frequency dependency than the heat-induced gels. The TG-induced gel system has the characteristics of classical polymer gel with permanent "chemical" cross-links, whereas the heat-denatured system has the characteristics of a temporary "physical" gel with breakable cross-links. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed marked shift and intensity changes in several major bands, suggesting pronounced changes in protein conformation during TG-induced gelation. Aggregation of protein molecules was also indicated by the progressive increases in two infrared bands (1679-1682 and 1622-1625 cm(-)(1)) associated with the formation of intermolecular beta-sheets and strands. Results suggest that new food polymers with unique functionality can be produced from oat globulin treated with TG and that elastic gels can be formed near neutral pH, instead of the alkaline pH required for thermally induced oat globulin gels.