Nutritive constituents of Silky fowl eggs: comparison with hen eggs of White Leghorn origin

In the present study, proportional parts, amounts of major constituents, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids composition of Silky fowl eggs were examined compared with those of hen eggs. The ratio of egg yolk weight to whole egg weight of Silky fowl egg was significantly larger than that of egg yolk of hen egg. The amount of cholesterol of Silky fowl eggs were significantly (P < 0.01) less than those of hen eggs. The amount of vitamins (B2, B6, D and E), calcium and potassium in Silky fowl eggs were significantly higher than those of hen eggs. Unsaturated fatty acids in Silky fowl eggs were 62.5% among total fatty acids, the unsaturated fatty acids of hen eggs were 53.9%. Especially, the contents of arachidonic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in Silky fowl eggs were significantly larger than in hen eggs.     

Classification of abomasal displacement in cows according to histopathology of the liver and clinical chemistry

Histopathological features of livers and blood chemical values in cows with abomasal displacement were investigated. Liver biopsy samples were collected during redressment operations in 92 cows with abomasal displacement, and the samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Blood was collected for chemical tests. Livers were histopathologically divided into the following four types: normal histology cases (21%), fatty degeneration cases (36%), cloudy swelling cases (19%) and fatty degeneration cases with cloudy swelling (24%). The number of PAS-positive samples was significantly higher in the normal histology group and significantly lower in the severe fatty degeneration group and severe cloudy swelling group. Cows with fatty degeneration had significantly higher levels of serum 3-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid and aspartate aminotransferase than did those with cloudy swelling or normal histology. The results indicate that the morbid conditions of cows with abomasal displacement can be classified into four types.     

Appearance of race Pfs:5 of spinach downy mildew fungus, Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae, in Japan

The races for the causal agent of spinach downy mildew Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae were identified by inoculation of race-differential cultivars. One isolate was identified as Pfs:5s and the others belonged to a new race. This is the first report of race Pfs:5 and another new race in Japan.     

Hardness distribution on wood surface

For better understanding wood hardness, we developed a new hand-operated hardness tester that works with Brinell's method. With this tester we investigated the hardness distribution of wood minutely using a 2mm diameter ball tip. The following results were obtained: (1) On preliminary examination with medium-density fiberboard, we found that the value of Brinell's hardness decreased with the increase in the tip ball's diameter but that it was almost constant with the indenting velocity. (2) By using a small diameter tip, the difference of the hardness became clearer between earlywood and latewood. (3) With radial and tangential sections, we obtained hardness distribution patterns similar to those of wood grain. It seems that the hardness distribution reflects the distribution of density on wood surfaces.     

Portable powder duster — An aid in cauliflower propagation

Summary Propagating summer cauliflower selections for seed production has been difficult due to soft rot and other diseases. A portable compressed air powder blower and evaporative cooling in the greenhouse has increased the percent surival of selected plants for seed production.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Articule No. 7105.     

Transplanting matured head type lettuce for seed production

Summary We obtained success in seed production by transplanting matured head lettuce plants into clay pots after (1) removing the head with a knife, leaving a few leaves on the stalk to allow for the development of the shoots, and (2) after removing all leaves covering the seedstalk so that it was free to bolt. The use of gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) to promote early seed production proved detrimental on poorly established transplants.     

Investigation of the action of the X locus in the tomato

Summary The action of the X locus in the tomato was explored by studying meiotic behavior, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and fertilization capability. Normal meiosis was observed suggesting no x meiotic lethality. Percent germination showed much variation from test to test depending on size of population. X and x pollen from homozygous sources showed no differences in pollen tube growth capability or fertilization capability. Pollen from the F₁ plant had a lower mean pollen tube length than either X and x pollen. Using F₁ pollen in backcrosses to the recessive parent resulted in deviations from expected segregation ratios for characters linked to x.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Article No. 5374.     

Inheritance of Fusarium resistance in a jointless tomato as affected by the X gametophytic factor

Summary Hybridization between tomato with xx and XX gametophytic genotypes exhibited in segregating generations, deviations from the expected monogenic inheritance of Fusarium wilt resistance conditioned by gene I. These deviations resul ted from gametophytic preference, linkage and the presence of modifying loci associated with the gene I. Although information on the inheritance of Fusarium wilt resistance is based on backcross data, information obtained from the pedigree procedure and testcrosses made with BC₁S₂ plants all supports the presence of modifiers.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Number 5457.     

Effect of 3-O-octanoyl-(+)-catechin on the responses of GABA(A) receptors and Na+/glucose cotransporters expressed in xenopus oocytes and on the oocyte membrane potential

Recently, 3-O-octanoyl-(+)-catechin (OC) was synthesized from (+)-catechin (C) by incorporation of an octanoyl chain into C in the light of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECg) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which are the major polyphenols found in green tea and have strong physiological activities. OC was found to inhibit the response of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (GABA(A) receptors) and Na+/glucose cotransporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes in a noncompetitive manner more strongly than does C. OC also induced a nonspecific membrane current and decreased the membrane potential of the oocyte, and thus death of the oocyte occurred even at lower concentrations than that induced by C or EGCg. Although EGCg produced H2O2 in aqueous solution, OC did not. This newly synthesized catechin derivative OC possibly binds to the lipid membrane more strongly than does C, Ecg, or EGCg and as a result perturbs the membrane structure.