The effects analysis of two neonicotinoid insecticides on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes using hanging drop monoculture method

Acetamiprid (ACE) and imidacroprid (IMI) are known neonicotinoid insecticides with strong affinities for the insect-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. These provide insect control by hyperstimulating insect nerves and are used for agricultural pest management. However, it has also been reported that ACE and IMI affect mammalian reproductive function. We determined the effects of ACE and IMI on the in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. Significant decreases in nuclear maturation rates were observed in the ACE or IMI-exposed groups. Also, in matured oocytes from the ACE or IMI-exposed groups, irregular chromosomes were observed. Our results suggest that ACE and IMI exposure was detrimental to porcine oocytes and the extent of the effects depends on the concentration of exposure.     

Histone H4 Modification During Mouse Spermatogenesis

The core histone is composed of four proteins (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4). Investigation of the modification patterns of histones is critical to understanding their roles in biological processes. Although histone modification is observed in multiple cells and tissues, little is known about its function in spermatogenesis. We focused on the modification patterns of histone H4 during murine spermatogenesis. We demonstrated that the individual N-terminal sites of H4 show different modification patterns during the differentiation of male germ cells. The methylation pattern varied depending on the residues that were mono-, di-, or tri-methylated. All the H4 modifications were high during the meiotic prophase, suggesting that histone H4 modification plays an important role during this stage of spermatogenesis. Elongating spermatids showed increased acetylation of histone H4, which may be associated with a histone-to-protamine substitution. Our results provide further insight into the specific relationship between histone H4 modification and gene expression during spermatogenesis, which could help to elucidate the epigenetic disorders underlying male infertility.     

Determination of Mugineic Acid, 2′-Deoxymugineic Acid, 3-Hydroxymugineic Acid,and Their Iron Complexes by Ion-Pair HPLC and Colorimetric Procedures

Extract

Under iron (Fe)-deficient conditions like in calcareous and/or high pH soils, mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs: mugineic acid (MA), 2′-deoxymugineic acid (DMA), 3-hydroxymugineic acid (HMA) etc.) are secreted from graminaceous plants and solubilize the slightly soluble Fe in soil as MAs-Fe complexes (Takagi 1976, 1993). Due to their high availability to higher plants (Roemheld and Marschner 1986), the behavior of MAs and their Fe complexes in the soil environment is of interest in connection with the iron nutrition of these plants.     

Identification and activity of ethyl gallate as an antimicrobial compound produced by Geranium carolinianum

We isolated an antimicrobial compound from the aerial tissue of Geranium carolinianum and identified it as ethyl 3, 4, 5-trihydroxy benzoate (ethyl gallate) by ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity of ethyl gallate against three potato pathogens was assayed by the paper disk method. The activity against Ralstonia solanacerum , Streptomyces scabies , and Streptomyces acidiscabies was observed at concentrations >200, >300, and >300 µg disk⁻¹, respectively. These results suggest that the antimicrobial activity of Geranium carolinianum against soil-borne plant disease pathogens is partly related to ethyl gallate.     

Contribution of militarine and dactylorhin A to the plant growth‐inhibitory activity of a weed‐suppressing orchid,Bletilla striata

The methanol extract of Bletilla striata, an ornamental orchid in eastern Asia, exhibited plant growth‐inhibitory activity. It was purified by continuous chromatography, based on the inhibitory activity against the growth of lettuce seedlings, resulting in two glycosidic compounds, militarine and dactylorhin A. The EC₅₀ values of militarine and dactylorhin A against the radicle elongation of the lettuce seedlings were 0.28 and 0.88 mmol L^?1, respectively. The amount of militarine and dactylorhin A in the methanol extract of the aerial part of B. striata was calculated to be 5.6 and 7.5 mg g^?1 fresh weight, respectively. The inhibitory activity of militarine and its content in the methanol extract revealed that the plant growth‐inhibitory activity of the extract of B. striata was mainly related to militarine. The inhibitory activity of militarine against the growth of Italian ryegrass and timothy were of the same level as that of lettuce.     

Adsorption of herbicidally active degradate 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid on an andosol

The adsorption of 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propanoic acid (DMPA) on the surface horizon of a humus-rich Andosol was examined. To investigate the mechanisms of adsorption, chemically treated Andosols, such as organic matter removed Andosol, organic matter and active metals removed Andosol, and clay minerals of the Andosol, were prepared. Furthermore, humic acid was extracted from the Andosol. The mechanisms of the DMPA adsorption were identified by using those untreated and chemically treated Andosols and the humic acid. The amount of DMPA adsorbed increased with decreasing equilibrium pH value. Active surface hydroxyl groups were identified as the most important soil functional group in DMPA adsorption. The predominant mechanism of DMPA adsorption on the Andosol is a ligand-exchange reaction, in which an active surface hydroxyl on Al and/or Fe is replaced by a carboxylic group of DMPA. A comparative study revealed that the amount of DMPA adsorbed was slightly greater than that of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), especially at equilibrium pH values below 5. This is because the octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow) of DMPA in the equilibrium pH range is higher than that of 2,4-D, and SOM participates in the adsorption process through a hydrophobic interaction.     

Changes in Chemical Structure and Biological Activity of L-DOPA as Influenced by an Andosol and Its Components

Velvetbean ( Mucuna pruriens ) has been reported to release 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine (L-DOPA) as an allelochemical that inhibits the growth of other plants, although the inhibitory activity depends on the soil type and it is extremely reduced in Andosols. To clarify the effects of Andosols and their components on the chemical structure and plant-growth-inhibitory activity of L-DOPA, an L-DOPA solution was reacted with an Andosol and its components (weathered pumice and purified allophane), and the resultant solution was subjected to ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet-visible spectral analyses, and plant-growth-inhibitory activity tests. When the L-DOPA solution was added to the soil components, the concentration of L-DOPA in the solution decreased by adsorption and transformation (polymerization) reactions. The adsorption mechanism included a ligand exchange reaction. The rate of L-DOPA transformation was faster at higher pH values. The soil components displayed a catalytic activity and accelerated the transformation of L-DOPA. Similar transformation occurred when light was irradiated. At pH values higher than 4.0, the transformed products from L-DOPA consisted of humic substances-like heterogeneous components, whereas specific components with low molecular weight were included when L-DOPA was transformed at a pH value of 9.7 or higher. The plant-growth-inhibitory activity of L-DOPA was extremely weakened when L-DOPA was adsorbed on or transformed (polymerized) by soil components. Therefore, in soils with high abilities of adsorption and transformation of L-DOPA such as in Andosols, it was likely that the L-DOPA concentration in the soil solution decreased quickly by adsorption and transformation reactions and the allelopathic activity of L-DOPA was lost.     

Expression and localization of alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 in the reproductive system of male mice

The structure of microtubules is essential for the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. Acetylation of α-tubulin plays an important role in flagellar elongation and spermatozoa motility. Previous reports have suggested that alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1) is the main acetyltransferase involved in the acetylation of α-tubulin. Although ATAT1 is reported to express in the testis, no information is available regarding its expression in elongated spermatids, epididymis, and mature spermatozoa. Hence, it remains unclear whether ATAT1 is involved in spermatozoa maturation and capacitation. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of ATAT1 in the mouse male reproductive system using immunostaining and western blotting. Our results showed that ATAT1 was expressed in spermatids during spermiogenesis in mouse testes, but its expression varied according to the seminiferous tubule stage. We observed ATAT1 in the cytoplasm of round spermatids, the flagella of elongated spermatids, and in the cytoplasm of step 16 spermatids, just before its release into the lumen. In addition, ATAT1 was expressed in epithelial cells of the epididymis. In spermatozoa of the cauda epididymis, ATAT1 expression was primarily observed in the midpiece of the spermatozoa. The localization of ATAT1 protein in the male germline was observed during spermiogenesis as well as during spermatozoa maturation. Our results suggest that ATAT1 may be involved in the formation of flagella and in the acetylation process, which has attracted attention in recent years regarding male infertility.     

Speciation of aluminum in soil environments

Although aluminum (Al) is abundant in soil environments, it is not an essential element and it is toxic to most organisms. Since the toxicity of Al depends on their chemical forms, the importance of Al speciation has been recognized worldwide. Difficulties in Al speciation are caused by the complex coordination chemistry of Al for the hydrolysis and formation of polynuclear species with a variable degree of solubility in aqueous solution. Nondestructive analyses, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, could supply primarily im-portant information on the chemical forms of Al and may enable to evaluate the results ob-tained by other methodologies. In the present report, NMR spectral characteristics of environmentally important Al-containing components, such as hydoxyaluminum ions, Alinorganic complexes, Al-organic complexes, and primary and secondary minerals, are summarized for the nuclei of ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si determined by solution NMR and solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR. Applications of NMR techniques to soil science, including speciation of phytotoxic Al in soil environments and whole soil NMR studies, are described.