Comparison in taste and extractive components of boiled dorsal muscle and broth from half-smooth golden puffer Lagocephalus spadiceus caught in Japan with those of the same fish imported

The taste and extractive components of boiled dorsal muscle and broth prepared from half-smooth golden puffer Lagocephalus spadiceus caught in Japan and from those imported from China were compared. In the sensory test, the first taste, elasticity, and saltiness of boiled muscle from Japanese (domestic) fish were higher than those of the imported fish, whereas the orthonasal fishy smell of the imported fish was higher than that of the domestic fish. The first taste, aftertaste, retronasal fishy smell, sweetness, saltiness, and umami of the broth prepared from dorsal muscle of the domestic fish were higher than those of the imported fish, whereas orthonasal fishy smell and bitterness of the imported fish were higher than those of the domestic fish. Most panelists preferred the overall taste of the domestic fish to that of the imported fish. The concentration of trimethylamine in the trichloroacetic acid extracts from boiled muscle and broth of the imported fish was higher than that of the domestic fish, suggesting that this substance contributes to the orthonasal fishy smell of the imported fish.     

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.     

Simultaneous measurement of soil water and soil hardness using a modified time domain reflectometry probe and a conventional cone penetrometer

Soil strength and water content are important indices for assessing soil resistance to root growth and soil compaction both of which affect other soil properties. Therefore, simultaneous measurement of soil penetration resistance (PR) and soil water content can aid agricultural land management. We measured PR with a conventional cone penetrometer, followed immediately by determining water content using a modified TDR probe inserted into the penetrometer hole. From the results of a field feasibility test, soil water content was measured satisfactorily and correlated well with data obtained by the gravimetric method, except for those data from near the surface owing to soil disturbance when the cone penetrometer was extracted after the PR measurements. Field results demonstrate that PR and soil water content have three‐dimensional variability, with a markedly different distribution pattern between cultivated and subsoil layers at the field scale. Overall, the variability in the PR and soil water data is similar to that reported in previous studies. We conclude that our method produces results helpful to field management of soil and water because it is based on a simple and easy technique for the simultaneous measurement of soil water content and PR.     

Metabolism of fenitrothion by organophosphorus-resistant and -susceptible house flies, Musca domestica L

The metabolism of fenitrothion was investigated in highly resistant (Akita-f) and susceptible (SRS) strains of the house fly, Musca domestica L. The Akita-f strain was 3500 times more resistant to fenitrothion than the SRS strain. Fenitrothion, topically applied to the flies, was metabolized in vivo far faster in the Akita-f strain than in the SRS strain. In vitro studies revealed that fenitrothion was metabolized by a cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system and glutathione S-transferases. The former oxidase system metabolized fenitrothion in vitro into fenitrooxon and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol as major metabolites, and into 3-hydroxymethyl-fenitrothion and 3-hydroxymethyl-fenitrooxon as minor metabolites. Glutathione S-transferases metabolized fenitrothion into desmethylfenitrothion. The cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system and glutathione S-transferases of the resistant Akita-f strain had 1.4 to 2.2 times and 9.7 times, respectively, as great activities as those of the susceptible SRS strain. These results suggest the importance of glutathione S-transferases in fenitrothion resistance in the Akita-f strain.     

Insect glutathione S-transferase: Separation of transferases from fat bodies of American cockroaches active on organophosphorus triesters

Several glutathione S-transferases which catalyze the conjugation of reduced glutathione with organophosphorus triesters were separated from fat bodies of adult female American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.). Two transferases (I, V) were active on diazinon and three transferases (II, III, IV) were active on methyl parathion. The transferase (I) active on the pyrimidinyl moiety of diazinon was distinguishable from the other transferases on the O-methyl portion of methyl parathion, as shown by chromatographic properties, and additionally it was almost inactive or less active on 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene, methyl iodide, p-nitrobenzyl chloride, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Transferase II had high activities with “aryl” and “aralkyl” compounds, transferase III with “epoxide” and “alkene,” and transferase IV with “alkyl,” “aryl,” and “aralkyl” compounds. This indicated that the transferases had overlapping substrate specificities. The molecular weight was 35,000–37,000 for both of the enzymes active on methyl parathion and diazinon. The pH optima with methyl parathion and diazinon were about 8.5 and 6.5, respectively. At a glutathione concentration of 5 mM, Michaelis constants were 0.28 and 0.13 mM for methyl parathion and diazinon, respectively.     

Effects of chlordimeform on rectus abdominis muscle of frog

The effects of chlordimeform on rectus abdominis muscle of frog were investigated. Chlordimeform (10^?3M) caused a slow contraction, and at lower concentration (10^?5–10^?3M) it inhibited the acetylcholine-induced contraction in noncompetitive manner. When chlordimeform was applied to the muscle of Rana catesbiana, K⁺-induced contraction was also inhibited in noncompetitive manner. Whereas it had no effect on caffeine-induced contraction.Chlordimeform-induced contraction was not affected by respective addition of d-tubocurarine (10^?4M), procaine (10^?3M), or eserine (0.3 mM), which results were same as that of K⁺-induced contraction. Chlordimeform, at lower concentration (10^?5–10^?3M), inhibits the acetylcholine- and K⁺-induced contractions probably owing to depression of not only the sensitivity of endplate but also the excitability of cell membrane.     

Mechanism of neuromuscular block by chlordimeform

The mechanism of action of chlordimeform on the frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle preparation has been studied by means of microelectrodes. Chlordimeform (0.1 mM) suppresses the amplitude of spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials without much changing their frequency. At 1 mM, it completely blocks the miniature end-plate potentials. The resting membrane potential is not affected. The end-plate potential evoked by nerve stimulation is also suppressed, while the action potential from the nerve terminal is not impaired. The sensitivity of the end-plate membrane to the transmitter substance as examined by iontophoretic applications of acetylcholine is effectively decreased by chlordimeform. The quantal content of transmitter release is not affected. It is concluded that the block of neuromuscular transmission by chlordimeform is due primarily to a depression of the end-plate sensitivity to the transmitter.     

Mitogenesis in response to PDGF and bombesin abolished by microinjection of antibody to PIP2

The turnover of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is believed to constitute a crucial step in the signaling pathways for stimulation of cells by a variety of bioactive substances, including mitogens, but decisive evidence for the idea has not been obtained. In the present study, a monoclonal antibody to PIP2 was microinjected into the cytoplasm of NIH 3T3 cells before or after exposure to mitogens. The antibody completely abolished nuclear labeling with [3H]thymidine induced by platelet-derived growth factor and bombesin, but not by fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin, or serum. The findings strongly suggest that PIP2 breakdown is crucial in the elicitation and sustaining of cell proliferation induced by some types of mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor and bombesin.     

Effects of Ozone and/or Soil Water Stress on Growth and Photosynthesis of Fagaus Crenata Seedlings

The effects of ozone (O₃) and soil water stress, singly and in combination, on the growth and photosynthesis of Fagus crenata seedlings were investigated. Four-year-old seedlings were exposed to charcoal-filtered air (< 5 nmol mol^?1 O₃) or 60 nmol mol^?1 O₃, 7 hours per day (11:00–18:00), for 156 days from 10 May to 11 October 1999 in naturally-lit growth chambers at 20/15 °C (6:00–18:00/18:00–6:00). During the same period, half of the seedlings in each gas treatment received 250 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (well-watered treatment), while the rest received 175 mL of water at the 3-day intervals (water-stressed treatment). The exposure of the seedlings to O₃ caused reductions in the leaf, stem, root and whole-plant dry weights. The net photosynthetic rate at 350 µmol mol^?1 CO₂, the maximum net photosynthetic rate at saturated CO₂-concentration, carboxylation efficiency of photosynthesis and Rubisco content were significantly reduced by the exposure to O₃. The soil water stress induced reductions in the stem, bud and whole-plant dry weights, transpiration rate and leaf water potential during the midday. The additive effects of O₃ and soil water stress were observed on the dry matter production, leaf gas exchange rates and leaf water potential. As a result, the whole-plant dry weight of the seedlings exposed to both stresses was markedly reduced compared with that of the seedlings exposed to charcoal-filtered air and grown in the well-watered treatment.     

Effect of Anions in Simulated Precipitation on the Uptake of Heavy Metals and Aluminum by Brassica Rapa L. Grown in Heavy -Metal -Contaminated Sandy Soil

This study investigated the effect of anions on the uptake of heavy metals and aluminum by Brassica rapa L. from non-contaminated, Cd-contaminated, and sewage sludge compost (SSC)-amended sandy soil. Four types of artificial precipitation were applied: deionized water (pH 5.7) as a control, and solutions of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HCl prepared to pH 4.5. Precipitation was applied daily during the last 20 d of cultivation. The pH of the Cd-treated soil after harvest was not affected by any precipitation treatment. Shoot concentrations of heavy metals and Al were unaffected by any treatments on non-contaminated soil. In contrast, all acid treatments increased the Cd concentration in shoots grown on Cd-contaminated soil, but only HNO₃ precipitation increased it in SSC-amended soil. These results indicate, even without large soil pH change, there is a possibility that the Cd uptake by B. rapa L. depends on anions in precipitation and chemical form of Cd in the soil under conditions of heavy metal enrichment.