DNA polymorphism of srRNA gene among Eimeria tenella strains isolated in Japan

DNA polymorphism in twelve starains of Eimeria tenella isolated from various places in Japan was examined using 1.l kb small subunits ribosomal RNA amplified by PCR. Genetic variation was evaluated by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. DNA fingerprint patterns were grouped into two, indicating that at least two DNA polymorphisms exist in Japanese E. tenella strains.     

Low-dose fish oil consumption prevents hepatic lipid accumulation in high cholesterol diet fed mice

We examined the effects of low-dose fish oil ingestion on hepatic lipid accumulation caused after high cholesterol feeding in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed purified experimental diets consisting of 20 energy % (en%) safflower oil (SO or SO/CH), 2 en% fish oil + 18 en% safflower oil (2FO or 2FO/CH), or 5 en% fish oil + 15 en% safflower oil (5FO or 5FO/CH) with or without 2 weight % (wt %) cholesterol for 8 weeks. Hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol contents were significantly lower in groups that were fed diets containing fish oil and cholesterol than in those that were fed safflower oil and cholesterol. The hepatic mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) were lower in groups fed cholesterol or fish oil. Fatty acid oxidation-related hepatic gene expressions were higher in fish oil-fed groups. Fecal cholesterol excretion was higher in all cholesterol-fed groups; cholesterol excretion was high in groups fed fish oil and cholesterol. These results suggest that low-dose fish oil diets improve lipid metabolism by modifying the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and increasing fecal cholesterol excretion.     

Antitumor activity of compounds isolated from leaves of Eriobotrya japonica

In a search for possible antitumor agents from natural sources, megastigmane glycosides and polyphenolic constituents isolated from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Rosaceae) were found to inhibit the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced activation of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen in Raji cells. Roseoside and procyanidin B-2 were among the active compounds found in an in vitro assay; these compounds were further assessed for antitumor activity in vivo in a two-stage carcinogenesis assay on mouse skin. Roseoside significantly delayed carcinogenesis induced by peroxynitrite (initiator) and TPA (promoter), and its potency was comparable to that of a green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, in the same assay.     

What factors influence the stem taper of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis>: growth,environmental conditions,or genetics?

• Introduction   

Stem taper equations have been widely used for volume estimation to varied top diameter limits or for biomass calculations. However, their main drawback is that specific calibration is often necessary for each species or clone, and accounting for genetic and environmental effects is often a challenge.     

Quantum criticality without tuning in the mixed valence compound beta-YbAlB4

Fermi liquid theory, the standard theory of metals, has been challenged by a number of observations of anomalous metallic behavior found in the vicinity of a quantum phase transition. The breakdown of the Fermi liquid is accomplished by fine-tuning the material to a quantum critical point by using a control parameter such as the magnetic field, pressure, or chemical composition. Our high-precision magnetization measurements of the ultrapure f-electron-based superconductor β-YbAlB(4) demonstrate a scaling of its free energy that is indicative of zero-field quantum criticality without tuning in a metal. The breakdown of Fermi liquid behavior takes place in a mixed-valence state, which is in sharp contrast with other known examples of quantum critical f-electron systems that are magnetic Kondo lattice systems with integral valence.     

Evaluation of the recognition of Theileria parva vaccine candidate antigens by cytotoxic T lymphocytes from Zebu cattle

East Coast fever (ECF) is a highly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle caused by Theileria parva, a tick-borne intracellular apicomplexan parasite. Parasite antigens that are targets of protective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses are required to formulate a sub-unit vaccine against ECF. A number of CTL target antigens have recently been identified and initial evaluation has shown their vaccine potential. This study aimed to evaluate whether these antigens were recognised by CTL obtained from six genetically diverse Zebu cattle immunized with a cocktail of T. parva stocks. T. parva Muguga specific polyclonal CD8(+) CTL lines were generated and confirmed to specifically lyse autologous infected cells. CTL recognition of autologous skin fibroblasts (iSF) transduced with recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara strain (MVA) expressing previously identified T. parva Muguga vaccine candidate antigens was evaluated using an IFN-gamma ELISpot assay. CTL lines from one of the four calves, BY120, responded specifically to cells infected with MVA expressing the antigen Tp2 and synthetic peptides were employed to map a new CTL epitope on this antigen. Immunoscreening of the T. parva genome with these CTL lines should identify novel antigens that will constitute valuable additions to the vaccine candidates currently being evaluated.