Quality Characteristics of Waxy Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Properties of Starch Gelatinization and Retrogradation

The viscoelastic properties and molecular structure of the starch isolated from waxy (amylose-free) hexaploid wheat (WHW) (Triticum aestivum L.) were examined. WHW starch generally had lower gelatinization onset temperature, peak viscosity, and setback than the starch isolated from normal hexaploid wheat (NHW). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that WHW starch had higher transition temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c) and enthalpy (ΔH) than NHW starch. However, when compared on the basis of amylopectin (AP) content, ΔH of WHW starch was almost statistically identical to that of its parental varieties. Typical A-type X-ray diffraction patterns were observed for the starches of WHW and its parental varieties. Somewhat higher crystallinity was indicated for WHW starch. WHW starch was also characterized by having greater retrogradation resistance. The high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) of amylopectin showed that each amylopectin yielded two fractions after debranching. Although WHW amylopectin had somewhat long B chains, little difference was observed in the ratio of Fr.III/ Fr.II between WHW and its parental varieties.     

Application of ELISA-based kit for detecting AOZ and determining its clearance in eel tissues

Furazolidone, an antibacterial drug that was once widely used in the livestock industry and aquaculture, is now prohibited in numerous countries. It is difficult to detect residual furazolidone because it is readily metabolized in animal tissues but, by using and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, its metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) can be detected. Here we describe the validity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to detect AOZ in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica tissue. ELISA is capable of detecting AOZ at 1.0 μg/kg in an eel sample with excellent accuracy and precision. Our results show that ELISA is suitable for regulatory purposes and for studying the fate of AOZ residues in eel treated with furazolidone. To measure the persistence of AOZ in eel tissues, eels (1.4–6.5g) were immersed in tanks containing 2 and 10 mg furazolidone/L for 3 h, and then maintained in a tank supplying well water for the next 160 days. The half-lives of AOZ, calculated from the linear terminal part of the excretion curve, were 25.0 days in muscle and 21.6 days in liver from fish exposed to 2 mg/L furazolidone. In the eels treated with 10 mg/L furazolidone, by contrast, high levels of AOZ were detected in liver and muscle, but the half-lives of AOZ were similar to those in fish treated with 2 mg/L furazolidone. The half-lives of AOZ in eel tissues were prolonged by the condition of low water temperature.     

The functional-morphological adaptive strategy of digestive organs of decapodiform cephalopods

The digestive organs in decapodiform cephalopod species morphologically vary byindividual lifestyle. We examined the following six species of adult decapodiformescephalopods representing different habitats: Todarodes pacificus, Loligobleekeri, Loligo edulis, Wataseniascintillans (pelagic), Sepia lycidas and Euprymnamorsei (benthic). L. bleekeri and L. edulispossess a bursiform cecal sac connected to the cecum. Pelagic species have a singledigestive gland smaller than in benthic species. T. pacificus has an ovaldigestive gland larger than that of L. bleekeri and L.edulis, which possess withered-looking and smaller digestive glands. Incontrast, the digestive glands in benthic species are paired. S. lycidasand E. morsei have well-developed and larger digestive glands than thoseof the pelagic species. Well-developed digestive duct appendages are found in benthicspecies. In qualification of the mass of digestive organs, pelagic species have smallerstomachs, digestive glands and digestive ducts’ appendages than benthic species. Becausepelagic species need to swim, they may possess smaller stomachs and larger cecums for morerapid digestion. A smaller digestive gland may have the advantage of reducing the bodyweight in pelagic species for rapid swimming. In contrast, since benthic species require alonger time for digestion than pelagic species, they compact more food in their stomachsand absorb nutrients via more organs, such as the digestive grand and digestive ductappendages, in addition to cecum.     

Genetic studies for breeding of rice cultivars with superior grain appearance and lodging resistance from the rice cultivar ‘Emi-no-kizuna’

ABSTRACT

We conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of grain appearance (GA) and agronomic traits of rice, using 128 recombinant inbred lines derived from ‘Emi-no-kizuna’ and ‘Tomohonami’. We detected two promising QTLs associated with GA: qGA4 on chromosome 4 and qGA8 on chromosome 8. qGA4 contributed highly to the greater percentage of perfect grains of the Emi-no-kizuna genotype. In the same region, we detected other QTLs associated with panicle number and spikelet number per panicle. In near-isogenic lines (NILs) in which Emi-no-kizuna alleles were introgressed in the genomic region of only the semi-dwarf 1 (sd1) locus (NIL_1) and both the sd1 locus and qGA8 (NIL_2), respectively, the percentage of perfect grains was significantly higher and the percentages of milky white, basal white, and white back grains were significantly lower than in Tomohonami; and the percentages of milky white and white back grains of NIL_2 were significantly lower than those of NIL_1. These results suggest that introgression in the sd1 region could improve GA, and that the addition of qGA8 could further improve GA. The culm lengths of the NILs were significantly shorter than that of Tomohonami, indicating improved lodging resistance. Grain weight of NIL_2 was significantly smaller than that of NIL_1, suggesting that the effect of qGA8 could be pleiotropic, or the gene that underlies qGA8 could be linked with genes associated with grain weight.

Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; AT20: mean air temperature in the 20 days after heading; BW: basal white grain; CL: culm length; DAH: days after heading; GA: grain appearance; GW: 1000-grain weight; LOD: logarithm of odds; MW: milky white grain; NIL: near-isogenic line; PG: perfect grain; PL: panicle length; PN: panicle number; PTSN: putative total spikelet number; PVE: percentage of phenotypic variation explained; QTL: quantitative trait locus; RIL: recombinant inbred line; SN: spikelet number per panicle; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; WB: white back grain     

Effect of different ions on larval metamorphosis of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Metamorphic responses of pediveliger larvae of Mytilus galloprovincialis to different ions were investigated through a series of bioassays. Effects of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) on inductive effects of these above ions were also investigated. Excess ions including Li⁺, Cs⁺, Rb⁺ and Ca²⁺ induced larval metamorphosis at 10^?3 M to 5 × 10^?2 M in 24‐h exposure assays. In continuous exposure assays, only excess Ca²⁺ showed inductive activity and induced 25% metamorphosis at 5 × 10^?2 M. Larval responses to Li⁺ and Rb⁺were inhibited by TEA, while induction of metamorphosis by Cs⁺and Ca²⁺ was independent of the presence of TEA. Thus, these ions used can be useful inducers of larval metamorphosis for application in the aquaculture industry. The finding provides new insights on the biochemical mechanism controlling larval metamorphosis in this species.     

Taurine transporter from the giant Pacific oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>: function and expression in response to hyper- and hypo-osmotic stress

ABSTRACT:   Taurine is the primary osmolyte in marine molluscs, whose cellular osmo-conforming process is vital for environmental adaptation because of a lack of osmotic homeostasis. Here, cDNA cloning and expression, and functional analyses of taurine transporter (TAUT) from the giant Pacific oyster are reported on. The deduced amino-acid sequence of oyster TAUT (oyTAUT) showed 47–51% identity to those of vertebrate TAUT, whereas identity among the vertebrates is 78–95%. Functional analysis of oyTAUT expressed in Xenopus oocytes revealed that oyTAUT has a lower affinity and specificity for taurine and a requirement for higher NaCl concentration, compared with vertebrate TAUT. Taken together with similar functional properties of TAUT from mussel, indicated by our previous study, it is possible that these functional features reflect the internal environment of the molluscs (i.e. higher taurine and NaCl concentrations). Oyster taurine transporter mRNA expression was induced by not only hyper-osmotic stress, similar to other TAUT, but also hypo-osmotic stress. It is speculated that the expression in response to hypo-osmotic stress was induced by a substantial decrease in tissue taurine content following the decrease in the internal osmolality.     

The Guttural Pouch is not Present in the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum); Morphology of the Eustachian Tube and Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx and eustachian tube (auditory tube) were morphologically examined in the white rhinoceros. The narrow nasopharynx cavity was enlarged dorsoventrally. The most lateral part of both sides sharply rises in a dorsal direction and the volume is estimated at 173 cc. The eustachian tube is 145 mm in length from the auditory bulla to the nasopharynx. The hyaline cartilage is well-developed in the middle region of the eustachian tube wall. The results demonstrated that the white rhinoceros does not have a guttural pouch. We suggest that the occurrence of the guttural pouch may not be dependent on the phylogenetic status of perissodactyls such as horse, donkey and tapir.     

Mesh-like vascular changes in copper deficiency-induced rat cardiomyopathy

The pathological effects of copper deficiency (COD) are well known. However, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy resulting from COD remains unclear. In this study, aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of COD-induced cardiomyopathy by examining the morphology of the cardiovascular system in copper-deficient rats using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Changes detected in the myocardium and interstitium were consistent with those reported for COD. Morphological changes included mesh-like changes in the capillary endothelial cells that appear to be a novel finding in COD-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes are hypothesized to result from abnormal vascular remodeling following damage to the basement membrane and due to the mechanical effects of myocardial contractions. Although cardiomyopathy may be associated with microcirculatory disorders arising from these lesions, further investigations are necessary to demonstrate a causal relationship between the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and the contribution of these lesions to disease progression.     

A morphological analysis of the skull size and shape of Kerivoulinae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Vietnam

Southeast Asia is a region of high biodiversity, containing species of plants and animals that are yet to be discovered. In this region, bats of the subfamily Kerivoulinae are widespread and diverse with six species recorded in Vietnam. However, the taxonomy of the Kerivoulinae in Asia is complicated. In our study, we used diagnostic characters and multivariate analysis to determine morphological differences between the genera Kerivoula and Phoniscus. We showed that the two genera are distinguishable by the size of second upper incisors, the shape of skull, nasal sinus, canines, second upper and lower premolars. In addition, the two genera can be osteometrically separated by measurements of the braincase height, interorbital width and shape of anterior palatal emargination. Our data clearly revealed the morphological variations in the skull shape of Kerivoula hardwickii in Vietnam. This suggests a possible separation into three morphotypes, representing cryptic species supported by statistical differences with wide variation in skull shape, size and teeth. These results demonstrated Kerivoula hardwickii can be separated three subspecies, and the result will serve as the basis for the future assessment and classification of this group in Southeast Asia.