Relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on the seventh post-estrus day and plasma progesterone concentration,nutritional metabolic factors,and pregnancy outcome in dairy cows

To improve the accuracy of ultrasonographic assessment of luteal function, we investigated the relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on Day 7 (Day 1 = ovulation) and plasma progesterone (P₄) concentration, nutritional metabolic factors, and pregnancy outcome. A total of 47 spontaneous estrus events were investigated in 38 lactating Holstein cows (artificial insemination, n = 31; embryo transfer, n = 16). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on Days 0 and 7 to measure the pre-ovulatory follicle area on Day 0 and the luteal tissue area (LTA), luteal blood flow area (LBF), relative LBF (rLBF) (= LBF/LTA), and dominant follicle area (DFA) on Day 7. Blood samples were collected on Day 7 to measure plasma P₄, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, and metabolites. Plasma P₄ concentration was positively correlated with LTA but was not associated with LBF or rLBF. Plasma P₄ concentration was positively correlated with blood glucose and IGF-I and negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid, and no significant relationship was found between the ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum (CL) and these blood metabolites. Pregnant cows had smaller DFA than non-pregnant cows. In conclusion, LTA measurement can help predict plasma P₄ concentration, but it was difficult to detect variations in plasma P₄ concentration in relation to changes in energy status by evaluating the CL ultrasonographically. A combined assessment of CL and first-wave dominant follicle may be important in evaluating fertility.     

Quantitative trait loci associated with lodging tolerance in soybean cultivar ‘Toyoharuka’

Lodging tolerance (LT) is an important trait for high yield and combine-harvesting efficiency in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Many previous studies have investigated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for lodging score (LS) in soybean. Most of the investigated QTLs were located in the proximal region of maturity or growth habit loci. The aim of this study was to identify genetic factors for LT not associated with maturity or growth habit. QTL analysis was performed using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between ‘Toyoharuka’ (TH), a lodging-tolerant cultivar, and ‘Toyomusume’ (TM). The genotypes of TH and TM were estimated as both e1e2E3E4 and dt1. The average LS over 4 years was used for QTL analysis, identifying a major and stable QTL, qLS19-1, on chromosome 19. The LS of the near-isogenic line (NIL) with the TH allele at Sat_099, the nearest marker to qLS19-1, was significantly lower than the NIL with the TM allele at that position. The TH allele at Sat_099 rarely had a negative influence on seed yield or other agronomic traits in both NILs and the TM-backcrossed lines. Our results suggest that marker-assisted selection for qLS19-1 is effective for improving LT in breeding programs.     

MytiLec,a Mussel R-Type Lectin,Interacts with Surface Glycan Gb3 on Burkitt’s Lymphoma Cells to Trigger Apoptosis through Multiple Pathways

MytiLec; a novel lectin isolated from the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis); shows strong binding affinity to globotriose (Gb3: Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glc). MytiLec revealed β-trefoil folding as also found in the ricin B-subunit type (R-type) lectin family, although the amino acid sequences were quite different. Classification of R-type lectin family members therefore needs to be based on conformation as well as on primary structure. MytiLec specifically killed Burkitt''s lymphoma Ramos cells, which express Gb3. Fluorescein-labeling assay revealed that MytiLec was incorporated inside the cells. MytiLec treatment of Ramos cells resulted in activation of both classical MAPK/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK-ERK) and stress-activated (p38 kinase and JNK) Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. In the cells, MytiLec treatment triggered expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (a ligand of death receptor-dependent apoptosis) and activation of mitochondria-controlling caspase-9 (initiator caspase) and caspase-3 (activator caspase). Experiments using the specific MEK inhibitor U0126 showed that MytiLec-induced phosphorylation of the MEK-ERK pathway up-regulated expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, leading to cell cycle arrest and TNF-α production. Activation of caspase-3 by MytiLec appeared to be regulated by multiple different pathways. Our findings, taken together, indicate that the novel R-type lectin MytiLec initiates programmed cell death of Burkitt’s lymphoma cells through multiple pathways (MAPK cascade, death receptor signaling; caspase activation) based on interaction of the lectin with Gb3-containing glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains on the cell surface.     

Growth and yield responses of upland NERICAs to variable water management under field conditions

This study aimed to investigate the possible causes for inconsistent performances of upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties in uplands and lowlands, while identifying important determinants in grain yield under deficient soil moisture. We compared the growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 5 to those of Yumenohatamochi, a Japanese upland variety, and Hinohikari, a Japanese lowland variety, subjected to different water management regimes (continually flooded, supplementary irrigation, and non-irrigation). Under conditions of deficient soil moisture, panicle number per square meter, spikelet number per panicle, and 1000-grain weight of NERICAs decreased, whereas the panicle number of the Japanese varieties experienced little change. In contrast, the grain filling ratio was unaffected by water management, irrespective of variety. The primary source of yield reduction under low soil water conditions was a decrease in spikelet number per panicle, and water stress intensity was the primary factor for the degree of this reduction. Variation in the abortion of secondary rachis-branches caused differences between NERICAs in their spikelet number response to soil moisture deficiency. The inconsistency in NERICA performance across uplands vs. lowlands can be partially attributed to variation in yield response to low soil water conditions. Moreover, water stress intensity and the presence of a water gradient along the vertical soil profile may combine to affect the fluctuation in NERICA performance under upland conditions.     

Behavior of four broad-leaved tree species used to revegetate eroded granite hill slopes

Information on primary growth behavior after planting is required for mixed-plantation revegetation using broad-leaved species. To estimate primary growth, especially from the perspective of crown coverage and changing growth rates, we examined the growth and survival of four broad-leaved species that are frequently used in erosion-control plantations in Japan. The species studied were Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc., Alnus pendula Matsum., Quercus glauca Thunb., and Q. serrata Thunb. The survival, height, and basal diameter of planted trees were measured over a 4-year period, and crown area was calculated over a 3-year period. We found a negative relationship between relative growth rate (RGR) and survival rate, suggesting that fast growth may be fatal when resources are severely limited. The relative height growth rate (RHGR) of A. pendula was especially high during the early period of the study (1997–1999) and then drastically declined, whereas the opposite tendency was observed in Q. glauca. The results of stem allometry analyses conformed to the specific relationships between height growth and diameter growth of the four species; increases in stem thickness based on height increments were smaller in the pioneer species A. pendula. Between-species differences in coverage per planted tree (mean crown area multiplied by survival rate) were small as a result of the negative relationship between coverage area and survival rate.     

Suppressive effect of liquid potassium silicate on powdery mildew of strawberry in soil

A soil drench of soluble silicon (liquid potassium silicate) was tested for the control of powdery mildew of strawberry in soil for 2 years in a vinyl house under growers' conditions on two cultivars: very susceptible Toyonoka and slightly susceptible Sachinoka. Soluble silicon suppressed the disease more effectively as a preventive control than as a control to reduce initial incidence. The suppressive effect against this disease was more effective for Toyonoka than for Sachinoka. The control value of soluble potassium silicate was 85.6% for Toyonoka in the first year and 60.2% in the second year, while for Sachinoka it was 58% in the first year and 40.6% in the second year. Strawberry leaf hardness was measured for the control and silicate-treated leaves. Although silicate-treated leaves seemed to be harder than control leaves, leaf hardness did not vary significantly between controls and silicate-treated leaves in either of the 2 years, and the mode of preventive action of liquid potassium silicate remains unknown. A factor other than a physical action may be involved.     

Female-biased mortality rate and sexual size dimorphism of migratory masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou

Abstract –  We examined whether mortality and growth during the migration phase (the lacustrine phase after smolting) differ between sexes in migratory (lake-run) masu salmon ( Oncorhynchus masou ) in a lacustrine population, northern Hokkaido, Japan. The sex ratio of 1+ smolts was more skewed to females than that of the returning adults in three annual cohorts examined, indicating that females have a higher mortality rate during the migration phase. Although there was no difference in smolt length between sexes, female adults were larger in body length than males of the same age: female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD) occurs. We suppose that breeding selection favouring a larger body size for females than for males in this population probably requires that females undertake more intensive foraging behaviour with its greater inherent risks but faster growth rates during the migration phase. It therefore seems to be likely that the selection is the ultimate cause of the female-biased mortality rate and SSD.     

Synthesis of morphiceptin (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH(2)) by dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV derived from Aspergillus oryzae

Morphiceptin (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH(2)), tetrapeptide, was synthesized using dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DP IV, EC 3.4.14.5) derived from Aspergillus oryzae RIB 915 as a catalyst. Tyr-Pro-OEt was incubated with Phe-Pro-NH(2) in the presence of DP IV under various conditions of temperature, concentrations of ethylene glycol, pH, reaction time, and others. Morphiceptin was obtained at 40% yield under the optimal reaction conditions: substrate, 4 mM Tyr-Pro-OEt.HCl and 20 mM Phe-Pro-NH(2).HCl; enzyme, DP IV, 0.275 nkat; solvent, 60% ethylene glycol containing 20 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0; amine, 4.2 mM diisopropylamine at 4 degrees C for 24 h. Amino group protection was unnecessary for synthesis of morphiceptin by DP IV.