Seasonal and yearly variations in light use and nitrogen use by seedlings of four deciduous broad-leaved tree species invading larch plantations

Several deciduous broad-leaved tree species, differing in leaf phenology, invade larch (Larix kaempferii (Lamb.) Carrière) plantations in Japan. The understory light environment of larch forests changes drastically between the leafy and leafless periods. To determine how the invading seedlings exploit the changing light environment, and if phenological differences reflect the light- and nitrogen-use traits of the seedlings, we measured leaf phenology, seasonal changes in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P(sat)), leaf nitrogen (N) content (N(area)), chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio (Chl/N), specific leaf area (SLA) and N remobilization rate (NRMR) over 3 years. The mid-successional or gap-phase species, Magnolia hypoleuca Siebold & Zucc., had a short leafy period and high P(sat) and NRMR. In contrast, two late-successional tree species, Prunus ssiori Friedr. Schmidt, which undergoes leaf flush before larch, and Carpinus cordata Blume, which maintains green leaves until frost, both had low P(sat) and NRMR but exploited the opportunity for growth during the period when the larch canopy trees were leafless. Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. var. crispula (Blume) Ohashi, a mid-late-successional species that underwent leaf flush at the same time as the overstory larch, had values of photosynthetic parameters between those of the gap-phase and late-successional species. Among species, M. hypoleuca and Q. mongolica had higher photosynthetic rates and photosynthetic N-use efficiencies. In all species, the relationship between N(area) and P(sat) showed species-specific yearly fluctuations; however, there was no yearly fluctuation in the relationship between N(area) and P(sat) at CO2 saturation. Yearly fluctuations in the N(area)-P(sat) relationship appeared to be induced by changes in SLA and N-use characteristics, which in turn are affected by climatic variations.     

Ultrasonographic appearance of torsion of a testicular seminoma in a cryptorchid dog

An intra-abdominal testicular tumour was diagnosed in a 10-year-old, male, cryptorchid golden retriever. Upon surgical removal, torsion of the testis was found. The histopathological diagnosis was seminoma. The ultrasound examination in this case revealed a parenchymal mass lesion. An ultrasound examination is a useful supplemental diagnostic tool for differentiation of abdominal mass lesions.     

Genetic mapping of AFLP markers in Japanese bunching onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium fistulosum</Emphasis>)

Summary The first genetic linkage map of Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum) based primarily on AFLP markers was constructed using reciprocally backcrossed progenies. They were 120 plants each of (P₁)BC₁ and (P₂)BC₁ populations derived from a cross between single plants of two inbred lines: D1s-15s-22 (P₁) and J1s-14s-20 (P₂). Based on the (P₂)BC₁ population, a linkage map of P₁ was constructed. It comprises 164 markers – 149 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), 2 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPSs), and 12 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from Japanese bunching onion, and 1 SSR from bulb onion (A. cepa) – on 15 linkage groups covering 947 centiMorgans (cM). The linkage map of P₂ was constructed with the (P₁)BC₁ population and composed of 120 loci – 105 AFLPs, 1 CAPS, and 13 SSRs developed from Japanese bunching onion and 1 SSR from bulb onion – on 14 linkage groups covering 775 cM. Both maps were not saturated but were considered to cover the majority of the genome. Nine linkage groups in P₂ map were connected with their counterparts in P₁ map using co-dominant anchor markers, 13 SSRs and 1 CAPS.     

Improvement of functional properties of egg white protein through phosphorylation by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate

Egg white protein (EWP) was phosphorylated by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate at pH 3.0-7.0 and 85 degrees C for 1 and 5 days, and the functional properties of the phosphorylated EWP (PP-EWP) were investigated. The phosphorylation was accelerated with a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 3.0 and for heating times from 1 to 5 days. The phosphorus content of EWP increased approximately 1.05% by dry-heating at pH 4.0 and 85 degrees C for 5 days in the presence of pyrophosphate, which was higher than that of casein. The electrophoretic mobility of EWP increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The surface hydrophobicity of EWP increased by phosphorylation. The heat stability, emulsifying properties, and digestibility of EWP were improved by phosphorylation. The calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of EWP was enhanced by phosphorylation. A firmer and transparent heat-induced gel of PP-EWP was obtained, and the water-holding capacity of heat-induced PP-EWP gel was higher that that of the control. These results suggest that phosphorylation by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate is a useful method for improving the functional properties of EWP.     

Phosphorylation of egg white proteins by dry-heating in the presence of phosphate

Food proteins were phosphorylated by heating in a dry state in the presence of phosphate. When casein, whey protein isolate (WPI), and egg white proteins (EWP), which were lyophilized from their solutions in a phosphate buffer, were dry-heated at various temperatures and pH levels for 1-5 days, EWP was more highly phosphorylated than casein and WPI. Phosphorylation of EWP was promoted with a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 3.0 when the incubation temperature was raised from 55 to 100 degrees C. The phosphorus content of EWP increased from 0.08 to 0.64% by dry-heating at pH 3.0 and 85 degrees C for 5 days in the presence of phosphate. The electrophoretic mobility of EWP increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The heat-induced polymerization of EWP by dry-heating was not affected by the presence of phosphate. Although the solubility of EWP decreased by dry-heating at pH 3.0-5.5, the phosphorylation depressed the insolubilization at low pH. The phosphate bonds in phosphorylated EWP (P-EWP) were stable at pH 2.0-10.0 and were more acid-labile and base-stable than phosphoesters of egg riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP). (31)P NMR spectral data suggested that besides phosphoesters, phosphodiester and polyphosphate bonds were introduced in P-EWP. Heat stability of EWP was improved, and calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of EWP was enhanced by phosphorylation.     

Growth, Net Photosynthetic Rate, Nutrient Status and Secondary Xylem Anatomical Characteristics of Fagus Crenata Seedlings Grown in Brown Forest Soil Acidified with H2SO4 Solution

Dry matter production, net photosynthetic rate, leaf nutrient status and trunk anatomical characteristics of Fagus crenata seedlings grown in brown forest soil acidified by adding H₂SO₄ solution were investigated. The soil acidification leaded to decreased (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio in the soil solution. Dry mass per plant of the seedlings grown in the soil treated with H⁺ at 120 mg·L^?1 was significantly reduced compared with the control value at 0 mg·L^?1. When net photosynthetic rate was reduced in the seedlings grown in the soil treated with H⁺ at 120 mg·L^?1, the carboxylation efficiency and maximum net photosynthetic rate at saturated CO₂-concentration were lower than the control values. The addition of H⁺ to the soil at 120 mg·L^?1iinduced a reduction in the concentration of Ca in the leaf. By contrast, the concentration of Al in the leaf was increased with increasing the amount of H⁺ added to the soil. The annual ring formed in the seedlings grown in the soil treated with H⁺ at 120 mg·L^?1 was significantly narrower than that at 0 (control), 10, 30, 60 or 90 mg·L^?1. Based on the results obtained in the present study, we conclude that Fagus crenata is relatively sensitive to a reduction in the (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio of soil solution compared with Picea abies.     

Use of a flexed dorsoplantar radiographic view of the talocrural joint to evaluate lameness in two dogs.

A flexed dorsoplantar radiographic view of the talocrural joint was a useful additional view to diagnose abnormalities of the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus of 2 dogs. This view outlined the subchondral bone of both trochlear ridges of the talus and the apposing cochlea tibiae of the distal portion of the tibia. The tarsus was flexed at the level of the talocrural joint, and an x-ray beam was centered on the joint. With this additional view, fractures of the lateral trochlear ridge were readily diagnosed. This view would help to demonstrate osteochondral lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge.     

DEGENERATIVE CHANGES IN THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN OF THE DOG

A group of 160 Beagles were studied radiographically to determine the pattern of degenerative changes within the vertebral column, especially involving the intervertebral discs. The normal radiographic appearance of both disc and surrounding vertebrae is described. Disc space narrowing and calcification of discal tissues provide radiographic patterns that assist in diagnosis and prognosis. Because of the older age of the dogs, severe degeneration of the endplates with marked instability between vertebral segments was seen.