Differences in the mineral contents between falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli

A study was performed to determine the effect of zinc deficiency on the zinc concentration of the retina, lens, and the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. Weanling, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ad libitum modified AIN-93 diets containing 3 mg zinc/kg diet (−Zn; n=10) for 6 wk. Control animals were pair-fed (+ZnPF; n=10) or fed ad libitum (+ZnAL; n=10) diets containing 100 mg zinc/kg diet. At 6 wk, plasma and tibia zinc were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry to confirm zinc deficiency. The zinc concentration of ocular tissues was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mean (±SEM) lens zinc concentration was significantly depressed in the zinc-deficient group as compared to that of pair-fed or ad libitum-fed controls, suggesting that the role of zinc in cataract formation should be investigated. The zinc concentration of total neural retina was preserved in zinc deficiency. Previously reported deterioration of retinal function in zinc deficiency may be the result of a decline in the zinc concentration of a specific cell layer of the retina that cannot be detected on gross analysis of the entire retina. This work was presented in part at Experimental Biology 98, April 1998, San Francisco, CA [P. G. Paterson, B. H. Grahn, and J. S. Fabe, Retinal and lens zinc concentration in the zinc-deficient rat. FASEB J. 12, A521 (1998)].     

cDNA microarray analysis of bovine embryo gene expression profiles during the pre-implantation period

Background

After fertilization, embryo development involves differentiation, as well as development of the fetal body and extra-embryonic tissues until the moment of implantation. During this period various cellular and molecular changes take place with a genetic origin, e.g. the elongation of embryonic tissues, cell-cell contact between the mother and the embryo and placentation. To identify genetic profiles and search for new candidate molecules involved during this period, embryonic gene expression was analyzed with a custom designed utero-placental complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray.

Methods

Bovine embryos on days 7, 14 and 21, extra-embryonic membranes on day 28 and fetuses on days 28 were collected to represent early embryo, elongating embryo, pre-implantation embryo, post-implantation extra-embryonic membrane and fetus, respectively. Gene expression at these different time points was analyzed using our cDNA microarray. Two clustering algorithms such as k-means and hierarchical clustering methods identified the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes across pre-implantation period. Novel candidate genes were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR.

Results

In total, 1,773 individual genes were analyzed by complete k-means clustering. Comparison of day 7 and day 14 revealed most genes increased during this period, and a small number of genes exhibiting altered expression decreased as gestation progressed. Clustering analysis demonstrated that trophoblast-cell-specific molecules such as placental lactogens (PLs), prolactin-related proteins (PRPs), interferon-tau, and adhesion molecules apparently all play pivotal roles in the preparation needed for implantation, since their expression was remarkably enhanced during the pre-implantation period. The hierarchical clustering analysis and RT-PCR data revealed new functional roles for certain known genes (dickkopf-1, NPM, etc) as well as novel candidate genes (AW464053, AW465434, AW462349, AW485575) related to already established trophoblast-specific genes such as PLs and PRPs.

Conclusions

A large number of genes in extra-embryonic membrane increased up to implantation and these profiles provide information fundamental to an understanding of extra-embryonic membrane differentiation and development. Genes in significant expression suggest novel molecules in trophoblast differentiation.     

pag gene-like protein (ABP-25) of the Cynops embryo: regional distribution and gene expression during early embryogenesis

A maternal protein showing a unique distribution during early Cynops embryogenesis was screened by monoclonal antibody. The antigen protein, designated as ABP-25 (animal blastomere protein, molecular weight 25,000), was distributed uniformly in the uncleaved egg and concentrated into blastomeres of the animal half during cleavage. At the blastula stage, ABP-25 was definitely localized in cells of the animal half and a polarized distribution was observed within the cytoplasm. During gastrulation, immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the reactivity of the marginal zone (presumptive mesoderm) to the monoclonal antibody ABP-25 decreased after involution. At the end of gastrulation, a polarized distribution was still clearly observed in the ventral epidermis, but not in the neuroectoderm. Both Western and Northern blots indicated that the amount of antigen protein and the intensity of gene expresion were almost constant until the neurula stage. The deduced amino acid sequence of the ABP-25 cDNA showed a strong homology (84%) with that of the pag gene associated with cell proliferation.The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper will appear in the GSDB, DDBJ, EMBL and NCBI nucleotide sequence databases with the accession number D37808     

Forest stand structure, composition, and dynamics in 34 sites over Japan

This data paper reports tree census data collected in a network of 34 forest sites in Japan. This is the largest forest data set freely available in Japan to date. The network is a part of the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. It covers subarctic to subtropical climate zones and the four major forest types in Japan. Forty-two permanent plots, usually 1?ha in size, were established in old-growth or secondary natural forests. Censuses of woody species ??15?cm girth at breast height were conducted every year or once during 2004 to 2009. The data provide species abundance, survivorship and stem girth growth of 52,534 individuals of 334 tree and liana species. The censuses adopted common census protocol, which provide good opportunities for meta-analyses and comparative studies among forests. The data have been used for ecological studies as well as for the biodiversity reports published by the Ministry of the Environment.     

Aboveground biomass increments over 26 years (1993–2019) in an old-growth cool-temperate forest in northern Japan

Assessing long-term changes in the biomass of old-growth forests with consideration of climate effects is essential for understanding forest ecosystem functions under a changing climate. Long-term biomass changes are the result of accumulated short-term changes, which can be affected by endogenous processes such as gap filling in small-scale canopy openings. Here, we used 26 years (1993–2019) of repeated tree census data in an old-growth, cool-temperate, mixed deciduous forest that contains three topographic units (riparian, denuded slope, and terrace) in northern Japan to document decadal changes in aboveground biomass (AGB) and their processes in relation to endogenous processes and climatic factors. AGB increased steadily over the 26 years in all topographic units, but different tree species contributed to the increase among the topographic units. AGB gain within each topographic unit exceeded AGB loss via tree mortality in most of the measurement periods despite substantial temporal variation in AGB loss. At the local scale, variations in AGB gain were partially explained by compensating growth of trees around canopy gaps. Climate affected the local-scale AGB gain: the gain was larger in the measurement periods with higher mean air temperature during the current summer but smaller in those with higher mean air temperature during the previous autumn, synchronously in all topographic units. The influences of decadal summer and autumn warming on AGB growth appeared to be counteracting, suggesting that the observed steady AGB increase in KRRF is not fully explained by the warming. Future studies should consider global and regional environmental factors such as elevated CO₂ concentrations and nitrogen deposition, and include cool-temperate forests with a broader temperature range to improve our understanding on biomass accumulation in this type of forests under climate change.

     

Enhancement of sapovirus recombinant capsid protein expression in insect cells

Human sapovirus (SaV) is uncultivable, but expression of the recombinant capsid protein (rVP1) in insect cells results in the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs) that are morphologically similar to the native viruses. However, the SaV rVP1 expression levels are considerably low. We have found that inclusions of short foreign nucleotide sequences inserted directly upstream from the predicted rVP1 AUG start codon lead to increased yield of VLPs. This method allowed us to express a SaV rVP1, which could not have been expressed to measurable or practical levels otherwise.     

Effects of two-session group cognitive behavioral therapy for psychophysiological insomnia: A preliminary study

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - The authors evaluated the effects of brief group cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (G-CBT-I) in outpatients with psychophysiological insomnia (PPI). This...