A PCR-based marker for a locus conferring the aroma in Myanmar rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Aromatic rice is an important commodity for international trade, which has encouraged the interest of rice breeders to identify the genetic control of rice aroma. The recessive Os2AP gene, which is located on chromosome 8, has been reported to be associated with rice aroma. The 8-bp deletion in exon 7 is an aromatic allele that is present in most aromatic accessions, including the most popular aromatic rice varieties, Jasmine and Basmati. However, other mutations associated with aroma have been detected, but the other mutations are less frequent. In this study, we report an aromatic allele, a 3-bp insertion in exon 13 of Os2AP, as a major allele found in aromatic rice varieties from Myanmar. The insertion is in frame and causes an additional tyrosine (Y) in the amino acid sequence. However, the mutation does not affect the expression of the Os2AP gene. A functional marker for detecting this allele was developed and tested in an aroma-segregating F(2) population. The aroma phenotypes and genotypes showed perfect co-segregation of this population. The marker was also used for screening a collection of aromatic rice varieties collected from different geographical sites of Myanmar. Twice as many aromatic Myanmar rice varieties containing the 3-bp insertion allele were found as the varieties containing the 8-bp deletion allele, which suggested that the 3-bp insertion allele originated in regions of Myanmar.     

Effect of Compounds from Moringa oleifera Lam. on in Vitro Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Model System

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in the world, with a prevalence of 25 % in many countries. To date, no drug has been approved to treat NAFLD, therefore, the use of phytochemicals to prevent this disease is meaningful. In this study, we focused on the effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. on diabetes, attempted to isolate compounds that regulate NAFLD. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of M. oleifera. Spectral data revealed that they were 1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-2-yl benzoate ( 1 ) and benzyl benzylcarbamate ( 2 ), respectively. The three-dimensional structure of compound 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Neither compound was toxic to HepG2 cells, and compound 1 was found to have a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on intracellular lipid accumulation induced by stimulation of linoleic acid (LA). As a result of measuring the effects of compound 1 on the intracellular lipid production-related protein, it was found that compound 1 enhanced protein expression that promotes lipolysis. On the other hand, since the action of compound 1 was similar to that of PPARα agonists, it is deduced that compound 1 enhanced the activity of PPARα and further enhanced the expression of lipolytic proteins, which is related to the suppression of intracellular lipid accumulation. Furthermore, as the result of docking simulation, compound 1 had a higher binding affinity to the ligand binding site of PPARα than fenofibrate, which is a PPARα agonist, and thus compound 1 was considered to be promising as an agonist of PPARα.     

Gastrodia putaoensis sp. nov. (Orchidaceae,Epidendroideae) from North Myanmar

Gastrodia putaoensis, a new species from the montane region in northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated. Gastrodia putaoensis is similar to G. dyeriana, but differs from it by having a narrowly triangular lip that is subdivided into two parts, with the apical part densely covered with yellow hairs and the apex obtuse and densely covered with red papillae.     

Effects of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor on proliferation, differentiation and survival of Kupffer cells in the liver of adult mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on the proliferation, differentiation and survival of Kupffer cells in the liver of adult mice. STUDY DESIGN: By the combined method of autoradiography with [3H]thymidine and immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against mouse macrophages (F4/80 or BM8), the labeling rate of [3H]thymidine in macrophages within the liver sinusoids was examined at various intervals after single flash labeling with [3H]thymidine in adult mice with or without daily administration of recombinant human M-CSF. RESULTS: A minor population of Kupffer cells (about 2%) possessed proliferative capacity under a normal steady state condition. With time after flash labeling, the influx of monocytes and their differentiation into macrophages were demonstrated in the liver, and their labeling rate returned to the baseline level one week later. Afterward, the labeling rate of Kupffer cells was maintained at the baseline level until the end of five weeks. Administration of M-CSF enhanced the proliferative capacity of Kupffer cells, increased the number of macrophages and delayed the time of peaking. However, it did not prolong the survival of Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION: In normal mice, Kupffer cells can survive for at least five weeks. Daily M-CSF administration induces the increased number and proliferative capacity of Kupffer cells.     

LC/ESI-tandem mass spectrometric determination of bile acid 3-sulfates in human urine 3beta-Sulfooxy-12alpha-hydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid is an abundant nonamidated sulfate

We developed a highly sensitive and quantitative method to detect bile acid 3-sulfates in human urine employing liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. This method allows simultaneous analysis of bile acid 3-sulfates, including nonamidated, glycine-, and taurine-conjugated bile acids, cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and lithocholic acid (LCA), using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) analysis. The method was applied to analyze bile acid 3-sulfates in human urine from healthy volunteers. The results indicated an unknown compound with the nonamidated common bile acid 3-sulfates on the chromatogram obtained by the selected reaction monitoring analysis. By comparison of the retention behavior and MS/MS spectrum of the unknown peak with the authentic specimen, the unknown compound was identified as 3beta,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid 3-sulfate.     

Population dynamics of the rice root nematode Hirschmanniella oryzae on monsoon rice in Myanmar

Soil and root samples of the short crop cycle duration rice variety Yadanartoe were collected at 10-days intervals, starting at 20 days after transplanting until 20 days after harvest, from September 2008 until January 2009, to study the population dynamics of Hirschmanniella oryzae on (rainfed) monsoon rice. Plant growth stages, the ambient air and soil temperature, rainfall and relative humidity during the sampling period were noted. The soil type is clay and has a pH of 5.1. In the roots, three nematode population density peaks were observed during the sampling period: at the maximum tillering stage, at the milky grain stage, and between harvest and 10 days after harvest. The highest peak (483 H. oryzae/g roots) was observed at the milky grain stage. The lowest root population density (46 H. oryzae/g roots) was found at harvesting. Population densities in the soil followed more or less the same trend as in the roots. After harvesting, the soil population density increased. During our observation, we did not find any effects of environmental conditions on the population densities of H. oryzae. However, it was found that the population dynamics of H. oryzae were influenced by the plant growth stage.     

Phosphate transport across the basolateral membrane of chick kidney proximal tubule cells

Characterization of the phosphate transport system across the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubule has been attempted using isolated proximal tubule cells prepared from chicks. The Pi efflux system is independent of Na+ ions and is not influenced by the nature of the chief anion present in the bathing medium. Pi efflux is not sensitive to DIDS and it is concluded that a generalized anion transporter of band III type is not the chief agent for facilitating Pi exit from the cell across the basolateral membrane. Inhibition of efflux by vanadate is evidence for a specific carrier protein in the membrane. The carrier probably possesses thiol group(s) that are essential for activity. The carrier may effect electroneutral transport of Pi possibly in exchange for OH- ions. The activity of the transport process is not stimulated by depleting the cells of phosphate or inhibited by rearing the chicks on a vitamin D-deficient diet. The system is unlikely to be of great importance for the expression of various regulatory mechanisms that act on the kidney to control the excretion of Pi. The activity declines as the chicks mature however.     

Activation of type I and III interferon signalling pathways occurs in lung epithelial cells infected with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses

The host response to the low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N2, H5N3 and H9N2 viruses were examined in A549, MDCK, and CEF cells using a systems-based approach. The H5N2 and H5N3 viruses replicated efficiently in A549 and MDCK cells, while the H9N2 virus replicated least efficiently in these cell types. However, all LPAI viruses exhibited similar and higher replication efficiencies in CEF cells. A comparison of the host responses of these viruses and the H1N1/WSN virus and low passage pH1N1 clinical isolates was performed in A549 cells. The H9N2 and H5N2 virus subtypes exhibited a robust induction of Type I and Type III interferon (IFN) expression, sustained STAT1 activation from between 3 and 6 hpi, which correlated with large increases in IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression by 10 hpi. In contrast, cells infected with the pH1N1 or H1N1/WSN virus showed only small increases in Type III IFN signalling, low levels of ISG expression, and down-regulated expression of the IFN type I receptor. JNK activation and increased expression of the pro-apoptotic XAF1 protein was observed in A549 cells infected with all viruses except the H1N1/WSN virus, while MAPK p38 activation was only observed in cells infected with the pH1N1 and the H5 virus subtypes. No IFN expression and low ISG expression levels were generally observed in CEF cells infected with either AIV, while increased IFN and ISG expression was observed in response to the H1N1/WSN infection. These data suggest differences in the replication characteristics and antivirus signalling responses both among the different LPAI viruses, and between these viruses and the H1N1 viruses examined. These virus-specific differences in host cell signalling highlight the importance of examining the host response to avian influenza viruses that have not been extensively adapted to mammalian tissue culture.