Predator-avoidance behavior in anuran tadpoles: a new bioassay for characterization of water-soluble cues

Most surveys of large wood in streams are conducted by counting and measuring every piece of large wood within a reach, a technique that is effective but time-consuming. In this study we evaluated an alternative method that takes less time and can be employed in studies in which an estimate of total large wood volume along a stream reach is the primary metric of interest. In first- through third-order streams we estimated in-stream large wood volume and large wood frequency, comparing large wood census estimates to those from a modified a line-intercept technique that has been commonly used in terrestrial forest surveys. Estimates of large wood volume from line transects located in the geographic center of the stream (parallel to stream axis and equidistant from bankfull margins) were highly correlated with those from the wood census (P < 0.001, r ² = 0.88, Pearson’s r = 0.935), but produced slightly greater estimates of large wood volume (regression slope = 1.28, SE = 0.16). Line-intercept estimates of large wood frequency (number per 100 m of stream) were significantly correlated to the wood census counts, but the line-intercept method underestimated frequency by about 50% (P = 0.016). Differences in the estimated large wood volume between line-intercept and wood census surveys were associated with variability in the diameter of the large wood, but unrelated to stream bankfull width, for the range of stream sizes evaluated in this study (≈ 2 to 11 m). Our results suggest that in small constrained streams, line-intercept surveys are an effective method for estimating in-stream large wood volume and that these estimates better approximate results from whole-stream census techniques where the diameter of in-stream wood is relatively consistent. Handling editor: K. Martens     

2,3-Dimethylpyrazine (3DP) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) generated by the Maillard reaction in foods affect autonomic nervous activity and central nervous activity in human

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of the odors generated by the glycine/glucose Maillard reaction and the potent odorants 2,3-dimethylpyrazine (3DP) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) on the human mood and integrative physiological activity. The score of certain subjective moods, especially anger-hostility, and tension-anxiety were decreased significantly after inhalation of the Maillard reaction sample and DMHF, and fatigue-inertia mood was also significantly decreased by DMHF, suggesting a sedative effect of these odors on mood, while 3DP had no effect. Miosis rate and fingertip temperature increased significantly following inhalation of the odor from the Maillard reaction sample and both potent odorants, suggesting that the parasympathetic nervous system dominates through suppression of the sympathetic activity. The physiological relaxing effect of these odors was also confirmed by decreased flicker frequency value and decreased oxyhemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex.     

Immune Response to Neutralizing Epitope on Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein B in Japanese: Correlation of Serologic Response with HLA-Type

Antigenic domain 1 (AD-1), located between amino acids 608 and 625 of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB protein, is the major domain recognized by neutralizing antibodies. Amino acids 552 to 630 are essential for the binding of neutralizing antibodies. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against a fusion protein containing amino acid residues 549 to 644 of the gB polypeptide and maltose binding protein (MBP). Of 180 seropositive samples, 106 (58.9%) showed positive immuno-reactivity against the fusion protein. None of the seronegative samples reacted with the fusion protein. Among 57 seropositive individuals typed for HLA, subjects with HLA-DR9 had a higher positive rate against the fusion protein (13/14=92.9%) than those without HLA-DR9 (25/43=58.1%). In addition, subjects with HLA-DR15 had a lower positive rate against the fusion protein (7/16=43.3%) than those without HLA-DR15 (31/41 = 75.6%). Mean OD values of HLA-DR15-positive individuals were significantly lower than those of HLA-DR15-negative individuals. Thus, among CMV-infected individuals, HLA-DR9 may be associated with responders for neutralizing antibodies and HLA-DR15 may be associated with non/low-responders.     

Correction: Cooperative den maintenance between male Japanese badgers that are delayed dispersers and their mothers

Journal of Ethology -     

Rainwater storage/infiltration function of rain gardens for management of urban storm runoff in Japan

Landscape and Ecological Engineering - Rain gardens have recently gained popularity in Japan for the management of urban storm runoff. However, due to limited expertise regarding the technical...     

Hsa, an adhesin of Streptococcus gordonii DL1, binds to α2-3-linked sialic acid on glycophorin A of the erythrocyte membrane

Bacterial recognition of host sialic acid-containing receptors plays an important role in microbial colonization of the human oral cavity. The aggregation of human platelets by Streptococcus gordonii DL1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. In addition, we consider that hemagglutination of this organism may act as an additive factor to increase the severity of this disease. We previously reported that this interaction requires the bacterial expression of a 203-kDa protein (Hsa), which has sialic acid-binding activity. In the present study, we confirmed that erythrocyte surface sialoglycoproteins are the receptors for Hsa. We examined the effects of proteinase K, chymotrypsin, phospholipase C, and α(2-3) or α(2-3, 6, 8) neuraminidase on hemagglutination activity and found that the interaction occurs between Hsa and α2-3-linked sialic acid-containing proteins of erythrocytes. We expressed recombinant NR2, which is the putative binding domain of Hsa, fused with GST in Escherichia coli BL21. Dot-blot analysis demonstrated that GST-HsaNR2 binds both glycophorin A (GPA) and band 3. Moreover, GPA and a small amount of band 3 were detected by GST pull-down assays. These findings indicate that S. gordonii Hsa specifically binds to GPA and band 3, α2-3-linked sialic acid membrane glycoproteins.     

Plant form based on the pipe model theory II. Quantitative analysis of ramification in morphology

Ramification in tree structure was investigated by the main axis cutting method, which differs from the ordinary stratified clipping method. An axis running from the arbitrary terminal leader of the shoot to the stem base was termed the “main axis”. Cutting the main axis into pieces of constant length gives the “segment layer”, which consists of segments of the main axis and all branches and leaves diverging from the respective segments. There was a linear relationship between the weight of a main axis segment (in the range where leaves exist) of constant length and that of all the parts above the segment. Since plant form is determined by branches diverging regularly from the mother branch or stem, this linear relationship is considered to support the concept of the pipe model theory. It is also suggested that the proportionality constant of the linear relationship may specify the branching structure or ramifications of plant form.     

Biosynthesis of cannabinoid acids

Malonic acid, mevalonic acid, geraniol and nerol were incorporated into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and cannabichromenic acid in Cannabis sativa. The pathway from cannabigerolic acid to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid via cannabidiolic acid was established by feeding labelled cannabinoid acids. Cannabichromenic acid was shown to be formed on a side pathway from cannabigerolic acid.