Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with shoot sodium accumulation under low potassium conditions in rice plants

Sodium (Na) application has marked beneficial effects on plant growth when the potassium (K) supply is low. Under low K supply, three japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, Koshihikari, Nipponbare, and Sasanishiki, accumulated more Na than three indica cultivars, IR36, IR64, and Kasalath, and the effect of Na application on growth was greater in japonica Koshihikari plants than in indica IR64 plants. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using a population of backcross inbred lines derived from japonica Koshihikari and indica Kasalath identified two significant loci associated with shoot Na concentration on chromosomes 3 and 6. The quantitative trait locus for shoot Na accumulation on chromosome 6 was confirmed in a population of chromosome segment substitution lines. The major QTL detected in this study could be useful for increasing crop productivity under low K input

The Effects of Wheel-Running Using the Upper Limbs Following Immobilization After Inducing Arthritis in the Knees of Rats

This study investigated the effects of wheel-running using the upper limbs following immobilization after inducing arthritis in the knees of rats. Forty male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks) divided into four groups randomly: arthritis (AR), immobilization after arthritis (Im), wheel-running exercise with the upper limbs following immobilization after arthritis induction (Im+Ex) and sham arthritis induction (Con). The knee joints of the Im and Im+Ex groups were immobilized with a cast for 4 weeks. In the Im+Ex group, wheel-running exercise was administered for 60 min/day (5 times/week). The swelling and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the knee joint were evaluated for observing the condition of inflammatory symptoms in affected area, and the paw withdraw response (PWR) was evaluated for observing the condition of secondary hyperalgesia in distant area. Especially, in order to evaluate histological inflammation in the knee joint, the number of macrophage (CD68-positive cells) in the synovium was examined. The expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the spinal dorsal horn (L2–3 and L4–5) was examined to evaluate central sensitization. The Im+Ex group showed a significantly better recovery than the Im group in the swelling, PPTs, and PWRs. Additionally, CGRP expression of the spinal dorsal horn (L2–3 and L4–5) in the Im+Ex group was significantly decreased compared with the Im group. According to the results, upper limb exercise can decrease pain in the affected area, reduce hyperalgesia in distant areas, and suppress the central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn by triggering exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH)

The Effects of Wheel-Running Using the Upper Limbs Following Immobilization After Inducing Arthritis in the Knees of Rats

This study investigated the effects of wheel-running using the upper limbs following immobilization after inducing arthritis in the knees of rats. Forty male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks) divided into four groups randomly: arthritis (AR), immobilization after arthritis (Im), wheel-running exercise with the upper limbs following immobilization after arthritis induction (Im+Ex) and sham arthritis induction (Con). The knee joints of the Im and Im+Ex groups were immobilized with a cast for 4 weeks. In the Im+Ex group, wheel-running exercise was administered for 60 min/day (5 times/week). The swelling and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the knee joint were evaluated for observing the condition of inflammatory symptoms in affected area, and the paw withdraw response (PWR) was evaluated for observing the condition of secondary hyperalgesia in distant area. Especially, in order to evaluate histological inflammation in the knee joint, the number of macrophage (CD68-positive cells) in the synovium was examined. The expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the spinal dorsal horn (L2-3 and L4-5) was examined to evaluate central sensitization. The Im+Ex group showed a significantly better recovery than the Im group in the swelling, PPTs, and PWRs. Additionally, CGRP expression of the spinal dorsal horn (L2-3 and L4-5) in the Im+Ex group was significantly decreased compared with the Im group. According to the results, upper limb exercise can decrease pain in the affected area, reduce hyperalgesia in distant areas, and suppress the central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn by triggering exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH)

Scandium Ion-Accelerated Scavenging Reaction of Cumylperoxyl Radical by a Cyclic Nitroxyl Radical via Electron Transfer

A cyclic nitroxyl radical used as a spin probe efficently scavenges cumylperoxyl radical in an aprotic medium via an electron-transfer process, which is significantly accelerated by the presence of scandium ion

Radical-Scavenging Activity of Nitroxide Radical as an Electron Donor

4-Carbamoyl-PROXYL (CP) was found to scavenge cumylperoxyl radical efficiently in propionitrile at 193 K. The acceleration of the reaction in the presence of scandium ion demonstrated that the scavenging-reaction of cumylpeeroxyl radical by CP proceeds via an electron tranfer from cumylperoxyl raical to CP rather than a radical coupling reaction.International Society for Free Radical Research 13th Biennial Congres