RiceFOX: A Database of Arabidopsis Mutant Lines Overexpressing Rice Full-Length cDNA that Contains a Wide Range of Trait Information to Facilitate Analysis of Gene Function

Identification of gene function is important not only for basic research but also for applied science, especially with regard to improvements in crop production. For rapid and efficient elucidation of useful traits, we developed a system named FOX hunting (Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressor gene hunting) using full-length cDNAs (fl-cDNAs). A heterologous expression approach provides a solution for the high-throughput characterization of gene functions in agricultural plant species. Since fl-cDNAs contain all the information of functional mRNAs and proteins, we introduced rice fl-cDNAs into Arabidopsis plants for systematic gain-of-function mutation. We generated >30,000 independent Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing rice fl-cDNAs (rice FOX Arabidopsis mutant lines). These rice FOX Arabidopsis lines were screened systematically for various criteria such as morphology, photosynthesis, UV resistance, element composition, plant hormone profile, metabolite profile/fingerprinting, bacterial resistance, and heat and salt tolerance. The information obtained from these screenings was compiled into a database named ‘RiceFOX’. This database contains around 18,000 records of rice FOX Arabidopsis lines and allows users to search against all the observed results, ranging from morphological to invisible traits. The number of searchable items is approximately 100; moreover, the rice FOX Arabidopsis lines can be searched by rice and Arabidopsis gene/protein identifiers, sequence similarity to the introduced rice fl-cDNA and traits. The RiceFOX database is available at http://ricefox.psc.riken.jp/

Action spectrum for light-induced formation of adventitious shoots in hairy roots of horseradish

An action spectrum was determined for lightinduced formation of adventitious shoots in hairy roots of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaert., Mey. et Scherb.) cultured in vitro. Near ultraviolet (350-400 nm), blue (440-460 nm) and red light (600-680 nm) were most effective in inducing formation of adventitious buds. Farred light (730 nm) inhibited the promotive effect of all three wavelength regions. These results are consistent with induction by phytochrome(s) of adventitious shoots in hairy roots of horseradish

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: MDCT versus MRI in the detection and assessment of locoregional extension

Purpose: To compare dynamic-contrast enhanced multirow detector computed tomography (MDCT) including multiplanar reformatted images (MPR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography images for the detection and assessment of locoregional extension of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

長崎市万才町遺跡出土のガラス製品の自然科学的分析―蛍光X線分析と鉛同位体分析による生産地推定の試み―

　本研究では、長崎市万才町遺跡県庁新別館地点から出土したガラス製品の7点について、比重測定、蛍光Ⅹ線分析、鉛同位体測定を行った。蛍光Ⅹ線分析では、ガラスの化学組成を求め、カリ鉛ガラスとカリ石灰ガラスの2種類が存在することが明らかとなった。この結果は、比重測定の結果と整合性のある結果であった。また、カリ鉛ガラスとなった資料5点のうち3点は、考古的な情報や鉛同位体測定から日本産ガラスの可能性が高いと判断された。一方、残る2点については、中国産ガラスと推定したが、自然科学分析結果から決定的な証拠は認められず、今後の分析データの蓄積が待たれる結果となった。ただし、少なくとも基準となりうるデータであり、今後の分析データの蓄積が望まれる。Seven glass shards of the Edo period, excavated from Manzaimachi site in Nagasaki City, were examined using specific gravity measurement, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), and lead isotope analysis. Five lead-potash-silica glass wares and two potash-lime-silica glass wares were identified according to their chemical compositions, corresponding to the results of specific gravity measurement. According to the archaeological information and the shards’ lead isotope ratios, three lead-potash-silica glass wares were made in Japan, while the other two were assumed to have been brought from China