Effect of Beginning Date of Intermittent Low Temperature Treatments on Flowering of Tray-grown Strawberry 'Nyoho'

　Intermittent low temperature storage is expected to be a new artificial flower-inducing treatment and becoming to be a practical procedure as it does not require expensive equipment or much energy cost. Tray-grown ‘Nyoho’ plants were placed in a refrigerator (15°C, in the dark) for 3 days and then transferred to a further outdoor shelter for 3 days. Plants were transferred at noon and this cycle was repeated twice (3D/3D). Such 3D/3D treatments were begun on August 22, 25, 28, 31, and September 3and the effectiveness on flowering was determined for 2 years. Both in 2012 and 2013, treatments begun before August 28 were less effective compared to the treatments begun on August 28 or later. Continuous 6 days of 15°C storage (6D) was effective to some extent, but 6D from August 25 was apparently less effective compared to those begun later. Both in intermittent and continuous treatments for ‘Nyoho’, it was confirmed that any flower-inducing effect became relatively small and unstable when the treatments were begun before 28 August in Okayama

Effect of boron deficiency on tip burn and malformed fruit incidence in strawberries

Boron (B) is an essential micro element for plants and plays important roles in the synthesis and functions of cell wall. B deficiency has been reported as one of the causes of fruit malformation in strawberries. We investigated the effect of B deficiency on flower and fruit development of forced strawberries for two cropping seasons (2015-2017). In the second season, B was resupplied for B-deficient plants and we investigated changes in fruit development. When B-free nutrient solutions were supplied, tip burn began to occur in newly emerging leaves and calyx 2 to 3 months later, and fruit malformation including seedy or only partly developed fruits with undeveloped achenes occurred frequently. However, these deficient symptoms were quickly disappeared by supplying B containing nutrient solutions. In conclusion, B nutrition is closely related to the occurrence of fruit malformation through fertility of pollen and pistils, and also development of receptacle tissue in strawberries. It should be possible to reduce fruit malformation in strawberries by proper control of B nutrition.　B（ホウ素）は植物にとって必須な微量要素であり，イチゴの受精不良果発生要因の1 つである．そこで2015年度と2016年度の2 回にわたりB 欠乏がイチゴの受精不良果発生に及ぼす影響について調査した．また，2016年度はB 欠乏処理後にB 回復処理を行い，その後のイチゴの果実形態の変化についても調査した．その結果，B欠乏処理を行うと蒸散機能の低い新葉や花芽においてチップバーンが発生し，種浮き果や部分不受精を主とした受精不良果が多発した．しかし，B 回復処理を行うことでこれらの症状が改善することが明らかになった．B は受精不良果発生に関係しており，欠乏条件下で根から吸収させると急速に若い成長中の組織に転流することが示されたことから，B 栄養をコントロールすることでB 不足によるイチゴの受精不良果発生を軽減できる可能性があると考えられる

Dynamics of cellular immune responses in the acute phase of dengue virus infection.

In this study, we examined the dynamics of cellular immune responses in the acute phase of dengue virus (DENV) infection in a marmoset model. Here, we found that DENV infection in marmosets greatly induced responses of CD4/CD8 central memory T and NKT cells. Interestingly, the strength of the immune response was greater in animals infected with a dengue fever strain than in those infected with a dengue hemorrhagic fever strain of DENV. In contrast, when animals were re-challenged with the same DENV strain used for primary infection, the neutralizing antibody induced appeared to play a critical role in sterilizing inhibition against viral replication, resulting in strong but delayed responses of CD4/CD8 central memory T and NKT cells. The results in this study may help to better understand the dynamics of cellular and humoral immune responses in the control of DENV infection

monosodium glutamate increases T1R3 expression

We previously showed that chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia was associated with lingual taste receptor gene expression, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) improved dysgeusia by upregulating taste 1 receptor 3 (T1R3) gene expression. In recent years, decreased taste sensitivity has also been reported in some young people, and these are partly due to their disordered eating habits. From these background, we investigated the effects of MSG supplementation on taste receptor expression and dietary intake in healthy females. Fifteen young healthy volunteers were enrolled for the present crossover study and divided in two groups (dietary supplementation with MSG at 2.7 g / day or 0.27 g / day). The relative expression of T1R3, a subunit of both umami and sweet taste receptors, in the tongue was assessed by quantitative PCR analysis. Food intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQg), and body composition was measured using Omron HBF-701. T1R3 expression levels in the tongue and taste sensitivity increased significantly in participants who consumed 10 g of MSG daily. Furthermore, protein, fat, and carbohydrate (PFC) balance and salt and sugar intake improved by MSG supplementation. In conclusion, MSG supplementation increased T1R3 expression in the tongue and improved dietary balance

Androgen’s effects in female

The metabolic effects of androgens and their underlying mechanisms in females have been revealed by recent studies. An excess of androgens can have adverse effects on feeding behavior and metabolic functions and induce metabolic disorders / diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes, in women and experimental animals of reproductive age. Interestingly, these effects of androgens are not observed in ovariectomized animals, indicating that their effects might be dependent on the estrogen milieu. Central and peripheral mechanisms, such as alterations in the activity of hypothalamic factors, reductions in energy expenditure, skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction, might be related to these androgens’ effects

Long-Term Persistent GBV-B Infection and Development of a Chronic and Progressive Hepatitis C-Like Disease in Marmosets

It has been shown that infection of GB virus B (GBV-B), which is closely related to hepatitis C virus, develops acute self-resolving hepatitis in tamarins. In this study we sought to examine longitudinally the dynamics of viral and immunological status following GBV-B infection of marmosets and tamarins. Surprisingly, two of four marmosets but not tamarins experimentally challenged with GBV-B developed long-term chronic infection with fluctuated viremia, recurrent increase of alanine aminotransferase and plateaued titers of the antiviral antibodies, which was comparable to chronic hepatitis C in humans. Moreover, one of the chronically infected marmosets developed an acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis as revealed by biochemical, histological, and immunopathological analyses. Of note, periodical analyses of the viral genomes in these marmosets indicated frequent and selective non-synonymous mutations, suggesting efficient evasion of the virus from antiviral immune pressure. These results demonstrated for the first time that GBV-B could induce chronic hepatitis C-like disease in marmosets and that the outcome of the viral infection and disease progression may depend on the differences between species and individuals

Denosumab prevents bone loss in newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma patients undergoing corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy: a prospective, non-randomized study

Background: Malignant lymphoma patients have a high risk of bone mineral density (BMD) loss caused by corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy. Bisphosphonates have been used to prevent bone loss: however, little is known about effects of denosumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients undergoing corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy. BMD was evaluated at baseline, and patients with a lumbar spine T-score of ? -1 were subcutaneously administered once with 60 mg of denosumab (“Denosumab” group). Patients with a T-score > -1 were allocated to the “No treatment” group. BMD was reevaluated at 24 weeks after enrollment. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) were collected at 0, 2, and 24 weeks.Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled (19 in the “Denosumab” group and 24 in the “No treatment” group). Patients in the “No treatment” group had decreased T-scores for the lumbar spine or femoral neck (P < 0.0001 or P = 0.0029, respectively) at 24 weeks after enrollment, whereas both T-scores were stable in the “Denosumab” group. Of the 18 patients in the “Denosumab” group, 12 had a T-score change from baseline (ΔT-score) of ? 0, whereas the remaining six patients had a ΔT-score < 0. These six patients had severely low T-scores at enrollment. Osteoclastic BTMs were strongly suppressed during the 24 weeks in the “Denosumab” group. The probability of major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture in the “No treatment” group increased during the 24 weeks (P = 0.0195 or P = 0.0289, respectively), whereas pretreatment with denosumab prevented increased risks of both types of fractures. Conclusions: Our data suggests that BMD screening at diagnosis of lymphoma should be considered so that the bone health of lymphoma survivors can be improved with denosumab

Denosumab prevents bone loss in newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma patients undergoing corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy: a prospective, non-randomized study

Background: Malignant lymphoma patients have a high risk of bone mineral density (BMD) loss caused by corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy. Bisphosphonates have been used to prevent bone loss: however, little is known about effects of denosumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients undergoing corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy. BMD was evaluated at baseline, and patients with a lumbar spine T-score of ? -1 were subcutaneously administered once with 60 mg of denosumab (“Denosumab” group). Patients with a T-score > -1 were allocated to the “No treatment” group. BMD was reevaluated at 24 weeks after enrollment. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) were collected at 0, 2, and 24 weeks.Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled (19 in the “Denosumab” group and 24 in the “No treatment” group). Patients in the “No treatment” group had decreased T-scores for the lumbar spine or femoral neck (P < 0.0001 or P = 0.0029, respectively) at 24 weeks after enrollment, whereas both T-scores were stable in the “Denosumab” group. Of the 18 patients in the “Denosumab” group, 12 had a T-score change from baseline (ΔT-score) of ? 0, whereas the remaining six patients had a ΔT-score < 0. These six patients had severely low T-scores at enrollment. Osteoclastic BTMs were strongly suppressed during the 24 weeks in the “Denosumab” group. The probability of major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture in the “No treatment” group increased during the 24 weeks (P = 0.0195 or P = 0.0289, respectively), whereas pretreatment with denosumab prevented increased risks of both types of fractures. Conclusions: Our data suggests that BMD screening at diagnosis of lymphoma should be considered so that the bone health of lymphoma survivors can be improved with denosumab

メタン発酵消化液を用いた微細藻類培養とバイオガス精製同時プロセス

Anaerobic digestion is an energy-generating, ecologically friendly waste/wastewater treatment process. However, treatment of anaerobic digestion effluent (ADE) and purification of carbon dioxide in the biogas, commonly called biogas upgrading, are two issues that prevent propagation of this process. Since ADE contains high concentrations of nutrients, it can be utilized for microalgal cultivation if the chemical composition is optimized for the purpose. Microalgal cultivation is at the same time a promising platform to capture and utilize carbon dioxide in biogas. Therefore, simultaneous ADE utilization and biogas upgrading can be possible by coupling microalgal culture. Previous studies using the simultaneous process adopted open pond systems with algal-bacterial consortium. Although these processes were effective in treatment of both ADE and biogas, the volumetric productivity and economic value of the microalgal biomass are low in such systems. Thus, this study aimed to establish a simultaneous algal pure culture and biogas upgrading using centrifuged supernatant of anaerobic digestion effluent from an activated sludge treatment facility. To achieve this goal, the ADE concentration, pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, and metal composition were adjusted by batch optimization tests with Chlorella sorokiniana. The optimized ADE media was then scaled up to 4-L photobioreactor (PBR) coupled with a 1.8-L gas/liquid exchange column for simultaneous processing. Since the current study adopted algal pure culture in a closed PBR, gas/liquid transfer was expected to be different from previous studies, and thus, three liquid circulation flow rates (1, 2 and 4 L d-1) were tested, which resulted in liquid to gas ratio (L/G) of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5. As a result, the ADE media was optimized to 10% ADE content, pH 8.0, 0.1 mol L-1 bicarbonate addition, and Mg + Mn addition. While the raw ADE did not allow the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana, the maximum algal specific growth rate using the optimized media reached more than 2 d-1, which equals a doubling time of less than 9 hours. The optimized media was then used for the simultaneous microalgae cultivation and biogas upgrading process. The average productivity in the PBR was 206 ±138 mg L-1 d-1. The carbon dioxide recovery rates for L/G 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 were 90, 94, and 99%, respectively. On the other hand, O2 contents in the upgraded gas were 8.5, 8, and 14%, respectively. The content of carbon dioxide and O2 were in a reverse relationship over various L/G ratios. The current study demonstrated the effectiveness of carbon capture from the biogas, but also suggested further challenge in prevention of oxygen intrusion from algal pure culture. Comparisons with other studies suggest that optimization in gas/PBR volume may enhance the quality of biogas upgrading