Phosphorus Dynamics and Bioavailability in Andosols : Estimation of Potential Bioavailable P Transport in Agricultural Runoff of Andosols

In this study, we estimated the potential bioavailable P transport in agricultural runoff of Andosols from the relations between P sorption saturation and anion exchange resin and Mehlich-3 extractable P, with special references to the difference in active Al composition. the P sorption saturation of 10%, that is optimum P level needed for good crop yields, is critical point of inorganic P for the potential bioavailable P loss in surface runoff from agricultural Andosols with different active Al composition. However, silandic A and B soils showed lower values of Mehlich-3 P than aluandic soils when they had the same P sorption saturation. Mehlich-3 P underestimated the bioavailability of soil P in the silandic soils compared to the aluandic soils. We recommend the use of different critical values of Mehlich-3 P for assessing the upper critical limits for P in aluandic and silandic Andosols

Evaluation of Kentucky Bluegrass (\u3ci\u3ePoa pratensis\u3c/i\u3e L.) for Creating Sustainable Grazing Swards in Hokkaido

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is generally considered to be a weed in the meadows of Hokkaido. However, a revaluation of this species should be undertaken in terms of its useful characteristics for labor-saving management on farms in marginal areas. The performance of steers (Holstein-Friesian) and botanical composition of Kentucky bluegrass swards were investigated under the stocking methods of set and rotational grazing and compared with timothy (Phleum pratense L.) swards. Kentucky bluegrass was stable over the grazing season under both methods, although timothy decreased rapidly. The average daily gain of steers raised on Kentucky bluegrass swards was lower than that on timothy swards. In Kentucky bluegrass swards, however, a well-regulated number of steers under set grazing can maintain as high an animal performance rate as that under rotational grazing. Kentucky bluegrass was considered to be useful for beef production under labor-saving grazing management

Development of a simultaneous analytical method for five conjugated cholesterol metabolites in urine and investigation of their performance as diagnostic markers for Niemann-Pick disease type C

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive nervous degeneration. Because of the diversity of clinical symptoms and onset age, the diagnosis of this disease is difficult. Therefore, biomarker tests have attracted significant attention for earlier diagnostics. In this study, we developed a simultaneous analysis method for five urinary conjugated cholesterol metabolites, which are potential diagnostic biomarkers for a rapid, convenient, and noninvasive chemical diagnosis, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). By the method, their urinary concentrations were quantified and the NPC diagnostic performances were evaluated. The developed LC/MS/MS method showed high accuracy and and satisfied all analytical method validation criteria. Analyzing the urine of healthy controls and patients with NPC, three of five urinary conjugated cholesterol metabolites concentrations corrected by urinary creatinine were significantly higher in the patients with NPC. As a result of receiver operating characteristics analysis, the urinary metabolites might have excellent diagnostic marker performance. 3β-sulfooxy-7β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid showed particularly excellent diagnostic performance with both 100% clinical sensitivity and specificity, suggesting that it is a useful NPC diagnostic marker. The urinary conjugated cholesterol metabolites exhibited high NPC diagnostic marker performance and could be used for NPC diagnosis

Relationship between chlorophyll content in leaves of sorghum and pigeonpea determined by extraction method and by chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502)

The estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves by the chlorophyll meter (SPAD 502) is more convenient than by the extraction method for studies on photosynthesis or senescence where the total chlorophyll is estimated on the same leaf over time. This study was to test hypothesis that specific leaf weight (SLW) appears to be one of the factors determining SPAD index under different conditions. The influence of SLW on SPAD index and an improved simple method to determine chlorophyll content of sorghum and pigeonpea by a chlorophyll meter was studied. The results indicated that regression lines were significantly different between sorghum and pigeonpea, and at the vegetative and physiological maturity stages in each crop. Residuals of simple regressions calculated from all data of each crop were correlated with SLW. Multiple-regression with SPAD index as the dependent variable, and chlorophyll content and SLW as the independent variables gave the best estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of sorghum and pigeonpea. These results suggest that SLW is an important factor affecting SPAD index and the influence of SLW on SPAD index can vary with crop species. Devices for estimating SLW could be incorporated into the chlorophyll meter to provide SPAD values adjusted for SLW. Further investigation is required on the influence of SLW on SPAD index for other crops