Catalytic partial oxidation of methane over oxide-ion-conductive lanthanum silicate apatites.

A lanthanum silicate LaSiO (LSO) crystallizes in an apatite-type structure and has been known as a promising oxide-ion conductor. Here, we report the activity of LSO for catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOX) to synthesis gas. The LSO catalyst demonstrated relatively high catalytic activity from 500 to 700 °C, with CH conversion reaching 22.

Correlation between seed longevity and RNA integrity in the embryos of rice seeds.

The mature embryos of rice seeds contain translatable mRNAs required for the initial phase of germination. To clarify the relationship between seed longevity and RNA integrity in embryos, germinability and stability of embryonic RNAs were analyzed using the seeds of rice cultivars subjected to controlled deterioration treatment (CDT) or long periods of storage. Degradation of RNA from embryos of a rice cultivar "Nipponbare" was induced by CDT before the decline of the germination rate and we observed a positive relationship between seed germinability and integrity of embryonic RNAs.

Physicochemical Properties, Cytocompatibility, and Biocompatibility of a Bioactive Glass Based Retrograde Filling Material.

The ideal retrograde filling material that is easy to handle, has good physicochemical properties, and is biocompatible has not yet been developed. The current study reports the development of a novel bioactive glass based powder for use as a retrograde filling material that is capable of altering the consistency and hardening rate of mixtures when mixed with existing bioactive glass based cement. Furthermore, its physicochemical properties, in vitro effects on human cementoblast-like cells, and in vivo effects on inflammatory responses were evaluated.

Effect of Bioactive Glass-Based Root Canal Sealer on the Incidence of Postoperative Pain after Root Canal Obturation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a bioactive glass-based root canal sealer, Nishika Canal Sealer BG (CS-BG), on the incidence of postoperative pain (PP) after root canal obturation (RCO). Eleven dentists performed pulpectomy or infected root canal treatments for 555 teeth. During RCO, CS-BG was used.

Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde over the Stepped and Plane Surface of Pd Nanoparticles with Controlled Morphologies by CO Chemisorption.

Carbon monoxide (CO) molecules are attracting attention as capping agents that control the structure of metal nanoparticles. In this study, we aimed to control the shape and surface structure of Pd particles by reducing the supported Pd precursor with CO. The reduction of Pd nanoparticles with CO promoted the exposure of step sites and generated spherical and concave-tetrahedral Pd particles on carbon and SiO supports.

Enhancement of Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction of Ru-Ir Alloy Nanoparticles through Bifunctional Mechanism on Ru-Ir Pair Site.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are being developed for practical use. However, it is necessary to improve the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) under alkaline conditions to enhance the performance of AEMFCs. In this study, carbon-supported Ru-Ir alloy nanoparticle catalysts (Ru-Ir/C) were developed because they offer higher HOR activity compared with the Pt-based catalysts.

Identification of active sites in CO oxidation over a Pd/AlO catalyst.

The active sites of Pd/Al2O3 catalysts for CO oxidations were identified by investigating the dependence of CO oxidation activities on the surface structure and morphology of Pd nanoparticles. The maximum catalytic activity was obtained for Pd particles approximately 2 nm in particle size. We performed structural analyses on the Pd surface through infrared (IR) spectroscopy of the adsorbed CO molecules.

A rice gene that confers broad-spectrum resistance to β-triketone herbicides.

The genetic variation of rice cultivars provides a resource for further varietal improvement through breeding. Some rice varieties are sensitive to benzobicyclon (BBC), a β-triketone herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Here we identify a rice gene, (), that confers resistance to BBC and other β-triketone herbicides.

Thermo-responsive allele of () provides high-temperature tolerance during the ripening stage in rice ( L.).

High-temperature stress during the ripening stage leads to quality deterioration due to an increase in chalky grains in brown rice ( L.). In a previous study, we identified a QTL for () using chromosome segment substitution lines of the cultivar 'Habataki' in the cultivar 'Koshihikari' background and narrowed down the locus to a 48-kb region on chromosome 7.

Identification of OsGGR2, a second geranylgeranyl reductase involved in α-tocopherol synthesis in rice.

Tocopherol (Toc) and tocotrienol (T3) are abundant in rice bran. Geranylgeranyl reductase (GGR) is an essential enzyme for Toc production that catalyzes the reduction of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl-chlorophyll. However, we found that a rice mutant line with inactivated Os02g0744900 (OsGGR1/LYL1/OsChl P) gene produces Toc, suggesting that rice plants may carry another enzyme with GGR activity.

The Metal-Support Interaction Concerning the Particle Size Effect of Pd/Al O on Methane Combustion.

The particle size effect of Pd nanoparticles supported on alumina with various crystalline phases on methane combustion was investigated. Pd/θ, α-Al O with weak metal-support interaction showed a volcano-shaped dependence of the catalytic activity on the size of Pd particles, and the catalytic activity of the strongly interacted Pd/γ-Al O increased with the particle size. Based on a structural analysis of Pd nanoparticles using CO adsorption IR spectroscopy and spherical aberration-corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopy, the dependence of catalytic activity on Pd particle size and the alumina crystalline phase was due to the fraction of step sites on Pd particle surface.

Identification of a Genetic Factor Required for High γ-Isoform Concentration in Rice Vitamin E.

The γ-isoforms of tocopherols (Tc) and tocotrienols (T3) possess high biological activities in comparison to the α-isoforms. The concentrations of Tc and T3 isoforms in rice (Oriza sativa) was cultivar-dependent. Using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) and near isogenic lines (NILs) of indica cultivar "Kasalath" in a japonica cultivar "Koshihikari" genetic background, the Kasalath genomic segment on chromosome 2 was determined to be responsible for the high γ-isoform concentration: γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) was identified as a candidate gene.

Kinetic study of the quenching reaction of singlet oxygen by seven rice bran extracts in ethanol solution. Development of a singlet oxygen absorption capacity (SOAC) assay method.

Measurements of singlet oxygen ((1)O2) quenching rates (kQ (S)) and the relative singlet oxygen absorption capacity (SOAC) values were performed for seven rice bran extracts 1-7, which contained different concentrations of antioxidants (AOs) (such as α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and -tocotrienols, three carotenoids (lutein, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin), and γ-oryzanol), in ethanol at 35 °C using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The concentrations of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, three carotenoids, and γ-oryzanol contained in the extracts were determined using HPLC-MS/MS, UV-HPLC, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, comparisons of kQ (S) (Obsd.

Accumulation of long-lived mRNAs associated with germination in embryos during seed development of rice.

Mature dry seeds contain translatable mRNAs called long-lived mRNAs. Early studies have shown that protein synthesis during the initial phase of seed germination occurs from long-lived mRNAs, without de novo transcription. However, the gene expression systems that generate long-lived mRNAs in seeds are not well understood.

Identification of a novel gene (Apq1) from the indica rice cultivar 'Habataki' that improves the quality of grains produced under high temperature stress.

The appearance of brown rice grown under high temperature conditions is an important characteristic for improvement in Japanese rice breeding programs. We performed a QTL analysis of the appearance quality of brown rice using chromosome segment substitution lines of the indica cultivar 'Habataki' in the 'Koshihikari' genetic background. A line carrying a 'Habataki' segment on chromosome 7 showed a high percentage of perfect grains produced under high temperature conditions during the ripening period.

Kinetic study of the scavenging reaction of the aroxyl radical by seven kinds of rice bran extracts in ethanol solution. Development of an aroxyl radical absorption capacity (ARAC) assay method.

Recently, a new assay method that can quantify the aroxyl radical (ArO•) absorption capacity (ARAC) of antioxidants (AOHs) was proposed. In the present work, the second-order rate constants (ks(Extract)) and ARAC values for the reaction of ArO• with seven kinds of rice bran extracts 1-7, which contain different concentrations of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and -tocotrienols (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Tocs and -Toc-3s) and γ-oryzanol, were measured in ethanol at 25 °C using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The ks(Extract) value (1.

Genetic dissection of black grain rice by the development of a near isogenic line.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) can produce black grains as well as white. In black rice, the pericarp of the grain accumulates anthocyanin, which has antioxidant activity and is beneficial to human health.

Introgression of two chromosome regions for leaf photosynthesis from an indica rice into the genetic background of a japonica rice.

Increases in rates of individual leaf photosynthesis (P n) are critical for future increases of rice yields. A previous study, using introgression lines derived from a cross between indica cultivar Habataki, with one of the highest recorded values of P n, and the Japanese elite cultivar Koshihikari, identified four QTLs (qCAR4, qCAR5, qCAR8, and qCAR11) that affect P n. The present study examined the combined effect of qCAR4 and qCAR8 on P n in the genetic background of Koshihikari.

Investigation of tocotrienol biosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice tocotrienol (T3) has gained attention due to its physiological activities (e.g., antiangiogenesis).

Identification and characterization of genomic regions on chromosomes 4 and 8 that control the rate of photosynthesis in rice leaves.

DNA marker-assisted selection appears to be a promising strategy for improving rates of leaf photosynthesis in rice. The rate of leaf photosynthesis was significantly higher in a high-yielding indica variety, Habataki, than in the most popular Japanese variety, Koshihikari, at the full heading stage as a result of the higher level of leaf nitrogen at the same rate of application of nitrogen and the higher stomatal conductance even when the respective levels of leaf nitrogen were the same. The higher leaf nitrogen content of Habataki was caused by the greater accumulation of nitrogen by plants.

New approach for rice improvement using a pleiotropic QTL gene for lodging resistance and yield.

The use of fertilizer results in tall rice plants that are susceptible to lodging and results in reduced plant yields. In this study, using chromosome segment substitution lines, we identified an effective quantitative trait loci (QTL) for culm strength, which was designated STRONG CULM2 (SCM2). Positional cloning of the gene revealed that SCM2 was identical to ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION1 (APO1), a gene previously reported to control panicle structure.

Cross-fertilization for enhancing tocotrienol biosynthesis in rice plants and QTL analysis of their F2 progenies.

As rice bran tocotrienol (T3) has been known to have a wide range of physiological functions (e.g., antiangiogenesis), we aimed at developing a T3-rich rice variety for nutraceutical purposes.

A large-scale collection of phenotypic data describing an insertional mutant population to facilitate functional analysis of rice genes.

In order to facilitate the functional analysis of rice genes, we produced about 50,000 insertion lines with the endogenous retrotransposon Tos17. Phenotypes of these lines in the M2 generation were observed in the field and characterized based on 53 phenotype descriptors. Nearly half of the lines showed more than one mutant phenotype.

Three distinct rice cellulose synthase catalytic subunit genes required for cellulose synthesis in the secondary wall.

Several brittle culm mutations of rice (Oryza sativa) causing fragility of plant tissues have been identified genetically but not characterized at a molecular level. We show here that the genes responsible for three distinct brittle mutations of rice, induced by the insertion of the endogenous retrotransposon Tos17, correspond to CesA (cellulose synthase catalytic subunit) genes, OsCesA4, OsCesA7 and OsCesA9. Three CesA genes were expressed in seedlings, culms, premature panicles, and roots but not in mature leaves, and the expression profiles were almost identical among the three genes.

Target site specificity of the Tos17 retrotransposon shows a preference for insertion within genes and against insertion in retrotransposon-rich regions of the genome.

Because retrotransposons are the major component of plant genomes, analysis of the target site selection of retrotransposons is important for understanding the structure and evolution of plant genomes. Here, we examined the target site specificity of the rice retrotransposon Tos17, which can be activated by tissue culture. We have produced 47,196 Tos17-induced insertion mutants of rice.