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.

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.

Preparation of antitumor oxaliplatin/cisplatin docking dinuclear platinum complex.

A new dinuclear docking Pt(II) complex, (cis-diammine) (l-1,2-cyclohexanediamine)(mu-dichloro)-diplatinum(II) oxalate was synthesized by reacting oxaliplatin(l-OHP, [Pt(oxalato)(L-dach)]), L-dach = 1R, 2R-cyclohexanediamine), with cisplatin (CDDP). Elemental analysis of the compound indicated that it was 1:1 molar ratio complex of oxaliplatin and cisplatin. A plausible chemical structure has been proposed as Cl(-) bridged dinuclear complex, judged from its yellow coloration and NMR spectral analysis.