Directly Reprogrammed Neurons as a Tool to Assess Neurotoxicity of the Contaminant 4-Hydroxy-2',3,5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (4'OH-CB72) in Melon-Headed Whales.

Whales accumulate high levels of environmental pollutants. Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their metabolites (OH-PCBs) could be linked to abnormal behavior, which may lead to mass stranding of marine mammals. Whales may thus suffer from adverse effects such as neuronal dysfunction, yet testing the neurotoxicity of these compounds has never been feasible for these species. This study established neurons chemically reprogrammed from fibroblasts of mass stranded melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) and used them for in vitro neurotoxicity assays. Exposure to 4-hydroxy-2',3,5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (4'OH-CB72), a metabolite of PCBs, caused apoptosis in the reprogrammed neurons. Transcriptome analysis of 4'OH-CB72-treated whale neurons showed altered expressions of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, chromatin degradation, axonal transport, and neurodegenerative diseases. These results suggest that 4'OH-CB72 exposure may induce neurodegeneration through disrupted apoptotic processes. A comparison of the results with human reprogrammed neurons revealed the specific effects on the whale neurons. Our noninvasive approach using fibroblast-derived neurons is useful for hazard and risk assessments of neurotoxicity in whales.

Evidence for newly discovered albino mutants in a pyroloid: implication for the nutritional mode in the genus Pyrola.

PREMISE: Difficulties in comparing extremely divergent features in fully mycoheterotrophic plants with those in closely related chlorophyllous plants have complicated attempts to reveal the evolutionary patterns and processes of fully mycoheterotrophic plants. Albino mutants of partially mycoheterotrophic plants, generally observed in Orchidaceae, have provided an ideal model for investigating the evolution of mycoheterotrophy within similar genetic backgrounds. In 2018, we found a putative albino population of Pyrola (Ericaceae). Here we aimed to reveal the identity of the albino pyroloid and confirm its fully mycoheterotrophic status. METHODS: To reveal the putative albino pyroloid's identity, we examined its morphology and sequenced its chloroplast DNA. In addition, we assessed the trophic status of the putative albino pyroloid by analyzing chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll concentration, and natural 13 C and 15 N abundances. RESULTS: We identified albino individuals as P. japonica-otherwise a partially mycoheterotrophic species. We confirmed their albino status by their considerably lower chlorophyll fluorescence and concentrations than those of sympatrically occurring chlorophyllous plants. 13 C abundance in the albino individuals was significantly higher than in the green individuals of P. japonica. CONCLUSIONS: This first report of albino mutants from partially mycoheterotrophic species in angiosperms other than orchids will play a valuable role in further studies focused on mycoheterotrophy. For instance, their δ13 C and δ15 N values represent a reference for fully mycoheterotrophic plants in Pyrola. Our findings also indicate the strong dependence of some leafy Pyrola species on fungal C during their entire life cycle.

Systemic Amyloid A Amyloidosis in Stejneger's Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon stejnegeri).

Stejneger's beaked whales (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) are one of the lesser known species of mammals, with little information available on their population status or incidence of diseases. Recent pathologic investigations on stranded and bycaught wild cetaceans around Hokkaido, Japan, revealed an unusually high incidence of systemic amyloidosis in this species, warranting further investigation. The objective of this study was to further characterize the systemic amyloidosis of Stejneger's beaked whales by retrospective histopathologic analyses of tissues from animals that stranded in Japan between 1994 and 2018. Various tissues from 35 individuals were examined histologically with hematoxylin and eosin, Congo red, and immunohistochemistry for amyloid A (AA), in which 12 (34%) were diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis. The organs with the highest severity of amyloid deposition were the stomach and intestine. The type of amyloid was confirmed as AA of approximately 9 kDa by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis with extracted amyloid from the liver and subsequent Western blotting with an antiserum against AA peptide. There were no statistically significant associations between amyloidosis and sex, body condition of the whales, or the presence of chronic inflammation. The high prevalence of this disease might be of concern for overall population numbers, and continued pathologic monitoring of stranded animals is necessary throughout its distributional range.

Prominent hepatic ductular reaction induced by Oschmarinella macrorchis in a Hubbs' beaked whale Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, with biological notes.

Beaked whales are among the least known group of cetaceans, and information regarding their pathology and parasitology is especially scarce. We describe a case of significant parasitism by a trematode found in the liver of an adult male Hubbs' beaked whale Mesoplodon carlhubbsi that stranded in Hokkaido, Japan. Post-mortem examinations revealed a localised area of discolouration restricted to the hilar region of the left hepatic lobe, where spindle-shaped trematodes occupied the dilated and hypertrophic bile ducts. Histologically, the intrahepatic bile ducts were characterised by adenomatous hyperplasia with goblet cell metaplasia of the biliary epithelium. Findings in the adjacent hepatic parenchyma included pseudocarcinomatous ductular reactions obliterating hepatocytes, a histomorphology not previously reported in marine mammals. Morphological identification of the trematode corresponded to Oschmarinella macrorchis, which has only been reported once in a Stejneger's beaked whale, M. stejnegeri. PCR amplification and sequencing analyses of the parasite's mtDNA ND3, 18S and 28S rRNA regions generated novel gene sequences. Environmental contaminant levels were measured to explore its potential relationship with the parasitism but there was no conclusive association. A high level of polychlorinated biphenyl (30000 ng g-1 lipid weight) was detected in the blubber of this individual, when compared to those of 3 other male Hubbs' beaked whales stranded in Japan. Stomach contents were also analysed, indicating the presence of various squid species and unidentified fish. Our results contribute to the knowledge of a little-known beaked whale and provide evidence for the first time of the pathobiological response caused by O. macrorchis.

Description of the karyotypes of Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) and Hubbs' beaked whale (M. carlhubbsi).

The genus Mesoplodon (Cetacea: Odontoceti: Ziphiidae) is one of the few cetacean genera with the karyotype 2n = 42. The 2n = 42 karyotype of M. europaeus and M. carlhubbsi is largely consistent with the general cetacean karyotype 2n = 44, although other 2n = 42 karyotypes do not exhibit clear homologies with the general cetacean karyotype. Therefore, the chromosomes of Mesoplodon species may be the key to understanding cetacean karyological evolution. In the present study, the male karyotypes of M. stejnegeri and M. carlhubbsi were examined. In both species, the diploid number of the male karyotype was 42. Both species had the following characteristics: 1) a huge subtelocentric X chromosome with a large C-block; 2) a small metacentric Y chromosome; 3) nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) in the terminal regions of a large autosome and one or two small metacentric autosomes; 4) small metacentric autosomes; 5) large submetacentric and subtelocentric autosomes; 6) less accumulated C-heterochromatin in the centromeric region; and 7) heteromorphism in C-heterochromatin accumulation between homologues. Characteristics 1 and 3 are peculiar to only the karyotypes of Mesoplodon species, whereas characteristics 4, 5, 6, and 7 are also found in the species with the general cetacean karyotype 2n = 44.

Toxic Identification and Evaluation of Androgen Receptor Antagonistic Activities in Acid-Treated Liver Extracts of High-Trophic Level Wild Animals from Japan.

Sulfuric acid-treated liver extracts of representative high-trophic level Japanese animals were analyzed by toxic identification and evaluation (TIE) with chemically activated luciferase expression (CALUX) and chemical analysis to elucidate androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activities and potential contributions of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The activities were detected in striped dolphins (n = 5), Stejneger's beaked whales (n = 6), golden eagle (n = 1), and Steller's sea eagle (n = 1) with CALUX-flutamide equivalents (FluEQs) as follow: 38 (20-52), 47 (21-96), 5.0, and 80 µg FluEQ/g-lipid, respectively. The AR antagonism was detected in limited number of specimens at lower levels for finless porpoise, raccoon dog, and common cormorant. Theoretical activities (Theo-FluEQs) were calculated using the concentration of OCPs and PCBs and their IC25-based relative potency (REP) values. These total contribution to CALUX-FluEQ was 126%, 84%, 53%, 55%, and 44% for striped dolphin, Steller's sea eagle, Stejneger's beaked whale, finless porpoise, and golden eagle, respectively, and the main contributor was p,p'-DDE. However, most of the activities for raccoon dog (7.6%) and common cormorant (17%) could not be explained by OCPs and PCBs. This suggests other unknown compounds could function as AR antagonists in these terrestrial species.

Functional anatomy of shoulder muscles in the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens).

Most intrinsic muscles of the forelimb in dolphins are either degenerated or lost; however, the muscles around the shoulder joint are well preserved. We dissected the forelimbs of Pacific white-sided dolphins and constructed a full-scale model of the flipper to compare and examine their movements following dissection. The humerus was oriented at approximately 45° ventrally from the horizontal plane of the dolphin and 45° caudally from the frontal plane. This maintains the neutral position of the flipper. The deltoideus and pectoralis major muscles were inserted into the body of the humerus, and the flipper was moved in the dorsal and ventral directions, respectively. A large tubercle, known as the common tubercle, was observed at the medial end of the humerus. Four muscles were inserted into the common tubercle: the brachiocephalicus, supraspinatus, and cranial part of the subscapularis, which laterally rotated the common tubercle. Subsequently, the flipper swung forward, and its radial edge was lifted. Conversely, the medial rotation of the common tubercle caused by the coracobrachialis and the caudal part of the subscapularis was accompanied by backward swinging of the flipper and lowering of the radial edge. These findings suggest the function of the flipper as a stabilizer or rudder is caused by the rotation of the humerus's common tubercle.

Brucella infection in rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) with severe orchitis stranded on the Pacific coast of Japan.

In the western North Pacific, prominent granulomatous testes have been detected in many Brucella-infected common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), but there have been no reports in toothed cetaceans. We found severe orchitis with granulomatous lesions in a rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) stranded on the Pacific coast of Japan in 2011. Histopathological examination revealed leukocyte infiltration of the lesions. DNA from the lesion was analyzed by PCR and it showed molecular biological similarities with those of Brucella-infected common minke whales and Brucella ceti of sequence-type 27 (ST27). These results suggest that the type of Brucella ceti that infected the dolphin was ST27, which may have caused severe orchitis. This study adds to our understanding of Brucella infections in marine mammals.

Amino acid sequence variations of signaling lymphocyte activation molecule and mortality caused by morbillivirus infection in cetaceans.

Morbillivirus infection is a severe threat to marine mammals. Mass die-offs caused by this infection have repeatedly occurred in bottlenose dolphins (Turiops truncatus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), both of which belong to the family Delphinidae, but not in other cetaceans. However, it is unknown whether sensitivity to the virus varies among cetacean species. The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) is a receptor on host cells that allows morbillivirus invasion and propagation. Its immunoguloblin variable domain-like (V) region provides an interface for the virus hemagglutinin (H) protein. In this study, variations in the amino acid residues of the V region of 26 cetacean species, covering almost all cetacean genera, were examined. Three-dimensional (3D) models of them were generated in a homology model using the crystal structure of the marmoset SLAM and measles virus H protein complex as a template. The 3D models showed 32 amino acid residues on the interface that possibly bind the morbillivirus. Among the cetacean species studied, variations were found at six of the residues. Bottlenose and striped dolphins have substitutions at five positions (E68G, I74V, R90H, V126I, and Q130H) compared with those of baleen whales. Three residues (at positions 68, 90 and 130) were found to alternate electric charges, possibly causing changes in affinity for the virus. This study shows a new approach based on receptor structure for assessing potential vulnerability to viral infection. This method may be useful for assessing the risk of morbillivirus infection in wildlife.

Molecular characterization of the parasitic nematode genus Crassicauda; larvae parasitic on the firefly squid and adults on beaked whales off the coast of Japan.

The Spirurina type X larvae, which infect firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans), are known to cause cutaneous creeping eruption and intestinal obstruction in humans. Although it has been reported that the adult of this larva is Crassicauda giliakiana, which was recovered from a Baird's beaked whale (Berardius bairdii), it is not well known internationally. In this study, to reconfirm the identification of this species, we determined the mitochondrial cox1 gene and the partial sequence of 18S-28S ribosomal DNA from larvae recovered from firefly squid. As the results, we confirmed that the larvae were C. giliakiana, and partial ribosomal DNA sequences were also performed for phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, to determine the distribution of the genus Crassicauda in Japan as a definitive host, DNA was extracted from archival specimens of adult worms recovered from the kidneys of family Ziphiidae that had stranded on the coast in Japan, and phylogenetic analysis using ITS2 region was conducted. As a result, C. giliakiana were detected from not only B. bairdii but also Mesoplodon stejnegeri, and Ziphius cavirostris, and C. anthonyi was also detected in Z. cavirostris. Furthermore, the kidney parasitic nematoda Crassicauda sp., which is not registered in the database, was found in both M. densirostris and M. gingkodens. This study provides new insights into the distribution and the lifecycle of genus Crassicauda in Japan based on the phylogenetic relationship between larvae and adults.

Comparative analysis of the genetic structures of Kogia spp. populations in the western North Pacific.

The two Kogia species, the pygmy sperm whale (K. breviceps) and the dwarf sperm whale (K. sima), have similar morphological and biological features as well as diets. Both species are deep divers, and both have wide distributions from tropical to warm-temperate zones. Although K. breviceps is larger than K. sima, there are few reports of habitat differentiation between the two species. The distribution of K. breviceps is concentrated in higher-latitudes, and this species dives deeper than K. sima. We investigated whether these two species differ in their population structures in the western North Pacific. Using stranded specimens from Japan, we compared the population genetic patterns of the two Kogia species using mtDNA control region variation (941 bp). In total, 34 K. breviceps samples and 54 K. sima samples from stranded individuals around Japan were successfully sequenced. Thirty haplotypes were detected in K. breviceps and 34 in K. sima, indicating high genetic diversity for both. Almost all these haplotypes are unique to the western North Pacific, but did not constitute distinct phylogeographic clades within either species. We detected differences between the species in the shape of haplotype networks and in the potential time of population expansion, indicating that the western North Pacific population of the two biologically similar species could have different population demographies. This may reflect differences in evolutionary histories and in the details of their ecological niches.

A first record of digenean parasites of the dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima with morphological and molecular information.

Two species of digenean trematodes of the family Brachycladiidae were obtained from two male dwarf sperm whales Kogia sima that stranded along the island of Kyushu, southern Japan in 2017. From the liver of the first animal, a single, large gravid specimen of a digenean species was collected. The morphological features were consistent with those of the genus Brachycladium. The worm had a large body and was characterized by anterior caeca without lateral diverticula, the shape of testes, ovary, and eggs. Molecular analyses using gene sequences of the 28S rRNA and the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 also supported the inclusion of this specimen into the genus Brachycladium. The identity of this worm is undetermined due to the lack of information on the genus and is reported as Brachycladium sp. From the cranial sinuses of the second animal, 33 specimens of digeneans were collected that were morphologically identified as Nasitrema gondo. This report documents a new host record for N. gondo, and the sequence information is provided for this digenean for the first time. This is the second record of digenean parasites for the family Kogiidae, and the first record with morphological and molecular information. The possibility of digenean infection in the liver and cranial sinus should be kept in mind during the necropsy of stranded kogiids.

Notes on stomach contents of pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia spp.) from around Japan.

The diets of pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (K. sima) sperm whales in Japanese waters are poorly known. We report new information on the diets of these two species from these waters based on identifiable hard-part remains recovered from the stomach contents of 29 whales (11 pygmy and 18 dwarf sperm whales) that stranded between 1991 and 2021; those of a further two dwarf sperm whales were empty. The cephalopod (and secondarily fish and crustacean) component of the diets of these 29 whales, based on analysis of identifiable stomach-content remains, is described. The main prey includes cephalopods, represented by 1556 identifiable lower beaks (and 1483 upper beaks), crustaceans (represented by heavily digested, unidentifiable remains), and fishes (as represented by 92 otoliths). Identified prey comprises 30 species from 16 cephalopod families and 5 families from 5 fish orders. Oceanic cephalopods are the main prey of both whale species, particularly Enoploteuthis (Paraenoploteuthis) chunii and Chiroteuthis (Chirothauma) picteti. Prey diversity index values (Shannon-Weaver's diversity index H') are 2.41 for the pygmy sperm whale and 2.66 for the dwarf sperm whale. Although the main cephalopod component in the diets of these two whale species is similar, Pianka's index (0.40), a measure of niche overlap, is not that high, and may be influenced by differences in prey dominance in different feeding areas.

Identification of major dioxin-like compounds and androgen receptor antagonist in acid-treated tissue extracts of high trophic-level animals.

We evaluated the applicability of combining in vitro bioassays with instrument analyses to identify potential endocrine disrupting pollutants in sulfuric acid-treated extracts of liver and/or blubber of high trophic-level animals. Dioxin-like and androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activities were observed in Baikal seals, common cormorants, raccoon dogs, and finless porpoises by using a panel of rat and human cell-based chemical-activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) reporter gene bioassays. On the other hand, no activity was detected in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-, progesterone receptor (PR)-, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2)-CALUX assays with the sample amount applied. All individual samples (n = 66) showed dioxin-like activity, with values ranging from 21 to 5500 pg CALUX-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (TEQ)/g-lipid. Because dioxins are expected to be strong contributors to CALUX-TEQs, the median theoretical contribution of dioxins calculated from the result of chemical analysis to the experimental CALUX-TEQs was estimated to explain up to 130% for all the tested samples (n = 54). Baikal seal extracts (n = 31), but not other extracts, induced AR antagonistic activities that were 8-150 µg CALUX-flutamide equivalent (FluEQ)/g-lipid. p,p'-DDE was identified as an important causative compound for the activity, and its median theoretical contribution to the experimental CALUX-FluEQs was 59% for the tested Baikal seal tissues (n = 25). Our results demonstrate that combining in vitro CALUX assays with instrument analysis is useful for identifying persistent organic pollutant-like compounds in the tissue of wild animals on the basis of in vitro endocrine disruption toxicity.

Molecular identification of novel alpha- and gammaherpesviruses from cetaceans stranded on Japanese coasts.

Herpesviral infections have been documented in some cetaceans; however, they have not yet been identified in species in the western North Pacific. In the present study, 178 tissue samples from 76 stranded cetacean individuals were tested for the presence of herpesviruses. Herpesvirus genomic DNA fragments surrounding the DNA polymerase gene were amplified in samples from four individuals. TA cloning and direct sequencing of these DNA fragments revealed the presence of two novel alphaherpesviruses, and two novel gammaherpesviruses in the four cetacean individuals. The alphaherpesviruses were associated with the lung tissue of a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), and with the mucus of a melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). The gammaherpesviruses were found in the lymph tissues of a Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) and a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The phylogenetic tree using amino acid sequences of the DNA polymerase gene supported the inclusion of the novel viruses identified here in a single monophyletic group containing alphaherpesviruses from other Atlantic cetacean species. Conversely, the novel gammaherpesviruses formed an independent clade distant from other known cetacean gammaherpesviruses.

Anthropogenic and natural organohalogen compounds in melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) stranded along the Japanese coastal waters: Temporal trend analysis using archived samples in the environmental specimen bank (es-BANK).

The present study determined recent accumulation levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), methoxylated-PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) and 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1) in the blubber of melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) stranded along the Japanese coastal waters in 2015 and examined temporal trends of these organohalogen compound (OHC) levels by analyzing blubber samples of this species archived in the environmental specimen bank which were collected in 1982, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2011. The median concentrations in melon-headed whales stranded recently were in the order of DDTs ≈ PCBs > HBCDDs > Q1 > CHLs > MeO-PBDEs > PBDEs > HCB > HCHs > PCDEs, indicating that considerable amounts of HBCDDs, in addition to DDTs and PCBs, have been transported to tropical and subtropical waters of the open ocean and pelagic whale species might be exposed to relatively high levels of these OHCs. Temporal trend analyses of OHC levels in the blubber of melon-headed whales revealed significant decrease for anthropogenic OCs such as DDTs, PCBs, HCB, HCHs and PCDEs, and significant increase for CHLs, PBDEs, HBCDDs, MeO-PBDEs and Q1 since 1982. Besides, the analyses from 2001 to 2015 showed no decreasing trends (unchanged) for some PCB congeners, p,p'-DDE, cis- and trans-nonachlors, Q1, BDE-47, -100 and -154, and significantly increasing trends for α-HBCDD and 6MeO-BDE47, suggesting their chronic exposure for this pelagic whale species.

Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in a Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) with Transplacental Embryonal Transmission.

We describe a case of systemic toxoplasmosis in a female adult narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) found in May 2018 inside a gillnet set in the Ariake Sound, southern Japan. The main lesions observed were lymphoplasmacytic and focally necrotizing encephalitis, necrotizing to granulomatous adrenalitis, myocarditis, and inflammation in the intestinal wall, associated with protozoal tissue cysts and tachyzoites. Additionally, the individual had a 5.6 mm (crown-rump length) early-stage embryo in the left uterine horn, which had multifocal necrotizing lesions with intralesional tissue cysts and tachyzoites in the parenchyma. Immunohistochemistry and PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region confirmed a Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further genotyping revealed an atypical type II genotype with a type I pattern for the Apico locus. Narrow-ridged finless porpoises are an endangered coastal species already facing various anthropogenic threats. Toxoplasmosis, especially with its ability to transmit to an early-stage embryo, should be considered an emerging threat to this vulnerable species.

Serologic survey of Brucella infection in cetaceans inhabiting along the coast of Japan.

A serologic investigation of Brucella infection was performed in 7 species of cetaceans inhabiting along the coast of Japan. A total of 32 serum samples were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Brucella abortus and B. canis antigens. One serum sample from five melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) was positive for B. abortus. No serum sample showed positive for B. canis. The ELISA-positive melon-headed whale serum demonstrated a strong band appearance only against B. abortus antigens in Western blot analysis. Many detected bands were discrete, while some of them had a smeared appearance. The present results indicate that Brucella infection occurred in melon-headed whale population and the bacterial antigenicity is more similar to that of B. abortus than B. canis.

Construction of an artificial system for ambrein biosynthesis and investigation of some biological activities of ambrein.

Ambergris, a sperm whale metabolite, has long been used as a fragrance and traditional medication, but it is now rarely available. The odor components of ambergris result from the photooxidative degradation of the major component, ambrein. The pharmacological activities of ambergris have also been attributed to ambrein. However, efficient production of ambrein and odor compounds has not been achieved. Here, we constructed a system for the synthesis of ambrein and odor components. First, we created a new triterpene synthase, "ambrein synthase," for mass production of ambrein by redesigning a bacterial enzyme. The ambrein yields were approximately 20 times greater than those reported previously. Next, an efficient photooxidative conversion system from ambrein to a range of volatiles of ambergris was established. The yield of volatiles was 8-15%. Finally, two biological activities, promotion of osteoclast differentiation and prevention of amyloid ß-induced apoptosis, were discovered using the synthesized ambrein.

Organohalogen contaminants in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japan: present contamination status, body distribution and temporal trends (1978-2003).

Organohalogen contaminants including PCBs, DDTs, CHLs, HCHs, HCB, PBDEs and HBCDs were determined in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) found stranded at Gogo-shima (n=6, 2003) and collected from Taiji (n=15, 1978-1992) in Japan. All target compounds were significantly detected in all the specimens, indicating ubiquitous contamination of oceanic cetaceans in northwest Pacific Ocean. Examination of body distribution of organohalogens in the six specimens from Gogo-shima showed no significant difference in concentrations among the analyzed tissues, except for brain, which had lower levels possibly due to the existence of blood-brain barrier. For evaluating temporal trends, archived blubber samples of adult male stripped dolphins collected in 1978, 1979, 1986 and 1992 were analyzed. Concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and HCHs did not change significantly during 1978-2003. In contrast, remarkable increasing trends of PBDEs and HBCDs were observed, suggesting growing consumption in Japan and surrounding countries in recent years.