Therapeutic effects of beta-thujaplicin eardrops on canine Malassezia-related otitis externa

An eardrop solution of beta-thujaplicin was examined for therapeutic effects on canine Malassezia-related otitis externa. Half to one ml of beta-thujaplicin solution of 100 microg/ml including DMSO 2% was injected everyday into both external ear canals of 31 cases for test-of-cure agreement. Fifteen score phases were established from the symptoms and cerumen smear biopsy findings, and score changes were recorded at least once a week. The means of the second and the third inspection day scores decreased significantly more than the previous value of each. In addition, the numbers of yeast-like organisms clearly decreased. These results suggest that beta-thujaplicin eardrops are effective for Malassezia-related otitis externa in dogs.     

Seasonal fluctuations and temperature dependence of leaf gas exchange parameters of co-occurring evergreen and deciduous trees in a temperate broad-leaved forest

Seasonal fluctuations in leaf gas exchange parameters were investigated in three evergreen (Quercus glauca Thunb., Cinnamomum camphora Sieb. and Castanopsis cuspidata Schottky) and one deciduous (Quercus serrata Thunb.) co-occurring, dominant tree species in a temperate broad-leaved forest. Dark respiration rate (Rn), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and stomatal coefficient (m), the ratio of stomatal conductance to net assimilation rate after adjustment to the vapor pressure deficit and internal carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, were derived inversely from instantaneous field gas exchange data (one-point method). The normalized values of Rn and Vcmax at the reference temperature of 25 degrees C (Rn25, Vcmax25) and their temperature dependencies (Delta Ha(Rn), Delta Ha(Vcmax)) were analyzed. Parameter Vcmax25 ranged from 24.0-40.3 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and Delta Ha(Vcmax) ranged from 29.1- 67.0 kJ mol(-1). Parameter Rn25 ranged from 0.6-1.4 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and Delta Ha(Rn) ranged from 47.4-95.4 kJ mol(-1). The stomatal coefficient ranged from 7.2-8.2. For the three evergreen trees, a single set of Vcmax25 and Rn25 parameters and temperature dependence curves produced satisfactory estimates of carbon uptake throughout the year, except during the period of simultaneous leaf fall and leaf expansion, which occurs in April and May. In the deciduous oak, declines in Vcmax25 were observed after summer, along with changes in Vcmax25 and Rn25 during the leaf expansion period. In all species, variation in m during periods of leaf expansion and drought should be considered in modeling studies. We conclude that the changes in normalized gas exchange parameters during periods of leaf expansion and drought need to be considered when modeling carbon uptake of evergreen broad-leaved species.     

Structure of polymeric polyphenols of cinnamon bark deduced from condensation products of cinnamaldehyde with catechin and procyanidins

Structures of two condensation products obtained by the reaction of cinnamaldehyde with (+)-catechin were determined by spectroscopic methods. One had two phenylpropanoid units at the C-6 and C-8 positions of the catechin skeleton. The other product had a dimeric structure with two catechin and two phenylpropanoid units. Matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of the reaction products of cinnamaldehyde with procyanidin B1 suggested that procyanidins were oligomerized in a manner similar to the reaction with catechin. Furthermore, (13)C NMR spectral comparison of the condensation products with the polymeric procyanidins obtained from commercial cinnamon bark strongly suggested that the procyanidins in the cinnamon bark also were polymerized by reaction with cinnamaldehyde.     

Glyphosate Formulations on Nutritional Condition and Productivity of Roundup Ready Soybean

We evaluate the effect of different commercial formulations of glyphosate on the nutritional status of Roundup Ready soybeans (TMG 125). The experiment was conducted under field conditions for two agricultural years. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with four repetitions. The treatments were the implementation of Roundup Original, Trop, Roundup Ultra, Roundup WG, Roundup Transorb R and Zapp QI formulations, all at a dose of 720 g e.a. ha^?1 of glyphosate and two controls (weeding and no weeding). There was no difference in the accumulation of macronutrients. In the second year of evaluation (2011/2012), manganese (Mn) accumulation was affected by the Trop formulations, Roundup Transorb, Zapp QI, Roundup Ultra, Roundup WG. To the accumulation of zinc (Zn), there was a reduction in the application of Trop formulations and Zapp QI. However, this reduction observed did not influence the response of plants in relation to the productive yield.     

Effect of inter-annual climate variability on evapotranspiration and canopy CO2 exchange of a tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

We investigated inter-annual variation of canopy CO₂ exchange (NEE) and evapotranspiration during a 7-year period over a lowland Dipterocarp forest in Pasoh, Peninsular Malaysia, using the eddy covariance method. Annual rainfall fluctuated between 1,451 and 2,235?mm during this period. Annual evapotranspiration estimated by energy budget correction and gap filling using the relationship between latent heat and available energy was 1,287?±?52?mm. Despite inter-annual variation in rainfall, annual evapotranspiration was stable, except for a slight decrease in the driest year (2009). Evapotranspiration was roughly related to the amount of available energy, but was regulated by stomatal closure to prevent excessive water loss at high vapour pressure deficit. Even during dry periods, no significant decrease in evapotranspiration occurred, as water was supplied from soil layers deeper than 0.5?m. Ecosystem respiration (RE) increased with soil water content. Daytime NEE was also stable during the 7?years, despite climate variability. Afternoon inhibition of canopy photosynthesis was seen every month. Daytime NEE did not become more negative with increasing solar radiation, or with increasing soil water content. During dry periods, gross primary production (GPP) and thus canopy gross photosynthesis decreased slightly, coupled with decreased daytime RE. In this forest, variability in rainfall pattern resulted in seasonal and inter-annual variability in micrometeorology; evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, and RE responded to these changes, and compensated for each other and/or other components of micrometeorology, resulting in rather stable annual evapotranspiration and NEE, even during a very dry year associated with an El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event.     

Differential toxic effects of gentamicin on cultured renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) on application to the brush border membrane or the basolateral membrane

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are generally accepted to accumulate in renal proximal tubule cells from the luminal surface and show toxic effects on the cells. The binding affinity and membrane permeability of aminoglycoside antibiotics are different at the brush border membrane (BBM) and the basolateral membrane (BLM) of proximal tubule cells. This study was performed, therefore, to investigate the differential effects of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin (GM) on cultured LLC-PK1 cells, a pig kidney proximal epithelial cell line, after addition to the BBM or the BLM side. LLC-PK1 cells were cultured on microporous membranes until forming confluent monolayers, and then GM was added to either the BBM or the BLM side. GM caused release of enzymes from the organelles, with a higher level of release observed following addition to the BBM side than that to the BLM side. Patterns of [3H]GM uptake by the cells differed in a manner dependent on whether it was added to the BBM or the BLM side. That is, the cellular uptake from the BBM side increased with incubation time, while that from the BLM side showed rapid saturation. These results suggested that aminoglycoside antibiotics show differential effects on cultured proximal epithelial cells and have differential patterns of cellular uptake when added to the BBM or the BLM side.     

Experimental sensitization with Japanese cedar pollen in dogs

Japanese cedar pollinosis is a type I allergic disease mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen antigen (CPAg). By using 22 dogs consisting of 20 dogs aged 3 months and 2 dogs aged 3 years, immunization was performed by subcutaneous injections of CPAg with aluminum hydroxide gel. Variable levels of CPAg-specific IgE antibody response were detected in 21 of the 22 immunized dogs two weeks after the second immunization. This study provided an experimental sensitization system with CPAg in dogs, which will be useful for further immunological studies on Japanese cedar pollinosis.     

Evaluation of developmental changes in the coexpression of myosin heavy chains and metabolic properties of equine skeletal muscle fibers

OBJECTIVE: To determine the growth-related changes in metabolic and anatomic properties in equine muscle fiber type, including hybrid fibers identified with immunohistochemical analysis. ANIMALS: 24 2-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old female Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Samples were obtained from the gluteus medius muscle of all horses. Expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms MHC-I, -IIa, -IIb, and -IIx in each muscle fiber was detected by use of 4 primary monoclonal antibodies: BA-D5, SC-71, BF-F3, and BF-35, respectively. Five muscle fiber types (types I, I/IIA, IIA, IIA/IIX, and IIX) were immunohistochemically identified. The area and activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) in each fiber type were determined by use of quantitative histochemical staining and image analysis. RESULTS: Although the proportion of type I and IIX fibers did not change with age, the proportion of type IIA and IIA/IIX fibers significantly increased and decreased, respectively, from 2 months to 24 months of age. The increase in proportion of type IIA fibers with growth may have been attributable to muscle fiber-type transition from type IIA/IIX fibers but not from type IIX fibers. Values for SDH activity and fiber area in hybrid fiber types were intermediate to those for their respective pure phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hybrid fibers have an important role for determining the proportion of muscle fiber type in horses < 24 months old, and the metabolic and anatomic properties of the hybrid fibers are well coordinated, as in mature horses.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome b gene of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and comparison of sequence homology among channel catfish and other fishes

To clarify the phylogenic relationship of channel catfish with other fishes, the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene of the catfish was cloned and sequenced. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) belonging to the family Ictaluridae in the order Siluriformes showed a 78.4-87.4% similarity to all but one fish of the family Cyprinidae and river loach Crossostoma lacustre of the family Balitoridae in the order Cypriniformes in which genes had already been sequenced, and a 97.2% similarity to the goldfish (Carassius auratus) belonging to the family Cyprinidae. Within the family Cyprinidae, a 78.8-89.2% similarity to one another was recorded. In addition, the similarity rate between the family Cyprinidae and the family Balitoridae reached a value of 77.8-79.9% in the order Cypriniformes. Furthermore, in an unrooted phylogenetic tree consisting of four branches among eight fishes, channel catfish and goldfish appeared in the same branch. These results suggested that the Cyt b gene of the channel catfish in the order Siluriformes was closely related to that of a goldfish in the order Cypriniformes. The results were not agreement with the morphological classification. Genetic reclassification of the fishes may be necessary to identify the ancestor. This is the first report on the cloning and complete sequencing the Cyt b gene of the channel catfish which may contribute to the genetic reclassification of catfishes belonging to the order Siluriformes.