Dairy farming financial structures in Hokkaido, Japan and New Zealand

The productivity and financial performance of dairy farms in New Zealand and Japan (Hokkaido) were analyzed. By recomposing the official statistics on the dairy industry relative to Japan, New Zealand has low milk yield productivity per cow, but higher per hectare performance because of their seasonal breeding and pasture grazing systems. In the revenue and expenses analysis, New Zealand had a high cash surplus ratio compared with Hokkaido. In the cost analysis, for expenses on a “per kg of raw milk” basis, New Zealand milk production costs are 29% of those in Hokkaido. More than 60% of the production costs were attributable to feed, interest charges and wages in New Zealand. In Hokkaido, the feed cost alone accounted for 73% of the total cost. There is also a remarkably high interest expenditure in New Zealand caused by non‐subsidized fund procurement from finance organizations. In the financial analysis, New Zealand dairy farms have only approximately 50% of the total assets per cow compared with farms in Hokkaido. But total liabilities per cow in Hokkaido are twofold to threefold greater than in New Zealand. The difference between total assets and total liabilities shows that Hokkaido dairy farmers have an equity that is 50–200% greater than New Zealand dairy farmers. In the management analysis, New Zealand has a low turnover ratio of gross assets caused by the seasonal breeding system. In conclusion, New Zealand has higher per hectare production performance than Hokkaido, but has a low utilization of gross assets caused by a seasonal breeding system based on pasture grazing.     

Combination of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit and hyperintensity of intramedullary T2W on magnetic resonance imaging provides better prognostic value of canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH. The association of serum pNF-H concentration, T2W hyperintensity on sagittal MRI (T2H/L2), deep pain perception and surgical outcome were evaluated with logistic regression analysis after three months for all 94 surgically treated dogs. Sensitivity to predict non-ambulatory outcome was compared among pNF-H and T2H/L2 and combination of both. Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum pNF-H concentration and T2H/L2 were significantly correlated with surgical outcome (P<0.05); however, deep pain perception was not (P=0.41). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratios of unsuccessful long-term outcome were 2.6 for serum pNF-H concentration, 1.9 for T2H/L2 and 2.3 for deep pain sensation. The sensitivity and specificity to predict non-ambulatory outcome for using serum parameter pNF-H>2.6 ng/ml, using T2H/L2 value of>0.84 and using both serum pNF-H and T2H/L2, were 95% and 75.7%, 65% and 86.5%, and 90.0% and 97.5%, respectively. Therefore, combined measurements of serum pNF-H and T2H/L2 might be useful for predicting long-term outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.     

Viability of maternally heat-stressed mouse zygotes in vivo and in vitro

Mammalian preimplantation embryos are susceptible to heat stress. This present study examined how maternal heat stress affects the development of mouse zygotes in vivo and in vitro. In Experiment 1, zygotes collected from female mice that were heat‐stressed for 12 h on day 1 of pregnancy were cultured in vitro. Maternally heat‐stressed zygotes developed normally to the two‐cell stage, but the majority of embryos failed to develop into morulae or blastocysts. In Experiment 2, pregnant mice were heat‐stressed on day 1 or from day 1 to day 3 of pregnancy. The number of living fetuses on day 14 of pregnancy was lower in heat‐stressed mice than in non‐stressed mice, but the difference was significant only in successively heat‐stressed mice. These results demonstrate that maternally heat‐stressed zygotes have reduced in vitro viability, but this phenomenon does not necessarily lead to embryo loss in the maternal environment.     

Measurement of canine blood microparticles by flow cytometry: effect of anticoagulants and staining reagents

Microparticles (MPs) are released from budding plasma membranes into body fluids. The use of flow cytometry for the measurement of MP in canines has not been standardized. In this fundamental study, we compared the effect of anticoagulant agents, such as acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) and heparin on the measurement of canine MPs in platelet-free plasma (PFP) using flow cytometry. In addition, we used annexin V, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE), or calcein tetraacetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM), and explored the characteristics of the staining reagents in MP detection using flow cytometry. We were able to measure canine MPs in PFP prepared from ACD-anticoagulated blood using flow cytometry, in which the highest positive rate for fluorescent staining was observed when CFSE was used.     

Advanced maternal age induces fetal growth restriction through decreased placental inflammatory cytokine expression and immune cell accumulation in mice

Advanced maternal age is a risk factor for female infertility, and placental dysfunction is considered one of the causes of pregnancy complications. We investigated the effects of advanced maternal aging on pregnancy outcomes and placental senescence. Female pregnant mice were separated into three groups: young (3 months old), middle (8–9 months old), and aged (11–13 months old). Although the body weights of young and middle dams gradually increased during pregnancy, the body weight of aged dams only increased slightly. The placental weight and resorption rate were significantly higher, and live fetal weights were reduced in a maternal age-dependent manner. Although mRNA expression of senescence regulatory factors (p16 and p21) increased in the spleen of aged dams, mRNA expression of p16 did not change and that of p21 was reduced in the placenta of aged dams. Using a cytokine array of proteins extracted from placental tissues, the expression of various types of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors was decreased in aged dams compared with young and middle dams. The aged maternal placenta showed reduced immune cell accumulation compared with the young placenta. Our present results suggest that models using pregnant mice older than 8 months are more suitable for verifying older human pregnancies. These findings suggest that general cellular senescence programs may not be included in the placenta and that placental functions, including SASP production and immune cell accumulation, gradually decrease in a maternal age-dependent manner, resulting in a higher rate of pregnancy complications.     

Goat milk acceptance and promotion methods in Japan: The questionnaire survey to middle class households

A consumer questionnaire conducted with the purpose of ascertaining the acceptability of goat milk and related products in Japan was carried out on 345 guarantees of Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University in December 2006. 275 effective responses (79%) representing middle class urban households were returned. The results revealed that (1) 30% of respondents have experienced drinking goat milk and only 10% are aware of the current retail situation of goat milk and related products; (2) over 70% of goat milk drinkers raised goats by hand at some point in their past and their first experience drinking goat milk was in infancy; (3) those with experience in drinking goat milk expressed a vague evaluation and minimal understanding of drinking goat milk; (4) respondents who were inexperienced goat milk drinkers expressed a strong desire to taste and a weak desire to purchase goat milk; (5) respondents expressed low recognition regarding retailed goat milk products, but those who had already purchased goat milk products expressed a high evaluation and strong desire to purchase these products again; and (6) recognition of goat milk characteristics is low, but those with high recognition also rate goat milk highly. Goats are perceived as being 'mild and familiar.' It is necessary for those who manage goat husbandry to present goat milk and related product tasting opportunities to consumers. The key point is to make the functional differences between cow and goat milk clear and present the advantages of goat milk at the fore of this promotion. Goat milk should not be promoted merely as a drink that is similar to cow milk, but must be positioned as a functional drink or health food in order to expand the Japanese goat milk market.     

A comparative analysis of acceptance by Japanese females and price of goat milk from different sources

A sensory survey was carried out using 4 different types of whole goat milk among middle‐class females to investigate consumer acceptability of goat milk and whether there is an opportunity to expand the sale of goat milk products in Japan. Four different types of whole milk powder (domestic concentrate‐fed, domestic pasture‐fed, USA commercially canned, and New Zealand commercially canned) were used. Fresh cow milk was served as a control. Thirty‐one housewives evaluated the 5 liquid milk samples for smell, taste and overall characteristics on a scale of 1 (low) to 3 (high). Chi‐square analyses were carried out to detect significant differences between the milk types in each category. The goat milk from the USA was the most preferred goat milk with respect to smell and overall evaluation. Domestic pasture‐fed milk received the lowest grade in the evaluation for its ‘grassy and goaty’ smell. This result shows us that pasture intake affects the taste and smell of powdered milk which gives the lowest evaluation by the participants. If Japanese goat milk producers want to be successful in the domestic goat milk market and compete against goat milk products from other countries, they should improve production methods and flavor of their products.     

迪西鹰嘴豆和卡布里鹰嘴豆微量元素含量的分析比较

测定分析迪西类型和卡布里类型鹰嘴豆微量元素含量。采用电感偶合等离子发射光谱仪,分别测定新疆乌什县产的卡布里鹰嘴豆和木垒县产的迪西鹰嘴豆中的17种微量元素的含量,分析比较两种鹰嘴豆微量元素含量的差异。两种类型鹰嘴豆都富含镁、铁、锌、锰、镉等有重要生理功能的微量营养元素,是营养价值极高的豆类作物,但二者的微量元素含量存在一定差异。从微量元素角度分析,两种类型鹰嘴豆均具有极高的开发推广价值。     

MR IMAGING OF HISTIOCYTIC SARCOMA OF THE CANINE BRAIN

Histiocytic sarcomas are characterized by proliferation and/or infiltration of neoplastic histiocytes localized to specific organs, unlike malignant histiocytosis which involves many organ systems. Only a few cranial histiocytic sarcomas have been reported. Here we describe four dogs that presented with neurological deficits referable to the forebrain, and were diagnosed histologically as having histiocytic sarcoma. Using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the tumors were characterized by a T2-hyperintense and T1-isointense mass in one dog, T2- and T1-isointense extraaxial masses in two dogs, and a diffuse T2-hyperintense lesion over the left cerebral cortex in one dog. All tumors had contrast enhancement. MRI features in three of the four dogs were similar to that of meningioma, supported by the observation of a dural tail in two of these three dogs, and a broad base of attachment in the other. In the other dog the imaging findings were similar to those of encephalitis. Intracranial histiocytic sarcoma does not appear to have specific MR imaging features and can be confused with meningioma or encephalitis.