Pathogenicity of emerging Japanese type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in experimentally infected pigs

To clarify the pathogenicity of Japanese type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolate in experimentally infected pigs, we evaluated clinical signs and monitored viremia for 21 days post-inoculation (dpi). Lungs were mottled, tanned and reddish in appearance; had lesions predominantly in the cranial, middle and accessory lobes; and failed to collapse at 10 dpi. Although microscopic lesions of lungs were reproduced using the Japanese emerging type 1 PRRSV isolate under experimental conditions, no significant differences were noted between the challenge and control groups regarding mean rectal temperature and daily weight gain. These results provide useful insights into the limited pathogenicity of single infection with the Japanese type 1 PRRSV isolate in piglets, which differ from findings in reported field cases.     

Effects of acrosomal conditions of frozen-thawed spermatozoa on the results of artificial insemination in Japanese Black cattle

The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between male artificial insemination (AI) fertility and sperm acrosomal conditions assessed by new and conventional staining techniques and to identify possible reproductive dysfunctions causing low conception rates in AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa with poor acrosomal conditions in Japanese Black bulls. We investigated individual differences among bulls in the results concerning (1) acrosomal conditions of frozen-thawed spermatozoa as assessed by not merely peanut agglutinin-lectin staining (a conventional staining technique) but also immunostaining of acrosomal tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (a new staining technique), (2) routine AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa as assessed by pregnancy diagnosis, (3) in vivo fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa and early development of fertilized eggs as assessed by superovulation/AI-embryo collection tests and (4) in vitro fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with oocytes. The percentages of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with normal acrosomal conditions assessed by the abovementioned staining techniques were significantly correlated with the conception rates of routine AI, rates of transferable embryos in superovulation/AI-embryo collection tests and in vitro fertilization rates. These results are consistent with new suggestions that the distribution of acrosomal tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins as well as the acrosomal morphology of frozen-thawed spermatozoa are AI fertility-associated markers that are valid for the prediction of AI results and that low conception rates in AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa with poor acrosomal conditions result from reproductive dysfunctions in the processes between sperm insemination into females and early embryo development, probably failed fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with oocytes.     

Condensation reactions of phenolic resins III: self-condensations of 2,4-dihydroxymethylphenol and 2,4,6-trihydroxymethylphenol (1)

This study reexamined the kinetics of the condensation reactions of hydroxymethylphenols with the purpose of elucidating the reaction mechanisms. This report discusses experimental results on the self-condensations of 2,4-dihydroxymethylphenols (2,4-DHMP) and 2,4,6-trihydroxymethylphenol (THMP), focusing on the order of reaction. The relations between the initial rates of reaction and the initial concentrations of reactants were investigated. Results quite different from those of previous reports were obtained. The order of reaction of the selfcondensation of 2,4-DHMP was found to be 1.1, which did not change with the alkali/2,4-DHMP molar ratio. The order of reaction of the self-condensation of THMP was found to vary with both the concentration of THMP and the alkali/THMP molar ratio. In the region of THMP concentrations above 1.5mol/l, the order of reaction was confirmed to be 2.0, which did not change with the alkali/THMP molar ratio. In the region of THMP concentrations below 1.0mol/l, the order of reaction varied with the alkali/THMP molar ratio, showing fractional numbers of 1.2–1.6. These results indicate that unimolecular reaction(s) and bimolecular reaction(s) take place simultaneously as the ratedetermining step in the condensation reactions of 2,4-DHMP and THMP and that the reaction mechanism changes with the species of reactant and, in some cases, with the reaction conditions.Part of this study was presented at the Wood Adhesives 2000 symposium, South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA, June 2000     

Polymer distribution in the cell wall of a wood-polyethylenimine composite

Summary A light microscopic (LM) visual technique to determine the polyethylenimine (PEI) distribution in a wood-PEI composite was studied by the adsorption of acid red or the circulation of Cu(II) ion with PEI in the composite. The amount of the adsorbed dye or Cu(II) on the composite increased linearly with an increase in the PEI content of the wood-PEI. The dyed composites were observed with LM under monochromatic light, corresponding to their absorption maxima at 560 nm for acid red and at 640 nm for copper chelate. The microscopic image was photographically recorded and the negative was subjected to densitometric analysis. At a polymer content lower than 4% in the composite, about 70% of total polymer was located in the middle lamella region, leaving only 30% in the secondary wall. With increasing PEI content of the composite, the concentration in the secondary wall increased, and about 80% of the polymer was located in the secondary wall at a PEI content of 27%. There were no noticeable differences between the amount of polymer detected by dyeing with acid red and by chelating with Cu(II). From the results of the line analysis of the intensity of the characteristic X-ray of uranium, the distribution of the PEI in the cell wall agreed closely with that determined by the LM method. It was concluded that the LM visual technique to determine the PEI location in the wood-PEI composite by dyeing with acid red or by chelating with Cu(II) is a simple and reliable method.     

Condensation reactions of phenolic resins V: cure-acceleration effects of propylene carbonate

Propylene carbonate (PC) is known as one of the cure accelerators for alkaline phenol–formaldehyde resins. To elucidate the cure-acceleration mechanisms, the effects of PC on the condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxymethylphenols (HMPs) were investigated and compared with those of PC hydrolysate, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and ethyl formate. Immediately after the reaction started, PC, decomposing itself simultaneously, accelerated the formation of the ortho-para methylene-bonded dimer of 2,4,6-trihydroxymethylphenol. This effect of PC was very similar to that of ethyl formate. To the contrary, PC hydrolysate accelerated the formation of the para-para methylene-bonded dimer throughout the course of the reaction. This effect of PC hydrolysate was identical to that of NaHCO₃. These results indicate that PC increases the reactivity of the ortho-hydroxymethyl group, presumably through transesterification. On the other hand, NaHCO₃ is formed by the hydrolysis of PC or decomposition of the transesterified HMPs and it increases the reactivity of the para-hydroxymethyl group.     

Nickel-catalyzed carbonization of wood for coproduction of functional carbon and fluid fuels I: production of crystallized mesoporous carbon

Japanese larch wood loaded with nickel (1%–4%) alone or with nickel and calcium (0.25%–1.5%) was carbonized at 800°–900°C for 0–120min with a heating rate of 5°–20°C min⁻¹ in a helium flow of 5.8−46.4 ml STP cm⁻² min⁻¹ to examine the influence of these variables on the crystallization of carbon (the formation of T component) and the development of mesoporosity. From the obtained results, reaction conditions suitable for effective production of carbon with the dual functions of adequate electroconductivity and adsorption capacity in liquid phase were established, thereby explaining the factors that govern the process. It was also confirmed that mesopore having a diameter of about 4 nm was selectively produced at the cost of specific (BET) surface area in parallel with the formation of T component. This result provided good insight into how the simultaneous dual function could be realized.     

Reduced glutathione decreases energy expenditure in chicks exposed to separation stress

Recently, we reported that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of reduced glutathione (GSH) induces hypnotic and sedative effects under an acute stressful condition in chicks. However, no information is available on the effects of GSH on energy expenditure (EE) under stressful conditions. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether i.c.v. injection of GSH affects EE of neonatal chicks, and whether EE is correlated with behavioral changes after isolation-induced stress. The EE was rapidly decreased by i.c.v. injection of GSH, but was increased 27 min after injection. This change in EE was correlated with behavioral changes in which GSH induced hypnotic and sedative effects shortly after injection, followed by a period in which activity increased. The present study demonstrates that central GSH initially causes lowered EE through hypnotic and sedative effects under an acute stressful condition in chicks.     

Measurement of Fertilizer Leaching from the Root Zone Using an Automated Infiltration Soil Water Sampler in an Unsaturated Sandy Field

In sandy fields with vegetable cultivation, fertilizer leaching may occur and it should be well-controlled. The development of a direct soil water sampler is necessary to examine solute transport and fertilizer leaching in the vadose zone, since soil water reflects timely monitoring of data more accurately than groundwater. We developed a Suction-Controlled Flux Sampler to collect infiltration soil water in a sandy soil. In the present study, we monitored fertilizer leaching in an unsaturated sandy field during the rainy season, while evaluating the sampling performance of SCFS for the sampling of infiltration water. SCFS directly collected the infiltration water effectively over a period of several months in the sandy field and recorded the Water-Collecting Efficiency from 92 to 115% under various infiltration conditions during a period of 50 d. WCE was affected by the rainfall intensity as well as by previous rainfall, which enhanced WCE. The results obtained from the use of SCFS and several sensors demonstrated that the amount of leached water remained low as long as irrigation was applied according to the cultivation manual. However, an unexpected heavy rainfall event led to fertilizer leaching. The fertilizer leaching trend was effectively monitored by several sensors inserted into the soils, while detailed analysis of the components was performed after collection by using SCFS. Direct access to infiltration water enabled to examine the infiltration process and detailed variations in the amounts of discharged anions. The sensor-equipped monitoring system together with SCFS is suitable for precise management of fertilizer and irrigation application.     

Growth and maturation of Pacific saury Cololabis saira under laboratory conditions

This study details the growth and maturation processes of Pacific saury Cololabis saira from eggs to first spawning under laboratory conditions. They were reared at 20°C, and fed almost to satiation every day. There was no significant difference in the knob length (KnL) between males and females, and so data for both sexes were combined in the following Gompertz growth formula: KnL _t  = 277.1 exp[?exp(?0.015 (t ? 83.8))]. The first spawning was observed 243 days after hatching (DAH). At the beginning of spawning, when the mean KnL was about 250 mm, only several hundred eggs were spawned at most. The spawning continued, and the number of spawned eggs increased notably after 260 DAH. Correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis of the gonad somatic index (GSI) of Pacific saury versus KnL, CF, and DAH revealed that only DAH (R = 0.88 and 0.72 for males and females, respectively) was significantly correlated with GSI of Pacific saury (P < 0.001). This result suggests that DAH is one of the most influential factors for maturation in this species.