Species composition of Modellidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in a coppice woodland

A continuous sampling of canopy beetles was carried out to determine variations in the abundance, species diversity, richness, and composition of the Mordellidae and Cerambycidae in a coppice woodland. Changes in the abundance and the species richness were monitored at three heights in the forest throughout the season in 1999, using yellow and blue water pan traps. The results showed significant variations in the abundance of Mordellidae among the canopy layers, while little variation was found for Cerambycidae. The abundance, species diversity, and richness were generally greater in summer. The results showed distinct species compositions in both families among layers.     

Chemical structures of the condensed tannins in the fruits of Diospyros species

The structural variety of the condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) in the fruits of 16Diospyros species are reported. Eleven species contained condensed tannins mostly consisting of a mixture of catechin (CA) and gallocatechin (GCA) repeating units; the other five species did not. The GCA content in the CA-GCA total varied from 0.3% to 84.6%. The number of esterified gallic acid per one flavan repeating unit (degree of galloylation, DG) ranged from 0.01 to 0.89. The GCA content was found to be proportional to the DG values. Thus, 16Diospyros species tested may be classified into five groups by the analytical data of their condensed tannins. It may be interesting to compare their structural characteristics with those of the condensed tannins in other fruits, leaves, woods, and barks from the viewpoint of their biosynthesis and function in the plants.Part of this paper was presented at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1995     

Effect of board density on bending properties and dimensional stabilities of MDF-reinforced corrugated particleboard

We investigated the bending properties of composite boards produced by reinforcing both sides of corrugated particleboard with medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Thickness swelling and linear expansion (LE) were measured to assess the dimensional stabilities of the composite board. Although the apparent density of the composite board was 0.48g/cm³, its strength was found to be equivalent to that of 18-type particleboard as described in JIS A 5908. The boards parallel/perpendicular anisotropy in strength was 0.9. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of the composite board increased with board density only up to a certain density, beyond which the MOR was constant. On the other hand, the thickness swelling of both corrugated particleboard and the composite board was smaller than that of flat-type particleboard, satisfying the JIS A 5908 standard of 12%. Linear expansion (soaking in water of ordinary temperature for 24h) of corrugated particleboard was 0.7%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 2.1%–3.1% in the perpendicular direction; hence, anisotropy in linear expansion existed in the corrugated particleboard. The linear expansion of the composite board was 0.6%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 1.8%–2.5% in the perpendicular direction. Although the LE of the composite board was lower than that of corrugated particleboard, it is necessary to improve the LE of composite board for practical use.     

Effects of chronic acid fog exposure with soil acidification or nitrogen loading on nutrient status in Abies firma seedlings

To clarify the nutrient status in momi fir (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc.) seedlings under complex stress conditions of acid fog with soil acidification or nitrogen loading, we exposed seedling shoots to simulated acid fog (pH 3) and simultaneously loaded the soil with acid or excess nitrogen for 17 months. Proton and nitrogen loading reduced K concentration in soil, but these treatments had little effect on the nutrient status of fine roots in momi fir seedlings. Acid fog exposure resulted in reduced concentrations of Mg, Al, and Fe in current-year needles and Mg, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn in 1-year-old needles. The complex effects of acid fog exposure with proton or nitrogen loading on nutrient status were relatively slight. However, elements such as Al and Cu notably reflect the effects of proton loading. These results show that the nutrient status of trace elements, rather than major elements, in needles of momi fir seedlings is sensitive to exposure to acid fog or proton loading.     

Comparative Analysis of mRNA Expression of Surface Antigens between Histiocytic and Nonhistiocytic Sarcoma in Dogs

Background

Definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma (HS) in dogs is relatively difficult by conventional histopathological examination because objective features of HS are not well defined.

Hypothesis

Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of selected cellular surface antigens (SAs) specific to HS in dogs can facilitate objective and rapid diagnosis.

Animals

Dogs with HS (n = 30) and dogs without HS (n = 36), including those with other forms of lymphoma (n = 4), inflammatory diseases (n = 6), and other malignant neoplasias (n = 26).

Methods

Retrospective clinical observational study. Specimens were collected by excisional biopsy, needle core biopsy, or fine needle aspiration. To determine HS detection efficacy, mRNA expression levels of selected SAs specific to HS in dogs, including MHC class IIα, CD11b, CD11c, and CD86, were quantitatively analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Each SA mRNA expression level was significantly higher in HS dogs than in non‐HS dogs (P = .0082). Cutoff values for discriminating between HS and non‐HS dogs based on these expression levels were calculated on the basis of receiver‐operating characteristic analysis. Accuracy of the cutoff values, including MHC class IIα, CD11b, CD11c, and CD86, was 87.9, 86.4, 86.4, and 84.8%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Our results suggest that quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of the selected SAs could be an adjunctive diagnostic technique with high diagnostic accuracy for HS in dogs. Substantial investigation is required for exclusion of diseases with similar cell types of origin to lymphoma.     

Life history and ecology of the glowbelly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropoma japonicum</Emphasis> in the Uwa Sea,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The life history and ecology of the glowbelly Acropoma japonicum a commercially important fishery resource, were investigated in the Uwa Sea, Japan. Newly settled juveniles (0⁺) appeared at the end of the breeding season and reached maturity in the next season, i.e. when they became yearlings (1⁺). The yearlings made a gametic effort comparable to that of older fish. During the breeding season, the somatic conditions were more deteriorated for males than for females. That the deterioration of male somatic conditions was not attributable to a sexual difference in energy gain from feeding suggests that the males incurred higher energetic costs of reproduction despite their relatively low gonadosomatic indices. Such an energy depletion may increase the mortality risk, resulting in female-biased sex ratios in the older age classes. Most of the 1⁺ fish disappeared in winter following their first breeding. For A. japonicum , the observed precocity and short life span is notable because it is a higher consumer that is generally expected to show later maturation and longer life. As possible explanations for their disappearances, predation and postbreeding emaciation were less likely. While fishing is one of the most influential factors, the possibility of age-specific migration toward deeper waters remains to be examined.     

Role of oocyte‐derived paracrine factors in follicular development

Mammalian oocytes secrete transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily proteins, such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) and BMP15, and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). These oocyte‐derived paracrine factors (ODPFs) play essential roles in regulating the differentiation and function of somatic granulosa cells as well as the development of ovarian follicles. In addition to the importance of individual ODPFs, emerging evidence suggests that the interaction of ODPF signals with other intra‐follicular signals, such as estrogen, is critical for folliculogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the role of ODPFs in follicular development with an emphasis on their interaction with estrogen signaling in regulation of the differentiation and function of granulosa cells.