Combined effects of treatment with trientine, a copper-chelating agent, and x-irradiation on tumor growth in transplantation model of a murine fibrosarcoma

Combined effects of treatment with trientine, a copper-chelating agent, and X-irradiation on development of fibrosarcoma using a murine transplantation model in vivo and on cellular survival in vitro were examined. Copper contents in the tumors and serum of trientine-treated mice were significantly lower than those of untreated mice. The tumor volumes of mouse fibrosarcoma QRsp-11 cells increased more slowly in the trientine-treated and the X-irradiated mice than in the control mice from 10 to 24 days postinoculation. The extent of inhibition of tumor growth by X-irradiation at 3 Gy was similar to that obtained by treatment with trientine. A combination of trientine and X-irradiation at 3 Gy showed inhibitory effects on tumor growth similar to those obtained by X-irradiation at 6 Gy. The results showed that trientine and X-irradiation interacted additively in inhibition of tumor growth. When QRsp-11 cells and mouse and bovine endothelial cells were treated with trientine after X-irradiation, the surviving fractions of the cells with combined treatments were essentially consistent with the products of the surviving fractions of trientine-treated cells and those of X-irradiated cells. When the cells were pretreated with trientine and X-irradiated, the surviving fractions of the pretreated cells were lower than those of cells without treatment.     

Growth and age composition of northern shrimp Pandalus eous estimated by multiple length frequency analysis

We examined growth of northern shrimp Pandalus eous in the Sea of Japan, off western Hokkaido, to improve estimations of catch-at-age for stock assessment. Multiple length frequency analysis based on length frequency data collected by a scientific research vessel was conducted to examine length-at-age in the shrimp population. Multi-normal distributions estimated using maximum likelihood indicated a good fit to length distributions. AIC values and regression analyses revealed annual growth variation and a decreasing trend in the length at several age classes in the shrimp population. We revised the method for estimating catch-at-age from the age-conversion table (ACT), which is a simple method for age determination, to age–length keys (ALK) calculated from the results of multiple length frequency analysis. Abundant year classes caught successively year after year could be more easily identified from the catch-at-age data computed using ALK than by using ACT. Our results suggested not only that the mean size of commercial landings fluctuated based on changes in age composition but also that a decrease in the length-at-age in the population influenced the consistent size decrease of commercial landings.     

Energy partitioning in cultured juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844)

The characteristics of dietary utilization, energy conversion efficiency, metabolic rate and energy partitioning were measured for cultured Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) juveniles fed on an artificial diet. Thirty‐one juveniles (1.1 ± 0.3 g BW) were stocked into each of two 2500 L tanks to measure oxygen consumption (?O₂), swimming speed, digestibility and growth performance. ?O₂ elevated until 2.5 ± 0.3 times of pre‐feeding level within 1.5 h after feeding, except for the first feeding, and returned to pre‐feeding level within 3 h. Swimming speed fluctuation was corresponded with the ?O₂ fluctuation, and both parameters were stable from 02:00 to 06:00 and also during the whole day for starved fish. These indicate that feeding has strong influence on their metabolic rate. Energy partitioning for faecal, urinary and branchial, heat increment and voluntary activity, standard metabolism, and retained energy were calculated to be 17.2%, 5.9%, 14.9%, 41.3% and 20.7% of total ingested energy, respectively. The results indicate that, unlike other fish, juvenile PBT distribute large amount of energy for maintenance, which allows only a little proportion of ingested energy available for growth.     

Expression of inhibins, activins, insulin-like growth factor-I and steroidogenic enzymes in the equine placenta

In this study, the expression patterns of inhibins, activins, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and steroidogenic enzymes in equine placentae recovered during the latter two-thirds of gestation were examined. Concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin pro-alphaC in endometrial and fetal placental tissue homogenates were very low during the period examined, whereas these tissues contained high concentrations of activin A. In both maternal endometrial and fetal placental tissues, activin A levels decreased as pregnancy progressed. Expression of inhibin alpha-subunit was not observed in the placenta using either immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization. Inhibin/activin betaA-subunit and its mRNA were confined to maternal endometrial glands, whereas immunopositive betaB-subunit was not detected in either endometrial glands or microcotyledons. Cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme was detected by immunohistochemistry in both endometrial glands and microcotyledons, whereas cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase/lyase was absent in these tissues. Immunopositive signals for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450 aromatase were localized in microcotyledons but not in endometrial glands. Immunohistochemistry revealed that IGF-I was highly expressed in microcotyledons around Day 130, and decreased as pregnancy progressed. Changes in the expression of IGF-I were correlated with the number of PCNA positive cells in the placenta. The present study demonstrated the presence and localized the site of expression of activin, IGF-I and steroidogenic enzymes in equine placental tissues during the latter two-thirds of gestation; the results suggest that activin and IGF-I may be involved in the regulation of placental development.     

Bilateral segmental aplasia with unilateral uterine horn torsion in a pomeranian bitch

Bilateral segmental aplasia of the uterine horns with unilateral pyometra and uterine horn torsion were diagnosed in a Pomeranian bitch that presented with chronic abdominal distension and an acute onset of anorexia and lethargy. Because radiographic and ultrasonographic findings revealed the presence of markedly enlarged bilateral uterine horns filled with fluid in the caudal abdomen, a tentative diagnosis of either pyometra or hydrometra with uterine horn torsion was made. Exploratory laparotomy showed bilateral, segmentally distended uterine horns with unilateral uterine horn torsion. Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and bilateral segmental aplasia of the uterine horns with the development of unilateral uterine horn torsion was diagnosed histopathologically. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of uterine horn torsion in conjunction with segmental aplasia of the uterine horn in a bitch.     

Veneer strand flanged I-beam with MDF or particleboard as web material II: effect of resin type,application rate,strand dimension,and pressing time on the basic properties

Optimization of the manufacturing conditions of the veneer strand flanged I-beam invented in the previous study was investigated using different combinations of strand dimensions, resin types between web and flange, different pressing times, and different wood–resin moisture contents under conventional hot pressing conditions. The main results revealed that the strand dimensions have no effect on the bending properties of the flange part and the dimensional stability of the I-beam. Increasing the resin application rate between strands was found to improve the dimensional stability of the I-beams. The use of isocyanate (MDI) resin between web and flange significantly improved the bond strength between web and flange, the modulus of rupture of the I-beam, and the modulus of rupture of the flange part. Dimensional stability was also improved. Shortening the pressing time from 20 to 12min was found to be feasible. Using low wood-resin moisture content was found to interfere with the curing of the phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin at the flange part resulting in poor quality beams. Of the three moisture content levels tested, 12% was found to be the optimal level for producing I-beams with balanced mechanical properties and dimensional stability.Part of this work was presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Fukuoka, March 2003