Radiographic and immunohistochemical analysis of leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Holstein heifers.

Radiographic and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in two Holstein heifers with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Severe bone resorption, osteolysis and severe progressive periodontitis in submandibula due to dysfunction of leukocytes in heifers affected with BLAD were demonstrated by radiographic examination. Immunohistochemical analysis of lymph nodes using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody demonstrated that CD18-positive cells were not found on those from a heifer affected with BLAD, whereas CD18-positive cells were clearly present in lymph nodes from a clinically normal heifer. These characteristic findings support the importance of adherence-dependent leukocyte functions in host defense.     

Effects of dihydroheptaprenol on the neutrophil function of postpartum dairy cows

Neutrophil responses were evaluated in dairy cows at parturition and on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days after they were given dihydroheptaprenol (DHP) (0.5 mg/kg body weight) at parturition. The chemiluminescent index increased significantly (P less than 0.05) from parturition to 1 day after parturition in cows injected with DHP. No significant differences were observed in the number of neutrophils between untreated and DHP-treated groups of dairy cows during the immediate postparturient period.     

The influences of weaning age and weight on carcass traits and meat quality of pigs

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of weaning age and weight on pigs, and their interaction with carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 468 piglets were obtained from 57 sows and four boars and grouped by age at weaning (D21, 18–24 days; D28, 25–32 days). Each weaning group was subdivided into three weight groups (L, M and H) according to weaning weight. The D28 group had heavier carcass weight, redness and yellowness, but had lower marbling scores and less drip loss than the D21 group (P < 0.05). The pigs with a light weight at weaning had higher carcass weights and lower yellowness than did pigs with a medium or heavy weight at weaning (P < 0.05). Weaning age was found to have a negative correlation with drip loss, while weaning weight was negatively correlated with carcass weight and drip loss (P < 0.05). We concluded that carcass and meat quality traits in pigs were significantly related to their age and weight at weaning. Therefore, we find that piglet weaning age and weight are no less important than post‐weaning growth performance and behavior, with regard to carcass traits and meat quality.     

Excitability changes in cat lateral geniculate cells during saccadic eye movements

The excitability of lateral geniculate cells to orthodromic volleys decreased during saccadic eye movements. This decrease was caused by retinal impulses generated by a quick displacement of the image of the visual field associated with eye movements. This may be a mechanism for saccadic suppression.     

Neuronal correlates of eye movements in the visual cortex of the cat

About 10 percent of the cells in the visual cortex of awake cats do not respond to stationary parallel stripes in any orientation or to stripes moving across the visual field in any direction at a moderate speed (up to 132 degrees per second), but these cells are either excited or inhibited during saccadic eye movements when the animal faces a patterned visual environment. Of nineteen such cells tested in total darkness, seven discharged in association with eye movements. For saccade-related discharges, the latency during retinal stimulation is typically shorter than the latencey in total darkness.     

Identification of small clusters of divergent amino acids that mediate the opposing effects of ras and Krev-1

Krev-1 is an anti-oncogene that was originally identified by its ability to induce morphologic reversion of ras-transformed cells that continue to express the ras gene. The Krev-1-encoded protein is structurally related to Ras proteins. The biological activities of a series of ras-Krev-1 chimeras were studied to test the hypothesis that Krev-1 may directly interfere with a ras function. The ras-specific and Krev-1-specific amino acids immediately surrounding residues 32 to 44, which are identical between the two proteins, determined whether the protein induced cellular transformation or suppressed ras transformation. Because this region in Ras proteins has been implicated in effector function, the results suggest that Krev-1 suppresses ras-induced transformation by interfering with interaction of Ras with its effector.     

Seasonal variations of fatty acid compositions in various Korean shellfish

Seasonal variations of fatty acids in various Korean shellfish were investigated in relation to the changes in total fatty acids contents, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (P/S), and that of n-3 fatty acids to n-6 fatty acids (n-3/n-6). A distinct seasonal pattern was found in total fatty acids contents with maximal values in early summer and minimal values in late summer. The percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids was lowest in most species throughout the year. In summer months, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased while that of saturated fatty acids increased. The major contributing factor to the seasonal variation of polyunsaturated fatty acids was n-3 fatty acids. These results led to the lowest levels of P/S and n-3/n-6 in summer. Nevertheless, the data suggest that bivalve shellfish would be excellent sources of n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.     

Effects of Feeding Potato Pulp on Cholesterol Metabolism and Its Association with Cecal Conditions in Rats

To clarify the functional properties of potato pulp (PP), a waste product resulting from extraction of starch from potatoes, we examined the effects of PP on cholesterol metabolism and cecal conditions in rats. Plasma total cholesterol (T-Chol) levels were lower in rats fed a PP-supplemented diet for four weeks than in those fed a control diet. Cecal pH was lowered due to an increase in the levels of cecal total short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, in the PP group compared to the control group. Furthermore, animals fed with the PP-supplemented diet showed increased cecal ratios of Lactobacillus and Clostridia and decreased cecal ratios of Bacteroides and Gammaproteobacteria with slightly negative and positive correlations with plasma T-Chol levels, respectively. In conclusion, ingestion of PP for four weeks is likely to improve both cecal conditions and cholesterol metabolism, suggesting that PP has prebiotic effects.