Seasonal changes in serum total thyroxine, free thyroxine, and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone in clinically healthy beagles in Hokkaido.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal influences on thyroid hormone levels of healthy outdoor dogs in Hokkaido. We surveyed serum basal total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) levels, and tT4 levels after administration of TSH for a year. Basal tT4 levels decreased in January, and increased in August and September. fT4 levels increased in January and November. No significant seasonal variation was found in cTSH. tT4 levels after administration of TSH in August and November increased. These results suggested that the thyroid gland may have been activated in November. We should take seasonal variation into consideration when thyroid function is tested.     

Stereochemistry of matairesinol formation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphne</Emphasis> secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase

Secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase activity was detected for the first time from Daphne odora and Daphne genkwa (Thymelaeaceae), which are known to produce optically pure (+)-matairesinol. In sharp contrast, (–)-matairesinol was formed selectively over the (+)-antipode by the secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase preparation from both D. odora callus and D. genkwa shoots.     

Individual-level analysis of damage to residual trees after single-tree selection harvesting in northern Japanese mixedwood stands

Quantifying tree damage and mortality caused by single-tree selection harvesting is critical to understanding postharvest forest dynamics and management. In this study, we quantified the effects of tree size and species and the distance from residual trees to felled trees and skid trails on damage to residual trees and mortality in mixed coniferous–broadleaved stands of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Among the 4,961 trees that we studied, 373 (7.5 %) were damaged, and 148 of these trees (3.0 %) died during or immediately after logging. Hierarchical Bayesian modeling showed that the risk of damage to residual trees increased with increasing size of the felled trees and with increasing proximity to felled trees and skid trails. Smaller residual trees had the greatest risk of damage. Species differed in their susceptibility to damage; Abies sachalinensis (Fr. Schm.) Masters and Picea jezoensis (Sieb. et Zucc.) Carr. were the most susceptible species in our sample plots. Smaller damaged trees had the highest risk of mortality. The damaged trees that did not die at the time of logging had a higher risk of postharvest mortality than undamaged trees. Our results indicate that, to minimize logging-induced damage and mortality: (1) the spatial arrangement of skid trails should be optimized and fixed, (2) the risk of skidding damage should be considered before marking the trees to be harvested and choosing the felling direction, and (3) logging operators should be instructed to avoid damaging small trees, especially those of the species that are most susceptible to damage.     

Identification of a peptide in enzymatic hydrolyzate of cheese that inhibits ovalbumin permeation in Caco-2 cells

Because the first step in the triggering of food allergy is the permeation of the allergen through the intestine, enhancement of the intestinal barrier function is thought to be effective for preventing food allergy. In this study, a peptide that inhibits ovalbumin (OVA) permeation in an in vitro Caco-2 cell model was isolated from enzymatic hydrolyzate of cheese (EHC). Amino acid sequence analysis identified the active peptide as GPIVLNPWDQ, a sequence identical to amino acids 102-111 of alphas2-casein. The decapeptide significantly inhibited OVA permeation at a concentration of 10(-6) M. In addition, it was found that a pentapeptide half, NPWDQ, is essential for the inhibitory activity because NPWDQ but not GPIVL had nearly the same inhibitory activity as GPIVLNPWDQ. The possibility exists that EHC and/or peptides possessing the NPWDQ sequence can be practically applied to the prevention of food allergy.     

Effects of feeding different levels of concentrate on growth and carcass characteristics in younger Japanese Black cattle

The effects of a higher concentrate feed during the raising period on the growth and carcass of Japanese Black cattle being fattened at a younger age were investigated using three pairs of artificially bred identical twins and three pairs of full‐sibs. The animals were fed the concentrate at 2.4%/day (2.4% group) and 1.2%/day (1.2% group) comparative bodyweight (BW) during the raising period. The BW and subcutaneous fat thickness were measured every month using ultrasonic equipment. The animals were slaughtered at the age of 24 months. The BW of the 2.4% group from the age of 6–10 months appeared to be higher than that of the 1.2% group (P < 0.1). The subcutaneous fat of the 2.4% group from the age of 7–11 months was thicker than that of the 1.2% group (P < 0.1). After those ages, the BW and subcutaneous fat of the two groups did not differ and there was no difference in the carcass characteristics between the two groups. Using a higher concentrate feed during the raising period for younger fattening of Japanese Black cattle influenced growth from the late half of the raising period to the early part of the fattening period.     

Estimation of the carcass composition from a cross-section of the rib-loin from crossbred Japanese Black × Limousin F2 cattle by computer image analysis

The carcass composition of crossbred Japanese Black × Limousin F2 cattle was examined in order to find an accurate carcass composition equation. The test animals included 17 steers and 17 heifers. The 28 image measurements from the area encircling the vertical line to the thoracic vertebra and the line from the thoracic vertebra between the sixth and seventh rib‐bones were measured by computer image analysis. The relationships between the 29 parameters that added the carcass left side weight of the animal and the carcass composition were suggested. The carcass composition included muscle weight, muscle ratio, fat weight and fat ratio. The carcass composition from steers was estimated by an equation composed of these three or four parameters (R² = 90.80%, 79.30%, 90.75% and 73.70%, respectively). The selected parameters were measured without cutting the thoracic vertebra. The carcass composition from heifers was estimated by an equation composed of two to four parameters (R² = 96.15%, 90.98%, 93.60% and 88.22%, respectively). The parameters for the estimation of the muscle and fat weight, and muscle and fat ratio are very similar. Furthermore, the equations using the parameters could estimate the carcass composition from the Japanese Black × Limousin cattle resource population.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationship of Tetraodon pufferfish based on mitochondrial DNA analysis

Pufferfishes belonging to the genus Tetraodon form one of the largest groups in the family Tetraodontidae. This group consists of more than 20 species distributed across freshwater, as well as brackish and coastal waters, of Africa and Southeast Asia. However, their phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships are still ambiguous. In the present study, mitochondrial genes encoding 16S rRNA and cytochrome b were sequenced for 17 Tetraodon species collected from various areas mentioned above. Supermatrix analysis based on the complete sequences of the two genes from Tetraodon species was performed using a tree with 50 tetraodontid species (including 7 Tetraodon species) as a backbone. The obtained phylogenetic tree classified Tetraodon species into three groups, correlating well with their habitats, such as Asian freshwater, Asian brackish water, and African freshwater. We also showed that salinity tolerance of Asian freshwater species T. cochinchinensis was apparently lower than that of Asian brackish water species T. nigroviridis, suggesting that the speciation of Tetraodon species in the Asian freshwater group was caused by the molecular evolution associated with osmotic regulation.     

Prevalence of tick-borne Rickettsia and Ehrlichia in Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ovatus in Tokachi district, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan

DNA from 111 ticks collected by flagging in Tokachi district, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan were examined for infection with Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, by PCR and sequencing methodology. For Rickettsia, analysis of the partial sequence of the citrate synthase gene was successfully performed on 11 DNA samples from I. persulcatus, and 7 of them showed 99.8% identical with Rickettsia helvetica while the other 4 showed 99.8% identical with ;Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae'. For Ehrlichia, a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene detected from I. persulcatus was 100% identical with that from Ehrlichia muris, and another DNA sample from I. ovatus showed 99.8% identical with Ehrlichia species detected from I. ovatus. The results suggest that the pathogens detected here might be distributed in this area.     

Extractive components and taste aspects of fermented fish pastes and bean pastes prepared using different koji molds as starters

We have evaluated four commercially available mold starters (SP-01, NY, M1, and “for kome miso”) for fermented fish pastes with the aim of determining the effect of different koji molds on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of the fermented product. Comparative studies among different fermented fish and bean pastes were also conducted. Protein contents were considerably higher in the fermented fish pastes (22.7–24.1%) than the fermented bean pastes (8.2–12.8%). Free amino acids, oligopeptides, organic acids, mineral content, and sensory scores of the fermented fish pastes were superior to those of the bean pastes in terms of nutritional aspects. Sensory evaluation of fermented fish and bean pastes clearly indicated that different koji molds used as starters had little effect on the taste of the fermented fish pastes. However, in terms of nutritional and sensory characteristics, fermented fish pastes from trash fishes were found to be both commercially valuable and a potential gain to food processing firms among the many new generic fermented food products becoming available.