Seasonality of factors controlling N mineralization rates among slope positions and aspects in cool-temperate deciduous natural forests and larch plantations

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial patterns of soil nitrogen (N) transformations in relation to slope aspect and position, and to investigate the main factors controlling N transformation patterns during both the growing and dormant seasons in cool-temperate deciduous natural forests and larch plantations in eastern Hokkaido, northern Japan. Net rates of N mineralization (NR_minN) and of nitrification (NR_nit) in surface soils on north-facing and lower slopes were higher than those on south-facing and upper slopes, whereas the net rate of ammonium-N production (NR_amm) on south-facing and upper slopes was higher than that on north-facing slopes in both the natural forests and larch plantations. Both NR_minN and NR_nit were higher in the growing than in the dormant season, whereas NR_amm was higher in the dormant season. The soil C/N ratio, water content, soil pH and frequency of freeze–thaw cycles were important variables affecting N transformation patterns in any season. In relation to seasonality, the solar radiation index, daily temperature range and earthworm biomass were important controlling factors only during the growing season, and watershed area and soil N concentration only during the dormant season, suggesting that biological control accompanied with wet–dry events were important factors affecting N transformations during the growing season, but that run-off water and chemical controls were important determinants of spatial variation in N transformations during the dormant season.     

Perceptual learning incepted by decoded fMRI neurofeedback without stimulus presentation

It is controversial whether the adult primate early visual cortex is sufficiently plastic to cause visual perceptual learning (VPL). The controversy occurs partially because most VPL studies have examined correlations between behavioral and neural activity changes rather than cause-and-effect relationships. With an online-feedback method that uses decoded functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals, we induced activity patterns only in early visual cortex corresponding to an orientation without stimulus presentation or participants' awareness of what was to be learned. The induced activation caused VPL specific to the orientation. These results suggest that early visual areas are so plastic that mere inductions of activity patterns are sufficient to cause VPL. This technique can induce plasticity in a highly selective manner, potentially leading to powerful training and rehabilitative protocols.     

Identification of geranic acid, a tyrosinase inhibitor in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass is a popular Asian herb having a lemon-like flavor. Very recently, potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity has been found in lemongrass in addition to various biological activities reported in the literature. The aim of the present study is to identify the active compounds in the lemongrass. An assay-guided purification revealed that one of the active substances was geranic acid. Geranic acid has two stereoisomers, which are responsible for the trans and cis geometry on the conjugated double bond. Both isomers are present in the active ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the lemongrass, and their IC50 values were calculated to be 0.14 and 2.3 mM, respectively. The structure requirement of geranic acid for the potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity was investigated using geranic acid-related compounds.     

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva-like condition in a cat

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)-like condition was diagnosed in a Japanese domestic cat with stiffness, marked atrophy of the muscles, and limited mobility of all joints in both the pelvic limbs. Etretinate, a retinoid, was used for medical management; however, no improvement in the clinical signs was observed. Inheritance of the disorder has not yet been demonstrated. Furthermore, the clinical signs and histopathological findings of feline FOP-like condition in the present case differed from those of the previously reported cases.     

Adenosine and ATP affect LPS-induced cytokine production in canine macrophage cell line DH82 cells

Macrophages are essential for controlling the majority of infections, and are mediators of natural immunity. During infection, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Adenosine and ATP released into the extracellular space by immunological stimuli have been shown to regulate various immune functions. More recently, it has been shown adenosine and ATP have a critical role on the physiological negative feedback mechanism for limitation and termination of tissue-specific and systemic inflammatory responses. It was useful and meaningful to gain information about interaction between LPS, which generates the inflammation, and adenosine and ATP, which terminate the inflammation. We evaluate effects of adenosine and ATP on the production of cytokines related to inflammation in canine macrophage cell line DH82 cells. Adenosine and ATP respectively increased the production of IL-10 without affecting the production of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-12 in DH82 cells. In addition, adenosine and ATP prevented the production of LPS-induced IL-6, TNF-α and IL-12 in DH82 cells. In contrast, adenosine and ATP potentiated LPS-induced IL-10 production in DH82 cells. Moreover, adenosine, but not ATP inhibited LPS-induced expression of TLR4 in DH82 cells. These results suggest that conditions related to increased adenosine and/or ATP may play an important role in the inflammatory reactions.     

酵母培养物对泌乳期水牛生长性能、泌乳性能、养分消化及血液代谢指标的影响

文章旨在探讨饲料添加酵母培养物对泌乳早期至中期初产和经产水牛泌乳性能、养分消化及血液代谢指标的影响。试验选择平均体重为(520.4±10.5)kg的水牛24头,随机分为2组,每组12头,每个重复1头。对照组饲喂全混合日粮,处理组在对照组日粮基础上添加12 g/kg酵母培养物,试验从分娩后15~180 d开始,记录采食量、体重和产奶量,并收集乳样本和血液样本进行分析。收集泌乳期早期45~47 d、泌乳期中期90~92 d的粪便,测定干物质、有机物、粗蛋白质、粗纤维表观消化率,计算能量校正乳、饲料转化率、能量和氮利用效率。结果显示,酵母培养物组水牛较对照组提高了干物质和粗蛋白质的采食量(P <0.05)。与对照组相比,处理组泌乳中期干物质和有机物表观消化率显著提高(P <0.05)。初产组水牛日粮添加酵母培养物较对照组显著提高了泌乳中期水牛粗纤维表观消化率(P <0.05)。添加酵母培养物后,总血脂水平显著降低(P <0.05),此外,酵母培养物处理组显著提高了初产水牛的产奶量、能量校正乳、脂肪和蛋白质产量(P <0.05)。结论:酵母培养物对水牛的影响与胎次有关,酵母培养物可以提高经产水牛干物质摄入量和粗纤维消化率,但对体重无显著影响,从而使能量校正乳产量更高,脂肪动员更少。日粮添加酵母培养物可以增加水牛泌乳早期的产奶量,并一直延续到泌乳中期,最终提高饲料转化率、能量和氮的利用效率。     

Stand-scale transpiration estimates in a Moso bamboo forest: (I) Applicability of sap flux measurements

The applicability of sap flux (F_d) measurements to bamboo forests has not been studied. This study was undertaken to establish an optimal and effective design for stand-scale transpiration (E) estimates in a Moso bamboo forest. To this aim, we validated F_d measurements in Moso bamboos in a cut bamboo experiment. In addition, we analyzed how sample sizes affect the reliability of E estimates calculated from F_d and conducting culm area (A_{S_b}). In the cut bamboo experiments, we found that F_d measurement using a 10 mm probe was a valid means of determining the water-use behavior of a Moso bamboo, although a specific correction was needed. Furthermore, we calculated E from stand A_{S_b} (A_{S_stand}) and mean stand F_d (J_S). Employing Monte Carlo analysis, we examined potential errors associated with sample size in E, A_{S_stand}, and J_S using an original dataset with A_{S_b} and F_d measured for 40 and 16 individuals, respectively. Consequently, we determined the optimal sample size for both A_{S_stand} and J_S estimates as 11. The optimal sample sizes for J_S were almost the same under different vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture conditions. The optimal sample size for J_S at the study site was less than that of a coniferous plantation in the same region probably owing to small individual-to-individual variations in sap flux in the Moso bamboo forest. Our study concludes that sap flux measurements are an applicable technique for assessing water use in Moso bamboo forests.     

Functional Analysis of Lysosomes During Mouse Preimplantation Embryo Development

Lysosomes are acidic and highly dynamic organelles that are essential for macromolecule degradation and many other cellular functions. However, little is known about lysosomal function during early embryogenesis. Here, we found that the number of lysosomes increased after fertilization. Lysosomes were abundant during mouse preimplantation development until the morula stage, but their numbers decreased slightly in blastocysts. Consistently, the protein expression level of mature cathepsins B and D was high from the one-cell to morula stages but low in the blastocyst stage. One-cell embryos injected with siRNAs targeted to both lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 and 2 (LAMP1 and LAMP2) were developmentally arrested at the two-cell stage. Pharmacological inhibition of lysosomes also caused developmental retardation, resulting in accumulation of lipofuscin. Our findings highlight the functional changes in lysosomes in mouse preimplantation embryos.     

Congenital cutaneous fibropapillomatosis without evidences of papillomavirus infection in a Holstein-Friesian calf

A male Holstein-Friesian calf was born with multiple, cauliflower-like, pale pink cutaneous masses on the head and limbs. On histopathological examination, the cutaneous masses were diagnosed as congenital cutaneous fibropapillomatosis. Those lesions involved focal proliferation of sebaceous gland in the dermis. There were no histological findings to suggest bovine papillomavirus infection, such as the presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies, large keratohyalin granules, and koilocytosis. Furthermore, papillomaviral antigens and DNA were not detected by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. These results suggested that there was no association between these cutaneous lesions and bovine papillomavirus infection, and the lesions were considered as harmartomatous changes.