Predisposition for primary hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzers and Shetland sheepdogs as compared to other canine breeds

Miniature Schnauzers are the first canine breed, in the United States, reported to suffer from primary hyperlipidemia, but this has yet to be documented in other regions. Using over 900 canine plasma samples collected from over seven different veterinary clinics across Japan, the aim of this study was to compare plasma triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol concentrations between Miniature Schnauzers and other purebreeds in Japan. In addition, we investigated the influence of aging and sex on changes to hyperlipidemia incidence in purebred dogs. Our results indicated that both Miniature Schnauzers and Shetland sheepdogs in Japan exhibited remarkably high concentrations of plasma TG and total cholesterol, which are considered to be signs of hyperlipidemia, as compared to other purebred and mixed (Mongrel) canine breeds. Interestingly, the cause and conditions of primary hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzers and Shetland sheepdogs might be different, with hypertriglyceridemia predominantly occurring with Miniature Schnauzers and hypercholesterolemia occurring in Shetland sheepdogs. However, with the influence of aging, the hyperlipidemia evolves into both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in both groups indicating that the severity of hyperlipidemia positively correlates with aging. Gender differences were also observed with regards to severity. In fact, a higher severity was prevalent with female Miniature Schnauzers than their male counterparts whereas it was more balanced between genders for Shetland sheepdogs.     

Tevaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in pig

This study examined the influence of transgenic event CBH (StarLink™; SL)-derived hybrid corn on growth, health and physiological functions of pigs, as well as the possibility of transferring the cry9C gene or Cry9C protein to the blood, liver or muscles, in comparison with pigs fed a diet with non-transgenic (isogenic) corn (non-SL). The diet for the SL group was composed of 70% SL corn, and the diet for the non-SL group was composed of 70% non-SL corn. Forty pigs approximately 3 months in age were used in the current experiment. After the pigs were acclimatized to their environment for 7 days, they were fed piglet diets for 7 weeks, and afterwards fed growing-finishing diets until the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences in bodyweight gain, feed intake or feed conversion ratio between the pigs fed SL diet and those of non-SL diet. No abnormalities were observed in the health conditions of either the SL or the non-SL group. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in hematological values, histopathological examination and necropsy findings. Although the serum biochemical values within each group were normal, the blood urea nitrogen values of the SL group showed a tendency to be slightly higher than those of the non-SL group. Also, the blood glucose values of the SL group were significantly lower than those of the non-SL group. However, the cause of the significant differences in the blood glucose values between the two groups is unknown. The PCR and ELISA did not detect the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein in the blood, liver or muscles of the pigs at the end of the experiment.     

Nitrogen Budget and Ammonia Volatilization in Paddy Fields Fertilized With Liquid Cattle Waste

A study was conducted to determine nitrogen budget and ammonia volatilization in Japanese paddy fields supplemented with liquid cattle waste (LCW). A series of four, 2?×?10 m experimental plots was established in a paddy field with silty clay soil planted with forage rice (Oryza sativa L.). In addition to 195 kg N ha^?1 of chemical or compost-based basal fertilizer, LCW was applied as an additional fertilizer at total nitrogen rates of 0, 255, 255, and 405 kg N ha^?1 to the four plots C195, T450-1, T450-2, and T600, respectively. The mass balance showed that after application of LCW, 32–39% of total input nitrogen was assimilated into aboveground parts of rice plants, 11–15% leached downward, 2.5–4.0% was lost via ammonia volatilization, 1.6–5.1% was retained in roots or was adsorbed onto soil, and approximately 30–40% was lost via denitrification. Compared to animal waste slurries applied to unsaturated soils, nitrogen loss via ammonia volatilization was relatively lower, probably due to the dilution effect of floodwater. Nitrogen loss via denitrification was markedly higher in areas where LCW was applied compared to areas without LCW application. On the other hand, nitrogen leaching downwards represented a substantial loss and may be an environmental concern. However, after LCW application only, the ammonium ion was detected, at a maximum nitrogen concentration of 11.4 mg L^?1. In this system, therefore, nitrogen has a different fate to that in animal waste slurries applied to unsaturated soil. In that situation, the major nitrogen form in leaching water is nitrate nitrogen, which moves readily into groundwater.     

Down-regulation of endogenous Wt1 expression by Sry transgene in the murine embryonic mesonephros-derived M15 cell line

Wt1 is one of numerous candidate genes comprising the hypothetical chain of gene expression essential for male sex differentiation of the bipotential indifferent gonads during embryogenesis. However, the evidence in the literature is ambivalent regarding the position of Wt1 relative to Sry in this scheme; Wt1 might act either upstream or downstream of Sry. In the present study, the effects of Sry expression upon Wt1 were investigated using M15 cells (XX karyotype), which are derived from murine embryonic mesonephros and express endogenous Wt1. In 3 stably-transformed Sry-expressing M15 cell lines, we showed that the expression levels of the mRNAs coding for all 4 isoforms of the WT1 proteins were down-regulated. Similarly, Wnt 4 expression was down-regulated in these cell lines. Silencing of Sry in the transformed cell lines using ribozymes or short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) resulted in elevated levels of Wt1 and Wnt4 expression. These results strongly indicate that Wt1 might be under the control of Sry during gonadal differentiation in the mouse. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), we demonstrated that the 3.7 kb 5'-upstream DNA stretch of Wt1 containing potential Sry binding sites was capable of forming molecular complexes with nuclear protein(s) from Sry expressing cells but not with those from control non-Sry expressing cells. In summary, our present results support the notion that Wt1 is located downstream of Sry and down-regulated by the sex determining gene. Although the precise biological meaning of the present findings have yet to be clarified, it is possible that Wt1 plays a dual role during gonadal differentiation, i. e., turning on Sry expression on one hand, and being down-regulated by its product, Sry, on the other, possibly forming a type of negative feed-back mechanism. Further work is needed to substantiate this view.     

Curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) suppress an increase in blood glucose level in type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice

Turmeric, the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., has a wide range of effects on human health. The chemistry includes curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids as components, which are known to have antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, and antiinflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of three turmeric extracts on blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic KK-A(y) mice (6 weeks old, n = 5/group). These turmeric extracts were obtained by ethanol extraction (E-ext) to yield both curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids, hexane extraction (H-ext) to yield sesquiterpenoids, and ethanol extraction from hexane-extraction residue (HE-ext) to yield curcuminoids. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the other groups were fed a diet containing 0.1 or 0.5 g of H-ext or HE-ext/100 g of diet or 0.2 or 1.0 g of E-ext/100 g of diet for 4 weeks. Although blood glucose levels in the control group significantly increased (P < 0.01) after 4 weeks, feeding of 0.2 or 1.0 g of E-ext, 0.5 g of H-ext, and 0.5 g of HE-ext/100 g of diet suppressed the significant increase in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, E-ext stimulated human adipocyte differentiation, and these turmeric extracts had human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) ligand-binding activity in a GAL4-PPAR-gamma chimera assay. Also, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and ar-turmerone had PPAR-gamma ligand-binding activity. These results indicate that both curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids in turmeric exhibit hypoglycemic effects via PPAR-gamma activation as one of the mechanisms, and suggest that E-ext including curcuminoids and sesquiterpenoids has the additive or synergistic effects of both components.     

Varietal difference in vitamin C content in the fruit of kiwifruit and other actinidia species

Vitamin C content in the fruit of various cultivars of kiwifruit and other Actinidia species was estimated by determination of L-ascorbic acid and L-dehydroascorbic acid using ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Fruit of A. deliciosa cv. Hayward, the most common commercially available cultivar, contained 65.5 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) vitamin C. Vitamin C content in A. deliciosa fruit varied from 29 mg/100 g FW to 80 mg/100 g FW. In most cultivars of A. chinensis, vitamin C content in fruit was higher than that of Hayward. In particular, vitamin C content in cv. Sanuki Gold fruit reached more than 3-fold that of Hayward on a weight for weight basis. In A. argutafruit, there was wide variation in vitamin C content, with concentrations ranging from 37 to 185 mg/100 g FW. In cv. Gassan, Issai, and Mitsuko, vitamin C content of the fruit was much higher than that of Hayward. In A. arguta fruit, the ratio of L-ascorbic acid to total ascorbic acid tended to be higher than that of other species.     

Distribution of a bacterium (γ-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane-decomposing Sphingomonas paucimobilis) among soil aggregates

A great variety of microorganisms lives in soil with a heterogeneous structure. Identification and characterization of microhabitats for survival of individual soil microorganisms are important not only for gaining a better understanding of soil microbial ecology, but also for controling the biological functions of soil such as increase in nitrogen fixation, prevention of soil-borne diseases, and microbial degradation of hazardous waste materials.     

Mineralization and changes in microbial biomass in water-saturated soil amended with some tropical plant residues

An incubation experiment was conducted in the laboratory at 25 and 35°C during 56 d to analyze the mineralization patterns and the changes in microbial biomass in water-saturated soils amended with 6 types of organic materials (O.M.) including residues from 4 tropical plants. C and N mineralization in amended and non-amended soils was influenced by the temperature, A significantly positive correlation was observed between C mineralization and the amount of hexoses of the amended O.M. regardless of the period of incubation. A negative relationship between the N mineralized from amended O.M. and C/N ratios and the amounts of cellulose plus hemicellulose of the added O.M. was observed during the period of maximum mineralization on the 49th day at 25°C. The critical C/N ratio value for N mineralization and immobilization was observed in dhaincha (15.7) and cowpea (22.0).

The pattern of changes in microbial biomass C and N was almost similar at both 25 and 35°C. The amount of biomass C and N gradually increased up to a period of 28 to 42 d and thereafter decreased gradually. A significant increase in the amount of biomass C and N was observed in O.M. amended soils over the control. The contribution of rice straw and cowpea to biomass C formation was significantly larger than that of other O.M. at the end of incubation (56 d). In the case of biomass N, the contribution of rice straw was significantly larger than that of other O.M. except for azolla at 25°C and cowpea at 35°C. The significant contribution of rice straw and cowpea to biomass formation suggests that microbial biomass remaining in soil on the 56th day had been influenced by the combination of a larger amount of cellulose plus hemicellulose and higher C/N ratio in plant residues.