Endostatin inhibits bradykinin-induced cardiac contraction

.Endogenous fragments of extracellular matrix are known to possess various biological effects. Levels of endostatin, a fragment of collagen type XVIII, increase in certain cardiac diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial infarction. However, the influence of endostatin on cardiac contraction has not been clarified. In the present study, we investigated the effects of endostatin on bradykinin-induced atrial contraction. Isometric contractile force of mouse isolated left atria induced by electrical current pulse was measured. Voltage-dependent calcium current of guinea pig ventricular myocytes was measured by a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Endostatin (100–1,000 ng/ml) alone treatment had no influence on left atrial contraction. On the other hand, pretreatment with endostatin (300 ng/ml) significantly inhibited bradykinin (1 µM)-induced contraction and voltage-dependent calcium current. These data suggest that endostatin may decrease bradykinin-induced cardiac contraction perhaps through the inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channel.     

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.     

Effects of ear corn silage supplementation on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles in grazing dairy farms

This study investigated the effects of substituting ear corn silage (ECS) for commercial formula feed on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles in grazing dairy farms during the summer season. A field survey was conducted on five grazing dairy farms in every summer month of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Three of the five farms substituted fresh ECS for the commercial formula feed at a ratio of 2:1 from July of each year (ECS farms). Other farms maintained the same feeding management as before (non‐ECS farms). An interview survey was conducted on each farm to calculate feed intake and milk yield per cow. Feed and milk samples were collected in each survey. Milk compositions and milk fatty acid profiles were determined. The substitution of ECS for the commercial formula feed did not affect milk yield or milk composition, but ECS farms maintained low levels of milk urea compared with non‐ECS farms (p < .01). The ECS substitution also influenced some of the milk fatty acid proportions; C16:0 and C16:1 increased, and trans‐11 C18:1, cis‐9,trans‐11 C18:2, and the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased, while these fatty acid proportions were maintained in non‐ECS farms throughout the summer season (p < .05).     

Successive changes of hematologic characteristics and plasma chemistry values of juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).

Hematologic characteristics and plasma chemistry values of juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the ages of 1 mo to 3 yr were obtained to establish baseline values. Five clinically normal loggerhead turtles were selected from the same clutch and raised in an indoor artificial nesting beach. Blood samples were successively collected and examined for various blood characteristics for a maximum total of 15 times. Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, and white blood cell differentials; and plasma chemistry values, including total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamic transpeptidase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, ionized sodium, ionized potassium and ionized chlorine, were measured. These results were used to establish a hematology and blood chemistry baseline for captive juvenile loggerhead turtles and will aid in their medical management.     

Systemic treatment of sterile panniculitis with tacrolimus and prednisolone in dogs

This report deals with three additional canine cases of sterile panniculitis treated by oral administration of tacrolimus and prednisolone. The oral tacrolimus treatment was proved to be an affordable medical protocol for canine sterile panniculitis with good efficacy and without adverse effects.     

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。