Detection of Nesopora caninum-Specific DNA from Cerebrospinal Fluid by Polymerase Chain Reaction in a Dog with Confirmed Neosporosis

A one-month male Greyhound dog presented with a swinging gait of the hindlimbs, and later developed muscular atrophy of the femoral region and hyperextension of hindlimbs. The dog had positive serum IFAT titers to Neospora caninum, but a negative titer in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). N. caninum-specific DNA was amplified from the CSF using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Clusters of protozoa in biopsied muscle fibers were subsequently confirmed as N. caninum tachyzoites by immunohistochemical examination. Early recognition and treatment are necessary for effective recovery of clinical canine neosporosis, but antemortem diagnosis is difficult. We suggest that the detection of parasite deoxyribonucleic acid in the CSF is a useful antemortem diagnostic method in facilitating treatment of this disease.     

Preference of cattle grazing conterminous monocultures of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) with contrasting regrowth durations

This study conducted four experiments to assess preference of cattle between centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides; CG) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum; BG) under manipulated vegetation conditions. In each experiment, three Japanese Black cows (Bos taurus) were individually allowed to graze four plots of conterminous monocultures of CG and BG (30 min for each 10 × 10 m plot). Vegetation of the plots was the combinations of two patch sizes (coarse and fine; 5 × 10 m and 5 × 5 m, respectively) × two relative availabilities of the grasses (CG_tall/BG_short and CG_short/BG_tall). Tall and short patches were created by varying regrowth durations after cutting, and almost always offered a clear CG–BG contrast in availability (height and mass) and quality (digestibility and protein) with the trade‐off relationship. Cows always preferred or equally selected CG to BG, with the preference being affected by the relative availability of grasses in three of the four experiments but not by the patch size at all. Test of intake rate maximization on both short‐term and daily bases indicated that cows chose between the grasses to simultaneously enhance daily potential intake of dry matter, digestible energy and protein. The results strengthen the value of CG as a forage.     

Cytokine profile of a Holstein calf with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency during the acute-phase inflammatory response

Changes in interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in serum, and their mRNA expression on neutrophils from a 4.6-month old Holstein young calf with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) during the acute phase were evaluated. IL-1beta concentrations in the serum of the calf with BLAD at age 143-162 days ranged from 8.7 to 16.6 ng/ml, whereas the values were less than 2.7 ng/ml in control calves. Serum IL-6 (0.04 ng/ml) was only detected on the 1st day when the animal was diagnosed with the BLAD. IL-1beta and IL-8 mRNA expression on neutrophils from the affected calf appeared to be similar to those of controls. Serum cytokine levels and their mRNA expression on neutrophils from the calf with BLAD appeared to be little affected by the deficient expression of beta(2)-integrin on leukocytes, and are considered to be modulated by the inflammatory stimuli.     

Increase of ruminal fiber digestion by cellobiose and a twin strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells in vitro

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of cellobiose (CB) or a twin strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells (YST) (20, 40 and 60 mg/60 mL), and CB + YST (60 + 20, 60 + 40, 60 + 60 mg/60 mL) on mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation in vitro. Ruminal fluid was collected from a cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (60 mL) anaerobically at 38°C for 24 h with or without supplement plus 400 mg (dry matter [DM] basis) substrate (hay plus concentrate, 1.5:1). The medium pH numerically decreased with CB and CB + YST, but was unchanged with YST. The total volatile fatty acid and proportion of propionate increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. The proportion of acetate decreased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but increased (P < 0.05) with YST and that of butyrate increased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but decreased (P < 0.05) with YST. Ammonia‐N decreased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but was unchanged with YST. The number of protozoa was unchanged, and that of cellulolytic bacteria increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. Total gas production increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. Methane decreased, hydrogen was unchanged by YST and both gases were unchanged by CB and CB + YST. The in vitro disappearance of DM and neutral detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05) by 11.2% and 8.9%, 9% and 8.5%, and 12.1% and 10.2% in the case of CB, YST and CB + YST, respectively. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of CB and/or YST may improve ruminal fermentation and digestibility.     

Outdoor exposure tests of structural laminated veneer lumber (II): evaluation of the strength properties after nine years

To investigate the durability of structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL), outdoor exposure tests have been conducted since 1990 at a field-testing site at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute. This article is the second interim report on the results after 9 years of exposure. Seven kinds of structural LVL with no preservative treatment were subjected to the tests. Almost all the exposed specimens were decayed by a kind of brown rot fungi (Pseudomerulius aureus (Fr.) Julich). The degree of decay varied with wood species; grand fir and western hemlock LVL in particular showed weak resistance against the decay. All the specimens were stored for more than 1 year in a testing room conditioned at 20°C and 65% relative humidity. We then measured the ultrasonic velocity of the specimens by the Pundit method, penetration depth by the Pilodyn method, and bending strength by a conventional bending test. Correlation between nondestructive measurement factors and the density was strong even on LVL with many adhesive layers. The nondestructive testing method was found to be applicable to LVL as well as solid lumber. After the nondestructive measurements, each LVL was cut into three types of specimen (top: T, middle: M, and bottom: B) for the bending tests. The bending strength varied with the type of specimens. Correlation between modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture was strong even in the decayed specimens.     

Factors affecting soil-based natural regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies sachalinensis</Emphasis> following timber harvesting in a sub-boreal forest in Japan

Natural regeneration of Abies sachalinensis on soil was studied in a natural sub-boreal forest managed by single tree selection cutting located within the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest. First, seedlings of A. sachalinensis on skid trails, soil mounds, soil pits, and undisturbed soil were counted, and their areas were measured. Most seedlings were found on skid trails. Seedling densities of A. sachalinensis on sites with soil disturbance, with the exception of soil pits, were significantly greater than that on undisturbed soil. Second, densities of Sasa senanensis, heights of S. senanensis, and seedling densities of A. sachalinensis on skid trails and undisturbed soil in both a closed-canopy stand and in a canopy gap were compared. Seedling density of A. sachalinensis on skid trails in the closed-canopy stand was significantly greater than that in the canopy gap. Average density and average height of S. senanensis, which is known to interfere with regeneration of many woody species, were significantly greater on skid trails and undisturbed soil in the canopy gap than those in the closed-canopy stand. It could be concluded from this study that both crown closure and soil disturbance are essential for natural regeneration of A. sachalinensis on soil in sub-boreal forests.     

Can spines deter deer browsing?: a field experiment using a shrub <Emphasis Type="Italic">Damnacanthus indicus</Emphasis>

We examined the defensive function of spines of Damnacanthus indicus against deer herbivory by experimentally removing spines in the field where deer density is high. Individuals of D. indicus whose spines had been removed had a higher probability of being browsed by deer than control individuals. In addition, plant height was significantly lower for individuals that were browsed than those that were not. These results support the notion that spines of D. indicus have a function to deter deer browsing. This study is the first to demonstrate experimentally the defensive function of spines against large mammals in temperate areas.     

Comparison of results from the semiautomated serum bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme assay with the periosteal alkaline phosphatase assay for use in rat models

BACKGROUND: Assessment of bone formation activity is an important component of pharmacologic efficacy and toxicity evaluations for compounds in development for osteoporosis therapies. Antemortem biomarkers of bone formation and remodeling in rodents are uncommon. While the periosteal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay is a postmortem and laborious means of testing bone-building activity, the semiautomated ALP isoenzyme assay is an antemortem assay that is performed on an automated chemistry analyzer after 2 simple dilutions of the initial serum sample and a short incubation. OBJECTIVES: The goal of our investigation was to determine if the serum bone ALP (BALP) data obtained from the semiautomated ALP isoenzyme assay had a similar pattern of response when compared with the periosteal ALP (PALP) assay for use in pharmacologic screening in rats. METHODS: Serum and bone tissue samples were obtained from orchidectomized Wistar rats, a model of clinically induced osteoporosis. Subsequent bone formation was initiated via treatment with one of several compounds. In study 1, orchidectomized male rats were given either vehicle, dihydrotestosterone or a testosterone derivative subcutaneously every 4 days for 28 days. In study 2, orchidectomized male rats were given either vehicle or compounds A, B, or C by oral gavage daily for 15 days. Blood and tibias were collected at necropsy. Serum was analyzed for BALP activity using a semiautomated ALP assay. Tibias from the same rats were analyzed for PALP activity. RESULTS: Serum BALP activity paralleled PALP activity within each group when compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the semiautomated serum BALP isoenzyme assay may be used as a biomarker of bone-building potential in rat models of osteoporosis. This assay affords many advantages to investigators of musculoskeletal diseases, including the potential to measure multiple data points in a single study.