COMPARISON OF FAST SPIN-ECHO AND CONVENTIONAL SPIN-ECHO MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPINAL IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN FOUR NORMAL DOGS

Various magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques have been used to assess lumbar spinal abnormalities in people. Four, young adult, clinically normal dogs were used to compare images of the spinal cord acquired using conventional spin-echo and rapid acquisition relaxation-enhanced (RARE), commonly called fast spin-echo (FSE), magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Lateral myelograms were made as an anatomic control. The T2-weighted FSE technique was characterized by better image quality than the T2-weighted conventional spin-echo technique. The short acquisition time with the FSE technique allowed increases in the matrix size and number of excitations, thus improving resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In canine lumbar spinal MR imaging, use of a FSE technique is recommended to reduce the overall time for imaging and to improve image quality.     

One year investigation of the prevalence and diversity of clostridial spores in raw milk from the Tokachi area of Hokkaido

We investigated the seasonal prevalence and diversity of clostridial spores in raw milk from the Tokachi area of Hokkaido. Samples of raw milk were collected quarterly from May 2013 through February 2014. The mean clostridial spore count for the raw milk from 336 milk tankers was 27.6 CFU/100 ml. The clostridial species isolated most frequently from raw milk samples was Clostridium tyrobutyricum. The dominant species was C. tyrobutyricum regardless of the season. The percentage of samples with low spore counts (<10 CFU/100 ml) was highest (60.9%) during winter (February) and lowest (34.5%) in autumn (November). In comparison, the percentage of samples with high spore counts (>100 CFU/100 ml) was highest (5.7%) in autumn (November) and lowest (1.1%) during spring (May).     

Gene expression profiling in embryonic chicken ovary during asymmetric development

The reproductive system in female birds arises as bilateral asymmetrical anlagen, excluding the birds of prey. Earlier, histological and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile studies of several genes related to gonadal sex differentiation in chicken embryos tried to elucidate the query of this asymmetry in a scattered manner. To understand the matter precisely, we have focused on mRNA expression of a cohort of genes (FSHR, CYP19A1, caspase 3, caspase 8) in second half of the embryonic days (E10–E18). The established role of leptin in development of the embryo and its expression in the embryonic ovary also drove us to check leptin receptor (LEPR) expression in the ovary. Increased expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 in the left ovary compared with that in the right ovary was identified (P < 0.05), promoting preferential left ovarian development and functionality. Significant high expression (P < 0.05) of the apoptotic genes in the right ovary were also involved here. Leptin probably has no direct influence on ovarian asymmetry as no significant variation in gonadal mRNA expression of LEPR was observed within the same experimental days. We propose that asymmetric expression of this cohort of genes (FSHR, CYP19A1, caspase 3, caspase 8) leads to the development of dimorphic gonads during embryogenesis.     

Genome‐wide association study and genomic evaluation of feed efficiency traits in Japanese Black cattle using single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction method

The objectives of this study were to better understand the genetic architecture and the possibility of genomic evaluation for feed efficiency traits by (i) performing genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), and (ii) assessing the accuracy of genomic evaluation for feed efficiency traits, using single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP)‐based methods. The analyses were performed in residual feed intake (RFI), residual body weight gain (RG), and residual intake and body weight gain (RIG) during three different fattening periods. The phenotypes from 4,578 Japanese Black steers, which were progenies of 362 progeny‐tested bulls and the genotypes from the bulls were used in this study. The results of GWAS showed that a total of 16, 8, and 12 gene ontology terms were related to RFI, RG, and RIG, respectively, and the candidate genes identified in RFI and RG were involved in olfactory transduction and the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, respectively. The realized reliabilities of genomic estimated breeding values were low to moderate in the feed efficiency traits. In conclusion, ssGBLUP‐based method can lead to understand some biological functions related to feed efficiency traits, even with small population with genotypes, however, an alternative strategy will be needed to enhance the reliability of genomic evaluation.     

Effect of collar insertion on soil respiration in a larch forest measured with a LI-6400 soil CO2 flux system

Little information is available on the effect of root cutting by the collar pre-insertion technique on soil respiration. In this study, we found that soil respiration rates decreased with increasing depth of collar insertion in both the with live roots intact and with live roots severed treatments, but the rate of decrease was substantially higher in the former. The cutting of roots, especially fine roots, may be responsible for this result.     

Characteristics of the temperature coefficient, Q 10, for the respiration of non-photosynthetic organs and soils of forest ecosystems

The temperature coefficient, Q ₁₀ (fractional change in rate with a 10°C increase in temperature) describes the temperature sensitivity of soils, roots, and stems, as well as their possible performance in global warming processes. It is also a necessary parameter for the estimation of total CO₂ efflux from each element. A number of studies have focused on Q ₁₀ values to date; however, their conclusions are not universal and do not always agree. A review of these reported Q ₁₀ values therefore becomes necessary and important for a global understanding of the temperature sensitivity of different forest types and elements. The aims of our present paper are, first, to find the frequency distribution pattern of soils, roots, and stems (branches) and compare their temperature sensitivity; then, to find the Q ₁₀ differences between conifer and deciduous tree species and the effect of methodology on Q ₁₀ values; finally we want to give a perspective on future Q ₁₀-related studies. We found that most Q ₁₀ values of each element were concentrated in a relatively narrow range despite a total data distribution over quite a wide range. For soil respiration, the median Q ₁₀ value was 2.74 and the center of the frequency distribution was between 2.0 and 2.5 with a percentage of 23%. Most of the data (>80%) were within the range from 1.0 to 4.0. The median Q ₁₀ value for root respiration was 2.40 and the center of the frequency distribution was from 2.5 to 3.0 with a percentage of 33%. Most of the results (>80%) ranged from 1.0 to 3.0. For stem respiration, the median Q ₁₀ value was 1.91 and the frequency distribution was concentrated between 1.5 and 2.0. Over 90% of the data ranged from 1.0 to 3.0. Obvious differences in Q ₁₀ value were found between different elements, stem < root < soil including root < soil excluding root. The differences between woody organisms of stems, roots, and soils excluding roots were statistically significant (p<0.05), indicating that heterotrophic respiration from microorganism activity may be more sensitive to global warming. The duration of the period with leaves slightly affects the temperature sensitivity of woody organisms since the Q ₁₀ values for root and stem of coniferous evergreen trees did not differ significantly from deciduous trees (p>0.10). CO₂ analytical methods (soda lime absorption method, IRGA (Infra-read gas analysis), and chromatograph analysis) and root separation methods (excised root and trenched box) slightly affected the Q ₁₀ values of soil and root respiration (p>0.10), but an in vitro measurement of stem respiration yielded a significantly higher Q ₁₀ value than an in vivo method (p<0.05). In general, although the Q ₁₀ values of non-photosynthetic organisms stayed within a relatively conservative range, considerable variation between and within elements were still detectable. Accordingly, attention should be paid to the quantitative estimation of total CO₂ efflux by Q ₁₀-related models. In future studies, the biochemical factors and the environmental and biological factors controlling respiration should be emphasized for precise estimation of total CO₂ efflux. The difficulty is how to clarify the underlying mechanism for fluctuations of Q ₁₀ values for one specific habitat and element (e.g. temperature acclimation or adaptation of Q ₁₀ values) and then allow the Q ₁₀ values to be more conservative for representation of temperature sensitivity in global warming processes. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(4) [译自:植物生态学报, 2005, 29 (4)]     

Glycation and phosphorylation of beta-lactoglobulin by dry-heating: effect on protein structure and some properties

Beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) was glycated with maltopentaose and subsequently phosphorylated by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate to investigate the structural and functional properties of phosphorylated beta-Lg. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the change of the secondary structure in the beta-Lg molecule by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation was small. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of beta-Lg showed that the denaturation temperature of the most stable domain was only slightly affected, whereas the retinol-binding activity of beta-Lg was somewhat reduced by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation. These results indicated that the conformational changes of the beta-Lg molecule by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation were mild. The anti-beta-Lg antibody response was somewhat reduced by glycation, but significant changes were not observed by phosphorylation. Although the stability of beta-Lg against heat-induced insolubility was improved by glycation alone, it was further enhanced by phosphorylation. The calcium phosphate solubilizing ability of beta-Lg was enhanced by phosphorylation following glycation.     

Carbon dioxide exchange of larch (Larix gmelinii) cones during development

Larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) cone scales are green, but little is known of their photosynthetic role in cone development or about how they differ in gas exchange characteristics from needle leaves. In contrast to leaf photosynthesis (Pleaf), we found that stomatal regulation of cone photosynthetic rate (Pcone) was marginal because the photosynthetic carbon came from internal recycling of respiratory carbon dioxide (CO2). Photosynthetic recycling of respired CO2 was confirmed by the finding that the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) in cone scales was much higher than ambient [CO2]; also, there was a positive correlation between Pcone and Ci, whereas Pleaf was almost constant as Ci varied. Low chlorophyll (Chl) concentration was a limiting factor for Pcone, but not for Pleaf, as indicated by the correlation between Pcone and chlorophyll concentration. Moreover, chlorophyll utilization efficiency (Psat/Chl a+b) for cone scales was lower than that for leaves. In both cones and leaves, nitrogen (N) was positively correlated with photosynthetic capacity (P), but the P/N value was much lower for cones than for leaves. For both organs, the ratio of respiration to N was broadly similar. Although mature cones have no photosynthetic capacity, Pcone of young cones was as high as 5.3 micromol m(-2) s(-1), about 1.26 times the value of Pleaf, and accounted for the refixation of 30-40% of the respiratory CO2 produced by cones, equivalent to the photosynthetic capacity of a bundle of short shoots near each cone. Thus, Pcone may be an important additional source of photosynthate for cones, given the weak assimilating capacity of leaves that are not fully expanded during cone development.     

Seasonal changes of the mineral contents in the rumen of wild Yeso sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)

The rumen contents were collected from 36 wild Yeso sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) captured by deer culling or by hunting in the spring, summer, autumn and winter in Hokkaido, Japan. Botanical classification was conducted, and the contents of mineral (calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)) were measured. The animals were captured around pastures or fallow field areas in the Kushiro area. The rumen contents consisted of grasses and Sasa sp. leaves regardless of the season. Leaves and bark were ingested in the spring, autumn and winter. The macro‐mineral contents in the rumen showed seasonal changes. In the summer, the Ca, K and P contents were high, and the Na content was low. There were no seasonal changes in the Fe content. The P, Na and Fe contents were higher than the animals' requirements. In a future survey, it is needed to determine the mineral contents of the food ingested by wild Yeso sika deer.     

Temporal dynamic changes in synthesis of chondroitin sulfate isomers in canine articular chondrocyte culture

To investigate temporal dynamic changes in the synthesis of chondroitin 6-sulfate (CS6) and chondroitin 4-sulfate (CS4) in vitro, normal articular cartilage of femoral heads was harvested from three dogs. Chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in alginate microspheres for 21 days. On days 7, 14 and 21, DNA content was quantified by fluorometric assay using Hoechst 33258. On days 14 and 21, proteoglycans were extracted, and the amounts of CS6 and CS4 were quantified after chondroitinase ABC digestion using capillary electrophoresis. The DNA content and amounts of CS6 and CS4 increased during the culture period. The amounts of CS6 and CS4 divided by DNA content revealed that the synthesis of CS6 was more up-regulated than CS4.