Quantitative sensory testing with Electronic von Frey Anesthesiometer and von Frey filaments in nonpainful cats: a pilot study

Objective

Measurement of sensory thresholds could represent a complementary tool to behavioural pain scores in cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of quantitative sensory testing (QST) with the Electronic von Frey Anesthesiometer (EVF) and von Frey filaments (VFF) in healthy cats, and to assess the limits of agreement (LOA) between the two devices.

Nutritional values and antioxidative activities of whole peanuts and peanut skins for ruminant feeds

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritive values of two peanut by‐products, nonstandardized whole peanuts and peanut skins, along with their effects on microbial growth and fermentation in the rumen, their roughage values, and their antioxidative activities by a digestion trial using four goats. The experimental rations were alfalfa haycube (basal ration), 85% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts, and 70% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts and 15% peanut skins. The ether extracts and crude protein in whole peanuts were 47% and 27% on a dry matter basis (DM) both with over 90% of digestibilities, resulting in total digestive nutrients (TDN) of 140%. Peanut skins also had a high energy value with 91% of TDN. Ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and acetic acid decreased in the rations containing the peanut by‐products, but the NDF digestibility and ruminal microbial protein estimated from urinary purines was not altered by feeding the peanut by‐products. Plasma oxidative stress maker, malondialdehyde, tended to be lower when peanut skins were supplemented. Whole peanuts and peanut skins could be used as high‐energy and high‐protein diets for ruminants, and peanut skins would be expected as a feed having antioxidant functions.     

Quantitation of tocotrienol and tocopherol in various rice brans

Rice bran is abundant in bioactive compounds including tocotrienol (T3, unsaturated vitamin E). T3 has been reported about its potential functionalities (i.e., antiangiogenic effect), so much attention has been paid on usability of rice bran T3. Hence, we developed a rapid screening method for T3-rich rice bran by one-step equilibrium direct solvent extraction followed by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method gave high-extraction rate of rice bran T3 and tocopherol (above 90%), and the determination of vitamin E by HPLC was completed within 15 min. Using the method, an average of total T3 content in 109 kinds of rice bran samples was 830 mug/g dry wt. Kouchi-Akamai, Joushuu, and Wataribune were found as the T3-rich rice bran varieties (1350-1430 microg T3/g dry wt). According to T3 ratio against total vitamin E (wt %), the average ratio was 61%. Hirayama, Moritawase, and Kaneko were found as the varieties having the highest T3 ratio (80-86%). Since T3 content in Koshihikari rice bran (the leading variety in Japan) was a little above the average, we cross-fertilized Koshihikari with T3-rich varieties and found that T3 content or ratio in F1 was improved compared with Koshihikari. The varieties found rich in T3 could be used for nutraceutical purpose.     

Concomitant inhibition of nitrogen fixation and N-Phenyl-1-Naphthylamine uptake activity of bacteroids of a Bradyrhizohium japonicum strain by nitrate

Abstract

Effect of the treatment of soybean nodules with nitrate on the permeability of the outer membrane of bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicurn strain 138NR was examined using the hydrophobic fluorescent probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN). The incorporation of NPN into the outer and inner membranes of the bacteroid cells isolated from nodules of soybean (Glycine max L. Merro cv. Tamahomare) was followed by the measurement of fluorescence at 30°C. The NPN-uptake activity of the bacteroids was expressed by two parameters, the initial rate of NPN-uptake, k, and the final fluorescence intensity, F _max. Acetylene reduction activity (ARA) of nodules, k, and F _max decreased exponentially during three weeks following the 20 d period after planting (DAP), resulting in high correlations between logarithmic transforms of k-values or F _max per bacteroid and those of ARA per bacteroid. Application of 20 mM KNO₃ to the nodulated roots at 24 DAP inhibited ARA of the roots by 85% of the control after 4 d of treatment. There were concomitant decreases in k and F _max by 75% and 65% of the control, respectively. These results suggest that treatment of soybean nodules with nitrate results in some changes in the permeability of the outer membrane of bacteroids with a concomitant decline of N₂-fixing activity of bacteroids.     

Occurrence of Guanidino Compounds in Several Plants

The stored nitrogen in perennial plants plays an important role in their regrowth in spring. Free L-arginine is one of the major forms of stored nitrogen (6, 9) .. LArginine is metabolized via the urea cycle in animal and plant tissues. In animal tissues, L-arginine is also metabolized via r-guanidinobutyramide, r-guanidinobutyric acid, and r-aminobutyric acid to the TCA cycle. In plant tissues, few attempts have been made to study arginine-metabolic routes other than the urea cycle. In white spruce tissues (3), L-arginine is metabolized via r-guanidinobutyric acid. Also in citrus tissues (4, 5), the operation of the same metabolic route has been reported. In these experiments, it was observed that various guanidino compounds reacted with the Sakaguchi reagent.

To obtain more information about the guanidino compounds involved in the arginine metabolism, the analytical system was evaluated and the presence of these compounds in several plant species was examined.     

Microbial conversion of bamboo hemicellulose hydrolysate to xylitol

A hemicellulose hydrolysate containing 19 g L^?1 xylose was prepared from the culm of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) by hydrolysis with 3 % sulphuric acid with a liquor to solid ratio of 10 (g g^?1) at 121 °C for 1 h. After detoxification of the hydrolysate with a commercially available activated char followed by neutralisation with calcium carbonate, the resulting sugar solution was subjected to fermentation using the yeast, Candida magnoliae. The maximum xylitol production (10.5 g L^?1) and the maximum xylitol volumetric productivity (0.42 g L^?1 h^?1) were attained under agitation set at 400 min^?1 and aeration rate of 0.67 vvm (volume of air per volume of medium per minute). According to the results, a suitable control of the oxygen supply permits the xylitol formation from bamboo hemicellulose hydrolysate.     

Site-level model–data synthesis of terrestrial carbon fluxes in the CarboEastAsia eddy-covariance observation network: toward future modeling efforts

Based on the model–data comparison at the eddy-covariance observation sites from CarboEastAsia datasets, we report the current status of the terrestrial carbon cycle modeling in monsoon Asia. In order to assess the modeling performance and discuss future requirements for both modeling and observation efforts in Asia, we ran eight terrestrial biosphere models at 24 sites from 1901 to 2010. By analyzing the modeled carbon fluxes against the CarboEastAsia datasets, the strengths and weaknesses of terrestrial biosphere modeling over Asia were evaluated. In terms of pattern and magnitude, the carbon fluxes (i.e., gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem exchange) at the temperate and boreal forest sites were simulated best, whereas the simulation results from the tropical forest, cropland, and disturbed sites were poor. The multi-model ensemble mean values showed lower root mean square errors and higher correlations, suggesting that composition of multiple terrestrial biosphere models would be preferable for terrestrial carbon budget assessments in Asia. These results indicate that the current model-based estimation of terrestrial carbon budget has large uncertainties, and future research should further refine the models to permit re-evaluation of the terrestrial carbon budget.     

Strength properties and effect of moisture content on the bending and compressive strength parallel to the grain of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) round timber

Static bending tests and compressive test parallel to the grain of sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica) green round timber were conducted to confirm whether its strength would satisfy the referenced strength determined by the Construction Ministry. The strength of green round timber and air-dried round timber were compared for bending and compression parallel to the grain. The strength change ratio in response to a 1 % change in the moisture content of round timber was compared with that of small clear specimens and timber. The results revealed that a 5 % parametric tolerance limit of bending and compressive strength parallel to the grain satisfied the referenced strength, even when using green round timber. The average strength of air-dried round timber was higher than that of green round timber, in both bending and compression parallel to the grain, with significant differences indicated at a 5 % significance level. The relation between the cross-section area that includes round timber, timber and the small clear specimens, and the strength change ratio in response to a 1 % change in moisture content change was fitted to a logarithm curve. Thus, the size of the specimen was considered to affect the strength change ratio.     

The inhibitory receptor PD-1 regulates IgA selection and bacterial composition in the gut

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is essential to maintain the symbiotic balance between gut bacterial communities and the host immune system. Here we provide evidence that the inhibitory co-receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) regulates the gut microbiota through appropriate selection of IgA plasma cell repertoires. PD-1 deficiency generates an excess number of T follicular helper (T(FH)) cells with altered phenotypes, which results in dysregulated selection of IgA precursor cells in the germinal center of Peyer's patches. Consequently, the IgAs produced in PD-1-deficient mice have reduced bacteria-binding capacity, which causes alterations of microbial communities in the gut. Thus, PD-1 plays a critical role in regulation of antibody diversification required for the maintenance of intact mucosal barrier.