Expression and the molecular forms of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in canine mammary tumours

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a new biomarker for renal injury. It is also involved in tumorigenesis of different human cancer types. The oncogenic role of NGAL is related to its molecular forms, and heterodimer formation with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) promotes human breast cancer (HBC) invasion and metastasis. To date, the levels of NGAL and NGAL/MMP9 complex have not yet been explored in canine mammary tumours (CMTs). Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether NGAL and its molecular forms could be the biomarker for CMT diagnosis. To this end, expression profile of NGAL and MMP9 in mammary epithelial cells as well as in urine samples were detected. By immunohistochemistry staining, NGAL was expressed at variable levels. Unlike HBC, a significant reduction in NGAL expression was demonstrated in benign and malignant CMTs as compared with normal controls. Additionally, NGAL expression was significantly reduced in dogs with metastatic CMTs. By contrast, the mean score of MMP9 expression in ascending order was normal groups, benign, and malignant CMTs. Interestingly, analysis of the molecular form revealed the NGAL/MMP9 complex presents in most mammary tissues and urine of dogs with benign or malignant CMTs, whereas the complex was absent in samples from dogs without CMTs. In conclusion, NGAL and MMP9 are ubiquitously expressed in canine mammary epithelial cells in normal and cancerous status. However, the NGAL/MMP9 complex exclusively presents in mammary tissues and urine of dogs with tumours.     

Placental lesions caused by pseudorabies virus in pregnant sows

Pathologic and viral investigations were done on 13 fetal placentas and 23 aborted fetuses associated with naturally occurring pseudorabies in swine. Of the 13 fetal placentas examined, 7 (53.8%) had various degrees of necrotizing placentitis. The lesions were characterized by coagulative necrosis of the chorionic fossae and by intranuclear inclusions in degenerating trophoblasts and occasionally in mesenchymal cells. In addition, a mild inflammatory cell reaction was observed in the mesenchyma. Numerous viral particles, ultrastructurally indistinguishable from herpesvirus, were observed by electron microscopy in the affected chorionic membrane. Large aggregates of herpesvirus virions were demonstrated in the nucleus and cytoplasm of degenerated trophoblasts and mesenchymal cells. Of the 23 aborted fetuses examined, 22 (95.6%) had typical coagulative necrosis in the liver, spleen, adrenal glands, and visceral lymph nodes. Inclusions similar to those in the chorionic placenta were observed in the parenchymal cells of those organs, on the margins of necrotic areas. Pseudorabies virus was isolated from various organs of the aborted fetuses, but virus isolation from the placentas was not attempted. In a survey of 52 affected sows, sera from 49 (94.2%) neutralized the isolated virus. The findings indicated that the placental lesions caused by the virus were primary. The study also indicated the merit of routine examination of aborted fetal placentas and fetuses for diagnosis of pseudorabies.     

林丹粉剂拌合储粮防治害虫的研究——不同拌合方式的防虫效果及残留量

本試驗是1962年結合生产进行的。結果表明,粮堆中拌合百万分之5的林丹粉剂,以全部拌合防治效果最好;分层或表层拌合的,防治效果较差。无論那种拌合方式都可以有效地防治麦蛾;在原始害虫不多的情况下,对米象、长角谷盜和谷蠹也有良好防治效果,但对防治鋸谷盜和米虱,效果不明显。用百万分之5的林丹粉剂拌合小麦,加工后,林丹的残留量在机制粉中为百万分之1.1—2.5,石磨制粉中为百万分之1.7—3.9,麸皮中为百万分之4.8—10.4。表层拌合的小麦加工成面粉后,为百万分之0.3,麸皮中为百万分之1.2。全部拌合的稻谷加工后,大米及米糠中分別为百万分之0.57—1.0和4.6—12.0,分层拌合的稻谷加工品中則分別为百万分之0.42和2.0。全部拌合的玉米,加工成玉米粉后为百万分之1.9—3.7。上述拌合浓度,对种子发芽率没有影响。     

Chemical and physical changes required for producing dimensionally stable wood-based composites

Summary The springback of compressed wood caused by built-up internal stresses results in excessive thickness swelling of wood-based composites when exposed to moisture. Steam pretreatment can cause partial hydrolysis of hemicellulose for both hardwoods and softwoods which markedly increases the compressibility of wood and in turn significantly reduces the build-up of internal stresses in composites during hot pressing. This steam pretreatment process is a very effective method for producing dimensionally stable wood-based composites. Mild steam pretreatments (e.g. 3 to 4 min at 1.55 MPa) cause a significant reduction of the water insoluble xylan content in hardwoods and the amount of xylan, mannan and galactan in softwoods without any apparent changes in the cellulose or lignin content.The authors wish to thank G. Bastien and B. S. Lethbridge for technical assistance. W. Schwald is grateful to the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Vienna, Austria for granting an Erwin-Schrödinger scholarship (Proj. No. J0128C)     

On mechanical behavior of traditional timber shear wall in Taiwan II: simplified calculation and experimental verification

In the previous report of this ongoing study, results of an extensive field survey were collated and a theoretical model was proposed to predict the mechanical behavior of timber shear walls of traditional design in Taiwan. The initial objective of the present report was to propose a simplified calculation method for estimating the initial stiffness and yield strength of traditional timber shear walls. Based on the results of the field survey, a total of 15 full-scale specimens were tested to verify the theoretical model and simplified calculation proposed previously. Good agreement was found from comparison of analytical and experimental results. The results of this study show that the friction behavior between board units and beams plays the major role in resisting the lateral force applied on the timber shear wall, followed by the resistance supplied by embedment. The resistance provided by bamboo nails is minor due to the small section. Another trend found was that for set dimensions of a timber shear wall, the board width can be increased to obtain higher stiffness and strength of the shear wall.     

Enzymatic production of galactooligosaccharides by beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708

The production of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) by transgalactosylation using beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708 was studied. Other than lactose, galactose, and glucose, two types of GOSs, tri- and tetrasaccharides, were formed after beta-galactosidase action on 40% lactose. Trisaccharides were the major type of GOS formed. Generally, an increase of the initial lactose concentration in the reaction mixture resulted in a higher GOS production. A maximum yield of 32.5% (w/w) GOSs could be achieved from 40% lactose solution at 45 degrees C, pH 6.8, when the lactose conversion was 59.4%. The corresponding productivity of GOSs was 13.0 g/(L.h). Transgalactosylation activity of beta-galactosidase from a test organism showed a relatively lower sensitivity toward glucose and galactose than that from other organisms. The addition of 5% or 10% glucose or galactose to the reaction mixture did not significantly (p>0.05) reduce the transgalactosylation reaction of beta-galactosidase.     

Influence of soy aglycon isoflavones on bone-related traits and lens protein characteristics of ovariectomized rats and bioactivity performance of osteoprogenitor cells

Health benefits of soy isoflavones have attracted the concern of the public and the interest of health-care professionals. In this study, two trials were conducted in characterizing bone-related traits and lens proteins as affected by supplementation of soy aglycon isoflavones (SAI). In trial 1, an in vivo study, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and randomly distributed into OVX and OVX+SAI (135 mg of SAI/kg of feed; 8.33 mg/kg body weight; 2.5 mg/day) groups. Another group containing 10 rats with a sham operation was control (Sham). The experiment period was 3 months, and the rats were subjected to bone-related traits and lens protein characterization. In trial 2, an in vitro study, osteoprogenitor cells (UMR-106) were divided into SAI-supplemented (0.5 mg of SAI/mL of medium) and unsupplemented groups. Results of the in vivo study indicated that daily BW gains in the OVX and OVX+SAI groups were greater than that of the Sham group (p < 0.05). Bone ash and Ca contents of the Sham and OVX+SAI groups were higher than those of the OVX group (p < 0.05), while bone density, strength, and phosphorus contents among groups varied insignificantly (p > 0.05). When the lens proteins were extracted and analyzed with size-exclusion HPLC, the contents of beta- and gamma-crystallins were lowest in the OVX group and the protein solubility decrease could be recovered by dietary SAI supplementation (shown by OVX+SAI group). Based on Raman spectra of the isolated lens proteins, disulfide bonds were observed more in OVX lens than in the Sham and OVX+SAI lens. Results of in vitro study with osteoprogenitor cells revealed that cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin, and Ca contents of the SAI-supplemented group were higher than those of the unsupplemented group (p < 0.05). The likely potency to enhance bone and lens health by SAI supplementation is worth pointing out.