Changes in the plasma levels of several bone markers in newborn calves during the first two days of life

The fluctuations in the plasma levels of several bone markers were investigated in newborn calves. Experiment1 monitored the postnatal changes in the plasma levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b(TRAP5b), total alkaline phosphatase (t-ALP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in four calves.These markers increased significantly from 9−20 hr after the first colostrum-suckling compared with the valuesimmediately after birth. Experiment 2 evaluated changes in the plasma TRAP5b, t-ALP, BAP and type I collagencross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx) levels within 2 days post-birth in five calves with successful passiveimmunization via colostrum (non-deficient group) and five others with poor colostrum intake (deficient group).The non-deficient group had significantly higher plasma levels of the four parameters around 12 hr of lifecompared with the deficient group. The results suggest that the increase in plasma bone markers in calves inthe first day of life is related to the colostrum intake.     

Nursery habitat use for larval and juvenile Pacific herring Clupea pallasii in Miyako Bay on the Pacific coast of northern Japan

Fisheries Science - To clarify nursery habitat use for larval and juvenile Pacific herring Clupea pallasii, we collected eggs, larvae, and juveniles at several sampling sites in inner Miyako Bay...     

Simplified procedure for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate following intravenous administration of iodixanol in cats

Objective-To compare the use of a single-sample method involving IV administration of iodixanol with a multisample method involving inulin for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in cats. Animals-24 cats, including 15 healthy cats and 9 cats with naturally occurring renal diseases. Procedures-Each cat was coadministered iodixanol (a nonionic contrast medium; dose providing 40 mg of I/kg) and inulin (50 mg/kg), IV, and blood samples were collected 60, 90, and 120 minutes later. Serum iodixanol and inulin concentrations were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography and colorimetry, respectively. Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were also measured. Results-Analysis of the data from healthy cats and cats with naturally occurring renal diseases revealed an excellent correlation between GFR values estimated by the multisample and single-sample methods with iodixanol. Likewise, GFR values estimated from the single-sample method with iodixanol were closely correlated with those calculated from the multisample method with inulin. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-For estimation of GFR in cats, use of a single-sample method with iodixanol, instead of a multisample procedure, may be an expedient tool in both clinical and research settings because of its benefits to patient well-being as a result of reduced stress associated with blood sample collection.     

Habitat of pike gudgeon Pseudogobio esocinus esocinus in Nakagawa River, northern Kyushu, Japan

ABSTRACT:   Habitat selection of the pike gudgeon Pseudogobio esocinus esocinus (Cyprinidae) was examined in the Nakagawa River in northern Kyushu, Japan. The study area was 80 m long with two meanders comprising three riffles and two pools, located 20 km upstream from the river mouth. The pike gudgeon were visually counted underwater. Larvae and juveniles were observed in the shallow and slow-flowing water near the shores. Simultaneously, young and adult individuals were observed to inhabit the river bed. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied to estimate the microhabitat selections of the larvae, juveniles and other individuals by using four variables (water depth, current velocity, particle size of substrate and amount of organic matter). The larvae and juveniles inhabited the shallow (<30 cm) and slow-flowing waters (<6.5 cm/s) near the shore; habitat selection was independent of particle size of the substrate and the amount of organic matter present. Young and adult individuals inhabited the river bed independent of the four variables.     

Simultaneous estimation of the pH of rumen and reticulum fluids of cows using a radio-transmission pH-measurement system

Circadian pH changes in the fluid of the rumen (bottom and middle) and reticulum were assessed simultaneously using wireless and wired radio-transmission pH-measurement systems in cows fed a control diet (C diet) or rumen-acidosis-inducing diet (RAI diet). The pH in the three sites decreased following the morning and evening feedings. In cows fed the C diet, the bottom-rumen and reticular pH reverted to the basal level by the next morning, while the middle-rumen pH did not recover completely, suggesting that active fermentation occurred in the middle of the rumen. The mean pH at 1 hr intervals was higher in the reticulum than at the bottom and in the middle of the rumen. The relatively stable reticular pH may result from dilution due to salivation. In cows fed the RAI diet, the bottom-rumen pH fell to approximately 5.2 after the evening feeding, but returned to the basal level by the next morning. In contrast, the middle-rumen pH did not return to the basal level (6.5) within 24 hr, presumably owing to continuous, vigorous fermentation. There were positive correlations between the pH at the bottom and in the middle of the rumen and at the bottom of the rumen and in the reticulum. These findings indicate that our radio-transmission pH-measurement system may be suitable tool for simultaneous measurement of pH in the rumen and reticulum fluid.     

Races of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> isolated from potato in Hokkaido,Japan

The virulence of 29 isolates of Phytophthora infestans collected in potato fields in Hokkaido, Japan, in 2013 and 2014, was tested for race identification. Thirteen different races were identified, each of which had five to eight virulence factors. All of the isolates caused a virulent reaction against plants with R1 and R7, and most of the isolates caused a virulent reaction against plants with R3, R4, R10, and R11. On the other hand, no isolate was virulent against plants with R9. These results demonstrate that the current Japanese P. infestans population is more complex than the population in the 1990s from the viewpoint of race.