Effect of fat content on sensory characteristics of marbled beef from Japanese Black steers

To analyze the sensory characteristics of meat samples with a crude fat content between 23.8% and 48.6% taken from 34 Japanese Black steers, we grilled the meat and subjected it to analytical sensory evaluation. We also measured the amounts of moisture, protein, nucleic acid and glutamic acid. An increase in crude fat content increased the tenderness, juiciness, and fattiness in the meat quality evaluation. An increase in crude fat content reduced the crude protein and moisture contents; it also slightly reduced the nucleic acid and glutamic acid contents, although when the reductions in these umami components were assessed relative to the moisture content they changed little. Increasing the fat content up to a certain point greatly enhanced the umami intensity and beef flavor intensity in the meat quality evaluation and raised the overall evaluation score; the peak of the appropriate crude fat content for these purposes was about 36%.     

Effects of tramadol and o‐desmethyltramadol on canine innate immune system function

ObjectiveTramadol is a commonly used opioid analgesic in dogs, particularly in dogs with a compromised immune system. An opioid may be selected for its immunomodulatory effects. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tramadol on immune system function by evaluating the effect of tramadol and o-desmethyltramadol (M1) on the function of canine leukocytes in vitro. The hypothesis was that tramadol and M1 would not alter polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis, PMN oxidative burst, or stimulated leukocyte cytokine production capacity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10.Study designIn vitro pharmacodynamic study.AnimalsSix healthy dogs.MethodsBlood from six dogs was obtained and incubated with various concentrations of tramadol and M1. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst were assessed using flow cytometry, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PG)-stimulated leukocyte production of TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured using a canine specific multiplex assay.ResultsNo differences were detected in phagocytosis or oxidative burst with any drug concentration. Tramadol did not alter leukocyte cytokine production, however, M1 significantly blunted IL-10 production.ConclusionsTramadol and its metabolite M1 were sparing to PMN phagocytosis and oxidative burst in dogs in vitro. Tramadol did not alter leukocyte cytokine production, however, M1 blunted IL-10 production at clinically achievable concentrations suggesting that M1 may promote a proinflammatory shift.Clinical relevanceThese data suggest that tramadol has minimal effect on phagocytosis and oxidative burst, and may promote a proinflammatory shift. Therefore, tramadol may be an ideal opioid analgesic in dogs at high risk of infection. Further investigation in vivo is warranted.     

First report of viruses infecting Vigna marina and Vigna riukiuensis in Japan

Journal of General Plant Pathology - Mosaic, chlorosis, brown spots, or roughness were found on Vigna marina and V. riukiuensis, which are salt-resistant wild relatives of cowpea (V. unguiculata)...     

Trends in Emissions of Acidifying Species in Asia, 1985–1997

Acid deposition is a serious problem throughout much of Asia. Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) have been increasing steadily, as nations strive to increase their levels of economic development. Coal and fuel oil have been the main choices for powering industrial development; and, until recently, only a few countries had taken steps to avert the atmospheric emissions that accompany fuel combustion. This paper discusses trends in emissions of SO₂ and NO_x that have occurred in Asian countries in the period 1985–1997, using results from the RAINS-Asia computer model and energy-use trends from the IEA Energy Statistics and Balances database. Emissions of SO₂ in Asia grew from 26.6 Tg in 1985 to 33.7 Tg in 1990 and 39.2 Tg in 1997. Though SO₂ emissions used to grow as fast as fossil-fuel use, recent limitations on the sulfur content of coal and oil have slowed the growth. The annual-average emissions growth between 1990 and 1997 was only 2.2%, considerably less than the economic growth rate. Emissions of NO_x, on the other hand, continue to grow rapidly, from 14.1 Tg in 1985 to 18.7 Tg in 1990 and 28.5 Tg in 1997 (6.2% per year between 1990 and 1997), with no signs of abating. Thus, though SO₂ remains the major contributor to acidifying emissions in Asia, the role of NO_x will become more and more important in the future.     

Line thinning fosters the abundance and diversity of understory Hymenoptera (Insecta) in Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> D. Don) plantations

We investigated the effects of line thinning on the abundance of Hymenoptera in two Japanese cedar plantations in northern Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this silvicultural treatment for ecosystem management. Line thinning is a silvicultural treatment practiced in Japan, where linear stand sections are cut (25%–35% of the total number of trees) retaining one to two rows of trees. We used Malaise traps to capture Hymenoptera from the line-thinned stand (treatment plot, including thinned and retained sections) and the unthinned stand (control plot). Overall, the total number of Hymenoptera was greater in the treatment plot than in the control plot. The treatment plot hosted more functional groups and families of Hymenoptera than the control plot in both plantations. In the Kuchiotani plantation (high-elevation site), the overall abundance of Hymenoptera and of many Hymenopteran functional groups were positively correlated with both species richness and biomass of understory plants. In the Sugi plantation (low-elevation site), understory vegetation was less developed and there was no correlation with abundance of Hymenoptera. Our study indicates that line thinning is an effective silvicultural treatment for future management of overstocked Japanese cedar plantations because it can fulfill biodiversity objectives, but the effectiveness may depend on silvicultural and landscape factors.     

Geminate Particle Morphology of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus in Partially Purified Preparation and Its Serological Relationship to Two Begomoviruses by Western Blotting

Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) is a possible member of the genus Begomovirus; however, the presence of typical geminate particles in sap has not been confirmed. We attempted to observe SPLCV virions by partially purifying the virus using an enzyme-assisted procedure. The observed virions in the partially purified preparations were typical geminate particles with a size of ca. 18×30nm. This virus preparation was subjected to western blot analysis using antisera against Bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV) and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV). SPLCV reacted with both antisera. Specific bands appeared to be slightly larger than the 30-kDa marker protein and were considered to be SPLCV coat protein. This western blot analysis revealed for the first time a serelogical relationship between SPLCV and the two well-characterized begomoviruses. Received 28 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 17 November 1999     

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses of cytoplasmic blood plasma inclusions of rat hepatocytes

In the present study, we investigated the histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of cytoplasmic blood plasma inclusions that spontaneously occurred in a rat liver. Histologically, a number of cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in the liver of an 8-week-old female SD rat. These inclusions were strongly positive for PAS staining and resistant to diastase digestion. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that these inclusions were positive for albumin and IgG; however, most of them were negative for LAMP-1 and LAMP-2. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions were surrounded by limiting membranes and composed of moderately electron dense, homogenous materials. These characteristics described here represent valuable information for pathological examination in toxicity studies.     

Effect of the long-term application of anaerobically digested residual slurry on methane emissions in a rice paddy field

ABSTRACT

The anaerobic digestion of livestock manure is an environmentally compatible technology used for the production of renewable energy. Anaerobically digested residual slurry has been used worldwide as a liquid fertilizer in both upland and paddy fields. However, a controversial question remains as to whether the application of slurry to rice paddy fields increases methane emissions; although methane is one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases, little is known about the effects of the long-term application of residual slurry on methane emission. In this study, we repeatedly applied slurry to a paddy field for six years at different application rates (10, 15, and 20 g N m^?2 based on ammonium-nitrogen content). At the fifth and sixth years of application, we evaluated the effect in terms of methane flux and soil total carbon content. The effect of the long-term application of the slurry (10 g N m^?2) on grain yield was equivalent to that of chemical fertilizer (10 g N m^?2). The application of the residual slurry was likely to increase the cumulative methane emissions during rice growing season in both 2006 and 2007. On the other hand, we observed that soil total carbon did not accumulate significantly in the soil. Thus, we cannot rule out the potential risk of additional methane emissions caused by the application of the residuary slurry to paddy fields.     

Determination of 15 isoflavone isomers in soy foods and supplements by high-performance liquid chromatography

Soy isoflavone is the generic name for the isoflavones found in soy. We determined the concentrations of 15 soy isoflavone species, including 3 succinyl glucosides, in 22 soy foods and isoflavone supplements by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total isoflavone contents in 14 soy foods and 8 supplements ranged from 45 to 735 μg/g and from 1,304 to 90,224 μg/g, respectively. Higher amounts of succinyl glucosides were detected in natto, a typical fermented soy product in Japan; these ranged from 30 to 80 μg/g and comprised 4.1-10.9% of the total isoflavone content. In soy powder, 59 μg/g of succinyl glucosides were detected, equivalent to 4.6% of the total isoflavone content. These data suggest that the total isoflavone contents may be underestimated in the previous studies that have not included succinyl glucosides, especially for Bacillus subtilis -fermented soy food products.