Ability of CD8+ T cell anti-feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) activity and FIV proviral DNA load in mononuclear cells in FIV-infected cats

We investigated the relationship between CD8+ T cell anti-feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) activity and FIV proviral DNA load integrated in mononuclear cells. The anti-FIV activity and the proviral DNA load were correlated, and the number of proviral DNA copies was high in cats with decreased anti-FIV activity. Particularly, no anti-FIV activity was detected in the cats staged as having an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex or AIDS, and the number of proviral DNA copies was obviously increased compared to those in the cats in the asymptomatic stage. These results suggest that decreased anti-FIV activity destroys the control of in vivo FIV replication, which leads to an increased proviral DNA load with the progression of the clinical stage of disease.     

Experimental and clinical studies on plasma leptin in obese dogs

Leptin is a protein synthesized and secreted primarily by adipocytes, and the circulating leptin concentration is elevated in obese humans and rodents. Recently, we have established a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for canine leptin. In the present study, plasma leptin concentrations were measured in experimentally developed obese beagles and in clinically obese dogs. When 5 male beagles were given a high-energy diet for 3 months, all of them became obese and the plasma leptin concentration significantly increased from 2.4+/-1.2 to 4.9+/-0.9 ng/ml, positively correlating with body fat content estimated by the deuterium oxide dilution method (r=0.87). The leptin concentrations of plasma samples collected from 59 dogs in veterinary practices were compared with their body condition scores (BCS). The plasma leptin concentrations of obese dogs were 9.7+/-0.7 and 12.3+/-1.5 ng/ml at BCS=4 and BCS=5, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of optimal (BCS=3) dogs (2.7+/-0.3 ng/ml). There was no significant effect of sex and breed. A weak positive correlation (r=0.37) was found between the plasma leptin concentration and age, probably due to the lesser content of visceral fat in puppies younger than 1 year old. These results indicate that plasma leptin is a good index of adiposity in dogs regardless of breed, age and sex, and may be useful for quantitative assessment of obesity in small animal practice.     

Evaluation of genetic trends and determination of the optimal number of cumulative records of parity required in reproductive traits in a Large White pig population

Genetic improvement of the reproductive performance of pigs is important for pig breeding despite their low heritabilities. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of selection concerning reproductive traits and to determine the optimal number of parity records required for accurate estimation of breeding values (BVs) in the open population of a commercial pig breeding company. The study used records of 2220 purebred Large White pigs (9845 litters) farrowed between 1998 and 2009 in the two herds of the Pacific Ocean Breeding Co. Ltd. The traits studied included farrowing interval (FI), total number of piglets at birth (TNB), average weaning weight per litter (AWW), and raising rate (RR). A statistical model was applied to the 4‐trait repeatability animal model. The heritabilities of FI, TNB, AWW and RR were low. The genetic trends in TNB (h² = 0.09) showed approximately 1.0 increase in 6 years from 2003 to 2008. The predicted error variances indicated that up to fourth parity records are necessary for accurate genetic evaluation. The present study results indicated that even reproductive traits with low heritability can be improved.     

Growth changes in bighand thornyhead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastolobus macrochir</Emphasis> off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu,Japan

ABSTRACT:     The biomass of bighand thornyhead Sebastolobus macrochir was increased by the high recruitment success of the 1999–2002 year classes off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu, Japan. In this study, the growth of bighand thornyhead was examined over a 9-year period from 1996 to 2004 in this area. The growth of the 1999 year class and the 2000–2002 year classes was reduced at 3 and 2 years old, respectively, while the 1999–2002 year classes were smaller than the 1993–1998 year classes. In 2-, 3- and 4-year-old fish, the relationship between abundance and mean standard length was expressed by negative linear regressions, while fish became smaller when abundance of the year class was larger. Mean bottom temperatures were stable at depths of 350–900 m; variations in water temperature were small in the main distribution area of bighand thornyhead. We discuss the factors affecting the growth of bighand thornyhead via changes in the demersal fish community and feeding habits.     

Distribution and stem growth patterns of mangrove species along the Nakara River in Iriomote Island, Southwestern Japan

We examined variations in stand structure and tree growth of a mangrove forest along two gradients: from the river mouth to upper stream and from the riverside to inland, along the Nakara River, Iriomote Island, Japan. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk. occurred throughout the intertidal area, though Rhizophora stylosa Griff. and Kandelia candel (L) Druce did not occur upstream. Basal area and maximum tree height of B. gymnorrhiza decreased downstream. The growth rate in stem diameter of B. gymnorrhiza decreased downstream in relation with the soil salinity. The basal area and the maximum tree height of B. gymnorrhiza increased with the distance from the riverside. R. stylosa increased in stem diameter and growth rate toward the riverside.     

Contribution of a liana species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucuna macrocarpa</Emphasis> Wall., to litterfall production and nitrogen input in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest

Annual amounts of litterfall and nitrogen input by litterfall were measured in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest to examine the contribution of a liana species, Mucuna macrocarpa Wall., to the spatial heterogeneity of litterfall production and nitrogen input. The total litterfall in the study plot was 7.1 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The amount of litterfall varied with topography and was greatest at the valley bottom and decreased toward the ridges. Macuna macrocarpa litterfall was absent on the ridges although it accounted for the largest percentage, 32%, of total leaf litter production in the valley. Nitrogen input by litterfall was 69 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the plot. Nitrogen input by litterfall was also largest at the valley bottom and decreased toward the ridges. Leaf litter of M. macrocarpa had approximately twice the nitrogen concentration of litterfall of other species. Macuna macrocarpa accounted for 42% of nitrogen input by leaf litter in the valley. The abundance and the high nitrogen concentration of M. macrocarpa intensified differences in the amount of litterfall and nitrogen input by litterfall between valleys and ridges. It was concluded that a liana species, M. macrocarpa, can contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of litterfall and may subsequently affect nutrient cycling in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest on Okinawa Island.     

Effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and dwarf bamboo (Sasamorpha borealis) on seedling emergence and survival in cool-temperate mixed forests in the Kyushu Mountains

Effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and dwarf bamboo (“sasa;” Sasamorpha borealis) on seedling emergence and survival were investigated in cool-temperate mixed forests in the Kyushu mountain range, Japan. We compared the effects of sika deer between two sites with different sika deer densities. One site (no-sasa forest) has sparse cover of S. borealis and a high density of sika deer, and the other site (sasa forest) has dense cover of S. borealis with a low density of sika deer. In the no-sasa forest, more seedlings emerged and the survival rate of the seedlings was higher compared with the sasa forest. Compared with the sasa forest, the canopy in the no-sasa forest was more open, the organic layer was shallower and drier, the mean daily soil temperature was higher, and soil temperature fluctuated more widely. Those environmental parameters did not differ between unfenced and fenced plots. The comparison between the sasa and no-sasa forests suggested that removal of S. borealis by sika deer had an indirect positive effect on seedling emergence and survival. However, the fenced-plot experiments indicated that sika deer inhibited seedling emergence and survival. These contradictory conclusions could result from the much larger negative effects of S. borealis on seedling emergence and survival compared with the effects of sika deer browsing.     

Both stem and crown mass affect tree resistance to uprooting

To examine the hypothesis that both stem and crown mass affect the resistance of a tree to uprooting and that tree resistance increases with increasing crown mass, we conducted tree-pulling experiments on three Picea glehnii plantations (stands A, B, and C: 27–32 years old) that differed in tree density and slenderness ratio. Allometries between crown and stem masses and between the critical uprooting moment and stem mass differed significantly among the three stands, with the crown mass and critical moment significantly larger in stand C than in stands A or B, despite the same stem mass. These results quantitatively verified our hypothesis. Allometries between crown and stem masses and between critical uprooting moment and stem mass were highly significant in each stand but were stand specific. Therefore, these allometries can be used to estimate tree resistance to uprooting in a given stand but not for data compiled from stands of various conditions and tree shapes. The allometry between critical moment and aboveground mass did not differ among the three Picea stands; thus, it is not stand specific and is generally appropriate to use for estimating tree resistance. To increase tree resistance to uprooting, we recommend light management for Picea glehnii plantations and probably other coniferous plantations as well.     

Nickel-catalyzed carbonization of wood for coproduction of functional carbon and fluid fuels I: production of crystallized mesoporous carbon

Japanese larch wood loaded with nickel (1%–4%) alone or with nickel and calcium (0.25%–1.5%) was carbonized at 800°–900°C for 0–120min with a heating rate of 5°–20°C min⁻¹ in a helium flow of 5.8−46.4 ml STP cm⁻² min⁻¹ to examine the influence of these variables on the crystallization of carbon (the formation of T component) and the development of mesoporosity. From the obtained results, reaction conditions suitable for effective production of carbon with the dual functions of adequate electroconductivity and adsorption capacity in liquid phase were established, thereby explaining the factors that govern the process. It was also confirmed that mesopore having a diameter of about 4 nm was selectively produced at the cost of specific (BET) surface area in parallel with the formation of T component. This result provided good insight into how the simultaneous dual function could be realized.