Molecular cloning of two types of spiggin cDNA in the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

Two types of spiggin cDNAs were isolated from the three-spined stickleback. Northern blot analysis revealed that glue protein is composed of multiple spiggin molecules, and that their synthesis in kidney is strongly up-regulated by androgens.     

Changes in the level of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone in developing hairless dogs.

Changes in the levels of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone were examined in developing hairless and haired dogs. Cortisol levels in the hairless dogs seemed to be higher than those in haired dogs within the age of 4-5 weeks. No apparent changes were seen in the level of plasma progesterone between the groups of hairless females and haired females. Total testosterone levels in hairless males showed to be significantly lower than those in haired males at the age of 13-21 weeks.     

Effect of spherosome on degradation of tetrachloroethylene in soil

The fate of spherosome on the degradation of tetrachloroethylene in soil was investigated for 38 days. The time needed to become the half value of the initial concentration is 8 days for the case with spherosome and 15 days for the case without spherosome. The time needed for complete degradation is 25 days for the case with spherosome and 38 days for the case without spherosome. The degradation of tetrachloroethylene appeared to be essentially due to the biological activity of the soil. Spherosome should enhance the rate of tetrachloroethylene destruction.     

Acetaldehyde emission from wood induced by the addition of ethanol

A mechanism of acetaldehyde emission from wood induced by the addition of ethanol was proposed. It is known that acetaldehyde generation is due to the oxidation of ethanol via a metabolic process involving alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in living bodies. However, it remains unclear whether the enzymatic alcohol oxidation is applicable to wood. We investigated possible factors of wood parts, conditioning, storage sites, and heating and sterilization treatments on acetaldehyde emission using the syringe method and HPLC analysis. We reconfirmed that acetaldehyde emission was observed only when ethanol was added to wood. Greater acetaldehyde emissions were obtained in heartwood compared to sapwood in both Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) specimens. In addition, an acetaldehyde conversion rate of 1–2 mol% was determined in green cedar heartwood samples, while, conversely, air-dried cedar heartwood samples showed 4–5 mol%. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization had the effect of decreasing acetaldehyde emission on air-dried wood, but not on green wood. Autoclave sterilization could completely prevent acetaldehyde emissions from both green and air-dried wood. These results suggested that an original ADH in wood and an attached ADH from the outside via microorganisms onto wood were assumed to be the primary causes of acetaldehyde emissions from wood induced by the addition of ethanol.     

Effect of SCD and SREBP genotypes on fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle herds

Fatty acid composition of beef adipose tissue is one of important traits because high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid are related to favorable beef flavor and tenderness. In this study, we investigated effects of genetic factors such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) on beef carcass traits including fatty acid composition using two cattle populations. Sire effect was significantly related to almost all traits except BMS, suggesting that the trait examined in this study is highly controlled by genetic factors. The effect of SCD genotype on fatty acid composition was detected remarkably in both cattle groups, especially on stearic and oleic acids. This result was consistent with our previous studies and suggests that SCD is associated with fatty acid composition. Unlike SCD genotyping, the effect of SREBP genotype was not identified in this study. Our results suggested that SCD genotype would contribute to improving beef quality in field populations. Further studies about the relationship among these factors will bring an insight into the molecular mechanism of fatty acid metabolism in cattle.     

Effect of lidocaine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

Objective  To investigate the effects of a low-dose constant rate infusion (LCRI; 50 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) and high-dose CRI (HCRI; 200 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) lidocaine on arterial blood pressure and on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane (Sevo), in dogs.
Study design  Prospective, randomized experimental design.
Animals  Eight healthy adult spayed female dogs, weighing 16.0 ± 2.1 kg.
Methods  Each dog was anesthetized with sevoflurane in oxygen and mechanically ventilated, on three separate occasions 7 days apart. Following a 40-minute equilibration period, a 0.1-mL kg⁻¹ saline loading dose or lidocaine (2 mg kg⁻¹ intravenously) was administered over 3 minutes, followed by saline CRI or lidocaine LCRI or HCRI. The sevoflurane MAC was determined using a tail clamp. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure and plasma concentration of lidocaine were measured. All values are expressed as mean ± SD.
Results  The MAC of Sevo was 2.30 ± 0.19%. The LCRI reduced MAC by 15% to 1.95 ± 0.23% and HCRI by 37% to 1.45 ± 0.21%. Diastolic and mean pressure increased with HCRI. Lidocaine plasma concentration was 0.84 ± 0.18 for LCRI and 1.89 ± 0.37 μg mL⁻¹ for HCRI. Seventy-five percent of HCRI dogs vomited during recovery.
Conclusion and clinical relevance  Lidocaine infusions dose dependently decreased the MAC of Sevo, did not induce clinically significant changes in HR or arterial blood pressure, but vomiting was common during recovery in HCRI.     

The discovery of dinotefuran: a novel neonicotinoid

Dinotefuran (MTI-446: (RS)-1-methyl-2-nitro-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl)guanidine) is a new neonicotinoid commercialized by Mitsui Chemicals. Research led to this novel neonicotinoid by the removal of the chloropyridine or chlorothiazole ring that had been considered as indispensable for neonicotinoides. The research advanced as follows; (1) selection of acetylcholine for the lead compound, (2) recognition of the insecticidal advantages of 3-methoxypropyl compounds, (3) synthesis of (+/-)-tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl compounds by cyclization of the 3-methoxypropyl moiety. It resulted in dinotefuran which has a (+/-)-tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl moiety instead of a halogenated aromatic heterocyclic ring, and belongs to the third-generation neonicotinoids (sub-class: furanicotinyl compounds).     

Prototheca zopfii genotypes isolated from cow barns and bovine mastitis in Japan

This study is the first investigation on Japanese isolates of Prototheca zopfii from bovine mastitis and the cow-barn surroundings by molecular characterization to clarify routes of infection for bovine protothecal mastitis. We performed isolation of Prototheca from cow-barn surroundings (drinking water, sewage and feces) and milk samples from cases of bovine mastitis. Genotypes of the 32 isolates of P. zopfii from cow-barn surroundings and 67 isolates from mastitis were analyzed by genotype-specific PCR assays and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays. All mastitis isolates were identified as P. zopfii genotype 2. Conversely, 29 isolates from cow-barn surroundings were identified as P. zopfii genotypes 1 and 3 isolates as genotype 2, respectively. Given these results, both genotypes of P. zopfii could exist in cow-barn surroundings, but no sites were identified as frequent sources of P. zopfii genotype 2. P. zopfii isolates should thus be further explored with regard to genotype to clarify the reservoir of etiological agents in bovine Prototheca mastitis.