Expression of mucins on the mucosal surface of lungs of 4-week-old pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the immunoreactivity of normal small bronchial, bronchiolar, respiratory bronchiolar, and interalveolar epithelium using antibodies to six mucins: MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6. The large, gel-forming secreted mucins MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B were widely expressed in the lower respiratory tract. The results of this study demonstrate that these secreted mucins form a gel to cover and protect the mucosal surface in the lower respiratory tract of pigs.     

Use of laparoscopy for diagnosing experimentally induced acute pancreatitis in dogs

Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs remains a significant challenge despite the development of advanced diagnostic methodologies. Visual inspection and pancreas biopsy using laparoscopy are generally considered to be procedures free of complications when conducted on healthy animals. However, the usefulness of laparoscopy for diagnosing acute pancreatitis has not been assessed. In the present study, the efficacy of laparoscopy for diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs was evaluated in animals with experimentally induced acute pancreatitis. Gross appearance of the pancreatic area was examined by laparoscopy to survey for the presence of edema, adhesions, effusion, pseudocysts, hemorrhage, and fat necrosis. Laparoscopic biopsy was performed and the histopathologic results were compared to those of pancreatic samples obtained during necropsy. The correlation between laparoscopy and histopathologic findings of the pancreas was evaluated. The presence of adhesions, effusion, and hemorrhage in the pancreatic area observed by laparoscopy significantly correlated with the histopathologic results (p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the histopathologic and laparoscopic biopsy findings. Results of this study suggested that laparoscopic evaluation of gross lesions has clinical significance although the laparoscopic biopsy technique has some limitations. This method combined with additional diagnostic tools can be effective for diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs.     

Lectin binding profile of the small intestine of five-week-old pigs in response to the use of chlortetracycline as a growth promotant and under gnotobiotic conditions

Antibiotics have traditionally been used for growth promotion in the pork industry; however, their use in animal feed has recently been limited because of human health concerns. The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in mediating many physiological functions such as digestion and animal growth. It was hypothesized that use of antibiotics as growth promotants and subsequent variations in intestinal microbiota induce significant changes in the intestinal glycoconjugate composition, which ultimately affects animal growth and disease susceptibility. The aim of this study was to characterize the lectin binding profiles of the ileum of weanling pigs in response to the absence of intestinal microbiota and to the use of the antibiotic chlortetracycline as growth promotant. Eighteen half-sib piglets obtained by cesarean section were divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 6) and maintained as control, antibiotic-fed, and gnotobiotic piglets until 5 wk of age. The glycoconjugate composition of the ileal tissues was examined by lectin histochemistry. Lycopersicon esculentum lectin, Jacalin, Pisum sativum agglutinin, Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), and Sambucus nigra lectin showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in binding intensities on the dome and villous epithelium between the treatment groups. Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I, Glycine maxi agglutinin, and Arachis hypogea agglutinin exhibited differences (P < 0.05) between treatment groups in lectin binding on goblet cells. Triticum vulgaris agglutinin, Pisum sativum agglutinin, and LCA showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in binding intensities on dome, corona, and follicular regions of the ileum among treatment groups of animals. Overall, ileal tissues from gnotobiotic piglets expressed significantly weaker (P < 0.05) lectin binding for many lectins compared with control and antibiotic groups. This suggests that the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the expression of sugar moieties in the intestine. Lectins LCA, Phaseolus vulgaris Leucoagglutinin, and Maackia amurensis lectin II showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in lectin bindings between control and antibiotic-fed piglets. This indicates that chlortetracycline as a growth promotant induces biologically relevant changes in the lectin binding profile of the ileum. These findings will help in further understanding the role of the gut microbiota and the mechanisms of action of antibiotics as growth promotants in pigs.     

Mapping of the dog skin based on biophysical measurements

Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration status and pH were determined in 14 skin regions of five healthy male Beagle dogs (2–4 years) both before and after anaesthesia. Trans epidermal water loss was highest for the footpad and head and lowest for the inguinal region. Skin hydration status was higher in the ear but did not vary significantly in other regions. Skin pH was usually alkaline with the highest values on the lower back and tail. Following anaesthesia, TEWL and skin hydration were significantly lower on the head, upper back and footpad, and upper back and elbow respectively, while skin pH was unaffected by this procedure. While measurement of pH would seem to be valid anywhere on the body in anaesthetized dogs, regional factors should be considered when interpreting TEWL and skin hydration values and when treating regional skin diseases in veterinary practice.     

Biological evaluation of neopeptins isolated from a Streptomyces strain

BACKGROUND: Microbial secondary metabolites are a rich source of antifungal agents and have merit as alternatives to synthetic fungicides. To develop disease control agents against powdery mildew, the lipopeptide antibiotic neopeptins were identified from the culture broth of a Streptomyces sp., and in vivo control efficacy of the compounds was evaluated on cucumber plants under glasshouse conditions. RESULTS: The Streptomyces sp. KNF2047 antagonistic against powdery mildew development in cucumber plants was isolated from a soil sample. Antifungal compounds were purified from the culture broth and identified as neopeptin A and B. In vitro microtitre assays revealed the inhibitory activities of the compounds in the range 128-512 microg mL(-1) against the mycelial growth of Alternaria mali, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Colletotrichum lagenarium, Didimella bryoniae and Magnaporthe grisea. Although neither compound showed remarkable in vitro antifungal activity against other plant pathogenic fungi, a mixture of neopeptins (484 mg of neopeptin A and 290 mg of neopeptin B per gram of partially purified powder) showed potent protective and curative activity against cucumber powdery mildew in vivo. The disease control activity of the neopeptins at a concentration of 2.4 mg L(-1) was 92.1%, which was similar to that of the commercial fungicide fenarimol (89.3% at 63 mg L(-1)) and that of the commercial biocontrol agent Actinovate (67.4% at 2 x 10(7) cfu L(-1)). CONCLUSION: Neopeptin mixtures isolated from Streptomyces sp. KNF2047 showed potent disease control activity against powdery mildew development on cucumber plants. .     

Sound absorption capability and mechanical properties of a composite rice hull and sawdust board

Rice hull–sawdust composite boards were manufactured for sound-absorbing boards in construction. The manufacturing parameters were target density (400, 500, 600, and 700?kg/m³) and rice hull content as percent weight of rice hull/sawdust/phenol resin (10/80/10, 20/70/10, 30/60/10, and 40/50/10). Commercial gypsum board and fiberboard were also used as comparative sound-absorbing materials. The average modulus of rupture (MOR) of the board with a density of 700?kg/m³ and rice hull mixing ratio of 10% was 8.6?MPa, and that of the board with a 400?kg/m³ board density and a rice hull mixing ratio of 40% was 2.2?MPa. The MOR increased with increasing board density or decreasing rice hull mixing ratio. The sound absorption coefficients of some boards (400?kg/m³ and 10%, 500?kg/m³ and 30%, and 500?kg/m³ and 40%) were better than those of the commercial 11-mm-thick gypsum board. Thus, it is concluded that rice hull–sawdust composite boards may be implemented as sound-absorbing barriers in construction due to their high sound absorption coefficients.     

Port‐Orford‐cedar resistant to Phytophthora lateralis

Phytophthora lateralis, an exotic root pathogen, is the primary cause of Port‐Orford‐cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) mortality throughout its native range in southwest Oregon and northwest California. Most trees in the field are very susceptible, but genetic resistance to this pathogen has been demonstrated. Since the late 1980s, the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in cooperation with Oregon State University have conducted an intensive programme to identify and test resistant trees from the field, and propagate them in a seed orchard with the goal of providing resistant seedlings for regeneration. Susceptible families showed only 0–10% survival using a variety of inoculation techniques. Rooted cuttings of resistant parents are seldom killed, and seedling families of these parents exhibit 25–100% survival, depending on family and inoculation technique. Symptom development on resistant trees, including sunken lesions, and resinosis as well as reduced colonization and re‐isolation success, was consistent with a hypersensitive reaction. In a long‐term field test, five resistant families had 20–80% survival after 16 years, while three susceptible families had 0–8% survival in the same interval.     

Factors shaping genetic structure within populations ofEurya japonica (Theaceae)

Starch-gel electrophoresis was used to resolve nine polymorphic enzyme loci from leaf tissue collected from 20 Korean populations ofEurya japonica in order to determine differences in allele frequencies between male and female trees. In addition, 84 adults were sampled and mapped in a population located on Naenaro Island in Korea to examine spatial genetic structure using spatial autocorrelation analysis. Allele frequencies between males and females gave few contribution to the genetic structuring within populations. Only nine (5%) of 180 cases were significantly different from both sexes in allele frequencies. On the other hand, Moran'sI was significantly different from the expected value in 31 (23.5%) of 132 cases. In the shortest distance (0<5m),I was significantly positive in 10 (22.7%) of 44 cases. The results indicate that a significant small scale genetic structure was detected in the population and patch widths were inferred to be approximately 5–7 m. A nonrandom distribution of genotypes may be indicative of restricted gene flowvia seed and pollen dispersal, and patchy establishments of genetically distinct individuals. These factors are responsible for shaping population genetic structure ofE. japonica.     

Manufacture and properties of Miscanthus–wood particle composite boards

Miscanthus sacchariflorus straw was used as a raw material for the manufacture of Miscanthus–wood particle composite board with Douglas-fir particles in ratios of 100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, and 0/100. A commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin was used as a binder at 9 and 11 % for target densities of 0.50 and 0.65 g/cm³, respectively. The effects of the Miscanthus/wood particle ratio on the composite board properties were investigated. In addition, the density profile was also examined to improve the understanding of the composite board manufacturing process. Results indicate that the internal bonding value increased drastically in the board containing up to 50 % wood particles, providing a valuable parameter for subsequent research. The board properties were greatly improved with increasing density and binder addition level.