Effect of dietary omega 3 phosphatidylcholine on obesity-related disorders in obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats

Recent reports have shown that dietary phosphatidylcholine (PC) has various beneficial biological effects. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega3 PUFAs) have also been reported to have lipid-lowering effects in animal models and human studies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of omega3 PUFAs containing PC (omega3-PC) on obesity-related disorders in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats. Rats were fed semisynthetic diets that contained either 5% corn oil and 2% egg-PC or 5% corn oil and 2% omega3-PC for 4 weeks. During this 4 week feeding of the omega3-PC, the OLEFT rats showed a decrease of omental white adipose tissue weight. In addition, the omega3-PC diet significantly decreased liver weight and hepatic lipid levels in OLETF rats. These changes were attributable to the significant suppression of fatty acid synthase activity and significant enhancement in the activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase and peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Moreover, the omega3-PC diet reduced serum glucose levels concomitant with the increase of serum adiponectin levels. These results show that compared with egg-PC, omega3-PC can prevent or alleviate obesity-related disorders through the suppression of fatty acid synthesis, enhancement of fatty acid beta-oxidation, and increase of the serum adiponectin level in OLETF rats.     

Empirical Growth Curve Estimation Using Sigmoid Sub-functions that Adjust Seasonal Compensatory Growth for Male Body Weight of Thoroughbred Horses

Thoroughbred horses are seasonal mating animals, raised in northern regions or countries. Foals born yearly in spring generally show a typical seasonal compensatory growth pattern, in which their growth rate declines in the first winter and increases in the next spring. In this study, a new empirical adjustment approach is proposed to adjust for this compensatory growth when growth curve equations are estimated, by using 1,633 male body weights of Thoroughbreds as an illustrating example. Based on general Richards growth curve equation, a new growth curve equation was developed and fit to the weight-age data. The new growth curve equation had a sigmoid sub-function that can adjust the compensatory growth, combined with the Richards biological parameter responsible for the maturity of animals. The unknown parameters included in the equations were estimated by SAS NLMIXED procedure. The goodness of fit was examined by using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC). The AIC values decreased from 13,053 (general Richards equation) to 12,794 (the newly developed equation), indicating the better fit of the new equation to the weight-age data. The shape of the growth curve was improved during the period of compensatory growth. The proposed method is one of the useful approaches for adjusting seasonal compensatory growth in growth curve estimations for Thoroughbreds, and for their management during the compensatory period. Based on this approach, the optimal growth curve equations can be estimated also for female body weight of Thoroughbreds or other growth traits affected by seasonal compensatory growth.     

Cardiac ganglioneuroma in a juvenile pig

A cardiac mass (3 × 5 × 3 cm) was detected at the base between the right auricular wall and right vena cava of a slaughtered 6-month-old female mixed-breed pig during a meat inspection. The tumor comprised infiltrative prominent interweaving fascicles of Schwann cells with Verocay bodies. Moreover, the ganglion cells were scattered or aggregated throughout the neoplastic tissue. The ganglion and Schwann cells had neither cellular atypism nor mitosis. On the basis of the bearing site as well as the morphological and immunohistochemical features, this is the first case of a cardiac ganglioneuroma in a pig.     

Discrimination between Japanese and Chinese Products using trace elements concentration of kernel in pickled Japanese apricot

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In order to understand the influences of nitrogen and silicate fertilizer application on anther length and percentage of the sterility of the rice plant, we investigated by field experiment in Hokkaido Kamikawa Agric. Exp. Stn. (Brown Lowland soil) and by air-conditioned room experiment.
  The results are summarized as follows.
1) Application of silicate fertilizer decreased percentage of sterility. Compared with basal application, topdressing of silicate fertilizer was more effective in increasing carbohydrate content and anther length, decreasing percentage of sterility.
2) The anther length was negatively correlated to percentage of sterility and was positively correlated to carbohydrate content in the rice plant. Similar regression curves were plotted between the field experiment and the air-conditioned room experiment.
3) Silicate content in rice plants was increased at the flag leaf stage by applying both basal and topdressing silicate fertilizer. Furthermore, silicate content was correlated to carbohydrate content. Nitrogen content was negatively correlated to carbohydrate content.
4) Protein content in polished rice was decreased by silicate fertilizer application.     

Predicting of molecules mediating an interaction between bovine embryos and uterine epithelial cells

Embryo-maternal reproductive tract interactions are pivotal for successful pregnancy. The present study predicted the molecules modulating embryo-uterine communication by comparing two sets of differentially expressed genes (DEGs): DEGs in uterine epithelial cells (UECs) collected from the uterus with and without blastocysts and DEGs between blastocysts developed in vivo and in vitro. Cows were subjected to super ovulation (SOV), followed by insemination or non-insemination at estrus (SOV + AI and SOV cows). Seven days after estrus, the uterus was flushed to collect UECs, and the presence of blastocysts in the uterus was confirmed. UECs were subjected to RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) to identify DEGs. Publicly available RNA-Seq data of in vivo and in vitro developed bovine blastocysts were used to determine DEGs. Then, using ingenuity pathway analysis, activated- and inhibited-upstream regulators (USRs) for UECs in blastocysts were compared with those for blastocysts developed in vivo. RNA-Seq of UECs revealed that the DEGs were associated with immune response and cell adhesion pathways. The activated and inhibited USRs of UECs derived from SOV+ AI cows overlapped with the activated and inhibited USRs of blastocysts developed in vivo. Overlapping activated USRs include leukemia inhibitory factor, interleukin 6, fibroblast growth factor-2, transforming growth factor beta-1, and epidermal growth factor. In conclusion, the present study predicted the molecules that potentially mediate communication between the developing embryo and the uterus in vivo and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.     

Effects of Carboxymethylcelluloses （CMC） on Some Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Soil

The property of hydrophilic polymers capable absorbing huge volumes of water led to many practical applications of these new materials in arid regions for improving the water retention in sandy soils. Effects of four carboxymethylcelluloses (CMC), mixed at various rates with the sandy soil, on the water-holding capacity and hydraulic conductivity (KS ) when leached with distilled water (simulating rain), tap water, and saline water were evaluated. The maximum water absorption of CMCs ranged between 80 and 100 kg ? kg-1 of polymer; however, the absorbent swelling capacity decreased significantly with increasing the salt concentration in the solution. The water absorption capacity of CMCs decreased significantly when incorporated in the sandy soil compared to that of the absorbent alone. Application of CMC increased significantly the available water content up to 3 ± 0.5 times. All soils treated with CMCs showed a significant lower in KS compared to the control soil. Meanwhile, KS was found increased with increasing the salt concentration in the leaching solution. This understanding of characteristics of the absorbents and the interactions among absorbents, soil, and irrigation water quality would be of help in water management of sandy soil.     

Roles of raccoons in the transmission cycle of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus

The present study investigated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) infection in raccoons in Wakayama Prefecture from 2007 to 2019. To perform surveillance, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established, and the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were 100% in comparison with a 50% focus-reduction neutralization assay. Using the established ELISA, we performed serosurveillance of SFTSV infection in 2,299 raccoons in Tanabe region, Wakayama Prefecture from 2007 to 2019. The first anti-SFTSV-positive raccoon was captured in October 2009. The seroprevalence of SFTSV infection was <10% between April 2009 and March 2013, 23.9% between April 2013 and March 2014, 37.5% between April, 2014 and March 2015, and over 50% from April 2015. Next, we performed detection of SFTSV genes in sera of raccoons captured in Wakayama Prefecture after April 2013. The results indicated that 2.4% of raccoons were positive for SFTSV genes and that the frequency of SFTSV infection among raccoons between January and March (0.7%) was lower than that between April and June (3.4%). In addition, virus genes were detected from many specimens, including sera and feces of two raccoons, and viral antigens were detected in lymphoid cells in lymphoid follicles in the colon by immunohistochemical staining. In conclusion, SFTSV had recently invaded the area and had rapidly spread among wild animals. The first patient in this area was reported in June 2014, indicating that raccoons are good sentinels for assessing the risk of SFTSV in humans.