Effects of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone in adult male goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in male goats. Adult male goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h light photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH secretion were compared. In addition, plasma profiles of prolactin (PRL), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and testosterone (T) were also examined to characterize GH secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There was no significant difference in pulse frequency between the 8‐h and 16‐h photoperiods. However, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The GH‐releasing response to GH releasing hormone was greater in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). Plasma PRL and IGF‐I levels were higher in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma T levels were lower in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). These results show that a long light photoperiod enhances the secretion of GH as well as PRL and IGF‐I, but reduces plasma T concentrations in male goats.     

Influences of anthropogenic disturbances on the dynamics of white birch (Betula platyphylla) forests at the southern boundary of the Mongolian forest-steppe

We investigated the effects of disturbances on the dynamics of white birch-dominated forests at the southern boundary of the Mongolian forest-steppe. Dendroecological techniques were used to assess regeneration patterns and recent mortality trends in three stands with no evidence of recent anthropogenic disturbance (undisturbed) and four stands with evidence of cutting or fire (disturbed). In the undisturbed stands, only one distinct stem establishment was observed in the period between 1910 and 1950, and no establishment has been observed since then. In the disturbed stands, however, high establishment mainly by sprouting was observed in the period between 1960 and 1980. Percentages of standing dead stems were higher in the undisturbed stands than in the disturbed stands. Mean ages at death in the undisturbed stands were ≥70 years old. The high mortality was likely induced by the death of smaller stems due to light competition, whereas the mortality of larger stems was likely the result of tree senescence. In summary, the undisturbed stands seem to be in danger of decline due to a lack of regeneration during the last half of the previous century and recent high mortality rates of older stems, while the disturbed stands may be maintained for the next several decades by the younger cohort established between 1960 and 1980. White birch-dominated forests at the southern boundary of Mongolian forest-steppe have probably relied on relatively short disturbance intervals in the past because of the disturbance-dependent regeneration trait and relatively short longevity of Betula species.     

Artificial neural network modeling for predicting final moisture content of individual Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) samples during air-drying

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) lumber is known to have a large variability in final moisture content (MC_f) and is difficult to dry. This study assessed the capability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the MC_f of individual wood samples. An ANN model was developed based on initial moisture content, basic density, annual ring orientation, annual ring width, heartwood ratio and lightness (L ^* in the CIE L ^* a ^* b ^* system). The performance of the ANN model was compared with a principal component regression (PCR) model. The ANN model showed good agreement with the experimentally measured MC_f with a higher correlation coefficient (r) and a lower root mean square error (RMSE) than the PCR model, demonstrating the importance of nonlinearity of the variables and the higher capability of the ANN model than the PCR model. By adding redness (a ^* ) and yellowness (b ^* ) and drying time to the input variables of ANNs, r and RMSE values were improved to 0.98 and 1.2 % for the training data set, and 0.85 and 2.2 % for the testing data set, respectively. Although the developed ANNs are available under the limited conditions of this study, our results suggest that the ANNs proposed offer reliable models and powerful prediction capability for the MC_f, even though wood properties vary considerably and their complex interrelations are not fully elucidated.     

The α2A‐adrenoceptor subtype plays a key role in the analgesic and sedative effects of xylazine

Xylazine, the classical α₂‐adrenoceptor (α₂‐AR) agonist, is still used as an analgesic and sedative in veterinary medicine, despite its low potency and affinity for α₂‐ARs. Previous pharmacological studies suggested that the α_2A‐AR subtype plays a role in mediating the clinical effects of xylazine; however, these studies were hampered by the poor subtype‐selectivity of the antagonists used and a lack of knowledge of their bioavailability in vivo. Here, we attempted to elucidate the role of the α_2A‐AR subtype in mediating the clinical effects of xylazine by comparing the analgesic and sedative effects of this drug in wild‐type mice with those in α_2A‐AR functional knockout mice using the hot‐plate and open field tests, respectively. Hippocampal noradrenaline turnover in both mice was also measured to evaluate the contribution of α_2A‐AR subtype to the inhibitory effect of xylazine on presynaptic noradrenaline release. In wild‐type mice, xylazine (10 or 30 mg/kg) increased the hot‐plate latency. Furthermore, xylazine (3 or 10 mg/kg) inhibited the open field locomotor activity and decreased hippocampal noradrenaline turnover. By contrast, all of these effects were abolished in α_2A‐AR functional knockout mice. These results indicate that the α_2A‐AR subtype is mainly responsible for the clinical effects of xylazine.     

Invertebrate drift densities in the Njoro and Kamweti Rivers in the Kenyan highlands that differ in the level of anthropogenic disturbances

Invertebrate drift is one of several fundamental ecological processes in streams. However, little is known about the dynamics of invertebrate drift in Kenyan streams. In this study, we assessed invertebrate drift in two rivers, i.e. Njoro and Kamweti, that differ in the level of anthropogenic disturbances, between February and March, 2016. The aim was to evaluate the effect of river sampling duration (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min) and sampling period (day or night) on invertebrate drift densities. The 5-minute sampling period resulted in significantly higher mean drift densities than the other time intervals in both rivers. The highest mean drift density (2.0 ± 0.9 individuals m^?3) was recorded at the Njoro River during the day, whereas the lowest drift density (0.3 ± 0.2 individuals m^?3) was recorded at the Kamweti River during the day. A strong nocturnal drift pattern was noted at the less disturbed river (Kamweti). The present results suggest that anthropogenic perturbations influence invertebrate drift densities, and sampling duration and sampling period are important factors to consider when sampling invertebrate drift.     

中国蜜蜂资源及自然地理区划研究

系统地论述了中国蜜蜂资源的种类、分布、区系的组成, 区系特征和自然地理区划等方面的内容, 为进一步开发利用蜜蜂资源提供科学依据．     

中国喜马拉雅地区的主要蜜源植物研究

 系统介绍了中国喜马拉雅地区,包括西藏南部和东部、四川西南部、云南西部的蜜源植物资源概况,主要蜜、粉源植物118种的开花期和利用价值,为这一地区发展养蜂业,振兴山区经济,促进农、林业持续发展提供科学依据。