TRIPLE‐PHASE HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN DOGS WITH HEPATIC MASSES

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of triple‐phase helical computed tomography (CT) for differentiating canine hepatic masses. Seventy dogs with hepatic masses underwent triple‐phase CT followed by surgical removal of the hepatic masses. Triple‐phase helical CT scans for each dog included precontrast, arterial phase, portal venous phase, and delayed phase studies. The removed hepatic masses were histopathologically classified as hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 47), nodular hyperplasia (n = 14), and hepatic metastatic tumors (n = 9) in dogs. Of the 47 hepatocellular carcinomas, the most common CT findings included a heterogeneous pattern with hyper‐, iso‐, and hypoenhancement in both the arterial and portal venous phases (40/47, 85.1%). Of the 14 nodular hyperplasias, the most common CT findings were a homogeneous pattern with hyper‐ and isoenhancement in both the portal venous and delayed phases (13/14, 92.9%). Of nine hepatic metastatic tumors, the most common CT findings included a homogeneous hypoenhancement pattern in both the arterial and portal venous phases (8/9, 88.9%). In addition, 5 (55.6%) showed homogeneous hypoenhancement patterns in the delayed phase. Findings from our study indicated that triple‐phase CT is a useful tool for preoperative differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma, nodular hyperplasia, and hepatic metastatic tumors in dogs.     

Effects of a breeding scheme combined by genomic pre‐selection and progeny testing on annual genetic gain in a dairy cattle population

The effectiveness of the incorporation of genomic pre‐selection into dairy cattle progeny testing (GS‐PT) was compared with that of progeny testing (PT) where the fraction of dam to breed bull (DB) selected was 0.01. When the fraction of sires to breed bulls (SB) selected without being progeny tested to produce young bulls (YB) in the next generation was 0.2, the annual genetic gain from GS‐PT was 13% to 43% greater when h² = 0.3 and 16% to 53% greater when h² = 0.1 compared with that from PT. Given h² = 0.3, a selection accuracy of 0.8 for both YB and DB, and selected fractions of 0.117 for YB and 0.04 for DB, GS‐PT produced 40% to 43% greater annual genetic gain than PT. Given h² = 0.1, a selection accuracy of 0.6 for both YB and DB, and selected fractions of 0.117 for YB and 0.04 for DB, annual genetic gain from GS‐PT was 48% to 53% greater than that from PT. When h² = 0.3, progeny testing capacity had little effect on annual genetic gain from GS‐PT. However, when h² = 0.1, annual genetic gain from GS‐PT increased with increasing progeny testing capacity.     

Oxidative stability of salmon and herring roe lipids and their dietary effect on plasma cholesterol levels of rats

ABSTRACT:   The oxidative stability of lipids from salmon roe and herring roe was compared with those of commercial fish oils originated from sardine and tuna. Both fish roe lipids contained high amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Total EPA and DHA was more than 35% of total fatty acids in both roe lipids. On the basis of oxygen consumption, fish roe lipids showed the higher oxidative stability than both fish oils. This tendency in oxidative stabilities was also confirmed by the determination of propanal formation during oxidation. Analyses of lipid compositions suggested that the higher oxidative stabilities of fish roe lipids would be mainly due to the presence of phospholipids in them. Dietary effects of salmon and herring roe lipids were also determined. Little increase in total cholesterol level was observed in plasma lipids in rats fed salmon and herring roe lipids, although cholesterol content in fish roe lipids were 6.3% and 9.7% of total lipids for salmon roe and herring roe.     

Kinetic analysis of color changes in keyaki (Zelkova serrata) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) wood during heat treatment

The kinetics of color changes in keyaki (Zelkova serrata Makino) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood during heat treatment were examined. The color of wood specimens treated at 90, 120, 150, and 180 °C was measured by an imaging spectrophotometer and expressed using CIELAB color parameters. At any treatment temperature, values for L* and $ \Updelta E_{ab}^{*} $ decreased and increased in both wood species, respectively, with increased treatment time. Changes in a* and b* varied depending on wood species and treatment temperature. The color changes were successfully analyzed using the kinetic approach applying time–temperature superposition method. This approach elucidated and accurately predicted color changes during heat treatment.     

Investigation of a new natural particleboard adhesive composed of tannin and sucrose

In the face of dwindling fossil fuel resources and the environmental imperative to reduce emissions associated with petrochemistry, there is strong demand for a wood composite bonding procedure using natural alternatives. In this study, particleboards were manufactured with a new material adhesive composed of tannin and sucrose, and hot-pressed at 200 °C for 10 min, to a target density of 0.8 g/cm³. We found optimal values for the mat moisture content, the ratio of tannin to sucrose and the resin content of 3–6 wt%, 25/75 and 30–40 wt%, respectively. When the particleboards were manufactured under these optimum conditions, the modulus of rupture and the modulus of elasticity were in the range of 19.6–21.2 MPa and 4.6–5.0 GPa, respectively. The internal bond strength was in the range of 1.1–1.3 MPa. Based on these results, the mechanical properties of particleboard bonded with tannin and sucrose were higher than the requirements of the JIS A 5908 type 18 standard (2003). In the thickness swelling test (TS), the value was in the range of 20–23 %; as the ratio of sucrose and resin content increased, the TS value decreased. The reaction mechanism between tannin and sucrose was studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the dimethylene ether bridges were observed. Consequently, it is possible that a tannin and sucrose mixture can be used as a natural adhesive for particleboard.     

Challenges of breeding potato cultivars to grow in various environments and to meet different demands

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is cultivated all year round in Japan by using four types of cropping: summer and winter croppings, and double cropping in spring and fall. In each cropping season, growth conditions such as temperature, day length, and growing period, differ drastically; thus, different cultivars adapted to each environment are required. Breeding stations are located in both summer cropping areas and double cropping areas, and cultivars suitable for each cropping system are developed. The required cultivars differ according to cropping type and according to use such as table use, food processing, and starch production. The qualities necessary for each purpose differ and are therefore evaluated accordingly. Improvements in pest and disease resistance and in yield abilities are important as common breeding targets for all purposes. To develop potato cultivars that meet different needs, breeders have continued efforts to improve these traits. In this review, we introduce our approaches to developing new potato cultivars. We also discuss problems predicted in the future and introduce our efforts on broadening genetic diversity.     

Quantitative trait loci for rice blast resistance detected in a local rice breeding population by genome-wide association mapping

Plant breeding programs aim to develop cultivars with high adaptability to the specific conditions in a local region. As a result, unique genes and gene combinations have been accumulated in local elite breeding populations during the long history of plant breeding. Genetic analyses on such genes and combinations may be useful for developing new cultivars with more-desirable agronomic traits. Here, we attempted to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for rice blast resistance (BR) using a local breeding rice population from Hokkaido, Japan. Using genotyping data on single nucleotide polymorphisms and simple sequence repeat markers distributed throughout the whole genomic region, we detected genetic regions associated with phenotypic variation in BR by a genome-wide association mapping study (GWAS). An additional association analysis using other breeding cultivars verified the effect and inheritance of the associated region. Furthermore, the existence of a gene for BR in the associated region was confirmed by QTL mapping. The results from these studies enabled us to estimate potential of the Hokkaido rice population as a gene pool for improving BR. The results of this study could be useful for developing novel cultivars with vigorous BR in rice breeding programs.