Oral administration of peptidergic growth hormone (GH) secretagogue KP102 stimulates GH release in goats

To assess the oral activity of KP102 (also known GHRP-2) on growth hormone (GH) release in ruminant animals, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of KP102 dissolved in saline was orally administered twice at 2 hr-intervals to either 1- or 3-mo-old goats (n = 5-6). Plasma GH concentrations in the 1-mo-old goats were elevated at 15 min after the first administration of both 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102. Significant elevation of GH concentrations continued until 180 min after 10 mg/kg BW of KP102, whereas the elevated GH levels after the administrations of 5 mg/kg BW of KP102 subsided to basal concentrations within 90 min. The second administration of 10 mg/kg BW of KP102 failed to elevate the GH concentration, but 5 mg/kg BW of KP102 abruptly stimulated GH release. Plasma GH concentrations in the 3-mo-old goats were also significantly elevated after the administration of both 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102. The plasma GH responses to 5 and 10 mg/kg BW of KP102 were almost identical. The elevated GH levels after the first administration of KP102 tended to be maintained throughout the experiment, and a transient increase in plasma GH levels was observed after the second administration. However, the stimulatory effect of KP102 on GH release in the 3-mo-old goats was small and less abrupt than that in the 1-mo-old goats. The concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I were not increased by KP102 during the brief sampling periods used in this experiment. These results show that the oral administration of the peptidergic GH secretogogue KP102 stimulates GH release in a ruminant species, and that the oral activity of KP102 on GH release is modified by the age.     

Fecal and urinary lignans, intrafollicular estradiol, and endometrial receptors in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with hydrogenated animal fat, flaxseed or sunflower seed

We hypothesized that the inclusion of flaxseed in the diets of lactating dairy cows will increase urinary and fecal concentrations of the lignans, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), enterolactone and enterodiol, reduce intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I and estradiol, and subsequently reduce estradiol and oxytocin receptor expression in the endometrium. To test this hypothesis, 27 cycling, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 3 diets supplemented with saturated fatty acids (SAT), flax (FLX), or sunflower (SUN) seed. Rations were formulated to provide 750 g supplemental fat/cow/d in all dietary groups. Ovulation (Day 0) was synchronized, and 5 d later, follicles>8 mm were ablated by an ultrasound-guided procedure in all cows. Samples of blood (Days 0 to 14), follicular fluid (Day 5 and 15), endometrium (Day 15), as well as urine and feces were collected in a subset of the animals. The fecal concentrations of SDG and enterodiol were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX than in those fed SAT or SUN. Enterodiol increased (P<0.05) in urine samples of cows fed FLX, compared to those of cows fed SUN. However, follicular estradiol concentrations on Day 5 and 15 and endometrial concentrations of estradiol and oxytocin receptors on Day 15 did not differ among the dietary groups. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX and SUN than in those fed SAT. In summary, a diet supplemented with flaxseed increased the concentrations of SDG and enterodiol in feces, as hypothesized, but did not alter intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I or estradiol, or endometrial populations of oxytocin or estrogen receptors in lactating dairy cows.     

Effect of total mixed ration silage containing agricultural by-products with the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria on rumen fermentation and nitrogen balance in ewes

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) on the quality of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing agricultural by-products, its digestibility, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen balance in ewes. TMR was prepared from rice straw, corn stover silage, brewer grain, tofu waste, steam-flaked corn, and a mineral mixture. The treatments consisted of silage additives added to TMR: CON (no silage additive), FJLB, COM (commercial additive), and MIX (FJLB + COM). Four cannulated ewes were assigned to the 4 × 4 Latin square design. The MIX treatment produced a lower (P < 0.01) pH than did the CON and FJLB treatments and a higher (P < 0.01) lactic acid concentration than did the other treatments. The fiber content in the COM treatment was lower (P < 0.05) than that in the other treatments. The FJLB treatment had similar fermentation quality and chemical composition to those of the CON and COM treatments in all parameters observed. Although the silage quality index (Fleig point) was higher in the MIX and COM treatments than in the CON treatment, all silages had good quality. No silage additives affected intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, or nitrogen balance. In conclusion, the TMR silage prepared from agricultural by-products mixed with wet-type food by-products with or without FJLB added resulted in well-preserved fermentation, and this product might be used as a ruminant feed.

     

Sandwich panel of veneer-overlaid low-density fiberboard

Low-density sandwich panels of veneer-overlaid fiberboards of 12 mm thickness for structural use were manufactured at densities of 0.3–0.5g/cm³ using an isocyanate compound resin adhesive and steam injection pressing method. The effects of board density, veneer thickness, and resin content on the fundamental properties of sandwich panels were examined, with the following results: (1) The dry moduli of rupture and elasticity in the parallel direction of sandwich panels with thicker veneers were superior. The dry moduli of rupture and elasticity in the parallel direction of sandwich panels with 2.0 mm thick veneer at densities of 0.4–0.5 g/cm³ were 40–60 MPa, and 5–8 GPa, which were two and four times as much as those of homogeneous fiberboards, respectively. (2) The higher-density panels exhibited tensile failure at the bottom veneer surface during static dry bending in a parallel direction, whereas lower-density panels experienced horizontal shear failure in the core. (3) The dimensional stability of sandwich panels had good dimensional stability, with negligible springback after accelerated weathering conditions. (4) The thermal insulation properties of sandwich panels were found to be much superior to other commercial structural wood composite panels.Part of this report was presented at the 47th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kouchi, April 1997     

Improvement mechanism of bondability in UF-bonded reed and wheat straw boards by silane coupling agent and extraction treatments

The effects of silane coupling agents and extractives on the wettability of reed and wheat straws were investigated. The inherent wettability of these materials was low but could be significantly improved by treating with silane coupling agents. The degree of improvement achieved by each silane coupling agent was different: Vinyl silane had almost no effect on wettability, epoxide silane was found to be more effective for reed straw, and amino silane was better for wheat straw. The wettability of these materials could also be improved by ethanol-benzene extraction, which resulted in more improvement in wheat straw than reed straw. The analyses of untreated reed and wheat straws by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) revealed that there was much silicon on both the outer and inner surfaces of the former but only on the outer surface of the latter. The influence of hot-water extractives and silane coupling agents on the gelation time and pH of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin was also examined. The addition of extractives was found to increase the gelation time. Amino silane greatly retarded the gelation of OF resin, whereas epoxide and vinyl silanes had no influence on resin gelation. This retardation was found to be due to an increase in the pH of the resin.     

Ferromagnetism in LaFeO3-LaCrO3 superlattices

Ferromagnetic spin order has been realized in the LaCrO3-LaFeO3 superlattices. Ferromagnetic coupling between Fe3+ and Cr3+ through oxygen has long been expected on the basis of Anderson, Goodenough, and Kanamori rules. Despite many studies of Fe-O-Cr-based compounds, random positioning of Fe3+ and Cr3+ ions has frustrated the observation of ferromagnetic properties. By creating artificial superlattices of Fe3+ and Cr3+ layer along the [111] direction, ferromagnetic ordering has been achieved.     

Aphanomyces astaci presence in Japan: a threat to the endemic and endangered crayfish species Cambaroides japonicus?

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A transdisciplinary research of coastal fisheries co-management: the case of the hairtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus japonicus</Emphasis> trolling line fishery around the Bungo Channel,Japan

Under the coastal fisheries co-management regime in Japan, local fishers play important roles in deciding on and implementing local management measures. Therefore, using the case study of a hairtail trolling line fishery, we conducted a transdisciplinary research with fishers, processors, government officers, etc. Taking social and biological factors into account, we defined management criteria and targets (resource, economic, human community, and local food culture) in collaboration with local fishers. We chartered local fishing vessels to determine parameters that were easily understood by local fishers. We established a local consultative committee comprising fishers, processors, and distributors, and developed a fish distribution strategy to nurture the local hairtail food culture. The integrated effects of various management scenarios were evaluated by the operating model. We found that co-ordinated management by both the trolling line fishery and purse seiners in the neighbouring prefecture was required to achieve targets. Two realistic scenarios are recommended: a conservative scenario that could achieve targets even with few strong year classes, and an adaptive scenario that protects strong year classes, but relies on a higher frequency of these. We shared these results with the local fishers and government officers, which led to actual improvements in management measures.     

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