Age-related changes in leukocytes and T cell subsets in peripheral blood of Japanese Black cattle

It is well known that the immune system changes with age during development and maturation in Holstein cattle. But age-related changes in leukocytes and T cell subsets in peripheral blood of Japanese Black cattle still remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate comparative changes of leukocytes (granulocytes, monocytes, B cells and T cells) and T cell subsets (CD4⁺, CD8⁺, γδ, CD8⁺γδ and WC1⁺γδ T cells) in Japanese Black cattle aged 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 18 and 36–41 (adult) months on flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies for the cell surface markers. T cell proportion was approximately 40% in 2-month-old cattle and decreased to 20.6% in adults. In contrast, B cell proportion significantly increased from 7.4% to 28.2% with age. In T cell subsets the percentage of CD4⁺ T cells significantly increased from 40.5% to 60%, but that of WC1⁺γδ T cell subset significantly decreased with age. The percentages of CD8⁺ and CD8⁺γδ T cells did not change. The present study details the proportional changes in leukocyte and T cell subsets with age in the peripheral blood of Japanese Black cattle and these findings are similar to those described for Holstein cattle.     

Isophorone‐induced light‐independent lipid peroxidation and loss of cell membrane integrity

Isophorone (3,5,5‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one) is a plant‐derived volatile compound with strong phytotoxic activity. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of isophorone, and to this end, the effects of isophorone on shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, and lipid peroxidation of Lactuca sativa L. and photosynthetic electron transport activity in chloroplast isolated from Spinacia oleracea L. were investigated. Isophorone induced light‐independent decreases in shoot fresh weight and light‐dependent chlorosis. In addition, increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation occurred under light conditions. However, the inhibitory activity on photosynthetic electron transport was unexpectedly low, and electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation were induced even under dark conditions. These results suggest that the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport is not the main mechanism of action of isophorone and that the phytotoxic effects are mainly due to light‐independent oxidative damage and subsequent loss of cell membrane integrity.     

A sesquiterpene quinone, 5-Epi-smenospongine, promotes TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Eight sesquiterpene quinones: ilimaquinone (1), smenospongidine (3), smenospongiarine (5), smenospongine (7), and their corresponding 5-epimers 2, 4, 6, and 8, isolated from the Palauan marine sponge Hippospongia sp., were examined regarding their effects on TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. 5-Epi-smenospongine (8) promoted the production of TNF-α to a level three times greater than the control at 10 μM, but compounds 1–7 did not show apparent activity. The results suggest that the cis-decaline ring and a primary amine in the benzoquinone ring are necessary for activity. This is the first study to report the modulation of TNF-α production by a sesquiterpene quinone.     

The Importance of Sr Isotopic Compositions as an Indicator of Acid-Soluble Minerals in Arid Soils in China

Aeolian particles originating from arid areas in China, termed Kosa, are considered to be a major source of non-sea-salt Ca, a dominant base cation, in acid precipitation in northeastern Asia. We extracted evaporite minerals (halite, gypsum, and carbonate) from the surface soil collected at eight desert and loess areas in northern China with water and acetic acid. Most ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the extracted fractions fell in a restricted range (0.7115 ± 0.0015) and differed from those of bulk soils and acid-insoluble minerals (0.712–0.717). The selective dissolution of the soil carbonates in the atmosphere is consistent with two facts: (1) their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are close to the maximum ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of spring precipitation in Japan, when Kosa activity is marked; and (2) their mole ratios of Mg/Ca (0.15) and Sr/Ca (0.001) are almost identical to those of precipitation in China and Japan when Kosa activity is marked. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, Mg/Ca, and Sr/Ca ratios in the acid-soluble components can be used as indexes of Kosa aerosols in the precipitation of the northwestern Pacific.     

Intrinsic Biodegradation of Heavy Oil from Nakhodka and the Effect of Exogenous Fertilization at a Coastal Area of the Sea of Japan

We performed a field experiment in thebiodegradation of heavy oil spilled from the Russian tankerNakhodka on a beach in the Sea of Japan. We collectedoil-contaminated cobbles and treated half with nitrogen andphosphorus slow-release fertilizers to stimulate microbialdegradation of the oil; the other half acted as unfertilizedcontrols. The cobbles were placed in porous acrylic vessels andsubmerged. We monitored changes in the oils, macronutrients,microbial community structure and amount of chlorophyll a. There were no significant differences in these criteriabetween the fertilized and unfertilized vessels, apart from anincrease in chlorophyll a in the fertilized vessels.However, there was a major intrinsic degradation of semi-volatile oil compounds in the unfertilized vessels; this occurred at a rate similar to that in the fertilized vessels, despite the low concentration of macronutrients in the seawater at the site.     

Serum concentration and safety of intravenous drip versus subcutaneous administration of carboplatin in dogs

Carboplatin is used to treat certain cancers in dogs and cats and is routinely administered via intravenous drip (IVD). Subcutaneous (SC) administration has also been described. However, the toxicity, serum concentrations, and area under blood concentration-time curves (AUCs) of SC carboplatin are unknown. This study aimed to compare serum carboplatin concentrations in dogs after SC and IVD and to monitor any adverse events. In this crossover study, five dogs received SC or IV carboplatin (300 mg/m²). After a minimum of 3 weeks, each dog received the other treatment. No gross skin toxicity or abnormal clinical signs were observed in any of the dogs. Blood test abnormalities were detected in most dogs. Decreased neutrophil and platelet counts, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were found. There was no significant difference in the neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and CRP scores between the groups. Systemic toxicities of SC carboplatin were comparable to those of IVD carboplatin. The time to maximum carboplatin concentration after SC was longer than that after IVD (P<0.001). SC carboplatin remained in the serum longer than IVD carboplatin (P=0.008). The AUC of SC was less than that of IVD (P=0.002). The AUC and time taken to reach the maximum concentration of SC carboplatin were lower than those of IVD carboplatin. This study suggests that SC carboplatin may be an efficacious option for the treatment of tumors in dogs, particularly where IVD administration is challenging.     

苇状羊茅和箭筈豌豆混合青贮发酵品质的研究

为探讨西藏地区苇状羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)与箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)不同比例混合青贮对其发酵品质的影响,筛选出适宜的混合配比。试验设苇状羊茅(CK)、85%苇状羊茅+15%箭筈豌豆(C15)、70%苇状羊茅+30%箭筈豌豆(C30)及55%苇状羊茅+45%箭筈豌豆(C45)4个处理。青贮后第7,24,45和60d开窖取样,测定青贮饲料发酵品质。结果表明:随着箭筈豌豆比例的增加,各处理组乳酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量显著下降(P0.05),pH和氨态氮含量显著上升(P0.05)。在青贮后期,C45组pH(4.72)和氨态氮/总氮(96.19g·kg-1)显著高于其他各组(P0.05),干物质、乳酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量显著低于其他各处理组(P0.05),而粗蛋白含量与C30组无显著差异。在整个发酵过程中,各组的丙酸和丁酸含量较低。从发酵品质和箭筈豌豆利用率的角度出发,建议以70%苇状羊茅与30%箭筈豌豆混合青贮较为适宜。     

添加糖蜜对青稞秸秆和多年生黑麦草混合青贮发酵品质及营养价值的影响

试验在青稞秸秆与多年生黑麦草以6∶4混合的基础上,添加3%,4%和5%的糖蜜,旨在进一步改善混合青贮发酵品质和营养价值,为西藏地区青稞秸秆青贮利用提供理论依据。结果显示,青贮前14天,糖蜜添加组乳酸含量快速增加,pH值迅速下降。对照组pH值未能降至4.2以下,而糖蜜添加组均在4.0左右,乳酸、水溶性碳水化合物含量和乳酸/乙酸显著高于(P<0.05)对照组,氨态氮/总氮均低于对照组,且添加3%糖蜜已达到优质青贮饲料标准。青贮第60天糖蜜添加组有较高的粗蛋白含量,较低的中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量,各组体外降解率均高于青贮材料。综合考虑,在青稞秸秆和黑麦草以6∶4混合的基础上添加3%的糖蜜可获得优质青贮饲料。