Quantitative structure—activity relationships of light-dependent herbicidal 4-pyridone-3-carboxanilides I. Effect of benzene ring substituents at the anilide moiety

A number of substituted 4-pyridone-3-carboxanilide derivatives show various degrees of light-dependent herbicidal activity. The effects of substituents at the anilide moiety on the activity against Echinochloa oryzicola were analysed quantitatively with physicochemical substituent parameters. The activity was shown to vary parabolically with total hydrophobicity (Σπ) of the anilide ring substituents as well as with the steric parameter (E_s) of the ortho-substituents. The E_s parameter for only the bulkier ortho-substituent, with the more negative value, but not for the two, was significant. The effect of substituents at the 1-position was expressible by indicator variables assigned to each 1-substituted series, the physicochemical rationalization being left for future analyses.     

Quantitative structure-activity relationships of light-dependent herbicidal 4-pyridone-3-carboxanilides III. 3-D (comparative molecular field) analysis including light-dependent diphenyl ether herbicides

Using a set of representative members selected from 4-pyridone-3-carboxanilides and ortho-chlorinated diphenyl ethers exhibiting light-dependent herbicidal activity, we examined the three-dimensional structure-activity relationships quantitatively. The most stable conformation of each compound, regarded as the ‘active conformation’, was determined by either semi-empirical or ab initio molecular orbital calculations. With a hypothesis defining a common substructural skeleton between the two different compound series. each molecule was superimposed. We first analysed the structure-activity relationship using an index for the substructure shape similarity according to the superimposed conformations. After finding the relevance of the hypothesis, we examined the three-dimensional structure-activity relationship using the comparative molecular field analysis procedure. The results suggested that the two different series of compounds have a common region of the receptor site. The variations in the light-dependent herbicidal potency were governed by hydrophobicty and three-dimensional steric and electronic field parameters of molecules participating in the transport process and the interaction with the receptor site. The result was consistent with that derived from our previous quantitative analysis with the use of free-energy-related substituent parameters and the traditional regression procedure for a large number of pyridone-carboxanilides.     

Anatomical variation of habitat‐related changes in scapular morphology

The mammalian forelimb is adapted to different functions including postural, locomotor, feeding, exploratory, grooming and defence. Comparative studies on morphology of the mammalian scapula have been performed in an attempt to establish the functional differences in the use of the forelimb. In this study, a total of 102 scapulae collected from 66 species of animals, representatives of all major taxa from rodents, sirenians, marsupials, pilosa, cetaceans, carnivores, ungulates, primates and apes, were analysed. Parameters measured included scapular length, width, position, thickness, area, angles and index. Structures included supraspinous and infraspinous fossae, scapular spine, glenoid cavity, acromium and coracoid processes. Images were taken using computed tomographic (CT) scanning technology (CT‐Aquarium, Toshiba and micro CT‐LaTheta, Hotachi, Japan), and measurement values were acquired and processed using Avizo computer software and CanvasTM 11 ACD systems. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results obtained showed that there were differences in morphological characteristics of scapula between mammals with arboreal locomotion and living in forest and mountainous areas and those with leaping and terrestrial locomotion living in open habitat or savannah. Differences were seen in the ratio of maximum length and maximum width, the orientation of scapular spine and the horizontal length of acromion and coracoid processes. The cause for the statistical grouping of the animals and the way the scapular shape covaries with habitat and to the type of locomotion and speed are discussed in detail.     

Partial characterization of phylogeny,ecology and function of the fibrolytic bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens OS14, newly isolated from the rumen of swamp buffalo

The fibrolytic rumen bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciensOS14 was isolated from swamp buffalo and its phylogenetic, ecological and digestive properties were partially characterized. Isolates from rumen contents of four swamp buffalo were screened for fibrolytic bacteria; one of the 40 isolates showed a distinctive feature of solubilizing cellulose powder in liquid culture and was identified as R. flavefaciens based on its 16S ribosomal DNA sequence. This isolate, OS14, was employed for detection and digestion studies, for which a quantitative PCR assay was developed and defined cultures were tested with representative forages in Thailand. OS14 was phylogenetically distant from other isolated and uncultured R. flavefaciens and showed limited distribution among Thai ruminants but was absent in Japanese cattle. OS14 digested rice straw and other tropical forage to a greater extent than the type strain C94 of R. flavefaciens. OS14 produced more lactate than C94, and digested para grass to produce propionate more extensively in co‐culture with lactate‐utilizing Selenomonas ruminantium S137 than a co‐culture of C94 with S137. These results indicate that phylogenetically distinct OS14 could digest Thai local forage more efficiently than the type strain, possibly forming a symbiotic cross‐feeding relationship with lactate‐utilizing bacteria. This strain might be useful for future animal and other industrial applications.     

Intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate capsule for estrus synchronization in goats

Estrus synchronization requires multiple treatments of hormonal drugs, requiring considerable time and cost. The aim of the present study was to develop an estrus synchronization protocol using intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) capsules in goats. Two types of capsules were prepared: an EB capsule that melted immediately after administration and a sustained-release (SR) EB capsule that dissolved slowly and reached a peak after 24 h. Goats with functional corpus lutea were intramuscularly treated with prostaglandin F_2α (PG). At 24 h after PG administration, goats were administered 1 mg of EB solution intramuscularly (PG + 24IM; n = 6) or 1 mg of EB capsule intravaginally (PG + 24EB; n = 6). The SR EB capsule was administered intravaginally at the time of PG administration (PG + SR; n = 6). The control group (n = 6) received only PG. All groups showed estrus within 72 h after PG administration. The onset of estrus did not differ significantly between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups but was earlier than in the control group. Estradiol concentration in the PG + SR group peaked at 11.5 ± 6.1 h after EB and PG administration. Peak estradiol concentrations were not significantly different between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups (78.0 ± 25.8 and 64.0 ± 38.1 pg/ml, respectively), and were higher than the PG + 24EB and control groups (27.3 ± 8.8 and 14.6 ± 6.1 pg/ml, respectively). These results suggest that intravaginal administration of an EB capsule with a sustained-drug release base is applicable for estrus synchronization, as an alternative to intramuscular administration.     

Effect of carbon dioxide-air concentration in the rapid curing process on the properties of cement-bonded particleboard

This study deals with the effects of carbon dioxide (CO₂)-air concentration in the rapid curing method on the properties of cement-bonded particleboard manufactured using conventional cold pressing as the setting method. The hydration of cement was examined using X-ray diffractometry, thermal gravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The results are as follows: (1) The properties of CO₂-cured boards improved with increasing CO₂ concentration. When 10% or 20% CO₂ was applied for 10 min of curing time, the properties of the CO₂-cured boards were comparable to those obtained by conventional 2-week curing. (2) The hydration process of cement could be accelerated within several minutes using CO₂ curing, even with a low concentration of 10%–20% CO₂; a reduction in calcium hydroxide was observed followed by rapid formation of calcium carbonate.     

Two lignan rhamnosides from birch leaves

The extractives of shirakamba (Betula platyphylla Sukatchev var.japonica Hara) leaves were investigated. Two lignan glycosides were isolated, and their structures were elucidated to be 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[1-(3--l-rhamnopyranosyloxypropyl)-3-hydroxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol (I) and a new 2,3-dihydro-2-arylbenzofuran configuration neolignan,cis-2,3-dihydro-2-(4--l-rhamnopyranosyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-hydroxy-5-benzofuranpropanol (II). These neolignan rhamnosides were newly found in shirakamba.     

Longitudinal study of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) hematology

Although the causes have not been specified yet, wild populations of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) have been decreasing, which is why conservation techniques such as captive breeding and health maintenance should be established. Hematological parameters can be used to maintain the health status of northern fur seals kept in captivity for artificial reproduction and public education. Year-round fluctuations of blood parameters have not been examined for northern fur seals due to the difficulties in obtaining serial blood samples from wild animals during the oceanic migration period from late autumn to spring. In this study, blood samples were collected from four captive northern fur seals and analyzed monthly for more than three years to clarify the seasonal fluctuation patterns in 14 hematological parameters. Many hematological parameters seemed to be seasonal patterns: summer–autumn and winter–spring; leukocyte-related parameters were higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring; erythrocyte-related parameters were lower in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. Significant seasonal differences in nine of the 14 parameters were observed using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis. These results have improved our understanding of the seasonal patterns of hematological characteristics in the northern fur seal and can contribute to the health care of protected or captive northern fur seals.     

Presence of surfactant proteins in the uteri and placentae of pregnant mares

Immunohistochemical investigations of the expression of surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) in the uterine and placental tissues of 13 pregnant mares were performed using anti-horse monoclonal primary antibodies. Strong positive reactions for both SP-A and SP-D were observed in the trophoblasts in the microcotyledons of the placentae at 182 to 314 days of gestation; in uterine glandular epithelial cells, faint-to-weak reactions were observed during gestation. This study describes, for the first time, the changes in the SP-A and SP-D expression levels in the endometrium of mares during gestation; the SP-A and SP-D expression levels increased after the second trimester of gestation.