Differential expression of myostatin and its receptor in the porcine anterior pituitary gland

Myostatin (MSTN), known as growth and differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Myostatin binds with high affinity to the receptor serine threonine kinase activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). Activins that also belong to the TGF-β superfamily, stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone production in gonadotrophs and suppress growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone production in somatotrophs and corticotrophs, respectively. The aim of the present paper was therefore to clarify the endocrine action of MSTN in adenohypophysis. The present study details the expression and cellular localization of MSTN and ActRIIB in porcine anterior pituitary gland. The mRNA of MSTN and ActRIIB was consistently expressed in RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry of MSTN and specific hormones showed that MSTN localized in thyrotrophs and gonadotrophs, in which most of the MSTN immunoreactive cells were identified as thyrotrophs. The immunostaining of ActRIIB was restricted to corticotrophs. These results indicate that MSTN was mainly produced in thyrotrophs and its receptor, ActRIIB, was restrictively contained in corticotrophs. Interestingly, thyrotrophs immunoreactive for MSTN were frequently close to corticotrophs immunoreactive for ActRIIB. The present study suggests that MSTN from thyrotrophs may regulate corticotroph function as a paracrine mediator among the porcine anterior pituitary cells.     

Software development for estimating the concentration of radioactive cesium in the skeletal muscles of cattle from blood samples

The 2011 earthquake severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), resulting in the release of large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. The deposition of these radionuclides in rice straw as livestock feed led to the circulation of contaminated beef in the market. Based on the safety concern of the consumers, a reliable method for estimating concentrations of radioactive cesium in muscle tissue is needed. In this study, we analyzed the concentrations of radioactive cesium in the blood and skeletal muscle of 88 cattle, and detected a linear correlation between them. We then developed software that can be used to estimate radioactive cesium concentrations in muscle tissue from blood samples. Distribution of this software to the livestock production field would allow us to easily identify high‐risk cattle, which would be beyond the safety regulation, before shipping out to the market. This software is planned to be released as freeware. This software would contribute to food safety, and aid the recovery of the livestock industry from the damage creacted by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.     

LED补光对设施草莓生长及果实品质的影响

以"红颜"草莓为试材,以LED红∶蓝∶白=1∶1∶1为处理,自然光为对照,研究了光质对设施草莓产量和品质的影响,以克服冬季雾霾影响温室内光照弱的环境条件,探索设施草莓优质高产措施。结果表明:通过LED补光可以显著提高草莓植株生长量,净光合速率等大于自然光处理;LED补光组最大单果质量、平均单果质量均大于对照组;果实可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量均高于对照组。     

Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of enrofloxacin as a second‐line antibiotic for treatment of acute Escherichia coli mastitis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of enrofloxacin (ERFX) as a second‐line antibiotic for treatment of acute Escherichia coli (E. coli) mastitis. Forty‐two cows with naturally occurring acute E. coli mastitis were enrolled. On the first day of treatment (day 0), empirically selected antibiotics (oxytetracycline: n = 32, kanamycin: n = 10) were administered. Although systemic signs improved in 10 cows (first‐line group), the signs remained unchanged or worsened in 32 cows on day 1, including two cows that were found dead. The 30 surviving cows were randomly assigned to second‐line groups constituting an ERFX group (n = 19) or a control group (n = 11) that was treated with other antibiotics. Response to each treatment was evaluated by measuring clinical signs from day 0 to day 3, subsequent quarter milk recovery, and the 60‐day survival rate. Appetite on day 3 was significantly better in the ERFX group compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed in the 60‐day survival rate or the subsequent milk recovery between the ERFX group and the control group. Thus, the use of ERFX as a second‐line antibiotic for the treatment of acute E. coli mastitis could induce a rapid appetite recovery.     

Contributions of salmon-derived nitrogen to riparian vegetation in the northwest Pacific region

We examined the relationship between the annual escapement of salmon and the δ ¹⁵N of willow (Salix spp.) leaves to evaluate the contribution of marine-derived nutrients (MDN) to riparian vegetation around the Pacific Northwest and Northeast regions. Foliar δ ¹⁵N values ranged from −3.42‰ to 4.65‰. The value increased with increasing density of carcasses up to 500 fish/km and 1500 fish/km. δ ¹⁵N values were variable at carcass densities below 500 fish/km. Possible factors affecting the fluctuation of δ ¹⁵N at reference sites are: (1) denitrification; (2) the presence of N₂-fixing trees, such as alder; and (3) agricultural runoff. δ ¹⁵N values at the sites with carcass densities over 500 fish/km were consistently high, while a value of δ ¹⁵N below zero was observed at only one site (Rusha River; δ ¹⁵N = −1.87‰). At this site, most adult pink salmon returned to limited locations near the estuary because steeper channel gradients acted as a migration barrier, resulting in the negative δ ¹⁵N value. Nevertheless, we concluded that our results showed evidence of the feedback of MDN to terrestrial vegetation, although the use of the δ ¹⁵N value as a terrestrial end member at spawning sites is limited. If the relationship between the enrichment index, which is expressed as the values using a mixing model, and salmon abundance was estimated, the availability of MDN in riparian ecosystems could possibly be evaluated and will lead to the establishment of escapement goals. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Glycation and phosphorylation of beta-lactoglobulin by dry-heating: effect on protein structure and some properties

Beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) was glycated with maltopentaose and subsequently phosphorylated by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate to investigate the structural and functional properties of phosphorylated beta-Lg. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the change of the secondary structure in the beta-Lg molecule by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation was small. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of beta-Lg showed that the denaturation temperature of the most stable domain was only slightly affected, whereas the retinol-binding activity of beta-Lg was somewhat reduced by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation. These results indicated that the conformational changes of the beta-Lg molecule by glycation and subsequent phosphorylation were mild. The anti-beta-Lg antibody response was somewhat reduced by glycation, but significant changes were not observed by phosphorylation. Although the stability of beta-Lg against heat-induced insolubility was improved by glycation alone, it was further enhanced by phosphorylation. The calcium phosphate solubilizing ability of beta-Lg was enhanced by phosphorylation following glycation.     

A case of protein-losing enteropathy treated with methotrexate in a dog

A 9-year-old female Pug was presented to us with chronic diarrhea. Hematologic findings indicated severe hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia, and endoscopy revealed severe edema of the duodenal mucosa. Based on these results and on additional histopathological findings, we made a diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy caused by lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis with lymphangiectasia. The dog was initially treated with prednisolone and cyclosporine. This treatment regimen was not effective. However, when methotrexate was substituted for cyclosporine, progress was obtained and the diagnosis was confirmed.     

Effects of griseoviridin and viridogrisein against swine dysentery in experimental infection by using mice and pigs

Griseoviridin, a known antibiotic produced by Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. cacaoi, was found to be active against Brachyspira hyodysenteriae--the bacterium causing swine dysentery. An in vitro synergism is observed when it is used in combination with viridogrisein--a simultaneously produced antibiotic. In mouse experiments, the effect of griseoviridin alone was less than that of lincomycin--a commercially available swine dysentery medication. However, a 1:1 mixture of griseoviridin and viridogrisein revealed a noticeable synergistic effect. In an evaluation using pigs artificially infected with B. hyodysenteriae, a large difference was not observed between the effect of griseoviridin alone and that in combination with viridogrisein. Nevertheless, griseoviridin alone exhibited a therapeutic effect superior to that of lincomycin.     

Carrier rate of Factor XI deficiency in stunted Japanese black cattle

Blood examinations and genotyping of Factor XI (F11) were performed in growth retardation Japanese Black cattle and their dams. Genotyping of F11 revealed that the recessive homozygous and heterozygous genotype frequencies were 5.2% and 50.0% in the Claudin-16 (CL-16) deficiency group (n=58), 0% and 14.2% in the renal dysplasia group (n=7), 0% and 26.1% in the non-CL-16 deficiency nephritis group (n=23), 8.9% and 46.7% in the hypogenesis syndrome group (n=45), 6.2% and 25.0% in the neonatal weak calf syndrome group (n=32), 9.1% and 38.6% in the respective dams group (n=44), 0% and 23.1% in the normal cattle group (n=13), and 5.9% and 38.2% in total (n=222), respectively. These results showed that the carrier rate of F11 deficiency was high in Japanese Black cattle, and that the CL-16 deficiency, hypogenesis syndrome, neonatal weak calf syndrome, and dams groups had a large amount of recessive homozygous genotype than the other groups. No abnormal bleeding was observed clinically in the present study, and 4 of the recessive homozygous dams showed normal growth and parturition.     

Anisotropy and corotation of galactic cosmic rays

The intensity of Galactic cosmic rays is nearly isotropic because of the influence of magnetic fields in the Milky Way. Here, we present two-dimensional high-precision anisotropy measurement for energies from a few to several hundred teraelectronvolts (TeV), using the large data sample of the Tibet Air Shower Arrays. Besides revealing finer details of the known anisotropies, a new component of Galactic cosmic ray anisotropy in sidereal time is uncovered around the Cygnus region direction. For cosmic-ray energies up to a few hundred TeV, all components of anisotropies fade away, showing a corotation of Galactic cosmic rays with the local Galactic magnetic environment. These results have broad implications for a comprehensive understanding of cosmic rays, supernovae, magnetic fields, and heliospheric and Galactic dynamic environments.