Differences in spectral trajectory with stand volume development between Japanese larch and Japanese oak in Hokkaido,Japan

Our objective was to investigate the differences in the spectral trajectory of the LANDSAT Thematic Mapper with stand volume development between Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) in the experimental forest of Kyushu University, Hokkaido, Japan. We used nonlinear regression and a categorical variable to investigate the relationship between spectral reflectance factor and stand volume for each forest type. This research showed that the reflectance factor of Japanese larch and Japanese oak reached saturation and that both forest types had different spectral trajectories with stand development. In addition, we found that middle of development stage (stand volume was between 100 and 200 m³/ha) of each forest type had similarity in reflectance factor.     

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of lignin-derived products from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> treated in supercritical water

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood was treated with supercritical water (374°C, 22.1MPa), and fractionated into the water-soluble portion, the methanol-soluble portion, and the methanol-insoluble residue. The methanol-soluble portion mainly consisted of the lignin-derived products. To characterize the compounds in the methanol-soluble portion, gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analyses were performed. The GPC analysis indicated that the methanol-soluble portion contained lignin-derived monomeric and dimeric products. GC-MS analysis detected 31 products which were expected to be monomeric compounds, and 18 of these were identified to be guaiacol, methylguaiacol, ethylguaiacol, vinylguaiacol, eugenol, propylguaiacol, vanillin, cis-isoeugenol, homovanillin, trans-isoeugenol, acetoguaiacone, propioguaiacone, guaiacylacetone, 2-methoxy-4-(1-hydroxypropyl)phenol, homovanillic acid, 2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-3-one)phenol, coniferyl aldehyde, and ferulic acid. In addition, 22 dimeric products were detected, and 4 of these were believed to be compounds with biphenyl type (5-5), diphenylethane type (-1), stilbene type (-1), and phenylcoumaran type (-5) structures. These results clearly indicated that the methanol-soluble portion included various monomeric and dimeric compounds produced as a result of the cleavage of ether linkages and propyl chains of lignin.     

1-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-methylphenyl) ethanone, a new compound from the stem bark of Lamprothamnus zanguebaricus

The chloroform extract of the stem bark of Lamprothamnus zanguebaricus has yielded two ethanones; 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)ethanone (I) (a new compound) and 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone (II). The structures of both compounds were established by spectroscopic methods.     

一种制备(3R,4R)-4,7,7-三甲基-6-氧杂二环[3.2.1]辛烷-3,4-二醇的新方法

在催化剂过氧磷钨酸十二烷基吡啶盐(Cat-PW4)的作用下,α-蒎烯与H2O2反应生成主要产物(3R,4R)-4,7,7-三甲基-6-氧杂二环[3.2.1]辛烷-3,4-二醇。不同反应条件对反应转化率和选择性的实验结果表明,最佳反应条件为:12.8 mmolα-蒎烯、5 m L溶剂三氯甲烷、0.2 g催化剂、3.3 m L 30%H2O2,反应温度40℃,反应时间3 h,α-蒎烯转化率和产物的选择性分别为94.7%和39.8%。反应结束后,该产物存在于水相和有机相中,通过萃取和重结晶分离提纯,得率11%,纯度达到98%;其分子结构通过红外光谱、紫外光谱、1H核磁共振谱、13C核磁共振谱、低分辨率质谱及高分辨率质谱确证。     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒BC6/85株VP2基因的原核表达、纯化及鉴定

为获得可用于鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)抗体检测的重组抗原VP2蛋白,根据GenBank中发表的IBDV VP2序列设计一对特异性引物,应用RT-PCR技术克隆IBDV经典标准攻毒株(BC6/85株)的VP2基因,插入质粒pET-32a中构建重组表达质粒pET-32a-VP2,经IPTG诱导后获得了以包涵体形式表达的重组蛋白。重组蛋白纯化后,Western-blot检测表明具有良好的反应原性。本研究为下步建立IBDV抗体的间接ELISA方法及新型疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

基于UPLC-MS/MS同时测定猪粪便中5种兽药残留量的研究

为了建立同时测定猪粪便中二甲氧苄啶、磺胺对甲氧嘧啶、恩诺沙星、金霉素、泰乐菌素5种兽药残留量的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)分析方法,样品经McIllvaineNa_2EDTA缓冲溶液提取,C18粉吸附杂质,HLB固相萃取小柱净化,浓缩富集后用0.1%甲酸甲醇溶液复溶,过滤上机,基质液外标法定量。结果显示,5种兽药在10~500μg/kg的质量浓度范围内线性良好,在添加浓度50~500μg/kg,平均回收率为53%~85%,RSD为1.87%~18.81%。该方法具有较好的准确度与精密度,能快速、准确测定猪粪便中5种兽药残留,为养殖环节实时监测兽药使用情况提供了技术支持。     

Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in calves with respect to the acute-phase response

Our objective was to develop a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation model in calves to evaluate the acute-phase response with respect to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, fever development and sickness behaviour. Fourteen 4-week-old male Holstein Friesian calves were included and randomly assigned to a negative control group (n = 3) and an LPS-challenged group (n = 11). The latter received an intravenous bolus injection of 0.5 μg of LPS/kg body weight. Blood collection and clinical scoring were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 28, 32, 48, 54 and 72 h post LPS administration (p.a.). In the LPS group, the following clinical signs were observed successively: tachypnoea (on average 18 min p.a.), decubitus (29 min p.a.), general depression (1.75 h p.a.), fever (5 h p.a.) and tachycardia (5 h p.a.). Subsequent to the recovery from respiratory distress, general depression was prominent, which deteriorated when fever increased. One animal did not survive LPS administration, whereas the other animals recovered on average within 6.1 h p.a. Moreover, the challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with peaking levels at 1, 3.5, 24 and 18 h p.a., respectively. The present LPS model was practical and reproducible, caused obvious clinical signs related to endotoxemia and a marked change in the studied inflammatory mediators, making it a suitable model to study the immunomodulatory properties of drugs in future research.     

LC-MS/MS measurement of ampicillin residue in swine tissues at 5 days after in-feed administration

We assessed ampicillin (ABPC) concentrations of kidney, muscle and intestine after a 5–day withdrawal period in 2 male and a female young Large White pigs fed the diet containing ABPC (ABPC medicated feed, 24 mg/kg/day) for a week. The ABPC residues were measured with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and the mean recoveries and quantitation limits ranged from 91.8 to 97.2% and from 0.1 to 0.12 ng/g, respectively. The residual ABPC concentrations were ≤1.18 ng/g for the muscle, ≤0.53 ng/g for the kidney and ≤1.93 ng/g for the intestine, suggesting below the Japanese provisional maximum residue limits. These results reveal that the analytical method is developed for residual ABPC and that the withdrawal period is appropriate.     

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 activity during meiosis resumption in mammals

In vivo, resumption of oocyte meiosis occurs in large ovarian follicles after the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge leads to the activation of a broad signaling network in mural granulosa cells equipped with LH receptors. The signals generated in the mural granulosa cells are further augmented by locally produced peptides or steroids and transferred to the cumulus cell compartment and the oocyte itself. Over the last decade, essential progress has been made in the identification of molecular events associated with the final maturation and ovulation of mammalian oocytes. All new evidence argues for a multiple roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) in the gonadotropin-induced ovulation processes. However, the knowledge of gonadotropin-induced signaling pathways leading to MAPK3/1 activation in follicular cells seems limited. To date, only the LH-induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor/MAPK3/1 pathway has been described in granulosa/cumulus cells even though other mechanisms of MAPK3/1 activation have been detected in other types of cells. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances in the elucidation of gonadotropin-induced mechanisms leading to the activation of MAPK3/1 in preovulatory follicles and cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes and to point out a specific role of this kinase in the processes accompanying final maturation of the mammalian oocyte.