Single oral β-cryptoxanthin administration increases its serum concentration and enhances peripheral blood neutrophil function in Holstein cattle

We investigated the effect of oral administration of β-cryptoxanthin (β-CRX) on its serum concentration and peripheral neutrophil functions by the chemiluminescence (CL) response in Holstein cattle. A single oral administration of β-CRX was performed for serum β-CRX concentration (0, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mg/kg body weight [BW]) and for peak CL response of peripheral neutrophils (0.2 mg/kg BW). The serum β-CRX concentration was peaked on 2 days after, similar to peak CL response on 3 days after β-CRX administration. Therefore, a single oral administration of β-CRX (0.2 mg/kg BW) induces higher serum concentration and concurrently enhances bactericidal ability of peripheral neutrophils in Holstein cattle.     

Suppression of MyoD induces spontaneous adipogenesis in skeletal muscle progenitor cell culture

The degree of intramuscular adipose tissue accumulation is one of the factors affecting meat quality. Accumulation of adipocytes is also observed under the pathological condition of skeletal muscle such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. The origin of adipocytes seen in skeletal muscle is mesenchymal progenitor cells that can give rise to both adipocytes and fibroblasts. In the present study, we demonstrated that siRNA-mediated suppression of MyoD expression in rat skeletal muscle progenitor cell culture, which comprises both myogenic satellite cells and mesenchymal progenitor cells, resulted in diminished myotube formation and an unexpected spontaneous appearance of white adipocytes. Suppressing myomaker expression also resulted in complete absence of myotube formation without reducing MyoD expression, but no adipogenesis was seen in this scenario, indicating that decline in MyoD expression rather than decreased myotube formation is necessary to induce adipogenesis. In addition, spontaneous adipogenesis induced by suppressing MyoD expression in culture was inhibited by the conditioned medium from control culture, indicating that anti-adipogenic factor(s) are secreted from MyoD-positive myogenic cells. These results indicate the presence of regulatory mechanism on adipogenesis by myogenic cells.     

Emission of dimethyl sulfide,carbonyl sulfide,and carbon bisulfide from paddy fields

Abstract

Emission rates of dimethyl sulficle (DMS), carbonyl sulfide (COS), and carbon disulfide (CS₂) to the atmosphere from paddy fields at Ryugasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan were measured by using the closed chamber method. DMS was emitted mainly through the rice plant and its emission rate was much higher than those of COS and CS₂. During a cropping period COS was slightly absorbed by the rice plant. Significant diurnal and seasonal variations of DMS iuxes were observed. The highest DMS iux was observed immediately after the heading day of rice plant. The annual DMS emission rate was in the order of mineral plot > straw plot > no-N plot, ranging from 4.5 to 6.9 mg S m^-2 yr^-1. The annual COS emission rate was in the order of straw plot > no-N plot > mineral plot, ranging from -0.2 to 1.8 mg S m^-2 yr^-1. The annual CS₂ emission rate was slightly higher in the straw plot, ranging from 0.9 to 2.0 mg S m^-2 yr^-1.     

Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats

Abstract This study describes 26 cats with mosquito bite hypersensitivity. Most were short-haired, free-roaming cats. Typical clinical features were seasonal (summer), symmetric miliary dermatitis on the pinnae. Mosquito bite exposure with Aedes albopictus was performed on the pinnae and the lateral thorax in five cases and three healthy cats. All sites showed weals within 20 min. Papules, which revealed eosinophilic dermatitis, were recognized during a 12–48-h period. The control cats showed only slight and transient erythema after being bitten. Intradermal skin tests with an extract of A. albopictus were performed in three cases, and Prausnitz-Küstner tests under A. albopictus bites were performed in three cases. Both tests showed weals in all cases studied, although papules were not observed. Intradermal skin tests with the control cats, and Prausnitz-Küstner tests with saline and healthy cat serum failed to produce any positive reactions. The findings indicate that mosquito bite hypersensitivity in cats is triggered by a type I hypersensitivity reaction to mosquito antigens. Certain other factors may be involved in the formation of delayed papular reactions. Whether this is a normal or abnormal reaction to mosquito bites is also discussed. Résumé— Cette étude a été réalisée sur 26 chats atteints d'hypersensibilité aux piqûres de moustiques. La plupart des chats sont des chats à poils courts vivant à l'extérieur. Les lésions cliniques sont caractérisées par une dermatite miliaire symétrique sur les pavilions auriculaires survenant l'été. Une exposition aux piqûres de moustique (Aedes albopictus) a été réalisée sur les pavilions auriculaires et sur la face latérale du thorax de 5 chats atteints et de 3 chats sains. Tous les sites d'exposition montrent des reactions à 20 minutes. Ces papules qui traduisent une dermite éosinophilique, persistent pendant 12 à 48 heures. Les chats sains ne montrent qu'un érythème transitoire après la piqûre, des tests d'intradermoréaction avec un extrait d'A. albopictus ont été réalisés dans 3 cas, des tests de Prausnitz-Küstner spécifiques dans 3 cas. Les deux tests montrent des reactions dans tous les cas étudiés bien que des papules ne soient pas observées. Ces tests réalisés sur les chats témoins, ne montrent aucune reaction, positive ou significative. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'hypersensibilité aux piqûres de moustiques chez le chat est regie par une hypersensibilité de type I à divers antigènes de moustique. D'autres facteurs doivent intervenir dans la formation des reactions papuleuses retardées. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Réactivité cutanée aux piqûres de moustiques et à leurs antigènes chez le chat.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.] Résumén Este estudio describe 26 gatos con hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito. La mayoria eran gatos en régimen abierto de pelo corto. Las caracteristicas clinicas tipicas fueron dermatitis miliar simétrica estacional (verano) en pabellones auriculares. Se llevó a cabo una exposición a la picadura del mosquito Aedes albopictus en los pabellones y en el tórax lateral en 5 casos y 3 gatos sanos. Todas las zonas mostraron ronchas a los 20 minutos. Aparecieron pápulas con dermatitis eosinofilica a las 12 a 48 horas. Los gatos control mostraron solamente eritema leve y transitorio tras la picadura. Se realizaron pruebas cutáneas intradérmicas con extracto de A. albopictus en 3 casos y pruebas de Prausnitz-Küstner bajo picaduras de A. albopictus en 3 casos. Ambas pruebas mostraron ronchas en todos los casos estudíados, aunque no se observaron pápulas. Las pruebas intracutáneas con los gatos control y las pruebas de Prausnitz-Küstner con suero salino y suero de gatos sanos no causaron reacción positiva. Estos hallazgos indican que la hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito se inicia por una hipersensibilidad de tipo I a antigenos del mosquito. Otros factores pueden estar implicados en la formación de reacciones papulares retardadas. Se discute si esta es una reacción normal o anormal a la picadura de mosquito. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Reactividad cutanea a las picaduras de mosquito y sus antigenos en el gato.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.] Zusammenfassung— Diese Studie beschreibt 26 Katzen mit Mückenstichhypersensibilität. Die meisten der Tiere waren kurzhaarig und hatten Freilauf. Die typischen klinischen Bilder bestanden in säsonaler (Sommer), symmetrischer miliarer Dermatitis an den Ohrmuschein. Es wurde eine Exposition auf Mückenstiche mit Aedes albopictus an den Ohrmischein und am lateralen Thorax bei 5 Patienten und 3 gesunden Katzen durchgeführt. Alle Stellen zeigten Quaddeln innerhalb von 20 Minuten. Papeln, die eine eosinophile Dermatitis enthüllten, wurden nach einer Zeitspanne von 12 bis 48 Stunden gesehen. Die Kontrollkatzen zeigten ein nur leichtes und transientes Erythem nach dem Biß. Intradermale Hauttests mit einem Extrakt von A. albopictus wurden in 3 Fallen durchgeführt und Prausnitz-Küstner-Tests unter A. albopictus-Bissen wurden in 3 Fallen durchgeführt. Beide Tests zeigten Quaddeln in alien untersuchten Fallen, obwohl Papeln nicht beobachtet wurden. In den intradermalen Hauttests bei den Kontrollkatzen und Prausnitz-Küstner-Tests mit Kochsalz-Lösung und Serum gesunder Katzen gelang es nicht, irgendweiche positiven Reaktionen zu erzeugen. Diese Befunde zeigen, daß Mückenstichhypersensibilität bei Katzen durch eine Typ 1-Hypersensibilitätsreaktion auf Mückenantigene ausgelöst wird. Bestimmte andere Faktoren können in die Bildung von verzögerten papulären Reaktionen miteinbezogen sein. Ob dies eine normale oder unnormale Reaktion auf Mückenstiche ist, wird ebenfalls diskutiert. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Hautreaktivität auf Mückenstiche und Antigene bei der Katze.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.]     

Stocking effectiveness of hatchery-released kuruma prawns estimated by two-stage sampling of commercial catch in Ariake Sound, Japan

ABSTRACT:    To evaluate the stocking effectiveness of the kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus , a two-stage sampling survey of Gensiki bottom-drift-netters was carried out in Ariake Sound, Saga Prefecture, Japan. A total of 471 000 hatchery-produced juveniles, marked by cutting off the right uropods, was released. Thirty-three fishing days were randomly drawn from four boats, which were selected from the 80 boats operating in the fishery. All prawns caught on the selected days were examined, and the hatchery-produced individuals were identified by their regenerated uropods. A telephone survey of all boats was also conducted, to determine the number of fishing days. A total of 286 marked prawns were caught on the survey days for the Saga area in Ariake Sound, from the last half of July to the first half of September 2002. The recapture rate and standard error were estimated at 0.76 ± 0.52%. Economic efficiency was estimated at 0.28 ± 0.02. Strategies for sampling schemes and stock recovery are also discussed.     

Influence of overplanting paddy rice on irrigation water delivery performance: a case study in the Dakalt branch canal,Nile Delta of Egypt

In the North Nile Delta of Egypt, the impacts of overplanting paddy rice on water delivery performance have not been discussed quantitatively. Further, the amount of water that could have been saved if farmers would follow the planned area is unknown. In this study, water delivery performance was assessed by comparison of actual paddy rice planting and the government’s planned conditions. For both conditions, performance indicators relating to adequacy, equity, and dependability were analyzed across six locations in conjunction with the branch canal water level in 2013 and 2014. Based on the difference between the actual water supply and planned water demand, the amount of water that could have been saved for downstream uses was calculated. The average adequacy for the investigation period was good at one location, fair at 2 locations, and poor at 3 locations in both years. Further, adequacy under both actual and planned conditions was poor in late July at all locations. The planned adequacy and dependability downstream and equity among locations improved compared to the actual condition in both years. Under the condition that paddy rice area is the upper limit planned by the government, about 12.3% and 9.6% of water could be potentially saved in each year. The difference between actual and planned water delivery performance is caused by the branch canal’s low water level. Control of overplanting paddy rice and coordination of water distribution among water user associations would improve stable water level in the canal and, eventually, water delivery performance.

     

Radiocarbon Content in Urban Atmospheric Aerosols

We attempted to elucidate seasonal variations in fossil-fuel-derived carbon (FC) and biomass-derived carbon (BC) in urban atmospheric aerosols. We undertook continuous measurements of the composition of fine particle (PM_2.1) in central Tokyo, including the ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio. The percent modern carbon (pMC) contained in all samples averaged 43, and the highest was 54 in late December and the lowest was 31 in early August. From the observed carbonaceous component concentrations and the pMC we could calculate the content ratio of FC and BC in PM_2.1 and investigate their seasonal variations. Although there was almost no seasonal variation in the ratio of FC, the ratio of BC was observed to rise in early winter. This indicates that FC is influenced by the emission sources without seasonal variations (such as automobiles driven in urban areas). Furthermore, there is significant correlation between BC and organic carbon (OC), and even for urban areas, it is considered that the contribution of biomass carbon to OC in PM_2.1 is high.     

Autoimmune disease and impaired uptake of apoptotic cells in MFG-E8-deficient mice

Apoptotic cells expose phosphatidylserine and are swiftly engulfed by macrophages. Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor (EGF) factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a protein that binds to apoptotic cells by recognizing phosphatidylserine and that enhances the engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages. We report that tingible body macrophages in the germinal centers of the spleen and lymph nodes strongly express MFG-E8. Many apoptotic lymphocytes were found on the MFG-E8-/- tingible body macrophages, but they were not efficiently engulfed. The MFG-E8-/- mice developed splenomegaly, with the formation of numerous germinal centers, and suffered from glomerulonephritis as a result of autoantibody production. These data demonstrate that MFG-E8 has a critical role in removing apoptotic B cells in the germinal centers and that its failure can lead to autoimmune diseases.