Role of NF-kappaB in constitutive expression of MAIL in epidermal keratinocytes

Molecule possessing ankyrin-repeats induced by lipopolysaccharide (MAIL) is a nuclear IkappaB protein that is also known as interleukin-1-inducible nuclear ankyrin repeat protein and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaBzeta (IkappaBzeta). We previously observed that MAIL-deficient mice were affected by atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions and demonstrated the importance of MAIL in the skin. In this study, we investigated MAIL expression in mouse keratinocytes. MAIL mRNA was constitutively expressed in the skin epidermis. MAIL expression was also confirmed in primary keratinocytes and the PAM212 keratinocyte cell line. The inhibitors of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-Bay11-7082 and the IkappaBalphaM supersuppressor-considerably downregulated MAIL expression in the keratinocytes. Immunoreactivity for NF-kappaB components was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of normal unstimulated keratinocytes. The expression level of MAIL in the skin did not change following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration to mice. Interestingly, in accordance with the in vivo findings, the MAIL expression level did not change following LPS stimulation even in primary keratinocytes; however, MAIL expression was strongly increased by interleukin-1 stimulation. These results collectively suggest that the constitutive expression of MAIL in keratinocytes is controlled, at least in part, by NF-kappaB and that there may be LPS-specific repressive mechanisms that inhibit MAIL induction.     

Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

Variable response of growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize plants to preceding crops in various types of soils

The effects of the preceding crops, sunflower (mycorrhizal host) and mustard (nonhost), on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and growth of succeeding maize were examined in 17 soils in an attempt to clarify the influence of soil characteristics on the effects of preceding crops. Shoot weight and P uptake of maize planted after sunflower were much higher than those after mustard in 14 soils, although the preceding crop had little effect on soil-P availability. AM colonization of maize after sunflower was much higher than that after mustard. The effect of the preceding crop was eliminated by soil sterilization. These results suggested that the differences in maize growth were caused by differences in the AM colonization. Correlation analysis of the effect of the preceding crop and soil properties showed that the difference in the effects on maize growth could not be explained by soil chemical properties, but only by the AM colonization of the preceding sunflower crop. In one of the 17 soils, however, the effect was not evident despite the higher AM colonization of sunflower. This soil was sterilized, and the effect of inoculation by AM fungi (AMF) on maize was examined. However, it was found that the inoculation increased AM colonization but did not improve maize growth at any P level, suggesting that the effect of AMF was unusually inhibited in this soil by unknown soil physicochemical properties. In most soils, however, the preceding mycorrhizal host crop, sunflower, improved the growth and AM colonization of maize depending on the AM colonization of sunflower.     

The beneficial effects of horse trekking on autonomic nervous activity in experienced rider with no disability

The aim of this study was to determine whether autonomic nervous activity of a rider with no disability was altered by one practical and applicable horse trekking (HT) exercise. Changes in autonomic nervous activity were analyzed by heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty‐three participants with no disability rode horses along a predetermined HT course at trotting and walking for 60 min. HRV was sampled at 60 min before and immediately, following 60 min, and 120 min after HT. As a control, the same measurements were performed for 22 age‐matched participants during their rest. Only in the HT group, the value of normalized unit in high frequency component (HF nu), an index of parasympathetic nervous activity, was higher at 120 min after treatment than before HT (P < 0.05). The low / high frequency ratio (LF / HF), believed to reflect sympathetic nervous activity, was lower in the HT group than those in the control group at 60 min (P < 0.05) and 120 min after treatment (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that a single HT shifted the autonomic nervous balance of a rider toward parasympathetic dominance. The results obtained by the present study could accelerate the use of horses for human health.     

Relationship between the sperm count and the fertilization rate of ova ovulated from the contralateral ovary in intrauterine horn insemination in cats

Unilateral intrauterine horn insemination (UIUI) was carried out in cats, and we investigated the fertilization rate of ova ovulated from the contralateral ovary. Various numbers of sperm were used to inseminate the uterine horn on the side where ovulation was inhibited. The rates of conception were 1/11 (9.1%), 2/11 (18.2%), and 5/7 (71.4%) in the 2 x 10(6), 4 x 10(6), and 8 x 10 (6) groups, respectively. Furthermore, the fertilization rate was 70.7% in the 8 x 10(6) group. Thus, ova ovulated from the contralateral ovary were not fertilized or the fertilization rate was low in some cats even when UIUI was performed with a large number of sperm.     

Some characteristics of vaginal prolapse in Nepali buffaloes

Prolapse of vagina is one of the important maternal abnormalities during pregnancy in cattle and buffaloes. A field investigation was carried out on 26 Murrah graded buffaloes to study clinical characteristics of vaginal prolapse in buffaloes in Nepal. Fifty-seven percent of the 26 buffaloes with vaginal prolapse were either heifers or in first lactation. Sixty-five percent of the cases were in seventh month of pregnancy or later. About three quarters of the cases occurred between June and October. Twelve cases (63%) of the 19 animals excluding 7 heifers had a history of vaginal prolapse in previous gestations. A half of the buffaloes were showing prolapse of the vagina even when they were in standing position and showing moderate or vigorous straining. After the conventional treatments, twenty-three buffaloes retained the replaced vagina and calved normally. One animal aborted although the vagina was retained. Two buffaloes had severest degree of vaginal prolapse complicated with edema, injury and cyanosis, and they did not respond to the treatment. The two buffaloes had frequently recurrent prolapse and subsequently died. Early detection and prompt treatment may be imperative to control the vaginal prolapse in buffaloes.     

Effects of body condition score in cows peripartum on the onset of postpartum ovarian cyclicity and conception rates after ovulation synchronization/fixed-time artificial insemination

The aim of this study was to examine whether the nutritional state of cows peripartum was associated with the recovery of ovarian function and conception rates after synchronization of ovulation and fixed-time artificial insemination (OVSYNCH/TAI). The effect of the interval in days from calving to the first ovulation on conception rates after OVSYNCH/TAI was also investigated. Conception rates of cows after OVSYNCH/TAI (n=39) were 43.6%. The conception rates of cows with a body condition score (BCS) of 2.75-3.25 at 30 d postpartum and on the day of OVSYNCH treatment were significantly higher than in cows with a BCS < or =2.5 (P<0.05). The percentage of cows establishing ovarian cyclicity before 55 d postpartum in cows with a BCS of 2.75-3.25 at 30 d postpartum and on the day of OVSYNCH treatment were significantly higher than in cows with a BCS < or =2.5 (P<0.05). The conception rates after OVSYNCH/TAI in cows which recovered ovarian cyclicity within 34 d postpartum were significantly higher than in cows with first ovulation > or =56 d (P<0.05). These results indicated that the nutritional state in cows peripartum influenced the conception rates after OVSYNCH/TAI and the postpartum ovarian cyclicity and also suggested that the conception rates after OVSYNCH/TAI decreased in cows with delayed recovery of ovarian cyclicity.     

Effect of propylene glycol and undegradable protein source on rumen fermentation, blood metabolism and milk production in lactating dairy cows

Eight lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups ( n  = 4) and used in a double reversal trial with three periods of 14 days each, to evaluate diets containing propylene glycol (PG) and ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) blend on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolism. The control diet contained 20% chopped Sudangrass hay, 20% cubed alfalfa hay, 12% corn silage, and 48% of the respective concentrate mixtures (dry matter basis). The experimental diet (PG + RUP) partially replaced the concentrate mixture from the control diet with 1.4% PG and 2.1% RUP. Both diets contained about 16% crude protein and 71% total digestible nutrients. Dry matter intake was similar between the two diets. Daily production of milk, milk lactose and milk solids-not-fat increased by 9.0%, 11.3% and 9.3%, respectively ( P  < 0.1), for cows fed diets with PG + RUP; milk composition was unchanged. Although the concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acids was unchanged, the proportion of propionic acid increased, and the proportion of acetic acid decreased with PG + RUP. The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen and number of ciliate protozoa was not significantly affected by PG + RUP. The concentration of glucose in blood plasma increased, the concentration of urea nitrogen was unaffected, and the concentration of some essential free amino acids decreased with PG + RUP. It is suggested that these changes might be caused predominantly by PG, and the addition of PG may exert a favorable effect on milk production through increased metabolism.     

Synthesis,insecticidal activity and pyrethroidal mode of action of new tin ether derivatives

A novel range of trimethylstanniomethyl ethers of well known pyrethroid alcohols were synthesised, and their insecticidal activities and modes of action as insecticides were investigated. Among them, ethers from three types of alcohol (3-phenoxybenzyl, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl and 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl) showed remarkable insecticidal activities against rice stem borers, houseflies and German cockroaches. According to electrophysiological studies on the abdominal nerve cords of German cockroaches, trimethylstanniomethyl 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl ether induced a rapid decline in spontaneous firing similar to that from tetramethrin. However, insecticidal trimethyltin chloride caused an entirely different response. These observations suggest that the present tin ether derivatives resemble pyrethroids, rather than the insecticidal tin compounds known so far.     

Relationship between zooplankton abundance and the early marine life history of juvenile chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis> in eastern Hokkaido,Japan

Interannual variations in abundance, timing of outmigration from rivers, growth rate and condition of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) were studied in the Nemuro Strait (eastern Hokkaido, Japan) during 1999–2002 to establish a possible relationship to zooplankton abundance. The otolith microstructure of juveniles was examined each year in late June to determine their time and size at sea entry (i.e., outmigration), and to estimate the early marine growth rates. Salmon outmigration peaked in mid- or late May, which coincided, in three of the four study years, with the peak release of juveniles into rivers within the study area. Abundance, growth rate and condition of fish were higher in 2001, when—compared to other years—smaller fish experienced higher growth rates, coinciding with greater zooplankton abundance for that year. Our results suggest that high zooplankton abundance positively influenced juvenile chum salmon growth and the condition of the fish during their early marine life despite their small size at sea entry.