Phenotypic and functional analysis of bovine peripheral blood dendritic cells before parturition by a novel purification method

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen presenting cells specializing in antigen uptake and processing, and play an important role in the innate and adaptive immune response. A subset of bovine peripheral blood DCs was identified as CD172a⁺/CD11c⁺/MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class II⁺ cells. Although DCs are identified at 0.1%–0.7% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), the phenotype and function of DCs remain poorly understood with regard to maintaining tolerance during the pregnancy. All cattle used in this study were 1 month before parturition. We have established a novel method for the purification of DCs from PBMC using magnetic‐activated cell sorting, and purified the CD172a⁺/CD11c⁺ DCs, with high expression of MHC class II and CD40, at 84.8% purity. There were individual differences in the expressions of CD205 and co‐stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on DCs. There were positive correlations between expression of cytokine and co‐stimulatory molecules in DCs, and the DCs maintained their immune tolerance, evidenced by their low expressions of the co‐stimulatory molecules and cytokine production. These results suggest that before parturition a half of DCs may be immature and tend to maintain tolerance based on the low cytokine production, and the other DCs with high co‐stimulatory molecules may already have the ability of modulating the T‐cell linage.     

Gene constitution of South-East Asian native chickens, commercial chickens and jungle fowl using polymorphisms of four calpain genes

The gene constitution of polymorphisms of the four calpain genes (µ‐calpain, m‐calpain, p94, and µ/m‐calpain) were analyzed in South‐East Asian native chickens, White Leghorn and Broiler commercial chickens, and Red and Green jungle fowl. Polymorphisms were detected at all loci in chickens and Red jungle fowl, but only for CAPN1 (µ‐calpain gene) in Green jungle fowl. CAPN2 and CAPN1.5 are linked on chicken chromosome 3, and the genotype for these loci were treated as haplotype. Some combinations of calpain loci were tested using principal component analysis, and the best combination (CAPN1, CAPN3, and CAPN1.5) was determined. The proportion of polymorphic loci (P_poly) and heterozygosity (H?) were 1.00 and 0.316–0.465 in domestic chickens and red jungle fowl, and 0.33 and 0.137 in Green jungle fowl, respectively. G_ST values suggested that the degree of subdivision among native chickens was relatively low except for Thailand, which was highest. Pair‐wise F_ST testing, dendrogram and principal component analysis from the results of calpain loci showed that the four South‐East Asian native and commercial chicken populations were close genetically.     

Spatially distributed morphological characteristics of macropores in forest soils of Hitachi Ohta Experimental Watershed, Japan

Morphological characteristics of macropores in forest soil profiles were investigated at Hitachi Ohta Experimental Watershed in Japan. Nine individual profiles at different locations (various spatial scales in a catchment) and twenty profiles at one site (a small spatial scale) were excavated to the bedrock to investigate density, origin, diameter, direction, and gradient of macropores. Macropore densities in a soil profile ranged from 3.5 to 29.1 per m and from 5.4 to 75.1 per m², respectively. Subsurface erosion, root channels, and interactions between subsurface erosion and root channels accounted for 36.9, 36.5, and 19.0%, of the described macropores. The mean macropore diameter in organic-rich soil layer (17–20 mm) was larger than in the B horizon (11–14 mm) at both spatial scales. The dominant gradients of all macropores in the organic-rich soil layer and B horizon were at negative oblique angles. Approximately 90% of the macropores in the organic-rich soil layer and approximately 80% of the macropores in the B horizon fell within the range between −50 and 50 degree planar direction. Subsurface flow and root systems are believed to play important roles in determining the morphological characteristics of macropores. These characteristics appear to have variable influences in different soil horizons rather than at different spatial scales. A part of this paper was presented at the 103th (1992) and 105th (1994) Annual Meetings of Japanese Forestry Society.     

Biochemistry and physiology of a family of eel natriuretic peptides

Three natriuretic peptides with similar structures were isolated from eels and their amino acid sequences determined; atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from atria, ventricular natriuretic peptide (VNP) from ventricles, and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) from brains. All three hormones were circulating in eel blood, and their plasma levels invariably decreased when eels were transferred from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW). Eel ANP and VNP inhibited drinking in FW and SW eels. Eel ANP inhibited water and Na⁺ absorption by the intestine of SW eels. The potency of these ANP effects was 2–3 orders greater than those of other hormones which are known to have similar effects. Eel ANP and VNP induced antidiuresis but not antinatriuresis in FW eels. Eel ANP increased plasma cortisol level in SW eels but not in FW eels. The antidiuretic effect and the stimulation of cortisol secretion in eels are opposite to the ANP effects reported in mammals. These data suggest that ANP plays a complex role in the eel osmoregulation.

---

Résumé Trois peptides natriurétiques présentant des structures similaires ont été isolés chez l'anguille et leurs séquences en acides aminés a été déterminées; le peptide atrial natriurétique (ANP) dans l'atria, le peptide ventriculaire natriurétique (VNP) dans les ventricules et le peptide natriurétique de type C dans le cerveau. Ces trois hormones sont présents dans le sang d'anguille et leur niveau plasmatique decroit invariablement quand les anguilles sont transférées d'eau douce en eau de mer. L'ANP et le VNP d'anguille inhibent l'action de boire chez les anguilles d'eau douce et d'eau de mer. L'ANP d'anguille inhibe l'absorption d'eau et de Na⁺ par l'intestin d'anguille en eau de mer. Ces effets de l'ANP sont 2 à 3 fois plus grands que ceux observés avec d'autres hormones qui sont connues pour avoir des effets similaires. L'ANP et le VNP d'anguille induisent l'antidiurèse mais pas l'antinatriurèse chez les anguilles d'eau douce. L'ANP d'anguille augmente chez ce poisson les niveaux de cortisol plasmatique en eau de mer mais pas en eau douce. L'effet antidiurétique et la stimulation de la sécrétion de cortisol chez l'anguille sont contraire aux effets de l'ANP observés chez les mammifères. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'ANP joue un role complexe dans l'osmorégulation de l'anguille.

     

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Activity and Glycogen Content in Various Fiber Types after Intensive Exercise in Thoroughbred Horses

To find a new parameter indicating muscle fitness in Thoroughbred horses, we examined time-dependent recovery of glycogen content and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of skeletal muscle after intensive treadmill running. Two repeated 50-sec running sessions (13 m/sec) were performed on a flat treadmill (approximately 90%VO₂max). Muscle samples of the middle gluteal muscle were taken before exercise (pre) and 1 min, 20 min, 60 min, and 24 hr after exercise. Muscle fiber type composition was determined in the pre muscle samples by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody to myosin heavy chain. SR Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of the muscle and glycogen content of each muscle fiber type were determined with biochemical analysis and quantitative histochemical staining, respectively. As compared to the pre value, the glycogen content of each muscle fiber type was reduced by 15–27% at 1 min, 20 min, and 60 min after the exercise and recovered to the pre value at 24 hr after exercise test. These results indicate that 24 hr is enough time to recover glycogen content after short-term intensive exercise. The mean value of the SR Ca²⁺-ATPase activity showed a slight decrease (not significant) immediately after exercise, and complete recovery at 60 min after exercise. There were no significant relationship between the changes in glycogen content of each muscle fiber type and SR Ca²⁺-ATPase. Although further studies are needed, SR Ca²⁺-ATPase is not a useful parameter to detect muscle fitness, at least in Thoroughbred horses.     

Differences in Muscle Fiber Recruitment Patterns between Continuous and Interval Exercises

We evaluated differences in muscle fiber recruitment patterns between continuous and interval training to develop an optimal training program for Thoroughbred horses. Five well trained female thoroughbred horses (3–4 years old) were used. The horses performed two different exercises on a 10% inclined treadmill: 90%VO₂ max for 4 min (continuous) and 90% VO₂ max for 2 min × 2 times with 10-min interval (interval). Muscle samples were obtained from the middle gluteal muscle before and immediately after the exercises. Four muscle fiber types (type I, IIA, IIA/X, and IIX) were immunohistochemically identified, and the optical density of periodic acid Schiff staining (OD-PAS) in each fiber type and glycogen content of the muscle sample were determined by quantitative histochemical and biochemical procedures, respectively. No significant differences were found in the OD-PASs and glycogen contents between the continuous and interval exercises, but the decreases in OD-PAS of fast-twitch muscle fibers were obvious after interval as compared to continuous exercise. Interval exercise may be a more effective training stimulus for the glycolytic capacity of fast-twitch muscle fiber. The data about muscle fiber recruitment can provide significant insights into the optimal training program not only for thoroughbred horses, but also for human athletes.     

Analysis of Land use and Land Cover Changes in the Coastal Area of Bangladesh using Landsat Imagery

Coastal land use across the globe has experienced remarkable rapid change over the recent decades because of extraordinary anthropogenic pressure and climate variability and change. Therefore, quantitative information about coastal land use change is imperative for effective management and planning resources for sustainable development. We analysed the quantitative land use and land cover changes during 1989–2000–2010 periods in three important agroecological zones of the most vulnerable coastal region of Bangladesh using Landsat images (Thematic Mapper/Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus). In the Ganges Tidal Floodplain, the area under shrimp cultivation greatly increased at the rate of 2·05% per annum. The majority of the shrimp area gained from conversion of single cropland. In the Meghna Estuarine Floodplain, decreased mudflat and water bodies were observed, which was predominantly converted into cropland. In Chittagong Coastal Plain, salt pan–shrimp area increased with the expense of single and/or double cropland. In all the study areas, settlement area considerably increased over time. The dynamics of land use change have been attributed to low and unstable food production in the coastal region. The approach adopted in study and the results obtained from the study would likely be useful for policy making and identifying direction for future studies on the coastal land use in Bangladesh. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.