Geographical variation of mandible size and shape in the Japanese wild pig (Sus scrofa leucomystax)

The mandibles of the Japanese wild pigs (Sus scrofa leucomystax) from various geographical locations, which have been stored in the University of Tokyo and National Science Museum, Tokyo were examined. The mandibles from northern localities were larger in size than those from southern localities. The Oita population was significantly smaller than the Honshu populations. The Mie population was smaller than the Hyogo population in length from the angle of the mandible. In the multivariate analysis, the Kyushu populations could be obviously distinguished from the Honshu populations in the principal component charts. However, each Honshu population did not show the locality-specific distribution of the principal component plots.     

Sympatric distribution of the two morphological types of the common tree shrew in Hat-Yai districts (South Thailand)

The two color types (grayish northern and reddish southern types) of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis and Tupaia belangeri) were co-distributed in Hat-Yai region (South Thailand). Although the Isthmus of Kra in South Thailand has been considered as distribution barrier of the two types, the sympatric distribution of both types was confirmed in southern side of the Isthmus. In the principal component analysis, the skull measurement character from Hat-Yai region could also be separated into the northern and southern groups according to the skin color identification of corresponding individuals. We could generally distinguish the common tree shrew into two types by skull morphology as well as external skin color.     

Adaptation of the muscles of mastication to the flat skull feature in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

The muscles of mastication of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and those of the brown bear (U. arctos) were examined by anatomical approach. In addition, the examination of the skull was carried out in the polar bear, brown bear and giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). In the polar bear, the rostro-ventral part of the superficial layer of the M. masseter possessed the abundant fleshy portion folded in the rostral and lateral directions like an accordion. Moreover, the rostro-medial area of the superficial layer became hollow in the nuchal direction when the mouth was closed. The M. temporalis of the polar bear covered up the anterior border of the coronoid process of the mandible and occupied the almost entire area of the cranial surface. The M. pterygoideus medialis of the polar bear was inserted on the ventral border of the mandible and on the ventral part of the temporal bone more widely than that of the brown bear. As results of our measurements of the mandible, an effect of the leverage in the polar bear was the smallest in three species. In the polar bear, the skull was flat, and the space between zygomatic arch and ventral border of the mandible, occupied by the M. masseter was the narrowest. It is suggested that the muscles of mastication of the polar bear is adapted to the flat skull feature for supplementing the functions.     

Electro-acupuncture and Chinese herbs for treatment of cervical intervertebral disk disease in a dog

A non-ambulatory dog with tetraparesis following a pain episode that had evolved over 2 months was submitted for medical treatment and diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease at C3-C4 and dorsal extradural compression at C1-C2 and C3-C4 using myelography and computed tomography. The dog experienced ambulation recovery after 15 days of treatment with only electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with marked improvement occurring after only 10 treatments. Six months of follow-up demonstrated that the dog was stable and had no recurrence of symptoms. Therefore, it was concluded that the combination of electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was responsible for motor rehabilitation.     

The Guttural Pouch is not Present in the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum); Morphology of the Eustachian Tube and Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx and eustachian tube (auditory tube) were morphologically examined in the white rhinoceros. The narrow nasopharynx cavity was enlarged dorsoventrally. The most lateral part of both sides sharply rises in a dorsal direction and the volume is estimated at 173 cc. The eustachian tube is 145 mm in length from the auditory bulla to the nasopharynx. The hyaline cartilage is well-developed in the middle region of the eustachian tube wall. The results demonstrated that the white rhinoceros does not have a guttural pouch. We suggest that the occurrence of the guttural pouch may not be dependent on the phylogenetic status of perissodactyls such as horse, donkey and tapir.     

Adhesion of Corynebacterium pilosum by pili to epithelial cells of bovine vulva

Piliated (P+) and nonpiliated (P-) clones of Corynebacterium pilosum were selected, and their adhesion to the epithelial cells of the bovine vulva and vaginal vestibule was examined. The number of P+ bacteria of C pilosum that adhered to vulval epithelial cells was greater than that of P- bacteria. The adhesion of P+ bacteria, but not P- bacteria, to the epithelial cells was inhibited by the antipilus antiserum; therefore, the adhesion of C pilosum to the epithelial cells of the vulva was primarily dependent on the pili. The number of C pilosum that adhered to the epithelial cells of the bovine vulva and of the vaginal vestibule increased by decreasing the pH.     

Nutrients removed by Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae) in integrated cultivation with fishes in re-circulating water

The potential of the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii to remove nutrients was tested to treat effluents of Trachinotus carolinus fish cultivation, and the production of carrageenan in this condition was analyzed. Experiments were conducted in four tanks of 8000 L with approximately 1200 fishes of 30 g each integrated with three tanks of 100 L with 700 g of K. alvarezii, as initial biomass per tank. Seawater was re-circulated between tanks with seaweed and with fish. As a control, three tanks with seawater circulating in an open system were utilized. Seawater samples were collected daily for 10 days and concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate were determined in the inflow and outflow water of the tanks. Significant differences between both collecting points were considered as nutrient removal by the seaweed. Growth rates and carrageenan yields were also analyzed in seaweed cultivated in seawater and in effluents. Growth rates of seaweed cultivated in tanks were lower than those obtained in open sea and in laboratory cultivation. Effluents had concentrations of nitrate and nitrite ca. 100 times higher than in the control. Maximum values of nutrient removal on effluents were: nitrate = 18.2%; nitrite = 50.8%; ammonium = 70.5% and phosphate = 26.8%. All plants survived throughout the experimental period, but some developed “ice–ice”, a disease associated with physiological stress. After the experimental period, some plants selected and cultivated in open sea presented higher growth rates in 40 days, indicating nutrient storage. No significant differences between carrageenan yields of K. alvarezii cultivated in seawater and in the effluents were observed. Our results show that K. alvarezii can be utilized as a biofilter for fish cultivation effluents, reducing the eutrophication process and can also be processed for carrageenan production, which provides an additional benefit to the fisheries.     

A method for isolation of milled-wood lignin involving solvent swelling prior to enzyme treatment

Summary A new lignin isolation method has been developed. Wood and pulp were subjected to ball milling, swelled in an organic solvent, and then treated with a cellulase. The enzyme digestion time could be shortened to 1 day with this method. The lignin obtained has been named Swelled Enzyme Lignin (SEL). Swelling and enzyme digestion conditions and their effects on lignins were investigated. The SEL's from wood could be directly washed with water, while those from pulp had to be washed with aqueous acetic acid because they were water soluble. The purification of crude SEL's was accomplished by extracting them with dioxane-water, and then precipitating and washing with ethyl ether. Lignin yields were 24–67% based on the total amount of lignin present. The characteristics of the SEL's were further investigated by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.Symbols SUKP Softwood Unbleached Kraft Pulp - BUKP Birch Unbleached Kraft Pulp - TD Todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis) wood - MWL Milled Wood Lignin - MWLS (BK, TD) Milled Wood Lignin of SUKP (BUKP, TD) - SEL-C Swelled Enzyme Lignin (crude) - SELS-C SEL-C of SUKP, other materials named in the same way - SELS-90 SEL-C of SUKP and extracted with 90% dioxane-water - SELS-96 SEL-C of SUKP and extracted with 96% dioxane-water, other materials named in the same way     

Dynamic excitation and static loading tests of glulam lattice floor

A wooden lattice floor with high stiffness and damping capacity has been developed to solve noise problems in wooden apartment houses. The lattice floor consisted of Douglas fir glulam beams with inserted steel plate joints and drift pins. To examine the structural performance of the floor, dynamic excitation and static loading tests were conducted on the full size floor. The first and second order resonance frequencies of the floor were 13.5Hz and 27.0Hz, respectively. These frequencies are similar to the peak frequency of a conventional wooden floor and the combined floor fabricated from glued laminated timber and iron. The maximum static load of the floor was 127kN. The apparent flexural rigidity was less than half the value of several floors studied in the past. However, it is considered that the stiffness is improved by constructing panels and this floor has almost equivalent performance. Relative deflection was not affected by the loading history.Part of this study was presented at the International Wood Engineering Conference, New Orleans, October 1996.