Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>)

This study aimed to clarify the physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (hereinafter called “hinoki”) (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood with the palm of the right hand on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity. Twenty-two female university students (mean age 21.1?±?0.2 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left/right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio, which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Plate (300?×?300 mm) of uncoated hinoki was used as tactile stimulation. Marble was used as a control material. After sitting at rest with their eyes closed, the participants touched the materials for 90 s with their eyes still closed. The results showed that tactile stimulation with hinoki significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex and increased ln(HF) reflected parasympathetic nervous activity compared with marble. In conclusion, our study showed that touching hinoki wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and increases parasympathetic nervous activity, thereby inducing physiological relaxation.     

Molecular and serological prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in cattle from central region of Syria

A total of 207 bovine blood samples were collected from clinically healthy cattle bred in central region of Syria and examined by Giemsa-stained blood smears, nested PCR, ELISA, and IFAT to determine the molecular and serological prevalence of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. All samples were negative to Babesia spp. by microscopic examination of blood smears. On the other hand, the overall prevalence of B. bovis and B. bigemina was 9.18% and 15.46% by nPCR, 15.46% and 18.84% by ELISA, and 18.36% and 21.74% by IFAT, respectively. Mixed infections were detected in a total of 5 samples (2.4%) by nPCR, 16 (7.73%) by ELISA and 27 (13.04%) by IFAT. Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the two infections were observed on the basis of age and location. These data provide valuable information regarding the occurrence and epidemiology of B. bovis and B. bigemina infections in Syrian cattle, which can be employed in developing rational strategies for disease control and management.     

Developmental stages of the blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis)

Chickens and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) have traditionally been the primary avian models in developmental biology research. Recently, the blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinesis), the smallest species in the order Galliformes, has been proposed as an excellent candidate model in avian developmental studies owing to its precocious and prolific properties. However, data on the embryonic development of blue‐breasted quail are scarce. Here, we developed a normal developmental series for the blue‐breasted quail based on developmental features. The blue‐breasted quail embryos take 17 days to reach the hatching period at 37.7°C. We documented specific periods of incubation in which significant development occurred, and created a 39‐stage developmental series. The developmental series for the blue‐breasted quail was almost identical to that for chickens and Japanese quail in the earlier stages of development (stages 1–16). Our staging series is especially useful at later stages of development (stages 34–39) of blue‐breasted quail embryos as a major criterion of staging in this phase of development was the weight of embryos and the length of third toes.     

Skeletal development in blue‐breasted quail embryos

The blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis), the smallest species of quail with short generation interval and excellent reproductive performance, is a potential avian research model. A normal series of skeletal development of avian embryos could be served as a reference standard in the fields of developmental biology and teratological testing as well as in the investigation of mutation with skeletal abnormalities and in the study of the molecular mechanisms of skeletal development through genome manipulation. Furthermore, ossification sequence shows a species‐specific pattern and has potential utility in phylogeny. However, data on the skeletal development of blue‐breasted quail embryos are scarce. Here, we established a series of normal stages for the skeletal development of blue‐breasted quail embryos. Cartilage and ossified bones of blue‐breasted quail embryos were stained blue and red with Alcian blue 8GX and Alizarin red S, respectively. The time and order of chondrification and calcification of their skeletons were documented every 24 hr from 3 to 17 days of incubation, and a 15‐stage series of skeletal development was created. Moreover, a comparative study with the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) demonstrated that ossification sequence differed significantly between these two species.     

Serological survey of Neospora caninum infection among dogs in Japan through species-specific ELISA

A seroepidemiological survey of Neospora caninum infection among dogs in Japan was conducted using species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant surface antigen (Nc-SAG1t). Among 1,206 dogs examined, 126 dogs (10.4%) from 30 prefectures from Hokkaido to Okinawa were positive to N. caninum infections, which were more frequently detected in females than males. Siberian Huskies showed the highest positive rate compared with the other breeds. Dogs with pyometra and diabetes mellitus showed the higher positive rates than dogs with other diseases or without diseases.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in canine transitional cell carcinoma

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), a urinary bladder tumor with high mortality, is encountered commonly in dogs. Whereas overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with development of human urinary bladder cancer, information on EGFR expression in canine TCC is lacking. In this study, EGFR protein and mRNA expression in canine normal bladder (n=5), polypoid cystitis (n=5) and TCC (n=25) were examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. EGFR protein expression was significantly higher in TCC than that in normal healthy bladder (P<0.001) and polypoid cystitis (P<0.005). High EGFR protein expression was significantly (P<0.01) associated with TCC with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 100%. Comparative analysis of protein and mRNA expression levels in TCC showed significant positive correlation (r=0.88, P<0.05) between mRNA and protein expression. These findings suggest that intense expression of EGFR protein could be used as a marker to help canine TCC diagnosis.     

Effects of feeding conditions and size differences on aggressive behaviour and cannibalism in the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel) larvae

We examined the effects of feeding conditions and size differences on the aggressive behaviour and cannibalism in Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis larvae. In a 24 h experiment, restricted feeding alone was found to remarkably increase the frequency of aggressive behaviour, which was further elevated by differences in fish size. In a 4‐day rearing experiment, while aggressive behaviour was increased by restricted feeding alone, the frequency of cannibalism did not change significantly. Although the frequency of aggressive behaviour did not increase with difference in size factor, small fish in this group gradually tended to die over 4‐day period. In the restricted feeding and size difference group, large fish were observed to bite the small fish, and almost all the small fish died on the day after the start of the experiment. These results suggest that the aggressive behaviour of PBT larvae is chiefly increased by the shortage of live food; however, deaths related to cannibalism mainly occurred in small larvae and rapidly increased with food restriction and differences in fish size.     

Muscle growth in full-cycle cultured Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis from early larval to juvenile stage: histochemical,immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observation

With the development of successful aquaculture techniques, the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) has become the most important fish species in Japan. Early muscle growth and cellularity of muscle fibers have a profound effect on ultimate body size and meat quality of fish. Larvae and juveniles of full-cycle cultured PBT were sampled at 3, 15, 29, 41, 70, 128 and 218 days post hatch (dph). Transverse body sections until 41 dph and muscle sections from 41 dph thereafter from dorso-cranial or caudal areas were stained for muscle fiber morphological and morphometric analysis and muscle sections from the dorso-cranial region were used for ultra-structural observation. Red muscle fibers appeared by 15 dph at the horizontal septum both in epaxial and hypaxial regions. Other than a single layer of superficial red fibers and those at the horizontal septum, existence of red muscle fibers was apparent in the PBT myotome. The muscle fiber diameters varied in their size even in adjacent myotomes of PBT. Overall, growth throughout the various stages was a result of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of muscle fibers. Muscle fiber diameters were greater in the dorso-cranial than in dorso-caudal region at 41, 70 and 128 dph. These results provide additional characterization of PBT growth, which may assist with managing fish production efficiency, harvest age and eating quality.