Effect of combined water and salinity stress factors on evapotranspiration of Sedum kamtschaticum Fischer in relation to green roof irrigation

In dryland areas, secondarily treated municipal wastewater could be used in extensive green roof systems. In this study, the effects of water and salt stress on a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant, Sedum kamtschaticum Fischer, was evaluated under intermittent saline irrigation. The salinity of irrigation water varied from 6.0 to 18.0 dS m^?1. A reduction in soil water content and an increase in soil water electrical conductivity (EC) were observed during the irrigation interval (5–17 d) as a result of evapotranspiration (ET). The effect of soil water potential (SWP) on reduction of the ET ratio (ET_r) was successfully described with an equation that could be applicable to a wide range of soil salinities and water contents, to estimate ET. In this study, the stress factor was defined as the integration of solute potential, and matric potential less soil water content for optimum growth (less than ?0.1 MPa) with elapsed time. The stress factor rapidly reduced total ET in CAM plants but effectively increased water-use efficiency (WUE). Thus, by using CAM plants for green roofs under intermittent saline irrigation, the need for irrigation water is reduced without a considerable loss of plant biomass.     

Influence of heart rate on myocardial function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in healthy dogs

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of heart rate (HR) on myocardial function assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in healthy dogs.AnimalsThirteen healthy beagle dogs.MethodsAnimals were anesthetized and HR was controlled with right atrial pacing. Myocardial function of each dog was assessed using 2D-STE at pacing rates of 120, 140, 160, and 180 bpm.ResultsAll strain and strain rate variables in the longitudinal, circumferential, and radial directions were not significantly different between pacing rates. Peak early diastolic torsion rate at 180 bpm was significantly increased compared with that at 120 bpm (P = 0.003).ConclusionTorsion rate in early diastole was elevated at 180 bpm, which may reflect improved myocardial relaxation with higher HR. Changes in left ventricular torsion during tachycardia may play an important role in preserving stroke volume in the presence of shortened ejection and filling times.     

Determination of Anthocyanins and Antioxidants in ‘Titanbicus’ Edible Flowers In Vitro and In Vivo

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Titanbicus (TB), a hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos × H. coccineus (Medic.) Walt., has potential to be used as an edible flower. In this study, proximate...     

Statistical Analysis of Metal Concentrations in a Sediment Core to Reveal Influences of Human Activities on Atmospheric Environment for 200 Years

Metal concentrations in a sediment core from a moat outside Osaka Castle in Japan were measured by ICP-MS following a microwave extraction method. Concentrations of metals in the sediment core samples peaked around 1945 when the World War II ended. This is in part due to great air raids on Osaka. In cluster analysis using metal concentrations, the fractions of sediment core samples were classified into two groups, representing natural sources (1795–1915) and anthropogenic sources (1922–1976), respectively. Results of lead isotope ratios also showed the anthropogenic influences from 1915 by changing the ratio values compared to those of natural sources. In addition, several components contributing to metal concentrations were identified by principal component analysis. The main component was controlled by natural sources and a decrease of the component score corresponded to an increased influence from anthropogenic sources. The largest impact of anthropogenic sources was shown around 1945.     

The pathogenicity of canine parvovirus type-2b, FP84 strain isolated from a domestic cat, in domestic cats

Canine parvovirus type-2a (CPV-2a) and type-2b (CPV-2b) have recently been isolated from domestic cats. The pathogenicity of CPV-2b in domestic cats is still unclear. In this study, we performed infection tests to examine the pathogenicity of CPV-2b, FP84 strain, isolated from a domestic cat. The results demonstrated that the CPV strain FP84 is able to infect and replicate well in domestic cats. Two of the 3 cats used in the test died. They showed loss of appetite, diarrhea, leukopenia and dehydration. Since FP84 was found to be virulent to domestic cats, it is necessary to examine the efficacy of inactivated feline panleukopenia virus vaccines against CPV infection in domestic cats.     

Chondrocyte apoptosis and decrease of glycosaminoglycan in cranial cruciate ligament insertion after resection in rabbits

We examined time-dependent histological changes of the calcified fibrocartilage area in a tibial cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insertion after ligament resection in rabbits. The animals were divided into two groups: those undergoing CCL substance resection in the right stifle (resected group) and those receiving the same operation without CCL resection in the left stifle (sham operated group). Five animals were euthanized with deep anaesthesia at four time periods (1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks), and Haematoxylin-eosin and Safranin-O stainings and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed. The average percentage of TUNEL-positive chondrocytes and the average thickness of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-stained area in the calcified fibrocartilage area were measured. Two and 4 weeks after the surgery, the average percentages of TUNEL-positive chondrocytes in the resected group (23.8 +/- 10.3% and 15.9 +/- 6.7%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the sham operated group (8.9 +/- 3.8% and 7.4 +/- 1.6%, P<0.05, respectively). Six weeks after the surgery, the average thickness of the GAG-stained area in the resected group (7.7 +/- 13. 5 microm) was significantly smaller than that in the sham operated group (69.4 +/- 39.9 microm, P<0.05). Our results suggest that the average percentage of TUNEL-positive chondrocytes became a peak in 2 weeks and that histological changes occurred in 6 weeks. The chondrocyte apoptosis can induce decrease of GAG-stained area after resection of CCL. Therefore, chondrocyte apoptosis in the calcified cartilage area in the CCL tibial insertion might lead to histological changes.     

Prognostic factors for dogs with surgically resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Few reports have investigated prognosis of canine gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cases treated by surgical resection alone. In the present study, we investigated the overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors for dogs with GIST treated by surgical complete resection alone. Fifty-three dogs were included, and the median OS was 18 months. Multivariate analysis showed that primary tumors in small intestine (P=0.04) is significantly associated with shorter OS, and median OS of the cases with cecum lesion and those with small intestine lesion was 22 and 6 months, respectively. The present study suggested primary tumor site was a novel prognostic factor for dogs with GIST treated by surgical complete resection alone.     

Establishment of a mouse- and egg-adapted strain for the evaluation of vaccine potency against H3N2 variant influenza virus in mice

Sporadic spreads of swine-origin influenza H3N2 variant (H3N2v) viruses were reported in humans, resulting in 437 human infections between 2011 and 2021 in the USA. Thus, an effective vaccine is needed to better control a potential pandemic for these antigenically distinct viruses from seasonal influenza. In this study, a candidate vaccine strain with efficient growth capacity in chicken embryos was established through serial blind passaging of A/Indiana/08/2011 (H3N2)v in mice and chicken embryos. Seven amino acid substitutions (M21I in PA; A138T, N165K, and V226A in HA; S312L in NP; T167I in M1; G62A in NS1 proteins) were found in the passaged viruses without a major change in the antigenicity. This mouse- and egg-adapted virus was used as a vaccine and challenge strain in mice to evaluate the efficacy of the H3N2v vaccine in different doses. Antibodies with high neutralizing titers were induced in mice immunized with 100 µg of inactivated whole-virus particles, and those mice were significantly protected from the challenge of homologous strain. The findings indicated that the established strain in the study was useful for vaccine study in mouse models.