Analysis of sinking death using video images of the swimming performance of Pacific Bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) larvae

In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanism of sinking death during the larval stage of Pacific Bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis by investigating the effects of swimming performance on sinking death, using a behavioral approach. Swimming performance was examined 3–9 days after hatching (DAH) under day and night light conditions in cuboid experimental tanks. Swimming behavior variables such as swimming speed and swimming angle were measured under both light conditions. Larvae in the daytime experiment and larvae with inflated swim bladders at night were distributed on the surface layer of the water column. In contrast, larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night were frequently observed swimming vertically or sinking to the bottom of the tank. Larvae with inflated swim bladders at night were always distributed beneath the surface until the next morning (survival rates were 100 %). However, larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night swam upward repeatedly and later sank to the bottom of the tank (survival rates were 60 % and 38 % at 5 and 9 DAH, respectively). Larvae with uninflated swim bladders were not always able to maintain their swimming depth by swimming until the next morning. Additionally, their swimming speed and vertical swimming frequency (ratio) depended on the illumination and swim bladder conditions. Our findings show that larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night were associated with a higher risk of sinking death. The swimming energy capacity of Pacific Bluefin tuna larvae, which indicates the total amount of the energy that enables individuals to swim throughout the night without feeding, was found to be linked to sinking death.     

大强度间歇游泳运动对青年肥胖女性减肥效果的研究

目的：探讨大强度间歇游泳运动对青年肥胖女性减肥的效果。方法：20名自愿参加青年肥胖女性随机分为对照组和实验组各10名，实验组进行12周4次/周大强度间歇游泳运动，运动方案为以85%VO2max强度完成200m游、再以55%VO2max强度完成100m游、间歇休息3min为一组，重复6组；在运动计划实施前和12周结束时采用ZEUS9.9身体成分分析仪测定受试者身体成分。结果：与对照组或运动前比较，实验组青年肥胖女性的体重、BMI、腰围、臀围、WHR、体脂%、身体脂肪、内脏脂肪和皮下脂肪均出现极显著性或显著性减少（P<0.01，P<0.05)，而肌肉量和蛋白质量则出现显著性增加 (p<0.05）。结论：大强度间歇游泳运动对青年肥胖女性有明显的减肥效果。     

Resection cystoplasty of a squamous cell carcinoma in a mare

A 22‐year‐old Arabian mare was examined for evaluation of haematuria of 2 months' duration. Complete blood cell count and chemistry revealed anaemia of chronic disease (i.e. normocytic, normochromic) and hypoproteinaemia. Cystoscopy revealed a haemorrhagic mass protruding into the lumen of the urinary bladder in the apical region. The mass was surgically removed by partial cystectomy performed through a caudal ventral midline laparotomy. Histological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Tumours of the equine urinary bladder are rare, and when a partial cystectomy is indicated, a caudal ventral midline laparotomy may provide adequate surgical exposure even in adult horses.     

鸡胆囊交感节后神经元的定位研究

为了找出支配鸡胆囊交感节后神经元的分布规律,选用体重1.5 kg～2.5 kg的成年母鸡6只,将CT-HRP溶液注入胆囊壁,动物存活3 d～4 d后,经左心室灌流固定,取内脏神经节、肾上腺神经节以及双侧胸、腰和荐段交感干神经节,制成50 μm的连续冰冻切片,TMB法呈色反应,置明视野显微镜下观片统计.结果发现,支配鸡胆囊的交感传出神经元胞体位于内脏神经节(占41.1%)、肾上腺神经节(占40.5%)和T2～T7交感干神经节(占18.4%),在交感干神经节中标记细胞的峰值位于T5、T6交感干神经节.所有的标记细胞以位于右侧的占优势.     

Seasonal Variations in Physicochemical and Textural Properties of North Atlantic Cod (Gadus morh.ua) Mince

Abstract

Seasonal variations in physicochemical and textural properties of minced cod muscle from Icelandic coastal areas were evaluated. Measurements were performed on mince from the white muscle. Compared to the winter and summer values, hardness and cohesiveness, as measured by Instron, showed a drop in March to May and another drop was observed for cohesiveness during the autumn months. Expressible moisture changed slightly from March to August whereas results from the winter months indicate greater fluctuations. A minimum was observed for protein solubility in March and July. The surface hydrophobicity of proteins, increased gradually from November to May followed by a sudden drop, then a gradual increase again.     

Urinary bladder wall substitution using autologous tunica vaginalis in male dogs

Fresh autologous tunica vaginalis was experimentally used for partial substitution of the excised urinary bladder wall in ten male mongrel dogs. The substituted areas of two dogs were examined macroscopically and histologically at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after surgery. Two control dogs underwent partial cystectomy and primary wall closure without substitution. The regenerated transitional epithelium completely covered the substituted portion and smooth muscle regeneration was present at 6 weeks. The bladder walls at the closure area of one control dog and at the substituted portions of two dogs at 10 weeks were indistinguishable macroscopically from the native bladder with all layers of the bladder wall present histologically. According to the macroscopic and histological findings and simplicity of the technique, tunica vaginalis can be used as an alternative graft for bladder wall substitution. Calcification and bone metaplasia observed were similar to those found after using other tissue grafts.     

Evaluation of codends with sorting grids, exit windows, and diamond meshes: Size selection and fish behaviour

This paper presents the results of an experiment aimed at improving the size selection of cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in the Nordic bottom trawl fishery. Three systems simulating commercial conditions were tested: a 135 mm diamond-mesh codend fitted with a 55 mm sorting grid (Sort-V); a 135 mm diamond-mesh codend fitted with two lateral exit windows; and a codend built entirely of 155 mm diamond mesh. The selectivity curves showed similar selection ranges (SR) for the three systems. For cod, the mean SRs were around 8 cm, while for haddock, they were around 6 cm. All the estimated l₅₀ values were far above the minimum landing sizes (MLS). For cod, the mean l₅₀s were 56.1, 53.9, and 60.7 cm for the sorting grid, exit windows, and diamond-mesh configurations, respectively, while for haddock, they were 50.2, 50.6, and 49.9 cm, respectively. Underwater observations revealed that most of the fish escaped from the grid and exit-window codends as soon as they reached the vicinity of the sorting device. In contrast, fish remained inside the diamond-mesh codend for a longer time, and consequently were more exposed to physical damage before escape. In addition, many fish escaped from this codend during haul back and these fish were not likely to survive due to the rapid changes in pressure. Thus, the selectivity results obtained with this type of codend should be interpreted carefully.