Acoustic evaluation of the vertical distribution of dwarf ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in Lake Biwa

SUMMARY: The vertical distribution of dwarf ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in the pelagic waters of Lake Biwa was evaluated from June to September in 1995–97 from eight acoustic surveys using a quantitative echosounder. In each survey, echoes from a depth range of 3 m to the sea bottom were collected at a station every 2.7 s for 24 h together with measurements of vertical profiles of water temperature and chlorophyll-a. The ayu's echoes were identified using an underwater video camera. The ayu were observed near the maximum chlorophyll-a depth and above the thermocline. Their density was highest at depths of 4–11 m with 2–4 individuals/m ³ and was almost zero below 20 m. Echo signs were recorded as having a frequent duration of more than 1 h at night, whereas were of a shorter duration in the day. The fish stay in the epilimnion during the day without any clear vertical migration, but are distributed more uniformly at night. The advantages of remaining in the epilimnion are discussed in terms of food availability and predator avoidance.     

Carrier rate of the c.235G>C mutation in the bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) gene of Japanese Black cows at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan,and analysis of the metabolic profiling and reproductive performance of heterozygous cows

Bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) disorder, a major cause of weak calf syndrome, is caused by a homozygous missense (c.235G>C) mutation in the bovine IARS gene of Japanese Black (JB) cattle, which was identified in 2013. However, the extent to which the carrier rate has changed at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, and whether the carrier status is associated with any clinical or reproductive problems, have yet to be ascertained. In this study, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping assay, we determined the carrier rate in a regional JB cow population at Kagoshima prefecture. Comparative analyses were performed on the metabolic profile test (MPT) results and reproductive performance data obtained for heterozygous carrier and homozygous wild-type cows. In 2009 and 2018, DNA samples were collected from 130 and 462 clinically healthy JB cows, respectively, in Kagoshima prefecture. MPT results and reproductive performance data were evaluated for 62 cows, comprising four heterozygous carriers and 58 wild-type cows. Genotyping revealed that the carrier rate was 6.9% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2018, the difference of which was statistically significant (P<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the carrier and wild-type cows with respect to either MPT results or reproductive performance, indicating that the carrier cows have necessary IARS activity to maintain minimal health and reproductive potential.     

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG SpaC pilin subunit binds to the carbohydrate moieties of intestinal glycoconjugates

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a well‐established probiotic strain. The beneficial properties of this strain are partially dependent on its prolonged residence in the gastrointestinal tract, and are likely influenced by its adhesion to the intestinal mucosa. The pilin SpaC subunit, located within the Spa pili structure, is the most well studied LGG adhesion factor. However, the binding epitopes of SpaC remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the binding properties of SpaC to the carbohydrate moieties of intestinal glycoconjugates using a recombinant SpaC protein. In a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, SpaC binding was markedly reduced by addition of purified mucin and the mucin oligosaccharide fraction. Histochemical staining revealed that the binding of SpaC was drastically reduced by periodic acid treatment. Moreover, in the surface plasmon resonance‐based Biacore assay, SpaC bound strongly to the carbohydrate moieties containing β‐galactoside at the non‐reducing terminus of glycolipids. We here provide the first demonstration that SpaC binds to the oligosaccharide chains of mucins, and that the carbohydrate moieties containing β‐galactoside at the non‐reducing termini of glycoconjugates play a crucial role in this binding. Our results demonstrate the importance of carbohydrates of SpaC for mucus interactions.     

Sporadic endemicity of zoonotic Paragonimus in raccoon dogs and Japanese badgers from Miyazaki Prefecture,Japan

Paragonimiasis is a zoonotic trematode infection caused by Paragonimus spp. To determine the recent status of Paragonimus infections in wild animals, this study investigated Paragonimus spp. in 39 raccoon dogs and 54 Japanese badgers from March 2019 to January 2021 in Miyazaki Prefecture, and examined metacercariae in freshwater crabs. Triploid P. westermani was found in one raccoon dog (2.6%), and metacercariae were recovered from Eriocheir japonica captured near the infected animal collected. One Japanese badger (1.9%) harbored P. skrjabini miyazakii; this prevalence was lower than the approximately 30% that was reported in the 1970s. Results indicated that zoonotic Paragonimus was sporadically prevalent in wild animals. Further investigation in various animals is awaited to elucidate current wildlife reservoirs for those Paragonimus.     

冰藏鲢的鲜度变化对其鱼糜凝胶作用的影响

通过比较不同冰藏时间的鲢所制鱼糜在各种加热温度下的凝胶化和凝胶劣化的特性,考察了鲢的鲜度变化与鱼糜凝胶作用能力的关系。实验结果表明：冰藏０￣９天鲢鱼糜,在３０℃低温一段加热时凝胶的形成与链鲜度关系不大;８５℃一段加热时,凝胶化能力随鲜度下降而降低;３０￣８５℃二段加热与３０℃一段加热相比,两者凝胶破断强度之间的差值随鲢鲜度的下降而减小;６０℃加热条件下,凝胶劣化程度随原料鲜度下降而明显加剧。据此可见：鲜度对鲢鱼糜凝胶作用能力的影响主要表现在凝胶劣化方面。８５℃高温一段加热和３０￣８５℃二段加热的凝胶强度之所以受鲜度下降而影响,都是由于加热时经过了易劣化的６０℃温度区所致。从总体上看,鲢肉蛋白质在冰藏条件下较为稳定,保持较强的凝胶化能力。     

鲢及其加工废弃物发酵鱼露的比较

本研究分别以鲢全鱼及鲢鱼糜加工中的废弃物为原料发酵鱼露。测定了发酵过程中ｐＨ１Ｔ－ＶＢＮ以及氨基酸的变化情况,分析了产品的理化成份并比较了氨基酸组成。结果表明,以鲢全鱼和废弃物发酵鱼露过程中ｐＨ、Ｔ－ＶＢＮ以及氨基酸总量的变化情况基本相同。产品的感官评价结果无显著差异;全鱼发酵产品的氨基氮、总氮比由废弃物发酵的产品高,但是后者的氨基酸转化率、脂肪、红色指数以及呈鲜味的氨基酸占氨基酸总量的比例比前者高。     

考虑可控非可控因素动态特性的含水层系统有限元模拟模型

本文提出了考虑可控非可控因素动态特征的水资源系统有限元动态模拟模型，将各单元逐时段系统输入输出信息的动态计算模型引入到模型中，然后由于这些量的动态特性，加之需要模拟识别的参数繁多，给有限元模拟模型的求解工作增加了很大的难度，我们在分析各类参数及曲线精度及物理概念的基础上，先固定一部分参数和曲线，然后从剩余参数的物理概念出发，确定其初值及其相互间的逻辑关系，最后由有限元模拟模型识别出这些参数，通过验证表明了模拟参数的准确性，也充分说明了有限元各项项信息量确定的准确，系统输入输出信息量计算模型合理可靠。     

Recent advances in the high-density rotifer culture in Japan

The success of rapidly growing aquaculture industry depends on the steady supply of fish seeds. Appropriate food for initial larval stages is critical for mass scale fish seed production. Live food found better over artificial food for fish larvae culture. Rotifers have been found to be the best live food for feeding fish larvae in early life stage. Attempts have been made to develop viable techniques for the production of rotifer through batch, continuous, and semi-continuous culture methods. In order to feed increased number of fish larvae, rotifer need to be cultured under high-density method. Various efforts have been made for increasing culture density of rotifer. In Japan, stable high-density culture of rotifer has been developed in commercial scale at a rate of 20,000–30,000 ind. ml^?1. Later on, ultra-high-density rotifer culture (160,000 ind. ml^?1) was found successful, which can fulfill the increased demand for rotifer as fish larval food. Furthermore, a scope of alternative use of rotifer can be explored. The development of the high-density rotifer culture method in Japan has been reviewed. The considerations of the associated nutritional requirements, microbial aspects, and prospects of high-density culture have been discussed.