Use of Artemia supplemented with exogenous digestive enzymes as sole live food increased survival and growth during the larviculture of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi

This study evaluated the effect of exogenous digestive enzymes on the survival, growth performance and morphology of the digestive tract of juveniles of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi fed exclusively with Artemia and supplemented with five different concentrations of porcine pancreatin (PP) (0, 5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/L from birth until 30 days after release). The results found in the present study clearly show that there was a significant increase in survival and growth as well as substantial changes in the morphology of intestinal villi in seahorses fed exclusively with Artemia supplemented with 75 mg/L PP. Therefore, the use of digestive enzyme supplementation constitutes an important advance for the establishment of a more efficient and practical feeding protocol (exclusive use of Artemia) for juveniles of the longsnout seahorse.     

Inheritance of aroma in rice

Summary Inheritance of an aroma was worked out in crosses between Brimful from Nepal as an aromatic rice and leading Japanese varieties Koshihikari and Nipponbare as non-aromatic ones. The F₂ pattern of segregation for aroma to non-aroma was 3:13 indicating one dose gene for aroma and one dose inhibitor gene in two crosses. This ratio was confirmed by genetic behavior of F₃ populations.     

Influence of moisture content on estimating Young’s modulus of full-scale timber using stress wave velocity

The effect of moisture content on the stress wave propagation velocity was investigated in order to estimate the Young’s modulus of full-scale timbers in an air-drying state using the measurement of stress wave propagation velocity above the fiber saturation point. Using Japanese cedar lumber, the velocity and the density under high-moisture condition and air-drying states were measured respectively; after measuring the modulus of elasticity in an air-drying state, the moisture content of each condition was measured. By performing numerical analysis on these data, the relationship between the moisture content and the rate of change of velocity of full-scale timbers was derived. This relationship was used to estimate the Young’s modulus of the timber in the air-drying state from the velocity in high-moisture condition. First, the velocity and the Young’s modulus in an air-drying state were estimated accurately from its density, moisture content and velocity under high-moisture condition. In cases where the density could not be measured, using the database of mechanical properties with the Monte Carlo simulation method, the Young’s modulus of the full-scale timber in an air-drying state might be estimated within 20% accuracy from its moisture content and velocity under high-moisture condition.     

Compensatory growth responses in juvenile fat snook,Centropomus parallelus Poey,following food deprivation

The compensatory growth in juvenile fat snook (13.7 g) was evaluated in fish subjected to four treatments: continuously fed (control); subjected to 1 (D1), 2 (D2) and 3 (D3) weeks of food deprivation, followed by a 5‐week re‐feeding period. At the end of food deprivation, the body weights at the different treatments were significantly different and inversely related to the length of the food deprivation period (C=16.425 g; D1=14.024 g; D2=13.542 g; D3=12.228 g). During re‐feeding, no differences were observed in the slopes of body weight growth curves among treatments, indicating failure in full growth compensation. In the first re‐feeding week (week 4), although hyperphagia was observed for all re‐fed groups, better food conversion ratios were detected only for D1 and D2, reflected in an enhancement in the specific growth rates. From week 5 onwards, no differences between treatments and control were detected for any variable. The total food intake was lower for D2 and D3 compared with the control. In the present study, fish showed partial compensatory growth when subjected to a maximum of 2 weeks of food deprivation. Therefore, the food deprivation can promote production losses, even considering a reduction in the total food intake.     

In vivo osteoinductivity of gelatin β-tri-calcium phosphate sponge and bone morphogenetic protein-2 on an equine third metacarpal bone defect

This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of a gelatin-β-TCP sponge (sponge) incorporating BMP-2 (BMP-2/sponge) on bone regeneration in equines. Six bone defects were created in third metacarpals of five thoroughbred horses, and a total of six treatments were applied in a randomized manner. The treatments were BMP-2/sponge, BMP-2/gelatin hydrogel sheet (sheet), free BMP-2, bFGF/sheet, plain sponge, and plain sheet. The defects were monitored for 16 weeks by radiography and then examined by histological analysis. Radiographic evaluation scores of bone regeneration revealed significantly greater bone regeneration of defects treated with BMP-2/sponge than defects treated with plain sponge or BMP-2 sheet (P<0.05). In histological analysis, compact bone was observed over a wide area in the BMP-2/sponge treatment. We concluded that the treatment with BMP-2/sponge accelerated bone regeneration in the equines of this study.     

Effect of compound of gelatin hydrogel microsphere incorporated with platelet-rich-plasma and alginate on sole defect in cattle

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was administered to cattle with hoof defects (10-mm drill hole) to promote sole defect healing. Two types of gels were prepared. One was a mixed gel [compound of gelatin microspheres (GM) incorporated with PRP and alginate] and was used for the test group, while the other was an alginate gel used for the control group. Each hole was filled with one of these gels. The drill hole depth, pressure pain, and hardness of the regenerated tissue were measured for 3 weeks after treatment. These measurements improved significantly in the test group than in the control group. The results suggest that a compound of GM incorporated with PRP and alginate had a hoof-regenerating effect in cattle.     

Investigation of fellow eye of unilateral retinal detachment in Shih‐Tzu

Objective To investigate disease in the fellow eye, and consider the relation to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Shih‐Tzus. Animals studied The fellow eyes of 49 Shih‐Tzus (27 male, 22 female; median age: 6.8 years) with unilateral RRD diagnosed by funduscopy or ultrasonography at Rakuno Gakuen University Teaching Animal Hospital were assessed in this study. Procedures Ophthalmic examinations (including menace response, pupillary light reflex, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy) were performed in the subjects. Electroretinography was performed in 12 eyes that developed retinal degeneration. Maximum follow‐up period was 42 months. Results Cataracts and vitreous opacity were observed in 26 (53%) and 32 eyes (65%), respectively, by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Retinal degeneration with various degrees of hyper‐reflectivity of the tapetal fundus and/or attenuation of retinal vessels was observed in 35 eyes (71%) on funduscopy. A reduction of amplitude in rod, standard combined and 30 Hz flicker electroretingram was detected in 5 (42%), 10 (83%), and 6 eyes (50%), respectively. During the follow‐up period, RRD was detected in six eyes. Conclusion Retinal degeneration was frequently detected by funduscopy and electroretingrams in the fellow eye in Shih‐Tzus with RRD. In our subjects, vitreous degeneration was also observed frequently. It has been reported that peripheral retinal degeneration is one of the causes of RRD associated with vitreous degeneration in humans. We assume that primary retinal degeneration with secondary vitreous degeneration is one of the causes of RRD in Shih‐Tzus.     

The effects of cataract stage, lens-induced uveitis and cataract removal on ERG in dogs with cataract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cataract stage, lens-induced uveitis and cataract removal on the electroretinogram (ERG) of dogs with cataract. ANIMALS STUDIED: Fifty-seven dogs diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral cataract whose ERG was recorded at Rakuno Gakuen University Teaching Animal Hospital from 2001 to 2004. PROCEDURES: Four responses were recorded during the ERG: rod ERG, standard combined ERG, single-flash cone ERG and 30-Hz flicker ERG. Cataracts were divided into four stages: incipient, immature, mature and hypermature, and with or without lens induced uveitis (LIU). Noncataractous eyes of dogs with unilateral cataract were used as the control. We compared ERG amplitude, implicit time, and the b- to a-wave amplitude ratio of cataractous vs. noncataractous eyes, preoperative vs. postoperative cataractous eyes, and cataractous eyes with and without LIU. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in ERG amplitude between incipient, immature and hypermature cataractous eyes, while in mature cataractous eyes decreased amplitude was confirmed in all responses compared with control eyes. However, no significant difference in b/a ratio was found at any stage of cataract. In postoperative eyes, increased amplitude was recorded in all responses compared to preoperative values. In eyes with LIU a decreased amplitude in the rod ERG and b-wave of standard combined ERG was recorded and, furthermore, a significant decline was confirmed in b/a ratio. CONCLUSION: ERG values were influenced by cataract stage and LIU. LIU was associated with a reduction in the b/a ratio.     

Detection of cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in dogs by multicolor electroretinography

It is difficult to detect discrete cone function with the present conventional electroretinography (ERG) examination. In this study, we developed contact electrodes with a built-in color (red (644 nm), green (525 nm), or blue (470 nm)) light source (color LED-electrode), and evaluated an experimental model of digoxin in the dog. First, 17 normal Beagle dogs were used to determine which electrode works well for color ERG measurement on dogs. Then, color ERG was performed on seven normal Beagle dogs at various points during a 14-day period of digoxin administration. A single daily dose of 0.0125 mg/kg/day, which is within the recommended oral maintenance dosage range for dogs, was administered orally for 2 weeks. Ophthalmic examination, measurement of plasma concentration of digoxin, and color ERG examination were performed. On first examination, amplitudes of all responses were significantly (P < 0.01) lower with the red, than with the blue and green electrodes during ERG recording. In ERG using the red electrode, the standard deviation was large. According to these preliminary results, the red electrode was not used in the experimental dog model with digoxin. In the digoxin administrated animals, no significant change was observed in the ophthalmic examination findings. The digoxin level increased steadily throughout the dosing period but was always within the therapeutic range for dogs. In rod ERG, no abnormalities were detected with any electrode. In standard combined ERG, decreased amplitude of the a-wave was detected with every electrode. In single flash cone ERG, prolongation of implicit time was detected by color ERG with the blue and green electrodes. In 30-Hz flicker ERG, decreased amplitude was detected only by color ERG with the blue electrode. The decreased amplitude and prolonged implicit time recovered after termination of digoxin administration. Cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in the dog was revealed by multicolor ERG using blue and green LED-electrodes. Multi-color ERG was useful for detecting cone type-specific dysfunction in the dog.     

The effect of a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate sponge loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), bone morphogenic protein-2, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on equine articular cartilage defect

We evaluated the curative efficacy of a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) sponge loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) by insertion into an experimentally induced osteochondral defect. A hole of 10 mm diameter and depth was drilled in the bilateral medial femoral condyles of 7 thoroughbred horses, and into each either a loaded sponge (treatment) or a saline-infused β-TCP sponge (control) was inserted. After 16 weeks, defects were examined by computed tomography, macroscopic analyses, and histological analyses. The median subchondral bone density and macroscopic subscores for joint healing were significantly higher in the treatment legs (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in total histological scores between groups, hyaline cartilaginous tissue was observed across a wider area in the treatment group. Equine joint healing can be enhanced by inserting a BMP-2-, MSC-, and PRP-impregnated β-TCP sponge at the lesion site.