Nitrogen fixing microorganisms in paddy soils XII

Introduction

We have been studying the interrelation between R. capsulatus and other various microorganisms, in which there are symbiotic relationships (I). When R. capsulatlls and Az. vinelandii co-existed, molecular nitrogen was fixed much more than in each pure culture and many slime substances (polysaccharides, muco-polysaccharides etc.) were produced (2). In order to study symbiotic nitrogen fixation between the two microorganisms, first, the nature of the cell wall of both bacteria has to be known.     

Greenhouse gas reduction and improved sustainability of animal husbandry using amino acids in swine,poultry feeds

In Annex 1 countries, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from swine and poultry excreta have been calculated and the N₂O reduction potential of each country by using amino acids in feed could also be calculated, then a comparison made among the countries. The N₂O reduction rates were approximately 25% for these Annex 1 countries and amino acids were able to make a large contribution to that reduction. Greenhouse gases (GHG) which are N₂O combined with methane (CH₄) were estimated to reduce by 24.8% in Japan when amino acids were introduced into the feed, but only a 7.2% reduction was estimated in France. Purification, which is mainly used for manure treatment in Japan, emits much more N₂O and less CH₄, whereas the liquid system which is mainly used in France emits more CH₄ and less N₂O based on the emission factors from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change data base. Changing the French manure treatment system to the Japanese style with amino acids in feed would reduce GHG emissions by 23.4%. Reduction of the arable land use in Japan by changing crop formulations supported by adding amino acids to feed was also quantified as about 10% and led to an increase in the production of meat using the same arable land area.     

Photodynamic hyperthermal chemotherapy with indocyanine green: a novel cancer therapy for 16 cases of malignant soft tissue sarcoma

Sixteen cases of malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS; 10 canines and six felines) were treated with a novel triple therapy that combined photodynamic therapy, hyperthermia using indocyanine green with a broadband light source, and local chemotherapy after surgical tumor resection. This triple therapy was called photodynamic hyperthermal chemotherapy (PHCT). In all cases, the surgical margin was insufficient. In one feline case, PHCT was performed without surgical resection. PHCT was performed over an interval of 1 to 2 weeks and was repeated three to 21 times. No severe side effects, including severe skin burns, necrosis, or skin suture rupture, were observed in any of the animals. No disease recurrence was observed in seven out of 10 (70.0%) dogs and three out of six (50.0%) cats over the follow-up periods ranging from 238 to 1901 days. These results suggest that PHCT decreases the risk of STS recurrence. PHCT should therefore be considered an adjuvant therapy for treating companion animals with STS in veterinary medicine.     

Fractography of shear failure surface of softwood decayed by brown-rot fungus

In order to investigate shear failure surface of decayed wood, wood pieces of ezomatsu (Picea jezoensis) were exposed to brown-rot fungus (Fomitopsis palustris), and standard shear test in radial plane was conducted. The failure surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and surface roughness measurements were also conducted. Transwall failure that the crack elongated parallel to the tracheid axis was observed in the earlywood region through all phases of decay. Intrawall failure principally occurred in the latewood region on the early phase of decay. When decay progressed considerably, transwall failure that the crack elongated perpendicularly to the tracheid axis occurred. And transwall failure was also dominant failure morphology in the latewood region. Fragments of tracheids which were partly peeled out from S₂ layers were observed in some specimens. Size and appearance frequency of fragments of tracheid were smaller and lower when decay progressed. Arithmetic average roughness, which was the index of fragment size and appearance frequency, had positive correlation to shear strength ratio. Especially, line surface roughness of radial direction, which was measured across the radial files of tracheid, had the highest correlation to the shear strength ratio. The surface roughness would be a good indicator to evaluate the decay degree.     

Ghrelin differentially modulates the GH secretory response to GHRH between the fed and fasted states in sheep

The effect of energy balance on the growth hormone (GH) secretory responsiveness to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) has not been determined in ruminant animals. Therefore, we examined the effects of intravenous injections of 0, 3.3, and 6.6 μg ghrelin/kg body weight (BW), with and without GHRH at 0.25 μg/kg BW, on GH secretory responsiveness in both the fed and fasted sheep. The injections were carried out at 48 h (Fasting state) and 3 h (Satiety state) after feeding. Blood samples were taken every 10 minutes, from 30 minutes before to 120 minutes after the injection. Low (3.3 μg/kg BW) and high (6.6 μg/kg BW) doses of ghrelin stimulated GH secretion significantly (P < .05) greater in the Satiety state than in the Fasting state. Growth hormone-releasing hormone plus both doses of ghrelin stimulated GH secretion significantly (P < .05) greater in the Satiety state than in the Fasting state. Ghrelin and GHRH exerted a synergistic effect in the Satiety state, but not in the Fasting state. Plasma ghrelin levels were maintained significantly (P < .05) greater in the Fasting state than in the Satiety state except the temporal increases after ghrelin administration. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were significantly (P < .01) greater in the Fasting state than in the Satiety state. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated for the first time that ghrelin differentially modulates GH secretory response to GHRH according to feeding states in ruminant animals.     

In vitro induction of oocyte maturation in the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus by cubifrin and the developmental ability of the eggs

We describe the process of cubifrin-induced in vitro oocyte maturation in the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, and we propose a procedure for practical hatchery application. Oocyte maturation occurred 40–50 min after stimulation of the ovaries by cubifrin. Concurrently, eggs were released from the ovarian tubules, initially by slow peristalsis, followed by active release after about 60 min. The first and second polar bodies were released from the eggs at 90–100 min and about 140 min, respectively. Cubifrin was more effective in inducing oocyte maturation at 1–100 nM than at 100 pM. Cubifrin at 1 pM–10 nM in rearing seawater had no effect on larval development. Delayed fertilization reduced the developmental ability of eggs. Broodstock could be maintained at 15–16 °C for up to about 50 days without affecting the developmental ability of eggs. Eggs matured in vitro and in vivo were similar in their developmental ability. In conclusion, the in vitro induction of oocyte maturation is effective in Japanese sea cucumber and represents a viable alternative to the induction of spawning by cubifrin injection.     

Evaluation of caudal vena cava size using computed tomography in dogs under general anesthesia

This study investigated the association between caudal vena cava (CVC) size and circulatory dynamics in dogs using computed tomography (CT) under general anesthesia. The subjects were 104 dogs who had undergone CT under general anesthesia in the past. The ratio of short diameter of the CVC to aortic diameter (CVC_S/Ao) and the ratio of long to short diameter of the CVC (CVC_L/CVC_S) in the thorax and abdomen, respectively, were calculated using factors such as mean blood pressure (MBP), shock index (SI), anemia, hypoproteinemia, presence of intra-abdominal mass, and cardiac disease. There was a significant but negligible negative correlation between CVC_S/Ao and MBP. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between CVC size and SI. The low MBP group had significantly higher CVC_S/Ao of the thorax than the normal MBP group. The group with intra-abdominal mass had significantly lower CVC_S/Ao of the abdomen than the group without intra-abdominal mass. The group with cardiac disease had significantly lower CVC_L/CVC_S of the thorax than the group without cardiac disease. In multiple regression analysis, low MBP, cardiac disease, intra-abdominal mass, and anemia were significant factors for CVC_S/Ao of the thorax, CVC_L/CVC_S of the thorax, CVC_S/Ao of the abdomen, and CVC_L/CVC_S of the abdomen, respectively. In conclusion, CVC size assessment using CT in dogs under general anesthesia is influenced by various factors.