Feeding events of Japanese lates <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lates japonicus</Emphasis> detected by a high-speed video camera and three-axis micro-acceleration data-logger

The feeding events of wild animals have been widely researched in recent decades. The use of invasive methods to determine stomach contents in which the fish is killed can, however, be considered to be unjustifiable in the case of an endangered fish, such as the Japanese late. Here, we report on a method that can be used to verify feeding events of a fish species without the need for killing the fish through the use of a high-speed video camera and a three-axis micro-acceleration data-logger. High-quality images obtained by the video showed that the fish opens its mouth with a quick downward movement of the mandibles and ingests prey via suction feeding. The movement of the mandibles was also simultaneously recorded by changes in the three-axis accelerations obtained by the logger attached to the dorsum. We attached the logger with an automatic release system to the dorsum of one captive Japanese lates and two wild fish together with an acoustic transmitter and then released the fish in the Shimanto River in Japan. After retrieving the logger, the movement records of the fish obtained by the three-axis accelerometer showed the same pattern of feeding events as those in captivity. A total of 13 feeding events at night and five during the daytime were obtained for the three fish during a total 129.7 h of recording.     

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production using mannitol as a sole carbon source by Burkholderia sp. AIU M5M02 isolated from a marine environment

Fisheries Science - We isolated Burkholderia sp. AIU M5M02, which accumulates poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] homopolymer in a nitrogen-limiting mineral salt medium containing mannitol as a sole...     

Effects of histamine antagonists, an anticholinergic agent and antacid on gizzard erosions in broiler chicks

The effects of histamine antagonists, an anticholinergic agent and antacid on gizzard erosion (GE) induced by heated casein-histidine mixture (h-CH), histamine or starvation were examined. Diphenhydramine, an H1-antagonist, had no effect on the GE formation caused by h-CH, but reduced the severity of the lesions induced by histamine and starvation. Cimetidine, an H2-antagonist, blocked completely the formation of the lesions induced by h-CH or histamine but did not prevent starvation-induced GE. Gastric antacid decreased the severity of GE caused by h-CH and histamine. The formation of GE by starvation was blocked by the administration of propantheline bromide or inert solids. The results suggest that the stimulated gastric secretion caused by the H2-activity of h-CH or histamine is largely responsible for the formation of GE. In starvation-induced GE, however, alteration of gastric secretion had no effect on the formation of the lesion as it was caused by the emptiness of the gizzard.     

Susceptibility of cultured juveniles of several marine fish to the sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus

Piscine nodaviruses (betanodaviruses) have been tentatively divided into four genotypes (SJNNV, RGNNV, TPNNV and BFNNV) and it is suggested that host specificity is different among these genotypes. In the present study, a betanodavirus [sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus (SGNNV)] belonging to the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype, to which most betanodaviruses from warm water fish are identified, was evaluated for its pathogenicity to hatchery-reared juveniles of several marine fish species. When challenged with the virus by a bath method (10(5.1) TCID50 mL(-1)), sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus, Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, and tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes, displayed behavioural abnormalities and mortalities with distinct histopathological signs of viral nervous necrosis and heavily immunostained cells were observed in the central nervous tissues and retina. Bath-challenged rock fish, Sebastiscus marmoratus, and a hybrid of sevenband grouper and kelp grouper, E. moara, did not display any behavioural abnormality or mortality during the experimental period, although many fish showed slight signs of viral infection in nerve cells. Kelp grouper and red sea bream, Pagrus major, showed no behavioural abnormality, mortality or immunohistopathological changes after the virus challenge. These results are, in part, consistent with the natural host range of RGNNV, indicating the complexity in the host specificity of betanodaviruses.     

Detection of endophyte toxins in the imported perennial ryegrass straw

From 1997 to 1999, 29 cases of disorders were detected in cattle and horses that had been fed ryegrass straw imported from the U.S.A. These animals showed symptoms resembling ryegrass staggers and the clinical signs disappeared after removal of the straw. Endophytic hyphae were detected in the seeds of all straw samples that were responsible for the clinical cases. Lolitrem B concentrations in the straw ranged between 972 and 3740 ppb. Ergovaline concentrations were between 355 and 1300 ppb. Even though the concentrations of lolitrem B were lower than the toxic threshold proposed by Oregon State University in better part of the cases, our observations suggest the possibility that lolitrem B lower than the proposed threshold can bring disorders to sensitive individuals.     

Sensory evaluation of carpet cleaner containing essential oil and the effect on mites

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions. The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked woody and earthy impressions; C. obtusa evoked woody, citrus, and pine-resin impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked woody, citrus, and medical impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.     

Physiological and psychological responses to a heavy floor-impact sound generated by dropping an automobile tire in a wooden house

We investigated the physiological and psychological responses of ten healthy male volunteers to a single heavy floor-impact sound generated by dropping an automobile tire from heights of 50, 100, and 150cm in a wooden house. Blood pressure and peripheral blood flow were measured simultaneously, and sensory evaluation was conducted using the semantic differential method. The results obtained were as follows: (1) the systolic blood pressure increased and the peripheral blood flow decreased when the subjects heard the heavy floor-impact sound; (2) the heavy floor-impact sound caused the subjects to feel uncomfortable, but there was no significant change in sharp and monotonous feelings; and (3) for the heavy floor-impact sound for 100cm and that for 150cm, the subjects showed no difference in comfortable feeling, but we detected differences in the variations of both the systolic blood pressure and the peripheral blood flow.Part of this research was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998.     

Influence of wood wall panels on physiological and psychological responses

The effect of visual stimulation from wood on the body was examined in a comparative study using full-sized hinoki wall panels and a white steel wall panel. Continuous blood pressure measurements were used as the physiological indicator. Sensory evaluation by the semantic differential (SD) method and the profile of mood states (POMS) test were performed to determine changes in psychological impression. Results showed that visual stimulation from hinoki wall panels had an emotional and natural impression upon humans. Blood pressure decreased significantly in subjects who liked them, and there was no significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Visual stimulation from the white steel wall panel made an unhealthy and closed impression and increased the sense of depression. In addition, there was stress and a significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Consequently, visual stimulation from hinoki and white steel wall panels had different physiological and psychological effects. Results also showed that the same visual stimulation induced different physiological responses depending on the values of the individuals.Part of this paper was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, April 1998     

A neonatal calf with concurrent meningoencephalitis by Enterobacter cloacae and enteritis by attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (O128)

A neonatal calf developed nervous symptoms followed by diarrhea. The principal pathological changes were fibrinopurulent meningitis with necrosis of the cerebral parenchyma, and attaching and effacing lesions in the intestine. Cerebral necrosis was frequently associated with vascular changes. Enterobacter cloacae was isolated from the brain and Escherichia coli (O128) from the intestinal content. These suggest that cerebral and intestinal lesions were caused by the isolated organisms, and that most necrosis of the cerebral parenchyma might be infarctive.     

Dimethoxypyrimidines as Novel Herbicides. Part 1. Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of Dimethoxyphenoxyphenoxypyrimidines and Analogues

A number of 6-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)pyrimidines and triazines were synthesized and their herbicidal activity was measured. Compounds with the methoxy groups at the 2- and 4-positions on the pyrimidine and triazine rings exhibited high herbicidal activity. Introduction of a substituent into the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring diminished the activity. In the phenoxyphenoxy substructure at the 6-position, the central ether bond can be replaced by a methylene group without loss of activity. The optimum substituent on the terminal phenyl ring was 3-trifluoromethyl. The compounds showed a strong Hill reaction inhibition, but unfortunately showed poor selectivity between weeds and crops.