Experimental infection of ducks with Mycoplasma synoviae

Specific-pathogen-free ducks 24 and 180 days old were inoculated intranasally with the WVU 1853 strain of Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). No significant gross lesions were found in the infraorbital sinus, trachea, or air sacs at 7 or 28 days postinfection (PI), although MS was recovered from all these organs. A few ducks responded serologically by developing agglutinating antibodies. MS multiplied in embryonated duck eggs but to lower titers than in embryonated chicken eggs.     

A malar granular cell tumor in a djungarian hamster

'Granular cell' tumor observed in the malar subcutis of a Djungarian hamster was examined to determine its cellular origin. Histologically, the tumor consisted of a solid growth of oval or spindle-shaped large cells with abundant cytoplasm filled with eosinophilic granules that were periodic acid-Schiff-positive and diastase-resistant. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive to anti-vimentin and anti-desmin antibodies and a few cells showed positivity to anti-actin antibody as well. They did not react to myoglobin, S-100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Electron microscopic studies revealed that the tumor cells had pinocytotic vesicles, dense plaque and microfilaments. The first granular cell variant of myogenic tumor reported here in Djungarian hamsters was differentiated from granular cell tumor of Schwann cell origin.     

Development of fermented surimi products using simulated tofuyo processing: associated changes in chemical composition,antioxidant activities and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition

Fisheries Science - Traditional Japanese koji-fermented tofu (tofuyo) processing was simulated to make fermented seafood. The koji fermentation process at room temperature was applied to steamed...     

Roles of emergence time and interspecific competition on the dominance and coexistence of Setaria faberi and Digitaria ciliaris in an orchard weed community in Japan

Setaria faberi and Digitaria ciliaris are summer annual grass weeds that constitute an orchard weed community in Japan. Species dominance in the weed community shifts from S. faberi to D. ciliaris with an emergence delay. The change in species dominance is assumed to be a clue to how weeds dominate or coexist in shaping the community. Population dynamics and seasonal variations in emergence and competitive ability were studied from this viewpoint. Field monitoring and pot experiments exhibited that the emergence period of the two species overlapped extensively from April to June. The emergence of S. faberi began 2 weeks earlier than that of D. ciliaris in April and declined in June as a result of the induction of secondary dormancy. The plant density of D. ciliaris was high during the whole period. The great mortality of the species was replenished with its great natality. The replacement series experiments revealed that S. faberi that had been planted in April was a better competitor than D. ciliaris, but it lost its competitive superiority in the June plantings, when D. ciliaris became a superior competitor to S. faberi. The level of seed output was greater for D. ciliaris, even when it was an inferior competitor. Therefore, the shift in species dominance appeared to be attributed to a change in competitive superiority between the two species. The early emergence of S. faberi and the high plant density of D. ciliaris might accelerate competitive exclusion. The two species coexist when they are equivalent in competitiveness.     

Emphysematous cystitis in a chemically-induced diabetic dog

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare disorder caused by bacterial infection and characterized by gas accumulation within the bladder wall with cyst formation. This report describes the histopathological characteristics of emphysematous cystitis found in a diabetic female beagle induced by streptozotocin and alloxan. Macroscopically, multiple cyst-like structures were observed on the cut surface of the urinary mucosa. During fixation, small specimens cut from the mucosa floated on the surface of the fixative solution. Histopathologically, multiple cysts were lined with a single layer of flattened cells found to be immunohistochemically positive for vimentin, partially positive for α-smooth muscle actin or macrophage scavenger receptor, class A, and thought to be myofibroblasts, fibroblasts or macrophages. Multinucleated giant cells were observed around the cysts, and gram-negative short bacilli were observed in the lumen of the urinary bladder. From these findings, this case was diagnosed as emphysematous cystitis.     

Long-lasting enhancement of CYP activity after discontinuation of repeated administration of phenobarbital in dogs

We investigated how long in vivo hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity is enhanced even after discontinuation of repeated oral administration of phenobarbital (PB) in dogs using antipyrine clearance, which reflects hepatic CYP activity. A single antipyrine (5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously before and 34 days after the repeated oral administration of PB (5 mg/kg, bid) and 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the discontinuation of PB in 5 dogs. Antipyrine clearance was increased by the repeated administration of PB, and remained increased 2 and 4, but not 6 and 8 weeks after the discontinuation of PB. The result suggests that hepatic CYP activity was enhanced by the repeated administration of PB, and this enhancement may last for at least 4 weeks even after its discontinuation.     

Movements of free oxides in paddy soil profiles (Part 1)

In this paper, the results of observations of soil profiles and the investigations of movements of free oxides in two soil types of dry paddy fields Which carry barley or wheat in the period of winter crops are set forth. Their parent materials are charty somewhat accompanied with shales and granite, and in Soil A and B a small quantity of volcanic ash is contained. The structure develops Well in all the soils.     

Distribution of free oxides along soil profiles in time series of dry rice fields in polder lands of Kojima-basin

The distributions of free oxides along profiles of some dry rice fields were set forth in the previous reports²,³,⁴,⁶⁾, In this paper, the distribution of free oxides in dry rice field⁵⁾ in polder lands of Kojima-Basin, Okayama pref. is reported. Localities, years elapsed since the planting of rice began in each field and the characteristic of soil profiles are given in Table 1. All the fields are dry rice fields except Soil A, and carry barley or wheat in winter season. Parent materials are similar in all horizons of all soils and rich in fine particles. Fine sands (0.2-0.02 mm) are mainly composed of quartz somewhat accompanied with feldspars, mica, augite and amphibolite. Clays (< 0.002 mm) are mainly composed of halloysite accompanied with a small proportion of montmorillonite. The structure develops well in all the soils.