Diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province of China by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using recombinant antigens

The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province, China, was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A total of 70 serum samples were taken from horses pastured on three farms in western Xinjiang, and examined for diagnosis of equine Babesia equi (B. equi) infection and B. caballi infection by ELISAs using recombinant equi merozoite antigen 1 (EMA-1) and recombinant P48 antigen, respectively. Of the 70 samples, 28 (40.0%) and 17 (24.3%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 11 (15.7%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore a cause for serious concern in western Xinjiang. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a survey on equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province, China.     

Automated analysis of fine‐root dynamics using a series of digital images

Information related to the growth of fine roots is important for understanding C allocation in trees and the mechanisms of C cycling in ecosystems. Observations using a camera or scanner embedded in the soil enabled us to obtain continuous images of fine‐root‐growth dynamics. However, these methods are still labor‐intensive because the image analysis has to be conducted manually. We developed an automated method for tracking movement or elongation of fine roots using a sequence of scanner images. We also show how data obtained with these methods can be used for calculating fine‐root behavior. Two A4‐size scanners were buried in a mixed forest in Japan and images were taken continuously from within the soil. We preprocessed these images by extracting the fine‐root area from the images and developed an automated calculation plug‐in we named A‐root for tracking growth movement of the tips of fine roots. A‐root and manual‐tracking results were compared using the same images. The results show the A‐root and manual‐tracking methods yielded similar levels of accuracy. The average growth rate of 17 fine roots tracked using the program was 0.16 mm h^–1. The observation of the direction of growth in fine roots showed the direction may be influenced by the original root's growth where the fine roots branched, distribution of soil particles, other roots, and the force of gravity. The A‐root analysis also suggested there may be an interaction between speed of growth and changes in direction of growing fine roots.     

Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl after single intravenous injection and constant rate infusion in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the plasma concentration and define the pharmacokinetic characteristics of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1)) administered as a single intravenous (IV) injection followed by: (a) no further drug; or (b) a constant rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl 10 microg kg(-1) hour(-1) lasting 1, 3 or 4 hours in dogs. Animals Fourteen healthy adult beagles (seven males and seven females). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Randomized cross-over design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Drugs were administered to each dog in a randomized cross-over design with at least a 14-day washout interval between experiments. All dogs received an IV loading dose of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1)). One group received no further fentanyl. In others, the loading dose was followed by a CRI of fentanyl (10 microg kg(-1) hour(-1)) for 1, 3 or 4 hours. Blood samples were collected and plasma fentanyl concentrations determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma pharmacokinetic estimates were obtained by plotting plasma concentrations versus time data and by fitting the change in concentration to a pharmacokinetic model, using a purpose-built program written by the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Kyoto University) in Visual Basic (VBA) on Excel (Microsoft Corporation). RESULTS: Plasma fentanyl concentration decreased rapidly after single IV injection: the plasma concentration-time curve best fitted a two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic variables for IV injection were characterized by a short distribution half-time (t1/2alpha was 4.5 minutes), a relatively long elimination half time (t1/2beta was 45.7 minutes), a large volume of distribution (approximately 5 L kg(-1)) and high total body clearance (77.9 mL minute(-1) kg(-1)). Stable plasma fentanyl levels were obtained in all CRI groups although pharmacokinetic variables were influenced by the duration of administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While this study clarified the pharmacokinetic features of rapid IV fentanyl injection and CRI in dogs, the plasma concentration achieving analgesia was not and so further research is needed. Further studies on the effects of other sedatives and/or anaesthetics on fentanyl's disposition are also required as the drug is commonly used with other agents.     

The potential of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa [Sieb. et Zucc.] Endlicher) plantation forests for the restoration of the original plant community in Japan

We estimated the potential of plantation forests for the restoration of the original plant community. We compared the understory vegetation in hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa [Sieb. et Zucc.] Endlicher) plantations at the understory re-initiation stage and in adjacent natural forests. To estimate the effect of the original natural forests on the understory species composition of plantation forests, we established study sites in five types of natural forests (mature evergreen broadleaf, mature deciduous broadleaf, mature evergreen coniferous, immature deciduous broadleaf warm-temperate, and immature deciduous broadleaf cool-temperate) and nearby plantation forests. The understory vegetation of the plantation forests had a higher species richness, a higher proportion of early-seral species, and a higher proportion of herb or fern species than the natural forests. The differences between natural and plantation forests varied according to the species composition of the natural forests. The composition of the understory vegetation of the plantations at the understory re-initiation stage was similar to that of the immature deciduous forests. The characteristics of immature, disturbed forests remained in the understory vegetation of the hinoki forests. No great loss of species was observed. Our findings suggest that most of the original forest species still survive in the understory of the plantation forests. These forests have the potential to follow the successional pathway to broadleaf or mixed forests via thinning or clear-cutting without planting.     

Oceanographic factors affecting interannual recruitment variability of Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) in the central and western North Pacific

Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) has a short life span of 2 years and tends to exhibit marked population fluctuations. To examine the importance of sea surface temperature (SST) and mixed layer depth (MLD) as oceanographic factors for interannual variability of saury recruitment in early life history, we analyzed the relationship between abundance index (survey CPUE (catch per unit of effort)) of age‐1 fish and the oceanographic factors in the spawning and nursery grounds of the previous year when they were born, for the period of 1979–2006, in the central and western North Pacific. Applying the mixture of two linear regression models, the variability in the survey CPUE was positively correlated with previous year's winter SST in the Kuroshio Recirculation region (KR) throughout the survey period except 1994–2002. In contrast, the survey CPUE was positively correlated with the previous year's spring MLD (a proxy of spring chlorophyll a (Chl‐a) concentration) in the Kuroshio‐Oyashio Transition and Kuroshio Extension (TKE) during 1994–2002. This period is characterized by unusually deep spring MLD during 1994–1997 and anomalous climate conditions during 1998–2002. We suggest that saury recruitment variability was generally driven by the winter SST in the KR (winter spawning/nursery ground), or by the spring Chl‐a concentration (a proxy of prey for saury larvae) in the TKE (spring spawning/nursery ground). These oceanographic factors could be potentially useful to predict abundance trends of age‐1 saury in the future if the conditions leading to the switch between SST and MLD as the key input variable are elucidated further.     

Wind‐induced stock variation of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean

Our examination of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort catch per unit effort (CPUE, an index of stock) revealed significant positive correlations with the interannual variations of observed chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) concentration and autumn–winter mixed layer depth (MLD) in the winter–spring feeding grounds of paralarvae and juveniles (130–170°E, 20–27°N). These correlations suggest the importance of integrated bottom‐up effects by the autumn–winter MLD for the neon flying squid stocks. However, the influence of autumn–winter MLD interannual variation in the forage availability for paralarvae and juveniles, i.e., particulate organic matter and zooplankton, has still been unclear. In this study, we use the lower trophic ecosystem model NEMURO, which uses the physical environmental data from the ocean reanalysis dataset obtained by the four‐dimensional variational (4DVAR) data assimilation method. The model‐based investigation enables us to clarify how the autumn–winter MLD controls the particulate organic matter and zooplankton abundance in the feeding grounds. Further, our investigation of the autumn–winter MLD interannual variation demonstrates that the stronger autumn wind in the feeding grounds develops a deeper mixed layer. Therefore, the deep mixed layer entrains nutrient‐rich water and enhances photosynthesis, which results in good feeding conditions for paralarvae and juveniles. Our results underline that the wind system interannual variation has critical roles on the winter–spring cohort of the neon flying squid stock.     

餐厨垃圾干发酵滚动式质热交换反应器设计与性能试验

为解决干式厌氧发酵传质传热效果差,易造成微生物生长代谢不均匀等问题,该研究设计一款反应器,利用罐体滚动代替搅拌,使底物自由混合,大幅度解决了干式发酵的阻碍。通过中温批次发酵验证反应器性能,并与搅拌式反应器进行对比,结果表明:滚动式反应器发酵过程中甲烷体积分数最高达74.89%;发酵前期挥发性脂肪酸有一定程度的积累,但在中期被迅速消耗,且未对产气和pH值造成明显影响;底物挥发性固体去除率高达68.74%,发酵体系稳定。微生物群落结构随着发酵进行,不同时期呈现动态变化,厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)是发酵体系中绝对的优势细菌门,最主要的古菌门是广古菌门(Euryarchaeota)。混合营养型的甲烷八叠球菌属(Methanosarcina)伴随着发酵的推进成长为绝对优势甲烷菌属。     

Effect of setting conditions on mechanical properties of acid-induced Kamaboko gel from squid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Todarodes pacificus</Emphasis> mantle muscle meat

Squid Todarodes pacificus suwari gels, set at various temperatures and times, and acid-induced kamaboko gel, which was prepared by soaking suwari gel in 5% acetic acid for 20 h, were studied to evaluate the mechanical properties that are affected by setting conditions. Unset squid meat paste did not form a gel when soaked in acetic acid. The breaking strength of both suwari gel and acid-induced kamaboko gel showed a tendency to increase with setting temperature and time. SDS-PAGE analysis of suwari gel and acid-induced kamaboko gel, which were set at various temperatures and times, showed that myosin heavy chain (MHC) was observed at 30°C only for the first hour. The intensity of the MHC band at 30°C gradually decreased with setting time, while the intensity of the polymer band gradually increased with setting time. These results suggest that the protein-protein bonds in suwari gel affect the final texture of acid-induced kamaboko gel. Based on the analysis of the mechanical properties, and in consideration of the fact that the purpose of this experiment was to reduce energy usage, the best setting condition was determined to be 40°C for 3 h.