Measurement and fissuring of rice kernels during quasi-moisture sorption by image analysis

Fissuring associated with kernel elongation was evident in a moisture-adsorbing environment at 15 °C of relative humidity 88.72±0.28% with moisture content from 6% (d.b.) to 16.3% (d.b.). The average length and width of 800 kernels was measured during the sorption test using a Cervitec Grain Inspector equipped with two digital cameras. Samples were exposed to both a moisture-adsorbing and desorbing environments at 15 °C with relative humidities of 23.4±0.53%, 55.9±0.27%, 70.98±0.28% and 88.72±0.28%. On image analysis, the kernels changed in size from 5.13 to 4.84 mm in length and 2.9 to 2.73 mm in width. Both length and width changed as expected during moisture-adsorbing and moisture-desorbing tests. Fissured kernel percent was related to changes in the average length of the kernels during the moisture-adsorbing tests. The average length and fissured kernel percent of rice kernels measured by image analysis may be considered as a reliable indicator of changes in their dimensions during quasi-static moisture sorption processes.     

Microbial community indigenous to the earthworm Eisenia foetida

 Microbial populations of the earthworm Eisenia foetida, their casts and farmyard manure (FYM) in which E. foetida had lived were enumerated with the dilution plate method using several media. The microbial community of earthworms appeared to be similar to that of the FYM in which they had lived, while that of earthworms starved in distilled water for 24 h greatly differed from that of the FYM. The community of the starved earthworms consisted exclusively (more than 90%) of fast growers, which were defined as those that formed their colonies within 2 days, unlike that of the FYM (10–30%). About 30 isolates were randomly chosen and some physiological properties were examined. The community of starved earthworms consisted exclusively of Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, fermentative bacteria, whereas bacteria from the FYM were much more diverse and there were no fermentative bacteria in the FYM. The predominant bacteria species of the starved earthworms were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila and considered to be indigenous to the earthworm E. foetida. Received: 18 June 1999     

Plasma leptin concentration in dogs: effects of body condition score, age, gender and breeds

Leptin is a cytokine produced by adipocytes, and plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. In the present study, we measured plasma leptin concentrations of 166 normal and obese dogs visiting veterinary practices, and clarified the influence of age, gender and breed on plasma leptin levels in dogs. Leptin levels were higher in the dogs with higher body condition scores. There was no noticeable influence of age, gender and breed, but those in optimal puppies and obese Miniature Dachshund tended to be lower than those in corresponding groups. We conclude that plasma leptin is a reliable marker of adiposity in dogs regardless of age, gender and breed variations, and thereby useful as a blood biochemistry test for health examinations and treatment of obesity.     

Factors contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Japanese Fasciola sp.

Attempts were made to clarify the factors contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Japanese Fasciola sp. Infection was not successfully established in chickens by oral inoculation of metacercariae, nor by inoculation of excysted juvenile flukes into the body cavity or to the liver surface. Many metacercarial cysts were detected within two days in the feces of orally inoculated chickens. In the in vitro excystation test with chicken bile at 42 degrees C, metacercariae emerged successfully. These results indicate that the major resistant factors may not act during the migration from the mouth to the liver. Histopathological examination of the liver of experimental chickens could not prove the effect of a resistant factor. Excysted flukes were cultivated at 37-42 degrees C in RPMI1640 supplemented with calf serum, with the result that the survival rate of flukes fell with higher temperatures. When chicken serum was used instead of calf serum, flukes survived for a long period of time at 37 degrees C, while all died within four days at 42 degrees C. The higher body temperature of chickens than that of other mammalian hosts is considered to be the major factor contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Fasciola sp.     

The effect of Bacillus natto in feed on the sheep red blood cell antibody response in chickens

Chickens fed 10(6) or 10(7) of Bacillus natto strain BN/g of diet from hatching through 15 or 30 days of age showed an increase in ability to produce hemagglutinating antibody titer as determined by intravenous injection of sheep red blood cells, whereas no increase in antibody production ability was observed in the chickens fed 10(7) of BN/g of diet from hatching through 10 days of age.     

Distribution of minke whales in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas (60°W–120°W), with special reference to environmental/physiographic variables

The relationship between the distribution of minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ) in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas (longitude between 60°W and 120°W), and environmental and physiographic variables (sea-surface temperature, sea-ice extension, and sea-floor-slope type), was studied to determine whether these environmental and physical factors affect the distribution and density of minke whales. The analysis was based on sightings data obtained from the 1989/90 and 1982/83 IWC/IDCR cruises. The mean sea-surface temperatures for comparable areas were significantly higher in 1989/90 (2.04°C) than in 1982/83 (1.12°C), and the area where the sea-surface temperature was greater than 1°C in the 1989/90 study was approximately twice that of the 1982/83 study. Additionally, during the surveys, the extent of the sea ice in 1989/90 was less than that in 1982/83, with the mean ice edge about 92.6 km (50 nautical miles; 1 nautical mile ≈1.852 km) farther south in 1989/90 than in 1982/83. This is consistent with the sea ice extent observed in winter, when the sea ice extent was less in 1989 than in 1982. The distribution of minke whales was substantially different between the two surveys, with the density and abundance of minke whales being greater in 1982/83 than in 1989/90. The warmer sea-surface temperatures, fewer cold-water intrusions, and the smaller extent of sea ice in 1989/90 may be related to the difference in distribution of minke whales from 1982/83, possibly owing to the shift in availability of prey.