Use of a rigid-type polyethylene T-cannula,silicone tubing,and adhesion netting for surgical cannulation of ileum of the horse

A rigid-type of polyethylene T-cannula was fitted into the anterior ileum of six horses in order to improve the cannulation techniques. A piece of polyethylene net was fastened onto the intestinal wall around the cannula to prevent dislodgment of the cannula by promoting a secure adhesion between the ileum and the abdominal wall. The cannula barrel sheathed with silicone tubing was exteriorized through a stab incision at the lateral ventral wall on the transverse line of the second lumber vertebra, and a flange was screwed onto the barrel. The feeding regime gradually increased concentrate without roughage prevented any colic signs. The use of these techniques succeeded in the ileal cannulation with no leakage of digesta.     

cDNA cloning and expression analysis of two heat shock protein genes,Hsp90 and Hsp60, from a sterile Ulva pertusa (Ulvales,Chlorophyta)

Molecular chaperones are synthesized and accumulated under a variety of unfavorable conditions in all organisms. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp60, which are classified into the major classes of molecular chaperones, play important roles in cellular stress responses. In this study, we characterized sterile Ulva pertusa Hsp90 (UpHsp90) and UpHsp60 genes which may be involved in tolerance to thermal and heavy metal stresses in this alga. The UpHsp90 cDNA consisting of 2,118 nucleotides encoded a polypeptide of 705 amino acids (AA). On the other hand, the UpHsp60 cDNA consisting of 1,722 nucleotides encoded a protein whose predicted length was 573 AA. The AA sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses showed that the UpHsp90 and UpHsp60 proteins were more similar to cytoplasmic Hsp90s and mitochondrial Hsp60s, respectively, than to other types of the respective Hsps. Southern blot analysis indicated that the sterile U. pertusa genome had at least two cytoplasmic Hsp90-encoding genes and two mitochondrial Hsp60-encoding genes. The UpHsp90 and UpHsp60 mRNA levels were significantly affected by diurnal and temperature changes, and slightly affected by exposure to heavy metals. These results suggest that UpHsp90 and UpHsp60 genes play particularly important roles in adaptation to diurnal and temperature changes.     

Detection of changes in taste of japonica and indica brown and milled rice (Oryza sativa L.) during storage using physicochemical analyses and a taste sensing system

Changes in the taste of japonica, hybrid, and indica brown and milled rice, stored for 10 months at low (5 degrees C, 65-70% relative humidity) and room temperatures were observed by physicochemical analyses and a novel method using a taste sensing system. During storage, some properties increased or decreased while others were fairly constant. The main taste components of cooked rice such as sweetness (sucrose) and umami tastes (glutamic acid and aspartic acid) were reduced during storage, whereas glucose and fructose increased. The increase of fat acidity and consequent decrease of the pH value of the cooking solution may contribute to the off-taste of cooked stored rice. A taste sensing system with 10 lipid membrane sensors was also used to classify new and old rice samples using principal component analysis. Fresh and room temperature stored japonica and indica rice could be clearly distinguished; however, it was not possible to differentiate the samples stored at low temperature.     

Morphological development of larval and juvenile blacktip grouper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus fasciatus</Emphasis>

The morphological development of larval and juvenile blacktip grouper, Epinephelus fasciatus, was examined using a hatchery-reared series. By about 5 mm body length (BL), the larvae developed characteristic pigmentation patterns of groupers, such as melanophores on the dorsal part of the gut, on the tips of the second-dorsal and pelvic fin spines, and on the midpoint of the tail to form a cluster. In addition, characteristic spines of groupers, such as spinelets on the second-dorsal and pelvic fin spines, and the preopercular angle spine developed by about 6 mm BL. The notochord end was in the process of flexion in larvae of 6–7 mm BL, by when major melanophores, spines, and jaw teeth started to appear. After the fin ray counts attained the adult complement at about 14 mm BL, somewhat densely pigmented bands started to appear on the body. The fish had the five distinct transverse bands and attained adult-like attire at about 40 mm BL when the major head spines disappeared and body parts in relation to BL became stable.     

Effect of Initial Stocking Density on Larviculture Performance of the Ocellate Puffer,Takifugu rubripes

Depending on the initial stocking density, ocellate puffer larvae exhibit the cannibalism that resulted in high mortality. We aimed to clarify the relationship between stocking density of larvae, mortality, and the effect of density on cannibalism. Ocellate puffer larvae were reared at five different stocking densities between 5 and 25 larvae/L with duplicate 1‐m³ tank for each treatment. Larvae were stocked at 0 d after hatch (d.a.h.), and the experimental cultures lasted for 55 d. In larvae stocked initially at more than 10 larvae/L, cannibalism was evident from 11 to 17 d.a.h., and the survival rate at 55 d.a.h. was less than 15%. The survival rate was 25.5% at 5 larvae/L, and cannibalism was observed from 31 to 32 d.a.h. Consequently, an initial density of 5 larvae/L was the most efficient in terms of survival and the prevention of cannibalism. On the other hand, when cannibalism is still observed at 5 larvae/L, it is necessary to lower the stocking density before the onset of cannibalism.     

Morphological identity of a taxonomically unassigned cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence from stomach contents of juvenile chum salmon determined using polymerase chain reaction

In a previous report, we analyzed the stomach contents of juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta by morphological observation and also by molecular identification using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region. However, one of the most frequently detected COI sequences could not be assigned to any specific taxon, even at the phylum level. In the present study, we conducted in situ hybridization (ISH) on the stomach contents of juvenile chum salmon using the COI sequence and polymerase chain reaction amplification of a 18S ribosomal RNA gene from the tissue sections where ISH signals were detected. As a result, the organism that was enigmatic at the phylum level was found to be an appendicularian. Moreover, Oikopleura longicauda collected from the bay where the juvenile chum salmon samples were obtained was shown to have the same COI sequences as this taxonomic “orphan” COI sequence from the stomach contents. The present results suggest that the COI sequences previously deposited in public databases for “Oikopleura” are actually derived from taxonomic groups other than appendicularians, and that this may have hampered our understanding of prey richness in the stomach or gut of certain marine animals based on DNA barcoding.     

Assemblage structures and spatial distributions of small gobioid fishes in a mangrove estuary,southern Thailand

We describe the assemblage structures and spatial distributions of juvenile and adult small gobioid fishes in a mangrove estuary in Trang Province, southern Thailand. The 11,183 gobioid juveniles and adults collected during the present study were classified into three families, 19 genera and 36 species. The three most dominant species were Pandaka pygmaea, Acentrogobius kranjiensis and Acentrogobius malayanus, which accounted for 75.9, 15.0 and 3.8% of the total number of gobioids collected, respectively. Spatial differences in gobioid fish assemblages were found in a mangrove estuary and its adjacent marine area. The diverse gobioid fauna with a variety of lifestyles found at muddy-bottomed, low-salinity stations, which were mainly upper- and middle-reach stations, can be partly accounted for by the existence of the various microhabitats in muddy-bottomed areas around mangroves. These microhabitats may contribute to local fish catches because gobies are of great significance as prey species for piscivores, including commercially important fish in mangrove estuaries. The abundance of each gobioid species would contribute to the development of rational methods for assessing the effectiveness of mangrove conservation and rehabilitation programs.