Contribution of active defense responses in the limitation of fungal spread in the sapwood of living sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) tree

The participation of active defense responses in the limitation of fungal spread in the sapwood of living sugi tree was determined. Isolates ofGuignardia cryptomeriae were inoculated to living trees, fresh logs, frozen and thawed logs and autoclaved logs, and the spread of wood discoloration and fungal hyphae was assessed. In autoclaved logs and freeze-treated logs, wood discoloration and reaction zone formation were not observed, and fungal hyphae of both of virulent and avirulent isolates grew rapidly in the wood. In fresh logs, wood discoloration and the formation of a pale reaction zone and transition zone were observed. Virulent isolates spread rapidly, but the spread of avirulent isolates was inhibited. In living trees, wood discoloration was observed and reaction zones were formed at lesion margins. These results indicated that constitutive defense mechanisms had no effect on the spread of both of virulent and avirulent isolates, and that active defense responses were important in the limitation of spread of fungal hyphae, hence in the limitation of wood discoloration. Further, it appeared that avirulent, but not virulent, races ofG. cryptomeriae were easily inhibited even by weak host responses. This study was presented at 105th and 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society.     

Acoustoelastic effect of wood II: Effect of compressive stress on the velocity of ultrasonic longitudinal waves parallel to the transverse direction of the wood

The changes in the velocity of ultrasonic waves propagating in wood parallel to the direction of applied stress are discussed. The ultrasonic mode was longitudinal waves traveling along the direction of applied stress with the compressive load applied parallel to the transverse direction of the wood. The ultrasonic velocities were measured by the sing-around method. The experimental results indicated the existence of an acoustoelastic phenomenon in the transverse direction of the wood. The percent change in the ultrasonic velocity was given as a function of the applied stress. The change in the velocity depended on the species and structural direction of the wood. That is, in the radial direction of hardwood, the ultrasonic velocity increased with increases in compressive stress at the initial stress level of less than 2MPa; it then gradually decreased with increases in stress. A change in velocity from an increase to a decrease was considered a unique phenomenon for wood. In contrast, in the radial direction of softwood and the tangential direction of hardwood, the ultrasonic velocity decreased with increases in stress from the beginning of loading. This phenomenon is also generally observed in metallic materials. The relations between velocity and stress at the initial stress level and between velocity and strain in the range of large deformation are represented by essentially straight lines. The acoustoelastic constants of wood were obtained from these relations at the initial stress level. The absolute values of the constants in the transverse direction of wood were larger than those for metals and were larger than those for the longitudinal direction of wood reported in our previous paper.This research was presented at the 1st Meeting of the Research Society of the Acoustoelastic Measurements in the Japan Society of Non-Destructive Inspection at Osaka, October 1996 and at the 47th Annual Meeting of Japan Wood Research Society at Kochi, April 1997     

First description and collection records of juvenile slime flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microstomus achne</Emphasis> from the eastern and western coastal waters off Honshu Island,Japan

Morphological characteristics and body pigmentations of juvenile slime flounder Microstomus achne were described from one specimen [27.8 mm total length (TL)] collected off Niigata Prefecture from the Sea of Japan (35 m depth) in May 1993 and from three specimens (30.1, 36.2, and 40.9 mm TL) collected off Fukushima Prefecture on the Pacific coast of northern Japan (15 and 50 m depths) during April–May 2008 and 2009. These age-0 juveniles had a characteristically slenderly oval-shaped body and slightly protruded front nostrils. Sparsely distributed melanophores and xanthophores were clearly visible throughout the ocular side of one specimen, which was judged as a newly settled juvenile, whereas several spots aggregated by small melanophores were found in the others with elongated pectoral fins and small cycloid scales. Melanophores were only slightly detectable on the blind side. Comparisons of the depth distributions of slime flounder juveniles and sympatrically collected age-0 pleuronectids (Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini, Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, Platichthys bicoloratus, and Dexistes rikuzenius) suggested that slime flounder can settle on broad nursery areas of coastal and offshore pleuronectid flatfishes, probably depending on local oceanic conditions during the protracted pelagic phase.     

Interannual variation in quantitative relationships among egg production and densities of larvae and juveniles of the Japanese mantis shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oratosquilla oratoria</Emphasis> in Tokyo Bay,Japan

To explore which lifestages affect the stock size of young-of-the-year mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria in Tokyo Bay, Japan, we investigated interannual variations in the quantitative relationships among egg production, larval density, and juvenile density. We collected adult females, larvae, and juveniles during monthly field surveys from 2004 to 2007. The interannual trend for the juvenile density index differed from those for egg production and larval density; although indices of both egg production and larval density were high in 2004 and 2007, the juvenile density index was high only in 2007, suggesting high mortality during the pelagic larval stage or the early phase of the postsettlement juvenile stage in 2004. We found that larval settlement started at the end of August and peaked in October, although larvae from the early spawning season (May–June) should have settled in August or earlier. Juveniles were found throughout the bay except in areas where bottom hypoxia occurred, suggesting that hypoxia restricts the spatial distribution of juveniles. Our results suggest that mortality during the early life history fluctuates among years, probably because of changes in environmental conditions in the bay, resulting in interannual variation in the stock size of young-of-the-year juvenile O. oratoria.     

Effect of the lateral growth rate on wood properties in fast-growing hardwood species

We investigated the feasibility of using several fast-growing tropical or subtropical hardwood species for timber production by measuring key wood qualities in relationship to the high rates of lateral growth. The trees tested were sampled from even-aged plantations of Acacia mangium, A. auriculiformis, hybrid Acacia (A. mangium × A. auriculiformis), Eucalyptus grandis, E. globulus, and Paraserianthes falcataria (Solomon and Java origin) that had already reached commercial harvesting age. The released strain of the surface growth stress (RS), xylem density (XD), microfibril angle (MFA), and fiber length (FL) were measured at the outermost part of the xylem at breast height in each tree. Results were then compared to the lateral growth rate (radius/age) at breast height, which provides a relative indicator of the amount of tree growth per year. Our findings indicated that RS was constant, regardless of lateral growth rate in each species. Similar results were observed for XD, MFA, and FL, with a few exceptions, suggesting that high growth rates do not intrinsically affect the wood properties of fast-growing tropical or subtropical species that have reached harvesting age. However, special attention must be paid to patterns of xylem maturation when developing plantations of such species.     

Acinic cell carcinoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract: A male African pygmy hedgehog ( Atelerix albiventris ), estimated to be 3 years old, presented with exophthalmos and fixed abduction of the right eye. Radiographic examination revealed a retrobulbar tumor in the right orbital cavity. The mass was surgically resected but recurred 3 months later and the hedgehog died. There was no gross or microscopic evidence of salivary or lacrimal gland involvement of the tumor at surgery or at necropsy. The histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings were those of acinic cell carcinoma, the origin of which was unknown. This is the first known case of acinic cell carcinoma in an African hedgehog.     

Removal effect of the water purifier for home use against Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts

The removal effects of the faucet mounted type water purifier for home use were examined against Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. The water purifier is composed of a layer of granular activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane filter. The cartridges were unused, 25%, 50% and 75% flow down by Arizona-dust of U. S. A. Two respective cartridges were used of the examination. The faucet and the water purifier were connected by anti-pressure tube, and 3.0 x 10(7) oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum were injected into anti-pressure tube while water was running. Twenty liter of collected purified water was examined under the fluorescent microscope. Any oocysts in the purified water collected from all cartridges were not found. Therefore, we considered this purifier as an effective one in removing Cryptosporidium oocysts from drinking water.     

Molecular cloning of canine thrombomodulin cDNA and expression in normal tissues

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a glycoprotein localized mainly on endothelial cell surfaces, and is a major regulator of vascular thromboresistance. The entire open reading frame of canine TM cDNA comprises 1737 bp, encoding 578 amino acid residues. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence from canine TM with those of human, mouse, rat, rabbit and bovine (partial) TM sequences revealed 73.1%, 69.1%, 65.8%, 74.3% and 69.5% identity, respectively. Canine TM mRNA expression was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis in lung, liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas and lymph node, and was relatively low in heart, cerebrum, urinary bladder and uterus. The present results provide valuable data for research into canine coagulation disorders.     

Differential expression of histochemical characteristics in the developing olfactory receptor cells in a flatfish, barfin flounder (Verasper moseri)

Differentiation of the histochemical characteristics of the olfactory receptor cells (ORC) was examined by immunohistochemistry for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and calretinin (CR) and lectin histochemistry for Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin-L (PHA-L) in the developing olfactory epithelium (OE) of the barfin flounder. PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was diffuse and CR immunoreactivity was restricted at day 7, but these immunoreactivities became intense in the OE toward day 91. Crypt cells were first identified at day 56. PHA-L staining was faint at day 28, but became intense toward day 91. These findings suggest that PGP 9.5-immunopositive cells, CR-immunopositive cells, crypt cells and PHA-L-reactive cells differentiate independently in the developing OE and constitute subsets of the ORC in the OE.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a border collie

A castrated male border collie 23 months of age weighing 19.4 kg was referred to the Animal Medical Center of Nihon University with complaints of visual disturbance and behavioral abnormality, hyperacusis and morbid fear. The MRI examination revealed the slight dilated cerebral sulci and cerebellar fissures and left ventricular enlargement. This is the first report of MRI findings of canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.