Variability in timing and magnitude of spring bloom in the Oyashio region, the western subarctic Pacific off Hokkaido, Japan

The spring bloom of phytoplankton is a well-established, regular, seasonal event in the western subarctic Pacific and is considered one of the most important conditions of massive production of pelagic fishes. A series of 12 cruises was conducted from 1990 to 1992 to examine the timing and magnitude of the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Oyashio region, the western subarctic Pacific off Hokkaido, Japan. An interannual variability in the bloom events was also analysed. On the basis of hydrographical characteristics, the study area was divided into three water masses: the Oyashio Water Mass, the Mixed Water Mass, and the Coastal Water Mass. Spring blooms were observed first in April in the Oyashio and the Coastal Water Masses, and continued to May in 1991 and 1992. However, no bloom was recorded in the Mixed Water Mass. High nutrient supply into the surface mixed layer during winter is likely to be one of the factors supporting an intense spring bloom in the Oyashio Water Mass. A significant positive relationship between log-transformed surface chlorophyll a concentration and maximum density gradient (MDG) within the euphotic layer was obtained in April, indicating the importance of vertical stability of the water column in the initiation of spring blooms in the Oyashio and the Coastal Water Masses. The spring blooms in 1991 were much more extensive and lasted longer than in 1990. It is suggested that meteorological conditions and abundance of grazers were responsible for this interannual difference.     

碎石填方坡面乔灌草植物群落构建方法的实验研究

碎石填方边坡是山区公路常见的一种坡面类型。表层为以碎石为主的土石混合体,土壤含量极少甚至没有,立地条件恶劣,导致坡面植被恢复非常困难。针对这一难题,以北京市门头沟区百花山旅游公路11 km处的45°碎石填方边坡为研究对象,采用"客土+保育块苗移栽"技术,在坡面上重建了乔灌草植物群落。施工4 a后,坡面草本植物群落的总覆盖度约为50%,平均高度约为40 cm;坡面木本植物生长状况良好,主根粗壮、根系发达且已深入碎石缝隙之中,其中山桃保育块苗的成活率为78%,高度为82 cm,地径为7.9 mm。实验结果表明,该方法可以在比较陡峭的碎石覆盖边坡上有效地构建乔灌草植物群落。     

高寒退化草地恢复中种子包衣对土壤微生物和植株生长的影响

本研究采用微藻粉末和植物性吸水材料包衣处理两种牧草种子,并接种微生物孢子,观察植株生长和土壤微生物的呼吸量。结果表明,种子包衣并接种孢子时,两种牧草的干物质量（P<0.01）、豆科牧草的根瘤数（P<0.05）和土壤微生物呼吸量（P<0.05）均显著高于对照;植株的干物质量与土壤呼吸量之间呈极显著的正相关（P<0.001）;豆科牧草根瘤数与土壤呼吸量之间也呈极显著的正相关(P<0.001）。植株收获后,在各种处理的土壤上再播种未经过包衣和孢子处理的种子,其植株的干物质量、根瘤数和土壤微生物呼吸量均与第1茬植株有同样的变化趋势。种子包衣和接种微生物,为土壤微生物提供生长所需的条件,提高了土壤微生物的活性,促进了植物生长,土壤微生物活性的提高效应是可延续的。     

Functional study of the central nervous system for farm animal husbandry

The purpose of this mini-review is to describe the recent approaches for revealing the function of the central nervous system in farm animals. The sensory organs are the first sites to gain environmental information. The behavior of the animals is outputted as a result of changes in the integrated neuronal systems, and is largely influenced by the external environment. Therefore, it is necessary to know how farm animals catch and recognize environmental changes. To understand the mechanisms of sensing and behavioral output, approaches for analyzing the brain function are required. Neuroscientific approaches are able to give cues for resolving abnormal behaviors such as stereotypy, and may lead to the improved housing and management of farm animals.     

Rapid activation of Mac-1(CD11b/CD18) molecules on macrophages by a new chemotactic factor 'Gasserokine' produced by Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131T

The chemoattractant activity of a new chemotactic factor, 'Gasserokine' produced by Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131^T, has been proposed as a novel immunological function of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. The focus of the present study was to understand the mechanism of the chemotaxis induced by Gasserokine, using activation of an adhesion molecule, Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on macrophages. The macrophage chemotaxis to Gasserokine was abolished by preincubation of macrophages with the anti-Mac-1 mAb. Gasserokine induced rapid serine phosphorylation of CD18 molecules within 1 min of stimulation, but the effect was short-lived. Substantial tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in CD18-associated protein of macrophages stimulated by Gasserokine. The tyrosine phosphorylation was confirmed in macrophages stimulated with Gasserokine and also serine/threonine phosphorylation was detected on CD18 molecules by laser microscopy using a double immunostaining method. These results suggest that selective activation of intracellular signaling cascades, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, are related to the macrophage chemotaxis induced by Gasserokine.     

Severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae in a Japanese Black steer with chronic bloat--a case report

An 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with chronic bloat underwent clinical and histological analyses. During the observation period, it showed normal appetite and fecal volume but persistent chronic bloat symptoms. Compared to controls, the steer's feces contained undigested large straws. Necropsy revealed normal rumen, reticulum, and abomasum but a small omasum. The rumen, reticulum, and abomasum mucosa was normal, with well-developed ruminal papillae. However, severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae was observed along with hypoplasia reticular groove and ruminoreticular fold. The contents of the reticulum, omasum, and abomasums comprised undigested large sized hay particles. The omasum papillae showed no pathological abnormalities. This is a rare case of a steer with chronic bloat probably caused by severe hypoplasia of the omasal laminae.     

Three cases of idiopathic eosinophilic enteritis with chronic obstinate diarrhea in Japanese Black fattening cattle

Eosinophilic enteritis (EOE) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease and is characterized clinically by chronic obstinate diarrhea. Three Japanese Black (JB) fattening cattle (2 males and 1 female) on different cattle farms presented with chronic episodic diarrhea without fever or dehydration. Soft reddish spherical carneous tissues (1−3 cm) were occasionally excreted within the diarrheic feces. Administration of antibiotics, antidiarrheal drugs and vermicides had no therapeutic effect, but dexamethasone improved the fecal characteristics. The symptoms persisted until the animals were slaughtered at 27–30 months of age. Histopathological examination of the intestines revealed marked eosinophilic infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa. From these findings, we diagnosed these cattle as the first cases of EOE in JB cattle.