Effects of Calcium Lactate on the Development of Chicken Embryos in a Shell-less Culture System up to Day Seventeen of Incubation

This study examined the effects of calcium lactate on the development of chicken embryos in a shell-less culture system (cSLCS) up to the seventeenth day of incubation. In the presence of calcium lactate, a significant reduction in embryo viability was observed during the first week of incubation in cSLCS. On day 17 of embryo development, no significant difference was observed in the blood plasma calcium concentration or tibia bone density between cSLCS and intact control embryos, whereas the tibia length was significantly shorter in cSLCS embryos than in the intact control. These results suggest that calcium lactate supplementation in cSLCS supports bone formation in developing chicken embryos, but has adverse effects on the viability of embryos, particularly during the first week of embryo development.     

Effects of intravenous infusion of hypotonic lactated Ringer's solution on calves with diarrhea

The effects of intravenous infusion of hypotonic lactated Ringer's (LR: n=14) on plasma volume and venous blood gases were compared to those of hypotonic Ringer's solutions (RS: n=7) in diarrheic Japanese Black breed calves with metabolic acidosis. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after, and at 24 hr after the fluid infusion therapy. The LR and RS infusions increased relative plasma volume to 147.1 +/- 25.5% and 134.2 +/- 18.6%, respectively, just after the fluid therapy. The LR infusion induced an increase in the BE value (+5.1 +/- 4.8 mM) at 24 hr compared to that of RS. LR infusion should be explored as a treatment for dehydration and moderate metabolic acidemia caused by naturally occurring diarrhea in calves.     

Concentrations of toxic metals and essential minerals in the mane hair of healthy racing horses and their relation to age

Concentrations of trace elements (As, Al, Pb, Cd, Hg, Se, Si, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni and Mn) in the mane hair obtained from 9 female and 15 male healthy racing Thoroughbred horses aged 2-5 years were analyzed by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method. No significant differences between the female and male horses were observed in the mean concentrations of those minerals. Significantly positive correlations with age were observed in Cd (r=0.546, p<0.01) and Mo (r=0.733, p<0.001). Significantly negative correlations with age were observed in Hg (r= -0.726, p<0.001), Mn (r= -0.450, p<0.05) and Fe (r=-0.642, p<0.01). This reference range of trace elements in the mane hair of racing horses should be used to assess disease and the nutritional status in equine practice.     

Evaluation of isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution for alkalizing effects in conscious calves

After intravenous (i.v.) infusion of various volumes of 1.35%-isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution (ISB), acid-base equilibrium, blood pressure, plasma volume and biochemical parameters in healthy Holstein calves were studied. Four calves each were randomly assigned to the low-dose (LD; i.v. infusion of 5 ml/kg ISB), middle-dose (MD; i.v. infusion of 10 ml/kg ISB) and the high-dose groups (HD; i.v. infusion of 15 ml/kg ISB). Administration volumes of ISB in the LD, MD and HD groups were decided based on the first half volumes of 5, 10 and 15 mEq of base requirement by the acceptable equation. Systemic, pulmonary artery and central venous pressures, cardiac output and plasma osmotic pressure were not changed by ISB infusion and remained constant throughout the experiment for all groups. There was good correlation (r(2) = 0.950) between relative changes in base excess and infused volume of bicarbonate (y=2.491x). The coefficient of distribution for bicarbonate ions was calculated to be 0.401 (=1/2.491). Therefore, it is suggested that a value of 0.4 would be most appropriate when calculating the base requirements in calves. Therefore, the first half volumes of ISB correcting base deficits of 5, 10 and 15 mEq in calves were estimated to be 6, 12 and 18 ml/kg, respectively. On the basis of the findings in this study, ISB may be used to correct metabolic acidosis without altering the plasma osmotic pressure, hemodynamic status and respiratory function in the calves.     

Use of canine red blood cell with high concentrations of potassium, reduced glutathione, and free amino acid as host cells for in vitro cultivation of Babesia gibsoni

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of canine RBC with high concentrations of potassium, reduced glutathione (GSH), and amino acid(i.e., HK cells) for in vitro cultivation of Babesia gibsoni. ANIMALS: RBC were obtained from 3 dogs that had inherited HK cells and from 3 genetically unaffected dogs that, therefore, had RBC with lower potassium (LK) concentrations (i.e., LK cells). PROCEDURES: First, B. gibsoni were cultivated using HK or LK cells in alpha-modification of Eagle medium, consisting of Earle salts with glutamine and without ribosides, deoxyribosides, and sodium bicarbonate under a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 at 37 C. Second, parasites were cultivated with LK- or HK-cell lysates. Finally, HK cells were separated into 3 fractions (bottom, middle, top layers) by density gradient centrifugation, and B. gibsoni were cultivated with each of the HK-cell fractions. In addition, the concentrations of free amino acids and reduced glutathione (GSH) in each HK-cell fraction were measured. RESULTS: B. gibsoni preferentially multiplied in HK-cell cultures rather than in LK-cell cultures. Furthermore, the addition of HK-cell lysate to the culture medium resulted in enhanced multiplication of the parasites. Higher multiplication of the parasites was observed in HK cells from the top layer, compared with HK cells from the middle and bottom layers. The HK cells from the top layer had higher concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, and GSH, compared with HK cells from the middle and bottom layer. CONCLUSIONS: Canine HK cells are useful host cells for in vitro cultivation of B. gibsoni, and the high concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, and GSH may result in enhancement of multiplication of the parasites in HK cells.     

Comparison of organic matter dynamics in soil between Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest and adjacent Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest established on flatland

In order to clarify the effects of tree species on organic matter dynamics in soil, we investigated the amount of forest floor material, leaf litter decomposition rate, soil chemical characteristics, soil respiration rate and cellulose decomposition rate in a Japanese cedar forest (cedar plot) and an adjacent Japanese red pine forest (pine plot) established on a flatland. The amount of forest floor material in the cedar plot was 34.5 Mg ha⁻¹ which was greater than that in the pine plot. Because the leaf litter decomposition rate was higher in the pine plot than in the cedar plot, it is likely that the difference in the amount of forest floor material between the plots is caused by the difference in the leaf litter decomposition rate. The C concentrations of soil in the cedar plot were 1.2–2.1 times higher than those in the pine plot. Soil pH(H₂O)s in the cedar plot were significantly higher than those in the pine plot. The soil respiration rates and the rates of mineralized C in the cedar plot byin vitro incubation were higher than those in the pine plot. From this result, it is assumed that soil organic matter in the cedar plot was decomposed relatively faster compared with the pine plot. Furthermore, microbial activities, which were reflected as cellulose decomposition rates in the cedar plot, were higher than those in the pine plot. A part of this paper was presented at the 109th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1998).     

Effect of intravenous infusion of isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution on acidemic calves with diarrhea

The effect of 1.35% isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution (ISB) administered intravenously on acid-base equilibrium was examined in 18 acidemic Japanese black beef calves with spontaneous diarrhea. The infusion volumes of ISB were decided based on the first half volumes of base needed. In 72.2% (13/18) of calves, improvement of acidemia was detected. There was good correlation (r=0.693, p<0.01) between infused volume of ISB and changes in base excess (y=1.097x + 4.762). Infusion volumes of ISB were 7.5, 10.2, 12.9 and 15.7 ml/kg, respectively, enough to correcting the first half of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mEq/l of base deficit in acidemic calves. Our finding suggested that ISB could be used to correct metabolic acidosis without altering electrolyte concentrations in calves.     

Proliferation capacity, neuronal differentiation potency and microstructures after the differentiation of canine bone marrow stromal cells into neurons

We examined the proliferation capacity and neuronal differentiation potency of canine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). In addition, the microstructures of neuron-like cells after neuronal differentiation were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Canine BMSCs grew to confluency at 10.0 ± 2.5 days, and 3.8 ± 2.1 × 10(6) BMSCs were collected in one passage. Approximately 65% of canine BMSCs changed to neuron-like morphology after neuronal differentiation, and nearly all neuron-like cells stained positive against neuron-specific enolase. In addition, microstructures such as the cellular organelles, filaments and growth cones of these cells bore a close resemblance to those of the original mature neurons. These results suggested that canine BMSCs might be capable of differentiating into neurons.     

Degradation of the urban ecosystem function due to soil sealing: involvement in the heat island phenomenon and hydrologic cycle in the Tokyo metropolitan area

ABSTRACT

We reviewed the role of the soil function of urban green space in mitigating the heat island phenomenon and urban flood damage, which are important issues in the modern urban environment. Urban sprawl has progressed remarkably in the southern part of the Kanto District of Japan, especially since the 1960s. The grassland/bare land area ratio in the center of Tokyo was more than 70% in the 1930s but less than 40% in 1990. On the other hand, the paving area ratio was ~2% in the 1930s but more than 10 times that amount in 1990. Thus, cities, such as Tokyo, in the southern part of the Kanto District have been significantly sealed soil throughout time, and the heat island phenomenon has intensified. Urban green space helps to mitigate the heat island phenomenon based on the water retention and heat dissipation function of plants and unsealed soil. A cool island effect was reported during summer days in urban green spaces in Tokyo. The mitigation of the heat island effect seems to be large, even when conditions, such as the park area, land use, afforestation area ratio, and soil type, differ. Soil sealing and compaction affect urban flooding by hindering the penetration of rainwater and increasing surface runoff. According to a survey in the hilly basin (1 km²) of the western part of Tokyo, the proportion of farm- and forestland decreased due to development. The urban area increased from ~10% in the 1970s to ~60% in the 1980s. As a result, the flood arrival time shortened. Green spaces have a high rainwater permeability. The forest soil structure and presence of O horizons further increase the permeability. By promoting permeability to the underground, it is possible to reduce and delay the water runoff on the land surface. To develop urban green space as green infrastructure, it is necessary to accumulate more information on the current situation and agenda for the future of urban green space.