Spontaneous regression of bovine cutaneous leukosis

Biopsies of skin from a 2-year-old heifer with spontaneously regressing dermal leukosis were examined. The heifer was not infected with bovine leukemia virus and was negative for tumor-associated antigens of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma. By hematological standards for bovine leukemia, the heifer was positive at about 60 days post-occurrence of the disease (POD). At 53 days POD, lymphoblastic neoplastic cells in the dermis reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. The cells had intracytoplasmic clustered dense bodies under electron microscopy. From 53 to 83 days POD, figures of the transepithelial elimination (TE) against neoplastic cells and perivascular infiltration of small lymphocytes were in the dermis. Small lymphocytes reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody. At necropsy there were no neoplastic lesions; there were flat lymph node-like tissues in the subcutis. Many germinal centers were seen in the lymphatic organs. Blood lymphocytes at 46 days POD were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A. Sera, taken until 75 days POD and at necropsy, showed an inhibitory effect on mitogen-induced blastogenesis of normal bovine lymphocytes. These results suggested the existence of a spontaneous regressive mechanism against neoplastic lesions by TE and tumor immunity.     

Physiological Races and Vegetative Compatibility Groups of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae Isolated from Crisphead Lettuce in Japan

One hundred and sixteen isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae obtained from 85 fields in three crisphead lettuce-producing areas in Nagano Prefecture, Japan were typed for races using differential cultivars Patriot, Banchu Red Fire and Costa Rica No. 4. They were also grouped into vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using complementation tests with nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants. Two California strains reported as F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucum, a type culture of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, and 28 avirulent isolates of F. oxysporum obtained from crisphead lettuce were included for comparison. Among Nagano isolates, 66 isolates were identified as race 1, and 50 as race 2. Race 1 strains derived from Shiojiri and Komoro cities and race 2 from Kawakami village and Komoro city. All isolates of race 2 were biotin auxotrophs, and the race could be distinguished based on its requirement for biotin on minimal nitrate agar medium (MM). Pathogenic isolates were classified into two VCGs and three heterokaryon self-incompatible isolates. Strong correlations were found between race and VCG. All the race 1 strains were assigned to VCG 1 except self-incompatible isolates, and all the race 2 strains to VCG 2. The 28 avirulent isolates of F. oxysporum were incompatible with VCG 1 and VCG 2. California strains was vegetatively compatible with VCG 1, and they were assigned to race 1. Based on vegetative compatibility, these two races of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae may be genetically distinct, and F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1 is identical to F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucum. Received 7 May 2002/ Accepted in revised form 6 September 2002     

Ecological land evaluation for nature redevelopment in river areas

Landscape enhancement projects are under way at the Yamanakadani and Kadowaki rivers, which run through the campus of Hiroshima University, Japan. At both sites, the ecological value of land was determined from two aspects: (1) value as vegetation and (2) value to birds. To evaluate the vegetation, we selected conservation sites and suitable sites for enhancement considering rarity and recovery potential of vegetation, and access to users and construction equipment. We determined that the area of forest, the number of forest vertical layers, and forest pattern help sustain avian diversity and contribute toward the area functioning as an avian corridor.     

Leak detection by monitoring pressure to preserve integrity of agricultural pipe

Paddy and Water Environment - Leakage of agricultural pipes has been increasingly frequent problems due to corrosion, loosening of joints, and cracks, which result in the subsidence of peripheral...     

Extractive components and taste aspects of fermented fish pastes and bean pastes prepared using different koji molds as starters

We have evaluated four commercially available mold starters (SP-01, NY, M1, and “for kome miso”) for fermented fish pastes with the aim of determining the effect of different koji molds on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of the fermented product. Comparative studies among different fermented fish and bean pastes were also conducted. Protein contents were considerably higher in the fermented fish pastes (22.7–24.1%) than the fermented bean pastes (8.2–12.8%). Free amino acids, oligopeptides, organic acids, mineral content, and sensory scores of the fermented fish pastes were superior to those of the bean pastes in terms of nutritional aspects. Sensory evaluation of fermented fish and bean pastes clearly indicated that different koji molds used as starters had little effect on the taste of the fermented fish pastes. However, in terms of nutritional and sensory characteristics, fermented fish pastes from trash fishes were found to be both commercially valuable and a potential gain to food processing firms among the many new generic fermented food products becoming available.     

Studies on the green liver in cultured red sea bream fed low level and non-fish meal diets: Relationship between hepatic taurine and biliverdin levels

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of green liver in red sea bream fed substitute protein diets. Red sea bream Pagrus major was given either of the following diets for 28 weeks: (1) control diet (50% fish meal), (2) low level fish meal diet (15% fish meal), and (3) non-fish meal diet (0% fish meal). The green liver was observed in all groups tested, but the incidence was much higher in the experimental diet groups. The feeding of substitute protein diets reduced plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, there was no significant difference in plasma hepatic enzyme activities and plasma bile salts concentration among the treatments. Fish fed the substitute protein diets showed low hepatic taurine levels with an appearance of a biliverdin in the liver. Moreover, the proportion of ditaurobilirubin to total biliary bile pigments was significantly lower in fish fed the substitute protein diets. These data indicate that feeding of substitute protein diets did not induce any cholestatic hepatobiliary obstructions and that the low hepatic taurine level was one of the probable factors responsible for the occurrence of green liver in red sea bream fed substitute protein diets.     

Nitrous oxide emission measurement with acetylene inhibition method in paddy fields under flood conditions

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from flooded rice paddy fields was continuously measured by the closed chamber method at an experimental plot in Thailand for a whole cultivation period. To characterize the N₂O emission with regard to the denitrification N loss, the C₂H₂ inhibition method was applied. Flood water on the soil greatly suppressed the N₂O emission. The N₂O emission was mitigated considerably by even a thin film of the flood water. The overall average N₂O emissions under flood conditions for one crop season (83 days) at the control site and the C₂H₂ treated site were 10.3 and 11.8 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. The N₂O emission from the C₂H₂ treated site was consistently higher than that from the control site and the N₂O emission from both sites followed the same diurnal and seasonal variation pattern, indicating the effect of denitrification inhibition by the supplied C₂H₂. The N₂O emission enhanced along with temperature increase when NO₃–N concentration in the soil water was above 0.4 mg N l⁻¹ and soil temperature was above 24°C, suggesting specific temperature influence over the emission. The increase in NO₃–N concentration and temperature in the soil affected only the N₂O emission while the difference in the emission at the C₂H₂ treated site and the control site was not so much affected. It was suggested that most of the actively produced N₂O under higher NO₃–N concentration and temperature would likely to quickly emit to the atmosphere rather than to undergo further reduction to N₂.     

Development of X-ray computed tomography for live standing cattle

An X‐ray computed tomography (CT) system for live standing cattle was developed for studying the meat yield, carcass composition and so on. The gantry contained three X‐ray tubes and detectors that corresponded to each X‐ray tube. The system was able to operate while the animal remained standing. The scan area had a diameter of 900 mm. The Musculus longissimus and Musculus trapezius areas, and the back fat thickness in the CT image were evaluated and compared to the actual cross‐section of the carcass using eight cattle. The differences among the muscles, and the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were easily recognized. The correlation coefficient between the CT image and the actual carcass photograph of the M. longissimus area and the back fat thickness was high (r = 0.84, r = 0.93, P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that muscle, fat and bone can be clearly imaged from a live standing animal using X‐ray equipment.