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Effects of ruminal and abomasal digestion on seed germinability were investigated for Dactylis glomerata, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Zoysia japonica, Trifolium repens and Carex albata for varying in vitro incubation periods. Seed surface characteristics were examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) following ruminal digestion. Abomasal digestion, but not ruminal digestion, reduced the germinability of D. glomerata seed ( P < 0.001). For A. odoratum, ruminal digestion reduced germinability ( P < 0.001), whereas for Z. japonica and T. repens, both ruminal and abomasal digestion ( P < 0.001) decreased germinability. In contrast, both ruminal and abomasal digestion increased germination rates for C. albata seeds with a significant interaction ( P < 0.001). SEM observations indicated few ruminal bacteria attached to the seed surface of C. albata, whereas bacterial attachments were numerous for other species. These results indicate the resistance of C. albata seed surface to microbial digestion and enhancement of seed germinability by abomasal digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared grazing and recumbency behaviors of grazing heifers in affiliative groups of two and five immediately after beginning grazing and in high-density grazing situations in a pasture. Fourteen heifers were divided into two experimental groups of two individuals and two groups of five individuals that were familiar with each other. These heifers were then grazed with unfamiliar cattle in a pasture. Four heifers from each affiliative group (eight heifers in all) were selected as focal animals in three grazing situations: (i) treatment 1, immediately after beginning grazing (0.5 ha animal unit [AU]−1); (ii) control, 1 month after beginning grazing (0.3 ha AU−1); and (iii) treatment 2, high-density grazing (0.1 ha AU−1). Each focal animal was followed by an individual observer for 12 h beginning at sunrise. Posture and maintenance behaviors at 1-min intervals were recorded continuously. The mean duration and total time spent grazing during the 12-h observation period were significantly affected by group size and grazing situation ( P < 0.001) and the interaction between these factors ( P < 0.01). The mean duration of grazing behavior in the group of two was considerably ( P < 0.05) reduced in treatment 2 compared to control, whereas there was no significant difference in the group of five. Although the total time spent in maintenance behavior (grazing and recumbency) in the groups of two and five was the same in each treatment in the former, the difference between the total time spent grazing and recumbency behaviors was greater than that in the latter ( P < 0.05). Our results suggest that an affiliative group size may provide a calming effect for cattle in a pasture and contribute to the stability of their lives in a socially competitive situation. An affiliative group of five may be better adapted behaviorally to a changing grazing environment compared to a group of two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the relationship between exercise and neutrophil function, we measured three major neutrophil and neutrophil-related functions, viz. the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity (PA) of neutrophils and serum opsonic activity (SOA), simultaneously before and after a unified loading exercise under three different sets of conditions. Thirteen female collegiate judoists were examined with a unified exercise loading (2 h) immediately before and after a 64 day training period. Immediately thereafter, the athletes took part in a 6 day intensified training camp, following which the same exercise loading was repeated. Responses from circulating neutrophils were estimated by comparing the two sets of values obtained before and after the two instances of exercise loading. The parameters assessed included neutrophil count, SOA, PA and ROS production capability. ROS production increased after the exercise loading performed immediately before and after the 64 day training period just before the camp, ( p < 0.01) but decreased following the exercise loading performed after the camp ( p < 0.05). This suggested depressed bacteriocidal capability of the circulating neutrophils. PA decreased after the exercise loading sessions imposed prior to and after the 64 day training period ( p < 0.01) but did not change in the loading session after the camp. No changes were seen in SOA produced with the loading exercise either before the 64 day exercise period or before the camp, but increased significantly following the post-camp session ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, athletic training-induced changes in immune functional activities of neutrophils, such as ROS production and PA, and neutrophil-related factors, such as SOA, may compensate for each other to maintain the overall integrity of the neutrophil immune function. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested whether available biomass in grazing forests could be estimated by analyzing a satellite image with field data. Our study site was situated in north-eastern Japan and was composed of coniferous forest differing in afforested years, multilayered coniferous forest and deciduous broadleaf forest. The data of available biomass collected in previous studies was used to analyze a Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image acquired in summer and we tried to depict a map of the spatial distribution of available biomass in the forest. It was suggested that an analysis should be conducted separately in each of the multilayered coniferous, the other coniferous and broadleaf forests. As a result of regression analysis on the relationship between available biomass and each of several parameters, the first principal component computed with reflectance of the six bands of the Landsat TM was the most appropriate parameter to estimate available biomass. The answer to the question ‘Can the spatial distribution of available biomass in a forest be estimated with a satellite image?’ is ‘Yes, in coniferous forests’. We propose a procedure for depicting a precise map of the distribution of available biomass in a forest with analysis of a satellite image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of long-term training on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from neutrophils and serum opsonic activity (SOA) remain to date unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 months training on ROS production and SOA in judoists. Fifty-six judoists were enrolled this study. White blood cell counts, serum creatine kinase (CK), asparate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ROS production from neutrophils, and serum opsonic activity (SOA) using the lucigenin and luminol probes, were measured before and after daily judo exercise (2 h) in March and September. The subjects started their training from March after no exercise for three months, and continued it for 6 months (until September). In March, myogenic enzymes such as CK, ASAT, LDH and neutrophil counts increased and immunoglobulins, complements and SOA decreased after daily judo exercise. Such significant changes were not seen in September. On the other hand, ROS significantly increased after daily judo exercise in both March and September, with no significant difference in the rates of change. In conclusion, 6 month training minimized the changes in SOA as well as muscle enzymes, neutrophil counts, serum immunoglobulins and complements. This could be categorized as a long-term training effect. However, no such change was seen in ROS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five feeding methods were tested in stabled horses: (i) cutting hay (hay was cut into 5 cm lengths), (ii) delaying feeding time (feeding was delayed until 1 h after the usual time), (iii) increasing the feeding frequency (hay was divided into two portions; one half was given at the normal time and the other 1 h later), (iv) increasing the feeding locations (hay was available at three locations), and (v) increasing the hay varieties (three species of hay were used). The behavioral durations in the 2 h after the experimental feedings were compared with those after usual feeding. In the cutting hay treatment, hay-eating time decreased (P < 0.05), whereas bedding-eating time and resting time tended to increase. In the delaying feeding time treatment, bedding investigation time increased (P < 0.01) and hay-eating time tended to increase. In the increasing the feeding frequency treatment, hay-eating time tended to increase. In the increasing the feeding locations treatment, bedding investigation time tended to decrease. In the increasing the hay varieties treatment, resting time tended to decrease and hay-eating time tended to increase. It was suggested that the former two feeding methods might stimulate and the latter three feeding methods might suppress eating frustration in terms of increasing consummatory behavior (eating) and decreasing appetitive (investigating) and displacement behavior (resting). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal grooming (MG), nursing (NS) and mother-infant behavior 5 min before (IB5) and immediately before (LIB) maternal behavior were observed in Japanese Black (JB) and Japanese Shorthorn (JS) cow-calf pairs. During MG of the JB, the number of calf's IB5 was more than that of cows, but the duration of the MG positively correlated with the number of cow's IB5. During MG of the JS, the duration positively correlated with the number of calf's IB5. The number of the NS with calf's LIB and the number of calf's IB5 in the NS were more than those of cows in both breeds. The duration of the NS tended to correlate with the number of calf's IB5 in the JS. Main behavior sequence was observed like cow's approach, MG, calf's contact and NS, in this order, in both breeds. It is thought that the MG is released by cow's and calf's activities in both breeds and accelerated by the cow's activeness in the JB and by the calf's activeness in the JS, and that the NS is released and accelerated by the calf's activeness in JS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background : Although fecal consistency is an important factor, there has been only one study measuring this parameter. We developed a new method to measure fecal consistency and studied the relationship between fecal consistency and other fecal factors, including water content and weight. Methods : The new method is a modification of the method of Exton-Smith and used an even balance. Subjects in the initial trial were 26 healthy women. Subsequently, fecal consistency was measured in a representative sample of the general Japanese population, in order to evaluate the optimal value to maintain large bowel function. Results : Correlations between fecal consistency and fecal water content and weight were statistically consistent, although not highly correlated with each other. The optimal mean value was around 300 cm2 : ‘normal’ in ‘subjective defecatory state’, 295.5 cm 2 and 305.2 cm 2 ; ‘once/day’ in ‘defecation frequency’, 296.1 cm 2 and 310.2 cm 2 ; ‘soft and plump’ in ‘fecal characteristics’, 293.6 cm 2 and 298.3 cm 2 , in males and females, respectively. The coefficient of variation of this method ranged from 5.2% to 6.3%. Conclusions : This method is thought to be applicable to large-scale epidemiological surveys. The optimal value of fecal consistency in the general population was evaluated at approximately 300 g/cm2 . © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background. Bacteria have different characteristics in stimulation of human neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chemokines. This study examined the ability of Helicobacter pylori to induce production of ROS and chemokines by human neutrophils. Methods. H. pylori strains (1.5 × 108 CFU/ml) were cocultured with 5 × 104 neutrophils isolated from healthy subjects. Samples were incubated with human serum with or without IgG antibodies to H. pylori . ROS production was measured using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL), and the concentrations of chemokines (IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1α and MCP-1) were measured by ELISA. Results. The mean of the highest LmCL (peak height; PH) value stimulated by H. pylori was 3318 in the absence of serum. PH increased to 4687 when incubated with anti-H. pylori antibody-positive sera (p < .001) but antibody-negative sera did not affect LmCL response. The mean final concentration of IL-8 produced in the absence of serum was 142.6 pg/ml. Increased IL-8 production was seen by addition of antibody positive serum (p < .01). IL-8 production was not significantly correlated with production of ROS. On the other hand, H. pylori stimulation did not induce neutrophil production of RANTES, MIP-1α or MCP-1. Conclusions. H. pylori was capable of inducing IL-8 production by human neutrophils, but not C-C chemokines. Production of C-X-C dominant chemokine by neutrophils is consistent with the pathological characteristics of H. pylori -induced gastritis, where persistent neutrophil infiltration is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have significant roles in phosphorus cycles with terrestrial plants as well as determinants of plant community structure. However, it is almost impossible to identify the AM fungal species colonizing roots because of rare species-specific morphology. Recently polymerase chain reaction-denature gradient gel electrophoresis analysis has been applied to identify and characterize the species of AM fungi. Spore samples of five AM fungal species which exist in grassland were obtained from the National Institute of Livestock. Denature gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of 10 spore samples from each species were reproducible.

Introduces the international journal "Grassland Science," to be published by the Japanese Society of Grassland Science in Japan. Focus of the journal on issues related to grassland management for animal production and progressing grassland and forage; Role of scientists with interdisciplinary expertise in forage crop science, forestry, animal science and agribusiness in the progression of forage science and industry; Contribution of the journal to grassland science associated research activities and the establishment of sustainable grasslands in the country.