Development of CAPS markers and their application in breeding for mango, Mangifera indica L.

To develop cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers for the identification of true hybrids in F1 progeny, we cloned sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) genes from 19 mango cultivars. Through comparison of amino acid sequences in a BLASTX search, cloned SS and SPS genes were found to be homologs of Citrus unshiu CitSUS1 (AB022092) and CitSPS1 (O22060), respectively. Therefore, we designated the SS and SPS genes as MiSUS1 and MiSPS1, respectively. There were 11 genotypes in MiSUS1 and 10 in MiSPS1 sequences. In the MiSUS1 nucleotide sequences, 46 SNPs and 5 in/dels were detected. Twenty-six out of the 46 SNPs mapped on the restriction enzyme recognition sites were successfully converted to 25 CAPS markers. In the MiSPS1 nucleotide sequences, 99 SNPs and 6 in/dels were detected. Thirty out of 99 SNPs and 2 out of 6 in/dels mapped on the recognition sites were also converted to 32 CAPS markers. By using two CAPS markers, SS-2798 and SPS-5745, we identified 37 true hybrids that had different genotypes to ‘Irwin’ from 82 F1 progeny obtained through a cross between ‘Irwin’, the maternal parent, and paternal parents by using flies as pollinators. The method developed here to identify true hybrids is a simple, rapid and highly reliable tool for efficient mango breeding.     

Diamond Squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus)-Derived Chondroitin Sulfate Stimulates Bone Healing within a Rat Calvarial Defect

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has been suggested to be involved in bone formation and mineralization processes. A previous study showed that squid-derived CS (sqCS) has osteoblastogenesis ability in cooperation with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 in vitro. However, in vivo, osteogenic potential has not been verified. In this study, we created a critical-sized bone defect in the rat calvaria and implanted sqCS-loaded gelatin hydrogel sponges (Gel) into the defect with or without BMP-4 (CS/BMP/Gel and CS/Gel, respectively). At 15 weeks, bone repair rate of CS/Gel-treated defects and CS/BMP/Gel-treated defects were 47.2% and 51.1%, respectively, whereas empty defects and defects with untreated sponges showed significantly less bone ingrowth. The intensity of von Kossa staining of the regenerated bone was less than that of the original one. Mineral apposition rates at 9 to 10 weeks were not significantly different between all treatment groups. Although bone repair was not completed, sqCS stimulated bone regeneration without BMP-4 and without external mesenchymal cells or preosteoblasts. Therefore, sqCS is a promising substance for promotion of osteogenesis.     

Distribution of radioactive cesium in edible parts of cattle

After the disastrous incident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, various agricultural, livestock and fishery products have been inspected for radioactive contamination with cesium in Japan. In this study, radioactive cesium was measured in various edible parts of cattle to verify the current inspection method for cattle, in which the neck tissues are generally used as samples. Radioactive cesium concentration in the short plate, diaphragm, liver, lung, omasum, abomasum and small intestine were lower and sirloin, tenderloin, top round meat and tongue were higher than that in the neck. There was no significant difference between the other organs (heart, kidney, lumen and reticulum) and the neck. Ninety‐five percent upper tolerance limits of the relative concentration to the neck were 1.88 for sirloin, 1.74 for tenderloin, 1.87 for top round and 1.45 for tongue. These results suggest that a safety factor of 2 is recommended for the radioactivity inspection of cattle to prevent a marketing of meat with higher cesium than the legal limit. Re‐inspection should be conducted using another part of muscle, for example, top round, when suspicious levels of 50–100 Bq/kg are detected in the neck.     

Comparison of anthocyanin synthesis of true-to-type `Tsugaru' apple and its red sport strains

Summary

The effects of light and temperature on anthocyanin accumulation in `Tsugaru' red sport strains, `Homei' and `Misuzu' were compared with true-to-type `Tsugaru' apple. The fruit of the red sport strains developed their red colour earlier than `Tsugaru', and `Homei' contained much more anthocyanin both on the blush side and the shaded side of the fruit on the tree. Both red strains accumulated much more anthocyanin than `Tsugaru' under white plus ultraviolet light of 280-320 nm (+UV), and under white light (-UV). The responsiveness of `Homei' to -UV light was greater than that of `Tsugaru' and `Misuzu'. The optimum temperature for highest anthocyanin production changed from 158C to 208C with advance of fruit ripening in all strains. There were no clear differences between `Tsugaru' and red strains for anthocyanin accumulation in response to temperature. Phenylalanine-ammonia lyase (PAL) activity has been investigated in relation with anthocyanin accumulation.     

Investigation of Soft Wheat Flour Quality Factors Associated with Sponge Cake Sensory Tenderness

Relationships among soft wheat quality parameters relating to sponge cake volume and sensory tenderness were investigated. Sixteen soft wheats from the 2008–2009 crop and 11 from the 2009–2010 crop, including Japanese soft wheat cultivars, advanced breeders' lines, and western white wheat imported from the United States, were milled and evaluated for protein content, sucrose solvent retention capacity value, specific surface area, flour pasting properties, batter pasting viscosity, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation (SDSS) volume, farinograph properties, specific cake volume, and sensory tenderness score to investigate their relationships. Batter pasting viscosity was measured with a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) at 2 min after reaching 90°C in heating a mixture with equal weights of flour, sucrose, and water. RVA minimum viscosity of flour suspension in water was the most influencing factor and positively correlated to specific cake volume, and RVA batter pasting viscosity and SDSS volume were negatively correlated. Meanwhile, protein content and SDSS volume were strongly negatively correlated with sensory tenderness score. Stepwise multiple regression analysis selected protein content and specific cake volume as independent variables to predict sensory tenderness score; however, SDSS volume and farinograph properties relating to protein strength were not selected. Protein content affected sponge cake tenderness independently of specific cake volume, which was related to differences in cake density.     

Cucumber mosaic virus isolated from Aconitum spp. in Japan

Viruses were isolated from leaves of plants of Aconitum species with symptoms such as mottling and yellowing in Hokkaido and Gunma prefectures in Japan. These viruses were identified as Cucumber mosaic virus (subgroup II) based on particle morphology, host range, aphid transmission, and serology.     

Large-scale survey of adverse reactions to canine non-rabies combined vaccines in Japan

Canine non-rabies combined vaccines are widely used to protect animals from infectious agents, and also play an important role in public health. We performed a large-scale survey to investigate vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs), including anaphylaxis, in Japan by distributing questionnaires on VAAEs to veterinary hospitals from April 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007. Valid responses were obtained for 57,300 vaccinated dogs at 573 animal hospitals; we obtained VAAEs information for last 100 vaccinated dogs in each veterinary hospital. We found that of the 57,300, 359 dogs showed VAAEs. Of the 359 dogs, death was observed in 1, anaphylaxis in 41, dermatological signs in 244, gastrointestinal signs in 160, and other signs in 106. Onset of VAAEs was mostly observed within 12h after vaccination (n=299, 83.3%). In this study, anaphylaxis events occurred within 60 min after vaccination, and about half of these events occurred within 5 min (n=19, 46.3%). Furthermore, where anaphylaxis was reported, additional information to support the diagnosis was obtained by reinvestigation. Our resurvey of dogs with anaphylaxis yielded responses on 31 dogs; 27 of these demonstrated collapse (87.1%), 24 demonstrated cyanosis (77.4%), and both signs occurred in 22 (71.0%). Higher rates of animal VAAEs, anaphylaxis, and death were found in Japan than in other countries. Further investigations, including survey studies, will be necessary to elucidate the interaction between death and vaccination and the risk factors for VAAEs, and thus develop safer vaccines. Moreover, it may also be necessary to continually update the data of VAAEs.     

IgE reactivity to a Cry j 3, an allergen of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen in dogs with canine atopic dermatitis

The present study investigated IgE reactivity to a new Cryptomeria japonica pollen allergen (Cry j 3) in dogs with atopic dermatitis by using a fluorometric ELISA. Serum samples from 15 dogs that showed IgE sensitivity to crude C. japonica pollen allergen by ELISA were tested for specific IgE to each allergen, individually. All 15 dogs had anti-Cry j 1 IgE, 6 (40%) had anti-Cry j 2 IgE, and 11 (73%) had anti-Cry j 3 IgE. Further, we found that these anti-Cry j 3 IgE reacted to Cry j 3 with immunoblotting analysis. These findings indicate that Cry j 3 may be a major allergen in dogs.     

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.     

Effects of the lateral growth rate on wood quality parameters of Eucalyptus grandis from different latitudes in Brazil and Argentina

Climate change resulting from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and shortages of fossil fuels such as petroleum are major problems worldwide. Under these conditions, demand for woody biomass resources is increasing. We investigated the feasibility of using fast-growing Eucalyptus grandis for material production. Samples of E. grandis were collected from four plantations in different latitude divisions, including tropical and subtropical Brazil and subtropical Argentina. Various xylem qualities were measured and related to the lateral growth rate. Lateral growth rate did not significantly affect the longitudinal released strain of the surface growth stresses or the xylem density at any of the sampling sites. Higher lateral growth rate, higher values of xylem density, and lower absolute values of the released strain were observed in plantations closer to the equator. Higher growth rates in tropical climate promote longer fiber length. In subtropical plantations, smaller diameter trees will produce tension wood with smaller microfibril angles. Planting E. grandis closer to the equator thus produces higher quality wood than in plantations at lower latitudes.