Tetracycline-resistance genes of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordellii isolated from cattle affected with malignant edema

The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 10 antimicrobial agents against a total of 33 isolates of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordellii from cattle affected with malignant edema in Japan was determined. The low MIC activities of benzylpenicillin confirm the place of benzylpenicillin as the antibiotics of choice for treatment of malignant edema. Five (22%) of 23 C. septicum strains, five (71%) of seven C. perfringens strains and all strains of C. sordellii showed resistance to oxytetracycline. These oxytetracycline-resistant strains carried tetracycline-resistance genes [tetA(P), tetA408(P), tetB(P) and tetM]. The sequences of the tetracycline-resistance genes of some C. septicum strains were completely or nearly completely identical to those of strains belonging to other clostridiual species. This is the first report of resistance of C. septicum to tetracycline.     

Expression of CD4 T cell cytokine genes in the colorectal mucosa of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds are recently recognized as a major cause of large bowel diarrhea in this dog breed in Japan. ICRPs are characterized by the formation of multiple small polyps and a space-occupying large polyp in the colorectal area, and are thought to be a novel form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In humans, specific cytokine patterns attributed to T helper (Th)1, Th17 and regulatory T cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in the colorectal mucosa from dogs with ICRPs. Colorectal mucosal specimens from 10 dogs with ICRPs and 14 control dogs were used in this study. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A and IL-10 mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. IL-17A mRNA expression was significantly increased in large polyps compared to small polyps and controls. IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA expression in large polyps were significantly higher than in controls. There was no significant difference in IL-4 mRNA expression among the three groups. IL-17A is thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ICRPs. IL-10 up-regulation could oppose the proinflammatory function of IL-17A.     

Detection of γ-H2AX,a Biomarker for DNA Double-strand Breaks,in Urinary Bladders of N -Butyl- N -(4-Hydroxybutyl)-Nitrosamine-Treated Rats

To evaluate the potential role of DNA repair in bladder carcinogenesis, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of expression of various DNA repair enzymes and γ-H2AX, a high-sensitivity marker of DNA double-strand breaks, in the urothelium of male F344 rats treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN), a bladder-specific carcinogen. Our results clearly demonstrated that γ-H2AX aggregation was specifically generated in nuclei of bladder epithelial cells of BBN-treated rats, which was not found in untreated controls or mesenchymal cells. γ-H2AX-positive cells were detected not only in hyperplastic and neoplastic areas but also in the normal-like urothelium after BBN treatment. These data indicate that γ-H2AX has potential as a useful biomarker for early detection of genotoxicity in the rat urinary bladder. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating expression of γ-H2AX during bladder carcinogenesis.     

Effect of different organic amendments on the resistance and resilience of the organic matter decomposing ability of soil and the role of aggregated soil structure

The effect of organic amendment on the resistance and resilience of the organic matter decomposing activity was compared between soils amended with compost and with chemical fertilizers. The impact of metam sodium disinfection on cellulose-decomposing activity and on the number of nematodes in three types of soils was periodically measured. In an andosol, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection only in the chemically fertilized soil (CF-soil) and not in the soils to which cow manure compost and okara (the residue in tofu production)/coffee compost was added. In a brown lowland soil, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection in the CF-soil, but not in the soils to which higher amounts of cow manure compost and pig manure compost had been added. In a red-yellow soil, cellulose-decomposing activity was significantly suppressed by soil disinfection in all soils, but its resilience was higher in the soils to which cow manure compost or coffee compost was added compared with the CF-soil. Total numbers of nematodes were markedly decreased by soil disinfection in all soils. These results may suggest that the resistance and resilience of cellulose-decomposing activity against soil disinfection were enhanced by organic amendments, while disinfection had fatal effects on soil nematodes. In most of the organically amended soils, the mean weight diameters of aggregates were larger compared with the CF-soils, suggesting that highly structured soil pore networks may provide shelters for the soil microbes responsible for cellulose decomposition against disinfection. This hypothesis was supported by the result that the resistance of cellulose-decomposing activity against soil disinfection decreased when the soil structure was destroyed by grinding in a mortal and pestle.     

Recreational fishery as a conservation tool for endemic Dolly Varden <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus malma miyabei</Emphasis> in Lake Shikaribetsu,Japan

Recreational angling is a popular leisure activity globally and can be a threat or useful conservation tool depending on the management strategy. Miyabe charr Salvelinus malma miyabei is an endemic fish that inhabits Lake Shikaribetsu, and a management program was established to harmonise recreational fishery and conservation. To examine the suitability of this program, population assessment was conducted with the cooperation of anglers. The population size in 2014 as assessed by tag-and-release angling was estimated to be 105,300 [95% confidence interval (CI) 37,300–178,600], much higher than the reported estimate in 1995. Further, angling mortality was estimated to be quite low. Moreover, no decreasing population trend was detected on analysing 8 years of anglers’ catch data. Consequently, angling has facilitated stock assessments of Miyabe charr under the current program. This case is a good example of recreational angling acting as a conservation tool under appropriate management.     

Establishment of a new cell line susceptible to Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) and possible latency of CyHV‐3 by temperature shift in the cells

A new cell line named CCF‐K104 predominantly consisting of fibroblastic cells showed optimal growth at temperatures from 25 °C to 30 °C. Serial morphological changes in the cells induced by Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) included cytoplasmic vacuolar formation, cell rounding and detachment. Mature virions were purified from CyHV‐3‐infected CCF‐K104 cells by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation and had a typical herpesvirus structure on electron microscopy. Infectious CyHV‐3 was produced stably in CCF‐K104 cells over 30 viral passages. Our findings showed that CCF‐K104 is a useful cell line for isolation and productive replication of CyHV‐3. A temperature shift from 25 °C to 15 °C or 35 °C did not allow serial morphological changes as observed at 25 °C for 14 days. Under the same conditions, real‐time PCR showed that CyHV‐3 was present with low viral DNA loads, suggesting that CyHV‐3 may establish latent infection in CCF‐K104 cells. Amplification of the left and right terminal repeat sequences of the CyHV‐3 genome arranged in a head‐to‐tail manner was detected by nested PCR following an upshift in temperature from 25 °C to 35 °C. The PCR results suggested that the circular genome may represent a latent form of CyHV‐3.     

Formation of zinc protoporphyrin IX in Parma-like ham without nitrate or nitrite

Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZPP) is a characteristic red pigment in meat products that are manufactured without the addition of a curing agent such as nitrate or nitrite. To examine the effects of impurities such as mineral components in sea salt on the formation of ZPP, we manufactured Parmatype dry-cured hams that were salted with refined salt or sea salt and examined the involvement of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the formation of ZPP. The content of ZPP was increased drastically after 40 weeks. Microscopic observation showed strong fluorescence caused by ZPP muscle fiber after 40 weeks. Conversely, heme content varied considerably during processing. ORP increased during processing. However, there was no obvious difference between ham salted with refined salt and that salted with sea salt. Therefore, it was concluded that impurities in sea salt were not involved in the formation of ZPP.     

Fish cytokines: current research and applications

Fisheries Science - Cytokines are low molecular weight glycoproteins involved in the regulation of the immune system, and more than 100 cytokines have hitherto been identified in humans. Cytokines...     

Radial and between-family variations of the microfibril angle and the relationships with bending properties in Picea jezoensis families

With emphasis on tree breeding for wood quality in Picea jezoensis, we aimed to evaluate radial and between-family variations in the microfibril angle (MFA) of the S₂ layer in the latewood tracheids in 10 open-pollinated families of 43-year-old P. jezoensis trees. In addition, the relationships between MFA/wood density with the modulus of elasticity (MOE) or modulus of rupture (MOR) were investigated. Significant differences in MFA between families were found from the pith toward the bark. MFA showed higher values around the pith area, although some families showed relatively lower values than others around this area. In addition, due to a larger coefficient of variations of MFA near the pith, the potential for juvenile wood MFA improvement may be greater compared with mature wood. MOE was correlated with MFA in juvenile wood and with wood density in mature wood, whereas MOR was mainly correlated with wood density at radial positions in both woods. Therefore, to improve the MOE and MOR of P. jezoensis wood, both MFA and wood density would be factors to consider in both juvenile and mature woods. On the other hand, there are indications that, only wood density would be an important criterion for improving mature wood properties.     

Evaluation of drag coefficients of poplar-tree crowns by a field test method

To estimate the wind force that causes windthrow damage to a tree, the drag coefficients of actual-sized trees were evaluated by a field test method. In this method, wind velocity and stem deflection were monitored simultaneously. The wind force acting on a tree crown was calculated from stem deflection; stem stiffness was evaluated by conducting tree-bending tests. The results of tests conducted on three poplar trees showed that drag coefficient decreased with an increase in wind velocity. Although the variation in the drag coefficient was large at low wind velocity because of the vibrating behavior of the stem subjected to variable wind force, the variation at wind velocities above 10 m/s was small. The average drag coefficient at a wind velocity of 30 m/s was estimated by the curve-fitting of a power function to the wind velocity-drag coefficient relationship to be 0.102, which was smaller than that of actual-sized conifers studied in previous wind tunnel experiments. The drag coefficients of these crown areas in the defoliation season were smaller than those measured in the leafy season.