Origin identification method by multiple trace elemental analysis of short-neck clams produced in Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea

The correlations among the contents of trace elements in the shells of short-neck clams collected from Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea were examined. Origin-specific elemental content patterns were seen in clams originating from Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea. The crushed shells were decomposed with nitric acid–hydrogen peroxide, and the concentrations of ten elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, As, Rb, Mo, Ba, Pb, and U) in the shells were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Some of the metal concentrations in the samples displayed clear geographical trends. The average concentration of Pb in Japanese clam shells was one-half to one-quarter that seen in Chinese or Korean clams. Average concentrations of As, Rb, and Ba in shells of Japanese origin were one-half those observed in Chinese or Korean clams. Linear discriminant analysis was applied to these analytical data, and four discriminant models were constructed. These discriminant models were able to distinguish the geographic origins of short-neck clams with 80.0–100 % accuracy. In particular, clams of Japanese origin were classified correctly ≥90 % of the time. Therefore, the trace elemental analysis of a short-neck clam shell is useful for identifying the country of origin of the clam.     

Growth and yield of corn grown on two alluvial soils of Louisiana applied with different phosphorus rates

The influence of soil properties on phosphorus (P) availability of Louisiana alluvial soils is not fully understood. A pot experiment was conducted in 2011 to evaluate the effect of different P fertilizer rate (0, 34, 67, 101 and 134 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) on corn growth and development on Perry clay and Commerce silt loam (sil) soils and relate Mehlich-3 and Bray-2 soil test P values with yield, total biomass, and P uptake of corn. The Bray-2 P values were six times higher than Mehlich-3 P values for Commerce sil while they were similar for Perry clay. Bray-2 and Mehlich-3 extractable-P of both soils increased with increasing P rate but only corn grown on Perry clay responded to P rate (P < 0.05). Implementation of appropriate testing procedure for estimating plant-available P in soil is an important component of effective P fertilization guidelines for corn.     

Detection of Nesopora caninum-Specific DNA from Cerebrospinal Fluid by Polymerase Chain Reaction in a Dog with Confirmed Neosporosis

A one-month male Greyhound dog presented with a swinging gait of the hindlimbs, and later developed muscular atrophy of the femoral region and hyperextension of hindlimbs. The dog had positive serum IFAT titers to Neospora caninum, but a negative titer in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). N. caninum-specific DNA was amplified from the CSF using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Clusters of protozoa in biopsied muscle fibers were subsequently confirmed as N. caninum tachyzoites by immunohistochemical examination. Early recognition and treatment are necessary for effective recovery of clinical canine neosporosis, but antemortem diagnosis is difficult. We suggest that the detection of parasite deoxyribonucleic acid in the CSF is a useful antemortem diagnostic method in facilitating treatment of this disease.     

The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in imported ready-to-eat foods in Japan

Quantitative analyses of Listeria monocytogenes in imported ready-to-eat (RTE) foods sold at retail stores in Japan were performed. Of the 77 non-cooked meat products, 6 samples (7.8%) tested positive. The levels of contamination of 4 of the samples were below 100 colony-forming units (CFU)/g, which is the microbiological criterion for L. monocytogenes in RTE foods as determined by Codex. However, Listeria cells at levels of 100 and 400 CFU/g were detected in a salami sample and a raw ham sample, respectively. All of the 70 cheese samples and the 3 samples made from raw ham and cheese showed negative test results. These results suggest that imported RTE foods are potential sources of the causative agent of listeriosis.     

Phylogenetic relationships of three species within the family Heligmonellidae (Nematoda; Heligmosomoidea) from Japanese rodents and a lagomorph based on the sequences of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers, ITS-1 and ITS-2

Nematodes of the family Heligmonellidae (Heligmosomoidea; Trichostrongylina) reside in the digestive tracts of rodents and lagomorphs. Although this family contains large numbers of genera and species, genetic information on the Heligmonellidae is very limited. We collected and isolated adult worms of three species in Japan that belong to the family Heligmonellidae, namely Heligmonoides speciosus (Konno, 1963) Durette-Desset, 1970 (Hs) from Apodemus argenteus, Orientostrongylus ezoensis Tada, 1975 (Oe) from Rattus norvegicus and Lagostrongylus leporis (Schulz, 1931) (Ll) from Pentalagus furnessi, and sequenced the entire internal transcribed spacer regions, ITS-1 and ITS-2 of ribosomal DNA. ITS-1 of Hs, Oe and Ll was 426, 468 and 449 bp in length, and had a G+C content of about 41, 41 and 37 %, respectively. ITS-2 of Hs, Oe and Ll was 297, 319 and 276 bp in length and had a G+C content of about 38, 40 and 28%, respectively. The data of Hs, Oe and Ll were compared with those of two other known species within the family Heligmonellidae, Calorinensis minutus (Dujardin, 1845) (Cm) and Nippostrogylus brasiliensis (Travassos, 1914) (Nb), and with those of two species of Heligmosomidae (Heligmosomoidea), Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri and Ohbayashinema erbaevae. Phylogenetic analysis placed Hs, Oe and Ll in the same clade with Cm and Nb, forming a Heligmonellidae branch in both ITS-1 and ITS-2, separate from the Heligmosomoidea branch. These results demonstrated that the ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences are useful for differentiating the Heligmonellidae nematode species. This study is the first to describe the ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences of Hs, Oe and Ll.     

Persorption of bovine lactoferrin from the intestinal lumen into the systemic circulation via the portal vein and the mesenteric lymphatics in growing pigs

The absorption and the transportation of intestinally administrated bovine lactoferrin (LF) were immunohistochemically and physiochemically investigated in the small intestine of growing pigs. At the apical halves of the small intestinal villi, bovine LF was absorbed by transcytosis as small vesicles through villous columnar epithelial cells. The presence of bovine LF-positive membranes of transcytotic vesicles suggests that the absorption was mediated by LF-binding factors on the epithelial cell membranes. Almost all of the absorbed bovine LF was demonstrated to be transported via the lymphatics and the portal vein into the systemic circulation. The LF-concentration in systemic circulation was significantly higher at 1 hr following intestinal administration of bovine LF. Bovine LF-positive lymphocytes also were transferred into the systemic circulation from intestine via the lymphatics and the portal vein.     

Effects of bovine lactoferrin by the intramammary infusion in cows with staphylococcal mastitis during the early non-lactating period

To evaluate the clinical effects of bovine lactoferrin on staphylococcal mastitis in Holstein cows during the early non-lactating period, 41 mammary quarters were selected randomly from 36 cows on 3 dairy farms. Twelve quarters were infused intramammarily with bovine lactoferrin. Twenty-nine quarters were infused with antibiotic as a control. In the bovine lactoferrin-infused group, 91.7% of mastitic quarters were cured at 7 days after calving, compared with 48.3% in the control group. Furthermore, the changes in mammary secretion induced by the infusion of bovine lactoferrin were investigated. Mean numbers of staphylococci in mammary gland secretions were significantly decreased in both 5 bovine lactoferrin-infused quarters and 5 antibiotic-infused control quarters (p<0.05). Unlike in the control quarters, the mean total cell concentration in the mammary gland secretions increased in bovine lactoferrin-infused quarters. Similar results were obtained in 6 healthy quarters which were infused with bovine lactoferrin. In these quarters, the cell population contained mainly phagocytes such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes and cells positive for CD11b which is known as a complement receptor. The mean concentration of C3 in mammary gland secretions was significantly increased in 5 mastitic quarters infused with bovine lactoferrin (p<0.05), but showed no significant change in 5 mastitic control quarters. These results suggested that bovine lactoferrin treatment for staphylococcal mastitis in the early non-lactating period might increase the rate of cure through the induction of innate immunity in the host.     

Control of clubroot of crucifers by Phoma glomerata and its product epoxydon

Phoma glomerata strain JCM9972 controls clubroot of cruciferous crops caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae and the activity depends upon epoxydon (5-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-7-oxabicyclo [4.1.0]hept-3-en-2-one) produced by the strain.