Detection of nodavirus in barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), using recombinant coat protein-based ELISA and RT–PCR

The coat protein encoded by the nodavirus RNA2 gene originally isolated from greasy grouper, Epinephelus tauvina , was cloned, expressed as a recombinant polyhistidine-tailed fusion protein and characterized by immunoblot analysis. The purified recombinant protein was used to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect body exudate and plasma antibodies against the coat protein in both experimentally infected and commercial barramundi. In addition, the nucleotide sequence was employed to develop a RT–PCR detection assay based on the T4 region. The results showed that the virus could be detected as early as 3 days post-infection by RT–PCR while antibodies against the recombinant coat protein were detectable on day 6 post-infection. Among 112 commercial barramundi samples collected from October 1999 to April 2000, 9% showed positive ELISA results which were further verified by Western blot.     

Evaluation of regional climate scenario data for impact assessment of climate change on rice productivity in Korea

Spatial evaluation of the uncertainty associated with climate data would allow reliable interpretation of simulation results for regional crop yield using gridded climate data as input to a crop growth model. The objective of this study was to examine the spatial uncertainty of regional climate model data through determining optimal seeding date with the ORYZA2000 model for assessment of climate change impact on rice productivity in Korea. The optimal seeding date was determined at each grid point using regional climate model outputs under the RCP 8.5 scenarios. In major rice production areas such as inland plain regions, where temperatures of regional climate data were relatively accurate, the optimal seeding date determined using those gridded data were reasonable. However, areas with complex terrains including areas near bodies of water, e.g. coastal areas, riverbasins, lakes, and mountainous areas, had a relatively large uncertainty of the optimal seeding date determined using the regional climate data. These results indicated that the uncertainty of regional climate data at a high spatial resolution of 12.5 km should be taken into account in the regional impact assessment based on crop growth simulations in Korea. In addition, further studies would be merited to assess the impact of climate change on rice yield at an ultra-high spatial resolution of 1 km in Korea. Crop yields were projected to decrease after the 2020s when crop yield simulations from inland plain areas were considered, which suggested that adaptation strategies should be established and implemented in the near future.     

Suppression of NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emissions by massive urea intercalation in montmorillonite

Purpose  

A large amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizers has been broadcasted over soil surface for reliable crop production. Unfortunately, the broadcasted N vulnerable to volatilization and leaching can lead to serious environmental problems. As a new approach to mitigate N loss of broadcasted fertilizers, massive intercalation of urea into montmorillonite (MMT) was recently proposed to innovatively enhance the urea use efficiency. This study focuses on demonstrating the behaviors of the urea intercalated into MMT in soils.     

Antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in germinating seeds of transgenic soybean expressing OsHGGT

Tocochromanols are potent lipid-soluble antioxidants and essential nutrients for human health. Genetic engineering techniques were used to develop soybeans with enhanced vitamin E levels, including tocotrienols, which are not found in soybean. The gene encoding rice homogentisate geranylgeranyl transferase (HGGT) was overexpressed in soybeans using seed-specific and constitutive promoters. The association between abundance of vitamin E isomers and antioxidant activity was investigated during seed germination. With the exception of β-tocotrienol, all vitamin E isomers were detected in germinating seeds expressing OsHGGT. The antioxidant properties of germinating seed extracts were determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Compared with intact wild-type seeds, transgenic seeds showed increases in radical scavenging of 5.4-17 and 23.2-35.3% in the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. Furthermore, the lipid peroxidation levels were 2.0-4.5-fold lower in germinating seeds from transgenic lines than in wild-type seeds. Therefore, it appears that the antioxidant potential of transgenic oil-producing plants such as soybean, sunflower, and corn may be enhanced by overexpressing OsHGGT during seed germination.     

Carotenoid accumulation and characterization of cDNAs encoding phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase in garlic (Allium sativum)

Phytoene synthase (PSY) and phytoene desaturase (PDS), which catalyze the first and second steps of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, respectively, are key enzymes for the accumulation of carotenoids in many plants. We isolated 2 partial cDNAs encoding PSY (AsPSY-1 and AsPSY-2) and a partial cDNA encoding PDS (AsPDS) from Allium sativum. They shared high sequence identity and conserved motifs with other orthologous genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to determine the expression levels of AsPSY1, AsPSY2, and AsPDS in the bulbils, scapes, leaves, stems, bulbs, and roots of garlic. High-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that carotenoids were not biosynthesized in the underground organs (roots and bulbs), but were very abundant in the photosynthetic organs (leaves) of A. sativum. A significantly higher amount of β-carotene (73.44 μg·g(-1)) was detected in the leaves of A. sativum than in the other organs.     

Image-guided interventional procedures in the dog and cat

Medical imaging is essential for the diagnostic workup of many soft tissue and bone lesions in dogs and cats, but imaging modalities do not always allow the clinician to differentiate inflammatory or infectious conditions from neoplastic disorders. This review describes interventional procedures in dogs and cats for collection of samples for cytological or histopathological examinations under imaging guidance. It describes the indications and procedures for imaging-guided sampling, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and fluoroscopy. US and CT are currently the modalities of choice in interventional imaging.     

Kartagener's syndrome in a Dachshund dog.

Kartagener's syndrome (KS) is a rare, congenital condition characterized by situs inversus, rhinosinusitis, and bronchiectasis. An underlying ciliary dysfunction (e.g., immotility or dyskinetic beating) produces most of the clinical signs seen in affected animals. This case report reviews the history, clinical signs, and diagnosis of KS in a male, long-haired dachshund. This is the first known report of KS, and thus primary ciliary dyskinesia, in this breed of dog.     

Stimulation of mucosal and systemic antibody responses against recombinant transferrin-binding protein B of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae with chitosan after tracheal administration in piglets

This study evaluated the suitability of using a chitosan formulation as an adjuvant to enhance both the mucosal and systemic immune responses against recombinant transferrin-binding protein B (rTbp B) of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae via direct tracheal administration. The chitosan formulation was found to enhance mucosal immune response, as measured by the secretory IgA level in lung lavage fluid and lung homogenate extracts, and systemic immune response, as measured by the serum IgG level.     

Influence of prednisolone on urinary calcium oxalate and struvite relative supersaturation in healthy young adult female domestic shorthaired cats

Prednisolone (10 mg PO q24h) or placebo was administered to healthy cats for 2 weeks in a masked, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study, and 24-hour urine samples were collected. When cats received prednisolone, 24-hour urine pH was lower and 24-hour urine excretion of creatinine, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium was higher than when cats received placebo. No significant difference was found in urinary relative supersaturation for calcium oxalate (CaOx) or struvite between treatment groups. Prednisolone administration did not induce diuresis, nor was it associated with increased calcium excretion or urinary saturation for CaOx in these healthy cats. Results of this study, however, should not be extrapolated to cats that form CaOx uroliths associated with idiopathic hypercalcemia.