The phenotypic characteristics and relational database for Vietnamese native pig populations

Although there are a number of Vietnamese native pig (VnP) populations, some are on the verge of extinction, and therefore adequate management and conservation are necessary. In this study, we conducted a field survey of VnP populations and analyzed interrelationships among their characteristics. We also established a relational database for management of field data on these populations. For data collection, we conducted interviews with farmers and visual inspection of 32 VnP populations in 22 provinces of Vietnam, as well as taking photographs of individual animals. Data on the characteristics of VnP populations were subjected to multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). For establishment of the database, normalization and table partitioning were performed to eliminate redundancy and ensure consistency of the collected data items. Passport data, characteristics data, and image data were collected from a total of 1,918 VnPs and entered as a normalized table. Upon MCA, most of the populations were not separated from each other, but the Mong Cai, O Lam, and Chu Prong populations were separated from the other populations. Thus, we have constructed a relational database from comprehensive information on the characteristics of VnP populations.     

Immunolocalization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pepper mild mottle virus</Emphasis> in developing seeds and seedlings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis>

The location of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) within seeds as they developed on inoculated seedlings of pepper (Capsicum annuum) was followed over time by detecting the viral coat protein using immunofluorescence microscopy. Seedlings were inoculated with PMMoV when the flower buds on the first and second branching nodes were in bloom. Fluorescence indicating the presence of PMMoV was first observed around immature seeds and placentas in the ovaries on the fourth branching node at 20 days post-anthesis (20 DPA), which corresponded to 39 days post-inoculation (39 DPI). The area with fluorescence gradually expanded from the placenta into the integument and the parenchyma, and finally reached the tip of the immature seeds by 34 DPA (53 DPI). The embryo or endosperm beyond the endothelium never fluoresced during the experiment [i.e., ending at 81 DPA (102 DPI)]. For visualizing viral routes of invasion from seeds into new seedlings, PMMoV-infected C. annuum seeds that were heterozygous for the L ³ tobamovirus-resistance gene were sown in soil at 30°C. After ~2 weeks, the cotyledon developed virally induced necrosis. These findings shed light on the infection cycle of PMMoV through vertical transmission in C. annuum.     

Potato yield enhancement through intensification of sink and source performances

The combined total annual yield of six major crops (maize, rice, wheat, cassava, soybean, and potato; Solanum tuberosum L.) amounts to 3.1 billion tons. In recent years, staple crops have begun to be used as substitutes for fossil fuel and feedstocks. The diversion of crop products to fuels and industrial feedstocks has become a concern in many countries because of competition for arable lands and increased food prices. These concerns are definitely justified; however, if plant biotechnology succeeds in increasing crop yields to double the current yields, it will be possible to divert the surplus to purposes other than food without detrimental effects. Maize, rice, wheat, and soybean bear their sink organs in the aerial parts of the plant, and potato in the underground parts. Plants with aerial storage organs cannot accumulate products beyond their capacity to support the weight of these organs. In contrast, potato has heavy storage organs that are supported by the soil. In this mini-review, we introduce strategies of intensifying potato productivity and discuss recent advances in this research area.     

Alterations of lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy dogs with aging and in dogs with cancer

Changes in an individual's immune status are considered major contributing factors towards the morbidity of cancer and mortality of aging. To evaluate age-related changes in the immune status of dogs, the immunophenotypes (CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD21) of peripheral blood lymphocytes were measured in 160 healthy dogs aged from 1 to 17 years, and in 365 dogs with various tumors and at various stages. In healthy dogs, the absolute numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD21(+) lymphocytes decreased significantly with age. The relative percentages of lymphocytes and CD4(+) cells decreased significantly, while CD8(+) cells increased significantly with age. The CD4:CD8 ratio showed a significant age-related decrease. In contrast, dogs with tumors possessed significantly lower absolute numbers and relative percentages of all lymphocyte phenotypes, while the CD4:CD8 ratio was significantly higher than in age-matched controls. The relative percentages of CD3(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes were significantly lower in dogs with distant metastases compared with dogs without metastases, and the CD4:CD8 ratio increased with advanced stage. These observations illustrate the significant changes in immune status with age and the presence of marked immunological defects in a large-scale study of dogs with advanced tumors.     

The effect of ovary storage and in vitro maturation on mRNA levels in bovine oocytes; a possible impact of maternal ATP1A1 on blastocyst development in slaughterhouse-derived oocytes

Since BSE testing of slaughtered cattle is obligatory in Japan, storage of ovaries at 15-20 C overnight in phosphate buffered saline has become a routine protocol in in vitro production (IVP) of cattle embryos. Ovary storage is known to reduce developmental competence of oocytes; however, its effects on oocyte gene expression have not been clarified yet. This study compared oocytes collected from stored slaughterhouse-derived ovaries with those collected by Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) in terms of the expression of 20 selected genes to determine if ovary storage affects cellular processes at the molecular level. Expression of mRNA in oocytes was assayed before and after in vitro maturation (IVM) by real-time quantitative PCR. Maternal mRNA levels of genes were investigated in 2-cell stage embryos obtained from slaughterhouse oocytes to assess their roles for blastocyst formation. In immature OPU oocytes, genes related to metabolism (GAPDH), transporters (GLUT8, ATP1A1) and stress resistance protein (HSP70) showed significantly higher expression compared with oocytes derived from stored ovaries. During IVM, the expression of GDF9, GLUT8, CTNNB1 and PMSB1 was significantly decreased irrespective of oocyte source. Two-cell stage embryos cleaving at 22-25 h after in vitro fertilization (IVF) showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate and ATP1A1 gene expression level compared with those cleaving at 27-30 h after IVF. Our results reveal that storage of ovaries alters mRNA levels in oocytes. Correlation of Na/K ATPase ATP1A1 expression in IVP embryos at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages with their developmental ability to the blastocyst stage may suggest the importance of maternal mRNA of this gene during blastulation in embryos derived from slaughterhouse oocytes.     

Carbon and nutrient budgets of the Chagga home garden system in the Kilimanjaro highlands,Tanzania

Sustainable land management of smallholder farms is crucial for ensuring food security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the nutrient dynamics of smallholder farming systems at the farm level based on primary data. In this study, carbon (C) and nutrient budgets of the home garden system in the Kilimanjaro highlands, where Andosols predominate, were quantified at the farmer's field. We evaluated (1) the soil C and nutrient flow in the main three land-use blocks (banana (Musa spp.) garden, maize (Zea mays L.) field and grassland) in one representative home garden and (2) the internal flow between farmland and livestock and the external nutrient flow across the inside and outside of the six home gardens. Intensive applications of livestock dung to the banana trees resulted in a positive C budget (7.2 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in the banana garden. Nitrogen loss through the harvesting of feed and crops was almost balanced with the livestock dung application, while nitrogen loss through leaching only accounted for 3% of that applied. Banana productivity has been maintained despite a negative potassium budget (−241 kg K ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), probably owing to the replenished exchangeable potassium from Andosols. In the maize field, the C budget was negative (−1.7 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) owing to high organic matter decomposition. Carbon and nutrient budgets in the grassland were all negative. Our results revealed that the village average livestock density (4.4 TLU ha⁻¹: TLU means tropical livestock unit) was sufficient for P, Ca and Mg balance in the home garden, whereas it was not sufficient for N and K balance. Increasing livestock density improved the nutrient balance of the system. However, it is noteworthy that 33%–47% of the feed supplied as C and nutrients was collected from outside the home gardens, suggesting a high reliance on external inflow to fulfil feed demands. In conclusion, intensive livestock dung application to banana cultivation was fundamental for maintaining agricultural productivity to replenish the nutrients lost from the system. At the same time, this system was sustained not only by C and nutrient cycling within the system, but also by transporting resources from the external environment into the system.