Anthracnose of centipede grass caused by Colletotrichum caudatum

Anthracnose disease was found on centipede grass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.] planted as a ground cover on paddy field levees in Shiga Prefecture in 2004. The symptoms were ear blight, stalk blight, and leaf spots. The causal fungus was morphologically identified as Colletotrichum caudatum (Sacc.) Peck. This is the first report of centipede grass anthracnose caused by C. caudatum.     

Thermal properties of partially hydrolyzed starch-glycerophosphatidylcholine complexes with various acyl chains

Complexes of starch and monoacyl-sn-glycerophosphatidylcholine (GPC) containing various acyl (myristoyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl) chains were subjected to hydrolysis with glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3). The enzyme hydrolyzed approximately 40% of starch control and 20-28% of starch-GPC complexes. Among the GPCs examined, 1- and 2-monomyristoyl-sn-GPC showed the highest resistance to enzyme hydrolysis, and the hydrolysis rate of starch-GPCs was greater with longer chains. Enzymatic hydrolysis strongly affected the thermal properties of the starch. After enzymatic hydrolysis of starch-GPC complexes for 24 h, their thermograms had broader peaks with lower enthalpies than the corresponding starch without enzyme; however, the starch-GPC complexes showed little change. The surface of starch-GPC granules was less eroded. These results showed that the increasing amount of starch-GPC complexes could be more resistant to hydrolysis.     

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma with a Sarcomatoid Growth Pattern and Signet-Ring-Like Structure in a Female F344 Rat

We report a biphasic malignant mesothelioma in an aged female F344/DuCrlCrlj rat. Macroscopically, multiple pale brown nodules were observed in the abdominal cavity with retention of bloody ascites. Histopathologically, the tumor cells spread over the peritoneum and formed masses on the surface and underlying adipose tissues. The tumor cells dominantly proliferated in a solid, nodular or nest-like pattern with modest amount of fibrillar connective tissues, which contained hyaluronan. The tumor consisted of ovoid, polygonal or spindle-shaped cells that possessed eosinophilic cytoplasms including glycogen; some tumor cells showed a signet-ring-like structure. Multinucleated cells and mitosis were found frequently, and direct invasion to intra-abdominal organs and intravascular metastasis to the liver were observed. Immunohistochemically, keratin and mesothelin were strongly positive in most of tumor cells, while vimentin was mainly positive in spindle-shaped cells. Podoplanin was also positive, particularly in the cell membrane of tumor cells. Electron microscopically, tumor cells showed an intercellular desmosome-like structure, basement membrane and microvillus. We diagnosed the case as a malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with a sarcomatoid growth pattern and signet-ring-like structure.     

Spontaneous extraskeletal osteosarcoma with various histological growth patterns in the abdominal wall of an ICR mouse

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is extremely rare in mice. This case report demonstrates a spontaneous murine extraskeletal osteosarcoma that exhibited various histological growth patterns in an ICR mouse. At necropsy, the tumor mass was located in the abdominal wall and was 45 × 30 × 25 mm in size. Histopathologically, the tumor showed the following four growth patterns: a solid pattern of polygonal cells embedded in an osteoid eosinophilic matrix with calcification, an irregular sheet pattern of short spindle cells accompanying some eosinophilic multinucleated cells, a fascicular pattern of spindle cells and a cystic pattern lined by short spindle cells. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and osterix. The multinucleated cells mentioned above were desmin positive and were regarded as regenerative striated muscles but not tumor cells. Since no clear continuity with normal bone tissues was observed, the tumor was diagnosed as an “extraskeletal osteosarcoma.”     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of bovine viral diarrhea viruses isolated from cattle in Hokkaido,Japan

In our previous study, we genetically analyzed bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) isolated from 2000 to 2006 in Japan and reported that subgenotype 1b viruses were predominant. In the present study, 766 BVDVs isolated from 2006 to 2014 in Hokkaido, Japan, were genetically analyzed to understand recent epidemics. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the 5′-untranslated region of viral genome revealed that 766 isolates were classified as genotype 1 (BVDV-1; 544 isolates) and genotype 2 (BVDV-2; 222). BVDV-1 isolates were further divided into BVDV-1a (93), 1b (371) and 1c (80) subgenotypes, and all BVDV-2 isolates were grouped into BVDV-2a subgenotype (222). Further comparative analysis was performed with BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a viruses isolated from 2001 to 2014. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the viral glycoprotein E2 gene, a major target of neutralizing antibodies, revealed that BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a isolates were further classified into several clusters. Cross-neutralization tests showed that BVDV-1b isolates were antigenically different from BVDV-1a isolates, and almost BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a isolates were antigenically similar among each subgenotype and each E2 cluster. Taken together, BVDV-1b viruses are still predominant, and BVDV-2a viruses have increased recently in Hokkaido, Japan. Field isolates of BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a show genetic diversity on the E2 gene with antigenic conservation among each subgenotype during the last 14 years.     

Identification of dimethylarsinic acid as the major arsenic compound in fish sauce by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT:   Arsenobetaine, the major arsenic compound in marine animals, is substantially non-toxic. It is, however, possible that arsenobetaine undergoes bacterial transformation during manufacturing of fermented fishery products. In the present study, therefore, three types of fish sauce were examined for arsenic concentrations and species compared with those in the raw materials (sardine, Japanese sandfish and Japanese common squid). Arsenic concentrations of the three types of fish sauce were almost equivalent to those in their raw materials, suggesting no accumulation of arsenic during fermentation. Arsenic speciation was performed by a combination of cation-exchange liquid chromatography (LC) and electrospray ionization (ESI)-single quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS). Optimal conditions of LC/ESI-MS were established to analyze seven arsenic compounds (arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine, trimethylarsine oxide, arsenocholine and tetramethylarsonium ion) found in biological samples. When analyzed by LC/ESI-MS, the major arsenic compound in the raw materials was arsenobetaine as expected, while not arsenobetaine but dimethylarsinic acid was identified as the major arsenic compound in the three types of fish sauce. These results suggest that arsenobetaine in the raw materials is converted to dimethylarsinic acid but not to arsenate with high toxicity by bacterial actions during manufacturing of fish sauce.     

Transgenic Pigs with Pancreas-specific Expression of Green Fluorescent Protein

The development and regeneration of the pancreas is of considerable interest because of the role of these processes in pancreatic diseases, such as diabetes. Here, we sought to develop a large animal model in which the pancreatic cell lineage could be tracked. The pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (Pdx1) gene promoter was conjugated to Venus, a green fluorescent protein, and introduced into 370 in vitro-matured porcine oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated gene transfer. These oocytes were transferred into four recipient gilts, all of which became pregnant. Three gilts were sacrificed at 47–65 days of gestation, and the fourth was allowed to farrow. Seven of 16 fetuses obtained were transgenic (Tg) and exhibited pancreas-specific green fluorescence. The fourth recipient gilt produced a litter of six piglets, two of which were Tg. The founder Tg offspring matured normally and produced healthy first-generation (G1) progeny. A postweaning autopsy of four 27-day-old G1 Tg piglets confirmed the pancreas-specific Venus expression. Immunostaining of the pancreatic tissue indicated the transgene was expressed in β-cells. Pancreatic islets from Tg pigs were transplanted under the renal capsules of NOD/SCID mice and expressed fluorescence up to one month after transplantation. Tg G1 pigs developed normally and had blood glucose levels within the normal range. Insulin levels before and after sexual maturity were within normal ranges, as were other blood biochemistry parameters, indicating that pancreatic function was normal. We conclude that Pdx1-Venus Tg pigs represent a large animal model suitable for research on pancreatic development/regeneration and diabetes.     

Chemical composition of an East African traditional beverage, togwa

Togwa is a starch-saccharified nonalcoholic traditional beverage consumed in sub-Saharan Africa. In the southern part of Tanzania, togwa is usually made from maize flour and finger millet malt. In this region, togwa is consumed by working people and also used as a refreshment as well as a weaning food. Togwa was prepared in the laboratory using a specific reactor and analyzed for its general chemical composition in both laboratory and field forms. From the analysis of the trace elements and amino acid contents in togwa and its materials, it has been clarified that togwa contains many kinds and a high quantity of minerals derived from finger millet malt. It was concluded that togwa should be nourishment and a major source of minerals as nutrients for the inhabitants of this region.     

Reactivity of serum immunoglobulin E to bullfrog Rana catesbeiana parvalbumins in fish-allergic patients

ABSTRACT:   Parvalbumin, a calcium-binding sarcoplasmic protein of approximately 12 kDa, represents the cross-reactive, major allergen in fish. In consideration of the fact that parvalbumin is contained at high levels not only in fish muscle but also in frog muscle, the present study was undertaken to clarify whether fish-allergic patients react to two parvalbumins (α- and β-parvalbumins) purified from the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana , which is sometimes consumed as a delicacy in Japan. In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), sera from 12 of the 14 patients tested reacted equally to both parvalbumins purified from the Pacific mackerel Scomber japonicus and the bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus . Of the 12 sera positive to fish parvalbumins, eight sera also reacted to α- and β-parvalbumins of the bullfrog with different spectra: one serum reacted strongly to α-parvalbumin, six sera reacted strongly to β-parvalbumin and one serum reacted equally to both α- and β-parvalbumins. In addition, inhibition ELISA experiments revealed cross-reactivity between fish and bullfrog parvalbumins. Based on these results, it is proposed that fish-allergic patients should avoid the consumption of frog meat unless they are accurately diagnosed as lacking immunoglobulin E against frog.