Life cycles of individual roots in fine root system of Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.

Recent studies have remarked on differences in the life cycles of individual fine roots. However, the dynamics of individual roots with different life cycles, such as ephemeral and perennial, during root system development are still unknown. We examined individual roots during fine root system development in a mature stand of Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc. (Cupressaceae) using the sequential ingrowth core method and an anatomical method. The visual classification, i.e., orange, red, brown, intact dead, and fragmented dead, of fine roots corresponded well with the anatomical classification. Orange and red roots contained passage cells, and brown roots contained cork cambium. The proportions of protoxylem groups differed among visual classes. Brown secondary roots were mainly triarch (43%) and tetrarch (40%) and rarely diarch (12%), whereas fragmented dead roots, which constituted more than 95% of the dead roots, were mainly diarch (67%). These results imply that triarch and tetrarch roots tend to form secondary roots, whereas diarch roots tend to become dead roots without secondary growth. Using the numbers of root tips and clusters, root system development could be classified into three stages: colonization, branching within the root system, and maintenance. During the colonization stage, mainly triarch and tetrarch roots, which tend to be secondary growth, invaded ingrowth cores. During the branching stage, primarily diarch roots, which tend to be ephemeral, emerged. Fine root system development involved the recruitment of different individual roots during the life cycle depending on the growth stage.     

Protectivity conferred by immunization with intranasal recombinant outer membrane protein H from Pasteurella multocida serovar A:1 in chickens

Recombinant outer membrane protein H (rOmpH) is a potential fowl cholera vaccine candidate. The present study was aimed at developing rOmpH formulations for intranasal administration. The rOmpH was purified and formulated with either Escherichia coli enterotoxin B (LTB) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as an adjuvant. Antibody responses in chickens intranasally immunized with rOmpH in combination with 2 different adjuvants were significantly increased (P<0.05) post immunization. Chicken survival rates showed that rOmpH formulated with ODN and LTB elicited 90% and 70% protection, respectively. Our findings indicated that rOmpH formulated with ODN elicited protection better than that formulated with LTB. Therefore, the vaccines formulations in the present study can be considered new intranasal vaccine formulations for fowl cholera in chickens.     

Influence of transgenic corn (CBH 351, named Starlink) on health condition of dairy cows and transfer of Cry9C protein and cry9C gene to milk, blood, liver and muscle

The influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (Starlink)-derived hybrid corn (SL) on the health condition, physiological function and lactational performance of dairy cows as well as the transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein present in SL to milk, blood, liver and muscles was examined, and compared with a diet containing non-transgenic (isogenic) control corn (non-SL). After adapting to a diet containing non-SL for 2 weeks, four Holstein cows were assigned to each of the non-SL and SL groups and were fed diets containing non-SL or SL, respectively, for 5 weeks. There were no significant influences on the physiological condition, milk yield or serum biochemical and hematological values after feeding with SL. There was also no influence on pH value, cell density of protozoa, or volatile fatty acid concentration and composition of rumen fluids. In addition, no significant differences were observed on histopathological examination of the major organs and tissues between the SL and non-SL groups. Moreover, the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected by the polymerase chain reaction method and ELISA in the milk, blood, liver and muscles of the cows at the end of the experiment.     

Tomato metabolism and porphyrin-catalyzed oxidation of pyriproxyfen

Investigation of the metabolism of [(14)C]pyriproxyfen [4-phenoxyphenyl (R,S)-2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether] in tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Ponterosa) was conducted by topical application of acetonitrile solution or emulsifiable concentration formulation three times at 35, 21, and 7 days before harvest. Most of the radioactivity remained on the fruit surface or in the plant tissues as intact pyriproxyfen with minor metabolites formed via hydroxylation at the 4'-position of the phenoxy ring or cleavage of ether linkages. The biomimic chemical oxidation model using iron porphyrin as a catalyst and hydrogen peroxide was found to well reproduce the primary metabolites detected in the metabolism study. The electrophilic reaction indices obtained by AM1 molecular orbital calculations supposing involvement of cytochrome P-450 were successfully applied to evaluate the potentially higher reactive sites in pyriproxyfen.     

Metabolism of fungicide diethofencarb in grape (Vitis vinifera L.): definitive identification of thiolactic acid conjugated metabolites

The metabolic fate of diethofencarb (isopropyl 3,4-diethoxycarbanilate) separately labeled with (14)C at the phenyl ring and 2-position of the isopropyl moiety was studied in grape (Vitis vinifera L.). The acetonitrile solution of (14)C-diethofencarb at a rate of 500 g a.i. ha(-)(1) was once applied topically to fruits or leaves at the maturity stage of fruits (PHI 35 days), and the plants were grown in the greenhouse until harvest. In the grape plants, diethofencarb was scarcely translocated to the untreated portion and was degraded more in the fruit as compared to the leaf. For the fruit, diethofencarb primary underwent O-deethylation at the 4-position of the phenyl ring to form the phenolic derivative, isopropyl 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxycarbanilate (0.9% of the total radioactive residue, TRR). This metabolite was successively transformed via conjugation with glucose at the phenolic hydroxy group (8.1-18.1% TRR) or with thiolactic acid at the 5-position of the phenyl ring (1.5-1.7% TRR). The thiolactic acid conjugate was further metabolized mainly to two different types of glucose conjugates at the 4-position of the phenyl ring (8.7-13.5% TRR) and the hydroxy group in the thiolactic acid moiety (6.4-7.3% TRR), as evidenced by (1)H NMR and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry together with cochromatographies with synthetic standards.     

Computed tomography and radiographic lymphography of the thoracic duct by subcutaneous or submucosal injection

A simple method of lymphography of the thoracic duct was investigated. Using three female beagles, contrast media were administered rectally, vaginally and into the perianal tissue. The administration sites were gently massaged, and imaging was carried out at constant intervals using computed tomography and radiograph. Moreover, Indian ink was administered into the rectum mucous membrane in dogs for proof of this method of lymphography, and the lymph drainage routes were observed. The investigation showed that clear computed tomography and radiographic contrast images of the thoracic duct were obtained by subcutaneous and submucosa injection of angiography contrast medium and 3D processing of these images revealed the three-dimensional positions and course of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli.     

Etiologic study of upper respiratory infections of household dogs

Infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB), also known as the kennel cough, is a respiratory syndrome of dogs and usually appears to be contagious among dogs housed in groups. Etiologic agent of ITB is multiple and sometimes complex. In the present study, 68 household dogs showing clinical signs of respiratory infection were examined, and 20 dogs (29.4%) were found to be positive for either of following agents. Bordetella bronchiseptica (B.b.) was most frequently detected from nasal and oropharynx sites of 7 dogs (10.3%). Among the viruses examined, canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) was detected with the highest frequency (7.4%). Other pathogens included in the order of frequency group 1 canine coronavirus (4.4%), canine adenovirus type 2 (2.9%), group 2 canine respiratory coronavirus (1.5%), and canine distemper virus (1.5%). Only 2 cases showed mixed infections. Neither influenza A virus nor canine bocavirus (minute virus of canines) was found in any dogs examined. These results indicate that both B.b. and CPIV are likely to be the principal etiologic agents of canine ITB in Japan, and they may be considered as the target for prophylaxis by vaccination.     

Efficiency of a pedometer device for detecting estrus in standing heat and silent heat in Japanese Black cattle

The usefulness of a radiotelemetric pedometer for estrus detection in standing (ST) heat, or in silent heat without ST events, but in which ovulation is observed, in Japanese Black cattle was investigated. The duration of an increase in steps in ST heat was 11.8 ± 1.3 hr, and it was similar to that of ST events (duration: 10.1 ± 0.8 hr). Even in silent heat, the change pattern and the duration (11.6 ± 0.2 hr) of the period with an increase in steps during estrus were not different compared with ST heat. When artificial insemination (AI) was performed at 15.5 ± 0.6 hr from the onset of estrus detected by the pedometer in ST heat cases, the conception rate was 57.1% (8/14). Furthermore, fertility in cattle that underwent silent heat was evaluated. When AI was performed at 14.4 ± 2.0 hr from the onset of estrus detected by the pedometer, the conception rate was 60% (3/5) in silent heat cases. The overall results suggest that the radiotelemetric pedometer is a valid device for detecting estrus and it can even detect silent heat in Japanese Black cattle. Moreover, even silent heat cattle are fertile when AI is performed at the appropriate time.