Evaluation of genetic diversity and relationships within an on-farm collection of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. using microsatellite markers

The present study demonstrates utilization of 11 microsatellite markers to explore genetic diversity held in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. landrace accessions growing on farms in different parts of Korea and Japan and to assess their genetic relationships. All microsatellite loci were polymorphic and produced a total of 96 alleles ranging from 4 to 20, with an average of 8.7 alleles per locus. Of the 96 alleles found, a total of 15 unique landrace-specific alleles were observed at 9 different loci. The locus GBPFM203 provided the highest number of alleles (20), of which five were unique and each specific to a particular landrace accession. The occurrence of unique, accession-specific alleles presented molecular evidence for the generation of new alleles within on-farm collection of Perilla. The mean values of observed (H _O) and expected heterozygosity (H _E) were 0.39 and 0.68, respectively, indicating a considerable amount of polymorphism within this collection. A genetic distance-based phylogeny grouped the two Perilla varieties, var. frutescens and var. crispa (Thunb.) Decne into two distinct groups. Accessions belonging to var. frutescens could also be divided into two subgroups at a close genetic distance (GD = 0.432). The overall clustering pattern did not strictly follow the grouping of accessions according to their geographic origins. These observations are indicative of extensive germplasm exchange among farms from different geographical regions. The genetic similarity observed among the Perilla landraces may be useful for future Perilla crop variety identification, conservation, and improvement programs.     

First report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia</Emphasis> disease of lily caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> AG-11 in Japan

Blight on leaves, stems and bulbs of lilies grown in a greenhouse were found in Hokkaido, Japan, in 2012. Two isolates obtained from the lesions were identified as Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG)-11 based on morphology and molecular analysis. Original symptoms were reproduced after artificial inoculation with the isolates. Except for R. solani AG-2-1 and AG-4 HG-I, none of the AGs have been reported as pathogens causing lily Rhizoctonia disease in Japan; therefore, we propose adding AG-11 as a pathogen of the disease. More importantly, we report the first appearance of crop disease caused by AG-11 in Japan.     

Lymphoma in Miniature Dachshunds: A retrospective multicenter study of 108 cases (2006‐2018) in Japan

BackgroundMiniature Dachshunds (MD) are predisposed to lymphoma with disease onset of young age and long‐term survival.ObjectivesTo compare clinical features and survival time of lymphoma in MD and non‐MD.AnimalsOne hundred and eight MDs with lymphoma and 149 non‐MD breed dogs with lymphoma were included in the study.MethodsThis was a retrospective multicenter observational study. Lymphoma was classified based on signalment, histopathology/cytology, and anatomical site of the disease. For each type of lymphoma, median survival time was analyzed by Kaplan‐Meier estimates and life table analysis. Prognostic factors for large‐cell gastrointestinal lymphoma (LGIL) were analyzed using Cox regression.ResultsGastrointestinal lymphomas were more common in MDs (53/108) compared to non‐MDs (41/149). The multicentric lymphoma was most common in non‐MD breed dogs (74/149) compared to MDs (33/108). The median age that dog developed lymphoma in MD and non‐MD were both 10 years old; however, lymphomas were more frequently observed in younger dogs (<4 years) in MDs (20/108) compared to non‐MDs (9/149; P = .002). Seventy percent were diagnosed with B‐cell with median age of diagnosis was 3 (1‐14) years. Mott cell differentiation was observed in 6 dogs. Age <4 years and B‐cell phenotype were significant factors for longer survival time in MD with LGIL.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceLymphomas in MDs involved gastrointestinal lesions at higher frequency compared to other dog breeds examined. B‐cell lymphoma was more common in early‐onset LGIL in MD and cases that involved Mott cell differentiation were observed. Awareness of this specific presentation of lymphoma in dogs will possibly affect the treatment decision process for the owners of MD with LGIL.     

Failure to gulp surface air induces swim bladder adenomas in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

In order to elucidate the effects of swim bladder inflation failure on swim bladder carcinogenesis, we investigated the sequential histopathological changes of swim bladders at 13, 24, 35, and 53 days post-hatch (dph) in medakas with an uninflated swim bladder, which was experimentally induced by denying access to the air–water interface between 0 and 6 dph. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured at 24 dph. An uninflated swim bladder was induced in 47.3% of the fish denied access to the air–water interface (the denied group). The total incidence of swim bladder adenoma was 54.1% in the denied group; however, these tumors were observed in all fish with an uninflated swim bladder. In fact, these tumors were observed from 13 dph and onwards. The TBARS levels of the juveniles showed a 2.6-fold increase in fish with an uninflated swim bladder in the denied group compared to that in the control group. It is speculated that swim bladder inflation failure has some effects on the gas gland to produce ROS, leading to DNA damage in the gas glandular epithelium, which develops into swim bladder adenomas. Consequently, it is concluded that denying access to the air-water interface between 0 and 6 dph in medaka is an easy method of inducing swim bladder tumors in a short-term period, and is a useful method for producing tumor-bearing fish.     

Clip ligation for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in three cats

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly in cats. Due to their small body, intercostal thoracotomy is the most common option to close the PDA. However, few reports detail the surgical technique for ligating PDA in kittens. In this case report, three cats weighing 1.4 kg, 1.2 kg, and 2.9 kg were diagnosed PDA. Clip ligation via left fourth intercostal thoracotomy was performed and the cats were successfully treated. Postoperative echocardiography showed no residual flow in any of the cases. This case report highlights clip occlusion for small cats with PDA could be safe and effective.     

Determination of Damaged Starch and Diastatic Activity in Wheat Flour Using a Flow-Injection Analysis Biosensor Method

The determination of damaged starch and diastatic activity in flour was studied using a flow-injection analysis (FIA) biosensor system. The system consisted of an oxygen electrode and an immobilized enzyme column containing purified glucoamylase and glucose oxidase immobilized on activated aminopropyl glass beads. The biosensor system has an optimum pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and an optimum temperature of 35°C for glucose measurement. The response of the FIA biosensor was linear up to 1.000 g/L of glucose with a lower detection limit of 0.025 g/L. Each assay took about 20 min, and the system showed good reproducibility (r = 0.998, n = 8). When applied to the measurement of damaged starch and diastatic activity in wheat flour, the results obtained agreed with those obtained using the conventional methods of measurement. This biosensor system is a rapid practical alternative for the measurement of damaged starch and diastatic activity in wheat flour.