Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus: a tentative, novel double-stranded RNA virus that is relevant to gentian Kobu-sho syndrome

A virus-like dsRNA of about 23 kbp was detected in gentian plants showing Kobu-sho syndrome including stunting, shortened internodes, and tumors on stems, nodes and roots. Nucleotide sequence analysis has suggested that this dsRNA is related to Pestivirus species but not to any other plant viruses. It was protected from externally added RNase, suggesting that the dsRNA is encapsidated. The dsRNA was co-extracted in a crude homogenate of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue with the virus-like particles that have been associated previously with Kobu-sho syndrome in gentian (Usugi et al. Jpn J Phytopathol 76:21–24, 2010). The RNA sequence was detected in more than 99 % of Kobu-sho gentian individuals but in less than 20 % of apparently healthy gentian individuals from fields affected with Kobu-sho. Thus, we propose naming the virus Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus.     

Annual and seasonal changes in the assemblage of planktonic copepods and appendicularians in Funka Bay before and after intrusion of Coastal Oyashio Water

Fisheries Science - Annual and seasonal changes in the abundance and the assemblage of planktonic copepods and appendicularians were clarified in Funka Bay. Zooplankton samples were obtained by...     

Incidence of canine glaucoma with goniodysplasia in Japan : a retrospective study

The incidence of primary and secondary glaucoma in dogs was investigated. A total of 1244 dogs received ophthalmologic examinations, including tonometry and gonioscopy. Goniophotographs were taken using a goniolens to evaluate the iridocorneal angle (ICA) as well as pectinate ligament (PL). The anterior width of the ciliary cleft and the total distance from the origin of the PL to the anterior corneal surface were measured from the goniophotographs. Glaucoma was diagnosed based on the cupping of the optic nerve head, clinical signs, ocular changes, and high IOP, and it was synchronized with gonioscopic grades to differentiate between primary and secondary glaucoma. We investigated 1244 dogs of 29 breeds, including the mixed breed; among these, glaucoma was diagnosed in 127 dogs (162 eyes). Of 162 eyes, primary glaucoma was diagnosed in 129 eyes and secondary glaucoma in 33 eyes. Shiba Inu dogs (42 dogs, 33%) showed the highest incidence of glaucoma, followed by Shih-Tzu (21 dogs, 16.5%). Furthermore, all the glaucomatous Shiba Inu dogs had primary glaucoma with abnormal ICA grades and dysplastic PLs. The findings of our study reveal that the Shiba Inu breed in Japan may have a hereditary predisposition to glaucoma.     

Phakopsora montana, another grapevine leaf rust pathogen in Japan

A new grapevine leaf rust (GLR) was found to be caused by Phakopsora montana. This new fungus naturally infects Crimson Glory vine (Vitis coignetiae), forming uredinia and telia on the leaves. Under experimental conditions, the fungus was pathogenic to table grape cultivars Delaware and Kyoho (V.?×?labruscana), Amur River grape (V. amurensis), and V. ficifolia, on which it produced urediniospores. Inoculation experiments proved that the pathogen alternates hosts, forming spermogonia and aecia on Meliosma tenuis. The new pathogen resembles P. meliosmae-myrianthae (=P. euvitis), a common GLR fungus; however, its spermogonial/aecial stage is restricted to M. tenuis, contrary to P. meliosmae-myrianthae with its spermogonial/aecial stage restricted to M. myriantha. Aeciospores of the new pathogen are evenly thin-walled, whereas the aeciospore wall is conspicuously thickened apically in P. meliosmae-myrianthae. Phakopsora montana is known to occur only on V. coignetiae in nature; however, table grape cultivars Delaware and Kyoho were not resistant to P. montana under experimental conditions. These results indicate that P. montana has caused a certain proportion of the GLR disease recorded in Japan with a possible mixed infection with P. meliosmae-myrianthae.     

Ammonia volatilization from Vietnamese acid sulfate paddy soil following application of digested slurry from biogas digester

Paddy and Water Environment - In some areas of Vietnam, digested slurry from biogas digesters is discharged into canals without wastewater treatment. In order to reduce environmental pollution,...     

Effects of medetomidine-midazolam,midazolambutorphanol, or acepromazine-butorphanol as premedicants for mask induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effects of medetomidine-midazolam, midazolam-butorphanol, or acepromazine-butorphanol as premedicants for mask induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane in dogs. ANIMALS: 10 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: The following premedicants were administered intramuscularly: medetomidine-midazolam (20 microg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively), midazolam-butorphanol (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively), and acepromazine-butorphanol (0.05 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively). Saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (0.1 ml/kg) was administered intramuscularly as a control. Anesthesia was induced in each dog with sevoflurane in a 100% O2 at a flow rate of 4 L/min developed by a facemask. Vaporizer settings were increased by 0.8% at 15-second intervals until the value corresponding to 4.8% sevoflurane was achieved. Time to onset and cessation of involuntary movements, loss of the palpebral reflex, negative response to tail-clamp stimulation, and endotracheal intubation were recorded, and the cardiopulmonary variables were measured. RESULTS: Mask induction with sevoflurane in dogs that received each premedicant resulted in a shorter induction time and milder changes in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and respiratory rate, compared with mask induction without premedicants. Treatment with medetomidine-midazolam resulted in a shorter and smoother induction, compared with acepromazine-butorphanol or midazolam-butorphanol treatment, whereas the cardiovascular changes were greater. Cardiopulmonary variables of dogs during induction following treatment with acepromazine-butorphanol or midazolam-butorphanol were maintained close to the anesthetic maintenance values for sevoflurane, with the exception of mild hypotension that was observed in dogs following acepromazine-butorphanol treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs use of premedicants provides a smoother and better quality mask induction with sevoflurane.     

Comparisons of Ophiostomatoid fungi associated withTomicus piniperda andT. minor in Japanese red pine

Five species ofOphiostoma, twoLeptographium species and aGraphium species were isolated from two morphologically and ecologically similar bark beetle species,Tomicus piniperda andT. minor, and their infested Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. An underscribedOphiostoma species andO. minus were isolated mainly fromT. piniperda and its galleries.Ophiostoma canum which was found for the first time in Japan was mainly fromT. minor and its galleries. Specific relationships between the beetles and fungal species are suggested. Contribution No.140, Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba. Part of this study was presented at 108th Annual meeting of Japanese Forestry Society, April 2, 1997, Fukuoka, Japan.     

Inflammatory cytokines induce a reduction in E-cadherin expression and morphological changes in MDCK cells

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental phenomenon in organisms that occurs during gastrulation, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Various cytokines induce EMT processes through complex mechanisms. Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), induce EMT in human cell lines. However, whether inflammatory cytokines can affect EMT processes in canine cell lines remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), TNF-α, and IL-6 in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. We found that the localization of E-cadherin, a cell adhesion molecule, was shifted and that its expression was decreased. We also observed morphological changes in MDCK cells under persistent stimulation of inflammatory cytokines. Morphological changes in cells may occur during late stages of EMT processes; inflammatory cytokines may be important in these changes.     

High-temperature cubic boron nitride p-N junction diode made at high pressure

A p-n junction diode of cubic boron nitride was made by growing an n-type crystal epitaxially on a p-type seed crystal at a pressure of 55 kilobars and a temperature of about 1700 degrees C. A temperature-difference solvent method was used for the crystal growth, and beryllium and silicon were doped as acceptors and donors, respectively. Formation of the p-n junction was clearly confirmed at 1 bar by rectification characteristics and by existence of a space charge layer of the junction as observed by electron beam induced current measurement. This diode operated at 530 degrees C.