Viral-derived DNA invasion and individual variation in an Indonesian population of large flying fox Pteropus vampyrus

Here, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on six large flying foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) collected in Indonesia. Seventy-five virus species in the liver tissue of each specimen were listed. Viral homologous sequences in the bat genome were identified from the listed viruses. This finding provides collateral evidence of viral endogenization into the host genome. We found that two of the six specimens bore partial sequences that were homologous to the plant pathogens Geminiviridae and Luteoviridae. These sequences were absent in the P. vampyrus chromosomal sequences. Hence, plant viral homologous sequences were localized to the hepatocytes as extrachromosomal DNA fragments. Therefore, this suggests that the bat is a potential carrier or vector of plant viruses. The present investigation on wild animals offered novel perspectives on viral invasion, variation, and host interaction.     

Effects of underdrainage in lowland poorly drained paddy field

The lowland poorly drained paddy field may be handicapped in general, to the better drained paddy field in soil productivity level for rice crops in Japan. This is principally responsible for the prevalence of reducing characteristics in soils because of the high waterlogging condition all the year round. Therefore, the effects of the soil drying treatment on lowland poorly drained paddy field by any drainage are highly significant for the satisfactory production of rice crops. Kobo0 has noted that, among the numerous soil properties changed after drainage of the lowland poorly drained paddy field, the decreases in soil nitrogen level which will be characterized by the stabilization of soil humus are associated most closely with the promotion of the soil productivity. The present study was set up to ascertain the effects of soil drying by underdrainage of the lowland poorly drained paddy field incomparison with the better drained paddy field under cultivation.     

A novel fractionation technique of humic acid using a resinous ion exchanger

The purpose of this study was to fractionate humic acid by using a resinous ion exchanger containing a complex metal ion.     

Rare earth elements and other trace elements in wastewater treatment sludges

In order to evaluate the possibility of contamination of soil with trace elements by the application of sludges to soil, the contents of rare earth elements (REEs; La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) and other trace elements (Be, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Bi, and U) in wastewater treatment sludges were determined. In sludges of night soil treatment plants (night soil sludges) and sludges of wastewater treatment plants in the food industry (food industry sludges), the distribution patterns of REEs normalized versus average REEs in the continental crust were almost flat. It was considered that the REE patterns of uncontaminated sludges reflected the pattern of the continental crust. The crust-normalized REE patterns of sludges of wastewater treatment plants in the chemical industry (chemical industry sludges) and municipal sewage sludges did not always show flat plots. The sludges that did not show a flat REE pattern were considered to be contaminated with some of the REEs.

The coefficient of variation of each element determined among the 10 samples of night soil sludges and the 14 samples of sewage sludges ranged from 34 to 77% and from 26 to 84%, respectively. Among the 10 samples of food industry sludges and the 10 samples of chemical industry sludges, the coefficient ranged from 60 to 143% and from 67 to 172%, respectively. The variations of the content of each element among the food industry sludges or the chemical industry sludges were larger than those among the night soil sludges or the sewage sludges.

The contents of Be, As, Cs, REEs, and U in all the sludges were lower than or the same as those in a field soil. Some of the food and chemical industry sludges contained larger amounts of Ag, Cd, and Sb than the soil. All the night soil sludges and sewage sludges contained much larger amounts of Ag and Bi than the soil.     

Establishment of a tracing technique for transplanted bluefin tuna germ cells in recipient’s gonads using monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing bluefin tuna spermatogenic cells

Fisheries Science - Our ultimate aim is to establish a small-bodied surrogate broodstock (e.g., mackerel) that produces functional gametes of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis using...     

Comparison of threshold algorithms for automatic image processing of rice roots using freeware ImageJ

High-throughput phenotyping of crop root system architecture using digital image analysis requires costly special software (WinRHIZO). Novel freeware, ImageJ, has also been developed for the similar purpose, but the presetting of the threshold to create root binary images makes this method time-consuming. This study compares the 16 algorithms available in the ImageJ for processing of rice root images. Among the algorithms, the Triangle algorithm proved to be the best binary method, where the coefficient of correlation between ImageJ-estimated and WinRHIZO-estimated root lengths is extremely high (r = 0.986). However, using the Triangle algorithm, ImageJ overestimated the rice root length compared with WinRHIZO. By multiplying the values obtained using ImageJ by 2/3, the estimates closely corresponded to those estimated by WinRHIZO. The correspondence of root lengths estimated using WinRHIZO and ImageJ with Triangle algorithm was valid for roots of various morphologies, and for rice plants grown in uplands, rainfed lowlands, and irrigated lowlands. This report proposes the completely automated estimation of rice root length using freeware ImageJ with the appropriate threshold algorithm for image processing.     

Production of an antibacterial substance by Bacillus mojavensis strain F412 isolated from a Myanmar shrimp product fermented with boiled rice

An antibacterial-substance-producing bacterium, namely, strain F412, was isolated from a traditional Myanmar shrimp product fermented with boiled rice. It was a gram-positive, spore-forming, and rod-shaped bacterium, and identified as Bacillus mojavensis on the basis of the gyrA sequence. The antibacterial substance of this strain was partially purified from a culture supernatant using two steps of column chromatography. This substance was found to be widely effective against gram-positive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. The antibacterial activity of this substance was not susceptible to treatments with several proteolytic enzymes. The antibacterial activity gradually decreased with increasing treatment temperature, but it remained even after heating for 15 min at 121 °C. This antibacterial substance showed different molecular weights, as shown by the results of gel filtration and electrophoresis analyses. Staining results after electrophoresis suggest that the antibacterial substance might be a glycopeptide with an estimated molecular weight between 3.5 and 8.5 kDa. From the decrease in optical density of a culture of the L. monocytogenes treated with this antibacterial substance, it was suggested that this substance might have bacteriolytic activity.

     

Possible actions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in ovarian function

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is a multifunctional cytokine that was first described as a tumoricidal factor produced by activated macrophages. Extensive research over the last two decades has suggested that TNFalpha has physiologically diverse actions in ovarian function in a variety of species. TNFalpha and its specific receptors are present in the ovaries of many species. Furthermore, TNFalpha plays multiple and probably important roles in corpus luteum (CL) function as well as ovarian cell function throughout the estrous cycle. This review focuses on recent studies documenting TNFalpha in ovarian follicles and CL in several mammals. In addition, possible roles of TNFalpha in ovarian function throughout the estrous cycle and in the gestation period are discussed.     

Avian haemosporidian parasites infection in wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island of the Northwest Pacific, Japan

Haemosporidian parasites infection among wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island was studied. Blood films from 183 birds representing 4 species of 4 families were examined microscopically. Avian haemosporidian parasites were detected in 3 species with an overall prevalence of 59.6%. None of the 30 Daito scops owls (Otus scops interpositus) examined were infected. Either Haemoproteus sp. or Plasmodium sp. infection was found in 14 of 31 (45.2%) Borodino islands white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus daitoensis). Plasmodium spp. were found in 94 of 102 (92.2%) bull-headed shrikes (Lanius bucephalus) and 1 of 20 (5%) tree sparrows (Passer montanus).     

Central administration of neuropeptide B, but not prolactin-releasing peptide, stimulates cortisol secretion in sheep

Two neuropeptides, neuropeptide B (NPB) and prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), have been suggested to play important roles in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in rodents. The aim of the present study was to clarify the central actions of NPB or PrRP in sheep. Ovariectomized ewes were surgically implanted with a cannula directed to the lateral ventricle. They received intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of 400 mul of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, NPB (0.05, 0.5 or 5 nmol), PrRP (0.5, 5 or 50 nmol) or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH, 0.5 or 5 nmol) through the cannula, and blood samples were taken 30 and 0 min prior to and 15, 30, 60 and 90 min after the injection. Cortisol concentrations in plasma were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Administration of 0.5 nmol NPB resulted in a significant increase in the cortisol concentration compared with the vehicle control, whereas the cortisol concentration after lower or higher doses of NPB did not differ from the control value. Thus, an icv injection of NPB produced a bell-shaped dose-response of cortisol concentration. Administration of PrRP had no significant effect on the cortisol concentrations at any dose examined. Icv injection of CRH dose-dependently increased plasma cortisol concentrations. These results demonstrate that central NPB stimulates cortisol secretion, suggesting that this neuropeptide plays some roles in control of the HPA axis in sheep. On the other hand, unlike its role in rodents, PrRP is unlikely to be involved in control of the HPA axis in this species.