A 38-kDa protein from Babesia gibsoni and its antibody response in an experimentally infected dog

A cDNA encoding the Babesia bovis 12D3 antigen homologue was obtained by immunoscreening the expression library prepared from Babesia gibsoni merozoite mRNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene was 1406 bp. Computer analysis suggested that the sequence contains an open reading frame of 1052 bp encoding an expected protein with a molecular weight of 36kDa. Based on homology analysis, this putative protein was designated as the B. gibsoni 12D3 antigen (Bg12D3). The Bg12D3 gene was expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 strain, and the chronically infected dog serum reacted with the recombinant protein. The antiserum against the recombinant Bg12D3 protein can recognize a 38-kDa native protein, which is consistent with its expected size. Moreover, the purified recombinant proteins were used as the antigen to detect the antibody response in an experimentally infected dog by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results indicated that the Bg12D3 protein was recognized by the host immune system and that it induced an antibody response in chronic B. gibsoni infection. These results allowed us to identify a new member of the 12D3 antigens and its characteristic immune response in canine B. gibsoni infection.     

Detection of endophyte toxins in the imported perennial ryegrass straw

From 1997 to 1999, 29 cases of disorders were detected in cattle and horses that had been fed ryegrass straw imported from the U.S.A. These animals showed symptoms resembling ryegrass staggers and the clinical signs disappeared after removal of the straw. Endophytic hyphae were detected in the seeds of all straw samples that were responsible for the clinical cases. Lolitrem B concentrations in the straw ranged between 972 and 3740 ppb. Ergovaline concentrations were between 355 and 1300 ppb. Even though the concentrations of lolitrem B were lower than the toxic threshold proposed by Oregon State University in better part of the cases, our observations suggest the possibility that lolitrem B lower than the proposed threshold can bring disorders to sensitive individuals.     

Identification and characterization of Lisianthus necrotic ringspot virus,a novel distinct tospovirus species causing necrotic disease of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)

In 2007, lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) plants with necrotic ringspots on the leaves were found in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Tospovirus-like spherical enveloped particles with ca. 160 nm in diameter were observed with electron microscopy. The complete nucleotide sequence of the S RNA segment of the virus was determined, and phylogenetic analysis using deduced amino acid sequences of the nucleocapsid protein and the nonstructural S protein indicated that the virus is phylogenetically distinct from any known tospovirus species. The results suggest that the virus is a new member of the genus Tospovirus, in the family Bunyaviridae. The virus is the fifth distinct tospovirus occurring naturally in lisianthus in Japan. The necrotic symptoms were reproduced on lisianthus seedlings after mechanical inoculation. The host range of the virus isolate on several test plants was also examined.     

Distribution of carbohydrates and related enzyme activities in yacon (polymnia sonchifolia)

Abstract

Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) plants originating from Andean highlands are known to accumulate a large amount of oligofructans in their tubers and tuberous roots (Ohyama et al. 1990; Asami et al. 1992). Asami et al. (1992) have reported that tubers and tuberous roots which were harvested in late fall contained about 57 and 66% respectively (on a dry matter basis) of oligofructans. However, the tubers, tuberous roots and shoots of the yacon contained only a small amount of starch and inulin. The tuberous roots of yacon which resemble those of sweet potato in appearance are usually eaten raw and are expected to become commercially valuable as a source of oligofructans.     

The effects of acute exposure to deoxynivalenol on some inflammatory parameters in miniature pigs

Seven miniature pigs were injected intravenously with deoxynivalenol (DON) at 1 mg/kg body weight; afterward, the number of leukocytes in peripheral blood, the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils, the serum or plasma concentration of cytokines and acute-phase proteins were evaluated to determine the effects of acute exposure to DON on inflammatory responses. White blood cell counts were transiently increased at 3, 6, and 12 hr post-injection (PI) due to the increased number of neutrophils. The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence value of neutrophils was significantly elevated at 24 hr PI, indicating the activation of the bactericidal function of neutrophils. Significant increases of interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α at 3 hr PI and IL-6 at 6 hr PI were detected in the serum. The concentration of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A was significantly increased at 24 hr PI. These results suggest that acute exposure to DON induced a temporary recruitment of neutrophils in the peripheral blood by IL-8 and subsequent activation of the bactericidal function, and a transient increase of proinflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, indicating the immunomodulatory effects of DON in pigs.     

Predicting unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil based on some basic soil properties

Soil hydraulic conductivity is a crucial parameter in modeling flow process in soils and deciding water management. In this study, by combining the non-similar media concept (NSMC) to the one-parameter model of Brooks and Corey, a new NSMC-based model for estimating unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of various soils was presented. The main inputs are soil bulk density, particle-size distribution, soil water retention characteristic and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil. The results indicated that the NSMC-based model could generally more accurately predict unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soils, as compared to four one-parameter models and van Genuchten–Mualem model. This study, by introducing NSMC, provided a new way to incorporate soil physical heterogeneity into soil hydraulic simulation, and hence NSMC-based approach is expected to improve efficiency of the existing models in the simulation of soil water flow.     

Influence of Rice Proteins on Eating Quality of Cooked Rice and on Aroma and Flavor of Sake

An improved method for the extraction of storage proteins from rice endosperm under conditions safe for producing food was developed. The contribution of the protein extracts to the eating quality of cooked rice and to the aroma and flavor of sake was examined. Sensory analysis was performed to evaluate the eating quality of cooked rice enriched with the protein extracts. Prolamin‐enrichment increased the hardness of cooked rice, and glutelin‐enrichment degraded the appearance of cooked rice. Physical analyses confirmed that prolamin‐enrichment changed, whereas the glutelin‐enrichment did not change the physical properties of cooked rice. Light and scanning electron microscopy of rice protein extracts revealed small particles of the prolamin extract and larger aggregated particles of the glutelin extract; these features remained after heating. The aroma and flavor of sake were negatively affected by the addition of the protein extracts. Especially, addition of prolamin significantly lowered the evaluation score of the aroma obtained by sensory analysis.