Pool‐based genome‐wide association study identified novel candidate regions on BTA9 and 14 for oleic acid percentage in Japanese Black cattle

Fatty acid composition is an important indicator of beef quality. The objective of this study was to search the potential candidate region for fatty acid composition. We performed pool‐based genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) for oleic acid percentage (C18:1) in a Japanese Black cattle population from the Hyogo prefecture. GWAS analysis revealed two novel candidate regions on BTA9 and BTA14. The most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each region were genotyped in a population (n = 899) to verify their effect on C18:1. Statistical analysis revealed that both SNPs were significantly associated with C18:1 (p = .0080 and .0003), validating the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detected in GWAS. We subsequently selected VNN1 and LYPLA1 genes as candidate genes from each region on BTA9 and BTA14, respectively. We sequenced full‐length coding sequence (CDS) of these genes in eight individuals and identified a nonsynonymous SNP T66M on VNN1 gene as a putative candidate polymorphism. The polymorphism was also significantly associated with C18:1, but the p value (p = .0162) was higher than the most significant SNP on BTA9, suggesting that it would not be responsible for the QTL. Although further investigation will be needed to determine the responsible gene and polymorphism, our findings would contribute to development of selective markers for fatty acid composition in the Japanese Black cattle of Hyogo.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for carcass grading traits,image analysis traits,and monounsaturated fatty acids in Japanese Black cattle from Hyogo Prefecture

Genetic parameters for carcass grading traits, image analysis traits, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) percentages were estimated in 29,942 Japanese Black cattle from Hyogo Prefecture. The analyzed traits included five carcass grading traits, two image analysis traits, fat area ratio and fineness index, and two MUFA traits, one measured in intermuscular fat using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and the other in intramuscular fat using gas chromatography (GC). The heritability estimates of image analysis traits and MUFA were moderate to high, ranging from 0.395 to 0.740, and it was considered that they could be improved simultaneously with carcass grading traits because no severe genetic antagonism was observed. Although the heritability of the NIRS-based intermuscular MUFA was slightly lower than that of the GC-based intramuscular MUFA, the genetic correlation between the two methods was as high as 0.804. These results indicate that the NIRS method can be used as an alternative evaluation procedure to predict MUFA in intramuscular fat in the longissimus muscle.     

Cor triatriatum sinister with incomplete atrioventricular septal defect in a cat

An 11-month-old, 3 kg, female domestic shorthair cat was referred to evaluate cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography revealed the membrane dividing the left atrium into two chambers, a large defect in the lower part of the atrial septum, and turbulent blood flow from the distal left atrium into the right atrium. These findings suggested cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) with incomplete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). The cat was treated with medications for management of congestive heart failure. In the end, she died from right-sided heart failure 17 months after the initial presentation. At necropsy, a fibromuscular membrane with a round orifice in the left atrium and an ostium primum defect were confirmed, and the definitive diagnosis of CTS with incomplete AVSD was made. To our knowledge, this study presents the first case report of CTS with incomplete AVSD in a cat.     

Ecological functions of persistent Japanese cedar litter in structuring stream macroinvertebrate assemblages

Stream macroinvertebrate assemblages are expected to be affected by the abundance and constitution of litter from surrounding forests. We compared forest floor cover, overland flow, stream environment, and stream macroinvertebrate assemblages between the catchments of a Japanese cedar plantation (CP) and a primary deciduous forest (DF). Both systems experience excessive deer browsing. Understory vegetation cover was higher in the DF than in the CP in summer, although cover was low (<20 %), possibly because of excessive deer browsing. Litter cover was much higher in the CP than in the DF in summer as a result of the long abscission period, slow breakdown, and low rate of dispersal of Japanese cedar litter compared to deciduous litter. Monthly overland flow was always lower in the CP than in the DF, and substrate size was smaller in the DF stream. In the CP, cedar litter accumulated in the stream, probably because of its low breakdown rate and morphology, and abundant shredder taxa characterized the macroinvertebrate assemblage. In contrast, abundant burrower taxa characterized the macroinvertebrate assemblage in the DF stream. These results imply that Japanese cedar litter functions in structuring the macroinvertebrate assemblage by supplying persistent food resources for detritivores, and by buffering fine sedimentation via overland flow under excessive deer browsing.     

Biomass allocation and nitrogen limitation in a Cryptomeria japonica plantation chronosequence

We investigated soil net nitrogen mineralization rate, above- and belowground biomass allocation, and nitrogen use in a Cryptomeria japonica plantation chronosequence. Total biomass accumulation showed an asymptotic accretion pattern, and the peak total biomass accumulation rate occurred approximately 30 years after afforestation. Soil net nitrogen mineralization rate was lowest 30 years after afforestation. Between years 30 and 88, net nitrogen mineralization increased again. These results indicate that an imbalance in soil nitrogen supply and plant nitrogen demand occurred approximately 30 years after afforestation. Furthermore, leaf nitrogen concentration, which was used as an index of plant nitrogen status, was lower in mature forest than in young forest, suggesting that mature stands did not take up nitrogen as successfully. If soil resources such as nitrogen limit plant growth, plants may increase biomass allocation to fine root structure; however, fine root biomass was not higher in 30- and 88-year-old stands than in younger stands, suggesting that changes in biomass allocation may not be effective against nitrogen deficiency in a C. japonica plantation chronosequence.     

Clonal variation in heartwood norlignans of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>: evidence for independent control of agatharesinol and sequirin C biosynthesis

• Introduction   

In Cryptomeria japonica, heartwood properties are considered to be affected by specific extractives. It remains unclear whether traits of specific heartwood compounds are under genetic control.     

Decontamination of Cs from Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) via kraft cooking

To investigate the possibility of decontaminating ¹³⁷Cs-contaminated Cryptomeria japonica wood, kraft pulping was conducted and the Cs behavior in the reaction process was examined. ¹³³Cs-treated or ¹³⁷Cs-contaminated bark, sapwood, and heartwood chips of Cryptomeria japonica were digested using an aqueous solution of NaOH and Na₂S. The pulp was washed with ultrapure water and filtered, after which the filtrate (black liquor) was collected. The black liquor was acidified to separate the supernatant and precipitation. The Cs (¹³³Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) concentrations in the chip and reaction products were measured. As for wood samples, the majority of Cs was present in black liquor, while only a minor amount of Cs was retained in the pulp (<1%). In the case of bark, although the majority of Cs was present in the black liquor, the proportion of Cs in the pulp was much higher than that in the wood pulp. In addition, the Cs in the precipitation of the bark was higher than that in the wood, possibly because the Cs in the bark was combined with some components, which is insoluble in alkaline solution. Our results suggest that ¹³⁷Cs-contaminated Cryptomeria japonica wood can be used in the pulp and paper industries.     

Silicon budget of eutrophic Lake Kasumigaura, Japan

Purpose

Determining the dynamics of silicon in lakes, one of the essential nutrients for diatoms, is valuable for understanding aquatic environmental problems. The dissolved silicon (DSi) and biogenic silicon (BSi) budgets in Lake Kasumigaura, a shallow eutrophic lake in Japan, during the last three decades were assessed based on the analysis of dated sediment cores and a water quality database.

Materials and methods

Sediment cores (100?cm long) were taken at the center of Lake Kasumigaura in 2005, 2007, and 2009 and at two other sites in 2007. BSi contents of the dated sediments were determined by wet alkaline digestion. The net sedimentation rates of BSi were defined as the difference between the DSi load from inflowing rivers and the DSi and BSi loads from the outflow of the lake, calculated using DSi concentrations and diatom abundances in the lake from 1980 to 2007 and DSi concentrations of the inflowing rivers during 1994, 2007, and 2009. The gross sedimentation rates of BSi were estimated by multiplying BSi concentrations in lake water by the diatom sinking rate reported by previous studies.

Results and discussion

Budgetary calculations based on the database showed that 60?C70?% of DSi inputs from the inflowing rivers during the 27?years could ultimately be accumulated as diatom frustules in bottom sediments in the lake. The sediment analysis revealed that the amount of BSi accumulated in the lake from 1980 to 2007 was 2.0?C2.6?×?10¹¹?g, similar to the amount based on the database of 1.3?C2.4?×?10¹¹?g. Although the gross sedimentation rates of BSi likely increased, the net sedimentation rates of BSi decreased significantly from 6?C10?×?10⁹?g?year^?1 in the 1980s to 2?C6?×?10⁹?g?year^?1 in the 2000s, suggesting a fast recycling of BSi in recent years caused by an increase in sediment resuspension and regeneration.

Conclusions

The sediment core information and the water quality database can be used for calculating the long-term silicon budgets in Lake Kasumigaura. An increase in the DSi release rates was identified, which is consistent with recent sediment resuspension. Comparing the sediment core information with the database suggests the long-term dissolution of sediment BSi; however, analysis of the BSi content in sediment cores representing a much longer time period is needed to confirm this.     

Use of lignin extracted from different plant sources as standards in the spectrophotometric acetyl bromide lignin method

A nongravimetric acetyl bromide lignin (ABL) method was evaluated to quantify lignin concentration in a variety of plant materials. The traditional approach to lignin quantification required extraction of lignin with acidic dioxane and its isolation from each plant sample to construct a standard curve via spectrophotometric analysis. Lignin concentration was then measured in pre-extracted plant cell walls. However, this presented a methodological complexity because extraction and isolation procedures are lengthy and tedious, particularly if there are many samples involved. This work was targeted to simplify lignin quantification. Our hypothesis was that any lignin, regardless of its botanical origin, could be used to construct a standard curve for the purpose of determining lignin concentration in a variety of plants. To test our hypothesis, lignins were isolated from a range of diverse plants and, along with three commercial lignins, standard curves were built and compared among them. Slopes and intercepts derived from these standard curves were close enough to allow utilization of a mean extinction coefficient in the regression equation to estimate lignin concentration in any plant, independent of its botanical origin. Lignin quantification by use of a common regression equation obviates the steps of lignin extraction, isolation, and standard curve construction, which substantially expedites the ABL method. Acetyl bromide lignin method is a fast, convenient analytical procedure that may routinely be used to quantify lignin.     

Echocardiographic estimation of left atrial pressure in beagle dogs with experimentally-induced mitral valve regurgitation

Non-invasive and immediate estimation of left atrial pressure (LAP) is very useful for the management of mitral regurgitation (MR), and many reports have assessed echocardiographic estimations of LAP to date. However, it has been unclear of which examination and evaluate article possess the best accuracy for the MR severity. The present research aims to establish the echocardiographic estimation equation of LAP that is well applicable for clinical MR dogs. After the chordae tendineae rupture was experimentally induced via left atriotomy in six healthy beagle dogs (three males and three females, two years old, weighing between 9.8 to 12.8 kg), a radio telemetry transmitter catheter was inserted, which allows the continuous recordings of LAP without the use of sedation. Approximately 5 weeks after the surgery, echocardiographic examination, indirect blood pressure measurement, measurement of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and LAP measurement by way of the radio telemetry system was performed simultaneously. Subsequently, simple linear regression equations between LAP and each variable were obtained, and the equations were evaluated whether to be applicable for clinical MR dogs. As a result, the ratio of early diastolic mitral flow to early diastolic lateral mitral annulus velocity (E/Ea) had the strongest correlation as maximum LAP=7.03*(E/Ea)-54.86 (r=0.74), and as mean LAP=4.94*(E/Ea)-40.37 (r=0.70) among the all variables. Therefore, these two equations associated with E/Ea should bring more precise and instant estimations of maximum and mean LAP in clinical MR dogs.