Genotyping of infectious bronchitis viruses isolated in Japan during 2008−2019

Seventeen isolates of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were obtained from various prefectures of Japan during 2008–2019 and genetically analyzed. The IBV isolates were classified into six genetic groups, based on phylogenetic analysis of the S1 gene. The S1 genotypes were distinguishable by a newly developed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using three endonucleases, Hae II, Hpa I, and Fok I. Moreover, the isolates were classified into four genetic groups, based on phylogenetic analysis of the S2 gene. However, novel genetic groups based on a combination of S1 and S2 genotypes, which were undetected previously, were confirmed in this study, indicating that various recombinant IBV strains were prevalent in poultry in Japan.     

Artoindonesianin L, a new prenylated flavone with cytotoxic activity from Artocarpus rotunda

A new prenylated flavone, named artoindonesianin L (1), was isolated from Artocarpus rotunda (Hout) Panzer (Moraceae). Its structure was elucidated as on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Along with this new compound, four known phenolic compounds were also isolated from this plant and identified as artonins M (2) and E (3), cycloartobiloxanthone (4) and artonin O (5). All these compounds showed significant cytotoxicity against murine P388 leukemia cells.     

The crown shape of an evergreen oak,Quercus glauca, in a hardwood community

The spatial pattern of the crown spread ofQuercus glauca in a hardwood community was investigated in order to consider the effect of the patterns on its survival in a secondary hardwood community. The shape of a crown was defined by the spatial spread of the leaves (PCM crown), and by the spread of their branches (elliptic cylinder crown). The stem volume growth rate of a tree was strongly correlated with the corresponding total leaf area, which was then significantly correlated with the defined crown volume. This indicated that the stem volume growth depended on the crown volume as well as the total leaf area. An increase in leaf area was largely attained by the spatial volume of the crown, not by an increase in the leaf area density. The leaves inside the crown began to spread horizontally relative to the crown size as the total leaf area and tree size increased. On the other hand, for the crowns representing the branch spread, the crown shape (crown width/depth ratio) did not differ by internal leaf area and tree size. Such a spatial pattern was likely to be adaptive for a species that dominates at a mid-stage of secondary sere.     

Formation of a one-dimensional array of oxygen in a microporous metal-organic solid

We report the direct observation of dioxygen molecules physisorbed in the nanochannels of a microporous copper coordination polymer by the MEM (maximum entropy method)/Rietveld method, using in situ high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction measurements. The obtained MEM electron density revealed that van der Waals dimers of physisorbed O2 locate in the middle of nanochannels and form a one-dimensional ladder structure aligned to the host channel structure. The observed O-O stretching Raman band and magnetic susceptibilities are characteristic of the confined O2 molecules in one-dimensional nanochannels of CPL-1 (coordination polymer 1 with pillared layer structure).     

Crisis management of water shortage in an irrigation area with a pipeline network system

Problems caused by water shortage in a paddy-field district with a pipeline network system are different from those in a district with an open channel system. Abnormally low rainfall in Japan caused a very serious water shortage in 1994. A survey was carried out in the Hokuriku region, about 300 km in the north of Tokyo, and a typical paddy cultivation area, to determine problems in irrigation practices caused by water shortage and to find countermeasures for the problems. The following results were obtained. A tank model was proposed to estimate water requirements at the field level. The results showed that the amount of rainfall during the irrigation period in 1994 was only 27.1% of an average year and the rate of water sufficiency at the field level was 70.6%. Then, a simulation method was proposed to estimate hydraulic phenomena in a pipeline network system. The result showed that the pipeline network system distributed water to each hydrant unequally during water shortage. Based on simulations, the methods to equalize water supply to each hydrant and to set up reuse system of water were proposed.     

Development of the musculature and muscular abnormalities in larval seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus

There are a number of reports documenting skeletal development in groupers, but surprisingly little is known about muscle development. We have documented muscle development in the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg), focusing primarily on the cranial muscles from 0 days post-hatching (dph) to 28 dph, using a modified whole mount immunohistochemical staining method. The eye muscles developed first followed by the cheek muscles, which completed development prior to first feeding. The muscles associated with the opercle and the levator internus 1 developed gradually and were not linked to first feeding. Later, between 12 and 16 dph, the muscle composition in the dorsal branchial arches changed to the adult form. We observed a number of cultured larvae that exhibited abnormal musculature in the body and jaw. Our results provide the first documentation of muscle development in larval seven-band grouper. This information can be used to detect abnormalities during development and provide a marker to assess the effect of changes in larval rearing techniques.     

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).     

The characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from wild birds in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009

Due to concerns that wild birds could possibly spread H5N1 viruses, surveillance was conducted to monitor the types of avian influenza viruses circulating among the wild birds migrating to or inhabiting in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009. An H5N2 virus isolated from a Eurasian woodcock had a close phylogenetic relationship to H5 viruses recently isolated in South Korea and Japan, suggesting that H5N2 has been shared between Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. An H9N2 virus isolated from a Chinese Hwamei was closely related to two H9N2 viruses that were isolated from humans in Hong Kong in 2009, suggesting that an H9N2 strain relevant to the human isolates had been transmitted to and maintained among the wild bird population in Vietnam and South China. The results support the idea that wild bird species play a significant role in the spread and maintenance of avian influenza and that this also occurs in Vietnam.