Genetic analysis of multi-drug resistance and the clonal dissemination of β-lactam resistance in Salmonella Infantis isolated from broilers

An epidemiologic study was conducted to investigate the incidence and characterize the antimicrobial resistance determinants, analyzing plasmid profiles, and establishing the genetic relationship among β-lactam-resistant isolates of Salmonella Infantis from broilers in Southern Japan. A total of 120 isolates were recovered from 56 flocks belonging to 44 holdings during 2004–2006. The percentages of resistance were as follows: ampicillin (24%), cephalothin (23%), cefoxitin (0%), ceftazidime (11%), cefotaxime (11%), chloramphenicol (0%), kanamycin (7.5%), ofloxacin (20%), oxytetracycline, streptomycin and sulfamethoxazole (100%) and trimethoprim (75%). The incidence of bla_TEM-encoded β-lactam resistance in 2004–2006 was significantly higher than in 1998–2003 (P < 0.001). BlnI-digested PFGE patterns generated two related clusters implicated in the dissemination of β-lactam resistance. Two types of plasmid profiles were observed and two plasmids of ca. 50 and 180-kb size were carried by β-lactam-resistant isolates. Streptomycin resistance was conferred by aadA1 (n = 116), aadA1-aadA2 (n = 1), and aadA1-strA-strB (n = 3). Resistances to kanamycin, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were conferred by aphA1 (n = 9, 100%), tetA (n = 120, 100%) sul1 (n = 120, 100%) and dfrA5 (n = 90, 100%), respectively. Two types of class 1 integrons were detected: 1.0 kb (n = 120) and, 1.0/1.5 kb (n = 3). Integrons of 1.0/1.5 kb were found in isolates with the aadA1-strA-strB gene combination. For the first time, all S. Infantis isolates showed resistance to at least three classes of antimicrobial agents; and the intestinal tract of healthy poultry was a reservoir of the extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant isolates of serovar Infantis.     

Effect of adding steam-exploded wood flour to thermoplastic polymer/wood composite

The effect of steam-exploded wood flour (SE) added to wood flour/plastic composite was examined using SE from beech, Japanese cedar, and red meranti and three kinds of thermoplastic polymer: polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Addition of SE increased the fracture strength and water resistance of the composite board to an extent dependent on the polymer species and the composition of wood/SE/polymer. However, water resistance decreased with the increasing proportion of SE when SE meranti was added. Effects of the wood species of SE on the properties of resulting board were small. An increased moisture content of wood flour or SE (or both) increased the variation of board performance.     

Reinforcement of fiberboard containing lingo-cellulose nanofiber made from wood fibers

Wood-based materials are fabricated with adhesives composed of various materials derived from fossil fuels. It is difficult to identify replacements for these chemical adhesives. This study explored nanofiber technologies as an alternative to these adhesives. In this study, we focused on reinforcement effects of lingo-cellulose nanofiber (LCNF) on fiberboards made from softwood and hardwood fiber. We discuss the density effects of reinforcement with LCNF because the density of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is widely used for construction, is standardized at about 0.60–0.80 g/cm³. Fiberboards were manufactured with three densities (0.60, 0.75, and 1.00 g/cm³). For softwood fiberboards, the bending properties for LCNF-mixed boards were higher than those for the control fiberboards at all densities. In this paper, control fiberboard means fiberboard with fiber only. For hardwood fiberboards, the bending properties for LCNF-mixed fiberboard for 1.00 g/cm³-density board were higher than those for the control fiberboard. For internal bond strength (IB), the IB for LCNF-mixed fiberboard was higher than that for the control fiberboard. The thickness swelling (TS) and weight change (WC) with water absorption for fiberboards containing LCNF were lower than those for control fiberboards. As a conclusion, physical and mechanical properties of the resulting fiberboards were significantly improved with the addition of LCNF, especially for softwood fiberboards, due to close binding between LCNF and wood fibers.     

Recruitment patterns and early growth of acroporid corals in Manado, Indonesia

A coral settlement device was used to examine recruitment patterns of Acropora at two stations (st.; A and B) in Bunaken Island, Manado. The recruitment timing of Acropora was not determined because of mixing with Isopora. A marine block (MB) was used to observe the growth of settled acroporid corals at st. A. Within a year of settlement (February–May of the following year), the corals which had settled on the MB had grown to a size of 13.4 ± 5.86 mm. They were dominated by Isopora, with a small proportion of Acropora. A supplementary experiment again using the MB was conducted at three other sites (st. C, D, E) where Isopora was not abundant. The size of the corals which settled on the MB was nearly the same as that of the corals at st. A. Juvenile Acropora corals (≤3 cm, encrusting form) were measured on the Manado coast (st. F) between February and May. At this site, Acropora corals were dominant and no Isopora corals were observed; the size of Acropora was 18.5 ± 5.01 mm. Acroporid corals in February and March at st. A appeared smaller than those at st. F and grew to nearly the same size in early April.     

Quantitative trait locus mapping of growth‐related traits in inter‐specific F1 hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus) in a tropical climate

Growth‐related traits are the main target of genetic breeding programmes in grouper aquaculture. We constructed genetic linkage maps for tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and giant grouper (E. lanceolatus) using 399 simple sequence repeat markers and performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to identify the genomic regions responsible for growth‐related traits in F₁ hybrid grouper (E. fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus). The tiger grouper (female) linkage map contained 330 markers assigned to 24 linkage groups (LGs) and spanned 1,202.0 cM. The giant grouper (male) linkage map contained 231 markers distributed in 24 LGs and spanned 953.7 cM. Six QTLs affecting growth‐related traits with 5% genome‐wide significance were detected on different LGs. Four QTLs were identified for total length and body weight on Efu_LG8, 10, 13 and 19 on the tiger grouper map, which explained 6.6%–12.0% of the phenotypic variance. An epistatic QTL with a reciprocal association was observed between Efu_LG8 and 10. Two QTLs were identified for body weight on Ela_LG3 and 10 on the giant grouper map, which explained 6.9% of the phenotypic variance. Two‐way analysis of variance indicated that the QTL on Efu_LG13 interacts with the QTLs on Ela_LG3 and 10 with large effects on body weight. Furthermore, these six QTLs showed different features among the winter, summer and rainy seasons, suggesting that environmental factors and fish age affected these QTLs. These findings will be useful to understand the genetic structure of growth and conduct genetic breeding in grouper species.     

Simultaneous occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease and trichomonosis in a Maine coon cat

A 2-year-old, 4.2 kg, spayed female, Maine coon cat was referred to the veterinary hospital for evaluation of hyporexia, slow growth, and chronic, intermittent, mucoid, bloody, voluminous, and fetid diarrhea. The diarrhea had been observed since the cat was acquired from a cattery at 4 months of age; with acute worsening in the 5 d before presentation. Abdominal palpation revealed moderate pain. Ultrasonographic examination showed thickening of the jejunal wall and ileal loops, increased echogenicity of the jejunal mucosa, and enlargement of the jejunal and ileocolic lymph nodes. Histopathology of full-thickness intestinal biopsies showed moderate, diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive enteritis with hemorrhage and edema. Diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive colitis with mild, interstitial fibrosis and hemorrhage was also noted. The ileocecal lymph node biopsy showed eosinophilic lymphadenitis. Based on the immunohistochemical evaluation of intestinal samples with CD3 and CD79a antibodies, a diagnosis of lymphoma was ruled out. Fecal polymerase chain reaction testing was positive for Tritrichomonas foetus. Based on these results, inflammatory bowel disease and trichomonosis were diagnosed. Treatment for the cat included a hypoallergenic diet and an oral omega-3 fatty acid supplement, in conjunction with prednisolone, to manage the inflammatory bowel disease. Ronidazole was administered to target the Tritrichomonas foetus. The cat was clinically normal during a follow-up examination after 6 months of treatment.     

自动挤乳系统中挤乳次数及挤乳时间段对乳成分的影响

本文研究分析了自动挤乳系统中挤乳次数以及挤乳时间段对乳成分的影响。20头实验牛选自日本酪农学园大学附属农场,分娩天数为10～300d,每2周采牛奶样一次,每次连续72h,采样30ml。研究表明产乳量随着挤乳次数的增加而增加r= 0.63(P<0.01)。挤乳次数与乳中干物质率的相关系数r= 0.25,差异不显著。而与无脂干物质率的相关系数r= 0.33,差异显著(P<0.05),并且与乳脂率之间呈显著负相关r=-0.41(P<0.05),与乳糖率之间呈极显著正相关r= 0.53(P<0.01)。与乳蛋白率之间无相关性r= 0.15。但是在回归方程式的2次式中,两者之间有着极显著的相关性r=0.45(P<0.01)。一天的挤乳次数在3～4次时乳蛋白率最大。挤乳时间段与乳成分之间无相关性r= 0.01- 0.11。经t检验,乳中干物质率在下午(12～18点)时最高,上午(6～12点)及深夜(0～6点)较低。无脂干物质率和乳蛋白率在晚上(18～0点)高,上午及深夜低。乳糖率在晚上和深夜高,上午和下午低。与此相对,乳脂率在上午和下午高,深夜低。     

Suppression of color degradation of yellowtail dark muscle during storage by simultaneous dietary supplementation of vitamins?C and E

The commercial value of yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata meat is often reduced by color deterioration of the dark muscle during storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of simultaneous dietary supplementation of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) to cultured yellowtail on color degradation of the dark muscle during storage. Yellowtail were fed for 6 or 11 days on a diet containing 1% VC and 1% VE (vitamin group) or without these vitamins (control group). The amounts of VC and VE in the dark muscle of the vitamin group tended to be higher than those of the control group. During the storage of sliced meat at 23 and 4°C, the decreases in a* value (redness) of the dark muscle of the vitamin group was slower than those of the control group. The formation of metmyoglobin, which can occur along with myoglobin oxidation, in the dark muscle of the vitamin group was slower than that of the control group. These results suggest that simultaneous feeding of high amounts of VC and VE for a short period to yellowtail before harvesting could suppress the color deterioration of the dark muscle during storage.     

Development of ceramic settlement devices for coral reef restoration using <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> sexual reproduction of corals

A ceramic coral settlement device (CSD) was developed to raise juvenile corals in situ in preparation for transplantation. The CSD is designed to be deployed in the water before mass spawning of corals, allowing larvae to settle and grow on the CSD before it is fixed to the reef structure. CSDs were aggregated and fixed on 0.2-m² frames (either 648 or 720 CSDs per frame) and deployed in the Sekisei Lagoon around the full moons of April and May in 2002. Seven frames were collected in August 2002 and settled corals were counted in the laboratory. The maximum number of coral colonies settled on CSDs in one frame was 617, with 94% belonging to the genus Acropora. The aggregated CSDs successfully functioned as a coral settlement substratum, with more appropriate arrangement of CSDs on the frame, enabling greater exposure to sunlight and currents, which is expected to increase the amount of settlement.