Molecular identification of macroalgal fragments in gut contents of the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus</Emphasis>

In order to improve the efficiency of stock enhancement programs for the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, information on food algal species, which affect growth and gonad production greatly, is necessary. Since it is difficult to identify species from the macroalgal fragments within the gut contents of the sea urchin by microscopic observation, we tried to apply a DNA barcoding method for gut contents analysis. We used a partial rbcL gene sequence for taxonomic section and newly designed primer sets, respectively, for brown algae and for red algae. Direct sequencing of the PCR products was carried out. Species identification was based on the phylogenetic relationship. We could objectively identify four species and two taxonomic groups (genus or family) in brown algae, and two species and four taxonomic groups in red algae from the gut contents. Sargassum hemiphyllum was the most abundant brown alga in the gut contents but was not dominant in the study site. The result showed the importance of identification to the species level. In addition, red algal epiphytes were detected with brown algal fragments. The DNA barcoding method will enable the researchers to verify the important role of epiphytes as a potential food source.     

Locked jaw syndrome in dogs and cats: 37 cases (1998-2005)

A consecutive series of cases of dogs and cats with locked jaw syndrome (inability to open or close the mouth) are reported in this study. Dogs were significantly overrepresented (84.0%) and adult dogs were more frequently affected (81.0%). Temporomandibular joint ankylosis due to fracture was the most common cause (54.0%) of locked jaw syndrome. Additional potential causes of locked jaw syndrome are masticatory muscle myositis, neoplasia, trigeminal nerve paralysis and central neurological lesions, temporomandibular joint luxation and dysplasia, osteoarthritis, retrobulbar abscess, tetanus, and severe ear disease. Treatment of locked jaw is directed towards the primary cause. It is important to treat the tonic spasm in order to minimize periarticular fibrosis. Surgical intervention is recommended for temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Masticatory muscle myositis treatment is initiated by gradually opening the mouth, with medical treatment based on immunosuppressive therapy. Fracture and masticatory muscle myositis are associated with a relatively good prognosis in regard to short-term outcome as compared to animals with central neurologic lesions or osteosarcoma which have a poor prognosis.     

Prediction of enteric methane emission from beef cattle in Southeast Asia

We conducted a meta‐data analysis to develop prediction equations to estimate enteric methane (CH₄) emission from beef cattle in Southeast Asia. The dataset was obtained from 25 studies, which included 332 individual observations on nutrient intakes, digestibilities, and CH₄ emissions. Cattle were provided tropical forage or rice straw, with or without concentrates in individual pens equipped with indirect open‐circuit head hood apparatus. The simplest and best equation to predict daily CH₄ emission was CH₄ (g/day) = 22.71 (±1.008) × dry matter intake (DMI, kg/day) + 8.91 (±10.896) [R² = 0.77; root mean square error (RMSE) = 19.363 g/day]. The best equation to predict CH₄ energy as a proportion of gross energy intake (CH₄‐E/GEI, J/100 J) was obtained using DMI per body weight (DMIBW, kg/100 kg), content (g/100 g DM) of ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP), and DM digestibility (DMD, g/100 g); CH₄‐E/GEI = ?0.782 (±0.2526) DMIBW ? 0.436 (±0.0548) EE ? 0.073 (±0.0218) CP + 0.049 (±0.0097) DMD + 8.654 (±0.6517) (R² = 0.39; RMSE = 1.3479 J/100 J GEI). It was indicated that CH₄ emissions from beef cattle in Southeast Asia are predictable using present developed models including simple indices.     

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.     

Vertical distributions of PAHs in the sediments of four lakes in Japan

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to elucidate historical trends, spatial variations, and the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in several Japanese lakes.

Materials and methods

The vertical distributions of PAHs in the core samples of sediments taken at several points in lakes Kasumigaura, Suwa, Kizaki, and Shinji were determined using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass selective detector and combined with chronological information and the physical/elemental properties of the sediment.

Results and discussion

Seventeen related compounds (congeners) typically had concentration peaks at sediment depths corresponding to the 1960s to 1970s. In Lake Shinji and one bay of Lake Kasumigaura, there was a tendency for PAH concentrations to increase downstream; in contrast, another bay of Lake Kasumigaura showed the reverse trend. During big flood events, the fluxes of PAHs increased due to large inputs of particulate matter, although PAH concentrations were reduced. For the four study lakes and other similar lakes, PAH concentrations of surface sediments were approximately proportional to population densities in the respective watersheds, while the total input of PAHs to the lakes were correlated with their population and watershed area. The source apportionment analysis using isomer ratios for the congener profiles indicated that the principal sources of the PAHs in the lake sediments were gasoline and/or diesel engine exhausts and biomass burning.

Conclusions

The observed concentration peaks showed a deterioration of the chemical quality of atmospheric conditions around 1960?C1970 and a recent tendency for their amelioration. Between-lake differences suggest that the influence of human activity in the watersheds influences sediment PAH concentrations. The PAH sources were identified to be of pyrogenic origin.     

Simple and sensitive BIO-PCR detection of potato blackleg pathogens from stem,tuber, and soil samples

Journal of General Plant Pathology - A BIO-PCR was developed for the detection of potato blackleg pathogens, including Pectobacterium wasabiae (Pw), P. atrosepticum (Pa), P. carotovorum subsp....