Campylobacter Cross‐Contamination of Chicken Products at an Abattoir

Consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products contaminated with Campylobacter has been identified as a risk factor for human campylobacteriosis. We determined whether slaughtering of Campylobacter‐positive flocks was associated with contamination of chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks slaughtered at the same abattoir. The presence of Campylobacter was investigated in 22 broiler farms 1 week prior to slaughter and in one abattoir on nine separate slaughter days. A total of 600 bulk packed chicken products were tested, with 198 (33.0%) of the products found to be Campylobacter positive. Of the 350 chicken products originating from Campylobacter‐positive flocks, 180 (51.1%) were contaminated with the bacteria. In contrast, only 18 (7.2%) of 250 chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks were contaminated. In 14 of these 18 products, the Campylobacter isolates were identical to isolates obtained from the flock slaughtered immediately prior to the Campylobacter‐negative flock. Notably, on 4/6 slaughter days, Campylobacter‐negative flocks were slaughtered prior to the positive flocks, and Campylobacter was absent from all chicken products originating from the negative flocks. These results suggest that implementation of logistic slaughter (where Campylobacter‐negative flocks are slaughter first) significantly decreases the prevalence of Campylobacter‐positive chicken products.     

Gastrointestinal motility modulation by stress is associated with reduced smooth muscle contraction through specific transient receptor potential channel

Excessive stress response causes disability in social life. There are many diseases caused by stress, such as gastrointestinal motility disorders, depression, eating disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels underlie non-selective cation currents and are downstream effectors of G protein-coupled receptors. Ca²⁺ influx is important for smooth muscle contraction, which is responsible for gastrointestinal motility. Little is known about the possible involvement of TRP channels in the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in gastrointestinal motility caused by stress and to elucidate the mechanism of these changes. The stress model used the water immersion restraint stress. Gastrointestinal motility, especially the ileum, was recorded responses to electric field stimulation (EFS) by isometric transducer. EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Even under the conditions treated with atropine, EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. In addition, carbachol-induced, neurokinin A-induced, and substance P-induced contractions were all significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Furthermore, the expression of TRPC3 was decreased in the ileum of stressed mouse. These results suggest that the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress is associated with specific non-selective cation channel.     

Dietary inclusion of dehydrated bocaiuva pulp increases the antioxidant potential of quail eggs

The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation of different levels of dehydrated bocaiuva pulp (DBP) on the productive performance of laying quails, and on lipid oxidation, and quality in their eggs. A total of 120 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% of DBP), five replicates and four birds per experimental unit. To evaluate lipid oxidation, the eggs were collected on five consecutive days at the end of the trial and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 6 × 5 factorial scheme (eggs from quails fed different levels of DBP × evaluated fresh and after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). The antioxidant potential of diets was improved (p < 0.05) when the DBP was added estimated as 2,2'‐azinobis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazolin‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacity. No effect (p > 0.05) was observed on feed intake, hen‐day egg production and feed conversion (kg/kg and kg/dz). There were no changes (p > 0.05) in the egg weight, Haugh unit, yolk index or eggshell percentage. Although no difference was observed (p > 0.05), when comparing each level with the control, a negative linear effect (p < 0.05) on specific gravity was observed. In addition, only the treatment with 0.5% pulp exhibited lower (p < 0.05) eggshell thickness compared with the control (0%). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis showed that as the dietary pulp level was increased, malondialdehyde content decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in the egg yolks, regardless of the storage period. Inclusion of DBP in the diets had no effect (p > 0.05) on the concentration of conjugated dienes in the eggs. The diets containing DBP showed a potential antioxidant effect, reducing the degree of lipid oxidation in egg yolk. However, no beneficial effects were observed on performance and egg quality.     

Arrangement of cortical microtubules in compression wood tracheids of Taxus cuspidata visualized by confocal laser microscopy

Cortical microtubules (MTs) in differentiating compression wood tracheids of Taxus cuspidata stems were visualized by confocal laser microscopy. They were oriented obliquely at an angle of about 45° to the tracheid axis during formation of the secondary wall. Artificial inclination altered the pattern of alignment of MTs. Banding MTs were helically oriented late during the formation of the secondary walls. These results indicate that MTs might control the orientation and localized deposition of cellulose microfibrils in the secondary walls of compression wood tracheids.Part of this report was presented at the 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kumamoto, April 1996     

Genetic variation in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) germplasm from Pakistan using morphological traits and RAPDs

Genetic diversity of 30 radish (Raphanus sativus L.) accessions was investigated at the phenotypic level with morphological characters and at the DNA level using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Thirty-six morpho-physiological traits were recorded from seedling stage to harvest. The 31 primers used generated 202 RAPD bands, of which 158 (78.2%) were polymorphic. Multivariate procedures were used to classify the germplasm on the basis of phenotypic traits and RAPD fragments. Dendrograms were generated for the Euclidean distance from the morphological data and the Nei's genetic distance from the RAPD markers. Phenotypically, all the accessions were classified into four major groups corresponding to the different forms of cultivated radish. The morphological diversity existing within each of these groups suggested that they should be discriminated into the three botanical convarieties, sativusT (large-rooted), caudatus (pod-type) and oleifer (oilseed-type). Clustering of the accessions did not show any pattern of association between the morphological characters and the collection sites. Instead, landrace groups were associated with their morphological similarities and horticultural uses. On the other hand, the intra-specific genetic relationships of several accessions based on RAPD analysis were related primarily to their collection sites rather than to their phenotypic affinities. The level of polymorphism exhibited by the various convarieties could be exploited in genetic mapping populations to tag economically important traits. These genotypes also could serve as a useful germplasm source for root, leaf, pod and seed. This preliminary study of traditional radish landraces from Pakistan provides useful information regarding their horticultural potential.     

Identification of coumarins from lemon fruit (Citrus limon) as inhibitors of in vitro tumor promotion and superoxide and nitric oxide generation.

Three coumarins were isolated as siginificant inhibitors of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells from the peel of lemon fruit. They were identified as 8-geranyloxypsolaren (LE-1), 5-geranyloxypsolaren (bergamottin, LE-2), and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin (LE-3), respectively, by spectroscopic analysis. Three isolates had no potential O(2)-scavenging and markedly suppressed TPA-induced superoxide (O(2)(-)) generation in differentiated human promyelocytic HL-60 cells. Furthermore, LE-1 and LE-3 reduced both lypopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Similarly, they were found to be NO generation inhibitors rather than scavengers by measuring the extracellular L-citrulline levels. The occurrence of these coumarins in a lemon fruit was abundant in the flavedo of the peel based on quantitative analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The present study suggests that the coumarins in lemon fruit are promising chemopreventive agents by inhibiting radical generation.     

Cloning and mapping of three pig acyl-CoA dehydrogenase genes.

To investigate the structure of porcine genes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acid, we isolated the short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) genes from the pig. The cDNA of SCAD, MCAD and LCAD genes were 1899 bp, 1835 bp 1835 bp and 1704 bp long and coded for 413-aa, 422-aa and 430-aa precursor proteins, respectively. Three genes, SCAD, MCAD and LCAD were mapped to 14p16.2-23.2, 6q32.4-33, and 15q24.2-26.3, respectively.     

A transdisciplinary research of coastal fisheries co-management: the case of the hairtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus japonicus</Emphasis> trolling line fishery around the Bungo Channel,Japan

Under the coastal fisheries co-management regime in Japan, local fishers play important roles in deciding on and implementing local management measures. Therefore, using the case study of a hairtail trolling line fishery, we conducted a transdisciplinary research with fishers, processors, government officers, etc. Taking social and biological factors into account, we defined management criteria and targets (resource, economic, human community, and local food culture) in collaboration with local fishers. We chartered local fishing vessels to determine parameters that were easily understood by local fishers. We established a local consultative committee comprising fishers, processors, and distributors, and developed a fish distribution strategy to nurture the local hairtail food culture. The integrated effects of various management scenarios were evaluated by the operating model. We found that co-ordinated management by both the trolling line fishery and purse seiners in the neighbouring prefecture was required to achieve targets. Two realistic scenarios are recommended: a conservative scenario that could achieve targets even with few strong year classes, and an adaptive scenario that protects strong year classes, but relies on a higher frequency of these. We shared these results with the local fishers and government officers, which led to actual improvements in management measures.     

Conservation of small hairtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus japonicas</Emphasis> by using hooks with large artificial bait: effect on the trolling line fishery

Overfishing has reduced the stock of hairtail Trichiurus japonicus around the Bungo Channel, Japan. To determine whether using larger bait in the trolling line fishery could avoid catching small/undersize hairtail, we developed and trialled a new large artificial bait (a soft plastic bait, 6 inches long). A traditional lure with natural bait (type-1), a new lure of the new artificial bait hook without natural bait (type-2), and a new lure with natural bait (type-3) were tested in fishing operations around the Bungo Channel. Compared with type-1, type-2 and type-3 caught fewer undersized and immature female individuals. The number of fish caught, yield, and composition of commercial size grades per recruitment were calculated from field data for each lure and compared. The catch sizes (number of fish per recruitment) were smaller for type-2 and type-3 than for type-1, but yield per recruitment was higher for type-3 than for type-1. Compared with type-1, type-2 and type-3 caught more large individuals, which are more valuable. The newly developed artificial bait conserves hairtail stocks by targeting larger fish, which is economically beneficial for the hairtail trolling line fishery.