Glomerular filtration rate in cows estimated by a prediction formula

To testify the relevance of Jacobsson's equation for estimating bovine glomerular filtration rate (GFR), we prepared an integrated formula based on its equation using clinically healthy dairy (n = 99) and beef (n = 63) cows, and cows with reduced renal function (n = 15). The isotonic, nonionic, contrast medium iodixanol was utilized as a test tracer. The GFR values estimated from the integrated formula were well consistent with those from the standard multisample method in each cow strain, and the Holstein equation prepared by a single blood sample in Holstein dairy cows. The basal reference GFR value in healthy dairy cows was significantly higher than that in healthy beef cows, presumably due to a breed difference or physiological state difference. It is concluded that the validity for the application of Jacobsson's equation to estimate bovine GFR is proven and it can be used in bovine practices.     

Origin of Race 3 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici at a Single Site in California

ABSTRACT Thirty-nine isolates of Fusarium oxysporum were collected from tomato plants displaying wilt symptoms in a field in California 2 years after F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 was first observed at that location. These and other isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were characterized by pathogenicity, race, and vegetative compatibility group (VCG). Of the 39 California isolates, 22 were in VCG 0030, 11 in VCG 0031, and six in the newly described VCG 0035. Among the isolates in VCG 0030, 13 were race 3, and nine were race 2. Of the isolates in VCG 0031, seven were race 2, one was race 1, and three were nonpathogenic to tomato. All six isolates in VCG 0035 were race 2. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and sequencing of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of rDNA identified five IGS RFLP haplotypes, which coincided with VCGs, among 60 isolates of F. oxysporum from tomato. Five race 3 isolates from California were of the same genomic DNA RFLP haplotype as a race 2 isolate from the same location, and all 13 race 3 isolates clustered together into a subgroup in the neighbor joining tree. Collective evidence suggests that race 3 in California originated from the local race 2 population.     

Estimation of beef marbling in the Longissimus muscle with computer image analysis of ultrasonic pictures of the Iliocostalis muscle area

This study investigated an objective method for estimating beef marbling using ultrasonic images of the Iliocostalis muscle and the Lomgissimus muscle area sections. Thirty‐one Japanese Black cattle steers were used in this study. The end of the left side shoulder blade bone was scanned using an ultrasonic device. Ultrasonic images were captured of the Longissimus muscle area and that around the Iliocostalis muscle area. Twenty items were measured in the two images using computer image analysis software. The level of beef marbling was measured according to the Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) for carcass grading, and the percentage of ether‐extractable fat content in the Longissimus muscle (EE). The difference in the gray level between the Iliocostalis muscle and intermuscular fat (X10) was used to estimate the BMS and the EE, which were highly correlated (r² = 67.72% and 61.30%). An equation was developed using four parameters from the two ultrasonic images, which could estimate the BMS (r² = 85.88%). This equation could also estimate the EE (r² = 68.98%). The equations used to estimate beef marbling were based on one to four parameters that included X10. Thus, ultrasonic images of the Iliocostalis muscle area section are important for estimating beef marbling.     

Genetic characterization and susceptibility on poultry and mammal of H7N6 subtype avian influenza virus isolated in Japan in 2009

From February to March 2009, six strains of H7N6 subtype avian influenza virus were isolated from quails in three farms in Aichi prefecture in Japan. The isolates were shown to be low pathogenic for chicken by the examination performed using the "Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines" by World organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The deduced amino acid sequence at the cleavage site was PE (I/Q/L) PKRR (nucleotide sequences were cct gaa (a/c) (t/a) a cc (a/g) aaa aga aga), suggesting persistence in domestic poultry for some time. The direct putative ancestor strain could not be elucidated by phylogenetic analysis of all genome segments of the quail isolates. Diverged date from a putative common ancestor in a non-rooted phylogenetic tree among quail viruses was estimated between March 2002 and July 2004. Three putative N-linked glycosylation sites resided in the vicinity of the receptor binding pocket of HA1 region. They are considered to decrease the reactivity of neutralizing antibody against the virus. Experiments for the infectivity and pathogenicity of a quail strain to poultry indicated that the quail isolate had higher infectivity to quails than chickens and ducks. Direct and dust-borne and/or droplet-borne transmissions among quail were proven in quails with and without direct contact with experimentally infected quails. The virus is seldom transmitted among chickens either directly or indirectly, and indirect transmission from infected quails to chickens was not observed. The pathogenicity of the quail strain for mammalian, pig and mouse was low, although it could replicate in those animals.     

Association between the planktonic larval and benthic stages of Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> in eastern Hokkaido,Japan

The association between planktonic larval and benthic stages of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum and factors determining successful recruitment were studied in Akkeshi-ko estuary and Akkeshi Bay, Hokkaido, northern Japan. The field study showed that planktonic larvae were localized mainly in the bay after dispersal from the estuary and recruitment to the estuarine fishing grounds was not always successful. A numerical analysis suggested that estuarine circulation transported tracers, used to simulate planktonic larva, from the estuary to the bay but the number of returning tracers varied depending on the river discharge and wind direction. The planktonic larvae were affected by unsuitable conditions for survival in the estuary, such as high turbidity. We conclude that most larvae develop within the bay, where conditions are more saline and less turbid, and that although return to the estuary is essential for recruitment, it is not necessarily related to the abundance of larvae.     

Changes in concentrations of plasma metabolites and insulin-like growth factor-1 after feeding in Japanese Black and Japanese Shorthorn cattle

The aim was to characterize the changes of plasma component concentrations after feeding in Japanese Black (B) and Japanese Shorthorn (S) cattle. Eight females, five B and three S, with a mean bodyweight (standard deviation) of 282.0 (20.3) kg were selected and supplied with only water for 28 h after feeding. Blood was taken from the jugular vein at 4‐h intervals for 32 h after feeding. Metabolite (cholesterol, CL; glucose, GLU; nonesterified fatty acid, NEFA; triacylglycerol, TG; total protein, TP) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations in plasma were measured. In both breeds GLU tended to decrease linearly with a similar slope. Differences between the initial mean NEFA at 4 h after feeding (Start) and that at 24 h after the start (End) were significant in both breeds, but S increased significantly more than B at and after 8 h from the Start. The TG in S tended to change more than in B, and CL and IGF‐1 in both breeds changed continuously at similar levels. The TP in B tended to decrease more slowly and be lower than S. The change in NEFA, especially, suggests that nutritional status sensitively reflects genetic background.     

Analysis of genetic relations between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Broad bean wilt virus 1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Broad bean wilt virus 2</Emphasis>

We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of RNA-1 and the 5-terminal region of RNA-2 from Broad bean wilt virus 1 (BBWV-1) isolate PV132. This report is the first analysis of the genome organization of BBWV-1. We also determined the complete nucleotide sequence of RNA-1 from Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2) isolate IP and analyzed the genetic relations between BBWV-1 and BBWV-2. Similar to the BBWV-2 isolates, both RNAs of PV132 encoded a single large polyprotein, which was predicted to contain some functional proteins in a manner similar to those of comovirus. With respect to the deduced amino acid sequences of the mature proteins, PV132 and IP had only 20%–40% homology to comovirus. On the other hand, IP was 73%–98% homologous to BBWV-2 isolates, but PV132 was 39%–67% homologous to the isolates. Although the extent of the homologies differed, the homologies were limited between BBWV-1 and BBWV-2 not only for the coat protein but also for the other proteins. These results clearly support the placement of BBWV-1 and BBWV-2 in the genus Fabavirus as distinct species, proposed on the basis of double immunodiffusion tests.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under the accession numbers AB084450 (RNA-1 of isolate PV132), AB084451 (RNA-2 of isolate PV132), and AB023484 (RNA-1 of isolate IP)