Rheological properties of fast skeletal myosin rod and light meromyosin from walleye pollack and white croaker: contribution of myosin fragments to thermal gel formation

Myosin rod and light meromyosin (LMM) of walleye pollack and white croaker were examined for their rheological properties by measuring dynamic viscoelastic parameters. Rods from walleye pollack and white croaker increased their storage moduli (G') in the ranges of 29-43 degrees C and 31-38 degrees C, respectively, in temperature sweep analysis. Walleye pollack LMM showed no peak of G' upon heating, whereas the white croaker counterpart exhibited a single sharp peak of G' at 35 degrees C. Loss modulus (G") showed similar temperature-dependent changes for the two fish species as the case of G', irrespective of rod and LMM, although G" values were lower than those of G'. Thus, rheological properties of rod and LMM were different between walleye pollack and white croaker. Taken together with data previously reported for myosin, it was considered that both myosin rods from walleye pollack and white croaker are attributed to thermal gel formation of myosin in a low-temperature range, though in a species-specific manner.     

Evaluation of inbreeding and genetic diversity in Japanese Shorthorn cattle by pedigree analysis

The Japanese Shorthorn is a Japanese Wagyu breed maintained at a small population size. We assessed the degree of inbreeding and genetic diversity among Japanese Shorthorn cattle using pedigree analysis. We analyzed the pedigree records of registered Japanese Shorthorn born between 1980 and 2018, after evaluating the pedigree completeness. The average of the actual inbreeding coefficients increased at the same rates annually from approximately 1.5% in 1980 to 4.2% in 2018 and was higher than the expected inbreeding coefficients over time. The effective population size based on the individual coancestry rate largely decreased from 127.8 in 1980 to 82.6 in 1999, and then remained almost constant at approximately 90. Three effective numbers of ancestors decreased over time until 1995, then remained almost constant. In particular, the effective number of founder genomes (N_ge) decreased from 43.8 in 1980 to 11.9 in 2018. The index of genetic diversity based on N_ge decreased from 0.99 in 1980 to 0.96 in 2018 due to genetic drift in non-founder generations. Changes in inbreeding and genetic diversity parameters were similar between Japanese Shorthorn and other Japanese Wagyu breeds, but the magnitude of the changes was lower in the Japanese Shorthorn.     

Carbonization of bamboo and consecutive low temperature air activation

Raw moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) was examined to optimize the carbonization and the consecutive air activation procedure. Influence of sample size, nitrogen flow rate, heating rate and final temperature on the carbon yield and the pore structure was investigated for the raw bamboo. The short length cutting along bamboo trunk and the increase in heating rate to 40°C/min and nitrogen flow rate up to 500 ml/min was found to be advantageous for the carbonization of raw bamboo at 500°C, resulting in a surface area of 230 m²/g with a bamboo char yield of 25% on dry base. In the next step, effects of air treatment temperature, ash content and its composition on the pore development were studied for the prepared bamboo char in comparison with coconut shell char. Additional increase in surface area by 200 m²/g with 97% yield could be achieved conducting the 2-hour air treatment at 280°C for the bamboo char, whereas only a 100 m²/g rise in surface area was attained for the coconut shell char, partly due to the difference in K₂CO₃ content in the char.     

Interactive effects of salinity and complete fishmeal replacement on growth,food consumption,and gene expression of hepatic IGF‐I,IGF‐II and growth hormone receptors in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted using Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) to evaluate the interactive effects of fishmeal replacement and salinity on growth, feed utilization efficiencies and relative expression of growth related genes. Two iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic diets were prepared (32% protein). The control diet included 15% fishmeal (FM diet) and fishmeal component in non‐fishmeal diet (NFM) was eliminated by a mixture of poultry by‐product meal, high protein distillers dried grains and distillers dried grains with soluble. The NFM diet was supplemented with DL‐methionine and L‐lysine. Duplicated group of fish with initial mean weight of 6 g, reared in four salinity levels (0, 4, 8 and 12 g/L) were fed one of the two diets twice a day to near satiety. At the end of the experiment, growth, feed utilization efficiency and expression of growth related genes were compared. The specific growth rate (SGR), mean feed intake (MFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected by the diets while salinity effects were significant. The fish in the 4 g/L salinity showed the highest SGR and MFI while fish in the 0 g/L treatment showed the lowest FCR. Relative expression of hepatic IGF‐I and IGF‐II was regulated by salinity but not by the diet. Expression of growth hormone receptor gene was not affected by either diet or salinity. The present findings provide evidence for the possibility of total fishmeal replacement in saline waters (0–12 g/L) without compromising growth, feed utilization and body composition of Nile tilapia.     

Distribution patterns of settlement-stage juveniles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Girella punctata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Girella leonina</Emphasis> on the rocky coast of the Kanto–Izu region,Japan

The early life history of girellid fishes in Japanese waters is unclear, and little is known about their species-specific reproductive strategies. We examined seasonal changes of distribution patterns for settlement-stage juveniles of Girella punctata and Girella leonina on the rocky shore in the regions of Kanto and Izu, Japan, to infer the influence of the Kuroshio Current on their reproduction. We collected 813 settlement-stage juveniles mainly in Sagami Bay and genetically identified the species. The juveniles of G. punctata were collected on the rocky shore in Sagami Bay during April to August, with the abundant catch in May and June. Thus, we infer that juvenile G. punctata ubiquitously inhabit the rocky shore in the area in spring and summer. By contrast, juveniles of G. leonina were rarely collected in Sagami Bay, with a total catch of only 66. Notably, no juveniles were collected during the wintertime in Sagami Bay, although an abundant catch of G. leonina had been previously reported for Sagami Nada off Sagami Bay during January to March. This clear-cut difference between the areas likely reflects the difference in proximity to the path of the Kuroshio Current. We expect that the Kuroshio Current strongly influences the reproductive success of G. leonina.     

Improved control of black rot of broccoli caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas campestris</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">campestris</Emphasis> using a bacteriophage and a nonpathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas</Emphasis> sp. strain

We examined the potential for biological control of black rot of broccoli, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), using nonpathogenic Xanthomonas sp. strain 11-100-01 (npX) mixed with bacteriophage XcpSFC211 (pXS). Inoculation of intact broccoli plants in greenhouse trials with either npX or pXS did not control black rot. After injured plant inoculation, however, npX alone or npX with pXS significantly controlled black rot. When a mixed suspension of npX with pXS was placed on a membrane filter, then washed with distilled water and air-dried, a substantial amount of pXS adsorbed to the surface of npX. In a field trial, broccoli plants were sprayed with a suspension of npX with pXS, then inoculated with Xcc. A meta-analysis of the results from five field trials showed an integrated risk ratio (IRR, the ratio of disease incidence in inoculated broccoli plants to the incidence in control plants) of 0.69 after treatment with only npX and 0.59 with npX with pXS, indicating that black rot incidence was significantly reduced by each treatment. The difference between these two treatments was also significant. IRR was 1.24 when comparing suppression by npX with pXS and that by basic copper sulfate wettable powder; thus, their control was comparable. The combination of npX with pXS improved the preventive effect against black rot. This is the first report describing that a nonpathogenic Xanthomonas sp. strain mixed with a bacteriophage effectively controlled black rot of broccoli in field trials.     

Efficacy of phosphonate in controlling white powdery rot of fig caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora palmivora</Emphasis>

Pre- and post-infection activities of phosphonate and fungicides (azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, cyazofamid, copper hydroxide, and copper sulfate) against white powdery rot on fig leaves caused by Phytophthora palmivora were determined. Phosphonate and fungicides were applied at 3, 7, or 14 days before inoculation and 16, 24, or 40 h after inoculation. Phosphonate and four fungicides (except for chlorothalonil) had protectant activity for up to 14 days before inoculation. Protectant activity between phosphonate and the four fungicides did not differ significantly. These fungicides did not have a curative activity, whereas only phosphonate had a curative activity when applied 16 h after inoculation. The pre-infection activity of phosphonate was determined in fig fields. Phosphonate provided excellent protectant activity, and its activity did not differ significantly from that of the copper fungicides. The activity of phosphonate in the life cycle of P. palmivora was compared with that of the five fungicides. Half-maximal effective concentration of the inhibition of mycelial growth was low for phosphonate, chlorothalonil, and the two copper fungicides. Mycelial growth was least affected by azoxystrobin and cyazofamid, but n-propyl gallate, an alternative oxidase inhibitor, in combination with these fungicides, significantly inhibited mycelial growth. Sporangium formation was sensitive to all compounds. Germination of encysted zoospores was sensitive to azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, and chlorothalonil and least sensitive to phosphonate and the two copper fungicides. The activity of phosphonate on mycelial growth and sporulation of P. palmivora suggests it has potential for controlling the disease.     

Effects of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesion‐selected Landrace pigs on MPS resistance and immune competence in three‐way crossbred pigs

To clarify the genetic influence of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) lesion‐selected Landrace (La) on MPS resistance and immune characteristics in three‐way crossbred pigs (LaWaDa), the LaWaDa pigs were compared with the non‐selected crossbred (LbWbDb) and purebred (La) pigs. The MPS lesion score in the three lines was as follows: La line < LaWaDa line < LbWbDb line, with significant differences among the lines. The proportions of myeloid cells and T cells were lower and higher, respectively, in the LaWaDa pigs compared with those in the other two lines. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, transforming growth factor‐β, and interferon‐γ in peripheral blood was significantly increased after vaccination in the La and LaWaDa lines. IL‐4 mRNA expression in the LaWaDa line was intermediate to the La and LbWbDb lines. Furthermore, principal component analysis for immune traits and MPS lesions was executed to clarify the characteristics of each pig line. These findings suggest that the immune responses in the three pig lines are genetically distinct and that MPS resistance and some immunity characteristics from the La line were transmitted to the three‐way crossbred pigs.     

Correlations between mitochondrial respiration activity and residual feed intake after divergent genetic selection for high‐ and low‐ oxygen consumption in mice

The aims of the present study were to identify the differences between two mouse lines (high (H)‐ and low (L)‐oxygen consumption) in terms of mitochondrial respiratory activity when GMP (glutamate, malate, and pyruvate) and succinic acid are used as substrates and to examine the relationship between mitochondrial respiration activity and feed efficiency in both lines. The average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake (RFI) were significantly higher in the H than the L line. The correlation between FCR and RFI was significant (r = 0.60, p < 0.05). RFI was effective as an indicator of feed efficiency. When succinic acid was used as a substrate, mitochondrial respiration states 2–4, ACR, and proton leak were significantly higher in the H than the L line. When GMP was used as a substrate, respiration states 3 and 4 in the H line were significantly higher than those in the L line, and there were significant positive correlations between FCR and RFI and mitochondrial respiration states 2–4. The results indicated that selection for high or low OC changed the basal metabolic rates estimated from liver mitochondrial respiration activity and feed efficiency.