Clarification of adsorption and movement by predicting ammonia nitrogen concentrations in paddy percolation water

We noted that ammonia nitrogen was not adsorbed by the cultivated layers of highly permeable paddy fields during the initial fertilization period, but reached the lower layers relatively early. In our study, we considered an exponential equation from an aqua-environmental perspective with the goal of obtaining good growth of rice plants in order to estimate the concentrations and integrated volume of ammonia nitrogen accompanying paddy percolation. Using this exponential equation, we were able to derive a relation between time and concentrations of paddy percolation water, and hypothesized that if percolation rates were less than 10 mm/day, percolation would have no effect on rice growth, while simultaneously helping to maintain the good water quality of the extra-paddy environment. We also clarified the differences between the potential ammonia nitrogen adsorption volume derived from the CEC value and the integrated amount of ammonia nitrogen water in soil, and considered the causes from the perspectives of solute movement and water movement. Electronic Publication     

Pathology of cutaneous fowlpox with amyloidosis in layer hens inoculated with fowlpox vaccine

Cutaneous fowlpox occurring in vaccinated layer hens was investigated pathologically and microbiologically. Anorexia, decrease of egg production, increased mortality, yellow scabs on faces, and alopecia of feathered skins with yellow scabs were observed in affected hens. Histologically, proliferative and necrotic dermatitis with eosinophilic ring-shaped cytoplasmic inclusions (Bollinger bodies) and clumps of gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus hyicus) were noted in the affected birds. Fowlpox lesions were primarily observed in the feathered skins. Proliferation of feather follicle epidermal cells, with cytoplasmic inclusions and degeneration of the feather, and bacterial clumps in the feather follicles were noted in the affected skins. Ultrastructurally, characteristic fowlpox viral particles were observed in the cytoplasmic inclusions of hyperplastic epidermal cells. Amyloid deposition was observed in the Disse space of the liver, splenic sinus, and lamina propria of the bronchiolar, bronchial, and tracheal areas. Amyloidosis could be one factor inducing the fowlpox infection in vaccinated chickens.     

麦冬块根提取物对稻瘟病菌丝及苗期稻瘟病发生的抑制效果

采用不同浓度来自70%甲醇溶液的麦冬块根提取物对2种产自日本的稻瘟病菌生理小种菌株MAFF305480和MAFF101002的菌丝生长及其接种诱发水稻幼苗稻瘟病发生的抑制效果进行评价。试验表明：含有麦冬块根提取物的原液1/10,1/20,1/40以及1/80浓度都能明显抑制稻瘟病菌小种菌株(MAFF305480和MAFF101002)菌丝生长, 抑制率均56.4%以上, 对接种诱发稻瘟病的水稻幼苗处理发现, 幼苗植株发病级数为明显下降, 抑制率均38.4%以上, 并且都随着处理浓度提高抑制效果明显提高。本研究结果表明,麦冬块根提取物中含有抑制稻瘟病菌生长的化学物质, 并且能直接抑制稻瘟病菌发生和生长。     

A conceptual framework for eco-friendly paddy farming in Taiwan,based on experimentation with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology

This paper reviews the constraints and challenges of paddy farming in Taiwan. Based on those evidences, a set of eco-friendly rice farming practices raised by SRI principles are proposed from exploratory SRI trials conducted in Taiwan. The trials show that even with less exact leveling in the SRI field than is ideally provided, the average yield for SRI was higher than for CP; with an aerobic soil situation, the combination of biocontrol agent application and SRI management was seen to give better rice blast control; and the highest paddy yield was obtained from single-seedling transplants from potted nursery trays which protect the young seedlings’ roots from shock or twisting, compared with the planting of more numerous seedlings grown on flat nursery trays by a mechanical rice transplanter. In conclusion, a conceptual framework for eco-friendly paddy farming is formulated to encourage farmers to practice SRI principles. Among the participants in this collaboration, a co-operating group of SRI farmers is organized under investor sponsorship to guarantee the quality and safety of food, integrating an inspection service and food-source traceability from field to market with the production process. It is seen that in Taiwan, SRI principles can be adopted by local farmers without need for additional premiums through eco-friendly collaboration that can raise simultaneously the productivity of land, capital, and irrigation water. In addition, this collaboration can take advantage of increasing consumer demand for safe food with fewer chemicals and for supporting a greater level of biodiversity.     

Quantitative trait loci for leg weakness traits in a Landrace purebred population

Leg weakness in pigs is a serious problem in the pig industry. We performed a whole genome quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to find QTLs affecting leg weakness traits in the Landrace population. Half-sib progeny ( n  = 522) with five sires were measured for leg weakness traits. Whole genome QTL mapping was performed using a half-sib regression-based method using 190 microsatellite markers. No experiment-wide significant QTLs affecting leg weakness traits were detected. However, at the 5% chromosome-wide level, QTLs affecting leg weakness traits were detected on chromosomes 1, 3, 10 and 11 with QTL effects ranging from 0.07 to 0.11 of the phenotypic variance. At the 1% chromosome-wide level, QTLs affecting rear feet score and total leg score were detected on chromosomes 2 and 3 with QTL effects of 0.11 and 0.13 of the phenotypic variance, respectively. On chromosome 3 and 10, some QTLs found in this study were located at nearby positions. The present study is one of the first reports of QTLs affecting fitness related traits such as leg weakness traits, that segregate within the Landrace population. The study also provides useful information for studying QTLs in purebred populations.     

Molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitic milk on the basis of toxin genes and coagulase gene polymorphisms

A total of 270 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from mastitic milk, were investigated by the polymerase chain reaction for the presence of genes encoding enterotoxins (sea to sej) and a toxic shock syndrome toxin (tst). One hundred eighty three (67.8%) bovine isolates possessed either one or more toxin genes and the most common pattern that coexisted in S. aureus was tst, sec, seg, and sei. Coagulase genotyping revealed 15 patterns, and 161 of the 270 isolates (59.6%) belonged to the coagulase genotype B1. Further, these 161 isolates possessed at least two enterotoxin genes. However, the role of these toxins in udder pathogenicity remains unclear. Moreover, the predominant isolate possessed the enterotoxin genes supporting the theory that superantigenic toxins are important for the udder pathogenesis.     

Decreases in serum apolipoprotein C-III concentration in cows with ethionine-induced fatty liver

To monitor the serum concentration of apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III), one of the functional apoproteins in lipid metabolism, in cows with ethionine-induced fatty liver, and to investigate the association of apoC-III with liver triglyceride (TG) content and serum biochemical variables, seven nonpregnant nonlactating Holstein cows (3 to 6 years old) were used. Five cows were treated with ethionine, an analogue of methionine, (days 0, 7 and 14). The remaining two controls received saline as the vehicle. Liver TG contents in the treated cows were increased markedly whenever administered, and significant increases were observed at days 14 (666.4%, 85.3 mg/g) and 21 (675.0%, 86.4 mg/g) compared with day 0. In controls, no significant changes in liver TG content and serum biochemical variables were observed during this experiment. The serum apoC-III concentration in the treated cows was decreased drastically after the first administration and fell to the lowest value at day 10 (76.2 microg/ml, 32% of day 0). The apoC-III was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with non-esterified fatty acids (r= -0.526), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (r= -0.407), total bilirubin (r= -0.464), positively with apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100, r=0.601) and cholesterol ester (r=0.449). Although apoB-100 concentrations were also reduced by the administrations, the concentrations tended to recover smoothly toward the next administration. The distinct difference in change between apoC-III and apoB-100 suggests that apoC-III may be regulated by other pathways, in addition to inhibiting the synthesis of apoproteins by ethionine.     

Mice cloned by nuclear transfer from somatic and ntES cells derived from the same individuals

The current success rate of cloned mice from adult somatic cell nuclei is very low, whereas it is relatively high for cloned mice from ES cell nuclei. In this experiment, we examined whether the success rate of cloning from somatic cells could be improved via nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (ntES cells) established from somatic cell nuclei. We obtained 11 cloned mice and 68 ntES cell lines from the somatic cell nuclei of 7 mice, and cloned 41 mice were cloned from the ntES cell nuclei. Unexpectedly, the overall success rate of cloning from ntES cell nuclei in this series was no better than when using somatic cell nuclei. Interestingly, full-term cloned mice were produced only via ntES cells from two individuals, but not by direct nuclear transfer from the somatic cells, and vice versa. Ultimately, we were able to obtain clone mice from 6 out of 7 individuals using either somatic cells or ntES cells. Thus, although ntES cells as donor nuclei do not absolutely assure a better success rate for mouse cloning than somatic cells, to preserve and clone valuable individuals, we recommend that ntES cell lines be established. These can then be used as an unlimited source of donor nuclei for nuclear transfer, and thus complement conventional somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning approaches.     

Ultrastructural study of uterine natural killer cells found in pregnant, interleukin-2 receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic mice

We previously reported that all fetuses died or were resorbed on day 12 of pregnancy (Day 1= the day of plug) in interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic (Tg2Rbeta) mice. In this study, to clarify the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in pregnancy, the ultrastructure of Tg2Rbeta mouse uNK cells was analyzed using a transmission electron microscope. uNK cells and their granules on day 10 of pregnancy were larger in Tg2Rbeta mice than control mice, indicating that differentiation of uNK cells in Tg2Rbeta mice progressed rapidly. Additionally, the granules of uNK cells in Tg2Rbeta mice on day 10 of pregnancy had an irregular morphology. The multivesicular regions were present in the cap structure of these granules, suggesting that the uNK cells of the Tg2Rbeta mice had cytotoxic activity.     

Dual-subtype FIV vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV) protection against a heterologous subtype B FIV isolate

Vaccine trials were undertaken to determine whether the Fel-O-Vax FIV, a commercial dual-subtype (subtypes A and D) feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccine, is effective against a subtype B FIV isolate. Current results demonstrate the Fel-O-Vax FIV to be effective against a subtype B virus, a subtype reported to be the most common in the USA.