Association of swine vertnin (VRTN) gene with production traits in Duroc pigs improved using a closed nucleus breeding system

Vertnin (VRTN) is involved in the variation of vertebral number in pigs and it is located on Sus scrofa chromosome 7. Vertebral number is related to body size in pigs, and many reports have suggested presence of an association between body length (BL) and meat production traits. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between the VRTN genotype and the production and body composition traits in purebred Duroc pigs. Intramuscular fat content (IMF) in the Longissimus muscle was significantly associated with the VRTN genotype. The mean IMF of individuals with the wild‐type genotype (Wt/Wt) (5.22%) was greater than that of individuals with the Wt/Q (4.99%) and Q/Q genotypes (4.79%). In addition, a best linear unbiased predictor of multiple traits animal model showed that the Wt allele had a positive effect on the IMF breeding value. No associations were observed between the VRTN genotype and other production traits. The VRTN genotype was related to BL. The Q/Q genotype individuals (100.0 cm) were longer than individuals with the Wt/Q (99.5 cm) and Wt/Wt genotypes (98.9 cm). These results suggest that in addition to the maintenance of an appropriate backfat thickness value, VRTN has the potential to act as a genetic marker of IMF.     

Seismic performance of first floor corner joints of high-rise reinforced concrete frame structure

Crushing risk of corner column will increase substantially due to first floor corner joint shear failure of high-rise reinforced concrete frame structure under bi-directional loading and high axial compressive load caused by earthquake action. Therefore,     

Genetic analysis of ion-beam induced extremely late heading mutants in rice

Two extremely late heading mutants were induced by ion beam irradiation in rice cultivar ‘Taichung 65’: KGM26 and KGM27. The F₂ populations from the cross between the two mutants and Taichung 65 showed clear 3 early: 1 late segregation, suggesting control of late heading by a recessive gene. The genes identified in KGM26 and KGM27 were respectively designated as FLT1 and FLT2. The two genes were mapped using the crosses between the two mutants and an Indica cultivar ‘Kasalath’. FLT1 was located on the distal end of the short arm of chromosome 8. FLT2 was located around the centromere of chromosome 9. FLT1 might share the same locus as EHD3 because their chromosomal location is overlapping. FLT2 is inferred to be a new gene because no gene with a comparable effect to that of this gene was mapped near the centromere of chromosome 9. In crosses with Kasalath, homozygotes of late heading mutant genes showed a large variation of days to heading, suggesting that other genes affected late heading mutant genes.     

Reaction behavior of wood in an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

Reaction of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) in an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim][Cl]), which can dissolve cellulose, was investigated. Although both lignin and polysaccharides such as cellulose and hemicelluloses can be liquefied at a treatment temperature of around 100°C, the liquefaction of polysaccharides mainly occurs at the beginning of the treatment with [C2mim][Cl]. Cellulose crystallinity in the wood was gradually broken down as the treatment continued. The solubilized polymers were depolymerized to low molecular weight compounds. The results indicate that [C2mim][Cl] is an effective solvent and reagent for the liquefaction of wood components and subsequent depolymerization of them. Part of this report was presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tsukuba, April 2008     

Expression profiles of interferon gamma genes in response to immunostimulants and alloantigen in ginbuna crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii

Interferon gamma (IFNγ), a Th1-derived cytokine is one of the key molecules inducing cell-mediated immune responses in mammals. The expression of 2 distinct IFNγ (ifng1 and ifng2) and IFNγrel (ifngrel) genes was examined in kidney leukocytes from clonal ginbuna crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii. The expression of IFNγ and IFNγrel genes was induced in kidney leukocytes by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin in a dose-dependent manner. The expression levels of IFNγ and IFNγrel genes in kidney leukocytes from allo-sensitized fish cocultured with allogeneic cells were higher than those from fish cocultured with isogeneic cells. The highest expression of ifng1 was observed at day 1, whereas that of ifng2 and ifngrel was detected at day 2 after cocultivation with allogeneic cells. However, the expression pattern of ifng2 and ifngrel in kidney leukocytes from allo-sensitized fish by scale-grafting was similar to those from non-sensitized fish. These results indicate that ifng1 is a major isoform of IFNγ related to antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI), and will be a useful marker to evaluate induction of CMI in ginbuna crucian carp. In addition, IFNγ would be a crucial type-II interferon compared to IFNγrel, relevant to cell-mediated immunity in fish as in mammals.     

Concentration of cephalothin in body fluids and tissue samples of Thoroughbred horses

Cephalothin (CET) concentrations in body fluids (plasma, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, and aqueous humor) and tissue samples (bone, lung, jejunum, hoof, and subcutaneous tissue) were investigated to consider the treatment of infectious diseases in horses. CET 22 mg/kg body weight was intravenously administered to 12 horses. Samples were collected from four different horses at 1, 3, and 5 hr after administration. The CET concentration in body fluids other than aqueous humor was maintained above the MIC₉₀ values of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Staphylococcus aureus until 5 hr, but it was not maintained above that of S. aureus in bone. CET (22 mg/kg twice a day) is effective for septic arthritis, pleuritis, and peritonitis caused by gram-positive bacteria but ineffective for osteomyelitis.     

Genetic characterization of rabies viruses isolated from frugivorous bat (Artibeus spp.) in Brazil

In Latin America, rabies cases related to frugivorous bats have been reported since 1930's. Recently, two viruses isolated from Artibeus lituratus were proved to be vampire bat variants by monoclonal antibodies panels [2], but their genetic information is not well known. In this report, four rabies viruses were isolated from frugivorous bats (Artibeus spp.) in Brazil and their nucleoprotein gene sequences were determined. These isolates were found to be genotype 1 of lyssavirus and showed the maximum nucleotide sequence homology of 97.6-99.4% with vampire bat-related viruses in Brazil [6]. These results indicate that the Brazilian frugivorous bat rabies viruses in this study are closely related to vampire bat-related viruses that play a main role in rabies virus transmission to livestock in Brazil.     

Hyperlipemia of captive bottlenose dolphins during pregnancy

In this study values for total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 110 blood samples taken from 360 days pre-partum to 90 days post-partum in ten parturitions of six bottlenose dolphins, and in 75 blood samples when the dolphins were not pregnant as a control group. The average total cholesterol values in the second, third and fourth stages and in the puerperium were significantly higher than the average value of the control group by 11.0%, 30.2%, 19.3% and 13.4% respectively. The average triglycerides values for the third and fourth stages and in the puerperium were also significantly higher than those in the control group by 59.7%, 84.3%, and 42.1% respectively.     

Immune responses against measles virus in cynomolgus monkeys

Measles virus (MV) induces profound suppression of the immune response during and for weeks after acute infection. On the other hand, virus-specific immune responses that mediate viral clearance and confer long-lasting immunity are efficiently generated. To investigate this paradox, we studied the immune responses to MV using a monkey model of acute measles. Cynomolgus monkeys were experimentally infected with wild-type MV (MV-HL) and showed marked leukopenia associated with a steady reduction in CD4+ T cell numbers for 18 days post-inoculation. Transient expression of interferon and IL-6 were observed in the serum between 4 and 6 days post-inoculation, and IL-10 levels increased after 11 days post-inoculation. Interestingly, IL-8 showed a three-peak increase that correlated with an increase in neutrophils. A non-human primate model of measles allows the early immune response against MV to be studied in more detail.     

Relationships between velocities of pulmonary venous flow and plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between velocities of pulmonary venous flow (PVF) and plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 7 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs were anesthetized, intubated, and positioned in left lateral recumbency. Lactated Ringer's solution was infused (200 mL/kg/h) for 60 minutes via a cephalic vein. Transmitral flow and PVF velocities were measured echocardiographically by use of the apical 4-chamber view. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and ANP concentrations were determined. RESULTS: IV infusion significantly increased heart rate and PCWP. Similarly, the ANP concentration significantly increased from baseline (before infusion of lactated Ringer's solution) values. Transmitral flow velocities were significantly increased, although the ratio of velocity of the flow during early ventricular diastole (E wave) to velocity of the atrial flow (A wave; E:A ratio) was unchanged. Regarding the PVF velocities, forward flow during ventricular systole (S wave) and retrograde flow during atrial contraction were significantly increased, whereas velocity of the forward flow during ventricular diastole (D wave) was unchanged. Ratio of the velocity of the S wave to velocity of the D wave was increased significantly, and this ratio was significantly correlated with PCWP or ANP concentration. However, the E:A ratio was not correlated with PCWP or ANP concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PVF velocities were strongly correlated with PCWP and plasma ANP concentration in clinically normal dogs. Therefore, PVF velocities may serve as a sensitive indicator and provide additional information for monitoring acute preloading conditions and estimating atrial filling abnormalities in dogs.