Apparent digestibilities of diets based on timothy and Italian ryegrass hay harvested in different regions in Japan fed to exercising Thoroughbreds

The apparent digestibility of diets based on timothy hay harvested in Hidaka in Hokkaido (HT) and Italian ryegrass hay harvested in Miyazaki in Kyushu (MI) were compared in Thoroughbreds undergoing exercise. The nitrogen retention and plasma‐free amino acid (AA) concentrations were also examined to evaluate the quality of the protein contained in the two types of hay. Four male Thoroughbreds (aged 34.4 ± 0.9 months (mean ± standard deviation) and weighing 506.3 ± 30.4 kg) undergoing exercise training at 80% of maximal heart rate were used for the study, and the apparent digestibility of the diets based on HT and MI was assessed. The net nitrogen balance was also measured by subtracting the amount of nitrogen excreted in the feces and urine from the total nitrogen intake. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter, energy, neutral detergent fiber and ether extract were all higher in the MI group than in the HT group (P < 0.05). The larger energy digestibility in the MI group (56.8 ± 3.3%) compared with that in the HT group (51.6 ± 2.4%) was attributed to the relatively easy digestibility of hemicellulose. The net nitrogen balance and plasma AA concentrations did not differ significantly between the two forage groups. We concluded that the nutritive value of MI is adequate for exercising horses, even though the timothy and Italian ryegrass used in this study were second cuttings, and their nutrient values were not easily comparable.     

Marker-Assisted Introgression of Quantitative Resistance Gene pi21 Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance to Rice Blast

The quantitative resistance gene pi21 from Sensho was introgressed to an indica breeding line IR63307-4B-13-2, a pyramiding line IRBB4/5/13/21, and a tropical japonica line Kinandang Patong by marker-assisted backcrossing. A total of 192 improved lines at the BC_4F_3 and BC_4F_4 generations were developed and confirmed to have the gene introgression via genotyping using a pi21-specific In Del marker. Thirteen randomly selected improved lines, representing all the three genetic backgrounds, demonstrated resistance against leaf blast composites in the field and a broader spectrum resistance against individual isolates compared to the recurrent parents in the glasshouse. Specifically, the tested lines exhibited pi21-acquired resistance against 11 leaf blast isolates that elicited susceptible reactions from the recurrent parents. All the tested lines maintained a comparative heading date, and similar or improved panicle length, number of primary branches per panicle and number of total grains per panicle relative to the recurrent parents. The physical grain characteristics of the recurrent parents were also maintained in the 13 lines tested, although variability in the amylose content and chalkiness degree was observed. The successful marker-assisted introgression of pi21 in diverse genetic backgrounds and the resulting broader spectrum resistance of improved lines against leaf blast indicate the potential of pi21 for deployment in cultivars grown across other rice growing regions in Asia.     

Forestomach developmental failure in an 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with severely retarded growth and chronic ruminal tympany

This study reports findings from the pathological examination of the forestomach of an 11-month-old Japanese Black steer with severely retarded growth (41% of expected weight) and chronic ruminal tympany. The ruminal papillae were weakly formed (0.3–0.5 cm long) and unevenly distributed. The cellulae and cristae reticuli were underdeveloped; the cristae were 0.4–0.7 cm in height and milky white. The keratinized layer in the stratified squamous epithelium was thickened. Ruminal pH was 5.25, and ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration was 11.7 mM. The steer’s severely retarded growth was considered to be caused by malnutrition due to developmental and functional failure of the forestomach.     

Discrimination between Japanese and Chinese Products using trace elements concentration of kernel in pickled Japanese apricot

pp. 881–889
In order to understand the influences of nitrogen and silicate fertilizer application on anther length and percentage of the sterility of the rice plant, we investigated by field experiment in Hokkaido Kamikawa Agric. Exp. Stn. (Brown Lowland soil) and by air-conditioned room experiment.
  The results are summarized as follows.
1) Application of silicate fertilizer decreased percentage of sterility. Compared with basal application, topdressing of silicate fertilizer was more effective in increasing carbohydrate content and anther length, decreasing percentage of sterility.
2) The anther length was negatively correlated to percentage of sterility and was positively correlated to carbohydrate content in the rice plant. Similar regression curves were plotted between the field experiment and the air-conditioned room experiment.
3) Silicate content in rice plants was increased at the flag leaf stage by applying both basal and topdressing silicate fertilizer. Furthermore, silicate content was correlated to carbohydrate content. Nitrogen content was negatively correlated to carbohydrate content.
4) Protein content in polished rice was decreased by silicate fertilizer application.     

Effect of ovary lipid of Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) on anxious behavior in rats

Ovary lipid of Skipjack tuna (OLS) (Katsuwonus pelamis) contains a high level of docosahexaenoic acid combined with phospholipids. In this study, we examined the effect of OLS in male Wistar rats given OLS mixed in feed (0.9%) for 42 days, using an animal model of anxiety, the elevated T-maze test. The avoidance latency at the 1st trial was significantly shorter in the OLS ingestion group than in the control group. Those at the 2nd and 3rd trials showed a similar tendency. There was almost no difference in escape latency at the 1st trial between the two groups but the escape latencies at the 2nd and 3rd trials tended to be longer in the OLS group. These results suggested that OLS inhibits anxious behavior in rats.     

Expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas oryzae </Emphasis>pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">oryzae hrp</Emphasis> Genes in XOM2, a Novel Synthetic Medium

To analyze the regulation of hrp expression and to detect and identify hrp-dependent secretion proteins of plant-pathogenic bacteria, an appropriate hrp-inducing medium is indispensable. In this study, two efficient hrp-inducing media for Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were designed by assaying the expression of a hrcU (the first gene of the hrpC operon) and a gus (β-glucuronidase) fusion gene. We modified XVM2, which is a hrp-inducing medium for X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, by adding 0.01% xylose in place of fructose and sucrose (0.18 and 0.34%, respectively) as a sugar source. The resulting medium induced approximately 15-fold more GUS activity from transformants containing a hrcU::gus gene than did XVM2. Moreover, a methionine-containing synthetic medium with 0.18% xylose as a sugar source was able to induce much stronger expression of HrcU::GUS, with GUS activity approximately 100-fold greater than that in XVM2. Induction depended on a regulator, HrpXo, and the PIP (plant-inducible-promoter) box, suggesting that HrcU::GUS was expressed in a hrp-dependent manner. The induction of operons hrpA to hrpF in XOM2 was also confirmed. These results suggest that both media, especially XOM2, are highly efficient hrp-inducing media for X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Received 7 October 2002/ Accepted in revised form 22 November 2002     

Effects of rice conservation methods on lactation,blood metabolites,and rumen fermentation in dairy cows

We investigated the effect of rice grain conservation methods on feed intake, milk production, blood metabolites, and rumen fermentation in dairy cows. Raw rice grain was dried before crushing (DRY), ensiled after crushing (ENS‐A), or ensiled before crushing (ENS‐B). Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three dietary treatments comprising ad libitum access to one of three total mixed rations (TMRs; containing DRY, ENS‐A, or ENS‐B at 17% of dietary dry matter) plus a standard allowance of 2.0 kg/day of dairy concentrates. The dietary treatments did not affect the feed intake, milk yield, or milk composition. The selected blood constituents were not influenced by the rice conservation method. The ruminal lactic acid and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and the VFA proportion in the cows were not influenced by the rice conservation method. These results demonstrate that the rice grain conservation method has little impact on lactation performance when cows are fed a TMR containing 17% treated rice grain (dry matter basis).     

A pathological study of the salivary glands of rabid dogs in the Philippines

Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus. While the salivary glands are important as exit and propagation sites for the rabies virus, the mechanisms of rabies excretion remain unclear. Here, we investigated the histopathology of the salivary glands of rabid dogs and analyzed the mechanism of excretion into the oral cavity. Mandibular and parotid glands of 22 rabid dogs and three control dogs were used. Mild to moderate non-suppurative sialadenitis was observed in the mandibular glands of 19 of the 22 dogs, characterized by loss of acinar epithelium and infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic cells. Viral antigens were detected in the mucous acinar epithelium, ganglion neurons and myoepithelium. Acinar epithelium and lymphocytes were positive for anti-caspase-3 antibodies and TUNEL staining. In contrast, no notable findings were observed in the ductal epithelial cells and serous demilune. In the parotid gland, the acinar cells, myoepithelium and ductal epithelium all tested negative. These findings confirmed the path through which the rabies virus descends along the facial nerve after proliferation in the brain to reach the ganglion neurons of the mandibular gland, subsequently traveling to the acinar epithelium via the salivary gland myoepithelium. Furthermore, the observation that nerve endings passing through the myoepithelium were absent from the ductal system suggested that viral proliferation and cytotoxicity could not occur there, ensuring that secretions containing the virus are efficiently excreted into the oral cavity.     

Cardiac ganglioneuroma in a juvenile pig

A cardiac mass (3 × 5 × 3 cm) was detected at the base between the right auricular wall and right vena cava of a slaughtered 6-month-old female mixed-breed pig during a meat inspection. The tumor comprised infiltrative prominent interweaving fascicles of Schwann cells with Verocay bodies. Moreover, the ganglion cells were scattered or aggregated throughout the neoplastic tissue. The ganglion and Schwann cells had neither cellular atypism nor mitosis. On the basis of the bearing site as well as the morphological and immunohistochemical features, this is the first case of a cardiac ganglioneuroma in a pig.