The effect of isoprothiolane on the emergence of infection pegs from appressoria of Pyricularia oryzae

The effect of isoprothiolane^a (di-isopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidenemalonate), a systemic fungicide used for rice blast control, on the infection process of Pyriculuria oryzae was studied by micromanipulation in a scanning electron microscope. Whether or not infection pegs emerged from the appressoria was examined by inverting each appressorium contact surface. Infection pegs were observed on more than 80% of the appressoria, 48 h after inoculation, on both untreated rice leaves and cellophane film. Isoprothiolane, approximately 10 μg ml^?1 in the ambient water of inoculated conidia, reduced the emergence of infection pegs on rice leaves and cellophane film by 96 and 100%, respectively.     

Improvement of a rapid diagnosis kit to detect either influenza A or B virus infections

To improve the sensitivity of a kit, ESPLINE INFLUENZA A&B for rapid diagnosis of influenza by detecting influenza A or B virus specific nucleoproteins (NP), the ESPLINE INFLUENZA A&B-N was developed by using newly established monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the respective NP molecule. MAbs FVA2-11 and FrB1-03 recognize the epitope on the amino acid region 59-130aa of the NP molecule of influenza A virus, and that on the region 72-191aa of the NP of influenza B virus, respectively. The new kit detected influenza A and B virus antigens with a detection limit of 10(2.0)-10 (2.7) pfu/test, which is 4-1000 times higher than that of the original kit. Importantly, this kit detected each of influenza A viruses of the known hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes (H1-H15) including the H5N1 viruses recently isolated from human and avian sources in Asia. The kit also detected all of the 15 representative influenza B virus strains tested. The ESPLINE INFLUENZA A&B-N is thus a rapid and highly sensitive and specific kit for the diagnosis of either influenza A or B virus infections.     

Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in melon landraces (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">melo</Emphasis> L.) from Myanmar and their relationship with melon germplasm from East and South Asia

Genetic diversity of Myanmar melon was evaluated by analysis of 27 RAPD markers and morphological characters using 41 accessions of melon landraces of which 36 accessions were small-seed type. The gene diversity was 0.239, higher than for group Conomon from East Asia and equivalent to Indian melon populations. Melon accessions were classified into six major clusters. The largest cluster IV comprised mainly group Conomon which was closely related to cluster V consisting of mainly group Agrestis. Most of the accessions of group Cantalupensis were grouped into clusters II or VII and were distantly related to groups Conomon and Agrestis. The genetic relationship to melon accessions from neighboring countries was analyzed. The 24 accessions of clusters IV and V were mostly clustered together with small-seed type melon of India, but the 14 accessions of clusters VI and VII were mostly clustered together with large-seed type melon of India. These results indicated that the genetic diversity of Indian melon is conserved in Myanmar. Genetic introgression among melon groups through spontaneous hybridization was also indicated and was considered important to maintain or increase the genetic diversity in Myanmar.     

Antigen-binding and protein G-binding abilities of immunoglobulin G in hyperimmunized cow's milk treated under various conditions

Skim milk and whey prepared from milk secreted by cows that had been injected with bacteria were kept under various conditions, and the antigen‐binding and protein G‐binding abilities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the milk samples were investigated. More than 85% of the original antigen‐binding and protein G‐binding abilities remained when the skim milk was heated at 63°C for 60 min or kept at a pH range of 4–10 for 24 h at 37°C. Both of the high abilities were maintained on pepsin treatment above pH 4 and intestinal proteinase treatments. Little antigen‐binding and protein G‐binding abilities decreased upon storage of the powdered skim milk for 12 months at room temperature. In contrast, at least half, and more than 70% of their respective abilities, were lost upon incubation at pH 2 in the absence and presence of pepsin, respectively, for 1 h at 37°C. These results suggest that most of the biological activities of the Fab‐region and Fc‐region of bovine milk IgG can be maintained during processing or storage, and both of the inactivation degrees mainly depend on the stomach condition after oral ingestion of the IgG preparation.     

Slip systems in MgSiO3 post-perovskite: implications for D' anisotropy

Understanding deformation of mineral phases in the lowermost mantle is important for interpreting seismic anisotropy in Earth's interior. Recently, there has been considerable controversy regarding deformation-induced slip in MgSiO(3) post-perovskite. Here, we observe that (001) lattice planes are oriented at high angles to the compression direction immediately after transformation and before deformation. Upon compression from 148 gigapascals (GPa) to 185 GPa, this preferred orientation more than doubles in strength, implying slip on (001) lattice planes. This contrasts with a previous experiment that recorded preferred orientation likely generated during the phase transformation rather than deformation. If we use our results to model deformation and anisotropy development in the D' region of the lower mantle, shear-wave splitting (characterized by fast horizontally polarized shear waves) is consistent with seismic observations.     

Identification of a high-affinity binding site for dinotefuran in the nerve cord of the American cockroach

The binding of the neonicotinoid insecticide dinotefuran to insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was examined by a centrifugation method using the nerve cord membranes of American cockroaches and [3H]dinotefuran (78 Ci mmol-1). The Kd and Bmax values of [3H]dinotefuran binding were estimated to be 13.7 nM and 14.8 fmol 40 microg-1 protein respectively by Scatchard analysis. Epibatidine, an nAChR agonist, showed a rather lower affinity to the dinotefuran binding site (IC50=991 nM) than dinotefuran (IC50=5.02 nM). Imidacloprid and nereistoxin displayed lower potencies than dinotefuran but higher potencies than epibatidine. The potencies of five dinotefuran analogues in inhibiting the specific binding of [3H]dinotefuran to nerve cord membranes were determined. A good correlation (r2=0.970) was observed between the -log IC50 values of the tested compounds and their piperonyl butoxide-synergised insecticidal activities (-log LD50 values) against German cockroaches. The results indicate that a high-affinity binding site for dinotefuran is present in the nerve cord of the American cockroach and that the binding of ligands to the site leads to the manifestation of insecticidal activity.     

Determining competitive nitrate and chloride adsorption in an andisol by the unsaturated transient flow method

Abstract

Activated sludge from a sewage disposal plant was labeled with ¹⁵N in the laboratory. The labeled sludge (dewatered cake) was then incubated under aerobic conditions for 30 days with four kinds of cultivated soils: volcanic ash soil, red-yellow soil, paddy soil, and sandy dune soil. The nitrogen mineralization of the soil organic matter was remarkable only in the case of the paddy soil. In this soil, a priming effect caused by the addition of the sludge was observed. After 30 days of incubation, the ¹⁵N organic fractions remaining in the red-yellow soil were determined. It was found that the amino acid and the unidentified fractions in the hydrolyzable nitrogen forms of the sludge contributed mainly to the amount of nitrogen mineralized. Finally, using sludges which originated from the same organic matter source, the lnftuence of a generally-used inorganic coagulator Oime and ferric chloride) of sludge on the nitrogen cycle was clarified. This coagulator caused a reduction in the amount of inorpnic nitrogen mineralized in the soil and also accelerated the nitrification process.     

Contrast-enhanced CT features of pyloric lesions in 17 dogs: Case series

Pyloric outflow obstructions can be caused by several types of lesions. When a thickened gastric wall and pyloric mass are detected, malignant neoplasia must be differentiated from chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy. CT can characterize gastric tumors. However, based on the authors’ review of the literature, there is limited information about the CT findings of pyloric lesions. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to assess the CT findings of canine pyloric lesions. The following CT parameters were recorded: anatomical area, involved area, lesion shape, growth patterns of wall thickening lesions, enhancement pattern of the lesion in the early and delayed phases, lymphomegaly, and pulmonary metastasis. Seventeen dogs were included in this study and had the following final diagnoses: hyperplasia (five dogs), adenoma (five dogs), adenocarcinoma (three dogs), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST; two dogs), polyposis (one dog), and pyogenic granuloma (one dog). Hyperplasia, adenoma, and polyposis formed mass lesions that involved the mucosal layer. Lymphomegaly was detected in two Jack Russell terriers with hyperplasia; however, the causes were unknown because we did not perform biopsies. All adenocarcinomas formed wall-thickened lesion that involved the outer layer, with lymphomegaly. All GISTs formed mass lesion that involved the outer layer. The pyogenic granulomas formed symmetric wall-thickened lesion that involved the mucosal and outer layers. CT facilitated the characterization of canine pyloric lesions using contrast enhancement, based on the involved area and lesion shape. However, polyposis may require caution in diagnosis based on CT findings alone.     

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) in a dog with the extradural lesion

A two-year-old dog having presented with neurological signs showed marked leukocytosis and appearance of blast cells in the peripheral blood. Hematological and bone marrow examination showed an increase in blasts having both myeloid and monocytic cells characteristics. The dog was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) on the basis of bone marrow findings. Although the dog was treated with a multi-combination chemotherapy, the neurological abnormalities progressed and the dog was euthanized. Myelographic examination and necropsy revealed the extradural lesion formed by AML-M4 around the cervical spinal cord and this lesion was considered as a cause of the neurological signs.