Molecular Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bean yellow mosaic virus </Emphasis>from Vegetatively Propagated Dwarf <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gentiana </Emphasis>Plants

The causative virus (isolate No. 4) of gentian (Gentiana spp.) mosaic, which had been identified previously as Clover yellow vein virus (C1YVV) on the basis of host range and serological reactions, was re-identified as Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) on the basis of the nucleotide sequences of the gene for the coat protein (CP) and the 3′-noncoding region, as well as the predicted amino acid sequence of CP. Received 16 April 2002/ Accepted in revised form 19 June 2002     

A Leafhopper (Hishimonus sellatus) Transmits Phylogenetically Distant Phytoplasmas: Rhus Yellows and Hovenia Witches' Broom Phytoplasma

Phytoplasmas causing a severe decline of three tree species, i.e., Rhus javanica, Hovenia tomentella and Zizyphus jujuba, in Japan were examined for their transmissibility by a leafhopper species Hishimonus sellatus, and for their phylogenetic relatedness. By H. sellatus, Rhus yellows (RhY) phytoplasma was transmissible to white clover and periwinkle seedlings, causing typical symptoms in these plants. Jujube witches' broom (JWB) phytoplasma was also transferred to the host plant, Z. jujuba, by the leafhopper. Because JWB phytoplasma was transmitted to Hovenia tomentella and caused the same symptoms as Hovenia witches' broom (HWB), JWB phytoplasma may be very closely related to HWB phytoplasma. RFLP analysis of the PCR products of 16S rDNA revealed that RhY phytoplasma belongs to the Aster yellows (AY) group, and JWB and HWB phytoplasmas belong to a different group (possibly Elm yellows group). Thus, we found that one species of leafhopper can carry phylogenetically distant phytoplasmas. Received 23 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 29 October 2001     

Congenital cutaneous fibropapillomatosis without evidences of papillomavirus infection in a Holstein-Friesian calf

A male Holstein-Friesian calf was born with multiple, cauliflower-like, pale pink cutaneous masses on the head and limbs. On histopathological examination, the cutaneous masses were diagnosed as congenital cutaneous fibropapillomatosis. Those lesions involved focal proliferation of sebaceous gland in the dermis. There were no histological findings to suggest bovine papillomavirus infection, such as the presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies, large keratohyalin granules, and koilocytosis. Furthermore, papillomaviral antigens and DNA were not detected by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. These results suggested that there was no association between these cutaneous lesions and bovine papillomavirus infection, and the lesions were considered as harmartomatous changes.     

Quantification of relative flying fish paste content in the processed seafood ago-noyaki using real-time PCR

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the 3′-portion of the mitochondrial 16S RNA gene (rDNA) coding sequence was used to determine flying fish paste in ago-noyaki. We quantified the amount of flying fish paste in ago-noyaki samples using flying fish-specific primers (Tobi16SF3/Tobi16SR) and universal primers (Univ16SF2/Univ16SR2). Using real-time PCR of standard ago-noyaki, a standard equation was obtained (y = 1.08x − 3.20; R ² = 0.977). This equation was then used to estimate the relative flying fish paste contents of eight commercially available ago-noyaki and two similar products. These results verified that the ago-noyaki products that had already been labeled with the E-mark deserved this status.     

Similarities and differences in meat consumption patterns in Asia and Pacific-Rim countries

This study investigated consumer behavior towards meat across Asia and Pacific-Rim countries. Mail surveys were undertaken in 1994 and 1995. Data was obtained from 6197 households in Japan, the USA (mainland and Japanese–Americans in Hawaii), Australia, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan and China. The data were mainly analyzed using cluster analysis to determine the distance between each country and to classify countries into groups. Japanese respondents purchased beef more frequently than respondents from other countries. The average amount purchased on each occasion was far more for Australian respondents than for respondents from other countries, while Japanese purchased far less. Respondents in Japan, Korea, China and Australia thought beef was the most expensive meat, whereas lamb was thought to be the most expensive in the remaining countries. Chinese respondents indicated the highest consciousness of price indexes. The level of uneasiness about eating meat indicated by Asian respondents was relatively strong compared with respondents in Hawaii, the USA and Australia. Average ratings (semantic differential scale) on plans for future meat consumption were higher for beef than for other meats in Korea and China, whereas chicken was rated higher in the other countries. From the dendrogram, surveyed countries were classified into three groups: Japan, Taiwan and Korea; Thailand and China; and the USA, Japanese–Americans and Australia. Among them, the first and second clusters merged into a larger cluster, the 'Asian' group.     

Residual activity of clomeprop and its downward movement under laboratory conditions

The relationship between the behavior of clomeprop ([ RS ]-2-[2,4-dichloro- m -tolyloxy]propionanilide) and its residual phytotoxic activity in the soil was investigated in the laboratory with special emphasis on the concentration in the soil water. The phytotoxic activity of clomeprop on radish seedlings ( Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula cv. Akamaruhatsukadaikon), as the test plant, became greater with time after application but the inhibition was different between the two soils, which had different properties. The amount of 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propionic acid (DMPA), a hydrolyzed and active metabolite of clomeprop, in the soil water and total soil increased with time, corresponding to the decrease in the amount of clomeprop under non-water leakage conditions. The residual phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in the soil was more highly correlated with the concentration of DMPA in the soil water than with the amount of DMPA in the total soil. In addition, a leaching column test was conducted with clomeprop and DMPA. The DMPA easily moved downward and the concentration in the soil water in the upper layer decreased with time after application. It is supposed that the downward movement of DMPA was one of the factors influencing the lasting effect of clomeprop in the field.     

Transgenic Pigs with Pancreas-specific Expression of Green Fluorescent Protein

The development and regeneration of the pancreas is of considerable interest because of the role of these processes in pancreatic diseases, such as diabetes. Here, we sought to develop a large animal model in which the pancreatic cell lineage could be tracked. The pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (Pdx1) gene promoter was conjugated to Venus, a green fluorescent protein, and introduced into 370 in vitro-matured porcine oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated gene transfer. These oocytes were transferred into four recipient gilts, all of which became pregnant. Three gilts were sacrificed at 47–65 days of gestation, and the fourth was allowed to farrow. Seven of 16 fetuses obtained were transgenic (Tg) and exhibited pancreas-specific green fluorescence. The fourth recipient gilt produced a litter of six piglets, two of which were Tg. The founder Tg offspring matured normally and produced healthy first-generation (G1) progeny. A postweaning autopsy of four 27-day-old G1 Tg piglets confirmed the pancreas-specific Venus expression. Immunostaining of the pancreatic tissue indicated the transgene was expressed in β-cells. Pancreatic islets from Tg pigs were transplanted under the renal capsules of NOD/SCID mice and expressed fluorescence up to one month after transplantation. Tg G1 pigs developed normally and had blood glucose levels within the normal range. Insulin levels before and after sexual maturity were within normal ranges, as were other blood biochemistry parameters, indicating that pancreatic function was normal. We conclude that Pdx1-Venus Tg pigs represent a large animal model suitable for research on pancreatic development/regeneration and diabetes.