Comparative observation on the growth changes of the histochemical properties and collagen architecture of the Musculus puboischiofemoralis pars medialis from Silky, layer-type and meat-type cockerels

Growth‐related changes in the histochemical properties and collagen architecture of the Musculus puboischiofemoralis pars medialis were compared among Silky, layer‐type, and meat‐type cockerels. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods were employed and collagen architecture was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Total intramuscular collagen was also determined. The myofibers were categorized as type I, type IIA and a transitional form, type I‐tr. The proportion of type I‐tr myofibers diminished and these myofibers were transformed entirely into type I myofibers in meat‐type but incompletely in the others. The largest diameter of type I myofiber was found in layer‐type at 30 weeks of age. At 30 weeks of age, layer‐type birds had attained well‐developed perimysial collagen bundles while meat‐type birds had less developed bundles. The endomysial collagen network had a large mesh size at 1 week and then accumulated many collagen fibrils to form a felt‐like fabric of fibrils by 30 weeks of age. Silky birds developed the thickest endomysial collagen plates of all the breeds. From these results it appears that growth‐related changes in the histological structure of M. puboischiofemoralis pars medialis are not necessarily causally affected by the different growth rates of chicken breeds.     

Effects of residual trees on tree height of 18- and 19-year-old Cryptomeria japonica planted in group selection openings

This study examined the effects of residual trees on the height of 18- and 19-year-old Cryptomeria japonica planted in group selection openings of about 0.1 ha at Yufuin in Oita Prefecture in southern Japan. We first developed a general model expressing variation in the height for all of the planted trees within the openings from indices of both between-cohort competition (the effects of residual trees) and within-cohort competition (among the even-aged planted trees). The between-cohort competition index was calculated both with and without taking into account the direction that residual trees were positioned from subject trees. The two models suggested that residual trees located near the northern edge of the opening were not effective competitors for light for the planted trees within the opening. In addition, our results indicated that both between-cohort competition and within-cohort competition are important for explaining tree height in closed stands within group selection openings. Using the general model, we then estimated the potential loss of height growth for locally dominant trees within the openings that could be attributed only to the influence of residual trees. These results indicated that in addition to the effect of opening size, both the degree of crowding and the direction of residual trees from the planted trees are important factors affecting the height of individual trees planted in group selection openings.     

Estimating forest biomass increment based on permanent sample plots in relation to woodfuel consumption: a case study in Kampong Thom Province,Cambodia

To assess the sustainability of forest use for woodfuel, above ground biomass increment must be examined against woodfuel consumption. However, reliable data on the biomass increment of tropical forests are very limited. In this study, we estimated above ground forest biomass increment in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia, using two consecutive measurements of 32 permanent sample plots in 1998 and 2000, and forest inventory data of 540 plots collected in 1997. The permanent sampling plot data were used to determine the relationship between initial biomass and subsequent biomass increment over a 2-year period. This relationship was applied to the inventory data to obtain a robust estimate of biomass increment across the major forest types for the entire province. The weighted average annual above ground biomass increment for the whole province was 4.77Mg/ha, or 2.3% of biomass. Woodfuel consumption was estimated to be about 2% of biomass increment for the province, suggesting that deficiency of woodfuel may not occur in this province. However, localized variation needs to be taken into account and there is a need to examine the effects of stand age and factors such as soil type, microtopography, and species composition on biomass increment and to consider woodfuel collection rate in specific forest areas with respect to accessibility for firewood collection.     

Development and application of West Nile virus subgenomic replicon RNA expressing secreted alkaline phosphatase

We have developed a West Nile virus (WNV) subgenomic replicon harboring the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene instead of viral structural genes (designated repWNV/SEAP). The repWNV/SEAP allowed easy evaluation of viral replication efficiency by direct measurement of SEAP secretion in the cell culture medium in physical containment level 2 facilities. Furthermore, we validated the availability of this system using a known anti-flavivirus gene, mouse oligoadenylate synthetase 1b (Oas1b). The Oas1b-transfected cells were more resistant to repWNV/SEAP replication than the original cells. Thus, this system not only affords a useful tool for identification/evaluation of anti-flavivirus genes/drugs in terms of safety, ease of use and reliability, but should be able to reduce or replace the bioassay using laboratory animals.     

First report of Phytophthora palmivora as a causal pathogen of citrus brown rot in Japan

A fruit rot, similar to brown rot, occurred on extremely early ripening Satsumas in Saga Prefecture in the early autumn of 1999. A single species of Phytophthora was isolated from the affected fruit. After nonwounding inoculation of healthy fruits of Citrus spp. including Satsuma with the isolated fungus, the fungus was reisolated from fruit with symptoms similar to those in nature. On the basis of its morphology and molecular analysis of the rDNA-internal transcribed spacer regions, the pathogen was identified as P. palmivora. This is the first report of P. palmivora as a causal pathogen of citrus brown rot in Japan.     

Anatomic modifications in the enteric nervous system of JF1 mice with the classic piebald mutation

The Japanese Fancy Mouse 1 (JF1) has a characteristic coat color similar to a very old mutant, piebald. The mutation in JF1 and the classic piebald was previously thought to be the same recessive allele in the endothelin B receptor gene (Ednrb) according to the haplotype pattern, which is insufficient for this conclusion. In this study, we identified the same insertion of a retroposon-like element in intron 1 of the Ednrb gene in JF1 as in the classic piebald mutation by PCR. Further, we investigated whether the intestine shows neuronal intestinal malformations such as hypoganglionosis and immaturity of ganglion cells by histochemical staining. Though it has been assumed that the defect of neural crest-derived lineages is restricted to melanocytes in JF1, we found that the enteric innervation and neuronal density were impaired throughout the whole colon in JF1 mice.     

Effects of pre-slaughter nutritional condition on intramuscular collagen solubility, pyridinoline cross-links and meat tenderness in aged goats

Effects of preslaughter nutritional condition on intramuscular collagen characteristics were studied, in order to clarify the potential of intensive feeding to aged animals in improving meat tenderness. Ten castrated male goats were assigned into one of two groups: one group was allowed ad libitum access to a concentrate diet (total digestible nutrients 70%, crude protein 15%) and Italian ryegrass hay (ADLIB‐group), and the other group was fed a restricted amount of their diet (concentrate diet 0.5% of bodyweight/day; hay 1.5% of bodyweight/day) to maintain their bodyweight (MAIN‐group). After 3 months of the experimental period, goats were slaughtered and meat samples were obtained immediately. Goats in ADLIB‐group had lower total and insoluble collagen concentrations, higher fat concentrations and collagen solubility than those in MAIN‐group, but soluble collagen concentrations of muscles were similar for both groups. Goats in ADLIB‐group had lower pyridinoline concentrations than those in MAIN‐group, in all muscles, but the differences of pyridinoline concentration between the groups were not statistically significant. Warner‐Bratzler shear force values of Longissimus and Biceps femoris muscles were lower in ADLIB‐group than in MAIN‐group. The increase of meat tenderness by preslaughter intensive feeding seemed to be associated with the increase in intramuscular fat deposition and high collagen solubility, and pyridinoline cross‐link appeared to be one of the factors related to collagen solubility.     

Development of introgression lines of an Indica-type rice variety, IR64, for unique agronomic traits and detection of the responsible chromosomal regions

A total of 334 introgression lines (INLs: BC₃-derived lines) derived from crosses between a recurrent parent of Indica rice cultivar IR64 and 10 donor parents, including new plant type (NPT) lines IR65600-87-2-2-3, IR65598-112-2, IR65564-2-2-3, IR69093-41-2-3-2, IR69125-25-3-1-1, Hoshiaoba, IR66215-44-2-3, IR68522-10-2-2, IR71195-AC1, and IR66750-6-2-1, have been developed. These INLs with IR64 genetic background were characterized for eight agronomic traits: days to heading, culm length, leaf width, leaf length, panicle length, panicle number, 100-grain weight, and total spikelet number per panicle at the International Rice Research Institute from 2005 to 2007. To identify introgressed segments from the donor parents, genotypes of the 334 INLs were detected using more than 200 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. These segments detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were commonly introgressed across the INLs from more than four donor varieties. Based on the data of phenotype and genotype for the 334 INLs, associations between agronomic traits and introgressed chromosomal segments in the 334 INLs were investigated. A total of 54 regions for the eight traits were detected: seven regions for days to heading, eight regions for culm length, eight regions for leaf width, four regions for leaf length, six regions for panicle length, three regions for panicle number per plant, seven regions for 100-grain weight, and 11 regions for total spikelet number per panicle. Among them, the region on the long arm of chromosome 4 was associated with characteristics of the NPT such as long leaf, broad leaf, and high spikelet number. The developed 334 INLs with the IR64 genetic background will be useful materials for genetic analysis of agronomic traits.     

Accurate analysis of taurine,anserine, carnosine and free amino acids in a cattle muscle biopsy sample

We have established an analysis method for some free amino acids (FAAs), as well as taurine (Tau), anserine (Ans) and carnosine (Car), in a fresh biopsy sample from cattle muscle. A series of model biopsy samples, corresponding to the mixtures of lean meat, fat and connective tissue, was prepared and showed high correlation coefficients between the compound concentration and the 3‐methylhistidine (3‐MeHis) content derived from hydrolysis of the biopsy sample (r = 0.74–0.95, P < 0.01). Interference from blood contamination could not be neglected, because the concentration of some FAAs in blood was comparable to that in muscle. However, it was possible to control the contamination of Tau, Ans, Car, glutamic acid, glutamine, asparatic acid and alanine to less than 5.0% when the blood contamination was controlled to less than 23%.These results suggest the necessity of measuring 3‐MeHis as an index of lean meat and hemoglobin as an index of blood contamination when compounds in muscle biopsy samples are evaluated. We have carried out a series of these analyses using one biopsy sample and reveal differences in Tau, Ans, Car and some FAAs in beef muscle after different feeding regimes.