Genetic Erosion from Modern Varieties into Traditional Upland Rice Cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) in Northern Thailand

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of genetic erosion of traditional upland germplasm in northern Thailand as a result of gene-flow from distinct strains carrying different genotypes. Even modern variety specific markers have not been developed, there is a comparative population in Laos. Thus, both populations were compared with various characters to evaluate gene-flow from modern variety to landraces. Glutinous and glabrous strains are predominated in Laos. However, such strains were drastically decreased in north–east Thailand. Gene diversity is higher in Thailand, compared to Laos at seven isozyme loci. This was a result of the higher frequencies of Indica strains and heterozygotes in Thailand. Plastid type was also determined by using an INDEL marker. Nearly half of Indica strains carried the Japonica plastid. Heterozygotes also tended to carry Japonica cytoplasm. Such nuclear–cytoplasm substituted strains and heterozygotes were probably generated by natural hybridization. Japonica strains tended to be a maternal donor rather than Indica ones. Or Indica strains would easily release pollens, which grow outside of upland fields.     

Differentiation-inducing effects of small fruit juices on HL-60 leukemic cells

Epidemiological studies indicate that high intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of cancer, and several plant-derived drugs have been developed in medical oncology. Since only a small part of the flora has been tested for any kind of bioactivity, we chose small fruits as sources of differentiation-inducing activity against HL-60 leukemic cells. We have prepared juices from various small fruits that grow mainly in the northern part of Japan. Screening of 43 samples indicated that juices of Actinidia polygama Maxim., Rosa rugosa Thunb., Vaccinium smallii A. Gray, and Sorbus sambucifolia Roem. strongly induced differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocyte/macrophage characteristics in a concentration-dependent manner as indicated by histochemical and biochemical examinations.     

Quantitative trait loci analysis on Sus scrofa chromosome 7 for meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits within a Duroc purebred population

Many QTL analyses related to meat production and meat quality traits have been carried out using an F(2) resource population produced by crossing 2 genetically different breeds. This experiment was intended to investigate whether these QTL were segregating in a purebred Duroc population that had been selected for meat production and meat quality traits during 7 generations. Sus scrofa chromosome 7, for which significant QTL of intramuscular fat and many other traits have already been reported, was studied. The polymorphism of 10 microsatellite markers that were arranged at about 20-cM intervals was investigated on 1,004 pigs. In the selected population, 954 progeny were produced from mating of 99 sires and 286 dams. The QTL analysis for a full-sib family population was examined with the multigeneration pedigree structure of the population. Variance component analysis was used to detect QTL in this population and was examined for the multigeneration pedigree population. In this study, multigenerational pedigree estimated identical by descent coefficients among sibs were produced using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The maximum likelihood of odds score was found at the 70-cM position for the LM area, at the 0-cM position for the pork color standard, and at the 120-cM position for the number of thoracic vertebra, but no significant QTL for intramuscular fat were detected on SSC 7. These results indicate that QTL analysis via a variance component method within a purebred population was effective to determine that QTL were segregating in a population of purebred Durocs.     

Rapid brain MRI protocols result in comparable differential diagnoses versus a full brain protocol in most canine and feline cases

Evaluation of brain disease in veterinary patients uses a wide variety of MRI sequences. A shortened protocol that maintains consistency of interpretation would reduce radiologist reporting time, patient anesthetic time, and client cost. The aims of this retrospective, methods comparison, observer agreement study were to evaluate whether abbreviated MRI protocols alter differential diagnoses and recommendations compared to our institution's standard protocol; evaluate interobserver agreement on standard brain MRIs; and assess whether differential diagnoses change after postcontrast images. Normal and pathologic canine and feline brain MRIs were retrieved from hospital archives. Three protocols were created from each: a 5-sequence noncontrast enhanced Fast Brain Protocol 1 (FBP1); a 6-sequence contrast-enhanced Fast Brain Protocol 2 (FBP2); and an 11-sequence standard brain protocol (SBP). Three blinded veterinary radiologists interpreted FBP images for 98 cases (1 reader/case) and SBP images for 20 cases (3 readers/case). A fourth observer compared these interpretations to the original MRI reports (OMR). Overall agreement between FBPs and OMR was good (k = 0.75) and comparable to interobserver agreement for multiple reviews of SBP cases. Postcontrast images substantially altered conclusions in 17/97 cases (17.5%), as well as improved interobserver agreement compared to noncontrast studies. The conclusions reached with shortened brain protocols were comparable to those of a full brain study. The findings supported the use of a 6-sequence brain MRI protocol (sagittal T2-weighted [T2w] TSE; transverse T2w turbo spin echo fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T2*-weighted gradient recalled echo, T1-weighted spin echo, and diffusion weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient; and postcontrast transverse T1-weighted spin echo) for dogs and cats with suspected intracranial disease.     

Isolation and serological survey of Salmonella in pigs in Japan

A total of 267 fecal and serum samples collected from individual pigs reared on a Salmonella-positive farm were subjected to bacteriological and serological examinations of Salmonella. Salmonella was isolated from 47 pigs (17.6%) and prevalence of antibody to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of S. Typhimurium, which was partly common to S. O4, 12: d: -, was observed in 90 pigs (33.7%). Salmonella was isolated from 26 (28.9%) of 90 antibody-positive pigs and 21 (11.9%) of 177 antibody-negative pigs. Twenty-one of 36 pigs (58.3%) positive for S. O4, 12: d: -, five of 10 pigs (50.0%) positive for S. Havana, and none for S. Anatum had antibodies. Thus, seropositive rates were higher than isolation-positive rates, and antibody prevalence was associated with serovars of the isolates. Then, we analyzed antibody prevalence among pigs on Japanese pig farms. The antibodies to LPS of S. Typhimurium were found in 195 of 1,498 pigs (13.0%) and in at least one serum sample on 35 of 52 farms (67.3%). Our results indicate that Salmonella does not seem to be so prevalent in pigs though it is widely prevalent among pig farms.     

First report of celery stunt anthracnose caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum simmondsii</Emphasis> in Japan

A new disease was found in Japan, on celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) having severe chlorotic leaf spot, stunt, and dwarf with leaf curl. A spore suspension from the fungus isolated from affected plants induced identical symptoms 14 days after plants were sprayed. Identification and molecular characterization showed that the causal agent is Colletotrichum simmondsii. This report is the first of stunt anthracnose on celery caused by C. simmondsii. We propose the name “stunt anthracnose” for the new disease. Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato, as reference pathogen of celery anthracnose, should be changed to C. fioriniae based on morphological and molecular characteristics.     

Inhibitors of bovine parvovirus,coronavirus and rotavirus in precolostral and fetal bovine sera

Eleven, 11 and 2 of 11 precolostral sera from normal calves and 13, 14 and 9 of 14 sera from normal fetuses, 7 to 10 months of gestation, neutralized bovine parvovirus, coronavirus and rotavirus, respectively.When assayed by single radial immunodiffusion, all the sera contained IgG at 360 to 1400 mg/dl, and some of them had much smaller amounts of IgM or IgA. Most of the neutralizing activities against bovine coronavirus and rotavirus were readily inactivated by treatment with acetone or 2-mercaptoethanol. Some sera fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration or starch block electrophoresis had neutralizing activities against bovine parvovirus or coronavirus in fractions containing no detectable amounts of immunoglobulins. These observations seem to indicate the presence of substance(s), other than immunoglobulins, capable of inhibiting replication of bovine parvovirus, coronavirus or rotavirus. The chemical nature and the mode of action of the inhibitors await elucidation.     

Spatial and temporal clustering of Salmonella serotypes isolated from adult diarrheic dairy cattle in California.

Electronic records from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System between January 1, 1991, and June 30, 1998, were reviewed, and data on 593 Salmonella serotypes isolated from feces or intestinal contents of adult dairy cattle with diarrhea were analyzed to determine spatial and temporal clustering. A statistically significant clustering in space was detected with 10 (Typhimurium, Montevideo, Muenster, Anatum, Give, Menhaden, Kentucky, Agona, Derby, and Newport) of the 13 serotypes examined. Significant temporal clustering was also detected with 10 serotypes (Typhimurium, Montevideo, Muenster, Anatum, Give, Newbrunswick, Menhaden, Kentucky, Derby, and Newport). Six serotypes (Anatum, Menhaden, Montevideo, Muenster, Newbrunswick, and Newport) were significantly spatially and temporally clustered. A difference in temporal and spatial distribution patterns of some serotypes associated with diarrhea in adult dairy in California was found. Knowledge of the specific type of clustering, if present, should improve our understanding of the transmission and control of salmonellosis in the field.