Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma

Currently, antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), are frequently isolated from canine superficial pyoderma in Japan. However, little is known regarding the nasal prevalence of MRSP in pet dogs. Here, we determined the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma. Of the 125 nares and 108 affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma, 107 (13 species) and 110 (eight species) staphylococci strains, respectively, were isolated. The isolation rate of S. pseudintermedius from pyoderma sites (82/110 strains, 74.5%) was significantly higher than that from nares (57/107 strains, 53.3%) (P<0.01). Notably, the prevalence of MRSP (18/57 strains, 31.6%) in nares was equivalent to that in pyoderma sites (28/82 strains, 34.1%). Furthermore, the phenotypes and genotypes of antimicrobial resistance in MRSP strains from nares were similar to those from pyoderma sites. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in the nares of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma is the same level as that in affected sites. Therefore, considerable attention should be paid to the antimicrobial resistance of commensal staphylococci in companion animals.     

Dietary apigenin suppresses IgE and inflammatory cytokines production in C57BL/6N mice

Flavonoids ubiquitously exist in plants, vegetables, fruits, and teas. We evaluated the effect of dietary apigenin, one of the well-known flavonoids, on the immune system in C57BL/6N mice. Mice were fed experimental diets containing apigenin for 2 weeks. After the experimental period, there was no significant difference in body and organ weights between the control and the apigenin group. The total immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels in mice fed apigenin were significantly suppressed, whereas levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA were not affected. We also examined the effect of the apigenin diet on cytokine expression in mice sera using a cytokine array. The production of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFRI) in mice sera was down-regulated by the apigenin diet. These results suggest that a diet containing apigenin can reduce serum IgE and inflammatory cytokines such as RANTES and sTNFRI in mice.     

Microbial biomass and activity along a natural pH gradient in forest soils in a karst region of the upper Yangtze River,China

Mountain closure, considered an effective and economic measure for natural restoration of degraded forest ecosystems, has been widely carried out in the karst region of southwest China. The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial aspects of soil quality after mountain closure by analyzing soil microbial biomass, basal respiration, metabolic quotient, and relationships with basic chemical properties in Guizhou Province, a karst region of the upper Yangtze River. Soil quality was considered poor from the low levels of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and microbial quotient (MBC/total C and MBN/total N), but high metabolic quotient (qCO₂). Soil pH, showing marked variation from 4.1 to 7.9 in this karst region, was proved to significantly affect soil microbial biomass and activity. Soil microbial biomass, microbial quotient, and soil basal respiration declined significantly with decreasing soil pH, while qCO₂ showed an apparently increasing, but not statistically significant, trend. The changes in microbial biomass and activity following the change in soil pH could possibly be because of a change in soil microbial composition, and more detailed research is necessary. Compared with soil pH, soil organic matter content was another, more important, factor that directly restricted microbial growth because of the serious loss as a result of disturbance. As a practical application based on microbial aspects, introduction of some N-fixing tree species may be an active and effective measure to improve soil fertility and thus to accelerate restoration of the forest ecosystem in the karst region.     

Species identification method for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scombrops boops</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scombrops gilberti</Emphasis> based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of mitochondrial DNA

ABSTRACT:   Gnomefish Scombrops boops and Scombrops gilberti are commercially important fishes in Japan, but these species are often confused in the markets because of their morphological similarity. To identify these two species, we performed nucleotide sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and the control region in mitochondrial DNA. Five and 12 nucleotide substitutions were observed between species in the 777-bp 16S rRNA gene and 471-bp control region, respectively. Diagnostic restriction sites for discriminating between S. boops and S. gilberti were found in the 16S rRNA gene, but not in the control region. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–RFLP analysis using two enzymes, Eco NI and Mva I, clearly discriminated between S. boops and S. gilberti identified by meristic characters. The PCR–RFLP analysis identified most of the 168 Scombrops young caught in the coastal waters of the Izu and Miura peninsulas as S. boops , suggesting that S. gilberti juveniles are rare in this area.     

Synthesis and biological activity of furanyl anti-juvenile hormonal compounds

Twenty-one synthetic compounds, containing one or more furan rings, were demonstrated to possess anti-juvenile hormone (AJH) activity as evidenced by their induction of premature metamorphosis in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) by contact, topical application or fumigation. The ED₅₀ of the four most active analogs required to induce precocious metamorphosis from 3rd-instar nymphs by residue contact in a Petri dish compared favorably with that of precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl 2H-chromene) a naturally occurring phytochemical AJH. Precocious metamorphosis was fully reversible by co-treatment with juvenile hormone (JH III) or JH analogs, demonstrating that the observed AJH activity resulted from an induced deficiency of juvenile hormone.     

Genetic improvement in pine wilt disease resistance inPinus thunbergii: The effectiveness of pre-screening with an artificial inoculation at the nursery

Open pollinated progenies from 15 clones of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), that had been selected for their tolerance to pine wilt disease, were tested by artificial inoculation with pine wood nematode for six years at a nursery of Kyushu Regional Breeding Office. Family variations in the respective year were all significant. An analysis of variance across the six years’ tests confirmed highly significant effect of year and of families; however, the year by family interaction was significant also. Phenotypic and genetic variances estimated from each year’s result were fitted to a quadratic regression using their mean survival ratio as an independent variable. The variances were greatest at around 0.5 of the mean survival ratio. Estimated heritability showed a similar trend of change, whereas the peak of the expected amount of improvement shifted toward the lower survival range: around 0.4, where a greater selection differential was anticipated. It was concluded that a useful amount of genetic improvement that may be reduced by 30% due to the interaction, would be expected by prescreening seedlings where the mean survival ratio after inoculation was around 0.25 to 0.6.     

Establishment of a Model of Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku Rats with Left Atrial Thrombosis

Studies that investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease and treatment options typically require the use of a suitable animal model. Few suitable animal models exist for left atrial thrombosis. Here, we demonstrated that the Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku (SPORTS) rat — a Wistar strain known for its running ability—is predisposed to the development of thrombi in the left atrium. We investigated the incidence of left atrial thrombosis in male (n = 16) and female (n = 17) SPORTS rats and observed organized atrial thrombosis in 57% and 38% of males and female rats, respectively. In the male rats, systolic blood pressures and heart rates were significantly higher in SPORTS rats than in control Wistar rats. We could not find any evidence of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, during electrocardiographic examination of SPORTS rats. We believe that the SPORTS rat could serve as a new research model for left atrial thrombosis; further, it may be suitable for research investigating the development of new antithrombotic approaches for the control of atrial thrombosis or familial thrombophilia in humans.