Changes of histochemical profiles of myofibers in pectoralis and supracoracoideus fasciculi induced by breeding for large or small body size in Japanese quails

The histochemical profiles of myofibers in Musculus pectoralis (PT) and M. supracoracoideus (SC) fasciculi were compared among Japanese quail strains with large, normal and small body sizes. In male and female adults, both the PT and SC muscles had attained a 2.5–2.7-fold weight gain in the large strain and conversely a 0.43–0.50-fold change in the small strain relative to those of the normal size. The muscles were composed of fasciculi with a central cluster of type IIA fibers surrounded by a peripheral layer of type IIB fibers. In the large strain, the cross sectional area (CSA) of the fasciculus and CSA of the fibers in each type were significantly enlarged compared with those in the normal size, with the exception of the fasciculus in the deep region of the male PT muscle. The hypertrophied type IIA fibers in the large strain showed considerable variation in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase activity, some of which might represent a transitional form into type IIB fibers. In the small strain, the fasciculus CSA did not significantly differ from that of the normal size except for the PT surface region of the male. However, fiber atrophy was observed in type IIB fibers of the PT surface region in both sexes, and type IIA fibers of the PT deep region and SC muscle in the small strain male quails. The relative fiber type composition of a fasciculus in each region showed only a slight change across the strains. These results indicate that breast muscle hypertrophy in the large strain could be based mainly on fasciculus and fiber hypertrophy, but muscle atrophy in the small strain is not induced by fasciculus and fiber atrophy.     

Biocontrol of Phytophthora Root Rot of Angelica Trees by Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia ficaria Strains

Bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of angelica trees were evaluated for their antagonistic activity against Phytophthora cactorum, a causal agent of Phytophthora root rot. Of these, three bacterial strains, designated as T-1-8, T-1-14 and T-1-23, strongly inhibited mycelial growth of P. cactorum ARE-862 in a dual-culture plate assay. Biocontrol activity of these strains was then examined by dipping root of young seedlings of angelica trees into a bacterial suspension. The incidence of Phytophthora root rot was markedly suppressed for at least 79 days in pot tests when treated seedlings were planted in naturally infested soil. The suppression was maintained through June of the next year. In addition, these strains significantly reduced the development of Phytophthora root rot up to 47 days in naturally infested field and up to 63 days (the last day of testing) in an artificially (moderately) infested field. Based on their main bacteriological properties, strain T-1-14 was identified as Enterobacter cloacae and T-1-8 and T-1-23 were identified as Serratia ficaria. Received 5 July 1999/ Accepted in revised form 25 October 1999     

Histochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of chordoma in ferrets

Chordomas of the tip of the tail in 6 ferrets were examined using histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures. Histopathologically, round neoplastic cells containing numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles of varying sizes, categorized as “physaliphorous cells”, were observed in the amorphous eosinophilic or pale basophilic myxoid stroma. Physaliphorous cells were arranged in lobules and in a “chordoid” or “cobblestone” manner. The neoplasms were diagnosed as benign chordoma without local invasion and metastasis. Histochemically, the cytoplasm of small neoplastic cells was positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain and alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5 and pH 1.0 stains, but negative for hyaluronidase digestion-AB pH 2.5 stain. All neoplastic cells were strongly stained with colloidal ion, negative for high iron diamine AB pH 2.5 and toluidine blue pH 2.5 stains, and positive for Mayer’s mucicarmine stain. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against low-molecular-weight cytokeratins (CK18, CK19 and CK20), vimentin and mucin core protein (MUC5AC) revealed that neoplastic cells had both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The expression of low-molecular-weight cytokeratins suggests that neoplastic cells acquired the properties of glandular epithelial cells and produced epithelial mucus. Furthermore, the expression of cytokeratins, vimentin, S100 protein, brachyury and epithelial membrane antigen indicates that the neoplasms were equivalent to the classic type of human chordoma. Therefore, immunohistochemistry using these antibodies can be useful for the characterization of ferret chordoma.     

Computed tomographic images of discospondylitis in a calf

A 2-month-old male Japanese Black calf was presented with a 30-day history of progressive ataxia. Antemortem examination using computed tomography (CT) revealed narrowing of the disc spaces due to destruction of intervertebral structures between the first and second thoracic vertebrae and between the second and third thoracic vertebrae. Osteolysis was evident as irregular hypoattenuating lesions within the opposing end plates of the first, second and third thoracic vertebrae. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected as the causative bacteria, and discospondylitis was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bovine case report describing the application of CT for the diagnosis of discospondylitis.     

H2 15O translocation in rice was enhanced by 10 μm 5-aminolevulinic acid as monitored by positron emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS)

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) acts to increase chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, cold stress tolerance, and salt tolerance at low concentrations. We studied the effects of ALA on H₂ ¹⁵O translocation from the roots to the shoots of rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare) in real time by a positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS). When the plant was treated with 10 μm ALA, the velocity of the H₂ ¹⁵O translocation from 2 to 12 min after absorption increased to 126, 137, 140% that of the control at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 h after ALA treatment, respectively. However, ALA did not affect the H₂ ¹⁵O translocation within 0.5 h of treatment. When the plant was treated with 0.1 mM ABA at 4 h after 10 μm ALA treatment, the velocity of the H₂ ¹⁵O translocation decreased at 0.5 h after ABA treatment. Those observations suggested ALA might be absorbed and transported to the guard cells within 1.5 h and functioned to expand the stomatal aperture.     

Genotyping of benzimidazole-resistant and dicarboximide-resistant mutations in Botrytis cinerea using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays

Botrytis cinerea, an economically important gray mold pathogen, frequently exhibits multiple fungicide resistance. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay has been developed to detect benzimidazole- and dicarboximide-resistant mutations. Three benzimidazole-resistant mutations-(198)Glu to Ala (E198A), F200Y, and E198K-in beta-tubulin BenA were detected using a single set of fluorescence-labeled sensor and anchor probes by melting curve analysis. Similarly, three dicarboximide-resistant mutations-I365S, V368F plus Q369H, and Q369P-in the histidine kinase BcOS1 were successfully distinguished. Unassigned melting profiles in BenA genotyping assay resulted in the identification of a new benzimidazole-resistant BenA E198V mutation. This mutation conferred resistance to carbendazim as do E198A and E198K mutations. The isolates with BenA E198V mutation showed a negative cross-resistance to diethofencarb, but to a lesser extent than the E198A mutants. A survey of 210 B. cinerea field isolates revealed that most of benzimidazole-resistant isolates possessed the E198V or E198A mutation in the BenA gene, and the I365S mutation in the BcOS1 gene was also frequently observed in Japanese isolates. However, benzimidazole-resistant isolates with BenA F200Y or E198K mutations, which confer the diethofencarb-insensitive phenotype, were rare. Our BenA and BcOS1 genotyping is a rapid and reliable method that is suitable for monitoring the fungicide-resistant field population.     

Nitrogen flow associated with food production and consumption and its effect on water quality in Japan from 1961 to 2005

Using statistical data, we evaluated food supply and consumption in terms of nitrogen flow to clarify its effects on water quality from 1961 to 2005 in Japan. We revised a nitrogen flow model to incorporate food production, trade and consumption as well as nitrogen mineralization of crop residues and livestock manure and denitrification. Food consumption increased steadily from 1961 to the mid 1980s and has been almost stable since then. There was a notable increase in the consumption of livestock products. By 1996, consumption had risen to fivefold the 1961 level of consumption, but it has been stable since then. We concluded that the demand for food reached a maximum in the 1990s. The increasing demand for animal feed was filled by an increase in the imports of coarse cereals until the 1980s and of oil cakes until now. As the consumption of food and animal feed increased until the mid 1980s, the nitrogen load to the environment also gradually increased during this period, after which it tended to decrease. We estimated the nitrogen concentration in river water for 8 km × 8 km grid cells from 1961 to 2005 and compared these estimated values with measurements taken at more than 4000 points from public bodies of water in 1998. The spatial distribution and prefectural average of the estimated nitrogen concentration roughly corresponded with the measured values, and both indicate that food supply and consumption have had considerable effects on water quality in Japan.     

Safety of alternate-day treatment with TS-1TM (tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil) in tumor-bearing dogs: a pilot study

Tegafur is a prodrug of fluoropyrimidine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), while TS-1^TM is an oral fixed-dose combination of three active drugs, tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil. This pilot study evaluated the safety of tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil in the treatment of cancers in dogs. Tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil was administered orally at a mean dose of 1.1 mg/kg twice daily on alternate days, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, every week to 11 dogs with tumors. Partial response and stable disease were observed in one dog each, whereas six exhibited progressive disease. Three dogs were not assessed. Adverse events, the most serious being grade 2, were noted in seven dogs. Adverse events were acceptable, and the drug was effective in some dogs. Therefore, tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil may be useful for treating malignant solid tumors in canines.