Molecular design of dinotefuran with unique insecticidal properties

Dinotefuran, (RS)-1-methyl-2-nitro-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl)guanidine, is a neonicotinoid insecticide developed by Mitsui Chemicals Agro. Dinotefuran provides a tetrahydrofuran (THF) moiety distinct from other neonicotinoids with a chloropyridine or chlorothiazole ring, which is considered to be an essential structural element for the neonicotinoid action. The molecular design strategy based on acetylcholine ester moiety as a lead structure has successfully led to the discovery of dinotefuran with the cyclic ether THF functional group. The unique chemical and excellent biological properties and favorable toxicological profile make dinotefuran available for pest management in wide range of crops with a variety of application methods.     

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of glycoprotein of rabies virus isolated from several species in Brazil

Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the region containing the glycoprotein (G) gene, which is related to pathogenicity and antigenicity, and the G-L intergenic region were carried out in 14 Brazilian rabies virus isolates. The isolates were classified as dog-related rabies virus (DRRV) or vampire bat-related rabies virus (VRRV), by nucleoprotein (N) analysis. The nucleotide and amino acid (AA) homologies of the area containing the G protein gene and G-L intergenic region were generally lower than those of the ectodomain. In both regions, nucleotide and deduced AA homologies were lower among VRRVs than among DRRVs. There were AA differences between DRRV and VRRV at 3 antigenic sites and epitopes (IIa, WB+ and III), suggesting that DRRV and VRRV can be distinguished by differences of antigenicity. In a comparison of phylogenetic trees between the ectodomain and the area containing the G protein gene and G-L intergenic region, the branching patterns of the chiropteran and carnivoran rabies virus groups differed, whereas there were clear similarities in patterns within the DRRV and VRRV groups. Additionally, the VRRV isolates were more closely related to chiropteran strains isolated from Latin America than to Brazilian DRRV. These results indicate that Brazilian rabies virus isolates can be classified as DRRV or VRRV by analysis of the G gene and the G-L intergenic region, as well as by N gene analysis.     

Hemophilia B in a crossbred Maltese dog

A crossbred Maltese dog, 6-year-old, male, was presented to us for examination due to coagulopathy. On examination of blood coagulation screening tests, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was markedly prolonged (63.6 sec). Therefore, a defect in the intrinsic pathway of coagulation was suspected. An additional serum test was also examined and APTT was returned to within the normal range. Furthermore, factor IX coagulation activity was markedly low (2.3%). On the basis of these results, the dog was diagnosed with hemophilia B. The dog has since been presented to us because of hemorrhage problems again after 5, 10, and 16 months, but blood transfusions have maintained good control of its coagulopathy for more than two years.     

Effects of extracellular lactate on production of reactive oxygen species by equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro

Objective-To evaluate effects of extracellular lactate on viability, shape change, lactate metabolism, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Sample-PMNs isolated from equine venous blood samples. Procedures-PMNs were incubated with 0 to 300mM lactate for 30 minutes before each experiment. Viability was assessed via trypan blue exclusion. Shape change was assessed via flow cytometry and light microscopy. Relative quantification of monocarboxylic acid transporter and lactate dehydrogenase lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isotype mRNAs was performed with a real-time PCR assay. Effects of lactate at a pH of 7.4 to 6.0 on ROS production in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, opsonized zymosan, or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was assessed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Results-Lactate had no effect on viability of PMNs but did alter their size and density. Monocarboxylic acid transporter 1 and lactate dehydrogenase B mRNA values were not altered. Monocarboxylic acid transporter 4 and lactate dehydrogenase A mRNA values were significantly decreased. Lactate incubation of cells significantly decreased PMN-derived luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and induced different sensitivities to stimulants (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, opsonized zymosan, and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine). The response ratio to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine revealed that PMNs were primed by incubation with up to 50mM lactate, significantly increasing the production of ROS. Incubation with lactate and acidic pH caused a synergistic effect on ROS production. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Extracellular lactate potentially has a direct effect on the capacity to produce ROS by equine PMNs, which may be associated with alterations in innate immune functions within a short period after high-intensity exercise.     

Mitigation of pyrexia by a Th-1-biased IgG subclass response after infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 in horses pre-immunized with inactivated vaccine

The immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass response was investigated in horses with or without pyrexia after natural infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in the field. All horses were kept at the training centers of the Japan Racing Association and were immunized with an inactivated EHV-1 vaccine before EHV-1 infection. An IgG subclass response dominated by IgGa and IgGb was induced in horses without pyrexia after EHV-1 infection. In contrast, horses that developed pyrexia showed increased IgGc and IgG (T) subclass production in addition to IgGa and IgGb. Although inactivated EHV-1 vaccines are considered to induce a mainly Th-2-biased response, these results indicated that the responses in horses inoculated with inactivated EHV-1 vaccine were not uniform, and that horses with a Th-1-biased response were likely to be protected from pyrexia.     

Evaluation of sugarcane smut resistance in wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) accessions collected in Japan

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of the most important sugarcane diseases in Japan. Wild sugarcane, Saccharum spontaneum, is known to be a key breeding material to obtain high-yielding clones. In this study, we sought to identify Japanese wild sugarcane accessions with high resistance to smut. Thirty wild sugarcanes and three sugarcane cultivars were tested by the pinprick method. The results of the inoculation tests aided in identifying wild sugarcanes with high resistance to smut disease, namely JW90, Iriomote8, and Iriomote15. After screening the germplasm, progeny distribution of smut resistance from the inoculation test and dry matter productivity in the smut disease-free field were compared. The highly resistant wild sugarcane accession had a much better impact on progeny distribution of smut resistance compared with the susceptible accession. No relationship was found between smut resistance and dry matter productivity in both populations.     

Effect of various drought stresses and subsequent recovery on proline,total soluble sugar and starch metabolisms in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties

ABSTRACT

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods in the world, however most improved rice varieties are susceptible to drought stress. A two-year study was conducted to explore the effects of various drought stresses and subsequent recovery on the accumulation and degradation of proline, total soluble sugar and starch in different rice varieties at vegetative stage. The results showed that relative water content in the leaves and sheaths of rice varieties significantly decreased under drought stresses, but not at the same rate. Under control and drought conditions, the water content in sheaths was higher than that in leaves. Interestingly, under severe drought stress in 2015, the leaf water content was higher than the sheath water content. The water distribution between leaves and sheaths might be a response of plants to protect leaf system from devastation by drought. Proline was highly accumulated under drought stress but rapidly decreased after re-watering. The drought tolerant variety DA8 expressed higher ability in accumulation of proline than susceptible varieties. In general, total soluble sugar and starch contents in leaves and sheaths of varieties decreased under drought stress conditions. Total soluble sugar and starch content of DA8 were less affected than other varieties under drought conditions. Our study indicated that metabolisms of total soluble sugar and starch in rice were affected by both environmental conditions and characteristics of varieties. Proline accumulation ability of varieties can be used as a useful indicator for drought tolerant potential in rice breeding for water-limited environments.     

Conditioning of karyoplasts for producing somatic nuclear transferred gonadal germ cells in domestic chickens

The objective of this study was to establish a protocol for generating karyoplasts that can be used to produce somatic nuclear transferred gonadal germ cells (snt-GGCs) in domestic chickens. Karyoplasts were produced by centrifuging cultured fibroblasts from 10-day-old chick embryos at 10,000 x g in the presence of 1.0 microg/ml cytochalasin B. The number of karyoplasts was significantly (P<0.05) higher and the diameters of the karyoplasts were significantly (P<0.05) smaller when fibroblasts were centrifuged for 60 min than for 10 or 30 min. It was possible to generate snt-GGCs by electrofusion of GGCs with karyoplasts produced from cryopreserved or serum-starved fibroblasts. These results indicate that karyoplasts generated from 10-day-old chick embryos can be used to produce snt-GGCs even after cryopreservation and serum starvation of the fibroblasts.     

Assessment of environmental nitrogen pollution load potential from sewage treatment water in the Tedori River Alluvial Fan Area, Japan

An evaluation of the nitrogen pollution load potential (NPLP) arising from several sewage treatment systems in the Tedori River Alluvial Fan Area was evaluated by determining the removal percentage of nitrogen as a result of sewage treatment and amounts of nitrogen lost from the different treatment systems. These data were applied to the entire area resulting in an estimated total NPLP of 734 t year⁻¹ (10³ kg year⁻¹), of which 548 t year⁻¹ discharges into the Japan Sea and so does not contribute to the pollution of the environment considered here. The residual 186 t year⁻¹ of the NPLP has a high probability of causing groundwater or downstream pollution, with 58% of the NPLP being contributed from septic tanks not connected to public sewage systems. Rural sewage system accounted for about 18% of the NPLP. Material directly flowing into the middle stream of the Tedori River together with sewage water from small companies and untreated sewage water from local family dwellings made up about 3–12% of the NPLP. To improve water quality due to sewage effluent, it is essential to increase the number of connections to public sewage systems from septic tanks.