Genetic selection for resistance to mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) in the Landrace line influences the expression of soluble factors in blood after MPS vaccine sensitization

We recently developed a Landrace line that is resistant to mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) infection by genetic selection for five generations, and we reported that the immunophenotype of this line is different from that of the non‐selected line in terms of changes in peripheral blood leukocyte population after MPS vaccination. This study followed up previous findings demonstrating changes in soluble factors in blood, namely, hormones, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), and cytokines. These two lines were injected with MPS vaccine on days ?7 and 0 after blood sampling on those days, and blood samples were collected on days ?14, ?7, 0, 2, 7 and 14. We found changes in the levels of many hormones and cytokines in both lines. However, we found that only growth hormone (GH) and interferon (IFN)‐γ levels were statistically different between these two lines. GH concentration was reduced (day 0) and IFN‐γ concentration was increased (day 14) in the MPS‐selected line compared with the non‐selected line, despite unchanged IFN‐γ messenger RNA expression in blood cells. Although detailed mechanisms underlying these phenotypes remain unsolved, these traits would be useful to improve MPS resistance in pig production and provide an insight into MPS infection.     

Direct absorption of acylated anthocyanin in purple-fleshed sweet potato into rats

Absorption of acylated anthocyanins in purple-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Ayamurasaki) in rats was studied to obtain evidence that the acylated anthocyanins themselves could exert a physiological function in vivo. Peonidin 3-caffeoylsophoroside-5-glucoside (Pn 3-Caf*sop-5-glc) in purple-fleshed sweet potato was directly absorbed into rat and present as an intact acylated form in plasma. After oral administration of the purple-fleshed sweet potato anthocyanin (PSA) concentrate containing 38.9 micromol of Pn 3-Caf*sop-5-glc/kg of body weight, Pn 3-Caf*sop-5-glc was detected in the plasma, and the C(max) value and t(max) were estimated as 50.0 +/- 6.8 nmol/Lof plasma and 30 min, respectively. Furthermore, the plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly elevated from 58.0 +/- 12.0 to 89.2 +/- 6.8 micromol of Trolox equivalent/L of plasma 30 min after the administration of the PSA concentrate.     

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides in a hydrolyzed chicken breast muscle extract

The blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) decreased after oral administration of an extract prepared from chicken breast muscle, falling maximally to 50 mmHg lower than before. This effect continued for at least 4 h after administration. The peptides possessing hypotensive activity in the chicken extract were examined by measuring the inhibitory activity (IC(50)) against angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). The inhibitory activity of the chicken extract was 1060 mg%, whereas the activity of the extract treated with an Aspergillus protease and gastric proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and intestinal juice) became stronger, reaching 1.1 mg%. Peptides in this hydrolysate of the extract were isolated by HPLC on a reversed-phase column, and their N-terminal sequences were analyzed. Three peptides possessed a common sequence, Gly-X-X-Gly-X-X-Gly-X-X, which was homologous with that of collagen. The peptide Gly-Phe-Hyp-Gly-Thr-Hyp-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Phe showed the strongest inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 42 microM).     

Ecotypic variation of water-soluble carbohydrate concentration and winter hardiness in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.)

The variation of the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration in foliage and stubble and winter hardiness among cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) ecotypes originated from diverse countries were studied in the field in order to find a breeding material for the improvement of WSC. The total WSC concentration of foliage was found to be highest in Japanese cultivars and lowest in ecotypes from northern Europe in summer and autumn. The variation of fructan concentration in stubble among ecotypes was larger than the variation of mono and disaccharide concentrations in stubble and that of total WSC concentration in foliage in both winters over which this study was conducted. The total WSC and fructan concentrations in the stubble of ecotypes from Spain and southern Europe, derived from the Mediterranean region, were highest in summer. Ecotypes from Japan showed the highest concentration of total WSC in stubble, and were especially high in fructan concentration in autumn. Ecotypes from France, central Europe and central Asia, like Japanese cultivars, also showed a high fructan concentration. The latitude of origin was negatively correlated with WSC concentration and plant vigor in autumn. The altitude of origin was negatively correlated with plant vigor in autumn and positively correlated with fructan concentration in stubble, winter hardiness and snow endurance. Typhula snow blight resistance was related with the amount of the increase in fructan in the plants and with their growth habits in autumn. The fructan concentration of foliage and stubble in autumn was found to be closely related with winter hardiness in cocksfoot ecotypes. A breeding material which has a high WSC concentration in the foliage could not be found among the ecotypes in this study. However, some ecotypes that showed disease resistance, good winter hardiness and plant vigor would be useful as breeding materials for Hokkaido.     

Prey fish selection by Far Eastern catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silurus asotus</Emphasis> and largemouth bass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Micropterus salmoides</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   Prey fish selection by Far Eastern catfish and largemouth bass were examined using bluegill, Japanese dace and crucian carp as food fish. In both aquaria (1.2 m × 0.45 m) and ponds (2.8 m × 1.2 m), bluegill was not preyed on by catfish and bass more than dace and crucian carp. In aquaria, there was no significant difference in the consumption of dace and crucian carp between catfish and bass, but in ponds, catfish preyed on dace and crucian carp more and less than bass, respectively. In the case that only bluegill and catfish were introduced in ponds, catfish consumed 4–15 g of bluegill per day. The introduction of catfish into ponds and lakes for the purpose of eradicating bluegill is considered appropriate for areas with few native fish species.     

Granulomatous nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis in a pony gelding

A ten-year-old Shetland pony gelding showed low appetite, ataxia, peculiar swaying, clouding of consciousness, and ultimately died. At necropsy, multiple coalescing granulomatous foci were detected in the kidneys, and small necrotic lesions were found in the cerebellum. Histologic examination of the renal tissue sections revealed extensive granuloma, and Halicephalobus gingivalis-like nematodes were seen. Similar nematodes were found in the granulomatous or necrotic lesions of the renal lymph nodes and cerebellum, and were also frequently detected in cerebrospinal meningovascular lesions. Morphologic features together with partial ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the nematodes in the lesions revealed that they were H. gingivalis. The present results indicated that H. gingivalis caused granulomatous nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis in this pony gelding.     

Isolation of a Megatrypanum trypanosome from sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Japan

A trypanosome was isolated from a sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Hokkaido, Japan, during the primary culture of sika deer renal cells. This is the first report of isolation of a Megatrypanum trypanosome from Japanese Cervidae. The trypanosome, designated TSD1, was propagated and maintained in Eagle's modified essential medium containing 20% fetal bovine serum with sika deer renal cells as feeder. The TSD1 trypanosome was morphometrically similar to Trypanosoma cervi, which is commonly isolated from American and European deer. PCR analysis with primers for 18S ribosomal DNA and nucleotide sequencing showed that TSD1 is a member of genus Trypanosoma, subgenus Megatrypanum. Phylogenetically TSD1 is closely related to T. theileri, a common trypanosome of cattle, but is distinguishable from T. theileri by some morphometrical and biological features.     

Selection for high and low oxygen consumption altered hepatic mitochondrial energy efficiency in mice

Selection for high (H) and low (L) oxygen consumption (OC) as an indirect estimation of maintenance energy requirement was determined. Feed intake and body weight were measured and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 4–8‐week‐old mice was calculated. Respiratory activity of hepatic mitochondria was measured at 12 weeks. Total feed intake (H: 103.74 g, L: 97.92 g, P < 0.01), daily feed intake (H: 3.70 g/day, L: 3.50 g/day, P < 0.01) and FCR (H: 18.79, L: 15.50, P < 0.01) were significantly different between lines. The line by sex interaction was significant for FCR. No line differences were observed in males; and the FCR of the H line was greater than in the L line in females. H line mice had the highest hepatic mitochondrial respiratory activity in state 2 (P < 0.01), the highest uncoupled respiratory rate of mitochondria in the presence of an uncoupling agent (P < 0.001), and the mitochondrial proton leak. The adenosine diphosphate/ O ratio was highest in the L line (P < 0.05). This suggests that the selection for high and low OC induced differences in basal mitochondrial respiration and basal metabolism, resulting in difference in FCR between H and L lines.     

EFFECT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ON ROOT FERRIC CHELATE REDUCTASE,PROTON EXTRUSION,BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND MINERAL ABSORPTION OF CITRUS ROOT STOCK ORANGE JASMINE (MURRAYA EXOTICA L.)

Three-week iron (Fe) deficiency stress experiments were conducted using two citrus root stocks, Fe-deficiency tolerant Orange Jasmine (OJ, Murraya exotica L.) and the sensitive Flying Dragon [FD, Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa (T. Ito) Swingle]. Root ferric chelate reductase activity and proton extrusion increased in OJ between 12 and 18 d of stress, whereas there was no change in FD. Dry weight of OJ roots increased in contrast to FD which decreased. The Mn content in OJ remained the same even under Fe stress. Zn content in OJ roots doubled while that of FD increased 4-folds. The shoot/root Fe accumulation ratio increased in OJ while it decreased in FD. OJ apparently has mechanisms for increasing root biomass, controlling Fe reutilization and regulating manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) absorption in response to Fe deficiency. These mechanisms could help maintain homeostasis under heavy metal stress, which would be useful for improved growth of economically important citrus species.     

Glutelin is partially degraded in globulin-less mutants of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Multigenic glutelins and monogenic globulin are major storage proteins accumulating in vacuole-derived protein body (PB-II) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds. Because their interplay in PB-II formation was scarcely known, the effect of globulin-less mutation on glutelin accumulation was investigated. In globulin-less mutants, no phenotypic defect was found in seed and plant growth, while PB-II was deformed and apparent glutelin composition was changed, producing new glutelin α polypeptides X1–X5. 2D-PAGE of different combinations of globulin-less and glutelin subunit mutations suggested that the X1/X2, X3, and X4/X5 were derived from glutelin GluB1/GluB2/GluB4, GluA3, and GluA1/GluA2 subunits, respectively. Western blot with glutelin GluB4 subunit-specific and its variable region discriminable antibodies indicated at least in part the new spots X1/X2 are partially degraded products of GluB4 α polypeptides by the removal of 2–39 residues from C-terminus. Time course experiments with maturing seeds indicated the partial degradation of GluB4 occurred earlier (from 7 days after flowering) and higher than that of GluA1/GluA2. Considering the above results together with the fact that globulin accumulates at the periphery of PB-II and its absence produces deformed PB-II, globulin protects glutelins from proteinase digestion and thereby facilitates stable glutelin accumulation.