Mycoplasma meleagridis of turkeys: probability of eliminating egg-borne infection

An equation was developed that describes the probability of eliminating egg-borne Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) of turkeys by egg treatment. Probability (P) of MM elimination was described in terms of four parameters: pretreatment prevalence of MM, alpha; treatment failure rate, beta; number of eggs treated, n; and hatching rate, h. The eradication equation, based on the Poisson probability distribution, was P(0) = e-n alpha beta h. Probabilities derived from 12 hypothetical MM-eradication situations showed that increasing the size of any or all of the parameters decreased the likelihood of eradication. Use of the predictive equation as a planning tool in a successful MM-eradication program is demonstrated.     

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.     

Fine structure and differentiation of the alimentary canal in captive-bred Japanese eel Anguilla japonica preleptocephali

ABSTRACT:   The fine structure of the alimentary canal in preleptocephali produced by artificially matured Japanese eel was examined. At 1 day posthatch (dph), the alimentary canal was found only above the dorsal side of the yolk mass, and the epithelium was composed of a single layer of epithelial cells. By 5 dph, the alimentary canal was divided into three segments based on the structure of the epithelial cells: foregut, midgut and hindgut, corresponding to the future esophagus, intestine and rectum, respectively. After 7 dph, the epithelium in the foregut was surrounded by a circular muscle layer, suggesting a role in the transportation of food materials. The epithelial cells of the midgut exhibited well-developed membranous structures, which are deduced to be invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane. Pinocytotic invaginations and vacuoles were observed in the epithelial cells of the hindgut; this observation suggests that this region is involved in the uptake of food. Significant changes in morphological features of the epithelial cells in each segment were observed until 7 dph; however, these were not evident between 7 dph and 13 dph. Consequently, the differentiation of the alimentary canal was completed by 7 dph, and preleptocephalus had developed the ability to absorb food by 7 dph.     

Effects of docosahexaenoic acid on growth,survival and swim bladder inflation of larval amberjack ( Seriola dumerili, Risso)

The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the growth performance, survival and swim bladder inflation of larval Seriola dumerili during the rotifer feeding period was investigated in two feeding experiments. Amberjack larvae at 3 day post hatching were fed rotifers enriched with (1) freshwater C hlorella (Chlo), (2) a mixture (2:1, v/v) of Chlo and DHA‐enriched C hlorella (DHA‐Chlo), (3) DHA‐Chlo and (4) DHA‐Chlo and commercial DHA emulsion, in triplicate for 7 days. The average DHA contents of the rotifers were 0.0, 0.4, 1.0 and 1.9 mg g^?1 DM respectively. The survival rate was improved by the enrichment of rotifers with DHA‐Chlo alone, and DHA‐Chlo and emulsion. Growth and swim bladder inflation of fish fed rotifers enriched with DHA‐Chlo were significantly (P < 0.05) improved, however, with increased levels of DHA further improvement was not found. DHA content in the larval whole body proportionally increased with the DHA level in the rotifers. These results suggest that DHA enrichment of rotifers is effective to improve the growth, survival rate and swim bladder inflation of amberjack larvae. The DHA requirement of amberjack larvae is estimated to be 1.5 mg g^?1 on a dry matter basis of rotifers.     

Characterization and ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis larvae

The major digestive enzymes in Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis larvae were characterized, and the physiological characteristics of the enzymes during early ontogeny were clarified using biochemical and molecular approaches. The maximum activity of trypsin (Try), chymotrypsin (Ct) and amylase (Amy) was observed at pH 6–11, 8–11 and 6–9, respectively. Maximum activity of Try, Ct and Amy occurred at 50 °C, that of lipase (Lip) was at 60 °C and that of pepsin (Pep) was at 40–50 °C. These pH and thermal profiles were similar to those for other fish species but differed from those previously reported for adult bluefin tuna. Enzyme activity for all enzymes assayed was found to decrease at high temperatures (Try, Ct, Amy and Pep: 50 °C; Lip: 40 °C), which is similar to findings for other fish species with one marked exception—increased Try activity was observed at 40 °C. Lip activity appeared to be dependent on bile salts under our assay conditions, resulting in a significant increase in activity in the presence of bile salts. Ontogenetic changes in pancreatic digestive enzymes showed similar gene expression patterns to those of other fish species, whereas marked temporal increases in enzyme activities were observed at 10–12 days post hatching (dph), coinciding with previously reported timing of the development of the pyloric caeca in bluefin tuna larvae. However, complete development of digestive function was indicated by the high pep gene expression from 19 dph, which contradicts the profile of Pep activity and previously reported development timing of the gastric gland. These findings contribute to the general knowledge of bluefin tuna larval digestive system development.     

家蚕脂肪体合成蛋白质变化的研究

应用双向电泳、同位素标记、放射自显影及计算机蛋白质电泳图谱分析技术研究了家蚕 5龄期和变态期脂肪体合成蛋白质的变化。结果表明 ,在 5龄中期脂肪体合成蛋白质的种类、分泌蛋白质的量、合成蛋白质的速度都达到最大值 ,合成脂肪体组织蛋白质在 5龄中期也快速增加 ,显示在 5龄中期脂肪体的蛋白质合成水平达到最大值 ,而熟蚕期后脂肪体合成蛋白质种类、分泌量及合成速度都下降 ,表明脂肪体蛋白质合成水平下降 ,在蛋白质合成水平上证明了家蚕脂肪体从幼虫期的合成、代谢等主要功能向变态期的贮藏功能转变。     

Prevalence and characteristics of intimin- and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli from gulls,pigeons and broilers in Finland

The role of birds as sources of Shiga toxin-and intimin-producing Escherichia coli was studied. Fecal samples from live gulls (n=86), pigeons (n=33) and broiler chickens (n=199) from 23 flocks were analyzed for stx and eae by PCR. No stx positive samples were detected. In contrast, eae E. coli were highly prevalent among gulls (40%), and was also found in pigeons (7%) and chickens (57% of the flocks contaminated). The eae positive isolates were analyzed genetically and O-serogrouped. One isolate from a pigeon was found to have stx (2f). The isolates of gulls differed from those of pigeons and chickens, and all eae E. coli isolates from birds differed from human pathogenic strains by the lack of EHEC-hlyA and bfp/EAF as well as distribution of O-serogroups. Thus, birds cannot be regarded as important carriers of zoonotic stx or eae E. coli in Finland.     

Synthesis of morphiceptin (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH(2)) by dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV derived from Aspergillus oryzae

Morphiceptin (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH(2)), tetrapeptide, was synthesized using dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DP IV, EC 3.4.14.5) derived from Aspergillus oryzae RIB 915 as a catalyst. Tyr-Pro-OEt was incubated with Phe-Pro-NH(2) in the presence of DP IV under various conditions of temperature, concentrations of ethylene glycol, pH, reaction time, and others. Morphiceptin was obtained at 40% yield under the optimal reaction conditions: substrate, 4 mM Tyr-Pro-OEt.HCl and 20 mM Phe-Pro-NH(2).HCl; enzyme, DP IV, 0.275 nkat; solvent, 60% ethylene glycol containing 20 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0; amine, 4.2 mM diisopropylamine at 4 degrees C for 24 h. Amino group protection was unnecessary for synthesis of morphiceptin by DP IV.