IL‐12p40 gene expression in lung and hilar lymph nodes of MPS‐resistant pigs

Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) is caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M.hp) and is a common chronic respiratory disease of pigs. Recently, a genetically selected variant of the Landrace pig (Miyagino L2) has a lower incidence of pulmonary MPS lesions. We investigated the pathological and immunological characteristics of MPS resistance in these pigs (n = 24) by comparing with the normal landrace pig (control: n = 24). The pathological MPS lung lesion score in MPS‐selected landrace pigs was significantly lower than in the control. The gene expression of interleukin (IL)‐12p40, which acts as a chemoattractant and a component of the bioactive cytokines IL‐12 and IL‐23, was significantly higher at the hilar lymph nodes, lung, and spleen in MPS‐selected landrace pigs than in control landrace pigs, and these were negatively correlated with the macroscopic MPS lung lesion score. In summary, we demonstrate that resistance against MPS in Miyagino L2 pigs is associated with IL‐12p40 up‐regulation, in comparison with normal landrace pigs without the MPS vaccine. In addition, a comparative study of macroscopic MPS lung lesions and IL‐12p40 gene expression in lung and hilar lymph nodes may lead to beneficial selection traits for the genetic selection for MPS resistance in pigs.     

Catch performance of the small prawn pot in terms of entry and escape of the Oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense

ABSTRACT: The entry and escape behavior of prawn Macrobrachium nipponense in relation to the pot may be controlled both by its design and population process in the pot's given interior space. To obtain the basic data on how the population process affects the number of individuals in the pot without bait, a comparative study of the experimental results obtained in the actual fishing ground and calculated values was conducted. The variation pattern in the number of individuals in a pot was consistent with that of the calculated value. The model equation proposed in this study might be effective for evaluating the daily variations in the number of individuals in a pot. The results suggest that both the population process and the pot's design control the entry and escape behavior of the prawn.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation as a tool for random mutagenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum trifolii</Emphasis>

We transformed Colletotrichum trifolii, the causal agent of alfalfa anthracnose, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a new tool for random insertional mutagenesis. Fungal spores of C. trifolii were transformed with T-DNA including the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hph). Southern analysis showed that every randomly selected transformant had a unique hybridization pattern of T-DNA, suggesting that the T-DNA was randomly integrated into the fungal genome. More significantly, about 75% of transformants had a single copy of the T-DNA. The results demonstrate that insertional mutagenesis via A. tumefaciens is a useful tool for studying the function of C. trifolii genes.     

Changes in daily rainfall characteristics in major rice producing provinces in Laos

In order to find the changes in rainfall characteristics and to examine the flood damage to lowland rice, a statistical analysis was carried out on the 40-year daily rainfall record at four rainfall stations (Thangon, Paksane, Seno, and Pakse) in Laos. The rainfall record was divided into two periods of 20 years each. The results of this analysis revealed the trends in changes regarding the frequency and the timing of the heavy daily rainfall events at the four stations. In Paksane in particular, heavy daily rainfall events tended to occur in the latter half of the rainy season.     

Infection-inhibition activity of avenacin saponins against the fungal pathogens Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, Bipolaris oryzae, and Magnaporthe oryzae

Triterpenoid saponins are sugar-modified triterpene derivatives. Cereals and other grasses are generally deficient in these secondary metabolites with the exception of oat. Oat accumulates antimicrobial triterpenoid saponins in its roots. These oat-root-derived compounds, called avenacins, confer broad-spectrum resistance to soil-borne pathogens. Here, we tested the effect of avenacins on the development of infection structures of fungal pathogens Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei and Bipolaris oryzae and Magnaporthe oryzae. We show that avenacins are able to inhibit the infection process of these phytopathogens on plant hosts.     

H2O2 production by copper amine oxidase, a component of the ecto-apyrase (ATPase)-containing protein complex(es) in the pea cell wall, is regulated by an elicitor and a suppressor from Mycosphaerella pinodes

Blue native PAGE analysis for cell wall proteins from pea epicotyls demonstrated that cell wall-associated ecto-apyrase (ATPase) formed a large protein complex(es) ranging from 450 to 900?kDa; one of the components of the complex was copper amine oxidase (CuAO), which catalyzes the oxidation of amines with the subsequent generation of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. CuAO activity was coordinately regulated in vitro with ATP-hydrolyzing activity by an elicitor and a suppressor from Mycosphaerella pinodes. Moreover, treatment of cell wall proteins with the suppressor caused the appearance of the apyrase monomer. On the basis of these results, M. pinodes may target the apyrase-containing protein complex(es) of the host to attenuate cell wall-based, extracellular defense(s) including the production of hydrogen peroxide.     

Urinary excretion of 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, a ring-fission metabolite of (-)-epicatechin, in rats and its in vitro antioxidant activity

There is great interest in the nutritional potential of (-)-epicatechin, a common polyphenolic constituent of many foods and beverages, because of its potent antioxidant capacity. To better evaluate the biological role of (-)-epicatechin, we studied the urinary excretion of 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, a ring-fission metabolite of (-)-epicatechin by intestinal microflora, in rats as well as its antioxidant activity in vitro. The method for measuring the urinary levels of (-)-epicatechin and 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone was based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase, and was subsequently determined by HPLC coupled to an electrochemical detector. Following administration of (-)-epicatechin at doses of 0, 20, 40, and 80 mumol per rat, (-)-epicatechin and 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone were excreted into the urine within 24 h in a dose-dependent manner. Urinary 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone was mostly in the conjugated form, with a higher ratio of conjugation than (-)-epicatechin. We assessed the relative antioxidant potentials for scavenging radicals in the aqueous phase as expressed in the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The results demonstrated that the degradation of (-)-epicatechin into 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone attenuated the antioxidant ability of the former. However, 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone showed stronger antioxidant activity than l-ascorbic acid. These results led us to suppose that 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, a microbial metabolite of (-)-epicatechin, circulating in the body may also at least be biologically active in terms of contributing to its combined antioxidant effect.