Neospora caninum and complex vertebral malformation as possible causes of bovine fetal mummification

Bovine neosporosis, caused by Neospora caninum is a leading cause of abortion in cattle. We postulated that neosporosis could lead to fetal death and mummification. Fifteen mummified fetuses were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the mutation in the bovine SLC35A3 gene that causes complex vertebral malformation (CVM) and the pNC-5 gene which identifies N. caninum infection. DNA was extracted from the mummified fetuses and the sex of the mummies was determined by PCR. The CVM mutation was not detected in the mummified fetuses, but 4 fetuses were positive for N. caninum infection. The ages of the mummies with N. caninum infection were 100, 113, 123, and 131 days. Twelve of the 15 mummified fetuses were male. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of N. caninum as a possible cause of bovine fetal mummification.     

Determination and Evaluation of Sampling Velocity in a Simple Passive Sampling Method to Monitor HNO3(g) in Ambient Air

We evaluated the applicability of a simple passive sampling method to quantify HNO₃(g) in ambient air. The method has the advantages of not only ease of operation but also low cost. A sampling velocity of 214 m day^?1 was determined based on the concentration of HNO₃(g) measured by the four-stage filter-pack method at nine sites located within a 250?×?250-km area in Japan. This sampling velocity was applied at sites located outside of area to verify the applicability and accuracy of the simple passive sampling method. The variation in the results for the application of the sampling velocity ranged from 0.39 to 0.95. The simple passive sampling method should be applied to sites with different meteorological conditions, and the obtained data should be used to obtain more significant information and/or to indicate the need for further developments in the methodology.     

Bovine leukemia virus genotype surveillance in cattle at a slaughterhouse in Aichi Prefecture,Japan, in 2019 using polymerase chain reaction combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is commonly used for genotyping bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in slaughterhouses. However, unclassified BLV genotypes have been sporadically reported. To assess the current status of BLV genetic characterization in cattle, PCR-RFLP was performed on blood samples of 170 cattle (84 Japanese Black, 60 Japanese Black x Holstein, and 26 Holstein) from 17 farms (5 prefectures) at a slaughterhouse in Aichi Prefecture in 2019. A total of 65 samples (38.2%) were BLV positive, and genotype 1 was the most predominant (56/65 samples), followed by genotypes 3 (6 samples) and 5 (1 sample), and two unclassified samples. No relationship between the genotypes and breeds was observed. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that unclassified BLV genotypes clustered with genotype 1 sequences were, therefore, not new genotypes.     

Biodegradation of nonlignocellulosic substances II: physical and chemical properties of sawdust before and after use as artificial soil

The physical properties of sawdust including porosity, water retention, and water drainage were analyzed to prove its suitability for use as an artificial soil in the automatic decomposer-extinguisher (GADE) machine. The physical and chemical properties of residual sawdust from the GADE machine were also analyzed, the mechanical abrasion of sawdust in the GADE machine was tested, and the morphology of this residue was observed through a scanning electron microscope to investigate changes of these properties in the medium of decomposing garbage. Sawdust, which showed a lower specific gravity and larger porosity than soil, is considered capable of supplying air to bacteria. It was found that sawdust became worn from the operation of the machine. The spaces of residual sawdust were still observed, but water drainage decreased. The portion of hollocellulose in residual sawdust decreased, although the extractives in it increased. Results indicated that the capacity of sawdust to function as an artificial soil in the GADE machine was decreased owing not only to the destruction of sawdust grain but also to the adherence of products from decomposition, such that sawdust needed to be replaced every few months.Part of this report was presented at the 43rd annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Morioka, April 1993     

Induction of centrum defects in amberjack Seriola dumerili by exposure of embryos to hypoxia

ABSTRACT:   Artificially hatched Seriola species have the problem of malformation, mainly in their vertebrae, head, and mouth parts. To clarify the cause of vertebral malformation, the effects of hypoxia during embryogenesis on the induction of centrum defects was investigated in artificially hatched amberjack Seriola dumerili . Firstly, 7-somite stage embryos were exposed to waters of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% dissolved oxygen (DO) for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h to confirm the effective dose (DO concentration and duration of exposure) of hypoxia that induces somitic disturbances in newly hatched larvae. Exposure of embryos to 12.5% DO concentration for longer than 0.5 h induced somitic disturbances. Following this result, centrum defects in juveniles were investigated by an induction experiment with embryos exposed to 12.5% DO for 2 h at the gastrula, 1- or 2-somite, 10-somite, 15-somite, or heart beating stage. This experiment revealed that centrum defects were induced only during somitogenesis, and somitic disturbances were the premonitory symptom of centrum defects. These results indicate hypoxia during somitogenesis as a possible cause of centrum defects in amberjack.     

Myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide complexed with berberine promotes differentiation of chicken myoblasts

Myoblasts are myogenic precursors that develop into myotubes during muscle formation. Improving efficiency of myoblast differentiation is important for advancing meat production by domestic animals. We recently identified novel oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) termed myogenetic ODNs (myoDNs) that promote the differentiation of mammalian myoblasts. An isoquinoline alkaloid, berberine, forms a complex with one of the myoDNs, iSN04, and enhances its activities. This study investigated the effects of myoDNs on chicken myoblasts to elucidate their species-specific actions. Seven myoDNs (iSN01–iSN07) were found to facilitate the differentiation of chicken myoblasts into myosin heavy chain (MHC)-positive myotubes. The iSN04–berberine complex exhibited a higher myogenetic activity than iSN04 alone, which was shown to enhance the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes and the upregulation of myogenic gene expression (MyoD, myogenin, MHC, and myomaker). These data indicate that myoDNs promoting chicken myoblast differentiation may be used as potential feed additives in broiler diets.     

Characteristics in Concentration of Chemical Species in Ambient Air Based on Three-Year Monitoring by Filter Pack Method

Continuous monitoring of concentrations of particulate matter and gaseous compounds for three years by a four-stage filter-pack method clarified the characteristics in the concentrations of chemical species in particulate matter and gaseous compounds in ambient air in Kobe, Japan. The amount of materials in blank filters was low enough for this method to be used for the monitoring of ambient air. Little or none of the hydrogen chloride was derived anthropogenically. The concentrations of both particulate sulfate and sulfur dioxide in spring and summer were significantly higher than those in autumn and winter. The concentration of gaseous nitric acid was high in summer, which suggests that active photochemical reactions in the atmosphere provided more nitrogen species in summer. The measured concentration products [HNO₃][NH₃] showed good agreement with the theoretical predictions with some exceptions. The total concentration of ammonium species showed no significant seasonal variation except that the concentration in winter was low. The concentration of nss-Ca²⁺ in spring was significantly higher than that in the other seasons, which is most likely associated with the so-called yellow-sand events. The concentrations of nss-K⁺ and nss-Ca²⁺ accounted for most of K⁺ and Ca²⁺, respectively, whereas that of nss-Mg²⁺ accounted for only 5% of Mg²⁺     

Complete nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial DNA in White Leghorn and White Plymouth Rock chickens

Among the chicken breeds, White Leghorn (WL) and White Plymouth Rock (WR) are major breeds and have different history in their establishments. Whole mitochondrial DNA of the breeds were sequenced in order to elucidate the genetic relationship between the breeds. The lengths of the two WL and two WR mitochondrial DNA were found to be 16 788 and 16 785 base pairs, respectively. When the DNA sequences were compared, the similarity was found to be 99.96% (six nucleotide differences). In addition, the present study conformed the existence of an extra nucleotide ‘C’ in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) of the chicken mitochondrial DNA, which has been consistently observed in Galliformes.     

The first detection of Dicrocoelium chinensis sporocysts from the land snail Aegista vulgivaga in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Trematodes of the genus Dicrocoelium are one of the most common parasites in ruminant animals; however, their life cycles in Japan are unclear. To find the sporocysts of D. chinensis in the natural field, we sampled 269 land snails (14 species) at a location with high level infection of sika deer in Gifu Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan in autumn between 2017 and 2019. During the sampling period, we found mother sporocysts in the hepatopancreas of Aegista vulgivaga and Cyclophorus herklotsi. DNA barcoding based on the sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 showed that the sporocysts from A. vulgivaga belonged to D. chinensis, indicating that this snail has potential as the first intermediate host of D. chinensis at this location.     

Cucumber mosaic virus isolated from Aconitum spp. in Japan

Viruses were isolated from leaves of plants of Aconitum species with symptoms such as mottling and yellowing in Hokkaido and Gunma prefectures in Japan. These viruses were identified as Cucumber mosaic virus (subgroup II) based on particle morphology, host range, aphid transmission, and serology.