A new viral epizootic of Anguilla japonica Temminck and Schlegel

Abstract. In 1969, a new kind of epizootic occurred among eels in Japan and virological investigation was initiated. A new virus designated eel virus european (EVE) was isolated and biological, cytological, serological tests and infectivity trials were carried out. In its CPE on RTG-2 cells and additionally in its biological properties and particle size, EVE was found to be similar to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). Serologically, EVE was similar to the ď Honnincthun, France, strain of IPNV. However, infectivity trials showed that EVE and IPNV differed; EVE killed Japanese eels Anguilla japonica but not rainbow trout fry Salmo gairdneri , while IPN virus killed rainbow trout fry but not eels. We consider EVE to be the primary agent causing the new epizootic and propose the name viral kidney disease for the resulting clinical condition.     

Studies on red light-induced resistance of broad bean to Botrytis cinerea: I. Possible production of suppressor and elicitor by germinating spores of pathogen

When detached broad bean leaves were preinoculated with virulent strain B304 of Botrytis cinerea 24 h before a challenge inoculation with strain B304, lesion formation by B304 was significantly inhibited in red light but not in the dark. In leaves that were preinoculated with avirulent strain 021 and then challenged by B304, however, lesion formation was not inhibited even under red light. Such differences in lesion formation after the challenge inoculation with an avirulent strain were also observed with lesions caused by Alternaria alternata, a nonpathogen of broad bean and by avirulent strain 021R in the presence of germination fluid from spores of strains B304 and 021R. These results suggest the possibility that virulent B. cinerea produced a suppressor involved in induced susceptibility and an elicitor involved in resistance induced by red light during spore germination.     

Proportions of melanocyte stimulating hormone-immunoreactive cells in the adenohypophysis of Silky fowl and hyperpigmentation-free cockerels

Alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) is one of the main regulators for melanocytes, and the adenohypophysis is one of the major tissues for the synthesis of this hormone. The Silky fowl is a characteristic breed of chicken with hyperpigmentation throughout the body. The involvement of the adenohypophysis in the hyperpigmentation of this breed is not known. In the present study, the proportion of melanocyte stimulating hormone‐immunopositive cells (MSH cells) in the adenohypophysis was immunocytochemically compared between Silky, Red Cornish × New Hampshire (RN) crossbred and Japanese bantam cockerels at 15 weeks of age. After the body and gland were weighed, the adenohypophyseal cells were enzymatically dispersed and immunostained for α‐MSH, and the immunopositive MSH cells were counted. The weights of the body and adenohypophysis were heaviest in the RN crossbred, followed by the Silky and lightest in the bantam cockerels. In contrast, the ratio between adenohypophysis and bodyweight was much larger in the Silky and the bantam than in the RN crossbreed (P < 0.05). The population of MSH cells in the adenohypophysis was larger in the Silky (14.3%) than in the RN crossbreed (8.0%) and the bantam (8.1%) cockerels (P < 0.05). From these results, it was concluded that prepubertal Silky cockerel have numerous MSH cells in the adenohypophysis suggesting a relationship to hyperpigmentation.     

Effect of ovarian hormones on maturation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood monocytes in dogs

Previously, we reported that ovarian hormones affect the immune response against E. coli isolated from the dogs affected with pyometra. In order to investigate mechanisms underlying the immune modulation, we examined the effects of ovarian hormones on the generation of dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen presenting cell. DCs were differentiated from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMOs) using a cytokine cocktail. Both estrogen receptor and progesterone receptors were expressed by the PBMOs and immature DCs. When various ovarian hormones were added to the culture for the DC differentiation, progesterone significantly decreased the expression of DC maturation markers, such as CD1a, CD80 and CD86, on mature DCs. Conversely, the addition of estrogen to the cultures increased the expression of CD86, but not other maturation makers. Furthermore, DCs differentiated in the presence of progesterone did not stimulate allogeneic mononuclear cells in PB. Taken together, these results indicate that progesterone diminishes the maturation of DCs, leading to decreased immune responses against invading pathogens.     

Isolation and characterization of a low molecular weight peptide contained in sourdough

To investigate a sourdough-specific peptide, low molecular weight peptides were extracted from sourdough. The peptide fraction was subjected to two kinds of chromatography to separate the peptides. Reverse-phase chromatography of the peptide fraction in the sourdough showed certain specific peptides. The specific peptide fraction was further separated by gel filtration chromatography. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified one of the peptides as VPFGVG (six-mer). This sequence was estimated to occur at the 287-292 position of a low molecular weight glutenin subunit. The peptide (designed as SDP1) was produced by proteases derived from wheat flour. SDP1 showed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and the 50% inhibitory peptide concentration (IC50) was 336 microM. It is possible that the SDP1 peptide partially confers ACE inhibitory activity in sourdough.     

Carrier state in human acatalasemia

The heterozygous carrier state of a rare hereditary disease, acatalasemia, has been defined biochemically. Affected homozygotes have no blood catalase activity, whereas heterozygotes show activities intermediate between this inactivity and the activity of normal controls, without overlap. Pedigrees show a high frequency of consanguineous marriages.