Surgery of hepatic cysts in a cat.

A 2-year-old female Japanese domestic cat weighing 3.6 kg was presented due to marked abdominal distention and was diagnosed as hepatic cyst. The bile acid concentration of the hepatic cyst was as low as the serum bile acid concentration. The membrane of the cysts was excised from the edge of the compressed hepatic tissue and no other surgical manipulation was performed. This surgical procedure is simple and quick compared to hepatic lobectomy, however, it is necessary to evaluate the fluid of the cyst before performing this procedure.     

Accuracy of imputation of single nucleotide polymorphism marker genotypes from low‐density panels in Japanese Black cattle

Using target and reference fattened steer populations, the performance of genotype imputation using lower‐density marker panels in Japanese Black cattle was evaluated. Population imputation was performed using BEAGLE software. Genotype information for approximately 40 000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers by Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip was available, and imputation accuracy was assessed based on the average concordance rates of the genotypes, varying equally spaced SNP densities, and the number of individuals in the reference population. Two additional statistics were also calculated as indicators of imputation performance. The concordance rates tended to be lower for SNPs with greater minor allele frequencies, or those located near the ends of the chromosomes. Longer autosomes yielded greater imputation accuracies than shorter ones. When SNPs were selected based on linkage disequilibrium information, relative imputation accuracy was slightly improved. When 3000 and 10 000 equally spaced SNPs were used, the imputation accuracies were greater than 90% and approximately 97%, respectively. These results indicate that combining genotyping using a lower‐density SNP chip with genotype imputation based on a population of individuals genotyped using a higher‐density SNP chip is a cost‐effective and valid approach for genomic prediction.     

Relationship between transportation stress and polymorphonuclear cell functions of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus

Dolphins in a captive environment are exposed to various kinds of stresses. Handling and transportation are stressful events for terrestrial mammals, and such stress may affect immune system function and increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. The same phenomenon could occur in dolphins, however, few studies have reported this in dolphins. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell function of dolphins during transportation. Four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were transported for 6 hr by truck. Serum cortisol levels, leukograms, phagocytosis, and superoxide production of PMN cells were evaluated during handling and transportation compared to resting values. The mean serum cortisol level was significantly increased during handling and transportation (p<0.05) when compared with the resting values. White blood cell (WBC) counts, eosinophil counts, phagocytosis, and superoxide production of PMN cells during handling and transportation stages decreased significantly in comparison with the resting stage (p<0.05). The concentration of serum cortisol was significantly correlated with the results of the WBC counts, eosinophil counts, superoxide production, and phagocytosis (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.001, respectively). The present results indicate that handling and transportation are stressful events for dolphins and could affect their PMN cell functions, thereby leading to the impairment of the immune system.     

The organic acid profiles in the feces of pigs at Brachyspira hyodysenteriae- or B. pilosicoli-positive farms

We observed a significant difference in the organic acid profile of diarrheal feces between pigs infected with and free from pathogenic spirochetes. Diarrhea and loose feces were collected from growing pigs, held at 15 different commercial farms. A total of 106 samples were measured for organic acid concentration by HPLC and were checked for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli by PCR. B. hyodysenteriae was detected in 3 samples collected from one farm. B. pilosicoli was detected in 5 samples collected from another farm. Lower concentrations of iso-butyrate and iso-valerate were likely associated with development of pathogenic spirochete infection.     

Rice cultivation and its environmental conditions in the mediterranean countries I. Climate and physiography in relation to rice cultivation

In order to characterize the rice cultivation in the Mediterranean countries, climate and physiography of rice growing areas in Italy, Spain, and Portugal were studied. In northern Italy rice is extensively cultivated on terraces and fluvial plains of the Po and its tributaries, making use of the supply of water from Alpine glaciers in addition to the relatively abundant rainfalls of the area. In the Iberian peninsula summer climate is so dry that rice is cultivable only where the ratio of catchment area to rice land area is sufficiently large, thus rice lands are practically limited to the floodplains and deltas of the big rivers, such as the Sado and the Tejo in Portugal and the Guadalquivir and the Ebro in Spain.

In order to characterize the rice cultivation in the Mediterranean countries, climate and physiography of rice growing areas in Italy, Spain, and Portugal were studied. In northern Italy rice is extensively cultivated on terraces and fluvial plains of the Po and its tributaries, making use of the supply of water from Alpine glaciers in addition to the relatively abundant rainfalls of the area. In the Iberian peninsula summer climate is so dry that rice is cultivable only where the ratio of catchment area to rice land area is sufficiently large, thus rice lands are practically limited to the floodplains and deltas of the big rivers, such as the Sado and the Tejo in Portugal and the Guadalquivir and the Ebro in Spain.     

Putative virulence-related genes in Vibrio anguillarum identified by random genome sequencing

The genome of Vibrio anguillarum strain H775-3 was partially determined by a random sequencing procedure. A total of 2,300 clones, 2,100 from a plasmid library and 200 from a cosmid library, were sequenced and subjected to homology search by the BLAST algorithm. The total length of the sequenced clones is 1.5 Mbp. The nucleotide sequences were classified into 17 broad functional categories. Forty putative virulence-related genes were identified, 36 of which are novel in V. anguillarum, including a repeat in toxin gene cluster, haemolysin genes, enterobactin gene, protease genes, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes, capsule biosynthesis gene, flagellar genes and pilus genes.     

Inhibition of hirame rhabdovirus growth by RNA aptamers

RNA aptamers are artificial nucleic acids that specifically bind to a wide variety of targets. They are an effective tool for pharmaceutical research and development of antiviral agents. Here, we describe four Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)‐RNA aptamers (H1, H2, H3 and H4) that we obtained from an in vitro process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The HIRRV‐RNA aptamers specifically bind to HIRRV. Hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells treated with virus and the RNA aptamer showed a decrease in appearance of cytopathic effect when compared with control (treated only with virus). Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was transformed with genes for the RNA aptamers, and the aptamers were detected in the culture medium, indicating that they were secreted from the cells. Thus, the recombinant R. sulfidophilum might be a powerful tool for the prevention of HIRRV in aquaculture.     

Effect of bleeding on the quality of amberjack Seriola dumerili and red sea bream Pagrus major muscle tissues during iced storage

The effect of bleeding on white muscle quality in amberjack and red sea bream was evaluated by measuring ATP-related compounds, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), and the trimethylamine (TMA) content. The freshness was evaluated by the K value, and the degree of spoilage was elucidated by VBN and TMA. ATP was rapidly converted to ADP and AMP in the muscle and IMP was the main product of ATP degradation during iced storage. For both species, the IMP content was higher in the muscles of fish that were bled than in those unbled during iced storage. Conversely, the K value and the levels of hypoxanthine (Hx) and VBN were higher in the muscle tissue of unbled fish than in the bled tissue of both species. Similarly, the TMA content was higher in the unbled muscle tissues of both species after a week of storage.