Microconidia act the role as spermatia in the sexual reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis>

In the sexual reproductive cycle of Botrytis cinerea, large numbers of microconidia were observed in all the crosses that formed sexual bodies. To clarify the role of the microconidia in sexual reproduction, they were separated using a sucrose density gradient and then used in crossing tests with fungal sclerotia. Sexual bodies were formed in all the crosses in the five mating combinations, demonstrating that microconidia are able to function as spermatia during sexual reproduction of B. cinerea.     

Effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and rumen-protected methionine on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows

Our objective was to determine the effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CLFAs) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide, and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows. Four Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 4 by 4 Latin square experiment in each 2-wk period. Cows were fed corn silage-based diets with supplements of CLFAs (1.5% added on dry matter basis), RPM (20 g/d), CLFAs plus RPM, and without supplement. Jugular blood samples were taken from 1 h before to 2 h after morning feeding at 10-min intervals on day 12 of each period. CLFAs decreased dry matter intake, but RPM did not affect dry matter intake. Both supplements of CLFAs and RPM did not affect metabolizable energy intake and milk yield and composition. Plasma concentrations of NEFAs, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-Cho) were increased with CLFAs alone, but increases of plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho were moderated by CLFAs plus RPM. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids increased plasma ghrelin concentration, and the ghrelin concentration with CLFAs plus RPM was the highest among the treatments. Plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and insulin were decreased with CLFAs, whereas adding RPM moderated the decrease of plasma glucagon concentration by CLFAs. These results indicate that the addition of methionine to cows given CLFAs increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and glucagon associated with the decrease in plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho.     

Effects of intravenous ghrelin injection on plasma growth hormone,insulin and glucose concentrations in calves at weaning

Ghrelin action, which stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion, may alter during the weaning period in calves. Our objective was to compare the effects of intravenous ghrelin injection on plasma GH, insulin and glucose concentrations in calves around the weaning period. Four Holstein bull calves were fed whole milk and allowed free access to solid feeds, and weaned at 7 weeks of age. Measurements were performed at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13, when calves were intravenously injected with ghrelin (1.0 μg/kg body weight (BW)) through a catheter, and jugular blood samples were obtained temporally relative to the injection time. Estimated digestible energy intake per metabolic BW transiently decreased at week 7 because of low solid intake immediately after weaning, and thereafter gradually increased. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were not affected by ghrelin injection at all ages. In contrast, plasma GH concentrations increased with ghrelin injection at all ages. The incremental area of GH at week 7 was greatest and significantly higher compared with weeks 2, 4, 6 and 9. This result suggests that nutrient insufficiency immediately after weaning enhances GH responsiveness to ghrelin.     

Ultrastructural studies of spermatia of grey mould (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryotinia fuckeliana</Emphasis>)

To investigate maturation of spermatia of Botryotinia fuckeliana, we examined micro-structural changes in spermatia in liquid culture. Three to four spherical lipid bodies were seen in the center of the cell at the start of culturing. After 3–7 days, maturing spermatia had developed large mitochondria along with extensively developed granular endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, the lipid bodies decreased not only in number but also in size over time. The results obtained here suggest that the maturation of spermatia involves active cell metabolism using the energy supply from lipid bodies.     

Plasma concentrations and effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide in calves before and after weaning

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1), secreted by the small intestine, has insulinotropic and glucose-lowering action. Basal plasma GLP-1 concentrations were measured in calves around the weaning period, the effect of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) on plasma GLP-1 concentrations was examined, and the effects of GLP-1 administration on plasma insulin, glucagon, and glucose concentrations were measured. Thirteen Holstein bull calves were fed whole milk and solid feed and weaned at 7 wk of age. Preprandial plasma samples were obtained from 5 calves once a week from week 0 to 13 to measure basal concentrations of plasma GLP-1 and insulin (experiment 1). Four calves were intravenously administered with a mixed solution of SCFA (2.4 mmol/kg body weight [BW]) in week 2 and 11 to measure plasma GLP-1 concentrations (experiment 2). Another 4 calves were intravenously injected with GLP-1 (1.0 μg/kg BW) to elucidate the response of plasma insulin, glucagon, and glucose concentrations in week 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 13 (experiment 3). In experiment 1, age and weaning did not affect preprandial basal concentrations of plasma GLP-1 throughout the experimental period. Preprandial insulin concentrations increased after weaning (P < 0.05), and GLP-1 and insulin were more strongly correlated postweaning than preweaning. In experiment 2, intravenous treatment with SCFA increased plasma GLP-1 concentrations in both week 2 and 11 (P < 0.05.) In experiment 3, intravenous GLP-1 treatment decreased plasma glucose concentrations throughout the experiment (P < 0.05), but increased plasma insulin concentrations only after weaning (P < 0.05). Treatment with GLP-1 did not affect plasma glucagon concentrations, regardless of age. These results indicate that preprandial basal concentrations of plasma GLP-1 in calves are not changed by weaning, but SCFA stimulate GLP-1 secretion. The insulinotropic action of GLP-1 is detected only after weaning, but the glucose-lowering action of GLP-1 is not affected by weaning.     

Recent Earth oblateness variations: unraveling climate and postglacial rebound effects

Earth's dynamic oblateness (J2) has been decreasing due to postglacial rebound (PGR). However, J2 began to increase in 1997, indicating a pronounced global-scale mass redistribution within Earth's system. We have determined that the observed increases in J2 are caused primarily by a recent surge in subpolar glacial melting and by mass shifts in the Southern, Pacific, and Indian oceans. When these effects are removed, the residual trend in J2 (-2.9 x 10(-11) year-1) becomes consistent with previous estimates of PGR from satellite and eclipse data. The climatic significance of these rapid shifts in glacial and oceanic mass, however, remains to be investigated.     

Lactic acid bacteria effective for regulating the growth of contaminant bacteria during the fermentation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Undaria pinnatifida</Emphasis> (Phaeophyta)

ABSTRACT:   Lactic acid fermentation of seaweed is a recent topic and quite limited information is available on culture conditions. To know the suitable strains for use as a starter culture for seaweed fermentation, 14 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, including 11 species, were tested in culture conditions prepared with or without salt. A commercial product of Undaria pinnatifida powder was used as a substrate for fermentation without sterilizing. Starter-suitability of the LAB strains was assessed from their predominance after culture. Among the tested strains, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed high (>90%) predominance in their cultures, while control cultures prepared without inoculation of LAB did not show any detectable growth of acid producing bacteria and spoiled. A total of 102 strains not showing acid producing activity were isolated and characterized from spoiled cultures, and all the isolates were observed as Bacillus strains, including 64 strains (62.7%) and 16 strains (15.7%) of a Bacillus cereu s-related and B. fusiformis -related species, respectively. The Undaria substrate before fermentation contained culturable microorganisms at 1.4–3.1 × 10² CFU/g, but the Bacillus cereu s-related strain was not a major composition, suggesting a concern of selective growth of the Bacillus cereu s-related strain during the spoiled fermentation.     

Ingestion of medium chain fatty acids by lactating dairy cows increases concentrations of plasma ghrelin

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) on plasma ghrelin concentration in lactating dairy cows. Five early-lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a crossover design with 2-wk periods. Treatments consisted of diets supplemented or not (control) with calcium salts of MCFAs (MCFA-Ca; 1.5% dry matter). Plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations in blood samples taken from the jugular vein were measured on the morning of feeding on day 14 of each period. Dry matter intake, milk protein, and lactose content of cows fed the MCFA-Ca diet were decreased compared with controls, but with no change in milk yield. Plasma ghrelin concentrations were higher in cows fed the MCFA-Ca diet; however, no significant effect was found on glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations in plasma. Plasma insulin concentrations decreased, but plasma glucagon concentrations remained unchanged in cows fed the MCFA-Ca diet. The concentrations of nonesterified FAs, total cholesterol, and β-hydroxybutyrate in plasma increased in these cows. In conclusion, dietary MCFAs increase the plasma ghrelin concentrations in lactating dairy cows.     

Genotyping of benzimidazole-resistant and dicarboximide-resistant mutations in Botrytis cinerea using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays

Botrytis cinerea, an economically important gray mold pathogen, frequently exhibits multiple fungicide resistance. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay has been developed to detect benzimidazole- and dicarboximide-resistant mutations. Three benzimidazole-resistant mutations-(198)Glu to Ala (E198A), F200Y, and E198K-in beta-tubulin BenA were detected using a single set of fluorescence-labeled sensor and anchor probes by melting curve analysis. Similarly, three dicarboximide-resistant mutations-I365S, V368F plus Q369H, and Q369P-in the histidine kinase BcOS1 were successfully distinguished. Unassigned melting profiles in BenA genotyping assay resulted in the identification of a new benzimidazole-resistant BenA E198V mutation. This mutation conferred resistance to carbendazim as do E198A and E198K mutations. The isolates with BenA E198V mutation showed a negative cross-resistance to diethofencarb, but to a lesser extent than the E198A mutants. A survey of 210 B. cinerea field isolates revealed that most of benzimidazole-resistant isolates possessed the E198V or E198A mutation in the BenA gene, and the I365S mutation in the BcOS1 gene was also frequently observed in Japanese isolates. However, benzimidazole-resistant isolates with BenA F200Y or E198K mutations, which confer the diethofencarb-insensitive phenotype, were rare. Our BenA and BcOS1 genotyping is a rapid and reliable method that is suitable for monitoring the fungicide-resistant field population.     

Plasma ghrelin concentration is decreased by short chain fatty acids in wethers

To examine the effects of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on plasma ghrelin concentration, 4 wethers were injected intravenously with SCFA solutions [acetate (ACE), propionate (PRO), and butyrate (BUT) (0.8 mmol/kg BW)] and saline. The experiment was conducted after a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each solution was injected into the jugular vein catheter with blood samples taken at −10, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min relative to the injection time also from this catheter. Plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased after injection with ACE, PRO, and BUT. Although plasma glucose concentrations increased after injection with PRO and BUT (P < 0.05), the increment areas were greater with BUT than with PRO. Plasma insulin concentrations increased after injection with PRO and BUT (P < 0.05). The decrement areas in plasma ghrelin concentrations were equal in ACE, PRO, and BUT. These data suggest that SCFAs inhibit ghrelin secretion in wethers and not through increased circulating glucose and insulin as previously proposed.