Genetic mapping of genes for susceptibility to black spot disease in Japanese pears

Black spot disease, which is caused by the Japanese pear pathotype of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, is one of the most harmful diseases in Japanese pear cultivation. We identified the exact positions and linkage groups (LGs) of the genes for susceptibility to black spot in the Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) cultivars 'Osa Nijisseiki' (gene Ani) and 'Nansui' (gene Ana). Segregation of susceptibility and resistance fitted the expected ratio of 1:1 in progeny of 'Nansui' but showed a slight distortion in progeny of 'Osa Nijisseiki'. We mapped the genes for susceptibility to black spot in both populations using a genome scanning approach. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers CH04h02 and CH03d02 showed tight linkage to Ani and Ana. Although Ani and Ana are derived from different sources, both genes are located at the top region of LG 11. Information about the positions of the susceptibility genes and the molecular markers linked to them will be useful for marker-assisted selection in pear breeding programs.

DFF45/ICAD restores cisplatin-induced nuclear fragmentation but not DNA cleavage in DFF45-deficient neuroblastoma cells

We have previously defined a homozygously deleted region at chromosome 1p36.2-p36.3 in human neuroblastoma cell lines, NB-1 and NB-C201, and identified six genes including DFF45/ICAD within this region. In this study, we found that NB-C201 cells are much more resistant to various genotoxic stresses such as cisplatin (CDDP) than CHP134 and SH-SY5Y cells that do not have the homozygous deletion. To examine a role(s) of DFF45 in the regulation of apoptosis in response to CDDP, we have established stably DFF45-expressing NB-C201 cell clones (DFF45-1 and DFF45-3) and a control cell clone (NB-C201-C) using a retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. In contrast to NB-C201-C cells, DFF45-3 cells displayed apoptotic nuclear fragmentation in response to CDDP. Although CDDP-induced proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3 and DFF45 in DFF45-3 cells, we could not detect a typical apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Additionally, deletion analysis revealed that C-terminal region of DFF45 is required for inducing nuclear fragmentation. Unexpectedly, (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays demonstrated that DFF45 has undetectable effect on CDDP sensitivity of NB-C201 cells. Taken together, our present results suggest that DFF45/DFF40 system may be sufficient for CDDP-induced nuclear fragmentation but not DNA cleavage.

134 CONCEPTION RATES OF IN VITRO-PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS CRYOPRESERVED IN 6% GLYCEROL AND TRANSFERRED BY THE DIRECT METHOD

Ethylene glycol has been used as the standard cryoprotectant for direct transfer of bovine embryos due to its high permeability. But Merton et al. reported that cryoprotectivity of glycerol for bovine embryos was superior to that of ethylene glycol (2001 Theriogenology 55, 312 abst). We previously reported that nonsurgical transfer of in vivo-derived bovine embryos cryopreserved in a lower concentration (5%) of glycerol and thawed by stepwise method resulted in a 55.4% conception rate, whereas direct transfer without removal of cryoprotectant showed only a 45.1% conception rate (Takada et al. 2005 Jpn. J. Embryo Transfer 27, 59–64). In this experiment, survival and conception rates of in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos cryopreserved in 6% glycerol solution (GLY) were compared to those of embryos cryopreserved in 10% ethylene glycol plus 0.1 M sucrose solution (EG). Cumulus–oocyte complexes were matured and fertilized according to Numabe et al. (2000 Theriogenology 54, 1409–1420). Presumed zygotes were cultured in mSOF supplemented with 5% calf serum (CS) and 0.25% linoleic acid albumin at 38.5�C under 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2 for 7 days. At the expanded blastocyst stage, embryos were placed in GLY or EG in PBS supplemented with 20% CS for 15 min at room temperature and loaded into 0.25-mL straws. Straws were placed directly into an alcohol freezer. When the cryoprotectant was GLY, straws were seeded at -4.0�C, held for 10 min, cooled at 0.5�C min to -30.5�C, and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. When the cryoprotectant was EG, the seeding point was -7.5�C, and the plunging point was -34.0�C, but the rest of the protocol was the same as for GLY. In Exp. 1, thawing in both groups was done in a 30�C water bath, and the contents were directly rehydrated in PBS with 20% CS. Thawed embryos were cultured in mSOF with 5% CS for 24 h to assess embryo survival rate, based on the re-expansion of the blastcoele and on their hatching ability. In Exp. 2, embryos in both groups were thawed and transferred to synchronous recipients without removing the cryoprotectant. Data were analyzed using chi-square analysis. In Exp. 1, the developmental rates of post-thaw embryos were similar in GLY (46/52, 88.5%) and EG (45/52, 86.5%); however, the hatching rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in embryos cryopreserved in EG (26/52, 50.0%) than in GLY (15/52, 28.8%). In Exp. 2, the conception rates of embryos were similar in both groups, GLY (7/15, 46.7%) and EG (6/15, 40.0%). In conclusion, after direct rehydration of embryos, the developmental ability of IVP bovine embryos cryopreserved in EG was superior to that of embryos cryopreserved in GLY in vitro. However, conception rates in vivo were similar in both groups. These results suggest that a lower concentration of glycerol might be still useful as a cryoprotectant for direct transfer of IVP bovine embryos.

14 MOTILITY AND FERTILITY OF BULL SPERMATOZOA FROZEN IN EGG YOLK EXTENDER SUPPLEMENTED WITH LACTOFERRIN

Lactoferrin (Lf) is secreted by the prostate, seminal vesicles, and epididymis, and appears to represent a major component of the sperm-coating antigens that protect sperm. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Lf used in semen extender on motility and fertility of bovine frozen semen. Semen samples were collected from three fertile Japanese Black sires. The semen collected was cooled and extended with egg yolk–Tris extender supplemented with glycerol and Lf (from bovine milk) to give final concentrations of 7% and 0, 10, 100, 500, 1000, or 2000 �g mL-1, respectively. After being extended, the semen was packaged in 0.5-mL straws, frozen, and transferred into liquid nitrogen. At least one week later, the frozen semen was thawed and washed mTALP containing caffeine. Motile sperm were separated by discontinuous 2-step (40 and 80%) Percoll gradient centrifugation. Sperm motility was calculated as the percentage of motile sperm separated by Percoll gradients relative to pre-separated sperm. Sperm motility character (motile sperm, progressive sperm) was analyzed by a CASA system (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). In the following experiment, we examined the effect of Lf added in the extender on improvement of semen fertility. The frozen semen from one sire extended with or without 500 �g mL-1 of Lf was prepared (99 straws with Lf, 99 straws without), distributed to three inseminators, and used to inseminate to 198 cows. The sperm motility and motility character were analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher's exact test. The field trials were evaluated by chi-square test. After selection of motile sperm with the Percoll gradient, examination of sperm motility revealed that addition of Lf in the extender increased sperm motility significantly (P < 0.05) compared to that in the control without Lf: 51.2–53.8% in semen with added Lf (100–2000 �g mL-1) vs. 39.6% in the control. CASA analysis showed that motile sperm and progressive sperm were improved significantly by the addition of Lf; the peak level was 500 �g mL-1 of Lf in the extender. The percentage of motile sperm in semen with added Lf was higher significantly (P < 0.01) than that of the control: with Lf of 100 and 500 �g mL-1, 50.8 and 56.0%, respectively, vs. 39.7% without Lf. The percentage of progressive sperm was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control: with Lf of 100 and 500 �g mL-1, 18.8 and 19.0%, respectively, vs. 13.5% without Lf. In the next experiment, we performed field trials to assess the availability of Lf for artificial insemination. In total, the group with Lf showed some but not a significant increase in fertility rate (delivery cow/inseminated cow) compared with the control group without Lf: 56.6% vs. 52.5%, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that addition of Lf in sperm extender may be useful for improvement of sperm motility and motility character after freezing and thawing. In the present study, we used fertile bulls, but the concentration of intact Lf in the semen was unknown, which might be the reason why the effect of Lf on the fertility rate was not observed to be significant. In future experiments it would be valuable to demonstrate the effect of Lf in subfertile semen.

Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov., isolated in Japan

The characterization of a novel Rickettsia species, first isolated from Ixodes ovatus ticks in Japan in 1993, is described for which the name Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is proposed. Using multilocus sequence comparison, five rickettsial isolates from I. ovatus collected at various locations in Japan were found to be identical but belonged to a novel species. Serotyping also demonstrated this rickettsia to be distinct from previously described Rickettsia species. The type strain of Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is IO-1(T) (=CSUR R2(T)). Following discussions held at the meeting of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) and its Judicial Commission (JC) in San Francisco, 2005, and in anticipation of the published minutes of the JC and ICSP, a committee consisting of the chairman of the ICSP, the chairman of the Judicial Commission of the ICSP and the Editor of the IJSEM has granted an exception in this case to the Rule governing the deposit of type material in two different collections in two different countries.

Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov., isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks

Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks in Japan in 1993. Comparative analysis of sequences obtained from 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB and sca4 gene fragments demonstrated those from AT-1(T) to be markedly different from those of other members of the spotted fever group. Using mouse serotyping, it was also observed that Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was different from other Rickettsia species with validly published names. Such genotypic and phenotypic characteristics warrant its classification as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain AT-1(T) (=CSUR R1(T)).

The effect of a valine-rich diet on intestinal adaptation to massive small bowel resection in the rat

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Recently, valine, which is one of the branched chain amino acids, has been reported to enhance liver regeneration after hepatectomy in the rat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enteral valine supplementation on intestinal adaptation.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Seven-week-old male Lewis rats underwent a 90% small bowel resection. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: group V (valine-rich diet) and group S (standard rat chow), according to the diet. The rats were sacrificed at the operation day and on postoperative days (POD) 7, 14, 30, and 60. The metrics were body weight (BW), blood amino acids, urine organic acids, and morphology of the residual small intestine.

RESULTS

The BW and the intestinal wet weight, jejunal crypt depth, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells in group V at POD 7 were significantly higher than those values in group S, while those in group V at POD 30 and 60 were smaller than those in group S. The urine methylmalonic acid (MMA) level in group V at POD 30 and 60 was much higher than in group S.

CONCLUSION

Valine enhanced intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection in the acute phase. However, the long-term supplementation disturbed intestinal adaptation, which might be due to the high production of MMA.

Relationship Between Real-Time Monitoring of the Graft Motility and Mucosal Histology in Swine Intestinal Transplantation

We studied the correlation between the motility and the mucosal histology of the small bowel seeking to detect rejection in an early stage by real-time monitoring using a swine model. Intestinal transplantation (ITx) was performed orthotopically using FK506 immunosuppression. The distal about 20 cm segment of the allograft was exteriorized as a Thiry-Vella stoma for biopsies. Strain gauge (SG) force transducers were attached to the graft for real-time monitoring of graft motility. Pigs without ITx were used as controls (group 1). Rejection was classified into four groups by histologic findings: nonrejection (group 2), mild rejection (group 3), moderate rejection (group 4), and severe rejection (group 5). Migrating motor complex (MMC) phase III was analyzed for the following parameters: duration, amplitude, interval, motility index, velocity, and frequency of propagation. In group 2, all parameters were almost the same as those for group 1. In contrast, groups 4 and 5 showed most parameters significantly lower than those in group 1. In group 3, the contractility of the MMC was not significantly altered, but the frequency of the propagation was decreased significantly. In conclusion, graft motility detected by a real-time SG method correlated with the grade of mucosal histology. This method is useful to detect rejection at an early stage by examining the frequency of MMC propagation.

Molecular evidence of the dispersal of Lyme disease Borrelia from the Asian Continent to Japan via migratory birds

Based on specific sequencing, we found that a Borrelia garinii strain from a rodent in Fukui Prefecture, Japan was highly similar to the unique Borrelia strains (pattern R'/R) isolated in northeastern China and Korea, and to strains from ticks feeding on migratory birds in Fukui Prefecture. These findings indicate that the Borrelia with this unique pattern may be locally naturalized to the epizootic transmission cycle in Japan, and that Borrelia is dispersed from the Asian Continent to Japan via migratory birds.

Evaluation of activation treatments for blastocyst production and birth of viable calves following bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different methods of bovine oocyte activation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in terms of oocyte cleavage and blastocyst rates, and calf production. Oocytes were harvested, post mortem, from the ovaries of Japanese Black heifers or cows. ICSI was carried out using a piezo-electric actuator. The injected or sham-injected oocytes that were assigned to three activation treatments, each replicated three times, were studied: (1) exposure to 5 microM ionomycin for 5 min (ionomycin); (2) exposure to 5 microM ionomycin for 5 min followed by culture in TCM199 for 3 h and a further 3h culture in 1.9 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP-ionomycin+DMAP); (3) exposure to 7% ethanol in TCM199 for 5 min, 4 h after ICSI (ethanol). One or two blastocysts from the ionomycin+DMAP (8 recipients) and ethanol (17 recipients) oocyte activation treatments were non-surgically transferred into Holsteins for the study of calf production. The highest cleavage and blastocyst production rates were observed in the ionomycin+DMAP treatment (83.9% and 40.1%) by the ICSI. These rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those for the ionomycin oocyte activation treatment (57.6% and 18.2%) but did not differ from the ethanol treatment (75.6% and 29.4%). In the sham-injected, the highest blastocyst production rates were observed for the ionomycin+DMAP and ethanol treatments (10.7% and 11.3%). Pregnancy and birth rates for blastocysts derived from the ethanol oocyte activation treatment (58.8% and 47.4%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the ionomycin+DMAP treatment (12.5% and 9.2%). The results showed that post-ICSI oocyte activation with ethanol is more effective than activation with ionomycin alone or with ionomycin+DMAP for the production of viable blastocysts and calves.

The first reported case of spotted fever in Fukui Prefecture, the northern part of central Japan

A 53-year-old man visited Mt. Arashima-dake in Fukui Prefecture, and was infested by a tick-like organism. He visited a local clinic on July 12, 2004, complaining of high fever, general fatigue and rash. After several days without definite diagnosis, he was admitted to the Fukui Prefectural Hospital, where he was treated with minocycline hydrochloride for 10 days until recovery. His clinical symptoms on admission were high fever (39.6 degrees C), erythematous eruption, eschar on the right upper arm, and regional lymphoadenopathy. The epidemiological status and some clinical findings strongly suggested spotted fever (SF), and SF was confirmed based on the finding that his sera were reactive only to antigens of the SF group rickettsiae in the indirect immunoperoxidase analysis. This case is the first official report of SF rickettsiosis in Fukui Prefecture, the northern part of central Japan.

Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato isolated in Moscow province – a sympatric region for Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus

The relationships between Borrelia species and the vector ticks, Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ricinus were examined in a molecular epidemiological study. We conducted a survey in the Moscow region which is a sympatric region for both species of tick. We examined 630 unfed I. ricinus and I. persulcatus, ticks collected from four different regions around Moscow within an area of 250 km2. Eighty-four ticks were culture positive (13.3%) and the prevalence rate varied in each region from 5.7% to 42.3%. No difference was found between the total prevalence rate for both species. Eight Borrelia afzelii-like variant isolates from I. ricinus and Clethrionomys glareolus were identified as B. afzelii by flagellin gene and 16S rDNA sequence analyses. Most isolates from I. ricinus were identified as Borrelia garinii type 20047 and B. afzelii. Two isolates were identified as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) and Borrelia valaisiana, respectively, but no B. garinii type NT29 was found. In contrast, isolates from I. persulcatus were identified as both types 20047 and NT29 of B. garinii, and B. afzelii. No B. burgdorferi s.s. isolate was found among isolates from I. persulcatus.

Reconstructive procedure after distal gastrectomy to prevent remnant gastritis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I) or gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) after distal gastrectomy is associated with duodenogastric reflux and remnant gastritis. This study sought to determine which reconstructive procedure is least likely to cause remnant gastritis and to determine the correlation between duodenogastric reflux and remnant gastritis.

METHODOLOGY

Sixty patients who underwent curative distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer were classified into three groups by reconstructive procedure: group A, Roux-Y (n=18); group B, Billroth I (n=25); group C, Billroth II (n=17). Intragastric bile reflux was monitored using the Bilitec 2000 14 days after surgery, and endoscopy was performed and a patient questionnaire was completed 12 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

Bile reflux occurred in 23.9%, 40.4%, and 73.4% of the time (p<0.001), and remnant gastritis developed in 33%, 76%, and 100% of patients (p<0.001), in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection did not correlate with remnant gastritis (p=0.57). Symptoms following Roux-Y reconstruction were comparable to those following Billroth I and II reconstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

Roux-Y reconstruction following distal gastrectomy is superior to Billroth I and II reconstruction in preventing remnant gastritis because it reduces duodenogastric reflux.

Survey of rodents and ticks in human babesiosis emergence area in Japan: first detection of Babesia microti-like parasites in Ixodes ovatus

Babesia microti-like parasites were detected for the first time in Ixodes ovatus in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, where two reported types of B. microti-like parasites were recognized in many rodents. Of 80 adult I. ovatus ticks collected, 5 possessed the reported type and 1 possessed a new type of B. microti-like parasite.

Real-time monitoring for detecting rejection using strain gauge force transducers in porcine small bowel transplantation

PURPOSE

The clinical results of small bowel transplantation (SBT) have not been satisfactory mainly because of the immunological barrier. It is important to detect the presence of and to perform adequate treatment of rejection as early as possible to improve graft survival. Therefore, we have established a pig model to monitor graft motility as a means to detect rejection in real time.

METHODS

Orthotropic SBT was performed in 25 pigs using FK-506 (0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg/d) immunosuppression. The interdigestive motor patterns were evaluated using strain gauge force transducers (SG). Seven pigs without SBT were treated as controls (C). Animals that displayed migrating motor complex (MMC) activity as evidenced by duration, amplitude, and interval in the graft were alive more than 10 days with adequate oral feeding: the functional graft (FG) group. In contrast the rejection (R) group did not show these activities on data recorded within 10 days before death due to rejection.

RESULTS

The FG group showed MMC propagated throughout the graft with all parameters almost the same as the control group except for the duration. In contrast, all parameters in the group R were significantly lower than those in group FG, suggesting that group R motility was obviously impaired by rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

The SG method may afford real-time monitoring of transplanted bowel motility that could be useful to detect rejection after SBT.

Comparison of three-field esophagectomy for esophageal cancer incorporating open or thoracoscopic thoracotomy

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has been performed as an alternative to open surgery to reduce surgical trauma. However, its effect on pulmonary function, exercise tolerability, and quality of life is unknown.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with esophageal cancer underwent thoracic esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy by posterolateral thoracotomy (29 cases) or thoracoscopic surgery (22 cases). Patients performed spirometry and exercise tolerance testing and completed a quality-of-life questionnaire before and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Pre-to-postoperative change in vital capacity was 74.3 +/- 10.6% in the thoracotomy group and 84.9 +/- 10.4% in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.021). Maximum oxygen uptake was similar, but dyspnea was the more common factor limiting exercise tolerance postoperatively in the thoracotomy group. Change in pre-to-postoperative performance status was 1.20 +/- 0.62 in the thoracotomy group and 0.55 +/- 0.51 in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has better preservation of pulmonary function and quality-of-life.

First isolation and characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Turkey

In order to investigate the presence and prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) Borrelia species, 312 unfed ticks were collected by flagging at a woodland area in Trakya, in the European side of Turkey, in May 2002. Twelve of 299 Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected with Borrelia spp., as determined by cultivation in BSK medium (prevalence rate 4.0 %). Ten pure cultures were subjected to further characterization by sequencing analysis of the 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer, 16S rDNA and flagellin gene. One isolate of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, two of Borrelia garinii (Eurasian type), two of Borrelia afzelii, four of Borrelia lusitaniae and one of Borrelia valaisiana were identified. However, no Asian-type B. garinii was found. Interestingly, all Borrelia species that are known to be carried by I. ricinus were discovered among the 10 isolates. These results provide the first evidence for the existence of the Lyme borreliosis agent in Turkey.

A comparison of video-assisted thoracoscopic oesophagectomy and radical lymph node dissection for squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus with open operation

The original article to which this erratum refers was published in British Journal of Surgery 2003; 90: 108–113.