A genetic analysis of meat compositions in Japanese Black cattle: Genetic parameters and sex influence.

Meat composition in beef is related to eating quality and food functionality. Genetic parameters for several meat compositions including free amino acid, peptide and sugar, however, remain poorly described. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for 51 meat components, including free amino acids, peptides, sugars and fatty acid compositions, and two carcase traits in 1,354 heifers and 1,797 steers of Japanese Black cattle. Heritability estimates were generally equivalent to or moderately greater than those in previous studies of this breed. Genetic correlations between free amino acids, peptides and sugars and carcase traits were often negative, suggesting a trade-off between traits. Using two-trait animal models that treat records from the two sexes as different traits, we estimated sex-specific heritabilities and cross-sex genetic correlations which indicate the sex differences in genetic architecture. In these analyses, 12 traits showed significant heritability differences between sexes and cross-sex genetic correlations occasionally deviated from unity. These results could be used to inform future breeding schemes and investigations of the genetic architecture of meat compositions in beef.

Whole-genome prediction of fatty acid composition in meat of Japanese Black cattle.

Because fatty acid composition influences the flavor and texture of meat, controlling it is particularly important for cattle breeds such as the Japanese Black, characterized by high meat quality. We evaluated the predictive ability of single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) in fatty acid composition of Japanese Black cattle by assessing the composition of seven fatty acids in 3088 cattle, of which 952 had genome-wide marker genotypes. All sires of the genotyped animals were genotyped, but their dams were not. Cross-validation was conducted for the 952 animals. The prediction accuracy was higher with ssGBLUP than with best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for all traits, and in an empirical investigation, the gain in accuracy of using ssGBLUP over BLUP increased as the deviations in phenotypic values of the animals increased. In addition, the superior accuracy of ssGBLUP tended to be more evident in animals whose maternal grandsire was genotyped than in other animals, although the effect was small.

Estimation of genetic parameters for bull conception rate and its genetic correlations with semen production traits in Japanese Black bulls.

The P of achieving pregnancy is an important trait of bull fertility in beef cattle and is defined as the bull conception rate (BCR). This study aimed to clarify and better understand the genetic architecture of the BCR calculated using artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis records from a progeny testing program in Japanese Black bulls. In this study, we estimated the genetic parameters of the BCR and their correlation with semen production traits. In addition, we assessed the correlated responses in BCR by considering the selection of semen production traits. Nine hundred and sixteen Japanese Black bulls were selected based on fertility, with 28 869 pregnancy diagnostic records from the progeny testing program. Our results showed that the heritability estimate was 0.04 in the BCR at the first service and 0.14 in BCR for the three services, and an increase in the inbreeding coefficient led to a significant decrease in BCR. The phenotypic trend of BCR remained almost constant over the years, whereas the genetic trend increased. In addition, the changes in the progeny testing year effect showed a similar tendency to the phenotypic trends, suggesting that the phenotypic trends could be mainly due to non-genetic effects, including progeny testing year effects. The estimated genetic correlation of BCR with sperm motility traits was favorably moderate to high (ranging from 0.49 to 0.97), and those with sperm quantity traits such as semen volume were favorably low to moderate (ranging from 0.23 to 0.51). In addition, the correlated responses in BCR at the first service by selection for sperm motility traits resulted in a higher genetic gain than direct selection. This study provides new insights into the genetic factors affecting BCR and the possibility of implementing genetic selection to improve BCR by selecting sperm motility traits in Japanese Black bulls.

A potent allele marker related to low bull conception rate in Japanese Black bulls.

Over the years, there has been considerable variation in the bull conception rate (BCR) of Japanese Black cattle; moreover, several Japanese Black bulls with a low BCR of ≤10% have been identified. However, the alleles responsible for the low BCR are not determined yet. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for predicting low BCR. To this end, the genome of Japanese Black bulls was comprehensively examined by a genome-wide association study with whole-exome sequencing (WES), and the effect of the identified marker regions on BCR was determined. The WES analysis of six sub-fertile bulls with a BCR of ≤10% and 73 normal bulls with a BCR of ≥40% identified a homozygous genotype for low BCR in Bos taurus autosome 5 in the region between 116.2 and 117.9 Mb. The g.116408653G > A SNP in this region had the most significant effect on the BCR (P-value = 1.0 × 10-23), and the GG (55.4 ± 11.2%) and AG (54.4 ± 9.4%) genotypes in the SNP had a higher phenotype than the AA (9.5 ± 6.1%) genotype for the BCR. The mixed model analysis revealed that g.116408653G > A was related to approximately 43% of the total genetic variance. In conclusion, the AA genotype of g.116408653G > A is a useful index for identifying sub-fertile Japanese Black bulls. Some positive and negative effects of SNP on the BCR were presumed to identify the causative mutations, which can help evaluate bull fertility.

Genome-wide detection of non-additive quantitative trait loci for semen production traits in beef and dairy bulls.

Semen production traits are important aspects of bull fertility, because semen quantity leads to direct profits for artificial insemination centres, and semen quality is associated with the probability of achieving a pregnancy. Most genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for semen production traits have assumed that each quantitative trait locus (QTL) has an additive effect. However, GWASs that account for non-additive effects are also important in fitness traits, such as bull fertility. Here, we performed a GWAS using models that accounted for additive and non-additive effects to evaluate the importance of non-additive effects on five semen production traits in beef and dairy bulls. A total of 65 463 records for 615 Japanese Black bulls (JB) and 50 734 records for 873 Holstein bulls (HOL), which were previously genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, were used to estimate genetic parameters and perform GWAS. The heritability estimates were low (ranged from 0.11 to 0.23), and the repeatability estimates were low to moderate (ranged from 0.28 to 0.45) in both breeds. The estimated repeatability was approximately twice as high as the estimated heritability for all traits. In this study, only one significant region with an additive effect was detected in each breed, but multiple significant regions with non-additive effects were detected for each breed. In particular, the region at approximately 64 Mbp on Bos taurus autosome 17 had the highest significant non-additive effect on four semen production traits in HOL. The rs41843851 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the region had a much lower P-value for the non-additive effect (P-value = 1.1 × 10-31) than for the additive effect (P-value = 1.1 × 10-8) in sperm motility. The AA and AB genotypes on the SNP had a higher phenotype than the BB genotype in HOL, and there was no bull with the BB genotype in JB. Our results showed that non-additive QTLs affect semen production traits, and a novel QTL accounting for non-additive effects could be detected by GWAS. This study provides new insights into non-additive QTLs that affect fitness traits, such as semen production traits in beef and dairy bulls.

Measurement of the variation of electron-to-proton mass ratio using ultracold molecules produced from laser-cooled atoms.

Experimental techniques to manipulate cold molecules have seen great development in recent years. The precision measurements of cold molecules are expected to give insights into fundamental physics. Here we use a rovibrationally pure sample of ultracold KRb molecules to improve the measurement on the stability of electron-to-proton mass ratio [Formula: see text]. The measurement is based upon a large sensitivity coefficient of the molecular spectroscopy, which utilizes a transition between a nearly degenerate pair of vibrational levels each associated with a different electronic potential. Observed limit on temporal variation of µ is [Formula: see text], which is better by a factor of five compared with the most stringent laboratory molecular limits to date. Further improvements should be straightforward, because our measurement was only limited by statistical errors.

Apoplexy accompanying pituitary adenoma as a complication of preoperative anterior pituitary function tests.

Pituitary apoplexy occurs as a very rare complication of the pituitary function test. We have experienced two cases of pituitary apoplexy following anterior pituitary function tests for preoperative assessment: a triple bolus test and a TRH test. To elucidate such a rare complication, we outline our two cases and review 28 cases from the literature. The clinical characteristics, etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications are also discussed. The combined data suggest that pituitary function tests have the potential to precipitate pituitary apoplexy, and its manifestations range from a clinically benign event to a catastrophic presentation with permanent neurological deficits or even death, although most patients may fortunately have a good outcome. We suggest that the pituitary function test should not be done as a routine test, and when such a test is planned, the patient should be observed with caution for any symptomatic changes for at least 2 hours following the test for appropriate treatment. Further, MRI, especially enhanced studies, may provide an earlier diagnosis of the pituitary apoplexy since CT scan images often fail to demonstrate either density changes or obvious enlargement of the pituitary adenoma at the acute stage.

Genetic analysis of semen production traits of Japanese Black and Holstein bulls: genome-wide marker-based estimation of genetic parameters and environmental effect trends.

The semen production traits of bulls from 2 major cattle breeds in Japan, Holstein and Japanese Black, were analyzed comprehensively using genome-wide markers. Weaker genetic correlations were observed between the 2 age groups (1 to 3 yr old and 4 to 6 yr old) regarding semen volume and sperm motility compared with those observed for sperm number and motility after freeze-thawing. The preselection of collected semen for freezing had a limited effect. Given the increasing importance of bull proofs at a young age because of genomic selection and the results from preliminary studies, we used a multiple-trait model that included motility after freeze-thawing with records collected at young ages. Based on variations in contemporary group effects, accounting for both seasonal and management factors, Holstein bulls may be more sensitive than Japanese Black bulls to seasonal environmental variations; however, the seasonal variations of contemporary group effects were smaller than those of overall contemporary group effects. The improvement of motilities, recorded immediately after collection and freeze-thawing, was observed in recent years; thus, good management and better freeze-thawing protocol may alleviate seasonal phenotypic differences. The detrimental effects of inbreeding were observed in all traits of both breeds; accordingly, the selection of candidate bulls with high inbreeding coefficients should be avoided per general recommendations. Semen production traits have never been considered for bull selection. However, negative genetic trends were observed. The magnitudes of the estimated h were comparable to those of other economically important traits. A single-step genomic BLUP will provide more accurate predictions of breeding values compared with BLUP; thus, marker genotype information is useful for estimating the genetic merits of bulls for semen production traits. The selection of these traits would improve sperm viability, a component related to breeding success, and alleviate negative genetic trends.

Structure-activity study of antiulcerous and antiinflammatory drugs by discriminant analysis.

Discriminant analysis was used in the structure-activity study of antiulcerous benzoguanamines, antiinflammatory phenylacetic acids, and aminouracils. The usual discriminant analysis requires the equality of covariance matrix for the multivariate normal distribution between observation groups. When this condition is not fulfilled for some pairs of groups, a modified procedure, the "admissible" discriminant analysis after Anderson and Bahadur, was applied. In this procedure, the model of equal covariance is not the prerequisite for the analysis. As the primary criterion for selecting the best combination of variables in the discriminant functions, we used the number of misclassified compounds which is minimum. The discriminant variables were selected from the physiochemical parameters used to analyze the variation in hydrophobicity due to structural modifications. The potency scores divided into three groups for each of the three series of compounds were predicted with more than 80% accuracy, when the two-group analysis was performed for the most potent and least potent groups omitting the intermediary group.

Linear eccrine poroma.

A 44-year-old woman had multiple papular lesions of 20 years' duration. The lesions were limited to the right lower extremity and were arranged in a linear fashion. They had the histologic appearance of eccrine poroma; however, thin intertwining strands of tumor cells extended down into the dermis in a pattern similar to that of premalignant fibroepithelioma. Also, bud-like proliferations of tumor cells were attached to the epidermis, analogous to those superficial basal cell epithelioma. A dilated cystic duct resembling that found in syringoma was present in the upper part of the dermis. To my knowledge, such a linear distribution of multiple eccrine poromas has not been reported in the dermatologic literature.

Spontaneous regression of plane warts after inflammation: clinical and histologic studies in 25 cases.

Based on clinical and histological studies in 25 patients, we have confirmed that plane warts show a characteristic phenomenon of spontaneous regression totally distinct from that described in common warts. This regression developed during various treatments in nine cases, and in 16 cases, it occurred spontaneously. In all the patients, there was a sudden and systemic onset of inflammation in every flat wart. Within two to six weeks, all the warts completely involuted. Histologically, there were variable degrees of epidermal changes depending on the stage of inflammation. However, a mononuclear cell infiltration with epidermal invasion was demonstrated in every biopsy specimen. This evidence further supports the earlier concept that this regressive phenomenon of plane warts is mediated by cellular immunity. It represents a natural experimental model of rejection of tumors induced by papovavirus in humans.

Recovery processes during regression of plane warts.

The regressing process of plane warts can be divided into two phases: initial changes of wart virus-infected cells that later result in degeneration of warts, and recovery phase in which degenerating warts are rejected from the level of the basal layer followed by regeneration of normal epidermal cells from the surrounding epidermis. Electron microscopic observations of recovery phase of wart regression showed (1) the epidermal lesion was clearly divided into degenerating wart possessing altered viruses and regerating epidermis; (2) melanocytes were demonstrated in degenerating warts; and (3) a new granular layer was evident beneath regressing wart in late recovery. Throughout the recovery process, infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages was observed only in regenerating epidermis.

A case of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome with reduced DNA repair capacity.

BACKGROUND: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is an autosomal recessively inherited disease with multiple skin disorders, and little has been known about the cause of the clinical features. We cultured the cells from a patient with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and examined the ultraviolet repair characteristics. OBSERVATIONS: A 5-year-old boy with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is presented. He has had reticular pigmentation and hypopigmentation on his cheeks, upper aspect of the trunk, palms, and soles since 6 months of age. Cells originating from the patient had reduced unscheduled DNA synthesis, 37% of normal, after exposure to ultraviolet C (predominantly at 254 nm), and they were slightly more sensitive to ultraviolet C than were normal cells in cell ultraviolet survival. CONCLUSION: Such repair deficiency might account for the mild sun sensitivity in early childhood. Heterogeneity in the repair mechanism as well as in clinical features in this syndrome was suggested.

Unusual CT and MR appearance of an epidermoid tumor of the cerebellopontine angle.

We present a case of an unusual epidermoid tumor of the cerebellopontine angle that appeared hyperdense on CT scans and hyperintense on T1- and T2-weighted MR images. We believe that these imaging characteristics were caused by a high protein concentration within the contents of the cyst.

Effect of artificial carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia (Fontaine IV) in peripheral arterial disease patients.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that artificial carbon dioxide (CO(2)) foot bathing improves subcutaneous microcirculation in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. However, the effect for critical limb ischemia (CLI) with ulceration or gangrene (Fontaine stage IV) is not identified. The physiological effects of CO(2) bathing and the outcome of limb salvage in such patients were studied. METHODS: In 18 healthy volunteers (Study I), the dorsal pedis peripheral blood flow was measured by a laser Doppler flow-meter during CO(2) foot bathing (1000 ppm, 37 degrees C) for 10 min. A Holter electrocardiogram was also recording in the same period. Blood flow and cell volume significantly increased during bathing. Eighty-three CLI limbs (Fontaine IV) in 68 PAD patients (Study II) underwent artificial CO(2) foot bathing (for 10 minutes twice daily >2 months) were followed up >6 months. RESULTS: In Study I, analysis of heart rate variability showed that high frequency amplitude (HFA) considerably increased and the ratio of low frequency amplitude to HFA (LF/HF) noticeably decreased during bathing. In Study II, 69 limbs (83.1%) could be salvaged. Twenty-seven of 28 limbs (96.4%) which have ulcer and gangrene in only one toe, 13/16 limbs (81.2%) in multiple toes and 29/39 limbs (74.4%) in all toes and/or heel respectively were saved. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of CO(2) enriched water on the subcutaneous microcirculation might be brought about by peripheral vasodilation reflected by increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity, and the artificial CO(2) foot bathing is clinically effective on salvage of CLI (Fontaine stage IV) limbs.

Environmental impacts of the Japanese beef-fattening system with different feeding lengths as evaluated by a life-cycle assessment method.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the environmental impacts of a beef-fattening system using the life-cycle assessment (LCA) method and to investigate the effects of feeding length on the LCA results. The functional unit was defined as one animal, and the stages associated with the beef-fattening life cycle, such as feed (concentrate and rough-age) production, feed transport, animal management, animal body (i.e., biological activity of cattle), and the treatment of cattle wastes, were included in the system boundary. Our results suggest that enteric or gut CH4 emissions of cattle were the major source in the impact category of global warming (2,851 kg of CO2 equivalents), whereas NH3 emissions from cattle waste were the major source in the impact categories of acidification (35.1 kg of SO2 equivalents) and eutrophication (6.16 kg of PO4 equivalents). Feed production also contributed a great deal to all categories. A shorter feeding length resulted in lower environmental impacts in all the environmental impact categories examined in the current study, such as global warming and acidification, although there was a difference in effect of reducing environmental impacts among the categories.

[A study on the disc sensitivity test for cefpirome].

Susceptibilities of 232 strains of 40 bacterial groups to cefpirome (CPR) were determined by the 2-fold agar dilution method in parallel with the diameter of inhibition zones by the single-disc method under the experimental conditions established by Kanazawa. The experiments demonstrated a significant correlation between MIC by the dilution method and diameter of inhibition zone in each of the conventional assay of over-night (about 16 hours) incubation, the delayed assay (about 24 hours incubation), and the rapid assay (about 3-4 or 5-6 hours incubation), thus confirming the applicability of the single-disc assay for CPR. Analysis of the data obtained by using CPR disc containing 30 micrograms revealed the primary regression equation to be: D (diameter, mm) = 26.7-9.2 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in the conventional assay, D = 33.8-12.7 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in the delayed assay, D = 21.2-6.7 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in 5-6 hours rapid assay, and D = 14.8-4.1 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in 3-4 hours rapid assay. The range of variations in MICs estimated from the diameter of inhibition zone by the disc test was then calculated in comparison with that in MIC determined by the 2-fold agar dilution test, as a reference for the experimental errors which may be involved in the estimation of MIC of CPR by the single-disc assay.

[A study on the disc sensitivity test for cefodizime].

Susceptibilities of 289 strains of 34 bacterial species to cefodizime (CDZM) were determined using the 2-fold agar dilution method in parallel with the measurement of inhibition zone diameters in the single-disc method under the experimental conditions established by Kanazawa. The experiments demonstrated a significant correlation between MIC by the dilution method and diameter of inhibition zone in each of the conventional, overnight assay (about 16 hours incubation), thus the applicability of the single-disc assay for CDZM was established. Analysis of the data obtained using discs containing 30 micrograms of CDZM/disc revealed that the primary regression equation was in the form: D (Diameter, mm) = 32.3-13.5 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in the conventional assay for staphylococci, Enterococcus group and glucose-non-fermentative Gram-negative rods. For other bacteria, the primary regression equation was in the form: D (diameter, mm) = 24.1-8.4 log MIC (micrograms/ml) in the conventional assay. The range of variations in MICs estimated from diameters of inhibition zones in the disc test was then calculated in comparison with that in MIC determined by the 2-fold agar dilution test to estimate experimental errors which may be involved in the determination of MICs of CDZM using the single-disc assay.

[Concentration of 5-fluorouracil in the blood and tissues of gastric and colo-rectal cancer patients after oral administration of UFT].

UFT is given to the patients with digestive cancer from the time before operation to prevent intra- and post-operative cancer dissemination and metastases. UFT (400 mg/day in terms of tegafur) was given preoperatively for 1-6 days in 6 patients with gastric cancer and 13 with colorectal cancer. The interval between the last administration and the beginning of the operation was 3.9 +/- 1.5 hours (mean +/- SD). The concentrations of tegafur, 5-FU, and uracil in the blood collected at the time of tumor resection were 9.68, 0.017, and 0.08 microgram/ml, respectively. In the patients with gastric cancer 5-FU concentration was 5.5 times higher in the normal mucosa, 3.3 times in lymph nodes, and 10.7 times in the tumor tissues than in the blood. In colorectal cancer patients, also, the 5-FU concentration was 5.6, 8.3 and 20.8 times higher in the normal mucosa, lymph nodes, and the tumor tissue, respectively, than in the blood. The 5-FU concentration in gastric cancer and colorectal cancer tissues decreased with time after administration of UFT but remained above the effective concentration 1.5-7 hours after administration of 200 mg. The tissue concentrations of FT-207, uracil, and 5-FU were correlated with each other.