MAL73, a novel regulator of maltose fermentation, is functionally impaired by single nucleotide polymorphism in sake brewing yeast.

For maltose fermentation, budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae operates a mechanism that involves transporters (MALT), maltases (MALS) and regulators (MALR) collectively known as MAL genes. However, functional relevance of MAL genes during sake brewing process remains largely elusive, since sake yeast is cultured under glucose-rich condition achieved by the co-culture partner Aspergillus spp..

Costs and benefits of larval jumping behaviour of Bathyplectes anurus.

Bathyplectes anurus, a parasitoid of the alfalfa weevils, forms a cocoon in the late larval stage and exhibits jumping behaviour. Adaptive significance and costs of the cocoon jumping have not been thoroughly studied. We hypothesised that jumping has the fitness benefits of enabling habitat selection by avoiding unfavourable environments.

[Investigation of whether CLSI broth microdilution method is applicable for MICs Determination of Enterococcus species].

The broth microdilution (BMD) method is an antimicrobial susceptibility testing method defined as a guideline by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). To date, the Japanese Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (JVARM), has adopted the agar dilution (AD) method for monitoring antimicrobial resistances targeting isolates of Enterococcus spp., found in the fecal flora of food-producing animals, as indicator bacteria.

Evaluation of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Choleraesuis slyA mutant strains for use in live attenuated oral vaccines.

SlyA protein plays a key role in virulence in Salmonella enterica. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the slyA mutant strain of S. enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S.

PCR-RFLP identification of prohibited animal derived DNA in animal feed.

A method for confirming identification of prohibited species tissue in animal feed has been developed on the basis of PCR-RFLP analysis. In Japan, to prevent the spread of BSE through animal feed, the use of animal protein in feed has been regulated. Species-specific PCR detection of prohibited species materials in feed has been used as one of a series of laboratory tests to ensure the proper implementation of the feed regulations.

Guidelines used in Japan to prevent the contamination of feed products with undesirable substances.

As Japan depends on imports for most ingredients used to manufacture feed products, close co-operation is indispensable between importers and manufacturers of feed and feed ingredients to effectively mitigate the risk associated with feed safety. Guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in March 2008 to prevent feed products from being contaminated with undesirable substances. These guidelines identify the responsibilities of feed ingredient importers, feed manufacturers and distributors, as well as the roles of the MAFF and the Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Centre.

Control and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in food-producing animals in Japan.

Increased antimicrobial resistance in bacteria that cause infections in humans is a threat to public health. The use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals in the form of veterinary medicine and feed additives may lead to the emergence or spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin. In Japan, the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals is regulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and Feed Safety Law to minimise the risk of emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria.

High GC contents of primer 5'-end increases reaction efficiency in polymerase chain reaction.

Many studies have suggested that regulation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is influenced by several factors. However, the understanding of reaction efficiency factors is not sufficient. Here we propose that high GC contents of primer 5'-end increases reaction efficiency in PCR.

Conjugative transposition of Tn916 and detection of Tn916-Like transposon in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

In order to investigate the origin of tetracycline resistance in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, conjugative transpositions of Tn916 were tested. The frequency of transfer between strains of E. rhusiopathiae was about 10-fold higher than that between Enterococcus faecalis and E.

Development of primers for detection of heat-treated cetacean materials in porcine meat and bone meal.

The feed ban introduced after the detection of the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in 2001 in Japan has been modified to allow some of the previously prohibited animal materials to be used in animal feed. Recently, porcine materials were allowed to be used in feed for pigs, poultry, and fish. Materials from other mammals, including whales, remain prohibited.

Etiological and biological characteristics of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated between 1994 and 2001 from pigs with swine erysipelas in Japan.

We investigated 66 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains isolated from pigs affected with swine erysipelas in Japan from 1994 to 2001 for serotype, pathogenicity towards mice, protection in vaccinated mice and antimicrobial susceptibility. Most of the isolates (84.8%) were serotype 1 or 2.

A 39 kDa protein mediates adhesion of avian Pasteurella multocida to chicken embryo fibroblast cells.

To clarify the role of avian Pasteurella multocida capsule in pathogenesis, adhesion of capsulated strains P-1059, X-73 and Pm-18, and noncapsulated strains P-1059B, Pm-1 and Pm-3 to chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells was compared. Number of adherent organisms of the capsulated strains to CEF cells were approximately three times as much as noncapsulated strains indicating that adhesive properties were enhanced by the presence of bacterial capsule. Pretreatments of the bacterial cells with heat, trypsin, or with antiserum caused a marked decrease in adhesion of capsulated strain P-1059 and its noncapsulated variant P-1059B.

Pathogenicity for mice and swine of Erysipelothrix isolates from the tonsils of healthy cattle.

The pathogenicity of 79 Erysipelothrix isolates from bovine tonsils for mice and swine was determined. Five (6.3%) isolates were lethal for mice.

Molecular analysis of a haemagglutinin of Haemophilus paragallinarum.

The gene encoding a haemagglutinin of H. paragallinarum, hagA, has been identified and the full-length nucleotide sequence determined. A approximately 39 kDa protein, recognized by an anti-haemagglutinin monoclonal antibody, mAb4D, was purified from H.

The reproductive strategy of the gregarious parasitoid, Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) : 2. Host size discrimination and regulation of the number and sex ratio of progeny in a single host.

Host size of Pteromalus puparum, a gregarious pupal parasitoid, shows a wide inter- and intraspecific variation. Experiments were made to study the regulation of the number and sex ratio of progeny per host by the parasitoid. The parasitoid could discriminate inter- and intraspecific size differences of the host and regulate the number of eggs according to the host size when a single female attacked the host.

The reproductive strategy of the gregarious parasitoid, Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) : 1. Optimal number of eggs in a single host.

Pteromalus puparum is a gregarious parasitoid of many butterfly pupae. Adult size, mortality, and sex ratio of P. puparum, as a parasitoid of Papilio xuthus, were unit weight of the host.