Exploring the size of reference population for expected accuracy of genomic prediction using simulated and real data in Japanese Black cattle.

Background: Size of reference population is a crucial factor affecting the accuracy of prediction of the genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV). There are few studies in beef cattle that have compared accuracies achieved using real data to that achieved with simulated data and deterministic predictions. Thus, extent to which traits of interest affect accuracy of genomic prediction in Japanese Black cattle remains obscure.

Vegetative Reproduction Is More Advantageous Than Sexual Reproduction in a Canopy-Forming Clonal Macroalga under Ocean Warming Accompanied by Oligotrophication and Intensive Herbivory.

Ocean warming and the associated changes in fish herbivory have caused polarward distributional shifts in the majority of canopy-forming macroalgae that are dominant in temperate Japan, but have little effect on the alga . The regeneration ability of new shoots from holdfasts in this species may be advantageous in highly grazed environments. However, little is known about the factors regulating this in species.

Two new records of powdery mildews () from Japan: sp. nov. and sp. on .

on is described based on morphological and molecular data. is distinguished from var. by having irregularly to dichotomously branched chasmothecial appendages, larger chasmothecia sizes and numbers of asci per chasmothecium.

Development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) application for detection and genotyping of RSIV-type megalocytiviruses.

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) belonging to the genus Megalocytivirus of the family Iridoviridae is the cause of serious mass mortality of cultured marine fishes. RSIV-type megalocytiviruses show extremely high nucleotide sequence identities. Thus, epidemiological studies on this virus are limited.

Identification of Ophiocordyceps gracilioides by Its Anti-tumor Effects through Targeting the NFκB-STAT3-IL-6 Inflammatory Pathway.

Although more than 400 species of Cordyceps s.l. have been identified, most have not been well explored regarding their potential for medicinal use.

Anti-metastatic effects of ergosterol peroxide from the entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps gracilioides on 4T1 breast cancer cells.

Ophiocordyceps gracilioides is an entomoparasitic ascomycetes whose bioactivity has not been examined in detail. In this study, we identified the bioactive compounds ergosterol peroxide (EPO) and ergosterol (ERG) from the MeOH extract of O. gracilioides mycelia related to its anti-cancer effects by targeting the Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-ĸB)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) inflammatory pathways.

Detection of Two Biotypes of Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Japan.

The larva of stone leek leafminer, Liriomyza chinensis (Kato), is known to infest alternately just below the epidermis and inner surface of hollow cylindrical leaves of allium crops, resulting in the formation of discontinuous linear mines (mine form: discontinuous). However, after the fall of 2016, a novel mine form of the same species (mine form: continuous) was detected in Welsh onion fields of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. We hypothesized that these mine forms were associated with flies having different genetic backgrounds; hence, we compared the mine forms and the partial mtCOI gene of flies collected from Welsh onion fields from 2018 to 2019.

Mitigation Effects of Bentonite and Yeast Cell Wall Binders on AFB, DON, and OTA Induced Changes in Laying Hen Performance, Egg Quality, and Health.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mycotoxin binders in reducing the adverse effects of co-occurring dietary aflatoxin B (AFB), deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) on laying hens. Three hundred and sixty 26-week-old Roman laying hens were randomly allocated into four experimental groups with 10 replicates of nine birds each. The four groups received either a basal diet (BD; Control), a BD supplemented with 0.

Construction of a reference transcriptome for the analysis of male sterility in sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) focusing on MALE STERILITY 1 (MS1).

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) is an important conifer used for afforestation in Japan. As the genome of this species is 11 Gbps, it is too large to assemble within a short timeframe.

Methyl-beta cyclodextrin and creatine work synergistically under hypoxic conditions to improve the fertilization ability of boar ejaculated sperm.

Although successful fertilization is completed by only 150 sperm in the pig oviduct, more than 50,000 sperms are required to achieve a fertilization rate of more than 70% by pig in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this study, to improve the efficiency of pig IVF, the effects of hypoxic conditions and treatment with creatine and methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MβCD) on the glycolytic pathway were investigated. Under low O conditions, zig-zag motility was strongly induced within 30 min; however, the induction disappeared at 60 min.

Characterization of tulip streak virus, a novel virus associated with the family .

In Japan, tulip-growing areas have been plagued by viral diseases for decades, but the viruses causing the damage remain undescribed. In this study, and plants mechanically inoculated with crude sap from a symptomatic tulip flower exhibited necrosis symptoms. Additionally, flexuous and filamentous virus particles were detected by electron microscopy analysis.

Impact of reduced ozone concentration on the mountain forests of Mt. Tateyama, Japan.

The central mountainous area of Japan is affected by air pollutant emissions from nearby countries such as China and Korea. Sharp increases in the consumption of fossil fuels in the early 21st century, associated with rapid industrialization in China, resulted in long-range transport of pollutants from East Asia and increases in the harmful effects of pollution. However, the air pollutants emissions have decreased since 2006, when air pollution countermeasures were implemented in China.

Itaconate regulates the glycolysis/pentose phosphate pathway transition to maintain boar sperm linear motility by regulating redox homeostasis.

Mammalian cells improve redox homeostasis under reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress conditions via the enhancement of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). However, it is not clear how the cell reprograms glucose metabolism from glycolysis to the PPP. Hence, in the present study, we used boar sperm as a model to elucidate the mechanism by which the glycolysis/PPP transition occurs under ROS stress.

A simple sperm-sexing method that activates TLR7/8 on X sperm for the efficient production of sexed mouse or cattle embryos.

The preferred sex of livestock differs among breeders; for example, dairy farmers prefer female calves for the production of milk, whereas cattle meat producers often prefer males. Sexing of laboratory animals is also beneficial in some research fields, including reproductive biology and metabolic studies. Most sexing methods separate X sperm and Y sperm with a cell sorter.

Length-weight relationships and condition factors of mullets and (Pisces: Mugilidae) harvested from Lambada Lhok waters in Aceh Besar, Indonesia.

The mullets fish and are predominant in the Lambada Lhok waters in Aceh province. At present, no scientific report on this species in Aceh waters is available. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to examine the growth pattern and condition factor of the species of mullets and harvested from the aforementioned coastal waters.

Transcriptome analysis of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) between fast- and slow-growing fish.

Grass carp is one of the most important freshwater aquaculture species in China. However, the mechanisms underlying the growth of muscle tissue in the fish are unclear. High-throughput RNA-Seq was used to analyze the transcriptome of grass carp muscle tissue between fast- and slow-growing fish family groups.

Notice of RETRACTION: Changes in rumen fermentation, bacterial community, and predicted functional pathway in Holstein cows with and without subacute ruminal acidosis during the periparturient period.

The authors have elected to retract this paper in accordance with the following points. The article as written contains misleading information and omits important details. Cows in this study were assigned to groups based on the current definition of subacute ruminal acidosis; they were housed on two different farms and fed two different sets of rations in this study.

Evaluation of downward movements of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica inhabiting brackish water areas.

This study evaluated the size and age distributions and otolith microchemistry of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica in freshwater and brackish water areas in the Aki and Tsuchikawa rivers for 1 year, and in brackish water areas in the Asahi River for 3 years to understand the movements of Japanese eels between continental habitats of different salinity after recruitment (n = 759). For all three rivers, the total length (L ) and age distributions were consistent; yellow eels captured in the upper brackish water (Aki River: 353.5 ± 77.

Theoretical turnover rate of the rumen liquid fraction in dairy cows and its relationship to feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk production.

Ruminant animals are able to convert plant materials (grain and the human-indigestible portion of carbohydrates) to milk and meat. In this conversion, most of the plant materials are digested by rumen fermentation and are changed to short-chain fatty acids, microbial cells, and methane, which is released into the atmosphere. The relationships among feed, rumen fermentation, and milk production are poorly understood.

Sensitization of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli to amoxicillin in vitro and in vivo in the presence of surfactin.

The purpose of this study is to assess the antibiotics adjuvant effect of surfactin for boosting the treatment effect of amoxicillin. Surfactin is used as a surfactant to mediate flux of mono-and divalent cations, such as calcium, across lipid bilayer membranes. In this study, we demonstrated that surfactin can increase the activity of amoxicillin against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in vitro with antimicrobial assays such as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC).

A rice gene that confers broad-spectrum resistance to β-triketone herbicides.

The genetic variation of rice cultivars provides a resource for further varietal improvement through breeding. Some rice varieties are sensitive to benzobicyclon (BBC), a β-triketone herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Here we identify a rice gene, (), that confers resistance to BBC and other β-triketone herbicides.

Variation in the Resistance of Japanese Soybean Cultivars to Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot during the Early Plant Growth Stages and the Effects of a Fungicide Seed Treatment.

Soybean cultivars susceptible to Phytophthora root and stem rot are vulnerable to seed rot and damping-off of seedlings and young plants following an infection by . In this study, the disease responses of Japanese soybean cultivars including currently grown main cultivars during the early growth stages were investigated following infections by multiple isolates from Japanese fields. The extent of the resistance to 17 isolates after inoculations at 14, 21, and 28 days after seeding varied significantly among 18 Japanese and two US soybean cultivars.

Scanning RNA-Seq and RAD-Seq approach to develop SNP markers closely linked to () in D. Don.

is a major forestry tree species in Japan. Male sterility of the species is caused by a recessive gene, which shows dysfunction of pollen development and results in no dispersed pollen. Because the pollen of induces pollinosis, breeding of pollen-free is desired.

Effect of feeding rice whole crop silage on growth rate, levels of vitamin A, β-carotene, vitamin E and IGF-1 in plasma and skeletal muscle protein degradation in Japanese black calves.

This study evaluated the effects of rice whole crop silage (RWCS) on growth, plasma levels of vitamin A, β-carotene, vitamin E and IGF-1, and expression of genes involved in muscle protein degradation and synthesis in Japanese Black calves. Eleven calves were divided into RWCS (fed RWCS ad libitum and concentrate, n = 5) and control groups (fed hay ad libitum and concentrate, n = 6). Final body weight and dairy gain were significantly larger in the RWCS group compared with the control group.