A simplified PCR assay for fast and easy mycoplasma mastitis screening in dairy cattle

A simplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for fast and easy screening of mycoplasma mastitis in dairy cattle. Species of major mycoplasma strains [Mycoplasma (M.) bovis, M. arginini, M. bovigenitalium, M. californicum, M. bovirhinis, M. alkalescens and M. canadense] in cultured milk samples were detected by this simplified PCR-based method as well as a standard PCR technique. The minimum concentration limit for detecting mycoplasma by the simplified PCR was estimated to be about 2.5 × 103 cfu/mL and was similar to that of the standard PCR. We compared the specificity and sensitivity of the simplified PCR to those of a culture method. Out of 1,685 milk samples cultured in mycoplasma broth, the simplified PCR detected Mycoplasma DNA in 152 that were also positive according to the culture assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the simplified PCR were 98.7% and 99.7%, respectively, for detecting mycoplasma in those cultures. The results obtained by the simplified PCR were consistent with ones from standard PCR. This newly developed simplified PCR, which does not require DNA purification, can analyze about 300 cultured samples within 3 h. The results from our study suggest that the simplified PCR can be used for mycoplasma mastitis screening in large-scale dairy farms

麻布大学第11回学術展示「哺乳類学を垣間見る ： 2012年哺乳類学会大会記念展示」

The annual meeting of the Mammalogical Society of Japan was held from September 20th to 23rd, 2012 at Azabu University. To mark this occasion, an exhibition entitled “Mammalogy at a Glance,” celebrating the hosting of the 2012 annual meeting of the Mammalogical Society of Japan by Azabu University, in 2012” was held from September 18th to December 26th, 2012. The senior author (ST) prepared the overall design and asked the contributors to prepare exhibits on the following five topics representing important fields of mammalogy. S. Takatsuki wrote an introduction of mammalogy focusing on its history in Japan. K. Koyasu and S. Oda wrote a history of the Mammalogical Society of Japan. K. Mori described the morphology by exhibiting the hind leg of a zebra (Equus grevyi). Exhibitions of muscle are uncommon and this exhibit attracted the visitors’ attention. H. Tamate explained the genetics by showing genetic variations of sika deer (Cervus nippon). Arrangements of DNA base sequences of sika deer were exhibited in the glass of exhibition cases. Tamate also explained the concept of the subspecies and mitochondria DNA. Skulls of three subspecies of sika deer were exhibited. N. Higuchi and M. Minami presented a study on the behavioral ecology of sika deer on Kinkazan Island based on individual identification. The social rank of male deer strongly affects their reproductive success. Y. Sato introduced the research and conservation activities concerning the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Hokkaido. A leaflet and a GPS collar were exhibited

Costimulating effects of complement receptor type 3 and Fc receptor for IgG(FcR) on superoxide production and signal transduction in bovine neutrophils

The present study evaluated the costimulatory effects of complement receptor type 3 (CR3) and Fc receptor for IgG (FcγR) on superoxide production and intracellular signal transduction in bovine neutrophils. Stimulation with opsonized zymosan (OPZ) and heat-aggregated bovine IgG (Agg-IgG) resulted in much greater superoxide production and chemiluminescent (CL) responses in normal neutrophils compared with those stimulated with OPZ or Agg-IgG only. Superoxide production and CL response were closely associated with the stimulant-induced rise of the intracellular calcium ([Ca^2^+]_i) concentration, amount of tyrosine phosphorylated 100 kDa protein, and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). No costimulatory effect was found for these receptors on superoxide production in CR3-deficient neutrophils. Costimulation of CR3 and FcγR on bovine neutrophils leads to enhancement of superoxide production and their signaling pathways and appears to be associated with enhancement of neutrophil functions