Gifu Prefecture Research Articles

Verification of the Effectiveness of an SNP Marker in the Cholecystokinin Type A Receptor Gene for Improving Growth Traits in Okumino-kojidori Chickens.

A significant association was reported between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; AB604331, g.420 C>A) in the cholecystokinin type A receptor gene and growth traits in some Japanese slow-growing chickens. Demonstration tests of the genetic improvement effect by comparing the superior allele-A fixed chickens with conventional ones were carried out considering the effect of different seasons on growth traits in other slow-growing chickens. Meat-type Okumino-kojidori chickens from Gifu Prefecture are a three-way cross of Gifu-jidori improved, White Plymouth Rock, and Rhode Island Red breeds. We used a total of 468 meat-type Okumino-kojidori: 264 individuals from a private hatchery as conventional chickens and 204 A-allele fixed individuals from the Gifu Prefectural Livestock Research Institute as improved chickens. We performed fattening experiments over two seasons: summer and winter. In each season, experimental birds of both sexes were hatched on the same day, raised in the same chicken house, and fed the same diet ad libitum for 12 weeks. Body weight was recorded at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks of age. SNP genotypes were determined using the mismatch amplification mutation assay. Association between the SNP and growth traits was analyzed using generalized linear models built on sex-based, seasonal, additive, and dominance genetic effects. The observed AA, AC, and CC genotype frequencies in the conventional chickens were 0.158, 0.479, and 0.363, respectively; body weight at 12 weeks and average daily gain from 3 to 12 weeks was superior for the A allele compared to the C allele. The improved chickens were heavier than the conventional ones at 12 weeks. Body weight at 12 weeks in allele-A fixed chickens increased by 3.2% compared to the conventional chickens. We concluded that g.420 C>A is a good selective marker that increases slaughter weight in the meat-type Okumino-kojidori chickens.

On Value Co-Creating Internships Implemented by a Long-Established Company in Gifu Prefecture

On Value Co-Creating Internships Implemented by a Long-Established Company in Gifu Prefecture

Neonatal transport system using each of the regional transport incubators in East Gifu prefecture

Neonatal transport system using each of the regional transport incubators in East Gifu prefecture

How to Prevent the Pig Farm from CSF Invasion

Classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged in Gifu prefecture in Japan on September 2018. It is suspected that the initial case was caused to wild boar through pork products contaminated with CSFV brought by foreign tourists. After the first confirmation of the outbreak, 51 cases of CSF in domestic pigs as well as more than two thousands notifications in wild boar have reported in 12 prefectures at the end of December 2019. Taking into account that the notifications have reported continuously in the affected area, there’s a possibility that the disease spreads more widely. It is believed that the current epidemics of CSF has spread through contacts between domestic pigs and wild boar. As the farm biosecurity play an important role in terms of prevention of the disease invasion, questionnaire study was conducted to 232 pig farms in 25 prefectures to understand the current situation of farm biosecurity level and to find the critical factors for disease control.

Estimation of infection risk on pig farms in infected wild boar areas—Epidemiological analysis for the reemergence of classical swine fever in Japan in 2018

In September 2018, classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged in Japan after 26 years’ absence. The first case was detected at a pig farm in Gifu Prefecture, in the center of Japan, and the disease spread to both domestic pigs and wild boar (Sus scrofa). The spread of CSF in wild boar is extremely difficult to control and is thus a great threat to domestic pig farms, and understanding the transmission risk from wild boar to domestic pigs is essential to implement effective control measures that will prevent domestic pig infection. Therefore, this study elucidates the transmission risk from wild boar to domestic pigs by introducing a transmission kernel that is dependent on the distance between infected wild boar and pig farms, and then estimating the risk area of infection from wild boar by describing the transmission probability. The study used epidemiological data from Gifu Prefecture in the period from September 2018 to March 2019, including a total of 171 1-km grid cells where an infected wild boar was detected and pig farm data from 13 infected and 34 uninfected farms. The estimated infection risk area within 28 days matched well with the observed data. The risk area widened gradually during the epidemic, and at the end of March, the risk area extended over a range of approximately 75 km from east to west and 40 km from north to south (almost 3000 km2). Ten out of the 13 infected farms and four out of the 34 uninfected farms were located within the high-risk area (>60 % infection probability). In contrast, one infected farm and 18 uninfected farms were located within the low-risk area (<5 % infection probability). When several infected grid cells were detected within 5 km of a pig farm, the risk of infection from wild boar within 28 days was more than 5 %. This analysis provides an estimate of the potential spatial range over which CSF virus can spread between wild boar and domestic pig farms, and can be used to inform the early detection of CSF-suspected pigs and the strengthening of biosecurity measures that will effectively prevent and control the disease based on the infection risk level.

Whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry and geotectonic attribution of granitic rocks around the Higashigata, Akechi Town, Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan

Whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry and geotectonic attribution of granitic rocks around the Higashigata, Akechi Town, Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan

General Review on Hog Cholera (Classical Swine Fever), African Swine Fever, and Salmonella enterica Serovar Choleraesuis Infection

Classical swine fever (CSF, hog cholera) has reemerged in Japan after 26 years and affected domestic pigs and wild boars. CSF was reported in Gifu prefecture on September 2018. Approximately 90,000 breeding domestic pigs were sacrificed by farmers of Gifu and Aichi prefectures to prevent expansion of CSF outbreak. In mid September 2019, CSF outbreaks have occurred in 8 prefectures in central Japan. African swine fever (ASF) is another viral infectious disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars, although the etiologic agent is different from that of CSF. Both CSF and ASF affect pig farmers because of their intense infectivity to domesticated pigs. Fortunately, the causative agents are not pathogenic to human. However, an enteric bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis is pathogenic to pigs and humans. As Salmonella Choleraesuis causes food poisoning in humans, the infection is monitored by “Food Sanitation Law” in Japan. CSF, ASF, and Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis salmonellosis are translated in Japanese as “ton-korera,” “afurika ton-korera,” and “buta-korera,” respectively, wherein “ton” and “buta” both mean pig or hog. Therefore the above Japanese words mean hog cholera.

Role of Wild Boar in the Spread of Classical Swine Fever in Japan.

Since September 2018, nearly 900 notifications of classical swine fever (CSF) have been reported in Gifu Prefecture (Japan) affecting domestic pig and wild boar by the end of August 2019. To determine the epidemiological characteristics of its spread, a spatio-temporal analysis was performed using actual field data on the current epidemic. The spatial study, based on standard deviational ellipses of official CSF notifications, showed that the disease likely spread to the northeast part of the prefecture. A maximum significant spatial association estimated between CSF notifications was 23 km by the multi-distance spatial cluster analysis. A space-time permutation analysis identified two significant clusters with an approximate radius of 12 and 20 km and 124 and 98 days of duration, respectively. When the area of the identified clusters was overlaid on a map of habitat quality, approximately 82% and 75% of CSF notifications, respectively, were found in areas with potential contact between pigs and wild boar. The obtained results provide information on the current CSF epidemic, which is mainly driven by wild boar cases with sporadic outbreaks on domestic pig farms. These findings will help implement control measures in Gifu Prefecture.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of seven Sarcocystis species from sika deer (Cervus nippon centralis) in Japan, including three new species.

Samples of diaphragm were collected from 53 sika deer from Gifu Prefecture, Japan; 220 sarcocysts were isolated, examined in wet mounts and classified according to their cyst wall protrusions. The sarcocysts were then examined molecularly in order to assign them to different species. All but 11 of the 220 sarcocysts were initially identified by means of a multiplex PCR assay targeting cox1 of five species, whereas the remaining 11 sarcocysts were identified by standard PCR and sequencing. DNA from selected sarcocysts was used for PCR amplification and sequencing of cox1 (59 sequences) and 18S rDNA (23 sequences). The 220 sarcocysts comprised seven major cox1 sequence types or species. Types 4 and 7 were assigned to the known species Sarcocystis pilosa and Sarcocystis ovalis, whereas types 1, 3 and 5 were considered to represent three new species, for which the names Sarcocystis japonica, Sarcocystis matsuoae and Sarcocystis gjerdei have been proposed. Types 2 and 6 were most similar to Sarcocystis tarandi and Sarcocystis taeniata, respectively, but could not be unequivocally assigned to these species. Sarcocysts belonging to S. japonica were macroscopic with fairly thick finger-like protrusions, whereas most sarcocysts of the six other species were microscopic. Sarcocysts of S. cf. tarandi and S. matsuoae were spindle-shaped and possessed thin finger-like cyst-wall protrusions. Sarcocysts of S. pilosa and S. gjerdei had similar hair-like protrusions, whereas those of S. cf. taeniata had a smooth surface. Sarcocysts of S. japonica, S. pilosa, S. cf. tarandi, S. gjerdei, S. matsuoae, S. cf. taeniata and S. ovalis were found in 50 (94.3%), 29 (54.7%), 22 (41.5%), 10 (18.9%), 8 (15.1%), 6 (11.3%) and 1 (1.9%) of the 53 sika deer examined, respectively. An improved multiplex PCR assay targeting cox1 was developed, through which the seven Sarcocystis spp. found in the present study could be identified.

Study of Suspended Impurities Origin and Composition in the Treatment Process of Johkasou System

Johkasou system is widely used in Japan for household wastewater treatment and have played important roles in maintaining the water environment. However, out of the total units used in Gifu Prefecture, about 10% cannot meet the quality requirement for the effluent transparency above 30 degrees. Previous studies have shown clearly that the reason is mainly attributed to suspended impurities that remain in the water after treatment, with more than 96% being consisted of fine particles with sizes of 0.5-1.0 μm. A detailed investigation for identifying the origin and composition of the fine particles is necessary in order to find the approaches to improve the treatment function of the related Johkasou units. The analysis by Flow Cytometry suggested that the organic fine particles could be grouped into bacterial fraction, existed in all tanks of the Johkasou, and non-bacterial fraction that was confirmed mainly existed in anaerobic tanks, thus suggesting the lower transparency of Johkasou's effluent was greatly contributed by the bacterial fraction. PCR-DGGE further identified that some of the bacteria contained in the effluent were originated from the anaerobic tank.

LONG TERM CHANGES IN FLOODING AROUND GIFU CITY

Abstract. Heavy rainfall within a short period and consequent high river discharge are results in floods which subsequently creates huge infrastructure problems for areas, such huge economic deficits in production as well as damages to existing property and goods, even loss of human lives. In about hundred years ago the flat-land around the Kiso Three Rivers system (the catchment areas of the Kiso River, Nagara River, and Ibi River are called the Kiso Three River system) included Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture of Japan, was frequently damaged by inundation after heavy rainfall. Our research aims to evaluate flood risk changes by river improvement in the Kiso Three River system fin the past hundred years. For that reason, we simulated in several times on flood inundation in the large, medium and low scale case in the urban area of Gifu city with 2D flood inundation model, and compared the distribution of flood depth. The results, the flood inundation area in urban area for small scale flood disaster dramatically is reduced from 3.82 km2 in the past time to 0.48 km2 in the current time with the progress of river infrastructure improvement. However flooded area in urban area for large and middle scale disaster show the almost same. It is suggested that flood risks in urban area are dramatically improved for only small disaster.

Limnobiophyllum expansum (Lemnoideae, Araceae) from the Early Miocene Hiramaki Formation in the Kani Basin, Gifu Prefecture, Central Japan

Limnobiophyllum expansum (Lemnoideae, Araceae) was newly found in the lower Miocene (18.4–17.0 Ma) Hiramaki Formation of the Mizunami Group in the Kani Basin, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan. This genus was distributed widely in the Northern Hemisphere from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleocene, but a Miocene descendant (L. expansum) was reported only from Europe, in the Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic (early Miocene), Paldau, Austria (late Miocene), Schrotzburg, Switzerland (late Miocene) and Sośnica, Poland (late Miocene). Our finding is the first record of a Miocene Limnobiophyllum from an area other than Europe. The aquatic flora of Japan during the early Miocene is poorly documented, but this finding suggests a link between the aquatic floras of Europe and Asia.

RECENT TRITIUM CONCENTRATION OF MONTHLY PRECIPITATION IN JAPAN.

To obtain a better understanding of recent tritium concentration and its seasonal cycle in Japan, monthly precipitation samples were collected in Hokkaido, Gifu and Okinawa prefectures from June 2014 to December 2017. The arithmetic mean ( ± standard deviation) of tritium concentrations in precipitation samples from Hokkaido, Gifu and Okinawa were estimated to be 0.62 ± 0.27 Bq L-1, 0.32 ± 0.12 Bq L-1 and 0.13 ± 0.05 Bq L-1, respectively. These results indicate that the concentrations increase with latitude. In addition, the highest and the lowest concentrations appeared in spring and summer, respectively. To clarify the origins and sources of these cycles, further analyses of chemical compositions of precipitation and meteorological conditions are needed.

Assessment of harmfulness and biological effect of carbon fiber dust generated during new carbon fiber recycling method.

Concern over the effects of nanomaterials on human health has risen due to the dramatic advances in the development of various technologies based on nanomaterials. Gifu Prefecture and Gifu University are developing technologies for recycling used carbon fiber because the waste disposal process is highly cost and energy intensive. However, generation of carbon fiber dust during the recycling process is a serious issue, especially in the occupational environment. Recycling requires carbonization by partial firing treatment at 500℃ followed by firing treatment at 440℃: these processes produce dust as a by-product. It is important to study the influence of carbon fibers on human health at a molecular level. In this study, three types of carbon fibers - before recycling, after carbonization, and after firing were evaluated for their toxic effects on mice. During the breeding period, no loss in body weight was confirmed. Further, by staining the lung tissue sections, it was found that pulmonary fibrosis did not occur. We found that these carbon fibers might not possess severe toxicity. However, we also found that the toxicity varies according to firing treatment. Furthermore, we found that firing treatment reduces the potential hazard to human health.

岐阜県高山市におけるアニメ・ツーリズム:―質問紙を用いた「アニメ聖地巡礼」行動把握の試み―

岐阜県高山市におけるアニメ・ツーリズム:―質問紙を用いた「アニメ聖地巡礼」行動把握の試み―

Biometeorological Effects in Emergency Medicine with Respect to Stroke: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: Stroke has seasonal incidence; blood pressure, one of its risk factors, is influenced by humidity and temperature. The relationship between stroke incidence and meteorological parameters remains controversial. We investigated whether meteorological conditions are stroke risk factors, focusing on fluctuations of weather elements that trigger stroke onset. Methods: We collected the ambulance transportation data of Gifu Prefecture between January 2012 and December 2014. We included cases where the cause of transportation was stroke and excluded trauma cases. We combined these with meteorological data provided publicly by the Japan Meteorological Agency and preformed logistic regression analysis. Findings: In the target period, there were 3314 events of stroke-related ambulance transportation. Seasonal tendency was confirmed, and frequent transportation for stroke occurred at low temperature (p<0·0001). The longest busy period, when more than average stroke patients were transported consecutively, lasted 8 days, and the longest regular period, when fewer than average stroke patients were transported consecutively, lasted 19 days. Temperature (odds ratio: 0·874; p<0·0001) and air pressure (odds ratio: 0·863; p=0·002) were identified as risk factors for ambulance transportation due to stroke. Difference in air pressure from the previous day was also associated with ambulance transportation for stroke (odds ratio: 1·090; p=0·089). Interpretation: Meteorological events (i.e. lower temperature, lower air pressure, and an increase in air pressure from the previous day) effected frequency of stroke-related ambulance transportation. Our analysis showed how meteorological data could predict how busy the emergency department could be. Funding Statement: No funds were received. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the medical ethics committee of Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan. (Record no: 2018-104) and Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan (Record no: 30-29).

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages from clastic rocks of the Hida Gaien Belt in the Hongo area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, and their geological significance

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages from clastic rocks of the Hida Gaien Belt in the Hongo area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, and their geological significance

Numerical simulation of water- and heat-flow regimes of mulched soil in rain-fed soybean field in central Japan

Numerical simulations for predicting soil-water and heat-flow regimes beneath mulched soils are important to increase the opportunity for efficient use of mulching in agriculture. This study simulated water and heat flows by HYDRUS-1D model under rice-straw mulching and bare soil treatments for rain-fed soybean (Glycine max) cultivation at Gifu Prefecture in central Japan. Soil hydraulic and thermal parameters with the straw mulching were optimized by adding a hypothetical 3-cm straw layer. The optimized parameters were validated with field-measured soil-moisture and temperature regimes of two consecutive soybean-growing seasons of 2015 and 2016. HYDRUS-1D model performed fairly well in simulating heat and water movements at 5, 15 and 25 cm soil depths under the two treatments. The model simulated soil moisture and temperature with small Root-Mean Square Error (RMSE): 0.016–0.044 cm3 cm–3 for soil moisture and 0.94–1.63 °C for soil temperature. The simulation results revealed that straw mulching increased soil moisture but reduced soil temperature at the three soil depths compared to the bare soil. The moisture content of the additional straw layer (3 cm) and heat flow through it showed a decreasing pattern compared to the soil layers. The straw mulching contributed 16–96% vapor to the total water flow and stored/released 0.0322 to 0.0295 MJ m–2 heat per day at 0–3 cm straw layer. Water balance in the soybean field revealed that the straw layer enhanced rain water infiltration by limiting evaporation from the soil surface. The simulation results can be useful for better management of soil hydro-thermal regimes under straw-mulched fields in dryland cultivations.

瑞浪北中学校敷地造成工事現場(岐阜県瑞浪市土岐町)の下部中新統瑞浪層群明世層から産出した貝類化石

瑞浪北中学校敷地造成工事現場(岐阜県瑞浪市土岐町)の下部中新統瑞浪層群明世層から産出した貝類化石

Tourist-wild boar (Sus scrofa) interactions in urban wildlife management

Wild animals that reach the urban and sub-urban areas have caused various problems in the world. Human-wild boar conflicts have been increasing in these environments since the mid-1990s throughout the world. To manage human-wild boar conflicts in urban environments adequately, it is essential for a culling program to consider the distribution of wild boars and implement an awareness campaign to prevent encounters between human and wild boars. We aimed to visualize the management priority for urban wild boar population from camera trap and a questionnaire survey during August 2017 and November 2018 at Mt. Kinka, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. We investigated distribution and diel activity patterns of wild boar, and the influence of human disturbance on wild boar distribution using camera trap survey. A questionnaire survey clarified distribution of tourists. Considering the RAI for each camera, the number of tourists, areas of residential and agricultural lands for each mesh, and photographic rates in day-time for each camera, we described management priority. Wild boars showed mostly nocturnal activity and avoided the human disturbance in urban environment. In addition, we visualized management priority, suggesting that it is necessary for wildlife managers to apply various counterplans according to information on management priority. Consequently, wildlife managers would be able to select high priority management area using various parameters.