Comparison of injectable robenacoxib versus meloxicam for peri-operative use in cats: results of a randomised clinical trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, for the treatment of post-operative pain and inflammation in cats. The study was a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, blinded, non-inferiority design clinical study to compare robenacoxib to meloxicam. Ninety-six cats undergoing surgery at eight centres in Japan were allocated randomly to receive a single s.c. injection of robenacoxib (2 mg/kg, n=67) or meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg, n=29) shortly before induction of anaesthesia. Most cats underwent soft tissue surgery (n=87), mainly ovariectomy (n=68). Post-operative pain and inflammation were assessed at 3, 8 and 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia using numerical rating scales. For the primary efficacy endpoint (total clinician score), robenacoxib had significantly better efficacy than meloxicam, the relative efficacy ratio being 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.19-1.78, P=0.0003). For the secondary efficacy endpoints, robenacoxib was superior to meloxicam when assessed on the basis of posture, behaviour, pain on palpation and overall pain control, while meloxicam was superior with respect to wound heat. No cat in either group required rescue analgesia therapy. In tolerability assessments, pain during injection and pain and inflammation at the injection site 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia were rated significantly less with robenacoxib compared to meloxicam. Both treatments were well tolerated on the basis of clinical observations and blood tests, with no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, single pre-operative administration of robenacoxib was well tolerated and had superior efficacy to meloxicam in reducing post-operative pain in cats.     

The effects of chemical components and particle size on the mechanical properties of binderless boards made from oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> spp.) logs degraded by shiitake fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Lentinula edodes</Emphasis>)

Binderless boards are composite boards that rely on self-bonding mechanisms for inter-fibre bonding. Quercus acutissima and Quercus serrata logs degraded by Lentinula edodes (shiitake fungi) were used in this study to investigate whether physical and chemical changes induced by shiitake fungi can enhance board mechanical properties. Binderless boards were manufactured with 0.8 g/cm³ target density, 220 °C pressing temperature, 5 MPa pressure, and pressing duration of 10 min. Boards made from logs degraded for ≥?26 months were stronger than control boards and met modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bonding (IB) requirements for fibreboards. Chemical composition and particle size distribution of the wood powder used to make the boards were determined to elucidate the drivers of board mechanical properties. The proportion of small particles (<?150 µm) showed a strong positive correlation with MOR for both species and hot water extractives showed a strong positive correlation with IB for Q. acutissima boards. Introduction of shiitake fungi pre-treatment to the production process may enhance the mechanical strength of binderless boards.     

Effect of Fertilizer with Low Levels of Potassium on Radiocesium-137 Decontamination

Potassium (K) fertilizer closely affects both above-ground biomass production and radiocesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) uptake by plants from Cs-contaminated soil. Here we investigated the effects of low levels of K on aboveground biomass, ¹³⁷Cs concentration, and ¹³⁷Cs removal ratio (CR) using Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). Experimental plots fertilized with either 2 g K (20% K) or 6 g K (60% K) per m² were compared with that with no K fertilization (0% K) under low-, medium-, and high-density planting conditions. As a result, with increasing amounts of K fertilizer, the aboveground biomass of Napier grass tended to increase, and the ¹³⁷Cs concentration significantly decreased. The greatest CR was observed at the plot fertilized with 20% K and with plants grown under highly dense conditions. CR was positively correlated with biomass in all the experimental plots. Moreover, a positive correlation between CR and ¹³⁷Cs concentration was found only at low levels of K application (0% and 20% K). In the present study, the application of 20% K produced more aboveground biomass and smaller decreases in ¹³⁷Cs concentration in Napier grass compared with those with 0% K application; therefore, applying a fertilizer with low levels of K, such as 20% K, is better for ¹³⁷Cs decontamination than applying 0% or 60% K fertilizer.     

Development of a method of diagnosing ovarian disorders in sows and gilts using uterine ultrasonography

In ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovarian disorders and the estrous cycle in sows, transverse observation of the uterus yielded more characteristic findings than observation of sagittal sections. Transverse ultrasonography revealed that the low progesterone (P) type uterus showed a round structure, while the high P type uterus showed a flattened structure. These results corresponded well with rectal palpation findings: the low P type uterus had a hard, pipe-like structure and the high P type a soft, balloon-like structure. For gilts, we employed a minimum convex type transrectal prostate probe that had an approximately 18 cm insertion handle. The images of the uterus obtained thereby were a similar to those obtained from sows. The above results suggest that it should be possible to diagnose and treat many ovarian disorders in sows and gilts based only on the ultrasonograhic findings. In short, ultrasonograhic findings of a round structure of the uterine wall might be an indication for PMSG (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin) treatment, while findings of a flattened structure might be an indication for PGF(2) (alpha) administration.     

Molecular cloning of canine monoamine oxidase subtypes A (MAOA) and B (MAOB) cDNAs and their expression in the brain

The role of monoamine oxidase has been shown to be related to some behavioral changes including aggression and cognitive dysfunction. In order to demonstrate the basic expression patterns of monoamine oxidase in the canine brain, we determined the full-length nucleotide sequences of cDNA for canine monoamine oxidase type A (MAOA) and type B (MAOB) genes that were isolated from the canine brain cDNA library. Oligonucleotide primers for PCR were constructed based on the conserved sequences reported thus far for other mammalian species. The nucleotide sequences had open reading frames of 1584 and 1563 bp for MAOA and MAOB, respectively. Both of these genes showed relatively high homology with other species in both nucleotide (> 81%) and deduced amino acid (> 85%) sequences. In Northern blot analyses MAOA mRNA was expressed broadly in various parts of the canine brain, whereas MAOB mRNA was found only in specific brain regions, such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and olfactory bulb. These results suggest that MAOA and MAOB mRNAs have subtype-specific expression patterns in the canine brain.     

CD56 is expressed exclusively on CD3+ T lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood

CD56+ cells in canine blood leukocytes were characterized by flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood of 30 healthy adult beagle-dogs (15 males and 15 non-pregnant females). In 19 of the 30 dogs, anti human CD56 antibody, Leu-19, reacted with 8.8-21.7% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. All CD56+ cells simultaneously expressed CD3 molecules on their surface. Further phenotypic analysis revealed that 50.6+/-13.1% of the CD56+ cells showed CD4-CD8+ phenotype and 43.7+/-10.1% showed CD4+CD8- phenotype. Expression intensity of CD56 on the CD4-CD8+CD56+ cells was significantly higher than that on CD4+CD8-CD56+ cells (P<0.001). These findings indicate that CD56, which is a neural cell adhesion molecule, is uniquely expressed on subsets of T lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood.     

Estimation of the base line imagined as a muscular background for myoglobin determination by reflectance spectrometry

Liquid extraction method for determination of myoglobin in muscle is not suitable because of changes in the derivatives and time required. Optical reflectance method is useful as a non‐destructive and real‐time measurement. However, the base line of reflectance method, the muscular reflectance background (MRB) imagined as colorless structural elements, has been unknown because of non‐existence. The spectrum of the base line was analyzed as the analogy of bleached meat. A formula was derived for reflectance that had a linear relationship to the reciprocal of wavelength to the power 4. The reflectance characteristic of the MRB was not constant and the curve tended to rise with increasing wavelength. The reflectance at 700 nm was estimated to be 50%. By the characteristic analysis on Commission Internationale l’Eclairage color values and reciprocal reflectance, it was concluded that the reflectance spectrum of the muscular background obtained in this research was fitted as a base line for the reflectance spectrometry.     

Butt rot ofChamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher trees caused byPerenniporia subacida in Shikoku district, Japan: Pathogen, distribution of damaged trees in the stand, and soil investigation

The rot ofChamaecyparis obtusa (hinoki) trees was studied in the northern part of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Among 158 hinoki examined, butt rot was found in 28.6, 58.3, and 100% of trees in the 29, 30, and 34-year-old stands, respectively. All trees with butt rot, and 11 trees without it had rotted roots. Thirteen hinoki were peeled byCervus nippon (sika deer) and all of them were infected with butt rot. The maximum height of rot in deer-damaged trees was 2.6 m from the ground level, but was 1.9 m in undamaged trees. About eighty-two percent of rotted trees showed rotted areas of less than 40 cm² on the cross section of stems at the ground level. White mycelia and black flecks sometimes appeared in the rotted wood. Basidiocarps of polyporaceous fungus were often found on felled logs and rotted stumps of hinoki and identified asPerenniporia subacida. Basidiomycetous fungus was isolated frequently from rotted wood of roots and stems, and determined to beP. subacida by comparative study on cultural characteristics. An inoculation experiment and wood-decay test proved that the fungus was the cause of the rot of hinoki. Few absorbing roots of living trees were found in the clayey subsurface soil of the high dry bulk density and the less soil aeration. Some absorbing roots had root rot and the rot spread from the base of the absorbing root to the central part of the woody root. This is the first report on the rot of hinoki caused byP. subacida in Japan.     

Time-dependent changes in inhibitory action of lipopolysaccharide on intestinal motility in rat

Endotoxin causes gastrointestinal motility disorder. Aim of this study is to clarify inhibitory mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on smooth muscle contraction in rat ileum. Ileal tissues were isolated from control rat or from LPS-induced peritonitis model rat. Treatment with LPS inhibited carbachol (CCh)-mediated contraction in a time-dependent manner. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes were also upregulated, but iNOS expression was preceded by a rising of COX-2. All subtypes of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) receptors (EP1-EP4) were expressed in ileum, and PGE₂ and selective EP2 or EP4 agonist inhibited CCh-mediated contraction. Selective iNOS inhibitor did not reverse LPS-induced inhibition of contraction by CCh at 1 and 2 hr, but reduced the inhibitory action at 4 hr after the LPS treatment. COX-2 inhibitor reversed the inhibitory action by LPS in all exposure time. Finally, in ileal tissues isolated from peritonitis model rat, iNOS expression was upregulated only at 4 hr after LPS administration, resulting in enhanced inhibitory action of LPS against CCh-induced contraction. In conclusion, LPS induces COX-2 to produce PGE₂, which initially activates EP2 and/or EP4 on smooth muscle cells to inhibit the contractility in early phase of LPS exposure. Moreover, in late phase of LPS treatment, iNOS is expressed to produce NO, which in turn inhibited the contraction by CCh. The inhibitory cascade is similar in the ileum isolated from peritonitis model rat, indicating time-dependent changes of inhibitory action by LPS on intestinal motility in peritonitis.     

Analysis of a pair of END+ and END? viruses derived from the same bovine viral diarrhea virus stock reveals the amino acid determinants in Npro responsible for inhibition of type I interferon production

The Exaltation of Newcastle disease virus (END) phenomenon is induced by the inhibition of type I interferon in pestivirus-infected cells in vitro, via proteasomal degradation of cellular interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3 with the property of the viral autoprotease protein N^pro. Reportedly, the amino acid residues in the zinc-binding TRASH motif of N^pro determine the difference in characteristics between END-phenomenon-positive (END⁺) and END-phenomenon-negative (END⁻) classical swine fever viruses (CSFVs). However, the basic mechanism underlying this function in bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) has not been elucidated from the genomic differences between END⁺ and END⁻ viruses using reverse genetics till date. In the present study, comparison of complete genome sequences of a pair of END⁺ and END⁻ viruses isolated from the same virus stock revealed that there were only four amino acid substitutions (D136G, I2623V, D3148G and D3502Y) between two viruses. Based on these differences, viruses with and without mutations at these positions were generated using reverse genetics. The END assay, measurements of induced type I interferon and IRF-3 detection in cells infected with these viruses revealed that the aspartic acid at position 136 in the zinc-binding TRASH motif of N^pro was required to inhibit the production of type I interferon via the degradation of cellular IRF-3, consistently with CSFV.