Quinone profiling of bacterial populations developed in the surface layer of volcanic mudflow deposits from Mt. Pinatubo (the Philippines)

The diversity of bacterial populations developed in the surface layer (0-0.25 m depth) of volcanic mudflow deposits from the Mt. Pinatubo volcano (the Philippines) was investigated using quinone profiling. Samples were collected from sites (named N and S1) that had been hit repeatedly by mudflows during successive rainy seasons after the violent eruption of 1991 and also from sites (F1 and F3) covered by mudflow in 1991 but with no deposition in following years. The total microscopic count ranged from 10⁸ g⁻¹ (N and S1 sites) to 3.9×10⁹ g⁻¹(site F3). In the N sample only three quinone species were detected, while the quinone profiles of samples from sites S3 and F3 showed higher diversity. Tetrahydrogenated menaquinone with eight isoprenoid units [MK-8 (H₄)] was the predominant quinone species in the sample from site N, while MK-8, MK-8 (H₂), MK-8 (H₄), MK-9 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₈) were found as major quinones in the sample from site F3. Because these MK species are known to be the major respiratory quinones of the Actinobacteria, this bacterial group is expected to predominate in the land with primary vegetation recovery following the impact of the volcanic mudflow.     

Importance of bringing dogs in contact with children during their socialization period for better behavior

Much attention has been given to the role that dogs play in the social, physical, and psychological development of children. Furthermore, dogs are now playing a new important role in animal-assisted education (AAE). However, some dogs have difficulty getting along with children. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how dogs' contact with children during and after their socialization period influenced their responses toward children. In total, 31 pet dogs were divided into three groups. Group 1 dogs had been in contact with children during the canine socialization period (between 3 and 12 weeks of age); Group 2 dogs had been in contact with children after this socialization period; Group 3 dogs seldom had contact with children. As soon as a child entered the room, the dog was presented three stimuli by the child over the course of several intervals. The dogs' responses were evaluated by analyzing behavior and heart rates. The dogs that had been in contact with children during their socialization period did not show aggressive behavior or excited behavior toward the child in our test. Moreover, their heart rates were significantly decreased even during the last stimulus, which involved the child running around the dog while calling its name. This study suggested that the dogs having contact with children during socialization period might not show inappropriate responses toward children and could be suitable for taking part in AAE.     

Effects of ovariectomy on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in spontaneously diabetic Torii-Lepr(fa) rats

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii-Lepr(fa) (SDT- fa/fa) rat is a new model of obese type 2 diabetes. The female SDT-fa/fa rat shows obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia from a young age. However, it is not known whether diabetes and estrogen deficiency can lead to bone abnormalities in the female SDT-fa/fa rat. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy (OVX) on bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in the female SDT-fa/fa rat. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as control animals. The BMDs of the whole tibia and fifth lumbar (L5) vertebral body were analyzed at 30 weeks after OVX. Serum osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD), a bone resorption marker, were sequentially analyzed before and at 5, 15 and 30 weeks after OVX. Serum osteocalcin and urine DPD levels were lower in SDT-fa/fa rats than in control rats before OVX. Both serum osteocalcin and urine DPD levels were elevated in control rats 5-30 weeks after OVX, but only the urine DPD levels were elevated in SDT-fa/fa rats 5-30 weeks after OVX. SDT-fa/fa rats showed a decrease in the BMDs of the whole tibia and L5 vertebral body compared with control rats. OVX decreased the BMDs of the whole tibia and L5 vertebral body in control rats, but not in SDT-fa/fa rats. These data suggest that estrogen deficiency is not a risk factor for bone loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Direct detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 DNA in nasal swabs by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

We evaluated loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a means of detecting equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) DNA directly from nasal swabs. To increase the sensitivity, we added a step in which the samples were heat-treated to the original LAMP procedure. The detection limit of the LAMP assay with heat treatment was 10 times more sensitive than the original LAMP assay even when the DNA extraction step was omitted. In addition, the LAMP assay with heat treatment was more sensitive than the original LAMP assay and the polymerase chain reaction using clinical samples. The LAMP assay with heat treatment is easy to perform and so should be applicable to the diagnosis of EHV-1 infections in clinical laboratories.     

The influence of celomic membranes and a tunnel between celomic cavities on cancer metastasis in poultry

The roles of celomic membranes and celomic structures in preventing cancer metastasis were examined. The relationship between a tunnel in the peritoneal cavity of hens and the cancer metastasis was also investigated. A tunnel between the right and left dorsal hepatic cavities was found in almost half of healthy hens. The tunnel was also found in 17% of hens with cancer. Neoplastic cells were detected in the ascitic fluid of 79% of hens with effusions. Metastasis was most severe in the intestinal peritoneal and left dorsal hepatic cavities, whereas the right dorsal hepatic cavity showed the least involvement. Severe inflammatory responses were found within the metastatic membranes, resulting in an increase in their thickness. In tumor-bearing hens, crevasse-like splits were present within the membranes at the layers of loose connective tissues. It appears that the splits prevent further invasion by the cancer cells. There were no successful lesions on the inner surfaces of air sacs. It is suggested that the tunnel in the peritoneal cavity enhances cancer metastasis. We also conclude that the celomic membranes and their structure in hens retard the spread of cancer by functioning as a barrier against direct spread of the cancer cells.     

Comparison of estrogen responsive genes in the mouse uterus, vagina and mammary gland

Female reproductive organs are mainly regulated by estrogen and progesterone. Specifically, the uterus, vagina and mammary gland show organ-specific mitosis and morphological changes during proliferative events, such as estrous cycle, gestation and lactation. The mechanism underlying these organ-specific estrogen-dependent events is still unknown. We examined, therefore, global gene expression in the mature uterus, vagina and mammary gland of ovariectomized adult mice 6 hr after an injection of 5 microg/kg 17beta-estradiol (E2) using a microarray method in order to identify primary E2-responsive genes. Half of the E2 up-regulated genes in the uterus were similar to those in the vagina. E2 up-regulated the expression of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1) genes in the uterus and vagina. In the vagina, E2 up-regulated the expression of IGF binding proteins (Igfbp2 and Igfbp5). In the mammary gland, unlike the uterus and vagina, no gene showed altered expression 6 hr after the E2 exposure. These results suggest that expression of Igf-1 and morphogenesis genes is regulated by E2 in an organ-specific manner, and it is supported by the results of BrdU labeling showing E2-induced mitosis in the uterus and vagina except the mammary gland. The differences in organ specificity in response to E2 may be attributed by differences in gene expression regulated by E2 in female reproductive organs. The candidate estrogen-responsive genes in the uterus and vagina identified by profiling provide an important foundation understanding functional mechanisms of estrogen regulating morphogenesis and maintenance of each reproductive organ.     

Putative host cell receptor for fowl adenovirus detected in gizzard

This work was done to identify a fowl adenovirus (FAV) binding protein in the gizzard, a known target organ for certain strains of FAV serotype 1. By using a virus overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA), a putative FAV binding protein of approximately 200 kDa expressed in the gizzard was detected.