Balloon dilation of right ventricular outflow tract in a dog with tetralogy of Fallot.

Balloon dilation was performed on a dog with tetralogy of Fallot. Immediately following balloon dilation, the peak systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonic valve declined from 97 to 63 mmHg. Doppler echocardiography following balloon dilation revealed increased pulmonary blood flow. Clinical symptoms obviously improved and the dog's improved condition was maintained for 4 months. There were no serious complications in performing the procedure. It was concluded that balloon dilation was a safe and effective treatment for a dog case with tetralogy of Fallot. Long-term follow-up studies will be required to identify the exact indications of balloon dilation for tetralogy of Fallot.     

Wood properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pericopsis mooniana</Emphasis> grown in a plantation in Indonesia

The relationships between growth characteristics and wood properties were investigated for a threatened species, Pericopsis mooniana, to promote the establishment of plantations of this species in the tropics. Growth characteristics (diameter and height) and stress-wave velocity (SWV) of trees were measured for 22-year-old P. mooniana trees planted in Indonesia. The trees were categorized into three groups, fast-growing, middle-growing, and slow-growing trees, to investigate the effect of growth rate on the wood properties. In addition, radial variation of anatomical characteristics and wood properties were determined. No significant correlation was found between growth characteristics and SWV. The values for the vessel diameter, cell wall thickness of wood fibers, wood fiber length, basic density, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture from wood at the bark side were higher than those at the pith side. On the other hand, vessel frequency gradually decreased from pith to bark. These results suggested that low-quality wood, such as juvenile wood, existed near the pith area.     

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis in longhaired Chihuahuas: clinical, pathologic, and MRI findings

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a rare group of inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases characterized histopathologically by the abnormal accumulation of ceroid- or lipofuscin-like lipopigments in neurons and other cells throughout the body. The present article describes the clinical, pathologic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the NCL in three longhaired Chihuahuas between 16 mo and 24 mo of age. Clinical signs, including visual defects and behavioral abnormalities, started between 16 mo and 18 mo of age. Cranial MRI findings in all the dogs were characterized by diffuse severe dilation of the cerebral sulci, dilated fissures of diencephalons, midbrain, and cerebellum, and lateral ventricular enlargement, suggesting atrophy of the forebrain. As the most unusual feature, diffuse meningeal thickening was observed over the entire cerebrum, which was strongly enhanced on contrast T1-weighted images. The dogs' conditions progressed until they each died subsequent to continued neurologic deterioration between 23 mo and 24 mo of age. Histopathologically, there was severe to moderate neuronal cell loss with diffuse astrogliosis throughout the brain. The remaining neuronal cells showed intracytoplasmic accumulation of pale to slightly yellow lipopigments mimicking ceroid or lipofuscin. The thickened meninges consisted of the proliferation of connective tissues with abundant collagen fibers and mild infiltration of inflammatory cells suggesting neuroimmune hyperactivity. Although the etiology of this neuroimmune hyperactivity is not currently known, MRI findings such as meningeal thickening may be a useful diagnostic marker of this variant form of canine NCL.     

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in domestic animals and humans in Mymensingh District, Bangladesh

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was examined in adult women and domestic animals used for meat products from the Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. Cattle, goats and sheep showed a high seroprevalence (12, 32 and 40%, respectively), while the sera from all fifteen women examined in the same area were seronegative. Considering that primary infection in women during pregnancy can cause abortion and congenital defects, accidental ingestion of T. gondii infected meat products from domestic animals represents a risk factor for adult women living in the same area.     

Epizootiological study of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in Japan

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic agent causing severe encephalitis in humans. Rodent species that are potential hosts for TBEV are widely distributed in various regions in Japan. In this study, we carried out large-scale epizootiological surveys in rodents from various areas of Japan. A total of 931 rodent and insectivore sera were collected from field surveys. Rodents seropositive for TBEV were found in Shimane Prefecture in Honshu and in several areas of Hokkaido Prefecture. These results emphasize the need for further epizootiological and epidemiological research of TBEV and preventive measures for emerging tick-borne encephalitis in Japan.     

Stem necrosis of aster and Russell prairie gentian caused by Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus

A new disease causing necrotic streaks on stems and necrosis on leaves of aster (Callistephus chinensis) and Russell prairie gentian (Eustoma grandiflorum) was observed in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, in September 2009. On the bases of host reactions, serological reactions, viral particle morphology, and the nucleotide sequence of the nucleocapsid protein gene, the causal pathogen was identified as Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV). This report is the first in the world of natural infection of aster and Russell prairie gentian by CSNV. We propose the name “stem necrosis of aster and Russell prairie gentian” for these new diseases.     

Rat Uterine Oxytocin Receptor and Estrogen Receptor α and β mRNA Levels are Regulated by Estrogen Through Multiple Estrogen Receptors

Estrogen action is mediated through several types of receptors (ERs), such as ERα, ERβ and putative membrane ERs. Oxytocin receptor (OTR) and ER expression levels in the rat uterus are regulated by estrogen; however, which types of ERs are involved has not been elucidated. This study examined OTR, ERα and ERβ levels in ovariectomized rats treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), an ERα agonist (PPT), an ERβ agonist (DPN) or estren (Es). E2 and PPT increased OTR mRNA levels and decreased ERα and ERβ mRNA levels 3 and 6 h posttreatment. DPN decreased ERα and ERβ mRNA levels at 3 and 6 h, while OTR mRNA levels increased at 3 h and decreased at 6 h. OTR mRNA levels increased 3 h after the Es treatment and then declined until 6 h. ERα and ERβ mRNA levels decreased by 3 h and remained low until 6 h posttreatment with Es. The ER antagonist ICI182,780 (ICI) suppressed the increases in OTR mRNA levels induced 3 h after the Es treatment. However, ICI and tamoxifen (Tam) had no significant effect on ERα and ERβ mRNA levels in the Es-treated or vehicle-treated group. In intact rats, proestrus-associated increases in OTR mRNA levels were antagonized by both ICI and Tam. However, decreases in ERα and ERβ mRNA levels were not antagonized by Tam and ICI, respectively. Therefore, uterine OTR gene expression is upregulated by estrogen through the classical nuclear (or non-nuclear) ERs, ERα and ERβ, while the levels of these ERs are downregulated by estrogen through multiple pathways including Es-sensitive nonclassical ERs.     

Does the Ricker or Beverton and Holt type of stock-recruitment relationship truly exist?

ABSTRACT:   This study investigated the main causes of population abundance fluctuations. Particularly, attention was paid to whether a density-dependant factor, such as a stock-recruitment relationship (S-R relationship) or a density-independent factor such as an environmental factor, is more important. Using data pertaining to the number of eggs of the Pacific stock mackerel and information about regime shifts and sea surface temperature, the shape of the S-R relationship was discussed and these shapes with the results of simulation trails were compared. Further other historical S-R relationship data were analyzed. The results are as follows: (i) a new mechanism that causes population fluctuations could be proposed, that is, (a) the recruitment is proportional to the spawning stock biomass (SSB) and the relation is expressed by several lines with the same slope, and (b) the shift between the lines occurs due to environmental conditions; and (ii) the density-dependent S-R relationship, which suggests that recruitment decreased due to high density in SSB, proposed by Ricker or Beverton and Holt, would not exist.