ST segment depression and ventricular fibrillation in a dog after contrast agent administration

An 11-year-old Toy Poodle underwent a computed tomography examination with contrast (iohexol) enhancement under anesthesia. Heart rate and R-wave amplitude on electrocardiogram (ECG) increased 2.5 min after iohexol administration, and end-tidal carbon dioxide decreased to 12 mmHg. A progressive ST segment depression was observed on ECG. Subsequently, the ECG waveform changed to ventricular fibrillation. However, spontaneous circulation returned following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Myocardial ischemia or anaphylactic shock was suspected in the dog, which explains the ST segment depression observed on ECG. When performing radiological examinations with a contrast agent, the ECG waveform changes, such as an increase in heart rate, R-wave amplitude, or ST segment depression, should be carefully monitored. This might enable early detection of cardiac dysfunction and the ensuing cardiac arrest in dogs.     

A bronchopulmonary artery fistula in a horse

A 24-year-old, Thoroughbred gelding presented with difficulty breathing for a few days and intermittent nose bleeding before dying. At necropsy, the bronchoesophageal artery and the bronchial artery that flowed into the left anterior lobe were tortuous and dilated, and it was found that dilated tortuous branches of the bronchial artery ran over the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the left anterior lobe. Histopathologically, an anastomosis between a muscular artery and an elastic artery were demonstrated, which were identified as bronchial and pulmonary arteries, respectively. Based on the gross and histopathological findings, a bronchopulmonary artery fistula was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pulmonary vascular anastomosis in a horse.     

Two Types of Grapevine Yellow Speckle Viroid 1 Isolated from Commercial Grapevine Had the Nucleotide Sequence of Yellow Speckle Symptom-inducing Type

Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd 1) was first detected in Japan from commercial grapevines. The viroid seems to be spreading in Japanese commercial vineyards but without causing noticeable disease symptoms. Two Japanese GYSVd 1 isolates from the cultivars Campbell and Steuben were sequenced. The Campbell isolate is included in the type 2 variant of GYSVd 1, and the Steuben isolate is included in the type 3. Both of the isolates were grouped into the yellow speckle-inducing variants in the nucleotide sequence ; however, the etiological importance of this viroid on the viticulture of Japan has not yet been determined. Received 14 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 25 August 1999     

Characterization of Murine Pituitary-Derived Cell Lines Tpit/F1, Tpit/E and TtT/GF

The pituitary is an important endocrine tissue of the vertebrate that produces and secretes many hormones. Accumulating data suggest that several types of cells compose the pituitary, and there is growing interest in elucidating the origin of these cell types and their roles in pituitary organogenesis. Therein, the histogenous cell line is an extremely valuable experimental tool for investigating the function of derived tissue. In this study, we compared gene expression profiles by microarray analysis and real-time PCR for murine pituitary tumor-derived non-hormone-producing cell lines TtT/GF, Tpit/F1 and Tpit/E. Several genes are characteristically expressed in each cell line: Abcg2, Nestin, Prrx1, Prrx2, CD34, Eng, Cspg4 (Ng2), S100β and nNos in TtT/GF; Cxcl12, Raldh1, Msx1 and Twist1 in Tpit/F1; and Cxadr, Sox9, Cdh1, EpCAM and Krt8 in Tpit/E. Ultimately, we came to the following conclusions: TtT/GF cells show the most differentiated state, and may have some properties of the pituitary vascular endothelial cell and/or pericyte. Tpit/F1 cells show the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes with stemness still in a transiting state. Tpit/E cells have a phenotype of epithelial cells and are the most immature cells in the progression of differentiation or in the initial endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thus, these three cell lines must be useful model cell lines for investigating pituitary stem/progenitor cells as well as organogenesis.     

Significance of mitochondria for porphyrin and heme biosynthesis

It is concluded that mitochondria are involved in three steps of porphyrin and heme biosynthesis-first, in the formation of delta-aminolevulinic acid from glycine and active succinate; second, in the synthesis of protoporphyrin; third, in the incorporation of iron into the porphyrin ring-that is, in heme formation.     

Distribution of CD163-positive cell and MHC class II-positive cell in the normal equine uveal tract

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the uveal tract participate in ocular immunity including immune homeostasis and the pathogenesis of uveitis. In horses, although uveitis is the most common ocular disorder, little is known about ocular immunity, such as the distribution of APCs. In this study, we investigated the distribution of CD163-positive and MHC II-positive cells in the normal equine uveal tract using an immunofluorescence technique. Eleven eyes from 10 Thoroughbred horses aged 1 to 24 years old were used. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed using the primary antibodies CD163, MHC class II (MHC II) and CD20. To demonstrate the site of their greatest distribution, positive cells were manually counted in 3 different parts of the uveal tract (ciliary body, iris and choroid), and their average number was assessed by statistical analysis. The distribution of pleomorphic CD163- and MHC II-expressed cells was detected throughout the equine uveal tract, but no CD20-expressed cells were detected. The statistical analysis demonstrated the distribution of CD163- and MHC II-positive cells focusing on the ciliary body. These results demonstrated that the ciliary body is the largest site of their distribution in the normal equine uveal tract, and the ciliary body is considered to play important roles in uveal and/or ocular immune homeostasis. The data provided in this study will help further understanding of equine ocular immunity in the normal state and might be beneficial for understanding of mechanisms of ocular disorders, such as equine uveitis.     

Predator–prey systems of drifting seaweed communities offthe Tohoku coast, northern Japan, as determined by feeding habitanalysis of phytal animals

ABSTRACT:   We collected phytal animals (fauna associated with drifting seaweeds)off the Tohoku coast in northern Japan in May and June 1994 to examine their feeding habits. Phytal animals were assignedto the following three feeding habit groups: (i) carnivores preyingon crustaceans: a gammarid ( Stenothoe sp.) and a decapodmegalops; (ii) omnivores feeding on crustaceans and pinnate diatoms:a cirripede ( Lepas anserifera ), three gammarids ( Calliopius sp., Jassaslatteryi and J. marmorata ), an isopod ( Idotea metallica ),a decapod crustacean ( Planes cyaneus ), a decapod megalopsand two caprellids ( Caprella penantis and Caprella mutica );and (iii) herbivores grazing on pinnate diatoms, fucoids and seaweedsother than fucoids: three gammarids ( Allorchestes angusta , Amphithoelacertosa and Perampithoe lindbergi ), an isopod ( Cymodocejaponica ) and a polychaete ( Platynereis bicanaliculata ).Pinnate diatoms in the gut contents were composed mainly of Licmophora spp., Navicula spp., Nitzschia spp.and Cocconeis spp. and seaweeds other than fucoids (i.e. Ectocarpussiliculosus and Sphacelaria furcigera ). The latter twoalgae seemed to be epiphytes on drifting seaweeds. These resultssuggest that phytal animals play an important role in drifting seaweed communitiesthrough trophic linkage with two primary producers (i.e. driftingseaweeds and the epiphytes growing on them).