Endocrine patterns in two strains of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation

Endocrine patterns were compared in 2 strains of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation; MHO- and HSK-paternal strains (MHO and HSK cattle, respectively). MHO cattle (n=8) displayed lower serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and cortisol (31.1+/-20.7 ng/ml, 73.9+/-51.9 ng/dl, and 2.9+/-2.9 microg/dl, 1.3+/-0.7 microg/dl, respectively) than those in both HSK cattle (n=5) (64.9+/-47.6 ng/ml, 97.8+/-40.7 ng/dl, 4.1+/-2.1 microg/dl and 1.8+/-1.1 microg/dl, respectively), and the controls (n=6) (314.7+/-197.2 ng/ml, 140.2+/-21.3 ng/dl, 5.8+/-1.7 microg/dl, and 3.0+/-1.4 microg/dl, respectively). The area under the concentration curve of growth hormone (GH-AUC 0-600 min) in MHO cattle (22210+/-18951 ng.min/ml) tended to be greater than those in HSK (7887+/-6340 ng.min/ml) and the controls (2811+/-1275 ng.min/ml). MHO cattle showed a high GH-AUC0-600 min in contrast to a low serum IGF-1 concentration, as well as lower serum T3, T4, and cortisol concentrations. HSK cattle exhibited the same secretory patterns, but much more moderately. Growth retardation in Japanese black cattle exhibits some variations based on pedigree.     

Manzamenones Inhibit T-Cell Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Manzamenones A~C (1~3) and E~F (5~6), unique oxylipin metabolites isolated from a marine sponge Plakortis sp., have been found to exhibit inhibitory activity against T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP). The inhibitory activity of 2 and 5 against TCPTP was 4 times more potent than that against protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B).     

Binding capacity of a barley beta-D-glucan to the beta-glucan recognition molecule dectin-1

To clarify whether barley beta-glucans exhibit their biological effects via binding to dectin-1, a pivotal receptor for beta-1,3-glucan, the structure of barley beta-glucan E70-S (BBG-70) was unambiguously investigated by NMR spectroscopy and studied for its binding capacity and specificity to dectin-1 by ELISA. NMR spectroscopy confirmed that BBG-70 contains two different linkage glucans, namely, alpha-glucan and beta-glucan, which are not covalently attached to one another. Beta-glucan within BBG-70 is a linear mixed-linkage beta-glucan composed of 1,3- and 1,4-beta-D-glucopyranose residues but does not contain the continuous 1,3-linkage. Competitive ELISA revealed that highly purified barley beta-glucan E70-S (pBBG-70) inhibits the binding of soluble dectin-1 to sonifilan (SPG), a beta-1,3-glucan, although at a concentration higher than that of SPG and laminarin. It was found that barley beta-glucan can be recognized by dectin-1, implying that barley beta-glucan might, at least in part, exhibit its biological effects via the recognition by dectin-1 of the ligand sugar structure, which may be formed by 1,3-beta- and 1,4-beta-glucosyl linkage.     

GH-producing mammary tumors in two dogs with acromegaly

Two intact female dogs were admitted for growing mammary tumors. They had symptoms of acromegaly including weight gain, enlargement of the head, excessive skin folds, and inspiratory stridor. Serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and insulin were elevated in the two cases. From these findings, both dogs were diagnosed with acromegaly. In case 1, the GH, IGF-I, and insulin levels subsided after removal of the focal benign mammary tumors and ovariohysterectomy. In case 2, those levels subsided after removal of only focal mammary carcinoma. In both cases, immunohistochemical investigations for GH were positive in the mammary tumor cells but not in the normal mammary glands. We concluded that GH-producing mammary tumors caused the present acromegaly.     

Use of urine albumin/creatinine ratio for estimation of proteinuria in cats and dogs

The clinical utility of the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UAC) using a simplified analyzer for estimation of proteinuria was studied in cats and dogs. Measurement results for diluted feline and canine albumin standard solutions showed linearity. Although conversion formulas (y=1.28x+1.04 and y=1.67x+10.47 for cats and dogs, respectively) were necessary, urine albumin concentrations could be determined in both animals. In cats and dogs with proteinuria, the UAC changed parallel with the urine protein/ creatinine ratio (UPC), and the Log UAC and Log UPC were significantly correlated (r=0.803 (p<0.01) in cats, r=0.801 (p<0.01) in dogs). The UAC using an UAC analyzer could be used clinically as one of the basic in-hospital laboratory tests for estimation of proteinuria in cats and dogs.     

Collapsing process simulations of timber structures under dynamic loading III: numerical simulations of real-size wooden houses

In this study, we developed a new analysis method that enables numerical simulations of the collapse process of real-size wooden houses and evaluated the accuracy thereof by carrying out numerical simulations by shaking table tests. The distinct element method was adopted as the basic theory of our numerical analysis. This research is the first approach in which the extended distinct element method was used for Japanese timber post-and-beam construction. The size of the analysis model is a 5.5 m × 5.5 m, two-story real-size wooden house. The three analytical models were developed in terms of the strength of exterior mortar walls. The simulation results were compared with the shaking table test results. One of the collapsing processes of the numerical simulation corresponds well to the experiment results. Assessment of the possibility of collapse for real-size wooden houses was determined to be possible using our newly developed numerical analysis method.     

Long-term survival of a dog with Alexander disease

A 1-year- and 11-month-old spayed female toy poodle had showed progressive ataxia and paresis in the hindlimbs since 11 months old. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal intensity on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images at the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord. The dog’s neurological condition slowly deteriorated and flaccid tetraparesis was exhibited. At 4 years and 11 months old, the dog died of respiratory failure. On postmortem examination, eosinophilic corkscrew bundles (Rosenthal fibers) were observed mainly in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord. Histological features were comparable to previously reported cases with Alexander disease. This is a first case report to describe the clinical course and long-term prognosis of a dog with Alexander disease.     

Effect of age,sex, and breed on serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations in dogs

Veterinary Research Communications - This study investigated the effects of age, sex and breed on serum cystatin C (Cys-C) and creatinine in small breed dogs. This retrospective study included 250...     

Propionate tolerance test for determination of insulin secretion in a hyperglycemic Japanese Black steer

A propionate tolerance test (PTT) was used to determine the pathophysiology of a Japanese Black steer with hyperglycemia. In the hyperglycemic steer, a low insulin secretion was confirmed by a glucose tolerance test (GTT), so that the hyperglycemic steer was diagnosed as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Although the plasma insulin concentration in the control cattle increased in response to propionate stimulation, a low insulin response to PTT was observed in the diabetic steer. The fact that both PTT and GTT determined that the diabetic steer had low insulin secretion suggests that the PTT might be an effective diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus in cattle.