Identification and preservation of the parathyroid gland during total thyroidectomy in dogs with bilateral thyroid carcinoma: a report of six cases

Simultaneous removal of bilateral thyroid tumors was performed while preserving the parathyroid gland in six dogs. At least one external parathyroid gland was identified in all dogs. In five cases, the external parathyroid gland and its blood supply were preserved intact. In one dog, the vessels supplying the external parathyroid gland had been invaded by the tumor, and the gland was thus removed and reimplanted into the sternohyoid muscle. That dog required postoperative treatment with oral calcium gluconate and vitamin D₃. Local tumor recurrence was not observed in any of the cases. The mean survival time was 920 days. We found that the external parathyroid gland could be identified and preserved in most dogs undergoing total thyroidectomy.     

Neospora caninum NcSRS2 is a transmembrane protein that contains a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor in insect cells

We investigated the terminal location of NcSRS2, a surface antigen of Neospora caninum that has potential use for diagnosis, and demonstrated its importance as a vaccine component against neosporosis, in an insect-baculovirus expression system. To examine the role of the hydrophobic C-terminal tail in NcSRS2, four types of recombinant baculoviruses were constructed. Immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid analysis revealed cleavage of a 6 kDa of the N-terminal signal peptide in the mature NcSRS2 protein. The recombinant NcSRS2 (rNcSRS2) lacking 25, and 62 amino acids from the termination codon were detected in supernatants from recombinant virus-infected cells, but not in recombinants with truncated 147 amino acids from the termination codon, and intact NcSRS2 gene (401 amino acids). By flow cytometric and confocal laser scanning microscopic analyses, the truncation of the hydrophobic C-terminal tail in NcSRS2 was shown to result in the reduction of protein expression on the cell surface relative to intact rNcSRS2. Except for the recombinant lacking the 147 C-terminal residues, three other rNcSRS2 were detected in the supernatants after treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. Our results demonstrate that the N. caninum NcSRS2 is a transmembrane protein that contains a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor molecule in insect cells, and that the hydrophobic C-terminal domain is an essential component for GPI-membrane attachment. We have likewise shown the usefulness of the insect-recombinant baculovirus system in the expression of rNcSRS2.     

Vaccine development against Neospora caninum infection

Neospora caninum is a recognized protozoan parasite of a wide range of mammalian hosts, and was reported for the first time in 1988. The isolation of its oocysts in dog's faeces in 1998 led to its establishment as a parasitic species undergoing typical coccidian life cycle. Infection with N. caninum causes paralysis and death in young livestock and companion animals, and is associated with abortions and stillbirth in cattle, and neurologic disease in calves. Considering the economic and agricultural importance of neosporosis, there is the urgent need to develop biological control measures aimed at preventing its transmission, infection, as well as reducing severity of the disease. In this paper, we have reviewed the progress made to date on the parasite-host immunology and on vaccine development including its prospects, and discussed possible strategies in the formulation of vaccine(s) against neosporosis.     

Studies on serological cross-reaction of Neospora caninum with Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia heydorni

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine cross-reactivity of Neospora caninum with Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia heydorni. Anti-T. gondii mouse and cat sera cross-reacted with N. caninum soluble antigen (NLA), but not with the recombinant surface antigen (NcSRS2). Anti-H. heydorni dog sera showed no cross-reactivity with either the NLA antigen or the NcSRS2. Lack of cross-reactivity between anti-H. heydorni sera and N. caninum antigens, and the cross-reactivity of anti-T. gondii sera with the NLA suggest that N. caninum has common antigens to T. gondii except for NcSRS2 based on serology. In light of several studies suggesting a closer relationship between N. caninum and H. heydorni than with T gondii, examination of serological cross-reactivity with N. caninum may be necessary to further classify the parasites in addition to molecular and morphological studies and clarification of the life cycle.     

A 38-kDa protein from Babesia gibsoni and its antibody response in an experimentally infected dog

A cDNA encoding the Babesia bovis 12D3 antigen homologue was obtained by immunoscreening the expression library prepared from Babesia gibsoni merozoite mRNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene was 1406 bp. Computer analysis suggested that the sequence contains an open reading frame of 1052 bp encoding an expected protein with a molecular weight of 36kDa. Based on homology analysis, this putative protein was designated as the B. gibsoni 12D3 antigen (Bg12D3). The Bg12D3 gene was expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 strain, and the chronically infected dog serum reacted with the recombinant protein. The antiserum against the recombinant Bg12D3 protein can recognize a 38-kDa native protein, which is consistent with its expected size. Moreover, the purified recombinant proteins were used as the antigen to detect the antibody response in an experimentally infected dog by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results indicated that the Bg12D3 protein was recognized by the host immune system and that it induced an antibody response in chronic B. gibsoni infection. These results allowed us to identify a new member of the 12D3 antigens and its characteristic immune response in canine B. gibsoni infection.     

Influence of wood wall panels on physiological and psychological responses

The effect of visual stimulation from wood on the body was examined in a comparative study using full-sized hinoki wall panels and a white steel wall panel. Continuous blood pressure measurements were used as the physiological indicator. Sensory evaluation by the semantic differential (SD) method and the profile of mood states (POMS) test were performed to determine changes in psychological impression. Results showed that visual stimulation from hinoki wall panels had an emotional and natural impression upon humans. Blood pressure decreased significantly in subjects who liked them, and there was no significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Visual stimulation from the white steel wall panel made an unhealthy and closed impression and increased the sense of depression. In addition, there was stress and a significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Consequently, visual stimulation from hinoki and white steel wall panels had different physiological and psychological effects. Results also showed that the same visual stimulation induced different physiological responses depending on the values of the individuals.Part of this paper was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, April 1998     

Sensory evaluation of carpet cleaner containing essential oil and the effect on mites

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions. The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked woody and earthy impressions; C. obtusa evoked woody, citrus, and pine-resin impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked woody, citrus, and medical impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.     

Evaluation of dried-wood odors: comparison between analytical and sensory data on odors from dried sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) wood

The emissions of volatile organic compounds from air-dried, conventionally dried, and high-temperaturedried sugi wood were compared by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Terpenes were clearly the main compound group in the air-dried wood samples, whereas acetic acid was only detected in the high-temperature-dried wood samples, indicating that considerable changes occurred in the volatile compound emission profile during hightemperature processing. The most abundant compounds in the air-dried wood and conventionally dried wood were δ-cadinene, α-muurolene, and β-cadinene (sesquiterpenes) for all specimens, and a-pinene and D-limonene (monoterpenes) for conventionally dried wood and air-dried wood. In contrast, acetic acid was detected only in the hightemperature-dried wood. Sensory evaluation of volatile organic compounds was performed by 18 male university students. Volatile compounds of air-dried wood and conventionally dried wood were assessed as being significantly more soothing than those from high-temperature-dried wood. This study was presented in part at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, August 2007     

The investigation of life cycle cost on the basis of functional diagnosis in Tha Ngon project in Laos

In recent years, the deterioration of irrigation facilities has been progressing in the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as Japan. Hence, it is vital to introduce the concept of stock management, which decreases their life cycle costs. Life cycle costs of each scenario that combined construction methods and timing of implementation were compared by using single curves degradation prediction model and the Markov chain model as method of degradation prediction based on the result of the functional diagnosis executed in Laos Tha Ngon project area. Scenarios were made from combined types of frequency of operation and maintenance (O&M) of facilities, which were low-frequency, medium-frequency and high-frequency, with types of quality of construction method, which were low-quality, medium-quality and high-quality. As a result, in case of Laos Tha Ngon, a scenario combined middle-frequency of O&M with middle-quality of construction method has become the lowest cost in the four scenarios. This process was shown as a method in stock management which attempts to maintain long life for irrigation facilities and contributes to efficient budget implementation through the reduction of the rehabilitation and the renewal of projects expense.