Assessment of rabbit spleen size using ultrasonography

Assessment of spleen size using the ultrasonography has become a standard practice in human. However, the assessment is not established method in experimental animals. To establish the index to assess the spleen size using ultrasonography, we measured the cross-section image of rabbit spleen during endotoxin shock. The image of the cross-section was appeared as triangle, and the height of the triangular image was defined as the spleen index. This spleen index showed strong correlation with the spleen weight. In conclusion, this method is suitable for observation of changes in rabbit spleen size and may reduce the number of rabbit in the longitudinal studies.     

Increased plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) associated with disease severity in a primate model for severe human malaria: Plasmodium coatneyi-Infected Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

In the present study, we investigated plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in seven Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) infected with Plasmodium coatneyi. Concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were significantly elevated in the severe phase; the levels were maximally increased up to six times and three times those before infection, respectively. We subsequently examined kinetic profiles of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentration in plasma obtained from two infected monkeys. Both infected monkeys had markedly increased levels of these adhesion molecules when they exhibited severe clinical signs correlated with rapid increase in parasitemia. These results suggest that the elevation of levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 is a critical step in the pathogenesis of severe malaria in vivo.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a mixed breed cat family

A spayed female mixed cat (case 1) and its female offspring, the result of a pairing between case 1 and its male sibling, were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A pedigree survey revealed that the prevalence of HCM was at least 12.5% in the family, which was considered to be significantly higher than that in a hospital-based population (approximately 1.6%). Thus, this finding seems to support the suspected occurrence of familial HCM in this group of related cats.     

The role of primary germ tubes in the life cycle of Blumeria graminis: The primary germ tube is responsible for the suppression of resistance induction of a host plant cell

When the conidia of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) are inoculated on barley coleoptile cells they produce short germ tubes called primary germ tubes (PGTs) about 2 h after inoculation. We evaluated the positive role of a PGT in inducing accessibility of the host cell under the germ tube. When an appressorium (APP) penetrated the same cell on which a PGT was present, the ratio of haustorium formation (penetration efficiency) was significantly higher than when an APP penetrated the cell adjacent to the one on which a PGT was present. When an APP penetrated the cell laterally adjacent to the one on which a PGT was present we killed the cell under the PGT by puncturing it with a microneedle and then investigated the penetration efficiency of the cell adjacent to the dead cell. As a control we killed the cell longitudinally adjacent to the one on which a PGT was present and investigated the penetration efficiency of the laterally adjacent cell. The results showed that the penetration efficiency of the former was significantly lower than that of the latter. This suggests that some accessibility factor might transfer from a cell on which a PGT is present to a laterally adjacent cell. The existence of a conidium body but not a PGT was not effective for induced accessibility of the host cell. Moreover, when a Bgh germling was removed 6 h after inoculation and another germling was transferred to the same cell, the penetration efficiency was significantly higher than that of control. As a control, a Bgh germling was transferred to a cell on which no germling was present. These results suggest that the existence of PGT is effective for induced accessibility of a host cell when penetrated by Bgh. However, it is unclear whether or not a PGT secretes some substance(s) which suppresses the resistance induction of a host cell.     

Estimating the production and mortality of fine roots in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation using a minirhizotron technique

Fine roots are a key component of forested ecosystems, but available information is still limited. This study examined the production and mortality of fine roots less than 1 mm in diameter in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation located on the Kanto Plain in central Japan. We used a minirhizotron technique in combination with soil coring, and collected data for 1 year (May 2002–May 2003). Fine root production and mortality were determined from changes in the lengths of individual fine roots on minirhizotron tubes. Both fine root production and mortality rates were greater in the upper soil than in lower soil levels. Both rates were seasonal, with higher values in summer than in winter; this trend was more pronounced in upper soil levels. These results suggest that environmental conditions, such as temperature or soil properties, affect the production and mortality rates of fine roots. Fine root production and mortality occurred simultaneously, and their rates were similar, which may have led to unclear seasonal changes in fine root standing crop estimates. Soil coring indicated that the fine root biomass of this stand was about 120 g m⁻², of which 40% was from Japanese cedar. The estimated rates of dry matter production and mortality of total fine roots, including understory plants, were both approximately 300 g m⁻² year⁻¹.     

Responses to the Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data (SEND) in non-US countries

The Standard for the Exchange of Nonclinical Data (SEND), adopted by the US FDA, is part of a set of regulations and guidances requiring the submission of standardized electronic study data for nonclinical and clinical data submissions. SEND is the nonclinical implementation of SDTM (Study Data Tabulation Model), the standard electronic format for clinical regulatory submissions to FDA. SEND, SDTM, and the associated Controlled Terminology have been developed by CDISC (Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium). In order to successfully implement SEND, interdisciplinary contributions between sponsors and CROs, need a model for task allocation. This is being undertaken by the Pharmaceutical Users Software Exchange (PhUSE). Because SEND is currently the preferred submission format of the US FDA only and will become required by it starting in December 2016, only American academic societies and companies are actively involved. An exception to this is the INHAND initiative, which leads the way in standardizing terminology for toxicological pathology. On the other hand, international globalization of other clinical and nonclinical practices is not feasible because there are substantial differences between the US and non-US countries in CRO involvement in drug development. Thus, non-US countries must consider and develop approaches to SEND that meet their needs. This paper summarizes the activities of the major organizations involved in SEND development and implementation, discusses the effective use of SEND, and details a compliance scheme (research material of the Showa University School of Medicine) illustrating how pharmaceutical companies can complete a large amount of work up to an FDA application with the effective utilization of CROs and solution providers.     

Nitrogen-fixing activity in decomposing litter of three tree species at a watershed in eastern Japan

Nitrogen fixation during litter decomposition was studied for 34 months using litterbags containing newly fallen litter of coniferous species Cryptomeria japonica and Pinus densiflora and that of deciduous species Quercus serrata. Litterbags were set in contact with the forest floor in a deciduous broad-leaved forest near the top of a slope and in a C. japonica stand at the middle of the slope at a watershed in eastern Japan. Nitrogen-fixing activity, estimated by acetylene reduction after 16 and 19 months of incubation, was 62.65–3.86 nmoles C₂H₄ h⁻¹ g⁻¹ DW in Cryptomeria litter, but only 1.07–0.09 in Pinus and 0.72–0.04 in Quercus. The rate of N increase in decomposing litter was highest in Cryptomeria. Fungal biomass in decomposing litter, estimated by ergosterol content, increased during the initial 16 months of incubation in Cryptomeria and Quercus, and during the initial 19 months of incubation in Pinus. The litter decomposition rate was highest in Cryptomeria among the three species, due to increased N content and fungal biomass in Cryptomeria litter. Thus, N increase in decomposing Cryptomeria litter affects the subsequent N dynamics and decomposition pattern.