Artificial burrow preference by the Japanese crayfish Cambaroides japonicus

SUMMARY: Preference for artificial burrows by the endangered Japanese crayfish species Cambaroides japonicus was studied to improve its cultivation. The occupation of artificial burrows, which were made from straight polyvinyl chloride pipes of different internal diameters ( Y , mm), by crayfishes of different total lengths ( X , mm) was significantly ( P < 0.001, n = 56) described by a linear regression: Y = 0.49 X + 3.42 (19.0 ≤ X ≤ 70.2). Among burrows of different lengths [crayfish total length (TL) × 1, × 2, × 3, and × 4], crayfishes significantly preferred burrows that were greater than TL × 3 ( P < 0.001, n = 588).     

Apocrine adenocarcinoma in a golden hamster.

An apocrine adenocarcinoma was observed in the subcutis of the abdomen of golden hamster. Histologically, the tumor cells irregularly formed multiple layers of cysts and some detached cells were presented in the cystic space. PAS stain with alpha-amylase digestion revealed PAS-positive alpha-amylase-resistant granules in the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, cytokeratin was demonstrated in the tumor cells. By electron microscopy, the tumor cells had an oval nucleus with invagination, abundant cytoplasmic organelles and microvilli protruding into the intercellular spaces.     

Fluid accumulation in mouse ligated intestine inoculated with the vascular permeability factor produced by Bacillus cereus.

Partially purified vascular permeability (VP) factor (VPF) of Bacillus cereus induced fluid accumulation in the ligated intestinal loops of mouse (MIL) and rabbit (RIL), suggesting that the VP activity may correlate with fluid accumulation in ligated intestinal loops of these animals. Fluid accumulation was observed at 6-8 hr in 55-67% of mouse intestinal loops inoculated with 40-50 immunodiffusion units (IDU) of partially purified VPF, whereas it was found at 2 hr in all loops with 400-600 IDU of partially purified VPF. In rabbit intestinal loops with 120-190 IDU of partially purified VPF, fluid accumulation was observed at 6 hr. From these findings, VPF produced by B. cereus can be easily detected in both MIL and RIL. The intestinal tissue of mouse intestinal loops was histopathologically damaged at different concentrations of the VPF to induce fluid accumulation. With 50 IDU of partially purified VPF, severe edema was found in the laminia proprial layer and submucosa. With 600 IDU of partially purified VPF, on the other hand, severe necrosis in the surface epithelium of villus and laminia proprial layer, and hyperemia in the submucosa were observed, suggesting that partially purified VPF may be cytotoxic and/or intestinecrotic.     

钙素对叶用莴苣营养吸收和生长发育的影响

 采用NFT 栽培, 研究了叶用莴苣钙素与主要无机成分间的相互关系, 以及对叶用莴苣生长发育的影响。结果表明, 缺钙胁迫引起叶绿素含量降低, 缘腐病发病率上升, 叶片干、鲜样质量降低。生长中后期, 特别是新生内叶易发生钙素营养失调症。营养液中钙浓度过高会降低钾、镁的吸收, 而对氮、磷吸收影响不大。提高营养液中NH₄⁺ -N 比例会抑制钙吸收, 降低其有效性。     

Familial Congenital Methemoglobinemia in Pomeranian Dogs Caused by a Missense Variant in the NADH‐Cytochrome B5 Reductase Gene

Background

In veterinary medicine, congenital methemoglobinemia associated with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)‐cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) deficiency is rare. It has been reported in several breeds of dogs, but little information is available about its etiology.

Objectives

To analyze the NADH‐cytochrome b5 reductase gene, CYB5R3, in a Pomeranian dog family with methemoglobinemia suspected to be caused by congenital b5R deficiency.

Animals

Three Pomeranian dogs from a family with methemoglobinemia were analyzed. Five healthy beagles and 5 nonrelated Pomeranian dogs without methemoglobinemia were used as controls.

Methods

Methemoglobin concentration, b5R activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were measured, and a turbidity index was used to evaluate Heinz body formation. The CYB5R3 genes of the affected dog and healthy dogs were analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results

Methemoglobin concentrations in erythrocytes of the affected dogs were remarkably higher than those of the control dogs. The b5R activity of the affected dogs was notably lower than that of the control dogs. DNA sequencing indicated that this Pomeranian family carried a CYB5R3 gene missense variant (ATC→CTC at codon 194) that resulted in the replacement of isoleucine (Ile) by leucine (Leu).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This dog family had familial congenital methemoglobinemia caused by b5R deficiency, which resulted from a nonsynonymous variant in the CYB5R3 gene. This variation (c.580A>C) led to an amino acid substitution (p.Ile194Leu), and Ile194 was located in the proximal region of the NADH‐binding motif. Our data suggested that this variant in the canine CYB5R3 gene would affect function of the b5R in erythrocytes.     

Persimmon breeding in Japan for pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA) type with marker-assisted selection

Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) originated in Eastern Asia, and many indigenous cultivars have been developed in China, Japan, and Korea. These cultivars are classified into four groups based on their natural astringency loss on the tree and seed formation: pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA), pollination-variant non-astringent (PVNA), pollination-constant astringent (PCA), and pollination-variant astringent (PVA). PCNA is the most desirable type because the fruit can be eaten without any postharvest treatment; therefore, one of the goals of our persimmon breeding programs is to release superior PCNA cultivars. The PCNA genotype is recessive to the other three non-PCNA genotypes, and PCNA-type F₁ offspring are obtained exclusively from crosses among PCNA genotypes. Moreover, the number of superior PCNA cross-parents have been limited. In the late 1980s, inbreeding depression became obvious, especially in terms of fruit size, tree vigor, and productivity. To mitigate the inbreeding, a backcross program using PCNA [(non-PCNA × PCNA) × PCNA] was started in 1990. This process, however, was inefficient because only 15% of the offspring were PCNA, and all offspring had to be grown to the fruiting stage. Therefore, molecular markers linked to the PCNA locus were developed for discriminating PCNA offspring. A molecular marker linked to Chinese PCNA has also been developed.