Impaired female fertility in tubulointerstitial antigen-like 1-deficient mice

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 (Tinagl1, also known as adrenocortical zonation factor 1 [AZ-1] or lipocalin 7) is a matricellular protein. Previously, we demonstrated that Tinagl1 expression was restricted to extraembryonic regions during the postimplantation period and detected marked expression in mouse Reichert’s membranes. In uteri, Tinagl1 is markedly expressed in the decidual endometrium during the postimplantation period, suggesting that it plays a physical and physiological role in embryo development and/or decidualization of the uterine endometrium during pregnancy. In the present study, in order to determine the role of Tinagl1 during embryonic development and pregnancy, we generated Tinagl1-deficient mice. Although Tinagl1^–/– embryos were not lethal during development to term, homologous matings of Tinagl1^–/– females and Tinagl1^–/– males showed impaired fertility during pregnancy, including failure to carry pregnancy to term and perinatal lethality. To examine ovarian function, ovulation was induced with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); the number of ovulated oocytes did not differ between Tinagl1^–/– and Tinagl1^flox/flox. In vitro fertilization followed by embryo culture also demonstrated the normal developmental potential of Tinagl1-null embryos during the preimplantation period. Our results demonstrate that Tinagl1 deficiency affects female mice and results in subfertility phenotypes, and they suggest that although the potential of Tinagl1^–/– oocytes is normal, Tinagl1 is related to fertility in adult females but is not essential for either fertilization or preimplantation development in vitro.     

Safety of the tram car for slopes examined by stress analysis of the ground structure

For monorail systems, it is very important to ensure the safety of the ground structure. We developed a tram car for slopes that utilizes the mechanism of the monorail and analyzed the stress of the ground structure that had double rails. First, we divided the ground structure into seven components, and formulated a procedure for calculating the stress of the ground structure. As a result, the stress that acts upon the main rail and the main rail connecting part was near the allowable stress, and each calculated value was within the allowable stress. We measured the stress by running the vehicle, and compared the measured values with the calculated values. As a result, some measured values were larger than the calculated values. However, the ratio of measured value to allowable stress was 90% or less. Finally, we calculated the static loading coefficient for each part, results of which were as follows: main and subrail: 1.1; rail connection part and prop foundation part: 1.0; rail installation part: 1.3. In the recalculations, it became clear that the recalculated values exceeded the allowable stresses. These results suggest that we need to review the ground structure materials.     

Characterization of Treatment Processes and Mechanisms of COD, Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal in a Multi-Soil-Layering System

Characteristics of the treatment processes inside a MSL system were investigated by using a laboratory-scale MSL system, which was set up in a D 10 × W 50 × H 73 cm acrylic box enclosing "soil mixture blocks" alternating with permeable zeolite layers. For the study of the treatment processes inside the system, wastewater, with mean concentrations (mg L⁻¹) of COD: 70, T-N: 12, T-P: 0.9, was introduced into the system at a loading rate of 1,000 L m⁻² d⁻¹. Treatment processes in the MSL system were different for the COD, P and N pollutants. Eighty percent of COD was removed in the 1st soil layer among the 6 layers, and the removal rate increased as water moved down and finally reached 90% in the last layer of the system. Phosphorus concentration was lower under the soil mixture layers than under the permeable layers, presumably because P was adsorbed mainly by soil and mixed iron particles. The P concentration in water gradually decreased in the lower layers of the system. The concentration of PO₄^3--P was generally lower in the aerated MSL system than in the non-aerated one. NH₄⁺-N was adsorbed and nitrified in the upper part of the system. The NO₃⁻-N concentration was lower in water under the soil mixture layers than under the permeable layers, indicating that denitrification mainly occurred in the soil mixture layers.     

Undulated flooring in the rearing tank decreases hypermelanosis in Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

In the aquaculture of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, hypermelanosis, a malpigmentation condition in which the scales of a significant area on the blind side express the characteristics of those on the ocular side, remains a major concern. Since introducing sand into the rearing tank effectively suppresses hypermelanosis, the inhibitory effects of various characteristics of the surface of the tank floor were investigated. Although an inhibitory effect was observed in both tanks with a sand-image floor and a sand-pasted floor, the strongest effect was found in tanks with a dimpled floor. In addition, covering the inner surface of the tank with net also inhibited hypermelanosis. Using a commercially available corrugated plate, the inhibition of hypermelanosis was confirmed with a noted increase in this effect when combined with light coloration. Juveniles tended to situate themselves in the valley portions of the corrugated plate, suggesting that floor contact with the blind side may contribute to hypermelanosis inhibition. Further observations on the floor contact area with various floor configurations suggested that hypermelanosis is locally suppressed in the areas with floor contact. Therefore, suppression by an undulated (both dimpled and corrugated) floor is likely due to an increase in floor contact area with the blind side.     

Correction to: Prevention of hypermelanosis by rearing Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in net‑lined tanks

Fisheries Science - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01504-x     

A case of protein-losing enteropathy treated with methotrexate in a dog

A 9-year-old female Pug was presented to us with chronic diarrhea. Hematologic findings indicated severe hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia, and endoscopy revealed severe edema of the duodenal mucosa. Based on these results and on additional histopathological findings, we made a diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy caused by lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis with lymphangiectasia. The dog was initially treated with prednisolone and cyclosporine. This treatment regimen was not effective. However, when methotrexate was substituted for cyclosporine, progress was obtained and the diagnosis was confirmed.     

High level expression of biologically active canine interferon-alpha subtype 4 using a baculovirus

In this study, a high amount of bioactive recombinant canine interferon-alpha subtype 4 (CaIFN-alpha4) was expressed in a baculovirus system. For easy purification, it was expressed as a CaIFN-alpha4 bearing histidine hexamer at the C-terminal region, designated CaIFN-alpha4His. CaIFN-alpha4His was detected in culture supernatants of insect cells infected with the recombinant virus using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyarcylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining. The level of expression was very high, and approximately 1 mg of purified protein, with 5.0 x 10(7) units/mg, was obtained from 300 ml of culture supernatant. The purified product showed antiviral activity against Vesicular stomatitis virus on canine tumor cell line A72 and chicken embryo fibroblast cells.