Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma

Currently, antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), are frequently isolated from canine superficial pyoderma in Japan. However, little is known regarding the nasal prevalence of MRSP in pet dogs. Here, we determined the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in nares and affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma. Of the 125 nares and 108 affected sites of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma, 107 (13 species) and 110 (eight species) staphylococci strains, respectively, were isolated. The isolation rate of S. pseudintermedius from pyoderma sites (82/110 strains, 74.5%) was significantly higher than that from nares (57/107 strains, 53.3%) (P<0.01). Notably, the prevalence of MRSP (18/57 strains, 31.6%) in nares was equivalent to that in pyoderma sites (28/82 strains, 34.1%). Furthermore, the phenotypes and genotypes of antimicrobial resistance in MRSP strains from nares were similar to those from pyoderma sites. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci in the nares of pet dogs with superficial pyoderma is the same level as that in affected sites. Therefore, considerable attention should be paid to the antimicrobial resistance of commensal staphylococci in companion animals.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens using mitochondrial D-loop sequence reveals their characteristics as a genetic resource

Myanmar indigenous chickens play important roles in food, entertainment, and farm business for the people of Myanmar. In this study, complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences (1232 bp) were analyzed using 176 chickens, including three indigenous breeds, two fighting cock populations, and three indigenous populations to elucidate genetic diversity and accomplish a phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens. The average haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.948 ± 0.009 and 0.00814 ± 0.00024, respectively, exhibiting high genetic diversity of Myanmar indigenous chickens. Sixty-four haplotypes were classified as seven haplogroups, with the majority being haplogroup F. The breeds and populations except Inbinwa had multiple maternal haplogroups, suggesting that they experienced no recent purifying selection and bottleneck events. All breeds and populations examined shared haplogroup F. When 232 sequences belonging to haplogroup F (79 from Myanmar and 153 deposited sequences from other Asian countries/region) were analyzed together, the highest genetic diversity was observed in Myanmar indigenous chickens. Furthermore, Myanmar indigenous chickens and red junglefowls were observed in the center of the star-like median-joining network of 37 F-haplotypes, suggesting that Myanmar is one of the origins of haplogroup F. These findings revealed the unique genetic characteristic of Myanmar indigenous chickens as important genetic resources.     

Vulnerability of feline T-lymphocytes to charged particles

An analysis of ionizing radiation-induced damage in peripheral lymphocytes has been employed to predict the prognosis of radiotherapy in terms of toxicity in normal tissues. Therefore, understanding the sensitivity of lymphocytes to high linear energy transfer (LET)-charged particles would be indispensable for utilizing charged particle therapy in veterinary medicine. However, the availability of such information is very limited. This study aimed to compare the radiosensitivity of feline T lymphocytes to gamma-rays (0.2 keV/microm) and 4 different types of charged particles with LET values ranging from 2.8 to 114 keV/microm. It was observed that the relative biological effectiveness, inactivation cross-section, and isodose-induced apoptosis increased in an LET-dependent manner. On the other hand, no difference in apoptosis frequency was observed in the cells exposed to an isosurvival dose of all the radiation types tested. This is the first study that demonstrates the LET dependence of cell killing and apoptosis induction in feline T lymphocytes. Our results suggest that lymphocytes can be effectively used to predict the prognosis of charged-particle therapy in cat patients.     

Soft X-ray observation of water distribution in the stem ofCryptomeria japonica D. Don II: Types found in wet-area distribution patterns in transverse sections of the stem

Using soft X-ray photography, two-dimensional observations were made of the water distribution within the green stem ofCryptomeria japonica D. Don. Variations in the distribution pattern of the wet area in the horizontal plane of the lower stem were described. The distribution patterns showed extreme variation among individual trees, with broad wet-area distribution types appearing, namely, the regularly distributed wet area and the irregularly distributed wet area. We defined five basic types of wet-area distribution patterns on the basis of their regularity or irregularity. It was concluded that the between-tree variation in the wet-area distribution causes the between-tree variation in the mean moisture content of the heartwood. The distribution patterns of the wet area were similar for individual trees within each plus-tree clone.Part of this paper was presented at 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Kumamoto, April 1996     

Pilot Study to Examine Radial Variation in Annual Ring Width, Density and Shrinkage

The annual ring width, density and shrinkage variation from pith to bark in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and Boka sugi (Cryptomeria japonicd) were studied and compared. The results show that the ring width decreased sharply from pith to bark for Chinese fir. However, the ring width variation pattern for Boka sugi followed a different way, i.e., the ring width decreased to the fifth ring, increased to the tenth ring, decreased again to the fifteenth, and then increased to the twentieth, where it became constant. The large variations of Boka sugi appeared to show the maintenance of fast growth for many years. The annual ring mean density of Chinese fir increased gradually from pith to bark. However, the density changes for Boka sugi indicated the opposite trend, i.e., the mean density decreased gradually from pith to bark. The former showed a pattern as the same as a pine and a larch, and the latter was often found in a cedar and a cypress. The longitudinal shrinkage in juvenile wood was much hig     

Influence of phosphate-buffered sucrose solution on early graft function in feline renal autotransplantation

Graft perfusion with cold heparinized saline has known to induce ischemia and reperfusion injury in feline kidney transplantation. In this study, the effects of phosphate-buffered sucrose solution and heparinized saline solution on early kidney graft function were compared in feline kidney autotransplantation. Perfusion of grafts with or without hypothermic storage with chilled phosphate-buffered sucrose solution prevented ischemia and reperfusion injury despite a very short ischemic time. The results of our study suggest that phosphate-buffered sucrose perfusion and storage solution should be effective to reduce ischemia and reperfusion injury despite a very short ischemic time in feline kidney transplantation.     

Functions of Chisan dams in large-scale granular mass-flow experiments on Sakurajima volcano pumiceous clasts

We investigated the fundamental behaviour of Chisan (check) dams in response to the presence or absence of impounded sediment with different levels of saturation. Large-scale model flume experiments were conducted by use of a model Chisan dam that had been backfilled with pumiceous clasts taken from the Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. In these experiments, the miniature dam was situated midway down the flume under different backfill sediment conditions and the basal pore-fluid pressure, normal flow depth, and impact load of the granular mass were carefully monitored. Saturated sediment with a volume of 0.6 m³ was released along the slope of the flume segment at 30° and excess pore-fluid pressure was generated, corresponding to a sediment velocity of approximately 4.8 m s^?1. Direct collision of the sediment with the Chisan dam meant the peak impact loads of granular mass against the back surface of the dam exceeded 157 N in experiments without backfill sediment but were as low as 32.1 N in experiments with sediment. Accordingly, placing the backfill sediment substantially reduced peak impact loads. The sediment captured by the Chisan dams was also calculated. For experiments using saturated backfill sediment, the dam captured only 35 % of the material, indicating that most of the granular mass passed over the dam. However, in experiments without backfill sediment or with unsaturated backfill sediment, over 90 % was captured. Although Chisan dams with unsaturated backfill sediment lacked pocket space, almost equivalent granular masses were trapped in these experiments. On the basis of these results, we suggest that Chisan dams with unsaturated backfill sediment could effectively counter debris flow, reducing sediment loads along the streams draining Sakurajima volcano.     

Role of sodium bicarbonate on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel

ABSTRACT:   In order to find out the role of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica , interactions were investigated between NaHCO₃ and various reagents (K⁺ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine [4-AP], ammonium chloride [NH₄Cl], sodium acetate and calcium chloride [CaCl₂]) that could regulate internal factors (intracellular K⁺, intracellular pH [[pH]_i] and intracellular Ca²⁺) in sperm motility. Contradictory effects of NaHCO₃ were observed (i.e. an inhibitory effect when 4-AP was absent and a promoting effect when 4-AP was present). Sodium bicarbonate inhibited the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel. However, NaHCO₃ restored the motility of immotile sperm that 4-AP inhibited. The inhibitory effect of NaHCO₃ disappeared with the addition of NH₄Cl, which raised [pH]_i, but the promoting effect was not affected by [pH]_i. Although NaHCO₃ recovered motility in the presence of 4-AP, this recovery was also observed with the addition of CaCl₂ instead of NaHCO₃. In the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel, two roles for NaHCO₃ are suggested: an inhibitory role relating to the regulation of [pH]_i and a promoting role relating to the uptake of another initiation factor, which could be Ca²⁺.     

Presumptive acute lung injury following multiple surgeries in a cat

A 12-year-old, 3.5-kg spayed female domestic shorthair cat had a tracheal mass identified as malignant B-cell lymphoma. The cat had tracheal resection and subsequently developed laryngeal paralysis. Due to multiple episodes of respiratory distress the cat subsequently had tracheal surgeries. Finally, the cat had a sudden onset of severe respiratory distress and collapsed. Computed tomography imaging and arterial blood gas analysis supported a diagnosis of acute lung injury.     

Prey selection of common minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Bryde's (Balaenoptera edeni) whales in the western North Pacific in 2000 and 2001

A study of common minke and Bryde's whales was conducted in the western North Pacific in the 2000 and 2001 summer seasons to estimate prey selection of cetaceans as this is an important parameter in ecosystem models. Whale sighting and sampling surveys and prey surveys using quantitative echosounder and mid‐water trawl were carried out concurrently in the study. Biomasses of Japanese anchovy, walleye pollock and krill, which were major prey species of common minke and Bryde's whales, were estimated using an echosounder. The results suggested that common minke whale showed prey selection for Japanese anchovy while they seemed to avoid krill in both the offshore and coastal regions and walleye pollock in the continental shelf region. Selection for shoaling pelagic fish was similar to that in the eastern North Atlantic. Bryde's whale showed selection for Japanese anchovy in August 2000 and July 2001, while it showed prey selection for krill in May and June in 2001.