Pseudorabies virus infection in hunting dogs in Oita,Japan: Report from a prefecture free from Aujeszky’s disease in domestic pigs

We isolated two pseudorabies virus (PRV) isolates (designated OT-1 and OT-2) from two hunting dogs exhibiting neurological manifestations after eating the flesh of wild boar hunted in Oita prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan. The isolates corresponded to a previously reported PRV (MY-1 strain) isolated from a hunting dog in neighboring Miyazaki prefecture, and it clustered into genotype II based on the glycoprotein C sequence. Our results suggest that this common PRV strain may have been maintained in wild boars on Kyushu Island even though domestic pigs in this area have attained an Aujeszky’s disease-free status.     

Peripheral neuroblastoma in a young labrador retriever

A 2-year-old Labrador Retriever developed atrophy of the right temporal muscle, subsequently showed generalized seizure and died 2 months after the clinical onset. Postmortem examination revealed the tumor masses in the right mandibulopharyngeal area, nasopharynx and intracranial space. Histopathologically, these tumor masses were composed of small round neoplastic cells and neuropil-like stroma separated by fibrovascular septa. In the neoplastic masses, small neoplastic cells with round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm predominated, and angulated neoplastic cells with larger nuclei and moderate cytoplasm were scattered. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were positive for neuron specific enorase, neurofilament protein, chromogranin A, synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase. Based on these findings, this case was diagnosed as peripheral neuroblastoma, presumably originated from the sympathetic ganglion, maybe right craninal cervical ganglion.     

Age-related changes of genital systems in the female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats during sexual maturation

The age-related changes of vaginal opening, body weight, the weights of the uterus and ovary, together with histological examination, serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels were examined in intact female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats between 21 and 36 days of age to understand the basic biological profile of changes of the female genital system during sexual maturation in the rat for female pubertal assays. With the beginning of the elevation of serum E2 level from 28 days of age, all parameters except body weight started to show drastic change until 31 days of age. The highest incidence of vaginal opening was recorded at 34 days of age. On macroscopic examinations, a number of rats showed uterine imbibition but vaginal opening. Immediately after the confirmation of the vaginal opening, the genital systems of three rats were observed microscopically. Both ovaries already had multiple corpora lutea, and degeneration of endometrial epithelial cells was observed. In conclusion, we obtained essential data on genital tract development of female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats for in vivo screening assays that will contribute to detect potential endocrine active chemicals. In addition, it is assumed that the first ovulation precedes or occurs simultaneously with vaginal opening.     

Transformation of trifoliate orange with rice chitinase gene and the use of the transformed plant as a rootstock

RCC2, cDNA clone encoding rice class-I chitinase, was introduced into trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.). Chitinase activity of the transformed plants was higher than that of the non-transformed plants. The introduced gene was not detected in the scions grafted onto the transformed plants. The effect of the introduction of foreign gene into rootstocks on the scions was discussed.     

Effect of ovarian hormones on maturation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood monocytes in dogs

Previously, we reported that ovarian hormones affect the immune response against E. coli isolated from the dogs affected with pyometra. In order to investigate mechanisms underlying the immune modulation, we examined the effects of ovarian hormones on the generation of dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen presenting cell. DCs were differentiated from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMOs) using a cytokine cocktail. Both estrogen receptor and progesterone receptors were expressed by the PBMOs and immature DCs. When various ovarian hormones were added to the culture for the DC differentiation, progesterone significantly decreased the expression of DC maturation markers, such as CD1a, CD80 and CD86, on mature DCs. Conversely, the addition of estrogen to the cultures increased the expression of CD86, but not other maturation makers. Furthermore, DCs differentiated in the presence of progesterone did not stimulate allogeneic mononuclear cells in PB. Taken together, these results indicate that progesterone diminishes the maturation of DCs, leading to decreased immune responses against invading pathogens.     

Protective effect of heat-processed American ginseng against diabetic renal damage in rats

We investigated the effects of American ginseng (AG) and heat-processed American ginseng (H-AG) on diabetic renal damage using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in this study. The diabetic rats showed a loss of body weight gain, and increases in kidney weight, food intake, water intake, and urine volume, whereas the oral administration of H-AG at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight per day for 20 days attenuated these diabetes-induced physiological abnormalities. Among the renal function parameters, the elevated urinary protein levels in diabetic control rats were significantly decreased by the AG or H-AG administrations, and the decreased creatinine clearance level was significantly increased in H-AG-administered rats. In addition, the markedly high serum levels of glucose and glycosylated protein in diabetic control rats were significantly decreased by the administration of H-AG, implying that H-AG might prevent the pathogenesis of diabetic complications caused by impaired glucose metabolism and glycosylation of serum proteins. Although no significant ameliorations were shown in overexpressed protein expressions related to diabetic oxidative stress by the AG or H-AG administrations, the accumulation of N (epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine and receptors for advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) expressions were significantly reduced by the administration of H-AG. On the basis of these results, we found that AG and H-AG inhibit AGE accumulation in diabetic rat kidney by their hypoglycemic and renal function ameliorating effects, and this effect was stronger in the H-AG-administered group than in the AG-administered group. These findings indicate that H-AG may have beneficial effect on pathological conditions associated with diabetic nephropathy.     

Production of aromatic amino acids and related compounds from p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid by rumen microorganisms in vitro

Suspensions of mixed rumen bacteria (B), protozoa (P), and mixed rumen microorganisms (BP) prepared from rumen contents of fistulated goats were anaerobically incubated with 1 mM p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA) at 39°C for 24 h. Tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp) and other related compounds in both supernatants and hydrolyzates of microbial cells in all incubations were analyzed by HPLC. Large amounts of Tyr (32.1, 42.7 and 36.1% of disappeared HPA in B, P and BP, respectively) were produced from HPA during a 12 h incubation period. The formation of Tyr in P (178.6 µmol/g MN) was 1.5 and 2 times higher than in B and BP, respectively. Phe (7–11% of the disappeared HPA) and Trp (3–6% of the disappeared HPA) were also synthesized from HPA in B, P, and BP. Phe synthesis in P (46.3 µmol/g MN) was 1.7 times higher than in B but, in contrast, Trp synthesis in B, was 1.6 times higher than in P. The metabolites p‐hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (in the range of 5–14% of disappeared HPA), phenylacetic acid (1–11%), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3–7%) and benzoic acid (1–6%) were produced from HPA in B, P and BP. Phenylpropionic acid (6% of the disappeared HPA) was produced only in B and BP.     

松粳6号水稻品种同化物地上地下分配模拟模型研究

采用黑龙江省主栽水稻品种松粳6号来研究同化物在地上、地下分配及其动态变化,在试验的基础上,通过模型对水稻同化物分配动态的模拟来较好的解释和预测干物质分配系数,动态模拟干物质在地上、地下的分配规律.     

Growth characteristics of canine distemper virus in a new cell line CCT cells originated from canine malignant histiocytosis

Canine distemper virus (CDV) growth and the morphological characterization were examined in a cell line established from a canine malignant histiocytosis (CCT cell line). The susceptibility of the CCT cells to 3 CDV strains, FXNO, YSA-TC and MD-77 was shown by detection of the antigen in the indirect fluorescent assay. After passaging 4 and 9 times through the CCT cells, only FXNO strain could produce the syncytia where demonstrated the antigens. Titers of 9 passaged viruses through the CCT cells showed slightly higher in the CCT cells than those in Vero cells. Morphological characterization of karyorrhexis and specific DNA ladder by extracted DNA electrophoresis indicated apoptosis in the CDV infected CCT cells.