Lack of Modifying Effects of Intratracheal Instillation of Quartz or Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) in Drinking Water on Lung Tumor Development Initiated with 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in Female A/J Mice

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of inflammation, induced by intratracheal instillation (i.t.) of quartz as an environmental factor in the lung or drinking of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) as an environmental factor in the colon on lung tumors in female A/J mice initiated with NNK. For comparison, colonic preneoplastic lesions, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), were also assessed. A/J mice at 6 weeks of age were divided into 5 groups, and Groups 1, 2 and 3 were pretreated with NNK (2 mg / 0.1 ml saline / mouse, intraperitoneal injection) at week 0. For a week, 2% DSS in drinking water was administered to the mice in Groups 2 and 4 beginning in week 1. In week 2, the mice of Groups 3 and 5 were exposed to intratracheal instillation of quartz (0.1 mg/rat) suspended in 25 μl saline. The experiment was terminated after 16 weeks. The results for the lung tumors and colonic ACFs showed a lack of modifying effects of the inflammation in either site. Hematologically and histopathologically, the inflammation induced by 0.1 mg quartz in the lung and 2% DSS in the colon was lacking or only mild at the end of 16 weeks. These results suggest that there may be differences in sensitivity to inflammation that determine tumor promoting potential.     

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in the Pelvic Limb of a Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A 3-year-old, 4.0 kg, female, spayed Silver Marten cross rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for evaluation of a suspected recurring spindle cell sarcoma following primary excision by the referring veterinarian. Physical examination revealed a large subcutaneous mass on the left metatarsus and a fine needle aspirate revealed suspected neoplastic spindle cells. Hematologic evaluation was unremarkable and a computed tomography scan revealed invasion of the mass into skeletal muscles but showed no evidence of metastatic disease. An amputation was performed, after which the patient recovered uneventfully. However, the rabbit was found suddenly dead at time of discharge from unknown cause. Gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical evaluation was performed, which diagnosed a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed case report of a lagomorph peripheral nerve sheath tumor specifically confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Wide surgical excision is considered the treatment of choice and may be combined with radiation therapy. Further research is required to determine risk factors, the role of adjunctive therapy, as well as long-term prognoses for peripheral nerve sheath tumors in rabbits.     

Tissue distribution of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the acute phase of murine DSS-induced colitis

In the present study, we examined histochemically the tissue distribution of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the acute phase of murine colitis induced by administering DSS in the drinking water. DSS was mainly observed in the Kupffer cells of the liver, in the macrophages of the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and in the lamina propria of the large intestine after administration of DSS. We followed the time course of DSS distribution and found that DSS, which was considered as a large and negatively charged molecule that can not easily cross membranes, was distributed in the liver, the MLN, and the large intestine 1 day after the start of administration of DSS.     

乳酸菌饮料专用型CMC的应用

本文研究了乳酸菌饮料专用型FL100 CMC作为饮料的乳化稳定增稠剂在酸性蛋白饮料中的应用。     

Evolutionary and Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Limb in Fossil and Recent Equidae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)

In Equidae, the limb structure adapted for fore and aft running motion first developed during late Paleocene (Hyracotherium). Since then, almost all the modifications contributed in developing a limb structure in which flexion and extension were primary movements. In Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae, the hip and stifle joints were more flexed and had stronger semitendinosus muscles for fore and aft motion of the limb than in Equinae. Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae had unstable hock joint and had significant intertarsal movement. In Hemphillian and earlier Equinae, the intertarsal movement was considerably reduced and in post Hemphillian Equinae it was negligible because of the presence of strong intertarsal ligaments. In the evolution of the horse the development of intertarsal ligaments, reduction of lateral digits and shortening of the astragalar neck contributed in providing the stability at the hock joint. Four types of limb structures are recognized in Equidae: (1) Hyracotheriinae, (2) Anchitheriinae, (3) Tridactyl Equinae, and (4) Monodactyl Equinae. Monodactyl tendencies appeared for the first time in Hemingfordian Parahippus (reduced metatarsals II and IV and their phalanges). The foot structure of this group is more like Equinae rather than Anchitheriinae, and is considered one of the Equinae in this paper. Early Clarendonian Pliohippus was the first equid to achieve monodactylism, but is not in the directancestry of Equus. Dinohippus became monodactyl at about the same time and has more in common with Equus (skull and dental characters) than Pliohippus.     

牛奶中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的研究

本试验采用邻苯三酚自氧化法,对牛奶中ＳＯＤ活性进行了研究。结果表明：在泌乳期４间ＳＯＤ活性是初乳〉本乳〉常乳。其测定值分别为１１．４、８．０和６．９ｕ／ｍｌ。在泌期内随泌乳时间呈规律性变化,初乳是产后第一天最高,以后迅速下降（Ｃ．Ｖ．１６．５％）;常乳是第一、二泌乳月下降,第三、四泌乳月最低,第五、六泌乳月回升,第七、八泌乳月稳定（Ｃ．Ｖ;２６．０％）;末乳相对比较稳定,在不同个体间有一定程度的差     

Fine Structure of Nerve Endings and Junctions in the Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The superior cervical ganglion of the one humped camel was studied using an electron microscope. The ganglion contained presumptive cholinergic endings, presumptive aminergic endings, and presumptive sensory endings. Presumptive cholinergic endings contained numerous small clear vesicles, a few large dense-cored vesicles, and mitochondria. They frequently made synaptic junctions with dendritic processes and, occasionally, with axons in transit. There were few presumptive aminergic endings and they were characterized by a mixed population of dense-cored vesicles and clear vesicles. They only made synaptic junctions with axons in transit. Presumptive sensory endings were characterized by numerus slender mitochondria and had no synaptic junctions of any kind. Symmetrical membrane thickenings (puncta adherens) were frequently encountered in this study, usually between dendritic processes and other neuronal elements of the superior cervical ganglion.     

Nerve fibres in the parathyroid gland of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): immunohistochemical and ultrastructural investigations

We investigated the morphology and the distribution of the nerve fibres in golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) parathyroid glands using antibodies to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P, and electron microscopy. CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibres were densely distributed in the interstitial tissues and the capsules of the hamster parathyroid glands. Some nerve fibres were detected in close proximity of the parathyroid chief cells. The distribution pattern for substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibres was roughly the same as for CGRP-immunoreactive fibres. Ultrastructurally, we found numerous nerve fibres joining the blood vessels. Axon bundles were located adjacent to the smooth muscle cells of the arterioles. The axons formed structurally specialized neuromuscular junctions with the vascular smooth muscle cells. Some axons were in close vicinity to the parathyroid chief cells. These findings indicate that the hamster parathyroid gland contain CGRP and substance P, which may regulate the blood flow and the secretory activity of the gland.     

Nerve fibre tracing of branches to the coracobrachialis muscle in a Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus)

A detailed anatomical analysis of the left brachial plexus, composed of the fourth cervical to first thoracic spinal nerve roots, was performed in an adult male orangutan obtained from the Osaka Museum of Natural History. Although the medial and posterior cords fused into a common trunk, a nerve fibre analysis revealed that the cords were not actually connected. A superficial branch (Rs) running ventral to the musculocutaneous nerve (MC) and a deep branch (Rp) running dorsal to the MC innervated the coracobrachialis muscle, which was also innervated by coracobrachialis branches (Rmc) from the MC. Koizumi (1989: Acta Anat. Nippon, 64, 18) reported that the Rmc and Rs innervated the superficial region of the coracobrachialis muscle corresponding to superficial coracobrachialis muscle in prosimians, whereas the Rp innervated the deep region. However, the detailed innervation of the coracobrachialis muscle in orangutans was not included in Koizumi and Sakai's (1995: J. Anat. 186, 395) report. Our observations in an orangutan did not seem to support generalisation, because the common trunk of the Rp and Rmc appeared to innervate both the superficial and deep regions of the coracobrachialis muscle. Therefore, a nerve fibre analysis of the common trunk was performed as a detailed examination. The analysis confirmed that the Rp in the orangutan only innervated the deep region of the coracobrachialis muscle, similar to the innervation pattern seen in other apes and humans.     

Uterine Activity after Induction of Hypocalcaemia in the Ovariectomized Camel (Camelus Dromedarius)

Al-Eknah, M.M., Homeida, A.M., Dafalla, E.A., Galil, A.K.A. and Al-Tahir, A.Y., 1997. Uterine activity after induction of hypocalcaemia in the ovariectomized camel (Camelus dromedarius). Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (1), 45-50.Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in three parous, non-pregnant camels. Intrauterine and intra-abdominal pressure changes were recorded using balloon-tipped catheters. Uterine contractions were induced and maintained in the ovariectomized camels by daily intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol benzoate throughout the experimental period. The frequency of uterine contractions varied from 6 to 9 per minute, whereas the amplitude varied from 2 to 3 kPa in all the animals. Inducing hypocalcaemia to a level of 0.5 mmol/L by Na2EDTA reduced the amplitude of the contractions to below 1 kPa (p<0.001). The frequency of the contractions was not affected.     

No Mutations of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor Genes in Lung Adenocarcinomas Induced by N-Nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in Rats

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive phospholipid that stimulates cell proliferation and migration, and protects cells from apoptosis. It interacts with specific G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors. Recently, frequent mutations of the LPA receptor-1 (LPA1) gene were detected in rat lung adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP). In this study, to evaluate the involvement of other LPA receptor gene alterations during lung carcinogenesis, we investigated mutations of the LPA2, LPA3, LPA4 and LPA5 genes in lung adenocarcinomas induced by BHP in rats. Fifteen male Wistar rats, 6 weeks of age, were given 2000 ppm BHP in their drinking water for 12 weeks and then maintained without further treatment until sacrifice at 25 weeks, and 15 adenocarcinomas were obtained. Genomic DNAs were extracted from frozen tissues, and the LPA2, LPA3, LPA4 and LPA5 genes were examined for mutations, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. No mutations of LPA2, LPA3, LPA4 and LPA5 were detected in the 15 adenocarcinomas. These results suggest that alterations due to LPA2, LPA3, LPA4 and LPA5 gene mutations might not be involved in the development of lung adenocarcinomas induced by BHP in rats.     

Role of the Endothelium in the Biotransformation of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP): In vivo and In vitro Study

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Histochemistry of Complex Carbohydrate in the Major Salivary Glands of Hoary Bamboo Rats (Rhizomys purinosus)

The major salivary glands (parotid glands, monostomatic sublingual glands and submandibular glands) were obtained from hoary bamboo rats (Rhizomys purinosus) and fixed in Bouin's solution. Paraffin sections were subjected to a battery of staining methods including lectin staining for demonstration of complex carbohydrates. Among the three major salivary glands, unique histochemical features were observed in the submandibular gland. Different from most myomorpha species, submandibular glands of the hoary bamboo rats have two types of secretory cells in the secretory endpieces. One type of cells showed positive reactions with Alcian blue (AB)(pH2.5), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and some lectins (peanuts agglutinin, Griffonia simplicifolia I. Machura pomifera agglutinin). The granular ducts, which exist in animals belonging to suborder myomorpha, were not observed in the submandibular glands of this animal.     

双峰驼精清诱导排卵活性成分的DEAE—纤维素柱层析分离及其生物活性

选用DEAE－纤维素离子交换柱对双峰驼精清进行分离，各层析组分用于大鼠垂体组织体外培养，并给母驼肌注有活性的组分，以RIA法测定垂体组织培养液和母驼血浆中LH及FSH的浓度。结果表明，驼精清经DEAE－纤维素柱分离后可得到5个蛋白组分（L1－L5），其中L3在大鼠垂体培养时引起LH释放明显增加（P＜0．05），FSH则无明显变化。给卵巢上无大卵泡发育的母驼肌注有活性的组分L3，可引起血浆中LH明显升高，FSH也无变化。由此表明，L3在体内外试验中均具有引起LH释放的生物活性，它可能是诱导排卵的活性因子或其成分之一。     

Distribution and Activity of Fatty Acid Amide Hydralase (FAAH) in the Gastrointestinal Neurons of Mouse

The endocannabinoid anandamide may regulate intestinal motility through activation of CB1 receptors. Anandamide is then inactivated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), a membrane bound enzyme. Under pathological conditions, inactivation of such enzymatic activity may lead to inhibition of the intestinal motility. Here, preliminary reports on the distribution of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) immunoreactivity in the mouse gastrointestinal neurons, and the pharmacological effects of N‐arachidonoylserotonin (AA‐5HT), a selective inhibitor of FAAH, are reported. FAAH was revealed by an indirect immunofluorescence. Laminar preparations containing the myenteric or the submucous plexus adhered, were peeled off after the whole gut wall had been stretched out and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. They were subsequently incubated with a polyclonal anti‐serum directed against a region near the N‐terminus of the human FAAH and revealed by a FITC‐conjugated goat anti‐rabbit secondary anti‐serum. FAAH‐immunoreactive neurons were observed within the myenteric ganglia throughout the GIT. The positive nerve cells varied in size and density of immunoreactivity. Stomach and large intestine showed the highest neuronal density. AA‐5HT significantly reduced both gastric emptying and gastrointestinal tract transit. Such inhibitory effect was reduced by the C1 receptor antagonist SR141716A. Both morphological and pharmacological results suggest that FAAH may play a critical role in controlling gut anandamide levels.     

Morphology and Development of the Distal Ganglion of the Vagus Nerve (Ganglion distale n. vagi) in Sheep during the Prenatal Period

This study was carried out on 31 sheep fetuses, which were divided into four developmental groups. It was established that the development and morphology of the investigated part of vagus nerve is strongly correlated with the developing organs of the fetuses. The very distinct ‘translocation’ of the distal ganglion of the vagus nerve in the caudoventral direction was observed in the course of development. There was no influence of sex on the results of investigation.     

Age-related Histological Findings in the Pineal Gland of Crl:CD(SD) Rats

To provide background data as the pathologic basis, the pineal glands of 190 male and 193 female Crl:CD(SD) rats at ages of 0–7, 51–58, 70–85 and 111 weeks were examined histologically in this study. Mineralization and fibrosis were common findings in the aged rats, whereas they were rarely found in the young ones; mineralization was present in 7, 44, 67 and 79% of males and in 0, 32, 67 and 79% in females, and fibrosis was present in 0, 29, 48 and 44% of males and 0, 18, 40 and 35% of females at ages of 0–7, 51–58, 70–85 and 111 weeks, respectively. Striated muscle fiber appeared regularly in the fibrosis region from 51–58 weeks of age when fibrosis increased, while the origin of this fiber remained unclear. Vacuolation of pineal cells also increased with age in both sexes, though the total incidence was low. There was a low incidence of lymphocytic infiltration in both sexes, but this was not related to age.