Changes of receptor mRNAs for oxytocin and estrogen during the estrous cycle in rat uterus

Oxytocin receptor (OTR) mRNA levels increase dramatically near term and is potently stimulated by estrogen because increased OTR mRNA levels result from estrogen treatment in ovariectomized rat uterus. In this study, OTR, estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ERbeta mRNA levels in the rat uterus during the estrous cycle were examined by quantitative RT-PCR. OTR mRNA levels during the estrous cycle began to increase on diestrus (P<0.05, vs value on estrus), reached maximal increase both in the morning (1000-1130 hr) and afternoon (1600-1630 hr) on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus, diestrus and estrus) and then declined on estrus. In contrast ER alpha mRNA levels began to decrease on diestrus, reached statistical significance both in the morning and the afternoon on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus, diestrus and estrus) and returned to the value of metestrus on estrus. ERbeta mRNA levels were low in the morning and the afternoon on proestrus (P<0.01, vs metestrus and estrus) and also returned to metestrus values on estrus. Treatments with estrogen for 3 days significantly decreased both ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels. It can be concluded from these results that during the estrous cycle, OTR mRNA levels in rat uterus predominantly increase at proestrus with a decrease in ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels, which is probably due to the increased estrogen levels in circulation before ovulation.     

Pili-mediated attachment of Corynebacterium renale to mucous membrane of urinary bladder of mice

Corynebacterium renal strain 115 with numerous pili became attached in vivo to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder of mice 10 to 30 times more frequently than did that of C renale American Type Culture Collection 19412, which showed few pili. Antipili serum-treated C renale strain 115 was not recovered from the membrane in as large amounts as was untreated bacteria. Antisomatic serum-treated strain 115, on the other hand, was recovered from the membrane in amounts similar to untreated bacteria. Untreated organisms became attached to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder more effectively than did the antipili serum-treated bacteria, as seen on scanning electron micrographs. It may be concluded that C renale strain 115 attaches itself to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder om mice by the pili.     

Evaluation of the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of vaccinia virus to piglets

The pathogenicity and immunogenicity of vaccinia virus were examined in order to evaluate the possibility of its application as a recombinant viral vaccine in pigs. Following scarification inoculation with vaccinia virus, a mild reddish papulation developed only on the scarified part of the skin. No symptoms of illness such as fever or stunting were noted. Vaccinia virus was recovered in titers from scarified skin 4 and 7 days after inoculation. Control piglets cohabited with inoculated animals remained normal for the whole 5 week observation period. Hemagglutination inhibition and indirect immunofluorescence tests detected antibodies against vaccinia virus in the inoculated piglets, whereas no anti-vaccinia virus antibodies were detected in the contact control animals. Antigen-induced blastogenic tests of peripheral blood lymphocytes from animals, revealed that lymphocytes obtained from inoculated donors 5 weeks after inoculation, had a higher stimulation index (P less than 0.05) than did those from uninoculated piglets. These results suggested that vaccinia virus would be useful as a recombinant viral vector for pigs.     

Treatment of cattle with DNA-encoded Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to immunization with Theileria parva candidate vaccine antigens induces CD4 and CD8 T cell IFN-γ responses but not CTL responses

Theileria parva antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are prime vaccine candidates against East Coast fever in cattle. A strategy for enhancing induction of parasite-specific T cell responses by increasing recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) at the immunization site by administration of bovine Flt3L and GM-CSF prior to inoculation with DNA vaccine constructs and MVA boost was evaluated. Analysis of immune responses showed induction of significant T. parva-specific proliferation, and IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in immunized cattle. However, antigen-specific CTLs were not detected. Following lethal challenge, 5/12 immunized cattle survived by day 21, whereas all the negative controls had to be euthanized due to severe disease, indicating a protective effect of the vaccine (p<0.05). The study demonstrated the potential of this technology to elicit significant MHC class II and class I restricted IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells to defined vaccine candidate antigens in a natural host, but also underscores the need to improve strategies for eliciting protective CTL responses.     

A serological comparison of 4 Japanese isolates of porcine enteroviruses with the international reference strains

The reference strains of four serotypes (J6, J8, J9 and J10) of porcine enterovirus isolated in Japan were compared with the international reference strains of 11 serotypes (W1 to W11) by cross neutralization tests. No cross reactions were observed between the two groups, although there were minor one-way crosses between W10 and J10, W11 and J9, and W4 and J9. This leads to our conclusion that all 4 Japanese serotypes can be newly added to 11 international serotypes. J9 virus produced type 1 of CPE (CPE I), J6 and J8 did CPE II, and J10 did CPE III. J10 grew in Vero, HeLa cells, and the primate cells, but J6, J8 and J9 did not.     

Glucagon‐related peptides and the regulation of food intake in chickens

The regulatory mechanisms underlying food intake in chickens have been a focus of research in recent decades to improve production efficiency when raising chickens. Lines of evidence have revealed that a number of brain‐gut peptides function as a neurotransmitter or peripheral satiety hormone in the regulation of food intake both in mammals and chickens. Glucagon, a 29 amino acid peptide hormone, has long been known to play important roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis in mammals and birds. However, the glucagon gene encodes various peptides that are produced by tissue‐specific proglucagon processing: glucagon is produced in the pancreas, whereas oxyntomodulin (OXM), glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1 and GLP‐2 are produced in the intestine and brain. Better understanding of the roles of these peptides in the regulation of energy homeostasis has led to various physiological roles being proposed in mammals. For example, GLP‐1 functions as an anorexigenic neurotransmitter in the brain and as a postprandial satiety hormone in the peripheral circulation. There is evidence that OXM and GLP‐2 also induce anorexia in mammals. Therefore, it is possible that the brain‐gut peptides OXM, GLP‐1 and GLP‐2 play physiological roles in the regulation of food intake in chickens. More recently, a novel GLP and its specific receptor were identified in the chicken brain. This review summarizes current knowledge about the role of glucagon‐related peptides in the regulation of food intake in chickens.     

Quantitative capillary reversed passive latex agglutination test for C-reactive protein (CRP) in the dog

A capillary reversed passive latex agglutination test (capillary RPLA) was developed which allows quantification of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) within approximately 15 min. The logarithmic regression line (calibration curve) obtained after measuring each CRP concentration three times in twofold dilutions of a standard canine serum containing 222 g/ml of CRP was y=6.394+0.030x (r=0.995). Capillary RPLA permitted quantification of CRP in the range 6.9–222 g/ml. The coefficients of variation ranged from 10.28% to 12.40%. The recovery rates (percentage recovery) of CRP by capillary RPLA were within the range 87% to 106%. On measuring the CRP concentrations in sera from 78 dogs by capillary RPLA, single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), close correlations were demonstrated between SRID and capillary RPLA (y=7.250+1.109x, r=0.978), between SRID and ELISA (y=3.042+1.059x, r=0.967), and between capillary RPLA and ELISA (y=1.778+0.929x, r=0.962). Capillary RPLA may be considered useful as a routine biochemical technique for measurement of serum CRP concentration in the dog.Abbreviations CRP C-reactive protein - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - RPLA reversed passive latex agglutination test - SRID single radial immunodiffusion