Renal Tubular Cyst Formation in Newborn Rats Treated with p-Cumylphenol

In this study, we investigated the sequential changes in the development of renal tubular cysts in newborn rats treated with p-cumylphenol (PCP). Fifteen animals per sex were treated orally with 300 mg/kg/day of PCP for up to 18 days from postnatal day (PND) 4 and were sacrificed on PNDs 8, 12, 19 and 22 and after a 7 day recovery period. On PNDs 8 and 12, slight dilatation of the collecting ducts was frequently observed in the medulla and slight papillary necrosis was also noted in some cases. These dilated collecting ducts were lined with slightly hyperplastic epithelial cells. On PNDs 19 and 22, multiple large cystic changes arising from the collecting ducts in the outer medulla were seen. These cystically dilated ducts were also lined with hyperplastic epithelial cells. During the dosing period, the labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the collecting duct epithelium was higher in the PCP-treated group than in the control group at all time points. After a 7 day recovery period, the cystic change still remained, although the cell density was decreased and the epithelial cells became flattened. On the other hand, basophilic tubules with peritubular lymphoid cell infiltration were multifocally observed in the cortex. In conclusion, PCP induced multiple renal cysts that developed in the collecting ducts of the outer medulla in neonatal rats, and it is suggested that epithelial cell proliferation may play some roles in the induction of cystic lesions.     

Molecular identification of Candida parapsilosis from crop mucosa in a cockatiel.

A 2-month-old cockatiel was evaluated for diarrhea, dyspnea, and death. Histologic examination of lesions in the crop mucosa revealed hyperkeratosis and the presence of blastoconidia and hyphae. Positive immunohistochemical staining of the organisms was achieved with an antibody directed against Candida spp. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from crop lesion material with internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) primers yielded fragments of approximately 300 bp, which demonstrated 95% DNA homology with the corresponding sequence from a strain of Candida parapsilosis deposited in the GenBank data base. The Candida species in the lesion of the crop mucosa was therefore identified by DNA sequence analysis as C. parapsilosis.     

Efficient epoxidation of olefins with >/=99% selectivity and use of hydrogen peroxide

Epoxides are an important class of industrial chemicals that have been used as chemical intermediates. Catalytic epoxidation of olefins affords an interesting production technology. We found a widely usable green route to the production of epoxides: A silicotungstate compound, [gamma-SiW10O34(H2O)2]4-, is synthesized by protonation of a divacant, lacunary, Keggin-type polyoxometalate of [gamma-SiW10O36]8- and exhibits high catalytic performance for the epoxidation of various olefins, including propylene, with a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidant at 305 kelvin. The effectiveness of this catalyst is evidenced by >/=99% selectivity to epoxide, >/=99% efficiency of H2O2 utilization, high stereospecificity, and easy recovery of the catalyst from the homogeneous reaction mixture.     

Comparison of injectable robenacoxib versus meloxicam for peri-operative use in cats: results of a randomised clinical trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, for the treatment of post-operative pain and inflammation in cats. The study was a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, blinded, non-inferiority design clinical study to compare robenacoxib to meloxicam. Ninety-six cats undergoing surgery at eight centres in Japan were allocated randomly to receive a single s.c. injection of robenacoxib (2 mg/kg, n=67) or meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg, n=29) shortly before induction of anaesthesia. Most cats underwent soft tissue surgery (n=87), mainly ovariectomy (n=68). Post-operative pain and inflammation were assessed at 3, 8 and 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia using numerical rating scales. For the primary efficacy endpoint (total clinician score), robenacoxib had significantly better efficacy than meloxicam, the relative efficacy ratio being 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.19-1.78, P=0.0003). For the secondary efficacy endpoints, robenacoxib was superior to meloxicam when assessed on the basis of posture, behaviour, pain on palpation and overall pain control, while meloxicam was superior with respect to wound heat. No cat in either group required rescue analgesia therapy. In tolerability assessments, pain during injection and pain and inflammation at the injection site 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia were rated significantly less with robenacoxib compared to meloxicam. Both treatments were well tolerated on the basis of clinical observations and blood tests, with no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, single pre-operative administration of robenacoxib was well tolerated and had superior efficacy to meloxicam in reducing post-operative pain in cats.     

Effects of 17beta-estradiol,bisphenol A and tributyltin chloride on germ cells of Caenorhabditis elegans

Effects of a one-generation exposure to a natural estrogen, 17beta-estradiol (E2), and environmental pollutants such as bisphenol A (BPA) and tributyltin chloride (TBTCL) on the number of germ cells were investigated in the hermaphrodite Caenorhabditis elegans. The eggs of gravid adult worms isolated by alkaline hypochlorite treatment were seeded on a test chemical-containing NGM (nematode growth medium) agar plate without cholesterol. After incubation for 6 days at 16 degrees C, the germ cells of adult worms were stained with 4', 6-diamino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI). The staining procedure was completed within one hour and the stained germ cells were counted under a fluorescence microscope without dissection. The number of germ cells in the worms treated with E2 (10(-10)-10(-6) M) and BPA (10(-9)-10 (-5) M) was significantly increased. Maximal increases were observed at 10(-8) M E2 (156 +/- 15.3% of control) and 10(-5) M BPA (168 +/- 20.0 % of control). TBTCL (10(-9)-10(-6) M) significantly decreased the number of germ cells. The minimal decrease was observed at 10(-6) M TBTCL (30.2 +/- 3.51% of control). These results indicate that changes in the number of germ cells are a sensitive indicator of the effects of chemicals on the reproductive system. Since the method described in this paper is a novel, simple, time- and money-saving bioassay, C. elegans is an excellent model with which to determine the reproductive toxicity of chemicals including environmental pollutants.     

Cold-induced ascites in broiler chickens and its improvement by temperature-controlled rearing

Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), also known as ascites, in broiler chickens prevailed in the local area of Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, and was investigated epidemiologically, serologically, and pathologically. PHS developed in chickens older than 35 days of age when rapid increase of body weight started. Approximately 90% of affected birds were males, in which weight increase was greater than in females. Serologic test revealed that PHS broilers had an increase of hematocrit value. Pathologic studies indicated that the heart of affected birds had an obese-induced pressure and cold exposure triggered congestion in the right ventricle/cava and an increase in peritoneal fluid. These changes were consistent with the previous reports of PHS, so we designed the experiment of effects on cold-induced PHS birds in a temperature-controlled house. After the 10 PHS birds at 55 days were reared for 14 days in a temperature-controlled house at 20 +/- 5 C, ascites disappeared in eight birds and hematocrit values decreased to normal range in nine birds. Our finding indicated that temperature-controlled environment may be one solution to reduce mortality in PHS birds.     

Characterization of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase,C3 exoenzyme

A monoclonal antibody, named C302, was prepared and characterized against botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase C3 exoenzyme that inactivates RhoA GTP-binding protein, resulting in the neurite outgrowth of human neuroblastoma GOTO cells. C302 bound not to the smaller fragments derived from the protease-treated C3 exoenzyme but to the intact C3 exoenzyme. It seems that the C302 epitope may depend on the three-dimensional structure of C3 exoenzyme molecule. C302 depressed the enzymatic and biological actions of C3 exoenzyme. The dose-dependent depression pattern of C302 on the enzyme activity was similar to that to the biological one. C302 turned the neurite-bearing shape of the C3 exoenzyme-treated GOTO cells into the intact shape. By using of C302 mAb and C3 exoenzyme, the research concerning GTP-binding proteins would be improved.     

Nasal nocardiosis in a calf.

Nasal nocardiosis was found in a female Japanese Black calf, 11 months of age. Macroscopically, the posterior half of the left nasal passage was completely obstructed by yellowish brown caseous substance and the mucosa was irregularly thickened. In the brain, a few soft brown foci were present in the olfactory bulb and frontal lobe. Microscopically, there were closely packed granulomas in the nasal cavity and brain. The lesions were characterized by a center of cellular debris surrounded by epithelioid macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells of the Langhans type. Special stains revealed the presence of a large number of filamentous branching gram-positive, partially acid-fast organisms in these epithelioid cells and giant cells, and in cellular debris.     

Genotyping of Malassezia pachydermatis isolates from canine healthy skin and atopic dermatitis by internal spacer 1 (IGS1) region analysis

Isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis from healthy dog skin and from dogs with atopic dermatitis were molecularly characterized using internal spacer 1 (IGS1) region analyses, and their phospholipase A2 activity and pH growth profiles were then characterized in vitro. The percentage of isolates from healthy dogs that had the following IGS1 subtypes (isotype, %) were as follows: 1A, 6%; 1B, 27%; 1C, 11%; 2A, 6%; 2B, 6%; 3A, 11%; 3C, 3%; and 3D, 24%. In contrast, 9% of isolates from dogs with atopic dermatitis were isotype IB and 91% were isotype 3D, indicating that isolates of subtype 3D were the most prevalent in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Production of phospholipase A2 was statistically higher in isolates of subtype 3D than in the other subtypes. The subtype 3D isolates showed enhanced growth on alkaline medium compared with non-3D subtype isolates. The main clinical sign of canine Malassezia dermatitis is waxy exudates on the skin, which predispose the patient to development of a yeast overgrowth of the subtype 3D. Increased phospholipase A2 production may be involved in the inflammatory process associated with Malassezia dermatitis.     

An azole-resistant isolate of Malassezia pachydermatis

Canine Malassezia dermatitis (MD) is frequently treated with systemic ketoconazole (KTZ) and itaconazole (ITZ). However, the antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of M. pachydermatis from dogs and cats to the azoles has not been well investigated. In the present study, the in vitro susceptibility of the standard strain (CBS1879: the neotype strain of M. pachydermatis) and 29 clinical isolates of M. pachydermatis to the azoles was measured by a modified CLSI M27-A2 test using modified Dixon medium as well as by the E-test. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the 30 isolates of M. pachydermatis (including the neotype strain) against KTZ and ITZ were <0.03 μg/ml by the two methods. The MICs of 1 clinical isolate (ASC-11) were 1 and 2 μg/ml against KTZ, and 2 and 8 μg/ml against ITZ, by the modified CLSI M27-A2 test and the E-test, respectively. Thus, isolate ASC-11 may be resistant to these azoles, making this the first report of a resistant isolate of M. pachydermatis to KTZ and ITZ.