Expression of a tumor-associated antigen, RCAS1, in canine mammary tumors

Receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1), one of novel cancer cell-surface antigens, is strongly expressed in invasive cancers. RCAS1 inhibits the in vitro growth of lymphocytes such as T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and induces apoptotic cell death. We investigated the expression of RCAS1 in canine mammary tumor cell lines and tumor cells by immunohistochemistry, and also in situ deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. All canine mammary tumor cell lines expressed RCAS1 at both the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein level. Immunohistochemically, RCAS1 was negative in 100% of normal mammary glands, but was expressed in 100% of malignant tumors examined. In most malignant mammary tumors, RCAS1 was localized in the cytoplasm with no polarity of expression. In benign mammary tumors, it was detected on the luminal surface of the tumor cell. RCAS1 expression or localization was significantly correlated with malignancy. In situ DNA fragmentation of CD3-positive TILs was observed in RCAS1-expressing tumors. RCAS1-expressing tumors, indicating a possible induction of apoptotic cell death in TILs through RCAS1 expression. These observations suggest that RCAS1 probably plays an important role in tumor progression and escape from immune surveillance in canine mammary tumors.     

Effect of alkali extraction on the lignin monomeric composition inEucalyptus

The effect of alkali extraction on the lignin monomeric composition was examined inEucalyptus camaldulensis andE. globulus by thioacidolysis using extractive-free samples as a control. Results showed that the effect onEucalyptus is different among species and among sample positions in the trunk, although a small amount of lignin is solubilized during the extraction in all samples. In addition, it was proved that lignin extracted by the alkali extraction is not always guaiacyl-rich, probably relating to the original lignin monomeric composition, which depends on the sample species or the sample position in the trunk.     

Multiple high-throughput analyses monitor the response of E. coli to perturbations

Analysis of cellular components at multiple levels of biological information can provide valuable functional insights. We performed multiple high-throughput measurements to study the response of Escherichia coli cells to genetic and environmental perturbations. Analysis of metabolic enzyme gene disruptants revealed unexpectedly small changes in messenger RNA and proteins for most disruptants. Overall, metabolite levels were also stable, reflecting the rerouting of fluxes in the metabolic network. In contrast, E. coli actively regulated enzyme levels to maintain a stable metabolic state in response to changes in growth rate. E. coli thus seems to use complementary strategies that result in a metabolic network robust against perturbations.     

Behavioral facilitation of reproduction in sexual and parthenogenetic Drosophila

In a normal bisexual laboratory strain of Drosophila mercatorum, females housed with either fertile or sterile males lay more eggs than do females housed in pairs or as isolates. Females of a derived parthenogenetic strain have suffered genetic loss of this behavioral facilitation of egg production, a loss comparable to the loss of sexual receptivity. Despite these losses there has been a large increase in fecundity in the parthenogenetic strain. These findings are compared with those in a parthenogenetic lizard.     

Transmission of bacterial wilt resistance by First Division Restitution (FDR) 2n pollen via 4x×2x crosses in potatoes

Summary Resistance to bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) found in tuber-bearing Solanum species was transferred into a diploid potato breeding population. Simultaneous selections were made for agronomic characters, production of first division restitution (FDR) 2n pollen, and resistance. Diploid resistant genotypes were identified via inoculation with a virulent isolate (CIP-204) of race 3 of Pseudomonas solanacearum. These resistant diploid genotypes were crossed to susceptible tetraploid potatoes. An investigation was made to assess whether resistant diploid genotypes transmit resistance to bacterial wilt, which is a quantitatively inherited trait, to tetraploid potatoes via FDR 2n pollen. Tetraploid seedlings from 4x×2x crosses were inoculated with the same isolate CIP-204, and the percentage of surviving seedlings was scored. Some 4x×2x families from resistant diploid genotypes demonstrated a high level of survival rate. The transmission of bacterial wilt resistance was achieved by the use of FDR 2n pollen. It was speculated that a female x male interaction effect on the survival rate of the evaluated progeny may exist. Selecting proper 4x and 2x parents would be important for obtaining a higher frequency of transmission of resistance to bacterial wilt in the progeny.     

The phenotypic characteristics and relational database for Vietnamese native pig populations

Although there are a number of Vietnamese native pig (VnP) populations, some are on the verge of extinction, and therefore adequate management and conservation are necessary. In this study, we conducted a field survey of VnP populations and analyzed interrelationships among their characteristics. We also established a relational database for management of field data on these populations. For data collection, we conducted interviews with farmers and visual inspection of 32 VnP populations in 22 provinces of Vietnam, as well as taking photographs of individual animals. Data on the characteristics of VnP populations were subjected to multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). For establishment of the database, normalization and table partitioning were performed to eliminate redundancy and ensure consistency of the collected data items. Passport data, characteristics data, and image data were collected from a total of 1,918 VnPs and entered as a normalized table. Upon MCA, most of the populations were not separated from each other, but the Mong Cai, O Lam, and Chu Prong populations were separated from the other populations. Thus, we have constructed a relational database from comprehensive information on the characteristics of VnP populations.     

Histological observation of the pituitary-thyroid axis of a neotenic fish (the ice fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salangichthys microdon</Emphasis>)

ABSTRACT:   In order to study the physiological characteristics of neoteny in teleosts, the development of the thyroid axis and digestive tract of the ice fish, Salangichthys microdon (Salmonoidei), were examined using wild caught samples in the Yura River and its estuary. In all developmental stages examined in this study, the digestive tract was straight, and no gastric gland was observed, even in adults. Since these features are only observed in larval stages of a related species, ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis (Salmonoidei), it is suggested that the ice fish retains larval features, not only in appearance but also in internal organs. Additionally, the thyroid axis exhibited a unique characteristic. Until the end of the juvenile stage, thyroid glands remained inactive, and no thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) cells were observed. Activation of the thyroid gland and the first appearance of TSH cells occurred in adults. Since activation of the thyroid axis was generally known to occur by the time larval have transformed to juveniles in several teleosts, a delayed functioning of the thyroid axis was suggested as a specific characteristic, and probably a major factor contributing to neotenic development of the ice fish.