Improved monospermic fertilization and subsequent blastocyst formation of bovine oocytes fertilized in vitro in a medium containing NaCl of decreased concentration

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether changes in NaCl concentration in a fertilization medium could improve normal fertilization and preimplantation development of bovine oocytes. In vitro matured bovine oocytes were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen for 18 hr in a Tyrode's medium with albumin, lactate and pyruvate (TALP), to which 114 (TALP-114), 96 (TALP-96) or 78 (TALP-78) mM NaCl was added. Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 192 hr in a modified TALP containing 90 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM glucose, 0.3% (w/v) BSA, minimal essential medium (MEM) essential and nonessential amino acids, and insulin-transferrin-selenium complex. Lower polyspermy rate was obtained by the insemination in TALP-96 (7.8 +/- 2.3%) than by the insemination in TALP-114 (25.6 +/- 1.4%), without decrease in male pronucleus (MPN) formation. Fertilization in TALP-78 also yielded decreased polyspermic fertilization (3.8 +/- 1.5%), but significant decrease in MPN formation was found (63.1 +/- 3.1%). In preimplantation development, more blastocysts developed from oocytes inseminated in TALP-96 (24.1 +/- 1.7%) than from oocytes inseminated in TALP-114 (16.8 +/- 1.4%). TALP-78, however, did not improve preimplantation development beyond the 8-cell stage compared with TALP-114. Mean cell number of blastocyst was higher when oocytes were fertilized in TALP-96 (137.0 +/- 4.5) than in TALP-114 (123.1 +/- 5.1) and in TALP-78 (102.3 +/- 4.5). These results demonstrate that insemination of bovine oocytes in a TALP with decreased NaCl concentration (96 mM) improves blastocyst formation and embryo viability. Decrease in NaCl concentration below 96 mM, however, may delay or inhibit MPN formation, and inhibits subsequent development in vitro.     

广州地区十字花科蔬菜花叶病的传染途径及流行规律的初步研究

广州地区十字花科蔬菜花叶病(主要病毒是芜菁花叶病毒的油菜毒系和芜菁毒系)的越夏寄主,根据11年来的观察特别是1956—1958年间的实地调查结果,主要是小白菜、菜心和西洋菜。在野生植物中曾发现过2株蔊菜和1株荠菜自然感病,说明野生植物不是本病的重要毒源。室内试验结果证明,此病的自然传染媒介为萝卜蚜、桃蚜和普通红蜘蛛。黄条跳(虫甲)、斜纹夜盗蛾和菜粉蝶都不是本病的虫媒,病株的种子不会传病,中国菟丝子也不会传递本病。在带有未腐熟的病菜残体的土里进行直播,长出来的菜苗没有发病的;但是把菜苗移植在这样的土里,会有极小量的植株感病。根据1956年7月至1958年6月,每十日田间调查一次结果:萝卜蚜是广州地区最重要的传病媒介,桃蚜每年只在3—4月间略有发生,作用不大。根据这24个月的田间发病率,萝卜蚜(有翅蚜及无翅蚜)的虫口密度和气候情况,我们认为本地区本病的发生及流行程度主要受降水量和降水天数所影响,并认为可以从降水情况来预测约30日后的病害流行程度。     

Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical and histopathological findings

The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and histopathological findings in a canine model of ischemic stroke. Cerebral ischemic stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in four healthy beagle dogs using silicone plugs. They showed neurological signs of forebrain dysfunction such as reduced responsiveness, head turning, circling, postural reaction deficits, perceptual deficits, and hemianopsia. These signs gradually regressed within 4 weeks without therapy. On magnetic resonance imaging, T2 hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity were found in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. These lesions were well-defined and sharply demarcated from adjacent brain parenchyma with a homogenous appearance. No abnormalities of the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. At necropsy, atrophic and necrotic lesions were observed in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus were partially unstained with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride. Histopathologically, typical features of infarction were identified in cortical and thalamic lesions. This study demonstrates that our canine model resembles the conditions of real stroke patients.     

Thermographic evaluation for the efficacy of acupuncture on induced chronic arthritis in the dog

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on induced chronic arthritis of the dog by thermography. Complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the left knee joint of 8 dogs to induce arthritis. Acupuncture was applied to BL-40, GB-33, GB-34, and LIV-8 once a week for 4 consecutive weeks, from 3 weeks after induction of chronic arthritis, in treatment group. At 3 weeks of acupuncture treatment, skin temperature difference (DeltaT) of treatment group returned to normal range (< 0.3 degrees C), while DeltaT remained high in non-treatment group. Infrared thermography (IRT) is useful to evaluate the treatment of acupuncture for induced canine chronic arthritis. Therefore, it is considered that clinical application of IRT in arthritis treatment would be also valuable.     

Long‐term changes in recruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and environmental conditions around Japan

Recruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) from 1952 to 2014 was examined by a sequential regime shift detection method. The regime shifts in recruitment were detected in 1957, 1972, 1980, 1994 and 2009. The durations of regime shift ranged from 8–15 years and averaged 13.0 years. In both the total (1952–2014) and data rich (1980–2014) periods, negative relationships were found between recruitment and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in autumn, and positive relationships were found between recruitment and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea, in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan, and in the waters off Shikoku and Tokai in summer and autumn. The 1994 and 2009 regime shifts in recruitment occurred in the same years as shifts in SST anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea in summer. These results suggest that the ocean conditions in the northern part of the East China Sea are closely related to recruitment of Pacific bluefin tuna, and that the warmer conditions result in higher recruitment of the species.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for influenza A viruses in pigs in Peninsular Malaysia

Following a series of H5N1 cases in chickens and birds in a few states in Malaysia, there was much interest in the influenza A viruses subtypes that circulate among the local pig populations. Pigs may act as a mixing vessel for avian and mammal influenza viruses, resulting in new reassorted viruses. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in pigs from Peninsular Malaysia using Herdcheck Swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 Antibody Test Kits. At the same time, the presence of influenza virus was examined from the nasal swabs of seropositive pigs by virus isolation and real time RT-PCR. The list of pig farms was obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia, and pig herds were selected randomly from six of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 727 serum and nasal swab samples were collected from 4- to 6-month-old pigs between May and August 2005. By ELISA, the seroprevalences of swine influenza H1N1 and H3N2 among pigs were 12.2% and 12.1% respectively. Seropositivity for either of the virus subtypes was detected in less than half of the 41 sampled farms (41.4%). Combination of both subtypes was detected in 4% of all pigs and in 22% of sampled farms. However, no virus or viral nucleic acid was detected from nasal samples. This study identified that the seropositivity of pigs to H1N1 and H3N2 based on ELISA was significantly associated with factors such as size of farm, importation or purchase of pigs, proximity of farm to other pig farms and the presence of mammalian pets within the farm.     

Renal effects of carprofen administered to healthy dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate renal effects of carprofen in healthy dogs following general anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: 10 English hound dogs (6 females and 4 males). PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to control (n = 5) or carprofen (5) groups. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (6 to 8 mg/kg [2.7 to 3.6 mg/lb] of body weight, i.v.) and maintained with isoflurane (end-tidal concentration, 2.0%). Each dog underwent two 60-minute anesthetic episodes with 1 week between episodes, and mean arterial blood pressure was maintained between 60 and 90 mm Hg during each episode. Dogs in the carprofen group received carprofen (2.2 mg/kg [1 mg/lb], p.o.) at 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM the day before and at 7:00 AM the day of the second anesthetic episode. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were determined during each anesthetic episode by use of renal scintigraphy. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations and the urine gamma-glutamyltransferase-to-creatinine concentration (urine GGT:creatinine) ratio were determined daily for 2 days before and 5 days after general anesthesia. RESULTS: Significant differences were not detected in BUN and serum creatinine concentrations, urine GGT:creatinine ratio, and GFR either between or within treatment groups over time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen did not significantly alter renal function in healthy dogs anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane. These results suggest that carprofen may be safe to use for preemptive perioperative analgesia, provided that normal cardiorespiratory function is maintained.     

Expression of CD4 T cell cytokine genes in the colorectal mucosa of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds are recently recognized as a major cause of large bowel diarrhea in this dog breed in Japan. ICRPs are characterized by the formation of multiple small polyps and a space-occupying large polyp in the colorectal area, and are thought to be a novel form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In humans, specific cytokine patterns attributed to T helper (Th)1, Th17 and regulatory T cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in the colorectal mucosa from dogs with ICRPs. Colorectal mucosal specimens from 10 dogs with ICRPs and 14 control dogs were used in this study. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A and IL-10 mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. IL-17A mRNA expression was significantly increased in large polyps compared to small polyps and controls. IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA expression in large polyps were significantly higher than in controls. There was no significant difference in IL-4 mRNA expression among the three groups. IL-17A is thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ICRPs. IL-10 up-regulation could oppose the proinflammatory function of IL-17A.