Involvement of the fas ligand and fas system in apoptosis induction of mouse uterine natural killer cells

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the pregnant uterus are known to be associated with the normal development of the placenta. In the mouse pregnant uterus, many uNK cells exist during mid pregnancy, although they show a sudden decrease during late pregnancy and almost disappear before delivery. Our previous study indicated that uNK cells showed clear apoptotic morphology during late pregnancy. Therefore, the present study was carried out to define the involvement of Fas ligand (FasL) and Fas in apoptosis induction of uNK cells. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that uNK cells expressed FasL in the cytoplasmic granules and Fas on the cell membrane during late pregnancy. In lpr/lpr mice, which genetically lack Fas, many uNK cells were clearly observed during late pregnancy compared with wild-type mice, and moreover uNK cells still existed at day-18 of pregnancy, although there were few in wild-type mice during the same period. In the experiment of in vitro culture, uNK cells derived from wild-type placenta showed chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation frequently following the anti-Fas antibody treatment, as compared with the control. From these results, it is suggested that FasL and Fas-dependent apoptosis regulates cell appearance of uNK cells in the mouse pregnant uterus.     

Pathology of specific-pathogen-free chickens inoculated with H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated in Japan in 2004

Specific-pathogen-free chickens inoculated with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses isolated in Japan in 2004 were investigated pathologically. The chickens inoculated intravenously with the viruses died within 26 hr after inoculation. Macroscopically, minimal necrosis of the tip of the comb, and hemorrhages of the palpebral conjunctiva, liver, cerebellum, and muscles were rarely observed. Histologically, dead chickens had minimal focal necrosis of hepatocytes with fibrinous thrombi in sinusoids, mild necrosis of splenic ellipsoids with fibrinous exudation, minimal necrosis of the brain, mild necrosis of epidermal cells of the comb with congestion of the lamina propria, and hemorrhages and edema of the lamina propria of the conjunctiva. Virus antigens were seen in the sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes in the liver, the capillary endothelial cells of the spleen, the capillary endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes in the heart, the capillary endothelial cells and necrotic nerve cells in the brain, the capillary endothelial cells in the lamina propria of the comb, the renal tubular epithelial cells, and the pancreatic acinar cells. The chickens inoculated by natural infectious routes died within 1-4 days after inoculation. Macroscopically, some chickens had hemorrhages in the conjunctiva, edematous swelling of the face and wattles, hydropericardium, hemorrhages of the proventriculus and bursa of Fabricius, increased secretion of tracheal mucus, and congestion and edema of lungs. Histologic lesions by natural infectious routes were similar to those by intravenous inoculation, except for the pancreatic necrosis. This study suggests H5N1 HPAI viruses isolated in Japan in 2004 cause pathologic conditions similar to natural cases.     

Cryopreservation of canine ovaries by vitrification

The cryopreservation of ovarian tissues is a technology with significant potential for the preservation of the genetic resource materials of working dogs, including guide dogs for the blind. However, no attempt has been reported on cryopreservation of the canine ovary. Thus, we evaluated a vitrification method for cryopreservation of canine ovaries and determined the potential functionality of vitrified-warmed canine ovaries by means of transplantation into non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice. All ovarian tissues cryopreserved by vitrification were morphologically normal in terms of histology. Cryopreserved ovaries were transplanted into the ovarian bursa of the NOD-SCID mice, and the xenografts were recovered from 23 of 23 mice (100%) 4 weeks after the operation. The transplanted canine tissue was tightly adhered to the mouse ovary. Although antral follicle formation did not occur after grafting, proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreactivity was detectable in many of the granulosa cells in the primary follicles of the grafts. These results indicate that cryopreservation of the canine ovary by vitrification appears to have the potential to restore endocrine function and ovulation potential.     

Engineered interface of magnetic oxides

Interface-selective probing of magnetism is a key issue for the design and realization of spin-electronic junction devices. Here, magnetization-induced second-harmonic generation was used to probe the local magnetic properties at the interface of the perovskite ferromagnet La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO3 with nonmagnetic insulating layers, as used in spin-tunnel junctions. We show that by grading the doping profile on an atomic scale at the interface, robust ferromagnetism can be realized around room temperature. The results should lead to improvements in the performance of spin-tunnel junctions.     

A survey of Blastocystis sp. in livestock,pets, and zoo animals in Japan

The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was examined in fecal samples collected from cattle, pigs, dogs, and a variety of zoo animals (primates, carnivores, herbivores, pheasants, and ducks) by direct observation of fresh fecal suspensions or cultured materials, using light microscopy. The cattle and pigs were randomly sampled from 11 and 12 commercial farms, respectively, located in the western region of Japan. The dog material used in this study was obtained from pets housed in an animal shelter in the city of Osaka. Zoo animals were chosen based on housing conditions that minimized the possibility of intra-zoo transmission of the organism. The prevalence rate among the groups varied greatly. A high prevalence of infection was observed in the farm animal group, ranging from 95% (58/61) in pigs to 71% (39/55) in cattle, whereas the dog fecal samples were completely free of the organism. Prevalence of the organism in the zoo animal were 85% (29/34) in primates, 80% (8/10) in pheasants, 56% (9/16) in ducks, and 0% (0/58) in various carnivores and herbivores. Among the zoo animals infected with Blastocystis, eight species of primates, eight species of pheasants, and four species of ducks were confirmed as new hosts. Since Blastocystis organisms isolated from various animals were morphologically indistinguishable from Blastocystis hominis by light microscopy, further genomic studies are required for analysis of the zoonotic potential or etiological significance of these isolates.     

Proinflammatory cytokine activities, matrix metalloproteinase-3 activity, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content in synovial fluid of dogs with naturally acquired cranial cruciate ligament rupture

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare activities of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3); as well as sulfated glycosaminoglycan (S-GAG) content in synovial fluid from dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and dogs with clinically normal stifles. To determine whether correlations exist between demographic and disease-related variables and these synovial markers. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Dogs with CCLR (n=23) and Beagles with normal stifle joints (n=21). METHODS: Synovial fluid activities of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) were determined by bioassay. MMP-3 activity was measured using fluorogenic substrate. S-GAG contents were determined by dimethylmethylene blue dye-binding assay. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare results from CCLR joints with normal controls. Spearman's rank correlation test was used to evaluate associations between demographic and disease-related markers and synovial markers. RESULTS: Mean values for synovial markers were significantly higher in CCLR joints compared with controls. IL-1beta and MMP-3 were positively correlated with lameness duration. CONCLUSIONS: Activities of proinflammatory cytokines, MMP-3 activity and S-GAG contents were significantly elevated in synovial fluid from canine stifle joints with naturally acquired CCLR. These results indicate that there is joint inflammation and increased release of GAGs into synovial fluid, suggesting that these inflammatory changes are associated with depletion of proteoglycan from articular cartilage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Medical and surgical treatments designed to decrease joint inflammation and breakdown of proteoglycans may be of value in the management of CCLR in the dog.     

Passive impregnation of liquid in impermeable lumber incised by laser

Square lumber specimens of laser-incised Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) were treated with steam before dipping. Two types of steam (saturated steam and superheated steam), three steam-injection times (5, 10, and 20 min), four different time intervals (moving time) between steam treatment and dipping (immediate, 3, 10, and 30 min), and four different dipping times (0.5, 1, 3, and 12 h) were used in the study. The maximum absorption was 480 kg/m³ when saturated steam was injected for 20 min and the specimen was immediately dipped into liquid for 12 h. Samples treated with this condition not only absorbed the maximum amount of liquid but also penetrated over 83.4% and 87.3% of the total area along and across the grain, respectively. The optimum conditions were then applied to laser-incised sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gordon) where the absorption of liquid was 415 and 187 kg/m³, respectively. It was shown that initial moisture content below the fiber saturation point was good for passive impregnation. The absorption of liquid and its distribution in wood indicates that it can be a good preservative treatment method for impermeable woods.     

Synthesis of benzylaminopyrimidines and their fungicidal activities against wheat brown rust and barley powdery mildew

Members of a new class of fungicide containing benzylaminopyrimidine as a core structure were synthesized and their fungicidal potencies against wheat brown rust, Puccinia recondita, and barley powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis, were assessed. Among these fungicides, N-(fluoroalkoxy or fluorophenoxybenzyl)-4-pyrimidinamines showed notable preventive activities. The potency of the new pyrimidines was increased when a difluoromethoxy or tetrafluorophenoxy group was introduced at the 4- or 3-position of the phenyl moiety and a methyl or ethyl group was introduced at the benzyl position. Structure–activity relationships are discussed. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry