Gastric adenocarcinoma with ossification in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 6-year-old female ferret had a firm mass 2 cm in diameter in the pyloric region of the stomach. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of neoplastic proliferation of well-differentiated epithelial cells, showing tubular or glandular growth patterns. Osseous metaplastic foci were often found in the tumor. Tumor cells showed a positive reaction for immunohistochemistry against bone morphogenetic protein-6, an osteogenic factor. A diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma with ossification was made.     

Usefulness of MRI compared with CT for diagnosis of mesenteric lymphoma in a dog

We evaluated the usefulness of MRI and compared it with CT for diagnosis of mesenteric lymphoma in a dog. The results in the plain CT, dynamic CT and plain MR (T1WI and T2WI) images suggested that the mass was a large single nodular lesion with abundant blood perfusion. On enhanced MRI(T1WI) , the mass was depicted as a tumor with adhesion to the gut wall. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the mass was consistent with the findings on enhanced MRI. We think that MRI might be a useful imaging tool for diagnosis of canine mesenteric lymphoma.     

Bovine hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c-Met: cDNA cloning and expression analysis in the mammary gland

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a crucial role in the embryonic and postnatal development of various organs including the mammary gland. We cloned bovine HGF and its c-Met receptor cDNAs, and examined their expression during mammary gland development in dairy cows. The 2.5-kbp HGF cDNA clone contained a 2190 bp open reading frame coding a 730 amino acid protein, while the 4.8-kbp c-Met cDNA clone contained a 4152 bp open reading frame coding a 1384 amino acid protein. The bovine HGF and c-Met sequences exhibited more than 87% identity with those of other mammals. RT-PCR analysis revealed ubiquitous expression of both HGF and c-Met mRNAs in various bovine tissues tested. HGF mRNA was detected only in the inactive stage of bovine mammary gland development and not in the developing, lactating, and involuting stages, while c-Met mRNA was detected in the inactive and involuting stages. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the c-Met protein was found on mammary epithelial cells in the inactive, developing, and involuting stages, and on myoepithelial cells in all stages. These results suggest pivotal roles of HGF and c-Met in the development of bovine mammary gland.     

Identification of Facklamia sourekii from a lactating cow

A gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccus was isolated from a lactating cow with hematuria and urodynia in Japan. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Facklamia sourekii. The biochemical and culture characteristics of the isolate were well consistent with those of F. sourekii type strain. Since all F. sourekii strains reported so far were isolated from human clinical specimens, this is the first reported case of F. sourekii isolated from veterinary clinical specimen.     

Comparison of cell populations derived from canine olfactory bulb and olfactory mucosal cultures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the numbers and proportions of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in cell cultures derived from the olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory mucosa of dogs. ANIMALS: 7 dogs. PROCEDURES: OB tissue and olfactory mucosa from the nasal cavity and frontal sinus were obtained from euthanatized dogs and prepared for cell culture. At 7, 14, and 21 days of culture in vitro, numbers and proportions of OECs, astrocytes, and fibroblasts were determined via immunocytochemistry. Antibody against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 was used to identify OECs, antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein was used to identify astrocytes, and antibody against fibronectin was used to identify fibroblasts. RESULTS: Cultured OECs derived from the olfactory mucosa of the nasal cavity and frontal sinus had similar characteristics. However, whereas OECs in the OB cell cultures constituted approximately 50% of the cells at 7 days and approximately 75% at 21 days the proportion of OECs in cultures derived from both mucosal types was much lower, with approximately 40% OECs at 7 days and approximately 25% at 21 days. Analysis of OEC numbers revealed that these changes were accompanied by corresponding decreases and increases in the population of cells with fibronectin receptors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although olfactory mucosal cell cultures yielded a sufficient number of OECs for spinal cord transplantation procedures in dogs, modification of culture conditions would be required to ensure that the derived cell population contained a sufficient proportion of OECs.     

Characterization of near-isogenic lines carrying QTL for high spikelet number with the genetic background of an indica rice variety IR64 (Oryza sativa L.)

Total spikelet number per panicle (TSN) is one of the most important traits associated with rice yield potential. This trait was assessed in a set of 334 chromosomal segment introgression lines (ILs: BC₃-derived lines), developed from new plant type (NPT) varieties as donor parents and having the genetic background of an indica-type rice variety IR64. Among the 334 ILs, five lines which had different donor parents and showed significantly higher TSN than IR64 were used for genetic analysis. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted using F₂ populations derived from crosses between IR64 and these ILs. As a result, a QTL for high TSN (one from each NPT donor variety) was detected on common region of the long arm of chromosome 4. The effect of the QTL was confirmed by an increase in TSN of five near-isogenic lines (NILs) developed in the present study. The variation in TSN was found among these NILs, attributing to the panicle architecture in the numbers of primary, secondary and tertiary branches. The NILs for TSN and the SSR markers linked to the TSN QTLs are expected to be useful materials for research and breeding to enhance the yield potential of rice varieties.     

The oral administration of thermophile-fermented compost extract and its influence on stillbirths and growth rate of pre-weaning piglets

Food produced via fermentation with mesophilic bacteria has been used to confer health benefits. In contrast, mammalian physiological responses to the intake of thermophile-fermented products have not been thoroughly investigated. We examined the effects of administering a compost extract consisting of fermented marine animals with thermophiles, including Bacillaceae, to pregnant sows and piglets. Retrospective studies were performed on two different swine farms (n=330-1050 sows). The rate of stillbirth was markedly lower in all parities of the compost extract-fed group compared to those of the control group (p≦0.001). Additionally, the birth to weaning period of newborns was significantly shorter (p<0.0001), while the ratio of weanlings per liveborn piglets was increased by more than 6.5% in the compost extract-fed group. Thus thermophiles and their products in the compost extract might promote growth and reduce stillbirths of piglets during the birth to weaning period.     

Factors Influencing the Frequency of Pregnancy Loss among Thoroughbred Mares in Hidaka,Japan

Pregnancy loss in mares is thought to be a main problem associated with reproductive efficiency. To clarify the situation of pregnancy loss in Thoroughbred mares in Japan, the occurrence of pregnancy loss before and after 35 days of gestation was investigated with 1,476 Thoroughbred mares in Hidaka, Japan, from 2007 to 2009. Pregnancy loss on days 17-35 was determined by ultrasound examination between 17 and 35 days after the last mating. Follow-up surveys were conducted between 35 days and foaling to determine pregnancy loss on day 35 until foaling in 843 of these mares. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we assessed the influence of mare age, reproductive status, twin pregnancy reduction, body condition score (BCS), estrus type in foaling mares (foal heat or not), progesterone therapy, and endometrial cysts on pregnancy loss rates on days 17-35 and on day 35 until foaling in this population of mares. The pregnancy loss rates on days 17-35 and on day 35 until foaling were 5.8% and 8.7%, respectively. The overall pregnancy loss rate (day 17 until foaling, including parturient losses) was 14.7%. Risk factors for pregnancy loss included decrease in BCS between 17 and 35 days, <5 BCS at day 35, mating during foal heat, and endometrial cysts. In all, 14.7% of pregnancies were lost between day 17 and birth, contributing significantly to reduced reproductive efficiency in Thoroughbred mares in Japan. These observations indicate that mares should be maintained at high BCS and should be prevented from mating in foal heat to decrease the pregnancy loss rates.