Construction of chicken-mouse chimeric antibody and immunogenicity in mice

Chicken monoclonal antibodies are potentially useful for diagnostic research and have clinical applications, as chicken show higher potential for antibody production with mammalian-conserved biological molecules. However, the applications of chicken antibodies are limited because of their immunogenicity in mammals. To overcome this problem, we have constructed a chicken-mouse chimeric antibody containing the chicken variable region and the mouse constant region. This chimeric antibody retained similar binding affinities as the parental chicken antibody. The chimeric antibody was also producible as an ascitic antibody in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, when the chimeric antibody was administered to mice, it did not provoke the mouse anti-chicken antibody response. These results indicate that the chimeric antibody is suitable for application to preclinical mouse studies.     

Effects of revision of Japanese food composition tables on estimation of nutrient intakes, with reference to age-dependent differences

OBJECTIVE: To identify effects of revision of the Japanese food composition tables from the fourth version to the fifth version on nutrient intake estimation. DESIGN: A database on 783 samples of 24-hour food duplicate portions was re-visited. Nutrients in the duplicate portions were estimated by use of the fourth and fifth versions of the Japanese food composition tables in parallel, together with supplemental use of other databases. The two sets of estimates were subjected to comparison. SETTING: The sample collection was conducted at 31 sites all over Japan. SUBJECTS: The sample donors were 783 women aged 20-78 years. RESULTS: Compared with the estimates by use of the fourth version of the tables, the estimates by the fifth version were substantially higher for intakes of energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin A and niacin, and lower for iron intake. The increase in carbohydrate intake estimates was more evident in older women than in young women, whereas the decrease in the intake estimation of iron and the increase in that of dietary fibre were more marked in young women than in older women. CONCLUSION: The recent revision of food composition tables in Japan induced substantial changes in the estimation of nutrient intakes, i.e. an increase in energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin A and niacin, and a decrease in iron. The extent of the changes varied depending on age.     

Behavior of phenolic substances in the decaying process of plants: I. Identification and Quantitative Determination of Phenolic Acids in Rice Straw and Its Decayed Product by Gas Chromatography

Phenolic acids in rice straw and its decayed product were surveyed and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography.

1) Thirteen kinds of phenolic acids in rice straw and its decayed product were identified. Besides p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, P-coumaric, and ferulic acids which had been already reported, nine phenolic acids were newly identified; these were benzoic, salicylic, syringic, protocatechuic, β-resorcylic, caffeic, sinapic, gallic, and gentisic acids.

2) A gas chromatographic analysis was applied to the micro-determination of major phenolic acids in rice straw and . the decayed products. The methanolic alkaline extracts from them were washed with ether, acidified, transferred into ether, trimethylsilylated, and injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a silicon SE-30 column. The recoveries of p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acids were more than 90%, and ferulic and syringic acids were recovered at about 70%.

3) The content of each of the above described major phenolic acids in rice straw ranged from 0.002 to 0.037% per dry weight. p-Coumaric acid was contained in the largest amount. Ferulic and vanillic acids followed. In the decayed straw, these contents decreased to 0.002–0.017%. The whole phenolic substances in ether-extracted fraction were present at 0.34%, and the amount decreased to one-third during the decaying process.     

Effects of mosapride citrate, metoclopramide hydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride, and cisapride citrate on equine gastric emptying, small intestinal and caecal motility

Objective

Although extensive work has been done to elucidate the beneficial and unfavorable effects of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents in humans, little is known on the effects of these agents in horses. In this study, we compared the effects of mosapride, metoclopramide, cisapride, and lidocaine on equine gastric emptying, jejunal and caecal motility and evaluated these agents’ adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Animals

Seven healthy adult Thoroughbreds.

Procedure

Mosapride 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg, metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg, and cisapride 1.0 mg/kg were dissolved in 100 mL distilled water for oral administration. Lidocaine 1.3 mg/kg was mixed with 500 mL saline for a 30-min intravenous infusion. Oral administration of 100 mL distilled water was used as control. Gastric emptying was evaluated using ¹³CO₂ breath test, and jejunal and caecal motility was assessed by electrointestinography.

Results

The present study demonstrates that mosapride at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg facilitates gastric emptying in horses. Improved jejunal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg), metoclopramide (0.2 mg/kg), and cisapride (1.0 mg/kg). Similarly, improved caecal motility was observed following administration of mosapride (2.0 mg/kg).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

This study shows that among the prokinetic agents studied here, only mosapride (2.0 mg/kg) promotes jejunal and caecal motility in horses. Considering mosapride ADRs profile, it is believed that this compound is useful in the treatment of diseases associated with decreased GI motility, including postoperative ileus.     

A Preliminary Study of 13C-Phenylalanine and 13C-Dipeptide Breath Tests in Horses

This study aimed to establish a standard dose and sample collection time for ¹³C phenylalanine and ¹³C-Dipeptide breath test in horses. To evaluate dose-dependent effects, healthy horses received 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg ¹³C phenylalanine dissolved in 1 ml/kg distilled water and 1.25 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg ¹³C dipeptide dissolved in 2 ml/ kg distilled water. Tmax was observed during the sample collection time. For ¹³C phenylalanine, the standard deviation of Cmax at 5 mg/kg was lower than that of 10 mg/kg. For ¹³C dipeptide, the standard deviation of Tmax was the lowest at 5 mg/kg. This study revealed that an optimal dose for breath tests with ¹³C phenylalanine and ¹³C dipeptide may be 5 mg/kg in horses.     

Comparative study of the innervation of acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves in the cerebral arterial tree of birds

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry and quantitative analysis were used to investigate and compare the projections and densities of cerebral perivascular AChE nerves in five avian species. In the society finch, AChE nerves arising from the cerebral carotid, internal ethmoidal and vertebral arteries generally have no overlap with each other. This is different from AChE neuronal projections via these three vascular routes reported previously for the pigeon, duck, chicken and quail. AChE nerves supplying the pigeon cerebral arterial tree are the highest in density, predominate in the anterior circulation (AC) rather than in the posterior circulation (PC). Similar differential supply of nerves is also found in the duck, with a marked low density in the PC. In contrast, the chicken PC has a substantial amount of AChE nerves that is larger than the fiber amount contained in the AC. The reduction of nerves is far greater in both the AC and PC of the finch. It is not so prominent as that seen in the quail. The significant difference in the distribution and density of cerebral perivascular AChE nerves presented here may indicate that there are some species-specific cholinergic controlling mechanisms responsible for the cerebral circulation of birds.     

Effect of continuous compost application on humus composition and nitrogen fertility of soils in a field subjected to double cropping

We investigated the effect of continuous compost application on humus composition and N fertility of soils in a field subjected to double cropping (paddy rice and barley) for 25 years. Soil samples were collected from three different plots: (a) No-NF, fertilizer containing P and K but no N; (b) F, fertilizer containing N, P, and K; and (c) F+C, fertilizer plus compost. The amounts of total humus, extracted humus, and humic and fulvic acids increased in the order No-NF<F≪F+C. The amounts of humic and fulvic acids were 2.7 and 1.7 times larger in the F+C plot than in the F plot, respectively. The degree of humification of the humic acids decreased in the order No-NF<F<F+C. The absorption curves and ¹³C-NMR spectra (TOSS method) of the humic acids indicated the presence of lignin-like structure, and its degree was the strongest in the F+C plot. The ¹³C-NMR spectra showed distinct differences in the distribution of carbon species between humic and fulvic acids. In humic acids, the content of aromatic-C, ranging from 37 to 44%, was the highest among carbon species. In fulvic acids, the content of O-alkyl-C, ranging from 45 to 51%, was the highest. The amounts of phosphate buffer-extractable N (PEON) and total N (TN) increased in the order No-NF<F<F+C. The amounts of PEON and TN were 1.2 and 1.7 times larger in the F+C plot than in the F plot, respectively. Present and previous findings indicated that continuous compost application could improve various properties of soils in a field subjected to long-term double cropping.     

Distribution of new methylene blue injected into the dorsolumbar epidural space in cows

Objective To describe the effect of injection volume and anatomy on the spread of new methylene blue (NMB) injected into the epidural space between the first and second lumbar vertebrae in cows. Study Design Prospective experimental study. Sample Population Thirteen nonpregnant cows. Methods Cows were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received 5 mL and Group 2 received 10 mL of 0.12% NMB in 0.9% saline. The injection was made into the first interlumbar epidural space using a dorsal approach. The extent of cranial and caudal migration of the dye, as manifested by the staining of the epidural fat and dura mater, was measured. Results Mean ± SEM number (range) of stained vertebrae was significantly greater in the 10‐mL group than in the 5‐mL group, 4.4 ± 0.6 (T11 to L5) and 3.0 ± 0.2 (T12 to L3), respectively (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that the volume was significantly correlated with the number of stained vertebrae (R² = 0.42, p = 0.016). In the dorsal and lateral aspect of the spinal cord, there were two types of distribution of NMB along the surface of the epidural fat: between the periosteum and epidural fat; and between the epidural fat and dura mater. Migration under the spinal cord occurred along the two longitudinal epidural veins. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance The larger the volume of solution injected into the first interlumbar epidural space, the greater the spread. Intrinsic anatomic factors, such as characteristics of epidural fat and veins, influence the epidural spread of injected solution and, consequently, epidural analgesia.     

EVALUATION OF SUPERFICIAL DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDINITIS IN RACING HORSES THROUGH GRAY SCALE HISTOGRAM ANALYSIS OF TENDON ULTRASONOGRAMS

Normal and diseased superficial digital flexor tendons at different stages of healing from seven Thoroughbred horses, aged 3–6 years, were evaluated by correlation of gray scale histogram analysis of tendon cross-sectional ultrasonograms with histopathologic examination. Normal tendon and tendons at different stages of healing, excluding acute tear stage, were characterized by normally distributed histogram patterns. The histogram mean value of normal tendons was higher than the corresponding values in diseased tendons at different stages of healing (p < 0.01). In addition, the histogram mean of acute lesions was lower than for early fibrosis or healed lesions (p < 0.01). The histogram mean increased as healing progressed. The results show that gray scale histogram analysis of tendon ultrasonogram can be used to distinguish between normal and abnormal superficial digital flexor tendon in racing horses.