Direct detection of dermatophytes in skin samples based on sequences of the chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene

For the direct detection of dermatophytes in skin scrapings and hairs from animals, a primer pair specific to the chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene of dermatophytes was constructed. By PCR analysis with the primer pair, dermatophyte DNA could be diagnosed directly and rapidly in clinical skin samples.     

Urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 in feline chronic renal failure

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), an inflammatory cytokine, plays a role in tissue fibrosis, such as glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the kidneys. In the present study, the urinary TGF-beta1 level of cats diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF) was measured to investigate its relationship to the pathogenesis of feline CRF. Urinary TGF-beta1 levels (TGF-beta1/creatinine ratio) were significantly increased compared with healthy controls, whereas serum levels of TGF-beta1 were not. These results indicate that TGF-beta1 is expressed in the kidneys of CRF cats, and that it was reflected in the urinary TGF-beta1 level. Therefore, TGF-beta1 may play a role in feline CRF, and urinary TGF-beta1 could be used as a clinical marker for renal fibrosis.     

Survey of porcine proliferative enteritis in the Tohoku District of Japan

A survey of proliferative enteritis (PE) in pigs at a meat processing plant was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing methods. During the investigation period, 227 of 83,717 pigs brought to the meat processing plant from Iwate, Fukushima, Miyagi, Niigata, and Yamagata Prefectures displayed characteristic general pathological features in terminal ileum, including mucosal hypertrophy and reticulation of serosal surface. Of these, 179 cases were further examined in the laboratory. All cases displayed characteristic histopathological features, and the specific band of the Lawsonia intracellularis (Li) causative agent of PE in pigs was detected in 155 cases by PCR testing methods. These results suggested a general infiltration of Li in the Tohoku district.     

Effects of exogenous lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal,ejaculated and frozen-thawed sperm

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of addition of lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal, ejaculated, and frozen-thawed sperm. The addition of lactoferrin was significantly (p < .05) effective on increasing values of progressive motility, straightness, and linearity in caput epididymal sperm and values of motility in cauda epididymal sperm. When ejaculated sperm were incubated in capacitation medium, percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm decreased largely within the first period of 30 min, followed by only minor changes. However, the addition of lactoferrin significantly lessened the early decreases of these parameters and additionally promoted capacitation-dependent changes of chlortetracycline staining patterns (from F pattern to B pattern). In other experiments, when ejaculated sperm were exposed to oxidative stress with 100-µM H₂O₂, the addition of lactoferrin partially protected them from dysfunction of flagellar movement and loss of progressive movement. In final experiments with frozen-thawed samples incubated in the capacitation medium, the addition of lactoferrin effectively survived dying sperm and suppressed occurrence of sperm agglutination. These results may suggest biological and biotechnological potentials of lactoferrin for modulation of bovine sperm viability, motility, capacitation state, and preservation in vitro.     

Mitigating sea turtle by-catch in coastal passive net fisheries

There is growing evidence that small-scale, coastal, passive net fisheries may be the largest single threat to some sea turtle populations. We review assessments of turtle interactions in these fisheries, and experiments on gear-technology approaches (modifying gear designs, materials and fishing methods) to mitigate turtle by-catch, available from a small number of studies and fisheries. Additional assessments are needed to improve the limited understanding of the relative degree of risk coastal net fisheries pose to turtle populations, to prioritize limited conservation resources and identify suitable mitigation opportunities. Whether gear technology provides effective and commercially viable solutions, alone or in combination with other approaches, is not well-understood. Fishery-specific assessments and trials are needed, as differences between fisheries, including in gear designs; turtle and target species, sizes and abundance; socioeconomic context; and practicality affect efficacy and suitability of by-catch mitigation methods. Promising gear-technology approaches for gillnets and trammel nets include: increasing gear visibility to turtles but not target species, through illumination and line materials; reducing net vertical height; increasing tiedown length or eliminating tiedowns; incorporating shark-shaped silhouettes; and modifying float characteristics, the number of floats or eliminating floats. Promising gear-technology approaches for pound nets and other trap gear include: replacing mesh with ropes in the upper portion of leaders; incorporating a turtle releasing device into traps; modifying the shape of the trap roof to direct turtles towards the location of an escapement device; using an open trap; and incorporating a device to prevent sea turtle entrance into traps.     

Evaluation from otolith Sr stable isotope ratios of possible juvenile growth areas of Japanese eels collected from the West Mariana Ridge spawning area

Fisheries Science - The widely distributed East Asian Japanese eel Anguilla japonica constitutes a single genetically homogeneous population with a single spawning area near the West Mariana Ridge....