The first report of the ante-mortem diagnosis of Ollulanus tricuspis infection in two dogs

Ollulanus tricuspis is a small nematode parasite of the stomach, and its infection has been reported worldwide in cats but only one report in dogs as post-mortem diagnosis. Two dogs, kept in the Tokyo area, were presented for chronic vomiting. Chronic gastritis was diagnosed histologically, and many nematodes were detected in endoscopically-biopsied gastric samples and in the mucus of vomitus in both dogs. The parasites were small (<1 mm), and their morphological characteristics were consistent with those previously reported for O. tricuspis. The symptoms in one dog completely disappeared after anthelmintic therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing ante-mortem diagnosis of spontaneous gastric O. tricuspis infection in dogs in which infectivity and pathogenicity of the nematode are suggested.     

Profiles of serum amino acids to screen for catabolic and inflammation status in calves with Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between serum amino acid profiles in normal and calves with Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia. Serum free amino acid concentrations in serum obtained from 34 calves with or without Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The calves with Mycoplasma were characterized by significantly lower total amino acid and total essential amino acid concentrations and molar ratios of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) to aromatic amino acid (BCAA/AAA) and BCAA to tyrosine (BTR), and by a significantly higher molar ratio of serine phosphorylation (SPR). The proposed diagnostic cutoffs for BCAA/AAA, BTR and SPR in serum based on ROC analysis for detection of catabolic states associated with Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia were set at <1.75, <2.86 and >0.85, respectively. Our results suggest that determining the profiles of amino acids, especially BTR and SPR, could provide useful diagnostic information in terms of predicting protein catabolism in Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia.     

Mycotic aneurysm caused by Graphium species in a dog

A 10-year-old castrated male mixed-breed dog exhibited vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. An abdominal ultrasound examination revealed a focal dilation of the abdominal aorta. The dog died 2 days after examination, and necropsy revealed a ruptured aneurysm at the abdominal aorta between the kidneys. Histological examination revealed severe granulomatous and necrotizing pan-arteritis with fungal organisms. Graphium species was identified through DNA sequence analysis of the PCR product from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of aortic aneurysm caused by Graphium species in a dog.     

Sarcocystis calchasi encephalitis in a rock pigeon

A rock pigeon (Columba livia) caught in Akihabara, Tokyo, showed neurological symptoms, such as head tilt and circling. Pathological examinations revealed abundant Sarcocystic cysts in the skeletal muscle and myocardium with mild myositis, and numerous schizonts and sarcocysts with severe multifocal granulomatous T-lymphocytic infiltration in the central nervous system. A Sarcocystis calchasi-specific gene was detected in the muscle and brain. This case indicates S. calchasi was distributed in Japan and caused severe encephalitis to rock pigeons.     

Calcium metabolism of pregnant rats fed a vitamin D-depleted diet

The effects of vitamin D (VD) deficiency on calcium (Ca) metabolism during pregnancy were evaluated in rats fed VD-repleted (VD-repleted rats) and VD-depleted (VD-depleted rats) diets. In the VD-depleted rats, the plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and Ca decreased severely, whereas the parathyroid hormone concentrations increased. The Ca contents of the feces of the VD-depleted rats were higher than those of the VD-repleted rats. The fetal Ca contents of the VD-repleted and VD-depleted rats increased continuously, but that of the VD-depleted rats was lower. These data reveal that VD deficiency during pregnancy induces severe hypocalcemia due to reduced intestinal absorption of Ca and elevated fetal demand for Ca.     

Comparison of molecular and growth properties for two different canine distemper virus clusters, Asia 1 and 2, in Japan

To compare the molecular and growth properties of two newly isolated canine distemper virus strains in the Asia 1 and 2 groups with clinico-pathological findings in dogs, nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence comparisons of genes H and P were performed together with comparative growth profiling. The predicted amino acid sequences of the H gene contained 12 cysteine residues that were conserved among the examined Asia 1 and Asia 2 viruses. The hydrophobic region in the H gene of the Asia 2 isolates was one amino acid longer than that of the Asia 1 group. The H gene of the Asia 1 group had nine putative asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation sites, while there were eight sites in the Asia 2 group. The titers of the cell-associated viruses for the Asia 1 strains were higher than those of the released viruses and were opposite to those of the Asia 2 strains in a previous study. The molecular and growth properties of the Asia 1 and Asia 2 groups seem to vary, although no significant differences were observed in the clinical signs and pathological findings between the two groups.     

In situ visualization of hardwood microcracks occurring during drying

Microcracks produced in an Acacia hybrid (Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis) and Melia azedarach during drying were visualized in situ using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM); the morphological differences were compared. In the Acacia hybrid, numerous microcracks were found between the wood fiber and ray parenchyma, which propagated toward both the pith and bark. The microcracks closed with further drying, but persisted until the last stage of drying. In Melia azedarach, however, few microcracks formed between the wood fiber and ray parenchyma in the latewood region; they also propagated toward both the pith and bark. Because the microcracks subsequently closed, some could not be detected by CLSM. These morphological characteristics resulted from differences in the wood structure and we conclude that the interface zone between the wood fiber and ray parenchyma is one type of weak point on the transverse surface that is susceptible to checking.     

Inhibition of in vitro growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> by liquid residue derived from steam-treated grass clippings

The effects of liquid residue derived from grass clipping after steam-treatment on the in vitro growth of Rhizoctonia solani SN-1, AG-4 were evaluated to verify the antifungal activities of the residue. The liquid residue inhibited R. solani growth, with increasing inhibition with higher concentrations and lower pH. Test of individual organic acids (acetic, formic and propionic acids) present in the residue indicate that the inhibitory effect may be attributed to the organic acids, and the effect of the organic acids seems to depend on pH, especially at lower concentrations.     

Genetic identification and morphology of naturally spawned eggs of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica collected in the western North Pacific

Eggs of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica collected in the western North Pacific were identified by onboard species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA nucleotide sequencing after the cruise. Fish eggs of various species were collected by large plankton net tows at 12 stations along the southern part of the West Mariana Ridge on 19–25 May 2009. A total of 43 fish eggs were distinguished morphologically as possibly being of A. japonica. Thirty-one of those were analyzed by PCR, which included 15 eggs collected at 12°50–55′N, 141°15–20′E (in 5 tows) that showed positive results. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences of eggs determined after the cruise indicated that 31 A. japonica eggs had been collected. The remaining eggs were of mesopelagic eel species (Serrivomeridae and Derichthyidae), or unidentified species. The morphological characteristics of the A. japonica eggs were consistent with those of artificially spawned eggs, except they had a slightly larger diameter. The egg diameter range did not overlap with those of mesopelagic eels of the Serrivomeridae, which often spawn in the same area as A. japonica. These results suggest that egg diameter and embryo shape can be used to morphologically identify naturally spawned A. japonica eggs.     

Ventrolateral temporal lobectomy in normal dogs as a counterpart to human anterior temporal lobectomy: a preliminary study on the surgical procedure and complications

Anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) is a surgical procedure for drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that is commonly performed in human medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ATL-like surgery, i.e., removal of the amygdala and hippocampal head, is possible in dogs, and to investigate its safety and postoperative complications. Eight healthy beagles underwent ATL-like surgery and were observed for 3 months postoperatively. Samples from the surgically resected tissues and postmortem brain were evaluated pathologically. The surgical survival rate was 62.5%. The major postoperative complications were visual impairment, temporal muscle atrophy on the operative side, and a postoperative acute symptomatic seizure. Due to the anatomical differences between dogs and humans, the surgically resected area to approach the medial temporal structures in dogs was the ventrolateral part of the temporal lobe. Therefore, the ATL-like surgery described in this study was named “ventrolateral temporal lobectomy” (VTL). This study is the first report of temporal lobectomy including amygdalohippocampectomy in veterinary medicine and demonstrates its feasibility. Although it requires some degree of skill, VTL could be a treatment option for canine drug-resistant epilepsy and lesions in the mesial temporal lobe.