Comparison of changes in urinary and blood levels of biomarkers associated with proximal tubular injury in rat models

To investigate useful biomarkers associated with proximal tubular injury, we assessed changes in levels of a focused set of biomarkers in urine and blood. Male rats administered a single dose or four doses of gentamicin (GM, 240 mg/kg/day) or a single dose of cisplatin (CDDP, 5 mg/kg) were euthanized on days 2 (the day after initial dosing) 5, or 12. At each time point, histopathological examination of the kidney and immunohistochemistry for biomarkers, kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1), lipocalin (NGAL), clusterin (CLU), cystatin C (CysC) and β2-microglobulin (β2M) were performed. Biomarker levels were measured in urine and blood. In both treatment groups, degenerated/necrotic proximal tubules and regenerated tubules were mainly observed on days 5 and 12, respectively. At the same time as these tubular injuries, urinary Kim-1, CysC and β2M levels were increased. Moreover, urinary levels of CysC and β2M in GM-treated animals and Kim-1 in CDDP-treated animals increased (on day 2) prior to tubular injury on day 5. This was considered to reflect the characteristics of drug toxicity. Although almost all of the biomarkers in blood were not sufficiently sensitive to detect proximal tubular injury, urinary and plasma β2M levels simultaneously increased. Therefore, in addition to urinary Kim-1, CysC and β2M levels, plasma β2M levels were also considered useful for detecting proximal tubular injury.     

The Importance of Sr Isotopic Compositions as an Indicator of Acid-Soluble Minerals in Arid Soils in China

Aeolian particles originating from arid areas in China, termed Kosa, are considered to be a major source of non-sea-salt Ca, a dominant base cation, in acid precipitation in northeastern Asia. We extracted evaporite minerals (halite, gypsum, and carbonate) from the surface soil collected at eight desert and loess areas in northern China with water and acetic acid. Most ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the extracted fractions fell in a restricted range (0.7115 ± 0.0015) and differed from those of bulk soils and acid-insoluble minerals (0.712–0.717). The selective dissolution of the soil carbonates in the atmosphere is consistent with two facts: (1) their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are close to the maximum ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of spring precipitation in Japan, when Kosa activity is marked; and (2) their mole ratios of Mg/Ca (0.15) and Sr/Ca (0.001) are almost identical to those of precipitation in China and Japan when Kosa activity is marked. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, Mg/Ca, and Sr/Ca ratios in the acid-soluble components can be used as indexes of Kosa aerosols in the precipitation of the northwestern Pacific.     

Antioxidative capacity of extracts and constituents in Cornus capitata adventitious roots

Radical scavenging activities of extracts and constituents in Cornus capitata adventitious root cultures were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion radicals. Inhibitory activity against peroxidation of linoleic acid was assayed by using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were prepared from adventitious roots cultured in Murashige-Skoog liquid medium with 0.1 microM Cu(2+) (0.1CuMS) or 10 microM Cu(2+) (10CuMS). The highest scavenging activities on DPPH and superoxide anion radicals were observed in the ethyl acetate fraction from 0.1CuMS. In the inhibitory activity against linoleic acid oxidation, the ethyl acetate fraction from 10CuMS was highest among the fractions tested. The ethyl acetate fraction of adventitious roots cultured in 0.1CuMS contained mainly galloylglucoses (1,2,3,6-tetragalloylglucose and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose). The ethyl acetate fraction of adventitious roots cultured in 10CuMS contained mainly ellagic acid derivatives [3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4-(5"-acetyl)-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside and stenophyllin H1]. Aqueous fractions prepared from both media contained iridoid glycosides (dihydrocornin and cornin). Tetra- and pentagalloylglucoses showed strong inhibitory activities (61.9 and 85.2%, respectively) against linoleic acid oxidation relative to those of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (91.1%) or alpha-tocopherol (49.5%) at 50 microM concentration. Although both ellagic acid derivatives had weak activities (<50%) on DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging, 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4-(5"-acetyl)-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside was stronger (74.7%) than alpha-tocopherol (49.5%) in inhibiting linoleic acid oxidation at 50 microM concentration. Iridoid glycosides exhibited little activity against DPPH and superoxide anion radicals or against oxidation of linoleic acid.     

Study on Dry Deposition of SO2-NOX onto Loess

In order to obtain information on dry deposition of SO₂ onto loess in China, the effects of water vapor and NO₂ on SO₂ deposition-oxidation processes were investigated in laboratory measurements. The deposition velocities of SO₂ onto loess particles were 2.34–7.33 cm s^?1, were high in comparison with the other studies. Deposition of SO₂ onto the particles was decreased with exposed time and amounts of SO₂, but was influenced by adsorption of water vapor onto the particles. On the other hand, oxidation of SO₂ physically8 adsorbed was promoted by the coexistence of water vapor and NO₂. So, it was indicated that it was possible for water vapor and NO₂ in the atmosphere to play an important role in dry deposition for the deposition-oxidation interaction between SO₂ and loess particles.     

Serum concentration and safety of intravenous drip versus subcutaneous administration of carboplatin in dogs

Carboplatin is used to treat certain cancers in dogs and cats and is routinely administered via intravenous drip (IVD). Subcutaneous (SC) administration has also been described. However, the toxicity, serum concentrations, and area under blood concentration-time curves (AUCs) of SC carboplatin are unknown. This study aimed to compare serum carboplatin concentrations in dogs after SC and IVD and to monitor any adverse events. In this crossover study, five dogs received SC or IV carboplatin (300 mg/m²). After a minimum of 3 weeks, each dog received the other treatment. No gross skin toxicity or abnormal clinical signs were observed in any of the dogs. Blood test abnormalities were detected in most dogs. Decreased neutrophil and platelet counts, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were found. There was no significant difference in the neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and CRP scores between the groups. Systemic toxicities of SC carboplatin were comparable to those of IVD carboplatin. The time to maximum carboplatin concentration after SC was longer than that after IVD (P<0.001). SC carboplatin remained in the serum longer than IVD carboplatin (P=0.008). The AUC of SC was less than that of IVD (P=0.002). The AUC and time taken to reach the maximum concentration of SC carboplatin were lower than those of IVD carboplatin. This study suggests that SC carboplatin may be an efficacious option for the treatment of tumors in dogs, particularly where IVD administration is challenging.     

苇状羊茅和箭筈豌豆混合青贮发酵品质的研究

为探讨西藏地区苇状羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)与箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)不同比例混合青贮对其发酵品质的影响,筛选出适宜的混合配比。试验设苇状羊茅(CK)、85%苇状羊茅+15%箭筈豌豆(C15)、70%苇状羊茅+30%箭筈豌豆(C30)及55%苇状羊茅+45%箭筈豌豆(C45)4个处理。青贮后第7,24,45和60d开窖取样,测定青贮饲料发酵品质。结果表明:随着箭筈豌豆比例的增加,各处理组乳酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量显著下降(P0.05),pH和氨态氮含量显著上升(P0.05)。在青贮后期,C45组pH(4.72)和氨态氮/总氮(96.19g·kg-1)显著高于其他各组(P0.05),干物质、乳酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量显著低于其他各处理组(P0.05),而粗蛋白含量与C30组无显著差异。在整个发酵过程中,各组的丙酸和丁酸含量较低。从发酵品质和箭筈豌豆利用率的角度出发,建议以70%苇状羊茅与30%箭筈豌豆混合青贮较为适宜。     

添加糖蜜对青稞秸秆和多年生黑麦草混合青贮发酵品质及营养价值的影响

试验在青稞秸秆与多年生黑麦草以6∶4混合的基础上,添加3%,4%和5%的糖蜜,旨在进一步改善混合青贮发酵品质和营养价值,为西藏地区青稞秸秆青贮利用提供理论依据。结果显示,青贮前14天,糖蜜添加组乳酸含量快速增加,pH值迅速下降。对照组pH值未能降至4.2以下,而糖蜜添加组均在4.0左右,乳酸、水溶性碳水化合物含量和乳酸/乙酸显著高于(P<0.05)对照组,氨态氮/总氮均低于对照组,且添加3%糖蜜已达到优质青贮饲料标准。青贮第60天糖蜜添加组有较高的粗蛋白含量,较低的中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量,各组体外降解率均高于青贮材料。综合考虑,在青稞秸秆和黑麦草以6∶4混合的基础上添加3%的糖蜜可获得优质青贮饲料。     

Undifferentiated Sarcoma of the Salivary Gland in a Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

A subcutaneous mass was found in the lower ventral neck region of a 55-week-old male Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Histopathologically, the mass involved salivary glands and featured diffuse proliferation of pleomorphic neoplastic cells with large necrotic foci. The lesion was well demarcated from the surrounding tissue, although invasive growth to fibrous septa was occasionally observed. The neoplastic cells were mainly arranged in irregular sheets with severe cellular atypia, round to oval nuclei and varying amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures and multinucleated giant cells were frequent. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the neoplastic cells were strongly positive for vimentin and S-100 and negative for NSE, cytokeratin, α-SMA, c-kit, factor VIII, CD34, α-1-antitrypsin, lysozyme and MSR-A. Based on the results, the mass was diagnosed as an undifferentiated sarcoma of the salivary gland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a tumor in Mongolian gerbils.     

Epidemiological survey of Theileria parasite infection of cattle in Northeast China by allele-specific PCR

An epidemiological survey on a Theileria parasite infection of cattle in Northeast China was carried out using allele-specific PCR and DNA sequence analysis of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene. The results showed that 14 of 104 blood samples were positive for Theileria by PCR. Among the positive cases, co-infection with various combinations of C- and I-type parasites was detected in 12 samples; no B- and Thai-type parasites were detected by allele-specific PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on the MPSP gene sequences revealed that Theileria parasites with the MPSP types 1, 2, and 4 were distributed in Northeast China.