Morphological analyses of nephrin expression in progressive glomerulonephropathy of common marmosets

In this study, we focused on nephrin, one of the key molecules within the slit diaphragm of podocytes, as although there have been reports on its expression in humans and rats, their presence in common marmosets has not been reported. We investigated nephrin expression and changes in glomeruli, depending on the development of spontaneous progressive glomerulonephropathy in common marmosets. Nineteen common marmosets at two to ten years of age were evaluated. The kidney was examined by microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining for nephrin. The lesions were classified into three grades according to a renal lesion grading system reported previously. The nephrin-positive area was measured by morphometric analysis, and the nephrin-positive ratio was calculated. Nephrin expression was observed along the glomerular capillary loop in a continuous linear pattern in renal lesion grades 0 to 2 and either discontinuous linear or coarse granular pattern in grade 3. Nephrin expression tended to decrease significantly depending on the grade of renal lesions. Alteration in nephrin expression has been suggested to play an important role in the progression of renal lesions.     

Histological Characteristics of the Regression of Corpora Lutea in Wistar Hannover Rats: the Comparisons with Sprague-Dawley Rats

We examined the ovaries of 44 Wistar Hannover (RccHan^TM:WIST) (WH) and 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 32-weeks of age to determine whether the ovarian structure and formation/regression of the corpora lutea (CLs) differ between the two strains. The average ovary weight was higher in WH rats. The average number of all CLs, including currently formed and previously formed CLs, was higher in WH rats in all cycles; however, no appreciable difference was detected in the number of newly or currently formed CLs between the two strains. CLs regression characterized by degeneration and necrosis of luteal cells began to appear in diestrus in both strains; however, the distribution of degenerated/necrotic cells in CLs differed. Necrotic cells were scattered in SD rats but were focally observed in the center of the CL in WH rats. The reduction in size of previously formed CLs accompanied by regression started about 2 or more stages later in WH rats than in those of SD rats. In conclusion, the higher number of CLs in WH rats is considered to be due to slow CL regression compared with in SD rats.     

Biochemical affinities between Cucumis hystrix Chakr. and two cultivated Cucumis species (C. sativus L. and C. melo L.) based on isozyme analysis

Isozymes of eight enzymes in Cucumis hystrix Chakr. and two cultivated Cucumis species (C. sativus L. and C. melo L.) were analysed electrophoretically to investigate the biosystematics of these three species. Cluster analysis using data from six enzymes indicated that considerable genetic distance existed between both C. hystrix and melon and between C. hystrix and cucumber. C. hystrix might be a key species for studying the evolution and taxonomy of genus Cucumis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.