Transverse shape analysis of xylem ground tissues by Fourier transform image analysis I: trial for statistical expression of cell arrangements with fluctuation

Periodic cell arrangements of tracheids in Cryptomeria japonica and Agathis sp., and that of wood fibers in Magnolia obovata were examined by Fourier transform image analysis (FTIA). The angular distribution functions on power spectral patterns (PSPs) transformed from the dot maps were traced. As well as this conventional method, we developed the line convolution method and domain transformation for more correct analysis of radial and tangential arrangements. Cell arrangements became clear in Cryptomeria and Agathis. Fluctuations were expressed by the standard deviation (σ) or the relative standard deviation (σ_r) so that we could compare the characteristics of both woods. In Cryptomeria, the most provable distance between tracheids along radial files was 36.7 µm with 17% fluctuation, whereas the tangential interval was 28.3 µm with σ_r of 24%. In Agathis, the radial diameter was 35.1 µm with σ_r of 23% and the tangential interval was 41.5 µm with σ_r of 23%. In Magnolia, the maximal periodicity of wood fibers was 15.8 µm and 20.5 µm along and between radial files, respectively, although the fluctuations could not be estimated because of the remarkable interruptions by numerous vessels.     

A comparison of the concentrations of C-reactive protein and alpha1-acid glycoprotein in the serum of young and adult dogs with acute inflammation

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were evaluated in 1-, 3- and 18-month-old dogs (four of each age) that had been inoculated with turpentine oil. The CRP and AAG in 3-month-old and younger dogs subjected to surgery or inoculated with either Staphylococcus aureus or a viral vaccine were also evaluated. The average CRP concentration in the sera peaked 2 days after inoculation of turpentine oil. The peak CRP concentrations in 3- and 18-month-old dogs were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those in 1-month-old dogs. The average AAG concentration in the sera peaked 4 days after inoculation of turpentine oil. No significant difference was found in AAG concentrations between any of the age groups. When experimentally inoculated with S. aureus or subjected to oophorohysterectomy, the CRP and AAG concentrations increased in 3-month-old dogs, but they increased little in 1-month-old dogs. The CRP and AAG in dogs inoculated with the viral vaccine did not increase. In dogs with fractures or subjected to percutaneous gastrostomy, the CRP and AAG concentrations correlated with the condition of dogs.     

Itokawa dust particles: a direct link between S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites

The Hayabusa spacecraft successfully recovered dust particles from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Synchrotron-radiation x-ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscope analyses indicate that the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Itokawa dust particles are identical to those of thermally metamorphosed LL chondrites, consistent with spectroscopic observations made from Earth and by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Our results directly demonstrate that ordinary chondrites, the most abundant meteorites found on Earth, come from S-type asteroids. Mineral chemistry indicates that the majority of regolith surface particles suffered long-term thermal annealing and subsequent impact shock, suggesting that Itokawa is an asteroid made of reassembled pieces of the interior portions of a once larger asteroid.     

Estimation of the marbling development pattern in Japanese Black cattle by using serial ultrasound measurement data

The objective of this study was to develop mathematical equations for describing the change in marbling in Japanese Black steers using longitudinal measurements. Serial ultrasound measurements were taken at 14, 16, 20, and 26 months of age and analyzed using an image analysis software. The longitudinal marbling measurements from the ultrasound images and carcasses were fitted into a nonlinear logistic curve. Data used for the analysis consisted of 749 steers that converged in nonlinear curve fitting and showed reasonable estimated parameters of the logistic curves. The average predicted mature beef marbling score (BMS) and maturation rate were 6.26 and 0.353, respectively, and the average maturity levels at 24 months of age were 83.9%. The heritability estimates for the predicted maturity traits were moderate, indicating that these traits may have potential for genetic improvement. There was a negative relationship between the expected progeny differences between carcass BMS and maturity traits, suggesting that genetic improvement by carcass BMS may lead to the selection of bulls with late maturity for marbling. The results indicate that ultrasound and model building for marbling can be useful tools to correctly select candidate bulls with high marbling in the early fattening period.     

Possible origin of CSF antibodies induced by intrathecal immunization and prophylactic effects against intracerebral rabies virus infection

Intrathecal (IT) immunization involves injecting antigens directly into the intraventricular or subarachnoid spaces, or brain, to induce antigen-specific antibodies (Ab) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the present study, rabbits were immunized IT with inactivated rabies virus to investigate the origins of CSF Ab. The time course of Ab induction and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression suggested the possibility that the CSF Ab originated in the serum. In addition, Ab-producing cells infiltrated around the blood vessels of the brain, suggesting local production of Ab within the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, subcutaneous (SC) immunization prior to IT immunization induced a rapid and magnified Ab response in the CSF compared with IT immunization alone. These results were confirmed by the fact that mice immunized SC prior to IT were more resistant to intracerebral challenge with rabies virus than mice immunized via the IT route alone. Taken together, these results suggest that combined SC and IT immunization is a more effective vaccination protocol for prophylaxis and treatment of rabies.     

Cross-reactivity between human and feline Ia antigens, using a monoclonal antibody HLA-D.m1

A murine monoclonal antibody HLA-D.m1 produced against human Ia antigens which react with 10% to 30% of human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells was found to react with greater than 90% of feline mononuclear cells. The antigen was not expressed on granulocytes. By direct immunofluorescence, 7% to 41% of feline lymphocytes expressed surface immunoglobulins. In mixed-lymphocyte reaction, the addition of antibody HLA-D.m1 to cultures abolished proliferation. These studies indicate that most feline peripheral-blood mononuclear cells express Ia-like antigens.     

Effects of oestrogen and anti-oestrogen on the cells of the endosteal surface of male Japanese quail

1. The endosteal cellular response occurring in the early stages of medullary bone formation was histologically examined in the femurs of male Japanese quail treated with oestrogen and antioestrogen. 2. The numbers of endosteal cells decreased, and preosteoblasts and osteoblasts increased, on the endosteal surface following oestrogen treatment. 3. After oestrogen and anti-oestrogen treatment the numbers of preosteoblasts and osteoblasts on the endosteal surface did not increase. However, endosteal cells slowly decreased in number and osteoclasts increased. 4. This study demonstrates that differentiation of osteoblasts is induced by oestrogen stimulation and suggests that osteoclasts occur by oestrogen inhibition on the endosteal surface.     

Reproductive phenotypes in mice with targeted disruption of the 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene

In the corpus luteum of rats and mice, 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive metabolite, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20alpha-OHP). The reduction of progesterone by 20alpha-HSD is believed to be important for functional luteolysis in these rodent species. In addition to the corpus luteum, expression of 20alpha-HSD has been demonstrated in tissues such as the placenta, endometrial epithelia, and fetal skin, although the roles it plays in the latter tissues remain to be determined. To determine the contribution of 20alpha-HSD to functional luteolysis and to the rodent reproductive system more generally, we generated a strain of mice with targeted disruption of the 20alpha-HSD gene. In the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice we obtained, which lacked the genomic region essential for catalytic reaction, neither 20alpha-HSD activity in the corpus luteum nor an increase in the serum concentrations of 20alpha-OHP during pseudopregnancy or pregnancy was detected. The durations of the estrous cycle, pseudopregnancy, and pregnancy were significantly prolonged in the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice, although the serum progesterone levels decreased to levels low enough for delivery of pups at term of pregnancy. In addition, the number of pups, especially live pups, was markedly decreased in the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice. These findings suggest that the role of 20alpha-HSD in functional luteolysis is relatively minor but that it is involved in the survival of newborn mice.