Effects of cannabidiol without delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on canine atopic dermatitis: A retrospective assessment of 8 cases

Objective We aimed to examine the effects of cannabidiol (CBD)-containing hemp oil without delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as a supplemental treatment for canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), as well as its adverse effects, and effects on concurrent drug use in dogs.Animal In this retrospective case series, 8 dogs with CAD were diagnosed by veterinary dermatologists certified by the Japanese Society of Veterinary Dermatology.Procedure The medical records of dogs supplemented with CBD-containing hemp oil were evaluated with respect to signalment, physical examination, plasma C-reactive protein concentrations, pharmacologic management, the CAD Extent and Severity Index (4th iteration), and the Pruritus Visual Analog Scale.Results Overall, CBD, used as a supplement in combination with other drugs, was well-tolerated over a wide dose range and decreased the occurrence of pruritus in dogs with CAD when ingested twice a day.Conclusion This study provides the first report of supplementation with CBD without THC that was effective in controlling pruritic behavior in dogs with CAD.Clinical relevance Further controlled studies are required to investigate the dose range, efficacy, and safety.     

Identification of anthocyanins in the sprouts of buckwheat

The anthocyanin profiles and varieties/breeding line differences of anthocyanin concentrations in common/tartary buckwheat sprouts have been studied. Four anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, and cyanidin 3-O-galactopyranosyl-rhamnoside, were isolated from the sprouts of common buckwheat, were separated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and were identified using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)/MS techniques. In tartary buckwheat sprouts, two anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside) were identified. Among 19 common/tartary buckwheat varieties/breeding lines, Hokkai T10 contained the highest amounts of anthocyanins. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside concentrations in 6-10 days after seeding sprouts of Hokkai T10 ranged from 0.16 to 0.20 mg/g dry wt and from 5.55 to 6.57 mg/g dry wt, respectively. In addition, dark-grown sprouts of Hokkai T10 accumulated 0.091 and 2.77 mg/g dry wt of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside whereas other varieties/breeding lines accumulated trace amounts of anthocyanins. Given its anthocyanin-rich red cotyledons, Hokkai T10 is a promising line for use as "Moyashi" type sprouts and is strongly recommended as a new functional food, rich in dietary anthocyanins.     

Density‐dependent egg production in chub mackerel in the Kuroshio Current system

A paradigm of proportionality between spawning stock biomass (SSB) and total egg production (TEP) has been largely untested at multidecadal scales mainly because of difficulty in estimating annual TEP. Recently, this paradigm was directly tested for sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) and anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) at a multidecadal scale to reveal that SSB–TEP proportionality was partially distorted by intraspecific (sardine) and interspecific (anchovy) density dependence in total egg production per spawner individual (TEPPS) or unit weight (TEPPSW). In the present study, we demonstrate intraspecific density dependence in TEPPS/TEPPSW for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the Kuroshio Current system, using a proxy for TEPPS/TEPPSW, calculated from snapshot abundance data based on fishery‐independent egg surveys in combination with fishery‐dependent stock assessment data, at a multidecadal scale (38 years). TEPPS/TEPPSW exponentially declined with SSB, indicating a strong intraspecific density dependence in TEPPS/TEPPSW in chub mackerel. The observed phenomenon for chub mackerel was similar to that for sardine. Hence, intraspecific density dependence in TEPPS/TEPPSW may be a phenomenon that is generally applicable for species with a high maximum biomass and large population fluctuations. Lastly, we recommend the application of a TEP‐based framework to studies on recruitment mechanisms of fish.     

Density dependence in total egg production per spawner for marine fish

A paradigm of fisheries science holds that spawning stock biomass (SSB) is directly proportional to total egg production (TEP) of fish stocks. This “SSB–TEP proportionality” paradigm has been a basic premise underlying the spawner–recruitment models for fisheries management and numerous studies on recruitment mechanisms of fish. Studies on maternal effects on reproductive potential of a stock have progressed during the last few decades, leading to doubt concerning the paradigm. Nonetheless, a direct test of the paradigm at multidecadal scales has been difficult because of data limitations in the stock assessment systems worldwide. Here, we tested the paradigm for marine fish based on a novel combination of two independent 38‐year time series: fishery‐dependent stock assessment data and fishery‐independent egg survey data. Through this approach, we show that the SSB–TEP proportionality is distorted by density dependence in total egg production per spawner individual (TEPPS) or spawner unit weight (TEPPSW) at a multidecadal scale. The TEPPS/TEPPSW exponentially declined with biomass and thus was density‐dependent for Japanese sardine, a small pelagic species exhibiting a high level of population fluctuation, in the western North Pacific. By contrast, the TEPPS/TEPPSW was sardine‐density‐dependent for Japanese anchovy, another small pelagic species exhibiting a moderate level of population fluctuation well‐known for being out of phase with sardine. Our analysis revealed intraspecific (sardine) and interspecific (anchovy) density dependence in TEPPS/TEPPSW, which was previously unaccounted for in spawner–recruitment relationships. Such density‐dependent effects at the time of spawning should be considered in fisheries management and studies on recruitment mechanisms.     

Modifications of azoxymethane-induced carcinogenesis and 90-day oral toxicities of 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone as a radiolytic product of stearic acid in F344 rats

A 90-day oral toxicity test in rats was performed to evaluate the toxicity of 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-tDCB), a unique radiolytic product of stearic acid. Six-week-old male and female F344 rats (n=15/group) were given 2-tDCB at concentrations of 0, 12, 60 and 300 ppm in a powder diet for 13 weeks. Slight dose-dependent increases in serum total protein and albumin in male rats were found, but these changes were not considered to be a toxic effect. The fasting, but not non-fasting, blood glucose levels of the male rats in the 300 ppm group and female rats in the 60 and 300 ppm groups were lower than those of the controls. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed dose-dependent accumulation of 2-tDCB in adipose tissue, notably in males. Next, we performed an azoxymethane (AOM)-induced two-stage carcinogenesis study. After injection of 6-week-old male F344 rats (n=30/group) once a week for 3 weeks, the animals received 2-tDCB at concentrations of 0, 10, 50 and 250 ppm in a powder diet for 25 weeks. The incidences of colon tumors for the 2-tDCB dosages were 34%, 45%, 40% and 37%, respectively, and were not statistically significant. These data suggest that 2-tDCB shows no toxic or tumor-modifying effects under the present conditions, and that the no-observed-adverse-effect level for 2-tDCB is 300 ppm in both sexes, equivalent to 15.5 mg/kg b.w./day in males and 16.5 mg/kg b.w./day in females.     

Removal of Arsenic, Boron, and Selenium from Excavated Rocks by Consecutive Washing

This paper describes the leaching behavior and release mechanisms of arsenic (As), boron (B), and selenium (Se) from excavated rocks using sequential extraction for solid-phase fractionation, batch experiments with pH variation, and consecutive batch experiments with changes in the solid?Cliquid mixing ratios. Arsenic in the excavated rock was mostly found with the sulfides/organic matter fraction while majority of the leachable B and Se were associated with the exchangeable phases. The leaching of As was strongly pH dependent, Se was pH dependent only around the acidic region, and B was pH independent. Consecutive washing technique with deionized water effectively lowered the B and Se concentrations in the leachate below the drinking water standards of Japan, but was inefficient in the removal of As. Arsenic exhibited non-conservative leaching behavior and its movement was affected by processes like dissolution, precipitation, and pyrite oxidation. In contrast, B and Se behaved more conservatively, resulting in their easy removal from the excavated rock by simple washing and dilution.     

The preventive effect of Bacillus subtilus strain DB9011 against experimental infection with enterotoxcemic Escherichia coli in weaning piglets

Porcine edema disease (ED) is caused by Shiga toxin 2e‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Post‐weaned piglets often suffer from ED as a result of intestinal infection with STEC, which causes impaired growth performance and high mortality. Antimicrobial therapy is a curative treatment for piglets infected with STEC, but the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant STEC has become a serious problem for Japanese pig farmers. Therefore, an alternative strategy other than antimicrobial therapy is needed for the prevention or treatment of ED. In this study, we evaluated the effect of oral administration of Bacillus subtilis DB9011 (DB9011) to prevent the experimental infection of STEC in weaning piglets. Eight 21‐day‐old piglets were divided into two groups: STEC challenge with the basal diet, and STEC challenge with DB9011 supplemented diet. The challenge was carried out when the animals were 25, 26 and 27 days old using STEC contained in capsules resistant against gastric digestion. All pigs were euthanized at 36 days of age. DB9011 improved the symptoms of ED and decreased the number of STEC in the ileal digesta and feces. Accordingly, oral administration of DB9011 in weaned piglets prevents ED through the suppression of the growth of STEC in the ileum.     

Anti-Thy-1 Antibody-mediated Complement-dependent Cytotoxicity is Regulated by the Distribution of Antigen,Antibody and Membrane Complement Regulatory Proteins in Rats

Some therapeutic antibodies as anticancer agents exert their effects through the host immune system, but the factors that predict their cytotoxicity, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), are unclear. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate some of these factors in a preclinical model. CDC-related mesangiolysis caused by administration of the anti-Thy-1.1 antibody can be studied in the rat anti-Thy-1 glomerulonephritis model, so the model was used in this study. Three animals each were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 8, 24 and 48 hours after i.v. administration of the anti-Thy-1.1 antibody at 1mg/kg. The distribution of the Thy-1.1 antigen and 2 membrane complement regulatory proteins (mCRPs), Crry and CD55, in three non-treated animals and the distribution of the injected antibody and C3 in the model was studied by immunohistochemistry. In the mesangial cells of the kidney, both expression of the antigen and distribution of the antibody with C3 deposition were observed with weak expression of mCRPs. There was also antigen and antibody distribution in the medullary cells of the adrenal gland and in the lymphocytes of the thymus but no C3 deposition, which was thought to be related to high expression of mCRPs. The antigen was observed in several other organs and tissues without distribution of the antibody. Cell death was only observed in the mesangial cells. These results clearly demonstrate that activation of CDC is regulated by several factors, such as distribution of the target molecule, antibody distribution and the balance among the molecules of the CDC cascade and mCRPs.     

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) was purified approximately 32-fold with a recovery rate of 16% by ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, and gel filtration. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 47000 and 45000 by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. The purified enzyme quickly oxidized chlorogenic acid and (-)-epicatechin. The K(m) value (Michaelis constant) of the enzyme was 2.0 mM for chlorogenic acid (pH 4.0, 30 degrees C) and 10.0 mM for (-)-epicatechin (pH 8.0, 40 degrees C). The optimum pH was 4.0 for chlorogenic acid oxidase (ChO) and 8.0 for (-)-epicatechin oxidase (EpO). In the pH range from 5 to 11, their activities were quite stable at 5 degrees C for 22 h. The optimum temperatures of ChO and EpO activities were 30 and 40 degrees C, respectively. Both activities were stable at up to 50 degrees C after heat treatment for 30 min. The purified enzyme was strongly inhibited by l-ascorbic acid and l-cysteine at 1 mM.     

Effect of Oxidizing Power of Roots on Iodine Uptake by Rice Plants

Although iodine is harmful to plants, rice plants ( Oryza sativa L.) absorbed iodine more selectively than bromine. To explain this selective absorption, the authors proposed the following hypothesis based on the fact that the standard redox potential for (I₂+ 2e = 2I⁻) is lower than that for (Br₂+ 2e = 2Br⁻) and (Fe³⁺+ e = Fe²⁺), and the roots of rice plants are able to oxidize ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) into ferric ion (Fe³⁺), namely rice plants oxidize iodide ion (I⁻) to form molecular iodine (I₂) via the oxidizing power of their roots, and absorb the molecular iodine formed more selectively than iodide ion. Bromine, by contrast, is absorbed by rice plants only in the form of ion (Br⁻). According to this hypothesis, there should be a significant correlation between the oxidizing power of the rice roots and the amount of iodine absorbed. Therefore, the relationship between the oxidizing power of the roots and the concentration of iodine absorbed was studied in a water culture using 8 varieties of rice plants. Rice seedlings, 14 d after germination, were cultured in a solution containing 1 mg L⁻¹ each of iodide and bromide ions for 3 d. The oxidizing power of the rice roots was evaluated based on the amount of 1-naphthylamine oxidized by the roots. A significant correlation (0.78, n = 16, 0.1% significant level) was found between the oxidizing power and the concentration of iodine absorbed by the roots. However, no relationship was found between the oxidizing power of the roots and the amount of bromine absorbed.