Spontaneous fibrosarcoma with pleomorphic appearance in an aged brown norway rat

An 18-month-old male Brown Norway (BN) rat showed a grayish-white subcutaneous mass in the right cheek. Histologically, the mass was composed of highly pleomorphic cells producing collagen. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin and partially positive for Ki-67; however, they were negative for ED-1, ED-2, S-100, cytokeratin, desmin and myoglobin. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasms of the tumor cells contained well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the tumor had no characteristic feature other than collagen production and was diagnosed as a fibrosarcoma.     

Preventive effect of Kaempferia parviflora ethyl acetate extract and its major components polymethoxyflavonoid on metabolic diseases

Previously, we reported that rhizome powder of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker prevented obesity and a range of metabolic diseases. In this study, to clarify which molecular mechanisms and active ingredients of K. parviflora have an anti-obesity effect, we investigated the effect of ethyl acetate extract of K. parviflora (KPE) on TSOD mice, a spontaneously obese Type II diabetes model, and on pancreatic lipase. In the TSOD groups, KPE showed a suppressive effect on body weight increase and visceral fat accumulation and also showed preventive effects on symptoms related to insulin resistance, hypertension and fatty liver. In addition, KPE also suppressed body weight increase and food intake in TSNO mice groups, which served as reference animals, at an early stage of administration. Searching for the ingredients in KPE revealed that KPE contains at least 12 kinds of polymethoxyflavonoid (PMF). Furthermore, KPE and its component PMFs showed an inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase. The above results suggest that KPE has a preventive effect on obesity and various metabolic diseases. The mechanisms of action probably involve inhibition of pancreatic lipase by the PMFs in KPE.     

Primary analysis of DNA polymorphisms in the TRIM region (MHC subregion) of the Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

Based on sequences of two cosmid clones from Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica, Coja), we confirmed that the syntenic cluster, GNB2L1～BTN1～BTN2, is located in the quail TRIM subregion of the quail major histocompatibility complex (MHC Coja) region. These cosmids also included four CjBG loci and one CjLEC locus; therefore, the quail TRIM subregion was thought to be adjacent to the BG/LEC subregion. We then identified three polymorphic markers – CjHEP21, CjTRIM39.2 and CjBTN2 – in the TRIM subregion that may be useful for the functional analysis of the MHC‐Coja region. We examined MHC‐Coja sequences from 321 individual quails sampled from 11 inbred strains, and we found eight alleles for each of the three genes – CjHEP21, CjTRIM39.2 and CjBTN2. These polymorphisms represent the first avian DNA markers in the TRIM subregion. Additionally, we discovered a quail‐specific VNTR (variable number of long tandem repeats, 133–137 bp) in intron 7 of CjBTN2. We identified 25 haplotypes in the sample of 321 quail; these haplotypes comprised combinations of all 24 alleles of the three polymorphic genes. We suggest that there are two recombination hotspots, one between each pair of adjacent loci. All strains, except AMRP, contained multiple haplotypes; the AMRP strain contained a single, apparently fixed haplotype.     

Small-scale variation in feeding environments for the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> in a tidal flat in Tokyo Bay

The relative contribution of particulate organic matters (POMs) in water column and sediment as a food source for the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, was studied using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic method (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) in a tidal flat at Seaside Park, Yokohama, Japan. Comparisons of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N among R. philippinarum and POMs in surface water, bottom water, and sediment surface indicated that R. philippinarum larger than 5 mm shell length (SL) mainly assimilated benthic POM, and individuals smaller than 5 mm SL assimilated benthic and pelagic POM. Continuous measurements of chlorophyll concentrations in the bottom water revealed tide-driven resuspension of the benthic phytopigments. R. philippinarum showed differences in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N along an inshore–offshore transect, indicating small-scale spatial differences in POM provision in the tidal flat. These findings suggest that POM in the bottom water, supposedly inhaled by R. philippinarum, is a mixture of a larger proportion of resuspended benthic POM and a smaller proportion of pelagic POM, and that the mixing ratio of the POMs may be affected by the hydrodynamics of flooding water associated with tidal flat topography.     

Evaluation of plant bed filter ditches for the removal of T-N and T-P from eutrophic pond water containing particulate N and P

Cultivation of useful terrestrial and aquatic plant species in plant bed filter ditches enables to treat domestic wastewater in addition to resource recycling and amenity functions. We reported previously that a ditch planted with papyrus removed Nand P most effectively from artificial wastewater. We evaluated the effectiveness of plant bed filter ditches in the treatment of eutrophic pond water, which unlike artificial wastewater, contains particulate Nand P. Experimental ditches were planted with papyrus, African marigold, peppermint, and impatience. These plant species were effective in removing N and P from artificial wastewater and could be used by rural communities for the production of handicrafts, cut flowers, and ornamental purposes. The control ditch did not contain plants (plant-free ditch). Pond water was continuously supplied to the ditches at a loading rate of 0.6–0.9 g m^-2 d^-1 for Nand 0.2–0.35 g m^-2 d^-1 for P. In the plant-free ditch, particulate Nand P in the influent were removed by passage through the bed filter, unlike NO³-N and PO⁴-P. A larger amount of PO⁴-P was dissolved from particulate P in the bed filter. The planted ditches effectively removed NO³-N, PO⁴-P as well as particulate Nand P. The planted ditches were able to purify eutrophic pond water, resulting in clear water with a concentration below 0.3 mg L^-1 for N and 0.02 mg L^-1 for P, concentrations at which water bloom does not occur. The average removal rate of pollutants by the planted ditches during the experiment, except for the first 2 weeks, was 0.67 g m^-2 d^-1 for total N and 0.03 g m^-2 d^-1 for total P. We recommend that plant bed filter ditches containing papyrus and flowers be used for ornamental purposes and removal of N and P from pond water along with the supply of clear water as ornamental streams.     

A method for estimating radioactive cesium concentrations in cattle blood using urine samples

In the region contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident, radioactive contamination of live cattle should be checked before slaughter. In this study, we establish a precise method for estimating radioactive cesium concentrations in cattle blood using urine samples. Blood and urine samples were collected from a total of 71 cattle on two farms in the ‘difficult‐to‐return zone’. Urine ¹³⁷Cs, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, pH , sodium, potassium, calcium, and creatinine were measured and various estimation methods for blood ¹³⁷Cs were tested. The average error rate of the estimation was 54.2% without correction. Correcting for urine creatinine, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, or potassium improved the precision of the estimation. Correcting for specific gravity using the following formula gave the most precise estimate (average error rate = 16.9%): [blood ¹³⁷Cs] = [urinary ¹³⁷Cs]/([specific gravity] ? 1)/329. Urine samples are faster to measure than blood samples because urine can be obtained in larger quantities and has a higher ¹³⁷Cs concentration than blood. These advantages of urine and the estimation precision demonstrated in our study, indicate that estimation of blood ¹³⁷Cs using urine samples is a practical means of monitoring radioactive contamination in live cattle.     

Characterization of the reproductive cycle in female bharals (Pseudois nayaur) based on the changes in serum progesterone concentrations and parturition season

The purpose of present study was to determine annual changes in serum progesterone (P(4)) concentrations and to clarify basic reproductive characteristics, such as breeding season, estrous cycle, and puberty in female bharals (Pseudois nayaur). Blood was collected from 9 female bharals once or twice weekly for approximately one year. Serum P(4) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum P(4) concentrations showed remarkable and cyclic changes between November/December (winter) and May/June (late spring). The mean estrous cycle was 24.9 +/- 0.5 days. Chasing insistently to other females and discharge of mucus from the vulva were observed around the time when the serum P(4) concentrations began to increase. The chasing behavior and discharge of mucus were considered to be external indicators of estrus in female bharals. Serum P(4) concentrations of a pregnant female had non-cyclic changes, and the values remained high. In this study, all 37 deliveries were between April and September, and about 70% of these were concentrated in May and June. The conception month determined on the day of birth was between October and April for all animals, and the most common month was in December (54%). This month corresponded to an early stage of the period when the serum P(4) concentrations changed cyclically. These results indicate that many female bharals become pregnant at the beginning of the breeding seasons and, if they do not become pregnant, the estrous cycle, about 25 days in length, is repeated.     

Potential application of simple easy-to-use insertion-deletion (InDel) markers in citrus cultivar identification

We previously developed insertion-deletion (InDel) markers that distinguish three genotypes (two homozygous and one heterozygous) of diverse citrus cultivars. These InDel markers were codominant and could be clearly detected by using simple agarose gel electrophoresis. We sought to establish a method for cultivar identification using these 28 InDel markers to genotype 31 citrus cultivars. The results revealed that a minimum of 6 markers were required to identify individuals using the three-genotype classification method. Furthermore, we found that a simple method for distinguishing between two genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) could be used to identify individuals using a minimum of 7 markers. Our findings provide a basis for the development of simple and rapid citrus cultivar identification methods.     

Spontaneous Rhabdomyosarcoma in a Common Marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus )

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is now widely used in various research fields, including toxicology. However, information about the background pathology of this species is scarce. Here, we report a case of rhabdomyosarcoma that spontaneously occurred in a common marmoset. A 44-month-old male common marmoset was euthanized due to bilateral hind limb paralysis. At necropsy, a 2×2×5-cm intramuscular mass was observed in the lower right back. Histologically, the mass was mainly composed of interlacing bundles of spindle-shaped tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for myogenin, desmin, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained bundles of myofilaments with Z-band-like structures. Thus, the tumor was diagnosed as a rhabdomyosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous rhabdomyosarcoma that was definitely diagnosed in the common marmoset.     

Patient-side assay of lipase activity correlating with pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in the dog

Pancreatitis is a common exocrine pancreatic disease in dogs, and the pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) test is used for diagnosis. Enzyme catalytic assay is thought to have low specificity, but a lipase activity assay with increased specificity has been developed in human clinical chemistry. We measured serum lipase activity of 65 client-owned dogs using the newly developed FUJI DRI-CHEM slide and compared the results with their PLI concentrations. The results showed a good correlation (r = 0.91), and the normal and pancreatitis dogs identified based on the PLI values were correctly separated based on lipase activity. The present study suggests that FUJI DRI-CHEM lipase activity would be helpful for diagnosis of pacreatitis in dogs and, in particular, that it can be used as a patient-side assay and contributes to immediate treatment.