Molecular detection and characterization of Haemobartonella felis in domestic cats in Japan employing sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (SS-PCR)

A novel PCR assay was developed in order to examine the prevalence of Haemobartonella felis (H. felis) in Japanese domestic cats and which was able to differentiate of the Ohio strain and the California strain of H. felis. Blood samples from a total of 21 cats suspected of having haemobartonellosis were examined employing a novel PCR assay and demonstrated positive results in 18 cats which was confirmed by cytological examination of blood smears. Four out of 18 positive cats (22%) were infected with the California strain, whilst the other 12 cats (67%) were infected with the Ohio strain and two animals (11%) were infected with both strains. As most of the cats with moderate to severe anemia were infected with the Ohio strain, it is suggested that the most prevalent strain of H. felis in Japanese domestic cats might be the Ohio strain. In the present study, it was thought that molecular detection and characterization of H. felis may provide valuable information regarding the severity and prognosis of this illness.     

Dysferlin and animal models for dysferlinopathy

Dysferlin (DYSF) is involved in the membrane-repair process, in the intracellular vesicle system and in T-tubule development in skeletal muscle. It interacts with mitsugumin 53, annexins, caveolin-3, AHNAK, affixin, S100A10, calpain-3, tubulin and dihydropyridine receptor. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B) and Miyoshi myopathy (MM) are muscular dystrophies associated with recessively inherited mutations in the DYSF gene. The diseases are characterized by weakness and muscle atrophy that progress slowly and symmetrically in the proximal muscles of the limb girdles. LGMD2B and MM, which are collectively termed "dysferlinopathy", both lead to abnormalities in vesicle traffic and membrane repair at the plasma membrane in muscle fibers. SJL/J (SJL) and A/J mice are naturally occurring animal models for dysferlinopathy. Since there has been no an approach to therapy for dysferlinopathy, the immediate development of a therapeutic method for this genetic disorder is desirable. The murine models are useful in verification experiments for new therapies and they are valuable tools for identifying factors that accelerate dystrophic changes in skeletal muscle. It could be possible that the genetic or immunological background in SJL or A/J mice could modify muscle damage in experiments involving these models, because SJL and A/J mice show differences in the progress and prevalent sites of skeletal muscle lesions as well as in the gene-expression profiles of their skeletal muscle. In this review, we provide up-to-date information on the function of dysferlin, the development of possible therapies for muscle dystrophies (including dysferlinopathy) and the detection of new therapeutic targets for dysferlinopathy by means of experiments using animal models for dysferlinopathy.     

Nitrification Inhibitors from the root tissues of Brachiaria humidicola, a tropical grass

Nitrification inhibitory activity was found in root tissue extracts of Brachiaria humidicola, a tropical pasture grass. Two active inhibitory compounds were isolated by activity-guided fractionation, using recombinant Nitrosomonas europaea containing luxAB genes derived from the bioluminescent marine gram-negative bacterium Vibrio harveyi. The compounds were identified as methyl-p-coumarate and methyl ferulate, respectively. Their nitrification inhibitory properties were confirmed in chemically synthesized preparations of each. The IC50 values of chemically synthesized preparations were 19.5 and 4.4 microM, respectively. The ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters of p-coumaric and ferulic acids inhibited nitrification, whereas the free acid forms did not show inhibitory activity.     

Behavior of glucosinolates in pickling cruciferous vegetables

Crucifer species, which include widely consumed vegetables, contain glucosinolates as secondary metabolites. Cruciferous vegetables are consumed in Japan in salt-preserved or pickled form as well as cooked and raw fresh vegetables. In this study, changes in contents of glucosinolates during the pickling process were investigated. 4-Methylthio-3-butenyl glucosinolate, a major glucosinolate in the root of Japanese radish, daikon (Raphanus sativus L.), was detected in pickled products with a short maturation period but not in those with a long maturation period. As a model pickling experiment, fresh watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and blanched watercress were soaked in 3% NaCl solution for 7 days. The results showed that the ratio of indole glucosinolates to total glucosinolates increased during the pickling process, whereas total glucosinolates decreased. Myrosinase digestion of glucosinolates in nozawana (Brassica rapa L.) indicated that indole glucosinolates, especially 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, were relatively resistant to the enzyme. The effect of pickling on glucosinolate content and the possible mechanism are discussed in view of degradation by myrosinase and synthetic reaction in response to salt stress or compression during the pickling process.     

Systemic candidiasis in a dog, developing spondylitis

A 4-year-old male Shiba dog initially presented with pain of an undetermined origin and hypersensitivity to touch. Seven days later, the dog developed ataxia, hind-leg weakness and knuckling. The dog died on 20 days after presentation. Postmortem examination revealed a mass in the body of thoracic vertebra. Histopathologically, the mass consisted of granulomatous inflammation, including fungal organisms that were immunohistochemically positive for Candida albicans. Similar granulomatous lesions were observed in the systemic lymph nodes, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, prostate gland, thyroid glands and heart. This case was diagnosed as systemic candidiasis with spondylitis.     

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis associated with abnormal liver development in a young dog

A 6-month-old male miniature pinscher dog developed chronic ascites, formation of fibrous membrane covering the abdominal organs, and numerous adhesions between the intestinal loops. The membrane and adhesions were surgically removed twice, but the dog died 1 month after initial presentation. Necropsy revealed recurrence of the membrane and intestinal adhesions. The fibrous membrane was composed of a thick layer of mature collagenous connective tissue, covered by immature collagenous connective tissue with mild lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, prominent neovascularization, and fibrin exudation. Similar fibrotic lesions were observed in the serosa of the liver, spleen, stomach and intestines. These findings are consistent with encapsulating peritoneal fibrosis reported in humans and dogs. The dog also had a maldeveloped liver, which is characterized by disorganized hepatic lobules and disarranged hepatic cords.     

Adenomyosis with severe inflammation in the uterine cervix in a dog

A dog with purulent vulval discharge was found to have many cysts containing purulent mucus in the uterine cervix. The uterine horns did not contain any pus. Histological examination revealed a cervical adenomyosis infiltrated by many neutrophils. After an ovariohysterectomy including the whole cervix, the dog recovered well.     

Deforestation and degradation of natural resources in Ethiopia: Forest management implications from a case study in the Belete-Gera Forest

The major causes of deforestation and degradation of natural resources in the Belete-Gera Forest of Ethiopia are coffee production activities and encroachment into forestland to expand farmland and pasture. Population growth, and the government’s land-reform and re-settlement programs have caused local residents to lose harmony with the land. Forest management in this area hasn’t yet been fully developed. The objectives of this study are to identify the extent of deforestation and natural resource degradation, in preparation for a sound management plan. Encroachment of farmland and pasture into natural forest during the past four years has been identified through interviews and aerial photo interpretation. The encroachment rate is 1.45% per year. Encroachment occurred mostly on areas with gentle slopes adjacent to populated villages and along roads and footpaths. The extent and impact of coffee production activities were examined through agency documents, forest survey data and vegetation survey. It is estimated that up to 49% of the accessible natural forest is under the influence of coffee production activities, among which collecting of naturally grown coffee beans has the least and the coffee plantations has the most impact on the natural forest. Coffee plantations in natural forest have reduced the forest density and species diversity. Age structure of the trees is limited to mature and old classes only, which eventually endangers their function as shade for coffee plantations. This project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.     

Moisture Distribution and Texture of Various Types of Cooked Spaghetti

Cooked spaghetti of various types (fresh, dried, frozen, luncheon, and long‐life spaghetti) was examined for moisture distribution by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moisture content was calculated from spinspin relaxation time (T₂) of water proton, based on the correlation between T₂ and moisture content of pulverized durum semolina standard gel samples. Boiled samples of dried and frozen spaghetti had a distinct low moisture region at the center, which was not clearly observed in the other types of boiled spaghetti samples. In particular, the moisture content of boiled long‐life spaghetti was almost homogeneous. Texture of cooked spaghetti samples was evaluated using the force‐distance curve of a mechanical property test. For dried and frozen spaghetti, higher force was observed at the region corresponding to the low moisture core compared with the other types. The luncheon spaghetti and long‐life spaghetti showed a lower breaking force and a larger dip after the peak force representing soft and brittle texture caused by moisture homogeneity. These results indicated that MRI could be used for the quality evaluation of cooked spaghetti through imaging of the moisture distribution, which reflects the mechanical property.