Risk factors for canine tail chasing behaviour in Japan

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for tail chasing behaviour that occurs when a dog spins in tight circles to chase its tail, sometimes biting it. The behaviour is a sign of canine compulsive disorder (CD). A questionnaire about tail chasing behaviour and general information about the animals was used to collect data on seven breeds of pet dogs. The data were gathered at a dog event and at veterinary practices. To determine which variables were associated with tail chasing behaviour, stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed. Regardless of cohort, 'breed' and 'source of acquisition' were significantly associated with tail chasing behaviour. Using a chi-square test, the association between 'source of acquisition' and the behaviour was examined separately in two breeds (Shiba inu and Dachshund) that had the largest number of individuals chasing their tails accompanied by biting and/or growling at them. This factor showed a significant and consistent association across the two breeds. With respect to the risk factors of 'breed' and 'source of acquisition', high percentages of Shiba inu and dogs originating from pet stores were included in the group chasing their tails with biting and/or growling. The results suggest that distinct risk factors exist for tail chasing behaviour and such factors appear to be regulated by both genetics and the environment.     

Variations for Fusarium head blight resistance associated with genomic diversity in different sources of the resistant wheat cultivar ‘Sumai 3’

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) associated with contamination by the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). The FHB-resistant wheat cultivar ‘Sumai 3’ has been used extensively around the world. The existence of variation in FHB resistance among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions has been discussed. In this study, genetic variation among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions collected from six countries were identified using SSR markers; our results demonstrate unique chromosome regions in Sumai 3-AUT and Sumai 3-JPN (‘Sumai 3’ accessions from Austria and Japan, respectively). Field evaluation indicated strong resistance to FHB in Sumai 3-AUT. The polymorphic rate (number of polymorphic markers/number of available markers × 100) based on a DArT array was 12.5% between the two ‘Sumai 3’ accessions. Genotyping for DNA markers flanking FHB-resistant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) revealed genetic variations for the QTL regions on 5AS and 2DS; however, no variation was observed for the QTL regions on 3BS and 6B. Thus, the variation in FHB resistance among ‘Sumai 3’ accessions in the field is due to genetic diversity.     

Urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 in feline chronic renal failure

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), an inflammatory cytokine, plays a role in tissue fibrosis, such as glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis of the kidneys. In the present study, the urinary TGF-beta1 level of cats diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF) was measured to investigate its relationship to the pathogenesis of feline CRF. Urinary TGF-beta1 levels (TGF-beta1/creatinine ratio) were significantly increased compared with healthy controls, whereas serum levels of TGF-beta1 were not. These results indicate that TGF-beta1 is expressed in the kidneys of CRF cats, and that it was reflected in the urinary TGF-beta1 level. Therefore, TGF-beta1 may play a role in feline CRF, and urinary TGF-beta1 could be used as a clinical marker for renal fibrosis.     

Production of offspring from one-day-old oocytes stored at room temperature

To determine the feasibility of preserving oocytes without freezing, we stored mouse oocytes in several media at different temperatures for one day. Confocal microscopy of the metaphase-II spindle in these stored oocytes revealed gross abnormalities in both the spindle and the arrangement of chromosomes. The abnormal spindles could not be rescued by transplanting the aged spindle-chromosome complex into a fresh enucleated oocyte. A diploid parthenogenetic development showed that some of the oocytes stored at room temperature could still develop into blastocysts (10-57%). However, oocytes stored in a refrigerator (5%) or incubator (0%) lost the potential almost entirely. Fertilization of room-temperature-preserved oocytes with fresh spermatozoa by ICSI or IVF resulted in, respectively, 4 and 10%, full-term births. These results suggest that when oocytes are stored at room temperature for one day, most have irreversible damage not only to their cytoplasm but also to the spindle. However, since at least a few percent of stored oocytes retained the potential for full-term development, it may be possible to overcome these problems and develop a simple method for preserving mammalian oocytes without freezing.     

Avian haemosporidian parasites infection in wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island of the Northwest Pacific, Japan

Haemosporidian parasites infection among wild birds inhabiting Minami-daito Island was studied. Blood films from 183 birds representing 4 species of 4 families were examined microscopically. Avian haemosporidian parasites were detected in 3 species with an overall prevalence of 59.6%. None of the 30 Daito scops owls (Otus scops interpositus) examined were infected. Either Haemoproteus sp. or Plasmodium sp. infection was found in 14 of 31 (45.2%) Borodino islands white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus daitoensis). Plasmodium spp. were found in 94 of 102 (92.2%) bull-headed shrikes (Lanius bucephalus) and 1 of 20 (5%) tree sparrows (Passer montanus).     

A case report of a renal mixed epithelial and stromal tumor in a heterozygous S1P2 receptor deficient mouse

We report a case of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) in a 32-week-old heterozygous sphingosine 1-phosphate-2 (S1P2) receptor deficient female mouse. A white solid mass replacing the left kidney was observed at the left retroperitoneal wall. Histologically, the tumor mass consisted of dimorphic cellular components of epithelial and stromal cells. Epithelial cells formed various sized irregular-shaped tubular structures resembling renal tubules surrounded by stromal cells. Immunohistochemically, epithelial cells were positive for cytokeratin, while stromal cells showed positive immunoreactivity with alpha-smooth muscle actin as well as vimentin. Based on the morphological and immunohistochemical findings, this tumor was diagnosed as a MESTK.     

Diluted isoflurane as a suitable alternative for diethyl ether for rat anaesthesia in regular toxicology studies

Despite its explosive properties and toxicity to both animals and humans, diethyl ether is an agent long used in Japan in the anaesthesia jar method of rat anaesthetises. However, in response to a recent report from the Science Council of Japan condemning diethyl ether as acceptable practice, we searched for an alternative rat anaesthesia method that provided data continuous with pre-existing regular toxicology studies already conducted under diethyl ether anaesthesia. For this, we examined two candidates; 30% isoflurane diluted with propylene glycol and pentobarbitone. Whereas isoflurane is considered to be one of the representatives of modern volatile anaesthetics, the method of propylene glycol-diluted 30% isoflurane used in this study was our modification of a recently reported method revealed to have several advantages as an inhalation anaesthesia. Intraperitoneal pentobarbitone has long been accepted as a humane method in laboratory animal anaesthesiology. These 2 modalities were scrutinized in terms of consistency of haematology and blood chemistry with previous results using ether. We found that pentobarbitone required a much longer induction time than diethyl ether, which is suspected to be the cause of fluctuations in several haematological and blood chemical results. Conversely, only calcium ion concentration showed a slight difference from traditional results in the case of 30% isoflurane. Additionally, serum prolactin and corticosterone levels indicated that 30% isoflurane induced less stress than ether, confirming that 30% isoflurane can both provide results consistent with diethyl ether, while at the same time remove its disadvantages. As such 30% isoflurane appears to be a strong alternative anaesthetic agent for future regular toxicology studies in Japan.     

Fetal and lactational exposure to the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) dose of the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin inhibits neurogenesis and induces different behavioral abnormalities at the developmental stages in male mice

Recently, it has been reported that neonicotinoid pesticides (NNs) are transferred from mother to child and are assumed to affect the next generation, but the behavioral effects of NN exposure at different developmental stages have not been investigated. We exposed mice to no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) doses of clothianidin (CLO) during the fetal and lactational period, and then evaluated the neurobehavioral effects in juvenile and adult mice. Significant increases in anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity were observed in juveniles and adults, respectively, and neuronal activity and neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were affected in both stages. These results suggest that fetal and lactational exposure to CLO may inhibit neurogenesis and cause different behavioral abnormalities at different developmental stages.     

Selenium Behavior in Open Bulk Precipitation, Soil Solution and Groundwater in Alluvial Fan Area in Tsukui, Central Japan

A monitoring study was carried out in an alluvial fan area in Tsukui, Central Japan during the study period of 1999–2003, in order to explain selenium (Se) behaviors in ecosystem combined with air, soil and groundwater. Monthly Se concentrations in open bulk precipitation (rainfall+aerosol, gaseous deposition and etc.), soil solution (collected by porous ceramic-cup) and groundwater ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 μg L^?1 (volume-weighted average: 0.34 μg L^?1), 0.21 to 1.0 μg L^?1 (0.48 μg L^?1) and 1.6 to 2.4 μg L^?1 (2.2 μg L^?1), respectively. Se concentration in open bulk precipitation was negatively correlated with the rainfall amount. Se concentration in soil solution significantly increased with DOC concentration in soil solution. Besides, despite atmospheric Se input and rainfall to the grassland study area, Se concentration in soil solution and groundwater received no significant effect from the rainfall amount, pH, Se, DOC, SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^? and EC in rainfall. Even though Se concentrations in groundwater were significantly correlated with soil solution volume, Se, DOC and NO₃ ^? and groundwater level, the result of multiple regression analyses (MRA) indicated that the groundwater Se was negatively influenced by groundwater level, which depended on groundwater recharge. Se was transported into the groundwater through the groundwater recharge that largely increased in this alluvial fan study area after heavy rain.     

Dependence of self-tolerance on TRAF6-directed development of thymic stroma

The microenvironments of the thymus are generated by thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and are essential for inducing immune self-tolerance or developing T cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the differentiation of TECs and thymic compartmentalization are not fully understood. Here we show that deficiency in the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 results in disorganized distribution of medullary TECs (mTECs) and the absence of mature mTECs. Engraftment of thymic stroma of TRAF6(-/-) embryos into athymic nude mice induced autoimmunity. Thus, TRAF6 directs the development of thymic stroma and represents a critical point of regulation for self-tolerance and autoimmunity.