Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency in Holstein cattle.

Two Holstein heifers with persistent and recurrent infections including ulcerative gingivitis, periodontitis, pneumonia, loss of teeth and stunted growth associated with marked neutrophilia were evaluated clinically and for neutrophil function, CD18 expression on neutrophils and CD18 genotype analysis by DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Adherence to nylon fibers and phagocytic activity of neutrophils from affected animals were significantly (p < 0.05) impaired as compared with those of controls. Neutrophils from affected heifers had decreased chemiluminescent (CL) responses when stimulated with opsonized zymosan, compared with those of controls. In contrast, neutrophils from affected heifers produced increased CL responses when stimulated with latex beads and phorbol myristate acetate compared with those of controls. The clinical findings, functional leukocyte abnormalities, deficiency in expression of CD18 on neutrophils, and the D128G mutation detected by DNA-PCR testing of affected heifers demonstrated that these heifers have bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). Although both animals were confirmed to be homozygotes for BLAD by DNA-PCR test, they had differences in clinical, hematological and neutrophil functional characteristics.     

Localized amyloidosis in canine mammary tumors

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations were performed on localized amyloidosis associated with mammary tumors in two dogs. These tumors were identified as adenoma and adenocarcinoma. An acellular, amorphous pale eosinophilic material (amyloid) was observed in the lumina of acini lined by neoplastic cells and in the stroma of the tumors. Concentrically laminated pale eosinophilic bodies (corpora amylacea) were also found in the lumina of the acini. Amyloid and corpora amylacea stained positively with Congo red with and without 5% potassium permanganate pretreatment and revealed a green birefringence under polarized light. Corpora amylacea showed an occasional Maltese-cross pattern. Immunohistochemically, amyloid and corpora amylacea usually stained positively with anti-bovine alpha-casein antibody but negatively with anti-human amyloid AA, anti-bovine kappa-light and lambda-light chains, anti-human lactoferrin, anti-human transferrin, anti-human secretory component, and anti-human polyglucosan antibodies. These findings suggested that the amyloid deposition in these canine mammary tumors was related to lactating casein.     

Protective activity of the purified protein antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in pigs

We purified the protein antigen (P64), which contains 66 and 64 kDa proteins, from the alkaline extract (AE) of whole cells of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strain Agata (serovar 5) to determine the protective activity of the antigen against E. rhusiopathiae infection in pigs. The serum titre of antibody against P64 rapidly increased in pigs immunized with 500 and 100 micrograms of P64 and reached maximum values at 3 weeks after the first immunization (1 week after the second immunization). However, the serum antibody titres were not increased in pigs immunized with 20 micrograms of P64 and in nonimmunized pigs. In the pigs immunized with live cell vaccine (acriflavin-fast attenuated strain Koganei 65-0.15), the serum titres of antibody against P64 also increased at 1-2 weeks after immunization. In a pig challenge test performed on immunized and nonimmunized pigs, all nonimmunized pigs showed typical clinical signs of swine erysipelas (fever, erysipeloid, arthritis), while all pigs immunized with 500 and 100 micrograms of P64 and live cell vaccine showed no clinical signs of this disease. In Western blot analysis, sera from pigs immunized with P64 and live cell vaccine strongly reacted with the 64 kDa protein. In contrast, the serum from nonimmunized pigs did not react with any proteins. From these results, it was suggested that a specific antibody against the 64 kDa protein could be increased in pigs immunized with P64 or live cell vaccine and that this anti-P64 antibody has a strong protective effect against E. rhusiopathiae infection in pigs.     

High prevalence of Borna disease virus in domestic cats with neurological disorders in Japan

A total of 15 (T-1–T-15) domestic cats with neurological disorders in Tokyo area were examined for association with Borna disease virus (BDV). None had detectable antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus and Toxoplasma gondii, and only cat T-8 had detectable antibody to FIV. Serological and molecular epidemiological studies revealed a significantly high prevalence of BDV infection in these cats: antibodies against BDV p24 and/or p40 proteins in 10/15 (66.7%) and p24 and/or p40 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 8/15 (53.3%). Further, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses of the autopsied brain samples derived from one of the cats (T-15) revealed BDV RNA predominantly in neuronal cells in restricted regions, such as olfactory bulb and medulla of cerebrum. Thus, BDV is present in Japanese domestic cats with neurological disorders at a high prevalence.     

Possible causes of diabetes mellitus in cattle infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus.

In cattle, we encountered insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) associated with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection. To estimate the correlation between IDDM and BVDV infection, the distribution of BVDV in the pancreas and islet-cell antibody (ICA) were investigated. The distribution of BVDV in the pancreas was examined by in situ hybridization using two oligonucleotide probes that recognized the gp25- and p14-coding regions of the BVDV gene. ICA was examined by indirect fluorescence antibody assay using the sera from affected cattle and pancreata from normal cattle. In the pancreata of all BVDV-infected cattle, including IDDM-complicated cattle, oligonucleotide probe hybridized portions were recognized. In short, BVDV genes were detected not only in IDDM-complicated cattle but also in uncomplicated cattle. Moreover, there was no hybridized portion in the islet cells. In BVDV-infected and IDDM-complicated cattle, ICA was frequently detected. On the other hand, ICA was not detected in BVDV-infected and IDDM uncomplicated cattle. These results suggest that IDDM associated with BVDV infection is not a direct effect of BVDV on islet cells. Therefore, as BVDV did not induce IDDM in any cases, it appears that BVDV does not induce IDDM directly, but rather may be an autoimmune disease induced by autoantibodies against islet cells.     

Contamination of agricultural products and soils with radiocesium derived from the accident at TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: monitoring,case studies and countermeasures

Five years have passed since the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that was triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011. Severe damage to agriculture and the environment is still of great concern in Japanese society. We review the contamination status of agricultural products and soils, decontamination efforts and countermeasures to reduce radiocesium concentration in soil and crops, as well as the responses of Japanese ministries. Since rice is an important staple food for Japanese, the impact of radiocesium on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and paddy fields has been extensively investigated since the accident, and, therefore, issues concerning rice receive considerable attention in this review.     

Possible Causes of Diabetes Mellitus in Cattle Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

In cattle, we encountered insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) associated with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection. To estimate the correlation between IDDM and BVDV infection, the distribution of BVDV in the pancreas and islet-cell antibody (ICA) were investigated. The distribution of BVDV in the pancreas was examined by in situ hybridization using two oligonucleotide probes that recognized the gp25- and p14-coding regions of the BVDV gene. ICA was examined by indirect fluorescence antibody assay using the sera from affected cattle and pancreata from normal cattle. In the pancreata of all BVDV-infected cattle, including IDDM-complicated cattle, oligonucleotide probe hybridized portions were recognized. In short, BVDV genes were detected not only in IDDM-complicated cattle but also in uncomplicated cattle. Moreover, there was no hybridized portion in the islet cells. In BVDV-infected and IDDM-complicated cattle, ICA was frequently detected. On the other hand, ICA was not detected in BVDV-infected and IDDM uncomplicated cattle. These results suggest that IDDM associated with BVDV infection is not a direct effect of BVDV on islet cells. Therefore, as BVDV did not induce IDDM in any cases, it appears that BVDV does not induce IDDM directly, but rather may be an autoimmune disease induced by autoantibodies against islet cells.     

Assisted hatching of poor-quality bovine embryos increases pregnancy success rate after embryo transfer

Embryos of good, fair and poor quality were collected from superovulated cows and subjected to zona cutting (ZC) treatment using a needle under either an inverted microscope or a stereomicroscope. One (single transfer) or 2 (twin transfer) embryos with or without prior ZC treatment were transferred nonsurgically to recipients. Without the ZC treatment, lower embryonic quality resulted in lower pregnancy success rates. However, the ZC treatment increased the pregnancy success rate following transfer of poor-quality embryos, but not the pregnancy rate after transfer of good- or fair-quality embryos. No differences were observed between the pregnancy success rates after the transfer of embryos treated under the inverted microscope and those after transfer of embryos treated under the stereomicroscope, and this was the same after single and twin transfer. Moreover, ZC treatment of embryos prior to transfer did not result in an increased abortion rate, irrespective of the number of transferred embryos. In conclusion, ZC treatment improves pregnancy success rates following transfer of poor-quality embryos. Moreover, the results indicate that ZC treatment by using a stereomicroscope is practical for on-farm application.     

Assessment of long-term changes in nitrogen pollution load potential from sewage treatment water in the Tedori River Alluvial Fan Area, Japan

Long-term changes (1974–2007) in the nitrogen pollution load potential (NPLP) arising from sewage treatment water were assessed in the Tedori River Alluvial Fan Area of Japan. The total NPLP from sewage treatment systems (STS) during the 34 year period was 439 t (10³ kg) year⁻¹ from about 260,000 users in 1974 increasing to a peak of 793 t year⁻¹ in 1992 from about 363,000 users, and then decreasing to 676 t year⁻¹ from about 400,000 users in 2007. The NPLP outflow into the area increased from 356 t year⁻¹ in 1974 to a peak of 596 t year⁻¹ in 1985 followed by a rapid decrease to 98 t year⁻¹ in 2007. The NPLP outflow from the public STS to the Japan Sea began in 1979 and rapidly increased to 575 t year⁻¹ in 2007 from about 362,000 users. This represents 85.5% of the total NPLP. The NPLP from septic tanks in the area was 356 t year⁻¹ from about 107,000 users in 1974 gradually increasing to a peak of 587 t year⁻¹ from about 177,000 users in 1985 before rapidly decreasing to 60 t year⁻¹ from about 15,000 users in 2007. Although the current NPLP is about 98 t year⁻¹ in the study area, the average NPLP during 34 years was very different at 424 t year⁻¹. NPLP assessments affecting groundwater and closed water bodies should consider long-term processes of nitrogen pollution from STS over time periods compatible with the residence time of the receiving waters.