A Case of Olfactory Neuroblastoma Induced in A Rat by N-Nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine

N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) is a well-known carcinogen and induces tumors in various tissues. In the present paper, a case of olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) induced in a rat by BHP is described. The tumor was observed in one out of 25 male rats that received 2000 ppm of BHP in drinking water from 6 to 18 weeks of age and were sacrificed at 26 weeks of age. Histologically, the tumor arose in the posterior nasal cavity and consisted of small round cells and elongate cells with scant basophilic cytoplasm. The neoplastic cells proliferated with compartmentalization into the lobules by fibrovascular septa. True rosettes, pseudorosettes and an intercellular fibrillar matrix were occasionally observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for NF120/200 and β III-tubulin. These results indicate that the present tumor is the first case of ONB induced in a rat by BHP treatment.     

Abnormal elongation of the lower jaw in juvenile Japanese flounder: combined effects of a rotifer diet enriched with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nannochloropsis</Emphasis> preserved by various methods and parentage

To elucidate possible causes of skeletal malformations in larval Japanese flounder, we reared larvae fed rotifers enriched with three types of preserved Nannochloropsis (fresh, refrigerated, and frozen). The incidence of malformations at 50 days post hatch ranged from 14.5 to 38.5 % within the three experimental groups, and elongation of the lower jaw (LJ) was the most frequently observed malformation, ranging from 68 to 89 % of total malformations. We also investigated larval parentages using microsatellite markers. Parentage analysis of the fresh Nannochloropsis group showed that one sire and a pair generated significant numbers of LJ-elongated individuals. In the refrigerated Nannochloropsis group, one dam and two sires generated significant numbers of LJ-elongated individuals. In the frozen Nannochloropsis group, no broodstocks or pairs generated significant numbers of LJ-elongated individuals. Our results suggest that LJ elongation in Japanese flounder likely results from the application of different types of preserved Nannochloropsis during rotifer feeding stage. However, there is also some level of genetic influence associated with this deformity.     

Efficient bioethanol production from water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes by both preparation of the saccharified solution and selection of fermenting yeasts

Although water hyacinth is an adventive aquatic plant that threatens the Japanese ecosystem, its high growth rate may be a benefit in terms of its potential as a raw material for the production of bioethanol. In our study, water hyacinth was saccharified with 3?% (v/v) sulfuric acid and subjected to cellulase treatments to determine optimum bioethanol production conditions. The original saccharified solution yielded both glucose at 5.3?±?0.2?g/l and reducing sugars at 9.7?±?0.1?g/l. Concentration of the saccharified solution under vacuum at 70?°C yielded both glucose at 21.5?±?2.9?g/l and reducing sugars at 33.3?±?2.1?g/l. An aquatic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae TY2 produced ethanol at 9.6?±?1.1?g/l from the concentrated saccharified solution. In comparison, Ogawa et al. (Afr J Microbiol Res 2:110?C113, 2008) reported that this yeast produced 0.90?g/l and that the production of bioethanol was about 11.2-fold lower than that obtained in our study. These results suggest that refinement of the saccharification process and application of the selected yeast could improve the efficiency of obtaining bioethanol from the water hyacinth.     

Seroprevalence of Torque teno sus virus types 1 and 2 in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome-suspected pigs and porcine circovirus type 2-vaccinated normal pigs in southern Japan

We investigated the seroprevalence rate of Torque teno sus virus types 1 (TTSuV1) and 2 (TTSuV2) in the sera of 38 post weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)-suspected pigs and 43 porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-vaccinated normal pigs on 3 commercial pig farms in southern Japan by using nested polymerase chain reaction. High seroprevalence rate of TTSuVs was observed in both PMWS-suspected pigs (100%) and PCV2-vaccinated normal pigs (90.7%). The seroprevalence rate of TTSuV2 was significantly higher in the PMWS-suspected pigs than in PCV2-vaccinated normal pigs (97.4% versus 81.4%, P<0.05), whereas no such difference was observed for TTSuV1 between the 2 groups of pigs. In both pig groups, the seroprevalence rate of TTSuV2 was significantly higher than that of TTSuV1 (P<0.01-0.05). These results show that TTSuVs are highly seroprevalent in both PMWS-suspected pigs and PCV2-vaccinated normal pigs with TTSuV2 being more seroprevalent in the former than in the latter.     

Inhibitory effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium on MAP-kinase pathway and NF-κB nuclear translocation in canine chondrocytes in vitro

Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) has a heparin-like structure and is purificated from the plant of European beech wood. PPS has been used for the treatment of interstitial cystitis for human patients. Recent years, it was newly recognised that PPS reduce pain and inflammation of OA. The molecular biological mechanism of PPS to express its clinical effects is not fully understood. The purpose of the present study is to investigate a mechanism of action of PPS on inflammatory reaction of chondrocytes in vitro. It was evaluated that effects of PPS on interleukin (IL)-1β-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-actiated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 production in cultured articular chondrocytes. As a result, in the presence of PPS existence, IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of p38 and ERK were certainly inhibited, while JNK phosphorylation was not affected. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB and MMP-3 production were suppressed by PPS pretreatment prior to IL-1β stimulation. In conclusion, it is strongly suggested that PPS treatment prevents inflammatory intracellular responses induced by IL-1 β through inhibition of phosphorylation of certain MAPKs, p38 and ERK and then nuclear translocation of NF-κB in cultured chondrocytes. These PPS properties may contribute to suppressive consequence of catabolic MMP-3 synthesis. These data might translate the clinical efficacy as PPS treatment could inhibit the cartilage catabolism and related clinical symptoms of OA in dogs.     

Natural contamination of dietary rice straw with zearalenone and urinary zearalenone concentrations in a cattle herd

The present study was conducted to 1) identify the natural source of feed contamination by zearalenone (ZEN), which was suspected to have caused persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations in one of our experimental cattle herds, and 2) evaluate the effects of intervention against this source of contamination. As an experimental model, a fattening Japanese Black cattle herd showing persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations was identified. Urinary ZEN concentrations of cows fed with new rice straw (experimental group, n = 6) vs. cows that continued to feed on the old rice straw (control group, n = 4) were measured at the start (d 1) and at 2 wk (d 14) after the onset of feeding with straw. In addition, the ZEN concentration in feed and water samples was measured by using both the ELISA and HPLC methods. Furthermore, isolation and identification of fungi from rice straw and concentrate feed samples were performed. The urinary ZEN concentration [ZEN (pg/mL)/creatinine (mg/mL) = pg/mg of creatinine] of cows fed with new rice straw was significantly (P < 0.05) less (843 pg/mg of creatinine) than that of cows fed with old rice straw (15,951 pg/mg of creatinine). On both d 1 and 14, the ZEN concentrations of old rice straw were greater than those of new rice straw. In addition, fungal colonies were observed in the culture media that was obtained from the old rice straw suspected of ZEN contamination, but not in the culture media from new rice straw or other feed samples. In conclusion, our field trials clearly indicate that the rice straw fed to the cows was naturally contaminated with ZEN, and that the monitoring of urinary ZEN concentrations could prove to be a useful tool for detecting the exposure of cattle to ZEN contamination at the farm level.     

Statistical Analysis of Metal Concentrations in a Sediment Core to Reveal Influences of Human Activities on Atmospheric Environment for 200 Years

Metal concentrations in a sediment core from a moat outside Osaka Castle in Japan were measured by ICP-MS following a microwave extraction method. Concentrations of metals in the sediment core samples peaked around 1945 when the World War II ended. This is in part due to great air raids on Osaka. In cluster analysis using metal concentrations, the fractions of sediment core samples were classified into two groups, representing natural sources (1795–1915) and anthropogenic sources (1922–1976), respectively. Results of lead isotope ratios also showed the anthropogenic influences from 1915 by changing the ratio values compared to those of natural sources. In addition, several components contributing to metal concentrations were identified by principal component analysis. The main component was controlled by natural sources and a decrease of the component score corresponded to an increased influence from anthropogenic sources. The largest impact of anthropogenic sources was shown around 1945.     

Detection of feline immunodeficiency proviral DNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes by the polymerase chain reaction.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). PCR products were detected by gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. The P-10, P-15 and P-24 regions of the gag gene of FIV were chosen as the target sequences for amplification, and three primer pairs were prepared. The PCR products subjected to amplification with each primer pair were found to possess sites of digestion by a restriction enzyme, as hypothesized. They did not react with feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-infected or feline syncytium-forming virus (FeSFV)-infected cell-derived DNA, and specifically amplified FIV-infected cell-derived DNA. FIV proviral DNA was detected by the PCR method with either primer pair (one-step amplification: single PCR) in DNA derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 7 of 12 FIV antibody-positive cats. When PCR products in each of the 12 cats were subjected to a second amplification using the same primer pair (two-step amplification: double PCR), FIV proviral DNA was detected in all of the cats. When PBL samples collected from three cats that were negative and three that were positive in the single PCR were cultured for a few weeks in the presence of interleukin 2, FIV proviral DNA was detected in all six cats by the single PCR method. The results suggest that either the use of cultured PBL as the sample or the performance of the double PCR method enables simple and specific detection of FIV proviral DNA in PBL.