Scallop shell extract promotes recovery from UV-B-induced damage in rat skin epidermal layer

ABSTRACT:   It has been previously reported that scallop shell extract can protect keratinocyte cells against UV-B-induced damage in vitro by acting as an antioxidant and a growth promoter. To establish the growth promoting activity of scallop shell extract, the effect was investigated in vivo. Exposure of rat dorsal skin to UV-B caused the formation of erythema and eschar. Either the scallop shell extract or vehicle (water) was applied once a day for 5 days to the injured dorsal area and the area of the erythema and eschar was estimated using National Institute of Health (NIH) image software. Wound healing of the erythema and eschar was clearly promoted after application of scallop shell extract when compared to application of the vehicle control. Histological studies indicated that scallop shell extract promoted the recovery of the epidermal layer. These results suggest that scallop shell extract activates rat keratinocyte cells and promotes the turnover of skin stratum corneum. This conclusion was also supported by measurement of the turnover rate of the stratum corneum. Therefore, scallop shell extract may be effective in protecting skin against UV-B.     

The effect of ovary storage and in vitro maturation on mRNA levels in bovine oocytes; a possible impact of maternal ATP1A1 on blastocyst development in slaughterhouse-derived oocytes

Since BSE testing of slaughtered cattle is obligatory in Japan, storage of ovaries at 15-20 C overnight in phosphate buffered saline has become a routine protocol in in vitro production (IVP) of cattle embryos. Ovary storage is known to reduce developmental competence of oocytes; however, its effects on oocyte gene expression have not been clarified yet. This study compared oocytes collected from stored slaughterhouse-derived ovaries with those collected by Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) in terms of the expression of 20 selected genes to determine if ovary storage affects cellular processes at the molecular level. Expression of mRNA in oocytes was assayed before and after in vitro maturation (IVM) by real-time quantitative PCR. Maternal mRNA levels of genes were investigated in 2-cell stage embryos obtained from slaughterhouse oocytes to assess their roles for blastocyst formation. In immature OPU oocytes, genes related to metabolism (GAPDH), transporters (GLUT8, ATP1A1) and stress resistance protein (HSP70) showed significantly higher expression compared with oocytes derived from stored ovaries. During IVM, the expression of GDF9, GLUT8, CTNNB1 and PMSB1 was significantly decreased irrespective of oocyte source. Two-cell stage embryos cleaving at 22-25 h after in vitro fertilization (IVF) showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate and ATP1A1 gene expression level compared with those cleaving at 27-30 h after IVF. Our results reveal that storage of ovaries alters mRNA levels in oocytes. Correlation of Na/K ATPase ATP1A1 expression in IVP embryos at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages with their developmental ability to the blastocyst stage may suggest the importance of maternal mRNA of this gene during blastulation in embryos derived from slaughterhouse oocytes.     

Cutaneous lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with systemic metastasis in a cat

A lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma was diagnosed in a 12- year-old domestic cat that had a primary cutaneous mass involving the stomach, liver, kidneys, heart, abdominal wall, diaphragm, bone marrow and several lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this tumor was the heterogeneity of cell components, such as small lymphocytes, well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes. Amyloid was deposited in the skin, stomach, and several lymph nodes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic small lymphocytes were positive for CD20, and well-differentiated plasma cells and plasmacytoid transformed lymphocytes were positive for λ-Ig light chains and MUM1/IRF-4. These results emphasize the importance of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as a differential diagnosis of extramedullary cutaneous plasmacytoma in cats.     

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in an Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata punctata)

We report an atypical mycobacterial infection in an Indian flap-shelled turtle, Lissemys punctata punctata, that died in an aquarium in Japan. At necropsy, the turtle showed multiple white nodules on the capsular surface and parenchyma of various organs such as the liver, spleen, intestine, and lung. Histologically, granulomatous inflammation surrounding a central zone of necrosis was observed. Sections stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen method revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli in the cytoplasm of macrophages and in the central area of necrosis. The organisms were identified as a mycobacterial species by PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis and revealed 98-100% homology to M. ulcerans. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of mycobacteriosis due to M. ulcerans in a turtle.     

Rapid activation of Mac-1(CD11b/CD18) molecules on macrophages by a new chemotactic factor 'Gasserokine' produced by Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131T

The chemoattractant activity of a new chemotactic factor, 'Gasserokine' produced by Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131^T, has been proposed as a novel immunological function of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. The focus of the present study was to understand the mechanism of the chemotaxis induced by Gasserokine, using activation of an adhesion molecule, Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on macrophages. The macrophage chemotaxis to Gasserokine was abolished by preincubation of macrophages with the anti-Mac-1 mAb. Gasserokine induced rapid serine phosphorylation of CD18 molecules within 1 min of stimulation, but the effect was short-lived. Substantial tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in CD18-associated protein of macrophages stimulated by Gasserokine. The tyrosine phosphorylation was confirmed in macrophages stimulated with Gasserokine and also serine/threonine phosphorylation was detected on CD18 molecules by laser microscopy using a double immunostaining method. These results suggest that selective activation of intracellular signaling cascades, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, are related to the macrophage chemotaxis induced by Gasserokine.     

Expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in the dog intestine

In this study, the expression and distribution of monocarboxyolate transporter 1 (MCT1) along the intestines (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) of dogs were investigated at both the mRNA and protein levels. The expression of MCT1 protein and its distribution were confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining using the antibody for MCT1. We identified mRNA coding for MCT1 and a 43-kDa band of MCT1 protein in all regions from the duodenum to the rectum. Immunoreactive staining for MCT1 was also observed in epithelial cells throughout the intestines. MCT1 immunoreactivity was greater in the large intestine than in the small intestine. MCT1 protein was predominantly expressed on the basolateral membranes along intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that MCT1 may play an important role in lactate efflux and transport of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to the bloodstream across the basolateral membranes of the dog intestine.