Spontaneous extraskeletal osteosarcoma with various histological growth patterns in the abdominal wall of an ICR mouse

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is extremely rare in mice. This case report demonstrates a spontaneous murine extraskeletal osteosarcoma that exhibited various histological growth patterns in an ICR mouse. At necropsy, the tumor mass was located in the abdominal wall and was 45 × 30 × 25 mm in size. Histopathologically, the tumor showed the following four growth patterns: a solid pattern of polygonal cells embedded in an osteoid eosinophilic matrix with calcification, an irregular sheet pattern of short spindle cells accompanying some eosinophilic multinucleated cells, a fascicular pattern of spindle cells and a cystic pattern lined by short spindle cells. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and osterix. The multinucleated cells mentioned above were desmin positive and were regarded as regenerative striated muscles but not tumor cells. Since no clear continuity with normal bone tissues was observed, the tumor was diagnosed as an “extraskeletal osteosarcoma.”     

Chromosome doubling of Lychnis spp. by in vitro spindle toxin treatment of nodal segments

Lychnis (Caryophyllaceae) consists of about 30 species distributed throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from East Asia to Europe. Many Lychnis spp. have high ornamental value and cultivated as pot or garden plants. In the present study, in vitro chromosome doubling of several Lychnis spp. was examined in order to widen their variability in horticultural traits. Initially effect of various spindle toxin treatments [100, 500 or 1000 mg l⁻¹ colchicine (COL), 10, 20 or 50 mg l⁻¹ oryzalin (ORY), or 1, 5, 10 mg l⁻¹ amiprophos-methyl (APM)] of nodal segments of a triploid genotype of L. senno (3x) was investigated on survival of nodal segments and chromosome doubling in nodal segment-derived plantlets. Significantly higher percentage (75.0%) of surviving segments after spindle toxin treatment was obtained in 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY treatment. Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of leaf tissues showed that 9.4–13.8% of plantlets, which were derived from 10 to 20 mg l⁻¹ ORY, or 5 mg l⁻¹ APM treatments, were hexaploid (6x) or ploidy chimera (3x + 6x, 4x + 6x, 5x + 6x, 3x + 4x + 6x). The results obtained by FCM analysis were confirmed by chromosome observation in root tip cells. Thus 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY treatment of nodal segments is suitable for in vitro chromosome doubling of triploid L. senno. Efficient chromosome doubling was also achieved in diploid L. fulgens (2x) and L. sieboldii (2x) by treating nodal segments with 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY: 68.9–88.7% of nodal segments survived after ORY treatment, and 24.7–26.5% of plantlets derived from ORY-treated nodal segments were tetraploid (4x) or ploidy chimera (2x + 4x) in both species. These results indicate that the in vitro chromosome doubling method established for triploid L. senno may be applicable to a wide range of Lychnis spp. Tetraploid L. fulgens and L. sieboldii showed a compact plant form, and had thick stems and deep green leaves compared with the diploid mother plants. On the other hand, hexaploid L. senno showed very poor growth and died before flowering.     

Isolation and identification of DPPH radical scavenging compounds in Kurosu (Japanese unpolished rice vinegar)

Dihydroferulic acid (DFA) and dihydrosinapic acid (DSA) were isolated from Kurosu (unpolished rice vinegar) as the major constituents responsible for Kurosu's radical scavenging activity. The levels of antioxidative activity of DFA and DSA in DPPH radical scavenging were higher than those of their respective structurally related compounds, ferulic acid and sinapic acid. The concentrations of DFA and DSA were low in common rice vinegar (polished rice vinegar), suggesting that Kurosu is more advantageous than rice vinegars as an antioxidative food item. As the concentrations of DFA and DSA were low in unpolished rice, too, these acids are thought to be produced in Kurosu through the process of the fermentation from ferulic acid and sinapic acid, respectively.     

B220 is expressed on apoptotic thymocytes induced by X-irradiation.

CD45 is cell surface glycoprotein and expressed on all haematopoietic cells except mature erythrocytes and platelets. Eight isoforms of CD45 are generated by alternative splicing of exons 4-6. B220 including all three exons is expressed specifically on pan-B cell lineage. Recently, it was reported that B220 was expressed on apoptotic T cells induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). In the present study, we investigated the expression of B220 on murine thymocytes after whole-body X-irradiation. We used the forward light scattering of flow cytometry as a parameter of cell size, and defined two populations; FSChigh (normal cell size) and FSClow (correspond to apoptotic cell in size) fraction. B220+ cells in FSChigh fraction reached a maximum value (35%) at 18 hr after irradiation. In FSClow fraction, 40-60% cells were positive for B220 at any time points. These results suggest that B220 is expressed on thymocytes in the pre-apoptotic stage, because B220 was expressed on not only FSClow cells but also FSChigh cells.     

Holes in a Quantum Spin Liquid

Magnetic neutron scattering provides evidence for nucleation of antiferromagnetic droplets around impurities in a doped nickel oxide-based quantum magnet. The undoped parent compound contains a spin liquid with a cooperative singlet ground state and a gap in the magnetic excitation spectrum. Calcium doping creates excitations below the gap with an incommensurate structure factor. We show that weakly interacting antiferromagnetic droplets with a central phase shift of pi and a size controlled by the correlation length of the quantum liquid can account for the data. The experiment provides a quantitative impression of the magnetic polarization cloud associated with holes in a doped transition metal oxide.     

Long‐term selection using a single trait criterion,non‐destructive deformation,in White Leghorns: Effect over time on genetic parameters for traits related to egg production

Although non‐destructive deformation is relevant for assessing eggshell strength, few long‐term selection experiments are documented which use non‐destructive deformation as a selection criterion. This study used restricted maximum likelihood‐based methods with a four‐trait animal model to analyze the effect of non‐destructive deformation on egg production, egg weight and sexual maturity in a two‐way selection experiment involving 17 generations of White Leghorns. In the strong shell line, corresponding to the line selected for low non‐destructive deformation values, the heritability estimates were 0.496 for non‐destructive deformation, 0.253 for egg production, 0.660 for egg weight and 0.446 for sexual maturity. In the weak shell line, corresponding to the line selected for high non‐destructive deformation values, the heritabilities were 0.372, 0.162, 0.703 and 0.404, respectively. An asymmetric response to selection was observed for non‐destructive deformation, egg production and sexual maturity, whereas egg weight decreased for both lines. Using non‐destructive deformation to select for stronger eggshell had a small negative effect on egg production and sexual maturity, suggesting the need for breeding programs to balance selection between eggshell traits and egg production traits. However, the analysis of the genetic correlation between non‐destructive deformation and egg weight revealed that large eggs are not associated with poor eggshell quality.     

Concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in dogs with naturally developing and experimentally induced arthropathy

OBJECTIVE: To assay concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in canine sera and synovial fluid (SF), to compare COMP concentrations in clinically normal dogs and dogs with joint disease, and to analyze changes in COMP concentrations in dogs with experimentally induced acute synovitis. ANIMALS: 69 control dogs without joint disease, 23 dogs with naturally occurring aseptic arthropathy, and 6 dogs with experimentally induced synovitis. PROCEDURE: Serum (n = 69) and SF (36) were obtained from control dogs. Samples of serum (n = 23) and SF (13) were obtained from dogs with naturally occurring aseptic arthropathy with or without radiographic features of osteoarthritis (OA). Serum and SF were obtained before and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after induction of synovitis. The COMP concentrations were determined by use of an inhibition ELISA that had canine cartilage COMP and monoclonal antibody against human COMP. RESULTS: Concentrations of COMP in serum and SF of control dogs were 31.3+/-15.3 and 298.7+/-124.7 microg/ml, respectively. In naturally occurring OA, COMP concentrations in serum (44.9+/-177 microg/ml) and SF (401.7+/-74.3 microg/ml) were significantly higher than corresponding concentrations in control dogs. The COMP concentration in SF peaked 24 and 48 hours after induction of synovitis, whereas concentration in serum peaked on day 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results supported the hypothesis that COMP concentration in serum and SF of dogs may be altered after cartilage degradation or synovitis. Measurement of COMP concentrations can be useful when differentiating arthropathies in dogs.     

Existence of multiple isoforms of GnRH ligands and receptors in the dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia

GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of reproductive functions. We have identified genes encoding three GnRH precursors and three GnRH receptors (GnRHRs) in the dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia. All of their mRNAs were expressed in all the organs examined in the present study. The cloned GnRHR genes were divided into two distinct lineages: types 1 and 2.     

Mechanisms of synthesis and action of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one,a teleost maturation-inducing substance

This article briefly reviews the current status of investigations, mainly based on the amago salmon,Oncorhynchus rhodurus, on the mechanisms of synthesis and action of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-diOHprog). Pituitary gonadotropin is of primary importance in triggering meiotic maturation in teleost oocytes. However, the maturational action of gonadotropin is not direct, but is mediated by the follicular production of maturation-inducing substance (MIS). It is now well established that 17α,20β-diOHprog is the major MIS of salmonids. Production of this steroid occursvia the interaction of two distinct cell layers, the thecal and granulosa cell layers (2-cell type model). The first step of the stimulating effect of gonadotropin in both layers is the receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase and formation of cAMP. Our findings suggest that the major stimulating action of gonadotropin on 17α,20β-diOHprog biosynthesis is due to the stimulation of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone production by the thecal layer and the selective induction of thede novo synthesis of 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the granulosa layer. 17α,20β-diOHprog acts at the surface of the oocyte. The early steps following 17α,20β-diOHprog action involve the formation of the major cytoplasmic mediator of this steroid, maturation-promoting factor (MPF). It was shown that goldfish MPF induces meiotic maturation inXenopus oocytes andvice versa. The chemical characterization of fish MPF is important for our understanding of the precise mode of maturational action of 17α,20β-diOHprog.