The palliative efficacy of modified Mohs paste for controlling canine and feline malignant skin wounds

In veterinary medicine, the management of malignant skin wounds is highly challenging. We conducted a study on seven case animals (four dogs and three cats) which presented with malignant skin wounds. All seven animals had signs and symptoms which were controlled following treatment with a modified Mohs paste. Upon obtaining informed consent from their owners, the animals requiring management of malignant wounds were enrolled in this study. The modified Mohs paste was prepared by mixing zinc chloride, zinc oxide starch powder, glycerin, and distilled water. The modified Mohs paste was topically applied to and left to remain on the malignant wounds for one hour, under controlled conditions. Once the paste was removed, the wounds were irrigated with a solution of sterile saline. At the first examination, the wounds of each animal were observed for signs of exudate, malodor, and bleeding. In every case, visible improvement was observed immediately after the modified Mohs paste treatment. Specifically, the size of the malignant wounds, and the number of times the dressing gauze required changing, significantly decreased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The open malignant skin wounds caused by mammary gland tumors disappeared in two cases. The Mohs paste has been shown to be a viable option for the palliative treatment in canine and feline malignant skin wound management.     

Changes in the myocardial performance index during dobutamine administration in anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between myocardial performance index (MPI; also known as the Tei index) and cardiac function in anesthetized cats administered dobutamine. ANIMALS: 6 adult cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were anesthetized by administration of propofol (6 mg/kg, IV), and anesthesia was maintained by administration of isoflurane. Heart rate and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were monitored. Stroke volume, cardiac output, and aortic blood flow (ABF) were measured by use of transesophageal ultrasonography. Left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), mitral E-wave velocity-to-A-wave velocity (E:A) ratio, and ejection time were measured by use of transthoracic echocardiography. Dobutamine was administrated via a cephalic vein at rates of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 microg/kg/min. RESULTS: Heart rate, SAP, cardiac output, and ABF increased with dobutamine administration, whereas stroke volume significantly decreased. The LVFS significantly increased, and the E:A ratio significantly decreased. Total isovolumic time and the MPI significantly decreased. The MPI was negatively correlated (r=-0.63) with LVFS. Conversely, the MPI was positively correlated with the E:A ratio (r=0.47), stroke volume (r=0.66), and total isovolumic time (r=0.95). However, the MPI was not significantly correlated with heart rate, SAP, cardiac output, or ABF. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis suggested that the MPI provides a sensitive clinical assessment of cardiac response to medication in cats, which may be similar to the usefulness of the MPI reported in humans.     

Spindle formation and microtubule organization during first division in reconstructed rat embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

The present study was conducted to demonstrate the spindle formation and behavior of chromosomes and microtubules during first division in reconstructed rat embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with cumulus cell nuclei. To demonstrate the effect of oocyte aging after ovulation on the cleavage of SCNT embryos, micromanipulation was carried out 11, 15 and 18 h after injection of hCG. SCNT oocytes were activated by incubation in culture medium supplemented with 5 microM ionomycin for 5 min followed by treatment with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) in mR1ECM for 2-3 h. For immunocytochemical observation, the SCNT embryos were incubated with monoclonal anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and then fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG. Cleavage rates were significantly higher for oocytes collected after 15 and 18 h rather than for those collected 11 h after injection of hCG (56 and 53%, respectively vs. 28%; P<0.05). Premature chromosome condensation occurred before activation of the SCNT oocytes, but adequate spindle formation was only rarely observed. The distribution of microtubules in SCNT embryos after activation was different from those of fertilized and parthenogenic oocytes, i.e., a dense microtubule organization shaped like a ring was observed. Eighteen to 20 h post-activation, most SCNT embryos were in the 2-cell stage, but no nucleoli were clearly visible, which was quite different from the fertilized oocytes. In addition, first division with and without small cellular bodies containing DNA was observed in the rat SCNT embryos in some cases. The present study suggests that reorganization of transferred nuclei in rat SCNT embryos may be inadequate in terms of formation of the mitotic assembly and nucleolar reorganization.     

All-around 3D plant modeling system using multiple images and its composition

In this study, we developed an all-around 3D plant modeling system that operates using images and is capable of measuring plants non-destructively without any contact. During the fabrication of this device, we selected a method capable of performing 3D model reconstruction from multiple images. We then developed an improved SfM-MVS (Structure from Motion / Multi-View-Stereo) method that enables 3D reconstruction by simply capturing images with a camera. The resulting image-based method offers a high degree of freedom because the hardware and software can comprise commercially available products, and it permits the use of one or more cameras according to the shape and size of the plant. The advantages of the image-based method are that 3D reconstruction can be conducted at any time as long as the images are already taken, and that the desired locations can be observed, measured, and analyzed from 2D images and a 3D point cloud. The device we developed is capable of 3D measurements and modeling of plants from a few millimeters to 2.4 m of height using this method. This article explains this device, the principles of its composition, and the accuracy of the models obtained from it.     

Effect of the squid viscera hydrolysate on growth performance and digestion in the red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>

The improvement in feed efficiency is one of the most important subjects in fish culture. The development of feed, in terms of good intake, high growth performance, and high feed efficiency is needed. Squid viscera are one of the candidates for alternative material in improving feed efficiency in fish culture. In the present study, we described the dietary effect of the squid viscera hydrolysate (SVH) on the growth performance of the red sea bream. The addition of SVH to feed caused significant increases in feed intake, fork length, and body weight and produced a marked improvement in feed conversion after 4 weeks of feeding. Furthermore, the results of this feeding revealed that low dietary levels of SVH promote growth performance in the red sea bream. We physiologically analyzed digestion and appetite in fish fed diet containing SVH. SVH promoted the activity of hepatic trypsin and lipase, gene expression of stomach pepsin, hepatic lipase, and pyloric caeca trypsin, thereby improving the nutrient availability in red sea bream. Moreover, the mRNA expression of appetite regulating factor, such as brain NPY and stomach ghrelin was significantly improved by dietary SVH. Our current results indicate that dietary SVH as alternative material produced excellent effects on growth performance, which is dependent on the promoting effect on digestion and appetite in red sea bream.     

Binding profiles and cytokine-inducing effects of fish rhamnose-binding lectins on Burkitt’s lymphoma Raji cells

Rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) is one of the animal lectin categories which take part in the innate immune responses of fish. Osmerus lanceolatus lectin (OLL) from shishamo smelt eggs is an RBL composed of two tandem-repeated domains, both of which are considered to be a carbohydrate-recognition domain. SAL, catfish (Silurus asotus) egg RBL composed of three domains, binds to Burkitt’s lymphoma Raji cells through globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) carbohydrate chain and to reduce cell size and growth by altering membrane composition without causing cell death. In this experiment, we tried to compare the binding effects of these two RBLs on Raji cells. Flow cytometric and fluorescence microscopic analyses revealed that OLL also directly bound to and shrunk Raji cells with ten times less reactivity than SAL but reduced cell growth with decreasing cell viability. Anti-Gb3 antibody completely blocked the binding of SAL to Raji cells but not that of OLL. In addition, the direct bindings of OLL and SAL to Raji cells were comparably inhibited by melibiose, but lactose was more effective inhibitor for the binding of OLL than that of SAL. These results suggest that OLL has slightly different cell-binding property compared with SAL and binds not only to Gb3 but also to the other carbohydrate receptor-bearing β-galactoside chains. The quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that SAL induced the expression of TNF-α but not of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-10. Thus, SAL-induced cytostatic effect on Raji cells might be partially caused by TNF-α-mediated signaling pathway.     

Seasonal Changes in Rigor Development and Flesh Texture of Wild Japanese Sea Bass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

The season for finding the firmest sashimi made from wild Japanese sea bass was investigated. Flesh rigor tension and contraction were measured by a “new” device with isometric (muscle length kept constant) and isotonic (balance beam moves freely) transducers. Both flesh rigor tension and contraction peaks appeared at the same postmortem times, with attainment of ultimate pH and adenosine triphosphate/inosine monophosphate ratio in four seasons. Seasonal seawater temperature correlated negatively to seasonal maximum rigor contraction and positively to seasonal flesh breaking strength at 72 h postmortem. After rigor peak tension attainment, the tension relaxation was much lower than that of other wild fish species, especially in summer. The sea bass muscle resisted structure disruption in rigor isometric tension generation. Wild sea bass sashimi was firmest in breaking strength in summer.     

Thermal stability of carp G-actin monitored by loss of polymerization activity using an extrinsic fluorescent probe

ABSTRACT:   The thermal stability of carp G-actin was investigated by monitoring loss of actin polymerization ability. To determine the amount of native actin remaining after heat treatment, actin was labeled with a fluorescence reagent, N-(1-pyrene)iodoacetamide. The loss of polymerization ability of carp actin during heat treatment, at between 45 and 55°C, occurred faster than that of chicken actin. The inactivation rate was influenced by concentrations of ATP and Ca²⁺ in solution. With the increase of Ca²⁺ concentration, the inactivation of carp actin was markedly suppressed. Furthermore, the activation energy of the inactivation of carp actin obtained from an Arrhenius plot was similar to that of chicken actin. These results indicated that the thermal instability of carp G-actin was due to the low affinites of ATP and Ca²⁺ for carp actin described in a previous report.     

Improvement of the survival in the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus larvae by optimizing aeration and water inlet in the mass-scale rearing tank

The water flow in larval rearing tanks has been indicated to cause mass mortality of the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus larvae. Therefore, a new aerating method was tested in an actual scale intensive rearing tank (8.0 m in diameter, 1.87 m of water depth, 100 m³ of volume), in which an aerator was positioned at the center of the rearing tank surrounding cylindrical drain (1.2 m in diameter) to generate the flow field, and seven larval rearing trials were performed. The survival rate with the former aeration methods were compared, in which several aerators were located in the rearing tank. The survival rate at 10 days after hatching with the new aeration method (61.5±5.1%, n=7) was approximately three times higher than the former methods (21.2±13.7%, n=6). The flow environment of rearing tanks was also examined by quantifying the flow field, and the relationship between the flow field in the rearing tank, behavior of larvae and survival discussed. It was confirmed that the vertical circulating flow was observed in rearing tanks, and determined effectively the survival and the behavior of grouper larvae in patchiness.     

Recommended doses of medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol with atipamezole for preventing hypothermia in mice

A non-narcotic anesthetic combination (Me/Mi/Bu) of medetomidine (Me), midazolam (Mi), and butorphanol (Bu) has been recommended as the injectable anesthesia in mice. An original dose of Me/Mi/Bu (0.3/4.0/5.0 mg/kg) has provided sufficient anesthetic duration of 40–50 min in mice. In addition, atipamezole is available for reversal of Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia. As an adverse effect of Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia, however, severe hypothermia has been also observed in mice. In the present study, we investigated 1) the main agent in Me/Mi/Bu to cause of hypothermia, 2) the effects of the differential doses of atipamezole on hypothermia induced by Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia and on the plasma levels of creatinine phosphokinase and transaminases, and 3) those recommended doses for preventing hypothermia induced by Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia in mice. The results suggested that 1) the α₂-agonist medetomidine is most likely to induce hypothermia in mice under Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia, 2) the antagonism of atipamezole within proper dose range is effective in promoting the recovery from Me/Mi/Bu-induced hypothermia, and 3) Me/Mi/Bu at the recommended dose of 0.2/6.0/10.0 mg/kg enable to provide anesthetic effects for 40 min and is more considerable to prevent the hypothermia than that at the original dose of 0.3/4.0/5.0 mg/kg.