A case report of a renal mixed epithelial and stromal tumor in a heterozygous S1P2 receptor deficient mouse

We report a case of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) in a 32-week-old heterozygous sphingosine 1-phosphate-2 (S1P2) receptor deficient female mouse. A white solid mass replacing the left kidney was observed at the left retroperitoneal wall. Histologically, the tumor mass consisted of dimorphic cellular components of epithelial and stromal cells. Epithelial cells formed various sized irregular-shaped tubular structures resembling renal tubules surrounded by stromal cells. Immunohistochemically, epithelial cells were positive for cytokeratin, while stromal cells showed positive immunoreactivity with alpha-smooth muscle actin as well as vimentin. Based on the morphological and immunohistochemical findings, this tumor was diagnosed as a MESTK.     

Interaction of cyclodextrins with aliphatic acetate esters and aroma components of La France pear

The interaction between aliphatic acetate esters, which are the major flavor components of La France pear (Pyrus communis L.), and cyclodextrins (CDs) was studied to obtain fundamental data for preparing powdered pear flavor materials. The complexing abilities of alpha-, beta-, or gamma-CD with six kinds of aliphatic acetate esters were compared. alpha-CD formed the highest numbers of complexes with all of the esters. All of the CDs produced complexes more readily with the more hydrophobic esters. Among our samples of freeze-dried pear juice containing dissolved alpha-, beta-, or gamma-CD, the juice with alpha-CD retained the greatest amount of esters. These data demonstrate that alpha-CD is an effective material with which to prepare powdered pear flavor materials. The nuclear Overhauser effect, measured by (1)H NMR spectra, of an alpha-CD-butyl acetate or alpha-CD-hexyl acetate complex showed that these esters were included in the alpha-CD cavity.     

Change in T4-type bacteriophage communities during the composting process of rice straw: Estimation from the major capsid gene (g23) sequences

The present study examined T4-type phage communities in rice straw (RS) under the composting process by analyzing the composition of the major capsid gene ( g23 ) of T4-type bacteriophages. The g23 clones were obtained from RS throughout the composting process from RS materials to composting RS in the curing stage (for 124 days). Most of the g23 clones were phylogenetically closely related to those in rice field soils and rice field floodwaters, and Paddy Groups II and III appeared to characterize the g23 genes in the composting RS. The diversity of g23 genes in the composting RS was highest in the RS material (day 0 after the onset of composting) and in the early thermophilic stage (day 7), and decreased markedly in the middle and curing stages. This change was in contrast to that of the bacterial community, which showed higher diversity in the middle and curing stages. There was no specific clone that characterized any stage during the composting process. These findings indicate that the phage community is not the major controlling agent in determining eubacterial succession and that the thermophilic stage in the composting process efficiently annihilated T4-type phages in the composting pile.     

Alleviative effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on behavioral abnormalities in aged dogs

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 30 mg/kg) was administered to aged dogs with recent history of veterinary clinic visits (mean age: 15.3 years old) once daily for 2 weeks by mixing with food. Their owners subjectively evaluated the effects of GABA on behavioral signs often associated with aging in the dogs. Improvement in some of behavioral signs was notable without any observable adverse effects. Dogs administered with GABA tended to exhibit improvement in emotional states and signs may be caused by neurovegetable dysfunction, though effects on cognitive dysfunction syndrome were not always observed. Thus, GABA administration may be one of the effective means of improving the quality of life of aged dogs.     

Molecular analysis of β-proteobacterial ammonia oxidizer populations in surface layers of a submerged paddy soil microcosm

The structure of the β-proteobacterial autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) communities in a microcosm of submerged paddy soil was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified using AOB-selective primers. Shift in the community composition was observed 4 weeks after submergence. The communities from the surface layers (0–1, 2–3 mm) of the soil microcosm were different from those of the subsurface layers (6–9, > 15 mm) and DGGE bands specific to each layer were detected. The majority of the retrieved sequences were Nitrosospira-like, whereas no Nitrosomonas-like sequences were obtained. The 16S rDNA primer set also amplified sequences that were not related to the known Nitrosospira-Nitrosomonas group, although they showed a close relationship with other groups of β-proteobacteria. The results suggest that Nitrosospira-like populations are dominant AOB populations in the submerged paddy soil, and that the oxic layer of submerged paddy soil harbours the specific AOB.     

Dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide improves growth performance in weanling pigs

Nondigestible oligosaccharides are not digested in the small intestine, but are fermented by bacteria colonizing in the large intestine. Physiological effects of non‐digestible oligosaccharides have been considered to be conferred by the fermentation of bacteria colonizing in the large intestine. Because cellooligosaccharide is a non‐digestible oligosaccharide, various physiological effects are expected. However, physiological functions of cellooligosaccharide are not well understood. This experiment was conducted to clarify the effect of dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide on the growth performance in weanling pigs. The result showed that average daily gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed a diet supplemented with cellooligosaccharide than in pigs without cellooligosaccharide. There was a tendency to increasing average daily feed intake in pigs with cellooligosaccharide, though the significant difference was not detected (P = 0.18). Feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility of feces and ileum were not changed by feeding cellooligosaccharide. In addition, blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the diet supplemented with cellooligosaccharide than in pigs without cellooligosaccharide. The concentrations of acetic and iso‐valeric acids in the cecum of pigs fed the diet with cellooligosaccharide tended to be higher (P < 0.10) than those without cellooligosaccharide. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide improves growth performance in weanling pigs.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone profiles as a novel biomarker to diagnose granulosa-theca cell tumors in cattle

This study was carried out to evaluate the blood profile and tissue expression of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a biomarker for granulosa-theca cell tumors (GTCTs) in cattle. Five cases with unilateral ovarian GTCTs (GTCT group) were investigated in comparison to other groups of Japanese Black cows, which had either cystic ovarian disease (COD group, n=5), a functional corpus luteum on Days 9 to 11 of the estrous cycle (Day 0=estrus; CL group, n=13) or received superovulation treatment (SOT group, n=13). We used transrectal ultrasonography and measured plasma AMH, estradiol-17β (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)) and testosterone (T) levels. Moreover, GTCT tissues were collected and examined by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for AMH. In the GTCT group, ultrasound images of GTCTs were variable and not definitive. However, the AMH level in the GTCT group (n=3, 58.1 ± 66.3 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in the COD, CL and SOT groups (0.1 ± 0.1 ng/ml for GTCT vs. COD, P<0.05; 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.3 ± 0.2 ng/ml, respectively for GTCT vs. CL and SOT, P<0.01). The other hormonal levels in the GTCT group had no significant differences compared with the COD or SOT group. Neoplastic granulosa cells labeled with AMH antibody clearly demonstrated a variety of tissue patterns in all cases by IHC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the blood profile and IHC of AMH in bovine GTCTs. Our findings indicate that AMH may be a novel biomarker to diagnose GTCTs in cattle.     

A mixed apocrine gland tumor with metastases to the bone and bone marrow in a miniature poodle

A 10-year-old female miniature poodle had a mass in its carpal joint of the left forelimb. The tumor was divided into small multiple lobules by delicate connective tissues, and necroses were found in some of the central lobules. In some connective stromal areas, chondroid and osteoid tissues were formed. The tumor cells were similar to the structure of apocrine gland epithelial cells with apical blebs resembling apocrine secretion and eosinophilic secretary materials within the luminal space, and spindle cells were sometimes found in the basal area of the glandular structure. In some areas, tumor cells invaded in the blood vessels, bone and bone marrow. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells forming tubulo-acinar to solid structures were intensely positive for cytokeratin and keratin K8/K18, and the spindle cells were positive for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. This case was diagnosed as a malignant mixed apocrine gland tumor with metastases to the bone and bone marrow.     

黄土高原黄土团粒组成及其与碳酸钙关系的研究

通过团粒分析、电子显微镜 (SEM/EDX)扫描等元素分析扫描方法和手段 ,对黄土高原西北部自然黄土中的团粒数量及其与碳酸钙的溶解量的关系、团粒表面和内部碳酸钙的分布进行了研究。结果表明 :碳酸钙大约参与了 99%的团粒形成 ,呈现团粒越大 ,碳酸钙含量越多的趋势 ;反之 ,团粒数量与碳酸钙的溶解量成反比 ;随着团粒表面碳酸钙分布的减少 ,附着在团粒表面的微团粒及粉粒、粘粒减少 ;在团粒内部 ,碳酸钙与矿物颗粒之间存在 3种胶结方式 ,分别为碳酸钙附着在矿物颗粒表面、碳酸钙分布于矿物颗粒之间以及碳酸钙表面附着矿物颗粒。实验结果证明了黄土团粒的主要胶结物是碳酸钙这一理论。     

Origin of a pair of red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) found in Sarobetsu Wetland,northwestern Hokkaido,Japan: a possible crossbreeding between the island and the mainland population

Red-crowned cranes Grus japonensis, which are an endangered species, have two separate populations, a mainland population in the Eurasian continent and an island population in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Island cranes showed three haplotypes (Gj1, Gj2 and Gj13), whereas ten haplotypes (Gj3–Gj12) were confirmed in captive cranes and stray cranes. We found Gj5 haplotype in feathers of two cranes as well as four new haplotypes in seven wild crane feathers collected in South Korea. We also found feathers in the nest in Sarobetsu Wetland in northwestern Hokkaido. While the haplotype of female-derived feathers was Gj2, that of male-derived feathers was Gj5. The results suggest that there has been crossbreeding between cranes in the island population and cranes in the mainland population.