Coxa morphologically adapted to large egg in aepyornithid species compared with various palaeognaths

The coxa of palaeognaths including extinct aepyornithid species was compared by means of osteology, computed tomography (CT) imaging and macroscopic anatomy. The pre-acetabular area of the ilium was proportionally much larger in width and height in aepyornithid species than in other extant palaeognaths. The post-acetabular area of the ilium, ischium and pubis was relatively short and bilaterally extended in aepyornithid species. Although the Aepyornis species might have produced egg with a major axis exceeding 300?mm in major axis, the short post-acetabular coxa and widely opened ischium and pubis would not have been able to stably hold the eggs in the posterior space of the pelvic cavity unlike the situation in the ostrich. As aepyornithid species resembled the kiwi in measurement ratios of length and width in the pre-acetabular area, a functional-morphological model of the coxa in the aepyornithid species can be proposed based on that of the kiwi. From our data, we suggest that the extinct species of Aepyornis and Mullerornis species effectively used the anterior space of the pelvic cavity to support their extraordinary large egg.     

Superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with extrapancreatic glucagonoma in a dog

An 11-year-old Shih Tzu presented with crusting and erythema, mainly on the abdomen and the root of the tail. Based on histopathological findings, blood examinations and necropsy findings, the condition was diagnosed as superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with a glucagon-secreting extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. Gross necropsy revealed tumour invasion into the spleen, liver, adrenal glands and mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the neoplastic cells revealed that the tumour was a glucagonoma, consistent with earlier findings of persistent glucagonaemia and hypoaminoacidaemia.     

Morphology of the intestinal tract in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

The intestinal tract of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simun) was dissected. We observed a simple structure for the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and a well-developed large intestine, cecum, colon and rectus. The cecum consisted of a small chamber, whereas the colon was much enlarged; notably larger than that of the domesticated horse, which belongs to the same order, Perissodactyla. This suggests that in the white rhinoceros the cecum may be functionally replaced by the well-developed colon which may act as the main fermentation tank in this animal.     

Skull morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis in the lesser Japanese mole (Mogera imaizumii) from the Imperial Palace (Tokyo, Japan)

Since about 1630, the Imperial Palace has been biologically isolated from other habitats by the development and urbanization of Tokyo. We morphologically examined the skulls of the lesser Japanese mole (Mogera imaizumii) from the Imperial Palace and compared them with those from Kanto District, while the sequences of the cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes were also analyzed to clarify the genetic status of this isolated population. The skulls from the Imperial Palace were much larger than those from Kanto District in the length items. We suggest that the Imperial Palace skulls morphologically may compose a cluster as a large body-sized type in Kanto District within the dots of Mogera imaizumii in charts of principal component analysis. The mitochondrial DNA sequences of the Imperial Palace population were highly homologous to those of other Tokyo population at the level of 98.5% in cytochrome b and 98.7% in 12S rRNA genes.     

Genotyping of Giardia intestinalis from domestic and wild animals in Japan using glutamete dehydrogenase gene sequencing

To determine the genotypes of Giardia intestinalis from domestic and wild animals in Japan, Giardia isolates obtained from feces of 24 dogs kept in households and breeding kennels, three companion cats, five dairy calves and three wild monkeys, Macaca fuscata, were genotyped using the 177 bp sequence of the glutamete dehydrogenase gene (gdh). The genotypes were assemblages A, C, D or A/D for dog isolates, Assemblage F for cat isolates, assemblages A or E for calf isolates and assemblage B for monkey isolates. This is the first report on the genotypes of Giardia isolates from cats, calves and wild monkeys in Japan.     

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity specific for hemagglutinin (H) protein of canine distemper virus in dogs

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to hemagglutinin (H) protein of canine distemper virus (CDV) were evaluated in dogs using the replication-deficient adenovirus protein expression system. Skin fibroblasts were isolated from two dogs and were infected with recombinant adenovirus bearing the CDV-H gene (Ade-CDVH). CTL assay was performed using fibroblasts expressing CDV-H protein as target cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) collected from the same dogs one week after immunization of CDV as effector cells. Specific cytotoxic activity was observed against autologous but not heterologous fibroblasts expressing CDV-H protein. These results indicate that the CTL epitope(s) were localized in the H protein.     

Ganglioglioma in the thalamus of a puppy

A solitary brain mass of a 4-month-old miniature dachshund showing seizure-like neurological signs was examined histopathologically. At necropsy a white tumor mass, replacing the thalamus, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, was found. There was cystic space filled with yellowish pale fluid in the central area of the tumor mass. Histopathological examination revealed that the mass consisted of irregularly arranged well-differentiated neuronal and glial cells, and multifocal mineral deposits. The neuronal cells had a large clear nucleus and various amount of Nissl substances in the cytoplasm. Some neural cells were bi-nucleated. Neither mitotic figures nor proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive nuclei was found in the neuronal cells. Immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed diffuse proliferation of GFAP-positive glial cells and their processes, while these glial cells did not show apparent cellular atypism, mitotic activity, or PCNA-immunoreactivity. Accordingly, the present tumor was diagnosed as ganglioglioma, and hamartomatous histogenesis might be possible.     

Macroscopic study of the functional significance of the forearm muscles in the giant panda

The extensor and flexor group muscles and their related muscles were functional-morphologically observed in the dead body of the giant panda to clarify the action of the forearm and the palm in the manipulation of the species. The Musculus flexor carpi ulnaris had two developed heads, however, we can conclude that the contraction of this muscle slightly changes the angle of the accessory carpal bone to the ulna. The data pointed out that the accessory carpal bone acts as a supporting post, when the giant panda seizes the object. The M. abductor digiti I longus possessed the well-developed origin in both ulna and radius. These findings suggest that this muscle may function as a supinator of the forearm. We also suggest that the well-developed M. pronator quadratus and M. pronator teres, and the proximal part of the M. abductor digiti I longus and the M. supinator may efficiently contribute to the pronator-spinator action of the forearm, when the giant panda brings the food to its mouth using the manipulation system equipped in the palm region.     

The respiratory burst activity of bottlenose dolphin neutrophils elicited by several stimulants

To investigate the early host defense function in aquatic animals, the respiratory burst activity of bottlenose dolphin neutrophils against soluble and particulate stimulants was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assays and compared with those of bovine and human. Dolphin neutrophils generated the respiratory burst in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), concanavalinA (ConA), heated-plasma (HP), and homologous-plasma opsonized zymosan except N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). However, the respiratory burst of dolphin neutrophils stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and Staphylococcus aureus was inferior to those of bovine and human. Furthermore, DP-OZ also induced the respiratory burst of bovine and human neutrophils. In conclusion, dolphin neutrophils responded to several soluble and particulate stimulants as well as human neutrophils, but were refractory or slightly responded to bacterial agents.     

Production and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Ovarian Antigen of the Common Tree Shrew (Tupaia glis)

To study the ovarian function of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis), monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against its ovarian antigen were produced. Several positive hybridomas were cloned and MAb-T2C9 (IgG) was examined for reactivity. Strong immunoreactivity of MAb-T2C9 was localized within the cytoplasm of luteal cells and in the theca interna cells of Graafian follicles. MAb-T2C9 reacted also with testicular interstitial cells and adrenocortical cells, except those of the zona glomerulosa. Similar reactions were seen in the goat and sheep. Western blotting analysis of the ovine corpus luteum after reaction with MAb-T2C9 revealed a single positive band of ?60kDa. These findings suggest that MAb-T2C9 recognized protein molecules related to steroid synthesis.