High genetic stability of TM1 and TM2 strains of subtype B feline immunodeficiency virus in long-term infection

To know the genetic changes of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in long-term infection in cats, we inoculated three specific pathogen-free cats with FIV isolates and determined a partial env sequence covering the V3-V5 region. In 2 cats infected with subtype B strains TM1 and TM2, only one amino acid change in region V3 was observed at 9 years post infection (y.p.i.), and no nucleotide substitutions were observed between 9 and 10 y.p.i., indicating that these strains are genetically stable. On the other hand, in a cat infected with subtype A strain Petaluma at 8.7 y.p.i., 3 nucleotide insertions (one amino acid insertion) in region V5, and 1 synonymous nucleotide substitution and 2 non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions in region V5, were observed.     

Synthesis, processing, and subcellular localization of mouse ADAM3 during spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm transport

To elucidate synthesis, processing, and subcellular localization of mouse ADAM3 (cyritestin) during spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm transport, we carried out immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis of testicular germ cells, and epididymal and vas deferens sperm, using affinity-purified anti-ADAM3 antibody. ADAM3 was initially synthesized as a 110-kDa precursor in round spermatids, and the precursor was then processed into a 42-kDa mature protein during the sperm transport into and/or once in the epididymis. The mature ADAM3 was localized on the anterior part of capacitated sperm heads and was rapidly removed from the head region during the calcium ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction. These results demonstrate that the mature form of ADAM3 is involved in the binding of sperm to the egg zona pellucida, not in the membrane fusion between sperm and egg.     

Genetic profile and serosurvey for virus infections of Japanese wild boars in Shikoku Island

To estimate the genetic background of Japanese wild boars inhibiting the 4 prefectures of Shikoku Island (Kagawa, Tokushima, Kouchi and Ehime), we examined haplotypes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and genotypes of the nuclear glucosephosphate isomerase-processed pseudogene (GPIP) in 189 wild boars. Of the 8 different mtDNA haplotypes (J5, J10, J12, J13, J15, J19, J20 and E33) detected in Shikoku Island, the first to be identified were J19 and J20 (of Japanese wild boar lineage) and E33 (of European domestic pig lineage). The presence of haplotype E33 indicates local crossbreeding between wild boar and escaped domestic pigs and/or crossbred Inobuta. Four kinds of the GPIP genotypes were detected from 189 wild baors in Shikoku Island, but no European GPIP alleles were found. In 113 wild boars, no antibodies against Classical Swine Fever or Aujeszky's disease were detected, suggesting that they had not been exposed to those pathogens.     

Expression levels of taste‐related genes in palate and tongue tip,and involvement of transient receptor potential subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5) in taste sense in chickens

The elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the taste sense of chickens will contribute to improvements in poultry feeding, because the molecular mechanism of chickens’ taste sense defines the feeding behavior of chickens. Here we focused on the gene expressions in two different oral tissues of chickens – the palate, which contains many taste buds, and the tongue tip, which contains few taste buds. Using the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction method, we found that the molecular markers for taste buds of chickens, that is α‐gustducin and vimentin, were expressed significantly highly in the palate compared to the tongue tip. Our analyses also revealed that transient receptor potential subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5), a cation channel involved in taste transduction in mammals, was also highly expressed in the palate compared to the tongue tip. Our findings demonstrated that the expression patterns of these genes were significantly correlated. We showed that the aversion to bitter solution was alleviated by a TRPM5 inhibitor in behavior of chickens. Taken together, our findings enabled us to develop a simple method for screening taste‐related genes in chickens. The use of this method demonstrated that TRPM5 was involved in chickens’ taste transduction, and that a TRPM5 inhibitor can alleviate chickens’ bitter taste perception of feed ingredients.     

Effects of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with opioids on intraocular pressure in healthy Beagle dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with different opioids on intraocular pressure (IOP) in dogs.Study designExperimental, prospective, crossover, randomized, blinded study.AnimalsA total of six Beagle dogs (two males and four females) aged 2 years and weighing 15.9 ± 2.9 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsDogs were distributed randomly into seven treatments (n = 6 per treatment) and were administered dexmedetomidine alone (10 μg kg^–1; Dex) or in combination with butorphanol (0.15 mg kg^–1; DexBut), meperidine (5 mg kg^–1; DexMep), methadone (0.5 mg kg^–1; DexMet), morphine (0.5 mg kg^–1; DexMor), nalbuphine (0.5 mg kg^–1; DexNal) or tramadol (5 mg kg^–1; DexTra). All drugs were administered intramuscularly. IOP was measured before drug injection (time 0, baseline) and every 15 minutes thereafter for 120 minutes (T15–T120).ResultsThere were significant reductions in IOP compared with baseline in treatments Dex and DexMep at times T30–T120, and in treatment DexMet at T15–T90. IOP decreased compared with baseline in treatments DexBut, DexNal and DexTra at all evaluation times. No changes in IOP were seen in treatment DexMor. The mean IOP values in treatment DexMet at T105–T120 were higher than those for other treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceDexmedetomidine alone or in combination with butorphanol, meperidine, methadone, nalbuphine or tramadol resulted in decreased IOP for 120 minutes in dogs. The magnitude of the reduction was small and lacked clinical significance.     

Effects of medetomidine-midazolam,acepromazine-butorphanol,and midazolam-butorphanol on induction dose of thiopental and propofol and on cardiopulmonary changes in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dose-sparing effects of medetomidine-midazolam (MM), acepromazine-butorphanol (AB), and midazolam-butorphanol (MB) on the induction dose of thiopental and propofol and to examine cardiopulmonary changes in dogs. ANIMALS: 23 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were administered MM, AB, MB, or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (PS) IM, and anesthesia was induced with thiopental or propofol. Cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained before and after administration of medication and 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Induction doses were reduced significantly by preanesthetic administration of MM, AB, and MB (thiopental, 20, 45, and 46% after administration of PS; propofol, 42, 58, and 74% after administration of PS, respectively). Recovery time in dogs administered MM-thiopental or MM-propofol and AB-propofol were significantly prolonged, compared with recovery time in dogs administered PS-thiopental or PS-propofol. Relatively large cardiovascular changes were induced by administration of MM, which were sustained even after the induction of anesthesia. Administration of AB and MB induced cardiovascular changes during and immediately after endotracheal intubation that were significantly decreased by induction with thiopental or propofol. However, mild hypotension developed with AB-propofol. Apnea was observed in dogs administered MM during induction of anesthesia, but most respiratory variables did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preanesthetic medication with MM greatly reduced the anesthesia induction dose of thiopental and propofol but caused noticeable cardiopulmonary changes. Preanesthetic medication with AB and MB moderately reduced the induction dose of thiopental and propofol and amelio rated cardiovascular changes induced by these anesthetics, although AB caused mild hypotension.     

Above- and belowground carbon stocks of two organic,agroforestry-based oil palm production systems in eastern Amazonia

Ecosystem-level assessments of carbon (C) stocks of agroforestry systems are scarce. We quantified the ecosystem-level C stocks of one agroforestry-based oil palm production system (AFS_P) and one agroforestry-based oil palm and cacao production system (AFS_P+C) in eastern Amazonia. We quantified the stocks of C in four pools: aboveground live biomass, litter, roots, and soil. We evaluated the distribution of litter, roots, and soil C stocks in the oil palm management zones and in the area planted with cacao and other agroforestry species. The ecosystem-C stock was higher in AFS_P+C (116.7 ± 1.5 Mg C ha^?1) than in AFS_P (99.1 ± 3.1 Mg C ha^?1). The total litter-C stock was higher in AFS_P+C (3.27 ± 0.01 Mg C ha^?1) than in AFS_P (2.26 ± 0.06 Mg C ha^?1). Total root and soil C stocks (0–30 cm) did not differ between agroforestry systems. Ecosystem-C stocks varied between agroforestry systems due to differences in both aboveground and belowground stocks. In general, the belowground-C stocks varied spatially in response to the management in the oil palm and non-oil palm strips; these results have important implications for the monitoring of ecosystem-level C dynamics and the refinement of soil management.