P-35 Nonlethal junctional epidermolysis bullosa in a dog

A 3-year-old Burmese cat was presented with a history of nonresolving crusted and papular lesions of the face and prior treatment with prednisolone. Skin biopsies revealed typical pox lesions with hyperplasia and ulceration of the epidermis and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the epidermal cells. In the upper dermis there was prominent diffuse mast cell infiltration and mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Rare cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were also present in swollen endothelial cells of dermal venules, which showed no other degenerative changes. Histological diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopic evidence of pox virus particles in inclusion bodies of epidermal cells. The lesions resolved within 6 weeks with systemic antibiotic therapy and supportive care. A 2-year-old domestic short-haired cat was presented with multiple disseminated papular and ulcerative pox lesions with central eschar over the entire body. Histologically, large epidermal inclusion bodies (up to 6 μm in diameter) were present. Widespread haemorrhage and vascular wall necrosis was visible in the dermis and subcutis. Some subcutaneous vessels showed neutrophilic vasculitis. In addition to diffuse dermal neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, a lymphohistiocytic panniculitis was also present. The cat died as a result of massive haemorrhage and lymphedema, despite supportive care.
Funding: Self-funded.     

P-55 Febrile neutrophilic dermatosis in a miniature schnauzer resembling Sweet''s syndrome in humans

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histopathologic changes seen in feline plasmacytic pododermatitis in an attempt to correlate clinical response with any specific histopathologic feature, and to evaluate these specimens for possible infectious organisms. Fourteen skin biopsies from cats with plasmacytic pododermatitis and a clinical follow-up of 12–36 months were included in the study. Sections were stained with H&E as well as with a polyclonal anti- Mycobacterium bovis [Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG)] antibody cross-reactive to a broad spectrum of fungi and bacteria. Sections stained with the anti-BCG antibody were graded as positive or negative. Inflammatory cell types and density, overall pattern, and the presence or involvement of adnexal structures were assessed in sections stained with H&E. All sections were negative for organisms within the actual footpad tissue with the anti-BCG antibody stains. Two samples revealed a few foci of cocci on the outer surface of the ulcers.
Funding: Self-funded.     

A comparative epidemiological study of hantavirus infection in Japan and Far East Russia

Hantaviruses are causative agents of some severe human illnesses, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The viruses are maintained by rodent hosts, and humans acquire infection by inhaling virus-contaminated excreta from infected animals. To examine the epidemiology of hantavirus infections in Japan and Far East Russia, we conducted epidemiological surveys in these regions. In Japan, anti-hantavirus antibodies were found in four rodent species, Clethrionomys rufocanus, Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, and Apodemus speciosus. Although no new HFRS cases have been officially reported over the past 20 years in Japan, one member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force did test positive for hantavirus antibody. Repeated surveys in Far East Russia have revealed that two distinct hantavirus types cause severe HFRS in this region. Hantavirus sequences identified from A. peninsulae, fetal HFRS cases in Vladivostok, and Amur virus are highly similar to each other (> 92% identity), but they are less similar (approximately 84% identity) to the prototypical Hantaan virus, which is carried by A. agrarius. Phylogenetic analysis also indicates that Amur and A. peninsulae-associated viruses are distinct from Hantaan virus, suggesting that A. peninsulae is the reservoir animal for Amur virus, which causes severe HFRS. From HFRS patients in the Khabarovsk region, we identified viruses with nucleotide sequences that are more similar to Far East virus (> 96%identity) than to the Hantaan (88-89% identity) or Amur (81-83% identity) viruses. Phylogenetic analysis also indicates that the viruses from Khabarovsk HFRS patients are closely related to the Far East virus, and distinct from Amur virus.     

Occurrence of heavy metals in the sediments of Uranouchi Inlet,Kochi prefecture,Japan

The present status of contamination by heavy metals, and the impact of cage culture on sediments at the Uranouchi Inlet, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, were investigated from two stations influenced by intensive aquaculture and a control station, during May–July 2006. The moisture content of the sediments at the aquaculture stations was over 65%, and the organic matter was always over 100 mg/g dry wt. In contrast, the highest moisture content and organic matter at the control station was 45.5% and 62.9 mg/g dry wt, respectively. Concentrations of zinc (Zn) (178 ± 4.8 mg/kg dry wt) and copper (Cu) (125 ± 1.2 mg/kg dry wt) were highest at the aquaculture stations. Lead (Pb) was highest (50.7 ± 0.77 mg/kg dry wt) at the aquaculture station though it was as high as 33.2 ± 0.77 mg/kg dry wt at the control station. One-way ANOVA showed that the differences in concentrations of Zn and Cu in sediments from the aquaculture and control stations were highly significant (P = 0.01), whereas Pb showed no such trend. Occurrence of a large fraction of labile Zn (56.1%) and Cu (40.3%) in these sediments warrants attention. Although factors other than metals may explain the distribution observed, the information presented here may be useful in predicting long-term effects of heavy metal contamination from aquaculture in the marine environment.     

Japanese eel jaw and vertebra ossification occurring respectively during the larval stage and metamorphosis

Fisheries Science - Morphological deformities of the jaw and vertebrae arise as hindrances to seed production of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. To obtain basic information related to development...     

Prostaglandins F2α and E2 in rat placenta and fetal membrane: a comprehensive immunohistochemistry of their synthetic enzymes and in vivo tissue levels during normal pregnancy

We determined a comprehensive immunohistochemistry of putative isoforms of enzymes for prostaglandin (PG) F₂α and PGE₂ biosynthesis and these PGs levels in placenta and fetal membrane of normal pregnant rats in vivo. Placenta and fetal membrane showed positive immunoreactions for phospholipase A₂ group 4A, but not group 2A, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 rather than COX-2. They showed positive immunoreactions for at least one isoform of each of PGF synthase and PGE synthase with tissue-dependent variations. PGF₂α and PGE₂ levels in both tissues were highest on day 12 and declined and remained low thereafter. Obtained data would be the basic information on the primary PGs synthesis in rat placenta and fetal membrane in normal pregnancy.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of annexin A5 expression in the thymus of male rats

As gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is expressed in the thymus, its direct action on thymic cells, including thymic involution, has been suggested. Annexin A5 (ANXA5), a biomarker of GnRH, was used to determine whether GnRH affects the thymus of male rats. Immunohistochemistry showed positive reactions for ANXA5 in large medullary epithelial cells at 30 days of age, and the expression continued until 180 days of age. Organ culture of thymus pieces was performed to examine the direct action of a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) on the expression of Anxa5 and Gnrh mRNA. Thymus tissues obtained from male rats (40–60 days old) were cut into small pieces (2–3 mm³) and incubated for 3 hr with the GnRHa. The expression levels of Anxa5 and Gnrh mRNA were augmented by the GnRHa. Immunohistochemistry of these tissue fragments showed that ANXA5 expression was enhanced, especially in medullary epithelial cells. These results revealed that GnRH synthesis in the thymus could affect thymic epithelial cells after puberty.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of the soils from the coastal plain in Shanghai,China

Characterization of the physico-chemical properties of the soils collected from the coastal plain covering a total area of about 1,908 km² in the Changjiang Delta in Shanghai, China, has been conducted in order to investigate the current status of agricultural soils, with special reference to the effect of alluvial deposits on the development and utilization of the soils. The experimental results indicated that the soils of the coastal plain displayed a sandy (loam) texture. The soils from Qingcun and Guangming Towns in the Fengxian District, Shanghai, contained the highest amount of clay, showing the highest capacity to remain fertile. The soils from Xinghuo Town in the Fengxian District contained the highest amount of salts due to the strong mineralization degree from the groundwater and the effect of the marine deposits from the Hangzhou day, which resulted in the highest exchangeable sodium percentage in the soils. The soils from greenhouses (Sunqiao, Huinan, and Qingcun Towns) showed a higher salt content than others, in contrast to the paddy and orchard soils. The analysis of the soil fertility indicated that the soils from Guangming and Qingcun Towns in Fengxian were rich in organic matter, total nitrogen, and total potassium, and were fertile soils. In contrast, though the soil from Xinghuo Town was rich in potassium, it lacked other nutrients. The phosphorus content in the soils was mainly determined by the application of fertilizers, and the total and available phosphorus contents in the greenhouse soils were higher than those in the soils with other land use types.     

Effects of phosphorus addition with and without ammonium, nitrate, or glucose on N2O and NO emissions from soil sampled under Acacia mangium plantation and incubated at 100 % of the water-filled pore space

An incubation experiment was conducted to examine the effects of phosphorus (P) addition with and without ammonium, nitrate, or glucose on N₂O and NO emissions from soil taken under Acacia mangium plantation and incubated at 100 % water-filled pore space (WFPS). Additions of NO ₃ ^? stimulated the N₂O and NO emissions while NH ₄ ⁺ did not, showing that denitrification was the main process of N₂O and NO production in the study condition. When NO ₃ ^? was added with P significantly (P?<?0.05) increased N₂O emissions regardless of the ratio of the added nitrogen and carbon, suggesting that P addition stimulated denitrification activity. The activation of denitrification by P addition is possibly attributed to two mechanisms: (1) the added-P stimulated denitrification by relieving P shortage for denitrifying bacteria and (2) the added-P stimulated activity of heterotrophic soil microflora with increased O₂ consumption promoting the development of anaerobic conditions with stimulation of denitrification.