Phylogenetic analysis of Theileria sp. from sika deer, Cervus nippon, in Japan

The 18S rRNA genes of Theileria species detected in sika deer, Cervus nippon centralis in Yamaguchi and Cervus nippon yesoensis in Hokkaido, were analyzed. The percent identities of the nucleotide sequences of Theileria from Cervus nippon centralis and Cervus nippon yesoensis were more than 99%. The percent identities of the Theileria sp. from sika deer and Theileria sergenti, Theileria buffeli and Theileria cervi were 97, 96 and 95%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene sequences also revealed that Theileria sp. detected from sika deer comprise a clade that is clearly distinct from the clade comprised of Theileria from cattle.     

Viral-derived DNA invasion and individual variation in an Indonesian population of large flying fox Pteropus vampyrus

Here, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on six large flying foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) collected in Indonesia. Seventy-five virus species in the liver tissue of each specimen were listed. Viral homologous sequences in the bat genome were identified from the listed viruses. This finding provides collateral evidence of viral endogenization into the host genome. We found that two of the six specimens bore partial sequences that were homologous to the plant pathogens Geminiviridae and Luteoviridae. These sequences were absent in the P. vampyrus chromosomal sequences. Hence, plant viral homologous sequences were localized to the hepatocytes as extrachromosomal DNA fragments. Therefore, this suggests that the bat is a potential carrier or vector of plant viruses. The present investigation on wild animals offered novel perspectives on viral invasion, variation, and host interaction.     

Ameliorative effects of proanthocyanidin on oxidative stress and inflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Recent evidence strongly suggests that oxidative stress due to redox imbalance is causally associated with inflammatory processes and various diseases including diabetes. We examined the effects of proanthocyanidin from persimmon peel, using both oligomers and polymers, against oxidative stress with elucidation of the underlying mechanisms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The elevation of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and serum under the diabetic condition was decreased by the administration of proanthocyanidin. The suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and elevation of the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio were observed in the groups administered proanthocyanidin. These results support the protective role of proanthocyanidin from oxidative stress induced by diabetes. Moreover, proanthocyanidin, especially its oligomeric form, affected the inflammatory process with regulation of related protein expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and upstream regulators, nuclear factor kappaB, and inhibitor-binding protein kappaB-alpha. Proanthocyanidin ameliorated the diabetic condition by decreases of serum glucose, glycosylated protein, serum urea nitrogen, urinary protein, and renal advanced glycation endproducts. In particular, oligomeric proanthocyanidin exerted a stronger protective activity than the polymeric form. This suggests that the polymerization of proanthocyanidin has an effect on its protective effect against diabetes. The present study supports the beneficial effect of proanthocyanidin against diabetes and oxidative stress-related inflammatory processes.