Killing of feline T-lymphocytes by gamma-rays and energetic carbon ions

High linear energy transfer (LET) heavy charged particles have previously been applied clinically to human cancer radiotherapy because of their excellent physical properties of selective dose distribution and higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for human; however, such an approach has yet to be applied to cat patients. The present study investigates the biological effectiveness of low-LET gamma-rays (0.2 keV/micro m) compared to high-LET carbon ions (114 keV/micro m) in feline T- lymphocyte FeT-J cells. Clonogenic survival analysis revealed that the RBE value of carbon ions was 2.98 relative to a 10% survival dose (D(10)) by gamma-rays, and that the inactivation cross-section in cells exposed to gamma-rays and carbon ions was 0.023 and 38.9 micro m(2), respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) analysis revealed that TUNEL-positive frequency in carbon-irradiation cells is higher than for gamma-irradiated cells against exposure to the same physical doses, but that very little difference in TUNEL-positive frequency is observed between cells exposed to the respective D(10) dose of gamma-rays. Our data thus indicate that carbon ions are more effective for cell killing than gamma-rays at the same physical doses, but kill cells to an extent that is comparable to gamma-rays at the same biological doses. Carbon ion radiotherapy is therefore a promising modality for cat patients.     

Dried green leaf powders of Jew's mellow (Corchorus), persimmon (Diosphyros kaki) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas poir) lower hepatic cholesterol concentration and increase fecal bile acid excretion in rats fed a cholesterol-free diet

A cholesterol-free diet containing dried powder of Jew's mellow leaves, persimmon leaves or sweet potato leaves respectively at 5% level as dietary fiber was fed to male Sprague-Dawley rats for about one month. The experiment was conducted twice except for sweet potato leaves. In the groups fed the diet mixed with powders of any of the three different dried green leaves, the hepatic cholesterol concentration significantly decreased. Such lowering was not observed in serum cholesterol concentration compared with the control (cellulose) group. A significant increase in fecal weight was observed in all the groups fed the green leaf samples. All the dried green leaves increased fecal excretion of bile acids per gram or per day compared with the control group in both experiments, but only the dried Jew's mellow leaves showed an increased excretion of neutral sterols. These results suggest that lowering of hepatic cholesterol by powdered green leaves is not necessarily due to the same factor, but to the increased fecal excretion of bile acids due to inhibited enterohepatic circulation in animals given these samples.     

Development of a microbial community on cellulose buried in waterlogged soil

Summary The development of a microbial community on cellulose (cellophane film and filter paper) buried in waterlogged soil was observed under a microscope. Throughout the decomposition of the cellulose, the biomass, immobilized N, ATP and gas metabolism of the microbial community were examined. As cellulose decomposition progressed, a microbial succession was recognized. This succession was divided into two stages. In the first stage, a few types of cellulolytic microorganisms predominated on the cellulose. Vigorous decomposition of the cellulose was accompanied by a rapid increase in microbial biomass, and H₂ was evolved from the microbial community on the cellulose. In the second stage, the rate of cellulose decomposition was slow. The cellulose remaining was thickly covered with various types of microoganisms. The H₂ produced was consumed by the microorganisms closely adhering to the remaining cellulose. In addition, non-cellular organic N accumulated on the remaining cellulose. A large part of the microorganisms seemed to be dormant in this stage. The trends in this microbial succession were similar to those found in ecosystem successions.     

Effect of probiotics on blood fatty acid metabolism during the late middle stage of fattening period in Japanese Black cattle

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotics administration on fatty acid metabolism in Japanese Black cattle as per changes in blood fatty acid concentrations and blood biochemical tests. Eighteen clinically healthy Japanese Black female fattening cattle bred on the same fattening farm were randomly classified into the probiotics administration group (n=9) or the control group (n=9). In the probiotics administration group, 50 g of probiotics were started per animal per day at the age of 18 months, and the administration period was 2 months from the start date of the study. Blood was collected twice before starting the probiotics administration and at 2 months after starting the probiotics administration. In the probiotics administration group, palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic and α-linolenic acid tended to be higher at the end of the administration compared with those before probiotics administration. Additionally, as a result of multiple comparison test, monounsaturated fatty acids at Post was significantly higher, and the ω6 / ω3 ratio was significantly lower than in the control group. Vitamin A, E and albumin were significantly higher at the end of the administration than in the control group. In this study that administering probiotics to Japanese Black cattle in the late middle stage of fattening period did not have a significant effect on fatty acid metabolism during feed digestion and absorption, but suggested that may alter some blood fatty acids concentrations.     

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in living raccoon dogs assessed by hematological examination

The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in free-ranging raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus) was examined in the southeast region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, using a rapid immunomigration (RIM) test kit. Between April 2007 and March 2010, we examined 108 raccoon dogs rescued and housed by the Kanazawa Zoological Garden. D. immitis infection was found in 8 (7.4%) raccoon dogs. This is the first report to reveal the prevalence of D. immitis infection in living raccoon dogs. The prevalence of the infection was lower than previously reported values obtained on postmortem examination. One reason might be that the present study included young raccoon dogs infected with immature worms. Significant high-risk areas of D. immitis infection in the raccoon dogs were not observed.     

Artificial insemination with frozen epididymal sperm in cats

Artificial insemination with frozen cauda epididymal sperm was performed in cats. Sperm were transmigrated from the epididymides in 10 male cats. The mean sperm motility and viability were 67% and 82.5%, respectively, and 11.6 x 10(7) sperm were recovered. The mean sperm motility after thawing was 24.0%. Eleven female cats received unilateral intrauterine insemination of 5 x 10(7) sperm, and the conception rate was 27.3% (3/11). This was the first case of conception obtained with frozen epididymal sperm in cats.     

Anatomical variation of habitat‐related changes in scapular morphology

The mammalian forelimb is adapted to different functions including postural, locomotor, feeding, exploratory, grooming and defence. Comparative studies on morphology of the mammalian scapula have been performed in an attempt to establish the functional differences in the use of the forelimb. In this study, a total of 102 scapulae collected from 66 species of animals, representatives of all major taxa from rodents, sirenians, marsupials, pilosa, cetaceans, carnivores, ungulates, primates and apes, were analysed. Parameters measured included scapular length, width, position, thickness, area, angles and index. Structures included supraspinous and infraspinous fossae, scapular spine, glenoid cavity, acromium and coracoid processes. Images were taken using computed tomographic (CT) scanning technology (CT‐Aquarium, Toshiba and micro CT‐LaTheta, Hotachi, Japan), and measurement values were acquired and processed using Avizo computer software and CanvasTM 11 ACD systems. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results obtained showed that there were differences in morphological characteristics of scapula between mammals with arboreal locomotion and living in forest and mountainous areas and those with leaping and terrestrial locomotion living in open habitat or savannah. Differences were seen in the ratio of maximum length and maximum width, the orientation of scapular spine and the horizontal length of acromion and coracoid processes. The cause for the statistical grouping of the animals and the way the scapular shape covaries with habitat and to the type of locomotion and speed are discussed in detail.     

Comparison of the glucosinolate-myrosinase systems among daikon (Raphanus sativus, Japanese white radish) varieties

Myrosinase is a cytosolic plant enzyme present in daikon ( Raphanus sativus, Japanese white radish) roots that hydrolyzes 4-methylthio-3-butenyl glucosinolate (MTBGLS) into the natural pungent agent 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC), which possesses antimicrobial, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. The concentration of MTBGLS, myrosinase activity, and production of MTBITC in seven daikon varieties (one conventional and six heirlooms) were determined to rank the activity of the glucosinolate-myrosinase system and identify critical factors influencing the production of MTBITC. The six heirloom varieties produced 2.0-11.5 times higher levels of MTBITC as compared to the conventional variety, Aokubi, which is consumed by the present Japanese population. The myrosinase was located exclusively in the outer epidermal layer in Aokubi, and MTBGLS was widely distributed throughout the root tissue. Although the skin is a potentially rich source of myrosinase in Aokubi, the skin is usually peeled off in the current practice of preparing daikon for cooking. New practices are therefore proposed for the preparation of daikon tubers that eliminate the peeling of the skin to avoid removing the enzyme needed to convert MTBGLS to the health-beneficial MTBITC. It is also concluded that the consumption of heirloom daikon varieties in addition to changes in food preparation will optimize the health benefits of daikon.