Molecular Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bean yellow mosaic virus </Emphasis>from Vegetatively Propagated Dwarf <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gentiana </Emphasis>Plants

The causative virus (isolate No. 4) of gentian (Gentiana spp.) mosaic, which had been identified previously as Clover yellow vein virus (C1YVV) on the basis of host range and serological reactions, was re-identified as Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) on the basis of the nucleotide sequences of the gene for the coat protein (CP) and the 3′-noncoding region, as well as the predicted amino acid sequence of CP. Received 16 April 2002/ Accepted in revised form 19 June 2002     

Effect of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization loaded with cisplatin on normal dogs

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are standard treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and particularly for unresectable tumors or liver metastases in humans. However, reports on TACE used in veterinary medicine are few. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). We performed DEB-TACE in four clinically normal dogs and pharmacokinetically compared the results against hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of cisplatin in two dogs. Drug-eluting beads (DEB) loaded with cisplatin were injected through a microcatheter for selective embolization of the left hepatic artery. After embolization, computed tomography (CT) images and histological examination findings were obtained during a 4-week observation period. Serum platinum concentrations were measured to evaluate cisplatin after each procedure. Biochemical analysis was performed during a 12-week observation period. Embolization was successful in all dogs, and there were no clinically apparent abnormalities. Embolization was confirmed up to 4 weeks after DEB-TACE in two of the four dogs and up to 1 week in the other two dogs using postoperative CT images. Cisplatin was not detected in peripheral veins in all dogs after DEB-TACE, but it was detected in trace amounts after HAI. DEB-TACE using cisplatin was safe and well tolerated by normal dogs. DEB-TACE may be useful in terms of determining systemic toxicity and drug concentration within tumors.     

Biodegradation of nonlignocellulosic substances II: physical and chemical properties of sawdust before and after use as artificial soil

The physical properties of sawdust including porosity, water retention, and water drainage were analyzed to prove its suitability for use as an artificial soil in the automatic decomposer-extinguisher (GADE) machine. The physical and chemical properties of residual sawdust from the GADE machine were also analyzed, the mechanical abrasion of sawdust in the GADE machine was tested, and the morphology of this residue was observed through a scanning electron microscope to investigate changes of these properties in the medium of decomposing garbage. Sawdust, which showed a lower specific gravity and larger porosity than soil, is considered capable of supplying air to bacteria. It was found that sawdust became worn from the operation of the machine. The spaces of residual sawdust were still observed, but water drainage decreased. The portion of hollocellulose in residual sawdust decreased, although the extractives in it increased. Results indicated that the capacity of sawdust to function as an artificial soil in the GADE machine was decreased owing not only to the destruction of sawdust grain but also to the adherence of products from decomposition, such that sawdust needed to be replaced every few months.Part of this report was presented at the 43rd annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Morioka, April 1993     

The effect of blood deposition on the degradation of the connective tissue of the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata during storage

Fisheries Science - Blood is deposited in fish muscle during storage, and this deposition accelerates the deterioration of flesh quality. We have examined the effect of blood deposition on the...     

Establishment of a canine lens epithelial cell line

Some immortalized lens epithelial cell lines have been established and are useful for molecular analysis. The establishment of additional cell lines must, however, enable a variety of in-vitro examinations. The objective of this study was to establish a new canine lens epithelial cell line by isolating CLC-1 cells from the lens tissue of a dog with cataracts. In CLC-1 cells, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) treatment significantly decreased gene expression of an epithelial marker and elevated that of mesenchymal markers; these characteristics are similar to those of a human lens epithelial cell line. Interestingly, CLC-1 cells exhibited lower expression of an epithelial marker and higher expression of mesenchymal markers than an anterior lens capsule. These results suggest that CLC-1 cells were derived from a cell population that was committed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cataract lens tissue. In conclusion, CLC-1 cells could be useful for analyzing molecular pathogenesis in canine cataracts.     

Pedigree analysis of genetic subdivision in a population of Japanese Black cattle

Twenty‐five subpopulations (i.e. populations of prefectures) of more than 2000 Japanese Black cows younger than or equal to 10 years of age were analyzed to evaluate the genetic relationships in the current population. The total number of cows analyzed was 392 346 and their pedigrees were traced back to 1944 or before. Using the pedigree records, the genetic relationships among the subpopulations were estimated by the two different measurements: (i) the average additive relationship coefficients and (ii) Nei's standard genetic distances. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to the matrix of the average additive relationship coefficients, and the factor loadings of subpopulations were plotted on the plane to visualize the genetic configuration of subpopulations. To understand the grouping process of the subpopulations, cluster analysis was applied to the matrix of the Nei's genetic distances, and a dendrogram was constructed. There was a high consistency between the results from PCA and cluster analysis. Eight subpopulations with relatively low migration rates showed their unique genetic compositions, and the other 17 subpopulations with high migration rates formed a single cluster. The major cause of the genetic similarity among the 17 subpopulations was inferred to be the strong genetic influence from one subpopulation (Hyogo prefecture) with prominent characteristics for meat quality.     

Complete cDNA sequence and mRNA expression of dog preproendothelin-3

The full-length cDNA of dog preproendothelin-3 (PPET3) was cloned from lung tissue using RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Aside from the poly (A) tail, the full-length cDNA was 1976 bp. A polyadenylation signal sequence and one copy of a consensus sequence, ATTTA, which is related to mRNA turnover, was found in the 3' noncoding region. The cDNA had a 594-bp open reading frame encoding a 198-amino acid polypeptide. Regions corresponding to a bioactive mature ET3 peptide, an intermediate form known as big-ET3, and an ET3-like peptide were observed in dog PPET3. Expression of PPET3 mRNA was detected throughout the organs examined, which included heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, colon, uterus, ovary and testis.