Changes of lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer cells in mice sensitized with Toxoplasma lysate antigen before and after Babesia infection

When 8-week-old BALB/c mice were sensitized with two intramuscular injections of Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) at 2 week interval, the numbers of sIg(+), Thy-1,2(+), Lyt-1,2(+) Lyt-2,2(+), and Asialo GM1(ASGM1)(+) cells in the spleen, liver and peripheral blood increased by 2 to 4 times over those found in unsensitized mice of the same age. When TLA-sensitized and unsensitized mice were infected with Babesia, 4 of 10 (40%) of the TLA-sensitized mice survived infection, while none of the unsensitized control mice lived longer than 14 days after Babesia infection. By contrast, sensitization of nude mice with TLA had no effect on survival, and mice did not live more than 12 days. The number of thymic Thy-1,2(+) cells decreased in TLA-sensitized and unsensitized BALB/c mice by almost 80% within 10 days after infection (AI). During the same time, the numbers of B cells, T cells, and NK cells increased in the spleen, liver and peripheral blood of both sensitized and unsensitized mice. Especially notable were increases in numbers of Lyt-2,2(+) cells in the spleen and blood and increases in numbers of NK cells in the spleen, liver and blood in both TLA-sensitized and unsensitized mice. When spleen cells from TLA-sensitized and unsensitized mice were cultured in the presence or absence of TLA for 6 days, assays for cytotoxicity using NK-insensitive P-815 target cells and NK-sensitive YAC-1 target cells demonstrated higher rates of cytotoxicity in cultures of TLA-sensitized spleen cells.     

Cliniconeuropathologic findings of familial frontal lobe epilepsy in Shetland sheepdogs

We examined an epileptic focus by electroencephalography (EEG) by using an international 10-20 electrode system in 11 Shetland sheep dogs affected with familial idiopathic epilepsy. We also performed an evaluation of the amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and a pathologic examination of the brains of 8 dogs that died from status epilepticus. Continuous electroencephalography demonstrated that an epileptic focus was initially detected in the frontal lobe, particularly the internal area, and that paroxysmal foci developed diffusely in other lobes of affected dogs with recurrent convulsions. The EEG analyses indicated spike and sharp wave complexes, which were considered to be paroxysmal discharges. An increased value for glutamate or aspartate was found in the CSF of some epileptic dogs. Histologically, acute neuronal necrosis and astrocytosis were distributed predominantly in the cingulate cortex and internal area of frontal cortex, less frequently in other areas of the cerebrum. The results of this study suggest that, initially, the dogs have an epileptic focus in the frontal lobe, and that the focus extends gradually to other areas of the cerebrum. Based on the distribution of neuronal necrosis and astrocytosis, acute neuronal damage may be related to the superexcitation of neurons following epilepsy.     

The genetic diversities of 4 species of subg. Lithocerasus (Prunus, Rosaceae) revealed by RAPD analysis

RAPD analysis was applied to reveal the genetic diversities of 4 speciesof subg. Lithocerasus within the genus Prunus using 40accessions representing the subgenera Prunophora, Amygdalus,Lithocerasus and Cerasus. The accession of subg. Lithocerasus are phenotypically similar to members of subgenus Cerasus but different with them in interspecific crossing tests and isozymeprofiles. Two major clusters, `Prunophora and Amygdalus group' and `Cerasus group' were constructed in the phenogram. We revealthat the examined 4 species of subg. Lithocerasus species; P.tomentosa Thunb., P. japonica Thunb., P. glandulosa Thunb.and P. besseyi Bailey, were genetically closer to the members ofsubgenera Prunophora and Amygdalus than to subg. Cerasus.     

Isolation, identification and characterization of disomic and translocated barley chromosome addition lines of common wheat

Two disomic barley chromosome addition lines and five translocated chromosome addition lines of common wheat cultivar Shinchunaga were isolated. They were derived from a hybrid plant between Shinchunaga and cultivated barley Nyugoruden (New Golden) by backcrossing with wheat and self pollination. Barley chromosomes added to chromosome arms involved in the translocated chromosomes were identified by C-banding method and by crossing these lines with Chinese Spring/Betzes addition lines. Two disomic addition lines were identified to have chromosome 6 and 7 of barley, respectively. Two of the five translocated chromosome addition lines were clarified to have same chromosome constitution, 42 wheat chromosomes and a pair of translocated chromosomes constituted with a long arm of chromosome 5B of wheat and a short arm of chromosome 7 of barley. The other three lines could not be identified due to chromosome rearrangement. Performances of these seven lines on agronomic characters were examined. Addition of barley chromosome 7 induced early heading, and chromosome 6 showed lated heading. Almost all of the lines except that of chromosome 6 showed short culm length and all showed reduced number of tillers, spikelets and grains per ear, and low seed fertility. These lines would be useful for genetic analyses in wheat and barley and for induction of useful genes of barley into wheat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

HPLC fluorometric determination of natural phytoplankton phycocyanin and its usefulness as cyanobacterial biomass in highly eutrophic shallow lake

A method for HPLC determination of phycocyanin in phytoplankton samples using gelchromatography with a fluorescence detector was developed to examine the use of phycocyanin as an index of the appearance and progress of cyanobacterial blooms in highly eutrophic lake. At least two types of phycocyanin with different molecular weights, each spectroscopically different from phycoerythrin and allophycocyanin, were found in natural phytoplankton samples. Changes in phycocyanin concentrations were clearly coupled to changes in chlorophyll-a concentrations during June to October while cyanobacterial blooms were occurring. The chlorophyll-a to phycocyanin relationship was linear at chlorophyll-a concentrations of less than 250 μg L^?1. The relationship between cyanobacterial carbon and phycocyanin concentration was also linear, suggesting that phycocyanin content may be a useful index of cyanobacterial biomass in highly eutrophic lakes where large cyanobacterial blooms occur.     

Cell-Associated Adsorption of Thorium or Uranium from Aqueous System Using Various Microorganisms

The cell-associated adsorption of thorium or uranium from the solution containing each metal only at pH 3.50 using various microorganisms was examined. Among the species tested, high thorium adsorption abilities were exhibited by strains of the gram-positive bacteria Arthrobacter nicotianae IAM12342, Bacillus megaterium IAM1166, B. Subtilis IAM1026, Micrococcus luteus IAM1056, Rhodococcus erythropolis IAM1399, and Streptomyces levoris HUT6156. And high uranium adsorption abilities were found in some gram-positive bacterial strains S. albus HUT6047, S. levoris HUT6156, and A. nicotianae IAM12342. Among these highly efficient thorium and uranium adsorbing microorganisms, S. levoris, which could adsorb the largest amount of uranium from the aqueous solution at pH 3.50, could adsorb about 383 mol thorium and 390 mol uranium per gram dry weight of microbial cells from the solution containing thorium or uranium at pH 3.50. The amount and time course of thorium adsorbed were almost unaffected by co-existing uranium; however, the adsorption of thorium was faster when carried out after the adsorption of uranium. Thorium adsorption also became faster when uranium was added after thorium adsorption. The effect of pH on thorium adsorption was also discussed.     

Effects of isoprothiolane and phytosterol on adipocyte metabolism and fatty acid composition of serum and tissue lipids in rats.

Isoprothiolane at a dose of 250 mg/kg or phytosterol 50 mg/kg was orally administered to rats once a day for 2 weeks. Basal [U-14C]glucose conversion rate to total lipids in isolated adipocytes of the rats was significantly decreased by treatment with isoprothiolane (54%) or phytosterol (82%). Adipocytes from the rats with isoprothiolane released less glycerol than those from control rats only at an epinephrine concentration of 10 microM. The serum level of total cholesterol was depressed by phytosterol ingestion. The level of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was increased by isoprothiolane. Desaturation in fatty acid composition of phospholipid or cholesterol ester was observed in serum, liver and adipose tissue of the rats treated with either drug. These results suggest that either drug may have common effects by preventing lipid deposition into adipocytes and accelerating fatty acid desaturation in tissue lipids.