Growth hormone and lactogenic hormones can reduce the leptin mRNA expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Leptin mRNA is expressed in not only adipocytes but also mammary epithelial cells and leptin protein is present in milk. Although milk leptin is thought to influence metabolism or the immune system in neonates, there is little information about the regulation of leptin expression in mammary epithelial cells. We examined the effect of growth hormone (GH) and/or lactogenic hormone complex (DIP; dexamethasone, insulin and prolactin) on leptin mRNA expression in mammary epithelial cells. We used a bovine mammary epithelial cell (BMEC) clonal line, which was established from a 26-day pregnant Holstein heifer. We confirmed that the mRNA was expressed in BMECs and the expression was significantly reduced by GH and/or DIP, when the cells were cultured on both plastic plates and cell culture inserts at days 2 and 7 after stimulation with lactogenic hormones. GH and/or DIP significantly increased level of alpha-casein mRNA in BMECs after 7 days on the cell culture inserts, but no mRNA expression was detected at day 2. GH and DIP significantly stimulated the secretion of alpha-casein from BMEC on cell culture inserts at 3.5 and 7 days. However, neither alpha-casein mRNA expression nor secretion was observed in the BMECs cultured on plastic dishes, even in the presence of GH or/and DIP. These results indicate that GH and DIP can directly reduce leptin mRNA expression in both undifferentiated and functionally differentiated bovine mammary epithelial cell.     

Arsenic extractability with phosphate and citrate from peat collected in Bangladesh

Abstract

Arsenic extractability with various solutions from peat samples collected in Deuli Village, Bangladesh, was investigated to reveal the leaching mechanisms of arsenic in sediments to groundwater. Peat layer was distributed at the depth of 7–8 m in the sediments, and the peat samples collected and used in this experiment contained 137 mg kg^?1 arsenic. A wide range of pH values and concentrations of phosphoric acid and trisodium citrate was used for the extracting solutions. Arsenic extractability with Hel (25–1,000 mM) or NaOH (20–500 mM) at different pH values ranged for 30 to 60% in strong acid or alkali, while was less than 0.1% in the neutral pH range against the total content. Extraction of arsenic with 100 mM phosphoric acid and 100 mM trisodium citrate was about 20% even at a neutral pH, while the extractability with these solutions at concentrations below 1 mM was similar to that with distilled water. These results suggest that competitive exchange and / or chelating action are / is the prior possible mechanism for arsenic leaching from peat. However, the experimental conditions such as pH value or phosphate anion concentration differed from those in the study area where the pH of groundwater was almost neutral and the phosphate anion concentration was only 0.01 mM. Moreover, since the experiment was conducted using a batch system under oxidative conditions and not using a continuous flow system, the importance of the oxidation-reduction potential in the sediments and organic matter content in the groundwater should be investigated.     

Monoblastic leukemia (M5a) with chronic basophilic leukemia in a cat

A cat was presented with depression and anorexia. The complete blood cell count (CBC) revealed non-regenerative anemia (PCV, 8.5%), marked thrombocytopenia (2,400/µl), and leukocytosis (32,090/µl). In the peripheral blood, proliferation of blast cells (85%; 27,276/µl) and basophils (7.7%; 2,460/µl) was observed. Bone marrow aspirate showed hyperplasia with 8.8% blasts and 90.2% basophils of all nucleated cells. The blast cells were negative for myeloperoxidase staining and positive for alpha-naphthol butyrate esterase staining, indicating the agranular blasts are monoblasts. Thus, acute monoblastic leukemia (M5a) with chronic basophilic leukemia was diagnosed. Basophils accounted for more than 40% of the bone marrow, and we diagnosed secondary basophilic leukemia. Secondary basophilic leukemia should be included in the differential list when abnormal basophil increases are observed in feline bone marrow.     

Pathological features of hepatic portal venous gas in a cat

An 8-year 8-month-old castrated male Munchkin presented with vomiting, anorexia and hypoactivity. Computed tomography revealed excessive gas accumulation within the intestinal lumen and gas bubbles in the liver, spleen, and portal venous system, indicating hepatic portal venous gas. The cat died without any significant improvement, and mild splenomegaly was found at necropsy. Histologically, multiple gas vacuoles were diffusely observed in the liver and spleen. In the stomach, multiple gas vacuoles and scattered focal ulcers were detected within the mucosa. Multifocal hemorrhage was noted in the small and large intestines, whereas gas vacuoles were not present. Based on these findings, a gastric ulcer under high gas pressure may have provided an entry point for gas into the portal venous system.     

Soil physical properties and preferential flow pathways in tropical rain forest, Bukit Tarek, Peninsular Malaysia

Soil physical properties and water movement within soil were investigated using dyes in a tropical rain forest, the Bukit Tarek Experimental Watershed of Peninsular Malaysia. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (K _s) decreased with increasing soil depth. TheK _s values were higher than those reported for other tropical soils. The geometric means of theK _s values ranged from 4.69×10⁻³ (80 cm) to 4.07×10⁻² cm s⁻¹ (10cm). This suggests saturation overland flow may not be dominant but that subsurface flow must play an important role in stormflow generation. The shapes of the soil moisture characteristic curves resembled those of forest soils which have large changes in volumetric water content at pressure heads <30 cmH₂O. The relatively high conductivities were due to the presence of a porous zone of decomposed root channels which existed continuously in vertical direction. Besides decayed roots, living roots also encourage preferential flow in vertical and lateral (downslope) directions. Termite activities may also form water flow pathways in tropical regions. These detailed results help us analyze water flow within the soil in tropical rain forests.     

Serological evidence of infection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in domestic animals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region area, China

Serological methods were utilized to detect Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infection in domestic animals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. By using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), antibodies that reacted with Anaplasmaphagocytophilum and Ehrlichiachaffeensis were detected mainly in ruminants kept on pastureland in Altai, Ili and Kashgar area. Antibody titers up to 1:320 were recorded. These results indicate that ruminants kept in these areas may be infected with some species of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia.     

Molecular survey of Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus mycoplasma haemominutum' infection in cats in Yamaguchi and surrounding areas

A molecular survey of hemoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum') in Yamaguchi Prefecture and surrounding areas was performed by using molecular methods. PCR-RFLP with HindIII revealed that 2 cats were infected with M. haemofelis, and 16 with 'C. Mycoplasma haemominutum' among 102 randomly selected cats. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of M. haemofelis and 'C. Mycoplasma haemominutum' determined in this study showed percent similarities of 98.3-99.8% and 96.4-100%, respectively, with those from other countries. Hemoplasma infections were more frequently detected in free-roaming cats than inside cats. Also, the status of FeLV infection was another significant risk factor for hemoplasma infection.     

Somatosensory evoked potentials produced by stimulation of the dorsomedial nerves innervating the tail in dogs

To record the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) produced by stimulation of tail nerves and determine the effects of acute compression of the cauda equina on SEPs. The subjects were 10 adult Beagles. SEPs were recorded after stimulating the dorsomedial nerves (DMN) innervating the tail. The cauda equina was compressed using a balloon catheter inserted into the vertebral arch. In SEPs, two negative and one positive peak were often observed. The compression of the cauda equina caused significant depression of the positive component. The SEPs produced by stimulation of the DMN reflect the activities of ascending neuronal pathways above the coccygeal spinal segments and may be a useful tool for examining cauda equina syndrome.     

Serological survey of Neospora caninum infection among dogs in Japan through species-specific ELISA

A seroepidemiological survey of Neospora caninum infection among dogs in Japan was conducted using species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant surface antigen (Nc-SAG1t). Among 1,206 dogs examined, 126 dogs (10.4%) from 30 prefectures from Hokkaido to Okinawa were positive to N. caninum infections, which were more frequently detected in females than males. Siberian Huskies showed the highest positive rate compared with the other breeds. Dogs with pyometra and diabetes mellitus showed the higher positive rates than dogs with other diseases or without diseases.