A comparison of two dose calculation algorithms—anisotropic analytical algorithm and Acuros XB—for radiation therapy planning of canine intranasal tumors

Although anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB) are both radiation dose calculation algorithms that take into account the heterogeneity within the radiation field, Acuros XB is inherently more accurate. The purpose of this retrospective method comparison study was to compare them and evaluate the dose discrepancy within the planning target volume (PTV). Radiation therapy (RT) plans of 11 dogs with intranasal tumors treated by radiation therapy at the University of Georgia were evaluated. All dogs were planned for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy using nine coplanar X‐ray beams that were equally spaced, then dose calculated with anisotropic analytical algorithm. The same plan with the same monitor units was then recalculated using Acuros XB for comparisons. Each dog's planning target volume was separated into air, bone, and tissue and evaluated. The mean dose to the planning target volume estimated by Acuros XB was 1.3% lower. It was 1.4% higher for air, 3.7% lower for bone, and 0.9% lower for tissue. The volume of planning target volume covered by the prescribed dose decreased by 21% when Acuros XB was used due to increased dose heterogeneity within the planning target volume. Anisotropic analytical algorithm relatively underestimates the dose heterogeneity and relatively overestimates the dose to the bone and tissue within the planning target volume for the radiation therapy planning of canine intranasal tumors. This can be clinically significant especially if the tumor cells are present within the bone, because it may result in relative underdosing of the tumor.     

Cryptosporidium infection in dogs in Osaka,Japan

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic pathogen composed of genetically distinct but morphologically identical genotypes. Recent molecular study indicates that dogs may transmit the cattle genotype, which is known to be pathogenic to humans. Although large-scale studies of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs have been performed in several countries, the isolates were not accurately identified because of the lack of a method for molecular analysis. It is important to identify the isolates harbored in dogs, which come in close contact with humans, in order to control human cryptosporidiosis. The aim of the present study was to calculate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs in Osaka city, Japan, and to characterize the isolates molecularly. The prevalence was determined to be 9.3% (13/140) by PCR. All isolates were found to be Cryptosporidium canis (previously known as the dog genotype), which is thought to be non-pathogenic in humans, based on the sequencing of diagnostic fragments. These results indicate that PCR-based diagnostic methods are a useful tool for the diagnosis and molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs, and that dogs living in Osaka are not a significant reservoir for human cryptosporidiosis. It is unclear why C. canis is dominant in dogs. Further study is required to understand this partial parasitism.     

Enlargement of the variances in amount and composition of anthocyanin pigments in sweetpotato storage roots and their effect on the differences in DPPH radical-scavenging activity

To investigate the effect of differences in anthocyanin composition on radical-scavenging activity in the purple-fleshed sweetpotato storage root, 124 sweetpotato clones with various compositions of anthocyanin were produced by crosses among superior sweetpotato genetic resources, and were analyzed for anthocyanin composition and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity (RSA). The highest content of anthocyanin among the clones was twofold higher than the content of cv. Ayamurasaki, which has been released for use in industrial pigment production in Japan. The range of variance in anthocyanin composition was very wide, as the ratio of peak areas of cyanidin-based anthocyanins to total anthocyanin peak areas ranged from 85.7% to 6.0%. The relationship between anthocyanin content and RSA was positively correlated. Correlation coefficients between RSA and the HPLC peak areas of cyanidin-based anthocyanins ranged from 0.606 to 0.687, whereas those of peonidin-based anthocyanins were 0.124–0.271. These results clearly demonstrated that cyanidin-based anthocyanins are closely related to DPPH RSA in sweetpotato storage roots.     

Synthesis of benzylaminopyrimidines and their fungicidal activities against wheat brown rust and barley powdery mildew

Members of a new class of fungicide containing benzylaminopyrimidine as a core structure were synthesized and their fungicidal potencies against wheat brown rust, Puccinia recondita, and barley powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis, were assessed. Among these fungicides, N-(fluoroalkoxy or fluorophenoxybenzyl)-4-pyrimidinamines showed notable preventive activities. The potency of the new pyrimidines was increased when a difluoromethoxy or tetrafluorophenoxy group was introduced at the 4- or 3-position of the phenyl moiety and a methyl or ethyl group was introduced at the benzyl position. Structure–activity relationships are discussed. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Double phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain during rigor mortis of bovine Longissimus muscle

To investigate changes in myosin light chains (MyLCs) during postmortem aging of the bovine longissimus muscle, we performed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by identification with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results of fluorescent differential gel electrophoresis showed that two spots of the myosin regulatory light chain (MyLC2) at pI values of 4.6 and 4.7 shifted toward those at pI values of 4.5 and 4.6, respectively, by 24 h postmortem when rigor mortis was completed. Meanwhile, the MyLC1 and MyLC3 spots did not change during the 14 days postmortem. Phosphoprotein-specific staining of the gels demonstrated that the MyLC2 proteins at pI values of 4.5 and 4.6 were phosphorylated. Furthermore, possible N-terminal region peptides containing one and two phosphoserine residues were detected in each mass spectrum of the MyLC2 spots at pI values of 4.5 and 4.6, respectively. These results demonstrated that MyLC2 became doubly phosphorylated during rigor formation of the bovine longissimus, suggesting involvement of the MyLC2 phosphorylation in the progress of beef rigor mortis. Keywords: Bovine; myosin regulatory light chain (RLC, MyLC2); phosphorylation; rigor mortis; skeletal muscle.     

Association of Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium longisporum with Chinese cabbage yellows and their distribution in the main production areas of Japan

Chinese cabbage yellows caused by Verticillium dahliae and V. longisporum is one of the most economically important diseases in Japan. Verticillium isolates from infected Chinese cabbage in Japan were identified as V. dahliae and V. longisporum based on morphological characteristics and newly developed molecular genotyping methods using group I intron of 18S rDNA, mitochondrial-SSU rDNA and cob gene. Although the two species were equally virulent to Chinese cabbage in the greenhouse, V. longisporum was more virulent in the field compared with V. dahliae. Among the 67 Verticillium isolates from Chinese cabbage, 53 were V. longisporum and considered to be the major pathogen. The isolation frequency of V. longisporum was 98?% in Ibaraki and eastern Gunma where Chinese cabbage was cropped from autumn to winter. In contrast, the frequency was 48?% in Nagano and north to west Gunma where the plant was cropped in cool summer and highland conditions and the rests were V. dahliae. This is the first report to show the different geographical distribution of V. longisporum and V. dahliae in Chinese cabbage production area of Japan.     

Positive or negative effects on dough strength in large-scale group-1 chromosome deletion lines of common wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

We studied the seed storage protein composition and dough strength of chromosome deletion (CD) lines involving group-1 chromosomes. The presence or absence of genes and protein bands corresponding to glutenin and gliadin was assessed by using locus-specific DNA markers, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and acid-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE). In this study, we were able to map the physical positions of several glutenin and gliadin genes in detail. Dough strength was evaluated by SDS sedimentation volume and protein content. We found that protein composition affected dough strength. The absence of chromosome arm 1AL, which carries the truncated glutenin gene Glu-A1c, significantly increased dough strength, although the protein composition did not change when the size of the deleted chromosome region was varied. In contrast, the presence of chromosome arm 1DL, which carries Glu-D1a (the gene for glutenin subunits 2 and 12), significantly increased dough strength. We did not find any known seed storage protein loci in any of the other chromosomal regions that significantly affected dough strength.     

GeneScan analysis to detect clonality of T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid neoplasms

Lymphoid neoplasms are usually diagnosed on the basis of cytological and histopathological findings. However, in some cases, discrimination of lymphoid neoplasms from reactive lymphoid proliferation is difficult. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3 of the T-cell receptor (TCR) γ gene can be used to assess clonality of T-cell populations as a supportive diagnostic tool for T-cell neoplasms. Because the length variation in the TCRγ CDR3 is relatively small, false positive results may occur in non-neoplastic T-cell populations in the absence of high-resolution analytical methods for PCR products. In the present study, a PCR assay system was developed to detect clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid cells using GeneScan analysis. Thirty T-cell neoplasms, 27 B-cell neoplasms, and 34 non-neoplastic tissues were subjected to the newly developed TCRγ gene rearrangement analysis. Clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement was detected in 26 of 30 (87%) T-cell neoplasms, 2 of 27 (7%) B-cell neoplasms, and 1 of 34 (3%) non-neoplastic tissues. To compare GeneScan analysis with conventional PAGE and heteroduplex analysis, 20 clonal and 20 polyclonal samples were subjected to both analyses. Most of the results were concordant between the 2 analyses; however, several clonal peaks (bands) appeared as a single band when analyzed via conventional PAGE with heteroduplex analysis in 4 of the 20 (20%) clonal samples as a result of the difference in resolution. The PCR assay system to detect clonal TCRγ gene rearrangement in feline lymphoid cells, using GeneScan analysis, would be a useful molecular diagnostic tool for feline T-cell neoplasms, with high fidelity.     

Framework for Comparing Ecosystem Impacts of Developing Unconventional Energy Resources on Western US Rangelands

More diverse sources of energy are needed for countries to progress toward energy independence and to meet future food production needs. The US Task Force on Strategic Unconventional Fuels concluded that to achieve this objective it is essential to develop a domestic unconventional fuels industry. Rangelands, which cover 50% to 70% of the earth's terrestrial surface and dominate much of the western half of the United States, represent a major source of alternative energy resources. A framework to systematically identify biophysical-socioeconomic links that influence the delivery of ecosystem services affected by alternative uses of rangelands has been lacking. The Integrated Social, Economic, and Ecological Conceptual framework was developed by the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable to address this deficiency. We apply this framework to demonstrate how the effect on ecosystem services of exploiting rangeland-based biofuel, natural gas, and wind energy resources can be systematically compared. We also demonstrate the use of this framework for selecting suitable indicators to monitor changes in the biophysical-socioeconomic links affected by the development of these unconventional energy sources. This type of approach can potentially enhance coordination between federal, state, and local agencies that are attempting to set polices and regulations for the sustainable development of unconventional energy resources on rangelands.