Reliability in somatic cell count measurement of clinical mastitis milk using DeLaval cell counter

Somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements are typically performed using quantitative methods, such as the Breed method (Breed) and the Fossomatic method (FSCC). The DeLaval cell counter (DCC) developed recently is a quantitative somatic cell counter with a low initial cost and superior portability. However, since the DCC was specifically developed for measuring SCC of ≤ 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL milk from bulk tanks or individual cows, its reliability for estimating SCC that exceed this concentration has not yet been clarified. This study therefore examined whether it is possible to accurately measure SCC by diluting milk samples with initial SCC of 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL, as seen in clinical mastitis milk. We collected milk samples from 99 quarters of 99 Holstein cows with clinical mastitis. These milk samples were diluted 10‐fold with saline and thoroughly mixed before performing SCC measurement with the DCC. The correlation coefficients of SCC measured by the FSCC, Breed and DCC methods indicated strong correlations between each pair of methods. The findings showed that DCC can be used to identify bovine clinical mastitis milk and is useful as a quantitative SCC measurement device on farm sites.     

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in cattle sedated with xylazine

This study examined the effect of sedation with xylazine on the brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) of cattle to determine whether sedation causes differences in waveform configuration, peak latencies, interpeak latencies, measurement time of the average count (2000 responses), and clinical signs. There were no significant differences between the sedation and no-sedation groups in peak latency of any stimulus intensities. In the sedation group, the baselines of waveforms were comparatively stabilized. Those in the no-sedation group were unstable, however, because the measurement can be influenced by excessive muscle movement. The present findings suggest that clinically, it is useful to use a sedative when measuring BAEP in cattle to control excessive movement of the cattle without influencing the peak latencies.     

Retrospective diagnosis of feline GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (Sandhoff-like disease) in Japan: possible spread of the mutant allele in the Japanese domestic cat population

GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 (human Sandhoff disease) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by simultaneous deficiencies of acid beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) A and Hex B due to an abnormality of beta-subunit, a common component in these enzyme molecules, which is coded by the HEXB gene. In the present study, a retrospective diagnosis was performed in 2 previous suspected cases of feline Sandhoff-like disease using a DNA test to detect the causative mutation identified previously in 4 cats in 2 other families of Japanese domestic cats. Enzymic analysis was also performed using stored leukocytes and plasma collected from the subject families in order to investigate the usefulness of enzymic diagnosis and genotyping of carriers. The DNA test suggested that the 2 cases were homozygous recessive for the mutation. Consequently, 6 cats homozygous for the same mutation have been found in 4 separate locations of Japan, suggesting that this mutant allele may be spread widely in the Japanese domestic cat populations. In enzymic analysis, Hex A and Hex B activities in leukocytes and plasma measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide as a substrate were negligible in affected cats, compared with those in normal and carrier cats. However, there was a wide overlap in enzyme activity between normal and carrier cats. Therefore, it was concluded that enzymic analysis is useful for diagnosis of affected cats, but is not acceptable for genotyping of carriers.     

Generation of monoclonal antibody against canine neural-cell adhesion molecule

A monoclonal antibody, K9BYU, was generated using Escherichia coli recombinant extracellular domain of canine neural-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) as an antigen. Immunoreactivity of K9BYU to insect cell recombinant canine N-CAM was demonstrated by Western blotting using Sf9 insect cells transfected with the canine N-CAM gene. In Western blotting against canine brain tissue, K9BYU detected three isoforms of N-CAM that correspond to three major isoforms of human and mouse N-CAM (N-CAM-120, -140, and -180). From these results, K9BYU was considered to be a useful tool for research of canine N-CAM.     

A Comparison of the Plasma Fructose Concentrations in Dogs and Cats and Changes in the Fructose Concentrations in Dogs Following Intravenous Administration of Fructose

The plasma concentrations of fructose, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) were measured in dogs and cats. Changes in these concentrations were investigated in dogs by an intravenous fructose tolerance test (IVFTT) at a dose of 0.1 g/kg body weight. Fructose concentrations in the plasma of dogs were significantly higher than those of cats. There was no significant difference in plasma glucose concentrations between dogs and cats. Plasma FFA concentrations decreased and TG concentrations increased after feeding in both dogs and cats. During the IVFTT, the plasma fructose concentrations in the dogs increased rapidly to a peak by 2 min and then decreased to half of the peak by 5 min after the administration of fructose. Administration of fructose resulted in an increase in the plasma TG concentrations and reduced plasma FFA concentrations in the dogs. Only 4% of the administered fructose was detected in the urine of dogs following IVFTT. Plasma fructose was considered to be rapidly absorbed and metabolized in both dogs and cats. However, as with glucose metabolism, there appear to be some differences in fructose metabolism between dogs and cats.     

Bioremediation of trichloroethylene and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene-contaminated groundwater by methane-utilizing bacteria.

Experimental studies on the bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with low concentration trichloroethylene (TCE) and cis1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE) were performed with two sets of bioreactors. Reactors No. 1 and No. 2 were operated without and with methane supplement, respectively. No inoculum was used. The concentrations of TCE and DCE in the effluent and the off gas from reactor No. 2 were much lower than those from reactor No. 1. When air and an H2O2 solution were supplied to reactor No. 2, concentrations of TCE and DCE in the effluent and the off gas were lower than the lowest detectable limit. The population of methane-utilizing bacteria in reactor No. 2 was 1,000 times higher than that in groundwater or in the effluent from reactor No. 1. These methane-utilizing bacteria were apparently attributable to the treatment of TCE.     

Comparison of the activities of enzymes related to glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver of dogs and cats.

Activities of enzymes related to glucose metabolism were measured in canine and feline liver. There were no significant differences in plasma glucose and immunoreactive insulin concentrations between dogs and cats. Glucokinase activities were absent in feline liver, however, activities of other glycolytic enzymes such as hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase, were significantly higher than those in canine livers. Activities of rate limiting enzymes of gluconeogenesis such as pyruvate carboxylase, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase in feline livers were significantly higher than those in canine livers.     

Migratory history of the giant mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata) in the Bonin Islands of Japan

Chino N, Arai T. Migratory history of the giant mottled eel ( Anguilla marmorata ) in the Bonin Islands of Japan.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 19–25. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Abstract –  In order to elucidate the migratory history and habitat use of the giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata, in the Bonin Islands of Japan, strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in otoliths were examined by X-ray electron microprobe analysis. The X-ray intensity map and line analyses showed three fluctuation patterns: (i) freshwater residence, (ii) continuous residence in brackish water, and (iii) residence in freshwater after recruitment, while returning to brackish water. Based on these results and previous studies, the migratory behaviours of A. marmorata appear to differ in each habitat in response to inter- and intra-specific competition. The results suggest that A. marmorata has a flexible pattern of migration, with an ability to adapt to various habitats and salinities.     

Preliminary study on homing,site fidelity,and diel movement of black rockfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes inermis</Emphasis> measured by acoustic telemetry

Several species of fish exhibit strong homing ability and distinct site fidelity to their original habitats and spawning sites. We have studied the homing ability, site fidelity, and diel movement patterns of three nocturnal black rockfish Sebastes inermis. The patterns were studied by radio-linked acoustic positioning system (VRAP) and fixed monitoring receivers (VR2) in Maizuru Bay, Japan from June to July 2004. All tagged fish were displaced by 80–120 m, but they returned to their respective captured sites at dusk, regardless of the time of release. The fish tagged with a depth sensor transmitter displayed active vertical movement just after the release, and subsequently swam near the bottom depth around the captured site. After homing, they displayed small home ranges [average 815 ± 265 m² (SD)] around a single rocky area with one or two core areas (average 64 ± 30 m²). One core area was utilized during the daylight and dark periods, whereas the other was used primarily during the dark period. The depth-tagged fish primarily used the depth of the rock crevice during the daylight, and it spent its dark period between the surface and the deeper bottom depth.