Alterations of activities of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes in di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-induced testicular atrophy

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) ligand, alters the lipid composition of rat testis, yet the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of DEHP on the synthesis and metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids, in the testis of prepubertal rats. DEHP (100 and 1,000 mg/kg, 5 days) administration caused a significant reduction in activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the AA and eicosanoid synthesis pathways. DEHP increased the expression of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in rat testis, whereas cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was not altered. Cytochrome P450 4A1 (CYP4A1), a product of a PPARalpha-regulated gene, was markedly increased in the testis by DEHP administration. Taken together, DEHP suppresses cPLA2 activity and induces the AA metabolizing enzymes such as 12-LOX and CYP4A1, resulting in the reduction of AA level. These data suggest that altered AA metabolic cascades may be related to the decrease of testosterone concentration in DEHP-induced testicular atrophy.     

Hd3a protein is a mobile flowering signal in rice

Florigen, the mobile signal that moves from an induced leaf to the shoot apex and causes flowering, has eluded identification since it was first proposed 70 years ago. Understanding the nature of the mobile flowering signal would provide a key insight into the molecular mechanism of floral induction. Recent studies suggest that the Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is a candidate for encoding florigen. We show that the protein encoded by Hd3a, a rice ortholog of FT, moves from the leaf to the shoot apical meristem and induces flowering in rice. These results suggest that the Hd3a protein may be the rice florigen.     

Procyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds prevents cataract formation in hereditary cataractous (ICR/f) rats

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids have been reported to prevent the progression of experimentally induced cataracts. However, little is known of the effect of procyanidins, a powerful antioxidant, on cataract formation. This paper investigates the anticataract activity of grape seed extract (GSE, which contains 38.5% procyanidins) in hereditary cataractous rats (ICR/f rats). The ICR/f rats were fed a standard diet containing 0 or 0.213% GSE [0.082% procyanidins in the diet (w/w)] for 27 days. The GSE significantly prevented and postponed development of cataract formation by evaluation of slit lamp observations of the rats' eyes. Lens weight and malondialdehyde concentration in the lens and plasma cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (ChE-OOH) level induced by CuSO4 were significantly lower in the GSE group compared with the control group. The rats were also fed for 14 days either the diet containing 0.085% procyanidin dimer to tetramer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), the diet containing 0.090% procyanidin pentamer to heptamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins), or the diet containing 0.093% procyanidin oligomers more than decamer fraction (0.085% as the procyanidins). The ChE-OOH levels in the procyanidin pentamer to heptamer and procyanidin oligomers more than decamer groups were significantly lower than in the procyanidin dimer to tetramer group. These results suggested that procyanidins and their antioxidative metabolites prevented the progression of cataract formation by their antioxidative action. The larger molecular procyanidins in the GSE might contribute this anticataract activity.     

A Case Report of a Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in a T-cell Receptor β Chain and p53 Double-knockout Mouse

A subcutaneous tumor was found in the right abdomen of a 16-week-old male TCRβ and p53 double-knockout mouse. The tumor had indistinct borders with the surrounding tissue. The cut surface after formalin fixation was pale yellowish white, partially dark red and partly white. Histologically, the tumor was composed of three distinct regions. The first region showed pleomorphic cells arranged in sheets. The second region showed spindle cells arranged in interlacing fascicles. The final region contained a mixture of the above mentioned two types of cells. Furthermore, a small amount of collagen fibers, round cells, multinucleated giant cells, and cells with eosinophilic granules were observed between these tumor cells. Immunohistochemical examination and electron microscopy identified that the pleomorphic cells and spindle cells were histiocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, and that the round cells were undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.     

Utility of 5-aminolaevulinic acid fluorescence-guided endoscopic biopsy for malignant mesothelioma in a cat and dog

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is uncommon in cats and dogs and can be challenging to diagnose. Adequate tissue sampling is required for superior diagnostic accuracy. Protoporphyrin IX, a metabolite of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA), is a photosensitiser for photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). To the best of our knowledge, no study has reported the use of 5-ALA-PDD to detect MM in veterinary medicine. The present study describes the use of 5-ALA-PDD for MM diagnosis in a cat and dog, as well as the effectiveness of intracavitary chemotherapy. We evaluated the use of PDD with 5-ALA hydrochloride (5-ALA-PDD) in two cases of MM. A 12-year-old cat presented with a 1-month history of respiratory distress, and a 9-year-old dog presented with a 3-month history of mild abdominal distention. We endoscopically biopsied lesions in both the cases using 5-ALA-PDD. Histopathological examination revealed mesothelioma, and immunohistochemical staining was positive for calretinin. Both patients were treated with carboplatin. The cat died of respiratory failure. Although, the dog's condition improved 21 days after the first chemotherapeutic drug administration, the dog died on day 684 owing to cardiac-related issues. 5-ALA-PDD is thus, safe and feasible for the diagnosis of MM in veterinary medicine.     

Basic biological characterization of feline morbillivirus

Feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) is an emerging virus that was recently discovered in domestic cats with chronic nephritis. Despite the potential role of FmoPV in chronic nephritis, little is known about its biological characteristics. In this study, we established a quantitative assay of FmoPV by using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Viral titers of FmoPV were determined in one week. Treatment with polybrene^® or trypsin which was previously used in virus isolation did not augment the virus titers. FmoPV was notably stable at 4°C, retaining high titers for at least 12 days. Heat-treatment at 60°C and 70°C effectively inactivated FmoPV in 10 and 2 min, respectively. The biological characteristics of FmoPV reported here will be beneficial for establishing an efficient virus isolation method and will provide important information to take a measure to reduce the risk of FmoPV infection.     

Abstracts of Nippon Dojohiryogaku Zasshi

Soil profiles with different vegetation, developed on igneous rock-derived areas in Northern Kyushu have been sampled at 13 locations and analyzed for total Hg with a flameless atomic absorption spectrometer. The associated parent rock was also analyzed. The Hg levels of each rock sample were too low, not exceeding 10 ppb, to exert a significant effect within the profiles on the total Hg content. The Hg content was generally higher in the soil than in the underlying rock, irrespective of the depth of the horizon. Surface enrichment of Hg was observed at most of the sample sites, some paddy fields in particular, resulting in steep concentration gradient down the profiles. The total Hg in all the surface horizons ranged from 459 to 64 ppb with a mean of 197 ppb. Obviously, mercurial application in recent years was a principal factor above all with regard to the establishment of the elevated Hg levels in the upper soil horizon under cultivation.

Man-made loading of this element, probably through rain, was indicated even in the soils under natural vegetation, after taking into account a possible residual Hg concentration in the soil formation process. A close relationship in the profile distribution pattern between total Hg and organic matter contents was observed. This fact, in conjunction with the results of pyrolysis studies, did suggest that a large proportion of the total Hg in these soils could be firmly held by chemical forces, very likely as highly insoluble organic complexes.     

Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Varieties Differing in Tolerance to Aluminum

Extract

As previously reported (Taylor and Foy 1985; Keltjens and Ulden 1987; Grauer and Horst 1990; Galvez and Clark 1991), plant species and varieties widely differ in Al tolerance. Although many hypotheses about the physiological mechanism(s) involved in Al tolerance have been formulated, the mechanism(s) has not been elucidated. However, it is obvious that when exposed to Al at high concentrations, Al-tolerant plants seem to be able to avoid the toxicity by refraining from excess uptake of Al or by chelating of Al in the rhizosphere or in the roots. In such ways, Al can not affect the growth of tolerant plants (Foy et al. 1978).     

Effect of nodulation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Shinorhizobium fredii on xylem sap composition of Peking (Glycine max L. Merr )

Five barley cultivars were grown together in complete, low-P·low-pH and high-Al medium containing only NO₃, only NH₄ or both NO₃ and NH₄ as N sources, respectively using an automatic control system of pH for water culture, and the relationship between the differential Al tolerance and the plant-induced pH change of medium among the barley cultivars was investigated.

The pH of the medium containing only NO₃ as N source tended to increase, whereas the pH of the other media containing only NH₄ or both NO₃ and NH₄ as N sources tended to decrease, but the fluctuations of the medium pH could be maintained within the value of 0.2 pH in the complete medium and within the value of 0.1 pH in the high-Al medium.

Barley cultivars still differed in their Al tolerance in the medium which was continuously stirred and circulated at a constant pH. The pattern of Al tolerance was not affected by the N sources in the medium. The plant-induced pH change of medium for each cultivar was influenced by the N sources in the medium, and was not correlated positively with Al tolerance. The contents of Al and Ca or other nutrient cations in roots were positively correlated with Al tolerance and positive correlations were recognized also between the contents of Al and Ca or some other nutrient cations in the roots.

In conclusion, the following mechanisms are proposed. Al tolerant barley cultivars exclude Al actively outside the plasmalemma of the root cells, and the excluded Al may polymerize and or react with P to form Al precipitates. Consequently, in the Al tolerant barley cultivars the Al content may be low in the root protoplasts, high in the whole root tissues and the contents of Ca or other nutrients may be high in the roots. The plant-induced pH change of medium is not considered to be the cause of the differential Al tolerance among barley cultivars.     

Effects of CO2 concentration in rhizosphere on nodulation and N2 fixation of soybean and cowpea

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cvs. Akisengoku and Peking, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) cv. Kegonnotaki were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum AlO17, Shinorhizobium fredii USDAI93, and B. sp. Vigna MAFF03-03063, respectively and were cultured hydroponically with supply of CO₂-free air, 3dm³ m^-3 CO₂ air, or 25 dm³ m^-3 CO₂ air to study the effects of the CO₂ concentration in the rhizosphere on plant growth, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation. Increase of the CO₂ concentration in the rhizosphere led to the increase of the plant dry weight in the symbiosis between Peking and USDAI93, and that between Kegonnotaki and MAFF03-03063. On the other hand, dry matter accumulation in the symbiosis between Akisengoku and AI017 decreased under the supply of 25 dm³ m^-3 CO₂ air aimed at increasing the CO₂ concentration in the rhizosphere beyond the optimum CO₂ concentration for growth. Nodule mass and nodule number per plant were highest in Akisengoku, followed by Kegonnotaki and lowest in Peking. Also the increase of the CO₂ concentration in the rhizosphere led to the increase of the nodule mass and number in Kegonnotaki, while no changes were observed in Akisengoku and Peking. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) was highest in Akisengoku, followed by Kegonnotaki, and lowest or near zero in Peking. BNF in Akisengoku and Kegonnotaki showed a similar tendency to that of dry matter accumulation. BNF of Peking was especially low under the supply of CO₂-free air, and it increased with the increase of the CO₂ concentration in the rhizosphere. For the symbiosis of Bradyrhizobium strains with soybean and cowpea, the most suitable CO₂ concentration for N₂ fixation and plant growth was estimated to be about 10 dm³ m^-3, while for the symbiosis of S. fredii with soybean, the value was estimated to be above 30 dm³ m^-3.