Aspergillus niger pulmonary infection in a dog

A 6-month-old male golden retriever was presented with fever, bloody-watery diarrhea and mild cough. Parvovirus and Isospora canis infection was confirmed and successfully treated. Two weeks later, the dog had severe cough and mucopurulent nasal discharge. Aspergillus niger was cultured from endotracheal washings on blood agar at 37 degrees C. Treatment with itraconazole for about 10 weeks resolved the clinical signs.     

Morphological relationship between intercalated duct and pancreatic islet in streptozotocin and/or camostat mesilate administrations in the chicken

Present electron microscopical and immunocytochemistrical studies elucidated some morphological relationship between intercalated duct (ICD) and pancreatic islet cells in the chicken in streptozotocin (STZ) and/or camostat mesilate (CM) administrations. Twenty-one chickens were set into four experimental groups: (1) control group, (2) STZ administration group, (3) CM administration group, and (4) STZ + CM administration group. Cytoplasms of ICD cells stained more strongly with eosin in STZ administration group than other groups, and electron-dense materials and intercalated processes between ICD and islet cells were also increasing in time dependence in STZ administration. Number of pancreatic islet in STZ + CM co-administration was about 3.1 times larger than other groups. Many small sized cells were detected at surrounding area of ICD and they incorporated 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine better than other experimental groups. Present morphological data suggested that ICD cells might support some tolerances of pancreatic endocrine cells against toxic substances and also involve in regeneration of new pancreatic islet cells in STZ + CM co-administration.     

Age-related changes of genital systems in the female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats during sexual maturation

The age-related changes of vaginal opening, body weight, the weights of the uterus and ovary, together with histological examination, serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels were examined in intact female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats between 21 and 36 days of age to understand the basic biological profile of changes of the female genital system during sexual maturation in the rat for female pubertal assays. With the beginning of the elevation of serum E2 level from 28 days of age, all parameters except body weight started to show drastic change until 31 days of age. The highest incidence of vaginal opening was recorded at 34 days of age. On macroscopic examinations, a number of rats showed uterine imbibition but vaginal opening. Immediately after the confirmation of the vaginal opening, the genital systems of three rats were observed microscopically. Both ovaries already had multiple corpora lutea, and degeneration of endometrial epithelial cells was observed. In conclusion, we obtained essential data on genital tract development of female Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats for in vivo screening assays that will contribute to detect potential endocrine active chemicals. In addition, it is assumed that the first ovulation precedes or occurs simultaneously with vaginal opening.     

Energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) balance of logging residues as alternative energy resources: system analysis based on the method of a life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis

Using the method of a life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis, the energy balance and the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission of logging residues from Japanese conventional forestry as alternative energy resources were analyzed over the entire life cycle of the residues. The fuel consumption for forestry machines was measured in field experiments for harvesting and transporting logging residues at forestry operating sites in Japan. In addition, a total audit of energy consumption was undertaken. It involved an assessment of materials, construction, and the repair and maintenance of forestry machines as well as the costs associated with an energy-conversion plant. As a result, the ratio of energy output to input was calculated to be 5.69, indicating that the system examined in this study could be feasible as an energy production system. The CO₂ emission per MWh_e (e: electricity) of the biomass-fired power generation plant was calculated to be 61.8kgCO₂/MWh_e, while that of coal-fired power generation plants in Japan is 960kgCO₂/MWh_e. Therefore, the reduction in the amount of CO₂ emission that would result from replacing coal with biomass for power generation by as much as 3.0 million dry-t/year of logging residues in Japan was estimated to be 1.66 million tCO₂/year, corresponding to 0.142% of the national CO₂ emission. This study provides evidence that Japan could reduce its domestic CO₂ emission by using logging residues as alternative energy resources.     

Effects of utilization of local food by‐products as total mixed ration silage materials on fermentation quality and intake,digestibility, rumen condition and nitrogen availability in sheep

Four wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate in vivo digestibility of total mixed ration (TMR) silage with food by‐products for dairy cows, and the ruminal condition and nitrogen (N) balance were examined. Five by‐products (i.e. potato waste, noodle waste, soybean curd residue, soy sauce cake and green tea waste) were obtained. Four types of TMR silage were used: control (C) containing roughage and commercial concentrate, T1:20% and T1:40% containing the five by‐products replacing 20% and 40% of the commercial concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively, and T2:40% containing three by‐products (potato waste, noodle waste and soybean curd residue) replacing 40% of the commercial concentrate on a DM basis. The ingredients were mixed and preserved in oil drum silos for 4 months. The TMR silages showed 4.02–4.44% and 1.75–2.19% for pH and lactic acid contents, respectively. The digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrient content were higher (P < 0.05) for T2:40% feeding than for C feeding. Urinary nitrogen excretion tended to be lower (P = 0.07) for T2:40% than for C. The results suggested 40% replacing of commercial concentrate by using the three food by‐products can be most suitable for TMR silage.     

Establishment of a Model of Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku Rats with Left Atrial Thrombosis

Studies that investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease and treatment options typically require the use of a suitable animal model. Few suitable animal models exist for left atrial thrombosis. Here, we demonstrated that the Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku (SPORTS) rat — a Wistar strain known for its running ability—is predisposed to the development of thrombi in the left atrium. We investigated the incidence of left atrial thrombosis in male (n = 16) and female (n = 17) SPORTS rats and observed organized atrial thrombosis in 57% and 38% of males and female rats, respectively. In the male rats, systolic blood pressures and heart rates were significantly higher in SPORTS rats than in control Wistar rats. We could not find any evidence of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, during electrocardiographic examination of SPORTS rats. We believe that the SPORTS rat could serve as a new research model for left atrial thrombosis; further, it may be suitable for research investigating the development of new antithrombotic approaches for the control of atrial thrombosis or familial thrombophilia in humans.