Plant species identification using fecal DNAs from red-eared slider and Reeves’ pond turtle in agricultural canals for rural ecosystem conservation

Fecal DNA samples from the red-eared slider and Reeves’ pond turtle, suspected pests of lotus root paddies, were used to identify the plant species eaten by these turtles in order to develop a strategy for rural ecosystem conservation. The fecal samples were obtained from young and adult individuals (mostly female) of both species living in agricultural canals surrounding lotus root paddies in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. The samples were screened for the presence or absence of DNA from nine plant species using PCR and plant species-specific primers for the rbcL gene of chloroplast DNA. In the red-eared slider, our analysis identified seven plant species in the fecal DNA samples of adults and three plant species in those of young individuals. In Reeves’ pond turtle, our analysis identified two plant species from adult fecal samples and one species from those of young individuals. Thus, adult red-eared sliders consume a greater range of plants than young red-eared sliders or Reeves’ pond turtles. Both turtle species, independently of age, consumed lotus plants and were likely to cause feeding damage to lotus roots. Considering the plant species detected in adult red-eared sliders and these plant habitats, we suggest that this adult turtle is likely to travel between the agricultural canals and the lotus root paddies. These findings will help the development of strategies for preventing damage to lotus roots by these turtles; furthermore, they indicate that fecal DNA analysis will be applicable to investigation of the feeding habits of other animal species.     

Comparison of canine heartworm removal rates using flexible alligator forceps guided by transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy (FS)- or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided heartworm removal was carried out using flexible alligator forceps to compare the rate of worm removal. As a result, the worm removal rates were similar between the two procedures. However, the TEE-guided procedure does not involve radiation exposure, and facilitates observation of worms in the cardiac chamber and pulmonary artery. Therefore, the TEE-guided procedure is thought to be more useful than the FS-guided procedure in clinical setting.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a mixed breed cat family

A spayed female mixed cat (case 1) and its female offspring, the result of a pairing between case 1 and its male sibling, were diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A pedigree survey revealed that the prevalence of HCM was at least 12.5% in the family, which was considered to be significantly higher than that in a hospital-based population (approximately 1.6%). Thus, this finding seems to support the suspected occurrence of familial HCM in this group of related cats.     

Glycated hemoglobin fractions in normal and diabetic dogs measured by high performance liquid chromatography.

We established a new analytical condition to measure the canine glycated hemoglobin by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using cation exchange column. The canine hemoglobin gave five peaks consisting of 2 major and 3 minor hemoglobin fractions such as HbA1a, HbA1b and HbA1c. Measurement was done in 38 clinically normal dogs and 10 diabetic dogs. Mean HbA1c values (% of total Hb) in normal and diabetic dogs were 2.60 and 6.41%, respectively. And mean HbA1 values were 3.58 and 7.41%, respectively. The mean values of the canine HbA1c and HbA1 in diabetic dogs was higher than those in normal dogs, significantly (p less than 0.01). Advantages of the HPLC method and applicability for monitoring effectiveness of insulin therapy in the canine diabetes mellitus are discussed.     

A simple calculation for obtaining shunt fractions of portosystemic shunts

Since the isotopes can not be utilized for veterinary patients in Japan, the authors developed a simple calculation formula of shunt fraction of portosystemic shunt based on the hepatic circulation model. The shunt fraction can be calculated utilizing only 2 portal pressure measurements of pre-shunt ligation and temporary or permanent shunt ligation. The calculated shunt fraction can obtained pre-ligation and post-ligation either temporally or permanent complete shunt ligation: complete ligation group of PSS (n=59) had 48.2 +/- 16.9% of shunt fractions, whereas the partial ligation group (n=48) had 71.6 +/- 10.7% of shunt fractions.     

An overview of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders of humans and animals associated with an accumulation of abnormal isoforms of prion protein (PrP) in nerve cells. The pathogenesis of TSEs involves conformational conversions of normal cellular PrP (PrP(c)) to abnormal isoforms of PrP (PrP(Sc)). While the protein-only hypothesis has been widely accepted as a causal mechanism of prion diseases, evidence from more recent research suggests a possible involvement of other cellular component(s) or as yet undefined infectious agent(s) in PrP pathogenesis. Although the underlying mechanisms of PrP strain variation and the determinants of interspecies transmissibility have not been fully elucidated, biochemical and molecular findings indicate that bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle and new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans are caused by indistinguishable etiological agent(s). Cumulative evidence suggests that there may be risks of humans acquiring TSEs via a variety of exposures to infected material. The development of highly precise ligands is warranted to detect and differentiate strains, allelic variants and infectious isoforms of these PrPs. This article describes the general features of TSEs and PrP, the current understanding of their pathogenesis, recent advances in prion disease diagnostics, and PrP inactivation.     

Immunochemical sexing of living yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre), using a vitellogeninlike protein

Sexing of living yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre), was carried out based on immunochemical detection of vitellogenin (VTG), a female-specific protein. Tissue samples were taken from swimming fish in a sea pen by a hand-made apparatus. Recently fertilized eggs were also collected before tissue sample trials. A double immunodiffusion pattern showed that the egg homogenate of T. albacares reacted with rabbit antibody against the purified VTG of greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Risso). This suggests that the VTG of T albacares has an antigenicity similar to that of S, dumerili and that this antibody can be used to detect T albacares VTG. Immunodot-blotting analysis revealed that, out of the two fish tested, the tissue sample from one, but not the other, reacted with this antibody, suggesting that the former was a mature female, and the latter a male or immature female. Examination of the fish gonads revealed an ovary and a testis, respectively. Immunological and morphological results corresponded completely. Therefore, the method used in the present study is available for discriminating the sexes of T albacares.     

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the reproductive condition and performance of a tropical damselfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysiptera cyanea</Emphasis> during different phases of the reproductive season

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on the reproductive activity of a reef associated tropical damselfish Chrysiptera cyanea were evaluated under three phases with different environmental patterns, phase I (April–May; increasing water temperature and photoperiod), phase II (June–July; increasing water temperature and peak/decreasing photoperiod), and phase III (August–September; peak/decreasing water temperature and decreasing photoperiod). When the fish were reared at 20, 25, or 30°C under natural photoperiod, the reproductive conditions differed within and among the phases depending on experimental temperature and environmental patterns. From phases I through III, ovaries with vitellogenic oocytes were notable only at 25°C, whereas regressing and immature oocytes were noticed at 20 and 30°C. The fish underwent active spawning at 25°C, whereas no or few spawnings were observed at other temperatures. In phase III, there was a resultant prevention of decrease in the gonadosomatic index and disappearance of vitellogenic oocytes in the ovaries of fish under a long photoperiod (LD14:10) compared to those under a short photoperiod (LD10:14). These results indicate that a long photoperiod with a suitable range of water temperature is a principal determinant in continuity of reproductive activity and performance, and that a high temperature has a negative impact on their ovarian development.     

Preliminary immunohistochemical study of natriuretic peptide receptor localization in canine and feline heart

We examined the immunohistochemical distributions of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A, -B and -C that bind with natriuretic peptide hormones A, B and C in four healthy crossbreed young canine and feline cardiac tissues using specific antibodies against human antigens. Cross-immunoreactivities between antigens and antibodies were confirmed using western blot analysis. NPR-A and -C were expressed more strongly in dogs than cats. In both species, these expressions were stronger in the atria than the ventricles, with stronger expression in the left ventricles than the right. NPR-B was largely very weekly or undetected. In canine and feline cardiac tissues, the expressional distribution of NPR-A, -B, and -C closely matched with that of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-type natriuretic peptide as the ligands for corresponding receptors.