A cat with acute myeloblastic leukemia without maturation (M1) treated with combination chemotherapy

A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented to us with decreased activity and anorexia. Hematologic findings revealed a mild non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis with an increase in blast cells. Bone marrow aspirates also revealed a marked increase of blasts. The blastic cells were shown to be positive for peroxidase. Acute myeloblastic leukemia without maturation (M1) was diagnosed according to the FAB classification. Chemotherapy was initiated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone, and cytosine arabinoside. The cat responded partially. In total, the cats were given 7 blood transfusions. The cat died 14 weeks after first being presented to us.     

Expression of nestin and IGF-1 in rat pancreas after streptozotocin administration

The present study examines whether centroacinar (CA) and intercalated duct (ICD) cells can serve as stem cells, after administration of the diabetogenic agent streptozotocin (STZ). Thirty rats were divided into five experimental groups: (1) control, (2) 1 day after STZ (STZ-1), (3) 3 days after STZ (STZ-3), (4) 7 days after STZ (STZ-7) and (5) 14 days after STZ (STZ-14). Many small pancreatic islets were observed in the STZ-7 group than in the other experimental groups, and many of these small islets were in close contact with ICD and CA cells. A higher number of nestin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1-receptor positive ICD and CA cells were observed at STZ-3 and STZ-7 than at the others. These expression patterns coincided well with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen pattern. The results suggest that rat pancreatic endocrine cells after damage by STZ administration might be recovered from newly generated cells derived from ICD and CA cells.     

Embryo collection from pigs post‐pseudopregnancy induced by estradiol dipropionate

We aimed to define whether embryo collection carried out after pseudopregnancy was of similar outcome and quality as after artificial abortion. To induce pseudopregnancy, 30 gilts or sows were given 20 mg intramuscular estradiol dipropionate (EDP) 10–11 days after the onset of estrus. Ten additional pigs were inseminated artificially at natural estrus as a control group. Prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) was administered twice with a 24 hr interval beginning 15, 20, or 25 days after EDP‐treatment (n = 10 per group) or between 23 and 39 days after artificial insemination in control pigs. Following this, all pigs were given 1,000 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and then inseminated. Embryos were recovered 6 or 7 days after hCG treatment and outcome was recorded. There was no significant difference in the number of normal embryos collected from the pigs with PGF_2α initiated at different time points or from the control group. Embryonic developmental stages 7 days after hCG treatment also did not differ among groups. These results indicate that the use of EDP to induce pseudopregnancy, followed by PGF_2α administration to synchronize estrus for subsequent embryo harvest, is a suitable alternative to the artificial abortion method.     

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.     

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.     

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.