Surgery of hepatic cysts in a cat.

A 2-year-old female Japanese domestic cat weighing 3.6 kg was presented due to marked abdominal distention and was diagnosed as hepatic cyst. The bile acid concentration of the hepatic cyst was as low as the serum bile acid concentration. The membrane of the cysts was excised from the edge of the compressed hepatic tissue and no other surgical manipulation was performed. This surgical procedure is simple and quick compared to hepatic lobectomy, however, it is necessary to evaluate the fluid of the cyst before performing this procedure.     

Involvement of a host erythrocyte sialic acid content in Babesia bovis infection

Host sialic acid (SA) has recently been suggested to play an important role in erythrocyte (RBC) infection by Babesia spp. The present study attempted to further determine the specific type of SAs important in the RBC invasion. Bovine RBC was found to bear abundant alpha2-3-linked SA residues but not alpha2-6-linked SA in nature, confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of the neuraminidase (Nm)-treated RBCs. Lectin-blot analyses revealed the removal of alpha2-3-linked SAs from the 97-, 33-, and 31-kDa bands by the Nm treatment. Addition of the Nm-treated RBCs into an in vitro culture of B. bovis resulted in a decreased population of the parasitized RBCs. The thin smear samples from the cultures were then observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope after staining with the alpha2-3-linked SA-specific lectin: a selective invasion of B. bovis was found only in the intact RBCs bearing the SAs, but not in the desialylated RBCs. Furthermore, a significant reduction of the parasitized RBCs was also observed in the culture supplemented with exogenous 3'-sialyllactose containing the alpha2-3-linked SAs. However, the complete inhibition of parasite proliferation was not achieved in the culture. These findings indicate that while the alpha2-3-linked SA-dependent pathway is needed for highly efficient invasion of host RBCs by B. bovis, there might also be other potential alternative pathways.     

Relationship between transportation stress and polymorphonuclear cell functions of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus

Dolphins in a captive environment are exposed to various kinds of stresses. Handling and transportation are stressful events for terrestrial mammals, and such stress may affect immune system function and increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. The same phenomenon could occur in dolphins, however, few studies have reported this in dolphins. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell function of dolphins during transportation. Four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were transported for 6 hr by truck. Serum cortisol levels, leukograms, phagocytosis, and superoxide production of PMN cells were evaluated during handling and transportation compared to resting values. The mean serum cortisol level was significantly increased during handling and transportation (p<0.05) when compared with the resting values. White blood cell (WBC) counts, eosinophil counts, phagocytosis, and superoxide production of PMN cells during handling and transportation stages decreased significantly in comparison with the resting stage (p<0.05). The concentration of serum cortisol was significantly correlated with the results of the WBC counts, eosinophil counts, superoxide production, and phagocytosis (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.001, respectively). The present results indicate that handling and transportation are stressful events for dolphins and could affect their PMN cell functions, thereby leading to the impairment of the immune system.     

Comparison of flower color with anthocyanin composition patterns in evergreen azalea

In evergreen azaleas, major anthocyanins were detected from petals of wild species and cultivars by HPLC analysis. Depending on flower color, all samples were divided into three groups: red, purple or white, using the Japan color standard for horticultural plants. The chromatic components a* and b* values of red group samples showed a convergent distribution, whereas those of purple group samples showed a wider distribution. According to the HPLC analysis, red group samples had two to four major anthocyanins, and those of the purple group had two to six major ones. In contrast, no anthocyanins were detected in the white group petals, although anthocyanidins were detected. These results suggest that the anthocyanin constitution of the purple group flowers is more varied than that of the red group flowers, and this wider variety among purple flowers contributes to extending the diversity of flower color in evergreen azalea.     

Varietal differences in phenolic content and astringency in skin and flesh of hardy kiwifruit resources in Japan

Varietal differences in the total phenolic content and astringency in the skin and flesh were determined among the cultivars and local collections of hardy kiwifruit with a ploidy variance found in Japan. The average values of the total phenolic content in the skin and flesh were 2.66 and 0.18 g 100 g⁻¹ FW, respectively. There were large varietal differences in the total phenolic content in the skin in the range of 1.3–5.0 g 100 g⁻¹ FW. Kochi (tetraploid), while Gassan and ‘Mitsuko’ (hexaploid) contained a larger amount of total phenolics. High astringency was found in Gassan, ‘Mitsuko’ and ‘Hoko’ (hexaploids) and Kochi. HPLC analysis showed that the major components of phenolics in the flesh were (+)-catechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, (−)-epicatechin and quercetin.     

Putative virulence-related genes in Vibrio anguillarum identified by random genome sequencing

The genome of Vibrio anguillarum strain H775-3 was partially determined by a random sequencing procedure. A total of 2,300 clones, 2,100 from a plasmid library and 200 from a cosmid library, were sequenced and subjected to homology search by the BLAST algorithm. The total length of the sequenced clones is 1.5 Mbp. The nucleotide sequences were classified into 17 broad functional categories. Forty putative virulence-related genes were identified, 36 of which are novel in V. anguillarum, including a repeat in toxin gene cluster, haemolysin genes, enterobactin gene, protease genes, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes, capsule biosynthesis gene, flagellar genes and pilus genes.     

Inhibition of hirame rhabdovirus growth by RNA aptamers

RNA aptamers are artificial nucleic acids that specifically bind to a wide variety of targets. They are an effective tool for pharmaceutical research and development of antiviral agents. Here, we describe four Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)‐RNA aptamers (H1, H2, H3 and H4) that we obtained from an in vitro process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The HIRRV‐RNA aptamers specifically bind to HIRRV. Hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells treated with virus and the RNA aptamer showed a decrease in appearance of cytopathic effect when compared with control (treated only with virus). Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was transformed with genes for the RNA aptamers, and the aptamers were detected in the culture medium, indicating that they were secreted from the cells. Thus, the recombinant R. sulfidophilum might be a powerful tool for the prevention of HIRRV in aquaculture.     

Effect of bleeding on the quality of amberjack Seriola dumerili and red sea bream Pagrus major muscle tissues during iced storage

The effect of bleeding on white muscle quality in amberjack and red sea bream was evaluated by measuring ATP-related compounds, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), and the trimethylamine (TMA) content. The freshness was evaluated by the K value, and the degree of spoilage was elucidated by VBN and TMA. ATP was rapidly converted to ADP and AMP in the muscle and IMP was the main product of ATP degradation during iced storage. For both species, the IMP content was higher in the muscles of fish that were bled than in those unbled during iced storage. Conversely, the K value and the levels of hypoxanthine (Hx) and VBN were higher in the muscle tissue of unbled fish than in the bled tissue of both species. Similarly, the TMA content was higher in the unbled muscle tissues of both species after a week of storage.