Variation in cooking and eating quality traits in Japanese rice germplasm accessions

The eating quality of cooked rice is important and determines its market price and consumer acceptance. To comprehensively describe the variation of eating quality in 183 rice germplasm accessions, we evaluated 33 eating-quality traits including amylose and protein contents, pasting properties of rice flour, and texture of cooked rice grains. All eating-quality traits varied widely in the germplasm accessions. Principal-components analysis (PCA) revealed that allelic differences in the Wx gene explained the largest proportion of phenotypic variation of the eating-quality traits. In 146 accessions of non-glutinous temperate japonica rice, PCA revealed that protein content and surface texture of the cooked rice grains significantly explained phenotypic variations of the eating-quality traits. An allelic difference based on simple sequence repeats, which was located near a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on the short arm of chromosome 3, was associated with differences in the eating quality of non-glutinous temperate japonica rice. These results suggest that eating quality is controlled by genetic factors, including the Wx gene and the QTL on chromosome 3, in Japanese rice accessions. These genetic factors have been consciously selected for eating quality during rice breeding programs in Japan.     

Short-term performance of mitral valve replacement with porcine bioprosthetic valves in dogs

Porcine bioprosthetic valves cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and polyepoxy compound were newly developed for mitral valve replacement (MVR) in dogs. Five beagle dogs were performed a left thoracotomy and underwent MVR using the porcine bioprosthetic valves during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A vein catheter inserted into right atrium and a vent catheter inserted into the right ventricle to drain. The hemodynamic conditions of CPB were excellent during surgery. The left atrial pressure was measured before and after MVR; there was no significant difference and it was normal. Thrombosis and the prosthetic valve regurgitation were not observed one week after MVR. Pressure half time (PHT) prolonged significantly (P<0.05) from 31.40 +/- 4.0 msec presurgery to 99.20 +/- 19.4 msec at seven days after MVR, although it indicated the normal range as the bioprosthetic valve. The symptom of the prosthetic valve failure was not observed. This study indicated that the MVR using porcine bioprosthetic valves under CPB might have been effective in dogs as a short-term evaluation.     

Effects of atelocollagen gel containing bone marrow-derived stromal cells on repair of osteochondral defect in a dog

To clarify the contribution of autologous transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), an atelocollagen gel containing or not containing fluorescently-labeled canine MSCs was transplanted into an osteochondral defect which did not repair spontaneously and the histological repair of the defect was compared. Although an early repair of the cartilage was not observed in either defect, the reproduction of subchondral bone was remarkable in the MSCs-implanted defect. Moreover, in 2 weeks after operation, the implanted MSCs were located in the deeper regions of the defect, suggesting the differentiation of osteoblasts. There was a possibility that the movement of the implanted MSCs was due to an increase in intra-articular pressure from postoperative inflammation.     

Pharmacokinetics of oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline in kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicus

The pharmacokinetics of oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline were examined in kuruma shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) after intra-sinus (10 and 25 mg/kg, respectively) and oral (50 mg/kg) administration. The shrimp were kept in tanks with recirculated artificial seawater at a salinity of 22–23 ppt. The water temperature was maintained at 25±0.6 °C. The hemolymph concentrations of both drugs after intra-sinus dosing were best described by a two-compartment open model. The distribution and elimination half-lives (t_1/2 and t_1/2β) were found to be 0.59 and 33.2 h for oxolinic acid and 0.45 and 24.7 h for oxytetracycline, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution at a steady state (V_ss) and total body clearance (CL_b) were estimated to be 1309 ml/kg and 28.8 ml/kg/h for oxolinic acid and 748 ml/kg and 22.7 ml/kg/h, respectively. The hemolymph concentration–time curves after oral administration did not fit by the nonlinear least squares method using one- and two-compartment model with first-order absorption in either of the drugs. The peak hemolymph concentration (C_max), the time to peak hemolymph concentration (t_max) and the elimination half-life were found to be 17.8 μg/ml, 7 h and 34.3 h for oxolinic acid and 24.3 μg/ml, 10 h and 33.6 h for oxytetracycline, respectively. The bioavailability (F) after oral administration was 32.9% for oxolinic acid and 43.2% for oxytetracycline. The hemolymph protein binding in vivo was determined to be 36.7±8.5% for oxolinic acid and 22.9±4.8% for oxytetracycline.     

Comparison of extracapillary and endocapillary blood flow oxygenators for open heart surgery in dogs: efficiency of gas exchange and platelet conservation

The goal of the current study was to compare the efficiency of gas exchange and platelet conservation of a new extracapillary blood flow oxygenator versus an endocapillary blood flow oxygenator during open heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation in dogs. Dilation and remodeling of the right ventricular outflow tract of dogs was performed using a patch graft technique to simulate pulmonary stenosis. Sequential pre- and post-operative blood analysis revealed that gas exchange efficiency and platelet conservation was significantly greater with the extracapillary blood flow oxygenator than with the endocapillary blood flow oxygenator. However, the priming volume of the extracapillary blood flow oxygenator was significantly greater, leading to hemodilution. We conclude that while the extracapillary blood flow oxygenator provided benefits in terms of gas exchange and platelet conservation, development of a smaller extracapillary blood flow type oxygenator to reduce hemodilution effects would be beneficial.     

Generation of canine dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells that are expected to be therapeutic agents for tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we generated DCs of sufficient number for DC-based immunotherapy from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in dogs. PBMC were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). On day 6, large adherent cells with dendrite-like projections were seen, and the number of these large cells with projections increased on day 8. These cells were positive for esterase staining. They expressed MHC class II, CD11b, CD8 and weakly CD4 on their surface. They tended to make contact with lymphocytes under culture conditions. We obtained about 2-5 x 10(6) of DCs from 10 ml of peripheral blood. These DCs phagocytosed HEK-293 cells by overnight co-culturing. These cells generated from PBMC are possible canine DCs and are applicable to clinical trials of DC-based whole tumor cell immunotherapy in dogs.     

GM1 gangliosidosis in shiba dogs

A six-month-old shiba dog with a one-month history of progressive motor dysfunction showed clinical signs of a cerebellar disorder, including ataxia, dysmetria and intention tremor of the head. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies revealed distended neurons packed with membranous cytoplasmic bodies throughout the central nervous system. The activities of lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase in its leucocytes and liver were less than 2 per cent of the control levels, and the compound accumulated in the brain was identified as GM1 ganglioside. A sibling which died immediately after birth was shown to have a beta-galactosidase deficiency in the brain and visceral organs. A family study revealed that the sire and dam of the probands were heterozygotes with approximately half of the normal level of beta-galactosidase activity, suggesting an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.