Doxorubicin affects the cardiac muscarinic system in the rat.

During the study on the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we observed that a long incubation (4 hr) with doxorubicin reduced the maximal negative inotropic effects of a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol. The mechanism responsible for this doxorubicin-induced reduction of the efficacy of carbachol was examined in isolated guinea pig hearts. In isolated left atrial muscle preparations, 1 hr incubation with 100 microM doxorubicin caused a parallel right-ward shift of the concentration-response curves for carbachol, but a longer (4 hr) incubation with this agent (30, 100 or 200 microM), caused a significant reduction of the magnitude of the negative inotropic effect of carbachol in addition to the concentration-dependent parallel right-ward shift. The 4-hr incubation with these concentrations of doxorubicin also reduced the maximal negative inotropic effect of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, R-phenylisopropyl adenosine (R-PIA), without affecting the potency of this agonist. Doxorubicin (1 to 100 microM) reduced [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding in a concentration dependent manner, but failed to alter [3HIR-PIA binding. The decrease in the magnitude of the maximal negative inotropic effect by doxorubicin was caused by changes in the muscarinic system at steps common to the transduction of muscarinic and adenosine A1 receptor mechanisms.     

Basic characterization of avian β‐defensin genes in the Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

In this study, we identified a cluster of 14 avian β‐defensins (AvBD; approximately 66 kbp) in the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica. Except for AvBD12 (CjAvBD12) and ‐13, the CjAvBDs coding sequences exhibited greater than 78.0% similarity to the respective orthologous chicken AvBD genes (GgAvBD). The putative amino acid sequence encoded by each CjAvBD contained six cysteine residues and the GXC (X1‐2) motif considered essential for the β‐defensin family. Each CjAvBDs also formed a sub‐group with the respective orthologous genes of various bird species in a phylogenetic tree analysis. Synteny between the CjAvBD cluster and GgAvBD cluster was confirmed. The CjAvBD cluster was mapped on the long‐arm end of chromosome 3 by linkage analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CjAvBD1 and CjAvBD12 (approximately 46kbp), as well as GgAvBD cluster. We also confirmed that CjAvBD1, ‐4, ‐5, ‐9, and ‐10 are transcribed in 20 tissues, including immune and digestive tissues. However, our experimental data indicated that the CjAvBD cluster lacks the AvBD3 and ‐7 loci, whereas the CjAvBD101α, ‐101β, and ‐101θ loci arose from gene duplication of the AvBD6 orthologous locus in the CjAvBD cluster after differentiation between Coturnix ‐ Gallus.     

Vulnerability of feline T-lymphocytes to charged particles

An analysis of ionizing radiation-induced damage in peripheral lymphocytes has been employed to predict the prognosis of radiotherapy in terms of toxicity in normal tissues. Therefore, understanding the sensitivity of lymphocytes to high linear energy transfer (LET)-charged particles would be indispensable for utilizing charged particle therapy in veterinary medicine. However, the availability of such information is very limited. This study aimed to compare the radiosensitivity of feline T lymphocytes to gamma-rays (0.2 keV/microm) and 4 different types of charged particles with LET values ranging from 2.8 to 114 keV/microm. It was observed that the relative biological effectiveness, inactivation cross-section, and isodose-induced apoptosis increased in an LET-dependent manner. On the other hand, no difference in apoptosis frequency was observed in the cells exposed to an isosurvival dose of all the radiation types tested. This is the first study that demonstrates the LET dependence of cell killing and apoptosis induction in feline T lymphocytes. Our results suggest that lymphocytes can be effectively used to predict the prognosis of charged-particle therapy in cat patients.     

Regression of venous thrombus after trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in a dog

An 8.0-kg 8-year-old male dachshund was presented for surgical treatment of suspected pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism with portal vein thrombosis. Advanced diagnostic imaging revealed a thrombus in the splenic and portal veins. For the portal vein thrombus, CT angiography showed an enhanced timing delay in the lateral right and caudate liver lobes. Blood tests showed a marked increase in the liver panel, including total bile acid. Brain MRI revealed a pituitary mass, suggesting pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The mass was completely resected. The preoperative antithrombotic therapy of rivaroxaban (0.66 mg/kg, PO, once per day) and clopidogrel sulphate (1.66 mg/kg, PO, once per day) was continued postoperatively. Six months after resection of the pituitary mass, the thrombus had disappeared. Further studies are required to prove a causal association between the disappearance of the thrombus and the treatments provided.     

Surgical treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma using an oral approach in 2 dogs

Middle ear cholesteatoma is caused by the formation of epidermoid cysts that result in distention and enlargement of the tympanic bulla with subsequent destruction of surrounding tissues. We report treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma in 2 dogs, via an oral surgical approach. Abnormal tympanic bulla contents and the wall compressing the pharynx were successfully removed in both cases. Computed tomography imaging, surgical findings, and histopathology results were consistent with middle ear cholesteatoma in both cases. The outcomes in both cases suggest that an oral surgical approach may be an alternative treatment for middle ear cholesteatoma in dogs.Key clinical message:Despite the limited number of cases described herein, our report indicates that the direct oral approach for canine cholesteatoma may be and alternative approach.     

Ammonium nitrogen in soil solution and seed nitrogen affect the percentage of establishment of rice plants in submerged soil

The effect of ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution on the establishment of rice plants was examined. The increase of the concentration decreased the percentage of establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, although most of seeds sown on submerged soil became established. Therefore, the increase of ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution may impair the establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, which would occur presumably because the increase delays the spear growth and emergence without the decline of soil redox potential. Several seed lots with various nitrogen contents were obtained from rice plants grown under various conditions. The percentage of establishment of low-nitrogen seeds sown in submerged soil was much lower than that of high-nitrogen seeds, especially in soils whose solution contained a large amount of ammonium nitrogen. However, the difference in the percentage of establishment between high- and low-nitrogen seeds sown on submerged soil was much smaller. Therefore, the increase of seed nitrogen content may improve the percentage of establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, presumably because the increase accelerates the spear growth and emergence. Consequently, for direct sowing in submerged soil, ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution should remain low because ammonium nitrogen exerts an adverse effect on seedling establishment, and vigorous seeds with a high nitrogen content should be sown because seed nitrogen exerts a beneficial effect on seedling establishment.     

Comparison of the effects of seed coating with tungsten and molybdenum compounds on seedling establishment rates of rice,wheat, barley,and soybean under flooded conditions

Seed coating with molybdenum compounds improves seedling establishment for rice, wheat, barley, and soybean when such seeds were sown under flooded conditions. Tungsten belongs to the same chemical group as molybdenum in the periodic table, and similar to molybdenum, inhibits the generation of sulfide ions. Here, the effects of tungsten and molybdenum containing seed coatings on seedling establishment under flooded conditions were compared using rice, wheat, barley, and soybean. In rice, the effects of tungsten compounds on seedling establishment varied. Tungsten trioxide had little effect but tungstic acid and ammonium phosphotungstate significantly improved seedling establishment when the amounts were at least .1–.2 mol W kg^?1. Although the effect of tungsten coating varied depending on the compound used, ammonium phosphotungstate, along with other tungsten compounds, improved seedling establishment in a manner comparable with that of molybdenum compounds. For wheat and barley, ammonium phosphotungstate treatment resulted in a significant increase in establishment that was only slightly less than the results observed using molybdenum compounds. Tungstic acid and ammonium phosphotungstate treatments improved soybean establishment in a significant manner that was comparable with those of molybdenum compounds. Collectively, these results suggest that tungsten compounds, as well as molybdenum compounds, improve seedling establishment under flooded conditions.     

Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

Quantitative monitoring of changes in forest habitat connectivity following the great eastern Japan earthquake and tsunami

Landscape Ecology - In March of 2011 a huge tsunami devastated forest habitats along the coast of Sendai Bay in northeastern Japan. Evaluation and monitoring of the changes in habitat connectivity...     

不同添加剂对苜蓿青贮饲料品质的影响

利用糖蜜、甲酸、乳酸菌制剂和酶制剂分别或共同对 2种不同含水率的苜蓿进行了青贮调制试验 ,结果表明 :不同添加剂处理的苜蓿 1(含水率 71%～ 73% )和苜蓿 2 (含水率 6 2 %～ 6 4 % )青贮饲料的等级均为良好 ,且发酵品质均比对照组有所提高。糖蜜使苜蓿 1和苜蓿 2青贮饲料乳酸与总酸质量比分别提高 4 7%和 32 % ,NDF降解率分别提高 10 %和 2 2 % ;乳酸菌制剂降低了青贮饲料中乳酸含量 ,提高了乙酸含量 ,使NDF降解率分别比对照组提高 2 6 %和 18% ;酶制剂提高了动物的消化率 ;乳酸菌制剂和酶制剂共同作用使乳酸与总酸质量比分别降低了37%和 39% ,同时提高了动物消化率和青贮饲料的营养价值 ;甲酸处理使饲料中乙酸与总酸质量比分别降低了31%和 2 5 % ,NDF降解率分别提高了 19%和 14 % ,并在一定程度上抑制了蛋白质和氨基酸的分解。糖蜜有效抑制了苜蓿 1青贮饲料的二次发酵 ,但苜蓿 2青贮饲料的发酵品质显著优于苜蓿 1(P <0 0 5 )。