Subcellular fractionation of polyprenyl diphosphate synthase activities responsible for the syntheses of polyprenols and dolichols in spinach leaves

Polyisoprenoid alcohols occurring in spinach leaves were analyzed by a two-plate TLC method. Z,E-mixed polyprenols (C(55-60)), glycinoprenols (C(50-55)), and solanesol (C(45)) were mainly found in chloroplasts, whereas dolichols (C(70-80)) were mainly found in microsomes. Analysis of enzymatic products derived from [1-(14)C]isopentenyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) with subcellular fractions revealed that chloroplasts and microsomes had the ability to synthesize Z,E-mixed polyprenyl (C(50-65)) and all E-polyprenyl (C(45-50)) diphosphates, and Z,E-mixed polyprenyl (C(70-85)) diphosphates, respectively. FPP and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) were both accepted for these enzymatic reactions, the former being a better substrate than the latter. NMR analysis of naturally occurring spinach Z,E-mixed polyprenol (C(55)) and dolichol (C(75)) revealed that the number of internal trans isoprene residues in the former was three in comparison with two internal trans residues found for the latter. These results indicate that two kinds of polyprenyl diphosphate synthases occur in spinach: One is the chloroplast enzyme involved in the synthesis of the shorter-chain (C(50-65)) Z,E-mixed polyprenols and the other is the microsomal enzyme involved in the synthesis of longer-chain (C(70-85)) Z,E-mixed polyprenols, which is converted to dolichols.

Detection of Akabane viral antigens in spontaneous lymphohistiocytic encephalomyelitis in cattle

A 5-month-old Japanese black bull calf and twenty-seven 1-27-day-old calves exhibiting neurological signs between August and October 1998 were examined. The bull calf exhibited rapid breathing, fever, hypersensitivity, and ataxia and was euthanized 4 days after the onset of symptoms. The 27 calves primarily exhibited ataxia, and 15 had arthrogryposis. Histological examination of the bull calf revealed perivascular infiltraction by mononuclear cells, diffuse to multifocal gliosis, and neuronal necrosis in the brain and spinal cord. Multiple malacic foci were found in the midbrain in 5 cases. In contrast, in the 15 calves necropsied in October, there were fewer inflammatory changes, but there was neuronal cell loss in the ventral horn and a decrease in myelinated axons in the lateral and ventral funiculi. Immunohistochemical examination using a rabbit antiserum against Akabane virus strain OBE-1 revealed a large amount of viral antigen in the degenerating neurons and glial cells of the bull calf, mainly in the spinal gray matter. Small amounts of viral antigen in swollen axons and a few glial cells were found in 5 of 27 calves. Thirteen of the 27 calves had high neutralization antibody titers against the Akabane virus, whereas there was no significant antibody titer in most of the calves necropsied during August. The present study revealed that viral antigen detection was very useful for the diagnosis of Akabane diseases in the 5-month-old bull calf that was suspected to be infected postnatally, while it had limited usefulness in the other young calves.

Identification of canine alpha-lactalbumin

The nucleotide sequence of canine alpha-lactalbumin cDNA from canine mammary tissue was determined by polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers. A 742 base pairs nucleotide sequence cloned was similar to the size of mRNA in Northern blot analysis. The cDNA encodes 142 amino acid residues containing the conserved sequence motif of alpha-lactalbumin, demonstrating the highest homology with pig (73% identity-82% similarity) among the known amino acid sequences of alpha-lactalbumin. The canine cDNA also showed 71% identity-78% similarity with human, 58-73% with mouse, 60-74% with rat, 67-77% with goat, 66-77% with cattle, and 67-76% with sheep, respectively.

Cloning, expression analysis, and chromosomal mapping of GTPBP2, a novel member of the G protein family

We have identified a novel gene encoding a protein bearing GTP-binding motifs, the characteristics of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited the highest overall homology with GTPBP1 and its mouse orthologue GP-1. Hence, we named the gene GTPBP2. The mouse orthologue of this gene, Gtpbp2, showed 98% identity with GTPBP2 over the entire protein (the HGMW-approved nomenclature symbol is GTPBP2 and mouse orthologue is Gtpbp2). A phylogenetic analysis showed GTPBP2 and homologous G proteins (GTPBP1, AGP-1, and CGP-1) did not belong to major G protein families. They formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that they constitute a novel G protein family. A 2. 9kb mRNA was predominantly detected in the testis along with various other organs. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that Gtpbp2 was predominantly expressed in spermatocytes and round-spermatids in the testis. These novel genes were localized to human chromosome 6p21.1-2 and mouse chromosome 17qC-D.

cDNA cloning and chromosomal mapping of mouse BH-protocadherin

We isolated and determined the sequence of cDNA encoding mouse BH-protocadherin (BH-Pcdh) from heart. It encodes a 1069 amino acids (aa) polypeptide exhibiting an overall 97% identity with human BH-Pcdh-a and 83% identity with Xenopus NF-protocadherin. We also determined the alternatively spliced cytoplasmic tail sequence. The cytoplasmic tail of mouse BH-Pcdh-b is short (2 aa) compared with that of human BH-Pcdh-b (14 aa). The cytoplasmic tail of mouse BH-Pcdh-c showed 100% aa identity with that of human BH-Pcdh-c except for a 8-amino-acid insertion. Northern blot analysis revealed two major transcripts were expressed in brain and heart. Mouse BH-Pcdh-a mRNA was detected as a single band of approximately 5.5-kb. The mRNA level of mouse BH-Pcdh-a and -c were persistently detected by RT-PCR in developmental process of brain and heart, but that of mouse BH-Pcdh-b was elevated only in fetus and neonatal stage of brain. The chromosomal location of the mouse BH-Pcdh gene was determined as 5C3-D using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Amplification of the cyclin A gene in canine and feline mammary tumors

DNAs from 33 canine mammary tumors and 8 feline mammary carcinomas were examined by Southern blot analysis to clarify genomic abnormalities of the cyclin A gene. Amplification of cyclin A was detected in 27.3% (9/33) of canine mammary tumors and 87.5% (7/8) of feline mammary carcinomas. It was suggested that amplification of cyclin A do not correlate directly with the tumorigenesis of canine mammary tumors, because there was no significant difference of incidence of cyclin A amplification between the benign and malignant tumors. In feline mammary carcinomas, the high frequency of cyclin A amplification raised the possibility that the amplification lead to the protein overexpression and play an important role in the tumorigenesis.

Immunohistochemical analysis of cyclin A, cyclin D1 and P53 in mammary tumors, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell tumors of dogs and cats

The involvement of cyclin A, cyclin D1 and p53 proteins in canine and feline tumorigenesis was analyzed immunohistochemically. In the present study, a total of 176 cases were examined, among which there were 108 canine cases (75 mammary lesions, 16 squamous cell carcinomas and 17 basal cell tumors) and 68 feline cases (43 mammary lesions, 20 squamous cell carcinomas and 5 basal cell tumors). Speckled nuclear staining for cyclin A was observed in 19/38 (50%) canine malignant mammary tumors and 18/37 (48.6%) feline mammary carcinomas, while this was not seen in benign mammary tumors of either dogs or cats. Marked intense nuclear cyclin A staining was seen in 7/16 (43.8%) canine squamous cell carcinomas and 18/20 (90.0%) feline squamous cell carcinomas. Only 3/17 (17.6%) canine basal cell tumors showed slight and scattered staining for cyclin A. Expression of cyclin D1 was very rare in both canine and feline tumors. Nuclear staining of p53 was found in 7/37 (18.9%) feline mammary carcinomas. Intense immunoreactivity for p53 was found in 6/16 (37.5%) canine squamous cell carcinomas and 8/20 (40%) feline squamous cell carcinomas. These results suggest that cyclin A may have a role in the proliferation of canine malignant mammary tumors, feline mammary carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas of dogs and cats, and p53 may associate with the tumorigenesis of feline mammary carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas of dogs and cats.

Importance of Escherichia coli infection in ascites in broiler chickens shown by experimental production

Common commercial strain male broilers aged 14 days were intratracheally inoculated with 0.2 ml of 1.2 x 10(6) colony-forming units of Escherichia coli in nutrient broth and kept in a cool environment during the experiment. Ascites was produced in five surviving and two dead birds out of 50 but not in 50 mock-infected control birds. Among the 40 survivors that were infected, the erythrocyte packed cell volume (PCV) of the 10 birds with pericarditis was the same as in 21 grossly normal birds, although that of the four birds with enlarged right ventricle (RV) was high. The pericarditis caused by E. coli septicemia was not the primary cause of ascites. However, the PCV was high in some of the survivors with an enlarged RV without pericarditis, indicating overload due to the lung lesion. These data suggested that some of the birds with an enlarged RV, caused by supplying blood that was insufficiently oxygenated for the body size, suffered from ascites.

Immunohistochemical study of the neuropeptides in the stellate ganglion of the water buffalo

The localization of some neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin (Gal), methionine enkephalin (M-ENK), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity was studied in the stellate ganglion (SG) of water buffalo. NPY, SP, Gal and TH immunoreactivities were present in almost all of the ganglion cells. NPY, SP, Gal, SP, CGRP, VIP and M-ENK immunoreactive nerve fibers were also seen in the SG. The localization and pattern of distribution of these peptides in the water buffalo stellate ganglion were compared with those in stellate ganglia of other mammalian species.

An epizootiological survey of necropsy cases (1993-1997) at University of the Philippines

An epizootiological survey of necropsied cases (1993-1997) at University of the Philippines was performed. A total of 368 cases included 238 avian and 111 porcine cases. Amongst avian cases, the major cause of death was infectious diseases in 212 (89%) cases including 97 (41%) bacterial, 36 (15%) viral, and 21(9%) parasitic diseases. The majority of the avian bacterial diseases presented as septicemia (73 cases) and the viral diseases as Newcastle disease (17 cases). In porcine cases, the major cause of death was also infectious diseases, in 100 (90%) cases including 52 bacterial and 29 viral diseases. Porcine bacterial diseases were classified into 36 septicemia, 4 hemophillosis and 4 colibacillosis. Amongst the porcine viral diseases, most cases were diagnosed as Hog cholera (22 cases).

Green fluorescent protein gene insertion of Sendai Virus infection in nude mice: possibility as an infection tracer

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker from jellyfish Aequorea victoria is considered to have potential use in the study of host-pathogen relationships, by tracing infections in living cells, organs and animals. We compared the pathogenicity of Sendai virus with an inserted GFP gene (GFP-SeV) with that of its wild-type (Wt-SeV) to determine the usefulness of the recombinant virus in long-term infection of BALB/c nude (nu/nu) mice. The results indicated that the presence of GFP in infected cells could be analyzed easily and sensitively. GFP helped in identifying and in understanding the cellular sites of viral replication in vitro and in vivo. However, the GFP insertion into the Wt-SeV genome, led to decreased pathogenicity, altering the in vivo viral kinetics.

A pathologic study on ocular disorders in calves in southern Kyushu, Japan

Of 822 calves, ranging in age between one day and six months necropsied between 1996 and 1998 at Miyazaki University, histological examination showed that 25 (3.0%) had ocular lesions. These ocular lesions consisted of suppurative inflammation (13 cases), cataract (seven cases), and retinal atrophy (five cases). Inflammatory changes were classified as suppurative keratitis (one case), keratitis and uveitis (ten cases), and uveitis and retinitis (two cases). Cataract was subclassified into three categories; cortical (three cases), nuclear (one case), and mature (three cases). These lesions were characterized by degenerative changes in the lens fibers and the appearance of eosinophilic globules known as Morganian globules. In the most severely affected case, there was capsular rupture of the lens, resulting in severe infiltration by eosinophils and histiocytes of the whole anterior chamber. Almost all the calves with retinal atrophy had been suffering from severe hydranencephaly and three had significantly raised levels of neutralization antibodies for the Akabane and/or Aino viruses. This study indicates that congenital arbovirus infections may predispose calves to ocular diseases, especially retinal atrophy.

Spinal oligodendroglioma with diffuse arachnoidal dissemination in a Japanese Black heifer

A gelatinous focus with cystic spaces, was found in the posterior funiculus of the 2nd to 3rd lumbar levels of the spinal cord of a Japanese Black heifer, 2 years old, with clinical signs of severe dysstasia. Histopathological examination revealed that the spinal lesion consisted of multifocal and diffuse proliferation of round cells with abundant vacuolar cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. In the lesions there was a number of cystic spaces containing aggregates of small round cells. The neoplastic foci showed a honeycomb structure divided by thin blood vessels, representing typical lesions of oligodendroglioma. Diffuse and multifocal proliferation of these round cells were also recognized in the subarachnoidal space in the sacral spinal cord. Immunohistochemically, the proliferating round cells were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Based on these morphological features, the case was diagnosed as lumbar spinal oligodendroglioma with diffuse arachnoidal dissemination.

Pathogenicity of Sendai viruses adapted into polarized MDCK cells

Apically and basally released Sendai viruses (SeV) were obtained after infection of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown on permeable membrane culture inserts. After 20 passages of adaptation in MDCK cells, we compared their in vivo and in vitro pathogenicity with the parental Mol-strain of SeV. These viruses had comparable in vitro pathogenicity, but the in vivo pathogenicities were varied. The apically released MDCK-adapted virus showed comparable pathogenicity with the parental virus, in contrast with the basally released MDCK-adapted virus, which showed in vivo attenuation.

Effects of levobupivacaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine on tail-flick response and motor function in rats following epidural or intrathecal administration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Commercially available bupivacaine is a racemic mixture of S (-)- and R(+)-enantiomers. Although the S(-)-enantiomers levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are less toxic to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems than bupivacaine, their relative efficacy has not been determined. This study directly compares the dose response of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine following epidural and intrathecal administration in the rat.

METHODS

The time course of change in tail-flick latency and qualitative motor function was studied in rats following epidural or intrathecal administration of 0.25-0.75% levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, or bupivacaine in blinded, randomized fashion.

RESULTS

Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine produced comparable and significantly enduring antinociceptive effects compared with ropivacaine at all test concentrations following both epidural and intrathecal administrations. Duration of motor block at lower local anesthetic concentrations (epidurally and intrathecally) was comparable with levobupivacaine and ropivacaine but significantly shorter than with bupivacaine. Epidural 0.75% levobupivacaine and bupivacaine showed more enduring motor block than ropivacaine.

CONCLUSIONS

Levobupivacaine, given epidurally or intrathecally, produces longer lasting antinociceptive action than ropivacaine at equivalent concentrations and similar motor blocking effect at lower concentrations in both epidural and intrathecal administrations. Levobupivacaine-induced prolongation of the tail-flick latency is comparable to that of bupivacaine, as is motor blocking effect at higher concentrations. The possibility of significant differential block with levobupivacaine compared with bupivacaine warrants further study.

Multicystic renal dysplasia in a Japanese black bull

Multicystic renal dysplasia was found in a 6-day-old Japanese black bull. Grossly, both kidneys were markedly small (2.0 x 3.5 cm) with numerous cysts ranging from 1 to 8 mm in diameter. Histopathologically, both kidneys consisted of many irregularly enlarged cysts, immature glomeruli, small ducts and anomalous stromal connective tissues containing focal persistent mesenchyme characterized by a proliferation of stellate cells with myxomatous area. These features are compatible with those of multicystic renal dysplasia in humans and other mammals.

Detection of an autoantibody from Pug dogs with necrotizing encephalitis (Pug dog encephalitis)

An autoantibody against canine brain tissue was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of two Pug dogs (Nos. 1 and 2) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Dog No. 1, a 2-year-old male, exhibited severe depression, ataxia, and generalized seizures and died 2 months after the onset of symptoms. Dog No. 2, a 9-month-old male, exhibited severe generalized seizures and died 17 months after the onset of symptoms. Histopathologic examination revealed a moderate to severe multifocal accumulation of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and a few neutrophils in both the gray and white matter of the cerebrum in dog No. 1. In dog No. 2, the cellular infiltrates were mild, but there was a severe, diffuse, and multifocal necrosis in the cerebral cortex with prominent astrocytosis. With the aid of IFA using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antidog IgG goat serum and a confocal imaging system, specific reactions for glial cells were detected in the CSF of these Pug dogs but not in six canine control CSF samples. Double-labeling IFA using CSF from these Pug dogs and a rabbit antiserum against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed that the autoantibody recognized GFAP-positive astrocytes and their cytoplasmic projections. By immunoblot analysis, the autoantibody from CSF of these Pug dogs recognized two common positive bands at 58 and 54 kd, which corresponded to the molecular mass of human GFAP. The role of this autoantibody for astrocytes is not yet clear. However, if the presence of the autoantibody is a specific feature of Pug dog encephalitis, it will be a useful clinical diagnostic marker and a key to the pathogenesis of this unique canine neurologic disease.

Induction of c-met proto-oncogene expression at the metastatic site

In metastatic processes, gene expression may variously alter through interactions between tumor and host stromal cells at the metastatic site. Using a tail vein injection-lung metastatic model and differential display, we analyzed alteration of gene expression in experimentally metastasized lesions. We found that expression of the c-met proto-oncogene was elevated in the lungs metastasized by MC-1 cells. The up-regulation of c-met was also observed in the lungs metastasized by B16 melanoma cells. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the elevation of c-met expression apparently occurred in tumor cells but did not in lung stromal cells at the metastatic site. The c-Met protein was also highly expressed and phosphorylated. The upregulation of c-met appeared to be caused by induction of gene expression but not to be due to preferential selection of tumor cells highly expressing c-met. These findings suggest that the c-met proto-oncogene is up-regulated at the transcription level through some interactions between tumor and host stromal cells.

Aeromonas sobria infection with severe soft tissue damage and segmental necrotizing gastroenteritis in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

A 49-year-old man, who had a 3-year history of liver dysfunction but had not been treated, was admitted to the hospital with a sudden onset of fever and generalized muscle pain. He subsequently developed generalized purpura with scattered hemorrhagic bullae of the skin and massive bloody stools. Aeromonas sobria was proven by culture of both blood and bullous fluid. In spite of the extensive treatment with antibiotics and other medications in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient went into septic shock and died 2 days after admission. Pathological examination on autopsy revealed segmental necrotizing gastroenteritis with bacterial colonies and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, in addition to extensive severe soft tissue damage involving cellulitis and rhabdomyolysis and epidermolysis. Although the prognosis for Vibrio vulnificus infection with severe soft tissue damage in patients with liver cirrhosis, malignancy, diabetes mellitus or other pre-existing diseases is poor, the unfavorable progression of Aeromonas species, especially A. sobria infection is rare. This is thought to be the first report of an autopsied case.

Expression of c-yes oncogene product in various animal tissues and spontaneous canine tumours

An immunohistochemical study of various visceral organs of normal adult dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and chickens (five of each species) and of 185 spontaneous canine tumours was carried out using paraffin wax sections and a commercially available antibody to the human c- yes oncogene product. Among the adult normal tissues of six animal species, epithelial cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules, the myocardium, hepatocytes, cerebellar Purkinje cells and adrenal cortical cells were positive for c- yes product. Among the foetal tissues of dogs and chickens, a positive reaction was observed on canine chorionic villi cells and chick yolk sac surface epithelium, and on epithelial cells of the renal tubules, hepatocytes and the myocardium. These findings suggest that the c- yes proto-oncogene may play a physiological role in the cell growth and metabolism of these adult and foetal tissues. Of the 185 tumours tested, 59 (31.9 per cent) expressed the c- yes oncogene product. The c- yes -positive tumours accounted for 44.4 per cent (12/27) of the skin tumours, 5.5 per cent (1/18) of the round cell tumours, 35. 7 per cent (10/28) of the soft tissue tumours, 21.4 per cent (3/14) of the testicular tumours, 29.1 per cent (23/79) of the mammary tumours, and 52.6 per cent (10/19) of the other tumours types. Expression of the c- yes oncogene appeared to be common in spontaneously arising canine tumours, and the degree of expression varied considerably by tumour type.

Encephalopathy in suckling mice infected with Kasba (Chuzan) virus

Kasba (Chuzan) virus (an orbivirus), strain K-47, produced encephalopathy with severe necrosis in suckling mice inoculated intracerebrally. On day 3 after inoculation with 10(3)TCID50, the mice showed severe focal encephalomalacia and meningitis. On day 4, necrosis had spread to the midbrain, cerebellum and spinal cord. From one day after inoculation, virus was recovered from the brain and the titre rose over the next 3 days. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated viral antigens in the cytoplasm of both degenerate and intact neurons, and ependymal cells in or around necrotic lesions. The study indicated that the virus has an affinity for immature nerve cells in the brains of suckling mice and causes primary encephalomalacia. Since the lesions resembled those of the hydranencephaly-cerebellar hypoplasia syndrome in calves (Chuzan disease), the system described should prove useful in studies on pathogenesis.

Amplification of the c-yes oncogene in canine mammary tumors

Genomic DNAs of 14 mammary tumors were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization using a human c-yes-1 oncogene probe. The amplification was successful in half of the cases (7 adenocarcinomas). The degree of amplification was approximately 4-fold, and a high proportion was seen in malignant tumors. In addition, DNA polymorphism was detected in two adenocarcinomas.

Non-purulent meningoencephalomyelitis of a Pacific striped dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). The first evidence of morbillivirus infection in a dolphin at the Pacific Ocean around Japan

On March 22, 1998, a mature, male, hyposthenic Pacific striped dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) was stranded at Aoshima Beach in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. A necropsy performed 14 hr after death revealed mild diffuse congestion and edema of the leptomeninges and mild pulmonary atelectasis. Histopathologically, non-purulent inflammatory were observed throughout the cerebrum, thalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord. Hematoxylin and eosin stain revealed no viral inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against nucleoprotein of canine distemper virus (CDV-NP) revealed a number of CDV-NP-positive granular deposits in the cytoplasm and cell processes of the degenerating or intact neurons. The present paper is a first report of spontaneously occurred morbillivirus infection in a dolphin at the Pacific Ocean around Japan.

Immunohistochemical analysis of c-yes and c-erbB-2 oncogene products and p53 tumor suppressor protein in canine mammary tumors

In order to evaluate the involvement of c-yes and c-erbB-2 oncogene products, and p53 tumor suppressor protein in canine mammary neoplastic lesions, sections of archived paraffin-embedded samples of 79 mammary tumors were analyzed immunohistochemically using antibodies against human c-yes p62 and c-erbB-2 products and p53. These 79 tumors were divided into 2 groups: 32 benign (2 adenosis, 7 simple adenomas, 14 complex adenomas, and 9 benign mixed mammary tumors) and 47 malignant tumors (26 simple adenocarcinomas, 7 complex adenocarcinomas, 5 solid carcinomas, 2 sclerosing carcinomas, 6 malignant mixed mammary tumors, and 1 malignant myoepithelioma). As a result of immunostaining, 40.6% (13/32) of the benign tumors and 21.3% (10/47) of the malignant tumors expressed the c-Yes oncogene product, ErbB-2 expression was detected in 50% (16/32) of the benign tumors and in 19.1% (9/47) of the malignant tumors. P53 expression was detected in 16% (4/25) of the benign tumors and in 30.6% (11/36) of the malignant tumors. Co-expression of c-Yes and ErbB-2, ErbB-2 and p53, and all 3 products was detected in 6, 1 and 7 tumors, respectively.