Journal of Veterinary Medical Science (J VET MED SCI)

Publications in this journal

• Article: Comparative study between direct and indirect PCR assay used for detection of Staphylococcus aureus from Mastitis Milk in Cattle

  Hassan Hachim Naser
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 01/2012;
• Article: Establishment of ku70-deficient lung epithelial cell lines and their hypersensitivity to low-dose x-irradiation.

  Manabu Koike, Yasutomo Yutoku, Aki Koike
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  ABSTRACT: In clinical situations, cellular resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is a significant component of tumor treatment failure. The DNA repair protein Ku70 is a key contributor to chemoresistance to anticancer agents, e.g., etoposide and bleomycin, or radioresistance. Ku70 plays a key role as a sensor of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced following exposure to ionizing radiation as well as treatment with some chemotherapeutic drugs. The responses of different organs to radiation vary widely and likely depend on the cell population in the organs. However, it is not clear whether Ku70 plays a role in the low-dose radioresistance of lung epithelial cells. In this study, we established Ku70-deficient epithelial cell lines from murine lungs lacking Ku70. Ku70-/- lung epithelial cells exhibited reduced Ku80 expression. Moreover, Ku70-/- lung epithelial cells were more sensitive than controls (Ku70+/- lung epithelial cells) to low-dose X-irradiation (< 0.5 Gy). We also found that consistent with the Ku70 function as a sensor of DSBs, Ku70 mainly localized in the nuclei of murine lung epithelial cells. These findings clearly indicate that Ku70 plays a key role in regulation of the Ku80 expression level in and the radioresistance of lung epithelial cells. Our data also suggest that these cell lines might be useful not only for study of Ku70 functions and the DSB repair pathway, but also for study of the molecular mechanism underlying the sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation in lung epithelial cells.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 05/2011; 73(5):549-54.
• Article: Usage of analgesic in a murine model infected latently with pseudorabies virus.

  Seiichi Tanaka, Kazuaki Mannen
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  ABSTRACT: Butorphanol tartrate (BT) was injected into mice before injection with acetylcholine in a murine model infected latently with pseudorabies virus. The analgesic effect and its influence on virus reactivation were observed. Mice preinjected with BT showed suppression of screaming, moving and excitation and the same level of movement after excitation as mice injected with PBS. In the group injected with BT i.p., one mouse died and another developed diarrhea with increased virus excretion. These results showed that BT has analgesic effects by both injection routes, s.c. and i.p.; however, BT induced death as a side effect, especially with i.p. injection. The injection route for BT should therefore be investigated further.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 03/2011; 73(3):351-4.
• Article: Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from raw fish in relation to culture methods.

  Etsuko Saito, Nanako Yoshida, Junichi Kawano, Akira Shimizu, Shizunobu Igimi
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  ABSTRACT: Five hundred and fifty fish samples from various stages in the course of distribution in Hyogo Prefecture (209 retailed in super markets, 173 obtained from fishery cooperatives at a harbor, 91 caught by trawling and 77 caught by rod fishing) were examined for contamination with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). S. aureus was detected in 41 (19.6%) of the retail fish samples and 46 (26.6%) of the samples from the fishery cooperatives. No S. aureus was isolated from the live fish (91 trawled and 77 fished by rod). With regard to the retail fish, the contamination rate of processed fish (26.0%) was significantly higher than that of unprocessed fish (14.2%). For 88 samples, the efficacy of the selective medium was compared using Baird-Parker agar and mannitol salt agar supplemented with egg yolk (MSEY agar) by the direct plate and enrichment culture methods. Using the direct culture method, the S. aureus positive rate with the Baird-Parker agar (30.7%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that with the MSEY agar (6.8%). The enrichment culture method remarkably raised the S. aureus detection rate. Seventy-eight (85.7%) of 91 isolates belonged to the human ecovar. Sixty-two (68.1%) of the 91 isolates had some enterotoxin genes, including 44 (48.4%) with the sea gene. These data showed that the fish were contaminated with S. aureus after landing and that Baird-Parker agar had an advantage in detecting S. aureus with a direct plate culture.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 03/2011; 73(3):287-92.
• Article: Footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens in Japan.

  Shinichiro Hashimoto, Kenichi Yamazaki, Takeshi Obi, Kozo Takase
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  ABSTRACT: The prevalence of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broiler chickens in Japan was investigated. In the first examination at slaughterhouses, lesions were commonly observed on the footpads of a total of 8,985 broiler chickens from 45 flocks on 36 farms. In 3 flocks, all the birds examined had lesions. In the other 42 flocks, the incidence of FPD ranged from 31.9% (81/254) to 99.5% (1/222). The footpad lesions were classified into 4 categories according to the severity of dermatitis as follows; score 0, 1,181 birds (13.1%); score 1, 2,992 birds (33.3%); score 2, 3,000 birds (33.4%); and score 3, 1,812 birds (20.2%). The mean scores of the flocks varied widely from 0.31 to 2.69. Males had higher mean scores than females. No significant differences were found between the mean scores of birds reared in windowless houses and those in open-sided houses. On 4 farms, the investigation was carried out in different seasons, and 3 of them showed higher mean scores in winter than in summer. Next, observation of 2,255 birds from 15 flocks on 5 farms during a 4-week rearing period revealed that FPD was already produced at 7 days of age and worsened with age.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 03/2011; 73(3):293-7.
• Article: Molecular and phenotypic characteristics of CMY-2 β-lactamase-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from cattle in Japan.

  Masaru Sugawara, Junko Komori, Marimo Kawakami, Hidemasa Izumiya, Haruo Watanabe, Masato Akiba
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  ABSTRACT: Isolates of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium obtained from two different farms in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2007 were characterized in order to determine the genetic basis of resistance. ESC resistance in the two isolates was mediated by an AmpC β-lactamase encoded by the bla(CMY-2) gene, which is located in a large self-transmissible plasmid in each isolate. The sizes of the bla(CMY-2)-carrying plasmids were different. The replicon types of the plasmids were I1-Iγ and A/C. The results of macrorestriction analysis and phage typing suggest a close relationship between both isolates. This is the first report of ESC-resistant S. Typhimurium isolated from cattle in Japan.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 03/2011; 73(3):345-9.
• Article: Starfish, Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera, as potential sources of Th1 immunity-stimulating adjuvants.

  Osamu Kawase, Youn-Kyoung Goo, Hayato Jujo, Yoshifumi Nishikawa, Xuenan Xuan
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  ABSTRACT: Saponin is the generic name of steroid or triterpene glycosides, and the capacities of some saponins to stimulate both Th1 immune response and production of cytotoxic T cells are useful as vaccine components against intracellular pathogens. Because saponins have been found commonly in starfish, we assessed the potential of starfish, Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera, as adjuvant sources. Crude starfish saponins had hemolytic activities (EC(50)=10 to 100 µg/ml) and thin layer chromatography indicated heterogeneity of their constituents. When starfish saponis were subcutaneously injected into mice with ovalbumin (OVA), OVA-specific IgG, especially IgG2a instead of IgG1 was produced in mouse blood, suggesting starfish saponins stimulated Th1 type immunity and they were potential sources of new adjuvants.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):227-9.
• Article: Detection of Chlamydophila psittaci by using SYBR green real-time PCR.

  Hideko Okuda, Kenji Ohya, Yukihiro Shiota, Hiroshi Kato, Hideto Fukushi
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  ABSTRACT: Chlamydophila psittaci is the causative agent of human psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis. This zoonotic pathogen is frequently transmitted from infected birds to humans. Therefore proper and rapid detection of C. psittaci in birds is important to control this disease. We developed a method for detecting C. psittaci by using SYBR Green Real-time PCR based on targeting the cysteine-rich protein gene (envB) of C. psittaci. This one step procedure was highly sensitive and rapid for detection and quantification of C. psittaci from fecal samples. This assay was also able to detect other zoonotic Chlamydophila species such as C. abortus and C. felis. The assay is well suited for use as a routine detection method in veterinary medicine.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):249-54.
• Article: Morphological changes in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of rats after experimental obstructive jaundice.

  Kazumi Taniguchi, Atsushi Yamashita, Ken-ichiro Mutoh
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  ABSTRACT: Obstructive jaundice causes multiple malfunctions in various organs including the pancreas. To establish how such malfunctions occur, we experimentally induced obstructive jaundice through bile duct ligation (BDL) using rats, measured serum bilirubin, amylase and insulin levels, and examined histological, immunohistochemical and cytological changes in the pancreas at 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks after the BDL. Morphometrical analysis was also conducted. Serum amylase levels steeply increased at 3 days, and then decreased at 1 and 4 weeks after the BDL to lower than the control level. In contrast, the number of zymogen granules decreased at 3 days after the BDL, then increased and eventually surpassed the control group at 4 weeks after the BDL. On the other hand, serum insulin levels dramatically decreased at 3 days after the BDL but recovered to a level close to that of the control group at 1 week after the BDL. At 4 weeks after the BDL, however, the serum insulin levels again showed a marked decline. Slight decrease in insulin immunoreactivity and number of insulin granules were observed at 4 weeks after the BDL. Cholecystokinin receptors (CCK-R) were expressed in both acinar and islet cells; their immunoreactivity significantly decreased in the acinar cells at 4 weeks after the BDL. Our results suggest that CCK may play a role in regulating changes in the pancreas after obstructive jaundice.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):161-8.
• Article: Natural occurrence of grape poisoning in two dogs.

  Soon-Seek Yoon, Jae-Won Byun, Min-Jeong Kim, You-Chan Bae, Yeun-Kyung Shin, Sorah Yoon, Garam Lee, Jae-Young Song
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  ABSTRACT: Clinical grape poisoning in two dogs (a 1.6-year-old male Shih Tzu and a 5-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier) was described in the present study. Clinical signs included decreased urine output in the Shih Tzu and ataxia in the Yorkshire Terrier after grape ingestion. The Shih Tzu died 5 days post-grape ingestion, while the Yorkshire Terrier died 3 days post-grape ingestion. Erythematous serosae and mucosae, multifocal red small intestinal foci, and blood and grape seeds were identified in the intestinal lumen. Brownish-yellow crystals were bilaterally identified in the renal pelvis. The primary histological findings were acute tubular necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules, severe necrosis, and mineralization in the renal cortical tubules. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase were increased in the dogs. Many Korean veterinary clinicians have suspected clinical grape poisoning. However, to our knowledge, grape poisoning has not been identified by pathologic and clinicopathologic basis until this writing in Korea. Education and knowledge about the risks of grape poisoning is necessary for the prevention of accidental exposures.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):275-7.
• Article: Influence of zinc deficiency to the mice infected with Babesia microti.

  Keiko Hamaguchi, Kazunori Ike, Yuko Yamazaki, Tatsushi Morita, Soichi Imai
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  ABSTRACT: Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for DNA synthesis and for cell growth and differentiation. The deficiency induces a wide range of disorders including immunodeficiency. In this study, the influence of Zn deficiency to the mice infected with Babesia microti was examined, and was compared with the influence in the rats infected with B. rodhaini previously reported. Experiments of B. microti infection were conducted using Zn-deficient (ZD; allowed to eat ad libitum on the ZD diet), Zn-adequate (ZA; allowed to eat ad libitum on the ZA diet), and diet-restricted (DR; supplied 2 g/day on the ZA diet) mice. It was suggested that the Zn deficiency exacerbated the infection dynamics of the mice with B. microti by the growth retardation, the reduction of immunity and the decrease in PCV. The results in the mice supported the consequences in the rats previously reported.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):263-7.
• Article: Bacillary hemoglobinuria in Japanese black cattle in Hiroshima, Japan: a case study.

  Yasunori Shinozuka, Osamu Yamato, Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, Tsuneo Higaki, Ikuo Ishikawa, Seiji Ichiba, Mitsuhiro Takagi
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  ABSTRACT: Three Japanese Black cows housed with 6 other cows exhibited main clinical symptoms of severe hemoglobinuria. Hematological analyses conducted after antibiotic therapy demonstrated severe anemia, and biochemical analyses indicated both severe hemolysis and disruption of hepatic function. One of the three cows died. Based on the above analyses and observation of typical clinical symptoms, a speculative diagnosis of bacillary hemoglobinuria was made, and immediate high-dose antibiotic treatment improved the general conditions of the surviving animals. Blood samples from the other 2 cows were collected sequentially after antibacterial therapy. Clostridium haemolyticum was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction analysis of the blood samples. The cows were diagnosed with the second recorded occurrence of bacillary hemoglobinuria in Japan.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):255-8.
• Article: Treatment of spontaneous chytridiomycosis in captive amphibians using itraconazole.

  Kenichi Tamukai, Yumi Une, Atsushi Tominaga, Kazutaka Suzuki, Koichi Goka
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  ABSTRACT: We performed this study in order to establish an effective, simple and safe treatment for chytridiomycosis. The subjects were 12 amphibians (11 anurans of 4 different species and 1 urodela) diagnosed with chytridiomycosis by clinical signs and a PCR test. A 0.01% aqueous solution of the antifungal agent itraconazole was used to treat the subjects, and we evaluated the efficacy of treatment by 3 methods: clinical signs, direct microscopy and a nested PCR test. A 10-min immersion in a 0.01% aqueous solution of itraconazole every other day for a total of 7 treatments resulted in an improvement of clinical signs in 11 of the 12 cases. Specifically, we observed an abatement of increased sloughing and disappearance of zoosporangia by direct microscopy. DNA fragments of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis were not detected by a PCR test at the end of treatment, nor were they detected after treatment (20-57 days following treatment; average, 34.4 days). No recurrence was observed 12 months after the end of treatment, nor did we observe any obvious side effects from itraconazole. Therefore, we recommend this as a treatment method for chytridiomycosis and as an elimination technique for use in captive amphibians.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):155-9.
• Article: Immunohistochemical study on the secretory host defense system of bactericidal peptides in rat digestive organs.

  Yuh Yokoo, Hidenori Miyata, Kankanam Gamage Sanath Udayanga, Wang-Mei Qi, Ei-ichirou Takahara, Toshifumi Yokoyama, Junichi Kawano, Nobuhiko Hoshi, Hiroshi Kitagawa
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  ABSTRACT: To clarify the fundamental regulation mechanism against indigenous bacterial proliferation in the alimentary tract, we immunohistochemically examined the localization of 4 bactericidal peptides (BP) in the rat digestive exocrine glands. In the upper alimentary tract, lysozyme was detected in the gustatory, extraorbital lacrimal and parotid glands. Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) was detected in the extraorbital lacrimal glands. β-defensin1 was detected in the gustatory and extraorbital lacrimal glands. β-defensin2 was detected in the Harderian glands. In the stomach, β-defensins were detected in the gastric superficial epithelial cells. In the small and large intestines, only lysozyme and sPLA2 were detected in the Paneth cells. In the cecum, all 4 BP were detected in the middle to apical portions of the crypts, and only sPLA2 was detected in the basal portion. No BP were localized in other exocrine glands associated with the alimentary tract. In addition, all 4 BP were also detected in the columnar epithelial cells of the apical portions of intestinal villi. In the intestinal superficial epithelial cells, lysozyme and β-defensins were detected in the ascending colon, whereas only β-defensin1 was detected in the descending colon and rectum. These results suggest that BP are mainly secreted from exocrine tissues in the initial portion of the digestive tract and play a role in host defense against indigenous bacteria throughout the digestive tract. Part of the BP in the chyme might be absorbed by the epithelium at the most inner sites of mucosae in the small and large intestines.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):217-25.
• Article: In vivo cell tracking of canine allogenic mesenchymal stem cells administration via renal arterial catheterization and physiopathological effects on the kidney in two healthy dogs.

  Jong-Hyun Yoo, Chul Park, Dong-In Jung, Chae-Young Lim, Byeong-Teck Kang, Jung-Hyun Kim, Jung-Won Park, Jae-Hoon Kim, Hee-Myung Park
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  ABSTRACT: Stem cell therapy is being special premise for various renal diseases. However, there is limited literature on localization and pathologic and functional effects of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in healthy dogs. Two healthy dogs were included in this study. Canine MSCs (cMSCs) were cultured from canine bone marrow and incubated with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) for in vivo cell tracking via MR imaging. The dogs were given the MSC (3 × 10(6) cells) into a renal artery via femoral artery catheterization. Follow-up serial renal assessments included ultrasonography and MRI, serum chemistry, urine analysis, and renal clearance tests. The dogs were euthanized at days 8 and 35 respectively for histopathologic evaluation of kidney. Strong hypointensity in MRI was detected in the treated renal cortex the day after cMSCs infusion. However they disappeared from MR image by the 8th day. Of the serum chemistry tests, serum hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST) were significantly elevated for one week after cMSCs treatment. Histopathological findings also revealed infiltration of SPIO-containing cells into the parenchyma of kidney. On 35th day, histopathology, glomerular atrophy, tubular necrosis, and mineralization were found in the subcapsular cortex, with fibrosis of the interstitial tissues. In vivo MRI studies of stem cells were useful in determining the sequential location of stem cells in the renal parenchyma of healthy dogs. Allogenic stem cells administered via renal artery caused inflammation, tubular necrosis, mineralization, and fibrosis without functional complications.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):269-74.
• Article: Surgical intrauterine insemination with cat semen cryopreserved with Orvus ES paste or sodium lauryl sulfate.

  Toshihiko Tsutsui, Tatsuji Mizutani, Yuka Matsubara, Mari Toyonaga, Hiromichi Oba, Tatsuya Hori
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  ABSTRACT: The mean post-thaw sperm motilities of feline frozen semen prepared with 1% OEP or 3 g/ml SLS as a cryoprotective agent, in addition to 7% glycerin, were 35.0 ± 2.4 and 37.0 ± 2.5%, respectively, showing no significant difference. On unilateral intrauterine insemination (UIUI) using these semen samples at a sperm number of 40 × 10(6), the conception rate was 70.0% (7/10) in the OEP group and 30% (3/10) in the SLS group, showing that the rate was higher in the OEP group, but the difference was not significant. It was suggested that sperm in frozen semen showing the above qualities were transferred to the contralateral uterine horn on UIUI.
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 02/2011; 73(2):259-62.