Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a variety of cancers, and is expressed in mouse uteri. Our previous study suggested that IL-18 acts as a paracrine factor, regulating endometrial function. To elucidate the physiological roles of IL-18 in the mouse endometrium, the expression of the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) alpha subunit was analyzed. IL-18Ralpha mRNA was expressed in several mouse organs in addition to the endometrium. In situ hybridization analysis using a biotin-labeled mouse IL-18Ralpha riboprobe demonstrated that IL-18Ralpha mRNA expression was detected in glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells around uterine glands, and myometrial cells in the mouse uterus, suggesting that these cells are targets for IL-18. The uterine IL-18Ralpha mRNA expression level changed with the estrous cycle. The uterine IL-18Ralpha mRNA levels of estrous mice were higher than those of diestrous mice. In addition, the IL-18Ralpha mRNA levels in uteri at 3 and 14 days after ovariectomy were higher than those at diestrus and decreased following treatment with estradiol-17beta or progesterone. These findings suggest that IL-18Ralpha gene expression is regulated by estrogen and progesterone and that the uterine IL-18 system is involved in the regulation of uterine functions in a paracrine manner. 相似文献
A 20-year-old thoroughbred mare had a mass in the right kidney. The mass was encapsulated with fibrous capsule and composed of variably-sized papillary projections lined by a single layer of flattened to cuboidal neoplastic epithelial cells with no cytological and nuclear atypia. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were broadly positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and granular staining for alpha-1-antitrypsin was focally detected; this immunohistochemical property was similar to that of the normal distal nephron. From these results, this case was diagnosed as papillary renal adenoma of distal nephron differentiation. 相似文献
A solitary mass of 6 x 6 x 5 cm was found in the smooth muscle layer of the pyloric part in the stomach of a Shetland sheepdog. The excised mass was solid, gray-white in color, and had central necrosis with hemorrhages. Microscopically, the neoplasm was composed of irregular bundles of spindle-shaped tumor cells and round tumor cells. A few multinucleated cells and gangliocyte-like cells were observed. The nuclei exhibited a high degree of atypia and many cells contained mitotic figures. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for vimentin and desmin, but negative for c-kit antibody. Ultrastructurally, tumor cells contained cytoplasmic myofilaments and pinocytotic vesicles. Based on these pathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as gastric pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma. 相似文献
We focused on developing an epidemic prevention method for circulating masu salmon aquaculture using the probiotic Lactococcus lactis strain K-C2. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of strain K-C2 against pathogens isolated from dead Yamame and masu salmon. First, we identified pathogenic bacteria that were isolated from dead masu salmon based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and biological and biochemical characterization. The antibacterial activity of strain K-C2 against seven pathogenic strains isolated from dead masu salmon in this study and two strains of Aeromonas salmonicida previously isolated from dead Yamame was tested using a double agar plate method. The results of a BLAST search using 16S rRNA partial sequence data (1200–1300 bp) revealed that six of the former strains and one of the latter strains showed high similarity to Vibrio anguillarum and Tenacibaculum maritimum, respectively. Strain K-C2 showed antibacterial activity against all pathogenic bacteria. In this study, pathogenic bacteria were newly isolated from dead seawater-acclimated masu salmon, and strain K-C2 was found to have antibacterial effects against these pathogens.
ABSTRACT: Effects of probiotics on growth, stress tolerance and non-specific immune response in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were evaluated in a closed recirculating system. Survival and growth of flounder treated by supplying commercial probiotics either in the diet (the probiotic diet group), or into the rearing water (the water supply group), were higher compared to the untreated group (the control group). Water quality parameters, pH, NH4-N, NO2-N and PO4-P showed lower concentration in the probiotic diet group compared with the control group and the supply group. Plasma lysozyme activity in the probiotic diet group and the water supply group was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than that in the control group. In heat shock stress tests, flounder in the probiotics-treated groups showed greater heat tolerance (measured by 50% lethal time, LT50) than the control group. Pathogen challenge tests with Vibrio anguillarum (2 × 107 c.f.u./mL) resulted in significantly higher survival in the probiotics-treated groups than the control group. Results indicated that probiotics supplied in the rearing water and the diet of fish enhanced the stress tolerance and the non-specific immune system of Japanese flounder, providing them a higher resistance against stress conditions and pathogens. 相似文献
The secretions of the equine endometrial glands are essential for the survival, growth,
and development of the conceptus in early pregnancy, and endometrial gland density is
directly related to successful pregnancy outcome. Endometrial biopsy is routinely used to
assess the reproductive potential of broodmares. Some previous studies have shown that
equine endometrial glands are uniformly distributed throughout the uterus; however, other
work has shown variation of the endometrial architecture between biopsy sites, suggesting
that a single biopsy is not representative of the entire endometrium. The aims of this
study were to assess and compare the endometrial gland density and thickness at four
sampling sites in the uterus (the central segment of each uterine horn, the uterine
horn-body junction, and the caudal portion of the uterine body). Endometrial samples from
five nulliparous Thoroughbred mares in diestrus were obtained at necropsy and used for
subsequent histomorphometric analysis. The caudal uterine body had a significantly lower
endometrial gland density and endometrial thickness than the other sites. This may result
in nutrient deprivation and reduced survival of embryos or fetuses in this region of the
uterus. The endometrial gland density and endometrial thickness did not significantly
differ between the other regions sampled, indicating that they are similarly suitable for
embryonic implantation and fetal development. Our results suggest that the endometrial
structure of the caudal uterine body of the mare is not representative of the endometrial
morphology at other sites. Thus, the caudal uterine body is not a suitable site for
routine endometrial biopsy. 相似文献
Aging is a major risk factor for spermatogenesis deterioration. However, the influence of age on spermatogenic stem cells and their progenitors in bulls is largely unknown. Here, we report age-related changes in undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia in Japanese Black cattle with nearly constant sperm output, by using spermatogonial markers. The numbers of differentiating spermatogonia and more differentiated spermatogenic cells were significantly decreased in aged bovine testes compared with those in young testes. In contrast, the number of undifferentiated spermatogonia was maintained, and their proliferative activity did not differ significantly between young and aged bovine testes. Although severe calcification was only observed to a small extent in aged testes, fewer Sertoli cells and interstitial fibrosis were observed in noncalcified testicular regions. These results suggest that, even in old bulls with nearly constant sperm output, testicular spermatogenic activity declined whereas undifferentiated spermatogonia numbers were maintained. Thus, we propose that undifferentiated spermatogonia may be resistant to age-related changes in bovine testes. Because undifferentiated spermatogonia may contain stem cell activity, our findings highlight the potential utility of undifferentiated spermatogonia as an agricultural resource to produce spermatozoa beyond the natural bovine lifetime through transplantation and in vitro spermatogenesis in future animal production. 相似文献
Proteasomes are responsible for generating peptides presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules of the immune system. Here, we report the identification of a previously unrecognized catalytic subunit called beta5t. beta5t is expressed exclusively in cortical thymic epithelial cells, which are responsible for the positive selection of developing thymocytes. Although the chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasomes is considered to be important for the production of peptides with high affinities for MHC class I clefts, incorporation of beta5t into proteasomes in place of beta5 or beta5i selectively reduces this activity. We also found that beta5t-deficient mice displayed defective development of CD8(+) T cells in the thymus. Our results suggest a key role for beta5t in generating the MHC class I-restricted CD8(+) T cell repertoire during thymic selection. 相似文献
In order to estimate mean tree height using small-footprint airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, a digital terrain
model (DTM), which is a continuous elevation model of the ground surface, is usually required. However, generating accurate
DTMs in mountainous forests using only the LiDAR data is laborious and time consuming, because it requires human-assisted
methods, especially in the forests with poor laser penetration rates. Based on our previous finding that a hypothetical continuous
surface model passing through the predominant tree tops (hereafter, called the “top surface model” or TSM) might be nearly
parallel to a DTM, we assumed that the vertical difference between the TSM and the ground return was the mean tree height.
According to this assumption, we propose a new methodology that does not require a DTM to estimate mean tree height. This
method completely, automatically, and directly estimates mean tree height (MTHE) from the LiDAR data without requiring a regression analysis using reference data. From the relationships between the MTHE and the observed mean tree height (MTHO) in different hinoki cypress forests, we demonstrate that this method effectively estimates the mean tree height with nearly
1-m accuracy. 相似文献
The present study was conducted to clarify the central functions of L-aspartic acid (Asp) and L-asparagine (Asn) during an acute stressful condition in chicks. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Asp and Asn (0.84 µmol) attenuated the vocalization that normally occurs during social separation stress. Asp decreased the time spent in active wakefulness and induced sedation. Asn had a similar effect to Asp, although somewhat weaker. However, i.c.v. injection of Asp and Asn further enhanced plasma corticosterone release under social separation stress. Taken together, the i.c.v. injection of Asp and Asn has sedative effects under an acute stressful condition, which does not involve the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. 相似文献