Assessment of spleen size using the ultrasonography has become a standard practice in human. However, the assessment is not established method in experimental animals. To establish the index to assess the spleen size using ultrasonography, we measured the cross-section image of rabbit spleen during endotoxin shock. The image of the cross-section was appeared as triangle, and the height of the triangular image was defined as the spleen index. This spleen index showed strong correlation with the spleen weight. In conclusion, this method is suitable for observation of changes in rabbit spleen size and may reduce the number of rabbit in the longitudinal studies. 相似文献
Balenine is one of the endogenous imidazole dipeptides. It is composed of beta-alanine and 3-methyl-l-histidine, which exist mainly in the muscles and the brain. The exact biological properties of balenine are still not well known, although the antioxidant activity of carnosine, another imidazole dipeptide, is known. In this study we investigated whether balenine exhibits antioxidant activity. It was found to decrease the superoxide anion (O2−) and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. We found that SOD activity increased in balenine-treated C2C12 myotubes, although balenine did not increase expression of SOD mRNA. On the other hand, there were no changes in other antioxidant enzymes, CAT and GPX activity, and mRNA levels. In an in vitro assay, the direct activation of SOD treated by balenine was significantly higher than with carnosine treatment. Moreover, balenine constituent amino acids did not have the ability to activate SOD. Our results suggest that balenine contributes to antioxidant effects through activation of SOD.
The movements of 28 adult chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) tagged with electromyogram (EMG) transmitters were tracked along the Toyohira river, Hokkaido, Japan, in October
of 2007 and 2008 to investigate and evaluate the upstream migratory behavior through the protection bed and fishway of ground
sills. The approach time of fish that ascended successfully through the protection bed and fishway was shorter than that of
unsuccessful fish. The unsuccessful fish were observed to swim in currents with high water velocity and shallow water depth
at swimming speeds that exceeded their critical swimming speed (Ucrit) during the approach to these structures. In consequence, unsuccessful fish frequently alternated between burst and maximum
sustained speeds without ever ascending the fishway, and eventually became exhausted. It is important that fishway are constructed
to enable chum salmon to find a passage way easily, so that they can migrate upstream rapidly without wasting excessive energy. 相似文献
Pollen records from the annually laminated sediment sequence in Lake Suigetsu, Japan, suggest a sequence of climate changes during the Last Termination that resembles that of the North Atlantic region but with noticeable differences in timing. An interstadial interval commenced a few centuries earlier [approximately 15,000 years before the present (yr B.P.)] than the North Atlantic GI-1 (B?lling) event. Conversely, the onset of a Younger Dryas (YD)-like cold reversal (12,300 to 11,250 yr B.P.) postdated the North Atlantic GS-1 (YD) event by a few centuries. Climate in the Far East during the Last Termination reflected solar insolation changes as much as Atlantic influences. 相似文献
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to major antigens of Coxiella burnetii were produced. Some of the MAbs to a 62-kDa protein antigen, peptidoglycan protein complex and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-chains reacted with other bacteria whereas none of the MAbs to outer membrane proteins and LPS outer-core did. The LPS outer-core and OMPs may be useful antigens for specifically detecting antibodies to C. burnetii. 相似文献
In the summer of 2003, sporadic cases and an outbreak of human leptospirosis probably related to recreation in rivers occurred in the northern part of Okinawa Main Island. Sixteen of 22 suspected cases were definitely diagnosed as leptospirosis by serological test or isolation. The infective leptospiral serovar in 14 cases was presumed to be Hebdomadis. Transmission was thought to occur by exposure to river water that was contaminated by the urine of infected animals. The findings indicate that recreation in rivers in this area is a significant risk factor for infection with leptospires. 相似文献
Recently we reported that a chimeric molecule containing mouse transferrin receptor and immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) Fc, mTR-Fc, induced higher immune responses and can be used as a vaccine adjuvant. In this study, the immunological property of the molecule was investigated. Although, the mTR-Fc did not activate complement classical pathway, it was recognized by activated macrophage as like intact IgG Fc, which is recognized by macrophage via Fcgamma receptor. In addition, we found that splenocyte simultaneously exposed to lipopolysaccaride (LPS) and mTR-Fc produced higher amount of interleukin-10, comparing to that exposed to only LPS. These results suggest that the mTR-Fc molecules conserved the IgG Fc property to biasing immune responses via modulation of cytokine production by antigen presenting cell. 相似文献