Left ventricular end diastolic pressure for detection of intracoronary ergonovine-induced myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Recent consensus on variant angina defines significant spasm as total or subtotal occlusion of a coronary artery. However, the clinical significance of "less-than-subtotal" spasm needs to be reappraised, especially if the coronary spasm is combined with chest pain. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) as a tool to detect myocardial ischemia during ergonovine provocation testing. METHODS: After achieving two access sites, 29 patients underwent successful LVEDP monitoring using 5-Fr pigtail catheters during ergonovine provocation tests. Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of anginal symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients, 16 (55 %) patients had anginal symptoms. LVEDP was significantly increased in the symptomatic group compared with the nonsymptomatic group (∆LVEDP 5.6 ± 4.2 vs. 1.2 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.002). However, of the 16 patients with anginal symptoms, positive provocation test results were confirmed in only six patients (38 %) as per the traditional standard (> 90 % inducible spasm of the epicardial coronary artery). CONCLUSION: Compared with the traditional standard, LVEDP may have advantages in terms of elucidating anginal symptoms in patients suspected of having coronary vasospasm when performing ergonovine provocation tests.

Analysis of genetic diversity and trait correlations among Korean landrace rice (Oryza sativa L.).

This study analyzed 394 Korean rice landrace accessions, including 93 waxy varieties, for polymorphisms using 29 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In total, 381 alleles served as raw data for estimating the genetic diversity (GD) and population structure. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 44 (average = 13.14). The expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.0341 to 0.9358 (mean = 0.5623) and from 0.0783 to 0.9367 (mean = 0.5839), respectively. The mean GDs in waxy, low amylose content, intermediate amylose content, and high amylose content (HAC) varieties were 0.6014, 0.5922, 0.5858, and 0.7232, respectively, whereas the mean PIC values for each SSR locus were 0.5701, 0.5594, 0.5550, and 0.6926, respectively. HAC varieties had the highest GD and PIC. Consistent with clustering by genetic distances, a model-based structural analysis revealed 3 subpopulations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that the between-population component of genetic variance was 22.35%, and that of the within-population component was 77.65%. Significant correlations were observed between eating quality and protein content (r = -0.262), K(+) (r = -0.655), Mg(2+) (r = -0.680), 1000-GW (r = 0.159), and amylose content (r = -0.134). The overall FST value was 0.2235, indicating moderate differentiation among the groups. Analysis of variance of the 3 genetic groups (mean of 9 phenotypic and 5 physicochemical traits) by the Duncan multiple range test showed significant differences in 10 traits. This preliminary study represents a first step toward more efficient conservation and greater utilization of rice landraces to broaden the genetic bases of commercially grown varieties.

Aureimonas jatrophae sp. nov. and Aureimonas phyllosphaerae sp. nov., leaf-associated bacteria isolated from Jatropha curcas L.

Four orange-pigmented isolates, L7-456, L7-484(T), L9-479 and L9-753(T), originating from surface-sterilized leaf tissues of Jatropha curcas L. cultivars were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that all four isolates belong to the genus Aureimonas. In these analyses, strain L7-484(T) appeared to be most closely related to Aureimonas ureilytica 5715S-12(T) (95.7 % sequence identity). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains L7-456, L9-479 and L9-753(T) were found to be identical and also shared the highest similarity with A. ureilytica 5715S-12(T) (97.5 %). Both L7-484(T) and L9-753(T) contained Q-10 and Q-9 as predominant ubiquinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol and an aminophospholipid as the major polar lipids. C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Similar to other species in the genus Aureimonas, hydroxylated fatty acids (e.g. C18 : 1 2-OH) and cyclic fatty acids (C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c) were also present. The DNA G+C contents of L7-484(T) and L9-753(T) were 66.1 and 69.4 mol%, respectively. Strains L7-484(T) and L9-753(T) exhibited less than 40 % DNA-DNA hybridization both between themselves and to A. ureilytica KACC 11607(T). Our results support the proposal that strain L7-484(T) represents a novel species within the genus Aureimonas, for which the name Aureimonas jatrophae sp. nov. is proposed, and that strains L9-753(T), L7-456 ( = KACC 16229  = DSM 25023) and L9-479 ( = KACC 16228  = DSM 25024) represent a second novel species within the genus, for which the name Aureimonas phyllosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strains of Aureimonas jatrophae sp. nov. and Aureimonas phyllosphaerae sp. nov. are respectively L7-484(T) ( = KACC 16230(T)  = DSM 25025(T)) and L9-753(T) ( = KACC 16231(T)  = DSM 25026(T)).

Updates and perspectives on the utilization of molecular makers of complex traits in rice.

After complete sequencing of its genome and annotation of the majority of its ~32,000 genes, rice genome has become the model genome among the cereal genomes, and the focus has shifted from structural to functional genomics and application of genomic-derived information in rice breeding. During the past 2 decades, intensive worldwide efforts have led to significant improvements in rice. An abundance of molecular markers and information related to many genes/quantitative trait loci that control agronomically important traits such as yield, quality, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance have been identified. Bridging the application gap between quantitative trait locus identification and marker-assisted selection breeding is an urgent, arduous, and long-term task. Marker development, allele mining, gene discovery, and molecular breeding have progressed to a great extent because of the rapid development of next-generation sequencing, large-scale high-density genotyping, and genome-wide selection strategies. The availability of high-density markers and the rapidly decreasing cost of genotyping have facilitated marker-assisted selection of many traits that were previously not possible.

Amyloid-producing odontogenic tumour (calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour) in the mandible of a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

A 13-year-old male tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) had a marked mandibular swelling noticed 12 months earlier and associated with progressive anorexia and weight loss. Radiological and post-mortem examination revealed a mass (13x15 cm) which was firm and poorly defined, with destruction of the adjacent bone tissue. Histologically, the mass was poorly demarcated, with infiltrative growth, and composed of nests, cords and islands of epithelial cells with characteristic basal cell features. Also observed were extensive squamous metaplasia, ghost cells, stellate reticulum, and fibroblastic connective tissue stroma containing inflammatory cells. A prominent feature of this tumour consisted of abundant nodular deposits of congophilic amyloid-like material with partial mineralization (Liesegang rings). Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells and the amyloid-like material were positive for pancytokeratin and negative for vimentin. The findings supported the diagnosis of an amyloid-producing odontogenic tumour (APOT), also known as calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour in man and animals.

Haploidentical HCT using an αß T-cell-depleted graft with targeted αß(+) cells by add-back after a reduced intensity preparative regimen containing low-dose TBI.

Between 2012 and 2015, 42 pediatric patients underwent haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation using an αß(+) T-cell-depleted graft with targeted αß cells at 1-5 × 10(5)/kg by add-back; 31 had hematologic malignancy (HM), 8 had non-malignant disease (NM) and 3 had solid tumors. All patients received uniform reduced-intensity conditioning with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin and low-dose TBI. All 42 patients achieved neutrophil engraftment at a median of 10 days. The cumulative incidences (CIs) of ⩾grade II and ⩾grade III acute GvHD were 31±7.1% (SE) and 12±5.0%, respectively, and 1-year CI of chronic GvHD was 15±5.8%. One patient died of CMV pneumonia, leading to transplant-related mortality (TRM) of 2.6±2.5%. Sixteen patients relapsed and 11 died of disease. At a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 5-43 months), the estimated 2-year event-free survival for NM and HM were 88±11.7 and 50±10.1%, respectively. Our study demonstrated that haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation after ex vivo depletion of αß(+) T cells with targeted dose noticeably reduced the graft failure rate and TRM in pediatric patients and could be applied to patients lacking a suitable related or unrelated donor.

Evaluation of parameters obtained from the Sysmex XN-2000 for predicting the recovery of the absolute neutrophil count and platelets after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: We analyzed abilities of parameters from Sysmex XN-2000 (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) to predict absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 911 follow-up peripheral blood samples from 44 HSCT-performed patients and evaluated the performances of the following parameters: WBC, immature granulocyte (IG), hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPC), immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), immature platelet fraction (IPF), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet larger cell ratio (P-LCR). RESULTS: When compared to four other parameters, the identification of initiation in IG (%)/HPC (%) increase enabled earlier prediction of ANC recovery to >500/µL and >1000/µL with more time benefit of 3.5-6.5 days/2.0-5.0 days and 3.0-6.0 days/2.0-5.0 days, respectively. When compared to IPF (%), the identification of initiation in PDW, MPV, and P-LCR (%) increase enabled earlier prediction of platelet recovery to >20 000/µL and >50 000/µL with more time benefit of 2.5-3.5 days and 2.0-3.0 days, respectively. However, the standard deviation of time benefit obtained from IG (%)/HPC (%)/PDW/MPV/P-LCR (%) was consistently large (3.0-4.3 days). CONCLUSIONS: There is a systematic pattern where a rise in most of the studied parameters can be observed in most patients before ANC/platelet recovery. However, the interindividual variation between the time of rise of these parameters and ANC/platelet recovery is large, and therefore, using these parameters to predict recovery in the individual patient is probably not meaningful in the clinical setting.

Refinement of treatment strategies in ex vivo T-cell-depleted haploidentical SCT for pediatric patients.

We evaluated the feasibility of T-cell-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic SCT (HHCT) in pediatric patients. Between July 2008 and January 2013, 28 patients underwent ex vivo T-cell-depleted HHCT; 9 had hematologic malignancy, 18 had nonmalignant hematologic disease, and 1 had refractory neuroblastoma. Twenty-six patients achieved neutrophil engraftment at a median of 11 days (range, 9-15 days). Two patients failed to achieve primary engraftment and five experienced graft rejection after primary engraftment. These seven patients achieved stable engraftment after a second HHCT. The cumulative incidences (CIs) of⩾grade II and⩾grade III acute GVHD were 33.3% and 14.3%, respectively, and the 1-year CI of extensive chronic GVHD was 11.1%. Four patients died of non-relapse-related causes (two of CMV disease, one of encephalopathy and one of autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and one of leukemia relapse. Non-relapse mortality at 100 days, 1 year and 2 years was 0.0%, 10.7% and 14.3%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 32.8 months (range, 17.0-72.5 months), the 2-year OS was 82.1%. OSs for nonmalignant diseases and malignant diseases were 94.4% and 60.0%, respectively (P=0.019). Thus, HHCT is a realistic alternative for patients with malignant or nonmalignant diseases who lack a suitable donor.

Long-term Outcomes of ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation has become more common due to organ shortage, few studies on long-term outcomes have been performed in the Korean population. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for individuals who underwent living donor kidney transplantation at Asan Medical Center from February 2009 to January 2012. RESULTS: A total of 469 patients were included; the mean age was 42.8 ± 11.8 years, and the median follow-up period was 45 (range, 1-65) months. ABO-incompatible recipients (73) were compared with ABO-compatible patients (396). Patient survival was similar between the ABO-incompatible group (97.3% and 95.9% at 1 and 3 years) and the ABO-compatible group (99.0% and 98.5% at 1 and 3 years; P = .136). Death-censored graft survival was also comparable between groups (98.6% vs 99.7% at 1 year; 98.6% vs 98.7% at 3 years; P = .386). Graft function, acute rejection, and postoperative complications were not significantly different between groups. Additionally, high body mass index and multiple human leukocyte antigen mismatches were significant risk factors for acute rejection (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16, P = .033; and OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.40, P = .025, respectively). CONCLUSION: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation could be a safe option when ABO-compatible donors are not available.

Anti-A isoagglutinin as a risk factor for the development of pure red cell aplasia after major ABO-incompatible allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Delayed erythropoiesis and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported after major ABO-incompatible BMT. We attempted to find risk factors for the development of PRCA in 27 patients who underwent major ABO-incompatible BMT. In all patients, the donor marrow was depleted of RBCs before infusion. In 22 patients, isoagglutinins were determined until they disappeared. In eight (29.6%) out of 27 patients, bone marrow examination following BMT showed the findings of PRCA. We analyzed various clinico-pathologic risk factors and isoagglutinin type was the only significant risk factor. Patients with anti-A isoagglutinins against donor RBC developed PRCA more frequently than patients with anti-B (8/17 vs 0/9). Median days to the disappearance of isoagglutinins tended to be longer in patients with PRCA (PRCA vsnon-PRCA, 200 vs 66 days) and in cases with anti-A isoagglutinins (anti-A vsanti-B, 160 vs 51 days). Times to disappearance of isoagglutinins correlated with times to reticulocytes over 1% and initial appearance of donor type RBC (R2 = 0.708 and 0.711). In conclusion, RBC engraftment following major ABO-incompatible BMT was dependent on the disappearance of isoagglutinins against donor RBC, and anti-A isoagglutinin was a risk factor for the development of PRCA after major ABO-incompatible allogeneic BMT. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 179-184.

Effects of estrogen on nitric oxide synthase and histological composition in the rabbit clitoris and vagina.

We investigated the functional and histological changes after oophorectomy in the rabbit clitoris and vagina to determine the mechanism responsible for the development of arousal disorder in postmenopausal women. Twenty mature female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control; oophorectomy; and estrogen replacement after oophorectomy. We compared the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the degree of expression of neuronal (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) using biochemical and Western blot analysis in clitoral and vaginal tissues. Histological change of smooth muscle and collagen contents in those tissues were also compared using Masson's trichrome staining. NOS activity and the expression of nNOS and eNOS were significantly increased in the oophorectomized group while there was a decrease to the level of the control group in the estrogen replacement group. Histological examination showed that oophorectomy induced a significant increase in collagen and decrease in muscle content in both clitoris and vagina, while the ratio of smooth muscle content was increased significantly after the estrogen replacement. Our results clearly demonstrate that estrogen deficiency induces compensatory NOS production which may be related to decreases in muscle to collagen ratio in female rabbit genital organs.

Androgen imbalance in premenopausal women with benign breast disease and breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The alteration of steroid hormonal status in premenopausal breast disease (benign and malignant) were investigated by comparing the urinary profile of androgens and corticoids. METHODS: The urinary concentrations of 25 androgens and corticoids were quantitatively determined by a gas chromatographymass spectrometry system in patients with benign breast disease (35 cases, 20-54 years), breast cancer (34, 27-54), and healthy controls of similar age (25, 22-51). RESULTS: In premenopausal patients with breast cancer, a significantly lower rate of excretion of 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids and their metabolites was found in comparison with normal females. These levels were also inversely associated with benign breast disease. No significant differences were found between the three groups for the concentration of 11-oxy-17-ketosteroids, 17-hydroxy-corticoids and their metabolites. The urinary ratio of adrenal androgen metabolites to cortisol metabolites [(11-DOKS & M)/11-OKS] declined in the order of normal female control (4.04 +/- 0.72; mean +/- SD), breast benign mass (2.29 +/- 0.42) and breast cancer (0.94 +/- 0.27). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the hormonal imbalance of androgen deficiency and/or corticoid sufficiency is closely associated with the benign and malignant conditions of premenopausal breast disease and the ratio of (11-DOKS & M)/11-OKS may be an effective discriminant factor of these groups.

Liquid chromatographic determination of less polar ginsenosides in processed ginseng.

Reversed-phase LC with an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) is used for the determination of less polar ginsenosides in processed ginseng. These ginsenosides include ginsenosides F4, Rg3, Rg5, Rg6, Rk1, Rk3, Rs3, Rs4, and Rs5. The method used a C18-bonded silica column with a CH3CN/H2O/CH3COOH gradient elution. (20R) and (20S) epimers and geometric isomers at the C-20 position of ginsenosides, which are not generally separated by amino columns, were now clearly separated.

Dammarane derivatives protect cultured rat cortical cells from glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

We previously reported that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3, dammarane glycosides, of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), significantly attenuated glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells. To seek more potent neuroprotective compounds, we attempted to modify the chemical structure of dammarane glycosides and obtained six derivatives, MA-11, PT-11, PT-111, POA-101, POA-111 and N-001. The neuroprotective activity of these dammarane derivatives were evaluated employing primary cultures of rat corticoid cells. The glutamate-induced neuronal cell damage was significantly reduced by a pre-treatment with protopanaxadiol, MA-11 or PT-11 at concentrations ranging from 100 nM to 10 microM. Both MA-11 and PT-11, preserved the levels of catalase and inhibited decreases in glutathione reductase in glutamate-injured cells. Furthermore, the dammarane derivatives reduced the content of intracellular peroxide in glutamate-intoxicated cells. Finally, they inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde, a compound produced during lipid peroxidation, in glutamate-insulted cells. These results show that the dammarane derivatives, MA-11 and PT-11, exert significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical cells by a mechanism seemingly distinct from that afforded by ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3. As such, the dammarane derivatives may be efficacious in protecting neurons from oxidative damage caused by exposure to excess glutamate.

Expression of biliary antigen and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

In order to classify the hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) which had diverse clinicopathologic characteristics, we divided HCCs into two groups according to the expression of biliary antigen on the basis of the hypothesis that the hepatocyte and biliary epithelial cell originate from the same precursor cell, and then we investigated the clinical and pathologic characteristics in the two groups. Forty HCC cases with no preoperative treatment and at least two-year follow-up data were selected among 202 cases of HCC files from 1991 to 1995. Expression of biliary antigen (AE1, cytokeratin 19), p53, AFP, and Ki-67 in the tumor tissue were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Positive cytokeratin 19 was noted in one case (2.5%); AE1 was detected in 40% of patients; p53 was overexpressed in 20% of patients; and AFP was detected in 45% of patients. No statistical difference between the biliary antigen positive group (16 cases) and the negative group (24 cases) were noted in terms of mean age, sex, presurgical serum AFP level, Child class, and tumor size. HBsAg positive rate was 66.7% for the biliary antigen (-) group and 93.8% for the biliary antigen (+) group with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.048). The number of cases for Edmonson-Steiner grade I/II and III/IV were 15 and 9 in the biliary antigen (-) group, and 4 and 12 in the biliary antigen (+) group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.024). The 1, 3 and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 69.7, 40.9 and 40.9% for the biliary antigen (-) group and 73.7, 39.1, 39.1% for the biliary antigen (+) group with no statistically significant difference. The 1, 3 and 5-year overall survival rates were 91.7, 73.8, 66.4% for the biliary antigen (-) group and 68.8, 34.4, 34.4% for the biliary antigen (+) group, with a significantly greater overall survival rate for the biliary antigen negative group (p = 0.045). Poor histopathological differentiation, a high HBsAg positive rate and poor overall survival rate were noted in the biliary antigen positive group and the differences were statistically significant. In conclusion, HCCs with positive biliary antigen, which originates from more primitive cells, is suggested to be more aggressive than HCCs with negative biliary antigen.

Cell proliferation index and the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 in tumorous and non-tumorous lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer.

In the development of a cancer, unlimited cell proliferation has been believed to play an important role. In addition, a programmed cell death called apoptosis, which is regulated by several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, has been suggested to be another important different pathway of carcinogenesis. Recently, several reports on cell proliferation capacity and apoptosis in the development of human liver disease have been published, but the cell proliferation index and its relationship between the expression of the bcl-2 and p53 genes involving apoptosis has not yet been discussed in view of the clinical differences of primary and metastatic liver cancer. In this study, we investigated the cell proliferation index and expression of p53 and bcl-2 in the tumorous and non-tumorous portions of both hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer. The expression of p53 was observed in both hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer, but bcl-2 expression was observed neither in hepatocellular carcinoma nor in metastatic liver cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the p53 positive group showed a higher Ki-67 score (cell proliferation index) and more tumor numbers than the p53 negative group (p < 0.05). In metastatic liver cancer, the results were the same as in hepatocellular carcinoma (p < 0.05). However, we could not correlate the p53 expression and its prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in human choledochal bile.

Fibrinolytic properties have been detected in animal and human gallbladder (GB) bile. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been reported in greater concentration in GB stone bile and may be a nucleating factor in the pathogenesis of GB stone formation. It is unknown whether or not human choledochal bile has similar properties, which could have a role in choledocholithiasis. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of fibrinolytic properties of human choledochal bile and to compare those properties among normal, acalculous, and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and PAI-1 of choledochal bile were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in patients with cholangitis due to acalculous bile duct obstructions (n = 9), choledocholithiasis with cholangitis (n = 20), and normal bile (n = 7). The t-PA concentration of choledochal bile was no different among the three groups (acalculous-infected bile, median 4.61 ng/ml, and calculous-infected bile, 4.61 ng/ml, versus normal bile, 7.33 ng/ml). PAI-1 was detected in choledochal bile in significantly greater concentrations in patients with acalculous cholangitis due to bile duct obstructions and choledocholithiasis with cholangitis (acalculous-infected bile, median 0.36 ng/ml, and calculous-infected bile, 0.1 ng/ml, versus normal bile, 0.02 ng/ml, p < 0.05), but the bile concentration of PAI-1 was no different between the acalculous and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Human choledochal bile possesses t-PA and PAI-1. PAI-1 was present in greater concentrations in both acalculous and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Increased levels of PAI-1 may be an epiphenomenon of cholangitis rather than a factor in the pathogenesis of choledocholithiasis.

Canine distemper virus infection in binturongs (Arctictis binturong).

Two binturongs (Arctictis binturong) kept in outdoor exhibits at Everland Zoological Gardens in Korea died within 10 days of the onset of clinical signs that included depression, dyspnoea, diarrhoea and convulsions. On necropsy, the significant gross findings were limited to the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Proteus vulgaris was isolated from the lung of one animal. Histopathologically, diffuse severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia with secondary bacterial infection was noted in the lungs. Intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were seen in the lining epithelium of the bronchi, bronchioles, small and large intestines, renal pelvis and urinary bladder. Canine distemper virus (CDV)-specific antigens were demonstrated in frozen sections of the lungs by the direct immunofluorescence technique. This is believed to be the first confirmed report of CDV infection in binturongs.

Mammary gland adenocarcinoma in a mandrill (Mandrillus sphinix).

A 22-year-old female mandrill (Mandrillus sphinix) with continuously growing mass at the right mammary gland area was found dead, and a postmortem examination was performed. At necropsy, an elevated firm subcutaneous mass about 5 cm in diameter was present at the right mammary gland area. Axillary, mediastinal, and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were enlarged 2 to 4 times their normal sizes. Numerous metastatic foci 2 to 5 mm in diameter were scattered in the lung. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as mammary gland adenocarcinoma. Metastasis to the regional lymph nodes and lung was also confirmed. This is the first reported case of a mammary gland tumor in mandrill in Asia.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).

A respiratory disorder was noted in a 5-year-old female orangutan kept in the Yongin Farmland. Radiographically, multiple radiodense foci ranging from 2 to 6 mm diameter were seen throughout the lung lobes. Grossly, the thoracic cavity revealed a firm texture and grayish-pink discoloration of the left apical lung lobe. Histopathologically, multifocal areas of granulomatous pneumonia present the right and left apical lung lobes. Both primers from IS1081 and IS6110 targeting 196 bp and 245 bp respectively were used in polymerase chain reaction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from liver and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.