Non-suppurative and necrotizing testicular arteritis in the male reproductive organs of a heavy draft horse.

Equine testicular arteritis commonly occurs as a consequence of the migration of nematode larvae or equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection. However, testicular arteritis without evidence of these infections has been reported, and the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. We encountered testicular arteritis without evidence of nematode or EAV infection in a 3-year-old male heavy draft horse with scrotal enlargement. Grossly, the volume of the pampiniform plexus was markedly increased due to edema. Histologically, non-suppurative and necrotizing testicular arteritis, characterized by lymphocyte infiltration and fibrinoid necrosis of the arterial walls, was diffusely observed in the spermatic cord, pampiniform plexus (most severe), testis, and epididymis. We were unable to identify the cause of arteritis, such as a viral infection or autoimmune abnormality.

Biofilm-based photobioreactor absorbing water and nutrients by capillary action.

Cells of the unicellular green alga, "Pseudochoricystis ellipsoidea", were uniformly spread on a cellulosic sheet or on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane sheet superimposed on a cellulosic sheet at a density of 3.5-5.0gdry weight per m2, and the sheet was adhered to an inverted V-shaped acrylic plate of 10cm in height. Several acrylic plates were placed side by side on a tray containing liquid medium at a depth of 0.6cm, and illuminated from above with a light intensity of 300-340µmolm-2s-1. Water and nutrients were supplied to cells by capillary action through the cellulosic sheet. Footprint biomass productivities of cells grown in atmospheric CO2 on this photobioreactor were 8-10gm-2day-1. This cultivation system is strongly energy- and labor-saving as it does not require mixing of culture fluid, irrigation of medium, and delivery of CO2-enriched air.