Infection with bovine leukemia virus belonging to group A or B-1 contributes more strongly to the development of enzootic bovine leukosis in young cattle than the presence of bovine lymphocyte antigen-DRB3 susceptibility alleles.

In this study, we compared the effects of different bovine leukemia virus (BLV) strains and bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)-DRB3 alleles in cattle with enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) aged either <3 years or ≥3 years. The frequency of infection with BLV belonging to group A or B-1 in cattle aged <3 years with EBL was significantly higher than that in cattle aged ≥3 years, regardless of which BoLA-DRB3 allele was present. This suggests that infection with group A or B-1 BLV contributes more strongly to the development of EBL in young cattle than the presence of early-EBL-onset susceptibility BoLA-DRB3 alleles.

[A Case of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer with Liver Metastases Showing Three Years of Complete Response to Combination Therapy with Trastuzumabplus Pertuzumab].

A 48-year-old woman with severe interstitial pneumonitis was diagnosed with right breast cancer(invasive ductal carcinoma, T1aN1M0, ER+, PgR-, HER2 3+)and underwent modified radical mastectomy.The patient was administered tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy.However, 1 year after the mastectomy, multiple liver metastases were found and the patient received 2 anti-HER2 agents, trastuzumab and pertuzumab.A complete response(CR)was observed with the disappearance of the liver metastases in 7 months.CR was maintained for 2 years after the initiation of treatment, and then, we started trastuzumab monotherapy, which has resulted in long-term disease control.

Association between highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and weather conditions in Japan.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to animal and public health, with outbreaks occurring globally. HPAI poses significant challenges due to its high mortality rate and public health concerns, with outbreaks spreading globally since the emergence of the H5N1 virus in 2003. In Japan, HPAI outbreaks have been particularly prevalent during autumn and winter seasons, with the 2022-2023 winter experiencing the most severe outbreak to date. However, limited research has directly examined the association between HPAI outbreaks and weather conditions in Japan. Here we show that specific weather conditions are associated with an increased risk of HPAI outbreaks on poultry farms in Japan. By analyzing databases of HPAI cases and meteorological data from 2020-2023, we found that higher average air temperatures two to three weeks prior, lower average wind speeds four weeks prior, and longer sunlight hours two and four weeks prior to outbreaks were significantly associated with increased risk of HPAI outbreaks in Japan. These results suggest that weather may influence environmental survival and transmission of the virus, as well as patterns of wild bird movement that could seed new outbreaks. These findings enhance our understanding of the factors influencing HPAI transmission dynamics and highlight the importance of integrating weather forecasts into disease surveillance and prevention strategies.

Detection of bovine leukemia virus in beef cattle kept in the Central Coast Regions of Vietnam.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiologic agent of enzootic bovine leucosis. Our previous study showed the BLV existence in cattle kept in the Red River Delta Region of Vietnam. However, no positive samples were identified in beef cattle. Besides, information related to the BLV circulation in the remained parts of Vietnam is limited. Therefore, we tested the existence of BLV in 48 beef cattle kept in the Central Coast Regions. Nested PCR targeting the BLV-env-gp51 confirmed the prevalence of 14.6% in investigated regions. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the co-existence of genotypes 1 and 10. The close relationship between strains found in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and China was revealed suggesting the possibility of BLV transmission through the movement of live cattle.

Dicer has a crucial role in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation, but not in lipid synthesis, in 3T3-L1 cells.

Dicer is a rate-limiting enzyme for microRNA (miRNA) synthesis. To determine the effects of Dicer on adipogenesis, we performed stage-specific knockdown of Dicer using adenovirus encoding short-hairpin RNAi against Dicer in 3T3-L1 cells. When cells were infected with the adenovirus before induction of adipocyte differentiation, Dicer RNAi suppressed the gene expression of inducers of adipocyte differentiation such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FAS in 3T3-L1 cells during adipocyte differentiation. Concurrently, both adipocyte differentiation and cellular lipid accumulation were cancelled by Dicer RNAi when compared with control RNAi. Meanwhile, we addressed the roles of Dicer in lipid synthesis and accumulation in the final stages of differentiation. When the differentiated cells at day 4 after induction of differentiation were infected with adenovirus Dicer RNAi, cellular lipid accumulation was unchanged. Consistent with this, Dicer RNAi had no effects on the expression of genes related to cellular lipid accumulation, including PPARγ and FAS. Thus, Dicer controls proadipogenic genes such as C/EBPα and PPARγ in the early, but not in the late, stage of adipogenesis via regulation of miRNA synthesis.

Estimation of economic loss by carcass weight reduction of Japanese dairy cows due to infection with bovine leukemia virus.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection is endemic in Japanese dairy farms. To promote the participation of farmers in BLV infection control in Japan, it is important to provide estimates of the economic losses caused by this infection. We hypothesized that decreased immune function due to BLV infection would increase visceral abnormalities, in turn reducing carcass weight. We employed mediation analysis to estimate the annual economic loss due to carcass weight reduction caused by BLV infection. Culled Holstein cows from 12 commercial dairy farms in the Nemuro and Kushiro regions of Hokkaido, Japan, were traced. Information on age and the last delivery day were collected. A non-infected culled cow was defined as a cow from which BLV provirus was not detected. A high-proviral-load (H-PVL) cow was defined as a cow whose PVL titer was above 2465 copies/50 ng DNA or 56,765 copies/105 cells. A BLV-infected cow with PVL titer lower than the thresholds was categorized as low-proviral load (L-PVL). Post-mortem examination results for culled cows were collected from a meat inspection center. The hypothesis was tested by three models, using data from 222 culled dairy cows. Model 1, a generalized linear mixed-effects model, selected carcass weight as an outcome variable, BLV status and the potential confounders (lactation stage and age) as explanatory variables, and herd as a random effect. Model 2 additionally included the number of abnormal findings in the post-mortem examination (AFPE) as an explanatory variable. Model 3 applied a Bayesian generalized linear mixed model, which employed a mediator separately modeled for AFPE, to estimate the amount of direct, indirect, and total carcass weight loss with adjustment for known confounding factors. Compared to the mean carcass weight for the non-infected culled cows, the carcass weight for H-PVL culled cows was significantly decreased by 30.4 kg on average. For each increase of one in the number of AFPE, the mean carcass weight was decreased by 8.6 kg. Only the indirect effect of BLV H-PVL status on carcass weight loss through AFPE was significant, accounting for 21.6 % of the total effect on carcass weight reduction. In 2017, 73,650 culled dairy cows were slaughtered in Hokkaido, and the economic loss due to carcass weight loss caused by BLV infection that year was estimated to be US $1,391,649. In summary, unlike L-PVL cows, H-PVL status was associated with carcass weight reduction, which was partially mediated by an increase in the number of visceral abnormalities.

Non-bacterial Cystitis With Increased Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 in the Urothelium: An Unusual Immune-Related Adverse Event After Atezolizumab Administration for Metastatic Breast Cancer.

We report a case of non-bacterial cystitis that occurred after administration of atezolizumab, an antibody against programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). This cystitis was considered an immune-related adverse event (irAE). A 67-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer (cT4bN1M1, cStage IV) was treated with atezolizumab and nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel. She consulted a physician for urethral pain and frequent urination during the fourth cycle of treatment. Cystitis symptoms were not relieved by antibiotic treatment and worsened. The results of her urine culture and cytology were negative for malignancy. Cystoscopy showed diffuse redness of the bladder mucosa. A bladder biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy. Since the patient's symptoms resolved with steroid therapy, urethral pain and frequent urination associated with atezolizumab were considered to be irAE by the diagnosis of exclusion. After immunostaining of the bladder biopsy sections, high PD-L1 expression was detected in the urothelium, which could explain the cause of irAE.

Effectiveness of eribulin as first-line or second-line chemotherapy for HER2-negative hormone-resistant advanced or metastatic breast cancer: findings from the multi-institutional, prospective, observational KBCRN A001: E-SPEC study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal positioning of eribulin treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of eribulin administration as first- and second-line chemotherapy in patients with endocrine-resistant advanced or metastatic breast cancer (AMBC) in the real-world clinical setting. METHODS: This multi-institutional prospective cohort study enrolled patients with triple-negative AMBC or estrogen receptor-positive AMBC refractory to at least one previous endocrine therapy. The overall survival (OS) from the start of first-line (OS1) and second-line chemotherapy (OS2) was assessed. Data analysis included real-world chemotherapy sequences of first- to third-line chemotherapy regimens. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for treatment regimen comparison was calculated using a stratified proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among 201 patients enrolled, 180 were included in the final analysis. Eribulin was administered as first- and second-line chemotherapy to 46 (26.6%) and 70 (47.9%) patients, respectively. Median OS1 and OS2 were 2.25 (95% CI 1.07-2.68) and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.28-2.45) years for first- and second-line eribulin, respectively. Oral 5-FU followed by eribulin had a numerically longer OS1 (2.84 years) than the other sequences. Among patients who proceeded to second-line or later chemotherapy, the median OS1 for those treated with anthracycline or taxane as first- or second-line (n = 98) was 2.56 years (95% CI 2.27-2.74), while it was 2.87 years (95% CI 2.20-4.32) for those who avoided anthracycline and taxane as first- and second-line (n = 48) (adjusted HR, 1.20; 95% CI 0.70-2.06). In the exploratory analysis, OS1 was 2.55 (95% CI 2.14-2.75) and 2.91 years (95% CI 2.61-4.32) for those aged < 65 and ≥ 65 years, respectively (adjusted HR of ≥ 65, 0.91; 95% CI 0.56-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: Eribulin or oral 5-FU administration in first- and second-line chemotherapy without anthracycline/taxane was acceptable in the real-world setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with Clinical Trials.gov (NCT 02,551,263).

Acute limb ischemia by a pulmonary vein stump thrombus after left lower lobectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cases of systemic thromboembolism due to thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump after lobectomy have been reported recently. Cerebral infarction after left upper lobectomy is a common symptom in these cases. We encountered a rare case of acute limb ischemia caused by a thrombus formed in the left inferior pulmonary vein stump after left lower lobectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man underwent video-assisted left lower lobectomy under general anesthesia with epidural anesthesia. On postoperative day 2, he suddenly developed pain in the left calf. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed left popliteal artery occlusion and thrombus formation in the left inferior pulmonary vein stump. Anticoagulant therapy was started immediately, and emergent endovascular thrombectomy was performed. The patient recovered without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Left lower lobectomy can cause thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump, leading to systemic thromboembolism. Early detection and treatment are the keys to minimize complications.

A case-control study of herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with an outbreak of Mycoplasma mastitis in Nemuro, Japan.

The objective of this case-control study was to determine the herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with an outbreak of Mycoplasma bovine mastitis in the winter of 2014-2015 in Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan. Two questionnaire surveys were sent to all 40 Mycoplasma-infected farms in the area and 73 non-infected farms for the farm-level analysis. Infected cows were matched to twice the number of non-infected cows in the same herds by parity and days after calving. Movement records, dairy herd test records, and clinical records of infected cows and matched non-infected cows were collected for the cow-level analysis. Risk factors for Mycoplasma infection were explored by multivariable analyses at both levels. In the herd-level analysis, tie stall housing for milking cows (odds ratio [OR] = 0.20, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.60, p =  0.004), consciously wiping of teat openings before milking (OR = 0.15, 95 % CI: 0.02-0.76, p =  0.030), and use of paper towels to wipe teats (OR = 0.31, 95 % CI: 0.09-0.92, p =  0.045) were identified as preventive factors, whereas introduction of cattle (OR = 3.43, 95 % CI: 1.14-10.86, p =  0.030) was identified as a risk factor. In the cow-level analysis, a history of presence in livestock markets (OR = 10.80, 95 % CI: 1.12-104.38, p =  0.040), higher milk yield 2 months prior to Mycoplasma infection (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.02-1.18, p =  0.014), and previous diagnosis of acute mastitis without isolation of the causal pathogen (OR = 3.14, 95 % CI: 0.86-11.41, p =  0.082) were identified as risk factors. These results highlight the importance of proper milking hygiene control and quarantine of introduced cattle to prevent Mycoplasma infection.

Quantitative Release Assessment of mcr-mediated Colistin-resistant Escherichia Coli from Japanese Pigs.

Colistin is a critically important antibiotic for humans. The Japanese government withdrew colistin growth promoter and shifted therapeutic colistin to a second-choice drug for pigs in 2017. A quantitative release assessment of mcr-mediated colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Japanese finisher pigs was conducted under the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) risk assessment framework. Input data included colistin resistance and mcr-1-5 test results for E. coli isolates in the Japan Veterinary Resistance Monitoring System (JVARM), postal survey results regarding indication disease occurrence and colistin use by swine veterinarians in 2017 and 2018, and colistin resistance and mcr monitoring experiments at four pig farms in 2017-2018. An individual-based model was developed to assess the risk: the proportion of Japanese finisher pigs with mcr-1-5-mediated colistin-resistant E. coli dominant in the gut on an arbitrary day. Before implementing risk management measures, the risk was estimated to be 5.5% (95% CI: 4.2%-10.1%). At 12 months after stopping colistin growth promoter, the proportion of pigs with plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant E. coli declined by 52.5% on the experiment farms (95% CI: 8.7%-80.8%). The probability of therapeutic colistin use at the occurrence of bacterial diarrhea declined from 37.3% (95% CI: 30.3%-42.5%) in 2017 to 31.4% (95% CI: 26.1%-36.9%), and that of edema disease declined from 55.0% (95% CI: 46.0%-63.7%) to 44.4% (95% CI: 36.9%-52.0%). After risk management implementation, the risk was estimated to have declined to 2.3% (95% CI: 1.8%-4.3%; 58.2% reduction). Scenario analyses showed that pen-level colistin treatment effectively reduces the risk from 5.5% to 4.7% (14.5% reduction), an effect similar to stoppage of therapeutic colistin (16.4% reduction to 4.6%).

A cloned classical swine fever virus derived from the vaccine strain GPE- causes cytopathic effect in CPK-NS cells via type-I interferon-dependent necroptosis.

Classical swine fever viruses (CSFVs) do typically not show cytopathic effect (CPE) in cell culture, while some strains such as vaccine strain the GPE- induce CPE in the swine kidney-derived CPK-NS cell line cultured in serum-free medium. These latter strains commonly lack Npro-mediated inhibition of type-I interferon (IFN) induction. In order to explore the molecular mechanisms of GPE--induced CPE, we analyzed the cellular pathways involved. In CPK-NS cells infected with the attenuated-vaccine-derived vGPE- strain, both, apoptosis and necroptosis were induced. Necroptosis was type-I IFN-dependent and critical for visible CPE. In contrast, the parental virulent vALD-A76 strain did not induce any of these pathways nor CPE. We used reverse genetics to investigate which viral factors regulate these cell-death pathways. Interestingly, a mutant vGPE- in which the Npro function was restored to inhibit type-I IFN induction did not induce necroptosis nor CPE but still induced apoptosis, while an Npro-mutant vALD-A76 incapable of inhibiting type-I IFN production induced necroptosis and CPE. Although Erns of CSFV is reportedly involved in controlling apoptosis, apoptosis induction by vGPE- or apoptosis inhibition by vALD-A76 were independent of the unique amino acid difference found in Erns of these two strains. Altogether, these results demonstrate that type-I IFN-dependent necroptosis related to non-functional Npro is the main mechanism for CPE induction by vGPE-, and that viral factor(s) other than Erns may induce or inhibit apoptosis in vGPE- or vALD-A76 infected CPK-NS cells, respectively.

END-phenomenon negative bovine viral diarrhea virus that induces the host's innate immune response supports propagation of BVDVs with different immunological properties.

Our previous study reported that persistently infected (PI) cattle of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) have co-infected with BVDV/END- and /END+ that promote and inhibit host's type-I interferon (IFN) production, respectively. However, the relationship between co-infection of immunologically distinct BVDVs and persistent infection as well as the biological significance of END- viruses remains unknown. Experiments using cultured cells revealed that END+ virus, which is unable to propagate in situations where the host's immune response is induced by IFN-α addition, is able to propagate under those conditions when co-infecting with END- virus. These results indicate that BVDV/END- can coexist with BVDV/END+ and that co-infection with END- viruses supports the propagation of END+ viruses. Our in vitro experiments strongly suggest that co-infection with END- virus is involved in the maintenance of persistent infection of BVDV.

Esophageal Submucosal Hematoma Possibly Caused by Gastric Tube Insertion Under General Anesthesia.

We present a case of an esophageal submucosal hematoma that developed after endovascular treatment for coil embolization for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. The patient had received antiplatelet therapy before surgery and anticoagulation therapy during surgery. The orogastric tube was removed at case end with sustained negative pressure. After surgery, the patient reported chest and back pain and was diagnosed with an esophageal submucosal hematoma. The hematoma might have been related to the gastric tube insertion or removal. Providers should keep in mind the possibility of this complication when a patient who was given antithrombotic therapy reports chest or back pain after surgery.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of bovine viral diarrhea viruses isolated from cattle in Hokkaido, Japan.

In our previous study, we genetically analyzed bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) isolated from 2000 to 2006 in Japan and reported that subgenotype 1b viruses were predominant. In the present study, 766 BVDVs isolated from 2006 to 2014 in Hokkaido, Japan, were genetically analyzed to understand recent epidemics. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the 5'-untranslated region of viral genome revealed that 766 isolates were classified as genotype 1 (BVDV-1; 544 isolates) and genotype 2 (BVDV-2; 222). BVDV-1 isolates were further divided into BVDV-1a (93), 1b (371) and 1c (80) subgenotypes, and all BVDV-2 isolates were grouped into BVDV-2a subgenotype (222). Further comparative analysis was performed with BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a viruses isolated from 2001 to 2014. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of the viral glycoprotein E2 gene, a major target of neutralizing antibodies, revealed that BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a isolates were further classified into several clusters. Cross-neutralization tests showed that BVDV-1b isolates were antigenically different from BVDV-1a isolates, and almost BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a isolates were antigenically similar among each subgenotype and each E2 cluster. Taken together, BVDV-1b viruses are still predominant, and BVDV-2a viruses have increased recently in Hokkaido, Japan. Field isolates of BVDV-1a, 1b and 2a show genetic diversity on the E2 gene with antigenic conservation among each subgenotype during the last 14 years.

Pathogenicity of border disease virus FNK2012-1 strain isolated from a pig in the natural host, sheep.

A first isolation of border disease virus (BDV) in Japan was from a pig on a farm without keeping any ruminants. Our previous study showed that this BDV, termed the FNK2012-1 strain, replicated inefficiently in swine-derived cells compared with those of ruminant origin. Pigs inoculated with this virus showed neither clinical symptoms nor viremia. In this study, we evaluated the pathogenicity of the FNK2012-1 strain in sheep, its natural host. The inoculated sheep showed clinical symptoms and transient viremia. Seroconversion was observed in the inoculated sheep. These results suggest that the FNK2012-1 strain was introduced from sheep and has not yet adapted to swine. Therefore, surveillance of border disease in Japan is necessary among both the swine and ruminant populations.

Hepatic CREB3L3 controls whole-body energy homeostasis and improves obesity and diabetes.

Transcriptional regulation of metabolic genes in the liver is the key to maintaining systemic energy homeostasis during starvation. The membrane-bound transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 3-like 3 (CREB3L3) has been reported to be activated during fasting and to regulate triglyceride metabolism. Here, we show that CREB3L3 confers a wide spectrum of metabolic responses to starvation in vivo. Adenoviral and transgenic overexpression of nuclear CREB3L3 induced systemic lipolysis, hepatic ketogenesis, and insulin sensitivity with increased energy expenditure, leading to marked reduction in body weight, plasma lipid levels, and glucose levels. CREB3L3 overexpression activated gene expression levels and plasma levels of antidiabetic hormones, including fibroblast growth factor 21 and IGF-binding protein 2. Amelioration of diabetes by hepatic activation of CREB3L3 was also observed in several types of diabetic obese mice. Nuclear CREB3L3 mutually activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α promoter in an autoloop fashion and is crucial for the ligand transactivation of PPARα by interacting with its transcriptional regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α. CREB3L3 directly and indirectly controls fibroblast growth factor 21 expression and its plasma level, which contributes at least partially to the catabolic effects of CREB3L3 on systemic energy homeostasis in the entire body. Therefore, CREB3L3 is a therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes.

TFE3 controls lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of male mice by suppressing lipolysis and thermogenesis.

Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) is a transcription factor that binds to E-box motifs and promotes energy metabolism-related genes. We previously reported that TFE3 directly binds to the insulin receptor substrate-2 promoter in the liver, resulting in increased insulin response. However, the role of TFE3 in other tissues remains unclear. In this study, we generated adipose-specific TFE3 transgenic (aP2-TFE3 Tg) mice. These mice had a higher weight of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue than wild-type (WT) mice under fasting conditions. Lipase activity in the WAT in these mice was lower than that in the WT mice. The mRNA level of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), the rate-limiting enzyme for adipocyte lipolysis, was significantly decreased in aP2-TFE3 Tg mice. The expression of Foxo1, which directly activates ATGL expression, was also suppressed in transgenic mice. Promoter analysis confirmed that TFE3 suppressed promoter activities of the ATGL gene. In contrast, G0S2 and Perilipin1, which attenuate ATGL activity, were higher in transgenic mice than in WT mice. These results indicated that the decrease in lipase activity in adipose tissues was due to a decrease in ATGL expression and suppression of ATGL activity. We also showed that thermogenesis was suppressed in aP2-TFE3 Tg mice. The decrease in lipolysis in WAT of aP2-TFE3 Tg mice inhibited the supply of fatty acids to brown adipose tissue, resulting in the inhibition of the expression of thermogenesis-related genes such as UCP1. Our data provide new evidence that TFE3 regulates lipid metabolism by controlling the gene expression related to lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissue.