APPLICABILITY OF AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED HELICOPTER SURVEY OF AIR DOSE RATE IN SUBURBAN AREA.

An autonomous unmanned helicopter (AUH) survey is a useful tool for monitoring the distribution of ambient dose equivalent rates. However, the AUH survey method was developed for plane permeable fields such as agricultural land, and its applicability to urban areas is unclear. In this study, the applicability was investigated by comparing the results of AUH and ground-based surveys conducted in suburban areas, including residential and agricultural lands. The results of both surveys broadly agreed with each other within a factor of 2 in the range independent of land use, and the factor was the same as that reported for plane permeable fields. These results suggest that AUH surveys are applicable in urban areas. The measurement uncertainty of the AUH survey was largely affected by the patchy and local distribution of ambient dose equivalent rates on the ground and differences in the fields of view, rather than land use.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of medicinal herb, Terminalia catappa L. from Okinawa Island and its tannin corilagin.

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of Terminalia catappa L. collected from Okinawa Island were evaluated in vitro and in vivo using leaves extract and isolated antioxidants. A water extract of the leaves of T. catappa showed a strong radical scavenging action for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide (O(2)(.-)) anion. Chebulagic acid and corilagin were isolated as the active components from T. catappa. Both antioxidants showed a strong scavenging action for O(2)(.-) and peroxyl radicals and also inhibited reactive oxygen species production from leukocytes stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate acetate. Galactosamine (GalN, 600 mg/kg, s.c.,) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 microg/kg, i.p.)-induced hepatotoxicity of rats as seen by an elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities was significantly reduced when the herb extract or corilagin was given intraperitoneally to rats prior to GalN/LPS treatment. Increase of free radical formation and lipid peroxidation in mitochondria caused by GalN/LPS treatment were also decreased by pretreatment with the herb/corilagin. In addition, apoptotic events such as DNA fragmentation and the increase in caspase-3 activity in the liver observed with GalN/LPS treatment were prevented by the pretreatment with the herb/corilagin. These results show that the extract of T. catappa and its antioxidant, corilagin are protective against GalN/LPS-induced liver injury through suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

The role of Gd-enhanced three-dimensional MRI fast low-angle shot (FLASH) in the evaluation of symptomatic lumbosacral nerve roots.

In the field of lumbar spine disorders, three-dimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can clearly depict a lumbar nerve root from the distal region to the dorsal root ganglion. In this study, we used a gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced-three-dimensional (3-D) fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence when examining lumbosacral disorders. The subjects were 33 patients (14 men and 19 women) in whom lumbosacral neural compression had been diagnosed clinically. Twenty-one patients had lumbar disc herniation, 11 had lumbar spinal stenosis, and 1 had lumbar radiculopathy caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Five subjects with low back pain were also studied as a control group. In all patients and in all 5 of the controls, the dorsal root ganglion of every root was enhanced clearly. There was no root enhancement in the 5 controls. Enhancement of the symptomatic nerve roots, caused by compression, was found in 11 of the 33 patients. All 11 patients had radiculopathy, and muscle weakness was more frequent in patients with enhanced nerve roots than in those without enhancement. There was no enhancement of the cauda equina, even in the patients with cauda syndrome. The enhancement effect may reflect some pathological condition of the compressed nerve root and needs to be studied further.

Adult T cell leukemia lymphoma (ATL) localized in the right tibial bone.

A 56-year-old man was admitted complaining of pain in the right tibia. He was diagnosed as having adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/L) in the right knee joint by roentgenographic and histological examination. Monoclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA was demonstrated in the bone tumor cells, although polyclonal integration was observed in the peripheral blood. These results led us to make a diagnosis of ATL with localized growth in the right knee joint. The osteolytic bone change was progressive despite radiation therapy. Complete remission was achieved after amputation of his right lower leg and two courses of chemotherapy. Resection of the localized lesion might be useful in cases of ATL, but further studies are necessary to confirm this conclusion.

In-vitro anti-proliferative effects of some anti-tumour drugs on feline mammary tumour cell lines.

Six anti-tumour drugs namely; doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, vincristine, cisplatin, recombinant human tumour necrosis factor alpha (rh-TNFalpha) and recombinant feline interferon gamma (rf-IFNgamma) were singly evaluated for their anti-proliferative effects on two feline cell lines (FRM and NAC) derived from mammary adenocarcinoma and grown as monolayers. We obtained concentration response curves that enabled the determination of the concentration inhibiting growth by 50 per cent (IC50) for the chemotherapeutic agents with VCR exhibiting exponential-plateau curves. Differences in anti-proliferative effects of drugs to a given cell line and between the cell lines were also observed. NAC cells were relatively more resistant compared with FRM cells. The relative resistances for NAC cells were 4.19, 12.96, 0.05 and 2.10-fold to doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, vincristine and cisplatin, respectively. FRM cells were more resistant to VCR at lower concentrations compared with NAC cells. The cells appeared, at least in vitro, least sensitive to rh-TNFalpha and rf-IFNgamma. rh-TNFalpha and rf-IFNgamma were 23 and 29 per cent inhibitory to FRM cells and only 13 and 15 per cent inhibitory to NAC cells, respectively.

Establishment and characterization of a new cell line derived from feline mammary tumor.

A new cell line designated FRM was established from pleural effusion of a 13-year-old female cat with mammary adenocarcinoma. The cell line exhibited irregular round and polygonal shaped epithelial cells and demonstrated cell growth in a monolayer fashion with a doubling time of 22.4 hr. It possessed a modal chromosome number of 79. The immortality of this cell line was demonstrated using the TRAP assay which revealed a high telomeric activity of these cells. Scatchard analysis revealed quite low levels of estrogen receptors in both tumor mass produced in nude mice and FRM cells. Subcutaneous transplantation of the cells produced localized palpable masses in athymic nude mice within two weeks. This cell line may provide a good model for in vivo and in vitro studies on feline mammary tumors.

Appearance of canine abdominal tumors with magnetic resonance imaging using a low field permanent magnet.

The study was carried out to evaluate the applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting tumors in the abdomen of the dog. Abdominal ultrasound and MRI were performed on 8 dogs having a mass lesion on abdominal radiography. MR images were obtained in the transverse, sagittal and dorsal planes using T1- and T2-weighted spin echo pulse sequences. There was good visual correlation of the lesion site by MRI and ultrasonography (US).

[A case of supramediastinal neurinoma: its operative approach (via supraclavicular route) and radiographic findings (target sign)].

A 76-year-old female with supramediastinal tumor was admitted. CT scan showed central high density area surrounded by low density area and MR imaging emphasized the same concentric circle. This concentric circle pattern on CT scan and MR imaging is called "Target sign", which is known as characteristic radiographic finding of neurinoma. Therefore we could diagnose her case as mediastinal neurinoma preoperatively. She underwent operation through the supraclavicular approach and the tumor was completely resected. By incising the skin through the modified left hemi-collar incisional line and cutting the clavicula at its central part, we could ensure a good operative field and safely performed this operation without mid-sternotomy or thoracotomy. The supraclavicular approach for the operation of supramediastinal tumor is useful.

Primary brain tumors in two dogs treated by surgical resection in combination with postoperative radiation therapy.

Primary brain tumors in two dogs were surgically removed followed by postoperative radiation therapy. The two tumors were confirmed histologically to be astrocytoma and meningioma, respectively. After the surgery, the neurological status of each dog improved dramatically and a total dose of 40 Gy was delivered to the surgical site to treat residual tumor tissue. Although the dog with astrocytoma died 6 months after surgery due to unknown causes, the dog with meningioma has lived for over 24 months with a degree of neurological disorder less severe than that before treatment. These results suggested the effectiveness of this type of therapy on brain tumor in dogs and therapeutic modality should be positively planned to treat canine brain tumors.

Cryopreservation of isolated rat islets of Langerhans in the presence of ethylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide: evaluation of toxicity and the dynamic pattern of subsequent insulin release in vitro.

The toxic effect of ethylene glycol (EG) on the pattern of dynamic insulin release from rat pancreatic islets with or without freezing was investigated in comparison with that of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). Sixty islets were perifused (1 ml/min) consecutively with D-glucose (1.67 mM for 30 min followed by 16.7 mM for 60 min and 1.67 mM for 60 min) after exposure to 2.0 M EG or Me2SO for 1 h at either 22 or 0 degrees C. During the second period of perifusion, the insulin output from islets exposed to Me2SO or EG at 22 degrees C decreased to 53 and 51% of that from nontreated control islets, respectively. On the other hand, the islets exposed to EG at 0 degrees C exhibited 86% of the control insulin output under the same perifusion conditions, and this appeared to be higher than that of islets exposed to Me2SO (60%) at 0 degrees C. Frozen islets, after exposure to 2.0 M EG or Me2SO for 1 h at 0 degrees C, responded positively to 16.7 mM D-glucose, and the typical biphasic pattern of insulin secretion was observed. The insulin output from these islets during the second period of perifusion was not comparable to that from unfrozen control islets. In particular, the mean insulin output of EG-cryopreserved islets during the second period accounted for 99% of that from unfrozen control islets. The present findings suggest the possible use of EG as an alternative cryoprotectant to Me2SO.

Establishment and characterization of a new canine B-cell leukemia cell line.

A new cell line derived from a spontaneous canine leukemia was established and designated GL-1. The cells have been cultured in a floating fashion and passaged for over two years. They were round with rich cytoplasm containing many rough endoplasmic reticula and mitochondria. Peroxidase staining was negative. The nuclei of many cells were round, but segmented nuclei were seen frequently. The doubling time of the cells was 27.3 hr and they had 78 chromosomes. Surface marker analysis using monoclonal antibodies (MABs) and flowcytometry revealed that GL-1 possessed CD45 and surface IgG. However, the cells did not react with MABs detecting T-cell markers. These results indicate that GL-1 has a lymphocytic lineage and is derived from a B-cell leukemia.

Effects of 6-Hydroxydopamine on the antibody response to the hapten dinitrophenyl in the chicken.

Antibody responses to the hapten dinitrophenyl (DNP) and the concentration of catecholamine in chickens received a single injection of 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the chorioallantoic cavity at the embryonal stage were evaluated. A significantly enhanced anti-DNP IgA response and a markedly decreased level of noradrenaline in the peripheral blood were observed in chickens treated with 400 micrograms of 6-OHDA at 14 days of incubation. These results suggested the immunomodulatory influence of the sympathetic nervous system.

Differential freezing tolerance of rat pancreatic islets depending on their size variation.

We have investigated the freezing tolerance of rat pancreatic islets. Freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets were divided into three groups based on their longest diameter (small; 100 - 200 microns, medium; 201 - 300 microns, large; > 300 microns). They were then cryopreserved at a slow cooling rate (-0.3 degrees C/min) in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) or ethylene glycol (EG). After storage at -196 degrees C for 1 - 4 weeks, they were thawed and their ability to secrete insulin in response to fluctuations in glucose concentration was examined during three consecutive static incubations in vitro (1st; 2.8 mM, 2nd; 16.7 mM, 3rd; 2.8 mM). Morphological examination of the beta-granule population was determined by image analysis, and correlation with islets size was analyzed. The amount of insulin released from large-sized islets was significantly suppressed in EG (p < 0.05) and Me2SO (p < 0.01) groups compared to unfrozen islets. However, the mean volume of the large-sized islets isolated from one rat accounted for 43.0% of the total volume. On the other hand, the amount of insulin released from small- and medium-sized islets did not differ from those of unfrozen islets, and their mean volumes were 13.2 and 43.8% respectively. The percentage of cells with beta-granules was significantly correlated with size in both EG (r = -0.52) and Me2SO (r = -0.35) groups, but no significant correlation was observed in the unfrozen islets groups. These findings suggest that large-sized islets are more susceptible to freezing injury than small- or medium-sized islets. Moreover, the volume distribution of isolated islets indicated that it may be important to retain the ability of insulin secretion from the large-sized islets.

Changes in lymphoproliferation and DTH responses after vaccination immediately before surgery in puppies.

To clarify the effects of the presurgical vaccination canine parvovirus vaccine (CPV) on immunological responses to surgery in puppies, we assessed it by measuring the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses after laparotomy in the non- and vaccinated puppies. The inhalation anesthetic used was isoflurane or halothane. In post-surgery, the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes in the non-vaccinated puppies decreased, especially, those in these puppies with halothane anesthesia (GOF) did significantly, and the duration of this decrease prolonged more than that in the non-vaccinated puppies with isoflurane anesthesia (GOI). However, the responses in the vaccinated puppies with each anesthesia didn't almost decrease below the presurgical levels. In GOI groups, the DTH responses in vaccinated puppies increased significantly over those in non-vaccinated ones, but in GOF groups, there were few differences between the DTH responses in the non- and vaccinated puppies. These results suggest that the CPV vaccination immediately before surgery possibly prevents the postsurgical immunosuppression, and that GOI may depress the immunocompetence less than GOF.

Effect of directly ultraviolet-irradiated allografts of fetal pancreas in experimental diabetic dogs.

The proliferative responses of UV-irradiated islets from fetal pancreas decreased to 53.8 +/- 4.7% (mean +/- SEM) compared to that of UV-irradiated islets by allogeneic mixed islet-cell lymphocyte culture. In 5 pancreatectomized dogs, UV irradiated fetal dog pancreas was transplanted either into omentum pouches or the spleen without immunosuppressive agents. The diabetic status (daily insulin requirement for hyperglycemia, decrease in body weight, urine glucose) improved in dogs after allo-transplantation. The survival time after total pancreatectomy was significantly longer in allografted dogs than those treated only with daily insulin injections.

Flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in mice immunized with rat hepatocytes.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to rat hepatocytes (HCs) in mice were investigated by flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies directed against murine class II, CD4, and CD8 antigens. Mice were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with 10(6) rat HCs (referred to as s.c.-immunized mice), and control mice were injected s.c. with sterile Hanks' solution (non-immunized mice). Four days later, 10(5) rat HCs were injected into the footpad of s.c.-immunized mice and non-immunized mice. The DTH response in s.c.-immunized mice significantly increased after challenge when compared to that in non-immunized mice. The numbers of class II+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells in the footpad, and CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the inguinal lymph node of s.c.-immunized mice significantly increased during the DTH response. An increase in the number of CD4+ cells in the footpad of s.c.-immunized mice after challenge was more significant than that of non-immunized mice. The number of CD4+ cells increased more markedly in the footpad of s.c.-immunized mice as compared to that of CD8+ cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies of the footpad of s.c.-immunized mice showed more severe infiltration of CD4+ cells rather than CD8+ cells at the injection site of rat HCs. These results suggest that the DTH response in the footpad of mice immunized with rat HCs is associated with severe infiltration of CD4+ cells.

Immunological responses to polyvalent canine vaccines in dogs.

The immunological responses to commercially available polyvalent vaccines in dogs were examined. There was a tendency in decreased lymphocyte counts on day 7 in the puppy and adult dogs. There was a significant increase in the blastogenesis of lymphocytes on day 7 and 21 in puppies, whereas no significant changes were seen in the adult dogs. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and canine parvo-virus (CPV) vaccine monitored 0, 3, 8 weeks after vaccination produced strong reactions, in particular those to CPV vaccine rose significantly after vaccination and maintained the higher responses for at least 2 months. Therefore, it is considered that vaccination is immunomodulative rather than immunosuppressive and that DTH responses to PHA and CPV vaccine are helpful to monitor non-specific and specific immune functions in vivo.

Detection of Hepatozoon canis oocyst from ticks collected from the infected dogs.

We collected 220 ticks from 58 dogs infected with Hepatozoon canis from 1990 to 1992 in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures, the western provinces of Japan. These ticks were identified as Haemaphysalis campanulata, H. longicornis, H. flava, Ixodes ovata, and I. nipponensis. By histopathological examination of these ticks, two oocysts which seemed to be those of H. canis were observed in the haemocoele of an adult female H. longicornis and a nymph H. flava tick. The oocyst, about 300 x 150 microns in size, was composed of 50 to 70 sporocysts with 10 to 16 banana-shaped sporozoites each.

Immunological responses after vaccination pre- and post-surgery in dogs.

The effects of several commercially available vaccinations pre- and post-surgery on immune responses by monitoring the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes and humoral antibody responses in dogs were examined. Twenty clinical patients presented for surgery were studied. Canine parvovirus (CPV) serum antibody titers increased by twofold or more in 17 of 20 dogs and many dogs had an increase by day 7. In 3 of 4 dogs moderate hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers (128 to 256) at the time of vaccination increased by twofold or more. Canine distemper virus serum antibody titers in 4 of 8 dogs with HI titers (< or = 32) at the time of vaccination had increased by twofold or more. In the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes to Concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin, most dogs responded with a slight decrease following vaccination, but no significant change was noted. No adverse reaction caused by vaccination was noted and comparatively good production of serum antibody titers (CPV especially) was seen. Vaccination pre- and post-surgery neither induce severe immunosuppression, nor potentiate the severity of concurrent disease, and did not cause inapparent infection to become clinically apparent.