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Our aim was to identify a suitable microRNA housekeeping gene for real-time PCR analysis of bovine mastitis-related microRNA in milk. We identified miR-92a, miR-375, and let-7g as housekeeping gene candidates on the basis of previous Solexa sequencing results. Threshold cycle (CT) values for miR-92a, miR-375, and let-7g did not differ between milk from control cows and milk from mastitis-affected cows. NormFinder software identified miR-92a as the most stable single housekeeping gene. We evaluated the suitability of the housekeeping gene candidates by using them to assess expression levels of the inflammation-related gene miR-146a. Regardless of the housekeeping gene candidates used for normalization, relative expression levels of miR-146a were significantly higher in mastitis-affected samples than in control samples. However, of all the housekeeping genes and gene combinations investigated, normalization with miR-92a alone generated the difference in relative miR-146a expression between mastitis-affected and control samples with the highest significance. These results suggest that miR-92a is suitable for use as a housekeeping gene for analysis of bovine mastitis-related microRNA in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the detection of hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma found in a Japanese Black cow. The authors describe that the Black cow was found to have marked diffuse splenomegaly and multiple masses in the thoracic vertebrae upon necropsy. They state that in hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma, the affected animal will present with vertebral involvement with spinal cord compression and resultant hind limb ataxia.

The article presents a study which examines the prevalence and histopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of epithelioid cells observed in the mediastinal lymph nodes of 66 out of 110 cattle without cancer. Cases of metastatic carcinoma exhibited lymph nodes that contained epithelioid cells. The researchers discovered that most of the epithelioid cells in all 66 nodes were individual or aggregated in nodal sinuses, and that some cells made tubular structures in 21 nodes. The examination suggested that the epithelioid cells got into the lymph nodes through the lymphatic vessels. The study revealed that epithelioid cells in the lymph nodes of cattles without cancer did not interrupt nodal architecture, and did not occupy the nodal parenchyma.

A new method has been developed by us to observe the movements of the abomasum by using a magnet and digital magnetometer. Four cows with left displacement of the abomasum underwent conventional correction by rolling without tacking. A doughnut-type magnet was sutured to the pyloric region in a routine operation. The same was done in three control cows. The position of the pyloric region was observed with a digital magnetometer from outside the cow's body. The magnets in the pyloric region of the control cows were located at the right side of the abdominal cavity at 10-30 cm anterior to the udder base, and moved slightly in various directions within the span of a day. On the other hand, the magnets in the pyloric region of cows with abomasal displacement moved widely in the abdominal cavity from the normal right side to the abnormal left front side. A large movement of the magnet from the normal right side to the abnormal left side of the abdominal cavity was observed within 12 h of the onset of abomasal displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Histopathological features of livers and blood chemical values in cows with abomasal displacement were investigated. Liver biopsy samples were collected during redressment operations in 92 cows with abomasal displacement, and the samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Blood was collected for chemical tests. Livers were histopathologically divided into the following four types: normal histology cases (21%), fatty degeneration cases (36%), cloudy swelling cases (19%) and fatty degeneration cases with cloudy swelling (24%). The number of PAS-positive samples was significantly higher in the normal histology group and significantly lower in the severe fatty degeneration group and severe cloudy swelling group. Cows with fatty degeneration had significantly higher levels of serum 3-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid and aspartate aminotransferase than did those with cloudy swelling or normal histology. The results indicate that the morbid conditions of cows with abomasal displacement can be classified into four types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mechanism is proposed for the anelastic relaxation effect observed at high temperatures for Ni3Al by Gadaud and Chakib (1993, Mater. Sci. Forum, 119- 121, 397). The dependence of the relaxation magnitude on the crystal orientation as found by Mourisco et al. (1996, J. Phys. Paris, IV, C8-235) strongly suggests that the effect is due to stress-induced redistribution of point defects on the sublattice sites for Ni atoms. Both the kinetic and the thermodynamic aspects of the relaxation can be explained quantitatively in terms of reorientation of antisite Al atoms. The properties of the point defects relevant to the effect have been calculated by a thermodynamic model of the Bragg-Williams type and by atomistic computer simulation. The rate and the magnitude of the relaxation observed in experiment are in reasonable agreement with theoretical values estimated from the results of these calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The homogeneity ranges of the L12-ordered compounds Ni3Ga and Ni3Ge and the boundaries of the neighboring phases have been examined by electron probe microanalysis using heterophase alloys in the temperature ranges 1073 to 1373 K (Ni-Ga) and 1073 to 1346 K (Ni-Ge). The composition ranges of the L12-ordered phases have been found to be narrower than those reported in the literature, on the Ga-rich side for Ni3Ga and on the Ge-deficient side for Ni3Ge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a comparative analysis of blood chemical values in primary ketosis and abosomal displacement in cows. Pathophysiology of abosomal displacement in cows; Cholesterol measurement; Glucose evaluation.

We propose a model for the self-diffusion in L12 type A3B ordered compounds. In this structure, the atoms of the major element A can diffuse on their own sublattice (alpha sublattice) via the ordinary vacancy mechanism without disturbing the ordered arrangement. For the atoms of the minor element B, the same mechanism is possible for those distributed over the alpha sublattice as antisite atoms. If the number of the antisite atoms is not negligibly small, the long-range diffusion of B can be due largely to their migration over the alpha sublattice as impurity diffusion. The self-diffusion data in Ni3Al, Ni3Ga and Ni3Ge are discussed in the light of this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the case of intussusception due to a thickened spiral colon in a heifer. Signs of hypodynamia, reduced appetite, distention of the hypogastrium and mucosanguineous diarrhea are observed on a four-month-old Holstein heifer. The postmortem examination reveals an enlargement of the proximal colon. It was found through tissue specimens that intussusception was caused by severed fibroserous hyperplasia granulation.