Search

An 8-year 8-month-old castrated male Munchkin presented with vomiting, anorexia and hypoactivity. Computed tomography revealed excessive gas accumulation within the intestinal lumen and gas bubbles in the liver, spleen, and portal venous system, indicating hepatic portal venous gas. The cat died without any significant improvement, and mild splenomegaly was found at necropsy. Histologically, multiple gas vacuoles were diffusely observed in the liver and spleen. In the stomach, multiple gas vacuoles and scattered focal ulcers were detected within the mucosa. Multifocal hemorrhage was noted in the small and large intestines, whereas gas vacuoles were not present. Based on these findings, a gastric ulcer under high gas pressure may have provided an entry point for gas into the portal venous system.

Case summary A 14-year 3-month-old spayed female mixed-breed cat presented with jaundice, anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Haemophagocytic syndrome associated with lymphoma was suspected after cytological examination of the spleen. Despite treatment with prednisolone, L-asparaginase and nimustine, the cat died 176 days after the initial presentation. Necropsy revealed splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, without lymphadenopathy. Histopathologically, neoplastic lymphoid cells infiltrated the hepatic sinusoid and splenic sinus. The neoplastic lymphoid cells showed marked hepatocytotropism and contained erythrocytes, which was also confirmed by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic lymphoid cells were positive for CD3, TIA1 (GMP-17) and granzyme B, and negative for CD8, CD20, CD56, CD57, CD79a and Iba1. Based on these findings, the cat was diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HS-TCL) with hepatocytotropism. Relevance and novel information This case shows cytotoxic immunophenotype of HS-TCL in a cat, which has not been demonstrated before. Severe hepatocytotropism and haemophagocytosis of the neoplastic cells were likely to be associated with jaundice and anaemia, respectively, and the poor outcome of the present case.

The characteristics of surface antigens in canine hepatocellular carcinoma (cHCC) have not been clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate surface antigens, which are considered as stem/progenitor or cancer cell markers, in cHCC cell lines. Expression of various antigens including CD29, CD34, CD44, CD90, CD133 and Dlk-1 was assessed in four cHCC cell lines by flow cytometry. CD44, CD133 and Dlk-1 expression was detectable in all cell lines, and three cell lines expressed CD29. These results indicate that CD29, CD44, CD133 and Dlk-1 have potential as suitable markers in cHCC identification, suggesting that these findings will contribute to the establishment of an early diagnostic tool for the identification of hepatocellular maturation processes.

Bone marrow cell infusion (BMI) has recently been suggested as an effective therapy for refractory liver disease; however, the efficiency of BMI using canine bone marrow cells (cBMCs) has not been reported. We evaluated the accumulation potential of cBMCs in a mouse model of acute liver failure. Acute hepatitis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment in NOD/SCID/γc(null)(NOG) mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL mice, and the characteristics of liver dysfunction and the degree of hepatic injury and regeneration were compared between the two mouse models. Next, female CCl4-treated NOG mice were xenotransplanted with male PKH26-labeled cBMCs, and the potential of cBMCs to accumulate in injured liver tissue compartments was examined. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to histologically detect the infused cBMCs, and DNA polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of the male Y chromosome (SRY gene) in the recipient female NOG mice. The number of PKH26-positive cBMCs transplanted in the liver tissue gradually increased in the NOG mice. The infused cBMCs were located in the necrotic area of the liver at an early stage after transplantation, and most had accumulated a week after transplantation. However, the therapeutic efficacy of the xenotransplantation remained unclear, because no significant differences were observed concerning the extent liver injury and regeneration between the cBMC-transplanted and saline control mice. These results suggest that cBMCs will specifically accumulate in injured liver tissue and that BMC transplantation may have the potential to repair liver deficiency.

Cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (CETL) is characterized by neoplastic T-cell infiltration of the epidermis, adnexal structures, and oral mucosa. The objective of this report was to describe the pathological findings of a canine case of terminal-stage CETL. A 10-year-old, mixed-breed, neutered male dog was presented with erosion of the oral mucosa and mucocutaneous junction. The dog was diagnosed with CETL with no evidence of metastasis. Despite chemotherapy, the dog was re-presented with oral pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and died 17 months after the first visit to the hospital. A complete autopsy was performed. Histologic examination of the primary lesion and systemic organs was performed. Gross examination revealed an advanced-stage oral lesion. Distinct tumor formation was not observed in the primary sites and systemic organs. Histologically, the primary oral lesion was characterized by massive intraepithelial infiltration of a large number of neoplastic lymphocytes. The neoplastic cells in the metastatic sites also showed exclusive epitheliotropic proliferation in organs, including the trachea, tonsils, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, anal mucosa, liver, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder, prostate gland, ear canals, and auricular and ventral skin. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for CD3 and negative for CD20 as well as CD79α, supporting a diagnosis of CETL with systemic dissemination. In canine CETL with systemic signs, systemic metastasis should be considered even without evident mass formation. Neoplastic lymphocytes of CETL showed distinct epitheliotropism even in the systemic metastatic sites.

Background Platelet concentrates (PC) are prepared by centrifugation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is prepared by centrifugation of whole blood. The resuspension of the platelet pellet during PC preparation from dogs is difficult because of platelet activation induced by centrifugation. Objectives To investigate the efficacy of adding prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to prevent platelet activation during PC preparation from dogs. Animals Fifteen healthy Beagle dogs. Methods Prospective, experimental trial: PGE1 was added to PRP before the high-speed centrifugation during PC preparation. To estimate the effect of this addition, we assessed the platelet aggregability before transfusion, the survival of the platelets after transfusion, and the platelet reactivity after transfusion, which is estimated by the P-selectin expression of the platelets when stimulated by thrombin. Results The difficulty associated with platelet resuspension was resolved by PGE1.PGE1 strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen and ADP; however, it recovered after the platelets were resuspended in plasma without PGE1 (mean aggregation ratio; collagen: 10.00–80.80%, ADP: 8.20–53.60%). Survival of the platelets after transfusion was not affected by PGE1 (mean 8.04 and 7.56 days, without and with PGE1), and thrombin-induced P-selectin expression after transfusion in PGE1-treated PC was also well maintained (mean positive ratio 53.7 and 47.9%, before and 24 hours after transfusion). Conclusions and Clinical Importance The addition of PGE1 in PRP before the centrifugation of PRP can improve the preparation efficiency of PC from dogs, while maintaining the therapeutic efficacy of the platelets.

A polymorphic tetranucleotide (GAAT)n microsatellite in the first intron of the canine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) gene was characterized in this study; 139 dogs were analyzed: 22 Beagles, 26 Chihuahuas, 20 Miniature Dachshunds, 24 Miniature Poodles, 22 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and 25 Shiba Inus. We detected the presence of the 4 alleles (GAAT)5, (GAAT)6, (GAAT)7 and (GAAT)8, including 9 of the 10 expected genotypes. The expected heterozygosity (He) and the polymorphic information content (PIC) value of this microsatellite locus varied from 0.389 to 0.749 and from 0.333 to 0.682, respectively, among the 6 breeds. The allelic frequency differed greatly among breeds, but this microsatellite marker was highly polymorphic and could be a useful marker for the canine TNFA gene.

We prepared high-quality a -axis-oriented superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (YBCO) films on (100)MgO substrates using the c -axis-oriented PrBa 2 Cu 3 O x (PBCO) buffer layer and the a -axis-oriented cubic YBCO self-template layer. The YBCO template layers deposited at a low substrate temperature ( T s ) on MgO substrates without the PBCO buffer layers were found to turn into orientation other than a -axis orientation by annealing at a higher temperature after the deposition. The in-plane aligned c -axis-oriented PBCO layer was inserted between the a -axis-oriented cubic YBCO layer and the MgO substrate to stabilize the template layer. As a result, the YBCO film deposited at higher T s on these layers was found to be a -axis-oriented with a full width at a half-maximum (FWHM) of the (200) rocking curve of 0.58°, an FWHM of (200) diffraction of 0.18°, a critical onset temperature around 90 K and a critical zero temperature of 70 K.

Bone marrow cell infusion (BMI) has recently been suggested as an effective therapy for refractory liver disease; however, the efficiency of BMI using canine bone marrow cells (cBMCs) has not been reported. We evaluated the accumulation potential of cBMCs in a mouse model of acute liver failure. Acute hepatitis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment in NOD/SCID/γc(null)(NOG) mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL mice, and the characteristics of liver dysfunction and the degree of hepatic injury and regeneration were compared between the two mouse models. Next, female CCl4-treated NOG mice were xenotransplanted with male PKH26-labeled cBMCs, and the potential of cBMCs to accumulate in injured liver tissue compartments was examined. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to histologically detect the infused cBMCs, and DNA polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of the male Y chromosome (SRY gene) in the recipient female NOG mice. The number of PKH26-positive cBMCs transplanted in the liver tissue gradually increased in the NOG mice. The infused cBMCs were located in the necrotic area of the liver at an early stage after transplantation, and most had accumulated a week after transplantation. However, the therapeutic efficacy of the xenotransplantation remained unclear, because no significant differences were observed concerning the extent liver injury and regeneration between the cBMC-transplanted and saline control mice. These results suggest that cBMCs will specifically accumulate in injured liver tissue and that BMC transplantation may have the potential to repair liver deficiency.

Superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O x films with c -axis orientation on (100) MgO substrates were prepared by pulsed laser ablation with pulsed laser irradiation onto the growing film surface. The irradiation gives rise to a -axis-oriented crystallites in c -axis-oriented matrix, short c -axis length and smooth surface morphology without degradation in crystallinity of c -axis-oriented crystal. Critical current density J c of the film is improved by the laser irradiation, resulting in 2.6x10 6 A/cm 2 at 77 K and zero field, which is twice that of the non-irradiated one. In addition, an enhanced pinning effect was also observed at a high field.

金沢大学設計製造技術研究所 / 金沢大学理工研究域電子情報学系 / 金沢大学工学部, Ba2YCu3Ox superconducting films were prepared by Nd:YAG laser ablation, equipped with a second (ArF excimer) laser for irradiation onto the growing film surface. The irradiation onto the film during the deposition were delayed for various delay times against the ablation of Ba2YCu3Ox target. The experiment showed that the second laser irradiation within several tens ps around the ablation event induces a change of the crystal orientation. This result suggests that the crystal growth for the laser ablation is determined mainly around this time scale.

The experimental results of the single electron transistor (SET) operated at room temperature, which was fabricated by a scanning tunneling microscope (STM)/an atomic force microscope (AFM) nano-oxidation process, was compared with the results of calculated values, and a good coincidence between them was obtained. This coincidence confirms the existence of the Coulomb blockade phenomena in our SET even at room temperature.

A single electron transistor (SET) operating at room temperature was fabricated for the first time using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) nano-oxidation process. A clear Coulomb staircase with an /spl sim/140 mV period and Coulomb oscillation period of /spl sim/460 mV were observed at 300K.

The single electron transistor was fabricated by quite a new fabrication process using scanning tunneling microscopy. The single electron transistor operates at room temperature showing a clear Coulomb staircase of 150 mV periods. The tip of the scanning tunneling microscope was used as a cathode, and the surface of the Ti layer was oxidized to form a narrow oxidized Ti line. Using this oxidized Ti line, the island region of the single electron transistor was fabricated. The electrical property of the oxidized Ti line was also examined in detail.

The oxidation using an atomic force microscope was applied in the fabrication of ultrafast metal-semiconductor-metal photoconductive switches. The photoconductive gap was formed by the oxidation of a 4 nm-thick-titanium layer. The photoconductive gap which was 100 nm wide and covered with the oxidized titanium which is not only a good insulator but also transparent to the excitation beam. A full width at half-maximum response of 380 fs was obtained at a bias voltage of 10 V.

The effect of annealing on a MgO substrate was systematically investigated, varying the annealing temperature, for preparation of high-quality YBa2Cu3O x (YBCO) films by pulsed laser ablation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were carried out for characterization of the MgO substrate, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, including θ-2θ scan, ω-scan (rocking curve) and φ-scan, and electrical measurement were carried out for characterization of YBCO films. Thermal annealing of MgO above 1000° C in oxygen ambient was found to give rise to a great improvement of the crystallinity and the reproducibility of crystal orientation of YBCO films, while it was also found to induce Ca segregation on the surface of MgO and reduce the oxygen content of YBCO films. Annealing below 1000° C causes no outstanding improvement in the crystal structure of YBCO. On the MgO substrate annealed at 1200° C c-axis-oriented YBCO film was found to reproducibly show a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the rocking curve of 0.3°, an FWHM of (005) diffraction of 0.1°, an epitaxial relation without in-plane misorientation, a critical zero temperature of 89 K, and a critical current density of 106 A/cm2 at 77.4 K and zero field.

Superconducting YBa2Cu3O x films on MgO(100) substrates were prepared by pulsed laser ablation with pulsed laser irradiation on the growing film surface. The irradiation effects on the crystal structure were studied for various substrate temperatures and irradiation fluences. These experiments revealed that a poorly crystallized film was successfully converted to a well-crystallized film with a-axis orientation after irradiation at a low substrate temperature. At a high substrate temperature, the a-axis-oriented crystallites were introduced into c-axis-oriented films upon irradiation, without degradation of the crystallinity, suggesting the possibility that these crystallites play the role of pinning centers in high-T c superconducting films.