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Abstract Background Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common disease in the canine gallbladder. Although the pathogenesis of GBM remains unclear, we recently reported that the excessive accumulation of mucin in the gallbladder is not a result of overproduction by gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs). Hypothesis/Objectives Changes in the function of GBECs other than the production of mucin are associated with the pathogenesis of GBM. We performed an RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis to comprehensively search for abnormalities in gene expression profiles of GBECs in dogs with GBM. Animals Fifteen dogs with GBM and 8 dogs euthanized for reasons other than gallbladder disease were included. Methods The GBECs were isolated from gallbladder tissues to extract RNA. The RNA‐seq analysis was performed using the samples from 3 GBM cases and 3 dogs with normal gallbladders, and the gene expression profiles were compared between the 2 groups. Differences in mRNA expression levels of the extracted differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) using samples of 15 GBM cases and 8 dogs with normal gallbladders. Results Comparison of gene expression profiles by RNA‐seq extracted 367 DEGs, including ANO1, a chloride channel associated with changes in mucin morphology, and HTR4, which regulates the function of chloride channels. The ANO1 and HTR4 genes were confirmed to be downregulated in the GBM group by RT‐qPCR. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Our results suggest that GBM may be associated with decreased function of chloride channels expressed in GBECs.

Abstract Dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy (CE) or small-cell lymphoma (SCL) exhibit marked differences in faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles compared with healthy dogs, as well as immune abnormalities in intestinal mucosal tissue. However, few studies have analysed trace organic acids, such as succinic acid, which have been suggested to be associated with IBD in humans. Therefore, in this study, we compared the faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles as well as serum inflammatory markers between dogs with disease (n = 11; 6 with CE and 5 with SCL) and healthy controls (n = 16). We also performed machine learning and correlation analysis to obtain more detailed insights into the characteristics of affected dogs. These results revealed that dogs with CE and SCL had lower levels of Erysipelotrichaceae (e.g. Turicibacter and Allobaculum), exhibited abnormalities in the succinic acid metabolism (i.e. succinic acid accumulation and decreased levels of Phascolarctobacterium as succinic acid-utilising bacteria) and increased levels of pathobiont bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella. Additionally, the presence of Dubosiella was significantly negatively correlated with Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index scores. These findings are expected to aid the development of microbiome-based medications and/or supplements, although further verification is needed.

Abstract X‐linked muscular dystrophy in cats (FXMD) is an uncommon disease, with few reports describing its pathogenic genetic variants. A 9‐year‐old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was presented with persistent muscle swelling and breathing difficulty from 3 years of age. Serum activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and creatine kinase were abnormally high. Physical and neurological examinations showed muscle swelling in the neck and proximal limb, slow gait, and occasional breathing difficulties. Electromyography showed pseudomyotonic discharges and complex repetitive discharges with a “dive‐bomber” sound. Histopathology revealed muscle necrosis and regeneration. Whole‐genome sequencing identified a novel and unique hemizygous nonsense genetic variant, c.8333G > A in dystrophin (DMD), potentially causing a premature termination codon (p.Trp2778Ter). Based on a combination of clinical and histological findings and the presence of the DMD nonsense genetic variant, this case was considered FXMD, which showed mild clinical signs and long‐term survival, even though immunohistochemical characterization was lacking.

The mammalian X chromosome exhibits enrichment in genes associated with germ cell development. Previously, we generated a rat model of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) characterized by an in-frame mutation in the dystrophin gene, situated on the X chromosome and responsible for encoding a protein crucial for muscle integrity. Male BMD rats are infertile owing to the absence of normal spermatids in the epididymis. Within the seminiferous tubules of BMD rats, elongated spermatids displayed abnormal morphology. To elucidate the cause of infertility, we identified a putative gene containing an open reading frame situated in the intronic region between exons 6 and 7 of the dystrophin gene, specifically deleted in male BMD rats. This identified gene, along with its encoded protein, exhibited specific detection within the testes, exclusively localized in round to elongated spermatids during spermiogenesis. Consequently, we designated the encoded protein as dystrophin-locus-derived testis-specific protein (DTSP). Given the absence of DTSP in the testes of BMD rats, we hypothesized that the loss of DTSP contributes to the infertility observed in male BMD rats.

Case summary A 5-year-old neutered Somali cat presented with a 2-week history of icterus. Diagnostic imaging revealed extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO) due to a common bile duct (CBD) mass. During exploratory laparotomy, a duodenal perforation was discovered incidentally. Choledochoduodenostomy combined with the Billroth II procedure was performed after resection of the CBD mass and the proximal duodenum to treat the EHBO and duodenal perforation. Based on histological and immunohistochemical findings, the CBD mass was diagnosed as a neuroendocrine carcinoma with gastrin-producing cell differentiation. The cat recovered almost uneventfully and was discharged 11 days after surgery. The cat survived for nearly 100 days without recurrence of EHBO or duodenal perforation; however, intermittent vomiting and weight loss persisted despite supportive medications. Relevance and novel information To the best of our knowledge, there is no detailed report on the application of choledochoduodenostomy combined with the Billroth II procedure in cats, as we used to treat the EHBO and duodenal perforation in the present case. As serum gastrin concentrations were elevated on the first day of hospitalisation, the CBD mass was diagnosed as a neuroendocrine carcinoma with gastrin-producing cell differentiation, which seemed to have caused not only EHBO but also duodenal perforation (Zollinger–Ellison syndrome). The cat survived for almost 100 days without any perioperative complications. However, this combined procedure might be considered as only a salvage option and not as a definitive treatment option in cats requiring simultaneous biliary and gastrointestinal reconstruction because postoperative supportive care could not improve the cat’s condition or maintain its quality of life.

Using 0.5% and 1.0% MGM-P, the objective of the present study was to determine a more appropriate additive level for early-weaned piglets as an alternative to the use of antibiotics. Thirty-six weaned piglets were allotted to one of four groups and given a basal diet (NC), with the basal diet containing either 0.5% (LT) or 1.0% (HT) MGM-P or antibiotics (PC). Diarrhea incidence, growth performance, hematology, blood biochemistry, and blood amino acid concentrations were monitored during the experimental period. Three piglets per group with a body weight nearest to the average level were slaughtered after the experiment to assess their organ index. The results showed that no diarrhea was observed either in the treatment groups or in the control group. The 0.5% group showed an upward trend in body weight and average daily gain at all stages. The WBC counts at 21 days of age were higher (p > 0.05) both in the MGM-P addition groups and the LT and HT groups. For some of the plasma amino acids, such as arginine, phenylalanine concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the HT group at the end of the trial. The pathological examination of all organs confirmed no differences. Consequently, the 0.5% MGM-P addition level may be suggested as a potential alternative to the use of antibiotic additives. Even with additives as high as 1%, there is no negative effect on ADG and FCR.

Abstract Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an incurable aggressive tumor, and no consensus has been made on the treatment due to its rare occurrence. Since dogs spontaneously develop the disease and several cell lines are available, they have been advocated as translational animal models. In the present study, therefore, we explored gene mutations and aberrant molecular pathways in canine HS by next generation sequencing to identify molecular targets for treatment. Whole exome sequencing and RNA-sequencing revealed gene mutations related to receptor tyrosine kinase pathways and activation of ERK1/2, PI3K-AKT, and STAT3 pathways. Analysis by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed that fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is over-expressed. Moreover, activation of ERK and Akt signaling were confirmed in all HS cell lines, and FGFR1 inhibitors showed dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects in two of the twelve canine HS cell lines. The findings obtained in the present study indicated that ERK and Akt signaling were activated in canine HS and drugs targeting FGFR1 might be effective in part of the cases. The present study provides translational evidence that leads to establishment of novel therapeutic strategies targeting ERK and Akt signaling in HS patients.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has a wide host range, extending from pigs and ardeid birds to opportunistic dead-end hosts, such as humans and horses. However, JEV encephalitis infections in aquatic mammals are rare, with only two cases in seals reported to date. Here, we report a lethal case of JEV and Schizophyllum commune co-infection in an aquarium-housed harbor seal in Japan. We isolated JEV from the brain of the dead seal and characterized its phylogeny and pathogenicity in mice. The virus isolate from the seal was classified as genotype GIb, which aligns with recent Japanese human and mosquito isolates as well as other seal viruses detected in China and Korea, and does not exhibit a unique sequence trait distinct from that of human and mosquito strains. We demonstrated that the seal isolate is pathogenic to mice and causes neuronal symptoms. These data suggest that seals should be considered a susceptible dead-end host for circulating JEV in natural settings.

Abstract Background Lymphoma with Mott cell change, or Mott cell lymphoma (MCL), is an uncommon variant of canine lymphoma. Because of its rare occurrence, there has been no comprehensive study describing the disease so far. Miniature dachshunds, a popular breed in Japan, sometimes experience MCL. Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of MCL in miniature dachshunds. Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify miniature dachshunds diagnosed with MCL and other types of lymphoma. Data on clinical and laboratory findings, treatments and outcomes were collected. Survival times were compared between miniature dachshunds with MCL and other types of lymphoma. Results Of the 87 miniature dachshunds diagnosed with lymphoma, 9 (10%) had cytological characteristics of MCL. All 9 miniature dachshunds with MCL were categorised as having alimentary lymphoma (small and/or large intestine, 6 dogs; mesenteric lymph node, 3 dogs). The median age was 3.1 years (range, 2.0–9.4 years). All nine dogs were treated with chemotherapeutic protocols used for large cell lymphoma or alkylating agents such as melphalan or chlorambucil. The overall response rate to initial chemotherapy was 78%, and the median progression‐free survival was 105 days. Overall survival in these nine dogs ranged from 6 to >1513 days (median, 240 days), which was significantly longer than in 29 miniature dachshunds with alimentary large cell lymphoma other than MCL (median, 57 days; p = 0.0491). Conclusions MCL in miniature dachshunds can be recognised as a peculiar type of B‐cell lymphoma occurring in relatively young dogs as an alimentary form and has a longer survival compared with typical alimentary large cell lymphoma.

Abstract Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle disease caused by a complete lack of dystrophin, which stabilizes the plasma membrane of myofibers. The orofacial function is affected in an advanced stage of DMD and this often leads to an eating disorder such as dysphagia. Dysphagia is caused by multiple etiologies including decreased mastication and swallowing. Therefore, preventing the functional declines of mastication and swallowing in DMD is important to improve the patient’s quality of life. In the present study, using a rat model of DMD we generated previously, we performed analyses on the masseter and tongue muscles, both are required for proper eating function. Methods Age-related changes of the masseter and tongue muscle of DMD rats were analyzed morphometrically, histologically, and immunohistochemically. Also, transcription of cellular senescent markers, and utrophin (Utrn), a functional analog of dystrophin, was examined. Results The masseter muscle of DMD rats showed progressive dystrophic changes as observed in their hindlimb muscle, accompanied by increased transcription of p16 and p19. On the other hand, the tongue of DMD rats showed macroglossia due to hypertrophy of myofibers with less dystrophic changes. Proliferative activity was preserved in the satellite cells from the tongue muscle but was perturbed severely in those from the masseter muscle. While Utrn transcription was increased in the masseter muscle of DMD rats compared to WT rats, probably due to a compensatory mechanism, its level in the tongue muscle was comparable between WT and DMD rats and was similar to that in the masseter muscle of DMD rats. Conclusions Muscular dystrophy is less advanced in the tongue muscle compared to the masseter muscle in the DMD rat.

(1) Background: Gallbladder mucosal erosion and/or ulceration are illnesses associated with unexpected gallbladder intra-cystic bleeding (hemocholecyst), an under-reported problem in dogs. (2) Methods: Clinicopathological characteristics of 14 dogs with gallbladder erosion/ulcer were investigated in this single-center retrospective study using clinical data and archived gallbladder tissues of client-owned dogs. (3) Results: Canine gallbladder erosion/ulcer tends to occur in older, neutered dogs of various breeds. Vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia are common. Concurrent gallbladder rupture occurred in 5/14 cases (35.7%), while rupture was absent in 6/14 cases (42.8%) and undetermined in 3/14 (21.4%) cases. Histologically, the gallbladder wall was markedly thickened due to mucosal hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltrates, fibrosis, edema, hemorrhage, and smooth muscle hyperplasia/hypertrophy. Twelve out of fourteen cases (85.7%) had concurrent cholecystitis of varying severity. Bacteria were detected by Giemsa or Warthin–Starry stain in 8/14 (57.1%) cases. Bacterial rods immunoreactive to the anti-Helicobacter antibody were present in one case. Mucosal epithelial cells of the gallbladder erosion/ulcer cohort were immunopositive for the cyclooxygenases COX-1 or COX-2 in only 5/14 (35.7%) cases. In contrast, COX-1 and COX-2 were more frequently expressed in a reference pool of cases of gallbladder mucocele (n = 5) and chronic cholecystitis (n = 5). COX-1 was expressed in 9/10 cases (90.0%) of gallbladder mucocele and chronic cholecystitis and in 10/10 cases (100%) for COX-2. (4) Conclusions: Canine gallbladder erosion/ulcer is an under-reported condition which requires active clinical intervention. Based on the clinicopathological information reported in this study in addition to the COX-1 and COX-2 IHC results, we suggest that canine gallbladder erosion/ulcer may be related to decreased cytoprotection physiologically provided by arachidonic acid, but which is decreased or absent due to reduced COX expression because of yet undetermined etiologies.

Abstract Euglena gracilis is widely utilized as food or supplement to promote human and animal health, as it contains rich nutrients. In this study, we administered spray-dried powder of E. gracilis and paramylon, β-glucan stored in E. gracilis cells, to A4gnt knockout (KO) mice. A4gnt KO mice are a mutant mouse model that spontaneously develops gastric cancer through hyperplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the antrum of the stomach, and we observed the effects of E. gracilis and paramylon on the early involvements of A4gnt KO mice. Male and female 10-week-old A4gnt KO mice and their age-matched wildtype C57BL/6J mice were orally administered with 50 mg of E. gracilis or paramylon suspended in saline or saline as a control. After 3-week administration, animals were euthanatized and the stomach was examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Gene expression patterns of the stomach, which have been reported to be altered with A4gnt KO, and IgA concentration in small intestine were also analyzed with real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Administration of Euglena significantly reduced the number of stimulated CD3-positive T-lymphocytes in pyloric mucosa of A4gnt KO mice and tend to reduce polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration. Euglena administration further downregulated the expression of Il11 and Cxcl1 of A4gnt KO mice. Euglena administration also affected IgA concentration in small intestinal contents of A4gnt KO mice. Paramylon administration reduced the number of CD3-positive lymphocytes in pyloric mucosa of A4gnt KO mice, and downregulated the expressions of Il11 and Ccl2 of A4gnt KO mice. Although we found no significant effects on gross and microscopic signs of gastric dysplasia and cell proliferation, the present study suggests that the administration of Euglena and paramylon may ameliorate the early involvements of A4gnt mice through the effects on inflammatory reactions in the gastric mucosa. The cancer-preventing effects should be studied with long-term experiments until actual gastric cancer formation.

Niemann–Pick disease (NP) type C is an autosomal, recessive, and inherited neurovisceral genetic disorder characterized by the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and glycolipids in cellular lysosomes and late endosomes, with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. This study aimed to determine the molecular genetic alterations in two cases of felines with NP in Japan, a Siamese cat in 1989 and a Japanese domestic (JD) cat in 1998. Sanger sequencing was performed on 25 exons of the feline NPC1 gene and 4 exons of the feline NPC2 gene, using genomic DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. The sequenced exons were compared with reference sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. The identified mutations and alterations were then analyzed using different prediction algorithms. No pathogenic mutations were found in feline NPC1; however, c.376G>A (p.V126M) was identified as a pathogenic mutation in the NPC2 gene. The Siamese cat was found to be homozygous for this mutation. The JD cat was heterozygous for the same mutation, but no other exonic NPC2 mutation was found. Furthermore, the JD cat had a homozygous splice variant (c.364-4C>T) in the NPC2 gene, which is not known to be associated with this disease. The NPC2:c.376G>A (p.V126M) mutation is the second reported pathogenic mutation in the feline NPC2 gene that may be present in the Japanese cat population.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) as senile plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and hyperphosphorylated tau (hp-tau) as neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The AD-related pathology has been reported in several non-human animals, and most animals develop only the Aβ or tau pathology. We herein describe the Aβ and hp-tau pathology in the brains of aged pinniped species (seal, sea lion, and walrus). Molecular analyses revealed that the sequence of pinniped Aβ was identical to that of human Aβ. Histopathological examinations detected argyrophilic plaques composed of Aβ associated with dystrophic neurites in the cerebral cortex of aged pinnipeds. Astrogliosis and microglial infiltration were identified around Aβ plaques. Aβ deposits were observed in the blood vessel walls of the meninges and cerebrum. Pinniped tau protein was physiologically subjected to alternative splicing at exons 2, 3, and 10, and presented as five isoforms: two 3-repeat tau isoforms (1N3R, 2N3R) and three 4-repeat tau isoforms (0N4R, 1N4R, 2N4R); 0N3R tau isoform was absent. Histopathological examinations revealed argyrophilic fibrillar aggregates composed of hp-tau in the neuronal somata and neurites of aged pinniped brains. Few hp-tau aggregates were found in oligodendrocytes and microglia. Biochemically, hp-tau of the 3-repeat and 4-repeat isoforms was detected in brain sarkosyl-insoluble fractions. Aβ and hp-tau both predominantly accumulated in the neocortex, particularly the frontal cortex. Furthermore, the activation of GSK-3β was detected within cells containing hp-tau aggregates, and activated GSK-3β was strongly expressed in cases with severe hp-tau pathologies. The present results suggest that, in association with Aβ deposition, the activation of GSK-3β contributes to hp-tau accumulation in pinniped brains. Here, we report that pinniped species naturally accumulate Aβ and tau with aging, similar to the human AD pathology.

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of specific phosphorylated protein aggregates in the brain, such as hyperphosphorylated tau (hp-tau) in tauopathies and phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-αSyn) in α-synucleinopathies. The simultaneous accumulation of different proteins is a common event in many neurodegenerative diseases. We herein describe the detection of the phosphorylation and dimerization of αSyn and activation of GSK-3β, a major kinase known to phosphorylate tau and αSyn, in the brains of rTg4510 mice that overexpress human P301L mutant tau. Immunohistochemistry showed p-αSyn aggregates in rTg4510 mice, which were suppressed by doxycycline-mediated decreases in mutant tau expression levels. A semi-quantitative analysis revealed a regional correlation between hp-tau and p-αSyn accumulation in rTg4510 mice. Furthermore, proteinase K-resistant αSyn aggregates were found in the region with excessive hp-tau accumulation in rTg4510 mice, and these aggregates were morphologically different from proteinase K-susceptible p-αSyn aggregates. Western blotting revealed decreases in p-αSyn monomers in TBS- and sarkosyl-soluble fractions and increases in ubiquitinated p-αSyn dimers in sarkosyl-soluble and insoluble fractions in rTg4510 mice. Furthermore, an activated form of GSK-3β was immunohistochemically detected within cells containing both hp-tau and p-αSyn aggregates. A semi-quantitative analysis revealed that increased GSK-3β activity strongly correlated with hp-tau and p-αSyn accumulation in rTg4510 mice. Collectively, the present results suggest that the overexpression of human P301L mutant tau promoted the phosphorylation and dimerization of endogenous αSyn by activating GSK-3β in rTg4510 mice. This synergic effect between tau, αSyn, and GSK-3β may be involved in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases that show the accumulation of both tau and αSyn.

Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection has been associated with genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development in horses. However, very few reports on EcPV2-associated disease in Asia exist. Our study characterizes pathological and virological features of an EcPV2-associated vulvar SCC from a Japanese mare. Conventional PCR, in situ hybridization, reverse-transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence and distribution of EcPV2 within the lesion and suggested that p53 degradation may not be the mechanism by which this virus induces neoplastic transformation. The complete viral sequence in this Japanese case shows near perfect sequence homology with European reference strains of EcPV2, which may be useful when considering the target for future EcPV2 vaccine development. This report also serves to highlight the importance of EcPV2 in female (vulvar) neoplasia, which is less commonly recognized than EcPV2-induced male (penile or preputial) neoplasia. Finally, the SCC described in this mare was an unusual acantholytic variant that has not been reported previously in horses. It is the first report of EcPV2 identified from genital SCC in Asia and underscores the likely worldwide distribution of this virus and its consistent association with equine genital neoplasia.

Positioning head tilt is a neurological sign that has recently been described in dogs with congenital cerebellar malformations. This head tilt is triggered in response to head movement and is believed to be caused by a lack of inhibition of the vestibular nuclei by the cerebellar nodulus and ventral uvula (NU), as originally reported cases were dogs with NU hypoplasia. We hypothesized that other diseases, such as lysosomal storage diseases that cause degeneration in the whole brain, including NU, may cause NU dysfunction and positioning head tilt. Videos of the clinical signs of canine lysosomal storage disease were retrospectively evaluated. In addition, post-mortem NU specimens from each dog were histopathologically evaluated. Nine dogs were included, five with lysosomal storage disease, two Chihuahuas with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), two Border Collies with NCL, one Shikoku Inu with NCL, two Toy Poodles with GM2 gangliosidosis, and two Shiba Inus with GM1 gangliosidosis. Twenty-eight videos recorded the clinical signs of the dogs. In these videos, positioning head tilt was observed in seven of nine dogs, two Chihuahuas with NCL, one Border Collie with NCL, one Shikoku Inu with NCL, one Toy Poodle with GM2 gangliosidosis, and two Shiba Inus with GM1 gangliosidosis. Neuronal degeneration and loss of NU were histopathologically confirmed in all diseases. As positioning head tilt had not been described until 2016, it may have been overlooked and may be a common clinical sign and pathophysiology in dogs with NU dysfunction.

With the rapid increase in aging populations worldwide, there has been an increase in demand for preventive and therapeutic measures for age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Epidemiological studies show that consumption of dairy products reduces the risk for cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly. We have previously demonstrated in randomized trials that the consumption of β-lactolin, a whey-derived Gly-Thr-Trp-Tyr lactotetrapeptide, improves cognitive function in older adults. Orally administered β-lactolin is delivered to the brain and inhibits monoamine oxidase, resulting in alleviation of memory impairment. However, there is currently no evidence of the effects of long-term β-lactolin intake on aging. Here, we found that the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test for object recognition memory was reduced in mice aged 20 months compared with that in young mice, indicating that age-related cognitive decline was induced in the aged mice; in aged mice fed β-lactolin for 3 months, memory impairment was subsequently alleviated. In aged mice, impairment of light/dark activity cycles was found to be induced, which was subsequently alleviated by β-lactolin consumption. Additionally, the number of activated microglia in the hippocampus and cortex and the production of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1) were increased in aged mice compared with those in young mice but were reduced in aged mice fed β-lactolin. The age-related hippocampal atrophy was improved in aged mice fed β-lactolin. Cytochrome c levels in the hippocampus and cortex were increased in aged mice compared with those in young mice but were also reduced by β-lactolin consumption. These results suggest that β-lactolin consumption prevents neural inflammation and alleviates aging-related cognitive decline.

Epilepsy surgery is a common therapeutic option in humans with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, there are few reports of intracranial epilepsy surgery for naturally occurring epilepsy in veterinary medicine. A 12-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat with presumed congenital cortical abnormalities (atrophy) in the right temporo-occipital cortex and hippocampus had been affected with epilepsy from 3 months of age. In addition to recurrent epileptic seizures, the cat exhibited cognitive dysfunction, bilateral blindness, and right forebrain signs. Seizures had been partially controlled (approximately 0.3–0.7 seizures per month) by phenobarbital, zonisamide, diazepam, and gabapentin until 10 years of age; however, they gradually became uncontrollable (approximately 2–3 seizures per month). In order to plan epilepsy surgery, presurgical evaluations including advanced structural magnetic resonance imaging and long-term intracranial video-electroencephalography monitoring were conducted to identify the epileptogenic zone. The epileptogenic zone was suspected in the right atrophied temporo-occipital cortex and hippocampus. Two-step surgery was planned, and a focal cortical resection of that area was performed initially. After the first surgery, seizures were not observed for 2 months, but they then recurred. The second surgery was performed to remove the right atrophic hippocampus and extended area of the right cortex, which showed spikes on intraoperative electrocorticography. After the second operation, although epileptogenic spikes remained in the contralateral occipital lobe, which was suspected as the second epileptogenic focus, seizure frequency decreased to

Abstract A 7‐year‐old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat born in Poland and then moved to Japan presented to the local clinic with recent onset of convulsive cluster seizures and status epilepticus. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral swelling of the hippocampus with T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancing image, suggesting hippocampal necrosis. The cat completely recovered after treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AED) and administration of prednisolone (1 mg/kg PO q24h for 4 days and tapered). However, cluster seizures reoccurred and developed into status epilepticus despite increasing doses of AED. Although the convulsions were resolved by other AEDs, stupor and renal failure developed, and the cat was euthanized. Pathological findings were consistent with hippocampal necrosis. Immunological analysis for leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) autoantibodies was negative, but antibodies against DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma) known as netrin‐1 receptor were found. This report describes a case of feline autoimmune limbic encephalitis and hippocampal necrosis that were presumably associated with DCC autoantibodies.

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.

Neonatal encephalopathy with seizures (NEwS) is an epileptic encephalopathy with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern found in Standard Poodle puppies. The causal genetic variant for NEwS has been identified as a homozygous missense mutation in ATF2 (c.152T>G, p.Met51Arg), and a pathological cerebellar change has been reported. Magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced whole-brain size, dilated ventricles, developmental abnormalities of the white matter of the cerebrum, white matter signal abnormalities in the occipital lobe, and abnormal morphology of the cerebellum. Histopathology included previously unrecognized irregular neuronal migration in the subventricular zone around the lateral ventricles in the frontal lobe and white matter rarefaction especially at the level of the occipital lobe in the cerebrum in addition to the cerebellar cortical dysplasia that has been previously described. The findings of this case may highlight the critical role of ATF2 in neurodevelopmental processes in the canine brain.

Case summary A 14-year-old spayed female American Shorthair cat was presented with weight loss and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasound and CT revealed a duodenal mass with suspected perforation and an enlarged jejunal lymph node. Cytological evaluation from a fine-needle aspiration of the abdominal mass displayed many atypical round cells, some with a small amount of light pink material at the cellular edge. The duodenal mass was surgically removed, and was diagnosed as a plasma cell tumour immunohistochemically positive for CD79 alpha, IgA and lambda immunoglobulin light chains. In addition, amyloidosis was detected. PCR to assess the antigen receptor rearrangement of the tumour cells showed a monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Postoperatively, the cat received chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. Owing to progressive enlargement of the jejunal lymph node, different chemotherapy protocols were used sequentially, namely chlorambucil, lomustine and L-asparaginase. However, the cat died 96 days after the initial diagnosis. Post-mortem examination confirmed systemic dissemination of tumour cells. The cause of death was considered to be a result of a complication of the tumour itself and associated amyloidosis. Relevance and novel information This patient was diagnosed with a primary duodenal plasmacytoma, and primary (amyloid light-chain) amyloidosis. In cats, intestinal plasmacytoma is rarely reported and associated amyloidosis is an uncommon feature, when compared with humans. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of duodenal plasmacytoma in a cat. The present report shows that feline plasmacytomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of a duodenal mass.

The objective of this study was to determine the radiocesium transfer rates of pigs fed haylage contaminated with low levels of cesium at different growth stages. We measured the body weight of juvenile and adult pigs during the treatment period to confirm their health status. We also performed pig blood hematologic and biochemical analyses at both growth stages. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report pig radiocesium transfer coefficient rates after 1 month of chronic oral treatment, which is the period assumed to be required for body equilibrium under a diet of radiocesium-contaminated food. The results showed higher radiocesium retention rates in the kidneys, liver, spleen, genitals, psoas major, bladder, thyroid, and urine than in the blood and bone (tibia and femur) of pigs at both growth stages. The radiocesium retention levels were generally higher in juvenile pigs than in adult pigs, with the highest transfer coefficient ratio in the kidneys (16.2%).

Abstract Background Invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC) is a major cause of death in humans, and approximately 165,000 individuals succumb to this cancer annually worldwide. Comparative oncology using relevant animal models is necessary to improve our understanding of progression, diagnosis, and treatment of iUC. Companion canines are a preferred animal model of iUC due to spontaneous tumor development and similarity to human disease in terms of histopathology, metastatic behavior, and treatment response. However, the comprehensive molecular characterization of canine iUC is not well documented. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of tissue samples from canine iUC and normal bladders using an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) approach to identify key molecular pathways in canine iUC. Methods Total RNA was extracted from bladder tissues of 11 dogs with iUC and five healthy dogs, and RNA-Seq was conducted. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to assign differentially expressed genes to known upstream regulators and functional networks. Results Differential gene expression analysis of the RNA-Seq data revealed 2531 differentially expressed genes, comprising 1007 upregulated and 1524 downregulated genes, in canine iUC. IPA revealed that the most activated upstream regulator was PTGER2 (encoding the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2), which is consistent with the therapeutic efficiency of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in canine iUC. Similar to human iUC, canine iUC exhibited upregulated ERBB2 and downregulated TP53 pathways. Biological functions associated with cancer, cell proliferation, and leukocyte migration were predicted to be activated, while muscle functions were predicted to be inhibited, indicating muscle-invasive tumor property. Conclusions Our data confirmed similarities in gene expression patterns between canine and human iUC and identified potential therapeutic targets (PTGER2, ERBB2, CCND1, Vegf, and EGFR), suggesting the value of naturally occurring canine iUC as a relevant animal model for human iUC.

This study assessed the feasibility of using a vegetable extract, MGM-P (quebracho tannin product), as an alternative to antibiotics for weaned piglets; it investigated MGM-P effects on growth performance, diarrhea, and overall health in early-weaned piglets. In total, 24 piglets were allocated to three treatment groups fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.2%, or 0.3% MGM-P for 20 days. The addition of 0.3% MGM-P to the diet of early-weaned piglets improved diarrhea incidence, hematological parameters, and intestinal mucosa structure. Furthermore, the addition of 0.2% or 0.3% MGM-P to the diet of early-weaned piglets did not affect their overall health. Importantly, MGM-P had no effects on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Gut morphology analysis showed that treatment with 0.3% MGM-P enhanced the jejunal villus height (p < 0.05) while reducing the ileal crypt depth (p < 0.05) and colon mucosal thickness (p < 0.05). Collectively, the findings suggested that the use of MGM-P as an alternative to dietary antibiotics could improve diarrhea incidence in early-weaned piglets without negative effects on growth performance or overall health.

(1) Background: Chronic cholecystitis of dogs has not been vigorously investigated histopathologically. In addition, the relationship between gallbladder and liver diseases is not known. (2) Methods: We aimed to provide a hallmark for canine chronic cholecystitis using clinical data, histopathology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and statistical analysis. (3) Results: Our investigation of 219 ultrasonographically abnormal surgically resected canine gallbladders revealed 189 cases (86.3%) of mucosal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (chronic cholecystitis). Sludge, a gravity-dependent or nondependent fine granular hyperechoic material, was more prevalent (105/219, 47.9%) than mucocele (51/219, 23.2%) in this cohort. Mucosal lymphoid follicles were detected in 68/219 cases (31%), suggesting the influence of long-standing antigenic stimulation. Bacteria were histochemically detected in 41/60 (68.3%) of heavily inflamed gallbladders, 18/129 (14%) of lightly inflamed, and 3/18 (16.7%) of uninflamed gallbladders, suggesting a possible relationship between bacteria and chronic cholecystitis. Simultaneous liver biopsies revealed mild or no inflammation, changes consistent with primary portal vein hypoplasia, and mild hepatocellular degeneration. (4) Conclusions: Based on the results of our statistical analysis, we conclude that canine chronic cholecystitis is a long-standing inflammatory process of unknown (but possibly bacterial) etiology and that liver pathology is unlikely the cause of chronic cholecystitis in dogs.

A two-year-and-eleven-month-old male Shikoku Inu was referred for evaluation of progressive gait abnormality that had begun three months prior. Neurological examination revealed ventral flexion of the neck, a wide-based stance in the hindlimb, wide excursions of the head from side to side, tremor in all four limbs, hypermetria in all four limbs, proprioceptive deficits in all four limbs, reduced patellar reflex in both hindlimbs, and postural vertical nystagmus. Later, behavioral and cognitive dysfunction, ataxia, and visual deficits slowly progressed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed symmetrical progressive atrophy of the whole brain and cervical spinal cord. Bilateral retinal degeneration was observed, and both flush and flicker electroretinograms were bilaterally non-recordable at the age of five years and eight months, and the dog was euthanized. Histopathologically, faint-to-moderate deposition of light-brown pigments was frequently observed in the cytoplasm of neurons throughout the cerebrum, cerebellum, and nuclei of the brainstem. The pigments were positive for Luxol fast blue, periodic acid–Schiff, and Sudan black B, and exhibited autofluorescence. Electron microscopic examination revealed the accumulation of membranous material deposition in the neuronal cytoplasm. Small foci of pigment-containing macrophages were frequently observed around the capillary vessels. Based on these clinical and pathological findings, the animal was diagnosed with adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Hepatomegaly is one of the most frequent clinical manifestations of VL, whereas immunopathology of the symptom has not been well investigated. Using our chronic model of experimental VL, we examined the influence of Leishmania donovani infection on the liver by clinical, histological, and biochemical analyses. The infected mice showed increased liver weight 24 weeks post-infection. Although an increase in serum ALT and inflammatory cell accumulation were observed in the livers of infected mice, no apparent parenchymal necrosis or fibrosis was observed. Tissue water content analyses demonstrated that increased liver weight was predominantly due to an increase in water weight. Together with the finding of hepatic sinusoidal dilation, these results suggested that edema associated with sinusoidal dilation causes hepatomegaly in L. donovani infection. Immunostaining of platelets and erythrocytes showed no thrombus formation or damage to the sinusoidal endothelium in the liver of infected mice. Taken together, these results suggest that hepatomegaly during experimental VL is caused by non-obstructive sinusoidal dilation.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is characterized by clinical manifestations such as fever, hepatosplenomegaly and anemia. Hemophagocytosis, the phenomenon of phagocytosis of blood cells by macrophages, is found in VL patients. In a previous study we established an experimental model of VL, reproducing anemia in mice for the first time, and identified hemophagocytosis by heavily infected macrophages in the spleen as a possible cause of anemia. However, the mechanism for parasite-induced hemophagocytosis or its role in parasite survival remained unclear. Here, we established an in vitro model of Leishmania-induced hemophagocytosis to explore the molecules involved in this process. In contrast to naïve RAW264.7 cells (mouse macrophage cell line) which did not uptake freshly isolated erythrocytes, RAW264.7 cells infected with L. donovani showed enhanced phagocytosis of erythrocytes. Additionally, for hemophagocytes found both in vitro and in vivo, the expression of signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), one of the receptors responsible for the 'don't-eat-me' signal was suppressed by post-transcriptional control. Furthermore, the overlapped phagocytosis of erythrocytes and Leishmania parasites within a given macrophage appeared to be beneficial to the parasites; the in vitro experiments showed a higher number of parasites within macrophages that had been induced to engulf erythrocytes. Together, these results suggest that Leishmania parasites may actively induce hemophagocytosis by manipulating the expression of SIRPα in macrophages/hemophagocytes, in order to secure their parasitism.

Case summary A 7-year-old mixed-breed cat presented with subcutaneous oedema and erythema extending from the right axilla to the abdomen. Fine-needle aspiration of the subcutaneous lesion revealed large, atypical, round cells. A clonality analysis for the T-cell receptor-gamma and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes showed no clonal rearrangement. The presumed diagnosis was lymphoma and the cat was treated with prednisolone and L-asparaginase but died 78 days after initial treatment. At necropsy, an oedematous subcutaneous mass in the right axilla, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy of the mediastinum and left axilla were observed. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse infiltration of large atypical round cells in the subcutaneous mass, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were strongly positive for CD56, and negative for CD3, CD20, CD79a, CD57, granzyme B and perforin. Based on these findings, the cat was diagnosed with blastic natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma/leukaemia. Relevance and novel information Here, we report the pathological and clinical findings of NK cell lymphoma/leukaemia in a cat. The antibody for human CD56, a diagnostic marker for human NK cell neoplasms, showed cross-reactivity with feline CD56 by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. The antibody could be a useful diagnostic marker for feline NK cell neoplasms.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is expressed in various human cancers including thyroid cancers (TC) and is used as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Canine TC (cTC), the most common endocrine malignancy in dogs, shows a high metastasis rate, and HER2-targeted therapy could be a candidate for treatment. Here, we immunohistochemically evaluated HER2 expression in 21 paraffin-embedded cTC tissues and scored the degree of expression based on intensity and positivity (score: 0–3+). Four samples (19%) scored 3+; 6 (29%), 2+; 7 (33%), 1+; and 4 (19%), 0. Therefore, 48% of the cTC tissues were HER2 positive (scored ≥2+). These data may lead to further evaluation of the role of HER2 in cTC as a mechanism of malignancy and a therapeutic target.

Case summary A 10-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat presented with a 6 month history of diarrhoea that responded poorly to medical treatment. Ultrasonography revealed moderate thickening of the colonic wall (4.8 mm) and right colic and jejunal lymphadenomegalies. Endoscopic examination revealed partial circumferential narrowing of the transverse colon and friable colonic mucosa with multiple haemorrhagic regions. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed a large number of Escherichia coli phagocytosed by periodic acid–Schiff-positive macrophages. Bacterial culture also yielded enrofloxacin-sensitive E coli . The cat was initially treated with prednisolone, which resulted in little improvement. Following histopathological examination and bacterial culture, treatment with enrofloxacin was commenced. Antibacterial therapy resulted in remission of the diarrhoea and an increase in body weight within 14 days. Relevance and novel information Granulomatous colitis (GC) or histiocytic ulcerative colitis has been rarely described in cats. There has only been one previously published case study involving a cat, and the aetiology remains largely unknown. The current article describes the regression of E coli -related GC following antibacterial treatment in a cat. Clinical signs, histopathological appearance and response to enrofloxacin were similar to those in canine GC. The current findings suggest that E coli also plays an important role in the development of feline GC.

Due to the growth in aging populations worldwide, prevention and therapy for age-related cognitive decline and dementia are in great demand. We previously demonstrated that long-term intake of iso-α-acids, which are hop-derived bitter compounds found in beer, prevent Alzheimer’s pathology in a rodent model. On the other hand, the effects of iso-α-acids on neural activity in Alzheimer’s disease model mice have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrated that short-term intake of iso-α-acids suppresses inflammation in the hippocampus and improves memory impairment even after disease onset. Importantly, we demonstrated that short-term administration of iso-α-acids attenuated the neural hyperactivation in hippocampus. In 6-month-old 5 × FAD mice exhibiting hippocampus inflammation and memory impairment, oral administration of iso-α-acids for 7 days reduced inflammatory cytokines, including MIP-1α and soluble Aβ and improved object memory in the novel object recognition test. In 12-month-old J20 mice, intake of iso-α-acids for 7 days also suppressed inflammatory cytokines and soluble Aβ in the brain. Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) of hippocampi of J20 mice showed increased manganese compared with wild type mice, but iso-α-acids canceled this increased MEMRI signal in J20 mice, particularly in the hippocampus CA1 and CA3 region. Taken together, these findings suggest that short-term intake of iso-α-acids can suppress hippocampus inflammation even after disease onset and improve hyper neural activity in Alzheimer’s disease model mice.

Canine urothelial carcinoma (cUC) is the most common tumor of the lower urinary tract in dogs. Although chemotherapy and radical surgery have improved the overall survival, most dogs with cUC succumb to metastasis or recurrence. Therefore, the development of an effective systematic therapy is warranted. In this study, a comprehensive drug screening test using a cUC cell line was performed and the anti-tumor effect of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor was evaluated. Comprehensive drug screening was performed on cUC cells. Based on this screening, the anti-proliferation effect of vorinostat, an HDAC inhibitor clinically applied in humans, was evaluated using several cUC cell lines in sulforhodamine B and flow cytometry assays. Western blot analysis was also performed to evaluate the degree of acetylation of histone H3 as well as the expression and phosphorylation of cell cycle-related molecules. The anti-tumor effect of vorinostat in vivo was evaluated using a xenograft model. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed on acetyl-histone H3 in cUC and the relationship between the degree of acetylation and prognosis was examined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Drug screening revealed that HDAC inhibitors consistently inhibited the growth of cUC cells. Vorinostat inhibited the growth of 6 cUC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Western blot analysis showed that vorinostat mediated the acetylation of histone H3, the dephosphorylation of p-Rb, and the upregulation of p21 upon exposure to vorinostat. Furthermore, inhibition of tumor growth was observed in the xenograft model. In clinical cUC cases, neoplastic urothelium showed significant deacetylation of histones compared to the normal control, where lower histone acetylation levels were associated with a poor prognosis. In conclusion, the therapeutic potential of vorinostat was demonstrated in cUC. Histone deacetylation may be related to cUC tumor progression.

Podoplanin (PDPN), a small transmembrane mucin-like glycoprotein, is ectopically expressed on tumor cells. PDPN is known to be linked with several aspects of tumor malignancies in certain types of human and canine tumors. Therefore, it is considered to be a novel therapeutic target. Monoclonal antibodies targeting PDPN expressed in human tumor cells showed obvious anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies using mouse models. Previously, we generated a cancer-specific mouse–dog chimeric anti-PDPN antibody, P38Bf, which specifically recognizes PDPN expressed in canine tumor cells. In this study, we investigated the safety and anti-tumor effects of P38Bf in preclinical and clinical trials. P38Bf showed dose-dependent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against canine malignant melanoma cells. In a preclinical trial with one healthy dog, P38Bf administration did not induce adverse effects over approximately 2 months. In phase I/II clinical trials of three dogs with malignant melanoma, one dog vomited, and all dogs had increased serum levels of C-reactive protein, although all adverse effects were grade 1 or 2. Severe adverse effects leading to withdrawal of the clinical trial were not observed. Furthermore, one dog had stable disease with P38Bf injections. This is the first reported clinical trial of anti-PDPN antibody therapy using spontaneously occurring canine tumor models.

Podoplanin (PDPN), a small transmembrane mucin-like glycoprotein, is ectopically expressed. It is also known to be linked with several aspects of tumor malignancy in some types of human tumors, including invasion, metastasis, and cancer stemness. However, there are few reports on the expression of dog PDPN (dPDPN) in canine tumors, and the association between dPDPN and tumor malignancy has not been elucidated. We identified that 11 out of 18 types of canine tumors expressed dPDPN. Furthermore, 80% of canine malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma, and meningioma expressed dPDPN. Moreover, the expression density of dPDPN was positively associated with the expression of the Ki67 proliferation marker. The silencing of dPDPN by siRNAs resulted in the suppression of cell migration, invasion, stem cell-like characteristics, and cell viability in canine MM cell lines. The suppression of cell viability was caused by the induction of apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Overall, this study demonstrates that dPDPN is expressed in various types of canine tumors and that dPDPN silencing suppresses cell viability through apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, thus providing a novel biological role for PDPN in tumor progression.

Whole exome sequencing (WES) has become a common tool for identifying genetic causes of human inherited disorders, and it has also recently been applied to canine genome research. We conducted WES analysis of neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD), a neurodegenerative disease that sporadically occurs worldwide in Papillon dogs. The disease is considered an autosomal recessive monogenic disease, which is histopathologically characterized by severe axonal swelling, known as "spheroids," throughout the nervous system. By sequencing all eleven DNA samples from one NAD-affected Papillon dog and her parents, two unrelated NAD-affected Papillon dogs, and six unaffected control Papillon dogs, we identified 10 candidate mutations. Among them, three candidates were determined to be "deleterious" by in silico pathogenesis evaluation. By subsequent massive screening by TaqMan genotyping analysis, only the PLA2G6 c.1579G>A mutation had an association with the presence or absence of the disease, suggesting that it may be a causal mutation of canine NAD. As a human homologue of this gene is a causative gene for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, this canine phenotype may serve as a good animal model for human disease. The results of this study also indicate that WES analysis is a powerful tool for exploring canine hereditary diseases, especially in rare monogenic hereditary diseases.

We previously generated a recombinant reporter Akabane virus expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP-AKAV), with an artificial S genome encoding eGFP in the ambisense RNA. Although the eGFP-AKAV was able to detect infected cells in in vivo histopathological study, its fluorescent signal was too weak to apply to in vivo imaging study. Here, we successfully generated a modified reporter, eGFP/38-AKAV, with 38-nucleotide deletion of the internal region of the 5′ untranslated region of S RNA. The eGFP/38-AKAV expressed higher intensity of eGFP fluorescence both in vitro and in vivo than the original eGFP-AKAV did. In addition, eGFP/38-AKAV was pathogenic in mice at a comparable level to that in wild-type AKAV. In the mice infected with eGFP/38-AKAV, the fluorescent signals, i.e., the virus-infected cells, were detected in the central nervous system using the whole-organ imaging. Our findings indicate that eGFP/38-AKAV could be used as a powerful tool to help elucidate the dynamics of AKAV in vivo.

Hemophagocytosis is a phenomenon in which macrophages phagocytose blood cells. There are reports on up-regulated hemophagocytosis in patients with infectious diseases including typhoid fever, tuberculosis, influenza and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). However, mechanisms of infection-associated hemophagocytosis remained elusive due to a lack of appropriate animal models. Here, we have established a mouse model of VL with hemophagocytosis. At 24 weeks after infection with 1 x 10(7) Leishmania donovani promastigotes, BALB/cA mice exhibited splenomegaly with an average tissue weight per body weight of 2.96%. In the tissues, 28.6% of macrophages contained phagocytosed erythrocytes. All of the hemophagocytosing macrophages were parasitized by L. donovani, and higher levels of hemophagocytosis was observed in heavily infected cells. Furthermore, more than half of these hemophagocytes had two or more macrophage-derived nuclei, whereas only 15.0% of splenic macrophages were bi- or multi-nuclear. These results suggest that direct infection by L. donovani causes hyper-activation of host macrophages to engulf blood cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report on hemophagocytosis in experimental Leishmania infections and may be useful for further understanding of the pathogenesis.

Due to the growth in aging populations, prevention for cognitive decline and dementia are in great demand. We previously demonstrated that the consumption of iso-α-acids (IAA), the hop-derived bitter compounds in beer, prevents inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease pathology in model mice. However, the effects of iso-α-acids on inflammation induced by other agents aside from amyloid β have not been investigated. In this study, we demonstrated that the consumption of iso-α-acids suppressed microglial inflammation in the frontal cortex of rTg4510 tauopathy mice. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-1β and MIP-1β, in the frontal cortex of rTg4510 mice were greater than those of wild-type mice, and were reduced in rTg4510 mice fed with iso-α-acids. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that the expression of cells producing CD86, CD68, TSPO, MIP-1α, TNF-α, and IL-1β in microglia was increased in rTg4510 mice compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of CD86- and MIP-1α-producing cells was reduced in rTg4510 mice administered with iso-α-acids. Moreover, the consumption of iso-α-acids reduced the levels of phosphorylated tau in the frontal cortex. Collectively, these results suggest that the consumption of iso-α-acids prevents the inflammation induced in tauopathy mice. Thus, iso-α-acids may help in preventing inflammation-related brain disorders.

Despite the ever-increasing number of patients with dementia worldwide, fundamental therapeutic approaches to this condition have not been established. Epidemiological studies suggest that intake of fermented dairy products prevents cognitive decline in the elderly. However, the active compounds responsible for the effect remain to be elucidated. The present study aims to elucidate the preventive effects of dairy products on Alzheimer's disease and to identify the responsible component. Here, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (5xFAD), intake of a dairy product fermented with Penicillium candidum had preventive effects on the disease by reducing the accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and hippocampal inflammation (TNF-α and MIP-1α production), and enhancing hippocampal neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GDNF). A search for preventive substances in the fermented dairy product identified oleamide as a novel dual-active component that enhanced microglial Aβ phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory activity towards LPS stimulation in vitro and in vivo. During the fermentation, oleamide was synthesized from oleic acid, which is an abundant component of general dairy products owing to lipase enzymatic amidation. The present study has demonstrated the preventive effect of dairy products on Alzheimer's disease, which was previously reported only epidemiologically. Moreover, oleamide has been identified as an active component of dairy products that is considered to reduce Aβ accumulation via enhanced microglial phagocytosis, and to suppress microglial inflammation after Aβ deposition. Because fermented dairy products such as camembert cheese are easy to ingest safely as a daily meal, their consumption might represent a preventive strategy for dementia.

Primary lung cancers, or tumors originating in the lung, are relatively uncommon in dogs. The objectiveof this study was to describe the canine lung carcinoma that serially transplanted into severe combinedimmunodeficiency (SCID) mice, in order to established cell line from this tumor cell. Morphology andcharacteristic of this canine lung carcinoma in SCID mice by histopathological and ultrastructuralexaminations with metastatic lesion in lung were also examined. Histopathologically, the tumor masswere consisted of cuboidal to columnar cells with papillary pattern, uniform in size, the nuclei were oftenvariable in size, and some cells have vacuole on their cytoplasms. Glandular forms were predominant withlobulated pattern, ductal pattern with papillary injected into tube-like structure were also encountered.Mitotic figures commonly found with inflammatory reaction were sometimes present in the interstitiumand lumen gland. Ultrastructural analysis of the tumor cells showed round to oval cells with one or moreprominent nucleoli. The cells possessed numerous mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, andindividual cells which were interconnected via desmosomes. Tonofilament characterize by long cytoplasmicmaterial was encountered. Positive reaction of the round to oval tumor cells to anti keratin antibodyconfirmed that their epithelial cell nature. Lung metastatic lesions were found in SCID mice aftertransplantation and this phenomenon indicated that canine lung carcinoma is tumorigenic to SCID mice.

Several reports have described magnetic resonance (MR) findings in canine and feline lysosomal storage diseases such as gangliosidoses and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Although most of those studies described the signal intensities of white matter in the cerebrum, findings of the corpus callosum were not described in detail. A retrospective study was conducted on MR findings of the corpus callosum as well as the rostral commissure and the fornix in 18 cases of canine and feline lysosomal storage diseases. This included 6 Shiba Inu dogs and 2 domestic shorthair cats with GM1 gangliosidosis; 2 domestic shorthair cats, 2 familial toy poodles, and a golden retriever with GM2 gangliosidosis; and 2 border collies and 3 chihuahuas with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, to determine whether changes of the corpus callosum is an imaging indicator of those diseases. The corpus callosum and the rostral commissure were difficult to recognize in all cases of juvenile-onset gangliosidoses (GM1 gangliosidosis in Shiba Inu dogs and domestic shorthair cats and GM2 gangliosidosis in domestic shorthair cats) and GM2 gangliosidosis in toy poodles with late juvenile-onset. In contrast, the corpus callosum and the rostral commissure were confirmed in cases of GM2 gangliosidosis in a golden retriever and canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses with late juvenile- to early adult-onset, but were extremely thin. Abnormal findings of the corpus callosum on midline sagittal images may be a useful imaging indicator for suspecting lysosomal storage diseases, especially hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the corpus callosum in juvenile-onset gangliosidoses.

Beta amyloid (Aβ) deposits are seen in aged individuals in many of the mammalian species that possess the same Aβ amino acid sequence as humans. Conversely, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), the other hallmark lesion of Alzheimer's disease (AD), are extremely rare in these animals. We detected Aβ deposits in the brains of Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) that live exclusively on Tsushima Island, Japan. Aβ42 was deposited in a granular pattern in the neuropil of the pyramidal cell layer, but did not form argyrophilic senile plaques. These Aβ deposits were not immunolabeled with antibodies to the N-terminal of human Aβ. Sequence analysis of the amyloid precursor protein revealed an amino acid substitution at the 7th residue of the Aβ peptide. In a comparison with other mammalian animals that do develop argyrophilic senile plaques, we concluded that the alternative Aβ amino acid sequence displayed by leopard cats is likely to be related to its distinctive deposition pattern. Interestingly, most of the animals with these Aβ deposits also developed NFTs. The distributions of hyperphosphorylated tau-positive cells and the two major isoforms of aggregated tau proteins were quite similar to those seen in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the unphosphorylated form of GSK-3β colocalized with hyperphosphorylated tau within the affected neurons. In conclusion, this animal species develops AD-type NFTs without argyrophilic senile plaques.

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A 4-year 9-month-old Amami spiny rat reared in a zoo died following a history of anorexia, weight loss, and respiratory distress. At necropsy, neoplastic tissues were found along the pleura and adhered to the thoracic wall, heart, and lungs. Histologically, the tumor was composed of diffuse, patternless sheets of large round to polygonal neoplastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and multinucleated giant cells were often present. Metastatic lesions were observed in the abdominal lymph nodes. Neoplastic cells were immunopositive for vimentin, Iba-1, and CD204, and negative for E-cadherin and S100. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as histiocytic sarcoma. Compression of the lungs by the tumor may have caused respiratory failure and led to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]