In Vitro Studies to Define the Cell-Surface and Intracellular Targets of Polyarginine-Conjugated Sodium Borocaptate as a Potential Delivery Agent for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) requires pharmaceutical innovations and molecular-based evidence of effectiveness to become a standard cancer therapeutic in the future. Recently, in Japan, 4-borono-L-phenylalanine (BPA) was approved as a boron agent for BNCT against head and neck (H&N) cancers. H&N cancer appears to be a suitable target for BPA-BNCT, because the expression levels of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), one of the amino acid transporters responsible for BPA uptake, are elevated in most cases of H&N cancer.

The accelerator-based boron neutron capture reaction evaluation system for head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this study is to assess accelerator-based boron neutron capture reaction (BNCR) in human tumor cell lines by colony formation assay and modified high density survival assay (HDS assay). The results of post irradiation survival rate in human oral squamous cell carcinoma and osteosarcoma using both assays were similar. Therefore, HDS assay would be efficient to evaluate BNCR in not only tumor cells but also in normal cells as BNCT screening.

A molecular epidemiological survey of Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections of dogs in Japan.

Tick-borne diseases are often encountered in canine clinical practice. In the present study, a molecular epidemiological survey of dogs in Japan was conducted to understand the prevalence and geographical distribution of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp.

A nationwide survey of ixodid tick species recovered from domestic dogs and cats in Japan in 2011.

A nationwide survey of ixodid ticks was performed in 2011, during which a total of 4237 and 298 ticks were recovered from 1162 dogs and 136 cats, respectively. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most frequently found tick species on canine hosts (739 dogs), followed by H. flava (166), Ixodes ovatus (139), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (70).

Molecular survey of Babesia gibsoni using Haemaphysalis longicornis collected from dogs and cats in Japan.

A nationwide survey of Babesia gibsoni using Haemaphysalis longicornis collected from dogs and cats in Japan was conducted using molecular methods. A total of 1,341 H. longicornis, including 305 females, 14 males, 332 nymphs and 690 larvae (153 pools) from 44 prefectures, were examined by B.

Microplate Agglutination Test for Canine Brucellosis Using Recombinant Antigen-Coated Beads.

Brucella canis, a facultative intracellular pathogen, is the causative agent of canine brucellosis. The diagnosis of canine brucellosis is based on bacteriological examination and serological methods, including agglutination and gel diffusion tests. In this study, four recombinant antigens, heat shock protein 60, rhizopine-binding protein, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, and hypothetical protein (Ag 4), were constructed.

Molecular survey of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma infection of domestic cats in Japan.

The prevalence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma in 1764 DNA samples extracted from feline peripheral blood from all 47 prefectures in Japan was evaluated by screening real-time PCR, genus-specific PCR, and DNA nucleotide sequencing. The survey revealed that all cats were negative for Rickettsia infection. Two cats were positive for Ehrlichia or Anaplasma based on the screening PCR assay.

Detection of Anaplasma bovis DNA in the peripheral blood of domestic dogs in Japan.

The prevalence of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in 1,427 dogs from 32 Japanese prefectures was evaluated by PCR and DNA nucleotide sequencing. PCR screening demonstrated that 18 dogs (1.3%) were positive for Anaplasmataceae.

Development of a method of diagnosing ovarian disorders in sows and gilts using uterine ultrasonography.

In ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovarian disorders and the estrous cycle in sows, transverse observation of the uterus yielded more characteristic findings than observation of sagittal sections. Transverse ultrasonography revealed that the low progesterone (P) type uterus showed a round structure, while the high P type uterus showed a flattened structure. These results corresponded well with rectal palpation findings: the low P type uterus had a hard, pipe-like structure and the high P type a soft, balloon-like structure.

Three-dimensional distribution patterns of PRL, GH and ACTH cells in the house musk shrew ( Suncus murinus).

Despite a multitude of reports on the classification and distribution of anterior pituitary cells, no previous study has attempted to obtain the three-dimensional (3D) and computer-graphic distribution pattern of each cell type in the whole pituitary. Therefore, we mapped the anterior pituitary cells of the house musk shrew ( Suncus murinus) and found a distinct cellular distribution pattern. Serial horizontal sections of whole shrew pituitaries were stained immunohistochemically for prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cells.

The fate and role of openings formed in the mesentery of bullfrog tadpoles, with reference to the contour of mesothelial cells.

Using morphological techniques, histological changes of the mesentery were observed during the development of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. The tadpoles of this species had many openings all over the mesentery from the duodenum through the large intestine. Most of the openings were elliptical and less than 3 × 2 mm in size.