All-trans retinoic acid induces reprogramming of canine dedifferentiated cells into neuron-like cells.

The specification of cell identity depends on the exposure of cells to sequences of bioactive ligands. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) affects neuronal development in the early stage, and it is involved in neuronal lineage reprogramming. We previously established a fibroblast-like dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) derived from highly homogeneous mature adipocytes, which are more suitable for the study of cellular reprogramming.

Prevalence of Salmonella in green anoles (Anolis Carolinensis), an invasive alien species in Naha and Tomigusuku Cities, Okinawa Main Island, Japan.

Here, we investigated the prevalence of Salmonella enterica, with and without resistance to 17 common antimicrobial agents, in 706 green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) that were collected in Naha and Tomigusuku Cities, Okinawa Main Island, Japan, between 2009 and 2014. Salmonella strains, including S. enterica Weltevreden and Enteritidis serovars, were identified in the large intestinal content samples extracted from 15 (2.

Transient elastography: a novel, non-invasive method for the evaluation of liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter in cows.

This study investigated the use of transient elastography (TE) as a tool for the non-invasive evaluation of liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in cows. A total of 85 cows were used for this study. After the liver was located and subcutaneous tissue thickness was checked by means of ultrasonography, liver stiffness and CAP were measured using TE.

Adult worm exclusion and histological data of dogs repeatedly infected with the cestode .

The data presented in this article are related to a previously published research article titled "The timing of worm exclusion in dogs repeatedly infected with the cestode " (2016) [1]. This data describe a comparison of worm exclusion in the early stage of infection (1 day and 6 days post-infection) between dogs infected for the first time (control group) and dogs repeatedly infected with the parasite 4 times (repeated infection groups). We observed that 6 days post reinfection, the number of adult worms in repeated-infection groups decreased by 88.

A change in the steroid metabolic pathway in human testes showing deteriorated spermatogenesis.

During androgen biosynthesis, the human testes normally produce only small quantities of Δ-C steroids as these are products of the Δ-pathway and healthy human testes preferentially use the Δ-pathway. However, the Δ-C steroid progesterone accumulates in the thickened lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules in testes with deteriorated spermatogenesis. The objectives of this study were to analyse the pregnenolone metabolites in testes with deteriorated spermatogenesis and to establish whether the androgen biosynthesis pathway changes in this condition.

A psychophysical approach to measuring the threshold for acoustic stimulation in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Zebrafish are a popular vertebrate animal model for biomedical research including investigations of the auditory system. Responses to acoustic stimulation have been a challenge to carefully measure in zebrafish. Here, the authors have developed a procedure for measuring hearing sensitivity in adult zebrafish using an appetitive automated Go/No Go task.

Erythritol: Another C4 Platform Chemical in Biomass Refinery.

The potential of erythritol as a platform chemical in biomass refinery is discussed in terms of erythritol production and utilization. Regarding erythritol production, fermentation of sugar or starch has been already commercialized. The shift of the carbon source from glucose to inexpensive inedible waste glycerol is being investigated, which will decrease the price of erythritol.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Bacterium NBRC 112778, Isolated from a Mesophilic Methanogenic Bioreactor.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of bacterium NBRC 112778. This anaerobic bacterium, isolated from a sweet potato-digesting mesophilic methanogenic bioreactor, represents a new genus related to the genus The 4.52-Mb circular genome harbored many genes involved in carbohydrate utilization, suggesting its adaptation to a saccharolytic environment.

MOLECULAR SURVEY OF IN JAPANESE RACCOON DOGS ().

Wild carnivores serve as reservoirs of several zoonotic species such as , subsp. , and . The raccoon dog () is the most common native carnivore in Japan, but epidemiologic studies of infections have not been performed in this animal species yet.

Heptavalinamide A, an Extensively -Methylated Linear Nonapeptide from a Cyanobacterium sp. and Development of a Highly Sensitive Analysis of ,-Dimethylvaline by LCMS.

An extensively -methylated linear nonapeptide heptavalinamide A () was isolated from the marine cyanobacterium sp. collected at Kabira Reef of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. The amino acid sequence of was assigned by interpretation of 2D NMR and MS/MS data.

Elucidation of the Effects of a Current X-SCID Therapy on Intestinal Lymphoid Organogenesis Using an In Vivo Animal Model.

Background & Aims: Organ-level research using an animal model lacking Il2rg, the gene responsible for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID), is clinically unavailable and would be a powerful tool to gain deeper insights into the symptoms of patients with X-SCID.

Methods: We used an X-SCID animal model, which was first established in our group by the deletion of Il2rg gene in pigs, to understand the clinical signs from multiple perspectives based on pathology, immunology, microbiology, and nutrition. We also treated the X-SCID pigs with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for mimicking a current therapeutic treatment for patients with X-SCID and investigated the effect at the organ-level.

Garlic oil suppresses high-fat diet induced obesity in rats through the upregulation of UCP-1 and the enhancement of energy expenditure.

Garlic ( L.) has long been used as a medicinal food. Indeed, garlic and its constituents have been shown to possess potent regulatory activities in bodily functions, including blood coagulation, lipid metabolism, immunity and xenobiotic metabolism.

Impact of Phosphorus Fertilization on Tomato Growth and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities.

Understanding the impact of phosphorus (P) addition on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is crucial to understanding tomato ( L.) P nutrition. However, it remains unknown how P fertilization is associated with the structure of AMF communities on tomato plants.

Mass spectrometry imaging reveals differential localization of natural sunscreens in the mantle of the giant clam Tridacna crocea.

Giant clams have evolved to maximize sunlight utilization by their photosymbiotic partners, while affording them protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. The presence of UV absorbing substances in the mantle is thought to be critical for light protection; however, the exact localization of such compounds remains unknown. Here, we applied a combination of UV liquid chromatography (LC), LC-mass spectrometry (MS), MS imaging, and UV micrography to localize UV absorbing substances in the giant clam Tridacna crocea.

Biology, diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats Clinical Consensus Guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology.

Background: The genus Malassezia is comprised of a group of lipophilic yeasts that have evolved as skin commensals and opportunistic cutaneous pathogens of a variety of mammals and birds.

Objectives: The objective of this document is to provide the veterinary community and other interested parties with current information on the ecology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases associated with Malassezia yeasts in dogs and cats.

Methods And Material: The authors served as a Guideline Panel (GP) and reviewed the literature available prior to October 2018.

The insulin-PI3K-Rac1 axis contributes to terminal adipocyte differentiation through regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics.

Adipocyte differentiation is accompanied by a pronounced change in the actin cytoskeleton characterized by the reorganization of filamentous (F)-actin stress fibers into cortical F-actin structures. We previously showed that depolymerization of F-actin stress fibers induced by inactivation of RhoA-ROCK (Rho-associated kinase) signaling acts as a trigger for adipocyte differentiation. The relevance and underlying mechanism of the formation of cortical F-actin structures from depolymerized actin during adipocyte differentiation have remained unclear, however.

The rhizobial autotransporter determines the symbiotic nitrogen fixation activity of in a host-specific manner.

Leguminous plants establish endosymbiotic associations with rhizobia and form root nodules in which the rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen. The host plant and intracellular rhizobia strictly control this symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We recently reported a Fix mutant, (), that impairs symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Arterial blood gas analysis in dogs with bronchomalacia.

Canine bronchomalacia (CBM) is a structural airway disease leading to chronic cough and intermittent respiratory distress, primarily affecting elderly dogs of small breeds. Results of blood gas analysis have been reported in dogs with several diseases, but not yet in those with CBM. Eleven dogs with CBM were recruited in this study.

A novel Arabidopsis pathosystem reveals cooperation of multiple hormonal response-pathways in host resistance against the global crop destroyer Macrophomina phaseolina.

Dubbed as a "global destroyer of crops", the soil-borne fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp) infects more than 500 plant species including many economically important cash crops. Host defenses against infection by this pathogen are poorly understood. We established interactions between Mp and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) as a model system to quantitatively assess host factors affecting the outcome of Mp infections.