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Background: Decreased p63 protein expression in canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder is associated with vascular invasion of the tumor, metastasis, and shortened survival. ΔNp63, an isoform of p63, is downregulated in high-grade invasive urothelial carcinoma in humans. However, the clinical significance of ΔNp63 expression in canine urinary bladder tumors is unknown. Therefore, it is essential to investigate ΔNp63 expression patterns in TCC, the most common urinary bladder tumor in dogs. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the expression and role of ΔNp63 in canine TCC of the urinary bladder. Methods: ΔNp63 expression was compared between the normal canine urinary bladder, polypoid cystitis, and TCC. The correlation of ΔNp63 expression with histopathological and clinical findings was further evaluated, and its usefulness as a prognostic factor was examined. Results: We observed that ΔNp63 was highly expressed in dogs' normal urinary bladder and polypoid cystitis, and its expression levels were low in TCC. Furthermore, low levels of ΔNp63 expression were associated with vascular invasion, metastasis, and shortened survival in dogs with TCC. Conclusion: These results indicate that ΔNp63 expression could serve as a valuable biomarker for invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of canine TCC of the urinary bladder.

A 24-year-old, Thoroughbred gelding presented with difficulty breathing for a few days and intermittent nose bleeding before dying. At necropsy, the bronchoesophageal artery and the bronchial artery that flowed into the left anterior lobe were tortuous and dilated, and it was found that dilated tortuous branches of the bronchial artery ran over the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the left anterior lobe. Histopathologically, an anastomosis between a muscular artery and an elastic artery were demonstrated, which were identified as bronchial and pulmonary arteries, respectively. Based on the gross and histopathological findings, a bronchopulmonary artery fistula was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pulmonary vascular anastomosis in a horse.

Mediastinal masses in dogs were diagnosed as basaloid carcinoma associated with multiple thymic cysts (MTCs). The masses were composed of MTCs and proliferating intracystic neoplastic basaloid cells, which immunohistochemically diffusely expressed p63 and cytokeratin 19. A gradual transition from the basal cell layers lining the cysts walls to the neoplastic cells was seen, and it was indicated that the neoplastic cells had originated from the basal cell layers of the cysts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of basaloid carcinoma occurring in the mediastinal cavity in dogs. Although these tumors were demonstrated to be rare origins, basaloid carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnoses for canine mediastinal tumors.

Bovine Mycoplasma arthritis (MA) is caused by Mycoplasma bovis and exhibits severe clinical symptoms. However, the pathophysiology of bovine MA is incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the cytokine mRNA expression of synovial fluid (SF) cells and cytokine concentrations in the SF of MA calves. The SF was isolated from five clinically healthy (control) and seven MA calves. mRNA and protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-17 in the SF from MA calves were significantly higher than those from control calves. Our results indicate that SF cells produce inflammatory cytokines, which mainly contribute to the severe inflammatory response in the joints of the MA calves.

We performed gross and histological examinations of the livers of sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Hokkaido, Japan. Out of 1,381 deer slaughtered for venison production, thickening and dilation of the large intrahepatic bile ducts and Fasciola flukes in the duct lumens were detected in 621 deer (45.0%). Furthermore, 107 non-bile lesions (75 intrahepatic and 32 capsular lesions) were detected during gross examinations. Histologically, the bile duct lesions included chronic proliferative cholangitis, papillary hyperplasia, goblet cell and pyloric gland metaplasia, and periductal fibrosis. Many of the intrahepatic non-bile duct lesions (53/75, 71%) were considered to be Fasciola fluke migration-associated lesions, including two lesion types: necrosis, hemorrhage, and eosinophilic granuloma formation (29 lesions), and lymphoid tissue formation (24 lesions). Lymphoid tissue formation was considered to result from the persistent immune responses against dead Fasciola flukes. An epidermoid liver cyst was found incidentally, which has not been reported in the veterinary literature. In summary, this study demonstrated the predominance of fascioliasis-associated lesions in sika deer livers. The gross and histological lesions caused by Fasciola flukes in sika deer were similar to fascioliasis in other animals. Moreover, we described lymphoid tissue formation as a fascioliasis-associated lesion for the first time. The fact that bile duct lesions (45.0%) had a markedly higher prevalence than fascioliasis-associated parenchymal lesions (53/1,381, 3.8%) indicated that sika deer are a permissive host for fascioliasis. Our results provide information that will aid pathological examinations of sika deer.

A white nodule was detected in the liver of a wild female sika deer. The nodule was histologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and it transitioned into a hyperplastic and chronically inflamed intrahepatic bile duct showing Fasciola infection. Therefore, the tumor was demonstrated to have originated from the biliary epithelium of the intrahepatic bile duct. Hyperplastic and chronic inflammatory changes of the biliary epithelium might have contributed the carcinogenesis of the present case, as proposed in human primary intrahepatic SCC cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary intrahepatic SCC in an animal.

Sex ratio is an important factor in population dynamics as it influences the production of offspring; understanding the sex ratio of a given population is vital for the conservation of endangered species. In sea turtles, the sex of hatchlings is temperature dependent, with warmer incubation temperatures producing more female hatchlings. The rise in temperatures due to global warming may skew the sex ratios towards females. We studied the sex ratio of immature green turtles at a foraging ground in the Yaeyama Islands from 1997-1999 and from 2016-2017, using laparoscopy. The overall proportion of females was 68.2% (N = 314), and proportions were not significantly different between 1997-1999 (69.9%; N = 183) and 2016-2017 (65.6%; N = 131). Thus, sex ratios have not changed at this site over the last 20 years, suggesting minor or no effect of global warming/environmental influences on this population. The small size class (

Mycoplasma arthritis that caused by Mycoplasma bovis exhibit severe lameness. This disease is difficult to cure with antibiotics, but the detailed pathological mechanisms have not been fully clarified. In this study, we examined the effects of intra-articular inoculation with M. bovis on immunological responses in calf joints. We inoculated three calves each with M. bovis or phosphate buffer saline (control) into the right stifle joint and dissected them at 15 days postinoculation. Mycoplasma bovis-inoculated calves exhibited swelling of the stifle joint, increases in synovial fluid, fibrin deposition, and cartilage thinning. Intracellular M. bovis was detected in synovial tissues analyzed by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. Messenger RNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, and IL-17A in synovial fluid cells and synovial tissues from M. bovis-inoculated calves were significantly higher than those from control calves. Protein levels of these cytokines in synovial fluid from M. bovis-inoculated calves were markedly higher than those from control calves. Our study clarified that inoculation with M. bovis into the stifle joint induced the production of inflammatory cytokines by synovial fluid cells and synovial tissues, causing a severe inflammatory response in joints. Additionally, M. bovis could invade cells in synovial tissues, which may have aided it in evading antibiotics and host immune surveillance.

In recent years, renewable energy has attracted attention as a measure against global environmental problems, and along with that, the penetration of inverter based power sources has been increasing. However, since there is no inertial force in the inverter based power supply, if the penetration is expanded, the inertial force of the entire power system will decrease and thus the stability may decrease. Therefore, a new virtual inertia control method using an adjustable speed synchronous condenser (ASSC) is proposed in this paper. The proposed virtual inertia control method, which is designed based on the Fuzzy Logic theory can contribute to prevent the decrease of the inertial force of the power system. It can improve the stability of the power system when the Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG) based Wind Farm (WF) trips. Performance of the proposed system is evaluated by using a model system consisting of conventional Synchronous Generators (SGs), ASSC and WF. From the analysis results, it can be confirmed that the proposed method improves the stability of the system.

Adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) is a mature T‐cell malignancy caused by human T‐cell leukemia virus type I infection, and 10%‐25% of patients show central nervous system (CNS) involvement. CNS involvement significantly reduces survival and there are no effective treatments for CNS involvement. Therefore, an appropriate animal model is required to evaluate the inhibitory effects of novel drugs on the progression of ATL with CNS involvement. Here, we established a mouse model of ATL with CNS involvement using NOD.Cg‐PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice inoculated with ATL cells intramuscularly in the postauricular region, and these mice showed paraparesis. Of the 10 mice inoculated with ATL cells intramuscularly (I.M.) at 5 weeks of age, 8 (80%) showed paraparesis, whereas none of the 10 mice inoculated with ATL cells subcutaneously (S.C.) showed paraparesis. In the I.M. group, PCR detected HTLV‐1‐specific genes in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae; however, in the S.C. group, the vertebrae were negative for HTLV‐1 genes. Histological analysis revealed a particularly high incidence of tumors, characterized by accumulation of the injected cells, in the thoracic vertebrae of mice in the I.M. group. Tumor cell infiltration was relatively high in the bone marrow. Spinal cord compression caused by invasion of the tumor mass outside the pia mater was observed in the thoracic vertebrae of the spinal cord. In conclusion, we have reported a mouse model of tumor growth with paraparesis that may be used to assess novel therapeutic agents for ATL with CNS involvement.

An 8-year-old castrated Toy poodle presented with swelling and proptosis of the right third eyelid caused by an exophytic mass on the bulbar surface. Histologically, the mass was composed of stratified neoplastic basaloid cells, arranged in nests and interconnecting islands, which were mixed with tubular structures. Immunohistochemically, the basaloid cells were positive for p63 and cytokeratin (CK) 14, and the inner epithelial cells of the tubular structures were positive for CK7, CK8, and CK19. According to these findings, the mass was diagnosed as a basal cell adenocarcinoma. Although basal cell adenocarcinoma is rare in animals, it should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for superficial tumors of bulbar conjunctiva of third eyelid in dogs.

A slaughtered 2-year-old female sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) had diffusely distributed multinodular lesions on the serosal surface of the peritoneal cavity and several nodules in the pleural cavity. Histologically, they were composed of proliferating spindle-shaped neoplastic cells, arranged in a fascicular fashion. The cells in the invasive foci transitioned from a sarcomatoid to an epithelioid appearance. Immunohistochemically, both the spindle-shaped and epithelioid cells were at least focally positive for pancytokeratin, vimentin, calretinin, α-SMA, and desmin. From these findings, the deer was diagnosed with peritoneal sarcomatoid mesothelioma with metastasis to the pleural cavity. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of peritoneal mesothelioma in a cervid species and the first case of mesothelioma in a sika deer.

A solitary firm nodule was found in the lung of a sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). Histologically, it was a biphasic lesion composed of epithelial and stromal cell elements and exhibited a leaf-like growth pattern. The epithelial cells were immunohistochemically positive for pancytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, napsin A, and thyroid transcription factor-1, and the stromal cells were positive for vimentin and partially positive for desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. These observations were consistent with pulmonary adenofibroma, which is an extremely rare lesion in humans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary adenofibroma in an animal.

Intraocular cholesterol granuloma (CG) associated with synchysis scintillans (SS) was diagnosed in a 5-year-old spayed Shetland sheepdog. During the initial clinical examination, the patient exhibited SS in the anterior chamber. Canine SS is usually found in the vitreous cavity, and SS in the anterior chamber has not been described. Since canine SS has been reported to be a non-progressive condition, and its long-term clinical course has not been adequately documented. The present case report describes the long-term clinical course of a case of canine SS, in which SS occurred in the anterior chamber, leading to intraocular CG formation, and eventually glaucoma.

Oral and cutaneous tissues are the most frequent origin in canine squamous cell carcinoma (SSC). In SCC, changes in adhesion molecule expression and transition from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype are thought to be important in development of invasive behavior of neoplastic cells at the leading front of the tumor. We therefore investigated histological invasive front grading and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in both oral SCCs and cutaneous SCCs. EMT was assessed by evaluating immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, desmoglein, vimentin, and N-cadherin. Regardless of the anatomic location, invasive front grading resulted in higher histological grades than grading of the surface. Most oral SCCs were of significantly higher histologic grade than cutaneous SCCs ( P < .01). Expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and desmoglein was significantly lower in oral SCC compared with cutaneous SCC ( P < .01). A significant association was found between invasive front grading and loss of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and desmoglein ( P < .01). Also, vimentin-positive neoplastic cells had low immunoreactivity of these adhesion molecules, and a few of these neoplastic cells were positive for N-cadherin. These results suggest not only E-cadherin and β-catenin but also desmoglein as markers for predicting biological behavior of canine SCC. Depending on their primary sites, EMT correlates with biological behavior and therefore histological grade of canine SCC. We suggest that combining invasive front grading with assessment of immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and desmoglein may allow more accurate prediction of biological behavior of canine SCCs.

Amyloid-producing odontogenic tumors (APOTs) of the facial skin were diagnosed in 3 domestic cats. The neoplasms had the histopathological characteristics of the odontogenic tumor. The neoplastic cells were present in irregular islands, strands, and sheets. The peripheral neoplastic cells of the islands and strands were arranged in a palisading fashion, while the central cells were polyhedral to stellate and randomly arranged. Multiple spherules of homogeneous eosinophilic material were closely apposed to the neoplastic epithelial cells. The spherules stained with Congo red and produced an apple green birefringence under polarization microscopy, indicative of amyloid. Immunohistochemically, amyloid materials of the neoplasms reacted with polyclonal antibodies for ameloblastin, amelogenin, and sheathlin antibodies. Neoplastic epithelial cells also reacted with antiameloblastin, amelogenin, and sheathlin antibodies, with varied intensity. The histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of dermal neoplasms of the 3 cats were analogous to those of APOTs reported in the dog and the cat.

Aortic rupture is a well recognized cause of sudden death in thoroughbred horses. Some microscopic lesions, such as those caused by cystic medial necrosis and medionecrosis, can lead to aortic rupture. However, these microscopic lesions are also observed in normal horses. On the other hand, a previous study of aortic rupture suggested that underlying elastin and collagen deposition disorders might be associated with aortic rupture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the structural components of the tunica media of the aortic arch, which is composed of elastin, collagen, smooth muscle cells and mucopolysaccharides (MPS), in fetal to mature thoroughbred horses. The percentage area of elastin was greatest in the young horses and subsequently decreased with aging. The percentage area of collagen increased with aging, and the elderly horses (aged ≥20) exhibited significantly higher percentage areas of collagen than the young horses. The percentage area of smooth muscle cells did not change with age. The percentage area of MPS was inversely proportional to the percentage area of elastin. The fetuses exhibited a markedly larger percentage area of MPS than the mature horses. We concluded that the medial changes seen in the aortic arch, which included a reduction in the amount of elastin and increases in the amounts of collagen and MPS, were age-related variations.

In horse, the characterizations of hyalocytes under the steady state are still unclear. Therefore, we investigated characterizations of hyalocytes in normal equine eyes by their immunohistochemical phenotype, histomorphology and distribution. Thirty-one eyes from 18 horses, divided into 4 groups (G) by age, were used: early (G1) and late gestation (G2) fetuses, 1- to 3-year-old (G3) and 8- to 24-year-old (G4) horses. Equine hyalocytes were histologically classified into 4 types, and they immunohistochemically expressed MHC II and CD163. Hyalocytes were detected on and/or around ciliary processes and pars plana in G2, G3 and G4, but were not located on retina and optic papilla. A significant increase in distribution was found between G2 and both G3 and G4, and the largest distribution was found at ciliary processes in these groups. Equine hyalocytes were characterized as residential ocular macrophage and MHC II antigen-bearing cell, accompanied by a pleomorphic appearance and located in the contiguous ciliary body. Our data provided characterizations of hyalocytes in normal equine eyes and may well contribute to improving the understanding of pathogenesis of equine ocular disease.

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the uveal tract participate in ocular immunity including immune homeostasis and the pathogenesis of uveitis. In horses, although uveitis is the most common ocular disorder, little is known about ocular immunity, such as the distribution of APCs. In this study, we investigated the distribution of CD163-positive and MHC II-positive cells in the normal equine uveal tract using an immunofluorescence technique. Eleven eyes from 10 Thoroughbred horses aged 1 to 24 years old were used. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed using the primary antibodies CD163, MHC class II (MHC II) and CD20. To demonstrate the site of their greatest distribution, positive cells were manually counted in 3 different parts of the uveal tract (ciliary body, iris and choroid), and their average number was assessed by statistical analysis. The distribution of pleomorphic CD163- and MHC II-expressed cells was detected throughout the equine uveal tract, but no CD20-expressed cells were detected. The statistical analysis demonstrated the distribution of CD163- and MHC II-positive cells focusing on the ciliary body. These results demonstrated that the ciliary body is the largest site of their distribution in the normal equine uveal tract, and the ciliary body is considered to play important roles in uveal and/or ocular immune homeostasis. The data provided in this study will help further understanding of equine ocular immunity in the normal state and might be beneficial for understanding of mechanisms of ocular disorders, such as equine uveitis.

Mycoplasma bovis is a destructive pathogen that causes large economic losses in rearing cattle for beef and dairy worldwide. M. bovis causes suppression of and evades the host immune response; however, the mechanisms of host immune function involved in M. bovis mastitis have not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of the bovine immune response to mycoplasmal mastitis. We evaluated the responsiveness of the bovine mammary gland following infusion of M. bovis. Somatic cell counts and bacterial counts in milk from the infected quarter were increased. However, the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (blood MNCs) and mononuclear cells isolated from M. bovis-stimulated mammary lymph nodes (lymph node MNCs) did not differ from that in the unstimulated cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of innate immune system-related genes in blood MNCs, complement factor D (CFD), ficolin 1 (FCN1), and tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13) decreased following intramammary infusion of M. bovis. The mRNA levels of immune exhaustion-related genes, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) of milk mononuclear cells (milk MNCs) in the infected quarter were increased compared with those before infusion. Increase in immune exhaustion-related gene expression and decrease in innate immune response-related genes of MNCs in quarters from cows were newly characterized by M. bovis-induced mastitis. These results suggested that M. bovis-induced mastitis affected the immune function of bovine MNCs, which is associated with prolonged duration of infection with M. bovis.

A male Japanese domestic cat with retarded growth in Hokkaido, Japan, showed progressive motor dysfunction, such as ataxia starting at 3 months of age and tremors, visual disorder and seizure after 4 months of age. Finally, the cat died of neurological deterioration at 9 months of age. Approximately half of the peripheral blood lymphocytes had multiple abnormal vacuoles. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bisymmetrical hyperintensity in the white matter of the parietal and occipital lobes in the forebrain on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, and mild encephalatrophy of the olfactory bulbs and temporal lobes. The activity of lysosomal acid β-galactosidase in leukocytes was negligible, resulting in the biochemical diagnosis of GM1 gangliosidosis. Histologically, swollen neurons characterized by accumulation of pale, slightly granular cytoplasmic materials were observed throughout the central nervous system. Dysmyelination or demyelination and gemistocytic astrocytosis were observed in the white matter. Ultrastructually, membranous cytoplasmic bodies were detected in the lysosomes of neurons. However, genetic analysis did not identify the c.1448G>C mutation, which is the single known mutation of feline GM1 gangliosidosis, suggesting that the cat was affected with a new variant of the feline disease.

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common bone tumor, includes OS of the head (OSH) and appendicular OS (OSA). In dogs, it is classified into 6 histologic subtypes: osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, telangiectatic, giant cell, and poorly differentiated. This study investigated the significance of the histologic classification relevant to clinical outcome and the histologic and immunohistochemical relationships between pleomorphism and expression of cytoskeletal proteins in 60 cases each of OSH and OSA. Most neoplasms exhibited histologic diversity, and 64% of OS contained multiple subtypes. In addition to the above 6 subtypes, myxoid, round cell, and epithelioid subtypes were observed. Although the epithelioid subtypes were observed in only OSH, no significant difference in the frequency of other subtypes was observed. Also, no significant relevance was observed between the clinical outcome and histologic subtypes. Cytokeratin (CK) was expressed in both epithelioid and sarcomatoid tumor cells in various subtypes, and all CK-positive tumor cells also expressed vimentin. Vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were expressed in all subtypes. A few SMA-positive spindle-shaped tumor cells exhibited desmin expression. Glial fibrillary acidic protein–positive tumor cells were observed in many subtypes, and some of these cells showed neurofilament expression. Although OSH exhibited significantly stronger immunoreactivity for SMA than OSA, no significant difference in other cytoskeletal proteins was observed. Some tumor cells had cytoskeletal protein expression compatible with the corresponding histologic subtypes, such as CK in the epithelioid subtype and SMA in the fibroblastic subtype. Thus, canine skeletal OS is composed of pleomorphic and heterogenous tumor cells as is reflected in the diversity of histologic patterns and expression of cytoskeletal proteins.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become a common treatment for carotid artery stenosis. However, complications, such as an ischemic event, can occur with CAS during intra- and post-operative periods. Among these ischemic complications, plaque protrusion into the stent and thrombus on the stent have occurred after CAS. We retrospectively evaluated the temporal profile and treatment options for these complications in 32 consecutive cases who underwent CAS at our hospital between April 2009 and December 2011. The cases were evaluated pre-operatively for risk factors, as well as the plaque morphology and characteristics using computed tomographic angiography (CTA), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Post-operatively, lesions were examined by CTA and/or US within 1 week of CAS. As a result, among the 32 cases, 8 experienced plaque protrusions or thrombus, which were treated with medication (anti-platelet and/or anti-coagulation reinforcement). In 7 of these 8 cases, the plaque protrusion or thrombus was stabilized with medication alone. However, the remaining case showed growth and migration of the plaque protrusion or thrombus when treated with medication alone, and therefore, required further endovascular treatment. We identified that a history of symptomatic cerebral infarction and plaques with ulceration were risk factors for plaque protrusion or thrombus formation after CAS, and pre dilatation can decrease the risk of these complications. Medication was effective in most cases of plaque protrusion or thrombus; however, further endovascular treatment was required when medication alone was unsuccessful.

Chordomas of the tip of the tail in 6 ferrets were examined using histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical procedures. Histopathologically, round neoplastic cells containing numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles of varying sizes, categorized as “physaliphorous cells”, were observed in the amorphous eosinophilic or pale basophilic myxoid stroma. Physaliphorous cells were arranged in lobules and in a “chordoid” or “cobblestone” manner. The neoplasms were diagnosed as benign chordoma without local invasion and metastasis. Histochemically, the cytoplasm of small neoplastic cells was positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain and alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5 and pH 1.0 stains, but negative for hyaluronidase digestion-AB pH 2.5 stain. All neoplastic cells were strongly stained with colloidal ion, negative for high iron diamine AB pH 2.5 and toluidine blue pH 2.5 stains, and positive for Mayer’s mucicarmine stain. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against low-molecular-weight cytokeratins (CK18, CK19 and CK20), vimentin and mucin core protein (MUC5AC) revealed that neoplastic cells had both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The expression of low-molecular-weight cytokeratins suggests that neoplastic cells acquired the properties of glandular epithelial cells and produced epithelial mucus. Furthermore, the expression of cytokeratins, vimentin, S100 protein, brachyury and epithelial membrane antigen indicates that the neoplasms were equivalent to the classic type of human chordoma. Therefore, immunohistochemistry using these antibodies can be useful for the characterization of ferret chordoma.

In this study, gastric myoelectric activity in patients with acute cerebral infarction was investigated using electrogastrography. The patients were divided into four groups; those with mild brainstem infarction(group A, n=13, men:8, women:5, 75±2 years old), severe brainstem infarction(group B, n=6, men:4, women:2, 79±4 years old), mild non-brainstem infarction(group C, n=14, men:7, women:7, 76±3 years old), and severe non-brainstem infarction(group D, n=9, men:3, women:6, 87±2 years old). In group B, the% ratio of normogastria(2.4-3.6 cycles per minute)was significantly lower in the fasting period. The dominant power(DP)significantly increased after the meal in group C, but did not in group A, compared to before the meal. The DP increased in all patients in group C after the meal, whereas it increased in only five of ten patients in group A. The possibility of gastric dysfunction should be considered in patients with brainstem infarction.

A 29-year-old stallion presented with bilateral blindness following the chronic purulent nasal drainage. The mass occupied the right caudal nasal cavity and right paranasal sinuses including maxillary, palatine and sphenoidal sinuses, and the right-side turbinal and paranasal septal bones, and cribriform plate of ethmoid bone were destructively replaced by the mass growth. The right optic nerve was invaded and involved by the mass, and the left optic nerve and optic chiasm were compressed by the mass which was extended and invaded the skull base. Histologically, the optic nerves and optic chiasm were degenerated, and the mass was diagnosed as lymphoma which was morphologically and immunohistochemically classified as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Based on these findings, the cause of the blindness in the stallion was concluded to be due to the degeneration of the optic nerves and chiasm associated with lymphoma occurring in the nasal and paranasal cavities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the equine blindness with optic nerve degeneration accompanied by lymphoma.

A male Thoroughbred fetus was aborted on day 251 of pregnancy. Gross and histological examinations detected systemic granulomatous lesions in many superficial and visceral lymph nodes and organs including the liver, tonsils, lungs, thymus, spleen, right thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract, and suppurative placentitis, pyogranulomatous amnionitis and intralesional acid-fast bacilli were also detected. An examination of the DNA base sequence of the β subunit of RNA polymerase demonstrated that Mycobacterium avium strain 104 had infected several organs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of equine fetal mycobacterial infection in Japan.

A 3-year-old male black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys iudovicianus) was presented with a dome-shaped cutaneous mass over the left femur. Microscopically, the mass was encapsulated and composed of proliferating spindle cells arranged in haphazard, interlacing bundles. There were vascular structures within the mass and some spindle cells had transitioned from the peripheral regions of the vascular wall. Immunohistochemically, the cells expressed vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, desmin and heavy caldesmon. Based on these findings, the mass was diagnosed as a cutaneous angioleiomyoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous angioleiomyoma in a black-tailed prairie dog.

Mycoplasma bovis causes chronic arthritis in calves. Mycoplasma arthritis shows severe inflammatory reactions in joints that is commonly treated with antibiotics and results in significant economic losses in the calf industry. A previous study showed that inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by synovial cells promote progression of the pathophysiology of bacterial arthritis. However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of bovine Mycoplasma arthritis has not been fully clarified. In this study, we examined the immunologic response of bovine synovial tissue to M. bovis. We observed significant increases in expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, and MMP-3 mRNA in synovial tissue from Mycoplasma arthritis calves compared with tissues from normal calves. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-1 mRNA was also induced in cultured synovial cells stimulated with M. bovis, but not expression of IL-1β and MMP-3 mRNA. In contrast, the culture supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with M. bovis induced marked increases in the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, and MMP-3 mRNA in synovial cells. Our results indicate that inflammatory cytokines and MMPs produced by synovial cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma arthritis. We suggest that interactions between synovial cells and mononuclear cells in the presence of M. bovis induce expression of these cytokines and MMPs in synovial cells, resulting in severe inflammatory reactions in the joints.

A 10-year-old Japanese Black cow presented with a swelling of the right femur, and a hard, large mass occupied the pelvic cavity. The mass strongly adhered to the visceral surface of the ischium and had posteriorly invaded among the right femoral muscles. Histologically, the mass was composed of neoplastic osteoblasts and exhibited osteoid and immature trabecular bone production. In the region where the mass adhered to the ischium, neoplastic cells were continuously proliferating into the medullary cavity. Tumor emboli were observed in the small vessels of the femoral muscles and lungs. Based on these findings, the mass was diagnosed as an osteosarcoma and considered to have arisen from the ischium.

An 8-year-old neutered female Cavalier King Charles spaniel was evaluated for progressing right forelimb lameness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the right-side radial nerves and the caudal brachial plexus were swollen. The histological and molecular biological diagnosis by partial biopsy of the C8 spinal nerve was T-cell lymphoma. Coadministration of lomustine and irradiation was started. However, this therapy was ineffective. At necropsy, neoplastic tissues were seen extending into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, liver, pancreas and kidneys as gross findings. A large mass was also identified occupying the caudal thorax. Histologic findings included infiltration in these organs and the mass by neoplastic lymphocytes. To date, involvement of peripheral nerves (neurolymphomatosis) is rarely reported in veterinary species.

Yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are rare neoplasms of germ cell origin. In humans, the tumors primarily occur in the testes or ovaries, but occasionally develop at other sites. The neoplastic cells of YSTs form many histological patterns resembling embryonal structures, and the World Health Organization classification lists 11 such patterns: reticular, macrocystic, endodermal sinus, papillary, solid, glandular-alveolar, myxomatous, sarcomatoid, polyvesicular vitelline, hepatoid, and parietal. Among domestic animals, only 2 cases of YST, which were of testicular and abdominal cavity origin, have been reported in calves. In both cases, neoplastic cells had epithelial properties and disseminated metastases in the abdomen. In the present study, the enlarged testis of a newborn calf, which was subsequently diagnosed as YST and exhibited myxomatous, reticular, and polyvesicular vitelline histological patterns, is described. There was no metastasis in this case, and histological and immunohistochemical features varied from previous cases of YST.

A 33-year-old red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) had a diffuse intestinal thickening from the duodenum to colon. Microscopically, neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets and occasionally nests or cords without gland or squamous differentiation. Metastatic tumor cells were found in the lungs, heart, kidneys and adrenal glands. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were strongly positive for pan-cytokeratin and cytokeratin 8 and 18 and only partly positive for E-cadherin antibodies. Immunostaining for CD3 was positive in normal lymphocytes, and NSE was also positive in normal nerve fibers. But, the neoplastic cells were not immunoreactive to CD3 and NSE. Based on the histological features and the epithelial characteristics in the immunohistochemical stain, the present case was diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinoma originating from the intestine. Interestingly, the neoplastic cells showed a unique growth pattern; they never invaded the submucosa or muscularis throughout the intestine, whereas they spread lymphogenously or hematogenously to other organs.

A 2-year-old Thoroughbred horse presented with acute onset of colitis, and the intussuscepted jejunum was surgically resected. A transmural mass protruding into the lumen was found at the leading edge of the intussusceptum. Based on histological and immunohistochemical examinations, the mass was diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with metastasis to the mesenteric lymph nodes. Anatomical localization of the mass in the intussusception and absence of other obvious underlying diseases indicated that the intussusception had occurred in association with the mass. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of equine intussusception associated with focal intestinal lymphoma.

The development of a small, light, powerful and energy-efficient superconducting magnet has been desired in order to realize better efficiency and manipulability in guiding magnetic nano-particles, magnetic organic cells and other items to the right place. This study focuses on the development of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk magnet characterized by comparatively low leak magnetism despite a relatively high magnetic field. On this basis, the authors developed a palm-sized superconducting bulk magnet, which is the world’s smallest, lightest, and lowest power consuming, as well as a new technology to effectively magnetize such a bulk magnet in a compact Stirling-cycle cryocooler (magnet C) with a pre-magnetized HTS bulk magnet (magnet B) in a compact cryocooler. This technology is demonstrated in two steps. In the first step, magnet B is magnetized using a superconducting solenoid magnet with a high magnetic field (magnet A) via the field cooling method. In the second step, magnet C is magnetized in the high magnetic field of magnet B. The prototype magnet C weighs 1.8 kg, and measures 235 × 65 × 115 mm ( L × W × H ). Magnet B was magnetized to 4.9 T using a 5 T magnet, and the target, magnet C, was magnetized using magnet B so that its maximum trapped magnetic flux density reached the value of 3.15 T. The net power consumption in a steady cooling state was 23 W, which is very low and comparable to that of a laptop computer.