Simple diagnosis using ethanol immersion of strawberry plants with latent infection by Colletotrichum acutatum, Dendrophoma obscurans, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae

Simple diagnosis by ethanol immersion (SDEI) to detect Glomerella cingulata was used to detect three other fungi that also cause latent infection of strawberry plants. Signs on strawberry leaves with asymptomatic latent infection by Colletotrichum acutatum became visible using SDEI. Salmon-pink conidial masses were produced in the acervuli on the treated leaves 5 days after incubation at 28°C. In the case of Dendrophoma obscurans, pycnidia with amber conidial masses formed 5 days after incubation at 28°C. The pycnidia were observed mainly on the ribs, and conidial masses exuded from the ostiole. These macroscopic conidial masses were similar to those of G. cingulata and C. acutatum. When water was dripped onto a lesion caused by D. obscurans, the pycnidia exuded white filamentous conidial masses, making the distinction of D. obscurans from G. cingulata or C. acutatum. On petioles with latent infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, white aerial hyphae grew out from the vascular tissues on the cut surface 3 days after incubation at 28°C and were easily observed by eye or with a loupe. Thus, SDEI was also useful for diagnosing latent infection of strawberry plants by C. acutatum, D. obscurans, and F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae.     

Evaluation of genetic variation among wild rice populations in Cambodia

A total of 448 samples in five natural populations of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) were collected in Cambodia. They were examined using 12 SSR and two chloroplast markers to evaluate the degree of variation among populations and the genetic structure within populations. In the two annual populations, the number of plants with homozygous alleles at all 12 SSR loci were high (66.3% and 79.5%), suggesting that these plants propagate mainly through self-pollination. In the three perennial populations, no individuals had all homozygous genotypes, but redundant genotypes resulted from clonal propagation were observed. Percentages of the redundant genotypes were highly varied (3.6%, 29.2% and 86.0%). This may be due to the different stable levels of environmental conditions. As for chloroplast genome, most of the wild plants showed the same chloroplast types as most Indica-type cultivars have. However, plants with different chloroplast types were maintained, even in the same population. In tropical Asian countries, many wild rice populations were observed under similar ecological conditions examined in this study. Therefore, the present results concerning population structure will be important to further elucidate genetic features of wild rice, and will also give strong clues to utilize and conserve wild natural genetic resources.     

Mitochondrial DNA Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms in Malus Species

Three apple (Malus×domestica) cultivars and 11 Malus accessions have been investigated by the probe hybridization method on their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The gene probes used were: coxI, coxII, atpA, atp6, and atp9. Our results revealed enough variation to characterize ten mtDNA haplotypes among the Malus genotypes examined. The taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of mtDNA polymorphism are also discussed.     

Comparative Evaluation on Nitrogen Saturation of Forest Catchments in Japan and Northeastern United States

To analyze the differences in the status and processes of nitrogen saturation in Japan and northeastern United States, we examined the hydrobiogeochemistry of nitrogen of forested watersheds in these regions. Two distinct differences were found between watersheds in Japan compared with those in US. 1) In Japanese watersheds, marked decreases of NO₃ ^? concentration in surface waters during the summer growing season were not found and NO₃ ^? concentrations sometimes increased especially in the summer at nitrogen saturated sites. This contrast with watersheds in US where decreases in NO₃ ^? concentration during the summer are commonly observed except those watersheds in advanced stages of nitrogen saturation. These differences in NO₃ ^? concentration relationships can be attributed to climatic differences, with Japan having high precipitation and high discharge during the summer, while in many regions of North America lowest discharges are found in the summer. The climatic regime in Japan leads to high rates of mineralization and the rapid transport of NO₃ ^? to streams in summer. 2) Japanese watersheds, even those with high NO₃ ^? concentrations in surface waters, show little evidence of acidification. This is in contrast to sites in US where increased NO₃ ^? concentrations, especially during episodic events, result in surface water acidification.     

Displacement above the hypocenter of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

The moment magnitude (M(w)) = 9.0 2011 Tohoku-Oki mega-thrust earthquake occurred off the coast of northeastern Japan. Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) and acoustic data, we detected very large sea-floor movements associated with this event directly above the focal region. An area with more than 20 meters of horizontal displacement, that is, four times larger than those detected on land, stretches several tens of kilometers long along the trench; the largest amount reaches about 24 meters toward east-southeast just above the hypocenter. Furthermore, nearly 3 meters of vertical uplift occurred, contrary to observed terrestrial subsidence.     

Genetic Erosion from Modern Varieties into Traditional Upland Rice Cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) in Northern Thailand

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of genetic erosion of traditional upland germplasm in northern Thailand as a result of gene-flow from distinct strains carrying different genotypes. Even modern variety specific markers have not been developed, there is a comparative population in Laos. Thus, both populations were compared with various characters to evaluate gene-flow from modern variety to landraces. Glutinous and glabrous strains are predominated in Laos. However, such strains were drastically decreased in north–east Thailand. Gene diversity is higher in Thailand, compared to Laos at seven isozyme loci. This was a result of the higher frequencies of Indica strains and heterozygotes in Thailand. Plastid type was also determined by using an INDEL marker. Nearly half of Indica strains carried the Japonica plastid. Heterozygotes also tended to carry Japonica cytoplasm. Such nuclear–cytoplasm substituted strains and heterozygotes were probably generated by natural hybridization. Japonica strains tended to be a maternal donor rather than Indica ones. Or Indica strains would easily release pollens, which grow outside of upland fields.     

Isolation and characterization of aminopeptidase (Jc-peptidase) from Japanese cedar pollen (Cryptomeria japonica)

An aminopeptidase, Jc-peptidase, was purified from Japanese cedar pollen by seven steps, including precipitation with ammonium sulfate, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl-agarose, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Purified Jc-peptidease has a molecular weight of 42 kDa and hydrolyzes the synthetic substrates of L-phenylalanyl-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Phe-MCA) with Km = 5 x 10(-5) M, Tyr-MCA with Km = 7 x 10(-4) M, Leu-MCA with Km = 1 x 10(-3) M, and Met-MCA with Km = 1 x 10(-3) M. Other MCA analogues such as Arg-MCA or Glu-MCA failed to serve as its substrates. The activity was inhibited in the presence of phebestin, [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl-L-valyl]-L-phenylalanine, with Ki = 4.7 x 10(-5) M, or bestatin, [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl]-L-leucine, with Ki = 1.1 x 10(-4) M. According to amino acid sequence analysis, the N-terminal amino group seems to be blocked. The physiological function of the aminopeptidase (Jc-peptidase) has not been clarified in vivo.     

Bacillary hemoglobinuria in Japanese black cattle in Hiroshima, Japan: a case study

Three Japanese Black cows housed with 6 other cows exhibited main clinical symptoms of severe hemoglobinuria. Hematological analyses conducted after antibiotic therapy demonstrated severe anemia, and biochemical analyses indicated both severe hemolysis and disruption of hepatic function. One of the three cows died. Based on the above analyses and observation of typical clinical symptoms, a speculative diagnosis of bacillary hemoglobinuria was made, and immediate high-dose antibiotic treatment improved the general conditions of the surviving animals. Blood samples from the other 2 cows were collected sequentially after antibacterial therapy. Clostridium haemolyticum was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction analysis of the blood samples. The cows were diagnosed with the second recorded occurrence of bacillary hemoglobinuria in Japan.     

Effect of replacing fishmeal with canola meal on growth and nutrient utilization in kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus (Bate)

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the nutritional values of canola meal as a substitute for fishmeal in diets for kuruma shrimp using five isocaloric diets (190 kJ kg^?1) prepared by replacing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of fishmeal protein with canola meal protein in CM0, CM10, CM20, CM30 and CM40 diets respectively. Triplicate groups of juveniles (0.19 g) were fed the respective diets for 60 days in tanks. At the end of trial, weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (% day^?1) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among shrimp fed CM0, CM10 and CM20 diets. However, growth was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in shrimp fed CM30 and CM40 diets. As with growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also decreased (P < 0.05) in CM30 and CM40 groups. Whole body dry matter, methionine and proline were significantly decreased with canola meal substitution levels. In general, retention efficiency of protein and indispensible amino acids were decreased as canola meal increased in diets. It may be concluded that 20% fishmeal protein can be successfully replaced with canola meal, while supplementation of amino acids or blending with complementary proteins could facilitate higher fishmeal replacements in kuruma shrimp diets.