Quantitative structure-activity studies of substituted benzyl chrysanthemates: 4. Physicochemical properties and the rate of progress of the knockdown symptom induced in house flies

A procedure to evaluate the knockdown activity of pyrethroids against house flies in which metabolic factors could be eliminated as far as possible was established. With piperonyl butoxide and NIA 16388 as the inhibitors of oxidative and hydrolytic metabolism, respectively, the “intrinsic” knockdown potencies of 22 substituted benzyl (1R)-trans-chrysanthemates and related compounds were determined 2.5–3 hr after topical application to house flies. From the intrinsic knockdown potency and the rate of progress of the knockdown symptom from the earliest stage of intoxication, a “penetration” rate constant was estimated by first-order kinetics using a two-compartment model. The rate constant was correlated quantitatively with the hydrophobic parameter of the molecule. The lower the hydrophobicity, the higher the rate constant within the range of compounds used in this study.     

Phylogenetic and morphological analyses of Pythium graminicola and related species

Isolates of Pythium graminicola and related species were differentiated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX II) gene. These sequences were used in subsequent phylogenetic analyses. Finally, the phylogenetic placement of species was compared to that determined from morphological characteristics. The 62 isolates tested were divided into seven groups, A–G, based on RFLP analysis of the rDNA-ITS region. In the RFLP analysis of the COX II gene, isolates were divided into groups similar to those based on ITS-RFLP. Groups A and B were each separated into two additional subgroups. Grouping of isolates based on RFLP analyses agreed with the morphological differentiation. Groups A, B, D, E, F, and G were identified as P. graminicola, P. arrhenomanes, P. aphanidermatum, P. myriotylum, P. torulosum, and P. vanterpoolii, respectively. Group C was closely related to group B based on phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA-ITS region and the COX II gene and is similar to P. arrhenomanes. Each of the other species occupied their own individual clades. Although P. arrhenomanes is morphologically similar to P. graminicola, our phylogenetic analyses revealed that it was evolutionarily distant from P. graminicola and more closely related to P. vanterpoolii. Our analysis also revealed that P. torulosum with smaller oogonia is more closely related to P. myriotylum with large oogonia than to P. vanterpoolii, which forms smaller oogonia and is morphologically similar to P. torulosum. P. aphanidermatum with large oogonia and aplerotic oospores was not related to the morphologically similar species P. myriotylum. Results suggest that P. graminicola and related species are phylogenetically distinct, and molecular analyses, in addition to morphological analyses, are necessary for the accurate taxonomic placement of species in this complex.     

Nutrio-physiological studies on the tomato plant II. Translocation of photosynthates

The percentage translocation from the leaf is low in the tomato; it is as low as 16 per cent in some cases and the maximum value observed is 62 per cent.

The ability of a leaf to act as the sink for the photosynthates of other leaves becomes very low with age, but it serves as a sink for its own photosynthates for a long period.

The photosynthates of a leaf may be translocated to any alnk, but the major translocation stream under ordinary conditions is determined by the growth stage of the plant and the position of the source leaf. In this sense thero are source-sink partnerships between certain leaves and organs: The major sinks of L₅, L₉, L₁₁, L₁₄, and L₁₆ are the roots, T-1, T-Il, T-III, and T-III, respectively, although the partnerships are weak and flexible.     

The assessment of genetic diversity within and among the eight subpopulations of Japanese Black cattle using 52 microsatellite markers

Japanese Black cattle are at risk for genetic homogeneity due to intensive use of a few sires. Therefore, assessment of the actual genetic diversity of this breed is important for future breeding plans. In the present study, we investigated the genetic diversity within and among eight subpopulations of Japanese Black cattle using 52 microsatellite markers. The parameters for genetic diversity of Japanese Black cattle were comparable to those of other cattle breeds, suggesting that the relatively high genetic diversity of the breed. However, upon comparison among the eight subpopulations, the Hyogo subpopulation showed markedly low genetic diversity. The results of the pairwise F_ST values, phylogenetic network and structure analysis indicated that the Hyogo population has remarkably high level of genetic differentiation from other populations, while Yamagata, Niigata, Hiroshima and Kagawa populations have low levels of genetic differentiation. Furthermore, multidimensional scaling plots indicated that individuals in some subpopulations were separated from individuals in the other subpopulations. We conclude that while the overall genetic diversity of Japanese Black cattle is still maintained at a relatively high level, that of a particular subpopulation is significantly reduced, and therefore the effective population size of the breed needs to be controlled by correct mating strategies.     

Clinical and molecular analysis of GM2 gangliosidosis in two apparent littermate kittens of the Japanese domestic cat

This case report documents clinical and molecular findings in two littermate kittens of the Japanese domestic cat with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0. Analysis included detailed physical, magnetic resonance imaging, biochemical, pathological and genetic examinations. At first, these littermate kittens showed typical cerebellar signs at approximately 2 months of age. About 2 months later, they progressively showed other neurological signs and subsequently died at about 7 months of age. Magnetic resonance imaging just before the death showed an enlarged ventricular system, T1 hyperintensity in the internal capsule, and T2 hyperintensity in the white matter of the whole brain. Histological findings suggested a type of lysosomal storage disease. Biochemical studies demonstrated that the kittens were affected with GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0, and a DNA assay finally demonstrated that these animals were homozygous for the mutation, which the authors had identified in a different family of the Japanese domestic cat. The findings in the present cases provide useful information about GM2 gangliosidosis variant 0 in Japanese domestic cats.     

Difference in the level of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin accumulation between the crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telmessus acutidens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Charybdis japonica</Emphasis> collected in Onahama,Fukushima Prefecture

ABSTRACT:     The difference in paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin accumulation in the crabs Telmessus acutidens and Charybdis japonica was investigated at Onahama, Fukushima Prefecture, from 2002 to 2005. The level of toxin accumulation in the hepatopancreas of T. acutidens corresponded to that of mussels when examined on a yearly basis. In 2003, some crabs had a high toxicity of approximately 1000 MU, which compares to one-third of the human minimum lethal dose. Therefore T. acutidens should be monitored as a vector species of PSP toxin. The toxin profile of T. acutidens was also investigated. Because an increase in highly toxic species of PSP toxins with a decrease in low toxic species, such as N -sulfocarbamoyl-11-hydroxysulfate toxins, was not clearly observed between consecutive samples, toxin transformation in T. acutidens was considered to have a minimal impact on toxicity. PSP toxins were also detected in several specimens of C. japonica , but the highest toxicity was only 7.4 MU/g in the hepatopancreas. Because C. japonica is widely distributed in the coastal waters of Japan, investigation of toxin accumulation in the crab should be continued, including its investigation in different areas of water from Onahama, where the causative dinoflagellates of PSP occur in different conditions.