Distribution,body length,and abundance of blue shark and shortfin mako offshore of northeastern Japan,as determined from observed pelagic longline data, 2000–2014

Longline surveys have been conducted in the Northwest Pacific Ocean from 2000 to 2014 using chartered commercial longline vessels. Each year, two cruises were conducted offshore of northeastern Japan from mid‐April to mid‐June. For each longline set during the surveys, onboard scientists collected detailed biological information about the species caught, such as the size and sex, and recorded the catch numbers for all species. Blue shark (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) have eurythermal distributions, but the application of a generalized additive model (GAM) showed that the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) at catch sites positive for shortfin mako were warmer than those for blue shark. On the basis of the GAM, the probabilities of occurrence of both sharks differed by size category: small sharks had a narrower SST range than that of large sharks. Most catches of both sharks were juveniles, and the nominal catch rate of blue shark was more than 10 times that of shortfin mako. The standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) for both species was calculated using a generalized linear model (GLM) with negative binomial errors, or a delta‐lognormal GLM. The standardized CPUE for blue shark in the second quarter of the year peaked in the mid‐2000s and then decreased, but it has been increasing since 2012. The CPUE for shortfin mako in the second quarter generally increased, with fluctuations.     

Stable isotope analysis suggests the existence of multiple populations of streaked spinefoot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Siganus javus</Emphasis> L.) in Bandon Bay,Southern Thailand

The stock unit used in fisheries resource assessment and management is generally based on the morphological and genetic characteristics of a particular population or species to avert problems caused by the treatment of multiple populations as one stock, which can lead to the overestimation of population sizes and genetic pollution. Furthermore, since the linkage of microhabitats is an important factor affecting the reproduction of marine organisms in coastal areas, an understanding of the food web in each microhabitat is essential to establish sustainable fisheries management practices. We investigated spatial variations in the food sources and feeding habits of immature stage of Siganus javus using genetic population analyses and stable isotope analyses (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N). These species are commonly harvested by small-scale fisheries, and it inhabits Bandon Bay in the Surat Thani Province of Southern Thailand. Genetic variation within sampling sites was greater than that between sites. The δ¹³C values of S. javus differed between sites, which suggest that the different ecological habitats exhibit different rates and patterns of carbon flow even among sites located in the same bay. Our results suggest that studies combining genetic population analyses and stable isotope analyses are required to confirm the delineation of fine-scale management units intended for the development of coastal fishery resources.     

Expression of Medicago truncatula ecto-apyrase MtAPY1;1 in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana restricts necrotic lesions induced by a virulent fungus

Ecto-apyrase(s) participates in cell-wall-associated defense through ATP hydrolysis. Here we analyzed Medicago truncatula genes through cDNA screening and in silico analyses against known databases. This study revealed seven genes, five of which (MtAPY1;1 to MtAPY1;5) are members of a legume-specific family, whereas two genes (MtAPY2;1 and MtAPY2;2) are close to those in other plants. Agrobacterium-based transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana, combined with a c-myc epitope tag technology, confirmed that the MtAPY1;1 is a secreted protein. Transient expression of MtAPY1;1 in leaves of N. benthamiana restricted disease development by a virulent fungus, suggesting a role in disease resistance.     

Enterolithiasis in a cat

An 8-year-old female Persian cat was brought in for evaluation of chronic vomiting. The presence of opaque enteric foreign bodies and intestinal obstruction along with azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia, moderate anaemia and peritoneal fluid were revealed following appropriate diagnostic work-up. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed jejunoileal dilation, ileocaecal stenosis, and numerous foreign objects in the jejunoileum. These foreign objects and ileocaecal stenosis were surgically removed, and intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. The patient recovered favourably. Analysis revealed that the foreign objects were composed of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Intestinal inflammation and stenosis secondary to enterolithiasis may have developed following ingestion of cat litter or a previous unrelated surgical intervention. We were unable to delineate the inciting pathogenesis in this particular case.     

Development of photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterile (PCMS) wheat lines showing high male sterility under long-day conditions and high seed fertility under short-day conditions

A “two-line system” using photoperiod-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterility (PCMS) caused by Aegilops crassa cytoplasm under long-day photoperiods (≧15 h) has been proposed as a means of producing hybrid varieties in common wheat (Triticum aestivum). The PCMS line is maintained by self-pollination under short-day conditions, and hybrid seeds can be produced through outcrossing of the PCMS line with a pollinator line under long-day conditions. Our previous studies revealed that PCMS lines showing complete male sterility under long-day conditions are necessary for practical hybrid wheat breeding, especially to obtain high hybrid purity in F₁ seeds. Furthermore, practical PCMS lines should have high seed fertility under short-day conditions, which is associated with female fertility. Wheat cv. Norin 26 with Ae. crassa cytoplasm exhibits high seed fertility under short-day conditions, and cv. Fujimikomugi with Ae. crassa cytoplasm shows high male sterility under long-day conditions. Here we developed practical PCMS lines derived from the F₁ generation of Norin 26 and Fujimikomugi (with Ae. crassa cytoplasm) that were then backcrossed to elite wheat lines.     

Non‐target‐site mechanism of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

In Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, glyphosate‐resistant Lolium multiflorum is a serious problem on the levees of rice paddies and in wheat fields. The mechanism of resistance of this biotype was analyzed. Based on LD₅₀, the resistant population was 2.8–5.0 times more resistant to glyphosate than the susceptible population. The 5‐enolpyruvyl‐shikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene sequence of the resistant biotype did not show a non‐synonymous substitution at Pro106, and amplification of the gene was not observed in the resistant biotype. The metabolism and translocation of glyphosate were examined 4 days after application through the direct detection of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) using liquid chromatograph‐tandem mass spectrometer (LC‐MS/MS). AMPA was not detected in either biotype in glyphosate‐treated leaves or the other plant parts. The respective absorption rates of the susceptible and resistant biotypes were 37.90 ± 3.63% and 41.09 ± 3.36%, respectively, which were not significantly different. The resistant biotype retained more glyphosate in a glyphosate‐treated leaf (91.36 ± 1.56% of absorbed glyphosate) and less in the untreated parts of shoots (5.90 ± 1.17%) and roots (2.76 ± 0.44%) compared with the susceptible biotype, 79.58 ± 3.73%, 15.77 ± 3.06% and 4.65 ± 0.89%, respectively. The results indicate that the resistance mechanism is neither the acquisition of a metabolic system nor limiting the absorption of glyphosate but limited translocation of the herbicide in the resistant biotype of L. multiflorum in Shizuoka Prefecture.     

Improved physical control of glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan

Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a non‐native annual winter grass that has seriously infested rice paddy levees and wheat fields in Japan. Recently, glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass was found on paddy levees in central Japan, thereby making control of the grass by using glyphosate less effective. In this study, physical control methods were tested that combined the timing and frequency of mowing in order to more effectively control glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass on rice paddy levees. A 3 year field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in a western region of Shizuoka Prefecture, where glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass has become dominant. Five treatments were tested: (i) mowing once before the flowering of the grass (i.e. conventional mowing measure); (ii) mowing once during flowering; (iii) mowing twice during flowering; (iv) glyphosate application before flowering (i.e. one of the conventional mowing measures); and (v) no treatment. The above‐ground biomass, seed production, soil seed bank and seedling occurrence of Italian ryegrass were measured to determine the effectiveness of these treatments. Mowing during the flowering period resulted in reduced above‐ground biomass, seed production and soil seed bank when compared with the other treatments. Additionally, mowing twice during the flowering period resulted in a lower seedling density than mowing once. The results suggest that, in this region, physical control by mowing during the flowering period would be more effective than conventional measures for controlling glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass.     

Hypothalamic dopamine is required for salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between hypothalamic dopamine (DA) and salsolinol (SAL) for the secretion of prolactin (PRL) in goats. SAL or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) was intravenously injected into female goats treated with or without the D₂ DA receptor antagonist haloperidol (Hal), which crosses the blood‐brain barrier, and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared with that to TRH. PRL‐releasing responses to SAL, Hal, and Hal plus SAL were also examined after a pretreatment to augment central DA using carbidopa (Carbi) and L‐dopa. The PRL‐releasing response to Hal alone was greater than that to SAL or TRH alone. The PRL‐releasing response to Hal plus SAL was similar to that of Hal alone. In contrast, the PRL‐releasing response to Hal plus TRH was greater than that to TRH or Hal alone. The treatment with Carbi plus L‐dopa inhibited SAL‐ and Hal‐induced PRL secretion. The inhibition of the PRL‐releasing response to SAL disappeared when SAL was injected with Hal. These results indicate that the mechanisms underlying the SAL‐induced PRL response differ from those of TRH, and suggest that hypothalamic DA and its synthesis is associated in part with SAL‐induced PRL secretion in goats.