‘Niigata S3’ is a new strawberry cultivar suitable for forcing culture under low temperature and insolation conditions

‘Niigata S3’ is a new strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivar that is early flowering and possesses high soluble solid content and good coloration. It was selected from a cross between Kei812 (seed parent) and ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (pollen parent). The first harvest date of ‘Niigata S3’ was December 27, 34 days earlier than ‘Echigohime’ and 9 days earlier than ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (means of 2007 and 2008). The marketable yield of ‘Niigata S3’ was 85% of ‘Echigohime’, 107% of ‘Asuka-Ruby’, while the early yield was 145% of ‘Echigohime’, 85% of ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (based on 2007 and 2008 means). The shape of the fruit is long conical, and its skin color medium-red. The fruit skin hardness of ‘Niigata S3’ was 31.5 g/mm², which was harder than ‘Echigohime’, and its average soluble solid content was 11.4%, which was higher than the values for ‘Echigohime’ and ‘Asuka-Ruby’ (2008). Furthermore, ‘Niigata S3’ did not bear apical overripe fruit. This new cultivar is adaptable to the climatic conditions of Niigata, as well as other regions that experience low winter temperatures and insolation.     

Multiple high-throughput analyses monitor the response of E. coli to perturbations

Analysis of cellular components at multiple levels of biological information can provide valuable functional insights. We performed multiple high-throughput measurements to study the response of Escherichia coli cells to genetic and environmental perturbations. Analysis of metabolic enzyme gene disruptants revealed unexpectedly small changes in messenger RNA and proteins for most disruptants. Overall, metabolite levels were also stable, reflecting the rerouting of fluxes in the metabolic network. In contrast, E. coli actively regulated enzyme levels to maintain a stable metabolic state in response to changes in growth rate. E. coli thus seems to use complementary strategies that result in a metabolic network robust against perturbations.     

Specific Oligonucleotide Primers Based on Sequences of the 16S-23S rDNA Spacer Region for the Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia gladioli </Emphasis>by PCR

Specific primers were designed based on the sequences of the spacer region between the 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for direct, rapid and specific detection of Burkholderia gladioli. These primers were named GLA-f and GLA-r. PCR performed on boiled bacterial suspensions yielded an amplification product of approximately 300 bp. No products from other bacterial species, including B. glumae were amplified, even after complete DNA extraction by the cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Using the specific primers designed in this study, the PCR method can detect B. gladioli in plant samples within 6 hr. These data demonstrate the potential of specific PCR for the detection of B. gladioli. Received 10 December 2001/ Accepted in revised form 15 April 2002     

Chromosome doubling of Lychnis spp. by in vitro spindle toxin treatment of nodal segments

Lychnis (Caryophyllaceae) consists of about 30 species distributed throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from East Asia to Europe. Many Lychnis spp. have high ornamental value and cultivated as pot or garden plants. In the present study, in vitro chromosome doubling of several Lychnis spp. was examined in order to widen their variability in horticultural traits. Initially effect of various spindle toxin treatments [100, 500 or 1000 mg l⁻¹ colchicine (COL), 10, 20 or 50 mg l⁻¹ oryzalin (ORY), or 1, 5, 10 mg l⁻¹ amiprophos-methyl (APM)] of nodal segments of a triploid genotype of L. senno (3x) was investigated on survival of nodal segments and chromosome doubling in nodal segment-derived plantlets. Significantly higher percentage (75.0%) of surviving segments after spindle toxin treatment was obtained in 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY treatment. Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of leaf tissues showed that 9.4–13.8% of plantlets, which were derived from 10 to 20 mg l⁻¹ ORY, or 5 mg l⁻¹ APM treatments, were hexaploid (6x) or ploidy chimera (3x + 6x, 4x + 6x, 5x + 6x, 3x + 4x + 6x). The results obtained by FCM analysis were confirmed by chromosome observation in root tip cells. Thus 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY treatment of nodal segments is suitable for in vitro chromosome doubling of triploid L. senno. Efficient chromosome doubling was also achieved in diploid L. fulgens (2x) and L. sieboldii (2x) by treating nodal segments with 10 mg l⁻¹ ORY: 68.9–88.7% of nodal segments survived after ORY treatment, and 24.7–26.5% of plantlets derived from ORY-treated nodal segments were tetraploid (4x) or ploidy chimera (2x + 4x) in both species. These results indicate that the in vitro chromosome doubling method established for triploid L. senno may be applicable to a wide range of Lychnis spp. Tetraploid L. fulgens and L. sieboldii showed a compact plant form, and had thick stems and deep green leaves compared with the diploid mother plants. On the other hand, hexaploid L. senno showed very poor growth and died before flowering.     

Oncolytic reovirus synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents to promote cell death in canine mammary gland tumor

The oncolytic effects of reovirus in various cancers have been proven in many clinical trials in human medicine. Oncolytic virotherapy using reovirus for canine cancers is being developed in our laboratory. The objective of this study was to examine the synergistic anti-cancer effects of a combination of reovirus and low doses of various chemotherapeutic agents on mammary gland tumors (MGTs) in dogs. The first part of this study demonstrated the efficacy of reovirus in canine MGTs in vitro and in vivo. Reovirus alone exerted significant cell death by means of caspase-dependent apoptosis in canine MGT cell lines. A single injection of reovirus impeded growth of canine MGT tumors in xenografted mice, but was insufficient to induce complete tumor regression. The second part of this study highlighted the anti-tumor effects of reovirus in combination with low doses of paclitaxel, carboplatin, gemcitabine, or toceranib. Enhanced synergistic activity was observed in the MGT cell line treated concomitantly with reovirus and in all the chemotherapeutic agents except toceranib. In addition, combining reovirus with paclitaxel or gemcitabine at half dosage of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) enhanced cytotoxicity by activating caspase 3. Our data suggest that the combination of reovirus and low dose chemotherapeutic agents provides an attractive option in canine cancer therapy.     

Partial cDNA sequence of a relaxin‐like factor (RLF) receptor,LGR8 and possible existence of the RLF ligand‐receptor system in goat testes

Relaxin‐like factor (RLF), also known as insulin‐like factor 3 (INSL3), is produced by testicular Leydig cells, but its specific receptor LGR8 (leucine‐rich repeat family of G‐protein‐coupled receptor 8) has not been identified in goats. This study aimed to identify complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of goat LGR8, and characterize the expression of both RLF and LGR8 in goat testes by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Testes were collected from immature (3‐month‐old) and mature (24‐month‐old) Saanen goats, and partial cDNA sequences of the goat homologue of human LGR8 were identified. The sequence encoded a reduced peptide sequence of 167 amino acids, which corresponded to transmembrane regions 2 through 5, followed by the beginning of intracellular loop 3 of human LGR8. Expression of both LGR8 and RLF genes was drastically increased in mature testes compared with immature ones. Although RLF protein was restricted to Leydig cells, LGR8 protein was detected in both Leydig cells and seminiferous epithelial cells (possibly germ cells and Sertoli cells). These results reveal a possible existence of the RLF‐LGR8 ligand‐receptor system within the goat testis, suggesting that RLF may play a role in testicular function through LGR8 on Leydig cells and seminiferous epithelial cells in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner.     

Mammary lesions associated with bovine herpesvirus type 4 in a cow with clinical mastitis

Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were seen in the lactiferous duct and sinus epithelium of mammary tissues collected from a cow with clinical mastitis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed herpesvirus particles in these cells. Immunolabeling against anti bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4) rabbit serum was detected in nuclei that had intranuclear inclusion bodies. In addition, BHV-4 was isolated from the mammary tissue. The viral DNA was detected by nested PCR from the same tissue. This is the first report to describe mammary lesions in association with BHV-4.     

Occurrence and distribution of settling and newly settled spotted halibut Verasper variegatus and Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in shallow nursery grounds around Shimabara Peninsula, western Japan

The occurrence and distribution of settling and settled spotted halibut Verasper variegatus were compared with those of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in shallow habitats around Shimabara Peninsula, western Japan, to elucidate the settlement and recruitment characteristics of spotted halibut, a rare pleuronectid flatfish in Japan. Push-net sampling conducted at nine sites in March and April 2003 collected spotted halibut from four nurseries located at eastern areas of Shimabara Peninsula in Ariake Bay; Japanese flounder were sampled from eight nurseries. Comparison of microhabitat distributions in a tidal-flat nursery during February?CApril in 2003?C2007 revealed that metamorphosing larvae and juveniles of spotted halibut, which showed the drastic body coloration (black to brown) and behavioral changes (frequent swimming to settlement), were distributed mainly in the lower edge of the intertidal area, whereas Japanese flounder inhabited both intertidal and subtidal areas. Metamorphosing larvae of spotted halibut (12.6?C16.5?mm standard length; n?=?24) were collected in March when the highest densities were observed, whereas metamorphosing larvae of Japanese flounder (10.0?C15.9?mm, n?=?55) were observed during March?CApril. Our results suggest that spotted halibut has a narrower time/space window for recruitment to the specific nurseries compared with Japanese flounder.