Quantitative correlation between molecular similarity and receptor-binding activity of neonicotinoid insecticides

Quantitative correlation between molecular similarity and receptor-binding activity of neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid and acetamiprid was studied by using a method of similarity index and semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations. A series of compounds having an aromatic ring and a cyclic or acyclic amine moiety with an electron-withdrawing group were subjected to the similarity-activity analysis. Energy-minimum structures and electrostatic properties of the molecules were obtained by MNDO-PM3. The electrostatic similarity of each molecule compared with the most active compounds was found to correlate significantly with the binding activity to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in honey bee when the two molecules were superimposed to maximize the molecular shape similarity by simplex procedure. This indicates that molecular similarity in terms of electrostatic properties is important for activity, as well as superimposability in terms of molecular shape. A schematic model of interaction between neonicotinoids and nAChR is proposed according to the results of similarity-activity analyses. © 1998 SCI.     

Identification of Trichoderma SKT-1, a biological control agent against seedborne pathogens of rice

Trichoderma SKT-1 was previously reported as a powerful biological control agent against seedborne pathogens of rice, but the taxonomic disposition of the fungal isolate was not clear. Trichoderma SKT-1 produced irregular pyramidal warts on conidia and had an optimum growth temperature of 30°C. Morphological characteristics and colony growth were identical to those of known species of Trichoderma, including the newly recognized species T. asperellum. The 5.8S rDNA with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ca. 514 bp) of the fungus was compared with those of known species to determine the phylogenetic placement of the fungus. The length and sequence of the regions from Trichoderma SKT-1 were completely identical to those of an isolate of T. asperellum NRRL 5242 (AJ230669). On the basis of these results, we concluded that Trichoderma SKT-1 was T. asperellum.     

Effects of testosterone on rat placental development

We investigated the morphological effects of testosterone on placental development in a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Testosterone propionate (TP), which was subcutaneously administered to pregnant rats with 5 mg/animal from gestation day (GD) 14 to GD 18, induced a maternal weight reduction without mortality or clinical signs from GD 19 onwards. A decrease in fetal and placental weight, an increase in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) rates, and histological changes in the placenta were observed on GD 21 but not on GD15 or 17. Histopathologically, on GD 21, the trophoblast septa thickened, and the maternal sinusoids were narrowed in the labyrinth zone, resulting in a small placenta. Additionally, the placental weight, thickness, and histological morphology in the labyrinth zone on GD 21 in the TP-treated group were nearly identical to those on GD 17 in the control and TP-treated groups. Therefore, it was assumed that the testosterone-induced small placenta was induced in association with the developmental inhibition of the fetal part of the placentas from GD 17 onwards.     

Molecular identification of `Candidatus Mycoplasma haemovis' in sheep with hemolytic anemia

We examined the presence of hemoplasmas, hemotropic mycoplasmas, among 11 sheep (Ovis aries) with regenerative and hemolytic anemia and found six of them were positive by real-time PCR. The positive samples were then subjected to conventional PCR for direct sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Nucleotide sequences of all the positive samples were identified as the 16S rRNA gene of `Candidatus Mycoplasma haemovis' by phylogenetic analysis, demonstrating the infections with this particular hemoplasma species in Japan.     

A transdisciplinary research of coastal fisheries co-management: the case of the hairtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus japonicus</Emphasis> trolling line fishery around the Bungo Channel,Japan

Under the coastal fisheries co-management regime in Japan, local fishers play important roles in deciding on and implementing local management measures. Therefore, using the case study of a hairtail trolling line fishery, we conducted a transdisciplinary research with fishers, processors, government officers, etc. Taking social and biological factors into account, we defined management criteria and targets (resource, economic, human community, and local food culture) in collaboration with local fishers. We chartered local fishing vessels to determine parameters that were easily understood by local fishers. We established a local consultative committee comprising fishers, processors, and distributors, and developed a fish distribution strategy to nurture the local hairtail food culture. The integrated effects of various management scenarios were evaluated by the operating model. We found that co-ordinated management by both the trolling line fishery and purse seiners in the neighbouring prefecture was required to achieve targets. Two realistic scenarios are recommended: a conservative scenario that could achieve targets even with few strong year classes, and an adaptive scenario that protects strong year classes, but relies on a higher frequency of these. We shared these results with the local fishers and government officers, which led to actual improvements in management measures.     

Effect of niacin supplementation in long‐distance transported steer calves

Long‐distance transportation has negative impacts on production and health in cattle. Feed and water are routinely deprived from cattle during transportation. We investigated whether niacin supplementation could improve niacin nutrition and mitigate the adverse effect of transportation with feed and water deprivation in steer calves. We also studied the adverse effect of feed and water deprivation in nontransported steer calves. Twelve calves were assigned to feed and water deprivation for 2 days, or full access to feed and water in experiment 1. Ten calves were assigned to 2‐day transportation with feed and water deprivation, or the transportation with feed and water deprivation, but with supplementation of rumen‐protected niacin at 100 g/day per head in experiment 2. Bodyweight was measured and blood was collected for 32 days in each experiment. Feed and water deprivation temporarily decreased serum glucose concentrations and bodyweight gain. Transportation with deprivation of feed and water caused a temporal decrease in bodyweight gain and serum albumin concentration, and a continuous decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol concentrations, which was suppressed by niacin supplementation. Niacin supplementation increased blood niacin concentration. These results suggest that niacin supplementation mitigates adverse effects of transportation with feed and water deprivation in steer calves.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against canine P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1)

Thirteen different monoclonal antibodies against canine P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (cPSGL-1) were obtained by immunization of rats with cells of a canine lymphoma cell line (Ema). O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase treatment of Ema cells showed that all of these antibodies recognized O-glycosylated peptides of canine PSGL-1. Experiments using deletion or point mutants of cPSGL-1 indicated that these antibodies could be categorized into several groups based on their cPSGL-1 recognition characteristics. These anti-cPSGL-1 monoclonal antibodies will be useful for analysis of the canine P-selectin and PSGL-1 system.     

Interspecific differences in the post-settlement survival of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropora</Emphasis> corals under a common garden experiment

Extremely low post-settlement survival is one of the largest barriers for artificial rehabilitation of Acropora corals. However, little data have been found for interspecific difference of the post-settlement survival probably because the observation of coral juvenile is difficult in the field. Here, we analyzed the survival of three dominant species of Acropora corals (A. digitifera, A. tenuis, A. yongei), with different colony morphologies and habitat preferences, for 2 years after settlement under the same environmental conditions. The post-settlement survival was significantly higher for A. tenuis than for A. digitifera 3 months after settlement. Two years later, the survival rate of A. tenuis was approximately 15 times higher than A. digitifera. In a separate analysis of three bottle-brush species (A. awi, A. echinata, A. subglabra) and A. tenuis, post-settlement survival was always higher for A. awi than for other two bottle-brush species, suggesting that the initial survival was different among morphologically sister species. Low survival was possibly associated with slow growth rates during the first 7 months. Thus, species selection is important for successful artificial coral rehabilitation, with A. tenuis being the most viable option. Alternatively, new techniques are required to improve post-settlement survival of slow growing coral species.     

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding the feline CD62L

We cloned a cDNA fragment encoding a feline homologue of L-selectin (CD62L). The extracellular region of the feline CD62L fragment contained a calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin domain, an epidermal growth factor-like domain, and two Sushi/CCP/SCR domains. The flow cytometric analysis confirmed that the feline CD62L molecule, which was expressed 293T cells, retained an epitope recognized by an anti-human CD62L monoclonal antibody (Leu-8).     

Construction of an expression vector for improved secretion of canine IL-18

To construct a vector for caspase-1 independent expression of canine IL-18, the signal sequence of canine IL-12p40 was fused to the sequence of mature IL-18 on the NdeI restriction site which is located at the 3' end of the signal sequence. The resulting vector expressed coding protein from transfected mammalian cells. The expressed protein was shown to have IL-18 bioactivity in a INF-gamma-inducing assay. These results suggest that the expression vector is the desired tool for advancement of dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer therapy, provided that the vector can successfully be transfected into dendritic cells. We propose a simple and widely applicable method for providing the signal sequence.