Low genetic variability in an endangered population of fiddler crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uca arcuata</Emphasis> on Okinawajima Island: analysis of mitochondrial DNA

ABSTRACT:   Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed on polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA fragments containing the D-loop , ND2 , and CO I genes of fiddler crab Uca arcuata mitochondrial DNA. In total, 316 individuals from six populations in Japan and two populations in Taiwan were analyzed using five restriction endonucleases ( Afa I, Bcn I, Cfr 13I, Hae III and Hin fI), yielding 85 haplotypes. Samples were taken from Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawajima Island, which is the only known distribution of U. arcuata in the Ryukyu Archipelago. The Okinawajima Island population is isolated geographically from others and showed a marked low genetic variability ( h  = 0.2539, π  = 0.0005) and significant differentiation from other population samples in haplotype composition. We suggest that a substantial decrease in the genetic variability of the Okinawajima Island population was caused by genetic drift under the conditions of small population size and low gene flow from other populations. It is important to conserve the intertidal zone in Nakagusuku Bay for the maintenance of this endangered population.     

Delivery of exogenous proteins into eggs by injection into the mother’s ovary (IMO) in zebrafish

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Genome editing has had profound effects on biological experimentation and can now be applied to many organisms, including non-conventional models. However, the...     

Extracellular matrix of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe oryzae</Emphasis> may have a role in host adhesion during fungal penetration and is digested by matrix metalloproteinases

Spores and infection structures such as germ tubes and appressoria of Magnaporthe oryzae, the fungus causing blast disease of wheat, produced an extracellular matrix (ECM) on the surfaces of host leaves during fungal differentiation. The chemical components and function of the ECM were studied to understand the pathological roles using two immunological techniques and ECM-digesting enzymes. The ECM was characterized by fibrous and amorphous materials, located in the spaces between fungal cell walls and plant cuticles. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopy suggested that ECM includes components positively reacted with antibodies of four animal cell adhesion factors (collagen VI, vitronectin, fibronectin and laminin) and an animal integrin α3. ECM, incubated on a cellulose membrane, was rapidly digested by matrix metalloproteinases (collagenase and gelatinase B), resulting in the detachment of most infection structures from membrane surfaces. Both ultrastructural observation and immunological responses showed that more ECM was located at the appressoria than at the spores and germ tubes. This result suggested that appressoria needed a powerful adhesion force for aggressive action of penetration pegs into plant cuticles. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Timing and extent of hypersensitive response are critical to restrict local and systemic spread of Pepper mild mottle virus in pepper containing the L 3 gene

Amino acid changes in Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) coat protein (CP) that enhance, decrease, or nullify the resistance-inducing activity in Capsicum plants carrying the L ³ gene have been identified. In this study, molecular events underlying the L ³ -gene-mediated resistance were analyzed through the expression of hypersensitive response (HR)-related genes, HSR203J-Cc and HIN1-Cc, and defense-related genes, PR1-Cc and PR4b-Cc, upon infection with PMMoV CP mutants. The expression kinetics of the genes correlated with the degree of restriction of virus distribution in the inoculated leaves. The results suggest that the timing and extent of HR are critical factors to restrict virus spread both locally and systemically in L ³ -gene-mediated resistance.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/GenBank/EMBL databases under accession numbers AB162220 (HSR203J-Cc), AB162221 (HIN1-Cc), AB162222 (PR1-Cc), and AB162223 (PR4b-Cc)     

Evaluation of adverse events in small‐breed dogs treated with maropitant and a single dose of doxorubicin

BackgroundThe recommended doxorubicin (DOX) dose for small dogs is 1 mg/kg. Recent data suggest that DOX‐induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicosis can be reduced with maropitant treatment.ObjectivesTo investigate the incidence of adverse events (AEs) in small‐breed dogs administered a single 25 mg/m² DOX followed by administration of maropitant (DOX25). The primary aim was to assess myelo‐ and GI toxicoses for 2 weeks after DOX administration. The secondary aim was to compare the incidence and grades of AEs found in the DOX25 group with a historical control group (DOX 1 mg/kg without administration of antiemetic or antidiarrheal medications).AnimalsNineteen small‐breed tumor‐bearing dogs.MethodsA prospective, observational study of tumor‐bearing dogs, weighing 5 to 10 kg, administered a single 25 mg/m² dose of DOX IV, followed by administration of maropitant for the next 5 days.ResultsInappetence, vomiting, and diarrhea were found in 7/19, 2/19, and 6/19 of the DOX25 dogs, respectively. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was 12/19 and 3/19, respectively. Most AEs were grades 1 and 2, except for grades 3 and 4 inappetence and neutropenia in 3 and 4 dogs, respectively. Furthermore, febrile neutropenia occurred in 3/19 dogs in the DOX25 group. All AEs between the DOX25 and historical control groups were not significantly different.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceVomiting and diarrhea were deemed acceptable with 25 mg/m² DOX followed by maropitant treatment in 5 to 10 kg dogs; however, additional supportive care might be needed for dogs with inappetence and neutropenia.     

Correction to: Spatial and seasonal variations of radiocesium concentrations in an algae-grazing annual fish,ayu Plecoglossus altivelis collected from Fukushima Prefecture in 2014

Fisheries Science - In the original publication the caption of Fig.&nbsp;6a and 6b is incorrectly published.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal and single-chain variable fragment antibodies selective to coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls

Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) consisting of non-ortho and mono-ortho-chlorinated PCBs are dioxin-like compounds and cause wide contamination in the environment. To monitor Co-PCB residues, it was attempted to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal and recombinant antibodies selective to Co-PCBs. When 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenoxybutyric acid (PCBH)-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate was immunized into mice, two monoclonal antibodies, Mab-0217 and Mab-4444, were obtained. 3,3',5,5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB80) was determined with an IC(50) value of 2.6 and 0.46 ng mL(-1) in ELISA based on Mab-0217 and Mab-4444, respectively. Mab-4444 cross-reacted with Co-PCB congeners, except for PCB77 and PCB81. Mab-0217 reacted with PCB80 and cross-reacted with PCB111. A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody derived from Mab-4444 was produced in recombinant Escherichia coli cells. The scFv antibody showed nearly the same sensitivity toward PCBH as the parent monoclonal antibody in ELISA. These results clearly suggested that Mab-4444 and its scFv antibodies were suitable for monitoring the representative congeners of Co-PCBs.