Inheritance mode of microsatellite DNA markers and their use for kinship estimation in kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus

The allelic inheritance mode of microsatellite DNA markers was examined using seven copulated wild females and their offspring. Five microsatellite loci, CSPJ002 *, CSPJ010 *, CSPJ012 *, CSPJ014 *, and CSPJ015 *, were used in the study. At almost all family/locus combinations, one sire was determined and distributions of genotypes in offspring were consistent with the Mendelian segregation ratio. Distributions of genotypes were consistent with the ratio after assuming a null allele at some loci. Consequently, the alleles of CSPJ002 * and CSPJ012 * were inherited following the Mendelian inheritance mode in every family; however, the null allele was expected in CSPJ010 *, CSPJ014 *, and CSPJ015 * in some families. Thus, these loci should be used carefully in population genetic analysis, but siblings could be detected in the dendrograms based on unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages (UPMGA).     

Use of airborne multispectral imagery to discriminate and map weed infestations in a citrus orchard

Reliable information on weed abundance and distribution within fields is essential for weed management in agricultural systems. Such information is necessary to adopt localized and variable rates of herbicide spraying, thus reducing chemical waste, crop damage, and environmental pollution. This paper examined the potential of airborne multispectral imagery to discriminate and map weed infestations in an experimental citrus orchard in Japan. Using an airborne digital sensor, multispectral imagery was acquired over the study site on 10 April 2003. The obtained reflectance imagery was analyzed using an image object-based approach in eCognition. After creating image objects on the image, the spectral information for weeds and citrus, represented by corresponding selected sample image objects, was extracted. Significant differences in the spectral characteristics between weeds and citrus were observed in each of the red, green, and blue wavebands. The simple average values of these wavebands were used to classify image objects with the nearest neighbor algorithm. Maps were generated with different classes or levels of class groups. A subsequent accuracy assessment demonstrated that the weeds were successfully discriminated from other image objects with a classification accuracy of 99.07%. Therefore, maps generated based on the classification result could provide valuable information for developing a site-specific weed management program for the study orchard.     

Purification and properties of β-galactosidase from Tilapia intestine: Digestive enzyme of Tilapia-X

ABSTRACT:   β-galactosidase of the intestine of Tilapia nilotica was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by PAPTG-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, ethylenediamineetetraacetic acid ion-exchange chromatography, polyexchanger PBE 94 chromatofocusing, and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. β-galactosidase was found to be a single band when examined by poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purifications of β-galactosidase were 27-fold from the crude extract. β-galactosidase showed optimum activity at pH 5.0 at 40°C, and was specifically found to be able to hydrolyze p -nitrophenyl β-galactopyranoside. It degrades galactan and agarose, and produces galactose. β-galactosidase was strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺ and PCMB. β-galactosidase is considered to be secreted by the upper and middle parts of the intestine and most of the activity was detected in the intestinal juice.     

Pigmented Plaques Associated with Papillomavirus Infection in Dogs: Is this Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis?

Abstract— Two Pugs and two Miniature Schnauzers with multiple pigmented epidermal nevi were investigated. The four dogs had pigmented cutaneous maculae and plaques. Histopathological evaluation showed papillated or digitated epidermal hyperplasia with hypermelanosis and giant keratohyalin granules in the stratum granulosum. Immunohistochemical staining revealed papillomavirus group-specific antigen in the skin specimens from all four dogs. Electron microscopic study of the specimens from two dogs revealed numerous round viral particles within the nuclei of the keratinocytes in the upper stratum granulosum. It was suspected that papillomavirus was the etiologic agent of the lesions, and that Pugs and Miniature Schnauzers might be predisposed to infection. These findings indicate this canine dermatosis resembles epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) of humans, a rare chronic disease caused by human papillomavirus. The potential for transformation of the lesions to squamous cell carcinoma is also suspected and discussed. Résumé— Deux Carlins et deux Schnauzers nains présentant de multiples naevi épidermiques pigmentés sont examinés. Les quatre chiens présentent des macules et des plaques pigmentées. Les lésions histopathologiques montrent une hyperplasie épidermique papillaire ou digitée avec une hypermélanose et la présence de grains de kératohyaline dans le stratum corneum. Les colorations immunohistochimiques révèlent des antigènes spécifiques du groupe des papillomas virus dans les biopsies des quatre chiens. L'étude ultrastructurale à partir des biopsies de deux chiens montrent de nombreuses particules virales rondes dans les noyaux des kératinocytes des couches supérieures du stratum granulosum. II a été suspecté que le papilloma virus était l'agent causal des lésions et que les Carlins et les Schnauzers nains pouvaient être prédisposés à cette infection. Ces éléments font que cette dermatose observée chez le chien ressemble à l'épidermodysplasie verruciforme de l'homme, une dermatose chronique rare causée par un papilloma virus humain. La potentialité de transformation des lésions en épithélioma spinocellulaire est aussi suspectée et discutée. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Plaques hyperpigmentées associées à une infection à papilloma virus chez le chien: est-ce épidermodysplasie verruciforme?). Resumen— Se investigó dos perros de raza Pug y dos de raza Schnauzer Miniatura con múltiples nevos epidérmicos pigmentados. Los cuatro perros presentaban máculas y placas cutáneas pigmentadas. El estudio histológico mostró hiperplasia epitelial con papilas y digitaciones, así como hipermelanosis y gránules de queratohialina gigantes en el estrato granuloso. Las tinciones immunohistoquimicas detectaron antígeno grupo-específico de papilomavirus en las muestras de los cuatro animales. Mediante estudios de microscopía electrónica en muestras de dos de los perros se observaron numerosas particulas virales redondas en el núcleo de los queratinocitos más superficiales del estrato granuloso. Se sospechó que Papilomavirus era el agente etiológico de estas lesiones y que los Pugs y los Schnauzer Miniatura podrian estar predispuestos a la infección. Estos hallazgos indican que esta dermatosis canina es parecida a la Epidermodisplasia Verruciforme (EV) de la especie humana, una enfermedad crónica rara causada por el Papilomavirus Humano. Se sospecha y discute la posible transformación de estas lesiones a carcinoma de células planas. [Nagata, M., Nanko, H., Moriyama, A., Washizu, T., Ishida, T. Pigmented plaques associated with papilloma virus infection in dogs: Is this epidermodysplasia verruciformis? (Placas pigmentadas asociadas con infección por papillomavirus en el perro: se trata de epidermodisplasia verruciforme?)     

The W‐ and Z‐linked EE0.6 sequences used for molecular sexing of captive Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island

The Japanese crested ibis Nipponia nippon is a critically threatened bird. Accurate sexing is necessary to perform effective management of captive breeding toward a national project for a tentative release of the Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island. A PCR‐based sexing method targeting a 0.6 kb EcoRI fragment (EE0.6) sequence on W chromosome with AWS03 and USP3 primers has been developed for the Japanese crested ibis. However, the primers were selected from the EE0.6 sequences from bird species other than the Japanese crested ibis. In this study, we determined the W‐ and Z‐linked EE0.6 sequences in the Japanese crested ibis, and clarified Japanese crested ibis sequence mismatch in the binding sites of the primers. Further, we found no polymorphism in the primer binding sites among five founder birds for the Sado captive Japanese crested ibis population. These findings validated the PCR‐based sexing method with the AWS03 and USP3 as accurate molecular sexing methods of captive Japanese crested ibis on the Sado Island. Additionally, we designed a primer set for a novel PCR‐based sexing, based on the EE0.6 sequences obtained in this study. This novel sexing method may be useful for future ecological research following the release of Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island. This is the first report to show the EE0.6 sequences in Japanese crested ibis.     

Transport of subarctic large copepods from the Oyashio area to the mixed water region by the coastal Oyashio intrusion

The lateral transport of organic carbon in large grazing copepods ( Neocalanus cristatus, Neocalanus flemingeri, Neocalanus plumchrus and Eucalanus bungii ) from the Oyashio area to the mixed water region (MWR) by the coastal Oyashio intrusion was estimated using the data of VMPS (vertical multiple plankton sampler) and 1500 dbar-referred geostrophic transport from the CTD (conductivity temperature depth sensor) data of five cruises during June 2001 to April 2002 on a repeat observation section OICE (Oyashio Intensive observation line off Cape Erimo), which extends southeastward from Hokkaido Island, Japan. The transport to MWR by the coastal Oyashio intrusion was estimated to be 5.3 × 10¹¹ g C for the four species. Data from profiling floats also indicated that the copepods were advected from OICE to MWR by the coastal Oyashio intrusion within about 2 months. This transport is considered to be one of the significant sources of organic carbon in MWR as it is larger than the amount of large zooplankton consumed by Pacific saury ( Cololabis saira ) in MWR, one of the dominant copepod predators in this region.