Rediscovery of Celes akitanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from semi‐natural grasslands in Japan

Celes akitanus was rediscovered in semi‐natural grasslands in Japan. This species is one of the most endangered insects in Japan; most local populations were thought to be extinct. Reliable records of this rare species had been obtained only from Yamagata, Niigata, Tokyo and Nagano Prefectures. We compared the morphology of the holotype of Oedipoda akitana (=C. akitanus) and newly collected specimens and found that they matched with each other. The species was redescribed based on the holotype and new specimens. A molecular phylogenetic analysis involving other acridid species indicated that our samples were practically identical to C. akitanus from China. We conclude that the specimens we collected are C. akitanus, which has been rediscovered in Japan after about 30 years. Because the discovered populations were restricted to narrow and scattered areas, conservation of these populations should be a high priority. Population monitoring and habitat assessment are required. Because C. akitanus and many other endangered species are found in the grassland areas, these habitats should be protected and maintained.     

Polymorphism and differentiation of rainbow trout Y chromosomes.

Most fish species show little morphological differentiation in the sex chromosomes. We have coupled molecular and cytogenetic analyses to characterize the male-determining region of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Y chromosome. Four genetically diverse male clonal lines of this species were used for genetic and physical mapping of regions in the vicinity of the sex locus. Five markers were genetically mapped to the Y chromosome in these male lines, indicating that the sex locus was located on the same linkage group in each of the lines. We also confirmed the presence of a Y chromosome morphological polymorphism among these lines, with the Y chromosomes from two of the lines having the more common heteromorphic Y chromosome and two of the lines having Y chromosomes morphologically similar to the X chromosome. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) pattern of two probes linked to sex suggested that the sex locus is physically located on the long arm of the Y chromosome. Fishes appear to be an excellent group of organisms for studying sex chromosome evolution and differentiation in vertebrates because they show considerable variability in the mechanisms and (or) patterns involved in sex determination.     

Microarray analyses of gene expression in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus leucocytes during monogenean parasite Neoheterobothrium hirame infection

In this study, the gene expression patterns of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) from Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were analyzed during the course of monogenean parasite Neoheterobothrium hirame infection in order to select candidates for molecular biomarkers of infection. cDNA microarray analysis was performed to compare the gene expression patterns of PBL between infected and non-infected fishes. Among the 797 genes analyzed, 45 genes (5.6%) changed their expression levels. These genes included specific and non-specific immune-related genes (matrix metalloproteinase[MMP]-9, MMP-13, leukotriene B4 receptor, CD20 receptor, MHC [major histocompatibility complex] Class I, MHC Class II beta-chain, immunoglobulin light chain and immunoglobulin heavy chain). Significant up- and down-regulation of some unknown genes was also observed. Several candidates for infection-marker genes were selected for further study. These genes included MMP-9, MMP-13, leukotriene b4 receptor, CD20 receptor, immunoglobulin heavy chain, immunoglobulin light chain and unknown genes coded as B613, E25, LB3(8), WE2(3), WE8-18R and WF12-18R.     

Induction of resistance against the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, by jasmonic acid in sweet pepper

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) leaves at the mature stage have strong ovipositional deterrence against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera, Agromyzidae), whereas the cotyledons are fiercely attacked by the fly. Treatment of the cotyledons with 50 microM and 100 microM of a jasmonic acid (JA) solution caused the plant to acquire strong oviposition deterrence against the leafminer. An HPLC analysis of the JA-treated cotyledons revealed the inducible accumulation of a compound. Based on spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods, the induced compound was identified to be caffeoylputrescine (CP). The accumulated amounts of CP in the cotyledons treated with 0, 10, 50 and 100 microM of JA were 6.0, 43.0, 105 and 140 microg/g fr. wt., respectively. Treatment of the cotyledons with CP resulted in a significant decrease in the number of punctures made by L. trifolii, indicating that the JA treatment enhanced the deterrence against the leafminer by inducing CP accumulation.     

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Two Pseudomonas plecoglossicida Phages,Potential Therapeutic Agents

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is a lethal pathogen of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) in Japan and is responsible for substantial economic costs to ayu culture. Previously, we demonstrated the efficacy of phage therapy against P. plecoglossicida infection using two lytic phages (PPpW-3 and PPpW-4) (S. C. Park, I. Shimamura, M. Fukunaga, K. Mori, and T. Nakai, Appl Environ Microbiol 66:1416–1422, 2000, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.66.4.1416-1422.2000; S. C. Park and T. Nakai, Dis Aquat Org 53:33–39, 2003, http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao053033). In the present study, the complete genome sequences of these therapeutic P. plecoglossicida phages were determined and analyzed for deleterious factors as therapeutic agents. The genome of PPpW-3 (myovirus) consisted of 43,564 bp with a GC content of 61.1% and 66 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Approximately half of the genes were similar to the genes of the Escherichia coli phage vB_EcoM_ECO1230-10 (myovirus). The genome of PPpW-4 (podovirus) consisted of 41,386 bp with a GC content of 56.8% and 50 predicted ORFs. More than 70% of the genes were similar to the genes of Pseudomonas fluorescens phage ϕIBB-PF7A and Pseudomonas putida phage ϕ15 (podoviruses). The whole-genome analysis revealed that no known virulence genes were present in PPpW-3 and PPpW-4. An integrase gene was found in PPpW-3, but other factors used for lysogeny were not confirmed. The PCR detection of phage genes in phage-resistant variants provided no evidence of lysogenic activity in PPpW-3 and PPpW-4. We conclude that these two lytic phages qualify as therapeutic agents.     

Comparison of active treatments for impaired glucose regulation: a Salford Royal Foundation Trust and Hitachi collaboration (CATFISH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDiabetes is highly prevalent and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Behaviour change interventions that target health and lifestyle factors associated with the onset of diabetes can delay progression to diabetes, but many approaches rely on intensive one-to-one contact by specialists. Health coaching is an approach based on motivational interviewing that can potentially deliver behaviour change interventions by non-specialists at a larger scale. This trial protocol describes a randomized controlled trial (CATFISH) that tests whether a web-enhanced telephone health coaching intervention (IGR3) is more acceptable and efficient than a telephone-only health coaching intervention (IGR2) for people with prediabetes (impaired glucose regulation).MethodsCATFISH is a two-parallel group, single-centre individually randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants are patients aged ≥18 years with impaired glucose regulation (HbA1c concentration between 42 and 47 mmol/mol), have access to a telephone and home internet and have been referred to an existing telephone health coaching service at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK. Participants who give written informed consent will be randomized remotely (via a clinical trials unit) to either the existing pathway (IGR2) or the new web-enhanced pathway (IGR3) for 9 months. The primary outcome measure is patient acceptability at 9 months, determined using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures at 9 months are: cost of delivery of IGR2 and IGR3, mental health, quality of life, patient activation, self-management, weight (kg), HbA1c concentration, and body mass index. All outcome measures will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. A qualitative process evaluation will explore the experiences of participants and providers with a focus on understanding usability of interventions, mechanisms of behaviour change, and impact of context on delivery and user acceptability. Qualitative data will be analyzed using Framework.DiscussionThe CATFISH trial will provide a pragmatic assessment of whether a web-based information technology platform can enhance acceptability of a telephone health coaching intervention for people with prediabetes. The data will prove critical in understanding the role of web applications to improve engagement with evidence-based approaches to preventing diabetes.

Trial registration

ISRCTN16534814. Registered on 7 February 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1519-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Gene expression of leucocytes in vaccinated Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) during the course of experimental infection with Edwardsiella tarda

In this paper, we focused on the detection of differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) during the course of Edwardsiella tarda infection in vaccinated and non-vaccinated Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). cDNA microarray analysis was performed to compare the gene expression patterns of the PBL between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated fish in response to E. tarda inoculation. Fish were vaccinated twice, at a two-week interval and experimentally challenged with E. tarda two weeks after the second vaccination. Among the 1187 analyzed genes, 42 genes were up-regulated during the course of infection either in vaccinated or non-vaccinated fish. These genes included immune-related genes, such as MMP-9, MMP-13, CXC chemokine, CD20 receptor and hepcidin. Some immune-related genes were down-regulated after the E. tarda challenge, i.e. interferon inducible Mx protein, MHC class II-associated invariant chain, MHC class II alpha and MHC class II beta encoding genes, immunoglobulin light chain precursor, immunoglobulin light chain and IgM. These responses are thought to be a common reaction of Japanese flounder PBL in the course of edwardsiellosis, irrespective of immunized condition. Ten genes were significantly up-regulated only in vaccinated fish, and 11 genes were significantly up-regulated only in non-vaccinated fish. These genes may have a correlation with the efficacy of vaccination, although we have no evidence to link the different gene expression patterns and the efficacy of vaccination at present.     

Differences in distribution patterns around river confluences among hydrophilic vegetation groups

In riparian areas, the distribution patterns of plant species are generally considered to depend on their flooding tolerance. Areas around river confluences are known to experience frequent and/or strong flooding events and provide diverse habitats for plants in riparian areas. However, the degree to which hydrophilic vegetation types increase their distribution around confluences may depend on their flooding tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we compared patch numbers and total areas of ten vegetation groups between confluences and single-flow areas. The vegetation groups were classified on the basis of life form and morphology of dominant species. Additionally, we compared total area of natural bare ground (an index of flooding disturbance) between confluences and single-flow areas. We found that patch numbers of annual grass, forb, and vine, perennial grass and forb, and riparian forest vegetation, as well as total areas of annual forb and vine, perennial grass and forb, bamboo and riparian forest vegetation, and natural bare ground, were greater around river confluences than in single-flow areas. On the other hand, patch numbers of shrub vegetation and total areas of annual grass, perennial vine, willow, and shrub vegetation decreased around confluences. These results suggest that confluences enhance diverse, but not all, types of habitat for hydrophilic vegetation. Thus, river confluences are a key element in maintaining diverse riparian vegetation.     

Mating Type Interaction in Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale: Mating Induced Protoplast Release

Mating type interaction between heterothallic strains of Closteriumperacerosum-strigosum- littorale was studied during the conjugationprocess. When vegetative cells of opposite mating types weremixed under the nitrogen depleted mating conditions, the formationof conjugation-papilla and the release of the protoplast withinthe distended papilla from the gametangial cell were shown inboth the paired and unpaired cells. The protoplasts of pairedcells fused to form zygotes, while those of unpaired cells broke.When cells were mixed at a ratio of around 5 to 3 (mating typeplus to mating type minus), sexual activation occurred at thehighest frequency. Mixing at a ratio of 1 to 3, however, inducedthe highest frequency of disrupted cells. Mating type plus cellswere found to be broken specifically when direct contact withmating type minus cells was prevented. This disruption seemedto be mediated by a factor secreted from mating type minus cells. (Received March 20, 1981; Accepted August 18, 1981)