Phylogeographic insights into the invasion history and secondary spread of the signal crayfish in Japan

Successful invasion by nonindigenous species is often attributed to high propagule pressure, yet some foreign species become widespread despite showing reduced genetic variation due to founder effects. The signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is one such example, where rapid spread across Japan in recent decades is believed to be the result of only three founding populations. To infer the history and explore the success of this remarkable crayfish invasion, we combined detailed phylogeographical and morphological analyses conducted in both the introduced and native ranges. We sequenced 16S mitochondrial DNA of signal crayfish from across the introduced range in Japan (537 samples, 20 sites) and the native range in western North America (700 samples, 50 sites). Because chela size is often related to aggressive behavior in crayfish, and hence, their invasion success, we also measured chela size of a subset of specimens in both introduced and native ranges. Genetic diversity of introduced signal crayfish populations was as high as that of the dominant phylogeographic group in the native range, suggesting high propagule pressure during invasion. More recently established crayfish populations in Japan that originated through secondary spread from one of the founding populations exhibit reduced genetic diversity relative to older populations, probably as a result of founder effects. However, these newer populations also show larger chela size, consistent with expectations of rapid adaptations or phenotypic responses during the invasion process. Introduced signal crayfish populations in Japan originate from multiple source populations from a wide geographic range in the native range of western North America. A combination of high genetic diversity, especially for older populations in the invasive range, and rapid adaptation to colonization, manifested as larger chela in recent invasions, likely contribute to invasion success of signal crayfish in Japan.     

uPA Attenuated LPS-induced Inflammatory Osteoclastogenesis through the Plasmin/PAR-1/Ca2+/CaMKK/AMPK Axis

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis-caused bone destruction, results from an increase of bone-resorbing osteoclasts (OCs) induced by inflammation. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unclear. We herein investigated that the effect of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) on inflammatory osteoclastogenesis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a potent stimulator of bone resorption in inflammatory diseases. We found that the uPA deficiency promoted inflammatory osteoclastogenesis and bone loss induced by LPS. We also showed that LPS induced the expression of uPA, and the uPA treatment attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 mouse monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. Additionally, we showed that the uPA-attenuated inflammatory osteoclastgenesis is associated with the activation of plasmin/protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 axis by uPA. Moreover, we examined the mechanism underlying the effect of uPA on inflammatory osteoclastogenesis, and found that uPA/plasmin/PAR-1 activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway through Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) activation, and attenuated inflammatory osteoclastogenesis by inactivation of NF-κB in RAW264.7 cells. These data suggest that uPA attenuated inflammatory osteoclastogenesis through the plasmin/PAR-1/Ca2+/CaMKK/AMPK axis. Our findings may provide a novel therapeutic approach to bone loss caused by inflammatory diseases.     

Optical Activity Governed by Local Chiral Structures in Two‐Dimensional Curved Metallic Nanostructures

Chiral nanostructures show macroscopic optical activity. Local optical activity and its handedness are not uniform in the nanostructure, and are spatially distributed depending on the shape of the nanostructure. In this study we fabricated curved chain nanostructures made of gold by connecting linearly two or more arc structures in a two‐dimensional plane. Spatial features of local optical activity in the chain structures were evaluated with near‐field circular dichroism (CD) imaging, and analyzed with the aid of classical electromagnetic simulation. The electromagnetic simulation predicted that local optical activity appears at inflection points where arc structures are connected. The handedness of the local optical activity was dependent on the handedness of the local chirality at the inflection point. Chiral chain structures have odd inflection points and the local optical activity distributed symmetrically with respect to structural centers. In contrast, achiral chain structures have even inflection points and showed antisymmetric distribution. In the near‐field CD images of fabricated chain nanostructures, the symmetric and antisymmetric distributions of local CD were observed for chiral and achiral chain structures, respectively, consistent with the simulated results. The handedness of the local optical activity was found to be determined by the handedness of the inflection point, for the fabricated chain structures having two or more inflection points. The local optical activity was thus governed primarily by the local chirality of the inflection points for the gold chain structures. The total effect of all the inflection points in the chain structure is considered to be a predominant factor that determines the macroscopic optical activity. Chirality 28:540–544, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Water entry for the black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) seeds observed by dedicated micro-magnetic resonance imaging

Water entry at germination for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seeds which are known as hard seeds with impermeable seed coat to water, was examined using micro-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI apparatus equipped with a low-field (1 T; Tesla) permanent magnet was used, which is open access, easy maintenance, operable and transportable. The excellent point of the apparatus is that T ₁-enhancement of water signals absorbed in dry seeds against steeping free water is stronger than the apparatuses with high-field superconducting magnets, which enabled clear detection of water entry. Water hardly penetrated into the seeds for more than 8 h but approximately 60 % of seeds germinated by incubating on wet filter papers for several days. Hot water treatments above 75 °C for 3 min effectively induced water gap; scarification was 70 % at 100 °C and 75 °C, declined to 15 % at 50 °C and decreased further at room temperature. Water entered into the scarified seeds exclusively through the lens, spread along the dorsal side of the seeds and reached the hypocotyl, whereas water migrated slowly through hilum side to radicle within 3 h.     

Growth of zinnia,Italian ryegrass,and alfalfa and their remediation effects in diesel oil-contaminated soils

Abstract

Our objective in this study was to compare the growth of zinnia, Italian ryegrass, and alfalfa, and their remediation effects in oil-contaminated soils. The soils were prepared by mixing 2, 4, or 8% diesel oil by weight with soil. The plant height and dry weights of shoots and roots were highest for zinnia in the 2 and 4% oil treatments, and highest for Italian ryegrass in the 8% oil treatment. The reduction ratios in soil total petroleum hydrocarbons concentration (TPH) for 3 plants were lower in the 4 and 8% oil treatments than those in the 2% treatment. The reduction ratios for Italian ryegrass and zinnia contaminated with 2, 4, and 8% diesel oil treatments were significantly higher than those for alfalfa and the non-cultivation treatment at 45?days after sowing, and there were no significant differences in reduction ratios between Italian ryegrass and zinnia. The reduction ratio of soil TPH concentration brought about by zinnia was also comparable to that of Italian ryegrass. Therefore, we conclude that zinnia shows growth and remediation effects that are equivalent to those of Italian ryegrass, in soils contaminated with less than 8% oil.     

Egg-Cracking Vibration as a Cue for Stink Bug Siblings to Synchronize Hatching

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Effects of cryopreservation methods on post-thaw motility of spermatozoa from the Japanese pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii

In order to develop cryopreservation techniques for Japanese pearl oyster spermatozoa, the effects of various cryopreservation conditions on post-thaw motility were examined. Spermatozoa cryopreserved with 10% methanol (MET), dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide plus 90% diluent comprising 80% seawater and 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) showed higher percentages of post-thaw motility than those cryopreserved with 10% dimethylsulfoxide or glycerol. When spermatozoa were cryopreserved with various concentrations (0-20%) of MET and 100-80% diluent, 10% MET showed the highest percentages of post-thaw motility. When spermatozoa were cryopreserved with 10% MET and 90% diluent comprising various concentrations (0-100%) of FBS or Ringer solution mixed with seawater, the percentages of post-thaw motility peaked at 20% FBS or Ringer solution, and were significantly higher for 20% FBS than for 20% Ringer solution. The percentages of post-thaw motility increased with increasing dilution ratios from 2.5- to 50-fold. Spermatozoa cooled to -50 degrees C and then immersed in liquid nitrogen (LN) showed higher post-thaw motility than those cooled to -30 degrees C or -40 degrees C. When spermatozoa were cryopreserved to -50 degrees C at various cooling rates by changing the sample height above the LN surface, the post-thaw motilities of spermatozoa cooled at 10 cm (cooling rate: -21.3 degrees C/min) and 12.5 cm (-15.6 degrees C/min) from the LN surface were higher than those at 5, 7.5 or 15 cm. These results indicate that 10% MET plus 90% diluent comprising 80% seawater and 20% FBS is a suitable extender for cryopreservation of Japanese pearl oyster spermatozoa and that samples should be cooled to -50 degrees C at a cooling rate between -15 and -20 degrees C/min for efficient storage.