Species richness of sawfly–host plant associations at higher taxonomic levels

Insect–plant interactions are important to understanding the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for most of the diverse plant‐feeding insects. We aggregated data on sawfly–host plant associations and other resource associations from existing sources to address the following questions: (i) Is there a general correlation between host diversity and sawfly species richness? (ii) Is the pattern of host plant use consistent across sawfly lineages? and (iii) Is there a phylogenetically significant shift in species richness among sawflies? Our analysis comprised 8567 sawfly species, including 2087 species with host plant and other records. In total, there were 2126 records of host usage for sawflies, the overwhelming majority of which were sawflies using angiosperms as resources. Rosales are used by most of the species in sawfly families or subfamilies. We found that there was a strong correlation between the number of host plant orders and the species richness of sawfly families and subfamilies. To examine the points at which sawflies have experienced significant shifts in species richness, we compared sister taxon species richness. Several positive and negative shifts in species richness among sawflies were related to their range of host plant usage and specialized niche, respectively. In general, we found that most of the sawfly families and subfamilies used several orders as host plants, but mainly core eudicots, although some families or subfamilies were specialized on pteridophytes or gymnosperms.     

Biogas production using anaerobic groundwater containing a subterranean microbial community associated with the accretionary prism

In a deep aquifer associated with an accretionary prism, significant methane (CH₄) is produced by a subterranean microbial community. Here, we developed bioreactors for producing CH₄ and hydrogen (H₂) using anaerobic groundwater collected from the deep aquifer. To generate CH₄, the anaerobic groundwater amended with organic substrates was incubated in the bioreactor. At first, H₂ was detected and accumulated in the gas phase of the bioreactor. After the H₂ decreased, rapid CH₄ production was observed. Phylogenetic analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes revealed that the H₂-producing fermentative bacterium and hydrogenotrophic methanogen were predominant in the reactor. The results suggested that syntrophic biodegradation of organic substrates by the H₂-producing fermentative bacterium and the hydrogenotrophic methanogen contributed to the CH₄ production. For H₂ production, the anaerobic groundwater, amended with organic substrates and an inhibitor of methanogens (2-bromoethanesulfonate), was incubated in a bioreactor. After incubation for 24 h, H₂ was detected from the gas phase of the bioreactor and accumulated. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested the dominance of the H₂-producing fermentative bacterium in the reactor. Our study demonstrated a simple and rapid CH₄ and H₂ production utilizing anaerobic groundwater containing an active subterranean microbial community.     

Exploring a DNA Sequence for the Three-Dimensional Structure Determination of a Silver(I)-Mediated C-C Base Pair in a DNA Duplex By 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Recently, we discovered novel silver(I)-mediated cytosine–cytosine base pair (C–Ag^I–C) in DNA duplexes. To understand the properties of these base pairs, we searched for a DNA sequence that can be used in NMR structure determination. After extensive sequence optimizations, a non-symmetric 15-base-paired DNA duplex with a single C–Ag^I–C base pair flanked by 14 A–T base pairs was selected. In spite of its challenging length for NMR measurements (30 independent residues) with small sequence variation, we could assign most non-exchangeable protons (254 out of 270) and imino protons for structure determination.     

Non-synonymous FGD3 Variant as Positional Candidate for Disproportional Tall Stature Accounting for a Carcass Weight QTL (CW-3) and Skeletal Dysplasia in Japanese Black Cattle

Recessive skeletal dysplasia, characterized by joint- and/or hip bone-enlargement, was mapped within the critical region for a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing carcass weight; previously named CW-3 in Japanese Black cattle. The risk allele was on the same chromosome as the Q allele that increases carcass weight. Phenotypic characterization revealed that the risk allele causes disproportional tall stature and bone size that increases carcass weight in heterozygous individuals but causes disproportionately narrow chest width in homozygotes. A non-synonymous variant of FGD3 was identified as a positional candidate quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) and the corresponding mutant protein showed reduced activity as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Cdc42. FGD3 is expressed in the growth plate cartilage of femurs from bovine and mouse. Thus, loss of FDG3 activity may lead to subsequent loss of Cdc42 function. This would be consistent with the columnar disorganization of proliferating chondrocytes in chondrocyte-specific inactivated Cdc42 mutant mice. This is the first report showing association of FGD3 with skeletal dysplasia.     

Des-γ-Carboxyprothrombin (DCP) and NX-DCP Expressions and Their Relationship with Clinicopathological Features in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aim

Des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) has been used as a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently the DCP/NX-DCP ratio, calculated by dividing DCP by NX-DCP, has been reported useful in detecting HCC. The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of DCP and NX-DCP expression in HCC tissues.

Methods

HCC and non-HCC tissue samples were obtained from 157 patients and were immunohistochemically examined for DCP and NX-DCP expression using anti-DCP antibody and anti-NX-DCP antibody. DCP and NX-DCP expression scores were calculated by multiplying staining intensity grade by percentage of stained area. Serum DCP and NX-DCP levels were determined in 89 patients. We evaluated the relationship between tumor expression, serum level, and pathomorphological findings.

Results

Intrahepatic metastasis (im) was significantly more frequent in cases with high DCP expression than in cases with low DCP expression. High NX-DCP expression was associated with significantly lower histological grade, and less frequent im or portal vein invasion (vp) than low NX-DCP expression. Serum DCP was correlated with DCP expression, but serum NX-DCP was not correlated with NX-DCP expression. DCP-positive (≥40 mAU/L), NX-DCP-positive (≥90 mAU/L), and DCP/NX-DCP ratio-positive (≥1.5) cases were associated with significantly larger tumor size and more frequent vp than negative cases. DCP was rarely expressed, but NX-DCP was frequently expressed in non-cancerous liver tissues. Patients with NX-DCP expression-negative tumors showed a lower survival rate than those with NX-DCP expression-positive tumors (p = 0.04), whereas the survival in serum NX-DCP-positive cases was lower than that of serum negative cases (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

DCP and NX-DCP were produced in HCC tissues, but differed in expression level and biological properties. DCP expression, serum DCP or NX-DCP level, and DCP/NX-DCP ratio were closely related to malignant properties of HCC.     

Contrasting Diversity and Host Association of Ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycetes versus Root-Associated Ascomycetes in a Dipterocarp Rainforest

Root-associated fungi, including ectomycorrhizal and root-endophytic fungi, are among the most diverse and important belowground plant symbionts in dipterocarp rainforests. Our study aimed to reveal the biodiversity, host association, and community structure of ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota and root-associated Ascomycota (including root-endophytic Ascomycota) in a lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Southeast Asia. The host plant chloroplast ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) region and fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region were sequenced using tag-encoded, massively parallel 454 pyrosequencing to identify host plant and root-associated fungal taxa in root samples. In total, 1245 ascomycetous and 127 putative ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetous taxa were detected from 442 root samples. The putative ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota were likely to be associated with closely related dipterocarp taxa to greater or lesser extents, whereas host association patterns of the root-associated Ascomycota were much less distinct. The community structure of the putative ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota was possibly more influenced by host genetic distances than was that of the root-associated Ascomycota. This study also indicated that in dipterocarp rainforests, root-associated Ascomycota were characterized by high biodiversity and indistinct host association patterns, whereas ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota showed less biodiversity and a strong host phylogenetic preference for dipterocarp trees. Our findings lead to the working hypothesis that root-associated Ascomycota, which might be mainly represented by root-endophytic fungi, have biodiversity hotspots in the tropics, whereas biodiversity of ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota increases with host genetic diversity.     

Effectiveness of Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Children Estimated by a Test-Negative Case-Control Design Study Based on Influenza Rapid Diagnostic Test Results

We assessed vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza in children 6 months to 15 years of age in 22 hospitals in Japan during the 2013–14 season. Our study was conducted according to a test-negative case-control design based on influenza rapid diagnostic test (IRDT) results. Outpatients who came to our clinics with a fever of 38°C or over and had undergone an IRDT were enrolled in this study. Patients with positive IRDT results were recorded as cases, and patients with negative results were recorded as controls. Between November 2013 and March 2014, a total of 4727 pediatric patients (6 months to 15 years of age) were enrolled: 876 were positive for influenza A, 66 for A(H1N1)pdm09 and in the other 810 the subtype was unknown; 1405 were positive for influenza B; and 2445 were negative for influenza. Overall VE was 46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39–52). Adjusted VE against influenza A, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and influenza B was 63% (95% CI, 56–69), 77% (95% CI, 59–87), and 26% (95% CI, 14–36), respectively. Influenza vaccine was not effective against either influenza A or influenza B in infants 6 to 11 months of age. Two doses of influenza vaccine provided better protection against influenza A infection than a single dose did. VE against hospitalization influenza A infection was 76%. Influenza vaccine was effective against influenza A, especially against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, but was much less effective against influenza B.     

Clinical Performance of a New Soluble CD14-Subtype Immunochromatographic Test for Whole Blood Compared with Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay: Use of Quantitative Soluble CD14-Subtype Immunochromatographic Tests for the Diagnosis of Sepsis

We previously reported that a soluble CD14-subtype (sCD14-ST) immunochromatographic test (ICT) for plasma is more convenient than chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA), but plasma separation makes bedside measurements difficult. We developed a new sCD14-ST ICT for whole blood and investigated whether quantitative determinations of sCD14-ST by ICT were useful for diagnosing sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock. We studied 20 patients who fulfilled two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and 32 patients who had been diagnosed with sepsis or severe sepsis/septic shock. Whole blood was collected on day 0 (on admission) and day 7, and the sCD14-ST concentration was quantitatively measured by CLEIA and ICT for whole blood. The patients’ Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) scores were also calculated. The cut-off values obtained by the quantitative measurements made by ICT were 464.5 pg/mL for sepsis and 762.7 pg/mL for severe sepsis/septic shock (P < 0.0001). A Bland–Altman plot showed that no fixed bias or proportional bias was detected between CLEIA and quantitative ICT for whole blood. sCD14-ST concentrations were significantly correlated with APACHE II, SOFA, and MEDS scores (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that the new sCD14-ST ICT for whole blood may be a useful tool for the convenient, rapid bedside diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.