Chromosome structure and behaviour in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) germ cells and early embryo

Chromosome structure and behaviour in both meiosis of the germ cells and mitosis of the embryo from fertilisation to the two-cell stage in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus were examined by DAPI staining and three-dimensional reconstruction of serial-section images from confocal laser-scanning microscopy. By this method, each chromosome’s shape and behaviour were clearly visible in early embryogenesis from fertilisation through the formation and fusion of the male and female pronuclei to the first mitotic division. The male pronucleus was bigger than that of the female, although the oocyte is larger and richer in nutrients than the sperm. From the shape of the separating chromosomes at anaphase, the mitotic chromosomes appeared to be polycentric or holocentric rather than monocentric. Each chromosome was clearly distinguishable in the male and female germ cells, pronuclei of the one-cell stage embryo, and the early embryonic nuclei. The haploid number of chromosomes (N) was six (2n = 12), and all chromosomes appeared similar. The chromosome pair containing the ribosomal RNA-coding site was visualised by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Unlike the sex determination system in Caenorhabditis elegans (XX in hermaphrodite and XO in male), the system for B. xylophilus may consist of an XX female and an XY male

Effect of fungal interactions on the numbers of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda : Aphelenchoididae), carried by the japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae)

#Monochamus alternatus sortant de blocs de bois préalablement inoculés avec #Ophiostoma minus et ensuite avec #Trichoderma sp. (O + T) transporte un plus grand nombre de #Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (PWN) que ceux sortant de blocs inoculés simultanément avec ces deux champignons (O, T) ou inoculés avec #Trichoderma sp. puis avec #O. minus (T + O). La raison est que : les populations de PWN sont plus élevées dans les blocs O + T que dans ceux des autres traitements, et que le pourcentage de juvéniles de dispersion de 3ème stade, les "dauer" juvéniles et les PWN qui passent réellement dans l'insecte sont plus nombreux dans les blocs O + T. En contraste, le nombre de PWN transportés par l'insecte sortant de blocs inoculés avec #O. minus et #Verticillium sp. est beaucoup moins élevé quelle que soit la séquence d'innoculum parce que les populations de PWN ne s'établissent pas. Il est conclu que les espèces de champignon les plus abondantes dans les pins tués par le dessèchement concourent à déterminer le nombre de PWN transportés par l'insecte sortant du bois. (Résumé d'auteur

Comparison of the dynamic responses of monopiles and gravity base foundations for offshore wind turbines in sand using centrifuge modelling

Monopiles and gravity base foundations (GBF) are two of the most commonly used offshore foundations for wind turbines. As resonance can cause damage and even failure of wind turbines, understanding the difference between the dynamic responses of monopiles and GBFs under free vibration is important, however there is little experimental data regarding their natural frequency, especially for model tests at correct stress levels. This paper presents the results of novel monopile and GBF tests using a centrifuge to directly determine the natural frequency (fn) of the foundation-soil system. The natural frequencies of wind turbine monopiles and GBFs in centrifuge models were measured during harmonic loading by a piezo-actuator, with the results confirming that soil-structure interaction must be considered to obtain the system natural frequency as the frequency reduces substantially from fixed-base values. These results will contribute to preventing resonance damage in designs for wind-turbine foundations

Neuroligin-3: A Circuit-Specific Synapse Organizer That Shapes Normal Function and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Associated Dysfunction

Chemical synapses provide a vital foundation for neuron-neuron communication and overall brain function. By tethering closely apposed molecular machinery for presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic signal transduction, circuit- and context- specific synaptic properties can drive neuronal computations for animal behavior. Trans-synaptic signaling via synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) serves as a promising mechanism to generate the molecular diversity of chemical synapses. Neuroligins (Nlgns) were discovered as postsynaptic CAMs that can bind to presynaptic CAMs like Neurexins (Nrxns) at the synaptic cleft. Among the four (Nlgn1-4) or five (Nlgn1-3, Nlgn4X, and Nlgn4Y) isoforms in rodents or humans, respectively, Nlgn3 has a heterogeneous expression and function at particular subsets of chemical synapses and strong association with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence have suggested that the unique expression and function of Nlgn3 protein underlie circuit-specific dysfunction characteristic of non-syndromic ASD caused by the disruption of Nlgn3 gene. Furthermore, recent studies have uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying input cell-dependent expression of Nlgn3 protein at hippocampal inhibitory synapses, in which trans-synaptic signaling of specific alternatively spliced isoforms of Nlgn3 and Nrxn plays a critical role. In this review article, we overview the molecular, anatomical, and physiological knowledge about Nlgn3, focusing on the circuit-specific function of mammalian Nlgn3 and its underlying molecular mechanism. This will provide not only new insight into specific Nlgn3-mediated trans-synaptic interactions as molecular codes for synapse specification but also a better understanding of the pathophysiological basis for non-syndromic ASD associated with functional impairment in Nlgn3 gene

Pine wilt disease and the pinewood nematode

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is one of the most damaging events affecting conifer forests (in particular Pinus spp.), in the Far East (Japan, China and Korea), North America (USA and Canada) and, more recently, in the European Union (Portugal). In Japan it became catastrophic, damaging native pine species (Pinus thunbergii and P. densiflora), and becoming the main forest problem, forcing some areas to be totally replaced by other tree species. The pine wilt nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, endemic, with minor damage, to North America, was introduced in Japan in the early XX century and then spread to Asia (China and Korea) in the 1980s. In 1999 it was detected for the first time in Portugal, where, due to timely detection and immediate government action, it was initially (1999-2008) contained to a small area 30 km SE of Lisbon. In 2008, the PWN spread again to central Portugal, the entire country now being classified as “affected area”. Being an A1 quarantine pest, the EU acted to avoid further PWN spreading and to eradicate it, by actions including financial support for surveyes and eradication, annual inspections and research programs. Experience from control actions in Japan included aerial spraying of insecticides to control the insect vector (the Cerambycid beetle Monochamus alternatus), injection of nematicides to the trunk of infected trees, slashing and burning of large areas out of control, beetle traps, biological control and tree breeding programs. These actions allowed some positive results, but also unsuccessful cases due to the PWN spread and virulence. Other Asian countries also followed similar strategies, but the nematode is still spreading in many regions. In Portugal, despite lower damage than Asia, PWD is still significant with high losses to the forestry industry. New ways of containing PWD include preventing movement of contaminated wood, cutting symptomatic trees and monitoring. Despite a national and EU legislative body, no successful strategy to control and eventually eradicate the nematode and the disease will prevail without sound scientific studies regarding the nematode and vector(s) bioecology and genetics, the ecology and ecophysiology of the pine tree species, P. pinaster and P. pinea , as well as the genomics and proteomics of pathogenicity (resistance/ susceptibility)

The γ-subunit of ATP synthase from spinach chloroplasts Primary structure deduced from the cloned cDNA sequence

AbstractcDNA clones encoding the γ-subunit of chloroplast ATP synthase were isolated from a spinach library using synthetic oligonucleotide probes. The predicted amino acid sequence indicated that the mature chloroplast γ-subunit consists of 323 amino acid residues and is highly homologous (55% identical residues) with the sequence of the cyanobacterial subunit. The positions of the four cysteine residues were identified. The carboxyl-terminal region of the choloroplast γ-subunit is highly homologous with those of the γ-subunits from six other sources (bacteria and mitochondria) sequenced thus far

AMPA Receptor Auxiliary Subunit GSG1L Suppresses Short-Term Facilitation in Corticothalamic Synapses and Determines Seizure Susceptibility

The anterior thalamus (AT) is critical for memory formation, processing navigational information, and seizure initiation. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate synaptic function of AT neurons remain largely unexplored. We report that AMPA receptor auxiliary subunit GSG1L controls short-term plasticity in AT synapses that receive inputs from the cortex, but not in those receiving inputs from other pathways. A canonical auxiliary subunit stargazin co-exists in these neurons but is functionally absent from corticothalamic synapses. In GSG1L knockout mice, AT neurons exhibit hyperexcitability and the animals have increased susceptibility to seizures, consistent with a negative regulatory role of GSG1L. We hypothesize that negative regulation of synaptic function by GSG1L plays a critical role in maintaining optimal excitation in the AT

Pine Wilt Disease : Various Biological Relationships and Resulting Events

京都大学Proceedings : IUFRO Kanazawa 2003 "Forest Insect Population Dynamics and Host Influences"., Scedule:14－19 September 2003, Vemue: Kanazawa Citymonde Hotel, Kanazawa, Japan, Joint metting of IUFRO working groups : 7.01.02 Tree resistance to Insects | 7.03.06 Integrated management of forset defoloating insects | 7.03.07 Population dynamics of forest insects, Sponsored by: IUFRO-J | Ishikawa Prefecture | Kanazawa City | 21st-COE Program of Kanazawa University, Editors: Kamata, Naoto | Liebhold, Nadrew M. | Quiring, Dan T. | Clancy, Karen M