Life Cycle of the Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura, in Japan

The soybean aphid Aphis glycines MATSUMURA is the main sap-sucking pest on soybeans Glycine max. In Japan, it is distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu (Sakai, 1949); abroad, it is found in Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malay (Paik, 1965), the Phillipines (Takahashi, 1966), and India (Raychaudhuri et al., 1980). In addition to soybeans, wild Glycine species are known to be a secondary host. Matsumura reported this aphid species on soybean (1917a) and in the same year recorded that its eggs over-wintered on plants belonging to the wild pea family (1917b). Shindo (1928, 1932) originally identified Kitsunenomago Justicia procumbens and purplish amaranth Amaranthus blitum as primary hosts, but later retracted and reported that the eggs over-winter in the roots of the Japanese chaff flower Acyranthes japonica (1941). However, Sakai (1949, 1950a, b) showed in greenhouse studies that this aphid does not over-winter in the chaff flower, and concluded that the species found on chaff flower was actually Aphis justiciae SHINJI which Shindo (1928) considered to be the same as Aphis glycines. While the controversy in Japan about the primary host remained unresolved, in China it was reported by Wang et al. (1962) that the eggs over-wintered in the Dahurian buckthorn Rhamnus davurica of the buckthorn family. Zhang and Zhong (1982) subsequently established that several of the 15 species in the genus Rhamnus found in China were primary hosts. In the reports from China, only the body color and the number of secondary sensilla of the third antennal segment of gynopara were reported, and no mention was made of the morphs on the primary host. Since 1981, our field surveys and greenhouse studies have focused on the life cycle and morphs on primary hosts in the genus Rhamnus, the results of which are reported here.Originating text in Japanese.Citation: Takahashi, Shigeru, Inaizumi, Mitsumaru, Kawakami, Koji. (1993). Life Cycle of the Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura, in Japan. Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology, 37, 207-212

piggyBac Transposon-mediated Long-term Gene Expression in Mice

Transposons are promising systems for somatic gene integration because they can not only integrate exogenous genes efficiently, but also be delivered to a variety of organs using a range of transfection methods. piggyBac (PB) transposon has a high transposability in mammalian cells in vitro, and has been used for genetic and preclinical studies. However, the transposability of PB in mammalian somatic cells in vivo has not been demonstrated yet. Here, we demonstrated PB-mediated sustained gene expression in adult mice. We constructed PB-based plasmid DNA (pDNA) containing reporter [firefly and Gaussia luciferase (Gluc)] genes. Mice were transfected by injection of these pDNAs using a hydrodynamics-based procedure, and the conditions for high-level sustained gene expression were examined. Consequently, gene expressions were sustained over 2 months. Our results suggest that PB is useful for organ-selective somatic integration and sustained gene expression in mammals, and will contribute to basic genetic studies and gene therapies

piggyBac Transposon-mediated Long-term Gene Expression in Mice

Transposons are promising systems for somatic gene integration because they can not only integrate exogenous genes efficiently, but also be delivered to a variety of organs using a range of transfection methods. piggyBac (PB) transposon has a high transposability in mammalian cells in vitro, and has been used for genetic and preclinical studies. However, the transposability of PB in mammalian somatic cells in vivo has not been demonstrated yet. Here, we demonstrated PB-mediated sustained gene expression in adult mice. We constructed PB-based plasmid DNA (pDNA) containing reporter [firefly and Gaussia luciferase (Gluc)] genes. Mice were transfected by injection of these pDNAs using a hydrodynamics-based procedure, and the conditions for high-level sustained gene expression were examined. Consequently, gene expressions were sustained over 2 months. Our results suggest that PB is useful for organ-selective somatic integration and sustained gene expression in mammals, and will contribute to basic genetic studies and gene therapies

Implantable pneumatically actuated microsystem for renal pressure-mediated transfection in mice.

In vivo transfection is an important technique used in biological research and drug therapy development. Previously, we developed a renal pressure-mediated transfection method performed by pressing a kidney after an intravenous injection of naked nucleic acids. Although this is a useful method because of its safety and wide range of applications, an innovative approach for performing this method without repeatedly cutting open the abdomen is required. In this study, we developed an implantable microsystem fabricated by Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technologies for renal pressure-mediated transfection. The system consists of a polydimethylsiloxane pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA) used as an actuator to press the target kidney. The PBA of the implanted microsystem can be actuated without opening the abdomen by applying air pressure from outside the body to the pressure-supplying port via a needle. We successfully performed renal pressure-mediated transfection using the newly developed system when the implanted system was activated at 60kPa for 10s. This is the first report of an implantable MEMS-based microsystem that demonstrates in vivo transfection to a kidney using naked plasmid DNA

Associations among workplace environment, self-regulation, and domain-specific physical activities among white-collar workers: a multilevel longitudinal study

BackgroundPsychological and environmental determinants have been discussed for promoting physical activity among workers. However, few studies have investigated effects of both workplace environment and psychological determinants on physical activity. It is also unknown which domains of physical activities are promoted by these determinants. This study aimed to investigate main and interaction effects of workplace environment and individual self-regulation for physical activity on domain-specific physical activities among white-collar workers.MethodsA multi-site longitudinal study was conducted at baseline and about 5-month follow-up. A total of 49 worksites and employees within the worksites were recruited. Inclusion criteria for the worksites (a) were located in the Kanto area, Japan and (b) employed two or more employees. Employee inclusion criteria were (a) employed by the worksites, (b) aged 18 years or older, and (c) white-collar workers. For outcomes, three domain-specific physical activities (occupational, transport-related, and leisure-time) at baseline and follow-up were measured. For independent variables, self-regulation for physical activity, workplace environments (parking/bike, signs/bulletin boards/advertisements, stairs/elevators, physical activity/fitness facilities, work rules, written policies, and health promotion programs), and covariates at baseline were measured. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was conducted to investigate multilevel associations.ResultsOf the recruited worksites, 23 worksites and 562 employees, and 22 worksites and 459 employees completed the baseline and the follow-up surveys. As results of Hierarchical Linear Modeling, stairs/elevator (γ=3.80 [SE=1.80], p<0.05), physical activity/fitness facilities (γ=4.98 [SE=1.09], p<0.01), and written policies (γ=2.10 [SE=1.02], p<0.05) were significantly and positively associated with occupational physical activity. Self-regulation for physical activity was associated significantly with leisure-time physical activity (γ=0.09 [SE=0.04], p<0.05) but insignificantly with occupational and transport-related physical activity (γ=0.11 [SE=0.16] and γ=−0.00 [SE=0.06]). Significant interaction effects of workplace environments (physical activity/fitness facilities, work rules, and written policies) and self-regulation were observed on transport-related and leisure-time physical activity.ConclusionsWorkplace environments such as physical activity/fitness facilities, written policies, work rules, and signs for stair use at stairs and elevators; self-regulation for physical activity; and their interactions may be effective to promote three domain-specific physical activities. This study has practical implications for designing multi-component interventions that include both environmental and psychological approaches to increase effect sizes to promote overall physical activity

The Evaluation for Alterations of DOM Components from Upstream to Downstream Flow of Rivers in Toyama (Japan) Using Three-Dimensional Excitation-Emission Matrix Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the important factors for controlling water quality. The behavior and constitutions of DOM is related to the risk of human health because it is able to directly or indirectly affect the behavior, speciation and toxicity of various environmental pollutants. However, it is not easy to know the contents of DOM components without using various complicated and time consuming analytical methods because DOM is a complex mixture and usually exists at low concentration. Here, we describe the fluorescence properties of DOM components in water samples collected from four rivers in Toyama, Japan by means of the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the alterations of DOM components in each of the river during the flow from upstream to downstream, the patterns of relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) at six peaks which are originated from fluorophores including humic-like and protein-like components were investigated. The changes in the patterns of RFI values at each of the peak and the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for each river water sample were discussed in connection with the differences of land use managements and basic water quality parameters, such as pH, EC, turbidity, Fe3+, T-N, NO3-N, T-P, PO4-P, chlorophyll a, DOC and N/P ratio. The DOC concentrations in the water samples collected from these rivers were relatively low (0.63–1.16 mg/L). Two main peaks which have a strong RFI value expressed a positive correlation with the DOC concentration (r = 0.557, 0.535). However, the correlations between the RFI values for other four peaks and the DOC concentration were below 0.287. The alterations of DOM components during the flow of a river from upstream to downstream were investigated from the changes in the patterns of RFI values for six fluorescent peaks. It was clarified that the great increase of RFI values in peak A and peak T from river water located in urban area showed high concentration of PO4-P and Fe3+, and low N/P ratio due to the high biological activities. The values of fluorescence index (FIX) and biological index (BIX) were as high as 1.60 and 0.72, respectively

Involvement of activated transcriptional process in efficient gene transfection using unmodified and mannose-modified bubble lipoplexes with ultrasound exposure.

Recently, our group developed ultrasound (US)-responsive and mannose-modified gene carriers (Man-PEG(2000) bubble lipoplexes), and successfully obtained a high level of gene expression in mannose receptor-expressing cells following gene transfection using Man-PEG(2000) bubble lipoplexes and US exposure. We also reported that large amounts of plasmid DNA (pDNA) were transferred into the cytoplasm of the targeted cells in the gene transfection using this method. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of transcriptional processes on enhanced gene expression obtained by unmodified and Man-PEG(2000) bubble lipoplexes with US exposure. The transcriptional process related to activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) was activated by US exposure, and was founded to be involved in enhanced gene expression obtained by gene transfection using unmodified and Man-PEG(2000) bubble lipoplexes with US exposure. On the other hand, activation of AP-1 and NFκB pathways followed by US exposure was hardly involved in the inflammatory responses in the gene transfection using this method. These findings suggest that activation of AP-1 and NFκB followed by US exposure is involved in the enhanced gene expression using unmodified and Man-PEG(2000) bubble lipoplexes with US exposure, and the selection of pDNAs activated by US exposure is important in this gene transfection method