在来種ネズミモチと移入種トウネズミモチ(モクセイ科) の保全遺伝学的研究

Genetic introgression from introduced, non-native species into native populations is a growing challenge for biological conservation, and one that raises unique practical and ethical issues. Ligustrum lucidum is native to China, and cultivated or used in gardens in various areas in Japan. Recently, some studies reported that this species escaped from cultivated areas and was sympatric with L. japonicum. This indicates that L. japonicum faces the ecological and genetic risk of hybridization and introgression with non-native L. lucidum. Therefore, we examined whether hybridization between L. japonicum and the non-native L. lucidum has occurred in a coexisting population using phenological and molecular analyses. The phenological results indicate that there is very little overlap in the flowering times of the two species. Moreover, molecular analyses using PCR-RFLP of chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences could not detect any hybridization or introgression of L. lucidum and L. japonicum in the population.移入種から在来種への遺伝子移入は生物学的保全のための懸念課題であり，実用的かつ倫理的な問題を提起している。中国原産のトウネズミモチ（Ligustrum lucidum）は日本の広い地域で園芸として栽植されているが逸出により分布を拡大しており，在来種のネズミモチ（L. japonicum）と同所的に生育していることが近年報告されている。このため，ネズミモチはトウネズミモチとの雑種形成や浸透交雑の生態学的リスクにさらされていると考えられる。そこで本研究では，在来種のネズミモチと移入種のトウネズミモチの間での雑種形成による遺伝的攪乱の有無を明らかにすることを目的として，開花期調査および分子遺伝学的調査を行った。開花期の調査結果より，両種の開花期がずれていることが明らかとなった。PCR-RFLP解析の結果，ネズミモチとトウネズミモチの間に交雑個体および浸透交雑個体を検出することはできなかったため，両種間での交雑は起こっていないと考えられる

Anti-MDA5 Antibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Presenting with Cellulitis-Like Erythema on the Mandible as an Initial Symptom

Panniculitis is an uncommon skin eruption observed in patients with dermatomyositis (DM)/clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM), especially in anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive DM. We present here a 51-year-old Japanese woman with an anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM who initially had cellulitis-like erythema on her right mandible. Histopathological findings showed a subcutaneous lobular infiltration of lymphocytes. The patient developed typical skin eruptions of DM/CADM, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease, and severe muscle weakness 2 weeks after the first visit. After the diagnosis of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM, she was treated with intravenous steroid pulse therapy (methylprednisolone, 1,000 mg/day for 3 days), oral prednisolone at 1.0 mg/kg/day, and tacrolimus at 4.0 mg/day. The lesions of panniculitis associated with DM/CADM typically present on the buttocks, thighs, arms, and abdomen. This is the first DM/CADM case with localized panniculitis on the face. Panniculitis and myositis usually show simultaneous improvement during treatment. Although panniculitis disappeared with steroid and tacrolimus treatment and did not recur, muscle weakness was intractable and recurred in this case. This indicates that the clinical courses of panniculitis and myositis of DM/CADM do not always change in parallel

Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Followed by Subacute Thyroiditis

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a severe multiorgan system adverse drug reaction with reactivation of human herpesviruses (HHVs) such as HHV-6, HHV-7, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus. Various complications, including autoimmune diseases, sometimes appear during the course of DIHS. We report a case of salazosulfapyridine-induced DIHS associated with HHV-6 reactivation. Two and a half months after the onset of DIHS, subacute thyroiditis occurred, possibly associated with CMV reactivation. Prednisolone (20 mg/day) was effective for subacute thyroiditis. Long-term follow-up is needed in patients with DIHS because of the possible onset of autoimmune diseases

Effect of light exposure on linalool biosynthesis and accumulation in grape berries

<p>Linalool is an important compound that contributes to the floral aroma in wines. This study showed the effect of light exposure on linalool accumulation in berries. The grape bunches were covered with films that block the full light spectrum (Shade) and the UV spectrum (UV-block), and a transparent film (Control). The linalool content was significantly higher in juice from Control-covered berries than in juice from Shade- and UV-block-covered berries, and the expression levels of the representative genes in linalool biosynthesis in Shade- and UV-block-covered berries were markedly lower than in Control-covered berries. These findings suggest that exposing berries to light is essential for linalool biosynthesis. To reflect sunlight onto grape clusters, reflective sheets were placed on the ground of a vineyard. The linalool content in berries exposed to sunlight reflected from the reflective sheets was higher than those in the control.</p> <p>Effect of reflective sheets on linalool accumulation. (A) The grapes of Riesling (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.), (B) Linalool contents in grapes.</p

Fe2+ Ions Alleviate the Symptom of Citrus Greening Disease

Citrus greening (CG) is among the most devastating citrus diseases worldwide. CG-infected trees exhibit interveinal chlorotic leaves due to iron (Fe) deficiency derived from CG; thus, Fe content is lower in infected leaves than in healthy leaves. In this study, we demonstrated that the foliar application of Fe2+ relieves the symptom of CG infection in citrus trees. We applied Fe2+ and citrate to the leaves of infected rough lemon plants. Following this treatment, a reduction in the number of yellow symptomatic leaves was observed, and their growth was restored. Using chlorophyll content as an index, we screened for effective Fe complexes and found that a high ratio of citrate to Fe2+ in the applied solution led to effects against CG in Shikuwasa trees. A high proportion of Fe2+ to total Fe was another key factor explaining the effectiveness of the solution in CG infection, indicating the importance of Fe2+ absorption into plant cells. We confirmed the proportion of Fe2+ to total Fe through the high correlation of reflectometry data via a triazine reaction and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. These results demonstrate that the foliar application of a high-Fe2+ citrate solution can restore the growth of CG diseased trees