Comparisons of population density and genetic diversity in artificial and wild populations of an arborescent coral, Acropora yongei: implications for the efficacy of “artificial spawning hotspots”

We are developing techniques to restore coral populations by enhancing larval supply using artificial spawning hotspots that aggregate conspecific adult corals. However, no data were available regarding how natural larval supply from wild coral populations is influenced by fertilization rate and how this is in turn affected by local population density and genetic diversity. Therefore, we assessed population density and genetic diversity of a wild, arborescent coral, Acropora yongei, and compared these parameters with those of an artificially established A. yongei population in the field. The population density of wild arborescent corals was only 0.27% of that in the artificial population, even in a high-coverage area. Genetic diversity was also low in the wild population compared with the artificial population, and approximately 10% of all wild colonies were clones. Based on these results, the larval supply in the artificial population was estimated to be at least 1,400 times higher than that in wild A. yongei populations for the same area of adult population

Newly proposed landform division in the Kibi Plateau area: Application for a hazard map of landslides

The Kibi Plateau is characterized by horizontal skylines and they are considered to be an uplifted peneplain. Landform of the plateaus in central part of Okayama Prefecture is divided into "Kibi plateau landform" and "Recent dissecting landform". The Kibi plateau landform is composed of low relief surface and relict mountain. The altitude of the low relief surface varies from 300 to 450m in Kayo area, and 200 to 350m in Kanayama area. The Recent dissecting landform is characterized by escarpment and cuts the Kibi plateau landform. Knick-point is formed at the boundary between two landforms and steep slope is distributed just below the knick-point. The steep slope of the recent dissecting landform is unstable and a potential of landslide is high

Microsatellite markers for multiple Pocillopora genetic lineages offer new insights about coral populations

Population genetics of the coral genus Pocillopora have been more intensively studied than those of any other reef-building taxon. However, recent investigations have revealed that the current morphological classification is inadequate to represent genetic lineages. In this study, we isolated and characterized novel microsatellite loci from morphological Pocillopora meandrina (Type 1) and Pocillopora acuta (Type 5). Furthermore, we characterized previously reported microsatellite loci. A total of 27 loci (13 novel loci) proved useful for population genetic analyses at two sites in the Ryukyu Archipelago, in the northwestern Pacific. Clonal diversity differed in each genetic lineage. Genetic structure suggested by microsatellites corresponded to clusters in a phylogenetic tree constructed from a mitochondrial open reading frame (mtORF). In addition, we found an unknown mitochondrial haplotype of this mtORF. These microsatellite loci will be useful for studies of connectivity and genetic diversity of Pocillopora populations, and will also support coral reef conservation

Whole-Genome Transcriptome Analyses of Native Symbionts Reveal Host Coral Genomic Novelties for Establishing Coral–Algae Symbioses

Reef-building corals and photosynthetic, endosymbiotic algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae establish mutualistic relationships that are fundamental to coral biology, enabling coral reefs to support a vast diversity of marine species. Although numerous types of Symbiodiniaceae occur in coral reef environments, Acropora corals select specific types in early life stages. In order to study molecular mechanisms of coral–algal symbioses occurring in nature, we performed whole-genome transcriptomic analyses of Acropora tenuis larvae inoculated with Symbiodinium microadriaticum strains isolated from an Acropora recruit. In order to identify genes specifically involved in symbioses with native symbionts in early life stages, we also investigated transcriptomic responses of Acropora larvae exposed to closely related, nonsymbiotic, and occasionally symbiotic Symbiodinium strains. We found that the number of differentially expressed genes was largest when larvae acquired native symbionts. Repertoires of differentially expressed genes indicated that corals reduced amino acid, sugar, and lipid metabolism, such that metabolic enzymes performing these functions were derived primarily from S. microadriaticum rather than from A. tenuis. Upregulated gene expression of transporters for those metabolites occurred only when coral larvae acquired their natural symbionts, suggesting active utilization of native symbionts by host corals. We also discovered that in Acropora, genes for sugar and amino acid transporters, prosaposin-like, and Notch ligand-like, were upregulated only in response to native symbionts, and included tandemly duplicated genes. Gene duplications in coral genomes may have been essential to establish genomic novelties for coral–algae symbiosis

Eighteen Coral Genomes Reveal the Evolutionary Origin of Acropora Strategies to Accommodate Environmental Changes

The genus Acropora comprises the most diverse and abundant scleractinian corals (Anthozoa, Cnidaria) in coral reefs, the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. However, the genetic basis for the success and wide distribution of Acropora are unknown. Here, we sequenced complete genomes of 15 Acropora species and 3 other acroporid taxa belonging to the genera Montipora and Astreopora to examine genomic novelties that explain their evolutionary success. We successfully obtained reasonable draft genomes of all 18 species. Molecular dating indicates that the Acropora ancestor survived warm periods without sea ice from the mid or late Cretaceous to the Early Eocene and that diversification of Acropora may have been enhanced by subsequent cooling periods. In general, the scleractinian gene repertoire is highly conserved; however, coral- or cnidarian-specific possible stress response genes are tandemly duplicated in Acropora. Enzymes that cleave dimethlysulfonioproprionate into dimethyl sulfide, which promotes cloud formation and combats greenhouse gasses, are the most duplicated genes in the Acropora ancestor. These may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from algal symbionts belonging to the family Symbiodiniaceae, or from coccolithophores, suggesting that although functions of this enzyme in Acropora are unclear, Acropora may have survived warmer marine environments in the past by enhancing cloud formation. In addition, possible antimicrobial peptides and symbiosis-related genes are under positive selection in Acropora, perhaps enabling adaptation to diverse environments. Our results suggest unique Acropora adaptations to ancient, warm marine environments and provide insights into its capacity to adjust to rising seawater temperatures

Comparative Analyses by Sequencing of Transcriptomes during Skeletal Muscle Development between Pig Breeds Differing in Muscle Growth Rate and Fatness

Understanding the dynamics of muscle transcriptome during development and between breeds differing in muscle growth is necessary to uncover the complex mechanism underlying muscle development. Herein, we present the first transcriptome-wide longissimus dorsi muscle development research concerning Lantang (LT, obese) and Landrace (LR, lean) pig breeds during 10 time-points from 35 days-post-coitus (dpc) to 180 days-post-natum (dpn) using Solexa/Illumina's Genome Analyzer. The data demonstrated that myogenesis was almost completed before 77 dpc, but the muscle phenotypes were still changed from 77 dpc to 28 dpn. Comparative analysis of the two breeds suggested that myogenesis started earlier but progressed more slowly in LT than in LR, the stages ranging from 49 dpc to 77 dpc are critical for formation of different muscle phenotypes. 595 differentially expressed myogenesis genes were identified, and their roles in myogenesis were discussed. Furthermore, GSK3B, IKBKB, ACVR1, ITGA and STMN1 might contribute to later myogenesis and more muscle fibers in LR than LT. Some myogenesis inhibitors (ID1, ID2, CABIN1, MSTN, SMAD4, CTNNA1, NOTCH2, GPC3 and HMOX1) were higher expressed in LT than in LR, which might contribute to more slow muscle differentiation in LT than in LR. We also identified several genes which might contribute to intramuscular adipose differentiation. Most important, we further proposed a novel model in which MyoD and MEF2A controls the balance between intramuscular adipogenesis and myogenesis by regulating CEBP family; Myf5 and MEF2C are essential during the whole myogenesis process while MEF2D affects muscle growth and maturation. The MRFs and MEF2 families are also critical for the phenotypic differences between the two pig breeds. Overall, this study contributes to elucidating the mechanism underlying muscle development, which could provide valuable information for pig meat quality improvement

2018年度読書運動プロジェクト活動報告書

活動資料 p.(1)～p.(5)はじめに : 藤本 朝巳 p.1読書会 : 小根山 桃子、立原 優菜、三雲 紫恩 p.2-p.4コンテスト・コンクール : 森園 佳子 p.5-p.7展示 : 山下 萌 p.8-p.11コラボランチ : 社本 衣舞紀 p.12文学散歩 : 中村 好花 p.13選書ツアー : 津田 優里香、鈴木 綾紗 p.14-p.15泉区読書推進イベント : 森園 佳子、伊豆 美保、小林 すずな p.16-p.18絵本講座・読み聞かせ講座 : 森園 佳子 p.19大学祭 : 花房 若奈、林 陽子 p.20-p.22朗読会 : 小野 紘子、関口 恵奈、穂積 優香、三雲 紫恩、児玉 玲奈、平山 真由子、宇野 菜々春、小林 すずな p.23-p.29プロフィール : p.30-39おわりに : 森園 佳子 p.40写真あり表あ

Editing 3D models on smart devices

AbstractThis study proposes a 3D CAD system available on smart devices, which are now a part of everyday life and which are widely applied in various domains, such as education and robot industry. If an engineer has a new idea while traveling or on the move, or in the case of collaboration between more than two engineers, this 3D CAD system allows modeling to be performed in a rapid and simple manner on a smart device. This 3D CAD system uses the common multi-touch gestures associated with smart devices to keep the modeling operations simple and easy for users. However, it is difficult to input the precise geometric information to generate 3D CAD models by such gestures. It is also impractical to provide a full set of modeling operations on a smart device due to hardware limitations. For this reason, the system excludes several complicated modeling operations. This work provides a scheme to regenerate a parametric 3D model on a PC-based CAD system via a macro-parametrics approach by transferring the 3D model created on a smart device in an editable form to a PC-based CAD system. If fine editing is needed, the user can perform additional work on a PC after reconstruction. Through the developed system, it is possible to produce a 3D editable model swiftly and simply in the smart device environment, allowing for reduced design time while also facilitating collaboration. This paper discusses the first-ever system design of a 3D CAD system on a smart device, the selection of the modeling operations, the assignment of gestures to these operations, and use of operation modes. This is followed by an introduction of the implementation methods, and finally a demonstration of case studies using a prototype system with examples

Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions of Autophagy for Genetics of Hearing Impairment

The etiology of hearing impairment following cochlear damage can be caused by many factors, including congenital or acquired onset, ototoxic drugs, noise exposure, and aging. Regardless of the many different etiologies, a common pathologic change is auditory cell death. It may be difficult to explain hearing impairment only from the aspect of cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, or necroptosis because the level of hearing loss varies widely. Therefore, we focused on autophagy as an intracellular phenomenon functionally competing with cell death. Autophagy is a dynamic lysosomal degradation and recycling system in the eukaryotic cell, mandatory for controlling the balance between cell survival and cell death induced by cellular stress, and maintaining homeostasis of postmitotic cells, including hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the inner ear. Autophagy is considered a candidate for the auditory cell fate decision factor, whereas autophagy deficiency could be one of major causes of hearing impairment. In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms and biologic functions of autophagy in the auditory system and discuss the latest research concerning autophagy-related genes and sensorineural hearing loss to gain insight into the role of autophagic mechanisms in inner-ear disorders

Life-Cycle Assessment of Adsorbents for Biohydrogen Production

Adsorbents are used to remove impurities such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide in the pressure swing adsorption process of biohydrogen production. These impurities are present in the produced gas along with hydrogen and often cause voltage reduction in fuel cells and shorten the lifespan of catalysts. Zeolite A is a typical adsorbent, and more recently, hydroxyl aluminum silicate clay (Has-Clay) and Kanuma clay have been suggested as alternatives. We conducted a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of zeolite A, Has-Clay, and Kanuma clay, and evaluated their environmental impact based on the ReCiPe midpoint method. Kanuma clay had the least impact in all of the environmental categories. The largest contributions for zeolite A and Has-Clay were in the categories of climate change and fossil depletion. In the climate change category, production of 1 kg of Has-Clay and zeolite A was estimated to emit 17.142 kg CO2 eq and 2.352 kg CO2 eq, respectively. In the fossil depletion category, the values were estimated to be 3.999 kg oil eq and 1.039 kg oil eq, respectively. These LCA results will be useful in designing and using adsorbents in pressure swing adsorption processes to meet environmental challenges associated with sustainable biohydrogen production