Comparison of gene expression profiles among caste differentiations in the termite Reticulitermes speratus.

Termite castes express specialized phenotypes for their own tasks and are a good example of insect polyphenism. To understand the comprehensive gene expression profiles during caste differentiation, RNA-seq analysis based on the genome data was performed during the worker, presoldier, and nymphoid molts in Reticulitermes speratus. In this species, artificial induction methods for each molt have already been established, and the time scale has been clarified.

Computer-aided diagnosis system using only white-light endoscopy for the prediction of invasion depth in colorectal cancer.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic treatment is recommended for low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and colorectal cancer (CRC) with submucosal (SM) invasion <1000 μm. However, diagnosis of invasion depth requires experience and is often difficult. This study developed and evaluated a novel computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system to determine whether endoscopic treatment is appropriate for colorectal lesions using only white-light endoscopy (WLE).

Reproductive Soldier-like Individuals Induced by Juvenile Hormone Analog Treatment in Zootermopsis nevadensis (Isoptera, Archotermopsidae).

Eusocial insects have highly sophisticated societies, showing a conspicuous division of labor associated with different phenotypes. These castes show specific morphologies adapted to discrete tasks. Termite castes are divided into reproductives, workers, and soldiers.

Intracolonial genetic variation affects reproductive skew and colony productivity during colony foundation in a parthenogenetic termite.

Background: In insect societies, intracolonial genetic variation is predicted to affect both colony efficiency and reproductive skew. However, because the effects of genetic variation on these two colony characteristics have been tested independently, it remains unclear whether they are affected by genetic variation independently or in a related manner. Here we test the effect of genetic variation on colony efficiency and reproductive skew in a rhinotermitid termite, Reticulitermes speratus, a species in which female-female pairs can facultatively found colonies.

Construction and characterization of normalized cDNA libraries by 454 pyrosequencing and estimation of DNA methylation levels in three distantly related termite species.

In termites, division of labor among castes, categories of individuals that perform specialized tasks, increases colony-level productivity and is the key to their ecological success. Although molecular studies on caste polymorphism have been performed in termites, we are far from a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of this phenomenon. To facilitate future molecular studies, we aimed to construct expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries covering wide ranges of gene repertoires in three representative termite species, Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Reticulitermes speratus and Nasutitermes takasagoensis.

High Laccase2 expression is likely involved in the formation of specific cuticular structures during soldier differentiation of the termite Reticulitermes speratus.

Termite soldiers are morphologically specialized for colony defense. Analysis of the mechanisms of soldier differentiation is important for understanding the establishment of termite societies. Soldiers differentiate from workers through a presoldier stage and have well-sclerotized and pigmented cuticles.

Hox Gene Deformed is likely involved in mandibular regression during presoldier differentiation in the nasute termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis.

Division of labor is a distinguishing characteristic of eusocial insects. To understand the proximate factors underlying caste determination, it is essential to clarify the developmental mechanisms during the differentiation of each caste. Termite soldiers have species-specific and diverse morphologies that are specialized for colony defense.