Differential Rotation and Dynamics of the Solar Interior

Splitting of the sun's global oscillation frequencies by large-scale flows can be used to investigate how rotation varies with radius and latitude within the solar interior. The nearly uninterrupted observations by the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) yield oscillation power spectra with high duty cycles and high signal-to-noise ratios. Frequency splittings derived from GONG observations confirm that the variation of rotation rate with latitude seen at the surface carries through much of the convection zone, at the base of which is an adjustment layer leading to latitudinally independent rotation at greater depths. A distinctive shear layer just below the surface is discernible at low to mid-latitudes.     

NO, N2O, CH4 and CO2 fluxes in winter barley field of Japanese Andisol as affected by N fertilizer management

The study was carried out at the experimental station of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences to investigate gas fluxes from a Japanese Andisol under different N fertilizer managements: CD, a deep application (8 cm) of the controlled release urea; UD, a deep application (8 cm) of the conventional urea; US, a surface application of the conventional urea; and a control, without any N application. NO, N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were measured simultaneously in a winter barley field under the maize/barley rotation. The fluxes of NO and N₂O from the control were very low, and N fertilization increased the emissions of NO and N₂O. NO and N₂O from N fertilization treatments showed different emission patterns: significant NO emissions but low N₂O emissions in the winter season, and low NO emissions but significant N₂O emissions during the short period of barley growth in the spring season. The controlled release of the N fertilizer decreased the total NO emissions, while a deep application increased the total N₂O emissions. Fertilizer-derived NO-N and N₂O-N from the treatments CD, UD and US accounted for 0.20±0.07%, 0.71±0.15%, 0.62±0.04%, and 0.52±0.04%, 0.50±0.09%, 0.35±0.03%, of the applied N, respectively, during the barley season. CH₄ fluxes from the control were negative on most sampling dates, and its net soil uptake was 33±7.1 mg m⁻² during the barley season. The application of the N fertilizer decreased the uptake of atmospheric CH₄ and resulted in positive emissions from the soil. CO₂ fluxes were very low in the early period of crop growth while higher emissions were observed in the spring season. The N fertilization generally increased the direct CO₂ emissions from the soil. N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were positively correlated (P<0.01) with each other, whereas NO and CO₂ fluxes were negatively correlated (P<0.05). The N fertilization increased soil-derived global warming potential (GWP) significantly in the barley season. The net GWP was calculated by subtracting the plant-fixed atmospheric CO₂ stored in its aboveground parts from the soil-derived GWP in CO₂ equivalent. The net GWP from the CD, UD, US and the control were all negative at −243±30.7, −257±28.4, −227±6.6 and −143±9.7 g C m⁻² in CO₂ equivalent, respectively, in the barley season.     

Nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions from maize field plots as affected by N fertilizer type and application method

N₂O and NO emissions from an Andisol maize field were studied. The experimental treatments were incorporation of urea into the plough layer at 250 kg N ha^-1 by two applications (UI250), band application of urea at a depth of 8 cm at 75 kg N ha^-1 plus incorporation of urea into the plough layer at 75 kg N ha^-1 (UB150), band application of polyolefin-coated urea at a depth of 5 cm at 150 kg N ha^-1 (CB150), and a control (without N application). N₂O fluxes from UI250 and UB150 peaked following the incorporation of supplementary fertilizer, and declined to the background level after that, while the N₂O flux from CB150 was relatively low but remained at a constant level until shortly after harvest. Accordingly, the total N₂O emissions during the whole cultivation period from the three treatments were not significantly different. The fertilizer-derived N₂O-N losses from UI250, UB150 and CB150 were 0.15%, 0.27% and 0.28% of the applied N, respectively. However, it was suggested that, due to the low plant N recovery, UI250 had a significantly larger potential for indirect N₂O emission than the other treatments. On the other hand, NO emissions from UI250 and UB150 were 12 times higher than that from CB150, and the fertilizer-derived NO-N losses from the three treatments were 0.16%, 0.27% and 0.026% of the applied N, respectively. Significant NO fluxes were detected only when urea-N fertilizer was surface-applied and incorporated into plough-layer soil.     

Effects of flooding on downstream processes of glycolysis and fermentation in roots of Melaleuca cajuputi seedlings

We investigated the energy metabolism in roots of flooded Melaleuca cajuputi Powell, a tropical flood-tolerant tree species, by measuring adenylate concentrations and activities of glycolytic and fermentative enzymes under flooded conditions. Adenylate energy charge (AEC) decreased slightly to 0.72 on the second day of flooding and recovered to around 0.8 by the fourth day of flooding. Activities of pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1) and alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) increased initially and then decreased to the control level after 14 days of flooding. On the other hand, activities of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40), phosphoenolpyruvate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), and a series of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31), malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), and NADP dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), which can convert PEP into pyruvate, were not induced in flooded roots throughout the experiment. These results suggest that neither the downstream reactions of glycolysis nor ATP production via glycolysis was enhanced by flooding, whereas alcohol fermentation was enhanced. With the low ATP yield of the glycolysis–alcohol fermentation pathway and no induction of glycolytic enzymes, the glycolysis–alcohol fermentation pathway itself contributes little to ATP production in flooded roots of M. cajuputi. These physiological responses of M. cajuputi to flooding may have the advantages of surviving flooded conditions because they can avoid exhaustion of sugar and accumulation of ethanol, a toxic end product of alcohol fermentation.     

Acquired methemoglobinemia in anemic cattle infected with Theileria sergenti.

To investigate the mechanism of anemia accompanying Japanese bovine theileriosis, we examined whether production of methemoglobin (MetHB), an indicator of erythrocyte oxidation, was associated with anemia in cattle experimentally infected with Theileria sergenti. The percentage of MetHB, which is an oxidized form of hemoglobin, increased according to the onset of anemia. During severe anemia, high levels of acquired methemoglobinemia were observed in all infected cattle. A significant correlation (r=-0.649; P<0.01) between an increase in MetHB concentration and a decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) was observed. It was considered that hemoglobin oxidation may be one of the aggravating factors of anemia in T. sergenti infection.     

DNA methylation-dependent modulator of Gsg2/Haspin gene expression

The Gsg2 (Haspin) gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase and is predominantly expressed in haploid germ cells. In proliferating somatic cells, Gsg2 is shown to be expressed weakly but plays an essential role in mitosis. Although the Gsg2 minimal promoter recognized by the spermatogenic cell-specific nuclear factor(s) has been found, to date, the molecular mechanism that differentially controls Gsg2 expression levels in germ and somatic cells remains to be sufficiently clarified. In this study, we analyzed the DNA methylation status of the upstream region containing the Gsg2 promoter. We found a tissue-dependent and differentially methylated region (T-DMR) upstream (-641 to -517) of the authentic promoter that is hypomethylated in germ cells but hypermethylated in other somatic tissues. Profiling of Gsg2 expression and DNA methylation status at the T-DMR in spermatogenic cells indicated that the hypomethylation of the T-DMR is maintained during spermatogenesis. Using the reporter assay, we also demonstrated that DNA methylation at the T-DMR of Gsg2 reduced the promoter activity by 60-80%, but did not fully suppress it. Therefore, the T-DMR functions as a modulator in a DNA methylation-dependent manner. In conclusion, Gsg2 is under epigenetic control.     

Disease-dependent differently methylated regions (D-DMRs) of DNA are enriched on the X chromosome in uterine leiomyoma

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign tumor in women. Although responsible gene mutations have not been found in leiomyomas, they represent a progressive disease with irreversible symptoms. To characterize epigenetic features of uterine leiomyomas, the DNA methylation status of a paired sample of leiomyoma and normal myometrium was subjected to a microarray-based DNA methylation analysis with restriction tag-mediated amplification (D-REAM). In the leiomyoma, we identified an aberrant DNA methylation status for 463 hypomethylated and 318 hypermethylated genes. Although these changes occurred on all chromosomes, aberrantly hypomethylated genes were preferentially located on the X chromosome. Using paired samples of normal myometrium and leiomyoma from 6 hysterectomy patients, methylation-sensitive quantitative real-time PCR revealed 14 shared X chromosome genes with an abnormal DNA hypomethylation status (FAM9A, CPXCR1, CXORF45, TAF1, NXF5, VBP1, GABRE, DDX53, FHL1, BRCC3, DMD, GJB1, AP1S2 and PCDH11X) and one hypermethylated locus (HDAC8). Expression of XIST, which is involved in X chromosome inactivation, was equivalent in the normal myometrium and leiomyoma, indicating that the epigenetic abnormality on the X chromosome did not result from aberration of XIST gene expression. Based on these data, a unique epigenetic signature for uterine leiomyomas has emerged. The 14 hypomethylated and one hypermethylated loci provide valuable biomarkers for understanding the molecular pathogenesis of leiomyoma.     

Combined preputial advancement and phallopexy as a revision technique for treating paraphimosis in a dog

A 7‐year‐old neutered male Jack Russell terrier‐cross was presented for signs of recurrent paraphimosis, despite previous surgical enlargement of the preputial ostium. Revision surgery was performed using a combination of preputial advancement and phallopexy, which resulted in complete and permanent coverage of the glans penis by the prepuce, and at 1 year postoperatively, no recurrence of paraphimosis had been observed. The combined techniques allow preservation of the normal penile anatomy, are relatively simple to perform and provide a cosmetic result. We recommend this combination for the treatment of paraphimosis in the dog, particularly when other techniques have failed.     

Analysis of carotenogenic gene expression in petals and leaves of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae in the order Caryophyllales. Plants in this order do not accumulate carotenoids in petals. To understand how carotenoid accumulation is controlled in carnation petals, we analysed the expression of genes related to carotenoid accumulation. Petals at an early stage of development accumulated small amounts of carotenoids. As petals matured, their carotenoid content decreased to extremely low levels. In contrast, carnation leaves contained substantial amounts of carotenoids that are essential for photosynthesis. Most of the carotenogenic genes were expressed in petals at levels similar to those in leaves, and the expression levels of these genes increased during petal development. Genes encoding phytoene synthase and lycopene ε‐cyclase were exceptions. Their expression levels in petals were very low compared with those in leaves. Expression of the gene encoding carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 was detected in neither leaves nor petals. These data suggest that the low levels of carotenoids in carnation petals are caused not by enzymatic degradation but rather by low rates of carotenoid biosynthesis.     

Development of a Multiplex PCR for the Identification of Major Pathogenic Bacteria of Post‐Partum Endometritis in Dairy Cows

Post‐partum period has an important role in cows' breeding due to its effects on reproductive efficiency and subsequent pregnancy. Escherichia coli, Trueperella pyogenes (Arcanobacterium pyogenes), Fusobacterium necrophorum and Prevotella melaninogenicus are recognized as major pathogens associated with uterine endometrial lesions. The objective of this study was to identify these pathogens using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a culture‐independent sensitive method. A total of 172 cows were examined 25–35 days post‐partum, and 128 cows were examined at 2 weeks later (39–49 days post‐partum). Uterine discharges were collected by covered plastic infusion pipettes. The prevalence of endometritis was greater in the first examination than the second (35.5% vs. 16%). E. coli was detected in eight of the samples, T. pyogenes was detected in 13 of the samples and F. necrophorum was detected in 11 of the samples. There was no positive sample of P. melaninogenicus. Uterine contamination by T. pyogenes and F. necrophorum in the first examination was higher than the second examination. T. pyogenes affected as a tendency the prevalence of clinical endometritis in first examination. Primiparous cows showed 4.02 times higher odds of clinical endometritis compared with second‐parity cows in first examination. A multiplex PCR protocol as a simple, less expensive, fast assay was introduced to identify E. coli, T. pyogenes and F. necrophorum.