Endothelin: a novel peptide in the posterior pituitary system

Endothelin (ET), originally characterized as a 21-residue vasoconstrictor peptide from endothelial cells, is present in the porcine spinal cord and may act as a neuropeptide. Endothelin-like immunoreactivity has now been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclear neurons and their terminals in the posterior pituitary of the pig and the rat. The presence of ET in the porcine hypothalamus was confirmed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Moreover, in situ hybridization demonstrated ET messenger RNA in porcine paraventricular nuclear neurons. Endothelin-like immunoreactive products in the posterior pituitary of the rat were depleted by water deprivation, suggesting a release of ET under physiological conditions. These findings indicate that ET is synthesized in the posterior pituitary system and may be involved in neurosecretory functions.     

Neural processing of backwards-speech sounds

When sounds such as those produced by reverse playback of recorded speech are presented to left and right ears of normal subjects, the sounds arriving at the right ear are more accurately identified than those arriving at the left. These findings are comparable to the right-ear superiority demonstrated with normal speech sounds, and contrast with the left-ear superiority for musical and other non-speech sounds. It is suggested that the neural mechanisms underlying the perception of speech and non-speech sounds are not differentiated along the dimension of conceptual content.     

Incipient space weathering observed on the surface of Itokawa dust particles

The reflectance spectra of the most abundant meteorites, ordinary chondrites, are different from those of the abundant S-type (mnemonic for siliceous) asteroids. This discrepancy has been thought to be due to space weathering, which is an alteration of the surfaces of airless bodies exposed to the space environment. Here we report evidence of space weathering on particles returned from the S-type asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Surface modification was found in 5 out of 10 particles, which varies depending on mineral species. Sulfur-bearing Fe-rich nanoparticles exist in a thin (5 to 15 nanometers) surface layer on olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, and plagioclase, which is suggestive of vapor deposition. Sulfur-free Fe-rich nanoparticles exist deeper inside (<60 nanometers) ferromagnesian silicates. Their texture suggests formation by metamictization and in situ reduction of Fe(2+).     

Bioengineering of Leuconostoc mesenteroides glucansucrases that gives selected bond formation for glucan synthesis and/or acceptor-product synthesis

The variations in glucosidic linkage specificity observed in products of different glucansucrases appear to be based on relatively small differences in amino acid sequences in their sugar-binding acceptor subsites. Various amino acid mutations near active sites of DSRBCB4 dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB4 were constructed. A triple amino acid mutation (S642N/E643N/V644S) immediately next to the catalytic D641 (putative transition state stabilizing residue) converted DSRBCB4 enzyme from the synthesis of mainly α-(1→6) dextran to the synthesis of α-(1→6) glucan containing branches of α-(1→3) and α-(1→4) glucosidic linkages. The subsequent introduction of mutation V532P/V535I, located next to the catalytic D530 (nucleophile), resulted in the synthesis of an α-glucan containing increased branched α-(1→4) glucosidic linkages (approximately 11%). The results indicate that mutagenesis can guide glucansucrase toward the synthesis of various oligosaccharides or novel polysaccharides with completely altered linkages without compromising high transglycosylation activity and efficiency.     

The presence of double-stranded RNAs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata</Emphasis> Japanese pear pathotype is associated with morphological changes

Strains of the Japanese pear pathotype of Alternaria alternata were screened for double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Four strains had several dsRNAs; strain N18 was associated with several dsRNAs and had impaired growth phenotypes such as irregular mycelium and abnormal pigmentation. We isolated dsRNA-cured isolates from strain N18 by single-conidium isolation. The dsRNA-cured isolates had recovered normal growth and pigmentation. Enlarged vesicles were observed in mycelial cells of the original dsRNA-carrying N18 strain. DAPI nuclear staining revealed regression of the nuclei in dsRNA-carrying N18 cells. These results indicate that the dsRNAs might have negative effects, such as apoptosis-like cell death, on the host fungus.     

Extent and Management of Low pH Soils in Ghana

A review of soil acidity problems with regards to causes, extent and management in Ghana shows that the extent of soil acidity has changed within a period of 2–3 decades. In the 1970s' soil acidity was a major problem in the Western region and the lowlands. Oxisols and Ultisols are common soils found in this area. However, anthropogenic causes have augmented natural causes resulting in more low pH soils. Soil acidity has therefore become a serious problem throughout the country. Anthropogenic causes identified include general agronomic practices such as tillage, use of mineral fertilizers and continuous cultivation. Rates of 1–2 t ha⁻¹ lime on ultisols and oxisols in Ghana are more than adequate to meet the calcium demands and sufficient to neutralize residual acidity of any nitrogen fertilizer. Addition of organic amendments on low pH soils was also found to be beneficial and resulted in increased yields. The adoption of the "sawah" technology for lowland rice production has also resulted in improved water management, increased nutrient availability and significant increases in rice yields.     

Comparison of Bacterial Communities Associated with Microcrustaceans from the Floodwater of a Paddy Field Microcosm: Estimation Based on DGGE Pattern and Sequence Analyses

Bacterial communities associated with five kinds of microcrustaceans ( Tanycypris sp., Moina sp., Mesocyclops sp., Cypretta sp. and Heterocypris sp.) from the floodwater of a paddy field microcosm were examined by the application of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to PCR-amplified 16S rDNA products with universal bacterial primers and by sequencing of characteristic DGGE bands. The number of DGGE bands of the associated bacteria was small, indicating the association of specific bacterial members with the microcrustaceans studied, among which Tanycypris sp. showed the smallest number of bands. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the community structure of the associated bacteria could be divided into three groups: Podocopida ( Tanycypris sp., Cypretta sp. and Heterocypris sp.), Moina sp. and Mesocyclops sp., and further analysis separated Tanycypris sp. and Heterocypris sp. into different clusters. The duration of the incubation period affected the bacteria associated with Tanycypris sp., Moina sp. and Cypretta sp. only. Nearly all of the associated bacteria belonged to Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides (CFB) group. Closest relatives of the DGGE bands common to three Podocopida and Mesocyclops sp. belonged to an invertebrate endosymbiont.     

Carbon cycling in rice field ecosystems in the context of input, decomposition and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO2 and CH4)

Rice fields are intensively managed, unique agroecosystems, where soil flooding is general performance for rice cultivation. Flooding the field results in reductive soil conditions, under which decomposition of organic materials proceeds during the period of rice cultivation. A large variety of organic materials are incorporated into rice soils according to field management. In this review, the kind and abundance of organic materials entering carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem are evaluated first. Then, decomposition of plant residues and soil organic matter in rice fields is reviewed quantitatively. Decomposition of plant residues is shown to be the active process in carbon cycling in rice fields. Rice releases photosynthates into the rhizosphere (rhizodeposition), and they follow a different avenue of decomposition in soil from that of plant residues. Incorporation of rhizodeposition into microbial biomass and soil organic matter during the period of rice cultivation, and their fates after harvesting are evaluated quantitatively from ¹³C pulse labeled experiments. Percolating water transports inorganic and organic carbon from the plow layer to the subsoil layer. The amounts of their transport and accumulation in the subsoil layer are evaluated in relation to the amounts of soil organic C in the plow layer. Not only CO₂ but also CH₄ are produced in the decomposition process of organic materials in flooded rice fields. CH₄ evolution from rice fields is of global concern from the viewpoint of global warming. Origins of CH₄ evolved from rice fields are estimated first, followed by the fates of CH₄ in rice field ecosystems. Rhizodeposition is shown to be the main origin of CH₄ evolved from rice fields. Evolution to the atmosphere is not the sole pathway of CH₄ produced in rice fields. The amounts of CH₄ retained in soil, percolated to the subsoil layer and decomposed in soil are evaluated in the context of the amounts of CH₄ efflux. Thus, this review focuses on carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem from the viewpoints of input, decomposition, and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO₂ and CH₄).