The Physcomitrella genome reveals evolutionary insights into the conquest of land by plants

We report the draft genome sequence of the model moss Physcomitrella patens and compare its features with those of flowering plants, from which it is separated by more than 400 million years, and unicellular aquatic algae. This comparison reveals genomic changes concomitant with the evolutionary movement to land, including a general increase in gene family complexity; loss of genes associated with aquatic environments (e.g., flagellar arms); acquisition of genes for tolerating terrestrial stresses (e.g., variation in temperature and water availability); and the development of the auxin and abscisic acid signaling pathways for coordinating multicellular growth and dehydration response. The Physcomitrella genome provides a resource for phylogenetic inferences about gene function and for experimental analysis of plant processes through this plant's unique facility for reverse genetics.     

Phase chemistry, structure, and radiation effects in lunar samples

Phase chemistry, structure, and radiation effects were studied in rock, breccia, and soil samples. The regolith apparently developed in the final stages of accretion and was modified by later impact processes and radiation weathering. Exposure ages indicate transfer of buried igneous rock fragments to the near surface late in lunar history. With a few exceptions igneous rock fragments, soil, and breccia share the same distinctive chemistry, probably acquired before accretion of the moon. The igneous rocks texturally resemble basaltic achondrites, and the soil and breccias contain glassy spheres analogous to chondrules.     

Topological defects coupling smectic modulations to intra-unit-cell nematicity in cuprates

We study the coexisting smectic modulations and intra-unit-cell nematicity in the pseudogap states of underdoped Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+δ). By visualizing their spatial components separately, we identified 2π topological defects throughout the phase-fluctuating smectic states. Imaging the locations of large numbers of these topological defects simultaneously with the fluctuations in the intra-unit-cell nematicity revealed strong empirical evidence for a coupling between them. From these observations, we propose a Ginzburg-Landau functional describing this coupling and demonstrate how it can explain the coexistence of the smectic and intra-unit-cell broken symmetries and also correctly predict their interplay at the atomic scale. This theoretical perspective can lead to unraveling the complexities of the phase diagram of cuprate high-critical-temperature superconductors.     

Imaging doped holes in a cuprate superconductor with high-resolution Compton scattering

The high-temperature superconducting cuprate La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4) (LSCO) shows several phases ranging from antiferromagnetic insulator to metal with increasing hole doping. To understand how the nature of the hole state evolves with doping, we have carried out high-resolution Compton scattering measurements at room temperature together with first-principles electronic structure computations on a series of LSCO single crystals in which the hole doping level varies from the underdoped (UD) to the overdoped (OD) regime. Holes in the UD system are found to primarily populate the O 2p(x)/p(y) orbitals. In contrast, the character of holes in the OD system is very different in that these holes mostly enter Cu d orbitals. High-resolution Compton scattering provides a bulk-sensitive method for imaging the orbital character of dopants in complex materials.     

Furazolidone induces the activity of microsomal enzymes that metabolize furazolidone in chickens

The nitrofuran antibacterial agent furazolidone (FZ) is still used in veterinary medicine in some countries in the Middle and Far East. The present study aimed to show the effect of FZ on the activity of microsomal enzymes that metabolize FZ, and to identify the enzyme that contributes to FZ metabolism in chickens. Wistar rats and White Leghorn chickens were administered FZ once a day for four consecutive days. FZ metabolism was accelerated by FZ administration in chickens, but not in rats. The elevation of FZ metabolism coincided with the induction of NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) activity in chickens, but such induction was not observed in rats. FZ metabolizing activities were inhibited in the presence of a CPR inhibitor (diphenylene iodonium chloride) but not by the addition of archetypal cytochrome P450 inhibitors (CO or n-octylamine). The preset study concluded that FZ accelerated its own metabolism in the chicken by induction of the activity of CPR.     

In vitro antioxidative effects and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of seven hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives in green coffee beans

Seven kinds of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives identified as 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), 4-caffeolyquinic acid (4-CQA), 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), 5-feruloylquinic acid (5-FQA), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,4-diCQA), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA), and 4,5-dicaffoylquinic acid (4,5-diCQA) by MS, 1H NMR, and HPLC analyses were isolated from low-quality (immature) and commercial quality green coffee beans. The quantity of chlorogenic acid isomers (10.4 g/100 g), especially 5-CQA, in commercial green coffee beans [West Indische Bereiding (West India processing beans from Sumatra Island, Indonesia, WIB)] was higher than that in low-quality beans [9.1 g/100 g, Eerste Kwaliteit (Export low-quality beans from Java Island, Indonesia, EK-1, grade 4)], whereas little difference in diCQAs was detected between the two kinds of beans. The free radical scavenging activity of these isolates was evaluated in assay systems using DPPH free radicals and superoxide anion radicals generated by xanthine-XOD. The diCQAs showed strong (1.0-1.8-fold) free radical scavenging activity compared to commonly used antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid. The potency order of superoxide anion radical scavenging activity was diCQAs > caffeic acid, CQAs > 5-FQA. The activities of the diCQAs were twice as effective as those of CQAs and 4 times as effective as that of 5-FQA. The diCQAs also exhibited more potent (2.0-2.2-fold) tyrosinase inhibitory activities compared to CQAs, arbutin, and ascorbic acid. The isolates exhibited antiproliferation activities in four cancer cell lines, U937, KB, MCF7, and WI38-VA. Among these, KB cells were most sensitive (IC50 = 0.10-0.56 mM).     

Projections of SO2, NOx,NH3 and VOC Emissions in East Asia Up to 2030

Starting from an inventory of SO₂, NO_x, VOC and NH₃ emissions for the years 1990 and 1995 in East Asia (Japan, South and North Korea, China, Mongolia and Taiwan), the temporal development of the emissions of the four air pollutants is projected to the year 2030 based on scenarios of economic development. The projections are prepared at a regional level (prefectures or provinces of individual countries) and distinguish more than 100 source categories for each region. The emission estimates are presented with a spatial resolution of 1×1 degree longitude/latitude. First results suggest that, due to the emission control legislation taken in the region, SO₂ emissions would only grow by about 46 percent until 2030. Emissions of NO_x and VOC may increase by 95 and 65 percent, respectively, mainly driven by the expected increase in road traffic volume. Ammonia, mainly emitted from agriculture, is projected to double by 2030.     

Partial purification and characterization of eosinophil chemotactic factors from soluble extract of Fasciola species

Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) was partially purified from common liver flukes (Japanese strain of Fasciola sp) by a combination of anion-exchange chromatography on DE52 and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The molecular weight of ECF was estimated to be approximately 27,000 by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The ECF was heat labile (56 and 100 C for 30 minutes) and was not bound with lentil-lectin Sepharose. The results of isoelectric focusing showed that ECF comprises at least 2 components; one was a major ECF with an isoelectric point of 3.1, and the other, a minor ECF with an isoelectric point of 3.8 to 4.5. These results indicate that ECF of common liver flukes are acidic proteins.