The CD14 monocyte differentiation antigen maps to a region encoding growth factors and receptors

CD14 is a myelomonocytic differentiation antigen expressed by monocytes, macrophages, and activated granulocytes and is detectable with the monoclonal antibodies MO2, MY4, and LeuM3. Analyses of complementary DNA and genomic clones of CD14 show that it has a novel structure and that it maps to chromosome 5 within a region containing other genes encoding growth factors and receptors; it may therefore represent a new receptor important for myeloid differentiation. In addition, the CD14 gene is included in the "critical" region that is frequently deleted in certain myeloid leukemias.     

Evidence for the involvement of GM-CSF and FMS in the deletion (5q) in myeloid disorders

By in situ chromosomal hybridization, the GM-CSF and FMS genes were localized to human chromosome 5 at bands q23 to q31, and at band 5q33, respectively. These genes encode proteins involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis, and are located within a chromosome region frequently deleted in patients with neoplastic myeloid disorders. Both genes were deleted in the 5q-chromosome from bone marrow cells of two patients with refractory anemia and a del(5)(q15q33.3). The GM-CSF gene alone was deleted in a third patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) who has a smaller deletion, del(5)(q22q33.1). Leukemia cells from a fourth patient who has ANLL and does not have a del(5q), but who has a rearranged chromosome 5 that is missing bands q31.3 to q33.1 [ins(21;5)(q22;q31.3q33.1)] were used to sublocalize these genes; both genes were present on the rearranged chromosome 5. Thus, the deletion of one or both of these genes may be important in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes or of ANLL.     

Interferon and c-ets-1 genes in the translocation (9;11)(p22;q23) in human acute monocytic leukemia

Gene probes for interferons alpha and beta 1 and v-ets were hybridized to metaphase chromosomes from three patients with acute monocytic leukemia who had a chromosomal translocation, t(9;11)(p22;q23). The break in the short arm of chromosome 9 split the interferon genes, and the interferon-beta 1 gene was translocated to chromosome 11. The c-ets-1 gene was translocated from chromosome 11 to the short arm of chromosome 9 adjacent to the interferon genes. No DNA rearrangement was observed when these probes were hybridized to genomic DNA from leukemic cells of two of the patients. The results suggest that the juxtaposition of the interferon and c-ets-1 genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of human monocytic leukemia.     

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects

Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during the past 3.7 years, we demonstrated a correlation between the arrival directions of cosmic rays with energy above 6 x 10(19) electron volts and the positions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) lying within approximately 75 megaparsecs. We rejected the hypothesis of an isotropic distribution of these cosmic rays with at least a 99% confidence level from a prescribed a priori test. The correlation we observed is compatible with the hypothesis that the highest-energy particles originate from nearby extragalactic sources whose flux has not been substantially reduced by interaction with the cosmic background radiation. AGN or objects having a similar spatial distribution are possible sources.     

Long-term land-use change effects on phosphorus fractionation in Zrêbar Lake margin soils

The aim of this study was to survey long-term changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in soils in different land uses. Sequential extraction had been used to determine soil P fractionation on the basis of land-use change, i.e. native forest to vineyard and wetland to both alfalfa and wheat at the end of 30 and 20 years, respectively. The highest values of labile-P (L-P) fractions in surface soil layers were observed in the cultivated land. The calcium-bound P was the most affected fraction by land-use change with the lowest amount in the vineyard and the highest amount in the alfalfa land. Conversion of forest to vineyards causes P in the soils to be more vulnerable to transmission; thus, the least amount of total P (T-P) in vineyard may be attributed to the removal of sediment and sediment bond P from runoff in response to land-use changes. Average L-P in alfalfa land was two times more than that in vineyard. Results showed that 44.5% of T-P in native land was stored in surface layer; besides, the portion of the arable surface horizon in T-P sequestration was 33%.     

Comparison of three models describing bromide transport affected by different soil structure types

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil structure on bromide (Br) transport through three soils with granular, prismatic, and single-grain structures. The breakthrough curve (BTC) of the single-grain structure was sigmoidal, symmetrical and similar to a piston flow, showing the dominance of mass flow. In contrast, the BTCs of the granular and prismatic structures were initially steep, becoming more gradual at high pore volumes (PVs). The stable structure and preferential pathways caused the early breakthrough of Br in the leachate of these columns. The convection–dispersion equation (CDE), mobile–immobile water (MIM), and dual-permeability (DP) models were fitted to observed data using the program HYDRUS-1D. The equilibrium transport model (CDE) was not as successful as non-equilibrium (MIM and DP) models in describing the Br transport in prismatic and granular soil columns, although it was able to describe the Br transport in single-grain column well. Overall, the results demonstrated the importance of soil structure in pollutant transport through soils.     

Potential and promisingness of technical options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation in Southeast Asian countries

ABSTRACT

Paddy fields are considered as one of the most important sources of anthropogenic methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. While several technical options have been proposed to reduce these emissions, gaps in data and information based on application of these options in the field are a key barrier to scaling-up. To address these gaps, we conducted a review of literature to analyze the potential of technical options in Southeast Asia (SEA). Using screening criteria based on reliability of experimental data, 31 region-specific cases were selected for the analysis. A meta-analysis indicated that water management options, including single and multiple drainage approaches such as alternative wetting and drying (AWD), significantly reduced CH₄ emissions by 35% as a mean effect size (95% confidential interval: 41–29%), as well as the combined effects of CH₄+N₂O (net GWP) by 29% (36–23%). The effect on reducing CH₄ emissions in the dry season was significantly larger than that in the wet season. Application of biochar reduced both CH₄ and N₂O emissions by 20% (40% to ?7%), while significantly increased rice yield by 28% (8–52%). Other options such as removal of rice straw from the previous crop, composting rice straw and manure, application of sulfate-containing fertilizer, and soil drying in the fallow season also have recognized potential to reduce emissions but require further data and consideration of possible trade-offs. Based on the analysis of mitigation potential, promising technical options were assessed by considering together with constraints and additional co-benefits in order to provide a useful guide for policy makers and rice value chain operators in SEA countries for adopting mitigation options in rice cultivation to tackle climate change and enhance agriculture sector sustainability.     

Translocation and rearrangement of myeloperoxidase gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (subtype M3) is characterized by malignant promyelocytes exhibiting an abundance of abnormally large or aberrant primary granules. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of these azurophilic granules, as assessed by cytochemical staining, is unusually intense. In addition, M3 is universally associated with a chromosomal translocation, t(15;17)(q22;q11.2). In this report, the MPO gene was localized to human chromosome 17 (q12-q21), the region of the breakpoint on chromosome 17 in the t(15;17), by somatic cell hybrid analysis and in situ chromosomal hybridization. By means of MPO complementary DNA clones for in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis, the effect of this specific translocation on the MPO gene was examined. In all cases of M3 examined, MPO is translocated to chromosome 15. Genomic blot analyses indicate rearrangement of MPO in leukemia cells of two of four cases examined. These findings suggest that MPO may be pivotal in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia.     

The role of the c-mos gene in the 8;21 translocation in human acute myeloblastic leukemia

The human c-mos proto-oncogene is located on chromosome 8 at band q22, close to the breakpoint in the t(8;21) (q22;q22) chromosome rearrangement. This translocation is associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia, subgroup M2. The c-myc gene, another proto-oncogene, has been mapped to 8q24. The breakpoint at 8q22 separates these genes, as determined by in situ hybridization of c-mos and c-myc probes. The c-mos gene remains on the 8q-chromosome and the c-myc gene is translocated to the 21q+ chromosome. Southern blot analysis of DNA from bone marrow cells of four patients with this translocation showed no rearrangement of c-mos.