Impact of Concurrent aerobic-anaerobic Methanotrophy on Methane Emission from Marine Sediments in Gas Hydrate Area.

Microbial methane oxidation has a significant impact on the methane flux from marine gas hydrate areas. However, the environmental fate of methane remains poorly constrained. We quantified the relative contributions of aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophs to methane consumption in sediments of the gas hydrate-bearing Sakata Knoll, Japan, by in situ geochemical and microbiological analyses coupled with 13C-tracer incubation experiments. The anaerobic ANME-1 and ANME-2 species contributed to the oxidation of 33.2 and 1.4% methane fluxes at 0-10 and 10-22 cm below the seafloor (bsf), respectively. Although the aerobic Methylococcaceae species consumed only 0.9% methane flux in the oxygen depleted 0.0-0.5 cmbsf zone, their metabolic activity was sustained down to 6 cmbsf (based on rRNA and lipid biosyntheses), increasing their contribution to 10.3%. Our study emphasizes that the co-occurrence of aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophy at the redox transition zone is an important determinant of methane flux.

Expression of collagen-related piRNA is dysregulated in cultured dermal fibroblasts derived from patients with scleroderma.

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a class of recently discovered small non-coding RNAs. piRNAs derive from an initial transcript encompassing a piRNA cluster via a unique biosynthesis process, interact with PIWI proteins, bind to specific targets, and recruit chromatin modifiers to enable transcriptional repression. Abnormal expression of PIWI proteins and piRNAs has been reported in some human cancers, with participation of some PIWI/piRNAs complexes in tumorigenesis and association with cancer prognosis. Their expression in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) has not been widely elucidated. PIWI/piRNAs and their role in the pathogenesis of collagen accumulation in SSc was therefore investigated; no difference was found in the PIWIL1-4 levels between normal and cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts. Among piRNAs predicted to target SSc-related molecules, we first found significant piR-32364 up-regulation in SSc dermal fibroblasts, likely due to intrinsic TGF-ß signaling. Forced piR-32364 overexpression in normal fibroblasts significantly reduced COL1A1 expression both at mRNA and protein levels, but not COL1A2. Thus, piR-32364 overexpression in SSc fibroblasts may be the negative feedback against collagen up-regulation, which could suggest the potential of piRNAs as a therapeutic target.

Establishment of superovulation procedure in Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

Japanese field vole (Microtus montebelli) is a wild-derived rodent and have unique characteristic. Thus, these species have been expected as model animal. This study was performed to develop novel superovulation procedure for Japanese field vole. First, when 30 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 30 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were administrated 48 hours apart, females showed higher response to hCG compared with three concentrations of PMSG. Second, to effectively induce ovulation on females after vaginal opening, they were mated with vasectomized male instead of hCG administration. Average number of ovulated oocytes using PMSG mating (13.9 ± 1.9 oocytes) was higher than PMSG-hCG (control; 6.9 ± 2.3 oocytes) or PMSG-hCG mating (6.8 ± 0.8 oocytes). Finally, we attempted superovulation using GnRH agonist (GnRHa). With this treatment, we speculated that GnRHa might induce endogenous luteinizing hormone releasing to cause ovulation. Such superovulation was performed with 30 IU PMSG and different concentration of 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone-GnRHa (15, 30, 45, and 60 µg/kg). As results, average number of ovulated oocytes was highest with 30 µg/kg GnRHa (14.5 ± 4.1 oocytes). The numbers of ovulated oocytes of other concentrations were 5.0 ± 1.4 (15 µg/kg), 12.8 ± 2.7 (45 µg/kg), and 8.8 ± 3.7 oocytes (60 µg/kg). Nuclear status of most collected oocytes was the second meiotic division (range, 94.3%-100%). These superovulation procedures will be useful for development of in vitro culture systems and assisted reproductive technologies for not only Japanese field vole but also other voles.

Systematic control of the excited-state dynamics and carrier-transport properties of functionalized benzo[ghi]perylene and coronene derivatives.

A series of benzo[ghi]perylene (Bp) and coronene (Cor) derivatives substituted with electron-withdrawing methoxycarbonyl (COOMe) or electron-donating methoxyl (MeO) groups was synthesized. The electrochemical, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties of these compounds were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy, and quantum-yield measurements. Introduction of suitable substituents onto the aromatic rings enabled control of electrochemical and spectroscopic behavior. Examination of excited-state dynamics revealed that fluorescence quantum yields increased with increasing number of COOMe groups in both Bp and Cor derivatives, consistent with the findings of DFT calculations. Single-crystal analysis allowed the performance of field-effect transistors containing single crystals of the derivatives to be rationalized.

Changing the volume of a giant macrocycle: the swelling of the macrocycle with organic solvents.

The novel tetrahedral macrocycles 1a-1c have been synthesized. Macrocycles 1a and 1c were revealed to have the property to increase in volume in solution by complexation between the macrocycle and the solvent molecules.

Stabilization of small heterodimer partner mRNA by grape seed procyanidins extract in cultured hepatocytes.

SCOPE: Consumption of dietary grape seed procyanidins extract (GSPE) has improved the plasma lipid profile in humans and experimental animals. The effect of GSPE on the reduction of the postprandial plasma triglyceride (TG) levels has been attributed to the activation of the small heterodimer partner (SHP). GSPE increases SHP gene expression in rat liver and the TG-lowering effect of GSPE is abolished in SHP-deficient mice. However, the mechanism by which GSPE increases SHP mRNA levels remains unclear. This study addressed the effect of GSPE on SHP mRNA stability. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study shows for the first time that SHP mRNA is rapidly degraded, as measured by actinomycin D-based mRNA chase experiments, and GSPE transiently stabilizes SHP mRNA in HepG2 cells. This degradative effect was completely abolished with 2 h of prolonged treatment with GSPE. However, treatment of fresh HepG2 cells with a pretreated GSPE-containing medium also stabilized SHP mRNA, indicating that GSPE inactivation is not responsible for the transient effects that GSPE has on SHP mRNA stability. CONCLUSION: SHP expression is intricately controlled by mRNA stabilization, which is transiently increased by GSPE, along with at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels.

Cows milk-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis under the condition of a premenstrual or ovulatory phase following skin sensitization.

BACKGROUND: A 24 year-old woman with atopic dermatitis occasionally developed symptoms, including dyspnea and generalized urticaria, following ingestion of food containing cows milk. Similar episodes had continued, and had been treated empirically since the age of 16 years. CASE SUMMARY: Although a skin test and IgE RAST showed positive reactions to cows milk, a provocation test with cows milk alone did not induce any symptoms. Therefore, food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) was suspected, but examination using various combinations of cows milk, aspirin and exercise failed to elicit any symptoms. Finally, a provocation test during the ovulatory phase with cows milk followed by aspirin and exercise evoked systemic urticaria, dyspnea and hypotension. DISCUSSION: The symptoms against cows milk began when she took baths with bath salts containing cows milk as its main ingredient for one year at the age 15 years. Sensitization to cows milk through eczematous skin is indicated from this history. Hormonal change during a premenstrual or ovulatory phase is also an important factor for the development of FDEIA in this case.