Developing a photosynthetic sterility model to estimate CO2 fixation through the crop yield in Asia with the aid of MODIS data

Remote sensing technologies have been advanced continuously to a certain level for multi-scale applications to ease social and political concerns resulting from food security. In this study, an integrated monitoring, sensing and modeling system for estimating CO₂ fixation and grain yields using a photosynthetic sterility model was developed. Input data for model computation include observed meteorological data, numerical prediction reanalysis data, and satellite data such as solar radiation, land-cover and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) on a continental scale. Model validation requires crop yields and the Crop Situation Index (CSI) was provided by the Japanese government. It also demonstrates the application potential of this system to grain fields of paddy rice, winter wheat, and maize in Southeast Asia. The carbon hydrate in grains has the same chemical formula as that of cellulose in grain vegetation. The partition of sequestered CO₂ into grain, straw, and root portions of plant biomass weight was computed. The present photosynthesis model was evaluated using the mass of carbon included in the harvested grains of provincial crop production. Results indicate that the proposed system successfully estimates the photosynthesis fixation of rice reasonably well in Japan and China through the analysis of carbon in grains. However, the model tends to underestimate the photosynthesis rates for winter wheat and maize. The parameterization of radiation response function and the temperature response functions for low-temperature sterility need to be improved in the future.     

Inhibitory CD161 receptor identified in glioma-infiltrating T cells by single-cell analysis

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IL-22-Producing RORγt-Dependent Innate Lymphoid Cells Play a Novel Protective Role in Murine Acute Hepatitis

Retinoid-related orphan receptor (ROR) γt is known to be related to the development and function of various immunological compartments in the liver, such as Th17 cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). We evaluated the roles of RORγt-expressing cells in mouse acute hepatitis model using RORγt deficient (RORγt^−/−) mice and RAG-2 and RORγt double deficient (RAG-2^−/− × RORγt^−/−) mice. Acute hepatitis was induced in mice by injection with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), to investigate the regulation of liver inflammation by RORγt-expressing cells. We detected RORC expression in three compartments, CD4⁺ T cells, NKT cells, and lineage marker-negative SCA-1⁺Thy1^high ILCs, of the liver of wild type (WT) mice. CCl₄-treated RORγt^−/− mice developed liver damage in spite of lack of RORγt-dependent cells, but with reduced infiltration of macrophages compared with WT mice. In this regard, ILCs were significantly decreased in RAG-2^−/− × RORγt^−/− mice that lacked T and NKT cells. Surprisingly, RAG-2^−/− × RORγt^−/− mice developed significantly severer CCl₄-induced hepatitis compared with RAG-2^−/− mice, in accordance with the fact that hepatic ILCs failed to produce IL-22. Lastly, anti-Thy1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), but not anti-NK1.1 mAb or anti-asialo GM1 Ab administration exacerbated liver damage in RAG-2^−/− mice with the depletion of liver ILCs. Collectively, hepatic RORγt-dependent ILCs play a part of protective roles in hepatic immune response in mice.     

Structure Modifications of S-n-Butyl S′-p-tert-Butylbenzyl N-3-Pyridyldithiocarbonimidate (S–1358, Denmert®) and Fungicidal Activities

Since S-n-butyl S′-p-tert-butylbenzyl N-3-pyridyldithiocarbonimidate, a potent fungicide to powdery mildew, is known to inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in Monilinia fructigena, the activities were assessed on 24 compounds having other substituents than the 3-pyridyl and on 24 compounds having a variety of different structures connecting the 3-pyridyl and the p-tert-butylphenyl group from that of the dithiocarbonimidate.

In the former group the 3-pyridyl group was essential for the activities and the substitution at the 2- or 6-position resulted, on available data, in inactive compounds. Several other β-N-heterocyclic analogs were also active. In the latter group, a number of modified compounds from the dithiocarbonimidate structure were shown to be active.     

The plant homeodomain finger protein MESR4 is essential for embryonic development in Drosophila

Misexpression Suppressor of Ras 4 (MESR4), a plant homeodomain (PHD) finger protein with nine zinc‐finger motifs has been implicated in various biological processes including the regulation of fat storage and innate immunity in Drosophila. However, the role of MESR4 in the context of development remains unclear. Here it is shown that MESR4 is a nuclear protein essential for embryonic development. Immunostaining of polytene chromosomes using anti‐MESR4 antibody revealed that MESR4 binds to numerous bands along the chromosome arms. The most intense signal was detected at the 39E‐F region, which is known to contain the histone gene cluster. P‐element insertions in the MESR4 locus, which were homozygous lethal during embryogenesis with defects in ventral ectoderm formation and head encapsulation was identified. In the mutant embryos, expression of Fasciclin 3 (Fas3), an EGFR signal target gene was greatly reduced, and the level of EGFR signal‐dependent double phosphorylated ERK (dp‐ERK) remained low. However, in the context of wing vein formation, genetic interaction experiments suggested that MESR4 is involved in the EGFR signaling as a negative regulator. These results suggested that MESR4 is a novel chromatin‐binding protein required for proper expression of genes including those regulated by the EGFR signaling pathway during development. genesis 53:701–708, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Pectate Lyase Pollen Allergens: Sensitization Profiles and Cross-Reactivity Pattern

BackgroundPollen released by allergenic members of the botanically unrelated families of Asteraceae and Cupressaceae represent potent elicitors of respiratory allergies in regions where these plants are present. As main allergen sources the Asteraceae species ragweed and mugwort, as well as the Cupressaceae species, cypress, mountain cedar, and Japanese cedar have been identified. The major allergens of all species belong to the pectate lyase enzyme family. Thus, we thought to investigate cross-reactivity pattern as well as sensitization capacities of pectate lyase pollen allergens in cohorts from distinct geographic regions.MethodsThe clinically relevant pectate lyase pollen allergens Amb a 1, Art v 6, Cup a 1, Jun a 1, and Cry j 1 were purified from aqueous pollen extracts, and patients´ sensitization pattern of cohorts from Austria, Canada, Italy, and Japan were determined by IgE ELISA and cross-inhibition experiments. Moreover, we performed microarray experiments and established a mouse model of sensitization.ResultsIn ELISA and ELISA inhibition experiments specific sensitization pattern were discovered for each geographic region, which reflected the natural allergen exposure of the patients. We found significant cross-reactivity within Asteraceae and Cupressaceae pectate lyase pollen allergens, which was however limited between the orders. Animal experiments showed that immunization with Asteraceae allergens mainly induced antibodies reactive within the order, the same was observed for the Cupressaceae allergens. Cross-reactivity between orders was minimal. Moreover, Amb a 1, Art v 6, and Cry j 1 showed in general higher immunogenicity.ConclusionWe could cluster pectate lyase allergens in four categories, Amb a 1, Art v 6, Cup a 1/Jun a 1, and Cry j 1, respectively, at which each category has the potential to sensitize predisposed individuals. The sensitization pattern of different cohorts correlated with pollen exposure, which should be considered for future allergy diagnosis and therapy.