Effects of dietary nickel on apoptosis of hemocytes of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) larvae

Effects of dietary nickel on apoptosis of hemocytes of the 6th instar larvae of Spodoptera litura Fabricius were evaluated using flow cytometry and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) by feeding S. litura larvae with artificial diets amended with different concentrations of nickel (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) for 3 generations. Results showed that the hemocyte apoptosis rate of the 1st generation larvae increased with the increasing nickel concentrations in diet, and the apoptosis rate in the treatment with 40 mg/kg nickel was significantly higher than that in other treatments. In the 2nd generation, the highest hemocytes apoptosis rate was recorded in the treatment of the larvae exposed to 5 mg/kg nickel. The apoptosis rates in the larvae stressed by higher concentrations of nickel were lower than that in control. The apoptosis rates in the larvae exposed to nickel for 3 generations showed similar concentration-responses with that in the 2nd generation. However, the apoptosis rates in the larvae stressed with higher levels of nickel were all significantly inhibited in comparison with that in control. Therefore, effects of nickel stress on apoptosis of S. litura larvae were related with the nickel concentration in diets and the larval generations that were stressed by nickel.     

Bis(7)-tacrine ameliorates cognitive impairment caused by cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

The effects ofbis(7)-tacrine, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on cognitive impairment and neuronal degeneration induced by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) were investigated using the Morris water maze in rats. Once daily oral administration ofbis(7)-tacrine (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg·kg⁻¹) was started 14 days after 2VO operation. Over a three-week treatmentbis(7)-tacrine effectively reversed 2VO-induced spatial memory deficits in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, histological observation showedbis(7)-tacrine decreased the neuropathological changes in the 2VO rats brain. These results suggest thatbis(7)-tacrine has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dementia caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No: 30170335) Biography: Peng Feng-fang(1966-), female Master, research direction: Alzheimer's disease and ischemia     

斜纹夜蛾幼虫不同组织对Zn2+积累作用的比较研究

 通过在人工饲料中添加不同质量分数的Zn²⁺,研究了植食性昆虫斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura Fabricius连续3代幼虫取食含不同质量分数Zn²⁺饲料后,第1和第3代6龄幼虫不同组织对Zn²⁺的积累作用。结果表明,经连续3个世代的胁迫,Zn²⁺在第1、3代斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫脂肪体、表皮和中肠中的积累量随幼虫饲料中Zn²⁺ 质量分数及胁迫时间的增加而升高;中肠对Zn²⁺的积累作用最强,表皮次之,脂肪体最低。     

毛郁金乙醇提取物降血脂作用研究

【目的】研究毛郁金(Curcuma aromatica)乙醇提取物降血脂作用,为其综合开发利用提供依据。【方法】通过高脂饲料喂养及脂肪乳剂灌胃,建立高脂血症大鼠模型,连续3周给予毛郁金乙醇提取物进行治疗,设正常组、高脂模型组、辛伐他汀组和毛郁金乙醇提取物高、中、低剂量(生药18g·kg-1·d-1,12g·kg-1·d-1,6g·kg-1·d-1)组,以动物实验研究毛郁金乙醇提取物降血脂的作用。【结果】毛郁金乙醇提取物可降低大鼠血清总胆固醇(CHOL)、三酰甘油(TG)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)的含量,并提高血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)含量,对血清CHOL、LDL-C的降低作用:高中低剂量组,中剂量组对降低TG、升高HDL-C含量具有较好作用,毛郁金各给药组均对大鼠血清LDL-C含量有极显著降低作用。【结论】毛郁金乙醇提取物具有明显的降血脂作用。     

Microcalorimetric study on the antibiotic activity of clarithromycin and erythromycin

By using LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitoring System, the heat effect changes in the process of inhibitory action of clarithromycin and erythromycin onEscherichia coli at 37°C were determined. Quantitative analysis showed that relationship between antibiotic concentrationc and rate contantk ofEscherichia coli growth, and half inhibitory ratio concentration IC₅₀: clarithromycin:k=0. 030 03–1. 1736×10⁻³ c, 8. 45 mg ·L⁻¹; erythromycin:k=0.031 08–8.4657×10⁻⁴ c, 14. 45 mg·L⁻¹. As a result of the microcalorimetry experiments, it not only indicated that antibacterial activity of clarithromycin was stronger than that of erythromycin, but also reported the changeable features of thermodynamics of the bacterial cell in biological, biochemical and metabolic process under different drug action. Foundation item: Supported by Natinal Natural Science Fundation of China (29973030), Natural Science Fundation of Hubei Province (98J052) and Post-doctoral Science Fundation of China Biography, SHEN Xue-song (1956-), Associate professor Research direction: biothermochemistry.     

An explanation to the high efficiency ofm-THPC (temporfin) used in photodynamic therapy

Meso-tetrahydroxylphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) is one of the most efficient prospective sensitizers used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). ESR spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching experiments and cyclic voltammogram measurement were used to study its redox properties. The results showed that the ability of m-THPC generating superoxide radical anions was very strong, and the rate constant of m-THPC fluorescence quenching by oxygen k_q (O₂)=1.46×10¹⁰ mol^-1·s^-1. The values of fluorescence quen- ching rate constant of m-THPC by some other electron acceptors, such as methyl viologen (MV²⁺) and anthraquinone (An), were also measured. And they were k_q (MV²⁺)=5.51×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1, k_q (An)=7.81×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1. The oxidation potential of m-THPC was examined to be +0.62 V (vs. NHE) in acetonitrile. All these suggested that m-THPC should be a much stronger electron donor than photofrin, the currently used in clinical photodrug, and may react easily through electron transfer with biological matter to yield various radicals. So it seemed reasonable that the type Ⅰ reaction may play an important role in the high activity of m-THPC-PDT.     

Methoprene对SpltNPV增殖及其LC50的影响

 通过对斜纹夜蛾核多角体病毒(SpltNPV)在其不同龄期宿主体内增殖情况的研究,探索保幼激素类似物(JHA)methoprene促进SpltNPV在其宿主体内增殖的途径,为今后广泛利用methoprene进行高效率、低成本增殖昆虫杆状病毒杀虫剂提供理论依据和方法.运用正交组合的方法筛选3种主要因子(病毒感染浓度、methoprene用量和methoprene施用时间)对提高病毒增殖产量进行最佳组合实验.实验确立了以1×10⁷PIBs/mL感染6龄刚蜕皮的斜纹夜蛾幼虫,并于感染第1天滴加10μL methoprene的最佳组合方法,病毒总产量和平均病毒产量分别可达1 856.0×10⁸PIBs和62.2×10⁸PIBs.并测定了methoprene处理对SpltNPV病毒LC₅₀的影响.经methoprene处理后,病毒的LC₅₀由1.578×10⁷PIBs/mL增加至9.151×10⁷PIBs/mL.     

Estimation of soil respiration in a paddy ecosystem in the subtropical resion of China

Water vapor, energy exchange, and CO2 flux were measured continuously from 2003 to 2005 using the eddy covariance technique in a paddy ecosystem in the subtropical region of China. The CO2 fluxes at nighttime during fallow periods （from middle October to late April） were used to analyze the dynamics of soil respiration and its relationship with soil temperature, and to simulate the annual dynamics of soil respiration in paddy ecosystems. The variation of soil respiration showed a clear seasonal pattern. The soil respiration rates at night during the fallow periods were 52--398 mg· m^-2· h^-1, and exponentially correlated （P〈0.001） with soil temperatures at different depths of soil （5, 10, and 20 cm）, particularly the temperature measured at a depth of 5 cm. Based on the simulated exponential equations developed, annual average soil respiration rates and total soil respiration of paddy soil in the subtropical region of China were estimated to be 178.5--259.9 mg· m^-2· h^-1 and 1.56--2.28 kg· m^-2· a^-1, respectively. The simulation equations can be applied to evaluating soil respiration in paddy ecosystems during the rice-growing season.     

Effect of the endoparasitoidCampoletis chlorideae on phenoloxidase activity inHelicoverpa armigera hemolymph

Endoparasitoid wasps can develop inside permissive host due to their ability to overcome or to evade the host’s cellular and humoral immune response. Oviposition ofCampoletis chlorideae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in larvae ofHelicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera) was accompanied by inhibition of phenoloxidase (PO) activity and melanization reaction in host hemolymphin vitro. PO activity in host plasma was decreased about 83% 48 h post parasitization. A similar result was found when the host insect was injected with 0.5 wasp equivalent calyx fluid. This indicated that the calyx fluid was concerned with suppression of PO activity after parasitization. Furthermore, the prophenoloxidase (proPO) in host haemocytes could be activated by bovine trypsin in unparasitized insects, while it could not be activated in parasitized or calyx fluid-injected host. The results suggested that inhibition of PO activity by parasitization was related to the calyx fluid ofCampoletis chlorideae, and the components of calyx fluid (eg. polydnaviruses) perhaps suppressed the expression of proPO in hemolymph or accelerate the degradation of proPO.     

Export of particulate organic carbon estimated from234Th-238U disequilibria and its temporal variation in the South China Sea

Activities of²³⁴Th and nutrient concentrations in the upper 500 m water column were measured at a time-series station in the South China Sea over a time span of 12.3 d. Results showed a reduction of dissolved²³⁴Th and an overall increase of particulate²³⁴Th during the period. Meanwhile, activities of total²³⁴Th kept fairly constant, implying rapid transformation of²³⁴Th between the dissolved and particulate forms. Vertical profiles of total²³⁴Th showed evident deficit of²³⁴Th relative to²³⁸U in the upper 500 m water column. Using an irreversible steady-state model of thorium scavenging, export fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) corresponding to time pointsT ₁ andT ₂ were estimated to be 46.5 and 13.1 mmolC · m⁻² · d⁻¹. It was demonstrated that the estimation of POC export was greatly dependent on the POC/²³⁴Th_P ratios and the bias caused by the different models of²³⁴Th scavenging, however, was considered to be of minor importance.     

Observation of small-scale processes over shelf break in the East China Sea

The turbulent dissipation along with temperature and salinity was measured on board R/V Dong Fang Hong 2 over the shelf break of the East China Sea from March 7 to 9, 2004. Applying the Turner angle, it is found that the ＇diffusive＇ double diffusion, salt-fingering, and stable stratification coexist in the upper water column of about 50 m. Below that depth, there exists weak salt-fingering. The turbulent dissipation rates are enhanced along the ray paths of M2 internal tides emanating from the shelf break with values ranging from 1.0×10^-9 W·kg^-1 to 1.2×10^-6 W·kg^-1. The corresponding diapycnal mixing rates are from 1×10^-6 m^2· s^-1 to 1×10^-2 m^2· s^-1. The spatially averaged mixing rate over the whole observation section is 2.3×10^-3 m^2· s^-1, which is much larger than 1×10^-5 m^2·s^-1 of the background diapycnal mixing rate in the open ocean.     

Studies on reduced extent method for inhibited thermokinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reaction

The thermokinetic reduced extent equations of reversible inhibitions for Michaiels-Menten enzymatic reaction were deduced, and then the criteria for distinguishing inhibition type was given and the methods for calculating kinetic parameters,K _M,K _i andv _m were suggested. This theory was applied to inverstigate the inhibited thermokinetics of laccase-catalyzed oxidation ofo-dihydroxybenzene bym-dihydroxybenzene. The experimental results show the inhibition belongs to reversible competitive type,K _M=6.224×10⁻³ mol·L⁻¹,K _i=2.363×10⁻² mol·L⁻¹. Xiong Ya: born Sep. 1961, Ph. D. graduate student. Curent research interest is in biothermochemistry research Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Sanitary Sewage Treatment with Jet Inner-loop Bioreactor

0　IntroductionThejetloopreactorhasthecharacteristicsofbothjetandloopflow .Ononehand ,theairsuckedinisdispersedintosmallgasbubblesbecauseoftheshearingforcecausedbythehighvelocityjet,producinganincreasedinterfacialcontactbe tweengasandliquid ,thusthemasstransferefficiencyisin creased .Ontheotherhand ,aregularloopflowisformedbecauseofmutualimpetusofbothjetandair lift,thusdramaticallyim provestheperformancesofmixture ,diffusion ,masstransferandheattransferofthematerial.Withoutmechanicdriving ,the…     

3种苏铁属植物总黄酮、总多糖含量及抗氧化活性研究

为探究锈毛苏铁(Cycas ferruginea)、叉孢苏铁(C.segmentifida)和石山苏铁(C.sexseminifera) 3种苏铁属(Cycas)植物的总黄酮、总多糖含量以及抗氧化活性,本研究采用超声波辅助法对其根、叶柄、叶、雄球花、茎干的总黄酮及总多糖含量进行提取,以DPPH自由基(DPPH·)、羟自由基(·OH)、超氧阴离子自由基(O^-₂·)清除率评价其抗氧化活性,并采用Pearson相关性分析法分析相关性。结果表明：锈毛苏铁、叉孢苏铁和石山苏铁叶的总黄酮含量较高,大小依次为锈毛苏铁(8.61 mg·100 mg^-1)>叉孢苏铁(7.82 mg·100 mg^-1)>石山苏铁(1.04 mg·100 mg^-1);茎干中总多糖含量最高,大小依次为叉孢苏铁(28.32 mg·100 mg^-1)>石山苏铁(24.43 mg·100 mg^-1)>锈毛苏铁(16.59 mg·100 mg^-1<...     

Efficient transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX cDNA in neonatal hemophilia B mice mediated by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus

The feasibility of in vivo gene therapy for hemophilia B by VSV-G pseudotyped retroviral vector was introduced. The novel packaging cell line 293GPG was used to produce VSV-G/G1NaBAIX pseudotyped virus with the highest titers up to 8.5×10⁸ cfu·mL^-1. In contrast to the conventional retrovirus, VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more resistant to inactivation by serum complements (P＜0.001). Our results also demonstrated that VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more stable in neonatal mice serum than in adult mice serum (P＜0.01). After intraperitoneal injection of different doses of virus, hFIX antigen was detected and lasted for more than 120 d, the highest level reached (72.5±6.1) ng·mL^-1. Moreover, the functional activity was improved to some extent in all hFIX-treated mice, the most remarkable improvement was observed in the mice treated with higher dose of virus whose clotting activity increased to (3.4±1.5)% and APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) reduced to (43.2±7.2) s. The anti-hFIX antibody was not detected by the method of Bethesda, no germ line transmission and any side effects associated with gene transfer were found. Our results indicated that neonatal gene therapy for hemophilia B mice by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus is promising.     

Photodegradation of bisphenol a induced by metal ions in aqueous solution in the presence of ascorbic acid

The photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution containing metal ions and ascorbic acid (AsA) was investigated. After strong irradiation, the aqueous solution containing AsA and Cu²⁺ could produce hydroxyl radicals that induced the photodegradation of BPA. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA in the solution containing 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ AsA reached 59% at pH 6.0 after 4 hours irradiation with high pressure mercury lamp. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA reached 10% after 4 hours irradiation with daylight lamp in the presence of 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ ascorbic acid. BPA was not degraded in the aqueous solution only containing AsA or Cu²⁺. The BPA photodegradation in aqueous solution containing AsA and Fe³⁺ was weaker than in aqueous solution that containing AsA and Cu²⁺ at the same concentration. This work showed a new route of the BPA photodegradation in aqueous environment. Biography: PENG Zhang’e (1970–), female, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: aquatic environmental chemistry.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metal in wild growing mushrooms from Liangshan Yi nationality autonomous prefecture,China

The heavy metal bioaccumulation levels of 13 species of mushrooms were studied. 13 different species of wild mushrooms growing in China were analyzed for Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As. Contents of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in mushroom and Cu, Zn in Soil were tested by atomic absorption spectrometer （AAS）, and As in samples by atomic fluorescent light （AFL）. Contents of Cd and Pb in soil were analyzed by graphite furnace AAS. The results showed that contents of Cu, Pb, Cd, and As in Termitomyces microcarpus were the highest in the tested mushroom samples, which were 135.00, 13.28, 65.30, and 1.60 mg·kg^-1 （dry biomass） respectively, and the corresponding bioconcentration factor （BCF） for Cu and Cd was 57 and 1 674 separately, which was the highest data in 13 mushroom species. The capability ofBoletus griseus for Cd accumulation was very strong with BCF of 300. when people consume the wild edible mushrooms, contents of Cd and Pb should be greatly considered.     

Direct determination of trace silicon in lanthanum oxide by using a selective volatility and slurry sampling-FETV-ICP-AES

A new method for determination of trace sillicon in high purity lanthanum oxide by using electrothermal vaporization (ETV)-ICP-AES with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) slurry as a fluorinating reagent has been proposed. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the fluorination reactions of analyte (Si) and matrix(La) with PTFE in the graphite furnace took place at high temperature, and the fractional volatilily between Si and La was observed. Based on this principle the matrix interference could be eliminated. The detection limit of Si was 4.0μg·L⁻¹, and the RSD was 3.4%(C=0.2mg·L⁻¹,n=10). The procedure proposed has been applied successfully to determine trace Si in La₂O₃ without any chemical pre-treatment. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Qin Yongchao: born in Dec. 1953, ph. D., Assciate Professor     

Distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon of alpine meadow in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

A study on the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the alpine meadow in the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been carried out. The results indicate that the content of soil organic carbon (C _SOC) in the topsoil of terrace meadow (TM) ((67.16 ± 1.02) g·kg⁻¹) is more than that in the soil of upland meadow (UM) ((63.42 ± 0.65) g·kg⁻¹), while the C _SOC in upland shrubland (US) ((67.49 ± 0.83) g·kg⁻¹) is the most abundant in the scoreh stage (September). From May to September, the C _SOC in the topsoil of UM and US tends to descend, but that of TM tends to ascend. As for the distribution of the C _SOC and the density of SOC in the soil in the three sample areas, the data show that the deeper the soil, the lesser the content and density of SOC. The C _SOC in US is higher than that in TM and UM; the C _SOC in UM is the lowest at 0–10 cm soil depth. The density of SOC in US is always the lowest among UM, TM, and US at 0–40 cm depth, which shows that the storage of carbon in UM is more than that in US in the same range; the carbon pool capacity in UM is higher than that in US in the same range. Biography: ZHANG Wei (1979–), male, Lecturer, research direction: ecology of environment.     

Sensitive Determination of DNA by RLS Enhancement of Metal Ions

0　IntroductionThequantitativeanalysisofnucleicacids,especiallythemi cro determinationofnucleicacids,isbecomingmoreandmoreimportantinmanybiologicalstudies.Recently ,apromisingspectraltechnique ,whichwasbasedonthemeasurementofen hancedresonancelightscattering (RLS) [1 ,2 ] ,hasgivenrisetostronginterestbyanalystsandbiochemistsfornucleicacidsandproteinassay[3 9] .Uptonow ,manykindscompoundshavebeenfoundRLSenhancementwhilebindingtoDNA ,andallthesecompoundsarecharacterizedofpositivechargewhicha…