Abnormal gonad development in Kit W-2Bao mice caused by a Kit gene missense mutation

Kit ^W-2Bao mice are single-gene autosomal dominant mutation mice with a B6 background that were bred in our laboratory. Heterozygotes had morphological characteristics including albinism of the abdomen, extremities, and tail, whereas the homozygotes had albinism of the body, black eyes, and infertility. The homozygous mutants showed small, structurally abnormal gonads, and lacked germ cells. Heterozygous male mice lacked germ cells in some contorted seminiferous tubules. This mutation has been mapped at 43.8 cM from the centromere in chromosome 5 by linkage analysis and Kit has been identified as the candidate gene. After Kit full-length mRNA amplification, it was found that a G to T conversion at position 1228 in the ORF changed the 410th amino acid from V to F. This amino acid change could affect the protein’s secondary structure. Heterozygous mutant mice were intercrossed and homozygous mutant mice were bred and genotyped. We found that no primordial germ cells (PGCs) appeared in the urogenital ridge area at fetus day 11.5 in the homozygotes. The number of PGCs also significantly decreased in heterozygotes. At fetus day 15.5, the differentiation of the testis tubule structure was unclear; as well, they contained no spermatogonia. Female homozygotes contained no primordial follicles in the ovary. The numbers of PGCs and primordial follicles were significantly decreased in heterozygous mice. W ^?2Bao is the only mutated site in the extracellular 4th Ig-like domain and this mutant mouse model provides new material for the study of the mechanism of reproductive system development.     

Mapping of genetic modifiers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plcd1</Emphasis> in scant hair mice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">snthr</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">1Bao</Emphasis></Superscript>)

The scant hair mutant mouse (locus symbol: snthr ^1Bao ) is a recessive mutation that originated in an ethylnitrosourea chemical carcinogenesis study using the DBA/2J inbred strain. The gene responsible for the mutation was previously determined to be phospholipase C, delta 1 (Plcd1; mutant allele symbol Plcd1 ^snthr1Bao ). To map the modifiers of Plcd1, an intercross (DBA/2J-snthr ^1Bao /snthr ^1Bao × C57BL/6J+/+) was conducted. The F2 mutant progeny exhibited a variety of alopecia phenotypes; all F2 mutants (n=507) were classified into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe alopecia) and genotyped based on 96 microsatellites. A major QTL was identified on mouse chromosome (mChr) 15 at 12 cM with an LOD score greater than 7 (P < 0.0001). Three minor QTLs were detected on mChr 2, 5, and 7 at 40, 84 and 48 cM, respectively. The QTLs on mChr 7 and 15 were associated with minor alopecia while the QTLs on mChr 2 and 5 were associated with moderate to severe alopecia. No antagonistic or synergistic effects among or between the 4 QTLs were found. Integrating the functions of the 4 potential regulatory QTLs and mutant Plcd1 ^snthr1Bao , we found that these QTLs might contribute to variations of scant hair severity by altering the Ca²⁺ signal pathways in mouse skin.     

Thymidine kinase gene mutation leads to reduced virulence of pseudorabies virus

To explore correlation between the tk gene structure of pseudorabies virus (PRV) and its virulence, to study the effect of the gene mutation on PRV biological properties, and to investigate mechinism of reduced virulence, thymidine kinase (TK)-deficient mutant of pseudorabies virus strain Hubei (PRV HB) was isolated by selection for resistance to 5-bromodeoxyuridine. The tk genes of PRV HB and its TK^― mutant were cloned and sequenced. 1587 base pairs of the tk gene and flanking regions of wild-type (wt) virus were sequenced, which included an open reading frame (ORF) of 1098 bp encoding a protein of 366 amino acids. The ORF contained two 137-bp repeated sequences, which were connected by an adenosine. 1458 bp of the tk and flanking regions of TK^― mutant were sequenced. Analysis of the tk gene sequence of TK^― mutant indicated that one of 137 bp repeated sequence and the connecting adenosine in the tk gene of the wt virus was deleted and a repeated sequence of 8 nucleotides (GCGCGCC) was inserted. All other nucleotides of TK^―mutant were identical to that of wt virus. Deletion and insertion of the nucleotide sequence resulted in a frameshift and a premature chain termination, and the resultant TK protein was not active. Analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed that TK protein of PRV HB contained the conserved consensus sequence of herpesviral TKs and an additional conserved-DHR-motif. The results of this work also indicated that TK^― mutant was genetically stable. Compared to PRV HB, virulence of TK^― mutant was greatly decreased. Mice vaccinated with TK^― mutant were completely protected against a lethal challenge with virulent PRV (HB).     

Crystal structure and negative thermal expansion of solid solution Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>W<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

A new series of solid solutions Lu₂W_3−x Mo _x O₁₂ (0.5≤x≤2.5) were successfully synthesized by the solid-state method. Their crystal structure and negative thermal expansion properties were studied using high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method. All samples of rare-earth tungstates and molybdates are found to crystallize in the same orthorhombic structure with space group Pnca and show the negative thermal expansion phenomena related to transverse vibration of bridging oxygen atoms in the structure. Thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) of Lu₂W_3−x Mo _x O₁₂ are determined as −20.0×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for x=0.5 and −16.1×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for x=2.5 but -18.6×10⁻⁶ and −16.9×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for unsubstituted Lu₂W₃O₁₂ and Lu₂Mo₃O₁₂ in the identical temperature range of 200 to 800°C. High-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and bond length analysis suggest that the difference between W-O and Mo-O bond is responsible for the change of TECs after the element substitution in this series of solid solutions.     

Observation of internal tides and near-inertial motions in the upper 450 m layer of the northern South China Sea

Mooring ADCP current observations from August to November are used to study the barotropic tides, baroclinic tides and near-inertial motions in the upper 450 m layer of the northern South China Sea. The barotropic and baroclinic tides at the mooring station are all dominated by M2, K1, O1, P1, with the barotropic amplitudes being 7.8 cm·s^-1, 7.0 cm·s^-1, 5.4 cm·s^-1 and 3.5 cm·s^-1 respectively. The amplitudes of M2, K1, O1, P1 internal tides vary greatly, which are 12--15 cm·s^-1 in the thermocline, and then decrease with increasing depth. The amplitude of the barootropic near-inertial motions is less than 1 cm·s^-1, contributing little to the barotropic currents. However, that of the baroclinic nearinertial motions can be as large as 5 cm·s^-1. The inclination of tidal ellipse tends to increase with increasing depth, implying upward propagation of energy, while that of the near-inertial ellipse tends to decrease with increasing depth, implying downward propagation of energy.     

Fluorescence Determination of Artemisinin Using Hemoglobin as Catalyst and Pyronine B as Substrate

0 IntroductionMaalnadria siusb atr ompajicosr .he aAltrthe pmrisoibnlienmi (n qtihneghtraoopsiucs,QHS,Fig.1) is a sesquiterpene endoperoxide isola-ted fromArtemisia annuaL., an ancient Chineseherbal medicine usedfor treatment of fever and ma-laria.Studies of the structure and activity relation-ship have shownthat endoperoxide groupis essentialfor anti malarial activity of QHS and absence of thismoiety lead to completely loss in activity of thedrug. Many techniques have been developed to de…     

Synthesis and surface activity of biquaternary ammonium salt gemini surfactants with ester bond

The synthesis and surface activity of gemini surfactants with ester bond as spacer are described. Their critical micelle concentrations （CMC） are much lower than that of conventional surfactants, i.e., 1.62×10^-5, 1.38×10^-5, 1.28×10^-5 mol·L^-1 for gemini Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively. Surface tension at the CMC of gemini Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were 36.4, 38.5, 41.2 mN · m^-1. The physico-chemical properties such as Krafft points, foaming abilities and emulsifying power were also investigated. It is found that the title compounds have low Krafft points and show good solubility in water. The gemini surfactants synthesized also exhibit good foaming properties and excellent emulsifying power toward toluene. The foaming abilities and emulsifying power increase with the increase in carbon number of hydrophobic chain, and this might be caused by the sheer viscosity of different gemini surfactant solution.     

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.     

Electronic properties and stabilities of methoxy-substituted Lindqvist polyoxometalates [Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>W<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript>CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript> by DFT

The electronic properties and stabilities of five [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]³⁻ isomers have been investigated using a density functional theory method. The results show that the isomer with the methoxy group occupying a bridging position between two tungsten atoms (two tungsten atoms in the plane that contains two niobium atoms) in the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]3⁻ framework is the most stable isomer in acetonitrile. The stability of the one-electron-reduced isomers changes little. The most stable one-electron-reduced isomer has the methoxy group occupying a bridging position between niobium atoms in the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]⁴⁻ framework. The M-Ob (M = Nb, W; b denotes bridging) bond lengths in anions in which the metal atoms are connected by a methoxy group are longer than those in [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) in [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻ mainly delocalize over the bridging oxygen atoms of two niobium atoms and two tungsten atoms located in the equatorial plane, and the bridging oxygen atoms on the axial surface. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) of [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻ are mainly concentrated on the tungsten atoms and antibonding oxygen atoms. Methoxy substitution modifies the electronic properties of the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]³⁻ isomers. The HOMOs in the five isomers formally delocalize over the bridging oxygen atoms, which are distant from the surface containing the methoxy group and four metal atoms. The LUMOs delocalize over the d-shells of the four metal atoms that are close to the methoxy group, and the p-orbitals of oxygen. One-electron reduction occurred at the tungsten atoms, not the niobium atoms.     

Mechanisms of peroxynitrite-induced [Ca2+]i increase in single neuronal cell

The mechanism of peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻)-induced [ca²⁺]_i increase in single MN9D cell (Dopaminergic neuroblastoma cell line) was studied by using Fura-2 microfluorometric technique. The results show that ONOO⁻ caused a rapid increase of [Ca²⁺]_i when ONOO₋ was puffed to the cell. Removing Ca²⁺ from the bath or using calcium channel antagonist (CdCl₂, Nifedipine) greatly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by ONOO⁻¹, suggesting that the opening of L-Ca²⁺ channel makes a great contribution to the [Ca²⁺]_i increase. The effect of sulfhydryl reductive agent (DTT) on ONOO⁻-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase suggests that ONOO⁻-activating L-Ca²⁺ channel is partly related to its oxidative speciality.     

Effects of anions on the biosorption of microelement cations by macroalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enteromorpha prolifera</Emphasis> in single- and multi-metal systems

The results of research on the effects of anions on the biosorption of microelement cations by the edible marine macroalga Enteromorpha prolifera in singleand multi-metal systems are discussed in this paper. It was shown that the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) in a single-metal system of Co(II) ions decreased in the following sequence: Cl- (46.0 mg g-1) > SO42- (42.8 mg g-1) > NO3- (41.9 mg g-1). In multi-metal systems, in which the ratios of Cl-, NO3-, and SO42- were 0:0:4, 1:1:2, 3:0:1, and 4:0:0, there were clear differences among the biosorption capacities. In all the examined systems (other than the 0:0:4 system), inhibition of the binding of microelement cations by the macroalga was observed. In all the systems, the highest value of qmax was obtained for Cu(II) cations; the value ranged from 31.9 mg g-1 in 0:0:4 (SO42- only) to 18.2 mg g-1 in 4:0:0 (Cl-only).     

Kinetic studies of the decomposition reaction of adducts of dinuclear Fe(Ⅱ)/O2

Kinetic studies of the decomposition reaction of dinuclear Fe(Ⅱ) adducts [Fe₂(N-Et-HPTB){O₂P(OPh)₂}](Cl- O₄)₂ (1) and [Fe₂(N-Et-HPTB) {O₂P(Ph)₂}] (ClO₄)₂ (2) with O₂ have been carried out at low temperature using UV-vis spectra. The decomposition reaction of Fe(Ⅱ)/O₂ adducts was first-order in the experimental conditions, and the activation parameters were obtained. ?H^¹ = 85.62 kJ·mol^-1, ?S¹ = 19.43 J·mol^-1·K^-1 for compound (1) and ?H^¹ = 97.97 kJ·mol^-1, ?S^¹ = 55.68 J·mol^-1·K^-1 for compound (2). These results are similar to those of dioxygen adducts of other metals complexes and natural enzymes such as methane mono- oxygenase (MMOH).     

Optimizing Conditions of Enhancing Granule Sludge Concentration and Performance

An expanded granular sludge bed （EGSB） reactor was adopted to study the influence factors and rule of enhancing granular sludge concentration and performance. The experiment was performed at 33 ℃, pH 6.0-8.0 with continuous flow by adding proper quantity of nutritional trace elements. The results show that SLR was the key of steady operation of EGSB reactor. The increment of the granular sludge was influenced by volume loading rate （VLR）, liquid up-flow velocity and sludge loading rate （SLR）. Concentration of granular sludge increased rapidly when liquid up-flow velocity was over 0.94 m · h^-1 with SLR being at 1.0-2.0 d ^-1. With the propriety parameters： liquid up-flow velocity 2.52 m · h^-1, SLR 1.0-2.2 d^-1 and VLR 8.2-13.1 kg · m ^3 · d^-1, 23 days＇ continuous operation resulted in an increment by over 80% of granular sludge concentration in the EGSB reactor, plus good granular sludge property.     

The contribution of root respiration to soil CO2 efflux in Puccinellia tenuiflora dominated community in a semi-arid meadow steppe

Rising atmospheric CO2 and temperature are altering ecosystem carbon cycling. Grasslands play an important role in regional climate change and global carbon cycle. Below-ground processes play a key role in the grassland carbon cycle because they regulate …     

Preconcentration of vanadium(V) on crosslinked chitosan and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A new method is proposed for the preconcentration of vanadium(V) with crosslinked chitosan (CCTS) and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The adsorption rate of vanadium(V) by CCTS was 97% at pH 4.0, and vanadium(V) was eluted from crosslinked chitosan with 2 mL 2.0 mol·L⁻¹ chlorhydric acid and determined by GFAAS. The detection limit (3σ,n=7) for vanadium (V) was 4.8×10⁻¹²g and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D) at concentration level of 2.6 μg·L⁻¹ is less than 3.6%. The method shows a good selectivity and high sensity, and it was applied to determination of vanadium(V) in oyster and water samples. The analytic recoveries are (97±5)%. Biography: Wu Wei (1975-), female, Master candidate, research direction: environmental & analytical chemistry.     

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…     

A Novel Degradation Pathway of Zn（dmid） （ phen）2 in Pyridine

The light-oxidation degradation processes of Zn(dmid)(phen)2(dmid = 4, 5-dimercapto-1,3-dithiole-2 one, phen = 1,10-phenanthroaline) in pyridine solvent has been monitored, h has been found under the light, dmid^2- of Zn(dmid)(phen)2 in pyridine solution could generate NCS^- and NCS^-replaces dmid^2- to form Zn(NCS)2 (phen)2 simultaneously. The crystal structure of Zn(NCS)2 (phen)2 has been determined. In the crystal of Zn(NCS)2 (phen)2. two NCS^- ligands are arranged in syn-configuration, and there is strong π-π interaction between the two adjacent parallel phen.     

Investigation of Ru （ phen ）3^2＋-Hydrazine-Ce（Ⅳ） Chemiluminescence System and Its Analytical Application

0 IntroductionThbiep ycroidmipnlee)xru ctahteinoinu mof(Ⅱ r)u t(he Rniuu(mbip,y m)3ai2n +ly) atrnids- t(r2is -,(21’ -,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(Ⅱ) (Ru(phen)32 +) ,is a kindof sensitive analytical reagent for electrogenerated chemilumi-nescence(ECL) and chemiluminescence(CL) ,on which a par-ticular review has been presented[1]. The earliest publicationon the synthesis of Ru(bipy)32 +appeared in 1936[2], andduringthefollowing30 years ,theinvestigations relatedtothissubstance were only in…     

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     

Synthesis of meso-tetra-(2-chloro-4-sulfophenyl) prophyrin and spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of cadmium

Synthesis of a new high sensitive water soluble chromogenic reagent meso-tetra-(2-chloro-4-sulfophenyl) prophyrin and the conditions for the reaction of this reagent with cadmium (I) were studied. The apparent molar absorption coefficient at 434 nm is 5.20×10⁵ L·mol⁻¹·cm⁻¹. The method has been applied to the determination of 5.0×10⁻⁹ (content by weight) Cadmium (I) in honey. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundatyion of China Xiao Ling: born in Oct. 1962, Ph.D gradute student