Beta-naphthoflavone inhibits the induction of hepatic oestrogen-dependent proteins by 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

The interactive effects of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist and of a xenoestrogen on biomarker responses were studied in the liver of male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). Hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) enzymatic activity was measured as a biomarker of exposure to the model AhR agonist beta-naphthoflavone (bNF). Hepatic proteins indicating the exposure of males to the synthetic oestrogen 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) were monitored by Western blot analysis using immunoserum prepared for this study. After a semi-static exposure only to waterborne EE2, Western blot analysis of liver homogenate revealed the induction of two protein bands (a double band at 205 kDa and a single band at 125 kDa). The interaction between bNF and EE2 was investigated by analysing, on the one hand, EROD activity and, on the other hand, immunoreactivity corresponding to the two oestrogen-dependent protein bands in the liver of fish exposed to different concentrations of bNF for 2 days, then to the same concentrations of bNF plus 0.1 µg l^-1 EE2 for 5 days. EE2 changed neither the basal activity of EROD nor its rate of induction with 1.0 and 4.0 µg l^-1 bNF. On the other hand, the induction of oestrogen-dependent proteins with 0.1 µg l^-1 EE2 was inhibited by exposure to 4.0 µg l^-1 bNF. These results together with literature data suggest that field monitoring of xenoestrogen contamination through the analysis of oestrogen-dependent protein in male fish as a biomarker should take into account the possible negative interference of AhR agonists.     

绒毛白蜡体胚诱导和植株再生

该文探讨了基本培养基、外植体、培养条件以及植物生长调节剂配比对绒毛白蜡(Fraxinus velutina)体胚诱导的影响。结果表明,胚根是诱导体胚发生的最佳外植体;体胚诱导的最适培养基为改良MS+2 mg·L~(–1) 6-BA+0.1 mg·L~(–1) NAA、30g·L~(–1)蔗糖、5.0 g·L~(–1)琼脂;暗培养20天后进行光照培养(14小时光照/10小时黑暗),光密度为100~(–1)20μmol·m~(–2)·s~(–1),昼温度(25±2)°C,夜温度(18±2)°C;成功诱导出体细胞胚并获得再生植株,体胚诱导率可达59.8%,体胚萌发率达81.2%。壮苗最适培养基为改良WPM+0.5 mg·L~(–1) 6-BA+0.2 mg·L~(–1) ZT+0.01 mg·L~(–1) NAA。生根最适培养基为改良1/2MS+1.0 mg·L~(–1)IBA+0.05 mg·L~(–1) NAA+20 g·L~(–1)蔗糖,生根率高达97.3%,试管苗移栽成活率达97.8%。     

Improved enzymatic two-phase biotransformation for (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol: Effect of dipropylene glycol and modes of pH control

An octanol/aqueous two-phase process for the enzymatic production of (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) has been investigated further with regard to optimal pH control and replacement of 2.5 M MOPS buffer by a low cost solute. The specific rate of PAC production in the 2.5 M MOPS system controlled at pH 7 was 0.60 mg U^-1 h^-1 (reaction completed at 34 h), a 1.6 times improvement over the same 2.5 M MOPS system without pH control (0.39 mg U^-1 h^-1 at 49 h). An improved stability of PDC was evident at the end of biotransformation for the pH-controlled system with 84% residual carboligase activity, while 23% of enzyme activity remained in the absence of pH control. Lowering the MOPS concentration to 20 mM resulted in a lower benzaldehyde concentration in the aqueous phase with a major increase in the formation of by-product acetoin and three times decreased PAC production (0.21 mg U^-1 h^-1). Biotransformation with 20 mM MOPS and 2.5 M DPG as inexpensive replacement of high MOPS concentrations provided similar aqueous phase benzaldehyde concentrations compared to 2.5 M MOPS and resulted in a comparable PAC concentration (92.1 g L^-1 in the total reaction volume in 47 h) with modest formation of acetoin.     

Biomarker responses in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after single and combined exposure to low doses of cadmium, zinc, PCB77 and 17β-oestradiol

The objective of this study was to examine (i) the biochemical responses of rainbow trout exposed to sublethal water concentrations of the metals cadmium (Cd) (1.5 μg l^-1) and zinc (Zn) (150 μg l^-1); and (ii) the potential combined effects when applied in mixture (Cd/Zn) with and without co-exposure to model organic chemicals 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) (1 mg kg^-1) and 17β-oestradiol (E2) (0.5 mg kg^-1). After 21 days of exposure, several biomarkers were assessed in the liver (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, heat shock proteins [HSP70 and HSP60], ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase [EROD]) and in the plasma (vitellogenin [Vtg], aminotransferases). Plasma aminotransferases were not affected, whereas the other biomarkers showed different patterns of response depending on the treatment. For example, Cd, and Zn to a lesser extent, induced an adaptive response in the liver shown by an increase in antioxidant defences (total glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [TEAC]), without any impairment of GSH redox status or induction of heat shock proteins. Antagonistic effects were observed in GSH-related biomarkers after Cd/Zn exposure. PCB77 strongly induced EROD activity, HSP70 and TEAC. Co-exposure with metals did not modulate significantly the effects of PCB77. E2 induced Vtg and inhibited liver antioxidants and basal EROD activity. These inhibitory effects were suppressed in fishes exposed to E2 + Cd/Zn, suggesting additive effects of E2 and metals. In addition, E2-induced Vtg was not altered by metals. Multivariate analyses confirmed some correlation between the biomarkers. The use of complementary biomarkers is necessary to discriminate different treatments and to highlight interactive effects.     

Topical delivery of retinyl ascorbate: 4. Comparative anti-oxidant activity towards DPPH

The free radical scavenging properties of retinyl ascorbate (RA-AsA) were determined by monitoring the decomposition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as a function of time and in comparison with ascorbic acid (AsA), ascorbic acid palmitate (AsA-Pal), retinoic acid (RA), retinol (ROL) and retinol palmitate (Rol-Pal). The rate constant of RA-AsA (mean₃±SD) was 4.9±0.3 M^-1 s^-1, and indicated greater potency as an antioxidant compared to the rest of the test compounds (AsA 3.4±0.4 M^-1 s^-1, AsA-Pal, 2.9±0.2 M^-1 s^-1, RA 1.4±0.3 M^-1 s^-1, ROL 1.3±0.1 M^-1 s^-1, Rol-Pal exhibited insignificant activity). The decomposition rate constant of DPPH, 5±0.6 × 10^-8 M^-1 s^-1, in ethanol and BHA, 154±3 M^-1 s^-1 were both used as control. The compound RA-2-carboxy-2-hydroxy-ethanoate was isolated by prep-TLC and was identified, by ¹³C and ¹HNMR spectroscopy, as the major by-product from the reaction of RA-AsA with DPPH, which was also found to be potent antioxidant, 2.1±0.2 M^-1 s^-1. This suggests that oxidation of AsA moiety did not lead to the production of erythrulose species, which could cause deleterious modifications of cellular proteins.     

北亚热带地带性森林土壤温室气体通量对土地利用方式改变和降水减少的响应

弄清土地利用和降水变化对林地土壤主要温室气体(CO₂、CH₄和N₂O)排放通量变化的影响, 是准确评估森林土壤温室气体排放能力的重要基础。该研究以常绿落叶阔叶混交林原始林、桦木(Betula luminifera)次生林和马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林为对象, 采用静态箱-气相色谱法研究了3种土地利用方式(常绿落叶阔叶混交林原始林、桦木次生林和马尾松人工林)和降水减少处理状况下森林土壤CO₂、CH₄和N₂O通量排放特征, 并探讨了其环境驱动机制。研究结果表明: 原始林土壤CH₄吸收通量显著高于次生林和人工林, 次生林CH₄吸收通量显著高于人工林土壤。人工林土壤CO₂排放通量显著高于原始林和次生林土壤。次生林土壤N₂O排放通量高于原始林和人工林, 但三者间差异不显著。降水减半显著抑制了3种不同土地利用方式下林地土壤CH₄吸收通量; 降水减半处理对原始林和次生林土壤CO₂排放通量均具有显著的促进作用, 而对人工林土壤CO₂排放通量具有显著的抑制作用; 降水减半处理促进了原始林和人工林林地土壤N₂O排放而抑制了次生林林地土壤N₂O排放。原始林和次生林林地土壤CH₄吸收通量随土壤温度升高显著增加, CH₄吸收通量与土壤温度均呈显著相关关系; 原始林、次生林和人工林土壤CO₂和N₂O排放通量与土壤温度均呈显著正相关关系; 土壤湿度抑制了次生林和人工林土壤CH₄吸收通量, 其CH₄吸收通量随土壤湿度增加显著减少; 原始林土壤CO₂排放通量与土壤湿度呈显著正相关关系。自然状态下, 原始林土壤N₂O排放通量与土壤湿度呈显著正相关关系, 原始林和次生林土壤N₂O排放通量与硝态氮含量呈显著相关关系。研究结果表明全球气候变化(如降水变化)和土地利用方式的转变将对北亚热带森林林地土壤温室气体排放通量产生显著的影响。     

Greenhouse gas fluxes of typical northern subtropical forest soils: Impacts of land use change and reduced precipitation

Aims It is important to study the effects of land use change and reduced precipitation on greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) of forest soils. Methods The fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O and their responses to environmental factors of primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil under a reduced precipitation regime were explored using the static chamber and gas chromatography methods during the period from January to December in 2014. Important findings Results indicate that CH₄ uptake of primary forest soil ((-44.43 ± 8.73) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the artificial forest ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil ((106.53 ± 19.33) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) were significantly higher than that of the primary forest soil ((49.50 ± 8.16) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the secondary forest soil ((63.50 ± 5.35) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) (p < 0.01). N₂O emissions of the secondary forest soil ((1.91 ± 1.22) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) were higher than that of the primary forest soil ((1.40 ± 0.28) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((1.01 ± 0.86) μg N·m^-2·h^-1). Reduced precipitation (-50%) had a significant inhibitory effect on CH₄ uptake of the artificial forest soil, while it enhanced CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil and the secondary forest soil. Reduced precipitation had a significant inhibitory effect on CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil and N₂O emissions of the secondary forest (p < 0.01). Reduced precipitation promotes N₂O emissions of the primary forest soil and the artificial forest soil. CH₄ uptake of the primary forest and the secondary forest soil increased significantly with the increase of soil temperature under natural and reduced precipitation. CO₂ and N₂O emission fluxes of the primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil were positively correlated with soil temperature (p < 0.05). Soil moisture inhibited CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil and the artificial forest soil (p < 0.05). CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture (p < 0.05). N₂O emissions of primary forest soil and secondary forest soil were significantly correlated with the nitrate nitrogen content (p < 0.05). It was implied that reduced precipitation and land use change would have significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions of subtropical forest soils.     

怀山药类原球茎的诱导形成与植株再生

为提高山药离体繁殖的速度, 缩短繁殖周期, 以铁棍山药(Dioscorea opposita cv. ‘Tiegun’)带腋芽茎段为材料, 对类原球茎的诱导、增殖、分化与植株再生进行了研究。结果表明, 铁棍山药类原球茎诱导的最适培养基为MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 TDZ+30 g·L^-1蔗糖, 增殖的最适培养基为MS+9 mg·L^-1 6-BA+30 g·L^-1蔗糖, 分化的最适培养基为MS+2 mg·L^-1 KT+0.02 mg·L^-1 NAA+30 g·L^-1蔗糖, 最适生根培养基为1/4MS+0.05 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L^-1 PP333+15 g·L^-1蔗糖, 生根率达80%, 移栽成活率可达85%。类原球茎的诱导形成及植株再生体系的建立为怀山药种苗的快速繁殖提供了一条新途径。     

Temporal pattern in swimming activity of two fish species (Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus) under chemical stress conditions

Circadian periodicity of swimming activity was investigated in two fish species, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) under sublethal long-term exposure to the cyanobacteria toxin microcystin-LR (nominal concentrations of 0.5 μg l^- 1, 5 μg l^- 1, 15 μg l^- 1, 50 μg l^- 1) in 15-litre tanks. Swimming activity of fish was monitored continuously by using an automated video-monitoring and object-tracing system over a period of 17 days. Influenced by long-term exposure to microcystin-LR, Leucaspius delineatus reversed their significant diurnal swimming activity and the fish became statistically significant nocturnal. Danio rerio remained diurnal active, but a significant phase shift was registered. In both Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus analysis of time series by cosinor regression revealed microcystin-LR induced dose-dependent alterations of the mean of oscillation, amplitude, acrophase and period length in a different extent. For Danio rerio the periodogram analysis revealed a significant circadian component of swimming activity for control as well as exposure groups, whereby the spectral amplitude clearly decreased at microcystin-LR concentrations of 15 and 50 μg l^- 1. For Leucaspius delineatus the amplitude of circadian rhythm was decreased at all exposure concentrations of MC-LR. Furthermore the dominance of circadian rhythm was clearly reduced, whereas the rate of ultradian rhythms increased at elevated MC-LR concentrations of 5 μg l^- 1, 15 μg l^- 1 and 50 μg l^- 1. The studied temporal aspects of behaviour clearly indicated stress symptoms in both fish species, therefore it proved to be a relevant method to characterise the impact of toxic substances in the environment and for biomonitoring.     

白檀离体快繁技术

以白檀(Symplocos paniculata)幼嫩茎段为实验材料, 通过对启动培养、增殖、生根培养及移栽的影响因子进行研究, 初步建立了白檀的组织培养体系。结果表明: 白檀外植体最适灭菌方案为0.1%升汞3分钟, 无菌苗获得率达81%; 最适初代启动培养基为1/2MS+30 g∙L^-1蔗糖+8 g∙L^-1琼脂, 出芽率达86.83%; 增殖最适培养基为1/2MS+1.0 mg∙L^-1 6-BA+0.02 mg∙L^-1 IBA+30 g∙L^-1蔗糖+8 g∙L^-1琼脂, 增殖系数达3.57; 最适生根培养基为WPM+0.5 mg∙L^-1 IBA+0.5 mg∙L^-1 NAA+20 g∙L^-1蔗糖+2 g∙L^-1 AC+8 g∙L^-1琼脂, 生根率达93%; 炼苗后, 移入园土:草炭土=1:1 (v/v)的基质中, 成活率达83%。     

Selecting Remediation Goals by Assessing the Natural Attenuation Capacity of Groundwater Systems

Remediation goals for the source areas of a chlorinated ethene-contaminated groundwater plume were identified by assessing the natural attenuation capacity of the aquifer system. The redox chemistry of the site indicates that sulfate-reducing (H₂ ∼ 2 nanomoles [nM]) per liter conditions near the contaminant source grade to Fe(III)-reducing conditions (H₂ ∼ 0.5 nM) downgradient of the source. Sulfate-reducing conditions facilitate the initial reduction of perchloroethene (PCE) to trichloroethene (TCE), cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). Subsequently, the Fe(III)-reducing conditions drive the oxidation of cis-DCE and VC to carbon dioxide and chloride. This sequence gives the aquifer a substantial capacity for biodegrading chlorinated ethenes. Natural attenuation capacity (the slope of the steady-state contaminant concentration profile along a groundwater flowpath) is a function of biodegradation rates, aquifer dispersive characteristics, and groundwater flow velocity. The natural attenuation capacity at the Kings Bay, Georgia site was assessed by estimating groundwater flowrates (∼0.23±0.12 m/d) and aquifer dispersivity (∼1 m) from hydrologic and scale considerations. Apparent biodegradation rate constants (PCE and TCE ∼0.01 d^-1; cis-DCE and VC ∼0.025 d^-1) were estimated from observed contaminant concentration changes along aquifer flowpaths. A boundary-value problem approach was used to estimate levels to which contaminant concentrations in the source areas must be lowered (by engineered removal), or groundwater flow velocities lowered (by pumping) for the natural attenuation capacity to achieve maximum concentration limits (MCLs) prior to reaching a predetermined regulatory point of compliance.     

Urinary hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure in asphalt workers

Background. Fumes and vapours released during laying of hot asphalt mix have been recognised as a major source of exposure for asphalt workers. Objectives. We investigated the relationships between inhalation exposure to asphalt emissions and urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in asphalt workers (AW, n=75) and in ground construction workers (CW, n=37). Methods. Total polyaromatic compounds (PAC) and 15 priority PAHs in inhaled air were measured by personal sampling. Hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) (2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 6-hydroxychrysene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene) were determined in urine spot samples collected in three different times during the work week. Results. Median vapour-phase PAC (5.5 µg m^-3), PAHs (≤50 ng m^-3) and OH-PAHs (0.08-1.11 µg l^-1) were significantly higher in AW than in CW, except in the cases of air naphthalene and 2-naphthol. Airborne levels of particle-phase contaminants were similar in the two groups and much lower than vapour-phase levels; metabolites of particulate PAHs were never found in quantifiable amounts. An appreciable increase in OH-PAH levels during the work day and work week was found in AW; median levels for 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1-hydroxypyrene were, respectively, 0.29, 0.08 and 0.18 at baseline; 0.50, 0.18 and 0.29, pre-shift; 1.11, 0.44 and 0.44 µg l^-1, post-shift. Each OH-PAH exhibited a characteristic profile of increase, reflecting differences in half-lives of the parent compounds. In non-smoking subjects, positive correlations were found between vapour-phase PAC or PAHs and OH-PAHs both in pre- and post-shift samples (0.34 ≤ r≤69). Smokers exhibited 2-5-fold higher OH-PAHs than non-smokers, at any time and at both workplaces. Conclusions. Our results suggest that OH-PAHs are useful biomarkers for monitoring exposure to asphalt emissions. The work-related exposure to PAC and PAHs was low in all AW, but urinary metabolites reflected exposure satisfactorily.     

Temporal and spatial variation characteristics of China shrubland net primary production and its response to climate change from 2001 to 2013

Aims Net primary production (NPP) is the input to terrestrial ecosystem carbon pool. Climate and land use change affect NPP significantly. Shrublands occupy more than 20% of the terrestrial area of China, and their NPP is comparable to those of the forests. Our objective was to estimate China shrubland NPP from 2001 to 2013, and to analyze its variation and response to climate change.Methods We used a Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate the NPP of six shrubland types in China from 2001 to 2013. Furthermore, we used Theil-Sen slope combined with Mann-kendall test to analyze its spatial variation and a linear regression of one-variable model to analyze its inter- and intra-annual variation. Finally, a multi-factor linear regression model was used to analyze its response to climate change.Important findings We found the annual mean NPP of China shrubland was 281.82 g•m^-2•a^-1. The subtropical evergreen shrubland has the maximum NPP of 420.47 g•m^-2•a^-1, while the high cold desert shrubland has the minimum NPP of 52.65 g•m^-2•a^-1. The countrywide shrublands NPP increased at the rate of 1.23 g•m^-2•a^-1, the relative change rate was 5.99%. The temperate deciduous shrubland NPP increased the fastest with a speed of 3.05 g•m^-2•a^-1 and subalpine evergreen shrubland had a decreasing trend with a speed of -0.73 g•m^-2•a^-1. Moreover, the other four shrublands NPP had a growing trend, only subalpine deciduous shrubland NPP did not change significantly. The response of NPP to climate change of different seasons varies to different shrubland types. In general, the NPP variation was mainly affected by precipitation, and the spring warming also contributed to it. The increase of countrywide shrubland NPP may promote its contribution to the regional ecosystem function.     

Enzymatic synthesis of new aromatic and aliphatic esters of flavonoids using Candida antarctica lipase as biocatalyst

Enzymatic acylation of rutin and esculin with aromatic, aliphatic and aryl-aliphatic acids using Candida antarctica lipase in tert amyl alcohol as solvent was investigated under low water content. Whatever the acyl donor used, the conversion yields and initial rates for esculin were higher than for rutin. For a given flavonoid, the performance of these reactions depended on the acyl donor structures. For aliphatic acids, conversion yields and initial rates of both flavonoids were respectively in the ranges of 68-90% and of 9.5×10^-2-72×10^-2 mmol l^-1 h^-1. For aromatic acids, the reaction occurred only with the aryl subgroup (cinnamic, hydrocinnamic, 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic and 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acids) and was drastically influenced by the presence of side chain and substitution patterns of the aromatic ring. Except for hydrocinnamic acid (75%, 23.4×10^-2 mmol l^-1 h^-1), with these acids the conversion yields and initial rates were lower and in the range of 10-45% and of 0.7×10^-2 to 12.1×10^-2 mmol l^-1 h^-1. Unsaturation of the side chain of the hydrocinnamic acid decreased the esculin conversion rate from 75 to 13% and initial rate from 23.4 to 1.76×10^-2 mmol l^-1 h^-1. The presence of hydroxyl or nitro-groups on the aromatic ring of the aryl aliphatic acid also reduced conversion yields and initial rates. Even without a spacer, the non-phenolic ring acid (quinic acid) was reactive and lead to conversion yields of about 20 and 23% respectively for rutin and esculin.     

Respirometry and swimming dynamics of the giant australian cuttlefish, sepia apama (mollusca, cephalopoda)

Swimming dynamics of the giant Australian cuttlefish, Sepia apama, were investigated using swimtunnel respirometry. Relationships between jet pressure, fin frequency, swimming speed and oxygen consumption were defined. Laboratory calibration of swimming parameters is necessary to allow estimates of swimming costs in the field.

Jet pressure was the best predictor of oxygen consumption with an averaged equation of MO₂ = 722 (jet pressure) + 107 r² = 0.51. Individually, fin frequency and jet pressure correlated highly to swimming speed, but due to the complicated usage of finning and jetting, the correlation between swimming speed and oxygen consumption was weaker. Cuttlefish were not optimal swimtunnel subjects and could not swim at high speeds for extended periods. At 15°C and a swimming speed of 0.06 m s^-1, the gross cost of transport was calculated to be 10.1 kg^-1 m ^-1, with a net cost of 4.1 kg^-1 m^-1.     

粉美人萱草的快繁技术和大田种植

以粉美人萱草(Hemerocallis fulva cv. ‘Fenmeiren’)的花茎为外植体进行离体培养, 该研究成功建立了粉美人萱草组培快繁技术。结果表明, 6月获得的外植体用浓度为15% (v/v)的次氯酸钠溶液消毒8分钟, 外植体存活率达95%; 最佳增殖培养基为MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA+0.004 mg·L^-1 TDZ+0.1 mg·L^-1 NAA, 培养30天后, 月增殖系数达2.9; 壮苗培养基为MS+0.1 mg·L^-1 6-BA+0.1 mg·L^-1 IBA, 在该培养基中, 组培苗不再分化, 长势健壮; 最佳生根培养基为1/2MS+0.4 mg·L^-1 IBA+20 g·L^-1蔗糖, 生根率达95%; 移栽基质采用珍珠岩:草炭=1:2 (v/v), 通过精细化管理, 成活率可达85%, 出圃合格率为75%。目前已实现规模化繁殖, 并生产组培苗2.0×10⁵株, 大田种植表现良好。     

Effluxes of nitrous oxide,methane and carbon dioxide and their responses to increasing nitrogen deposition in the Gurbantünggüt Desert of Xinjiang,China

Aims Desert soils play an important role in the exchange of major greenhouse gas (GHG) between atmosphere and soil. However, many uncertainties existed in understanding of desert soil role, especially in efflux evaluation under a changing environment. Methods We conducted plot-based field study in center of the Gurbantünggüt Desert, Xinjiang, and applied six rates of simulated nitrogen (N) deposition on the plots, i.e. 0 (N0), 0.5 (N0.5), 1.0 (N1), 3.0 (N3), 6.0 (N6) and 24.0 (N24) g·m^-2·a^-1. The exchange rates of N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ during two growing seasons were measured for two years after N applications. Important findings The average efflux of two growing seasons from control plots (N0) were 4.8 μg·m^-2·h^-1, -30.5 μg·m^-2·h^-1 and 46.7 mg·m^-2·h^-1 for N₂O, CH₄ and CO_2, respectively. The effluxes varied significantly among seasons. N0, N0.5 and N1 showed similar exchange of N₂O in spring and summer, which was relatively higher than in autumn, while the rates of N₂O in N6 and N24 were controled by time points of N applications. The uptake of CH₄ was relatively higher in both spring and summer, and lower in autumn. Emission of CO₂ changed minor from spring to summer, and greatly decreased in autumn in the first measured year. In the second year, the emission patterns were changed by rates of N added. N additions generally stimulated the emission of N₂O, while the effects varied in different seasons and years. In addition, no obvious trends were found in the emission factor of N₂O. The uptake of CH₄ was not significantly affected by N additions. N additions did not change CO₂ emissions in the first year, while high N significantly reduced the CO₂ emissions in spring and summer of the second year, without affected in autumn. Structure equation model analysis on the factors suggested that N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ were dominantly affected by the N application rates, soil temperature or moisture and plant density, respectively. Over the growing seasons, both the net efflux and the global warming potential caused by N additions were small.     

An epidemiological study of reproductive function biomarkers in male welders

In a cross-sectional study, the serum concentrations of inhibin B and prolactin of 96 male current welders were compared with the concentrations measured in 96 age-matched referents. Also, 23 patients who were all former welders diagnosed as having welding-related manganism were studied. The current welders' geometric mean (GM) airborne exposure to manganese (Mn) was 121 µg m^-3 (range 7-2320). The serum concentrations of prolactin adjusted for age and smoking habits (GM 193 mIU l^-1 vs. 166 mIU l^-1; p=0.047) and inhibin B adjusted for alcohol consumption (arithmetic mean (AM) 151 ng l^-1 vs. 123 ng l^-1; p=0.001) were higher in the welders compared with the referents. The whole blood Mn concentration was associated with the serum prolactin concentrations. Tobacco smoking resulted in lower serum prolactin concentrations. The GM serum prolactin concentrations of the patients did not significantly differ from that of the referents, but their AM serum inhibin B concentration was statistically significantly lower. The results may suggest an effect of Mn on the pituitary that is reversible upon cessation of exposure. Lower inhibin B concentrations in the patients could point to a functional impairment of the testicular Sertoli cells, that may be caused by a welding fume component or other factors in their work environment.     

Hydrodynamic properties of the fractions of mannan formed by Rhodotorula rubra yeast

Aqueous solutions of fractions of an extracellular linear mannan formed by Rhodotorula rubra yeast have been investigated by hydrodynamic methods (high-speed sedimentation, translation isothermic diffusion and viscometry). The molecular weight was determined according to Svedberg ( ) and the polydispersity parameters of the initial sample were also determined (M_w/M_n = 1·20 and M_z/M_w = 1·21). Relationships between the molecular weight (M) and s_o, D_o and [η] in the range were: [η] = 2·33 × 10⁻² M^0.75, D_o = 1·65 × 10⁻⁴ M^0·58, s_o = 2·24 × 10⁻¹⁵ M^0·43. The equilibrium rigidity and hydrodynamic diameter of chains representing mannan molecules were evaluated.     

Effects of peptide YY and its analogues on chloride ion secretion in fed and fasted rat jejunum

The aim of our study was to determine whether a meal modifies the antisecretory response induced by PYY and the structural requirements to elicit antisecretory effects of analogue PYY(22–36) for potential antidiarrhea therapy. The variations in short-circuit current (Isc) due to the modification of ionic transport across the rat intestine were assessed in vitro, using Ussing chambers. In fasted rats, PYY induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in Isc, with a sensitivity threshold at 5 × 10⁻¹¹ M (ΔIsc −2 ± 0.5 μA/cm²). The reduction was maximal at 10⁻⁷ M (Isc −23 ± 2 μA/cm²), and the concentration producing half-maximal inhibition was 10⁻⁹ M. At 10⁻⁷ M, reduction of Isc by PYY reached 90% of response to 5 × 10⁻⁵ M bumetanide. The PYY effect was partly reversed by 10⁻⁵ M forskolin (Isc +13.43 ± 2.91 μA/h·cm², p < 0.05) or 10⁻³ M dibutyryl adenosine 3′,5′ cyclic monophosphate (Isc +12 ± 1.69 μA/cm², p < 0.05). Naloxone and tetrodotoxin did not alter the effect of PYY. In addition, PYY and its analogue P915 reduced net chloride ion secretion to 2.85 and 2.29 μEq/cm² (p < 0.05), respectively. The antisecretory effect of PYY was accompanied by dose- and time-dependent desensitization when jejunum was prestimulated by a lower dose of peptide. The antisecretory potencies exhibited by PYY analogues required both a C-terminal fragment (22–36) and an aromatic amino acid residue (Trp or Phe) at position 27. At 10⁻⁷ M the biological activity of PYY was lower in fed than fasted rats (p < 0.001). Our results confirm the antisecretory effect of PYY, but show that the fed period is accompanied by desensitization, similar to the transient desensitization observed in the fasted period with cumulative doses. This suggests that PYY may act as a physiological mediator that reduces intestinal secretion.