Contrasting patterns of genetic structure and phylogeography in the marine agarophytes Gelidiophycus divaricatus and G. freshwateri (Gelidiales,Rhodophyta) from East Asia

The evolutionary and population demographic history of marine red algae in East Asia is poorly understood. Here, we reconstructed the phylogeographies of two upper intertidal species endemic to East Asia, Gelidiophycus divaricatus and G. freshwateri. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic inferences of 393 mitochondrial cox1, 128 plastid rbcL, and 342 nuclear ITS2 sequences were complemented with ecological niche models. Gelidiophycus divaricatus, a southern species adapted to warm water, is characterized by a high genetic diversity and a strong geographical population structure, characteristic of stable population sizes and sudden reduction to recent expansion. In contrast, G. freshwateri, a northern species adapted to cold temperate conditions, is genetically relatively homogeneous with a shallow population structure resulting from steady population growth and recent equilibrium. The overlap zone of the two species roughly matches summer and winter isotherms, indicating that surface seawater temperature is a key feature influencing species range. Unidirectional genetic introgression was detected at two sites on Jeju Island where G. divaricatus was rare while G. freshwateri was common, suggesting the occurrence of asymmetric natural hybrids, a rarely reported event for rhodophytes. Our results illustrate that Quaternary climate oscillations have left strong imprints on the current day genetic structure and highlight the importance of seawater temperature and sea level change in driving speciation in upper intertidal seaweed species.     

Fatty acid protection from palmitic acid-induced apoptosis is lost following PI3-kinase inhibition

We have previously shown that saturated fatty acids induce DNA damage and cause apoptotic cell death in insulin-producing beta-cells. Here we examine further the effects of single or combined dietary fatty acids on RINm5F survival or cell death signalling. Palmitate and stearate, but not linoleate, oleate or palmitoylmethyl ester, induced growth inhibition and increased apoptosis in RINm5F cells following 24 h exposure. Co-incubation with inhibitors of ceramide synthesis, myriocin or fumonisin B(1), did not improve viability of palmitic acid treated RINm5F cells. The inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, 1400 W, similarly had no protective effect. However, linoleic acid protected against palmitic acid-induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death. The specific pharmacological inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, LY294002 and wortmannin, abolished the protective effect of linoleic acid on apoptosis but not on necrosis. These data show that the growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect of the saturated fatty acid palmitate on RINm5F cells is prevented by co-incubation with the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleate but not inhibitors of ceramide or nitric oxide generation. A key role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in mediating the linoleic-acid reduction in apoptosis is suggested.     

Occurrence of planktonic blooms under environmental fluctuations and its possible control mechanism--mathematical models and experimental observations

Planktonic blooms and its control is an intriguing problem in ecology. To investigate the oscillatory successions of blooms, three simple phytoplankton-zooplankton systems are proposed. It is observed that if the uptake function is linear and the process of toxin liberation is instantaneous, the oscillatory nature of blooms is not observed. On the other hand, periodic planktonic blooms are observed when toxin liberation process follows discrete time variation. The bloom phenomena described by this mechanism can be controlled through toxin producing phytoplankton (TPP). Introducing environmental fluctuation in the system, a critical value of time delay in terms of correlation time of the fluctuation is worked out. We observed from our mathematical analysis, numerical simulation and field observation that TPP and control of the rapidity of environmental fluctuation are key factors for the termination of planktonic blooms.     

Effect of larval brain extracts derived from three swallowtail butterflies,Papilio helenus L., P. machaon L. and P. memnon L., on seasonal morph development of P. xuthus L. (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Adults of the three papilionid butterflies, Papilio helenus L., Papilio machaon L. and Papilio memnon L., exhibit seasonal diphenism comprising spring and summer morphs. To elucidate the physiological mechanism underlying seasonal morph development in papilionid butterflies, we investigated whether a cerebral factor showing summer‐morph‐producing hormone (SMPH) activity is present in the brain of three Papilio species using an assay system with chilled male short‐day pupae of P. xuthus L. When 2% NaCl extracts derived from 20 larval brains of the three species were injected into abdomens of chilled male short‐day pupae of P. xuthus, all recipients destined to develop into spring‐morph adults developed into summer‐ and intermediate‐morph adults. On the other hand, all recipients injected with distilled water as a control developed into spring‐morph adults. These results indicate that a cerebral factor showing SMPH activity is present in the larval brain of the three Papilio species. Additionally, all recipients injected with 2% NaCl extracts derived from 20 adult brains of Bombyx mori L. also developed into summer‐ and intermediate‐morph adults. The results revealed that SMPH or a cerebral factor showing SMPH activity is widely distributed among lepidopteran insects.     

云南传统发酵豆豉中产β-半乳糖苷酶乳酸菌的筛选及其产酶条件的研究

目的从云南豆豉样品中筛选产β-半乳糖苷酶的乳酸菌,并对其产酶条件进行研究。方法从云南省元阳、红河、建水、石屏等地采集豆豉样品,并从中分离得到355株微生物。结果经明胶诱导、脱脂乳平板实验,复筛得到87株蛋白酶产生菌,从中筛选产β-半乳糖苷酶的乳酸菌。通过X-Gal平板实验,共获得34株产β-半乳糖苷酶菌株,通过酶活测定,最终筛选得到1株高产β-半乳糖苷酶菌株GJ-1-3L,经16S rDNA序列分析鉴定为短乳杆菌;GJ-1-3L在以葡萄糖为碳源、多聚蛋白胨为氮源、起始pH 6.5的MRS培养基中,接种量为4%,35℃发酵培养12 h,其β-半乳糖苷酶活性高达6.73 U/mL,Cu2＋、Ba2＋对酶活有抑制作用,而K2HPO4、MgSO4则能促进酶活。结论 GJ-1-3L菌株来源于豆豉,能够产生β-半乳糖苷酶发酵乳糖,同时产生乳酸,其在食品与乳品加工等方面具有很好的应用前景。     

Automated in situ measurement of cell-specific antibody secretion and laser-mediated purification for rapid cloning of highly-secreting producers

Cloning of highly-secreting recombinant cells is critical for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, but faces numerous challenges including the fact that secreted protein does not remain associated with the producing cell. A fundamentally new approach was developed combining in situ capture and measurement of individual cell protein secretion followed by laser-mediated elimination of all non- and poorly-secreting cells, leaving only the highest-secreting cell in a well. Recombinant cells producing humanized antibody were cultured serum-free on a capture matrix, followed by staining with fluorescently-labeled anti-human antibody fragment. A novel, automated, high-throughput instrument (called LEAP) was used to image and locate every cell, quantify the cell-associated and secreted antibody (surrounding each cell), eliminate all undesired cells from a well via targeted laser irradiation, and then track clone outgrowth and stability. Temporarily sparing an island of helper cells around the clone of interest improved cloning efficiency (particularly when using serum-free medium), and helper cells were easily eliminated with the laser after several days. The in situ nature of this process allowed several serial sub-cloning steps to be performed within days of one another, resulting in rapid generation of clonal populations with significantly increased and more stable, homogeneous antibody secretion. Cell lines with specific antibody secretion rates of > 50 pg/cell per day (in static batch culture) were routinely obtained as a result of this cloning approach, often times representing up to 20% of the clones screened.     

The prevalence of plasmid‐mediated quinolone resistance determinants among clinical isolates of ESBL or AmpC‐producing Escherichia coli from Chinese pediatric patients

Three kinds of PMQR determinants (qnr genes, aac(6’)‐Ib‐cr, and qepA) have been discovered and shown to be widely distributed among clinical isolates. To characterize the prevalence of PMQR determinants in ESBL or AmpC‐producing E. coli clinical isolates in Chinese children, a total of 292 ESBL or AmpC‐producing E. coli clinical isolates collected from five children's hospitals in China from 2005 to 2006 were screened for PMQR determinants by PCR. Twenty (6.8%) of the 292 isolates were positive for PMQR determinants. A total of 12 (4.1%) isolates were positive for qnr genes, comprising three positive for qnrA (1.0%), three for qnrB (1.0%), and six for qnrS (2.1%). Twenty‐four (8.2%) isolates were positive for aac(6’)‐Ib, of which 10 (3.4% of 292) had the –cr variant. There was no qepA gene detected in the isolates. Conjugation revealed that qnr, aac(6’)‐Ib‐cr, and ESBL‐encoding genes were transferred together.     

Escherichia coli engineered to produce eicosapentaenoic acid becomes resistant against oxidative damages

The colony-forming ability of Escherichia coli genetically engineered to produce eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) grown in 3mM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was similar to that of untreated cells. It was rapidly lost in the absence of EPA. H(2)O(2)-induced protein carbonylation was enhanced in cells lacking EPA. The fatty acid composition of the transformants was unaffected by H(2)O(2) treatment, but the amount of fatty acids decreased in cultures of cells lacking EPA and increased in cultures of cells producing EPA, suggesting that cellular EPA is stable in the presence of H(2)O(2) in vivo and may protect cells directly against oxidative damage. We discuss the possible role of EPA in partially blocking the penetration of H(2)O(2) into cells through membranes containing EPA.     

高效产氢菌株Enterococcus sp. LG1的分离及产氢特性

采用Hungate厌氧培养技术分别从厌氧污泥、好氧污泥及河底泥中分离出12株厌氧产氢细菌,并对其中的Enterococcus sp.LG1(注册号:EU258743)进行了研究.结果表明,该株细菌为专性厌氧菌,经革兰氏染色结果为阴性.通过16S rDNA碱基测序和比对证实,该菌株是目前尚未报道过的1个新菌种,初步确定其细菌学上的分类地位.同时,以灭菌预处理的污泥为底物培养基,对该菌的产氢能力及污泥发酵过程中底物性质变化(SCOD、可溶性蛋白质、总糖和pH值等)进行了探讨.实验结果显示,产氢茵Enterococcus sp.LG1的发酵过程中只有H2和CO2产生,无CH4产生.产气量最高为36.48 mL/g TCOD,氢气含量高达73.5%,为已报道文献中以污泥为底物发酵制氢中之最高.根据污泥发酵产物分析得知,该菌的发酵类行为典型的丁酸型发酵.     

一个新的产氢细菌的鉴定及产氢特性的研究

利用Hungate滚管技术从福建省漳州垃圾处理厂厌氧消化器的颗粒污泥中分离到一株产氢的细菌L15。菌株L15为严格厌氧的革兰氏阳性杆菌,菌体大小为0.5μm～0.7μm×2.5μm～5.0μm,以侧生鞭毛运动。在孢肉培养基上产生端生的卵圆形芽孢。温度生长范围15℃～45℃（最适温度30℃～37℃）;pH 范围5.0～8.4（最适pH 6.3～6.8）。该菌株不水解明胶和七叶灵,不还原硫酸盐,牛奶变酸但不凝固,发酵多糖和少数的单糖、双糖和寡糖;发酵葡萄糖的最终产物为乙酸、丁酸、H2和CO2。G+C含量为298mol%。16S rDNA序列分析表明,该菌株属于梭菌的簇Ⅰ,与Clostridium paraputrificum较为接近（相似性为97.1%）。通过生理特征和16S rDNA序列的同源性分析,表明菌株L15应是梭菌属簇Ⅰ中的一个新种,命名为Clostridium defluvii。菌株L15保藏在中国普通微生物菌种保藏中心,保藏号为AS1.3489。菌株L15的最佳产氢温度为34℃、pH为7.0。当葡萄糖浓度为0.4%时,氢气产率可达到1.41mol H2/mol 葡萄糖。该菌可利用下列底物产酸产氢,括号内为产氢率(底物浓度1%)：果糖(1.00mol H2/mol)、麦芽糖(2.17mol H2/mol)、蔗糖(1.69mol H2/mol)、菊糖(4.70mol H2/mol)、糖原(5.49mmol H2/g)、淀粉(7.34mmol H2/g)。