抗CD52单克隆抗体中残留蛋白AELISA定量检测方法的验证

目的验证抗CD52单克隆抗体(单抗)中残留蛋白A(Protein A,Pro A)ELISA定量检测方法。方法使用Cygnus公司的Mix-N-Go Protein A检测试剂盒,对抗CD52单抗中的Pro A残留量进行检测,并验证该方法的专属性、准确度、精密度、线性及定量限。结果亲和填料(Mab Select SuRe)稀释1 000倍后仍检测到含有Pro A 1.9 ng/m L;制剂及抗CD52单抗细胞发酵液中未检出Pro A;3种不同Pro A加标质量浓度6次试验的加标回收率均在80%~120%之间;3种不同Pro A加标质量浓度重复性检测结果及中间精密度检测结果 RSD均<20%;分别对3次Pro A残余检测结果绘制的四参数标准曲线,R2均>0.990;定量限为0.16 ng/m L。结论经验证,抗CD52单抗中Pro A残留量的ELISA定量检测方法专属性好,准确度、精密度高且线性良好。     

三种淋巴瘤细胞CD52抗原呈现稳定性研究及其应用

评估淋巴瘤细胞MC/CAR、HUT78和RAMOS的CD52抗原呈现稳定性,并比较三种细胞用于抗CD52单抗活性检测中的优劣性。采用免疫荧光法检测淋巴瘤细胞MC/CAR、HUT78和RAMOS的CD52抗原呈现率,分析MC/CAR、HUT78和RAMOS传代培养5~20代CD52抗原呈现稳定性。分别以MC/CAR、HUT78和RAMOS作为抗CD52单抗结合活性和补体依赖细胞毒性的靶细胞进行检测,并比较其优劣性。结果显示,MC/CAR、RAMOS和HUT78的CD52抗原呈现率分别为95.5%、63.2%和38.3%。MC/CAR传代培养5~20代CD52抗原呈现率均大于90%。RAMOS传代培养5~13代CD52抗原呈现率介于60%~67%,第14~15代CD52抗原呈现率介于50%~60%,第16~20代细胞CD52抗原呈现率介于40%~50%。HUT78传代培养5~20代CD52抗原呈现率介于26.7%~38.9%。淋巴瘤细胞MC/CAR在抗CD52单抗的结合活性检测中呈现出更好的剂量依赖曲线。淋巴瘤细胞RAMOS在抗CD52单抗的补体依赖细胞毒性检测中呈现出更好的剂量效应曲线。CD52抗原呈现率方面MC/CAR>RAMOS>HUT78。结果表明,MC/CAR更适用于抗CD52单抗的结合活性的检测,RAMOS适用于抗CD52单抗的补体依赖细胞毒性检测。     

ADCC效应在抗HIV感染中的作用

抗体依赖性细胞介导的细胞毒性作用(antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity,ADCC)是一种固有免疫和适应性免疫相结合的免疫学效应。ADCC效应主要是通过效应细胞膜表面的受体IgG Fc受体(Fc receptor,FcR)如FcγRIIIa(CD16)、FcγRIIc(CD32)、FcγRI(CD64)识别靶细胞膜表面抗原,结合相应IgG抗体的Fc段而促发效应细胞脱颗粒和细胞因子分泌的一类细胞毒效应。对人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)感染已有研究证实了,ADCC效应在控制HIV感染中发挥着重要作用。现对ADCC效应在抗HIV感染中的作用作一综述。     

抗单纯疱疹病毒单克隆抗体的研究——Ⅱ.单克隆抗体介导细胞毒效应的研究

建立了单克隆抗体(McAb)介导细胞毒作用(ADCC)~(51)Cr释放试验的测定力法。确定了最适工作条件。ADCC测定结果表明,5株抗HSV McAb介导ADCC的活性不同:McAb 1A12、2A8和1G8无ADCC活性;而1D10和2C5两株McAb作1:10稀释时,~(51)Cr释放率分别为27.09％和25.07％,稀释至1:100或1:1000时仍有ADCC活性。结果提示,不同的McAb抗原决定族诱导产生的抗体,在介导ADCC免疫保护作用上有差异,并为McAh治疗临床单纯疱疹病毒感染的可能性提供了实验资料。     

不同治疗方案对原发免疫性血小板减少症患者外周血调节T细胞水平变化的影响及其意义分析(英文)

目的:探讨原发免疫性血小板减少症(immune thrombocytopenia,ITP)患者治疗前后外周血调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell,Treg)水平变化及其在ITP发病中的作用。方法:选取2010年6月至2013年7月间276例新诊断ITP患者,男114例、女162例,中位年龄40(18-70)岁。按治疗方案随机分为地塞米松组(90例):地塞米松40 mg/d第1~4天口服;泼尼松组(98例):泼尼松1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1口服;2泼尼松组(98例):泼尼松1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1口服;地塞米松+小剂量利妥昔单抗组(88例):地塞米松40 mg/d第1-4天口服,利妥昔单抗100 mg第7、14、21、28天静脉滴注。各组患者于治疗前、治疗后14 d和28 d分别采取外周静脉血,采用流式细胞术检测CD4+CD25+CD127-细胞水平。以60名健康体检者为正常对照组。结果:治疗后第28天,地塞米松组、泼尼松组、地塞米松+小剂量利妥昔单抗组的总有效率分别66.7%、69.4%、79.5%,差异无统计学意义;随访12个月,泼尼松组(37.8%)和地塞米松组(22.7%)之间差异无统计学意义,而与地塞米松+小剂量利妥昔单抗组持续有效率(66.7%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。所有ITP患者治疗前外周血CD4+CD25+CD127-细胞表达水平低于健康对照组[(1.66±0.69)%对(4.01±0.38)%,P0.05];地塞米松组、泼尼松组患者治疗后14d CD4+CD25high CD127low细胞水平均高于治疗前[(3.46±0.76)%对(1.68±0.72)%、(3.22±0.77)%对(1.69±0.74)%,P值均0.05];地塞米松+小剂量利妥昔单抗组治疗后14、28d CD4+CD25+CD127-细胞水平[(4.27±1.08)%、(4.43±0.62)%]均高于治疗前[(1.67±0.67)%],差异有统计学意义(P值均0.05);治疗后28 d,泼尼松组、地塞米松组患者CD4+CD25+CD127-细胞水平[(2.68±0.63)%、(2.58±0.66)%]与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义。结论:地塞米松联合小剂量利妥昔单抗在长期疗效及提升T细胞数量方面显著优于地塞米松和泼尼松,值得临床推广。     

抗CD52单克隆抗体HPLC-肽图分析方法的建立

建立高效液相色谱(HPLC)-肽图分析方法,用于抗人CD52单克隆抗体的专属性鉴别。抗CD52单抗样品经盐酸胍变性、DTT还原,释放出的游离半胱氨酸残基进行烷基化。超滤置换酶切缓冲液后进行胰蛋白酶酶切并终止。色谱条件:采用Eclipse XDB-C18 4.6×250 mm 5μm(Aglient)色谱柱,0.1%TFA水溶液与0.1%TFA乙腈溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,检测波长为214 nm,柱温为30℃;质谱条件:分析时长135 min;检测方式正离子,TOF;MS+扫描范围350-1 500 Da;Product Ion+扫描范围100-1 500 Da;质谱分辨率40 000;Exceeds,150 Cps。CD52单抗重链CDR1、CDR3、轻链CDR1对应肽段由质谱鉴定出。HPLC-肽图方法专属性验证显示辅料制剂及异种抗体对检测结果无干扰;精密度验证结果显示目标峰的峰面积RSD%均在1.7%-7.6%之间。且目标峰的保留时间RSD%均在0.1%-0.2%之间,小于5%的可接受标准;耐用性结果显示,3μg胰蛋白酶、37℃和18 h的酶切条件是最合适的样品处理条件。基于CDR相关肽段鉴别的HPLC-肽图分析方法可定性鉴定出抗CD52单抗,方法学验证结果显示该方法适用于抗人CD52单抗的专属性鉴别并可用于质量控制及批检验放行。     

抗CD3/抗CD20双特异性单链抗体介导的B淋巴瘤细胞体外裂解作用

在构建并成功表达抗CD3/抗CD20双特异性单链抗体(bscCD3×CD20)的基础上,对其在体外介导T淋巴细胞杀伤Ramous B淋巴瘤细胞的生物活性进行了分析。Annexin V/PI(AV/PI)染色和形态学观察及扫描电镜分析表明bscCD3×CD20介导的B淋巴瘤细胞体外裂解作用是通过先诱导靶细胞凋亡而继发坏死、裂解的方式实现的。非放射性细胞毒性分析表明bscCD3×CD20介导的T淋巴细胞杀伤活性随抗体浓度、反应时间和效靶比的升高而增加。在抗体浓度为5μg/mL、作用时间为24h、效靶比为10∶1时,杀伤活性最高可达87·3%。采用美国SuperArray人细胞凋亡芯片检测细胞杀伤起始阶段细胞凋亡相关基因的表达水平变化,许多凋亡相关基因的表达均发生了不同程度的上调或下调,其中ATM基因表达升高了187倍,p53基因升高了15倍,提示ATM-p53途径可能是bscCD3×CD20介导T细胞诱导B淋巴瘤细胞凋亡的主要途径。     

抗CD3/CD28单克隆抗体联合PHA对T淋巴细胞活化和增殖的影响

目的探讨抗人CD3/CD28单克隆抗体联合植物血凝素(PHA)对人外周血T淋巴细胞活化增殖的影响。方法通过Ficoll密度梯度离心法分离健康成人外周血单核细胞后,用CD3免疫磁珠分选T淋巴细胞,抗CD3/CD28单抗、PHA及重组人白介素-2(recombinant human IL-2, rhIL-2)刺激T淋巴细胞。用CCK-8试剂盒(CCK-8 cell counting kit)检测细胞增殖情况, ELISA测定细胞上清液干扰素γ(interferon-γ, IFN-γ)的含量。结果 CCK-8结果显示在增殖3 d时,CD3/CD28+PHA组A_(450 nm)值与PHA组、IL-2组与空白组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);比较各组在6、9、12 d的增殖情况,CD3/CD28+PHA组的A_(450 nm)值与其他各组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。刺激3 d各组分泌的IFN-γ质量浓度是最高的。刺激9 d时,CD3/CD28+PHA组、CD3/CD28组、PHA组上清液中IFN-γ浓度分别为(235.27±27.80)、(189.23±24.79)和(124.66±3.39)pg/mL,CD3/CD28+PHA组上清液中IFN-γ的质量浓度高于其余2组(P<0.05)。结论抗CD3/CD28单抗联合PHA比单用抗CD3/CD28单抗、PHA或rhIL-2能更好地激活T细胞及持久地促使T细胞增殖。     

人CD137抗体促进NK细胞对乳腺癌细胞特异性杀伤作用的体外研究

目的探讨人自然杀伤(NK)细胞在CD137抗体作用下通过抗体依赖性细胞毒性作用(ADCC)介导对乳腺癌细胞的杀伤作用。方法NK细胞表型和细胞因子检测实验分组:阴性对照组(未用人CD137抗体处理的NK细胞)、CD137抗体处理组(10μg/mL人CD137抗体处理4 h的NK细胞);NK细胞毒性检测实验分组:根据体系中是否添加NK细胞、人CD137抗体和西妥昔单抗分为8组。流式细胞术检测两组NK细胞表面CD16分子的表达情况,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测两组NK细胞培养上清液中干扰素(IFN)-γ和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α的浓度,乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)法检测8组反应体系中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)高表达乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231和EGFR低表达乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-453的杀伤比例,并采用t检验或析因分析进行统计学分析。结果与阴性对照组比较,CD137抗体处理组CD16+NK细胞比例(79.57﹪±0.92﹪比90.43﹪±0.67﹪)、细胞因子IFN-γ浓度[(388.90±7.02)pg/mL比(523.90±1.90)pg/mL]和TNF-α浓度[(20.59±4.09)pg/mL比(47.22±2.14)pg/mL]均升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);MDA-MB-231细胞杀伤的三因素析因分析结果显示:NK细胞、人CD137抗体和西妥昔单抗3个因素分别对MDA-MB-231细胞的杀伤都有作用(F=5227.276、201.473、1792.242,P均<0.001),3个因素两两之间的交互作用对MDA-MB-231细胞的杀伤也都有作用(F=183.903、1517.187、33.483,P均<0.001),3个因素的二级交互作用差异有统计学意义(F=41.505,P<0.001)。结论人CD137抗体可增强NK细胞分泌细胞毒性因子IFN-γ和TNF-α的能力,同时可上调NK细胞表面CD16分子的表达,从而使得NK细胞可能通过西妥昔单抗介导的ADCC作用增强对表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)高表达乳腺癌细胞的杀伤作用。     

树突状细胞与CIK细胞共培养诱生的DCCIK细胞群对肿瘤的杀伤作用

由树突状细胞(DC)与细胞因子诱导的同源杀伤细胞(CIK)的共培养诱生的细胞群(DCCIK)对肿瘤细胞的细胞毒活性的研究。DCCIK细胞体外杀伤肿瘤靶细胞A549(MTT法),效靶比为10∶1、5∶1时杀伤率分别为61%、52%。DCCIK细胞诱导培养3周后,效靶比为10∶1、5∶1时杀伤率分别为64%和56%。数据亦表明DCCIK细胞对靶细胞的杀伤优于CIK细胞。动物体内实验分荷瘤A549、BEL7404和A375三组,每组分(A)DCCIK 化疗、(B)单用化疗。治疗20天、35天后测量各组肿瘤消失率。结果显示:DCCIK 化疗的抑瘤效果明显好于单纯化疗。提示DCCIK细胞有临床应用前景。     

The Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity of Blood and of Various Tissues

A method for measuring K, the coefficient of thermal conductivity, for a variety of dog tissues is described. The values of K for muscle and liver are larger than that for water, the value of K for lung is smaller than that for water and the values of K for brain, plasma, and blood are about the same as that of water. The values found for K are given in a table.     

A comparative study of the functional response of four species of carnivorous stoneflies

SUMMARY 1. Comparisons were made of the functional responses of mature larvae of Perlodes microcephalus, Isoperla grammatica, Dinocras cephalotes and Perla bipunctata. Experiments were performed in stream tanks with natural substrata and glass bottoms, so that feeding could be observed above and below the substratum. There was one stonefly per tank and one of 10 prey densities between 20 and 200 larvae of either Chironomus sp. or Baetis rhodani per tank. Consumed prey were replaced in a first set of experiments but not in a second set. Additional experiments assessed intraspecific interference between larvae of each predator species (two to five predators per tank). 2. The number of prey eaten increased curvilinearly with prey density. The relationship was described by two models, a Type II instantaneous model and its integrated equivalent, for experiments with and without prey replacement, respectively. Handling time did not change significantly with prey density, and was the same for experiments with and without prey replacement. Estimates of attack rate were similar for the two models, but varied between prey type and predator species. Handling time varied considerably but was normally distributed for each prey type and predator species. Mean handling time varied for Chironomus from 39 s for Isoperla, which rarely ate a whole larva, to 57 s for Perlodes and for Baetis from 116 s for Perlodes to 167 s for Perla. All predators were more efficient at capturing Baetis, but the longer handling time for Baetis ensured that more Chironomus were eaten. It was concluded that these variations in attack rate and handling time were related to activity and growth differences between the predator species, and that experiments with and without prey replacement could both be relevant to the field, depending on how the predators searched for food. 3. In the interference experiments, mean handling time did not change with increasing predator density, but attack rate decreased curvilinearly, the decrease varying from negligible for Isoperla to marked for Perlodes. Prey capture decreased with decreasing attack rate. Therefore, interference reduced prey consumption, but this effect was negligible for Isoperla and increasingly severe in the order Dinocras, Perla and Perlodes.     

Comparison of plant uptake and plant toxicity of various ions in wheat

The effects of varying solution concentrations of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), iron (Fe), gallium (Ga) and lanthanum (La) on plant chemical concentrations, plant uptake and plant toxicity were determined in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a low ionic strength (2.7×10^–3 M solution culture). Increasing the solution concentration of Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Fe, Ga and La increased plant concentrations of that ion. Asymptotic maximum plant concentrations were reached for Zn (10 mg kg DM^–1 in the roots), Ga (2 mg kg DM^–1 in the tops and 18 mg kg DM^–1 in the roots) and La (0.4 mg kg DM^–1 in the tops and 4 mg kg DM^–1 in the roots). Plant ion concentrations were, on average, 3 times higher in the roots than the tops for Mn and Zn, 7 times for Cu, 9 times for Fe, 12 times for Ga and 15 times for La. In contrast, B concentrations were higher in the tops than the roots by, on average, 2 times. The estimated toxicity threshold (plant concentration at which a rapid decrease in yield occurred) in the tops was 0.4 mg g DM^–1 for B, 2 for Zn, 0.075 for Cu and 0.09 for La and in the roots 0.2 mg g DM^–1 for B, 5 for Zn, 0.3 for Cu and 3 for La. Plant uptake rates of the ions (as estimated by the slope of the relationship between solution ion concentrations and plant ion concentrations) was in the order B 250 mg kg DM^–1 M ^–1). Plant toxicity was estimated as the reciprocal of the plant concentration that reduced yield by 50% (change in relative yield per mg ion kg DM^–1). The plant toxicity of the ions tested was in the order Mn相似文献   

Interspecific interference and the functional response of four species of carnivorous stoneflies

1. A previous study compared the functional responses to their prey and intraspecific interference in mature larvae of Perlodes microcephalus, Isoperla grammatica, Dinocras cephalotes and Perla bipunctata. The present study extends this work by assessing interspecific interference between pairs of these species in equal numbers (one, two or three larvae per species) to provide total predator densities of two, four or six larvae. Baetis larvae as prey were replaced as they were eaten, and their density per predator was varied between 20 and 200 larvae. 2. The number of prey eaten by each competing species increased curvilinearly with prey density, the relationship being well described by a Type II model. Of the two constants in the model, handling time varied considerably between species, mean values being shortest for Perlodes, slightly higher for Isoperla, and much higher for Dinocras and Perla. It was not affected significantly either by predator density or the identity of the competing species. 3. Attack rate also varied between species and decreased with predator density. This decrease was slight for Perlodes, and also for Dinocras and Perla in competition with Isoperla. The decrease in Dinocras and Perla was similar to that for intraspecific interference. 4. The decrease in attack rate was described by a convex curve for Perlodes with the other three species and for Dinocras/Perla with Isoperla, but by a concave curve (negative power function) for Isoperla competing with the other three species, and for both Dinocras and Perla in competition with Perlodes. Prey consumption also decreased with predator density, the severity of competition with different species reflecting that for attack rate. 5. A comparison with previous results for intraspecific interference showed that the latter was dominant for Perlodes in all contests and for Dinocras or Perla competing with Isoperla, whilst interspecific interference dominated for Isoperla in all contests and for Dinocras and Perla competing with Perlodes. Both types of interference were applicable to competition between Dinocras and Perla. Isoperla was the least, and Perlodes the most, aggressive of the four species with Dinocras and Perla intermediate.     

Determination of kinetic parameters of enzyme-catalyzed reactions with a minimum number of velocity measurements

Duggleby [Duggleby, R.G., 1979. Experimental designs for estimating kinetic parameters for enzyme-catalyzed reactions. J. Theor. Biol. 81, 672-684] discussed the “design of several replicate measurements of the velocity at as many experimental conditions as there are parameters to be estimated.” He discussed the application of this method to A→products, without and with competitive inhibition, and commented briefly on A+B→products. The availability of computer applications that can solve large sets of simultaneous equations makes it possible to use this method to calculate kinetic parameters for more complicated enzyme mechanisms. This article is concerned with rapid-equilibrium rate equations, but this method can also be used with steady-state rate equations. Computer programs are provided for the calculation of the three kinetic parameters for ordered A+B→products from three velocity measurements and for the calculation of the four kinetic parameters for random A+B→products from four velocity measurements. Computer programs are also provided for competitive inhibition, uncompetitive inhibition, and mixed inhibition of ordered A+B→products.     

Growth and Life Span of the Commercial Gastropods of Buccinidae Family in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Patterns with of body size and mass age variation in five gastropod species of Buccinidae family from Ussuriisky Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) were studied. Equations of body size and mass correlation were obtained for each species, Bertalanffy's equations of group growth were estimated, and specifics of rates of linear growth and of body mass with age variation were considered. It was determined that in the survey area, the life span for Buccinum bayani bayani was nine years; for B. verkruzeni, 11; for Neptunea constricta, 17; for N. lyrata lyrata 18; and for N. polycostata, 16.     

Simulation of images of CDMAM phantom and the estimation of measurement uncertainties of threshold gold thickness

PurposeTo demonstrate a method of simulating mammography images of the CDMAM phantom and to investigate the coefficient of variation (CoV) in the threshold gold thickness (t_T) measurements associated with use of the phantom.MethodsThe noise and sharpness of Hologic Dimensions and GE Essential mammography systems were characterized to provide data for the simulation. The simulation method was validated by comparing the t_T results of real and simulated images of the CDMAM phantom for three different doses and the two systems. The detection matrices produced from each of 64 images using CDCOM software were randomly resampled to create 512 sets of 8, 16 and 32 images to estimate the CoV of t_T. Sets of simulated images for a range of doses were used to estimate the CoVs for a range of diameters and threshold thicknesses.ResultsNo significant differences were found for t_T or the CoV between real and simulated CDMAM images. It was shown that resampling from 256 images was required for estimating the CoV. The CoV was around 4% using 16 images for most of the phantom but is over double that for details near the edge of the phantom.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated a method to simulate images of the CDMAM phantom for different systems at a range of doses. We provide data for calculating uncertainties in t_T. Any future review of the European guidelines should take into consideration the calculated uncertainties for the 0.1 mm detail.     

Recovery of transgenic trees after electroporation of poplar protoplasts

Protoplasts from leaflets ofin vitro cuttings were electroporated in osmotically adjusted and buffered solutions containing plasmid DNA: pABD1, carrying thenptII gene for resistance to neomycin; pGH1, carrying a mutant acetolactate synthase gene,als, for resistance to sulfonylurea; and pGSFR781A, carrying a synthetic phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (pat) for resistance to phosphinothricin (Basta). Gene transfer was repeatedly efficient, without use of carrier DNA, in the range of one transformant for 10⁵ to 10⁴ protoplast-derived cell colonies. This was probably due to the high plating efficiency (30%) of protoplasts in our culture process. Selection for expression of foreign genes was applied in liquid medium and repeatedly achieved with 30 M paromomycin for NPTII, 200 nM chlorsulfuron for the mutant ALS ofArabidopsis and 25 M phosphinothricin for PAT expression. Integration of foreign genes into genomic DNA of resistant poplar trees was demonstrated by Southern blot hybridizations, which revealed that for some transformants practically no other part of the vector plasmid than the selected gene was integrated.Effective processes for protoplast culture, efficient selection at the cell colony stage and gene transfer will provide new possibilities in poplar breeding.     

Assessment of Human Health Risks of Consumption of Cadmium Contaminated Cultured Oysters

With farmed British Columbia (BC) oysters containing higher cadmium concentrations than wild oysters, long-term exposure to cadmium through consumption of oysters has the potential to cause health risks. This study reports on a risk assessment for cadmium intake resulting from the consumption of BC-cultured oyster. The study concludes that Health Canada's current recommended BC-cultured oyster consumption rate for Canadians of 12 oysters per month exceeds the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry chronic oral minimal risk levels (MRL) of 0.2 μ g·kg^{? 1}·day^{? 1} by approximately 4-to 5-fold and reaches the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAP/WHO) reference dose of 1 μg·kg^?1·day^?1 for cadmium consumption for Canadians. This suggests that although the current recommended maximum oyster consumption rates is consistent with the FAO/WHO and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits for acceptable risk, it leaves little or no room for error or uncertainty. This is noteworthy as recent studies demonstrate toxicological effects at cadmium intakes of 0.43 to 0.71 μ gCd·kg^?1·day^?1. This study indicates that a lower maximum BC-cultured oyster rate should be considered, particularly for high risk groups, including women with low iron stores, people with renal impairment, smokers, children, and indigenous people who consume organ meats of games and wildlife other than shellfish.     

A System of Oligonucleotide Primers for the Amplification of nifH Genes of Different Taxonomic Groups of Prokaryotes

Based on the analysis of the nifH gene nucleotide sequences from GenBank, a system of primers was developed that makes it possible to obtain 370- and 470-bp PCR fragments of the nifH gene of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and archaea. The effectiveness of the proposed system for revealing the presence of nifH genes was demonstrated by PCR on the DNA isolated from nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes for which the primary structure of these genes is known and which belong to different taxonomic groups. nifH sequences of nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes of the genera Xanthobacter, Beijerinckia, and Methanosarcina, for which the capacity for nitrogen fixation was demonstrated earlier, but no data existed on the nucleotide composition of these genes, were determined and deposited in GenBank.