Effects of High-voltage Electric Field Treatment on the Water Activity of Bread

Treating bread dough by a high-voltage electric field (HVEF) during the first fermentation enabled the bread dough to retain water in the gluten fibers. The microstructure of the gluten fibers was still visible even with an HVEF treatment at 50 kV for 20 min, but could no longer be observed when the gluten was treated for more than 30 min. The crumb temperature of the HVEF treated bread during baking began to rise a few minutes sooner than that of the untreated bread, but the maximum temperature reached was the same in both cases: 99°C. The fact that the water activity of the HVEF-treated bread was 0.987 ± 0.0056, being higher than that of the untreated bread by 0.011, is in good agreement with the growing tests of Rhizopus nigricans. Furthermore, a distinct decrease in the water loss of the baked gluten was observed after the HVEF treatment. These results suggest that the HVEF treatment increased the ability of the gluten fibers, rather than the starch granules, to absorb and retain water; the state of the remaining water is considered to have become immobile, so that migration of moisture to the starch granules in the bread could be minimized.     

The Effects of Low-Frequency Ultrasound on Staphylococcus epidermidis

Low frequency ultrasound (LFUS) significantly enhances skin permeability to a variety of drugs; however, its bacterial effects have not been well studied. Staphylococcus epidermidis organisms were grown and standardized to 10⁵ cfu/ml 24 h prior to investigation and suspended in normal saline. LFUS was applied with two probes immersed in the bacterial suspensions over a range of suspension volumes, intensities, and exposure times. The suspension temperature was measured, and a sample was removed, streaked onto blood agar plates, and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Quantitative bacterial counts were then obtained. LFUS resulted in significant reductions in bacterial counts that correlated with fluid temperature. Probe size and ultrasound intensity appeared to affect bacterial counts, but were also correlated with temperature. Bacterial growth was minimal with temperatures exceeding 45°C. While LFUS can reduce bacterial counts, these conditions have the potential to cause burns in humans. Received: 21 August 1998 / Accepted: 29 September 1998     

在大肠杆菌中合成的萤火虫荧光素酶的分离和性质

用生物工程技术将萤火虫荧光素酶基因转移到大肠杆菌,在大肠杆菌中合成荧光素酶。这种工程菌已可通过发酵大量培养,并从菌体分离得到接近纯化的荧光素酶。这种酶的分子量是103kD;巯基试剂5,5’-巯基-2(2-硝基苯甲酸)“DTNB”能抑制酶的活性;对于底物荧光素的K_m为1.2μmol/L;酶反应最适pH为7.77;酶催化的生物发光峰在560nm。     

Electric Field Effects with Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Extending previous work with electrostimulation of yeast dehydrogenases in cell suspension, we attempted to influence the alcohol dehydrogenase system in vitro using methylene blue as the acceptor. According to the conformational coupling model and the free radical hypothesis, the possibility of capacitive current treatment was tested by short applications of E = 10, 20, and 30 V/cm at a frequency of 50 Hz. Besides a temperature rise, no significant kinetic data from spectrophotometry or polarography could be measured, nor could inductive coupling using magnetic fluxes of 1, 5, and 10 mT. On the other hand, marked changes of relative electrofusion yield were found after interaction of dehydrogenases with membrane surfaces of barley protoplasts. It was confirmed that in unbuffered solution containing 0.5 M mannitol, the isoelectric point (PI) of enzymes determines the relative fusion yield: Fr < 1 for pI < 7 and Fr > 1 for pI > 7. We must conclude that only the position of dehydrogenases at or within cell membranes shows responses to weak ac or stronger dc treatments influencing additionally electric moments and conformations by surface potential and adsorption energy.     

Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field on Growth and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) were exposed to a developed extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (50?Hz ,20?mT ELF) system to evaluate whether exposure to (ELF) magnetic fields affects growth, metabolism, and differentiation of hMSCs. MTT method was used to determine the growth and metabolism of hMSCs following exposure to ELF magnetic fields. Na⁺/K⁺ concentration and osmolality of extracelluar were measured after exposured culture. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay and Calcium assay, ALP staining, and Alizarin red staining were performed to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs under the ELF magnetic field exposure. In these experiments, the cells were exposed to ELF for up to 23 days. The results showed that exposure to ELF magnetic field could inhibit the growth and metabolism of hMSC, but have no significant effect on differentiation of hMSCs. These results suggested that ELF magnetic field may influence the early development of hMSCs related adult cells.     

Effect of Direct-Current Electric Field on Enzymatic Activity and the Concentration of Laccase

This work investigates the effect of direct-current electric field on the extracellular enzymatic activity, concentration and other experimental parameters of laccase from Trametes versicolor. The results showed that laccase could significantly contribute to the change of pH at the end of graphite electrode. In addition, it increased the electrical conductivity of the water. In the experiment, the optimum pH and catalytic pH range for laccase activity were 3.0 and pH 2.5–4.0. The application of 6 V direct current showed significant effects on the laccase enzyme activity. The activity of laccase was enhanced in the anodic region, but at the same time was strongly inhibited at the cathode. The electric charge characteristics of laccase were changed when exposed to electric field, and some laccases molecules moved to the anode, which produced a slight migration phenomenon. This study is the basis of combination of laccase and electrical technology, at the same time, providing a new direction of enhancing laccase activity. Compared to immobilization, using electric field is simple, no chemical additives, and great potential.     

Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field on Caspase Activities and Oxidative Stress Values in Rat Brain

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on apoptosis and oxidative stress values in the brain of rat. Rats were exposed to 100 and 500 µT ELF-MF, which are the safety standards of public and occupational exposure for 2 h/day for 10 months. Brain tissues were immunohistochemically stained for the active (cleaved) caspase-3 in order to measure the apoptotic index by a semi-quantitative scoring system. In addition, the levels of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidative capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in rat brain. Final score of apoptosis and MPO activity were not significantly different between the groups. CAT activity decreased in both exposure groups (p?<?0.05), while TAC was found to be lower in ELF 500 group than those in ELF-100 and sham groups (p?<?0.05). MDA, TOS, and OSI values were found to be higher in ELF-500 group than those in ELF-100 and sham groups (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, apoptosis was not changed by long-term ELF-MF exposure, while both 100 and 500 µT ELF-MF exposure induced toxic effect in the rat brain by increasing oxidative stress and diminishing antioxidant defense system.     

虫光素酶N端16个氨基酸与催化活性密切相关

把全长虫光素酶基因及其缺失突变体(5′端缺失48个核苷酸)分别克隆到分泌型表达载体pIN-Ⅲ-ompA3,前者转化体能表达高活性虫光素酶,而后者完全丧失酶活.该结果表明虫光素酶N端16个氨基酸与酶活性密切相关.     

FLT-1启动子荧光素酶报告基因重组体的构建和鉴定

目的：为探索FLT-1启动子靶向调控活性分析,克隆FLT-1启动子基因序列,构建并鉴定肿-1启动子调控的荧光素酶报告基因重组体pGL3-FLT—Basic—luc。方法：应用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术扩增FLT-1启动子序列,定向亚克隆至荧光素酶表达载体pGL3-Basic—luc中,构建含有正确目的基因的报告基因重组体pGL3-FIT—Basic—luc,通过限性内切酶酶切、PCR及测序进行鉴定。结果：通过酶切鉴定及基因测定证明,所克隆的基因产物与预期结果-致,序列无碱基突变。结论：成功构建了含有FLT-1启动子基因序列的荧光素酶报告基因真核表达载体,为下-步分析该启动子活性及血管疾病的基因治疗奠定基础。     

荧光素酶及其应用

介绍了细菌荧光素酶基因(lux)和萤火虫荧光素酶基因(luc)的结构特点和二者的差异,概述了该酶作为报告基因在基础研究和实践(污染物监测、急性毒性和遗传毒性监测、微生物监测等)中的应用,肯定了该酶作为报告基因的广阔应用前景。     

表达荧光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因重组非洲猪瘟病毒的构建

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)感染家猪和野猪引起的一种高致病性传染病,家猪感染ASFV强毒株后死亡率接近100％.为了研究ASFV的致病机制,利用绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)作为报告基因构建重组病毒已经广泛应用,但易于定量检测且适用于高通量筛选的重组ASFV目前没有报道.本研究以ASFVHLJ/18分离株为亲本病毒,采用CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术和同源重组技术将表达Gaussia荧光素酶(Gluc)和EGFP的报告基因表达盒插入到ASFV的K145R基因的位置,构建可以同时表达Gluc和EGFP的重组ASFV(rASFV-Gluc-EGFP).通过PCR鉴定、Gluc和EGFP表达的检测,确定获得的重组ASFV能够感染猪肺泡巨噬细胞且表达Gluc和EGFP.对构建的重组病毒和亲本病毒进行生长曲线比较,结果表明插入的报告基因不影响病毒在猪肺泡巨噬细胞中的复制.F5、F10和F15代重组病毒基因鉴定和报告基因表达检测结果表明,重组病毒能稳定表达插入的双报告基因.本研究成功构建了表达Gluc和EGFP的重组ASFV,可以针对报告基因进行定量检测和高通量筛选,为ASFV的感染和致病机制研究奠定坚实的基础.     

Perception and the Characteristics of the Response of Honey Bees,Paper Wasps,and Red Wood Ants to a Low-Frequency Electric Field

Bees, wasps, and ants have no specialized receptors for the perception of an electric field. An appropriate response to naturally occurring electric fields in bees and ants is associated with atmospheric exposure, amplified by the approach of the front of a thunderstorm. The primary transducers of mechanoreceptors that respond to displacement are related to the perception of low-frequency electric fields of high intensity by insects. The non-specific mechanism of perception of electric fields is based on irritation by induced currents that flow in the locations of their contact with each other and/or conductive surfaces. The frequency dependence of the electric field sensitivity is determined mainly by the magnitude of the current induced by it and the intensity of its contact action. The magnitude of the current induced in the outer part of the insect body is non-linearly related to the frequency of the electric field. The region with the highest sensitivity to electric fields is close to 500 Hz, which is consistent with the maximum magnitude of the induced current. At the same time, the threshold of the sensitivity to an electric field in wasps is approximately 0.04 kV/m, while in bees it is 0.45 kV/m. Ants react to the action of an electric field of 7–10 kV/m by slowing their movement. Magnetic fields and ionization, which accompany the generation of an electric field whose intensity reaches 15–20 kV/m, do not stimulate changes in the behavior of insects.

     

两种萤火虫荧光素酶活性检测方法的一致性比较

目的：比较2种萤火虫荧光素酶活性检测方法的一致性。方法：分别采用化学发光技术（Che）及活体光学成像技术（Bio）,从细胞和动物水平检测在转染以萤火虫荧光素酶为报告基因的载体pCI-AAA-Fluc-neo后不同时间点,萤火虫荧光素酶的表达强度。结果：在细胞和动物水平,萤火虫荧光素酶的表达强度均随时间推移逐步递减。在HepG2细胞,萤火虫荧光素酶表达持续96h,活性从24h的2781±220mV（1．6×10^6±2．3×10^5光子）降至96h的49±3．5mV（6．4×10^4±2．5×10^4光子）。在动物水平得到相似的结果,BALB／c小鼠萤火虫荧光素酶表达持续20d,其活性从1d的16592±409mV（1．9×10^8±3．6×10^6光子）降至20d的798±139mV（3．37×10^5±3．8×10^4光子）。通过一致性检验,2种检测方法在细胞和动物水平的直线回归方程分别为lgChe=1．186·lgBio-3．764（r=-0．937,P〈0．001）和lgChe=0．451·lgBio＋0．64（r=0．915,P〈0．001）;进一步将理论数据与实验数据进行配对t检验,二者无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论：2种检测方法是一致的;从整个实验过程来看,活体光学成像技术较化学发光法更为简便、直观,可量化地对同一个体连续检测,减少了个体间差异和实验动物用量。     

含荧光素酶基因的黑胸大蠊浓核病毒重组质粒的构建与表达

黑胸大蠊(Periplaneta fuliginosa)是我国分布最广的蟑螂种类.黑胸大蠊浓核病毒(Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus, PfDNV)是我室1991年在国内首次报道并在国内外第一个分类鉴定的蟑螂细小病毒[1].我们构建了PfDNV全基因组克隆和酶切亚克隆重组质粒,测定并分析了病毒基因组全序列与结构.序列分析表明该病毒基因组具有细小病毒基因组的结构特征,其末端具有反转重复序列(Invert Terminal Repeatant, ITR)和回文结构,这类病毒基因组两端的特殊结构可能是与病毒复制,整合,拯救,包装有关的必需顺式元件[2～5].为了进一步研究黑胸大蠊浓核病毒基因复制及表达机理,尤其是其末端结构在病毒基因复制中的作用,我们将荧光素酶基因插入了PfDNV基因组保留了两个完整的末端结构而其它部分缺失的重组质粒中.将这种重组质粒转染虫体后,在虫体中检测到了荧光素酶的表达,说明在缺失基因组中间部分时,插入的外源基因依然可以复制、表达.本结果证实了PfDNV基因组的末端结构是PfDNV复制的必需结构.这一实验为将外源基因引入病毒基因组,构建基因工程杀虫剂提供了有效的技术途径.现将结果报告如下.     

Effects of Pulsed Electric Field on the Viscoelastic Properties of Potato Tissue

We have investigated whether transient permeabilization caused by the application of pulsed electric field would give rise to transient changes in the potato tissue viscoelastic properties. Potato tissue was subjected to nominal field strengths (E) ranging from 30 to 500 V/cm, with a single rectangular pulse of 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁴, or 10⁻³ s. The changes on the viscoelastic properties of potato tissue during pulsed electric fields (PEF) were monitored through small amplitude oscillatory dynamic rheological measurements. The elastic (G′) and viscous moduli (G″) were measured every 30 s after the delivery of the pulse and the loss tangent change (tan-δ) was calculated. The results were correlated with measurements of changes on electrical resistance during the delivery of the pulse. Results show a drastic increase of tan-δ in the first 30 s after the application of the pulse, followed by a decrease 1 min after pulsation. This response is strongly influenced by pulsing conditions and is independent of the total permeabilization achieved by the pulse. Our results, supported by similar measurements on osmotically dehydrated control samples, clearly show that PEF causes a rapid change of the viscoelastic properties of the tissue that could be attributed to a partial loss in turgor pressure. This would be an expected consequence of electroporation. The recovery of tan-δ to values similar to those before pulsation strongly suggests recovery of cell membrane properties and turgor, pointing at reversible permeabilization of the cells. A slight increase of stiffness traduced by a negative change of tan-δ after application of certain PEF conditions may also give an indication of events occurring on cell wall structure due to stress responses. This study set the basis for further investigations on the complex cell stress physiology involving both cell membrane functional properties and cell wall structure that would influence tissue physical properties upon PEF application.     

含荧光素酶基因的黑胸大蠊浓核病毒重组质粒的构建与表达

A luciferase gene has been inserted into the recombinant plasmid PfDNV-pUC119 which contained partly deletion of genome of Periplanete fuliginosa densovirus(PfDNV.)The recombinant plasmid with luciferase gene was co-transfrected with PfDNV-pUC 119 into Periplanele fuliginosa larvae and had a high luciferase gene expression in enteron of the transfected larvae.     

人重组PSP及其生物活性研究

为了获得人重组 persephin( PSP)并研究其生物学活性 ,从人胎脑组织中提取总 RNA,以RT- PCR方法获取编码人 PSP成熟蛋白 c DNA.将人 PSP c DNA插入含 T7启动子的质粒 p ET-2 8a( + ) ,构建表达质粒 p ET- PSP,转化大肠杆菌 BL 2 1 ( DE3)获得表达菌株 BLPSP,经 IPTG诱导表达的 PSP形成包含体 .凝胶自动扫描分析表明 ,PSP表达量约占菌体总蛋白 2 0 %以上 .用Ni2 + - NTA树脂一步法纯化目的蛋白 ,纯度达 85%以上 .纯化和复性的 PSP蛋白能显著促进脊髓神经元的存活 .