The inhibitory effect of propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cyclooxygenase activity in J774 macrophages

The effect of an ethanolic extract of propolis, with and without CAPE, and some of its components on cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) activity in J774 macrophages has been investigated. COX-1 and COX-2 activity, measaured as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, were concentration-dependently inhibited by propolis (3 x 10(-3) - 3 x 10(2) microgml(-1)) with an IC50 of 2.7 microgml(-1) and 4.8 x 10(-2) microgml(-1), respectively. Among the compounds tested pinocembrin and caffeic, ferulic, cinnamic and chlorogenic acids did not affect the activity of COX isoforms. Conversely, CAPE (2.8 x 10(-4) - 28 microgml(-1); 10(-9) - 10(-4) M) and galangin (2.7 x 10(-4) - 27 microgml(-1); 10(-9) - 10(-4) M) were effective, the last being about ten-twenty times less potent. In fact the IC50 of CAPE for COX-1 and COX-2 were 4.4 x 10(-1) microgml(-1) (1.5 x 10(-6) M) and 2 x 10(-3) microgml(-1) (6.3 x 10(-9) M), respectively. The IC50 of galangin were 3.7 microgml(-1) (15 x 10(-6) M) and 3 x 10(-2) microgml(-1) (120 x 10(-9) M), for COX-1 and COX-2 respectively. To better investigate the role of CAPE, we tested the action of the ethanolic extract of propolis deprived of CAPE, which resulted about ten times less potent than the extract with CAPE in the inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2, with an IC50 of 30 microgml(-1) and 5.3 x 10(-1) microgml(-1), respectively. Moreover the comparison of the inhibition curves showed a significant difference (p < 0.001).These results suggest that both CAPE and galangin contribute to the overall activity of propolis, CAPE being more effective.     

Delayed toxicity as a critical factor in the efficacy of aqueous baits for controlling Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Boric acid, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam in sucrose aqueous baits had different delayed toxicities to worker Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr). The concentrations required to produce an LT50 (time required to produce 50% mortality) within 1-4 d were 3.63-0.55% boric acid, 9.2 x 10(-3) to 7.1 x 10(-4)% imidacloprid, and 3 x 10(-4) to 2 x 10(-5)% thiamethoxam. The three toxicants were not repellent. Other laboratory trials showed that 1% boric acid, 5 x 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-3)% imidacloprid, and 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-3)% thiamethoxam had delayed toxic effects, whereas 0.5% boric acid and < 5 x 10(-3)% imidacloprid did not. Baits that provided an LT50 between days 1 and 4 were considered to have delayed toxic effects. The utility of aqueous sucrose baits and toxicants soluble in such systems and the negative impact of fast-acting toxicants on trail following, recruitment, trophallaxis, and control of Argentine ants are discussed.     

The effects of drug complexation on the stability and conformation of human serum albumin

We report different analytical methods used to study the effects of 3\'-azido-3\'-deoxythymidine, aspirin, taxol, cisplatin, atrazine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, biogenic polyamines, chlorophyll, chlorophyllin, poly(ethylene glycol), vanadyl cation, vanadate anion, cobalt-hexamine cation, and As2O3, on the stability and secondary structure of human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution, using capillary electrophoresis, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet visible, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic methods. The concentrations of HSA used were 4% to 2% or 0.6 to 0.3 mM, while different ligand concentrations were 1 microM to 1 mM. Structural data showed drugs are mostly located along the polypeptide chains with both specific and nonspecific interactions. The stability of drug-protein complexes were in the order K(VO(2+)) 1.2 x 10(8) M(-1) > K(AZT) 1.9 x 10(6) M(-)1 > K(PEG) 4.1 x 10(5) M(-1) > K(atrazine) 3.5 x 10(4) M(-1) > K(chlorophyll) 2.9 x 10(4) M(-1) > K2,4-D 2.5 x 10(4) M-1 > K(spermine) 1.7 x 10(4) M(-1) > K(taxol) 1.43 x 10(4) M(-1) > K(Co(3+)) > 1.1 x 10(4) M(-1) > K(aspirin) 1.04 x 10(4)i(-1) > K(chlorophyllin) 7.0 x 10(3) M(-1) > K(VO(3)(-)) 6.0 x 103 M(-1) > K(spermidine) 5.4 x 10(3) M(-1) > K(putrescine) 3.9 x 10(3) M(-1) > K(As(2)O(3)) 2.2 x 10(3) M(-1)> K(cisplatin) 1.2 x 10(2) M(-1). The protein conformation was altered (infrared and CD results) with major reduction of alpha-helix from 60 to 55% (free HSA) to 49 to 40% and increase of beta-structure from 22 to 15% (free HSA) to 33 to 23% in the drug-protein complexes. The alterations of protein secondary structure are attributed to a partial unfolding of HSA on drug complexation.     

Hydrolytic enzymes of Psoroptes cuniculi (Delafond)

Phosphatases, C4 and C8 esterases, leucine and valine aminopeptidases, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase were detected in extracts of the parasitic mite Psoroptes cuniculi. Lipase, trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities were not present. Haemoglobin was hydrolysed by a detergent-soluble fraction of the mite extracts with a maximum hydrolysis between pH 3 and 5. Acid proteinase activity was greater against haemoglobin than bovine serum albumin. Inhibitors of cysteine, serine and metallo-proteinases failed to inhibit the hydrolysis of H-Pro-Thr-Glu-Phe-Phe(NO2)-Arg-Leu-OH while pepstatin A inhibited its hydrolysis in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 8.02 x 10(-11) M (+/- 0.30 x 10(-11). Thermal inactivation of the proteolytic activity followed an exponential decay pattern. Typical K(m) and Vmax values were 7.2 x 10(-5) (+/- 0.7 x 10(-5) M-1 and 1.13 x 10(-3) (+/- 0.05 x 10(-3) OD unit-1 min-1 respectively. Acid proteinase activity eluted from a size exclusion column in a single, major peak representing a molecular weight range of 21-24.5 kDa. The major endoproteinase of P. cuniculi therefore appears to be a cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase.     

巨牡蛎对长江口环境的净化功能及其生态服务价值

牡蛎礁生态系统是河口环境的天然污染处理厂.本文分析了长江口导堤巨牡蛎对重金属的生物富集作用,并评估了其对河口环境的净化功能和生态服务价值.结果表明：巨牡蛎对Cu、Zn和Cd的富集能力较强,其生物富集系数BCFs (bio-concentration factors)分别为(14.28±2.41)×10³、(12.75±2.02)×10³和(14.51±3.71)×10³,Cu、Zn和Cd的沉积物生物富集系数BSAFs (biota-sediment accumulation factors)分别为26.78±4.53、23.24±3.69和16.62±4.25,巨牡蛎对6种重金属富集能力的大小顺序为Cu>Zn>Cd>As>Pb>Hg.整个长江口导堤巨牡蛎的现存量约为1.07×10⁶ t,鲜肉约为1.75×10⁵ t,其对养分和重金属的总累积量分别为：N 1.462×10⁶ kg、P 1×10⁵ kg、Cu 24 745 kg、Zn 58 257 kg、Pb 609 kg、Cd 254 kg、Hg 0.18 kg和As 329 kg.长江口导堤巨牡蛎去除营养盐和重金属所产生的环境效益价值约为每年317万元,等同于每年净化合流污水7.31×10⁶ t,相当于一个日处理能力约为2×10⁴ t的大型城市污水处理厂;巨牡蛎提供的栖息地价值约为每年510万元,合计生态服务价值约为每年827万元.     

Effects of prostaglandins, cAMP, and changes in cytosolic calcium on platelet aggregation induced by a thromboxane A2 mimic (U46619).

The effects of U46619, a thromboxane mimic, on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and platelet aggregation were determined in human platelets. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was determined by Quin-2 fluorescence and platelet aggregation quantitated with an aggregometer. Addition of U46619 (1 x 10(-7) M) to the platelet suspension produced a rapid increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and platelet aggregation. Pretreatment of platelets with EGTA (3 x 10(-3) M), verapamil (5 x 10(-4) M), a calcium entry blocker, or 8-(diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (1 x 10(-3) M), an inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ release, either blunted or markedly delayed the rate, but not the magnitude, of increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and prevented platelet aggregation by U46619. Pretreatment of platelets with prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) (5 x 10(-8) M), PGD2 (5 x 10(-8) M), PGE1 (5 x 10(-8) M), PGF2 alpha (1 x 10(-5) M), dibutyryl cAMP (5 x 10(-3) M), or forskolin (1 x 10(-6) M) prevented both the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and the associated platelet aggregation induced by U46619. These data suggest that U46619 may induce platelet aggregation through an increase in cytosolic Ca2+, and that both Ca2+ entry and its release from intracellular storage sites probably contribute to the increase in cytosolic Ca2+. Furthermore, the rate of the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, as well as the magnitude of the increase, appear to be critical for platelet aggregation induced by U46619. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that PGs inhibit U46619-induced platelet aggregation by preventing the increase in cytosolic Ca2+, and that these effects may be mediated via an increase in cAMP, since they were induced by PGs and cAMP.     

Frequency of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin CrylAb in Greek and Spanish population of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The high-dose/refuge strategy is considered as the main strategy for delaying resistance in target pests to genetically modified crops that produce insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. This strategy is based on a key assumption that resistance alleles are initially rare (<10(-3)). To test this assumption, we used an F2 screen on natural populations of Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Greece and Spain. In total, 75 lines from Greece and 85 lines from Spain were screened for survival of F2 larvae on Cry1Ab corn, Zea mays L., leaves. No major resistance alleles were found. The frequency of resistance alleles in the Greek population was <9.7 x 10(-3) with 95% probability, which was very similar to that of the Spanish population (<8.6 x 10(-3) with 95% probability), and the expected frequencies were 3.2 x 10(-3) (0-0.0097) and 2.9 x 10(-3) (0-0.0086) in Greece and Spain (pooled 1.5 x 10(-3)). The experiment-wise detection probability of resistance was 94.0 and 97.5% for the Greek and the Spanish population, respectively. Evidence of alleles conferring partial resistance to Cry1Ab was found only for the Greek population. The frequency of alleles for partial resistance was estimated as 6.5 x 10(-3) with a 95% credibility interval between 8 x 10(-4) and 17.8 x 10(-3) and a detection probability of 94%. Our results suggest that the frequency of alleles conferring resistance to CrylAb, regarding the population of S. nonagrioides, may be rare enough so that the high-dose/refuge strategy could be applied with success for resistance management.     

Inhibition of mucin secretion in a colonic adenocarcinoma cell line by DIDS and potassium channel blockers

The factors which influence the exocytosis of mucins are not well characterized. Since the physical properties of mucins may be affected significantly by the co-secretion of electrolytes and water, we studied the relationship between ion movement and mucin secretion in T84 cells, a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line which has been well characterized with respect to apical chloride secretion. Secretion of mucin was assessed by immunoassay of mucin appearing in the medium within 30 min of stimulation. Cells were grown on plastic in DMEM/Ham's F12 medium and experiments were carried out at 70% confluence. Mucin secretion was stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187, or A23187 plus vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Stimulated mucin secretion was not affected by loop diuretics (furosemide (1 x 10(-3) M) or bumetanide (1 x 10(-4) M)), with or without the addition of ouabain (5 x 10(-5) M) and amiloride (1 x 10(-5) M), making it unlikely that transcellular chloride movements in necessary for mucin secretion. However, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; (1 x 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-5) M) and three potassium channel blockers BaCl2 (1 x 10(-3) and 5 x 10(-3) M), tetraethylammonium chloride (1 x 10(-2) M) and quinine (5 x 10(-4) M) inhibited mucin secretion. A DIDS-sensitive chloride channel or chloride/bicarbonate exchanger and a Ca2(+)-dependent potassium channel may play important roles in mucin secretion. Since plasma membranes are sparingly permeable to DIDS, the DIDS-sensitive site is likely to be on the apical plasma membrane, perhaps at an initiation locus for exocytosis.     

Dynamic characteristics of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus consumption by bacterivorous nanoflagellates

We compared the characteristics of ingestion of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus by the marine heterotrophic nanoflagellate Pseudobodo sp. and by a mixed nanoflagellate culture (around 3 microm in size) obtained from an open sea oligotrophic area. Maximum ingestion rate on Synechococcus (2.7 Syn flagellate(-1) h(-1)) was reached at concentrations of 5 x 10(5) Syn mL(-1) and decreased between 6 x 10(5) and 1.5 x 10(6) Syn mL(-1). In order to validate laboratory data, one set of data on Synechococcus grazing was obtained during a field study in the oligotrophic northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Ingestion rates by heterotrophic nanoflagellates were related to Synechococcus abundance in the water, and the feeding rate showed a clear diel rhythm with consumption being highest during the night, declining during the day hours, and being lowest at dusk. Ingestion rates on Prochlorococcus increased linearly for the whole range of prey density used (i.e., from 1 x 10(3) to 3 x 10(6) Proc mL(-1)), with maximum ingestion of 6.7 Proc flagellate(-1) h(-1). However, for prey concentrations in the range of 10(3)-10(5), which are usually encountered in aquatic systems, ingestion rates were significantly less than on Synechococcus. In our experiments, both Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus proved to be poor food items for support of nanoflagellate growth.     

Comparative study of oestrogenic properties of eight phytoestrogens in MCF7 human breast cancer cells

Previous studies have compared the oestrogenic properties of phytoestrogens in a wide variety of disparate assays. Since not all phytoestrogens have been tested in each assay, this makes inter-study comparisons and ranking oestrogenic potency difficult. In this report, we have compared the oestrogen agonist and antagonist activity of eight phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, equol, miroestrol, deoxymiroestrol, 8-prenylnaringenin, coumestrol and resveratrol) in a range of assays all based within the same receptor and cellular context of the MCF7 human breast cancer cell line. The relative binding of each phytoestrogen to oestrogen receptor (ER) of MCF7 cytosol was calculated from the molar excess needed for 50% inhibition of 3H]oestradiol binding (IC50), and was in the order coumestrol (35x)/8-prenylnaringenin (45x)/deoxymiroestrol (50x)>miroestrol (260x)>genistein (1000x)>equol (4000x)>daidzein (not achieved: 40% inhibition at 10(4)-fold molar excess)>resveratrol (not achieved: 10% inhibition at 10(5)-fold molar excess). For cell-based assays, the rank order of potency (estimated in terms of the concentration needed to achieve a response equivalent to 50% of that found with 17beta-oestradiol (IC50)) remained very similar for all the assays whether measuring ligand ability to induce a stably transfected oestrogen-responsive ERE-CAT reporter gene, cell growth in terms of proliferation rate after 7 days or cell growth in terms of saturation density after 14 days. The IC50 values for these three assays in order were for 17beta-oestradiol (1 x 10(-11)M, 1 x 10(-11)M, 2 x 10(-11)M), and in rank order of potency for the phytoestrogens, deoxymiroestrol (1 x 10(-10)M, 3 x 10(-11)M, 2 x 10(-11)M)>miroestrol (3 x 10(-10)M, 2 x 10(-10)M, 8 x 10(-11)M)>8-prenylnaringenin (1 x 10(-9)M, 3 x 10(-10)M, 3 x 10(-10)M)>coumestrol (3 x 10(-8)M, 2 x 10(-8)M, 3 x 10(-8)M)>genistein (4 x 10(-8)M, 2 x 10(-8)M, 1 x 10(-8)M)/equol (1 x 10(-7)M, 3 x 10(-8)M, 2 x 10(-8)M)>daidzein (3 x 10(-7)M, 2 x 10(-7)M, 4 x 10(-8)M)>resveratrol (4 x 10(-6)M, not achieved, not achieved). Despite using the same receptor context of the MCF7 cells, this rank order differed from that determined from receptor binding. The most marked difference was for coumestrol and 8-prenylnaringenin which both displayed a relatively potent ability to displace [3H]oestradiol from cytosolic ER compared with their much lower activity in the cell-based assays. Albeit at varying concentrations, seven of the eight phytoestrogens (all except resveratrol) gave similar maximal responses to that given by 17beta-oestradiol in cell-based assays which makes them full oestrogen agonists. We found no evidence for any oestrogen antagonist action of any of these phytoestrogens at concentrations of up to 10(-6)M on either reporter gene induction or on stimulation of cell growth.     

Anti-thyroid hormonal activity of tetrabromobisphenol A, a flame retardant, and related compounds: Affinity to the mammalian thyroid hormone receptor, and effect on tadpole metamorphosis

The thyroid hormone-disrupting activity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame retardant, and related compounds was examined. TBBPA, tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), tetramethylbisphenol A (TMBPA) and 3,3'-dimethylbisphenol A (DMBPA) markedly inhibited the binding of triiodothyronine (T3; 1 x 10(-10) M) to thyroid hormone receptor in the concentration range of 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-4) M, while bisphenol A and 2,2-diphenylpropane were inactive. TBBPA, TCBPA, TMBPA and DMBPA did not exhibit thyroid hormonal activity in a thyroid hormone-responsive reporter assay using a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO-K1) transfected with thyroid hormone receptor alpha1 or beta1, but TBBPA and TCBPA showed significant anti-thyroid hormone effects on the activity of T3 (1 x 10(-8) M) in the concentration range of 3 x 10(-6) - 5 x 10(-5) M. The thyroid hormone-disrupting activity of TBBPA was also examined in terms of the effect on amphibian metamorphosis stimulated by thyroid hormone. TBBPA in the concentration range of 1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) M showed suppressive action on T3 (5 x 10(-8) M)-enhancement of Rana rugosa tadpole tail shortening. These facts suggest that TBBPA, TCBPA, TMBPA and DMBPA can act as thyroid hormone-disrupting agents.     

长江口低氧区异养细菌及氮磷细菌分布

2009年8月15-28日,对长江口低氧高发海域的异养细菌、无机磷细菌、有机磷细菌、反硝化细菌和氨化细菌的空间分布特征进行初步研究.结果表明:氨化细菌数量最高,表层水、底层水和表层沉积物的数量均值分别为307.52×104个·L-1、184.50×104个·L-1和199.97×102个·g-1;其次为异养细菌,数量均值分别为87.35×104 cfu·L-1、86.85×104cfu·L-1和64.26×102cfu·g-1;再次为有机磷细菌,数量均值分别为19.26×104 cfu·L-1、18.82×104cfu·L-1和19.56×102cfu·g-1;无机磷细菌只分布在长江口内和河口南槽至舟山海域,数量均值分别为18.50×104cfu·L-1、31.00×104cfu·L-1和7.17×102cfu·g-1;反硝化细菌分布广,但数量较低,均值分别为3.94×104个·L-1、23.08×104个·L-1和6.22×102个·g-1.相关性分析结果说明:盐度、硝酸盐、磷酸盐、硅酸盐和pH是影响水体和表层沉积物异养细菌、磷细菌和反硝化细菌分布的主要因子;底层水和表层沉积物异养细菌、磷细菌与水温呈显著正相关;底层水异养细菌和有机磷细菌与溶解氧(DO)呈显著正相关;表层沉积物无机磷细菌与DO呈显著正相关,氨化细菌与DO呈显著负相关.聚类分析结果说明:低氧对表层沉积物的细菌群落结构产生影响.     

Post-chemiluminescence behaviour of Ni2+, Mg2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ in the potassium ferricyanide-luminol reaction.

A new chemiluminescence (CL) reaction was observed when Ni2+, Mg2+, Cd2+ or Zn2+ was injected into the reaction mixture after the finish of the CL reaction of alkaline luminol and potassium ferricyanide. This reaction is described as a post-chemiluminescence (PCL) reaction. The possible mechanism for the PCL was proposed based on studies of the CL kinetic characteristic and the CL spectra. The experimental conditions of the CL reactions were optimized and the feasibility of using the reaction to analyse these metal ions was evaluated. The PCL reaction method operates in the ranges: 1 x 10(-7)-8 x 10(-6) g/L Ni2+; 3 x 10(-6)-2 x 10(-4) g/L Mg2+; 8 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-4) g/L Cd2+; and 2 x 10(-4)-2 x 10(-3) g/L Zn2+, with detection limits of 4 x 10(-8) g/mL, 1 x 10(-6) g/mL, 3 x 10(-7) g/mL, 8 x 10(-5) g/mL, respectively.     

High-frequency phage-mediated gene transfer among Escherichia coli cells, determined at the single-cell level

Recent whole-genome analysis suggests that lateral gene transfer by bacteriophages has contributed significantly to the genetic diversity of bacteria. To accurately determine the frequency of phage-mediated gene transfer, we employed cycling primed in situ amplification-fluorescent in situ hybridization (CPRINS-FISH) and investigated the movement of the ampicillin resistance gene among Escherichia coli cells mediated by phage at the single-cell level. Phages P1 and T4 and the newly isolated E. coli phage EC10 were used as vectors. The transduction frequencies determined by conventional plating were 3x10(-8) to 2x10(-6), 1x10(-8) to 4x10(-8), and <4x10(-9) to 4x10(-8) per PFU for phages P1, T4, and EC10, respectively. The frequencies of DNA transfer determined by CPRINS-FISH were 7x10(-4) to 1x10(-3), 9x10(-4) to 3x10(-3), and 5x10(-4) to 4x10(-3) for phages P1, T4, and EC10, respectively. Direct viable counting combined with CPRINS-FISH revealed that more than 20% of the cells carrying the transferred gene retained their viabilities. These results revealed that the difference in the number of viable cells carrying the transferred gene and the number of cells capable of growth on the selective medium was 3 to 4 orders of magnitude, indicating that phage-mediated exchange of DNA sequences among bacteria occurs with unexpectedly high frequency.     

Inhibition of AChE by malathion and some structurally similar compounds

Inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (free and immobilized on controlled pore glass) by separate and simultaneous exposure to malathion and malathion transformation products which are generally formed during storage or through natural or photochemical degradation was investigated. Increasing concentrations of malathion, its oxidation product malaoxon, and its isomerisation product isomalathion inhibited free and immobilized AChE in a concentration-dependent manner. KI, the dissociation constant for the initial reversible enzyme inhibitor-complex, and k3, the first order rate constant for the conversion of the reversible complex into the irreversibly inhibited enzyme, were determined from the progressive development of inhibition produced by reaction of native AChE with malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion. KI values of 1.3 x 10(-4) M(-1), 5.6 x 10(-6) M(-1) and 7.2 x 10(-6)M(-1) were obtained for malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. The IC50 values for free/immobilized AChE, (3.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-4) M/(1.6 +/-0.1) x 10(-4), (2.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6)/(3.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6)M and (3.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6) M/(2.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-6) M, were obtained from the inhibition curves induced by malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. However, the products formed due to photoinduced degradation, phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester and O,O-dimethyl thiophosphate, did not noticeably affect enzymatic activity, while diethyl maleate inhibited AChE activity at concentrations > 10mM. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase increased with the time of exposure to malathion and its inhibiting by-products within the interval from 0 to 5 minutes. Through simultaneous exposure of the enzyme to malaoxon and isomalathion, an additive effect was achieved for lower concentrations of the inhibitors (in the presence of malaoxon/isomalathion at concentrations 2 x 10(-7) M/2 x 10(-7) M, 2 x 10(-7) M/3 x 10(-7)M and 2 x 10(-7) M/4.5 x 109-7) M), while an antagonistic effect was obtained for all higher concentrations of inhibitors. The presence of a non-inhibitory degradation product (phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester) did not affect the inhibition efficiencies of the malathion by-products, malaoxon and isomalathion.     

缢蛏滩涂养殖环境的细菌群落组成及分析

1引言滩涂贝类养殖由于实行生态养殖,目前已成为宁波市海水养殖业的一大热点.近几年来,随着沿海经济的高速发展,滩涂环境污染问题日趋严重,养殖贝类大规模死亡的现象时有发生,给海洋水产经济造成了严重损失.而微生物数量及种群分布与区域环境有着密切联系,它可直接或间接地反映区域环境的营养水平、污染程度及底质状况等.目前有关养殖环境微生物学的研究主要是针对水体及养殖池底泥中的细菌[1,4,7～10],而对养殖滩涂环境细菌的研究很少[15,18,19].为此,本文以宁波市昆亭缢蛏滩涂养殖区为研究对象,从细菌生态学角度对滩涂缢蛏养殖环境进行研…     

Three injections of human chorionic gonadotropin are as effective as ten injections in the treatment of cryptorchidism

Two schedules of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were compared in a study of 332 boys (473 testes) aged 1-13 years with cryptorchidism. One group of patients received 10 hCG injections according to the International Health Foundation (IHF) schedule while the other group received 3 hCG injections at intervals of 7-10 days (1-3 years = 3 x 1,000 IU; 3-6 years = 3 x 1,500 IU; 6-10 years = 3 x 3,000 IU; 10-13 years = 3 x 5,000 IU hCG). Results from both schedules were comparable during the first and also during a second treatment period at the age of 1-3 and 3-6 years; between 6 and 13 years of age the IHF schedule was more successful.     

The influence of cyclic nucleotides on macromolecular synthesis in cultured neural retina cells

1. The effect of cyclic nucleotides on aggregates of dispersed embryonic neural retina cells was examined in order to study their influence upon macromolecular synthesis, i.e. protein and DNA. 2. Cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cAMP, cyclic GMP and dibutyryl cGMP were used at various concentrations (5 x 10(-4) -5 mM). 3. The incorporation of labeled precursors into DNA and protein were used to monitor the effect of cyclic nucleotides on cultured aggregates. 4. All nucleotides exhibited a stimulatory effect at 5 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-3) mM on macromolecular synthesis, with resulting growth and proliferation of chick neural retina cells. 5. High concentrations (5 x 10(-1) and 5 mM) of cyclic nucleotides exhibited an inhibitory effect upon macromolecular synthesis and a marked cytotoxic effect.     

Auxin synthesis by the higher fungus Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing in the presence of low concentrations of indole compounds

The auxin formation in a submerged culture of the xylotrophic basidiomycete Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler) (shiitake) is studied. Biologically active substances of an indole nature are identified, "the effect of small doses" of which lies in not only the stimulation of growth of the mycelium (indole-3-acetic acid, 2 x 10(-7)-2 x 10(-4) g/l), but also in the induction of tryptophan-independent paths of auxin biosynthesis. The above-mentioned path is realized in the presence of exogenous indole (1 x 10(-3)-1 x 10(-4) g/l), as well as while inducing the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid by its microadditives (1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-8) g/l), and is accompanied by the formation of anthranilic acid (up to 1.5 mg/l). Induction of the generative development stage ofshiitake by indole derivatives is revealed. It was found that among the studied compounds only indoleacetamide at a concentration of an order of x 10(-4) g/l in the culture fluid of L. edodes had a pronounced stimulatory effect on the formation of shiitake's brown mycelial film.