Assessment of “activation” of estrogen receptors in lactating mammary gland using DNA-cellulose binding

To circumvent the need for isolated nuclei in studies on activation of estrogen-receptor complexes in mammary gland of the rat, a DNA-cellulose binding assay was employed using a cell-free system. Incubation at 28°C for 30 min of receptors previously charged with [³H]estradiol markedly enhanced their association with DNA-cellulose. Once activated, estrogen-receptor complexes bound maximally to DNA-cellulose within 20–30 min. The temperature optimum for activation was 28 ± 2°C using cytosol preparations. The temperature-induced activation required the presence of both steroid and cytosolic receptors simultaneously. Density gradient centrifugation revealed that, unlike those of uterus, both activated and charged estrogen-receptor complexes of lactating mammary tissue sedimented as a 4 S species in sucrose gradients containing 0.4 M KCl.     

A molecular dynamics simulation study of the effect of water–graphene interaction on the properties of confined water

The role of water in determining the structure and stability of biomacromolecules has been well studied. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to investigate the effect of surface hydrophobicity on the structure and dynamics of water confined between graphene surfaces. In order to evaluate this effect, we apply various attractive/repulsive water–graphene interaction potentials (hydrophobicity). The properties of confined water are studied by applying a purely repulsive interaction potential between water–graphene (modelled as a repulsive r^?12 potential) and repulsive–attractive forces (modelled as an LJ(12-6) potential). Compared to the case of a purely repulsive graphene–water potential, the inclusion of repulsive–attractive forces leads to formation of sharp peaks for density and the number of hydrogen bonds. Also, it was found that repulsive–attractive graphene–water potential caused slower hydrogen bonds dynamics and restricted the diffusion coefficient of water. Consequently, it was found that hydrogen bond breakage and formation rate with the repulsive r^?12 potential model, will increase compared to the corresponding water confined with the LJ(12-6) potential.     

China’s water footprint by province,and inter-provincial transfer of virtual water

Water shortages and the uneven distribution of water resources restrict China’s sustainable development. The concepts of virtual water and water footprints provide a new approach to alleviate regional shortages of Chinese water resources by the inter-provincial allocation of commercial water resources. In this study, an interregional input-output model was applied to quantitatively estimate the water footprint of each province in China and to quantify the inter-provincial transfer of virtual water. The results indicated that there was considerable diversity in the water footprints of the various provinces. Provinces with larger populations and greater GDP had larger water footprints, and developed regions had higher proportions of external water footprints. From the perspective of final demand, local consumption was the main factor driving the water footprints of these provinces. From the perspective of sectoral structure, the agricultural water footprint had a larger proportion in these provinces. The transfer of virtual water in China did not occur from regions with abundant water resources to those suffering from water shortages, but it generally occurred from west to east, from inland to coastal areas, and from underdeveloped to developed regions. Many water-deficient regions also had large net virtual water exports. Water shortages in China will be alleviated by the enhancement of industrial water-use efficiency in water-deficient regions, the transfer of water-intensive industries to regions with abundant water resources, and the development of tertiary industries with low water consumption.     

Cubic phases of ternary amphiphile–water systems

The reversed cubic phases (Q_II) are a class of self-assembled amphiphile–water structures that are rich in diversity and structural complexity. These nanostructured liquid crystalline materials are generating much interest owing to their unique surface morphology, biological relevance and potential technological and medical applications. The structure of Q_II phases in binary amphiphile–water systems is affected by the molecular structure of surfactant, water content, temperature and pressure. The presence of additives also plays an important role. The structure and phase behaviour of ternary Q_II phases, which are comprised of two miscible amphiphiles and water, significantly differ from the binary system alone. The modulation of the phase behaviour through the addition of a second amphiphile offers an opportunity to control the size and shape of the nanostructures using a ‘bottom-up’ approach. In this mini-review, we discuss the structure of reversed cubic phases of amphiphile–water systems and highlight the modulation of cubic-phase structure in ternary-phase systems. We also extend this review to bulk cubic phases and the corresponding nanoscale dispersions, cubic-phase nanoparticles.     

Does pre-dawn water potential reflect conditions of equilibrium in plant and soil water status?

Variation in base water potential (Ψ_b, a daily maximum level of plant water potential, which is presumed to correspond to the equilibrium between soil and plant water potentials) was examined in shoots of Picea abies and Vaccinium myrtillus with respect to soil (available water storage, water potential, temperature) and atmospheric (temperature, relative humidity, vapour pressure deficit) conditions. The available soil water storage (W_tr) accounted for 77% of the dynamics of Ψ_b, while the influence of atmospheric factors became evident under high evaporative demand. Ψ_b was not always observable immediately before dawn, but on 30% of observation days, the recovery continued up to an hour or two after dawn. Full equilibrium between soil and plant water potentials in P. abies in northern conditions is rather improbable by dawn in summer-time, because of the shortness of the dark period and probable night-time transpiration in the case of high atmospheric vapour pressure deficit.     

Effect of uniconazole and limited water on growth,water relations,and mineral nutrition of “Lalandei” Pyracantha

Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea M. J. Roem. Lalandei) plants were treated with uniconazole at 0.5 mg ai container^–1 as a medium drench, 150 mg ai L^–1 as a foliar spray, or left untreated. Plants from all treatments were placed under three water regimes: drought acclimated, nonacclimated and later exposed to drought, or nonstressed. Acclimated plants were conditioned by seven 4-day stress cycles (water withheld), while nonacclimated were well watered prior to a single 4-day stress cycle at the same time as the seventh drought cycle of acclimated plants. Nonstressed plants were well watered throughout the study. Nonstressed plants had higher leaf water potentials and leaf conductances than acclimated and nonacclimated plants, and transpiration rates were higher in nonacclimated than acclimated plants. Uniconazole did not affect leaf water potential, leaf conductance, or transpiration rate. Acclimated plants had smaller leaf areas and leaf, stem, and root dry weights than nonacclimated or nonstressed plants. Plants drenched with uniconazole had the lowest stem and root dry weights. Acclimated plants also contained higher N concentrations than nonacclimated or nonstressed plants, and higher P concentrations than nonacclimated plants. Uniconazole medium drench treatments increased levels of Mn and P. Calcium concentration was increased in plants receiving either medium drench or foliar applications.     

Taurine and β-alanine intraperitoneal injection in lactating mice modifies the growth and behavior of offspring

Taurine, one of the sulfur-containing amino acids, has several functions in vivo. It has been reported that taurine acts on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors as an agonist and to promote inhibitory neurotransmission. Milk, especially colostrum, contains taurine and it is known that milk taurine is essential for the normal development of offspring. β-Alanine is transported via a taurine transporter and a protein-assisted amino acid transporter, the same ones that transport taurine. The present study aimed to investigate whether the growth and behavior of offspring could be altered by modification of the taurine concentration in milk. Pregnant ICR mice were separated into 3 groups: 1) a control group, 2) a taurine group, and 3) a β-alanine group. During the lactation periods, dams were administered, respectively, with 0.9% saline (10?ml/kg, i.p.), taurine dissolved in 0.9% saline (43 mg/10?ml/kg, i.p.), or β-alanine dissolved in 0.9% saline (31 mg/10?ml/kg, i.p.). Interestingly, the taurine concentration in milk was significantly decreased by the administration of β-alanine, but not altered by the taurine treatment. The body weight of offspring was significantly lower in the β-alanine group. β-Alanine treatment caused a significant decline in taurine concentration in the brains of offspring, and it was negatively correlated with total distance traveled in the open field test at postnatal day 15. Thus, decreased taurine concentration in the brain induced hyperactivity in offspring. These results suggested that milk taurine may have important role of regulating the growth and behavior of offspring.     

Effect of electrolytes and of distilled water on antigen–antibody complexes

Specific immune precipitates dissolve in concentrated solutions of alkali-metal halides, and of alkaline-earth-metal halides and thiocyanates. The quantity of protein dissolved depends on the nature of the antigen-antibody system, on the proportion of the antigen in the precipitate, and on the avidity of the antibody. The extent of solubilization is a function of the temperature, of the volume of solution used and of the concentration of the ions in the solution, and also depends on the nature of these ions. The dissolving power of bivalent cations is greater than that of monovalent ones, and is as follows: Mg(2+)[unk]Ba(2+)[unk]Ca(2+)[unk]Sr(2+). Antigen-antibody complexes and free antibodies, but no free antigen, are detected in supernatants of specific precipitates dissolved in solutions of electrolytes of low ionic strength. Antigen-antibody complexes, free antibodies and also free antigen are detected in supernatants of specific precipitates dissolved in solutions of electrolytes of high ionic strength. Comparable results are obtained when the electrolyte solutions are studied for their effect on the bonds formed between an antibody and its corresponding immunosorbent. Moreover, in the latter case, 50% of the fixed antibodies could be recovered by elution with distilled water.     

Bio-imprinting of microbial lipase at air–water interface

Bio-imprinting has been introduced as a technique of interfacial activation of lipase for anhydrous reaction applications. In this study, air–water (bubble) interfaces were compared to amphiphile and substrate interfaces in microbial lipase bio-imprinting. Results indicated that the bubble interface is equally effective on lipase interesterification activity and produces a 4–4.5-fold increase compared with the enzymes as supplied. Interesterification activity can be explained in terms of effects upon the accessibility of the lipase active site. This technique provides an easier, cheaper and product-friendly way of lipase bio-imprinting.     

Emergy analysis of regional water ecological–economic system

The theoretical framework and methodology of a water ecological–economic system (WEES) assessment based on emergy synthesis are proposed in this paper. Through calculating ecological and economic inputs and outputs within and outside the complex system, this paper discusses the system's economic situation, water resources development and system sustainability based on a series of emergy indicators. Besides traditional indices, following the principle of system assessment, four new indices, water emergy ratio (WER), water emergy utilization ratio (WEUR), water emergy self-support ratio (WESR), and water emergy density (WED) are formulated to assess the state of water resources development quantitatively. Taking the Zhengzhou water ecological–economic system as a study area, through the comparison of the systematic indicators of Zhengzhou with those of the selected Chinese cities, the general status of the Zhengzhou water ecological–economic system in China is identified. The results also show that most indicators of Beijing are located at middle levels among the selected Chinese cities. In particular, the sustainability, expressed by the indicators emergy-based sustainability index (ESI) and water resources population carrying capacity (WPC) were 1.34 and 1.94 million, respectively, in Zhengzhou in 2005, which indicates that the Zhengzhou WEES is in heavy pressure of water resources and is located at low levels of sustainability.     

Can water mites control populations of planktonic Cladocera?

Predatory pelagic water mites, Piona sp., in a small subtropical lake of Argentina showed rapid numerical response and protection from fish consumption. In experiments, predation rates of Piona on cladocerans equalled those of the principle lake planktivore, Moenkhausia intermedia Eigenmann (about 100 prey · predator^–1 day^–1). As a result, the mites caused a summer depression in the dominant lake zooplankter, Daphnia laevis Birge, evidenced by the analysis of its population dynamics and simple modelling.     

The conformational states of Mg·ATP in water

The conformational equilibria of Mg·ATP in solution is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) augmented with umbrella sampling methods. Free energy comparisons show that the Mg²⁺ ion is equally likely to coordinate the oxygens of the two end phosphates, or of all three phosphates. The MD trajectories reveal two major degrees of freedom of the Mg·ATP molecule in solution, and we compute the free energy as a function of these variables, and determine its elastic properties. Comparing the free energy function with several crystallographic structures of ATP analogs, we find that the crystal structures correspond to states where ATP would be elastically strained. The average water density around Mg·ATP is investigated to show the average number of hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobicity.     

The biology of ballast water 25?years later

A milestone in understanding a globally significant mechanism of marine bioinvasions was published 25 years ago. The transformative paper on ballast water provided a baseline of patterns, processes and predictions of marine introductions, underpinned a dramatic increase in research on the topic, and presented a foundational insight for an international approach to vector management. The 25 year anniversary of JT Carlton’s ‘Transoceanic and interoceanic dispersal of coastal marine organisms: the biology of ballast water’ coincides with an International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention for management of ballast water that has not been fully ratified. The emergence of ship biofouling as a vector of management concern worldwide has also prompted renewed efforts to reduce species transfers by ships through new policy initiatives.     

Exploration and determination of algal role as Bioindicator to evaluate water quality – Probing fresh water algae

ObjectivesTo explore the algal floral diversity and its role to determine water quality.MethodsThe regular monthly collection of algal and water samples was made during 2018. Unicellular algae were preserved in 2 to 3% formalin while macroalgae in 4% formalin. Microphotographs of algae were taken at the biotechnological Lab of PCSIR Lahore, Pakistan. Palmer pollution index was used to determine water quality.ResultsThe study identified 201 algal species distributed among 57 genera, 42 families, 25 orders, 10 classes and 7 divisions. The total score of Algal Genus Pollution Index of Banjosa Lake, Ali Sojal Dam, Dothan Dam, Drake Dam and Rawalakot Nullah (city) were 14, 9, 10, 18 and 25 respectively. It was revealed that Banjosa Lake has probable organic pollution, Ali Sojal Dam and Dothan Dam showed lack of organic pollution, Drake Dam indicated moderate pollution while Rawalakot Nullah (City) indicated confirm high organic pollution.ConclusionWe strongly recommend the conservation and managed status of algal species for sustainable resource of algal- derived products in future. It was revealed that the water quality of Banjosa Lake, Drak Dam and Rawalakot Nullah was affected from anthropogenic activities and needs to be managed.     

Zooplankton of some water bodies of the Zoological Garden in Kraków

The aim of this study was to register the zooplanktonic organisms in water bodies in the Zoological Garden in Kraków, especially from a point of view of the occurrence of species of the Paramecium aurelia complex. Only P. caudatum was found in one habitat, in several sampling places. The species seems very resistant and can survive in poor or polluted habitats in which the P. aurelia ssp. are eliminated.