Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers – neuroprostanes and dihomo-isoprostanes – in the urine of elite triathletes after two weeks of moderate-altitude training

This randomized and controlled trial investigated whether the increase in elite training at different altitudes altered the oxidative stress biomarkers of the nervous system. This is the first study to investigate four F₄-neuroprostanes (F₄-NeuroPs) and four F₂-dihomo-isoprostanes (F₂-dihomo-IsoPs) quantified in 24-h urine. The quantification was carried out by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Sixteen elite triathletes agreed to participate in the project. They were randomized in two groups, a group submitted to altitude training (AT, n?=?8) and a group submitted to sea level training (SLT) (n?=?8), with a control group (Cg) of non-athletes (n?=?8). After the experimental period, the AT group triathletes gave significant data: 17-epi-17-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 5.2?±?1.4?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 6.6?±?0.6?μg/mL 24?h^?1), ent-7(RS)-7-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 6.6?±?1.7?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 8.6?±?0.9?μg/mL 24?h^?1), and ent-7-epi-7-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 8.4?±?2.2?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 11.3?±?1.8?μg/mL 24?h^?1) increased, while, of the neuronal degeneration-related compounds, only 10-epi-10-F_4t-NeuroP (8.4?±?1.7?μg/mL 24?h^?1) and 10-F_4t-NeuroP (5.2?±?2.9?μg/mL 24?h^?1) were detected in this group. For the Cg and SLT groups, no significant changes had occurred at the end of the two-week experimental period. Therefore, and as the main conclusion, the training at moderate altitude increased the F₄-NeuroPs- and F₂-dihomo-isoPs-related oxidative damage of the central nervous system compared to similar training at sea level.     

Specific light uptake rates can enhance astaxanthin productivity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haematococcus lacustris</Emphasis>

Lumostatic operation was applied for efficient astaxanthin production in autotrophic Haematococcus lacustris cultures using 0.4-L bubble column photobioreactors. The lumostatic operation in this study was performed with three different specific light uptake rates (q _e) based on cell concentration, cell projection area, and fresh weight as one-, two- and three-dimensional characteristics values, respectively. The q _e value from the cell concentration (q _e1D) obtained was 13.5 × 10^?8 μE cell^?1 s^?1, and the maximum astaxanthin concentration was increased to 150 % compared to that of a control with constant light intensity. The other optimum q _e values by cell projection area (q _e2D) and fresh weight (q _e3D) were determined to be 195 μE m^?2 s^?1 and 10.5 μE g^?1 s^?1 for astaxanthin production, respectively. The maximum astaxanthin production from the lumostatic cultures using the parameters controlled by cell projection area (2D) and fresh weight (3D) also increased by 36 and 22 % over that of the controls, respectively. When comparing the optimal q _e values among the three different types, the lumostatic cultures using q _e based on fresh weight showed the highest astaxanthin productivity (22.8 mg L^?1 day^?1), which was a higher level than previously reported. The lumostatic operations reported here demonstrated that more efficient and effective astaxanthin production was obtained by H. lacustris than providing a constant light intensity, regardless of which parameter is used to calculate the specific light uptake rate.     

Functional characteristics of a fruticose type of lichen, Stereocaulon foliolosum Nyl. in response to light and water stress

Stereocaulon foliolosum a fruticose type of lichen under its natural habitat is subjected to low temperature, high light conditions and frequent moisture stress due its rocky substratum. To understand as to how this lichen copes up with these stresses, we studied the reflectance properties, light utilization capacity and the desiccation tolerance under laboratory conditions. S. foliolosum showed light saturation point for photosynthesis at 390 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and the light compensation point for photosynthesis at 64 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1. Our experiments show that S. foliolosum has a low absorptivity (30–35 %) towards the incident light. The maximum rates of net photosynthesis and apparent electron transport observed were 1.9 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 45 μmol e^? m^?2 s^?1, respectively. The lichen recovers immediately after photoinhibition under low light conditions. S. foliolosum on subjecting to desiccation results in the decrease of light absorptivity and the reflectance properties associated with water status of the thalli show a change. During desiccation, a simultaneous decrease in photosynthesis, dark respiration and quenching in the fluorescence properties was observed. However, all the observed changes show a rapid recovery on rewetting the lichen. Our study shows that desiccation does not have a severe or long-term impact on S. foliolosum and the lichen is also well adapted to confront high light intensities.     

The decay of genetic variability in geographically structured populations. II

The ultimate rate of approach to equilibrium in the infinite stepping-stone model is calculated. The analysis is restricted to a single locus in the absence of selection, and every mutant is assumed to be new to the population. Let f(t, x) be the probability that two homologous genes separated by the vector x in generation t are the same allele. It is supposed that $\text{f(}\text{0, x}\text{) = O(x}{}^{\mathrm{?2?\eta }}\text{), η > 0,}\text{as}\text{x ≡ ¦}\text{x}\text{¦ → ∞}$. In the absence of mutation, f(t, x) tends to unity at the rate $\text{t}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ in one dimension and (ln t)^?1 in two dimensions. Thus, the loss of genetic variability in two dimensions is so slow that evolutionary forces not considered in this model would supervene long before a two-dimensional natural population became completely homogeneous. If the mutation rate, u, is not zero f(t, x) asymptotically approaches equilibrium at the rate $\text{(1 ? u)}{}^{\mathrm{2t}}\text{t}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ in one dimension and (1 ? u)^2tt^?1(lnt)^?2 in two dimensions. Integral formulas are presented for the spatial dependence of the deviation of f(t, x) from its stationary value as t → ∞, and for large separations this dependence is shown to be (const + x) in one dimension and (const + ln x) in two dimensions. All the results are the same for the Malécot model of a continuously distributed population provided the number of individuals per colony is replaced by the population density. The relatively slow algebraic and logarithmic rates of convergence for the infinite habitat contrast sharply with the exponential one for a finite habitat.     

Study of plasma confinement in the L-2M stellarator during the formation of an edge transport barrier

A plasma confinement mode characterized by the formation of an edge transport barrier (ETB) was discovered in the L-2M stellarator after boronization of the vacuum vessel wall. The transition into this mode is accompanied by a jump in the electron temperature by 100–200 eV at the plasma edge and a sharp increase in the gradient of the electron temperature T _e in this region. The threshold power for the transition into the ETB confinement mode with an increased electron temperature gradient is P _thr ^?Te = (60 ± 15)n _e [10¹⁹ m^?3] kW. The formation of the ETB manifests itself also in a substantial change in the electron density profile. A density peak with a steep gradient at the outer side forms at the plasma edge. The threshold power for the transition into the ETB confinement mode corresponding to a substantial increase in the plasma density gradient near r = a is P _thr ^?Te = (67 ± 9)n _e [10¹⁹ m^?3] kW, which agrees to within experimental error with the threshold power for the transition into the ETB confinement mode determined from the sharp increase in the gradient of the electron temperature T _e . The value of P _thr for the L-2M stellarator agrees to within 25% with that obtained from the tokamak scaling. In the ETB confinement mode, the plasma energy W and the energy confinement time τ _E determined from diamagnetic measurements increase by 20–30% as compared to those obtained from the stellarator scaling for the confinement mode without an ETB. When the heating power increases by a factor of 2–3 above the threshold value, the effects related to improved energy confinement disappear.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of bacteriochlorophylls in the meromictic Lake Suigetsu, Japan

The spatiotemporal distribution of chlorophyll pigments (chloropigments) in the water column of a meromictic lake, Lake Suigetsu (Fukui, Japan), was investigated. Water samples were collected from the central basin of Lake Suigetsu bimonthly between May 2008 and March 2010 at appropriate depths, including the oxic surface, oxic–anoxic interface, and anoxic bottom layers. Chlorophyll a, related to cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton, was detected throughout the water column during the years of the study, whereas bacteriochlorophyll e, related to brown-colored green sulfur bacteria, was detected in the anoxic layers below the chemocline at a maximum concentration of 825 μg L^?1. The concentration of bacteriochlorophyll e was generally maximal at or just below the chemocline of the lake. The cellular content of bacteriochlorophyll e was estimated to be low in the upper part of the chemocline and tended to increase with increasing water depth. Bacteriochlorophyll a, which was presumably related to purple sulfur bacteria, was only detected at the chemocline during summer and autumn at concentrations of 5.4–16.3 μg L^?1. Our analysis of the chloropigment distribution for the two years of the study suggested that brown-colored green sulfur bacteria are the predominant phototroph in the anoxic layers of Lake Suigetsu, and that these play a significant role in the carbon and sulfur cycling of the lake, especially from spring to summer.     

A study on age and growth characteristics of spiny gurnard (Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei Blanc & Hureau, 1973), northeastern Mediterranean Sea

This study investigated the age and growth characteristics of spiny gurnard, Lepidotrigla dieuzeidei, from the northeastern Mediterranean. Samples were collected by commercial trawls during the 2012–2013 fishing seasons. A total 1,878 speciments ranged from 7.10 to 15.90 cm total length and 2.28–35.88 g in weight. Female/male ratio was 1.2/1. The total length–weight relationship was W = 0.002 TL^3.579 (r² = .909) for sexes combined, W = 0.0021 TL^3.551 (r² = .914) for males and W = 0.0019 TL^3.602 (r² = .904) for females. Age determination was conducted using the sagittal otoliths. Ages of examined individulas ranged from 3 to 11 years. Total length‐at‐age data were fitted using the von Bertalanffy growth model. Estimated growth functions were TL_t = 18.100 [1?e^{?0.14 (t + 0.63)}] for sexes combined, TL_t = 23.587 [1?e^{?0.08 (t + 1.56)}] for males and TL_t = 16.612 [1?e^{?0.19 (t + 0.15)}] for females.     

Iodine from bacterial iodide oxidization by Roseovarius spp. inhibits the growth of other bacteria

Microbial activities in brine, seawater, or estuarine mud are involved in iodine cycle. To investigate the effects of the microbiologically induced iodine on other bacteria in the environment, a total of 13 bacteria that potentially participated in the iodide-oxidizing process were isolated from water or biofilm at a location containing 131 μg ml^?1 iodide. Three distinct strains were further identified as Roseovarius spp. based on 16 S rRNA gene sequences after being distinguished by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Morphological characteristics of these three Roseovarius spp. varied considerably across and within strains. Iodine production increased with Roseovarius spp. growth when cultured in Marine Broth with 200 μg ml^?1 iodide (I^?). When 10⁶ CFU/ml Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus pumilus were exposed to various concentrations of molecular iodine (I₂), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 0.5, 1.0, and 1.0 μg ml^?1, respectively. However, fivefold increases in the MICs for Roseovarius spp. were obtained. In co-cultured Roseovarius sp. IOB-7 and E. coli in Marine Broth containing iodide (I^?), the molecular iodine concentration was estimated to be 0.76 μg ml^?1 after 24 h and less than 50 % of E. coli was viable compared to that co-cultured without iodide. The growth inhibition of E. coli was also observed in co-cultures with the two other Roseovarius spp. strains when the molecular iodine concentration was assumed to be 0.52 μg ml^?1.     

Age,growth and reproduction of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Mellah Lagoon (Eastern Algeria)

This aim of this paper was the study of the reproductive biology and growth of the sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, in Mellah Lagoon (Algeria). These data are important for the sustainable exploitation of the stocks of this species. Examined was a total of 1402 Atherina boyeri specimens captured monthly from March 2010 to March 2011, in a population with a 3‐year life cycle. Length–weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0047 L^3.077 (r² = 0.935) for males and W = 0.0047 L^3.176 (r² = 0.935) for females. Using scales, the von Bertalanffy growth function fitted to back‐calculated size‐at‐age data was Lt = 9.49 [1 ? e^{?0.316 (t + 0.928)}] for males, and Lt = 11.67 [1 ? e^{?0.179 (t + 1.514)}] for females; using otoliths this was Lt = 9.68 [1 ? e^{?0.3 (t + 1.02)}] for males, and Lt = 11.93 [1 ? e^{?0.171 (t + 1.55)}] for females. The growth performance index (Φ) indicated that males (Φ_scales = 3.34, Φ_otoliths = 3.33) grew at the same rate as females (Φ_scales = 3.19, Φ_otoliths = 3.24), with a sex ratio of 1 : 1.6 in favor of females. The reproductive season extended from February to June. Individual length at first sexual maturity was 4.20 cm for 1‐year‐old males and 4.35 cm for 1‐year‐old females.     

Growth kinetics and nitrogen-nutrition of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum in continuous dialysis culture

The growth kinetics and nitrogen (N)-nutrition of the marine pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin were determined in continuous dialysis culture at different cell densities. Inflow nutrient medium was supplied as natural unenriched estuarine seawater to a dialysis culture system with a high ratio of membrane surface area/culture volume (Am/Vc). Under the experimental conditions, the supply of inorganic macronutrients (NO ₃ ^? + NO ₄ ^? and PO ₄ ^?3 ) by diffusion (Nd) was markedly greater than that provided by the dilution (FfCN) of the culture (Nd ? FfCN), thereby establishing an inverse relationship between the cell density and the dilution rate (D). This continuous dialysis system allows for the maintenance of prolonged growth (> two weeks) at various cell densities (1.4 to 27.2 × 10⁹ cells 1^?1) within a range of dilution rates between 0.30 to 1.08 d^?1. In high cell density cultures, where the extracellular medium was characterized as nutrient deficient, a lower growth rate (μ_e) was exhibited than in cultures with lower cell densities. The growth rate (μ_e) remained equivalent to the dilution rate (D) throughout the culture cycle, indicating that equilibrated growth was achieved. High cell density cultures yielded higher productivity (P), relative to that of cultures grown at lower cell densities, in terms of cell-N and ?C produced per unit time. However, cell quotas of both N and C declined with increasing cell concentrations. Denser cultures were characterized by an enhanced N-conversion efficiency (Y_N) and a higher cellular N/C atomic ratio. The nutritional response of this diatom in dense cultures reveals an efficient use of N-nutrients, presumably as a result of cellular nutrient adaptation to oligotrophic conditions.     

Age, growth and reproductive characteristics of chub, Leuciscus cephalus (L., 1758) in the İkizcetepeler dam lake (Balikesir), Turkey

In this study, the population structure, growth and reproduction characteristics of 414 chub (Leuciscus cephalus L., 1758) from the ?kizcetepeler dam lake were investigated monthly between January and December 2000. Age groups ranged between I and VI for this species in the reservoir, with the second and third year‐classes dominating. Sex ratio was 1 : 1.4 (M : F), corresponding to 58.4% males and 41.6% females. Females attained greater size and age than males. The largest female captured was 24.8 cm FL, the largest male was 24.1 cm FL, both age VI. The von Bertalanffy growth equations and length–weight relationships were found as: L_t = 28.89[1 ?e^{?0.224(t+1.55)}] for females, L_t = 26.71[1 ? e^{?0.259(t+1.55)}] for males; W_t = 347.386[1?e^{?0.224h (t+1.55)}]^2.86 for females, W_t =286.48[1?e^{?0.259 (t+1.55)}]^2.92 for males; W = 0.0227 × L^2.87 for females and W = 0.0194 × L^2.92 for males. Significant statistical differences in condition factors between age classes and sexes were not found (P > 0.05, t‐test). Spawning period of this species in the lake was between April and May.     

The effects of different light intensities on the culture of Gigartina skottsbergii (Rhodophyta,Gigartinales) tetrasporophytes and gametophytes in the Magellan region,Chile

Gigartina skottsbergii is a red seaweed used as raw material for extracting carrageenans, constituting an important economic resource for Chile. In 2009, extraction in the Magellan region reached 15,064 t. The growing demand has adversely affected the sustainability of natural beds, creating an interest in the culture of this resource. In order to provide information relevant to the culture and regeneration of this seaweed, the present study addresses the effects of different light intensities on the growth of G. skottsbergii gametophytes and tetrasporophytes during the early stages of development. Mature reproductive fronds were induced to release spores in the laboratory by a drying process. Gametophytes cultured at different light intensities showed an increase in diameter, which reached 519.13?±?108.95 μm with 4 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, while tetrasporophytes showed a greater increase in diameter, reaching 714.11?±?116.45 μm with 8 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1. Results indicate that both stages of the reproductive cycle are influenced by different light intensities within a limited range. Therefore, both phases require different and specific ranges of light intensity.     

Optimization of growth and production of toxins by three dinoflagellates in photobioreactor cultures

A bioreactor system for biotoxin production was appraised against traditional methods of growing dinoflagellate cultures. In an optimised bioreactor culture (5.4?L) operated in batch mode, growth of Karenia selliformis was more efficient than in 15-L bulk carboy culture in terms of growth rate (μ?=?0.07?day^?1 versus 0.05?day^?1) and growth maximum (G _max, 169.10⁶ versus 41.10⁶ cells L^?1). Maximal gymnodimine concentration (1200?μg L^?1) in bioreactor culture was 8-fold higher than in bulk carboy culture, and the yield per cell (pg cell^?1) was 2-fold higher. Similarly the bioreactor batch culture of Alexandrium ostenfeldii performed more efficiently than carboy cultures in terms of growth rate (1.6-fold higher), growth maximum (15-fold higher) and desmethyl C spirolide (SPX-desMe-C) yield (5-fold higher [μg L^?1], though the yield [pg cell^?1basis] was lower). When bioreactor cultures of K. selliformis were operated in continuous mode, the yield of gymnodimine was substantially higher than a carboy or the bioreactor run in batch mode to growth max (793?μg day^?1 over 58?days in continuous culture was achieved versus an average of 60?μg day^?1 [carboy over 40?days] or 249?μg day^?1 [batch mode] over 26?days). Likewise in continuous bioreactor cultures of A. ostenfeldii run over 25?days, the yield of SPX-desMe-C (29?μg day^?1) was substantially higher than in same cultures run in batch mode or carboys (10.2 day^?1 and 7.7?μg day^?1 respectively). Similarly 5.4?L bioreactor batch cultures of K. brevisulcata reached 3.8-fold higher cell densities than carboy cultures, and when operated in continuous mode, the brevisulcatic acids were more efficiently produced than in batch culture (12?μg day^?1 versus 7?μg day^?1). When the bioreactor system was upscaled to 52?L, the maximum cell densities and toxin yields of K. brevisulcata cultures were somewhat less than those achieved in the smaller reactor, which was attributed to reduced light penetration.     

Acylated and unacylated ghrelin protect MC3T3-E1 cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative injury: pharmacological characterization of ghrelin receptor and possible epigenetic involvement

Increasing evidence suggests a role for oxidative stress in age-related decrease in osteoblast number and function leading to the development of osteoporosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether ghrelin, previously reported to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, counteracts tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells as well as to characterize the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R) involved in such activity. Pretreatment with ghrelin (10^?7–10^?11 M) significantly increased viability and reduced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured with t-BHP (250 μM) for three hours at the low concentration of 10^?9 M as shown by MTT assay and Hoechst-33258 staining. Furthermore, ghrelin prevented t-BHP-induced osteoblastic dysfunction and changes in the cytoskeleton organization evidenced by the staining of the actin fibers with Phalloidin-FITC by reducing reactive oxygen species generation. The GHS-R type 1a agonist, EP1572 (10^?7–10^?11 M), had no effect against t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and pretreatment with the selective GHS-R1a antagonist, d-Lys³-GHRP-6 (10^?7 M), failed to remove ghrelin (10^?9 M)-protective effects against oxidative injury, indicating that GHS-R1a is not involved in such ghrelin activity. Accordingly, unacylated ghrelin (DAG), not binding GHS-R1a, displays the same protective actions of ghrelin against t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity. Preliminary observations indicate that ghrelin increased the trimethylation of lys4 on histones H3, a known epigenetic mark activator, which may regulate the expression of some genes limiting oxidative damage. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that ghrelin and DAG promote survival of MC3T3-E1 cell exposed to t-BHP-induced oxidative damage. Such effect is independent of GHS-R1a and is likely mediated by a common ghrelin/DAG binding site.     

Hepatosplenomegaly and phytotoxicity of a planktonic cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. BHU001 isolated from agricultural pond

Nostoc sp. BHU001, a planktonic cyanobacterium isolated from an agricultural pond in India, was examined for its toxicity. Mice, administered intraperitoneally with Nostoc sp. BHU001 crude extract (50 mg kg^?1 body weight) died at 4.5 h. Examination of liver and spleen showed microcystin (MC)-like symptoms. Serum enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities increased by 1.6–1.8 and 2.6–3.0-folds, respectively at 50 and 100 mg crude extract kg^?1 body weight. Thin layer chromatography of the crude extract produced five bands (N-1 to N-5). UV absorption maxima of band N-4 corresponded to that of standard microcystin-LR. Further analysis of the band N-4 by high-performance liquid chromatography gave a retention time (R _t ) of 4.61 min similar to that of standard microcystin–LR (LR stands for lysine and arginine). Total MC content was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and was 189.9 μg g^?1 of crude extract, 9.8 μg l^?1 of spent medium and 5.5 μg l^?1 of pond water. Exposure of rice (Oryza sativa var. Sonam) seeds to the crude extract did not affect their germination, but inhibited the root and shoot growth of seedlings by 27.3 and 42.89 folds at 3 mg ml^?1 crude extract, respectively.     

The transport of chloroquine across human erythrocyte membranes is mediated by a simple symmetric carrier

The kinetic properties of the mediated transport of chloroquine in human erythrocytes are investigated. The high rates of translocation across the cell membrane and high adsorbance properties to glass surfaces have led to the development of new techniques for measuring initial rates of transport. Three different methodological procedures are used to accomplish a complete kinetic characterization of the system. All measurements were done at 25°C. Under zero-trans conditions the system displays complete symmetry, the Michaelis constants being 39.2±2.4 μM for influx and 36.6±5.6 μM for efflux. The respective maximal velocities are 206.4±36.0 μM·min^?1 and 190.0±7.8 μM·min^?1. Under equilibrium-exchange conditions the Michaelis constant is 108.6±15.6 μM and the maximal velocity is 630.3±50.4 μM·min^?1. This 3-fold increase in both K and V over the zero-trans values indicates that the rate-limiting step in the transport of chloroquine is the movement of the unloaded carrier. The kinetic data are consistent with the prediction of a simple carrier model.     

Fate of sodium arsenate in dairy sheep and goats

This study followed the uptake, distribution, and elimination of sodium arsenate administered in a single dose and in multiple doses, respectively, to Iranian dairy sheep and goats. In the single dosing study, the blood concentration data fit an open two-compartment model of the form:C _b (t)=?(A+B)e ^?kat +Ae ^?αt +Be ^?βt Absorption distribution and elimination rate constants were statistically significantly different for the two animal species. In the multiple dosing study, arsenic accumulated in the blood of both animal species, as expressed by a one compartment model of the form:C _t =C _ss (1-e ^?kt ) Arsenic was eliminated rapidly at the termination of dosing, with the blood washout half-life being shorter in sheep than in goats. Urinary excretion was the major elimination route from the body of both species.     

The distribution,size, and age composition,and growth of Saxidomus purpurata (Sowerby, 1852) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in Vostok Bay,the Sea of Japan

Patterns of the distribution, the size and age composition of local populations, as well as the growth of the large bivalve Saxidomus purpurata, which is intensely farmed and reared in a number of East Asian countries, were studied for the first time in Russian Far East waters. It was determined that in the Vostok Bay, which is a bay of the second order within the limits of the Peter the Great Bay, S. purpurata forms local populations with densities of up to 7.5 ± 2.7 ind./m² and a biomass up to 1070.0 ± 384.0 g/m² at a depth of 1–9 m on mixed bottom substrates of boulders, pebbles, gravel, coquina, and sand of varying degrees of silting. The size and age composition of clam populations varies depending on the local environment; the shell length of the largest specimen was 98.6 mm, the greatest age was 23 years. In the Vostok Bay, the bivalve grew more slowly than off the coast of Korea and China and reached a commercial size (a shell length of 50 mm) later, at an age of 5–7 years. The von Bertalanffy equation describing the growth of S. purpurata in the aggregate sample of individuals from the Vostok Bay, has the form: L _t = 100.1[1 ? e^{?0.1675(t ? 0.0504)}]. It is assumed that the boundary of the species range goes north from the Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan.     

On enzymatic clotting processes. II. The colloidal instability of chymosin-treated casein micelles.

The enzymatic clotting of casein micelles dispersed in 0.01 M CaCl₂ was monitored by turbidimetry and electrophoresis. The relation between the duration of the lag phase and the enzyme concentration, (e), can be represented by t = K(e)^?γ, where K is a constant and the exponent γ is found to vary between 0.92 and 1.00. This result is interpreted in terms of a flocculation rate constant increasing with the concentration of the enzyme. It is shown that the colloidal instability of chymosin-treated casein micelles cannot be explained on the basis of the well-known theory of the stability of lyophobic colloids, but that clotting is achieved through short-range interactions. The short-range effects that most probably account for the clotting are: hydrophobic bond formation, Ca-bridgas and electrostatic interactions. Under typica'. experimental conditions (33°C; maximum rate of enzymatic product formation about 1.8 × 10^?10 mol ml^?1 s^?1) the flocculation rate constant of clotting micelles was found to be 5 × 10⁵ mlmol^?1s^?1. Various factors, which could be responsible for this low value, are discussed. In the initial stages of the clotting process the turbidity of the system passes through a shallow minimum, which is ascribed to the cleavage of a macropeptide from K-casein by the clotting enzyme. The condition for the minimum has been derived.