Modeling Sorption of Cd,Hg and Pb in Soils by the NICA-Donnan Model

Metal adsorption is an important process at the soil-solution interface that controls metal bioavailability and toxicity. In this study, batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the binding of Cd, Hg and Pb in soils collected from around metal smelters in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. It was found that soil organic matter enhanced the retention of Cd, Hg and Pb. Assuming that the surfaces of soil particles behaved similarly to organic matter, we used the Non-Ideal Competitive Adsorption (NICA)-Donnan model to derive the parameters for surface complexation of the three metals. The shape of the Cd, Hg and Pb adsorption isotherms are briefly discussed with respect to the results of the experimental measurements and the model predictions. The average values of the NICA-Donnan model parameters could be used to give reasonable predictions of metal sorption in the soils of this study.     

Plectranthus madagascanensis的组织培养及快速繁殖(简报)

以Plectranthus madagascanensis茎段为外植体进行组织培养,建立再生体系。结果表明,在1／2MS＋6-BA0．1mg／L培养基上,芽诱导效果较好,增殖倍数为4．4;1／2MS＋IBA0．5mg／L培养基适宜诱导不定根,诱导率达65％。     

The biological activity of diuretic factors in Rhodnius prolixus

The rapid post-feeding diuresis of Rhodnius prolixus is under neurohormonal control and involves the integrated activity of the crop, Malpighian tubules and hindgut. One of the factors which is involved in this rapid diuresis is serotonin, however a peptide(s) is also considered to be involved. In other insects, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-like and kinin-like, calcitonin-like peptides and CAP(2b) have been demonstrated to be diuretic factors/hormones.In the present study, serotonin and CRF-like peptides increased secretion rate and cAMP content of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules, while the kinin-like peptides tested did not increase secretion rate or cAMP content of the tubules. Extracts of the CNS were processed and several HPLC fractions revealed kinin-like immunoreactivity but these fractions did not increase secretion rate when tested on Malpighian tubules. However, these same fractions did possess activity when tested on the hindgut contraction assay. In addition, material eluting at higher acetonitrile concentrations from the HPLC increased secretion and cAMP content of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules. This material eluted at concentrations of acetonitrile consistent with the elution time of CRF-like peptide standards.Synergism was demonstrated using the pharmacological agent forskolin and serotonin, tested on the rate of secretion of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules, in agreement with data of Maddrell et al. As well, synergism could be demonstrated using mesothoracic ganglionic mass (MTGM) homogenates and serotonin at some concentrations of serotonin. However, combinations of CRF-like material and serotonin increased secretion additively, not synergistically. Kinin-like peptides, tested along with CRF-like material and serotonin, at low concentrations, did not increase secretion above that of those factors tested alone.     

Electrophysiological response of rat ventricular myocytes to acidosis

The effects of acidosis on the action potential, resting potential, L-type Ca(2+) (I(Ca)), inward rectifier potassium (I(K1)), delayed rectifier potassium (I(K)), steady-state (I(SS)), and inwardly rectifying chloride (I(Cl,ir)) currents of rat subepicardial (Epi) and subendocardial (Endo) ventricular myocytes were investigated using the patch-clamp technique. Action potential duration was shorter in Epi than in Endo cells. Acidosis (extracellular pH decreased from 7.4 to 6.5) depolarized the resting membrane potential and prolonged the time for 50% repolarization of the action potential in Epi and Endo cells, although the prolongation was larger in Endo cells. At control pH, I(Ca), I(K1), and I(SS) were not significantly different in Epi and Endo cells, but I(K) was larger in Epi cells. Acidosis did not alter I(Ca), I(K1), or I(K) but decreased I(SS); this decrease was larger in Endo cells. It is suggested that the acidosis-induced decrease in I(SS) underlies the prolongation of the action potential. I(Cl,ir) at control pH was Cd(2+) sensitive but 4,4'-disothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid resistant. Acidosis increased I(Cl,ir); it is suggested that the acidosis-induced increase in I(Cl,ir) underlies the depolarization of the resting membrane potential.     

N-terminal modified analogs of HVFLRFamide with inhibitory activity on the locust oviduct

New N-terminal analogs of the peptide HVFLRFamide, the minimum sequence of the insect myosuppressins capable of inhibiting spontaneous and induced contractions of the locust oviduct, were synthesized and tested for biologic activity on locust oviduct. Most active, as judged by the ability to inhibit proctolin-induced contractions of locust oviduct, was (N(alpha)-acetyl)-HVFLRFamide. D-Pro-HVFLRFamide was also highly inhibitory. Interestingly, low doses of the pentapeptide analog (N(alpha)-imidazoleacrylyl)-VFLRFamide inhibited oviduct contractions. This is the first pentapeptide analog shown to inhibit contractions of locust oviduct, and this result indicates that the alpha-amino group of His is not absolutely required for inhibitory activity. In all cases when His was replaced by a D-amino acid, the analogs were stimulatory, resulting in an increase in basal tonus of the locust oviduct. The results provide further insight into the structural features of the HVFLRFamide molecule that are required for inhibitory activity on locust oviduct muscle.     

Publication Committee meeting. HUPO 5th annual World Congress. Long Beach, CA, USA 30 October 2006

This meeting brought together delegates from industry, academia and the publishing houses to facilitate discussions on the level of support from the journals for the use of standardised data formats and their interest in the creation of a network of proteomics repositories collaborating on a coordinated data curation effort. Discussions centred on how best to structure interactions between journals, databases and researchers to improve accessibility to data, and facilitate comparisons between datasets.     

Isolation and sequencing of two FMRFamide-related peptides from the gut of Locusta migratoria L

Two FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) have been isolated and sequenced from the whole gut of Locusta migratoria L. Peptides were extracted from 500 locust whole guts and separated using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Fractions containing FMRFamide-like immunoreactive (FLI) material were identified using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Sequencing of fractions, using tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS/MS), revealed the myosuppressin previously isolated from the locust CNS, SchistoFLRFamide (PDVDHVFLRFamide), and a novel extended RFamide (LWENLRFamide). The isolation of SchistoFLRFamide from midgut tissue supports the hypothesis that this myosuppressin is released locally from FLI processes over the gut and/or from endocrine-like midgut cells to play a role in the regulation of digestion.     

皮肤刺激实验替代模型的研究新进展

皮肤刺激性是日常使用化妆品最常见的不良反应之一。人类健康相关产品危险性评价常做皮肤刺激性实验,皮肤刺激性试验是化妆品原料及产品安全性评价的主要项目。传统皮肤刺激试验采用实验动物进行,2013年3月11日欧盟已经禁止销售基于动物实验研发的化妆品原料及产品.随着组织工程技术和现代生物技术的发展,多种替代动物试验的体外模型被开发和应用,新的的皮肤刺激物陆续被发现。欧盟多采纳重组人表皮实验方法作为新体外皮肤实验指南(包括模型Episkin和模型Epiderm),随着体外模型重建技术的不断改善,不仅拓展了皮肤模型的临床应用范围,也必然推动新的敏感而特异的皮肤标志物的发现和应用。     

不同利用方式土地秋季大型土壤动物群落结构

为了解不同利用方式土地的大型土壤动物群落结构,于2004年10-11月对浙江省金华市市区北部7种土地,即农田(P)、菜园(K)、果园(O)、荒地(W)、庭院(Y)、草皮绿地(L)和建筑工地(B)进行垂直(上、中、下3层)取样,共获得大型土壤动物1 161只,隶属3门8纲20目.分析表明大型土壤动物群落优势类群为近孔寡毛目、膜翅目,常见类群为蜘蛛目、双尾目、正蚓目、等足目、柄眼目、鞘翅目、鳞翅目和双翅目,其他均为稀有类群.大型土壤动物群落的群落复杂性指数(C)为O>K>W>B>L>P>Y,Shannon-Weiner指数(H′)为L>B>W>K>O>P>Y,C比H′更好体现了群落的复杂性与多样性.垂直分布显示大型土壤动物具明显的表聚现象.根据大型土壤动物群落聚类和排序的结果,可将7种土地分为3组,即强干扰无植被组、草本种植组和果园组,显示了大型土壤动物对不同土地利用方式的响应情况.