IMPEDANCE MICROBIOLOGY TO SCREEN VARIOUS ANTIMICROBIALS ON WHOLE AND FILLET CHANNEL CATFISH

Whole (deheaded and eviscerated) channel catfish were dipped in 1 or 2% lactic acid or sodium percarbonate (Pergenox ®). Whole and fillets were also washed with high-pressure water or 8% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Impedance detection time (IDT) was recorded for rinsates of the products. Fish dipped in 2% lactic acid had higher initial IDT than those dipped in 1 % lactic acid. Regardless of lactic acid concentration, IDT were the same in products held more than one day at 4C. Similar results were achieved for products dipped in Pergenox®. Fillets spray-washed in STPP had higher IDT than those dipped or spray-washed with water; the difference being pronounced after six days at 4C. For whole fish, STPP had a very significant initial reduction in microbial counts (higher IDT). Exposing the product to high-pressure spray wash for a short time did not have a significant effect on IDT, but the addition of STPP in the water did increase IDT, thus shelf-life.     

Reproductive strategies of two forms of flightless males in a non‐pollinating fig wasp under partial local mate competition

1. The underlying basis of alternative male reproductive strategies is either genetic or environmental. Several non‐pollinating fig wasp lineages have dimorphic males, typically with winged males that disperse from natal figs to mate and flightless males that seek mating opportunities in natal figs. 2. Walkerella sp. from Ficus benjamina has dark and pale wingless males. Observations and experiments in Xishuangbanna, Southern China found that (i) the sex ratio of Walkerella sp. did not vary with foundress number or brood size. (ii) The frequency of dark males increased with brood size and foundress number and they were absent from figs with a single foundress. This produced a higher proportion of dark males at higher densities. (iii) Males of both morphs fought, but injuries to dark males were more frequent. (iv) Dark males were more likely to disperse away from their natal figs and (v) they were more resistant to dehydration. 3. Responses to selection are constrained by the genetic options available. Consequently, selection pressures acting on different lineages can produce similar outcomes that are achieved in different ways. Walkerella species lack winged males, but dark males display some of their features, dispersing from natal figs and displaying appropriate physiological and behavioural adaptations. However, dark males also displayed increased levels of damage from fighting – a feature unlikely to be shared with the winged males of other species.     

基于钙黄绿素的荧光分光光度法测定谷胱甘肽

目的:基于钙黄绿素的荧光分光光度法建立一种测定谷胱甘肽的新方法。方法:在pH=8.0介质中,铜(Ⅱ)与钙黄绿素配位引起荧光猝灭,由于谷胱甘肽与铜(Ⅱ)的亲和力很强,可从钙黄绿素-铜离子的络合物中夺取铜离子而使钙黄绿素游离出来使荧光强度得以恢复,荧光恢复的程度与加入谷胱甘肽的浓度在一定浓度范围内成线性。结果:据此建立了一种测定谷胱甘肽的新方法,该方法的线性范围为2.0×10-6～1.4×10-5mol.L-1,F=8.1964C+196.43,检测限为1.0×10-6mol/L。结论:用此法测定谷胱甘肽简便快速,灵敏度高。     

Microbial colonization of Ca‐sulfate crusts in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert: implications for the search for life on Mars

The scarcity of liquid water in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert makes this region one of the most challenging environments for life on Earth. The low numbers of microbial cells in the soils suggest that within the Atacama Desert lies the dry limit for life on our planet. Here, we show that the Ca‐sulfate crusts of this hyperarid core are the habitats of lithobiontic micro‐organisms. This microporous, translucent substrate is colonized by epilithic lichens, as well as endolithic free‐living algae, fungal hyphae, cyanobacteria and non photosynthetic bacteria. We also report a novel type of endolithic community, “hypoendoliths”, colonizing the undermost layer of the crusts. The colonization of gypsum crusts within the hyperarid core appears to be controlled by the moisture regime. Our data shows that the threshold for colonization is crossed within the dry core, with abundant colonization in gypsum crusts at one study site, while crusts at a drier site are virtually devoid of life. We show that the cumulative time in 1 year of relative humidity (RH) above 60% is the best parameter to explain the difference in colonization between both sites. This is supported by controlled humidity experiments, where we show that colonies of endolithic cyanobacteria in the Ca‐sulfate crust undergo imbibition process at RH >60%. Assuming that life once arose on Mars, it is conceivable that Martian micro‐organisms sought refuge in similar isolated evaporite microenvironments during their last struggle for life as their planet turned arid.     

功能矫形前伸青春期大鼠下颌后浅层嚼肌细胞凋亡的研究

目的:研究功能矫形前伸大鼠下颌后浅层嚼肌细胞凋亡的变化规律,探讨功能矫形的肌肉改建机理。方法:选用50只5周龄Sprague-Dawley(SD)雄性大白鼠,随机分为实验组和对照组各25只。实验组大鼠戴自制上颌功能矫治嚣,引导下颌前伸,并打开咬合。利用RT-PCR方法检测两组大鼠浅层嚼肌Bcl-2和Bax基因表达情况,利用TUNEL方法检测浅层嚼肌细胞凋亡情况。结果:①Bcl-2和Bax基因表达随大鼠戴用矫治器时间的延长而升高,至第3周开始下降但仍高于对照组,但Bax的表达高于Bcl-2。Bax/Bcl-2比值随大鼠戴用矫治器时间的延长而升高,至第4周开始下降。②TUNEL实验结果显示浅层嚼肌细胞在戴用矫治器1天后,开始出现凋亡,随着时间延长而增加,至第3周达到顶峰,第4周开始下降。结论:①Bax/Bcl-2比值升高促进浅层嚼肌细胞凋亡。②功能矫形可引起浅层嚼肌细胞凋亡,导致肌肉的结构和功能发生适应性改建。     

Inbreeding depression in Vriesea gigantea,a perennial bromeliad from southern Brazil

Inbreeding depression is a reduction of fitness in the progeny of closely related individuals and its effects are assigned to selfing or biparental inbreeding. Vriesea gigantea is a self‐compatible bromeliad species distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest and habitat destruction and fragmentation and collection have decreased the natural populations. We aim to describe the occurrence of inbreeding depression (δ) in three natural populations of V. gigantea and to correlate this phenomenon with previous studies of fertility, genetic diversity, population genetic structure, gene flow, mating system and seed dispersal in this species. Fifty‐four adult plants were sampled and 108 flowers were used for pollination treatments (selfing, outcrossing and control). For adult plants, we analysed plant and inflorescence height, flower numbers and seed set. In the progenies, evaluated parameters included seed germination and seedling survival rate. The results indicated low to moderate levels of inbreeding depression in V. gigantea (δ = 0.02 to 0.39), in agreement with molecular data from a previous study. Vriesea gigantea populations tolerate some degree of inbreeding, which is consistent with previous results on fertility, mating system, genetic diversity and gene flow. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 169 , 312–319.     

The allelic isozymes of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isolated from Fundulus heteroclitus: physical characteristics and kinetic properties

Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH-A2; beta-D-glucose:NAD(P)+ oxido-reductase; E.C. 1.1.1.47) of the teleost Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) shows clinal allelic variation along the east coast of North America. Three of the major allelic isozymes have been purified and compared for native molecular weight, subunit molecular weight, isoelectric point, thermal stability, and steady-state kinetic properties (pH 8.0 and 25 degrees C). Significant differences were found among the allelic isozymes for isoelectric point, thermal stability, and some kinetic parameters. The predominant allelic isozyme in northern populations (H6PDH-AcAc) was found to be more sensitive to heat denaturation than were the predominant homozygous allelic isozymes isolated from southern populations (H6PDH-AaAa and H6PDH-AbAb). The H6PDH-AcAc allelic isozyme had both a significantly greater Km for glucose-6-phosphate than did either of the southern phenotypes and a significantly greater Km for NADP+ and Ki of NAD+ than did one of the southern phenotypes (H6PDH-AaAa). While the allelic isozymes are functionally nonequivalent, it is not yet known whether these differences are reflected at higher levels of biological organization.      

Dynamic compression counteracts IL-1β induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in chondrocyte/agarose constructs

Background  

Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂play pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and catabolic processes in articular cartilage. These mediators are influenced by both IL-1β and mechanical loading, and involve alterations in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 enzymes. To identify the specific interactions that are activated by both types of stimuli, we examined the effects of dynamic compression on levels of expression of iNOS and COX-2 and involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.