魔芋接枝丙烯酸高吸水性树脂的制备及性能研究

本实验以魔芋精粉为基体,环己烷为连续相,Span-60为分散剂,硝酸铈铵为引发剂、用反相悬浮聚合法合成魔芋-丙烯酸高吸水性树脂。研究了多种因素对接枝共聚物吸水性能的影响。结果表明:反应时间为2 h、魔芋精粉与丙烯酸质量比为1∶5、交联剂用量为物料质量的0.04%、引发剂为3×10-3mol/L、丙烯酸中和度为60%、反应温度为70℃时,接枝共聚物吸水性能最优。并通过对接枝产物的红外图谱分析,证实了反应的可行性。     

疏肝、健脾、补肾复方对慢性束缚应激大鼠行为学和免疫功能的影响

目的　研究慢性束缚应激时大鼠行为学和免疫功能的变化以及疏肝、健脾、补肾三种中药复方对其影响。方法　用特制束缚架连续束缚 2 1d(或 7d) ,每天 3h的方法制作大鼠束缚应激模型 ,观察大鼠行为学和免疫功能的变化。结果　慢性束缚应激后 ,大鼠的行为学发生了明显的变化 ,血清IL - 1β 上升 ,IL - 2和IL - 6下降 ,并且随着束缚时间的延长变化越明显。结论　逍遥散、四君子汤和金匮肾气丸能改善大鼠行为学的变化 ,明显增强慢性束缚应激大鼠的免疫功能。     

Optimization of submerged culture process for the production of mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharides by Cordyceps militaris C738

AIMS: The objective of the present study was to determine the optimal culture conditions for mycelial biomass and exo-polysaccharide (EPS) by Cordyceps militaris C738 in submerged culture. METHODS AND RESULTS: The optimal temperatures for mycelial biomass and EPS production were 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively, and corresponding optimal initial pHs were found to be 9 and 6, respectively. The suggested medium composition for EPS production was as follows: 6% (w/v) sucrose, 1% (w/v) polypeptone, and 0.05% (w/v) K2HPO4. The influence of pH on the fermentation broth rheology, morphology and EPS production of C. militaris C738 was carried out in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. The morphological properties were comparatively characterized by pellet roughness and compactness by use of image analyser between the culture conditions with and without pH control. The roughness and compactness of the pellets indicated higher values at pH-stat culture (pH 6.0), suggesting that larger and more compact pellets were desirable for polysaccharide production (0.91 g g(-1) cell d(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Under the optimized culture conditions (with pH control at 6), the maximum concentration of biomass and EPS were 12.7 g l(-1) and 7.3 g l(-1), respectively, in a 5-l stirred-tank fermenter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The critical effect of pH on fungal morphology and rheology presented in this study can be widely applied to other mushroom fermentation processes.     

NYD-SP16, a novel gene associated with spermatogenesis of human testis

By hybridizing human adult testis cDNA microarrays with human adult and embryo testis cDNA probes, a novel human testis gene NYD-SP16 was identified. NYD-SP16 expression was 6.44-fold higher in adult testis than in fetal testis. NYD-SP16 contains 1595 base pairs (bp) and a 762-bp open reading frame encoding a 254-amino acid protein with 73% amino acid sequence identity with the mouse testis homologous protein. The NYD-SP16 gene was localized to human chromosome 5q14. The deduced structure of the NYD-SP16 protein contains one transmembrane domain, which was confirmed by GFP/NYD-SP16 fusion protein expression in the cytomembrane of the transfected human choriocarcinoma JAR cells, suggesting that it is a transmembrane protein. Multiple tissue distribution indicated that NYD-SP16 mRNA is highly expressed in the testes and pancreas, with little or no expression elsewhere. Further analysis of abnormal expression in infertile male patients revealed complete absence of NYD-SP16 in the testes of patients with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and variable expression in patients with spermatogenic arrest. Homologous gene expression in mouse testis was confirmed in spermatogenic cells by in situ hybridization. The results of cDNA microarray, in situ hybridization, and semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction in mouse testis of different stages indicated that NYD-SP16 expression is developmentally regulated. These results suggest that the putative NYD-SP16 protein may play an important role in testicular development/spermatogenesis and may be an important factor in male infertility.     

A human TERT C-terminal polypeptide sensitizes HeLa cells to H2O2-induced senescence without affecting telomerase enzymatic activity

We have constructed a 27-kDa hTERT C-terminal polypeptide (hTERTC27) devoid of domains required for telomerase activity and demonstrated that it is capable of nuclear translocation/telomere-end targeting. Here we showed that expression of a low level of hTERTC27 renders hTERT positive HeLa cells sensitive to H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell senescence. The senescence-associated gene, the cyclin/cdk inhibitor p21(Waf1), was up-regulated. This occurs without changing the expression of endogenous hTERT, causing significant telomere shortening or inhibiting telomerase activity. Results from this study suggest for the first time that in addition to telomerase activity, the C-terminus of hTERT also plays a role in hTERT-mediated cellular resistance to oxidative stress.     

Ethanol Inhibits Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor-Mediated Proliferation of C6 Astrocytoma Cells

Abstract: Early ethanol exposure alters the proliferative activity of glial and neuronal precursors in the developing CNS. The present study tests the hypothesis that ethanol-induced alterations in cell proliferation result from interference with growth factors. An in vitro model of astroglia (C6 astrocytoma cells) was used to study the effects of ethanol on proliferation mediated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF stimulated the proliferation of C6 cells. This bFGF-enhanced proliferation was evident by increases in total cell number, DNA synthesis (as measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation), and the number of cells that took up bromodeoxyuridine. A synthetic peptide that specifically blocked the binding of bFGF to its high-affinity receptor completely abolished the proliferation-promoting effect of bFGF. The action of another mitogen for C6 cells, insulin-like growth factor-1, was not affected by this peptide. Therefore, the bFGF-stimulated proliferation was mediated through a specific bFGF receptor. Ethanol inhibited bFGF-mediated proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ethanol concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/dl partially inhibited bFGF-mediated proliferation (by 58 and 74%, respectively), whereas concentrations of ≥400 mg/dl completely abolished the growth-stimulating effect of bFGF. Our data show that ethanol alters proliferative activity of C6 cells by disrupting the action of bFGF. The target of ethanol neurotoxicity is a receptor-mediated activity. bFGF can affect cell proliferation by a non-receptor-mediated intracellular pathway, but ethanol does not have an impact on this pathway.     

Investigations of peptide hydration using NMR and molecular dynamics simulations: A study of effects of water on the conformation and dynamics of antamanide

Summary The influence of water binding on the conformational dynamics of the cyclic decapeptide antamanide dissolved in the model lipophilic environment chloroform is investigated by NMR relaxation measurements. The water-peptide complex has a lifetime of 35 s at 250 K, which is longer than typical lifetimes of water-peptide complexes reported in aqueous solution. In addition, there is a rapid intracomplex mobility that probably involves librational motions of the bound water or water molecules hopping between different binding sites. Water binding restricts the flexibility of antamanide. The experimental findings are compared with GROMOS molecular dynamics simulations of antamanide with up to eight bound water molecules. Within the simulation time of 600 ps, no water molecule leaves the complex. Additionally, the simulations show a reduced flexibility for the complex in comparison with uncomplexed antamanide. Thus, there is a qualitative agreement between the experimental NMR results and the computer simulations.     

α-Lipoic acid dependent regeneration of ascorbic acid from dehydroascorbic acid in rat liver mitochondria

Rat liver mitochondria were examined for their ability to reduce dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbic acid in an -lipoic acid dependent or independent manner. The a-lipoic acid dependent reduction was stimulated by factors that increased the NADH dependent reduction of -lipoic acid to dihydrolipoic acid in coupled reactions. Optimal conditions for dehydroascorbic acid reduction to ascorbic acid were achieved in the presence of pyruvate, -lipoic acid, and ATP. Electron transport inhibitors, rotenone and antimycin A, further enhanced the dehydroascorbic acid reduction. The reactions were strongly inhibited by 1 mM iodoacetamide or sodium arsenite. Mitoplasts were qualitatively similar to intact mitochondria in dehydroascorbate reduction activity. Pyruvate dehydrogenase and -ketoglutarate dehydrogenase reduced dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbic acid in an -lipoic acid, coenzyme A, and pyruvate or -ketoglutarate dependent fashion. Dehydroascorbic acid was also catalytically reduced to ascorbic acid by purified lipoamide dehydrogenase in an -lipoic acid (K _0.5=1.4±0.8 mM) and lipoamide (K _0.5=0.9±0.3 mM) dependent manner.     

Characterization and constitutive expression of a novel endo-1,4-β-d-xylanohydrolase from Aspergillus niger in Pichia pastoris

A putative endo-1,4-β-d-xylanohydrolase gene xyl10 from Aspergillus niger, encoding a 308-residue mature xylanase belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 10, was constitutively expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant Xyl10 exhibited optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 60 °C with more than 50 % of the maximum activity from 40 to 70 °C. It retained more than 90 % of the original activity after incubation at 60 °C (pH 5.0) for 30 min and more than 74 % after incubation at pH 3.0–13.0 for 2 h (25 °C). The specific activity, K _m and V _max values for purified Xyl10 were, respectively, 3.2 × 10³ U mg^?1, 3.6 mg ml^?1 and 5.4 × 10³ μmol min^?1 mg^?1 towards beechwood xylan. The enzyme degraded xylan to a series of xylooligosaccharides and xylose. The recombinant enzyme with these properties has the potential for various industrial applications.     

NaCl处理下两种引进红树的光合及抗氧化防御能力

在长期盐胁迫(28天, NaCl浓度从100 mmol·L^-1升至400 mmol·L^-1)下, 比较研究了引进的无瓣海桑(Sonneratia apetala)和拉关木(Laguncularia racemosa)幼苗叶片的气体交换、叶绿素含量、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、O₂^-_· 产生速率以及抗氧化酶的活性, 探讨了两种红树幼苗光合、抗氧化防御能力的差异与耐盐性的关系。结果显示: NaCl处理没有明显地影响两种红树幼苗的生长, 表明盐生植物对盐环境的适应性, 但两种红树的生理反应对NaCl处理存在较大的差异。在实验的第28天(苗木的NaCl累计处理浓度递增到400 mmol·L^-1)时, 与对照相比, 无瓣海桑叶片的净光合速率、水分利用效率增加, 气孔导度、蒸腾速率和胞间CO₂浓度/大气CO₂浓度(C_i/C_a)相应降低; 然而, 拉关木叶的净光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率均回落到对照的水平, 而气孔导度和C_i/C_a均增加, 表明同样的NaCl浓度处理对拉关木叶的净光合速率影响大于无瓣海桑。在NaCl处理期间, 无瓣海桑F_v/F_m一直保持在0.8以上, 而拉关木的F_v/F_m为0.75以下, 说明无瓣海桑具有高于拉关木的潜在最大光合能力。在实验的第7天(NaCl浓度为100 mmol·L^-1)和14天(苗木的NaCl累计处理浓度递增到200 mmol·L^-1)时, 两种红树O₂^-_· 产生速率迅速增加, 在实验的第28天(苗木的NaCl累计处理浓度递增到400 mmol·L^-1)时, 无瓣海桑O₂^-_· 产生速率是对照的5.3倍, 差异极显著, 此时, 拉关木叶中O₂^-_· 产生速率已降低到低于对照的水平。盐处理诱导了两种红树叶中抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、过氧化物酶(POD))活性增加, 但拉关木增加的幅度大于无瓣海桑, 表明拉关木能响应盐胁迫并上调抗氧化酶活性, 降低盐诱导的膜脂过氧化, 提高耐盐的能力, 无瓣海桑通过提高水分利用效率来保持体内的水分, 同时, 保持PSII的最大光化学量子产量, 使得无瓣海桑在高盐处理时仍能保持高于对照水平的光合速率。