Effect of a taurine treatment on the regression of existing atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits fed on a high-cholesterol diet

We studied whether taurine has any regressive effect on existing atherosclerotic lesions and lipid peroxidation in rabbits fed on a high-cholesterol (HC) diet. The cholesterol, triglyceride, malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels, as well as the aortic histopathological findings were examined in rabbits that had been fed on a cholesterol-containing diet for 8 months [0.5% cholesterol (w/w) for 3 months and subsequently 0.25% cholesterol (w/w) for 5 months], and then for a further 4 months on a normal diet with or without taurine treatment [1% (w/v) in the drinking water]. High levels of lipid and lipid peroxide induced by the HC diet were observed to decline in the plasma, liver and aorta of atherosclerotic rabbits, as well as a slight retardation in aortic atherosclerotic lesions during the regression period. Although no significant differences in the lipid and lipid peroxide levels in the plasma and aorta were found between the regressed groups with or without the taurine treatment, the extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta was less in the taurine-treated regressed group than in the non-treated regressed group. However, the liver MDA and DC levels were lower in the regressed rabbits with the taurine treatment in the non-treated group. These results indicate that the taurine treatment may accelerate the regression of cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits without having any effect on the plasma and aorta lipid and lipid peroxide levels.     

Changes in DNA base sequences in the mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana induced by low-energy N+ implantation

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh has many advantages for genome analysis, including a short generation time, small size, large number of offspring, and a relatively small nuclear genome in comparison to other angiosperms and contains a low proportion of repetitive DNA comparatively. Furthermore, the analysis of the completed genome sequence of A. thaliana has been reported[1]. Low-energy ion implantation has attracted more and more attention from researchers in China and Japan since recent s…     

中华绒螯蟹精荚分级分离及其蛋白组分分析

对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)精荚进行分级分离,获得的精液、精荚基质和精子等不同组分,利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法,对其可溶性蛋白成分进行比较分析。结果显示,中华绒螯蟹精荚的各个组分均含有其特定的蛋白谱带。经糖蛋白特异染色发现,精液中含3种糖蛋白,精荚基质中含2种糖蛋白。     

Does N‐acetyl Cystein Affect the Sensitivity and Specificity of Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen Test?

Background. N‐acetyl cystein, a mucolytic agent, might make Helicobacter pylori antigens shed more easily to stool, and might therefore contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test. The aim of this study is to investigate if N‐acetyl cystein contributes to the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test by increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the test. Materials and Methods. 107 patients were separated into treatment and placebo groups. The AC group (n = 53) was given 5 ml of acetyl cystein (4%) t.i.d. and the Placebo group (n = 54) was given placebo, for 3 days. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by both histology and CLOtest. Stool samples were assayed using a specific ELISA kit for Helicobacter pylori stool antigen. Results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test were 76%, 79%, 90%, 55%, and 77%, respectively, in AC group; and 85%, 89%, 93%, 76% and 86%, respectively, in placebo group. Conclusions. N‐acetyl cystein did not increase, and actually decreased, the sensitivity and specificity of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test according to our results. We believe that this finding can be taken into consideration when setting up the exclusion criteria for future studies, which will use Helicobacter pylori stool antigen tests.     

Microbial decolorization of reactive azo dyes under aerobic conditions

Summary Kodam et al. reported a 100% decolorization of the sulfonated azo dyes Reactive Red 2, Reactive Red 141, Reactive Orange 4, Reactive Orange 7 and Reactive Violet 5 by an unidentified bacterium, KMK 48. High effectiveness was attained within 36 h of incubation at room temperature and neutral pH. Optimum decolorization took place strictly under aerobic conditions, which is contrary to other well-documented reports. Thus, this microorganism seems to be potentially effective for bioremediation of textile-dyeing industry effluents.     

黄花蒿化感作用机理的初步研究

运用室内培养皿生物测定方法,对黄花蒿克生作用进行的研究结果表明,黄花蒿水浸提液对小麦幼苗生长有明显的抑制作用,且抑制强度随浸提液浓度升高而加强。其对小麦根的抑制作用比对叶的抑制作用强。对受体小麦根尖压片的观察统计表明,黄花蒿的水浸提液影响了小麦根尖分生区细胞有丝分裂的正常进行,并随着供体黄花蒿水浸提液浓度的升高,小麦根尖分生区分裂期细胞数目下降;受体材料小麦的一些生理生化测定指标表明,黄花蒿水浸提液使供试小麦根系活力稍有减弱,可溶性蛋白含量明显升高,使根的核酸含量升高而叶的核酸含量降低;使叶绿素含量有较明显降低。     

L-<Emphasis Type=Italic>myo</Emphasis>-inositol-1-phosphate synthase: partial purification and characterisation from <Emphasis Type=Italic>Gleichenia glauca</Emphasis>

A screening for the enzyme L-myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase [EC 5.5.1.4] has been made first time in both vegetative and reproductive parts of the representative members of pteridophytes: Lycopodium, Selaginella, Equisetum, Polypodium, Dryopteris, and Gleichenia. The enzyme has been partially purified following low-speed centrifugation, streptomycin sulphate precipitation, ammonium sulphate fractionation, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel-filtration through Sephadex G-200, and characterised from the reproductive pinnules of Gleichenia glauca Smith. The enzyme has a pH optimum at 7.5. The K_m for glucose-6-P and NAD⁺ were 0.922 × 10^–3 M and 0.9 × 10^–4 M, respectively. A basal activity of the enzyme has been recorded in absence of exogenous NAD⁺. The enzyme activity was augmented with NH₄Cl, but heavy metals like Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ inactivated it.     

粗缩病对玉米产量和籽粒品质的影晌

以6个对玉米粗缩病（MRDV）表现不同抗性的玉米品种为材料,研究了粗缩病对玉米产量性状和籽粒品质的影响。结果表明,在供试品种中,‘青农105’和‘青农8’为抗病品种,‘登海3622’和‘农大108’为中抗品种,‘先玉335’和‘郑单958’为感病品种。感病后,玉米果穗穗长、行粒数、穗粒重和产量显著降低,且损失程度表现为抗病品种〈中抗品种〈感病品种：籽粒中粗淀粉含量显著降低,粗蛋白含量升高,粗脂肪含量变化不明显。回归分析表明,通过旃情指数可以准确预测玉米粗缩病导致的产量损失。     

双波长法测定二元混合体系中戊糖的含量

目的:针对单波长法在测定己糖和戊糖的混合体系中戊糖含量时出现较大的误差,提出了等吸收双波长法测定二元混合体系中戊糖的含量.方法:通过对己糖(葡萄糖)和戊糖(木糖)的不同含量(5-150μg/体系)与显色剂反应产物在不同波长(500,～700nm)条件下吸光曲线以及显色剂本身吸光曲线进行综合考虑,确定双波长,并对单双波长法测定同样样品的回收率进行了比较分析.结果:确定的测定波长为670nm,参比波长为580nm,双波长法建立的标准曲线方程为:Y=0.0056x-0.0123(y为两个波长下吸光度的差值,x为木糖的含量(μg)).R2=0.9995,线性范围为5-30μg/体系.单波长法对标样和试样的平均回收率分别为116%±15%和89%±13%;双波长法对标样和试样的平均回收率为104%±4%和95%±11%.结论:与单波长和一些其他方法相比,双波长法测定混合体系中戊糖含量较为简便易行且可以提高准确度.