Penicillium expansum lipase-catalyzed production of biodiesel in ionic liquids

Penicillium expansum lipase (PEL) was used to catalyze biodiesel production from corn oil in [BMIm][PF₆]¹ (an ionic liquid, IL) and tert-butanol. Both systems were optimized in terms of MeOH/oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, enzyme loading, solvent volume, and water content. The high conversion obtained in the IL (86%) as compared to that in tert-butanol (52%) demonstrates that the IL is a superior solvent for PEL-catalyzed biodiesel production. Poor yields were obtained in a series of hydrophilic ILs. Addition of salt hydrates affected biodiesel production predominantly through the specific ion (Hofmeister) effect. The impact of methanol on both activity and stability of PEL in the IL and in hexane was investigated, in comparison to the results obtained by two commonly used lipases, Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TLIM. The results substantiate that while different lipases show different resistance to methanol in different reaction systems, PEL is tolerant to methanol in both systems.     

Effect of GnRH administration, combined with the ram effect, on the occurrence of ovulation and pregnancy during the transition period from anoestrus in crossbred ewes

The effect of a GnRH analogue (buserelin) combined with the ram effect on the reproductive efficiency of ewes was investigated in 105 cross-bred fat tailed ewes, during the transition period from anoestrus to the natural breeding season. Plasma progesterone concentration was used in the assessment with regard to ovulation and pregnancy. Ewes were maintained on natural pastures composed of medium to low quality forages, and received supplementation (40% alfalfa hay: 60% wheat straw) ad libitum, plus 100–300 g barley grain per head per day. Ewes were isolated from the rams for at least two months and then kept in close proximity of the rams for one week, before the introduction of the rams. The ewes were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 35 per group). With the introduction of the rams into the flock (day 1) one group was considered as the control and the other two groups were treated with 4.2 μg (low dose) and 8.4 μg (high dose) buserelin on days 5 and 19, respectively. Blood samples were collected on days 5, 12, 26 and 120 after ram introduction for determining the plasma progesterone levels. On day 12 (one week after treatment) the high dose GnRH group recorded significantly lower plasma P4 concentrations (P < 0.05), compared with the control group (1.0 ± 0.1 ng/ml versus 2.4 ± 0.4 ng/ml). On the same day the low GnRH dose group recorded intermediate P4 concentrations, recording no significant differences with the other two groups. The high dose group recorded a significantly (P < 0.05) higher proportion of non-ovulated ewes (61.8%), compared to the control (32.3%) and low dose (31.4%) groups on day 12 of the study. At days 5 and 26 these differences were not significant, but the proportion of non-ovulated ewes was higher in the high dose buserelin treatment group. The percentage of pregnant (plasma P4 > 2.5 ng/ml) and non-pregnant (plasma P4 ≤ 2.5 ng/ml) ewes at day 120 of the study was not statistically different between the treatment groups. The pregnancy rate was highest in the control group (97.1%), when compared to the treated ewes (94.3% and 88.6% in low dose and high dose treatment groups, respectively). Treatment with buserelin combined with the male effect during the breeding season negatively affected the plasma P₄ concentration, reducing the reproductive performance of the ewe treatment groups.     

Control of lysyl oxidase activity through site-specific deuteration of lysine

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is implicated in several extracellular matrix related disorders, including fibrosis and cancer. Methods of inhibition of LOX in vivo include antibodies, copper sequestration and toxic small molecules such as β-aminopropionitrile. Here, we propose a novel approach to modulation of LOX activity based on the kinetic isotope effect (KIE). We show that 6,6-d₂-lysine is oxidised by LOX at substantially lower rate, with apparent deuterium effect on V_max/K_m as high as 4.35 ± 0.22. Lys is an essential nutrient, so dietary ingestion of D₂Lys and its incorporation via normal Lys turnover suggests new approaches to mitigating LOX-associated pathologies.     

Endemic predators, invasive prey and native diversity

Interactions between native diversity and invasive species can be more complex than is currently understood. Invasive ant species often substantially reduce diversity in the native ants diversity that act as natural control agents for pest insects. In Indonesia (on the island of Sulawesi), the third largest cacao producer worldwide, we show that a predatory endemic toad (Ingerophrynus celebensis) controls invasive ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) abundance, and positively affects native ant diversity. We call this the invasive-naivety effect (an opposite of enemy release), whereby alien species may not harbour anti-predatory defences against a novel native predator. A positive effect of the toads on native ants may facilitate their predation on insect vectors of cacao diseases. Hence, toads may increase crop yield, but further research is needed on this aspect. Ironically, amphibians are globally the most threatened vertebrate class and are strongly impacted by the conversion of rainforest to cacao plantations in Sulawesi. It is, therefore, crucial to manage cacao plantations to maintain these endemic toads, as they may provide critical ecosystem services, such as invasion resistance and preservation of native insect diversity.     

肿瘤能量代谢机制研究进展

细胞的能量主要来自糖酵解和线粒体的有氧氧化.细胞活性和能量状态密切相关,恶性肿瘤由于其生长迅速,常常出现葡萄糖摄取量增高、糖酵解增加和乳酸堆积现象.通过介绍肿瘤能量代谢机制研究进展,结合代谢成像技术,将会有助于深入揭示肿瘤能量代谢改变与肿瘤进展的因果关联,为靶向能量代谢的肿瘤治疗策略提供新的视野和契机.     

城市绿地的生态环境效应研究进展

工业化的快速发展和城市化进程的加剧,使得城市生态环境的破坏和污染愈来愈严重,加速了城市的“生态环境危机”.城市绿地能够通过植被的光合作用、吸收作用、隔离阻挡作用、蒸腾以及蒸散作用改善城市的生态环境.目前研究主要集中在降温、增湿、固碳释氧、降噪、抗污染、生物多样性保护等6个方面.关于城区绿地对6种生态环境要素的改善程度、影响范围、机理问题以及不同植被种类生态环境效应的差异情况等,国内外学者都进行了大量详细的研究.基于传统实地观测数据进行城市绿地的生态环境效应研究是目前主要使用的研究方法,部分学者开始使用遥感技术手段研究城区绿地的降温增湿效应.在总结和分析前人研究成果的基础上,从研究内容的不同着手,主要总结并系统评估了目前关于城市绿地6种生态环境效应的研究,为今后相关研究提供参考.     

具有捕食正效应的捕食-食饵系统

在经典的捕食食饵系统中考虑到由于捕食效应对食饵种群带来的正向调节作用后,提出了具有捕食正效应的捕食-食饵系统.通过对模型的动力学行为的分析,从理论上说明了正向调节作用对系统的影响,并就第一象限内平衡点存在时的相图解释了捕食正效应的作用.结果表明:(1)捕食系统中适当的正向调节作用会增加系统的稳定性;(2)当捕食正效应达到一定的程度后系统拥有一个不稳定的极限环;(3)当捕食正效应过大时会使系统的稳定性发生变化,使捕食者种群与食饵种群同时趋向无穷,出现了调节放纵现象.这些结果在保护生物学中具有重要的意义.     

Development of ligands at γ-aminobutyrric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtype as new agents for pain relief

The identification of compounds with selective anxiolytic-like effects, exerted through the benzodiazepine site on γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors, and that show pronounced antihyperalgesia in several pain models, has oriented research towards the development of new agents for the relief of pain. Starting from our previously reported ligands at the benzodiazepine site on GABA_A receptors showing selective anxiolytic-like effects, we have designed new compounds with the aim of identifying those devoid of the typical side effects of the classical benzodiazepines. Our preliminary results indicate that compounds 4, 10(±) and 11 have a very promising antihyperalgesic profile in different animal pain models (peripheral mono-neuropathy, STZ-induced hyperalgesia). In particular 11 exhibits high potency since it exerted its protective effect starting from the dose of 3 mg/kg po, after single injection.     

水杨酸对锌胁迫下小麦幼苗生长抑制的缓解效应

以小麦品种‘新麦18’为材料,采用室内水培实验研究了不同浓度水杨酸(SA)处理对300 mg.L-1锌胁迫下小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:在Zn2+胁迫下,小麦种子的发芽势和发芽率、幼苗根长、芽长以及幼苗叶片的可溶性蛋白含量、根系活力显著降低,而脯氨酸和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加(P<0.05);外施SA显著提高了Zn2+胁迫下小麦种子的发芽势和发芽率,同时也使Zn2+胁迫7 d后的小麦幼苗的根长、芽长,幼苗叶片的脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量以及根系活力显著升高,膜脂过氧化产物MDA含量却显著降低(P<0.05)。由此可见,外施SA可通过提高小麦幼苗根长和芽长来增加幼苗根系活力,通过提高小麦幼苗可溶性蛋白含量、脯氨酸含量来维持细胞膜的稳定性,降低膜脂过氧化伤害程度,从而缓解了Zn2+胁迫对幼苗生长的抑制,并以14 mg.L-1外源水杨酸缓解效果最好。     

不同干扰强度生境中啮齿动物对苦槠种子的取食和扩散

在浙江省千岛湖地区,选择了受人类活动干扰较轻、中度和严重的3个生境,采用金属片标记法研究了啮齿动物对苦槠种子的取食和扩散.结果表明:在研究点捕获的取食种子的啮齿动物为针毛鼠( Niviventer fulvescens),尽管捕获的数量少,但种子被取食和扩散的速率很快,3个样地内的种子均在2d内被取食或扩散完毕;中等干扰强度的生境中,被就地取食的种子最多,占鉴别种子总数的37.8%.种子扩散距离大多<5m,最大扩散距离为24.76m,3个样地种子扩散均符合负指数分布,且样地间没有显著差异;饱满种子与虫蛀种子被就地取食与搬运后取食的命运没有显著差异,但饱满种子的最大扩散距离均显著大于虫蛀种子(P<0.05),除中等干扰样地中饱满种子与虫蛀种子平均扩散距离没有显著差异外,其余2个样地中饱满种子的平均扩散距离均显著大于虫蛀种子,显示啮齿动物对饱满种子与虫蛀种子有一定的区分能力.