Determinants of Intestinal Detoxication of Lipid Hydroperoxides

It has long been recognized that hydroperoxides are agents of cytotoxicity. However, in recent years, it is increasingly apparent that lipid hydroperoxide may play an important role in mediating cellular and molecular events in degenerative pathophysiological processes that lead to intestinal disorders, such as cancer. Yet, surprisingly, little is known of the intestinal disposition of peroxidized lipids and of the metabolic factors that determine mucosal peroxide elimination. The present paper summarizes the evidence for the pivotal role of reductant (GSH and NADPH) availability in intestinal peroxide detoxication. This information will provide important insights into the relationship between luminal lipid hydroperoxides and intestinal GSH redox homeostasis, and is pertinent to understanding how dietary oxidants like lipid peroxides, can impact intestinal integrity with implications for genesis of gut pathology.     

猿类胰腺的动脉分布模式初步研究

目的:对25例猿类胰腺及周围动脉进行解剖分析,研究猿类胰腺动脉的起源及肠系膜上动脉和腹腔干动脉的吻合关系。方法:对6例类人猿(Gorilla 1例,Pan troglodytes 3例和Hylobates lar 2例),13例狭鼻猿(Papio hamadryas 1例,Papio anubis 2例和Cercopithecus aethiops 10例)和6例阔鼻猿(Saimiri 6例)处死后取出内脏,用10%的福尔马林固定后储存在50%的酒精中,对胰腺、胃及脾脏的供应血管进行解剖游离和解剖分析,最后进行画图。结果:猿类胰腺动脉分布发源自腹腔干和/或肠系膜上动脉,胰腺接受腹腔干及肠系膜动脉的双向供应外,也有独自接受腹腔干动脉的血供,腹腔干动脉与肠系膜上动脉之间无任何吻合支存在者占总数的32%。结论:猿类胰腺形态与人类相似,其动脉分布来源比人类更有多样性。     

Global solid biomass trade for energy by 2020: an assessment of potential import streams and supply costs to North-West Europe under different sustainability constraints

The expected use of solid biomass for large-scale heat and power production across North–West Europe (NW EU) has led to discussions about its sustainability, especially due to the increasing import dependence of the sector. While individual Member States and companies have put forward sustainability criteria, it remains unclear how different requirements will influence the availability and cost of solid biomass and thus how specific regions will satisfy their demand in a competitive global market. We combined a geospatially explicit least-cost biomass supply model with a linear optimization solver to assess global solid biomass trade streams by 2020 with a particular focus on NW EU. We apply different demand and supply scenarios representing varying policy developments and sustainability requirements. We find that the projected EU solid biomass demand by 2020 can be met across all scenarios, almost exclusively via domestic biomass. The exploitation of domestic agricultural residue and energy crop potentials, however, will need to increase sharply. Given sustainability requirements for solid biomass as for liquid biofuels, extra-EU imports may reach 236 PJ by 2020, i.e., 400% of their 2010 levels. Intra-EU trade is expected to grow with stricter sustainability requirements up to 548 PJ, i.e., 280% of its 2010 levels by 2020. Increasing sustainability requirements can have different effects on trade portfolios across NW EU. Excluding pulpwood pellets may drive the supply costs of import dependent countries, foremost the Netherlands and the UK, whereas excluding additional forest biomass may entail higher costs for Germany and Denmark which rely on regional biomass. Excluding solid biomass fractions may create short-term price hikes. Our modeling results are strongly influenced by parameterization choices, foremost assumed EU biomass supply volumes and costs and assumed relations between criteria and supply. The model framework is suited for the inclusion of dynamic supply–demand interactions and other world regions.     

PEP-1-FK506BP inhibits alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation on the rat model of corneal alkali injury

FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) is a small peptide with a single FK506BP domain that is involved in suppression of immune response and reactive oxygen species. FK506BP has emerged as a potential drug target for several inflammatory diseases. Here, we examined the protective effects of directly applied cell permeable FK506BP (PEP-1-FK506BP) on corneal alkali burn injury (CAI). In the cornea, there was a significant decrease in the number of cells expressing pro-inflammation, apoptotic, and angiogenic factors such as TNF-α, COX-2, and VEGF. Both corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization (CNV) were significantly decreased in the PEP-1-FK506BP treated group. Our results showed that PEP-1-FK506BP can significantly inhibit alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation in rats, possibly by accelerating corneal wound healing and by reducing the production of angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP may be a potential therapeutic agent for CAI. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(11): 618-623]     

木瓜籽毛油精炼条件筛选及其理化指标分析

以磷脂含量为指标对木瓜〔Chaenomeles sinensis ( Thouin) Koehne〕籽毛油水化脱胶过程中脱胶剂种类、脱胶剂添加量、脱胶时间、加水量和脱胶温度进行单因素实验,并在此基础上对脱胶时间、加水量和脱胶温度进行L9(33)正交实验;以酸价为指标对碱炼脱酸过程中的碱液(NaOH溶液)浓度、碱炼温度和超碱用量进行单因素实验和L9(33)正交实验;并比较了毛油、脱胶油、脱酸油和精炼油的主要理化指标变化。单因素实验和正交实验结果表明：在木瓜籽毛油水化脱胶过程中采用不同的脱胶剂种类(包括柠檬酸、草酸和蒸馏水)、脱胶剂添加量(质量分数0.1%~0.5%)、脱胶时间(10~70 min)、加水量(质量分数1%~6%)和脱胶温度(65℃~85℃),毛油中的磷脂含量均有明显差异;而碱炼脱酸过程中采用不同的碱液浓度(质量分数6%~14%)、碱炼温度(40℃~80℃)和超碱用量(质量分数0.15%~0.40%),毛油酸价也有明显变化。总体上看,木瓜籽毛油水化脱胶的适宜条件为添加质量分数0.2%柠檬酸为脱胶剂、脱胶温度75℃、加水量为质量分数4%、脱胶时间50 min;碱炼脱酸的适宜条件为碱液浓度为质量分数12%、碱炼温度80℃、超碱用量为质量分数0.30%。理化指标的测定结果表明：与毛油相比,脱胶油、脱酸油和精炼油的碘值略升高但差异不明显、过氧化值明显升高、磷脂含量和皂化值均明显下降,而脱酸油和精炼油的酸价也明显下降。研究结果显示：经过脱胶、脱酸、水洗干燥一系列过程后获得的木瓜籽精炼油的理化指标基本符合国家食用植物油卫生标准。     

A Survey of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Water Supplies during a 10-Year Period (2000-2009) in Seoul

This study has been conducted to estimate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies in the Metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea, for 10 years from 2000 to 2009. Water samples were collected quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River and its largest stream and 6 conventional Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) serving drinking water for 10 million people of Seoul. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 22.5% of intake water samples and arithmetic mean was 0.65 oocysts/10 L (range 0-22 oocysts/10 L). Although the annual mean of oocyst number was as low as 0.04-1.90 oocysts/10 L, 3 peaks in 2004 and 2007 were observed and the pollution level was a little higher in winter. The lowest density was observed at Paldang intake and the pollution level increased at Kuui and Jayang intakes. At the end of the largest stream, oocysts were found in 70% of collected samples (mean 5.71 oocysts/10 L) and it seemed that its joining the Han River resulted in the increase at Kuui intake and downstream. Oocyst removal by physical process exceeded 2.0-2.3 log and then all finished water samples collected at 6 WTPs were negative for Cryptosporidium in each 100 L sample for 10 years. These results suggested that domestic wastewater from the urban region could be a source of Cryptosporidium pollution and separating sewage systems adjacent to the intakes could be meaningful for some intakes having weakness related to parasitological water quality.     

Sperm production and mating potential of males after a cold shock on pupae of the parasitoid wasp Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

For ectothermic species, temperature is a key environmental factor influencing several aspects of their physiology and ecology, acting particularly on reproduction. To measure the consequences of a severe thermal stress during development on male reproduction, a cold shock (1h at -18 degrees C) was tested on Dinarmus basalis pupae. D. basalis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a parasitoid wasp in which sperm management in both male and female is of prime importance. After a cold shock, developmental success was reduced, with a quarter of cold-shocked males not emerging correctly. The stress effects were estimated at the level of sperm stock in seminal vesicles of males at different ages and on the ability of 2-day-old males to access females in single and multiple mating and in male-male competition. Cold-shocked males had a reduced sperm stock compared to control males and this difference persisted with age. The rate of sperm production was similar in both groups. The consequences of a cold shock on male reproductive ability were perceptible in multiple mating and male-male competition but not in single mating. Cold-shocked males were at a disadvantage, inseminating fewer females and copulating less frequently. Finally, male pupae of D. basalis were able to withstand severe temperature stresses and their reproductive functions were partially preserved.     

A novel cellulase free alkaliphilic xylanase from alkali tolerant Penicillium citrinum: production, purification and characterization

AIMS: The enzymatic hydrolysis of xylan has potential economic and environment-friendly applications. Therefore, attention is focused here on the discovery of new extremophilic xylanase in order to meet the requirements of industry. METHODS AND RESULTS: An extracellular xylanase was purified from the culture filtrate of P. citrinum grown on wheat bran bed in solid substrate fermentation. Single step purification was achieved using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight of c. 25 kDa and pI of 3.6. Stimulation of the activity by beta mercaptoethanol, dithiotheritol (DTT) and cysteine was observed. Moderately thermostable xylanase showed optimum activity at 50 degrees C at pH 8.5. CONCLUSION: Xylanase purified from P. citrinum was alkaliphilic and moderately thermostable in nature. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present work reports for the first time the purification and characterization of a novel endoglucanase free alkaliphilic xylanase from the alkali tolerant fungus Penicillium citrinum. The alkaliphilicity and moderate thermostability of this xylanase may have potential implications in paper and pulp industries.     

Satellite tracking of two Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus): dual pathways during autumn migration

Autumn migration routes of two Dutch female Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus) were documented for the first time using satellite telemetry. Both migrated to their African wintering area—one via the Straits of Gibraltar through the Mediterranean and the other via Italy/Tunisia. The rate of travel was comparable to values reported for larger raptor species.