Activity of biotin-dependent and gaba metabolizing enzymes in chorionic villus samples: Potential for 1st trimester prenatal diagnosis

We have documented the presence of five mitochondrial enzymes in samples of chorionic villus tissue and measured the levels of activity. Three of the enzymes catalyse biotindependent reactions. These are propionyl-CoA carboxylase, 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase. the other enzymes. 4-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, are involved inthe degradation of the central inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Distinct diseases in whichthere is deficiency of each of these enzymes have been documented in man. Significant levels of activity were observed for all five enzymes in chorionic villus tissue. This methodology should permit early prenatal diagnosis of deficiencies of these enzymes by chorionic villus biopsy in the first trimester.     

Spatial variability of organochlorine pesticides （DDTs and HCHs） in surface soils from the alluvial region of Beijing, China

The spatial variability in the concentrations of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) in surface soils was studied on the basis of the analysis of 131 soil samples collected from the surface layer (0-20 cm depth) of the alluvial region of Beijing, China. The concentrations of total HCHs (including α-, β-, γ-, and δ-isomers) and total DDTs (i ncluding p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, and o,p'-DDT) in the surface soils tested were in the range from nondetectable to 31.72 μg/kg dry soil, with a mean value of 0.91, and from nondetectable to 5910.83 μg/kg dry soil, with a mean value of 32.13,respectively. It was observed that concentrations of HCHs in all soil samples and concentrations of DDTs in 112 soil samples were much lower than the first grade (50 μg/kg) permitted in "Environment quality standard for soils in China (GB15618-1995)". This suggests that the pollution due to organochlorine pesticides was generally not significant in the farmland soils in the Beijing alluvial region. In this study, the spatial distribution and trend of HCHs and DDTs were analyzed using Geostatistical Analyst and GS (513).Spatial distribution indicated how these pesticides had been applied in the past. Trend analysis showed that the concentrations of HCHs,DDTs, and their related metabolites followed an obvious distribution trend in the surface soils from the alluvial region of Beijing.     

Non-UV based germicidal activity of metal-doped TiO2 coating on solid surfaces

A stain-based screening method was developed to screen different catalyst coatings for their germicidal activity. A Baclight dead/live bacteria viability kit （invitrogen, molecular probes） was used for staining the cell. The screening was carried out following a standard procedure. This included loading cell suspension to solid surface and maintaining contact for 30 min, then staining with a mixture containing dyes. The stained cells were observed using an epifluorescent microscope and photographed with a CCD camera under UV. Metal-doped TiO2 coatings on AI plates were prepared and tested for non-UV germicidal activity without using UV. It was tested using model microorganisms such as Bakers Yeast （Saccharomyces cerevisiae）, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Escherichia coli. On the basis of the germicidal activity of catalyst and the degree of damage caused to the cells, the stained cells may appear green （viable）, green with red or yellow nuclei and yellow （compromised） or red （nonviable）. According to their stained color, cells were counted to calculate the percentage of dead, live, and compromised cells. Compromised cells are cells that grow very slowly after reculturing indicating a degree of reversible cell damage. Screening the germicidal activity using this staining method is accurate and efficient, and requires less time than the culture-based method. A modification to the procedure for measuring germicidal activity of rough surfaces or fibrous coatings was developed. Both TiO2 and metal-doped TiO2 （Ag, Pt, Au, Cu） possess non-UV based germicidal activity. The germicidal activity of TiO2 was found to be related with its wetting property and can be improved by UV irradiation before testing. It is not greatly affected by contact time, indicating a fast acting germicidal activity.     

环境监测优化布点的物元分析模型

为了探索物元分析法在环境监测优化布点中应用的可能性，在确定了最佳和最次理想点基础上，建立了标准事物和节域事物的物元矩阵，并根据监测点对标准物元的关联函数值分布对采样点进行优化。实例表明物元分析法用于环境监测优化布点是可行的     

Enzyme-Retted Flax Fiber and Recycled Polyethylene Composites

Municipal solid wastes generated each year contain potentially useful and recyclable materials for composites. Simultaneously, interest is high for the use of natural fibers, such as flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), in composites thus providing cost and environmental benefits. To investigate the utility of these materials, composites containing flax fibers with recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) were created and compared with similar products made with wood pulp, glass, and carbon fibers. Flax was either enzyme- or dew-retted to observe composite property differences between diverse levels of enzyme formulations and retting techniques. Coupling agents would strengthen binding between fibers and HDPE but in this study fibers were not modified in anyway to observe mechanical property differences between natural fiber composites. Composites with flax fibers from various retting methods, i.e., dew- vs. enzyme-retting, behaved differently; dew-retted fiber composites resulted in both lower strength and percent elongation. The lowest level of enzyme-retting and the most economical process produces composites that do not appear to differ from the highest level of enzyme-retting. Flax fibers improved the modulus of elasticity over wood pulp and HDPE alone and were less dense than glass or carbon fiber composites. Likely, differences in surface properties of the various flax fibers, while poorly defined and requiring further research, caused various interactions with the resin that influenced composite properties.     

施肥对不同农田土壤微生物活性的影响

采用室内恒温培养研究了施肥对不同农田土壤微生物活性的影响。结果表明，在红壤、水稻土和潮土中，土壤微生物量、土壤酶活性大小顺序均为有机肥配施无机肥处理＞单施有机肥处理＞单施无机肥处理，但对脲酶来说，其活性大小顺序为有机肥配施无机肥处理＞单施无机肥处理＞单施有机肥处理。从土壤类型来看，土壤微生物量碳、氮和土壤酶活性大小以水稻土最大，潮土次之，红壤最小。３种土壤的微生物量、土壤酶活性在培养的４５～６０ｄ之间分别达到最大值，以后逐渐下降。部分单施无机肥处理的土壤微生物量、土壤酶活性最大值比单施有机肥处理、有机肥配施无机肥处理提前１５ｄ。相关分析表明，有机肥配施无机肥处理及单施有机肥处理，３种土壤的土壤微生物量碳、氮与土壤过氧化氢酶、转化酶、蛋白酶、脲酶及速效养分呈显著或极显著的相关性；单施无机肥处理中，土壤微生物量碳、氮与土壤过氧化氢酶、蔗糖转化酶、蛋白酶、脲酶显著或极显著相关，与部分速效养分相关不显著。     

外源亚精胺对盐胁迫下黄瓜根系多胺含量和抗氧化系统的影响

采用营养液栽培,研究了外源亚精胺(Spd)对盐胁迫下抗盐能力不同的2个黄瓜品种"长春密刺"和"津春2号"幼苗根系生长以及根系中多胺(PAs)含量和抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明,外源Spd提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜根系游离态Spd和精胺(Spm)、酸可溶性结合态和酸不溶性结合态腐胺(Put)、Spd和Spm含量,降低了游离态Put含量;同时提高了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,降低了超氧阴离子(O2(-/.))产生速率、过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量及电解质渗透率,明显促进了幼苗根系生长;根系中酸不溶性结合态Spd含量与抗氧化酶活性间呈正相关性.表明黄瓜幼苗根系中较高的游离态Spd和Spm、酸可溶性结合态和酸不溶性结合态PAs尤其是酸不溶性结合态Spd含量有利于提高植株抗氧化酶活性,降低O2(-/.)产生速率和膜脂伤害,增强植株抗盐性.     

分子生物标志物在污染环境早期诊断和生态风险评价中的应用

介绍了抗氧化防御系统、应激蛋白HSP70、活性氧(ROS)以及植络素(PCs)等作为分子水平上的生物标志物,在水和土壤环境污染早期诊断和生态风险评价中的研究现状及最新进展,以及污染物胁迫下活性氧的产生及对机体的氧化损伤机理,并展望了分子生物标志物在污染环境早期诊断和生态风险评价中的发展方向.     

邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯对小鼠睾丸能量代谢相关酶的影响

为了从生殖细胞能量代谢角度探讨邻苯二甲酸丁基苄酯(BBP)对雄性小鼠生殖损伤的机制,以昆明系雄性小白鼠为实验对象,研究了BBP对小鼠睾丸组织能量代谢相关酶的影响.实验设0、125、250、500、1000mg·kg-1(质量分数)5组浓度梯度,连续灌胃染毒30d后,采用分光光度法检测小鼠睾丸组织匀浆中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、Ca-Mg-ATPase酶的活性以及睾丸脏器系数.结果发现,1)与对照组相比,高浓度染毒组(500、1000mg·kg-1)LDH、SDH和Ca-Mg-ATPase活性均极显著降低(p<0.01);而低浓度染毒组(125mg·kg-1)3种酶活性均无显著变化(p>0.05);中浓度染毒组(250mg·kg-1)LDH没有显著变化(p>0.05),而SDH、Ca-Mg-ATPase均显著降低(p<0.05,p<0.01).2)染毒30d后,各染毒组睾丸脏器系数略有下降,但与对照组相比,差异均未达到显著水平(p>0.05).以上结果表明,较高水平的BBP不仅可以干扰睾丸组织有氧代谢及无氧代谢的产能过程,还可以干扰生殖细胞对能量的利用,提示能量代谢的障碍可能是BBP对雄性生殖细胞产生损伤的原因之一.     

Integrated biological responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to analyze water quality in regions under anthropogenic influence

This study analyzed water quality in regions around Patos lagoon (Southern Brazil) that are under anthropogenic pressure. Water samples were collected from five different sites, including one used as a source for human consumption (COR) and others known to be influenced by human activities (IP). Danio rerio (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) organisms were exposed for 24 h to these water samples, plus a control group. It was observed that: (1) reactive oxygen species levels were lower in COR and IP than in the control group; (2) glutamate-cysteine ligase (catalytic subunit) expression was higher in COR than in other sites; (3) exposure to all water samples affected long-term memory (LTM) when compared to control group. Thus, some water samples possess the ability to modulate the antioxidant system and to induce a decline in cognitive functions, as measured by LTM. The obtained results indicate that a combination of variables of different organization level (molecular, biochemical and behavioral) can be employed to analyze water quality in impacted regions.