Molecular characterization of conjugative plasmids in pesticide tolerant and multi-resistant bacterial isolates from contaminated alluvial soil

A total of 35 bacteria from contaminated soil (cultivated fields) near pesticide industry from Chinhat, Lucknow, (India) were isolated and tested for their tolerance/resistance to pesticides, heavy metals and antibiotics. Bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Gas Chromatography analysis of the soil samples revealed the presence of lindane at a concentration of 547 ng g⁻¹ and α-endosulfan and β-endosulfan of 422 ng g⁻¹ and 421 ng g⁻¹ respectively. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry analysis of the test sample was done and Cr, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cu and Cd were detected at concentrations of 36.2, 42.5, 43.2, 241, 13.3 and 11.20 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of all the isolates were determined for pesticides and heavy metals. All the multi-resistant/tolerant bacterial isolates were also tested for the presence of incompatibility (Inc) group IncP, IncN, IncW, IncQ plasmids and for rolling circle plasmids of the pMV158-family by PCR. Total community DNA was extracted from pesticide contaminated soil. PCR amplification of the bacterial isolates and soil DNA revealed the presence of IncP-specific sequences (trfA2 and oriT) which was confirmed by dot blot hybridization with RP4-derived DIG-labelled probes. Plasmids belonging to IncN, IncW and IncQ group were neither detected in the bacterial isolates nor in total soil DNA. The presence of conjugative or mobilizable IncP plasmids in the isolates indicate that these bacteria have gene transfer capacity with implications for dissemination of heavy metal and antibiotic resistance genes. We propose that IncP plasmids are mainly responsible for the spread of multi-resistant bacteria in the contaminated soils.     

Identification of a multixenobiotic resistance mechanism in Xenopus laevis embryos

In the '90's a membrane-associated transport protein, discovered in aquatic organisms, was considered to be expressed in response to environmental xenobiotics. Like the multidrug resistance protein found in mammalian tumor cell lines, this protein confers resistance in organisms in polluted areas by binding xenobiotics and transporting them out of the cells in an energy-dependent manner.This study investigates the expression and the activity of a P-glycoprotein (Pgp) involved in a multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXRW) during the early developmental stages and in tissues of adult Xenopus laevis.     

Digit ratios (2D:4D), secondary sexual characters and cell-mediated immunity in house sparrows <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passer domesticus</Emphasis>

Homeobox genes regulate development of digits, and it has been suggested that the ratio of length of second to length of fourth digit reflects such genetic effects in a sex-specific manner. We show that digit ratios in the sexually dichromatic house sparrow Passer domesticus differ between sexes, with males having higher ratios than females, and that individuals produce consistent ratios on the two feet. If Homeobox or other genes had pleiotropic effects on development of digits, behavior, and physiology of males and females, we would expect secondary sexual characters and immunity to be related to digit ratio in a sex-specific manner. The size of the visible part of the black badge in February (a secondary sexual character), but not total badge size, was positively correlated with digit ratios, suggesting that males with more male-like digit ratios had larger visible badges. Because of sex-specific effects of development on secondary sexual characters and immunity, we predicted sex-specific differences in immune response to be related to digit ratio. House sparrows with large digit ratios had weaker T cell-mediated immune response than individuals with small digit ratios, particularly in females, implying that females with more male-like digit ratios had weak immune responses. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that early development, as reflected by digit ratios, and genetics affect the expression of adult characters that are supposedly strongly contributing to fitness.     

Gene expression profiles in the testis associated with testis-ova in adult Japanese medaka (Oryziaslatipes) exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol

The occurrence of oocytes in the testis (testis-ova) of several fish species is often associated with exposure of estrogenic chemicals. However, induction mechanisms of the testis-ova remain to be elucidated. To develop marker genes for detecting testis-ova in the testis, adult male medaka were exposed to nominal concentration of 100 ng L⁻¹ of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) for 3-5 weeks, and 800 ng estradiol benzoate (EB) for 3 weeks (experiment I), and a measured concentration of 20 ng L⁻¹ EE2 for 1-6 weeks (experiment II). Histological analysis was performed for the testis, and microarray analyses were performed for the testis, liver and brain. Microarray analysis in the estrogen-exposed medaka liver showed vitellogenin and choriogenin as estrogen responsive genes. Testis-ova were induced in the testis after 4 weeks of exposure to 100 ng L⁻¹ EE2, 3 weeks of exposure to 800 ng EB, and 6 weeks of exposure to 20 ng L⁻¹ EE2. Microarray analysis of estrogen-exposed testes revealed up-regulation of genes related to zona pellucida (ZP) and the oocytes marker gene, 42Sp50. Using quantitative RT-PCR we confirmed that Zpc5 gene can be used as a marker for the detection of testis-ova in male medaka.     

Structural-temporal organization of a rodent community in the Teletskaya Taiga,Altai Mountains

The structural-temporal organization of a murine rodent community in the taiga has been studied near Lake Teletskoe, Mountain Altai. The results show that the long-term dynamics of indices characterizing community diversity depend mainly on changes in the structure of dominance rather than on the population dynamics of species. The distribution of species in the factor space corresponds to their preference for certain biotopes, from dry to relatively moist. An analysis of relationships within the rodent community has revealed the synchronous dynamics of species abundance and antiphase pattern of changes in the structural indices of dominant species.     

电源变压器温升试验中（绕组法）的影响因素及不确定度的评估

本文中探讨的是根据绕组法计算电源变压器绕组温升的试验方法,以及对整个试验过程中环境、仪器设备、仪表、人为因素所引起的误差等对最终试验结果的影响,并对其测量不确定度进行评估。     

确定岩体斜坡滑动面抗剪强度的动态反分析方法

滑动结构面的抗剪强度在岩体滑坡的稳定性计算中是最重要的参数,也是最难以确定的。基于岩体抗剪强度是多种因素影响下的随机变量这一认识前提下,本文以西柏坡“中共中央解放军总部”旧址滑坡为例提出了确定岩体斜坡滑动面抗剪强度的动态反分析方法,并对该方法获得的抗剪强度的实用性进行了分析。结果表明,反分析方法是获得岩体斜坡滑动面抗剪强度的最经济、合理的途径。     

L型钢管混凝土芯柱耐火极限研究

火灾高温对结构安全有显著影响,为研究等肢L形钢管混凝土芯柱的耐火极限及其影响因素,利用ABAQUS软件建立合理的高温反应分析模型,在验证模型可靠性基础上,分析了荷载比、截面边长、长细比、荷载偏心率、含钢率等对L形钢管混凝土芯柱耐火极限的影响。研究结果表明:在一定参数范围内,荷载比和截面边长是构件耐火极限的主要影响参数,荷载比越小,截面边长越大,构件的耐火极限越高;长细比和荷载偏心率对其影响较大,长细比和荷载偏心率越小,构件的耐火极限越高;含钢率对其影响不显著。结果可为异形钢管混凝土芯柱的抗火安全设计提供参考。     

综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力研究

为了计算综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力,以结构力学理论为基础,分析综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力计算模型,建立沿空留巷围岩和支护体的结构力学模型,应用超静定结构和静定结构分析支护体与沿空留巷围岩相互作用机制,推导出巷旁支护阻力的计算公式.结果表明,进行沿空留巷支护阻力力学分析时,要考虑顶板极限断裂前和断裂后两种状态下的受力情况,支护阻力与岩层厚度、容重、煤体极限平衡区宽度、跨距、支护体宽度和巷道宽度等因素密切相关.工业性试验表明,该技术的应用是成功而有效的.因此,综放巷内沿空留巷围岩结构力学模型和支护阻力计算公式是合理的,可在类似条件的综放工作面中应用.