The continuing conundrum of the LEA proteins

Research into late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins has been ongoing for more than 20 years but, although there is a strong association of LEA proteins with abiotic stress tolerance particularly dehydration and cold stress, for most of that time, their function has been entirely obscure. After their initial discovery in plant seeds, three major groups (numbered 1, 2 and 3) of LEA proteins have been described in a range of different plants and plant tissues. Homologues of groups 1 and 3 proteins have also been found in bacteria and in certain invertebrates. In this review, we present some new data, survey the biochemistry, biophysics and bioinformatics of the LEA proteins and highlight several possible functions. These include roles as antioxidants and as membrane and protein stabilisers during water stress, either by direct interaction or by acting as molecular shields. Along with other hydrophilic proteins and compatible solutes, LEA proteins might also serve as “space fillers” to prevent cellular collapse at low water activities. This multifunctional capacity of the LEA proteins is probably attributable in part to their structural plasticity, as they are largely lacking in secondary structure in the fully hydrated state, but can become more folded during water stress and/or through association with membrane surfaces. The challenge now facing researchers investigating these enigmatic proteins is to make sense of the various in vitro defined functions in the living cell: Are the LEA proteins truly multi-talented, or are they still just misunderstood?     

Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

再悬浮过程中河流底泥PAHs的迁移与释放

利用再悬浮模拟(particle entrainment simulator,PES)装置模拟了河流底泥在受到上层扰动力后的再悬浮过程.结果表明,沉积物性质如粒径组成及PAHs含量对沉积物再悬浮过程中PAHs的释放影响显著.再悬浮过程中上覆水体总悬浮颗粒物(total suspended solids,TSS)含量与颗粒态PAHs之间存在极显著相关关系.切应力对再悬浮过程中PAHs释放的影响体现在两方面.一方面,单位体积的颗粒态PAHs随切应力增大而增大;另一方面,悬浮颗粒上PAHs的富集效应随切应力增大而减弱,是由于切应力强烈导致吸附作用弱的大颗粒进入水体.上覆水体中的PAHs总量在一段时间上升后于120 min或240min趋于稳定,而颗粒态与溶解态之间具有良好响应.高低环PAHs释放行为差异显著,由于中高环PAHs的疏水性,上覆水体中检测到的多为3~4环个体.     

CdSe/ZnS量子点对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育的影响及其氧化应激作用

本研究以稀有鮈鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)为对象,研究了不同浓度CdSe/ZnS量子点(QDs)暴露下,稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育过程中自主运动频率、内心率和体长的变化,以及利用体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)作为毒性指标,反映CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育的氧化应激作用.结果显示:CdSe/ZnS QDs对稀有鮈鲫胚胎72 hpf(hours post fertilization)的半致死浓度(LC50)为319.629 nmol·L-1,96 hpf的半致畸浓度(EC50)为203.312 nmol·L-1.CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露不仅影响稀有鮈鲫胚胎死亡率、畸形率、自主运动频率、孵化时间和孵化率,而且使其内心率减缓、体长缩短,导致胚胎卵凝结,心包囊肿,出现脊椎弯曲等多种毒性现象.同时发现,CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露导致稀有鮈鲫体内MDA含量增加以及SOD活力的降低.这表明CdSe/ZnS QDs对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育具有致畸、致死作用,而氧化应激可能是引起其胚胎致畸、致死的重要机制之一.     

锌铜胁迫对Bacillus vallismortis EPS组分变化特征及其吸附性能的影响

近年来,微生物胞外聚合物(EPS)在吸附重金属方面的潜能引起了人们的广泛关注,但关于重金属对微生物及其EPS特性的影响鲜有报道.Bacillus vallismortis对锌铜矿捕收剂苯胺黑药具有良好的降解能力.为了解重金属对菌株的胁迫影响,探讨二者之间的相互作用,研究了Zn(Ⅱ)、Cu(Ⅱ)胁迫对菌株EPS产量、组分变化特征及其吸附性能的影响.结果表明,在Zn(Ⅱ)胁迫下,菌株培养至稳定期产生的EPS最多,当Zn(Ⅱ)为12 mg·L~(-1)时EPS产量翻倍,达到100.84 mg·g~(-1)(以VSS计),Zn(Ⅱ)能刺激菌株产生更多富含—COOH和—OH的胞外多糖;菌株在Cu(Ⅱ)胁迫下需培养至对数期产生的EPS最多,在Cu(Ⅱ)为6 mg·L~(-1)情况下EPS产量最高为60.65 mg·g-1(以VSS计),Cu(Ⅱ)的胁迫作用提高了菌株EPS中富含N—H和C—N的蛋白质含量;吸附实验结果表明,2种金属能通过胁迫菌株产生特异性EPS,为金属离子提供大量适用性结合点位,显著提高对重金属的去除能力.研究结果对应用生物法处理同时含有重金属和有机物的复合型选矿废水具有一定的指导意义.     

双层板桁钢梁应力分析

以跨度最大的双层斜拉桥闵浦大桥为背景,研究了双层板桁钢梁桥面板的受力特性,阐述了精细壳单元与梁单元结合的整体有限元模型,并分析了上、下桥面间腹杆的受力特性与桥面板的应力分布特性;采用桥面纵横梁间带U肋精细桥面模型,分析了桥面板和U肋在车辆荷载作用下的应力分布.研究表明,上、下层桥面横桥向应力小于纵桥向应力,并且横桥向应...     

粉煤灰最大往返剪切作用面上应变破坏标准的应力条件

基于文献[1]提出的最大往返剪切作用面上的液化应力条件和粉煤灰的动三轴试验数据,运用回归分析方法拟合曲线及相关参数建立了粉煤灰的破坏应力条件,并应用F检验法对参数的回归效果进行了检验,检验结果表明参数的回归效果高度显著。得出的破坏应力条件表明初始剪应力与动剪应力的倒数间并不呈线性关系,而是二次多项式关系,这与张克绪所提出的应力条件存在着差异。因此,可初步认为张克绪的液化应力条件不能直接运用于粉煤灰。     

CFG桩复合地基加固高速公路软基的现场试验研究

CFG桩复合地基处理高速公路软基的设计参数是否合理,应看其实际发挥的承载能力及承载时变形的性状。通过对CFG桩复合地基桩、土应力和表面沉降的现场观测,研究了路堤荷载下CFG桩复合地基桩顶、桩间土的应力和沉降变化规律,根据实测数据分析了褥垫层厚度、桩间距及桩体强度等设计参数的合理性。结果表明,路堤荷载下,CFG桩、土最终可达到变形协调,桩、土应力比与桩、土沉降差有着密切的关系,疏桩形式时桩间土承担着大部分荷载;同时,CFG桩复合地基作为路堤荷载的地基时,可设计为桩间距较大的疏桩形式,桩体设计强度可以取得低一些,褥垫层厚度也应适当取大。     

走向工作面贯通上山与支架快速回撤技术

针对走向工作面停采线与上山之间的护巷煤柱造成煤炭损失,支架回撤工艺复杂、巷道掘进量大等问题,提出走向工作面贯通上山与支架快速回撤技术。工作面贯通采区上山,利用上山回撤支架。在贯通前,利用压力拱模型分析剩余煤柱应力变化规律,并结合极限平衡区公式,确定让压煤柱为8 m;对贯通前基本顶合理断裂位置、让压调节机制、末采阶段采高进行了分析确定,并采取上山巷内补强支护及挂绳铺网措施。贯通上山后,首先利用支架对上山留巷,完成留巷后,利用上山回撤支架,先将上部端头3架逆时针旋转90°作为掩护架,在对剩余支架逐架回撤时,3个掩护架呈现台阶型。提出的技术取消了护巷煤柱及回撤通道,提高了煤炭采出率,减少了巷道掘进量,简化了回撤工艺。     

高应力巷道底臌变形机理及控制技术分析

为了分析高应力巷道底臌变形机理,以铜川玉华煤矿2407工作面巷道为研究背景,采用理论分析和现场观测相结合的研究方法。根据巷道底臌主要由原岩应力、支承应力、围岩遇水膨胀、流变作用而引起进行分析,推导出计算底臌量的表达式。针对玉华煤矿高应力巷道底臌变形,提出在巷道顶板采用锚网梁索支护,帮部采用锚网支护的原支护条件下,底板采用锚杆注浆和切槽联合支护方式控制底臌。现场观测结果表明:这种联合支护方式能够有效控制巷道底臌变形,底臌量降低了61.5%。将底臌量理论解与现场监测的结果进行比较,误差小于8.93%,验证了理论的合理性,为巷道底臌量分析提供了参考。