Investigation on the interaction between triclosan and bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic methods

Abstract

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking methods were used to study the interaction between triclosan (TCS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results indicated that the fluorescence quenching of BSA by TCS was due to the formation of TCS–BSA complex through static quenching. This result was also demonstrated by time-resolved fluorescence experiment. The binding constants and number of binding sites between TCS and BSA were 1.30?×?10⁵ M^?1 and 1.17 at 298?K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters were studied in detail which suggested that hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bond played major roles in the TCS–BSA interaction. Moreover, the site marker competitive experiments and docking studies revealed that TCS could bind BSA into site I in subdomain IIA. All the results of UV–vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy showed that interaction between TCS and BSA induced conformation changes of BSA.     

Hybrid H2/Al dust explosions in Siwek sphere

Explosion indices and explosion behaviour of Al dust/H₂/air mixtures were studied using standard 20 l sphere. The study was motivated by an explosion hazard occurring at some accidental scenarios considered now in ITER design (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). During Loss-of-Vacuum or Loss-of-Coolant Accidents (LOCA/LOVA) it is possible to form inside the ITER vacuum vessel an explosible atmosphere containing fine Be or W dusts and hydrogen. To approach the Be/H₂ explosion problem, Be dust is substituted in this study by aluminium, because of high toxicity of Be dusts. The tested dust concentrations were 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200 g/m3; hydrogen concentrations varied from 8 to 20 vol. % with 2% step. The mixtures were ignited by a weak electric spark. Pressure evolutions were recorded during the mixture explosions. In addition, the gaseous compositions of the combustion products were measured by a quadruple mass-spectrometer. The dust was involved in the explosion process at all hydrogen and dust concentrations even at the combination ‘8%/100 g/m3’. In all the other tests the explosion overpressures and the pressure rise rates were noticeably higher than those relevant to pure H₂/air mixtures and pure Al dust/air mixtures. At lower hybrid fuel concentrations the mixture exploded in two steps: first hydrogen explosion followed by a clearly separated Al dust explosion. With rising concentrations, the two-phase explosion regime transits to a single-phase regime where the two fuel components exploded together as a single fuel. In this regime both the hybrid explosion pressures and pressure rise rates are higher than either H₂ or Al ones. The two fuels compete for the oxygen; the higher the dust concentration, the more part of O2 it consumes (and the more H₂ remains in the combustion products). The test results are used to support DUST3D CFD code developed at KIT to model LOCA or LOVA scenarios in ITER.     

Estimating the normal background rate of species extinction

A key measure of humanity's global impact is by how much it has increased species extinction rates. Familiar statements are that these are 100–1000 times pre‐human or background extinction levels. Estimating recent rates is straightforward, but establishing a background rate for comparison is not. Previous researchers chose an approximate benchmark of 1 extinction per million species per year (E/MSY). We explored disparate lines of evidence that suggest a substantially lower estimate. Fossil data yield direct estimates of extinction rates, but they are temporally coarse, mostly limited to marine hard‐bodied taxa, and generally involve genera not species. Based on these data, typical background loss is 0.01 genera per million genera per year. Molecular phylogenies are available for more taxa and ecosystems, but it is debated whether they can be used to estimate separately speciation and extinction rates. We selected data to address known concerns and used them to determine median extinction estimates from statistical distributions of probable values for terrestrial plants and animals. We then created simulations to explore effects of violating model assumptions. Finally, we compiled estimates of diversification—the difference between speciation and extinction rates for different taxa. Median estimates of extinction rates ranged from 0.023 to 0.135 E/MSY. Simulation results suggested over‐ and under‐estimation of extinction from individual phylogenies partially canceled each other out when large sets of phylogenies were analyzed. There was no evidence for recent and widespread pre‐human overall declines in diversity. This implies that average extinction rates are less than average diversification rates. Median diversification rates were 0.05–0.2 new species per million species per year. On the basis of these results, we concluded that typical rates of background extinction may be closer to 0.1 E/MSY. Thus, current extinction rates are 1,000 times higher than natural background rates of extinction and future rates are likely to be 10,000 times higher. Estimación de la Tasa Normal de Extinción de Especies     

On how much biodiversity is covered in Europe by national protected areas and by the Natura 2000 network: insights from terrestrial vertebrates

The European Union has made extensive biodiversity conservation efforts with the Habitats and Birds Directives and with the establishment of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, one of the largest networks of conservation areas worldwide. We performed a gap analysis of the entire Natura 2000 system plus national protected areas and all terrestrial vertebrates (freshwater fish excluded). We also evaluated the level of connectivity of both systems, providing therefore a first estimate of the functionality of the Natura 2000 system as an effective network of protected areas. Together national protected areas and the Natura 2000 network covered more than one‐third of the European Union. National protected areas did not offer protection to 13 total gap species (i.e., species not covered by any protected area) or to almost 300 partial gap species (i.e., species whose representation target is not met). Together the Natura 2000 network and national protected areas left 1 total gap species and 121 partial gap species unprotected. The terrestrial vertebrates listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives were relatively well covered (especially birds), and overall connectivity was improved considerably by Natura 2000 sites that act as stepping stones between national protected areas. Overall, we found that the Natura 2000 network represents at continental level an important network of protected areas that acts as a good complement to existing national protected areas. However, a number of problems remain that are mainly linked to the criteria used to list the species in the Habitats and Birds Directives. The European Commission initiated in 2014 a process aimed at assessing the importance of the Birds and Habitats Directives for biodiversity conservation. Our results contribute to this assessment and suggest the system is largely effective for terrestrial vertebrates but would benefit from further updating of the species lists and field management.     

Progress in the ecology and conservation of giant pandas

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) conservation is a possible success story in the making. If extinction of this iconic endangered species can be avoided, the species will become a showcase program for the Chinese government and its collaborators. We reviewed the major advancements in ecological science for the giant panda, examining how these advancements have contributed to panda conservation. Pandas’ morphological and behavioral adaptations to a diet of bamboo, which bear strong influence on movement ecology, have been well studied, providing knowledge to guide management actions ranging from reserve design to climate change mitigation. Foraging ecology has also provided essential information used in the creation of landscape models of panda habitat. Because habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of the panda population decline, efforts have been made to help identify core habitat areas, establish where habitat corridors are needed, and prioritize areas for protection and restoration. Thus, habitat models have provided guidance for the Chinese governments’ creation of 67 protected areas. Behavioral research has revealed a complex and efficient communication system and documented the need for protection of habitat that serves as a communication platform for bringing the sexes together for mating. Further research shows that den sites in old‐growth forests may be a limiting resource, indicating potential value in providing alternative den sites for rearing offspring. Advancements in molecular ecology have been revolutionary and have been applied to population census, determining population structure and genetic diversity, evaluating connectivity following habitat fragmentation, and understanding dispersal patterns. These advancements form a foundation for increasing the application of adaptive management approaches to move panda conservation forward more rapidly. Although the Chinese government has made great progress in setting aside protected areas, future emphasis will be improved management of pandas and their habitat.     

岩豆凝集素的纯化及其分子残基的化学修饰和活性关系

岩豆种子经侵取、硫酸铵分级、ＤＥＡＥ－纤维素离子交换和ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－１００分子筛层析，获得ＦＰＬＣ上单一的凝集素样品，对此纯化的凝集素样品用Ｎ－溴代丁二酰亚胺、Ｎ－乙基顺丁烯二酰亚胺、二流苏糖醇，碘乙酸和对氯汞苯甲酸修饰其分子内的色氨酸和巯基．经计算，该凝集素分子内含有４个色氨酸和２４个流基，当色氨酸被修饰后其凝集活性全部丧失，而巯基被修饰后对其凝血活性无任何影响，表明巯基与凝集素分子的凝血活性无关，而色氨酸则是凝集活性所必需的基团．     

人工接种堆肥和自然堆肥微生物区系与分子多态性的变化

采用传统培养方法和PCR-DGGE技术研究了人工接种堆肥和自然堆肥微生物群落的演变过程。结果表明:(1)传统培养方法显示,两种堆肥堆制过程中微生物数量均呈“升高—降低—升高—降低”变化趋势,整个堆肥过程中细菌数量占优势。(2)DGGE图谱显示,两种堆肥不同时期存在不同的细菌种群,其条带数量亦呈“升高—降低—升高—降低”变化趋势。堆肥升温期条带丰富但优势条带不明显;堆肥高温期条带数量减少但出现优势条带,表明高温阶段以嗜热菌或耐高温菌为主;堆肥降温期条带数量再次增多;堆肥腐熟期条带数量少且无优势条带,表明腐熟阶段微生物种群数量少且代谢强度趋于平缓。(3)DGGE图谱表明,人工接种菌株成为堆肥高温期优势菌株。人工接种增加了堆肥中微生物总量,提高了堆肥微生物种群多样性,并且促进了堆肥菌群演替,从而缩短堆肥腐熟时间。     

有机磷类杀螺增效剂在土壤中的吸附行为

通过测定16个有机磷类杀螺增效剂在安徽省宿县土壤中的有机硕吸附系数（Koc),研究了该类化合物的环境行为;并用碎片分子连接性指数（FMCIs)和线性溶剂化能参数（LSERs)结构描述符,与土壤有机碳吸附系数之间进行了定量结构-性质相关（QSPR）分析,所得到的两组预测方程,可用于该类化合物的生态风险评价。     

拓扑指数在定量结构生物降解性关系中的应用

本文采用二氧化碳生成量实验，对训练组有机物，利用逐步回归分析程序，从计算和十四种分子连接性指数中筛选出与生物降解性最为相关的分子结构描述参数，建立定量结构－生物降解性关系模型，其相关系数为０．９３１，利用该模型对预测组质的预测结果表明，此模型对芳香化合物的好氧生物降解性具有良好的预测能力，其正确预测率达８３．３％。     

Managing Individuals' Contributions to Maximize the Allelic Diversity Maintained in Small, Conserved Populations

Abstract:  The maintenance of diversity is, from a genetic perspective, one of the key aims in a conservation program. Because the most widely used measure of genetic diversity is the expected heterozygosity of the population, or gene diversity (GD), most research has been devoted to finding optimal strategies for maximizing this parameter. Little attention has been paid, however, to the development of strategies to manage allelic diversity (AD), the number of alleles maintained in the population. Using computer simulations, we show that the strategies that maximize GD, by managing contributions from parents, keep levels of AD as high as strategies maximizing AD itself, for a wide range of situations including different numbers of molecular markers used and the possibility of evaluating a number of offspring per parent to make decisions. Because maximization of GD also minimizes levels of inbreeding, this should be the strategy of choice in any conservationprogram.