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.     

Hepatic calcifications in a fetus with trisomy 9 that underwent cordocentesis

Foci of calcification were observed at autopsy in the liver of a fetus with complete trisomy 9 on which two cordocenteses had been performed. It is suggested that liver calcifications are a possible complication of the procedure. As several other cases of calcifications in the liver and other organs of fetuses with autosomal trisomies have been described without a history of cordocentesis, further studies should be carried out to determine whether fetuses with chromosomal anomalies are more prone to thrombus formation and embolization.     

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.     

接种功能内生细菌对蔬菜亚细胞菲积累的削减作用

蔬菜多环芳烃(PAHs)污染威胁人群健康.通过水培试验,研究了接种具有菲降解功能的植物内生细菌Diaphorobacter sp.Phe15对空心菜及其亚细胞组分中菲积累的影响,揭示了空心菜体内多酚氧化酶(PPO)和过氧化物酶(POD)的响应及其与PAHs积累的相关关系.Phe15可定殖在空心菜体内,不同部位菌株Phe...     

镧及其配合物对鱼体肝脏中酶活性的影响

以鲫鱼（Ｃａｒａｓｓｉｕｓ ａｕｒａｔｕｓ）为实验对象,研究了镧（Ｌａ）及其配合物（Ｌａ－ＥＤＴＡ）对鱼体肝脏中过氧化氢酶和超氧歧化酶的早期作用过程。结果表明：在实验浓度下Ｌａ＾３＋与Ｌａ－ＥＤＴＡ对鱼肝中过氧化氢酶有激活作用,但最终表现为强烈抑制：而对超氧歧化酶最初显著抑制,最后表现为激活作用。     

汽爆麦草固态发酵木质素酶

木质素是地球上主要的可再生芳香族化合物 ,是地球上仅次于纤维素的第二丰富可再生天然资源 ,然而 ,对它的利用研究却很少 ,是天然高分子中未开发的领城[1] .80年代初发现了木质素过氧化物酶 (ＬｉＰ) [2 ,3] 和锰过氧化物酶 (ＭｎＰ) [4 ] 以后 ,木质素酶和木质素生物降解研究取得了一定进展 .但木质素微生物转化降解研究中仍存在许多问题 .( 1)由于木质素酶解是一种非专一性的、以自由基为基础的链反应过程[5] .因此 ,木质素酶在化学工业、煤化学和环境保护方面具有很大的开发前景 .而现在木质素酶的生产大多用合成培养基 ,必需添加昂贵的…     

硫磺和放线菌强化植物修复土壤镉污染

为了强化耐受重金属镉（Cd）的植物包心芥菜对土壤中Cd污染的富集及转运效率,以包心芥菜为研究对象,向土壤中添加0.3%的硫磺和接种不同数量的放线菌Act12（0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0g/kg）,通过盆栽实验,研究不同处理间根际土pH值的变化规律、包心芥菜地上和地下部分Cd的积累量、植物抗氧化酶系的变化以及根系活力.结果表明：添加0.3%硫磺和2.0g/kg放线菌Act12后,根际土pH值下降最大,相比对照下降了14.5%.而添加0.3%硫磺和1.5g/kg的放线菌Act12,包心芥菜地上部分Cd的含量最高,转运系数最大,相比对照,Cd含量提高了79%,并且植物地上部分的干重最大.添加放线菌Act12对植物的抗氧化系统有积极作用,CAT、POD、SOD含量均在0.3%硫磺和1.0g/kg放线菌Act12的添加组合下达到峰值,放线菌Act12还可提高植物的根系活力,降低丙二醛的含量.综上表明,添加硫磺和放线菌Act12均可强化包心芥菜吸收土壤中Cd的能力,其中0.3%硫磺和1.5g/kg放线菌Act12的添加组合强化效果最佳.     

Effect of prochloraz fungicide on biotransformation enzymes and oxidative stress parameters in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.)

The aim of this study was to characterize biomarker responses in three-spined sticklebacks exposed to prochloraz (Pcz). For this purpose, adult sticklebacks were exposed for 2 weeks to prochloraz at 0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 μg/L prior to one week of depuration in clean water. At days 7, 14 and 21, several hepatic biomarkers were measured including 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), total glutathione (GSH) content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Pcz induced a transient increase of antioxidant enzymes and a depletion of glutathione content during the first 7 days of exposure. This study showed that EROD activity and antioxidants were disrupted in a transient manner. GST was rapidly induced in a dose-dependent manner and this induction was persistent and observed also after depuration. GST appeared as a valuable biomarker to assess the exposure to Pcz.     

Induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in mammals by pesticides: A review

Abstract

The induction of drug metabolizing enzymes in mammals is summarized including both enzymes of the cytochrome P‐450‐dependent microsomal mixed function oxidase system and glutathione S‐transferases. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of pesticides as inducers, the early work being summarized while investigations carried out at North Carolina State University are considered in greater detail. Finally, the possible significance of induction is considered.     

Effect of some xenobiotics on kynurenine hydrolase and kynurenine aminotransferase of mouse liver

Abstract

The effects of some xenobiotics on the activity of the B₆‐dependent kynurenine hydrolase (KH) and kynurenine aminotransferase (KATE) in mouse liver, were investigated. Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) (400mg/kg/day ×4) markedly decreased the activity of both enzymes. Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and 3‐methylcholanthrene (3‐MC) (40mg/Kg/day ×1) as well as phénobarbital (PB) (75mg/kg/day ×3) did not alter the activity of KH, while that of KATE was mildy reduced. The response of the two enzymes to treatment with chlorpromazine (CPZ) (5mg/Kg/day ×5) were opposite with marked elevation of KH and inhibition of KATE activities. Treatment with B‐naphthoflavone (B‐NF) (80mg/Kg/day ×2), Pyrazole (200mg/Kg/day ×1) or indole (400mg/kg/day ×1) produce no change in the activity of either enzyme. It, seems therefore, that Aroclor(1254) and chlorpromazine may cause disordered kynurenine metabolism through alterations in the activities of its metabolizing enzymes. This, in turn, might affect nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis and/or the accumulation of some tryptophan metabolites suspected of being carcinogenic or co‐carcinogenic.