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.     

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.     

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.     

矿区植被恢复方式对土壤微生物和酶活性的影响

矿区废弃地生态退化形势严峻,生态修复已成为矿区可持续发展的主要措施,土壤微生物和酶活性可作为评价土壤恢复质量的敏感因子.本研究将以山西省安太堡煤矿复垦区作为对象,分析植被恢复方式对土壤微生物和酶活的影响.结果表明,不同植被方式对土壤理化特征、参与氮代谢的3类菌群(固氮菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌)和4种酶活性(蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶、脲酶和多酚氧化酶活)均有显著影响.土壤总氮含量与固氮菌和硝化细菌数量均显著相关,而与反硝化细菌不相关.多酚氧化酶活性与有机碳和总氮含量之间为负相关,而其它3种酶与有机碳和总氮之间呈正相关.通过主成分分析计算综合肥力指标,刺槐-油松混交林土壤综合肥力指标最高,而未复垦综合肥力指标最低.可见,刺槐-油松混交林是晋西北干旱区矿区复垦较为适宜的植被恢复模式.     

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...     

外源硒对黄瓜抗性、镉积累及镉化学形态的影响

采用盆栽试验,在土壤Cd(20 mg·kg-1)污染条件下,测定了不同浓度的Na2Se O3(Se水平为0、0.5和1.0 mg·L-1)处理对2个黄瓜(Cucumis satiuus L.)品种(低Cd富集植物品种津优1号和高Cd富集品种燕白)生物量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活性及黄瓜体内Cd形态和Cd积累量的影响.结果表明,叶面喷施硒(Na2Se O3)后,黄瓜叶、茎、根、果实、植株干重,以及Cd含量和积累量在两个品种间的差异达到了显著性水平.随硒浓度的增加,燕白叶的丙二醛(MDA)含量逐渐增加,津优1号叶的丙二醛含量则逐渐减少;燕白根的丙二醛含量先增后降,津优1号根的丙二醛含量先降后增.喷施Na2Se O3后,黄瓜叶和根的CAT、SOD和POD活性呈现不同变化趋势.喷施外源硒降低了2个品种果实中不同形态Cd含量.叶面喷施Na2Se O3使黄瓜叶、茎、根和果实中的Cd含量分别下降了3.2%~17.9%、14.6%~28.2%、5.1%~18.5%和60.6%~75.8%.比较2个供试黄瓜品种,无论喷施Na2Se O3与否,黄瓜植株中Cd积累量以津优1号燕白.     

单环硝基芳香化合物好氧生物降解及其遗传学研究进展

硝基芳香化合物是环境中难降解的有机污染物之一 ,对环境的污染日益严重 ,利用生物技术对这类有机物进行降解是行之有效的新途径。针对几种单环硝基芳香化合物好氧降解的微生物、降解途径以及降解过程中的主要酶、降解性质粒、基因定位等分子遗传学的研究进展进行了综述     

尕海湿地植被退化过程中有机碳及相关土壤酶活性变化特征

以青藏高原东缘尕海湿地不同植被退化程度样地为研究对象,采用定位研究与室内试验相结合的方法,研究植被退化过程对土壤有机碳和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:植被退化显著影响土壤有机碳含量和土壤酶活性,降低了土壤有机碳的含量和酶促反应效率,且这种影响随土层深度变化有所不同。四种植被退化阶段有机碳含量和酶活性均值总体上(0～100 cm)表现为未退化>轻度退化>中度退化>重度退化。不同土层中,20～40 cm土层的有机碳含量中度退化>轻度退化;0～10 cm土层中淀粉酶和纤二糖酶中度退化阶段活性值较高;20～100 cm土层中蔗糖酶重度退化阶段活性值最高,纤二糖酶活性重度退化>中度退化。同一退化程度土壤有机碳含量、蔗糖酶和纤二糖酶活性随土层深度增加显著降低(P<0.05);淀粉酶和纤维素酶活性在>40 cm土层中活性值有所上升,整体呈波动下降趋势。     

Cobalt-induced oxidative stress in brain, liver and kidney of goldfish Carassius auratus

Cobalt is an essential element, but at high concentrations it is toxic. In addition to its well-known function as an integral part of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂), cobalt has recently been shown to be a mimetic of hypoxia and a stimulator of the production of reactive oxygen species. The present study investigated the responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus, to 96 h exposure to 50, 100 or 150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺ in aquarium water (administered as CoCl₂). The concentrations of cobalt in aquaria did not change during fish exposure. Exposure to cobalt resulted in increased levels of lipid peroxides in brain (a 111% increase after exposure to 150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺) and liver (30-66% increases after exposure to 50-150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺), whereas the content of protein carbonyls rose only in kidney (by 112%) after exposure to 150 mg L⁻¹ cobalt. Low molecular mass thiols were depleted by 24-41% in brain in response to cobalt treatment. The activities of primary antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, were substantially suppressed in brain and liver as a result of Co²⁺ exposure, whereas in kidney catalase activity was unchanged and SOD activity increased. The activities of glutathione-related enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase, did not change as a result of cobalt exposure, but glutathione reductase activity increased by ∼40% and ∼70% in brain and kidney, respectively. Taken together, these data show that exposure of fish to Co²⁺ ions results in the development of oxidative stress and the activation of defense systems in different goldfish tissues.