MiRNA-451 is a potential biomarker for estrogenicity in mouse uterus

The uterotrophic assay has been commonly used to test environmental estrogens in vivo, however, it is often not sensitive enough sometimes. An alternative way is to evaluate estrogenicity through biomarker genes. MicroRNA （miRNA） is a class of regulatory gene, which has been shown to be a good biomarker for many diseases and toxicological effects in recent years, and some evidences showed that estrogen induced response was partially mediated by miRNAs. In this study, two types of microarrays were used to test the 17[3-estradiol （E2） induced miRNA expression profile at different time points in the immature mouse uterus. Statistical analysis showed the aldehyde slide based array had less variation than the amino slide based array, and 11 dysregulated miRNAs were screened out for significant fold change. Real-time PCR was performed to further confirm that 4 out of 7 selected miRNAs, namely miR-451, miR-155, miR-335- 5p, and miR-365, are E2 regulated miRNAs in the uterus. The function of the predicted targets of these miRNAs is involved in cell grow control, which is consistent with the main E2 function in the uterus. MiR-451 had similar strong responses to E2 in the uterus of both immature and overiectomized mice, and could be a potential biomarker for estrogenicity in the uterus.     

Biochemical evaluation of hepatotoxicity in mice due to administration of artemether

Effects of artemether administration on liver and selected biochemical parameters were evaluated. Eighty albino mice were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was given water which served as control, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were given 1.2, 2.4, or 4.8 mg kg^?1 body weight artemether intramuscularly for five consecutive days. On day 6 all mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood was collected for analysis of alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, copper, and total proteins. Liver tissues were prepared for histological studies. It was found that the serum alanine and aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were higher in groups treated with artemether compared to control. The serum concentrations of copper and total proteins were lower than control. The histological features of liver tissues after administration of artemether showed histopathological alterations. These findings showed that artemether administration may have reversible adverse effects on mouse hepatocytes.     

Biochemical properties of beryllium potentially relevant to its carcinogenicity†

The carcinogenicity of beryllium to several animal species is well established and evidence exists which strongly suggests that this is the case in human exposure. In this review several biochemical properties of the metallocarcinogen are considered including, the causation of cell transformation, and infidelity of DNA synthesis, inhibition of cell division and enzyme induction, and interference with regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression. These effects are discussed in relation to beryllium chemistry, cellular accumulation mechanisms and distribution to subcellular organdies and molecular targets. It is suggested that the ultimate location and interactions of the metal ion in cell nuclei and its selective inhibition of certain protein phosphorylation reactions in particular are the biochemical effects potentially most relevant to induction of beryllium carcinogenesis.     

Biochemical composition of a meso-bathyal lobster

To characterise some traits of the life strategies of Polycheles typhlops, a deep-sea small lobster usually encountered as by-catch within deep trawls in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), we analysed the biochemical composition of the caudal muscles of 49 specimens collected in March and April 2007. Differences in the biochemical composition between females and males were weak, but relevant differences in protein (>90% of the organic C) and lipid (4–6%) contents were observed between developmental stages both in females and males. These differences are likely to be related to different food items and/or to the metabolic shifts associated with their reproduction. We argue that this deep-sea lobster could cover a relevant role in the meso-pelagic food webs and attract future commercial interest.     

松前水稻（Oryzasativa cv.Matsumae）对土壤菲污染的生理生态响应

以松前水稻（Oryza sativa cv.Matsumae）为试验材料,研究了5种质量分数菲污染土壤对松前水稻营养生长期生长和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明：（1）菲质量分数低于20 mg·kg-1时促进茎直径的生长,随菲质量分数的增大对水稻苗期生长有明显的抑制作用。低质量分数和高质量分数的菲污染土壤对茎高和株高均有明显抑制作用,而中等质量分数影响不明显。（2）随菲质量分数的增大脯氨酸含量逐渐增大,而蛋白质含量均有不同程度的下降,植物体内存在着脯氨酸积累和蛋白质减少的反馈控制系统。（3）菲胁迫引起水稻叶片膜脂过氧化,植物体累积过量的丙二醛,且SOD活性受到不同程度的影响。（4）菲胁迫下,水稻营养生长期叶片叶绿素含量和光合作用速率无明显正相关关系。     

短程硝化的生化机理及其动力学

短程硝化的生化反应机理和动力学是生物脱氮技术的理论基础,同时也是生物脱氮工艺设计、运行科学化和合理化的重要依据.基于短程硝化的生化机理、氨氧化菌的电子传递(能量产生)模式,从微生物学和化学计量学两个方面详细论述了短程硝化一系列复杂的生化反应过程.由此可知,短程硝化是一个涉及多种酶及多种中间产物,并伴随着电子(能量)传递的复杂生化反应过程,是基质(NH4 -N)利用(产能代谢)和微生物(氨氧化菌)增殖(合成代谢)两类反应的综合,因此,研究氨氮比利用速率和氨氧化菌比增殖速率动力学则是对短程硝化反应的深层次研讨.并建议采用积分法和微分法来确定动力学参数μnmax、KN、vnmax.     

活性污泥中细菌的分离及其生理生化特性研究

从乳品废水活性污泥中分离纯化细菌,并进行生理生化特性、药敏试验研究。结果表明,H-1菌株分解葡萄糖产酸,利用乳糖、蔗糖、甘露醇等碳源;H-1菌株对头孢菌素类、氨基苷类、大环内酯类药物敏感;而对青霉素类、磺胺类等具有不同程度的耐药性。该研究对改善乳品废水活性污泥微生态、环境污染治理等具有科学指导意义。     

黄渤海表层沉积物中正构烷烃和甾醇的分布及来源研究

在黄海、渤海湾和莱州湾采集64个表层沉积物样品,分析正构烷烃（C15～C33）和甾醇（菜子甾醇、菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇）的质量分数和分子组合特征,探讨其来源,比较物质来源的空间差异。结果表明：（1）黄海表层沉积物中类脂生物标志物主要呈现陆源和海源共同影响的特征,其中北黄海以陆源输入为主,高碳数正构烷烃（〉C24）具有明显的奇碳优势,陆源高等植物的贡献较大;南黄海陆源输入与海洋自身贡献相当;渤海湾与莱州湾接受来自河流的大量陆源物质;（2）来源于陆源高等植物的甾醇（包括菜油甾醇、谷甾醇和豆甾醇）在黄海表层沉积物中的质量分数远小于渤海湾和莱州湾,但指示硅藻来源的菜子甾醇在整个研究区域均具有较高的质量分数。     

亚硝态氮和氨态氮急性胁迫下曼氏无针乌贼幼体血液的生化指标

将曼氏无针乌贼幼体置于24 h半致死剂量的亚硝态氮和氨态氮溶液中(10 mg·L-1 NaNO2和300 mg·L-1 NH4Cl),检测6、12和24 h各点及对照组曼氏无针乌贼幼体血液生化指标的变化.结果表明,随着处理时间的延长,NaNO2处理组血细胞密度(THC)(p＜0.05)、甘油三酯(TG)(p＜0.05)...     

环境中多环芳烃(PAHs)的生物标志物的功效分析

污染物的生物监测一直是环境风险评估研究的重要内容.肝脏中谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(glutathione-S -transferase,GST)、7-乙氧基-3-异吩恶唑酮-脱乙基酶(ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase,EROD)、DNA-加合物(DNA-adducts)和胆汁中多环芳烃代谢物(PAH m...