Cultured gill epithelial cells from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): a new in vitro assay for toxicants

A culture gill epithelium from seawater-adapted tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was developed for testing PAHs and dioxin-like contaminants in seawater. The epithelia consists two to three layers of epithelial cells incorporating both pavement cells and mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs). Polarity and a stable transepithelial resistance (TER) were maintained. and closely resembled those in fish gills in vivo. The tightness (integrity) of the epithelia remained unchanged upon exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB#126), while a concentration-dependent response of EROD activity in the epithelia was induced within 18-24 h when the apical side was exposed to these toxicants. The 24 h EC50 of EROD activity was 2.77 x 10(-7) M for PCB#126, 1.85 x 10(-7) M for B[a]P and 7.38 x 10(-10) M for TCDD. showing: that the preparation was not only sensitive to PAHs and dioxin-like compounds, but also able to produce inductive potency of AhR agonists that generally agreed with those derived from other established in vitro and in vivo systems. The results suggest, that the cultured gill epithelia from seawater-adapted tilapia may serve as a simple. rapid and cost-effective tool for assessing exposure and potential effects of toxicants in marine waters. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiplex detection of mutations in clinical isolates of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by short oligonucleotide Ligation assay on DNA chips

A new approach, short-oligonucleotide-ligation assay on DNA chip (SOLAC), is developed to detect mutations in rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The method needs only four common probes to detect 15 mutational variants of the rpoB gene within 12 h. Fifty-five rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates were analyzed, resulting in 87.3% accuracy and 83.6% concordance relative to DNA sequencing.

Development of a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic assay for fish Aquareovirus based on RT-PCR

A rapid, sensitive and highly specific detection method for Aquareovirus based on reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed. Based on multiple sequence alignment of the cloned sequences of a local isolates, the Threadfin reovirus (TFV) and Guppy reovirus (GPV) with Grass carp reovirus (GCRV), a pair of degenerate primers was selected carefully and synthesized. Using this primer combination, only one specific product, approximately 450 bp in length was obtained when RT-PCR was carried out using the genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of TFV, GPV and GCRV. Similar results were also obtained when Chum salmon reovirus (CSRV) and Striped bass reovirus (SBRV) dsRNA were used as templates. No products were observed when nucleic acids other than the dsRNA of the aquareoviruses described above were used as RT-PCR templates. This technique could detect not only TFV but also GPV and GCRV in low titer virus-infected cell cultured cells. Furthermore, this method has also been shown to be able to diagnose GPV-infected guppy (Poecilia reticulata) that exhibit clinical symptoms as well as GPV-carrier guppy. Collectively, these results showed that the RT-PCR amplification method using specific degenerate primers described below is very useful for rapid and accurate detection of a variety of aquareovirus strains isolated from different host species and origin. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oligonucleotide ligation assay-based DNA chip for multiplex detection of single nucleotide polymorphism

An oligonucleotide ligation assay-based DNA chip has been developed to detect single nucleotide polymorphism. Synthesized nonamers, complementary to the flanking sequences of the mutation sites in target DNA, were immobilized onto glass slides through disulfide bonds on their 5' terminus. Allele-specific pentamers annealed adjacent to the nonamers on the complementary target DNA, containing 5'-phosphate groups and biotin labeled 3'-ends, were mixed with the target DNA in tube. Ligation reactions between nonamers and pentamers were carried out on chips in the presence of T4 DNA ligase. Ligation products were directly visualized on chips through enzyme-linked assay. The effect of G:T mismatch at different positions of pentamers on the ligation were evaluated. The results showed that any mismatch between pentamer and the target DNA could lead to the decrease of ligation, which can be detected easily. The established approach was further used for multiplex detection of mutations in rpoB gene of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new enzyme immunoassay for PCDD/F TEQ screening in environmental samples: Comparison to micro-EROD assay and to chemical analysis

A new Enzyme ImmunoAssay (EIA) for PCDD/F TEQ measurement in extracts of environmental samples was described. The bioassay TEQ which derived from EIA and EROD were compared with each other and with results from chemical analysis. For all environmental samples, the EROD-TEQ is higher than the value from chemical analysis. However, the EIA-TEQ is much more identical with the value from chemical analysis. Our results indicate that the EIA assay is a complementary method to the EROD assay and should be useful as a rapid and sensitive screening tool for environmental samples in many situations. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

A settlement inhibition assay with cyprid larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite

A settlement inhibition assay using barnacle cyprid larvae, Balanus amphitrite, was developed with Cd2+ and phenol as standard reference toxicants. Mean percentage settlement of cyprid larvae showed a progressive reduction with increasing concentrations of Cd2+ and phenol. A significant reduction in settlement was found when cyprids were exposed to 0.1 mgL(-1) Cd2+ or 10 mgL(-1) phenol. The assay was used to assess the sublethal toxicity of three oil dispersants (Vecom B-1425 GL, Norchem OSD-570 and Corexit 9905) commonly used in Hong Kong waters. Results of this investigation show that the barnacle settlement inhibition assay can be incorporated into the battery of tests currently available for ecotoxicological assessment of marine contaminants. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

A phototaxis inhibition assay using barnacle larvae

The effects of sublethal concentrations of phenol and cadmium on the phototactic responses of the stage II nauplii of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite were investigated. Increased toxicant concentrations caused a reduction in phototactic responses. Balanus amphitrite nauplii exposed to nominal phenol concentrations of 100 ppm and higher for 1-12 h failed to exhibit phototactic responses, while longer exposure times of 24 and 48 h reduced the lowest observable effect concentration (LOECs) to 80 and 60 ppm, respectively. For cadmium, the LOECs, based on nominal concentrations, for B. amphitrite following 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h exposures were 20, 4.5, 4.0, 1, and 0.75 ppm, respectively. The LOECs can be significantly reduced by increasing the duration of exposure to the toxicants. A good relationship exists between the phototactic response and toxicant concentration as well as exposure time. Results of this study indicate that the toxicant-induced reduction in phototactic responses of barnacle larvae can be used in a sensitive, rapid screening test for ecotoxicological assessments. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A colorimetric assay for screening microcystin class compounds in aquatic systems

Secondary metabolites produced by water-blooming cyanobacteria in eutrophic waters include some potent hepatotoxins, These compounds also have tumour-promoting properties, attributable to their inhibition and activation of protein phosphatases and kinases respectively. The inhibitory effect of these toxins on protein phosphatases have been employed in a commonly used radiometric assay, involving the use of a P-32-labeled substrate, for the detection and quantitation of these compounds. This paper investigates and describes a colorimetric method in which the activity of protein phosphatase 2A is determined by measuring the rate of colour production from the release of yellow p-nitrophenol using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate. Results of this study suggest that the colorimetric protein phosphatase inhibition assay is a simple, inexpensive tool for screening substances that may have tumour-promoting characteristics in aquatic systems. The detection limit of the colorimetric method is comparable to the radiometric assay. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

双花千里光、川芎及宽叶羌活的化学成分研究

本论文由四章组成。第一、二和三章分别报道了双花千里光、川芎和宽叶羌活的化学成分研究。从三种药用植物中共分离和鉴定了40 个化学成分，其中8个为新化合物。第四章概述了藳本属植物及日本川芎的化学成分研究进展。 第一章包括三个部分。第一部分报道双花千里光（Senecio dianthus Franch.）地上部分乙醇提取物的化学成分。采用正、反相硅胶柱层析等各种分离方法，从中共分离出8 个艾里莫酚型倍半萜内酯，其中5 个是新化合物，并且有1 个为首次发现的连接了含氮原子取代基的艾里莫酚型倍半萜内酯。它们的结构经MS、IR、NMR及X-单晶衍射等解析方法确定为2b-angeloyloxy-10b-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (1)、6b-angeloyloxy-10b-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (2)、2b-angeloyloxy-8b,10b- dihydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (3)、2b-angeloyloxy-8a-hydroxyeremophil-7(11),9(10)-dien-8b,12-olide (4)和8b-amino-10b- hydroxyleremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (5)。这8 个倍半萜内酯经体外生物活性测试表明均具有通过抑制巨噬细胞增殖抵制破骨细胞增生的活性。第二部分对艾里莫酚型倍半萜内酯的质谱裂解规律进行了初步探讨。第三部分报道双花千里光茎、和叶花的挥发油成分分析。采用传统水蒸气蒸馏法分别提取了双花千里光茎、叶和花的挥发油，用气相色谱－质谱联用（GC-MS）技术分别分离鉴定了其化学成分，从茎、叶和花挥发油中各分离和鉴定出70、80 和73 种化学成分，分别占挥发油总量的91.2％、85.7％及93.4％。 第二章包括两个部分。第一部分报道川芎（Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.）根茎乙醇提取物的化学成分。通过正、反相硅胶柱层析等分离纯化和MS、NMR及X-单晶衍射等解析方法，共分离鉴定了21 个化合物，结构类型分属于苯酞、二聚苯酞、香豆素和脂肪酸类。其中2 个为结构比较新颖的二聚苯酞类化合物：chuanxiongnolide A (19)和chuanxiongnolide B (20)，化合物19 的结构经X-单晶衍射得到确证。第二部分报道川芎挥发油的化学成分。采用不同的提取方法（溶剂萃取法、水蒸气蒸馏法、CO2 超临界流体萃取法）提取川芎挥发油，同时采集不同产地（四川彭县、四川郫县、云南鹤庆）及不同品质（川芎、奶芎、苓子）的川芎产品，利用GC-MS 技术分离鉴定其挥发油的化学成分，计算各成分的相对含量，并对比分析其中的异同。 第三章报道宽叶羌活（Notopterygium forbesii Boiss.）根茎化学成分的分离纯化和结构鉴定。通过正、反相硅胶柱层析等分离纯化和MS、NMR 等解析方法，共分离鉴定了13 个化合物，结构类型分属于香豆素、二氢异香豆素、甾体和羧酸类。其中1 个新二氢异香豆素类成分鉴定为6-methoxy-hydrangenol (37)。 第四章概述了藳本属植物及日本川芎化学成分的研究进展。 This dissertation consisted of four chapters. The former three chaptersrespectively elaborated the phytochemical investigation of three herbal medicines:Senecio dianthus Franch., Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Notopterygium forbesiiBoiss.. Forty compounds, including eight new ones, were isolated and identified byspectral and chemical evidence. The fourth chapter elaborated the study progress ofchemical constituents of Ligusticum genus and Cnidium offcinale. The first chapter consisted of three parts. The first part is about the chemicalconstituents of ethanol extraction and essential oils from the aerial parts of S. dianthu.Eight eremophilenolides were isolated and identified. Among them, five ones are newcompounds and one of them is a novel eremophilenolide attched with an amino group.The structures of the new compounds were identified as 2b-angeloyloxy-10b-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (1)，6b-angeloyloxy-10b-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (2)，2b-angeloyloxy-8b,10b-dihydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (3)，2b-angeloyloxy-8a-hydroxyeremophil-7(11),9(10)-dien-8b,12-olide (4) and8b-amino-10b-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8a,12-olide (5) by spectral evidence andX-ray crystallography analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for theiranti-osteoclstogenesis activity using a proliferation inhibit assay with microphagecells. The second part elementarily discussed the characteristic fragmentation oferemophilenolides isolated from S. dianthus in ESI-MS.The latter part is about thechemical constituents of essential oil extracted from stems, leaves and flowers of S.dianthus with steam distillation. By the GC-MS analysis, 70, 80 and 73 compoundswere respectively isolated and identified which accounted for more than 91.2％, 85.7％ and 93.4％ of total essential oil. The second chapter, including two parts, is about the the chemical constituents ofethanol extraction and essential oils from rhizomes of L. chuanxion. In the first part, twenty-one compounds were isolated and iedntified. Two ones are novel dimericphthalides and the structures were suggested as chuanxiongnolide A (19) andchuanxiongnolide B (20) by spectral evidence and confirmed by X-raycrystallography analysis. In the second part, the samples were collected from differentextract techniques (solvent extraction, steam distillation and supercriticalfluid extraction), different habitats (Peng and Pi counties, Sichuan province; Heqing,Yunnan province) and different qualities (Chuanxiong, Naixiong and Lingzi). Thechemical constituents of essential oil from L. chuanxiong were analyzed by GC-MS and were compared each other. The third chapter is about the chemical constituents of rhizomas of N. forbesii,which belongs to a endemic genus of China. Thirteen compounds were isolated andidentified. One of them is a new dihydroisocoumarin and the structure was identifiedas 6-methoxy-hydrangenol (37) by spectral evidence. The fourth chapter is a review on study progress of chemical constituents ofLigusticum species and Cnidium offcinale.

Assessment of DNA damage of Lewis lung carcinoma cells irradiated by carbon ions and X-rays using alkaline comet assay

DNA damage and cell reproductive death determined by alkaline comet and clonogenic survival assays were examined in Lewis lung carcinoma cells after exposure to 89.63 MeV/u carbon ion and 6 MV X-ray irradiations, respectively. Based on the survival data, Lewis lung carcinoma cells were verified to be more radiosensitive to the carbon ion beam than to the X-ray irradiation. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value, which was up to 1.77 at 10% survival level, showed that the DNA damage induced by the high-LET carbon ion beam was more remarkable than that induced by the low-LET X-ray irradiation. The dose response curves of '' Tail DNA (%)'' (TD) and "Olive tail moment" (OTM) for the carbon ion irradiation showed saturation beyond about 8 Gy. This behavior was not found in the X-ray curves. Additionally, the carbon ion beam produced a lower survival fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) value and a higher initial Olive tail moment 2 Gy (OTM2) than those for the X-ray irradiation. These results suggest that carbon ion beams having high-LET values produced more severe cell reproductive death and DNA damage in Lewis lung carcinoma cells in comparison with X-rays and comet assay might be an effective predictive test even combining with clonogenic assay to assess cellular radio sensitivity

Comparison of clonogenic assay with premature chromosome condensation assay in prediction of human cell radiosensitivity

Aim: To determine whether the number of non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks can predict the radiosensitivity of human cell lines. Methods: Cell lines of human ovary carcinoma cells (HO8910), human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and liver cells (L02) were irradiated with a range of doses and assessed both of cell survival and non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks at 24 h after irradiation. Cell survival was documented by a colony assay. Non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks were measured by counting the number of non-rejoining G2 chromatid breaks at 24 h after irradiation, detected by the prematurely chromosome condensed (PCC) technique. Results: A linear-quadratic survival curve was observed in three cell lines, and HepG2 was the most sensitive to gamma-radiation. A dose-dependent linear increase was observed in radiation-induced non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks measured at 24 h after irradiation in all cell lines, and HepG2 was the most susceptible to induction of non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks. A close correlation was found between the clonogenic radiosensitivity and the radiation-induced non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks (r=0.923). Furthermore, survival-aberration correlations for two or more than two doses lever were also significant. Conclusion: The number of non-rejoining G2 PCC breaks holds considerable promise for predicting the radiosensitivity of normal and tumor cells when two or more than two doses lever is tested.