Cyro-hydrogel for the construction of a tyrosinase-based biosensor

A new immobilization method for construction of a tyrosinase based biosensor is described. A simple physical freezing technique was adopted for preparation. The immobilized enzyme yields specific activities that are more than 22% of the soluble enzyme. The enzyme electrode can be stored in dry state for more than three months without any loss of activity. The biosensor was applied to the determination of several phenols and o-diphenols. The lowest detect limit is 0.02 mu mol/1 and the linear range was 1.0 X 10(-7)-1.0 X 10(-4) mol/1 for catechol. The kinetic parameters have also been calculated.

TWO SPECIFIC CAUSES OF CELL MORTALITY IN FREEZE-THAW CYCLE OF YOUNG THALLI OF PORPHYRA YEZOENSIS (BANGIALES, RHODOPHYTA)1

Porphyra yezoensis Ueda is an important marine aquaculture crop with single-layered gametophytic thalli. In this work, the influences of thallus dehydration level, cold-preservation (freezing) time, and thawing temperature on the photosynthetic recovery of young P. yezoensis thalli were investigated employing an imaging pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) fluorometer. The results showed that after 40 d of frozen storage when performing thallus thawing under 10 degrees C, the water content of the thalli showed obvious effects on the photosynthetic recovery of the frozen thalli. The thalli with absolute water content (AWC) of 10%-40% manifested obvious superiority compared to the thalli with other AWCs, while the thalli thawed at 20 degrees C showed very high survival rate (93.10%) and no obvious correlation between thallus AWCs and thallus viabilities. These results indicated that inappropriate thallus water content contributed to the cell damage during the freeze-thaw cycle and that proper thawing temperature is very crucial. Therefore, AWC between 10% and 40% is the suitable thallus water content range for frozen storage, and the thawing process should be as short as possible. However, it is also shown that for short-term cold storage the Porphyra thallus water content also showed no obvious effect on the photosynthetic recovery of the thalli, and the survival rate was extremely high (100%). These results indicated that freezing time is also a paramount contributor of the cell damage during the freeze-thaw cycle. Therefore, the frozen nets should be used as soon as time permits.

Enrichment of the hydrogen-producing microbial community from marine intertidal sludge by different pretreatment methods

To determine the effects of pretreatment on hydrogen production and the hydrogen-producing microbial community, we treated the sludge from the intertidal zone of a bathing beach in Tianjin with four different pretreatment methods, including acid treatment, heat-shock, base treatment as well as freezing and thawing. The results showed that acid pretreatment significantly promoted the hydrogen production by sludge and provided the highest efficiency of hydrogen production among the four methods. The efficiency of the hydrogen production of the acid-pretreated sludge was 0.86 +/- 0.07 mol H-2/mol glucose (mean +/- S.E.), whereas that of the sludge treated with heat-shock, freezing and thawing, base method and control was 0.41 +/- 0.03 mol H-2/mol glucose, 0.17 +/- 0.01 mol H-2/mol glucose, 0.11 +/- 0.01 mol H-2/mol glucose and 0.20 +/- 0.04 mol H-2/mol glucose, respectively. The result of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that pretreatment methods altered the composition of the microbial community that accounts for hydrogen production. Acid and heat pretreatments were favorable to enrich the dominant hydrogen-producing bacterium, i.e. Clostridium sp., Enterococcus sp. and Bacillus sp., However, besides hydrogen-producing bacteria, much non-hydrogen-producing Lactobacillus sp. was also found in the sludge pretreated with base, freezing and thawing methods. Therefore, based on our results, we concluded that, among the four pretreatment methods using acid, heat-shock, base or freezing and thawing, acid pretreatment was the most effective method for promoting hydrogen production of microbial community. (C) 2009 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON CRYOPRESERVATION OF SYDNEY ROCK OYSTER (SACCOSTREA GLOMERATA) LARVAE

In this study several parameters critical to the success of cryopreserving Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) larvae were investigated. They were: (1) cryoprotectants (10% dimethyl sulfoxide and 10% propylene glycol). (2) freezing protocols (with or without the seeding step). (3) larval concentrations (1,000, 3,000, 5,000, 10,000, 30,000 individuals mL(-1)). and (4) larval ages (6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h old). The survival rates were determined as percentages of postthaw larvae performing active movements for the 6 and 12 h larvae or active cilia movement for the 24, 48 and 96 h larvae. Analyses showed that the difference in survival rates between different age classses was significant in all the experiments conducted, with the maximum survival rate being achieved in the 24-h-old larvae the postthaw survival rates of larvae cryopreserved with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (93.1 +/- 0.2%) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) that those with 10% propylene glycol (81.5 +/- 0.4%). Differences in postthaw survival rates between different concentrations (1,000 30,000 individuals mL(-1)) were not significant within each of the three larval age classes (6-, 12-, and 24-h-old ) used.

高盐度浓海水的冷冻脱盐技术研究

海水经淡化技术提取淡水后，被浓缩一倍左右的剩余海水被称为高盐度浓海水。日产10万t淡水的海水淡化厂，同时产生10万t以上高盐度浓海水。随着海水淡化规模的迅速扩大，大量浓海水的排放必将对生态环境造成难以估量的威胁。目前，世界各国通常采用浓海水直接排海的方法来处理。这不但威胁了脆弱的生态环境，而且限制了海水淡化事业的发展。同时，海水中大量的化学资源被白白浪费，不符合绿色化学准则与节约资源的要求。研究浓海水资源的综合利用，不但能够缓解浓海水造成的污染，而且能够节约能耗，提高经济效益。 本论文研究了冷冻脱盐法处理浓海水的作用机理，探讨了应用冷冻脱盐工艺技术处理浓海水的效果，研究了不同实验条件下冰冻浓海水的脱盐效率，以及多次分步冷冻处理之后，得到的低盐度冰和高盐度盐水的主要离子组成和性质。并利用ICP-MS对其主要离子含量进行测定。 实验结果表明：离心机转速变化对冰冻浓海水脱盐、脱除钙镁离子的影响显著。不同离心转速条件下，对脱盐和脱除钙镁离子均有较好效果，脱除率均达到88.5%和87.4%以上。随着离心转速的提高，脱盐率提高，转速4000r/min达到最大，但是其变化幅度减小，进一步提高转速对脱盐率和钙镁离子脱除率的提高影响不大。多步冷冻脱盐的实验表明，一次冷冻离心分离，冰晶的盐度可降低99.0%。与原浓海水相比，钾、钠、钙、镁等主要离子含量降低到原浓海水的3%以下。多步离心分离之后，得到的浓盐水的盐度达到原浓海水的3.3倍。通过对微量金属离子含量的分析表明，冷冻脱盐技术对各种微量离子的脱除率不同，如铜的脱除率为94.3%,钴的脱除率为94.8%，铀的脱除率为60.6%。多步冷冻脱盐后，冰融化成水的总量达到被处理的浓海水总体积的2/3以上。

Comparative analysis of methods for concentrating venom from jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye

In this study, several methods were compared for the efficiency to concentrate venom from the tentacles of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye. The results show that the methods using either freezing-dry or gel absorption to remove water to concentrate venom are not applicable due to the low concentration of the compounds dissolved. Although the recovery efficiency and the total venom obtained using the dialysis dehydration method are high, some proteins can be lost during the concentrating process. Comparing to the lyophilization method, ultrafiltration is a simple way to concentrate the compounds at high percentage but the hemolytic activities of the proteins obtained by ultrafiltration appear to be lower. Our results suggest that overall lyophilization is the best and recommended method to concentrate venom from the tentacles of jellyfish. It shows not only the high recovery efficiency for the venoms but high hemolytic activities as well.

Use of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) to evaluate the quality of cryopreserved sperm in red seabream (Pagrus major)

In the present study, the quality of post-thaw sperm of red seabream Pagrus major frozen with 6-24% DMSO was investigated. The motility, average path velocity and fertilizing capacity of fresh and their corresponding post-thaw sperm were examined for evaluation of the post-thaw sperm motion characteristics and its association with fertilizing capacity. An analysis of sperm motility before and after cryopreservation has been performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). For post-thaw sperm frozen with 12-21% DMSO, the percentages of motile sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed 10 s after activation. Moreover, the main motility pattern and swimming velocity of the motile post-thaw sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed and the progressive linear motion was still the dominant pattern. However, the total motility of post-thaw sperm (72.3 +/- 6.3%) 30 s after activation was (P < 0.05) lower than the corresponding fresh sperm (82.7 +/- 7.2%). Additionally, the fertilizing capacity of post-thaw sperm was investigated with a standardized sperm to egg ratio 500:1. There is a linear regression relationship between the percentage of motile post-thaw sperm and fertilizing capability. These data demonstrate that 12-21% DMSO can provide good protection to the sperm during the freezing-thawing process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

内蒙古龙头山Ag-Pb-Zn多金属矿床成矿模式及找矿模型

The recent years research indicated that middle-south section of Da Hinggan Mountains metallogenic belt has two periods(Hercynian and Yanshanian) characteristics of metallogenesis, as well as the most of ore deposits in the area closely relate to Permian strata. Longtoushan ore deposit discovered in 2004 is an Ag-Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposit born in Permian and located in the east hillside of the metallogenic belt, which has considerable resources potentials. It has important research value for its good metallogenic location and blank research history. Base on the detail field geology studies, the geology characteristics of "two stages and three kinds of metallogensis" has established. According to further work through geochemistry research including trace element, REE, S, Pb and Sr isotope, as well as petrography, microtemperature measurement, Laser Raman analysis and thermodynamics calculation of fluid inclusion, origin and characteristic of the ore-forming material and fluid has been discussed. And a new technology of single pellet Rb-Sr isochrones has been tried for dating its born time. Bae on above work, study of ore deposit comparison has been carried out, and metallogesis controlling factor and geological prospecting symbol have been summarized. Finally, metallogenic model and prospecting model have been established. According to above, the next step work direction has been proposed. Main achievement of the paper are listed as follow: 1.Longtoushan ore deposit has experienced two metallogenic periods including hot-water sedimentation period and hydrothermal reformation period. There are three kinds of metallizing phase: bedded(or near-bedded) phase, vein-shaped phase and pipe-shaped phase. The mian metallogenic period is hot-water sedimentation period. 2.Ore deposit geochemistry research indicated that the metal sulfides have charcateristic of hot-water sedimentation metallogensis, but generally suffered later hydrothermal transformation. The barite mineral isotope content is homogenous, showing the seabed hot-water sedimentation origin characteristic. Wall rock, such as tuff is one of metallogenic material origins. Both of Pb model age and Rb-Sr isochrone research older age value than that of strata, possibly for been influenced by hydrothermal transformation, and interfusion of ancient basis material. 3.There are two kinds of main metallogenic fluid inclusion in barite of the Longtoushan ore deposit, which are rich gas phase( C type) and liquid phase (D type). Their size is 2～7um, and principal components is H2O. Both kinds of fluid inclusion have freezing point temperature -7.1～-2.4℃ and -5.5～-0.3℃, salinity 4.0～10.6wt% and 0.5～8.5wt%, homogeneous temperature 176.8～361.6℃ and 101.4～279.9℃, which peak value around 270℃ and 170℃, respectively. Density of the ore-forming fluid is 0.73～0.97g/cm3, and metallogenic pressure is 62.3×105～377.9×105Pa. Above characteristic of the fluid inclusion are well geared to that of ore deposit originated in seabed hot-water sedimentation. 4.Through the comparison research, that Longtoushan ore deposit has main characteristic of hot-water sedimentation ore deposit has been indicated. Ore-forming control factor and prospecting symbol of it has been summarized, as well as metallogenic model and prospecting model. Next step work direction about prospecting has also been proposed finally.

东南极格罗夫山地区的土壤特征及其环境研究

The Grove Mountains, including 64 nunataks, is situated on an area about 3200km2 in the inland ice cap of east Antarctica in Princess Elizabeth land (72o20'-73°101S, 73°50'-75o40'E), between Zhongshan station and Dome A, about 450km away from Zhongshan station (69°22'S, 76°22'E). Many workers thought there was no pedogenesis in the areas because of the less precipitation and extreme lower temperature. However, during the austral summer in 1999-2000, the Chinaer 16 Antarctic expedition teams entered the inland East Antarctica and found three soil spots in the Southern Mount Harding, Grove Mountains, East Antarctica. It is the first case that soils are discovered in the inland in East Antarctica. Interestingly, the soils in this area show clay fraction migration, which is different from other cold desert soils. In addition, several moraine banks are discovered around the Mount Harding. The soil properties are discussed as below. Desert pavement commonly occurs on the three soil site surfaces, which is composed of pebbles and fragments formed slowly in typical desert zone. Many pebbles are subround and variegated. These pebbles are formed by abrasion caused by not only wind and wind selective transportation, but also salt weathering and thaw-freezing action on rocks. The wind blows the boulders and bedrocks with snow grains and small sands. This results in rock disintegration, paved on the soil surface, forming desert pavement, which protects the underground soil from wind-blow. The desert pavement is the typical feature in ice free zone in Antarctica. There developed desert varnish and ventifacts in this area. Rubification is a dominant process in cold desert Antarctic soils. In cold desert soils, rubification results in relatively high concentrations of Fed in soil profile. Stained depth increases progressively with time. The content of Fed is increasing up to surface in each profile. The reddish thin film is observed around the margin of mafic minerals such as biotite, hornblende, and magnetite in parent materials with the microscope analyzing on some soil profiles. So the Fed originates from the weathering of mafic minerals in soils. Accumulations of water-soluble salts, either as discrete horizons or dispersed within the soil, occur in the soil profiles, and the salt encrustations accumulate just beneath surface stones in this area. The results of X-ray diffraction analyses show that the crystalline salts consist of pentahydrite (MgSO4-5H2O), hexahydrite (MgSO4-6H2O), hurlbutite (CaBe2(PO4)2), bloedite (Na2Mg(S04)2-4H2O), et al., being mainly sulfate. The dominant cations in 1:5 soil-water extracts are Mg2+ and Na+, as well as Ca2+ and K+, while the dominant anion is SO42-, then NO3-, Cl- and HCO3-. There are white and yellowish sponge materials covered the stone underside surface, of which the main compounds are quartz (SiO2, 40.75%), rozenite (FeSOKkO, 37.39%), guyanaite (Cr2O3-1.5H2O, 9.30%), and starkeyite (MgSO4-4H2O, 12.56%). 4) The distribution of the clay fraction is related to the maximum content of moisture and salts. Clay fraction migration occurs in the soils, which is different from that of other cold desert soils. X-ray diffraction analyses show that the main clay minerals are illite, smectite, then illite-smectite, little kaolinite and veirniculite. Mica was changed to illite, even to vermiculite by hydration. Illite formed in the initial stage of weathering. The appearance of smectite suggests that it enriched in magnesium, but no strong eluviation, which belongs to cold and arid acid environment. 5) Three soil sites have different moisture. The effect moisture is in the form of little ice in site 1. There is no ice in site 2, and ice-cement horizon is 12 cm below the soil surface in site 3. Salt horizon is 5-10 cm up to the surface in Site 1 and Site 2, while about 26cm in site 3. The differentiation of the active layer and the permafrost are not distinct because of arid climate. The depth of active layer is about 10 cm in this area. Soils and Environment: On the basis of the characteristics of surface rocks, soil colors, horizon differentiation, salt in soils and soil depth, the soils age of the Grove Mountains is 0.5-3.5Ma. No remnants of glaciations are found on the soil sites of Mount Harding, which suggests that the Antarctic glaciations have not reached the soil sites since at least 0.5Ma, and the ice cap was not much higher than present, even during the Last Glacial Maximum. The average altitude of the contact line of level of blue ice and outcrop is 2050m, and the altitude of soil area is 2160m. The relative height deviation is about 110m, so the soils have developed and preserved until today. The parental material of the soils originated from alluvial sedimentary of baserocks nearby. Sporepollen were extracted from the soils, arbor pollen grains are dominant by Pinus and Betula, as well as a small amount Quercus, Juglans, Tilia and Artemisia etc. Judging from the shape and colour, the sporepollen group is likely attributed to Neogene or Pliocene in age. This indicates that there had been a warm period during the Neogene in the Grove Mountains, East Antarctica.

情绪应激对大鼠体液免疫功能的影响及其机制

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of emotional stress on humoral immunoactivity and to examine whether the sympathetic nervous system was involved in the immunomodulation. In the present study, two types of emotional stressors were used. One was footshock apparatus used to cause the rats which were given footshock before, emotional stressed; the other was an empty water bottle used to cause the rats which were trained to drink water at two set times each day, emotional stressed. The effect of emotional stress on the primary immune function (anti-ovallum antibody level and spleen index), the endocrine response (corticosterone level, epinephrine and norepinephrine level), the behavioral changes (freezing, defecation, grooming and attacking behavior) were investigated. The main results were: 1. Two types of emotional stress significantly increased the level of plasma corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine, as well as freezing, defecation and attacking behavior. 2. Two types of emotional stress significantly decreased the level of anti-ovallum antibody. A negative correlation between catecholamine level (epinephrine and norepinephrine) and antibody level or spleen index was found. 3. β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol could reverse the immunomodulation induced by emotional stress. 4. After two types of emotional stress, c-fos expression was observed in the following brain areas or nucleus; arcuate nucleus, anterior commissure nucleus, diffuse part of dorsalmedial nucleus hypothalamus, lateral dorsal nucleus thalamus, medial nucleus amygdala, solitary nucleus, frontal cortex and cingulum. These brain areas and nucleus are involved in the central modulation of the autonomic nervous system. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that emotional stress can suppress humoral immunity and the activation of the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the humoral immunomodulation induced by emotional stress.