Partial characterization of the hemolytic activity of the nematocyst venom from the jellyfish Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye

Using a recently developed technique to extract jellyfish venom from nematocysts, the present study investigated the hemolytic activity of Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye nematocyst venom on chicken erythrocytes. Venom extract caused a significant concentration-dependent hemolytic effect. The extract could retain its activity at -80 degrees C but was unstable when kept at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for 2 days. The hemolytic activity was inhibited by heating within the range of 37-100 degrees C. The extract was active over a pH range of 5.0-8.63 and the pH optima for the extract was 7.8. Incubation of the venom with sphingomyelin specially inhibited hemolytic activity by up to 70%. Cu2+ and Mn2+ greatly reduced the hemolytic activity while Mg2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+ produced a relatively low inhibiting effect on the hemolytic activity. Treatment with Ca2+ induced a concentration-dependent increase in the hemolytic activity. In the presence of 5 mM EDTA, all the hemolytic activity was lost, however, the venom containing 1.5 mM EDTA was stable in the long-term storage. PLA(2) activity was also found in the nematocyst venom of C. nozakii. These characteristics provide us a fundamental knowledge in the C. nozakii nematocyst venom which would benefit future research. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

青海油菜蜂花粉酶解破壁前后营养成分的比较

对青海油菜蜂花粉及生物酶解破壁花粉的营养成分进行了分析和比较。结果表明，花粉经酶解破壁后，粗蛋白、粗脂肪、还原糖、核酸、总黄酮、灰份、多数氨基酸、维生素（A、B、C和K）及黄酮类化合物（原青花素、芦丁、槲皮素、异鼠李索）的含量得到了明显提高，而K、Na、Ca���Mg、Fe、Zn、Cu、Cr、Cd、Ni、Mn等矿质元素的含量无明显变化。青海油菜花粉经破壁后更有利于营养成分和活性成分的释放。

Development of a sensitive fluorescent derivatization reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC) and its application for determination of amino acids from seeds and bryophyte plants using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and identification with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of amino acids and peptides using the tagging reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed. Identification of derivatives was carried out by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). The chromophore of 2-(9-carbazole)-ethyl chloroformate (CEOC) reagent was replaced by 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing reagent BCEOC. BCEOC can easily and quickly label peptides and amino acids. Derivatives are stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z (M + H)(+) under electrospray ionization (ESI) positive-ion mode with an exception being Tyr detected at negative mode. The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed a product at m/z 246.2 corresponding to the cleavage of C-O bond of BCEOC molecule. Studies on derivatization demonstrate excellent derivative yields over the pH 9.0-10.0. Maximal yields close to 100% are observed with a 3-4-fold molar reagent excess. Derivatives exhibit strong fluorescence and extracted detzvatization solution with n-hexane/ethyl acetate (10:1, v/v) allows for the direct injection with no significant interference from the major fluorescent reagent degradation by-products, such as 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethanol (BDC-OH) (a major by-product), mono- 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl carbonate (BCEOC-OH) and bis-(1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl) carbonate (BCEOC)(2). In addition, the detection responses for BCEOC derivatives are compared to those obtained with previously synthesized 2-(9-carbazole)-ethyl chloroformate (CEOC) in our laboratory. The ratios AC(BCEOC)/AC(CEOC) = 2.05-6.51 for fluorescence responses are observed (here, AC is relative fluorescence response). Separation of the derivatized peptides and amino acids had been optimized on Hypersil BDS C-18 column. Detection limits were calculated from 1.0 pmol injection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, and were 6.3 (Lys)-177.6 (His) fmol. The mean interday accuracy ranged from 92 to 106% for fluorescence detection with mean %CV < 7.5. The mean interday precision for all standards was < 10% of the expected concentration. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of > 0.9999. Good compositional data could be obtained from the analysis of derivatized protein hydrolysates containing as little as 50.5 ng of sample. Therefore, the facile BCEOC derivatization coupled with mass spectrometry allowed the development of a highly sensitive and specific method for the quantitative analysis of trace levels of amino acids and peptides from biological and natural environmental samples. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Digestibility, nutrient balance and urinary purine derivative excretion in dry yak cows fed oat hay at different levels of intake

A feeding trial A as conducted at the farm of Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Xining, China during 1996 - 1997 with three dry yak cows (initial body weight 163 - 197 kg, age 5 - 6 years) by using 3 x 3 Latin Square Design to determine the effect of levels of feed intake on digestion, nitrogen balance and purine derivative excretion in urine of yak cows. The animals were fed oat hay (nitrogen 13.5 g/kg dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy 8.3 MJ/kg DM), i.e., 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 of voluntary intake (VI). Each intake treatment lasted for 17 days and the samples (feeds, faeces and urine) were collected during last 7 days of each period. The results indicate that digestibility of dietary DM, OM, NDF and ash declined when intake levels increased from 0.3 to 0.9 VI [DM, from 66.1% to 59.1% (P < 0.05); OM, from 68.1% to 59.9% (P < 0.05); NDF, from 62.1% to 54.3% (P < 0.05); and ash, from 33.9% to 11.8% (P < 0.05)]. Around 0.10 g N/kg W-0.75 was deficient daily in yak cows at 0.3 VI, and positive N balances were observed at 0.6 and 0.9 VI. Intake levels significantly (P < 0.05) affected total PD excretion in yak urine. The proportion of allantoin increased (P < 0.05) and uric acid decreased (P < 0.05) as intake level of feed increased. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photosynthesis of Saussurea superba and Gentiana straminea is not reduced after long-term enhancement of UV-B radiation

Experiments were conducted in an alpine Kobresia humilis meadow near Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station (37degrees29'-37degrees45'N, 101degrees12'-101degrees33'E; altitude 3200 m). Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthesis of the alpine plants of Saussurea superba and Gentiana straminea were investigated. Both species were exposed to a UV-B-BE density at 15.80 kJ m(-2) per day, simulating nearly 14% ozone (O-3) reduction during the plant growing season. Neither photosynthetic CO2 uptake rate nor photosynthetic O-2 evolution rate were decreased after a long period of enhanced UV-B radiation treatment. On the contrary, there was a tendency to increase of both parameters in both species. The photosynthetic pigments were also increased, when expressed on a leaf area basis. UV-B absorbing compounds, detected by the absorbance values at 300 mm, had a tendency to increase in both species after enhanced UV-B radiation. After long-term exposure of plants to enhanced UV-B radiation, leaf morphology was also affected. Leaf thickness in both S. superba and G. straminea were increased significantly (P < 0.001). This supports our hypothesis that the increase of leaf thickness in both species after long-term exposure of enhanced UV-B radiation could compensate for the photodestruction of photosynthetic pigments when light passes through the leaf. Therefore, photosynthesis is not reduced in either species when expressed on leaf area basis. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

大洋有孔虫微量元素研究

The most novel aspect of this thesis is the combination analysis of the boron isotopes and trace elements. What’s more, it also provides a reliable analytical technique, which is suitable for both boron isotopes and trace elements. Al/Ca values can be used to monitor the clay removal during the sample preparation. It is found that when Al/Ca>100 mol/mol, the measured boron isotopic compositions are always several permil lower than those properly cleaned. B/Ca ratios can be used to calculate the exact boron loaded for each sample. Otherwise, too much loading will lead to too long time for the whole analytical sequence, and too less loading might incur serious blank problem. One other benefit besides those discussed above is that the combination analysis of boron isotopes and trace elements on the same sample allows reconstruction of the marine carbonate system and atmospheric pCO2 without assumption of the other parameter. In the marine carbonate system, with the seawater pH from the foraminiferal 11B, one has to make an assumption on the other variable to obtain the rest four variables. A series studies found that U/Ca and B/Ca are potential proxies for seawater [CO32-]and [HCO3-], respectively. Since they are measured on the same sample with boron isotopes, hence, there is no spatial or temporal ambiguity in the incorporation of the two controlling parameters. With 11B and U/Ca, the reconstructed atmospheric pCO2 variations match the atmospheric pCO2 record from the Vostok ice core within ±20 ppm. The incorporations of U and B into foraminiferal carbonates are controlled by the overall growth rate of individual foraminifers and other possible factors. The reliable application of these proxies still require further calibrations. In a similar fashion, the combination analysis of boron isotopes and Mg/Ca also has great advantages. Mg/Ca has been proved to be a reliable proxy for the surface seawater temperature. With the combination analysis, one can determine the phase between changes in atmospheric pCO2 and surface seawater temperature, thus explore the cause and mechanism of the changes in atmospheric pCO2. .

中国炼锌向大气排汞及其环境影响的初步研究

汞是一种毒性极强的环境污染物。由于汞能在大气中存在并能长距离迁移，因此汞已经被定义为全球性污染物。研究表明有色金属锌的冶炼是大气汞的一个重要的人为汞污染源。西方发达国家在炼锌过程中由于有严格的污染物控制措施，使得这个问题得到有效的控制。由于经济和技术的原因我国大多数锌冶炼企业在冶炼过程中没有进行烟气汞的回收，从而使得我们不能借鉴国外的相关研究成果。我国2005年精锌总产量占到了世界的1/4，是全世界最大的锌锭生产国家，但相关的研究却非常滞后。近年来我国锌冶炼向大气排汞的问题已经引起了国际争议，而且冶炼过程中排放的汞对局部生态系统会产生重要影响，因此锌冶炼过程中释放汞所造成的环境问题已经越来越受到人们的关注和重视。 本研究的目的是通过对不同锌矿山的锌矿石和浮选锌精矿以及冶炼厂不同源锌精矿的研究从而了解我国的矿石汞含量，及矿石浮选过程中汞的分配；通过对冶炼过程向大气排汞的研究，认识锌精矿中汞在锌冶炼过程中的分配，估算不同冶炼方式汞的释放因子。如A、B和C冶炼厂是用不同的工艺来炼锌的，其汞的释放因子也不同。通过对土法炼锌区和工业炼锌区水体、土壤、大气和植物中汞的分布、迁移转化规律的研究，认识锌冶炼对局部生态系统产生的影响。 1.矿石和锌精矿中汞的研究 成因和分类不同的铅锌矿床锌矿石和浮选锌精矿中汞的测定结果表明：凡口矿的矿石和浮选的锌精矿中汞含量比兰坪矿矿石和浮选锌精矿高了2个数量级。凡口矿锌矿石和锌精矿中汞的含量分别是64.5-107 mg∙kg-1，588-602 mg∙kg-1；对应兰坪矿锌矿石和锌精矿中汞的含量分别是0.23~0.40 mg∙kg-1，1.91-3.33 mg∙kg-1。不同冶炼厂不同矿源的锌精矿中汞含量测定结果表明：不同源锌精矿中汞含量在0.10-1100 mg∙kg-1之间，变动范围非常大。而冶炼厂冶炼所用的混合锌精矿中汞含量差别不大，冶炼所用的混和锌精矿汞含量在37-105 mg∙kg-1之间变动。 2.锌精矿中汞在冶炼过程中的分配和汞释放因子的研究 对采用不同炼锌工艺的冶炼厂和有除汞工艺的A、B冶炼厂所用的锌精矿中的汞在冶炼过程分配的质量平衡对比表明，A冶炼厂和B冶炼厂锌精矿中的汞在冶炼过程中的分配显著不同，主要制约因素是是否对烟气中汞进行回收。在烟气到达除汞设备前，A和B冶炼厂在焙砂和尘、酸洗、电除雾等流程对烟气中汞的去除效果相近。不同的是，A厂要进行烟气汞回收，烟气经过汞回收后，50%以上烟气中的汞在这一流程被去除。这使得A、B冶炼厂后续的流程制酸吸收汞和排向大气汞所占的比例有较大的差异。 不同冶炼方式的汞释放因子表明，无任何环保措施的土法炼锌活动的释汞因子为113 g·t-1，不对烟气汞进行回收的B厂和C冶炼厂汞的释放因子分别为49 g·t-1和243 g·t-1，对烟气汞回收的A冶炼厂汞的释放因子为5.7 g·t-1。综合各种不同炼锌方式的汞释放因子及其精锌产量，得出了锌冶炼过程中汞的综合释放因子，从而估算出我国锌冶炼向大气排汞量约61.3-178 t·y-1。 3.锌冶炼对局部生态系统的影响 炼锌区的冶炼废渣是冶炼过程中的主要废弃物，随意堆放的废渣是当地农田土壤的重要汞污染源，大气汞中活性汞和颗粒态汞的沉降也是当地农田土壤另一个汞污染源。土法炼锌区和工业炼锌区土壤分析结果表明，工业炼锌对局部环境的影响更为严重。土壤汞含量对比如下：A冶炼厂周边环境污染土壤汞含量259-2990 μg·kg-1，远高于威宁土法炼锌点污染土壤汞含量72-355 μg·kg-1。威宁土法炼锌点土壤中甲基汞含量的分析表明，在冶炼点附近的土壤中甲基汞绝对含量和甲基汞/总汞的比例都高于其它样点，说明冶炼点附近土壤中汞的甲基化水平提高。A冶炼厂污水处理渣亦没有得到妥善的处理，成为当地潜在的汞污染源。 土法炼锌区水体汞的含量明显受到冶炼渣的影响。工业炼锌过程产生的废水经处理后的水汞含量100%超过国家工业废水排放标准，这些处理后的水的排放是当地重要的汞污染源。A冶炼厂周边稻田水分析表明，溶解态甲基汞占溶解态总汞的的平均比率（5%）远高于一般自然水体（<1%），可能与稻田特殊环境有关。 土法炼锌区大气汞含量测定表明，冶炼点附近大气汞浓度剧增，高达5220 ng·m-3，锌冶炼是当地主要的大气汞污染源。大气汞浓度的提升，是导致农作物玉米叶部位汞含量增高的原因。植物体的地上绿色部分通过叶片吸收大气汞是植物体内汞富集的重要途径之一。 土法炼锌区和工业炼锌区农作物果实中汞含量的测定结果对比如下：A冶炼厂附近稻田产出的部分大米样品中总汞含量已经超过了国家食品限量卫生标准（20 µg·kg-1），所有辣椒中总汞含量全部超出了国家蔬菜卫生限量标准（10 µg·kg-1）。土法炼锌区所取农作物样品未出现果实汞含量超标现象。食用这些汞含量超标的食物将对当地居民带来潜在的危害。

Catalytic reduction of NO over in situ synthesized Ir/ZSM-5 monoliths

The catalytic performance of Ir-based catalysts was investigated for the reduction of NO under lean-burn conditions over binderless Ir/ZSM-5 monoliths, which were prepared by a vapor phase transport (VPT) technique. The catalytic activity was found to be dependent not only on the Ir content, but also on the ZSM-5 loading of the monolith. With the decreasing of the Ir content or the increasing of the ZSM-5 loading of the monolith, NO conversion increased. When the ZSM-5 loading on the cordierite monolith was raised up to ca. 11% and the metal Ir content was about 5 g/l, the NO conversion reached its maximum value of 73% at 533 K and SV of 20 000 h(-1). Furthermore, both the presence of 10% water vapor in the feed gas and the variation of space velocity of the reaction gases have little effect on the NO conversion. A comparative test between Ir/ZSM-5 and Cu/ZSM-5, as well as the variation of the feed gas compositions, revealed that Ir/ZSM-5 is very active for the reduction of NO by CO under lean conditions, although it is a poor catalyst for the C3H8-SCR process. This unique property of Ir/ZSM-5 makes it superior to the traditional three-way catalyst (TWC) for NO reduction under lean conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.