Induced spawning of African cat fish Clarias lazera (C. and V.) using acetone dried carp pituitary extract, deoxy-corticosterone acetate and human chorionic gonadotropin

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of carp pituitary extract, deoxycorticosterone acetate, and human chorionic gonadotropin in inducing spawning in Clarias lazera . Results indicate deoxycorticosterone acetate to be more potent than pituitary extract, although the difference is not significant

Preparation, characterization and intramolecular electron-transfer studies of ruthenium-modified cytochromes c

Redox-active ruthenium complexes have been covalently attached to the surface of a series of natural, semisynthetic and recombinant cytochromes c. The protein derivatives were characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Distant Fe^(2+) - Ru^(3+) electronic couplings were extracted from intramolecular electron-transfer rates in Ru(bpy)_2(im)HisX (where X= 33, 39, 62, and 72) derivatives of cyt c. The couplings increase according to 62 (0.0060) < 72 (0.057) < 33 (0.097) < 39 (0.11 cm^(-1)); however, this order is incongruent with histidine to heme edge-edge distances [62 (14.8) > 39 (12.3) > 33 (11.1) > =72 (8.4 Å)]. These results suggest the chemical nature of the intervening medium needs to be considered for a more precise evaluation of couplings. The rates (and couplings) correlate with the lengths of a-tunneling pathways comprised of covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds and through-space jumps from the histidines to the heme group. Space jumps greatly decrease couplings: one from Pro71 to Met80 extends the σ-tunneling length of the His72 pathway by roughly 10 covalent bond units. Experimental couplings also correlate well with those calculated using extended Hiickel theory to evaluate the contribution of the intervening protein medium.

Two horse heart cyt c variants incorporating the unnatural amino acids (S)-2- amino-3-(2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)-propanoic acid (6Bpa) and (S)-2-amino-3-(2,2'-bipyrid-4-yl)propanoic acid ( 4Bpa) at position 72 have been prepared using semisynthetic protocols. Negligible perturbation of the protein structure results from this introduction of unnatural amino acids. Redox-active Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)_2^(2+) binds to 4Bpa72 cyt c but not to the 6Bpa protein. Enhanced ET rates were observed in the Ru(bpy)_2^(2+)-modified 4Bpa72 cyt c relative to the analogous His72 derivative. The rapid (< 60 nanosecond) photogeneration of ferrous Ru-modified 4Bpa72 cyt c in the conformationally altered alkaline state demonstrates that laser-induced ET can be employed to study submicrosecond protein-folding events.

Desenvolvimento de técnica de análise de imagens digitais para avaliação do estágio da fibrose em biópsias hepáticas de pacientes portadores de hepatite crônica por vírus da hepatite B e C

As hepatites crônicas por vírus são as mais frequentes, destacando-se os vírus das hepatites B (VHB) e C (VHC). O estudo anatomopatológico da biópsia hepática é considerado o padrão ouro para avaliar com precisão a distorção arquitetural e o grau de fibrose do parênquima do fígado, importantes fatores prognósticos para os pacientes portadores de hepatites crônicas virais. Na avaliação histopatológica atual, em adição aos relatos subjetivos das alterações histológicas, escores semiquantitativos que correlacionam achados morfológicos com graus numéricos são usados, tais como os reconhecidos escores de Ishak e METAVIR. Entretanto, em todos estes sistemas há a desvantagem da subjetividade do examinador e da incorporação de alterações categóricas, sem referências às mudanças quantitativas do colágeno hepático. Técnicas de análise de imagens digitais (AID) que fornecem quantificação objetiva dos graus de fibrose em amostras histológicas têm sido desenvolvidas. Todavia, o alto custo e dificuldade ao acesso das tecnologias descritas restringem seu uso a poucos centros especializados. Este estudo visa o desenvolvimento de uma técnica de custo acessível para a análise de imagens digitais da fibrose hepática em hepatites crônicas virais. Foram estudadas 304 biópsias de pacientes com hepatite crônica por vírus B e C, obtidas através de agulhas Menghini. Todas as amostras tinham pelo menos 15 mm de comprimento ou cinco espaços-porta completos e foram coradas pelo método Tricrômico de Masson. O estadiamento foi feito por um único hepatopatologista experiente, sem o conhecimento dos dados clínicos dos pacientes. Os escores de Ishak e METAVIR foram aplicados. As imagens microscópicas foram digitalizadas. Os índices de fibrose foram determinados de forma automatizada, em técnica desenvolvida no programa Adobe Photoshop. Para o escore de Ishak, observamos os seguintes índices de Fibrose (IF) médios: 0,8% 0,0 (estágio 0), 2.4% 0,6 (estágio 1), 4,7% 1,6 (estágio 2), 7,4% 1,4 (estágio 3), 14,9% 3,7 (estágio 4), 23,4% 2,9 (estágio 5) e 34,5% 1,5 (estágio 6). Para a classificação METAVIR: 0,8% 0,1 (estágio F0), 3,8% 1,8 (estágio F1), 7,4% 1,4 (estágio F2), 20,4% 5,2 (estágio F3) e 34,5% 1,5 (estágio F4). Observamos uma excelente correlação entre os índices de fibrose da AID e os escores de Ishak (r=0,94; p<0,001) e METAVIR (r=0,92; p<0,001). Em relação à indicação de tratamento antiviral, foi observado IF médio de 16,4%. Em relação ao diagnóstico de cirrose, foi observado IF médio de 26,9%, para o escore de Ishak, e 34,5% para a classificação METAVIR. A reprodutibilidade intra-observador foi excelente. Este novo método de análise de imagens digitais para a quantificação de fibrose hepática tem custo acessível e foi desenvolvido com tecnologia que está disponível em todo o mundo, permitindo identificar com precisão todos os estágios de fibrose, com excelente reprodutibilidade intra-observador.

Nd : YAG ceramic laser obtained high slope-efficiency of 62% in high power applications

By using quite uniformly nine-stacks side-around arranged compact pumping system, a high power Nd:YAG ceramic quasi-CW laser with high slope efficiency of 62% has been demonstrated. With 450 W quasi-CW stacked laser diode bars pumping at 808 nm, performance of the Nd: YAG ceramic laser with different output coupling mirrors has been investigated. Optimum output power of 236 W at 1064 nm was obtained and corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was as high as 52.5%. The laser system operated quite stably and no saturation phenomena have been observed, which means higher output laser power could be obtained if injecting higher pumping power. The still-evolving Nd: YAG ceramics are potential super excellent media for high power practical laser applications. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Distribution and life history of two diminutive flatfishes, Citharichthys gymnorhinus and C. cornutus (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae), in the western North Atlantic

Citharichthys cornutus and C. gymnorhinus, diminutive flatfishes inhabiting continental shelves in the western Atlantic Ocean, are infrequently reported and poorly known. We identified 594 C. cornutus in 56 different field collections (68–287 m; most between 101–200 m) off the eastern United States, Bahamas, and eastern Caribbean Sea. Historical records and recently captured specimens document the northern geographic range of adults on the shelf off New Jersey (40°N, 70°W). Citharichthys cornutus measured 17.2–81.3 mm standard length (SL); males (20.0–79.1 mm SL) and females (28.0–81.3 mm SL) attain similar sizes (sex could not be determined for fish <20 mm SL). Males reach nearly 100% maturity at ≥60 mm SL. The smallest mature females are 41.5 mm SL, and by 55.1 mm SL virtually all are mature. Juveniles are found with adults on the outer shelf. Only 214 C. gymnorhinus were located in 42 different field collections (35–201 m, with 90% between 61 and 120 m) off the east coast of the United States, Bahamas, and eastern Caribbean Sea. Adults are found as far north as the shelf off Cape Hatteras, NC (35°N, 75°W). This diminutive species (to 52.4 mm SL) is among the smallest flatfishes but males (n=131; 20.3–52.4 mm SL) attain a slightly larger maximum size than that of females (n=58; 26.2–48.0 mm SL). Males begin to mature between 29 and 35 mm SL and reach 100% maturity by 35–40 mm SL. Some females are mature at 29 mm SL, and all females >35.1 mm SL are mature. Overlooked specimens in museum collections and literature enabled us to correct long-standing inaccuracies in northern distributional limits that appear in contemporary literature and electronic data bases for these species. Associated locality-data for these specimens allow for proper evaluation of distributional information for these species in relation to hypotheses regarding shifts in species ranges due to climate change effects.

p53蛋白质C端的三维结构及生物功能区

利用p53 C端118个氨基酸的mRNA二级结构和Chou-Fasman蛋白质二级结构预测原则,预测p53蛋白质C端289-325为卷曲肽段,368-393段包括两段螺旋结构:#alpha#_(1)368-373、#alpha#_(2)381-388。其中三段已知的蛋白质二级结构与此mRNA二级结构单元间有准确的对应关系。与四种以多重序列联配为基础的蛋白质二级结构预测方法(准确率均为73.20%左右)相对照,预测结果基本一致。结合单体聚合区31个氨基酸晶体结构,在SGI INDIGO~(2)工作站上构建了p53 C端108个残基的三维结构。进一步揭示了p53 C端诸多生物功能区之间的空间构象关系。

The three dimensional structure and biological domains of the p53 C-terminus.

It was expected that there are a coil (289 similar to 325) and two a helix (alpha(1)368 similar to 373, alpha(2)381 similar to 388) structures in p53 protein C-terminal region based on its mRNA secondary structure template and Chou-Fasman's protein secondary structure principle of prediction. The result was conformed by the other four methods of protein secondary structure prediction that are based on the multiple sequence alignment (accuracy = 73.20%). Combine with the 31 amino acids crystal structure of the oligomerization, the three dimensional conformation of p53 C-terminal 108 residues was built using the SGI INDIGO(2) computer. This structure further expounds the relationship among those biological function domains of p53 C- terminus at three-dimensional level.

环戊二烯基轻稀土氯化物的合成及其稳定性的研究

I LnCl_3-LiCl-THF配合物的研究深入地研究了氯化稀土和氯化锂于四氢呋喃溶液中，以不同的摩尔比，在不同条件下的反应。实验结果表明，反应速度随着稀土元素原子半径的减小，LiCl/LnCl_3摩尔比的增大，以及四氢呋喃用量的增加而加快。通过紫外质谱元素分析和X-射线单晶结构分析等证明，随着不同的LiCl/LnCl_3摩尔比和结晶条件的不同，可以得到不同组成的LnCl_3-LiCl-TNF配合物。对(LaCl)(THF)_2(μ_2-Cl)_4[Li(THF)_2]_2和(LaCl)DME(μ_3-Cl)(μ_2-Cl)_5(La·DME)Li(THF)_2晶体的结构分析表明，前者为单斜晶系，P21/C空间群。a=10.542(4), b=32.236(4), c=11.182(6)A °; β=113.50(3) °, V=3484.97 A °~3. Z=4, R=0.0471；后者为三斜晶系，PT空间群，晶胞参数是：a=11.123(3), b=16.564(5), c=8.653(3)A °;α=95.16(3), β=95.63(3), γ=74.71(3) °;V=1527.0A °~3。Z=2，R=0.0303。实验结果还表明，μ_2-和μ_3-氯桥键是LnCl_3-LiCl-THF类配合物中最基本、最重要的配位键，这种键是通过多重键的方式起着稳定分子结构的作用。当进行与有机配体的交换反应时，由于它们的特殊稳定性，能起到阻止轻稀土有机配合物歧化反应的作用。II环戊二烯基轻镧系氯化物的合成及其稳定性的研究对(G_5H_5)_3Ln·THF和LnCl_3·3LiCl-THF (Ln=La, Nd)溶液反应的研究表明，由于μ_2-氯桥键的作用，轻稀土环戊二烯基化合物中环戊二烯基的再分配反应，在0℃或室温下都能迅速进行。通过两者不同的摩尔比反应，经元素分析、红外光谱、~1H NMR和质谱鉴定，方便地合成了C_5H_5 LnCl_2·2LiCl·5THF和(C_5H_5)_2LnCl.LiCl·nTHF (Ln=La, Nd)等配合物。这一结果表明(C_5H_5)_2LnCl.LiCl·nTHF配合物不仅能稳定地存在于THF溶液中，而且能在一定条件下析出结晶。对(C_5H_5)_2LaCl.LiCl·4THF的晶体结构测定表明，该晶体属于正交晶系，Pc2m空间群。a=12.306(4), b=23.056(6), c=26.701(11)A°; V=7575.81A°~3;而(C_5H_5)_2LaCl·LiCl(DME)_2THF晶体则属于六方晶系，a=12.967(4), b=12.967(4), c=24.108(10)A°;V=3510 A°~3。通过(G_5H_5)_3Ln·THF与LnCl_3·3THF (Ln=La, Nd)的反应进一步研究了轻稀土环戊二烯基氯化物的稳定性。经元素分析，红外光谱和晶体结构分析表明合成了[(η~5-C_5H_5)_4La_3Cl_5·3THF]_2·9THF和(C_5H_5)_2 NdCl·THF配合物，前者属于三斜晶系，P1空间群。a=11.690(3), b=11.750(5), c=18.433(6)A°; α=98.75(3), β=95.62(3), γ=118.92(2)°; V=2147.06 A°~3. Z=1, R=0.099。对环戊二烯基轻稀土氯化物的稳定性进行了较详细地讨论。结果表明，THF的用量和化合物的溶解度是影响产物组成的决定因素。当THF的量不足以溶解所生成的产物时，就会歧化成溶解度最大((C_5H_5)_3Ln·THF)和最小(LnCl_3·nTHF)的两种组分。反之，环戊二烯基轻稀土化合物(Ln=La, Nd)中环戊二烯基的再分配反应就能顺利进行。经元素分析和结构测定，在((C_5H_5)_3Nd·THF)和NdCl_3·LiCl-THF溶液的反应体系中，偶然分离得到了[(η~5-C_5H_5)_4Nd_4(μ_4-o)(μ_2-Cl)_8] [Li(DMP)_2THF]_2这一不合常规的化合物，其晶体属于正交晶系，Pna2,空间群a=19.010(7), b=23.231(6), c=14.180(4); V=6261.91 A°~3。Z=4, R=0.054。说明在一定条件下,μ-氧桥键也起到了稳定分子结构的作用。推测了各类环戊二烯基轻稀土氯化物在THF中的合成反应机理,在LiCl存在的反应体系中Ln cl cl Li桥键能与环戊二烯基发生交换反应;在(C_5H_5)_3Ln·THF和LnCl_3·3THF的反应体系中,首先存在着LnCl_3分子之间的互相作用，因而易于形成双核或多核配合物。这类配合物以晶体形式析出时，易于发生结构上的变化，即化合物的结晶形态与溶液中的形态不一定相同。探索了环戊二烯基烯丙基稀土化合物新的合成方法。找到了真空加热脱水制备氯化稀土的最佳条件，其产物纯度在97%以上。通过加入Co_3O_4/Wo_3催化助燃剂的方法，提高了测定稀土有机化合物中碳含量的准确性。

Production of new superheavy Z=108-114 nuclei with U-238, Pu-244, and Cm-248,Cm-250 targets

Within the framework of the dinuclear system (DNS) model, production cross sections of new superheavy nuclei with charged numbers Z=108-114 are analyzed systematically. Possible combinations based on the actinide nuclides U-238, Pu-244, and Cm-248,Cm-250 with the optimal excitation energies and evaporation channels are pointed out to synthesize new isotopes that lie between the nuclides produced in the cold fusion reactions and the Ca-48-induced fusion reactions experimentally, which are feasible to be constructed experimentally. It is found that the production cross sections of superheavy nuclei decrease drastically with the charged numbers of compound nuclei. Larger mass asymmetries of the entrance channels enhance the cross sections in 2n-5n channels.

Charged and strange hadron elliptic flow in Cu plus Cu collisions at root s(NN)=62.4 and 200 GeV

We present the results of an elliptic flow, v(2), analysis of Cu + Cu collisions recorded with the solenoidal tracker detector (STAR) at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at root s(NN) = 62.4 and 200 GeV. Elliptic flow as a function of transverse momentum, v(2)(p(T)), is reported for different collision centralities for charged hadrons h(+/-) and strangeness-ontaining hadrons K-S(0), Lambda, Xi, and phi in the midrapidity region vertical bar eta vertical bar < 1.0. Significant reduction in systematic uncertainty of the measurement due to nonflow effects has been achieved by correlating particles at midrapidity, vertical bar eta vertical bar < 1.0, with those at forward rapidity, 2.5 < vertical bar eta vertical bar < 4.0. We also present azimuthal correlations in p + p collisions at root s = 200 GeV to help in estimating nonflow effects. To study the system-size dependence of elliptic flow, we present a detailed comparison with previously published results from Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. We observe that v(2)(p(T)) of strange hadrons has similar scaling properties as were first observed in Au + Au collisions, that is, (i) at low transverse momenta, p(T) < 2 GeV/c, v(2) scales with transverse kinetic energy, m(T) - m, and (ii) at intermediate p(T), 2 < p(T) < 4 GeV/c, it scales with the number of constituent quarks, n(q.) We have found that ideal hydrodynamic calculations fail to reproduce the centrality dependence of v(2)(p(T)) for K-S(0) and Lambda. Eccentricity scaled v(2) values, v(2)/epsilon, are larger in more central collisions, suggesting stronger collective flow develops in more central collisions. The comparison with Au + Au collisions, which go further in density, shows that v(2)/epsilon depends on the system size, that is, the number of participants N-part. This indicates that the ideal hydrodynamic limit is not reached in Cu + Cu collisions, presumably because the assumption of thermalization is not attained.

Molecular vibration spectroscopy study of irradiation effect in C-60 films induced by low energy ion

Irradiation effect in C-60 films induced by 170 keV B ion was investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. The damage cross section sigma and the effective damage radius R are deduced from the experimental data of all four IR active modes and evident four Raman active modes of C-60 molecule. The differences on irradiation sensitivity and structural stability of the different active modes of C-60 molecule are compared. The results indicate that T-1u (4) of infrared active mode and A(g) (1) of Raman active mode are most sensitive for B ion irradiation. On the other hand T-1u (2) of infrared active mode and H-g (3) of Raman active mode are comparatively stable under B ion irradiation. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3512968]

Distribution characteristics of (CS)-C-137 in wind-eroded soil profile and its use in estimating wind erosion modulus

Due to its inert reaction in soil system and distinctive vertical distribution in soil profile, caesium-137 (Cs-137) has been used as a tracer to assess wind erosion. In this study, 62 soil samples were collected from 4 sampling sites in Taipusi County, Inner Mongolia; Caesium-137 activities for those soil samples were measured using a gamma-ray spectrometry in Sichuan University, Chengdu. Distribution pattern of Cs-137 in vertical soil profile was different for different land use and land cover types. Caesium-137 was distributed homogeneously in plow layer of cropland, and negatively exponential in low to medium cover grassland. Distribution pattern in high covered grassland was represented by a peak at 2-4 cm soil depth followed by a negative exponential curve. Based on those findings, simplified mass balance model was chosen to estimate the rate of wind erosion for cropland, while profile distribution model was used for grassland. Estimated wind erosion rates were 7990, 4270 and 1808 Mg(.)km(-2.)a(-1) for cropland, low cover grassland and medium cover grassland, respectively. Wind erosion intensity correlated negatively with plant cover.

High-pressure sintering study of a novel hard material (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5 without binder metal

A novel hard material of (W0.5Al0.5)C-0.5 has been successfully sintered under high-pressure (4.5 GPa). The influence of sintering time and temperature on the microstructure, Vickers microhardness and density of the as-prepared specimens are well described. Interestingly, sintering temperature has an amazing influence on the hardness, density and microstructure of the specimen while the sintering time does not. It is found that the most suitable sintering condition from our work is 1600 degrees C and 10 min under pressure of 4.5 GPa. The hardness and relative density of the as-prepared sample can reach 2340 kg mm(-2) and 98.62%, respectively. The cell parameters of the sintered specimen is found to be little smaller than that of the powder, which we propose is related to the high pressure.

细胞色素c在羟基磷灰石修饰玻碳电极上的直接电化学

采用沉淀法合成羟基磷灰石纳米晶体 ,由于具有独特的多吸附位点特征 ,羟基磷灰石可作为一种新型电子传递促进剂用于细胞色素c的直接电化学研究 .在pH 7.0的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中 ,细胞色素c在羟基磷灰石修饰玻碳电极表面于0 0 74V (vs .Ag/AgCl)处有一对准可逆的氧化还原峰 ,为细胞色素c血红素辅基Fe(Ⅲ ) /Fe(Ⅱ )电对的特征峰 .实验结果表明细胞色素c与羟基磷灰石之间的静电作用 ,促进了细胞色素c在玻碳电极表面扩散控制的准可逆单电子转移过程 .讨论了电位扫描速度、溶液离子强度对细胞色素c直接电化学的影响