Collection of juvenile mullet species from a brackishwater tidal farm in Nigeria

The major constraint to the development of aquaculture in Nigeria has been the non-availability of fingerlings in required numbers of cultivable species. A specifically designed trap to collect mullet (Liza falcipinnis; Liza grandisquamis) juveniles during high tides was successful in collecting juveniles year-round. The collectors was more successful during night spring tides than during neap tides or daytime collections. Thus, the use of traps, especially in the tidal zones, could provide a cost-effective method of stocking fish farms by collecting juveniles and seed from the natural environment.

Responses of plasma transaminase activity in Cyprinus carpio var. communis to mercury toxicity

The present study reports the behavioural and enzymological responses in a freshwater teleost fish, Cyprinus carpio var. communis, exposed to acute and sublethal toxicities of mercuric chloride. During acute treatment, significant behavioural changes like erratic swimming, excess mucus secretion and increased opercular movements were noticed. During acute and sublethal treatments, both aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase activity increased throughout the study period. Comparing the treatments, the changes in enzyme activities were found high in acute treatment and all the values were significant at 5% level. The above findings can be used as non-specific biomarkers of environmental pollutants.

Sphingobacterium siyangense sp nov., isolated from farm soil

The taxonomic position of a novel Gram-negative strain, designated Sy1(T), isolated from a farm-soil sample obtained from Jiangsu Province, PR China, was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and at pH 6.0-8.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Sy1(T) is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium; Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156(T) was the nearest relative (98.5% sequence similarity). The predominant fatty acids of strain Sy1T were isoC15:0 (32.90/o), C16:0 (10.9%) and summed feature 3 (iso-C-15:0 2-OH and/or C-16:1 omega 7c; 24.1%). The DNA G + C content was 38.5 mol%. The low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (2.2 %) to S. multivorum JCM 21156 T in combination with differential morphological and biochemical properties demonstrated that strain SY1(T) (=KCTC 22131(T)= CGMCC 1.6855(T)) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium for which the name Sphingobacterium siyangense sp. nov. is proposed.

Purification and cloning of a novel C-type lectin-like protein with platelet aggregation activity from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom

TMVA, a novel C-type lectin-like protein that induces platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, was purified from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus. It consists of two subunits, alpha (15,536 Da) and beta (14,873 Da). The mature amino acid sequences of the a (135 amino acids) and beta subunits (123 amino acids) were deduced from cloned cDNAs. Both of the sequences show great similarity to C-type lectin-like venom proteins, including a carbohydrate recognition domain. The cysteine residues of TMVA are conserved at positions corresponding to those of flavocetin-A and convulxin, including the additional Cys135 in the alpha subunit and Cys3 in the beta subunit. SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry analysis and amino acid sequence showed that native TMVA exists as two convertible multimers Of (alphabeta)(2) and (alphabeta)(4) with molecular weights of 63,680 and 128,518 Da, respectively. The (alphabeta)(2) complex is stabilized by an interchain disulfide bridge between the two alphabeta-heterodimers, whereas the stabilization of the (alphabeta)(4) complex seems to involve non-covalent interactions between the (alphabeta)(2) complexes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Jerdonase, a novel serine protease with kinin-releasing and fibrinogenolytic activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom

A novel kinin-releasing and fibrin (ogen)olytic enzyme termed jerdonase was purified to homogeneity from the venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii by DEAE Sephadex A-50 anion exchange, Sephadex G-100 (superfine) gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Jerdonase migrated as a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 55 kD under the reduced conditions and 53 kD under the non-reduced conditions. The enzyme was a glycoprotein containing 35.8% neutral carbohydrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of jerdonase was determined to be IIGGDECNINEHPFLVALYDA, which showed high sequence identity to other snake venom serine proteases. Jerdonase catalyzed the hydrolysis of BAEE, S-2238 and S-2302, which was inhibited by phenymethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not affected by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Jerdonase preferentially cleaved the Aalpha-chain of human fibrinogen with lower activity towards Bbeta-chain. Moreover, the enzyme hydrolyzed bovine low-molecular-mass kininogen and releasing bradykinin. In conclusion, all results indicated that jerdonase was a multifunctional venom serine protease.

Relationship between the allelopathic activity and molecular structure of hydroxyl derivatives of benzoic acid and their effects on cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

The antialgal activities of benzoic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (gallic acid) were studied on the growth of two strains of Microcystis aeruginosa (toxic FACHB 942 and non-toxic 469). The results showed that the sequence of 50% growth inhibition concentration (ErC50) of 6- compounds for both strains of M. aeruginosa followed the same order: gallic acid > 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid > 4-hydroxybenzoic acid > salicylic acid > 3-hydroxybenzoic acid > benzoic acid. The position and the numbers of hydroxy groups between the hydroxy group and carboxyl influenced the antialgal effects of phenolic acids. We also investigated the joint effects of benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid on the growth of M. aeruginosa ( toxic FACHB 942). The mixture of phenolic allelochemicals showed the synergistic effects.

Effects of the "all-fish" growth hormone transgene expression on non-specific immune functions of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

This study investigated non-specific immune functions of the F-2 generation of "all-fish" growth hormone transgenic carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Lysozyme activity was 145.0 (+/- 30.7) U ml(-1) in the transgenic fish serum and 105.0 (+/- 38.7) U ml(-1) in age-matched non-transgenic control fish serum, a significant difference (P < 0.01). The serum bactericidal activity in the transgenics was significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.05), with the percentage serum killing of 59.5% (6.83%) and 50.8% (8.67%), respectively. Values for leukocrit and phagocytic percent of macrophages in head kidney were higher in transgenics than controls (P < 0.05). However, the phagocytic indices in the transgenics and the controls were not different. In addition, the mean body weight of the transgenics was 63.4 (6.65) g, much higher than that of the controls [39.2 (+/- 3.30) g, P < 0.01]. The absolute weight of spleen of the transgenics [0.13 (+/- 0.03) g] was higher than that of the controls [0.08 (+/- 0.02) g, P < 0.01]. However, there was no difference in the relative weight of spleen between the transgenics and the controls, with the spleen mass index being 0.21% (+/- 0.02%) and 0.20% (+/- 0.03%), respectively. This study suggests that the "all-fish" growth hormone transgene expression could stimulate not only the growth but also the non-specific immune functions of carp. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

KINETICS OF SIZE-FRACTIONATED AND DISSOLVED ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE IN A FARM POND

Nutrient addition bioassays were conducted in 10 L carboys with water from a eutrophic farm pond. The four bioassay treatments each conducted in triplicate were control (no nutrients added), +N (160 mu mol L(-1) NH4Cl), +P (10 mu mol L(-1) KH2PO4), and N+P (160 mu mol L(-1) NH4Cl and 10 mu mol L(-1) KH2PO4). The size fractionated (0.2-0.8, 0.8-3, > 3 mu m) contents of the carboys were analyzed after 7 d for alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and chlorophyll-a content. Chlorophyll data suggested P deficiency in ammonium and control mesocosms and no P deficiency with phosphate additions. Pond water also was collected in June, August, October, and March for measurement of APA. In water from the pond, the greatest V-max of APA usually was associated with microorganisms in the size classes between 0.8-3 mu m. In mesocosm experiments, the N+P treatment increased V-max of dissolved and particulate associated APA in the 0.2-0.8 mu m size range and in dissolved form. The V-max of APA in the largest size-fraction (> 3 mu m) increased markedly with P deficiency (+N treatment) and decreased in the P-enrichment treatment. The patterns of APA and chlorophyll associated with different size fractions often varied independently among different treatments and seasons and not always as a function of P deficiency, indicating the difficulty of attempting to normalize APA to phytoplankton biomass or chlorophyll. The Michaelis half saturation constant of APA in the pond water showed no strong trends with varied seasons or size fraction.

Carbon-supported Pd nanocatalyst modified by non-metal phosphorus for the oxygen reduction reaction

A carbon-supported palladium catalyst modified by non-metal phosphorus(PdP/C) has been developed as an oxygen reduction catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells.The PdP/C catalyst was prepared by the sodium hypophosphite reduction method. The as-prepared Pd nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 2 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that P enters into the crystal lattice of Pd and forms an alloy.

Pyrrolide-supported lanthanide alkyl complexes. Influence of ligands on molecular structure and catalytic activity toward isoprene polymerization

The N,N- bidentate ligands 2- {( N- 2,6- R) iminomethyl)} pyrrole ( HL1, R) dimethylphenyl; HL2, R) diisopropylphenyl) have been prepared. HL1 reacted readily with 1 equiv of lanthanide tris( alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), affording lanthanide bis(alkyl) complexes L(1)Ln(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)(n) (1a, Ln= Lu, n = 2; 1b, Ln = Sc, n = 1) via alkane elimination. Reaction of the bulky ligand HL2 with 1 equiv of Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)( THF)(2) gave the bis(pyrrolylaldiminato) lanthanide mono(alkyl) complexes L(2)(2)Ln- (CH2SiMe3)(THF) (2a, Ln) Lu; 2b, Ln = Sc), selectively. The N,N- bidentate ligand HL3, 2- dimethylaminomethylpyrrole, reacted with Ln( CH2SiMe3) 3( THF) 2, generating bimetallic bis( alkyl) complexes of central symmetry ( 3a, Ln = Y; 3b, Ln = Lu; 3c, Ln = Sc). Treatment of the N,N,N,N- tetradentate ligand H2L4, 2,2'-bis(2,2-dimethylpropyldiimino) methylpyrrole, with equimolar Lu(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded a C-2- symmetric binuclear complex ( 4). Complexes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 4 represent rare examples of THF- free binuclear lanthanide bis( alkyl) complexes supported by non- cyclopentadienyl ligands. All complexes have been tested as initiators for the polymerization of isoprene in the presence of AlEt3 and [ Ph3C][B(C6F5)(4)]. Complexes 1a, 1b, and 3a show activity, and 1b is the most active initiator, whereas 2a, 2b, 3b, 3c, and 4 are inert.

Structure-activity relationship of surfactant for preparing DMFC anodic catalyst

Three kinds of surfactants as stabilizer were applied to the preparation of electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The catalysts have been characterized by examining their catalytic activities, morphologies and particle sizes by means of cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that the surfactants with different structures have a significantly influence on the catalyst shape and activity. The catalysts prepared with non-ionic surfactants as the stabilizer show higher activity for direct oxidation of methanol. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis has been explored and the effect of hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB value) has also been discussed.

THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF HETEROPOLY ACIDS (SALTS) AND MONO-LACUNARY HETEROPOLY TUNGSTOPHOSPHORIC COMPOUND IN THE OXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS

The catalytic activity of heteropoly compounds in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and cyclohexa nol under phase transfer conditions has been studied. The catalytic activity of six kinds of heteropoly acids with Keggin structure will drop by the order of GeMo12 (H4GeMo12O40). PW12, PMo12, SiMo12, GeW12 and SiW12. When the three protons of H3PW12O40 Were replaced by Na+ step by step, the catalytic activity will raise gradually with the drop of acidity. The addition of base and trace amount of sulfuric acid to the reaction system resulted in an increase of catalytic activity. It was found that catalytic activity of mono-lacunary heteropoly compounds is higher than that of the primary heteropoly acids (or salts). The catalytic oxidation system of HPA-H2O2-PTC is very active in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol ana cyclohexanol, but it has little activity in the oxidation of inactive compounds such as n(or iso)-proplalcohol. n-butyl alcohol and n-hexanol. Solvent has great effect on reaction, when polar compounds such as water were used as solvent, the catalytic activity is better than that when non-polar compounds were used as solvent.

Influence of several non-nutrient additives on nonspecific immunity and growth of juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L.

The effects of three non-nutrient additives on nonspecific immunity and growth of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) were studied in this feeding experiment. The five treatments are basal diet alone, basal diets containing three different additives [0.4 g kg(-1) of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), 1.3 g kg (-1) of yeast cell wall and 0.8 g kg (-1) of bile acids] individually or in combination. Two hundred and twenty-five turbots (average initial weight 151.3 +/- 11.3 g) were randomly allotted in five treatments with three replicates within each treatment in a 72-day period. Comparing with basal diet group, activities of C3, C4, phagocyte, lysozyme, specific growth rate and feed conversion rate in yeast cell wall, XOS and the combined groups was enhanced significantly (P < 0.05); however, these parameters in bile acid groups were increased slightly (P > 0.05) except for phagocyte (P < 0.05); superoxide dismutase activity in additive groups was not significantly increased (P > 0.05) except for the combined group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of yeast cell wall and XOS enhanced the nonspecific immunity of juvenile turbot. Synergistic or additive effect of the three additives was not observed.

Preparation of high-molecular weight and high-sulfate content chitosans and their potential antioxidant activity in vitro

The influence of molecular weight and substitution degree of sulfated polysaccharides on their biological activity is considered in majority of works involving the anticoagulant or antiviral properties of these substances. Therefore, the present paper describes the effect of preparation conditions of sulfated chitosans on their molecular weight and sulfur content, such as different reaction time, acid solvent and temperature. Foregoing literature expounded the action of dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) as acid solvent in homogeneous reaction. However, DCAA is expensive and noxious, therefore, in the present paper cheap and non-noxious formic acid (88%) was in place of DCAA. Furthermore, during reaction formic acid was not dehydrated. Under formic acid we obtained the satisfying results that was higher yield and equivalent sulfur contents compared to DCAA. IR and C-13 NMR spectrums proved the structure of the resultant obtained under formic acid or DCAA to be same. Now, it has not been reported for formic acid as acid solvent in homogeneous reaction of chitosan sulfatation. In this present paper, we also determined antioxidant activity of high-molecular weight and high-sulfate-content chitosans (HCTS). The results showed that HCTS could scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radical. Its IC50 is 0.012 and 3.269 mg/mL, respectively. It had obviously reducing power and slight chelating activity. The data obtained in in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of HCTS. It is a potential antioxidant in vitro. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of pore ring number of zeolites on catalytic performance of Mo/Zeolite in methane aromatization under non-oxygen condition

The catalytic behavior of Mo-based zeolite catalysts with different pore structure and size, particularly with 8 membered ring ( M R), 10 M R, coexisted 10 and 12 M R, and 12 M R, was studied in methane aromatization under the conditions of SV=1500 ml/(g.h), p=0.1 MPa and T = 973 K. It was found that the catalytic performance is correlated with the pore structure of the zeolite supports. The zeolites that possess 10 MR or 10 and 12 MR pore structure with a pore diameter equal to or slightly larger than the dynamic diameter of benzene molecule, such as ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZRP-1 and MCM-22, are fine supports. Among the tested zeolite supports, MCM-22 exhibits the highest activity and selectivity for benzene. A methane conversion of 10.5% with benzene selectivity of 80% was achieved over Mo/MCM-22 catalyst. The Mo/ERS-7 catalyst with 8 MR (0.45 nm) does not show any activity in methane dehydro-aromatization, while Mo/JQX-1 and Mo/SBA-15 catalysts with 12 MR pore exhibit little activity in the reaction. It can be concluded that the zeolites with 10 MR pore or coexisted 10 and 12 MR, having pore size equal to or slightly larger than the dynamic diameter of benzene molecule, are fine supports for methane activation and aromatization.