Notes on the induced maturation and spawning in four-month-old Penaeus monodon Fabricius by eyestalk ablation

The ablation technique consisted of making an incision across the eyeball to allow free flow of fluids while holding the prawn under water, squeezing the eyeball contents outwards, and pinching hard the eyestalk tissue. The cut area heals completely in about a week; no application of antibiotics is necessary. Spent spawners were tagged with thin brass rings (Rodriguez, 1976) around the unablated eyestalk for a separate experiment on rematuration. Two spawning yielding approximately 277,000 eggs were obtained three weeks after ablation, followed four days later by two more spawnings with 160,000 eggs; all four spawners weighed more than 100 g. With a hatching rate of 98% and 78% for the first and second batch, respectively, the spawnings produced viable nauplii. Water temperatures as low as 23 degree C due to a delayed cold spell in March depressed molting; weakened larvae had to be discharged at the mysis stage. Although ovarian development continued, no further spawnings were obtained due mainly to the onset of bacterial and fungal disease. Infection is initiated in injured portions of the exoskeleton, sometimes penetrating right through the muscles to the ovarian tissues. The non-flowthrough conditions and mussel meat feeding led to fouling of the culture water resulting in consecutive mortalities caused by disease. Female P.monodon held in maturation pens were ablated at the age of 15 months (Santiago, et al., 1976); they averaged only 16 g body weight after four months growth in ponds. In another experiment, pond-reared P.monodon females ranging from 50 to 80 g were ablated at approximately seven months (Aquacop, 1977). The present results show a minimum age of four months from postlarve that P.monodon is capable of ovarian development and spawning upon ablation. However, maturation is probably affected by size as well as age - the four-month old females weighed an average of 100 g in contrast to the smaller animals in the earlier experiments.

Cloning and expression of zebra fish ferroportin and investigating its influence on anemia

Iron is required for many microbes and pathogens for their survival and proliferation including Leishmania which cause leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is an increasingly serious infectious disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. These range from localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) lesions to a lethal visceral form. Certain strains such as BALB/c mice fail to control L. major infection and develop progressive lesions and systemic disease. These mice are thought to be a model of non-healing forms of the human disease such as kala-azar or diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. Progression of disease in BALB/c mice has been associated with the anemia, in last days of their survival, the progressive anemia is considered to be one of the reasons of their death. Ferroportin (Fpn), a key regulator of iron homeostasis is a conserved membrane protein that exports iron across the duodenal enterocytes as well as macrophages and hepatocytes into the blood circulation. Fpn has also critical influence on survival and proliferation of many microorganisms whose growth is dependent upon iron, thus preparation of Fpn is needed to study the role of iron in immune responses and pathogenesis of micoorganisms. To prepare and characterize a recombinant ferroportin, total RNA was extracted from Indian zebrafish duodenum, and used to synthesize cDNA by RT-PCR. PCR product was first cloned in Topo TA vector and then subcloned into the GFP expression vector pEGFP–N1. The final resulted plasmid (pEGFP-ZFpn) was used for expression of FPN-EGFP protein in Hek 293T cells. The expression was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometery. Recombinant Fpn was further characterized by submission of its predicted amino acid sequences to the TMHMM V2.0 prediction server (hidden Markov model), NetOGlyc 3.1 server and NetNGlyc 3.1 server. Data emphasised that obtained Fpn from indian zebrafish contained eight transmembrane domains with N- and C-termini inside the cytoplasm and harboured 78 mucin-type glycosylated amino acid. The results indicate that the prepared and characterized recombinant Fpn protein has no membrane topology difference compared to other Fpn described by other researcher. Our next aim was to deliver recombinant plasmid (pEGFP-ZFpn) to entrocyte cells. However, naked therapeutic genes are rapidly degraded by nucleases, showing poor cellular uptake, nonspecificity to the target cells, and low transfection efficiency. The development of safe and efficient gene carriers is one of the prerequisites for the success of gene therapy. Chitosan and alginate 139 polymers were used for oral gene carrier because of their biodegradability, biocompatibility and their mucoadhesive and permeability-enhancing properties in the gut. Nanoparticles comprising Alginate/Chitosan polymers were prepared by pregel preparation method. The resulting nanoparticles had a loading efficiency of 95% and average size of 188 nm as confirmed by PCS method and SEM images had showed spherical particles. BALB/c mice were divided to three groups. The first and second group were fed with chitosan/alginate nanoparticles containing the pEGFP-ZFpn and pEGFP plasmid, respectively (30 μgr/mice) and the third group (control) didn’t get any nanoparticles. The result showed BALB/c mice infected by L.major, resulted in higher hematocryte and iron level in pEGFP-ZFpn fed mice than that in other groups. Consentration of cytokines determined by ELISA showed lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and higher levels of IFN-γ/IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios in pEGFP-ZFpn fed mice than that in other groups. Morover more limited increase of footpad thickness and significant reduction of viable parasites in lymph node was seen in pEGFP-ZFpn fed mice. The results showed the first group exhibited a highr hematocryte and iron compared to the other groups. These data strongly suggests the in vivo administration of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles containing pEGFP-ZFpn suppress Th2 response and may be used to control the leishmaniasis .

Spatial correlation of heat release rate and sound emission from turbulent premixed flames

The two-point spatial correlation of the rate of change of fluctuating heat release rate is central to the sound emission from open turbulent flames, and a few attempts have been made to address this correlation in recent studies. In this paper, the two-point correlation and its role in combustion noise are studied by analysing direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of statistically multi-dimensional turbulent premixed flames. The results suggest that this correlation function depends on the separation distance and direction but, not on the positions inside the flame brush. This correlation can be modelled using a combination of Hermite-Gaussian functions of zero and second order, i.e. functions of the form (1-Ax2)e-Bx2 for constants A and B, to include its possible negative values. The integral correlation volume obtained using this model is about 0.2δL3 with the length scale obtained from its cube root being about 0.6δ L, where δ L is the laminar flame thermal thickness. Both of the values are slightly larger than the values reported in an earlier study because of the anisotropy observed for the correlation. This model together with the turbulence-dependent parameter K, the ratio of the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the rate of change of reaction rate to the mean reaction rate, derived from the DNS data is applied to predict the far-field sound emitted from open flames. The calculated noise levels agree well with recently reported measurements and show a sensitivity to K values. © 2012 The Combustion Institute.

Spatial analysis for spring bloom and nutrient limitation in Xiangxi bay of three Gorges Reservoir

The spatial and temporal dynamics of physical variables, inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll a were investigated in Xiangxi Bay from 23 Feb. to 28 Apr. every six days, including one daily sampling site and one bidaily sampling site. The concentrations of nutrient variables showed ranges of 0.02-3.20 mg/L for dissolved silicate (Si); 0.06-2.40 mg/L for DIN (NH4N + NO2N + NO3N); 0.03-0.56 mg/L for PO4P and 0.22-193.37 mu g/L for chlorophyll a, respectively. The concentration of chlorophyll a and inorganic nutrients were interpolated using GIS techniques. The results indicated that the spring bloom was occurred twice in space during the whole monitoring period (The first one: 26 Feb.-23 Mar.; the second one: 23 Mar.-28 Apr.). The concentration of DIN was always high in the mouth of Xiangxi Bay, and PO4P was high in the upstream of Xiangxi Bay during the whole bloom period. Si seems no obvious difference in space in the beginning of the spring bloom, but showed high heterogeneity in space and time with the development of spring bloom. By comparing the interpolated maps of chlorophyll a and inorganic variables, obvious consumptions of Si and DIN were found when the bloom status was serious. However, no obvious depletion of PO4P was found. Spatial regression analysis could explained most variation of Chl-a except at the begin of the first and second bloom. The result indicated that Si was the factor limiting Chl-a in space before achieved the max area of hypertrophic in the first and second bloom period. When Si was obviously exhausted, DIN became the factor limiting the Chl-a in space. Daily and bidaily monitoring of Site A and B, representing for high DIN: PO4P ratio and low DIN:PO4P ratio, indicated that the concentration of Si was decreased with times at both site A and B, and the dramatically drop of DIN was found in the end monitoring at site B. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that Si was the most important factor affect the development of spring bloom both at site A and B in time series.

Origin of the double- and multi-pulse structure of echolocation signals in Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientialis)

The signals of dolphins and porpoises often exhibit a multi-pulse structure. Here, echolocation signal recordings were made from four geometrically distinct positions of seven Yangtze finless porpoises temporarily housed in a relatively small, enclosed area. Some clicks demonstrated double-pulse, and others multi-pulse, structure. The interpulse intervals between the first and second pulse of the double- and multi-pulse clicks were significantly different among data from the four different positions (p < 0.01, one-way ANOVA). These results indicate that the interpulse interval and structure of the double- and multi-pulse echolocation signals depend on the hydrophone geometry of the animal, and that the double- and multi-pulse structure of echolocation signals in Yangtze finless porpoise is not caused by the phonating porpoise itself, but by the multipath propagation of the signal. Time delays in the 180 degrees phase-shifted surface reflection pulse and the nonphase-shifted bottom reflection pulse of the multi-pulse structures, relative to the direct signal, can be used to calculate the distance to a phonating animal. (c) 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Co-occurrence and microhabitat of Ancyrocephalus mogurndae (Monogenea) and Henneguya weishanensis (Myxosporea) on gills of the mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi

Seasonal variations in a population of the monogenean Ancyrocephalus mogurndae Gussev, 1955 were investigated on gills of cage-cultured mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky), during the period from April 1994 to April 1995. The abundance of A. mogurndae peaked in late spring and summer. Prevalence was high (75-100 %) throughout the study period, and did not vary significantly between months. More than 50 % of all monogeneans were found on the first and second gill arches, except one occasion when the fourth gill arch had the majority in April 1995. The niche breadths were significantly correlated with the population abundance. A coexistent parasitic myxosporean, Henneguya weishanensis Hu, 1965, on the gills of the fish was found to have little influence on the gill-arch preference of the monogenean, although the monogenean abundance was higher in those fish infected with the myxosporean.

Spin dynamics in the second subband of a quasi-two-dimensional system studied in a single-barrier heterostructure by time-resolved Kerr rotation

Spin dynamics in the first and second subbands have been examined simultaneously by time resolved Kerr rotation in a single-barrier heterostructure of a 500 nm thick GaAs absorption layer. By scanning the wavelengths of the probe and pump beams towards the short wavelength in the zero magnetic field, the spin coherent time T-2(1)* in the 1st subband E-1 decreases in accordance with the D'yakonov-Perel' (DP) spin decoherence mechanism. Meanwhile, the spin coherence time T-2(2)* in the 2nd subband E-2 remains very low at wavelengths longer than 810 nm, and then is dramatically enhanced afterwards. At 803 nm, T-2(2)* (450 ps) becomes ten times longer than T-2(1)* (50 ps). A new feature has been discovered at the wavelength of 811nm under the bias of -0.3V (807nm under the bias of -0.6V) that the spin coherence times (T-2(1)* and T-2(2)*) and the effective g* factors (vertical bar g*(E-1)vertical bar and vertical bar g*(E-2)vertical bar) all display a sudden change, presumably due to the "resonant" spin exchange coupling between two spin opposite bands. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2008.

中药射干的化学成分研究

本学位论文由4章组成。第一章是论文的主体，报道了中药射干的化学成分研究。第二章是中药射干代用品川射干的化学成分研究，并附带报道了西番莲化学成分的研究结果。第三章是射干、川射干及西番莲提取物化学成分串联质谱分析的报道。第四章为综述，概述了射干及鸢尾属植物的化学成分和药理研究进展。 在第一和二章中分别报道了射干（Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.）、川射干 （Iris tectorum Maxim.）及西番莲（Passiflora incarnate L.）化学成分的分离纯化与结构鉴定。采用正、反相硅胶柱层析、凝胶柱层析、薄层制备及HPLC等各种分离方法，从三种药用植物中共分离出68个不同的化合物，其中61个的结构得 得以鉴定，另外4个化合物的结构正在鉴定中，3个由于量少且有点杂质未作进一步的鉴定。 中药射干（Rhizoma Belamcandae）为射干植物的干燥根茎，从中共分离出53个化合物，通过红外、质谱及核磁共振等波谱方法鉴定了包括12个新化合物在内的48个，结构类型分别属于iridal型三萜及其新颖的二聚体、异黄酮、黄酮及黄酮醇、香豆素、甾体、芳香酸和脂肪酸及其甘油酯等。新化合物中有两个异黄酮类化合物，其结构分别鉴定为5,7,8,4′-四羟基-6-甲氧基异黄酮和5,6-二羟基-4′-甲氧基异黄酮-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷；八个新的iridal型三萜化合物分别鉴定为鸢尾烯（L）、16-甲氧基鸢尾烯、16-去羟基鸢尾烯、2-(E)-16-去羟基鸢尾烯、16-去羟基鸢尾烯B、3-乙酰基-16-去羟基鸢尾烯、iristectoroneL和iristectoroneM；两个结构骨架新颖的双三萜，分别命名为射干素A和射干素B，其分离纯化的困难以及结构的新颖和复杂突显出该论文的科学意义。除这些新化合物外，还有9个已知化合物为首次从中药射干中分离得到。此外，从中药射干的代用品川射干中分离得到7个已知化合物，主要是黄酮类成分及iridal型三萜化合物，其中1个三萜化合物为从射干中分离鉴定的新成分。另外还从西番莲中分离出8个化合物，鉴定了其中的6个，主要为黄酮碳苷。 第三章是关于射干、川射干及西番莲提取物化学成分的ESI-MS-MS分析，在初步探讨了从这些植物中分离鉴定出的一些异黄酮及黄酮碳苷的质谱裂解规律基础上，通过质谱和串联质谱分析，定性和半定量地检测了射干和川射干中主要的异黄酮成分以及西番莲中的黄酮碳苷成分，为这些药材品质的快速鉴定提供了一种简便方法。 第四章概述了射干及鸢尾属药用植物的化学和药理研究进展，特别是对其中异黄酮及三萜类成分的研究进展进行了深入系统的综述。 This dissertation is composed by four chapters. The first and second chapter reports the phytochemical investigation of three medicine plants, Belamcanda chinensis (L.)DC., Iris tectorum Maxim. and Passiflora incarnate L. Sixty eight different compounds were isolated and sixty one of them were identified. The third chapter described rapid ESI-MS-MS analysis of B. chinensis, I. tectorum, and P. incarnate. The forth part is a review about the progress of studies on the chemical constituents from Belamcanda chinensis and Iris species. Fifty-three compounds were isolated from Rhizoma Belamcandae, the rhizomes of B. chinensis by the methods of column chromatography (normal and reversed phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20), preparative TLC and HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic methods including IR, ESI-MS, 1-D and 2-D NMR, forty eight of them were identified as seventeen flavonoids, seventeen tritepenoids, one cumarin, five steroids and some benzene derivative etc. Among them, the structures of twelve new compounds were elucidated as 6-methoxy-5,7,8,4′-tetrahydryoxyisoflavoe, 4′-methoxy-5,6-dihydroxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, iristectorene L, 16-methoxyisoiridogermanal, 16-dehydroxyisoiridogermanal, 2-(E)-16-dehydroxy isoiridogermanal, 16-dehydroxyiristectorene B, 3-acetyl-16-dehydroxyisoiridoger- manal, iristectorone L, iristectorone M, belamcandene A and belamcandene B. Last two new compounds are dimer of triterpenoids with a novel carbon skeleton. Beside the new compounds, nine known ones were isolated from this plant for the first time. Isolation of I. tectorum yielded seven compounds. On the basis of spectroscopic methods including ESI-MS, NMR and the comparison with authentic samples, three of them were determined as isoflavone, two of them were triterpenoids, and other two were β-sitosterol and apocynin. All of them are known compounds except one of iridal type triterpenoid, 16-dehydroxyiristectorene B, which also obtained from B. chinensis as a new compound. Isolation of P. incarnate yielded eight compounds. Six of them were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including ESI-MS, NMR and the comparison with authentic samples. Four of them are flavone-C-gluconside, and two are steroids. The third chapter describes the tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS) analysis of the isoflavonoids from B. chinensis and I. tectorum, as well as C-glycosyl-flavonoide from P. incarnate, in order to explore the rapid methodology of validating the quality of the herbs. In addition, the fractionation rules of some iosflavonoids and C-glycosyl-flavonoids were discussed. The fourth chapter summarizes the research development on chemistry and pharmacology of medicine plants of B.chinensis and Iris species.

Synthesis and identification of Heterocyclic derivatives of fullerene C-60: Unexpected reaction of anionic C-60 with benzonitrile

During the reaction of reduced C-60 with benzyl bromide in benzonitrile, a novel cis-1 C-60 adduct, 1,4-dibenzyl-2,3-cyclic phenylimidate C-60 (1), Was obtained rather than the expected product of 1,4-dibenzyl C-60. The structure of compound 1 was analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, identifying the presence of a five-membered heterocycle at a [5,6] bond of C-60. One of the heteroatoms is assigned as a nitrogen atom; however, the identity of the other heteroatom cannot be determined unambiguously by crystallography due to similarity between the nitrogen and oxygen atoms.