牙鲆生长相关性状遗传力估计

遗传力是数量遗传学的重要参数，对鱼类良种选育具有重要意义。可靠的遗传力估计值可以为合理制定育种计划提供宝贵信息，同时可以预测选择反应。本文按照10×3因子设计方法，10尾雄鱼与3尾雌鱼两两授精，产生10个父系半同胞、3个母系半同胞及30个全同胞家系，以微卫星分子标记为家系鉴定手段，对40日龄牙鲆生长相关性状遗传力进行了估计；同时，初步探讨了因子交配设计及人工控制条件下，亲本对子代遗传贡献率差异及有效群体大小。主要结论包括：1.初步筛选的14个微卫星位点中，有9个（Po91、Po1、Po56、Po20、Poli23、Po89、Poli121、Po42、Po13）在亲本中呈现中、高度多态性：平均等位基因9.4个；平均亲本特异性等位基因4个。用5个位点（Po91、Po1、Po56、Po20、Poli23）为346个子代中的227个个体找到所属家系；继续用另外4个位点（Po89、Poli121、Po42、Po13）分型，成功鉴定72个个体。鉴定率约86%，其中，亲本特异性等位基因的存在使鉴定效率大大提高。以上9个位点可为该群体良种选育工作提供技术支持。2. 发生降解的DNA与完整的DNA，在相同引物、相同PCR体系、相同模板浓度下扩增的带型一致。该结果证实了微卫星分型对降解的DNA同样稳定。3. 亲本对子代的遗传贡献率存在差异。雄亲的贡献率为5.8—14.3%，除3号、9号子代数较少，5号、6号子代数较多外，其它父本基本一致；母本对子代的贡献率差异较大（18.5%—50.6%），这与人工授精前雌亲发育状况、卵子质量检测结果基本一致，在一定程度上说明，母本尤其是卵子质量对鱼类早期存活具有较大影响。4. 家系内子代数目的不平衡导致实际有效群体大小下降。Ne=7.44，比理论有效群体大小（9.23）下降约19%。但与自然交配相比（有效群体下降可达75%），人工控制下的交配在一定程度上可有效限制遗传多样性的下降。5. 基于父本方差组分，40日龄生长相关性状遗传力估计值（h2s±S.E.）为（0.157±0.052）－（0.440±0.137）。加性遗传方差在表型方差中所占的比例，在一定程度上表明该牙鲆群体生长性状具有一定的选择力度。

靶向斑马鱼VEGF的shRNA表达载体的构建及其对斑马鱼胚胎血管发育的影响

血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)是一种多功能的细胞因子，其主要作用是促进血管内皮细胞增殖和增加血管通透性，是肿瘤及正常组织血管生成的中心调控因素，以VEGF为靶点的肿瘤血管靶向性治疗成为近几年肿瘤治疗的新途径。RNAi是近年来新发展的一项反向遗传学技术，是一种研究基因功能的有力工具。斑马鱼作为一种重要的模式生物，被广泛用于胚胎的分子发育机制、疾病模型的构建以及药物筛选等研究中。然而在斑马鱼中运用RNAi技术进行基因功能研究是一个相对较新的领域，研究资料较少，并且目前进行的斑马鱼RNAi实验中，siRNA大都是通过化学方法或体外转录合成的。体外合成的siRNA在进入体内后会被降解而无法达到持久阻抑基因表达的目的。因此本研究旨在探讨VEGF特异性siRNA表达载体对斑马鱼VEGF基因的沉默作用，通过分析表型及相关细胞因子的变化，阐明VEGF对斑马鱼胚胎血管生成的影响及作用机制。 研究通过计算机辅助设计软件，针对斑马鱼VEGF mRNA不同位点设计合成了4段含siRNA特异序列的DNA单链，经退火，克隆入pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo载体CMV启动子下游，构建了重组质粒pS1-VEGF、pS2-VEGF、pS3-VEGF及pS4-VEGF。 通过显微注射的方法将载体导入1-2细胞期斑马鱼体内，于胚胎发育的48 h采用RT-PCR的方法检测VEGF基因的表达量，研究不同干扰序列对VEGF基因表达的干涉作用。结果显示，针对不同位点的表达载体对VEGF基因表达的抑制效率有显著差异。它们对VEGF mRNA的抑制率分别为80.5%，42.8%，12.5%，40.7%。通过筛选我们得到了一条具有高效抑制作用的载体pS1-VEGF，该载体的相应序列靶向斑马鱼两个主要异构体VEGF165和VEGF121的共有外显子序列。 形态学检测结果显示，注射了pS1-VEGF的胚胎出现了心包膜水肿、血流速度减慢、循环红细胞堆积等症状。定量碱性磷酸酶染色显示，注射pS1-VEGF能够抑制斑马鱼胚胎新生血管的形成，当注射剂量为0.4 ng时，血管生成的抑制率为31.8%。NBT/BCIP血管染色显示，注射该载体后72 h，50%的斑马鱼肠下静脉、节间血管以及其它血管的发育受到不同程度的抑制。随着注射剂量的加大，血管发育受抑制的情况也随之加重，当注射剂量为1 ng时，只有心脏、头部及卵黄有血液循环。对干扰效果的特异性进行了研究，结果表明pS1-VEGF对斑马鱼内源基因胸苷酸合成酶（thymidylate synthase, TS）基因的表达没有明显的抑制作用。针对TS基因的shRNA表达载体及与斑马鱼没有同源性的对照载体对VEGF基因表达也没有明显的抑制作用。浓度梯度实验表明在0-1.2 ng的范围内干扰效果具有剂量依赖性。 以胚胎整体原位杂交的方法检测质粒对VEGF基因受体NRP1基因表达的影响，发现VEGF特异性shRNA表达载体能够引起NRP1基因表达的降低，说明斑马鱼中VEGF所介导的血管生成作用至少在部分上是依赖于NRP通路所调节的。 本研究工作为进一步研究斑马鱼基因功能、VEGF调控网络提供了一个快速、有效的手段，为阐明斑马鱼的血管生成机制提供了新的资料，为采用RNAi技术，以VEGF为靶点，以斑马鱼为模型对肿瘤进行基因治疗研究奠定了基础。

四种海藻热休克蛋白70（HSP70）基因的克隆与表达分析

热休克蛋白70是热休克蛋白家族中重要的成员，参与新生蛋白的折叠、转运、重折叠变性蛋白、协助降解变性蛋白和抗逆环境胁迫等功能。海带和裙带菜是浅海潮下带典型的褐藻，孔石莼和浒苔是潮间带典型的绿藻，四种大型海藻均有重要的经济价值和生态价值。随着潮汐变化固着藻类生境理化因素变化剧烈，藻类面临着严重的环境胁迫，因此研究藻类抗逆机理有着重要的意义。 本研究采用同源克隆法配合RACE-PCR，克隆了海带、孔石莼、裙带菜和浒苔HSP70基因的全序列（分别命名为LJHSP70、UPHSP70、QDHSP70和EPHSP70）。利用生物信息学方法分析了四种藻类HSP70结构特征、同源性关系和进化地位。获得的海带HSP70基因全序列长为2918 bp，5’非翻译区为248 bp，3’非翻译区为696 bp，开放阅读框为1974 bp，编码657个氨基酸，预测的分子量为72.03 kDa，等电点为4.97。获得的裙带菜HSP70基因全序列长为3243 bp，5’非翻译区为248 bp，3’非翻译区为1021 bp，开放阅读框为1974 bp，编码657个氨基酸，预测的分子量为72.03 kDa，等电点为4.96。获得的孔石莼HSP70基因全序列长为2283 bp，5’非翻译区为65 bp，3’非翻译区为247 bp，开放阅读框为1971 bp，编码656个氨基酸，预测的分子量为71.13 kDa，等电点为5.04。获得的浒苔HSP70基因全序列长为2265 bp，5’非翻译区为65 bp，3’非翻译区为217 bp，开放阅读框为1983 bp，编码660个氨基酸，预测的分子量为71.39 kDa，等电点为5.03。四种海藻HSP70氨基酸序列均含有四肽重复序列GGMP，具有三个典型的HSP70签名基序。细胞质定位的HSP70 C-末端特征基序为EEID或EEVD，并且N-端氨基酸序列保守性高于C-端。海带和裙带菜HSP70蛋白同源性为98%，孔石莼和浒苔HSP70蛋白同源性为96%，四种海藻HSP70蛋白序列与陆地植物和其他藻类HSP70蛋白序列同源性为70-80%。 利用荧光定量RT-PCR技术对不同胁迫条件处理的海带和孔石莼HSP70 mRNA的表达水平进行定量分析。不同热激温度（5-40 ℃）处理组中，30 ℃处理组的海带HSP70 mRNA表达量最高是10 ℃处理组的海带HSP70 mRNA表达量的3倍，而35 ℃或40 ℃处理组的海带HSP70表达量却低于25 ℃或30 ℃处理组的海带HSP70 mRNA表达量。25 ℃不同热激时间（0-12 h）处理组中，海带HSP70 mRNA表达量呈先上升后下降趋势。热激1 h后海带HSP70 mRNA表达量迅速上升，热激7 h后mRNA表达量达到最大，是对照组表达量的4倍。不同盐度（0‰-45‰）胁迫处理组中，0‰或5‰盐度处理组的海带HSP70 mRNA表达量是30‰盐度处理组海带HSP70 mRNA表达量的3倍。35‰、40‰和45‰盐度处理组之间HSP70 mRNA表达量较低且无显著差异。 不同热激温度（5-40℃）处理组中，20 ℃或25 ℃处理的孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量较低，而5 ℃、35 ℃、或40 ℃处理组的孔石莼HSP70 mRNA的表达量是25 ℃处理组孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量的2倍以上。30 ℃不同热激时间（0-12 h）处理组中，孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量也呈先上升后下降趋势。热激5 h后孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量达到最大，是对照组的3.5倍。不同盐度（0‰-45‰）胁迫处理组中，0‰或5‰盐度处理组的孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量是30‰盐度处理组孔石莼HSP70表达量的3倍。30‰、40‰和45‰盐度处理组孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量较低，且无显著差异。不同紫外线照射时间（0-4.0 h）和不同干燥时间（0-4.0 h）处理组中，孔石莼HSP70 mRNA表达量都在3 h后达到最高值，之后表达量维持在较高水平。 为进一步研究藻类HSP70的生物学功能，将海带HSP70基因的开放阅读框区域克隆到表达载体pEASY-E2中，并转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)pLysS。将阳性重组子培养于含有AMP（100 U/mL）的LB培养基，IPTG诱导表达，SDS-PAGE电泳鉴定。经5 h诱导，其表达量达到平台期，继续培养HSP70表达量并不显著增高。5 mM IPTG诱导海带HSP70蛋白表达量高于1 mM IPTG诱导蛋白表达量。

Seasonal variation in metabolism of cultured Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in Sanggou Bay, China

Rates of respiration and excretion of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, were measured seasonally from June 2002 to July 2003 under ambient conditions of food, water temperature, pH, and salinity in Sanggou Bay, an important mariculture coast in north China. The aim of this study is to obtain fundamental data for further establishing an energy budget model and assessing the carrying capacity for cultivation of C. gigas in north China. Oysters were collected monthly or bimonthly from the integrated culture areas of bivalve and kelp in the bay. Oxygen consumption and ammonium and phosphorus excretion rates were measured, and ratios of O/N and NIP were calculated. One-way ANOVA was applied to determine differences among these parameters that act as a function of seasonal variation. All the physiological parameters yielded highly significant variations with season (P<0.01) The rate of respiration varied seasonally, with the highest oxygen consumption rate in July and the lowest rate in January, ranging from 0.07 to 2.13 mg O-2 h(-1) g(-1) dry tissue weight (DW). Maximum and minimum ammonium excretion rates were recorded in August and January, respectively, ranging from 0.51 to 5.40 mu mol NH4-N h(-1) g(-1) DW. Rates of phosphorus excretion varied from 0.11 (in January) to 0.64 (in July) mu mol PO4-P h(-1) g(-1) DW. The O/N and N/P ratios changed from 9.2 (in January) to 59.8 (in July) and from 4.6 (in January) to 10.9 (in August), respectively. For each season, the allometric relationship between the physiological response (e.g., rate of oxygen consumption, ammonium and phosphorus excretion) and DW of the animal was estimated using the formula: Y=a x DWb. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

种植青海大黄中微量元素研究

青海地道中药材"西宁大黄"野生资源濒临枯竭,人工种植规模不断扩大.定期采集青海西宁及邻近地区两年生种植大黄,跟踪分析了其微量无素铜、锌、铁、锰、铬,为地道西宁大黄资源的可持续开发和利用提供科学依据.研究表明,种植大黄中微量元素铁、锌、铜、锰的有效积累以及土壤地球化学环境中的微量元素锌、锰、铜对种植大黄的生长具有重要的作用和意义.

新疆引种蕨状满江红的生态适应性及生物学功能初探

结合新疆的环境特点，对蕨状满江红（Azolla filiculoides Lam.）进行了一系列引种适应性试验和生物学功能测定。结果表明：蕨状满江红在新疆有很强的适应性，在5-40℃均能生长，其生长最适温度为℃，且耐低温；在2-8g/L的盐溶液及pH4-10范围内也能生长，并且可降低水体的矿化度及pH值；具有净化养殖水体和很强的富钾能力，植株钾含量最高可达干重的9.66％；水利用率高，并能有效减少养殖水体表面的蒸发，有保水作用。在新疆的河、湖和水库适量养殖蕨状满江红，可实现其生态与经济价值。

富硫流体的成因与硫酸盐还原作用研究

Origins of H_2S, thiols, thiophenes in natural gases and sulphur-enriched oils are complicated and thus some debates exist on them. The post-doctoral research is based upon oil- and gas-field data. Cases for study include Triassic Jianglingjiang Formation natural gases, Wolonghe Field, Sichuan Basin, Paleozoic oils and bitumen, Central Tarim, gases reserviored nearby Carboniferious - Ordovician unconformity, Hetianhe Field, Tarim Basin and sulphur-enriched oils in Tertiary reserviors in Jinxian Sag, Bohai Bay Basin. We have carried out analyses on the oils and gases for chemistry, δ~(13)C, δ~(34)S, and molecular composition of biomarkers, analyzed authigenetic pyrite forδ~(34)S, formation water for chemistry and δD and δ~(18)O along with petroleum system and burial history analyses, The aims are to assess the origins of the H2S and authigenetic pyrite, to discuss the possibility of reduced sulphur incorporation into hydrocarbons and to determine the mechanisms of hydrocarbon secondary alteration in the above four cases by comparison. The research shows that the reduced sulphur in the four cases is the result of thermochemical and biological sulphate reduction., TSR and BSR, respectively. No evidence indicates an origin of decomposition of organic matter or mantle - derived H2S in the cases. Elevated H_2S contents (up to 32%) in the Triassic Jialingjiang Formation are considered to result from TSR while relatively low H_2S (up to 2000ppm) in the Hetianhe Field resulted from BSR. However, it is not the case for the Central Tarim where relatively low H2S but abundant authigenetic pyrite occurr. Part of the H_2S in the Central Tarim reservoirs has reacted with iron released from clay minerals to precipitate pyrite. Thus, reduced sulphur δ~(34)S and reservoir temperatures rather than the H2S amount are reliable parameters to distinguish between TSR and BSR. TSR in Sichuan Basin Triassic Jialingjiang Formation and Central Tarim Paleozoic reservoirs are showed to take place at more than 125℃. the H2S and authigenetic pyrite have δ~(34)S close to parent anhydrite. In contrast, BSR in the reservoirs near the Carboniferous - Ordovician unconformity in the Hetianhe Field and in the Tertiary in the Jinxian Sag took place at temperatures less than 80℃with sulphide δ~(34)S as light as -24.9‰ and -12.5‰, anhydrite δ~(34)S as heavy as +26‰and +3 5-+40‰, respectively. Chemistry and isotopic composition of the natural gases change as the result of sulphate reduction. It has been observed that relative composition of light hydrocarbon gases is changed along with a rise in H_2S and CO_2. TSR in the Triassic Jialingjiang Formation and BSR in the Hetianhe Field result in a greater degree of preferential depletion of methane than larger molecular hydrocarbon gases. As TSR or BSR proceeds, hydrocarbon gases evolved to heavier carbon isotope as the result of kinetic isotopic fractionation, i.e., selective anaerobic oxidation of ~(12)C. Using the model of residual methane (Whiticar, 1999) to describe the relationship among the proportion of methane oxidation, isotopic shift and fraction factor, about 30% methane is calculated to have been oxidized during BSR in the western part of the Hetianhe Field. From the above, it can be concluded that in the area where H_2S is abundant, empiricalδ~(13)C -Ro relationships do not work. Sulphate reduction results in a rise in sulphur content, gravity and viscosity of an oil as well as changes in δ~(13)C and δ~(34)S. On special conditions, the reduced sulphur from sulphates might be incorporated into oils, i.e., the increasing sulphur is derived from secondarily reduced sulphur. A positive correlative relationship exists between sulphur content and δ~(34)S in the oils in Paleozoic reservoirs in Central Tarim, indicating that enhanced sulphur is ~(34)S-enriched, originated from TSR. The Jinxian oil with the highest sulphur content has the lightest δ~(34)S, suggesting part of the sulphur in the oil is ~(34)S-depleted, originated from BSR. In the Jinxian oil with increasing sulphur content, asphaltenes shows higher content and more negative δ~(13)C, and saturates shows evidence of biodegradetion and a decreasing content and a positive δ~(13)C shift. Thus, asphaltenes have δ~(13)C values closer to saturates. All the above indicate that the reduced sulphur has been incorporated into biodegradated saturates to generate new asphaltenes with relatively light δ~(13)C of saturates. Thiols and thiophenes in natural gases in the Triassic Jialingjiang Formation may result from reaction of H_2S with hydrocarbon. In the Jialingjiang Formation hydrocarbon gases are dominated by methane thus have a high dryness coefficient and thiols are showed to be positively related to H_2S content, suggesting that the thiols may result from H_2S reaction with short chain hydrocarbons. In contrast, high thiophenes occur in wet gases in Jurassic reservoirs with their source rock from sulphur - depleted type I kerogen, indicating that thiophenes may be a product of reaction of H2S with longer chain hydrocarbons.

东营凹陷胜坨地区油气成藏模式及其勘探前景研究

利用现代油气成藏理论，综合运用地质、地球物理和地球化学资料，对胜坨油田的油气分布、构造和圈闭、沉积和储层、油气生成和运移、以及油气勘探前景等进行了深人综合研究，进行了成藏模式和成藏机理探讨，阐明了油气富集的地质规律，明确了该区进一步勘探和开发的方向和目标。对整个胜利油区的隐蔽油气藏成因和预测具有重要的指导意义。1．通过精细的油源对比，确定了胜沱地区有效烃源岩的识别标志，查明了附近利津洼陷和民丰洼陷沙河街组烃源岩的地质地球化学特征，阐明了有效烃源岩的分布及其成因规律，说明有效烃源岩对胜佗复式油气聚集带形成的控制作用。2．通过系统的断裂形态学，断裂运动学和动力学分析，阐明了胜北断层对沙河街组沉积体系和储集性砂体分布的控制作用，以及对各种圈闭的控制作用。同时开展了构造应力场分析，再现油气运移和成藏的流体运动方向。3．通过层序地层学和沉积体系研究，建立了沙河街组储集性砂体分布模式，着重建立了Es3"和Es3下储集性砂体成因模式和分布规律，为隐蔽油气藏勘探提供依据。同时利用储层描述方法和技术，对EsZ重点储层进行高分辨率层序格架研究，阐明胜沱大油田储集空间的展布规律。4，在有效烃源岩，断裂构造和储层沉积体系研究的基础上，开展了油气运移通道和油气运移期次分析，查明胜北断裂及其次级断层是沟通研究区储层和圈闭的主要油气运移通道，扇三角洲和水下扇砂体是油气运移的另一种通道。所以与大型断层相连的砂体基本都形成了油气充满度较高的油藏。5．针对研究区沙三段下部和沙四段岩性圈闭比较发育，成藏条件良好的清况，首次利用物理模拟装置进行了单砂体油藏形成的模拟实验。结果表明，在高压异常条件下，孔隙度和渗透率对原油进人由水充满砂岩具有强烈的控制作用。虽然胜沱经过40年不断的油气勘探找到了4亿多吨原油储量，但是作者认为还具有很大的找油潜力。其中胜北断裂下降盘的沙三段下部和沙四段扇三角洲砂体，近岸水下扇砂体和浊积扇砂体具有很好的成藏条件，值得进一步勘探。

Synergetic effect between NiO and Ni3V2O8 in propane oxidative dehydrogenation

The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane was investigated on Ni-V-O catalysts in a wide range of vanadium contents (5-40%). The addition of a small amount of vanadium significantly increased the catalytic activity of NiO for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene. The formation of propene has a good correlation with the coexistence of NiO and Ni3V2O8. This result strongly suggests that a synergetic effect exists between them in NiXV1-XOY (X = 0.95 to 0.6). The best results were obtained with a high Ni/V ratio (e.g. X = 0.95 to 0.85). The active sites and selective oxygen species are discussed. The influence of the catalyst preparation technique and the redox properties of the catalyst were also examined.

The reporting behaviours of student nurses who have experienced verbal abuse

Background: There is evidence that student nurses are vulnerable to experiencing verbal abuse from a variety of sources and under-reporting of verbal abuse is prevalent throughout the nursing profession. The objective of the study is to explore the reporting behaviours of student nurses who have experienced verbal abuse. Method: For this study a definition of verbal abuse was adopted from current Department of Health (England) guidelines. Questionnaires were distributed in 2005 to a convenience sample of 156 third year nursing students from one pre-registration nursing programme in England. A total of 114 questionnaires were returned, giving an overall response rate of 73.0%. Results: Fifty one students (44.7% of responses) reported verbal abuse; all of these completed the section exploring reporting behaviours. The incidents involved patients in thirty three cases (64.7%); eight cases (15.7%) involved visitors or relatives and ten cases (19.6%) involved other healthcare workers. Thirty two students (62.7%) stated that they did report the incident of verbal abuse they experienced and nineteen (37.3%) of respondents reported that they did not. Only four incidents developed from an oral report to being formally documented. There was a statistically significant association (P = 0.003) between the focus of verbal abuse (patient/visitor or colleague) and the respondents reporting practices with respondents experiencing verbal abuse from colleagues less likely to report incidents. Most frequent feelings following experiences of verbal abuse from colleagues were feelings of embarrassment and hurt/shock. Most frequent consequences of experiencing verbal abuse from patients or relatives were feeling embarrassed and feeling sorry for the abuser. When comparing non reporters with reporters, the most frequent feelings of non reporters were embarrassment and hurt and reporters, embarrassment and feeling sorry for the abuser. When considering levels of support after the incident the mean rating score of respondents who reported the incident was 5.40 (standard deviation 2.89) and of those that did not, 4.36 (standard deviation 2.87) which was not statistically significant (p = 0.220). Conclusions: 1. Not documenting experiences of verbal abuse formally in writing is a prevalent phenomenon within the sample studied and reporting practices are inconsistent. 2. Both Higher Education Institutions and health care providers should consider emphasising formal reporting and documenting of incidents of verbal abuse during student nurse training and access to formal supportive services should be promoted. 3. Effective incident reporting processes and analysis of these reports can lead to an increased awareness of how to avoid negative interactions in the workplace and how to deal with incidents effectively.

Phenotypic diversity amongst strains of Pleurotus sajor-caju: implications for cultivation in and environments

In arid regions, biodiversity and biomass are limited by water availability, and this problem has been compounded by desertification associated with global climate change. The saprotrophic macrofungi that are indigenous to hot subtropical and tropical regions, such as Pleurotus spp., can play key roles in water sequestration, nutrient cycling, human nutrition, and bioremediation of waste materials. We studied 15 strains of Pleurotus sajor-caju, a widespread and phenotypically-diverse species, to establish variability in growth response and primordium development over a range of stress parameters: osmotic potential (-0.5 to -5 MPa), temperature (5-40 degrees C) and pH (2-12). The initiation of primordia precedes basidiome production and therefore represents a key stage in bioremediation strategies and fungi-driven nutrient cycles. Primordia were produced at low pH (4-6), at suboptimal growth temperatures (<or =25 degrees C), and under moderate water stress (-0.5 to -3.5 MPa). Although the growth windows for different strains were similar, their maximum growth rates and the optimum conditions for growth varied. We discuss the phenotypic diversity of Pleurotus strains and discuss their potential for cultivation, bioremediation and ecological regeneration.

Pedometer-driven walking for chronic low back pain:A feasibility randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of an RCT of a pedometer-driven walking program and education/advice to remain active compared with education/advice only for treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Fifty-seven participants with CLBP recruited from primary care were randomly allocated to either: (1) education/advice (E, n=17) or (2) education/advice plus an 8-week pedometer-driven walking program (EWP, n=40). Step targets, actual daily step counts, and adverse events were recorded in a walking diary over the 8 weeks of intervention for the EWP group only. All other outcomes (eg, functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ), pain scores, physical activity (PA) measurement etc.) were recorded at baseline, week 9 (immediately post-intervention), and 6 months in both groups. RESULTS: The recruitment rate was 22% and the dropout rate was lower than anticipated (13% to 18% at 6 mo). Adherence with the EWP was high, 93% (n=37/40) walked for =6 weeks, and increased their steps/day [mean absolute increase in steps/d, 2776, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1996-3557] by 59% (95% CI, 40.73%-76.25%) from baseline. Mean percentage adherence with weekly step targets was 70% (95% CI, 62%-77%). Eight (20%) minor-related adverse events were observed in 13% (5/40) of the participants. The EWP group participants demonstrated an 8.2% point improvement [95% CI, -13 to -3.4] on the ODQ at 6 months compared with 1.6% points [95% CI, -9.3 to 6.1) for the E group (between group d=0.44). There was also a larger mean improvement in pain (d=0.4) and a larger increase in PA (d=0.59) at 6 months in EWP. DISCUSSION: This preliminary study demonstrated that a main RCT is feasible. EWP was safe and produced a real increase in walking; CLBP function and pain improved, and participants perceived a greater improvement in their PA levels. These improvements require confirmation in a fully powered RCT.

Interventions to improve the appropriate use of polypharmacy for older people

Background
Inappropriate polypharmacy is a particular concern in older people and is associated with negative health outcomes. Choosing the best interventions to improve appropriate polypharmacy is a priority, hence interest in appropriate polypharmacy, where many medicines may be used to achieve better clinical outcomes for patients, is growing.

Objectives
This review sought to determine which interventions, alone or in combination, are effective in improving the appropriate use of polypharmacy and reducing medication-related problems in older people.

Search methods
In November 2013, for this first update, a range of literature databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched, and handsearching of reference lists was performed. Search terms included 'polypharmacy', 'medication appropriateness' and 'inappropriate prescribing'.

Selection criteria
A range of study designs were eligible. Eligible studies described interventions affecting prescribing aimed at improving appropriate polypharmacy in people 65 years of age and older in which a validated measure of appropriateness was used (e.g. Beers criteria, Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI)).

Data collection and analysis
Two review authors independently reviewed abstracts of eligible studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Study-specific estimates were pooled, and a random-effects model was used to yield summary estimates of effect and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to assess the overall quality of evidence for each pooled outcome.

Main results
Two studies were added to this review to bring the total number of included studies to 12. One intervention consisted of computerised decision support; 11 complex, multi-faceted pharmaceutical approaches to interventions were provided in a variety of settings. Interventions were delivered by healthcare professionals, such as prescribers and pharmacists. Appropriateness of prescribing was measured using validated tools, including the MAI score post intervention (eight studies), Beers criteria (four studies), STOPP criteria (two studies) and START criteria (one study). Interventions included in this review resulted in a reduction in inappropriate medication usage. Based on the GRADE approach, the overall quality of evidence for all pooled outcomes ranged from very low to low. A greater reduction in MAI scores between baseline and follow-up was seen in the intervention group when compared with the control group (four studies; mean difference -6.78, 95% CI -12.34 to -1.22). Postintervention pooled data showed a lower summated MAI score (five studies; mean difference -3.88, 95% CI -5.40 to -2.35) and fewer Beers drugs per participant (two studies; mean difference -0.1, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.09) in the intervention group compared with the control group. Evidence of the effects of interventions on hospital admissions (five studies) and of medication-related problems (six studies) was conflicting.

Authors' conclusions
It is unclear whether interventions to improve appropriate polypharmacy, such as pharmaceutical care, resulted in clinically significant improvement; however, they appear beneficial in terms of reducing inappropriate prescribing.

Multi-detection method for five common microalgal toxins based on the use of microspheres coupled to a flow-cytometry system

Freshwater and brackish microalgal toxins, such as microcystins, cylindrospermopsins, paralytic toxins, anatoxins or other neurotoxins are produced during the overgrowth of certain phytoplankton and benthic cyanobacteria, which includes either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microalgae. Although, further studies are necessary to define the biological role of these toxins, at least some of them are known to be poisonous to humans and wildlife due to their occurrence in these aquatic systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established as provisional recommended limit 1 μg of microcystin-LR per liter of drinking water. In this work we present a microsphere-based multi-detection method for five classes of freshwater and brackish toxins: microcystin-LR (MC-LR), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), anatoxin-a (ANA-a), saxitoxin (STX) and domoic acid (DA). Five inhibition assays were developed using different binding proteins and microsphere classes coupled to a flow-cytometry Luminex system. Then, assays were combined in one method for the simultaneous detection of the toxins. The IC₅₀'s using this method were 1.9 ± 0.1 μg L⁻¹ MC-LR, 1.3 ± 0.1 μg L⁻¹ CYN, 61 ± 4 μg L⁻¹ ANA-a, 5.4 ± 0.4 μg L⁻¹ STX and 4.9 ± 0.9 μg L⁻¹ DA. Lyophilized cyanobacterial culture samples were extracted using a simple procedure and analyzed by the Luminex method and by UPLC–IT-TOF-MS. Similar quantification was obtained by both methods for all toxins except for ANA-a, whereby the estimated content was lower when using UPLC–IT-TOF-MS. Therefore, this newly developed multiplexed detection method provides a rapid, simple, semi-quantitative screening tool for the simultaneous detection of five environmentally important freshwater and brackish toxins, in buffer and cyanobacterial extracts.