Synthesis and characterization of a new double-cubane Mo-Fe-S cluster compound, [NEt(4)](3)[Mo2Fe6S8(mu-OMe)(3)(SPh)(3)Cl-3]

The new double-cubane cluster compound [NEt(4)](3)[Mo2Fe6S8(mu-OMe)(3)(SPh)(3)Cl-3] is synthesized from (NH4)(2)MoS4, FeCl3, Fe powder, S powder, NaSPh and NEt(4)Br in MeOH-DMF, its crystal structure is determined by X-ray crystallography, and results of XPS indicate a valence state of +4 for Mo.

XPS Study on the Interaction between Layers and Pillars of Layered Double Hydroxides Pillared with Heteroplyanion (II)

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) pillared with heteropolyanions have been measured using XPS, IR, XRD spertra, and the interaction between layers and pillars discussed, The mechanism of pillars has been further discussed by XPS spectra.

Synthesis and catalytic properties of layered double hydroxides pillared by heteropolyoxometalate

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) pillared with heteropolyoxometalate have been synthesized via both restructuring of hydrotalcite-like compounds and direct anion exchange under microwave field. LDHs and their derivatives are both found to be efficient for alkylation of isobutane with butene with a higher butene conversion and selectivity towards C-8(0).

Alrylation Over Layered Double Hydrotalcites Pillared by Heteropolyoxometalate Catalysts

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) pillared with heteropolyoxo-metalate have been synthesized via both restructuring of hydrotalcite-like compounds and direct anion exchange under microwave field. LDHs and their derivatives are both found to be efficiency f

ALKYLATION OF ISOBUTANE WITH BUTENE OVER LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDE PILLARED HETEROPOLYOXOMETALATE ACID-BASE CATALYSTS

[Si(W2O7)(6)](8-) pillared LDH structure hydroxides were synthesized by the method of restructuring of the thermally decomposed hydrotalcite-like compounds for Zn-Al and Mg-Al oxide systems. [P(W2O7)(6)](8-) pillared Ni-Al LDH structure hydroxide was synt

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ENERGY-TRANSFER OF EXCITED PARTICLE COLLISION WITH DOUBLE LASER LINES FOR EXCITATION OF LA(I)

Generally speaking, productions of thermally-assisted and stepwise fluorescence are the consequence of energy transfer caused by particle collision. In some circumstances, energy transfer caused by particle collision is considerably intense. We have ever used the fluorescence produced by energy transfer of particle collision to measure the branching ratios in the atomic transitions and acquired good results. To our knowledge, the systematic in

The immune responses in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis challenged with double-stranded RNA

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a virus-associated molecular pattern which induces antiviral innate immune responses and RNA interference (RNAi) in mammals. In invertebrates, RNAi phenomenon has been widely studied, but dsRNA-induced innate immune response is seldom reported. In the present study, two different dsRNAs specific for green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the putative D1 protein of photosystem II (NoPSD) from Nannochloropsis oculata, were employed to challenge Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The temporal changes of phenoloxidase (PO), acid phosphatase (ACP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the mRNA expression of some immune-related genes were examined in order to estimate the effect of dsRNAs on the innate immunity of E. sinensis. The activities of PO, ACP and SOD significantly increased after dsRNA treatment, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content did not change significantly. Among the examined genes, only the mRNA expression of EsALF, an antibacterial peptide in E. sinensis, was significantly up-regulated (about 5 fold, P < 0.05) at 12 h after dsRNA treatment, while no significant expression changes were observed among the other immune genes. The increase of PO, ACP and SOD activities, and mRNA expression level of EsALF after dsRNA stimulation indicate that phenoloxidase, hydrolytic enzyme, antioxidation and EsALF were involved in dsRNA-induced innate immunity, suggesting that broad-spectrum immune responses could be induced by dsRNA in E. sinensis. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recombination and heterologous expression of allophycocyanin gene in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Heterogeneous expression of multiple genes in the nucleus of transgenic plants requires the introduction of an individual gene and the subsequent backcross to reconstitute multi-subunit proteins or metabolic pathways. In order to accomplish the expression of multiple genes in a single transformation event, we inserted both large and small subunits of allophycocyanin gene (apcA and apcB) into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast expression vector, resulting in papc-S. The constructed vector was then introduced into the chloroplast of C. reinhardtii by micro-particle bombardment. Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis revealed that the two genes had integrated into the chloroplast genome. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the two genes from the prokaryotic cyanobacteria could be correctly expressed in the chloroplasts of C. reinhardtii. The expressed foreign protein in transformants accounted for about 2%-3% of total soluble proteins. These findings pave the way to the reconstitution of multi-subunit proteins or metabolic pathways in transgenic C. reinhardtii chloroplasts in a single transformation event.

A genetic linkage map of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): sex-linked microsatellite markers and high recombination rates

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is the leading species farmed in the Western Hemisphere and an economically important aquaculture species in China. In this project, a genetic linkage map was constructed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite markers. One hundred and eight select AFLP primer combinations and 30 polymorphic microsatellite markers produced 2071 markers that were polymorphic in either of the parents and segregated in the progeny. Of these segregating markers, 319 were mapped to 45 linkage groups of the female framework map, covering a total of 4134.4 cM; and 267 markers were assigned to 45 linkage groups of the male map, covering a total of 3220.9 cM. High recombination rates were found in both parental maps. A sex-linked microsatellite marker was mapped on the female map with 6.6 cM to sex and a LOD of 17.8, two other microsatellite markers were also linked with both 8.6 cM to sex and LOD score of 14.3 and 16.4. The genetic maps presented here will serve as a basis for the construction of a high-resolution genetic map, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detection, marker-assisted selection (MAS) and comparative genome mapping.

The recombination and expression of the allophycocyanin beta subunit gene in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

A Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) chloroplast expression vector, papc-B, containing the apc-B gene that encodes the beta subunit of the light-harvesting antenna protein allophycocyanin (APC) of cyanobacteria, was constructed and transferred to the chloroplast genome of C. reinhardtii by the biolistic method. The transformants were identified by Southern blot, Western blot and ELISA assays after selection on resistant medium. The recombinant APC beta subunit was expressed in the C. reinhardtii chloroplast and accounted for up to 2-3% (w/w) of the total soluble protein (TSP), suggesting a promising prospect of using C. reinhardtii chloroplasts to produce functional plant-derived proteins.

Occurrence of double parasitism on black-barred halfbeak fish from the southeast coast of India

A double parasitism (isopod Cymothoidae and copepod Pennellidae) on black-barred halfbeak fish, Hemiramphus far, was recorded from Pazhayar coastal waters (southeast coast of India) during September 2008. This is the first report from this region and the infection is discussed in relation to environmental and biological parameters.

Unprecedented 5,5-connected (4(7)center dot 6(3)) (4(8)center dot 6(2)) structural topology: A lead biphosphonate with double layered structure

A new lead(II) phosphonate, Pb[(PO3)(2)C(OH)CH3]center dot H2O (1) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, UV, TGA, SEM, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray crystallographic study showed that complex 1 has a two-dimensional double layered hybrid structure containing interconnected 4- and 12-membered rings and shows an unusual (5,5)-connected (4(7) . 6(3)) (4(8) .6(2)) topology. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular evidence for double maternal origins of the diploid hybrid Hippophae goniocarpa (Elaeagnaceae)

Homoploid hybrid plant species are rare, and the mechanisms of their speciation are largely unknown, especially for homoploid hybrid tree species. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of Hippophae goniocarpa: (1) it is a diploid hybrid originating from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis x H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa, and (2) it originated via marginal differentiation from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis. Regardless of which of these hypotheses is true (if either), previous studies have suggested that H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis is the only maternal donor for this hybrid species. In this study, we aim to elucidate the maternal composition of H. goniocarpa and to test the two hypotheses. For this purpose, we sequenced the maternal chloroplast DNA trnL-F region of 75 individuals representing H. goniocarpa, H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa in two co-occurring sites of the taxa. Seven haplotypes were identified from three taxonomic units, and their phylogenetic relationships were further constructed by means of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and network analyses. These seven haplotypes clustered into two distinct, highly divergent lineages. Two haplotypes from one lineage were found in H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and five (representing the other lineage) in H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa. Hippophae goniocarpa shared four common haplotypes from both lineages, but the haplotypes detected from the two populations differed to some extent, and in each case were identical to local haplotypes of the putative parental species. Thus, both H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa appear to have together contributed to the maternal establishment of H. goniocarpa. These results clearly demonstrate that the marginal origin hypothesis should be rejected, and support the hybrid origin hypothesis. Hippophae goniocarpa exhibits a sympatric distribution with its two parent species, without occupying new niches or displaying complete ecological isolation. However, this species has effectively developed reproductive isolation from its sympatric parent species. Our preliminary results suggest that H. goniocarpa may provide a useful model system for studying diploid hybrid speciation in trees. (c) 2008 The Linnean Society of London.