The roles of serine protease, intracellular and extracellular phenoloxidase in activation of prophenoloxidase system, and characterization of phenoloxidase from shrimp haemocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide or dopamine

We investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and dopamine(DA) on the activation of the prophenoloxidase(proPO) system of Litopenaeus vannamei.LPS and DA were shown with a negative dose-dependent effect on hyalne cells(HC),semi-granular cells(SGC),large granular cells(LGC),and total haemocyte count(THC).When haemocytes were treated with LPS or DA,serine proteinase activity and intracellular phenoloxidase(PO) activity were significantly reduced,but extracellular PO activity increased significantly.These findings indicated that the reduction in haemocyte counts was mainly because of the degranulation and activation of the proPO system from semi-granule and large granule cells.The PKC inhibitor,chelerythrine,and the TPK inhibitor,genistein,had an inhibitory effect on extracellular PO activity,while serine proteinase and intracellular PO activity increased.This suggests that the LPS and DA induce the activation of proPO in haemocytes via PKC and TPK-related signaling pathways,but serine proteinase may be activated only by PKC,as the genistein effects were not statistically significant.Electrophoresis analysis revealed that POs induced by LPS or DA have the same molecular mass and high diphenolase activity.Two PO bands at 526 kDa and 272 kDa were observed in PAGE,while in the haemocyte lysate supernatant(HLS),only a 272-kDa band was observed.This band was resolved after SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions into two groups of POs,166 kDa and 126 kDa,and 78.1 kDa and 73.6 kDa,respectively,suggesting that PO in L.vannamei is an oligomer,which may have different compositions intra-and extracellularly.     

Effects of several immunostimulants on phenoloxidase and hemocytes of the crab Charybdis japonica

To investigate the stimulating effects of immunostimulants on the autogenous immunocompetence of crabs and the possible mechanisms involved, the immunostimulating effects of β-1,3-glucan, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), inactivated Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio anguillarum on phenoloxidase (PO) and hemocytes of Charybdis japonica were investigated in this study. It was found that the yields and the enzymatic activities of purified PO in C. japonica increased significantly after the crabs were treated with immunostimulants, while the unit enzymatic activities remained almost the same. After treatment with β-1,3-glucan and LPS, the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the number of mitochondria in both semigranular cells and granular cells increased greatly, and the number of cytoplasmic granules decreased but with enlarged volume. However, the corresponding characteristics of hyaline cells remained almost the same. On the other hand, the number of granules in semigranular cells decreased greatly, and the number of mitochondria of hyaline cells increased greatly, after treatment with inactivated vibrios. It may be concluded that the effect of polysaccharide immunostimulants on the innate immune system of C. japonica is different from that of inactivated vibrio immunostimulants. The immunity-enhancing mechanism of polysaccharides in crab autogenous immunocompetence is probably accomplished by the increased yields of PO and total PO activities, while that of inactivated vibrios is probably accomplished by the partially increased yields of PO and total PO activities as well as the significantly improved phagocytotic abilities of semigranular cells and hyaline cells.     

Cloning, expressing, and hemolysis of tdh, trh and tlh genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) is one of the pathogenic vibrios endangering net-cage cultured Pseudosciaena crocea,Fennerpenaeus chinensis, and shellfish in coastal areas of China. Several types of hemolysins produced by Vp have been characterized as major virulence factors.They are thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH),TDH-related hemolysin (TRH) and thermolabile hemolysin (TLH). In this study, we cloned tdh, trh, and tlh genes from the genome DNA of VP by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).We ligated the three genes into prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a (+),and transformed the recombinant plasmids into Es-cherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The expression of recombinant proteins was induced by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalacto-pyranoside (IPTG). The recombinant proteins were expressed in a form of inclusion bodies and thus purified with Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Western blotting results showed that recombinant proteins,TDH, TRH and TLH, could be recognized by rabbit anti-VP serum. The three purified proteins were renatured by gradient dialysis.The renatured proteins exhibited hemolytic activity except for TLH in the presence of phosphatidylcholine. These results not only are helpful for better understanding these genes’ functions under a single factor level, but also provide evidence for VP vaccine engineering.     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FRACTIONATIONS OF Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn AND Ni AND SOIL PROPERTIES IN URBAN SOILS OF CHANGCHUN, CHINA

1IN T R O D U C T IO N With therapiddevelopment of urbanizatio,nurban land was exploitedand utilizetdoform differendtomains be- ing subjectto many potentialpollutionsourcessuch as vehicleemission, industrialactivitieasnd household garbage.Particularl, yur…     

GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF Fe,Mn,Co,As,Cr,Sb,Zn,Sc AND V IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS FROM JIAOZHOU BAY

The contents of nearly forty-elements in surface sediments in Jiaozhou Bay were determined using a Neutron Activation Analysis Technique(Grancini,et al.,1976;Li Peiquan et al.,1985,1986;Li Xiuxia etal.,1986).This paper's detailed discussion on only nine elements(Fe,Mn,Co,Cr,Sc,As,Sb,Zn andV)includes their distributions,concentrations,correlationships,material sources,background,etc.Based on Zavaristski's classification method,Fe,Mn,Co Cr and V belong to the second group;As and Sb to theeighth groups:Sc and Zn to the third and sixth groups.It was found that their notably good correla-tionship is mainly due to the similarity of their ionic structures and that their variation is controlled by theFe content(except Mn).The source of sediments is mainly terristrial material,and the composition ofsediment is similar to that of shale and shale+clay.The contents for a large number of ele-ments are within the scope of the background level,but there still is pollution of Zn and Cr,at least in a few stations.     

Effects of small peptides,probiotics, prebiotics,and synbiotics on growth performance,digestive enzymes,and oxidative stress in orange-spotted grouper,Epinephelus coioides,juveniles reared in artificial seawater

Aquaculture production efficiency may increase by using feed additives. This study investigated the effects of different dietary additives [w/w: 2% small peptides, 0.01% probiotics( Bacillus licheniformis) and 0.2% prebiotics(inulin)] on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and oxidative stress in juvenile Epinephelus coioides reared in artificial seawater of two salt concentrations(13.5 vs. 28.5). Weight gain rate was significantly higher in fish fed the diet supplemented with small peptides, B. licheniformis, inulin, or synbiotics than that in fish fed the basal diet; the greatest weight gain rate was found in fish fed the small peptide treatment [56.0% higher than basal diet]. Higher feed efficiency was detected in fish fed the diet supplemented with small peptides than that of fish in the other dietary treatments. Total protease activity in the stomach and intestines was highest in fish fed the small peptide-treated diet, whereas lipase activity was highest in those fed synbiotics(combination of Bacillus licheniformis and inulin) than that in fish fed the other treatments. Antioxidant enzyme(total superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities and hepatic malondialdehyde content were higher in fish receiving the dietary supplements and maintained in artificial seawater containing 13.5 salinity compared with those in the control(28.5). Hepatic catalase activity in grouper fed the diets with small peptides or synbiotics decreased significantly compared with that in control fish. Overall, the three types of additives improved growth rate of juvenile grouper and digestive enzymes activities to varying degrees but did not effectively improve antioxidant capacity under low-salinity stress conditions.     

Requirements of shrimp,Penaeus chinensis O'sbeck for potassium,sodium, magnesium and iodine

Potassium, sodium, magnesium and iodine requirements of shrimp,Penaeus chinensis were studied. Orthogonal design was employed in this experiment. The composition of the basal diet consisted of fish meal, peanut cake, corn meal, soybean cake, wheat bran, vitamin mix and mineral mix, and supplementations of potassium, sodium, magnesium and iodine in the basal diet were made according to the L₉(3⁴) orthogonal table. The results indicated that iodine supplementation improved growth of the shrimp significantly and raised survival very significantly, iodine requirement of the shrimp was 0.003%; sodium requirement was 0.87% or less; and that 1.1–1.3% potassium and 0.18–0.38% magnesium in the diet were proper nutrition supplements for the shrimp. Contribution No. 2342 from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Preparation,Characteristics, and Formation Mechanism of Oyster Peptide-Zinc Nanoparticles

Oyster peptide–zinc nanoparticles(OPZNPs)(28–108 nm) were prepared in the presence of 0.5%–0.9% zinc sulfate at pH 6.0–11.0. The obtained nanoparticles exhibited uniform size distribution and spherical shapes. Nanoparticle characteristics, such as size, surface charge, and hydrophobicity, could be adjusted by controlling zinc sulfate concentration and environmental pH. Increasing pH value or decreasing zinc sulfate concentration tended to reduce nanoparticle size and increase nanoparticle surface charge and hydrophobicity. OPZNPs presented good stability at near-neutral pH and could be stored for at least 20 days at 4℃. The results of the peptide conformation study and nanoparticle dissociation test proved that zinc ions and carboxyl groups are the key factors that affect OPZNP formation. The intermolecular combinations of carboxyl groups via zinc bridging facilitated the aggregation of oyster peptides. Nanoparticle formation was accompanied by aggregate association and conformational changes. These changes included increments in β-sheets, especially intermolecular β-sheets, at the expense of α-helixes. Overall, this work provided a green alternative route for the synthesis of OPZNPs.     

Landscape ecology: Coupling of pattern,process, and scale

Landscape ecology provides new theoretical frameworks and methodologies for understanding complex ecological phenomena at multiple scales.Studies of landscape ecology focus on understanding the dynamics of eco-logical patterns and processes,and highlight the integration of multiple disciplines.In this paper,we discussed the problems and challenges that landscape ecology is currently facing,emphasizing the limitations of current methods used to describe dynamic landscape patterns and processes.We suggested that the focus should be on the integration of ground-based observation,mobile monitoring,transect survey,and remote-sensing monitoring,as well as improved coupling of experimental and model simulations.In addition,we outlined the research frontiers in landscape ecology,including scaling,integrated pattern and process modeling,and regional synthesis.Lastly,a brief review of pat-tern-process-scale coupling studies in China was provided.We concluded by pointing out that pattern-process-scale interactions,correlations between natural,economic,and social processes,and the coupling of human and natural systems will be major research areas in landscape ecology in the future.     

雷歌研究历程、格局及问题

雷歌研究自清末民初的黄景星起至今近90年,在雷歌起源、流变、词曲形态、音韵及音调等方面积累了较多描述性研究成果,为后续研究提供了宝贵资料,但研究格局僵化,领域有限,主题高度重复,缺乏方法论意识,研究成果宏观上表现零散、随意及表层化,突破性成果匮乏,微观上则有概念模糊缺乏足够实证材料之弊端。     

Preparation,characterization, and antifungal activity of hymexazol-linked chitosan derivatives

In this study,three hymexazol-linked chitosan derivatives(HML-CS)were synthesized and their structures confi rmed by Fourier transform infrared and elemental analysis.Linkage ratios were measured by high performance liquid chromatography.The derivatives’antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungi R hizoctonia solani CGMCC 3.28 and G ibberella zeae CGMCC 3.42 were investigated at concentrations of 100,200,and 400 mg/L.These HML-CS derivatives exhibited stronger antifungal activity than CS alone.HML-CS-1 showed the best antifungal activity against G.zeae,whose antifungal index was65.9%at 400 mg/L,and also showed the best antifungal activity against R.solani,whose antifungal index was 52.7%at 400 mg/L.This conjugation of CS and HML suggested the presence of synergistic ef fects between the moieties and indicated that these derivatives possessed great potential as novel fungicides and require further research for the development of applications in crop protection.     

Estimation of Age,Growth and Maturation of Purpleback Flying Squid,Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis,in Bashi Channel,Central Pacific Ocean

The age, growth and maturation of Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis were determined with statolith data collected with a light purse seine from the Bashi Channel of central Pacific Ocean. The estimated longevity of the squid was no more than 6 months for females, and no more than 5 months for males. Growth in mantle length(ML) was best described by logistic models for both females and males, while growth in body weight(BW) was best fitted by power curves. The maximum absolute growth rate(AGR) and instantaneous growth rate(IGR) in ML or BW both occurred at 91–105 days for females and 76–90 days for males. Back calculated hatching dates were from October to January, with a peak in December, although the short duration of sampling date might have had an influence on the result. The lower percentage of mature females(37.2%) suggested that the study area during the sampling date was not a spawning ground for the species. Size and age at first maturity were 183 mm ML and 136 days for females, whereas they were 156 mm ML and 85 days for males.     

Phylogenetic,evolutionary, and biogeographic origin of the genus Sheathia (Batrachospermales,Rhodophyta)

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - The genus Sheathia consists of over 20 species primarily distributed in Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, and Africa. However, the origin and evolution of...     

Plate subduction,oxygen fugacity,and mineralization

Plate subduction is the largest natural factory that processes elements, which controls recycling and mineralization of a variety of elements. There are three major ore deposit belts in the world: the circumPaci?c, the central Asian, and the Tethys belts. All the three belts are closely associated with plate subductions, the mechanism remains obscure. We approached this problem from systematic studies on the behaviours of elements during geologic processes. This contribution summaries the recent progress of our research group. Our results suggest that porphyry Cu deposits form through partial melting of subducted young oceanic crust under oxygen fugacities higher than ? FMQ ～+1.5, which is promoted after the elevation of atmospheric oxygen at ca. 550 Ma. Tin deposits are associated with reducing magmatic rocks formed as a consequence of slab rollback. The Neo-Tethys tectonic regime hosts more than 60% of the world's total Sn reserves. This is due to the reducing environment formed during the subduction of organic rich sediments. For the same reason, porphyry Cu deposits formed in the late stages during the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. Tungsten deposits are also controlled by slab rollback, but is not so sensitive to oxygen fugacity. Subduction related W/Sn deposits are mostly accompanied by abundant accessory ?uorites due to the breakdown of phengite and apatite. Decomposition of phengite is also signi?cant for hard rock lithium deposits, whereas orogenic belt resulted from plate subduction promote the formation of Li brine deposits. Cretaceous red bed basins near the Nanling region are favorable for Li brines. Both Mo and Re are enriched in the oxidationreduction cycle during surface processes, and may get further enriched once Mo-, Re-enriched sediments are subducted and involved in magmatism. During plate subduction, Mo and Re fractionate from each other. Molybdenum is mainly hosted in porphyry Mo deposits and to a less extent, porphyry Cu-Mo deposits, whereas Re is predominantly hosted in porphyry Cu-Mo deposits and sedimentary sul?de deposits.     

Geological structure, composition of ores and age of the Bamsk gold deposit, Amur region, Russia

The Bamsk gold-ore deposit is located in the Amur region, the Far East of Russia. It is confined to the Early Cretaceous volcanic-plutonic uplift of central type, located in the Stanov folded-clumpy Pre-Cambrian system. The deposit is presented by a series of gold-bearing quartz and carbonate-quartz vein-stringer zones. They are confined to the super-intrusive zone of the Nevachansk subvolcanic intrusion of sienite-porphyric composition. The mineralization is being controlled by zone of fractures developed in the autochthone ofthe Bamsk fault. Quartz, carbonates and sericite prevail in the composition of ores. The quantity of ore minerals doesn't exceed 1%～5%. Pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and native gold are widely spread. Sheelite, gold and silver tellurides, sulphobismuthites, acanthite, sphalerite and cinnabar are less developed. Four stages of mineralization have been distinguished. Gold-sulphide-sulphosalt ore with tellurides of gold and silver is productive for gold. The following set of elements is typomorphic for the ores of the deposit: Au, Ag, Cu, Bi,Mo, Pb and Sb (W1, Pb1, Mo) -Cu- (Ag, Bi, Sb, Mn, W1, Pb2) form the vertical series of zoning. Rocks, enclosing the mineralization are exposed to the processes of listvenitization-beresitization. The processes of gumbeization and argillization are less manifested. The age of the gold mineralization, determined by Rb-Sr method on ore-accompanying minerals, is 130.6 Ma.     

Geological structure, composition of ores and age of the Bamsk gold deposit, Amur region, Russia

The Bamsk gold-ore deposit is located in the Amur region, the Far East of Russia. It is confined to the Early Cretaceous volcanicoplutonic uplift of central type, located in the Stanov folded-clumpy Pre-Cambrian system. The deposit is presented by a series of gold-bearing quartz and carbonate-quartz vein-stringer zones. They are confined to the super-intrusive zone of the Nevachansk subvolcanic intrusion of sienite-porphyric composition. The mineralization is being controlled by zone of fractures developed in the autochthone of the Bamsk fault. Quartz, carbonates and sericite prevail in the composition of ores. The quantity of ore minerals doesn‘t exceed 1% ～ 5%. Pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and native gold are widely spread, Sheelite, gold and silver tellurides, sulphobismuthites, acanthite, sphalerite and cinnabar are less developed. Four stages of mineralization have been distinguished. Gold-sulphide-sulphosalt ore with tellurides of gold and silver is productive for gold. The following set of elements is typomorphic for the ores of the deposit: Au, Ag, Cu, Bi, Mo, Pb and Sb (W1, Pb1, Mo) -Cu- (Ag, Bi, Sb, Mn, W2,, Pb2) form the vertical series of zoning. Rocks, enclosing the mineralization are exposed to the processes of listvenitization-beresitization. The processes of gumbeization and argillization are less manifested. The age of the gold mineralization, determined by Rb-Sr method on ore-accompanying minerals, is 130.6 Ma.     

Geochemical studies of U,Th, Ra,40K in seciments of the China Sea and adjacent sea area,and lower reaches of several Chinese Rivers

Geochemical studies of the U, Th, Ra, and⁴⁰K in surface sediments of the China Sea and adjacent sea areas, the lower reaches of the Huanghe and Changjiang Rivers and the estuaries of the Zhujiang and Rongjiang Rivers were carried out with a model 8180-4K multichannel Ge(Li)γ spectrometer in 1981–1985. The mean values of U, Ra, Th,⁴⁰K are about 2.11 ppm, 7.67×10⁻¹³g/g, 11.00 ppm, and 2.33 ppm respectively, in the China Sea, the Okinawa Trough, and the Changjiang and Huanghe River estuaries. The distribution of the four isotopes is uniform in the above zone. The contents of U and Th in the sediments of the Zhujiang and Rongjiang Rivers and the Fujian coast are 1–4 times higher than those of the above zone and are related to the granite and radioactive ore present in the upper reaches of these rivers or the adjacent mountains. The distributions of U, Th, Ra, and⁴⁰K are related to the physico-chemical property, redox state, geological type and grain size of the sediment, and biotic activity. Contribution No. 1408, Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica, Qingdao.     

地球多级循环及其资源、能源、灾害、环境效应

在综合分析前人资料和系统梳理笔者认识的基础上,以整体观和系统论的思想为指导,针对板块构造学说存在的核心
科学问题,采用分尺度、分层块、分阶段的研究思路,探讨开放复杂地球系统的物质运动方式。将水平运动与垂直运动相结合,流
体运动与固体运动相结合,地球内部过程与外部过程相结合,探索盆山和洋陆的成因及其关联机理,认为热动力是驱动盆山地壳
物质循环和洋陆壳幔物质循环的关键因素。开放地球系统存在与盆山、洋陆物质循环有关的水循环、火山物质循环、大气循环、碳
循环、生物地球化学循环、洋流循环,由此产生资源、能源、灾害、环境效应。地球内部热能经过长期的积累之后,以超级干旱-火
山-冰冻-地震-洪水-海平面上升组成的全球性巨灾链形式释放,具有时空结构和关联机理的巨灾连发导致生物分批死亡,集
群绝灭。地质历史上还有无数规模较小、结构相似、机理相同的热灾害链,不同程度地影响地球生态环境和全球变化。热灾害链
贯穿地球整个演化过程。根据下地壳流动规律和热灾害链时空结构对中国大陆强震进行了预测。强调取热减灾减排不仅能够解
决能源危机,而且可以降低灾害强度,推迟灾害发生时间。