The Mineral Composition and Sources of the Fine-Grained Sediments from the 49.6°E Hydrothermal Field at the SWIR

We used the X-ray diffraction method to determine systematically the mineral phases in bulk sediment samples and acid undissolved residuals of the fine-grained fraction of the surface sediments from the 49.6°E hydrothermal field at the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR)and discussed the mineral sources of the surface sediments.The results showed that the surface sediments in this region were composed of calcareous ooze,and calcite was the dominant mineral.The sediments also contained quartz,feldspar,clay minerals,pyroxene,sphalerite,barite,serpentine,and magnetite.The quartz,feldspar,and clay minerals were exogenous minerals that mainly originated from the Namib and Kalahari deserts in southern Africa.The pyroxene,serpentine,magnetite,sphalerite,calcite,and barite were endogenous minerals from weathering of seafloor basement rocks and seafloor hydrothermal activities.The sulfide particles in the sediments were mainly deposited from upwelling plumes.     

Feasibility Comparison of Reanalysis Data from NCEP-Ⅰand NCEP-Ⅱ in the Himalayas

Mt. Everest is often referred to as the earth's 'third' pole. As such it is relatively inaccessible and little is known about its meteorology. In 2005, an automatic weather station was operated at North Col (28°01' 0.95" N, 86°57' 48.4" E, 6523 m a.s.l.) of Mt. Everest. Based on the observational data, this paper compares the reanalysis data from NCEP/NCAR (hereafter NCEP-Ⅰ) and NCEP-DOE AMIP-Ⅱ (NCEP-Ⅱ), in order to understand which reanalysis data are more suitable for the high Himalayas with Mt. Everest region. When comparing with those from the other levels, pressure interpolated from 500 hPa level is closer to the observation and can capture more synoptic-scale variability, which may be due to the very complex topography around Mr. Everest and the intricately complicated orographic land-atmosphere-ocean interactions. The interpolation from both NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ daily minimum temperature and daily mean pressure can capture most synoptic-scale variability (r>0.82, n=83, p<0.001). However,there is difference between NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ reanalysis data because of different model parameterization. Comparing with the observation, the magnitude of variability was underestimated by 34.1%, 28.5 % and 27.1% for NCEP-Ⅰ temperature and pressure, and NCEP-Ⅱ pressure, respectively, while overestimated by 44.5 % for NCEP-Ⅱ temperature. For weather events interpolated from the reanalyzed data, NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ show the same features that weather events interpolated from pressure appear at the same day as those from the observation, and some events occur one day ahead, while most weather events interpolated from NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ temperature happen one day ahead of those from the observation, which is much important for the study on meteorology and climate changes in the region, and is very valuable from the view of improving the safety of climbers who attempt to climb Mt. Everest.     

Feasibility Comparison of Reanalysis Data from NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ in the Himalayas

Mt. Everest is often referred to as the earth＇s ＇third＇ pole. As such it is relatively inaccessible and little is known about its meteorology. In 2005, an automatic weather station was operated at North Col （28°1′ 0.95＂ N, 86°57′ 48.4＂ E, 6523 m a.s.l.） of Mt. Everest. Based on the observational data, this paper compares the reanalysis data from NCEP/NCAR （hereafter NCEP-Ⅰ） and NCEP-DOE AMIP-Ⅱ （NCEP- Ⅱ）, in order to understand which reanalysis data are more suitable for the high Himalayas with Mr. Everest region. When comparing with those from the other levels, pressure interpolated from 500 hPa level is closer to the observation and can capture more synoptic-scale variability, which may be due to the very complex topography around Mt. Everest and the intricately complicated orographic land-atmosphereocean interactions. The interpolation from both NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ daily minimum temperature and daily mean pressure can capture most synopticscale variability （r〉0.82, n=83, p〈0.001）. However, there is difference between NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ reanalysis data because of different model parameterization. Comparing with the observation, the magnitude of variability was underestimated by 34.1%, 28.5 % and 27.1% for NCEP-Ⅰ temperature and pressure, and NCEP-Ⅱ pressure, respectively, while overestimated by 44.5 % for NCEP-Ⅱ temperature. For weather events interpolated from the reanalyzed data, NCEP-Ⅰ and NCEP-Ⅱ show the same features that weather events interpolated from pressure appear at the same day as those from the observation, and some events occur one day ahead, while most weather events and NCEP-Ⅱ temperature interpolated from NCEP-Ⅰ happen one day ahead of those from the observation, which is much important for the study on meteorology and climate changes in the region, and is very valuable from the view of improving the safety of climbers who attempt to climb Mt. Everest.     

Study on the Preparation and Antileukemic Activity of New Lipophilic 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine Derivatives

Cytarabine(1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, Ara-C), isolated from a Caribbean sponge species Tethyacrypta, is the first antitumor drug from a marine resource. In 1980, the US Food and Drug Administration approved this drug for the treatment of different types of leukemia. This drug has a short plasma half-life, low stability, limited bioavailability, and severe side effects. To improve stability and bioavailability, we synthesized nine novel derivatives by blocking the cytarabine metabolic sites and improving lipophilicity. The c Log P values of the newly synthesized compounds were calculated. All the synthesized compounds were more lipophilic than cytarabine, resulting in membrane permeability and bioavailability improvement. The antitumor activities against leukemia cell line HL-60 were evaluated by using the MTT assay. The bioassay results revealed that the IC_(50) values of compounds 5, 8 and 9 were 0.080, 0.090 and 0.057 μmol L~(-1), respectively, which was similar with that of cytarabine(0.056 μmol L~(-1),). In comparison, compound 4 with a phosphate group at O5' was inactive. Because phosphoester bonds are easily hydrolyzed by alkaline phosphatase and are commonly used in producing prodrug strategies, compound 4 might also be metabolized in vivo and generate compound 3 or even cytarabine through a multi-step reaction. Thus, compound 4 might be a promising compound to be developed as a prodrug.     

Lyase Activities of Heterologous CpcS and CpcT for Phycocyanin Holo-β-subunit from Arthrospira platensis in Escherichia coli

Arthrospira platensis is an economically important cyanobacterium; and it has been used widely in food and pharmaceutical industries. The phycocyanin(PC) from A. platensis is extremely valuable in medicine and molecular biology due to its antioxidation and anti-tumoring activity and applicability as fluorescence protein tag. In present study, two recombinant plasmids, one contained the phycocyanobilin(PCB)-producing genes(hox1 and pcyA) while the other contained the phycobiliprotein gene(cpcB) and the lyase gene(either cpcS/U or cpcT), were constructed and synchronically transferred into E. coli in order to test the the activities of relevant lyases for catalysing PCB addition to CpcB during synthesizing fluorescent PC holo-β-subunit(β-PC) of A. platensis. As was evidenced by the fluorescence emitted at a peak specific for PC, CpcB was successfully synthesized in E. coli, to which co-expressed PCBs attached though at a relatively low efficiency. The results showed that the attachment of PCBs to CpcB were carried out mainly by co-expressed CpcS/U but CpcB also showed some autocatalytic activity. Currently, no CpcT activity was detected in this E. coli expression system. Further studies will be conducted to improve the efficiency of fluorescent PC synthesis in E. coli.     

Purification and characterization of cold-active endo-1,4-β-glucanase produced by Pseudoalteromonas sp. AN545 from Antarctica

A bacterium hydrolyzing carboxymethylcellulose, isolated from Antarctic sea ice, was identified as Pseudoalteromonas sp. based on 16S rDNA gene sequences and named as Pseudoalteromonas sp. AN545. The extracellular endo-1,4-β-glucanase AN-1 was purified successively by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of AN-1 was estimated to be 47.5 kDa utilizing SDS-PAGE and gel chromatography analysis. AN-1 could hydrolyze caboxymethylcellulose, avicel and β-glucan, but not cellobiose, xylan and p-Nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside. The optimal temperature and pH for the β-glucanase activity of AN-1 were determined to be at 30°C and pH 6.0, respectively. AN-1 was stable at acidic solutions of pH 5.0-6.5 and temperatures below 30°C for 1 h. Moreover, the specific activity was enhanced by Ca2+ and Mg2+, and inhibited by Cu2+. The kinetic parameters Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of AN-1 were 3.96 mg/mL and 6.06×10-2 mg/(min·mL), respectively.     

Morphological and toxicity characteristics of Pseudo-nitzschia pungens strain PP0201-01 isolated from the East China Sea

The morphology and toxicity of Pseudo-nitzschia strain PP0201-01, isolated near the estuary of Changjiang （Yangtze） River in Year 2002 and tentatively identified as Pseudo-nitzschia pungens, were studied. The strain was identified morphologically as P. pungens using scanning electronic microscope （SEM）. The analytical results of LC-PDA （liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector）, LC-MS （liquid chromatography with mass detector）, and the toxicity data from mouse bioassay, showed that no domoic acid was produced by the strain. However, the mechanism of domoic acid production by Pseudo-nitzschia species is complicated. More works are needed to assess the toxic species and to evaluate the potential risk of amnesic shellfish poisoning （ASP） in China.     

Holocene temperature records from the East China sea mud area southwest of the Cheju Island reconstructed by the U 37 K′ and TEX86 paleothermometers

As an important marginal sea under the influences of both the Changjiang River and the Kuroshio, the East China Sea (ECS) environment is sensitive to both continental and oceanic forcing. Paleoenvironmental records are essential for understanding the long-term environmental evolution of the ECS and adjacent areas. However, paleo-temperature records from the ECS shelf are currently very limited. In this study, the U ₃₇ ^K′ and TEX₈₆ paleothermometers were used to reconstruct surface and subsurface temperature changes of the mud area southwest of the Cheju Island (Site F10B) in the ECS during the Holocene. The results indicate that temperature changes of F10B during the early Holocene (11.6–6.2 kyr) are associated with global climate change. During the period of 6.2–2.5 kyr, the similar variability trends of smoothing average of ΔT (the difference between surface and subsurface temperature) of Site F10B and the strength of the Kuroshio suggest that the Kuroshio influence on the site started around 6.2 kyr when the Kuroshio entered the Yellow Sea and continued to 2.5 kyr. During the late Holocene (2.5–1.45 kyr), apparent decreases of U ₃₇ ^K′ sea surface temperature (SST) and ΔT imply that the direct influence of the Kuroshio was reduced while cold eddy induced by the Kuroshio gradually controlled hydrological conditions of this region around 2.5 kyr.     

Characteristics of the δ~(15)N_(NO_3) distribution and its drivers in the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent waters

In this study,we conducted investigations in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary and adjacent waters(CREAW) in June and November of 2014.We collected water samples from different depths to analyze the nitrogen isotopic compositions of nitrate,nutrient concentrations(including inorganic N,P,and Si),and other physical and biological parameters,along with the vertical distribution and seasonal variations of these parameters.The compositions of nitrogen isotope in nitrate were measured with the denitrifier method.Results show that the Changjiang River diluted water(CDW) was the main factor affecting the shallow waters(above 10 m) of the CREAW,and CDW tended to influence the northern areas in June and the southern areas in November.δ(15)N_(NO_3) values in CDW ranged from 3.21‰-3.55‰.In contrast,the deep waters(below 30 m) were affected by the subsurface water of the Kuroshio Current,which intruded into the waters near 31°N in June.The δ(15)N_(NO_3) values of these waters were 6.03‰-7.6‰,slightly higher than the values of the Kuroshio Current.Nitrate assimilation by phytoplankton in the shallow waters of the study area varied seasonally.Because of the favorable temperature and nutrient conditions in June,abundant phytoplankton growth resulted in harmful algae blooms(HABs).Therefore,nitrate assimilation was strong in June and weak in November.The δ(15)N_(NO_3) fractionations caused by assimilation of phytoplankton were4.57‰ and 4.41‰ in the shallow waters in June and November,respectively.These results are consistent with previous laboratory cultures and in situ investigations.Nitrification processes were observed in some deep waters of the study area,and they were more apparent in November than in June.The fractionation values of nitrification ranged from 24‰-25‰,which agrees with results for Nitrosospira tenuis reported by previous studies.     

Functional characterization of a Δ6 fatty acid desaturase gene and its 5′-upstream region cloned from the arachidonic acidrich microalga Myrmecia incisa Reisigl (Chlorophyta)

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - It is suggested that Δ6 fatty acid desaturase (FAD) plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plants and microalgae. But...     

Characterization of Fe(Ⅲ)-Reducing Enrichment Cultures and Isolation of Enterobacter sp.Nan-1 from the Deep-Sea Sediment,South China Sea

To characterize the Fe(Ⅲ)-reducing bacteria, enrichment cultures were initiated by inoculating deep-sea sediment from the South China Sea(SCS) into the media with hydrous ferric oxide(HFO) as the sole electron acceptor. As indicated by Meta 16 S rDNA Amplicon Sequencing, the microorganisms related to Fe(Ⅲ)-reduction in the enrichment cultures were mainly Shewanella and Enterobacter. A new facultative Fe(Ⅲ)-reducing bacterium was obtained and identified as Enterobacter sp. Nan-1 based on its 16 S rRNA gene sequence and physiological characterizations. Enterobacter sp. Nan-1 was not only a mesophilic bacterium capable of reducing HFO with a wide range of salinity(4, 34, 40, 50 and 60 g L~(-1)) efficiently, but also a piezotolerant bacterium that can proceed Fe(Ⅲ)-reduction sustainedly at hydrostatic pressures between 0.1 and 50 MPa using glucose and pyruvate as carbon source. Furthermore, the geochemical characteristics of deep-sea sediment indicated that the microbial metabolism and iron reduction both remain active in the well-developed Fe(Ⅲ)-reducing zone where the strain Nan-1 was obtained. To our knowledge, Enterobacter sp. Nan-1 could serve as a new applicative Fe(Ⅲ)-reducing bacterium for future investigation on the iron biogeochemical cycle and diagenetic process of organic matter in the deep-sea environment.     

Cloning of the cDNA encoding adenosine 5′-monophosphate deaminase 1 and its mRNA expression in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

AMP deaminase catalyzes the conversion of AMP into IMP and ammonia. In the present study, a full-length cDNA of AMPD1 from skeletal muscle of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was cloned and characterized. The 2 526 bp cDNA contains a 5’-UTR of 78 bp, a 3’-UTR of 237 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2 211 bp, which encodes a protein of 736 amino acids. The predicted protein contains a highly conserved AMP deaminase motif (SLSTDDP) and an ATP-binding site sequence (EPLMEEYAIAAQVFK). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AMPD1 and AMPD3 genes originate from the same branch, but are evolutionarily distant from the AMPD2 gene. RT-PCR showed that the flounder AMPD1 gene was expressed only in skeletal muscle. QRT-PCR analysis revealed a statistically significant 2.54 fold higher level of AMPD1 mRNA in adult muscle (750±40 g) compared with juvenile muscle (7.5±2 g) (P<0.05). HPLC analysis showed that the IMP content in adult muscle (3.35±0.21 mg/g) was also statistically significantly higher than in juvenile muscle (1.08±0.04 mg/g) (P<0.05). There is a direct relationship between the AMPD1 gene expression level and IMP content in the skeletal muscle of juvenile and adult flounders. These results may provide useful information for quality improvement and molecular breeding of aquatic animals.     

Effect of Dietary Lipid on the Growth,Fatty Acid Composition and Δ5 Fads Expression of Abalone(Haliotis discus hannai Ino) Hepatopancreas

This study investigated the effect of dietary lipid on the growth, fatty acid composition and Δ5 fatty acyl desaturase genes(Fads) expression of juvenile abalone(Haliotis discus hannai Ino) hepatopancreas. Six purified diets were formulated to contain tripalmitin(TP), olive oil(OO, 72.87% 18:1n-9), grape seed oil(GO, 68.67% 18:2n-6), linseed oil(LO, 70.48% 18:3n-3), ARA oil(AO, 41.81% ARA) or EPA oil(EO, 44.09% EPA and 23.67% DAH). No significant difference in survival rate was observed among abalone fed with different diets. Weight gain rate(WGR) and daily growth rate of shell length(DGRSL) were significantly increased in abalone fed with diets containing OO, AO and EO, but decreased in abalone fed with LO diet(P 0.05) in comparison with those fed with TP. High level of dietary 18:2n-6 resulted in higher content of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs) in abalone fed with GO than those fed with TP, OO, LO and EO(P 0.05). n-3 PUFAs in abalone fed with LO was significantly higher than those in abalone fed with TP, OO, GO and AO(P 0.05). The highest contents of 20:1n-9 and 22:1n-9 were observed in abalone fed with OO. The expression of Δ5 Fads in hepatopancreas of abalone was enhanced by high concentration of 18:3n-3 and suppressed by dietary LC-PUFAs; however it was not affected by dietary high concentration of 18:1n-9 or 18:2n-6. These results provided valuable information for understanding the synthesis of LC-PUFAs and nutritional regulation of Δ5 Fads expression in abalone.     

Simultaneous Quantification of κ-Carrageenan Oligosaccharides of DP 3, 5 and 7 by LC-MS/MS: Application to an in vitro Absorption Study

Carrageenans are widely utilized in many commercial applications such as the food and pharmaceutical industry, due to their excellent functional properties. In this study, a sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed to determine κ-3, κ-5, and κ-7 carrageenan oligosaccharides simultaneously. Optimum MRM transitions for κ-3, κ-5, and κ-7 carrageenan oligosaccharides were(645.079→565.111, [M-H]-),(515.137→474.946, [M-2H]~(2-)), and(471.484→445, [M-3H]~(3-)), respectively. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Amide column coupled with a guard column operated at 60℃ under stepwise gradient elution. The linearity of the LC-MS/MS method for κ-3, κ-5, and κ-7 carrageenan oligosaccharides, evaluated over the concentration range of 0.10- 20.0 μmol L~(-1), was excellent. The precisions of the method for κ-3, κ-5, and κ-7 carrageenan oligosaccharides were from 0.91% to 9.66%, and the inter-day precisions were from 0.92% to 10.5%. Validation of the LC-MS/MS method indicated that the method was precise and in line with the CFDA guidance. This method has been successfully applied to an in vitro absorption study.     

Gradient effect on farmers’ income in the mountain areas and its implication for poverty alleviation strategies: Empirical analysis from the upper reach of Minjiang River, China

Using four types of settlements in the upper reach of Minjiang River as case,we establish structural models in farmers’ income of different settlement patterns based on rural household panel data to reveal the gradient effect on farmers’ income and determinants.The results indicate that:(1) except the resettlement area,the incomes for farmers living in river valley,semi-mountain,and high-mountain settlements present a decreasing trend with the elevation increasing;on the contrary,their nonfarm earnings show an increasing trend with the elevation decreasing;(2) from the effect on farmers’ income,there is a common feature that the nonfarm earnings and farming incomes have significant positive effects,and family size and productive expenditure have significant negative effects.One exception to this is the productive expenditure,which becomes insignificant in the model of resettlement area;(3) from the way of increasing farmers’ income and alleviating poverty,there are great differences for four types of settlements in mountain areas,however,the improvement of agricultural product sales,agricultural production subsidies,the expansion for nonfarm employment,and the control of the family’s size are the most effective approaches for poverty alleviation.     

The Glacial（MIS 3-2） Outlet Glacier of the Marsyandi Nadi- icestream-network with its Ngadi Khola Tributary Glacier（Manaslu- and Lamjung Himalaya）：The Reconstructed Lowering of the Marsyandi Nadi Ice Stream Tongue down in to the Southern Himalaya Foreland

For the reconstruction of past climate variations,investigations on the history of glaciers are necessary.In the Himalaya,investigations like these have a rather short tradition in comparison with other mountains on earth.At the same time,this area on the southern margin of Tibet is of special interest because of the question as to the monsoon-influence that is connected with the climate-development.Anyhow,the climate of High Asia is of global importance.Here for the further and regionally intensifying answer to this question,a glacial glacier reconstruction is submitted from the CentralHimalaya,more exactly from the Manaslu-massif.Going on down-valley from the glacial-historical investigations of 1977 in the upper Marsyandi Khola(Nadi) and the partly already published results of field campaigns in the middle Marsyandi Khola and the Damodar- and Manaslu Himal in the years 1995,2000,2004 and 2007,new geomorphological and geological field- and laboratory data are introduced here from the Ngadi(Nadi) Khola and the lower Marsyandi Nadi from the inflow of the Ngadi(Nadi) Khola down to the southern mountain foreland.There has existed a connected ice-stream-network drained down to the south by a 2,100-2,200 m thick and 120 km long Marsyandi Nadi main valley glacier.At a height of the valley bottom of c.1,000 m a.s.l.the Ngadi Khola glacier joined the still c.1,300 m thick Marsyandi parent glacier from the Himalchuli-massif(Nadi(Ngadi) Chuli) – the south spur of the Manaslu Himal.From here the united glacier tongue flowed down about a further 44 km to the south up to c.400 m a.s.l.(27°57'38 "N/84°24'56" E) into the Himalaya fore-chains and thus reached one of or the lowest past ice margin position of the Himalayas.The glacial(LGP(Last glacial period),LGM(Last glacial maximum) Würm,Stage 0,MIS 3-2) climatic snowline(ELA = equilibrium line altitude) has run at 3,900 to 4,000 m a.s.l.and thus c.1,500 altitude meters below the current ELA(Stage XII) at 5,400-5,500 m a.s.l.The reconstructed,maximum lowering of the climatic snowline(ΔELA = depression of the equilibrium line altitude) about 1,500 m corresponds at a gradient of 0.6°C per 100 altitude meters to a High Glacial decrease in temperature of 9°C(0.6 × 15 = 9).At that time the Tibetan inland ice has caused a stable cold high,so that no summer monsoon can have existed there.Accordingly,during the LGP the precipitation was reduced,so that the cooling must have come to more than only 9°C.