Evidence from heterologous expression of glutathione S-transferases A and A1 of the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) that their endogenous role is in detoxification of lipid peroxidation products

cDNA clones for glutathione S-transferases A (GST-A) and A1 (GST-A1) from plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) were expressed as N-terminally 6XHis tagged proteins in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity from Ni-NTA silica. GST-A was an efficient catalyst for conjugation of unsaturated alkenals derived from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids with the highest activity observed with trans-non-2-enal (8 micromol min(-1) mg(-1)). GST-A1 was a very efficient Se-independent glutathione peroxidase with an activity towards cumene hydroperoxide of 25 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). Although the enzymes exhibited moderately high activities towards the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) they exhibited little or no activity towards other common prototypical xenobiotic substrates. Together with data for ontogeny, tissue distribution and inducibility of these enzymes, we contend that a primary function of these enzymes is protection from the harmful effects of lipid peroxidation products generated naturally or exacerbated by xenobiotic exposure.     

Effects of prolonged exposure to 4-tert-octylphenol on toxicity and indices of oestrogenic exposure in the sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus, Pallas)

Alkylphenolic compounds are present in estuarine and marine environments. They are moderately bioaccumulative, and oestrogenic to fish following three week, in vivo, exposures. The effects of prolonged exposure are, as yet, unclear. Sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) were exposed to measured concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) in a 28-day, dose-ranging study, and a six month temporal response study. Following 28-days exposure to measured 31+/-6 or 101+/-47 microg l(-1) OP (mean+/-SD), immature male sand goby showed elevated vitellogenin (VTG) mRNA expression. Plasma alkali-labile phosphate concentrations were elevated in both sexes and were higher in females than males. Although measured OP concentrations were variable, they were significantly different for each treatment and a range of concentration-dependent effects were observed. The LC(50) for chronic OP exposure (8 weeks) was 29+/-6 microg l(-1), and both sexes demonstrated concentration and duration dependent increases in VTG mRNA expression. Exposure to 28+/-20 microg l(-1) OP (median+/-95% CI) for 6 months inhibited development of male nuptial colouration and sperm duct glands. These findings are discussed in relation to environmental concentrations of alkylphenols and ecological concerns.     

Variations of antioxidant efficiency and presence of endosymbiotic diatoms in the Antarctic porifera Haliclona dancoi

The role of endosymbiotic diatoms as pro-oxidant stressors in porifera has been investigated in the Antarctic sponge Haliclona dancoi in which the presence of diatoms is influenced by marked seasonal variations during the austral summer. Both chlorophaeopigments and frustules were absent in sponge tissues sampled in early November at the beginning of the summer and increased from the mid of December with slightly shifted temporal trends. The efficiency of antioxidant defenses in the sponge showed a marked response to symbionts with clearly enhanced values corresponding to the peak of diatoms.     

国外水下作业机械手的特点及发展趋势

国外水下作业机械手(以下简称机械手)的研究始于50年代。70年代以来,国外许多公司如美国的Schilling公司,Western Space and Marine有限公司以及英国的Slingsby有限公司等,相继研制成功了多种先进的机械手及系列产品,并已投入批量生产,使机械手的研究和生产达到了较高的水平。我国水下作业机械手的研制工作始于70年代,与国外相比还存在着一段差距。本文从水下机械手的结构、液压驱动及控制     

长江口及其邻近海区的浮性鱼卵和仔稚鱼的生态研究

1985年8月—1986年10月(2,9月除外),在长江口海区进行了鱼卵、仔鱼调查。结果表明,该海区系由淡水鱼类、半咸水鱼类和沿岸、近海鱼类四种生态类型组成的鱼类生态结构,具有特殊复杂的生态特点;其种类组成和数量分布,皆受长江径流、台湾暖流及黄海冷水团等水系的相互消长、交换而形成的错综复杂的海况条件所制约。目前该海区的鱼类种间数量对比关系发生变化。历史上的重要经济鱼类数量极少,而作为它们的主要饵料之一的鳀鱼数量却占绝对优势。这与渔业上的过度捕捞和滥捕有很大关系。因此,以发展增、养殖事业来转化和降低捕捞强度,对保护鱼类资源具有重大意义。     

海洋微生物学的主要任务

海——微生物栖息的特殊环境。特殊的盐类成分,低温,高压,低浓度的有机物质,植物及动物区系的稀少等组成了微生物生命活动的广阔海洋区域一些主要生态特征。 海洋中最初的微生物学研究,早在上一世纪就已进行了,但足它们局限于较狭小的任务——     

天然气水合物的热流特征及影响因素

热流特征是研究天然气水合物的重要指标之一，不同地质环境下的天然气水合物的热流特征不尽相同。天然气水合物的热流分布主要受地壳年龄和沉积作用、地形及断裂构造和流体迁移等因素影响。     

Responses of a Mediterranean soft bottom community to short-term (1993-1996) hydrological changes in the Rhone river

The polychaete fauna of muddy bottoms off the Rhone delta (NW Mediterranean) was seasonally sampled at two sites at 70 m depth, from 1993 to 1996. During this period, five severe flood events occurred. A clustering analysis (distance coefficient of Whittaker) and three way fixed factor ANOVAs (site x season x year) showed strong year-to-year changes in species density and community structure, changes that masked seasonal variations. Total density increased by a factor of 3 and density of most species significantly increased following the first flooding event. Changes in the community structure were due to the successive dominance of a few species. The opportunistic species, such as Cossura sp., Mediomastus sp. and Polycirrus sp., exhibited peaks in density 1-3 months after the flood. These peaks were followed by a drastic decline. For species with a long life span, such as Sternaspis scutata, a slower but continuous increase in density was observed which was maintained for several months. The density fluctuations of these species exhibited a good correlation with river flow with time lags of 1-2 years. The successional dynamics observed are explained according to the geographical origin of the floods and the biology and feeding ecology of species.