FSH stimulation of P₄ and E₂ is reduced with co-incubation of WNT3A and FSH.

<p>Primary rat granulosa cells were treated as described in Fig. 1. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations (n  =  3) in cell culture medium were analyzed by RIA. (A) FSH treatment increased (<i>P</i><0.01) media E₂ concentrations compared to controls. FSH stimulation of E₂ was markedly decreased (<i>P</i>  =  0.05) in cells exposed to both FSH plus 500 ng/mL WNT3A. (B) Media P₄ concentrations increased (<i>P</i><0.01) in FSH-treated granulosa cells compared with control; the stimulatory effect of FSH on P₄ synthesis was reduced (<i>P</i><0.05) with increasing concentrations of WNT3A. Statistical significance is presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean with significance set at <i>P</i><0.05. Results of WNT treatment are compared within experimental groups incubated without (grey bars) and with (black bars) FSH treatment. Means with the same letter do not differ significantly.</p

Induction of the WNT signaling pathway.

<p>Specific induction of WNT signaling is demonstrated by regulation of the WNT target gene, <i>Axin2,</i> transcriptional regulation of CTNNB1/TCF luciferase reporter and the transcriptional co-factor CTNNB1. Primary rat granulosa cells were treated for 24 h with vehicle or increasing doses of recombinant WNT3A (1, 5, 50, or 500 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of FSH (100 ng/mL). (A) Graphical representation of <i>Axin2</i> mRNA expression and (B) tabular representation of <i>Axin 2</i> mRNA expression data analyzed by real-time PCR (n  =  5). (C) CTNNB1/TCF-dependent (TOPflash) transcriptional activity in primary GC (n  =  3) and a GC tumor cell line (inset, n  = 3). Statistical significance is presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean with significance set at (<i>P</i><0.05). Results of WNT treatment are compared within experimental groups incubated without (grey bars) and with (black bars) FSH treatment. Means with the same letter do not differ significantly. (D) Representative Western blot and quantitative analysis (n  =  3) of CTNNB1 protein demonstrates an increase in CTNNB1 abundance after treatment with WNT3A alone (<i>P</i><0.05) and co-treatment of WNT3A + FSH (<i>P</i><0.01) compared with controls.</p

Primer sequences used in real-time PCR.

<p>¹<i>Actb</i>  =  actin-beta.</p>2<p><i>Axin2</i>  =  axin inhibition protein 2.</p>3<p><i>Cyp11a1</i>  =  P450 side chain cleavage.</p>4<p><i>Cyp19a1</i>  =  aromatase.</p>5<p><i>Gapdh</i>  =  glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.</p>6<p><i>Inha</i>  =  inhibin-alpha.</p>7<p><i>Lhcgr</i>  =  luteinizing hormone chorionic gonadotropin receptor.</p>8<p><i>Mrpl19</i>  =  mitochondrial ribosomal protein L19.</p>9<p><i>Ppia</i>  =  peptidylprolyl isomerase A.</p>10<p><i>Star</i>  =  steroidogenic acute regulatory protein.</p

Arsenic removal from Pinctada martensii enzymatic hydrolysate by using Zr(IV)-loaded chelating resin

The present study investigated the removal of inorganic arsenic from Pinctada martensii enzymatic hydrolysate through unmodified resin (D296) and Zr(IV)-loaded chelating resin (Zr-D401). By loading Zr to macroporous chelating resin D401, the as exchange adsorption active sites are generated. This transforms D401 from a material that does not have the arsenic adsorption capacity into a material that has excellent arsenic exchange adsorption capacity. The static adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the optimal removal condition for D296 and Zr-D401. The experimental results show that: the optimum condition for D296 is that T= 25A degrees C, pH = 5, resin additive amount = 1 g (50 mL)(-1), and contact time = 10 h, the corresponding arsenic removal rate being 65.7%, and protein loss being 2.33%; the optimum condition for Zr-D401 is that T=25A degrees C, pH = 8, resin additive amount = 1 g (50 mL)(-1), and contact time=10 h, the corresponding arsenic removal rate being 70.3%, and protein loss being 4.65%. These results show that both of the two resins are effective in arsenic removal for preserving useful substance. Our research provides scientific evidence and advances in the processing technology for heavy metal removal in shellfish.The present study investigated the removal of inorganic arsenic from Pinctada martensii enzymatic hydrolysate through unmodified resin (D296) and Zr(IV)-loaded chelating resin (Zr-D401). By loading Zr to macroporous chelating resin D401, the as exchange adsorption active sites are generated. This transforms D401 from a material that does not have the arsenic adsorption capacity into a material that has excellent arsenic exchange adsorption capacity. The static adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the optimal removal condition for D296 and Zr-D401. The experimental results show that: the optimum condition for D296 is that T= 25A degrees C, pH = 5, resin additive amount = 1 g (50 mL)(-1), and contact time = 10 h, the corresponding arsenic removal rate being 65.7%, and protein loss being 2.33%; the optimum condition for Zr-D401 is that T=25A degrees C, pH = 8, resin additive amount = 1 g (50 mL)(-1), and contact time=10 h, the corresponding arsenic removal rate being 70.3%, and protein loss being 4.65%. These results show that both of the two resins are effective in arsenic removal for preserving useful substance. Our research provides scientific evidence and advances in the processing technology for heavy metal removal in shellfish

Study on Optical Characteristics of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) In Rainwater by Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Matrix and Absorbance Spectroscopy

The optical characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were determined in rain samples collected in Xiamen Island, during a rainy season in 2007, using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy associated with UV-Vis absorbance spectra. Results showed that the absorbance spectra of CDOM in rain samples decreased exponentially with wavelength. The absorbance coefficient at 300 nm [a(300)] ranged from 0. 27 to 3. 45 m(-1), which would be used as an index of CDOM abundance, and the mean value was 1. 08 m(-1). The content of earlier stage of precipitation events was higher than that of later stage of precipitation events, which implied that anthropogenic sources or atmospheric pollution or air mass types were important contributors to CDOM levels in precipitation. EEMs spectra showed 4 types of fluorescence signals (2 humic-like fluorescence peaks and 2 protein-like fluorescence peaks) in rainwater samples, and there were significant positive correlations of peak A with C and peak B with S, showing their same sources or some relationship of the two humic-like substance and the two protein-like substance. The strong positive correlations of the two humic-like fluorescence peaks with a(300), suggested that the chromophores responsible for absorbance might be the same as fluorophores responsible for fluorescence. Results showed that the presence of highly absorbing and fluorescing CDOM in rainwater is of significant importance in atmospheric chemistry and might play a previously unrecognized role in the wavelength dependent spectral attenuation of solar radiation by atmospheric waters

Diurnal and seasonal variations of carbonate system parameters on Luhuitou fringing reef, Sanya Bay, Hainan Island, South China Sea

The 3-day diurnal dynamics of carbonate system and related parameters on Luhuitou fringing reef of Sanya Bay-adjacent to the South China Sea (SCS) were observed in December of 2009 (early winter), April (spring), July (summer) and November (late-autumn) of 2010. The Luhuitou fringing reef ecosystem was generally dominated by macro and planktonic algae throughout the year except by coralline algae in winter. The system parameters showed distinct diurnal trends in the four seasons. Averaged ranges of diurnal variation for dissolved oxygen and partial pressure of CO2 (pCO(2)) were higher in the autumn, 4.67 mg L-1 and 218.2 mu atm, respectively than other seasons. Averaged ranges of diurnal variation for normalized total alkalinity (NTA) was higher in the winter (61.3 mu mol kg(-1)), and lower in the spring (16.0 mu nol kg(-1)). The diurnal variations are mainly controlled by biological activities, especially by the processes of photosynthesis and respiration in the reef ecosystem. In winter, however, calcification and dissolution contributed more to the diurnal variations, compared with the other three seasons. Total alkalinity was largely related to seasonal changes in river inflow rates. Dissolved oxygen, pH, total CO2 and aragonite saturation also showed seasonal variations. These variations were mainly controlled by the seasonal changes of photosynthesis and respiration, which were mainly affected by changes in benthic community structure, temperature and river inflow rates. The oversaturated pCO(2) in the reef ecosystem with respect to the atmosphere in the winter and summer resulted in CO2 discharge from the reef ecosystem to the SCS. The whole system served as net source of CO2 to the atmosphere and the adjacent South China Sea on an annual time scale. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.We would like to show our gratitude to the innovation program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. kzcx2-yw-227), National Nature Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40931160437 and 40776085), Public Science and Technology research funds projects for the ocean (No. 201005012-6), National Key Technology R&D Program (No. 2009BAB44B01). A thorough review of an earlier draft by Robert Carpenter has brought significant improvements to this manuscript. We thank two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments and suggestions on this manuscript. We also would like to thank Dr. Dong Junde, vice manager of the Tropical Marine Biological Research Station in Hainan, who provided the historical weather information data. We gratefully acknowledge Huang Yuqing for dealing with the language problems of this paper

融合随机模拟与分形刻画流域尺度表土多金属人为污染的流布趋势[C]

环境污染的复杂性导致其空间分布的复杂性，从而难以获得合适的理论变异函数模型以刻画其空间变异。本研究基于序贯指示协模拟的地统计学空间模拟结果来量化流域表土中Cu、Zn、Pb 和Cd 人为污染的分形特征。该结果反映了更真实的环境变量的波动特征，从而获得的数学关系更可靠。通过变换多金属流布的分形特征并对其分维值进行加权处理，实现了多金属人为污染沉积与演化趋势的空间表达。该研究将多变量的非参数地统计学方法、GIS 与非线性科学紧密联系、相互渗透于空间过程分析中，有助于改善模拟精度和准确性，进而减少空间过程模拟、预警及决策的不确定性，并为研究区域环境地球化学问题的格局、过程与耦合特征提供方法学的借鉴。但是，研究中仅将分形理论用于刻画流域表土中Cu、Zn、Pb 和Cd 人为污染沉积与演化趋势的景观形态分形特征的数学模型，仍需进一步将其运用于演化机制的模拟，从而实现由形态模拟发展至过程模拟

云南干热环境可培养高温放线菌多样性及产纤维素酶活性评价/Diversity of culturable thermophilic actinobacteria and their producing cellulase activity in several dry-hot environments in Yunnan Province[J]

[目的]探索云南东川干热河谷、元谋土林以及昆明周边高温堆肥、热泉等环境可培养高温放线菌的多样性及其产纤维素酶的潜力.[方法]利用稀释涂布平板法从采集于上述环境的样品中分离得到菌株500余株,通过形态去重复后对300余株进行16SrRNA基因测序分析,并对获得的菌株利用刚果红染色的方法进行纤维素酶活性初步筛选.[结果]分离到的菌株共分布于放线菌纲下9个亚目15个科33个属,其中候选新属2个、候选新种3个.451株菌的纤维素酶筛选结果显示57％具有纤维素酶活性,其中链霉菌、小单孢菌、野野村氏菌在纤维素酶活性菌株中占较大比例.[结论]云南干热环境下蕴含着丰富的放线菌资源,纤维素酶初步筛选显示出了良好的降解活性,为下一步的深入研究提供良好的菌源