Phylogenetic studies of sinipercid fish (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) based on multiple genes, with first application of an immune-related gene, the virus-induced protein (viperin) gene

The sinipercid fish represent a group of 12 species of freshwater percoid fish endemic to East Asia. To date published morphological and molecular phylogenetics hypotheses of sinipercid fish are part congruent, and there are some areas of significant disagreement with respect to species relationships. The present study used separate and combined methods to analyze 7307 bp of data from three mitochondrial genes (cyt b, CO1 and 16S rRNA; approximate to 2312 bp) and three nuclear genes (viperin, the first two introns of S7 ribosomal protein gene; approximate to 4995 bp) for the attempts to estimate the relationships among sinipercids and to assess the phylogenetic utility of these markers. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian analyses. Despite the detection of significant heterogeneity of phylogenetic signal between the mitochondrial and nuclear partitions, the combined data analysis represented the best-supported topology of all data. The sinipercid fish form a monophyletic group with two distinct clades, one corresponding to the genus Siniperca and the other to Coreoperca. Coreoperca whiteheadi is the sister taxon to Coreoperca herzi plus Coreoperca kawamebari. In the Siniperca, Siniperca undulata is the sister taxon to the other members of Siniperca, within the subclade containing the other members of the genus, Siniperca chuatsi and Siniperca kneri are sister species, next joined by Siniperca obscura, Siniperca roulei, Siniperca scherzeri and finally by Siniperca fortis. The potential utilities of six different genes for phylogenetic resolution of closely related sinipercid species were also evaluated, with special interest in that of the novel virus-induced protein (viperin) gene. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Potentiometric Determination of Dopamine Using a Solid-Contact Polymeric Membrane Ion-Selective Electrode

A simple solid-contact polymeric membrane ion-selective electrode for determination of dopamine was developed. The electrode is fabricated with polymeric membranes incorporating heptakis(2,3,6-tri-o-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as ionophore and sodium trakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate as ionic additive. Using hydrophobic poly(3-octylthiophene) as solid-contact transducer, the sensor displays a stable potential response for detection of dopamine in 2 mM HAc-NaAc buffer solution (pH 4.4) within a wide concentration range of 3.0 x 10(-5) M-1.0 x 10(-3) M with a sub-Nernstian slope of 43.8 +/- 0.5 mV/dec. The detection limit calculated as the intersection of the two slope lines is 1.3 x 10(-5) M. The electrode exhibits good selectivity over inorganic ions, pharmaceutical excipients and ascorbic acid. In addition, the electrode shows a stable potential response over a wide pH range of 4.0 to 8.5, fast response time (less than 10 s) and excellent repeatability. The proposed electrode has been successfully applied for direct potentiometric determination of dopamine in pharmaceutical formulation without pretreatment procedures

Origin Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Honeys by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Chemometric Techniques

The combination of H-1 NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis has become a promising method for the discrimination of food origins. In this paper, this method has been successfully employed to analyze 70 Chinese honey samples from eight botanic origins, three geographical origins, and five production dates. Thirty-three components in honey samples were detected and identified from their H-1 NMR spectra, and 20 of them were accurately quantified by comparing their integral area with that of internal standards with relaxation time correction. Nontargeted principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied to distinguish the honeys from different botanical and geographical origins. The variations of components in the honeys, including saccharides and all kind of amino and organic carboxylic acids, confirmed their clustering according to their origins in PCA scores plots. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) based on the NMR data for the different pairwise honey samples allows to identify the compositional variations contributed to geographical discrimination and storage time. Hence, NMR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric techniques offers an efficient tool for quality control of honey, and it could further serve to the classification, qualitative and quantitative control of other foods

Proteomic responses reveal the differential effects induced by cadmium in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis at early life stages

Cadmium (Cd) has become an important metal contaminant and posed severe risk on the organisms in the coastal environments of the Bohai Sea. Marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is widely distributed along the Bohai coast and consumed as seafood by local residents. Evidences indicate that the early stages of marine organisms are more sensitive to metal contaminants. In this study, we applied two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomics to characterize the biological effects of Cd (50 mu g L-1) in the early life stages (D-shape larval and juvenile) of mussels. The different proteomic responses demonstrated the differential responsive mechanisms to Cd exposure in these two early life stages of mussels. In details, results indicated that Cd mainly induced immune and oxidative stresses in both D-shape larval and juvenile mussels via different pathways. In addition, the significant up-regulation of triosephosphate isomerase and metallothionein confirmed the enhanced energy demand and mobilized detoxification mechanism in D-shape larval mussels exposed to Cd. In juvenile mussels, Cd exposure also induced clear apoptosis. Overall, this work suggests that Cd is a potential immune toxicant to mussel M. galloprovincialis at early life stages. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

An integrated proteomic and metabolomic study on the gender-specific responses of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), accounting for the largest production of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) along the Laizhou Bay in China, is of great concern due to its diverse toxicities. In this study, we focused on the gender-specific responses of TBBPA in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis using an integrated proteomic and metabolomic approach. After exposure of TBBPA (10 mu g L-1) for one month, a total of 9 metabolites and 67 proteins were altered in mussel gills from exposed group. The significant changes of metabolites in female mussel gills from exposed group exhibited the disturbances in energy metabolism and osmotic regulation, while in male samples only be found the variation of metabolites related to osmotic regulation. iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis showed biological differences between male and female mussel gills from solvent control group. The higher levels of proteins related to primary and energy metabolism and defense mechanisms in male mussel gills meant a greater anti-stress capability of male mussels. Further analysis revealed that TBBPA exposure affected multiple biological processes consisting of production and development, material and energy metabolism, signal transduction, gene expression, defense mechanisms and apoptosis in both male and female mussels with different mechanisms. Specially, the responsive proteins of TBBPA in male mussels signified higher tolerance limits than those in female individuals, which was consistent with the biological differences between male and female mussel gills from solvent control group. This work suggested that the gender differences should be considered in ecotoxicology. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Synthesis of MoS2 nanoparticles using MoO3 nanobelts as precursor via a PVP-assisted hydrothermal method

The synthesis of MoS2 nanoparticles from MoO3 with a certain morphology through a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process is described in this paper. MoO3, which has a nanobelt morphology with a width of 100-500 nm and a length from one to several micrometers, is used as the precursor, and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is used as the surfactant. The morphology of the resulting MoS2 nanomaterial has been characterized by the field-emission scanning electron microscope, which shows that the obtained nanoparticles have diameters ranging from 50 to 100 nm with rough surfaces. Additionally, the composition and crystallinity as well as the phase information of the produced nanoparticles have been characterized by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and X-ray diffraction. Specifically, in this process, the presence of PVP plays a crucial role for the successful fabrication of the nanoparticle morphology, which may be due to the formation of PVP micelles leading to an oriented aggregation of MoS2 nuclei. In addition, comparative experiments have been conducted and the possible reaction mechanism is proposed. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A Potentiometric Flow Biosensor Based on Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria for the Detection of Toxicity in Water

A flow biosensor for the detection of toxicity in water using the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium (AOB) Nitrosomonas europaea as a bioreceptor and a polymeric membrane ammonium-selective electrode as a transducer is described. The system is based on the inhibition effects of toxicants on the activity of AOB, which can be evaluated by measuring the ammonium consumption rates with the ammonium-selective membrane electrode. The AOB cells are immobilized on polyethersulfone membranes packed in a holder, while the membrane electrode is placed downstream in the flow cell. Two specific inhibitors of the ammonia oxidation. allylthiourea and thioacetamide. have been tested. The IC50 values defined as the concentration of an inhibitor causing a 50% reduction in the ammonia oxidation activity have been measured as 0.17 mu M and 0.46 mu M for allylthiourea and thioacetamide, respectively. The proposed sensor offers advantages of simplicity, speed and high sensitivity for measuring toxicity in water.A flow biosensor for the detection of toxicity in water using the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium (AOB) Nitrosomonas europaea as a bioreceptor and a polymeric membrane ammonium-selective electrode as a transducer is described. The system is based on the inhibition effects of toxicants on the activity of AOB, which can be evaluated by measuring the ammonium consumption rates with the ammonium-selective membrane electrode. The AOB cells are immobilized on polyethersulfone membranes packed in a holder, while the membrane electrode is placed downstream in the flow cell. Two specific inhibitors of the ammonia oxidation. allylthiourea and thioacetamide. have been tested. The IC50 values defined as the concentration of an inhibitor causing a 50% reduction in the ammonia oxidation activity have been measured as 0.17 mu M and 0.46 mu M for allylthiourea and thioacetamide, respectively. The proposed sensor offers advantages of simplicity, speed and high sensitivity for measuring toxicity in water

Characterization of calcium deposition induced by Synechocystis sp PCC6803 in BG11 culture medium

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals in their preferred orientation were obtained in BG11 culture media inoculated with Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (inoculated BG11). In this study, the features of calcium carbonate deposition were investigated. Inoculated BG11 in different calcium ion concentrations was used for the experimental group, while the BG11 culture medium was used for the control group. The surface morphologies of the calcium carbonate deposits in the experimental and control groups were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The deposits were analyzed by electronic probe micro-analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the surfaces of the crystals in the experimental group were hexahedral in a scaly pattern. The particle sizes were micrometer-sized and larger than those in the control group. The deposits of the control group contained calcium (Ca), carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and other elements. The deposits in the experimental group contained Ca, C, and O only. The deposits of both groups contained calcite. The thermal decomposition temperature of the deposits in the control group was lower than those in the experimental group. It showed that the CaCO3 deposits of the experimental group had higher thermal stability than those of the control group. This may be due to the secondary metabolites produced by the algae cells, which affect the carbonate crystal structure and result in a close-packed structure. The algae cells that remained after thermal weight loss were heavier in higher calcium concentrations in BG11 culture media. There may be more calcium-containing crystals inside and outside of these cells. These results shall be beneficial for understanding the formation mechanism of carbonate minerals.Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals in their preferred orientation were obtained in BG11 culture media inoculated with Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (inoculated BG11). In this study, the features of calcium carbonate deposition were investigated. Inoculated BG11 in different calcium ion concentrations was used for the experimental group, while the BG11 culture medium was used for the control group. The surface morphologies of the calcium carbonate deposits in the experimental and control groups were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The deposits were analyzed by electronic probe micro-analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the surfaces of the crystals in the experimental group were hexahedral in a scaly pattern. The particle sizes were micrometer-sized and larger than those in the control group. The deposits of the control group contained calcium (Ca), carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and other elements. The deposits in the experimental group contained Ca, C, and O only. The deposits of both groups contained calcite. The thermal decomposition temperature of the deposits in the control group was lower than those in the experimental group. It showed that the CaCO3 deposits of the experimental group had higher thermal stability than those of the control group. This may be due to the secondary metabolites produced by the algae cells, which affect the carbonate crystal structure and result in a close-packed structure. The algae cells that remained after thermal weight loss were heavier in higher calcium concentrations in BG11 culture media. There may be more calcium-containing crystals inside and outside of these cells. These results shall be beneficial for understanding the formation mechanism of carbonate minerals

UV-A enhanced growth and UV-B induced positive effects in the recovery of photochemical yield in Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)

The effects of solar UV radiation (280-400 nm) on growth, quantum yield and pigmentation in Gracilaria lemaneiformis were investigated when the thalli were cultured under solar radiation with or without UV for a period of 15 days. Presence of UV-A(315-400 nm) enhanced the relative growth rate, while UV-B (218-315 nm) inhibited it. The positive effect of UV-A and negative effect of UV-B counteracted to result in an insignificant impact of UVR on growth. During the noon period, both UV-A and UV-B resulted in the decrease of maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), but UV-B aided in the recovery of the yield in the late afternoon, reflecting that UV-B might be used as a signal in photorepair processes. UV induced the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds (UVAC) to defend against the harmful UVR. However, the accumulation of UVAC took a much longer time compared to that previously reported, which was probably due to the lower levels of solar radiation and water temperature in the early spring period. Unknown UV-absorbing compounds (UVAC), which peaked at 265 nm, probably the precursor of MAAs (UVAC(325)), accumulated under moderate levels of solar radiation and were transformed to MAAs under higher solar radiation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.National Basic Research Program of China [2009CB421207]; National Natural Science Foundation [40930846]; "863" Project [2006AA10A413]; Ministry of Education of China [308015]; Huaihai Institute of Technology [Z2009045

Using graphene to protect DNA from cleavage during cellular delivery

We have proved that functionalized nanoscale graphene oxide can protect oligonucleotides from enzymatic cleavage and efficiently deliver oligonucleotides into cells.National Natural Science Foundation of China [20775019, 20735002, 20975023]; National Basic Research Program of China [2010CB732403