Water content measurement in black spruce and aspen sapwood with benchtop and portable magnetic resonance devices

Abstract

In this study, water content in black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.) and aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) sapwood samples was investigated with time-domain magnetic resonance (MR). Time-domain MR measurements easily distinguish water in different environments in wood according to the spin-spin relaxation time and provide quantitative information on water content. The MR techniques employed can distinguish and quantify the individual signal components. Both black spruce and aspen have two signal components at moisture contents above the fiber saturation point. These two signal components correspond to motionally restricted water, often referred to as bound water, and unrestricted, or free water. Bound water content is constant above 40% moisture content. No signal from free water was detected at or below 20% moisture content in either species. We also demonstrate the use of a recently developed portable unilateral magnet that can be employed as a powerful tool in the study and measurement of water content in wood.     

不同茶叶中游离氨基酸的对映异构体

【目的】游离氨基酸是茶叶的主要化学成分之一,与茶叶的滋味品质密切相关。大多数氨基酸具有手性中心,因此存在滋味特性及生理活性均可能截然不同的L型和D型两种对映异构体。由于检测技术的限制,过去的研究多集中在L型氨基酸上,而茶叶中D型氨基酸罕有系统的研究报道。因此,研究茶叶中游离氨基酸对映异构体,对茶叶化学理论体系的深化及滋味品质的提升与调控具有重要的推进作用。【方法】采用手性HPLC法、MTBSTFA硅烷衍生化法和酯化-PFP酰化法3种不同的分析方法对比茶叶中游离氨基酸对映异构体的分离性能,结果表明采用酯化-PFP酰化法结合手性气相色谱-质谱联用技术（gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS）,可实现茶叶中丙氨酸、缬氨酸、苏氨酸、脯氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、丝氨酸、半胱氨酸、天冬氨酸、蛋氨酸、苯丙氨酸、谷氨酸、酪氨酸、赖氨酸及色氨酸等15种重要游离氨基酸对映异构体的有效分离。继而建立茶叶中游离氨基酸对映异构体的高效衍生化及定性定量分析方法,并查明市售11种代表性白茶、乌龙茶及普洱茶中游离氨基酸对映异构体的分布规律。【结果】衍生化条件为：将氨基酸反应液在100℃下酯化105 min,继而以四氢呋喃为反应溶剂,在100℃下五氟丙酰化10 min。游离氨基酸对映异构体的回收率介于75.26%—123.6%（低浓度）、81.23%—121.8%（高浓度）,RSD值介于2.09%—13.12%（低浓度）、1.48%—10.59%（高浓度）。茶样分析结果表明,大部分氨基酸的1—2个对映异构体可以在茶样中检测出,且D-氨基酸普遍存在于茶样中,尤其是D-苏氨酸、D-天冬氨酸、D-半胱氨酸、D-苯丙氨酸、D-茶氨酸、D-谷氨酰胺及D-谷氨酸混合物在大部分茶样中均有分布,而D-蛋氨酸、D-赖氨酸及D-色氨酸在所有茶样中均未被检测出。在具体含量分布上,除了L-茶氨酸、L-谷氨酸及L-谷氨酰胺混合物之外,L-半胱氨酸（1.48—2.08 mg?g^-1）、D-半胱氨酸（1.46—1.49 mg?g^-1）、L-丝氨酸（0.15—1.80 mg?g^-1）及D-天冬氨酸（1.02—1.14 mg?g^-1）在白茶中的含量普遍较高;L-半胱氨酸（1.52—1.70 mg?g^-1）、D-半胱氨酸（1.45—1.49 mg?g^-1）、L-丝氨酸（1.03—1.50 mg?g^-1）、L-蛋氨酸（1.03—1.52 mg?g^-1）、L-酪氨酸（1.32—1.35 mg?g^-1）及D-天冬氨酸（1.01—1.15 mg?g^-1）在乌龙茶中具有较高含量。在普洱茶中,L-茶氨酸、L-谷氨酸及L-谷氨酰胺混合物的含量（1.04 mg?g^-1）与其他氨基酸相比并无显著性差异,而L-苏氨酸、L-色氨酸及L-丝氨酸含量较高,介于0.61—0.84 mg?g^-1。在氨基酸总量上,各茶类呈现出白茶（最高为40.61 mg?g^-1）>乌龙茶（最高为25.43 mg?g^-1）>普洱茶（8.01 mg?g^-1）的分布规律。多元统计分析结果表明,L-茶氨酸、L-谷氨酸及L-谷氨酰胺混合物、L-色氨酸及L-天冬氨酸在部分白茶中的含量显著高于乌龙茶,而L-酪氨酸与L-蛋氨酸则在乌龙茶中含量较高。【结论】D-氨基酸存在于大部分茶叶中,对茶汤滋味品质存在潜在影响,但在本研究样例中,D-氨基酸的含量分布在不同茶类间未表现出显著性差异。     

稻田和池塘养殖模式对中华绒螯蟹肠道菌群、免疫酶活及肌肉游离氨基酸的影响

为了探究稻田和池塘养殖模式对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)肠道菌群、免疫力和肌肉风味影响,选取同一批次稻田和池塘的中华绒螯蟹在5月和10月对其肠道菌群、免疫酶活和肌肉游离氨基酸进行测定。结果表明：中华绒螯蟹肠道优势菌群为软壁菌门、拟杆菌门、变形菌门和厚壁菌门。在季节和养殖模式均对蟹的肠道菌群造成影响的情况下,季节变化对菌群变化的影响更大。从5月到10月,稻田养殖模式下中华绒螯蟹肠道菌群的丰富度和多样性均出现上升趋势,而池塘养殖模式下肠道菌群的丰富度和多样性则无显著变化。两种养殖模式下中华绒螯蟹肠道中的SOD (超氧化物歧化酶)在5月的活性均高于10月(P <0.05);在10月,池塘模式下的免疫酶活性LZM（溶菌酶）和ACP（酸性磷酸酶）显著高于稻田模式(P< 0.05)。各组肌肉中均检测出17种游离氨基酸,呈味氨基酸中甜味氨基酸含量(TSAA)>总苦味氨基酸(TBAA)>总鲜味氨基酸(TUAA),且池塘养殖模式下中华绒螯蟹肌肉中TSAA和总游离氨基酸TFAA高于稻田养殖模式下含量(P< 0.05)。因此,池塘养殖模式较稻田养殖模式下的中华绒螯蟹肠道菌群时间上更稳定,免疫酶活更强,肌肉风味更优。     

Changes in tissue lipid levels in the freshwater catfishClarias batrachus associated with the reproductive cycle

The levels of free fatty acid (FFA), monoglyceride (MG), diglyceride (DG), triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL), free cholesterol (CF) and esterified cholesterol (CE) were measured in the liver, plasma, ovary, abdominal fat and muscle during different phases of the annual reproductive cycle in femaleClarias batrachus. During the preparatory phase, hepatic lipogenic activity predominated over mobilization and consumption. In the prespawning season, an increased hepatic lipogenic activity was maintained, but lipids were transferred from the liver to the ovary. In the spawning phase, the diminished food intake, and enhanced caloric demand for spawning behaviour and activity limited hepatic lipogenic activity, and TG lypolysis was increased as was the production of more FFA. Maximum accumulation of vitellogenin, as reflected by maximum rise in ovarian PL titre was characteristic of this phase. Marked reductions in ovarian lipid occurred during the postspawning phase. In the resting phase, there was a recovery of lipogenic activity, but PL synthesis was still inhibited. In contrast to other investigated teleosts, there were extremely high level of FFA in liver, plasma, ovary and muscle throughout the annual reproductive cycle inC. batrachus. FFA appears to be the main lipid metabolite which had a very high turnover. As evidenced by the high TG content, abdominal fat seems to be the main fat depot, not the liver and muscle.Correspondent author     

Effects of Surgical Wound Infiltration with Bupivacaine on Postoperative Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Bilateral Mastectomy

The analgesic effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine was evaluated in cats undergoing bilateral mastectomy. Twenty-one female cats with mammary gland tumors were anesthetized with propofol and oxygen-isoflurane anesthesia following premedication with atropine. In the trial group (Group I; n=11), 30 ml of saline containing 2 mg/kg of bupivacaine was infiltrated topically into the surgical wound right after removal of the mammary glands, whereas only saline solution was infiltrated in the control group (Group II; n=10). At the same time, carprofen (4 mg/kg) was also administered subcutaneously in both groups. Behavioral signs of pain were monitored during the recovery period after general anesthesia. In order to examine the behavioral changes associated with acute pain, a questionnaire was prepared and given to the owners to be completed 4 hr and then 10 hr after the operation. According to the owners’ anwers to the questionnaire, a pain score was specified using a “numerical rating scale” for each cat. Although some cats showed mild to moderate pain, the pain score recorded at 4 hr after the operation was significantly lower in Group I (P<0.001). No significant difference was found at 10 hr after the operation between the groups. The incidence of vocalization, aggression and convulsion within 2 hr after the operation was also lower in Group I. In conclusion, wound infiltration with bupivacaine before incisional closure provided reliable analgesia at least 4 hr after bilateral radical mastectomy in cats.     

虾夷扇贝内脏多糖的提取及清除羟基自由基作用的研究

通过正交试验确定最佳提取条件为:温度50℃,pH 8.0,加酶量0.25%,料液比1∶45,提取时间2.5 h;最佳条件下提取的虾夷扇贝内脏多糖具有清除羟基自由基的能力。试验结果表明,6.5 mg/m l虾夷扇贝内脏多糖对羟基自由基的清除率可达84.75%。     

5种食用豆及其配比组合抗氧化性研究

以小豆、绿豆、豌豆、芸豆、豇豆等5种食用豆的15个品种为材料,从总抗氧化能力和羟自由基清除能力2个方面,研究食用豆营养保健的合理搭配。结果表明,参试各食用豆品种间抗氧化性存在较大差异,京农绿小豆的总抗氧化能力测定值最大,为0.365U/mg,定碗1号的羟自由基清除能力测定值最小值,为0.003U/mg;5种食用豆等量配比组合间存在显著差异,组合京农8号、冀绿9、食荚大菜豌1号、龙芸豆4号、中豇1号的总抗氧化能力测定值(0.452U/mg),比单一品种京农绿小豆测定最高值(0.365U/mg)有明显提高;总抗氧化能力和羟自由基清除能力测定结果均说明,不同种类食用豆组合在抗氧化性方面存在互作高效的特性;非等量配比,总抗氧化能力最高值可达到0.589U/mg,高于等量配比组合最高值0.452U/mg。食用豆合理搭配,可显著提高其抗氧化性方面的营养保健价值。     

Effect of feeding on the tissue free amino acid concentrations in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

This study investigates whether tissue free amino acid (FAA) pools in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), are altered following feeding and the relationships between the amount of food consumed and the FAA pool size. Trout were starved for 7 days to provide baseline data and then refed on day 8. Individual food intake was measured by radiography and the consumption of amino acids (AA) calculated from dietary protein consumption. Total FAA concentrations in the stomach, liver and white muscle were little changed at various times after the meal and this pattern was repeated for the majority of individual FAA. Overall, the most notable change was a reduction in essential FAA concentrations (principally in valine, leucine and isoleucine) in the white muscle following feeding. However, in the caeca total FAA, total essential FAA and a number of individual FAA were significantly elevated at 4, 9 and 15h following feeding. There were few significant correlations between dietary amino acid consumption and total tissue FAA and essential FAA concentration in the stomach, caecum and white muscle; correlations were stronger in the liver. In order to explain the relative constancy of total FAA concentrations in the tissues following food intake (which represents over 100% of the total FAA pool) a model is presented that quantifies the AA flux through the free pools and considers the role of protein turnover in regulating FAA pool size.     

Growth, stress response and free amino acid levels in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) chronically exposed to exogenous ammonia

Stressful husbandry conditions are likely to affect growth and amino acid metabolism in fish. In this study, chronic ammonia exposure was used to test the effects of a stressor on growth and amino acid metabolism of Senegalese sole juveniles. The fish were exposed for 52 days to 11.6 mg L⁻¹ [low‐TAN (L‐TAN)] or 23.2 mg L⁻¹ [high‐TAN (H‐TAN)] of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), or to 0 mg L⁻¹ (Control). Growth in L‐TAN groups was slightly but significantly different from the Control groups [relative growth rate (RGR=0.35±0.13 and 0.52±0.23% day⁻¹ respectively)]. In H‐TAN groups, growth was severely affected (RGR=0.01±0.13% day⁻¹). Stress parameters (plasma cortisol and glucose) showed slight or no significant differences between treatments. Plasma free amino acid (FAA) concentrations were affected after H‐TAN treatment. Increases in glutamine and aspartate concentrations in H‐TAN fish suggest alterations in amino acid metabolism related to nitrogen excretion processes. Some of the changes in FAA concentrations also suggest mobilization to energy supply and synthesis of metabolites related to stress response. Therefore, Senegalese sole seem to adapt to the L‐TAN concentration tested, but the H‐TAN concentration reduced growth and affected amino acid metabolism.     

Utilization of free amino acids, yolk proteins and lipids in developing eggs and yolk-sac larvae of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma

ABSTRACT:   To elucidate the utilization of the major yolk nutrient stocks in eggs and larvae of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma , the contents of free amino acids (FAA), the major yolk protein (180 kDa lipovitellin originated from vitellogenin B in ovulated eggs: oLv B), and lipids were measured. Most eggs hatched 18 days after fertilization at 5°C, and all larvae absorbed almost all their yolk mass by 28 days. The total FAA content showed no change during the first 6 days, and then decreased to 28% of the initial level by 18 days. The oLv B contents, measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific antiserum against oLv B, gradually decreased from 6 to 18 days, followed by a rapid decline. The content of phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols (TG) showed no marked change until hatching, and then decreased until disappearance of yolk sac. From these results, it is proposed that there are two main periods for nutrient utilization in embryos and larvae of walleye pollock. In the first period, FAA was mainly utilized until 18 days after fertilization. Active utilization of oLv B and lipids (PL and TG) instead of FAA occurred during the second period from 18 to 28 days.