The redox potential of growing cultures of Streptococcus bovis Orla-Jensen compared with other facultative anaerobes.

The changes of redox potential were measured in growing cultures of three strains of Streptococcus bovis, together with three strains of Staphylococcus aureus and one strain of each of Lactobacillus plantaram, Lactobacillus casei, and Eschericia coli. It was found that both S. aureus and E. coli could reduce the redox potential of the growth medium to very low values (between —400 mv and —600 mv), whereas the streptococci and lactobacilli were able to cause only slight or insignificant changes of the redox potential. Respirometric measurements confirmed that the capacity of oxygen consumption of S. bovis was very small compared to that of E. coli and S. aureus. On this basis the authors conclude that S. bovis in all probability is unable to contribute significantly to maintenance of the low redox potential of its natural habitat, the rumen. This function must be carried out by other bacteria, such as enterobacteria or staphylococci, which are capable of performing a true, aerobic respiration.     

Betaine Alleviates Heat Stress-Induced Hepatic and Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage in Broilers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary betaine (BET) on growth performance, redox state, and related gene expression in broilers under heat stress (HS). A total of 144 21-day-old male broiler chickens with similar body weights were assigned randomly to three treatments with six replicates (eight chickens per replicate cage). Broilers in the control (CON) group were kept at thermoneutral (TN, 22±1°C) conditions and fed a basal diet until they were 42 days of age. Broilers in the other two groups (defined as HS and HS + BET) were exposed to HS (34±1°C, 8 h/day) and fed the basal diet without or with 1000 mg/kg BET, respectively. Rectal and cockscomb temperature of broilers was increased (P<0.05) in HS and HS + BET groups compared with the CON group, whereas there was no difference between HS and HS + BET groups. Dietary BET supplementation restored (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers and reversed (P<0.05) the increase in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver tissue of broilers under HS. The HS + BET group had higher (P<0.05) activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver tissue and mitochondria than the HS group, and the same pattern was observed for glutathione (GSH) and GSH/glutathione disulphide (GSSG) in the liver tissue. The decreased mRNA levels of GPX1 and uncoupling protein (UCP) in the liver induced by HS were restored by BET supplementation. In conclusion, dietary BET supplementation can alleviate HS-induced hepatic and mitochondrial oxidative damage of broilers by regulating mRNA expressions of GPX1 and UCP.     

Pinning Theory of Fermi Energy and Surface State Measurement of ZnSnO3 Gas Sensitive Material

In order to research the state of energy bands and gain and loss of electrons on the surface of ZnSnO_(3),it is put forward that Pinning theory of Fermi energy is applied to development of gas sensitive materials.The relative position between surface state and conduction band on surface of zinc tin complex oxide(ZnSnO_(3)) gas sensitive material has been investigated by utilizing oxidation redox couple,FeCl_(2)/ FeCl_(3),which have high surface state.Fermi energy is pinned at about 0.2 eV below conduction band E_(cs)on the surface of ZnSnO_(3).It has been determined that additives doping ratio,addition concentration and working atmosphere have no effect on this value.Therefore,pinning theory of Fermi energy has been verified by using this method.     

强化栽培条件下干湿灌溉对水稻生长的影响

在中国水稻研究所试验场研究了强化栽培条件下干湿灌溉对水稻生长的影响.结果表明:在强化栽培条件下采取干湿灌溉处理,在返青期、分蘖期、孕穗期和抽穗开花期比对照分别节水1.4%、12.4%、9.0%和11.2%;水分生产效率达0.93 kg/m3,比CK处理提高34.2%;干4～5 d之后,再复水4～5 d,土壤氧化还原电位循环变化,有利于提高土壤氧化还原电位,改善土壤的通气状况,提高根系活力,促进大穗,穗粒致明显增加,单产平均提高6.9%.     

Role of soil redox in growth and fertilizer nitrogen uptake by rice in Thailand paddy soils

Abstract. In a laboratory study, ¹⁵N ammonium fertilizer uptake and rice growth was determined in a non-acid sulphate marine soil (Typic Tropaquept) and an acid sulphate soil (Sulfic Tropaquept). Acid sulphate sensitive (IR 26) and acid sulphate tolerant (IR 46) rice varieties were grown in soil suspensions incubated at four Eh levels (+500, +250, +50, and -150 mV) in microcosms for three weeks. The results showed that rice grown in non-acid sulphate marine soils gave slightly better dry matter weight of 1.8g/pot, greater ¹⁵N uptake of 12.8 mg N/pot, and higher total N uptake of 38.4 mg N/pot than under acid sulphate soil conditions indicating the non-acid marine soil is more favourable to rice culture. Growth as measured by weight of dry matter was significantly reduced from 2.1g/pot under oxidized condition (+500 mV) to 0.8g/pot under highly reduced condition (-150 mV). N uptake by rice was significantly reduced from 16.9 mg/pot at + 500 mV to 4.5 mg N/pot at -150 mV Total N uptake also decreased with decreasing Eh. Growth, ¹⁵N uptake and total N uptake by acid sulphate tolerant rice, IR 46 were significantly higher than the acid sulphate sensitive rice variety, IR 26. Under highly reduced soil conditions (-150 mV), growing rice in acid sulphate soil would require additions of lime, intermittent irrigation and/or mid season drainage in order to increase soil redox potential and remove toxic substances.     

剑麻纤维接枝丙烯酸吸水树脂的研究

以剑麻纤维为骨架,以一定中和度的丙烯酸和少量丙烯酰胺为单体,采用硫代硫酸钠(Na2S2O3)和过硫酸盐为引发体系,通过接枝反应制备纤维素基吸水树脂.考察引发体系及条件对制备吸水树脂的影响,探索单体配比、交联剂浓度对吸水树脂的吸水能力、吸水速率、保水性能和反复吸水性能的影响.结果表明:在硫代硫酸钠和过硫酸盐组成氧化还原引发体系中,采用过硫酸钾和过硫酸铵两种氧化剂组成的引发体系,在引发剑麻纤维接枝丙烯酸单体的反应中起到协同效应;有效地将过硫酸盐引发接枝反应的温度由常用的55～80℃降至30～50℃,同时,达到较高的接枝率和单体转化率.交联剂的用量、丙烯酰胺(AM)的用量和丙烯酸(AA)的用量对吸水倍率和吸盐水倍率有显著的影响.吸水树脂的最大吸水倍率为530 g/g,最大吸盐水倍率为58 g/g,吸水速率为8 g(g·min),树脂具有良好的保水性和热稳定性.FTIR分析结果表明,吸水树脂是纤维素和丙烯酸的接枝共聚物.TGA分析结果表明,吸水树脂比剑麻纤维热稳定性好.     

NADP-malic enzyme and glutathione reductase contribute to glutathione regeneration in Fragaria vesca fruit treated with protective high CO2 concentrations

Treatment of harvested strawberries (Fragaria vesca L. Mara des Bois) with high concentrations of CO₂ is an effective means of limiting fungal decay and avoiding disorders caused by low temperature storage. In the present study, we investigated the role of NADP-ME gene expression and activity in lowering malic acid contents and in the provision of NADPH required for the regeneration of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH). We also measured glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2) activity in strawberries treated with different high CO₂ concentrations (0, 20 and 40% for 3 days) during storage at 0 °C. A decrease in malic acid content in fruit exposed to 20% CO₂ was primarily mediated by the stimulation of NADP-ME activity, rather than associated with changes in the expression of cytosolic NADP-ME genes. Moreover, malic acid decarboxylation was associated with a marked increase in GR activity, which may account for the increased levels of glutathione in fruit following exposure to 20% CO₂. This chain of events was not observed in untreated fruit stored in air or in fruit treated with 40% CO₂, suggesting that the unique cellular redox status of 20% CO₂-treated fruit plays an important role in detoxification and protection from damage during storage. Based on these findings, we propose that NADP-ME activation in fruit exposed to 20% CO₂ provides NADPH for glutathione regeneration by GR, thereby conferring protection against the cellular damage caused by low temperatures or excessive high CO₂ levels.     

氧化还原反应的影响因素及动力学特征

植物多酚可用于还原重铬酸钾制备铬鞣剂,儿茶素是缩合类植物多酚缩合母体,是重要的林产化工产品植物多酚的前体,在皮革化工中有重要的研究价值,了解其与重铬酸盐反应的动力学特征对制备铬鞣剂具有重要指导意义.本文通过光谱法研究在不同条件下影响儿茶素与Cr6+的氧化还原反应的主要因素和动力学特征,确定了氧化还原反应的主要阶段及达到平衡的时间,即氧化还原反应主要发生在反应开始1 min.实验发现儿茶素的浓度、H+的浓度与反应温度对氧化还原反应的速率影响显著.常温下(25℃)氧化还原反应动力学速度方程可表示为r=k·Ccr6+·C儿茶素·CH+,而当温度超过35℃,儿荼素与Cr6+反应对Cr6+可能有多个基元反应同时进行,其反应机理可能显得更加复杂.     

秸秆和Eh对稻田土壤溶解性有机质组成及金属释放的影响

为探究秸秆添加对氧化还原条件变化下稻田土壤重金属释放的影响,本文选取典型重金属污染稻田土壤,通过微宇宙试验结合三维荧光光谱等手段,分析了土壤溶液化学性质、溶解性有机质（DOM）、金属释放之间的动态关系。结果表明：添加秸秆增加了厌氧期Fe、Mn、As、Cd等金属的释放,同时影响了DOM组成。土壤DOM中类蛋白（C3）含量在培养期总体降低（P<0.05）;类腐殖质含量呈现厌氧期上升、好氧期下降的趋势。结构方程模型（SEM）分析显示,Eh的变化与Mn和As的溶出显著负相关（路径系数分别为-0.662和-0.528,P<0.01）,同时,Eh还通过影响土壤类腐植酸C2（路径系数-0.816,P<0.01）控制As的释放（路径系数0.244,P<0.05）。因此,稻田土壤干湿交替造成的Eh变化和秸秆还田措施不仅可直接影响重金属的溶出,也可通过DOM含量和组成进一步控制其释放。     

Are cell redox or lactate dehydrogenase kinetics responsible for the absence of gluconeogenesis from lactate in sea raven,hepatocytes?

Previous studies have reported very low rates of gluconeogenesis from lactate in sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) hepatocytes compared to other teleosts studied. This study examines whether hepatic cell redox or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) characteristics may explain this observation. Sea raven hepatic optimal LDH activities (pyruvate reductase direction) were more than 40 times less compared with rainbow trout liver values (40 vs 1914 μmol·min⁻¹·g⁻¹ protein). The Km(lactate) was 9.24 and 0.86 mM for sea raven and trout hepatic LDH, but the Km(pyruvate) was similar between the two species (0.11 and 0.21 mM, respectively). These results suggested that sea raven liver LDH did not favour lactate use and was more indicative of the mammalian M-isozyme. Gel electrophoresis showed a predominant intermediate isozyme, with a small amount of the M-type LDH. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) was localized to the mitochondrial compartment, while there was no apparent mitochondrial glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity. No in vitro lactate flux to glucose was found in untreated, 10 mM ethanol-treated, or 3 mM NH₄Cl-treated sea raven hepatocytes, although CO₂ production from lactate was decreased by ethanol and increased by NH₄Cl. These results provide evidence that cell redox does not limit gluconeogenesis from lactate, while low activities and the kinetic characteristics of LDH may partially explain the low lactate gluconeogenesis reported in sea raven hepatocytes. To whom correspondence should be addressed at University of Ottawa.