Formation of 2-alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans and 2-alkylthiophenes in cooked beef and lamb

2-Alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans and 2-alkylthiophenes have been identified in the volatiles of cooked beef and lamb. The quantities of both groups of compounds were higher in the meat of animals fed lipid supplements high in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 2-Alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans were formed when (E,E)-2,4-dienals (C(6)-C(11)) and hydrogen sulfide were heated at 140 degrees C for 30 min. This confirmed their proposed route of formation in cooked meat from lipid-derived aldehydes and hydrogen sulfide; the latter was produced from the degradation of cysteine, via the Maillard reaction. The mass spectra and NMR spectra of these thiapyrans are reported for the first time. Although 2-alkyl-(2H)-thiapyrans were found to have only low odor potency, the reactions by which they are formed may have important implications for meat flavor. These reactions may remove potent aroma compounds and their intermediates from meat, thus modifying the overall aroma profile.     

稻田CO2排放对大气CO2浓度升高的响应

利用FACE (free-air carbon dioxide enrichment)平台,采用静态暗箱-气相色谱法,研究了大气CO2浓度升高对稻田土壤CO2通过土壤-大气(土气)和植被-大气(植气)界面排放的影响.在整个水稻生长季中,土气界面CO2排放通量与土壤表面水层深度指数负相关,且在中期烤田和收获前排水阶段出现较大值;而植气界面CO2排放通量与根系生物量的变化趋势基本一致.在低氮(N 125 kg/hm2)和常氮(N 250 kg/hm2)水平上,高浓度CO2(对照大气CO2浓度+200 μmol/mol)有提高水稻生物量、降低土气和植气界面CO2累积排放量的趋势.在水稻的拔节、抽穗和成熟期,较高的施氮量显著增加水稻地上部分生物量,促进植气界面CO2的排放.研究结果表明,未来大气CO2浓度升高的环境下,稻田生态系统有增加CO2的固定(增加水稻生物量),减少CO2的排放(土气和植气界面CO2的排放)的趋势,可能发挥着碳汇的作用.     

Sol-Gel SiO2 Powders Sequestrants of Be2+ in Diluted Solutions

Silica powders of varying morphology were prepared by the sol-gel technique. Typical sol-gel parameters, such as pH of the hydrolysing water solution,H₂O/≡Si-OCH₂CH₃ molar ratio,thermostatting temperature, and rate of addition of hydrolysingwater, were varied in order to prepare different tailoredsamples, which were then exhaustively hydrolyzed in boilingwater. Samples were characterized by several analyticaltechniques, including surface area and porosity determinations,FT-IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric-mass spectrometriccoupled analyses. Samples were used as sequestrants to fixBe²⁺ from diluted water solutions, starting from 5 Beμg L^-1. Their adsorption capabilities werecompared; results were analyzed and discussed taking intoaccount the morphological features of used samples and possible preferential Be²⁺ adsorption by active sites present on the sol-gel SiO₂ surface.     

Anaerobic reoxidation of Mn2+, Fe2+, S0 and S2– in submerged paddy soils

Anaerobic reoxidation of reduced products in paddy soils was investigated. Ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) and monosulfide ion (S^2–) added to the soil chemically reduced MnO₂ to Mn²⁺, and MnO₂ and Fe(OH)₃ to Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺, respectively, where Fe²⁺ and S^2– were considered to be oxidized to Fe³⁺ and S⁰. Elemental sulfur was oxidized to sulfate by anaerobic incubation with NO₃ ^– MnO₂ and Fe(OH)₃. A new conceptual model for the reduction processes in submerged paddy soil including the reoxidation processes of reduced products, in which soil heterogeneity in paddy fields was taken into consideration, was proposed based on the results. Received: 20 October 1996     

Simulated warming and low O2 promote N2O and N2 emissions in subtropical montane forest soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The montane subtropical forest soils contain huge nitrogen stocks, and climate warming might drive its volatilization due to the promotion of gaseous losses of...     

O2 supports 3-phosphoglycerate-dependent O2 evolution in chloroplasts from spinach leaves

We tested the hypothesis that the Mehler-ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) pathway supports 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA)-dependent oxygen (O₂) evolution using intact chloroplasts. Lowering O₂ concentration (<1?µM) suppressed PGA-dependent O₂ evolution rate. High O₂ concentration (about 250?µM) enhanced the electron fluxes in Photosystem II (PSII). Also, high O₂ concentration oxidized both Q_A in PSII and Cyt f in thylakoid membranes. These results indicated that the MAP pathway stimulated photosynthetic electron transport. Furthermore, electrochromic shift signal was also increased at high O₂ concentration, compared to low O₂ concentration. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence was also enhanced at high O₂ concentration. These data support our hypothesis that the MAP pathway functioned in intact chloroplasts and accelerated PGA-dependent O₂ evolution by inducing ΔpH formation to produce and supply adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the conversion reaction of PGA to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through 1,3-diphosphoglycerate in chloroplasts.     

Quantitative effects of field water deficits on N2(C2H2) fixation in selected legumes grown in the Indian desert

Summary The nitrogenase activity of irrigated and rainfed plants of mung bean, cluster bean and moth bean was studied throughout the growth period in order to estimate the reduction in the potential nitrogen fixation (C₂H₂ reduction) rate due to field water deficits. Nitrogenase activity followed a similar trend in all crops and was dependent on both plant ontogeny and soil moisture levels. The loss of activity due to water deficits varied from 13% to 100% at different growth stages and was related to the plant water potential. The specific activity was directly correlated with the plant water potential under both the treatments. The average loss of nitrogen fixation rate during the season did not differ markedly among crops. There was an accumulation of ureides in the nodules with increasing field moisture stress in mung bean and moth bean while no such effect was found in cluster bean. The significance of these results is discussed in the N-economy of these legumes grown in the drought-prone areas of the Indian desert.     

Cacao polyphenols influence the regulation of apolipoprotein in HepG2 and Caco2 cells

Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, such as catechins and procyanidins, and has been shown to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and atherogenesis in a variety of models. Human studies have also shown daily intake of cocoa increases plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreases LDL levels. However, the mechanisms responsible for these effects of cocoa on cholesterol metabolism have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of cacao polyphenols on the production of apolipoproteins A1 and B in human hepatoma HepG2 and intestinal Caco2 cell lines. The cultured HepG2 cells or Caco2 cells were incubated for 24 h in the presence of cacao polyphenols such as (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, procyanidin B2, procyanidin C1, and cinnamtannin A2. The concentration of apolipoproteins in the cell culture media was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the mRNA expression was quantified by RT-PCR. Cacao polyphenols increased apolipoprotein A1 protein levels and mRNA expression, even though apolipoprotein B protein and the mRNA expression were slightly decreased in both HepG2 cells and Caco2 cells. In addition, cacao polyphenols increased sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) and activated LDL receptors in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that cacao polyphenols may increase the production of mature form SREBPs and LDL receptor activity, thereby increasing ApoA1 and decreasing ApoB levels. These results elucidate a novel mechanism by which HDL cholesterol levels become elevated with daily cocoa intake.     

H2O2 Accumulation in Sunflower Leaves as a Consequence of Iron Deprivation

Abstract

The present work aimed at evaluating in sunflower leaves: the relationship between Fe‐deficiency and the possible accumulation of H₂O₂; the activity of some extracellular enzymatic and non‐enzymatic systems involved in H₂O₂ production and scavenging. Iron‐deficient leaves exhibited a significant H₂O₂ accumulation, monitored at extracellular level by electron microscopy analysis. Such an increase in H₂O₂ level could derive from the significant decrease in extracellular ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, accompanied by a lower APX protein content detected by immuno‐electrophoresis. Also, extracellular ascorbic acid content was significantly affected by Fe‐deficiency, implying a reduced capacity for H₂O₂ scavenging. The contribute of peroxidases (PODs) involved in lignification process in keeping H₂O₂ levels under the toxic threshold was dependent on their subcellular location: the activity of covalently‐bound (CB) isoforms being increased while that of ionically‐bound (IB) ones decreased. NAD(P)H oxidation activity, known to produce H₂O₂, was found to decrease in apoplastic fluid and IB fraction and to slightly increase in the CB fraction. In conclusion, H₂O₂ accumulation observed in Fe‐deficient sunflower leaves seems to be mostly due to a reduced scavenging capacity of ASA, APX, and PODs, although the possibility of increased H₂O₂ production cannot be excluded.     

Enrichment of N2 and Ar in the atmosphere of CO2-consuming soils

The phenomenon of unexplained N₂Ar-enrichment in soil air is quite frequently to be encountered in soil air studies on anthropogenically influenced sites. In the present study two anthropogenic deposits and a calcareous fluvisol were investigated for their soil air composition. While in the alkaline deposits extreme enrichments of N₂ and Ar (N₂ + Ar: up to 99%, v/v) were found as persistent site characteristics, the fluvisol showed only slight (about 1%, v/v) transient N₂/Ar-enrichments in summer. All sites, which did not show substantial vertical seepage percolation, exhibited enhanced CO₂-solubility-either due to strong calcite precipitation or dissolution. So, it was concluded that intensive continuous depletion of CO₂ was responsible for the subsequent convective influx of atmospheric air. From the results obtained it was concluded that an encasement of the concerned soil volume rather impermeable to gas transport as well as intense dissolution of CO₂ in the pore water are prerequisites for substantial N₂/Ar-enrichments in soil air.     

NirS-type N2O-producers and nosZ II-type N2O-reducers determine the N2O emission potential in farmland rhizosphere soils

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Denitrification process in agricultural fields is a large source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted to the atmosphere. The rhizosphere soils tend to be the hotspots of...     

冻融对沼泽湿地土壤水稳性大团聚体的影响

水稳性大团聚体(>0.25 mm)是土壤侵蚀和质量的重要表征指标.通过室内培养,在不同含水量、冻融次数和压实处理条件下,研究冻融过程对三江平原沼泽湿地土壤水稳性大团聚体的影响.结果表明,冻融过程影响土壤水稳性大团聚体含量,但压实和土壤起始含水量对湿地土壤的水稳性大团聚体影响较小,而冻融次数影响显著.4次冻融前,随着冻融次数的增加,不同处理的土壤水稳性大团聚体含量呈增加趋势;4次冻融后,高含水量处理的土壤水稳性大团聚体变化不明显,而低含水量处理的土壤水稳性大团聚含量有微弱增加.     

三峡库区消落带土地资源特征分析

格宾石笼材料是一种经济节约的、标准的建筑材料,已被全世界众多工程师所公认,格宾石笼结构作为一种价廉而经久耐用的柔性结构体,亦然在河床疏浚工程、护岸、围堰以及小型溢洪道等小型水工建筑物的设计、施工及老化建筑物再生修复中发挥着作用.从格宾石笼的发展、演变人手,分析了格宾石笼结构特点,并重点研究了其劣性产生原因,提出了石笼结构不同破坏形式的预防和补强措施,可为类似石笼结构不同破坏形式的修复提供参考.     

猪圆环病毒2型BF株ORF2基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

采用PCR从构建的猪圆环病毒2型／(PCV2)ORF2重组质粒(pGEM-T-ORF2）中扩增出大小为593bp的ORb2基因，克隆到表达载体pET-32a，经异丙基硫代半乳糖苷诱导，成功表达了ORF2基因编码的结构蛋白。表达的重组蛋白为融合蛋白，分子量40kD，表达量20％左右。经Western blot检测，重组蛋白可被PCV2阳性血清识别。     

Resveratrol upregulates nrf2 expression to attenuate methylglyoxal-induced insulin resistance in hep g2 cells

Oxidative stress can result in insulin resistance, a primary cause of type-2 diabetes. Methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive dicarbonyl metabolite generated during glucose metabolism, has also been confirmed to cause pancreatic injury and induce inflammation, thereby resulting in insulin resistance. Recently, resveratrol has been reported to exert antioxidant properties, protecting cells from the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to evaluate resveratrol activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to attenuate MG-induced insulin resistance in Hep G2 cells. Therefore, the molecular signaling events affecting resveratrol-mediated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and glyoxalase expression levels were further investigated in this study. Our findings indicated that resveratrol activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway but not the p38 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, subsequently leading to Nrf2 nuclear translocation and elevation of HO-1 and glyoxalase expression levels. Moreover, resveratrol significantly elevated glucose uptake and protected against MG-induced insulin resistance in Hep G2 cells. In contrast, depletion of Nrf2 by small interfering RNA (si-RNA) resulted in the abrogation of HO-1 and glyoxalase expression in the MG-treated resveratrol group in Hep G2 cells. Administration of an appropriate chemopreventive agent, such as resveratrol, may be an alternative strategy for protecting against MG-induced diabetes.     

纳米TiO2对土壤Hg2+吸附解吸性能的影响

为了研究纳米TiO_2对土壤吸附解吸汞性能的影响,以三峡水库消落区土壤为代表,选择2种晶型(锐钛矿和金红石)的纳米TiO_2颗粒,设置3个浓度梯度(2,4,8g/kg),制成含有不同浓度纳米TiO_2颗粒的土样,配制不同浓度的Hg~(2+)溶液,进行吸附解吸试验。结果表明:纳米TiO_2颗粒可提高土壤对Hg~(2+)的吸附量,但受颗粒的晶型和浓度的影响;锐钛矿颗粒对土壤吸附解吸Hg~(2+)的影响更大,其吸附作用力更强,不易解吸,其中4g/kg处理组吸附作用最强,与对照相比,最大吸附量可提高32.65%,且其解吸率低于对照组;金红石颗粒处理组对Hg~(2+)的吸附量随颗粒浓度的升高而增大,但吸附作用力较弱,容易被解吸,8g/kg处理组影响最大,与对照相比,最大吸附量提高18.18%,但其解吸率也最大。因此,纳米TiO_2颗粒增强土壤对汞的吸附作用,从而可能影响汞在环境中的迁移转化过程,特别是锐钛矿型颗粒。     

The Oxidation of Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) in Aqueous Solution by UV/H2O2 Photolysis

The oxidation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in solution using UV/H₂O₂ and direct UV photolysis are analyzed in this study. It was found that DEHP was 100% removal in the solution by 180-min UV/H₂O₂ treatment and 73.5% removal by 180-min direct UV photolysis. The effect of different factors, such as DEHP concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, and UV light intensity, on photochemical degradation was investigated. The degradation mechanism of DEHP and the acute toxicity of intermediates were also studied. The photochemical degradation process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. The results of our study suggested that the concentration with 40 mg/L H₂O₂ and 5 μg/mL DEHP in the solution at pH 7 with 10.0?×?10^?6 Einstein l^?1?s^?1 UV was the optimal condition for the photochemical degradation of DEHP. The photochemical degradation with UV/H₂O₂ can be an efficient method to remove DEHP in wastewater.     

城市污水的微生物-植物联合修复对水体N_2O、N_2和O_2释放的影响

针对城市河道污染水体治理这一问题,采用自主研发的自然水体原位收集装置对微生物和微生物-植物联合修复过程中气体N_2O、N_2及O2释放的特征进行野外原位监测。结果表明:微生物菌剂和微生物-植物联合净化期间水体氧化亚氮(N_2O)释放速率均值分别为10.68、5.91μmol·m~(-2)·h~(-1),与对照比,降幅分别为16.37%和53.86%;氮气(N_2)释放速率均值分别为1.49、0.87 mmol·m~(-2)·h~(-1),降幅分别为5.70%和67.54%;氧气(O_2)释放速率均值分别为1.14、0.69 mmol·m~(-2)·h~(-1),降幅分别为14.93%和72.06%;微生物菌剂及微生物-植物联合净化期间,目测水体透明度转好,藻类含量降低,水体溶氧由超饱和状态(17.17 mg·L~(-1))降至正常水体溶氧水平(9.49 mg·L~(-1)),降幅达到50%,可能是水体氧气释放速率降低的原因。因此,微生物-植物联合净化能显著降低水体N_2O、N_2及O_2的释放速率,推测是由于微生物和水生植物对水体养分的同化作用产生营养竞争,抑制了微生物反硝化作用产生N_2O、N_2并抑制藻类生长产生O_2及增加水体溶氧的原因。     

乙醇胺改性硅胶吸附剂对模拟沼气中CH_4/CO_2的分离性能

沼气的主要成分是CH4和CO2,有效地去除沼气中的CO2是确保沼气成为优质燃气的必要条件。吸附法是去除沼气中CO2的有效方法,研制性能优良的吸附剂是吸附法研究的核心问题。该文以FNG-II型硅胶为载体,乙醇胺(ethanolamine,MEA)为改性剂,制备了MEA改性硅胶吸附剂,表示为FS-MEA(FNG-II Silica-ethanolamine)。用X射线衍射、N2物理吸附脱附法、热重-差热、红外光谱等手段对吸附材料的结构、比表面积、孔结构、改性后结构变化等进行了分析。通过动态吸附分离试验,考察了FS-MEA对CH4/CO2的分离性能。结果表明:改性方法可将MEA附着在载体内孔表面,制得的FS-MEA可有效地分离CH4/CO2,但经过2次使用再生后,FS-MEA对CH4/CO2的分离性能有所下降,因此必须提高乙醇胺改性硅胶吸附剂的再生性能,才有可能使其应用于沼气提纯。