Purification and characterization of a cysteine-like protease from the body wall of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stichopus japonicus</Emphasis>

The sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is able to undergo autolysis in response to a variety of environmental and mechanical cues. Within the framework of a long-term study of this phenomenon we have purified a protease from the body wall of the sea cucumber by means of ion-exchange chromatography with DE-52 cellulose and gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-100. The final enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 35.5 kDa. The purified enzyme exhibited a maximum activity for the hydrolysis of casein at pH 7.0 and 50°C and a remarkable stability at pH 4.0–7.0 and 40–60°C. Based on the inhibition and activation profiles obtained with numerous specific protease inhibitors and an activator, the protease purified from the body wall of the sea cucumber was defined to be a cysteine-like protease.     

Purification of anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome from goldfish oocytes

Destruction of cyclin B is required for exit from mitosis and meiosis. A cyclin-specific ubiquitinating system, including anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is thought to be responsible for cyclin B destruction. To learn more about the molecular mechanism of cyclin B degradation, a molecular study of the ubiquitinating system in goldfish has been undertaken. For biochemical preparation of APC/C, we first conducted the cloning, sequencing and expression analysis of goldfish, Carassius auratus, cdc27 that encodes a subunit of APC/C from goldfish ovary. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to cdc27 from other species. Then recombinant goldfish Cdc27CT (C-terminal half of Cdc27) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and an antibody was raised against purified recombinant protein. Polyclonal antiserum cross-reactive with Cdc27 was obtained. By the assay using the antibody, APC/C was purified by column chromatographs.     

The Yangtze River dolphin or baiji (Lipotes vexillifer): population status and conservation issues in the Yangtze River,China

• 1. Baiji were sighted 17 times during three recent simultaneous multi‐vessel surveys in the Yangtze River, China (November 4–10, 1997; December 4–9, 1998; October 31–November 5, 1999). There were 11 sightings in 1997 (consisting of 17 animals), five in 1998 (seven animals), and two in 1999 (four animals). It was concluded that 13 individuals could be considered as a minimum number of the baiji currently in the Yangtze River.
• 2. An annual rate of population decrease was roughly estimated as 10%. From the body sizes observed, the proportions of old, adult and immature individuals were approximately estimated at 57, 26, and 17% respectively.
• 3. Baiji showed a significant attraction to confluences and sand bars with large eddies. The present distribution range of the baiji is less than 1400 km in length in the Yangtze main river. Distances between the two nearest groups of baiji appear to be increasing.
• 4. Two typical sightings are described, in which surfacing and movements of baiji were recorded. Baiji were often found swimming together with finless porpoise. In the surveys they occurred in the same group in 63% of occurrences. Interactions between baiji and finless porpoise are described and discussed.
• 5. Human activities are the main threats to the baiji. Illegal electrical fishing accounted for 40% of known mortalities during the 1990s. Engineering explosions for maintaining navigation channels have become another main cause of baiji deaths. The last hope of saving the species may be to translocate the remaining baiji into a semi‐captive reserve, known as the ‘Baiji Semi‐natural Reserve’.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reducing the potential for processing contaminant formation in cereal products

Processing contaminants may be defined as substances that are produced in a food when it is cooked or processed, are not present or are present at much lower concentrations in the raw, unprocessed food, and are undesirable either because they have an adverse effect on product quality or because they are potentially harmful. The presence of very low levels of processing contaminants in common foods is becoming an increasingly important issue for the food industry, as developments in analytical techniques and equipment bring foods under closer and closer scrutiny. This review considers the formation of lipid oxidation products, hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent lipid oxidation and the associated risk of trans fatty acid formation. The formation of acrylamide in the Maillard reaction is described, as well as the genetic and agronomic approaches being taken to reduce the acrylamide-forming potential of cereal grain. The multiple routes for the formation of furan and associated chemicals, including hydroxymethylfurfuryl, are also described. The evolving regulatory and public perception situations for these processing contaminants and their implications for the cereal supply chain are discussed, emphasising the need for cereal breeders to engage with the contaminants issue.     

Plant growth and survival of five introduced and two native/naturalized perennial grass genotypes exposed to two defoliation managements in arid Argentina

The field performance of the native Pappophorum vaginatum, the naturalized Eragrostis curvula and various cultivars of the introduced Achnatherum hymenoides and Leymus cinereus was evaluated as potential forage resources in rangelands of arid Argentina during the warm seasons of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Plants of these grass species, obtained from seeds, were transplanted to the field in 2006, when they were 1 year old. During the study years, there were two defoliation managements: plants of all study genotypes either remained undefoliated (controls) or were defoliated twice a year during spring at 5 cm stubble height. Despite tiller number being lower (P < 0·05) on defoliated than on undefoliated plants, and total leaf length per unit basal area being similar (P > 0·05) between defoliation managements by mid‐spring, there were no differences (P > 0·05) in dry weight production between defoliated and undefoliated plants in all genotypes at the end of the second growing season. Plants of one or more of the introduced genotypes showed a similar (P > 0·05) or greater (P < 0·05), but not lower, tiller number per plant and per square centimetre, daughter tiller production, total leaf length and dry weight production per unit basal area than the native species at the end of the first and/or second growing seasons. These morphological variables were similar (P > 0·05) or greater (P < 0·05) in the native than in the naturalized genotype. Plant survival, however, was lower (P < 0·05, overall mean = 20%) in the introduced than in the native (>70%) or naturalized (>39%) genotypes at the end of the first or second growing seasons.     

Spatial-uniform application method of methane fermentation digested slurry with irrigation water in the rice paddy field

Promoting biomass utilization, the objectives of this study were to clarify the spatial distribution of nitrogen, one of the most important fertilizer components in the methane fermentation digested slurry (i.e., the digested slurry), and to establish an effective method to apply spatial-uniformly digested slurry with irrigation water in the rice paddy field. A numerical model describing the unsteady two-dimensional flow and solution transport of paddy irrigation water was introduced. The accuracy of this model was verified with a field observation. The tendencies of the TN simulated in inlet and outlet portions had good agreement with the measured data and the accuracy of the numerical model could be verified. Using the numerical model, scenario analyses were conducted to determine the method for spatial-uniform application of the digested slurry with irrigation water. The simulated results indicated that drainage of the surface water and trenches at the soil surface were effective for spatial-uniform application of the digested slurry with irrigation water in the rice paddy fields. The effect of the trenches was maximized when the surface water of the rice paddy field was drained adequately.     

Fabrication of electromagnetic shielding polyester fabrics with carboxymethyl chitosan-palladium complexes activation

Electromagnetic shielding polyester fabrics were prepared using carboxymethyl chitosan-palladium (CMCS-Pd) complexes as activation solution, followed by electroless nickel plating. CMCS-Pd complexes were prepared by the complexing adsorption between CMCS and Pd²⁺. The effects of reaction time and pH value on the adsorption of Pd²⁺ by CMCS were discussed. The maximum adsorption capacity was calculated as 4.27 mmol/g. CMCS-Pd complexes were characterized by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The induction time of electroless plating decreased gradually with the increase of Pd²⁺ concentration. The lowest surface resistance 125 mΩ/sq of the treated polyester fabric was obtained when Pd²⁺ concentration in CMCS-Pd complex was 1.5 g/l. The prepared polyester fabrics had excellent electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) of 40–60 dB. The treated polyester fabrics were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that CMCS-Pd was effective to form an active catalyzed layer on polyester substrate and the 1.5 g/l Pd²⁺ was sufficient to initiate electroless nickel plating reaction. The CMCS-Pd complex activation and electroless nickel plating treatment caused small changes in the polyester fabrics’ tensile strength and air permeability.     

Composition of Typical Soil Minerals and Quantitative Analysis for Influence of Iron and Manganese Forms on Purple Soil Color in Northeastern Sichuan,China

Eurasian Soil Science - Eight soil samples from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation (J2s) in the Sichuan Basin, China, were taken as the research object to explore the correlation and quantitative...     

Ionomic Profiling of Rice Genotypes and Identification of Varieties with Elemental Covariation Effects

Ionomic profiles are primarily influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Identifying ionomic responses to varietal effects is necessary to understand the ionomic variations among species or subspecies and to potentially understand genetic effects on ionomic profiles. We cultivated 120 rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to seedling stage in identical hydroponic conditions and determined the concentrations of 26 elements (including 3 anions) in the shoots and roots of rice. Although the subspecies effects were limited by the genus Oryza pre-framework and its elemental chemical properties, we found significant differences in ionomic variations in most elements among the aus, indica and japonica subspecies. Principal component analysis of the correlations indicated that variations in the root-to-shoot ionomic transport mechanisms were the main causes of ionomic differences among the subspecies. Furthermore, the correlations were primarily associated with the screening of varieties for elemental covariation effects that can facilitate breeding biofortified rice varieties with safe concentrations of otherwise toxic elements. The japonica subspecies exhibited the strongest elemental correlations and elemental covariation effects, therefore, they showed greater advantages for biofortification than the indica and aus subspecies, whereas indica and aus subspecies were likely safer in metal(loid) polluted soils. We also found that geographical and historical distribution significantly defined the ionomic profiles. Overall, the results of this study provided a reference for further association studies to improve the nutritional status and minimize toxicity risks in rice production.