ITS1-rDNA-based methodology to identify world-wide hake species of the Genus Merluccius

Species-specific DNA-based tags are valuable tools for the management of both fisheries and commercial fish products. In this study, we have developed a two-step molecular tool to detect the presence of hake DNA (Merluccius spp.) and to identify the exact hake species present in an blind sample. The first test involves PCR amplification of an ITS1-rDNA fragment of 193 bp using nested primers that are interspecifically conserved in Merluccius spp. and Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. The second test consists of the PCR amplification of a 602-659 bp DNA fragment spanning part of the ribosomal cluster 18S-ITS1-5.8S and digesting it with four restriction enzymes whose targets map at interspecifically nonconserved sites of the ITS1. Alternatively, the identification of hake species can be achieved by FINS or BLAST, using the nucleotide sequence of either the whole ITS1 sequence or its nested fragment of 193 bp. Because of their high reproducibility and ease of execution, these procedures allow for routine analysis and constitute high reliable tools for the rapid identification of 12 species of hake.     

Preparation and characterization of inclusion complex of norflurazon and beta-cyclodextrin to improve herbicide formulations

The formulation of inclusion complexes of the herbicide norflurazon as guest and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as host has been studied as a first step in the use of cyclodextrins to obtain improved formulations of this herbicide. The interaction of norflurazon with beta-CD produced the formation of an inclusion complex in solution and in solid state. The inclusion of norflurazon in beta-CD in solution was studied by phase solubility, and an apparent stability constant of 360 M(-)(1), a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio for the complex, and up to 5-fold increase in norflurazon solubility were determined. Three processing methods (kneading, spray drying and vacuum evaporation) were used to prepare norflurazon-beta-CD solid inclusion complexes. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to study the solid complexes. From the different solid systems, an increase of norflurazon aqueous dissolution rate was obtained in comparison to the uncomplexed herbicide. This finding is a first step to obtain controlled release and/or protective formulations of norflurazon, which allow a more rational application of norflurazon, diminishing the use of organic solvents and increasing its efficacy.     

Persistence of simazine and terbuthylazine in a semiarid soil after organic amendment with urban sewage sludge

The persistence of two herbicides, simazine and terbuthylazine, and appearance of their principal dealkylated chloro-s-triazine metabolites have been studied in agricultural soil after the addition of urban sewage sludge as organic amendment. Both herbicides and metabolites were monitored during long-term laboratory incubation (140 days) and analyzed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD). Residues were confirmed by gas chromatography with a mass selective detector (GC-MSD). A sonication microextraction method was used to extract the compounds. The organic amendments used were urban sewage sludge and the humic fraction of this sludge, to increase the organic matter content of the soil from 1% to 2%. For both compounds, simazine and terbuthylazine, the degradation began earlier in the amended soils. Simazine showed a higher dissipation rate than terbuthylazine, the percentage of the former at the end of the experiment being lower than 2% in all cases, while for terbuthylazine the corresponding percentage ranged from 5% to 46%. Organic amendment, mainly its humic fraction, caused a certain stabilization of terbuthylazine in the soil, but did not greatly influence the residual amount of simazine at the end of the experiment. The periodic aeration of the soil caused a greater degradation in the case of terbuthylazine. Only mono-deethylsimazine and deethylterbuthylazine were isolated from the soil during the time the experiment lasted, while the di-deethylated metabolite of simazine was not found.     

Temporal and Spatial Monitoring of the pH and Heavy Metals in a Soil Polluted by Mine Spill. Post Cleaning Effects

The bursting of the mining dam of Aznalcollar (Seville, Spain) triggered an increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the soils of the river Guadiamar valley as a result of the leaching of the pyritic sludge deposited on them. After the cleaning operations which included, as well as mechanical clearing, the addition of different amendments, some areas with residual sludge remained, from which some heavy metals are being mobilized by the cyclical recharge and discharge processes of water in the profiles. This paper analyzes the effect of the soil recovery operations and the climatology on the concentration of metals and their distribution in the soil profile in an area affected by the toxic spill. Fourteen points have been selected in a plot in which acidity persists, there is no vegetation, and residual sludge stains can be seen at a glance. The temporal and spatial evolution of the extractable metals: Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, the pH and the oxidable fraction has been measured in-depth. The results obtained up to now indicate a leaching of the pollutant towards deeper horizons, finding, at a depth of 757 cm, pH values of 3.5 and very high Fe and Mn concentrations available, especially in the profiles with large sized pores, with a big fraction of sand. On the surface, seasonally, there are low pH values of around 2.5 and extractable Fe contents of over 4000 ppm, which might have an influence on the quality of surface runoff or underground water.     

Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid present in brown seaweeds and diatoms: metabolism and bioactivities relevant to human health

The marine carotenoid fucoxanthin can be found in marine brown seaweeds, the macroalgae, and diatoms, the microalgae, and has remarkable biological properties. Numerous studies have shown that fucoxanthin has considerable potential and promising applications in human health. In this article, we review the current available scientific literature regarding the metabolism, safety, and bioactivities of fucoxanthin, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-obese, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic and antimalarial activities, and its protective effects on the liver, blood vessels of the brain, bones, skin, and eyes. Although some studies have shown the bioavailability of fucoxanthin in brown seaweeds to be low in humans, many studies have suggested that a dietary combination of fucoxanthin and edible oil or lipid could increase the absorption rate of fucoxanthin, and thus it might be a promising marine drug.     

嘉禾县发展乡村旅游的SWOT分析

嘉禾县隶属湖南郴州,旅游资源较为薄弱,旅游发展相对落后。运用SWOT分析法,全面剖析嘉禾县发展乡村旅游本身所具备的优势与劣势,以及它身处环境所面临的机遇和威胁。在此基础上,提出以特色为切入点、挖掘地域文化内涵、加快旅游信息服务平台建设、发展特色餐饮产业、加强区域旅游合作等建议,以期为嘉禾旅游产品的开发指明方向。     

奶牛行为信息智能监测系统研究

发情鉴定是奶牛生产的关键环节,针对国内发情鉴定方法和研发设备自身的不足,设计了一种基于无线传感技术的奶牛行为信息智能监测系统,对其系统结构、功能及相对优势进行了介绍。结果表明,该系统不仅可以准确判断奶牛发情期,经适当改进后还可以实现对更多动物的体征进行监测。     

褐飞虱呼肠孤病毒干扰水稻锯齿叶矮缩病毒的初步研究

褐飞虱(Nilaparvata lugens Stal)可携带多种病毒,其中褐飞虱呼肠孤病毒(Nilaparvata lugens reovirus,NLRV)和水稻锯齿叶矮缩病毒(Rice ragged stunt virus,RRSV)均为ds RNA基因组的呼肠孤病毒。通过接种、ds RNA小量提取及RT-PCR等方法分析NLRV对RRSV传播和增殖的影响,初步探讨这两种呼肠孤病毒之间的关系。结果表明,褐飞虱携带NLRV比率高低影响褐飞虱接种RRSV效率;携带NLRV的褐飞虱种群接种RRSV后两种病毒的含量差异较大,NLRV的含量远远大于RRSV的含量,推测褐飞虱体内的NLRV某种程度上干扰了RRSV的传播和增殖。     

基于局域支持向量机的旱涝预测

降水量的变化受到许多因素影响,其动态特征呈现复杂的非线性,使得预测难度较大。为了提高降水量预测精度,提出了一种基于局域支持向量机的降水量预测方法,对月降水量时间序列进行参数提取,构造相空间,使用支持向量回归模型代替局域线性模型,使用邻近点训练该局域支持向量回归模型。仿真结果表明,该方法预测精度高,在旱涝预测方面有较好的应用前景。     

复方丹参片不同干燥工艺的UPLC特征图谱及指标性成分含量

为优选适宜复方丹参片的干燥方法,探索微波真空干燥、真空干燥和烘箱干燥3种干燥工艺对丹参提取液的影响,采用UPLC法测定不同干燥方法的丹参提取液的UPLC特征图谱及指标性成分含量。结果表明:迷迭香酸、丹酚酸B、隐丹参酮、丹参酮ⅡA浓度分别在0.007~0.026 mg/mL,0.130~0.440mg/mL,0.002~0.009mg/mL,0.003~0.015mg/mL的线性关系良好(r≥0.999 1),平均回收率分别为99.30%(RSD=0.62%),96.41%(RSD=0.47%),100.58%(RSD=1.23%),102.84%(RSD=1.02%)。微波真空干燥、真空干燥和烘箱干燥后的指标性成分总含量分别为64.780 5 mg/g、64.501 7mg/g和58.990 0mg/g。3种干燥方法的UPLC特征图谱相似度达0.997以上。综合考虑微波真空干燥明显优于其他干燥方法。