鱼皮明胶蛋白膜的制备及其热稳定性

利用鲨鱼皮明胶制备蛋白可食膜,测定了成膜液蛋白浓度、甘油含量对明胶蛋白膜理化性质的影响,以及环境湿度对膜热稳定性的影响.结果发现,利用鲨鱼皮明胶可以制备成无色透明的蛋白可食膜,成膜液蛋白浓度对明胶蛋白膜的断裂延伸率(EAB)、水蒸气透过率(WVP)以及透明度值有一定的影响,对拉伸强度(TS)没有发生显著影响,但甘油含量从10％增加到70％时蛋白膜的TS逐渐降低.利用DSC对膜的热稳定性进行分析,结果表明当水分活度(Aw) ＜0.33时,明胶蛋白膜在常温下可以处于玻璃态,机械性质能够保持稳定.然而,当Aw超过0.44后,膜的玻璃化转变温度(Tg)起始点低于25℃,膜的EAB上升,TS出现显著下降.当Aw达到0.92时,膜甚至开始溶解变成溶胶.因此,利用鲨鱼皮制备的明胶蛋白膜只适合在Aw小于0.44的干燥环境中应用.     

Phylogenetic analysis and expression differences of eye-related genes in cavefish genus Sinocyclocheilus

The adaptive evolution of visual systems has been observed in many cavefish. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations, which include regressive changes such as eye degeneration. Here, we analyzed phylogenetic and expression patterns of 6 eye-related genes (crx, foxg1b, opn1sw2, otx2, rho and sox2) in 12 Sinocyclocheilus species from China, including 8 stygobionts and 4 stygophiles, and examined photoreceptor cell morphology of these species. Those eye-degenerated species of Sinocyclocheilus were polyphyletic and showed different degrees of photoreceptor defects in responses to cave environments. The eye loss and degeneration are the result of convergent evolution. Although S. anophthalmus grouped with the eye-normal species, it displayed not only a high degree of eye degeneration but also significant expression differences in eye-related genes compared with the eye-normal species. The gene foxg1b, which was determined to be under positive selection, might play an important role in the process of eye degeneration in S. anophthalmus based on differential expression. Eye-related gene expression and selection may have contributed to the polyphyly of the cave species. We examined gene expression and duplication in 6 eye-related genes and revealed that these genes displayed considerable diversity in relative expression in Sinocyclocheilus fishes. Otx2 and sox2 were significantly up-regulated in individual cave species, while the other 4 genes (crx, foxg1b, opn1sw2 and rho) were significantly down-regulated. These findings provide a valuable resource for elucidating molecular mechanisms associated with visual system evolution in cavefish.     

Advanced backcross QTL analysis reveals complicated genetic control of rice grain shape in a japonica × indica cross

Grain shape is an important trait for improving rice yield. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for this trait have been identified by using primary F₂ mapping populations and recombinant inbred lines, in which QTLs with a small effect are harder to detect than they would be in advanced generations. In this study, we developed two advanced mapping populations (chromosome segment substitution lines [CSSLs] and BC₄F₂ lines consisting of more than 2000 individuals) in the genetic backgrounds of two improved cultivars: a japonica cultivar (Koshihikari) with short, round grains, and an indica cultivar (IR64) with long, slender grains. We compared the ability of these materials to reveal QTLs for grain shape with that of an F₂ population. Only 8 QTLs for grain length or grain width were detected in the F₂ population, versus 47 in the CSSL population and 65 in the BC₄F₂ population. These results strongly suggest that advanced mapping populations can reveal QTLs for agronomic traits under complicated genetic control, and that DNA markers linked with the QTLs are useful for choosing superior allelic combinations to enhance grain shape in the Koshihikari and IR64 genetic backgrounds.     

湖南蓝山国家森林公园植物资源调查

2007—2008年通过分不同季节、不同时段前后8次对湖南蓝山国家森林公园植物资源进行了详细的实地调查。该处植物资源具有以下特点:种子植物种类丰富,珍稀濒危植物富集;植物区系地理的复杂性与过渡性;植被类型的多样性与植物群落的稳定性;具有南岭山脉植物的代表性。蓝山国家森林公园的地带性植被为亚热带典型常绿阔叶林,植被类型多样,特色群落众多;较单纯稳定性植被类型,甜槠林常绿阔叶林面积为湖南之冠。提出了加强对珍稀濒危植物资源的监测与保护,建立特色植物园,保护森林植被的可持续发展战略目标。     

Cyclosporine A inhibits transcription of cytokine genes and decreases the frequencies of IL-2 producing cells in feline mononuclear cells

Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been widely used for suppression of transplant rejection and controlling pruritus in allergic dermatitis in humans, dogs and cats. CsA is known to suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in humans, dogs and experimental mice. However, little is known about the immunomodulating effect of CsA in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CsA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Real-time PCR analyses with Concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated PBMC obtained from 5 cats revealed that the expression of mRNAs for IL-2, IL-4, IFN- gamma and TNF-alpha was inhibited by CsA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, which is capable of detecting IL-2 secreting cells as single spots, revealed that the frequency of IL-2 secreting cells in ConA-stimulated feline PBMC was significantly reduced in the presence of CsA. These results might provide an explanation for the mechanisms of action of CsA in the suppression of transplant rejection and the control of pruritus in cats.     

南岳衡山国家级自然保护区两栖爬行动物资源调查与分析

为了掌握两栖爬行动物资源现状,加强生物多样性的保护与促进生态旅游的可持续发展,作者于2005年7月2日—10日,2006年7月22日—29日,2007年4月9日—16日、6月2日—10日和8月24日—31日,主要采用样线法和访问调查法,前后5次对湖南南岳衡山国家级自然保护区两栖爬行动物资源进行了实地调查。结果表明:该保护区两栖爬行动物物种多样性丰富,现已记录两栖爬行动物67种。其中:两栖动物23种,隶属于2目8科,占湖南省已知两栖动物65种的35.38%;爬行动物44种,隶属于3目9科,占湖南省已记录96种爬行动物的45.83%。两栖爬行动物区系属于东洋界华中区东部丘陵平原亚区,有51种为东洋界物种,16种为广布种,无古北界物种分布。建议加强资源监测与保护管理,减少保护区内的人为干扰。     

Binding capacity of a barley beta-D-glucan to the beta-glucan recognition molecule dectin-1

To clarify whether barley beta-glucans exhibit their biological effects via binding to dectin-1, a pivotal receptor for beta-1,3-glucan, the structure of barley beta-glucan E70-S (BBG-70) was unambiguously investigated by NMR spectroscopy and studied for its binding capacity and specificity to dectin-1 by ELISA. NMR spectroscopy confirmed that BBG-70 contains two different linkage glucans, namely, alpha-glucan and beta-glucan, which are not covalently attached to one another. Beta-glucan within BBG-70 is a linear mixed-linkage beta-glucan composed of 1,3- and 1,4-beta-D-glucopyranose residues but does not contain the continuous 1,3-linkage. Competitive ELISA revealed that highly purified barley beta-glucan E70-S (pBBG-70) inhibits the binding of soluble dectin-1 to sonifilan (SPG), a beta-1,3-glucan, although at a concentration higher than that of SPG and laminarin. It was found that barley beta-glucan can be recognized by dectin-1, implying that barley beta-glucan might, at least in part, exhibit its biological effects via the recognition by dectin-1 of the ligand sugar structure, which may be formed by 1,3-beta- and 1,4-beta-glucosyl linkage.     

Effect of raw materials on the extractive components and taste aspects of fermented fish paste: sakana miso

The suitability of various under-utilized fish species as starting material for the production of a miso-like fermented product was studied. To the end, four under-utilized fishes and shellfishes—spotted mackerel, lizard fish, horse mackerel, and common squid—were fermented, under either washed or unwashed conditions, with malt-rice (kome-koji) as a starter, and their quality parameters assessed. The protein content of the fermented fish pastes (18.1–22.4%) was superior to that of fermented soy paste (12.9%). Our analyses of other physico-chemical parameters of the finished products, including free amino acid, oligopeptide, organic acid, and mineral content, also revealed the potential utility of both washed and unwashed fish meat for the production of miso-like fermented fish pastes. Sensory evaluation revealed the potential of the washing step to produce a consistent product for large-scale production.     

Lipid characteristics of coastal migratory Sarda orientalis tissues

To characterize the 22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) levels of the oriental bonito Sarda orientalis, a coastal migratory tuna species, total lipids (TL) of white muscle, dark muscle, liver, pyloric cecum, gonad, and other viscera were separated into lipid classes, the constituents of TL were quantified, and the fatty acid composition of TL, triacylglycerols (TAG), phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine was analyzed. The crude lipid contents of muscle and other organs were 0.8–3.2% and 2.3–9.1%, respectively. DHA was found in TL of various organs at levels ranging from 19.2% to 27.6% in muscle and 16.3% to 28.5% in other organs. The levels of DHA in muscle TAG (8.2–16.0%) were lower than or comparable to those in visceral TAG (6.9–24.0%). These findings did not coincide with those observed in active-migratory tuna species, which accumulate DHA in their muscle TAG during migration. These findings suggest that the DHA distribution of S. orientalis is different from that observed in active-migratory tuna species, and that the differences may be due to migration type of the fish.     

Cryoprotective effects of shrimp head protein hydrolysate on gel forming ability and protein denaturation of lizardfish surimi during frozen storage

ABSTRACT:   The effects of shrimp head protein hydrolysate (SHPH) from three species of shrimp (northern pink shrimp [ Pandalus eous ], endeavour shrimp [ Metapenaeus endeavouri ], black tiger shrimp [ Penaeus monodon ]) on gel forming ability and protein denaturation of lizardfish surimi during frozen storage at −25°C were evaluated. The quality of lizardfish surimi with 5% (dried matter) of any of the three SHPH or sodium glutamate (Na-Glu) was examined in terms of gel strength, whiteness, Ca-ATPase activity and the amount of unfrozen water, comparing with those of surimi without additive as the control. The residual Ca-ATPase activity and gel strength of surimi with SHPH were higher than those of the control throughout 180 days of frozen storage, regardless of shrimp species. The highest effect was found in surimi with Na-Glu. The gel strength and Ca-ATPase activity found a high positive correlation. The addition of SHPH to surimi also increased the amount of unfrozen water by approximately 1.29–1.36 fold higher than the control, however kamaboko gels of the control was significantly whiter. From these results, freeze-induced denaturation of lizardfish muscle protein could be lessened by the addition of SHPH, resulting in a high gel strength and Ca-ATPase activity.