Seasonal variation of domoic acid in a bivalve Spondylus versicolor in association with that in plankton samples in Nha Phu Bay,Khanh Hoa,Vietnam

Previously we reported that a significant level of domoic acid, a causative toxin for amnesic shellfish poisoning, was detected in bivalves belonging to a genus Spondylus from various tropical Asian countries. These findings indicate that causative plankton species for domoic acid widely distribute in these areas. In the present study, we monitored seasonal change of domoic acid level of Spondylus versicolor in association with that of plankton samples in Nha Phu Bay, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam from December 2004 to October 2005. The toxicity of S. versicolor showed distinct seasonal variation. During the period when domoic acid level of S. versicolor was increasing, a significant level of domoic acid was detected in the plankton samples, showing the correlation between these two parameters. These findings show that plankton causative for domoic acid occurred in the bay, and S. versicolor accumulate domoic acid during a bloom of the toxic plankton by food web transfer.     

The structure and receptor binding properties of the 1918 influenza hemagglutinin

The 1918 influenza pandemic resulted in about 20 million deaths. This enormous impact, coupled with renewed interest in emerging infections, makes characterization of the virus involved a priority. Receptor binding, the initial event in virus infection, is a major determinant of virus transmissibility that, for influenza viruses, is mediated by the hemagglutinin (HA) membrane glycoprotein. We have determined the crystal structures of the HA from the 1918 virus and two closely related HAs in complex with receptor analogs. They explain how the 1918 HA, while retaining receptor binding site amino acids characteristic of an avian precursor HA, is able to bind human receptors and how, as a consequence, the virus was able to spread in the human population.     

Effects of Fermentation Conditions Using Lactobacillus plantarum on the Charantin,Stigmasterol Glucoside and β-sitosterol Glucoside Contents of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Juice

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Bitter gourd fruits contain high amounts of charantin, stigmasterol glucoside and β-sitosterol glucoside, which have been shown to provide health benefits for...     

Genetic differentiation between fake abalone and genuine Haliotis species using the forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) method

Abalones ( Haliotis species) are a popular delicacy and commonly preserved in dried form either whole or in slices or small pieces for consumption in Asian countries. Driven by the huge profit from trading abalones, dishonest traders may substitute other molluscan species for processed abalone, of which the morphological characteristics are frequently lost in the processed form. For protection of consumer rights and law enforcement against fraud, there is a need for an effective methodology to differentiate between fake and genuine abalone. This paper describes a method (validated according to the international forensic guidelines provided by SWGDAM) for the identification of fake abalone species using forensically informative nucleotide sequence (FINS) analysis. A study of the local market revealed that many claimed "abalone slice" samples on sale are not genuine. The fake abalone samples were found to be either volutids of the genus Cymbium (93%) or the muricid Concholepas concholepas (7%). This is the first report of Cymbium species being used for the preparation and sale as "abalone" in dried sliced form in Hong Kong.     

森林景观信息网络化简介及其应用

介绍应用国际互联网传播森林景观信息和网上旅游服务概况,论述了森林景观数字信息的几种计算机实现方法,并展望森林景观信息网络化前景。     

Assessment of growth and seed oil composition of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) germplasm

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and fatty acid composition among 15 kenaf mutants derived from the kenaf germplasm C14 and 15 kenaf accessions originating from Russia, India, China, Iran, and Italy. The overall growth performance (plant height, stem diameter, flowering date, leaf, and flower size) of the stem color mutant lines derived from C14 are similar to those of the original variety. However, the flower color mutant lines derived from C14 showed flowering to occur 10 days later when compared with the original variety and showed smaller leaf sizes than the original variety. Late-ripened kenaf accessions (Jinju, Auxu, and Jnagdae) can yield more bio-mass compared with early or medium-maturing germplasm. The late maturity kenaf (Auxu, Jinju, and Jangdae) has a higher oil percentage than the early maturity germplasm. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids were the predominant fatty acids in all kenaf seeds. The stem color mutant lines significantly surpassed the parental means of all saturated fatty acids. In addition, the flower color mutant lines showed broad ranges of variation in oleic acid. The 15 accessions showed a wide range of fatty acid compositions, spanning from 29.75 to 38.30% saturated fatty acids and 61.70 to 70.24% total unsaturated fatty acids, and the late maturity kenaf has a higher linoleic acid percentage than the early maturity germplasm. The flowering period was highly positively (P ≤ 0.01) correlated with the plant height, stem diameter, oil percent, and linolenic acid (C_18:3), and it was significantly negatively (P ≤ 0.01) correlated with stearic acid (C_18:0). These results will provide valuable information to assist the parental selection of kenaf breeding.     

浅议一河多桥断面流量分配计算方法

本文用壅水平衡原理对最一般情况下的一河多桥断面流量分配进行了分析,计算,结果表明,用壅水平原理计算一河多桥的断面流量分配是符合实际的。