In Vitro and In Vivo Effects and Safety Assessment of Corn Peptides on Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activities

The in vitro and in vivo effects of corn peptides（CPs） prepared from corn gluten meal by proteolysis with an alkaline protease and fractions of CPs from Sephadex G-15 and G-10 columns on activities of alcohol dehydroge-nase（ADH） were studied. The results show that CPs and fraction 3 of CPs from Sephadex G-10 column enhance in vitro ADH activity. Furthermore, the in vitro accelerating effect of the fraction 3 of CPs on ADH activity was superior to that of glutathione, which was also found even in the presence of ADH inhibitor, such as pyrazole. In the in vivo experiments, the animals were fed with different dosages of CPs and with a dose of Chinese distilled spirit orally, and sacrificed for the measurement of ADH activity. In vivo experimental results indicate that CPS enhanced hepatic ADH activities. To test the safety of CPs as health food, 30 d feeding test was performed. No obvious toxic effects were detected in treated Wistar rats.

Effects of Exogenous Organic Acids on Dehydrogenase Activity in Dark Brown Forest Soils under Nutrient Deficiency

Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous or-ganic acids on dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient defi-ciency. [Method] Different proportions of A1 and B horizon dark brown forest soils （A1∶B=1∶2） were utilized to establish soil conditions with nutrient deficiency for cultivation of Larix olgensis seedlings. The effects of oxalic acid, citric acid and succinic acid on dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient deficiency were studied systematical y by adding different concentrations of organic acid solutions. [Result] Under nutrient deficiency, dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils was reduced significantly, and the reduction increased with the extension of stress duration. Most organic acid treatments improved dehydrogenase activity in nutrient-deficient dark brown forest soils, and the effects varied with different treatment du-ration and types and concentrations of organic acids. Furthermore, 10.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L organic acid treatments exhibited the most significant effects on day 10, 20 and 30, respectively. The increment of dehydrogenase activity in different durations showed a downward trend of 30 d〉20 d〉10 d; the improvement effects of three organic acids on dehydrogenase activity showed a downward trend of succinic acid〉 citric acid〉oxalic acid. [Conclusion] Exogenous organic acids improved signifi-cantly dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient deficiency and also improved the microbial activity and soil fertility to a certain extent.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity helps identify a subpopulation of murine adipose-derived stem cells with enhanced adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential

AIMTo identify and characterize functionally distinct subpopulation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). METHODSADSCs cultured from mouse subcutaneous adipose tissue were sorted fluorescence-activated cell sorter based on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, a widely used stem cell marker. Differentiation potentials were analyzed by utilizing immunocytofluorescece and its quantitative analysis. RESULTSApproximately 15% of bulk ADSCs showed high ALDH activity in flow cytometric analysis. Although significant difference was not seen in proliferation capacity, the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacity was higher in ALDHHi subpopulations than in ALDHLo. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that ribosome-related gene sets were enriched in the ALDHHi subpopulation. CONCLUSIONHigh ALDH activity is a useful marker for identifying functionally different subpopulations in murine ADSCs. Additionally, we suggested the importance of ribosome for differentiation of ADSCs by gene set enrichment analysis.

Betaine accumulation and the change of betaine-aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in barley seedlings under KCl and NaCl stress

The changes in growth status, ion contents, betaine levels and betaine\|aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) activity in seedlings of nonhalophyte barley treated with different concentrations of NaCl and KCl were studied. Results showed that the inhibition of growth in barley seedlings increased as enhancing NaCl and KCl for 96h and NaCl inhibitory degree was higher than that of KCl. The K\++ content of barley seedlings in NaCl was lower than the control, while the Na\++ content was higher, the levels of Na\++ fell in the seedlings treated with KCl, but K\++ levels rose, and K\++ content was higher than that of Na\++. The betaine levels of barley shoots rose with the increase in both external salt concentration and treatment time. Higher BADH activity was observed in low\|salt concentration but lower slightly in high\|salt concentration.

Studies on Electrolyte Conductivity and Activity of Dehydrogenase of Chinese Fir and Masson Pine Bare-Root Seedling under Water and Cold Stress

The electrolyte conductivity and activity of dehydrogenase of bare-root seedlings of both Chinese fir (Cunningha-mia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) and Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) under freezing and desiccation treatments were studied. The results showed that needle electrolyte conductivity of both species increase significantly after freezing treatment and there are no significant differences in needle electrolyte conductivity between the two species. The dehydrogenase activity (ARD) of fine roots of both Chinese fir and Masson pine was negatively correlated with increasing freezing and desiccation. The results suggest that both electrolyte conductivity and dehydrogenase activity could be used as quick indicators of Chinese fir and Masson pine bare-root seedling quality.

Dehydrogenase Activity of Soil Microorganisms and the Total DNA Level in Soil of Different Use

The aim of the study was to find the interrelations between the activity of intracellular dehydrogenases, abundance of microorganisms, and the level of soil DNA in the Mollic Gleysol profile, with notification on the dominant DNA form （extra-or intra-cellular）, depending on the type of land use. Two neighbouring meadows were selected for investigations： one systematically cultivated and fertilized and the other deprived of any effect of anthropogenic activity, used as a control. We have demonstrated that dehydrogenase activity （DHA）, the DNA content and microbial abundance strongly depended on the type of land use. DHA exhibited a significant correlation with the DNA content （r = 0.99^＊＊＊ and r = 0.74^＊, for cultivated and control sites, respectively）. This relationship with such a high r value might suggest domination of the intracellular form of DNA in the cultivated meadow, which is also confirmed by the c.a. 13% increase in microorganism abundance in the cultivated soil. The optimal conditions for microbial activities were defined by the significant positive interrelationships between microbial abundance and the total organic carbon content, and a negative correlation with pH, redox potential and soil bulk density.

Effects of Micronutrient Niacin on Treatment Efficiency of Textile Wastewater

Textile wastewater is well known as one of the wastewaters to be most difficultly treated. The effects of niacin on textile wastewater treatment efficiency were studied by continuous addition of 1.0 mg·L^-1 niacin, the physical and chemical indexes of the water samples, such as COD, ammonia and dehydrogenase activities, were analyzed every day with standard methods, and obvious improvement in wastewater treatment performance was achieved. The exact results showed that：① Niacin could improve the COD removal efficiency signifcantly with removal rates being 1.31 times as to those of the control system; ② under this experimental condition, addition of niacin had almost no effect on the removal of ammonia;③ Addition of niacin could improve the activity of dehydrogenase by 130 %. It proved that the biological treatment performance of textile wastewater treatment system probably could be optimized through micronutrient niacin supplement.

Effects of Used Battery on Key Enzyme Activity during the Germination of Wheat Seeds

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of used battery lixivium on wheat germination. [Method] The wheat seeds were treated with used battery lix- ivium at different concentrations to detect the change of activities of amylase, pro- tease, pyruvate dehydrogenase （PDH） and polyphenol oxidase （PPO） during the ger- mination period. [Result] The results showed that the used battery affected enzyme activity. With the increase of concentration of used battery lixivium, trends of the changes of amylase and protease activities were not different. The activities were en- hanced at low concentrations of lixivium, while were inhibited at high concentrations. The tends of changes of pyruvate dehydrogenase （PDH） and polyphenol oxidase （PPO） activities were not consistent with that of either amylase or protease, which showed continuous downward trends with the increasing concentration of used battery lixivium. [Conclusion] This study is of great practical significance for understanding the effects of used battery lixivium on the germination of wheat seeds.

Stimulating Effects of Seed Treatment by Magnetized Plasma on Tomato Growth and Yield

Tomato seeds （Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill. cv. zhongshu No. 6） were treated by magnetized plasma before being sown to investigate its effect on the growth and yield of tomatoes. Biochemical analysis showed that dehydrogenase activity increased with the increase of the current but decreased when the current was higher than 1.5 A. The activities of peroxidase （POD） isoenzyme changed in the same pattern. There was no difference in germination percentage between treatments and control, which were carried out in laboratory conditions. However, significant （c~ = 0.01） difference was observed in germination percentage in the pot experiment. In the pot experiment, the sprouting rate for the treatment with a 1.5 A current was 32.75%, whereas the untreated was only 4.75% on the eleventh day. Germination time is more than one day earlier than the control. The 1.5 A treatment increased the tomato yield by 20.7%.

Phytoremediation of petroleum polluted soil

An experimental study of the rhizosphere effect on phytoremediation of petroleum polluted soil was carried out with three species of grasses, namely Pannicum, Eleusine indica （L.） Gaerth, and Tall Fescue. After a period of 150 days, this pot experiment showed that the rhizosphere of these three species accelerated the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons to different extents. The results showed that the number of microorganisms in the rhizosphere increased by three orders of magnitude. The induction of the plant rhizosphere and the coercion influence of petroleum changed the species and activity of microorganisms. The degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the rhizosphere was 3-4 times that in unplanted soil. The dehydrogenase activity in the rhizosphere was 1.61-2.20 times that in unplanted soil, but the catalase activity was 0.90-0.93 times that in unplanted soil, and soil moisture content increased by 5% compared with the unplanted soil.

Response of Microbial Community to Petroleum Stress and Phosphate Dosage in Sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, China

The dynamic microcosms were used to evaluate the effect of oil spills on microbial ecological system in marine sediment and the enhancement of nutrient on the oil removal. The function and structure of microbial community caused by the oil pollution and phosphate dosage were simultaneously monitored by dehydrogenase activity assay and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) techniques. The results indicated that the amount of total bacteria in all dynamic microcosms declined rapidly with incubation time. The number of petroleum-degrading bacteria and the activity of sediment dehydrogenase were gradually enhanced by petroleum in the oil-treated microcosms, while they both showed no obvious response to phosphate dosage. In comparison, phosphate spiked heterotrophic bacteria and they showed a significant increase in amount. DGGE profiles indicated that petroleum dosage greatly changed community structure, and the bacteria belonged to class Deltaproteobacteria, and phyla Bacteroidetes and Chlorobi were enriched. This study demonstrated that petroleum input greatly impacted the microbial community structure and consequently the marine sediment petroleum-degrading activity was enhanced. Phosphate dosage would multiply heterotrophic bacteria but not significantly enhance the petroleum degradation.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Treatments on Caryopsis Filling and Respiratory Rate of Rice

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen （N） rate and application time on grain filling and respiratory trait of caryopsis in two rice varieties, IR36 and Dali. The treatments were consisted of no N application topdressing at both tillering and booting stages （CK）, 6 g/pot of N topdressing at the tillering stage and 2 g/pot of N topdressing at the booting stage, 2 g/pot of N topdressing at the tillering stage and 6 g/pot of N topdressing at the booting stage. The results showed that the proper utilization of N fertilizer can be helpful to maintain the higher water content, higher respiratory rate and higher dehydrogenase activity of rice caryopsis in late filling phase, and prolong the course for filling and maintaining higher respiratory rate and dehydrogenase activity of rice caryopsis. More N application at booting was more effective compared to more N application at tillering.

Atorvastatin activates autophagy and promotes neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury

Atorvastatin, a lipid-lowering medication, provides neuroprotective effects, although the precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. Our previous studies confirmed activated autophagy following spinal cord injury, which was conducive to recovery of neurological functions. We hypothesized that atorvastatin could also activate autophagy after spinal cord injury, and subsequently improve recovery of neurological functions. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established based on the Allen method. Atorvastatin（5 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected at 1 and 2 days after spinal cord injury. At 7 days post-injury, western blot assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dU TP nick-end labeling（TUNEL） staining results showed increased Beclin-1 and light chain 3B gene and protein expressions in the spinal cord injury ＋ atorvastatin group. Additionally, caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression was decreased, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells was reduced. Compared with the spinal cord injury ＋ saline group, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores significantly increased in the spinal cord injury ＋ atorvastatin group at 14–42 days post-injury. These findings suggest that atorvastatin activated autophagy after spinal cord injury, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted recovery of neurological function.

Toxicity of cadmium to soil microbial biomass and its activity:Effect of incubation time on Cd ecological dose in a paddy soil

Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous in the human environment and has toxic effect on soil microbial biomass or its activity, including microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and basal respiration (BR), etc., Cmic, DHA, BR were used as bioindicators of the toxic effect of Cd in soil. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Cd on soil microbial biomass and its activity in a paddy soil. The inhibition of microbial biomass and its activity by different Cd concentrations was described by the kinetic model (M1) and the sigmoid dose-response model (M2) in order to calculate three ecological doses of Cd: ED50, ED10 and ED5. Results showed that M2 was better fit than M1 for describing the ecological toxicity dose effect of cadmium on soil microbial biomass and its activity in a paddy soil. M2 for ED values (mg/kg soil) of Cmic, DHA, BR best fitted the measured paddy soil bioindicators. M2 showed that all ED values (mg/kg) increased in turn with increased incubation time. ED50, ED10 and ED5 of Cmic with M2 were increased in turn from 403.2, 141.1, 100.4 to 1000.7, 230.9, 144.8, respectively, after 10 d to 60 d of incubation. ED50, ED10 and ED5 of DHA with M2 increased in turn from 67.6, 6.2, 1.5 to 101.1, 50.9, 41.0, respectively, after 10 d to 60 d of incubation. ED50, ED10 and ED5 of BR with M2 increased in turn from 149.7, 6.5, 1.8 to 156.5, 50.8, 35.5, respectively, after 10 d to 60 d of incubation. So the ecological dose increased in turn with increased incubation time for M2 showed that toxicity of cadmium to soil microbial biomass and its activity was decreased with increased incubation time.

Effects of Cd^(2+) and Pb^(2+) on the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland

The effects of single Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+),and combined Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+)on dehydrogenase activity and polysaccharide content of the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland(IVCW)were studied.Dehydrogenase activities decreased linearly with the increasing concentrations of Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+)at different times(6,24,72,and 120 h).The activities at both 6 and 24 h were significantly higher than that at 72 and 120 h in the case of single and combined treatments.The single Cd^(2+)and...

Spacial Distribution Characteristics, Activity and Degradation Capability of the Biofilm in Integrated Vertical-flow Constructed Wetland

The spacial distribution characteristics, activity and degradation capability of the biofilm in integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland were investigated. Results showed that the biofilm widely distributed in the substrate of integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland and mainly in the 0-10 cm top layer where the activity ofdehydrogenase of the biofilm was also higher than that of other layers. The water quality could also affect the activity of the biofilm, for the TF（1,3,5-Triphenylformazan） amount reduced by the biofim incubated in water of the higher eutrophication was larger, too. The PCP （pentachlorophenol） removal rate by the substrate with biofilm was 1.5 times that without biofilm. In total, the biofilm of the down-flow chamber appeared larger biomass, higher dehydrogenase activity and stronger degradation capability of organic contamination than that in up-flow chamber and it was the major place for removal of the organic matters in waste water.

Fauna-associated Changes in Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Soil

Objective To study the impacts of abundance of woodlice, termites, and mites on some functional aspects of soil in order to elucidate the specific role of soil fauna in improving soil fertility in desert. Methods Fauna-rich sites were selected as experimental sites and adjacent areas were taken as control, Soil samples were collected from both sites. Soil respiration was measured at both sites. The soil samples were sent to laboratory, their chemical and biochemical properties were analyzed. Results Woodlice showed 25% decrease in organic carbon and organic matter as compared to control site. Whereas termites and mites showed 58% and 16% decrease in organic carbon and organic matter. In contrast, available nitrogen （nitrate and ammonical both） and phosphorus exhibited 2-fold and 1.2-fold increase, respectively. Soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity at the sites rich in woodlice, termites and mites produced 2.5-, 3.5- and 2-fold increases, respectively as compared to their control values. Fauna-associated increase in these biological parameters clearly reflected fauna-induced microbial activity in soil. Maximum decrease in organic carbon and increase in nitrate-nitrogen and ammonical-nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were produced by termites and minimum by mites reflecting termite as an efficient soil improver in desert environment. Conclusion The soil fauna-associated changes in chemical （organic carbon, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonical-nitrogen, phosphorus） and biochemical （soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity） properties of soil improve soil health and help in conservation of desert pedoecosystem.

Effect of Moisture Content on Melilotus suaveolens Seed Quality During Ultra-drying Storage

In order to enhance the seed storability and supply high-quality seeds for vegetation restoration in the arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest China,the effects of ultra-drying and accelerated aging on the physiological characterstics of Melilotus suaveolens seeds were studied.Melilotus suaveolens seeds were dried in a desiccator containing silica gel to 80,53,42,33,23 and 16 g·kg-1 of moisture contents（MC）,respectively.The parameters of the seed quality including germination energy（GE）,germination percentage（GP）,relative conductivity（RC）,dehydrogenase activity（DA） and α-amylase activity（AA） were determined after ultra-drying and accelerated aging.The results showed that ultra-dried seeds with 42 g·kg-1 of MC showed the minimum changes of GE and GP before and after seed aging.Moreover,ultra-dry seeds with 42 g·kg-1 of MC showed higher DA and AA,and lower RC than non-ultra-drying seeds.Therefore,ultra-drying to 42 g·kg-1 of MC was helpful for M.suaveolens seed storage.

Phytoremediation of Oil-Contaminated Soils by Combining Flowering Plant Cultivation and Inoculation with <i>Acinetobacter junii</i>Strain M-2

Oil contamination of the soil by petroleum products has become an enormous environmental problem. In this study, we examined whether remediation of oil-contaminated soils by cultivating three flowering plants (Mimosa, Gazania, and Zinnia) could be enhanced by inoculation with Acinetobacter junii strain M-2 at different plant growth stages (at sowing, at early growth, and at mid-growth). The growth of Zinnia cultivated in oil-contaminated soils inoculated at sowing was significantly superior to that in the non-inoculated soil. Although total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in soils inoculated at sowing were nominally lower than those in non-inoculated soils, especially in the case of Zinnia planting, the effect did not reach statistical significance. However, dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher in the soils inoculated with A. junii strain M-2 than in non-inoculated soils for all three plant species tested. These results demonstrate that a combination of ornamental plant cultivation (particularly Zinnia) and inoculation with A. junii strain M-2 increases the efficiency of oil-contaminated soil phytoremediation.

Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) on Zinnia hybrida Growth and Phytoremediation Effects in Oil-Contaminated Soil

In this study, we compared plant height, weight, soil TPH concentration, and soil DHA level after 18 weeks of Zennia hybrida cultivation with four different concentrations of 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-based liquid fertilizer: 1500-fold, 5000-fold, and 8000-fold dilutions, along with a non-treatment control of diluted ALA. The plants of ALA-treated were significantly taller than the non-treatment control. The plants of ALA-treated plants were higher in shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight than the non-treatment control. The plot of ALA-based liquid fertilizer with the 5000-fold dilution was significantly highest in shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight. ALA-treated plants were lower in the soil Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration than the non-treatment control. The plot of ALA-based liquid fertilizer with the 5000-fold was significantly lowest in the TPH concentration. In addition, ALA-treated plants were higher in the soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA) than the non-treatment control. The plot of ALA-based liquid fertilizer with the 5000-fold was significantly highest in the TPH concentration. This study indicated that ALA-applied zinnia-grown oil-contaminated soil is more effective than not. The remediation in oil-contaminated soil with ALA-based liquid fertilizer is more effective than the non-treatment control;furthermore, ALA application with 5000-fold dilution was most suitable in oil-contaminated soil among other plots.