Oceans, science, and universities: scientific study of the sea during the First Portuguese Republic / Oceanos, ciência e universidades: estudo científico do mar durante a Primeira República Portuguesa

Abstract Knowledge of the scientific study of the sea in the early twentieth century is essential to understand the process through which marine biology was institutionalised in Portugal. The first national biological stations were set up during the First Republic: the Estação de Zoologia Marítima da Foz in Porto, and the Aquário Vasco da Gama in Lisbon. This paper is a case study on the Estação da Foz, which played an important role by assisting the Zoology Institute at the Universidade do Porto in achieving its strategic objectives, and provides an understanding of the institutionalisation process for marine biology within a university context: its connection with teaching, research, the economy, and society.

Resumo O conhecimento do estudo científico oceanográfico do início do século XX é essencial para compreender o processo de institucionalização da biologia marinha em Portugal. As primeiras estações biológicas nacionais foram criadas durante a Primeira República: a Estação de Zoologia Marítima da Foz, no Porto, e o Aquário Vasco da Gama, em Lisboa. Este artigo é um estudo de caso sobre a Estação da Foz, que colaborou com o Instituto de Zoologia da Universidade do Porto no alcance de seus objetivos estratégicos, e aborda o processo de institucionalização da biologia marinha no contexto universitário: sua conexão com ensino, pesquisa, economia e sociedade.

Distribution characteristics of marine bacteria in the China seas / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the main species of marine bacteria and their distribution characteristics in China seas. Methods Seawater samples were obtained from sea water about one meter below the sea level along the navigation course, and then the bacteria therein were enriched, cultured, identified and tested for drug sensitivity. Results A total of 528 seawater samples were collected from four seas of China, and 759 marine bacteria in 145 species were isolated. The isolates were mainly Vibro, Enterobacteriaceae, Nonfermenter, Fungi, Pasteurella, Gram positive cocci, Eikenella corrodens and Anaerobic bacteria. Vibrio accounted for 52.9% of the 759 strains of marine bacteria, among which Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus accounted for 75%. There was no significant difference in the quantity of Vibrio alginolyticus, Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus between the 4 sea areas (P=0.071). Chi-square test showed that significant differences existed in the distribution of seven species of marine bacteria among the 4 China seas (P=0.0004). The Gram-positive cocci were isolated more often in Bohai than from other seas; Eikenella corrodens were detected mostly in Yellow Sea; Vibrio were the predominant bacteria in East China sea, up to 70.8%; more Fungi were found in South China sea. The main features of specific bacteria isolated from the four sea areas was higher number of species with less quantity. From North to South, Enterococcus faecalis, Flavobacterium, Vibrio carchariae and C. famata were found to constitute the highest number. Conclusions In China seas, Vibrios are the dominant bacteria, and the numbers of Anaerobic bacteria and Gram-positive cocci are extremely low. There is a significant difference in the distribution of marine bacteria among 4 China seas.

Distribution characteristics of marine bacteria in the China seas / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the main species of marine bacteria and their distribution characteristics in China seas. Methods Seawater samples were obtained from sea water about one meter below the sea level along the navigation course, and then the bacteria therein were enriched, cultured, identified and tested for drug sensitivity. Results A total of 528 seawater samples were collected from four seas of China, and 759 marine bacteria in 145 species were isolated. The isolates were mainly Vibro, Enterobacteriaceae, Nonfermenter, Fungi, Pasteurella, Gram positive cocci, Eikenella corrodens and Anaerobic bacteria. Vibrio accounted for 52.9% of the 759 strains of marine bacteria, among which Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus accounted for 75%. There was no significant difference in the quantity of Vibrio alginolyticus, Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus between the 4 sea areas (P=0.071). Chi-square test showed that significant differences existed in the distribution of seven species of marine bacteria among the 4 China seas (P=0.0004). The Gram-positive cocci were isolated more often in Bohai than from other seas; Eikenella corrodens were detected mostly in Yellow Sea; Vibrio were the predominant bacteria in East China sea, up to 70.8%; more Fungi were found in South China sea. The main features of specific bacteria isolated from the four sea areas was higher number of species with less quantity. From North to South, Enterococcus faecalis, Flavobacterium, Vibrio carchariae and C. famata were found to constitute the highest number. Conclusions In China seas, Vibrios are the dominant bacteria, and the numbers of Anaerobic bacteria and Gram-positive cocci are extremely low. There is a significant difference in the distribution of marine bacteria among 4 China seas.

Bacterias marinas productoras de compuestos antibacterianos aisladas a partir de invertebrados intermareales / Marine bacteria producing antibacterial compounds isolated from inter-tidal invertebrates

Se realizó actividades prospectivas de muestreo de invertebrados intermareales en la Bahía de Ancón (Lima - Perú) con el objetivo de seleccionar bacterias marinas productoras de sustancias antimicrobianas. El estudio comprendió el aislamiento de bacterias en agar marino, pruebas de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana in vitro y observaciones de microscopía electrónica. Se reporta el aislamiento, caracterización fenotípica y propiedades antimicrobianas de diez cepas de bacterias marinas que incluyen a los géneros Vibrio, Pseudomonas y Flavobacterium y del orden Actinomycetal que inhiben a patógenos de humanos. Los resultados indicarían que los invertebrados marinos serían fuentes de bacterias productoras de sustancias antibióticas.

Prospective sampling activities of intertidal invertebrates in the Ancon Bay (Lima, Peru) were done in order to select marine bacteria producing antimicrobial substances. The study included the isolation of bacteria in marine agar, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing and electronic microscopic observations. We report the isolation, phenotypical characterization and antimicrobial properties of 10 strains of marine bacteria including the genus Vibrio, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium, and the order Actinomycetae that inhibit human pathogens. The results indicate that the marine invertebrates would be sources of bacteria producing antibiotic substances.

Screening, identification and classification of an antimitosis marine bacterium from Eastern China Sea / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To screen, identify and classify an antimitosis marine bacterium strain 32-11-2-2 of Eastern China Sea. Methods: The marine bacteria were isolated with the infinite dilution and plate streak technique and screened for antimitotic active strains by Pyricularia Oryzae model. The active strain 32-11-2-2 was subjected to morphological, physiological and biochemical study, and was classified by the analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence. Results: A total of 421 strains of marine bacteria were isolated from marine water and sediment samples; 54 of them had antimitotic activity. The study of morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics showed that the strain 32-11-2-2 was a slight halophilic strain; it had the morphological characteristics of a continent Bacillus and could produce amylase, fluidify glutin; and it also showed a positive reaction in the litmus milk test. The 16S rDNA analysis showed the strain 32-11-2-2 had a 98% homology with Bacillus subtilis. Conclusion: The strain 32-11-2-2 has been identified to be a Bacillus subtilis adapted to the oceanic environment.

Inhibition of xathine oxidase by renierol extracted from South China Sea sponge / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To study the inhibition of xanthine oxidase by renierol extracted from South China Sea sponge and study the influence of renierol on hyperuricemia in mice. Methods: After extracted from South China Sea sponge, renierol (20, 40, 60 μg/ml) was added to a system containing xanthine oxidase (0. 1 μ/ml) and xanthine (50 μmol/ml); allopurinol (1 μg/ml) was also addded to the system as positive control. The 5 min-fomation of superoxide anions was used to determine the activity of xanthine oxidase (Nitro Blue Btetrazolium reduction). Renierol (20, 40, 60 μg/ml) was added to 25°C pre-heated pyrogallol autoxidation to observe its eliminating effect on free radicals through determining the absorbance rate at 420 nm wavelength. Potassium oxonate, a uricase inhibitor, was used to induce hyperuricemia in mice and the mice were then treated with oral renierol (10, 20, 30 mg · kg-1) or allopurinol (2 mg/kg) as positive control. The decrease of serum uric acid induced by renierol was determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: Renierol was demonstrated to be a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase in vitro , with its IC50 value being 1.36 μg · ml-1. It also decreased uric acid in vivo. Conclusion: Renierol can decrease serum uric acid through inhibiting the xanthine oxidase.

Search for enzyme inhibitors from the ocean / 第二军医大学学报

Some enzyme inhibitors derived from the ocean were described briefly in this review.

Research and development of marine bio-active substances and drugs / 第二军医大学学报

The ocean is a huge resource of organisms and about 80% of the world species live in it.Marine organisms synthesize various structurally-unique and pharmacologically-active metabolites which differ from those derived from the land organisms and serve as lead compounds for drug development.More than 15 000 new compounds have been isolated and identified from marine animals,plants and microorganisms since decades ago,and drugs like cephalosporins,ziconotide(Prialt),cytarabine(AraC) and vidarabine(AraA) were developed using these compounds as precursors.

Inhibition of xathine oxidase by renierol extracted from South China Sea sponge / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To study the inhibition of xanthine oxidase by renierol extracted from South China Sea sponge and study the influence of renierol on hyperuricemia in mice.Methods: After extracted from South China Sea sponge,renierol(20,40,60 ?g/ml) was added to a system containing xanthine oxidase(0.1 ?/ml) and xanthine(50 ?mol/ml);allopurinol((1 ?g/ml))was also addded to the system as positive control.The 5 min-fomation of superoxide anions was used to determine the activity of xanthine oxidase(Nitro Blue Btetrazolium reduction).Renierol(20,40,60 ?g/ml) was added to 25℃ pre-heated pyrogallol autoxidation to observe its eliminating effect on free radicals through determining the absorbance rate at 420 nm wavelength.Potassium oxonate,a uricase inhibitor,was used to induce hyperuricemia in mice and the mice were then treated with oral renierol(10,20,30 mg?kg~(-1)) or allopurinol(2 mg/kg) as positive control.The decrease of serum uric acid induced by renierol was determined by automatic biochemical analyzer.Results: Renierol was demonstrated to be a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase in vitro,with its IC_(50) value being 1.36 ?g?ml~(-1).It also decreased uric acid in vivo.Conclusion: Renierol can decrease serum uric acid through inhibiting the xanthine oxidase.