Cloning and Stress-Induced Expression Analysis of Calmodulin in the Antarctic Alga Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L.

Calmodulin (CaM) is a Ca2+-binding protein that plays a role in several Ca2+ signaling pathways, which dynamically regulates the activities of hundreds of proteins. The ice alga Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L, which has the ability to adapt to extreme polar conditions, is a crucial primary producer in Antarctic ecosystem. This study hypothesized that Cam helps the ICE-L to adapt to the fluctuating conditions in the polar environment. It first verified the overall length of Cam, through RT-PCR and RACE-PCR, based on partial Cam transcriptome library of ICE-L. Then, the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences were, respectively, analyzed by various bioinformatics approaches to gain more insights into the computed physicochemical properties of the CaM. Potential involvements of Cam in responding to certain stimuli (i.e., UVB radiation, high salinity, and temperature) were investigated by differential expression, measuring its transcription levels by means of quantitative RT-PCR. Results showed that CaM was indeed inducible and regulated by high UVB radiation, high salinity, and nonoptimal temperature conditions. Different conditions had different expression tendencies, which provided an important basis for investigating the adaptation mechanism of Cam in ICE-L.

Effects of ocean acidification on the physiological performance and carbon production of the Antarctic sea ice diatom Nitzschia sp. ICE-H.

Ocean acidification (OA) resulting from increasing atmospheric CO2 strongly influences marine ecosystems, particularly in the polar ocean due to greater CO2 solubility. Here, we grew the Antarctic sea ice diatom Nitzschia sp. ICE-H in a semicontinuous culture under low (~400ppm) and high (1000ppm) CO2 levels. Elevated CO2 resulted in a stimulated physiological response including increased growth rates, chlorophyll a contents, and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake rates. Furthermore, high CO2 enhanced cellular particulate organic carbon production rates, indicating a greater shift from inorganic to organic carbon. However, the cultures grown in high CO2 conditions exhibited a decrease in both extracellular and intracellular carbonic anhydrase activity, suggesting that the carbon concentrating mechanisms of Nitzschia sp. ICE-H may be suppressed by elevated CO2. Our results revealed that OA would be beneficial to the survival of this sea ice diatom strain, with broad implications for global carbon cycles in the future ocean.

[Release and supplement of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) decomposition in seawater].

Abstract: Jellyfish bloom has been increasing in Chinese seas and decomposition after jellyfish bloom has great influences on marine ecological environment. We conducted the incubation of Nemopilema nomurai decomposing to evaluate its effect on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus recycling of water column by simulated experiments. The results showed that the processes of jellyfish decomposing represented a fast release of biogenic elements, and the release of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus reached the maximum at the beginning of jellyfish decomposing. The release of biogenic elements from jellyfish decomposition was dominated by dissolved matter, which had a much higher level than particulate matter. The highest net release rates of dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon reached (103.77 ± 12.60) and (1.52 ± 0.37) mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, respectively. The dissolved nitrogen was dominated by NH4⁺-N during the whole incubation time, accounting for 69.6%-91.6% of total dissolved nitrogen, whereas the dissolved phosphorus was dominated by dissolved organic phosphorus during the initial stage of decomposition, being 63.9%-86.7% of total dissolved phosphorus and dominated by PO4³â»-P during the late stage of decomposition, being 50.4%-60.2%. On the contrary, the particulate nitrogen was mainly in particulate organic nitrogen, accounting for (88.6 ± 6.9) % of total particulate nitrogen, whereas the particulate phosphorus was mainly in particulate. inorganic phosphorus, accounting for (73.9 ±10.5) % of total particulate phosphorus. In addition, jellyfish decomposition decreased the C/N and increased the N/P of water column. These indicated that jellyfish decomposition could result in relative high carbon and nitrogen loads.

Jellyfish (Cyanea nozakii) decomposition and its potential influence on marine environments studied via simulation experiments.

A growing body of evidence suggests that the jellyfish population in Chinese seas is increasing, and decomposition of jellyfish strongly influences the marine ecosystem. This study investigated the change in water quality during Cyanea nozakii decomposition using simulation experiments. The results demonstrated that the amount of dissolved nutrients released by jellyfish was greater than the amount of particulate nutrients. NH4(+) was predominant in the dissolved matter, whereas the particulate matter was dominated by organic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus. The high N/P ratios demonstrated that jellyfish decomposition may result in high nitrogen loads. The inorganic nutrients released by C. nozakii decomposition were important for primary production. Jellyfish decomposition caused decreases in the pH and oxygen consumption associated with acidification and hypoxia or anoxia; however, sediments partially mitigated the changes in the pH and oxygen. These results imply that jellyfish decomposition can result in potentially detrimental effects on marine environments.

[Causes of jellyfish blooms and their influence on marine environment].

Jellyfish blooms have damaged the normal composition and function of marine ecosystem and ecological environments, which have been one of the new marine ecological disasters. In this study, we summarized the possible inducements of jellyfish blooms, and the influences of jellyfish blooms on biogenic elements, dissolved oxygen, seawater acidity and biological community were discussed emphatically. The results showed that jellyfish blooms had a close contact with its physiological structure and life history, which had favorable characteristics including simple body struc- ture, rapid growth, thriving reproduction and short generation interval to tolerate harsh environment better. Jellyfish abundance increased rapidly when it encountered suitable conditions. The temperature variations of seawater might be the major inducing factor which could result in jellyfish blooms. Jellyfish blooms may benefit from warmer temperature that could increase the food availability of jellyfish and promote jellyfish reproduction, especially for warm temperate jellyfish species. Eutrophication, climate change, overfishing, alien invasions and habitat modification were all possible important contributory factors of jellyfish blooms. Jellyfish could significantly influence the form distribution and biogeochemical cycling of biogenic elements. Jellyfish excreted NH4+ and P04(3-) at a rate of 59.1-91.5 micromol N x kg(-1) x h(-1) and 1.1-1.8 micromol P x kg(-1) x h(-1), which could meet about 8%-10% and 21.6% of the phytoplankton primary production requirement of N and P, respectively. Live jellyfish released dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at a rate of 1.0 micromol C x g(-1) x d(-1). As jellyfish decomposing, the effluxes of total N and total P were 4000 micromol N x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 120 micromol P x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively, while the efflux of DOC reached 30 micromol C x g(-1) x d(-1). Jellyfish decomposition could cause seawater acidification and lowered level of dissolved oxygen and finally made the ambient water become acidic and hypoxic. The pH decreased by 1.3, while the mean dissolved oxygen demand reached 32.8 micromol x kg(-1) x h(-1). Jellyfish blooms also influenced the marine organism community, which might reduce the biomass of some fish and zooplankton, increase the amount of bacterioplankton, indirectly .increase the quantity of phytoplankton and lead to abnormal primary production.

[Treatment of enophthalmos after severe malar-maxillary complex fracture with titanium mesh and high density polyethylene (Medpor)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the surgical management of enophthalmos after severe malar maxillary complex fracture. METHODS: The X-ray and CT examination were performed before operation to diagnose the orbital fracture and intraorbital tissue displacement. The fractured orbital rim was repositioned intraoperatively, followed by implantation of shaped titanium mesh to rebuild the orbital floor. The Medpor was inserted above the titanium mesh to correct the enophthalmos. RESULTS: From Sept. 2007 to Jan. 2009, 6 cases of enophthalmos after severe malar-maxillary complex fracture were treated. The enophthalmos was corrected or improved obviously in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The enophthalmos after severe malar-maxillary complex fracture can be corrected or obviously improved. Shaped titanium mesh can be used to rebuild the orbital floor with the Medpor to reconstruct the intraorbital tissue volume.

[Clinical research of angle-splitting ostectomy based on three dimensional computed tomography true-up technique].

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the morphological changes of mandible after angle-splitting ostectomy. METHODS: From January 2006 to April 2008, 10 cases had undergone mandibular angle-splitting ostectomy to reduce the width of the lower face. For each patient, CT datum of mandible at three stages (preoperative, immediate postoperative, 6 months postoperative) were collected. By the application software of reverse engineering (Surfacer V9) and true-up and dissection techniques based on three-dimensional spiral computed tomography (3D-CT), operative efficacy and bone regeneration at the operation area of angle-splitting ostectomy were evaluated 6 months postoperative. RESULTS: 1) Concavity could be seen at the angle-splitting ostectomy area 6 months postoperative, especially at the mandibular external oblique line region. Average cup depth was (3.64 +/- 1.67) mm by contrasted to preoperative. Diminution of bone volume was 55% +/- 9% for the local operative area 6 months postoperative. 2) Bone regeneration could be seen at the area that mandibular outer cortex had been removed. Compared with immediate postoperative, ratio of neoformative bone was 84.6% +/- 7.3% 6 months postoperative. The main region of bone regeneration was mandibular angle. CONCLUSION: Mandibular angle-splitting ostectomy is an effective technique for reducing the width of the lower face. Masseter muscular movement should be restricted postoperative to prevent hyperostosis at the angle area.

[Comparative study of onlay bone graft absorption of outer cortex from mandible and cranium].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of application of mandibular outer cortex as bone graft by comparing its bone absorption with cranial outer cortex. METHODS: 8 minitype grown-up pigs at the age of 8 - 12 months underwent surgery of taking out the same size (2.5 cm x 1.0 cm) of outer cortex from mandible and craninium. The volume of the outer cortex was measured by volume-displacement method. Then the outer cortex of mandible and cranium were onlay grafted to the each side of the pig snout, respectively. 12 weeks later, 2 pigs were randomly selected for histological examination. The other 6 pigs were killed 24 weeks after surgery for measurement of the bone graft volume and histologic examination. RESULTS: The bone graft absorption rate was (41 +/- 5)% for mandibular outer cortex and (46 +/- 12)% for cranial outer cortex, showing no significant difference between them (P = 0.51). The histologic examination results also had no marked difference in the bony healing and reforming between the two graft. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular outer cortex is a good donor site for onlay bone graft in craniofacial region.

[The expression of M-phase promoting factor in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To study the expression and clinical significance of M-phase promoting factor (MPF) in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). METHODS: The expression of MPF was investigated in 40 salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas and 40 normal salivary tissues by immunohistochemistry. The expression of MPF was detected in SACC-83 and SACC-LM with Western blot. Pearson's Chi-square test, paired t test and linear correlation analysis were used to analyze the data with SPSS 11.5 software package. RESULTS: The expression of MPF was significantly higher in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma than in normal salivary tissues(P<0.05). There was significant correlation between the level of MPF expression and pathological type(P<0.05). The expression of MPF was significantly higher in SACC-LM than in SACC-83 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MPF highly expressed in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma, salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma correlated with the expression of MPF and the abnormal activation of MPF was one of the factors for the proliferation of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. Metastasis in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma correlated with the expression of MPF.

[The expression and activity of protein kinase A I in oral squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To detect the expression and distribution of protein kinase A I (PKA I) in oral squamous cell carcinoma as well as its clinicalpathological significance. METHODS: The expression of PKA I was investigated in 40 oral squamous cell carcinomas and 15 normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. The activity of PKAI was detected in 20 human oral squamous cell carcinomas and adjacent normal tissues with Western blot. The data was analysed with SPSS 11.5 for Student's t test, Chi-between different square test and linear correlation analysis. RESULTS: The expression of PKA I was significantly higher in oral squamous cell carcinomas than in normal tissues (P<0.05). There were no differences degrees of histodifferentiation and clinical phases (P>0.05). The activity of PKA I was significantly higher in oral squamous cell carcinomas than in normal tissues (P<0.01), there were obvious dependability of the expression and activity of PKA I (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Protein kinase A I highly expressed in oral squamous cell carcinomas, but was not related to the degree of histodifferentiation and the clinical phases. Oral squamous cell carcinoma correlated with the expression and activity of PKA I and the activation of PKA I was one of the factors for proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma.