Co-generation of palladium nanoparticles and phosphate supported on metal-organic frameworks as hydrogenation catalysts.

In this study, we demonstrated the direct synthesis of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (PA) containing palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) supported on a metal-organic framework (MOF). The resulting composite containing PA molecules coexisting with PdNPs demonstrated improved hydrogenation catalytic performance compared to the composites without PA.

Molecular cloning and partial characterization of a peroxidase gene expressed in the roots of Portulaca oleracea cv., one potentially useful in the remediation of phenolic pollutants.

Portulaca (Portulaca oleracea cv.) efficiently removes phenolic pollutants from hydroponic solution. In plant roots, peroxidase (PRX) is thought to be involved in the removal of phenolic pollutants by the cross-linking them to cell wall polysaccharides or proteins at the expense of reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). In this study, we found that portulaca roots secreted an acidic PRX isozyme that had relatively high H(2)O(2) affinity. We isolated five PRX genes, and the recombinant PRX proteins produced in cultured tobacco cells were partially characterized. Among these genes, PoPRX2 probably encoded the acidic PRX isozyme. PoPRX2 had an extra N-terminal region which has not been reported for other PRX proteins. We found that PoPRX2 oxidized phenolic pollutants, including bisphenol A, octylphenol, nonylphenol, and 17ß-estradiol. In addition, we found that the Cys261 residue of PoPRX2 played an important role in the determination of affinity for H(2)O(2) and stability toward H(2)O(2).

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic Beagles.

We measured the blood plasma testosterone (T) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of the ejaculates of 5 normal (2-5 years old) and 5 asthenozoospermic (AZ-) (3-5 years old) Beagles. Sperm ejaculated by AZ-dogs was incubated for 3 hr in Eagle's MEM only (controls) or Eagle's MEM containing 100 units/ml of SOD or catalase. Sperm motility was examined during incubation. The mean (+/- SE) plasma T level of the AZ-dogs (1.2 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in the normal dogs (2.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) (P<0.005). The mean (+/- SE) seminal plasma SOD and catalase activities (18.8 +/- 1.9 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 unit/g protein, respectively) were significantly lower in the AZ-dogs than in the normal dog (43.3 +/- 2.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.4 unit/g protein, respectively) (P<0.001 and 0.01, respectively). The motility of sperm incubated in Eagle's MEM containing SOD or catalase was significantly higher than that of control sperm incubated in only Eagle's MEM after 2 or 3 hr of incubation (P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that poor T secretion by the testes and low antioxidant enzyme activities are related to AZ in the dog.

Treatment of prostatic abscesses by aspiration of the purulent matter and injection of tea tree oil into the cavities in dogs.

Ultrasonography-guided transabdominal needle aspiration was carried out to remove 3 to 14 ml of purulent matter from the cavities of prostatic abscesses in 6 dogs, and the same volume of tea tree oil was injected into the cavities to treat the abscesses. The same treatment was repeated 3 weeks later in 4 dogs, and subsequent disappearance of the purulent matter in the cavities and a marked reduction in the volume of the cavities were observed. These findings indicate that the treatment of prostatic abscesses by aspiration of the purulent matter and injection of tea tree oil into the cavities is very effective in dogs.