Effect of sub-acute exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles on oxidative stress and histopathological changes in Juvenile Carp （Cyprinus carpio）

Increasing application of nanotechnology highlights the need to clarify and understand nanotoxicity. Mammalian and in vitro studies have raised concerns about the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs), but there are limited data on ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms. In this work, the sub-acute toxicity of TiO₂-NPs to carp (Cyprinus carpio) was assessed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in liver, gill and brain tissues of carps varied with concentration of TiO₂-NPs suspensions and exposure time (up to 8 d). As a result, 100 and 200 mg/L TiO₂-NPs caused statistically significant decrease in SOD, CAT and POD activities and significant increase in LPO levels in tissues (P < 0.05), suggesting that the fish exposed to these two concentrations of TiO₂-NPs suffered from the oxidative stress. The extent of depletion of antioxidant enzymes activities and the elevation of LPO in the liver was the greatest, indicating that the liver might be the most susceptible organ to TiO₂-NPs exposure. In addition, carps had gill pathologies including edema and thickening of gill lamellae as well as gill filaments, and liver pathologies including necrotic and apoptosis hepatocytes after exposed to 100 and 200 mg/L TiO₂-NPs for 20 d. These results indicated a potential risk from TiO₂-NPs released into the aqueous environment.     

重金属Zn和Cd对翅碱蓬生长及抗氧化酶系统的影响

通过测定翅碱蓬生长和生理指标,研究了不同含量Zn和Cd对翅碱蓬的发芽率、苗高、苗重、体内超氧阴离子自由基(O-2)、过氧化氢(H2O2)的产生及对抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶SOD、过氧化氢酶CAT、过氧化物酶POD)活性的影响,以探讨盐生植物翅碱蓬对重金属胁迫的反应.结果表明,两种重金属均不同程度地加快了超氧阴离子自由基的产生速率;翅碱蓬对Zn胁迫的耐受阈值为100 mg·kg-1,Zn含量低于100 mg·kg-1时,发芽率和苗高、苗重保持良好;含量高于100 mg·kg-1实验组,翅碱蓬生长及体内酶活性机制受到不同程度抑制,SOD 、POD反应迅速,CAT相对缓慢.翅碱蓬对Cd污染抵御能力差,含量高于0.4 mg·kg-l即可造成严重伤害,阻碍翅碱蓬生长,降低抗氧化酶活性.Zn和Cd共同作用(200 mg·kg-1 +0.2 mg·kg-1)时,表现为协同作用,发芽率仅为对照组的50.5％、苗重仅为49.2％,实验50 d后,SOD、CAT均失活,影响极显著.     

A case study of aggregation behaviors of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the presence of dodecylbenzene sulfonate in natural water

The present work aims to ascertain the mechanisms of surfactant (dodecylbenzene sulfonate; DBS) effects on the aggregation behaviors of TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) in natural water samples. Aggregation experiments were conducted at a TiO₂-NPs concentration of 10 mg/L in deionized water and in natural water samples via dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential determination. Average attachment efficiency was calculated to compare the aggregation behaviors of nanoparticles in the two aqueous media. Results showed that the effects of DBS on aggregation could be interpreted by both Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) and non-DLVO mechanisms. In natural water samples, aggregation did not occur rapidly and was able to develop slowly under all conditions, and the roles of DBS were obvious at high DBS concentration owing to the impacts of inherent components of natural water samples, such as colloids and natural organic compounds. Future aggregation studies should concentrate on multi-factor, multi-colloidal and dynamic aspects under similar environmental conditions.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide and its acid mist on reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant enzyme activity in Arabidopsis plants

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is one of the most common and harmful air pollutants. To analyze the response of plants to NO₂ stress, we investigated the morphological change, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant enzyme activity in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) exposed to 1.7, 4, 8.5, and 18.8 mg/m³ NO₂. The results indicate that NO₂ exposure affected plant growth and chlorophyll (Chl) content, and increased oxygen free radical (O₂⁻) production rate in Arabidopsis shoots. Furthermore, NO₂ elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, accompanied by the induction of antioxidant enzyme activities and change of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. Following this, we mimicked nitric acid mist under experimental conditions, and confirmed the antioxidant mechanism of the plant to the stress. Our results imply that NO₂ and its acid mist caused pollution risk to plant systems. During the process, increased ROS acted as a signal to induce a defense response, and antioxidant status played an important role in plant protection against NO₂/nitric acid mist-caused oxidative damage.     

Effect of sub-acute exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles on oxidative stress and histopathological changes in Juvenile Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Increasing application of nanotechnology highlights the need to clarify and understand nanotoxicity. Mammalian and in vitro studies have raised concerns about the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs), but there are limited data on ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms. In this work, the sub-acute toxicity of TiO2-NPs to carp (Cyprinus carpio) was assessed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in liver, gill and brain tissues of carps varied with concentration of TiO2-NPs suspensions and exposure time (up to 8 d). As a result, 100 and 200 mg/L TiO2-NPs caused statistically significant decrease in SOD, CAT and POD activities and significant increase in LPO levels in tissues (P < 0.05), suggesting that the fish exposed to these two concentrations of TiO2-NPs su ered from the oxidative stress. The extent of depletion of antioxidant enzymes activities and the elevation of LPO in the liver was the greatest, indicating that the liver might be the most susceptible organ to TiO2-NPs exposure. In addition, carps had gill pathologies including edema and thickening of gill lamellae as well as gill filaments, and liver pathologies including necrotic and apoptosis hepatocytes after exposed to 100 and 200 mg/L TiO2-NPs for 20 d. These results indicated a potential risk from TiO2-NPs released into the aqueous environment.     

基于缺陷重构的类芬顿光催化剂在降解染料废水中的应用

近年来,通过缺陷调控提高催化剂催化性能引起了广泛关注,而缺陷重构过程对光催化-类芬顿耦合反应的影响仍鲜有研究.本文将含铁多酸分子强耦合到富含氧空位缺陷的二氧化钛(TiO_2)光催化剂(P25)表面,考察了缺陷形成和二次重构过程对光催化-类芬顿协同催化降解有机染料活性的影响.结果表明,单氰胺复合后二次煅烧有利于H2气氛处理生成的氧空位进行空间分布重构,重构后的缺陷更为有利于TiO_2表面的光生电荷向含铁多酸分子界面转移.借助TiO_2光催化剂光生电荷分离能力的提升和类芬顿试剂活性位点的增强,缺陷重构的类芬顿光催化剂在降解亚甲基蓝染料的反应中催化活性提高了13倍.     

Identification and characterization of the chromium（Ⅵ） responding protein from a newly isolated Ochrobactrum anthropi CTS-325

A Gram-negative, chromium(VI) tolerant and reductive strain CTS-325, isolated from a Chinese chromate plant, was identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi based on its biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. It was able to tolerate up to 10 mmol/L Cr(VI) and completely reduce 1 mmol/L Cr(VI) to Cr(III) within 48 h. When the strain CTS-325 was induced with Cr(VI), a protein increased significantly in the whole cell proteins. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that this protein was a superoxide dismutase (SOD) homology. The measured superoxide dismutase activity was 2694 U/mg after three steps of purification. The SOD catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion (O₂^·−) into hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. This protein is considered to be one of the most important anti-oxidative enzymes for O. anthropi as it allows the bacterium to survive high oxygen stress environments, such as the environment produced during the reduction process of Cr(VI).     

Piriformospora indica confers cadmium tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum

Piriformospora indica, a root-colonizing endophytic fungus of Sebacinales, promotes plant growth and confers resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to confirm the influence of P. indica on growth, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll, and cadmium (Cd) amounts in Nicotiana tabacum under Cd stress, hydroponics, pot and field trials were conducted. The results showed that P. indica can store Cd in plant roots and reduce leaf Cd content, reduce the concentration of MDA, and increase the proline and chlorophyll content and the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase under hydroponic Cd stress. RT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of genes Gsh2, TaPCS1, oas1, GPX, and Hsp70 in colonized plants was 4.3, 1.4, 2.9, 1.7, and 6.9 fold higher than in un-colonized plants respectively. Cd exposure significantly reduced un-colonized plants'' agronomic traits compared to P. indica-colonized ones. Our results suggested that P. indica can sequester Cd in roots, so that much less cadmium was transported to leaves, and the increased concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, pigments and proline contents, as well as the higher expression of stress-related phytochelatin biosynthesis genes in P. indica-inoculated plants, may also serve to protect N. tabacum plants against oxidative damage, enhancing Cd tolerance.     

NR途径参与调节SO2胁迫下拟南芥含硫抗氧化物水平

以拟南芥为材料,研究了硝酸还原酶(NR)途径在植株响应SO_2过程中对含硫抗氧化物水平的影响.结果发现,野生型拟南芥植株中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)活性高于NR缺失突变体(nia1nia2);SO_2暴露后,野生型和突变体nia1nia2植株中半胱氨酸(Cys)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著增加,GPX和GST的活性诱导性增高,且野生型植株中上述4项指标的增幅高于突变体;拟南芥逆境响应基因GSTU24和GPX7在野生型和突变体nia1nia2中差异表达,且对SO_2的响应程度不同.研究表明,植株体内NR途径与拟南芥细胞中含硫抗氧化物水平有关,NR缺失影响逆境应答中含硫抗氧化物水平的提高及抗逆基因转录,说明NR途径参与调节了植株逆境响应中含硫抗氧化物的合成及相关氧化还原反应与解毒过程.     

纳米TiO2在拟南芥中的富集、转运及对其生长和生理的影响

为了探讨纳米材料对植物的生理效应,以拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)作为受试生物,研究了纳米TiO_2在拟南芥中的富集、转运及对其生长和生理的影响.本研究将拟南芥分别暴露于浓度为0、0.05、0.1、0.5、1.0、1.5 mg·L-1的纳米TiO_2中,通过ICP-MS测定纳米TiO_2在根和叶中的生物积累量,并采用TEM技术观察纳米TiO_2转运至叶片后对叶绿体结构的影响.在处理0、7和14 d后,测定拟南芥生物量、根系活力、叶片相对电导率和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、活性氧自由基(ROS)等生长生理指标的变化.结果显示:拟南芥能吸收纳米TiO_2并向地上部转运,但转运系数较低;TEM切片观察到纳米TiO_2能进入拟南芥体内并造成叶绿体内囊体中质体小球数目增多、体积变大.与对照组相比,幼苗地上部生物量、叶片相对电导率、叶肉原生质体活力呈下降的趋势,地下部生物量及根系活力呈上升趋势;纳米TiO_2还可引起叶片及根部活性氧(ROS)含量的变化,进而导致MDA、SOD、GSH等抗氧化体系酶活性的应激变化,同时与根部相比,叶片引起的毒性效应更强.说明纳米TiO_2在拟南芥中富集并转运至地上部后,对拟南芥叶片的生长具有显著的抑制作用,诱导其产生氧化应激.同时,一定浓度的纳米TiO_2胁迫下,拟南芥根部与叶片对纳米TiO_2的响应不同,敏感度存在差异,叶生长受到抑制的同时却对根有促进作用.     

Evaluating the effectiveness of marine actinobacterial extract and its mediated titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the degradation of azo dyes

Aim of the present study was to synthesize titanium dioxide nanoparticles （YiO2 NPs） from marine actinobacteria and to develop an eco-friendly azo-dye degradation method. A total of five actinobacterial isolates were isolated from Chennai marine sediments, Tamilnadu, India and analyzed for the synthesis of TiO2 NPs using titanium hydroxide. Among these, the isolate PSV 3 showed positive results for the synthesis of TiO2 NPs, which was confirmed by UV analysis. Further characterization of the synthesized TiO2 NPs was done using XRD, AFM and FI＇-IR analysis. Actinobacterial crude extract and synthesized TiO2 NPs was found efficient in degrading azo dye such as Acid Red 79 （AR-79） and Acid Red 80 （AR-80）. Degradation percentage was found to be 81% for AR-79, 83% for AR-80 using actinobacterial crude extract and 84% for AR-79, 85% for AR-80 using TiO2 NPs. Immobilized actinobacterial ceils showed 88% for AR-79 and 81% for AR- 80, dye degrading capacity. Degraded components were characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS analysis. The phytotoxicity test with 500 μg/mL of untreated dye showed remarkable phenotypic as well as cellular damage to Tagetes erecta plant. Comparatively no such damage was observed on plants by degraded dye components. In biotoxicity assay, treated dyes showed less toxic effect as compared to the untreated dyes.     

Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes activities and identification of intermediate products during phytoremediation of an anionic dye (C. I. Acid Blue 92) by pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

The potential of pennywort(Hydrocotyle vulgaris)for phytoremediation of C.I.Acid Blue 92(AB92)was evaluated.The efects of various experimental parameters including pH,temperature,dye concentration and plant weight on dye removal efciency were investigated.The results showed that the optimal condition for dye removal were pH 3.5 and temperature 25°C.Moreover,the absolute dye removal enhanced with increase in the initial dye concentration and plant weight.Pennywort showed the same removal efciency in repeated experiments(four runs)as that obtained from the first run(a 6-day period).Therefore,the ability of the plant in consecutive removal of AB92 confirmed the biodegradation process.Accordingly,a number of produced intermediate compounds were identified.The efect of treatment on photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system including superoxide dismutase,peroxidase and catalase in plant roots and leaves were evaluated.The results revealed a reduction in photosynthetic pigments content under dye treatments.Antioxidant enzyme responses showed marked variations with respect to the plant organ and dye concentration in the liquid medium.Overall,the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity under AB92 stress in the roots was much higher than that in the leaves.Nevertheless,no significant increase in malondialdehyde content was detected in roots or leaves,implying that the high efciency of antioxidant system in the elimination of reactive oxygen species.Based on these results,pennywort was founded to be a capable species for phytoremediation of AB92-contaminated water,may be efective for phytoremediation dye-contaminated polluted aquatic ecosystems.     

Accelerated biodegradation of nitrophenols in the rhizosphere of Spirodela polyrrhiza

We investigated the biodegradation of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) in the rhizosphere of Spirodela polyrrhiza plants by conducting degradation experiments with three river water samples supplemented with each nitrophenol (NP). We then isolated NP-degrading bacteria both from the S. polyrrhiza roots and from the river water. In the river water samples, removal of the three NP was accelerated in the presence of S. polyrrhiza plants. The three NPs persisted in an autoclaved solution with sterile plants suggests that NP removal was accelerated largely by bacterial NP biodegradation rather than by adsorption and uptake by the plants. We isolated 8 strains of NP-degrading bacteria: 6 strains from the S. polyrrhiza roots and 2 strains from river water without the plants. The 2-NP- and 2,4-DNP-degrading bacteria were isolated only from the S. polyrrhiza roots. The 4-NPdegrading bacteria different from those isolated from the river water samples were also found on S. polyrrhiza roots. The 2-NP- and 4-NP-degrading strains isolated from the roots utilized the corresponding NP (0.5 mmol/L) as the sole carbon and energy source. The 2,4-DNP-degrading strains isolated from the roots showed substantial 2,4-DNP-degrading activity, but the presence of other carbon and energy sources was required for their growth. The isolated NP-degrading bacteria from the roots must have contributed to the accelerated degradation of the three NPs in the rhizosphere of S. polyrrhiza. Our results suggested that rhizoremediation with S. polyrrhiza may be effective for NP-contaminated surface water.     

Layered sphere-shaped TiO2 capped with gold nanoparticles on structural defects and their catalysis of formaldehyde oxidation

We describe here a one-step method for the synthesis of Au/TiO₂ nanosphere materials, which were formed by layered deposition of multiple anatase TiO₂ nanosheets. The Au nanoparticles were stabilized by structural defects in each TiO₂ nanosheet, including crystal steps and edges, thereby fixing the Au–TiO₂ perimeter interface. Reactant transfer occurred along the gaps between these TiO₂ nanosheet layers and in contact with catalytically active sites at the Au–TiO₂ interface. The doped Au induced the formation of oxygen vacancies in the Au–TiO₂ interface. Such vacancies are essential for generating active oxygen species (*O⁻) on the TiO₂ surface and Ti^3 + ions in bulk TiO₂. These ions can then form Ti^3 +–O⁻–Ti^4 + species, which are known to enhance the catalytic activity of formaldehyde (HCHO) oxidation. These studies on structural and oxygen vacancy defects in Au/TiO₂ samples provide a theoretical foundation for the catalytic mechanism of HCHO oxidation on oxide-supported Au materials.     

Predictors of telomere content in dragon lizards

Telomeres shorten as a consequence of DNA replication, in particular in cells with low production of telomerase and perhaps in response to physiological stress from exposure to reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide. This process of telomere attrition is countered by innate antioxidation, such as via the production of superoxide dismutase. We studied the inheritance of telomere length in the Australian painted dragon lizard (Ctenophorus pictus) and the extent to which telomere length covaries with mass-corrected maternal reproductive investment, which reflects the level of circulating yolk precursor and antioxidant, vitellogenin. Our predictors of offspring telomere length explained 72?% of telomere variation (including interstitial telomeres if such are present). Maternal telomere length and reproductive investment were positively influencing offspring telomere length in our analyses, whereas flow cytometry-estimated superoxide level was negatively impacting offspring telomere length. We suggest that the effects of superoxide on hatchling telomere shortening may be partly balanced by transgenerational effects of vitellogenin antioxidation.     

Toxic effects of enrofloxacin on Scenedesmus obliquus

In this article, the toxic effects of Enrofloxacin (ENFX) on Scenedesmus obliquus were studied, through investigating the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and protein contents. The possible toxic mechanisms of ENFX were analyzed by determining the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline content, and superoxide anion (O₂⁻) generation rate. Results showed that the growth of algae was inhibited by ENFX and the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of ENFX were 88.39, 63.86, 45.10, and 59.16 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. After treated with ENFX for 96 h, the contents of photosynthetic pigments decreased with the increase of ENFX concentration, the content of soluble protein and the activity of SOD increased and then decreased, and the generation rate of superoxide anion (O₂⁻) increased continually. The contents of MDA and proline changed little in lower ENFX concentration groups, but increased rapidly when treated with higher concentration groups. These results suggested that ENFX affected the growth of S. obliquus, and the main toxicity mechanism was that algal cells generated the reactive oxygen species under ENFX stress, and then the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced the oxidation damages of biologic macromolecules and changed the biomembrane permeability further.     

Assessing the effect of different natural dissolved organic matters on the cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with bacteria

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles(TiO_2 NPs) are among the most widely manufactured nanomaterials on a global scale. However, prudent and vigilant surveillance, incumbent upon the scientific community with the advent of new technologies, has revealed potentially undesirable effects of TiO_2 NPs on biological systems and the natural environment during their application and discharge. Such effects are likely best evaluated by first assessing the fate of the TiO_2 NPs in natural environments. In this study, the effects of terrestrial humic acid(HA) and tannic acid(TA), two major members of the collective:dissolved organic matter(DOM), on the cytotoxicity of TiO_2 NPs to Escherichia coli were investigated in the presence and absence of natural sunlight. Qualitative(transmission electron microscopy(TEM)) and quantitative(LC50) analyses were employed in this study. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in the form of UOH was further assessed—as HA or TA increased the production of ROS decreased. The inhibition of bacterial viability in the light treatment groups, with respective treatment organics at concentrations of 10 ppm, was less in TA than in terrestrial HA. SAS was used to analyze the treatment effect of individual factors of light irradiation, DOM, and concentration of TiO_2 NPs.     

满江红花青素在镉胁迫下的抗氧化作用

为了研究镉胁迫诱导满江红体内花青素合成的生理功能,采用镉诱导和体外实验的方法评价了满江红体内花青素的抗氧化作用.测试指标包括还原力、清除超氧阴离子(O-2)、过氧化氢(H2O2)、羟自由基(·OH)的能力.结果表明,花青素的还原力和对氧自由基的清除作用随花青素提取物浓度的增加而增加.因此,镉胁迫下合成的花青素是一种清除活性氧自由基的良好抗氧化剂.镉胁迫对满江红活性氧代谢影响的试验结果表明,在0.5mg·L-1Cd胁迫下,满江红体内O-2和H2O2大量积累,造成活性氧胁迫,说明花青素只能在一定程度上保护满江红免受过氧化伤害.本实验初步证实,花青素含量的增加是满江红抗性机理之一,可缓解镉的毒害.     

Effects of environmental factors on sulfamethoxazole photodegradation under simulated sunlight irradiation: Kinetics and mechanism

To advance the knowledge of the environmental fate of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), we systematically investigated the effects of natural water constituents and synthetic substances (i.e., TiO₂ nanoparticles (nTiO₂) and Ti-doped β-Bi₂O₃ (NTB)) on the photodegradation kinetics of SMX under xenon lamp irradiation. The photolysis of SMX in aqueous solution followed first-order kinetics. Our results showed that higher concentrations of SMX, fulvic acid, suspended sediments, NTB and higher pH value decreased the photodegradation rates of SMX, whereas H₂O₂ improved the SMX photodegradation. TiO₂ nanoparticles had a dual effect on photodegradation due to their photocatalytic activity and photoabsorption of photons. No intermediates more toxic toward Vibrio fischeri than SMX were produced after direct photolysis and photocatalytic degradation for 3 hr. The photolysis of SMX involved three pathways: hydroxylation, cleavage of the sulfonamide bond, and fragmentation of the isoxazole ring. This study lays the groundwork for a better understanding of the environmental fate of SMX.     

Effects of synthesis methods on catalytic activities of CoOx–TiO2 for low-temperature NH3-SCR of NO

A series of cobalt doped TiO_2(Co-TiO_2) and Co Oxloaded TiO_2(Co/TiO_2) catalysts prepared by sol–gel and impregnation methods respectively were investigated on selective catalytic reduction with NH_3(NH_3-SCR) of NO. It was found that Co-TiO_2 catalyst showed more preferable catalytic activity at low temperature range. From characterization results of XRD,TEM, Raman and FT-IR, Co species were proved to be doped into TiO_2 lattice by replaced Ti atoms. After being characterized and analyzed by NH_3-TPD, PL, XPS, EPR and DRIFTS, it was found that the better NH_3-SCR activities of Co-TiO_2 catalysts, compared with Co/TiO_2 catalyst, were ascribed to the formation of more oxygen vacancies which further promoted the production of more superoxide ions(O-2). The superoxide ions were crucial for the formation of low temperature SCR reaction intermediates(NO-3) by reacting with adsorbed NO molecule. Therefore, these aspects were responsible for the higher low temperature NH_3-SCR activity of Co-TiO_2 catalysts.