Peroxidase activity,lignification and promotion of cell death in tobacco cells exposed to static magnetic field

Bio-effects of static magnetic fields on cell growth and cell death have been investigated in suspension-cultured tobacco cells as undifferentiated, embryonic plant cell model. The cells in their logarithmic growth phase were exposed to static magnetic field with the magnitudes of 10 mT and 30 mT for 5 h/day. Exposure to static magnetic field ceased the growth and caused an increase in cell death of exposed tobacco cells compared to those cells which were not treated with the field. Promotion of cell death was accompanied by a harmonized increase in the activity of peroxidase and increase of lignifcation of cell walls.     

Radical Scavengers Suppress Low Frequency EMF Enhanced Proliferation in Cultured Cells and Stress Effects in Higher Plants

Summary In previous publications, we reported that sinusoidal varying magnetic fields (SVMF) modify the activity and dynamics of the malignancy marker adenosine deaminase, and enhance the proliferation of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF). While the SVMF examined by us (50, 60 & 100 Hz / 0.06–0.7 mT) were all below kT, they may have the potential of altering chemical processes in which excited radicals are involved. We tested this hypothesis in two experimental systems: CEF in culture and Spirodela oligorrhiza (Lemnaceae) (a small aquatic plant, commonly known as Duckweed). CEF were exposed to SVMF of 100 Hz/0.7 mT for 24 h. The addition of the exogenous radical scavengers catalase, superoxide dismutase or vitamin E to the cells during exposure significantly suppressed enhancement of cell proliferation caused by the field (by 79, 67 and 82%, respectively, as evaluated by the MTT colorimetric assay). ¹⁵N NMR analysis of Duckweed plants fed by ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium chloride and exposed to SVMF at 60 and 100 Hz/0.7 mT for 24 h, revealed augmented alanine production. Alanine did not accumulate in the absence of SVMF. The addition of vitamin C, a radical scavenger, reduced alanine production by 82%. Exposure to SVMF resulted in specific metabolic stress effects in Duckweed plants and enhanced proliferation of CEF. In both cases, it is suggested that free radicals are involved.     

Effect of spent engine oil on the growth parameters and chlorophyll content of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corchorus olitorius</Emphasis> Linn

The effect of spent engine oil on the height, leaf number, leaf area, stem girth, chlorophyll, and moisture contents of Corchorus olitorius grown on 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% (v/w oil/soil) oil-contaminated soil was investigated. The engine oil at all concentrations delayed the germination of C. olitorius by 2 days (compared to control) and there was a general significant reduction in all the growth parameters in plants grown on contaminated soil compared to control plants. The highest leaf area of 26.8 cm² was found in the control plant and least was found in the 0.6% soil (0.11 cm²) after 3 weeks while no values were recorded on the 0.8–3.0% engine-oil-contaminated soil after 5 weeks of experiment. The highest chlorophyll content was also found in the control plant (11.5 mg/l). This showed that spent engine oil has an adverse effect on the growth of C. olitorius plant.     

Physiological responses of Avicennia marina seedlings to the phytotoxic effects of the water-soluble fraction of light Arabian crude oil

Stomatal behavior, growth performance and the accumulation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated in seedlings of the mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., treated with a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Abu-Dhabi light Arabian crude oil through foliar spraying or soil application.Irregular stomatal behavior and weak stomatal control over transpiration were observed during the first 24 hours, where stomatal resistances of plants sprayed with 150 and 300 g PAHs plant^–1 were significantly lower than that of the control plants. After six weeks, all treated plants showed no significant difference in their relative growth rate (RGR) or in the net assimilation rate (NAR) compared with the control plants.Tri-aromatic hydrocarbons were the most accumulated in tissues of the treated plants. Penta- and hexa-aromatics, on the other hand, were undetectable in the WSF and consequently in the treated plants. A linear relationship was observed between the dose applied to plants and the amounts of tissue accumulated PAHs (r ²=0.515 for soil application and r ²=0.984 for foliar spray). In plants sprayed with 300 g PAHs plant^–1, the total PAHs accumulated were more than that accumulated in plants treated through soil application.These findings suggest that: aqueous extraction of crude oil tends to signify the percentage of the low molecular weight PAHs, e.g. naphthalene, to the total PAHs; disturbed stomatal behavior in the first day of the treatment may be due to the venting of the volatile low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, and xylenes) through the stomata; and uptake of water-soluble hydrocarbons by plants is equally possible through both of the root system and the foliage. The ecological implications of these finding are discussed in relation to oil pollution of mangrove stands under field conditions.     

Occupational risk from static magnetic fields of MRI scanners

The health care staff operating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are exposed to static magnetic field of significant spatial heterogenity and high level of flux density—usually existing permanently during the shift. The personnel can also be exposed to pulses of magnetic field of high rate of rise/fall, so-called gradient fields, which exist only during examination of patients. The level of workers’ exposure depends both on the type of the magnet and on the ergonomical characteristic of design of the particular MRI scanner. This paper presents the current state of the art on occupational exposure to static magnetic field health effects, gaps in scientific data, MRI workers’ exposure characteristics, research needs, and suggestions for the exposure assessment protocol for future investigations.     

Effects of Excess Copper on Growth of Wild Rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zizania palustris</Emphasis>) Seedlings Tested in Reconstituted and Natural Waters

Dissolved copper was toxic to wild rice (Zizania palustris) seedlings when exposed in water from the seed collection site of Swamp Creek, Crandon, Wisconsin, USA, and in laboratory-prepared artificial or reconstituted water. Seeds for the study were harvested, then held through a portion of dormancy, in Swamp Creek. After 60 days they were shipped to a laboratory, chilled, and tested with copper after germination. The end point of the tests was net gain in wet weight of the seedlings; additionally, a pronounced reduction in root development was observed. Using measured concentrations, the lowest no-observable-effect concentration (NOEC) in our study was 37 g/liter in Swamp Creek water and the lowest-observable-effect concentration (LOEC) was 59 g/liter. However, it appeared that there was a point at which concentrations of copper above 400 g/liter did not result in any measurable effect or exhibit a definitive dose–response. Because the results in Swamp Creek water were more relevant to the possibility of local metals additions and the association of reduced seedling growth by copper was more powerful in this water, we derived an equation to express the relationship between copper concentration and toxicity for Swamp Creek water. As an example, we would expect a 3.0% reduction in seedling growth at 5.0 g/liter copper. Seedling roots were particularly affected and the resultant plants may be less well anchored and more susceptible to dislodging than plants not exposed to copper. Further refinement of the methodology may be used to address effects of other contaminants impacting rice beds in North America. This study was conducted while the first author was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Mid-continent Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado     

Polyphenol oxidase activity in subcellular fractions of tall fescue contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Understanding enzyme responses to contamination with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a key step in the elucidation of POP metabolic mechanisms in plants. However, there is little information available on enzyme activity in subcellular fractions of POP-contaminated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in cell fractions of plants under contamination stress from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using a greenhouse batch technique. Three parameters, E(cell), E(cell-n), and P(cell), denoting the amount of PPO activity, cell fraction content-normalized PPO activity, and proportion of PPO activity in each cell fraction, respectively, were used in this study. Contamination with phenanthrene, as a representative PAH, at a relatively high level (>0.23 mg L?1) in culture solution generally stimulated PPO activity in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) roots and shoots and their cellular fractions. The amount and distribution proportion of PPO activity in each cell fraction of phenanthrene-contaminated roots and shoots were (in descending order): cell solution > > cell wall > cell organelles. Cell solution was the dominant storage domain of PPO activity and contributed 84.0 and 82.8% of PPO activity in roots and shoots, respectively. The cell wall had the highest density of PPO activity in roots and shoots, based on the highest cell fraction content normalized PPO activity in this cell fraction. Our results provide new information on enzyme responses in plant intracellular fractions to xenobiotic POPs and fundamental information on within-plant POP metabolic mechanisms.     

Study the effect of static magnetic field on chromosomal aberrations on Vicia faba in area with high natural radioactivity

This investigation was performed to evaluate the influence of the static magnetic field (SMF) on chromosomes in Vicia faba cultivated in soil from high background natural activity. Fourteen soil samples were collected from Ramsar area, in north of Iran, which the annual radiation absorbed dose from background radiation is substantially higher than the 20 mSv/year. The specific activity of the radionuclides of ²³²Th, ²³⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K was measured using gamma spectrometry. The collected soil samples were then divided into 2 separate groups including HR (high natural radioactivity) and LR (low natural radioactivity). The cultivated Vicia faba in both groups were continuously exposed to SMF of 15 mT for 8 days, each 8 h/day starting from 2nd day. The chromosomal aberrations were counted in both groups with and without SMF from root of samples using chromosomal aberration method. The results showed a significant difference between treated and control plants. Chromosomal aberrations including bridge, fragments, and lagging chromosomes in prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase enhanced significantly in treated groups compared with controls.     

Effect of bioremediation on the growth of Okro (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abelmoshus esculetus</Emphasis>) in the Niger Delta soils

This paper communicates the effect of bioremediation on the performance of Okro plant (Abelmoshus esculentus) in a typical Niger Delta soil that has received 5% crude oil pollution level. Biodegrading bacteria such as Pseudomonas fluorescen, Acinetobacteria iwofii, Bacillus subtilus, Arthrobacter globiformis that was isolated from previously polluted soils was introduced into the samples. The treatment combinations are as follows (A) = control without crude oil; B = soil + crude oil, (C) = soil + crude oil + microbes, (D) = soil + crude oil + microbes, (E) = soil + crude oil + microbes + fertilizer (F) soil + microbes and (G) = soil + fertilizer. The treatment (E) gave the highest number of leaves, % crop emergence, plant biomass, microbial population and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon compared to any of the treatments that had received crude oil. This suggested that fertilizer application does not only stimulate microbial growth but it provides the plant with more available nutrients required for plant growth.     

氮素和水分对贝加尔针茅草原土壤酶活性和微生物量碳氮的影响

在内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原,分别设对照（N0）、1.5 g·m^-2（N15）、3.0 g·m^-2（N30）、5.0 g·m^-2（N50）、10.0 g·m^-2（N100）、15.0 g·m^-2（N150）、20.0 g·m^-2（N200）和30 g·m^-2（N300）（不包括大气沉降的氮量）8个氮素（NH4NO3）梯度和模拟夏季增加降水100 mm的水分添加交互试验,研究氮素和水分添加对草原土壤养分、酶活性及微生物量碳氮的影响。结果表明：氮素和水分添加对草原土壤理化性质和生物学特性有显著影响。随施氮量的增加土壤总有机碳、全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮含量呈增加的趋势,相反,土壤pH值呈降低的趋势。土壤脲酶和过氧化氢酶的活性随施氮量的增加而升高,多酚氧化酶则随施氮量的增加呈下降的趋势。氮素和水分添加对草原土壤微生物量碳氮含量有显著影响,高氮处理（N150、N200和N300）显著降低了微生物碳含量,微生物氮含量随施氮量的增加呈上升趋势。水分添加能够减缓氮素添加对微生物的抑制作用,提高微生物量碳、微生物量氮含量。草原土壤养分、土壤酶活性及土壤微生物量碳氮含量间关系密切,过氧化氢酶与全氮、总有机碳、硝态氮呈显著正相关,多酚氧化酶与铵态氮、硝态氮、全氮呈显著负相关。微生物量氮含量与土壤全氮、铵态氮、硝态氮含量以及过氧化氢酶和磷酸酶活性呈显著正相关,与多酚氧化酶呈负相关;微生物量碳与过氧化氢酶呈负相关,与多酚氧化酶活性呈正相关。     

Deferoxamine pretreatment inhibits metal neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly common in humans. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of extracellular plaques containing β‐amyloid peptides and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains. Researchers have focused on the elucidation of a correlation between high concentrations of aluminum or iron (in the organism with observed neuropathology). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aluminum and iron on the behavioral parameters (pharyngeal pumping and defecation cycle) of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans pretreated with deferoxamine (DFX). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was evaluated as well. DFX is a chelant that is widely used for the treatment of metal toxicity, and it has a high affinity for aluminum and iron. The worms were pretreated with DFX, and then exposed to aluminum and iron. In the absence of DFX, aluminum exposure decreased pharyngeal pumping compared with that in the control group. The defecation cycle of the control was significantly different from that of the worms exposed to aluminum. In contrast, an increased defecation cycle was observed in worms exposed to iron without DFX pretreatment. AChE activity increased in aluminum‐exposed groups that received DFX pretreatment compared with those that did not receive pretreatment. These results suggest that pretreatment with DFX is effective in reducing metal toxicity, particularly with reference to AChE activity, which did not decrease in groups that did not receive DFX pretreatment.     

Effects of spent engine oil on the growth parameters, chlorophyll and protein levels of Amaranthus hybridus L.

The susceptibility of Amaranthus hybridus L. seedlings to spent engine oil was investigated in soil supplemented with concentrations of oil ranging from 1–5 percent v/w. Parameters considered were relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), whole plant height, leaf area, leaf number, chlorophyll and protein levels. A relationship was found to exist between the inhibitory effects and the treatment concentrations. After seventy days growth in the treated soils, the mean height and leaf area of plants in soils treated with 5 percent spent engine oil were 27.0±1.25 cm and 5.63±0.36 cm². These were significantly different (at p=0.05) from the respective values of 41.4±0.8 cm and 13.44±0.22 cm² for the control plants. Levels of total chlorophyll (per gram fresh weight of leaves) and protein (per gram dry weight of whole plant) were higher in the control plants compared with those grown in oil treated soil. Results obtained from the growth analysis showed the inhibitory effects of spent engine oil on Amaranthus hybridus L.     

Investigation of the effects of static magnetic field on apoptosis in bone marrow stem cells of rat

This research was carried out to evaluate the influence of static magnetic field on the rate of apoptosis in bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) of rats. Extracted cells were suspended in αMEM as a culture media for 48 h. After that, cells were exposed to 15 mT static magnetic field (SMF) for 5 h, incessantly with or without FeCl₂. The rate of apoptosis was then assessed via flow cytometery. The results showed that either treatment with FeCl₂ or exposure to SMF enhanced the rate of apoptotic cells. Moreover, cells that were treated simultaneously with FeCl₂ and SMF have higher rate of apoptosis. An increase in apoptosis by 26.5% was induced by SMF alone and an increase in apoptosis by 28.2% was induced by a combination of FeCl₂ and SMF, compared to their corresponding controls. The results recommended that the effects of SMF on apoptosis may be related to increment of the number of free radicals in the cells.     

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Phaseolus Vulgaris Var. HUR-15

Pot experiments were performed to determine the effects of simulated acid rain on Phaseolus vulgaris var. HUR-15. Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris var. HUR-15 were exposed to simulated acid rain at pH values of 5.1, 4.1, 3.1, 2.1 and 1.1 and a control level of pH 6.8. Plants were harvested at three stages, i.e. pre, peak and post-flowering stages. Seedlings succumbed at pH 1.1. Necrosis developed on the leaves of plants treated with water of pH 2.1, resulting in adverse effect on chlorophyll content. They died after peak-flowering. Root and shoot length and dry weight were reduced with the lowering in pH. Carbohydrate, nitrogen and protein contents decreased with the decrease in pH level, adversely affecting their nutrient value.     

吉林省采油厂原油含水率分析仪工作场所辐射防护水平调查及分析

通过系统的监测了解吉林地区采油厂原油含水率分析仪的工作场所放射防护现状,为放射源监督管理部门提供参考依据,为保护环境、保护放射工作人员职业健康提供重要保障,为采油厂对辐射装置管理及措施提供依据。采用国家规定的标准方法对吉林省不同工作环境下的5家采油厂的45台原油含水率分析仪的周围剂量当量进行现场监测,对涉及接触原油含水率分析仪的4种不同岗位工作人员进行年有效剂量估算,对接触原油含水率分析仪的202名工作人员进行个人剂量监测。结果表明,原油含水率分析仪的工作场所周围剂量当量及人员受照剂量均满足国家标准要求,剂量分布较均匀,外输岗年有效剂量较小,集输岗年有效剂量较高。吉林省采油厂原油含水率分析仪在正常运行情况下,工作场所基本不会对工作人员造成职业照射,辐射防护状况良好,放射工作人员年有效剂量值均在国家规定限值范围内。     

Comparison of Four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesbania</Emphasis> Species to Remediate Pb/Zn and Cu Mine Tailings

A 6-month greenhouse pot trial was performed, aimed at screening appropriate Sesbania species for remediation of Pb/Zn and Cu mine tailings. Performances of young seedlings of four Sesbania species (S. cannabina, S. grandiflora, S. rostrata, and S. sesban) were compared with and without inoculation of rhizobia. Seedlings were planted in two types of tailings amended with garden soil or garden soil mixed with river sediment. The results indicated that inoculated plants generally produced a higher biomass than samples without inoculation. Pb/Zn mine tailings containing rather high concentrations of total and water-soluble Cu, Pb, and Zn were toxic to plant growth compared with Cu mine tailings, according to the growth performance of the four species. Sesbania sesban and S. rostrata showed superior growth performance, compared to the other two species. Thus, they can serve as pioneer species to modify the barren environment, by providing organic matter and essential nutrients such as nitrogen, upon decomposition, in a relatively short period of time. This is especially true for S. rostrata, which is an annual plant that forms both stem and root nodules. However, a longer-term field trial should be conducted to investigate if superior species can beneficially modify the habitat for the growth of subsequent plant communities.     

Bioremediation of cutting fluids contaminated soil by Pleurotus tuber-regium Singer

This study investigated the effect of inoculation of Pleurotus tuber-regium, a Nigerian white rot fungus, period of incubation, different levels of contamination on cutting fluids degradation in contaminated soil over 30, 60, and 90 days. Control for different levels of cutting fluids was also used to compare rates of bioremediation of the contaminant in the soil. At the end of each incubation period, the mycelia-ramified substrate was separated from the soil layer and dried. The soil samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters; total petroleum hydrocarbon, lignin content by determining the acid detergent fraction (ADF), heavy metals content of the soil using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and changes in the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities were also determined after 1, 2, and 3 months. P. tuber-regium improved the nutrient status of the soil and increased enzyme activity was recorded. A reduction in the pH and heavy metal contents of the soil at all levels of cutting fluids concentrations was detected. The lignin in the rice straw decreased from 34.50% in the control to 8.06% at 30% cutting fluids concentration after 3 months of incubation. The highest TPH loss of 30.84% was recorded at 20% cutting fluids contamination after 3 months compared to 13.75% at the onset of the experiment. The improvement of the nutrient contents of the soil, bioaccumulation of heavy metals, degradation of TPH, lignin, and increased activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase was due to biodegradation of the cutting fluids.     

不同中药复方对锦鲤免疫功能的影响

以锦鲤为实验研究对象,研究3种中药复方制剂对锦鲤免疫功能的影响。结果表明,3种中药复方制剂对锦鲤血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性和尿素氮含量均有一定的降低诱导作用,1号（黄芪、当归、益母草等）复方组的尿素氮含量降低显著（P〈0.05）;对锦鲤肝脏免疫能力均有增强作用,1号（黄芪、当归、益母草等）、3号（灵芝、大黄、黄柏等）复方组可显著提高肝脏中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和总抗氧化能力（P〈0.05）,2号（红景天、刺五加、香菇等）复方组可使肝脏溶菌酶活性显著升高（P〈0.05）。     

落新妇地下部分挥发油化学成分GC-MS分析

利用水蒸汽蒸馏法提取落新妇地下部分的挥发油,测得含量为0.10%;采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)对落新妇的挥发性成分进行了分离鉴定,分离出57种成分,鉴定了其中50种;运用峰面积归一法确定了各成分的相对含量,检出率为87.71%.落新妇地下部分挥发油的主要成分为邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、十六甲基八环硅氧烷.     

弱磁场强化零价铁对水中偶氮染料脱色降解的作用初探

本文以橙黄Ⅰ、橙黄Ⅱ、橙黄Ⅳ和日落黄4种偶氮染料为目标染料,首次尝试利用外加弱磁场(~20 mT)的方法来强化零价铁脱色降解偶氮染料。结果表明加磁或不加磁时反应过程均符合一级反应动力学。在磁场的存在下,4种偶氮染料的降解速率都较不加磁场时有很大的提高,提高倍数分别为110.67、111.97、59.51和94.00。弱磁场对零价铁降解偶氮染料的促进作用可能是由于外加磁场所产生的洛伦兹力以及零价铁表面产生的感应磁场所产生的磁场梯度力促进了Fe2+的释放,加快了零价铁的腐蚀,促进零价铁释放更多电子和新生态氢,加速了—N=N—键的断裂,从而强化了染料的脱色降解。