Effects of mercury graded doses on redox status,metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and a major environmental metal pollutant in the aquatic ecosystem. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of mercury graded doses exposure on oxidative stress, redox status, metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali. Specimens were exposed for 96?h to three concentrations of Hg (40, 80 and 160?µg/L). Exposure of H. forskali to Hg promoted oxidative stress with an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. An increase of glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (ViteC) and non-protein thiols (NPSH) contents was also observed. Additionally, antioxidant activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased especially with the highest doses of Hg indicating a great defense of the antioxidant system. Our investigation revealed an increase in total Metallothionein (MT) content which was more pronounced at the sharpest concentrations of Hg. A significant decline of AChE activity was also observed. In the intestine of Hg-treated H. forskali genotoxicity was confirmed by DNA degradation.     

Neurotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by permethrin in gills of the freshwater mussel Unio ravoisieri

Pyrethroids are contaminants found in the aquatic environment, and their toxicological effects on aquatic organisms have received extensive attention. However, the impact on freshwater bivalve of exposure to these chemicals is still largely unknown. Freshwater mussels Unio ravoisieri were exposed to two nominal permethrin (PM) concentrations C1?=?50?µg/L and C2?=?100?µg/L during 7 days. The measured concentrations of PM using gas chromatography (GC/ECD) in the treated aquariums were, respectively, 28.7–62.3?µg/L. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, Glutatione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in gills of U. ravoisieri. Significant increase in CAT activity by the lowest concentration and decrease by highest concentration were observed. Additionally, GST activity was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, statistically significant decrease in GSH levels (about 39%) was observed only at high concentration of this compound (100?µg/L). PM generated an increase in MDA levels reaching the highest value at the high concentration. AChE activity of mussel ranging from 51% inhibition at lowest concentration 50?µg/L to 89% inhibition at highest concentration 100?µg/L. The results indicated that oxidative stress and cell damage might be one of the main mechanisms of PM toxicity to freshwater mussels.     

Susceptibility of the freshwater pulmonate snail Lymnea luteola L. to copper oxide nanoparticle

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONP) are among the most widely used engineered nanoparticles and thus likely to permate the environment predominantly in sediments. The present study was designed to examine the adverse effects of CuONP in freshwater snail Lymnea luteola L. (L. luteola) exposed for 5 days. Induction of oxidative stress in digestive gland was evidenced by a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) whereas lipid peroxidation levels were increased at CuONP 7 or 21 µg/L. Superoxide dismutase activity was numerically higher at lower concentration of CuONP at 1 day but significantly decreased at 5 days. Catalase activity was reduced at 2 days but elevated at lower concentration of CuONP at 5 days. DNA impairment was noted in L. luteola based upon comet assay findings and expressed in terms of % tail DNA and olive tail moment. Results indicate that interaction of CuONP with snail produces toxicity, which is mediated by oxidative stress.     

Fume emissions during gas metal arc welding

The control of exposure to welding fumes is of increasing importance in promoting a healthy, safe and productive work environment. This article describes the effects of shielding gas composition on the amount and composition of welding fumes produced during gas metal arc welding (GMAW). The amount of fumes generated during welding was measured for steady current over a range of wire-feed speeds and arc voltages using the standard procedures contained in ANSI/AWS F1.2 [American Welding Society. ANSI/AWS F1.2. Laboratory method for measuring fume generation rates and total fume emission of welding and allied processes. Miami, Florida; 1992]. Results of these measurements show that the fume formation rates (FFRs) increase with CO₂ and O₂ in the shielding gas mixture. The lowest FFRs were obtained with the mixtures of Ar?+?2%CO₂ and Ar?+?3%CO₂?+?1%O₂. The highest FFRs were obtained with the mixtures of Ar?+?18%CO₂ and Ar?+?5%CO₂?+?4%O₂. The welding fumes contains mainly iron, manganese, silicon, titanium and sodium under oxide forms. The fume cluster particles have dimensions between 0.5 and 2?µm. The FFR was found to be governed by the transfer modes of molten metal, i.e. the current intensity and arc voltage, as well as by the shielding gas mixtures composition. Thus these parameters have to be taken into consideration before designing a welding process. Whenever possible, users of GMAW should use the lowest current intensity. However, when this is not possible, due to the constraints of process productivity, welders should use higher currents, but with Ar?+?2%CO₂ and Ar?+?3%CO₂?+?1%O₂ shielding mixtures, which will lead to smaller fume emissions.     

Role of NADH-dependent chromium reductases,exopolysaccharides and antioxidants by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS 5 against damage induced by reactive oxygen species

ABSTRACT

Cr (VI) being used in various activities of industries and its improper treatment lead to contamination of environment. Among different methods, biological is the most efficient method to control pollution from soils affected with metals. Present study was designed to assess the role of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 for adsorption, Cr (VI) reduction and mechanism of reduction. Sorption of chromium (VI) by strain PS5 was obtained by batch equilibrium method. Cr (VI) reduction in both free and immobilised cells were evaluated by 1,5-Diphenyl Carbazide method. The formation of biofilm by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 was observed for colour change as well as quantified spectrophotometrically. Analysis kits were used to measure the amount of eDNA, superoxide and malondialdehyde (MDA). Metal resistant strain PS5 was characterised as P. thiaminolyticus using 16S rRNA gene sequence. Maximum biosorption of Cr (VI) by strain PS5 was found at pH 6–8 and 100–400 µgCr/mL within 24 hours of incubation. Complete reduction of Cr (VI) by strain PS5 was achieved at pH 6–8 and100–300 µg/mL Cr (VI). Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 immmobilisation on sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol facilitated complete reduction of Cr (VI) within 18 hours due to the formation of more biofilm under metal stress conditions. Strain PS5 reduced almost all Cr (VI) into Cr (III) in supernatant, most of which was immobilised by cell debris. Experiments confirmed the reduction of Cr (VI) by cytosolic cell-free extracts which is a mechanism of detoxification. The release of exopolysaccharides and antioxidants by strain PS5 played a protective role against cell damage by Cr (VI) as Cr (VI) could not release the significant amount of eDNA, superoxide and MDA. The present study proved strain PS5 to be a super bioinoculant which has great capacity for adsorption, biotransformation and can activate cytosolic reductases, exopolysaccharides and antioxidants against oxidative damage.     

Investigation of metallothionein level,reduced GSH level,MDA level,and metal content in two different tissues of freshwater mussels from Atatürk Dam Lake coast,Turkey

Atatürk Dam Lake is one of the important freshwater ecosystems in the world in terms of the size of the surface area and the biodiversity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of metal pollution in the Atatürk Dam Lake on some biochemical markers in the gills and digestive glands of mussels (Unio mancus). Mussel samples were collected in July-2018 from four stations. The metal residues (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni) in the tissues were determined by ICP-MS. The MT, reduced GSH, and MDA levels were analysed using the proposed spectrophotometric methods. According to the results, toxic metals such as Cd and Pb in both tissues were determined mostly in mussels collected from St1. The highest MT and MDA levels in the gills were determined in St3 and St2 respectively, while the highest MT and MDA levels in the digestive glands were determined in St1. Although there was no significant difference in the reduced GSH level in the gills among the stations, the highest reduced GSH level in the digestive glands was determined in St4. These results indicated that mussels are appropriate sentinel organisms for metal contamination with effects on oxidative stress and metal exposure biomarkers.     

Urinary 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine concentrations after frying of bacon,a pilot study

Cooking fumes contain compounds that may give rise to oxidative stress and mutations when inhaled. The aim of this study was to evaluate if cooking fumes from frying of bacon induce oxidative stress by measurement of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidatively damaged DNA. Three non-smoking women fried bacon for 3 h. Urine samples were taken as early morning void at the same time on four days; the morning before frying, the morning after first frying, the morning after three days of frying and one week after first urine sample. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine, 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine correlated weakly with concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene (r = 0.31, p = 0.042), but it did not correlate with 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (r = ?0.074; p = 0.64). Average urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine concentrations increased from the day before frying (16.3 ± 4.2 nmol/L) to the third day of frying (26.2 ± 10.2 nmol/L), although not statistically significantly. Our pilot study shows that frying of bacon may result in increased oxidative stress which further emphasises the possible carcinogenic potential of cooking fumes.     

Evaluation of environmental stress by comet assay on freshwater snail Lymnea luteola L. exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles

The use of aquatic organisms to monitor for contamination is well-established. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the adverse effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NP) in freshwater snail Lymnea luteola L. (L. luteola). For TiO₂NPs ecotoxicity tests, snails were exposed for seven days. A dose and time-response relationship was observed for TiO₂NP-induced genotoxicity. Induction of oxidative stress in digestive gland was observed by a decrease in glutathione and gluthathions-S-transferase levels accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde levels at TiO₂NP (9 and 28 µg/mL). Superoxide dismutase activities were markedly reduced at TiO₂NP (9 and 28 µg/mL) at days 1 and 3, but not at day 7. Catalase activities were decreased at days 1 and 3 but increased at higher concentration of TiO₂NP at day 7. DNA fragmentation occurring in L. luteola due to ecotoxic impact TiO₂NP was further substantiated by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay and expressed in terms of percent tail DNA and olive tail moment. The results indicate that the interaction of these TiO₂NP with snail influences the toxicity, which is mediated by oxidative stress in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The measurement of DNA integrity in L. luteola thus provides an early warning signal of contamination of the aquatic ecosystem by TiO₂NP. Data suggest the freshwater snail L. luteola is a potential biomonitor organism.     

Combined Fenton process and sulfide precipitation for removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater: Bench and pilot scale studies focusing on in-depth thallium removal

Addition of alkali to pH 10 is effective for precipitation of precipitable metals. Fenton treatment is effective for substantial removal of Tl, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Sulfide precipitation is a final step for removal of trace Tl, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Bench and pilot studies demonstrated the effectiveness of this combined technique. Thallium (Tl) in industrial wastewater is a public health concern due to its extremely high toxicity. However, there has been limited research regarding Tl removal techniques and engineering practices to date. In this investigation, bench and pilot studies on advanced treatment of industrial wastewater to remove Tl to a trace level were conducted. The treatment process involved a combination of hydroxide precipitation, Fenton oxidation, and sulfide precipitation. While hydroxide precipitation was ineffective for Tl+ removal, it enabled the recovery of approximately 70%–80% of Zn as Zn hydroxide in alkaline conditions. The Fenton process provided good Tl removal (>95%) through oxidation and precipitation. Tl was then removed to trace levels (<1.0 µg/L) via sulfide precipitation. Effective removal of other heavy metals was also achieved, with Cd<13.4 µg/L, Cu<39.6 µg/L, Pb<5.32 µg/L, and Zn<357 µg/L detected in the effluent. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that Tl2S precipitate formed due to sulfide precipitation. Other heavy metals were removed via the formation of metal hydroxides during hydroxide precipitation and Fenton treatment, as well as via the formation of metal sulfides during sulfide precipitation. This combined process provides a scalable approach for the in-depth removal of Tl and other heavy metals from industrial wastewater.     

Analysis of welding fumes: A short note on the comparison between two sampling techniques

It is well established that welding fumes contain toxic substances, and that its composition is dependent on multiple factors, such as nature of the welding process and chemical compositions of the welding consumables and base materials. In order to prevent accidents and, thus to contribute to the safety of protection of welders, the establishment of a database on welding fume components is considered as essential. This has led to the development and upgradation of sampling techniques of welding fumes. Up to now, few standard techniques exist in this area. This study describes the results of the analysis of welding fumes, in terms of heavy metals, for a set of welding electrodes commonly used in carbon steel manufacture. Sampling was done by two different techniques: using the one currently known as “fume box” and common techniques in workplace atmospheres.     

H_2O_2致大鼠RTE细胞系氧化应激作用及GSH保护作用的体外研究

许多具有氧化作用的空气污染物,均能使细胞产生氧化损伤,使胸腺基质淋巴生成素(thymic stromal lymphopoietin,TSLP)含量上升。而TSLP是一种启动过敏性炎症的重要因子,会导致哮喘等疾病发生率的上升。在本研究中用过氧化氢(H_2O_2)模拟具有氧化作用的空气污染物进行染毒,研究细胞氧化应激水平的变化,并讨论还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)对细胞受氧化损伤的保护作用。将大鼠支气管上皮细胞(RTE)分组培养,每组设置6个平行实验,分别用低、中、高剂量H_2O_2染毒3 h;高剂量设置1个重复,作为保护组,在染毒前用GSH保护2 h。结果显示,高剂量组H_2O_2(3.2 mmol·L~(~(-1)))染毒的细胞,其细胞活力下降(P0.01),丙二醛(MDA)水平上升(P0.01),TSLP水平上升(P0.05),与之相比,用GSH保护后的同剂量染毒组,上述指标得到全面缓解(P0.01)。这表明高浓度的H_2O_2会损伤细胞活力,并使MDA及TSLP水平上升,而GSH对TSLP及MDA的升高有极显著的抑制作用,即对细胞有一定的保护作用。     

Effects of subchronic exposure to carbofuran on antioxidant defence system and malondialdehyde levels in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The present study focused on the assessment of oxidative stress induction by pesticides such as carbamates which are widely used as insecticides and nematicides and contaminate aquatic ecosystems on certain biomarkers in liver of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Biomarkers selected for stress monitoring were malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defence system enzymes, mainly catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in liver of fish exposed to 0, 10, 50, or 100?µg?L^?1 of carbofuran for 4, 15, or 30 days. Oxidative stress was found in liver of common carp exposed to carbofuran which was manifested by a decrease in CAT and GR activities after 4 and 30 days of exposure. An adaptive response was probably produced since at day 15 no modifications in the CAT activity and increased GR activity were observed. In addition, a decrease in MDA content with the highest concentration of carbofuran used was found after 30 days of exposure. However, no significant changes were found in GST activity showing a varied response. The results concerning oxidative and antioxidant profiles indicate that subchronic exposure to the insecticide carbofuran is capable of inducing oxidative stress in fish.     

Effects of benzo(k)fluoranthene,a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on DNA damage,lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in marine gastropod Morula granulata

Benzo(k)fluoranthene [B(k)F] is one of the widespread priority pollutants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that has been scarcely studied for exposure assessment. With studies reporting a high amount B(k)F in sediments and water samples around the world, it has become vital to study its effects on aquatic organisms. In this connection, this study is conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of B(k)F (1, 10, 25 and 50?µg/L) in marine gastropod Morula granulata exposed in vivo for 96?h. A concentration-dependent increase in percentage tail DNA (TDNA) as measured by comet assay was observed in snails exposed to B(k)F. Exposure concentrations above 1?µg/L B(k)F showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxidation value in snails. After 96?h, SOD activity was found to be doubled for 50?µg/L B(k)F in comparison to control. A significant increase in catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity was observed at all exposure conditions at the end of the exposure time. Our study showed that B(k)F induces oxidative stress in snails which further lead to genotoxic damage. To our knowledge, this is the first study on oxidative stress and genotoxic damage in gastropods exposed to B(k)F.     

Hair burning and liming in tanneries is a source of pollution by arsenic,lead, zinc,manganese and iron

Heavy metals in the environment may be toxic for human and animals. Tanneries are a source of pollution by heavy metals. There is little information on heavy metals pollution in tanneries, especially on metals produced by the process of hair burning and liming. Liming is the first stage of chemical treatment where animal hair or wool is removed with sodium sulphide and calcium oxide. Here we studied cow, goat, buffalo and sheep hair, conventional liming agents and liming wastewaters from several sources. Samples were acid-digested and aliquots were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy following APHA standard method to measure concentrations of arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese and iron. Results show that the range of metal contents in hair or wool and liming agents are 1.3–8.2 mg/kg for arsenic, 0.02–21.8 mg/kg for lead, 17.7–121.0 mg/kg for manganese, 7.3–141.1 mg/kg for zinc and 119.6–10613.8 mg/kg for iron. Liming wastewaters contain 1.9–5.6 µg/L arsenic, 0.03–6.05 µg/L lead, 38.6–139.0 µg/L manganese, 144.0–171.5 µg/L zinc and 399.5–1069.0 µg/L iron. Cadmium was below detection limits. This is the first investigation that reveals that hair burning liming operation is a potential source of heavy metals in the environment.     

GO通过氧化损伤激活秀丽线虫未折叠蛋白反应

以秀丽线虫为受试生物,探讨氧化石墨烯(GO)对秀丽线虫未折叠蛋白应答的激活及其与氧化应激的关系。将L4幼虫暴露于GO中24 h,通过检测活性氧(ROS)水平、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)等指标评估GO对秀丽线虫所致氧化损伤;以hsp-4和hsp-6分别作为秀丽线虫内质网和线粒体未折叠蛋白反应(UPR)的报告基因评价GO对秀丽线虫UPR应答的激活;同时以谷胱甘肽(GSH)作为抗氧化剂探讨GO所致UPR应答与氧化应激的关系。研究结果显示,GO暴露后秀丽线虫体内ROS、LDH和MDA水平升高,抗氧化酶活性上升;内质网和线粒体UPR反应增强,GSH预处理可以降低内质网和线粒体UPR应答。研究表明,GO短期暴露可以诱导秀丽线虫机体氧化应激进而激活UPR应答,抗氧化保护可以降低UPR应答反应。     

Zinc and copper induced changes in physiological characteristics of Vigna mungo (L.)

The effect of deleterious concentration of zinc and copper provided either individually or in combination in the nutrient media was investigated in order to assess the effect of metal interaction in Vigna mungo (L.). Both metals showed negative effect and led to a marked decrease in seed germination (20%), seedling growth (91.7%) and nitrate reductase activity (85.7%) with the increase in metal concentrations. The present study also emphasizes on the response of catalase and peroxidase enzyme under zinc and copper stress. Both antioxidant enzymes exhibited an increasing trend under different treatment conditions but it was reverse at highly toxic metal concentration. The results showed active involvement of peroxidase enzyme in regulating oxidative stress rather than catalase enzyme, as the specific activity of peroxidase enzyme got increased by 8.94% under the combined metals stress whereas catalase activity got declined by 60.97% in comparison to control due to excessive stress. The combined effect of copper and zinc metal was more pronounced in comparison to their individual effects.     

麝香酮和镉单一与复合污染对金鱼藻的生态毒理效应研究

为从生物化学角度探讨一种新型污染物———麝香酮与镉(Cd)单一和复合污染的生态毒理效应,以金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum L.)为研究对象,分析了不同浓度麝香酮和Cd在水中单一与复合污染对金鱼藻叶片中抗氧化系统酶,包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT),脂质过氧化最终产物丙二醛(MDA),可溶性蛋白(SP)和叶绿素含量的影响.结果表明:在单一麝香酮和Cd暴露下,SOD活性第1天均显著降低,而第7天在低浓度污染物的胁迫下呈升高趋势;金鱼藻受麝香酮和Cd胁迫的第1天,POD酶活性分别呈升高和降低趋势;麝香酮浓度为0.05mg·L-1或Cd浓度为0.01mg·L-1时,金鱼藻叶片中的CAT活性变化表现为显著的毒物兴奋作用;用两种污染物单一或复合处理第7天,金鱼藻叶片中的MDA和叶绿素含量可以作为评价麝香酮或/和Cd污染水体环境的敏感指标;SP在这两种污染物胁迫下处于能量及脂蛋白的补偿和应激蛋白的合成两方面的得失平衡过程中,故其含量与处理浓度之间无显著相关关系;复合污染中低浓度的麝香酮和Cd复合对金鱼藻表现为拮抗作用,高浓度的复合表现为相加或协同作用.     

双酚A对小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化损伤

为探究双酚A(BPA)的氧化毒性,分别以剂量为20、40和80mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)的BPA对雄性昆明小鼠灌胃处理1周,并测定了小鼠体内活性氧自由基(ROS)水平、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和DNA-蛋白质交联系数(DPC)。与对照组相比,各BPA暴露组小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞中的ROS生成量、MDA含量和DPC系数均升高,而GSH含量下降(P<0.05或P<0.01)。ROS生成量、GSH含量和DPC系数均显示出剂量-效应关系。研究表明,BPA可扰乱小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化应激平衡,诱导细胞氧化损伤。     

Stress-related ecophysiology of members of the genus Rhodanobacter isolated from a mixed waste contaminated subsurface

• Rhodanobacter spp. are dominant in acidic, high nitrate and metal contaminated sites. • Dominance of Rhodanobacter is likely due to tolerance to low pH and heavy metals. • High organic content increases stress tolerance capacity. • Longer incubation time is critical for accurate assessment of MIC (various stresses). This work examines the physiologic basis of stress tolerance in bacterial strains of the genus Rhodanobacter that dominate in the acidic and highly metal contaminated near-source subsurface zone of the Oak Ridge Integrated Field Research Challenge (ORIFRC) site. Tolerance of R. denitrificans to levels of different stresses were studied in synthetic groundwater medium and R2A broth. Two strains of R. denitrificans, strains 2APBS1^T and 116-2, tolerate low to circumneutral pH (4–8), high Uranium (1 mmol/L), elevated levels of nitrate (400 mmol/L) and high NaCl (2.5%). A combination of physiologic traits, such as growth at low pH, increased growth in the presence of high organics concentration, and tolerance of high concentrations of nitrate, NaCl and heavy metals is likely responsible for dominance of Rhodanobacter at the ORIFRC site. Furthermore, extended incubation times and use of low carbon media, better approximating site groundwater conditions, are critical for accurate determination of stress responses. This study expands knowledge of the ecophysiology of bacteria from the genus Rhodanobacter and identifies methodological approaches necessary for acquiring accurate tolerance data.