Histological demonstration of immunoreactive metallothionein in sections of human and rat tissue

Immunoreactive metallothionein has been demonstrated in formalin fixed sections of rat and human tissue using a DNP hapten sandwich staining procedure and antibody to zinc-induced rat liver metallothionein II.MT was found in rat liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and in human liver and ileum both intracellularly in hepatocytes and enterocytes and extracellularly in portal vessels, sinusoids and canaliculi in the liver and in the lamina propria of the intestine.Changes in intensity of staining were related in the rat to the feeding/fasting status of the animal and whether exogenous zinc had been administered. In man least MT was found in the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease and most in patients with non-inflammatory bowel disease.These results confirm that MT is an important physiological metal-binding protein in man and animals and is concerned in zinc transport and binding in rats.     

雨生红球藻不同形态细胞的超微结构研究

应用透射电镜观察比较雨生红球藻不同形态细胞的超微结构，结果表明，游动细胞除具有典型的绿藻门团藻目的特征性结构外，细胞壁与原生质体分离形成周质空间，细胞具有发达的可进一步发育的网状叶绿体，不动细胞除了无鞭毛，具厚壁外，它与游动细胞的主要不同是：细胞内的大部分区域被色素沉积物占据，叶绿体等细胞器被包裹，光合片层紧贴，早期的不动细胞还具有较大的线粒体，根据形态及超微结构上的差异，对红球藻游动细胞与不动细胞间的生理差异进行了解释。     

颗石藻Pleurochrysis carterae不同细胞状态对卤虫的致死效应研究

颗石藻Pleurochrysis carterae对卤虫具有显著的致死效应,但其机理尚未明确.P.carterae的细胞生活史中会出现钙化细胞、非钙化细胞以及分枝丝状体的细胞状态.为了探明该种颗石藻对卤虫的致死原因,通过人为干预,分别获取了几种状态的细胞或相关组分,包括:钙化细胞(指钙化单细胞C-cell)、从非钙化单细胞N-cell动态释放的钙化细胞(N-C-cell)、非钙化单细胞(N-cell)、非钙化分枝丝状体(F)、带有机质基板的颗石粒外壳(L)、钙化细胞的冻干藻粉(Ly).以喂养组和饥饿组为对照,比较研究了P.carterae不同细胞状态或组分在作用密度和作用时间上对卤虫(Artemia salina nauplii)无节幼虫的致死效应差异.结果显示:钙化细胞和非钙化单细胞可以对卤虫幼虫产生显著的致死效应,这种致死效应显著差异于饥饿致死效应(p<0.05).致死效应与作用时间及藻密度显著相关,钙化细胞对卤虫的半致死密度为72hLD50=6.16×103cells·mL-1,96hLD50=2.19×103cells·mL-1,高密度时(105、106cells·mL-1)的卤虫半致死时间分别为68.4h和53.3h.非钙化丝状体、颗石粒和冻干藻粉对卤虫的致死效应与饥饿致死效应一致.非钙化丝状体、颗石粒、冻干藻粉以及裸露细胞重新钙化过程均不向水中释放有害物质.颗石藻P.carterae对卤虫的致死效应与卤虫对生活颗石藻单细胞的摄食过程有关.     

Chemical recognition of queen cells by honey bee workersApis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Summary Honey bee workers are able to nurse or to destroy and thus to recognize the capped queen cells containing a pupa. Fatty acid esters, especially methyl oleate, methyl palmitate and ethyl oleate were found in significant amounts on the queen pupal cuticle. Methyl oleate, the major component, along with smaller amounts of methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate, were involved in the recognition of queen cells by workers. In natural conditions of the colony, queen cells containing a paraffin pupal lure with methyl oleate were accepted 5.9 days by workers, releasing about 1.8 queen pupa equivalents during that period, when control cells (without ester) were kept only 2.1 days. Although these esters are non specific to honey bees, they are of great importance in social regulation of the honey bee colony.     

Microprobe studies of aluminum accumulation in association with human central nervous system disease

The neurofibrillary tangle, first described by Alzheimer in 1907, along with the senile plaque, represent the two principle neuropathologic lesions identified in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum salts inoculated into the central nervous system of certain experimental animals induces neurofilamentous lesions which are similar, but not identical to the neurofibrillary tangles seen in Alzheimer's disease. Although some reports provide evidence of increased amounts of aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer's disease victims, such bulk analysis studies have been difficult to replicate. Over the past several years we have approached this problem using a variety of microprobe techniques in order to determine the distribution of trace elements within individual nerve cells.Using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray spectrometry, we have identified accumulations of aluminum in the neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons of cases of Alzheimer's disease. Similar accumulations have been found in the brains of the indigenous natives of Guam who suffer from parkinsonism with dementia and from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recent studies using laser microprobe mass analysis suggest that the predominance of aluminum identified within the parikaryon of neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons is located within the neurofibrillary tangle itself. Although this ongoing research still cannot ascribe a causal role for aluminum in the etiology and/or pathogenesis of the neurofibrillary tangle, the data suggest that certain environmental factors related to trace elemental constituents may play an important role in the formation of this type of cellular pathology.     

Cadmium and chromium in human lung tissue in relation to smoking and lung cancer

The pulmonary Cd and Cr content was determined from 53 lung cancer patients operated for cancer and from 39 patients who died of non‐malignant diseases. The results were correlated with smoking habits, pulmonary emphysema and occupational history. Both the pulmonary Cd and Cr increased with the amount of smoking. In ex‐smokers the Cr content in lung tissue did not diminish with the time since stopping smoking, but the Cd did follow the half‐life of about 9 years. The pulmonary Cd, compared with smoking habits, behaved similarly in both the lung cancer and control patients, whereas Cr in the lung cancer patients could not be explained solely by smoking, but some of the cancer patients may have been occupationally exposed to Cr. Speciation was not studied.     

Bronchial contamination with toxic metals in mineral-based industrial areas of India

Selected toxic metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, Ni and Mn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 55 samples of bronchial washouts obtained from patients with respiratory ailments. These subjects either worked or lived in industrial locations which have mineral-based industries such as steel plants, thermal power plants, cement plants, limestone mines and iron ore mines. Half of the samples analysed were from the plant workers and the other half from the non-workers living in the respective industrial areas. Samples from subjects living outside the industrial areas were also collected and analysed. The highest occurrence of toxic metals was found in the subjects living in the steel plant area. The occurrence was of the order: steel plant > thermal power plant > cement plant > iron ore mines > limestone mines > non industrial areas. Plant workers showed a higher presence of metals in their respiratory tracts compared to the non-workers in each industrial area. Higher depositions were noticed in areas of coal-fired industries compared to non-coal-fired industries. Zn, Cu and Pb were more likely to reach the respiratory tracts. The occurrences were found to increase with the age of the subjects. A slightly higher susceptibility to bronchial contamination was noticed in females.To whom correspondence should be addressed.     

Positive Feedback Loop between Introductions of Non‐Native Marine Species and Cultivation of Oysters in Europe

With globalization, agriculture and aquaculture activities are increasingly affected by diseases that are spread through movement of crops and stock. Such movements are also associated with the introduction of non‐native species via hitchhiking individual organisms. The oyster industry, one of the most important forms of marine aquaculture, embodies these issues. In Europe disease outbreaks affecting cultivated populations of the naturalized oyster Crassostrea gigas caused a major disruption of production in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mitigation procedures involved massive imports of stock from the species’ native range in the northwestern Pacific from 1971 to 1977. We assessed the role stock imports played in the introduction of non‐native marine species (including pathogens) from the northwestern Pacific to Europe through a methodological and critical appraisal of record data. The discovery rate of non‐native species (a proxy for the introduction rate) from 1966 to 2012 suggests a continuous vector activity over the entire period. Disease outbreaks that have been affecting oyster production since 2008 may be a result of imports from the northwestern Pacific, and such imports are again being considered as an answer to the crisis. Although successful as a remedy in the short and medium terms, such translocations may bring new diseases that may trigger yet more imports (self‐reinforcing or positive feedback loop) and lead to the introduction of more hitchhikers. Although there is a legal framework to prevent or reduce these introductions, existing procedures should be improved. Ciclo de Retroalimentación Positiva entre la Introducción de Especies Marinas No‐Nativas y el Cultivo de Ostras en Europa     

Invasive Non‐Native Species’ Provision of Refugia for Endangered Native Species

Abstract: The influence of non‐native species on native ecosystems is not predicted easily when interspecific interactions are complex. Species removal can result in unexpected and undesired changes to other ecosystem components. I examined whether invasive non‐native species may both harm and provide refugia for endangered native species. The invasive non‐native plant Casuarina stricta has damaged the native flora and caused decline of the snail fauna on the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. On Anijima in 2006 and 2009, I examined endemic land snails in the genus Ogasawarana. I compared the density of live specimens and frequency of predation scars (from black rats[Rattus rattus]) on empty shells in native vegetation and Casuarina forests. The density of land snails was greater in native vegetation than in Casuarina forests in 2006. Nevertheless, radical declines in the density of land snails occurred in native vegetation since 2006 in association with increasing predation by black rats. In contrast, abundance of Ogasawarana did not decline in the Casuarina forest, where shells with predation scars from rats were rare. As a result, the density of snails was greater in the Casuarina forest than in native vegetation. Removal of Casuarina was associated with an increased proportion of shells with predation scars from rats and a decrease in the density of Ogasawarana. The thick and dense litter of Casuarina appears to provide refugia for native land snails by protecting them from predation by rats; thus, eradication of rats should precede eradication of Casuarina. Adaptive strategies, particularly those that consider the removal order of non‐native species, are crucial to minimizing the unintended effects of eradication on native species. In addition, my results suggested that in some cases a given non‐native species can be used to mitigate the impacts of other non‐native species on native species.     

呼和浩特市某地慢性砷中毒流行因素探讨

１９９０年以来，在呼和浩特某地的６个自然村，查明以特殊皮肤损害为特征的慢性砷中毒病人１９７例。经用流行病学方法研究，从不同角度分析出，天然富砷水为该病的流行因素。     

Speciation of particulate trace metals in sediments of Anarbe reservoir∗

Total concentration and chemical forms of heavy metals in samples of sediment from a drinking water reservoir have been analysed. The result of total metal contest shows Fe and Mn concentration increase along the reservoir, from 4.4% in Fe and 0.07% in Mn in the end part to 6.4% Fe and 0.22% Mn at the dam. However, a decrease in organic matter along the reservoir is observed. In order to test the accuracy of the digestion methods used, a standard reference material was also analysed.

Trace metal concentrations, with exception of Cadmium, Pb and Mn, found in fraction 5 are higher than those observed in the others extractions, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cu content in non‐residual fraction is found mainly in moderately reducible fraction, but the percentage of this fraction in each metal is very different.     

Effects of Native and Non‐Native Vertebrate Mutualists on Plants

Abstract: Extinctions can leave species without mutualist partners and thus potentially reduce their fitness. In cases where non‐native species function as mutualists, mutualism disruption associated with species’ extinction may be mitigated. To assess the effectiveness of mutualist species with different origins, we conducted a meta‐analysis in which we compared the effectiveness of pollination and seed‐dispersal functions of native and non‐native vertebrates. We used data from 40 studies in which a total of 34 non‐native vertebrate mutualists in 20 geographic locations were examined. For each plant species, opportunistic non‐native vertebrate pollinators were generally less effective mutualists than native pollinators. When native mutualists had been extirpated, however, plant seed set and seedling performance appeared elevated in the presence of non‐native mutualists, although non‐native mutualists had a negative overall effect on seed germination. These results suggest native mutualists may not be easily replaced. In some systems researchers propose taxon substitution or the deliberate introduction of non‐native vertebrate mutualists to reestablish mutualist functions such as pollination and seed dispersal and to rescue native species from extinction. Our results also suggest that in places where all native mutualists are extinct, careful taxon substitution may benefit native plants at some life stages.     

Sea otters,social justice,and ecosystem‐service perceptions in Clayoquot Sound,Canada

We sought to take a first step toward better integration of social concerns into empirical ecosystem service (ES) work. We did this by adapting cognitive anthropological techniques to study the Clayoquot Sound social‐ecological system on the Pacific coast of Canada's Vancouver Island. We used freelisting and ranking exercises to elicit how locals perceive ESs and to determine locals’ preferred food species. We analyzed these data with the freelist‐analysis software package ANTHROPAC. We considered the results in light of an ongoing trophic cascade caused by the government reintroduction of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and their spread along the island's Pacific coast. We interviewed 67 local residents (n = 29 females, n = 38 males; n = 26 self‐identified First Nation individuals, and n = 41 non‐First Nation individuals) and 4 government managers responsible for conservation policy in the region. We found that the mental categories participants—including trained ecologists—used to think about ESs, did not match the standard academic ES typology. With reference to the latest ecological model projections for the region, we found that First Nations individuals and women were most likely to perceive the most immediate ES losses from the trophic cascade, with the most certainty. The inverse was found for men and non‐First Nations individuals, generally. This suggests that 2 historically disadvantaged groups (i.e., First Nations and women) are poised to experience the immediate impacts of the government‐initiated trophic cascade as yet another social injustice in a long line of perceived inequities. Left unaddressed, this could complicate efforts at multistakeholder ecosystem management in the region.     

Microbial pathogens of public health significance in waste dumps and common sites

Microbial pathogens of public health significance found in waste and common sites were collected from four different dumping sites and assessed for pathogenic agents. The modified methods employed were based on the classical methods and basic principles of the reactions followed by biochemical enzymatic standards described for gram negative non fermenting bacteria. The results have shown presence of bacterial species including Pseudomonas, Mirococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria, Bacillus and Klebsiella. These pathogens can infect wounds and cause sepsis and mortality and can even occur with such organisms to cause secondary infection. These groups of organisms are almost impossible to control since they are ubitiquous. Public health may be ensured from pathogenic agents at waste sites by prompt removal of waste and proper management (mechanical sorting and excavating) methods.     

The behaviour of Ailanthus altissima weed and its effects on natural ecosystems

Ailanthus altissima is an invasive species for the native flora of Greece and it could pose a serious threat to the biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spreading of Ailanthus altissima in urban and non urban areas of North and Central Greece and also to evaluate the effects of its spreading on species composition and floristic diversity in natural ecosystems. The spreading of Ailanthus altissima in urban areas is very intense, mainly in abandoned places (35.29%). It is commonly found in non urban areas of Greece, especially in hedgerows of arable lands (36%) and adjacent wetlands (17%). It is less common in forests (4%), shrublands (11%) and grasslands (9%). The spread of Ailanthus altissima in urban and natural ecosystems is relatively recent. Although it has been recorded at altitudes of up to 640 m, it usually appears at low altitudes of up to 200 m. Floristic diversity was found to be higher in the stands that it dominated (H' = 1.574, H' = 1.890) in comparison to stands that were dominated by Quercuspubescens (H' = 1.468) or Q. coccifera (H' = 1.716). This may be contributed to the fact that in those stands synanthropic species, which are usually found in regions of intense human activity, were present together with typical forest vegetation species.     

Genetic profile of overweight and obese school-age children

Obesity is associated with overproduction of free radicals that promotes genotoxicity and could be measured as micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) in buccal mucosa cells. The frequency of MN and NA in buccal mucosa cells from overweight and obesity school-age children was determined. In a cross-sectional study, four anthropometric parameters were obtained from each child and one buccal mucosa sample was collected from each child. The slides were stained with orcein and fast green and microscopically analyzed for MN and NA. Twenty overweight and obesity school-age children (7–11 years old) from three schools located at the metropolitan area of Guadalajara were selected to form three groups with 20 children each, according to the weight features as follows: (1) normal weight; (2) overweight; and (3) obesity. No marked differences were found between groups for frequency of MN and NA. Genotoxicity, as indicated by increase in binucleated (BN) cells, was found in children within both overweight and obese groups exposed to passive tobacco smoke. There was no evidence of genetic instability in overweight and obese school-age children and no associations between body weight and genotoxicity markers found.     

Chronic kidney diseases of uncertain etiology (CKDue) in Sri Lanka: geographic distribution and environmental implications

The increase in the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients from the north central region of Sri Lanka has become a environmental health issue of national concern. Unlike in other countries where long-standing diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of renal diseases, the majority of CKD patients from this part of Sri Lanka do not show any identifiable cause. As the disease is restricted to a remarkably specific geographical terrain, particularly in the north central dry zone of the country, multidisciplinary in-depth research studies are required to identify possible etiologies and risk factors. During this study, population screening in the prevalent region and outside the region, analysis of geoenvironmental and biochemical samples were carried out. Population screening that was carried out using a multistage sampling technique indicated that the point prevalence of CKD with uncertain etiology is about 2–3% among those above 18 years of age. Drinking water collected from high-prevalent and non-endemic regions was analyzed for their trace and ultratrace element contents, including the nephrotoxic heavy metals Cd and U using ICP-MS. The results indicate that the affected regions contain moderate to high levels of fluoride. The Cd contents in drinking water, rice from affected regions and urine from symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients were much lower indicating that Cd is not a contributing factor for CKD with uncertain etiology in Sri Lanka. Although no single geochemical parameter could be clearly and directly related to the CKD etiology on the basis of the elements determined during this study, it is very likely that the unique hydrogeochemistry of the drinking water is closely associated with the incidence of the disease.     

Degradation of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) in digested sewage sludge under strict anaerobic conditions

The biodegradation of one popular nitramine energetics, ammonium dinitramide (ADN) by mixture of denitrifying bacterial species was investigated. ADN was observed to be effectively mineralized in the anaerobic mixed culture. The initial ADN concentration of 250 mg/L was reduced to non‐detectable levels (> 99% removal efficiency) in 5 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions. Final products generated from anaerobic degradation of nitramine energetics by anaerobic metabolism were NH₄ ⁺, CH₄, and CO₂ that were released to the environment with the denitrifiers’ growth. In addition, it was found that the activity of denitrifiers was inhibited by high concentration of ammonia generated through the degradation reactions of energetic nitrites.     

Cosolvency. I. some non‐hydrogen bonding solutes with non‐hydrogen bonding solvents

The solubility data for a series of non‐hydrogen bonding, monosubstituted benzenes in binary mixtures of water and non‐hydrogen bonding cosolvents is presented. Good correlation between log solubility and fraction cosolvent is obtained, therefore the estimation of solubility in mixed solvents by a log‐linear relationship can be attained. Slight positive or negative deviations from predicted solubility values are seen at high volume fractions of cosolvents. These deviations are attributed to the cosolvent‐water interactions.     

Amelioration of mercurial toxicity by manganese. I. A case study in mung bean seedling

Mercury, a non essential element renders inhibitory effect on many physiological activities of plants even at a low concentration. Plants absorb "Hg" from soil through root system. Manganese, an essential element has been found to counter the inhibitory effect of mercury mostly by preventing it's uptake from soil. Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) cv. Pusa Baisakhi grown in individual (1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm) solution of Hg and Mn showed varied uptake of these heavy metals. However, in combined solutions (1 : 1, 10 : 1 and 1 : 10 ppm Hg : Mn), mercury uptake was mostly prevented in presence of 10 ppm Mn, indicating it's ameliorating effect.