Time profile of abamectin and doramectin excretion and degradation in sheep faeces

We studied abamectin and doramectin excretion and their degradation in sheep faeces under field conditions on pasture after a single subcutaneous dose (0.2mg/kg body weight). In the excretion experiment, maximal abamectin concentration (1277 ng/g dry faeces) was detected on day 3, while doramectin concentration showed two peaks (2186 and 1780 ng/g dry faeces on days 2 and 5, respectively). Both avermectins were excreted at approximately the same rate (k=0.23 day(-1) for abamectin and 0.19 day(-1) for doramectin). In the field, a rapid loss of abamectin and doramectin from sheep faeces was seen during the first 32 days after which concentrations remained constant at approximately 77 ng/g and 300 ng/g, respectively. The half life values (DT(50)) for abamectin and doramectin dissipation from sheep faeces were 23 and 22 days, respectively, during the first 32 days. Dissipation of both avermectins was strongly correlated with moisture content of the faeces.     

Radiocaesium Activity Concentrations in Milk in the Republic of Croatia and Dose Assessment

Results of systematic measurements of radiocaesium activities in milk after the Chernobyl nuclear accident are summarized. ¹³⁷Cs fallout activity affects milk activity, the coefficient of correlation being 0.89. The ¹³⁷Cs activities in milk in Croatia are log-normally distributed, reflecting the exponential decrease of activity. After the Chernobyl nuclear accident the ¹³⁴Cs:¹³⁷ Cs activity ratio in milk was 0.5, and did not differ from that for other environmental samples. The dose due to radiocaesium ingestion by milk consumption was estimated for the Croatian population, the annual collective equivalent dose being approximately 205 manSv in 1986 and 1.5 manSv in 1994.     

Bactericidal activity of Cu-, Zn-, and Ag-containing zeolites toward <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> isolates

Two types of zeolites—natural clinoptilolite (NZ) and synthetic zeolite A (A)—were enriched with approx. 0.25 mmol of Cu(II), Zn(II), or Ag(I) ions, and the obtained materials (M-Z) were tested against three different isolates of Escherichia coli. Two isolates were environmental isolates from waters in Serbia whereas the third one was DSM 498. Antibacterial activity was studied in different water media—nutrient-rich media (peptone water), water from Sava Lake, and commercially available spring water. The Ag-containing zeolites showed bactericidal activity in the nutrient-rich peptone water after 1 h of contact. Cu- and Zn-containing zeolites showed bactericidal activity in real water samples. Antibacterial activity of the M-Z decreases in all three examined water media in the following order: Ag-NZ ≈ Ag-A > Cu-NZ ≈ Cu-A > Zn-NZ >>> Zn-A, suggesting that mainly the metal type and not the zeolite type have a role in the antibacterial activity. Leaching experiments showed small amounts of the leached Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, indicating that the antibacterial activity is not due to the metal ions but should be attributed to the M-Z itself. However, leached amounts of Ag(I) from Ag-NZ and Ag-A in peptone water indicate that the released Ag(I) could be mainly responsible for the bactericidal effect of the Ag(I)-containing zeolites. Since no loss of cellular material was found, the antibacterial activity is not attributed to cytoplasmic membrane damage.     

Effects of low doses of glyphosate on DNA damage,cell proliferation and oxidative stress in the HepG2 cell line

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We studied the toxic effects of glyphosate in vitro on HepG2 cells exposed for 4 and 24&nbsp;h to low glyphosate concentrations likely to be...