Dissipation,half-lives,and mass spectrometric identification of endosulfan isomers and the sulfate metabolite on three field-grown vegetables

Endosulfan 3 EC, a mixture of α- and β-stereo isomers, was sprayed on field-grown pepper, melon, and sweet potato plants at the recommended rate of 0.44 kg A.I. acre^?1. Plant tissue samples (leaves, fruits, or edible roots) were collected 1 h to 30 days following spraying and analyzed for endosulfan isomers (α- and β-isomers). Analysis of samples was accomplished using a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a mass detector in total ion mode. The results indicated the formation of endosulfan sulfate as the major metabolite of endosulfan sulfite and the relatively higher persistence of the β-isomers as compared to the α-isomer. The initial total residues (α- and β-isomers plus endosulfan sulfate) were higher on leaves than on fruits. On pepper and melon fruits, the α-isomer, which is the more toxic to mammals, dissipated faster (T_1/2 = 1.22 and 0.95 d, respectively) than the less toxic β-isomer (T_1/2 = 3.0 and 2.5 d, respectively). These results confirm the greater loss of the α-isomer compared to the β-isomer, which can ultimately impact endosulfan dissipation in the environment. Additionally, the higher initial residues of endosulfan on pepper and sweet potato leaves should be considered of great importance for timing field operations and the safe entry of harvesters due to the high mammalian toxicity of endosulfan.     

Degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol by ozonation--identification of the by-products and assessment of their estrogenicity and toxicity

The presence of the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in waters at low levels is a concern due to its ability to act as an endocrine disruptor. Ozone (O₃) is commonly used in water treatment and reacts with EE2 to form by-products having characteristics that are mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the by-products of E2 and EE2 ozonation and determine their estrogenicity and toxicity relative to the parent compound. Ozonation by-products were identified via LC-MS analysis. The estrogenicity was measured using the YES assay, and toxicity was determined by monitoring effects on histology of fetal rat testes and testosterone secretion by these tissues. Two EE2 by-products were identified with open phenolic ring structures (masses 302 and 344 u). The Yeast Estrogen Screening (YES) assay showed a decreased but incomplete removal of estrogenicity after ozonation of EE2. Histological analysis of fetal testes revealed that neither E2 nor EE2, with or without ozonation, had any effect on seminiferous cord formation; however, a remarkable negative effect on testosterone secretion was observed, with EE2 by-products after ozonation showing the most rapid and extensive inhibition. These results show that the removal of EE2 via reaction with O₃ resulted in the formation of by-products that are less estrogenic (as demonstrated by the YES assay), but have a greater negative impact on testosterone secretion. Thus, the disappearance of the parent compound is not a sufficient endpoint, as the by-products created may be more toxic. Care should be taken when implementing oxidation applications such as ozone during waste water treatment.     

Adsorption behavior of 17α-ethynylestradiol onto soils followed by fluorescence spectral deconvolution

In this study, a simple and rapid procedure for monitoring adsorption of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) onto soil samples was developed. The used method is based on a multiwavelength fluorescence spectral deconvolution (FSD) where the emission fluorescence spectrum of a sample is considered as a linear combination of emission spectra, named reference spectra. The combination of the reference spectra allows the restitution of the shape of the emission spectrum of any unknown sample. This approach was applied to follow EE2 adsorption onto four soil samples and is an easy and low cost alternative.Adsorption experimental data showed a good fit with the Hill equation, mathematically equivalent to the Langmuir-Freundlich model assuming that the adsorption is a cooperative process influenced by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Molecular modelling studies clearly support the “co-operative adsorption” model, showing that after the adsorption of the first layer of EE2 molecules onto the soil, at least one more layer of EE2 is adsorbed, due to interactions established with the first adsorbed layer. Notwithstanding, packing a third row would imply interactions between two EE2 molecules that differ from the ones verified in the lowest energy structure, which also explains the plateau achieved in the adsorption curve.     

Analysis of α, β, γ-hexachlorocyclohexanes in water by novel activated carbon fiber-solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography--mass spectrometry

A fast and simple method for determination of α, β,γ-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in water using activated carbon fibersolid phase microextraction(ACF-SPME) were studied. Results showed the performance of adsorption and desorption of three HCHs on ACF were excellent. A wide linear range from 10 to 100 μg/L and detection limits of the ng/L level were obtained using ACF-SPME with GC-MS in selected ion monitoring(SIM) acquisition mode. The proposed method was also successfully applied for determination of three HCHs in tap water. Compared to commercial fibers, ACF showed some advantages such as better resistance to solvents, higher thermal stability, longer lifetime and lower cost. The data demonstrated that GC-MS with ACF-SPME is well suitable for the analysis of HCHs in water.     

Alpha-thalassaemia prenatal diagnosis by two PCR-based methods

In Cyprus all couples carrying α⁰-thalassaemia mutations are detected in the course of the thalassaemia carrier screening program and prenatal diagnosis is offered to all of them. Prenatal diagnosis for α-thalassaemia is routinely done by two independent molecular methods. With the first method, the mutations of the parents are directly determined by gap-PCR and then the chorionic villus sample (CVS) is examined for the presence of these mutations. With the other method, a (CA)_n repeat polymorphic site located between the ψα₁- and α₂-globin genes is used for determining the presence or absence of the normal and mutant alleles. In the period from 1995 to 1999, molecular analysis of 46 couples in which haematological data were consistent with deletion of two α-globin genes in both partners indicated that only 13 of them were actually at risk for haemoglobin (Hb) Bart's hydrops fetalis and prenatal diagnosis was provided in 16 pregnancies. The molecular diagnosis was possible in all cases with the use of both gap-PCR and (CA)_n repeat polymorphisms analysis. No misdiagnosed cases for α-thalassaemia have been reported to date. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal diagnosis of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: association with elevated α-fetoprotein and cystic renal changes

We report the occurrence of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) in two consecutive pregnancies in a young, Caucasian, non-consanguineous couple. In the first pregnancy, the maternal serum α-fetoprotein was elevated. A sonogram showed growth delay, cystic renal disease, and oligohydramnios; the parents decided to terminate the pregnancy. Postmortem examination confirmed the cystic renal disease and showed hepatic steatosis, raising the suspicion of a metabolic disorder. The diagnosis of MADD was made by immunoblot studies on cultured fibroblasts. In the subsequent pregnancy, a sonogram at 15 weeks' gestation showed an early growth delay but normal kidneys. The maternal serum and amniotic fluid concentrations of α-fetoprotein were elevated, and the amniotic fluid acylcarnitine profile was consistent with MADD. In vitro metabolic studies on cultured amniocytes confirmed the diagnosis. A follow-up sonogram showed cystic renal changes. These cases provide additional information regarding the evolution of renal changes in affected fetuses and show a relationship with elevated α-fetoprotein, which may be useful in counseling the couple at risk. MADD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated α-fetoprotein and cystic renal disease. Early growth delay may be an additional feature. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TiO2-NB/pg-C3N4可见光催化降解17α-乙炔雌二醇的机理

通过煅烧自制的TiO₂纳米带（TiO₂-NB）和多孔氮化碳（pg-C₃N₄）制备出新型的TiO₂纳米带/多孔氮化碳（TiO₂-NB/pg-C₃N₄）光催化剂,优化了其制备条件,并用于可见光条件下催化降解雌激素活性最强的17α-乙炔雌二醇（EE2）.通过SEM、TEM、XRD、UV-vis DRS、PL、XPS和BET等手段对催化剂结构和表面物理化学性质进行表征和分析.结果表明,B型TiO₂纳米带均匀负载至多孔氮化碳薄片上,形成TiO₂-NB/pg-C₃N₄复合光催化剂.最优条件下制备的TiO₂-NB/pg-C₃N₄降解EE2的速率常数（0.02537min^-1）分别是TiO₂-NB （0.00197min^-1）和pg-C₃N₄（0.0077min^-1）的12.88倍和3.29倍.自由基捕获实验结果显示超氧自由基（·O₂^-）是TiO₂-NB/pg-C₃N₄可见光催化降解EE2的主要活性物种.HPLC-MS中间体检测结果显示,可能的降解中间体主要有4个,提出可能的降解途径,而且通过MCF-7雌激素活性测试法可知降解过程产物的雌激素活性基本消除.     

二甲苯、蒽、苯并[α]芘对虾夷扇贝幼贝血清SOD、CAT活性的影响

以虾夷扇贝(Mizuhopecten yessoensis)为受试生物,设置3种不同浓度的二甲苯、蒽、苯并[α]芘处理健康的虾夷扇贝,检测血清中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性变化情况,结果发现:0.01~1.0 mg·L~(-1)的二甲苯、0.002~0.2 mg·L~(-1)的蒽、0.001~0.1 mg·L~(-1)的苯并[α]芘处理6、12 h后,虾夷扇贝血清SOD活性升高,处理12 h后对血清SOD活性诱导率均高于处理6 h的;处理6 h后,血清CAT活性降低,而处理12 h后,血清CAT活性升高;具有显著的剂量-效应关系和时效关系,表明二甲苯、蒽、苯并[α]芘对虾夷扇贝具有氧化胁迫作用,可能导致其氧化损伤。相关性分析发现,3种污染物处理6 h后,血清SOD活性与CAT活性变化呈显著负相关;而处理12 h后,血清SOD活性与CAT活性变化呈显著正相关。上述结果为开展二甲苯、蒽、苯并[α]芘对海洋贝类毒性评价提供基础数据。     

不同硝化负荷MBR去除类固醇雌激素的研究

以雌酮(E1)和17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE2)2种典型类固醇雌激素为研究对象,考察了不同硝化负荷好氧MBR对其的去除特性.结果表明,硝化负荷为6.19,0.35,10.58mg/(gMLSS·d)的MBR对E1平均去除率分别为72.33%、64.06%和71.77%,去除负荷分别为29.98,23.06,27.66mg/(gMLSS·d);对EE2平均去除率分别为55.40%、42.87%和58.90%,去除负荷分别为22.39,16.54,23.58mg/(gMLSS·d).E1去除效果均优于EE2.MBR硝化负荷与氨氧化细菌之间有较好的线性关系;而SEs去除负荷与氨氧化细菌及硝化负荷之间不满足线性关系.硝化负荷为0.35mg/(gMLSS·d)时,SEs去除负荷较低,硝化负荷达到6.19mg/(gMLSS·d)时,SEs的去除负荷显著提高,而当硝化负荷增加到10.58mg/(gMLSS·d)时,SEs去除负荷不再有效提高.