Antispermatogenic effects of artemether: An animal model

Various antimalarial drugs have been shown to exert different adverse effects; however, scanty information is available for artemether-induced potential side effects. The present study assessed effects of artemether on lipid profile, sperm count, and histological features of testes in an animal model. The mean total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, triglyceride, and total proteins in mice-administered artemether were higher compared with controls. The mean sperm counts in mice treated with artemether were reduced when compared with controls. In addition, it was observed that artemether affected the histopathology of seminiferous epithelia and Leydig cells. Evidence indicates that artemether exerts adverse effects in mice testes.     

Effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. on lipid peroxidation,antioxidant enzyme systems,and key liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats

In this study, we investigated the effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. extract (MCE) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems, and several liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated rats. Rats were divided into five groups. The first group (control group) was fed on standard feed. The rats in the other groups (CCl₄, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200) were injected intraperitoneally with 0.8?mL?kg^?1 CCl₄. Moreover, rats in the MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups were gavaged with 50?mg?kg^?1, 100?mg?kg^?1, and 200?mg?kg^?1 MCE, respectively. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, whole blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity levels were measured after 14 days of exposure. ALT and AST in the CCl₄ group increased significantly in comparison to the control group (p?4, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups at different significance levels. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, depending on the dose administered, MCE decreases CCl₄-induced damage and consequent oxidative stress in rats; it affects the antioxidant system positively.     

Evaluation of the toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A and some of its oxidation products using a micro-scale algal growth inhibition test

A micro-scale algal growth inhibition (μ-AGI) test using a common micro-plate based fluorometric detection was used to demonstrate the effects of humic substances (HSs) on the toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its oxidative decomposition products 2,5-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone (2,5-DBBQ), 2,5-dibromohydroquinone (2,5-DBHQ), 2,6-dibromobenzoquinone (2,6-DBBQ), and 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP) to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The EC₅₀ values were: EC_50(TBBPA) = 7 mg L^?1, EC_50(2,5-DBHQ) = 7 mg L^?1, EC_50(2,5-DBBQ) = 19 mg L^?1, EC_50(2,6-DBP) = 49 mg L^?1, and EC_50(2,6-DBBQ) = 13 mg L^?1. The toxicity of the chemicals was slightly lower in the presence of HA. The toxicity of TBBPA decomposed by a biomimetic catalytic system consisting of iron (III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (p-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (Fe(III)-TPPS) and KHSO₅ was also evaluated using P. subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.     

Trace Organic Matter in the Ria Formosa,Portugal

The Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal, receives organic matter from many natural and anthropogenic sources. This paper presents an overview of the contribution these sources made through the use of lipid biomarkers. Sixty-one surface sediment samples were collected and analysed for a range of lipids. Sewage materials were confined to regions within 2 km of discharge points; phytoplankton biomarkers (sterols and fatty acids) suggest production was greatest in the inner parts of the lagoon that also have greatest inorganic nutrient enrichment; terrestrial organic matter was present in relatively low concentrations as shown by both sterol and fatty alcohols; bacteria were widespread although the Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRBs, shown by the presence of 3-OH fatty acids) were located near but not adjacent to sewage discharge points.     

地表臭氧增加对黄花夹竹桃和芒果叶片膜脂过氧化程度和保护酶活性的影响

以黄花夹竹桃（Thevetia peruviana（Pers.）k.Schum.）和芒果（Mangifera indica L.）苗木为材料,研究4种臭氧（O3）体积分数[环境大气NF,φ（O3）=10×10-9~20×10-9;低体积分数处理E50,φ（O3）=50×10-9;中体积分数处理E100,φ（O3）=100×10-9;高体积分数处理E200,φ（O3）=200×10-9]下两种植物叶片膜脂过氧化程度、可溶性蛋白质质量分数、可溶性糖质量分数和保护酶活性的变化情况,旨在揭示地表臭氧体积分数升高条件下2种植物生理代谢活动变化机理及响应规律。结果表明：随臭氧体积分数的增加,2种植物丙二醛含量和膜透性均逐渐上升,且与臭氧体积分数呈显著正相关关系,说明两种植物膜脂过氧化程度加剧;低体积分数O3处理时两种植物可溶性蛋白质量分数均逐渐下降,高φ（O3）处理后小幅回升;黄花夹竹桃可溶性糖质量分数逐渐下降,芒果先上升后下降;2种植物的POD活性均显著上升,但上升幅度有较大差异;2种植物的CAT活性均呈先升高再降低的趋势。研究表明,不同体积分数的臭氧暴露下,黄花夹竹桃和芒果均受到不同程度的伤害,芒果对臭氧表现出较强的抗性,黄花夹竹桃对臭氧较敏感。     

珠江口海域3种重要有害藻类的溶血毒性研究

从珠江口海域分离、鉴定出3种重要有害藻类小普林藻JX12(Prymnesium parvum)、剧毒卡尔藻JX24(Karlodinium veneficum)、红色赤潮藻JX14(Akashiwo sanguinea),在实验室条件下研究了不同反应温度和pH值对小普林藻溶血活性的影响,在此基础上对海洋微藻溶血活性的测定方法进行了优化,并进一步分析比较了不同藻株以及不同生长时期溶血毒性的变化特征。研究结果显示,在实验温度范围内(4~50°C),小普林藻的溶血活性随温度的升高而增大,37℃为其最佳反应温度,pH 8和50 min为其最佳反应条件。不同生长时期的小普林藻溶血毒性具有显著差异,对数期溶血活性(5.67×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))显著高于稳定期(2.32×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))和衰亡期(3.40×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))。分离自珠江口海域的3种微藻均检测出溶血毒性,单个细胞溶血活性由强到弱分别为红色赤潮藻(976.20×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))、小普林藻(5.67×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))、剧毒卡尔藻(2.58×10~(-7)HU·cell~(-1))。值得注意的是,红色赤潮藻中国株JX14的单位细胞溶血活性显著高于美国株AS2,是后者的2倍以上。本研究首次确认珠江口海域红色赤潮藻、小普林藻和剧毒卡尔藻均具有较强的溶血毒性,这些有害藻类一旦形成赤潮可能对河口生态系统安全以及水产养殖业造成严重危害。     

餐厨垃圾的黑水虻处理中含钙矿物及微生物对油脂转化效率的影响

黑水虻处理是近年来发展起来的一种餐厨垃圾的有效资源化方法,但由于黑水虻的生理特性,油脂类物质经常不能被彻底降解和去除,残渣仍有酸败气味,需堆肥化二次处理.为了提高油脂类成分的降解效率,提升黑水虻富集油脂的资源化能力,本研究拟以含钙矿物和微生物为主要辅助手段,通过向餐厨垃圾中添加湿重比例为0~10%的CaCO₃、0~10%的Ca(OH)₂、5%CaCO₃和菌液的混合物及6种不同菌液,研究含钙矿物和微生物对于油脂减量化和虫油转化效率的影响.结果发现,向餐厨垃圾中添加含钙矿物,能够显著调节和缓冲黑水虻处理过程中的环境pH值,但对增加油脂的去除效率和黑水虻油脂的转化能力没有显著作用.而且添加7%~10% 的CaCO₃对于餐厨垃圾的减量化率和黑水虻的虫产率有负作用,添加5%~10%的Ca(OH)₂会导致显著的幼虫死亡率.同时添加CaCO₃和菌液对于油脂的去除不利.仅添加微生物菌液是提高垃圾油脂减量化率和黑水虻油脂富集率的最有效方法.枯草芽孢杆菌NJZ菌株、地衣芽孢杆菌NY菌株、植物乳酸杆菌RS72菌株和粪肠球菌L102菌株,是提高黑水虻油脂转化效率的有效菌株.添加微生物后,黑水虻的虫油产率由对照组的10.4%提升至12.8%~14.4%,虫油富集率由对照组的93.9%提升至116%~130%.虫油富集率超过100%,说明餐厨垃圾中碳水化合物、蛋白质等非油脂成分的一部分转化为黑水虻的体脂,而微生物的辅助降解可能是强化这一过程的主要因素.但即使在接种微生物以后,虫沙中仍然有29%~44%的油脂在处理结束时剩余,说明餐厨垃圾中的油脂较难被彻底降解和利用.未来研究中,可以继续筛选高效降解油脂的微生物,与黑水虻共同处理餐厨垃圾,实现油脂成分的资源化全利用.     

电化学氧化杀灭水库原水中藻类的研究

由Ti/RuO2棒为阳极、不锈钢管为阴极组成电氧化管式反应装置,对电氧化杀灭水库含藻原水中的藻类进行了研究。结果显示:处理累积停留时间20 min后,叶绿素a去除率达100%,对浓缩10倍水样,藻毒素MCLR的去除率达98%以上。细胞的死亡及胞内物质的损失,导致溶液DOC值从32 mg/L上升至50 mg/L,但在电氧化作用下,可下降至12 mg/L。氧化降解产物使溶液UV254值上升,从0.09 cm-1上升至0.14 cm-1,溶液UV410值没有太大变化。处理过程中pH值从8.4迅速下降至7.4后,基本维持稳定,电导率以21μS/(cm.min)速率呈线性下降趋势,溶液离子浓度改变较大。     

模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

薇甘菊是入侵性杂草,已在我国华南地区及云南部分地区造成严重危害。我国华南地区同时也是强酸雨分布区域。采用不同pH值的模拟酸雨对薇甘菊种子及幼苗进行处理,测定其对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。测定了不同pH值下薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量、丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧阴离子产生速率、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性。结果表明,薇甘菊种子具有较强的耐酸能力,pH≥3．5时均能正常萌发,pH≤3．0时不能萌发。不同pH值模拟酸雨对薇甘菊幼苗叶绿素含量影响不显著。随着模拟酸雨pH值下降,超氧阴离子产生速率上升,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和过氧化物酶活性呈先上升后下降。pH3．5时,丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量、过氧化物酶活性均达最大值;pH4．0时超氧化物歧化酶活性达最大值。结果表明薇甘菊对华南地区酸雨胁迫表现出适应。     

滇池水体磷的时空变化与藻类生长的关系

水体磷的时空变化与藻类生长的关系对研究水体富营养化具有十分重要的作用。采用GPS定位,对滇池海埂、斗南、罗家村、新街、昆阳等5个代表性位点监测断面水体总磷、可溶性磷及叶绿素a含量进行了为期1年（2003年5月至2004年5月）的动态研究,并在滇池海埂位点进行了日变化试验,全面分析了滇池不同区域、不同层次、不同时期水体总磷和可溶性磷的年变化、日变化及水体氮/磷比对藻类生长的影响。结果表明,滇池水体磷与藻类生长呈现显著的年变化和日变化特征,显示了滇池全湖水体总磷与叶绿素a周年变化呈显著正相关,水体可溶性磷与叶绿素a呈正相关趋势;海埂位点水体总磷与叶绿素a日变化呈显著正相关,水体可溶性磷与叶绿素a日变化呈显著的负相关,水体氮磷比与叶绿素a呈显著正相关。表明水体磷负荷对藻类生长影响呈现显著的水体区域性和水层差异性和季节性,藻类生长主要吸收水体中的可溶性磷,暗示了滇池水体磷是藻类生长的主要限制因子之一。