Smoke alleviates adverse effects induced by stress on rice

Smoke and salinity are environmental hazards. Smoke produced DNA damage, inflammatory, and oxidative stress in humans while salinity reduced plant yield. However, smoke from plants is beneficial towards plant growth. In this study, smoke of two plants, Buhania varegata (1:1000 and 1:5000 dilutions (v/v)) and Cymbopogon jwarancusa (1:500 and 1:1000), were used to determine effects on different physiological and biochemical parameters in rice Basmati-385 (B-385) and Shaheen Basmati under different saline concentrations (control: 50, 100, and 150 mM). With increasing salinity, germination%, seedling growth, K⁺, Ca⁺, cell membrane stability, and total nitrogen and protein contents were decreased while Na⁺ content increased. However, seeds primed with different dilution of smoke significantly diminished the adverse effects of salinity and shown to produce positive responses in all of the above parameters. The most effective dilutions were 1:5000 for Buhania varegata and C-500 for Cymbopogon jwarancusa. It seems that priming with plant smoke solution is a potent stimulant for plant growth exerting a significant role in physiology and biochemistry of rice plants under saline condition.     

亚硝态氮胁迫对日本蟳消化酶活力及同工酶表达的影响

亚硝态氮是养殖水体中常见的胁迫因子.为探讨亚硝态氮对养殖蟹类的毒性作用,采用生物酶测定及聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法,研究了水体中不同浓度(0.15,0.3,2,5,10,20mg/L)亚硝态氮胁迫下日本蟳肝胰腺消化酶活力的变化,以及高浓度(20mg/L)亚硝态氮胁迫对日本蟳同工酶表达的影响.结果表明:低浓度(0.15,0.3mg/L)的亚硝态氮胁迫对碱性蛋白酶,酸性蛋白酶,脂肪酶和淀粉酶活力均产生一定的诱导效应,且在处理7d时,除淀粉酶活力略低于对照组外,其他3种消化酶活力仍保持在较高的水平.较高浓度(2,5,10mg/L)亚硝态氮的短期胁迫(0.5~1d)会诱导酸性蛋白酶,碱性蛋白酶和脂肪酶活力的迅速升高,但随即快速下降.高浓度(20mg/L)的亚硝态氮胁迫对蛋白酶和淀粉酶活力表现出明显的抑制效应.处理7d时,胁迫浓度2mg/L及以上的实验组各消化酶活力与剂量浓度间均呈显著负相关关系.20mg/L亚硝态氮胁迫下,除肌肉中新增两条酶带(MDH-2和MDH-4)外,日本蟳鳃,肝胰腺,胃,心脏,卵,精子等组织中的α-淀粉酶(α-AMY)同工酶,乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)同工酶,苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)同工酶和过氧化物酶(POD)同工酶均出现活性减弱或酶带数量减少现象.结果显示高浓度亚硝态氮胁迫对日本蟳消化酶活力和同工酶表达均表现出明显的抑制作用.     

Single walled carbon nanotubes induce cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in HEK293 cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential toxicity and general mechanisms involved in single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-induced cytotoxicity using human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293) cells. Carbon nanotubes (coded as CNT) used in this study were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition method. To elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying SWCNT-induced cytotoxicity, cell viability, cell membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) assay), reduced glutathione (GSH), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and lipid peroxidation products levels were quantitatively assessed following SWCNT exposure for 48 hr using HEK293 cells. Exposure of cells to SWCNT at 3–300 μg/ml produced significant reduction in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ value of SWCNT was found to be 87.58 μg/ml. Exposure of HEK cells to SWCNT at 10–100 μg/ml resulted in concentration-dependent cell membrane damage, increased production of IL-8, elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances like malondialdehyde and decreased intracellular GSH levels. In summary, exposure to SWCNT resulted in a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in cultured HEK293 cells that was associated with increased oxidative stress.     

Oxidative stress in the freshwater cyprinid crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.) upon chronic exposure to endosulfan

Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses of crucian carp, upon chronic exposure to endosulfan, were evaluated in vivo. The lethal concentration (LC_50–96?h) was 70 μg L^?1; on its basis, the fish were exposed to endosulfan at 20, 35, and 50 μg L^?1 and autopsy was done on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Lipid peroxidation was induced in a concentration-dependent manner, being highest at 50 μg L^?1 (3/4 LC_{50–96 h}, sub-lethal concentration-I, SL-I) on day 4 (720% versus control), followed in its extent (490%) at 30 μg L^?1 (1/2 LC_{50–96 h}, sub-lethal concentration-II, SL-II) on day 7 and lowest (260%) at 10 μg L^?1 (1/4 LC_{50–96 h}, sub-lethal concentration-III, SL-III) on day 14. Glutathione showed a concentration- and time-dependent elevation in the initial phase, with highest level on day 4 (180%) at SL-I, but showed significant reduction in all test concentrations from day 21 of post-exposure. Superoxide dismutase was decreased significantly throughout the study, with highest reduction (63%) on day 4 at SL-I; catalase increased in all test concentrations up to day 14 but showed a significant decrease from the day 28 of post-exposure. The potential role of these parameters as indicators of pesticide pollution in aquatic systems is discussed.     

Effects of arsenic on reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense system in tomato plants

In this study, the generation of reactive oxygen species, the induction of oxidative stress, and the response of the antioxidative system in hydroponically grown tomato plants as the cause of arsenic-induced phytotoxicity are investigated. Reduction in plant growth was measured in terms of dry weight and length of roots and shoots, the latter accumulating more arsenic than the roots. The treatment resulted in increased formation of superoxide anion (O₂^.?), H₂O₂, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, which indicate augmented lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase activities were increased in arsenic-treated tomato plants while CAT activity was insignificantly increased.     

Human resilience and environmental degradation: The eco-cultural link in the Sahel

The relationship between human resilience and environmental degradation was studied in the Sahel. The strongest predictors of human resilience were rate of environmental degradation, avoidance, problem solving and locus of control. Compared to pastoralists, agriculturalists were more stressed and marginalized. Women in all groups scored higher on marginalization and stress than men.     

桉树叶水浸出液对2种海洋微藻生长和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

运用水样叶绿素荧光仪(Water-PAM)研究了桉树叶水浸出液胁迫下湛江叉鞭金藻(Dicrateria zhanjiangensis)和纤细角毛藻(Chaetoceros gracilis)2种海洋微藻叶绿素荧光特性〔包括PS(光系统)Ⅱ的F_v/F₀(潜在活性)、F_v/F_m(最大光能转化效率)、Yield(实际光能转化效率)、ETR(电子传递效率),其中F_m和F₀分别为最大荧光和基础荧光〕的变化,同时监测微藻的生长情况,以研究桉树叶水浸出液对海洋微藻的影响,从而为探讨华南沿海大量种植桉树所造成潜在的海洋生态问题提供一些依据. 结果表明:①低浓度(以φ计,0.4、0.8、1.2mL/L)胁迫在96h内对湛江叉鞭金藻的上述4项荧光参数均无显著影响(P>0.05);高浓度(2.0mL/L)胁迫下,24h时湛江叉鞭金藻的4项荧光参数都处于最低值,48h时处于次低值. 表明高浓度在胁迫早期(48h内)对湛江叉鞭金藻4项荧光参数有抑制作用,而后期(72、96h)这4项荧光参数又恢复到正常水平,抑制作用解除. ②低浓度(0.4、0.8mL/L)胁迫下纤细角毛藻的4项荧光参数在24、48h内均得到促进,而高浓度(2.0mL/L)胁迫下F_v/F_m在24h时为最小值,表现抑制作用;另外3项荧光参数则未受显著影响. 在胁迫后期(72、96h),纤细角毛藻的4项荧光参数均随着胁迫浓度的增大而增加,表现为促进作用. ③就生长情况而言,随着胁迫浓度的增大,2种海洋微藻细胞密度的增长明显变缓. 表明桉树叶水浸出液对2种海洋微藻的生长以及叶绿素荧光特性都有影响,从而将会对整个海洋生态系统产生影响.      

高压输电线铁塔地震时程弹性数值模拟

地震对高压输电线铁塔的安全性能有重要影响。通过建立高压输电线铁塔模型,采用有限元方法对受7级和8级地震影响的高压输电线铁塔的力学行为进行数值模拟与分析。计算结果表明:在地震作用下高压输电线铁塔t=3-4s时加速度最大,其应力也相应较大;在7级地震时最大应力值远小于材料的许可应力,高压输电线铁塔在7级地震过程中是安全的,但是8级地震时,最大应力值已经达到234MPa,超过Q345许可应力230MPa,高压线铁塔就处于不安全运行状态。     

洞庭湖湿地Cd富集植物蒌蒿(Artemisia selengensis)的耐性生理机制研究

采用盆栽植株和外源Cd胁迫的方法,分别对不同生长期蒌蒿植株根、叶组织中的抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白及MDA含量进行测定,以揭示蒌蒿在Cd胁迫下的抗氧化机理和耐受机制。研究结果表明,Cd胁迫对上述生理指标均有显著影响:≤20mg·kg-1的Cd处理可使幼苗期植株器官中的可溶性蛋白含量增加16.5%～19.1%,100mg·kg-1的Cd含量水平则导致其含量减少近30%,可溶性蛋白含量的变化与植株的生物量积累关系密切;3种酶活性在0～10mg·kg-1的Cd处理下未显示出明显变化,幼苗期植株CAT、POD活性在10～80mg·kg-1的Cd胁迫下增加明显,高于此浓度范围则使酶蛋白受到破坏而失活,中等含量水平(≤40mg·kg-1)的Cd处理经过长时间作用可使植株逐渐适应胁迫环境,胁迫强度较大的Cd处理可显著提高SOD酶的活性;Cd胁迫过程中植株MDA积累量不断增加。3种抗氧化酶活性的增强在蒌蒿植株耐受Cd胁迫方面能起到较好的防御作用。     

纳米Fe3O4对小鼠肺细胞的氧化损伤

纳米Fe3O4作为一种功能材料,在生物医药、生物靶向材料、微波吸收材料和高梯度磁分离器等方面应用前景广阔,其潜在的生物毒性也备受关注。为研究纳米Fe3O4对生物体可能造成的氧化损伤,以昆明小鼠为受试体,设置5、10、20和40mg·kg-14个染毒组,腹腔注射染毒7d后,测定小鼠肺组织中活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的含量。结果显示,随着纳米Fe3O4染毒剂量的升高,肺组织ROS和MDA含量逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标均呈一定的剂量-效应关系。剂量≥10mg·kg-1,肺组织ROS含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05);剂量≥20mg·kg-1,肺组织MDA含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05);剂量≥40mg·kg-1,肺组织GSH含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05)。研究表明,较高剂量(≥20mg·kg-1)的纳米Fe3O4颗粒材料会引起小鼠肺细胞的氧化损伤。