Multi-level complexity in the use of plant allelochemicals by aposematic insects

Summary As recognized by Miriam Rothschild as early as the 1960s and repeatedly emphasized in her papers, the use, misuse, or non-use of plant allelochemicals by insects is extremely variable and difficult to predict, at many levels of time, space, and biological organization. Although certain patterns that reoccur have been important in the development of ecological theory, the optimization of cost-benefit equations involving two or three trophic levels, each with large numbers of individuals, populations, and species in erratic and complex interactions, produces unexpected and fascinating scenarios. The development of rapid colorimetric and chromatographic analyses for several types of plant allelochemicals, notably certain groups of alkaloids, cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides, phenolics, terpenes, and glucosinolates, has permitted a detailed investigation of the variation and flow of these substances in natural organisms and ecosystems. The results of these analyses, in our hands mostly for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), do not suggest a straightforward classical choice by the aposematic insect to simply sequester or synthesize its defences. Rather, they reveal a confusing variety of diffuse and complex patterns that become increasingly closer to chaos as they are multiplied across structures, species, sexes, stages, sites, seasons, and selective regimes. We present a model reflecting results of analyses at this chemoecological interface. Depending upon an initial option, involving the recognition (or not) of a plant allelochemical, the herbivore will face thereafter options to ingest it (or not), and then to tolerate and absorb (or detoxify and excrete), modify (or not), passively, actively or selectively accumulate, turn over (or not), distribute (or concentrate), and use this compound in a variety of growth, defense, or reproductive functions. The herbivore can also quantitatively or qualitatively regulate the intensity or dispersion of its attack on the plant tissues, in order to modify feedback loops of selection on the plant and its chemicals which exist in most of the earlier steps, or those with its predators and parasites that occur in the later ones. Options that lead to mutualism through positive feedback loops will tend to accumulate and become rapidly fixed by natural selection. Additional variations and anomalies such as automimicry, chemical mimicry, sexual dimorphism and communication, selective sequestration and passing-up of allelochemicals, special glands and structures, and synergism effects, are among the secondary complications of this model that have occupied much thought, time, experimental labor, and polemical space in chemical ecology journals and meetings. Examination of the tendencies and results at various points in the model can be used to explain these features and to make further predictions, plan experiments, and devise activity-based bioassays and new chemical analyses. These may lead some day to new and more robust visions of the major patterns of chemical transfer at this widespread and important natural interface.     

气相色谱-质谱联用法测定水中卤代乙酸类化合物

采用气相色谱-质谱联用法测定水中9种卤代乙酸类化合物,通过优化试验条件,使方法在5.00μg/L~200μg/L范围内线性良好。当取样量为40 m L时,方法检出限在0.7μg/L~1.0μg/L之间,3种实际水样的加标回收率为81.2%~98.0%,6次平行测定结果的RSD≤12%。     

ASsessment Of Alcohol Ethoxylate Surfactants And Fatty Alcohols Mixtures In River Sediments And Prospective Risk Assessment

A feasible and relatively readily available analytical method was adapted for the assessment of alcohol ethoxylates (AE) and fatty alcohols (FA) in sediments. This study illustrates the simultaneous measurement of 38 of 114 possible alcohol ethoxylate ethoxymers (AE) and fatty alcohols (FA) found in commercially important AE products. We predicted toxicity for all identified fractions, as well as the total mixture toxicity, relative to three exposure scenarios via sewage treatment plants (STP) for these widely used chemicals in consumer products and hence generate a preliminary environmental risk screening for AE and FA in sediments. The method is based on derivatization of solvent or solid-phase extracts with 2-fluoro-N-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (Pyr+). The derivatized extracts were analyzed with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) operating in the positive ion electrospray mode. The extraction efficiency of AE and FA in three different sediments of varying composition was evaluated with spike-recovery studies, ranging from 64% to 80%. The detection limits for individual ethoxymers typically ranged from 1 to 5ngg⁻¹on a dry weight basis. The mean limit of detection (LOD) was 6ngg⁻¹and the median LOD was 3ngg⁻¹. AE and FA in sediments were found to be stable for two weeks if preserved with 3% (v/v) formalin and stored at 4–6^∘C. Based on equilibrium partitioning, background concentrations of AE and FA were predicted to be below concentrations known to elicit chronically toxic effects. Total worst case mixture toxicities for all AE ethoxymers combined with FA were predicted to result in a risk quotient less than 0.6. Activated sludge treatment (STP) significantly reduced the release of total AE and FA by four-fold, suggesting that the total mixture risk quotient would be < 0.15 for sediment dependent organisms.     

电化学方法研究小分子与核酸相互作用的进展(Recent Electrochemical Investigation on the Interaction of Small Molecules with Nucleic Acids)

研究小分子与核酸的相互作用,对了解分子对DNA体内复制和转录的影响、探索疾病的发病机理和寻找新型药物设计等具有重要意义.电化学方法是一种重要的研究小分子与核酸相互作用的方法,而这方面的综述较少.论文首先论述了小分子与核酸相互作用的结合方式,并对采用电化学方法考察无机金属离子、金属配合物、有机药物分子、有机环境污染物与DNA相互作用的研究进展进行了归纳和评述,其中对有机小分子与核酸的相互作用进行了较详细介绍.最后,对该领域研究趋势进行了讨论.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Removal of lead and cadmium ions from aqueous solutions using the macroalga Caulerpa racemosa

Sediment bulk parameters and fatty acid biomarkers were used to investigate the relative contribution of major sources of particulate organic matter during upwelling and non-upwelling conditions, at organic enriched sites on the south-eastern Brazilian coast. The degradation state of the organic material and its implications for benthic food webs were also evaluated. Temperature and salinity values indicate the intrusion of the South Atlantic Central Water in spring with a strong influence at station 4S. C:N ratios and fatty acid biomarkers suggest that sedimentary particulate organic matter is mainly autochthonous and originated from phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria, with a minor terrestrial contribution. Short-chain saturated fatty acids predominated, indicating the prevalence of partially degraded detritus. An exception was station 4S, where polyunsaturated fatty acids dominated, indicating the input of labile organic matter linked to upwelling of the South Atlantic Central Water. Fatty acid concentrations and the organic carbon content of the sediments suggest that food quantity is not a limiting factor for benthic fauna. Despite the high organic background of the sediments, the sporadic inputs of labile organic matter associated with South Atlantic Central Water intrusions may produce an important impact on benthic fauna and on the biogeochemistry of the sediments.     

Efficiency of Zn phytoextraction,biomass yield and formation of low-molecular-weight organic acids in S × rubens – a hydroponic experiment

The aim of the study was to estimate Zn phytoextraction and changes in biomass of S?×?rubens growing in modified Knop's solution with different levels of Zn addition (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0?mM). Obtained results were correlated with secretion of selected low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in the rhizosphere, roots and leaves. An increase in Zn concentration in Knop's solution resulted in Zn accumulation in roots, shoots and leaves. The highest accumulation was observed for plants growing in 5?mM Zn, at concentration levels 4741.36?±?98.66, 1227.31?±?16.57 and 2241.65?±?34.90?mg?kg^?1 DW in roots, shoots and leaves, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor and the translocation factor for plants growing in 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5?mM Zn clearly indicate that this Salix taxon is an effective Zn accumulator. The general reduction of Salix biomass with an increase in Zn concentration in the solution was observed. In the rhizosphere, the total LMWOA concentration was almost 0.93?µmol?kg^?1 DM for control (Zn free) plants, while for 5.0?mM of Zn it was 4.9?µmol?kg^?1 DM. Increasing concentrations of acids were observed in roots (1.34 for the control and 5.57?µmol?kg^?1 DM for plants treated with 2.5?mM of Zn).     

In vitro effects of lead on fatty acid composition,oxidative stress biomarkers and quality of ram spermatozoa

The sperm quality and several parameters associated with oxidative stress were evaluated in ram (Ovis aries) spermatozoa suspensions incubated with 0, 50 or 500 ng/mL Pb during 0, 1, 3 or 6 h. The presence of Pb during incubation, reduced the integrity of the acrosome, % sperm motility and integrity, and the functionality of membrane. On the contrary, % polyunsaturated fatty acids and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the spermatozoa suspensions were not affected by Pb. Moreover, glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased and the fatty acid composition changed due to the relative increase in % stearic acid during the incubation time independently on Pb presence. Data showed that several effects of Pb on sperm quality usually observed in vivo also occurred in vitro, but without any relationship with oxidative stress biomarkers.     

不同方法对南方几种土壤阳离子交换性质的测定比较

分別采用1mol L~(-1) NH_4OAC淋洗法,0.1mol L~(-1)BaCl_2捕掳交换法,6.667×10~(-3)mol L~(-1)Co(NH_3)_6Cl_3提取法以及电荷测定法测定了南方几种不同性质的土壤的阳离子交换性质。结果表明,酸性土壤的阳离子交换量具有不定性,NH_4OAC法的结果很高,而其它方法的结果显著偏低,但方法间仍存在显著差异。不过,各法对微酸性、中性土壤的测定结果无显著差异。与NH_4OAC法相比,BaCl_2法得到较多的Ca,而Co法则交换出较少的K。各法的浸提液pH间虽存在差异,但彼此间有良好的统计相关性。Co法测定的CEC值与交换性阳离子总和较为吻合,其浸提液pH与pH_(KCl)、pH_(CaCl_2)有良好的线性关系。看来,不同方法对酸性土壤阳离子交换量的测定差异主要来自測定过程中介质pH条件及离子强度不同所浸出的交换性酸的多寡。本文认为,Co(NH_2)_6Cl_3法可以作为这些土壤阳离子交换性质测定的例行方法。     

腐殖酸对土壤铅镉吸附、赋存形态及生物可给性的影响

腐殖酸（HAs）对重金属土壤环境行为及其生物有效性的影响与其组分分子量大小关系密切.通过3种in vitro试验方法（PBET、SBRC、IVG）探讨了HAs不同分子量组分（F1：<5kDa、F2：5~10kDa、F3：10~30kDa、F4：>30kDa）对土壤镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）生物可给性的影响,同时结合批量等温吸附实验、化学连续提取形态分级方法,分析了土壤Cd、Pb吸附和形态转化与生物可给性的关系.结果表明：土壤对Cd、Pb吸附能力既受HAs添加量的影响,也受到HAs分子量大小的影响.HAs添加量为0.2% C~1% C条件下,<5kDa分子量组分促进了土壤对Cd、Pb的吸附,且随着HAs添加量的增加,促进作用更强.而>10kDa的其他组分则降低了土壤吸附Cd、Pb的能力.在本试验HAs添加量范围内,不同组分均促进了土壤中酸提取态Cd向残渣态转化,且低分子量组分对其促进作用更强.土壤Pb²⁺主要以可还原态的形式存在,占57%~89%,随着HAs组分分子量的增加,酸交换态Pb占比逐渐下降,HAs的添加促进了活性态Pb向难利用态Pb转化,从而降低了Pb²⁺活性.3种in vitro方法生物可给性测定结果表明,<5k和5~10k组分均提高了胃、肠阶段土壤Cd、Pb生物可给性（BA_Cd、BA_Pb）,而其余组分则使土壤Cd、Pb生物可给性降低.Cd、Pb生物可给性取决于Cd、Pb在土壤中转化平衡后的赋存形态,酸交换态占比高生物可给性相应也越高,土壤对重金属的吸附固定难以反映生物可给性.     

硫酸根自由基预处理剩余污泥产酸效能与机理

为了优化最适宜的预处理条件,探究了不同高铁酸钾（PF）亚硫酸钠（Na₂SO₃）投加量对污泥EPS剥离和有机物转化短链脂肪酸（SCFAs）的贡献情况.结果表明,Fe（VI）/S（IV）联合预处理对污泥结构,尤其是紧密附着层EPS有较强的分解作用.当PF/Na₂SO₃的物质的量比从0/1（单独Na₂SO₃组）增加至2/3时,SCFAs的最高产量由1169.5mg COD/L增加到4796.9mg COD/L（第4d）,是单独Na₂SO₃和PF实验组的4.5和1.6倍.同时,当PF/Na₂SO₃物质的量比为2/3时,溶解性糖类和蛋白质释放量达到最大值,分别为260.1和2212.2mg COD/L.因此,适宜剩余污泥发酵产酸的最佳PF/Na₂SO₃物质的量比为2：3.基于本研究结果,结合传统厌氧发酵各个阶段,阐明了Fe（VI）/S（IV）强化污泥产酸的机理,为采用基于SO₄^·-的高级氧化方法强化污泥发酵产酸技术的应用提供了理论基础.