Toxicological effects of mouse diet contaminated with tributyltin on the immune and neurological systems of C57BL/6 mice

Organotin compounds, widely used as antifouling agents, are known to bioaccumulate in the food chain. Among organotin compounds, tributyltin (TBT), a toxic and widespread contaminant, has become a serious factor in environmental pollution and is suspected of being immunotoxic in animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 80 µg of TBT per kilogram of body weight (kg bw), provided in food, on the immune and neurological systems of C57Bl/6 mice. Data showed that TBT increased the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in both adult and juvenile female and juvenile male mice, but that it decreased the proliferation of both T and B lymphocytes in adult male mice. The macrophages activity in female and male juvenile mice was higher than in adults of both sexes. The natural killer cytotoxic activity was also increased in juvenile and adult males and females compared to the control groups. In the brain, we observed the presence of TBT in the hippocampus, the striatum, the cortex, and the cerebellum in both the male and female groups. The highest levels were observed in the cortex of females and males, while the lowest levels were found in the cerebellum. TBT also induced an increase in the levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in the striatum, the hippocampus and in cortical structures but not in the cerebellum where the levels of TBT are lower. Our findings indicate that TBT modulated the immune and nervous systems causing endocrine and nervous perturbations.     

Male reproductive toxicity of organophosphorous compounds: a review

Fertility is declining in many countries and there has been substantial interest in the potential adverse effects of exposure to environmental hazardous chemicals, including pesticides on male reproduction. Organophosphorous compounds (organophosphates, OP) constitute a heterogeneous category of chemicals specifically designed for the control of pests or plant diseases. OP are known to produce reproductive toxicity, resulting in a decrease in the fertility levels of humans and animals. This review article mainly focused on toxicity of some OP such as acephate, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, fenitrothion, malathion, and monocrotophos especially dealing with reproductive toxicity in males. Furthermore, this review deals with mode of action and clinical syndromes of OP. Considerable lab studies on animals concluded that OP produce adverse effects on male reproductive system.     

Predicting the acute lethality of a chlorinated benzene mixture in soils: a comparison of solid-phase microextraction,body residue,and solvent extraction techniques

When predicting the adverse effect(s) of chemical pollution on an exposed organism, a measurement of body residue is often considered a more accurate estimate of dose than those estimates derived from a solvent extraction or solid-phase microextraction of the polluted exposure medium. The magnitude of this perceived difference in accuracy, and thus the accuracy of the corresponding toxicity prediction, were investigated in the present two-phase study. In Phase I, an acute lethality response was correlated with dose estimates derived from body residue, solvent extraction, and SPME. In Phase II, acute lethality was predicted from Phase I data. The accuracy of Phase II toxicity predictions was determined by comparing predicted mortality to observed mortality. Although this study revealed that body residue indeed provided the most accurate prediction of toxicity, the margin of this comparatively greater accuracy suggests that alternative methods may provide equally viable dose estimates and, subsequently, equally viable toxicity predictions.     

Comparative studies of liver and brain glycogen content of male and female Clarias batrachus (L.) after exposure of different doses of arsenic

Different doses of arsenic (As) were used to investigate comparative toxicity on the liver and brain glycogen content on male and female Indian catfish Clarias batrachus (L.). As-induced effects were associated with gender, dose (5, 10, or 15?mg?L^?1), and varying time periods (48, 96, or 144?h). It was noted that As produced dose- and time-dependent liver glycogenolysis and late brain glycogenolysis. Liver glycogenolysis was significantly increased after 48?h at all three As doses. At the highest dose 15?mg?L^?1, liver glycogen were markedly diminished at in both male and female fish, but in females more reduction was observed than in males. However, with brain glycogen, the significant decrease was noted at 144?h with all three dose levels in both genders, with male being more susceptible. Thus, this study indicates that As produces glycogenolysis. The reduction in the liver glycogen content was more pronounced in female than in the male fish, whereas brain glycogen content decrease was more prominent in males.     

Toxicological studies of zinc oxide nanomaterials in rats

In this study, we have evaluated the ability of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to induce pulmonary and extrapulmonary toxicities was examined in rats following intratracheal (IT) instillation. Lungs of rats were instilled IT with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)?+?1% Tween 80, ZnO nanoparticles, carbonyl iron or quartz particles at a dose of 1 or 5?mg?kg^?1 body weight. Following exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, blood samples and organs including lung, liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, and brain were collected at 24?h, 1 week, or 1 month of post instillation of nanoparticles and different parameters estimated to assess toxicity. BAL fluid was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to assess pulmonary toxicity. Exposures to ZnO or quartz particles produced transient dose-dependant increase in BAL fluid LDH and ALP activities at all post exposure periods. Blood samples were analyzed for the tissue damage biomarkers to assess extrapulmonary toxicity. Histopathological examination of lung, liver and kidneys revealed dose-dependent degeneration and necrosis which worsened at 1 week post-instillation periods but recovered at 1 month post instillation. Histopathological examination of rat pancreas, heart, and brain exposed to quartz or ZnO particles showed no marked changes. Data suggest the instillation of ZnO nanoparticles produced a greater pulmonary toxicity in rats comparable with quartz; and extrapulmonary toxicities of these ZnO nanoparticles might be due to translocation into liver and kidney.     

Alterations in some renal parameters of rats induced by aqueous soil extracts

Soil ingestion can be an important route of exposure to contaminants present in the environment. This study examined the effects of exposure to contaminants in aqueous soil extracts from an industrial urban settlement in renal biochemical parameters of treated rats. Male Wistar rats were gavaged with an aqueous soil extract, from the municipality of Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. After exposure, plasma and urine concentrations and plasma protein were assessed compared to rats treated with aqueous soil from relatively unpolluted site (control soil). There was increase in plasma creatinine and total protein in urine, and a decreased glomerular filtration rate in treated rats compared to control. It is possible that Cd, Cr, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni analyzed in the soil samples and unidentified components may have provoked the observed changes in renal biochemistry of the exposed rat. This may suggest that exposure to contaminated soils can cause damage to the viscera in mammals and it is of public health importance.     

基于回归支持向量机的指标规范值的水质评价模型

传统的回归支持向量机的水质评价模型不具有普适性和通用性,当指标较多时,模型的学习效率和求解精度均会受到影响.若适当设定3类水体(地表水、地下水和富营养化水体)各项指标的参照值及指标值的规范变换式,使不同指标的同级标准的规范值差异不大,从而可以认为用规范值表示的不同指标皆“等效”于某个规范指标.因此,可建立用规范值表示的任意m项指标组合皆适用的水质评价的回归支持向量机模型.通过实例对模型的实用性进行了效果检验,结果表明:用基于回归支持向量机的指标规范值的水质评价模型对河桥地表水、黑龙洞泉域地下水和山仔水库富营养化水体的水质评价结果与用BP神经网络评价法、模糊综合评价法和属性识别评价法的评价结果基本一致.     

基于模糊数学和灰色理论的城市生态环境竞争力评价

在综合分析了国内外有关城市竞争力理论研究的基础上,对城市生态环境竞争力的概念和内涵进行了界定,构建了面向生态环境竞争力的评价体系,并以山东省17城市为例,采用灰色系统理论确定各指标的权重,利用模糊综合评价法对各市进行综合评价,研究结果表明,生态环境竞争力排名前三的地市为临沂(0.1894)、日照(0.1705)和烟台(0.1676),而德州(0.1191)、济南(0.1232)、枣庄(0.1274)、滨州(0.1285)和淄博(0.1289)表现相对较差,其他地市处于中游水平.分别从资源禀赋竞争力、污染物减量排放竞争力、环境治理竞争力和能耗竞争力4个子维度对典型城市进行分析,指出了存在的问题,并给出了相应的对策建议.     

有机硅助剂Breakthru S240对大型溞的毒性研究

参照OECD推荐的化学品对水生生物的标准试验方法,测定了有机硅助剂Breakthru S240对大型溞Daphnia magna的急性、慢性毒性和胚胎毒性,以期综合评价有机硅助剂对大型溞的毒性效应.结果表明:有机硅助剂对大型溞的48h-LC50值为1.218mg/L,为中毒.21d慢性毒性结果显示,有机硅助剂对大型溞的产溞量、产溞胎数、21d体长和蜕皮次数都有显著的影响,且随着处理浓度的增大而更加明显.母溞暴露Breakthru S240后,对F1(1st)代的生长和繁殖没有显著影响,但F1(3rd)代的恢复比F1(1st)代差,虽然Breakthru S240对F1(3rd)代生长影响不大,但对其繁殖有显著影响.这可能与母溞的暴露时间有关.另外,高浓度有机硅助剂对大型溞胚胎发育也存在一定的威胁,孵化抑制率高达68.50%.     

Exposure and Health Effects of Cadmium

The results of a study of photocatalytic degradation of phenol using aqueous oxygenated TiO₂ (anatase) suspensions in a batch Pyrex photoreactor are reported. The influence on the photodegradation rate of various parameters as pH, phenol and TiO₂ content, oxygen partial pressure, anions present in the dispersions was investigated. A complete oxidation of phenol was observed. Intermediate compounds, catechol and quinone, were detected. It was observed that the photodegradation also proceeded with sunlight radiation. A mechanistic and kinetic model, which accounts for the results obtained, is given. Likely reasons for inactivity of the rutile modification for this reaction are also given.