Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

Mutagenic and cytotoxic potential of Endosulfan and Lambda-cyhalothrin - In vitro study describing individual and combined effects of pesticides

Excessive use of pesticides poses increased risks to non target species including humans. In the developing countries, lack of proper awareness about the toxic potential of pesticides makes the farmer more vulnerable to pesticide linked toxicities, which could lead to diverse pathological conditions. The toxic potential of a pesticide could be determined by their ability to induce genetic mutations and cytotoxicity. Hence, determination of genetic mutation and cytotoxicity of each pesticide is unavoidable to legislate health and safety appraisal about pesticides. The objective of current investigation was to determine the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of Endosulfan（EN） and Lambda-cyhalothrin（LC）; individually and in combination. 3-（4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide（MTT） assay was utilized to determine cytotoxicity, while two mutant histidine dependent Salmonella strains（TA98, TA100） were used to determine the mutagenicity of EN and LC.Moreover, mutagenicity assay was conducted with and without S9 to evaluate the effects of metabolic activation on mutagenicity. Even though a dose dependent increase in the number of revertant colonies was detected with EN against both bacterial strains, a highly significant（p 〈 0.05） increase in the mutagenicity was detected in TA98 with S9. In comparison, data obtained from LC revealed less mutagenic potential than EN. Surprisingly,the non-mutagenic individual-concentrations of EN and LC showed dose dependent mutagenicity when combined. Combination of EN and LC synergistically induced mutagenicity both in TA98 and TA100. MTT assay spotlighted comparable dose dependent cytotoxicity effects of both pesticides. Interestingly, the combination of EN and LC produced increased reversion and cytotoxicity at lower doses as compared to each pesticide, concluding that pesticide exposure even at sub-lethal doses can produce cytotoxicity and genetic mutations, which could lead to carcinogenicity.     

Characterization of extracellular polymeric substances in the biofilms of typical bacteria by the sulfur K-edge XANES spectroscopy

A combined approach of physicochemical extraction and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure（XANES） spectroscopy was applied to characterize the extracellular polymeric substances（EPS） of typical bacterial biofilms in this study. Physicochemical analysis showed variation of the contents of DNA,polysaccharide and protein in different fractions of EPS in different mediums. The sulfur K-edge XANES analysis yielded a variety of spectra.Spectral fitting of the XANES spectra utilizing a large set of model compounds showed that there was more reduced sulfur in both LB-EPS（loosely bound EPS） and TB-EPS（tightly bound EPS） of all the biofilms in LB medium than in R2 A medium. More oxidized sulfur was identified in LB-EPS than that in TB-EPS,suggesting different niches and physiological heterogeneity in the biofilms. Our results suggested that the sulfur K-edge XANES can be a useful tool to analyze the sulfur speciation in EPS of biofilms.     

ENN精粹

<正>有前景的埃博拉疫苗处于研发状态ENN环境新闻网新闻2014年10月27日并不是每个染上埃博拉病毒的人都会死亡,埃博拉病毒感染的存活率大约30%左右,这表明用疫苗来应对埃博拉病毒是完全有可能的。虽然目前已经有了应对埃博拉病毒的实验和疫苗,但是都尚未进行安全性和有效性的大规模的测试(2期临床试验)。国际免疫学会联盟(IUIS)日前在其官方杂志上发表了一份声明,前沿免疫学迫切需要有足够的资金用于临床试验的候选疫苗和疫苗试验者,并且还得尽快     

未来10大高风险高回报的新技术

世界经济论坛全球事务理事会发布了一份关于信息技术的新报告,其中提到了10项有可能对全社会造成重大影响的新技术。这10项新技术涵盖了科学、医学、能源、制造、交通和电子等众多领域,理事会的报告简要说明了那些新技术将如何影响和改变我们的生活。     

毒性有机物BPA与普通小球藻的相互影响特性研究

考察了不同浓度双酚A(BPA)对普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)生长特性的影响,以及普通小球藻生长过程对BPA的去除效能.研究表明,低浓度BPA(0~20 mg·L-1)对普通小球藻生长具有促进作用,而高浓度BPA(20~50 mg·L-1)对普通小球藻生长具有抑制作用,且抑制效应与BPA浓度呈正相关关系.低剂量BPA(<20 mg·L-1)对叶绿素含量并无明显的影响,高剂量BPA(>20 mg·L-1)造成叶绿素含量降低.在BPA初始浓度2~50 mg·L-1的范围内,普通小球藻对其都有一定的去除效能,单位普通小球藻对BPA去除速率与其初始浓度呈正相关关系.BPA投加量为50 mg·L-1时,BPA去除速率最大,且最大速率出现于延滞期与对数期之间.     

垃圾渗滤液中典型内分泌干扰物质(EDCs)细胞毒性分析

垃圾渗滤液的人类健康风险评估日益受到人们重视,也成为研究热点。本文采用一种新型高级氧化技术UV-Fenton处理渗滤液,并用人体乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7)评估处理过程中渗滤液原液以及渗滤液中典型内分泌干扰物质(EDCs)的细胞毒性,对垃圾渗滤液中EDCs的细胞毒性和变化规律进行了研究。结果表明渗滤液中的邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、双酚A(BPA)、壬基酚(NP)是产生细胞毒性的主要物质,其毒性大小为DBPBPANP。在同样的氧化降解过程中显示出不同毒性变化规律,通过GC-MS分析,结果显示UV-Fenton过程中产生了大量的中间产物,这也是引起毒性变化的主要原因。实验结果也说明垃圾渗滤液细胞毒性可以通过UV-Fenton过程有效去除。     

甲型H1N1,流感病毒还是细菌战变种?

正当金融危机逐渐触底，各国纷纷期盼黑夜即将过去黎明即将来临的时候，从墨西哥传出的最早被认为是猪流感的甲型H1N1流感病毒，却让世界为之恐慌，让无辜的患者死亡，让无辜的猪儿当替罪羊，让政客们担惊受怕，让老百姓寝食不安。而且随着甲型H1N1流感病毒迅速在全球蔓延，什么细菌战啦、病毒战啦，等等，各种传说又开始泛滥。联想到2003年我国爆发SARS病毒时，也有这种传说，就是某国对某国实施的细菌战。对此我们必须慎重而认真地对待。     

葡萄籽提取物有望用来治疗血癌

一项新研究表明：在实验室里，当白血病细胞接触到一种葡萄籽提取物时，不下四分之三的白血病细胞在24小时之间内死掉，这些白血病细胞自取灭亡，非常有效，而其他细胞却安然无恙。     

重金属Cr(VI)、Pb及Cu胁迫对双齿围沙蚕体腔细胞的DNA损伤

为探讨重金属Cr(VI)、Pb以及Cu对沙蚕体腔细胞DNA的毒性效应,以双齿围沙蚕为受试动物,重金属按不同剂量水平,Cr(VI):10、100和200 mg·L~(-1),Pb:5、50和100 mg·L~(-1),Cu:1、10和20 mg·L~(-1),分别胁迫沙蚕24 h,以不加任何重金属离子的海水为对照,采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术,检测其体腔细胞DNA损伤程度。结果表明,与空白对照组相比,3种重金属离子的各浓度组都能引起沙蚕体腔细胞DNA损伤,且3种重金属胁迫浓度与细胞DNA损伤程度之间存在显著的剂量-效应关系。双齿围沙蚕可以作为单细胞凝胶电泳的实验材料用于重金属所致环境污染的生物监测指示生物。