Interference with xenobiotic metabolic activity by the commonly used vehicle solvents dimethylsulfoxide and methanol in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae but not Daphnia magna

Organic solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol are widely used as vehicles to solubilise lipophilic test compounds in toxicity testing. However, the effects of such solvents upon innate detoxification processes in aquatic organisms are poorly understood. This study assessed the effect of solvent exposure upon cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated xenobiotic metabolism in Daphnia magna and zebrafish larvae (4 d post fertilisation). Adult D. magna were demonstrated to have a low, but detectable, metabolism of ethoxyresorufin in vivo and this activity was not modulated by pre-exposure to DMSO or methanol (24 h, up to 0.1% and 0.05% v/v, respectively). In contrast, the metabolism of ethoxyresorufin in zebrafish larvae was significantly reduced by both solvents (0.1% and 0.05% v/v, respectively) after 24 h of exposure. In zebrafish, these observed decreases in activity towards ethoxyresorufin were accompanied by decreased expression of a variety of genes coding for drug metabolising enzymes (corresponding to CYP1, CYP2, CYP3 and UDP-glucuronyl transferase [UGT] family enzymes), measured by quantitative PCR. Reduction of gene expression and CYP1 enzyme activities by methanol (0.05% v/v) in zebrafish larvae was partially reversed by co-exposure with Aroclor 1254 (100 μg L⁻¹). Overall this study suggests that relatively low concentrations of organic solvents can impact upon the biotransformation of certain xenobiotics in zebrafish larvae, and that this warrants consideration when assessing compounds for metabolism and toxicity in this species.     

工业废水中多金属离子的吸附净化

以含有Si、Al、Ca、C元素的矿物材料作为基质,经特定条件处理后造粒成型加工成轻质多孔Si-Al-Ca-C结构的吸附材料。研究了该吸附材料对工业废水中多种金属离子的吸附性能,探讨了影响吸附性能的因素。研究结果表明,在一定条件下,Si-Al-Ca-C吸附材料对工业废水中Al3+、Ca2+、Mn2+、Cu2+、Fe3+、Mg2+、As3+和Zn2+的净化率分别高达99.34%、99.82%、98.26%、98.16%、97.76%、97.01%、100%和89.09%。金属离子残留浓度分别为0.152、0.07、0.012、0.02、0.119、0.311、0和0.259 mg/L,均低于国家污水综合排放标准(GB8978-1996)一级标准。     

废LCD面板有机材料水热资源化产乙酸

LCD面板主要由附着偏光片及液晶等有机材料的玻璃面板构成。有机材料的去除及资源化利用是废LCD面板处理的第一步。在水热条件下对废LCD面板进行了降解产酸研究。研究考察了反应温度、反应时间、氧化剂用量、水用量及pH值等对水热产乙酸产率及选择性的影响。通过正交实验确定了水热产乙酸的最佳操作条件：反应温度325℃，反应时间5min，氧化剂（30％H2O2）0．6mL，用水量2mL，近中性环境（pH6-6．5去离子水）。此条件下，乙酸产率及选择性分别为68．83％及70．56％。结果表明，以废LCD面板有机材料为原料，采用水热技术进行产乙酸反应，可实现其资源化再利用。     

The herbicide paraquat induces alterations in the elemental and biochemical composition of non-target microalgal species

Huge quantities of pesticides are dispersed in the environment, affecting non-target organisms. Since paraquat affects the photosynthetic process, the biochemical composition of affected species should be altered. The effect of paraquat on Chlamydomonas moewusii, a freshwater non-target species, was studied. After 48 h of herbicide exposure, growth rate, dry weight, and chlorophyll a and protein content were affected by paraquat concentrations above 0.05 μM. C/N ratio was also affected due to a decrease in nitrogen content in the dry biomass, while the carbon content remained constant for all paraquat concentrations assayed. Enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation were affected by paraquat, being nitrate reductase activity more sensitive to paraquat than nitrite reductase. Based on the results obtained in the present study, paraquat exerts adverse effects upon a common freshwater green microalga, thus the application of this herbicide for weed control must be carried out very carefully, so that any disturbance affecting algae will have severe repercussions on higher trophic levels and on the elemental biogeochemical cycles.     

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the fetal brain

Fetal magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is technically feasible in utero and demonstrates similar findings to those observed in neonatal populations. MRS can provide additional information to conventional T1- and T2-weighted imaging of the fetal brain. It is of particular use when subtle changes are present on conventional fetal MRI sequences, and when imaging fetuses at risk of brain injury and metabolic abnormalities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Benzoic acid, a stimulant of odorant receptors of Bombyx mori, is rapidly metabolized to N-benzoylserine on the antennae

Summary. Benzoic acid is a known stimulant of olfactory receptor cells in trichoid sensilla on the antennae of adult females of Bombyx mori. Exposure of freshly excised antennae, from B. mori females and males, to vapours of [¹⁴C]-benzoic acid revealed that the adsorbed acid is rapidly metabolized (15% conversion in 10 s), suggesting the presence of a highly active enzymatic system. The major product could be identified as N-benzoylserine by use of [²H₅]-benzoic acid, and mass spectrometry linked to a gas chromatograph (GC-MS) or a liquid chromatograph (LC-MS), for analysis of the metabolites. The conjugation of benzoic acid with an amino acid apparently represents a novel mode for the rapid deactivation of odorant molecules. Received 26 March 2001.     

Facilitating substance phase‐out through material information systems and improving environmental impacts in the recycling stage of a product

The amount of electrical and electronic products is increasing rapidly, and this inevitably leads to the generation of large quantities of waste from these goods. Some of the generated e‐waste ends up in regions with sub‐standard recycling systems and may be processed under poor conditions. During uncontrolled incineration, halogenated dioxins and furans can be generated from brominated and chlorinated compounds in the products. In order to reduce the health and environmental risks involved in the recycling stage of the life cycle of electronics, an effective design‐for‐environment process must be established during the product development phase. Knowledge of the chemical substances in the product is crucial to being able to make informed decisions. Through full knowledge of the material content of procured components, phase‐outs of unwanted substances, such as halogenated substances, can be performed in an effective manner. Therefore, information is the key to success in phasing‐out substances; facilitating compliance of legal provisions for manufacturers of electrical and electronic devices; and improving the environmental footprint of products as they reach the end of the life cycle. After an introduction to the challenges of electronics waste management, this paper describes supply chain information systems and how they are used to facilitate substance phase‐outs in the electronics industry. Sony Ericsson has been working with phase‐outs of unwanted substances since it was founded in 2001. Through the introduction of a material declaration system that keeps track of all substances in the components used in the company's products, Sony Ericsson has been able to replace unwanted substances to improve environmental impacts at the recycling stage of a product.     

Assessing the long-term supply risks for mineral raw materials—a combined evaluation of past and future trends

This paper develops a method for identifying and assessing long-term supply risks for mineral raw materials. The method is based on a combined evaluation of past and future supply and demand trends. By analysing raw material boom and bust cycles over the past 50 years, we have quantified indicators and defined benchmarks for identifying critical market situations. By applying the method, risks for supply shortage may be identified at an early stage. In addition, a numerical evaluation model has been developed for better comparison between various mineral raw materials. Compared to other assessment methods this method uses specific benchmarks for each raw material to better assess supply risks. The method is embedded within a systematic and comprehensive analytical approach.     

甲基一六O五降解菌J5的分离及其降解性状研究

从农药厂污水处理系统中分离到 1株降解甲基一六O五 (O ,O-二甲基 -O- 对硝基苯基 -硫代磷酸酯 ,简称MP)的芽胞杆菌 ,初步鉴定为蜡状芽胞杆菌 (Bacilluscereus)J5。J5能够高效降解MP ,但它不能利用MP作为唯一碳源生长 ,其代谢方式可能为共代谢。在有葡萄糖作为碳源的条件下 ,J5可以高效转化MP ,其转化效率可达 95 %以上。用薄层层析、紫外扫描和液相色谱法初步研究了J5对MP的降解性能及相关降解产物     

铜陵市资源利用与经济增长关系分析

资源利用与经济增长之间的关系是资源与环境经济学研究的重要领域。以安徽省铜陵市为例，尝试运用物质流分析方法以及最新发展的自回归分布滞后模型（ARDL）对铜陵市1990~2008年资源利用和实际GDP二者关系进行检验和分析。采用了物质流分析指标中直接物质投入来表征区域资源利用量。ARDL边界检验结果表明了资源利用和经济增长间存在稳定的长期均衡关系。进一步通过ARDL-ECM模型分析了区域经济增长对资源利用长期弹性系数和短期弹性系数，并揭示出资源利用对经济增长的短期和长期因果关系。研究结果表明当前资源投入在一定程度上拉动了铜陵经济增长。同时还对铜陵经济增长和资源保护战略提出了政策建议