Evaluation on exposures to particulate matter at a junior secondary school: a comprehensive study on health risks and effective inflammatory responses in Northwestern China

Air pollutant measurement and respiratory inflammatory tests were conducted at a junior secondary school in Xi’an, Northwestern China. Hazardous substances including particulate matters (PMs), black carbon (BC) and particle-bounded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified both indoors and outdoors of the school. Source characterization with organic tracers and particle-size distribution demonstrated that the school’s air was mostly polluted by combustion emissions from the surrounding environment. The evaluation of health assessment related to air quality was conducted by two methods, including potential risk estimation of air pollutants and direct respiratory inflammatory test. The incremental lifetime cancer risks associated with PAHs were estimated and were 1.62 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.34 × 10⁻⁶, respectively, for indoor and outdoor fine PMs. Both the values exceeded the threshold value of 1 × 10⁻⁶, demonstrating that the carcinogenic PAHs are a health threat to the students. Respiratory inflammatory responses of 50 students who studied in the sample classroom were examined with a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test, with the aid of health questionnaires. The average FeNO concentration was 17.4 ± 8.5 ppb, which was slightly lower than the recommended level of 20 ppb established by the American Thoracic Society for children. However, a wide distribution and 6% of the values were > 35 ppb, suggesting that the potentials were still high for eosinophilic inflammation and responsiveness to corticosteroids. A preliminary interpretation of the relationship between air toxins and respiratory inflammatory response demonstrated the high exposure cancer risks and inflammatory responses of the students to PMs in the city.

     

Cloning and expression of RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase CsSDIR1 gene in tea plant (Camellia sinensis)北大核心CSCD

Protein ubiquitination regulates many aspects of plant development and stress response. The RING-finger type E3 ubiquitin ligase SDIR1 (salt and drought induced ring finger 1) gene plays a key role in plant stress response. In this study, the full-length cDNA and the promoter sequences of CsSDIR1 were isolated from tea plants using the RT-PCR technology, and its bioinformatics characteristics were systematically analyzed. The expression patterns of CsSDIR1 in various tissues and in response to cold, drought, salt, and ABA treatments were also investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The sequence of CsSDIR1 contains a complete open reading frame of 831 bp, coding for a 276-long amino acid protein with a molecular weight of (Mr) 30.085 × 103 and a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.54. CsSDIR1 was predicted to be a hydrophobic protein localized on the intracellular membranes. The analysis of the amino acid sequence characteristics showed that CsSDIR1 contains two putative transmembrane domains at the N-terminus and a C3H2C3 RING-finger domain at the C-terminus; it shares high similarity with other plants' SDIR1, and has the closest relationship to Actinidia sinensis. A cis-acting regulatory elements prediction showed that the CsSDIR1 promoter contains many cis-acting elements, especially drought and salt stress response elements. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the CsSDIR1 gene has a high expression level in stems, followed by roots, leaves, and flowers; the expression of the CsSDIR1 gene is up-regulated by ABA, salt, and drought treatments, whereas it is down-regulated in response to cold stress. These results demonstrated that the CsSDIR1 gene might be involved in the plant stress response of tea trees. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Discovery of novel halogenase genes using sequence-driven metagenomics approach北大核心CSCD

It is of great significance to ability to obtain new natural products with diverse activities through the study of soil microorganisms. However, less than 1% of the total soil microorganisms can be cultured under laboratory conditions, thus limiting the discovery of new compounds. Metagenomics, by which the genomic DNA of soil microorganisms can be extracted and expressed in heterologous hosts, provides a new approach for the functional study of soil microorganisms. Natural halides have good bioactivities, including antibacterial and antitumor activities. Halogenases play an important role in biosynthesis, and introducing bioactivities of halogenated compounds. To investigate the potential of halogenated compounds production from soil microorganisms, a soil metagenomic library was screened by PCR for clones harboring reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2) - dependent halogenase genes. Sixty-five positive clones were identified from the library, and the amino acid sequences of halogenase genes within the positive clones were analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that more than 85% of these genes were separated from known halogenases to form new clades in the phylogenetic tree; moreover the soilderived halogenases showed high diversity. By further biosynthetic gene analysis of the positive clones, a new type I polyketide biosynthetic gene sequence was identified, which is probably related to the biosynthesis of the halogenated type I polyketide. In conclusion, novel and diverse halogenase genes were identified on sixty-five metagenomic clones using a sequence-driven metagenomic approach, laying a foundation for the further discovery of novel natural halides biosynthetic gene clusters and halides. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Discovery of nano-sized gold particles in natural plant tissues

Biological effects of nanoparticles have attracted widespread attention. However, the interaction between plants and nanoparticles remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of nano-sized metal particles in two representative plant species, Erigeron canadensis and Boehmeria nivea, in the Guangdong Province, China. The stems of the plants were sliced and placed on Ni–C grids for field-emission transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The metal-bearing nanoparticles were further analysed for their size, shape, composition, content and other characteristics using X-ray energy spectrum analysis, scanning TEM and selected-area electron diffraction pattern. The results revealed that the plants contain nano-sized Au-bearing particles with a diameter of 5–50 nm, ellipsoid, spherical and bone-rod shapes or irregular morphology with smooth edges. These nanoparticles primarily consisted of Au, Cu, O and Cl. The discovery of Au-bearing nanoparticles in natural plant tissues is of great significance for biological nanoscience. Here, we discuss the function and absorption mechanism of Au-bearing nanoparticles in plants and present the influence of the discovery of Au-bearing nanoparticles in natural plants.     

Effects of source size,monitoring distance and aquifer heterogeneity on contaminant mass discharge and plume spread uncertainty

Estimating the movement of dissolved contaminants in heterogeneous aquifers is very important for the monitoring design, risk assessment, and remediation of contaminated aquifers. This work explored the influence of source size, monitoring distance, and aquifer heterogeneity on the accuracy of contaminant mass discharge (CMD) estimation using leaching surface approach as well as on the plume spread uncertainty in a 2-D heterogeneous aquifer. The interaction among source size, monitoring distance, and aquifer heterogeneity regarding the accuracy of CMD estimation and the plume spread uncertainty at downstream of the contaminated aquifer was extensively investigated. The transient leaking of a contaminated aquifer in a saturated heterogeneous aquifer under steady-state flow conditions was simulated. The effect of aquifer heterogeneity on the CMD uncertainty was evaluated through the expected values and variance. The results showed that the CMD estimation error varied from underestimation in the mildly heterogeneous aquifer, over accurate estimation in the medium heterogeneous aquifer to overestimation in the highly heterogeneous aquifer. Additionally, the results illustrated that the mean and variance of the transverse spatial extent of the peak concentrations for the plume at the control plane were very sensitive to the aquifer heterogeneity and detectable concentrations of contaminants.     

邻苯二甲酸酯的环境污染和生态行为及毒理效应研究进展

邻苯二甲酸酯作为产品改性剂被广泛应用于食品包装、建筑板材、医疗器械等产品中,由于PAEs与塑料分子难以形成强力的共价结合,造成其不断泄露至脂溶性环境中,在基质接触和食物网传递作用下,PAEs被各种生物体蓄积并表现出一定的内分泌干扰效应。文章以PAEs的物化性质及其在大气、水体、土壤中的污染现状为研究基础,介绍了PAEs的生物体蓄积水平与代谢路径,并分别从水解、光解及生物降解3个角度展示了PAEs的环境降解过程与机理;此外,结合实验室报道及社会调查,深入探讨了PAEs的环境激素效应,"致癌、致畸、致突变"效应,酶与激素毒性;最后,基于当前PAEs在毒理分析、降解途径及环境暴露统计研究上的不足,指出需进一步进行复杂食物链毒性积累与放大研究,发展PAEs的生物治理与削减技术以及进行PAEs环境暴露水平调查,确定全面合理的环境标准限值。     

淋洗脱盐对滨海滩涂不同植被演替带土壤重金属的影响

为研究围垦对滨海滩涂土壤重金属的影响,采用土柱实验模拟淋洗脱盐过程,分析了滨海滩涂不同植被演替带(光滩、互花米草滩、碱蓬滩、芦苇滩)土壤在淋洗脱盐前后重金属(As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn)含量的变化,评估了围垦可能导致的滩涂重金属流失量。研究表明,淋洗脱盐后,各植被演替带土壤重金属均显著降低,相比而言,Hg、Cr更易淋洗(淋洗率分别为57.2%、49.9%),而Zn不易淋洗(淋洗率18.5%);不同植被演替带土壤重金属淋洗率表现为:光滩互花米草滩碱蓬滩芦苇滩,光滩土壤重金属更易淋洗,而芦苇滩重金属不易淋洗;根据土壤容重、含水率、淋洗率及重金属含量计算重金属流失量发现,不同植被演替带重金属流失量同样表现为:光滩互花米草滩碱蓬滩芦苇滩;除互花米草滩As流失量较高外(19.26 kg·ha-1),其他重金属流失量均表现为光滩最高,光滩围垦可能会造成更多的重金属流失;在仅考虑淋洗脱盐情况下,以江苏省2010~2020年围垦规划270万亩计,仅表层20 cm滩涂土壤,通过围垦即可能导致As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn流失2 102.5、7.4、421.3、8 587.9、4 376.3、2 404.3 t,由围垦导致的滩涂重金属流失风险值得关注。     

氟对中华圆田螺肝胰脏抗氧化酶活性和MDA含量的影响

选取中华圆田螺为受试动物,探究氟对其肝胰脏抗氧化酶SOD、GSH、POD活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果显示,在不同浓度水氟环境条件下(0、40、80、160 mg·L~(-1))连续暴露10 d、20 d和30 d时,与对照组相比,中华圆田螺肝胰脏SOD活性在暴露前20 d,中低浓度组活性被诱导升高,高浓度组受抑制降低。暴露30 d时,中低浓度组活性降低,高浓度组逐渐升高。MDA含量在暴露前20 d时,中低浓度组活性整体被诱导升高,高浓度组受抑制降低。暴露30 d时,MDA含量受到显著抑制均低于对照组。GSH活性以诱导为主均高于对照组,POD活性在10 d时均低于对照组,而在20 d时被诱导升高且均高于对照组,30 d时中高浓度以抑制为主。上述研究结果为水质污染控制及生态风险评价提供了基础数据。     

氯霉素对大型溞的急性和慢性毒性效应研究

氯霉素是一种具有广谱杀菌作用的抗生素,曾在水产养殖中广泛使用,虽然目前已被列入我国渔药禁用清单,但在水环境中仍被大量检出。为探究氯霉素对水生生物的毒性作用,选择大型溞(Daphnia magna)作为受试生物,研究氯霉素对其急性毒性和慢性毒性效应,同时建立了氯霉素的高效液相色谱(HPLC)分析方法,通过实测浓度分析确保实验过程中氯霉素浓度保持在可接受范围内。结果表明:氯霉素对大型溞的48 h半数抑制浓度(EC50)为129.5 mg·L~(-1),95%置信区间为124.4!150.9mg·L~(-1),对溞类的急性毒性为低毒;长期暴露能抑制大型溞的产溞数量,以繁殖量为毒性指标,21 d无可观察效应浓度(NOEC)为1.25 mg·L~(-1),最低可观测效应浓度(LOEC)为2.50 mg·L~(-1);各暴露组实测浓度范围在配制浓度的80%～110%,保证了实验的有效性。同时,利用实验获得的急慢性毒性数据,计算氯霉素对大型溞的急慢性毒性比(ACR),发现利用慢性毒性求得的ACR值比利用急性毒性EC10求得的ACR值更接近推荐值。研究表明氯霉素对大型溞的急性毒性低,但具有慢性毒性效应,其环境风险不容忽视。     

土石坝溃决机理模型试验研究进展

大坝溃决将给人类社会带来巨大的灾难,因此国内外都很关注溃坝问题的研究。由于多数大坝均为土石坝,且土石坝是逐渐溃决的过程,而混凝土坝一般表现为瞬时溃决,因此土石坝溃决机理与溃决过程的研究对于溃坝过程数学模型的建立和致灾后果的评价具有重要的指导意义。自20世纪90年代以来,国内外学者围绕土石坝溃决机理开展了广泛深入的模型试验研究,取得了一系列重要的研究成果。分别从土石坝溃决原因、土石坝溃决机理研究进展、土石坝漫顶溃决模型试验、土石坝管涌溃决模型试验等方面介绍国内外的研究进展。重点针对土石坝坝型(均质坝、黏性心墙坝、面板堆石坝)和主要破坏模式(漫顶溃坝与管涌溃坝),介绍国内外开展的不同尺度的溃坝模型试验,分析研究了土石坝的溃决机理,并对今后的研究工作重点提出了相关建议。