Suspected flunixin poisoning of a wild Eurasian Griffon Vulture from Spain

Exposure to residues of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac present in livestock carcasses has caused extensive declines in 3 Gyps vulture species across Asia. The carcass of a wild Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) was found in 2012 on an Andalucian (Spain) game hunting reserve and examined forensically. The bird had severe visceral gout, a finding consistent with Gyps vultures from Asia that have been poisoned by diclofenac. Liver and kidney samples from this Eurasian Griffon Vulture contained elevated flunixin (an NSAID) levels (median = 2.70 and 6.50 mg/kg, respectively). This is the first reported case of a wild vulture being exposed to and apparently killed by an NSAID outside Asia. It is also the first reported instance of mortality in the wild resulting from environmental exposure to an NSAID other than diclofenac. Caso de Sospecha de Envenenamiento por Flunixin de un Buitre Leonado en España     

利用热活化过硫酸盐技术去除阿特拉津

利用热活化过硫酸盐(S2O2-8)技术去除水中的阿特拉津(ATZ).结果表明,增加溶液中S2O2-8浓度或提高溶液反应温度,可加速ATZ的降解.ATZ的降解是一个二级反应,其速率和溶液中ATZ和S2O2-8的浓度都成正比.初始pH为3.0~10.0时,S2O2-8对ATZ都有很好的降解效果,在酸性和中性时,降解效率高于碱性条件.利用自由基探针发现,在酸性和中性条件下,起降解作用的主要是SO·-4,而碱性条件下OH·占主导.ATZ的降解受到Cl-、CO2-3和腐殖质(HA)的影响.其中,Cl-对反应的影响比较复杂,低浓度时Cl-会生成具有高氧化还原电位的Cl·促进ATZ的降解,而高浓度时Cl·会继续反应生成氧化能力相对较弱的Cl2·-,从而抑制反应的进行.HA和CO2-3都对反应有明显的抑制作用.     

Spatiotemporal Patterns and Risk Factors for Lead Exposure in Endangered California Condors during 15 Years of Reintroduction

Large‐scale poisoning events are common to scavenging bird species that forage communally, many of which are in decline. To reduce the threat of poisoning and compensate for other persistent threats, management, including supplemental feeding, is ongoing for many reintroduced and endangered vulture populations. Through a longitudinal study of lead exposure in California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), we illustrate the conservation challenges inherent in reintroduction of an endangered species to the wild when pervasive threats have not been eliminated. We evaluated population‐wide patterns in blood lead levels from 1997 to 2011 and assessed a broad range of putative demographic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors for elevated lead exposure among reintroduced California condors in California (United States). We also assessed the effectiveness of lead ammunition regulations within the condor's range in California by comparing condor blood lead levels before and after implementation of the regulations. Lead exposure was a pervasive threat to California condors despite recent regulations limiting lead ammunition use. In addition, condor lead levels significantly increased as age and independence from intensive management increased, including increasing time spent away from managed release sites, and decreasing reliance on food provisions. Greater independence among an increasing number of reintroduced condors has therefore elevated the population's risk of lead exposure and limited the effectiveness of lead reduction efforts to date. Our findings highlight the challenges of restoring endangered vulture populations as they mature and become less reliant on management actions necessary to compensate for persistent threats. Patrones Espaciotemporales y Factores de Riesgo por Exposición a Plomo en Cóndores de California Durante 15 Años de Reintroducción     

甲醛致DNA断裂作用的机制及修复的研究

应用单细胞凝胶电泳技术研究了甲醛致DNA断裂作用、作用机制以及断裂的修复.结果表明,甲醛在低浓度下可以诱导DNA的断裂(P<0.01);该断裂作用可以显著地被羟基自由基(·OH)清除剂甘露醇和二甲基亚砜抑制(P<0.01),以及受到超氧阴离子自由基(O·-2)清除剂超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)显著抑制(P<0.01),但其抑制效果要弱于甘露醇和二甲基亚砜.甲醛引起DNA断裂作用是通过活性氧自由基介导的,且在90min时基本上可被完全修复.     

新型甲醛捕获剂的合成及其捕获性能研究

游离甲醛是室内空气中最主要的污染物之一,对人体造成的危害越来越受到关注.因此,研制新型甲醛捕获剂及其捕获性能具有重要的实际意义.采用亲水性单体丙烯酰胺和亲油性单体苯乙烯为反应物,以氧化还原引发剂,经霍夫曼降解反应合成了含氨基的两亲性共聚物.通过单因素实验考察了不同原料比、引发剂剂量时所合成的产物对人造板游离甲醛捕获率的影响,然后根据单因素实验的结果设计正交试验以优化合成条件.结果表明:苯乙烯单体和丙烯酰胺单体的摩尔比为1:3,引发剂与单体摩尔比为9%,丙烯酰胺单体和NaClO的摩尔比为1:1.2时产品捕获率最好,可达60.40%.实验合成的两亲性共聚物在常温下不挥发,相对稳定而且捕获效果较好,是一种理想的新型甲醛捕获剂.     

Effects of UV-A LED light irradiation on growth of cultured RAW 264.7 cells

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ultraviolet A (UV-A) irradiation-induced damage on cultured macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and determine which components produced these manifestations. RAW 264.7 cells were irradiated with 365 nm UV-A using a light-emitting diode (LED). Cell viability and damage were determined using a calcein-AM and propidium iodide dual-staining assay and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by H₂DCF-DA. The components of ROS in each medium were measured using an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrroline-3-carboxamide (TPC). While UV-A irradiation for 2 min significantly suppressed cell growth, LDH leakage did not occur. Addition of N-acetyl cysteine restored inhibition of cell proliferation, and reduced intracellular ROS levels. The EPR signal in the presence of TPC increased with time but was decreased by sodium azide. In addition, a typical EPR spectrum was obtained in the presence of DMPO, indicating the presence of a hydroxyradical. The spectrum was diminished by L-histidine. Data suggest that ROS generated in cells or culture medium by UV-A irradiation is predominantly singlet oxygen, and this singlet oxygen suppressed cell proliferation.     

Arsenic(III) and iron(II) co-oxidation by oxygen and hydrogen peroxide: Divergent reactions in the presence of organic ligands

Iron-catalyzed oxidation of As(III) to As(V) can be highly effective for toxic arsenic removal via Fenton reaction and Fe(II) oxygenation. However, the contribution of ubiquitous organic ligands is poorly understood, despite its significant role in redox chemistry of arsenic in natural and engineered systems. In this work, selected naturally occurring organic ligands and synthetic ligands in co-oxidation of Fe(II) and As(III) were examined as a function of pH, Fe(II), H₂O₂, and radical scavengers (methanol and 2-propanol) concentration. As(III) was not measurably oxidised in the presence of excess ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (i.e. Fe(II):EDTA < 1:1), contrasting with the rapid oxidation of Fe(II) by O₂ and H₂O₂ at neutral pH under the same conditions. However, partial oxidation of As(III) was observed at a 2:1 ratio of Fe(II):EDTA. Rapid Fe(II) oxidation in the presence of organic ligands did not necessarily result in the coupled As(III) oxidation. Organic ligands act as both iron speciation regulators and radicals scavengers. Further quenching experiments suggested both hydroxyl radicals and high-valent Fe species contributed to As(III) oxidation. The present findings are significant for the better understanding of aquatic redox chemistry of iron and arsenic in the environment and for optimization of iron-catalyzed arsenic remediation technology.     

Priority areas for conservation of Old World vultures

The prosperity and well-being of human societies relies on healthy ecosystems and the services they provide. However, the biodiversity crisis is undermining ecosystems services and functions. Vultures are among the most imperiled taxonomic groups on Earth, yet they have a fundamental ecosystem function. These obligate scavengers rapidly consume large amounts of carrion and human waste, a service that may aid in both disease prevention and control of mammalian scavengers, including feral dogs, which in turn threaten humans. We combined information about the distribution of all 15 vulture species found in Europe, Asia, and Africa with their threats and used detailed expert knowledge on threat intensity to prioritize critical areas for conserving vultures in Africa and Eurasia. Threats we identified included poisoning, mortality due to collision with wind energy infrastructures, and other anthropogenic activities related to human land use and influence. Areas important for vulture conservation were concentrated in southern and eastern Africa, South Asia, and the Iberian Peninsula, and over 80% of these areas were unprotected. Some vulture species required larger areas for protection than others. Finally, countries that had the largest share of all identified important priority areas for vulture conservation were those with the largest expenditures related to rabies burden (e.g., India, China, and Myanmar). Vulture populations have declined markedly in most of these countries. Restoring healthy vulture populations through targeted actions in the priority areas we identified may help restore the ecosystem services vultures provide, including sanitation and potentially prevention of diseases, such as rabies, a heavy burden afflicting fragile societies. Our findings may guide stakeholders to prioritize actions where they are needed most in order to achieve international goals for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.     

Decomposition and mineralization of cefaclor by ionizing radiation: kinetics and effects of the radical scavengers

There has been recent growing interest in the presence of antibiotics in different environmental sectors. One considerable concern is the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment, even at low concentrations. Cefaclor, one of the beta-lactam antibiotics, is widely used as an antibiotic. Kinetic studies were conducted to evaluate the decomposition and mineralization of cefaclor using gamma radiation. Cefaclor, 30 mg/l, was completely degraded with 1,000 Gy of gamma radiation. At a concentration of 30 mg/l, the removal efficiency, represented by the G-value, decreased with increasing accumulated radiation dose. Batch kinetic experiments with initial aqueous concentrations of 8.9, 13.3, 20.0 and 30.0mg/l showed the decomposition of cefaclor using gamma radiation followed a pseudo first-order reaction, and the dose constant increased with lower initial concentrations. At a given radiation dose, the G-values increased with higher initial cefaclor concentrations. The experimental results using methanol and thiourea as radical scavengers indicated that ()OH radicals were more closely associated with the radiolytic decomposition of cefaclor than other radicals, such as e(aq)(-) or ()H. The radical scavenger effects were tested under O(2) and N(2)O saturations for the enhancement of the TOC percentage removal efficiencies in the radiolytic decomposition of cefaclor. Under O(2) saturation, 90% TOC removal was observed with 100,000 Gy. Oxygen is well known to play a considerable role in the degradation of organic substances with effective chain reaction pathways. According to the effective radical reactions, the enhanced TOC percentage removal efficiencies might be based on the fast conversion reactions of e(aq)(-) and ()H with O(2) into oxidizing radicals, such as O(2)(-) and HO(2)(), respectively. 100% TOC removal was obtained with N(2)O gas at 20,000 Gy, as reducing radicals, such as e(aq)(-) and ()H, are scavenged by N(2)O and converted into ()OH radicals, which have strong oxidative properties. The results of this study showed that gamma irradiation was very effective for the removal of cefaclor in aqueous solution. The use of O(2) or N(2)O, with radiation, shows promise as effective radical scavengers for enhancing the TOC or COD removal efficiencies in pharmaceutical wastewaters containing antibiotics. However, the biological toxicity and interactions between various chemicals during the radiolytic treatment, as well as treatments under conditions more representative of real wastewater will require further studies.     

氨基咪唑类甲醛捕获剂去除人造板中游离甲醛

采用1-(3-氨基丙基)咪唑作为甲醛捕获剂,研究去除人造板中游离甲醛的方法。在单因素实验基础上,根据中心组合设计原理,采用4因素3水平的响应面分析法,依据回归分析确定最佳甲醛捕获工艺条件。结果表明,当1-(3-氨基丙基)咪唑用量为0.6 g,温度17℃,反应时间48 min,反应体系的pH值为9.0时,捕获率为85.21%。所以,1-(3-氨基丙基)咪唑化合物对人造板中的游离甲醛有较好的捕获能力。