Nervous signs of salt poisoning in Wistar rats

Acute salt poisoning in animals leads to inflammation, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea. Neurological signs include blindness, muscular paralysis, deafness, and general weakness. In this study, nervous signs of salt poisoning in rats were examined. Twenty five Wistar rats, weighing 200 ± 20 g, were allocated randomly to five groups: 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% salt solution and control group drank tap water. Following salt solution consumption, physical and neurological examinations were performed twice daily. One percent salt solution did not produce significant neurological signs, whereas consuming 2% salt solution was associated with different nervous system effects including muscle tremor, lethargy, hyperreflexia, imbalance in movement, and rotatory rhythmic movements. Consumption of 3% and 4% salt solutions led to reduction in hearing acuity, deafness, blindness, lethargy, severe complications, intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality in a period less than one week. Consuming salt solutions higher than 1% was associated with continuous water loss, dehydration, and weight loss and concordant with these changes, hypernatremia and hyperosmolarity occurred. Decrease in sensitivity to stimuli, irritability, disorientation and incoordination, involuntary movements, ataxia, sensory and motor disturbances, blindness, weakness, respiratory distress, colonic seizures and coma, sudden and unexplained deaths were observed in affected animals.     

Influence of pH, salt concentration and temperature on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila

The influence of environmental factors on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated Four isolates (AH 37, AH 79, AH 86 and AH 100) were exposed to various environmental factors such as pH, salt concentration and temperature in laboratory condition. All the four isolates showed more or less similar growth at pH 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 at 30 degrees C and 5 degrees C. At pH 5.0, 6.0 and 10.0, the log number of cells was found to be lesser than that of pH 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 at both 30 degrees C and 5 degrees C. The results of the influence of salt concentration on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila revealed that NaCl concentration of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% favored the growth of this organism at both 30 degrees C and 5 degrees C. Increase in the salt concentration resulted in the growth of the decrease of this organism. Three percentages and 4% salt concentration moderately supported the growth of the organisms in the medium whereas at 5.0% NaCl concentration, there was no growth. Moderate growth of A. hydrophila at 5 degrees C is an interesting observation. The ability to grow at salt concentration between 0.5%, 4.0% under acidic and alkaline conditions pose a problem in the preservation of seafoods. These criteria may account for modified preservation techniques.     

Screening for acute ocular toxicity of commercialized products of cartap,an insecticide,and correlation to blood concentrations in rabbits

Cartap is an insecticide known to produce contraction and damage to mouse and rabbit diaphragms, and plays a pivotal role in respiratory paralysis and mortality in rabbits. The aim of this study was conducted to screen for the toxic properties and blood concentrations of commercialized cartap products in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Five granular formulations (GRs) with different concentrations (4, 6, 6.5, 6.66 or 10%) and seven water-soluble powders (SPs, 50%) of commercialized cartap products were chosen to study toxicity following ocular instillation. Furthermore, ocular instillation (5, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg kg^?1) and oral administration (25 mg kg^?1) of the technical material (TC) cartap was also performed to compare blood concentration changes in rabbits. There was no death or eye irritation with all GR products; however, soluble powder (SP) products produced severe toxicity and mortality in rabbits. The blood concentration of TC cartap in rabbits started to increase from 2 min and reached peak levels at 7–9 min after ocular instillation in a dose-related pattern. For comparison of the blood distribution of cartap via different administration routes, oral exposure exhibited a higher absorption of cartap than ocular instillation. It was suggested that the commercialized GR products of cartap were safe but 50% SP products were highly toxic to rabbits following ocular exposure. This study provides valuable data to screen for potential acute toxicity of cartap to farmers and animals in the field.     

2,4-D二甲胺盐对莲草直胸跳甲生存和繁殖的影响

为探究除草剂在防治喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)的过程中对其天敌昆虫的影响,采用不同浓度的2,4-D二甲胺盐浸叶处理的喜旱莲子草饲喂莲草直胸跳甲,连续饲喂7d后,考察了莲草直胸跳甲的繁殖、存活和发育情况。结果表明,2,4-D二甲胺盐可显著降低莲草直胸跳甲成虫的取食量,且抑制作用随药剂浓度升高和取食时间延长而显著增强;较高浓度(1.72～3.44g·L~(-1))的2,4-D二甲胺盐还会导致莲草直胸跳甲雌成虫存活率和产卵量的明显降低,卵孵化率、幼虫存活率和蛹羽化率也显著降低。可见,高浓度(1.72～3.44g·L~(-1))的2,4-D二甲胺盐对莲草直胸跳甲的生长发育和繁殖有显著不利影响,在防治喜旱莲子草时,应将2,4-D二甲胺盐的施用浓度控制在0.22～0.86g·L~(-1)内。     

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对泥鳅的急性毒性

将泥鳅暴露于甲维盐进行急性毒性实验,依据概率单位法计量不同暴露时间甲维盐相应的半致死浓度以及安全浓度。结果表明,甲维盐对泥鳅的48 h-LC₅₀为14.137 mg·L^-1 ,96 h-LC₅₀为6.765 mg·L^-1。甲维盐浓度与泥鳅的死亡率呈现明显的剂量效应关系。随着暴露时间延长,半数致死浓度降低,安全浓度降低。采用组织学方法评估了不同浓度的甲维盐暴露下,泥鳅视网膜、皮肤、鳃的组织学结构变化。在20 mg·L^-1甲维盐急性暴露下,泥鳅皮肤出现脂褐质沉积、分泌细胞减少、神经丘细胞大量丢失。同时甲维盐能够造成视网膜变薄,视细胞的內节/外节丢失,引起视觉障碍。     

Effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on hemoglobin content and oxygen consumption of freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)

Lethal effects of nitrogenous compounds ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio were studied and the static LC50 values obtained for these 3 toxicants for 24 hr were 0.80 ppb, 171.36 ppm; 1075.10 ppm and continuous flowthrough LC50 values for 24 hr were 0.72 ppb, 154.31 ppm; 967.63 ppm respectively. The fish were exposed to lethal concentrations to study the changes in hematological parameters and the rate of oxygen consumption. During the period of exposure general decline in the content of hemoglobin was observed. Methemoglobin content increased in case of nitrite exposure consequently the hemoglobin levels decreased drastically. It is also observed that rate of oxygen consumption decreased progressively with the increase of toxicant concentration and duration of the exposure.     

Toxicity of cigarette smoke on isolated lung,heart, and brain mitochondria: induction of oxidative stress and cytochrome c release

Cigarette smoking is one of the main risk factors for premature human death which is associated with a variety of respiratory and vascular diseases, and cancer due to exposure to hundreds of toxicants. Rat mitochondria were obtained by differential ultracentrifugation and incubated with different concentrations (1%, 10%, or 100%) of standardized cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Our results showed that CSE induced a rise in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse before mitochondrial swelling ensued in isolated pulmonary mitochondria. Disturbance in oxidative phosphorylation was also confirmed by decrease in ATP concentration in the CSE-treated mitochondria. In addition, collapse of MMP and mitochondrial swelling produced release of cytochrome c via outer membrane rupture or mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore opening. Our results suggested that CSE-induced toxicity in lung tissue is the result of disruptive effect on mitochondrial respiratory chain that leads to ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, MMP decline, and cytochrome c expulsion which results in apoptosis signaling and cell loss.     

Field survey of the occurrence and significance of regeneration in Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from Galway Bay,west coast of Ireland

The Boreo-Mediterranean amphiurid Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) occurs in high densities within Galway Bay. This burrowing species consistently shows signs of recent regeneration (of both arms and disc “cap”) at the above locality. Specimens were collected by SCUBA in March, April and May 1980, May 1981, and April 1982. Biomass assays have revealed that individuals with up to 50% (mean ca. 25%) of their entire body weight consisting of regenerated tissue are not uncommon. The occurrence of arm breakage and regrowth was found to be more frequent in the proximal (basal) and mid-arm regions than in the exposed arm tip portions. Roughly 3% of the population were found to be in the process of regenerating the disc “cap” or covering. Preliminary results from gut analyses of potential predators at the sampling station indicate that young flatfish (plaice and dab) actively “crop” the arms of A. filiformis. Records from north western Europe of this species occurring in the diets of fish and invertebrates are considered. In this long-lived species, the continual necessity to regenerate is deemed to be a major drain on bodily resources.     

The endowment effect,discounting and the environment

There is a considerable body of evidence showing that our preferences exhibit both reference dependence and loss aversion, a.k.a. the endowment effect. In this paper, we consider the implications of the endowment effect for discounting, with a special focus on discounting future improvements in the environment. We show that the endowment effect modifies the discount rate via (i) an instantaneous endowment effect and (ii) a reference-updating effect. Moreover we show that these two effects often combine to dampen the preference to smooth consumption over time. What this implies for discounting future environmental benefits may then depend critically on whether environmental quality is merely a factor of production of material consumption, or whether it is an amenity. On an increasing path of material consumption, dampened consumption smoothing implies a lower discount rate. But on a declining path of environmental quality and where we derive utility directly from environmental quality, it implies a higher discount rate. On non-monotonic paths, loss aversion specifically can give rise to substantial discontinuities in the discount rate.     

高炉洗气含氰废水除氰方法研究—气化分离与富集

本文用ＣＯ２气体气体化分离含氰废水中的氰，用乙醛等醛类吸收富集挥发出来的氰化氢而使氰以回收利用。气化分离除氰后，水中残余氰的浓度小于０．５ｐｐｍ。对醛类与ＨＣＮ反应的动力学和热力学性质的研究和吸收试验表明，乙醛等低分子醛能快速和完全地吸收气化分离出的ＨＣＮ，并得到α－羟基腈、羟基酸及其盐等系列产品。     

Gill lesions in the major carp, Labeo rohita exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of tannery effluent

The major carp, Labeo rohita were exposed to (0.873%) lethal and sublethal (0.073%) concentrations of tannery effluent for 24h and 40 days respectively under static bioassay condition. The surface architecture of gill revealed severe damages such as : fusion and clumping in the middle and distal parts of the primary lamellae, swelling and deterioration of the cells. The interlamellar space was filled either with hyperplastic epithelial or mucous cells. Secondary lamellae lost their identity and appeared finger like in structure in the lethal concentration and necrosis was observed in the primary and secondary epithelium. Swelling of primary and secondary epithelial cells was evident in sublethal concentration.     

铜胁迫对两种地衣植物生理生化特征的影响

以中国树花（Ramalina sinensis Jatta.）和亚花松萝（Usnea subfloridana Stint.）为材料,研究了铜胁迫对这两种地衣植物生理生化特性的影响。结果表明：在Cu2＋的作用下,中国树花和亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数和过氧化物酶（POD）活性发生一系列的变化,且表现出明显的剂量效应关系和时间效应关系。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先降后升再降。在处理的48 h,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时中国树花体内叶绿素a质量分数下降为0 mg.mL-1时的16.34%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为42.54%,而当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时叶绿素a质量分数下降为22.95%,叶绿素总质量分数下降为60.39%,亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数呈现先升后降的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降18.82%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,处理48 h后的亚花松萝体内叶绿素质量分数比36 h下降23.52%。随着处理浓度的加大和处理时间的延长,中国树花过氧化物酶活性呈现上升的趋势,当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性分别增加为88.1%、64.83%和65.49%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,分别增加为69.83%、82.05%和82.57%。而亚花松萝过氧化物酶活性呈现先下降后上升等波动性变化,Cu2＋质量浓度为0.1 mg.mL-1时,处理24、36、48 h后过氧化物酶的活性先下降62.56%,后增加7.93%,又下降42.28%;当Cu2＋质量浓度为0.5 mg.mL-1时,比对照组分别下降72.92%、33.49%和62.56%。对比两种地衣植物发现,中国树花体内生理指标的变化较亚花松萝的明显,说明中国树花对铜胁迫反应较敏感,有利于监测重金属铜污染。     

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (api) from an estuarine fungus, Microdochium nivale (Fr.)

Various marine habitats sustain variety of bio-sources of ecological and biotech potentials. Pharmaceutical potential compound Cyclosporine A was reported from marine fungus Microdochium nivale associated with Porteresia coarctata, a marine salt marsh grass from mangrove environment distributed along the Central West Coast (CWC) of India. This study involves association of M. nivale with P. coarctata plant, fermentation conditions, purification of Cyclosporine A, chemical characterization etc. Its antifungal inhibition and MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentration) against Aspergillus strains (A. niger, A. japonicus, A. fresenii), yeasts and dermatophytes (Candida sp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, T. violaceum, Microsporium gypsum and Fusarium sp.) were evaluated. However, the MIC against A. japonicus, C. neoformans, Candida sp. and T. tonsurans were confirmed to be as low as 12.5-25 mg disc(-1). The antifungal properties of Cyclosporine A against Aspergillus species, yeast and dermatophytes revealed that CyclosporineAwould be a potential compound for life threatening diseases caused by above fungi in both human and animals. Furthermore, we have reported herewith another source of Cyclosporin Aderived from filamentous fungus, M. nivale. occurring in marine environment.     

Single particle analysis of ambient aerosols in Shanghai during the World Exposition, 2010: two case studies

ATSI Model 3800 aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) was deployed for single-particle analysis in Shanghai during the World Exposition (EXPO), 2010. Measurements on two extreme cases: polluted day (1st May) and clean day (25th September) were compared to show how meteorological conditions affected the concentration and composition of ambient aerosols. Mass spectra of 90496 and 50407 particles were analyzed respectively during the two sampling periods. The ART-2a neural network algorithm was applied to sort the collected particles. Seven major classes of particles were obtained: dust, sea salt, industrial, biomass burning, organic carbon (OC), elementary carbon (EC), and NH₄-rich particles. Number concentration of ambient aerosols showed a strong anti-correlation with the boundary layer height variation. The external mixing states of aerosols were quite different during two sampling periods because of different air parcel trajectories. Number fraction of biomass burning particles (43.3%) during polluted episode was much higher than that (21.6%) of clean time. Air parcels from the East China Sea on clean day diluted local pollutant concentration and increased the portion of sea salt particle dramatically (13.3%). The large contribution of biomass burning particles in both cases might be an indication of a constant regional background of biomass burning emission. Mass spectrum analysis showed that chemical compositions and internal mixing states of almost all the particle types were more complicate during polluted episode compared with those observed in clean time. Strong nitrate signals in the mass spectra suggested that most of the particles collected on polluted day had gone through some aging processes before reaching the sampling site.     

Physioecology of zooplankton. II. Effects of phytoplankton concentration,temperature, and body size on the development and molting rates of Calanus pacificus and Pseudocalanus sp.

Developmental time and stage duration for Calanus pacificus Brodsky and Pseudocalanus sp. and the rate of loss of body carbon by molting for C. pacificus were estimated for copepodite stages cultured under various combinations of phytoplankton concentration and temperature. Mean development time and stage duration for C. pacificus decreased hyperbolically with increasing food concentration, and the minimum time required for reaching a given stage decreased logarithmically with a logarithmic increase in temperature. Low temperature retarded the development of early stages proportionally more than that of late stages, and stage duration increased logarithmically with increasing body weight. Therefore, copepodite development was not isochronal. The rate of loss of body carbon by molting was small, ranging from 0.2 to 2% day^-1. This rate increased hyperbolically with food concentration and was linearly related to the growth rate. The critical food concentration for the rates of development and molting increased with temperature and stage of development, but these rates were less dependent on food concentration than the growth rate. The development rate of Pseudocalanus sp. was higher than that of C. pacificus, and was less influenced by changes in food concentration and temperature. It is postulated that the inverse relationship between temperature and body size results from a differential effect of temperature and body size on the rates of growth and development. That is, with increasing body size the growth rate tends to become temperature-independent, but the development rate remains proportional to temperature. Thus, copepodites growing at low temperature can experience a greater weight increment between molting periods than individuals growing at high temperature, because the growth rate is similar at all temperatures but stage duration is longer at low temperature.Contribution No. 1128 from the Department of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA     

Chromium accumulation in submerged aquatic plants treated with tannery effluent at Kanpur, India

Aquatic macrophytes have been widely studied because of their capability of absorbing contaminants from water and their subsequent use in biomonitoring. This study presents a comparison of Cr accumulating potential of submerged aquatic plants viz Vallisneria spiralis and Hydrilla verticillata. These plants were treated with various concentrations of treated tannery effluent collected from UASB, Jajmau, Kanpur under repeated exposure in controlled laboratory conditions in order to assess their maximum bioaccumulation potential. The maximum accumulation of 385.6 and 201.6 microg g(-1) dry weight was found in roots of V. spiralis and the whole plants of H. verticillata, respectively at 100% concentration after 9th day of effluent exposure. The chlorophyll and protein content of both species decreased with increase in effluent concentration and duration. At highest concentration and duration a maximum reduction of 67.4 and 62.66% in total chlorophyll content, 9.97 and 4.66% in carotenoid content and 62.66 and 59.36% in protein content was found in V. spiralis and H. verticillata respectively. Anatomical studies in both V. spiralis and H. verticillata was carried out to assess the effects of metal accumulation within the plants. Changes in the anatomical structures of both plants exhibits the capacity of these species to act as indicator of effluent toxicity. The high accumulation potential of Cr by both plants revealed their capability to remove pollutants from effluent.     

多种盐分离子作用下苋菜对重金属的吸收累积特征

模拟不同淋洗脱盐阶段滩涂土壤孔隙水中盐分和重金属含量,通过苋菜水培试验,研究多种盐分离子（SO42-、Cl-、NO3-、CO32-、Na＋、Ca2＋、K＋和Mg2＋等）的共同作用下,苋菜对Zn、Cu、Ni、Cr、Pb和Cd 6种重金属的吸收、累积和转运的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,在不同盐分离子浓度影响下,苋菜茎叶中Cd的累积增幅为69.2%～146.2%,而茎叶中其他重金属的含量无显著变化,苋菜根系中Cd、Pb、Cr、Ni和Cu含量的最大增幅分别为187.8%、197.7%、305.7%、228.1%和58.2%,但根系中Zn含量未受到显著影响。在相对较高的盐分离子浓度（〉1 312.4 mg.L-1）范围内,不同盐分离子浓度处理间苋菜茎叶和根系中6种重金属含量差异均不显著。盐分处理显著降低了苋菜对Pb、Cr、Ni和Cu的转移系数,但未显著影响苋菜对Cd和Zn的转移系数。     

镁盐改性石英砂的制备及其吸附Zn^2＋影响因素

通过改变石英砂表面的物理化学性质,提高滤料的吸附效率,并考察其对废水中Zn2＋的去除效果。以石英砂为载体,用碱性沉积法制备了镁盐改性砂,测定了镁盐改性砂的比表面积,考察了镁盐改性砂对锌的吸附性能及其影响因素。结果表明,镁盐改性砂的比表面积为1.475 m2/g,比石英原砂比表面积提高了6.12倍;在pH值为中性的条件下...     

附生假单胞菌存在下不同光照时间对铜绿微囊藻生长与磷代谢的影响

通过设置8/16、12/12、16/8不同光暗比,分析了附生细菌存在下不同光照时间对铜绿微囊藻(M icrocystis aeruginosa)生长及其与附生假单胞菌(Pseudom onassp.)磷代谢之间关系的影响。结果表明:光照时间越长,铜绿微囊藻生长越快,16 h光照下的比增长速率为8 h光照下的1.6倍。铜绿微囊藻的快速生长促进了附生细菌中磷的释放;藻细胞增殖越快,附生细菌释放的磷越多。铜绿微囊藻对数生长期末,8、12、16 h光照下附生细菌磷含量分别降至对数生长初期的87.8%、78.6%和64.9%。铜绿微囊藻对附生细菌磷释放的促进作用是由藻细胞生长对磷的消耗再吸收导致的。     

Effect of dissolved oxygen level on respiratory metabolism, nutritional physiology, and immune condition of southern king crab Lithodes santolla (Molina, 1782) (Decapoda, Lithodidae)

Episodes of hypoxia are common in the marine environment, and their ecological effects depend, in part, on their severity and duration. Many species of decapod crustaceans reside in areas with fluctuating oxygen regimens. Physiological mechanisms enhance the ability of these crustaceans to cope with acute episodes of hypoxia. Southern king crab, Lithodes santolla, fishery is important in the south of South America, and some data describe fishing zones with low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels (3.5 mgO₂ l⁻¹, i.e., 8.3 kPa). Our main objective was to evaluate the effect of dissolved oxygen level on respiratory metabolism, nutritional physiology, and immunological condition of L. santolla juveniles. Individual animals were exposed for 10 days to different oxygen tensions (2.1, 4.2, 8.5, 12.7, and 21.1 kPa) to quantify the oxygen consumption rate; thereafter, blood oxyhemocyanin (Hc), protein concentration, as well as hemocytes, were sampled. Freeze-dried animals were dissected, and digestive gland metabolites (glycogen, protein, glucose, cholesterol, acylglycerol, and lactate) and digestive enzyme activity (general protease, trypsin, and chymotrypsin), as well as gill lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, were quantified. In the present study, Lithodes santolla showed a critical oxygen tension between 4 and 9 kPa, indicating that this crab species is more sensitive to DO than other crustacean species. Protein and Hc concentrations followed a similar pattern to that of oxygen consumption. Digestive gland glycogen and protein concentration did not change after 10 days at different oxygen exposures, but glucose, cholesterol, and acylglycerol concentrations decreased linearly and proportionally to the available oxygen in the water. As in other decapods, chymotrypsin showed over 90% of the total quantified proteases activity. Chymotrypsin activity together with total proteases and trypsin was not affected by the environmental oxygen tension. Gill LDH and digestive gland lactate followed a similar increase at lower environmental oxygen tension but dropped sharply at the lowest tension (2.1 kPa). Dissolved oxygen affected also the immune system through reduction of hemocytes. This could provide a critical window for opportunistic pathogens to become established when crabs are exposed to hypoxic conditions. L. santolla juveniles show a moderate tolerance to low oxygen availability by modifying the concentration of hemolymph proteins, mainly OxyHc, some digestive gland metabolites, and by activating the anaerobic metabolism. This allows L. santolla juveniles to inhabit temporarily low oxygen zones in the deep ocean and suggests an advantage for culture conditions.