Acute toxicity and histopathology study of a galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) (Hutch and Dalz)

A lactose-binding lectin (TCL) was purified from the seeds of African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, and acute toxicity studies of the lectin were carried out with Swiss albino male mice. Animals were administered doses of TCL from 500 to 2500?mg?kg^?1 body weight (b.wt.) orally while intraperitoneally the dose ranged from 10 to 600?mg?kg^?1 b.wt. Animals were then assessed for organ and body weight changes, mortality, and histopathology. TCL did not cause any observable toxicity via the oral route; however, when administered intraperitoneally, TCL elicited toxicity with an LD₅₀ of 50?mg?kg^?1 b.wt. Death from intoxication was preceded by convulsion, hypoactivity, salivation, ataxia, and weakness. The animals given lethal doses of the lectin showed profound respiratory depression which was judged to be the primary cause of death. Histopathological analysis indicated that the lungs, liver, and spleen were adversely affected while the kidney and other organs were essentially normal. In all the affected organs, the severity of toxicity was dose-dependent as the effect of the lectin became more pronounced with increase of the dose administered.     

非寄主植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的驱避与触杀活性

为了评估非寄主植物次生物质对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的驱避与触杀活性,本文用乙醇浸提了11种在华南地区分布广泛的植物获得其乙醇提取物。分析了这11种植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的驱避作用,采用药膜法测定了其对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫的触杀作用。结果表明,10 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下,花椒（Zanthoxylum bungeanum）和小茴香（Foeniculum vulgare）提取物对褐飞虱若虫有显著地拒避作用,24 h的拒避率分别为53.3%和43.3%;塞楝（Khaya senegalensis）、胜红蓟（Ageratum conyzoides）、桉树（Eucalyptus exsetrta）和毛麻楝（Chukrasia tabularis）提取物对褐飞虱若虫有显著地引诱作用,24 h着落率分别为75.0%、73.3%、73.3%和71.7%。花椒和小茴香提取物对褐飞虱若虫的拒避作用随着质量浓度的上升而增加,在10~40 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下均对褐飞虱3~4龄若虫有显著地拒避活性,40 mg·mL-1时拒避作用最明显,24 h拒避率分别为66.7%和60.0%。塞楝、胜红蓟、桉树和毛麻楝提取物对褐飞虱若虫的引诱作用均随着质量浓度的上升先增加后降低。塞楝和毛麻楝乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的拒避与引诱活性因其质量浓度的不同而有差异,当质量浓度小时（10 mg·mL1）对褐飞虱若虫有显著地引诱作用;当质量浓度大时（40 mg·mL1）对褐飞虱若虫有显著地拒避作用,24 h后,拒避率分别为50.0%和40.0%。胜红蓟乙醇提取物在5和10 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下对褐飞虱若虫具有显著地引诱作用,24 h后,着落率分别为71.7%和73.3%;桉树乙醇提取物在10和20 mg·mL-1的质量浓度下对褐飞虱若虫具有显著地引诱作用,24 h后,着落率分别为73.3%和71.7%。辣椒（Capsicum annuum）、小茴香、花椒、胜红蓟和鬼针草（Bidens pilosa）乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的触杀活性效果显著,在95.69μg·cm-2的剂量下,24 h校正死亡率达到85%以上,LD50值依次为15.46,25.66,33.61,33.57和37.85μg·cm-2。塞楝和蟛蜞菊（Wedelia chinensis）提取物对褐飞虱若虫也具有较好地触杀活性,在95.69μg·cm-2的剂量下,24 h校正死亡率达到50%以上。研究所选11种不同科属非寄主植物的乙醇提取物在一定质量浓度下,对褐飞虱均会产生不同程度的拒避作用。其中辣椒、小茴香、花椒、胜红蓟和鬼针草5种植物乙醇提取物对褐飞虱若虫的触杀效果明显。辣椒、小茴香、花椒属于经济作物,本研究表明,这3种作物还具有开发为生物农药的价值。胜红蓟和鬼针草在华南地区分布广泛,易采集,植物资源丰富,具有开发成植物源杀虫剂的巨大潜力。     

14C-Ethion residues in soybean seeds: metabolic pathway,effect of processing,bioavailability, toxicity and protective action of artichoke leaf powder towards rats

The metabolic fate of ethion labeled with ¹⁴C-at the ethyl ester groups in soybean seeds following topical application to leaves was studied. Chromatographic analysis of soybean oil revealed the presence of the parent compound together with four metabolites which were identified as ethion monooxon, ethion dioxon, O-ethyl phosphorothioate and O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate. The effect of processing on ethion residues in soybean oil was investigated. The refined oil contained small amounts of the ¹⁴C-residues originally present (37.5%). Upon feeding rats with the cake containing ethion bound residues, a substantial amount of ¹⁴C-residues was eliminated in the urine (73%), and about 6% excreted with the feces. About 5% of the radioactive residues were distributed among various organs. Mature male Wistar rats were fed on soybean seeds containing ethion residues (1.93 ppm), and on artichoke leaves powder (1% W/W) for four weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the ethion-treated group had a significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. The ethion-treated rats also had a lower total serum protein and albumin levels, as well as acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity as compared with controls. Moreover, concomitant treatment with artichoke leaf powder improved, at least partially, all the biochemical parameters that were altered by ethion.     

有机磷农药的残留、毒性及前景展望

有机磷农药自问世到现在已有70年的历史。因为它的高效、快速、广谱等特点，一直在农药中占有很重要的位置，对世界农业的发展起了很重要的作用。但随着它的不断使用，也暴露出了很多问题，如高残留、毒性强等，尤其在环保意识日益增强的今天，其暴露的问题引起了人们的高度重视。文章主要对有机磷农药的残留、毒性作了初步的分析，指出尽快开发替代产品是今后使用有机磷农药的方向。     

Amplifying Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA from African Elephant Ivory: a Tool for Monitoring the Ivory Trade

Abstract:   The ability to extract DNA from ivory provides the basis for genetically tracking the origin of poached ivory and thus has important implications for elephant conservation and management. We describe a method to isolate and amplify both genomic and mitochondrial DNA from African elephant ivory that requires very small amounts of ivory taken from any location on the tusk. We pulverized ivory and isolated DNA with a modified QIAamp kit. Ivory as old as 10 to 20 years, stored at ambient conditions, was amenable to DNA isolation with this method. The isolated DNA was robustly amplified at 16 elephant microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial DNA loci. This method has important applications for the forensic analysis of poached African elephant ivory. It enables determination of where stronger antipoaching efforts are needed and provides the basis for monitoring the extent of the trade as well as the consequences of future international trade decisions.     

Low-cost and efficient adsorbent derived from pyrolysis of Jatropha curcas seeds for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions

Biochar, is a low-cost material that can be used as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals. In this study, a low-cost and efficient adsorbent synthesised from Jatropha curcas seeds was used for the uptake of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The as-prepared adsorbent was characterised by scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis post calcination at 500 °C, its BET surface area and total pore volume were 39.62?m²?g^?1 and 0.049?m³?g^?1, respectively. Subsequently, the effects of initial pH of the solution, contact time, and adsorbent material dosage on the adsorption of Cu²⁺ by the prepared adsorbent were investigated. The as-prepared adsorbent exhibited a high performance, with a maximum adsorption amount of 32.895?mg?g^?1 for Cu²⁺ at pH 5.0 and 25 °C, owing to the presence of ?OH, C=O, C–O, Si-O-Si, and O-Si-O on its surface. The predominant Cu²⁺ adsorption mechanism was assumed to be ion exchange. Notably, the Cu²⁺ adsorption could attain equilibrium within 90?min. In addition, the fact that the Langmuir model was a better fit than the Freundlich model for the isotherm data of Cu²⁺ adsorption by the as-prepared adsorbent suggested that the adsorption of Cu²⁺ was a monolayer adsorption process.     

Assessment of toxicity of two types of drill cuttings from a drilling rig on the Trinidad East coast using Metamysidopsis insularis

This study investigated the relative toxicity of water-based cuttings (WBC) and synthetic oil-based cuttings (SOBC) to the marine species, Metamysidopsis insularis. Results obtained indicate that SOBC (LC₅₀ 1.2 (0.85–1.6)%) was more toxic to M. insularis than WBC (LC₅₀ 9.9 (8.3–11.8)%), with similar metal contents in both types of cuttings. The elevated levels of metals found in the cuttings when compared to surficial sediments may be due to both drilling fluids, as well as the rock strata from which the cuttings were obtained. Furthermore, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) analyses demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of TPH present in SOBC (14,680?±?1250?mg?kg^?1) compared to WBC (860?±?115?mg?kg^?1). This may also be due to the increased depth and hence oil bearing rock formations in the selected sampling area, along with the associated synthetic oil-based drilling fluid. These findings therefore supply evidence that drill cuttings after treatment prior to discharge are potentially toxic to marine organisms.     

毒死蜱(CPF)对克氏原螯虾的急性毒性及组织病理观察

采用静水生物测试法研究毒死蜱(CPF)对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)的急性毒性效应及克氏原螯虾的组织病变情况并进行安全评价。设定0、2、10、20、40和80μg·L-1 6个CPF浓度梯度进行急性暴露试验,结果表明,CPF浓度升高对克氏原螯虾产生较大毒性,24、48和96 h半致死浓度〔ρ(LC50)〕分别为(28.24±2.81)、(19.50±2.03)和(13.13±1.70)μg·L-1,ρ(LC50)随着暴露时间延长呈显著下降趋势,符合双曲线衰减模型(r=0.999 9,P<0.000 1),安全浓度为(2.79±0.31)μg·L-1。组织病理观察发现,染毒虾心脏上皮细胞增生,心肌肌束间充满血淋巴细胞;神经细胞肿大,尼氏体溶解消失,细胞由多极形状变为圆形,神经纤维坏死并解体;肝胰腺小管收缩并充血,空泡增加;鳃组织空泡化,表面出现黑色素沉积,被多量血淋巴细胞浸润;肌肉纤维萎缩并溶解。     

Chemical contamination and sediment toxicity along the coast of Corsica

Trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Al, Fe, and Li) and organic compounds (PCBs, PAHs, lindanes, and DDT and its degradation products) were measured in coastal sediment samples from 27 sites in lagoons and along coastal areas of Corsica. An oyster embryo bioassay evaluated the toxicity of sediments from sites in three coastal lagoons (Urbino, Diane, and Biguglia) and the west coast of Cape Corsica. Despite contamination levels generally lower than those in other Mediterranean coastal areas, contamination is found in specific sites in Corsica and includes natural arsenic contamination on the east coast, insecticide pollution (persistent lindane and DDT) in many areas, both cadmium and lead contamination around Sagone, general contamination of both main harbours (Bastia and Ajaccio) and their surrounding areas, and asbestos mining residues in western Cape Corsica. Monitoring development of Crassostrea gigas embryos showed toxic effects at sites near a factory on Cape Corsica, with up to 100% mortality of larvae, and lower levels of toxicity at Sagone (44% mortality) and in the three coastal lagoons (up to 28% mortality). Results of this regional study show the need for further monitoring to understand the environmental issues facing the Corsican coast.     

Acute toxicity of industrial endocrine-disrupting chemicals,natural and synthetic sex hormones to the freshwater planarian,Dugesia japonica

Many chemicals commonly occurring in surface water are found to be hormonally active. Fourteen compounds including four sex hormones, three synthetic hormones, one non-steroidal anti-androgen, and six industrial endocrine-disrupting chemicals were selected to examine their acute toxicities on the freshwater planarian, Dugesia japonica. Among all test chemicals, diethylstilbestrol had the highest toxicity. Relatively, the toxicities of the synthetic hormones were higher than the natural ones. Among the six industrial endocrine-disrupting chemicals tested, bisphenol A was the most toxic, with a 48-h LC₅₀ of 8.3 mg L^?1. Overall, the natural or synthetic hormones, other than estrone and estriol, were more acutely toxic to planarians than the industrial endocrine disruptors tested. The acute toxicities of the test chemicals to Dugesia japonica were in the same order of magnitude as those to Daphnia magna based on available published data. Despite this study used non-environmentally relevant levels, such kinds of chemicals do not exist singly in the aquatic environment, but typically act in synergistic and/or additive ways in the complex environmental mixtures, and the total estrogen equivalents are much higher than a single chemical. This study stands as a starting point for other acute and chronic assays, namely using mixtures.     

环境中微/纳米塑料的污染现状、分析方法、毒性评价及健康效应研究进展

微塑料是粒径小于5 mm的塑料颗粒,纳米塑料是粒径小于1 μm的塑料颗粒.微/纳米塑料广泛存在于各种环境介质中,由于其粒径小、比表面积大,很容易被直接吸入、经口食入或皮肤浸入至体内,造成毒害作用,危害健康.本文主要总结了环境中微/纳米塑料在水、大气、土壤和食品中的污染现状,阐述了其对生物体可能产生的毒性效应,探讨了其对...     

Modified dehydrogenase enzyme assay for evaluation of the influence of Hg,Cd, and Zn on the bacterial community structure of a wastewater treatment plant

In this study, a traditional assay was modified to evaluate the effect of Hg, Cd, and Zn on the bacterial community of a sequencing batch reactor and activated sludge plants and heavy metal-resistant bacterial species were determined. After the isolation of metal-resistant bacteria, their 16S rRNA gene fragments were sequenced. The BLAST program was used to compare the resulting 16S rRNA sequences with those in GenBank database to identify the isolated bacterial species. Hg was found to be the most toxic metal for both bacterial communities investigated. Sequence batch reactor bacteria were comparatively more resistant to Hg, Cd, and Zn than those from activated sludge. The resistant strains were close to the members of genus Pseudomonas, Kocuria, Stenotrophomonas, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus. The modified dehydrogenase enzyme assay seems to be simple, robust, and competent for evaluation of the impact of metals on bacterial activity. Sequencing batch reactor systems should be preferred over activated sludge when wastewaters containing hazardous metals are to be treated.     

等毒性配比法研究镉、铬和铅对淡水发光细菌的联合毒性

当待测生物暴露在混合污染物中时,由于混合物中各组分相互影响,会产生联合毒性作用,表现为加和作用、协同作用和拮抗作用。为了深入了解重金属混合物的联合毒性对发光细菌的作用,利用淡水发光细菌——青海弧菌Q67(Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.nov-Q67)发光值的测定方法,采用联合毒性单位法,在测定了硝酸镉、重铬酸钾和硝酸铅单一毒性EC50的基础上,对硝酸镉 重铬酸钾、硝酸镉 硝酸铅、硝酸铅 重铬酸钾3种重金属二元混合物的联合毒性进行了评价。结果表明,硝酸镉 重铬酸钾、硝酸铅 重铬酸钾是拮抗作用,硝酸铅 硝酸镉是协同作用。     

Effect of increasing salinity on the acute toxicity of a commercial endosulfan formulation to the bdelloid rotifer Philodina acuticornis odiosa

Pesticides, such as endosulfan, can enter surface waters such as lakes and rivers, potentially posing an ecological risk. Rotifers are a dominant zooplankton species in many inland freshwater lakes in Australia; such lakes can also experience increased salinities. Acute toxicity tests (24?h) were conducted to determine the toxicity of a commercial formaulation of endosulfan to the freshwater rotifer Philodina sp. and to investigate the influence of increasing salinity on endosulfan toxicity. Rotifers were found to be relatively tolerant to endosulfan with an EC50 of 1.75?mg?L^?1 (a.i.), with results also suggesting that there are no interactive effects of salinity on endosulfan toxicity.     

Joint toxicity of copper and diazinon during embryonic and larval development of the common South American toad,Rhinella arenarum

Copper (Cu) and diazinon are two widely distributed pollutants; they coexist in agro-ecosystems and cause toxicity to wild biota. This study proposes to analyse the joint toxicity of binary mixtures of Cu and diazinon on the early development of the South American toad, Rhinella arenarum by means of a standardised test. Cu was always more toxic than diazinon. Cu was more embryotoxic while the pesticide was more toxic during the larval exposure than during the embryonic period. The different Cu/diazinon mixtures proportions assayed were significantly less toxic than expected by additive effects. Thus, an antagonistic interaction pattern was observed. This pattern was independent of the assayed proportion, the exposure times and the exposure developmental periods. In the risk assessment analysis to establish water quality criteria, the joint toxicity should be considered at different ratios, exposure time and life period for a certain species, in order to preserve wild species.     

苯、氯苯、苯酚、4-氯酚对斑马鱼、孔雀鱼、剑尾鱼的急性毒性

以斑马鱼（Zebra fish）Danio rerio、剑尾鱼Xiphophorus hellerii、孔雀鱼（Guppy）Poecilia reticulata为受试鱼种,采用半静态试验,考察苯、苯酚、氯苯、4-氯苯酚对3种鱼的急性毒性,结果表明,上述4种有机物对斑马鱼的96 h LC50分别为132.22、28.86、9.66、4.29 mg.L-1;对剑尾鱼的96 h LC50分别为123.76、27.25、8.86、4.29 mg.L-1;对孔雀鱼的96 h LC50分别为131.25、27.88、9.33、4.59 mg.L-1,都属于高毒物质。毒性大小为苯〈苯酚〈氯苯〈4-氯苯酚。毒性大小与取代基的类型有关,-Cl的毒性要大于-OH,-Cl和-OH的联合毒性大于单独的-Cl和-OH。孔雀鱼和剑尾鱼对上述有机污染物具有较好的敏感性,结果稳定,重现性好,可以作为急性毒性试验的受试鱼种。     

Interactive effects of pH,temperature and light during ammonia toxicity events in Elodea canadensis

Increased nutrient loading threatens many freshwater ecosystems. Elevated temperatures may increase the sensitivity to eutrophication in these ecosystems. Higher concentrations of possibly toxic reduced nitrogen (NH _x ) in the water layer may be expected as production and anaerobic breakdown rates will increase. Apart from temperature, NH _x and its effect on aquatic macrophytes will also depend on pH and light. We examined the interactive effects of NH _x , temperature, pH and light on Elodea canadensis in a full factorial laboratory experiment. Results demonstrate that high NH _x and high temperature together with low pH and low light causes the strongest toxic effects regarding relative growth rate and leaf tissue mortality. The adverse effects of high temperature and low light are most likely caused by increased metabolic activity and reduced photosynthesis, respectively. Severe toxicity at low pH compared to high pH can be ascribed to the ability of E. canadensis to induce a specialised bicarbonate-concentrating pathway at high pH, resulting in much higher carbon availability, needed for detoxification of NH _x . We conclude that NH _x toxicity will become more pronounced under higher temperatures, but that effects on aquatic macrophytes will strongly depend on pH of the water layer and specific metabolic adaptations of different species.     

菲、芘、1,2,4-三氯苯对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应

测定了草甸棕壤条件下 ,菲、芘和 1,2 ,4-三氯苯单一与复合污染对蚯蚓的急性致死及亚致死效应。结果表明 ,3种化学品的浓度与蚯蚓死亡率显著相关 (α =0 .0 5 ,r菲 =0 .87,r芘 =0 .85 ,r三氯苯 =0 .95 ) ,与蚯蚓亚致死效应的相关性稍低 (α =0 .0 5 ,r菲 =0 .75 ,r芘 =0 .72 ,r三氯苯 =0 .85 )。蚯蚓个体对 3种有机物毒性的耐受程度差别较大。引起蚯蚓死亡的毒性阈值浓度菲和 1,2 ,4-三氯苯均为 2 0mg·kg-1,芘为 2 0 0 0mg·kg-1;引起蚯蚓体重增长率下降的亚急性毒性阈值浓度分别为菲 2 0mg·kg-1、1,2 ,4-三氯苯 3 0 0mg·kg-1、芘 10 0 0mg·kg-1;LC10 0 分别为菲 10 0mg·kg-1,1,2 ,4-三氯苯 3 5 0mg·kg-1。由于芘的低水溶性和低毒性 ,无法计算LC10 0 。实验还表明 ,复合污染主要表现为协同和拮抗作用     

Acute toxicity of ammonia to a freshwater teleost,Labeo bata larvae

Ammonia toxicity tests were performed with Labeo bata (bata) larvae of three different size groups. One hundred percent survival of larvae (500.0?±?4.0?mg) was recorded when exposed to ammonia concentrations of 1.0–13.56?mg?L^?1 at 96?h of exposure. Bata larvae exposed to ammonia concentrations of 15.8–25?mg?L^?1 showed 10–74% mortalities. The 96?h LC₅₀ value for 200 (±5), 250 (±2) and 500 (±4) mg bata larvae were 11.5, 16.8 and 22.5?mg?L^?1 un-ionised ammonia concentrations, respectively. When fish were exposed to different doses of ammonia, behavioural changes immediately occurred even at the lowest dose. At first, the fish became hyperexcitable, the skin darkened and they showed an increased ventilation frequency, fish behaviour became normal, 24?h after exposure. A 96?h LC₅₀ value of un-ionised ammonia showed direct relationship with the increasing size of bata larvae.     

碘代X射线造影剂的环境浓度、分析方法与毒性评估研究进展

碘代X射线造影剂(ICMs)是使用最广泛的血管内药物,近年来在水生环境中频繁检出.由于其高稳定性、高极性和持久性,ICMs会在水生环境中持续存在并且难以被降解.在水生环境中会与消毒剂、天然有机物结合生成具有毒性的消毒副产物(DBPs),由于其本身毒性以及转化产物DBPs的毒性增强了环境健康风险,进而引发了人们的密切关注.本文介绍了ICMs的环境浓度、分析方法以及毒性风险.重点描述了ICMs的前处理技术、检测方法及ICMs毒性评价现状,并展望了以后ICMs毒性的研究方向.