Organ differences in microsomes and cytosol metabolism of Aflatoxin B1 in piglets

In order to delineate the features of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolism in various organs of piglets, in vitro metabolism of AFB1 by microsomes and cytosol of the various piglet organs was studied. The AFB1 was converted efficiently to AFP1 by the kidney microsomes. A less efficient metabolism was noted from the AFB1 to AFQ1, AFM1, and aflatoxicol (AFL) in the various organs. The microsomal ability to form AFB1-DNA adduct was higher in liver when compared to the other organs. The cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase activity to convert AFB1-epoxide to AFB1-glutathione conjugate product was relatively higher in the liver and the small intestine. The reductase activity to convert AFB1-dialdehyde to AFB1-dialcohol was similar in all the organs. The results suggest that the variation in susceptibility to the aflatoxin among different organs is attributable mainly to the organ differences in cytochrome P450 activity to form AFB1-epoxide.     

ELISA determination of Aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products in Pakistan

A highly sensitive competitive ELISA was standardized to determine aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in milk and dairy samples randomly collected from Faisalabad city, using Riedel-de-Haen, Aflatoxin M₁ ELISA Systems, (Art–No. 45169). Standards of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 ng L^?1 AFM₁ in sample/standard buffer were used in optimizing anti-AFM₁ antibodies and peroxidase–AFM₁ conjugate. Linear standard curve showed increase in concentration (log C) accompanied by decrease in maximal absorbance (%B/B₀) values (%B/B₀ = 124.3 ? 45.0 log C) with highly significant negative correlation (?0.973). The middle of the test (50% B/B₀) was at 30 ng L^?1 with 6.7 ng L^?1 the lowest detection limit (90% B/B₀). Duplicate analysis of 41 samples showed AFM₁ levels below EC permissible limits (50 ng L^?1) with maximums of 40, 13, and 7.4 ng L^?1 in milk, yogurt and butter, respectively. However, possibility of exceeding limits cannot be excluded, and demands regular monitoring.     

mCry1Ac基因在抗虫转基因玉米Bt799中的表达特征

采用双抗夹心酶联免疫法(ELISA)定量检测转mCry1 Ac基因抗虫玉米Bt799在不同生育期不同植株部位的mCry1Ac蛋白含量。结果显示:mCry1 Ac基因在整个生育期玉米叶、茎、根和种子中均能表达,mCry1Ac蛋白含量为(0.82±0.10)~(15.83±1.77)μg·g-1;随着生育期和植株部位的不同,mCry1Ac蛋白含量呈现明显的时空动态变化,其中,叶、茎和根中mCry1Ac蛋白含量随转基因玉米生育期的推移均呈增加趋势,并均在完熟期达最高;在除苗期外的其他各生育期叶中mCry1Ac蛋白含量均显著高于其他植株部位,而在完熟期种子中mCry1Ac蛋白含量在各植株部位中最低,为(2.86±1.71)μg·g-1。     

Dynamics of heavy-metal transfer between biotic (Cytheria chione and Cerastoderma edule) and abiotic (water and sediment) components in marine environment (Bay of Martil, Moroccan Mediterranean coast)

This study deals with the transfer of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Ti, Zn, and Cu) between abiotic and biotic components (Cytheria chione and Cerastoderma edule) in the inshore intertidal zones of Tetouan/Martil over 2 yr of investigation (1992-1994). Analysis of the heavy-metal accumulation kinetics in Cytheria chione and Cerastoderma edule shows that their highest contents occur during the spring-summer period when an important proliferation of the plankton biomass occurs. However, the accumulation of Cd is higher during the period between winter and spring. In general, heavy-metal concentrations are higher at Cytheria chione than at Cerastoderma edule. These results, according to previous studies, suggest the presence of significant correlations and dynamic reciprocal transfer of heavy metals among seawater, sediment, and molluscs. They also suggest that the level of contamination of decreasing heavy metals follows the sequence: sediment, organisms, and water. Among the molluscs investigated, the variability of the thallium (Tl) contents is difficult to detect due to the very weak presence of this metal in the analysed tissues.     

转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂生长发育的影响

研究了取食转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂的影响,主要包括意大利蜜蜂的生长发育、体内酶活性的变化.结果发现,取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂与取食非转基因亲本棉花花粉的蜜蜂(CK)相比,4、5、6日龄幼虫体重差异不显著,幼虫及蛹的历期也没有明显差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内的谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶、总蛋白酶活力与CK相比,没有显著差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂幼虫体内的α-乙酸萘酯酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶活力极显著高于CK,强碱性、弱碱性类胰蛋白酶活力极显著低于CK,类胰凝乳蛋白酶活力显著低于CK.另外,采用酶联免疫(ELISA)方法在取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内能够检测到Bt杀虫蛋白.表4参12     

Determination of 27 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water: The benefit of isotope dilution

• Isotope dilution method was developed for the determination of 27 PPCPs in water. • The established method was successfully applied to different types of water samples. • The correction effect of corresponding 27 ILSs over 70 d was investigated. • Benefit of isotopic dilution method was illustrated for three examples. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a unique group of emerging and non-persistent contaminants. In this study, 27 PPCPs in various water samples were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE), and determined by isotope dilution method using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem triple quadruple mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). A total of 27 isotopically labeled standards (ILSs) were applied to correct the concentration of PPCPs in spiked ultrapure water, drinking water, river, effluent and influent sewage. The corrected recoveries were 73%–122% with the relative standard deviation (RSD)<16%, except for acetaminophen. The matrix effect for all kinds of water samples was<22% and the method quantitation limits (MQLs) were 0.45–8.6 ng/L. The developed method was successfully applied on environmental water samples. The SPE extracts of spiked ultrapure water, drinking water, river and wastewater effluent were stored for 70 days, and the ILSs-corrected recoveries of 27 PPCPs were obtained to evaluate the correction ability of ILSs in the presence of variety interferences. The recoveries of 27 PPCPs over 70 days were within the scope of 72%–140% with the recovery variation<37% in all cases. The isotope dilution method seems to be of benefit when the extract has to be stored for long time before the instrument analysis.     

Determination and occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds,pharmaceuticals and personal care products in fish (Morone saxatilis)

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have attracted much attention due to widespread contamination in aquatic environment. In this study, we determined 13 EDCs and PPCPs in fish blood, bile and muscle by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were in the ranges of 0.23–2.54, 0.22–2.36 ng·mL⁻¹, and 0.24–2.57 ng·g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) for fish blood, bile and muscle, respectively. Recoveries of target compounds spiked into sample matrices and passed through the entire analytical procedure ranged from 65% to 95%, from 60% to 92% and from 62% to 91% for blood, bile and muscle, respectively. The methods were applied to the analysis of fish from a lake in California. Target compounds were relatively low in bile, and only bisphenol A (BPA) and diclofenac were measurable near the LOQ. Seven of 13 compounds were detected in blood, with total concentrations up to 39 ng·mL⁻¹. Only BPA was frequently found in muscle, with mean concentration of 7.26 ng·g⁻¹ dw. The estimated daily intake of BPA through fish consumption for U.S. resident was significantly lower than the tolerable daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority. This study showed that the exposure to the bisphenol A from fish diet is unlikely to pose a health risk.     

转sck单价基因和cry1Ac/sck双价基因水稻对二化螟的致死效应及中肠组织病理变化观察

室内采用离体叶片法研究了转sck单价基因抗虫水稻86AS1和转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻MSB不同生育期主茎顶叶对二化螟幼虫的杀虫效果.结果发现,不同生育期的MSB对二化螟初孵幼虫表现出了很强的毒杀效果,二化螟幼虫校正死亡率在扬花期前均达到90%以上;扬花期和灌浆期抗虫性有所下降,校正死亡率高于80%;成熟期校正死亡率在60%以上.在整个生育期,二化螟幼虫取食86AS1主茎顶叶的校正死亡率均未超过50%.MSB对二化螟幼虫的毒杀效果明显高于86AS1.采用透射电镜观察二化螟幼虫取食转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻和转sck单价基因抗虫水稻主茎顶叶后中肠组织的病理变化.结果发现,两种转基因水稻都能够引起二化螟幼虫中肠组织发生病理变化,但病变程度有明显差异.二化螟幼虫取食转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻3d,中肠组织受到严重破坏且病理变化明显;取食转sck单价基因抗虫水稻3d,幼虫中肠组织的病理变化却较缓慢.图2参10