纳米TiO2在拟南芥中的富集、转运及对其生长和生理的影响

为了探讨纳米材料对植物的生理效应,以拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)作为受试生物,研究了纳米TiO_2在拟南芥中的富集、转运及对其生长和生理的影响.本研究将拟南芥分别暴露于浓度为0、0.05、0.1、0.5、1.0、1.5 mg·L-1的纳米TiO_2中,通过ICP-MS测定纳米TiO_2在根和叶中的生物积累量,并采用TEM技术观察纳米TiO_2转运至叶片后对叶绿体结构的影响.在处理0、7和14 d后,测定拟南芥生物量、根系活力、叶片相对电导率和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、活性氧自由基(ROS)等生长生理指标的变化.结果显示:拟南芥能吸收纳米TiO_2并向地上部转运,但转运系数较低;TEM切片观察到纳米TiO_2能进入拟南芥体内并造成叶绿体内囊体中质体小球数目增多、体积变大.与对照组相比,幼苗地上部生物量、叶片相对电导率、叶肉原生质体活力呈下降的趋势,地下部生物量及根系活力呈上升趋势;纳米TiO_2还可引起叶片及根部活性氧(ROS)含量的变化,进而导致MDA、SOD、GSH等抗氧化体系酶活性的应激变化,同时与根部相比,叶片引起的毒性效应更强.说明纳米TiO_2在拟南芥中富集并转运至地上部后,对拟南芥叶片的生长具有显著的抑制作用,诱导其产生氧化应激.同时,一定浓度的纳米TiO_2胁迫下,拟南芥根部与叶片对纳米TiO_2的响应不同,敏感度存在差异,叶生长受到抑制的同时却对根有促进作用.     

Toxic effects of enrofloxacin on Scenedesmus obliquus

In this article, the toxic effects of Enrofloxacin (ENFX) on Scenedesmus obliquus were studied, through investigating the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and protein contents. The possible toxic mechanisms of ENFX were analyzed by determining the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline content, and superoxide anion (O₂⁻) generation rate. Results showed that the growth of algae was inhibited by ENFX and the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of ENFX were 88.39, 63.86, 45.10, and 59.16 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. After treated with ENFX for 96 h, the contents of photosynthetic pigments decreased with the increase of ENFX concentration, the content of soluble protein and the activity of SOD increased and then decreased, and the generation rate of superoxide anion (O₂⁻) increased continually. The contents of MDA and proline changed little in lower ENFX concentration groups, but increased rapidly when treated with higher concentration groups. These results suggested that ENFX affected the growth of S. obliquus, and the main toxicity mechanism was that algal cells generated the reactive oxygen species under ENFX stress, and then the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced the oxidation damages of biologic macromolecules and changed the biomembrane permeability further.     

Polymorphic ROS scavenging revealed by CCCP in a lizard

Ingestion of antioxidants has been argued to scavenge circulating reactive molecules (e.g., free radicals), play a part in mate choice (by mediating access to this important resource), and perhaps increase life span. However, recent work has come to question these relationships. We have shown elsewhere in the polychromatic lizard, Ctenophorus pictus, that diet supplementation of carotenoids as antioxidants does not depress circulating natural reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and leads to no corresponding improvement of color traits. However, a much stronger test would be to experimentally manipulate the ROS levels themselves and assess carotenoid-induced ROS depression. Here, we achieve this by using carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, which elevates superoxide (SO) formation approximately threefold at 10 μM in this model system. We then look for depressing effects on ROS of the carotenoids in order to assess whether ‘super-production’ of SO makes carotenoid effects on elevated ROS levels detectable. The rationale for this treatment was that if not even such elevated levels of SO are reduced by carotenoid supplementation, the putative link carotenoids, ROS depression, and mate quality (in terms of antioxidant capacity) is highly questionable. We conclude that there is no significant effect of carotenoids on mean SO levels even at the induced ROS levels. However, our results showed a significant interaction effect between carotenoid treatment and male color, with red males having higher ROS levels than yellow males. We suggest that this may be because different pigments are differently involved in the generation of the integumental colors in the two morphs with concomitant effects on ROS depletion depending on carotenoid uptake or allocation to coloration and antioxidation.     

满江红花青素在镉胁迫下的抗氧化作用

为了研究镉胁迫诱导满江红体内花青素合成的生理功能,采用镉诱导和体外实验的方法评价了满江红体内花青素的抗氧化作用.测试指标包括还原力、清除超氧阴离子(O-2)、过氧化氢(H2O2)、羟自由基(·OH)的能力.结果表明,花青素的还原力和对氧自由基的清除作用随花青素提取物浓度的增加而增加.因此,镉胁迫下合成的花青素是一种清除活性氧自由基的良好抗氧化剂.镉胁迫对满江红活性氧代谢影响的试验结果表明,在0.5mg·L-1Cd胁迫下,满江红体内O-2和H2O2大量积累,造成活性氧胁迫,说明花青素只能在一定程度上保护满江红免受过氧化伤害.本实验初步证实,花青素含量的增加是满江红抗性机理之一,可缓解镉的毒害.     

碱活化过一硫酸盐降解水中环丙沙星

采用碱活化过一硫酸盐(peroxymonosulfate,PMS)对环丙沙星(ciprofloxacin,CIP)的去除进行了系统地研究.结果表明,碱活化PMS体系能够高效地去除CIP.通过自由基捕获实验确定了单线态氧(~1O_2)和超氧自由基(O_2~-·)是反应体系中的主要活性物种.NaOH浓度、PMS浓度、反应温度和共存阴离子等对CIP在碱活化PMS体系中的去除均有一定影响.随着NaOH和PMS浓度的增加,CIP的降解均呈现出先增加后降低的趋势.提高反应温度能够加大CIP的反应速率,经过阿伦尼乌斯方程拟合得到的反应活化能为5.09 k J·mol~(-1).不同的阴离子对CIP的去除呈现不同的影响:Cl~-、SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-对CIP的降解没有呈现明显的作用,H_2PO_4~(2-)能够有效地抑制环丙沙星的去除,而CO_3~(2-)极大地促进了反应进程.通过UPLC-MS/MS可检测到10种降解产物,CIP分子结构中的哌嗪环易于受到活性物种的攻击.     

二氧化硫对小鼠不同组织器官的氧化损伤作用

对小鼠进行SO2染毒处理，测定吸入SO2后6种脏器（脑、肺、心、肝、脾、肾）的抗氧伦酶活性及抗氧化物质（GSH）和脂质过氧化作用（LPO）的水平。结果表明，（1）SO2吸入引起所有所试脏器抗氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH－Px）活性降低，GSH含量下降及脂质过氧化作用升高。（2）SO2对不同脏器引起的氧化损伤程度不同，存在器官差异，尤其以脑、心、肝、肺更为严重。（3）雌、雄有一定差别。由此得出结论：（1）通过过氧自由基引起组织细胞的氧化损伤可能是SO2毒理作用的主要机制；（2）SO2是一种全身性毒物，它可能引起多种组织器官损伤和疾病。     

Predictors of telomere content in dragon lizards

Telomeres shorten as a consequence of DNA replication, in particular in cells with low production of telomerase and perhaps in response to physiological stress from exposure to reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide. This process of telomere attrition is countered by innate antioxidation, such as via the production of superoxide dismutase. We studied the inheritance of telomere length in the Australian painted dragon lizard (Ctenophorus pictus) and the extent to which telomere length covaries with mass-corrected maternal reproductive investment, which reflects the level of circulating yolk precursor and antioxidant, vitellogenin. Our predictors of offspring telomere length explained 72?% of telomere variation (including interstitial telomeres if such are present). Maternal telomere length and reproductive investment were positively influencing offspring telomere length in our analyses, whereas flow cytometry-estimated superoxide level was negatively impacting offspring telomere length. We suggest that the effects of superoxide on hatchling telomere shortening may be partly balanced by transgenerational effects of vitellogenin antioxidation.     

Mitochondrial electron transport chain is involved in microcystin-RR induced tobacco BY-2 cells apoptosis

Microcystin-RR （MC-RR） has been suggested to induce apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells through mitochondrial dysfunction including the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential . TO further elucidate the mechanisms involved in MC-RR induced apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells, we have investigated the role of mitochondrial electron transport chain （ETC） as a potential source for reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Tobacco BY-2 cells after exposure to MC-RR （60 mg/L） displayed apoptotic changes in association with an increased production of ROS and loss of Am. All of these adverse effects were significantly attenuated by ETC inhibitors including Rotenone （2 μmol/L, complex I inhibitor） and antimycin A （0.01 μmol/L, complex III inhibitor）, but not by thenoyltrifluoroacetone （S μmol/L, complex Ⅱinhibitor）. These results suggest that rnitochondrial ETC plays a key role in mediating MC-RR induced apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells through an increased mitochondrial production of ROS.     

Inhibition effects of perfluoroalkyl acids on progesterone production in mLTC-1

Perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs) are a class of fluorine substituted carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and alcohol, structurally similar to their corresponding parent compounds. Previous study demonstrated the potential endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, two dominant PFASs in animals and humans. We explored the relationship between eleven perfluoroalkyl acids(PFAAs)with different carbon chain length and their ability to inhibit progesterone production in mouse Leydig tumor cells(m LTC-1). We found an obvious dose–response relationship between progesterone inhibition rate and PFAA exposure concentration in m LTC-1. The relative inhibition rate of progesterone by PFAAs was linearly related to the carbon chain length and molar refractivity of PFAAs. Mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) decreased after PFAA exposure at the half-maximal inhibitory effect concentration(IC_(50)) of progesterone production in m LTC-1, while the reactive oxygen species(ROS) content increased significantly. These results imply that the inhibition effect of PFAAs on progesterone production might be due, in part, to ROS damage and the decrease in MMP in m LTC-1.     

Forest clearing and sex ratio in forest-dwelling wood ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica aquilonia</Emphasis>

Sex ratios of ants have been shown to vary with food resource levels in several studies, but it is not known whether forest clear-cutting has any effect on sex ratio of aphid-tending forest-dwelling ants. We investigated whether the offspring sex ratio of the forest dwelling ant Formica aquilonia varied as a response to clear-cutting. We found that the proportion of males was smaller in clear-cuts than in adjacent forests. Our results are among the first showing that anthropogenic changes in forest structures may have a potential to modify sex ratios of social insects and other forest-dwelling animals.     

Heterospecific pairing and hybridization between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nasutitermes corniger</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. ephratae</Emphasis>

The sympatric neotropical termites Nasutitermes corniger and Nasutitermes ephratae are clearly distinguishable based on morphology, nest architecture, defensive secretion composition, and molecular markers. However, given the extensive ecological, geographical, and behavioral overlap of these closely related species, the potential for interbreeding may exist. To explore this possibility, heterospecific pairs were formed experimentally to examine courtship and colony-establishment behaviors, and reproductive potential. Courtship and nest construction behavior occurred in heterospecific pairs in a similar manner to that of conspecific pairs. Survival of pairs depended upon the species of the female partner. N. ephratae females paired with N. corniger males produced as many offspring as conspecific pairs. N. corniger females mated to N. ephratae males, however, produced significantly fewer offspring at 60 days post-establishment than the reciprocal cross or conspecific N. ephratae or N. corniger pairs. This was also the only pairing in which any aggression was observed. Heterospecific pairs and groups formed in mate choice mesocosms, suggesting that species recognition between these two termites is not an important aspect of mate choice. Overall, species mismatch tolerance and hybrid offspring viability are high. The present data, together with previous evidence from defensive secretions and isozyme analysis, suggest that hybridization may periodically occur in nature, and that reproductive barriers between these two species may be incomplete. Hybridization could provide a rare but important source of genetic diversity and may ensure mating opportunities for the more abundant sex of alates in each species.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide and its acid mist on reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant enzyme activity in Arabidopsis plants

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is one of the most common and harmful air pollutants. To analyze the response of plants to NO₂ stress, we investigated the morphological change, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant enzyme activity in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) exposed to 1.7, 4, 8.5, and 18.8 mg/m³ NO₂. The results indicate that NO₂ exposure affected plant growth and chlorophyll (Chl) content, and increased oxygen free radical (O₂⁻) production rate in Arabidopsis shoots. Furthermore, NO₂ elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, accompanied by the induction of antioxidant enzyme activities and change of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. Following this, we mimicked nitric acid mist under experimental conditions, and confirmed the antioxidant mechanism of the plant to the stress. Our results imply that NO₂ and its acid mist caused pollution risk to plant systems. During the process, increased ROS acted as a signal to induce a defense response, and antioxidant status played an important role in plant protection against NO₂/nitric acid mist-caused oxidative damage.     

NO、ROS对SO_2诱导的万寿菊保卫细胞凋亡的调控

一氧化氮(NO)和活性氧(ROS)均是非常重要的信号分子,然而其在二氧化硫(SO2)对观赏植物毒作用过程中可能的信号作用还不清楚.因此,本文以万寿菊叶片下表皮为材料,采用表皮条分析法研究了SO2胁迫引起的保卫细胞死亡和胞内NO、ROS水平变化情况.结果显示:SO2衍生物(终浓度0.4~4.0 mmol·L-1)处理能引起万寿菊叶片下表皮保卫细胞生理活性下降,死亡率增加,且存在剂量效应,细胞出现核固缩、核降解、核拉长等典型核凋亡特征.同时,保卫细胞内NO、ROS和Ca2+水平显著升高(p0.05).用不同浓度的NO干扰剂(NO合酶抑制剂L-NAME、硝酸还原酶抑制剂Na N3及NO清除剂c-PTIO)、ROS清除剂(CAT和As A)、钙离子干扰剂(Ca2+螯合剂EGTA和Ca2+通道抑制剂La Cl3)分别与2.0 mmol·L-1SO2衍生物同时处理后,保卫细胞死亡率及相对应的胞内NO、ROS、Ca2+水平显著低于同期SO2衍生物单独处理组(p0.05).在用As A、L-NAME分别与2.0 mmol·L-1SO2衍生物共同处理后,同时检测ROS、NO及Ca2+含量,发现三者均显著低于SO2衍生物单独处理组;同理,用EGTA和2.0 mmol·L-1SO2衍生物共同处理后,尽管这时Ca2+水平显著下降,但ROS和NO含量却降低不显著.这一结果表明,NO和ROS在Ca2+的上游,且可能通过NO-Ca2+或者NO-ROS-Ca2+信号途径调节SO2诱导的万寿菊保卫细胞凋亡.     

H_2O_2诱导拟南芥NIT2基因甲基化特征与转录水平改变

用外源H2O2处理拟南芥植株,亚硫酸氢盐修饰后测序法分析胁迫生理中NIT2基因启动子区甲基化特征变化,RT-PCR检测该基因的转录水平.结果显示:用100#mol·L-1的H2O2处理3 h后,NIT2启动子区胞嘧啶总甲基化水平与对照差异不大,但对照组CHG(H为C、A或T)和CG位点甲基化水平分别为35.0%和93.3%,H2O2处理组CHG和CG位点甲基化水平分别为50.0%和96.9%;H2O2处理组CHH位点则表现为甲基化水平升高、降低或去甲基化;H2O2胁迫组拟南芥地上组织中NIT2基因转录水平提高.研究结果表明:NIT2基因的转录应答和DNA甲基化修饰参与了植株的逆境生理过程;氧化胁迫与DNA甲基化改变、基因转录上调同时发生,说明胁迫诱发的活性氧增高可能参与胞嘧啶甲基化修饰和基因转录的调节.     

水中萘普生的紫外光降解机制及其产物毒性研究

以120 W汞灯为紫外光光源,通过活性氧物种(ROS)的淬灭实验和溶解氧(DO)浓度实验和发光菌毒性实验,对水中萘普生(NPX)的降解机制、反应动力学及其产物毒性进行了研究.结果表明,NPX的紫外光降解过程包括了直接光解和ROS参与的自敏化光解两个过程,同时.OH、1O2、O.2-的自敏化光解贡献率分别为0.1%、80.2%、35.7%;溶解氧浓度实验表明,溶解氧对萘普生的降解具有抑制作用,而且浓度越大,抑制效果越明显;发光菌毒性实验表明,萘普生光降解生成了具有较萘普生更高风险的中间产物.本研究中萘普生的所有光解实验过程均符合准一级动力学方程.     

Toxic effects of chlortetracycline on maize growth, reactive oxygen species generation and the antioxidant response

The toxicity of chlortetracycline (CTC) on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was studied. The root and shoot lengths and fresh weights of maize seedlings were inhibited by CTC treatment (p < 0.05). Root length was more sensitive than other parameters with the EC₁₀ value of 0.064 mg/L. The spin trapping technique followed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis was used to quantify the ROS production. The ROS generated in maize roots after exposure to CTC was identified as hydroxyl radical (.OH). The EPR signal intensity correlated positively with the logarithm of CTC concentrations exposed (p < 0.05). The dynamic changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and the antioxidative enzyme activities in maize roots were also determined. As compared to the control group, CTC was found to significantly increase MDA content. Treatment of maize roots with the.OH scavenger sodium benzoate (SB) reduced the MDA content and enhanced the antioxidative enzyme activities. The results demonstrated the harmfulness of CTC at high dose to maize in the early developmental stage, and clarified that the inducement of.OH is one of the mechanisms of CTC toxicity.     

Offspring sex in a TSD gecko correlates with an interaction between incubation temperature and yolk steroid hormones

We incubated eggs of the Japanese gecko Gekko japonicus at three temperatures, and measured yolk testosterone (T) and 17??-estradiol (E2) levels at three time points in embryonic development (oviposition, 1/3 of incubation, and 2/3 of incubation), to examine whether maternal influence on offspring sex via yolk steroid hormone deposition is significant in the species. Eggs incubated at 24?°C and 32?°C produced mostly females, and eggs incubated at 28?°C almost a 50:50 sex ratio of hatchlings. Female-producing eggs were larger than male-producing eggs. Clutches in which eggs were incubated at the same temperature produced mostly same-sex siblings. Yolk T level at laying was negatively related to eggs mass, and yolk E2/T ratio was positively related to egg mass. Results of two-way ANOVA with incubation temperature and stage as the factors show that: yolk E2 level was higher at 32?°C than at 24?°C; yolk T level was higher, whereas yolk E2/T ratio was smaller, at 28?°C than at 24?°C; yolk E2 and T levels were higher at 2/3 than at 1/3 of incubation. Our data in G. japonucus show that: (1) maternal influence on offspring sex via yolk steroid hormone deposition is significant; (2) incubation temperature affects the dynamics of developmental changes in yolk steroid hormones; (3) influences of yolk steroid hormones on offspring sex are secondary relative to incubation temperature effects; and (4) offspring sex correlates with an interaction between incubation temperature and yolk steroid hormones.     

水中普萘洛尔的紫外光降解机制及其产物毒性

以高压汞灯为光源,研究了紫外光照条件下水中普萘洛尔(PRO)的光解行为、机制及安全性.PRO光解机制通过活性氧物种(ROS)猝灭实验来确定,光解产物安全性通过发光菌毒性实验来评价.结果表明,PRO的光解速率常数(k)随初始浓度的增加而下降,两者呈显著负相关关系(r2>0.95).随着溶液初始pH的升高,PRO的光解加快,pH 5~9的PRO溶液的k值为0.0953~0.267 min-1.ROS猝灭实验表明,PRO的紫外光解过程包括了激发三重态PRO(3PRO*)参与的直接光解,以及羟基自由基(·OH)和单线态氧(1O2)参与的自敏化光解,直接光解速率常数大于自敏化光解速率常数.采用FFA探针方法测定了不同实验条件下1O2的浓度,其总体变化规律与猝灭实验所得结论一致.发光菌毒性实验表明,PRO光解生成了比母体化合物毒性更强的中间产物.     

基于EPR技术的5种纳米金属氧化物光生活性物种的形成研究

纳米金属氧化物的光化学性质使其成为新的催化剂和杀菌剂,而活性氧化物种(Reactive Oxygen Species,ROS)作为其具有催化杀菌性能的主要原因受到广泛关注.本研究通过电子顺磁共振(EPR)自旋捕捉和自旋标记技术,研究了5种纳米金属氧化物(n Al_2O_3、n CuO、n Ti O_2、n Fe_2O_3和n ZnO)在不同光照条件下形成光生电子、羟基自由基(·OH)、超氧阴离子(O_2~-·)和单线态氧(~1O_2)的能力.结果表明,在光照过程中,n Al_2O_3、n CuO、n Ti O_2和n ZnO能够生成·OH和~1O_2,n Fe_2O_3只生成了~1O_2.其中,n Ti O_2生成的光生电子和·OH最多,n CuO仅次于n Ti O_2,n Al_2O_3和n ZnO能够生成·OH,但生成量很少.本实验结果可为预测和评价纳米金属氧化物的光催化性能及环境风险提供一定的理论支持.     

Joint effects of Penta-BDE and heavy metals on Daphnia magna survival, its antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation

The joint toxicity of Penta-BDE (Pe-BDE) and heavy metals including cadmium and copper on Daphnia magna (D. magna) was evaluated on the basis of determining the 48 h survival, antioxidative enzyme responses, and lipid peroxidation. The response was classified as additive, greater than additive, or less than additive by comparing the measured “toxic units, TU” with one. Based on the survival of D. magna, less-than-additive interactions were found in most of mixtures treatments. This may be attributed to the different toxicity mechanism between Pe-BDE and metals. Cu and Cd played a greater role in toxicity than what Pe-BDE did. As for the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, most response was less than additive. For the glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity, most of the greater-thanadditive responses were found in the Cu plus Pe-BDE treatments, but the additive responses occurred in Cd plus Pe-BDE treatments and binary metal treatments. For lipid peroxide levels, which were measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, less-than-additive response occurred in the 50% Cd plus 50% Cu and ternary mixture treatments. Results suggested that Pe-BDE, Cd, and Cu could induce different patterns of antioxidant enzyme responses, such as antioxidant/prooxidant responses, depending on their capability to produce reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes to detoxify them.