Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances in matched human serum, urine, hair and nail

The purpose of this study was to determine perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs) in human serum, urine, hair and nail from general populations, and to investigate the possibility for human urine, hair and nail used as the biomonitoring sample for PFASs exposure. We detected the concentrations of PFHx A, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUn DA, PFDo A, PFHx S and PFOS in 39 matched human serum, urine, hair and nail samples from Shenzhen in China. The detection frequency and the median level of PFOS were all higher than that of the other PFASs in four matrices. The median concentration of PFOS in serum, urine, hair, and nail were 9.24 ng/mL, 13.96 ng/L, 0.58 ng/g and 0.63 ng/g, respectively. The results of spearman correlation test indicated that nail was an ideal matrix for biomonitoring PFOS rather than human urine and hair in general populations for the non-invasive sampling.     

Spatial and vertical variations of perfluoroalkyl substances in sediments of the Haihe River, China

The levels of six perfluoroalkyl substances(PFASs) in surface sediment and their vertical variations in dated sediment cores from the Haihe River were investigated; studied substances included perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA),perfluorononanoic acid(PFNA),perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS),perfluorodecanoic acid(PFDA),perfluoroundecanoic acid(PFUnA),and perfluorododecanoic acid(PFDoA). Results showed that the total PFAS concentration in surface sediment ranged between 0.52 and 16.33 ng/g dry weight(dw) with an average of3.47 ng/g dw,with PFOS and PFOA as the dominant PFASs. In general,the PFAS concentrations in the mainstream increased from the upper to the lower reaches,except that a drop occurred downstream of the Erdao dam. Although the PFASs in the sediment cores did not show a clear decreasing or increasing trend with depth,the three cores had a similar vertical variation.The PFAS levels were relatively low in the surface sediment,and reached the first high point at8–20 cm as a result of the wide use of PFASs from 1990 to 2000. After that the PFAS levels decreased,and then increased to a second high point at about 40–48 cm,which might be caused by the leaching of PFASs in sediment. Because PFASs have hydrophilic groups and relatively high solubility,the PFASs will transfer from the upper to lower layers of sediment when water infiltration occurs,leading to the fluctuation of PFAS levels in sediment cores. This study suggests that both the temporal variation of sources and transfer processes of PFASs in sediments are important factors influencing the vertical variation of PFASs in sediment cores.     

Tissue distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids and health status in wild Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) from Loskop Dam, Mpumalanga, South Africa

This study examined concentrations of 15 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in tissues from male Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) collected at Loskop Dam, Mpumalanga, South Africa in 2014 and 2016. Nine of the 15 PFAAs were detected frequently and were included in statistical analysis and included two of the most commonly known PFAAs, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) (median, 41.6 ng/g) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (median, 0.0825 ng/g). Of the tissues measured, plasma (2016 and 2014 median, 22.2 ng/g) contained the highest PFAA burden followed by (in descending order): liver (median, 11.6 ng/g), kidney (median, 9.04 ng/g), spleen (median, 5.92 ng/g), adipose (median, 2.54 ng/g), and muscle (median, 1.11 ng/g). Loskop Dam tilapia have been affected by an inflammatory disease of the adipose tissue known as pansteatitis, so this study also aimed to investigate relationships between PFAA tissue concentrations and incidence of pansteatitis or fish health status. Results revealed that healthy tilapia exhibited an overall higher (p-value < 0.05) PFAA burden than pansteatitis-affected tilapia across all tissues. Further analysis showed that organs previously noted in the literature to contain the highest PFAA concentrations, such as kidney, liver, and plasma, were the organs driving the difference in PFAA burden between the two tilapia groups. Care must be taken in the interpretations we draw from not only the results of our study, but also other PFAA measurements made on populations (human and wildlife alike) under differing health status.     

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.     

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.     

海洋卡盾藻日本株过氧化氢产生的影响因素

对海洋卡盾藻日本株(Chattonella marina Japan,CMJP)在不同盐度、营养盐条件及不同生长期的过氧化氢产生特点进行了研究.结果表明:H2O2浓度峰值出现在CMJP对数生长期(4~8d),以第6d达到最大,为0.97×10-4nmol/cell.在N:P为8:1和16:1的情况下,CMJP生长较快,藻细胞在对数生长末期之前一直保持较高密度.CMJP产生的H2O2量与藻类生长呈现出一定的相反趋势,在藻细胞适宜生长的N:P下,产生的H2O2浓度较小.在N:P为16:1时单个藻细胞的H2O2量最低(0.40×10-4nmol/cell),仅是N:P为32:1时(1.17 ×10-4nmol/cell)的1/3,N:P为8:1时,单个藻细胞的H2O2浓度为0.63 ×10-4nmol/cell. CMJP在盐度为20,25psu时生长较好且藻细胞达到较高密度,在盐度为10,15,30psu时藻密度较低,表明低盐和高盐条件均不利于CMJP的生长.盐度对CMJP过氧化氢的产量有一定的影响,在高盐度下单个藻细胞的H2O2产量增加,盐度为30psu时,H202浓度最高(1.1×10-4nmol/cell).     

胞外聚合物磷酸盐形态对生物除磷过程的影响研究

以不同DO条件下污泥龄(SRT)分别为10 d和30 d的两组实验室A/O-SBR反应器活性污泥为研究对象,探讨了胞外聚合物(EPS)磷酸盐形态对生物除磷过程的影响.结果表明,污泥絮体中的磷主要分布于EPS中,PO3-4-P和聚磷酸盐(Poly-P,包括低分子量聚磷酸盐LMW PolyP和高分子量聚磷酸盐HMW Poly-P)是EPS磷的主要形态;EPS对生物除磷的影响明显大于细菌细胞,EPS磷的厌氧降低量和好氧升高量为胞内磷变化量的2.8~6.4倍.EPS中的LMW Poly-P和HMW Poly-P含量均表现厌氧降低和好氧升高的变化规律;对于相同SRT的污泥,中DO(2.5~3.5 mg·L-1)条件较低DO(0.7~1.0 mg·L-1)条件下EPS的LMW Poly-P和HMW Poly-P有更大的厌氧降低量和好氧升高量,对应着更明显的生物除磷过程,说明EPS不仅是生物除磷过程的中转站,而且参与了生物聚磷过程.     

闽江口鳝鱼滩芦苇湿地沉积物甲烷产生与氧化潜力对外源物质输入的响应

研究河口湿地沉积物甲烷(CH4)产生和氧化对外源物质输入的响应,对环境保护及温室气体减排具有重要意义.本研究基于室内培养-气相色谱法,探讨了闽江河口半咸水芦苇(Phragmites australis)沼泽湿地沉积物CH4产生与氧化对不同外源物质(底物、电子受体和营养物质)输入的响应.结果表明:CH3OH(500 mg·kg-1)、C3H9N(500 mg·kg-1)和Fe2+(0~500 mg·kg-1)对CH4产生潜力起促进作用(p0.05);NO-3(0~500 mg·kg-1)、NO-2(0~500 mg·kg-1)、Fe3+(50 mg·kg-1)和NH+4(50~500 mg·kg-1)表现为抑制CH4产生潜力(p0.05);而0~50 mg·kg-1的CH3OH和C3H9N、0~500 mg·kg-1的CH3COOH、SO2-4、Mn4+、PO3-4和低剂量的NH+4(0~5 mg·kg-1)对CH4产生的影响不显著(p0.05).实验剂量内(0~500 mg·kg-1),Fe3+和Mn4+的添加可促进CH4氧化(p0.05);CH3COOH、CH3OH、C3H9N、NO-3、NO-2、SO2-4、NH+4和低剂量的PO3-4(0~50 mg·kg-1)对沉积物CH4氧化潜力均有显著的抑制作用(p0.05);而Fe2+对CH4氧化没有显著影响(p0.05).综合分析表明,CH3COOH、CH3OH、C3H9N、NO-3、NO-2、SO2-4、PO3-4、NH+4和Fe2+的输入对沉积物CH4产生和氧化的综合作用为增加CH4排放通量,而Fe3+和Mn4+输入的综合作用则与之相反.     

西安冬季PM2.5中不同极性水溶性有机物的污染特征及氧化潜势

大气细颗粒物(PM_2.5)通过产生活性氧(ROS)对健康造成不利影响.酸性、中性和高极性水溶性有机物(WSOM)是有机气溶胶中产生ROS的重要成分.采集西安市区2019年冬季PM_2.5样品,深入探究不同极性水平WSOM组分的污染特征和健康风险.结果表明,西安市PM_2.5中ρ(WSOM)为(4.62±1.89)μg·m^-3,类腐殖质物质(HULIS)是WSOM的重要组成部分(78.81%±10.50%),霾天HULIS的占比更高.三类不同极性WSOM的碳浓度水平在霾天和非霾天大小分别为：中性HULIS(HULIS-n)>酸性HULIS(HULIS-a)>高极性有机物(HP-WSOM)和HULIS-n>HP-WSOM>HULIS-a.采用DCFH(2′,7′-二氯二氢荧光素)法测量其氧化潜势(OP),发现霾天和非霾天单位质量OP(OP_m)的规律均为HP-WSOM>HULIS-a>HULIS-n,单位空气体积OP(OP_v)特征...     

Abnormal energy metabolism and tau phosphorylation in the brains of middle-aged mice in response to atmospheric PM2.5 exposure

In light of the accelerated aging of the global population and the deterioration of the atmosphere pollution, we sought to clarify the potential mechanisms by which fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can cause cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through the alteration of mitochondrial structure and function. The results indicate that PM_2.5 inhalation reduces ATP production by disrupting the aerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, thereby causing the hypophosphorylation of tau in the cortices of middle-aged mice. Furthermore, excessive reactive oxygen species generation was involved in the impairment. Interestingly, these alterations were partially reversed after exposure to PM_2.5 ended. These findings clarify the mechanism involved in mitochondrial abnormality-related neuropathological dysfunction in response to atmospheric PM_2.5 inhalation and provide an optimistic sight for alleviating the adverse health outcomes in polluted areas.     

A critical review on the application of biochar in environmental pollution remediation: Role of persistent free radicals (PFRs)

Biochar as an emerging carbonaceous material has exhibited a great potential in environmental application for its perfect adsorption ability. However, there are abundant persistent free radicals (PFRs) in biochar, so the direct and indirect PFRs-mediated removal of organic and inorganic contaminants by biochar was widely reported. In order to comprehend deeply the formation of PFRs in biochar and their interactions with contaminants, this paper reviews the formation mechanisms of PFRs in biochar and the PFRs-mediated environmental applications of biochar in recent years. Finally, future challenges in this field are also proposed. This review provides a more comprehensive understanding on the emerging applications of biochar from the viewpoint of the catalytic role of PFRs.     

离子液体氯化1-辛基-3-甲基咪唑对EMT6细胞的毒性及其机理研究

为评估咪唑类离子液体的生物毒性,研究了氯化1-辛基-3-甲基咪唑([C8mim] [C1])对EMT6细胞的毒性作用和可能的机制.不同浓度(0.06、0.25、1 mmol·L-)的[C8 mim][Cl]对EMT6细胞染毒12h后,采用MTT方法检测细胞活力,二乙酸荧光素(FDA)方法检测细胞膜通透性的变化,Rhodamine 123染色方法检测线粒体膜电位的变化,ELISA方法检测了Caspase-3的活性,并测定了细胞内活性氧(ROS)的含量.结果表明,经[Csmim] [Cl]染毒12h后,EMT6细胞活力下降,并呈剂量依赖关系.当[Csmim] [Cl]浓度高于0.25 mmol·L-1时,细胞活力与对照相比,差异显著.研究还发现,[Csmim][Cl]染毒增加了EMT6细胞膜通透性,降低了线粒体膜电位并诱导产生过量的活性氧,增强了Caspase-3活性.实验结果表明,[C8mim] [Cl]染毒造成了EMT6细胞膜通透性的改变、活性氧的过量产生和凋亡分子表达的增强,这可能是[Csmim] [Cl]导致细胞凋亡和活力下降的主要原因.     

胞外聚合物对浸没式膜-生物反应器膜过滤性能的影响

通过浸没式膜-生物反应器（SMBR）处理上海市城市内河水的试验,研究了反应器混合液中和2种疏水性不同的膜上污泥胞外聚合物（EPS）的量、组成、污泥特性及对膜过滤性能的影响.结果表明,混合液污泥中的溶解性EPS和固着性EPS比膜上污泥多,不同污泥的固着性EPS组分中蛋白质（EPSP）/多糖（EPSC）的大小顺序依次为混合液污泥〈亲水膜污泥〈疏水膜污泥.疏水膜污泥中溶解性EPS比亲水膜多,溶解性EPS和固着性EPS量及组分均有很大差异.混合液污泥的EPS流动性大,疏水性膜上污泥EPS的流动性较大.溶解性EPS对污泥特性及膜过滤性能影响较大.SMBR中亲、疏水性膜片上黏附的污泥的相对疏水性分别为53%、59%.比较2种膜片通量的变化发现,疏水性膜污染严重.     

Variation in levels of reactive oxygen species is explained by maternal identity, sex and body-size-corrected clutch size in a lizard

Many organisms show differences between males and females in growth rate and crucial life history parameters, such as longevity. Considering this, we may expect levels of toxic metabolic by-products of the respiratory chain, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), to vary with age and sex. Here, we analyse ROS levels in female Australian painted dragon lizards (Ctenophorus pictus) and their offspring using fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. Basal level of four ROS species (singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite, superoxide and H₂O₂) measured with a combined marker, and superoxide measured specifically, varied significantly among families but not between the sexes. When blood cells from offspring were chemically encouraged to accelerate the electron transport chain by mitochondrial uncoupling, net superoxide levels were three times higher in daughters than sons (resulting in levels outside of the normal ROS range) and varied among mothers depending on offspring sex (significant interaction between maternal identity and offspring sex). In offspring, there were depressive effects on ROS of size-controlled relative clutch size, which relies directly on circulating levels of vitellogenin, a confirmed antioxidant in some species. Thus, levels of reactive oxygen species varies among females, offspring and in relation to reproductive investment in a manner that makes its regulatory processes likely targets of selection.     

活性污泥性质对短期膜污染影响的解析研究

采用统计分析方法研究了16种不同性质活性污泥混合液对膜生物反应器膜污染的影响机理.结果表明,胞外聚合物(extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)、溶解性有机物(soluble microbial products,SMP)、上清液胶体颗粒(suspended solids insupernatant,SS_s)、污泥混合液粘度(μ)、相对疏水性(relative hydrophobicity,RH)、Zeta电位(Zeta potential)均对膜生物反应器膜渗透性能有显著的影响作用,其与膜污染阻力的皮尔逊相关系数r_p分别为:0.898、0.712、0.810、0.691、0.837、-0.881;同时发现,胞外聚合物是影响活性污泥中溶解性有机物含量(r_p=0.682)、污泥粘度大小(r_p=0.633)、上清液胶体颗粒含量(r_p=0.783)、Zeta电位(r_p=-0.953)及相对疏水性大小(r_p=0.877)的主要因素;在活性污泥性质中胞外聚合物是影响膜污染的根本原因,是膜生物反应器膜污染的重要影响因素.     

抗氧化剂对扁藻久效磷毒害的抑制效应

利用急性毒性实验和生化分析法对扁藻细胞的久效磷毒害效应进行了研究．结果表明,久效磷胁迫下,扁藻细胞产生了过量的活性氧．活性氧引起膜脂过氧化导致扁藻的伤害．培养基中添加１５ｍ ｇ／Ｌ维生素Ｃ,能将介质中的丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量从０．０８１μｍ ｏｌ·１０^-9ｃｅｌｌｓ降到０．０５２μｍ ｏｌ·１０^-9ｃｅｌｌｓ;维生素Ｅ及谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）也能降低膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛的含量,而人为发生的活性氧能够引起ＭＤＡ含量的升高．另外,活性氧参加了久效磷对扁藻的毒害,而抗氧化剂（Ｖｃ、Ｖｅ、ＧＳＨ）均能有效地抑制这种毒害效应     

a-亚麻酸对赤潮异弯藻生长的抑制作用

探讨了a-亚麻酸对赤潮异弯藻(Heterosigma akashiwo)生长的抑制作用,并从细胞膜渗透性、抗氧化酶系和光合放氧量等方面研究了其抑制机理.结果表明,a-亚麻酸对赤潮异弯藻有明显的抑制作用,其第7d的IC50为2.4μL/L.在a-亚麻酸作用下,细胞内Na+、K+、Mg2+和Ca2+浓度随着实验的进行受到不同程度的影响,在36h后都出现明显的下降;藻细胞内可溶性蛋白质含量下降,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT).在8h时明显高于对照组,之后逐渐下降,到36h时低于对照组;丙二醛含量(MDA)表征了脂质过氧化强度和膜系统受损程度,其在12h时明显高于对照组,之后慢慢下降;藻细胞的光合放氧量呈逐渐下降趋势.结果表明,a-亚麻酸通过改变细胞膜透性和自由基反应,从而破坏藻细胞的结构,进而达到抑藻的效果.     

Titanium nanoparticles attenuates arsenic toxicity by up-regulating expressions of defensive genes in Vigna radiata L

Arsenic(As)-toxicity is recognized as one of the major environmental problems,affecting productivity of crops worldwide,thereby threatening sustainable agriculture and food security.Progression in nanotechnology and its impacts have brought up concerns about the application of engineered nanoparticles(NPs) in various sectors of the economy,including the field of agronomy.Among various NPs,there has been a rising amount of interest regarding the effects of titanium NPs(TiNPs) on plants growth and development,and their fate of abiotic stress tolerance.Hence,the present study was aimed to assess the ameliorative potentialities of chemically and biologically/green synthesized TiNPs to alleviate As-induced toxic responses in Vigna radiata L.The results revealed that exposure to As hindered the growth indices(radicle length and biomass) and membrane integrity,while were improved with the application of chemical and green synthesized TiNPs.In addition,treatment of As provoked the accretion of reactive oxygen species(superoxide and hydrogen peroxide) and malondialdehyde(a lipid per oxidized product),but were diminished by the supplementation of chemical and green manufactured TiNPs.The experimental data also signified that exogenous application of chemical and green synthesized TiNPs conferred tolerance to As-induced oxidative injuries via perking-up the expressions of antioxidant genes and enzyme systems viz;superoxide dismutase and catalase.Therefore,the present study inferred that chemically and green synthesized TiNPs,particularly green manufactured,effectively mitigated the adverse impacts of As by augmenting antioxidant machinery,thereby proving its potentiality in the alleviation of As-toxicity,at least in Vignaradiata L.     

Mechanism of Deca-BDE-induced apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells: Role of death-receptor pathway and reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is a prevalent polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congener known to have neurotoxicity. Effects of BDE-209 on Neuro-2a cells were performed in the present study and the possible apoptotic pathway was discussed. Results indicated that BDE-209 induced Neuro-2a cell apoptosis, increased the protein expression of Fas and Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (FADD) and activated the caspase-8 and -3 activities in a concentration-dependent manner, inferring the death-receptor pathway was involved in the apoptotic process. Meanwhile, BDE-209 exposure increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and decreased the cellular mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) which led to cytochrome C released to the cytoplasm. The intracellular caspase-9 was elevated simultaneously, which caused downstream caspase cascade and triggered cell apoptosis. Moreover, BDE-209 exposure increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in a concentration-dependent manner and the addition of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), known as ROS scavengers, obviously reduced the apoptotic rate and a positive relationship was observed between the degree of apoptosis blocking and the loss of MMP and ROS production. We thus concluded that BDE-209 induced Neuro-2a cell apoptosis via the combination of the death-receptor signaling pathway and the mitochondrial signaling pathway. The elevated ROS production was considered to magnify the intracellular apoptosis signal and played a crucial role in apoptosis of Neuro-2a cells induced by BDE-209.     

Reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is an endocrine disruptor commonly found in plastic products that has been associated with reproduction alterations, but the effect of DEHP on toxicity is still widely unknown. Using DEHP concentrations of 10, 1, and 0.1 mg/L, we showed that DEHP reduced the reproductive capacity of Caenorhabditis elegans after 72 hr. of exposure. DEHP exposure reduced the reproductive capacity in terms of decreased brood sizes, egg hatchability (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L), and egg-laying rate (1 and 10 mg/L), and increased numbers of fertilized eggs in the uterus (1 and 10 mg/L). DEHP also caused damage to gonad development. DEHP decreased the total number of germline cells, and decreased the relative area of the gonad arm of all exposure groups, with worms in the 1 mg/L DEHP exposure group having the minimum gonad arm area. Additionally, DEHP caused a significant concentration‐dependent increase in the expression of unc-86. Autophagy and ROS contributed to the enhancement of DEHP toxicity in reducing reproductive capacity, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were activated as the antioxidant defense in this study. Hence, we found that DEHP has a dual effect on nematodes. Higher concentration (10 mg/L) DEHP can inhibit the expression of autophagy genes (atg-18, atg-7, bec-1, lgg-1 and unc-51), and lower concentrations (0.1 and 1 mg/L) can promote the expression of autophagy genes. Our data highlight the potential environmental risk of DEHP in inducing reproductive toxicity toward the gonad development and reproductive capacity of environmental organisms.