Chronic inhalation effects of trichloroethylene on hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system in rats

Inhalation effects of trichloroethylene, at levels of 0, 200 and 600 ppm for a period of 4 and 12 weeks, on the contents of hepatic microsomal protein, cytochrome P₄₅₀, cytochrome b₅, and on the activities of NADPH cytochrome C reductase, aminopyrine N‐demethylase and aniline hydroxylase were investigated. Body weight remained unaltered at 200 ppm level, whereas at 600 ppm level a significant decrease in body weight was observed. Liver weight showed increases at an exposure level of 200 ppm by the end of 4 and 12 weeks. Relative liver weight (% body weight) showed an increase at 200 and 600 ppm level by the end of week 4, whereas, after 12 weeks increase was observed only in animals exposed to the 600 ppm level. Hepatic microsomal protein was decreased by the end of 4 weeks at both the exposure levels. Cytochrome P₄₅₀ and cytochrome b, contents were increased at the 200ppm level after 4 and 12 weeks. NADPH cytochrome C reductase activity showed a marked increase at both the 200 and 600 ppm levels after 4 and 12 weeks. Aminopyrine N‐demethylase activity was increased at the 200 ppm level and decreased at the 600 ppm level by the end of 4 weeks, whereas, at the end of 12 weeks the aminopyrine N‐demethylase activity was near control values. Aniline hydroxylase activity was increased at the 200 ppm level after 4 and 12 weeks. Similarly, at the 600 ppm level aniline hydroxylase activity was increased after 12 weeks.     

Work division of floral scent compounds in mediating pollinator behaviours

Floral scents are known as an olfactory signal for attracting pollinators, but why the flowers pollinated by highly specialised pollinators emit scents consisting of mixtures of many compounds and dominated by one or a few compounds is still poorly understood. We supposed that each (especially characteristic) chemical in floral scents may play a specific role in mediating pollinator behaviours and tested this supposition in a fig-fig wasp mutualism. Ficus curtipes is obligately pollinated by an undescribed Eupristina species. In the scent of F. curtipes receptive figs, over 50 compounds have been identified, and the scent is dominated by two compounds, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol (OL) and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (NE). We therefore tested the roles of the two major chemicals in mediating the pollinator behaviours. Our results show that OL and NE, respectively, act as a long-distance attractant and a fig-entry behaviour stimulant to the obligate pollinator wasp. Namely, OL attracts the wasps to the figs and NE guides the wasps into the figs. This finding on the work division of floral scent compounds partially explains the maintenance mechanism of the fig-fig wasp mutualism and the significance of the chemical diversity of floral scent in plant–pollinator interactions, especially in specialised pollination systems.     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids on three trophic levels – evidence for toxic and deterrent effects on phytophages and predators

Summary. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) present a model system in the investigation of tritrophic interactions mediated by plant secondary compounds. However, their toxicity for insect herbivores has never been experimentally proven. Here, we demonstrate the toxic effects of a PA on growth and survival of the eri silk moth Philosamia ricini. In a feeding experiment, larvae of this generalist herbivore fed with an artificial PA diet gained weight significantly slower than control animals, and died as pupae. We suggest that derivatives of the ingested PA N-oxide damage developmental functions during metamorphosis. A tracer test with [¹⁴C]senecionine N-oxide revealed that the caterpillars lack adaptations that would prevent conversion of the chemical into the pro-toxic free base. In contrast, the PA adapted leaf beetle Longitarsus anchusae accumulates PAs as N-oxides. We tested the purpose of sequestration in this species as defence against predators. Through a series of prey choice experiments with three carabid predator species, chemically non-protected bark beetle pupae were chosen almost uniformly over L. anchusae pupae. In a following choice test with one of these predators, artificially PA-treated mealworm segments deterred the predator from feeding. Overall the study corroborates the immediate toxic effect of PAs on non-adapted herbivores and the protective effect that adapted insects may gain by sequestering them. It thereby underlines the potential for PAs to play a central role in multitrophic interactions between plants, phytophages and their predators.     

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.     

Chemically modified peat as an economical means of water treatment†

The data presented in this study indicate the feasibility of utilizing modified forms of peat as a cation exchanger, anion exchanger, and oil coalescer. The‐modification processes require relatively inexpensive chemicals in small amounts and only simple procedures are involved. This factor in conjunction with the availability of peat makes these modified systems well suited for large scale applications.     

昆明居住区常见彩叶植物调查及特征研究

彩叶植物是居住小区的重要组成部分,对居住区绿地的可持续发展具有重要意义。通过对昆明33个居住小区样地的调查表明:乔木类出现频度较高的有14种,红叶石楠的重要地位值最高;灌木类出现频度较高的有15种,金叶女贞重要地位值最高;草本类出现频度较高的彩叶植物共有9种,彩叶草重要地位值最高。通过分析发现,乡土彩叶植物种类较少,彩叶植物配置缺少新意,因而进一步完善居住小区绿地的功能结构非常必要。     

植物中的褪黑激素:含量、检测方法与功能

近年来发现褪黑激素不仅存在于动物中,而且在植物尤其是药用植物和食用植物中也普遍存在.目前国外对植物中的褪黑激素研究比较关注,国内仅有个别报道.本文综述了截止目前国内外对植物中褪黑激素含量与功能的研究进展,同时也介绍了褪黑激索的测量方法等.检测褪黑激素的方法有HPLC(高效液相法),RIA(放射免疫测定),LC-MS(液相色谱-质谱),GC-MS(气相色谱-质谱)等方法.褪黑激素在植物中有许多重要功能,如抗自由基抗氧化,促进植物生长和影响短日照植物开花,促进果实成熟以及抑制细胞程序性死亡等.因此研究褪黑激素在植物中的含量和功能对人们的生产生活具有较大的实际意义.最后讨论了植物中褪黑激素研究及其在农业生产中应用的前景.表1参41     

福州市园林绿地植物应用调查研究

根据福州市134个园林绿地的调查，分析和总结福州市各类园林绿地（公共绿地，专用绿地，居住区绿地，道路绿地等）的植物种类构成，空间结构和植物配置的生态功能和景观效果，对福州市的园林绿化提出了一些建议。     

亚太经济合作组织化工对话会进展及我国应对策略研究

亚太经济合作组织（APEC）是亚太地区最具影响的经济合作官方论坛。APEC框架下的贸易和投资委员会下设8个工作组/分委会和3个工业对话会,其中,化工对话会作为亚太地区最大的化工行业交流平台,致力于加强监管合作,促进经济体贸易,提升化学品健全管理能力,推动化工行业可持续发展。化工对话会设置监管合作与融合、全球化学品统一分类与标签制度、信息交换、海洋垃圾和可持续发展等4个工作组,重点围绕各工作组工作计划和成果开展交流讨论。本文系统梳理了化工对话会的产生背景、架构,介绍了各项议题的最新进展,并就我国参与化工对话会的应对策略给出了建议,以期为后续会议讨论及我国化学品环境管理提供参考。     

水浮莲(Pisia stratiotes Linn.)的体外再生与繁殖

建立了水生单子叶植物水浮连(Pistia stratiotes Linn.)通过器官发生途径的体久高效再生与繁殖方法.采用叶、茎节和匍匐茎为外植体诱导愈伤组织,只有茎节能够在添加2,4-D和6-BA的MS基本培养基上形成合愈伤组织,而叶和茎在含有不同组合植物激素的培养基上都不能够诱导愈伤产生.将愈伤组织转到添加6-BA和NAA的MS固体分化培养基可以在2wk内形成小苗,将小苗移至含NAA的MS固体生根培养基形成完整的植株.将生根苗转入无植物激素的不同基本液体培养基里比较其生长效果,其中含有2倍大量元素的SH培养基最适合其生长繁殖,在2wk内可由1个小苗每秒殖出10个新的植株.本研究是关于该植物体外再生的首次报道.水浮莲体外再生及繁殖系统的建立不公可以用于在无菌条件下进行基础生理生化研究,还可以用于该植物遗传达室转化系统的建立.由于该植物生长迅速且为无性繁殖,生产成本低,通过基因工程方法表达外源基因将可以用于重组药用蛋白的生产及污染水体的转基因植物修复.     

目前针对水环境化学品风险评估的方法是正确的么？

我们想要保护水生生态环境,通过测试数以千计的化学物质和成百上千的水生物种之间交互作用,得到成千上万的结果,但仍然不可能考虑到所有物质的混合情况。污染物对野生鱼类的内分泌干扰作用的课题推动了人们对如药物之类的微污染物的研究。尽管我们担心鱼类会因污染而繁殖能力下降,但并没有足够的证据表明鱼类种群处于危险之中。事实上,许多鱼类生物学家认为,在过去的30 - 40年里,鲤科的数量已经在逐步恢复中。目前的风险评估的关键在于其核心假设,也就是实验室观测或者模型预测的结果简单地适用于群体水平,显而易见这个假设是值得质疑的。 我们明白了疏于监测野生动物种群的变化成为了我们的环境保护战略的关键弱点。如果我们不知道水生野生动物物种是在减少或增加,那么我们研究的其他生态毒理行为又有多少价值呢？
精选自Andrew C. Johnson, John P. Sumpter. Are we going about chemicals risk assessment for the aquatic environment the wrong way?. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 7, pages 1609–1616, July 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3441
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3441/full
     

宁夏东北部典型荒漠草原植物群落与土壤养分特征

以宁夏东北部荒漠草原为研究区,采用野外样方调查、采样和室内植物鉴定、土壤样品测定等方法,探析研究区内植物群落物种组成与土壤养分特征,以及植物多样性指数与土壤养分的相关关系,以期为中国荒漠治理、生物资源保护与可持续性利用提供依据。结果显示:(1)研究区植物共86种,隶属61属21科,其中禾本科(18种)、豆科(16种)、菊科(13种)和藜科(11种)植物占总物种数的67.44%;(2)研究区土壤总体上呈碱性,pH值平均为8.81,全氮、全磷、有机质的质量分数(0-10 cm土层)分别为0.07-0.54、0.16-0.51、0.51-6.24 g·kg^-1;(3)研究区植物多样性指数中的Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数与土壤pH值呈显著负相关,与其他土壤养分的相关关系未达到显著水平,其他植物多样性指数与土壤养分的关系均未达到显著水平。研究表明,宁夏东北部荒漠草原植物种类少,禾本科、豆科植物优势明显,土壤养分条件差,土壤全氮、全磷、有机质对植物多样性指数的影响不大。     

菹草生理特性对底质物理性质变化的响应

沉水植物的恢复是水生态修复的关键,但在光照、溶解氧以及水力条件等满足的情况下,不同性质的底质会影响沉水植物的生长。以菹草（Potrmogeton crispus）为研究对象,通过向过适宜营养条件下的底泥中添加原底泥30%、70%、100%体积量的沙,以改变底质的物理性质,在30 d内测定菹草的过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、植物叶绿素、植物干物率、植物根系活力的变化情况。结果表明,几种处理试验组中,掺加原底泥体积70%沙组的CAT活性响应得较慢,在第20天时才达最大;全底泥和掺加原底泥体积30%沙的2个试验组10 d后POD活性持续上升,而掺加原底泥体积70%和100%组对POD的响应则几乎停止;各试验组植物叶绿素整体呈现下降趋势,但掺加原底泥体积100%沙组中植物叶绿素最高。植物干物率在20 d后都呈现下降的趋势。研究表明,若只通过加沙改变河道底质性质,则加原底泥体积70%～100%的沙对菹草的生长相对最有利。     

Assessment of the chemical components of Famenin groundwater,western Iran

The Faminin area in the semi-arid Hamadan state, western Iran is facing a serious deficiency in groundwater resources due to an increasing demand associated with rapid population growth and agricultural development. The chemical composition of 78 well samples throughout the Faminin area was determined with the aim of evaluating the concentration of the background ions and identifying the major hydrogeochemical processes that control the groundwater chemistry. The similarity between rock and groundwater chemistries in the recharge area indicates a significant rock-water interaction. The hydrochemical types Na–HCO₃ and Na–SO₄ are the predominate forms in the groundwater, followed by water types Ca–HCO₃ and Na–Cl. The high values of electrical conductivity and high concentrations of Na⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ in the groundwater appeared to be caused by the dissolution of mineral phases and would appeared to be caused by anthropogenic activities, such as intense agricultural practices (application of fertilizers, irrigation practice), urban and industrial waste discharge, among others.