Protective effects of vitamin C and curcumin against acrylamide toxicity in embryonic fibroblast cells

Abstract

Acrylamide is a highly soluble and widely produced industrial chemical that has been shown to pose numerous health hazards. This study aimed to assess the effects of acrylamide on the cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in embryonic fibroblast cells (BALB/c 3T3) and to measure protective roles of the natural antioxidants vitamin C and curcumin. Embryonic fibroblast cells were exposed to acrylamide at concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 1000?μmol/L and vitamin C (50?μmol/L) or curcumin (2.5?μmol/L) for 24?h. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and the markers of oxidative lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide and glutathione were measured. Co-treatment of the acrylamide-exposed fibroblast cells with vitamin C or curcumin attenuated the cytotoxicity and formation of reactive oxygen species and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity. Thus, it was concluded that vitamin C and curcumin may play a protective role against acrylamide toxicity; the treatment with 50?μmol/L vitamin C was found to be more effective than the treatment with 2.5?μmol/L curcumin.     

A study on the elimination of 137Cs in mussels under contaminated fields and laboratory conditions

The natural depuration or bioelimination of ^l37Cs was investigated in Mytilus galloprovincialis under contaminated field and laboratory conditions. The depuration result represented by a single component and biological half‐life was found to be 63 days under Chernobyl condition during 1986–1987. On the other hand, the biological half‐life of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the range 19.7–27.1 days in the laboratory experiment. The bioelimination process was also found biphasic and dependent of temperature at 5°C and 13°C under laboratory conditions. The results obtained in the contaminated field and the laboratory are not comparable in the mussels.     

自然风化条件下原油中金刚烷的风化规律

以渤海2个原油作为研究对象进行自然风化实验,探讨了原油中金刚烷化合物的分布情况及其风化规律.结果表明,经过100 d的室外自然风化,原油中金刚烷的分布已经发生了较大的改变：风化损失程度与金刚烷化合物的沸点有关,风化初期单金刚烷损失严重,风化45 d,单金刚烷完全消失;双金刚烷浓度变化较小,有较好的抗风化稳定性;通过t检验分析,所选取诊断比值中,单金刚烷指标A6、A8、A12和双金刚烷指标A16、A17、A18较为稳定,能很好地指示自然风化20 d内油样的来源;双金刚烷指标A17、A18风化100 d非常稳定,可用于长期自然风化油样来源鉴别,金刚烷化合物诊断比值对于溢油鉴别具有重要的意义.     

Phenolic compounds in leaves of Salix species and hybrids growing under different soil conditions

The leaves of eight Salix species/hybrids were collected from two sites with different soil conditions including metal concentrations to investigate the concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb, phenolic profile and antioxidant scavenging activity. Cu, Zn and Pb, phenolic content and scavenging activity in leaves from the control area (lower concentration of metals in soil) (site C) were lower than in plants cultivated in site G (higher concentration of metals in soil). The content of Cu, Pb and Zn in leaves was in the range 9.21 (site G)–52.36 (site G), 0.41 (site C)?12.03 (site C) and 27.23 (site C)–214.44 (site G) mg?kg^?1, respectively. Total phenolic content ranged between 18.19 (site C) and 84.71 (site G) mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry matter. Total flavonoid content was between 7.98 (site C) and 54.48 (site G) mg catechin g^?1?d.m. The scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl˙ ranged between 33.6% (site C) and 56.3% (site G). Phenolic acids, myricetin and quercetin were quantified in leaves. The results show that phenolics are involved during adaptive mechanisms under elevated content of Cu, Pb and Zn in soil. Changes in the phenolic composition in leaves can be suggested as indicators of metal stress in Salix plants.     

Respiratory dynamics of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus in response to low oxygen and high temperature

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus Pallas) were fitted with masks for measurements of ventilation volume and post-gill oxygen tensions, and with arterial and venous cannulae. They were then subjected to periods of low oxygen levels and high temperature. Pre- and post-gill oxygen tension, blood oxygen tension and content, oxygen uptake, and ventilation volume were measured. Effectiveness of gas exchange across the gills, cardiac output, and transfer factor were calculated. A series of blood-oxygen dissociation curves were also constructed at two pH's and temperatures. The data suggest that flounder are able to regulate oxygen uptake down to an environmental oxygen tension of at least 50 mm Hg by increasing ventilation volume and transfer factor while not changing blood flow rate or pattern. Also, the flounder's response to temperature increase is similar to the expected response to exercise, with the exception of an increase in gill diffusion resistance.     

Study of gas-water properties under high temperature and pressure for water-soluble gas reservoirs

The physical properties of gas and water are important in usage of gas reservoirs with water and water-soluble gas reservoirs. According to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Standards SY/T5542-2009 of the People's Republic of China, by applying the crude oil multistage degassing method from the “Test Method for Reservoir fluid Physical Properties” and the formation water high-pressure property testing method described in the “Theory and Application of Reservoir Fluid Phase”, this investigation employed a Ruska 2370–601A phase analyzer to obtain data regarding gas–water ratios, water volume factors, compressibility coefficients, and densities. The results showed curve trends with changes in the temperature and pressure. The gas–water ratio was compared to the gas content of subsurface samples from the X water-soluble gas reservoir, suggesting that these findings might help in the analysis of water-soluble gas reservoirs.     

Comparison of somatic growth and otolith increment growth in laboratory-reared larvae of Pacific saury, Cololabis saira, under different temperature conditions

The relationship between somatic growth and incremental growth of otoliths of Pacific saury, Cololabis saira (Brevoort), larvae under different temperature conditions was studied in the laboratory for three age groups (0 to 9, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 d posthatch). Larvae were incubated from hatching to 9 d at 24, 20, and 16 °C. Further, larvae initially reared at an ambient temperature of 21.7 °C were transferred to experimental temperatures of 22, 18, and 14 °C on Day 10 and reared to Day 20 and similarly from Day 20 and reared to Day 30 posthatch. Growth trajectories of larvae sampled at the end of the three experiments were back-calculated using the biological intercept method and compared to the measured values 0 and 5 d after the start of each experiment. Back-calculated knob length at the different temperatures indicated no significant difference to the measured knob lengths except for the cases at 20 °C from hatching to 9-d-old larvae and at 14 °C from 20- to 30-d-old larvae. The close correlation between somatic and otolith growth shown in this study indicated the feasibility of estimating the growth history of Pacific saury larvae using otolith readings. Received: 14 April 1999 / Accepted: 27 October 1999     

Flow and temperature dynamics in an urban canyon under a comprehensive set of wind directions,wind speeds,and thermal stability conditions

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - Atmospheric flow and temperature dynamics in the urban roughness sublayer exhibit numerous complexities that cannot all be investigated using models or scaled-down...     

Characteristics associated with high and low levels of ecological literacy in a western society

The integrity of the relationship between humanity and nature is fundamental to the health and survival of our species. Humans have always required knowledge and understanding of the planet’s life-supporting systems. Such knowledge and understanding form the basis of ecological literacy which, we suggest, is fundamental to the sustainability of human settlements. An assessment of South Australian adults showed positive correlations between ecological literacy and a number of socio-demographic and psychographic factors. An analysis of the most and least eco-literate individuals within a sample of over 1000 adults revealed significant distinguishing characteristics. Our findings indicate that high ecological literacy is strongly correlated with gender, age, education (and in particular, science-based education), employment status, engagement with nature both as children and adults, growing food, outdoor experiences and lifestyles, growing up in small communities and relational learning. In contrast, low ecological literacy is associated with a different set of socio-demographic and psychographic characteristics such as lower levels of education, growing up in large urban communities, and spending little time outdoors or in natural settings. In addition, perceptions about the major contributors to ecological knowledge and understanding were markedly different within the two groups. These patterns of difference between those with high and low ecological literacy among South Australian adults invite serious consideration for a society that aspires to cultivate an informed citizenry with capacity for making effective environmental decisions.     

Stabilization of hexavalent chromium with pretreatment and high temperature sintering in highly contaminated soil

• Separate reduction and sintering cannot be effective for Cr stabilization. • Combined treatment of reduction and sintering is effective for Cr stabilization. • Almost all the Cr in the reduced soil is residual form after sintering at 1000°C. This study explored the effectiveness and mechanisms of high temperature sintering following pre-reduction with ferric sulfate (FeSO₄), sodium sulfide (Na₂S), or citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) in stabilizing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in highly contaminated soil. The soil samples had an initial total Cr leaching of 1768.83 mg/L, and Cr(VI) leaching of 1745.13 mg/L. When FeSO₄ or C₆H₈O₇ reduction was followed by sintering at 1000°C, the Cr leaching was reduced enough to meet the Safety Landfill Standards regarding general industrial solid waste. This combined treatment greatly improved the stabilization efficiency of chromium because the reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) decreased the mobility of chromium and made it more easily encapsulated in minerals during sintering. SEM, XRD, TG-DSC, and speciation analysis indicated that when the sintering temperature reached 1000°C, almost all the chromium in soils that had the pre-reduction treatment was transformed into the residual form. At 1000°C, the soil melted and promoted the mineralization of Cr and the formation of new Cr-containing compounds, which significantly decreased subsequent leaching of chromium from the soil. However, without reduction treatment, chromium continued to leach from the soil even after being sintered at 1000°C, possibly because the soil did not fully fuse and because Cr(VI) does not bind with soil as easily as Cr(III).     

氧化与还原条件下水稻土重金属形态特征的对比

还原状态下的水稻土被风干处理后氧化还原等性质发生明显变化,对重金属的形态特征产生影响,进而影响对作物有效性的评价.利用BCR连续萃取法研究了张家港市南部不同pH水稻土在还原和氧化条件下Cu、Pb、Ni和Cd的形态变化状况.结果显示,氧化还原对重金属形态分配具有显著影响,而pH对Ni在还原状态下的形态分配有显著影响,对Cu、Pb和Cd形态分布影响不显著.样品经风干氧化处理后,氧化物结合态重金属均表现为不同程度的降低;Cu残渣态比例增加25%,氧化物结合态和有机结合态比例有所降低;Pb有机结合态比例增加33%,残渣态减少33%,酸可提取态和氧化物结合态变化不大;Ni受氧化还原条件影响更为强烈,表现为酸可提取态所占比例降低超过25%,氧化物结合态亦明显降低,残渣态提高超过60%;对Cd的影响主要表现为有机结合态所占比例降低约15%,残渣态提高约35%,酸可提取态和氧化物结合态变化不明显.氧化状态下的重金属形态并不是重金属在田间的真实状况,可能高估了Pb,低估Cu、Ni和Cd重金属在土壤中的危害性.     

Transformation of lead compounds in the soil-plant system under the influence of Bacillus and Azotobacter rhizobacteria

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed at the migration and transformation of lead compounds in the rhizosphere, its accumulation in plants under the influence of the rhizosphere bacteria. For experiment, soil samples of the technogenous ecosystem contaminated differently by lead have been selected for plant growing. The samples were subdivided into control soil and the soil, inoculated by Azotobacter and Bacillus rhizobacteria. Lead concentrations have been analysed in easily exchangeable, carbonate, organic and Fe hydroxide-associated fractions as well in chelate forms and fulvic and humic acids. In soils, inoculated by rhizobacteria, there is an increased mobilisation of lead due to its decrease in humic acids and increase in fulvic acids. On technogenic soil, rhizobacteria initiate the immobilisation of Fe-hydroxide-bound, chelate-bound lead in the rhizosphere as well as lead occurring in roots. As a results, there is a decreased lead uptake by upper parts of plants. There is also a correlation between increasing soil alkalinity and increasing Pb accumulation in the roots of plants. The results of the experiment helped to understand more about the mechanisms of Pb compound behaviour under the influence of rhizobacteria that can be used for developing biotechnologies related to soil bioremediation and crop production.     

Harvest time residues of pendimethalin in tomato,cauliflower, and radish under field conditions

Herbicides applied to vegetables play an important role in higher production of vegetables due to effective and timely control of weeds but at the same time herbicides residue may produce numerous environmental problems. The aim of this study was to determine whether application of herbicide for control of annual weeds in vegetable growing areas at recommended levels resulted in residues at the time of harvest. Thus, terminal residues of pendimethalin in vegetables such as tomato, cauliflower, and radishes were studies under field conditions. Pendimethalin was applied as pre-emergence herbicides at 1 kg a.i. ha^?1 to tomato, cauliflower, and radish crops. Soil and vegetables samples were collected from pendimethalin-treated plots at maturity to determine harvest time residues of pendimethalin. At harvest, 0.008, 0.001, and 0.014 μg/g residues of pendimethalin were found in tomato, cauliflower, and radishes, respectively.     

Aggregation and dissolution of silver nanoparticles in a laboratory-based freshwater microcosm under simulated environmental conditions

Silver nanoparticles (NP) are used in several applications, including their use as antimicrobial agents in textiles, personal care, and other domestic products. As such, there is a high potential for the release of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the aquatic environment. In aquatic ecosystems, nanomaterials are affected by abiotic factors, such as temperature, that alter their chemistry and influence their fate in the environment. Preliminary studies indicate that NP tend to form aggregates which are potentially more recalcitrant than unaggregated NP. These and other fate processes are largely dependent on both the characteristics of the NP and that of the environment. In this study, lab experiments were conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties and temperature solubility of AgNP (<100 nm) that may potentially influence the fate and behavior of AgNP in the aqueous environment. Results indicated that, under these tested conditions, AgNP may be transformed in size and thereby affect fate, bioavailability, and toxicity. In this study, a novel method was used to determine whether AgNP would form agglomerates, or behave as isolated particles, or dissolve when in aqueous media and under different environmental conditions. The new aspects evaluated in this study demonstrated that AgNP are transformed in both size and state under variable environmental conditions.     

高温和干旱对银杏光合作用、叶片中黄酮苷和萜类内酯含量的影响

为了探讨高温和干旱的相互作用对银杏(Ginkgobiloba)生长及叶内次生代谢物的影响,设干旱、高温(夜间30℃)和干旱+高温3个处理,测定了2年生银杏幼苗的生长指标、光合特性、叶片水势、气孔导度以及叶内黄酮苷和萜类内酯的含量。与对照(未经干旱或高温处理)相比,高温引起银杏叶片最大净光合速率降低,气孔导度和光补偿点增加;干旱处理后,银杏最大净光合速率、气孔导度和叶片水势均降低,但光补偿点以及叶片黄酮苷和萜类内酯含量增加,表观量子产量变化不明显。高温和干旱共同作用下,银杏光补偿点和呼吸速率增高,光饱和点显著降低,根冠干重比无统计学上显著变化,但总干重降低。上述结果说明干旱和高温降低了银杏对光的适应范围,银杏光能利用效率变低,气孔导度下降,最大净光合速率降低,呼吸作用增强,抑制了生长;干旱引起黄酮苷和萜类内酯含量增加的幅度大于高温。     

Modeling seasonal course of carbon fluxes and evapotranspiration in response to low temperature and moisture in a boreal Scots pine ecosystem

Environmental conditions act above and below ground, and regulate carbon fluxes and evapotranspiration. The productivity of boreal forest ecosystems is strongly governed by low temperature and moisture conditions, but the understanding of various feedbacks between vegetation and environmental conditions is still unclear. In order to quantify the seasonal responses of vegetation to environmental factors, the seasonality of carbon and heat fluxes and the corresponding responses for temperature and moisture in air and soil were simulated by merging a process-based model (CoupModel) with detailed measurements representing various components of a forest ecosystem in Hyytiälä, southern Finland. The uncertainties in parameters, model assumptions, and measurements were identified by generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE). Seasonal and diurnal courses of sensible and latent heat fluxes and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO₂ were successfully simulated for two contrasting years. Moreover, systematic increases in efficiency of photosynthesis, water uptake, and decomposition occurred from spring to summer, demonstrating the strong coupling between processes. Evapotranspiration and NEE flux both showed a strong response to soil temperature conditions via different direct and indirect ecosystem mechanisms. The rate of photosynthesis was strongly correlated with the corresponding water uptake response and the light use efficiency. With the present data and model assumptions, it was not possible to precisely distinguish the various regulating ecosystem mechanisms. Our approach proved robust for modeling the seasonal course of carbon fluxes and evapotranspiration by combining different independent measurements. It will be highly interesting to continue using long-term series data and to make additional tests of optional stomatal conductance models in order to improve our understanding of the boreal forest ecosystem in response to climate variability and environmental conditions.     

ETU mineralization in soil under influence of organic carbon content,temperature, concentration,and depth

The mineralization of ¹⁴C‐ETU was measured by the evolution of ¹⁴CO₂ and described with a mathematical model consisting of two terms — one term describing the immediate mineralization of ¹⁴C‐ETU and another term describing the first order degradation of humus and/or biomass, where ¹⁴C had been built in. The influence of pesticide concentration, depth of soil, and incubation temperature showed combined interaction effects on the amount of ¹⁴CO₂ formed during the process and on the degradation rate of the pesticide. With the addition of soil extract, a combined effect between concentration and addition of organic extract was seen for the degradation rate, while a three‐way interaction between depth, concentration and organic extract was seen for the formation of ¹⁴CO₂. Degradation of ¹⁴C‐ETU can thus not be described only through investigations of one single of the mentioned parameters.     

砷胁迫下水磷耦合对不同磷效率水稻根表铁膜及其各部位砷含量的影响

为探索缓解水稻砷毒害的农艺措施,以耐低磷水稻99011和低磷敏感水稻99012为材料,通过土培试验,研究水分、磷用量及其交互作用对不同砷浓度酸性土壤中水稻根表铁膜以及植物体内砷分配的影响。结果表明,节水灌溉(干湿交替)明显减少水稻根表铁膜量,降低铁膜、根系、秸秆、颖壳和精米中的砷含量。与30mg·kg-1P2O5相比,180mg·kg-1P2O5能明显减少两个品种水稻的根表铁膜量以及根系和秸秆中的砷含量;对耐低磷品种铁膜砷含量影响不大,但显著降低磷敏感品种铁膜砷含量;在50mg·kg-1砷处理中增加磷用量对水稻颖壳砷含量影响不大,在100mg·kg-1砷处理时能显著降低颖壳砷含量;增加磷用量可明显增加耐低磷品种的精米砷含量,降低磷敏感品种的精米砷含量。水、磷交互效应主要受水分效应的影响。加砷处理后,相同处理下耐低磷品种的根表铁膜量和铁膜中的砷含量显著高于磷敏感品种,而根系、秸秆、颖壳和精米中的砷含量则相反。研究表明,可以通过节水灌溉,并根据砷污染程度和植物磷营养特性确定适当的磷肥用量,从而减少砷在水稻体内的累积,提高食品安全。     

Acute toxicity of potassium permanganate to Caspian roach Rutilus rutilus caspicus in two size classes and under different aeration conditions

Caspian roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus, might experience potassium permanganate (PM) toxicity, because it is common and widely used disinfectant in fish rearing and propagation centers in Iran. Thus, acute toxicity (24-h-LC₅₀) of PM was determined on Caspian roach in two size classes (small and large groups), under aerated and non-aerated conditions, using static non-renewal system. 24-h-LC₅₀ for PM in Caspian roach was 3.2, 3, 3.2, and 2.8?mg?L^?1 in large-aerated, large-non-aerated, small-aerated, and small-non-aerated groups, respectively. Results indicated that aeration was led to decrease in PM toxicity, regardless of size class. However, large fish showed more tolerance to PM toxicity compared to small ones, under non-aerated condition. It is concluded that aeration could decrease the toxicity of PM that seems to be due to the increase in PM degradation, derived from increase in water turbulence. It is suggested that 96-h-LC₅₀ may be more suitable to determine the effects of fish size on PM toxicity than 24-h-LC₅₀.     

高强度连作下露天菜地土壤次生盐渍化及其影响因素研究

采集佛山市南海区露天菜地表层土壤,测定其硝酸盐含量和全盐量,分析珠江三角洲典型区域蔬菜地土壤次生盐渍化的发生现状和原因,为制定合理的施肥和管理措施提供科学依据。结果表明,1)136个土壤样本硝态氮质量分数在1.070～854.4mg/kg,平均值为194.3mg/kg,有19.9%的土壤样本硝态氮质量分数超过300mg/kg,已达到极高水平;全盐质量分数在0.02～2.7g/kg,平均值为1.2g/kg,有12.5%的土壤样本全盐质量分数已超过2.0g/kg的轻度盐化标准。2)土壤硝态氮质量分数与全盐质量分数之间具有一定的相关性,经统计检验相关系数达极显著水准(r=0.5665,n=131,P<0.01)。3)高强度连作露天菜地土壤的硝态氮质量分数和可溶性盐分浓度已经接近多年塑料大棚水平。4)综合而言,导致土壤次生盐渍化的原因有气候条件、土壤质地、地下水位、灌溉方式、不合理施肥等,而过量施肥及高强度连作可能是引起南海区露天菜地土壤次生盐渍化的主要因素。