Suppression of male reproduction in rats after exposure to sodium fluoride during early stages of development

Sodium fluoride (NaF), a widespread natural pollutant was given to sperm-positive female rats throughout gestation and lactation at a dose of 4.5 and 9.0 ppm via drinking water. The neonates were allowed to grow up to 90 days on tap water, and then sperm parameters, testicular steroidogenic marker enzyme activity levels, and circulatory hormone levels were studied. The sperm count, sperm motility, sperm coiling (hypoosmotic swelling test), and sperm viability were decreased in experimental rats when compared with controls. The activity levels of testicular steroidogenic marker enzymes (3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were significantly decreased in experimental animals indicating decreased steroidogenesis. The serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were also significantly altered in experimental animals. Our data indicate that exposure to NaF during gestation and lactation affects male reproduction in adult rats by decreasing spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.     

纺织印染废水及其底泥对太湖花早期发育的毒性研究

在(25±1)℃水温条件下,以纺织印染废水及其底泥水提液为试验相,采用半静止式生物毒性试验法,分析了纺织印染废水及其底泥对太湖花早期发育阶段的影响,计算了印染废水和底泥水提液对花早期发育各阶段的无可观察效应浓度(NOEC)、可观察效应浓度(LOEC)、可允许毒物浓度(MATC)、半数效应浓度(EC50)、LD50和安全浓度.结果表明,高浓度纺织印染废水和底泥水提液对花的胚胎发育和仔鱼具有明显的毒性效应,对初孵仔鱼的毒性效应最大,96h半数致死剂量(LD50)分别为19.61%和44.83%.胚胎发育前期对纺织印染废水及其底泥水提液的敏感性高于胚胎发育后期.印染废水和底泥水提液对花早期发育的各个阶段均有一定的致死和致畸毒性作用,且随着浓度的不断增加,花受精卵孵化率降低,胚胎发育延缓、畸形及仔鱼运动性差、死亡率增高.     

The early stages of building stone decay in an urban environment

Short term exposure (2 months) of small limestone samples in an urban environment coupled with subsequent SEM observations provides detailed evidence of the initial stages of decay. After 2 months, significant amounts of gypsum were found on stone samples which had been sheltered from rainfall. Samples which had been exposed to rainfall had negligible gypsum development, but showed considerable microscale evidence of dissolution. Clear differences emerged between the responses of the two different building stones used in the experiment, with Portland Stone having much greater amounts of gypsum after exposure than Monk's Park Stone.     

Growth characteristics of algae during early stages of phytoplankton bloom in Lake Taihu, China

Three treatments, sediment plus lake water (S+W), sterilized sediment plus lake water (SS+W), and sediment plus filtered lake water (S+FW), were recruited to investigate the growth characteristics of algae during pre-bloom and the importance of algal inocula in the water column and sediment. The results showed that in the water column, biomass of all algae increased in all treatments when recruitment was initiated, whereas this tendency differed among treatments with further increment of temperature. The process of algal growth consisted of two stages: Stage I, the onset of recruitment and Stage II, the subsequent growth of algae. Compared with S+W, in Stage I, SS+W significantly increased the biomass of cyanophytes by 178.70%, and decreased the biomass of non-cyanophytes by 43.40%; In Stage II, SS+W notably stimulated the growth of all algae, thus incurring the occurrence of phytoplankton bloom. Further analyses revealed that both metabolic activity and photochemical activity of algae were enhanced in SS+W, which resulted from the releasing of nutrients from sediment. These results suggest that algal growth in Stage II and algal inocula in the water column can be important factors for the formation of phytoplankton bloom. In addition, possible mechanisms promoting algal recruitment and subsequent growth of algae were explored.     

Regulation of bone morphogenetic proteins in early embryonic development

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a large subgroup of the TGF- family of secreted growth factors, control fundamental events in early embryonic development, organogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. The plethora of dose-dependent cellular processes regulated by BMP signalling demand a tight regulation of BMP activity. Over the last decade, a number of proteins have been identified that bind BMPs in the extracellular space and regulate the interaction of BMPs with their cognate receptors, including the secreted BMP antagonist Chordin. In the early vertebrate embryo, the localized secretion of BMP antagonists from the dorsal blastopore lip establishes a functional BMP signalling gradient that is required for the determination of the dorsoventral – or back to belly – body axis. In particular, inhibition of BMP activity is essential for the formation of neural tissue in the development of vertebrate and invertebrate embryos. Here we review recent studies that have provided new insight into the regulation of BMP signalling in the extracellular space. In particular, we discuss the recently identified Twisted gastrulation protein that modulates, in concert with metalloproteinases of the Tolloid family, the interaction of Chordin with BMP and a family of proteins that share structural similarities with Chordin in the respective BMP binding domains. In addition, genetic and functional studies in zebrafish and frog provide compelling evidence that the secreted protein Sizzled functionally interacts with the Chd–BMP pathway, despite being expressed ventrally in the early gastrula-stage embryo. These intriguing discoveries may have important implications, not only for our current concept of early embryonic patterning, but also for the regulation of BMP activity at later developmental stages and tissue homeostasis in the adult.     

Experiences from early stages of a national industrial symbiosis programme in the UK: determinants and coordination challenges

This paper reviews the factors influencing the development and sustained operation of regional industrial symbiosis (IS) networks and discusses the roles a coordination body can play to alter these factors so as to catalyse the development and functioning of such networks. These are analysed within the context of experiences gained in the early stages of three regional IS programmes under development in the UK, and of the recently launched national IS programme (NISP) that they are part of. It is stated that the policy framework in the UK has elements supportive of such networks to evolve, and the regional public bodies are favouring their development. Based on differences among studied cases, it is argued that the nature of companies’ operations and industrial history in the regions, the extent of peer pressure, the positioning of the coordinating body in the region, and its approach to awareness raising and recruitment have major influence on the progress of the programmes. Finally, the paper emphasises the importance of aligning the characteristics of emerging operations with the longer-term sustainability requirements. If accepted, this challenge assigns additional responsibilities to the coordinating parties.     

寓环境保护于经济发展之中

本文阐述了实施可持续发展战略的历史必然性和必要性，并结合实际列举了实现经济与环境协调发展的实例，对于从事环境研究和环境管理人员有一定的指导意义。     

乌鲁木齐地区土壤重金属污染空间分布及污染预警研究

以乌鲁木齐市土壤和农作物为研究对象,在大量野外调查采样和样品测试分析的基础上,运用地统计学和BP神经网络技术等方法,对研究区内土壤重金属的空间分布及重金属污染进行预警研究.结果发现,整个研究区重金属污染均呈增强态势,Cr元素呈现南北两头高、中间低的分布规律,其余各元素均呈现出较为明显的条块状或斑块状分布,且从南到北逐渐降低,高值区主要集中在乌鲁木齐市区.通过BP神经网络模型对乌鲁木齐2015年和2020年土壤重金属含量进行了预测,并对预测结果进行预警分析.结果表明,未来10年内,随着乌鲁木齐社会经济的发展,各行政区重金属元素含量均表现出了累积增长的趋势,其中,天山区、沙依巴克区、新市区和水磨沟区等4个主城区预测值普遍高于其他行政区.从预测结果来看,乌鲁木齐地区未来10年内,Cd元素污染相当严重,将达到重警状态,Zn元素将达到中警状态,其余各元素基本上处于轻警或无警状态.     

Microvillar enzyme assays in amniotic fluid and fetal tissues at different stages of development

A systematic study of microvillar enzyme activities in the amniotic fluid in correlation with their values in different fetal tissues during development has been undertaken. Microvillar enzymes appeared in the amniotic fluid at the time of disappearance of the anal membrane, 12–13 weeks, and declined from the 18th week until the 24th week. The study of fetal tissues and fluids has shown that gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is mainly of liver origin. The significant decrease of the activities of these amniotic fluid enzymes has been the basis of prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. These assays may be useful for the diagnosis of certain digestive tract abnormalities at later stages of pregnancy.     

我国农村能源发展方针调整问题探讨

我国农村能源发展方针是“因地制宜,多能互补,综合利用,讲求效益”,这是在短缺经济的背景下,针对能源危机而提出来的。目前我国农村的社会、经济及其能源供需结构形势发生了重大变化,大量商品能进入农村市场,农村能源面临着结构升级和如何现代化的问题,原十六字方针因缺少生态观和市场观,已不符合现时和未来农村能源可持续发展的实际。文章提出了农村能源发展的十八字方针“因地制宜,生态兴能,市场调节,讲求综合效益”,并逐一对新方针中的论点进行了阐述,提出了我国应以生物质二次能源与商品能源整合的可持续能源的发展理念,提出了实施新方针的有关举措。     

Toxic effects of perfluorononanoic acid on the development of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) is a nine-carbon perfluoroalkyl acid widely used in industrial and domestic products. It is a persistent organic pollutant found in the environment as well as in the tissues of humans and wildlife. There is a concern that this chemical might be a developmental toxicant and teratogen in various ecosystems. In the present study, the toxic effects of PFNA were evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. One hour post-fertilization embryos were treated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 350, and 400 μmol/L PFNA for 96 hr in 6-well plates. Developmental phenotypes and hatching rates were observed and recorded. Nineteen genes related to oxidative stress and lipid metabolism were examined using Quantitative RT-PCR and confirmed by whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH). Results showed that PFNA delayed the development of zebrafish embryos, reduced the hatching rate, and caused ventricular edema and malformation of the spine. In addition, the amount of reactive oxygen species in the embryo bodies increased significantly after exposure to PFNA compared with that of the control group. The Quantitative RT-PCR and WISH experiments demonstrated that mRNA expression of the lfabp and ucp2 genes increased significantly while that of sod1 and mt-nd1 decreased significantly after PFNA exposure. The mRNA expression levels of gpx1 and mt-atp6 decreased significantly in the high concentration group. However, the mRNA expression levels of both ppara and pparg did not show any significant variation after exposure. These findings suggest that PFNA affected the development of zebrafish embryos at relatively low concentrations.     

Toxic effects of perfluorononanoic acid on the development of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Perfluorononanoic acid(PFNA) is a nine-carbon perfluoroalkyl acid widely used in industrial and domestic products. It is a persistent organic pollutant found in the environment as well as in the tissues of humans and wildlife. There is a concern that this chemical might be a developmental toxicant and teratogen in various ecosystems. In the present study,the toxic effects of PFNA were evaluated in zebrafish(Danio rerio) embryos. One hour post-fertilization embryos were treated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 350, and 400 μmol/L PFNA for 96 hr in 6-well plates. Developmental phenotypes and hatching rates were observed and recorded. Nineteen genes related to oxidative stress and lipid metabolism were examined using Quantitative RT-PCR and confirmed by whole mount in situ hybridization(WISH). Results showed that PFNA delayed the development of zebrafish embryos, reduced the hatching rate, and caused ventricular edema and malformation of the spine. In addition, the amount of reactive oxygen species in the embryo bodies increased significantly after exposure to PFNA compared with that of the control group. The Quantitative RT-PCR and WISH experiments demonstrated that m RNA expression of the lfabp and ucp2 genes increased significantly while that of sod1 and mt-nd1 decreased significantly after PFNA exposure. The m RNA expression levels of gpx1 and mt-atp6 decreased significantly in the high concentration group. However, the m RNA expression levels of both ppara and pparg did not show any significant variation after exposure. These findings suggest that PFNA affected the development of zebrafish embryos at relatively low concentrations.     

Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of antibiotics at various aquaculture stages in typical aquaculture areas surrounding the Yellow Sea

The pollution of antibiotics commonly existed throughout the entire aquaculture process,but the residues of antibiotics at different aquaculture stages have rarely been studied. This study investigated the occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of antibiotics at different aquaculture stages (the non-aquaculture stage, the early aquaculture stage, the middle aquaculture stage, and the late aquaculture stage) in two typical marine aquaculture areas (Mahegang River and Dingzi Bay) surrounding the YellowSea. Fluoroquinolones and tetracyclineswere commonly used antibiotics in the aquaculture of these areaswith high detection frequencies (17% to 83%). Compared among four aquaculture stages, the highest concentration of antibiotics (9032.08 ng/L) in aquaculture ponds was detected at the late aquaculture stage. And the antibiotic pollution level of natural water was directly related to the aquaculture stages. Similarly, at the aquaculture stages, the detection frequency of antibiotics in sediments was higher than that at the non-aquaculture stage. Based on the correlation analysis, the concentration of main antibiotics in water showed a positive correlation with total nitrogen (p<0.05) and chlorophyll a (p<0.01), while it showed a negative correlation with salinity (p<0.01) in coastal water of the Dingzi Bay. According to the risk assessment,with the development of aquaculture stages, the selection pressure of fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines on resistant bacteria had increased. And the ecological risks caused by sulfonamides and tetracyclines to aquatic organisms had also increased markedly. Overall, this study may provide a reference for formulating regulatory policies regarding antibiotic use at different aquaculture stages.