The fungicide difenoconazole alters mRNA expression levels of human CYP3A4 in HepG2 cells

The fungicide difenoconazole has been frequently detected in agricultural products, soils and surface waters, causing increasingly public concern due to toxicological properties. Although systemic triazole fungicides can inhibit the enzymatic activity of many CYP450 isozymes, how difenoconazole affects the human CYP3A4 still remains largely unknown. We thus investigated the effect of difenoconazole on normal mRNA expression and protein expression of human CYP3A4 by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively. Results show that the exposure to difenoconazole from 0.01 to 0.5 μM for 24 h down-regulates mRNA expression levels of human CYP3A4 in HepG2 cells. We also found that difenoconazole could inhibit the enzymatic activity of human CYP3A4 in a concentration-dependent mode. The IC₅₀ of difenoconazole for inhibition of CYP3A4 activity is 0.41 µM, showing a stronger inhibitor in comparison with ketoconazole. Overall, our findings indicate the potential risk of difenoconazole for the disruption of human CYP3A4.     

基于小流域尺度的目标抗生素排放量估算方法——以梅江流域为例

抗生素的大量使用和排放造成的环境污染和生态风险问题日益突出,抗生素排放量的估算是评价流域内抗生素污染程度的重要指标,但目前抗生素排放量估算方法尚不完善。本研究以梅江流域为例,建立了适合小流域尺度的典型抗生素排放量估算方法,计算了四环素类抗生素(TCs)向不同环境相的排放量并分析了其主要来源。结果表明:2016年梅江流域TCs排放量为8 558.1 kg,不同行政区抗生素排放量差异较大,其中梅江镇受人口密度及养殖密度影响,抗生素排放量最大,高达1 224.4 kg;同时流域内不同抗生素的排放量也有所不同,其大小顺序为强力霉素(DXC)土霉素(OTC)四环素(TC)金霉素(CTC);TCs受排放源、排放途径等因素影响,以进入环境水相及土壤相为主,其中进入水相中的抗生素主要来自人类及生猪粪便,进入土壤相中的抗生素主要来自生猪及三黄鸡粪便。梅江小流域抗生素具有潜在的生态风险,应加强抗生素使用管理。该研究为我国小尺度流域目标抗生素排放量的估算提供了十分有效的方法。     

珠江三角洲4种淡水养殖鱼类重金属的残留及食用风险评价

为全面了解珠江三角洲淡水水产品中重金属污染现状,评估其生态风险与食用安全,于2014年8月至2015年8月采集罗非鱼、草鱼、乌鳢及鳜鱼主要养殖鱼类样品共计57份,采用原子荧光光谱仪(AFS),电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)仪进行分析测定,并采用单因子污染指数(Pi)、重金属污染指数(MPI)、每周可耐受摄入量(PTWI)以及食入健康风险指标(Ri总)分别评估其污染程度、食用安全性与健康风险。结果表明,样品中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb的含量范围分别为0.020~3.240,0.020~0.800,0.110~1.100,0.190~19.970,0.030~1.480,nd~0.606,0.003~0.118,0.040~0.803 mg·kg-1(湿重),Cr、As、Cd、Pb在水产品中超标率大小依次为As(7.0%),Pb(7.0%),Cd(5.3%),Cr(1.8%)。Pi结果表明,目前珠江三角洲养殖水域水产品中Cu与Zn残留处于正常范围内,Cr和Hg有少量样品为轻度污染,Pb、Cd与As存在重度污染样品,所占比例为2.86%、6.02%和5.74%。MPI结果显示不同水产品污染程度为乌鳢>鳜鱼>罗非鱼>草鱼,总体上各种水产品MPI依然处于较低的水平;食用安全性结果显示,目前成人每周摄入水产品是安全的,但乌鳢Cr,罗非鱼As含量较高分别达到PTWI的37.76%和19.51%,表明水产品中Cr、As残留可能存在一定的食用安全隐患。健康风险模型结果显示,所有样品均未超过国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)的推荐的最大可接受水平(5×10-6a-1)。综合分析珠江三角洲淡水养殖主要水产品可知,其尚未出现明显的污染安全问题,但As与Cr等元素的潜在风险值得进一步关注。     

7种农药对管氏肿腿蜂的毒性及初级风险评价

为评估农药对寄生类自然天敌昆虫的安全性,选择管氏肿腿蜂(Scleroderma guani Xiao et Wu)作为受试生物,采用管测药膜法测定了3种杀虫剂、2种除草剂、2种杀菌剂对其致死效应,并根据田间推荐剂量计算暴露量,采用风险商值HQ对杀虫剂进行风险评估。结果显示,与空白对照比较,3种杀虫剂均具明显毒性作用,其中丁硫克百威、吡虫啉和呋虫胺对管氏肿腿蜂的24 h半致死量(24 h-LR50)分别为5.11、2.92和0.06 g a.i.·ha-1,农田内风险商值分别为60.23、16.64和3 105。除草剂和杀菌剂在3倍最大田间推荐剂量作用下,24 h管氏肿腿蜂死亡率均小于50%。上述结果表明,在田间推荐用量下,3种杀虫剂对管氏肿腿蜂的初级风险评价为存在高风险,建议进一步开展高级阶段风险评估或者采取合理的风险管理措施来降低风险;除草剂和杀菌剂对管氏肿腿蜂的风险可接受。     

蔬菜常用农药在地下水中残留风险评估

为明确蔬菜常用农药在地下水中的环境风险,运用China-Pearl和SCI-GROW模型开展地下水环境暴露评估,并根据我国成人和儿童暴露参数推导25种农药预测无效应浓度(PNEC)。研究发现,25种农药PECgw为0~18.340μg·L-1,成年人PNECgw为0.003~19.654 mg·L-1,儿童PNECgw为0.001~23.253 mg·L-1。成年人和儿童的RQgw值均小于1,表明25种农药按照登记用量使用,我国成人和各年龄阶段儿童直接饮用施用农药区域地下水的环境风险可接受。     

农药环境风险评估中常用的计算毒理学模型软件

农药的大量使用为我国带来了严重的环境和健康问题,仅依靠传统生物测试和环境监测的方法已经不能满足农药风险评估的需要。利用计算毒理学模型,可以实现农药的高通量风险评估。本文主要介绍了农药环境风险评估中常用免费的EPI Suite、QSAR Toolbox和PBT Profiler等定量结构-活性关系(Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship,QSAR)模型软件和SCIGROW、PRZM-GW、China-PEARL和EQC等环境多介质模型软件,以期能为农药的风险评估和科学管理提供参考。     

Effect of acute exposure to PFOA on mouse liver cells in vivo and in vitro

Increasingly, epidemiological evidences indicate chemosynthetic perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an environmental pollutant, induces potential adverse effect on human health after long-term exposure. However, less study has been performed for assessment of acute effect of PFOA exposure on metabolic homeostasis. In experimental designs, PFOA-exposed liver cells in vivo and in vitro were used to discuss underlying mechanism related to PFOA-induced metabolic dysfunction. In serological tests, PFOA-exposed mice showed increased treads of liver functional enzymes in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total bilirubin (T-BIL), trypsinase, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and insulin, while blood glucose, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and glucagon levels were reduced. In histocytological observations, PFOA-exposed liver showed visible cytoplasmic vesicles, and intact pancreatic islets were observed in PFOA-exposed pancreas. Additionally, increased insulin-positive cells and reduced glucagon-positive cells were detected in PFOA-exposed islets. As shown in immunoassays, PFOA-exposed liver resulted in elevations of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)-labeled cells and CD36 protein. In mouse liver cell study, PFOA-exposed cells showed increased cell apoptotic count, and increased phosphorylated levels of Bcl-2 and Bad in the cells. Furthermore, PFOA-exposed liver cells exhibited elevations of CD36-labeled cells and CD36 protein. Taken together, the present data demonstrate that acute exposure to PFOA-impaired liver function is associated with inducting CD36 expression and apoptosis, as well as disrupting key hormones in the pancreas.     

Multiple copper adsorption and regeneration by zeolite 4A synthesized from bauxite tailings

Copper ions were first adsorbed by zeolite 4A synthesized from bauxite tailings, the desorption of Cu(II) using Na₂EDTA solutions was performed, and the recycling of zeolite 4A in adsorption and desorption was systematically investigated. It was observed that the Cu(II) removal efficiency was directly dependent on the initial pH value. The maximum removal efficiency of Cu(II) was 96.2% with zeolite 4A when the initial pH value was 5.0. Cu(II) was completely absorbed in the first 30 min. It was also observed that the desorption efficiency and zeolite recovery were highly dependent on the initial pH and concentration of Na₂EDTA in the solution. The desorption efficiency and percent of zeolite recovered were 73.6 and 85.9%, respectively, when the Na₂EDTA solution concentration was 0.05 mol L^?1 and the pH value was 8. The recovered zeolites were pure single phase and highly crystalline. After 3 cycles, the removal efficiency of Cu(II) was as high as 78.9%, and the zeolite recovery was 46.9%, indicating that the recovered zeolites have good adsorption capacity and can repeatedly absorb Cu(II).

     

Changes of foraging patch selection and utilization by a giant panda after bamboo flowering

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The bamboo flowering leads to the habitat fragmentation and food quality decline of a giant panda. Few empirical research has been conducted about the...     

白鹤滩水电站岩质边坡微震活动特征研究*

白鹤滩水电站左岸边坡高陡,应力条件复杂,存在LS_(331)、LS_(337)、LS_(3319)层内错动带,F17断层等软弱结构面,施工期和运营期安全问题十分突出。为评价其左岸边坡开挖稳定性,利用微震监测系统对边坡微震活动进行实时监测,并分析微震活动的时空以及震级分布,揭示岩质边坡开挖扰动下的微震活动特性及其施工响应特征。结果表明:开挖强度越大,边坡损伤越大,微震活动越活跃;爆破后0.5h内应力急剧调整,微震活动频繁;震级分布在-1.6~0.4之间,爆破开挖诱发大量震级小能量低的微震事件,诱发边坡的渐进损伤;软弱结构面是微震事件的主要活动区域,具有发生破坏变形的可能性;左岸边坡岩石破裂以复合型破坏和剪切破坏为主,伴随少量拉伸破坏。该研究可为工程后续开挖和支护提供参考,为同类微震活动特性分析提供一定的借鉴。