(Eco)toxicological effects of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and permanent fish cell cultures

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (TMDD) is a high-production volume chemical used in paper, ink, pesticide, and adhesive industries as a wetting and anti-foaming agent. The physicochemical properties and slow biodegradation rate of TMDD indicate a low bioaccumulation potential but a high prevalence in the environment. As a consequence, TMDD has been detected in several European rivers in the nanogram per liter and lower microgram per liter range; however, its environmental risk to aquatic organisms is considered low. Recent studies almost exclusively focused on acute effects by TMDD, little is known about cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, reproduction and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and any kind of long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity so far. The present study aims to provide more specific baseline information on the ecotoxicological effects of TMDD in fish. For this end, cyto- and genotoxicity assays were carried out in vitro with the permanent fish cell line RTL-W1; in addition, in vivo studies were conducted with the early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in order to fill the data gaps in developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. TMDD showed a cytotoxic and slight genotoxic potential in fish cell lines; moreover, various sublethal and lethal effects could be detected in developing zebrafish embryos. There was no evidence of endocrine-disrupting effects by TMDD; however, mortality following prolonged exposure to TMDD during fish sexual development test was clearly higher than mortality in the fish embryo test after 96-h exposure. Our results thus confirmed previous findings of laboratory screening tests, suggesting short-term toxic effects of TMDD in the intermediate, and long-term effects in the lower milligram per liter range.     

改性γ-聚谷氨酸络合重金属离子性能

研究了不同控制条件(温度、Pb2+浓度、pH)对交联改性γ-聚合谷氨酸(γ-PGA)吸附重金属离子所形成的絮凝颗粒性质的影响,对于治理水中重金属污染的相关研究有一定参考价值。实验表明,C-L-γ-PGA絮凝吸附Pb2+的最佳温度段在30℃附近。随着交联度的增加,不同的Pb2+浓度影响絮凝颗粒的大小,当处于较低浓度时,静电引力成为影响絮凝颗粒粒径最主要的因素,当Pb2+浓度增加到一定程度时,重金属的吸附量成为絮凝颗粒的粒径的决定因素。溶液pH达到7附近时,能够形成粒径最大的絮凝颗粒,并出现了最大的Pb2+去除率。C-L-γ-PGA对其他重金属离子也有类似的吸附絮凝作用,且絮凝吸附强弱顺序为Cu2+>Cr3+>Pb2+>Hg2+。吸附絮凝颗粒的粒径反映了重金属被吸附之后分离的难易程度,因此研究不同条件对絮凝颗粒粒径的影响对重金属离子的吸附和去除有重要意义。     

Comparison of various advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of phenylurea herbicides

Various types of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as UV photolysis, ozonation, heterogeneous photocatalysis and their combinations were comparatively examined at the same energy input in a home-made reactor. The oxidative transformations of the phenylurea herbicides fenuron, monuron and diuron were investigated. The initial rates of transformation demonstrated that UV photolysis was highly efficient in the cases of diuron and monuron. Ozonation proved to be much more effective in the transformation of fenuron than in those of the chlorine containing monuron and diuron. In heterogeneous photocatalysis, the rate of decomposition decreased with increase of the number of chlorine atoms in the target molecule. Addition of ozone to UV-irradiated solutions and/or TiO₂-containing suspensions markedly increased the initial rates of degradation. Dehalogenation of monuron and diuron showed that each of these procedures is suitable for the simultaneous removal of chlorinated pesticides and their chlorinated intermediates. Heterogeneous photocatalysis was found to be effective in the mineralization.     

AZFc deletion detected in a newborn with prenatally diagnosed Yq deletion

A case of prenatally diagnosed Yq deletion is described. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) was used to identify the abnormal chromosome and to exclude mosaicism. Based on the cytogenetic result and the ultrasound investigation the pregnancy was continued. A newborn with normal male genitalia was delivered. Microdeletion analysis of the Yq showed the absence of the AZFc region. This type of deletion has been described as being associated with azoospermia or oligozoospermia with a progressive decrease of sperm number over time. Long-term andrological follow-up of the newborn will be necessary with eventual cryoconservation of sperm at early adulthood. The present report proposes that AZF analysis combined with FISH has an important role in accurate genetic counselling in sex chromosome anomalies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.