Aging-independent and size-dependent genotoxic response induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mammalian cells

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles(TiO_2 NPs) are subjected to various transformation processes(chemical, physical and biological processes) in the environment, potentially affecting their bioavailability and toxic properties. However, the size variation of TiO_2 NPs during aging process and subsequent effects in mammalian cells are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to illustrate the adverse effects of TiO_2 NPs in different sizes(5, 15 and 100 nm) during aging process on human-hamster hybrid(A_L) cells. There was an aging-time dependent enhancement of average hydrodynamic size in TiO_2 NPs stock suspensions. The cytotoxicity of fresh TiO_2 NPs increased in a size-dependent manner; in contrast, their genotoxicity decreased with the increasing sizes of NPs. No significant toxicity difference was observed in cells exposed to either fresh or 60 day-aged TiO_2 NPs. Both Fresh and aged TiO_2 NPs efficiently induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated Caspase-3/7 in a size-dependent manner.Using mitochondrial-DNA deficient(ρ~0) ALcells, we further discovered that mitochondrial dysfunction made significant contribution to the size-dependent toxicity induced by TiO_2 NPs during the aging process. Taken together, our data indicated that TiO_2 NPs could significantly induced the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in an aging time-independent and size-dependent manner, which were triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. Our study suggested the necessity to include size as an additional parameter for the cautious monitoring of TiO_2 NPs disposal before entering the environment.     

Identification of two alkane hydroxylases involved in long-chain n-alkane degradation by Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b北大核心CSCD

The aim of this study was to identify genes involved in long-chain alkane degradation in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Functional genes were annotated by genome analysis. Induction of alkane hydroxylase genes by C28 n-alkane was analyzed by using quantitative real-time PCR in wild-type Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b and its alkW1 gene knockout mutant strain M 5-5. From the genome of Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, two homologues, G1 and G2 genes were annotated, which showed 50% amino acid sequence similarity with AlmA from Acinetobacter sp. DSM17874, and 48% amino acid sequence similarity with LadA from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans NG80-2, respectively. In addition, G1 showed 71% amino acid sequence similarity with G1a, and G2 showed 34% and 87% amino acid sequence similarities with G2a and G2ß, respectively, which were annotated from Dietzia sp. E1 genome. In addition, the alkW1 gene knockout strain M 5-5 could grow with C28 n-alkane as the sole carbon source, indicating the presence of potential long-chain alkane hydroxylase gene(s) other than alkW1 in Diezia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Accordingly, induction of G1 and G2 genes was observed when Dietzia ap. DQ12-45-1b and alkW1 knockout mutant strain M 5-5 grew with C28 n-alkane as sole carbon source. The results indicated that G1 and G2 genes are mostly responsible for the degradation of long-chain alkanes in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, which has unique multiple alkane hydroxylase systems.     

Strength characteristics of geosynthetic reinforced mechanically biologically treated waste by triaxial test

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The reinforcement strength characteristics of mechanically biologically treated (MBT) waste were studied by conducting consolidated undrained triaxial...     

3个城市生活垃圾焚烧炉飞灰中二噁英类分析

对3个城市生活垃圾焚烧炉飞灰中二英类浓度分布的实验研究表明,飞灰中二英类异构体的浓度分布具有相类似的特征,高氯代二英类的含量明显高于低氯代二英类.飞灰中二英类的毒性贡献主要来自多氯二苯并呋喃(PCDFs).布袋除尘器前添加活性炭粉末时,飞灰的二英类浓度比没有添加活性炭时高1.8倍,而尾气中二英类浓度相应降低.     

利用CRISPR/Cas9系统敲除斑马鱼bco1基因与bco1l基因

β-胡萝卜素-15,15'-加氧酶(β-carotene-15,15'-momoxygenase 1,bco1)是β-胡萝卜素转化成维生素A过程中的关键酶,bco1与bco1l是编码此酶的主要基因。本实验利用CRISPR/Cas9技术敲除斑马鱼的与β-胡萝卜素-15,15'-加氧酶编码相关的基因bco1与bco1l,以便深入开展对斑马鱼bco1的功能研究。分别在斑马鱼bco1与bco1l基因2号外显子选取sg RNA识别位点,体外转录制备sg RNA并与Cas9 m RNA混合对斑马鱼Ⅰ细胞期受精卵进行显微注射,24 h后收集部分胚胎进行PCR检测并将PCR产物进行单克隆测序确定sg RNA的有效性,构建首建鱼,并在此基础上通过PCR检测、凝胶电泳及测序筛选可遗传突变体。本研究分别获得了bco1基因突变与bco1l基因突变,分析表明这些缺失和插入均可导致编码序列的移码,为研究鱼类胡萝卜素代谢及相关发育过程等后续研究提供了材料。     

Environmental impact of mining and beneficiation of copper sulphate mine based on life cycle assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - China is a major producer of copper concentrate as its smelting capacity continues to expand dramatically. The present study analyzes the life cycle...     

Combined effects of air pollution in adulthood and famine exposure in early life on type 2 diabetes

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Famine exposure or air pollution is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, their combined effects on T2DM remain largely unknown. A total...     

The positive role of trade openness in industrial green total factor productivity—provincial evidence from China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The sustainable development of the economy is a key issue of global concern. Green total factor productivity (GTFP) combining economic growth with...     

Selenium inhibits cadmium uptake and accumulation in the shoots of winte wheat by altering the transformation of chemical forms of cadmium in soil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aimed to investigate the effects of selenium application on cadmium absorption, transport, and soil cadmium forms of winter wheat at...