In vivo methylation of guanine by the organophosphorus insecticide tetrachlorvinphos

The in vivo methylating capability of the organophosphorus insecticide tetrachlorvinphos, assayed by the formation of 7-methyl-guanine in mouse liver, was investigated. Following intraperitoneal injection of male mice with different doses of the 14C-insecticide, labelled at the OCH3 groups, the total and specific radioactivity of nucleic acids and protein were determined. The 14C-labelling in the isolated macromolecules reached its maximum 24 hours following administration of the insecticide. Analysis of the acid hydrolysate of DNA and of RNA on Dowex-50 WX-12 revealed the presence of (7-14C) methylguanine. At maximum 14C-labelling, the amount of radioactive 7-MeGu, calculated as fraction of total dose, was around 9 X 10(-5) and 39 X 10(-5) for DNA and RNA, respectively.     

Microbial degradation of trifluralin by Aspergillus carneus, Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma viride

3H-Trifluralin was synthesized by condensation of 3H-4-chloro-3,5-dinitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluorotoluene with di-n-propylamine. After incubation of trifluralin with Aspergillus carneus, Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma viride for 10 days, a small percentage (less than 10%) of unchanged herbicide was recovered in the extractable fraction. This indicates a fairly rapid degradation of the herbicide by the fungal species. Other than trifluralin, the culture medium contained at least five labelled products: 2,6-dinitro-N-n-propyl-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine; 2,6-dinitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine; 2-amino-6-nitro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-p-toluidine, 2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl phenol and a major polar product which constituted more than 50% of the total extractable transformation products. A pathway, which simulates that of aerobic degradation of the herbicide in soil, is suggested for the microbiological degradation of trifluralin.     

Comparison of nonlinear least squares and log transformation procedures for calculating volatilization coefficients

A nonlinear least squares procedure and a log transformation procedure for calculating first-order rate coefficients from experimental concentration-versus-time data were compared using laboratory measurements of the volatilization from water of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane and the absorption of oxygen by water. Ratios of the nonlinear least squares to log transformation volatilization and absorption coefficients for 77 tests ranged from 0.955 to 1.08 and averaged 1.01. Comparison of the maximum, minimum, and mean root-mean-square errors of prediction for six sets of coefficients showed that the errors for the nonlinear least squares procedure were almost always smaller than the errors for the log transformation procedure.     

“5.12”汶川地震极重灾区灾后 十年生态恢复状况评估

汶川地震发生10年后，通过对极重灾区生态系统类型解译和地面植被样方调查， GPP、LAI反演，以及对土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾和速效氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的测定与分析，综合评估了极重灾区植被和土壤恢复情况。结果表明：区域生态系统总体趋于稳定向好的恢复态势。2017年的裸露地表面积虽高于震前（2007年），但相对于震后（2008年后）已有所减少。从生态系统质量上来看：GPP、LAI均值在2014年以后呈持续缓慢上升状态，反映了区域生态系统总体良好的恢复力。但是部分在地震中损坏的森林生态系统，仍未恢复到原来状态。成都平原区域部分农田转变为城镇建设用地。至2017年，地震破坏迹地植物种类明显增加。但仍以蔷薇科、菊科和禾本科等先锋物种为主，与2009年的调查结果相似。地震破坏迹地的群落结构已得到了较好的恢复。垂直分层方面，除干旱河谷区域群落结构仅草本或灌草结合1个层次外，其余区域的群落结构已经形成乔木-灌木-草本3个层次；土壤肥力状况总体上对照点优于受损点，受损点土壤肥力状况仍呈恶化状态。地震造成的土壤裸露，加速了矿化过程，短期内受损点速效营养元素含量的增加，长期来看将导致营养元素的流失，土壤肥力下降。在加强地质灾害监管，预防次生灾害的基础上，龙门山前华西雨屏一带，自然植被应坚持自然恢复为主。干旱河谷区域可以按照“因地制宜，适地适树”原则，采取适当人工恢复措施，同时注意改善土壤养分条件，促进植被恢复；城镇建设过程中应加强国土空间管控，保护基本农田。同时，应加强对生态保护红线，以及包括基本农田在内的各级各类保护地的监管。     

Carbon Emission by Soils in Forests Damaged by the Siberian Moth

In the southern-taiga low grass–green moss fir forest completely defoliated by the Siberian moth, the rate of soil respiration in the third year after the pest population outbreak was 1.5 times higher than in an undisturbed tree stand. This was explained by a significant increase in the abundance and activity of soil microorganisms in the pest-defoliated forest, which occurred due to the qualitative changes in the litter composition and the increased temperature and moisture in the upper soil layers. The rate of carbon emission from the soil in the defoliated forest was 41.7 kg/ha per day, compared to 28.3 kg/ha per day in the undisturbed fir forest.     

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 9. Six cases and a review of the literature

Six prenatally diagnosed cases of trisomy 9 are reported and 22 previously reported cases are reviewed; the difficulty of genetic counselling for such cases and the variation in the percentage of trisomic cells in different tissues, thus making accurate diagnosis of trisomy 9 difficult, are emphasized. In addition to karyotyping results, ultrasound findings are important in achieving diagnoses. Finally, a course of action when prenatal trisomy 9 is detected is proposed.     

Seasonal variations of Rn concentrations in the air of a tunnel located in Nagano city

The seasonal variation of 222Rn concentrations in the air of tunnels constructed during World War II at Nagano City has been investigated. The determination of 222Rn concentrations in tunnel air was performed using a solid-state nuclear track detector technique. The monthly radon concentrations changed smoothly, decreasing towards winter and increasing towards summer, and it was found that the concentrations strongly correlate with the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the tunnel. In the innermost areas of the tunnel, the maximum concentration was observed in July, its value being about 6500 Bq m (-3). The concentrations of radon in the tunnel air decrease exponentially towards the openings of the tunnel, which indicates that the radon concentration in the tunnel is basically governed by diffusion and mixing of radon gas with air. These observations lead to the conclusion that the seasonal variation of the radon concentration in the tunnel air is mainly caused by a convection current due to a stack effect induced by the temperature difference between the tunnel air and the outside air.     

Biochemical composition of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus exposed to the water-soluble fraction of crude oil

The biochemical composition of juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, exposed to sublethal concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of South Louisiana crude oil (0 to 2 504 ppb) for 21 d were examined. Although growth took place in all crabs, tissue content varied inversely with exposure concentration while percentage tissue water varied directly with exposure concentration. Total protein, lipid and RNA content of crabs exposed to crude oil were significantly less than that of control crabs by Day 21. DNA content was not significantly different from that of control crabs, suggesting that the difference in tissue content was due to differences in cell volume and not cell number. There were no consistent differences in the concentration of the major biochemical components, indicating that the relative contribution of each of the components remained stable during the period of sublethal stress. Ratios of RNA:DNA and protein:DNA decreased in exposed crabs and were positively correlated with scope for growth and observed growth. The ratios may be useful as indirect indicators of physiological condition. Analysis of lipid classes indicated that structural lipids in stressed crabs were less affected than were lipids used for energy storage. The changes in biochemical composition suggest that the pattern of energy utilization was altered in crabs exposed to crude oil. Growth in size without comparable growth in tissue resulted in decreased tissue content. Available energy was used for growth, with little being stored in lipid reserves.     

Mammalian toxicity of Technical X-factor I. An acute oral study

Intragastric administration of acute doses of Technical X-factor (beta-isomer free BHC, a byproduct obtained during separation of Lindane from Tech. BHC) carried in peanut oil elicited typical signs of central nervous system depression in adult rats. The computed oral LD50 values of X-factor were 4174 and 5673 mg/kg. body weight for male and female rats respectively indicating that its acute toxicity was of relatively low order compared to Tech. BHC. It is suggested that the low acute mammalian toxicity of X-factor could possibly be due to a direct antagonism of the delta isomer (present in larger proportion in X-factor) with the gamma isomer.