Influence of hypothyroidism on oxidative stress,c-Fos expression,cell cycle,and apoptosis in rats testes

The molecular basis of male reproduction for cross-regulation between androgen and thyroid hormone axes is still rudimentary. This study aims to define a possible mechanism of hypothyroidism-induced reproductive influence with respect to sex hormone, mineral, sperm motility, oxidative stress, c-Fos expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis in rat testes. The Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (NS) and hypothyroidism group [1 ml/100g BW/day, 0.1% propylthiouracil (PTU)] by intragastric gavage for 60 days. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels. The epididymis was excised to measure sperm motility and testes were excised to measure mineral, oxidative stress, c-Fos expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis. After 60 days, body weight, relative testes weight, triiodothyronine, and total thyroxine were all significantly decreased, whereas thyroid stimulating hormone was increased in the hypothyroidism group. A significant increase in sex hormone level of estradiol (E2) and significant decreases in testosterone (T) and T/E2 ratio were observed following PTU treatment. And sperm quality was also significantly changed. There were significant decreases in the contents of calcium (Ca²⁺) and zinc (Zn²⁺). On the other hand, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents significantly increased, whereas the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content significantly decreased in hypothyroid rats. The mRNA and protein expressions of c-Fos decreased significantly. The cell percentage in G0/G1 phase increased significantly, whereas decreased significantly in S and G2/M phases. Also, a significant increase in testicular cell apoptosis was observed in hypothyroid-treated rats. These results suggested that hypothyroidism could affect reproductive function in the form of changed sex hormone levels, sperm motility and testicular Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺, and enhanced oxidative stress leading to c-Fos abnormal expression and increased apoptosis.     

Experimental study of recirculating flows generated by lateral shock waves in very large channels

Due to the lack of data on hydraulic-jump dynamics in very large channels, the present paper describes the main characteristics of the velocity field and turbulence in a large rectangular channel with a width of 4 m. Although a hydraulic jump is always treated as a wave that is transversal to the channel wall, in the case of this study it has a trapezoidal front shape, first starting from a point at the sidewalls and then developing downstream in an oblique manner, finally giving rise to a trapezoidal shape. The oblique wave front may be regarded as a lateral shockwave that arises from a perturbation at a certain point of the lateral wall and travels obliquely toward the centreline of the channel. The experimental work was carried out at the Coastal Engineering Laboratory of the Water Engineering and Chemistry Department of the Technical University of Bari (Italy). In addition to the hydraulic jump formation, a large recirculating flow zone starts to develop from the separating point of the lateral shock wave and a separate boundary layer occurs. Intensive measurements of the streamwise and spanwise flow velocity components along one-half width of the channel were taken using a bidimensional Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). The water surface elevation was obtained by means of an ultrasonic profiler. Velocity vectors, transversal velocity profiles, turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stresses were all investigated. The experimental results of the separated boundary layer were compared with numerical predictions and related work presented in literature and showed good agreement. The transversal velocity profiles indicated the presence of adverse pressure gradient zones and the law of the wall appears to govern the region around the separated boundary layer.     

Effect of Pb,Cd and Cu on survival and development of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT

The present research aimed to determine the lowest levels of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cu) to which the larvae of Southern House Mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus are susceptible in water. The study also aimed to investigate the effects of these heavy metals on the development of Cx. quinquefasciatus at concentrations set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) as permissible levels for liquid industrial effluents. The 2nd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu and their effects on oviposition preference, egg hatching rate and larval development were studied. The LC₅₀ values of Pb, Cd and Cu were 12.6, 6.3 and 2.6?ppm, respectively. Gravid female mosquito adults deposited a significantly lower number of egg rafts in containers containing 0.50?ppm Pb or 1.0?ppm Cu in water. Each of the heavy metals in water resulted in significantly (p?<?0.05) lower egg hatching rate, prolonged time to pupation, lower pupation rate, prolonged time to adult emergence, lower adult emergence rate and higher female to male ratio. It is concluded that the 2nd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus are susceptible to Pak-EPA permissible levels of Pb, Cd and Cu in municipal and liquid industrial effluents.     

Mitochondrial toxicity and in vitro biological effects of ambient PM2.5 from an urban site in China

Abstract

The roles of PM_2.5-induced mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress on mast cell degranulation were examined in vitro. Mast cells were treated with suspensions of PM_2.5 in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium at concentrations from 25 to 200?mg/L in the absence or presence of 10?mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Biological effects and mitochondrial function were assessed by determining cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, interleukin-4 secretion, reactive oxygen species generation, adenosine triphosphate production, potential alteration of mitochondrial membrane, and activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes I and III. Exposure of mast cells to PM_2.5 induced reduction of adenosine triphosphate production, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibition of the activity of complex III. Co-treatment of mast cells exposed to PM_2.5 with N-acetyl-L-cysteine attenuated cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species, and decreased the release of β-hexosaminidase and interleukin-4. Evidently, PM_2.5-induced oxidative stress plays an essential role in mitochondrial toxicity and mast cell activation.     

Modelling periphyton in irrigation canals

Periphyton developments in water distribution canals induce major disturbances for system management, such as clogging problems when fixed algae are detached. Periphyton models can be used to simulate and improve canal management. The purpose of this paper is to review the periphyton models which integrate a hydrodynamic effect, and to discuss their relevance for application in open-channels. Afterwards, a new model of periphyton detachment that integrates the hydrodynamic factor is proposed. An experiment in semi-real conditions is performed to compare periphyton development under four different hydrodynamic regimes. The proposed model is compared on experimental results with two existing models. The new model reproduces well the periphyton dynamics in the four canals simultaneously.     

Effects of of V,Cr single and combined stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of wheat seedling

采用水培法研究了V（Ⅴ）、Cr（Ⅵ）单一及复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长和生理特性的影响.结果表明,无论单一或复合胁迫,随着V、Cr浓度的增加,小麦幼苗鲜重、株高、叶绿素含量均呈先上升后下降的趋势.当V≤5 mg.L-1、Cr≤10 mg.L-1,小麦的鲜重、株高、叶绿素含量均高于对照,当V〉5 mg.L-1、Cr〉10 mg.L-1,则分别比对照降低0.2%—46.8%、0.8%—40.7%和2.5%—76.9%.丙二醛含量随着V、Cr胁迫浓度的增加而增大,与对照相比,含量增加了7.5%—251.6%.在V、Cr单一胁迫下,随着金属浓度增加细胞膜透性增大,比对照增加17.8%—59.8%,根系活力则下降8.1%—53.0%;复合胁迫时细胞膜透性先下降后上升,但始终高于对照,比对照增加了0.6%—126.2%;根系活力呈先升高后下降的趋势,降低6.1%—97.3%.研究表明在低浓度范围,复合胁迫在一定程度上可以缓解单一金属对小麦的毒害,对小麦幼苗生长具有拮抗作用;在高浓度范围两种金属复合胁迫对小麦幼苗的损伤和毒害作用比单一金属伤害更为严重,表现为协同作用.单一胁迫中Cr对小麦幼苗的毒性比V大.     

Effect of sulfate on the methanogenic activity of a bacterial culture from a brewery wastewater during glucose degradation

The maximum specific methanogenic activity （SMA） of a sludge originating from a brewery wastewater treatment plant on the degradation of glucose was investigated at various levels of sulfate on a specific loading basis. Batch experiments were conducted in serum bottles at pH 7 and 35℃. A comparison of the values indicates that the SMA of this mixed culture was increased and reached its highest level of 0.128 g CH4 gas COD/（g VSS.d） when biomass was in contact with sulfate at a ratio of 1：0.114 by weight.     

饱和层状尾砂动力特性研究

为探究动力作用下尾砂液化破坏特性,基于某矿山尾矿库坝体分层尾砂,开展不同固结应力和层状结构条件下动三轴试验,分析层状尾砂动弹性模量、阻尼比及动剪应力比等动力参数与动孔压的变化规律.结果表明:固结应力对层状尾砂力学特性和动孔压变化趋势有较大影响,固结应力越大,动孔压增长越明显,初始增长斜率随固结应力增大而下降;尾粉土厚度...     

软土沉降位移作用下大口径管道轴向应力状态研究

为准确掌握大口径管道的轴向应力应变状态,保障管道的安全运行,通过假定4类不同形式的软土沉降位移,研究不同沉降形式对管道轴向应力状态的影响.采用非线性有限元方法建立管道轴向应力应变参数化数值计算模型,开展影响因素分析.结果表明:针对软土沉降位移作用下1 422 mm X80大口径管道,沉降量相同时,突变型位移载荷作用下管...     

不同瓦斯压力下煤体力学特性试验研究

为研究瓦斯对煤体力学特性的影响,设计不同瓦斯压力条件下煤体单轴压缩试验,研究煤样力学参数及变形特征随瓦斯压力的变化趋势,探讨瓦斯对煤体力学性质的影响机制,得出单轴压缩下煤样力学参数,并记录煤样的破坏形态.研究结果表明:随瓦斯压力增大,应力-应变曲线压实阶段增大,弹性阶段缩小,失稳破坏后曲线缓慢下降,抗压强度和弹性模量单...