Thallium(I) and thallium(III) induce apoptosis in isolated rat hepatocytes by alterations in mitochondrial function and generation of ROS

Environmental metal toxins, generated through diverse anthropogenic activities, constitute one of the major contaminants that have led to global dispersion of these toxic metals in the ecosystem. Thallium is one of these widely dispersed metals that produce severe adverse effects on human and biological systems. The influence of thallium(I) and thallium(III) on the early events that trigger apoptosis signaling were examined in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. In addition, the role of oxidative stress, and mitochondria in the induction of apoptosis were also investigated. Incubation of thallium(I) and thallium(III) with isolated rat hepatocytes generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspases cascade, and appearance of apoptosis phenotype. Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agents (cyclosporine A and carnitine) and ATP generators (L-glutamine, fructose, and xylitol) inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis, indicating that both the cations activated apoptosis signaling via mitochondrial pathway. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with antioxidants (α-tocopherol or deferoxamine) also blocked caspase-3 activation induced by these cations, suggesting that oxidative stress may be directly involved in a mitochondrial MPT pore opening and activation of caspases cascade. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that mediate thallium-induced apoptosis in isolated rat hepatocytes.     

Ameliorating effects of hormone and Cu on salt stressed Brassica nigra (L.) Koch with reference to growth and biochemical characteristics

The ameliorating effects of exogenous hormone and calcium were investigated in salt-stressed black mustard seedlings (Brassica nigra L.). The seedlings were subjected to various treatments: control (nutrient solution), salt stress, kinetin/abscisic acid (ABA)/calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Sodium chloride (NaCl) inhibited shoot length (45–55%) and root (<75%). Further, alterations in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were consistent with changes in levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (MDA). The beneficial effects of ABA and CaCl₂ in ameliorating salt stress may be attributed to the reduction of membrane peroxidation and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. These observations suggest that oxidative stress resulting from salt stress in B. nigra may result in production of antioxidative enzymes to counteract oxidative damage, and the enzymes may contribute to the ability of B. nigra to survive adverse conditions. Data indicate that hormone and ion in the order of kinetin > ABA > calcium alleviate the adverse impact of salt on B. nigra.     

Biosorption of Cu (II) ions by indigenous copper-resistant bacteria isolated from polluted coastal environment

The concentrations of copper in water and sediment samples of Cuddalore coastal area, Tamil Nadu, India were examined. The isolation, characterization, screening, and metal sorption capabilities of copper-resistant bacteria (CURB) also were investigated. Biosorption capabilities and growth time varied among the resistant isolates. All isolates reduced more than 80% of copper from copper-treated broth. However, Bacillus cereus CURB-4 strain absorbed more copper ions (99.9%) than other resistant isolates. Changes in structural group position and synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) of CURB-4 strain under copper stress and controlled conditions also were examined. Under copper stress condition, CURB-4 produced more EPS (71 ± 0.6%) compared to control conditions (66 ± 0.4%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the changes in functional group position of EPS were observed in stressed condition. Overall, synthesis of EPS in bacteria is a protective barrier against environmental stress.     

Protective role of L-ascorbic acid against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used for pest control in agriculture and as an acaricide in man and animals. This study was undertaken with the objective to investigate the propensity of cypermethrin to induce oxidative stress in rats following repetitive dermal exposure and its possible attenuation by L-ascorbic acid. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (p < 0.05) increased malonaldehyde levels, activity of catalase in rat erythrocytes and plasma protein levels. Whereas, activities of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the cypermethrin exposed rats as compared to the control. Supplementation of L-ascorbic acid in cypermethrin-exposed rats decreased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes, total plasma protein and catalase activity significantly (p < 0.05) compared to non-cypermethrin-exposed group. However, L-ascorbic acid did not alleviate the negative effects of cypermethrin on the activities of SOD and GSH. This study revealed that the presence of L-ascorbic acid diminishes the adverse effects of cypermethrin on some oxidative stress parameters.     

Oxidative stress-mediated cardiac mast cell degranulation

Pulmonary mast cell degranulation is a well-characterized response to diesel exhaust exposure. A primary constituent of fossil fuel combustion is sulfur dioxide (SO₂). SO₂ was shown to induce mast cell degranulation in an immortalized cell line secondary to induction of intracellular oxidative stress; however, it is not known whether SO₂-induced oxidative stress directly triggers the activation of cardiac mast cells. Accordingly, this study sought to determine whether Na₂SO₃ induces degranulation of cardiac mast cells, and furthermore whether cardiac mast cell activation may be prevented by inhibition of oxidative stress. To this end, cardiac mast cells were isolated from epicardial surface of the heart and incubated with increasing concentrations of Na₂SO₃ (0, 0.5, or 5 mM). Antioxidant compounds targeting different mechanisms of free radical generation, including ebselen, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), or α-tocopherol, were incubated with 5 mM of Na₂SO₃ in order to determine their efficacy in preventing mast cell degranulation. Na₂SO₃ induced a significant concentration-dependent histamine release from cardiac mast cells ranging from 8.87% to 18.86%, which was prevented by ebselen. No effect was observed with DPI and α-tocopherol under these conditions. In conclusion, these findings indicate that SO₂ is capable of producing cardiac mast cell degranulation in vitro; however, the variable effectiveness of the three antioxidants evaluated is indicative of a multifactorial mechanism mediating SO₂-induced cardiac mast cell degranulation. The particular effectiveness of ebselen in preventing mast cell degranulation may be related to its multiple mechanisms of preventing oxidative stress.     

Organophosphorous compounds and oxidative stress: a review

Organophosphorous compounds (OP) have largely been used as pesticides globally. These chemicals induce oxidative stress as a possible mechanism of action, which has been a focus of toxicological research for the last decade. This review evaluated the presence of oxidative stress, balance between total antioxidant capacity, and oxygen free radicals associated with OP compound exposure. Oxidative stress induced by OP leads to disturbances in function of different organs and tissues. Evidence indicates that stimulation of free radical production, induction of lipid peroxidation, and disturbance of the total antioxidant capacity are mechanisms of toxicity induced by most OP. Thus, use of antioxidants may be beneficial in treatment of OP poisoning, which remains to be elucidated with further clinical trials.     

现浇X形桩复合地基拓宽高速公路路基沉降计算方法研究

软土路基沉降计算是高速公路拓宽工程中的重要课题。以南京长江四桥南接线栖霞互通312国道拓宽段采用现浇X形桩处理的软基路段为背景,推导出现浇X形桩拓宽路基的附加应力和沉降计算方法,采用附加应力叠加的方式计算拓宽新路堤引起的附加应力,在沉降计算中引入充盈折减系数以反映异形桩的截面效应,建立了现浇X形桩拓宽路堤的沉降计算简化公式。分析了全部路堤、老路堤和新路堤下附加应力和沉降分布规律并与现场监测结果进行对比,对拓宽工程沉降的主要影响因素进行了讨论,分析了不同拓宽宽度和坡比下附加应力及沉降分布规律。     

环境激素烯菌酮引发小鼠前列腺癌细胞的毒性机制

为探讨环境激素烯菌酮引发小鼠前列腺癌(RM-1)细胞毒性机制,设计了3组实验,分别为对照组、烯菌酮染毒组(染毒组)和烯菌酮染毒后添加维生素E组(实验组),各组给药培养48h后,观察细胞形态变化。检测细胞增殖活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抑制羟自由基能力、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、Na+-K+-ATP酶活性和Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性。结果表明,与对照组相比,染毒组RM-1细胞圆缩脱落明显,贴壁细胞减少;细胞增殖率、抑制羟自由基能力、Na+-K+-ATP酶活性和Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性明显降低(p<0.05),LDH活性和MDA含量显著升高(p<0.05)。与染毒组相比,染毒后添加维生素E,圆缩脱落细胞减少,而梭形贴壁细胞明显增加;细胞增殖率、抑制羟自由基能力、Na+-K+-ATP酶活性和Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性显著升高(p<0.05),LDH活性和MDA含量明显下降(p<0.05)。这表明维生素E可能通过其抗氧化性拮抗了烯菌酮引发的氧化应激,缓解了细胞膜的损伤,维持了细胞膜的完整性和膜蛋白的功能,防止了细胞内LDH外逸、Na+-K+-ATP酶和Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP酶活性的下降,从而逆转了烯菌酮引发的细胞死亡和增殖率的下降。     

Mining disturbance effect and mining arrangements analysis of near-fault mining in high tectonic stress region

Dynamic disasters can be easily induced by mining disturbance in the tectonic stress concentration region near the fault. Based on the fault Coulomb failure stress criterion, a dynamic Coulomb failure stress increment model is established for quantitative assessment of mining disturbance effect. Furthermore, the disturbance effects of two possible working face arrangements near the same fault are compared by using the proposed dynamic Coulomb failure stress model and numerical method. The results show that Coulomb failure stress increment, as a comprehensive mechanical parameter, can well reflect the mining disturbance to the stress environment of fault. The disturbance effect on the fault in the case of the working face perpendicular to fault is much less than that of the working face parallel to fault, therefore the dynamic disaster risk induced by the former arrangement is much lower.     

聊城耕地土壤有机氯农药在地域间的残留差异

为确定聊城市耕地土壤中有机氯农药(OCPs)的残留状况与分布特征,采用网格布点法采集了136个耕地土壤样品,利用ASE萃取技术,采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GC-ECD)测定了样品中α-BHC、βBHC、γ-BHC、δ-BHC、p,p′-DDE、p,p′-DDT、p,p′-DDD和o,p′-DDT等8种OCPs的残留状况。采用单因子方差分析和多重比较判断了聊城市8个县市之间OCPs的污染差异。结果表明,该地区各OCPs均有不同的检出率和残留量,其中以β-BHC和p,p’-DDE为首要污染物。东昌府区的β-BHC和临清市的γ-BHC及DDTs残留量明显高于其他各县市,其他各县市之间差异不显著。