Indium tin oxide nanoparticles-mediated DNA fragmentation and cell death by apoptosis in human lung epithelial cells

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (NP) have extensive applications in industrial fields, and concerns regarding their potential toxicity in humans and environmental impact have increased. Since exposure to ITO NP is mainly via skin and inhalation, this study was conducted utilizing human lung epithelial (A549) cell line. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of the ITO NP for 24 and 48 hr. A severe cytotoxic response of ITO NP was observed as evident by the (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and neutral red uptake assays after 48 hr exposure. ITO NP significantly reduced glutathione levels with a concomitant increase in lipid hydroperoxide levels, superoxide activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after exposure. A significant induction in caspase activity and formation of condensed chromosomal bodies was also observed after ITO NP (10 or 25 µg/ml) exposure. Furthermore, a significant induction in DNA damage was observed by the Comet assay in cells exposed to ITO NP. Our data demonstrate that ITO NP display cytotoxic and genotoxic potential. However, increase in ROS levels and oxidative stress leading to oxidative DNA damage and condensed chromosomal bodies formation, suggests involvement of apotosis. Thus, ITO NP-mediated effects on cell viability indicate cytotoxicity, and therefore, exposures need to be carefully monitored in the industrial sector.     

Biomarkers of oxidative status associated with metal pollution in the blood of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Spain

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of specific environmental contaminants on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in terrestrial, free-living birds. To investigate this, several biomarkers and the levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic were determined in blood of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings from two different colonies located in the west of Spain that were exposed to different environmental conditions and human activities. Different biomarker and contaminant patterns were observed between the two colonies, suggesting different levels of environmental contamination. In comparison to nestlings from a natural reference area, the levels of the three hazardous elements Pb, As, and Hg were significantly higher in the colony nearby a landfill. Analysis of antioxidant biomarkers revealed significantly higher levels of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase activity in birds from the colony close to the landfill site than were found in those from the “control” area. In contrast, the levels of malondialdehyde did not significantly differ between the two sampling sites. In addition, a positive correlation between glutathione and both Hg and As has been observed. Taken together, exposure to the three hazardous elements is reflected by enhanced activity of glutathione S-transferases, and elevated levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde. White storks can therefore be considered as a suitable model species for environmental monitoring programs.     

甘肃省农田地膜污染及防控措施调查

根据甘肃省第一、二次污染源普查结果和78个监测点数据,采用问卷调查与实地调研相结合的方法,分析了甘肃省农田残膜污染现状和防控措施.结果表明,2013年全省地膜使用总量152 025 t,年残留总量44 574 t,地膜污染地区差异明显,从大到小依次为中部黄土高原区、陇东黄土高原区、河西走廊、陇南山区、天水地区和甘南牧区.不同覆膜作物的污染量不同,污染最严重的是玉米.残膜碎片面积越大,残存在田间的数量越小.种植年限1～＜10、10～ ＜20、20～ 30 a的0～30 cm田间地膜残留量分别为27.62、30.78和42.26 kg· hm-2.耕地利用类型不同,残膜量大小则不同,从大到小依次为粮食作物、花卉、蔬菜和经济作物.不同年限、不同种植作物及不同覆膜方式的田间地膜残留系数不同,综合残留系数为4.64 kg·hm-2·a-1.影响地膜残留量的因素主要有残膜碎片大小、地膜厚度、种植模式、农田距村庄距离、土壤质地、地膜重复利用和捡拾方式.2013年甘肃省已建立起了完整的废旧地膜回收体系,有回收企业231家,回收网点2 130个,残膜回收率为70.7％.同时采取了增加地膜厚度、调整种植模式、增施有机肥改变土壤质地、减少地膜重复利用、采用人工加机械捡拾、建立废旧地膜回收体系等农艺农机技术,大幅度减少了地膜残留量,有效防治了农田残膜污染.     

全氟辛烷磺酸钾(PFOS)和纳米氧化锌(Nano-ZnO)单独与联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡的影响

探讨全氟辛烷磺酸钾(PFOS)和纳米氧化锌(Nano-Zn O)复合暴露对斑马鱼机体氧化损伤和细胞凋亡的影响。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于PFOS(0、0.4、0.8和1.6 mg·L-1)、Nano-Zn O(0、12.5、25和50 mg·L-1)、PFOS+Nano-Zn O(0、0.4+12.5、0.8+25和1.6+50 mg·L-1)溶液中6天后,检测相关的酶活性变化(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(Gpx)、脂质过氧化物(MDA)、半胱氨酸蛋白酶(Caspase-3和Caspase-9)和与细胞凋亡相关基因(Bax,p53和Bcl-2)表达情况。结果表明:PFOS和Nano-Zn O单独与复合暴露均可造成斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡,但复合暴露组的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡程度明显大于单独暴露组。在PFOS和Nano-Zn O单独和复合暴露组中,随着处理浓度的升高,SOD、Gpx、Caspase-3和Caspase-9酶的活性显著升高。而CAT酶活性随着处理浓度的升高抑制作用显著。PFOS与Nano-Zn O复合暴露组与单独暴露组相比,Bax和p53表达显著上调,而Bcl-2表达显著下调。因此,在实验浓度范围内,等毒性配比1:1条件下,推测NanoZn O可以增强PFOS对斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡毒性。     

ROS介导的氧化应激在INH诱导的细胞毒性中的作用及槲皮素的干预

为探讨ROS介导的氧化应激在异烟肼(INH)诱导L-02细胞毒性中的作用及槲皮素的干预作用,建立体外培养INH诱导L-02细胞氧化损伤模型,实验分为对照组(A)、INH组(B)、槲皮素低剂量组(C)及槲皮素高剂量组(D)。采用生化分析法检测L-02细胞培养液中天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)和丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的活性;利用荧光探针检测L-02细胞线粒体内活性氧(ROS)水平;应用比色法检测L-02细胞内丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量以及主要抗氧化物酶的活性。结果表明,与对照组相比,INH能显著增加L-02细胞培养液中AST和ALT的活性、细胞线粒体内ROS水平及细胞内MDA的含量(P0.01),并显著减少L-02细胞内GSH的含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性(P0.01)。与INH组比较,槲皮素低剂量组L-02细胞培养液中AST的活性、线粒体内ROS水平及细胞内MDA的含量明显降低(P0.05),而细胞内SOD的活性明显增加(P0.05);高剂量槲皮素能显著降低L-02细胞培养液中AST和ALT的活性、细胞线粒体内ROS水平及细胞内MDA的含量(P0.01),并能显著增高L-02细胞内GSH的含量和主要抗氧化物酶的活性(P0.01)。与槲皮素低剂量组相比,槲皮素高剂量组的保护效应更明显(P0.05)。可见,ROS介导的氧化应激在INH诱导的L-02细胞毒性中发挥了重要作用,且槲皮素对INH诱导的L-02细胞氧化损伤具有保护作用。     

地下水污染风险评价中特征污染物量化方法探讨

针对地下水污染风险评价中的外界胁迫脆弱性评价缺乏有效量化体系这一问题,通过地下水污染源解析,提出了基于特征污染物及其对应排放量的量化体系;通过特征污染物属性解析及利用层次分析法确定研究侧重点,构建了该体系中的特征污染物量化方法.将该量化方法应用于北京市地下水污染风险评价,结果表明,依据不同研究侧重点得出的3种特征污染物危害性计算结果具有明显差异,并且3种危害性排序与对应的3种属性排序亦存在差异.由此表明,确定研究侧重点的主观倾向对特征污染物危害性计算结果有决定性影响.此外,在计算过程中,以序列值的方式解决3种属性的归一化及不同类别特征污染物属性量化结果的统一,会造成不同特征污染物之间相对属性特征的放大或缩小.     

浅析渣油催化裂化装置腐蚀与防护

目的研究渣油催化裂化装置在生产运行中存在的问题,解决该装置因腐蚀损害而造成停工停产的问题。方法对该装置典型的易腐蚀部位进行分析研究,主要包括对再生器卸剂线阀门冲蚀、膨胀节露点腐蚀、螺栓断裂的形貌分析及换热器管束端口腐蚀的具体分析,针对不同部位不同的腐蚀机理及采取的相关有效措施。结果基于上述典型案例的研究,提出该催化裂化装置日常防腐的4个措施,主要措施为强化腐蚀监测、强化施工质量监督、强化助剂管理及生产操作平稳运行。采用三指式电化学和电感腐蚀监测方式,对催化裂化装置的分馏塔顶油气系统、分馏塔顶循环系统、富气冷却系统、吸收稳定系统等易腐蚀部位进行重点监测,做到月汇总分析,根据腐蚀率进行重点关注,做好防腐和腐蚀率的对应措施。结论找准造成腐蚀的根本原因,针对腐蚀情况制定相应的应对措施,降低腐蚀速率,减低设备损坏,从而保证装置安稳长时间的运行。     

考虑气体传输和应力耦合作用的页岩表观渗透率演化机理

为模拟页岩气抽采过程中孔隙压力对其吸附特性和渗透特性的影响,通过吸附及多孔弹性理论,建立考虑过剩吸附量的吸附模型,并进一步建立考虑气体传输影响的页岩表观渗透率模型,通过试验数据验证其合理性。结果表明,1)随孔隙压力逐渐升高,页岩过剩吸附量呈先快速增加后趋于平缓的变化趋势;随温度升高,其吸附量呈降低趋势。考虑过剩吸附量和温度修正的吸附模型计算结果与试验所测结果吻合较好,且能较好地反映不同温度下页岩过剩吸附量与孔隙压力的关系。2)页岩气体吸附过程中产生的基质膨胀变形量随孔隙压力升高而升高,且温度较低时的气体吸附变形量大于温度较高时的变形量。3)在有效应力恒定的条件下,CH₄和He的表观渗透率随努森数增大而减小。相同孔隙压力条件下,随有效应力升高CH4和He的表观渗透率均呈降低的趋势,且页岩表观渗透率对有效应力的敏感程度随孔隙压力升高而降低。相同有效应力条件下,充入He的页岩表观渗透率均大于充入CH4的页岩表观渗透率。4)构建考虑气体传输和应力耦合作用的页岩表观渗透率模型,模型计算的渗透率与实测值具有良好的一致性,能较好地表征不同外应力条件下的页岩表观渗透率演化规律。     

Contrasting ecological information content in whaling archives with modern cetacean surveys for conservation planning and identification of historical distribution changes

Many species are restricted to a marginal or suboptimal fraction of their historical range due to anthropogenic impacts, making it hard to interpret their ecological preferences from modern-day data alone. However, inferring past ecological states is limited by the availability of robust data and biases in historical archives, posing a challenge for policy makers . To highlight how historical records can be used to understand the ecological requirements of threatened species and inform conservation, we investigated sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) distribution in the Western Indian Ocean. We assessed differences in information content and habitat suitability predictions based on whale occurrence data from Yankee whaling logs (1792–1912) and from modern cetacean surveys (1995–2020). We built maximum entropy habitat suitability models containing static (bathymetry-derived) variables to compare models comprising historical-only and modern-only data. Using both historical and modern habitat suitability predictions  we assessed marine protected area (MPA) placement by contrasting suitability in- and outside MPAs. The historical model predicted high habitat suitability in shelf and coastal regions near continents and islands, whereas the modern model predicted a less coastal distribution with high habitat suitability more restricted to areas of steep topography. The proportion of high habitat suitability inside versus outside MPAs was higher when applying the historical predictions than the modern predictions, suggesting that different marine spatial planning optimums can be reached from either data sources. Moreover, differences in relative habitat suitability predictions between eras were consistent with the historical depletion of sperm whales from coastal regions, which were easily accessed and targeted by whalers, resulting in a modern distribution limited more to steep continental margins and remote oceanic ridges. The use of historical data can provide important new insights and, through cautious interpretation, inform conservation planning and policy, for example, by identifying refugee species and regions of anticipated population recovery.