Genotoxic effects of two different classes of insecticide in developing chick embryos

Pesticides provide considerable protection against pest population; however, rampant accumulation of these chemicals into varied habitats across the globe necessitates the need for a careful screening of each chemical due to toxic manifestations. In the current study, the genotoxic potential of two different classes of commercial insecticides – chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin combination and Spinosad, a naturalyte were compared. Rhode Island Red chick embryos were exposed to different doses of either of these insecticides individually, by in ovo treatment. Genotoxicity was then evaluated through micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. The combination insecticide exposure at low doses of 0.05 and 0.1 μg/egg induced DNA damage as evidenced by an increased tail moment in the Comet assay. Further, the presence of micronucleated erythrocytes and also various abnormal cells including dacryocytes, microcytes, erythroplastids, squashed/notched nuclei, and spindle-shaped erythrocytes in the blood smear consolidates indicate the presence of insecticide-induced genotoxicity. Spinosad, however, was found only mildly genotoxic but at a high dose of 1.5 mg/egg. The results indicate that usage of naturalyte insecticide may be a better option to minimize the harmful effects of chemical insecticides.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of novel benzo[d] imidazolyl dihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′-triones

Synthesis of novel benzo[d]imidazolyldihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′-triones has been described. The key intermediate 2-[(2-sulfanyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)amino]acetic acid is obtained by reacting 5-amino-2-mercapto benzimidazole and chloroacetic acid. The three-component reaction of 2-[(2-sulfanyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)amino]acetic acid with isatin and 1,4-benzoquinone in the presence of 10 mol% of L-proline at ambient temperature afforded 2′-(2-mercapto-1H-benzo [d] imidazol-5-yl)-3′,3a′-dihydrospiro[indoline-3,1′-isoindole]-2,4′,7′(2′H,7a′H)-triones. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.     

Single walled carbon nanotubes induce cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in HEK293 cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential toxicity and general mechanisms involved in single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-induced cytotoxicity using human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293) cells. Carbon nanotubes (coded as CNT) used in this study were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition method. To elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying SWCNT-induced cytotoxicity, cell viability, cell membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) assay), reduced glutathione (GSH), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and lipid peroxidation products levels were quantitatively assessed following SWCNT exposure for 48 hr using HEK293 cells. Exposure of cells to SWCNT at 3–300 μg/ml produced significant reduction in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ value of SWCNT was found to be 87.58 μg/ml. Exposure of HEK cells to SWCNT at 10–100 μg/ml resulted in concentration-dependent cell membrane damage, increased production of IL-8, elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances like malondialdehyde and decreased intracellular GSH levels. In summary, exposure to SWCNT resulted in a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in cultured HEK293 cells that was associated with increased oxidative stress.     

Biochemical properties of beryllium potentially relevant to its carcinogenicity†

The carcinogenicity of beryllium to several animal species is well established and evidence exists which strongly suggests that this is the case in human exposure. In this review several biochemical properties of the metallocarcinogen are considered including, the causation of cell transformation, and infidelity of DNA synthesis, inhibition of cell division and enzyme induction, and interference with regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression. These effects are discussed in relation to beryllium chemistry, cellular accumulation mechanisms and distribution to subcellular organdies and molecular targets. It is suggested that the ultimate location and interactions of the metal ion in cell nuclei and its selective inhibition of certain protein phosphorylation reactions in particular are the biochemical effects potentially most relevant to induction of beryllium carcinogenesis.     

Speciation and carcinogenic classification—some limits of assessment and prevention procedures—the case of “nickel”

The speciation of nickel is of the highest importance for the definition of lists of substances for regulatory activity in terms of prevention, regarding possible cancer risk. A review is made of the different attitudes of outstanding administrations in front of nickel speciation. Some of them show a maximum of care in chemical definition, others reflect a lack of scientific rigor leading to generic classifications, more or less abusive. The great complexity of the chemistry and physicochemistry of nickel imposes the “two‐level speciation concept” (chemical and physicochemical), at least for compliance with the “Good Laboratory Practice” as far as experimental toxicology is concerned. Recommendations are exposed for the attention of toxicologists and regulators who have been for some years now extremely solicited for prevention aims.     

Levels of selected heavy metals in commercial fish from five freshwater lakes,Pakistan

The levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg are estimated by atomic absorption in the muscle of six commercial species of fish belonging to five freshwater lakes of Pakistan. The species included Mastacembelus armatus, Tor putitura, Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu, Catla catla and Labeo rohita. The fish were procured in comparable weight ranges so that a viable comparison of trace metal content could be effected. As, Fe, Pb, Zn and Hg showed elevated levels of 0.006–6.967, 0.933–6.133, 0.060–4.108, 0.978–5.363 and 0.030–3.211 μg/g, wet weight. The relevant statistical parameters, such as standard deviation, standard error, skewness and its t‐value are also reported for establishing the randomness of the distribution in relation to the corresponding data of freshwater lakes of the world and examined in view of species‐specificity and origin.     

土壤净化槽对农村污水中内分泌干扰物的去除效果

以土壤净化槽污水处理系统为研究对象,采用固相萃取-色谱质谱检测方法,分析了云南洱海流域农村污水中3种天然雌激素类内分泌干扰物〔E1(雌酮)、E2(雌二醇)和E3(雌三醇)〕和2种人工合成内分泌干扰物〔EE2(炔雌醇)和BPA(双酚A)〕的质量浓度与去除效果. 结果表明,洱海流域农村污水中天然雌激素的质量浓度远高于人工合成内分泌干扰物,E1与E2为污水中天然雌激素内分泌干扰物的主要成分,占87.1%~99.2%. 土壤净化槽对天然雌激素类内分泌干扰物、EE2和BPA的净化能力分别为1.42~168.21、0.64和3.48mg/(m2·a). E1、E2和E3在土壤中的平均残留率分别为4.3%、6.3%和3.8%,其中90%以上的雌激素物质在土壤净化槽系统中被降解或转化. 土壤净化槽对天然雌激素、EE2和BPA的平均去除率分别为70.3%、63.6%和77.8%,对常规污染物COD_Cr(69.8%)、TP(88.7%)、TN(57.2%)和NH₃-N(88.7%)的去除效果也较好. 土壤净化槽可以有效去除村落污水中的内分泌干扰物、有机物以及氮磷污染物,对削减村镇面源污染、减少入湖污染负荷以及改善流域内的水环境质量具有重要作用.      

洞庭湖沉积物不同形态氮赋存特征及其释放风险

为了揭示湖泊沉积物中氮的空间分布特征及其释放风险,采用连续分级提取法研究了洞庭湖表层沉积物中EN(可交换态氮)、HN(酸解态氮)及NHN(非酸解态氮)的赋存特征;同时,结合BN(生物可利用态氮)的含量和释放通量的大小,探讨了各形态氮对BN的贡献及与释放通量的相关关系. 结果表明,受水动力和湖盆地形的影响,沉积物中各形态氮含量空间差异较大. 全湖w(TN)在735.91~2846.51mg/kg之间,平均值为1371.85mg/kg,东洞庭湖、西洞庭湖、南洞庭湖、洞庭湖出口w(TN)的平均值分别为1513.43、1173.14、1262.76和1363.31mg/kg. 从各形态氮含量占w(TN)的比例来看,w(HN)最高,平均占66.74%;其次是w(NHN),平均占21.46%;w(EN)最小,仅占11.80%. 东洞庭湖、西洞庭湖、南洞庭湖、洞庭湖出口w(BN)的平均值分别为189.31、170.16、152.87和139.51mg/kg,其值大小主要受w(EN)和w(HN)的影响. 东洞庭湖、西洞庭湖、南洞庭湖、洞庭湖出口沉积物中NH₄+-N释放通量的平均值分别为6.32、7.03、7.78和146.96mg/(m2·d),沉积物中NH₄+-N释放通量主要受EN控制,其中尤其受可交换态NH₄+-N的控制,而沉积物中的HN和TN尚不是影响沉积物氮释放的主要因素.      

红枫湖饮用水水源地的工业企业环境风险评价

为降低饮用水水源地的工业企业突发环境事件发生的频率、提高环境风险管理的效率,在工业企业环境风险特征分析及Seveso Ⅲ指令的基础上,构建了基于危险物质泄漏、污染物排放及迁移、风险管理与控制能力的工业企业环境风险评价指标体系,并建立了风险评价方法. 以贵阳市红枫湖流域为例,按其水文特征划分为5个区域,对流域工业企业及各区域进行了风险评价. 结果表明:红枫湖流域81家工业企业中有55家风险企业,占企业总数的67.9%,整体风险水平较高;风险级别为重大、较大、一般和较低的企业分别有10、14、20和11家;风险较高的企业多为化工、印染、医药、造纸、冶金和煤矿类企业;羊昌河、麦翁河、麻线河、后六河流域及湖区周边区域的风险指数分别为16.09、7.01、3.77、0、1.07,羊昌河和麦翁河流域分别属于较高风险、一般风险区域,而其他区域的风险较低. 风险评价结果与红枫湖流域内工业企业的污染特点及位置分布较吻合,据此提出红枫湖流域实施环境风险分级管理的建议.      

云南宣威地区燃煤排放颗粒物中石英矿物的特征

云南宣威地区是我国人群肺癌死亡率最高的地区之一,过往研究表明,该区的高肺癌死亡率可能与居民室内燃煤排放颗粒物中的多环芳烃(PAHs)有关,而最近研究发现,其中的nm级石英可能是导致肺癌发生的原因, 但鲜见该区燃煤排放颗粒物中细粒石英矿物的研究. 为探究燃煤排放细粒矿物的分布特征,采集了肺癌高发区宣威市来宾镇及周边5个乡镇煤矿中的15个煤样,使用光学显微镜、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、带能谱的扫描电镜(SEM/EDS)分析了煤样的煤岩组分及矿物组成. 结果表明:宣威煤以中挥发分、较高镜质组烟煤为主,煤中主要矿物为石英、鲕绿泥石、高岭石和方解石;不同煤样中,矿物质的结晶程度有所差异;单颗粒统计结果显示,在所统计的775个矿物颗粒中,石英颗粒占37.9%,并且粒径多分布在1~2μm之间; 石英矿物颗粒的形状不规则且以微粒的形式填充在煤缝隙中. 石英与鲕绿泥石共存的现象显示,宣威煤中石英来源于富含Fe和Al的硅质热液流,而非岩石碎屑沉积;此外,在肺癌高发区(来宾镇),其煤中Si+Fe质矿物颗粒含量较Si质矿物高. 今后将重点研究石英颗粒在Fe参与下的生物活性.