Larvae of Sand Smelts (Atherina hepsetus L.) as a Bioindicator of Pollution in the Black Sea Coastal Waters

The activity of antioxidant enzymes and electrophoretic protein spectra were studied in sand smelt larvae inhabiting from five Sevastopol bays with different degrees of anthropogenic impact. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the heterogeneity of electrophoretic protein spectra proved to increase in the larvae from the most polluted waters. The possibility of using these parameters as biological markers for assessing the influence of pollution on the early stages of fish ontogeny and the marine environment are discussed.     

Normal ranges of the activities of ten different enzymes in 100 independent preparations of chorionic villi. Comparison of specimens from induced abortions,biopsies, and cultured cells

In order to obtain a large set of normal control values, the activities of three cytosolic enzymes of purine metabolism and seven lysosomal enzymes were determined in homogenates of chorionic villi derived from induced abortions of normal pregnancies (7th–12th week) in about 100 individual cases. Possible reasons for the rather wide ranges of normal distributions of enzyme activities are discussed. The values are compared: (1) with available data in the literature; (2) with activities determined in decidual homogenates prepared from the same samples; (3) with activities of cells of cultures established and grown from villi in the same samples; and (4) with enzyme activities measured in chorionic biopsies using the same methods. Implications for the prenatal diagnosis of the associated metabolic diseases are considered.     

Prenatal diagnosis of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase deficiency by fetal liver biopsy

In a pregnancy at risk for carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase (CPS) deficiency, prenatal diagnosis was attempted by fetal liver biopsy, performed at 18 weeks of gestation. CPS activity was absent and the diagnosis was confirmed after termination of the pregnancy. The technique employed for fetal liver biopsy is described together with an evaluation of its possible role in prenatal diagnosis.     

Microvillar enzyme assays in amniotic fluid and fetal tissues at different stages of development

A systematic study of microvillar enzyme activities in the amniotic fluid in correlation with their values in different fetal tissues during development has been undertaken. Microvillar enzymes appeared in the amniotic fluid at the time of disappearance of the anal membrane, 12–13 weeks, and declined from the 18th week until the 24th week. The study of fetal tissues and fluids has shown that gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is mainly of liver origin. The significant decrease of the activities of these amniotic fluid enzymes has been the basis of prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. These assays may be useful for the diagnosis of certain digestive tract abnormalities at later stages of pregnancy.     

Discriminant analysis for assessing the value of amniotic fluid microvillar enzymes in the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

We have analysed the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of biochemical diagnosis based on microvillar membrane enzyme assay and using discriminant analysis in amniotic fluid samples obtained from 54 pregnancies at high risk for cystic fibrosis and 125 normal pregnancies. Our results show that amniotic fluid trehalase, alkaline phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and gamma-glutamyltransferase enzyme activities measured during 16–20 gestational weeks, in spite of their non-specificity for cystic fibrosis, have a very good predictive value for fetal cystic fibrosis or exclude the possibility of the disease. Overall enzyme activity analysis provided over 90 per cent reliability of the method.     

季节性冻融对扎龙湿地土壤微生物群落结构和胞外酶活性的影响

选取扎龙湿地芦苇沼泽为研究对象,采用磷脂脂肪酸法和微孔板法研究了季节性冻融期土壤微生物群落结构和胞外酶活性的动态变化规律.结果表明,微生物总磷脂脂肪酸（PLFA）含量和细菌PLFA含量均呈先降低后升高趋势,而真菌PLFA含量呈先升高后降低趋势.冻融初期至融冻初期,β-葡萄糖苷酶显著降低了71.84%,β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶表现为先升高后降低趋势,酸性磷酸酶在融冻初期最高、冻融初期最低,过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶峰值均出现在融冻后期.主成分分析表明,季节性冻融显著改变了土壤微生物群落结构.冗余分析发现,土壤含水率与总PLFA、细菌、革兰氏阳性菌、革兰氏阴性菌、放线菌、过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶呈显著正相关（p<0.05）;土壤全磷、速效磷、速效氮与真菌和β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶呈显著正相关;β-葡萄糖苷酶主要受土壤碳氮比和有机质影响,而土壤微生物与胞外酶活性在不同冻融时期具有显著相关性（p<0.05）.因此,探究全球变化背景下土壤微生物和胞外酶对季节性冻融过程的响应机制,可为深入解析扎龙湿地土壤质量演变特征及湿地生态系统功能的恢复与保护提供科学依据.     

Repeated batch and continuous degradation of chlorpyrifos by Pseudomonas putida

The present study was undertaken with the objective of studying repeated batch and continuous degradation of chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-yl phosphorothioate) using Ca-alginate immobilized cells of Pseudomonas putida isolated from an agricultural soil, and to study the genes and enzymes involved in degradation. The study was carried out to reduce the toxicity of chlorpyrifos by degrading it to less toxic metabolites. Long-term stability of pesticide degradation was studied during repeated batch degradation of chlorpyrifos, which was carried out over a period of 50 days. Immobilized cells were able to show 65% degradation of chlorpyrifos at the end of the 50th cycle with a cell leakage of 112 × 10³ cfu mL^?1. During continuous treatment, 100% degradation was observed at 100 mL h^?1 flow rate with 2% chlorpyrifos, and with 10% concentration of chlorpyrifos 98% and 80% degradation was recorded at 20 mL h^?1 and 100 mL h^?1 flow rate respectively. The products of degradation detected by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis were 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol and chlorpyrifos oxon. Plasmid curing experiments with ethidium bromide indicated that genes responsible for the degradation of chlorpyrifos are present on the chromosome and not on the plasmid. The results of Polymerase chain reaction indicate that a ~890-bp product expected for mpd gene was present in Ps. putida. Enzymatic degradation studies indicated that the enzymes involved in the degradation of chlorpyrifos are membrane-bound. The study indicates that immobilized cells of Ps. putida have the potential to be used in bioremediation of water contaminated with chlorpyrifos.     

Metal-related oxidative stress in birds

Metals can cause oxidative stress by increasing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which render antioxidants incapable of defence against growing amounts of free radicals. Metal toxicity is related to their oxidative state and reactivity with other compounds. Our aim is to review the mechanisms on how metals cause oxidative stress and what is known about metal-induced oxidative stress in wildlife. Taking birds as model organisms, we summarize the mechanisms responsible for antioxidant depletion and give a view of how to detect metal-induced oxidative stress in birds by using different biomarkers. The mechanisms producing the harmful effects of oxidative stress are complex with different biomolecular mechanisms associated with ecotoxicological and ecological aspects. The majority of the studies concerning metals and ROS related to oxidative stress have focused on the biomolecular level, but little is known about the effects at the cellular level or at the level of individuals or populations.     

Study of the effect of refinery waste water exposure on Allium cepa's enzymatic antioxidant defense: probing potential biomarkers

The effects of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and various toxicants present in Mathura Refinery Waste Water (MRWW) on Allium cepa were examined as a model plant system. The study was based on exposure of A. cepa to different concentrations of MRWW and compared to untreated control (exposure of onion bulbs with aquaguard purified water) to determine the total protein content and activities of certain antioxidant enzymes. These enzymes were evaluated for their efficacy to serve as biomarkers of refinery waste water pollution. DNA damaging potential of MRWW was also investigated. Data demonstrated maximal enhancement in ascorbate peroxidase activity subsequent to MRWW insult, although a significant increase in activities was also noted for other enzymes in the following order: superoxide dismutase?>?glutathione-S-transferase?> catalase. This is suggestive of their potency as a biomarker of MRWW toxicity. Increase in activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR; 152%) and deoxyribonuclease (345%) were also found in the A. cepa system as a result of MRWW exposure. In conclusion, A. cepa system might thus serve as an appropriate tool for monitoring water pollution, especially produced by petroleum waste and heavy metals in term of induction of glutathione peroxidase, MDHAR, and deoxyribonuclease activity.     

基于综合生物标志物响应指数评价0~#柴油和平湖原油胁迫下的缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)毒性效应

选择0#柴油和平湖原油乳化液对缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)进行氧化胁迫实验,选取典型的抗氧化酶-超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷光甘肽硫转移酶(GST)及过氧化物酶(POD)用于衡量油类污染物对生物体造成的氧化压力大小.此外,结合综合生物标志物响应(Integrated Biomarker Responses,IBR)指标,对2种石油污染物对缢蛏的毒性响应进行定量化评价.结果表明,不同浓度的0#柴油和平湖原油对缢蛏消化腺中的4种酶表现出不同程度的诱导效应,各试验组在暴露前期均表现出诱导或抑制,但对4种酶的影响存在时间顺序性,SOD、CAT和GST的酶活性表现为升高-降低的过程,POD表现为降低-升高的过程,活性达到峰值的时间SOD和CAT要早于GST和POD.结合计算出的IBR数值来看,高浓度0#柴油能够引起最为显著的生物效应变化,显示该石油污染物高毒性的特征,0#柴油生物毒性大于平湖原油生物毒性.