Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in media for in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most important treatments of infertility to provide a chance of conceiving. In IVF treatment, sperm are washed and motile sperm are isolated with sperm washing media (SWM) for the purpose of fertilization; fertilized ova are then incubated for a maximum of 5 or 6 d in media for IVF (IVFM). The exposure of fertilized ova to chemicals via such media has not been studied. We determined the concentrations of two contaminants; di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its hydrolyzed product mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) in IVFM, SWM, and protein sources (PS: human serum albumin or serum substitute) for IVFM and SWM. The DEHP and MEHP in these media were extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction method and their concentrations determined by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fifteen IVFM, nine SWM, and six PS obtained in Japan were examined. The concentrations of DEHP and MEHP in IVFM and SWM were <10-114 and <2.0-263 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of both DEHP and MEHP were higher in the media containing PS than in those without PS. Either MEHP alone or both DEHP and MEHP were detected in PS. The concentrations of DEHP and MEHP in PS were <10-982 and 47.0-1840 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The DEHP and MEHP detected in these media were derived from PS. This is the first study on the chemical contamination of IVFM, SWM, and PS.     

Silica nanoparticles and silver-doped silica nanoparticles induce endoplasmatic reticulum stress response and alter cytochrome P4501A activity

Engineered silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) find widespread application and may lead to exposure of humans and the environment. Here we compare the effects of SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-NPs doped with silver (SiO₂-Ag-NPs) on survival and cellular function of human liver cells (Huh7) and Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) fibroblast cells (FMH). In Huh7 cells we investigate effects on the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER), including ER stress, and interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters. The NPs formed agglomerates/aggregates in cell culture media as revealed by SEM and TEM. SiO₂ and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs were taken up into cells as demonstrated by agglomerates occurring in vesicular-like structures or freely dispersed in the cytosol. Cytotoxicity was more pronounced in Huh7 than in FMH cells, and increased with silver content in silver-doped NPs. Dissolved silver was the most significant factor for cytotoxicity. At toxic and non-cytotoxic concentrations SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs induced perturbations in the function of ER. In Huh7 cells NPs induced the unfolded protein response (UPR), or ER stress response, as demonstrated in induced expression of BiP and splicing of XBP1 mRNA, two selective markers of ER stress. Additionally, SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs and AgNO₃ induced reactive oxygen species. Pre-treatment of Huh7 cells with SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs followed by exposure to the inducer benzo(a)pyrene caused a significant reduced induction of CYP1A activity. NPs did not alter the activity of ABC transporters. These data demonstrate for the first time that SiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-1% Ag-NPs result in perturbations of the ER leading to the ER stress response. This represents a novel and significant cellular signalling pathway contributing to the cytotoxicity of NPs.     

Volatilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from coal-tar-sealed pavement

The effects of the herbicide atrazine on the gill of the freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus were evaluated after exposure of fish to 2, 10 and 25 μg L⁻¹ atrazine during 48 h (acute exposure) and 14 d (subchronic exposure). Ions and osmolality were measured in plasma and gill samples were taken to determine the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activities and for morphological analysis. Plasma osmolality and Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions changed depending on atrazine concentration, but atrazine exposure had no effect on the Na⁺/Cl⁻ ratio. NKA activity did not change after atrazine exposure, but CA activity decreased in fish exposed to 25 μg L⁻¹ for 14 d. Gill MRC density decreased after acute exposure but did not change in fish exposed to the subchronic treatment. The MRC density at the epithelial surface increased in fish exposed to 25 μg L⁻¹, and the MRC fractional area (MRCFA) increased in fish exposed to 10 μg L⁻¹. The changes in MRCs provide evidence of morphological adjustments to maintain ionic homeostasis in spite of the inhibition of CA activity at the highest atrazine concentration.     

中国人力资本、人力资本结构与产业结构升级

人力资本及其结构作为推动产业结构转型和升级的重要因素,长期以来没能得到学术界的重视.中国改革开放以来人力资本及其结构水平迅速提升,但各地区间的人力资本及结构水平差异颇大,这可能也是导致中国各地区间经济增长和产业结构水平存在很大差异的原因.中国独特的社会经济环境,为本文直接研究人力资本在产业结构升级中的作用提供了极为理想的样本.文章在增长回归框架下,以中国各省份1978-2008年动态面板数据为基础,从国家和区域层面考察了人力资本及其结构对产业结构升级的影响.结果发现:人力资本对我国及东部地区的产业结构升级有显著促进作用;人力资本分布结构不利于产业结构升级且效应显著;人力资本内部结构与产业结构的显著性相关得到东部地区数据的支持,而在我国及中西部地区的效应不够明显,这主要是由我国投入导向的增长模式和劳动力质量水平不高所决定的.结论表明,人力资本水平提升及结构优化将会加速我国产业结构转型与升级,形成未来我国持续、稳定发展的强大动力.     

人的全面发展评价模型及实证分析

根据科学发展观的内涵,通过社会发展环境、生活质量及人口素质等六个评价准则构建了人的全面发展评价指标体系。在客观赋权法和主观赋权法赋权的基础上,通过相对熵优化理论对四种权重进行组合赋权的方式确定最优权重,建立了人的全面发展综合评价模型,并对中国典型的10个副省级城市进行实证分析。     

云南省物流业人力资源供给特征分析

云南省是我国面向东南亚、南亚的重要陆路通道,要打造国际型现代物流中心,必定需要一支高素质的物流人才队伍。未来10年,云南省的物流人才缺口将在30万人以上,物流业成为最大的紧俏职业之一。分析云南物流人力资源供给的特征以及影响供给的因子,对云南省物流人力资源的开发和配置具有现实指导意义。     

Genotoxic assessment on river water using different biological systems

This paper reports genotoxicity and toxicity data in water samples collected in Sinos River, an important water course in the hydrographic region of Guaíba Lake, Rio Grande do Sul State, south of Brazil. This river is exposed to intense anthropic influence by numerous shoes, leather, petrochemical, and metallurgy industries. Water samples were collected at two moments (winter 2006 and spring 2006) at five sites of Sinos River and evaluated using in vitro V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (cytotoxicity, comet assay and micronucleus test) and Allium cepa test (toxicity and micronucleus test). Comet and micronucleus tests revealed that water samples collected exerted cytotoxic, toxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The results showed the toxic action of organic and inorganic agents found in the water samples in all sites of Sinos River, for both data collections. The main causes behind pollution were the domestic and industrial toxic discharges. The V79 and A. cepa tests were proved efficient to detect toxicity and genotoxicity caused by complex mixtures. This study also showed the need for constant monitoring in sites with strong environmental degradation caused by industrial discharges and urban sewages.     

基于产业化发展的农业人才“回流”问题研究

农业产业化发展需要人才支持,但长期城乡二元经济体制、偏向城市的工业优先发展战略等,造成农业农村人才大量流失,出现人才"空心化"、产业化人才匮乏等问题。随着农业生产链条的不断延伸及分工与合作的逐步深化,满足产业化需求的人才结构也逐步细化,许多关键领域的人才缺口较大,如:推动产业化扩张和规模化发展的规划管理人才,提升产业科技水平和产业链延伸交融程度的农业技术人才,促进产业链顺利延伸和产业集群发展的综合服务人才等。当农业农村现有人才存量无法满足产业化发展需求时,在地方政府指导下,合理引导掌握一技之长的农民工、农村籍大学生以及非农籍社会人才回流农业,是确保农业产业化持续、快速、健康发展的重要措施。相应的,实现人才顺利回流农业,需通过日益延伸的农业产业链内部市场的利益联结机制,鼓励并引导产业化紧缺人才组成专业型或互补型人力资本团队并积极参与产业化过程。     

Use of sensitive methods for detection of DNA damage on human lymphocytes exposed to p,p′-DDT: Comet assay and new criteria for scoring micronucleus test

Wide distribution, stability and long persistence in the environment of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), probably the best-known and most useful insecticide in the world, imposes the need for further examination of the effect of this chemical on human health and especially on the human genome. In this study, peripheral blood human lymphocytes from a healthy donor were exposed to 0.025 mg/L concentration of p,p′-DDT at different time periods (1, 2, 24 and 48 h). For the assessment of genotoxic effect, the new criteria for scoring micronucleus test and alkaline comet assay were used. Both methods showed that p,p′-DDT induces DNA damage in low concentration used in this research. Results of micronucleus test showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) genotoxic effect of p,p′-DDT on human lymphocytes compared with corresponding control and a different exposure time. A comet assay also showed increased DNA damage caused in p,p′-DDT-exposed human lymphocytes than in corresponding control cells for the tail length. Results obtained by measuring the level of DNA migration and incidence of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) indicate the sensitivity of these tests and their application in detection of primary genome damage after long-term exposure to establish the effect of p,p′-DDT on human genome.     

Simple analytical method for determination of pesticide residues in human serum by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for the determination of residues of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides which are widely used in Tunisia. This method involves a liquid-liquid extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the identification and quantification of compounds. Ionization of molecules was performed by the electrospray mode. Multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) was the acquisition mode used for the monitoring of two MS/MS transitions for each compound. The average recoveries obtained, at three different fortification levels, ranged between 65% and 106% for most of the pesticides studied, except for methamidophos (lower than 25%).The linearity of the method was in the range of 5 to 50 μ g/L with a correlation coefficient from 0.995 to 0.999, depending on the analyte. The estimated limit of detection and limit of quantification were 2 μ g/L and 5 μ g/L, respectively. The precision of the analytical procedure was satisfactory and the coefficients of variation, evaluated at three concentration levels were lower than 15% for most pesticides studied. The application of the method was investigated in a population of agricultural workers chronically exposed to various pesticides some of which, such as carbofuran, carbendazim, methomyl and pirimicarb, were detected in some serum samples.