Conservation implications of physiological carry‐over effects in bats recovering from white‐nose syndrome

Although it is well documented that infectious diseases can pose threats to biodiversity, the potential long‐term consequences of pathogen exposure on individual fitness and its effects on population viability have rarely been studied. We tested the hypothesis that pathogen exposure causes physiological carry‐over effects with a pathogen that is uniquely suited to this question because the infection period is specific and time limited. The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans causes white‐nose syndrome (WNS) in hibernating bats, which either die due to the infection while hibernating or recover following emergence from hibernation. The fungus infects all exposed individuals in an overwintering site simultaneously, and bats that survive infection during hibernation clear the pathogen within a few weeks following emergence. We quantified chronic stress during the active season, when bats are not infected, by measuring cortisol in bat claws. Free‐ranging Myotis lucifugus who survived previous exposure to P. destructans had significantly higher levels of claw cortisol than naïve individuals. Thus, cryptic physiological carry‐over effects of pathogen exposure may persist in asymptomatic, recovered individuals. If these effects result in reduced survival or reproductive success, they could also affect population viability and even act as a third stream in the extinction vortex. For example, significant increases in chronic stress, such as those indicated here, are correlated with reduced reproductive success in a number of species. Future research should directly explore the link between pathogen exposure and the viability of apparently recovered populations to improve understanding of the true impacts of infectious diseases on threatened populations.     

Genotoxicity of ferric oxide nanoparticles in Raphanus sativus: Deciphering the role of signaling factors, oxidative stress and cell death

We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles(Fe_2O_3-NPs) in Raphanus sativus(radish).Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe_2O_3-NPs,along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization.Flow cytometric analysis of Fe_2O_3-NPs(1.0 mg/m L) treated groups exhibited 219.5%,161%,120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨm),nitric oxide(NO) and Ca2+influx in radish protoplasts.A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione(GSH),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and lipid peroxidation(LPO) has been recorded.Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) strand breaks in Fe_2O_3-NPs treated groups.Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase,suggesting cell death in Fe_2O_3-NPs(2.0 mg/m L) treated group.Taking together,the genotoxicity induced by Fe_2O_3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles(NPs) and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.     

嘉兴市水污染源解析及等标污染负荷评价

研究水环境污染的主要来源及主要污染物,对于区域水污染治理具有重要意义。本文通过分析嘉兴市各类污染物入河量,以及污染物等标排放量的计算,得出了嘉兴市水环境污染的主要污染物和主要污染源。结果表明,嘉兴市面源污染物的入河量大于点源,畜禽养殖是面源污染的主要来源,也是总磷的主要来源。点污染的主要来源是城镇生活,其中,桐乡市污染物入河量最大,各区县的污染物入河量总体服从桐乡市﹥南湖区﹥嘉善县﹥平湖市﹥海宁市﹥秀洲区﹥海盐县的分布。等标污染负荷的方法显示：嘉兴市的主要污染源是畜禽养殖、城镇生活和农田;总氮、氨氮和总磷为主要污染物。     

Cobalt-induced oxidative stress in brain, liver and kidney of goldfish Carassius auratus

Cobalt is an essential element, but at high concentrations it is toxic. In addition to its well-known function as an integral part of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂), cobalt has recently been shown to be a mimetic of hypoxia and a stimulator of the production of reactive oxygen species. The present study investigated the responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus, to 96 h exposure to 50, 100 or 150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺ in aquarium water (administered as CoCl₂). The concentrations of cobalt in aquaria did not change during fish exposure. Exposure to cobalt resulted in increased levels of lipid peroxides in brain (a 111% increase after exposure to 150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺) and liver (30-66% increases after exposure to 50-150 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺), whereas the content of protein carbonyls rose only in kidney (by 112%) after exposure to 150 mg L⁻¹ cobalt. Low molecular mass thiols were depleted by 24-41% in brain in response to cobalt treatment. The activities of primary antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, were substantially suppressed in brain and liver as a result of Co²⁺ exposure, whereas in kidney catalase activity was unchanged and SOD activity increased. The activities of glutathione-related enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase, did not change as a result of cobalt exposure, but glutathione reductase activity increased by ∼40% and ∼70% in brain and kidney, respectively. Taken together, these data show that exposure of fish to Co²⁺ ions results in the development of oxidative stress and the activation of defense systems in different goldfish tissues.     

两种植物根际促生菌对博落回抗干旱及富集铀性能的增强作用研究

采用土壤盆栽试验,通过在博落回(Macleaya cordata)根际单独接种荧光假单胞菌(Pseudomonas fluorescens)、单独接种绿针假单胞菌橙色亚种(Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca)及同时接种这两种菌,研究了这两种植物根际促生菌对博落回抗干旱及富集铀性能的增强作用.结果表明:在干旱胁迫下,单独接种荧光假单胞菌、单独接种绿针假单胞菌橙色亚种及同时接种这两种菌后,博落回的生物量分别增加了35.03%、21.01%和17.33%,相对含水量分别增加了26.90%、19.31%和29.48%,叶绿素总量分别增加了71.11%、48.47%、12.85%,脯氨酸含量分别降低了71.70%、64.91%和61.35%.在干旱和铀同时胁迫下,单独接种荧光假单胞菌、单独接种绿针假单胞菌橙色亚种及同时接种这两种菌后,博落回对铀的总富集量分别提高了109.52%、66.67%和42.86%.可见,两种植物根际促生菌对博落回抗干旱和富集铀性能的增强作用表现为:单独接种荧光假单胞菌单独接种绿针假单胞菌橙色亚种同时接种这两种菌.实验结果可为干旱地区铀污染土壤的植物修复提供参考.     

Effectiveness of a physical activity program on weight,physical fitness,occupational stress,job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight employees in high-tech industries: a randomized controlled study

Introduction. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) program on weight control, physical fitness, occupational stress, job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries. Methods. Participants in the intervention group (n?=?37) were instructed to carry out a PA program at moderate intensity for 60?min/session, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Those in the control group (n?=?38) received no PA program and were asked to continue their routine lifestyle. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results of structured questionnaires and blood biochemistry tests and evaluations of physical fitness were analyzed. Results. The PA program effectively reduced the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and body fat percentage, and improved physical fitness such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. The intervention also significantly decreased levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Significant positive effects on work control, interpersonal relationships at work, global job satisfaction and quality of life were also demonstrated. Conclusion. This study showed that a PA program can be helpful in improving physical, physiological and psychological outcomes for overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries.     

Application of mindfulness-based stress reduction to a stress management intervention in a study of a mining sector company

Purpose. The aim of this article was to check whether mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an effective intervention in reducing work-related stress in the case of workers in a copper mine. Methods. Sixty six employees were randomized to the experimental group (32 participants) or to the control group (34 participants). Work-related stress was measured using the job content questionnaire (JCQ) and mental health was measured using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) Experimental manipulation was 40-h MBSR training. Results. Multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant increase of JCQ decision latitude (F?=?17.36, p?<?0.001) and social support (supervisor F?=?9.00, p?<?0.004; coworker F?=?5.61, p?<?0.020), and a significant decrease in GHQ-28 anxiety (F?=?5.28, p?<?0.079) and depression (F?=?3.95, p?<?0.048) due to the intervention. Conclusions. The study confirms that MBSR can be effective in reducing stress resulting from the external risk (and/or imagined fear) of losing one’s health or life. The use of MBSR could be recommended in health and safety activities in difficult and dangerous work conditions, such as mining, to promote workers’ well-being.     

紫外诱变选育高原环境絮凝菌及其絮凝条件优化

为获得耐低温且絮凝优异的絮凝菌,对一株分离得到的絮凝菌进行紫外诱变和5℃低温胁迫培养,并对诱变优势菌进行应用条件优化.结果表明:①原始菌为蜡状芽孢杆菌（Bacillus cereus）.②紫外诱变和低温胁迫培养得到的目标诱变菌FB-5对生活污水絮凝率达75.35%,具有良好的遗传稳定性.③单因素试验确定最佳絮凝条件,即絮凝菌投加量为0.90 mL/（50 mL）、pH为7.4、助凝剂加量为1.0 mL/（50 mL）、处理时间为15 min;筛选出影响诱变菌絮凝能力最显著的3个因素为絮凝菌投加量、pH和助凝剂加量;通过Box-Behnken响应面试验得到最佳净化的应用条件,即絮凝菌投加量为0.90 mL/（50 mL）、pH为7.38、助凝剂加量为1.04 mL/（50 mL）.④验证试验确定絮凝率达97.01%,BOD₅、COD_Cr、浊度和色度去除率均达到97%以上,出水水质满足GB 18918—2002《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》一级A标准.研究显示,紫外诱变联合低温胁迫技术以及单因素与响应面结合优化絮凝条件可以大幅度提高原始菌株的絮凝能力,低温诱变菌FM-5能使高寒地区城市生活污水中悬浮固体大幅降低,同时去除水体中多种污染物.      

土壤水分对沙棘成活率及抗逆生理特性的影响

为提高沙棘在滩涂区，半干旱区造林的成活率，对不同土壤水分下沙棘的生理学特性进行了分析。结果表明：（1）在不同土壤水分处理下，随土壤含水量降低及处理时间的延长，沙棘叶片脯氨酸（Pro)含量升高，POD活性增强，可溶性糖含量升高；水淹情况下，沙棘叶片Pro含量明显上升，POD活性增强，可溶性糖含量升高。（2）土壤含水量在15%-30%之间，沙棘苗木成活率最高（100%），生长最好；35%和40%处理下，沙棘苗木成活率较高（66.7%)，生长良好；5%，10%处理水平和水淹情况下，沙棘苗木成活率低（33.3%)，生长不良，（3）不同处理下，随土壤含水量的降低，沙棘叶片的相对电导度增大，沙棘受伤害的程度加剧，且淹水对沙棘的伤害最重。