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.     

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.      

基于农户意愿的矿区耕地损害补偿测度研究——以庞庄、垞城、柳新煤矿开采为例

矿产资源的开发利用,在支撑社会经济发展的同时却带来区域资源生态环境的破坏,尤其是矿区农户承担着较大的外部成本。论文以矿区耕地损害为研究对象,在调查农户认知和接受补偿意愿的基础上,通过构建计量模型,测算基于农户意愿下的补偿额度。结果表明:①调查结果显示,69.19%的农户因煤矿开采失去一部分耕地,49.19%的农户表示耕地质量降低,95.14%的农户认为居住环境遭到破坏,93.51%的农户认为采矿破坏了耕种文化传承;②实证结果表明,庞庄、垞城、柳新煤矿周边农户每年接受最低补偿分别为34 780.80、36 506.85和35 397.60元/hm²,其中经济损害受偿意愿分别为12 731.10、18 982.80、11 230.95元/(hm²·a),社会保障损害受偿意愿分别为11 782.35、10 777.95、12 765.00元/(hm²·a),生态损害受偿意愿分别为7 277.10、4 282.35、7 306.05元/(hm²·a),文化传承损害受偿意愿分别为2 990.25、2 463.75和4 095.6元/(hm²·a);③对比分析发现,当前政策下矿区耕地损害补偿额度一般在9 458.70~15 764.40元/(hm²·a)之间,明显低于基于农户意愿下的补偿额度,并且56.76%的农户表示不接受一次性补偿。以上结果能够为矿区生态补偿和政策创新提供决策依据和定量参考。     

潖江蓄滞洪区洪灾风险分析及避难转移安置研究

以潖江蓄滞洪区洪灾避难转移安置为研究对象,利用Mike21技术,建立潖江蓄滞洪区洪水演进数值模型,模拟北江遭遇300年一遇洪水时,在潖江口泄洪,潖江蓄滞洪区内洪水演进,分析潖江蓄滞洪区洪灾风险.通过实地调查,结合历史洪水情况,利用潖江蓄滞洪区DEM数据、Google地图及最快避难转移安置时间分析法,详细设计了潖江蓄滞洪区内各行政村落遭遇洪灾时避难转移与人员安置,为潖江蓄滞洪区启用预案科学编制及防洪减灾提供科学依据.     

北京山区泥石流灾害保险的风险评判方法研究

泥石流是北京山区主要的自然灾害,在1989-1999年期间,泥石流灾害造成的经济损失高达3.09亿元.对泥石流灾害保险风险的评判是首先按北京山区各区县的泥石流危险度分区划分风险区,然后对各风险区进行灾害危险性和灾害易损性评判.在危险性评判中,按各风险区的泥石流危险度等级赋予危险度评判指标值.在易损性评判中,选择国内生产总值、固定资产、人口密度和人口自然增长率等4个因素作为评判指标,并分为两个层次进行评判.第一层次是经济易损性与社会易损性评判,第二层次是泥石流灾害易损性评判.最后用泥石流灾害保险风险分析数学模型,计算出各风险区的泥石流灾害保险风险度,并由此绘制了北京山区泥石流灾害保险风险区划图.     

丁虫腈在环境中的降解特性

采用室内模拟试验研究丁虫腈在水体中的光解、水解及其在3种不同类型土壤中的降解特性。结果表明,丁虫腈在酸性和中性条件下比较稳定,不易水解,而在碱性条件下水解较快,在50℃、pH值为9．0的缓冲溶液中降解半衰期为26．7d。通过对水解产物的鉴定,推断丁虫腈的水解机理为碱催化水解。在[光]照度为2500lx、紫外强度为25I．LW·cm-2的人工光源氙灯条件下,丁虫腈的降解半衰期为1．5h,主要降解产物为氟虫腈。丁虫腈在太湖水稻土、江西红壤和陕西潮土中培养180d后均未发生明显降解,表明该农药在土壤中较难降解。     

Distribution characteristics of phosphorus forms in the sand-dust and the desert particles in Inner Mongolia and its environmental significance

根据我国中路沙尘暴的影响范围和移动路径,应用颗粒物中磷的连续浸提技术,选择研究了8个站位的颗粒物样品中磷的赋存形态和分布特征.研究结果表明,各粒级样品中无机磷（IP）含量范围在300.16—1916.99μg.g-1,占总磷（TP）比率86.11%—99.84%,TP含量主要受IP控制,有机磷（POrg）含量远低于IP,彼此之间表现为负相关关系;沙尘粒子Y1—Y4（呼和浩特,2005年—2010年沙尘暴期间收集）的TP、IP、生物可交换磷（BP）和可交换态磷（Pex）含量远高于沙尘暴源地及沿途地区地表颗粒物,这与沙尘暴源地及影响区域磷污染状况及地质环境条件关系密切;粒径小于57μm的颗粒物样品的TP、IP、PCa含量均高于自然粒径颗粒物样品.