Evaluation of the fish short term reproduction assay for detecting endocrine disrupters

In a fish testing strategy, positive results of the fish short term reproduction assay (FSTR), often trigger a definitive test like the fish sexual development test (FSDT) or the fish full life cycle test (FFLC), entailing ethical and economic problems. This study analysed 137 studies encompassing 35 chemicals with different modes of actions (MOAs). Variability is quantified for MOA endpoints vitellogenin (VTG) and secondary sex characteristics (SSCs) as well as for apical endpoints. Two MOA endpoints could indicate estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic, anti-androgenic and steroidogenesis activities. Great variability, however, has been observed for chemicals with anti-androgenic and steroidogenesis activities, suggesting that TG229/230 may not be sensitive enough to detect these types of chemicals and may produce false negatives. Changes in apical endpoints like fecundity are not limited to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Non-EDCs could induce the similar effects on these apical endpoints. If elucidating MOA is needed, targeted in vitro MOA tests are suggested. Positive in vitro MOA results trigger a definitive test, which could be used for confirmation of the MOA in vivo and for deriving a no observed effect concentration (NOEC). Based on positive MOA results of TG229, a definitive test such as the FSDT or the FFLC is still needed, because the current TG229 has limitation on the derivation of a NOEC. An extended TG229 with more power to detect reproduction effects, as recently proposed in the OECD test guideline program, would improve the possibility to derive a NOEC and increase its usefulness in risk assessment.     

Brief exposure to copper induces apoptosis and alters mediators of olfactory signal transduction in coho salmon

Pacific salmon are particularly susceptible to copper (Cu)-induced olfactory injuries that can ultimately inhibit neurobehaviors critical to survival. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Cu-mediated olfactory impairment remain poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a short-term Cu exposure at levels relevant to urban runoff (5, 25 and 50 ppb) , and investigated the roles of impaired olfactory signal transduction and induced apoptosis as underlying mechanisms of olfactory injury. Increased cell death in the olfactory epithelium was evident in coho receiving 4 h exposures to 25 and 50 ppb Cu. Expression of olfactory marker protein (omp), a marker of mature olfactory sensory neurons, also decreased at 50 ppb Cu. Immunohistochemical analysis of coho olfactory epithelium demonstrated a loss of type 3 adenylate cyclase (ACIII) in the apical olfactory epithelium cilia at all levels of Cu exposure, suggesting an inhibitory effect of Cu in olfactory signaling. Accompanying the loss of ACIII in Cu-exposed coho were reduced intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the olfactory rosettes. Collectively, these results support a linkage among the initial steps of olfactory signaling in Cu-induced salmon olfactory injury, and suggesting that monitoring olfactory cGMP levels may aid in the assessment of salmon olfactory injury.     

Assays of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in actually contaminated soils using transgenic tobacco plants carrying a recombinant mouse aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated β-glucuronidase reporter gene expression system

The transgenic tobacco plant XD4V-26 carrying the recombinant mouse aryl hydrocarbon receptor XD4V-mediated β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene expression system was used for assay of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds consisting of polychlorinated dibenzeno-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) in actually contaminated soils. The transgenic tobacco plant XD4V-26 showed a significant dose-dependent induced GUS activity when cultured on MS medium containing PCB126 [toxic equivalency factor (TEF) = 0.1]. In contrast, PCB169 and PCB180, which have 0.03 of TEF and unassigned TEF values, respectively, did not significantly induce GUS activity under the same conditions as with PCB126. When the tobacco plants were cultivated for up to 5 weeks on actually contaminated soils with dioxins and dioxin-like compounds collected from the periphery of an incinerator used for disposal of residential and industrial wastes, GUS activity in the leaves was dose-dependently increased. The plants clearly detected 360 pg-TEQ g^?1 of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in this assay. There was a positive correlation between GUS activity and TEQ value of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in the plants. This assay does not require any extraction and purification processes for the actually contaminated soil samples.     

Long-range transport of acidifying substances in East Asia—Part II: Source–receptor relationships

Region-to-grid source–receptor (S/R) relationships are established for sulfur and reactive nitrogen deposition in East Asia, using the Eulerian-type Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model with emission and meteorology data for 2001. We proposed a source region attribution methodology by analyzing the non-linear responses of the CMAQ model to emission changes. Sensitivity simulations were conducted where emissions of SO₂, NO_x, and primary particles from a source region were reduced by 25%. The difference between the base and sensitivity simulations was multiplied by a factor of four, and then defined as the contribution from that source region. The transboundary influence exhibits strong seasonal variation and generally peaks during the dry seasons. Long-range transport from eastern China contributes a significant percentage (>20%) of anthropogenic reactive nitrogen as well as sulfur deposition in East Asia. At the same time, northwestern China receives approximately 35% of its sulfur load and 45% of its nitrogen load from foreign emissions. Sulfur emissions from Miyakejima and other volcanoes contribute approximately 50% of the sulfur load in Japan in 2001. Sulfur inflows from regions outside the study domain, which is attributed by using boundary conditions derived from the MOZART global atmospheric chemistry model, are pronounced (10–40%) over most parts of Asia. Compared with previous studies using simple Lagrangian models, our results indicate higher influence from long-range transport. The estimated S/R relationships are believed to be more realistic since they include global influence as well as internal interactions among different parts of China.     

西藏中部河流、湖泊表层沉积物及其周边土壤重金属来源解析及风险评价

为了解西藏河流-湖泊体系沉积物重金属的污染特征、空间分布、潜在来源及生态风险,对西藏中部河流、湖泊表层沉积物及其周边土壤中As、Ba、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Hg、Mn、Mo、Ni、Pb、Sb、V、Zn、Al和Fe 16种重金属总量进行了分析,并利用主成分分析-绝对主成分分数-多元线性回归（PCA-APCS-MLR）受体模型定量解析了重金属的潜在来源.描述性统计分析表明,研究区As、Cd、Hg、Ni含量较高,其中Hg和As污染较为严重;富集因子、地累积指数、污染负荷指数均表明研究区Hg污染较重,其次是As、Cd、Ni;平均沉积物质量基准系数法与潜在生态风险指数结果表明,研究区受Hg、As、Cd、Ni污染,其中Hg污染较重.在空间分布方面,污染相对较重的区域主要集中在昂仁金错、堆龙曲及一些封闭型湖泊,其中As污染范围最广.PCA-APCS-MLR分析表明,沉积物重金属主要有3个来源,分别为自然来源、交通运输和大气传输以及地热活动和矿山开采等;Co、Cr、Cu、Hg、Mn、Ni、V、Zn、Al和Fe主要受自然因素影响;Ba、Mo、Pb主要受交通运输和大气传输影响;As几乎全部来自地热活动和矿山开采;Cd、Sb来源较为广泛,3个主要来源均有占比.土壤中Cd、Hg含量较高,可能受交通因素影响较大,同时还与工业排放后远距离输送所造成的大气污染有关.     

冬季北京城区PM2.5诱导人肺上皮细胞系A549中多环芳烃受体(AhR)通路的激活

使用冬季北京市城区的细颗粒物（PM_2.5）评估其对人肺上皮细胞系A549中多环芳烃受体（AhR）通路的激活作用.利用CCK-8法检测细胞暴露PM_2.5后的存活率,选取50%抑制浓度（IC₅₀）作为细胞暴露剂量,采用Western blot和免疫荧光检测PM_2.5暴露诱导AhR定位变化,采用荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测AhR的靶基因CYP1A1的转录和翻译水平改变,应用双荧光素酶报告基因法测定AhR与靶基因结合位点（XRE）的活性,利用酶标仪测定CYP1A1的酶活性改变.结果显示,随着暴露时间的增加,AhR逐渐从细胞质易位至细胞核;CYP1A1 mRNA和蛋白质的表达水平也呈时间依赖性显著增加;AhR与XRE结合活性的增加表明了PM_2.5诱导CYP1A1增加的调节机制;最后引起细胞内CYP1A1酶活性显著增加.研究表明,来自冬季北京城区的PM_2.5样品可激活A549细胞的AhR通路,提示AhR介导的信号途径可能与PM_2.5的暴露毒性有关.     

贡嘎山本底站大气中VOCs的研究

为研究中国西南地区大气中挥发性有机物（VOCs）区域性本底浓度和变化特征,利用不锈钢钢瓶采样、三步冷冻浓缩进样-气相色谱/质谱联用技术（GC/MS）,测定了贡嘎山大气本底站大气中的VOCs组成、浓度及季节变化,并利用PCA（principal component analysis）受体模型对大气中VOCs来源进行了初步分析.结果表明,贡嘎山地区TVOCs和NMHCs的年平均浓度（体积分数）分别为9.40×10-9±4.55×10-9和7.73×10-9±4.43×10-9,且两者的最高和最低浓度都出现在同一次采样.在TVOCs中,芳香烃所占比例最大,为37.3%,烷烃（30.0%）和卤代烃（19.8%）次之,烯烃的比例最低,为12.9%.通过PCA受体模型分析发现,贡嘎山地区大气中VOCs的主要来源可以归结为交通源、生物源和燃烧源.贡嘎山地区大气中TVOCs呈现明显的季节变化,变化特征为秋季〉冬季〉春季〉夏季,秋季和冬季大气中的TVOCs浓度分别极显著（P〈0.01）和显著地高于夏季（P〈0.05）,由于光化学性质的差异,4种类型的VOCs季节变化也呈现出不同的特征.异戊二烯是生物源的重要排放物,其排放速率与大气温度呈指数相关,在20℃以上随着温度的升高排放速率明显增强,其最高和最低值分别出现在夏季的下午和冬季的上午.与其他地区的研究结果相比,贡嘎山地区TVOCs的排放处于中等水平,有着明显的本底站排放特征.     

BDE-28对斑马鱼核受体介导的内分泌干扰效应研究

2,4,4’-三溴联苯醚(BDE-28)在环境中普遍存在,且在长江流域多种水生生物中检出。目前,国内外对高溴代PBDEs(如BDE-47、BDE-99等)的水生脊椎动物内分泌干扰效应报道较多,而BDE-28的有关研究则相对较少。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于2、20和200μg·L~(-1)的BDE-28后,借助q-RT-PCR方法对幼鱼8个重要受体包括雄激素受体(AR)、甲状腺激素受体(TR)、芳香烃受体(AhR)、雌激素受体(ER)、糖皮质激素受体(GR)、孕烷X受体(PXR)、盐皮质激素受体(MR)和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体(PPAR)相关基因的转录水平进行了研究。结果表明,BDE-28暴露可导致AR、TR和Ah R的基因下调,其中核心受体AR和TR在低中高3种浓度下的下调倍数分别为3.03、2.64、10.10和2.21、2.18、2.31,芳香烃受体基因2(ahr2)在暴露于2和20μg·L~(-1)的BDE-28后,下调倍数分别为12.65和9.23,而雌激素受体(er1)基因在低中高浓度显著上调,上调倍数分别为12.29、12.67和15.87,雌激素受体(er2a)基因在2和20μg·L~(-1)BDE-28下的上调倍数分别为10.83和17.19。进一步采用分子对接和分子动力学模拟的方法研究BDE-28与AR、TR、Ah R和ER之间的相互作用。结果显示,BDE-28与这些受体通过疏水和氢键等相互作用稳定结合,动力学模拟后骨架原子的均方根偏差(RMSD)在5 ns后较稳定。由此可知,BDE-28通过AR、TR、Ah R和ER受体介导产生内分泌干扰效应。     

Determining Decision Thresholds and Evaluating Indicators when Conservation Status is Measured as a Continuum

Categorization of the status of populations, species, and ecosystems underpins most conservation activities. Status is often based on how a system's current indicator value (e.g., change in abundance) relates to some threshold of conservation concern. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves can be used to quantify the statistical reliability of indicators of conservation status and evaluate trade‐offs between correct (true positive) and incorrect (false positive) classifications across a range of decision thresholds. However, ROC curves assume a discrete, binary relationship between an indicator and the conservation status it is meant to track, which is a simplification of the more realistic continuum of conservation status, and may limit the applicability of ROC curves in conservation science. We describe a modified ROC curve that treats conservation status as a continuum rather than a discrete state. We explored the influence of this continuum and typical sources of variation in abundance that can lead to classification errors (i.e., random variation and measurement error) on the true and false positive rates corresponding to varying decision thresholds and the reliability of change in abundance as an indicator of conservation status, respectively. We applied our modified ROC approach to an indicator of endangerment in Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) (i.e., percent decline in geometric mean abundance) and an indicator of marine ecosystem structure and function (i.e., detritivore biomass). Failure to treat conservation status as a continuum when choosing thresholds for indicators resulted in the misidentification of trade‐offs between true and false positive rates and the overestimation of an indicator's reliability. We argue for treating conservation status as a continuum when ROC curves are used to evaluate decision thresholds in indicators for the assessment of conservation status. Determinación de Umbrales de Decisiones y Evaluación delos Indicadores cuando se Mide el Estado de de Conservación como un Continuo     

基于APCS-MLR和PMF模型的煤矸山周边耕地土壤重金属污染特征及源解析

以重庆市南川区某煤矸山周边耕地土壤为研究对象,运用内梅罗指数法和地累积指数法分析土壤重金属污染水平和分布特征,并采用绝对因子得分-多元线性回归(APCS-MLR)和正定矩阵因子分解(PMF)模型,探析研究区土壤重金属来源及其贡献率.结果表明,下游区土壤中8项重金属均值含量均高于上游区,其中Cu、 Ni和Zn含量显著高于上游区(P<0.05).内梅罗综合污染指数表现为：下游区(1.22)>上游区(0.95),重金属污染程度由大到小表现为：Cd>Cu>Hg、 As、 Pb、 Cr、 Ni和Zn.地累积指数由大到小表现为：Cd>As>Cu=Hg>Ni>Zn=Cr>Pb.源解析表明,研究区土壤中Cu、 Ni和Zn主要受煤矸山堆存影响,APCS-MLR模型的贡献率分别为49.8%、 94.5%和73.2%,PMF模型的贡献率分别为62.8%、 62.2%和63.1%; Cd、 Hg和As主要受农业和交通混合源影响,APCS-MLR模型的贡献率分别为49.8%、 94.5%和73.2%,PMF模型的贡献率分别为62.8%、 62.2%和63.1...