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.     

钙离子对短期膜污染的影响

以处理生活污水的平板膜-生物反应器为依托,通过将进水调配成30、200和500 mg/L 3种不同的钙离子浓度,考察钙离子对短期膜污染的影响。结果表明,随着钙离子浓度的增加,TMP增长趋势变小,膜污染得到缓解;钙离子浓度为200 mg/L时,膜的渗透性最好,而过高的钙离子浓度并不利于降低膜污染。钙离子的投加强化了生物絮凝作用,可以降低SMP和LB-EPS的含量,主要通过降低外部阻力减缓膜污染;投加钙离子也可以增加絮体的大小,较大的絮体形成的泥饼有更好的过滤性,然而过高的钙离子浓度会使无机颗粒的量增加,造成平均粒径下降,将会加重内部污染,进而加剧膜污染。     

2种处理方法水解剩余污泥蛋白质的研究

运用了木瓜蛋白酶、超声波和蛋白酶联合使用的2种处理方法水解剩余污泥蛋白,以水解液中蛋白质提取率为指标,分析了2种水解处理方法对剩余污泥处理效果的影响。蛋白酶水解提取法的最佳条件是：反应体系木瓜蛋白酶的浓度为6％,固液比为1：4,水解温度为55℃,水解时间为5．5h;蛋白质的提取率为51．71％。超声波和蛋白酶联合的最佳条件是：P=30W,T=45min,蛋白质的提取率为66．60％。结果表明,超声波和蛋白酶联合使用的水解方法优于蛋白酶水解。     

Antioxidant and metabolism responses to polyphenol stress in cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Three common polyphenol compounds Gallic Acid (GA), Pyrogallic Acid (PA) and Catechol (CA) are known to have allelochemical-exhibiting inhibitory effects on the growth of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa). Metabolism and antioxidant responses in M. aeruginosa were investigated to elucidate the mechanism by which the three polyphenols inhibit algal growth. The inhibition effects of polyphenols were in the order of CA > PA > GA. The GA and CA exposures increased protein contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and soluble sugar, especially for exposure to GA of 25 mg L^?1. Soluble sugar content increased significantly especially when exposed to CA for 72 h. When exposed to PA, protein content, and SOD and CAT activities initially increased but over longer treatment time the activities decreased, in contrast to sugar content. Our results suggest that PA exposure for longer periods of time may inhibit catabolism action, while CA exposure could induce more oxide stress than GA or PA. The overall study showed that polyphenol-induced oxidative damage might be responsible for polyphenol inhibition on M. aeruginosa growth. The increases in cellular antioxidant enzymes and soluble sugar may have been to counteract the oxidative stress.     

碳源对铜绿微囊藻生理特性及微囊藻毒素产率的影响

为研究水体中不同碳源对铜绿微囊藻生理特性的影响,以Na2CO3与葡萄糖分别作为铜绿微囊藻生长的无机碳源与有机碳源,将铜绿微囊藻于光照下进行培养,并对其一系列的生理特性与微囊藻毒素产率进行检测。实验结果表明,同等碳浓度下,有机碳源更能促进铜绿微囊藻的生长,经过30 d的培养,铜绿微囊藻在有机碳源中的产量为187.55 g,比其在无机碳源中的产量提高了6.06%;微囊藻毒素在有机碳源中的产量为969.00μg/g,而在无机碳源中的产量却升高至1 193.60μg/g。参与藻毒素合成的3种氨基酸在无机碳源中的浓度要比有机碳源中的浓度高,但是其余几种氨基酸的含量与之情况相反。而有机碳源培养的铜绿微囊藻总可溶性蛋白含量为387.00μg/g,比无机碳源培养的铜绿微囊藻的蛋白含量提高了93.60%。     

Reduction of nitrogen excretion and emission in poultry: A review for organic poultry

Organic poultry is an alternative to conventional poultry which is rapidly developing as a response to customers' demand for better food and a cleaner environment. Although organic poultry manure can partially be utilized by organic horticultural producers, litter accumulation as well as excessive nitrogen still remains a challenge to maintain environment pureness, animal, and human health. Compared to conventional poultry, diet formulation without nitrogen overloading in organic poultry is even more complicated due to specific standards and regulations which limit the application of some supplements and imposes specific criteria to the ingredients in use. This is especially valid for methionine provision which supplementation as a crystalline form is only temporarily allowed. This review is focused on the utilization of various protein sources in the preparation of a diet composed of 100% organic ingredients which meet the avian physiology need for methionine, while avoiding protein overload. The potential to use unconventional protein sources such as invertebrates and microbial proteins to achieve optimal amino acid provision is also discussed.     

ELISA detection of multixenobiotic resistance transporter induction in indigenous freshwater Chironomidae larvae (Diptera): A biomarker calibration step for in situ monitoring of xenobiotic exposure

A new simple and sensitive method to distinguish chemically polluted from unpolluted situations in freshwater ecosystems is reported. For this purpose, Chironomus gr thumni larvae were collected from a polluted urban river downstream a sewage treatment plant. For the first time, ELISA assay was used to semi-quantify the multixenobiotic resistance transporters (MXR) in these small pertinent bioindicators. The use of samples immediately fixed in the field gives a delay to isolate larvae and allows multi-sampling along a longitudinal transect in a river at a given time. Results exhibit an induction of MXR proteins in larvae from the polluted river and a deinduction in larvae maintained 11days in unpolluted water. They show new evidences to use midge larvae in biomonitoring environmental programs. They answer to first biomarker calibration steps for the ongoing development of MXR transporters as a detection tool of xenobiotic impacts on bioindicator invertebrates in their freshwater habitats.     

MALDI-TOF-MS鉴定生物脱氮细菌的方法研究

采用基质辅助激光解吸电离-飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)对生物脱氮废水处理系统中分离得到的两株细菌进行蛋白质质量指纹图谱分析。对供试细菌,比较样品处理方法和基质选择对细菌蛋白质质量指纹图谱的影响,获得优化的实验条件,并对方法的重现性进行了研究。建立了一种快速的细菌蛋白质质量指纹图谱鉴定方法。结果显示:该方法灵敏度高,且分析过程简单快速,具有广泛的开发和应用意义。     

Toxicological effects involved in risk assessment of rare earth lanthanum on roots of Vicia faba L. seedlings

Combined chemical analyses and biological measurements were utilized to investigate potential toxicological effects and possible mechanisms involved in risk assessment of rare earth elements (REEs) on Vicia faba L. seedlings, which were hydroponically cultivated and exposed to various concentrations of lanthanum (La) for 15 days. The results showed that La contents in both the solution and roots increased with the increase of extraneous La, contributing to hormetic dose responses of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and endoprotease (EP) isozymes activities, and HSP 70 production enhanced at low doses but suppressed at higher doses of La. These physiological responses constituted antioxidant and detoxification systems against La-induced oxidative stress. The elevated La levels also contributed to oxidatively modified proteins, which were most responsible for subsequent cell death and growth retardation of the roots. By combination of hormetic and traditional threshold dose levels, the threshold dose range was deduced to be 108-195 μg La/g dry weight in the roots, corresponding to 0.90-3.12 mg/L of soluble La in the culture solution. It suggests that persistent applications of REEs may lead to potential ecological risk in the environment.