典型抗生素与群体感应抑制剂对费氏弧菌的三元慢性联合毒性

群体感应抑制剂(quorum sensing inhibitor,QSIs)广泛应用之后与环境中现有抗菌药物共存的趋势不可避免。为了评价QSIs和现有抗菌药物共存所引起的生态环境效应,本文以费氏弧菌(Vibrio fischeri)作为模式生物,磺胺类抗生素磺胺氯哒嗪(SCP)、磺胺类增效剂甲氧苄嘧啶(TMP)和群体感应抑制剂4-溴-5-溴亚甲基-2(5氢)-呋喃酮(FC-30)为研究对象,测定了以上3个化合物对Vibrio fischeri的单一/混合慢性毒性效应。单一慢性毒性结果表明,3个化合物的毒性大小如下:FC-30SCPTMP,混合慢性毒性结果表明三元混合体系联合效应为拮抗。进一步分析可知,SCP+FC-30和TMP+FC-30两个混合体系的拮抗作用是三元混合体系为拮抗效应的根本原因。最后指出,因为SCP、TMP和FC-30的三元混合体系是拮抗作用,所以从环境生态风险角度分析,三者联合用药对环境的影响小于单一用药。     

阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的毒性影响

通过单次饲喂高浓度阿维菌素药液以及连续饲喂亚致死浓度阿维菌素药液进行意大利蜜蜂的经口染毒,从而探讨阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂的急性及慢性毒性影响。结果表明,阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂急性经口毒性48 h半数致死剂量(48 h-LD50)为0.00700μg a.i.·蜂-1,慢性经口毒性240 h每日半数致死剂量(240 h-LDD50)为0.000308μg a.i.·蜂-1·天-1。在亚致死效应方面,0.0233 mg a.i.·L-1和0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组在168 h后摄食量出现明显的减少,说明阿维菌素中毒已经严重影响意大利蜜蜂的觅食和摄食能力。同时,由于摄食量的下降以及阿维菌素的毒性作用,造成了0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组意大利蜜蜂体重的大幅度下降,试验前后的体重变化率达到-54.84%。意大利蜜蜂爬行能力的测定结果显示,各处理组的爬行通过率均低于对照组,特别是0.0117 mg a.i.·L-1处理组、0.0233 mg a.i.·L-1处理组和0.0467 mg a.i.·L-1处理组(P0.05)。综上所述,阿维菌素对意大利蜜蜂的急性经口毒性为高毒,较高剂量染毒会引起意大利蜜蜂的直接死亡;此外,长期接触较低浓度的阿维菌素,一方面会损害意大利蜜蜂的运动能力,如爬行、飞行能力的减弱;另一方面意大利蜜蜂生理方面也会遭到威胁,表现为摄食量下降、体重减轻,甚至死亡。因此,在施用该农药时应尽量避开蜜蜂栖息地,同时避免在蜜源植株花期时施用。     

Derivation of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol based on Chinese resident species

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) is a common chemical intermediate and a by-product of water chlorination and combustion processes, and is a priority pollutant of the aquatic environment in many countries. Although information on the toxicity of 2,4,6-TCP is available, there is a lack of information on the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of 2,4,6-TCP, mainly due to the shortage of chronic and site-specific toxicity data. In the present study, acute and sub-chronic toxicity of 2,4,6-TCP on six different resident Chinese aquatic species were determined. PNEC values were calculated and compared by use of two approaches: assessment factor (AF) and species sensitivity distribution (SSD). Values for acute toxicity ranged from 1.1 mg L⁻¹ (Plagiognathops microlepis) to 42 mg L⁻¹ (Corbicula fluminea) and the sub-chronic no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) ranged from 0.05 mg L⁻¹ (Mylopharyngodon piceus) to 2.0 mg L⁻¹ (C. fluminea). PNECs obtained by the assessment factor approach with acute (AF = 1000, 0.001 mg L⁻¹) or chronic (AF = 10, 0.005 mg L⁻¹) toxicity data were one order of magnitude less than those from SSD methods (0.057 mg L⁻¹). PNEC values calculated using SSD methods with a 50% certainty for 2,4,6-TCP was less than those obtained by use of the USEPA recommend final chronic value (FCV) method (0.097 mg L⁻¹) and the one obtained by use of the USEPA recommend acute-to-chronic (ACR) methods (0.073 mg L⁻¹). PNECs derived using AF methods were more protective and conservative than that derived using SSD methods.     

Population dynamics in Daphnia Magna as modified by chronic tetradifon stress

Abstract

Two Daphnia magna offsprings (animals from the first and third brood) whose parentals (F₀‐generation) were exposed during 21 days to different tetradifon (4‐chlorophenyl 2,4,5‐trichlophenyl sulfone) concentrations, were transferred to a pesticide free medium during 21 days (recovery period). The algae Nannochloris oculata (5x10⁵ cells/mL) was used as food. In this recovery study, survival, growth and reproduction (mean total young per female, mean brood size, onset of reproduction and mean number broods per female) were assessed as individual parameters and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) as population parameter, for F₁ generation (1st and 3rd broods). Reproduction was still reduced in F₁ (1st and 3rd broods) generation daphnids from parentals (F₀) exposed to 0.18 mg/L tetradifon and higher concentrations even after 21 days in clean water. However, survival was not significantly different (p>0.05) in those F1 offsprings from parentals pre‐exposed to the acaricide. Growth was still reduced in F1 daphnids from parentals pre‐exposed to 0.10–0.44 mg/L tetradifon. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) was still affected in Fl generation daphnids, specially in those from the third brood. Therefore, Fl generation D. magna offsprings from a parental generation (F0) previously exposed to the acaricide tetradifon were not able to recuperate completely when a recovery period of 21 days was allowed.     

Influence of Environmental Factors on the Evolution of Industrial Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

The aim of the study is to investigate how environmental factors, associated with exposure to industrial noise, affect the development of chronic noise-induced hearing loss.The studywas conducted on 186 male subjectsworking in two bottling plants, situated respectively in a small farming community, and in a medium-sized city with significant levels of noise pollution. Levels of occupational exposure were the same for the two groups.The subjects were selected by means of a preliminary medical examination, and exposed to tonal hearing tests and acoustic impedance tests. Statistical analysis was performed on hearing threshold values obtained at the frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz.The comparison between the thresholds obtained in the two groups showed a statistically significant difference, especially at the frequency of 4000 Hz and for occupational exposure exceeding 17 yr. The results led us to conclude that environmental factors, and urban noise in particular, influence the onset and development of occupational acoustic trauma, and that those working in the country are significantly less affected than those in the city. Since occupational exposure was the same for both groups, their different responses must therefore be interpreted as due to differences in nonoccupational exposure, in turn dependent on different opportunities for rest from noise and different levels of exposure to noise pollution.     

Bhopal gas tragedy: scientific challenges and lessons for future

Some of the challenges of BGT were answered by two multi-disciplinary projects of the ICMR on Pathology and Toxicology and Pathophysiology. Unlike other chemical disasters, the aerosol inhaled by the Bhopal victims contained a mixture of MIC and its trimers and dimers, as well as aqueous and thermal decomposition products, including HCN. A coordinated GC–MS study of the blood and autopsy tissues and chemicals in the Tank residue confirmed their role.

Autopsy studies revealed the pathological changes in the acute, sub-acute and chronic phases progressive changes of pulmonary edema and bronchiolitis, followed by chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Cerebral edema resulted in ‘acute histotoxic anoxia’. Intensive experimental studies with the help of newer tools of molecular biology might throw more light on the underlying mechanisms and newer therapeutic approaches.

The initial finding of cherry-red discoloration of lungs led to a suspicion of cyanide toxicity. Eventually, elevated blood and tissue cyanide levels confirmed the prompt therapeutic response to NaTS and accompanying increase of urinary NaSCN excretion. However, periodic clinical recurrences and relapses pointing towards ‘chronic cyanide toxicity’ remained enigmatic.

Specific changes the 2–3 DPG levels and Blood Gases were explained on the basis of N-carbamoylation of end-terminal valine residues of Hb. Soon, several other end-terminal -amino groups of tissue proteins were also found to be N-carbamoylated. Had the attempts at demonstrate S-carbamoylation of glutathione and other SH radicals of tissue enzymes like rhodanese succeeded, perhaps the underlying mechanism of chronic cyanide toxicity due to MIC might have been resolved.

Based on the practical lessons learnt in Bhopal, an attempt will be made to present the salient pathological and toxicological findings, followed by a brief outline of the principles of planned laboratory management for alleviation of human suffering from future chemical disasters.     

高原地区672例尘肺患者死因分析

为了探讨高原地区尘肺患者死因特点及其规律,对青海省1955—2005年间诊断的2 942例尘肺患者有关资料进行了回顾性收集,并采用SPSS10.0软件进行统计分析。结果显示,青海省共有7种尘肺,其中矽肺和煤工尘肺占尘肺总数的93.88%。至2005年底,共有672例已死亡,尘肺病死率为22.84%。尘肺患者死亡年龄集中在40~49岁、50~59岁、60~岁组,占整个死亡总数的92.26%。平均死亡年龄为60.24岁,并且随着年代的推移而延长。尘肺患者平均寿命损失为15年。对死因分析后发现,前3位死因依次为:肺心病、尘肺和肺结核。探讨、分析及研究的结果表明,高原地区尘肺患者的首位死因为肺心病,提示在今后高原地区尘肺病防治工作中应加以重视。     

Histological and histochemical alterations induced by lead in the liver of the quail Coturnix coturnix

Adult males of the quail Coturnix coturnix were exposed to lead acetate trihydrate in drinking water (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% for one–six months) to investigate histological and histochemical alterations induced by lead intoxication in the liver. Chronic exposure to subtoxic concentrations of lead produced changes in hepatocytes, portal veins, Kupffer cells, and blood sinusoids. Alterations in hepatocytes mainly involved cytoplasmic vacuolation, necrosis, cytolysis, and glycogen accumulation. Kupffer cell hyperplasia, hemosiderosis, blood sinusoidal dilatation, portal vein congestion, and edema were also observed. No fibrosis or cirrhosis in the liver of any member of the dose groups over the entire period of the study was noted. The findings revealed that chronic exposure to lead produced mild histological and histochemical changes in the liver of the quail Coturnix coturnix.     

Mercury exposure in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients from Ganga plain region in India: A retrospective study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder that usually runs a fatal course within 2–5 years of onset, is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. In this study mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in blood samples of 40 ALS patients, of whom 24 ALS patients were from the Ganga plain region and their metal levels were found to be significantly higher. In contrast, Hg levels in the 16 ALS patients from non-Ganga plain regions whose levels were similar to those of the control subjects. Mercury in stream water samples and freshly deposited stream sediment were determined in the locations of patients’ native residences along the Ganga plain region and metal levels were found to be higher than the threshold guideline values for Hg in stream waters recommended by WHO. The geo-accumulation index in selected sites of freshly deposited stream sediment ranged from moderate to highly polluted. The high levels of Hg observed in ALS patients may potentially alter the redox status of neuronal cell components and induce cell-death pathways.