Manufactured silver and gold nanoparticles-induced apoptosis by caspase-pathway in human cell lines

Abstract

Metallic nanoparticles have emerged as an important class of nanomaterials for a wide range of industrial and medical applications. Because of the intensive commercial applications, risk assessment of these nanoparticles is of great importance. In the present study, the human hepatoma and leukemia cells were used to characterize the apoptotic effects of silver nanoparticles (4.7 and 42?nm) and gold nanoparticles (30?nm). Apoptotic cells were identified by chromatin condensation and flow cytometry analysis, using Annexin V/PI, TUNEL and caspase activation assays. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the three metallic nanoparticles induced apoptotic cell death in a concentration and time dependent-manner. Moreover, the three nanoparticles induced activation of caspase-3 and -7 in hepatoma and leukemia cells. Apoptotic effects were stronger after exposure of both cell lines with 4.7?nm silver nanoparticles than those obtained with 42?nm silver and 30?nm gold nanoparticles. In conclusion, silver (4.7 and 42?nm) and gold (30?nm) nanoparticles induced apoptosis in hepatoma and leukemia cells via the caspase dependent pathway. The smaller silver nanoparticles (4.7?nm) had a greater ability to induce apoptosis in both cell lines.     

Chromosome damage in individuals exposed to heavy metals†

Testing the mutagenic activity of environmental pollutants has become an important area of modern environmental science and prophylactic medicine. The most suitable method for short‐term mutagenicity testing on man, at present, are chromosome studies on somatic cells of exposed individuals. Mutation types analyzed by such studies are of high practical relevance as indicator system of genetic damage induced in man under in vivo conditions. A rather large series of such studies has been dedicated to the action of heavy metals on individuals contacted with these metals under therapeutic, ecological or occupational conditions or by intoxication. Lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, mercury, zinc and other metals as well as their compounds have been under study. Analyses of that kind, of course, are hampered by difficulties with the distinct estimation of the actual load as well as unclear conditions of exposition, e.g. simultaneous exposition to different metals.

Results obtained till now arouse some suspicion of a direct or indirect mutagenic activity in man by certain chromium and platinum compounds, arsenic, mercury, and combinations of lead with other heavy metals (cadmium, zinc, arsenic, antimony, etc.). Life style, above all smoking habits, well may act comutagenic. In most cases, however, mutagenic activity of metals and metal compounds apparently is clearly superposed by their toxic activity. In specific cases, chromosome studies also may contribute to discover sources of ecological exposition and to monitor occupational load by heavy metals.     

DNA damage in mouse organs and in human sperm cells by bisphenol A

Abstract

The in vivo genotoxic potential of bisphenol A using the comet assay in mice and in human sperm cells in vitro without metabolizing enzymes was studied. Male mice were exposed by oral gavage to the following doses of bisphenol A (0 125, 250 and 500?mg/kg body weight). DNA damage was investigated in liver, kidney, testes, urinary bladder, colon and lungs cells. In testicular cells, a significant increase in DNA strand breaks was observed in the lowest, but not in the medium or highest dose groups. Histopathological investigation of the testicular samples did not show any treatment dose-related effects. No DNA strand breaks were observed in any of the other investigated tissues. In human sperm cells in vitro, bisphenol A did not induce DNA strand breaks.     

区域生态环境变化的遥感评价指数

基于遥感信息技术提出一个新型的遥感生态指数(RSEI),以快速监测与评价区域生态质量.该指数耦合了植被指数、湿度分量、地表温度和土壤指数等4个评价指标,分别代表了绿度、湿度、热度和干度等4大生态要素.与常用的多指标加权集成法不同的是,本研究提出用主成分变换来集成各个指标,各指标对RSEI的影响是根据其数据本身的性质来决定,而不是由人为的加权来决定.因此,指标的集成更为客观合理.将RSEI应用于福建长汀水土流失区,并与国家环境保护部《生态环境状况评价技术规范》中的生态指数EI的计算结果相比较,发现二者的结果具有可比性.不同的是,RSEI不仅可以作为一个量化指标,而且还可以对区域生态环境变化进行可视化、时空分析、建模和预测.因此,可弥补EI指数在这些方面的不足.     

Determination of oxidative stress markers and serum cholinesterase among pesticide sprayers in southern Brazil

Small farmers generally spray pesticides manually and often do not use complete protective equipment. The standard test to detect pesticide exposure, which may be associated with toxicity, is the determination of serum cholinesterase, but in chronic exposure to low doses, this test is less sensitive. In this study, in a group sampled among pesticide sprayers without signs of intoxication, cholinesterase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (Cat), and superoxide dismutase (Sod) activities were analyzed. Cholinesterase activity was only slightly lower in the farmer group in relation to the control group. However, TBARS and Cat activities were 3-fold increased in the farmers in comparison to the controls. Sod activity was similar in both groups. The group of pesticide sprayers that did not use the complete protective equipment presented a significantly higher level of TBARS than the group that used the complete protective equipment. Therefore, the determination of TBARS and catalase can be useful to identify individuals that are chronically exposed to low doses of pesticides.     

Tissue distribution of antimony (Sb) in piglets orally given graded levels of Sb (V)

The potential risks from oral intake of soil antimony (Sb) depends mainly on the amount of metal ingested and its bioavailability. Relative bioavailability may be determined by comparing Sb present in soil to a reference compound, taking into account accumulation in different target tissues or excretion. However, due to the lack of scientific knowledge concerning the fate of Sb in the organism, there is a need to study the absorption and distribution of Sb in order to select target tissues for assessment of bioavailability of Sb in soils. Thus, 45 piglets were exposed to a soluble pentavalent antimony salt (KSb(OH)₆), for 15 days at concentrations ranging from 0–1600 µg Sb/kg body weight (BW) per day. Following the exposure period, blood, plasma, liver, spleen, kidneys, hair, bone, bile and urine were obtained to measure Sb concentrations by ICP-MS. Results showed that tissue Sb levels were dose-related. Higher Sb concentrations were found in urine, kidneys, hair, bone and liver. Sb(V) was not detectable in blood and plasma. In the case of highly contaminated soil with soluble forms of Sb in concentrations ranging from 200–1600 µg Sb/kg BW, kidneys, liver and spleen are the most reliable compartments to determine Sb bioavailability from soil. However, for the soils with lower levels of contamination and a low Sb bioaccessibility, urine may serve as a relevant compartment.     

中国湖泊富营养化影响因素研究——基于中国22个湖泊实证分析

基于1：25万河流水系和数字高程（DEM）数据制备了选取湖泊的流域边界,据其集成了流域社会经济数据,并据中国科学院资源环境数据中心提供的1990、1995、2000、2005年4个时段土地利用数据形成了流域反映人类活动强度的表征指标,选取了全国湖泊富营养化区域差异性调查课题获取的案例湖泊的水质数据,集成了中国湖泊富营养化影响因素计量分析的面板数据集,研究了1990-2005年间中国湖泊营养状态的发展趋势与差异特征,探讨了湖泊富营养化的自然气候与社会经济影响机制,构建了中国湖泊富营养化影响因素分析的计量模型,厘定了1990-2005年间影响湖泊营养状态变化的重要因素,测度了其对湖泊富营养化的影响方向和作用强度。基于面板数据的计量分析结果表明,近15年人类活动强度对湖泊营养状态呈显著的正影响,其表征指标人均GDP与建设用地所占流域面积比均具有较强的显著性,而在人类扰动较小的情况下,湖泊的营养状态与湖泊补给系数成正比,与湖泊蓄容量成反比,补给系数较小且其他因素也相同时,水体营养状态应与流域土壤本底值相关;以林、草地的面积比重所测度的流域自然生态系统发育程度与湖泊营养状态呈显著负相关关系,表明林地与草地生态系统对流域的氮、磷营养物的人湖量具有一定的削减作用,论文研究结果将为流域管理措施方案制订提供科技支撑。     

人类活动对上海市生物多样性空间格局的影响

为了揭示人类活动对城市化地区生物多样性空间格局的影响及其景观生态学机制,文章将上海市作为研究对象,选择3个人类活动指标、3个主要类型生态系统的4个景观特征指标与8个生物多样性指标,探讨人类活动强度、野生动植物生境景观特征及生物多样性三者之间的相互关系。结果显示,人口增长和城市扩张对上海市生物多样性的空间格局产生了显著影响。在上海地区,人口密度较高、交通较为发达的区域,湿地和农田的景观连续性较低,生物多样性也较低,外来入侵物种丰度较高。这表明在快速城市化过程中,人类活动通过改变野生动植物栖息地景观质量来对区域生物多样性产生影响。本研究还显示,经济发展并非一定对生物多样性具有负面影响。因此,在保持经济发展的同时,通过优化产业结构与加强生物多样性管理,可实现对生物多样性有效保护。     

初秋季节毛竹林小气候及其人体舒适度的日变化

以无锡市惠山森林公园毛竹林和青山公园毛竹林为研究对象,对其林内和林缘的小气候日变化情况进行了定量化研究。结果表明：1）惠山森林公园与青山公园的相对湿度日变化皆呈先减后增趋势,均在13：00达到极值。林内相对湿度分别为67．6％、65．6％,林缘相对湿度分别为61．8％、63．4％;温度和综合舒适指数日变化皆呈先增后减趋势,也均在13：00达到极值,林内温度分别为28．2℃、27．5℃,林缘分别为29．8℃、28．9℃;林内综合舒适指数分别3．5、3．2,林缘综合舒适指数分别4．8、4．1。2）08：00～17：00林内人体舒适度高于林缘,其他时刻人体舒适度低于林缘。3）与密度较大的惠山森林公园竹林相比,青山公园竹林综合舒适指数降低了0．1～0．7,平均值为0．3,即密度较小的青山公园竹林调节城市小气候的功能最佳,为秋初时节人们户外活动提供了一个良好的选择。     

镉对血管内皮细胞损伤及其致动脉硬化的毒理学机制

采用人脐静脉内皮细胞体外培养和大鼠镉染毒实验,检测镉对人脐静脉内皮细胞和大鼠血清NO和ICAM-1分泌量,及大鼠主动脉病理改变的影响。结果表明,镉染毒可造成血管内皮细胞NO分泌量明显降低和ICAM-1分泌量明显升高,与镉染毒浓度剂量相关,体外细胞培养与活体动物实验的结果表现出一致性(P<0.05)。镉暴露可明显促进血管内皮细胞凋亡,主动脉HE染色见动脉硬化改变,各层均见较多ICAM-1阳性表达,主要存在于粥样斑块区。因此,过量镉摄入通过影响大鼠血管内皮细胞功能和结构促进动脉粥样硬化的形成。