Enantioselective recognition of mono-demethylated methoxychlor metabolites by the estrogen receptor

Metabolites of methoxychlor such as 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (mono-OH-MXC) and 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (bis-OH-MXC), have estrogenic activity. Mono-OH-MXC is a chiral compound in which the carbon atom bridging two benzene rings is the chiral centre. In previous studies the estrogenic activity of racemic mono-OH-MXC has been measured, and the activity of each enantiomer of this compound has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the estrogen receptor-binding activity of each enantiomer of mono-OH-MXC to clarify the enantioselective recognition by the estrogen receptor. (S)-mono-OH-MXC showed 3-fold higher binding activity than that of the (R) enantiomer. The activity of bis-OH-MXC was only 1.7-fold higher than that of (S)-mono-OH-MXC. This result suggests that the one hydroxy group and the orientation of the CCl3 group of mono- and bis-OH-MXCs are important for the interaction with the estrogen receptor. The result also points out the estrogenic activity of methoxychlor after metabolic activation in vivo, which predominantly produces the (S)-mono-OH-MXC, may be higher than estimated from the in vitro activity of racemic mixtures.     

A sustainability assessment framework for regional-scale Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) incorporating Inclusive Wealth,Satoumi, and ecosystem services science

Sustainability has become an increasingly important concept in the last few decades; however, its operational usefulness has not always been clear. In other words, some sustainability assessments may not provide decision makers with the practical information necessary to perform the assessment. This study proposes a novel operational sustainable assessment framework for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) on a regional-scale based on a feasibility study in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. The framework draws upon three separately developed concepts: Inclusive Wealth as the technical framework for the sustainability indicators; Satoumi (a traditional Japanese multifaceted coastal zone concept); and ecosystem services science. These three concepts complement each other when seeking to corroborate an assessment framework. Indicators based on the framework and relevant to the case study site were identified. Although Satoumi is a traditional Japanese knowledge, it is believed that its application may be instructive for other areas, as similar concepts can be found and utilized for the conduct of ICZM sustainability assessments.     

Changes in terrestrial water stress and contributions of major factors under temperature rise constraint scenarios

The Paris agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stipulates 2 and 1.5 °C targets, but their consistency with sustainable development is poorly understood. This study focuses on water stress defined by annual water consumption-to-availability ratio (CAR) and analyzes the CAR changes for 32 global regions during this century for scenarios of the 2 and 1.5 °C targets. It also estimates contributions of major factors behind such change for addressing the adaptation planning. The results show that the CARs in many (i.e., 25) regions remain very small (less than 0.1) regardless of the future temperature level. For the other seven regions, the CARs undergo significant changes, while the changes and contributing factors to them are different by region and the future temperature level. Possible adaptation strategies are given for regions of significantly increasing CARs. For instance, in Afghanistan and Pakistan and South Africa, the CARs increase mainly due to increases in irrigation water associated with socioeconomic development (i.e., food demand growth). Decreases in water availability and increases in irrigation water due to climate change also contribute to the CAR increases after 2030. The contributions of other factors (i.e., demand changes in municipal water, water for electricity generation, other industrial water, and water for livestock) are small. In these regions, securing water resources as well as irrigation water conservation are important to avoid worsening of the CAR. Adaptation strategy recommendations for other regions are also presented.