Early-phase immunodetection of metallothionein and heat shock proteins in extruded earthworm coelomocytes after dermal exposure to metal ions

This paper provides direct evidence that earthworm immune cells, coelomocytes, are exposed to bio-reactive quantities of metals within 3 days after dermal exposure, and that they respond by upregulating metallothionein (MT) and heat shock protein (HSP70, HSP72) expression. Indirect support for the hypothesis that coelomocytes are capable of trafficking metals was also obtained. Coelomocytes were expelled from adult individuals of Eisenia fetida after 3-day exposure either to metal ions (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) or to distilled water (controls) via filter papers. The number of coelomocytes was significantly decreased after Cu, Pb, or Cd treatment. Cytospin preparations of coelomocytes were subjected to immunoperoxidase staining with monoclonal antibodies against human heat shock proteins (HSP70 or HSP72), or rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against metallothionein 2 (w-MT2) of Lumbricus rubellus. Applied antibodies detected the respective proteins of E. fetida and revealed that the expression of HSP70, HSP72 and w-MT2 proteins was either induced or significantly enhanced in coelomocytes from metal-exposed animals. In conclusion, stress protein expression in earthworm coelomocytes may be used as sensitive biomarkers of metal contaminations. Further experimentation is needed for quantitative analysis of kinetics of metal-induced stress protein expression in earthworm coelomocytes.     

Determining and evaluating the thermodynamic properties of municipal solid waste for different provinces of Iran

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - To study, analyze and select the appropriate method for converting MSW into energy, the thermodynamic properties of the MSW are required including...     

Effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on biochemical and oxidative parameters in marigold leaves

Abstract

The effects of suspensions of cerium oxide nanoparticles sprayed onto marigold seedlings (Calendula officinalis L.) at concentrations between 50 and 3200 mg L^?1 were studied. At concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L^?1, the nanoparticles had a slight positive effect on some growth parameters, but at higher concentrations they caused severe oxidative damage. Activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and lipoxygenase increased from 400 mg L^?1 upward, tyrosine ammonia lyase from 1600 mg L^?1. Ascorbate and glutathione contents decreased from 400 mg L^?1 upwards.     

DNA damage in workers exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations below occupational exposure limits

Formaldehyde has been classified in group 1 as a potential source of human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In this study, we evaluated the DNA damage in workers who were occupationally exposed to formaldehyde during the manufacture of melamine dinnerware.

Age, sex, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status were matched by the controls (n = 34) of workers not occupationally exposed to formaldehyde. The median value of formaldehyde time weighted average exposure in three workshops was 0.086 mg/m³. No significant difference was observed between sex and smoking habit in the assessed workers. Alkaline comet assay of peripheral blood lymphocytes was used to determine the DNA damage in the subjects. Olive moment was significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the control group.

Overall, the results suggest that respiratory exposure to low concentrations of formaldehyde causes DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte. Therefore, exposure to formaldehyde should be reduced to the lowest possible level.     

Subnational exposure to secondhand smoke in Iran from 1990 to 2013: a systematic review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Every year, almost eight million people die from tobacco-related diseases, among which around 1.2 million die from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure....     

Evaluation of spatial and temporal variation in water quality by pattern recognition techniques: A case study on Jajrood River (Tehran,Iran)

In this paper, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA) methods have been used to investigate the water quality of Jajrood River (Iran) and to assess and discriminate the relative magnitude of anthropogenic and “natural” influences on the quality of river water. T, EC, pH, TDS, NH₄, NO₃, NO₂, Turb., T.Hard., Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO₄, SiO₂ as physicochemical and TC, FC as biochemical variables have been analyzed in the water samples collected every month over a three-year period from 18 sampling stations along a 50 km section of Jajrood River that is under the influence of anthropogenic and natural changes. Exploratory analysis of experimental data has been carried out by means of PCA and CA in an attempt to discriminate sources of variation in water quality. PCA has allowed identification of a reduced number of mean 5 varifactors, pointing out 85% of both temporal and spatial changes. CA classified similar water quality stations and indicated Out-Meygoon as the most polluted one. Ahar, Baghgol, Rooteh, Befor Zaygan, Fasham, Roodak and Lashgarak were identified as affected by organic pollution. A Scree plot of stations in the first and second extracted components on PCA also gave us a classification of stations due to the similarity of pollution sources. CA and PCA led to similar results, though Out-Meygoon was identified as the most polluted station in both methods. Box-plots showed that PCA could approximately demonstrate temporal and spatial variations. CA gave us an overview of the problem and helped us to classify and better explain the PCA results.