Rat metabolic adaptation to ammonia inhalation

Rats exposed to 25 or 300 ppm NH3 vapor for 5-15 days 6 hr daily showed dose-dependent blood ammonia after 5 days. Brain and blood glutamine were also increased at the same time in rats exposed to 300 ppm. The blood ammonia concentration of the exposed rats resumed control levels at 10 and 15 days while hepatic citrulline synthesis increased above that of the controls. The animals exposed to 300 ppm NH3 showed initially a slight acidosis. As circulating ammonia decreased, brain and blood glutamine returned to the control range. Our findings support the idea that ureagenesis is aimed mainly at the removal of NH+4 with only secondary and small effects on the acid-base balance.     

The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the mossy fiber zinc content of the rat hippocampus. A microbeam PIXE study. Particle Induced X-Ray Emission

The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the mossy fiber zinc content of the rat hippocampus was investigated using PIXE (Particle Induced X-Ray Emission) spectroscopy. Using the proton microbeam (60 X 60 microns), 2 mm line-scans were made on hippocampal sections and the data were expressed as absolute zinc concentrations. Values of 55 and 136 ppm (dry weight) were found for the mean background zinc level and the maximum mossy fiber zinc level, respectively, in animals fed a control diet containing 50 ppm zinc. Treatment of these animals with dithizone caused about 50% reduction in the maximum mossy fiber zinc level. Feeding a zinc-deficient diet for 28 days did not cause a decrease in the mossy fiber zinc level, however, feeding the zinc-deficient diet for 90 days reduced the maximum mossy fiber zinc level by about 30%. The results are discussed in relation to the behavioral abnormalities that have been observed in zinc-deficient animals.     

富营养化水体的水生植物净化试验研究

利用水生植物净化和底泥遮蔽的方法对养鱼池的富营养化水体进行控制研究．结果表明,金鱼藻等6种水生植物对水中总氮、总磷和硝态氮有较好的去除效果,而以狐尾藻和微齿眼子菜两种效果最好,1个月后对总氮的去除率分别为83．84％和77．54％,对硝态氮的去除率分别为95．85％和90．65％,磷的去除率都达到了91．7％．但对氨氮的去除效果稍差,1个月时去除效果只有14％～70％．底泥进行塑料遮蔽处理后在前期(15～20d)能控制底泥中营养盐的释放,但不能保持长久;并在后期表现出“补偿效应”．试验结果还表明。水生植物能有效提高水体透明度和水体观感,但对改善COD和DO的效果不明显．     

Cadmium affects the expression of heat shock protein 90 and metallothionein mRNA in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread nonessential heavy metal that enters the aquatic environment as a result of natural processes and human activities such as wastewater production, agriculture, and mining. To determine the effects of Cd on organisms, we investigated its time- and dose-related effects on mRNA levels of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and metallothionein (MT) in the gill and digestive gland and changes enzyme levels in the hemolymph of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Full-length HSP90 cDNA was isolated from C. gigas by rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) techniques and found to contain 2154 nucleotides, including an open reading frame, and was predicted to encode a protein of 717 amino acids. BLAST analysis indicated that the HSP90 gene of C. gigas shared high homology with known HSP90 genes of other mollusks. The expression of HSP90 mRNA increased significantly with exposure to 0.01 ppm Cd for 11 days or 0.05 or 0.1 ppm Cd for 7 days. The expression of MT mRNA increased significantly with exposure to 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 ppm Cd for 11 days. Glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate levels increased significantly with exposure to 0.05 or 0.1 ppm Cd for 7 days. These results indicate that HSP90 and MT play important roles in the physiological changes related to metabolism and cell protection that occur in Pacific oysters exposed to Cd.     

Dietary iron and the integrity of the developing rat brain: a study with the artificially-reared rat pup.

Inadequate iron nutrition is thought to affect many aspects of brain development. Iron is a component of enzyme systems in DNA synthesis, the respiratory chain, neurotransmitter and lipid metabolism. The iron content of the striatum increases post-natally, with neuronal differentiation, myelin lipid and receptor formation: Seventy percent of the iron in the brain is associated with myelin. In an attempt to dissociate the global effects of under-and/or malnutrition and to produce exclusively an iron deficiency, we have used the gastrostomy-reared rat pup fed milk substitutes which vary only in their iron content. To ensure the pups did not have adequate iron reserves at birth, dams were fed a meal diet of low iron content (3 ppm) throughout gestation. The pups were then artificially reared on milk with (43 ppm), and without added iron (2.5 ppm) from 6 up to 21 days after birth. At 21 days of age, body weights of iron deficient pups were about 90% those of control animals. At 21 days of age, the pups were weaned, then fed standard laboratory rat chow. Brain was examined at 42 days of age (for young adults) and up to 6 months of age (180 days as mature adults). Morphometric analysis of sagittal sections of the cerebellum at 21 and 63 days of age revealed a deficit in white matter formation in pups fed low-iron at 21 days of age when compared to controls. This deficit was partially recouped by age 63 days. By contrast, animals fed milk supplemented with iron showed greater definition in white matter formation than controls at 21 days of age; indicative of precocious maturation of the white matter tracts. Our findings indicate that iron deficiency, without under/mal-nutrition and other variables, does not result in extensive growth deficits in body and brain weight. However, the iron status profoundly influences the development of myelination in that the process is delayed in iron deficiency.     

Effect of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio on nitrogen removal from shrimp production waste water using sequencing batch reactor

The United States Marine Shrimp Farming Program (USMSFP) introduced a new technology for shrimp farming called recirculating raceway system. This is a zero-water exchange system capable of producing high-density shrimp yields. However, this system produces wastewater characterized by high levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate due to 40% protein diet for the shrimp at a high density of 1,000 shrimp per square meter. The high concentrations of nitrate and nitrite (greater than 25 ppm) are toxic to shrimp and cause high mortality. So treatment of this wastewater is imperative in order to make shrimp farming viable. One simple method of treating high-nitrogen wastewater is the use of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). An SBR is a variation of the activated sludge process, which accomplishes many treatment events in a single reactor. Removal of ammonia and nitrate involved nitrification and denitrification reactions by operating the SBR aerobically and anaerobically in sequence. Initial SBR operation successfully removed ammonia, but nitrate concentrations were too high because of carbon limitation in the shrimp production wastewater. An optimization study revealed the optimum carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 10:1 for successful removal of all nitrogen species from the wastewater. The SBR operated with a C:N ratio of 10:1 with the addition of molasses as carbon source successfully removed 99% of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite from the shrimp aquaculture wastewater within 9 days of operation.     

The impact of reduced frequency of cage changes on the health of mice housed in ventilated cages

Our purpose in this investigation was to determine if we could reduce cage changing frequency without adversely affecting the health of mice. We housed mice at three different cage changing frequencies: 7, 14, and 21 days, each at three different cage ventilation rates: 30, 60 and 100 air changes per hour (ACH), for a total of nine experimental conditions. For each condition, we evaluated the health of 12 breeding pairs and 12 breeding trios of C57BL/6J mice for 7 months. Health was assessed by breeding performance, weanling weight and growth, plasma corticosterone levels, immune function, and histological examination of selected organs. Over a period of 4 months, we monitored the cage microenvironment for ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations, relative humidity, and temperature one day prior to changing the cage. The relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentrations, and temperature of the cages at all conditions were within acceptable levels. Ammonia concentrations remained below 25 ppm (parts per million) in most cages, but, even at higher concentrations, did not adversely affect the health of mice. Frequency of cage changing had only one significant effect; pup mortality with pair matings was greater at the cage changing frequency of 7 days compared with 14 or 21 days. In addition, pup mortality with pair matings was higher at 30 ACH compared with other ventilation rates. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, cage changes once every 14 days and ventilation rates of 60 ACH provide optimum conditions for animal health and practical husbandry.     

鱼肉中磺胺类抗生素的表面增强拉曼光谱探测与分析

本文以银溶胶为表面增强拉曼活性基底,实现了鱼肉中磺胺类抗生素的痕量检测。采用微波加热法制备银溶胶,比较了两种提取剂（氨水、乙酸乙酯）对鱼肉中抗生素的提取及探测效果。实验发现,鱼肉中的物质对抗生素检测有较大干扰,乙酸乙酯作为提取剂的效果要明显好于氨水。以银溶胶为基底,乙酸乙酯作为提取剂对两种限制使用的磺胺类抗生素（磺胺甲基嘧啶、磺胺二甲基嘧啶）检测的最低浓度皆为1 ppm,检测限分别为0．16 ppm、0．59 ppm。结果表明,利用此方法,可以实现鱼肉中一定浓度抗生素的检测,为实现水产品中抗生素的检测提供了实验基础。     

Alterations in plasma sodium and potassium levels following chronic oral ingestion of lead, mercury and cadmium in male albino rats.

Adult male albino rats were orally administered 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm of lead nitrate, mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride for 60, 120 and 180 days. The plasma sodium levels were decreased in rats exposed to varying doses of lead and mercury up to 180 days, while animals which consumed cadmium chloride showed an increase in sodium levels. In lead and mercury treated animals, plasma potassium levels were increased up to 180 days. The levels were decreased in cadmium exposed rats. These observations suggest that chronic exposure to these heavy metals considerably influences plasma sodium and potassium levels depending on the dose and duration of exposure.     

氨氮和镉胁迫对芙蓉鲤鲫抗氧化系统和免疫机能的影响

为探究氨氮、镉单一及联合胁迫对鱼类氧化防御系统及非特异性免疫系统的影响, 以芙蓉鲤鲫(Cyprinus capio furong.♀×Carassius auratus red var.♂)为研究对象, 通过静态毒理学实验方法模拟亚急性胁迫, 在胁迫后不同时间点对芙蓉鲤鲫的肝脏进行取样, 并测定其抗氧化指标和非特异性免疫指标。结果显示, 氨氮和镉单一及联合胁迫后肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性均出现不同程度的升高, 过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均呈先下降后升高的趋势。氨氮胁迫后肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性及谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量均呈先升高后下降的变化趋势。镉胁迫后肝脏SOD和GSH-PX活性在6d时均显著高于对照组, GSH含量在4d时显著低于对照组, AKP活性呈先降低后升高的趋势。氨氮和镉联合胁迫后肝脏SOD和GSH-PX活性在6d和8d时显著增加, AKP活性在8d时显著升高, GSH含量呈先降低后升高的变化趋势。结果表明, 氨氮和镉单一及联合胁迫均可诱导芙蓉鲤鲫产生氧化应激, 激活了鱼体的氧化防御系统和非特异性免疫系统。研究可为深入探讨芙蓉鲤鲫的健康养殖和逆境生理响应机制提供基础资料。     

The effects of different rack systems on the breeding performance of DBA/2 mice

Housing systems for laboratory animals have been developed over a long time. Micro-environmental systems such as positive, individually ventilated caging systems and forced-air-ventilated systems are increasingly used by many researchers to reduce cross contamination between cages. There have been many investigations of the impact of these systems on the health of animals, the light intensity, the relative humidity and temperature of cages, the concentration of ammonia and CO(2), and other factors in the cages. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different rack systems and to understand the influence of environmental enrichment on the breeding performance of mice. Sixty DBA/2 breeding pairs were used for this experiment. Animals were kept in three rack systems: a ventilated cabinet, a normal open rack and an individually ventilated cage rack (IVC rack) with enriched or non-enriched type II elongated Makrolon cages. Reproduction performance was recorded from 10 to 40 weeks of age. In all three rack systems there was a similar breeding index (pups/dam/week) in non-enriched groups during the long-term breeding period, but the coefficients of variation in the IVC rack were higher for most parameters. This type of enrichment seems to lead to a decrease in the number of pups born, especially in the IVC group. However, there was no significant difference in breeding index (young weaned/female/week).     

Development of nitrogen-removal bioreactor using poly(lactic acid) as an energy source.

To control nitrogen such as ammonia in a rearing water of aquatic animals, we developed new bioreactor capable of both nitrification and denitrification. It was consisted of gel-plate immobilized microorganisms and a biodegradable plastic plate composed of three kind of poly(lactic acid) as an energy source of denitrification. When batch treatment experiment by the bioreactor was continuously carried out with an artificial rearing water containing ammonia, nitrogen-removal rate of the bioreactor was approximately 3 g-N/d/m2-gel surface and the activity was maintained for over 3 month without additional energy source. Therefore, the bioreactor would be effective to control nitrogen concentration in rearing water of a closed water circulating system for aquatic animals.     

NASDA aquatic animal experiment facilities for Space Shuttle.

National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has been developed aquatic animal experiment facilities for space experiments using NASA Space Shuttle. Vestibular Function Experiment Unit (VFEU) has been firstly designed and developed for Spacelab-J mission (STS-47), and 8 days space experiment with carp has been performed. Following, the VFEU, Aquatic Animal Experiment Unit (AAEU) has been developed to accommodate small aquatic animals second International Microgravity Laboratory mission (IML-2, STS-65). Four kinds of space experiments with goldfish, medaka, newt, and newt eggs have been performed for 15 days mission duration. Then, VFEU has been improved to accommodate marine fish under low temperature condition for Neurolab (STS-90) and STS-95 missions. 17 days (STS-90) and 9 days (STS-95) experiments with oyster toadfish have been performed by using the VFEU. This report summarizes the outline of these aquatic animal experiment facilities.     

Batch culture enrichment of ANAMMOX populations from anaerobic and aerobic seed cultures

Discharge of nitrate and ammonia rich wastewaters into the natural waters encourage eutrophication, and contribute to aquatic toxicity. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation process (ANAMMOX) is a novel biological nitrogen removal alternative to nitrification-denitrification, that removes ammonia using nitrite as the electron acceptor. The feasibility of enriching the ANAMMOX bacteria from the anaerobic digester sludge of a biomethanation plant treating vegetable waste and aerobic sludge from an activated sludge process treating domestic sewage is reported in this paper. ANAMMOX bacterial activity was monitored and established in terms of nitrogen transformations to ammonia, nitrite and nitrate along with formation of hydrazine and hydroxylamine.     

水生态系统中微囊藻毒素的分布及其生态毒理效应研究进展

有毒蓝藻产生的蓝藻毒素对淡水生态系统构成了严重的全球性环境威胁,其中微囊藻毒素(MCs)是所有蓝藻毒素中分布最广、危害最大的一类肝毒素。MCs已对水生态系统的结构、功能和稳定性造成了不良影响,并对人类健康构成威胁。本文综述了当前MCs在水体、沉积物和水生动物体内的分布,以及MCs的生物毒性机制,在此基础上,总结了MCs对水生动物、水生植物及陆生植物的生态毒理效应,及其引发的人类健康风险,并关注了MCs的生物防治方法。最后,针对当前MCs相关研究领域中存在的不足提出展望,旨在为淡水水体中MCs的风险评估与治理管控提供参考。     

Denitrification of high nitrate wastewater in a cloth strip bioreactor with immobilized sludge

Denitrification of synthetic high nitrate wastewater containing 40,000?ppm NO₃ (9,032?ppm NO₃-N) was achieved using immobilized activated sludge in a column reactor. Active anoxic sludge adsorbed onto Terry cloth was used in the denitrification of high nitrate wastewater. The operational stability of the immobilized sludge system was studied both in a batch reactor and in a continuous reactor. The immobilized sludge showed complete degradation of different concentrations of NO₃-N (1,129, 1,693, 3,387, 6,774, and 9,032?ppm) in a batch process. The reactors were successfully run for 90?days without any loss in activity. The immobilized cell process has yielded promising results in attaining high denitrifying efficiency.     

Rice (Oryza sativa) as a Remediation Tool for Nutrient Runoff

Hypereutrophication of U.S. surface waters is one of the leading causes of impairment for water quality. With nutrient criteria development and total maximum daily load (TMDL) issues looming for regulators, agricultural research is focusing on practices aimed at decreasing nutrient contributions to receiving aquatic ecosystems. This study examined the use of rice (Oryza sativa) for luxury uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus components associated with agricultural storm runoff. Mesocosms (379 L) planted with rice were exposed to two concentrations (5 and 10 mg/L) of nitrate, ammonia, and orthophosphorus. Results from these mesocosms were compared to unvegetated controls (also amended with 5 or 10 mg/L nitrate, ammonia, and orthophosphorus) to determine efficiency of rice in remediating nutrient runoff. Statistically significant differences in ammonia and nitrate retention of vegetated mesocosms amended with 5 mg/L versus vegetated mesocosms amended with 10 mg/L were noted after the first exposure. Although rice is a nutrient-dependent aquatic plant, this study suggests that more efficient mitigation is possible at lower inflow concentrations as opposed to higher inflow concentrations.     

Microclimate in two types of rat cages

The microclimate in two types of rat cages (a Makrolon type IV with a solid floor and a stainless steel cage with a wire mesh floor (five rats per cage)) placed in the same macro-environment was compared. The temperature, relative humidity and ammonia concentration in the cages were measured twice a day for 8 days. The cages were cleaned every 4 days. The greatest difference between the cage types was in the ammonia build-up. In Makrolon cages the ammonia concentration never reached 5 ppm, whereas in steel cages it showed a constant increase and already exceeded the threshold limit for man (25 ppm for 8 h per day) on the third day after cleaning.     

Detection of nitrate/nitrite bioavailability in wastewater using a luxCDABE-based Klebsiella oxytoca bioluminescent bioreporter

In the present study, we have constructed a bioluminescent bioreporter for the assessment of nitrate/nitrite bioavailability in wastewater. Specifically, an approximately 500-bp DNA fragment containing a nitrate/nitrite-activated nasR-like promoter (regulating expression of genes encoding nitrite reductase in the genus Klebsiella) was fused upstream of the Vibrio fischeri luxCDABE gene cassette in a modified mini-Tn5 vector. Characterization of this strain, designated W6-1, yielded dose-dependent increased bioluminescence coincident with increased nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium added to the growth medium from 1 to 11 ppm. Bioluminescence in response to nitrogen species addition was light dependent up to 10, 7, and 8 ppm with nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium, respectively. This response was linear in the range from 1 to 8 ppm for nitrate (R2 = 0.98), 1 to 6 ppm for nitrite (R2 = 0.99), and 1 to 7 ppm for ammonium (R2 = 0.99). A significant bioluminescent response was also recorded when strain W6-1 was incubated with slurries from aged, nitrate/nitrite contaminated wastewater. Thus, bioreporter strain W6-1 can be used to elucidate factors that constrain the use of nitrate/nitrite in wastewaters.