Effect of Selenomethionine Supplementation in Food on the Excretion and Toxicity of Arsenic Exposure in Female Mice

Selenium (Se) is an essential component of several major metabolic pathways and controls immune function. Arsenic (As) is a human carcinogen with immunotoxic and genotoxic activities, functioning mainly by producing oxidative stress. Due to the ability of Se to interact with As and to possibly block its toxic effects, we investigated the impact of dietary Se-methionine (Se-Met) supplementation on the toxicity of As exposure in vivo in a mouse model. Sufficient and excess levels of Se-Met (0.2 and 2 ppm, respectively) were fed to C57BL/6N female mice exposed to sodium arsenite (3, 6 and 10 mg/kg) in tap water for 9 days. We observed that As exposure increased Se-Met excretion in the urine. Se-Met supplementation increased the relative liver weight and decreased the concentration of total liver proteins in animals exposed to 10 mg/kg of As. Se-Met supplementation maintained a normal pool of glutathione in the liver and increased glutathione peroxidase concentration, although the lipoperoxidation level was increased by Se-Met even without As exposure. Se-Met supplementation helped to maintain the CD4/CD8 ratio of lymphocytes in the spleen, although it increased the proportion of B cells. Se-Met supplementation prior to As exposure increased the secretion of interleukin-4, IL-12 and interferon-γ and the stimulation index of the spleen cells in in vitro assays. Se-Met intake improved the basal immunological parameters but did not reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress after low-dose As exposure.     

Physiological and Biochemical Analysis to Reveal the Molecular Basis for Black Widow Spiderling Toxicity

The early research found that the spiderlings of black widow spider (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) exhibited obvious toxicity to animals. The present work performed a systematical analysis of the aqueous extract of newborn black widow spiderlings. The extract was shown to contain 69.42% of proteins varying in molecular weights and isoelectric points. Abdominal injection of the extract into mice and cockroaches caused obvious poisoning symptoms as well as death, with LD₅₀ being 5.30 mg/kg in mice and 16.74 µg/g in Periplaneta americana. Electrophysiological experiments indicated that the extract at a concentration of 10 µg/mL could completely block the neuromuscular transmission in isolated mouse nerve‐hemidiaphragm preparations within 21 ± 1.5 min, and 100 µg/mL extract could inhibit a certain percentage of voltage‐activated Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ channel currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. These results demonstrate that the spiderlings are rich in neurotoxic components, which play important roles in the spiderling toxicity.     

Extrapolation for Exposure Duration in Oral Toxicity: A Quantitative Analysis of Historical Toxicity Data

For human risk assessment, experimental data often have to be extrapolated for exposure duration, which is generally done by means of default values. The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, to derive a statistical distribution for differences in exposure duration that can be used in a probabilistic concept for combining assessment factors in risk characterization. Second, to obtain insight in the magnitude of the change in No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) with exposure duration, which will lead to more science-based assessment factors for exposure duration. A large historical database, including 198 substances, was consulted. Ratios were calculated for pairs of NOAELs for systemic toxicity from oral toxicity studies with the same species (rats or mice, various strains) and different exposure duration categories. The Geometric Mean (GM), Geometric Standard Deviation (GSD), and the 90th and 95th percentile values were determined. The traditionally applied default factors for subacute to semichronic (10), for semichronic to chronic (10), and for subacute to chronic exposure (100) corresponded with the 93, 87, and 99-percentiles of the respective distributions. Options are presented for a set of default values and probabilistic distributions for assessment factors for exposure duration based on data from the consulted historical database.     

Arsenic Toxicity is Counteracted by Exogenous Application of Melatonin to Different Extents in Arsenic-susceptible and Arsenic-tolerant Rice Cultivars

The current study established the protective effects of exogenous melatonin in ameliorating arsenic toxicity in Khitish (arsenic-sensitive) and Muktashri (arsenic-tolerant) rice cultivars. Melatonin highly improved the overall growth performance of arsenic-treated seedlings, more prominently in the sensitive variety, Khitish. Although the level of arsenic increased in both the cultivars, Khitish accumulated comparatively higher arsenic level. However, melatonin supplementation reduced arsenic bioaccumulation and restored physiological growth attributes, as supported by lowering of electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll loss (by inducing RuBisCo), protein carbonylation, malondialdehyde accumulation, lipoxygenase (LOX), NADPH oxidase (NOX) and protease activity, and improvement of membrane stability index. Isoforms of LOX and NOX showed varietal differences during arsenic stress, both in the presence and absence of melatonin. Melatonin reduced methylglyoxal content during arsenic stress, concomitant with down-regulated gene expression and enzyme activity for glyoxalases. The nitrogen assimilation was improved via induced nitrate reductase (NR) activity and NR expression. The variable accumulation of osmolytes like proline, glycine betaine and total amino acids, concomitant with suppressed P5CS and BADH1 expression, and induced PDH was noteworthy. Antioxidant metabolites like anthocyanins, flavonoids, carotenes, xanthophylls and total phenolics were accumulated upon supplementation of melatonin in arsenic-stressed Khitish, supported by the activation of ANS and PSY genes. Melatonin lowered the ascorbic-acid oxidase activity and restored the ascorbate sink in arsenic-affected seedlings. Overall, the study revealed the potential role of exogenous melatonin in mitigating arsenic-induced injuries by strengthening osmolytes and antioxidative machinery, leading to the restoration of growth and metabolism in rice, especially in the susceptible cultivar.

     

Nitrate Reductase is Needed for Methyl Jasmonate-Mediated Arsenic Toxicity Tolerance of Rice by Modulating the Antioxidant Defense System,Glyoxalase System and Arsenic Sequestration Mechanism

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The study was conducted to consider the role of nitrate reductase (NR)-synthesized nitric oxide (NO) in the methyl jasmonate (MJ)-induced tolerance of arsenic...     

Probabilistic Analysis of Human Health Risks Associated with Background Concentrations of Inorganic Arsenic: Use of a Margin of Exposure Approach

Substantial evidence exists from epidemiological and mechanistic studies supporting a sublinear or threshold dose–response relationship for the carcinogenicity of ingested arsenic; nonetheless, current regulatory agency evaluations have quantified arsenic risks using default, generic risk assessment procedures that assume a linear, no-threshold dose–response relationship. The resulting slope factors predict risks from U.S. background arsenic exposures that exceed certain regulatory levels of concern, an outcome that presents challenges for risk communication and risk management decisions. To better reflect the available scientific evidence, this article presents the results of a Margin of Exposure (MOE) analysis to characterize risks associated with typical and high-end background exposures of the U.S. population to arsenic from food, water, and soil. MOE values were calculated by comparing a no-observable-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) derived from the epidemiological literature with exposure estimates generated using a probabilistic (Monte Carlo) model. The plausibility and conservative nature of the exposure and risk estimates evaluated in this analysis are supported by sensitivity and uncertainty analyses and by comparing predicted urinary arsenic concentrations with empirical data. Using the more scientifically supported MOE approach, the analysis presented in this article indicates that typical and high-end background exposures to inorganic arsenic in U.S. populations do not present elevated risks of carcinogenicity.     

水稻籽粒矿质元素含量遗传及主要农艺性状相关性分析

通过了解水稻子粒钙、镁、铜、铁、锌和硒等矿质元素含量,以绿旱1号作为父本与102S、KD36S、7HS012及7HS013不育系为母本进行配组,对父本与杂交后代主要农艺及经济性状、水稻子粒中的矿质元素含量进行了遗传分析,并对各杂交后代的主要农艺性状和子粒中矿质元素含量以及各矿质元素含量间进行了相关性分析.结果表明,杂交后代农艺及经济性状多数表现出超高亲分离现象,且LK3的农艺及经济性状均表现为最好.水稻子粒矿质元素含量与部分农艺和经济性状存在明显的正相关或负相关关系,且K、Mg、Zn、Se等元素含量与水稻产量密切相关.水稻子粒中矿质元素含量大小依次为P＞K ＞Mg ＞S＞ Ca＞ Mn ＞Fe ＞Zn ＞Cu ＞Se,4个杂交后代的K元素含量表现出超高亲分离现象,LK2、LK3和LK4的Fe元素含量也表现出超高亲分离现象.水稻子粒大量与微量元素之间相关性最高,微量元素之间相关性次之,大量元素之间相关性最小,以7HS012不育系为母本得到的杂交后代农艺性状表现较好,矿质元素含量最高,7HS013次之,其他不育系表现一般.本研究为选育出耐旱及营养价值高的水稻新品种母本的选择提供了理论依据.     

阿霉素肾病大鼠尿液糖胺聚糖与尿液蛋白含量的相关性

目的探讨阿霉素肾病大鼠疾病进展过程中尿液糖胺聚糖含量的变化及其与尿蛋白的关系。方法采用一次性尾静脉注射阿霉素6mg/kg制作肾病综合征大鼠模型,第1、2、3、4、6周分别收集大鼠24h尿液测定尿糖胺聚糖和尿蛋白含量。43d后结束实验取血及肾脏,检测血生化,观察肾组织病理改变。结果第2、3、4、6周与正常对照组比较,阿霉素肾病大鼠24h尿蛋白排泄量呈进行性明显上升趋势;造模43d后模型组血清白蛋白含量显著下降,总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量显著升高,肾组织病理所见,模型组肾小球系膜区见中度至重度的系膜细胞增殖及基质增生。从第3周开始阿霉素肾病大鼠尿糖胺聚糖浓度显著高于正常组,且与24h尿蛋白排泄量呈正相关关系。第6周尿糖胺聚糖浓度与血清白蛋白浓度负相关,与甘油三酯浓度正相关。结论阿霉素肾病综合征大鼠尿液中糖胺聚糖浓度升高,并与24h尿蛋白排泄、血清白蛋白、甘油三酯浓度显著相关。     

Distribution and Speciation of Arsenic by Transplacental and Early Life Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic in Offspring Rats

The amount of arsenic compounds was determined in the liver and brain of pups and in breast milk in the pup's stomach in relation to the route of exposure: transplacental, breast milk, or drinking water. Forty-eight pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups, each group was given free access to drinking water that contained 0, 10, 50, and 100 mg/L NaAsO₂ from gestation day 6 (GD 6) until postnatal day 42 (PND 42). Once pups were weaned, they started to drink the same arsenic-containing water as the dams. Contents of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and trimethylarsenic acid (TMA) in livers and brains of the pups on PND 0, 15, 28, and 42 and breast milk taken from the pup's stomach on PND 0 and 15 were detected using the hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Concentrations of iAs, MMA, and DMA in the breast milk, the brain, and the liver of the pups increased with the concentration of arsenic in drinking water on PND 0, 15, 28, and 42. Compared to the liver or brain, breast milk had the lowest arsenic concentrations. There was a significant decrease in the levels of arsenic species on PND 15 compared to PND 0, 28, or 42. It was confirmed that arsenic species can pass through the placental barrier from dams to offspring and across the blood–brain barrier in the pups, and breast milk from dams exposed to arsenic in drinking water contains less arsenic than the liver and brain of pups.     

水稻砷的吸收机理及阻控对策

水稻积累砷的能力较其他农作物强,稻米是我国人群从食品中摄入无机砷的主要来源,降低稻米砷含量对增进农产品质量安全有重要意义。本文阐述了稻田砷的生物地球化学转化特征及水稻对不同形态砷的吸收、运输与储存机理,提出阻控稻米砷积累的对策,并讨论了需要进一步研究的问题。     

Health Risk Assessment for Human Exposure to Trace Metals and Arsenic via Consumption of Hen Egg Collected from Largest Poultry Industry in Iran

Biological Trace Element Research - The relative contribution of foodstuffs to intake of heavy metal is still equivocal, and thus, available data are rare. Here, the concentration of ten heavy...     

利用SSR标记分析水稻亲本间遗传距离与杂种优势的关系

利用5个光温敏核不育系与40个恢复系（品种）配制了200个组合,应用SSR标记估算了这5个不育系与40个恢复系之间的遗传距离,分析了遗传距离与杂种优势的关系。结果表明：（1）不同材料、不同遗传距离范围之间,遗传距离与单株产量以及有效穗数、穗长、每穗粒敷、着粒密度、结实率、千粒重、单株产量7个性状超亲优势的相关性有很大差别,表现出很复杂的关系。（2）田丰S与父本遗传距离在0．6286～2．5257之间时,F1单株产量及其超亲优势与遗传距离极显著相关;培矮64S与父本遗传距离在0．8247～1．5315之间时,F1单株产量与遗传距离显著相关。（3）所有两系组合亲本间遗传距离在0．5333～1．5之间时,F1单株产量超亲优势与遗传距离显著相关;遗传距离在0．5333～1．0之间时,F1单株产量与遗传距离显著相关,遗传距离分别在1．0～1．5、0．5333～1．5和0．5333～2．5257之间时极显著相关。（4）另外,F1单株产量与遗传距离的相关程度普遍高于其超亲优势与遗传距离的相关程度。     

粳稻谷粒性状与垩白性状的相关分析

利用大粒粳稻DL115与小粒粳稻XL005杂交后代F3和F4家系为试验材料,分析了粳稻谷粒性状和垩白性状的表型变异及其相关关系。研究结果表明,F3和F4家系谷粒的长、宽、厚、长宽比、千粒重及垩白性状均呈接近正态的连续分布,表现为由多基因控制的数量性状。F4家系谷粒性状值均小于F3,随着世代的增加,谷粒性状值趋于减小。F4家系垩白粒率和垩白度小于F3,而垩白大小基本相近。在F3和F4,谷粒千粒重与谷粒长、宽、厚、长宽比均呈极显著正相关;垩白性状与谷粒长、宽、厚、长宽比、千粒重呈极显著正相关。在不同大小的谷粒长、长宽比和千粒重范围内,谷粒性状值相对较大的群体垩白性状值明显大于谷粒性状值相对较小的群体;谷粒长和长宽比相对较小的群体内垩白性状与其谷粒性状的相关关系较谷粒长和长宽比相对较大的群体更为密切。     

Urinary Sodium Excretion and Dietary Sources of Sodium Intake in Chinese Postmenopausal Women with Prehypertension

Background

Reducing salt intake in communities is one of the most effective and affordable public health strategies to prevent hypertension, stroke and renal disease. The present study aimed to determine the sodium intake in Hong Kong Chinese postmenopausal women and identify the major food sources contributing to sodium intake and urine excretion.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study among 655 Chinese postmenopausal women with prehypertension who were screened for a randomized controlled trial. Data collection included 24 h urine collection for the measurement of sodium, potassium and creatinine, 3-day dietary records, anthropometric measures and questionnaire survey on demographic data and dietary habits.

Results

The average salt intake estimated from urinary excretion was 7.8±3.2 g/d with 82.1% women above WHO recommendation of 5 g/day. Food groups as soup (21.6%), rice and noodles (13.5%), baked cereals (12.3%), salted/preserved foods (10.8%), Chinese dim sum (10.2%) and sea foods (10.1%) were the major contributors of non-discretionary salt. Discretionary salt use in cooking made a modest contribution to overall intake. Vegetable and fruit intake, age, sodium intake from salted foods, sea foods and soup were the independent determinants of urinary sodium excretion.

Conclusions

Our data revealed a significant room for reduction of the sodium intake. Efforts to reduce sodium from diets in Hong Kong Chinese postmenopausal women should focus on both processed foods and discretionary salt during cooking. Sodium reduction in soup and increase in fruit intake would be potentially effective strategy for reducing sodium.     

Spatially Explicit Estimates of Prey Consumption Reveal a New Krill Predator in the Southern Ocean

Development in foraging behaviour and dietary intake of many vertebrates are age-structured. Differences in feeding ecology may correlate with ontogenetic shifts in dispersal patterns, and therefore affect foraging habitat and resource utilization. Such life-history traits have important implications in interpreting tropho-dynamic linkages. Stable isotope ratios in the whiskers of sub-yearling southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina; n = 12) were used, in conjunction with satellite telemetry and environmental data, to examine their foraging habitat and diet during their first foraging migration. The trophic position of seals from Macquarie Island (54°30′S, 158°57′E) was estimated using stable carbon (δ^{1 3}C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) ratios along the length of the whisker, which provided a temporal record of prey intake. Satellite-relayed data loggers provided details on seal movement patterns, which were related to isotopic concentrations along the whisker. Animals fed in waters south of the Polar Front (>60°S) or within Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Statistical Subareas 88.1 and 88.2, as indicated by both their depleted δ^{1 3}C (<−20‰) values, and tracking data. They predominantly exploited varying proportions of mesopelagic fish and squid, and crustaceans, such as euphausiids, which have not been reported as a prey item for this species. Comparison of isotopic data between sub-yearlings, and 1, 2 and 3 yr olds indicated that sub-yearlings, limited by their size, dive capabilities and prey capture skills to feeding higher in the water column, fed at a lower trophic level than older seals. This is consistent with the consumption of euphausiids and most probably, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), which constitute an abundant, easily accessible source of prey in water masses used by this age class of seals. Isotopic assessment and concurrent tracking of seals are successfully used here to identify ontogenetic shifts in broad-scale foraging habitat use and diet preferences in a highly migratory predator.     

尿蛋白定性与定量检测结果的差异性和相关性分析

目的:探讨尿液干化学法及免疫透射比浊法检测尿白蛋白结果的差异性及相关性。方法:对514例住院患者随机尿标本进行尿液干化学法及免疫透射比浊法尿蛋白的检测。结果:尿液干化学法阳性率为82.1%,免疫透射比浊法阳性率为72.8%。两种方法检测结果均为阴性标本的符合率为98.9%,为(±)的标本二者符合率为69.7%,为(+)的标本二者符合率为75.6%,为(++)的标本二者符合率为67.2%,为(+++)标本中二者符合率为42.5%,为(++++)标本二者的符合率为37.5%。两种方法的检测结果有显著性差异(P0.05);UmAlb/Ucr、NAG、和NAG/Ucr与UmAlb具有显著相关(P0.05),且UmAlb/Ucr与UmAlb的相关性最高。两种方法所得等级结果比较,++~+++之间差异有统计学意义(P0.05),-~±、±~+、+~++、+++~++++之间差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:尿蛋白定性与定量检测结果存在显著性差异,而UmAlb/Ucr与UmAlb相关性较高。在泌尿系统疾病的诊断中,检测尿中UmAlb比尿常规更有意义。