An ecological-agrochemical evaluation and prognosis of pesticide aftereffects (in the case of Ukrainian and Moldavian SSRS)

From the total number of pesticides applied in the USSR, 18 are classified as being particularly dangerous compounds. Taking into account the self-purifying ability of the regional soils, arbitrary doses of these pesticides have been calculated for the administrative units of the Ukrainian SSR, the Moldavian SSR, and the water basin territories of the principal rivers in the region. This index is of greatest significance for arable and long-cultivated regions of the Crimea, Odessa, Kiev, Kherson, and Volynskiy, and for the Moldavian water basin territories of the Prut, the Dniester, and the Southern Bug.     

Amitriptyline and Imipramine Poisoning in Children

The increasing number of children admitted to this hospital with poisoning by tricyclic antidepressants is causing concern. Of 60 children admitted between January 1966 and July 1973, half were admitted in the last 18 months. In 60% of these patients the tricyclic compounds had been prescribed for nocturnal enuresis. One child aged 2 years and 4 months died of imipramine poisoning. It is imperative that all children with poisoning by tricyclic compounds, irrespective of the dosage, are admitted to hospital for continuous cardiac monitoring. Cardiac arrhythmias induced in children by amitriptyline and imipramine are prominent and dangerous.In the earlier years of this survey the antidepressants taken by children had usually been prescribed for adults, but recently they have been increasingly prescribed as a treatment for enuresis in children themselves. Medicine for a trivial complaint is unlikely to be regarded by parents as potentially dangerous and practitioners should therefore warn them accordingly; if, indeed, the transient effect of these potentially dangerous drugs upon the average case of bed-wetting in childhood can be justified.     

Solvent effect on copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC): synthesis of novel triazolyl substituted quinolines as potential anticancer agents

A regioselective route to novel mono triazolyl substituted quinolines has been developed via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) of 2,4-diazidoquinoline with terminal alkynes in DMF. The reaction provided bis triazolyl substituted quinolines when performed in water in the presence of Et(3)N. A number of the compounds synthesized showed promising anti-proliferative properties when tested in vitro especially against breast cancer cells.     

Azo dyes degradation by microorganisms – An efficient and sustainable approach

Synthetic aromatic compounds consisting of various functional groups are known as dyes. These colored compounds are often discharged in effluents, and they are very dangerous to aquatic life. Basically, the dye industry started by using natural plant and insect sources, and then suddenly turned into artificial manufacturing. Natural equilibrium of our environment gets changed by the reduction in photosynthetic activity due to the dyes. In China 900,000 tons of all kinds of dyes are usually produced, which are used in many industries like food, textile, food, paper and leather. Untreated wastewater contaminates aquatic bodies by causing eutrophication, change in water color, oxygen depletion which affect aquatic organisms to a great extent. Dye wastewater is now the key environmental pollution form. In recent eras an extensive study line has been developed to explore the dye decolorization and biodegradation under both aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions. In this review, the chemistry, toxicity and microbial biodegradation/decolorization are presented. Some recent studies along with the new techniques and methodologies of remediating the dye pollution are also discussed to provide the bases of their handling. Overall, efficient and high biodegradation potential make microbes an impending foundation for green chemistry to eradicate toxic dyes from industrial wastewater.     

THE EFFECT OF SMOOTH MUSCLE ON THE INTERCELLULAR SPACES IN TOAD URINARY BLADDER

Phase microscopy of toad urinary bladder has demonstrated that vasopressin can cause an enlargement of the epithelial intercellular spaces under conditions of no net transfer of water or sodium. The suggestion that this phenomenon is linked to the hormone's action as a smooth muscle relaxant has been tested and verified with the use of other agents effecting smooth muscle: atropine and adenine compounds (relaxants), K⁺ and acetylcholine (contractants). Furthermore, it was possible to reduce the size and number of intercellular spaces, relative to a control, while increasing the rate of osmotic water flow. A method for quantifying these results has been developed and shows that they are, indeed, significant. It is concluded, therefore, that the configuration of intercellular spaces is not a reliable index of water flow across this epithelium and that such a morphologic-physiologic relationship is tenuous in any epithelium supported by a submucosa rich in smooth muscle.     

Marine biological invasions in waters of the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea

The results of the monitoring of ballast waters of commercial vessels and research on the ecosystem biodiversity of the Novorossiysk Port are reported. Data on structure of immigrant fauna, its abundance, survival and origin of species were obtained. It has been established that the risk of introduction of Mediterranean species into the Novorossiysk Bay is the most probable. The basic “risk groups” are copepods and polychaetes. It has been hypothesized, that ship ballast water can become a primary factor of the “mediterranization” of the copepod fauna (Copepoda) in the northeast of the Black Sea. During the period of research in the Novorossiysk Bay, 36 species of Mediterranean copepods were recorded. A massive number of the cyclopoid copepod Oithona brevicornis Giesbr., 1891, a new species for the Black Sea, was recorded in samples collected in the autumn of 2005 and 2006. The status of the invader was attributed to the polychaete of the Streblospio genus. The necessity of ship ballast water control in Russia and the development of methodology, methods, and regulations for the prevention of the intrusion of pathogenic and potentially dangerous organisms by marine traffic were corroborated.     

Polyamide 6/chitosan nanofibers as support for the immobilization of Trametes versicolor laccase for the elimination of endocrine disrupting chemicals

In recent years, there has been an increase in efforts to improve wastewater treatment as the concentration of dangerous pollutants, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, in wastewater increases. These compounds, which mimic the effect of hormones, have a negative impact on human health and are not easily removed from water. One way to effectively eliminate these pollutants is to use enzymatically activated materials. In this study, we report on the use of laccase from the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor immobilized onto polyamide 6/chitosan (PA6/CHIT) nanofibers modified using two different spacers (bovine serum albumin and hexamethylenediamine). We then tested the ability of the PA6/CHIT-laccase biocatalysts to eliminate a mixture containing 50 μM of two endocrine disrupting chemicals: bisphenol A and 17α-ethinylestradiol. The PA6/CHIT nanofiber matrix used in this study not only proved to be a suitable carrier for immobilized and modified laccase but was also efficient in the removal of a mixture of endocrine disrupting chemicals in three treatment cycles.     

Specific features of odor-causing compounds (geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol) as secondary metabolites of cyanobacteria

The data about the synthesis of odor-causing compounds by cyanobacteria and the impact of these compounds on water properties are reviewed. The hypothesis is suggested on the possible relation of production of these compounds to the regulation of the number of cyanobacteria in water reservoirs.     

Possible health hazards associated with the collection and handling of post-mortem zoological material

Zoologists handling post-mortem material are at risk to infection by a number of potentially dangerous pathogens. The incidence of such infections is small but that is no reason for complacency. The possible sources of infection and precautions to be taken are reviewed and an annotated checklist of potentially dangerous diseases which might be associated with post-mortem material is given.     

Isolation, identification and characterization of fluoride resistant bacteria: possible role in bioremediation

Microorganisms found in industrial effluents and near the sites of the contamination can be used to indicate pollution and detoxify the contaminated water resources. Emergence of xenobiotic resistant bacteria among them might be potential application in bioremediation. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize fluoride resistant bacteria from soil and water samples of different regions of India. Five isolates were recovered from different samples which were found to be fluoride resistant. Two of them effectively reduced the fluoride from their media. Through the current study it can be predicted that fluoride pollution results in selective pressure that leads to the development of fluoride resistant among bacterial populations, probably through the mechanism which involved high affinity anion binding compounds called ionophores. Resistant microbes may play a bioremediative role by transforming and concentrating these anions so that they are less available and less dangerous.     

Isolation, identification and characterization of fluoride resistant bacteria: Possible role in bioremediation

Microorganisms found in industrial effluents and near the sites of the contamination can be used to indicate pollution and detoxify the contaminated water resources. Emergence of xenobiotic resistant bacteria among them might be potential application in bioremediation. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize fluoride resistant bacteria from soil and water samples of different regions of India. Five isolates were recovered from different samples which were found to be fluoride resistant. Two of them effectively reduced the fluoride from their media. Through the current study it can be predicted that fluoride pollution results in selective pressure that leads to the development of fluoride resistant among bacterial populations, probably through the mechanism which involved high affinity anion binding compounds called ionophores. Resistant microbes may play a bioremediative role by transforming and concentrating these anions so that they are less available and less dangerous.     

Toxic cyanobacteria and drinking water: Impacts,detection, and treatment

Blooms of toxic cyanobacteria in water supply systems are a global issue affecting water supplies on every major continent except Antarctica. The occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria in freshwater is increasing in both frequency and distribution. The protection of water supplies has therefore become increasingly more challenging. To reduce the risk from toxic cyanobacterial blooms in drinking water, a multi-barrier approach is needed, consisting of prevention, source control, treatment optimization, and monitoring. In this paper, current research on some of the critical elements of this multi-barrier approach are reviewed and synthesized, with an emphasis on the effectiveness of water treatment technologies for removing cyanobacteria and related toxic compounds. This paper synthesizes and updates a number of previous review articles on various aspects of this multi-barrier approach in order to provide a holistic resource for researchers, water managers and engineers, as well as water treatment plant operators.     

Synthesis physicochemical profile and PAMPA study of new NO-donor edaravone co-drugs

A new class of co-drugs were synthesised by joining antioxidant edaravone with a vasodilating substructure containing NO-donor nitrooxy functions, and characterised for their stability in different media, lipophilicity and permeability profile. The products display good stability in water/co-solvent at different pH. Conversely, they are rapidly metabolised into edaravone and NO-donor moieties when incubated in human serum or rat-liver homogenates. In the latter conditions time dependent production of nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) occurs. The compounds display wide-ranging lipophilicity. PAMPA studies predict good gastrointestinal absorption for a number of these compounds. The title products are potentially useful for treating ROS-related conditions accompanied by decreased NO availability.     

Role of faecal gas analysis for the diagnosis of IBD

The diagnosis of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is based on the clinical evaluation of symptoms and signs leading to a series of investigations. The investigations used are often unpleasant for patients; they are invasive, costly and potentially dangerous. Patients often report that the odour of flatus, or the gas emitted from faeces, is abnormal during a flare of their IBD. Our group has characterized the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the headspace gas emitted from faecal samples from healthy subjects, from patients with infectious diarrhoea and from those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, both in relapse and remission. Painstaking analysis of gas chromatography-MS data (VOC profiling) has revealed patterns of compounds that are strongly associated with specific infectious diseases and with IBD. These compounds represent a change in the microflora and/or the metabolism of bacteria and/or the epithelium in disease states. These profiles offer a potential for rapid non-invasive assessment of a range of infectious and non-infectious gastrointestinal diseases. The study of VOCs may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of IBD.     

The Use of Ultrasound for the Degradation of Pollutants in Water: Aquasonolysis – A Review

The degradation of organic compounds in water is the subject of a number of fundamental and applied investigations. Aquasonolysis of organic compounds is an advanced technology for the purification of contaminated water. The process is based on the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation. Dominant reactions of volatile compounds are: cavitative high‐temperature gas‐phase reactions and thermal‐oxidative decay in bubbles. Nonvolatile compounds are mainly decomposed by OH radicals in the aqueous solution (sonolytical cleavage of water). This article reviews mechanisms and kinetics of pollutant decomposition in water and discusses the influence of different experimental parameters. An overview of the application spectrum of aquasonolysis is provided, analyzing results gathered in experiments completed in our group as well as results reported in the literature.     

论白蚁管涌（漏）与水利管涌的区别和处理

白蚁管涌（漏）与水利管涌是两个完全不同的概念,而水利工程技术人员往往将其混淆起来,统称为水利管涌进行处理。本文则以大量的事实真相论述它们的区别和不同的处理方法,结论是用水利工程管涌方法去处理白蚁管涌（漏）险情,不但不解决险情,反而常常会酿成崩堤垮坝灾难。事实说明,白蚁管涌（漏）必须按照生物工程法进行处理,方可克服白蚁管涌（漏）险情的发生。     

How safe are microbiology texts ?

Eleven practical microbiology books intended or recommended for schools have been evaluated for safety. A number of the texts are unsatisfactory and suggest techniques and, or organisms which are potentially dangerous. The authors consider that one book should be withdrawn. A code of recommendations to authors and publishers is included and it is suggested that professional societies should monitor future books.     

Bioactive compounds produced by cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria produce a large number of compounds with varying bioactivities. Prominent among these are toxins: hepatotoxins such as microcystins and nodularins and neurotoxins such as anatoxins and saxitoxins. Cytotoxicity to tumor cells has been demonstrated for other cyanobacterial products, including 9-deazaadenosine, dolastatin 13 and analogs. A number of compounds in cyanobacteria are inhibitors of proteases — micropeptins, cyanopeptolins, oscillapeptin, microviridin, aeruginosins- and other enzymes, while still other compounds have no recognized biological activities. In general cyclic peptides and depsipeptides are the most common structural types, but a wide variety of other types are also found: linear peptides, guanidines, phosphonates, purines and macrolides. The close similarity or identity in structures between cyanobacterial products and compounds isolated from sponges, tunicates and other marine invertebrates suggests the latter compounds may be derived from dietary or symbiotic blue-green algae.     

Mutation induction by the direct treatment of Bacillus subtilis deoxyribonucleic acid.

A procedure was developed to select for specific mutations obtained by means of transformation with DNA previously exposed to potentially dangerous chemical compounds. The 70% co-transformation of hisB and trpC genes in Bacillus subtilis provided a convenient opportunity to select for new mutations. When purified DNA from wild type bacteria was treated with N(OH) acetyl aminofluorene or Hoechst dye 37 507 and used to transform a recipient bearing of a trpC2 mutaion, a high proportion of the Trp+ transformants had new hisB mutations.     

Acid-labile amino acid precursors in the Murchison meteorite

The amino acid content of a hot water extract of the Murchison meteorite can be increased by over 100 per cent by subjecting the extract to acid hydrolysis. The acid-labile compounds in the extract that account for this increase were fractionated by column chromatography on a cation exchange resin. Sevently mole per cent behaved as neutral or acidic compounds and were eluted from the column with an initial water wash. The remaining 30 mole per cent (basic precursors) were retained on the column and were eluted with the free amino acids by aqueous NH₄OH. The acid-labile amino acid precursors in the water eluate could be retained and further fractionated on an anion exchange column, indicating that they are acidic compounds.Contribution number 101 from the Center for Meteorite Studies.