Morpho-histochemical study of the biological effects of sodium dodecyl sulphate on the digestive gland of the Portuguese oyster

In the present work we have studied the effects on survival as well as histopathological and histochemical alterations on the digestive gland of the Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata, Lmk.) induced by acute action of the anionic tensioactive Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) at different concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L). Firstly, the LC 50 at 96 h was found to be 136 mg/L SDS. Secondly we calculated the exposure time required for 50% mortality of the specimens exposed to different concentrations, and thirdly we examined histopathological alterations (degenerative processes ranging from inflammatory responses to extreme vacuolation) and histochemical changes in the distribution of carbohydrates and proteins that appeared at each employed concentration. The degree of these alterations and the effects on survival were dependent upon the SDS concentration. The above established modifications indicate that exposure to SDS has a detrimental effect on oyster digestive gland, perturbing metabolic and nutritional functions, what may have some influence on oyster survival.     

Regulation of the biosynthesis of two distinct fatty acid-binding proteins in rat liver and intestine. Influences of sex difference and of clofibrate

Two distinct fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) have been identified in rat intestine, gFABP (15,063 Da) which is confined to intestinal epithelium and hFABP (14,184 Da) which is found in both liver and intestine. We have examined the influence of sex difference and the effect of clofibrate, both of which affect cellular fatty acid metabolism and hFABP levels, on the concentration, and mRNA levels of both hepatic and intestinal FABPs. In the liver, hFABP concentration was approximately 2-fold greater in females and in clofibrate-treated males than in untreated male rats. These differences were not accompanied by changes in the fractional turnover of the polypeptide but rather by parallel increases in hFABP mRNA. In the intestine, the two FABPs exhibited different regulatory responses. Intestinal hFABP turnover was 33% greater in females than in males, whereas mRNA concentration was 50% greater. Thus, unlike hFABP in liver, there was no sex-related difference in the steady-state level of hFABP in intestine. However, clofibrate treatment, similar to its effects in the liver, doubled intestinal hFABP protein and mRNA concentration. In contrast to hFABP, neither gFABP protein nor mRNA concentration were sex dependent, whereas clofibrate produced only a modest increase in gFABP concentration without significantly changing gFABP mRNA levels. The results indicate that the influence of sex difference and the effect of clofibrate on hepatic fatty acid metabolism are both associated with changes in hFABP synthesis mediated pretranslationally. The differential response of hFABP and gFABP in intestine suggests that these proteins play distinct roles in the cellular metabolism of fatty acids.     

Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on apoptosis of myocardial microvascular endothelial cells in rats undergoing hypoxia/reoxygenation by mediation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway

The study explores the effect of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) mediating P13K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway on apoptosis of myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMECs) in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). MMECs were classified into blank, H/R, H/R + 25 mg/L APS, H/R + 50 mg/L APS, H/R + 100 mg/L APS, H/R + LY, and HR + 100 mg/L APS + LY groups. Cell viability was detected using MTT assay and apoptotic cell morphological changes by Hoechst staining. NO content, cell cycle and apoptosis, PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway proteins were detected using nitrate reductase assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting. An increased cell survival rate, NO content and expression of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway associated proteins, and a decreased apoptosis rate was observed in the H/R + 50 mg/L APS and H/R + 100 mg/L APS groups compared with the H/R and H/R + 25 mg/L APS groups. Compared with the H/R + 50 mg/L APS group, the apoptosis rate decreased, whereas the cell survival rate, NO content and expression of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway associated proteins increased in the H/R + 100 mg/L APS group. The H/R + LY and HR + 100 mg/L APS + LY groups followed opposite trends. In comparison to the HR + 100 mg/L APS group, the apoptosis rate in the H/R + LY and HR + 100 mg/L APS + LY groups increased, and the cell survival rate, NO content and expression of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway associated proteins decreased. Collectively, APS improves the damage caused by H/P by mediating PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

熊果酸改善自然衰老大鼠糖脂代谢紊乱与自噬能力的研究

为研究熊果酸对自然衰老大鼠糖脂代谢紊乱和自噬功能影响。实验取22月龄SD雄性大鼠25只,随机分为3组,即老年模型组(n=9),熊果酸低剂量组(UA-L):灌胃给予熊果酸10 mg/kg(n=8),熊果酸高剂量组(UA-H):灌胃给予熊果酸50 mg/kg(n=8);另取8只3月龄SD青年大鼠作为青年对照组,均给予常规正常饮食饮水并记录摄食量和体重变化。用酶法和ELISA法检测血浆葡萄糖、甘油三酯和胰岛素并计算HOMA-IR指数,测定肝脏甘油三酯;油红"O"染色观察肝脏脂质沉积情况;Western blot法检测肝脏自噬相关蛋白及线粒体质量相关蛋白的表达。结果显示熊果酸(50 mg/kg)并不影响大鼠食物摄入量、体质量,但是逆转了老年大鼠血浆甘油三酯、胰岛素和HOMA-IR的升高,降低了肝质量、肝脏TG含量、改善了肝脏脂质沉积(P<0.05),与此同时老年大鼠肝脏自噬相关蛋白LC3B/3A,Beclin1和线粒体质量控制蛋白PGC-1α,Drp1的表达显著升高,但对P62、Pink1的表达无影响。根据以上实验结果推测熊果酸可以提高胰岛素敏感性,改善老年大鼠脂肪肝,增强肝细胞自噬,提高线粒体质量。     

Acute toxicity of anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) on the fertilizing capability of gilthead (Sparus aurata L.) sperm

In the present work we have evaluated and compared the acute toxicity of two anionic surfactants, Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS) on the fertilizing capability of gilthead Sparus aurata L. sperm. The criterion used to judge exposure effectiveness was fertilization success. Spawned eggs and sperms were collected from adult giltheads. Sperms were dosed separately with different concentrations of SDS and LAS for 60 minutes. After this period, sperms and eggs were combined for 20 minutes during which fertilization took place. Finally, the number of fertilized eggs were counted and recorded to estimate the percentage of fertilization. Exposure to SDS and LAS concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg/L for 60 minutes caused a significant inhibitory effect on fertilization success in gilthead Sparus aurata L.. In addition, the EC50 value for gilthead fertilization after sperm exposure was found to be 2.8 mg/L and in the case of LAS it was of 2.6 mg/L. The comparison of the results from SDS and LAS shows that the latter has a stronger negative effect on sperm viability than SDS.     

Prevention of formation of acid drainage from high-sulfur coal refuse by inhibition of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. I. Preliminary experiments in controlled shaken flasks

Changes of pH and sulfate concentration in high-sulfur coal refuse slurries are used as measurements of microbial pyrite oxidation in the laboratory. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS), benzoic acid (BZ) and combinations of SLS plus BZ and ABS plus BZ effectively inhibited formation of sulfate and acid when added in concentrations greater than 50 mg/L to inoculated 20 or 30% coal refuse slurries. Here 25 mg/L concentrations of SLS, ABS, and ABS + BZ stimulated acid production. Formic, hexanoic, oxalic, propionic, and pyruvic acids at 0.1% concentrations were also effective inhibitors. Four different lignin sulfonates were only slightly effective inhibitors at 0.1% concentrations. It was concluded that acid formation resulting from microbial oxidation in high-sulfur coal refuse can be inhibited.     

Prenatal treatment of mosaic mice (Atp7a mo-ms) mouse model for Menkes disease, with copper combined by dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC)

Menkes disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder in infants caused by mutations in the gene ATP7A which encodes a copper (Cu) transporter. Defects in ATP7A lead to accumulated copper in the small intestine and kidneys and to copper deficiencies in the brain and the liver. The copper level in the kidney in postnatal copper-treated Menkes patients may reach toxic levels. The mouse model, mosaic Atp7a (mo-ms) recapitulates the Menkes phenotype and die about 15.75±1.5 days of age. In the present study we found that prenatal treatment of mosaic murine fetuses throughout gestation days 7, 11, 15 and 18 with a combination of CuCl(2) (50 mg/kg) and dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) (280 mg/kg) leads to an increase in survival to about 76±25.3 days, whereas treatment with CuCl(2) alone (50 mg/kg) only leads to survival for about 21 days ±5 days. These copper-DMDTC treated mutants showed an improved locomotor activity performance and a gain in body mass. In contrast to treatment with CuCl(2) alone, a significant increase in the amount of copper was observed in the brain after prenatal copper-DMDTC treatment as well as a decrease in the amount of accumulated copper in the kidney, both leading towards a normalization of the copper level. Although copper-DMDTC prenatal treatment only leads to a small increase in the sub-normal copper concentration in the liver and to an increase of copper in the already overloaded small intestine, the combined results suggest that prenatal copper-DMDTC treatment also should be considered for humans.     

敌百虫对水丝蚓的毒害

采用急性毒性方法测定了被不同浓度敌百虫毒害的水丝蚓(Limnodilus hoffineisteri)半致死浓度(LC50),利用测定酶活性方法检测了水丝蚓超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的变化及中毒后水丝蚓喂饲的强壮水螅(Hydra robusta)SOD的改变。(1)敌百虫对水丝蚓48 h LC50为3.29 mg/L。敌百虫对水丝蚓SOD活性影响显著(P<0.05):在低浓度1~4 mg/L时,SOD活性呈上升趋势,但随浓度增加至5 mg/L,SOD活性开始下降。(2)用1~8 mg/L中毒后的水丝蚓依次喂饲水螅,SOD活性呈上升趋势。实验结果表明,敌百虫作为重要的杀虫剂或作为防治鱼病的药物,对水丝蚓造成胁迫,并在一定浓度范围内直接或间接地影响以其为食的动物的生存,以至危害生命。     

Feeding Low or Pharmacological Concentrations of Zinc Oxide Changes the Hepatic Proteome Profiles in Weaned Piglets

Pharmacological levels of zinc oxide can promote growth and health of weaning piglets, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine changes in the global hepatic protein expression in response to dietary zinc oxide in weaned piglets. Nine half-sib piglets were allocated to three dietary zinc treatment groups (50, 150, 2500 mg/kg dry matter). After 14 d, pigs were euthanized and liver samples taken. The increase in hepatic zinc concentration following dietary supplementation of zinc was accompanied by up-regulation of metallothionein mRNA and protein expression. Global hepatic protein profiles were obtained by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis following matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 15 proteins were differentially (P<0.05) expressed between groups receiving control (150 mg/kg) or pharmacological levels of zinc (2500 mg/kg) with 7 down- (e.g. arginase1, thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, HSP70) and 8 up-regulated (e.g. apolipoprotein AI, transferrin, C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase) proteins. Additionally, three proteins were differentially expressed with low zinc supply (50 mg/kg Zn) in comparison to the control diet. The identified proteins were mainly associated with functions related to cellular stress, transport, metabolism, and signal transduction. The differential regulation was evaluated at the mRNA level and a subset of three proteins of different functional groups was selected for confirmation by western blotting. The results of this proteomic study suggest that zinc affects important liver functions such as blood protein secretion, protein metabolism, detoxification and redox homeostasis, thus supporting the hypothesis of intermediary effects of pharmacological levels of zinc oxide fed to pigs.     

Effect of zinc supplementation on glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium concentration in the serum, liver and kidney of rats chronically exposed to cadmium

It was investigated whether the ability of zinc (Zn) to prevent cadmium (Cd)-induced lipid peroxidation may be connected with its impact on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and selenium (Se) concentration. GPx and Se were determined in the serum, liver and kidney of the rats that received Cd (5 or 50 mg/L) or/and Zn (30 mg/L) in drinking water for 6 months in whose the protective Zn impact was noted (Rogalska J, Brzóska MM, Roszczenko A, Moniuszko-Jakoniuk J. Enhanced zinc consumption prevents cadmium-induced alterations in lipid metabolism in male rats. Chem Biol Interact 2009;177:142-52). Moreover, dependences between these parameters, and indices of lipid peroxidation (F(2)-isoprostane, lipid peroxides, oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol) as well as concentrations of Cd and Zn were estimated. The supplementation with Zn during the exposure to 5 mg Cd/L entirely antagonized the Cd-induced increase in GPx activity and Se concentration in the liver and kidney, but not in the serum. Zn administration during the treatment with 50 mg Cd/L totally or partially prevented from the Cd-caused decrease in GPx activity and Se concentration in the serum, liver and kidney. At the higher level of Cd exposure, GPx activity in the serum and tissues positively correlated with Se concentration. Moreover, numerous correlations were noted between GPx and/or Se and the indices of lipid peroxidation. The results indicate that the protective impact of Zn against the Cd-induced lipid peroxidation during the relatively high exposure might be connected with its beneficial influence on Se concentration and GPx activity in the serum and tissues, whereas this bioelement influence at the moderate exposure seems to be independent of GPx and Se.     

The composition and properties of the Escherichia coli 5-S RNA-protein complex

At a high concentration of MgCl2 (30 mM) and a low concentration of proteins from the 50-S subunit (0.2 mg/ml), only three proteins, L15, L18 and L25, bind to 5-S RNA in significant amounts. On the other hand, in a buffer containing only 1 mM Mg Cl2, but otherwise at the same ionic strength (0.2 M), or at a protein concentration about 1.5 mg/ml, a large, stable complex can form between immobilized 5-S RNA and 50-S ribosomal proteins. This complex contains proteins L2, L3, L5, L15, L16, L17, L18, L21, L22, L25, L33 and L34, and it possess properties relevant to the function of the 50-S subunit; it has a binding site for deacylated tRNA, with a dissociation constant of 4.5 x 10(-7) M. The complex formed with 5-S RNA immobilized on an affinity column interacts also with 30-S subunits. The 5-S RNA-protein complex is interpreted as a sub-ribosomal domain which includes a considerable fraction of the peptidyl transferase center of the Escherichia coli ribosome.     

Soft-tissue accumulation of lead in the blue tilapia,Oreochromis aureus (steindachner), and the modifying effects of cadmium and mercury

The interaction of mercury and cadmium with lead was investigated by exposingOreochromis aureus to two heavy metals simulataneously. The chronic accumulation prolife of lead was determined by analyzing the liver, brain, gill filaments, intestine, caudal muscle, spleen, trunk kidney, and gonads following exposure to lead alone and in mixtures with mercury and cadmium. Nominal exposure concentrations of lead were 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/L. Mixtures of lead (0.50 or 0.05 mg/L) with cadmium (0.05 mg/L) and lead (0.50 or 0.05 mg/L) with mercury (0.05 mg/L) were also used. Following 140 d of exposure to lead, the highest concentrations of lead consistently accumulated in the trunk kidney. The concentration of lead in the kidney was decreased by coexposure to mercury or cadmium, but increased in the muscle and liver. Under all exposure regimes, the median concentration of lead in the muscle exceeded safety levels recommended for human consumption. In a food fish, such asO. aureus, a knowledge of toxic metal accumulation patterns is of great importance.     

The preconditioning phenomenon and its mechanisms in the common carp as affected by Actara insecticide

The effect of Actara insecticide on the common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus) was studied, and its sublethal concentration (LC50) for this species was estimated. Exposure to Actara at a concentration of 400 mg/L in freshwater was shown to kill all the common carp individuals within 24 h, while 24-h preconditioning at an Actara concentration of 100 mg/L promoted survival of animals when they were subsequently exposed to the insecticide at a concentration of 400 mg/L for 5 days. Estimates of serotonin-modulated anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) in the common carp brain and liver by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following exposure to Actara at a concentration of 100 mg/L for 24 h showed its increased level in both organs (p < 0.001), particularly manifest in the liver. It is concluded that preconditioning elevates SMAP tissue levels and promotes thereby protection of the organism against damaging effects of lethal Actara concentrations.     

以急性脑干综合征为首发表现的NMOSD的临床和MRI诊断分析

目的:探讨以急性脑干综合征(ABS)为首发表现的视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病(NMOSD)的临床和MRI表现,以提高对该病的诊断水平。方法:回顾性分析17例首发表现为ABS的NMOSD患者临床资料,包括脑脊液常规、生化及寡克隆区带,血清水通道蛋白4抗体(AQP4-IgG),头颅与脊髓MRI表现,并分析其特点。结果:共纳入男性3例,女性14例,发病年龄20~43岁,平均发病年龄33.5岁,88.2%患者以恶心、呕吐、顽固性呃逆等胃肠症状就诊,发作病程7天~47周,平均8周。脑脊液检查多呈轻中度炎性反应,2例白细胞计数>50×10^6/L。脑脊液蛋白平均0.32 g/L (0.15~1.17 g/L),OBs检测阳性率为11.8%,血清AQP4-IgG阳性率为76.5%。64.7%病例早期MRI表现延髓背侧中央导水管周围异常信号,无明显强化;脊髓未见受累。结论:中青年女性以ABS为首发症状时应警惕NMOSD的可能,脑脊液检查、血清AQP4抗体阳性以及MRI表现具有一定的特征性,有助于早期诊断。     

纳米ZnO对斑马鱼肝脏生理生化指标的影响

研究了纳米ZnO对斑马鱼肝脏生理生化指标的影响。当斑马鱼暴露在ZnO纳米颗粒浓度为2.8 mg/L、5.6mg/L、11.2 mg/L、22.4 mg/L和44.8 mg/L时,分别测定了6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h和72 h时斑马鱼肝组织中的GSH、MDA、Na＋K＋-ATPase的含量和24 h ROS的变化,结果显示：与对照组相比,处理组中斑马鱼肝组织中GSH的含量显著减少（P〈0.05）,MDA含量随处理浓度的升高却显著增加（P〈0.05）,Na＋K＋-ATPase活性随暴露时间先显著降低后显著升高（P〈0.05）,24 h ROS含量高于对照组（P〈0.05）,说明斑马鱼肝组织的生理活动受到ZnO纳米颗粒的影响,且有时间和浓度依赖性。     

抗生素对大豆愈伤组织的诱导和生长的影响

用红霉素、头孢唑唑钠、头孢拉定、头孢霉素（国产和进口）等5种抗生素对农杆菌LBA4404进行抑菌试验,以头孢霉素的抑菌效果最好。头孢霉素作为抑菌剂用大于豆遗传转化试验时,在下胚轴浓度以300mg/L,在子叶节以500mg/L。大豆品种对卡那霉素的反应在出愈率上表现相似,在褐化率上表现有些不同。大豆不同外植体对卡那霉素的反应存在较大差异,以真叶反应最敏感,下胚轴反应最迟钝。在以卡那霉素作为抗性选择标记时,选择压力真叶和子叶节以50－100mg/L为好,下胚轴以100－200mg/L为宜。     

Effect of age and endurance training on the capacity for epinephrine-stimulated gluconeogenesis in rat hepatocytes.

The effects of endurance training on hepatic glucose production (HGP) from lactate were examined in 24-h-fasted young (4 mo) and old (24 mo) male Fischer 344 rats by using the isolated-hepatocyte technique. The liver cells were incubated for 30 min with 5 mM lactate ([U-14C]lactate; 25000 dpm/ml) and nine different concentrations of epinephrine (Epi). Basal HGP (with lactate only and no Epi) was significantly greater for young trained (T) (99.6 +/- 6.2 nmol/mg protein) compared with young controls (C) (78.2 +/- 6.0 nmol/mg protein). The basal HGP was also significantly greater for old T (97.3 +/- 5.9 nmol/mg protein) compared with old C (72.2 +/- 3.9 nmol/mg protein). After the incubation with the various concentrations of Epi, Hanes-Woolf plots were generated to determine kinetic constants (Vmax and EC50). Maximal Epi-stimulated hepatic glucose production (Vmax) was significantly greater for young T (142.5 +/- 6.5 nmol/mg protein) compared with young C (110.9 +/- 4.8 nmol/mg protein). Similarly, the Vmax was significantly greater for old T (138.2 +/- 5.0 nmol/mg protein) compared with old C (103.9 +/- 2.5 nmol/mg protein). Finally, there was an increase in the EC50 from the hepatocytes of old T (56.2 +/- 6.2 nM) compared with young T (32.6 +/- 4.9 nM). In like manner, there was an increase in the EC50 from the hepatocytes of old C (59.7 +/- 5.8 nM) compared with young C (33.1 +/- 2.7 nM). The results suggest that training elevates HGP in the basal and maximally Epi-stimulated condition, but with age there is a decline in EC50 that is independent of training status.     

The effect of nicotinamide on the activity of the glutathione- glutathione reductase system in subcellular fractions of regenerating rat liver

Experiments on white rats have shown that growth rates of the glutathione reductase activity and reduced glutathione concentration in the cytoplasmic fraction of the generating liver tissue and especially in the mitochondrial one are more pronounced with an increase of the nicotinamide dose from 50 mg/kg to 150 mg/kg, than after administration of nicotinamide in a dose of 300 mg/kg. Higher doses of nicotinamide (500 mg/kg) produce less pronounced changes in these parameters.     

草甘膦与微塑料对西方蜜蜂生存和糖反应行为的影响

为分析草甘膦与微塑料对西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera存活和行为的影响。本研究利用50%蔗糖溶液配置的400 mg/L草甘膦、50 mg/L微塑料以及两者混合物,分别饲喂1日龄的工蜂;每日记录西方蜜蜂的存活率,20 d后通过伸吻反应测定它们对蜜蜂嗅觉学习行为的影响。结果发现400 mg/L草甘膦处理蜜蜂20 d后,与对照组相比,蜜蜂存活率下降了22%,伸吻比率下降了30%;50 mg/L微塑料处理,与对照组相比,蜜蜂存活率下降了9%,伸吻比率下降了10%;用400 mg/L草甘膦与50 mg/L微塑料协同处理20 d后,与对照组相比,蜜蜂死亡率为50%、伸吻比率下降了45%左右。结果表明草甘膦和微塑料均会导致西方蜜蜂存活率降低,影响其糖反应行为,而两者协同处理对西方蜜蜂的影响更显著。