Action toxique de quatre métaux lourds (cadmium,cuivre, mercure,plomb) sur la croissance d'Asparagopsis armata Harvey (Rhodophycée: Bonnemaisoniale) en culture

The increase in length of Asparagopsis armata Harvey (Rhodophyceae: Bonnemaisoniale) was measured in various concentrations of lead, mercury, cadmium, and copper. Significant reductions of growth rate compared with controls were observed at 3.70 mg · 1^?1 of lead, 0.31 mg · 1^?1 of cadmium, and 0.092 mg · 1^?1 of copper. The minimal lethal concentration is 0.0296 mg · 1^?1 for mercury, 18.3 mg · 1^?1 for cadmium, and 1.85 mg · 1^?1 of copper.     

Cell wall glycoproteins and polysaccharides of parenchyma of Phaseolus coccineus

Fractionation of the cell wall material of parenchyma of mature runner beans with and without chlorite-HOAc treatment, clearly showed that at least two main types of wall proteins were present. One relatively rich in hydroxyproline (HP) associated with α′-cellulose, from which most (90%) of it could be readily liberated by chlorite-HOAc treatment and the other relatively poor in HP associated with hemicellulose A. The chlorite HOAC solubilized “glycoprotein” contained a high proportion of arabinose and galactose. It was purified by PhOH-H₂O fractionation and the molar ratios of HP, arabinose, galactose, xylose, rhamnose, glucose and uronic acid in the purified glycoprotein (“glycoprotein X”) were 1:2·6:2·4:0·2:0·2:0·1:0·3. The principal amino acids of glycoprotein X were HP (43·5 mol%), serine and proline which together comprised 66 mol% of the total. These results suggest that the HP-rich wall glycoprotein is associated with cellulose microfibrils and approximates in conformation to polyhydroxyproline carrying arabinose and galactose oligosaccharide side chains.     

乐安河—鄱阳湖湿地植物群落特征及其优势植物对重金属Cu、Pb、Cd的富集

选择乐安河—鄱阳湖湿地典型植物群落,采用重要值方法评价各样点植物群落特征并筛选出典型优势植物,通过室内理化测试分析不同生境中优势植物植株及其根区土壤中重金属Cu、Pb、Cd的含量;采用生物富集系数(BCF)方法评价不同优势植物对重金属Cu、Pb、Cd的富集特性。结果表明:研究区湿地植物以草本为主,在各样点共发现124种物种,包括蕨类植物2科2属2种,种子植物40科97属122种,并从中筛选出羊蹄、红蓼、鼠曲草、紫云英、苎麻等5种富集能力较强的优势植物;植物根区土壤中的Cu、Cd含量均超过土壤环境质量三级标准,而且Cu、Cd的最高含量分别为824.03、5.03 mg·kg-1;不同优势植物对Cu、Pb、Cd等3种重金属元素中的1种或2种表现出较强的富集能力,其中优势物种红蓼对Cu具有较强的富集能力,含Cu量最高为148.80 mg·kg-1,另一种优势物种鼠曲草对三种元素的生物富集系数均较高,且对Cd的最高富集含量为15.17 mg·kg-1,对Cd的生物富集系数最高值为19.14,高于其他植物10倍以上,鼠曲草对重金属Cd具有富集植物的基本特征,且对Cu和Cd具有共富集特征并具有较高的耐性,紫云英、羊蹄等对Cd的富集能力也较强。上述5种优势植物种群对鄱阳湖湿地Cu、Pb、Cd等重金属污染物的生态修复具有一定参考价值,可作为鄱阳湖湿地重金属污染修复植物的选择对象。     

Toxicity of inorganic cadmium salts to the microalga Scenedesmus armatus (Chlorophyta) with respect to medium composition, pH and CO2 concentration

Batch cultures of algae grown at low (0.1 %) and elevated (2.0 %) concentrations of CO₂, as well as in original BBM (Bold Basal Medium) and BBM modified with phosphate, EDTA and a combination of both, were exposed to cadmium (Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, 3CdSO₄·8H₂O and CdCl₂·H₂O) for 24 h. Regardless of the salt applied, the concentration-dependent relationships of Cd toxicity were found to be biphasic, suggesting the different affinity of target sites to cadmium. Nominal values of EC₅₀ obtained for algae grown in original BBM and at low CO₂ were 18.0, 16.44 and 15.37 mg·dm⁻³ for cadmium nitrate, sulphate and chloride, respectively. However, it was estimated that 97 % of the free cadmium in the added salts were bound by components of original BBM such as EDTA, phosphates, chloride and sulphate. The effect of Cd-salts at concentrations corresponding to EC₅₀ values on algae were tested in media with 10-fold reduced phosphates (BBM-P), BBM depleted of EDTA (BBM-EDTA) and of both phosphates and EDTA (BBM-P-EDTA). For algae grown at low CO₂ and BBM-P, cadmium was about 25 % less toxic than those applied in original BBM. Cadmium greatly inhibited (about 85 % of the control) the growth of algae cultured in BBM-EDTA; this effect was only slightly dependent on the CO₂ concentration. Deficits of both EDTA and P led to effects similar to those brought about by the absence of EDTA only. The toxicity of cadmium depends on CO₂ concentration only when algae are grown in original BBM. The growth of algae under high CO₂ conditions was reduced considerably less (about 80% of control) compared with low CO₂ concentrations (about 50 % of control). A relationship was found between the toxicity of cadmium salts and final pH values only in variants of low-CO₂ grown algae; with an increase of medium pH the toxicity decreased. The results suggest that both growth conditions and the binding ability of the medium markedly affect the toxicity of cadmium towards microalgae.     

The marine algae of Rhodos island,Greece

The main purpose of this research is to describe the distribution of marine algae along the shores of Rhodos island. In the investigated medio- and infralittoral zones, collections revealed 131 species distributed as follows: Chlorophyceae 22·9%, Phaeophyceae 20·6% and Rhodophyceae 56·5%. The ratio Rhodophyceae/Phaeophyceae is 2·7, similar to that found by Gerloff & Geissler (1974) and lower than in other parts of the Mediterranean sea (Feldmann, 1938; Giaccone, 1968).     

Mucus glycoprotein of human saliva: differences in the associated and covalently bound lipids with caries

A high molecular weigh mucus glycoprotein has been isolated from submandibular saliva of caries-resistant and caries-susceptible individual by a procedure involving fractionation on Bio-Gel P-100 and A-50 columns followed by equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl. The purified caries-resistant mucus glycoprotein displayed a buoyant density of 1.50 and accounted for 9.5% of the dry weight of caries-resistant saliva. The caries-susceptible mucus glycoprotein representd 14.1% of the dry weight of caries-susceptible saliva and gave a buoyant density of 1.43. Both glycoproteins exhibited similar protein and carbohydrate content, but the caries-resistant mucus glycoprotein contained 28.7% less associated lipids and 3-times less covalently bound fatty acids than the caries-susceptible mucus glycoprotein. The associated lipids were represented by neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids, whereas the covalently bound fatty acids consisted mainly of hexadecanoate, octadecanoate and docosanoate. Extraction of associated lipids caused the caries-resistant glycoprotein to band in CsCl gradient at the density of 1.54 and caused the caries-susceptible glycoprotein to band at the density of 1.52. A further shift in the buoyant densities occurred following removal of the covalently bound fatty acids, and both glycoproteins banded at the density of 1.57. While the intact caries-resistant and caries-susceptibel glycoproteins were susceptible to proteolysis by pronase, the lipid-rich caries-susceptible glycoprotein was degraded to a lesser extent. Extraction of associated lipids increased the degradation of both glycoproteins, but the caries-susceptible glycoprotein still remained 25% less susceptible. However, the susceptibility to pronase of the delipidated and deacylated caries-resistant and caries-susceptible glycoproteins was essentially identical. The caries-resistant and caries-susceptible mucus glycoproteins also differed in susceptibility to peptic degradation. The apparent K_m values for intact caries-resistant and caries-susceptible glycoproteins were 10.5 · 10⁻⁷ M and 8.1 · 10⁻⁷ M, while the values for the delipidated and deacylated caries-resistant and caries-susceptible glycoproteins were 13.0 · 10⁻⁷ M and 12.4 · 10⁻⁷ M. The results suggest that the differences in the content of associated lipids and covalently bound fatty acids are responsible for the different physicochemical characteristics of caries-resistant and caries-susceptible salivary mucus glycoproteins, which may be determining falctors in the resistance to caries.     

Cadmium — citric acid — xylem cell wall interactions in tomato plants

Abstract. Mutual interactions between cadmium ions, citric acid and xylem cell walls were examined. Cadmium and citric acid were measured as ¹¹⁵Cd and [1,5-¹⁴C] citric acid, respectively. Xylem cell walls were obtained by bacterial degradation of tomato stem sections (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Tiny Tim), and applied as ion-exchange columns. The xylem column material carried 2·4 dm³ H₂O kg^?1 dry weight, and was temporarily capable of buffering perfusates at pH 5·7. Sorbed cadmium and citric acid were determined from H₂O and HCl rinses after perfusion periods. In all experiments, total cadmium and/or citric acid recoveries were better than 98%, indicating both the effectiveness of the rinses applied and the possibility of full regeneration of the xylem column. The results indicate that the presence of 2·45 mol m^?3 citric acid causes an approximately 50% reduction of adsorbed cadmium levels, irrespective of the applied total cadmium concentrations (0·04–0·4 mol m^?3 Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O). This reduction is probably related to a corresponding reduction to approximately 2% of the control applied free Cd²⁺ concentration, the latter also independent of the total cadmium concentrations. Furthermore, without inducing positively charged citrate complexes in the applied solution, the presence of cadmium resulted in increased levels of citric acid absorbed in the xylem column. The Donnan Free Space accumulation of citric acid in the presence of Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O, observed in the experiments described, could be expressed by its distribution coefficient, as approximately 15 times the control accumulation. These data indicate that the xylem column may operate as a ligand exchanger, suggesting the importance of metal ions for the longitudinal and lateral movement of organic complexing compounds in the xylem.     

ACTIVATION, INHIBITION AND AGGREGATION OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE (EC 2.3.1.6)

—Mercuric chloride, silver acetate and cupric sulphate (0·1 mm ) completely inhibited purified choline acetyltransferase from bovine caudate nuclei. At the same concentration cadmium chloride and zinc acetate gave a 50 per cent inhibition. Potassium and sodium salts more than doubled the enzymatic activity while creatinine hydrochloride more than tripled it. Guanidine hydrochloride was less effective than creatinine hydrochloride but more effective than KCl and NaCl. Sodium chloride and creatinine hydrochloride had a synergistic effect on the enzyme. When ammonium sulphate was used to fractionate the choline acetyltransferase that had been extracted from bovine caudate nuclei, the enzyme aggregated into different molecular sizes as determined by exclusion chromatography on Bio-gel A-1·5 m. The molecular weight of the largest aggregate was at least 10⁶ daltons. The initial tissue extract contained only one molecular species of ChAc as did a partially purified preparation in which ammonium sulphate was not used in the purification.     

Purification and some properties of γ-conglycinin in soybean seeds

A 7S globulin (γ-conglycinin) which was one of four major antigenic components in soybean globulins was purified and found to be homogeneous on ultracentrifugation, disc electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and disc electrofocusing by gel filtration, preparative-scale disc electrophoresis and two kinds of affinity chromatography. Subsequently, some physico-chemical properties of the protein were determined. The sedimentation coefficient, isoelectric point, MW and diffusion constant were 6·55S, pH 5·80, 104000 and 5·80 × 10^?7 cm²/sec, respectively. The protein was a glycoprotein which contained 5·49% total carbohydrate per protein. The protein did not aggregate and dissociate with a change of ionic strength from 0·1 to 0·5.     

Assessment of Human Health Risks of Consumption of Cadmium Contaminated Cultured Oysters

With farmed British Columbia (BC) oysters containing higher cadmium concentrations than wild oysters, long-term exposure to cadmium through consumption of oysters has the potential to cause health risks. This study reports on a risk assessment for cadmium intake resulting from the consumption of BC-cultured oyster. The study concludes that Health Canada's current recommended BC-cultured oyster consumption rate for Canadians of 12 oysters per month exceeds the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry chronic oral minimal risk levels (MRL) of 0.2 μ g·kg^{? 1}·day^{? 1} by approximately 4-to 5-fold and reaches the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAP/WHO) reference dose of 1 μg·kg^?1·day^?1 for cadmium consumption for Canadians. This suggests that although the current recommended maximum oyster consumption rates is consistent with the FAO/WHO and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits for acceptable risk, it leaves little or no room for error or uncertainty. This is noteworthy as recent studies demonstrate toxicological effects at cadmium intakes of 0.43 to 0.71 μ gCd·kg^?1·day^?1. This study indicates that a lower maximum BC-cultured oyster rate should be considered, particularly for high risk groups, including women with low iron stores, people with renal impairment, smokers, children, and indigenous people who consume organ meats of games and wildlife other than shellfish.     

Effect of heavy metals (Cu,Cd and Pb) on aspartate and alanine aminotransferase in Ruditapes philippinarum (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

The accumulation of cadmium, copper and lead and their effects on aspartate and alanine aminotransferases in digestive gland, gills, foot and soft body in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum were examined. The animals were exposed to different concentrations: Cd (200–600 μg·l⁻¹), Pb (350–700 μg·l⁻¹) and Cu (10–20 μg·l⁻¹) for 7 days. The highest concentrations were found in digestive gland for cadmium and copper, and in gills for lead, and the lowest values were observed in the foot. Aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST), in general, was not inhibited by cadmium, lead or copper during the exposure. Only in clams exposed to cadmium (600 μg·l⁻¹, 7 days) and copper (20 μg·l⁻¹, 5 days) were observed significant differences (P<0.05) in foot and gills, respectively, with respect to control. In the case of alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT), significant differences were observed for cadmium and lead in treated animals with respect to control. With regard to copper, a decrease in ALT was observed in gills and foot exposed to 20 μg·l⁻¹. A significant correlation (P<0.05) was observed between ALT and metal accumulation for cadmium, copper and lead in gills. In the case of soft body, only cadmium and lead showed a significant correlation. In summary, R. philippinarum can be considered a bioindicator species for cadmium and lead accumulation and ALT could be useful as biomarker of sublethal stress for these metals in soft tissues and gills. Only gills can be considered an adequate target tissue for copper.     

Redescription of Chlorophthalmus corniger,a senior synonym of Chlorophthalmus bicornis (Family: Chlorophthalmidae)

Chlorophthalmus corniger is redescribed on the basis of recently collected specimens. The species is redefined as a species of Chlorophthalmus with the lower jaw terminating in a distinctly projecting horizontal plate with strong, spine‐like processes directed forward from the plate's corners; body silvery grey, with numerous minute black spots and traces of broad darker crossbars; base of anterior dorsal fin spines and distal parts of dorsal fins black; adipose fin tiny with numerous black spots; caudal fin black; 3·5 scales above lateral line; three rows of cheek scales; head very large, 34·3–40·1% standard length (L_S); eye large, 29·8–40·8% head length (L_H); pectoral fin long, extending to beyond dorsal fin base, 21·7–26·2% L_S. Chlorophthalmus bicornis is a junior synonym of C. corniger based on the examination of the type series of both species. It is confined to the northern half of the Indian Ocean, reliably recorded from Somalia and the Gulf of Aden to southern Java, Indonesia, at depths between 200 and 500 m. A lectotype and three paralectotypes were designated for C. corniger. DNA barcodes for Indian species of Chlorophthalmus were generated.     

Caloric content of plant species and its role in a Leymus chinensis steppe community of Inner Mongolia, China

The caloric contents of 42 species and their composition in a Leymus chinensis steppe community of Inner Mongolia, China were determined and analyzed based on the field experiment for 11 years. The caloric content (x ± SD) of aboveground parts of plant species varied from (13156 ± 1141) J·g^?1 (ash contained) to (18141 ± 527) J·g^?1. The average caloric content of all species was (16899 ± 840) J·g^?1 and the inter-specific CV (coefficient of variation) was 4.9%. Of all the species, Caragana microphylla had the highest caloric content (18142 J·g^?1). Grasses had a higher average caloric content ((17425 ± 291) J·g^?1) than forbs ((16734 ± 844)J·g^?1). When the herbaceous species were classified into subgroups according to life-form and growth-form, the order of average caloric contents, from high to low, was: tall grasses ((17717 ± 92) J·g^?1) > legume ((17228 ± 433) J·g^?1) > short grasses ((17250 ± 218) J·g^?1) > remaining forbs ((16784 ± 529) J·g^?1) > subshrubs ((16719 ± 69) J·g^?1) > annuals and biennials ((15911 ± 1759) J·g^?1). There was a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between the caloric contents of 42 species and their relative biomass in the community. When all species were classified into 3 groups according to their composition in the community, the average caloric contents, weighed by the species relative biomass, followed the order: dominant (17740 J·g^?1) > companion (17244 J·g^?1) > incidental (16653 J·g^?1). The plants with high caloric contents were more competitive, which allowed them to gain a dominant status, whereas the competitive abilities of plants with low caloric contents were generally weak. The latter made up the companion or incidental species in a steppe community.     

Unusual occurrence of aldehydes and ketones in the defensive secretion of the tenebrionid beetle, Eleodes beameri

The defensive secretion of the tenebrionid beetle, Eleodes beameri, is quite unlike the benzoquinone and 1-alkene secretion of other species of Eleodes and Tenebrionidae. Twenty-three compounds were isolated from the secretion by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and 13 of these were identified by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet, and mass spectroscopy. Identified compounds were: 1-nonene (3·2%), 1-undecene (<0·5%), n-hexanal (15·6%), n-heptanal (0·9%), n-octanal (4·5%), trans-2-hexenal (2·0%), trans-2-heptenal (1·5%), trans-2-nonenal (28·6%), trans-2-decenal (3·4%), n-3-nonanone (0·5%), n-1-nonen-3-one (16·8%), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (22·0%), and 1-hexanol (<0·5%). 1-Nonen-3-one is unique to E. beameri. A number of minor components remain unidentified. The morphology and ultrastructure of the glands were similar to other species of Eleodes. The gland reservoirs are a pair of strongly bilobed sacs with narrow exit ducts opening between abdominal sternites 7 and 8. There are two types of secretory cell units: Type 1 consisting of cells closely attached to the reservoir intima, with large, central vesicles drained by highly convoluted tubules. Type 2 units are composed of a pair of cells functioning together, the cuticular organelle from the microvilli-filled vesicle of the distal cell (2a) passing through the vesicle of the proximal one (2b) and then draining more or less directly into the reservoir via a cuticular tubule.     

Caloric content of plant species and its role in a Leymus chinensis steppe community of Inner Mongolia, China

The caloric contents of 42 species and their composition in a Leymus chinensis steppe community of Inner Mongolia, China were determined and analyzed based on the field experiment for 11 years. The caloric content (x ± SD) of aboveground parts of plant species varied from (13156 ± 1141) J·g^?1 (ash contained) to (18141 ± 527) J·g^?1. The average caloric content of all species was (16899 ± 840) J·g^?1 and the inter-specific CV (coefficient of variation) was 4.9%. Of all the species, Caragana microphylla had the highest caloric content (18142 J·g^?1). Grasses had a higher average caloric content ((17425 ± 291) J·g^?1) than forbs ((16734 ± 844)J·g^?1). When the herbaceous species were classified into subgroups according to life-form and growth-form, the order of average caloric contents, from high to low, was: tall grasses ((17717 ± 92) J·g^?1) > legume ((17228 ± 433) J·g^?1) > short grasses ((17250 ± 218) J·g^?1) > remaining forbs ((16784 ± 529) J·g^?1) > subshrubs ((16719 ± 69) J·g^?1) > annuals and biennials ((15911 ± 1759) J·g^?1). There was a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between the caloric contents of 42 species and their relative biomass in the community. When all species were classified into 3 groups according to their composition in the community, the average caloric contents, weighed by the species relative biomass, followed the order: dominant (17740 J·g^?1) > companion (17244 J·g^?1) > incidental (16653 J·g^?1). The plants with high caloric contents were more competitive, which allowed them to gain a dominant status, whereas the competitive abilities of plants with low caloric contents were generally weak. The latter made up the companion or incidental species in a steppe community.     

Effects of Cadmium in Stylonychia lemnae, Stylonychia notophora and Oxytricha granulifera: Isolation of a Cadmium-Binding Protein

ABSTRACT The effects of cadmium on three ciliates are reported here. Cultures of Stylonychia lemnae, Stylonychia notophora and Oxytricha granulifera were treated with different doses of Cd according to tolerance. The two species of Stylonychia are very sensitive to the metal, white O. granulifera tolerates higher doses. Adding 50 μM of Cd to the medium did not damage cells. The accumulated metal is almost totally present in the particulate fraction after day 3. Two Cd-Zn linking fractions were separated from the soluble fraction of culture treated on day 1. The first protein linking 17 μg Cd/mg showed an ultraviolet absorption spectrum similar to that of Cd-thioneins. Preliminary amino acid analyses indicated that it contained 13% cysteine. The second protein, linking 60 μg Cd/mg, was a glycoprotein. Its ultraviolet absorption spectrum and amino acid analysis showed that this binding protein was far from being a metallothionein: its cysteine content was very low and aromatic and cyclic residues were present. This Cd-linking compound seems to be unique, since it was very different both from metallothioneins and chelatins isolated by other protozoa. The protective role of these chelating proteins is discussed.     

大岗山毛竹林与常绿阔叶林碳储量及分配格局

基于固定样地,对江西大岗山毛竹林与常绿阔叶林生态系统碳储量及分配格局进行了研究.结果表明:毛竹各器官碳含量介于42.22%～47.53%,其大小顺序依次为秆(47.53%)＞枝(46.49%)＞鞭(46.10%)＞根(45.30%)＞叶(42.22%).丝栗栲不同器官碳含量介于43.09%～45.53%,其干、叶、枝、...     

The susceptibility of Apodemus agrarius and Rattus losea to the anticoagulant rodenticide,flocoumafen

Flocoumafen had good rodenticidal action against Apodemus agrarius and Rattus losea. The acute oral LD₅₀ for male A. agrarius and R. losea was 1·22 mg kg⁻¹ and 1·36 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. Flocoumafen bait was more toxic to R. losea than to A. agrarius. At bait concentrations of 0·002–0·005%, flocoumafen had a single-feed potency with mortalities of 90–100% for R. losea and 77·8–100% for A. agrarius. Experimental baits prepared using the manufacturing 0·5% master mix of flocoumafen were palatable to both species.     

A new species of the genus Mekongina Fowler, 1937 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from South China

A new species of cyprinid fish, Mekongina lancangensis, is described from the upper Mekong River drainage in Southern Yunnan, China. The new species is distinguished from the other species of Mekongina occurring in the lower Mekong River drainage by possessing the following combination of characters: one pair of rostral barbels; two rows of tubercles irregularly scattered on the snout and cheeks, with two enlarged tubercles present at each side of anterior of the snout; 19–27 rostral marginal lappets; lateral line with 38–41 scales; 5·5 or 6·5 scales in transverse series from dorsal‐fin origin to lateral line; 18–20 circumpeduncular scales; snout length 31·9–36·9% head length; tip of depressed anal‐fin rays extending to the caudal‐fin base.     

Cadmium modulates NADPH oxidase activity and expression in sunflower leaves

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ways by which ROS are generated are very important facts related to heavy metal toxicity in plants. In this work, superoxide anion (O₂ ^·−) generation diminished in cadmium treated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaf discs, and this reduction was time and Cd-concentration dependent. In line with these findings, we observed that NADPH-dependent oxidase activity was significantly inhibited by 0.1 and 0.5 mM Cd²⁺ treatments and the expression of the NADPH oxidase putative gene related to O₂ ^·− synthesis in sunflower leaves was 83 % inhibited by 0.1 mM CdCl₂ and almost completely depleted by 0.5 mM CdCl₂.