HEPATIC GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN MOSQUITOFISH (GAMBUSIA AFFINIS) AND TOPMOUTH GUDGEON (PSEUDORASOBORA PARVA) EXPOSED TO FENITROTHION

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＦｅｎｉｔｒｏｔｈｉｏｎ(0,0ｄｉｍｅｔｈｙｌ0(3ｍｅｔｈｙｌ4ｎｉｔｒｏｐｈｅｎｏｌ)ｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｒｏｔｈｉｏａｔｅ),ｔｈｅａｃｔｉｖｅｉｎｇｒｅｄｉｅｎｔｉｎｔｈｅｆｏｒｍｕｌａｔｅｄｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｓｕｍｉｔｈｉｏｎ,ｉｓａｎｏｒｇａｎｏｐｈｏｓｐｈａｔｅ(Ｏ-Ｐ)ｉｎｓｅｃｔｉｃｉｄｅａｎｄｕｓｅｄｉｎａｇｒｉｃｕｌｔｕｒｅｆｏｒｃｒｏｐｐｒｏｔｅｃｔｉｏｎａｎｄｃｏｎｔｒｏｌｏｆｖｅｃｔｏｒｂｏｒｎｄｉｓｅａｓｅｓｉｎｖａｒｉｏｕｓｃｏｕｎｔｒｉｅｓ(Ｓｅｌｆｅｔａｌ.,19…     

In vivo inhibition and recovery of brain acetylcholinesterase in topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasobora parva) following exposure to fenitrothion

Freshwater fish, topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasobora parva), were pretreated with piperronyl butoxide (PBO) or triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and then exposed to different concentrations of fenitrothion (FNT) in a static system. Evaluation of brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity after 24, 48 and 96 h pesticide exposure indicated that AchE activity decreased as the concentration increased. Fish pretreated with TPP exhibited significantly decreased AchE activity whilst in the PBO pretreated group, increased activity was observed as compared with those exposed to FNT alone. The pattern of AchE recovery was also assessed in fish previously exposed for 96h and then transferred to clean (chemical free) water. Following 8 days of recovery period, the AchE activity of those exposed to FNT alone and pretreated with TPP was still lower than that of the control. This study showed that FNT may cause hazard to fish after field application.     

IN VIVO INHIBITION AND RECOVERY OF BRAIN ACETYLCHOLINES TERASE IN TOPMOUTH GUDGEON (PSEUDORASOBORA PARVA) FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO FENITROTHION

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＴｈｅａｃｔｉｖｅｉｎｇｒｅｄｉｅｎｔｉｎｔｈｅｆｏｒｍｕｌａｔｅｄｐｒｏｄ ｕｃｔＳｕｍｉｔｈｉｏｎ ,ｆｅｎｉｔｒｏｔｈｉｏｎ [0 ,0 ｄｉｍｅｔｈｙｌ0 (3 ｍｅｔｈｙｌ-4 ｎｉｔｒｏｐｈｅｎｏｌ)ｐｈｏｓ ｐｈｏｒｏｔｈｉｏａｔｅ] ,ｉｓａｎｏｒｇａｎｏｐｈｏｓｐｈａｔｅ (ＯＰ)ｉｎｓｅｃｔｉｃｉｄｅｕｓｅｄｉｎａｇ ｒｉｃｕｌｔｕｒｅｆｏｒｃｒｏｐｐｒｏｔｅｃｔｉｏｎａｎｄｃｏｎｔｒｏｌｏｆｖｅｃｔｏｒｂｏｒｎｄｉｓｅａｓｅｓｏｆｐｕｂｌｉｃｈｅａｌｔｈａｎｄｖｅｔｅｒｉ…     

Protection of salvianolic acid B for human endothelial cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage

Salvianolic acid B(Sal B) is an active component of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and is used to treat vascular diseases. To better understand its mechanism, the antioxidant capacities of Sal B was evaluated with human endothelial cells under oxidative stress. Human endothelial cells were pretreated with Sal B for 12 h followed by hydrogen peroxide for another 12 h. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and concentration of glu-tathione were measured: Protective effect of Sal B on the endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced damage ' was observed, and ROS production in the cells was found significantly inhibited. Sal B remarkably enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPX. Furthermore, Sal B up-regulated the intracellular glutathione concentration. The results indicate that Sal B protected endothelial cells from oxidative stress by improving the redox status of the cells through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities and increasing the reductive glutathione concentration after the oxidative challenge.     

Alleviative effect of quercetin on germ cells intoxicated by 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol from diesel exhaust particles

As a component of diesel exhaust particles, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4-nitro-m-cresol, PNMC) is also a metabolite of the insecticide fenitrothion and imposes hazardous effects on human health. In the present study, the alleviative effect of a common antioxidant flavonoid quercetin on mouse germ cells intoxicated by PNMC was investigated. Results showed that a single intraperitoneal injection of PNMC at 100 mg/kg induced severe testicular damage after one week. PNMC-treated mice showed a significant loss of germ cells (approximate 40% loss of round germ cells). PNMC caused an increase of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, treatment of PNMC increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL in germ cells. In addition, testicular caspase-3 activity was significantly up-regulated and germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the PNMC-treated mice. In contrast, combined administration of quercetin at 75 mg/kg significantly attenuated PNMC-induced testicular toxicity. These results indicate that the antioxidant quercetin displays a remarkable protective effect on PNMC-induced oxidative damage in mouse testes and may represent an efficient supplement to attenuate reproductive toxicity by environmental toxicants to ensure healthy sperm production.     

Morphometric and meristic variation in two congeneric archer fishes Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton 1822) and Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas 1767) inhabiting Malaysian coastal waters

A simple yet useful criterion based on external markings and/or number of dorsal spines is currently used to differentiate two congeneric archer fish species Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix. Here we investigate other morphometric and meristic characters that can also be used to differentiate these two species. Principal component and/or discriminant functions revealed that meristic characters were highly correlated with pectoral fin ray count, number of lateral line scales, as well as number of anal fin rays. The results indicate that T. chatareus can be distinguished from T. jaculatrix by having a greater number of lateral line scales, a lower number of pectoral fin rays, and a higher number of anal fin rays. In contrast, morphometric discriminant analyses gave relatively low distinction: 76.1% of fish were ascribed to the correct species cluster. The observed morphometric differences came from the dorsal and anal spines lengths, with T. chatareus having shorter dorsal and longer anal spines than T. jaculatrix. Overall, meristic traits were more useful than morphometrics in differentiating the two species; nevertheless, meristics and morphometrics together provide information about the morphological differentiation between these two closely related archer fishes.     

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in mice with concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Objective: To find new protein biomarkers for the detection and evaluation of liver injury and to analyze the relationship between such proteins and disease progression in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis. Methods: Twenty-five mice were randomly divided into five groups: an untreated group, a control group injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and groups with Con A-induced hepatitis evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 h. Two-dimensional gel elec-trophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to identify differences in protein expression among groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify the results. Results: In mice with Con A-induced hepatitis, expression levels of four proteins were increased: RIKEN, fructose bisphosphatase 1 (fbp1), ketohexokinase (khk), and Chain A of class pi glutathione S-transferase. Changes in fbp1 and khk were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Conclusion: Levels of two proteins, fbp1 and khk, are cleady up-regulated in mice with Con A-induced hepatitis.     

Effects of gas supersaturation on lethality and avoidance responses in juvenile rock carp (Procypris rabaudi Tchang)

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation on acute lethality and avoidance responses in juvenile rock carp (Procypris rabaudi Tchang). The juvenile rock carp were exposed to water with different levels of supersaturation (105%, 115%, 120%, 125%, 130%, 135%, 140%, and 145%) and depth of 0.20 m at 25°C for 60 h. Median lethal time (LT50) was used to assess the lethal responses corresponding to different levels of gas supersaturation. The results show that half of the juvenile rock carp died at the 120%, 125%, 130%, 135%, 140%, and 145% levels of supersaturation, and the LT50 corresponding to different levels of supersaturation was 18.7, 15.4, 8.2, 6.6, 3.5, and 1.7 h. When the level of supersaturated water is below 115%, the mortality is negligible. Avoidance responses were observed 5 min after the fish were put into equilibrated water (99%, 0.08 m deep) and water with different supersaturated levels (105%, 115%, 125%, 135%, and 145%, 0.08 m deep) at 25 °C. The fish exhibited strong avoidance responses in supersaturated water when the gas supersaturation was above 135%. However, they exhibited an obvious preference to supersaturated water when the gas supersaturation was below 115%. Thus, the juvenile rock carp can likely survive in water with a supersaturated level of 115%.     

Growth rate, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in rock carp (Procypris rabaudi Tchang) exposed to supersaturated total dissolved gas

Total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS) appears when the pressures of gases in a solution exceed the barometric pressures. TDGS is often caused by flood discharge at dams. It may lead to gas bubble disease (GBD) for fish and biochemical responses of selected fish and other aquatic organisms. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of long-term TDGS levels on the growth and biochemical responses of rock carp (Procypris rabaudi Tchang) dwelling in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Three-year-old rock carp were exposed to TDGS levels at 100%, 104%, 108%, 112%, and 116% for 42 d. Samples were taken every 7 d after the start of the trial in order to determine catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in gill and muscle tissues. Samples were taken at Days 0 and 42 of exposure to determine growth rate. Little effect was found on growth rate in all treatment groups. SOD and CAT activities varied in different tissues, according to time of exposure and TDGS levels. The biochemical response of fish exposed to TDGS was more obvious in gill tissue than in muscle tissue. Surveys of SOD and CAT activities in different tissues offer important information about the effect of TDGS on the rare fish in the Yangtze River, and may help evaluate the risk to the aquatic eco-environment and aquatic ecosystem in the downstream of the Yangtze River.     

Availability and toxicity of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in Caco-2 cells

The objective of the present study was to compare the toxicity and availability of Fe(II) and Fe(III) to Caco-2 cells. Cellular damage was studied by measuring cell proliferation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The activities of two major antioxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and differentiation marker (alkaline phosphatase) were determined after the cells were exposed to different levels of iron salts. The cellular iron concentration was investigated to evaluate iron bioavailability. The results show that iron uptake of the cells treated with Fe(II) is significantly higher than that of the cells treated with Fe(III) (P<0.05). Fe(II) at a concentration >1.5 mmol/L was found to be more effective in reducing cellular viability than Fe(III). LDH release investigation suggests that Fe(II) can reduce stability of the cell membrane. The activities of SOD and GPx of the cells treated with Fe(II) were higher than those of the cells treated with Fe(III), although both of them increased with raising iron supply levels. The results indicate that both Fe(II) and Fe(III) could reduce the cellular antioxidase gene expression at high levels. Project supported by the International Cooperative Project from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. 2006DFA31030), the Bureau of Science and Technology of Zhejiang Province (No. 2006C32019) and HarvestPlus-China (No. 8022), and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University of China (No. IRT0536)     

Effects of α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation in preslaughter diet on antioxidant enzyme activities and fillet quality of commercial-size Sparus macrocephalus

This study examined the effects of dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities and fillet quality in commercial-size Sparus macrocephalus. Three hundred fish [main initial weight （350±12） g] were divided into three groups （E250, E500 and El000） and reared in 9 cages. The fish were fed for 8 weeks with three diets containing different levels of dietary α-tocopheryl acetate （289, 553, 1069 mg/kg）. Over the experimental period, fish were fed to satiation and reached a final mean weight of （465±28） g without significant body weight difference and proximate composition difference. Fillet α-tocopherol was significantly （P〈0.05） different between groups, reaching levels of 14.2, 22.1, 30.9 pg/mg fillet for groups E250, E500 and El000, respectively. Total serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity increased significantly （P〈0.05） in fish fed the diets high in α-tocopheryl acetate, but serum glutathione peroxidase （GPX） activity was unaffected. In storage on ice, fillets of fish fed the diets high in α-tocopheryl acetate exhibited significantly lower （P〈0.05） levels of oxidation. These results suggested that increased dietary α-tocopheryl acetate could increase its flesh deposition, increase the activity of SOD and prevent lipid peroxidation ofSparus macrocephalus fillets in retail storage on ice.     

空间飞行对番茄种子和幼苗活性氧代谢的影响(英文)

测定了经空间飞行处理和地面存留的番茄种子（ESE、EBS）和幼苗中活性氧代谢的某些指标．结果表明，SES和EBS之间的活性氧代谢存在明显的差异．SES可溶性蛋白质含量和SOD活性高于EBS．SES及其幼苗表现出比EBS较强的代谢强度，在萌发的起始阶段尤其如此．SES幼苗中的SOD活性和SES活性高于EBS，而MDA含量和产生速率比EBS低得多．以上结果提示，SES中保卫酶系统活性的增加，对于促进种子吸胀和萌发阶段膜结构的修复，维持膜结构的完整性以致提高种子的活力可能具有重要的意义．     

纳米银对黄瓜和小麦的毒性效应研究

研究目的：研究纳米银对黄瓜和小麦的毒性及在植物中的转运和分布,探讨其毒性机制,为纳米银的环境风险评估提供科学依据。创新要点：1.选取单子叶和双子叶植物为对象,比较研究纳米银对其萌发阶段和生长阶段的毒性效应及其影响因素;2.多数研究中的纳米银均有表面修饰,本研究选择无表面修饰的纳米银材料,排除表面活性剂的干扰因素;3.以络合剂半胱氨酸掩蔽解离出的银离子,探讨纳米银颗粒对植物毒性的贡献。研究方法：通过植物根长（图2）和生物量（图3）分别评价萌发和生长阶段纳米银的植物毒性。利用电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）测定植物组织银元素的含量（图7）。通过组织切片,利用透射电镜（TEM）观察植物根中银的微观分布（图6）。通过在暴露介质中添加半胱氨酸掩蔽银离子来评价纳米银颗粒对植物毒性的贡献（图3和5）。重要结论：在较高暴露浓度情况下,纳米银和银离子对小麦和黄瓜都具有明显的毒性。但当纳米银浓度低于200 mg/L,银离子浓度低于5 mg/L时,两者均能促进黄瓜根系的生长。两种植物在营养生长阶段比萌发阶段对纳米银的毒性更敏感。纳米银暴露后,银首先积聚于植物的根,然后被转移到地上部。为评价纳米银释放的银离子的作用,我们测定了暴露后介质中银离子的浓度。在种子萌发阶段,黄瓜和小麦的暴露液中约0.03%和0.01%的纳米银溶解,而在营养生长阶段,溶解的纳米银达到0.17%和0.06%。半胱氨酸作为银离子的强络合剂,能够彻底消除纳米银对黄瓜和小麦的作用,说明纳米银的植物效应可能来自于其释放的银离子。     

Behavioral response of tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) to acute ammonia stress monitored by computer vision

The behavioral responses of a tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) school to low (0.13 mg/L), moderate (0.79 mg/L) and high (2.65 mg/L) levels of unionized ammonia (UIA) concentration were monitored using a computer vision system. The swimming activity and geometrical parameters such as location of the gravity center and distribution of the fish school were calculated continuously. These behavioral parameters of tilapia school responded sensitively to moderate and high UIA concentration. Under high UIA concentration the fish activity showed a significant increase (P<0.05), exhibiting an avoidance reaction to high ammonia condition, and then decreased gradually. Under moderate and high UIA concentration the school's vertical location had significantly large fluctuation (P<0.05) with the school moving up to the water surface then down to the bottom of the aquarium alternately and tending to crowd together. After several hours' exposure to high UIA level, the school finally stayed at the aquarium bottom. These observations indicate that alterations in fish behavior under acute stress can provide important information useful in predicting the stress. Project (Nos. 2001AA620104 and 2003AA603140) supported by the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (863) of China     

辛基酚暴露对凡纳滨对虾NAGase的活力影响

以凡纳滨对虾为研究对象,让其暴露在含0,5,15,45,135μg/L辛基酚（OP）的养殖水体中,暴露24,48,72,96,120 h后取样,分析测定凡纳滨对虾壳膜与内脏 NAGase 比活力的变化．结果表明,水体 OP 对对虾壳膜 NAGase比活力基本起激活作用．暴露72 h内,壳膜 NAGase比活力无显著性变化;暴露96 h时,5,15,135μg/L OP均对虾壳膜 NAGase 比活力起极显著激活作用（P＜0．01）,45μg/L OP 对虾壳膜 NAGase比活力起显著激活（P＜0．05）;暴露120 h时,15,135μg/L OP 对虾壳膜 NAGase 比活力仍表现为显著性激活作用（P＜0．05）,但5,45μg/L OP 对壳膜 NAGase 的比活力影响无显著性．而水体 OP 对虾内脏 NAGase比活力基本起抑制作用．在15μg/L OP体系下暴露24 h,内脏NAGase极显著下降（P＜0．01）,其他 OP浓度下无显著性变化;不同浓度下暴露48 h,对虾内脏 NAGase比活力均出现极显著下降（P＜0．01）;5μg/L OP体系下暴露72 h,对虾内脏 NAGase比活力无显著性下降,其他 OP 浓度下的对虾内脏 NAGase 比活力均出现极显著下降（P＜0．01）;15,135μg/L OP 体系下暴露96 h,内脏 NAGase 比活力也分别出现极显著（P＜0．01）及显著性（P＜0．05）下降．可见,OP暴露对对虾生长发育会产生影响．     

Screening of field pea （Pisum sativum） selections for their reactions to root-knot nematode （Meloidogyne incognita）

INTRODUCTION Fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.) is one of the im-portant pulse crops of the world and is cultivated over 5.9 million hectares with a production of about 11.7 million tons (Singh, 1983). In India it is grown over 0.7 million hectares yielding about 0.6 million tons (Singh, 1983). Among various obstacles in cultivating this crop, root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood has been reported to cause severe yield losses of up to 20%~33% (Upadhyay and Dwiv…     

Response of ATP sulfurylase and serine acetyltransferase towards cadmium in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance

We studied the responses of the activities of adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) sulfurylase (ATPS) and serine acetyltransferase (SAT) to cadmium (Cd) levels and treatment time in hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) Sedum alfredii Hance, as compared with its non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). The results show that plant growth was inhibited in NHE but promoted in HE when exposed to high Cd level. Cd concentrations in leaves and shoots rapidly increased in HE rather than in NHE, and they became much higher in HE than in NHE along with increasing treatment time and Cd supply levels. ATPS activity was higher in HE than in NHE in all Cd treatments, and increased with increasing Cd supply levels in both HE and NHE when exposed to Cd treatment within 8 h. However, a marked difference of ATPS activity between HE and NHE was found with Cd treatment for 168 h, where ATPS activity increased in HE but decreased in NHE. Similarly, SAT activity was higher in HE than in NHE at all Cd treatments, but was more sensitive in NHE than in HE. Both ATPS and SAT activities in NHE leaves tended to decrease with increasing treatment time after 8 h at all Cd levels. The results reveal the different responses in sulfur assimilation enzymes and Cd accumulation between HE and NHE. With increasing Cd stress, the activities of sulfur assimilation enzymes (ATPS and SAT) were induced in HE, which may contribute to Cd accumulation in the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30630046) and the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (863) of China (No. 2006AA06Z386), and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University, China (No. IRT0536)     

Gender Construction Through Textbooks: The Case of an Ethiopian Primary School English Textbook

The objective of the study was to explore how gender was constructed in the English for Ethiopia Student’s Book for grade four. In order to find out the discursive actions, representations and identifications by unpacking the employed genre, discourse and style, respectively, the case study was conducted using Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of Critical Discourse Analysis. Despite Ethiopia’s gender-sensitive education and training policy, the findings revealed that the texts in the book are a manifestation of the struggle of discourse that tries to maintain the existing social order on gender construction on the one hand and attempts to change the status quo on the other. While the discursive actions and identifications of characters promote egalitarian gender construction, the activity and attribute-based representations of characters reproduce the existing stereotypical gender constructions of the society that fall in line with the functionalists’ perspective on gender roles.     

Effects of elevated CO(2) levels on root morphological traits and Cd uptakes of two Lolium species under Cd stress

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of elevated CO₂ levels and cadmium (Cd) on the root morphological traits and Cd accumulation in Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Lolium perenne L. exposed to two CO₂ levels (360 and 1 000 μl/L) and three Cd levels (0, 4, and 16 mg/L) under hydroponic conditions. The results show that elevated levels of CO₂ increased shoot biomass more, compared to root biomass, but decreased Cd concentrations in all plant tissues. Cd exposure caused toxicity to both Lolium species, as shown by the restrictions of the root morphological parameters including root length, surface area, volume, and tip numbers. These parameters were significantly higher under elevated levels of CO₂ than under ambient CO₂, especially for the number of fine roots. The increases in magnitudes of those parameters triggered by elevated levels of CO₂ under Cd stress were more than those under non-Cd stress, suggesting an ameliorated Cd stress under elevated levels of CO₂. The total Cd uptake per pot, calculated on the basis of biomass, was significantly greater under elevated levels of CO₂ than under ambient CO₂. Ameliorated Cd toxicity, decreased Cd concentration, and altered root morphological traits in both Lolium species under elevated levels of CO₂ may have implications in food safety and phytoremediation.     

四溴二苯醚与高氯酸盐联合暴露对成年斑马鱼肝脏抗氧化系统的影响

实验选择四溴二苯醚（BDE-47）与高氯酸盐（PER）作为研究对象,系统研究了二者联合暴露对成年斑马鱼肝脏抗氧化系统的影响。实验设置（BDE-47 8.5+PER 335） mg/L,（BDE-47 0.85+PER 33.5） mg/L,（BDE-47 0.085+PER 3.35） mg/L三种联合暴露组及二者各自单一的暴露组。暴露14天后,分别测定雌雄斑马鱼肝脏内超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（Gpx）活性以及脂质过氧化物（MDA）水平。结果显示,与两种物质单一暴露相比,联合暴露致使肝脏内SOD,CAT的活性增加,MDA水平增加,而GSH活性降低,实验说明,PER诱导加剧了BDE-47对成年斑马鱼肝脏抗氧化酶的影响,进一步产生了氧化应激。