The design of SnO2-crosslinked-chitosan nanocomposite for microwave-assisted adsorption of aqueous cadmium and mercury ions

Modern day worldwide industrial activities have negatively affected the environment due to daily pollutant accumulation. Evidence of this is seen in the heavy metal deposits found in water resources from mining, well drilling, electroplating, and heavy metals production. Mercury and cadmium ions are among the most hazardous heavy metals of significant concern. The removal of these two toxic metals from wastewater requires effective, low-cost techniques, and, therefore, this current study looks at the design and fabrication of SnO₂-formaldehyde-chitosan to facilitate the rapid microwave-assisted elimination of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions. This paper explores the microwave-assisted removal of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions, a highly efficient process which establishes 1050 μmol g^?1 and 600 μmol g^?1 capacity values at pH 6, at 10 s and 15 s, respectively. The application of SnO₂-formaldehyde-chitosan for the microwave-assisted elimination of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions from natural water and wastewater is also explored. In this respect, the microwave-assisted removal values of Cd(II) achieved were 95.6%, and 99.2% from tap water and wastewater, respectively. In addition, Hg(II) removal percentages were found to be 94.2% and 98.4% from the same two water samples.     

The effect of cadmium,zinc or copper loading on the metabolism of amino acids in mouse liver

Cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and cupric chlorides (Cu) were injected i.p. into male mice to examine the effect of the metals on the concentration of amino acids in the liver. It is suggested that after injection some of the cysteine released from glutathione in the liver is incorporated into metallothionein and some is catabolized to taurine, while some of the glutamate released from glutathione is metabolized via aspartate. None of the sulfur-containing amino acids (oxidised metabolites of cysteine) were detected except for taurine in the present experiment.     

Individual and combined effects of cadmium and copper on the growth response of Chlorella vulgaris

The individual and combined effects of cadmium and copper on the growth response of the green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, were examined. The effects of pH alone, and in combination with copper were also evaluated. An increase in cadmium and copper concentrations caused a significant reduction in the growth of C. vulgaris cells, and the corresponding EC₅₀ values were 1.02 and 4.01 mg L⁻¹, respectively. For a pH range of 2–7, the inhibitory effect due to increased copper concentrations (coupled with the resulting drop in pH) was significantly higher than the impact due to increased acidity (by addition of HCl) alone. At lower metal concentrations (5 mg L⁻¹ Cu + < 2 mg L⁻¹ Cd or 2.5 mg L⁻¹ Cd + < 4 mg L⁻¹ Cu), a combination of copper and cadmium appeared to have a stronger inhibitory effect on cell growth than that of a single metal. In contrast, at higher metal concentrations (5 mg L⁻¹ Cu + > 2 mg L⁻¹ Cd or 2.5 mg L⁻¹ Cd + > 4 mg L⁻¹ Cu), the effect of a single metal exhibited a significantly stronger effect compared to a combination of the two metals. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 14: 347–353, 1999     

Comparative effect of cadmium on osteoblastic cells and osteoclastic cells

Cadmium(Cd) has been thought to disturb the bone metabolism directly. The mechanism for the bone lesion is unknown, however. To examine the effects of cadmium on bone metabolism, we compared its effects on osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro. We used an established cell line, MC3T3-E₁, as osteoblasts and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-positive multi-nucleated cells (MNC) formed by a bone marrow culture system as osteoclasts. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was decreased by 10^–7 M Cd and DNA content and hydroxyproline content of osteoblastic cells were decreased by 10^–5 M Cd. Cadmium at 10^–7 M inhibited the osteoclastic cell formation from mouse bone marrow in the presence of 10^–8 M 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D₃. A 100-fold higher concentration of zinc(Zn) simultaneously added to the cadmium-containing medium prevented the toxicity of cadmium to osteoclastic cells as observed in the culture of osteoblastic cells. These results indicate that both bone formation and bone resorption are inhibited by cadmium. The responses of osteoclasts and osteoblasts to cadmium in this culture system were the same and the responses of cadmium-damaged osteoblasts and osteoclasts to zinc were also similar. These results suggest that another mechanism by which cadmium could cause bone damage should be considered in addition to the specific induction of osteoclastic cells by Cd.     

The combined and separate effects of copper and cadmium on the growth of Campanularia flexuosa (hydrozoa) colonies

The growth of Campanularia flexuosa has been studied in experiments in which cultured colonies have been exposed to copper and cadmium, separately and in various combinations of concentrations. The results of different experiments have been used to construct a response surface and to show how it develops with time. The data suggest that while the effect of mixtures of copper and cadmium are more or less additive over much of the response surface, where growth is inhibited most, both antagonistic and synergistic effects may occur.     

The effect of cadmium on the composition and metabolism of hepatic fatty acids in zinc-adequate and zinc-deficient rats

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) caused changes in the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, such as increases in levels of saturated and (n-6) fatty acids and decreases in levels of (n-9) fatty acids, in the liver phospholipids of rats fed a fat-free diet. These changes were similar to those caused by dietary zinc deficiency. The changes in fatty acid composition after administration of Cd were greater in zinc-deficient (ZD) rats than zinc-adequate (ZA) rats. When [¹⁴C]18:0 was injected intravenously in order to examine the metabolism of (n-9) fatty acids, a decrease in the rate of conversion of [¹⁴C]18:0 to [¹⁴C]18:1 was observed in liver phospholipids after treatment of ZD rats with Cd. These results suggested that Cd can affect the metabolism of fatty acids in relation to zinc status and, in particular, causes a reduction in the activity of Δ⁹-desaturase which converts 18:0 to 18:1.     

Toluene and methylethylketone: effect of combined exposure on their metabolism in rat

1.?Multiple exposures are ubiquitous in industrial environments. In this article, we highlight the risks faced by workers and complete the data available on the metabolic impact of a common mixture: toluene (TOL) and methylethylketone (MEK).

2.?Rats were exposed by inhalation under controlled conditions either to each solvent individually, or to mixtures of the two. How the interaction between the two solvents affected their fate in the blood and brain, their main relevant urinary metabolites (o-cresol, benzylmercapturic acid for TOL and 2,3-butanediols for MEK) and their hepatic metabolism were investigated.

3.?Although the cytochrome P450 concentration was unchanged, and the activities of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 isoforms were not additively or synergistically induced by co-exposure, TOL metabolism was inhibited by the presence of MEK (and vice versa). Depending on the relative proportions of each compound in the mixture, this sometimes resulted in a large increase in blood and brain concentrations. Apart from extreme cases (unbalanced mixtures), the amount of o-cresol and benzylmercapturic acid (and to a lesser extent 2,3-butanediols) excreted were proportional to the blood solvent concentrations.

4.?In a co-exposure context, ortho-cresol and benzylmercapturic acid can be used as urinary biomarkers in biomonitoring for employees to relatively accurately assess TOL exposure.     

The effect of antipsychotic drugs and their clinically inactive analogs on dopamine metabolism.

Changes in dopamine metabolite levels in the rat striatum and tuberculum olfactorium, following the administration of three non-antipsychotic butyrophenones (AL-499, AHR-1900 and U-25,927) and a non-antipsychotic benzazepine (SCH-12,679), were compared to the effects seen following the antipsychotics haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine. The non-antipsychotics, although clinically ineffective, were reported as active in a variety of animal screening tests. Haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine produced a dose-dependent increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in both regions. Of the non-antipsychotic drugs only AHR-1900 significantly elevated the level of DOPAC, however, the slope of its dose-response curve was atypically flat in comparison to the dose-response curves of drugs with known antipsychotic efficacy. Moreover, the maximal effect of AHR-1900 observed at a dose of 40 mg/kg was less than the ED50 effect of haloperidol which occurs at a 250 fold lower dose. It is concluded that the dose-dependent elevation of DOPAC in the striatum and tuberculum olfactorium of the rat is a good predictor of antipsychotic efficacy.     

护理干预对精神药物致糖脂代谢异常影响分析

目的：建立适用于服用精神科药物导致糖脂代谢异常全程指导体系,评估护理干预效果。方法将124例精神障碍服用精神药物患者分为研究组（n=62）和对照组（n=62）,两组分别接受系统护理干预和一般常规护理,采用自行设计的调查量表分别进行问卷调查,并记录对比。结果研究组对精神药物引起糖脂代谢异常的认识,患者饮食、运动、改变生活方式配合,康复期社会功能恢复,家庭康复等管理能力方面与对照组对比,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。患者自我管理能力明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）。结论护理干预符合精神障碍患者及照料者获得专科知识的需要,对精神障碍患者康复指导效果明显。     

Combined toxicity of dissolved mercury with copper, lead and cadmium on embryogenesis and early larval growth of the Paracentrotus lividus sea-urchin

The individual and combined toxicity of dissolved mercury, copper, lead and cadmium has been investigated by using the Paracentrotus lividus sea-urchin embryo-larval bioassay. Embryogenesis success and early larval growth have been recorded after incubation of fertilised eggs in seawater, both with single metals and binary combinations of Hg with every other metal. For individual metals the ranking of toxicity was Hg > Cu > Pb > Cd, with EC₅₀ values of 21.9, 66.8, 509 and 9240g/l, respectively. Lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC) for early larval growth were approximately three times lower than the EC₅₀ values for Hg, Cu and Pb, and more than two orders of magnitude lower for Cd, emphasizing the danger of underestimating toxicity when only lethal effects are recorded. Marking & Dawson's additive indices ranged from 0.10 to 0.19, indicating additive effects with a slight trend to synergism, which was statistically significant for the Hg–Pb combination only. Hayes' additive indices were within the margins considered acceptable to describe additive interactions.     

Comparison and analysis of the animal models used to study the effect of morphine on tumour growth and metastasis

The effect of opioids on tumour growth and metastasis has been debated for many years, with recent emphasis on the possibility that they might influence the rate of disease-free survival after tumour resection when used in the perioperative pain management of cancer surgery patients. The literature presents conflicting and inconclusive in vitro and in vivo data about the potential effect of opioids, especially morphine, on tumour growth and metastasis. To inform clinical practice, appropriate animal models are needed to test whether opioids alter the course of tumour growth and metastasis. Here, we review the literature on animal-based studies testing the effect of morphine on cancer so far, and analyse differences between the models used that may explain the discrepancies in published results. Such analysis should elucidate the role of opioids in cancer and help define ideal pre-clinical models to provide definitive answers.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2     

Batch and fixed bed adsorption of levofloxacin on granular activated carbon from date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) stones by KOH chemical activation

Granular activated carbon (KAC) was prepared from abundant Phoenix dactylifera L. stones by microwave- assisted KOH activation. The characteristics of KAC were tested by pore analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption behavior of levofloxacin (LEV) antibiotic on KAC with surface area of 817 m²/g and pore volume of 0.638 cm³/g were analyzed using batch and fixed bed systems. The equilibrium data collected by batch experiments were well fitted with Langmuir compared to Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The effect of flow rate (0.5–1.5 ml/min), bed height (15–25 cm), and initial LEV concentration (75–225 mg/l) on the behavior of breakthrough curves was explained. The fixed bed analysis showed the better correlation of breakthrough data by both Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. High LEV adsorption capacity of 100.3 mg/g was reported on KAC, thus being an efficient adsorbent for antibiotic pollutants to protect ecological systems.     

儿童生长发育对药物作用的影响及意义

儿童用药不同于成人，随着年龄增长身体的发育会影响药物的吸收、分布、代谢及清除等许多方面。从而影响药物的药代动力学。儿童的用药量及用药间隔随年龄增长而有所变化，临床上儿童用药应当制订与年龄相适应的最佳方案，而不是简单的按体重或年龄给药。     

剪切环境对南昌链霉菌形态和代谢的影响

通过在摇瓶和发酵罐上考察不同剪切环境对南昌链霉菌的代谢过程和菌丝形态的影响 ,并对某些菌丝形态参数进行了定量分析 ,发现南昌链霉菌对剪切的敏感性。在此基础上通过改变发酵罐上搅拌桨叶类型促进了前期菌体生长 ,并使最终发酵效价提高了 5 2     

镉接触对妊娠期及哺乳期大鼠及仔代生长发育的影响

目的 观察妊娠期及哺乳期镉接触对大鼠性别分化、生长发育和青春期启动的影响,以及其可能的内分泌干扰机制。方法 SD雌性大鼠从妊娠第1天开始至仔鼠断奶,自由饮用含0、5、20和40mg/L氯化镉的水。结果 各剂量组仔鼠的生长发育、青春期启动均受到明显影响：出生后（PND）21d体重明显低于对照组;阴道开放、包皮分离比对照组延迟2－3d。但是,各剂量组对妊娠时间、羊床数、每胎活产数、性别比例、肛殖距离没有明显的影响。结论 在该实验条件下,并未显示镉具有雌激素样活性。镉可能通过多种机制,如甾类生成、甲状腺、垂体性腺轴等,干扰内分泌系统,从而影响大鼠的生长发育、青春期启动。     

根皮苷对肥胖小鼠糖脂代谢的调控作用

目的 探究根皮苷对肥胖小鼠糖脂代谢的调控作用及对肝脏组织哺乳动物的雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)蛋白表达的影响.方法 60只小鼠随机分为对照组(n=20)、模型组(n=20)及实验组(n=20),对照组正常饲养,模型组及实验组小鼠则连续饲喂8周高脂高糖饲料构建肥胖小鼠模型.建模后实验组灌服80 mg·kg-1根皮苷,模型组...     

In vitro metabolism of methiocarb and carbaryl in rats,and its effect on their estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities

In this work, we examined the metabolism of the carbamate insecticides methiocarb and carbaryl by rat liver microsomes and plasma, and its effect on their endocrine-disrupting activities. Methiocarb and carbaryl were not enzymatically hydrolyzed by rat liver microsomes, but were hydrolyzed by rat plasma, mainly to methylthio-3,5-xylenol (MX) and 1-naphthol, respectively. When methiocarb was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, methiocarb sulfoxide was formed. The hydrolysis product, MX, was also oxidized to the sulfoxide, 3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylsulfinyl)phenol (SP), by rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH. These oxidase activities were catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and flavin-containing monooxygenase. Methiocarb and carbaryl both exhibited estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ agonistic activity. MX and 1-naphthol showed similar activities, but methiocarb sulfoxide and SP showed markedly decreased activities. On the other hand, methiocarb and carbaryl exhibited potent antiandrogenic activity in the concentration range of 1 × 10⁻⁶–3 × 10⁻⁵ M. Their hydrolysis products, MX, and 1-naphthol also showed high activity, equivalent to that of flutamide. However, methiocarb sulfoxide and SP showed relatively low activity. Thus, hydrolysis of methiocarb and carbaryl and oxidation of methiocarb to the sulfoxide markedly modified the estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities of methiocarb and carbaryl.     

强化DHA奶粉对大鼠生长发育的影响

喂给刚断乳的Wistar雄性大鼠含与不含DHA（二十二碳六烯酸，50mg／100g）的奶粉（占80％）组成的饲料共28天。检测了实验期大鼠净增重、食物利用率、净增重与饲料蛋白质比值，血红蛋白、红细胞、白细胞计数，血液中谷丙转氨酶（SGPT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性以及脏体比值。结果表明，强化DHA组的大鼠净增重在第20天时就显著高于未强化组[（111．8±16．9）g与（92．9±17．3）g]，食物利用率和净增重与饲料蛋白质比值也较高，两组间无显著差异。其它指标也无显著差异，但是，强化DHA组大鼠脑与体重比值较高。这些结果表明，强化DHA奶粉能促进大鼠的生长发育。     

色氨酸分解代谢途径阻断对深海链霉菌ZH66次级代谢及生长的影响

【目的】以深海链霉菌Streptomyces somaliensis SCSIO ZH66为研究对象,通过阻断其色氨酸分解代谢途径,探究代谢产物与生长的变化。【方法】通过Blastp分析寻找S. somaliensis SCSIO ZH66基因组上编码色氨酸双加氧酶基因tdo(ORF0630和ORF6017),在前期阻断ORF0630的基础上采用PCR-targeting的策略阻断ORF6017,通过HPLC检测发酵产物的变化,并观察用不同培养基培养时突变株与野生株生长的差别。【结果】与野生株相比,突变株ZH66Δtdo不产生antimycins,但无其他次级代谢产物的变化。与此同时,ZH66Δtdo在MS平板上开始产生气生菌丝与孢子的时间均提前了12 h,在ISP-2液体培养基中生长对数期开始时间同样提前12 h。【结论】链霉菌S. somaliensis SCSIO ZH66中色氨酸分解代谢途径的阻断未促进其他可能以色氨酸为前体次级代谢产物的合成,而是促进了菌株的生长,为其他链霉菌中色氨酸分解代谢调控提供了借鉴。