Effect of Cd or Pb Addition to Cu-Contaminated Soil on Tissue Cu Accumulation in the Earthworm,Dendrobaena veneta

Generally, soil heavy metal contamination consists of a mixture of heavy metals. Soil chemical properties and interaction with other pollutants in soil affect the external heavy metal bioavailability. Moreover, interaction with other pollutants accumulated in organisms may change the toxicity of each pollutant. Therefore, the hypotheses was tested that addition of Cd or Pb to Cu-contaminated soil would lead to an increase in tissue Cu accumulation in the earthworm,Dendrobaena veneta,caused by (i) induction of metallothionein by Cd, or (ii) an increase in Cu concentration in soil solution due to the exchange of adsorbed Cu for Pb. Tissue heavy metal concentrations were determined after exposure in contaminated soils for 3 or 21 days. Considerable amounts of Cu, Cd, and Pb were accumulated, indicating that these heavy metals were available for uptake byD. veneta.Both Cd and Pb, however, did not significantly affect tissue Cu accumulation.     

Pollution and Risk of PAHs in Surface Sediments from the Tributaries and Their Relation to Anthropogenic Activities,in the Main Urban Districts of Chongqing City,Southwest China

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - Concentrations, sources and risk of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in surface sediments from 19...     

青岛市区槐花中砷铬铅含量与土壤的关系

目的：研究槐花中砷、铬、铅的含量与土壤的关系。方法：于2001年5月对青岛市区不同地点生长的槐花及其土壤进行采集分析，结果；土壤质量均保持一级水平，无一超标，参照我国食品卫生限量标准来评价，槐花中砷的含量均没有超标，铬的含量只在工业区采样点超标，而铅的含量所有采样点均超标。结论：槐花中铬和铅的含量与其生长土壤和其它环境因素有关。     

Longitudinal Studies of Dependence in Daily Life Activities among the Elderly: Methodological Development,Use of Assistive Devices and Relation to Impairments and Functional Limitations

Ability in activities of daily living (ADL), use of assistive devices, and relation to functional limitations and impairments were studied among persons between 70 and 76 years of age within the Inter Vention study of the Elderly in Göteborg, (IVEG), Sweden.

I and II. An ADL index was developed including instrumental activities (I-ADLs) (cleaning, shopping, transportation and cooking), which were combined with Katz' Index of personal daily life activities (P-ADLs) (bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, transfer, continence and feeding). Independence of and dependence on assistance from another person was assessed and it was possible to classify performance according to an ordinal scale of ADL-steps. The reliability and validity of the scale were tested in an out-patient sample (n = 85) as well as in a population of 76-year-olds (n = 659) and were found to be sufficient (coefficients of reproducibility and scalability, internal consistency, inter-observer reliability, content, construct, and criterion validity). The “Staircase of ADL” can be used for observation and documentation of different levels of ability/disability for individuals, groups and for population studies.

III. Most persons (83%) were independent in all activities at age 70 (n = 617). Among survivors followed longitudinally, the incidence of disability was 8% between 70–73 and 26% between 73–76 years of age. Dependence at age 70 could predict mortality as well as institutionalization. No sex differences were found in the proportion with overall disability.

Assistance given by relatives dominated both at 70, 73 and 76 years of age.

IV. One fifth at age 70 and almost half of the population at age 76 used assistive devices (AD) in daily life activities, and their use was more frequent in women (52%) than men (37%) at age 76 (n = 595). During the studied age interval, 39% “new users” were found, while 22% were “temporary users”. The usage rate was high and the effectiveness of ADs increased the person's ability to master the situation, especially evident as increased safety and reduction of effort in activities of daily living, implying a reduced degree of handicap.

V. Physical impairments and functional limitations had a considerable impact on dependence in daily life activities as persons dependent in ADL had a lower maximal walking speed, grip strength, knee extensor strength, stair-climbing capacity and forward reach than those who were independent in ADL (n = 602). Walking speed in both women and men and sight impairment in men had the greatest influence on dependence in ADL. Women and men who stayed independent over the period (70–76) had a significantly higher maximal walking speed and knee extensor strength at the age of 70 than those who became dependent or were dependent on both occasions.