Comparison of T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin Distributed in the Skeletal System with That in Other Tissues of Rats by Acute Toxicity Test

Twelve healthy rats were divided into the T-2 toxin group receiving gavage of 1 mg/kg T-2 toxin and the control group receiving gavage of normal saline. Total relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone, knee joints, and costal cartilage） were significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys（P 〈 0.05）. The relative concentrations of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in the skeletal system（thighbone and costal cartilage） were also significantly higher than those in the heart, liver, and kidneys. The rats administered T-2 toxin showed rapid metabolism compared with that in rats administered HT-2 toxin, and the metabolic conversion rates in the different tissues were 68.20%-90.70%.

A novel respirometer for biological toxicity tests

A respirometer has been developed for microbial toxicity tests. The respirometer is based on luminescence quenching by molecular oxygen. The oxygen sensing film consists of luminescent ruthenium complex adsorbed on amorphous fumed silica and immobilized inside silicone rubber. The luminescence intensity depends on the oxygen concentration of sample in contact with sensing film. The inhibition effect of heavy metals on the respiration rate of microorganisms can be evaluated by monitoring the luminescence intensity of the sensing film. The toxicity of Cu^(2+), Zn^(2+), Ni^(2+), Cr^(3+), Pb^(2+)and Hg^( 2+) on activated sludge was tested using the respirometer. The results indicated that the proposed method was sensitive to the heavy metals tested in this experiment. It was feasible to use the respirometer for microbial toxicity tests.

Prospects for the continued development of environmentally-realistic toxicity test susing microorganisms

The focus of environmental regulations has changed significantly since the introduction of the bioassay as a standard means of assessing environmental impact. Prominent in this change is an increasing emphasis on protecting the integrity of natural ecosystems, which incorporate community- and system-level properties as well as organismal and population processes. Consequently, support for the use of multispecies testing has widened to include not only ecologists in academia but environmental scientists in the regulatory and industrial sector as well. The reason for this trend is clear: the additional environmental realism gained from tests utilizing communities of organisms allows for greater insight into the potential hazard of chemicals and other forms of human activity to natural ecosystems that cannot be obtained from single species tests alone. Many of the problems cited for multispecies testing early in their evolution as a hazard assessment tool have been refuted or overcome. In particular, the use of natural microbial communities minimizes several shortcomings typically associated with multispecies toxicity testing. This discussion includes the utility of microcosm and mesocosm tests using aquatic microbial communities as hazard assessment tools in conjunction with accumulating information on their performance in toxicity testing protocols. An increasing body of experimental evidence supports an expansion in the use of these tests for a variety of regulatory and research purposes. A shift in research focus is needed, however, to answer remaining questions and further refine standard protocols for these valuable ecotoxicological tools.

Toxicity Tests of Soil Contaminated by Recycling of Scrap Plastics

The present investigation studied the toxicity of soil contaminated by untreated discharge from a factory that recycles used plastics. The nearby agricultural areas and freshwater fish ponds were polluted with high concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Mn. Water extracts from the contaminated soil retarded root growth of Brassica chinensis (Chinese white cabbage) and Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) where their seeds were obtained commercially. The contaminated populations of C. dactylon, Panicum repen (panic grass), and Imperata cylindrica (wooly grass) were able to withstand higher concentrations of Cu. Ni, and Mn, especially C. dactylon, when compared with their uncontaminated counterparts. 1990 Academic Press, Inc.

Morphological Features of Agaricus bisporus and Indoor Toxicity Test of Chemicals

Through separating and purifying diseased mushrooms infected by Mycogone perniciosa in Gaochun Area, Nanjing City, morphological features of the bacteria were identified, and toxicity of the bacterial strains was tested. The results showed that five bactericides in the experiment had obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of M. perniciosa, especially 50% Prochloraz manganese chloride complex WP 5 g/L had the best efficiency.

Effects of bifenthrin on Daphnia magna during chronic toxicity test and the recovery test

The acute and chronic toxic effects of bifenthrin on Daphnia magna were studied. The results showed that 24 h-EC 50 , 48 h-LC 50 and 96 h-LC 50 of bifenthrin on D. magna were 3.24, 12.40 and 1.40 μg/L respectively. And the LOEC and NOEC of bifenthrin were 0.02 and 0.004 μg/L respectively. The recovery test of bifenthrin on Daphnia magna was presented. Daphnia magna(F 0 generation) were exposed during 21 d to different bifenthrin concentrations. Offspring(animals from the first and third brood: F 1(1st) and F 1(3rd), respectively) were transferred to a free pesticide medium during a 21 d recovery period. In this recovery study, survival, growth, reproduction(mean total young per female, onset of reproduction and number broods per female) and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were assessed as parameters. Reproduction such as number of young per female as well as length was still reduced in F 1(1st) generation daphnids from parentals(F 0) exposed to the bifenthrin. However F 1(3rd) individuals from parentals exposed to pesticide concentrations were able to restore reproduction when a recovery period of 21 d was allowed, but the length of F 1(3rd) from parentals exposed to the 0.5 and 0.75 μg/L bifenthrin concentration was still significantly effected(P<0.05).

Acute Toxicity of Jinchuan Formula Plum Wine Extract and Its Protective Effect on Mice with Liver Injury

[Objectives]To investigate the acute toxicity and hepatoprotective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract on mice,determine its safety range,and evaluate its hepatoprotective effect.[Methods]The median lethal dose(LD_(50))was determined by acute toxicity test with the toxic reaction and mortality of mice as indexes.Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group,model group(ConA-induced liver injury model),Jinchuan formula plum wine high,medium and low dose groups(1.0,0.5,0.25 g/kg)and silybin group(0.1 g/kg).The levels of ALT,AST,LDH in serum and TG,VLDL in liver were measured.After HE staining,the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice were observed,and the liver protective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract was analyzed and evaluated.[Results]LD_(50)was 11.18 g/kg,and the 95%confidence limit of LD_(50)was 10.31-12.05 g/kg.The high-dose group of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract could significantly reduce the serum ALT and AST activities of ConA-induced liver injury mice(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jinchuan formula plum wine extract is relatively safe,and also has a protective effect on liver injury.

Garlic Root Biomass as Novel Biosorbents for Malachite Green Removal： Parameter Optimization, Process Kinetics and Toxicity Test

The potential of the agricultural waste garlic root to remove malachite green（MG） from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption of this dye onto garlic root was confirmed by means of Fourier transform infrared analysis（FTIR） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The equilibrium data fitted well into the Langmuir model（R2〉0.99）, and the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order equation（R2〉0.99）. The maximum ad- sorption capacities of MG onto the adsorbent were 172.41 and 232.56 mg/g with the addition of 1 and 2 g/L garlic root, respectively. The optimal conditions for MG removal were established on the basis of orthogonal experiments（OAl6 matrix）. The concentrations of both MG and garlic root significantly affected the removal efficiency. The acute toxicity test indicated that the treated MG solutions were less toxic than the parent solutions. These results suggest that garlic root is a potential low-cost adsorbent for removing dye from industrial wastewater.

Evaluation of repeated exposure systemic toxicity test of PVC with new plasticizer on rats via dual parenteral routes

Systemic toxicity caused by repeated exposure to both polar and nonpolar leachables of di(2-ethylhexyl)-1,2-cyclohexane plasticized polyvinyl chloride(PVC)was evaluated with dual routes of parenteral administration method on rats in the study.Experimental group and control group were designed by researchers.Tail intravenous injection with 0.9%sodium chloride injection extracts and intraperitoneal injection with corn oil extracts were conducted to the experimental rats while tail intravenous injection with 0.9%sodium chloride Injection and intraperitoneal injection with corn oil were conducted to the control rats.After 14 days,blood specimens were collected for clinical pathology(hematology and clinical chemistry)analysis.Selected organs were weighed and a histopathological examination was conducted.As a result,compared with the control animals,there were no toxicity-related changes on the parameters above.The results show that the rats do not show obvious systemic toxicity reaction caused by repeated exposure with dual routes of parenteral administration method on rats after administration with both polar and nonpolar exacts of di(2-ethylhexyl)-1,2-cyclohexane plasticized PVC simultaneously up for 14 days.

Reply to 'Statistical testing and distribution for lead chloride toxicity'

We are very grateful for the letter written by Dr Lange,and indeed apologize for the mistakes noted in the word-ing of our text regarding statistical analysis.This wasdue to changes carried out while revising the manuscriptat the request of reviewers,whom we thank for,point-ing out several issues that were actually similar to thosenoted by Dr.Lange.Unfortunately,we were unable todescribe and discuss our findings properly in the context

Indoor Toxicity and Field Efficacy of Five Insecticides against Cerataphis lataniae Biosduval

[ Objective ] The paper aimed to screen out efficient and safe insecticides against Gerataphis lataniae Biosduval. [ Method ] Control effects of five insecticides against C. lataniae were studied through indoor bioassay and field trial. [ Result] Bioassay results showed that the indoor toxieities of 10% ct-cyper- methrin, 22% sulfoxaflor and 10% imidecloprid were higher, with LC50 of 15.28, 30.00 and 30.23 rag/L, respectively. In field trials, the control effects of 10% α-cypermethrin, 22% sulfoxaflor and 10% imidacloprid against C. lataniae were over 90% for all the concentrations at 10 d post adminstration. The control effect of 22% sulfoxaflor reached 100% for all the concentrations at 5 d post administration. [ Conclusion] 10% α-cypermethrin was a superior pesticide against C. /a- taniae, but 22% sulfoxaflor and 10% imidaclopfid were more efficient in emergency.

Acute Toxicity of Oxyclozanide Suspension in Mice by Oral Administration

The safety of oxyclozanidc suspension was preliminarily evaluated through acute toxicity test in mice. Administration dose, formal trial grouping and group interval were determined in pre-trial using incremental method. Formal test was performed using simplified karber＇s method. Changes in sign of mice after ad- ministration were observed; the mortality rate was statistically calculated, and the time of death was recorded; the median lethal dose （LD50） and 95% confidence limit of oxyclozanide suspension were calculated. The results showed the LD50 of oxyclozanide suspension in mice by oral administration was 1. 679 g/kg, and the 95% confidence interval was 1. 439 - 1. 947 g/kg. According to toxicity grading of chemicals, oxyclozanide suspension was low toxic substance.

Acute Oral Toxicity Studies of a Chinese Herbal Preparation Shenrong Bunao Capsule

[ Objectives] This study was conducted to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of Shenrong Bunao Capsule, and to provide a theoretical basis for drug devel- opmcn! and clinical trims. [ Methods] Kunming mice were randomly assigned into two groups： an experimental group and a control group. In experimental group, Shenrong Bunao Capsule solution at maximum concentration of 45% was administered orally by gavage once at a dose of 30 ml/kg body weight （ BW）, while an equal volume of saline solution was given in the control group. Then, the appearance, behavior, mental state, diet, feces, urine, coat, skin color, respiration, nose, eyes and oral secretions and other daily activities of the mice were observed for 14 d after drug administration. At the end of the experiment, the mice were dissected, and their main organs were examined histopathologically. [Results] The appearance, behavior, respiration, body posture, response to stimuli and weight gain of the mice in control group were all normal. All the mice given 13. 500 g/kg BW Shenrong Bunao Capsule were alive 14 d after drug administration, and their appearance, behavior, respiration, body posture, response to stimuli and weight gains did not show any abnormality. In addition, the body weights of male and female mice had no obvious difference between the experimental group and the control group at the binging, 7 and 14 d after drug administration （P 〈0.05）. [ Conclusions] A maximum dose 13. 500 g/kg BW Shenrong Bunao Capsule, which was equivalent to 141 times of the recommended dosage for adult men was given to the mice, and did not result in any apparent toxic effects, suggesting that the Chines herbal preparation Shenrong Bunao Capsule has very little acute toxicity, and the commonly recommended dosage in clinical trials is safe.

Degradation of differently processed Mg-based implants leads to distinct foreign body reactions(FBRs)through dissimilar signaling pathways

Mg alloys have mechanical properties compatible with human bones.However,their rapid degradation and associated foreign body reactions in vivo significantly limit their application for human implants.In this study,three differently processed Mg alloys,pure Mg(PM),cold extruded Mg alloy AZ31(CE AZ31),and fully annealed AZ31 Mg alloy(FA AZ31)were comparatively investigated for their potential as implants using a rat model.All three implanted Mg alloys do not show any impact on hepato-and renal function,nor any signs of observable changes to vital organs.Proteomics analysis of tissues directly contacting the implants 2.5 months post implantation revealed that FA AZ31 activates very few inflammation and immune associated signaling pathways;while the CE AZ31 and PM produce more significant inflammatory responses as confirmed by cytokine array analyses.Further,FA AZ31 activated pathways for cell organization and development that may improve the recovery of injured tissues.Structurally,EBSD analysis reveals that the FA AZ31 alloy has a higher ratio of first-order pyramidal orientated(10–11){10–1–2}grain texture with a value of 0.25,while PM and CE AZ31 alloys have lower ratios of first-order pyramidal orientated texture with the values of 0.16 and 0.17,respectively.This is associated with recovery and recrystallisation during annealing which promotes grain texture which exhibits enhanced degradation behaviours and induces a more limited immune response in vivo.In conclusion,the FA AZ31 demonstrated better biocompatibility and corrosion resistance and is a promising candidate for metal-based degradable implants which warrants further investigation.

Acute and sub-acute toxicities of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium affine aerial parts in rats

Objective:To assess the potential toxicity of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium affine(A.affine)aerial parts after acute and sub-acute administration in female and male Wistar rats.Methods:For acute toxicity assay,animals orally received the limit test dose of 2000 mg/kg of A.affine extract and were observed for 2 weeks.For sub-acute toxicity study,rats were orally treated with 125,250,and 500 mg/kg/day of the extract over 28 days,and hematological,biochemical,and histological evaluations were then conducted.Results:All rats were alive with normal body weight gain over 14 days,with LD50˃2000 mg/kg.No abnormality in body weight changes but significant increases in the relative weight of spleen and lung were detected after administration of the highest dose of extract for 28 days in sub-acute assay.Hematological analysis showed prominent elevations in total white blood cells in male rats and neutrophils count in female rats after exposure to 500 mg/kg of A.affine extract.In biochemical evaluations,significant increases in serum creatinine level(female rats,250 and 500 mg/kg)and in aspartate aminotransferase(male and female rate,500 mg/kg)and alanine aminotransferase(male,250 and 500 mg/kg and female,500 mg/kg)activities,however,notable decreases in serum blood glucose(male rats,125 and 500 mg/kg),triglycerides(male rats,500 mg/kg and female rates,250 mg/kg),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels(male,250 mg/kg)were found.Histological examinations presented slight portal inflammation in liver tissue,moderate pneumocyte hyperplasia,congestion and peri-bronchial inflammation in lung tissue,and mild histiocytosis and lymphoid follicular activation in spleen tissue after exposure to 500 mg/kg of A.affine extract in male and female animals.Conclusions:The present investigation reveals the safety of A.affine extract at doses of lower than 250 mg/kg in rats and monitoring of lung,spleen,and liver functions is suggested during excessive and prolonged uses.

Extraction optimization of insecticidal compounds from Lysurus mokusin by response surface methodology

We optimized the extraction process of Lysurus mokusin(L.)Fr.insecticidal compound(LMIC)using response surface methodology with ultrasonic extraction(UE).The surface morphologies of maceration extract(ME)and UE residues were compared by scanning electron microscopy,and then the activity of LMIC on Lymantria dispar(Asian gypsy moths)larvae was determined.Results showed that the optimal condition of UE was followed by 80 min of extraction time,60%of ethanol concentration and 80 mL g^-1 of liquid–solid ratio.The surface morphologies of UE residue were looser and rougher than ME residue.The corrected mortalities of LMIC on L.dispar larvae was 59.77%.This result indicated that L.mokusin was a good candidate as pesticide for pest management.

Toxic Effect of a Pesticide, Diflubenzuron on Freshwater Microinvertebrate (Tetrahymena pyriformis)

The impact of diflubenzuron (DFB) on Tetrahymena pyriformis, a ciliated protiste was studied. The treatment with DFB at concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/mL could appreciably reduce the growth of the protiste. The surveillance of protozoa′s respiratory metabolism with polarography technique showed a sensitive inhibition of its oxygen consumption, and at 20 μg/mL concentration the oxygen consumption was increased. For any malformation of morphology and perturbation in swimming trajectory, the neutral red coloration was done. This technique (neutral red) showed that there was a toxic effect of DFB on T. pyriformis, especially at the highest concentration; this toxicity was translated by rotatory swimming in same place and the increasing of coloration quantity in digestive vacuoles. Fig 5, Ref

Safe antifungal lipopeptides derived from Bacillus marinus B-9987 against grey mold caused by Botrytis cinerea

Agricultural application studies, including field experiments and acute toxicity tests, were conducted for lipopeptides secreted by marine-derived Bacillus marinus B-9987. Benefiting from commercially available scaled-up lipopeptide purification, the sample of impurities（isolated from target lipopeptides）, raw extracted sample（purity： 9.08%）, partially purified sample（purity： 20.86%）, and highly purified sample（purity： 87.51%） were prepared from B. marinus B-9987 fermentation broth, and used in lab-scale antagonism tests, field experiments, swarming motility tests, and acute toxicity tests. Operations and conditions in field experiments were consistent with the Pesticide-Guidelines for the Field Efficacy Trials（GB/T 17980.28-2000）, and acute toxicity tests were executed according to Toxicological Test Methods of Pesticides for Registration（GB 15670-1995）. In agar diffusion tests in vitro and pot tests in vivo, all lipopeptide samples with different purities significantly inhibited Botrytis cinerea; meanwhile the sample of impurities isolated from target lipopeptides were not effective against B. cinerea. Results of lab-scale tests showed that the target lipopeptides were effective substances against B. cinerea. Thus, partially purified and raw extracted samples were used in field experiments instead of the highly purified sample for cost saving. In the field experiments against rose grey mold, biological control efficacy of 500 mg L–1 lipopeptides reached 67.53%, slightly lower than 74.05% reached by the agrochemical pyrimethanil. However, pyrimethanil severely suppressed B. marinus B-9987, whereas the lipopeptides promoted swarming motility and biocontrol efficacy of Bacillus biomass. Lipopeptides at 87.51% purity were tested for systemic acute toxicity and confirmed as low-toxicity substances. In conclusion, low-toxicity lipopeptides were potential alternatives to agrochemicals, and they also performed good promotion when combined with homologous biological control microorganism. There were 2 breakthroughs in this research：（1） marine-derived bacterial lipopeptides inhibited grey mold caused by B. cinerea in field experiments; and（2） purified bacterial lipopeptides（sample purity： 〉87.51%） were determined to be low-toxicity substances by systemic acute toxicity tests, satisfying the strict requirement of pesticide registration in China（required purity： 〉85%）. This study provides support for using extracellularBacillus-derived lipopeptides commercially similar to Bacillus-based biological control agents.

Coping with the environmental effects of point-source discharges

Current methods for assessing the environmental impact of point source discharges in the United States are reviewed. The emphasis of many assessments of damage from pollution is shifting from chemical or technological standards to biological standards, i.e., the protection of biological integrity in the receiving system. The importance of integrating information from chemical measurements, toxicity tests, and field surveys in impact assessment is re-emphasized. Ways in which environmental professionals can improve methods for assessing damage from pollution and its control are discussed.