Histological Assessment and Transcriptome Analysis Provide Insights into the Toxic Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid to Juvenile Half Smooth Tongue Sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

Perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA)is a widespread synthetic persistent organic pollutant that may enrich along the food chain and affect the growth,development,reproduction,and lipid metabolism of aquatic organisms,particularly the benthic organisms.How-ever,the toxic effects of PFOA on the half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis,a commercial benthic fish in China,have rarely been reported.Because juvenile fish are sensitive to environmental pollutants,in the present study,histological assessment and tran-scriptome sequencing were performed to determine the short-term impact of PFOA on juvenile half-smooth tongue soles.Histologi-cal analysis showed that PFOA exposure caused hepatocyte rupture,intestinal villi breakage,increased goblet cell count,and brain ab-normal.Transcriptome results showed that some interesting signaling pathways,such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis,PPAR signaling pathway and GABAergic synapse signaling pathway,were enriched after PFOA exposure.In addition,some metabolic,immune and neural genes were differentially expressed,which including ependymin,hbb1-like and gad 1,and they were up-regulated after 14 days of exposure.Transcriptome results also indicated that half-smooth tongue sole might improve energy metabolism in response to PFOA toxicity after 7 days of exposure.These findings provide a basis for studying the ecological effects of PFOA on marine benthic fishes.

Toxic effects of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination on nifH gene in soil

Toxic effects of two agrochemicals on nifH gene in agricultural black soil were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） and sequencing approaches in a microcosm experiment. Changes of soil nifH gene diversity and composition were examined following the application of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination. Acetochlor reduced the nifH gene diversity （both in gene richness and diversity index values） and caused changes in the nifH gene composition. The effects of acetochlor on nifH gene were strengthened as the concentration of acetochlor increased. Cluster analysis of DGGE banding patterns showed that nifH gene composition which had been affected by low concentration of acetochlor （50 mg/kg） recovered firstly. Methamidophos reduced nifH gene richness that except at 4 weeks. The medium concentration of methamidophos （150 mg/kg） caused the most apparent changes in nifH gene diversity at the first week while the high concentration of methamidophos （250 mg/kg） produced prominent effects on nifH gene diversity in the following weeks. Cluster analysis showed that minimal changes of nifH gene composition were found at 1 week and maximal changes at 4 weeks. Toxic effects of acetochlor and methamidophos combination on nifH gene were also apparent. Different nifH genes （bands） responded differently to the impact of agrochemicals： four individual bands were eliminated by the application of the agrochemicals, five bands became predominant by the stimulation of the agrochemicals, and four bands showed strong resistance to the influence of the agrochemicals. Fifteen prominent bands were partially sequenced, yielding 15 different nifH sequences, which were used for phylogenetic reconstructions. All sequences were affiliated with the alpha- and beta-proteobacteria, showing higher similarity to eight different diazotrophic genera.

ZnO,TiO_2,SiO_2,and Al_2O_3 Nanoparticles-induced Toxic Effects on Human Fetal Lung Fibroblasts

Objective This study aims to investigate and compare the toxic effects of four types of metal oxide （ZnO, TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3） nanoparticles with similar primary size （-20 nm） on human fetal lung fibroblasts （HFL1） in vitro.Methods The HFL1 cells were exposed to the nanoparticles, and toxic effects were analyzed by using MTT assay, cellular morphology observation and Hoechst 33 258 staining.Results The results show that the four types of metal oxide nanoparticles lead to cellular mitochondrial dysfunction, morphological modifications and apoptosis at the concentration range of 0.25-1.50 mg/mL and the toxic effects are obviously displayed in dose-dependent manner. ZnO is the most toxic nanomaterials followed by TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3 nanoparticles in a descending order.Conclusion The results highlight the differential cytotoxicity associated with exposure to ZnO, TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3 nanoparticles, and suggest an extreme attention to safety utilization of these nanomaterials.

Toxic Effects of Tetrabromobisphenol A on Thyroid Hormones in SD Rats and the Derived-reference Dose

The present study determined the thyroid hormone interference of tetrabromobisphenol A （TBBPA） in Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats, and the derived-reference dose （RfD） of different endpoint effects on mammals based on experimental results and data collection. Based on repeated exposure toxicity tests on mammals and extensive research, the present study used BMDS240 Software to derive a benchmark dose, and analyzed the accuracy and uncertainty, and similarity with other studies. Test results on triiodothyronine （T3）, thyroxine （T4）, and thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH） demonstrated that all the indicators presented a non-monotonous dose-effect relationship clearly, except TSH in male rats exposed to 0-1000 mg/kg BW per day. Therefore, RfDs were derived from different critical effects. In summary, RfD for mammals in the present study was found to be 0.6 mg/kg per day.

Influences of Chloropazine, Nimodipine and Their Combination on the Toxic Effects of Cadmium in Liver and Kidney of Mice

The influences of the calmodulin antagonist chlorpromazine (CPZ), and calcium channel blocker nimodipine (NIMO) and their combination on cadmium (Cd) poisoning of mice were studied. A seties of biochemical parameters including urinary enzyme activities, blood and urine Cd levels, metallothionein (MT) contents in liver and kidney, hepatic ultrastructure and Ca2+ -Mg2+ AT-Pase activity in erythrocyte membrane were determined. Animal models for Cd poisoning were established by peritoneal injection of 1/5 LD50 CdCl2. The experimental groups were protected by administration of CPZ, NIMO and CPZ and NIMO in combination l h before the injection of CdCl2. Five days later, samples were collected for analysis. The data showed that Crs could protect kidney tissue against Cd-induced damage, as the urinary γ-glutamyl traspepti dase (γ- GT ) and N- acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities were reduced significantly. There was neither evidence of the protective effect of NIMO on kidney tissue nor an indication of a synergistic effecf of Crs and NIMO.Both CPZ and NIMO showed a considerable protective effect against the deerease in Ca2+ -Mg2+ AT-Pase activity, and a synergistic action was observed. Cd content in blood was reduced significanily by CPZ or the combination of CPZ and NIMO, but elevated by NIMO. Both CPZ and NIMO consideraby increased MT contents in livers and kidneys and ameliorated damaged to the hepatic ultrastructures caused by Cd. The results indicated that these inhibitors could protect mice against the toxic effects of Cd in liver and kidney tissues, while CPZ was more efficient than NIMO. The combination of CPZ and NIMO exerted a synergistic action. The protective action of these two drugs might be relevent to the function of MT.

Experimental Podophyllotoxin (Bajiaolian) Poisoning:Ⅲ. Biochemical Bases for Toxic Effects

The biochemical mechanism underlying the toxicity of podophyllotoxin is investigated.Previous studies from our laboratories suggested that hepatocytes were extremely sensitive to the toxicity of podophyllotoxin and a disruption of protein synthesis was suspected.Dose-response and time-course studies on the effects of podophyllotoxin on protein, RNA,and DNA syniheses on hepatocellular cultures were made. Inhibitions of protein, RNA,and DNA syntheses were demonstrated, and a direct correlated dose-response relationshipon such effects was also evident. Inhibition of protein synthesis appeared to be a direet toxic effect of podophyllotoxin and occurred independently from that of RNA. The reduction of DNA synthesis was reflected by a reduction of H3-thymidine incorporation,which is believed to be the consequence of inhibition on the mitotic activity by podophyllotoxin

Intratracheally Administered Liposomal α-Tocopherol Protects the Lung against Long-Term Toxic Effects of Paraquat

Paraquat is a broad-spectrum herbicide known to produce lung injury via oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. Different pharmacological strategies have been explored to reduce the formation of these reactive oxygen species and/or prevent their toxic effects in the treatment of paraquat poisoning. The present study was carried out to investigate whether the antioxidant (L-tocopherol, incorporated into liposomes and delivered directly to the lungs of rats, could protect the organ against the long-term toxic effects of paraquat.Plain liposomes (composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC) or α-tocopherol liposomes (8 mg α-tocopherol/kg body weight) were administered intratracheally to animals 24 h prior to an intraperitoneal injection of paraquat dichloride (20 mg/kg) and rats wefe killed 0, 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 19 or 24 days after paraquat treatment. Results of this study showed that lungs of animals treated with paraquat were extensively damaged,as evidenced by significant increases in lung weight and decreases in lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and alkaline phosphatase enzyme (AKP) activities. Moreover,paraquat treatme; resulted in a significant reduction in the number of neutrophils in the blood of rats with a concurrent increase in the pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity,suggestive of neutrophil infiltration in the lungs of treated animals. Pretreatment of rats with liposomes alone did not significantly alter the paraquat-induced changes of all parameters examined. On the other hand, pretreatment of rats with (t-tocopherol liposomes,24 h prior to paraquat challenge, attenuated paraquat-induced changes in ACE, AKP and myeloperoxidase activities but failed to prevent increases in lung weight. Thus, pretreatment of rats with liposome-associated α-tocopherol appears to protect the lung against some of the toxic effects of paraquat

Toxic Effects of Pirimiphos-methyl Residues on Rats

This study analyzes the level of total and bound pirimiphos-methyl residues in treated wheat grain and its toxic effects on rats.Wheat grain was treated with[(14)~C]pirimiphos-methyl of 16.36 mCi/mmol specific activity to determine the bioavailability of bound residues in rats.At the same time,grain was treated with nonlabeled pirimiphos-methyl as required to determine any possible toxic effects of bound residues in a subacute feeding study in rats.Two dose levels were used:10 and 100 ppm(the former being the recommended dose level in practical treatment). Estimation of the type of residues was performed at intervals of 0,30,90,120,150,and 180 days.During and after the animal feeding study,changes in body weight gain,organ weight, cholinesterase activity,serum enzyme activity,and hematology were investigated.There is an indication that bound residues of the pesticide pirimiphos-methyl provoke toxic effects to some extent.1989 Academic Press.Inc.

Toxic Effects of Bound Malathion Residues in Rats

The level of bound malathion residues in treated wheat grain and its toxic effects on rats were investigated. Wheat grain was treated with [14C] malathion (specific activity: 2.76 MBq/mg) to determine the bioavailability of bound residues in rats. At the same time, grain was treated with nonlabeled malathion to test for possible toxic effects of bound residues in a subchronic (90 days) feeding study in rats at two dose levels. 10 and 100 ppm.It was observed that the level of malathion-bound residues amounted to 11.28% of the applied dose (for six months). Also, it was noted that the main route of [14C]-malathion excretion was through the urine. This signifies that grain-bound malathion was bioavailable. In subchronic test on rats bound malathion residues (both dose levels) induced effects to some extent in organ weight (spleen and adrenals), and blood ChE activity. In both, males and females, there was an increase in SGPT activity (lower dose), and in alkaline phosphatase in females (higher dose). Hematological data showed changes only in hemoglobin concentration in males (both dose levels).

Toxic Effects of an Anionic Detergent on the Lipid Constituents of Various Cell Types of the Gill Epithelium of Rita rita:A Histochemical Investigation

Rita rita exposed to a concentration of 6.9 mg per liter(96-h LC_(50)of an anionic detergent, dodecylbenzene sodium sulfonate)exhibited a gradual decrease in the lipid moieties of the epi- thelial cells,club cells,and goblet mucous cells lining the gill arch and gill filament epithelium. However,in time,no reaction of any of the lipid moieties could be observed,indicating the absence of the same,using various histochemical techniques.The results are discussed in light of the mechanistic understanding of detergent action.1989 Academic Press,Inc.

Acute Toxic Effects of Mercuric Chloride on the Mucocytes of the Epithelial Lining of the Accessory Respiratory Organ and Skin of the Air Breathing Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis（Bloch）^1

Acute toxicity of 0.3 ppm mercuric chloride on the mucocytes of the branchial diverticulum and skin of Heteropneustes fossilis results in cyclic increases followed by decreases in the density, area occupancy and volume at different intervals of exposure. The alterations in the two tissues do not follow the same path perhaps due to different modes of action of the mercury salt: The skin comes under direct contact effects, while the branchial diverticulum may be affected by hormonal imbalance caused by a stress effect.

Toxic Effects of Lanthanum, Cerium, Chromium and Zinc on Potamogeton Malaianus

The toxic effects of rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium and heavy metal elements such as chromium, zinc on Potamogeton malaianus Miq. were studied. The results show that the contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein increase to a certain degree and then decrease under La3+ Ce3+ Zn2+ stress, while there is a constantly dropping tendency under Cr6+ stress. The four ions have different effects on protective enzyme systems of Potamogeton malaianus. They can induce rises of the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxides (POD) at lower concentration, however, with the increase of ions concentration, the activities decline. The change of SOD activity is exactly opposite to that of CAT and POD activity. It falls at first and rises later. An increasing tendency of MDA content appears with the increasing concentration. The toxicities of La3+, Zn2+, Ce3+ and Cr6+ become more serious in the order. The lethal concentration of Cr6+ to Potamogeton malaianus ranges from 0.5 to I mg(-1) that of Ce3+ and Zn2+ ranges from 3 to 5 mg(-1) and that of La3+ ranges from 7 to 10 mg(.)L(-1). The toxic mechanism of La3 + and Ce3+ is similar to that of Cr6+ and Zn2+.

Monitoring bioaccumulation and toxic effects of hexachlorobenzene using the polyurethane foam unit method in the microbial communities of the Fuhe River,Wuhan

Hexachlorobenzene （HCB） is a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon that was widely used for seed dressing in prevention of fungal growth on crops, and also as a component of fireworks, ammunition, and synthetic rubbers. Because of its resistance to degradation and mobility, HCB is widely distributed throughout the environment and is accumulated through food chains in different ecosystems. In this study, a preliminary investigation was carried out on the bioaccumulation and the toxic effects of HCB in the microbial （protozoan in particular） communities in the Fuhe River, Wuhan, a water body receiving industrial wastewaters containing HCB and other pollutants, using the standardized polyurethane foam units （PFU） method. Field samples were taken from eight stations established along the Fuhe River in January and August 2006. The concentration ratios of HCB in microbial communities and in water were 9.66-18.64, and the microbial communities accumulated 13.29-56.88 μg/L of HCB in January and 0.82-10.25 μg/L HCB in August. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the HCB contents in the microbial assemblage, and the number of species and the diversity index of the protozoan communities. This study demonstrated the applicability of the PFU method in monitoring the effects of HCB on the level of microbial communities.

Toxic Effects of Phthalates on Ocean Algae

This article discusses the interaction of phthalates and ocean algae based on the standard appraisal method of chemical medicine for algae toxicity. Through the experiments on the toxic effects of dimethyl (o-) phthalate (DMP), diethyl (o-) phthalate (DEP), dibutyl (o-) phthalate (DBP) on ocean algae, the 50 % lethal concentration of the three substances in 48 h and 96 h for plaeodectylum tricornutum, platymonas sp, isochrysis galbana, and skeletonema costatum is obtained. Tolerance limits of the above ocean algae of DMP, DEP, and DBP are discussed.

Toxic Effects of Four Commonly-used Agrochemicals on Arma chinensis and Picromerus lewisi

This study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of four different agrochemicals on Arma chinensis and Picromerus lewisi . Cypermethrin·phoxim, imidacloprid and fenvalerate had higher toxic effects on A. chinensis and P. lewisi . After the application of the agrochemicals, the released stink bugs could not well survive and propagate. Though the herbicide （glyphosate ammonium） had no direct toxic effects on A. chinensis and P. lewisi , their survival and propagation were affected after the application of the herbicide into natural environment. Therefore, to ensure better survival and propagation of the two kinds of stink bugs in natural environment, local agrochemical management should be strengthened, and the concept of green environmental protection should be constructed and popularized.

Toxic effects of enrofloxacin on Scenedesmus obliquus

In this article, the toxic effects of Enrofloxacin （ENFX） on Scenedesmus obliquus were studied, through investigating the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and protein contents. The possible toxic mechanisms of ENFX were analyzed by determining the superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, malondialdehyde （MDA） content, proline content, and superoxide anion （O2） generation rate. Results showed that the growth of algae was inhibited by ENFX and the 50% effective concentration （EC50） values for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of ENFX were 88.39, 63.86, 45.10, and 59.16 mg .L^-1, respectively. After treated with ENFX for 96h, the contents of photosynthetic pigments decreased with the increase of ENFX concentration, the content of soluble protein and the activity of SOD increased and then decreased, and the generation rate of superoxide anion （O2^-） increased continually. The contents of MDA and proline changed little in lower ENFX concentration groups, but increased rapidly when treated with higher concentration groups. These results suggested that ENFX affected the growth ofS. obliquus, and the main toxicity mechanism was that algal cells generated the reactive oxygen species under ENFX stress, and then the reactive oxygen species （ROS） induced the oxidation damages of biologic macromolecules and changed the biomembrane permeability further.

Global occurrence,bioaccumulation factors and toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls in tuna:A review

Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)tend to accumulate in adipose tissue and induce toxicity due to their high lipophilicity and persistence.Tuna play an important role in the ocean food web and human diet.PCBs can damage the growth of tuna directly and have some adverse effects on human indirectly.This review aims to provide geographic variations,bioaccumulation factors and the toxic effects of PCBs in tuna.PCB levels found were varied significantly among the different regions and it showed a trend of offshore greater than pelagic,with the northern hemisphere higher than the southern hemisphere.The highest PCB concentration of tuna was in FAO area 37.Nearly all of the specimens presented similar domain configuration,while their concentrations varied significantly.PCB congeners and concentrations in tuna were affected by a vast of factors,such as geographical distribution,tissue types,trophic level and growth stage,gender,tuna species and physical and chemical properties of PCBs.They can damage reproductive,neurologic and development systems.This review gives a systematic insight into PCBs in tuna and highlights the more attention should be paid to the long-term changes of PCBs in tuna and oceans.There is also a need to strengthen the assessment of PCB impacts on tuna ecology.

The toxic effects of three active pharmaceutical ingredients(APIs)with different efficacy to Vibrio fischeri

The environmental residues of active pharmaceutical ingredients(APIs)are associated with environmental risks and health problems,the influence to environment have become a matter of public concern.In this paper,the individual and joint toxicities to vibrio fischeri of three APIs,including ibuprofen,azithromycin,and triclosan were investigated.The EC50 endpoint values of the above tested APIs were 36.5×10^-5 mol L^-1,30.26×10^-5 mol L^-1,and 0.0155×10^-5 mol L^-1 respectively.It was indicated that the endpoint toxicities to vibrio fischeri for different mixtures are higher than those of the individual toxins.The joint toxicities of the multiple systems of three pharmaceuticals were evaluated by the additive index,toxicity unit,and mixed toxicity index methods.The consistent evaluation results were obtained.It was observed that antagonistic effects in binary and ternary systems were appeared different antagonistic strengths.It was deduced that different functional groups of the studied pharmaceuticals could affect the physiological and biochemical reaction processes of organisms.The obtained data of the acute toxicities of pharmaceuticals to vibrio fischeri can facilitate the evaluation of the environmental risks associated with emerging pollutants.

Toxic effects of nano-TiO_(2)in bivalves——A synthesis of meta-analysis and bibliometric analysis

Since the beginning of the 21 st century,the increasing production and application of nano-TiO_(2)in consumer products have inevitably led to its release into aquatic systems and therefore caused the exposure of aquatic organisms,resulting in growing environmental concerns.However,the safety of nano-TiO_(2)in aquatic environments has not been systematically assessed,especially in coastal and estuary waters where a large number of filterfeeding animals live.Bivalves are considered around the world to be a unique target group for nanoparticle toxicity,and numerous studies have been conducted to test the toxic effects of nano-TiO_(2)on bivalves.The aim of this review was to systematically summarize and analyze published data concerning the toxicological effects of nano-TiO_(2)in bivalves.In particular,the toxicity of nano-TiO_(2)to the antioxidant system and cell physiology was subjected to meta-analysis to reveal the mechanism of the toxicological effects of nano-TiO_(2)and the factors affecting its toxicological effects.To reveal the cooperation,hot keywords and cocitations in this field,bibliometric analysis was conducted,and the results showed that the toxicological molecular mechanisms of nano-TiO_(2)and the combined effects of nano-TiO_(2)and other environmental factors are two major hot spots.Finally,some perspectives and insights were provided in this review for future research on nano-TiO_(2)toxicology in bivalves.

Exposure Level, Toxicity Effects and Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants in Water Environment

Organophosphorus flame retardants(OPFRs) are gradually replacing brominated flame retardants(BFRs), which are widely used in the world. The increasing output of OPFRs and the increasing detection of OPFRs in environmental media have attracted wide attention of scholars at home and abroad. OPFRs are generally semi-volatile, easy to enter the environment and accumulate in organisms,causing potential hazards to the environment and human health. In this paper, the pollution status and toxic effects of OPFRs in aquatic environment were introduced,and the research progress of human health risk caused by them was summarized.The existing problems were pointed out, and the future research was prospected. In the future, the analytical methods of various environmental and biological media should be improved, and comprehensive and in-depth environmental investigation and ecological and health risk assessment should be carried out. Attention should be paid to the effects of combined pollution on organisms and the study of biological acceptability.