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).

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%.

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.

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.

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

Toxicity and Field Efficacy Test of Several Insecticides against Carsidara marginalis Walker

[Objective]The paper was to study the prevention and control effect of different chemical insecticides on Carsidara marginalis Walker.[Method]The indoor toxicity and field efficacy of six insecticides against C.marginalis were determined by residual film method and field efficacy test.The toxicity and field efficacy were comparatively analyzed.[Result]The LC50 of 5%abamectin EC,24%spirotetramat EC,10%lambdacyhalothrin EC,10%nitenpyram SL,25%pymetrozine WP and 20%imidacloprid EC against C.marginalis were 3.585,12.083,15.012,18.754,23.373 and 61.161 mg/L,respectively.The field efficacies against C.marginalis at 1 d post administration were 78.04%,80.05%,69.92%,82.27%,71.72%and 76.72%,respectively.The field efficacies against C.marginalis at 10 d post administration were 92.49%,82.41%,83.80%,88.24%,94.10%and 97.01%,respectively.[Conclusion]The agents with strong quick effect and insecticides with strong systematic conductivity should be mixed together,in order to achieve quick and continuous insecticidal effects.

Sensitivity of Different Cytotoxic Responses of Vero Cells Exposed to Organic Chemical Pollutants and their Reliability in the Bio-toxicity Test of Trace Chemical Pollutants

Objective To find a sensitive cytotoxic response to reflect the bio-toxicity of trace organic pollutants, the sensitivity and reliability of morphological change and proliferation inhibition of Vero cells exposed to 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol （TCP） and the leachate from products related to drinking water （PRDW） were compared, and the mechanism of the morphological change in Vero cells exposed to chemical pollutants was studied. Methods Vero cells were treated by different concentration of TCP and the leachate from PRDW. Methylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay was carried out for proliferation inhibition. Bioluminescence method was carried out as another method to test the toxicity of TCP. Flow Cytometry assay was used to test cell Apoptosis and damage of cell-membrane. Results 0.25 mg/L TCP had an effect on cell morphology, and the proportion of morphologically changed cells increased with increasing TCP concentration. At low TCP concentrations, inhibition of cell proliferation did not seem to correlate to TCP concentration, and was negative when TCP concentration was 〈1.0 mg/L. After exposure to leachate from PRDW extracted at different temperatures, the percentage of morphologically changed cells increased with extracting temperature, but the inhibition of cell proliferation failed to reflect the correlation between extracting temperature and proliferation inhibition of Vero cells. Although the Sensitivity of bioluminescence method seems to be similar to morphological change in Veto cells, the bacterial in this method is not homologous enough with human body cells to reflect the toxicity to human body. These imply cell morphological change is a more sensitive and reliable method to reflect bio-toxicity of organic pollutants than proliferation inhibition. Flow cytometry analysis and cell rejuvenation experiments indicated cell membrane damage, which results in cell morphological change, was an early and sensitive cytotoxic response comparing with necrosis. Conelusion These results indicated that the cell membrane toxicity represented by morphological changes is a more sensitive and reliable method to indicate the composite bio-toxicity of trace chemicals than proliferation inhibition, inhibition on bioluminescence and necrosis. Nevertheless, the quantification of morphological change should be studied further.

Acute Toxicity Test of Chinese Herbal Compound Tongmai Tangyanming Capsule

[Objective] This study was conducted to determine the safe dose of Tongmai Tangyanming capsule in clinic by evaluating its acute toxicity, so as to ensure clinical medication safety. [Method] The test was designed according to ＂Technique Requirements of Research of New Chinese Medicine＂ and ＂Guide for Research of New Chinese Medicine＂, mice were intragastrically administrated with Tongmai Tangyanming capsule at a maximum concentration and a maximum volume, and the acute toxic response of mice was observed, so as to determine medi- na lethal dose （LDso） and maximum administration dosage of Tongmai Tangyanming capsule. [Result] The LD^o could not be detected in the test, and the maximum administration dosage of mouse was calculated to be 112.104 g of dried herbs/（kg.d）, equivalent to 260 times of clinical dose of adult. [Conclusion] Chinese herbal compound Tongmai Tangyanming capsule has low acute toxicity, and its clinical dose is safe and reliable.

Screening of Field Efficacy of Special Pesticides for Mulberry and Residual Toxicity of Silkworm

[Objective] The paper was to screen the pesticides with good control effects against pests in mulberry and small impact on silkworm. [Method] The combined method of indoor toxicity test, field efficacy test, fast testing of pesticide residues and residual toxicity determination were adopted to carry out test. [ Re- suit] Indoor toxicity results showed that LC50 of mulberry No. 1 against Hyalopterus amygdale was （316.1±57.3） mg/kg, and the control effect of mulberry No. 1 at 14 d reached 62.58% ; fast testing of pesticide residues at 7 d showed that the mulberry leaves were safe to silkworms, which reached the standard of leaves for silkworm. [ Conclusion] Mulberry No. 1 was recommended to be the Special pesticide to apply in mulberry field.

Preparation and toxicity evaluation of a novel nattokinase-tauroursodeoxycholate complex

Nattokinase(NK), which has been identified as a potent fibrinolytic protease, has remarkable potential in treatment of thrombolysis, and even has the ability to ameliorate chronic vein thrombosis. To reduce the hemorrhagic risk from an intravenous injection of NK,nattokinase-tauroursodeoxycholate(NK-TUDCA) complex was prepared at different pH values and with different ratios of NK and TUDCA. When assessing survival time, survival state,tail injury, and the body weight of mice, it was found that the NK-TUDCA complex(NK: 10 k IU/ml; TUDCA: 10 mg/ml; pH 5.0) had a lower toxicity when administered at an NK dosage of 130 kIU/kg in the acute toxicity test and 13 kIU/kg in the repeated low-dose challenge. From the results of the in vitro thrombolytic test and characterization of NKTUDCA, we speculated that the delayed release of NK-TUDCA might be the main cause of toxicity reduction by the complex. This study described the preparation of an NK complex with low toxicity following intravenous administration, which could be utilized for further clinical study of NK.

A review on the pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Datura stramonium L.

Datura stramonium L., a wild-growing plant of the Solanaceae family, is widely distributed and easily accessible. It contains a variety of toxic tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscamine, and scopolamine. In Eastern medicine, especially in Ayurvedic medicine, D. stramonium has been used for curing various human ailments, including ulcers, wounds, inflammation, rheumatism and gout, sciatica, bruises and swellings, fever, asthma and bronchitis, and toothache. A few previous studies have reported on the pharmacological effects of D. stramonium; however, complete information regarding the pharmacology, toxicity, ethnobotany and phytochemistry remains unclear. Ethnomedicinally, the frequent recreational abuse of D. stramonium has resulted in toxic syndromes. D. stramonium, in the form of paste or solution to relieve the local pain, may not have a deleterious effect; however, oral and systemic administration may lead to severe anticholinergic symptoms. For this reason, it is very important for individuals, mainly young people, to be aware of the toxic nature and potential risks associated with the use of this plant. This comprehensive review of D. stramonium includes information on botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and ethnomedicinal uses.

Acute and subchronic toxicity as well as evaluation of safety pharmacology of modified pulsatilla granules

The present study investigated acute and subchronic toxicity and safety pharmacology of modified pulsatilla granules（MPG）to provide a basis for a comprehensive understanding of MPG toxicity.The results of acute toxicity testing showed that the median lethal dose of MPG was more than 5 000 mg kg^-1,suggesting that MPG was considered as practically non-toxic.The subchronic toxicity study for 30 days was conducted by daily oral administration at doses of 375,750 and 1 500 mg kg^-1 in Sprague-Dawley rats.The results of subchronic toxicity study showed that the body weight and relative organ weight were not significantly changed by administration of MPG.The clinical chemistry study showed that MPG could induce kidney and liver damages.In histopathological,mild lesions in liver and kidney were also observed,suggesting that the liver and kidney might be potential target organs of MPG.In the safety pharmacology study,MPG did not exhibited any side effects to rats in cardiovascular system,respiratory system and central nervous system.These results suggested that MPG could be considered safe for veterinary use.

Formula and Pharmacological Identification of Diarrhea Arresting and Dysentery Treating Dietary Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for Livestock

This study was aimed to develop the Chinese herbal formula with dysentery arresting and antidiarrheal effect. [Method] The Chinese herbal for-mulation was used to carry out the clinical curative effect test and pharmacological test for il livestock. [Results] Curative effect test showed that the formula had good effect on abdominal pain, diarrhea and fecal changes of livestock, and the cure rate reached up to 92%. Pharmacological experiments showed that the formula had sig-nificant inhibitory effect on the gastrointestinal motility of the tested animals, and the diarrhea arresting and dysentery treating effect of the formula was also extremely significant. In addition, the formula was safe for tested animals, proving to be reli-able. [Conclusion] The formula has distinct curative effect on treating white scour of piglets, yel ow scour of piglets, livestock gastroenteritis and lienteric diarrhea, and it can also be used in veterinary clinic, as wel as be used as feed additive.

Human Embryo Neuronal Culture <i>in Vitro</i>: A Model to Study Cellular Physiology, Receptors, Power and Toxicity of Cytostatic Drugs for Human Use

Neural cells cultures from human embryo brain of 9° - 11°W gestational age have been used to study ERα (Estrogens Receptor α) and to perform toxicity test for Mitomycin C and Methotrexate. Histochemical confirmation of cellular neuronal phenotype was based on histochemical evidence of NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase).The detection of ERα in neuronal cells was performed with a rabbit Monoclonal Antibody. ERα was absent both on neurons grown in vitro and on tissue brain specimens. This finding is apparently in contrast with the positive immunoreactivity of ERα and ERβ reported by other Authors on foetal and adult CNS (Central Nervous System). The absence of nuclear ERα on neurons in culture and in brain tissue specimens in our experiment is not in contrast with the relevant physiologic role of estrogens on nervous central system, but it could be correlated to the embryonic period of life and could represent a protection of male brain from an undue estrogens imprinting. The mitomycin C, alkylation agent, has shown in our experiment a major neurotoxic and cytostatic power in comparison with methotrexate. Our conclusion is that human embryo neuronal culture in vitro is a powerful instrument for physiology and human therapy for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

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.

Tenofovir Renal Toxicity: Evaluation of Cohorts and Clinical Studies—Part 2

Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor used as part of antiretroviral regimens. It is well tolerated with relative toxicological effects but recent reports have linked it with renal toxicity which is of clinical concern. This study reviews literary work on tenofovir renal toxicity with more light on case reports. Tenofovir renal toxicity manifests as Fanconi’s syndrome, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and acute renal failure. Fanconi’s syndrome is characterised by acidosis, protenuria, albuminuria, aminoaciduria, hyperchloremic, metabolic acidosis, hypouricemia, hypophosphatemia and glycosuria. The presence of urine osmolality, polydipsia and polyuria could give credence totenofovir induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In some cases of tenofovir renal toxicity, renal biopsy revealed sclerosed glomeruli with ischemic injury including portal collapse of capillary loops. Histopathological changes in glumeruli include mild mesangial proliferation, increased mesangial matrix and thickened capillary loops. Moderate degenerative tubular changes, loss of tubular mass, interstitial scarring and scattered cellular infiltrates. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions may occur with the co administration of tenofovir with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aminoglycosides and some protease inhibitors which may potentiate renal toxicity. Tenofovir renal toxicity is associated with some risk factors including genetic polymorphism as supported by dichotomy in renal toxicity among different race and the association between ABCC2 gene and tenofovir kidney tubular dysfunction. The pharmacology of tenofovir renal toxicity is unclear but it is attributed to the interaction between tenofovir and theorganic anion transporters (hOAT1, and to a lesser extent, OAT3) favoring intracellular accumulation in renal proximal tubule cells. This may lead to ultrastructural mitochondrial abnormalities and decreased mtDNA levels which could stimulate reactive oxygen species production, depletion of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. These processes can stimulate the destruction of biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, thus causing the deregulation of redox-sensitive metabolic pathways, signaling pathways, and cell death. Despite tenofovir renal toxicity it has achieved notable therapeutic success nevertheless patients on tenofovir containing regimens should be monitored for renal function parameters. Co administration with potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided except when benefit outweighs risk.

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.

Patch testing and cross sensitivity study of adverse cutaneous drug reactions due to anticonvulsants: A preliminary report

AIM To evaluate the utility of patch test and cross-sensitivity patterns in patients with adverse cutaneous drug reactions(ACDR) from common anticonvulsants. METHODS Twenty-four(M:F = 13:11) patients aged 18-75 years with ACDR from anticonvulsants were patch tested 3-27 mo after complete recovery using carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, lamotrigine, and sodium valproate in 10%, 20% and 30% conc. in pet. after informed consent. Positive reactions persisting on D3 and D4 were considered significant. RESULTS Clinical patterns were exanthematous drug rash with or without systemic involvement(DRESS) in 18(75%), Stevens-Johnsons syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis(SJS/TEN) overlap and TEN in 2(8.3%) patients each, SJS and lichenoid drug eruption in 1(4.2%) patient each, respectively. The implicated drugs were phenytoin in 14(58.3%), carbamazepine in 9(37.5%), phenobarbitone in 2(8.3%), and lamotrigine in 1(4.7%) patients,respectively. Twelve(50%) patients elicited positive reactions to implicated drugs; carbamazepine in 6(50%), phenytoin alone in 4(33.3%), phenobarbitone alone in 1(8.3%), and both phenytoin and phenobarbitone in 1(8.33%) patients, respectively. Cross-reactions occurred in 11(92%) patients. Six patients with carbamazepine positive patch test reaction showed cross sensitivity with phenobarbitone, sodium valproate and/or lamotrigine. Three(75%) patients among positive phenytoin patch test reactions had cross reactions with phenobarbitone, lamotrigine, and/or valproate. CONCLUSION Carbamazepine remains the commonest anticonvulsant causing ACDRs and cross-reactions with other anticonvulsants are possible. Drug patch testing appears useful in DRESS for drug imputability and cross-reactions established clinically.

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.