Characterization of aerosols containing microcystin

Toxic blooms of cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in both freshwater and brackish water sources throughout the world. One class of cyanobacterial toxins, called microcystins, is cyclic peptides. In addition to ingestion and dermal, inhalation is a likely route of human exposure. A significant increase in reporting of minor symptoms, particularly respiratory symptoms was associated with exposure to higher levels of cyanobacteria during recreational activities. Algae cells, bacteria, and waterborne toxins can be aerosolized by a bubble-bursting process with a wind-driven white-capped wave mechanism. The purposes of this study were to: evaluate sampling and analysis techniques for microcystin aerosol, produce aerosol droplets containing microcystin in the laboratory, and deploy the sampling instruments in field studies. A high-volume impactor and an IOM filter sampler were tried first in the laboratory to collect droplets containing microcystins. Samples were extracted and analyzed for microcystin using an ELISA method. The laboratory study showed that cyanotoxins in water could be transferred to air via a bubble-bursting process. The droplets containing microcystins showed a bimodal size distribution with the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 1.4 and 27.8 mum. The sampling and analysis methods were successfully used in a pilot field study to measure microcystin aerosol in situ.     

Recreational exposure to low concentrations of microcystins during an algal bloom in a small lake

We measured microcystins in blood from people at risk for swallowing water or inhaling spray while swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, or boating during an algal bloom. We monitored water samples from a small lake as a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom developed. We recruited 97 people planning recreational activities in that lake and seven others who volunteered to recreate in a nearby bloom-free lake. We conducted our field study within a week of finding a 10-μg/L microcystin concentration. We analyzed water, air, and human blood samples for water quality, potential human pathogens, algal taxonomy, and microcystin concentrations. We interviewed study participants for demographic and current health symptom information. Water samples were assayed for potential respiratory viruses (adenoviruses and enteroviruses), but none were detected. We did find low concentrations of Escherichia coli, indicating fecal contamination. We found low levels of microcystins (2 μg/L to 5 μg/L) in the water and (<0.1 ng/m³) in the aerosol samples. Blood levels of microcystins for all participants were below the limit of detection (0.147μg/L). Given this low exposure level, study participants reported no symptom increases following recreational exposure to microcystins. This is the first study to report that water-based recreational activities can expose people to very low concentrations of aerosol-borne microcystins; we recently conducted another field study to assess exposures to higher concentrations of these algal toxins.     

A kinetic study of accumulation and elimination of microcystin-LR in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) tissue and implications for human fish consumption

Fish consumption is a potential route of human exposure to the hepatotoxic microcystins, especially in lakes and reservoirs that routinely experience significant toxic Microcystis blooms. Understanding the rates of uptake and elimination for microcystins as well as the transfer efficiency into tissues of consumers are important for determining the potential for microcystins to be transferred up the food web and for predicting potential human health impacts. The main objective of this work was to conduct laboratory experiments to investigate the kinetics of toxin accumulation in fish tissue. An oral route of exposure was employed in this study, in which juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were given a single oral dose of 5 or 20 μg of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) via food and accumulation in the muscle, liver, and tank water were measured over 24 h. Peak concentrations of the water soluble fraction of microcystin were generally observed 8-10 h after dosing in the liver and after 12-16 h in the muscle, with a rapid decline in both tissues by 24 h. Up to 99% of the total recoverable (i.e., unbound) microcystin was measured in the tank water by 16 h after exposure. The relatively rapid uptake and elimination of the unbound fraction of microcystin in the liver and muscle of juvenile yellow perch within 24 h of exposure indicates that fish consumption may not be a major route of human exposure to microcystin, particularly in the Great Lakes.     

The potential for production of high quality seed potatoes in Tierra del Fuego Island, Argentina

Summary In Argentina, different areas are suitable for seed potato production: however, each has particular problems, mainly related to different pest and diseases. Tierra del Fuego Island is well isolated from traditional potato growing areas. Therefore, it was tested for its potential for seed production. The cultivars Achatt. Mailén INTA. Pampeana INTA and Spunta were grown in Río Grande, San Pablo and Ushuaia from 1991–1994. Nematode presence and aphid population dynamics were recorded. Average tuber yield ranged from 20.1–37.6 t ha⁻¹. After three years PVY and PLRV remained low (0–1% for different cultivars and locations). Moreover, seed tubers obtained were physiologically young. Long days, early frosts and strong winds may limit tuber yield in some years. The island can be considered as an ecological “safe haven” and is very suitable to obtain healthy and physiologically adequate seed potatoes.     

Post‐grazing cutting management in tall fescue affects the sward structure,forage and liveweight production

Tall fescue is the main perennial grass of the pastures of the temperate region of Argentina. However, after flowering in spring, tall fescue loses productivity and quality. Based on this, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different post‐grazing mechanical cutting managements on the forage mass, leaf proportion, stocking rate, liveweight gain and liveweight production of tall fescue pastures. The treatments were post‐grazing mechanical cutting at anthesis (FC), post‐grazing mechanical cutting throughout spring and summer (SSC), and no post‐grazing mechanical cutting (NC). The experiment was performed from 2011 to 2014 in Argentina. The greatest and lowest forage mass were determined in September–November and May–September respectively. The leaf proportion of the SSC treatment was greater than that of the NC treatment, except in September–November. NC had higher stocking rate and lower liveweight gain than SSC, and neither NC nor SSC differed from FC. The liveweight production of the treatments was characterized by a trade‐off between stocking rate and liveweight gain. We conclude that FC is an attractive management because, with a single post‐grazing cutting, swards remain productive and leafy.     

花生(Arachis hypogaea L.)水分胁迫的研究Ⅰ. 开花与成针

为量化水分胁迫引起的花生物候学变化及其对开花和果针生长的效应,在阿根廷科尔多瓦省农牧学院试验农场开展了本研究.试验分两年(1997/98,1998/99)实施,随机区组设计,重复3次.试点为典型的Hapludol土,品种为Florman INTA,行株距分别为0.7和0.08m.在不同的生长时期(R1-R3, R3-R4, R4-R6, R6-R7)施以干旱处理(人工遮雨),持续时间为18～22d不等.测量土壤含水量并统计单株花朵数和果针数.结果证实了先前关于花生开花量和果针数对水分胁迫的反应的报道,也支持生殖生长延迟以及荚果发育和种子充实后期易受霜害的假说.     

夏大豆光合速率与叶龄及水肥条件的关系

1986～1988年在本所防雨网室内,用盆栽方法研究了夏大豆叶片的光合速率与叶龄及水、肥条件的关系。结果表明:在山东省气候条件和本试验土壤肥力水平下,夏大豆主茎叶片的叶龄于12日左右时,光合速率达到最大值。每株施复合化肥(N:P_2O_5:K_2O=15:15:15)19.5g左右,每株每次供水1.8kg左右时,主茎叶片平均光合速率达最大值。小于或大干这三个数值时,光合速率都将迅速减小。得出了表达夏大豆光合速率与叶龄和水、肥用量关系的曲线回归方程。     

Winter and summer performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in isohyperthermic regimes

Potato production in isohyperthermic temperature regimes (mean annual soil temperature higher than 22°C) has been considered impractical physiologically and economically. However, recent experiments with potatoes (var. Kennebec) on a clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic Tropeptic Eutrustox of Hawaii during the winters of 1980 and 1981 and the summer of 1980, indicate that although seasonal variation in the tropics is minimal when compared to temperate regions, there is enough of a distinction in temperature that potato production is possible and favored during the cooler winter months. Soil temperatures, measured at 20-cm depth, in irrigated plots range from 18 to 20°C in winter and 24 to 26°C in summer. Tuber initiation in winter and summer began at 40 and 55 days after planting, respectively. Maturity was delayed by 20 days in summer. Yields in irrigated plots were 36,000 in winter and 25,000 kg/ha in summer; in nonirrigated plots, yields were 14,600 in winter and 7,900 kg/ha in summer. Nutrient uptake and water and energy use were less efficient in summer. The results indicated that winter is the most suitable season for potato production in the warm tropics.     

Effects of in vitro brevetoxin exposure on apoptosis and cellular metabolism in a leukemic T cell line (Jurkat)

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, produce red tide toxins, or brevetoxins. Significant health effects associated with red tide toxin exposure have been reported in sea life and in humans, with brevetoxins documented within immune cells from many species. The objective of this research was to investigate potential immunotoxic effects of brevetoxins using a leukemic T cell line (Jurkat) as an in vitro model system. Viability, cell proliferation, and apoptosis assays were conducted using brevetoxin congeners PbTx-2, PbTx-3, and PbTx-6. The effects of in vitro brevetoxin exposure on cell viability and cellular metabolism or proliferation were determined using trypan blue and MTT (1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan), respectively. Using MTT, cellular metabolic activity was decreased in Jurkat cells exposed to 5 – 10 μg/ml PbTx-2 or PbTx-6. After 3 h, no significant effects on cell viability were observed with any toxin congener in concentrations up to 10 μg/ml. Viability decreased dramatically after 24 h in cells treated with PbTx-2 or -6. Apoptosis, as measured by caspase-3 activity, was significantly increased in cells exposed to PbTx-2 or PbTx-6. In summary, brevetoxin congeners varied in effects on Jurkat cells, with PbTx-2 and PbTx-6 eliciting greater cellular effects compared to PbTx-3.     

Comparison of Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Assay with LC-MS/MS for Diagnosis of Microcystin Toxicosis in Veterinary Cases

Microcystins are acute hepatotoxins of increasing global concern in drinking and recreational waters and are a major health risk to humans and animals. Produced by cyanobacteria, microcystins inhibit serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). A cost-effective PP1 assay using p-nitrophenyl phosphate was developed to quickly assess water and rumen content samples. Significant inhibition was determined via a linear model, which compared increasing volumes of sample to the log-transformed ratio of the exposed rate over the control rate of PP1 activity. To test the usefulness of this model in diagnostic case investigations, samples from two veterinary cases were tested. In August 2013 fifteen cattle died around two ponds in Kentucky. While one pond and three tested rumen contents had significant PP1 inhibition and detectable levels of microcystin-LR, the other pond did not. In August 2013, a dog became fatally ill after swimming in Clear Lake, California. Lake water samples collected one and four weeks after the dog presented with clinical signs inhibited PP1 activity. Subsequent analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detected microcystin congeners -LR, -LA, -RR and -LF but not -YR. These diagnostic investigations illustrate the advantages of using functional assays in combination with LC-MS/MS.     

不同时期干旱和干旱程度对夏玉米生长发育及耗水特性的影响

通过防雨棚下测坑试验,研究不同生育期干旱,设轻度干旱和重度干旱对夏玉米生长状况、耗水规律、产量以及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,不同生育期干旱均会抑制植株株高和叶面积指数增长,受旱越重,株高和叶面积指数越小。适宜水分处理的植株株高与叶面积长势优于其他处理;与适宜水分处理相比,随着干旱时期的后移,产量呈先降后升的趋势,其中,苗期轻度干旱的处理减产最少,为9.88%,抽雄期重度干旱穗粒数最少,为349.98粒,减产最多,达32.67%;夏玉米拔节期重度干旱处理的耗水量最低,为258.09 mm,任何生育阶段受旱,其日耗水量随着干旱程度的加重而降低。对各处理产量和耗水量进行分析,两者呈良好的二次曲线关系,拔节期轻度干旱处理的水分利用效率(WUE)最高,为2.202 kg/m3,其次是苗期重度干旱的处理,后期干旱处理由于减产幅度超过节水的幅度,WUE降低。通过对各处理的产量和WUE综合分析,确定了夏玉米节水高产的灌溉控制指标。     

Water use efficiency and drought survival in Mediterranean perennial forage grasses

In Mediterranean areas, water use efficiency (WUE) is mainly increased by maximising crop growth during the rainy seasons. Perennial forage species have a number of advantages in comparison to the predominantly used annuals. They can utilize water from autumn to spring, while annuals need to be sown or to germinate from the soil seed bank. Under Mediterranean annual rainfall pattern, perennial plants must grow from autumn to spring and survive under summer aridity. Drought survival can impact water use efficiency through plant mortality and stand recovery after autumn rainfalls. In order to enhance knowledge of physiological and agronomic traits associated with WUE and persistence, a 3-year study was conducted at two Mediterranean sites, comparing a range of accessions of two perennial species, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh). Within the accessions of predominantly Mediterranean origin, we defined four major functional types, i.e. groups of accessions with similar response to summer drought. One type (FT1) is represented by the only cultivar of a semi-arid cocksfoot (Kasbah) that is completely summer dormant, with high persistence under the most arid situations but with low WUE. The type FT2 all cocksfoot cultivars (Currie, Delta-1, Jana, Medly, and Ottava) that are not or less summer dormant, with good perenniality and intermediate productivity at rainy seasons. The type FT3 includes the cultivars of tall fescue (Centurion, Flecha, Fraydo, and Tanit) that combine an incomplete summer dormancy, a deep rooting system and the highest WUE from autumn to spring. The type FT4 is represented by a cultivar of tall fescue (Sisa) with no summer dormancy, therefore less persistent and also less productive. Dehydration avoidance in tall fescue and cocksfoot and summer dormancy in cocksfoot were the main strategies contributing to persistence under summer drought. WUE in autumn was highly correlated with sward recovery after drought. Seasonal and total WUE were also highly correlated with biomass production over the same period and with depth and density of the root system. Parameterization of functional types of the major species of forage grasses will enhance future modelling work to test the effects of a range of environments and future climate scenarios.     

Study of changes in some pathophysiological stress markers in different age groups of an animal model of acute and chronic heat stress

BACKGROUND: This study demonstrates the changes in six different pathophysiological parameters such as body weight, body temperature, fecal pellet count, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, plasma corticosterone level and emergence of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer spots due to exposure to high environmental heat in three different age groups of freely moving rats. METHODS: Each age group of rats was sub divided into three groups: (i) acute heat stress-subjected to a single exposure for four hours in the Biological Oxygen Demand incubator at 38 degrees C; (ii) chronic heat stress-exposed for 21 days daily for one hour in the incubator at 38 degrees C, and (iii) handling control groups. The data were recorded for the analyses of the changes in different parameters just after the heat exposure from acute stressed rats and on 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day on chronic stressed rats for body temperature, body weight, fecal pellets count. For the analysis of changes in three other parameters, BBB permeability, plasma corticosterone level and peptic ulcer spots following chronic exposure to high environmental heat, data were recorded on 22nd day for the analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA-1) of the observations demonstrates a significant increase in body temperature, fecal pellet count, BBB permeability (except in adult group), plasma corticosterone level and emergence of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer spots in all three different age group of rats due to exposure to acute heat stress. However, chronic heat was found responsible for the significant reduction in body weight in weaning and young rats, increase in body temperature, number of fecal pellets excreted (in early days of chronic stress) and number of peptic ulcer spots in all three age groups of rats. At the same time, BBB extravasations were not observed in rats except very mild in weaning group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that the acute as well as chronic exposure to hot environment significantly alters the physiology of different organs of the body.     

炭疽病菌和黄萎病菌对盆栽马铃薯的致病力

炭疽病和黄萎病被称为马铃薯早死病,在甘肃省首次报道。为了掌握2种病害的病情发展规律,将分离鉴定的2种病原(Colletotrichum coccodes和Verticillium dahliae)分别接种到不同品种的盆栽马铃薯上进行病情观察。结果表明,‘克新1号’接种马铃薯炭疽病菌的植株生育期约为77 d,比正常植株提前枯死23 d,接菌后55 d病情加剧。‘陇薯3号’,接种马铃薯黄萎病菌的植株生育期约为67 d,比正常植株提前43 d枯死,接菌后36 d病情开始急剧加重。同时,马铃薯黄萎病还对植株吸收水分以及植株生长高度都有明显的影响。     

濉溪县夏玉米生产与气象因子关系分析

利用濉溪1980～2006年夏玉米单产和同期气象资料进行统计分析,同时分析6月中旬至9月下旬光、热、水资源的分布特点及其对夏玉米生产发育的影响。结果表明:濉溪夏玉米的气象波动指数为0.105 3,占夏玉米产量波动的37.9%;7月中下旬的平均气温、8月下旬的降水、8月中下旬的日照时数是影响夏玉米产量波动的关键气象因子;温光水变化趋势与玉米需求吻合。生产上要采取选用中熟和中晚熟品种、适期早播、及时灌溉排水、推迟收获等技术措施,以充分利用气候资源、趋利避害、实现夏玉米高产稳产。     

Effect of compaction,delayed sealing and aerobic exposure on maize silage quality and on formation of volatile organic compounds

Physical and management factors, such as compaction and sealing, greatly influence the outcome of forage conservation. This study aimed to determine the effects of compaction, delayed sealing and aerobic exposure after ensiling on maize silage quality and on formation of volatile organic compounds. Whole‐crop maize (277 g/kg dry matter [DM]) in 120‐L plastic silos was compacted at either high or low density, and sealed immediately or with delay at 2 days or 4 days post‐filling (six replicates each). After ensiling for at least 175 days, the silages were exposed to air for 6‐day intervals and sampled at 2‐day intervals. A delay in sealing caused an increase in yeast counts and a decline of up to 65% in water‐soluble carbohydrates before ensiling. Sealing the silos after 4 days caused DM losses of up to 11%. Delayed sealing promoted the formation of ethyl esters at silo opening. A 4‐day delay in sealing resulted in the lowest aerobic stability. Aerobic exposure led to considerable changes in silage composition, a loss in feed value and, finally, spoilage. This study indicates that maize silage quality is adversely affected by low compaction, delayed sealing and aerobic exposure.     

Liver Protective Effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)

This study evaluated the protective effects of Noni fruit juice on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver damage (micro-centrilobular necrosis) was observed in animals pretreated with 20% placebo (drinking water) + CCl(4). However, pretreatment with 20% Noni juice in drinking water + CCl(4) resulted in markedly decreased hepatotoxic lesions. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the Noni group than the placebo group. In a correlative time-dependent study, one dose of CCl(4) (0.25 mL/kg in corn oil, p.o.) in female SD rats, pretreated with 10% placebo for 12 days, caused sequential progressive hepatotoxic lesions over a 24 h period, while a protective effect from 10% Noni juice pretreatment was observed. These results suggest that Noni juice is effective in protecting the liver from extrinsic toxin exposure.     

紧凑型夏玉米高产需水规律研究

本文通过对紧凑型玉米亩产700～800公斤耗水量研究，明确了该产量水平需水量为280～300立方米，其产量与耗水量呈二次函数关系。通过对耗水系数、水分生产率分析，明确了紧凑型玉米用水经济，对水分利用效益高。通过研究，明确了高产水平后期阶段耗水量大、耗水强度高，抽雄后耗水量占总耗水量的一半；籽粒形成期耗水强度与开花期近似，平均日耗水分别为3.81和3.95立方米／亩，灌浆期日耗水仍较高，达到2.5立方米／亩左右。故高产栽培必须重视后期灌水。     

THE INFLUENCE OF SEVERAL FACTORS IN DETERMINING THE GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF BORDER LEICESTER × MERINO SHEEP

Over a period of 20 months twenty continuous, 24-hour, observations were made on the grazing behaviour of Border Leicester × Merino sheep. Distinct seasonal changes were found in the pattern of grazing. Grazing usually began during the dawn period and decreased at dusk. In spring and summer there were two peaks of grazing, but there was only one peak in autumn and winter. The percentage of grazing taking place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. varied with season, and was highest in spring and early summer. These seasonal changes in the pattern of grazing appeared to be independent of grazing pressure, or of the nutritional requirements of the sheep.
The mean grazing time, for all observations, was 8·2 hours with a standard deviation of 0·97. Decreasing pasture availability increased grazing time, as shown by an increased intensity of grazing.
Ruminating times were found to be considerably lower than have been reported for cattle. There was a significant negative correlation between ruminating time and the nitrogen content of available pasture.
There was no clear evidence that the number of lambs carried before parturition, or suckled after parturition, had any effect on grazing time.
There was no evidence that the behaviour of one sheep influenced that of another, even of a twin, grazing nearby.
Consistent differences between sheep were found for ruminating time. The variation in grazing time between sheep, at any one time, was considerably greater than previously reported and differences between sheep were not consistent.
Variation in grazing time appeared to be less in flocks of less than 6 sheep than in flocks of 6 to 12 sheep.     

草甘膦对蚯蚓体内抗氧化酶和AChE酶活性的影响

蚯蚓是土壤健康的关键指示生物,为了更好地评价草甘膦对土壤无脊椎动物的影响,本研究采用土壤法测定草甘膦对蚯蚓的急性毒性;用不同浓度的草甘膦分别测定不同暴露时间下对蚯蚓超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、谷胱甘肽S转移酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶活性的影响。结果显示,土壤法测定草甘膦对蚯蚓的LC₅₀>1000 mg/kg;在草甘膦的影响下,随着暴露时间的延长,蚯蚓SOD酶活力有着先增高后下降的趋势,CAT酶活力呈现着先下降后升高的趋势,随着时间和浓度的增长POD酶活力在草甘膦的影响下有逐渐下降的趋势;相对于空白对照,处理组AChE酶活力在草甘膦暴露14 d时显著降低。研究结果将为合理评价和监测草甘膦造成的土壤污染水平提供科学依据。