Biotransformation of vinclozolin in rat precision-cut liver slices: comparison with in vivo metabolic pattern

Vinclozolin is a dicarboxymide fungicide that presents antiandrogenic properties through its two hydrolysis products M1 and M2, which bind to the androgen receptor. Because of the lack of data on the biotransformation of vinclozolin, its metabolism was investigated in vitro in precision-cut rat liver slices and in vivo in male rat using [ (14)C]-vinclozolin. Incubations were performed using different concentrations of substrate, and the kinetics of formation of the major metabolites were studied. Three male Wistar rats were fed by gavage with [ (14)C]-VZ. Urine was collected for 24 h and analyzed by radio-HPLC for metabolic profiling. Metabolite identification was carried out on a LCQ ion trap mass spectrometer. In rat liver slices and in vivo, the major primary metabolite has been identified as 3',5'-dichloro-2,3,4-trihydroxy-2-methylbutyranilide (M5) and was mainly present as glucuronoconjugates. M5 is produced by dihydroxylation of the vinyl group of M2. Other metabolites have been identified as 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dione (M4), a dihydroxylated metabolite of vinclozolin, which undergoes further conjugation to glucuronic acid, and 2-[[(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-carbamoyl]oxy]-2-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-butanoic acid (M6), a dihydroxylated metabolite of M1.     

Physical structures in soybean oil and their impact on lipid oxidation

The oxidation of edible oil yields both primary and secondary oxidation products (e.g., hydroperoxides, carbonyls, hydrocarbons, and epoxides), which produce undesirable sensory and biological effects. Consequently, the suppression of lipid oxidation in food matrices is of great importance. The rate and extent of lipid oxidation in many heterogeneous foods are strongly affected by the physicochemical characteristics of water-oil interfaces. This study examined the ability of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and water to form association colloids within bulk oil, as well as their impact on lipid oxidation kinetics. Attenuation was used to show the DOPC and water concentrations at which association colloids existed without altering the optical properties of the oil. Interfacial tension and fluorescence spectrometry showed the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of DOPC in stripped soybean oil was around 650 μM at room temperature. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and fluorescence probes showed that water had a very strong impact on the properties of the association colloids formed by DOPC. Measurement of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products revealed that the association colloids formed by DOPC had a pro-oxidant effect. The characterization of association colloids could provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of lipid oxidation in bulk oils and provide insights into new antioxidant technologies.     

Erratum to: Woody habitats promote pollinators and complexity of plant–pollinator interactions in homegardens located in rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Paddy and Water Environment -     

Plant diversity and composition of rice field bunds in Southeast Asia

Which plant species can be found on rice field bunds and what are the prevailing life forms? Which plant communities occur and what are the main environmental drivers and phytogeographic patterns shaping these communities? How do species diversity and composition differ between bunds and paddies? To answer these questions, 133 vegetation relevés using the Braun-Blanquet method were collected in lowlands and uplands of Vietnam and the Philippines between 2012 and 2015. Soil samples were collected and farmers were interviewed. Properties of soil, climate, and geography were assessed, further structural parameters, landscape heterogeneity, seasonality, management and intensity of cultivation. Hierarchical UPGMA cluster analysis and NMDS ordinations were performed to visualize variation in plant community composition and the determinants. We found 302 vascular plant species, of which 94 species are red listed by the IUCN (under category “Least concern”). Therophytes and helophytes are the prevailing life forms. Six clusters of plant communities were classified, and temperature, soil acidity, land use intensity and nutrient availability were identified (according to relevance) as explanatory variables. Bunds revealed higher species richness than paddies and bunds in mountain areas were more species-rich than those in the lowlands. We conclude that the composition of bund communities provides valuable information on environmental and biogeographical conditions of the local rice landscapes, and that it is probably the best applicable and most reliable indicator of management intensity.     

A Review on Genetically Modified Plants Designed to Phytoremediate Polluted Soils: Biochemical Responses and International Regulation

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in finding sustainable strategies for the efficient removal of contaminants from soils. The objective of this review is to examine the biochemical principles of specific genetic modifications in plants, their applications in the field for specific contaminants as phytotechnologies, and their international regulation. In addition, the review presents some biological aspects of rhizosphere-related phenomena, the interactions of organic and inorganic pollutants with plants, and the performance of the phytotechnologies across the continents. During the last few decades, at least eight genera of genetically modified plants (GMPs) have been tested and used for soil remediation with outstanding results. Arabidopsis, Nicotiana, and Oryza are the plant genera most widely studied. Specific plant genes such as metal transporters, chelators, metallothioneins, phytochelatins, and oxygenases have been transferred to plants to improve the elimination of contaminants in soil. We discuss some important aspects of gene manipulation and its application for removal of diverse contaminants. A key challenge faced by phytotechnologies is the final disposal of the generated biomass, from a safety aspect. We argue that the commercial success of phytotechnologies depends on the generation of valuable biomass on contaminated land and its use for bioenergy generation. The use of such technologies would promote a broader understanding of the importance of plants, especially GMPs, in the environment and their contribution to environmental sustainability.     

Genome analysis of Betanodavirus from cultured marine fish species in Malaysia

Betanodavirus is the causative agent of the viral nervous necrosis (VNN) or viral encephalopathy and retinopathy disease in marine fish. This disease is responsible for most of the mass mortalities that occurred in marine fish hatcheries in Malaysia. The genome of this virus consists of two positive-sense RNA molecules which are the RNA1 and RNA2. The RNA1 molecule contains the RdRp gene which encodes for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the RNA2 molecule contains the Cp gene which encodes for the viral coat protein. In this study, total RNAs were extracted from 32 fish specimens representing the four most cultured marine fish species in Malaysia. The fish specimens were collected from different hatcheries and aquaculture farms in Malaysia. The RNA1 was successfully amplified using three pairs of overlapping PCR primers whereas the RNA2 was amplified using a pair of primers. The nucleotide analysis of RdRp gene revealed that the Betanodavirus in Malaysia were 94.5-99.7% similar to the RGNNV genotype, 79.8-82.1% similar to SJNNV genotype, 81.5-82.4% similar to BFNNV genotype and 79.8-80.7% similar to TPNNV genotype. However, they showed lower similarities to FHV (9.4-14.2%) and BBV (7.2-15.7%), respectively. Similarly, the Cp gene revealed that the viruses showed high nucleotide similarity to RGNNV (95.9-99.8%), SJNNV (72.2-77.4%), BFNNV (80.9-83.5%), TPNNV (77.2-78.1%) and TNV (75.1-76.5%). However, as in the RdRp gene, the coat protein gene was highly dissimilar to FHV (3.0%) and BBV (2.6-4.1%), respectively. Based on the genome analysis, the Betanodavirus infecting cultured marine fish species in Malaysia belong to the RGNNV genotype. However, the phylogenetic analysis of the genes revealed that the viruses can be further divided into nine sub-groups. This has been expected since various marine fish species of different origins are cultured in Malaysia.     

极危植物九龙山榧的大小孢子发生和雌雄配子体发育研究

  目的  九龙山榧Torreya jiulongshanensis为浙江特有的古老孑遗植物，数量极少，为国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生植物，也被列为浙江省极小种群保护植物。系统观测九龙山榧大、小孢子的发生和雌、雄配子体的发育过程，有助于发现其配子是否发育异常及导致结籽率低下的原因。  方法  以九龙山榧模式产地的雌、雄植株为研究对象，通过定期观测和取样，采用石蜡切片法对其大、小孢子的发生，雌、雄配子体的发育过程进行切片、染色和观察。  结果  ①小孢子叶球于8月中旬开始分化，8月下旬分化形成次生造孢细胞，11月中旬形成小孢子母细胞，翌年2月下旬进入减数分裂期，3月中旬形成游离小孢子细胞，于3月末逐渐成熟；成熟花粉粒为双核，无气囊。小孢子囊的发育类型为基本型，孢质分裂方式为同时型，四分体有四面体形和左右对称形。②雄配子体从3月中下旬开始发生，到7月底形成精子，整个过程历时约4个月。③翌年3月下旬，大孢子叶球每个苞叶的叶腋基部直立着生2枚胚珠；大孢子母细胞于4月下旬经过减数分裂Ⅰ和减数分裂Ⅱ形成4个直列大孢子，5月中旬珠孔端的3个大孢子退化，合点端的大孢子最终发育成为雌配子体。④九龙山榧有2个单生型椭圆形的颈卵器，从传粉到受精历时约7个月。  结论  九龙山榧雌雄生殖系统发育的周期均较红豆杉科Taxaceae其他种更长，其冗长的生殖周期、复杂的生殖过程和雌性生殖系统发育明显滞后于雄性生殖系统，加之种群个体数量极度稀少(1雌株、2雄株)是造成结籽率低下、自然更新困难的主要原因。图3表1参34