Polyoxometalate-enhanced oxidation of organic compounds by nanoparticulate zero-valent iron and ferrous ion in the presence of oxygen

In the presence of oxygen, organic compounds can be oxidized by zerovalent iron or dissolved Fe(II). However, this process is not a very effective means of degrading contaminants because the yields of oxidants are usually low (i.e., typically less than 5% of the iron added is converted into oxidants capable of transforming organic compounds). The addition of polyoxometalate (POM) greatly increases the yield of oxidants in both systems. The mechanism of POM enhancement depends on the solution pH. Under acidic conditions, POM mediates the electron transfer from nanoparticulate zerovalent iron (nZVI) or Fe(II) to oxygen, increasing the production of hydrogen peroxide, which is subsequently converted to hydroxyl radical through the Fenton reaction. At neutral pH values, iron forms a complex with POM, preventing iron precipitation on the nZVI surface and in bulk solution. At pH 7, the yield of oxidant approaches the theoretical maximum in the nZVI/O2 and the Fe(II)/O2 systems when POM is present, suggesting that coordination of iron by POM alters the mechanism of the Fenton reaction by converting the active oxidant from ferryl ion to hydroxyl radical. Comparable enhancements in oxidant yields are also observed when nZVI or Fe(II) is exposed to oxygen in the presence of silica-immobilized POM.     

Stabilization or oxidation of nanoscale zerovalent iron at environmentally relevant exposure changes bioavailability and toxicity in medaka fish

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI)-based nanotechnologies are increasingly being used for environmental remediation; however, the fate and ecotoxicologic effects of nZVI remain unclear. Larvae of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) underwent 3-14 days' aqueous exposure to thoroughly characterized solutions containing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-stabilized nZVI, bare nZVI, nanoscale iron oxide (nFe(3)O(4)) or ferrous ion [Fe(II)(aq)] at μg/L-mg/L levels to assess the causal toxic effect(s) of iron nanoparticles (NPs). Acute larval mortality was decreased in the order of Fe(II)(aq) > CMC-nZVI > nZVI > nFe(3)O(4). CMC-nZVI (100 mg/L) increased hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe(II)(aq) production, thus increasing mortality and oxidative stress response as compared with unstabilized nZVI. Additionally, nFe(3)O(4) and nZVI were more bioavailable than suspended CMC-nZVI or Fe(II)(aq). Antioxidant activities were significantly altered by induced intracellular ROS levels in larvae with subchronic exposure to nFe(3)O(4) or Fe(II)(aq) at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.5-5 mg/L). We report on different organizational biomarkers used for rapidly assessing the lethal and sublethal toxicity of nZVI and its stabilized or oxidized products. The toxicity results implicate a potential ecotoxicological fate and impact of nZVI on the aquatic environment.     

Intracellular calcium oscillations and activation in horse oocytes injected with stallion sperm extracts or spermatozoa

In oocytes from all mammalian species studied to date, fertilization by a spermatozoon induces intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) oscillations that are crucial for appropriate oocyte activation and embryonic development. Such patterns are species-specific and have not yet been elucidated in horses; it is also not known whether equine oocytes respond with transient [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations when fertilized or treated with parthenogenetic agents. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (i) to characterize the activity of equine sperm extracts microinjected into mouse oocytes; (ii) to ascertain in horse oocytes the [Ca(2+)](i)-releasing activity and activating capacity of equine sperm extracts corresponding to the activity present in a single stallion spermatozoon; and (iii) to determine whether equine oocytes respond with [Ca(2+)](i) transients and activation when fertilized using the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure. The results of this study indicate that equine sperm extracts are able to induce [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, activation and embryo development in mouse oocytes. Furthermore, in horse oocytes, injection of sperm extracts induced persistent [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations that lasted for >60 min and initiated oocyte activation. Nevertheless, injection of a single stallion spermatozoon did not consistently initiate [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in horse oocytes. It is concluded that stallion sperm extracts can efficiently induce [Ca(2+)](i) responses and parthenogenesis in horse oocytes, and can be used to elucidate the signalling mechanism of fertilization in horses. Conversely, the inconsistent [Ca(2+)](i) responses obtained with sperm injection in horse oocytes may explain, at least in part, the low developmental success obtained using ICSI in large animal species.     

Oxidation of sulfoxides and arsenic(III) in corrosion of nanoscale zero valent iron by oxygen: evidence against ferryl ions (Fe(IV)) as active intermediates in Fenton reaction

Previous studies have shown that the corrosion of zerovalent iron (ZVI) by oxygen (O(2)) via the Fenton reaction can lead to the oxidation of various organic and inorganic compounds. However, the nature of the oxidants involved (i.e., ferryl ion (Fe(IV)) versus hydroxyl radical (HO(?))) is still a controversial issue. In this work, we reevaluated the relative importance of these oxidants and their role in As(III) oxidation during the corrosion of nanoscale ZVI (nZVI) in air-saturated water. It was shown that Fe(IV) species could react with sulfoxides (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl phenyl sulfoxide, and methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide) through a 2-electron transfer step producing corresponding sulfones, which markedly differed from their HO(?)-involved products. When using these sulfoxides as probe compounds, the formation of oxidation products indicative of HO(?) but no generation of sulfone products supporting Fe(IV) participation were observed in the nZVI/O(2) system over a wide pH range. As(III) could be completely or partially oxidized by nZVI in air-saturated water. Addition of scavengers for solution-phase HO(?) and/or Fe(IV) quenched As(III) oxidation at acidic pH but had little effect as solution pH increased, highlighting the importance of the heterogeneous iron surface reactions for As(III) oxidation at circumneutral pH.     

Evaluation of calcium-free Tyrode's sperm capacitation medium for use in bovine in vitro fertilization

Our objective was to determine if a bovine sperm capacitation technique, developed with zona-free hamster oocytes, could be used for the in vitro fertilization of in vitro matured bovine zona-intact oocytes. Bovine cumulus-enclosed primary oocytes from 2- to 5-mm follicles were matured in tissue culture Medium 199 containing Earle's salts and bicarbonate and supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, FSH (10 micrograms/ml), and estradiol-17 beta (1.5 microgram/ml) for 24 h at 37 degrees C under paraffin oil. Ejaculated bovine sperm, washed thrice in bovine serum albumin-saline (pH 7.6) and capacitated for 4 h in Ca(++)-free Tyrode's medium (pH 7.6), were diluted to 2 x 10(6) sperm/ml in Medium 199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Oocytes were added (10/500 microliters droplet) to this medium containing the capacitated sperm, freeze-thawed killed sperm, or no sperm and incubated for 8 h before transfer to fresh medium and then incubated for 40 h. At the end of each incubation, a portion of the oocytes were stained and evaluated for development or fertilization. After 24 h of culture, 49% of the oocytes had matured (metaphase II). Fertilization rates were 55.6% after exposure of all oocytes to Ca(++)-free Tyrode's capacitated sperm and 82.5% if only metaphase II oocytes were selected. The parthenogenetic controls were negative (1.4% and 0%). Therefore, the Ca(++)-free Tyrode's sperm capacitation technique can be used for bovine in vitro fertilization studies.     

Release of phospholipase C zetaand [Ca2+]i oscillation-inducing activity during mammalian fertilization

During fertilization of mammalian eggs a factor from the sperm, the sperm factor (SF), is released into the ooplasm and induces persistent [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations that are required for egg activation and embryo development. A sperm-specific phospholipase C (PLC), PLCz, is thought to be the SF. Here, we investigated whether the SF activity and PLCzetaare simultaneously and completely released into the ooplasm soon after sperm entry. To accomplish this, we enucleated sperm heads within 90 min of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and monitored the persistence of the [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in eggs in which the sperm had been withdrawn. We also stained the enucleated sperm heads to ascertain the presence/absence of PLCzeta. Our results show that by 90 min all the SF activity had been released from the sperm, as fertilized enucleated eggs oscillated as fertilized controls, even in cases in which oscillations were prolonged by arresting eggs at metaphase. In addition, we found that the released SF activity became associated with the pronucleus (PN), as induction of PN envelope breakdown evoked comparable [Ca(2+)](i) responses in enucleated and non-manipulated zygotes. Lastly, we found that PLCzlocalized to the equatorial area of bull sperm and to the post-acrosomal region of mouse sperm and that by 90 min after ICSI all the sperm's PLCzetaimmunoreactivity was lost in both species. Altogether, our findings show that during fertilization the SF activity and PLCzetaimmunoreactivity are simultaneously released from the sperm, suggesting that PLCzetamay be the only [Ca(2+)](i) oscillation-inducing factor of mammalian sperm.     

Temperature programmed reduction for measurement of oxygen content in nanoscale zero-valent iron

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has increasingly been used for environmental remediation and in toxic waste treatment. Most applications exploit its large surface area and high reactivity, the latter being a function of zerovalent iron content. In this work, temperature programmed reduction was applied to measure oxygen in nZVI. Iron oxides in nZVI were reduced by hydrogen to form metallic iron and water, which was then measured with an online mass spectrometer to determine oxygen content of the sample. For fresh nZVI prepared by sodium borohydride reduction of iron salts, average oxygen content was 8.21%. Total iron content was approximately 90.35% by the method of acid digestion; Fe(III) content was estimated at 14.37%, and that of zerovalent iron [Fe(0)] at 75.98%. The oxygen content quickly increased to 26.14% after purging with oxygen for four hours. Several other techniques were also used to characterize the iron nanoparticles. High resolution TEM provided direct evidence of the oxide shell structure and indicated that the shell thickness was predominantly in the range of 2-4 nm. The surface elemental composition was determined from high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nZVI oxygen content results fill a knowledge gap on nZVI composition.     

Paternal effect on embryo quality in diabetic mice is related to poor sperm quality and associated with decreased glucose transporter expression

The objective of this study was to determine whether sperm quality, fertilization capacity, and subsequent embryo development are altered in diabetic male mice and whether differences in facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT; now known as solute carrier family 2, SLC2A) expression in the testis and sperm exist. Using two type 1 diabetic mouse models, SLC2A expression in the testis and sperm was determined by western immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining. To address sperm quality and fertilization capacity, computer-assisted sperm analysis and in vitro fertilization were performed. SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and SLC2A5 did not change in expression in the testes or sperm between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. SLC2A8 and SLC2A9b were less expressed in the testes of both diabetic models versus controls. SLC2A9a was not expressed in the Akita testis or sperm when compared with strain-matched controls. 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B) expression was significantly decreased in the Leydig cells from the diabetic mice. Sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower in both the diabetics when compared with the control. These parameters normalized in Akita diabetic males treated with insulin. In addition, fertilization rates were significantly lower in the Akita group (17.9%) and the streptozotocin (STZ)-injected male group (43.6%) when compared with the normal group (88.8%). Interestingly, of the fertilized zygotes, embryo developmental rates to the blastocyst stage were lower in both diabetic models (7.1% Akita and 50.0% STZ) when compared with controls (71.7%). Male diabetes may cause male subfertility by altering steroidogenesis, sperm motility, and SLC2A expression. This is the first study to link a paternal metabolic abnormality to a sperm effect on cell division and subsequent embryonic development.     

Reduced embryonic survival in rainbow trout resulting from paternal exposure to the environmental estrogen 17alpha-ethynylestradiol during late sexual maturation

Exposure of fishes to environmental estrogens is known to affect sexual development and spawning, but little information exists regarding effects on gametes. This study evaluated embryonic survival of offspring from male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE(2)) using an in vitro fertilization protocol. Males were exposed at either 1800 or 6700 degree days ( degrees d) (i.e. 161 or 587 days post-fertilization (dpf)) to test for effects on testes linked to reproductive ontogeny. At 1800 degrees d, fish were beginning testicular differentiation and were exposed to 109 ng EE(2)/l for 21 days. At 6700 degrees d, fish have testes containing spermatocytes and spermatids and were exposed for 56 days to either 0.8, 8.3, or 65 ng EE(2)/l. Semen was collected at full sexual maturity in each group and used to fertilize eggs pooled from several non-exposed females. Significant decreases in embryonic survival were observed only with the 6700 degrees d exposure. In 0.8 and 8.3 ng EE(2)/l treatments, embryo survival was significantly reduced at 19 dpf when compared with the control. In contrast, an immediate decrease in embryonic survival at 0.5 dpf was observed in the 65 ng EE(2)/l treatment. Blood samples collected at spawning from 6700 degrees d exposed males revealed a significant decrease in 11-ketotestosterone and a significant increase in luteinizing hormone levels for the 65 ng EE(2)/l treatment when compared with the other treatment groups. Results indicate that sexually maturing male rainbow trout are susceptible to EE(2) exposure with these fish exhibiting two possible mechanisms of reduced embryonic survival through sperm varying dependant on EE(2) exposure concentrations experienced.     

Effect of osmolality and glycosaminoglycans on motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and in vitro fertilizability of bovine ejaculated sperm

Bovine ejaculated semen was placed in a modified Tyrode's medium with albumin, lactate, and pyruvate. The sperm were washed three times and subjected to nine treatment in a 3 X 3 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of osmolality (exposure to 380 mOsmol/kg medium for 5 min, exposure to 340 or 295 mOsmol/kg medium for the entire incubation period), and the presence or absence of glycosaminoglycans (100 micrograms/ml chondroitin sulfate A or 10 micrograms/ml heparin). Sperm were examined at 4.5 h, 8 to 9 h, and 24 to 25 h of incubation (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, and 95% air). Heparin caused head-to-head agglutination of sperm, raised the percent sperm without seminal antigens over the acrosome (capacitated) by 20% at 4.5 h, and doubled the percent of acrosome-reacted sperm. However, this stimulation did not improve in vitro fertilizability. Chondroitin sulfate A tended to maintain motility, but did not affect capacitation or the acrosome reaction, possibly due to glucose inhibition. Both high osmolality treatments tended to reduce motility, especially after 24 h of incubation when the 340 osmolality treatment reduced motility by 14% over the 295 treatment. No consistent effect on capacitation was observed. The 340 and 380 osmolality treatments induced 8.6 and 6.1% more acrosome reactions by 24 h than the 295 treatment. The 340 mOsmol/kg treatment yielded insignificantly higher in vitro fertilization rates, as evidenced by development of zygotes to the two-cell stage. Lack of statistical significance was due to high variation with in vitro fertilization rates.     

Quantification of the oxidizing capacity of nanoparticulate zero-valent iron

Addition of nanoparticulate zero-valent iron (nZVI) to oxygen-containing water results in oxidation of organic compounds. To assess the potential application of nZVI for oxidative transformation of organic contaminants, the conversion of benzoic acid (BA) to p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA) was used as a probe reaction. When nZVI was added to BA-containing water, an initial pulse of p-HBA was detected during the first 30 min, followed by the slow generation of additional p-HBA over periods of at least 24 h. The yield of p-HBA increased with increasing BA concentration, presumably due to the increasing 'ability of BA to compete with alternate oxidant sinks, such as ferrous iron. At pH 3, maximum yields of p-HBA during the initial phase of the reaction of up to 25% were observed. The initial rate of nZVI-mediated oxidation of BA exhibited a marked reduction at pH values above 3. Despite the decrease in oxidant production rate, p-HBA was observed during the initial reaction phase at pH values up to 8. Competition experiments with probe compounds expected to exhibit different affinities for the nZVI surface (phenol, aniline, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, and synthetic humic acids) indicated relative rates of reaction that were similar to those observed in competition experiments in which hydroxyl radicals were generated in solution. Examination of the oxidizing capacity of a range of Fe0 particles reveals a capacity in all cases to induce oxidative transformation of benzoic acid, but the high surface areas that can be achieved with nanosized particles renders such particles particularly effective oxidants.     

Role of myometrial activity in sperm transport through the genital tract and in fertilization in sows

The effects of stimulation and suppression of uterine contractility at about the time of insemination on sperm distribution and fertilization in multiparous sows are described. For assessment of fertilization, sows were inseminated about 28 h before (synchronized) ovulation and killed at day 5 after ovulation (n = 53). For assessment of sperm distribution, sows were inseminated about 20 h before expected ovulation and were killed 12 h later (n = 26). At 10 min before insemination, sows received an intrauterine infusion of one of three solutions: (i) saline (control); (ii) 0.60 mg clenbuterol hydrochloride to suppress contractility; or (iii) 1 mg cloprostenol to stimulate contractility. Both clenbuterol and cloprostenol reduced median fertilization rate (P < 0.05) and median number of accessory sperm cells (P < 0.05). Distribution of sperm cells was also affected by treatments. Clenbuterol increased, and cloprostenol decreased, the number of sperm cells (P < 0.05) in the proximal 20 cm of the uterine horn and in the uterotubal junction. In addition, clenbuterol tended to increase and cloprostenol tended to decrease the number of sperm cells in the isthmus, although these effects were not significant. However, relative to the number of sperm cells in the uterus, clenbuterol treatment reduced the number of sperm cells in the uterotubal junction and oviduct, in contrast to cloprostenol. Cloprostenol increased the reflux of semen during insemination. It is hypothesized that suppression of uterine contractility increases transuterine transport time, reducing the ability of sperm cells to enter the uterotubal junction and the oviduct. Stimulation of uterine contractility above a certain level probably increases reflux and impedes transuterine transport of sufficient numbers of sperm cells.     

Reduction of the incidence of polyspermic penetration into porcine oocytes by pretreatment of fresh spermatozoa with adenosine and a transient co-incubation of the gametes with caffeine

To reduce the incidence of polyspermic penetration, the effects of transient exposure of washed fresh spermatozoa to caffeine in a brief co-culture in vitro fertilization (IVF) system were examined. A pretreatment effect of spermatozoa with adenosine was also examined. When 5 mmol caffeine/l was supplemented during periods of co-culture and additional culture periods until 8 h after insemination, a shortened co-incubation period of gametes (30 denuded oocytes in 100 microl modified Medium 199-suspended spermatozoa at 2.5 x10(5) sperm/ml) from 30 to 5 min increased the monospermy rate in total mature oocytes examined. The number of spermatozoa binding to the zona surface was significantly lower in oocytes co-cultured for 5 min (33.1 +/- 2.2) than 8 h (207.6 +/- 13.7). A limited exposure of gametes to 5 mmol caffeine/l only during a transient co-culture period for 5 or 30 min significantly reduced the mean number of sperm cells that penetrated into the oocyte. Transient exposure of spermatozoa to caffeine for only 5 min increased the percentage of capacitated cells but not acrosome-reacted cells, as compared with a whole exposure treatment. Furthermore, preincubation of spermatozoa with 10 micromol adenosine/l for 90 min increased both the incidence of capacitated cells and the monospermy rate and consequently decreased the number of sperm cells that penetrated into the oocyte. In conclusion, these results have demonstrated that a new transient co-incubation IVF system, in which denuded oocytes are co-cultured with spermatozoa in medium containing caffeine for 5 to 30 min and then continuing the culture in caffeine-free medium, will reduce the incidence of polyspermic penetration. Preincubation of fresh spermatozoa with adenosine before the transient co-incubation IVF can also improve the monospermy rate. Furthermore, asynchrony in the morphology of sperm nuclei in polyspermic oocytes was reduced by the pretreatment with adenosine and a brief exposure to caffeine.     

Evaluation of a TEST-yolk sperm capacitation system for use in bovine in vitro fertilization.

Bovine sperm acquire the ability to penetrate zona-free hamster oocytes (capacitation) after incubation in TEST-yolk buffer. Our objective was to determine whether such sperm could penetrate zona-intact bovine oocytes in vitro. Bovine cumulus enclosed oocytes from 2- to 5-mm follicles were incubated in maturation medium for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Ejaculated bovine semen was diluted 1: 10 in TEST-yolk buffer, cooled to 4 degrees C, and stored for 8 h to induce capacitation. Sperm were then washed thrice in pH 7.6, .15 M NaCl containing .1% bovine serum albumin V (37 degrees C) and diluted to 2 x 10(6) sperm/ml in fertilization medium. Droplets of fertilization medium containing capacitated sperm, killed sperm, or no sperm were made under paraffin oil. Oocytes (matured 24 h) were added and cocultured with sperm for 8 h and then transferred to fresh fertilization medium for 40 h. After 24 h, 53% of the oocytes had matured (metaphase II). The fertilization rate of the metaphase II oocytes (203) with TEST-yolk capacitated sperm was 87%, whereas the parthenogenetic controls were 2 and 0%, respectively. Therefore, TEST-yolk buffer can be used to capacitate bull sperm for in vitro fertilization.     

Investigating compensation and recovery of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed to 17alpha-ethynylestradiol with metabolite profiling

1H NMR spectroscopy was used to profile metabolite changes in the livers of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to the synthetic estrogen 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) via a continuous flow water exposure. Fish were exposed to either 10 or 100 ng EE2/L for 8 days, followed by an 8 day depuration phase. Livers were collected after days 1, 4, and 8 of the exposure, and at the end of the depuration phase. Analysis of polar extracts of the liver revealed a greater impact of EE2 on males than females, with metabolite profiles of the former assuming similarities with those of the females (i.e., feminization) early in the exposure. Biochemical effects observed in the males included changes in metabolites relating to energetics (e.g., glycogen, glucose, and lactate) and liver toxicity (creatine and bile acids). In addition, amino acids associated with vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis increased in livers of EE2-exposed males, a finding consistent with increased plasma concentrations of the lipoprotein in the fish. Using partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the response trajectories of the males at both exposure concentrations were compared. This revealed an apparent ability of the fish to compensate for the presence of EE2 later in the exposure, and to partially recover from its effects after the chemical was removed.     

Waterborne versus dietary zinc accumulation and toxicity in Daphnia magna: a synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence imaging approach

Recent studies have suggested that exposure of the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna to dietary Zn may selectively affect reproduction without an associated increase of whole body bioaccumulation of Zn. The aim of the current research was therefore to investigate the hypothesis that dietary Zn toxicity is the result of selective accumulation in tissues that are directly involved in reproduction. Since under field conditions simultaneous exposure to both waterborne and dietary Zn is likely to occur, it was also tested if accumulation and toxicity under combined waterborne and dietary Zn exposure is the result of interactive effects. To this purpose, D. magna was exposed during a 16-day reproduction assay to Zn following a 5 × 2 factorial design, comprising five waterborne concentrations (12, 65, 137, 207, and 281 μg Zn/L) and two dietary Zn levels (49.6 and 495.9 μg Zn/g dry wt.). Tissue-specific Zn distribution was quantified by synchrotron radiation based confocal X-ray fluorescence (XRF). It was observed that the occurrence of reproductive inhibition due to increasing waterborne Zn exposure (from 65 μg/L to 281 μg/L) was accompanied by a relative increase of the Zn burdens which was similar in all tissues considered (i.e., the carapax, eggs, thoracic appendages with gills and the cluster comprising gut epithelium, storage cells and ovaries). In contrast, the impairment of reproduction during dietary Zn exposure was accompanied by a clearly discernible Zn accumulation in the eggs only (at 65 μg/L of waterborne Zn). During simultaneous exposure, bioaccumulation and toxicity were the result of interaction, which implies that the tissue-specific bioaccumulation and toxicity following dietary Zn exposure are dependent on the Zn concentration in the water. Our findings emphasize that (i) effects of dietary Zn exposure should preferably not be investigated in isolation from waterborne Zn exposure, and that (ii) XRF enabled us to provide possible links between tissue-specific bioaccumulation and reproductive effects of Zn.     

纳米纤维负载型纳米零价铁基材料在环境修复中的应用研究进展

针对纳米零价铁(nZVI)复合材料存在易团聚和难分离回收等缺陷,导致其降解效率下降、使用寿命变短等问题,首先介绍了nZVI的制备方法及负载型nZVI基材料在治理土壤污染和水体污染等领域的最新研究成果,分析了nZVI去除污染物的反应原理;重点总结归纳了聚丙烯酸/聚乙烯醇复合纳米纤维膜、壳聚糖复合纳米纤维膜、聚苯胺纳米纤维...     

Significance of incorporating measures of sperm production and function into rat toxicology studies

The rat is the preferred species for reproductive toxicity testing. The inclusion of measures of rat sperm quality, such as motility and morphology, into reproductive test protocols often increases the sensitivity of the test to detect effects, and provides the toxicologist and risk assessor with valuable information about the nature of the reproductive toxicity of the test substance. Technical advances in computer-aided sperm analysis have made it possible to evaluate motion characteristics of rat spermatozoa. This technology can provide an objective means of classifying the motion of rat spermatozoa as progressive or non-progressive, as required in test protocols. More specific tests of rat sperm function are being applied for the purpose of evaluating modes and mechanisms of toxicant action. Computer-aided sperm analysis can be used to evaluate sperm motion during cultures that support sperm capacitation and to identify hyperactivated spermatozoa. Under the same culture conditions, acrosome-specific stains can be used to identify effects of toxicants on the acrosome reaction. These approaches, in combination with in vitro fertilization in rats, can pinpoint sperm functional deficits and thereby assist the toxicologist in addressing hypotheses regarding the cellular-molecular bases of toxicant-induced male infertility.     

Developmental potential of vitrified holstein cattle embryos fertilized in vitro with sex-sorted sperm

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a feasible way to utilize sex-sorted sperm to produce offspring of a predetermined sex in the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of various factors on bovine IVF and to systematically improve the efficiency of IVF production using sex-sorted sperm. Both bulls and sorting contributed to the variability among differential development rates of embryos fertilized by sexed sperm. Increased sorting pressures (275.8 to 344.75 kPa) did not have a significant effect on the in vitro fertility of the sorted sperm; neither did an extended period of 9 to 14 h from semen collection to sorting. As few as 600 sorted sperm were used to fertilize an oocyte, resulting in blastocyst development of 33.2%. Postwarming of vitrified sexed IVF embryos resulted in high morphological survival (96.3%) and hatching (84.4%) rates, similar to those fertilized by nonsexed sperm (93.1 and 80.6%, respectively). A 40.9% pregnancy rate was established following the transfer of 3,627 vitrified, sexed embryos into synchronized recipients. This was not different from the rates with nonsexed IVF (41.9%, n = 481), or in vivo-produced (53.1%, n = 192) embryos. Of 458 calves born, 442 (96.5%) were female and 99.6% appeared normal. These technologies (sperm sexing-IVF-vitrification-embryo transfer) provide farmers, as well as the livestock industry, with a valuable option for herd expansion and heifer replacement programs. In summary, calves were produced using embryos fertilized by sex-sorted sperm in vitro and cryopreserved by rapid cooling vitrification.     

Interactive enhancements of ascorbic Acid and iron in hydroxyl radical generation in quinone redox cycling

Quinones are toxicological substances in inhalable particulate matter (PM). The mechanisms by which quinones cause hazardous effects can be complex. Quinones are highly active redox molecules that can go through a redox cycle with their semiquinone radicals, leading to formation of reactive oxygen species. Electron spin resonance spectra have been reported for semiquinone radicals in PM, indicating the importance of ascorbic acid and iron in quinone redox cycling. However, these findings are insufficient for understanding the toxicity associated with quinone exposure. Herein, we investigated the interactions among anthraquinone (AQ), ascorbic acid, and iron in hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation through the AQ redox cycling process in a physiological buffer. We measured ·OH concentration and analyzed the free radical process. Our results showed that AQ, ascorbic acid, and iron have synergistic effects on ·OH generation in quinone redox cycling; i.e., ascorbyl radical oxidized AQ to semiquinone radical and started the redox cycling, iron accelerated this oxidation and enhanced ·OH generation through Fenton reactions, while ascorbic acid and AQ could help iron to release from quartz surface and enhance its bioavailability. Our findings provide direct evidence for the redox cycling hypothesis about airborne particle surface quinone in lung fluid.