scholarly journals High Levels of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in Trumpet Shell Charonia lampas from the Portuguese Coast

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Pedro Reis Costa ◽  
Jorge Giráldez ◽  
Susana Margarida Rodrigues ◽  
José Manuel Leão ◽  
Estefanía Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Gastropod Species ◽  
Edible Portion ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Marine Snails ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
South Portugal ◽  
Safety Limit ◽  
Very High

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, considered an emerging toxin in Europe where recently a safety limit of 44 µg TTX kg−1 was recommended by authorities. In this study, three specimens of the large gastropod trumpet shell Charonia lampas bought in a market in south Portugal were analyzed using a neuroblastoma cell (N2a) based assay and by LC-MS/MS. N2a toxicity was observed in the viscera of two individuals analyzed and LC-MS/MS showed very high concentrations of TTX (42.1 mg kg−1) and 4,9-anhydroTTX (56.3 mg kg−1). A third compound with m/z 318 and structurally related with TTX was observed. In the edible portion, i.e., the muscle, toxin levels were below the EFSA recommended limit. This study shows that trumpet shell marine snails are seafood species that may reach the markets containing low TTX levels in the edible portion but containing very high levels of TTX in non-edible portion raising concerns regarding food safety if a proper evisceration is not carried out by consumers. These results highlight the need for better understanding TTX variability in this gastropod species, which is critical to developing a proper legal framework for resources management ensuring seafood safety, and the introduction of these gastropods in the markets.

The metachor as a characteristic of the association of electrolytes in aqueous solutions

1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Čeleda ◽  
Stanislav Škramovský
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Apparent Volume ◽  
Solutions Of Electrolytes ◽  
Molal Volumes ◽  
The Difference ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Experimental Values ◽  
Suitable Characteristic ◽  
Association Of Ions ◽  
Very High

Based on the earlier paper introducing a concept of the apparent parachor of a solute in the solution, we have eliminated in the present work algebraically the effect which is introduced into this quantity by the additivity of the apparent molal volumes. The difference remaining from the apparent parachor after substracting the contribution corresponding to the apparent volume ( for which the present authors suggest the name metachor) was evaluated from the experimental values of the surface tension of aqueous solutions for a set of 1,1-, 1,2- and 2,1-valent electrolytes. This difference showed to be independent of concentration up to the very high values of the order of units mol dm-3 but it was directly proportional to the number of the free charges (with a proportionality factor 5 ± 1 cm3 mol-1 identical for all studied electrolytes). The metachor can be, for this reason, a suitable characteristic for detection of the association of ions and formation of complexes in the solutions of electrolytes, up to high concentrations where other methods are failing.

scholarly journals Nitrification Process in a Nuclear Wastewater with High Load of Nitrogen, Uranium and Organic Matter under ORP Controlled

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1607
Author(s):  
Mariano Venturini ◽  
Ariana Rossen ◽  
Patricia Silva Paulo
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Oxidation ◽  
High Load ◽  
Nuclear Fuels ◽  
Monod Model ◽  
Nernst Equation ◽  
Nitrification Process ◽  
Real Wastewater ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Very High

To produce nuclear fuels, it is necessary to convert uranium′s ore into UO2-ceramic grade, using several quantities of kerosene, methanol, nitric acid, ammonia, and, in low level, tributyl phosphate (TBP). Thus, the effluent generated by nuclear industries is one of the most toxic since it contains high concentrations of dangerous compounds. This paper explores biological parameters on real nuclear wastewater by the Monod model in an ORP controlled predicting the specific ammonia oxidation. Thermodynamic parameters were established using the Nernst equation to monitor Oxiders/Reductors relationship to obtain a correlation of these parameters to controlling and monitoring; that would allow technical operators to have better control of the nitrification process. The real nuclear effluent is formed by a mixture of two different lines of discharges, one composed of a high load of nitrogen, around 11,000 mg/L (N-NH4+-N-NO3−) and 600 mg/L Uranium, a second one, proceeds from uranium purification, containing TBP and COD that have to be removed. Bioprocesses were operated on real wastewater samples over 120 days under controlled ORP, as described by Nernst equations, which proved to be a robust tool to operate nitrification for larger periods with a very high load of nitrogen, uranium, and COD.

scholarly journals Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds in Water Samples and Inorganic Elements Levels in Ores for Characterizing a High Anthropogenic Polluted Area in the Northern Latium Region (Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1628
Author(s):  
Mario Vincenzo Russo ◽  
Ivan Notardonato ◽  
Alberto Rosada ◽  
Giuseppe Ianiri ◽  
Pasquale Avino
Keyword(s):  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Greenhouse Crops ◽  
River Waters ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Very High ◽  
Inorganic Fraction

This paper shows a characterization of the organic and inorganic fraction of river waters (Tiber and Marta) and ores/soil samples collected in the Northern Latium region of Italy for evaluating the anthropogenic/natural source contribution to the environmental pollution of this area. For organic compounds, organochloride volatile compounds in Tiber and Marta rivers were analyzed by two different clean-up methods (i.e., liquid–liquid extraction and static headspace) followed by gas chromatography–electron capture detector (GC-ECD) analysis. The results show very high concentrations of bromoform (up to 1.82 and 3.2 µg L−1 in Tiber and Marta rivers, respectively), due to the presence of greenhouse crops, and of chloroform and tetrachloroethene, due to the presence of handicrafts installations. For the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the inorganic fraction, it is highlighted the use of a nuclear analytical method, instrumental neutron activation analysis, which allows having more information as possible from the sample without performing any chemical-physical pretreatment. The results have evidenced high levels of mercury (mean value 88.6 µg g−1), antimony (77.7 µg g−1), strontium (12,039 µg g−1) and zinc (103 µg g−1), whereas rare earth elements show levels similar to the literature data. Particular consideration is drawn for arsenic (414 µg g−1): the levels found in this paper (ranging between 1 and 5100 µg g−1) explain the high content of such element (as arsenates) in the aquifer, a big issue in this area.

THE SELECTIVE PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME INHIBITORY ACTION OF BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE

1960 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan T. Beck ◽  
E. Pinter ◽  
R. D. McKenna ◽  
H. Griff
Keyword(s):  
Subcutaneous Injection ◽  
Proteolytic Enzyme ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis ◽  
Benzethonium Chloride ◽  
Tryptic Activity ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis ◽  
Very High

Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in humans is thought to be perpetuated by the autolytic processes catalyzed by trypsin and lipase. This study is an integral part of our search for trypsin and lipase inhibitors to be used in the treatment of this disease.Benzethonium chloride was found to inhibit tryptic activity in vitro. The proteolytic activity of rabbit's serum was inhibited, and the inhibition was most pronounced 6 to 12 hours after the subcutaneous injection of the compound. Fibrinolysin was also inhibited in vitro but benzethonium chloride had no inhibitory action on chymotrypsin, pepsin, or lipase.Serum proteins in vitro were precipitated only with very high concentrations of the compound. No significant protein changes were observed in sera of rabbits after the subcutaneous injection of the compound.

scholarly journals Arginine Inhibits Serpins

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-218
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Stief
Keyword(s):  
Esterase Activity ◽  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Biological Fluid ◽  
Microtiter Plate ◽  
Human Albumin ◽  
Amidolytic Activity ◽  
Peptide Substrates ◽  
Plate Reader ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Very High

Serine protease inactivators (serpins) are important regulators in biochemistry. Often it is necessary to block the serpin action, that is, to stabilize the sample. The guanidine group of arginine is the ligand for the active center pocket of many serine proteases. Arginine or guanidine inhibits serine proteases, and arginine belongs to the reactive P1-P1' center of many serpins. The plasmatic antithrombin, antiplasmin, or anti-C1-esterase activity was determined: A total of 20 µL of pooled normal plasma or 7% human albumin was added to 100 µL of 0—2.67 M arginine, pH 8.6, 10 µL of 26 mIU/mL thrombin in 7% human albumin, and 30 µL of 1.7 mM CHG-Ala-Arg-pNA (37°C). ΔA at 405 nm was determined, by using a microtiter plate reader. Thrombin was substituted by plasmin or C1-esterase, and the chromogenic peptide substrates <Glu-Phe-Lys-pNA or MeOC-Lys(eCBO)-Gly-Arg-pNA, respectively, were used. The IC50 of arginine against plasmatic antithrombin activity is 580 mM; the IC 25 is 440 mM. The IC25 of arginine against plasmatic α 2-antiplasmin or C1-inactivator is 1650 mM. The amidolytic activity of thrombin, plasmin, and C1-esterase is inhibited similarly by arginine: the IC50 for arginine against the amidolytic activity of these proteases is about 400 mM. Arginine at very high concentrations inhibits serpins. This is important, if stabilization of a biological fluid is a prerequisite for valid activities of serine proteases. In addition, these high concentrations of arginine might be a new gentle principle to inhibit pathogens that need serpins for their pathophysiology.

scholarly journals Vitamin B12 transport in blood. I. Congenital deficiency of transcobalamin II

Blood ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Gimpert ◽  
M Jakob ◽  
WH Hitzig
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Congenital Deficiency ◽  
Complete Clinical Remission ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Vitamin B12 Binder ◽  
Very High ◽  
Transcobalamin Ii

Abstract Some characteristics of vitamin B12 binding and transport in the serum of an infant with congenital hereditary transcobalamin II (TC II) deficiency were studied using the following parameters and methods: vitamin B12 level and binding capacity; electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; various immunodiffusion and absorption experiments, using a specific anti-TC II antiserum and the patient's serum as antigen. The results of these studies point to a deficient synthesis of TC II. Parenteral administration of high doses of vitamin B12 was followed by rapid and complete clinical remission and the appearance of vitamin B12 binder in the alpha 2 region which is similar to “fetal binder.” Thus, very high concentrations of vitamin B12, either carrier free or bound to this alpha 2 binder, were able to correct the disturbed physiology of TC II deficiency, presumably by normalization of DNA-thymine synthesis.

scholarly journals Environmental Performances and Biological Toxicity of Snowpack Water

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4967-4971
Keyword(s):  
Reference Class ◽  
Biological Toxicity ◽  
Snow Covered Area ◽  
Covered Area ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Medium Toxicity ◽  
Very High ◽  
Snow Samples

This work analyzes the state of snowpack in Nizhny Novgorod on the basis of certain chemical performances and integral biological toxicity. Snow samples were obtained in February 2018 along major highways of Nizhny Novgorod. A snow-covered area in Dubrava forestry was selected as reference. The studies demonstrated that the snowpack was characterized by very high concentrations of chlorides and sulfides: in sampling points of the Lower City, the content of chlorides and sulfates varied in the ranges of 24.67–62.36 mg/l and 30.16–62.09 mg/l, respectively, and in sampling points of the Upper City, this variability was 416.82–988.45 mg/l and 280.11–879.22 mg/l, respectively. The content of lead in snowpack in both the Lower City and the Upper City was approximately the same (0.0053 and 0.0048 mg/l). The minimum content of pollutants in snow samples from reference site was characterized by toxicity (10%, V = 6.0%) which was estimated as allowable (toxicity class 1). Snowpack water from the Lower City was characterized generally by medium toxicity (class 2), and sampled in the Upper City – by acute toxicity (59%, V = 26.5%), with regard to the reference (class 3).

scholarly journals Soil quality and proposal for fertility improvement of arable soil in Rasina District

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (51) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Biljana Sikirić ◽  
Vesna Mrvić ◽  
Olivera Stajković-Srbinović ◽  
Vladan Ugrenović ◽  
Darko Jaramaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Regular Control ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Very High

During the regular control of soil fertility in the Rasina District, it was established that the plots of land were distributed across Vertisol, Eutric Cambisol and Fluvisol types of soils, and to a lesser extent on Pseudogley and Ranker. The tested samples had different textures - sandy loam and loam, clay-sandy loam and clay loam, and clay. Plots of land that were of very acidic and acidic reactions were predominant, with medium amounts of humus, very low amounts of available phosphorus, and high amounts of available potassium. High or very high cation absorption capacity was found in about half of the examined fields; a deficient content of exchangeable Ca was recorded in 22% of plots and that of exchangeable Mg in 16% of plots, while an unfavorable Ca/Mg ratio was measured in 44% of plots. The overall sensitivity to acidification was mainly moderate (50.6% of plots) and strong (20.2% of plots). Very high concentrations of mobile Al, which could be toxic to plants, were found in 5 field plots.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Report on the Use of Bench-Top X-Ray Micro-Computerised Tomography to Study the Malpighian Tubules of the Overwintering Seven Spotted LadybirdCoccinella septempunctataL. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Bell ◽  
Lewis Woolnough ◽  
David Mortimore ◽  
Nick Corps ◽  
Diana M. Hudson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coccinella Septempunctata ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Computerised Tomography ◽  
X Ray ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Very High ◽  
Metallic Pollutants

The application of micro-CT scanning techniques on a small sample of “Seven-spot ladybirds”Coccinella septempunctata,collected in December 2009, identified an accumulation of material with a very high, relative X-ray attenuation value in the malpighian tubules of most but not all of the individuals sampled. The passage of metals such as cadmium in soil through a food chain to finally accumulate in high concentrations in ladybirds and lacewings has been previously reported. The identification of the dense material found in our sample of ladybirds, its origin, and the process by which it accumulates in, and is processed by, the malpighian tubules is the challenge ahead. The authors speculate that a straightforward means of monitoring levels of metallic pollutants in the environment might emerge.

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