Effects of deltamethrin subacute exposure in snakehead fish, Channa argus: Biochemicals, antioxidants and immune responses

To evaluate the effects on biochemicals, antioxidants, immune responses and disease resistance of the snakehead fish, following exposure to deltamethrin at 0.061, 0.121, 0.242, 0.485 and 0.970 μg/L. After 28 d, the biochemical, the levels of antioxidant enzymes and immune enzymes in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine were negatively related to the concentrations of deltamethrin exposure. Likewise, the survival rates of the fish after 7 d challenge with Aeromonas veronii were negatively related. The levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, Hsp70 and malondialdehyde in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine were positively connected to the concentrations of deltamethrin exposure. Results demonstrated that environmentally relevant concentrations (0.121, 0.242, 0.485 and 0.970 μg/L) inhibited the biochemicals, antioxidants and immune responses and disease resistance of snakehead fish.

Synthesis of multi-functional materials through self-assembly of N-alkyl phenothiazine linked poly(aryl ether) dendrons

Multi-functional materials developed from low molecular weight dendron gelators for phase selective gelation, a hydrophobic surface and invisible ink-gel formation.

Bioanalytical evidence that chemicals in tattoo ink can induce adaptive stress responses

Tattooing is becoming increasingly popular, particularly amongst young people. However, tattoo inks contain a complex mixture of chemical impurities that may pose a long-term risk for human health. As a first step towards the risk assessment of these complex mixtures we propose to assess the toxicological hazard potential of tattoo ink chemicals with cell-based bioassays. Targeted modes of toxic action and cellular endpoints included cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and adaptive stress response pathways. The studied tattoo inks, which were extracted with hexane as a proxy for the bioavailable fraction, caused effects in all bioassays, with the red and yellow tattoo inks having the greatest response, particularly inducing genotoxicity and oxidative stress response endpoints. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the tested black tattoo ink at concentrations twice the recommended level. The detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons only explained 0.06% of the oxidative stress response of the black tattoo ink, thus the majority of the effect was caused by unidentified components. The study indicates that currently available tattoo inks contain components that induce adaptive stress response pathways, but to evaluate the risk to human health further work is required to understand the toxicokinetics of tattoo ink chemicals in the body.

Recovery of a subtropical rocky shore is not yet complete, four years after a moderate sized oil spill

Little is known about the recovery trajectory from small to moderate spills (<1000 t), particularly in the sub-tropics. On 11 March 2009 the MV Pacific Adventurer spilt 270 t of bunker fuel oil 13 km off Moreton Island, Australia, impacting wetlands, sandy beaches and rocky shores. This study examines the recovery of the rocky shore community four years after the spill. Results indicate that recovery on Moreton Island is taking longer than the 3-4 years suggested by the literature. The upper shore is recovering faster than the mid shore and is nearly recovered while the mid shore is still in the recovery process. These results indicate that small to moderate sized spills can have environmental impacts on par with much larger spills and emphasizes the need for a clear definition of a recovery endpoint. Long term studies are required to gain a full understanding of trajectories of recovery after oil spill impacts.