Highly selective localized surface plasmon resonance sensor for selenium diagnosis in selenium-rich soybeans.

It is a challenge to determine selenium in acid aqueous for environmental monitoring and selenium-rich agricultural diagnosis. Herein, we developed a novel localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor to detect Se(IV) ions based on the extraordinary laterals etching of gold nanorods (AuNRs). The etching started from the laterals in the low amount of Se(IV) ions, and accompanied by an apparent red shift of the longitudinal plasmon band (LPB), and then transformed to the tips etching with the upward of Se(IV) ions, the LPB band immediately shifted to the shorter wavelength. The red shift change (Δλ) of LPB band was utilized to quantitative analysis instead of blue shift or absorbance intensity, which gave a high selectivity for the proposed sensor. More importantly, this sensor could be performed in 0.1 mol/L of HCl solution, which achieved the seamlessly jointing with the pretreatment of complex samples, without time-consuming pH adjustment.Successful selenium detection was demonstrated in complex soybean samples that collected from the maturity after spraying organic chelated selenium at full flower period. The sensor provided a promising way to monitor and diagnose selenium in complex environmental samples and selenium-rich crops.

The exposure to volatile organic compounds associate positively with overactive bladder risk in U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study of 2007-2020 NHANES.

Objective: The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the potential relationship between blood volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and overactive bladder (OAB) risk. Methods: A total of 11,183 participants from the 2007-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this cross-sectional study. We used multivariate logistic regression models to investigate the relationship between nine blood VOCs and OAB risk. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to investigate the dose-response relationship between blood VOCs and OAB. In addition, the overall association of blood VOCs with OAB risk was assessed by weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model. Finally, we conducted subgroup analyses to explore the findings in different high-risk populations. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis revealed that blood 2,5-dimethylfuran (aOR = 2.940, 95% CI: 1.096-7.890, P = 0.032), benzene (aOR = 1.460, 95% CI: 1.044-2.043, P = 0.027) and furan (aOR = 9.426, 95% CI: 1.421-62.500, P = 0.020) were positively independent associated with the risk of OAB. And dose-response risk curves indicated that 2,5-dimethylfuran, benzene and furan in the blood were linearly positive associated with OAB risk. WQS regression analysis showed that exposure to mixed blood VOCs increased the risk of OAB (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11-1.49), with furans having the greatest weight. In subgroup analyses, we found that OAB was more susceptible to blood VOCs in young and middle-aged, male, non-hypertensive, and alcohol-drinking populations. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that high exposure to VOCs is independently and positively associated with OAB risk in U.S. adults, particularly 2,5-dimethylfuran, benzene, and furan. In addition, age, gender, hypertension and alcohol consumption may influence the association. Our study provided novel epidemiologic evidence to explore the potential role of environmental pollutants in OAB.

Response of the microbial community structure to the environmental factors during the extreme flood season in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China.

Background: Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China, and there are several studies on the composition and diversity of bacteria in Poyang Lake, while few quantitative studies were carried out on the response of the bacterial community to environmental factors during the extreme flood season in Poyang Lake. Methods: The connected-lake heterogeneity of bacterial community composition (BCC) was investigated in Poyang Lake during the flood season in 2020. Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology was used in this study. Results: The bacterial community structure in the water was different from that in the sediment of Poyang Lake during extreme flood seasons. The bacterial diversity in water was much lower than that in sediment. In the water column, the dominant phyla were Actinobacteriota, while the composition of bacteria in sediment was more complex than that in water, and the dominant phyla in sediment were Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota. The bacterial diversity in the water of Poyang Lake showed seasonal dynamics, while no seasonal variation of bacterial communities in sediment was observed. The bacterial community structure in the sediment from the two bays and channel areas of Poyang Lake can be distinguished from each other. The microbial diversity in sediment gradually increased from the Sancha Bay to the Zhouxi Bay and then to the channel, but the total nitrogen (TN) concentration in sediment (STN) and the total phosphorus (TP) concentration in sediment (STP) showed opposite trends. This might be due to the anthropogenic disturbances from the extreme flood. The bacterial community structure in, water column was significantly correlated with WT, NH4-N, STP, SOM, Chl a, DO, TP, and Eh, while the bacterial community structure in sediment was significantly correlated with SOM and STP. Conclusion: The bacterial community structure in water was greatly different from that in sediment in Poyang Lake during extreme flood seasons. The bacterial community structure in the water column was not only sensitive to the geochemical characteristics of the water but also affected by some nutrient concentrations in the sediment. During the wet seasons, bacterial diversity was only affected by SOM and STP.

Spatio-temporal variation of toxin-producing gene abundance in Microcystis aeruginosa from Poyang Lake.

Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) causes massive blooms in eutrophic freshwater and releases microcystin. Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and has kept a mid-nutrient level in recent years. However, there is little research on microcystin production in Poyang Lake. In this study, water and sediment samples from ten sampling sites in Poyang Lake were collected from May to December in 2020, and from January to April in 2021 respectively. Microcystis genes (mcyA, mcyB, 16 s rDNA) were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis, and then the spatial and temporal variation of mcy genes, physicochemical factors, and bacterial population structure in the lake was analyzed. The relationship between the abundance of mcy genes and physicochemical factors in water column was also revealed. Results indicated that the microcystin-producing genes mcyA and mcyB showed significant differences in spatial and temporal levels as well, which is closely related to the physicochemical factors especially the water temperature (p < 0.05) and the nitrogen content (p < 0.05). The abundance of mcy genes in the sediment in December affected the abundance of mcy genes in the water column in the next year, while the toxic Microcystis would accumulate in the sediment. In addition to the toxic Microcystis, we also found a large number of non-toxic Microcystis in the water column and sediment, and the ratio of toxic to non-toxic species can also affect the toxicity production of M. aeruginosa. Overall, the results showed that M. aeruginosa toxin-producing genes in Poyang Lake distributed spatially and temporally which related to the physicochemical factors of Poyang Lake.

Sensitive detection of cadmium ions based on a quantum-dot-mediated fluorescent visualization sensor.

A sensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor for detecting cadmium ions (Cd2+) was constructed based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs). Red fluorescence (from CdTe QDs) played the role of the signal response and blue fluorescence (from CQDs) served as a reference probe without a color change. The fluorescent sensor showed high selectivity and sensitivity to Cd2+ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.018 µM and a range from 0.1 µM to 23 µM. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of Cd2+ in real rice samples. In addition, a fluorescent sensor integrated with a smartphone platform was further designed for the visualized and quantitative detection of Cd2+. This work might extend the range of visualization analysis strategies and provide new insights into the rapid quantitative, portable and sensitive detection of Cd2+ in real-time and on-site applications.

Tissue residue distribution and withdrawal time estimation of trimethoprim and sulfachloropyridazine in Yugan black-bone fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson).

Black-bone fowl are different from ordinary broilers in appearance and are considered to have rich nutritional properties. However, the metabolism of therapeutic drugs in black-bone fowl remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the tissue residue depletion kinetics of trimethoprim and sulfachloropyridazine in Yugan black-bone fowl, after daily oral administrations for 5 days at 4 mg/kg bw/day trimethoprim and 20 mg/kg bw/day sulfachloropyridazine, and to calculate the withdrawal times. After consecutive oral administrations, the tissues (liver, kidney, muscle and skin/fat) were collected at each of the following time points (0.16, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 20, 30 and 40 days). A newly-devised LC-MS/MS method was used to analyse the concentrations of trimethoprim and sulfachlorpyridazine in target tissues. The results showed that sulfachloropyridazine was rapidly metabolised in broilers, and there was no residue in all tissues 3 days post-administration. The concentration of trimethoprim in black-bone fowl skin/fat is the highest, and its metabolism rate is low. After 40 days, the concentration of trimethoprim in skin/fat is still as high as 140.1 ± 58.0 µg/kg, exceeding the maximum residue limit. In order to protect consumers' health, it is suggested that the withdrawal time of TMP in Yugan black-bone fowl is 69 days.

Pharmacokinetics, withdrawal time, and dietary risk assessment of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin, and sulfachloropyridazine-trimethoprim in Taihe black-boned silky fowls.

Enrofloxacin (ENR) and sulfachloropyridazine combined with trimethoprim (TMP) were commonly used in poultries to treat bacterial infections. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of these antibiotics in four tissues of Taihe black-boned silky fowls was studied. The results showed that these drugs were absorbed and distributed rapidly, with the highest concentration showing in skin. Meanwhile, ENR and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP) and TMP were depleted slowly, particularly in skin with the elimination half-lives being 37.1, 36.9, and 72.7 days, respectively. It may be attributed to the abundance of melanin in skin. The dietary risk assessment suggested that the long-term dietary intakes of ENR, CIP, and TMP showed a considerable threat to human health. Based on the experiment, the withdrawal times of 284 days for ENR + CIP and 159 days for TMP were acquired, which showed that these drugs are not appropriate for the application in Taihe black-boned silky fowls.

Pathological and biochemical characterizations of microcystin-LR-induced liver and kidney damage in chickens after acute exposure.

Cyanobacteria contains considerable amounts of protein and other nutritive materials and are considered to be high-quality protein source and feed additive for livestock and poultry. However, some species of cyanobacteria are also able to produce toxins, and exposure to these toxins represents health risks to animals. In the present study, pathological changes and biochemical responses were examined in the liver and kidney of the Chongren chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with microcystin-LR (MC-LR) at dose of 5 µg kg-1 (Low dose group, LD group), 10 µg kg-1 (Medium dose group, MD group), and 20 µg kg-1 (High dose group, HD group), respectively. Results revealed that the high dose of MC-LR led to the irreversible liver damage, which was characterized by mononuclear infiltrations，necrotic changes and blood congestion, and obvious recovery of hepatocytes was observed in the low and medium dose groups. Across all groups, the MC-LR-induced injuries in the kidney were prominent since the first hour, and it did not get any better at the end of the experiments. The MC-related detoxification and antioxidant components (GSH, GPX, GST) in the liver made positive responses, which helped to alleviate the cytotoxicity of MC-LR. Our results showed that even at low concentrations of MCs (produced by cyanobacteria), pathological changes (such as necrosis and inflammation) were observed in liver and kidney of birds.

Adsorption properties of pyramidal superatomic molecules based on the structural framework of the Au20 cluster.

The pyramidal Au20 cluster is a highly inert and stable superatomic molecule, but it is not suitable as a potential catalyst for covalent bond activations, e.g., CO oxidation reaction. Herein, the adsorption and electronic properties of CO molecules on various pyramidal clusters based on the structural framework of Au20 are investigated using density functional theory. According to the SVB model, we constructed isoelectronic superatomic molecules with different pyramid configurations by replacing the vertex atoms of the Au20 using metal M atoms (M = Li, Be, Ni, Cu, and Zn group atoms). After the CO molecules are adsorbed on the vertex atoms of these metal clusters, we analyzed the CO adsorption energies, C-O bond stretching frequencies, and electronic properties of the adsorption structures. It was found that the adsorption of CO molecules results in minimal changes in the parent geometries of the pyramidal clusters, and most adsorption structures are consistent with the geometry of CO adsorption at the vertex site of the Au20 cluster. There are significant red shifts when CO molecules are adsorbed on the Ni/Pd/Pt atoms of the clusters, and their CO adsorption energies were also greater. The molecular orbitals and density of states reveal that there are overlaps between the frontier orbitals of the clusters and CO, and the electronic structure of NiAu19- is not sensitive to CO. The ETS-NOCV analysis shows that the increase in the density of the bonding area caused by the orbital interactions between the fragments is higher than the decrease in the density of the bonding area caused by Pauli repulsion, presenting that the direction of charge flow in the deformation density is from CO → clusters. From energy decomposition analysis (EDA) and NPA charge, we find a predominant covalent nature of the contributions in CO⋯M interactions (σ-donation). Our study indicates that the SVB model provides a new direction to expand the superatomic catalysts from the superatom clusters, which also provides inference for the extension of the single atom catalysis.

Limitations of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate deposition in dense liquid tophi and calcified tophi.

OBJECTIVE: Dual-energy CT (DECT) detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in patients with established gout. However, limitations have been reported with early disease and with low urate burden. We aimed to study the performance of DECT in the detection and quantification of MSU deposition in solid and liquid tophi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient-derived solid and liquid tophi, suspensions of commercial synthetic, and in-house synthetic MSU crystals were prepared at varying concentrations. DECT was performed at 80 kVp and 150 kVp, and post-processed using Syngo Via gout software (Siemens) that color-coded urate and cortical bone as green and purple, respectively. DECT findings were correlated with ultrasound and microscopic findings. The protocol was reviewed by IRB and considered a non-human subject research. RESULTS: DECT did not detect urate deposition in either patient-derived liquid tophi or in-house synthetic crystals at any concentration. Lowering the post-processing minimum threshold increased the detection of in-house synthetic crystals but did not change the detection of patient-derived liquid tophi. Areas of calcium-rich purple color-coded regions, masking detection of urate, within the solid tophi and surrounding liquid tophi were noted on DECT. Histology showed co-presence of calcium along with MSU deposition in these. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates important limitations of DECT for liquid tophi due to subthreshold CT attenuation and for calcified tophi due to the obscuration of urate by calcium. Urate may be either undetectable or underestimated by DECT when these conditions are present.

Triazole-stabilized fluorescence sensor for highly selective detection of copper in tea and animal feed.

A triazole-stabilized fluorescence sensor is developed for copper detection in the study. Tris-(benzyltriazolylmethyl)amine (TBTA) is used to improve the sensitivity and stability for the sensing system. A series of comparative experiments are performed with and without TBTA. In the presence of TBTA, the fluorescence decrease ratio is enhanced from 2.46 to 118.25; the detection limit is reduced from 67 nM to 3.6 nM; the higher selectivity toward copper compared to the other metal ions is verified, including K+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, Hg2+, Fe3+ and Cr3+. Besides, the sensing system is successfully applied for copper determination in complex tea samples and chicken feed samples with the recovery range of 91.67-116.8%. A good consistency between the presented sensor and the flame atom absorbance spectrometry (FAAS) is confirmed by the low relative errors with the range from -2.39% to 7.02%.

DNA template-mediated click chemistry-based portable signal-on sensor for ochratoxin A detection.

A novel signal-on portable sensing system has been developed for OTA detection using personal glucose meter (PGM) as signal transducer. In the study, we explore the potential of using a short dsDNA as template to trigger the "click" ligation of two DNA strands, further improve the stability of DNA strand on the magnetic beads (MBs) surface, and thereby reduce the background signal. Compared with no "click" ligation, the background signal decreases 7.5 times. Both the sensitivity and selectivity are greatly promoted. A high sensitivity with OTA detection down to 72 pg/mL is achieved, which is comparable with several existing detectors, such as fluorescence-based detectors and electrochemical detectors. The feasibility of the strategy in real samples is well verified and evaluated by detecting OTA in feed samples, indicating the potential application in the food safety field.

Diagnostic advances in synovial fluid analysis and radiographic identification for crystalline arthritis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review addresses diagnostic methods for crystalline arthritis including synovial fluid analysis, ultrasound, and dual energy CT scan (DECT). RECENT FINDINGS: There are new technologies on the horizon to improve the ease, sensitivity, and specificity of synovial fluid analysis. Raman spectroscopy uses the spectral signature that results from a material's unique energy absorption and scatter for crystal identification. Lens-free microscopy directly images synovial fluid aspirate on to a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor chip, providing a high-resolution, wide field of view (∼20 mm) image. Raman spectroscopy and lens-free microscopy may provide additional benefit over compensated polarized light microscopy synovial fluid analysis by quantifying crystal density in synovial fluid samples. Ultrasound and DECT have good sensitivity and specificity for the identification of monosodium urate (MSU) and calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals. However, both have limitations in patients with recent onset gout and low urate burdens. SUMMARY: New technologies promise improved methods for detection of MSU and CPP crystals. At this time, limitations of these technologies do not replace the need for synovial fluid aspiration for confirmation of crystal detection. None of these technologies address the often concomitant indication to rule out infectious arthritis.

[Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Microcystins and Their Relationships with Physiochemical and Biological Factors in Poyang Lake].

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and an important drinking water source for Jiangxi Province. Since the year 2000, toxic cyanobacteria have been observed frequently in Poyang Lake. In this study, water samples were collected in the lake quarterly (April 2012, August 2012, October 2012, and January 2013) to examine the spatial and seasonal variations in the concentrations of microcystins (MCs; MC-RR, -YR, and -LR) and their relationships with physiochemical and biological factors. MCs were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem triple quadrupole/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). MC-RR (accounting for 75.01% and 71.34% of intracellular MC (IMC) and extracellular MC (EMC) concentrations, respectively) was the most dominant variant in Poyang Lake, followed by MC-LR (accounting for 21.95% and 24.97% of IMC and EMC concentrations, respectively), while MC-YR was detected in low concentrations (accounting for 3.01% and 3.69% of IMC and EMC concentrations, respectively). Total MC concentrations (IMC + EMC, TMC) ranged from 0.49 to 3517.85 ng·L-1, with an average of 337.43 ng·L-1 and only 2.53% (2 out of 79 water samples) of the water samples contained MCs concentrations exceeding the drinking water guideline level of 1 ng·L-1 for MC-LR proposed by World Health Organization (WHO). IMC concentrations showed significant relationships with Microcystis biomass (r=0.47, P<0.01), Oscillatoria biomass (r=0.68, P<0.01), Cyanobacteria biomass (r=0.56, P<0.01), and Chl-a (r=0.28, P<0.01), but no significant correlation was found between intracellular MC concentration and Anabena biomass (P>0.05), suggesting that Microcystis and Oscillatoria might be the main MCs-producing cyanobacteria in Poyang Lake. In addition, IMC concentrations were positively correlated with water temperature (r=0.51, P<0.01), transparence (r=0.69, P<0.01), Fe (r=0.43, P<0.01), and Zn contents (r=0.43, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with TN (r=-0.44, P<0.01), TP (r=-0.29, P<0.01), NH4+-N (r=-0.33, P<0.05), NO2--N (r=-0.28, P<0.05), Ca (r=-0.34, P<0.01), and Mg(r=-0.35, P<0.05), while no significant correlations were observed between IMC concentrations and pH, PO43--P, NO3--N, electrical conductivity, permanganate index, and Cu content (P>0.05). These results indicated that light intensity (represented by transparence), nitrogen, phosphorus, and water temperature might be the regulating factors of MCs production in Poyang Lake and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg) can influence the MC production to a certain extent. IMCs and EMCs exhibited similar seasonal variations in Poyang Lake. The highest values of IMCs (531.87 ng·L-1) and EMCs (232.44 ng·L-1) were observed in summer. The concentrations of IMCs and EMCs in autumn were 31.97 ng·L-1 and 6.49 ng·L-1, respectively. Low concentrations were observed in spring (0.55 ng·L-1 and 0.88 ng·L-1 of IMCs and EMCs, respectively) and winter (0.69 ng·L-1 and 4.14 ng·L-1 of IMCs and EMCs, respectively). The highest IMCs and EMCs values of Poyang Lake in summer were 2298.08 ng·L-1 and 1219.77 ng·L-1, respectively, and the lowest values were 92.53 ng·L-1 and 38.80 ng·L-1, respectively. Overall, the concentrations of IMCs in eastern bays, the vicinity of Songmen Mountain, Banghu Lake, and its outlet were higher than those in other regions. However, the spatial distributions of EMCs in Poyang Lake were different from those of IMCs. EMCs concentrations in the vicinity of Songmen Mountain, Banghu Lake, and its outlet were higher than those in other regions.

Seasonal and spatial variations of microcystins in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China.

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and an important drinking water source. Since the year 2000, toxic cyanobacteria have been observed frequently in Poyang Lake. In the present study, spatial and seasonal variations of microcystins (MCs; MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR) in water column were examined monthly from January to December (except the months of March, May, and November) in 2013, by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem triple quadrupole/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). MC-RR was the most dominant variant, followed by MC-LR, while MC-YR was detected in low concentration. Total MC concentrations (intracellular + extracellular MCs) ranged from 1.26 to 9916.05 ng/L, with an average of 469.99 ng/L, and only 3.14% (6 out of 192 samples) of the water samples contained MC concentrations that exceeded the drinking water guideline level of 1 µg/L for MC-LR proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). MC concentrations in water column showed obvious seasonal variations in Poyang Lake. Intracellular and extracellular MCs were both at a low level from January to April but increased quickly from June to August and decreased dramatically thereafter. Intracellular MCs exhibited similar spatial distribution pattern with extracellular MCs. Both intracellular and extracellular MC concentrations in eastern bays and around Songmen Mountain of Poyang Lake were higher than other regions. Intracellular MC concentrations were positively correlated with Chl a (r = 046, P < 0.01), pH (r = 0.25, P < 0.01), cyanobacterial biomass (r = 0.40, P < 0.01), and temperature (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) but negatively correlated with TN (r = - 0.28, P < 0.01), suggesting that TN, cyanobacteria biomass, pH, and temperature might be regulating factors for MC production in Poyang Lake.

Water quality assessment based on the water quality index method in Lake Poyang: The largest freshwater lake in China.

Twenty-four samplings were conducted every 3 months at 15 sites from January 2009 to October 2014 in Lake Poyang, and 20 parameters were analyzed and classified into three groups (toxic metals, easily treated parameters, and others). The assessment results based on water quality index (WQI) showed that the water quality in Lake Poyang was generally "moderate", according to the classification of the surface water quality standard (GB3838-2002) in China, but a deteriorating trend was observed at the interannual scale. Seasonally, the water quality was best in summer and worst in winter. Easily treated parameters generally determined the WQI value in the assessment, especially total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), while toxic metals and other parameters in Lake Poyang were generally at low and safe levels for drinking water. Water level (WL) has a net positive effect on water quality in Lake Poyang through dilution of environmental parameters, which in practice means TN. Consequently, local management agencies should pay more attention to nutrient concentrations during the monitoring schedule, as well as during the low-water periods which manifest a relatively bad water quality state, especially with the prevailing low WL observed recently in Lake Poyang.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Schizopygopsis malacanthus (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Schizopygopsis malacanthus is a circular molecule of 16,677 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 2 main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of the light strand replication). Most of the genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNAs. The control region is 938 bp in length and located between the tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Phe) genes, some typical conserved elements (TAS, CSB1-3 and CSB D-F) were found in this region. All these features reflect a typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement of the S. malacanthus.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the natural pentaploid loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cobitididae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the natural pentaploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus is a circular molecule of 16,643 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and two main noncoding regions (the control region and the origin of the light strand replication). Most of the genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNAs. The control region is 918 bp in length and located between the tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Phe) genes, some typical conserved elements (TAS, CSB1-3 and CSB D-F) were found in this region. All these features reflect a typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement of the pentaploid M. anguillicaudatus.

Occurrence and spatial distributions of microcystins in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China.

Occurrence and spatial distributions of microcystins (MCs; MC-RR, -YR, -LR, -LA, -LF, -LW) in Poyang Lake were studied during the period from July 6 to July 18, 2012, by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem triple quadrupole/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). MC-RR was the most dominant variant (94.70 and 84.73 % for intracellular (cellular MCs) and extracellular (dissolved MCs) MCs, respectively) in Poyang Lake, followed by MC-LR (4.65 and 13.17 %, respectively), MC-YR (0.8 and 2.63 %, respectively), and MC-LA (0.02 and 0.00 %), while MC-LW and MC-LF were not detected. Total MCs concentrations (intracellular +extracellular MCs) ranged between 0.0036 and 7.97 µg/L, with an average of 0.79 µg/L, and only two sampling stations with the total MCs concentrations exceeded the drinking water guideline level of 1 µg/L for MC-LR proposed by World Health Organization. The overall spatial pattern of intracellular and extracellular MCs in Poyang Lake demonstrates decreasing trends from east to west, and the south part higher than the north part. Intracellular MCs content was negatively correlated with total nitrogen (r = -0.34, p < 0.01) and NO3 (r = -0.35, p < 0.01), while no significant correlation was found between intracellular MCs concentration and total phosphorus, NH4, and NO2 (p > 0.05), suggesting that NO3 might be a regulating factor for MCs production in Poyang Lake. In addition, intracellular MCs concentrations were positively correlated with wind speed, Microcystis and Cyanobacteria biomass (r = 0.34-0.51, p < 0.05), indicating that wind speed plays an important role in the spatial distributions of MCs, and NO3, toxic cyanobacteria (mainly Microcystis), and wind speed seem to be the important forcing factors driving MCs spatial distributions in Poyang Lake.

Metal concentrations in various fish organs of different fish species from Poyang Lake, China.

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the muscle of eleven fish species (bighead carp, bream, catfish, carp, crucian, Culter alburnus, grass carp, mandarin fish, white semiknife carp, silver carp, and yellow catfish) from Poyang Lake were analysed using inductive coupling plasma mass spectrometry. Metal levels in other organs (e.g., bladder, gill, kidney, liver, and spleen) of bighead carp, carp, grass carp, and silver carp were also determined. The results showed that metal concentrations in the muscle of all fish species were significantly lower than the proposed limits. Heavy metal concentrations were found to be substantially higher in benthic fish than in pelagic fish. Higher Hg contents were observed in predatory fish. In addition, various metals showed different affinity to fish organs. Hg was the most abundant in muscle, while Ni and Pb concentrations were highest in gills, Cd and Zn concentrations were highest in kidneys, and Cu was most commonly found in livers. Estimations of health risks revealed no evidence of potential threats to consumers.