Exploring the nephrotoxicity of sulfur-containing derivatives in sulfur-fumigated Panacis Quinquefolii Radix based on chemical profiling and untargeted metabolomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (PQR) is often illegally sulfur fumigated to extend shelf life and improve appearance, but existing regulations of detecting SO2 residues do not accurately identify desulfurized sulfur-fumigated PQR (SF-PQR). Although sulfur-containing derivatives (SCDs) have been reported in some sulfur-fumigated herbs, there is a lack of research on the generation mechanisms and toxicity of SCDs. Our previous study reported the nephrotoxicity of SF-PQR, and there is an urgent necessity to illuminate the mechanism of toxicity as well as its association with SCDs. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the transformation pattern of chemical components and SCDs in SF-PQR, and to disclose the linkage between SCDs and SF-PQR nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracts of PQR (before and after SF) were detected by the UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS method, and SCDs were screened as quality markers (Q-markers). The composition of sulfur combustion products was examined by ion chromatography to exploit the conversion mechanism of SCDs. After administration of PQR extracts to mice for two weeks, serum was collected for GC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics study to mine for differential metabolites. The upstream genes were traced by network analysis to probe toxicity targets. Molecular docking was used to uncover the interactions between SCDs and the targets. RESULTS: Thirty-three compounds were identified and 11 SCDs of saponins were screened, including four SO3 sulfonation products and five H2SO3 sulfonation products. Metabolomics study showed significant alterations in serum biochemistry of SF-PQR group, with substantial increases in fumarate and 2-heptanone content, and induced disturbances in glycerolipid metabolism and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis in mice. Network analysis revealed that the key toxicity targets were DECR1, PLA2G1B, and CAT. Molecular docking indicated that SCDs had stable interaction forces with the above three toxicity targets. CONCLUSION: SF-PQR caused kidney damage by affecting glycerolipid metabolism and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. Eleven SCDs were potential nephrotoxic substances and Q-markers for identifying SF-PQR. This study is the first to systematically elucidate the mechanism of SF-PQR-related nephrotoxicity, providing a robust basis for the construction of new quality control standards and a global prohibition of sulfur fumigation.

Air pollution from gas refinery through contamination with various elements disrupts semiarid Zagros oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) forests, Iran.

Soils and oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl.) in Zagros forests are suffering from the air pollution caused by the Ilam Gas Refinery. Thus, for the first time, we investigated the contamination level of sulfur and trace elements in these ecosystems. Sampling of soil and tree leaves was carried out in different seasons of 2019 and at different distances from the gas refinery. The results showed that soils and leaves at the various distances compared with control distance (10,000 m) were more affected by the gas refinery. Distance from the pollution source and physicochemical properties of soils were the main factors affecting contamination of soil elements contents. The soils with pollution load indices (PLI) of 4.54 were in the highly polluted category. Sulfur was at highly polluted category in soils and were highly enriched in trees. The trees mainly absorbed studied elements via their aerial organs. Our findings indicated that oak trees with the highest value of metal accumulation index are influence tools for monitoring various elements in the polluted air produced by the gas refinery. It is recommended that the ecosystem components near the refinery be studied to accurately evaluate disorders in the food chain.

A direct contact bioassay using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) for toxicity assessment of contaminated field soils.

In this study, 11 low/uncontaminated (including Lufa 2.2) and 9 contaminated field soils with varying geophysical and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated for toxicities based on oxygen consumption of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Oxygen consumption of the low/uncontaminated soils ranged between 7.9 mL and 9.5 mL, while contaminated soils ranged between 0.4 mL and 5.4 mL. Inherent test variability (CVi), variation due to soil natural properties (CVns) and minimal detectable difference (MDD) values ranged 1.2%-3.9%, 3.5%-16.9%, and 2.1%-4.3%, respectively. The toxicity threshold of 20% was established for soil toxicity based maximal tolerable inhibition (MTI). All the contaminated soils were found to be toxic and showed inhibition between 42% and 100% above the 20% threshold value. Increased proportions of clay and slit enhanced the of inhibitory effect of contaminants on SOB by reducing the oxygen consumption. Current study provides a suitable method for the rapid toxicity assessment of contaminated field soils with the advantages of ease of handling and rapidity without employing elutriates and sophisticated equipments and tools.

Sulfur triggers glutathione and phytochelatin accumulation causing excess Cd bound to the cell wall of roots in alleviating Cd-toxicity in alfalfa.

Although Cd is threatening to the environment, animal, and human, the eco-friendly approach to mitigate the Cd-toxicity in alfalfa was barely studied. Therefore, this study aims at elucidating the role of S, a crucial macroelement, in alleviating Cd toxicity in alfalfa plants. The supplementation of S in Cd-stressed alfalfa reversed the detrimental effect on plant biomass, chlorophyll synthesis, and protein concentration. Interestingly, S surplus restored the photosynthetic kinetics, such as Fv/Fm, Pi_ABS, and Mo values in leaves of Cd-stressed alfalfa. Further, Cd-induced adverse effect on membrane stability, cell viability, and redox status was restored due to S under Cd stress. The exogenous S not only increased S status and the expression of sulfate transporters (MsSULRT1;2 and MsSULTR1;3), but also decreased the Cd concentration in the shoot by retaining elevated Cd in root tissue. Further analysis revealed the upregulation of MsGS (glutathione synthetase) and MsPCS1 (phytochelatin synthase) genes along with the increased concentration of glutathione and phytochelatin, predominantly in roots subjected to S surplus under Cd stress. The subcellular Cd analysis showed elevated Cd in the cell wall but not in the vacuole. It suggests that S-induced elevated glutathione enables the phytochelatin to bind with excess Cd leading to subcellular sequestration in the cell wall of roots. Also, S stimulates the S-metabolites and GR enzyme that coordinately counteracts Cd-induced oxidative damage. These findings can be utilized to popularize the application of S and to perform breeding/transgenic experiments to develop Cd-free forage crops.

Sulfur or Pollen? Chemical, Biological, and Toxicological Basis for the Correct Risk Communication of Urban Yellow Dust Deposition.

Urban yellow dust deposition is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world, which is sometimes called "sulfur shower," "sulfur rain," or "pollen storm." Most people, especially those living in the vicinity of industrial facilities, wrongly perceive the yellow dust as sulfur when in fact it is pollen. The misunderstanding increases risk perception as people believe the "yellow powder" is a serious threat to their health. Based on simple observations, it is virtually impossible to differentiate sulfur from pollen, so risk communication should consider the chemical, biological, and toxicological aspects of these agents. In this review, we clarify that industrial emissions of sulfur are under the form of sulfides, oxides, and other volatile compounds which are gaseous and noncolored, and we explain that it is chemically impossible for gaseous sulfur to become solid yellow sulfur under normal environmental conditions. We also describe pollen and its release from trees, shrubs, and herbs a process influenced by atmospheric conditions. We suggest take-home messages that risk communicators may use when explaining the phenomenon to their communities.

Short and long-term effects of low-sulphur fuels on marine zooplankton communities.

International shipping is responsible for the release of numerous contaminants to the air and the marine environment. In order to reduce airborne emissions, a global 0.5 % sulphur limit for marine fuels was implemented in January 2020. Recently, a new generation of so-called hybrid fuels that meet these new requirements have appeared on the market. Studies have shown that these fuels have physical properties that make conventional clean-up methods difficult, but few have studied their effects on marine life. We conducted short and long-term microcosm experiments with natural mesozooplankton communities exposed to the water accommodated fractions (WAFs) of the hybrid fuel RMD80 (0.1 % sulphur) and a Marine Gas Oil (MGO). We compared the toxicity of both fuel types in 48h short-term exposures, and studied the effects of the hybrid fuel on community structure over two generations in a 28-day experiment. The F0 generation was exposed for eight days and the F1 generation was raised for 22 days without exposure. GC-MS and GC-FID analysis of the WAFs revealed that the hybrid fuel was dominated by a mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), whereas the MGO was mainly composed of VOCs. We observed significant short-term effects on copepod egg production from exposure to 25 % hybrid fuel WAF, but no effects from the MGO WAF at equivalent WAF dilution. In the long-term experiment with RMD80, the feeding rate was initially increased after exposure to 0.5-1.1 % hybrid fuel WAF, but this did not increase the copepod egg production. Significant change in community structure was observed after eight days in the F0 community at 0.5-3.3 % WAF. Indications of further alterations in species abundances was observed in the F1 community. Our results demonstrate that the MGO is a less toxic low-sulphur alternative to the hybrid fuel for marine zooplankton, and that a hybrid fuel spill could result in altered diversity of future generations of copepod communities.

Induced toxicity in early-life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) and its behavioral analysis after exposure to non-doped, nitrogen-doped and nitrogen, sulfur-co doped carbon quantum dots.

In this study, the effects of doping of CQDs with alternative functional groups (dopants) were evaluated through embryonic development of zebrafish (Danio rerio). The CQDs were synthesized using simple and low-cost sources: Non-doped (citric acid was used as the carbon source), nitrogen-doped (N-doped) and nitrogen, sulfur-co-doped (N,S-doped). The CQDs induced significant toxicity to zebrafish (>150 µg/mL) and the toxic effects were dose-dependent. The N,S-doped CQDs were the most toxic (LD50 = 149.92 µg/mL), followed by the N-doped CQDs (LD50 = 399.95 µg/mL) while the non-doped CQDs were the least toxic (LD50 = 548.48 µg/mL) of the three. The growth rate (GR) was affected following the toxicity pattern (GRNS-doped

Functionalized carbon quantum dots as fluorescent nanoprobe for determination of tetracyclines and cell imaging.

Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon dots (N, S-CQDs) with high fluorescent, water-soluble, low-toxicity properties were synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach. The prepared N, S-CDs exhibited high selectivity in detection of tetracyclines (TCs) and displayed a fast-responsive fluorescence quenching signal in the mixture, which are mainly attributed to the inner filter effect (IFE). The synthesized N, S-CQDs are successfully used as a fluorescent nanoprobe for the determination of CTC in milk samples (with excitation/emission maxima at 373/424 nm). The limit of detection (LOD) is 71 ng mL-1, and the recoveries of spiked samples range from 96 to 104% with a relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 2.7% (n = 3). Additionally, the cytotoxicity and optical imaging performance of N, S-CQDs were preliminarily evaluated. The results indicate the low-toxicity and good biocompatibility of the N, S-CQDs and their promising future as fluorescent-imaging agents in pharmaceutical analysis. Graphical Abstract Synthesis flowchart and application of nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped carbon quantum dots.

Response of Bacillus vallismortis sp. EPS to exogenous sulfur stress/ induction and its adsorption performance on Cu(II).

The chemical composition of EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substances) produced by Bacillus vallismortis sp. and its adsorption performance on typical heavy metal were studied under Na2S stress/induction at different concentrations. Its structure was characterized by three-dimensional fluorescence spectrogram (3D-EEM), infrared spectrum (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that, when the Na2S stress/induction intensity was 20 mg/L, the protein concentration was nearly doubled compared with Control-EPS (EPS produced by Bacillus vallismortis sp. without exogenous sulfur stress); furthermore, the 3D-EEM results also demonstrated that there was an increase in the protein content, with the -SH content reaching 154.36 µmol/L, which was 48.2% higher than before stress (104.15 µmol/L). Under this condition, S-EPS (EPS produced by Bacillus vallismortis sp. stressed by exogenous sulfur) exhibited the best adsorption effect on Cu(II), with the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity reaching 1428.57 mg/g EPS. FTIR and XPS analyses revealed that the -SH, CO, N-H played a major role in the adsorption of Cu(II); among those, -SH played a key role. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of Cu(II) by S-EPS was correlated with the content of sulfhydryl protein; indeed, the exogenous sulfur stress/induction can effectively regulate the chemical composition of EPS and improve its adsorption performance, which can be crucial in the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution.

Nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur tri-doped carbon dots are specific and sensitive fluorescent probes for determination of chromium(VI) in water samples and in living cells.

A rapid, sensitive, and selective fluorometric assay is described for the determination of chromium(VI) in real waters and living cells. The method is making use of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur tri-doped carbon dots (NPS-CDs) which have absorption/emission maxima at 360/505 nm/nm. Cr(VI) has an absorption maximum at 350 nm and causes an inner filter effect (IFE) on the blue fluorescence of the NPS-CDs. The NPS-CDs were hydrothermally synthesized using p-aminobenzenesulfonic acid and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride as precursors. The NPS-CDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and several spectroscopic methods. They are biocompatible and negligibly cytotoxic when tested with HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells even after 48 h of incubation. The NPS-CDs were used as fluorescent probes for Cr(VI). The detection limit is 0.23 µM (three times standard deviation versus slope), and the linear response covers the 1 to 500 µM chromate concentration range. The NPS-CDs were applied to the determination of Cr(VI) in real waters and living cells (HeLa and MCF-7) and gave satisfying results. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur tri-doped carbon dots (NPS-CDs) for Cr(VI) detection via inner filter effect (IFE). NPS-CDs were applied to the determination of Cr(VI) in living cells (HeLa and MCF-7) with satisfying results.

Effects of scrubber washwater discharge on microplankton in the Baltic Sea.

In 2020, the global cap of maximum allowable sulphur content in marine fuel will be reduced from the current 3.5% to 0.5%. Another way to reduce the sulphur emissions is to install a seawater scrubber that cleans exhausts but instead release acidic water containing nutrients and contaminants back to the marine environment. In the current study, scrubber washwater was tested on a Baltic Sea microplankton community. A significant increase in chlorophyll a, particulate organic phosphorus (POP), carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) were observed when the community was exposed to 10% scrubber washwater for 13 days as compared to the control. A laboratory experiment with the filamentous cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena and the chain-forming diatom Melosira cf. arctica showed negative responses in photosynthetic activity (EC10 = 8.6% for N. spumigena) and increased primary productivity (EC10 = 5.5% for M. cf. arctica), implying species-specific responses to scrubber washwater discharge.

Ecotoxicity of Nitrogen, Sulfur, or Oxygen Heterocycles and Short-Chained Alkyl Phenols Commonly Detected in Contaminated Groundwater.

Nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NSO-HETs) and short-chained alkyl phenols (SCAPs) are commonly detected in groundwater at contaminated sites and in the surrounding environment. It is now scientific consensus that these chemicals pose a risk to human and ecosystem health. However, toxicity data are comparably fragmentary, and only few studies have addressed the ecotoxicity of NSO-HETs and SCAPs in a systematic and comparative fashion. To overcome this shortcoming, we tested 18 SCAPs, 16 NSO-HETs, as well as the homocyclic hydrocarbons indane and indene in the Microtox® assay with Aliivibrio fischeri, the growth inhibition test with Desmodesmus subspicatus, the acute immobilization assay with Daphnia magna, as well as the fish embryo toxicity test with embryos of the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Because of the physicochemical properties of the tested chemicals (limited water solubility, volatility, and sorption to test vessels), actual exposure concentrations in test media and their dissipation over time were analytically quantified by means of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Analytically corrected effect levels (median effect and lethal concentrations) ranged from 0.017 to 180 mg L-1 , underlining the environmental relevance of some NSO-HETs and SCAPs. Para-substituted phenols showed the overall greatest toxicities in all 4 toxicity tests. We provide, for the first time, a complete high-quality data set in support of better environmental risk assessments of these chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1343-1355. © 2019 SETAC.

Identification of molecular targets for toxic action by persulfate, an industrial sulfur compound.

Persulfate salts are broadly used as industrial chemicals and exposure to them causes occupational asthma, occupational rhinitis and contact dermatitis. However, the mechanisms underlying these toxic actions are not fully elucidated. Transient receptor potential (TRP) vanilloid 1 (V1), ankyrin 1 (A1) and melastatin 8 (M8) are non-selective cation channels preferentially expressing sensory neurons. These channels are known to be involved in respiratory and skin diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sodium persulfate on these TRP channels. In wild-type mouse sensory neurons, persulfate evoked [Ca2+]i increases that were inhibited by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or blockers of TRPA1 but not by those of TRPV1 and TRPM8. Persulfate failed to evoke [Ca2+]i responses in neurons from TRPA1(-/-) mice, but did evoke them in neurons from TRPV1(-/-) mice. In HEK 293 cells expressing mouse TRPA1 (mTRPA1-HEK), persulfate induced [Ca2+]i increases. Moreover, in HEK 293 cells expressing mouse TRPV1 (mTRPV1-HEK), a high concentration of persulfate also evoked [Ca2+]i increases. Similar [Ca2+]i responses were observed in HEK 293 cells expressing human TRPA1 and human TRPV1. Current responses were also elicited by persulfate in mTRPA1- and mTRPV1-HEK. Analysis using mutated channels revealed that persulfate acted on electrophilic agonist-sensitive cysteine residues of TRPA1, and it indirectly activated TRPV1 due to the external acidification, because of the disappearance of [Ca2+]i responses in acid-insensitive mTRPV1 mutant. These results demonstrate that persulfate activates nociceptive TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels. It is suggested that activation of these nociceptive channels may be involved in respiratory and skin injuries caused by exposure to this industrial sulfur compound. Thus, selective TRPA1 and TRPV1 channel blockers may be effective to remedy persulfate-induced toxic actions.

Proapoptic and immunotoxic effects of sulfur-fumigated polysaccharides from Smilax glabra Roxb. in RAW264.7 cells.

The herbs with sulfur-fumigation may induce chemical transformation thus causing harmful effects on patients. In the current study, the difference of physicochemical property from sulfur-fumigated Smilax glabra Roxb. polysaccharides (SSGRP) and non-fumigated Smilax glabra Roxb. polysaccharides (NSGRP) were characterized and compared, such as external appearance, dissolvability, extraction yield, glucose content, inorganic elements analysis, UV and IR scanning spectrum. Additionally, the immunotoxicity and mechanisms of SSGRP and NSGRP on immune response of murine abdominal RAW264.7 macrophage cells were evaluated by cell viability, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analyses. The results demonstrated that NSGRP could not affect the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells but SSGRP could effectively inhibit the cells viability by inducing apoptosis. SSGRP could also up-regulated the mRNA expression of apoptosis factors including Bax and caspase-8. Further investigation elucidated that NSGRP exhibited excellent immunomodulatory activity of RAW264.7 cells, however, SSGRP might inhibit the activity through down-regulating the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression as well as blocking the phosphorylation of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In conclusion, our study suggested that sulfur-fumigation displayed significant immune toxicity on immune response of murine abdominal RAW264.7 macrophages, and the study provided new insights in controlling the sulfur-fumigation processing and storage method in Chinese herbal medicines.

Phytotoxicity of polymetallic mine wastes from southern Tuscany and Saxony.

Restoration potential of mine wastes or approaches to improve soil conditions and to ameliorate phytotoxicity on these sites may be simulated in standardized greenhouse experiments. Plants can be cultivated side by side on materials from different origins in dilution series with defined admixtures of certain aggregates. Mine wastes used in the present study originated from Fenice Capanne (FC, Tuscany, Italy) and Altenberg (ALT, Saxony, Germany). Tailings of the Italian site contain high concentrations of lead, zinc, arsenic and sulphur while tin, wolfram, molybdenum and lithium are highly elevated in the German mine waste. We tested growth responses of five crop species and analyzed concentrations of various metals and nutrients in the shoot to evaluate the toxicity of the FC mine waste and found oilseed rape being the most and corn the least resistant crop. Interestingly, oilseed rape accumulated seven times higher levels of lead than corn without showing adverse effects on productivity. In a subsequent comparison of FC and ALT mine waste, we cultivated different species of buckwheat (Fagopyrum spec.), a fast growing genus that evolved in mountain areas and that has been shown to be tolerant to low pH and high concentrations of metals. We found that the FC mine waste was more toxic than the ALT substrate in F. tataricum and F. esculentum. However, lower admixtures of FC material (10%) resulted in stronger growth reductions than higher proportions (25%) of the mine waste which was primarily related to the slightly lower pH and higher availability of essential metals due to the admixture of sand. These results confirm the importance of managing the soil chemical and physical characteristics of wastelands and call for the development of assisted reclamation to prepare sites for regular biomass production.

Reduced activities of thiamine-dependent and cytochrome c oxidase enzymes in cerebral cortex of cattle affected by sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia.

Sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is an important disease affecting cattle in certain geographical regions. However, the pathogenesis of brain damage is not completely understood. We previously observed that excess dietary sulfur may influence thiamine status and altered thiamine metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM in cattle. In this study, we evaluated the activities of thiamine-dependent enzymes [α-ketogluterate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)] and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in the cerebral cortex of sulfur-induced PEM-affected cattle (n = 9) and clinically normal cattle (n = 8, each group) exposed to low or high dietary sulfur [LS = 0.30% versus HS = 0.67% sulfur on a dry matter (DM) basis]. Enzyme activities in PEM brains were measured from the brain tissue regions and examined using ultraviolent (UV) light illumination to show fluorescence or non-fluorescence regions. No gross changes under regular or UV light, or histopathological changes indicative of PEM were detected in the brains of cattle exposed to LS or HS diets. The PDH, α-KGDH, and COX activities did not differ between LS and HS brains, but all enzymes showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) activities in UV-positive region of PEM brains compared with LS and HS brains. The UV-negative regions of PEM brain had similar PDH activities to LS and HS brains, but the activities of α-KGDH and COX were significantly lower than in LS and HS brains. The results of this study suggest that reduced enzyme activities of brain PHD, α-KGDH, and COX are associated with the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM.

La polio-encéphalomalacie (PEM) induite par le souffre est une maladie importante affectant les bovins dans certaines régions géographiques. Toutefois, la pathogenèse des dommages cérébraux n'est pas complètement comprise. Nous avons observé antérieurement qu'un excès de souffre alimentaire peu influencer le statut de la thiamine et le métabolisme altéré de la thiamine pourrait être impliqué dans la pathogenèse de la PEM induite par le souffre chez les bovins. Dans la présente étude nous avons évalué les activités d'enzymes dépendant de la thiamine [α-kétoglutarate déshydrogénase (α-KGDH) et pyruvate déshydrogénase (PDH)] et du cytochrome c oxydase (COX) dans le cortex cérébral de bovins affectés de PEM induite par le souffre (n = 9) et de bovins cliniquement normaux (n = 8, chaque groupe) exposés à des quantités faibles (LS) ou élevés (HS) de souffre alimentaire (LS = 0,30 % vs HS = 0,67 % souffre sur une base de matière sèche). L'activité enzymatique dans les cerveaux PEM était mesurée à partir de régions du tissu cérébral et examinée à l'aide d'une lampe à rayons ultraviolets (UV) pour montrer les régions fluorescentes et non-fluorescentes. Aucun changement macroscopique n'était apparent à l'examen sous éclairage régulier ou lumière UV, et aucun changement histopathologique indicateur de PEM ne fut détecté dans les cerveaux des bovins exposés à des diètes LS ou HS. L'activité de PDH, de α-KGDH, et de COX ne différait pas entre les cerveaux LS et HS, mais tous les enzymes montraient une activité significativement plus faible (P < 0,05) dans les régions positive aux UV dans les cerveaux PEM comparativement aux cerveaux LS et HS. Les régions UV négative des cerveaux PEM avaient des activités PDH similaires à celles des cerveaux LS et HS, mais les activités de α-KGDH et de COX étaient significativement plus faibles que dans les cerveaux LS et HS. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la réduction d'activités de PDH, α-KGDH et de COX du cerveau est associée avec la pathogenèse de PEM induite par le souffre.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Defining the Architecture of the Core Machinery for the Assembly of Fe-S Clusters in Human Mitochondria.

Although Fe-S clusters may assemble spontaneously from elemental iron and sulfur in protein-free systems, the potential toxicity of free Fe2+, Fe3+, and S2- ions in aerobic environments underscores the requirement for specialized proteins to oversee the safe assembly of Fe-S clusters in living cells. Prokaryotes first developed multiprotein systems for Fe-S cluster assembly, from which mitochondria later derived their own system and became the main Fe-S cluster suppliers for eukaryotic cells. Early studies in yeast and human mitochondria indicated that Fe-S cluster assembly in eukaryotes is centered around highly conserved Fe-S proteins (human ISCU) that serve as scaffolds upon which new Fe-S clusters are assembled from (i) elemental sulfur, provided by a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent cysteine desulfurase (human NFS1) and its stabilizing-binding partner (human ISD11), and (ii) elemental iron, provided by an iron-binding protein of the frataxin family (human FXN). Further studies revealed that all of these proteins could form stable complexes that could reach molecular masses of megadaltons. However, the protein-protein interaction surfaces, catalytic mechanisms, and overall architecture of these macromolecular machines remained undefined for quite some time. The delay was due to difficulties inherent in reconstituting these very large multiprotein complexes in vitro or isolating them from cells in sufficient quantities to enable biochemical and structural studies. Here, we describe approaches we developed to reconstitute the human Fe-S cluster assembly machinery in Escherichia coli and to define its remarkable architecture.

Antioxidant, photosynthesis and growth characteristics of plants grown in high sulphur coalmine overburden.

North East region of India suffers from high sulphur coal mine overburden (OB) and plants those survive under such condition have adopted to such harsh environment. Here, we have investigated the effect of coal mine OB substrate on biochemical, physiological and growth of two shrubs Cassia (Cassia sofera L.) and Dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata L.); two tree species Gomari (Gmelina arborea L.) and Sisso (Dalbergia sisso L.); and two monocots Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) and Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus L). The mine OB was found to be acidic (pH 2.0) with no true soil behavior, 12.5% sulphur and more than double the trace and heavy metals compared to normal control soil. Overall, high lipid peroxidation, membrane damage, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase enzymes activities along with osmolyte proline and total soluble sugar was found in mine OB plants compared to control plants. While antioxidant activities were higher, nitrate reductase activity was significantly low but reduced leaf area, total shoot and root biomass. However, the responses of antioxidant activities in mine OB plants and control plants did not follow a standard pattern of higher activities in roots followed by old>young leaves or vice versa. Further, in mine OB plants, lipid peroxidation was found significantly higher for young citronella leaves. The levels of higher glutathione reductase was found in roots than the leaves except for old leaves in Gomari while ascorbate peroxidase was found in the leaves than the roots. Overall, all the species showed higher antioxidant enzyme activities, osmolyte accumulation and membrane damage possibly due to acidity and significantly higher limit of trace and heavy metals in mine OB substrate.

The interactive effect of fungicide residues and yeast assimilable nitrogen on fermentation kinetics and hydrogen sulfide production during cider fermentation.

BACKGROUND: Fungicide residues on fruit may adversely affect yeast during cider fermentation, leading to sluggish or stuck fermentation or the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), which is an undesirable aroma compound. This phenomenon has been studied in grape fermentation but not in apple fermentation. Low nitrogen availability, which is characteristic of apples, may further exacerbate the effects of fungicides on yeast during fermentation. The present study explored the effects of three fungicides: elemental sulfur (S0 ) (known to result in increased H2 S in wine); fenbuconazole (used in orchards but not vineyards); and fludioxonil (used in post-harvest storage of apples). RESULTS: Only S0 led to increased H2 S production. Fenbuconazole (≥0.2 mg L-1 ) resulted in a decreased fermentation rate and increased residual sugar. An interactive effect of yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) concentration and fenbuconazole was observed such that increasing the YAN concentration alleviated the negative effects of fenbuconazole on fermentation kinetics. CONCLUSION: Cidermakers should be aware that residual fenbuconazole (as low as 0.2 mg L-1 ) in apple juice may lead to stuck fermentation, especially when the YAN concentration is below 250 mg L-1 . These results indicate that fermentation problems attributed to low YAN may be caused or exacerbated by additional factors such as fungicide residues, which have a greater impact on fermentation performance under low YAN conditions. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Toxic airborne S, PAH, and trace element legacy of the superhigh-organic-sulphur Rasa coal combustion: Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assessment of soil and ash.

This paper presents the levels of sulphur, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and potentially toxic trace elements in soils surrounding the Plomin coal-fired power plant (Croatia). It used domestic superhigh-organic-sulphur Rasa coal from 1970 until 2000. Rasa coal was characterised by exceptionally high values of S, up to 14%, making the downwind southwest (SW) area surrounding the power plant a significant hotspot. The analytical results show that the SW soil locations are severely polluted with S (up to 4%), and PAHs (up to 13,535ng/g), while moderately with Se (up to 6.8mg/kg), and Cd (up to 4.7mg/kg). The composition and distribution pattern of PAHs in the polluted soils indicate that their main source could be airborne unburnt coal particles. The atmospheric dispersion processes of SO2 and ash particles have influenced the composition and distribution patterns of sulphur and potentially toxic trace elements in studied soils, respectively. A possible adverse impact of analysed soil on the local karstic environment was evaluated by cytotoxic and genotoxic methods. The cytotoxicity effects of soil and ash water extracts on the channel catfish ovary (CCO) cell line were found to be statistically significant in the case of the most polluted soil and ash samples. However, the primary DNA-damaging potential of the most polluted soil samples on the CCO cells was found to be within acceptable boundaries.