Physiological responses of beet and cabbage plants exposed to copper and their potential insertion in human food chain

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Copper (Cu) can be toxic to vegetables when it is absorbed and accumulated at large concentrations, a fact that increases the risk of excessive...     

The tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to copper excess and to the use of calcium and phosphorus to mitigate its phytotoxicity

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - High soil copper (Cu) concentrations in vineyards can cause phytotoxicity to grapevine rootstocks. In order to mitigate toxicity, the use of grapevine...     

Effects of four rice herbicides on some metabolic and toxicology parameters of teleost fish (Leporinus obtusidens)

Effects of different herbicides on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase and TBARS formation in teleost fish (Leporinus obtusidens) were studied. Fish were exposed during 30 days at concentrations of herbicides used in rice field. AChE activity in the brain decreased significantly after exposure to the herbicides clomazone and quinclorac. However, AChE activity increased significantly in muscle tissue after exposure to clomazone, propanil and metsulfuron methyl. Fish exposed to quinclorac, propanil and metsulfuron methyl showed TBARS decreased levels in brain and muscle tissues. However, TBARS and catalase activity increased in liver tissue after clomazone and propanil exposure. This study pointed out long-term effects on AChE activity, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme catalase in tissues of L. obtusidens after exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of rice field herbicides. These parameters have been used to monitor fish toxicity in rice field system.     

Activity of nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase, 5′-nucleotidase,and adenosine deaminase in cattle fed on pastures treated with different nitrogen fertilizers

The aim of this study was to evaluate nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase, 5′-nucleotidase, and adenosine deaminase activities in cattle fed on cuttings from pastures fertilized with urea compared to animals fed on cuttings from organically fertilized or from non-fertilized pastures. Blood samples were collected up to 9 h after feeding, and nitrite and enzyme activities were evaluated. The animals feeding on urea-fertilized pasture suffered subclinical intoxication. Serum nitrite levels increased by about 50% and adenosine deaminase activity increased almost sixfold 4 and 6 h after feeding on urea-fertilized pasture, and adenosine deaminase in platelets almost doubled 6 and 9 h after feeding. In platelets, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase activity with adenosine triphosphate as substrate increased 2, 4, 6 and 9 h after feeding while nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase with adenosine diphosphate as substrate and 5′-nucleotidase activities increased only 9 h after feeding. Increased activities of these enzymes may be implicated in the pathophysiology of subclinical intoxication since they are involved in many biochemical functions.