Effects Of Copper Treatment Research Articles

Effects of copper treatment on mineral nutrient absorption and cell ultrastructure of spinach seedlings.

The accumulation of heavy metals in soil has serious influence on plant growth and ecosystem balance. It is of great importance to explore the mechanism of plant tolerance to heavy me-tals. Although spinach is supposed to have strong Cu tolerance, the effects of Cu on mineral element absorption and cell ultrastructure are still unclear. In this study, the growth of spinach seedlings, the absorption of mineral elements and the ultrastructure of leaf cells were examined in a pot experiment. The results showed that Cu2+ accumulation in the root of spinach seedling was less than that in the shoot when CuSO4 concentration was 100 mg·L-1, with root growth being increased and shoot growth being slightly decreased. When copper concentration continued to increase, the growth parameters continuously declined. When the CuSO4 concentrations were less than 400 mg·L-1, the foliar N, K, Ca, Mg and Fe concentrations of spinach seedling increased, and that of P decreased. The concentrations of N, P and K in roots went down and that of Ca, Mg and Fe went up. All organelles in leaf cells were clearly visible. The basal granule layer was arranged orderly, and the inner and outer membranes of chloroplasts were intact. When the CuSO4 concentrations exceeded 600 mg·L-1, foliar N concentration increased while that of P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe decreased. The concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in roots declined. The cell ultrastructure of spinach seedlings substantially changed with the increases of CuSO4 treated concentrations. The chloroplast in leaf cells became rounder, the chloroplast membrane became thinner, the stroma and basal granule layer became less, and the layer accumulation height decreased. The nucleus was broken up and small black spots were found in vacuoles and cell walls, which might be attributed to the enhancement of intracellular swelling pressure caused by high accumulation of Cu2+. In conclusion, low concentration of CuSO4 had little negative effect on the life activities of spinach seedlings, and the high concentrations of CuSO4 did not terminate their growth, indicating that spinach seedlings had strong copper resistance.

Copper induces Cu-ATPase ATP7A mRNA in a fish cell line, SAF1

Copper transporting ATPase, ATP7A, is an ATP dependent copper pump present in all vertebrates, critical for the maintenance of intracellular and whole body copper homeostasis. Effects of copper treatment on ATP7A gene expression in fibroblast cells (SAF1) of the sea bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated by qRT-PCR and by a medium density microarray from a closely related species, striped sea bream (Lithognathus mormyrus). To discriminate between the effects of Cu and other metals, SAF1 cells were exposed to sub-toxic levels of Cu, Zn and Cd. Expression of Cu homeostasis genes copper transporter 1 (CTR1), Cu ATPase (ATP7A), Cu chaperone (ATOX1) and metallothionein (MT) together with the oxidative stress markers glutathione reductase (GR) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn/SOD) were measured 0, 4 and 24 hours post-exposure by qRT-PCR. Microarray was conducted on samples from 4 hours post Cu exposure. Cu, Zn and Cd increased MT and GR mRNA levels, while only Cu increased ATP7A mRNA levels. Microarray results confirmed the effects of Cu on ATP7A and MT and in addition showed changes in the expression of genes involved in protein transport and secretion. Results suggest that ATP7A may be regulated at the transcriptional level directly by Cu and by a mechanism that is different from that exerteted by metals on MT genes.

Advanced glycation end products and antioxidant status in nondiabetic and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: effects of copper treatment

The effects of Cu(II) supplementation on glycemic parameters, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), antioxidant status (glutathione; GSH and total antioxidant capacity; TAOC) and lipid peroxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The study was carried out on Wistar albino rats grouped as control (n = 10), CuCl(2) treated (n = 9), STZ (n = 10) and STZ,CuCl(2) treated (n = 9). STZ was administered intraperitoneally at a single dose of 65 mg/kg and CuCl(2), 4 mg copper/kg, subcutaneously, every 2 days for 60 days. At the end of this period, glucose(mg/dl), Cu(microg/dl), TBARS(micromol/l), TAOC(mmol/l) were measured in plasma, GSH(mg/gHb) in erythrocytes and glycated hemoglobin (GHb)(%) in blood. Plasma AGE-peptides(%) were measured by HPLC flow system with spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric detectors connected on-line. Data were analyzed by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. In the STZ group glucose, GHb and AGE-peptide levels were all significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively). CuCl(2) treated group had significantly lower glucose but significantly higher GHb, TAOC and TBARS levels than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). STZ,CuCl(2) treated group had significantly higher GHb, TAOC and TBARS levels compared with the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively); but only TAOC level was significantly higher than the STZ group (P < 0.01). This experimental study provides evidence that copper intake increases total antioxidant capacity in both nondiabetic and diabetic states. However despite the potentiated antioxidant defence, lipid peroxidation and glycation enhancing effects of CuCl(2) are evident under nondiabetic conditions.

Effect of Chemical Treatment on the Optical Properties of a Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Device Investigated by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Spectroscopic ellipsometry has been successfully used to characterize the CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cell deposited on TEC15 glass. The effects of copper treatment on the optical properties of a cadmium chloride treated photovoltaic device were investigated using ellipsometry. No changes in either the band gaps or critical points of CdTe layer were noticed as a result of copper treatment. The copper treated CdTe layer exhibited a higher refractive index in the visible and longer wavelengths (≤3 eV), as compared with the untreated layer. This was attributed to the increased disorder in the case of copper treated layer.

Survival ofErwinia amylovorain mature apple fruit calyces through the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state

Survival of Erwinia amylovora, causal agent of fire blight in pome fruits and other rosaceous plants, was monitored inside mature apples calyces under some storage conditions utilized in fruit. Apple fruit calyces inoculated with two E. amylovora strains and their respective GFP-marked strains were maintained at 26 degrees and 5 degrees C, and the effect of copper treatment was assayed at 0.01 and 0.1 mmol l(-1) CuSO4. In nontreated apples at 26 degrees C, part of the population of E. amylovora survived in the 'viable but nonculturable' (VBNC) state, whereas at 5 degrees C the majority of the population retained culturability. In copper-treated apples, the whole population adopted the VBNC state irrespective of temperature. Regardless of temperature, copper and inoculum dose, VBNC cells recovered culturability and pathogenicity in King's B broth or by host plant passage. Erwinia amylovora survived for at least 35 days in mature apple calyces. Besides, the ability of the pathogen in the VBNC state to regain culturability and pathogenicity suggests that the apple fruit could be a potential carrier of E. amylovora contributing to the spreading of fire blight disease. The risk of E. amylovora dissemination through mature fruit transport, although low, has been demonstrated, and should be considered in pest risk assessments.

Effect of Copper, Zinc and Lead and Their Combinations on the Germination Capacity of Two Cereals

The majority of researchers have studied the following group of microelements: B, Zn, Mn, Cu, Na, Co, Mo, I, Sn, Cl, Al, V, F, Cr, Hg, Cs, Li, Cd, As, Th, Rb, Cr, W, Ti, Sn, Se, Ba, Br. Sporadically, the following elements have been mentioned too: Au, Ra, Hg and Pb. In this study, the effects of copper treatments and their combination with zinc and lead microelements on the germination of maize and barley were investigated using different concentrations of these microelements. Six treatments were used: 1. Copper-sulphate (CuSO4) applied alone, 2. Zinc-sulphate (ZnSO4) applied alone, 3. Copper applied with zinc, 4. Lead-nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) applied alone, 5. Copper applied with lead and 6. Untreated control. Maize (Kiskun SC 297) and barley caryopsis were treated with copper and zinc solutions in the following concentrations: 0.03%, 0.003% and 0.0003%. Maize and barley caryopsis were treated with these solutions for 12 and 24 hours. Maize and barley caryopsis were also treated with lead solutions Pb(NO3)2 with different concentrations: 0.0005%, 0.005% and 0.05%. Maize and barley were treated with these solutions for 12 and 24 hours. In the combined treatments (3 and 5), the same concentration was used for each microelement as in treatments 1, 2 and 4. Control treatments were treated with water for both plant species. Our results showed that copper microelements significantly inhibit germination compared to the untreated control. The toxicity of copper is higher if concentration increases. Zinc microelements also inhibit germination, however its effect highly depends on the microelement concentration. Treatments of copper + zinc also inhibit germination. The two microelements applied together cause more phytotoxicity than they do alone. Lead is highly toxic to plants even in low concentrations. The toxic effect on germination dramatically increased when lead was applied with copper.

Effects of copper amine treatment on mechanical properties of PVC/wood‐flour composites

AbstractCopper amine–treated wood flour was added to PVC [poly(vinyl chloride)] matrix in order to manufacture PVC/wood‐flour composites. Effects of copper treatments on the mechanical properties of PVC‐wood composites were evaluated. Unnotched impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural toughness of the composites were significantly improved by the wood‐flour copper treatment. The optimum copper concentration range was 0.2 to 0.6 wt% of wood flour. Fractured surfaces were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). PVC/wood interfacial debonding was the main fracture mode of untreated wood‐flour composites, whereas wood‐particle pullout and breakage dominating the fractured surfaces of copper‐treated wood‐flour composites. On the fractured surfaces, more PVC could be found on the exposed copper‐treated wood particles than on untreated wood, a result suggesting improved PVC‐wood interfacial adhesion after copper treatments. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol. 10:70–78, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Effect of copper treatment on the dyeability of gamma irradiated acrylic fabrics with different dyestuffs

The effect of Cu (II)/hydroxylamine mixture on the dyeability of acrylic fabrics towards direct dyes was investigated. The effect of the different factors that may affect the dye affinity of acrylic fabric such as composition and concentration of copper sulphate/hydroxylamine mixture, irradiation dose, pH strength of the dye bath, dye concentration, dyeing temperature and time was studied. It was found that by using a mixture composed of 2% copper sulphate and 1% hydroxylamine constituting a total concentration of 3 wt.% (based on fabric weight), the dye affinity of acrylic fabric for the direct dye Benzamine Bordeaux FB was significantly improved. Also, it was shown that the dye affinity of the acrylic fabrics for other dyestuffs such as reactive and acid increases with increasing concentration of such mixture. Irradiated acrylic fabric showed a higher dye affinity for the used dyes compared to the unirradiated fabrics. Fabrics irradiated to a radiation dose of 1 Mrad showed the highest dye affinity with high leveling of dyeing. The pH strength of the dyeing bath at which the highest colour strength obtained was 3. A mechanism was proposed for the dyeing of acrylic fabrics with direct dyes in the presence of copper ions.

The effect of copper on chlorophyll organization during greening of barley leaves

The effect of copper on chlorophyll organization and function during greening of barley was examined, using chlorophyll fluorescence and photoacoustic techniques. Copper was found to inhibit pigment accumulation and to retard chlorophyll integration into the photosystems, as evident from low temperature (77 K) fluorescence spectra. Resolution of the minimal fluorescence (F0) into active and inactive parts, indicated a higher inactive fraction with copper treatment. This was attributed to chlorophyll molecules which failed to integrate normally, a conclusion supported by the longer fluorescence lifetime observed in copper treated plants. A lower ratio of chlorophyll a to b and fluorescence induction transients, showing accelerated Photosystem II closure, both indicate that copper treatment resulted in a larger light-harvesting antenna. Another effect of copper treatment was the suppression of oxygen evolution, indicating a decrease in photosynthetic capacity. We suggest that the non-integrated chlorophyll fraction sensitizes photodamage in the membrane, contributing to disruption of electron flow and pigment accumulation.

Selection for tolerance to copper during pollen formation in Mimulus guttatus Fischer ex DC

In Mimulus guttatus, copper tolerance is determined largely by a single gene and is expressed in both the sporophyte and microgametophyte. This study explores the extent to which selection during pollen formation affects copper tolerance in the sporophytic generation. Two sets of plants heterozygous for copper tolerance, produced by reciprocal crosses between different copper-tolerant or sensitive families, and the plant on which the original observations were based, were cloned and grown in control or copper-supplemented solutions. Pollen viability and the number of tolerant progeny produced in backcrosses to sensitive plants were compared. In addition, the effect of copper treatment on pollen viability in vitro was compared for plants tolerant, sensitive and heterozygous for copper tolerance. The extent to which in vitro pollen viability decreased in response to copper treatment corresponded to the copper tolerance of the pollen source. When grown with added copper, four of the five plants showed significant reductions in pollen viability, ranging from 18% to 48% of control values. The reductions in pollen viability were correlated with an increase in tolerant progeny (r= 0.679, p=0.004). Increases in tolerant progeny could be large, ranging from 119% to 170% of that of controls, but were usually smaller than was predicted from the reductions in viable pollen. In addition, plants derived from reciprocal crosses differed significantly in the extent to which pollen viability was decreased and sporophytic tolerance increased. Thus, while selection during pollen formation could increase sporophytic tolerance, sporophytic factors, perhaps including cytoplasmic or epigenetic ones, moderated the effectiveness of pollen selection for copper tolerance.

人血清アポリポタンパクEに及ぼす銅処理の影響

人血清アポリポタンパクEに及ぼす銅処理の影響

The effect of copper treatment on the performance of hypocupraemic calves

ABSTRACT1. Seven experiments involving 191 calves and 40 cows were under- taken over a 2-year period into the effect of copper treatment of hypocupraemic calves on their subsequent performance.2. Significant increases in mean live-weight gain of copper-treated calves ranging from 19·9 to 34·3 kg/head relative to untreated control groups were obtained in three cases.3. The frequency of copper injection required to maintain plasma copper levels above 0·60 mg/1 varied from 6 to 12 weeks.4. The live-weight gain and plasma copper concentration responses are discussed in relation to the pasture herbage concentrations of copper, molybdenum and sulphate.