The complete mitochondrial genome of the non-biting midge (Diptera: Chironomidae).

A non-biting midge has been widely used in ecotoxicology and chemical risk assessments. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of was determined using short-read next-generation sequencing technologies. The mitogenome was 15,734 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs.

Predicted no effect concentration derivation as a significant source of variability in environmental hazard assessments of chemicals in aquatic systems: an international analysis.

Environmental hazard assessments for chemicals are carried out to define an environmentally "safe" level at which, theoretically, the chemical will not negatively affect any exposed biota. Despite this common goal, the methodologies in use are very diverse across different countries and jurisdictions. This becomes particularly obvious when international scientists work together on documents with global scope, e.

Induction profile of HSP70-cognate genes by environmental pollutants in Chironomidae.

Several species of invertebrates have been studied to examine the toxicological effects of chemicals that include insecticides and heavy metals. We characterized heat-shock protein (hsp) genes from the ubiquitous midge, Chironomidae. More than 70 fold induction of hsp70 expression was detected by quantitative PCR after 37°C treatment in the midge.

Utility of delayed fluorescence as endpoint for rapid estimation of effect concentration on the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata.

Algal growth inhibition tests for environmental risk assessment require improved efficiency to evaluate large numbers of chemicals. As an endpoint for rapid estimation of the effect concentration of test chemicals, we propose the delayed fluorescence (DF) measurement from an alga 24 h after exposure. Eight chemicals (bifenox, bromoxynil, bensulfuronmethyl, diuron, diflufenican, thiobencarb, m-chlorophenylhydrazone and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone) were tested.

Stage-dependent differences in effects of carbaryl on population growth rate in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Fish embryo toxicology is important because embryos are considered more susceptible than adult fish to the effects of toxic chemicals. Recently, fish embryo bioassay was proposed to replace the conventional fish acute toxicity chemical test of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines because it offers the advantages of fewer reagents, easy handling, and efficient data production. To accelerate the establishment of a chemical toxicity database for the protection of environmental and human health, we need to determine whether the conventional toxicity test can safely be replaced by such fish embryo toxicity tests.

[Progress on OECD Chemicals Programme (13)--SIAM 22 in Paris, 2006].

The 22nd Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM 22) was held at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris, France. The initial assessment documents of five substances (CAS numbers: 75-59-2, 80-51-3, 101-83-7, 103-24-2, 27813-02-1) sponsored by Japan were all agreed at the meeting. In this report, the documents of these substances are introduced.

[Progress on OECD chemicals programme (11)--SIAM 19 in Berlin, 2004].

The 19th Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM 19) was held in Berlin, Germany, hosted by the Germen Federal Agency for the Environment. The initial assessment documents of four substances (CAS numbers: 92-70-6, 126-33-0,131-17-9, 7580-85-0) and one category (High Molecular Weight Phthalate Esters) at SIAM 19 were submitted by the Japanese Government with or without the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and all of them were agreed at the meeting. In this report, the documents of these substances are introduced.

Estrogenic modulation of CYP3A38, CYP3A40, and CYP19 in mature male medaka (Oryzias latipes).

We examined cytochrome P450 production and activity and circulating hormone concentrations in male medaka exposed to 17beta-estradiol (E2) or 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Intraperitoneal injection of E2 at 1, 10, or 100 microg/g-fish completely suppressed CYP3A38 protein production and suppressed CYP3A40 protein levels by 89%, 52%, or 47%, respectively. CYP3A38 and CYP3A40 mRNA expression was unaltered, and CYP3A enzymatic activity initially increased and then decreased with increasing E2 dose.

Activation of a stress-induced gene by insecticides in the midge, Chironomus yoshimatsui.

Stress proteins (heat shock proteins, HSPs) have been proposed as general biomarkers for environmental monitoring. In the present study, we evaluated the environmental stress-burden on the aquatic midge Chironomus yoshimatsui using hsp70 expression. Larvae collected from streams receiving polluted runoff (field strain) were resistant to the organophosphorus insecticide, fenitrothion (F), and the synthetic pyrethroid, ethofenprox (E), whereas a strain originally collected from an unpolluted area (susceptible strain) showed low resistance to insecticide exposure.