The acute toxicity of cadmium, copper, and zinc to white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were determined for 7 developmental life stages in flow-through water-only exposures. Metal toxicity varied by species and by life stage. Rainbow trout were more sensitive to cadmium than white sturgeon across all life stages, with median effect concentrations (har...

The increasing incidence of nosocomial infections caused by glycopeptide-resistant enterococci is a global concern. Enterococcal species are also difficult to eradicate with existing cleaning regimens; they can survive for long periods on surfaces, thus contributing to cases of reinfection and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains. We have investigated the potential use of copper alloys as bac...

In order to mimic the active center of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we synthesized a pentadecapeptide (Ac-KAHEFGHSLGLDHSK-NH2) corresponding to the catalytic zinc(II) binding site of human MMP-13. The multi-domain structural organization of MMPs fundamentally determines their metal binding affinity, catalytic activity and selectivity. Our potentiometric, UV-visible, CD, EPR, NMR, mass spec...

introduction: among soil species earthworms are ubiquitous, abundant and important for soil processes, constituting the largest terrestrial faunal biomass and are also impacted by soil pollutants. the primary purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in earthworm biomass and behavior could serve as a good indicator for copper toxicity in soil systems. another aim of the study was t...

The state of Oklahoma has designated several areas as freshwater mussel sanctuaries in an attempt to provide freshwater mussel species a degree of protection and to facilitate their reproduction. We evaluated the protection afforded freshwater mussels by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) hardness-based 1996 ambient copper water quality criteria, the 2007 U.S. EPA water quality...

The copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) activates the antioxidant enzyme Cu, Zn SOD (SOD1) by directly inserting the copper cofactor into the apo form of SOD1. Neither the mechanism of protein-protein recognition nor of metal transfer is clear. The metal transfer step has been proposed to occur within a transient copper donor/ acceptor complex that is either a heterodimer or heterot...

In 1924, Hart, Elvehjem and coworkers demonstrated that copper is essential for erythropoiesis in most, if not all, mammalian species (1). Since that time many studies have been performed in attempts to elucidate the manner in which copper functions in erythropoiesis, but as yet this mechanism is not understood. Recent studies in this laboratory (2) have indicated that the amount of copper in t...

abstract heavy metals enter to human food chain through the plant and soil contamination. it is very important to evaluate the affecting factors on plant uptake of heavy metals. in this study the effects of copper and zinc availability on cadmium uptake of root and shoot of corn and sunflower was investigated. the experiment was carried out with a factorial arrangement, two species of plants (s...

In 1924, Hart, Elvehjem and coworkers demonstrated that copper is essential for erythropoiesis in most, if not all, mammalian species (1). Since that time many studies have been performed in attempts to elucidate the manner in which copper functions in erythropoiesis, but as yet this mechanism is not understood. Recent studies in this laboratory (2) have indicated that the amount of copper in t...