Biochemical and histopathological changes of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to bisphenol A

The effects of sub-lethal concentrations of bisphenol A on some biochemical parameters in Biomphalaria alexandrina snail's hemolymph and tissues as well as on histological changes of the hermaphrodite gland were evaluated. Adult snails were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations for four weeks and samples of snails were investigated after two and four weeks. Total protein and albumin levels in hemolymph, as well as lipid peroxidation and glutathione contents of snails’ tissues, were measured. After two weeks of exposure, total protein content and albumin levels decreased in all groups. Elevation of lipid peroxidation levels was correlated with decreasing glutathione content in the treated snails. Histological examination of the hermaphrodite gland revealed deformations in eggs and affected sperm production.     

Indoor-outdoor Carbon Monoxide Concentrations at Four Sites in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Nylon filters are a popular medium to collect atmospheric fine particles in different aerosol monitoring networks, including those operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) program. Extraction of the filters by deionized water or by a basic aqueous solution (typically a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) is often performed to permit measurement of the inorganic ion content of the collected particles. Whereas previous studies have demonstrated the importance of using a basic solution to efficiently extract gaseous nitric acid collected using nylon filters, there has been a recent movement to the use of deionized water for extraction of particles collected on nylon filters to eliminate interference from sodium ion (Na⁺) during ion chromatographic analysis of inorganic aerosol cations. Results are reported here from a study designed to investigate the efficiency of deionized water extraction of aerosol nitrate (NO₃ ^?) and sulfate from nylon filters. Data were obtained through the conduct of five field experiments at selected IMPROVE sites. Results indicate that the nylon filters provide superior retention of collected fine particle NO₃ ^?, relative to Teflon filters, and that deionized water extraction (with ultrasonication) of collected NO₃ ^? and sulfate is as efficient, for the situations studied, as extraction using a basic solution of 1.7 mM sodium bicarbonate and 1.8 mM sodium carbonate.     

Concentration of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp.) from the Kor River (Iran)

Concentration of heavy metals in aquatic animals mainly occurs due to industrial contamination. In this study, the concentrations of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish and in water collected from three sections of the Kor River, Iran were determined using the inductively coupled plasma method. Pathological and hormonal changes due to metal contamination were also measured. The concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from the middle sampling zone were significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than those from the other two sampling zones, whereas no significant differences (p?>?0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. High levels of metals were found in the ovaries and testes; estradiol in females and progesterone and testosterone in males from the middle study site were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than values from the other two sites. Pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher in highly polluted areas (middle sampling zone). These results show that industrial activities have polluted the river and that the maximum concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg were higher than the permissible levels for human consumption.     

Seasonal variation in ambient PM mass and number concentrations (case study: Tehran, Iran)

Tehran, the capital city of Iran, is an important industrial and commercial center. This city is one of the worst cities in the world in terms of air pollution, which is mostly due to mobile sources rather than stationary sources. Particulate matter (PM), which is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets, is considered as an important source of air pollution in Tehran. In this study, our objective was to study PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM_1.0 mass and number concentrations and find the correlations of these two parameters in the west-central parts of Tehran during two consecutive warm and cold seasons. The particles collected from five stations were analyzed for their mass and number simultaneously by a laser-based Grimm dust monitor. In general, it was found that the accumulation of the PM in this region is more in the cold season. PM₁₀ mass concentration increases almost twofold and PM_2.5 and PM_1.0 almost three times in this season. The mean number concentration of the particles (0.3–20 μm) was found to be almost 4.8 times in the cold season. It was also noticed that the average dimensions of the particles decrease in that season.     

Human cell death in relation to DNA damage after exposure to the untreated and biologically treated pharmaceutical wastewater

Among all the pharmaceutical drugs that contaminate the environment, antibiotics occupy an important place due to their high consumption rates in both veterinary and human medicine. The present study examined the ability of Pseudomonas putida to grow on the antibiotic wastewater, currently expanding in Tunisia, containing amoxicillin and cefadroxil. P. putida was very efficient to grow quickly in pharmaceutical wastewater (PW) and in reducing the total dissolved solids to 80.1 %. Cytotoxicity of PW, before and after biodegradation with P. putida mt-2, was evaluated in vitro, using the MTT assay, against four human tumor cell lines such as A549 (lung cell carcinoma), HCT15 (colon cell carcinoma), MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma), and U373 (glioma cell carcinoma). The PW reduced all human cell lines viability in a dose-dependent manner. This activity was very remarkable against U373 cell line. For this reason, we have tested the genotoxicity of PW using comet assay for quantification of DNA fragmentation. In fact, PW has statistically significant (p?<?0.001) influence on DNA. Indeed, the percentage of genotoxicity was 66.87 and 87.5 %, after 24 and 48 h of treatment, respectively. However, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity decreased strongly when tested the PW obtained after incubation with P. putida mt-2. Our results indicate that P. putida is a promising and improved alternative to treating industrial-scale effluent compared to current chemical treatment procedures used by the industrials.     

Acid violet 7 and its biodegradation products induce chromosome aberrations,lipid peroxidation,and cholinesterase inhibition in mouse bone marrow

Introduction  

Acid violet 7 (AV7), mostly used in food, paper, cosmetic, and especially in textile industries, was degraded by Pseudomonas putida mt-2 at concentrations up to 200 mg/l.     

The potential protective role of apigenin against oxidative damage induced by nickel oxide nanoparticles in liver and kidney of male Wistar rat,Rattus norvegicus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) are involved in several applications but still have some adverse effects. Apigenin (APG) is a widespread natural...     

Experimental selection of Marylynnia puncticaudata (Cyatholaimidae,Nematoda) and effects of organic enrichment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Meiobenthic nematodes are well-known bioindicators in aquatic ecosystem health programs. However, the explored taxa are still limited and practically...     

Prenatal diagnosis in a family with X-linked hydrocephalus

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Its expression is essential during embryonic development of the nervous system and it is involved in cognitive function and memory. Mutations in the L1CAM gene are responsible for four related L1 disorders; X-linked hydrocephalus/HSAS (H ydrocephalus as a result of S tenosis of the A queduct of S ylvius), MASA (M ental retardation, A phasia, S huffling gait, and A dducted thumbs) syndrome, X-linked complicated spastic paraplegia type I (SPG1) and X-linked A genesis of the C orpus C allosum (ACC). These four disorders represent a clinical spectrum that varies both between and within families. The main clinical features of this spectrum are C orpus callosum hypoplasia, mental R etardation, A dducted thumbs, S pastic paraplegia and H ydrocephalus (CRASH syndrome). Since there is no biochemically assayed disease marker, molecular analysis of the L1CAM gene is the only means of confirming a clinical diagnosis. Most L1CAM mutations reported to date are point mutations (missense, nonsense, splice site) and only a few patients with larger rearrangements have been documented. We have characterised a rare intragenic deletion of the L1CAM gene in a sample of DNA extracted from a chorionic villus biopsy (CVB) performed at 12 weeks' gestation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.