Effects of bisphenol A on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus in artificial indoor streams

The impact of bisphenol A (BPA) on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus was studied in four artificial indoor streams (0, 5, 50 and 500?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) over 103 days in a pulse–dose exposure scenario (weekly BPA application). For G. fossarum populations at day 103, the proportions of juveniles and of breeding females from the highest BPA treatment were in tendency reduced. For individually exposed gammarid pairs an EC₁₀ of 17?µg?L^?1 BPA (nominal) for the proportion of reproductive females in the fourth brood was determined. During the first three broods, the largest brood size occurred at the highest BPA concentration, whereas in the fourth brood it decreased concentration-dependently (fourth brood EC₁₀?=?5?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal). Effects on L. variegatus were a reduced population growth (103?d-EC₁₀ of 2?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) and an increase in dry weight and the number of segments in large, complete worms.     

Effect of white African mineral hair dye on the activities of phosphatases and malondialdehyde level in selected tissues of albino rats

The effect of white African mineral dye Yombofita (YF) on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the skin, liver, kidney and serum of albino rats was investigated. The chemical analysis of the dye was first carried out using solubility test, pH determination and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis. Six different concentrations (0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.00%) of the dye were prepared using hydrogen peroxide (30 volume) as solvent. A total of 80 albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for the study. The rats were divided into 8 groups of 10 each and were maintained on commercial feed for the period of the experiment i.e. 30 days. In group 1, the control group, the animals were applied distilled water on their heads, whereas in group 2 the vehicle i.e. hydrogen peroxide was applied. In groups 3 to 8 various concentrations of YF (white) dye ranging from 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 to 1.00% was applied respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and portions of the selected tissues were excised for the determination of ALP and ACP activities. The MDA level was also determined in the skin of experimental animals. The results revealed a significant decrease (p?p?相似文献   

Chemical evaluation of Gnetum africana and Telferia occidentalis

A chemical evaluation of Gnetum africana and Telferia occidentalis was carried out in five randomly selected restaurants in Calabar. The results showed that both Gnetum africana and Telferia occidentalis soups have high caloric values and contain adequate levels of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, and fat, which are needed for a variety of cellular functions in humans, and which would reduce the problem of protein energy malnutrition (PEM).     

Interaction of alcohol and kola nut on brain sodium pump activity in Wistar rats

The effect of interaction of alcohol and kola nut on sodium pump activity was studied in Wistar rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group. Control received a placebo (4 mL of distilled water). Groups 2–6 were treated for a period of 21 days with 10% (v/v) alcohol, 50 mg caffeine/kg, 50 mg kola nut/kg, or a combination of 10% (v/v) alcohol + 50 mg kola nut/kg, or 10% (v/v) alcohol + 50 mg caffeine/kg, respectively. One day after the final exposure, brains were harvested and several biochemical parameters examined including activities of total ATPase, ouabain-insensitive ATPase, ouabain sensitive ATPase (Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase) and levels of nonenzymatic breakdown of ATP and inorganic phosphate (P_i) released. Results showed that the essential enzyme of the brain responsible for neuronal function, Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase, was inhibited by alcohol–kola nut co-administration relative to control, resulting in a decreased ATP production, ion transport and action potential, leading to loss of neuronal activities.     

Antispermatogenic effects of artemether: An animal model

Various antimalarial drugs have been shown to exert different adverse effects; however, scanty information is available for artemether-induced potential side effects. The present study assessed effects of artemether on lipid profile, sperm count, and histological features of testes in an animal model. The mean total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, triglyceride, and total proteins in mice-administered artemether were higher compared with controls. The mean sperm counts in mice treated with artemether were reduced when compared with controls. In addition, it was observed that artemether affected the histopathology of seminiferous epithelia and Leydig cells. Evidence indicates that artemether exerts adverse effects in mice testes.     

Biochemical evaluation of hepatotoxicity in mice due to administration of artemether

Effects of artemether administration on liver and selected biochemical parameters were evaluated. Eighty albino mice were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was given water which served as control, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were given 1.2, 2.4, or 4.8 mg kg^?1 body weight artemether intramuscularly for five consecutive days. On day 6 all mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood was collected for analysis of alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, copper, and total proteins. Liver tissues were prepared for histological studies. It was found that the serum alanine and aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were higher in groups treated with artemether compared to control. The serum concentrations of copper and total proteins were lower than control. The histological features of liver tissues after administration of artemether showed histopathological alterations. These findings showed that artemether administration may have reversible adverse effects on mouse hepatocytes.     

Biochemical assessment of lead,phenol, and benzene-contaminated water on the heart and blood of Albino rats

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of contaminated water on the tissues of Rattus novergicus (albino rats). Test rats were given water contaminated with lead (0.015 µg L^?1 tap water), phenol (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), and benzene (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), while control rats were given tap water over a period of 65 days after which the activity of selected enzymes of the heart and serum was assayed, and hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles were also determined. Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the activity of the enzymes was observed in the heart of test rats relative to the control rats. However, the serum activities increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides of the test rats were found to be significantly higher than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of test rats were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). The experimental results indicated that consumption of water contaminated with lead, phenol, and benzene may damage the heart, increase the risk of atherosclerosis as reflected by the serum lipid profile, and anemia as suggested by abnormal hematological properties.     

Synthesis of 2,5‐diaryl‐2,4‐pentadienenitriles and their spectral,fluorescence and mutagenic properties

The condensation of substituted cinnamaldehydes and arylacetonitriles using sodium ethoxide in ethanol at room temperature afforded 2,5‐diaryl‐2,4‐pentadienenitriles in good yield. The structure of the reaction products was established on the basis of their infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis data. Two representative compounds were studied for their mutagenic activity. One of them showed a weak mutagenicity while the second showed a high mutagenic activity in TA97a Salmonella strain. Both were negative in TA100. Some of these pentadienenitriles showed fluorescence in solutions.     

Pollutants from land‐based sources in Izmit Bay

Izmit Bay is located at the eastern end of the Sea of Marmara. The Sea of Marmara is an important adjacent area to the Mediterranean Sea. The extent of pollution in the Bay is increased beyond tolerable levels mainly due to substantial and unplanned growth of a large spectrum of industrial activities. A comprehensive project for the prevention and elimination of pollution in Izmit Bay is realised. The assessment of pollution from land‐based sources was the most significant step in this project. The study revealed that the Bay receives a total municipal wastewater flow of 70 000 cu m/day and a total industrial waste discharge of 120 000 cu m/day. The total BOD load was noted to be subdivided as 30 000 kg/day and 75 000 kg/day between municipal and industrial sources respectively. Similar figures were also computed for all the other parameters including nutrients and heavy metals. The evaluation showed that the eastern part of the Bay receives more than 70% of the total pollution load.