Corn oil and Soybean oil effect as vehicles on behavioral and oxidative stress profiles in developmentally exposed offspring mice.

Corn and soybean oils are among the most frequently used vehicles for water-insoluble compounds in toxicological studies. These two vegetable oils are nutrients and may induce some biological effects on animals that might interfere with the experimental results. However, their chronic effects on a developing brain have not been reported. This study aims to evaluate the neurobehavioral and brain biochemical effects of both oils on male and female Swiss albino mice. Pregnant female mice were exposed to 1 µl/g/d of either tap water, corn oil (CO), or soybean oil (SO) from early gestation (GD1) until weaning then offspring mice were exposed to the same treatment regimen until adulthood (PND70). Our results showed that developmental exposure to both oils induced body weight changes in offspring mice. In addition, we detected some behavioral abnormalities where both oil-treated groups showed a significant decrease in locomotor activity and greater levels of anxiety behavior. Moreover, our results suggest that continuous exposure to these oils may alter motor coordination, spatial memory and induce depression-like behavior in adult mice. These alterations were accompanied by increased malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in specific brain regions. Together, these data suggest that exposure to CO and SO as vehicles in developmental studies may interfere with the behavioral response and brain redox homeostasis in offspring mice.

Preparation of Teucrium polium extract-loaded chitosan-sodium lauryl sulfate beads and chitosan-alginate films for wound dressing application.

This study aimed to formulate sodium lauryl sulfate cross-linked chitosan beads and sodium alginate-chitosan films for designing a dressing that would shorten the healing time of skin wounds. Teucrium polium extract-loaded chitosan-sodium lauryl sulfate beads (CH-SLS) and chitosan-alginate (CH-ALG) films were prepared and characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling properties of the CH-SLS beads were also analyzed in a water solution. The obtained Teucrium polium extract-loaded CH-SLS beads and CH-ALG films (TBF) were further incorporated into the commercial adhesive dressing. This TBF wound dressing was then investigated for evaluation of its wound healing potential in the mice using the excision wound model. Healing was assessed by the macroscopic appearance and the rate of wound contraction during 8 days. On day 4, the TBF-treated wounds exhibited 98% reduction in the wound area when they were compared with healing ointment, elastic adhesive dressing, and untreated wounds which were exhibited 63%, 43%, and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, the application of TBF dressing reduced skin wound rank scores and increased the percentage of wounds contraction. These results demonstrate that TBF dressing improves considerably the healing rate and the macroscopic wound appearance at a short delay and this application may have therapeutic benefits in wound healing.

Microplastic ingestion by Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in the North and central Moroccan Atlantic coast between Larache (35°30'N) and Boujdour (26°30'N).

Horse mackerel is a semi-pelagic species found in abundance in the Moroccan coasts and occupies the first ranks in the catches landed by the coastal fleet. In this study, we investigated the ingestion of Polyamide, Acrylic and Polystyrene by Atlantic horse mackerel, in the Moroccan Atlantic coastal area located between Larache (35°30'N) and Boujdour (26°30'N). The objective is to map the spatial distribution of horse Mackerel containing microplastics (MPs) in their stomachs and identify hot spot areas. We also aim to verify the most ingested polymer by this fish characterized by significant daily vertical migrations. The results show that the three studied polymers were detected in the stomach contents of more than 73% of studied fishes. The hot spot areas are located more in the northern part where urbanization and fishing activity are important. Polyamide, the densest polymer, is the most abundant (86% of cases), followed by acrylic. These two polymers were found in association in 47% of cases. No correlation between the presence of MPs in the stomach contents and the size of the individual fishes was noted. Interestingly, the group of mature specimens ingested more MPs than the immature group.

Ingestion of microplastics by pelagic fish from the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast.

As in the rest of the world, plastics are the most dominant marine litter category in Moroccan Atlantic waters. This work aims to identify the presence of microplastics in the stomach contents of three small pelagic species of the Central zone of the Atlantic, located between Cape Cantin (33°N) and Cape Boujdor (26°N): Scomber spp., Truchurus truchurus and Sardina pilchardus; Also, to map the spatial distribution of the investigated species. A total of 251 individuals were examined, composed by 118 Scomber spp, 82 Sardina pilchardus and 51 Trachurus trachurus. The characterization of microplastics ingested by those species was identified by FTIR. The results showed the presence of three polymers: Polyamide (PA), Acrylic (PC) and Polystyrene (PS), in 26% of the individuals studied. The presence of polymers was accumulated in Atlantic horse mackerel (Truchurus truchurus) with 30%, then in mackerels (Scomber spp.) with 27%, and European pilchardus (Sardina pilchardus) (9%). Fish containing microplastics in their stomachs are concentrated, mainly in the northern part of the study area. This zone has significant artisanal fishing activity and large rivers that can be source of microplastics.