Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate on the testis of common carp, Cyprinus carpio.

The present study analyzed the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) in the testis of six-month-old common carp Cyprinus carpio exposed to three different doses, viz., 10, 50, and 100 µg/L for 21 days. Characterization of ZnO-NPs was done after sonication, the size and shape of ZnO-NPs were determined as ∼20-30 nm spherical structure measured zeta potential of +26.0 mV. After treatment, determination of zinc (Zn) concentration in the testes revealed desired impact of the exposure. Expression of several transcription factors and few steroidogenic enzyme genes in the treated testis showed significant downregulation than the control. Measurement of oxidative stress-related enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase revealed substantial elevation in the testis of treated groups when compared to control. Histological analysis of testis exhibited dose-related response, defective lumen, and slow progression of spermatogenesis. Exposure of both the forms of Zn on TM3 Leydig cell culture displayed loss of adhesion, clumping with decreased viability, and a significant increase in the apoptotic cells. In addition, comet and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays authenticated DNA damage upon treatment with a significant increase in ROS. Histological analysis after treatment withdrawal showed revival of testis in carp to rescue the effect. Thus, the present report highlights the adverse effect of Zn on the testis function in common carp as well as evident drastically toxic in in vitro cultures.

Miliary Mycobacterium bovis induced by intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy.

Intravesical instillation of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is the treatment of choice for many patients with bladder cancer. In a small percentage, this therapy is associated with systemic side effects including pneumonitis. It is uncertain whether these systemic manifestations are due to dissemination of infection or due to hypersensitivity, an etiologic distinction that has important therapeutic implications. We report the first case in which miliary M. bovis was proven to be the responsible mechanism, by culture of M. bovis biovar BCG from a transbronchial lung biopsy and complete resolution on anti-tuberculous chemotherapy.

Specificity of elevated serum MB creatine phosphokinase activity in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme determinations are useful in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. However, until suitably sensitive and precise quantitative procedures became available, the diagnostic specificity of serum CPK isoenzyme elevations could not be thoroughly examined. In this study an assay procedure capable of accurately determining activity of individual CPK isoenzymes even in serum samples with normal total CPK activity was employed to obtain two types of information. First, CPK isoenzyme profiles were examined in extracts of a spectrum of human tissues obtained at operation to determine whether the isoenzyme associated with myocardium is presented in other human tissues in quantities sufficient to produce increased activity in serum. In addition, CPK isoenzymes were analyzed quantitatively in serial serum samples from 50 hospitalized control subjects, 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 100 patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery and 50 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization to determine whether insult to tissues other than the heart is associated with increased "myocardial" CPK isoenzyme activity in serum. Results from analyses of tissue extracts indicated that myocardium is the only tissue surveyed containing sufficient MB CPK to account for substantial increases in serum MB activity. Results from analyses of serial serum samples indicated that MB CPK activity levels are consistently elevated after myocardial infarction, averaging 0.089 IU/ml. However, after cardiac cathetrization or noncardiac surgery peak serum MB activity remains low, averaging only 0.004 IU/ml despite marked elevations in total serum CPK activity. Thus, elevated serum MB CPK activity is a highly specific as well as sensitive criterion of myocardial injury.