Unveiling the silent threat: Heavy metal toxicity devastating impact on aquatic organisms and DNA damage.

Heavy metal pollution has significant impacts on aquatic fauna and flora. It accumulates in marine organisms, both plants and animals, which are then consumed by humans. This can lead to various health problems, such as organ damage and the development of cancer. Additionally, this pollution causes biological magnification, where the toxicity concentration gradually increases as aquatic organisms continuously accumulate metals. This process results in apoptotic mechanisms, antioxidant defence, and inflammation, which are reflected at the gene expression level. However, there is limited research on specific heavy metals and their effects on fish organs. The concentration of metal contamination and accumulation in different tropical environments is a concern due to their toxicity to living organisms. Therefore, this review focuses on determining the influences of metals on fish and their effects on specific organs, including DNA alterations.

Radiological hazard assessment of 210Po in freshwater mussels (Sinanodonta jourdyi) and golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Vietnam.

210Po is a significant source of ionizing radiation that people are exposed to through food globally. This paper presents the wide range of accumulation level of 210Po in the organs of two species of shellfish including freshwater mussel (Sinanodonta jourdyi) and golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), common freshwater species in Vietnam. There was a significant correlation between 210Po activity in muscle to their mass and size of freshwater mussels. In contrast, there was no relation between other organs of both species with their mass and size. The annual effective dose due to consumption of freshwater mussels ranged from 68.7 to 291 µSv year-1 with a mean value of 138 µSv year-1 for muscle and from 321 to 4560 µSv year-1 with a mean value of 1422 µSv year-1 for the hepatopancreas. Meanwhile, the AED for golden apple snail was recorded to be higher with values ranging from 105 to 2189 µSv year-1 with mean value of 673 µSv year-1 for muscle and from 468 to 4155 µSv year-1 with a mean value of 2332 µSv year-1 for hepatopancreas. Thus, the consumption of these two types of shellfish is considered relatively safe, but the hepatopancreas gland must be removed before processing.

Investigating radiation profiles and conducting risk assessment for ecological and environmental components on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, India.

Natural radioactive concentration assessment was conducted on sediment, water, and biota obtained on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, Tamil Nadu, India. For biotic and abiotic components, radiation profiles such as gross alpha, beta, primordial radionuclide, polonium, and lead analyses were performed. The gross α and ß range from BDL to 15.18 ± 1.7 Bq/kg and 40.43 ± 4.9 Bq/kg to 105.12 ± 11.7 Bq/kg, respectively. Primordial radionuclides were analyzed using Nal(TI)-based scintillator with PC-MCA, and the concentrations ranged from 13.43 ± 3.3 Bq/kg to 30.97 ± 9.6 Bq/kg with a mean of 21.31 ± 2.7 Bq/kg for 238U; for 232Th, the values ranged from 11.09 ± 2.6 Bq/kg to 33.55 ± 9.5 Bq/kg with an average value of 23.89 ± 3.7 Bq/kg; and for 40 K, the values are 93.33 ± 27.3 Bq/kg to 219.91 ± 39.6 Bq/kg with an average value of 148.27 ± 21.7 Bq/kg. The present study values are lesser than the world average values. 210Po and 210Pb concentrations with an average value were determined to be 33.13 Bq/L and 16.56 Bq/L, 47.55 Bq/L and 22.37 Bq/L in the water sample, and 50.437 Bq kg1 and 62.012 Bq kg1, 46.99 Bq/kg and 58.625 Bq/kg in sediments of Vaan island and Koswari island. The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb of Pogonias cromis were 19.27 ± 1.5 Bq/kg and 8.27 ± 1.01 Bq/kg, Belonidae 28.54 ± 2.4 Bq/kg and 18.32 ± 2.3 Bq/kg, Lepisosteidae 18.68 ± 1.4 Bq/kg and 11.17 ± 1.8 Bq/kg. The committed effective dosage was determined to be 35.74-54.61 µSv/y for 210Po and 25.39-56.25 µSv/y for 210Pb, in which the 210Pb value is lower; however, the 210Po value is higher than the global average value. The annual committed effective dosage as well as the radiological hazard indices were assessed and found to be much below the global average and the recommended limit, respectively. This research provides an extensive analysis of natural background radiation and establishes a baseline report on the radiological profile of biotic and abiotic factors in the Tuticorin group of islands, namely Vaan and Koswari, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Microbial consortium and impact of industrial mining on the Natural High Background Radiation Area (NHBRA), India - Characteristic role of primordial radionuclides in influencing the community structure and extremophiles pattern.

The present investigation is the first of its kind which aims to study the characteristics of microbial consortium inhabiting one of the natural high background radiation areas of the world, Chavara Coast in Kerala, India. The composition of the microbial community and their structural changes were evaluated under the natural circumstances with exorbitant presence of radionuclides in the sediments and after the radionuclide's recession due to mining effects. For this purpose, the concentration of radionuclides, heavy metals, net radioactivity estimation via gross alpha and beta emitters and other physiochemical characteristics were assessed in the sediments throughout the estuarine stretch. According to the results, the radionuclides had a significant effect in shaping the community structure and composition, as confirmed by the bacterial heterogeneity achieved between the samples. The results indicate that high radioactivity in the background environment reduced the abundance and growth of normal microbial fauna and favoured only the growth of certain extremophiles belonging to families of Piscirickettsiacea, Rhodobacteriacea and Thermodesulfovibrionaceae, which were able to tolerate and adapt towards the ionizing radiation present in the environment. In contrast, communities from Comamondacea, Sphingomonadacea, Moraxellacea and Erythrobacteracea were present in the sediments collected from industrial outlet, reinforcing the potent role of radionuclides in governing the community pattern of microbes present in the natural environment. The study confirms the presence of these novel and unidentified bacterial communities and further opens the possibility of utilizing their usefulness in future prospects.

Human health risk assessment due to consumption of dried fish in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: a baseline report.

The current study sought to determine the levels of radioactivity and heavy metal contamination in 22 dried fish samples collected in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The study found that there were substantial heavy metals concentrations for Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, and Cd. The concentration of heavy metal Pb being alarmingly high (32.85 to 42.09 mg/kg), followed by Cd (2.18 mg/kg to 3.51 mg/kg) than the permissible limit of WHO (2.17 mg/kg) for Pb and (0.05 mg/kg) for Cd. In terms of radioactivity, the gross alpha activity in the dried fish samples ranged 6.25 ± 0.12 to 48.21 ± 0.11 Bg/kg with an average of 20.35 Bg/kg and with a gross beta activity from 6.48 ± 0.02 to 479.47 ± 0.65 Bg/kg, for an average of 136.83 Bg/kg. The study found that the internal radiation dose that people receive upon consuming the fish species Sphyraena obtusata, Rachycentron canadum, Lepidocephalichthys thermalis, Synodontidae, Carangoides malabaricus, Sardina pilchardus, Scomberomorus commerson, Sillago sihama, Gerres subfasciatus, and Amblypharyngodon mola is above the ICRP-recommended limit of less than 1 mSv/year. Annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) and total excessive lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) ranged 0.488 µSv year-1 and 0.004 µSv year-1 respectively, the values of AGDE being higher than the global average value. The findings of the study indicate that the analyzed dried fish samples are contaminated with Pb and Cd, which shall pose cancer risk to the consumers as a result.

Risk of extinction, variability in fish species composition, and factors influencing fish biodiversity in the Malacca Strait.

Fish biodiversity in Malaysia is under pressure due to overexploitation, pollution, and climatic stressors. Nevertheless, the information on fish biodiversity and species vulnerability status is not well documented in the region. Therefore, a study on fish species composition and abundance in the Malacca Strait of Malaysia has been conducted for the purpose of monitoring biodiversity, determining the risk of species extinction, and identifying factors influencing biodiversity distribution. The sampling was conducted based on a random stratified sampling method from the three zones of sampling locations, i.e., estuary, mangrove, and open sea area of Tanjung Karang and Port Klang of Malacca Strait. Higher species diversity was recorded at Tanjung Karang coastal and mangrove areas (H' = 2.71; H' = 1.64) than Port Klang coastal and mangrove areas (H' = 1.50, H' = 0.29), an indication that the Port Klang area is comparatively more vulnerable. The study also explored sampling location, habitat, and IUCN red list as the influencing factors for fish biodiversity. Applying IUCN red list, this study identified one Endangered and one Vulnerable species with the forecasted increasing landing for both species. Our findings suggest the urgent need for the implementation of conservation measures as well as the continuous monitoring of fish biodiversity in the area.

Biological effects of ionizing radiation on aquatic biota - A critical review.

Ionizing radiation from radionuclides impacts marine aquatic biota and the scope of investigation must be wider than just invertebrates. We intend to detail and illustrate numerous biological effects that occur in both aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, at various dose rates from all three kinds of ionizing radiation. The characteristics of radiation sources and dosages that would most effectively generate the intended effects in the irradiated organism were assessed once the biological differentiation between vertebrates and invertebrates was determined through multiple lines of evidence. We contend that invertebrates are still more radiosensitive than vertebrates, due to their small genome size, rapid reproduction rates and lifestyle, which help them to compensate for the effects of radiation induced declines in fecundity, life span and individual health. We also identified various research gaps in this field and suggest future directions to be investigated to remedy the lack of data available in this area.

Potential biomarker of phenol toxicity in freshwater fish C. mrigala: Serum cortisol, enzyme acetylcholine esterase and survival organ gill.

In this modern industrialized era of large-scale production of agrochemicals, various emerging contaminants form the main components of waste water and sludge in most of the developing countries of the world. In this concern, phenol- an inevitable and alarming chemical pollutant in aquatic ecosystem, gains a speedy access into the water bodies as an industrial by-product. Though the detrimental effects of phenol have been studied in various aspects of aquatic life, current study is an initiative to unravel the toxic effects of phenol at molecular level in Cirrhinus mrigala. Plasma cortisol level and acetylcholine esterase activity in fish was estimated by Chemiluminescent immunoassay technique and Ellman assay respectively. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to unravel the gill histopathological alterations in exposed fish. It was observed that phenol (22.32 mg/l) inhibits 50 % of acetylcholine esterase activity in brain thereby affecting the locomotion of the targeted carp. Cortisol elevated during the 7th day in exposed fish, but declined progressively on the forthcoming 21st and 28th days. Manifestations in gill encompass curling, fusion, aberrations, sloughing of gill epithelium, wider inter filamentary space and mucus coating in the primary gill filament. It concludes that the discernable deviations produced in both biochemical parameters and key organ gill can be used as a biomarker and bio-indicator respectively for assessing the existence of emerging toxicants in aquatic ecosystem.

Impact of sublethal phenol in freshwater fish Labeo rohita on biochemical and haematological parameters.

Phenol, an aromatic chemical commonly found in domestic and industrial effluents, upon its introduction into aquatic ecosystems adversely affects the indigenous biota, the invertebrates and the vertebrates. With the increased demand for agrochemicals, a large amount of phenol is released directly into the environment as a byproduct. Phenol and its derivatives tend to persist in the environment for longer periods which in turn poses a threat to both humans and the aquatic ecosystem. In our current study, the response of Labeo rohita to sublethal concentrations of phenol was observed and the results did show a regular decrease in biochemical constituents of the targeted organs. Exposure of Labeo rohita to sublethal concentration of phenol (22.32 mg/L) for an epoch of 7, 21 and 28 days shows a decline in lipid, protein, carbohydrate content and phosphatase activity in target organs such as the gills, muscle, intestine, liver and kidney of the fish. The present study also aims to investigate the toxic effects of phenol with special reference to the haematological parameters of Labeo rohita. At the end of the exposure period, the blood of the fish was collected by cutting the caudal peduncle with a surgical scalpel. And it was observed that the red blood corpuscle count (RBC), white blood corpuscle (WBC), haemoglobin count (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values showed a decline after exposure to phenol for 7 days, while white blood corpuscle (WBC) shows an increased count. At 21 days and 28 days, all the haematological parameters showed a significant decrease.

Solanum pubescens Wild Fruits Essential Oil - A Golden Casket for its Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Mediated Wound Healing Efficacy in Vertebrate Model Mus musculus.

BACKGROUND: Solanum pubescens Willd, growing wild in the hills of Rayadurg jurisdiction of Southwestern Andhra Pradesh, has gained significant attention among researchers for its diverse folkloric applications, existence of novel phytochemicals and leaf extracts which hold great medicinal promises. To date, the S. pubescens fruit's essential oil (SPO) has never been investigated. METHODS: The current research has been focused to evaluate the chemical composition of S. pubescens fruit essential oil through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), followed by the investigation of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound healing activities in appropriate models to uncover its biological potentials. Extraction of (Solanopuboil/SPO) from the fresh unripe fruits of Solanum pubescens was carried out in Buchner funnel and Whatman no.10 filter paper and concentrated at 40°C using a rotary evaporator. The metabolic profiling of SPO was analysed by GC-MS technique. The MIC, MBC, activity index, and total antimicrobial activity of SPO were evaluated using standard procedures. Anti-inflammatory activity of SPO was screened using Carrageenan induced paw oedema and Cotton pellet-induced granuloma. Tail immersion test, Acetic acid writhing response and Formalin paw lick test was performed in rats in order to examine the analgesic activity of SPO. Wound healing activity of SPO was investigated by performing the incision wound model, Excision wound model and Dead space wound model in rats. RESULTS: The SPO displayed a constant degree of antimicrobial activity against B. cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli, A. niger, A. fumigatus and C. albicans with significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Also, a prominent wound healing potential of it was observed in excision, incision and dead space wound models with considerable elevation in granulation tissue hydroxyproline, hexuronic acid and hexosamine content in association with remarkable regulation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant markers i.e., Lipid peroxidase (LPO), Nitric Oxide (NO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). CONCLUSION: These findings strongly validate the therapeutic potential of S. pubescens fruit essential oil in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory mediated wound healing and suggests its promising application as valuable and novel indigenous leads in the food and pharmaceutical industries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever investigatory report on the systematic phytochemical and therapeutic examination of S. pubescens fruit essential oil.

Gross beta and alpha activities in the selected commercial freshwater fish species in Vietnam.

The baseline data of radioactivity levels in food is one of the main factors for the assessment of resident's health risk. Gross beta and alpha activity was identified for selected commercial freshwater fish species, including 29 types of fish species by a gas-flow proportional detector. The samples were collected from wholesale markets in Hanoi city, Vietnam. The highest gross alpha activity was recorded in blotched snakehead, a pelagic and carnivorous species, and the lowest one was recorded in common carp, a demersal and omnivorous species. Meanwhile, the gross beta activity was much higher than the gross alpha activity with the highest value of gross beta, observed in Wels catfish, a demersal and carnivorous species, and the lowest one found in Mudskipper a demersal, herbivores species. Regarding feeding types, the gross alpha activity was observed in the order of Alcarnivores > Alomnivores > Alherbivores whereas the gross beta was non-distinction. In terms of living behavior, the gross alpha activity in pelagic species was much higher than that in demersal species (Alpelagic > > Aldemersal) and indifferent for gross beta. There was an insignificant relationship between the trophic level with gross beta and alpha activities in freshwater fish species. The calculated annual effective dose ​​ranged from 0.19 to 1.88 and 0.78 mSv.y-1 on average, being within the limited dose for the public as reported by UNSCEAR in which gross beta activity has a strong correlation with the total annual effective dose.

Impact of Hygrophila auriculata supplementary diets on the growth, survival, biochemical and haematological parameters in fingerlings of freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822).

The present study investigates the effects of Supplementary diet Hygrophila auriculata on the growth, survival, biochemical and haematological parameters of Cirrhinus mrigala. The seaweed was administered to the fish possessing an initial average weight of 14.063 ± 1.828 g. Fish were fed with supplementary diet H. auriculata exhibited significant difference (P < 0.05) in the growth performance, haematological indices such as RBC count, haematocrit volume, haemoglobin, WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC concentration in contrast to the control after a period of 8 weeks. Also, there were significant differences in biochemical parameters (P < 0.05), between the fish supplemented with dietary H. auriculata extract and the control group. These findings suggest that the administration of H. auriculata extract has a positive effect on the immunological indices and the immune system activity in Mrigal fish.

Cytopathological and ultrastructural changes in the male reproductive organs of freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii (Rathbun) exposed to nurocombi.

Accumulation of pollutants in the aquatic system has a high impact on the reproductive physiology of crustaceans. The objective of the present study was to assess the possible histopathological effects of combined chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin (nurocombi) exposure on reproductive tissue in male freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii using light and electron microscopy. The testis of experimental crabs showed disorganization of testicular lobules, increased inters cellular space, necrosis, and cellular damage in both germinal cells and Sertoli cells. The treated vas deferens exhibited epithelial degeneration, misshaped spermatophores, decline in the number of spermatophores, and dehiscence of spermatophore wall. These clinical manifestations expressed in crabs following the exposure of nurocombi significantly reduce the testicular activity and substantially inhibits the seminal secretions, which ultimately lead to impairment of reproduction.

Investigating fish contamination scenario and community willingness to adopt consumption advice proposing an advisory option.

Consumption advice to ensure the health and safety of fish consumers remains urgent to handle the ever-increasing panic over heavy metal toxicity. Moreover, studies of fish consumption rarely focus on the perceptions and awareness of consumers. Considering this, the present study examines the factors determining the willingness to follow fish consumption advice as well as calculate the risk-benefit ratio and produce the vulnerability map followed by formulating fish consumption advice for consumers of two commercially important fish species, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mudfish (Ophiocephalus striatus), in the Laguna de Bay area of the Philippines. Primary data on consumers' perceptions were collected through a questionnaire, whereas heavy metal contamination data were compiled from the best available literature. We concluded that people's willingness to adopt consumption advice is mostly dependent on their existing level of fish consumption (P = 0.000). There was no discernible difference in the mean concentration of heavy metals in fish between the dry and wet seasons, with the exception of As concentrations in the samples (t15.75 = 3.72, p < 0.001). The hazard quotient (risk-benefit ratio) for fish consumption (HQefa) was an order of magnitude higher in the mudfish samples (0.05 and 28.28) compared to tilapia (0.04 to 16.02). Binangonan and Taguig from the Northern West Bay (1A, 1B) were clearly recognised on the vulnerability map as the most vulnerable regions in the lake. In general, it was determined that As and Pb were the elements causing consumption restrictions on tilapia collected from various parts of Laguna Lake. As with tilapia, locations with a high-risk advisory for mudfish were identified as the Northern West Bay and Central Bay, with a consumption limit of five meals per month due to excessive mercury pollution. This empirical study can serve as an option for the future development of fish consumption advice in the region.

Sublethal Effects of Arsenic on Oxygen Consumption, Hematological and Gill Histopathological Indices in Chanos chanos.

BACKGROUND: The current study was performed aiming to evaluate possible changes in the effect on oxygen consumption, hematology and gill histopathological parameters in fish (Chanos chanos) upon exposure to sublethal concentration of the metalloid arsenic. METHODS: Bioassay tests were conducted for determining the LC50 values of arsenic for 96 h. Oxygen consumption in control and arsenic-exposed fish was estimated using Winkler's method. Red blood corpuscular (RBC) count was examined with a Neubauer counting chamber under a phase contrast microscope. Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated following the acid hematin method. Histopathological studies were carried by processing and staining the gill tissues with hematoxylin and eosin in accordance with standard histological techniques. They were then subjected to examination under a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Chanos chanos exposed to 1/10th of LC50 (24.61%) for a period of 30 days exhibited a maximum decline in the rate of respiration, followed by a decline in RBC and Hb above 45.59% and 51.60%, respectively. Significant toxic lesions encompassing fused gill lamellae, detached gill epithelium, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of respiratory epithelium became heavy handed on the 30th day. CONCLUSION: Information synthesized from our study serves to be useful in monitoring and managing (As) contamination in the aquatic environment.

Assessment of seasonal variation in distribution and abundance of plankton and ichthyofaunal diversity in relation to environmental indices of Karankadu Mangrove, South East Coast of India.

Karankadu mangrove situated along the Southeast coast of India is known for its unique and extreme species diversity and richness. Ecological functions of this mangrove comprise of nutrient cycling, coastal protection, fish fauna production and carbon sequestration besides providing livelihood to nearby coastal communities. The current study having assessed seasonal fluctuations of various Physico-chemical factors viz., rainfall, pH, surface water temperature, salinity, dissolved nutrients in the water and sediments, primary productivity and plant pigments (chlorophylls a,b,c) during the study period from July 2018 to June 2019, recorded a total of 29 species of zooplankton, 26 species of phytoplankton, and 19 species of fish with observed maximum density at summer and pre-monsoon period of the year. Relationship between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem from the baseline data collected, was established through the statistical analysis performed.

Antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential of Morinda tinctoria Roxb. leaf extract succeeding cadmium exposure in Asian catfish, Pangasius sutchi.

The present study investigated the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract of Morinda tinctoria. Roxb (MEMT) (200 mg/kg) via feed in supplementation with standard compound silymarin (400 mg/kg). M. tinctoria (Roxb.) belonging to Rubiaceae, is an evergreen shrub indigenous to unfarmed lands of tropical countries. It is considered as an essential traditional medicine attributing for the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The enhancements of antioxidant and antigenotoxic status in different tissues of cadmium (Cd) intoxicated Pangasius sutchi were evaluated by using various antioxidant assays (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation) in addition to micronuclei (MN), binuclei (BN) and comet assay. The cadmium toxicated fish showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) activities in liver, gills, muscle and kidney whereas significant (p < 0.001) decline were observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) contents in all fish tissues. The results also revealed that, Cd exposure induced the formation of genotoxic endpoints like MN, BN, notched nuclei, kidney shaped nuclei and DNA damage in the fish erythrocytes. Maximum of 26.8% MN frequencies and maximum of 66.74% tail DNA damage were observed on the 7th day of Cd exposure. A time-dependent significant increase (p < 0.001) in the frequencies of MN, BN and tail DNA damage were observed in all treated groups against the control which started to decline from 14th day onwards. There was a decline in the LPO content, frequencies of MN, BN and percentage of tail DNA in contrast to significant elevation in SOD and CAT content in all tissues due to the combined treatment of M. tinctoria feed and water borne Cd exposure. It can be concluded from our observations that, supplementation of M. tinctoria leaf extract through feed alone produced enhanced antioxidant and antigenotoxic status in cadmium treated fish by diminishing oxidative stress and genotoxicity effects in a time dependent manner.

Modulation of growth, innate immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture under biofloc system by supplementing pineapple peel powder and Lactobacillus plantarum.

Eight weeks feeding experiment was managed to evaluate the impacts of dietary addition of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) and Lactobacillus plantarum CR1T5 (LP) individual or mixed on growth performance, skin mucus and serum immunities, as well as disease resistance of Nile tilapia. Fish (average weight 20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed four diets: Diet 1 (0 g kg-1 PAPP and 0 CFU g-1 L. plantarum, Diet 2 (10 g kg-1 PAPP), Diet 3 (108 CFU g-1L. plantarum), and Diet 4 (10 g kg-1 PAPP + 108 CFU g-1L. plantarum). Serum and mucus immune responses, as well as growth rate, were assessed every 4 weeks. Ten fish were chosen for the challenge test with Streptococcus agalactiae after 8 weeks post-feeding. The findings showed that PAPP and/or LP diets increased (P ≤ 0.05) growth performance, skin mucus, and serum immune responses. The best data were obtained in fish fed a mixture of PAPP and LP. Nevertheless, no variation (P > 0.05) was recorded between groups fed PAPP or LP. The relative survival percentage (RSP, %) in Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4 was 46.15%, 50.0%, and 73.08%. Fish fed mixture of PAPP + LP recorded the best (P < 0.05) survival rate versus other treatments. The current findings recommended using a mixture of PAPP and LP as promising functional additives for aquaculture practice.

Uranium induces genomic instability and slows cell cycle progression in human lymphocytes in acute toxicity study.

In the situation of radiation triage, accidental exposure to uranium, or uranium contamination in food or water; haematopoietic decline or bone marrow sickness is observed in the aftermath followed by other systemic effects. Most studies done previously have been on cytogenetic analysis in blood lymphocytes of uranium miners wherein causal relationship was difficult to be established. This study provides new insights into the minimum risk level of uranium to human lymphocytes, DNA damage induced and alterations in the cell cycle progression through 96-h acute toxicity study. Cytotoxicity studies by MTT assay and flow cytometry showed that uranyl nitrate concentration of 1280 µM lead to 50% cell death, 640 µM caused 25% death, 250 µM caused 10% cell death and 5 µM was the NOAEL. Uranium caused DNA damages in a dose dependent manner as evident from comet and CBMN assays. A marked increase in G2/M phase cells was observed in the test culture groups. Halting of cell cycle at G2/M checkpoint also signified the extent of double strand breaks and genetic instability with increasing uranium dose in this study. Better cell cycle responses and lower genetic damage index observed in lower dosage of exposure, suggests adaptability and repair responses in human lymphocytes. Together these results advance our understanding of uranium effects on mammalian cells.

Sublethal effects of phenol on histology of selected organs of freshwater fish Mystus vittatus.

Acute toxicity (96 h LC50) of phenol was analyzed in the cat fish Mystus vittatus in static bio-assay over a 96-h exposure period using probit method. The 24, 48, 72, and 96 h LC50 values (with 95% confidence limits) of phenol for fingerling catfish were found out as 13.98, 13.17, 12.62, and 12.21 mg/l respectively. Investigations pertaining to the histopathological sections have shown high degree of pathological lesions observed in various parts like gill, liver intestine, and kidney of the fish species. Analysis of gill section revealed observable changes in the experimental species such as fusion, malformation at the tip of secondary lamellae, vacuolation, hyperplasia, and epithelial damage. Exposure of phenol showed cytoplasmic vacuolation, tissue damage, and loss of hepatic cell wall in the liver of experimental organism. Lesions of tissue damage at the epithelial site, inflammation, and clumping of adjacent villi made of columnar epithelium have been observed in the intestine of fish, and also the excretory part of the fish kidney revealed various changes like glomerular atrophy, damage of Bowman's capsule, vacuolization, and degeneration of renal epithelium. The current study on histological changes observed in the experimental organisms has thrown light on the current scenario which poses threat and danger to the whole aquatic ecosystem, and this study plays a vital role in assessing the aquatic pollution.