Analyzing the impact of pesticides on the indus river: contamination levels in water, sediment, fish, and associated human health risks.

Pesticides are frequently used to protect crop yields and manage malaria vectors; however, their inadvertent transport into aquatic habitats poses a significant concern. Various anthropogenic activities influence the Indus River in Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the presence of eight pesticide residues at three different sites (Kalabagh, Kundian, and Chashma) in water, sediment, and the fish species (Labeo rohita) during both dry and wet seasons to measure the intensity of this pressure. Pesticide analysis was carried out using gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector. The results revealed the highest concentrations of pesticides during both dry and wet seasons at all sites, measuring 0.83 and 0.62 µg/l (water), 12.37 and 9.20 µg/g/dw (sediment), and 14.27 and 11.29 µg/g/ww (L. rohita), respectively. Overall, pesticide concentrations were higher in the dry season than in the wet season across all study sites. Based on detection frequency and concentration in both seasons at all sites, dominant pesticides included cypermethrin and carbofuran (in water), as well as endosulfan and cypermethrin (in sediment and fish tissue). Levels of endosulfan and cypermethrin exceeded standard limits. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) indicated no correlation among pesticides in fish tissue, sediment, and water. However, pesticides exhibited different behavior in different seasons. Furthermore, endosulfan and triazophos impose great human health risk, as indicated by the THQ value (> 1). The overall HI value was greater for site 1 in the dry season (8.378). The study concluded that the presence of agricultural pesticides in the Indus River poses a risk to aquatic life and has the potential to disrupt the entire food chain. This highlights the importance of sustainable practices for the study area and Pakistan overall agricultural and environmental sustainability. It is further recommended to strengthen regulations for reduced pesticide use and promote eco-friendly pest management.

Effects of Bacterioruberin-Rich Haloarchaeal Carotenoid Extract on the Thermal and Oxidative Stabilities of Fish Oil.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a bacterioruberin-rich carotenoid extract (HAE) derived from the halophilic archaea Halorubrum ezzemoulense DSM 19316 in protecting crude fish oil against thermal oxidation. The research used fish oil derived from anchovies, which had a peroxide value (PV) of 6.44 ± 0.81 meq O2 kg-1. To assess the impact of HAE on the thermal stability and post-oxidation characteristics of fish oil, several concentrations of HAE were added to the fish oil samples: 0 ppm (no additive) (HAE0), 50 ppm (HAE50), 100 ppm (HAE100), 500 ppm (HAE500), and 1000 ppm (HAE1000). Furthermore, a control group was established with the addition of 100 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT100) in order to evaluate the effectiveness of HAE with a synthetic antioxidant that is commercially available. Prior to the fast oxidation experiment, thermogravimetric analysis was conducted on samples from all experimental groups. At the conclusion of the examination, it was seen that the HAE500 and HAE1000 groups exhibited a delay in the degradation temperature. The experimental groups underwent oxidation at a temperature of 55.0 ± 0.5 °C for a duration of 96 h. The measurement of PV was conducted every 24 h during this time. PV in all experimental groups exhibited a time-dependent rise (p < 0.05). However, the HAE500 group had the lowest PV measurement at the conclusion of the 96 h period (p < 0.05). Significant disparities were detected in the fatty acid compositions of the experimental groups at the completion of the oxidation experiment. The HAE500 group exhibited the highest levels of EPA, DHA, and ΣPUFA at the end of oxidation, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Through the examination of volatile component analysis, specifically an oxidation marker, it was shown that the HAE500 group exhibited the lowest level of volatile components (p < 0.05). Consequently, it was concluded that the addition of HAE to fish oil provided superior protection compared to BHT at an equivalent rate. Moreover, the group that used 500 ppm HAE demonstrated the highest level of performance in the investigation.

Seasonal Variations in the Trace Elements and Mineral Profiles of the Bivalve Species, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina and Donax trunculus, and Human Health Risk Assessment.

This study aimed to provide data on selected toxic (Cd, Pb and Ni), essential (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) and microelement (Na, K, Ca and Mg) concentrations in edible tissues of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) and the wedge clam (Donax trunculus). Samples were collected from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) four times over, a period of one year (2022). In comparison with the maximum permissible levels set by the EU and USFDA, all elemental concentration found in the bivalve species were lower than the prescribed limits. An estimation of the dietary metal intake through calculation of the target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target risk (TR) was performed. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for individual metal and HI for combined metals were lower than 1, indicating no health risk for consumers due to the intake of either individual element or combined ones. The target risk value for toxic inorganic Pb and Cr was below 10-6, indicating no carcinogenic risk. According to these results, the consumption of these bivalve species is completely safe for human health.

Effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: a 52-week real-life study in an Italian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Secukinumab has shown high efficacy in randomized controlled trials in both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here, we investigated its real-life effectiveness and tolerability in a cohort of AS and PsA patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of outpatients with AS or PsA treated with secukinumab between December 2017 and December 2019. ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP scores were used to measure axial and peripheral disease activity in AS and PsA, respectively. Data were collected at baseline and after 8, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-five adult patients with active disease (29 with AS and 56 with PsA; 23 males and 62 females) were treated. Overall, mean disease duration was 6.7 years and biologic-naïve patients were 85%. Significant reductions in ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP were observed at all time-points. Body weight (in AS) and disease activity status at baseline (particularly in PsA) significantly affected disease activity changes. ASDAS-defined inactive disease and DAS28-defined remission were achieved in comparable proportions between AS and PsA patients, at both 24 weeks (45% and 46%) and 52 weeks (65.5% and 68%, respectively); male sex was found an independent predictor of positive response (OR 5.16, P = 0.027). After 52 weeks, achievement of at least low disease activity and drug retention were observed in 75% of patients. Secukinumab was well-tolerated and only mild injection-site reactions were recorded in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: In a real-world setting, secukinumab confirmed great effectiveness and safety in both AS and PsA patients. The influence of gender on treatment response deserves further attention.

Neuro-immune deconvolution analysis of OAS3 as a transcriptomic central node in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

Neurological complications of AIDS (NeuroAIDS) include primary HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). OAS3 is an enzyme belonging to the 2', 5' oligoadenylate synthase family induced by type I interferons and involved in the degradation of both viral and endogenous RNA. Here, we used microarray datasets from NCBI of brain samples of non-demented HIV-negative controls (NDC), HIV, deceased patients with HAND and encephalitis (HIVE) (treated and untreated with antiretroviral therapy, ART), and with HAND without HIVE. The HAND/HIVE patients were stratified according to the OAS3 gene expression. The genes positively and negatively correlated to the OAS3 gene expression were used to perform a genomic deconvolution analysis using neuroimmune signatures (NIS) belonging to sixteen signatures. Expression analysis revealed significantly higher OAS3 expression in HAND/HIVE and HAND/HIVE/ART compared with NDC. OAS3 expressed an excellent diagnostic ability to discriminate NDC from HAND/HIVE, HAND from HAND/HIVE, HAND from HAND/HIVE/ART, and HIV from HAND/HIVE. Noteworthy, OAS3 expression levels in the brains of HAND/HIVE patients were positively correlated with viral load in both peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Furthermore, deconvolution analysis revealed that the genes positively correlated to OAS3 expression were associated with inflammatory signatures. Neuronal activation profiles were significantly activated by the genes negatively correlated to OAS3 expression levels. Moreover, gene ontology analysis performed on genes characterizing the microglia signature highlighted an immune response as a main biological process. According to our results, genes positively correlated to OAS3 gene expression in the brains of HAND/HIVE patients are associated with inflammatory transcriptomic signatures and likely worse cognitive impairment.

Toxic effect of heavy metals on ovarian deformities, apoptotic changes, oxidative stress, and steroid hormones in rainbow trout.

BACKGROUND: As is well known, the pollution in the aquatic environment in which fish grow has a direct impact on aquaculture practices. Pollution in aquatic systems because of multiple adverse effects on fish metabolic processes, especially the reproductive systems. AIM: The goal of this study was to assess the severity of pollution impact in two different hatcheries, Verinag hatchery, Site 1 (S1) and Panzath hatchery, Site 2 (S2) in Anantnag region, using histopathological, ultrastructural, oxidative stress, genotoxic, and hormonal analysis in rainbow trout gonad (ovary). M&M: Fish were collected between May 2018 and April 2019 from two locations, Verinag hatchery (S1) and Panzath hatchery (S2), which were affected by heavy metals. RESULTS: The histological and ultrastructural examination of rainbow trout ovaries from the Verinag hatchery (S1) revealed normal structure in growing oocytes in rainbow trout at various stages based on morphological features while the fish ovaries in the Panzath hatchery (S2) showed various deformities and irregularly shaped oocytes. The surfaces of some of these oocytes were wrinkled, rough, or distorted. Apoptotic studies revealed that the frequency of apoptotic cells collected from S2 water was significantly increased in ovarian cells (P < 0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were found to be increased in fish collected from S1 but decreased in fish collected from S2. In S2 caught fish, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were found to increase gradually, and the degree of heavy metal stress was positively correlated (p < 0.05). The comet assay was used to determine the induction of DNA damage in ovarian cells. The induction of DNA damage was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in S2 fish specimens compared to fish from S1. On comparing the DNA damage of the rainbow trout from the two sampling sites, it was revealed that the fish is much more sensitive to aquatic contaminants. Regarding steroid hormones, higher levels of progesterone and estrogen were reported in the fish samples collected from S1 as compared to S2 captured fish. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the comparative study of fish from two different sites viz. Verinag hatchery (S1) and Panzath hatchery (S2) revealed that S2 sampled fish suffered more heavy metal damage, including cellular deformities, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and altered steroid hormones.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal concentration in muscle of Chelon auratus and Chelon saliens from the southern Caspian Sea.

Heavy metals are one of the most serious pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, and their accumulation in fish products causes harmful effects on human health. In this context, we set out to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the muscle of two fish species of commercial interest, Chelon auratus and Chelon saliens on the south coast of the Caspian Sea. We aimed to assess the degree of environment contamination in this area and to estimate the potential risk to human health derived from the consumption of fish. The mean concentrations of the different metals analysed were very varied in both species. In fact, some concentrations exceeded the permissible limits for the protection of human health for Cd and Pb, and some values of As were above those referenced by other authors in same species in the Caspian Sea. None of the estimated daily intake values exceeded the tolerable intake based on the consumption under consideration. Nonetheless, the accumulative hazard values evidenced a potential risk to human health, Pb and Hg being those giving a higher target hazard quotient. The cancer risk from exposure to As from fish consumption in children was above the "acceptable" risk to life. Thus, in view of the accumulative nature of heavy metals, a moderate and non-abusive fish consumption in this area, particularly in children, would be recommendable.

Sex, Age, and Regional Differences in CHRM1 and CHRM3 Genes Expression Levels in the Human Brain Biopsies: Potential Targets for Alzheimer's Disease-related Sleep Disturbances.

BACKGROUND: Cholinergic hypofunction and sleep disturbance are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive disorder leading to neuronal deterioration. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1-5 or mAChRs), expressed in hippocampus and cerebral cortex, play a pivotal role in the aberrant alterations of cognitive processing, memory, and learning, observed in AD. Recent evidence shows that two mAChRs, M1 and M3, encoded by CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes, respectively, are involved in sleep functions and, peculiarly, in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. METHODS: We used twenty microarray datasets extrapolated from post-mortem brain tissue of nondemented healthy controls (NDHC) and AD patients to examine the expression profile of CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes. Samples were from eight brain regions and stratified according to age and sex. RESULTS: CHRM1 and CHRM3 expression levels were significantly reduced in AD compared with ageand sex-matched NDHC brains. A negative correlation with age emerged for both CHRM1 and CHRM3 in NDHC but not in AD brains. Notably, a marked positive correlation was also revealed between the neurogranin (NRGN) and both CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes. These associations were modulated by sex. Accordingly, in the temporal and occipital regions of NDHC subjects, males expressed higher levels of CHRM1 and CHRM3, respectively, than females. In AD patients, males expressed higher levels of CHRM1 and CHRM3 in the temporal and frontal regions, respectively, than females. CONCLUSION: Thus, substantial differences, all strictly linked to the brain region analyzed, age, and sex, exist in CHRM1 and CHRM3 brain levels both in NDHC subjects and in AD patients.

Effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: a 52-week real-life study in an Italian cohort

Abstract Background Secukinumab has shown high efficacy in randomized controlled trials in both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here, we investigated its real-life effectiveness and tolerability in a cohort of AS and PsA patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed medical records of outpatients with AS or PsA treated with secukinumab between December 2017 and December 2019. ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP scores were used to measure axial and peripheral disease activity in AS and PsA, respectively. Data were collected at baseline and after 8, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment. Results Eighty-five adult patients with active disease (29 with AS and 56 with PsA; 23 males and 62 females) were treated. Overall, mean disease duration was 6.7 years and biologic-naïve patients were 85%. Significant reductions in ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP were observed at all time-points. Body weight (in AS) and disease activity status at baseline (particularly in PsA) significantly affected disease activity changes. ASDAS-defined inactive disease and DAS28-defined remission were achieved in comparable proportions between AS and PsA patients, at both 24 weeks (45% and 46%) and 52 weeks (65.5% and 68%, respectively); male sex was found an independent predictor of positive response (OR 5.16, P = 0.027). After 52 weeks, achievement of at least low disease activity and drug retention were observed in 75% of patients. Secukinumab was well-tolerated and only mild injection-site reactions were recorded in 4 patients. Conclusion In a real-world setting, secukinumab confirmed great effectiveness and safety in both AS and PsA patients. The influence of gender on treatment response deserves further attention.

Risk Assessment of Essential and Toxic Elements in Freshwater Fish Species from Lakes near Black Sea, Bulgaria.

The aims of this study were to measure the concentrations of selected toxic and essential elements in the muscle tissue of five common freshwater fish species ((roach (Rutilus rutilus), freshwater bream (Abramis brama), prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio)) from Lake Burgas and Lake Mandra (Bulgaria). In all samples the levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn were under the maximum allowed concentrations for safe human consumption in Bulgaria and ranged as follows: Cd 0.02-0.05; Cr 0.03-0.06; Cu 0.11-0.20; Mn 0.05-0.71; Ni 0.06-0.11; Pb 0.15-0.27, Fe 1.68-5.86 and Zn 1.94-9.06 mg/kg wet weight. The concentration of As was under detection limit. An assessment of the human risk by calculation of the target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target risk (TR) was performed. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for individual elements and HI for combined metals were lower than 1, indicating no health risk for consumers due to the intake of either individual or combined metals. The target risk for iAs, Pb and Ni was below 10-6, indicating no carcinogenic risk. According to these results, the consumption of these freshwater fish species is safe for human health.

Nickel and cadmium tissue bioaccumulation and blood parameters in Chelon auratus and Mugil cephalus from Anzali free zone in the south Caspian Sea (Iran) and Faro Lake (Italy): A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of heavy metal concentrations in fish blood is a valuable tool in environmental pollution monitoring. Among different type of fish, detritivorous fish are a very good indicator for monitoring pollution and environmental stress, along with hematological studies, which are an important indicator in eco-toxicological and biological studies. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environment on bioaccumulation of Ni and Cd and on blood parameters in Chelon auratus and Mugil cephalus (a detritivorous fish which is widely distributed in the world) captured in Caspian Sea and Faro Lake. METHODS: For the research blood and tissues samples were collected from 40 mullets (20 Mugil cephalus from Italy and 20 Chelon auratus from Iran) in 2019. The hematological (white blood cell, WBC; red blood cell, RBC; thrombocyte count, TC; hematocrit, Hct; hemoglobin concentration, Hb; mean corpuscular volume, MCV; mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCH and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, MCHC) and biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, AST; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; alkaline phosphatase, ALP; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH and creatine phosphokinase, CPK were assessed. RESULTS: Although the concentration of Ni and Cd in the muscle of fish have no significant health risks and were low in both regions, the most elevated concentration was found in the liver of Caspian Sea mullet. In all cases, the results obtained for all biochemical and most hematological parameters of individual Faro Lake, were considerably lower than the Caspian Sea, demonstrating that habitats and environmental conditions affect the blood metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that these measurements can be used as criteria for the quantitative evaluation of fish /health and provide information on the extent of potential poisoning and the risks posed to the populations and fisheries.

Data on multiple regression analysis between boron, nickel, arsenic, antimony, and biological substrates in horses: The role of hematological biomarkers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers of exposure to boron, nickel, arsenic, and antimony in an industrial region, evaluating the bioaccumulation in biological substrates and the correlation with biomarkers such as hematological parameters. Through indication of the accumulation of some minerals in the horse's biological substrates reflects environmental pollution. Moreover, an additional aim of the study was to show whether these contaminants have an influence on the hematological parameters in horses. Blood, serum, mane, and tail samples from 20 horses from an industrial area were analyzed to determine boron (B), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) concentration. Hematological parameters (red blood cell [RBC], white blood cells [WBC], hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [Hct], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC], platelet [PLT]) as a biomarker of blood in relation to the bioaccumulation of these elements were analyzed also. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and single regression analysis (Pearson) and multiple regression analysis (p < 0.05) between blood factors, As, B, Ni, and Sb concentrations, and for each mineral in different substrate, respectively. Results showed a significant correlation between tail and mane concentrations with serum and blood for boron concentration (r = -1 p < 0.05). No significant correlation between sample (feed, hay, mane, tail, and water) concentrations and As, Ni, and Sb were found. A significantly negative correlation with blood parameters (r = -1 p < 0.05) was observed in Boron concentration for mane and tail. This suggests that the mane and tail may be a potential means to investigate suspected exposure to excessive levels of trace minerals.

Cadmium Sub-Lethal Concentration Effect on Growth, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Mystus seenghala (Sykes, 1839).

The current study aims to assess the cadmium sub-lethal concentration influence on growth and haematological and biochemical parameters of Mystus seenghala. A total of 60 fish of three different length groups (20 each) were collected from Head Qadirabad, Pakistan. The fish were treated to the sub-lethal concentration viz. one-third of LC50, for 16 weeks except for the control groups. Water quality parameters were kept constant during the entire course of the research, and the major parameters were measured as temperature (28.03 ± 0.03 °C), DO (5.82 ± 0.14 mg L-1), pH (8.00 ± 0.01) and total hardness (249.98 ± 0.01 mg L-1). Findings revealed that the growth of three treated variant length groups was affected negatively by cadmium exposure and showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower average wet weight, body length and condition factor as compared to control groups, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) increases by increasing the exposure duration. The haematological parameters including values of Hct, Hb and MCHC were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in all Cd-treated groups than control groups, whereas the level of MCH and MCV were significantly higher, but no significant difference was found in the value of RBCs in all treated groups. Biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, total lipid and glucose level in Cd exposure groups were significantly higher, while the total protein level was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in all treated groups as compared to control groups. From the current study, it has been concluded that the growth, haematology and biochemical parameters are important indicators of ecotoxicology particularly contamination of the cadmium and health of the fish.

Effects of Essential Oil Derived from the Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium) on Growth Performance, Histology and Gene Expression Levels in Common Carp Juveniles (Cyprinus carpio).

The aim of this study was to detect effects of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) essential oil, commonly called neroli oil (NO) (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1, and 1.5% referred to as NO0 NO0.25, NO0. 05, NO1 and NO1.5, respectively) on growth performance output and expression levels of some growth-related genes in the muscle tissue and some immune-related genes in the head kidney and pathological differences in digestive system organs of common carp Cyprinus carpio. The NO0.25 group had a large improvement in growth efficiency at the end of the 60-day feeding cycle. Real-time PCR (Bio RAD, USA) system was used to detect variations in gene expression levels. Furthermore, NO supplementation of up to 0.25% in muscle tissue controlled the release of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Furthermore, in the NO0.25 treatment category, immune response gene levels TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-1ß increased in head kidney tissue. In the histological examination of the liver and intestine, there were significant differences between fish fed with N1 and N1.5 diets. This study confirms that dietary supplementation of NO up to 0.25% can improve common carp growth efficiency and increase the expression of genes (GH and IGF-I) related to muscle growth, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-1ß genes related to immune status, and liver and intestine histological status of common carp.

Hot pepper (Capsicum sp.) oil and its effects on growth performance and blood parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The authors studied the effect of hot pepper (capsicum sp.) oil on the growth performance and blood parameters in rainbow trout fed. Hot pepper oil was added to rainbow trout feeds at the rates of HPO 0‰ (0 mg/kg) (control), HPO 1‰ (1 mg/kg), HPO 2‰ (2 mg/kg), HPO 4‰ (4 mg/kg) and HPO 6‰ (6 mg/kg), and the fish were fed with experimental feeds for 60 days. The group fed with HPO 4‰ showed the highest percentage growth rate and the lowest feed conversion rate. Our results showed the significant differences serum biochemical parameters, a decrease of serum liver enzymes, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and an increase of total protein and albumin levels compared with the control. The use of HPO 1‰ in rainbow trout showed a positively affects the growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical parameters.[Formula: see text].

Effects of Different Levels of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Some Blood Parameters and Disease Resistance Against Yersinia ruckeri in Rainbow Trout.

This study is aimed to assess the effects of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) supplementation on growth performance, some hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters, and disease resistance against Yersinia ruckeri in cultured rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). 240 fish in total were randomly assigned into four triplicate groups (20 fish/per aquarium) corresponding to four dietary treatments: control (PSO0; no addition of PSO), 0.5% (PSO5), 1.00% (PSO10), and 2.00% (PSO20) of PSO, respectively. After the 60 day-feeding trial, fish blood samples were collected and compared. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) showed a significant (P < 0.05) effect of PSO on red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase parameters in PSO5 and PSO10 with regard to control. Moreover, a pronounced (P < 0.05) increased in weight gain, growth and feed conversion was found in fish fed with PSO supplemented diets. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged with Y. ruckeri and survival recorded for 20 days. Cumulative survival was 45.10% in fish fed with the control diet, whereas in fish fed with PSO5, PSO10, and PSO20 supplemented diets, survival was 58.82, 56.86, and 56.86%, respectively. In conclusion, dietary administration of PSO induced a reduction in mortality of rainbow trout infected with Y. ruckeri, intercalary significant differences occurred on growth performance and some blood values among treated groups. These positive effects of PSO could be considered for new applications in aquaculture.

N-Acetyl-cysteine causes analgesia by reinforcing the endogenous activation of type-2 metabotropic glutamate receptors.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological activation of type-2 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu2 receptors) causes analgesia in experimental models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Presynaptic mGlu2 receptors are activated by the glutamate released from astrocytes by means of the cystine/glutamate antiporter (System x(c)(-) or Sx(c)(-)). We examined the analgesic activity of the Sx(c)(-) activator, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), in mice developing inflammatory or neuropathic pain. RESULTS: A single injection of NAC (100 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced nocifensive behavior in the second phase of the formalin test. NAC-induced analgesia was abrogated by the Sxc- inhibitor, sulphasalazine (8 mg/kg, i.p.) or by the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist, LY341495 (1 mg/kg, i.p.). NAC still caused analgesia in mGlu3(-/-) mice, but was inactive in mGlu2(-/-) mice. In wild-type mice, NAC retained the analgesic activity in the formalin test when injected daily for 7 days, indicating the lack of tolerance. Both single and repeated injections of NAC also caused analgesia in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of chronic inflammatory pain, and, again, analgesia was abolished by LY341495. Data obtained in mice developing neuropathic pain in response to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve were divergent. In this model, a single injection of NAC caused analgesia that was reversed by LY341495, whereas repeated injections of NAC were ineffective. Thus, tolerance to NAC-induced analgesia developed in the CCI model, but not in models of inflammatory pain. The CFA and CCI models differed with respect to the expression levels of xCT (the catalytic subunit of Sx(c)(-)) and activator of G-protein signaling type-3 (AGS3) in the dorsal portion of the lumbar spinal cord. CFA-treated mice showed no change in either protein, whereas CCI mice showed an ipislateral reduction in xCT levels and a bilateral increase in AGS3 levels in the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that pharmacological activation of Sxc- causes analgesia by reinforcing the endogenous activation of mGlu2 receptors. NAC has an excellent profile of safety and tolerability when clinically used as a mucolytic agent or in the management of acetaminophen overdose. Thus, our data encourage the use of NAC for the experimental treatment of inflammatory pain in humans.

Chronobiologic blood pressure assessment: Maturation of the daily rhythm in newborn foals

Circadian rhythmicity of physiological processes in animals has been described for some variables. In order to investigate the daily rhythmicity of blood pressure, seven foals (Equus caballus) were used for 40 days after birth. Measurements of blood pressure were done by means of an oscillometric apparatus (Argus TM-7, Schiller, Barr Switzerland) with the foals in a standing position and the cuff placed around the tail. Blood pressure was recorded twice a day, 1 hour before dawn and 1 hour before dusk for the first 10 days of life, every 2 days from the 11th to the 32nd day, on the 36th and on the 40th day. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine statistically significant differences between the mean values recorded at dawn and dusk during the study. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of time (p<0.0001), during the first 40 days of life. This study confirms a strong correlation between age and blood pressure in horse and the absence of blood pressure maturation in foals 40 days old. The results on the maturation of the daily rhythm of blood pressure in foals is a contribution to the study of the development of circadian rhythms in mammals. These results are also useful for the chronophysiological assessment of blood pressure in the horse.

Comparison of hysteroscopic and hysterectomy findings to assess the diagnostic accuracy of office hysteroscopy in tamoxifen-treated patients with breast cancer.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of office hysteroscopy by comparing hysteroscopic findings with histologic findings on hysterectomy specimens in postmenopausal women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three women. INTERVENTION: Record review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared with histologic diagnoses of uteri, hysteroscopic findings showed diagnostic sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 96%. The diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopy is the same in patients taking tamoxifen as in the general population. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopy is a powerful method for diagnosing endometrial disease because it provides a direct view of the uterine cavity, reveals focal lesions, and enables targeted biopsies to be performed at the same time.