Protective role of diet supplements Spirulina and Tamarind fruit pulp on kidney in sodium fluoride exposed Swiss albino mice: Histological and biochemical indices.

Fluoride toxicity through potable water, particularly ground water, is not uncommon in countries such as India, China, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, parts of Africa and Afghanistan. Kidney being the main organ involved in fluoride removal, it accumulates considerable amount of fluoride. Here, we report toxic effects of oral exposure of Swiss albino mice to fluoride (sub-acute: 190 mg/kg body wt. for 7 days; and sub-chronic: 94 mg/kg body wt. for 90 days) and recovery of sub-chronic fluoride exposed mice after 90 days of sodium fluoride (NaF) withdrawal. The role of diet supplements (Spirulina and tamarind fruit pulp @ 230 mg/kg body wt. independently as well as in combination) in amelioration of fluoride toxicity has also been screened. Compared with controls, feed intake decreased from 3-43%, body wt. 4-18%, and kidney wt. 5-12% in treated mice (except diet supplement groups of sub-chronic exposure) while their water intake increased from 4-43%. Histopathological changes in the cortical region of kidney in fluoride treated mice were as follows: dilation of bowman's capsule and thickening of its parietal and visceral layer; alterations in glomeruli size and their sclerotization; increase in bowman's space; proliferation of mesangial cells; reduction in podocyte counts; and dilation of proximal and distal tubules. Fluoride exposure altered tissue biochemistry (protein, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase content) and increased urea (23-58%) and creatinine content (14-127%) in the serum. Sub-acute exposure was found more toxic. The diet modulation not only reduced fluoride toxicity but also led to better recovery of treated mice after withdrawal, especially in combination.

Protective effect of Spirulina and tamarind fruit pulp diet supplement in fish (Gambusia affinis Baird & Girard) exposed to sublethal concentration of fluoride, aluminum and aluminum fluoride.

Protective role of diet supplements (Spirulina, tamarind fruit pulp and their combination) on a freshwater fish G. affinis exposed at sublethal concentration of fluoride (F-) (10 ppm), Al(+3) (3 ppm) and aluminum fluoride (AlF3) (35.4 ppm) in the microcosms (15 L sized) for 30-60 days in winter (90 days in summer) has been reported. Toxic effects of chemicals were manifested as higher fish mortality (4-50%) and acid (approximately -30%) and alkaline phosphatase (25-50%) contents, but reduction in RBC counts (5-55%) and protein content (approximately -29%) compared with controls. Alterations in values of these parameters were found maximum in aluminum exposed fish suggesting it as the most toxic among the tested chemicals. Diet supplements reduced toxicity of tested chemicals, especially when Spirulina and tamarind were given together.

Biotechnological perspectives of microbes in agro-ecosystems.

In subsistence agricultural systems, crop yields are directly dependent on the inherent soil fertility and on microbial processes that govern the mineralization and mobilization of nutrients required for plant growth. An impact of different crop species that are used in various combinations is likely to be an important factor in determining the structure of plant beneficial microbial communities that function in nutrient cycling, the production of plant growth hormones, and suppression of root diseases. In addition, studies are needed to elucidate the signal transduction pathways that result from treatment of plants with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria under stress conditions. In the present review an emphasis has been given on plant-microbe interactions and their mitigation under abiotic and biotic stresses.

The use of migraine preventive medications among patients with and without migraine headaches.

The aim was to describe the use of and adherence to migraine preventives among insured patients meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn (ICHD-II) criteria for migraine headaches. A retrospective, case-control study was conducted using data from a telephone interview linked with health insurance claims data. Subjects were health plan enrollees aged 18-55 years who had incurred at least one encounter between June 2000 and November 2001. Interview responses were used to identify cases meeting the ICHD-II criteria for strict and probable migraine and a random sample of controls. Pharmacy claims data were used to construct measures of use and adherence. Differences in outcomes by adherence status were evaluated using generalized linear models. We identified 2517 cases and 941 controls. Among cases, the prevalence of antidepressant use was 4%, anticonvulsant use was 1.9%, antihypertensive use was 8.9%. Combined use was 13.4% among cases and did not differ significantly from that observed among controls (12.4%). Mean adherence rate between the first and last dispensing during the year was high (88%) and did not differ by migraine status. When the entire 12-month period is considered, adherence was substantially lower (56%). Patients who were adherent between dispensings reported significantly less migraine-related disability and incurred higher prescription drug costs, but did not differ in their total medical care costs. Patients with migraine are unlikely to be users of preventive medications. Among users, few are taking preventive medications continuously. Patients with migraine-especially those without a medical diagnosis for migraine or headaches-are not receiving the benefits available from existing pharmacotherapy options.

Exploring fish bioassay of textile dye wastewaters and their selected constituents in terms of mortality and erythrocyte disorders.

Acute (4 day) and short-term (7 day) toxicity studies (at 1/5th and 1/10th of LC(50)) of textile dye wastewaters and their selected ingredients (azo dye methyl red and heavy metals Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn) were made on a freshwater fish Gambusia affinis under laboratory conditions. LC(50) value was found to be the lowest in four cases, and the EC(50) value for reduction in erythrocyte counts in the remaining four tests. Thus, the reduction in erythrocyte counts to the 50% level was similar in sensitivity to fish mortality. The short-term toxicity studies revealed significant disorders in erythrocyte morphology (poikilocytosis) and its counts to be the better indices for toxicity monitoring in the absence of fish mortality.

A comparative study on characterization of textile wastewaters (untreated and treated) toxicity by chemical and biological tests.

Toxicity of textile wastewaters (untreated and treated) and their ingredient chemicals was quantified in terms of their chemical characteristics, fish (Gambusia affinis) mortality and end point growth responses of duckweed (Lemna aequinoctialis) in short-term bioassays. Other parameters of fish bioassay were erythrocyte morphology and its counts. Despite of a definite correlation between data of biological tests (LC/EC(50) values) with that of chemical tests, biological tests were found to be relatively more sensitive to both wastewaters and ingredient chemicals. Amongst all the examined parameters of test organisms, fish RBCs (morphology and counts) sensitivity to pollutants in the wastewaters was usually maximum and therefore, their study should be included in the routine fish bioassay. Other advantage of biological test such as on Lemna is even detection of eutrophic potential of wastewaters, as noted at their higher dilutions. The ingredient chemicals (major) contributing maximum toxicity to textile dye wastewater were, acids (HCl and H(2)SO(4)), alkali (Na(2)O SiO(2)), salt (NaNO(2)) and heavy metal (Cu), whereas dyes (4) were relatively less toxic.

Identification of a sensitive index during fish bioassay of an azo dye methyl red (untreated and treated).

Acute and chronic toxicity of methyl red (untreated) was examined on a freshwater fish Poecilia reticulata, using indices viz; mortality, reduction in RBC counts and their morphological abnormality (poikilocytosis and anisocytosis). Similar studies (acute toxicity) were also made in physicochemically and biologically treated methyl red. Data comparison of these four indices revealed poikilocytosis as the most sensitive index, since it measured higher toxicity of methyl red when fish mortality was either minimum at its low concentration (5 ppm) during both acute and chronic toxicity or even nil in the biologically treated 100 ppm methyl red, during acute toxicity. Mortality was next to poikilocytosis though it ranked 1st at higher concentration of methyl red during acute toxicity. The reduction in RBC counts however, was found to be the most sensitive parameter only in case of prolonged exposure (4 weeks) to 5 ppm methyl red. Amongst the four indices used for quantifying toxicity; anisocytosis was found to be the least expressive. Based on these findings we recommend quantification of data on fish mortality and poikilocytosis during acute toxicity whereas reduction in RBC counts and poikilocytosis during chronic exposure to methyl red.

A comparative study on the toxic effects of textile dye wastewaters (untreated and treated) on mortality and RBC of a freshwater fish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Gerard).

Comparative toxicological studies of textile dye wastewater (untreated and treated) on a freshwater fish, Gambusia affinis, revealed a marked reduction in mortality and cytotoxic effects on RBCs, measured as reduction in their counts and percent changes in their shape (poikilocytosis) and variation in their size (anisocytosis)}, after subjecting them to both physicochemical and biological treatments. On comparing the data of mortality and the cytotoxic effects on RBCs, we found poikilocytosis is a better indicator for toxicity measurement of both untreated as well as treated wastewater, especially at their lowest concentrations where percent mortality was found to be either nil or lowerer than the percentage of poikilocytic RBCs. Although percent reduction in RBC counts and changes in their size (anisocytosis) indicated toxic effects of wastewaters, but EC5o values for RBC counts were usually higher than those for poikilocytosis and mortality, and non-calculable for anisocytosis suggesting their lesser sensitivity to pollutants. In view of these findings, we recommend monitoring of toxic effects of wastewaters during fish bioassay on both mortality and variation in RBC shape.

Role of Spirulina in mitigating hemato-toxicity in Swiss albino mice exposed to aluminum and aluminum fluoride.

Aluminum is ingested through foods, water, air, and even drugs. Its intake is potentiated further through foods and tea prepared in aluminum utensils and Al salt added in the drinking water for removal of suspended impurities and also fluoride in the affected areas. The ameliorating role of a blue green alga Spirulina is well documented to various pollutants in the animal models. We, therefore, examined its protective role (230 mg/kg body weight) on the hematology of male Swiss albino mice treated with aluminum (sub-acute = 78.4 mg/kg body weight for 7 days, sub-chronic = 7.8 mg/kg body weight for 90 days) and aluminum fluoride (sub-acute = 103 mg/kg body weight, sub-chronic = 21 mg/kg body weight), along with their recovery after 90 days of sub-chronic exposure. This study revealed significant reduction in the values of RBC (5-18 %), Hb (15-17 %), PCV (8-14 %), and platelets (26-36 %), and increase in WBC (54-124 %) in the treated mice, particularly after sub-acute exposure. Aluminum fluoride was comparatively more toxic than aluminum. Further, Spirulina supplement not only alleviated toxicity of test chemicals in Swiss albino mice but also led to their better recovery after withdrawal.

Acute toxicity of textile dye wastewaters (untreated and treated) of Sanganer on male reproductive systems of albino rats and mice.

This study reports on the toxic effects of 15-days oral administration of untreated (Influent) and treated (Effluent) textile dye wastewaters on male reproductive systems of adult Swiss albino rats (age: 85-90 days) and mice (40-50 days). Textile dye wastewaters decreased body weight (7-25%) and reproductive organ weight (testis, epididymis, prostate gland and seminal vesicle, 2-48%). Similar trends were noted for total protein (14-70%), cholesterol (14-91%) and total lipid (10-30%) content of reproductive organs and spermatozoa, and for fructose levels in seminal vesicle (18-44%). Acid phosphatase activity in prostate however, was increased (11-44%) in the wastewater-exposed animals. Histopathological studies of treated animals revealed altered spermatogenesis, with higher sperm abnormalities, reduction in sperm counts (10-59%), and altered motility (14-56%). The magnitude of these abnormalities was stronger in rats versus mice, while among treatments, it was stronger in the Influent animals. Adverse effects improved when treated rats were allowed to recover 45 days in the control condition. Only recovered Effluent rats were capable of fertilizing normal females indicating that treated wastewater was less toxic; however, in comparison to control rats, litter size and body weight gains of F(1) and F(2) generations were adversely affected. Thus, the present study has established toxicity of both untreated and treated textile dye wastewater on reproductive biology of male Albino mice and rats.

Protective role of Spirulina feed in a freshwater fish (Poecilia reticulata Peters) exposed to an azo dye-methyl red.

Acute toxicity of an azo dye-methyl red (5-40 ppm) was examined under starving conditions, on two groups of Poecilia reticulata--a freshwater fish, fed on different diets prior to their exposure to dye. Besides natural feed, fish of group-1 also received Spirulina feed for one month (feed population), whereas those of group-2 received only natural feed (non-feed population). The mortality data revealed non-feed population to be more tolerant to feed stress during acute toxicity study, whereas feed population exhibited better tolerance to the combined stress of both feed and methyl red; especially at higher concentrations of the latter. RBCs in methyl red treatments acquired different shapes (poikilocytosis) and an increase in their size (anisocytosis) was also noticed. Percentage of such abnormal RBCs was almost equal in both feed and non-feed populations, except at a lower concentration (5 ppm), at which percentage of poikilocytic RBCs was lesser in the feed population. RBC counts in the control non-feed fish (34.5 x 10(4)/mm3) were significantly lower than control feed population (50.0 x 10(4) /mm3). Their number decreased with an increase in methyl red concentrations in non-feed population (9-26%), but percent reduction in RBC counts was almost similar (20-26%) at various concentrations of methyl red (5-30 ppm) in the feed population. Despite reduction in RBC counts, feed population did not suffer from anemia in methyl red treatments, as evident by their RBC counts which were almost equal to control fish of non-feed population. The results suggest that Spirulina feed improves tolerance of test organism towards methyl red manifested by noticeable reduction in the cytotoxic effects on RBCs and a lower mortality rate at higher concentrations of dye.

Maternal beliefs regarding diet during common childhood illnesses.

PIP: General illiteracy, superstitions, and a lack of dietary education are major problems in India. Specifically, mothers' beliefs about infant and child feeding may lead to the malnutrition of many infants and children in India. Mothers sometimes unnecessarily restrict the provision of food to their children during illness. The authors investigated the prevalent maternal beliefs in Kutumba, Aurangabad, Bihar, regarding diet during common childhood illness. 35 Anganwadi areas were randomly selected, with five mothers in each area administered a questionnaire. Each mother had at least one child younger than age five. 94% of the mothers were illiterate and of low socioeconomic status. A table presents preferred and restricted foods during different illnesses and marasmus. The authors found that instead of providing more nutrition during illnesses to meet children's increased nutritional demand, mothers restrict food, a practice with potentially disastrous consequences. Such beliefs are deeply rooted and can only be changed with vigorous health education and improvement in literacy. Appropriate nutritional education must therefore be imparted to mothers of children with common ailments.^ieng

Certain haematological responses in Swiss albino mice following exposure to textile dye wastewater.

Adults Swiss mice were administered 5% solution of textile industry wastewater orally for 25 days and haematological parameters like RBC, WBC, Hb, and PCV were studied. Red cell indices like MCV, MCH and MCHC were calculated. Results indicate significant reduction in RBC, Hb and PCV levels. It is inferred that toxic effluents cause metabolic alteration in erythrocytes and reduce their Hb carrying capacity.

Depolarization induces acetylation of histone H2B in the hippocampus.

Phosphorylation is critically involved in synaptic plasticity and memory. Recent studies have shown that another posttranslational modification, acetylation, particularly of histone H3, also plays important roles in long-term potentiation and memory. However, activity-dependent modification of different histones of the nucleosome is not clearly understood. Here we show that depolarization enhances acetylation of histone H2B in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Depolarization-induced H2B acetylation is dependent on calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity. In addition, inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity also abolishes depolarization-induced increase in H2B acetylation. These results show that acetylation of histone H2B is regulated in an activity-dependent manner by the molecular events important for synaptic plasticity and memory.

Response of fungal community in the unpolluted and polluted (textile and distillery wastes) habitats.

37 fungal species were recorded, maximum found in textile wastewater polluted habitats (35) followed by unpolluted (15) and distillery polluted (6) habitats. Fungal diversity in sediment samples of textile wastewater polluted habitats (25) was a little lower than wastewater samples (32), whereas it varied little both in the samples of unpolluted habitats (Sambhar wetlands: 5-6; Garden tanks: 9-10) and distillery waste (3-5). Seasonal variation in species diversity was more pronounced in the textile wastewater polluted habitats. Their minimum number was often found during the rainy season while maximum in the winter season, in the polluted habitats but during summer in the unpolluted habitats. Aspergillus was the most diverse genus represented by 7 species, followed by Cladosporium and Fusarium (3 species each) while Drechslera, Rhizopus and Trichoderma had 2 species each. The remaining genera (18) were monotypic. Colony Forming Units (CFUs) were also maximum in the textile wastewater polluted habitats (5.6-1898.9 x 10(3)/L), followed by unpolluted (6.7-560.0 x 10(3)/L) and distillery waste polluted habitats (3.1-53.3 x 10(3)/L), being usually higher in the sediment samples. Their number also varied seasonally, being maximum during winter season in the water samples, whereas in summer in the sediment samples. Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum and Penicillium chrysogenum usually contributed maximum to the CFU values in the polluted as well as in unpolluted habitats.

Impact of distillery soil leachate on haematology of Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus).

This study reports significant alterations in various haematological parameters such as red and white blood corpuscles counts, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume in adult Swiss albino mice orally administered with diluted distillery soil leachate (5%-20%) for 30 days. Soil leachate also affected red blood cell morphology (poikilocytosis). The haematology of exposed mice improved in the reversal groups. Present study infers contamination potential of distillery soil leachate in the groundwater.

Effect of an acute and chronic toxicity of four commercial detergents on the freshwater fish Gambusia affinis Baird & Gerard.

The toxic effects of four commercial detergents (two washing powders and two cakes) are reported in this paper on behavior, mortality and RBC counts of a freshwater fish Gambusia affinis. During acute toxicity studies (96h), surface movements of fish increased markedly for 24h, only at higher concentrations (>10 ppm) of all the four detergents. Thereafter, they were lethargic and bottom dwellers similar to those exposed for a period of 30 days in the longterm ecotoxicological studies made on detergent powders at a sublethal concentration (10 ppm). The detergents exposed to fish were found slippery due to mucous secretion. Hemorrhage regions were also found on their gills. The dissolved oxygen content also decreased (10-18%) in the detergent treatments of higher concentration (> 10 ppm). During acute toxicity studies, cakes (LC50 = 6.69 - 19.98ppm) were found more toxic than powders (LC50 = 18.34-20.72ppm). In comparison to the control fish, RBC counts decreased (12-64%) in the detergent exposed fish, being more pronounced among those exposed to cakes. The chronic exposure (30 days) of the fish also resulted in reduction in the RBC counts (41-58%). It is thus evident that all the four detergents are toxic to the fish Gambusia affinis.