Apoptotic and histopathological defects enhanced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in male mice after short-term exposure.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are commercially utilized in diverse fields. Therefore, the current study investigated the apoptotic and histopathological defects that were caused in male mice following intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of TiO2NPs for 28 days. Doses: 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg body weight were applied (10 mice for each group). Results revealed that, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly increased in homogenates of liver, spleen, kidney, lung, heart, and muscles of treated animals, respect to their controls. Also, significant alterations in acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and ALP) activities were reported. The dose 5.0 mg/kg exhibited a significant decline in cell viability of blood samples (74.9 %) (P 0.05 = 0.0177), followed by 2.5 mg/kg (80.8 %), and finally the 10.0 mg/kg (81.8 %) with respect to control (96.3 %). Additionally, significant increases of expressed proteins of caspases-3 and-7 were noticed in cells of the treated animals. Ultrastructural investigations in sections of liver, kidney, lung and spleen of the treated animals showed significant defects, especially in the nucleus, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), compared to normal patterns of the control. Also, significant induction of nanoparticle (NPs)-phagolysosomes was visualized in sections of the treated animals. The present findings might provide evidence for the risk pattern of TiO2NPs in mammals after short-term exposure. So, TiO2NPs-based commercial products have now increased in the markets, and it is prudent to investigate their mammalian toxicology.

Use of DNA adduct and histopathological defects as indications for bio-persistence potency of zinc oxide nanoparticles in gastropod, Monacha cartusiana (Mǜller) after short-term exposure.

The cytotoxic effects of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) might be revealed in genomic and histopathological defects. Therefore current study aimed to assess the bio-persistence and adverse effects potency of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in the gastropod, Monacha cartusiana. Gastropods were exposed to 74 µg/mL for 14 d then the DNA adduct and histopathological defect profiles were assessed. The results demonstrated significant decline in the estimated genomic template stability (GTS%) in haemolymph and digestive gland ranging from 10.0 to 42.9% in treated animals compared to controls. In the treated and recovered snails, randomly amplified polymorphic (RAPD)-DNA showed the appearance and/or disappearance of DNA bands, indicating DNA damage due to the cytotoxicity of ZnONPs on gastropods. Significant defects in microvilli (MV), nucleus (N), mitochondria (M), and execratory glands (EXG) were noticed in the treated individuals with respect to controls. The remaining live animals were subjected to a recovery period (14 d, without treatment) and slight recovery profiles were reported for both measures compared to the control group. The recovery pattern was recognized in the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio with 0.186 and 0.428 in the treated and recovered groups concerning their control (0.176). The studied parameters reported herein might be reliable tools to assess accumulation and bio-persistence patterns of NPs in the organisms for short-term exposure indicating the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Also, gastropods may provide simple models for evaluating the ecotoxicological effects of nanomaterials.

Diet and physical exercises for preschoolers with ADHD and their mothers: An intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a serious public health problem. Diet-focused approaches and physical exercise can be used to complement other ADHD management techniques. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among preschoolers in nursery schools and to evaluate the educational interventions toward nutrition and physical exercise in mothers and their preschoolers with ADHD symptoms. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A two-phase sampling method was employed. First, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in four nursery schools (400 preschoolers aged between 3 and 6 years). Second, an intervention study (a quasi-experimental research design with one group completing the pre-test and the post-test) was performed on 36 preschoolers having ADHD symptoms and their mothers by using the educational intervention for mothers and photos and games about nutrition and physical exercise for the preschoolers with ADHD; mothers of four children out of the 40 refused to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The paired t-test was used to determine significant differences between the groups. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 400 preschoolers, 10% had high ADHD symptoms. The mean score of mothers' knowledge of nutrition and physical exercise improved after the implementation of the program (p = 0.01). In addition, preschoolers with ADHD enjoyed the session with photos and games (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Educational intervention significantly improved the knowledge of the mothers. Moreover, preschoolers with ADHD symptoms enjoyed the session with photos and games. This intervention appears to be feasible and promising for further investigation of its effects.

Prevalence and predictors of colour vision defects among Egyptian university students.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, widespread usage of colours increases the need for accurate estimation of colour vision defects and their effect on performing daily activities and study/work tasks. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and predictors of colour vision defects among Assiut university students and to identify their relationship with self-reported visual function and perceived difficulties in performing daily activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1426 students at Assiut University, Egypt. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire consisting of: personal characteristics, prior awareness of colour vision defects, difficulties in daily colour vision activities, and visual function. Colour vision was assessed using Ishihara's test of colour deficiency. RESULTS: The prevalence of colour vision defects among students was 6.9% (red-green colour vision was 4.3% and total colour blindness was 2.6%). Students with colour vision defects had significantly higher odds ratios for difficulties in daily activities and study/work tasks related to colour perception. Students with colour vision defects had significantly lower mean values of general health, role difficulties, and colour vision scores compared to students with normal colour insight. Male sex and family history of colour vision defects were risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: A non-negligible percentage of Egyptian university students had colour vision defects, which had a negative impact on performing daily activities, executing study/work tasks, and choice of study/work specialties. Colour vision defects affected quality of life with regard to general health, role difficulties and colour vision. Male sex and family history of colour vision defects are nonmodifiable risk factors. This emphasizes the need for genetic counselling, especially in consanguineous marriage.

Overweight and obesity prevalence among upper Egypt primary schools' children using Egyptian and CDC growth charts.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of overweight and obesity among children; by using different growth charts; is fundamental to disease prevention and health promotion. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine overweight and obesity for age among primary school children in Upper Egypt using the Egyptian and CDC growth charts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional research design was used and conducted at 20 public primary schools in four Upper Egypt governorates. The sample size was 5300 children who selected by multistage sampling technique. Interview questionnaire included personal data and anthropometric measurements (height, Weight and BMI) and Egyptian and CDC growth charts. RESULTS: The percentages of children being overweight and obese for age using Egyptian chart were low compared to CDC charts (1.9 vs 4.6%, 8.5% vs. 3.3%, 8.7% vs 3.3% respectively). According to Egyptian chart 5.2% and 5% from total studied boys and girls were overweight and obese respectively, while in CDC growth chart 13.3% and 10.5% from total studied boys and girls respectively. CONCLUSION: It concluded that there were remarkable differences between CDC and Egyptian growth charts references in the classification of child overweight and obesity. The CDC growth chart evident much higher prevalence among the studied children compared to the Egyptian growth chart. RECOMMENDATION: Periodic development and reconstruction of national growth chart to represent the growth pattern of all geographical areas in Egypt. Also, further researches needed to assess the differences of both international and national references.

In vivo evaluation of oxidative stress and biochemical alteration as biomarkers in glass clover snail, Monacha cartusiana exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Oxidative stress is considered a main commonly reported mechanism of nanoparticles toxicity, so this study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and biochemical alterations in the haemolymph and digestive gland of snail, Monacha cartusiana exposed to sublethal concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for 14 days (d). The results indicated that, ZnONPs induced significant increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in treated animals and did not return to normal levels after recover period. A significant decline of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and glutathione (GSH) content in the haemolymph and digestive gland of snails was observed when compared with control. A significant increase was observed in catalase (CAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities of treated animals. In general, nano-materials are able to induce oxidative stress in exposed animals. The present findings indicate that, alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities, increase of LPO, LDH, and reducing of GSH content and GST, GPx activities are recognized to oxidative stress and cell damage. This species could be considered a good bioindicator to assess nano-materials exposure.

Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Responses of Imidacloprid and Glyphosate in Human Prostate Epithelial WPM-Y.1 Cell Line.

Insecticide imidacloprid and herbicide glyphosate have a broad spectrum of applicable use in the agricultural sector of Egypt. Their ability to induce in vitro cytotoxic and oxidative stress on normal human cells (prostate epithelial WPM-Y.1 cell line) was evaluated with the methyl tetrazolium test (MTT) and histopathological investigation. Cell viability was evaluated with an MTT test for 24 h. The median inhibition concentration (IC50) values were 0.023 and 0.025 mM for imidacloprid and glyphosate, respectively. Sublethal concentrations: 1/10 and 1/50 of IC50 and IC50 levels significantly induced an increase in the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level compared with the untreated cells. Rapid decrease in the glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was induced. Significant increases were recorded in activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR), respectively, compared with the control group. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) investigation showed significant defects in the cells following pesticide treatments for 24 h. Therefore, it is concluded that imidacloprid and glyphosate are very toxic in vitro assays and able to induce apoptotic effects as well as oxidative stress. So, these findings provide a scenario of multibiomarkers to achieve the imposed risks of pesticides at low doses.