DNA damage and oogenesis anomalies in Pimelia latreillei (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) induced by heavy metals soil pollution.

The present study used Pimelia latreillei as a biomonitoring insect for heavy metals soil pollution in a populated industrial area at Zawya Abd El-Qader, Alexandria, Egypt. Comet assay and histological analysis were applied to evaluate the potential risk of heavy metals. X-ray analysis of the soil samples collected from the polluted site revealed significantly increased metal percentages compared with the reference site. Moreover, a significant increase in metal percentages was detected by the X-ray analysis in insect ovaries collected from the polluted site. The Tail DNA length was significantly greater in the insects collected from the polluted site-47.6% compared with 11.4% at the reference site. Pronounced disruptions in oogenesis were observed through histological and ultrastructure investigations in insects collected from the polluted site. The study summarized the potential utility of insect biomonitors in predicting the effect of heavy metals soil pollution on occupational health.

Argon laser phototherapy could eliminate the damage effects induced by the ionizing radiation "gamma radiation" in irradiated rabbits.

The ionizing radiations could be taken in considerate as an integral part in our life, since, living organisms are actually exposed to a constant shower of ionizing radiations whether from the natural or artificial resources. The radio-protective efficiency of several chemicals has been confirmed in animal trails, whereas, due to their accumulative toxicity, their clinical utility is limited. Therefore, we aimed in the present work to investigate the possibility of using argon laser to recuperate the damaged tissues due to exposing to the ionizing radiation. The rabbits were used in this study, and they were designed as control, gamma irradiated, laser, and gamma plus laser groups. Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in blood and liver were evaluated. As well as, the level of protein thiol was evaluated in the plasma among each group. Results of this study revealed the potential therapeutic performance of the treatment by laser argon to decline the damaging effect of the ionized radiation whether at systematic or local levels. In conclusion, argon laser therapy appears propitious protective effect against the hazard effects of gamma radiation.

A pioneer study on the anti-ulcer activities of copper nicotinate complex [CuCl (HNA)2] in experimental gastric ulcer induced by aspirin-pylorus [corrected] ligation model (Shay model).

This study was planned to look for a more rational mechanism(s) that could explain the anti-ulcer activity of copper nicotinate complex, since the mechanism whereby it prevents ulceration still to be investigated. Ulcer and the preventive indexes were scored, mucin, juice volume, total acidity, luminal haemoglobin, total peroxide and total antioxidant as an oxidative stress index (OSI), as well as total DNA fragmentation (as an apoptotic marker) and its percentage ratio in the juice were evaluated. Results confirmed the antisecretory ability of copper nicotinate, as reflected from the significant reduction of gastric juice volume and acid output. Data confirmed also copper nicotinate has a gastrocytoprotective action against ulcer pathogenesis through; enhancement of mucin secretion, reduction each of ulcer index and the mucosal bleeding rate into the gastric lumen; antioxidant activity through scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS); anti-apoptotic activity through attenuation of the DNA fragmentation in the ulcerous treated group when compared with each of control and aspirin ulcerous untreated groups. This study hypothesized; at least in part, aspirin in the acidic environment of gastric juice become un-ionized and freely penetrate the mucosal barrier reaching to gastric wall. Due to the weak basic nature of cytoplasm of gastric mucosal cells, it accumulates in high concentrations into mucosal cells, and yields a negatively charged anion that is unable to exit the cell. Thus, superficial or deeper erosions are produced and bleeding takes place, within minutes.