In fish, a complex set of mechanisms deal with environmental stresses including hypoxia. In order to probe the hypothesis that hypoxia-induced stress could be manifested in varieties of pathways, a model species, mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio), were chronically exposed to hypoxic condition (dissolved oxygen level: 1.80±0.6mg/l) for 21 days and subsequently allowed to recover under normoxic condition (dissolved oxygen level: 8.2±0.5mg/l) for 7 days. At the end of these exposure periods, an integrated approach was applied to evaluate several endpoints at different levels of biological organisation. These included determination of (i) oxidative damage to DNA in erythrocytes (using modified comet assay), (ii) lipid peroxidation in liver samples by measuring the malondialdehyde production using the 2-thiobarbituric acid [i.e. thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay] and (iii) histopathological changes in gills. In addition, transcriptional expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α) and genes involved in the repair of oxidative damage to DNA (i.e. ogg1) and base excision repair (i.e. xrcc1) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in liver samples were also determined. The results suggested significantly enhanced expression of these genes in response to hypoxia compared to concurrent normoxic controls. While the expression of HIF-1α reverted to control values within 7 days exposure to normoxic condition (P < 0.05), the transcriptional expression of the two genes involved in DNA repair process remained significantly high under the recovery period, which complemented the induction of oxidative damage to DNA. Hypoxic groups showed significantly increased values for TBARS level (~2-fold) and histopathological changes in gill tissues compared to both normoxic and recovery groups. Overall, oxidative damage to DNA determined by modified comet assay reflected the observed biological responses in other tissues of the fish. Along with other parameters, this integrated experimental design further strengthens the applications of the comet assay as an important technique to assess stress-induced DNA damage in ecotoxicological studies. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the UK Environmental Mutagen Society.
Moisture-induced damage is one of the primary causes of premature distress in asphalt pavements, leading to reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. Although nanomaterials have shown potential in enhancing asphalt performance, the underlying composite interaction mechanisms among nanomaterials, asphalt binder, and aggregate phases under moisture exposure are still not fully understood. In addition, comparative evaluations under consistent experimental conditions remain limited. This study investigates the influence of five nanomaterials: nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), nano-titanium dioxide (NT), nano-zinc oxide (NZ), and carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt binders and mixtur
... Show MoreA total of 247 Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos L.) from Baghdad and Kut were examined for the Cestodes Diorchis stefanskii Sobolevicanthes gracilis; Hymenolepis mastigopraditae and the Nematode Amidostomum acutum in the first time in Iraq . Among these , 151 birds were found infected by these helminthes It has been found small nodules on the external surface of the intestine , Ulceration of mucosa inflammatory infiltrate , Oedemats changes and hyperplasia in the section of infected intestine were noticed.
Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants widely used as plasticizers in poly vinyl chloride products, and growing evidence implicates them in metabolic activity reduction and epigenetic dysregulation. However, their direct effects on non-transformed human cells remain incompletely characterized. The present in vitro study evaluated the reduction in cell viability and DNA methylation–modulating effects of three widely distributed phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), on normal human fibroblast (NHF) cells. Cells were exposed to serial concentrations (31.25–1000 μg/mL) for 72 h, and the viability was assessed by MTT assay, followed by IC50 determinati
... Show Morethe rationalization of energy consumption Require awareness in the possibility of bridging the local need severe shortage of electric power for daily requirements. The research aims to show that the engineers of various specializations and architects, including in particular can have an active role in about the importance of the role of energy in human life, and it’s best utilization without extravagance (which our religion forbids it). Here lies the problem of the research to find possible means and alternative methods to reduce (rationalization) electrical energy consumption in hot dry areas in general which need large energy for air conditioning because of the crucial climate of these regions that making access to the area o
... Show MoreThis study aimed to investigate the impacts of the Trigonella foenum-graecum (T. foenum-graecum) seeds on the female gonad. A total of twenty local rabbits were used in this study; were divided into four groups (5 each): first group (G1) was considered as the control group. The second group (G2), third group (G3) and fourth group (G4) were fed daily1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% of T. foenum-graecum seeds respectively for 60 days (twice daily). At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized by diethyl ether (C2H52O). Then the abdomen was incised, and the samples of ovaries were collected and fixed by 10% neutral buffered formalin. The histological assessment was done with a paraffin embedding technique and the histological sections w
... Show MoreFormulations based on nanomaterials have the ability to reduce the consuming of hazardous pesticides and theirimpact on human health and environment. The present study focused on a comparative investigation of histological effects of nanocapule acetamiprid (NACMP) in vivoand commercial parental bulk form of acetamiprid (ACMP) on albino mice. Nanoformulations of pesticides have the potential to improve food productivity without compromising with the ecosystem. In the present study, nanocapsules containing acetamiprid were prepared from two natural macromolecules, alginate and chitosan. The characterization of the nanocapsules were investigated by Dynamic Light Scattering(DLS), T ransmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic force
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