Trace Metal Accumulation in Rats Exposed to Mine Waters: A Case Study, Bor Area (Serbia)

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) levels were measured in the Bor City water supply system (control) and two watercourses exposed to mining wastewaters, i.e., the Lutarica River (one site) and the Kriveljska River (two sites). The same parameters were determined in the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, and testes of male Wistar rats given water from these sources for 2 months. Water Cu, Fe, Cd, and Pb were outside the safe range, excepting the reference site. Significant impacts on intra-organ metal homeostasis were detected, especially in the brain, stomach, kidneys, and testes. The dynamics and magnitude of these changes (versus controls) depended on the target organ, analyzed metal, and water origin. The greatest number of significant intra-organ associations between essential and non-essential metals were found for Cd-Zn, Cd-Cu, and Cd-Mn. A regression analysis suggested the kidneys as the most relevant organ for monitoring water manganese, and the stomach and brain for lead. These results highlight the environmental risks associated with mining wastewaters from the Bor area and could help scientists in mapping the spatial distribution and severity of trace metal contamination in water sources.

Biocides as Biomedicines against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

Biocides are currently considered the first line of defense against foodborne pathogens in hospitals or food processing facilities due to the versatility and efficiency of their chemical active ingredients. Understanding the biological mechanisms responsible for their increased efficiency, especially when used against foodborne pathogens on contaminated surfaces and materials, represents an essential first step in the implementation of efficient strategies for disinfection as choosing an unsuitable product can lead to antibiocide resistance or antibiotic–biocide cross-resistance. This review describes these biological mechanisms for the most common foodborne pathogens and focuses mainly on the antipathogen effect, highlighting the latest developments based on in vitro and in vivo studies. We focus on biocides with inhibitory effects against foodborne bacteria (e.g., Escherichia spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp.), aiming to understand their biological mechanisms of action by looking at the most recent scientific evidence in the field.

Antiproliferative and antibacterial potential of tetrahexylammonium bromide-based ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit cytotoxic effects on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In this study, the antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of tetrahexylammonium bromide-based ILs were investigated. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these ionic liquids, firstly microbiological assay using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were conducted by employing Disk-Diffusion and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chlorine (TTC) methods to assess the antimicrobial effects. Likewise, the antitumor effects on 2D and 3D cell culture systems were assessed using the human colon cancer Caco-2 cell line and cytotoxic activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Alamar blue assays. Results obtained showed that [CH₃(CH₂)₅]₄N(Br) possesses an antibacterial potential, particularly in the case of two bacteria, S. aureus (Gram⁺) and H. influenzae (Gram^-). Preliminary screening of antiproliferative activity showed moderate activity, except for the concentration of 10 mM. Furthermore, regarding the effect of [CH₃(CH₂)₅]₄N(Br) on tumor cell aggregation, positive outcomes were noted. [CH₃(CH₂)₅]₄N(Br) presents promising and under-explored potential to improve antibacterial or anticancer therapies.

Effects of mine waste water on rat: bioaccumulation and histopathological evaluation

The highlighting of the bioaccumulation capacity of metals in the internal organs, the mode of distribution at the level of internal organs, the interactions between them, respectively, and the histological changes occurred at the level of the liver and kidneys are the main aspects addressed in the present study. The experiment was performed on 4 groups of Wistar rats: 3 groups which were administered water from rivers located in the vicinity of the Bor mining operation and 1 control group. The determination of the metal content in the administered water samples and in the internal organs was performed using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Tissue alterations were assessed by histological technique and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The metal retention capacity in the internal organs differs depending on the metal concentration in the administered water sample but also on the organ in which the determination was made. Also, correlations were established between the concentrations of metals at the level of the organs, showing (a) positive and significant correlations-at the level of the heart between Zn and Cu, Fe, and Mn and at the level of the lungs between Mn and Cd-but the most numerous were reported in the testicle; (b) moderate correlations at liver level between Fe and Zn, at spleen level between Cu and Mn and Cd and at the level of the kidneys between Pb and Zn, Cu, and Fe; (c) negative correlations at renal level between Pb and Mn; and (d) insignificant correlations between Pb and Fe. The histological changes identified at the level of the liver and kidney become more obvious, and their aggravation is registered with the increase of the metal content.

Potential Ecological and Human Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Soils in Selected Copper Mining Areas-A Case Study: The Bor Area

Surface soil samples were collected near the Open Pit Bor (S1) and Open Pit Cerovo (S2), a grassland along the Borska Reka River (S3) and an unpolluted garden near Slatina village (reference site). Spontaneous plants (dandelion, nettle, coltsfoot, and creeping buttercup) and vegetables (onion, garlic, carrot, parsley, celery, potatoes, dill, and sorrel) were obtained from the former three sites and the reference site, respectively. The samples were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb via FAAS. Pollution indices indicated low-to-moderate soil contamination at sites S1, S2, and S3. Cu was the main contaminant of environmental concern, being above the maximum admitted concentration at site S1. Metal levels in spontaneous plants were below phytotoxic levels. Cu content of leafy vegetables and celery roots and Pb content of most vegetables were not safe for human consumption. Metal concentrations tended to be significantly lower in plants than in soils, with only Cu occurring at significantly elevated levels in celery roots and sorrel leaves. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that consumption of carrot roots and especially celery roots grown on unpolluted soils from the Bor area might pose long-term health risks for females and males, with the main contributors being Cu and Fe.

Blood Serum Minerals - in vivo Mineral Interactions Following Iron Overload

Iron is an essential mineral for the human, animal and plant kingdom, being present in water, soil and air. In the organism, iron is found both as a ferrous ion (Fe2+) and as a ferric ion (Fe3+), being involved in oxidoreduction processes and as part of protein structure or in complexes with anions present in cells and tissues. The optimal iron concentration in the body depends on several characteristics (organism type, age, gender, environmental conditions - especially related to altitude, physiological status and others), but there is a rather small variation between the minimum and maximum required concentration -deficiency or excess having a detrimental effect on the organism. In the present work iron gluconate hydrate (10 mg Fe2+/kg body) has been administered intraperitoneally to rabbits, in two separate injections. We formulated a diet rich in plants with protective role, and at the end of the experiment the level of blood serum sodium, potassium, magnesium, ionic calcium, total calcium, iron and chlorine was measured. The results showed that iron overload led to a significant increase of potassium (55.74%), magnesium (31.57%), iron (20.86%) and calcium (with 19.69% total Ca and 17.19% ionic Ca), while the concentration of sodium and chlorine showed non-significant decreases (sodium decreased by 3.83%, and chlorine decreased by 1.58%). Therefore, the excess iron administered over a short period of time to rabbits influences the metabolism of several minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron as well as sodium and chlorine and that is reflected in their blood serum level.

MicroRNA profiling in kidney in pigs fed ochratoxin A contaminated diet

OTA is a toxic metabolite produced by fungus belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium genera. Kidney is the main target of this toxin; OTA is considered as one of the etiological factors at the origin of the human Balkan endemic nephropathy. microRNA are short non-coding transcrips (18-22 nucleotides in length) regulating key cellular processes. Various miRNAs have been established to play important roles in development of renal carcinoma and urothelial cancer. The objective of this study is to analyse the miRNA profiling in the kidney of piglets experimentally intoxicated with feed contaminated with OTA. Fifteen piglets (five pigs/group) were randomly distributed into 3 groups, fed normal diet (Group 1: control), or diets contaminated with OTA in two concentrations: 50 μg OTA/kg feed (Group 2: 50 μg OTA/kg feed) or 200 μg OTA/kg feed (Group 3: 200 μg OTA/kg feed) for 28 days. At the end of the experiment blood samples were taken for serological analyses. Animals from control group and 200 μg OTA/kg feed were sacrificed and kidney samples were taken for histological and molecular analyses. As resulted from molecular profiling study there are 8 miRNA differentially expressed in OTA kidney vs control kidney, in which five miRNA were overexpressed in the kidney of OTA intoxicated animals: miR-497 (FC = 6.34), miR-133a-3p (FC = 5.75), miR-423-3p (FC = 5.48), miR-34a (FC = 1.68), miR-542-3p (1.65) while three miRNA were downregulated: miR-421-3p (FC = -3.96); miR-490 (FC = -3.87); miR-9840-3p (FC = -2.13). The altered miRNAs as effect of OTA are strongly connected to the engine of cancer, disturbing nodal points in different pathways, as TP53 signalling. This proof-of-concept study proves the actual utility of miRNAs as biomarkers of mycotoxin exposure, including OTA.

Effect of Lead Toxicity on the Structure and Function of Organs in Rats

Acute and chronic exposure to lead induces oxidative damage and morphologic and physiological changes in tissues and organs. The aims of this study were to determine the concentration of heavy metals like Zn, Al, Li, Cu and Pb in different organs and to identify histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of laboratory animals in case of chronic lead intoxication. In most cases, the heavy metal concentrations analyzed in the control group organs are significantly lower than the values determined in the organs in the experimental groups. High Pb concentration caused increased liver and kidney damage.

Specific Proteins in Relation with Iron Overload in Experimental Study

Iron is an essential mineral for organisms and due to environment iron deficiency and pollution it is very important to understand and monitor the iron homeostasis. Thus, the concentration of iron is very important in hematological and biochemical parameters because iron is component of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, and myoglobin -being part of oxygen-binding proteins. The aim of our experiment was to try a natural protection with fresh, organic plants administration � of iron overload in rabbits. Thereby, we administrated ferrous gluconate (hydro-solution, 15g Fe2+/body weight) as intraperitoneal injection for 43 days to German Lop Eared breed rabbits, and in the same time we tried to protect the animals with a diet consisting in black cumin seeds; clover, chives, leek, parsley, coriander, rucola, radish, fenugreek - leaves; cucumber and carrots. At the end of experiment we analyzed the protein electrophoresis (albumin, a1-globulin, a2-globulin, b1-globulin, b2-globulin and g-globulin), total iron binding capacity, and transferrin concentration. The analytical results demonstrated that plant administration was beneficial for iron homeostasis and the tested blood parameters did not record significant variations between control and experimental group, which proves that diet is very important in health and homeostatic mechanisms in living organisms.

Effects of Octylphenol Biodegradation and Toxicity in Biological Systems

In industrialized countries, many researches have highlighted a correlation between the presence of octylphenol in different plastics or detergents and its estrogenic effect. The metabolism of alkylphenols (4-n-octylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol) is depending on alkyl chain and at testicular level act as endocrine disruptions. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the octylphenol effect on the testicular morphological changes in mice. Our experiment was performed on adult mice, divided into three experimental groups of 5 individuals each, respectively: control group (C -untreated); the vehicle group (V) treated with ethanol and corn oil mixt (1:10); and experimental group (E - treated with octylphenol in concentrations of 80 mg / kg body weight). Octylphenol is a pollutant that has to be monitoring because our study showed a decrease in male fertility due to morphological alterations as a result of exposure to a series of hormone mimetic molecules. Animals exposed to octylphenol presented morphological changes at the testicular level manifested disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium, hypertrophic and hypereosinophilic spermatocytes, presence of apoptotic bodies, as well as the diffuse hyperplasia of the Leydig interstitial cells, proving that octylphenol negative influences the male fertility.

The Assessment of Chitosan Solutions Effects on Bacterial Strains

The interest in the antimicrobial actions of chitosan is due to its multiple properties and effects. The aim of the study was to assess the potential antibacterial effects of chitosan applied on 7 bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, Legionella pneumophila and Staphylococcus aureus. Six different concentrations of chitosan were dissolved in 1% acetic acid, following two working protocols (Kirby-Bauer method and testing for bacterial cell viability). The sensitivity of tested bacterial strains following the effect of exposure to chitosan decreased as follows: E. coli] L. pneumophila] S. aureus] S. pyogenes] C. perfringens] P. aeruginosa] E. faecalis. The inhibition rates for the bacterial strains E. faecalis, S. pyogenes and S. aureus highlighted again the strong antibacterial properties of this product. Conclude that the chitosan presents a different antibacterial effect against several bacterial strains of interest directly with the employed concentrations.

The Effects of Difenoconazole Treatment on Microorganism from Soil

The present study quantified the effect of difenoconazole (DFC) on bacteria and mold communities grown in laboratory conditions, in treated soil microcosms difenoconazole, using the following concentrations: control, half dose (0.037 mg DFC / g soil, HD), normal dose (0.075 mg DFC / g soil, ND) and double dose (0.150 mg DFC / g soil, DD). The microbiological analysis included mesophilic bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle: aerobic and anaerobic nitrogen-fixing, ammonifying, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. The mesophilic bacteria were incubated at 37�C and identified qualitatively on solid growth medium (Nutrient agar), whereas soil fungi were identified both quantitatively and qualitatively on solid growth medium (Potato-Glucose-Agar). In high doses, the DFC decreased the microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycle, namely aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and denitrifying bacteria. Noticeable was the response of two genera, namely Mucor sp. and Actinomucor sp., that showed resistance to the toxic effect of DFC, underlying their potential further practical use in the decontamination of polluted soils.

New Research about the Effect of Octylphenol (4-tOP) on Histological Structure of Testis in Mice

The reproductive system of the vertebrates - mainly of the adult males -seems to be vulnerable to the action of endocrine disruptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of octylphenol (OP) on histological structure of testis in NMRI mice. The mice were divided in three groups (5 mice for each group) such as: control group (C - untreated); vehicle group (V - treated with a mixture of ethanol and corn oil 1:10) and experimental group (E � treated with OP in concentration of 160 mg/kg body weight). The solution of OP was prepared in ethanol, administered by subcutaneous injection in the thigh region (1 ml total volume), for seven consecutive days. For histological examination, after slaughtering, the testes were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned to a thickness of 5 �m and stained with Mallory�s trichrome method. Microscopic analysis reveals in the individuals from the C and V groups, the normal morphology of the seminiferous tubules. In the case of individuals in the E group, treated with OP, in the testicular parenchyma occurs changes consisting in: detachment of the seminiferous tubule epithelium, mild proliferation of germ cells, the presence of apoptotic bodies among the cells of seminal line, diffuse hyperplasia of the Leydig interstitial cells and hypertrophy of the peritubular capillary. Experimental data obtained in this study demonstrated that the treatment with octylphenol induces irreversible changes in the testicular parenchyma with the disruption of spermatogenesis process.

The outcome of infliximab dose doubling in 157 patients with ulcerative colitis after loss of response to infliximab

BACKGROUND

Optimising infliximab therapy is recommended in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who lose response to infliximab; however, there are no data on the outcome of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients after doubling the dose.

AIM

To determine the efficacy and safety of infliximab dose doubling in UC patients with a loss of response to infliximab.

METHODS

From January 2006 to May 2013, we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of the consecutive UC patients who were treated with infliximab dose doubling (10 mg/kg) for loss of response in four French academic centres. The clinical response and remission were assessed. A composite event-free survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and the Cox model.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-seven patients [84 males; median age 37. 6 (IQR 28.2-49.4) years] were included. The median follow-up after infliximab dose doubling was 1.8 (1.0-3.1) years. At weeks 8 and 24, 55% and 43% of the patients achieved a clinical response respectively. The probabilities of the event-free survival were 71%, 61% and 55% at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the predictors of infliximab dose doubling failure were the absence of the introduction of an immunomodulator concomitantly to dose doubling, a partial Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index >6, a C-reactive protein level >10 mg/L, a leucocyte count >8000/mm(3) and a haemoglobin level <12.5 g/dL. Adverse events were reported in 12 patients (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab dose doubling led to short- and long-term event-free survival in UC patients, who had a loss of response to infliximab, in greater than 50% of the cases. The benefits of such a strategy were significantly improved by adding a concomitant immunomodulator.

Perioperative evaluation of cardiac surgical risk: particularities in the emergency surgery - from the guidelines to the clinical practice

RATIONALE

Cardiac risk in patients undergoing surgery depends on many factors from the patient's cardiovascular history to the surgical procedure itself, with its particularities, the type of anesthesia, fluid exchanges and the supervision of the patient. Therefore, this risk must be carefully considered and it determines the endorsement of perioperative measures with important medical implications.

OBJECTIVE

Perioperative cardiac risk evaluation guidelines were published since 2010 and they represent a highly important assessmnet tool. Emergency surgery requires an adaptation of the guidelines to the actual medical situations in extreme conditions. METHODS, RESULTS, DISCUSSION: Analyzing the way the perioperative evaluation itself is conducted is an extremely important tool. Quantifying the clinical application of the guidelines, one can monitor real parameters and find solutions for improving medical care. The current study was conducted on a representative sample of 8326 patients, respecting the recommendation strategies for calculating the surgical risk adapted for the emergency surgery setting. The dominant conclusion is the need to develop a standardized form, summarized for quick and objective assessment of perioperative cardiac risk score. Only a complex medical team could calculate this score while the decisional team leader for the surgical patient remains the surgeon.

[Association between phakomatosis and neoplasia in children pathology. IV Pediatric Clinic experience]

The risk to developing a neoplasm is increased when associated to a patient phakomatosis (Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis, Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis). We analysed 6 cases with phakomatosis and tumours, admitted in the Department of Oncopediatry, between 1993-1998; five of these children had neurofibromatosis and one Bourneville's disease. The associated tumours were hematologic malignancies (juvenile myeloid chronic leukemia) and solid tumors (rhabdomyosarcoma, hepatic carcinoma, CNS tumour, NHL optic glioma). The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination of the bioptic material in all cases. Tumoral staging was performed by clinics, biology and imagistic investigations. All cases had extensive and aggressive tumours at the moment of diagnosis, We noticed a poor response and an early relapse after chemotherapy. A special follow-up and a different management has to be established for the patients with phakomatosis, in order to have a good oncological prophylaxis.

[Lacrimal gland ectopia--a clinical case]

We describe a case of lacrimal gland ectopia which was surgically excised and led to a dry eye syndrome. The various diagnostic confusions are listed.

[Clinical imaging correlations in lacunar infarcts]

PURPOSE

This paper is a study concerning the clinical-imagistic correlations in lacunar infarcts causes and associated lesions in these ones. We made an attempt to find out and emphasize the risk factors, causes and pathogenic mechanisms involved in lacunar syndromes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 138 patients with lacunar infarcts diagnosed by clinical examination and computer tomography. The investigation of risk factors evidenced arterial hypertension in 75 cases (54%). The clinical features of lacunar syndromes were: 1) pure motor stroke 41c; 2) pure sensory stroke 8c; 3) ataxic hemiparesis 9c; 4) dysarthria-clumsy hand 1c; 5) sensorimotor stroke 21c; 6) Landry syndrome 1c.

RESULTS

We correlated the clinical manifestations and complementary investigations what enabled us to charge in determining of lacunar infarcts: focal microangiopathy-small artery disease (75c), cardio-embolic mechanism (12c), arterio-arteriolar embolic mechanism (15c). The risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms need more adequate research in order to find appropriate prevention and medical attendance.

Calcifying odontogenic cyst: report of two cases and review of literature

The "Histological Typing of Odontogenic Tumours" (W.H.O., 1992) classified the Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst (C.O.C.) into two variants: the non-neoplastic cystic C.O.C. and the odontogenic ghost cell tumour, which is predominantly solid. We reported two cases of C.O.C.: a case with intraosseous development and another with extraosseous localisation, in the soft tissue of the alveolar area. The first case represents a cyst delimited by a squamous, non-keratinized epithelium, thickened in some areas through the accumulation of ghost cells (big pale-staining cells with a non-staining nuclear area). The connective tissue wall contains small ameloblastoma like islands. Dysplastic dentine islands, adjacente to the basal layer of the epithelium or in the connective tissue wall were also observed. The second case was a well-delimitated tumour consisting of ameloblastoma-like islands with numerous ghost cells inside. Islands of dysplastic dentine with psammomathous calcifications also exist. In certain histological sections microcystic aspects surrounded by ghost cells, dentinoid and ameloblastoma-like structures were noticed. The histochemical reaction for keratin and the immunohistochemical reaction for epithelial membrane antigen and for citokeratin were positive for ghost cells, suggesting their epithelial origin. Through this article we try to render pathologists sensitive with a particular and rare maxillary tumour.

[The evolution of the incidence of glial brain tumors in Moldova in 1981-1991: the effect of excessive accidental hyper-radioactivity]

The authors discussed the effects of nuclear accident from Chernobyl (1986) upon the histotypes of cerebral glial tumors, first diagnosed during 1981-1991 at the Department of Pathology, Neurosurgical Hospital, Iaşi. It's microscopic diagnosis was determined according to the World Health Organization criterion (1979). The investigations established a tendency to diminish the incidence of astrocytomas and to increase the oligo-astrocytic tumors number, after 1986. Malignant astrocytomas did not presented any modifications with statistical significance during the eleven studied years.

Effect of the oral administration of NIVGRIP inactivated influenza vaccine on virus carriage in the nasopharynx of children aged 0-5 years

The NIVGRIP inactivated influenza vaccine was administered by oral route to 11 children of a semi-closed pre-school community, found to carry viruses in their nasopharynx. Periodic virological investigations demonstrated that after vaccination virus carriage disappeared completely in 7 children; in the remaining 4 cases there was a considerable decrease (from 14 to 6) in the number of virus strains isolated. The virus isolates obtained after vaccination were represented exclusively by enteroviruses (Coxsackie B1 and B3, poliovirus type 1), in contrast with the wider range of viral agents (adeno-, parainfluenza, herpes, Coxsackie, and polioviruses) detected prior to vaccine administration.

Primary hyperparathyroidism. Report of a clinical case without bone lesions

A 26-year-old woman was admitted to the Institute of Endocrinology in Bucharest for evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism (P-HPT). Anamnesis revealed a 10-year history of nephrolithiasis; peptic ulcer, chronic pancreatitis, cholelithiasis. Eight months previously, she had given birth to a child who had neonatal hypocalcaemic tetany. Investigations revealed the presence of moderate hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, hypo-phosphoremia; serum chloride level was above 100 mEq/1, and the chloride phosphate ratio was greater than 33. X-ray films of the abdomen revealed the presence of nephrolithiasis and right nephrocalcinosis. Selenium methyonine scanning, ultrasonography and computerized tomography were negative. On surgical exploration a 2-3 cm parathyroid adenoma was removed from between the trachea and the esophagus.