Silver-Silica nanoparticles induced dose-dependent modulation of histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, proinflammatory, and immune status of broiler chickens

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a powerful disinfectant, but little information is available on their potential use as a growth promoter and the safety margin of this. In this study, 480 1-day-old Cobb chicks were assigned to one control and three treated groups. The treated groups were supplemented with silver-doped silica nanoparticles (SiO₂@AgNPs) at three dietary levels (8, 16, and 20 mg/kg diet) for 35 days. The results revealed no significant changes in the growth performance and oxidative parameters, and in most of the hematological and biochemical parameters among the control and treated groups. In contrast, dose-dependent adverse effects were exerted on the histopathological structure and immunohistochemical expression of CD45 in liver, kidneys, and lymphoid organs (spleen, bursa, and thymus). In addition, the relative weight of lymphoid organs and the serum levels of immunoglobulins M and G were significantly diminished. Moreover, the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-β1 and TNF-α) and the ultrastructural morphology in breast muscle showed significant dose-dependent alterations. It could be concluded that the dietary supplementation of SiO₂@AgNPs at a level of 8 mg/kg diet or more has dose-dependent proinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects on broiler chickens.

Evaluation of the acute toxic response induced by triazophos to the non-target green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Residues of triazophos in aquatic ecosystems due to extensive use for controlling pests in agriculture has became worldwide concern, while the toxic response of triazophos on the non-target green algae in aquatic environment is not well studied. Therefore, the acute (96 h) toxic effects of 1 and 10 mg/L triazophos on green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa were evaluated in present study. The results showed that the growth was notably inhibited when treated with triazophos and the 96 h-EC₅₀ (median inhibition concentration) were 12.79 mg/L. The content of photosynthetic pigments (including chl a, chl b, total-chl and carotinoids) clearly decreased under two treatments after 48 h and 96 h with exception for the values at 48 h exposure in 1 mg/L treatment. In addition, the transcript abundance of photosynthesis-related genes (psbA, psbC and rbcL) showed obvious decrease in above two treatments after exposure 96 h to triazophos. In response to 10 mg/L triazophos treatment, the morphology of thylakoid chloroplast of algal cells were obviously damaged. It was also found that starch granules increased with down-regulation of atpB gene expression in 10 mg/L treatment, which suggests that triazophos may inhibit the energy metabolism of C. pyrenoidosa. Moreover, the algal growth inhibition was along with the increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activity of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde content indicating oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in the algal cells. Our findings reveal that triazophos has potential toxicity and environmental risks to one of the primary producers green algae.

Effects of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with different anions on wheat seedlings

The effects of five imidazolium ionic liquids with different anions were studied in hydroponically grown wheat seedlings at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg L^-1. The results showed that shoots and roots grew shorter and dry weight decreased with increasing concentrations of ionic liquids. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme activities decreased and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was greater in the leaves of wheat seedlings subjected to ionic liquid (IL) treatments. The order of influence of ionic liquids on these indexes was [C₄mim][TfO]> [C₄mim][Cl]> [C₄mim][BF₄]> [C₄mim][Lact]> [C₄mim][Ala]. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe leaf and root cellular structures, such as chloroplast, nucleus, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum, in wheat exposed to ionic liquids at a concentration of 150 mg L^-1. The results showed that the cellular structures of wheat were affected, and the degree of the effect of five ILs was consistent with the general trend of the measured indexes in this study. Ionic liquids influence the growth of plants by impeding growth, disrupting metabolic physiology and changing cellular structures. The degree of toxicity of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with different anions varies.

The end-stage failing human myocardium - Where changes in ultrastructure of human cardiac muscle cells do not appear to dictate clinical outcomes

Heart failure is the end stage of cardiovascular abnormalities. Studies have primarily focused on the functional changes of cardiomyocytes in the failing heart from different animal models with very little information in the human condition. In addition little is known about the ultrastructural changes that proceed in cardiomyocytes in route to failure. The aim of this study was to examine the ultrastructural changes in the myocardium of human with end-stage heart failure. Left ventricular myocardial tissue samples from 7 patients with end-stage heart failure were examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. All heart failure patients were of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV. The data indicated normal three-dimensional arrangement of cardiac muscle cells in failing myocardium. The various organelles in cardiomyocytes including the nucleus, mitochondria, myofibrils, T-tubules and intercalated discs did not exhibit any remarkable morphological changes. We did observe the appearance of small membrane bound vesicles which appear to be associated with the intercalated discs. The nearly normal ultrastructure and arrangement of cardiomyocytes was remarkable in contrast to the dramatic clinical status of these patients in heart failure. These observations support the hypothesis, that there are no dramatic changes in the ultrastructure or three-dimensional architecture of cardiomyocytes in end-stage failing human myocardium.

Morphology and staining behavior of neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are frequently used as translational animal models for human diseases. However, a comparative study of cytological and histochemical detection methods as well as morphometric and ultrastructural characterization of neutrophils and eosinophils in this species is lacking. Blood samples of house dust mite sensitized and allergen challenged as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged marmosets were analyzed with different cytological and histological staining methods. Furthermore, cell size and number of nuclear segments were compared between neutrophils and eosinophils. Electron microscopy was performed to characterize the ultrastructure of granulocytes. Of all applied cytological stains, three allowed differentiation of eosinophils and neutrophils and, thus, reliable quantification in blood smears: May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain, Congo Red and Naphthol AS-D Chloroacetate-Esterase. For histology, Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) could not demonstrate clear differences, whereas Sirius Red, Congo Red, and Naphthol AS-D Chloroacetate Esterase showed capable results for identification of eosinophils or neutrophils in lung tissue. Morphometry revealed that marmoset neutrophils have more nuclear segments and are slightly larger than eosinophils. Ultrastructurally, eosinophils presented with large homogeneous electron-dense granules without crystalloid cores, while neutrophils were characterized by heterogeneous granules of different size and density. Additionally, sombrero-like vesicles were detected in tissue eosinophils of atopic marmosets, indicative for hypersensitivity-related piecemeal degranulation. In conclusion, we provide a detailed overview of marmoset eosinophils and neutrophils, important for phenotypic characterization of marmoset models for human airway diseases.

Phytotoxicity and oxidative stress effect of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid on rice seedlings

The effects of the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([OMIM]Cl) was studied in hydroponically grown rice seedlings. Observed effects included increased root length and weight at concentrations of 0.1 mg/L [OMIM]Cl, however, as concentrations increased a reversed response was observed where roots and stems grew shorter and the weight decreased. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50,5d) values for root length and stem length were 0.59 mg/L and 0.70 mg/L, respectively. The Hill reaction activity and root system activity in [OMIM]Cl-treated rice seedlings were observed to be lower than the controls, however, root membrane permeability increased. The antioxidant enzyme activity in roots decreased, while in leaves there was an initial stimulation followed by a decrease. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was found to be greater in seedlings subjected to [OMIM]Cl treatment. The cellular structures, such as chloroplasts, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum in rice root and leaf cells were affected at concentrations of 0.6 mg/L [OMIM]Cl.