[The Nutrient salts and Phytoplankton on the Southern Coast of Lebanon: evaluation of ecological indices]

This study uses ecological indicators for the assessment of coastal water quality. Four stations having different geographical and ecological conditions were chosen along the coastal area of south Lebanon. Water samples were collected monthly from September 2000 to December 2001. Hydrological, hydrobiological and biological parameters were measured. Results showed that temperatures varied between 16.2 and 30 [degree]C, salinity between 38.87 and 39.57, orthophosphates between 0,01 and 0,68 micromol/L, nitrite and nitrates between 0,01 and 0,47 micromol/L et 0,02 and 11,64 micromol/L successively. The ratio N/P is far from the normal value, in the 4 stations. This is due to the fact the stations are coastal and subject to continental influence. Hence they could not be considered as the only indicator for a well-equilibrated marine ecosystem. Specific diversity [Shannon index] varied between 0.8 and 4.6. Stations with a low pollution have a high diversity while highly polluted stations have a lower diversity. The diversity index, within certain conditions can be considered as one criteria to estimate the equilibrium in the environment. Qualitative and quantitative study of phytoplankton are still an important factor in estimating the level of eutrophication in the littoral environment

Immediate endoscopic injection therapy of bleeding oesophagea varices: a prospective comparative evaluation of injecting materials in egyptian patients with portal hypertension

This study was conducted to compare usual sclerosants [polidocanol 1%, ethanolamine oleate 5%] and the tissue adhesive [cyanoacrylate] in the control of esophageal variceal bleeding in Egyptian patients with portal hypertension in a prospective comparative trial. 60 patients with portal hypertension due to schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and/or post-hepatitic liver cirrhosis who had presented with acute esophageal variceal bleeding were enrolled. Patients received balloon tamponade prior to injection were excluded. Resuscitation had been done before or during emergency endoscopy. Emergency endoscopy was conducted within 2 hours from the onset of hematemesis. Patients were immediately randomized during emergency endoscopy to receive polidocanol 1%, ethanolamine oleate 5% or tissue adhesive. Variceal rebleeding was managed by reinjection. The 3 groups were comparable for age, sex, etiology of portal hypertension, Child-Pugh class and findings at emergency endoscopy. From the results obtained, it was concluded that polidocanol, ethanolamine and cyanoacrylate are equally safe and effective. For immediate endoscopic injection therapy, an experienced team must be available

Teratogenic potential and postnatal toxicity studies of carbaryl, chlorpyrifos and permethrin

Assessment of the acute oral LD50 values of carbaryl, chlorpyrifos and permethrin in albino rats was calculated to be 269.96, 19.05 and 501.18 mg/kg, respectively. Timed-pregnant rats were dosed by gavage with these compounds at the level of 1/50 of the LD50 on gestational days [gd] 7 through 20 or gd 7 through parturition. Results of embryo-fetopathy or teratogenic effect and postnatal maturational deficits in the offspring through lactation, were reviewed and discussed. In conclusion, severe terata were induced by chlorpyrifos, followed in order by carbaryl and permethrin, respectively

Effect of heat processes on electrophoretic pattern of milk protein regarding major electrolytes before and after diazinon spray

10 lactating cows were sprayed with 0.1% Neocidol solution [of 60% Diazinon] as insecticide. Milk samples were collected before [act as control] and after spraying at regularly scheduled intervals [1, 7, 14 days]. Raw and heat processed [pasteurized and boiled] milk were examined by cellulose acetate electrophoresis of milk protein proportions. Electropherograms diagrammatically presented% components of euglobulin, pseudoglobulin, component III, alpha- lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, and blood serum albumin in the whey fraction, and alpha, beta and gamma-casein in casein fraction were tabulated. In addition, total protein and certain electrolytes [Na, K, Cl, Ca, P] were measured. Variable results obtained were statistically analyzed, evaluated and discussed. It is concluded that milk need at least 14 days post-spray to be safe for consumption

Maternal toxicity induced by load

Pregnant female albino rats were orally administered Pb at the dosage level of 53.6 mg/kg b. wt. on days 9, 11, 9-14 or 11-14 during pregnancy. Blood and amniotic fluid were obtained on day 21 of pregnancy. Anemia was noticed in treated dams manifested by reduction in RBC, Hb content and PCV%, while MCV, MCHb and MCHC as well as WBC showed no changes. Some serum biochemical values including hepatorenal activities and main electrolytes were estimated and evaluated. Values of ALT, urea, uric acid, creatinine and K+, were elevated, while levels of glucose and Na+ decreased. However, levels of AST, cholesterol and Cl- did not differ from controls. Electrophoretic analysis of serum protein proportions showed in globulin fraction that alpha 1 and alpha 2 components significantly decreased, while beta 1 and gamma globulin increased. Nevertheless, values of beta 2, total protein and A/G ratio did not alter. Protein electrophoretic analysis of amniotic fluid revealed marked reduction in fractions beta 1 and beta 2, while gamma fraction, albumin and A/G ratio increased, but alpha-globulins as well as total protein showed no variations. Assessment of some biochemical constituents in amniotic fluid indicated that levels of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and Na+ were lowered with both single and repeated doses, while urea levels decreased with repeated doses only. However, values of cholesterol and chlorides showed nonsignificant difference. Fetuses obtained for Pb-treated mothers were submitted to electrolyte analysis and revealed marked depression in Na+ content, while K+ content increased with repeated doses only, whereas a significant rise was noticed in Cl- level with both single and repeated doses of Pb at any tested time of exposure during pregnancy. It is inferred from the current study that lead has a deleterious effect on hemopoietic system, hepatorenal functions, immunoglobulins and electrolyte balance of pregnant dams which in return reflects potential risk for both mother and fetus

Congenital malformations induced by niclosamide ethanolamine in correspondence to the LD50

The acute oral and intraperitoneal LD50 of niclosamide ethanolamine [NE] were determined in female albino rats as 6.81 g/kg and 346.74 mg/kg, respectively. In teratology study, the pregnant rats orally administered NE in dosage levels based on the oral LD50 as 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg on gestational days 9, 11 or 8 - 15. Maternal body weight gains were lower than controls. No maternal death occurred. Fetuses were removed on day 21 of pregnancy by caeserian section and examined by routine teratological methods. The resorption rate significantly increased while number of implants/litter, number of live fetuses, fetal weights and crown-rump lengths were reduced at all dose levels and treatment intervals except for fetuses from dams given 50 mg/kg on day 11 of gestation. The sex ratio of live fetuses obtained from NE treated dams on gestational period 8 - 15 indicated lethal potential towards females. A variety of gross malformations occurred, i.e. cranial meningocele, encophalocele, scoliosis, absence of external genitalia, imporforate anus, crooked tail, adactyly and club foot. In addition, NE in the higher doses [200, 400 mg/kg] on gestational days 9 or 8 - 15, exerted amelia and micraomelia. The skeletal anomalies observed included cranioschisis. non-ossification of occipital bone, delayed ossification, missing of sacral and caudal vertebrae, fusion of cervical vertebrae, misshapen, bipartite and surplus sternebrae, fused, rudimentary and missing ribs, absence of phalanges and digits. The most observed internal soft tissue malformations were dilated ventricles, cranial hemorrhage, internal hydrocephaly, microcephaly, meningoencephalocele, anophthalmia and/or microphthalmia, hepatomegaly, parietal liver hernia, increased renal pelvis cavitation, renal agenesis and/or hypoplasia, absence of ureters, enlarged adrenals, agenesis of testis, agenesis or hypoplasia of uterus. Commonly recorded anomalies included the urogenital syndrome of malformations. The occurrence of these defects was dose and period dependent. This study provided substantial evidence of the teratogenic, embryotoxic and fetotoxic potential of NE

Teratogenicity and placental transfer study of lead in relation to the LD50 in albino rats

The acute oral LD50 of lead in albino rats was determined and found to be 10.72 g/kg b. wt., indicating that lead is well tolerated, however, much lower concentrations can result in teratogenicity. This concept was proven by oral administration of 1/50, 1/200 LD50 of lead to pregnant rats on days 9, 11, 9-14 or 11-14 of gestation. Dosage of 1/50 LD50 provoked 100% resorption at all the tested times. This may be attributed to that lead is highly embryotoxic and prevents implantation causing embryonic death. In respect to the dose level of 1/200 LD50, maternal body weight gain decreased throughout the gestation period compared with controls. Lead in this dose induced a significant increase in the fetal resorption rate while decrease in number of liver fetuses per litter, fetal body weight and crown-rump length were observed. The sex ratio and placental weight did not differ significantly from controls. The main external abnormalities were hydrocephaly, encephalocele, stunted or absent tail and hematoma spread at different parts of body, the most severe skeletal anomalies affected the vertebrae and ribs followed by skull involving missing or non-ossification of vertebrae and strenum, missing and surplus ribs, non-ossification of the parietal, interparietal and supra-occipital bone. The most frequently observed internal malformations were cerebral hemorrhage and hyperplasia, anophthalmia and/or microphthalmia, hydronephrosis and/or renal agenesis, lung hypotrophy, intrathoracic and abdominal hemorrhages. The severity of the teratogenic effects produced by lead was found when administrated to dams on days 9/9-14 followed in order by days 11-14, then day 11 of gestation

Effect of heat treatment on milk contaminated with diazinon as an environmental pollutant

The present study was designed to throw light on monitoring Diazinon residues in milk of lactating cows sprayed once with diazinon as 0.1% solution of Neocidol as well as on the effect of heat operations on these residues in accordance to its level in fresh milk within a withdrawal study. Depletion of Diazinon residues in milk was monitored 1, 7 and 15 days following exposure. Diazinon appeared in the milk during the first milking 24 hours post-spraying in fresh milk, exceeding the in-term tolerance established by FAO/WHO. A substantial portion of Diazinon incorporated in fresh milk was converted to metabolite and disappeared during heat processes. Authors attributed most of the pesticide loss to removal associated with leaching of the fats in milk. The disappearance order of Diazinon as a result of pasteurization at 62.8C for 30 min. or boiling for 60 seconds in comparison to the concentration in fresh milk was boiling > pasteurization. In respect to the withdrawal study, the occurrence and incidence of Diazinon residues in milk had been largely lacking. It was no longer present 15 days after exposure