Intestinal obstruction in acute inhalational toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate gas toxicity

The isocyanates are widely used as precursors of polyurethane products, as well as carbamate insecticides. Toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate [TDI] is one of the most important commercially used isocyanates. Humans may be exposed to TDI by inhalation, ingestion, dermal and eye contact. TDI is a powerful irritant to the mucosal membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, eyes and the skin. Pulmonary manifestations, especially occupational asthma, are the predominant manifestations after TDI toxicity. Herein, we present intestinal obstruction as an extraordinary manifestation of acute TDI toxicity after occupational exposure. TDI toxicity may cause intestinal obstruction

pretreatment effects of pentoxifylline on aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative damage in perfused rat liver

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of pentoxifylline [PTX] against aflatoxin Bl [AFB1] exposure in perfused rat livers by evaluating damage marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems [glutathione, GSH] and lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde, MDA]. Sixteen rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups: control, PTX, AFB1 and AFB1 + PTX. Rats in the control group were infused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. Rats in the AFB1 -treated group received approximately 1 ppm and the PTX- treated group received 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally 24 h before surgery. Alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were increased by AFB 1 and decreased by PTX. PTX also ameliorated the increased concentration of MDA caused by AFB1. PTX did not compensate for the decrease in GSH caused by AFB 1. These results imply that PTX has an antioxidant effect by inhibiting free radicals, and prior treatment with PTX ameliorates the effects of AFB 1 -induced lipid peroxidation but does not compensate GSH depots

Simultaneous determination of preservatives [sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate] in soft drinks and herbal extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]

Chemical preservation has become an increasingly important practice in modern food technology and herbal medicinal products with the increase in production of processed and convenience products. In the present study, a reversed-phased HPLC method for simultaneous determination of the preservatives sodium benzoate [SB] and potassium sorbate [PS] is described. The separation of SB and PS were performed on the C[18-] column and acetonitrile -ammonium acetate buffer as mobile phase. The detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. Separation of the two components [SB and PB] was achieved in less than 6 min. Analytical characteristics of the separation such as limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision and reproducibility were evaluated. The range of preservatives found were from not detected [nd] - 2477 mg 1[-1], nd - 328 mg 1[-1] for SB, PS respectively. In This study, has shown that the concentration of SB and PS in the soft drink samples is higher that ADI even for normal consumers, based on maximum limits specified in national standards and on model diets

Evaluation of miltefosine against Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER]: In vitro and vivo studies

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 different countries. There are an estimated 1.5 million new cases each year, with over 90% occurring in Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria [Old World] and in Brazil and Peru [New World]. Miltefosine is effective in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania species and it was demonstrated efficacy in animals via the oral route. This study is the first one for evaluating the effect of miltefosine on cutaneous leishmaniasis of L. major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] by in vivo and in vitro studies in the BALB/c mouse model. As it was shown, miltefosine has a better effect on reduction of size of lesion compared to Glucantime[R], also it was not significant by statistical analysis. The results of this study show that miltefosine has a good activity against the proliferation of amastigotes of L. major. The results suggest that oral miltefosine might be a promising approach for developing new anti-Leishmanial drugs. [c] 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

effect of intra canal fluids on the apical seal of root canal fillings using AH26 and rosen sealers

One of the main objectives of root canal treatment is to achieve a suitable and 3-dimensional seal in order to prevent tissue fluids and microorganisms from re-entering the root canal system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intracanal moisture on the apical seal during root canal obturation using Rosen and AH26 sealers. Sixty-four teeth were chosen according to the inclusion criteria: mature apices, straight canals, no intra/extra-resorption or calcification. The root canals were prepared and randomly divided into six groups, after removing the crowns. Two different sealers, AH26 and Rosen, were chosen and the teeth were filled using the lateral condensation technique in three different settings: dry canal, presence of blood and 2/5% hypoclorite in the canals. All specimens were immersed in methylene blue solution, rinsed throughly and dried. The roots were cut longitudinally into two halves. For dye volumetric measurements, all samples were immersed in 65% nitric acid and the volume of the penetrated dye was measured by a spectrophotometer. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the leakage of the dye in the study groups. The amount of dye leakage was significantly lower in the AH26 groups [P<0.001]. There was no significant difference between the three clinical settings in the AH26 and Rosen groups [P=0.857]. If the basic obturation principles are carefully administered during root canal filling, intracanal moisture could not affect apical seal, especially when AH26 is employed as a sealer instead of Rosen

[ inhibitory effect of captopril on paraquat toxicity in mitochondria isolated from the rat liver]

The aim of the present study was to show the capability of captopril as a thiol ACEi [angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor], in suppressing mitochondrial toxicity due to paraquat. In this study, rats liver mitochondria were isolated with buffer using refrigerated centrifuge. In order to obtain the minimum toxic dose of paraquat and the effective dose of captopril, different concentrations of paraquat [1 to 100mM]and captopril [0.08 to 1mM]were investigated by determining LC [50], viability indices, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial swelling, catalase activity, GSH and GSSG. Simultaneous treatment of mitochondria with captopril [0.08mM] and paraquat [5mM] significantly ameliorate the mitochondrial toxicity of paraquat [5mM] alone. Our results show that captopril is a effective antioxidant. The antioxidative action of captopril appears to be attributable to the sulphahydryl group [SH] in the compound. This effect may be due to captopril abilities to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Our results indicate that Captopril can ameliorate oxidative stress induced by paraquat and therefore, can be used for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by environmental toxins

Evaluation of some natural zeolites and their relevant synthetic types as sorbents for removal of arsenic from drinking water

The purpose of this study was to find a relatively inexpensive method for removal of arsenate and arsenite from drinking water. The capability of Iranian natural clinoptilolites, relevant synthetic zeolites A and P and Iron[II] modified of them was investigated for the uptake of arsenic anions from drinking water. Data obtained from ion-exchange using batch [static] technique showed that among the investigated zeolites, modified synthetic zeolite A was the most selective sorbent for removal of arsenic. In this study, the influence of factores including temperature, arsenic concentration, pH and zeolite particle size on removal of arsenic species from water was also determined and studied

Sterility effects of Neem [Azadirachta indica] extract on male rat

Nowadays uses of synthetic pesticides has caused a lot of environmental problems. For this reason there is an effort to replace them with biopesticides. One of these ways is the use of plant bioproducts. Various studies on Azadirachta indica [Neem] have proven that the seed extract of this plant has reversible infertility and spontaneous abortion properties. In this study we are trying to determine the effective dose of its seed extract for sterility of rodent pests. In this survey, 24 male wistar rats with 4-5 months old [weighing about 150-200 grams] were selected randomly. They were divided into 4 subgroups each containing 6 rats. The Neem extract [Neem Azal 1%] was fed to 3 groups by gavage for six days. The first group was fed with water and others were fed with Neem extract [5mg/kg, 15mg/kg and 25mg/kg respectively]. Hematological parameters were determined on 4th and 9th day of the experiment. On the 10th day two animals from each group were dissected for histological study of testes. Remaining animals were tested for fertility with fertile female rats. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups. After observing reproduction in female rats, these groups were excluded from study. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups in their hematological parameters except for MCH and hemoglobin on 4th [P<0.001, P<0.01 respectively] and 9th day [p<0.05] and WBC on 9th day [p<0.05] in third group, which showed an increase. There were no significant differences between serum testosterone levels. In group which received 15 mg/kg extract, reproduction occurred after 60 days [reproduction cycle in rats is 20-23 days]. In group which received 25mg/kg extract, half of the animals died due to high doses of Neem extract and in the remaining half, reproduction occurred after 3 months. Histological results of testes indicated abnormality in spermatogenesis and sperms production in some of the semniferous tubules. Therefore after 60-90 days and repair of injured cells, reproduction is observed again. Base on the results of this study it seems that we can use Neem seed extract as an anti-fertility agent, considering its cost benefit ratio and suitable formulation, we can use it as rodent baits to control harmful agricultural rodents. In this way we have a new method of controlling deleterious rodents