Cobalt oxide nanoparticles aggravate DNA damage and cell death in eggplant via mitochondrial swelling and NO signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Despite manifold benefits of nanoparticles (NPs), less information on the risks of NPs to human health and environment has been studied. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) have been reported to cause toxicity in several organisms. In this study, we have investigated the role of Co3O4-NPs in inducing phytotoxicity, cellular DNA damage and apoptosis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Violetta lunga 2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on Co3O4-NPs showing phytotoxicity in eggplant. RESULTS: The data revealed that eggplant seeds treated with Co3O4-NPs for 2 h at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml retarded root length by 81.5 % upon 7 days incubation in a moist chamber. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated the uptake and translocation of Co3O4-NPs into the cytoplasm. Intracellular presence of Co3O4-NPs triggered subcellular changes such as degeneration of mitochondrial cristae, abundance of peroxisomes and excessive vacuolization. Flow cytometric analysis of Co3O4-NPs (1.0 mg/ml) treated root protoplasts revealed 157, 282 and 178 % increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane potential (APm) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively. Besides, the esterase activity in treated protoplasts was also found compromised. About 2.4-fold greater level of DNA damage, as compared to untreated control was observed in Comet assay, and 73.2 % of Co3O4-NPs treated cells appeared apoptotic in flow cytometry based cell cycle analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate the phytotoxic potential of Co3O4-NPs in terms of reduction in seed germination, root growth, greater level of DNA and mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and cell death in eggplant. The data generated from this study will provide a strong background to draw attention on Co3O4-NPs environmental hazards to vegetable crops.

effect of tadalafil on right ventricular function in patient with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve surgery assessed by tissue doppler and TEI index

Pulmonary artery hypertension is a disorder with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. We studied the effect of tadalafil, a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in patients with this disease. In fifty patients subjected to mitral valve surgery [26 males, 24 females] aged 19040 years, with pulmonary artery hypertension, 10 mg tadalafil single dose was given to 25 patients after induction of anesthesia, and its effect was compared to a placebo given to the other 25 patients, all fifty patients had a comprehensive Transoesophageal echo examination including tissue Doppler and Tie index. Tadalafil resulted in a marked improvement in right ventricular function as regards tissue Doppler and Tie index [0.3110.05] compared to [0.34 +/- 0.02] in control group [p value =0.01] and pulmonary artery pressure [52.6 +/- 12.17] compared to control group [59.60 +/- 11.31] [p value =0.04]. 10 mg Single dose tadalafil was well tolerated and had a beneficial effect in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension undergoing mitral valve surgery

Treatment of delayed union and non-union of humeral shaft fractures using humeral locked nails

To assess the results and clinical outcome of treating humeral shaft delayed union and non-union using locked medullary nails. 21 cases of humeral shaft delayed union and non-union were treated by Russel and Taylor humeral locking nail at Al Razi hospital in the period from 1997 to 2001. 8 cases had delayed union and 13 had non-union. 13 cases had previous operative treatment while 8 cases had non-operative treatment. Antegrade nailing was done in all cases and all nails were fixed statically. 19 cases had their fractures united. Only 2 cases had persistent non-union. 18 cases had satisfactory shoulder function and 3 cases had loss of shoulder abduction between 40 and 65 degrees. The humeral locked nails can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating humeral shaft delayed unions and non-unions

SDS gel analysis of matrix of adherent cell lines with particular reference to mesangial cells

Cultured mesangial cells produce a variety of extra cellular matrix proteins and secretion are increased by cytokines. To identify the molecular weight of proteins in the matrix of stimulated and non-stimulated mesangial, BeWo, Hep G2 and BHK cells was studied using SDS and praline gel analysis. The results showed a common band of 65-70 kd in the matrix of both stimulated and non-stimulated mesangial cells and other cell lines, while a unique 150 kd band was obtained in the matrix of stimulated mesangial and BeWo only. These data indicated the effect that cytokines have on the expression of different proteins

HLA, -A, -B and -C antigens amongst Bahrainis

This is the first study of tissue typing [HLA] Class I amongst Bahrainis, which will indicate the HLA, -A, -B and -C amongst Bahrainis and will help in the planning of Transplantation Centre. Six hundred and five Bahrainis were included in the study [303 males, 302 females]. The complement-dependent microcytotoxicity CDC was used, which is the acknowledge International Standard Test procedure. The study showed that there are unique HLA antigens, which shows Bahrainis relation to the Middle East, with the following characteristics of high frequencies: A2, A1, A19, A9, A10, A11, B12, B7, B8, B2, B5, B13, Cw4, Cw3, Cw1, Cw2, and Cw6. Some of the antigens were shared with other countries

Effect of cycloheximide, tunicamycin and actinomycin D on MP 84 expression by mesangial cells

MP 84 is a novel protein synthesized in response to all cytokines. This antigen is expressed only in stimulated mesangial cells and diseased kidney sections but not in the normal kidney sections [Mukhtar A., 1992 and 1994]. This is the first study of the mechanism of MP 84 expression by stimulated mesangial cells by incubating cells with cyclohexamide [inhibitor of portein synthesis], tunicamycin [inhibitor of transcription] and actinomycin D [inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation]. Anti phosphatase anti alkaline phosphatase [APAAP] was used. This study shows that both transcription and translation are required for expression since both cyclohexamide [inhibitor of protein translation] and actinomycin D [inhibitor of transcription] inhibited the traget antigen

MP/84 antigen expression in biopsy sections of patients with benign and malignant tumours

This study indicates that MP/84 antigen is expressed in the kidney sections of renal cell carcinoma and it is not expressed in any other acute or malignant tissues sections. MP/84 is an antigen expressed in diseased kidney sections such as IgA nephropathy, membranous and minimal change. It was noted from previous studies that it is also expressed in BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line and not in other cell tested. The pathogenesis mechanism could be due to the secretion of cytokines by the renal cells