Sunset Yellow induced biochemical and histopathological alterations in rat brain sub-regions.

Sunset Yellow, a synthetic orange azo food dye was examined in this study for its impact on the Wistar rat brain sub-regions. The dye was administered orally to weanling rats at the Acceptable Daily Intake level (4 mg/kg/bw) for 40 days, and brain sub-regions viz., frontal cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus were examined for biochemical and histopathological changes. The results showed a significant decrease in tissue protein levels, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity, as well as a significant increase in lipid peroxide levels in all brain sub-regions. Glutathione-S-transferase and Glutathione Reductase activities decreased, while Glutathione peroxidase activity increased. The biogenic amine levels and Acetylcholinesterase activity were also altered, with the frontal cortex and hippocampus being the most affected. Additionally, the dye caused histopathological damage in all brain sub-regions examined. This study indicates that the ADI level of Sunset Yellow may adversely affect brain tissue by causing oxidative damage.

Delamanid for the treatment of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Out of a handful of new drugs currently in clinical trials for the treatment of tuberculosis, delamanid, a nitro-dihydro-imidazole derivative, has successfully emerged. Delamanid is a novel mycolic acid biosynthesis inhibitor that is equally potent against drug-sensitive as well as drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One of the strongest points for delamanid is its inability to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, making it a promising candidate to be used in combination therapies for the treatment of tuberculosis and HIV. Additionally, it has successfully completed phase II efficacy trials and has received conditional marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency.

Isolation and characterization of a Bacillus subtilis strain that degrades endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate.

Endosulfan has emerged as a major environmental menace worldwide due to  extensive usage and environmental persistence, seeking its remedial by a cheaper and efficient means. Therefore, natural resource (soil) was explored to search a potential candidate for biodegradation of endosulfan. A soil bacterium was enriched and isolated by applying a strong nutritional selection pressure, using a non-sulfur medium supplemented with endosulfan as sole source sulfur. The microbial strain was found to degrade endosulfan as well as its equally toxic metabolite endosulfan sulfate to non-toxic metabolites (endodiol and endosulfan lactone) very efficiently (up to 94.2 %) within 7 days, estimated qualitatively by thin layer chromatography and quantitatively by gas chromatography-electron capture detection methods. The isolate was characterized for its morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA sequencing and identified as a new strain of Bacillus subtilis with strain designation AKPJ04, which was deposited with accession number Microbial Type Culture Collection and Gene Bank (MTCC) 8561, at MTCC, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. The partial 16S rRNA sequence was submitted to Genbank, Maryland, USA, with the accession number EU 258611. The primary investigation for endosulfan degrading gene(s) localization suggested its location on chromosomal DNA.

Perinatal toxicity of cyfluthrin in mice: developmental and behavioral effects.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the teratogenic and behavioral effects of perinatal exposure to cyfluthrin (Synthetic Pyrethroid) on mice offspring. Humans are exposed to this compound as it is widely used in various household insecticide formulations and in public health programmes. Pregnant females were exposed to 16 mg/kg (low dose) and 32 mg/kg (high dose) body weight cyfluthrin daily by oral intubation from gestation day 14 through parturition and lactation up to weaning. On 18th day of gestation, 50% females were euthanized for teratological studies and the remaining were allowed to deliver their pups normally. The fetuses were weighed and observed for gross external malformations and routine teratological examination was done. The neonates were observed for neuromotor reflexes (surface righting, tail hang reflex and pivoting) from day 1 up to day 7 after birth. Movement and exploratory behavior of weanlings were observed using 'open-field' and 'hole-board.' The fetuses did not show any external malformation. Skeletal aberrations observed included poor ossification of the skull and phalanges and short ribs. Surface righting and pivoting were significantly affected by the high dose. Both doses produced significant changes in the locomotion, exploration, and rearing frequencies in the open-field. The study indicates that cyfluthrin when administered at the above-mentioned doses did not elicit significant teratogenicity but both the doses caused significant difference in behavioral activities.

[Acute renal failure after videolaparoscopic surgery: an avoidable complication?]. / L'insufficianza renale acuta postchirurgia laparoscopica: evitabile complicanza?

Videolaparoscopic surgery exposes the abdominal organs to the mechanical effect of pneumoperitoneum at pressure values between 12 and 15 mm Hg, which are considered safe. Nevertheless, experimental data have shown that this pressure range can represent a hemodynamic risk factor as it may induce a decrease in the venous return to the right ventricle, a decrease in cardiac output, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system and renin angiotensin system. We report two cases of acute renal failure that occurred soon after videolaparoscopy in young female patients without any evidence of ongoing renal disease. Patient A was 29 years old and was submitted to videolaparoscopic surgery in a follow-up program after surgical treatment of ovarian cancer; patient B was 15 years old and was submitted to the surgical removal of a monolateral ovarian cyst. In neither of the cases was it necessary to perform hemodialysis. Patient A underwent a renal biopsy under ultrasound guidance; optic microscopy showed only in ra- and extraglomerular capillary congestion. In both cases the acute renal failure resolved completely and the patients where discharged with normal renal function. Taking in to account that normal renal venous pressure levels are around 4 mmHg we think that a) a 15 mmHg pneumoperitoneum may represent a risk factor during videolaparoscopic surgery mainly if the patient's extracellular volume is not properly expanded; b) administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in order to prevent surgical pain may inhibit vasodilatory prostaglandin availability; c) onset of oliguria during the surgical procedure suggests that extracellular volume expansion is required.

Embryotoxic and teratogenic studies of phosphamidon in Swiss albino mice.

Phosphamidon, an organophosphate pesticide, is little known for its possible effects on mammalian conceptus. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate its embryotoxic and teratogenic effects on Swiss albino mice. Female mice of similar age and weight were divided into four experimental groups. The animals of groups I and II received 15 and 35 ppm phosphamidon ad libitum, respectively, during the entire gestational period, that is, from days 1 to 18. Groups III and IV were treated before mating with 35 ppm phosphamidon for 30 and 60 days, respectively, and the treatment was continued during pregnancy up to the 18th day. The autopsies were performed on the 18th day of gestation, and routine teratological observations were made. The lower dose did not produce significant effects. The higher dose reduced the number of implants, litter size, and foetal weight and increased the resorption of embryos when administered for 30 days prior to mating. Exposure to the pesticide for 60 days prior to mating and during gestation, however, did not produce significant effects. It appears that the mice probably developed some resistance to the pesticide, when exposed for such a long duration.

Evaluation of the teratogenic potential of phosphamidon in mice by gavage.

Phosphamidon, an organophosphate pesticide, is an established cholinesterase inhibitor. Alteration of tissue and plasma cholinesterase activity at a critical developmental period may influence cellular division and growth sufficiently to produce anatomically or functionally abnormal tissue or organ. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate the teratogenic potential of phosphamidon in pregnant Swiss albino mice, when administered at different gestational days during the period of organogenesis. The animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation for routine teratological examinations. It was observed that phosphamidon was more embryotoxic than teratogenic. Maximum effects were observed when administered on day 7 and day 13. Treatment on day 10 produced little effects. Repeated exposure during the organogenetic phase also produced significant adverse effects. This possibly indicates that phosphamidon is more embryotoxic during the post-implantation period (day 7) and during late organogenesis (day 13) as compared to the early organogenesis period (day 10).

Coagulation studies in women using combination type of oral contraceptives.

PIP: 100 women attending the outpatient department and family planning clinic of U.I.S.E. Maternity Hospital, Kanpur between April to December 1980 were studied to determine the effect of combined type oral contraceptives (OCs) on various factors of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Control group A included 30 healthy nonpregnant females in the 18-40 age range who did not take any drug and were not suffering from any disease. Test group B included 50 women who were using OCs for more than 1 1/2 years but less than 5 years. Test group C included 20 women who were taking OCs for more than 5 years. In groups B and C women of different parity were included. Increase in mean prothrombin time after the use of OCs, both in groups B and C, was statistically significant. There was a decrease in mean partial thromboplastin time in groups B and C compared to group A. This decrease was statistically significant with group C, but not with group B. Mean plasma fibrinogen level increased after the use of OCs. This increase was statistically significant in group C but not significant in group B. There was significant decrease in clot retraction time in group C. Mean platelet count showed significant increase after OC use. Mean platelet aggregation increased significantly after OC use both in group B and C. There was no significant change in platelet adhesiveness after OC use in groups B and C. No significant differences were found in the time of starting of clot lysis after the use of pills as compared to control groups, whereas the mean values of completion time of clot lysis showed a decrease in group B and C. This decrease was statistically insignificant. Decrease in partial thromboplastin time, increase in plasma fibrinogen and platelet count, and reduction in clot retraction indicate a hypercoagulable state. The rise in prothrombin time can be a compensatory factor in preventing hypercoagulable state. The difference in various coagulable factors between groups B and C was not statistically significant, indicating that initially there was a rise in various coagulation factors but later, with continuous use of OCs, no futher significant change occurred. The results show that some coagulation tests are significantly altered during OC use, but these changes are not enough to manifest clinically as a thromboembolic phenomenon. No complication of thrombosis was found in any of the cases.^ieng