A novel study on carpet-dye-induced dermatitis and other changes in Rattus norvegicus.

It is known that humidity enhances the growth of mites in carpets, mattresses and other household items. The association between exposure to house dust and diseases such as asthma, chronic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis has been shown in many individuals. Large quantities of carpet dyes are used in carpet industry located in Eastern Uttar Pradesh India. Nearly 90% of the carpets are manufactured in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and remaining 10% is produced in Kashmir and other places of India. Therefore, this area is important in huge dyeing and washing industry in which nearly 760 metric tons of dyes and dye supporting chemicals as well as washing chemicals are used per year. Present study has been conducted to see the adverse health effects of carpet dye black T supra which is being greatly used in carpet industry. In the present study, Gram mixed with 20 mg kg(-1) of b.wt. day(-1) sub-lethal dose of Black T Supra carpet dye was fed to Rattus norvegicus for three months and the symptoms of dermatitis in the form of hair fall in patches on surface of body started from fifth week onward. The area of patches of hair fall increased between 6-12th weeks. In controls, such effect was not observed. In addition, a little increase in body weight, cataract in eyes and desperate walking in experimental animals were observed after fifth week of feeding Black T Supra dye. In some cases, the correlation between exposure to carpet dye black T supra and symptoms is obvious.

Seasonal changes in the pineal organ of control and gonadectomized fish (Mystus vittatus [Bloch]).

The surface area and luminal structures of the pineal sac were studied during the prespawning, spawning, and postspawning phases of control and gonadectomized fish, Mystus vittatus, throughout the year. From the later half of prespawning to the first half of postspawning phases the values for the surface area were lower in the gonadectomized group whereas from the later half of the postspawning to the first half of prespawning phases the values were higher than in the control group. The acidophilic cell bodies were visible in the first half of prespawning and at the end of spawning phases as well as during the postspawning phase. In the control group sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides and mucoid basophils with gamma substances were faintly stained during the early months of the reproductive cycle in contrast to the experimental group; but in the later months these substances were strongly stained in both groups except in the gonadectomized group at the end of postspawning phase. The pineal lumen was narrow during the pre- and postspawning phases and wider in the spawning phase of the gonadectomized group in comparison to control; this may be related to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, the morphohistochemical changes in the pineal organ of fish were evident in both groups during the prespawning, spawning, and postspawning phases.

Electron diffraction of the metallic elements in the pineal organ of a freshwater fish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch.).

By electron diffraction pattern the presence of metallic elements, particularly chromium-nickel, chromium phosphide, copper, aluminum-copper and zinc has been shown in the pineal organ of a freshwater teleost, M. vittatus. It is likely that their occurrence within the pineal is due to binding with the neurosecretory material fractions/ligands.