An investigation of histopathological changes and bioaccumulation in tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after exposure to dodine.

The purpose of this research is to determine ecotoxicological effects of dodine (n-dodecylguanidini acetate) on aquatic environments. Though dodine is widely used as a fungicide in agriculture, but there is no much data about its ecotoxicology. In this regard, we investigated bioaccumulation levels and histological alterations on the tissues of muscle, liver and gills in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against different doses (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/L) of Dodine exposure. The tissues of fish were extracted according to QUECHERS method and analyzed by mass spectrometer (LC-MS-MS). Neither of the applied dodine doses resulted in killing 50% of the total individuals in the experimental groups. However, 48 hours after doses, behaviors such as instability, anomaly in swimming or sudden jumping movements were observed. Histological results of the study showed deteriorations of the radiological pattern of hepatocytes, sinusoidal dilatations, hemorrhages, edemas, mononuclear cell infiltrations, vascular congestions, hyperplasia and hypertrophy in liver, gill and muscle tissues. Accumulation of dodine in tissues correlated with increase of dose. The maximum level of active substance accumulation in tissues were measured 96 hours after application of 1 mg/L dodine dose -in order- in gills, muscles and liver. The accumulations were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared with control group.

Preoperative and Postoperative Endogenous Melatonin and Anxiety Levels and Their Correlation in Living Liver Donors.

OBJECTIVES: High anxiety levels may lead to mental and physical changes that may affect quality of life. Melatonin has anxiolytic properties. It has been reported that administration of melatonin reduces anxiety. In this study, we examined the preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels of living liver donors and the correlation between anxiety levels and endogenous melatonin levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 56 living liver donors who underwent right hepatectomy (39 women, 17 men; average age of 29 ± 7 years). The anxiety levels were evaluated by using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Test with a form for this test used to measure the current state of anxiety score and another form used to measure the underlying anxiety score of the patient. These forms were applied preoperatively and postoperatively. Blood samples were taken simultaneously for melatonin levels. Melatonin levels were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Our primary outcomes were to determine the preoperative and postoperative endogenous melatonin and anxiety levels of living liver donors and to investigate their correlations. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between preoperative and postoperative state of anxiety scores. The preoperative and postoperative underlying anxiety scores were similar. A statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative endogenous melatonin level and postoperative endogenous melatonin level. A significant correlation was not observed between the preoperative and postoperative current and underlying anxiety levels or endogenous melatonin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Living liver donors had high anxiety levels during the preoperative and postoperative periods. A significant decrease was identified in the postoperative hour 24 endogenous melatonin level. These results may lay the foundation for interventions that can identify emotional changes as well as control and improve the mental health of living liver donors.

Use of TP53 reference materials to validate mutations in clinical tissue specimens by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis.

BACKGROUND: As genetic information moves from basic research laboratories in to the clinical testing environment, there is a critical need for reliable reference materials for the quality assurance of genetic tests. A panel of 12 plasmid clones containing wild-type or point mutations within exons 5-9 have been developed as reference materials for the detection of TP53 mutations. AIM: The goal of this study was to validate the reference materials in providing quality assurance for the detection of TP53 mutations in clinical specimens. METHODS: We studied 33 gynecological samples, 11 apparently normal samples and 22 malignant tumors of various origins. Mutations were identified using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis with both slab gel and capillary electrophoresis. All DNA samples were amplified with fluorescently labeled PCR primers specific for exons 5-9 for mutation detection. RESULTS: Of the 33 patient samples tested, mutations and polymorphisms were found in six specimens in three of the five exons scanned; no mutations were found in exons 7 or 9. Both a mutation and polymorphism were found in non-malignant specimens from the control group. The mutations were confirmed by DNA sequence analysis of the regions scanned. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations and polymorphisms were detected in the clinical samples. All of the mutations were silent except for one non-conservative mutation in exon 5, codon 181. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) TP53 reference panel in TP53 mutation detection in clinical tissue specimens.

The protective effect of melatonin on adriamycin-induced acute cardiac injury.

BACKGROUND: Cardiotoxicity is the main complication of adriamycin (ADR), which is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential cardioprotective effect of melatonin (MEL) on acute ADR cardiotoxicity in a rat model. METHODS: Cardioprotection was assessed on the basis of myocardial lipid peroxidation and ultrastructure. Rats were given MEL at a daily dose of 5 mg/kg and ADR 15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. The MEL-1 group rats received one dose and the MEL-7 group rats six daily doses of MEL and were sacrificed at the end of one and seven days, respectively. Rats in the ADR-1 and ADR-7 groups were each given a single dose of ADR, and were then sacrificed 24 h and seven days later, respectively. The MEL+ADR-1 group rats received one dose each of ADR and MEL simultaneously and were sacrificed 24 h later. The MEL+ADR-7 group received a single dose of ADR plus a daily MEL dose for six consecutive days, and were sacrificed seven days after the ADR injection. RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation products were elevated in both ADR-1 and ADR-7 groups, and this elevation was significantly inhibited by MEL treatment. Electron microscopy confirmed that ADR was positively cardiotoxic after one and seven days of exposure. The extent of ADR-induced myocardial damage was markedly reduced when MEL was combined with ADR (MEL+ADR-1 and MEL+ADR-7). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MEL is highly efficacious at reducing the acute cardiotoxic effects of high dose ADR, and that it acts by preventing lipid peroxidation.