Diclofenac-induced cytotoxicity in cultured carp leukocytes.

Diclofenac is a drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and pain. Medicinal products enter waste and surface waters on an everyday basis and contaminate the aquatic environment. Fish are therefore permanently exposed to these chemicals dissolved in their aquatic environment. To simulate variable environmental conditions, the aim of our study was to examine adverse effects of diclofenac under different temperatures of cell incubation (18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 °C). Cyto-toxic and -static effects of diclofenac in concentrations of 0.001 mcg/ml, 0.01 microg/ml, 0.1 mcg/ml, 1 mcg/ml, 10 mcg/ml and 100 mcg/ml for the carp (Cyprinuscarpio) cultured leukocytes were quantified using detection of lactate dehydrogenase released from damaged cells. Overall DCF cytotoxicity was relatively low and its impact was pronounced at higher temperature and DCF concentration. Cells growth inhibition is changing more rapidly but it is high mainly at the highest concentration from low temperature. DNA fragmentation was not detected in tested leukocyte cell line. CYP450 increased diclofenac cytotoxicity only at the highest concentration but at incubation temperatures 18 and 27 °C. Leukocyte viability is essential for immune functions and any change can lead to reduction of resistance against pathogens, mainly in cold year seasons, when the immune system is naturally suppressed.

Comparative response of Pisum sativum nodulated with indigenous soil Rhizobium populations and/or co-inoculated with a Rhizobium leguminosarum strain. I. Acetylene-reducing, dihydrogen- and carbon dioxide-evolving activities.

No significant differences in the acetylene-reducing activity and evolution of H2 and CO2 from nodulated roots of Pisum sativum inoculated with soil Rhizobium populations from two soils with different acidities (Ruzyne soil 7.6; Lukavec soil 4.9) were observed. Rhizobium population from Lukavec soil formed nodules, exhibiting a higher H2 evolution. Co-inoculation with the Hup+ strain 128C30 (7 x 10(7) cells per seedling) eliminated, to some extent, the effect of soil populations on physiological activity.

The development and prognosis of chronic intoxication by tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin in men.

During 1965 to 1968, 80 workers who had been engaged in the production of 2, 4, 5-sodium trichlorphenoxyacetate and butylester of trichlorphenoxyacetate acid became ill. The cause of the illness was 2, 4, 7, 8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin. A 10-yr study has been conducted for 55 exposed individuals. The majority of the patients developed chloracne, and 11 manifested porphyria cutanea tarda. Approximately one-half of the patients suffered from metabolic disturbances, i.e., pathologically elevated lipids with abnormalities in the lipoprotein spectrum, and two-fifths of the patients had pathological changes in the glucose tolerance test. One-third of the patients had biochemical deviations indicative of a mild liver lesion. Histological examination revealed light steatosis, or periportal fibrosis, or activation of Kupffer cells. Fluorescence of the liver tissues was present in ultraviolet light. In 17 persons symptoms of nervous system focal damage existed, with predominance of peripheral neuron lesion of the lower extremities (verified by EMG examination). The majority of patients suffered from various psychological disorders. As of this date, two patients have died of bronchogenic lung carcinoma; one of liver cirrhosis; one of a rapidly developed, extremely unusual type of atherosclerosis precipue cerebri; and two patients have died in traffic accidents. The conditions of most other patients have improved.

Symbiotic dinitrogen fixation as affected by short-term application of nitrate to nodulated Pisum sativum L.

Effect of nitrate on the nitrogenase (C2H2-reduction) activity, growth of nodule tissue accumulation of nitrate and nitrate reductase activity in 4-weeks-old nodulated peas (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated. A relatively slow decrease of the total nitrogenase activity (mumol C2H4 per root per h), as compared with plants cultivated without nitrate, was due to both retardation of further growth of the nodule tissue and to a decrease of their specific nitrogenase activity (mumol C2H4 per gf.wt. per h). However, an absolute and pronounced decrease of both nitrogenase activities occurred only 4 or 7 d after the application of nitrate. The addition of nitrate led to its rapid accumulation in the nodule and leaf tissue with a simultaneous induction of the nitrate reductase activity. The nitrogenase activity was not completely inhibited even after a 7-d cultivation with 280 m NO3- -N in the nutrient medium and after accumulation of up to 180 ppm NO3- -Nf.wt. in the nodule tissue. The results obtained indicate that the "photosynthate deprivation" reflects competition between assimilation of nitrate and fixation of dinitrogen.