Investigation of mercury concentration and its interaction with zinc and selenium at the muscle and liver tissues of Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from Persian Gulf

Mercury, zinc and selenium concentrations were analyzed in the muscle and liver of 25 Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from the coast of Bandar Abbas. The level of Hg accumulation and its interaction with Zn and Se in Whitecheek Shark were studied. Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were determined by an Advanced Mercury Analyzer (LECO, AMA 254), Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (ASS,PU 9400) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer 3030) respectively. The mean (±SD) of Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were 0.05±0.02, 0.92±0.25 and 0.13±0.05µg/g wet wt in the muscle and 1.07±0.86, 1.57±0.43 and 0.46±0.19µg/g wet wt in the liver tissues, respectively. The mean of Hg, Zn and Se in liver tissue was significantly higher than muscle tissue. Also, 64% of liver samples showed levels above the acceptable limit established by WHO and FAO. A positive correlation was found between Hg and Se concentrations in the muscle and liver tissues with weight and length variables were statistically significant. In this study, the accumulation of Se in the muscle and liver of Whitecheek shark showed a positive correlation with Hg concentration. The mean molar ratio of Se to Hg found in the muscle and liver were 6.36±1.77 and 2.74±3.61, respectively. Positive correlations between Hg and Se showed efficient detoxifying mechanism and as a result, the possibility of reduction in toxicity of mercury in both tissues via Se-Hg complexes or the binding of Hg with selenoproteins

Correlation of length and weight with mercury concentration in different tissues of Kutum Roach (Rutilus frisii kutum) in central south of Caspian Sea

We used Mercury Analyzer to assess possible correlation between length and weight of the Kutum Roach (Rutilus frisii kutum) and mercury accumulation in different tissues of the fish. We collected fish specimens from central south Caspian Sea from October to December 2005. After biometrical measurement of samples and sex determination, mercury concentration was assessed in muscle, liver and skin tissues of the specimens. The mean concentration of mercury in muscle, liver and skin tissues was 849.9, 670.9 and 493.7ng/g respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed a significant difference between mercury amounts in different tissues (P0.05). The mercury amount in muscle of Kutum Roach was lower than permissible limits proposed by FDA (1004ngig)

Assessing water contamination with anionic surfactants in Anzall Lagoon

We assessed amount of surfactants and their seasonal trend in eight stations in Anzali Lagoon and compared them with allowable levels in the years 2001 2002. We obtained 96 water samples and determined their surfactant content using liquid - liquid method applying methylene blue active substance (MBAS). The concentration of surfactants in Pirbazar varied from 0.176 to 0.422 while that of the Sea station was somewhere between 0.098 to 0.049 mg/i. Seasonal concentration of surfactants varied from 0.049 to 0.422 mgil averaging on 0.137 mg/1. A significant difference was found for surfactant concentration in different parts of the lagoon (p<0.05) with the eastern zone being the most polluted area with 0.422 g/l of the pollutants compared to 0.066 mg/1 in the Sea. The highest amount of the surfactants was seen in winter in contrast to the lowest amount in spring. No statistically significant difference was found between concentrations of the surfactants in different seasons

Induction of cytochrome P4501A1 by beta-naphtho flavone and determination of enzyme properties in Huso huso

Cytochrome P4501 AI is a major isoenzyme in fish monooxygenase system which is induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds. In this research, the inducing effect of p-naphtoflavone and its catalytic properties was studied in Huso huso liver. Fish were given ip injection of p-naphthoflavone at three different doses. The enzyme activity was measured with de-ethylation of ethoxyresorufin reaction (EROD) by flourometery method and relative amount of induced proteins were determined using polyacrylamid del electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results showed that EROD activity in the microsomal fraction of the treated fish was 15-26 folds that of the control group. Optimum activity of this enzyme was observed at 20-25 degrees centivade. The maximum enzyme activity was seen in the precence of 180 micrograms of microsomai protein and 1.5311M of 7-ethoxyresorufin. SDS-PAGE of microsomal protein pattern in the treated fish revealed a protein with molecular mass 58+1 KDa translating to cytochrome P4501A. We conclude that the p-naphtoflovone in fish liver can induce cytochrome P4501A gene and increase its biosenthysis leading to raised enzyme activity in EROD reaction

The correlation of length and weight of Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in the central south of Caspian Sea with copper and zinc concentration in muscle and liver tissues

Concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle tissues of Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) of the Caspian Sea was assessed to study possible correlation of length and weight and the bioaccumulation of these heavy metals in the fish. Concentration of the metals in liver was higher than muscle (Zn: 55.2, Cu: 41.5 kg/g) while the concentrations in the muscle tissue were lower than permissible limits proposed by FAO. Significant correlations were not detected between mean Zn and cu concentration and fish size. Finally, no significant difference was found in the concentration of the heavy metals in male and female fish specimens (P>0.05)

A survey of the water pollution with heavy metals Ni, Pb,Hg, Cr,Cd,V,As and total hydrocarbon in Bandar Shahid Rajaii, Bandar Abbas

Persian Gulf is semi-closed water with high salinity and temperature and high evaporation rate and low water exchange with Oman Sea. Operation of oil wells in the area contributes to the water pollution in this intricate ecosystem. We selected nine stations in Shahid Rajaii harbour and one out of the area where samples of water and sediments were taken for assessment of density of total hydrocarbons and heavy metals using spectrophotometric (FT-IR) and atomic absorption (AAS) methods, respectively

Design, construction, sequence analysis and bioinformatics study of RTB-ipaD gene cassette: A new way in generation of Shigellosis vaccine

زمینه و هدف: شیگلا شایع ترین عامل اسهال می‌باشد. آنتی‌ژن پلاسمیدی IpaD برای تهاجم باکتری به درون سلول میزبان ضروری می‌باشد. یکی از چالش‌ها در باره واکسن مخاطی علیه شیگلا بر پایه پروتئین IpaD قدرت پایین آن می‌باشد. به نظر می‌رسد که با متصل کردن IpaD به یک ناقل و ادجوانت مناسب همچون زیر واحد B سم ریسین، می‌توان پروتئین IpaD را بسیار ایمنوژنیک نمود. این مطالعه به منظور تولید وکتور بیانی نوترکیب دارای کاست ژنی RTB-ipaD، آنالیز تعیین توالی و بررسی بیوانفورماتیکی آن انجام گرفته است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه ژن های RTB و (163-483) ipaD در وکتور pGEM-T همسانه‌سازی شدند. ژن ipaD به روش برش آنزیمی با ژن RTB به همراه لینکر کد کننده GPGP در وکتور pGEM متصل شد. سپس قطعه کایمریک RTB-ipaD در وکتور بیانی pET28a(+) زیر همسانه‌سازی گردید. در پایان آنالیز تعیین توالی و بررسی بیوانفورماتیکی کاست ژنی انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: صحت ساخت کاست ژنی RTB-ipaD در وکتور بیانی pET28a(+) با واکنش PCR و هضم آنزیمی مورد تایید قرار گرفت. نتایج حاصل از تعیین توالی کاست ژنی مطابق با توالی ذخیره شده در بانک ژنی بود. مطالعات بیوانفورماتیکی بر مبنای شاخص سازگاری کدون نشان داد این کاست قابلیت بیان در گیاه ترانس ژن و برخی سویه های باکتری اشرشیاکلی را دارد. نتیجه‌گیری: اتصال RTB به عنوان ناقل و ادجوانت به آنتی‌ژن IpaD رویکردی نوین و مطلوب در جهت تولید واکسن مخاطی شیگلوزیس می‌باش

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with prooxidant-antioxidant balance: a population-based study

Background: Depression and anxiety are significantly associated with systemic inflammation. Moreover, oxidative stress resulting from a disturbance in the prooxidant-antioxidant balance is linked to inflammation-related conditions. Therefore, depression/anxiety symptoms may also be associated with oxidative stress. Objective: To examine the association between depression/anxiety symptoms and serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in adults who participated in a large population-based, cross-sectional study. Methods: Serum PAB values were measured in 7,516 participants (62% females and 38% males) aged 35–65 years, enrolled in a population-based cohort study. Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories were used to evaluate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the effect of confounders on the status of serum PAB change. Results: Among men, serum PAB values were increased incrementally from 1.55±0.47 to 1.59±0.47, 1.69±0.38, and 1.68±0.38 in the no or minimal, mild, moderate and severe depression groups, respectively (P trend<0.001). Serum PAB values also increased significantly across these four corresponding groups among women [1.70±0.45, 1.73±0.44, 1.75±0.44, and 1.76±0.40, (P trend=0.005)]. About anxiety, serum PAB values increased significantly across the four groups in men (P trend=0.02) but not in women (P trend=0.2). The adjusted odds ratios for serum PAB values among men with severe depression and anxiety symptoms were 1.75 and 1.27, respectively. Moreover, the adjusted odds ratios for serum PAB values among women with severe depression and anxiety symptoms were 1.40 and 1.17, respectively. Conclusion: Symptoms of depression and anxiety appear to be associated with higher degrees of oxidative stress, expressed by higher serum PAB values

Mercury bioaccumulation in pike (Esox lucius) from Anzali Lagoon, Iran

This paper presents the levels of total mercury (T-Hg) in dorsal muscle, liver and spleen of pike (Esox lucius) from Anzali Lagoon in Iran. Sampling was carried out from July 2004 to July 2005. In addition 78 samples were collected. T-Hg concentration was calculated in relation to biometric factors. T-Hg was measured by the LECO AMA 254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer (USA) according to ASTM standard NoD-6722. Each sample was analyzed 3 times. Accuracy of T-Hg analysis was checked by running three samples of Standard Reference Materials; SRM 1633b, SRM 2711 and SRM 2709. Detection limit was 0.001mg/kg in dry weight. The minimum and maximum concentration of T-Hg in dorsal muscle was 0.2 ppm in one year and 1.2 ppm in five year class. The mean T-Hg significantly increased wit age increased (Pliver>spleen. T-Hg content in females was higher than males (P<0.05). Acceptable monthly intake without carcinogenic effects due to mercury for women, men, juveniles and children was 270, 320, 125 and 59g per month. Consumption of pike above 35cm. length should be avoided

Determination of LC_(50) 96h of dyazinon, hinosan and tilt for Acipenser nudiventris fingerlings

The toxic effects of agricultural pesticides Dyazinon, Hinosan and Tilt (Propiconazole) were studied on Acipenser nudiventris fingerlings (1-3g) in Spring 2005. We conducted our experiments in aquaria holding 20L water in static systems based on O.E.C.D method using five treatments, one control concentration and three replications. In each aquarium, ten individual Ship Sturgeon fingerlings were introduced, and water physical and chemical factors were controlled to be in the range pH=7-8, TH>400mg/l (CaCO _(3)) as for the water used for culture, and DO=80% and temperature was kept between 24 ±1°C. Our results for the LC _(50) value of Dyazinon, Hinosan and Tilt in 96 hours were 0.36, 0.28 and 3.9mg/l in the fish fingerlings. We also determined the maximum allowable concentration value of the toxins at 0.036, 0.028 and 0.39, respectively