The Morphophysiological, Histological, and Biochemical Response of Some Nontarget Organisms to the Stress Induced by the Pesticides in the Environment

Ferns, amphibians, and fish are groups of nontarget organisms affected by many types of pesticides that end up in the environment. This chapter aims to approach the following themes: the influence of different pesticides on the spore germination process and on the differentiation of their gametophyte; aspects regarding the impact of some pesticides on breathing in fish (physiology and histopathology at the branchial level), as well as a series of effects at the hematological and biochemical levels; and changes of some hematological, biochemical, and structural parameters in amphibians. Species that are not directly targeted by the action of the pesticide in the environment, ferns can be used in their gametophyte stage, young or mature sporophyte in different biotests to evaluate the risk associated with these substances. The biochemical, hemathological, and histopathological changes recorded in both fish and amphibians can be considered biomarkers of pesticide pollution

PU.1 controls fibroblast polarization and tissue fibrosis

Fibroblasts are polymorphic cells with pleiotropic roles in organ morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis and immune responses. In fibrotic diseases, fibroblasts synthesize abundant amounts of extracellular matrix, which induces scarring and organ failure. By contrast, a hallmark feature of fibroblasts in arthritis is degradation of the extracellular matrix because of the release of metalloproteinases and degrading enzymes, and subsequent tissue destruction. The mechanisms that drive these functionally opposing pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory phenotypes of fibroblasts remain unknown. Here we identify the transcription factor PU.1 as an essential regulator of the pro-fibrotic gene expression program. The interplay between transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms that normally control the expression of PU.1 expression is perturbed in various fibrotic diseases, resulting in the upregulation of PU.1, induction of fibrosis-associated gene sets and a phenotypic switch in extracellular matrix-producing pro-fibrotic fibroblasts. By contrast, pharmacological and genetic inactivation of PU.1 disrupts the fibrotic network and enables reprogramming of fibrotic fibroblasts into resting fibroblasts, leading to regression of fibrosis in several organs

The Effects of Some Pesticides on Spore Germination and Gametophyte Differentiation in <i>Athyrium filix-femina</i> (L.) Roth. and <i>Polypodium vulgare</i> L.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fungicide (copper hydroxide with 50% metallic copper) (Co) and of an insecticide (bifenthrin 100 g/l) (B) on spore germination and gametophyte development in the fern species Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Schott. and Polypodium vulgare L. The experimental variants were: V1Co: 0.1 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V2Co: 0.2 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V3Co: 3 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V1B: 0.01 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V2B: 0.02 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V3B: 0.04 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution and Control (C): 100 ml Knop solution. Co inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants tested on the species Athyrium filix-femina. In the V3Co variant, after 24 days, no spore germinated. B also inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants. In Polypodium vulgare, Co significantly inhibited spore germination. In the experimental variants containing B, only in the V3B variant the germination is significantly inhibited. Calculations showed a significant negative correlation between the germination percentage and the concentration of pesticides. The fungicide also affected gametophyte differentiation, which happened much more slowly in both species. The rhizoids of the gametophytes of Polypodium vulgare showed modifications in their differentiation and morphology that could also be related to alterations in their biochemical composition. The experimental variants with the highest concentration of insecticide resulted in the differentiation of abnormal gametophytes growing in a tridimensional cellular mass with callus morphology. The responses of plants to the induced stress produced during the testing period may be used as biomarkers of environmental pollution caused by pesticides

The Effects of Some Pesticides on Spore Germination and Gametophyte Differentiation in <i>Athyrium filix-femina</i> (L.) Roth. and <i>Polypodium vulgare</i> L.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fungicide (copper hydroxide with 50% metallic copper) (Co) and of an insecticide (bifenthrin 100 g/l) (B) on spore germination and gametophyte development in the fern species Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Schott. and Polypodium vulgare L. The experimental variants were: V1Co: 0.1 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V2Co: 0.2 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V3Co: 3 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V1B: 0.01 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V2B: 0.02 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V3B: 0.04 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution and Control (C): 100 ml Knop solution. Co inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants tested on the species Athyrium filix-femina. In the V3Co variant, after 24 days, no spore germinated. B also inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants. In Polypodium vulgare, Co significantly inhibited spore germination. In the experimental variants containing B, only in the V3B variant the germination is significantly inhibited. Calculations showed a significant negative correlation between the germination percentage and the concentration of pesticides. The fungicide also affected gametophyte differentiation, which happened much more slowly in both species. The rhizoids of the gametophytes of Polypodium vulgare showed modifications in their differentiation and morphology that could also be related to alterations in their biochemical composition. The experimental variants with the highest concentration of insecticide resulted in the differentiation of abnormal gametophytes growing in a tridimensional cellular mass with callus morphology. The responses of plants to the induced stress produced during the testing period may be used as biomarkers of environmental pollution caused by pesticides

Physiological alteration and anaesthetic drugs effects on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring procedures

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) and especially motor evoked potentials represents an important tool in the evaluation of the nervous system integrity and particularly of the motor tracts. A real and correct registration of the potentials with a proper interpretation of the modification is mandatory for an optimal outcome in eloquent areas, tumours, brainstem and medullary lesions. For all this to happen a suitable anaesthetic protocol must be used. Even though there is a large spectrum of anaesthetic agents at our disposal it is imperative to know their effect on the IOM signals recordings and the fact that some of them are dose-dependent. Drugs effects and physiological changes produced intraoperatively must be corrected before a shift in the direction of the surgical lesion resection it is taken. We present an overview of the action of the anaesthetic agents, most used protocols and the physiological alteration encountered in the operative theatre

Histopathological Alteration on Marsh Frog Skin Induced by the Action of Dual Gold 960EC Herbicide

The aim of this study was to establish the influence of Dual Gold 960EC herbicide upon skinstructure in marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). [...

Ecotoxicological Studies on the Action of Actara 25 WG Insecticide on Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio) and Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)

The toxic action of the Actara 25 WG insecticide (it contains 25% thiamethoxam as an active substance) in non-lethal doses was studied in two species of aquatic organisms&mdash;the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) and the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)&mdash;at two thermal levels, 6&ndash;8 &deg;C (low temperature) and 18&ndash;20 &deg;C (room temperature), respectively. In the Prussian carp, we recorded decreases in oxygen consumption and stimulation of the respiratory rhythm, changes that were more pronounced in the case of intoxicated fish and when the species were kept at room temperature. The histopathology of the lung in the frog illustrated the thickening of the conjunctival septum, an increase in the number of mucous cells, and an increase in the ratio between the diameter of the nucleus and the diameter of the pneumocyte. All of these changes were more pronounced in the animals kept at higher temperature. Our study looks at the extent to which temperature changes can influence the ability of poikilothermic organisms to withstand the presence of toxic substances in the environment as a result of the impact of the use of insecticides in agriculture. The two tested organisms are a common presence for the study area, which was affected in the last decade by climate change

The Germination of Spores and Gametophyte Development in Ferns under Extracts Influence

The aim of this study was to establish the influence of ferns extracts (Asplenium scolopendrium and Dryopteris filix-mas) [...

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 as a marker of activated fibroblasts and a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP4) identifies a dermal fibroblast lineage involved in scaring during wound healing. The role of DDP4 in tissue fibrosis, however, is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate DPP4 as a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS The expression of DPP4 was analyzed by real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot. The activity of DPP4 was modulated by overexpression, knockdown and pharmacological inhibition using Sitagliptin and Vildagliptin. The effects of DPP4 inhibition were analyzed in human dermal fibroblasts and in different mouse models of SSc (n=6). RESULTS The expression of DPP4 and the number of DPP4 positive fibroblasts were increased in fibrotic skin of SSc patients in a TGF-β dependent manner. DPP4 positive fibroblasts expressed higher levels of myofibroblast markers and collagen (p<0.001). Overexpression of DPP4 promoted fibroblast activation, whereas pharmacological or genetic inactivation of DPP4 reduced proliferation, migration, expression of contractile proteins and release of collagen by interfering with TGF-β-induced ERK signaling (p<0.001). DPP4-knockout mice were less sensitive to bleomycin-induced dermal and pulmonary fibrosis (p<0.0001). Treatment with DPP4 inhibitors promoted regression of fibrosis induced by bleomycin- or chronic graft-versus-host disease and ameliorated fibrosis in TSK1 mice (p<0.001). The antifibrotic effects were associated with reduced inflammation. CONCLUSION DPP4 characterizes a population of activated fibroblasts and regulates TGF-β-induced fibroblast activation. Inhibition of DPP4 exerts potent anti-fibrotic effects in well tolerated doses. These results may have direct translational implications as DPP4 inhibitors are already in clinical use for diabetes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

New Biodegradable Materials for Re-Thought Packaging from Pre-Consumer Wastes by Controlling the Storage Time as Method to Increase the Mechanical Recycling Efficiency

The influence of storage conditions on the mechanical recycling of pre-consumer waste (PRE-CW) from the manufacture of multilayer packaging films starting from starch compounds using a renewable-based polymer with PCL and PBAT, which are biodegradable conventional-based polyesters, was studied. It was found that, unlike materials based on conventional-origin polymers that accumulate in the environment for hundreds of years, the studied compounds degraded, even in the solid state, duringstorage in unventilated spaces and during the rainy hot summers with alternatingheat and rain. The degradation of the mechanically recycled compounds obtained from PRE-CW stored in such conditions was highlighted by the comparative analysis with the primary compounds, which proved the following: specific FTIR spectra changes; 2–3-times higher melt fluidity than for primary compounds; melting in successive processes over the entire positive temperatures range, up to 115 °C, such as in cases of compositional de-mixing of incompatible blends, faced to a single melting endotherm with a maximum at around 120 °C for the primar thermal degradation with the movement of the main destruction stages towards higher temperatures; a high quantity residue at 750 °C in air; dispersed mechanical resistance properties y compounds; crystallization at temperatures 10 °C–15 °C higher. The elimination of storage before the mechanical recycling of the pre-consumer waste from this type of polymeric compound fabrication is a way to increase the mechanical recycling efficiency while obtaining new materials with functional properties required by the applications