Toxicities effects of pharmaceutical, olive mill and textile wastewaters before and after degradation by Pseudomonas putida mt-2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Removal of numerous classes of chemical pollutants from the industrial wastewater such as textile, pharmaceutical and olive mill using conventional wastewater treatment, is incomplete and several studies suggested that improvement of this situation would require the application of biological treatment techniques. Dyes, polyphenols and drugs are an environmental pollutants extremely toxics to plants and other living organisms including humans. These effluents were previously treated by <it>Pseudomonas putida</it>. The main of this work was to evaluate the <it>in vivo </it>toxicity of the three wastewaters.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Writhes and convulsant effect of effluents were carried out and were compared to the treated effluents. Only pharmaceutical wastewater was exhibited a convulsant effect which observed in mice treated by effluent. On the other hand, all industrial wastewater induced significantly an algogenic effects particularly when mice were treated by the pharmaceutical wastewater (Number of writhes = 44).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Toxicity was totally removed when mice were treated by the bio remediated effluent. This indicates that <it>P. putida </it>was able to completely detoxify the toxic industrial effluent.</p

Induction of cytotoxicity of Pelagia noctiluca venom causes reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxydation induction and DNA damage in human colon cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The long-lasting and abundant blooming of <it>Pelagia noctiluca </it>in Tunisian coastal waters compromises both touristic and fishing activities and causes substantial economic losses. Determining their molecular mode of action is, important in order to limit or prevent the subsequent damages. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the propensity of <it>Pelagia noctiluca </it>venom to cause oxidative damage in HCT 116 cells and its associated genotoxic effects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results indicated an overproduction of ROS, an induction of catalase activity and an increase of MDA generation. We looked for DNA fragmentation by means of the comet assay. Results indicated that venom of <it>Pelagia noctiluca </it>induced DNA fragmentation. SDS-PAGE analysis of <it>Pelagia noctiluca </it>venom revealed at least 15 protein bands of molecular weights ranging from 4 to 120 kDa.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Oxidative damage may be an initiating event and contributes, in part, to the mechanism of toxicity of <it>Pelagia noctiluca </it>venom.</p

Tobacco Smoking, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cessation Perceptions by Dental Students in Al Madinah, a Conservative Saudi Society

Objective:&nbsp;To explore the prevalence of tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in dental students and to investigate their perceptions on the role of dentists in tobacco cessation activities.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp; A questionnaire-based study was conducted in a public university in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire investigated demographic factors, tobacco use practices, SHS exposure, and student perceptions of tobacco cessation activities. Descriptive statistics and statistical significance of differences between demographic groups were calculated.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;A total of 228 students participated with 43.0% (n=98) males and 57.0% (n=130) females. A proportion of 30.7% (n=70) of the participants smoked tobacco, and these constituted 51 males (73%) and 19 females (27%). Only 39 students (15 females and 24 males) indicated their method of tobacco use, which was mainly cigarettes and waterpipes. One in two students was exposed to SHS. Non-smokers had better awareness of the health hazards of SHS (p&lt;0.001), and were more likely to adopt tobacco cessation activities recommended by dentists (p&lt;0.05).&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp; A substantial proportion of dental students in a very conservative religious area smoke tobacco and are exposed to SHS. Their perceptions of the harms of SHS and attitudes on cessation need improvement. The influence of culture and religion in shaping health risk behaviors in conservative communities needs to be verified

Facial cellulitis revealing choreo-acanthocytosis: A case report

We report a 62 year-old-man with facial cellulitis revealing choreo-acanthocytosis (ChAc). He showed chorea that started 20 years ago. The orofacial dyskinisia with tongue and cheek biting resulted in facial cellulitis. The peripheral blood smear revealed acanthocytosis of 25%. The overall of chorea, orofacial dyskinetic disorder, peripheral neuropathy, disturbed behavior, acanthocytosis and the atrophy of caudate nuclei was suggestive of a diagnosis of ChAc. To our knowledge no similar cases of facial cellulitis revealing choreo-acanthocytosis  (ChAc) were found in a review of the literature.Key words: Choreo-acanthocytosis, facial cellulitis, dyskinetic movement

Structural, Optical, and Renewable Energy-Assisted Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Studies of ZnO, CuZnO, and CoZnO Nanostructures for Wastewater Treatment

Renewable energy can be harnessed from wastewater, whether from municipalities or industries, but this potential is often ignored. The world generates over 900 km3 of wastewater annually, which is typically treated through energy-consuming processes, despite its potential for energy production. Environmental pollution is a most important and serious issue for all and their adulterations to the aquatic system are very toxic in very low concentrations. Photocatalysis is a prominent approach to eliminating risky elements from the environment. The present study developed Zinc oxide (ZnO), Copper-doped Zinc oxide (CuZnO), and Cobalt-doped Zinc oxide (CoZnO) nanostructures (NSs) by facile hydrothermal route. The crystalline and structural stability of the synthesized nanostructures were evident from XRD and FESEM analysis. Metal, and oxygen bond and their interaction on the surfaces and their valency were explored from XPS spectra. Optical orientations and electron movements were revealed from UV-Visible analysis. After 100 min exposure time with 1 g of catalyst concentration 60%, 70%, and 89% of dye degraded, for dye concentration (5 mg/L to 50 mg/L), the huge variation observed (70% to 22%), (80% to 16%), (94% to 10%). The highest photodegradation rate (55%, 75%, 90%) was observed on pH~12 using ZnO, CoZnO, and CuZnO respectively. Photodegradation of methylene blue confirmed the largest surface area, rate of recombination, photo-excited charge carriers, photo-sensitivity range, and radical generations of ZnO, CuZnO, and CoZnO. The present study, therefore, suggested that CuZnO would be preferred to produce nanomaterials for industrial wastewater treatment like methylene

Proliferative effect of the phycotoxin domoic acid on cancer cell lines: a preliminary evaluation

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning. It is produced by algae and accumulates in shellfish. Consumption of these contaminated shellfishes is suspected to produce exceptional health hazards for humans. Effect of DA on cancer cell lines remained unclear. Human endothelial cells EA.hy 927, Human leukaemia K562 cells and monkey kidney Vero cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of DA. Concentrations ranging from 30 to 120 µM of DA and using Neutral Red and MTT assays demonstrated that this neurotoxin undertook promotion of cell proliferation of the three cell lines in a dose-dependent manner in contrast to untreated control cells, after incubation for 72 h. An increase in the percentage of proliferation was induced by a 120 µM of DA. The proliferation of K562 cells is encouraged by DA more than Vero and EA.hy 927 cells. The study highlighted the activity of DA in vitro. This could be taken as reflecting the tumorigenic compound of DA. For establishment of the carcinogenic potential of DA, there is a requirement of further investigations

Evaluation of anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of Pelagia noctiluca venom in Lipopolysaccharide/Interferon-γ stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages

International audienceComponents of Pelagia noctiluca (P. noctiluca) venom were evaluated for their anticancer and nitric Oxide (NO) inhibition activities. Three fractions, out of four, obtained by gel filtration on Sephadex G75 of P. noctiluca venom revealed an important selective anti-proliferative activity on several cell lines such as human bladder carcinoma (RT112), human glioblastoma (U87), and human myelogenous leukemia (K562) but not on mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Interestingly, P. noctiluca components showed an important dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, through inhibition of NO production via transcriptional regulation of Inducible NO Synthase (iNOS), in IFN-γ/LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These data strongly suggest that P. noctiluca venom could be used as a natural inhibitor of cancer cell lines and a potent anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases

Impairment of the cell-to-matrix adhesion and cytotoxicity induced by the Mediterranean jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca venom and its fractions in cultured glioblastoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The biodiversity of the marine environment and the associated chemical diversity constitute a practically unlimited source of new active substances in the field of the development of bioactive products. In our study, we have investigated the efficiency of the venom from the Mediterranean jellyfish, <it>Pelagia noctiluca</it> and its fractions for anti-proliferative and anti-cell adhesion to cell–extracellular matrix activities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our experiments have indicated that the separation of the Mediterranean jellyfish <it>Pelagia noctiluca</it> crude venom extract by sephadex G-75 chromatography led to four fractions (F1, F2, F3, and F4). Among the four fractions F1 and F3 were cytotoxic against U87 cells with IC50 values of 125 and 179 μg/ml respectively. The venom, F1, F2 and F 3 showed significant anti-proliferative activity in time-dependent manner. Our results also suggest that these fractions and the venom are able to inhibit cell adhesion to fibrinogen in dose-dependent manner. This inhibition is reliant on its ability to interact with integrins.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To conclude, we have demonstrated for the first time that <it>Pelagia noctiluca</it> venom and its fractions especially (F1 and F2) display potent anti-tumoral properties. Separation by sephadex G-75 chromatography give rise to more active fractions than the crude venom extract. The purification and the determination of chemical structures of compounds of these active fractions are under investigation. Overall, <it>Pelagia noctiluca</it> venom may has the potential to serve as a template for future anticancer-drug development.</p

Adjunctive systemic antibiotic effect on periodontal state, salivary enzyme activity, and glycemia imbalance in type-2 diabetics after non-surgical periodontal management

ABSTRACTAim: The current study aimed at analyzing the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment accompanied by systemic antibiotics on salivary enzyme activities, periodontal parameters, and glycemic control in type−2 diabetic (T2D) patients with chronic periodontitis.Methods: The study included 125 type−2 diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis who had good glycemic control (T2Dc), 125 type−2 diabetics who had bad glycemic control (T2Dpc). The 125 T2Dpc were divided randomly into two groups. The first one enrolled 63 T2Dpc and received a non-surgical periodontal treatment (T2Dpc + NST). The second group enrolled 62 T2Dpc and received the non-surgical treatment accompanied by systemic antibiotics (T2Dpc+NST+A). HbA1c, periodontal indices, and salivary enzyme activities were assessed for all groups. The Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was assessed. The Salivary alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) activities were measured.Results: The T2Dpc were characterized by the highest probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) periodontal scores, as well as ALP, AST, and ALT enzymatic activities. However, BOP did not differ significantly between T2Dc and T2Dpc. Whereas the rest of clinical parameters PI, GI, and OHI-S did not significantly differ between groups. The Pearson’s analysis revealed three correlations between ALP-PPD, ALP-CAL, and ALP-BOP (bleeding on probing) in both T2Dc and T2Dpc (P < 0.05). Interestingly, a significant decrease in periodontal indices, salivary enzyme activities, and HbA1c was recorded in T2Dpc+NST+A group.Conclusion: The increase in ALP, AST, and ALT activities reflects the impact of uncontrolled T2D on periodontal tissue alteration. The ALP activity increase was associated with the severity of periodontal status in diabetic patients. In comparison to non-surgical treatment alone, the adjunct use of systemic antibiotics improves periodontal state, enzyme activity, and glycemic control