Histopathological changes induced by paraquat on some tissues of gourami fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Paraquat is a contact and non-selective herbicide which is used for controlling a wide range of terrestrial weeds and aquatic plants. A long-term contact with this xenobiotic can potentially lead to injuries in fishes as live non-target organisms. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of sub-lethal toxicity of paraquat on the pathology of gill, liver, and spleen tissues in gourami fish (Trichogaster trichopterus). In this study, sub-lethal concentration is determined based on lethal concentration (LC50 : 7.16±0.69, 4.46±0.43, 2.19±0.27 and 1.41±0.17 mg/l of paraquat within 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively). The experiment was done with four varied concentrations of paraquat (0.0, 0.07, 0.15, and 0.3 mg/l equal 0.0%, 5%, 10% and 20% of nominal value of 96 h LC50) during 3 weeks. The exposed fish displayed erratic swimming and became lethargic. The changes in gills were characterized by hypertrophy, epithelial, epithelium increase of gill filament, edema and secondary gill lamella. The liver showed hypotrophy of liver cells, cloudy swelling and formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in the liver tissue of fish treated with 0.15 and 0.3 mg/l concentrations of paraquat. Disorder in the ellipsoid cell and hemosiderin accumulation in melano-macrophage centers was observed in the spleen tissue of fish exposed to 0.15 and 0.3 mg/l of paraquat

Effects of sub-lethal concentrations of Euphorbia turcomanica extract on some liver biochemical parameters of Zebra Aphanius (Aphanius dispar)

In the present study, effects of sub-lethal concentrations of Euphorbia turcomanica extract with ranging from 0.00, 0.0055 (5% of LC50), 0.011 (10% of LC50) and 0.022 (20% of LC50) g/lit were investigated over 30 days on biochemical parameters of Zebra Aphanius (Aphanius dispar). The average (±SE) 24, 48, 72 and 96 LC50 rates of E. turcomanica on fish were 0.28±0.14, 0.19±0.06, 0.14±0.03 and 0.11±0.02 g/lit, respectively. The biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in the liver tissue were measured after 15 and 30 days. Significant changes in AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and CK activities were observed in fish exposed to different concentrations of E. turcomanica extract when compared with control group. The significant increase was determined in AST, LDH and ALP while in ALT and CK, significant decrease was revealed. Also in liver total protein, a significant descending trend related to exposure time was demonstrated. In conclusion, the findings from this study provide basic information about toxicity of E. turcomanica extract on Zabra Aphanius, as well as developing guidelines for evaluating the effects of administration of E. turcomanica derivatives in water

Occupational Health Practices Among Dental Care Professionals Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial burden on dental care professionals. While dentistry is known as one of the most exposed and high-risk professions, dental care professionals are indeed at even greater risk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, occupational health practices, personal protective equipment usage, and mental stressors during COVID-19 pandemic among dental care professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental care professionals who were subscribers to a dental hygiene journal using a self-administered online survey (n = 1047 respondents). Cross-tabulations were performed to determine differences in the responses to the statements related to different domains. RESULTS: COVID-19 impacted the healthy work-life balance (p \u3c  0.001) and caused sleeping difficulty among the respondents (p \u3c  0.001). Moreover, a lower response on changing respirators and gloves for each patient compared with before viral pandemic was observed (p \u3c  0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing training on infection control, occupational health practices, and PPE usage can prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among dental care professionals and the public. Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a burden for applying occupational health practices in dental clinics and present a risk to the public. COVID-19 may contribute to developing psychological stress and disrupt healthy work-life balance among dental professionals

Evaluation of pre-clinical safety and toxicology of Althaea officinalis extracts as naturopathic medicine for common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The current study was done to investigate the preclinical safety and toxicology of Althaea officinalis extract as naturopathic medicine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Specimens were treated with 0 (control), 2.5, 5 and 10 g of marshmallow extract for 45 days. Plasma biochemical parameters were measured after 15 and 45 days. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels (p0.05). During the experimental period, triglyceride levels noticeably decreased in fish fed with 2.5 g of A. officinalis extract (p<0.05). Although, administration of marshmallow extract up to 5 g per kg of feed did not show any side effect on fishes, the use of the A. officinalis extract (10 g) led to cytotoxicity and modifications in blood biochemical parameters of fish. Therefore, we recommend the use of the lower concentrations than 10 g A. officinalis extract in prospective clinical studies

Protective effects of vitamin C and chitosan on blood biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to paraquat

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin C and chitosan on blood biochemical parameters of common carp which are exposed to paraquat. Fish were fed enriched diet with chitosan (1000 mg Kg-1 feed), Vitamin C (1000 mg Kg-1 feed) and vitamin C combined with chitosan and were simultaneously exposed to 0.02 mg L-1 paraquat for 21 days. The results of this study showed that paraquat significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and significantly increased glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine levels as compared with control group (p0.05). Although administration of vitamin C or chitosan (alone) prevented changes in certain blood biochemical parameters in fish exposed to paraquat, the results showed that antioxidant properties of vitamin C are more than chitosan. However, administration of vitamin C and chitosan complex may prevent oxidative stress and inhibit changes in blood biochemical parameters in fish exposed to paraquat

Microplastic in angling baits as a cryptic source of contamination in European freshwaters.

High environmental microplastic pollution, and its largely unquantified impacts on organisms, are driving studies to assess their potential entry pathways into freshwaters. Recreational angling, where many anglers release manufactured baits into freshwater ecosystems, is a widespread activity with important socio-economic implications in Europe. It also represents a potential microplastic pathway into freshwaters that has yet to be quantified. Correspondingly, we analysed three different categories of industrially-produced baits ('groundbait', 'boilies' and 'pellets') for their microplastic contamination (particles 700 µm to 5 mm). From 160 samples, 28 microplastics were identified in groundbait and boilies, with a mean concentration of 17.4 (± 48.1 SD) MP kg-1 and 6.78 (± 29.8 SD) mg kg-1, yet no microplastics within this size range were recorded in the pellets. Microplastic concentrations significantly differed between bait categories and companies, but microplastic characteristics did not vary. There was no correlation between microplastic contamination and the number of bait ingredients, but it was positively correlated with C:N ratio, indicating a higher contamination in baits with higher proportion of plant-based ingredients. We thus reveal that bait microplastics introduced accidentally during manufacturing and/or those originating from contaminated raw ingredients might be transferred into freshwaters. However, further studies are needed to quantify the relative importance of this cryptic source of contamination and how it influences microplastic levels in wild fish