Impact of nickel (Ni) on hematological parameters and behavioral changes in Cyprinus carpio (common carp)

The effect of nickel on hematological parameters and behaviour in Cyprinus carpio after a 96 h exposure to nickel test was investigated. Cyprinus carpio fingerlings were obtained from local fish hatchery. Morphometric characteristics of experimental fish were recorded. Fish of both sexes were stocked without discrimination. The fish were exposed to different concentrations (0, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 mg/l) of nickel sulphate using standard screening procedure. The mortality rate of the experimental fish was increased with increase in concentration of nickel. The 96 h median lethal concentration (96 h LC50) was 12.44 mg Ni/L using the logarithmic method with dose-mortality regression line y = 188.224x – 86.52. The dissolved oxygen concentration decreased with increase in the level of Ni. All the blood parameters (erythrocyte, leucocytes, hematocrit and hemoglobin count) decreased with increasing dose of nickel and become significantly lower (P < 0.05) at higher concentration when compared with the control. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were also lowered with concentration of toxicant when compared with the control. The results of the present study showed that a short-term exposures to high levels of nickel induced stress reactions in C. carpio. Some adaptive changes were observed; preparing the organism to an increased energy expense, whereas other changes showed a considerable immunosuppressive effect of stress. It was concluded that changes observed indicate that hematological parameters can be used as an indicator of Ni stress in C. carpio.Key words: Cyprinus carpio, nickel, bioaccumulation, mortality, haematology, behaviou

Awareness of hypertension guidelines among family physicians in primary health care

Background: Only 14% of patients on treatment achieve the recommended blood pressure target. Guidelines aim to assist clinicians in the management of patients with hypertension.Objectives: The primary purpose of the study was to survey family physicians(FPs) in Kuwait about their awareness, and to understand better their reasons for not implementing specific guidance within the WHO/ISH guidelines.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey that was carried out in the five health regions of Kuwait. All PHC physicians who were currently working as FPs were asked to participate in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire of clinically oriented questions formulated on the basis of the 1999 World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH), as standard reference.Results: The study revealed that 49.1% and 42.1% of FPs were very familiar or somewhat familiar with the guidelines respectively, 92.1% were in agreement, and 79.8% indicated that they always or usually follow these guidelines when treating patients. Regarding the correct choice of the guideline statements, only 8.8% of the FPs choose correctly less than ten of the 20 statements, 64% choose 10 to less than 15, and only 27.2% choose > 15 statements. When asked about perceived patient barriers to blood pressure control, 84.0% of the respondents ranked overcrowded clinics as important or most important barrier to blood pressure control while, 87.4% considered lack of patient knowledge as important or most important barrier. Non availability of the drugs in the clinic was considered by 88.4% of the physicians, and poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs by 90.1%.Conclusion: There is a need to establish nationwide educational and quality monitoring programs to facilitate the correct implementation of hypertension guidelines in PHC clinical practices in Kuwait.Keywords:  Family physicians; Awareness; Hypertension; Guideline

Attenuation of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) Signaling Induces Granulosa Cell Sensitivity to Gonadotropins in Female Mouse

Several lines of evidence support the notion that Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and gonadotropic hormones are major regulators of ovarian follicle development by inducing gonadotropin-mediated steroid hormone production and regulating ovarian follicle cell proliferation. Research from our laboratory and elsewhere have demonstrated that BMPs play important roles during the early stages of folliculogenesis. Despite the extensive research to reveal the mechanism of interaction between BMPs and gonadotropic hormones in the process of folliculogenesis, the exact mechanism of such an interaction is not adequately understood. Previously, we developed a unique mouse model characterized by a short-term attenuation of the BMP signaling system using passive immunization against bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B). This model unequivocally demonstrated that the attenuation of BMP action was an effective method of enhancing fertility reserve and promoting follicle and ovulation rates in female mice. In addition, this study pointed to the possibility of bi-directional mutual regulation between BMPs, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). To gain further insight into this mechanism we used this mouse model to examine the protein expression and mRNA level of BMPR1B, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) and Luteinizing Hormone/Choriogonadotropin Receptor (LHCGR) in multiple stages of follicle development in female mice. Immunofluorescent analysis of female mice treated with anti-BMPR1B antibodies showed a significant upregulation of BMPR1B, FSHR, and LHCGR in the ovarian granulosa cells during the main stages of follicle development, whereas treatment with anti-BMP4 antibodies showed no effect. In addition, attenuation of BMPR1B resulted in upregulation of the FSHR (exclusively expressed in the granulosa cell) and LHCGR mRNA levels in the ovary. The present study implies that BMPs engage indirectly in regulating the later stages of folliculogenesis, in addition to their direct role in the regulation of the early stages of follicle development, by enhancing granulosa cell sensitivity to gonadotropins through upregulating the receptor expression. We propose that our mouse model is siutable to elucidate the mechanism of interaction between BMPs and gonadotropins in folliculogenesis