Dermal exposure to the herbicide-paraquat results in genotoxic and cytotoxic damage to germ cells in the male rat

The effects of exposure to low doses of paraquat, a herbicide, via the dermal route were studied on the spermatozoa of Sprague-Dawley rats. Paraquat (1, 1&#8217;-dimethyl-4, 4&#8217;-bipyridinium dichloride) was administered once a day for five days, at intervals of 24 h at 0, 6, 15 and 30 mg/kg, and the rats were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 28, and 42 after the last exposure. The sperm suspensions were obtained by mincing the caudae epididymes and ductus deferens for the purpose of performing a sperm morphology test, sperm count and analysis of sperm mortality and sperm motility, as per the standard procedures. The sperm count was decreased (p < 0.05) only on days 7 and 14 but sperm abnormalities increased on all days (p < 0.05). Sperm mortality increased at higher dose-levels (p < 0.05) except on day 42, and motility was affected by 30 mg/kg only on day 42. In conclusion, paraquat is a genotoxic and cytotoxic agent to germ cells in the male rat

Primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma masquerading as lung metastasis: a rare disease with a fatal outcome

Background: Most germ cell tumors eg. choriocarcinomas are located in the gonads, however about 2–5% arise from extragonadal regions, such as the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and central nervous system. Non-gestational choriocarcinoma in mediastinum without a detectable primary in the gonads is termed primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma. Materials and method: Contrast-enhanced whole body computed tomography scan and correlated with tumour markers such as beta human chorionic gonadotropin are used to assess the mediastinal mass. Confirmation of diagnosis was made with image guided biopsy, histopathological examination and special staining. Results: Primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma was confirmed by lack of testicular lesion on ultrasound examination and presence of mediastinal mass with multiple metastatic lesions. Confirmation by CKAE1/AE3 (immunohistochemical study) positive which showed presence of multinucleated epithelial cells. Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is useful tool to diagnose this condition as also provide image guided access for biopsy. In correlation with tumour markers investigation and special immunohistochemical studies can help to clinch the diagnosis

Sol-gel based optically active phenolphthalein encapsulated nanomatrices for sensing application

In this work, synthesis and characterization of phenolphthalein-immobilized titania (T-phph) and silica–titania (ST-phph) nanomatrix is reported. The thin films are deposited by sol–gel method at low temperature. The effect of host–guest chemistry in matrices, on the surface structures, optical and sensing activity of the resultant thin films is studied. The phenolphthalein-immobilized fabricated nanoparticles/nanomatrices are analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic-force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Thermally stable and high surface area homogeneous nanoparticles, containing nanocrystalline anatase phase with low refractive index (1.58), low roughness (5.5 nm), and high transparency (95 %) are obtained for phenolphthalein-immobilized ST-phph nanomatrix. Moreover, smaller nanoparticles (56–121 nm) with good incorporation of dye and good response of sensing are obtained. The sensor response is optimized at pH 12 with 10.1 pKa value at 555 nm. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext