Evaluation of cadmium toxicity and its association with iron on the gonads of female rats

Cadmium has been identified as one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Several studies on heavy metals focus on individual metals neglecting the fact that they occur in association with other metals in the environment, a situation that can affect the toxic capacity of each metal. The current study was therefore designed to examine the possible influence of iron (Fe) on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the gonad of female rats. Twenty adult female albino rats used in this study were divided into four groups. The groups were designated as group A-control (rats administered Cd-free water), group B rats were exposed to Cd-tainted water, group C rats were exposed to Fe-tainted water and group D rats were exposed to combined Cd+Fe tainted water. The treatments were done daily for four weeks. At the end of 4 weeks of exposure, there was significant increase in ovary CAT activity of rats exposed to Cd+Fe when compared to the control. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level in ovary of rats exposed to Fe only was significantly increased (p≤0.05) relative to the control. Similarly, there was a significant increase in serum cholesterol level of rats exposed to Cd+Fe simultaneously when compared to the Cd only and Fe only treated groups. The levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were significantly increased (p≤0.05) in sera of rats exposed to Cd only, Fe only and Cd+Fe when compared to the control. The levels of estradiol were significantly decreased in all the treated groups relative to control. The level of testosterone was significantly increased (p≤0.05) in Cd+Fe group relative to the control. Histological study revealed atretic and disintegrating follicles in ovary of rats exposed to Cd only and combined Cd+Fe. The results from this study suggest that cadmium only as well as combined cadmium and iron are responsible for the biochemical changes induced in the ovary. The presence of Cd caused oxidative stress in the ovary and an imbalance in serum levels of the reproductive hormones analyzed. Since Cd only was able to cause the changes observed and similar changes was also observed in presence of iron, it can therefore be suggested that Cd is responsible for the changes since iron was unable to ameliorate its effect. Findings from histological examination of the ovaries that there was profound disintegration with follicular damage appear to corroborate the biochemical observation made in this study. In conclusion, it appears that cadmium in the presence of iron can still exhibit its gonadal toxicity without antagonism or synergism with iron as shown in the rats exposed via water

Towards the Development of a Time-Out Multiple C-R CAPTCHA Framework Using Integrated Mathematical Modeling

The internet has suffered from large forms of insecurity ranging from scamming, hacking and theft of information. Lately the use of CAPTCHAs has become a common security tool for authentication and authorization. However CAPTCHAS has suffered from certain vulnerabilities in the context of the simplicity offered by the challenge-response scenario and its timing which leaves room for improvement. This paper proposes a Time-Out Multiple Challenge-Response (C-R) CAPTCHA Framework that Utilizes Mathematical Modelling as a basis for overcoming some of the challenges faced by current CAPTCHA Systems. Our approach ensures security during the authorization and authentication process

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage

The effect of aqueous ethanol (1:1) extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage was investigated. Oral administration of the extract following a single CCl4 dose promoted the healing of oxidative liver damage as determined by serum aminotransferases, ALT, AST, levels and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. It appeared from the study that the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa enhances the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl4.Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Liver damage

Systematic review with meta‐analysis: race‐specific effects of alcohol and tobacco on the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100284/1/apt12514.pd

Structural dynamics of microbial communities in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated tropical estuarine sediments undergoing simulated aerobic biotreatment

Coastal sediments contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be candidates for remediation via an approach like land farming. Land farming converts naturally anaerobic sediments to aerobic environments, and the response of microbial communities, in terms of community structure alterations and corresponding effects on biodegradative activities, is unknown. A key goal of this study was to determine if different sediments exhibited common patterns in microbial community responses that might serve as indicators of PAH biodegradation. Sediments from three stations in the Lagos Lagoon (Nigeria) were used in microcosms, which were spiked with a mixture of four PAH, then examined for PAH biodegradation and for shifts in microbial community structure by analysis of diversity in PAH degradation genes and Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. PAH biodegradation was similar in all sediments, yet each exhibited unique microbiological responses and there were no microbial indicators of PAH bioremediation common to all sediments

Environmental Susceptibility and Resistance to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19): A Review

It is believed that certain environmental factors modulate coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). This review outlines the role of environmental factors in COVID-19 infectivity, spread, and severity. Relevant articles were retrieved from Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and Scopus, then pooled and duplicates removed with EndNote software. Available information reveals that temperature, relative humidity (RH), sunlight, pollutants, and population density modulate COVID-19 infectivity and pathogenicity. COVID-19 spread is promoted by low temperature (< 25 °C) and RH (< 40%), whereas it is inhibited by high temperature (> 25 °C) and RH (> 40%). Sunlight exposure alters the virus’s genetic material and boosts the host’s immune function by raising serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitanim D), reducing the virus’s viability and replication. Prolonged indoor stays with poor ventilation cause re-breathing of the air and increase carbon dioxide concentration, particularly in crowded rooms, predisposing to COVID-19. Pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulphur dioxide, may overexpress the virus’s receptor called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), thereby increasing the virus’s infectivity. Pollutants may also induce inflammation of the respiratory tract, weakening the immune function and thereby increasing susceptibility to COVID-19. High population density increases body contact and thus susceptibility to the virus. To stem the incidence and mortality of COVID-19, the mentioned environmental factors must be kept at healthy levels

A common founding clone with TP53 and PTEN mutations gives rise to a concurrent germ cell tumor and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

We report the findings from a patient who presented with a concurrent mediastinal germ cell tumor (GCT) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bone marrow pathology was consistent with a diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AML M7), and biopsy of an anterior mediastinal mass was consistent with a nonseminomatous GCT. Prior studies have described associations between hematological malignancies, including AML M7 and nonseminomatous GCTs, and it was recently suggested that a common founding clone initiated both cancers. We performed enhanced exome sequencing on the GCT and the AML M7 from our patient to define the clonal relationship between the two cancers. We found that both samples contained somatic mutations in PTEN (C136R missense) and TP53 (R213 frameshift). The mutations in PTEN and TP53 were present at ∼100% variant allele frequency (VAF) in both tumors. In addition, we detected and validated five other shared somatic mutations. The copy-number analysis of the AML exome data revealed an amplification of Chromosome 12p. We also identified a heterozygous germline variant in FANCA (S858R), which is known to be associated with Fanconi anemia but is of uncertain significance here. In summary, our data not only support a common founding clone for these cancers but also suggest that a specific set of distinct genomic alterations (in PTEN and TP53) underlies the rare association between GCT and AML. This association is likely linked to the treatment resistance and extremely poor outcome of these patients. We cannot resolve the clonal evolution of these tumors given limitations of our data

A case of acute myeloid leukemia with promyelocytic features characterized by expression of a novel RARG-CPSF6 fusion

Key Points Novel RARG-CPSF6 fusion in an AML case with promyelocytic features and no evidence of PML-RARA or X-RARA fusion. Gene fusions involving RARG can initiate AML with promyelocytic morphological features.</jats:p

Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures by Rhodococcus Pyridinivorans FF2 and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa F4b Isolated from Sediments of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are widespread environmental pollutants that need urgent attention because of their toxicity. Development of microbial inoculants for PAH bioremediation is a potential avenue by which the environmental hazards posed by PAH can be addressed. The goal of the study was to determine if using PAH mixtures, rather than single PAH, as enrichment substrates would yield isolates that have superior PAH degradation abilities and/or are retrieve novel taxa from the PAH-contaminated sediments of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. The use of a quaternary mixture of PAH (pyrene, fluoranthene, fluorene, benz[a ]anthracene) was successful in yielding two isolates, Pseudomanas aeruginosa strain F4b and Rhodococcus pyridinivorans strain FF2 with capabilities to grow on multiple PAH, and thus potentially useful in bioremediation. In addition to the PAH degraded both isolates could grow on a wide range of other hydrocarbon substrates. The isolates of P. aeruginosa and R. pyridinivorans were identified as possessing PAH ringhydroxylating dioxygenases of the nahAC and narAa genotypes, respectively. The present study extends our knowledge of PAH biodegradation by P. aeruginosa and is the first report of PAH biodegradation by R. pyridinivorans. The capability of the R. pyridinivorans isolate to effectively degrade a highly toxic PAH, benz[a]anthracene, has particular importance for use in bioremediation