Hydrazonoyl chlorides possess promising antitumor properties.

Aims: the main purpose of this study was to identify new selective antitumor agents.

Main Methods: several hydrazonoyl chlorides (HCs) were synthesized and human tumor cell line viability was determined using the MTT assay. Tumor development was assessed using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice.

Intravenous vs intraperitoneal transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton's jelly in the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs) through either the intravenous or intraperitoneal transplantations into streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats as a therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methodology: A rat model with STZ induction was established and the rats were divided into 3 groups: a tail vein injection group, an intraperitoneal injection group and a STZ control group. Following transplantation, blood glucose levels were monitored weekly then the pancreatic tissues were collected to examine the pancreatic islets by histopathology and morphometric studies.

Caspase-3 and heat shock protein-70 in rat liver treated with aflatoxin B1: effect of melatonin.

In the present study, caspase-3 enzyme activity (apoptotic marker) and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) expression in male rat liver after aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) treatment and the effect of melatonin (MEL) were investigated. Four groups of 20 rats each were used: controls, MEL-treated rats (MEL dose, 5 mg/kg body wt), AFB1-treated rats (50 microg/kg body wt) and MEL+AFB1-treated rats. After 8 weeks of daily treatment, biochemical assays in liver homogenates were done.

Measurement of DNA damage induced by irradiation with gamma-rays from a TRIGA Mark II research reactor in human cells using Fast Micromethod.

The Fast Micromethod is a novel quick and convenient microplate assay for determination of DNA single-strand breaks. This method measures the rate of unwinding of cellular DNA upon exposure to alkaline conditions using a fluorescent dye which preferentially binds to double-stranded DNA. Here we applied this method to determine the levels of DNA single-strand breaks in HeLa cells induced by y-irradiation deriving from fission isotopes and activation products at the TRIGA Mark II research reactor in Mainz.

Toxicological effects of the herbicide oxyfluorfen on acetylcholinesterase in two fish species: Oreochromis niloticus and Gambusia affinis.

The alterations of the AChE activity in the brains of two fresh water fishes; Oreochromis niloticus and Gambusia affinis were measured after exposure to acute, sub-acute and chronic concentrations from the widely used herbicide; oxyfluorfen. Bioassays were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. The used concentrations were acute: LC50 for 6 days, sub-acute 1/3 LC50 for 15 days and chronic 1/10 LC50 for 30 days.