Relative sensitivity of fish and mammalian cells to the antibiotic, trimethoprim: cytotoxic and genotoxic responses as determined by neutral red retention, Comet and micronucleus assays.

Relative cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of a widely used antibiotic, trimethoprim (TRIMP) was evaluated under in vitro conditions using rainbow trout gonad-2 (RTG-2) and Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO-K1) cells. Whilst cytotoxicity was determined using neutral red retention (NRR) assay, the genotoxicity was determined using single cell gel electrophoresis or the Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. For NRR assay, concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect was observed for both the cell lines (estimated EC(50) values: 671.

Engineered cobalt oxide nanoparticles readily enter cells.

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have great potential for applications not only as catalysts or energy storage devices, but also in biomedicine, as contrast enhancement agents for magnetic resonance imaging, or for drug delivery. The same characteristics that make cobalt-based NPs so attractive raise serious questions about their safety. In this context, we investigated Co3O4-NPs.

Gene expression in nanotoxicology research: analysis by differential display in BALB3T3 fibroblasts exposed to cobalt particles and ions.

Broadly defined, nanoscale materials are substances in which at least one critical dimension is less than 100 nm. Nanoscale materials are employed in several industrial applications as well as in biology and medicine. Despite their wide use, very little research has been carried out on the potential toxicity of nanoparticles.

Molecular cloning and expression of alpha2,8-sialyltransferase (ST8Sia I, GD3 Synthase) in Xenopus.

GD3, a minor ganglioside in most normal tissues, is involved in important biological events and its expression could increase in pathological conditions. Organism integrity requires a tight balance between the anabolic and catabolic processes, thus it is important to control the intracellular expression of those "key" enzymes, which act at the "branching point" of ganglioside metabolism; one of these is the GD3-synthase (ST8Sia I). In this paper, we report the sequences of two ST8Sia I mRNAs found in Xenopus laevis and their genomic organization; the canonical form resulted constituted of 5 exons and 4 introns, while the "short" mRNA lacks of the exon 2.

Triadimefon causes branchial arch malformations in Xenopus laevis embryos.

Background, Aims And Scope: Triazole-derivatives are potent antifungal agents used as systemic agricultural fungicides and against fungal diseases in humans and domestic animals. They act by inhibiting the cytochrome P-450 conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol, thus resulting in faulty fungal cell wall synthesis. Some data have been published about the teratogenic activity of triazoles on rodent embryos: Hypoplasias, abnormal shape, agenesis of the branchial arches, for example, were reported as typical induced malformations.

Gene expression in Xenopus laevis embryos after Triadimefon exposure.

The triazole derivative Triadimefon (FON) is a systemic fungicide used to control powdery mildews, rusts, and other fungal pests. Some data have already been published about the teratogenic activity of this compound: craniofacial malformations were found in mouse, rat, and Xenopus laevis embryos exposed to FON. These alterations were correlated to defective branchial arch development possibly caused by abnormal neural crest cell (NCC) migration into the branchial mesenchyme.

Molecular markers for animal biotechnology: sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) HMG-CoA reductase mRNA.

Modern technologies may improve fish production and quality and, at the same time, reduce environmental impact with benefits on the public perception of the industry. To be economically profitable, these modern technologies request an increase of rearing density that, however, could affect fish welfare. With the aim to search for molecular biomarkers to describe fish welfare, we have recently compared gene expression of sea bass farmed at different population densities by differential display obtaining six bands differentially expressed.

Rearing density influences the expression of stress-related genes in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.).

The worldwide decline of ocean fisheries stocks has provided a rapid growth in fish farming and the problems connected to animal welfare in aquaculture gained importance. In this context, we have looked for molecular markers among those genes whose expression could reasonably result modified by the different farming conditions. With this purpose, we have evaluated, in liver and brain of sea basses, grown for 3 months at different biomass density (<10, 80 and 100 kg/m3), the expression of those genes coding for proteins related to stress such as Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs), Metallothioneins (MTs) and Cytochrome P4501A (CYP4501A).

Ising quantum Hall ferromagnet in magnetically doped quantum wells.

We report on the observation of the Ising quantum Hall ferromagnet with Curie temperature T(C) as high as 2 K in a modulation-doped (Cd,Mn)Te heterostructure. In this system field-induced crossing of Landau levels occurs due to the giant spin-splitting effect. Magnetoresistance data, collected over a wide range of temperatures, magnetic fields, tilt angles, and electron densities, are discussed taking into account both Coulomb electron-electron interactions and s-d coupling to Mn spin fluctuations.

[Electroexcision method of treating hemorrhoids in the acute period].

Electroexcision of hemorrhoidal nodes was performed in 71 patients with hemorrhoids in the acute phase complicated with anorectal thrombosis, ulceration and hemorrhage. The stages of surgery are described. Data of coagulograms, expediency of the local durant analgesia in the postoperation period are presented.

[Tumors of the mesentery of the small intestine].

The clinical picture of solid tumors of the intestinal mesentery is varied and depends on the character of growth (benign, malignant), size and anatomical variants of tumor localization in the mesentery. Sometimes, the tumors concerned can induce pseudosyndrome of acute abdomen or inflammation of the adjacent organ secondary involved by tumor. Among complications induced by tumor are as follows: intestinal hemorrhage, peritonitis and acute or partial intestinal obstruction.