The effect of nonylphenol exposure on the stimulation of melanomacrophage centers, estrogen and testosterone level, and ERα gene expression in goldfish.

The present study tried to measure the formation of melanomacrophage centers (MMCs) in various organs of male and female goldfish exposed to nonylphenol (NP) and aimed to assess its relationship with the main sexual hormones, estrogen receptor expression, and the pigment content of the MMCs. Immature goldfish were exposed to 10 and 10 M NP for 25 days. After obtaining blood for measuring testosterone and estrogen (E2) levels, tissue samples were collected from various organs for histological studies, quantifying pigments using ImageJ software and chemical analysis, and measuring ERα gene expression.

Common features of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite the availability of novel therapeutic approaches, TB is considered as one of the leading causes of death due to infectious diseases worldwide. Alveolar macrophages are the first line of defense against M.

Impact of Pharmaceutical Impurities in Ecstasy Tablets: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Study.

In this study, a simple and reliable method by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed for the fast and regular identification of 3, 4-MDMA impurities in ecstasy tablets. In so doing, 8 samples of impurities were extracted by diethyl ether under alkaline condition and then analyzed by GC-MS. The results revealed high MDMA levels ranging from 37.

UV-vis spectrophotometric determination of trinitrotoluene (TNT) with trioctylmethylammonium chloride as ion pair assisted and disperser agent after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.

In the present study, a simple, fast and inexpensive method based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) prior to microvolume UV-vis spectrophotometry was developed for the preconcentration and determination of trinitrotoluene (TNT). The procedure is based on the color reaction of TNT in alkaline medium and extraction into CCl4 as an ion pair assisted by trioctylmethylammonium chloride, which also acts as a disperser agent. Experimental parameters affecting the DLLME method such as pH, concentration of sodium hydroxide, amount of trioctylmethylammonium chloride, type and volume of extraction solvent were investigated and optimized.

Wound healing potential of topical amlodipine in full thickness wound of rabbit.

Background: Wound healing is a complicated and integrated process. Researches have indicated the wound healing effects of calcium channel blockers in animal models in recent years.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound-healing activity of amlodipine as a calcium channel blocker and combination of amlodipine with phenytoin on excisional cutaneous wound models in rabbit.

Mercury distribution in contaminated surface sediments from four estuaries, Khuzestan shore, north part of Persian Gulf.

The distribution of mercury in surface sediment from four estuaries along the Khuzestan shore, north part of Persian Gulf, was measured. The concentration of mercury varied among sampling stations (p < 0.05).

Variations of physiological and innate immunological responses in goldfish (Carassius auratus) subjected to recurrent acute stress.

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of repeated acute stress on the physiological status and non-specific immune response of goldfish, Carassius auratus. The acute stress was a succession of a 3 min-chasing period followed by a 2 min-air exposure. The goldfish in triplicate tanks were subjected 3 times daily to this stress for one (S3) or three (S9) days.

The effect of primary producers of experimental aquatic food chains on mercury and PCB153 biomagnification.

The biomagnification of mercury and PCB153 was studied in experimental aquatic food chains involving three species of phytoplankton, one species of zooplankton and one species of fish. The phytoplankton species Ceratium furca, Ceratium tripos and Chaetoceros brevis were exposed to 0, 0.2, 0.

Distribution of metals in the tissues of benthic, Euryglossa orientalis and Cynoglossus arel., and bentho-pelagic, Johnius belangerii., fish from three estuaries, Persian Gulf.

Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn were determined in the muscle, liver and gills of three commercial benthic and pelagic fish species (Johnius belangerii, Euryglossa orientalis and Cynoglossus arel) from three estuaries in the northwest Persian Gulf. Metals levels varied significantly depending on the tissues, species and locations. Generally, the results showed that liver accumulate higher concentrations of the metals in comparison to muscle and gills, except in few cases.

Application of biotic indices in assessing the ecological quality status of Bahrekan estuary (Persian Gulf).

The aim of present study was to examine the macro invertebrates as an assessment tool for characterization of the state of Bahrekan estuary in Persian Gulf, by using different biotic indices. An investigation on benthos was carried out during autumn 2008 to summer 2009 in the Bahrekan estuary (Persian Gulf). In order to identify and assess the benthic community structure, seasonal sampling was done from 21 stations with three replicates using van veen grab (.

Morphology of the zoeal stages of Hexapus sexpes fabricius, 1798 (decapoda, brachyura, hexapodidae) reared in the laboratory.

Abstract: The present information is based on the study of the zoeal stages of Hexapus sexpes. A single ovigerous female of Hexapus sexpes was collected from the North West Persian Gulf (29 degrees 56'14"S, 49 degrees 0288"W) in April 2009. Female was maintained in aquarium containing natural sea water at 25 degrees C until the eggs hatched.

Applying Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity in a soft bottom ecosystem in North of the Persian Gulf.

In this study, the Chesapeake Bay Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) was selected in an attempt to describe ecological health of soft bottom channels (Khowr-e Musa) in North of the Persian Gulf. Most of study area was found to be in degraded or severely degraded conditions. B-IBI scores were ranged between 1 and 3.

First record of sponge distribution in the Persian Gulf, (Hengam Island, Iran).

The present study is a first attempt to examine sponge distribution in the Persian Gulf (Iranian costs) and suggests that physical and biological factors influence the sponge distribution patterns in Hengam Island. The purpose of this study is to provide patterns of sponges distribution and depth influence on sponge abundance and biomass on the Hengam Island. Surveys of sponge distribution were conducted June 2006 and February 2007 at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m depths sites in two locations: East and West of the Hengam island.

Evaluation of metallothionein expression as a biomarker of mercury exposure in Scatophagus argus.

The effect of mercury exposure to total Metallothionein (MT) response and bioaccumulation under control and acute mercury exposure were investigated in scats (Scatophagus argus). Scats were exposed to different mercury concentrations (10, 20 and 30 microg Hg L(-1)) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Total MT levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.