Acute and subacute toxicity of atrazine to carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Investigations of acute and subacute atrazine toxicity in carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were carried out. Acute toxicity was investigated in a semi-static test during a 96-hr exposition. The estimated LC-50 value was 18.8 mg/l. Subacute toxicity was investigated by exposing fish (carp) to different atrazine concentrations (1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/l) for 14 days. Biochemical and histopathological changes in certain organs and tissues were investigated. The results show that atrazine leads to changes of varying intensity depending on the parameter tested, the organs and tissues examined, as well as the atrazine concentration. Biochemical changes were most prominent in the alkaline phosphatase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities whereas the most severe histopathological changes were observed in the gills.     

Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in carp (Cyprinus carpio) liver, spleen, and head kidney following experimental Listeria monocytogenes infection

Infection of carp with Listeria monocytogenes 4b resulted in decreased liver, spleen, and head kidney enzyme activities, involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics. After infection, cytochrome P-450 levels and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity were decreased while conjugation enzymes remained unaffected. The maximum decrease for phase I enzymes occurred on d 3. This loss of monooxygenase levels and activity could not be directly correlated with an increase in the number of organisms, as consistently high bacterial counts were observed in all three organs during infection. The effect of L. monocytogenes infection was also measured in carp exposed to 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA). Cytochrome P-450 levels and EROD activity were significantly reduced, especially on d 3. A significant decreased activity of conjugation enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) was also observed for all days studied. Listeria infection inhibited MCA-induced increases in xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activities. These results indicate that infection may have deleterious effects on basal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase levels. Furthermore, MCA treatment aggravates the insult to xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes by L. monocytogenes infection, by impairing a number of detoxification enzymes. These findings could result in significant changes in the susceptibility of fish to pollutants.     

Effects of chelation on the bioconcentraton of cadmium and copper by carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The performance of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles in detecting liver cancer was compared using alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (AFROC) analysis, which allowed observers to indicate both the confidence level and the locations of all perceived abnormalities. Axial T1-weighted MR images (1.5 T) pre/post Gd-EOB-DTPA (25 mumol/kg) injection were obtained for 12 rats with chemically induced liver tumors (64 tumors). T2-weighted images (T2WI) were obtained pre/post SPIO (10 mumol/kg) injection for the same animal. Liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), tumor-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and histopathologic sections corresponding to MR images were obtained. In AFROC, the location and the confidence level for each tumor were indicated independently on MR images by four radiologists. By plotting true-positive fraction and probability of false-positive per image, the area under the AFROC curve (A1) was estimated and statistically analyzed between each sequence. Either drug significantly improved tumor-liver CNR (P < .001) and tumor detection (diameter < or = 6 mm; P < .05). Gd-EOB-DTPA significantly (P < .05) improved the A1 in T1WI. There was no A1 difference between T2WI + SPIO and T1WI + Gd-EOB-DTPA. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1WI showed the same performance as SPIO-enhanced T2WI in detecting liver tumors.     

Cortisol induces apoptosis in activated B cells, not in other lymphoid cells of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Two-hundred and 31 patients with a newly diagnosed multiple myeloma first seen and admitted to 17 hospitals located in the North-East of Italy between 1987 and 1992, were registered for a prospective study on the course of the disease. Median age was 68 years (range 41-90). Fifty-one per cent were in stage I, 9% in stage II and 40% in stage III. The presenting features and the survival of the 61 (26%) patients who were first admitted to a division of Hematology of a University Hospital (group HEM) were compared with those of the 170 (74%) patients who were referred to 16 divisions of Internal Medicine at General and County Hospitals (group INT). In the latter group, the patients were older (p = 0.002), had a poorer performance status ( p = 0.0001 ), a higher frequency of renal failure (p = 0.006) and anemia (p = 0.02) and higher beta2 microglobulin levels (p = 0.01). Median survival of group HEM patients did not differ significantly from group INT patients, if all stages were considered, but stage II and III patients of group INT had a significantly shorter median survival than advanced stage patients of group HEM (12 vs. 35 months, p = 0.01). If those older than 65 years or with unfavourable prognostic factors at presentation were excluded, prolonged survival of group INT patients was observed and the curves of the two groups did not differ significantly anymore. These results show that the patients recruited by a specialized centre may represent a selected population with better prognostic factors and younger age and this may affect analysis of clinical trials. Participation of minor centres in clinical trials may considerably contribute in improving interpretation of results of therapy in myeloma and be more representative of the entire population.     

Ether lipid composition and molecular species alterations in carp brain (Cyprinus carpio L.) during normoxic temperature acclimation

Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) whole brain was used to investigate the thermal acclimation changes under normoxic conditions of three-subclasses (alkenylacyl-, alkylacyl- and diacyl-subclasses) of choline glycerophospholipids (CGP), ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EGP) and inositol glycerophospholipids (IGP) as well as their acyl chain profiles and molecular species composition. The alkenylacyl subclass of CGP and IGP and the alkylacyl subclass of CGP and EGP varied significantly during summer (25 degrees C) acclimation compared to winter (5 degrees C). The levels of alkenylacyl and alkylacyl-CGP, alkylacyl-EGP and alkenylacyl-IGP were 17.3-, 3.7-, 3.5- and 1.3-fold higher in the summer, respectively, while the alkenylacyl EGP was moderately lower. The levels of diacyl subclasses from CGP and IGP were considerably lower in the summer to compensate for the higher proportion of alkenylacyl and alkylacyl subclasses. Significant changes of ether phospholipids and the reorganization of the molecular species composition of all lipid subclasses may be associated with the "fine tuning" of the physical properties of the cellular membranes in carp brain due to temperature acclimation. The overall acyl chain profile of the three subclasses of carp brain phospholipids showed differences in composition depending upon the subclass of the individual phospholipid. Generally the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) chain composition increased relative to monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) during winter acclimation. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was richer in the winter compared to summer. However, no DHA was found in ether-containing species of IGP from either winter or summer, except for 2% in alkylacyl-IGP during the summer. The above observations suggest that the content of ether phospholipids (alkenylacyl and alkylacyl) as well as the reorganization of the molecular species composition of all phospholipids may serve to maintain a functional fluid-crystalline state to preserve the signaling functions in carp brain.     

Site-specific lead distribution in scales of lead-administered carp (Cyprinus carpio) by non-destructive SR-XRF analysis

By utilizing non-destructive synchrotron radiation-excited X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF), we observed the distribution of lead (Pb) in both ontogenic and regenerating scales of lead-administrated carp, Cyprinus carpio. The fish in the Pb-administered group were fed pellets containing 1 mg/g of Pb at a rate of 1.5% body weight per day for 30 days. In the ontogenic scales, Pb was highly accumulated near the basal edge of the scale and the accumulated amount decreased toward the focus of the scale. On the other hand, in the regenerating scales, high accumulation was observed near the basal edge and the accumulated amount remained high toward the focus. The present results of Pb accumulation correspond well with the region which is calcifying in the ontogenic and regenerating scales, and indicate that the distributions of Pb show when and how long Pb was administered.     

Astroglial architecture of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) brain as revealed by immunohistochemical staining against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)

The present paper is the first comprehensive study on the astroglia of a teleost fish that is based on the immunohistochemical staining of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein, an immunohistochemical marker of astroglia). The ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) and their largest group, the Teleostei, represent a separate pathway of vertebrate evolution. Their brain has a very complex macroscopic structure; several parts either have no equivalents in tetrapods or have a very different shape, e.g., the telencephalon. The results show that the teleost brain has a varied and highly specialized astroglial architecture. The primary system is made up of radial glia, which are of ependymal origin and cover the pial surface with endfeet. The tendency is, however, that the more caudal a brain area is, the less regular is the radial arrangement. A typical radial glia dominates some parts of the diencephalon (median eminence, lobus inferior and habenula) and the telencephalon. In the rest of the diencephalon and in the mesencephalon, the course of the glial fibers is modified by brain tracts. The most specialized areas of the teleost brain, the optic tectum and the cerebellum, display elaborate variations of the original radial system, which is adapted to their layered organization. In the cerebellum, an equivalent of the Bergmannglia can be found, although its fiber arrangement shows meaningful differences from that of mammals or birds. In the lower brain stem radial glia are confined to fibers separating the brain tracts and forming the midline raphe. A dense ependymoglial plexus covers the inner surface of the tectum and the bottom of the rhombencephalic ventricle, intruding into the vagal and facial lobes. The structure and the position of the rhombencephalic plexus suggest that it corresponds to a circumventricular organ that entirely occupies the bottom of the ventricle. Perivascular glia show an unusual form as they consist of long fibers running along the blood vessels. In the large brain tracts long glial fibers run parallel with the course of the neural fibers. At least in the diencephalon, these glial fibers seem to be modified radial fibers. Real astrocytes (i.e., stellate-shaped cells) can be found only in the brain stem and even there only rarely. The glial specialization in the various areas of the teleost brain seems to be more elaborate than that found either in amphibia or in reptiles.     

Hatching of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) embryos stored at 4 and -2 degrees C in different concentrations of methanol and sucrose

The hatching performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) embryos was examined after 12-72-h storage at 4 and -2 degrees C using different concentrations of sucrose (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M or 3.42, 8.55, 17.10 and 34.2%), methanol (MeOH) (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 M or 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, 6.4, 8.0, 9.6 and 11.2%), or varying concentrations of methanol in 0.5 M (17.10%) sucrose. For sucrose, 0.5 M (17.10%) showed the maximum survival (41+/-1% (12 h) to 11+/-1.5% (72 h)) at 4 degrees C. No survival was observed at -2 degrees C with any concentration of sucrose. At both temperatures employed, hatching was higher with mixed combination of methanol (1.5 M or 4.8%) and 0.5 M (17.10%) sucrose (4 degrees C: 41+/-1.5% (12 h), 38+/-1.2% (72 h); -2 degrees C: 33+/-1.7% (12 h), 28+/-1.2% (72 h)) compared to methanol alone (4 degrees C: 38+/-1.5% (12 h), 35+/-2.5% (72 h); -2 degrees C: 31+/-2.5% (12 h), 25+/-2% (72 h)). The combination of 1.5 M (4.8%) methanol and 0.5 M (17.10%) sucrose produced the best results among all the concentrations tested at both temperatures.     

Cloning, characterization, and expression in Escherichia coli of three creatine kinase muscle isoenzyme cDNAs from carp (Cyprinus carpio) striated muscle

In vertebrates, the creatine kinase isoenzyme family consists of four types of isoforms: cytosolic muscle type (M-CK), cytosolic brain type (B-CK), mitochondrial ubiquitous, acidic type (Miu-CK), and mitochondrial sarcomeric, basic type (Mis-CK). Until recently, the existence of more than one subisoform of CK isoenzyme has been demonstrated only in fishes by starch gel electrophoresis. We report herein the isolation of three full-length cDNAs that correspond to three closely related creatine kinase M-CK genes from common carp (Cyprinus carpio), designated the M1-CK, M2-CK, and M3-CK genes. Using oligonucleotide probes that correspond to the same region but with the most variable sequences, different restricted genomic hybridization patterns have been obtained. These Southern blot results indicate that the three cDNAs come from different genes. Northern blot analysis using probes that correspond to the 3'-untranslated regions further show that all three subisoforms are expressed specifically in carp muscle. The deduced amino acid sequences of these three subisoforms of carp M-CK show about 85% identity to mammalian M-CK isoenzyme. Finally, the three cDNAs have been expressed in Escherichia coli with a molecular mass of approximately 43,000 Da, and these recombinant proteins exhibit creatine kinase activity. All of these data suggest that the M-CK isoenzymes have at least three subisoforms in carp.     

Lack of effect of methenamine in suppression of, or prophylaxis against, chronic urinary infection

Methenamine is frequently prescribed for patients who have chronic urinary infection to suppress bacterial growth during active infection or to prevent recurrence once an infection has been brought under control. We have examined the effect of methenamine mandelate and ascorbic acid on bacteriuria in para- and quadriplegics from a spinal cord unit. Patients with indwelling urinary catheters and those on a program of intermittent catheterization were included. No suppressive or prophylactic effect of this regimen was observed in any of our patients. Methenamine does not appear to be an effective antimicrobial agent in subjects who have an indwelling urinary catheter or in patients with spinal cord injury who are on intermittent catheterization. Since there appears to be reason to question the efficacy of methenamine in situations in which it is usually prescribed, evidence should be sought for a therapeutic effect in other cases. If no benefit is observed, the drug should not be used.     

The effect of SDS, sodium dodecyl sulfate, on the metabolism and swimming capacity of Cyprinus carpio

Currently, diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hyperkinetic disorder (HKD) are made on the basis of phenomenology, but information is accumulating from the neurosciences about the biological bases of these disorders. Recent studies addressing the neuropsychology, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and molecular biology of ADHD/HKD document abnormalities in well-defined neuroanatomical networks and neurochemical pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that some regions of the frontal lobes (anterior superior and inferior) and basal ganglia (caudate nucleus and globus pallidus) are about 10% smaller in ADHD groups than in control groups of children, and molecular genetic studies have shown that diagnosis of ADHD is associated with polymorphisms in some dopamine genes (the dopamine D4 receptor gene and the dopamine transporter gene).     

Protective effect of D-glucaro-delta-lactam against amino-glycoside-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

The nephrotoxicity of rats caused by dibekacin (3',4'-dideoxykanamycin B) or kanamycin with or without dextran was effectively reduced by D-glucaro-delta-lactam potassium salt, as evidenced by lower levels of blood urea nitrogen and kidney edema rate, better excretion of antibiotics,and less morphological damage. Protection was dosage related, and potentiated with increasing doses, but only when the two drugs were given simultaneously. Among three alkali-metal salts examined, the potassium salt was almost equal to the lithium salt, but surpassed the sodium salt in effectiveness. Inorganic salts, in particular potassium chloride were found to be effective for the protection of normal rats, but their effect decreased for the dehydrated rats, especially in the presence of dextran.     

Protective effect of clentiazem against epinephrine-induced cardiac injury in rats

We investigated the effects of clentiazem, a 1,5-benzothiazepine calcium antagonist, on epinephrine-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. With 2-week chronic epinephrine infusion, 16 of 30 rats died within 4 days, and severe ischemic lesions and fibrosis of the left ventricles were observed. In epinephrine-treated rats, left atrial and left ventricular papillary muscle contractile responses to isoproterenol were reduced, but responses to calcium were normal or enhanced compared to controls. Left ventricular alpha and beta adrenoceptor densities were also reduced compared to controls. Treatment with clentiazem prevented epinephrine-induced death (P < .05), and attenuated the ventricular ischemic lesions and fibrosis, in a dose-dependent manner. Left atrial and left ventricular papillary muscle contractile responses to isoproterenol were reduced compared to controls in groups treated with clentiazem alone, but combined with epinephrine, clentiazem restored left atrial responses and enhanced left ventricular papillary responses to isoproterenol. On the other hand clentiazem did not prevent epinephrine-induced down-regulation of alpha and beta adrenoceptors. Interestingly, clentiazem, infused alone, resulted in decreased adrenergic receptor densities in the left ventricle. Clentiazem also did not prevent the enhanced responses to calcium seen in the epinephrine-treated animals, although the high dose of clentiazem partially attenuated the maximal response to calcium compared to epinephrine-treated animals. In conclusion, clentiazem attenuated epinephrine-induced cardiac injury, possibly through its effect on the adrenergic pathway.     

Detection of micronuclei in peripheral erythrocytes of Cyprinus carpio exposed to metallic mercury

OBJECTIVE: Because of the implication of histamine in canine atopic dermatitis, H1-antihistamines may provide a valid alternative to glucocorticoid therapy. In vitro study of these drugs prior to clinical testing can allow the most promising compounds to be selected for trials and render trials with drugs of doubtful efficacy unnecessary. SAMPLE POPULATION: Isolated canine cutaneous mast cells. PROCEDURE: Cells were preincubated with antihistamines at increasing concentrations and incubated with concanavalin A (1,000 micrograms/ml), calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM), and substance P (100 microM). Compound 48/80 was not used because it proved to be cytotoxic. RESULTS: Generally, significant prodegranulating effect was not observed for most of the studied agents. Only terfenadine increased spontaneous histamine release at concentrations > 30 microM. Cetirizine did not block histamine release at any of the studied concentrations. Ketotifen had a low inhibitory effect only at the highest concentration (100 microM) after concanavalin A- (23.6 +/- 2.8%) and calcium ionophore A23187- (29.8 +/- 3.0%) induced release. Terfenadine caused a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect after ionophore A23187- (48.1 +/- 2.2%) and concanavalin A- (28.9 +/- 2.3%) activation, but was inactive against substance P-induced release. In contrast, loratadine had potent dose-dependent inhibition of concanavalin A- and ionophore A23187-induced histamine release, with maximal effect of 85.6 +/- 3.1% and 62.6 +/- 4.7%, respectively, at 100 microM concentration. After substance P activation, histamine release was only slightly inhibited by loratadine (14.8 +/- 1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the behavior of isolated canine cutaneous mast cells in the presence of nonimmunologic stimulation. Using this in vitro method, we were able to determine that loratadine is the only antihistamine that has potent inhibition of histamine release from dog cutaneous mast cells without a substantial prodegranulating effect. Loratadine is, therefore, a good candidate for clinical testing.