NNC55-0396 Reduces SH-SY5Y Cell Damage Induced by Bupivacaine Hydrochloride

Background Local anesthetic neurotoxicity is a common complication in clinical anesthesia, which can cause permanent nerve damage in severe cases. The T-type calcium channel is an important channel for regulating the excitability of neurons. Normally, extracellular calcium ions enter the cell through the T-type calcium channel to change the excitability of neurons. When the intracellular calcium is overloaded, it can cause cell damage. Aims To investigated the roles of T-type calcium channel in the SH-SY5Y cells injury induced by the bupivacaine. Methods The SH-SY5Y cell culture model was used to observe the effect of T-type calcium channel blocker NNC55-0396 on the neurotoxicity of bupivacaine hydrochloride by MTT methold,flow cytometry, Western blotting and other methods. Results The results show that NNC55-0396 can block the T-type calcium channel of SH-SY5Y cells, improve the decrease of cell viability caused by bupivacaine hydrochloride, reduce the level of intracellular calcium ion, reduce the expression of Cleavedcaspase-3, and reduce cell apoptosis. Conclusion The above results indicate that the T-type calcium channel is involved in the SH-SY5Y cell damage caused by bupivacaine hydrochloride, and blocking the T-type calcium channel can reduce the neurotoxicity of bupivacaine hydrochloride.

Effect of Hexavalent Chromium on the WBCs of the Fresh Water Fish, Labeo rohita

Industrial effluents containing heavy metals may reach aquatic systems either through direct discharge or surface runoff and cause damage to aquatic organisms affecting their immune system and health. Hence the present study has been undertaken to observe the effects of hexavalent chromium on the WBCs of the fresh water fish, Labeorohita. WBCs play a major role in the immune response of the fish. For acute toxicity determination, healthy fish were subjected to static bioassays. The 24, 48, 72, and 96hr LC50 values were 50.88, 42.03, 28.09 and 10.87 ppm respectively. The fish were exposed to 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 ppm for 20 days. Differential count of WBCs and total WBC count were determined after every five days for twenty days. Lymphocytes exhibited a decline while the other cells and total WBC count exhibited an increase due to hexavalent chromium exposure. The results were subjected to two way analysis of variance.

Environmental and Health Risk of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) Levels Around some Dumpsites in the Niger Delta Region: A Case Study of Yenagoa Metropolis

Emission of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from dumpsites has become a global threat due to its impact on global climate change. This study assessed the spatial and seasonal levels of H2S emissions from 6 dumpsites (LA - LF), with portable air quality meter (AEROQUAL-Series 300). Results showed that the spatial level of H2S ranged from 1.40 ppm - 14.34 ppm. Based on seasonal variation level of H2S ranged from 1.88 ppm – 3.86 ppm (p<0.05), with higher values in wet season. Meanwhile H2S were not detected in the control station (LX). Based on model for Air Quality Index (AQI), H2S emission was predominantly rated as safe and moderate, except for the two stations in the central dumpsite (LE and LF). These results confirmed the emission of H2S from the dumpsite due to anthropogenic activities. We therefore recommend policies aimed at sequestration of H2S, by the reduce, reuse and recycle policy of waste stream.

Characterization of Commercial Solid Waste Stream in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The problem associated inappropriate management of municipal waste to the ecosystem cannot be overemphasized. This study involved the physical characterization of municipal solid waste streams in 4 commercial dumpsites in Yenagoa Metropolis, using the quartile estimate method. Results showed that out of a total mass of 79.82kg; the individual mass composition was reported for garbage (food) waste 33.32 (39%), paper waste 14.90 kg (40.82%), plastic waste 5.12 kg (6%), nylon 11.01kg (13%), metal 4.31 kg (5%), wood 2.29 kg (3%), electronic 5.69 kg (7%), glass/ceramic 3.48 kg (4%) and unclassified waste whose mass was 4.62kg (5%). Disposal of untreated and unsegregated/uncharacterized waste adverse effect to the environment. It is hereby recommended that the populace to desist from illicit disposal of waste stream. In addition all stakeholders and Government in particular should formulate policies the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste stream.

Biolarvicidal Potentials of the Methanolic-Leaf-Extracts of Selected Tropical Plant Species

Solvent residue such as hexane in foodstuff, especially edible oil could be considered as the undesirable substances when exceeds maximum residue limit (MRL). The aim of this study is to determine the hexane content in various brands of edible oils. Totally forty samples (23 brands) of different types of vegetable oils including frying oils (n=14), blended oils (n=13), sunflower oils (n=6), corn oils (n=5) and canola oils (n=2) from Iran´s market were analyzed for hexane content using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography equipped with a flame-ionization detector (SPME)-GC-(FID). The hexane residue was detected in thirty-six out of forty examined samples, ranged from lower than LOD to 42.6 µg/kg. However, in all of them hexane content were below the MRL of 1 mg/kg which set by the European Union.

Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Particulate Matter Associated with Dusty Football Field

Over the decades there have been problems associated with Particulate Matter (PM) arising from anthropogenic activities. Evaluation and health risk assessment of PM associated with football field was carried out in 5 sampling locations, including the control station. Digital portable AEROCET 513 (Metone instrument) PM meter was used for the evaluation Results showed levels of PM for; PM1.0(13.73 – 20.18 µg/m3), PM2.5 (19.11 – 28.83 µg/m3), PM4.0 (24.73 – 44.63 µg/m3), PM7.0 (41.07 – 67.04 µg/m3), and PM10 ranging from 65.48 – 90.82 µg/m3. In addition, value of the control station was lowest amongst all recorded values of PM (p<0.05). Based on Air Quality Index evaluation, the football fields were predominantly rated as unhealthy, with other cases rates as; hazardous and unsafe for sensitive group. This investigation therefore concludes that the emission of PM from the football field are reflection of vehicular emissions and agitated dust particles. Hence mitigable measure must be applied without much ado, in order to ameliorate the daily chronic exposure to PM.

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Leachate from Municipal Solid Waste Dumpsites

The ecotoxicological effects of leachates from dumpsite have become a major problem. Leachates arising from waste dumpsites are transported by surface runoff or infiltration through the soil and become bioavailable in the ecosystem. The ecotoxicological assessment of leachates from 6 dumpsite in Yenagoa Metropolis were investigated against adult and fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). Ecotoxicological activities (LC50 values) were reported for the following stations; Akenpai (124.57 ppm), and Etegwe stations (95.38 ppm), as well as Opolo (157.95 ppm), and Kpansia Markets (123.82 ppm). In addition, leachates of the two stations from the central dumpsite (CDS), were the most active (CDS 1; 60.97 ppm, and CDS 2; 76.65 ppm). Notwithstanding, the order of toxicological activities of the leachates were reported as; CDS 1>CDS2>Etegwe>Akenpai>Kpansia market>Opolo Market. These results confirm the toxicity of leachates from the dumpsites. In addition, we recommend that government, regulators and all stakeholders should enact policies to treat, reduce, recycle and reduce waste stream in order to mitigate the adverse effects on the ecosystem.

The 5-HT1A Agonist Buspirone Decreases Liver Oxidative Stress and Exerts Protective Effect Against CCl4– Toxicity

We aimed to study the effect of buspirone, an anxiolytic drug and 5-HT1A agonist on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Rats were orally treated with CCl4 (2.8 mL/kg in olive oil) along with buspirone at 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg once daily starting with CCl4 and for one week thereafter. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were determined in the serum. Markers of oxidative stress: lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) levels were measured in the liver. Moreover, paraoxonase 1 activity was determined in the liver and serum. The administration of CCl4 led to significant increases in serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities. Results showed that there were significantly increased hepatic MDA, nitrite and decreased GSH levels. PON1 activity decreased both in the liver and serum, respectively. The immunohistochemical investigations using anti-caspase-3 antibody revealed that CCl4 caused apoptosis to many hepatocytes. DNA studies showed that CCl4 caused hypoploidy in hepatocytes. Rats treated with 20-30 mg/kg buspirone showed significant decrease in serum ALT and AST by 19.5-34.3% and 24.2-31.4%, respectively. Serum ALP decreased by 21.7% after 30 mg/kg buspirone. In the liver, the higher dose of the drug resulted in decreased MDA (by 15.8%), decreased nitric oxide (17.4%) and increased GSH (by 20.1%). Significantly increased serum PON1 activity by 43.9-53.5% was observed after treatment with 20-30 mg/kg buspirone. On histopathologic examination of liver sections, there was mild protective effect for the drug at 30 mg/kg. Sections stained with anti- caspase- 3 confirmed the results obtained from histopathological examination. Moreover, buspirone given at 30 mg/kg resulted in an increase in % of cells containing normal values of DNA. These results indicate that buspirone decreases liver oxidative stress and exerts protective effect against CCl4- toxicity. The study thus indicates more beneficial effects of buspirone as an anxiolytic drug and that the drug could be used safely in patients with liver disease.

Minimal Risk Level Derivation for Cadmium: Acute and Intermediate Duration Exposures

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists cadmium as one of its priority hazardous substances. The agency conducted a comprehensive literature review of cadmium and used the information to develop a toxicological profile that identified the full range of health effects associated with exposure to cadmium. It included an assessment that identified screening levels, termed health guidance values or minimal risk levels (MRLs), below which adverse health effects are not expected. In this paper, we describe how MRLs for cadmium are derived. For the acute inhalation MRL, the traditional no observed adverse effect level or lowest observed adverse effect level (NOAEL/LOAEL) approach is used; for the oral intermediate MRL, the benchmark dose (BMD) approach is used. MRLs were developed for the most sensitive route-specific end points, other than mortality and cancer that were sufficiently supported and justified by the data. These included an acute duration (1–14 day exposure) inhalation MRL of 0.03 µg Cd/m3 for alveolar histiocytic infiltration and focal inflammation in alveolar septa and an intermediate duration (15–365 day exposure) oral MRL of 0.5 µg Cd/kg/day for decreased bone mineral density