Biomarkers of toxicity in Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Physiological, biochemical and histological indices in Clarias gariepinus broodstock, and teratogenic indices in embryos exposed to sublethal concentrations of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene were investigated in 2014 using a static-renewal bioassay protocol. Phenanthrene (1.41 mg l^?1) was the most toxic, followed by pyrene (1.53 mg l^?1) and naphthalene (7.21 mg l^?1), based on 96 h LC50 values. Hepatosomatic indices were significantly higher in naphthalene- and pyrene-treated males compared with solvent controls, whereas fecundity in females was significantly lower by factors of 2.4 (naphthalene), 2.8 (phenanthrene) and 2.4 (pyrene), compared with controls. Catalase levels were lower in female phenanthrene-treated fish compared with controls. Histological alterations observed in PAH-treated fish include oedema, inflammatory cells, epithelial lifting and hyperplasia in the gills, vacuolation, haemosiderin pigments and sinusoidal congestion in the liver, and degenerated zona radiata in the ovary. Teratogenic effects were not observed, as evidenced by the lack of histological alterations in embryos spawned from pre-exposed broodstock. Sex-specific responses and the utility of biomarkers at cellular and individual levels of organisation are therefore demonstrated for holistic evaluations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ecotoxicological studies.     

Herpetomonas roitmani (Fiorini et al., 1989) N. Comb.: A Trypanosomatid with a Bacterium-like Endosymbiont in the Cytoplasm

The trypanosomatid previously described as Crithidia roitmani is characterized here at the ultrastructural and biochemical levels. The data indicates that the parasite belongs to the Herpetomonas genus, and we therefore suggest the flagellate to be denominated as Herpetomonas roitmani n. comb. Cladistic analysis of isoenzyme data generated by eight different enzymes showed that the parasite presented a distinct banding pattern and could be grouped with some Herpetomonas spp., but not with Crithidia spp., used as reference strains. Accordingly, when the parasites were grown for longer periods in Roitman's defined medium, expontaneous differentiation from promastigotes to opisthomastigotes (typical of the Herpetomonas genus) occurred. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of bacterium-like endosymbionts in the cytoplasm of all evolutive forms of the parasite. All morphological alterations characteristic of endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatids could be observed.     

Effectiveness of a WHO self‐help psychological intervention for preventing mental disorders among Syrian refugees in Turkey: a randomized controlled trial

Refugees are at high risk of developing mental disorders. There is no evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that psychological interventions can prevent the onset of mental disorders in this group. We assessed the effectiveness of a self‐help psychological intervention developed by the World Health Organization, called Self‐Help Plus, in preventing the development of mental disorders among Syrian refugees experiencing psychological distress in Turkey. A two‐arm, assessor‐masked RCT was conducted in two Turkish areas. Eligible participants were adult Syrian refugees experiencing psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire ≥3), but without a diagnosis of mental disorder. They were randomly assigned either to the Self‐Help Plus arm (consisting of Self‐Help Plus combined with Enhanced Care as Usual, ECAU) or to ECAU only in a 1:1 ratio. Self‐Help Plus was delivered in a group format by two facilitators over five sessions. The primary outcome measure was the presence of any mental disorder assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview at six‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcome measures were the presence of mental disorders at post‐intervention, and psychological distress, symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression, personally identified psychological outcomes, functional impairment, subjective well‐being, and quality of life at post‐intervention and six‐month follow‐up. Between October 1, 2018 and November 30, 2019, 1,186 refugees were assessed for inclusion. Five hundred forty‐four people were ineligible, and 642 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either Self‐Help Plus (N=322) or ECAU (N=320). Self‐Help Plus participants were significantly less likely to have any mental disorders at six‐month follow‐up compared to the ECAU group (21.69% vs. 40.73%; Cramer''s V = 0.205, p<0.001, risk ratio: 0.533, 95% CI: 0.408‐0.696). Analysis of secondary outcomes suggested that Self‐Help Plus was not effective immediately post‐intervention, but was associated with beneficial effects at six‐month follow‐up in terms of symptoms of depression, personally identified psychological outcomes, and quality of life. This is the first prevention RCT ever conducted among refugees experiencing psychological distress but without a mental disorder. Self‐Help Plus was found to be an effective strategy for preventing the onset of mental disorders. Based on these findings, this low‐intensity self‐help psychological intervention could be scaled up as a public health strategy to prevent mental disorders in refugee populations exposed to ongoing adversities.     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene in coronary artery disease in southern Turkey

Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism is one of the genetic factor found to be related with CAD. We investigated the association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of CAD. Three hundred and seven patients (187 males and 120 females, aged between 35-80, mean 54.3 +/-9.8 years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were included in the study. ACE I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 307, 176 had CAD. The most frequently observed genotype in all subjects was ID (47.9 %). However, in patients with CAD the frequency of II genotype was lower whereas DD genotype was higher compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The number of D allele carrying subjects were also higher (p < 0.05) in CAD patients. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the ACE D allele is an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.01-2.18, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene (carrying D allele) is an independent risk factor for CAD in the studied Turkish population.     

Correction of unilateral coronal synostosis leads to resolution of mandibular asymmetry in rabbits

Mandibular dysmorphology in unilateral coronal synostosis has been recognized clinically. In patients with unilateral coronal synostosis, the chin point deviates away from the affected side. To investigate whether this mandibular asymmetry resolves after correction of unilateral coronal synostosis, familial nonsyndromic rabbits were used. Rabbits with unilateral coronal synostosis that underwent "correction" with resection of the affected suture were compared with "uncorrected" rabbits with unilateral coronal synostosis and normal, wild-type rabbits (n = 36; three equal groups of 12). Serial lateral cephalograms obtained at 10, 25, 42, and 84 days showed no asymmetries in wild-type rabbits and progressive asymmetries in the ramal height and mandibular length in uncorrected unilateral coronal synostosis rabbits. However, in corrected unilateral coronal synostosis rabbits, existing asymmetries at 10 and 25 days improved by 42 days and were not seen by maturity, at 84 days. In dry, mature, mandibular specimens, wild-type rabbits showed equal side-to-side measurements and uncorrected unilateral coronal synostosis rabbits showed the following on the affected side: longer ramal height (15 percent), shorter ramal width (13 percent), longer body height (10 percent), and shorter body width (13 percent). By contrast, the corrected unilateral coronal synostosis specimens showed no side-to-side differences in 10 of 11. There were no asymmetries in condylar shape or condylar volume in any of the three groups. Cranial base measurements showed asymmetries of the uncorrected unilateral coronal synostosis specimens that were consistent with an anteriorly positioned glenoid fossa on the affected side. However, only one of 11 corrected unilateral coronal synostosis specimens showed similar cranial base asymmetries. The data showed that mandibular asymmetries in nonsyndromic, familial rabbits with unilateral coronal synostosis are progressive with growth but improve after correction of synostosis.     

辽宁地区毛腹种蝇的生态学调查

经过1963—64年在辽宁本溪新岭对毛腹种蝇Hylemya (Chionomyia)vetula(Zett,1838)进行生态学调查的结果,说明本种主要以成蝇越冬,多在室外活动;以蛹期越夏:10月上旬最早出现(17℃),秋末初冬大批羽化,10月中旬至11月中旬形成了第一个成蝇高峰,翌年3—4月是雌蝇产卵时期,活动频繁,雌蝇数量较多,形成了第二个成蝇高峰。于5月上旬成蝇绝迹(22℃),成蝇出现季节全长为7个月。 幼虫滋生于人粪和猪粪中。成蝇取食人粪、猪粪和牛粪。因此是一种在卫生上有一定重要性的蝇种。 三龄幼虫:肛板显然大形而向两侧突出,这点有别于种蝇属(Hylemya)的各巳知常见种的幼虫形态,但易被误认为花蝇属(Anthomyia)。它同七星花蝇(Anthomyia imbrida)和横带花蝇(Anthomyia illocata)相似,但是有以下区别:(1)小锥形的腹突、副腹突显然位于亚腹突一线的背方:(2)腹垫仅具等大的小刺,中央区无较大形的棘:(3)后肛疣仅有较大的丘状隆起,没有象花蝇属已知常见种幼虫的后肛疣那样尖而明显;(4)后气门间距约为后气门直径的1—2倍。     

本溪地区蚊虫初步调查

本溪地区的蚊虫过去未有过文献报告。我们于1957—1958年,在本溪地区(本溪市、本溪县)进行了蚊虫的初步调查。经两年的调查已发现的蚊种,有按蚊属1种,伊蚊属4种,库蚊属6种,共计11种。其名称如下: