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The short term (96 h) toxicity of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (0.58 mg/L – Treatment I and 0.29 mg/L – Treatment II) on certain health indicators (haematology, biochemical, and enzymology) of an Indian major carp Labeo rohita was studied. When compared to control, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol treated fish showed a significant ( P  < 0.05) decrease in haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), and erythrocyte (RBC) levels throughout the study period. Whereas, a significant ( P  < 0.05) increase were noted in leucocyte (WBC) counts (except 48 h in Treatment-I), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values (except 24 h in Treatment-I). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were found to be decreased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in fish exposed to 0.58 mg/L of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, whereas in 0.29 mg/L exposed fish the values were found to be increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) (except 72 h). A significant ( P  < 0.05) increase in plasma glucose levels was noticed in fish exposed to 0.58 mg/L of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (except 96 h). However, a biphasic trend in plasma glucose level was observed at 0.29 mg/L of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol exposed fish. Protein levels were found to be increased in both the treatments except at the end of 48 and 96 h in 0.58 and 0.29 mg/L, respectively. In both the treatments fluctuations of enzyme (GOT, GPT, and LDH) activities in gill and liver were also noted. However, these enzyme activities found to be significantly ( P  < 0.05) decreased in kidney and plasma of fish. From the result we conclude that the drug N-acetyl-p-aminophenol upon short term exposure could pose a risk to fish and the alteration of these parameters can be used to ecological risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many years, the impact of Particulate Matter (PM) in the ambient air has been one of the major concerns for the environment and human health. The consideration of the heterogeneity and complexity of different size fractions is notably important for the assessment of PM toxicological effects. The aim of the study was to present a comprehensive size-composition-morphology characterization and to assess the oxidative potential, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of the atmospheric PM fractions, collected by using MOUDI near a busy roadside in Lucknow, India. Physicochemical characterization of ambient coarse particles (1.8–10 µm), fine particles (0.32–1.8 µm), quasi-ultrafine (0.1–0.32 µm) and ultrafine particles (≤0.1 µm) along with SRM 1649b was done using TEM, SEM, DLS, NTA, ICP-MS, and IC in parallel with the estimation of exogenous Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by acellular assays. In this study, two different acellular assays, dithiothreitol (DTT) and the CM-H 2 DCFDA assay, indicated stronger mass-normalized bioactivity for different size ranges. Enrichment factor analysis indicated that the different size fractions were highly enriched with elements of anthropogenic origin as compared to elements of crustal origin. The endotoxin concentration in different size fractions was also estimated. Cellular studies demonstrated significant uptake, cytotoxicity, ultrastructural changes, cellular ROS generation, and changes in the different phases of the cell cycle (Sub G1, G1, S, G2/M) exposed to different size fractions. The Comet assay and the Micronucleus assay were used to estimate genotoxicity. Mutagenic potential was revealed by the HGPRT gene forward mutation assay in V-97 cells. Conclusively, our results clearly indicate that the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of the coarse PM was greater than the other fractions, and interestingly, the ultrafine PM has higher bioactivity as compared to quasi-ultrafine PM. [Display omitted] • Elements like Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr are highly enriched with anthropogenic sources as compared to elements of crustal origin like Al, Fe. • Size fractionated PM resulted in differential internalization and ultrastructural changes inside V-79 cells. • The ROS generation, DNA damage and micronucleus formation of the coarse section was found to be the greatest among all the sections of the PM. • Size fractionated particles induced cell cycle alterations and mutagenicity in V-79 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the optimization of cow dung (CD) spiked pre-consumer processing vegetable waste (PPVW) for vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida in a laboratory scale study. Vermicomposting process decreased carbon and organic matter concentration and increased N, P and K content in the vermicompost. The C:N ratio was decreased by 45–69% in different vermireactors indicating stabilization of the waste. The heavy metal content was within permissible limits of their application in agricultural soils. It has been concluded from the results that addition of PPVW up to 40% with CD can produce a good quality vermicompost. Whereas, growth and fecundity of E. fetida was best when reared in 20% PPVW+80% CD feed mixture. However, higher percentages of PPVW in different vermireactors significantly affected the growth and fecundity of worms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The continuous and extensive use of pesticides, particularly in the field of agriculture, leads to contamination of all ecosystems (water, soil, and atmosphere). Among pesticides, fungicides constitute a larger group whose impact on the environment are still poorly studied. Difenoconazole belongs to triazole group of fungicides having high photochemical stability and have low biodegradability, which makes them persistent in water bodies. The present study focuses on the physiological and cytotoxic impact of difenoconazole fungicide on ciliated protozoa, Tetrahymena pyriformis with reference to growth, morphology, behaviour and its generation time. Morphological studies showed changes in the shape and size of T. pyriformis. Our result showed an inhibitory effect on population growth of T. pyriformis and the IC 50 concentration was found to be 6.8 μg mL-1.The numbers of generations decreased and generation time was found to be extended in a concentration and time dependent manner. Difenoconazole caused significant depletion in phagocytic activity and also ultra-structural changes were observed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The results indicate that the Tetrahymena toxicity assay could be used as a complementary system to rapidly elucidate the cytotoxic potential of fungicide. • Motility behaviour of T. pyriformis affected due to acute exposure of Difenoconazole fungicide. • Difenoconazole caused delay in cell division, increased the occurrence of deformities and reduced survival of T. pyriformis. • Phagocytic activity of T. pyriformis affected by exposure of difenoconazole. • Ultra-structural changes observed due to exposure of difenoconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the incidence of four Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) in a cohort of mostly urban-dwelling African Americans, compared to previous work primarily in Caucasians (and Ashkenazi Jews). LSDs are inherited genetic disorders that result in the functional absence or deficiency of specific lysosomal enzymes resulting in a range of clinical symptoms manifesting in various organ systems. To highlight diagnostic challenges originating from ambiguous clinical manifestations, we initiated a large scale screening for 'treatable forms' of LSDs in 5000 patients seeking healthcare for various health concerns. Of these, 85% reported as African American, 10% Hispanic, and 5% Caucasian or other. Dried blood spots were prepared from peripheral blood samples and fluorometric enzyme assays performed for β-glucosidase (Gaucher disease), α-galactosidase (Fabry disease), α-glucosidase (Pompe disease), and β-galactosidase (MPS IV B) enzymes. On samples which showed significantly lower enzyme activities, molecular analysis was performed using targeted sequencing. After two rounds of screening, we confirmed undetectable activity for β-glucosidase in 1 subject α-galactosidase in 3 subjects β-galactosidase in 1 subject and α-glucosidase in 5 subjects. In addition, approximately 0.05-0.1% showed significantly reduced enzyme activity, likely indicating carrier status. These samples are being screened using Next-Gen Sequencing and preliminary results highlight higher incidence rates for abnormal enzyme levels and pathogenic mutations in the target population compared to previously published LSD screenings. The findings could be because the patient cohort was already under clinical care thus increasing the likelihood of a disease phenotype or due to ancestry-based genotype and phenotype variations. It is highly likely that variations in genomics and resultant biochemical cascades contribute to health and disease. The study highlights the importance of such large scale screenings in minority groups traditionally not associated with a high incidence of LSDs. The study is partially funded by Shire (IIR-USA-000892), Pfizer (WI194030) & NCATS/NIH (#UL1-TR001409). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]