Effect of pure (ligand-free) nanoparticles of magnetite in sodium chloride matrix on hematological indicators, blood gases, electrolytes and serum iron

One of the physical methods for obtaining magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) is electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB PVD), which requires complex equipment, but allows obtaining a significant amount of pure (ligand-free) NPs. The biomedical application of such NPs is less studied than materials from other synthesis methods. The objective is to study the effect of pure magnetite NPs in the NaCl matrix obtained by EB PVD on hematological indicators, gases, electrolytes and parameters of iron metabolism in the blood of intact animals. The physical characteristics of NPs were studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, selected area electron diffraction and fast Fourier transform. In vivo experiments were conducted on albino male rats, which were injected with solution of magnetite-sodium chloride NPs (1.35 mg Fe/kg). After 3 and 72 h, hematological parameters, blood gases, electrolytes, and serum iron were determined. The synthesized NPs had an average size of 11 nm. They were identified as magnetite, where polycrystals and single crystals were present. The absence of contamination in crystal boundaries, clear orientation and orderliness of atoms in crystals were established. The administration of NPs in the sodium chloride matrix to animals was characterized by a transient increase in the main indicators of red blood accompanied by an increase in the saturation of erythrocytes with hemoglobin and their mean volume after 3 h. It did not worsen blood gases and pH, but decreased blood Na+ content after 72 h. The investigated NPs caused changes in the parameters of serum iron characteristic to iron preparations, which after 3 h were smaller compared to the reference iron drug, and after 72 h-similar to it. More intense rapid effects on hematological parameters at lower serum iron indicate greater activity of the studied pure magnetite NPs obtained by EB PVD syntesis compared to the reference iron preparation

Methods for assessing DNA repair and repeat expansion in Huntington's Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene. Repeat length can change over time, both in individual cells and between generations, and longer repeats may drive pathology. Cellular DNA repair systems have long been implicated in CAG repeat instability but recent genetic evidence from humans linking DNA repair variants to HD onset and progression has reignited interest in this area. The DNA damage response plays an essential role in maintaining genome stability, but may also license repeat expansions in the context of HD. In this chapter we summarize the methods developed to assay CAG repeat expansion/contraction in vitro and in cells, and review the DNA repair genes tested in mouse models of HD. While none of these systems is currently ideal, new technologies, such as long-read DNA sequencing, should improve the sensitivity of assays to assess the effects of DNA repair pathways in HD. Improved assays will be essential precursors to high-throughput testing of small molecules that can alter specific steps in DNA repair pathways and perhaps ameliorate expansion or enhance contraction of the HTT CAG repeat

Prevalence of Eimeria oocysts among broiler and layer flocks in selected poultry farms in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Coccidiosis is an important enteric parasitic disease associated with significant economic losses to poultry farmers worldwide. This study evaluated the prevalence of coccidian infection in broilers and layers in Makurdi. A total of 228 fresh feacal samples were randomly collected from some selected farms in Makurdi and examined in the laboratory for the presence of Eimeria oocyst using simple floatation technique. The overall prevalence due to natural infection was 58.3%. Out of the 114 broilers and 114 layers sampled 62/114 (54.4%) broilers and 71/114 (62.3%) layers had Eimeria oocysts infection, respectively with layers having the highest prevalence. The age group prevalence showed that 1-4 weeks old broilers and 25-30 weeks layers had the highest prevalence. Significant differences in infection rate were seen in broilers (p˂0.05) but no statistical difference was observed among ages of layer chickens and coccidiostat administration history. The study concludes that the parasite is endemic in Makurdi town and proper control measures with good biosecurity practices and prophylactic anticoccidial programs must be implemented to reduce economic loss to the poultry farmers.</jats:p

SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR Brucella INFECTION IN CHICKENS IN BENUE STATE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Nigeria has a large population of livestock with most animals and poultry kept under traditional husbandry that allows multiple species on the same farm. The aim of the study was to provide serological evidence of brucellosis in chickens as they may be a source of infection with brucella. Serum samples from local chickens on free range and exotic broiler birds on deep-litter were collected over a 12 month period from 4 high livestock density areas of the state namely Gboko, Katsina Ala, Makurdi and Otukpo. The samples were tested using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) as a screening test and positive reactors were further tested using the serum agglutination test (SAT) as a confirmation test. Eighty four (10.9%) of the total 773 samples screened were reactors in the RBPT while twenty four (3.1%) were positive to the SAT. Seventy three (11.3%) of the 648 local chickens tested were positive to the RBPT and twenty one (3.2%) were reactors in the SAT. Eleven (8.8%) of the 125 samples from exotic birds were positive in the RBPT while three (2.4%) were SAT reactors. Local chickens had insignificantly (P > 0.05) higher agglutinating antibodies than exotic birds. Brucella infection is present in both local chickens and exotic broiler birds in the study area; chickens may serve as a source of infection to other livestock and humans. There is need for a large scale epidemiological investigation of the disease in chicken

Фактори токсичності наночастинок магнетиту та методи їх дослідження

Among nanoparticles (NPs) of metal oxides, magnetite NPs are the most well-known. The need for regula- tions related to the safety of magnetite NPs requires a deep understanding of their toxicological paradigm. The purpose of the presented review is to analyze the methods of studying the magnetite NPs toxicity and to summarize their toxicity factors based on the literature data. Literature sources were searched in the PubMed database, and 99 works were selected, supplemented with articles from other databases in some cases. It is shown that the study of the magnetite NPs toxicity became widespread during the last decade, reflecting the expansion of the list of synthesized magnetic NPs and the awareness that the prospects for their use depend on the safety of the created nanomaterial. The safety assessment of magnetite NPs on cell lines is the most popular. Primitive and more highly organized animals can be used to evaluate various aspects of the magne- tite NPs toxicity. The toxicity factors of magnetite NPs depend on their characteristics (core composition, coating, size, and shape) and the mode of application (concentration, dose, exposure, type of cells, or ani- mal model). One of the main mechanisms of nanomagnetite toxicity is the interference with iron metabolism and increased generation of reactive oxygen species leading to the disruption of cell proliferation, viability, and metabolism. Thus, the toxicity of magnetite NPs is studied by various methods and at different levels of living systems. Understanding the mechanisms of nanotoxicity should contribute to the targeted design of safe magnetic NPs.Серед наночастинок (НЧ) оксидів металів найбільш відомими є НЧ магнетиту. Потреба в нормативних актах, пов’язаних із без- печністю НЧ магнетиту, вимагає глибокого розуміння їхньої токсикологічної парадигми. Мета представленого огляду – проаналізувати методи дослідження токсичності НЧ магнетиту та узагальнити фактори їх токсичності на основі даних літератури. Пошук літературних джерел здійснювали в базі даних PubMed. Були відібрані 99 праць, які в деяких випадках доповнені статтями з інших баз даних. Показано, що дослідження токсичності НЧ магнетиту набуло значного поширення протягом останнього десятиліття, що відображає розширення переліку синтезованих магнітних НЧ та усвідомлення того, що перспективи їх використання залежать від безпечності створеного наноматеріалу. Оцінка безпечності НЧ магнетиту на клітинних лініях є найбільш популярною. Для вивчення різних аспектів токсичності НЧ магнетиту можуть бути використані примітивні та більш високоорганізовані тварини. Фактори токсичності НЧ магнетиту залежать від їхніх характеристик (складу ядра, покриття, розміру і форми) та способу застосування (концентрації, дози, експозиції, типу клітин або тваринної моделі). Одним із основних механізмів токсичності наномагнетиту є втручання в метаболізм заліза та посилене утворення активних форм кисню, що призводить до порушення клітинної проліферації, життєздатності та метаболізму. Отже, токсичність НЧ магнетиту вивчається різними мето- дами і на різних рівнях живих систем. Розуміння механізмів нанотоксичності має сприяти цілеспрямованому дизайну безпечних магнітних НЧ

CAG size-specific risk estimates for intermediate allele repeat instability in Huntington disease

Genetics of disease, diagnosis and treatmen