Risk of genotoxic damage in schoolchildren exposed to organochloride pesticides

This study identified and determined organochloride pesticide (OCs) concentrations in hair samples from children at two elementary schools: one exposed to fumigations in agricultural fields, the other unexposed. Three concentrations of OCs levels in the hair were compared (high, medium, low), and total nuclear abnormalities in buccal cells were determined: micronuclei (MNi), condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, binucleate cells, karyolysis, lobed nuclei, and apoptosis. No significant differences were found for the presence of MNi between the schoolchildren from the exposed and unexposed schools, but the prevalence of OCs in both schools was over 50%, as well as the frequencies of MNi in the children were over 58%. Findings show a significant difference between the frequency of MNi in the total sample of schoolchildren (exposed school + unexposed school) in relation to the concentration of OCs detected in their hair. The children from exposed school that showed the higher concentrations of OCs in hair had higher levels of genotoxic damage in the buccal cells; compared against children with lower concentrations of OCs. The most frequent nuclear abnormalities in the exposed children were lobed nuclei (79.4%), binucleate cells (66.66%), apoptosis (65.07), and MNi (58.7%). We determined the prevalence ratio (PR) and prevalence odds ratio (POR) for the presence of MNi in buccal cells in relation to the OCs concentrations in the hair samples. Both ratios were high for MNi [PR 3.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.97–7.84, p = 0.0003; and POR 7.97, 95% CI 2.62–24.28, p = 0.0003], indicating a 7.97 times greater risk that the exposed children will present > 0.2% of MNi when OCs concentrations exceed 0.447 μg/g. These indicators may be useful biomarkers of genotoxic damage in children exposed to persistent, highly-toxic compounds. Results suggest the potential risk to which those schoolchildren are exposed on a daily basis due to fumigations in nearby agricultural fields.

Features of regenerative processes in case of extreme factors influencing the body

Changes in the specific liver mass, number of single and binucleate cells of different ploidy, mitotic index and alteration index, DNA content and inclusion of 3H-thymidine in DNA of Wistar rats and CBA mice in the following conditions: at 0°C for 3, 7, 14 days for 23 hours per day, and in the highlands conditions (3, 200 m above sea level) for 3 and 30 days. Activation of regenerative processes has been established — proliferation of hepatocytes (mainly diploid) in combination with polyploid cell share reduction, as well as cellular hypertrophy development. Cell dynamics shifts persisted throughout the observation duration and were opposite in direction when growing up and aging.

PSII-35 Melatonin supplementation and restricted nutrition do not affect chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) concentration in ovine placenta from mid- to late- gestation

Melatonin plays a role as a vasodilator. Vasoactive and angiogenic factors are expressed by placental binucleate cells (BNC) and produce chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH), known to impact fetal and placental growth. We hypothesized that melatonin supplementation and restricted nutrition from mid- to late-gestation would alter CSH concentration and some characteristics of BNC in placenta. At day 50 of gestation, ewes carrying singletons were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design and were fed either an adequate (ADQ; 100% NRC; n = 15) or restricted (RES; 60% NRC; n = 15) diet supplemented with 0 (CON, n = 14) or 5 mg of melatonin (MEL; n = 16). Placentomes were collected on day 130 of gestation and preserved in formalin for histological analysis. Cotyledon (COT) were snap frozen for western immunoblotting analyses. Tissue sections were stained using biotinylated Dolichos Biflurus (DBA; a marker of fetal membrane) lectin and fluorescein labeled Texas red-avidin and fluorescein labeled Griffonia Simplifolica (BS) lectin (a marker of BNC). The number, area, and diameter of BNC in COT were determined by image analysis. For immunoblotting, protein was extracted from COT in SDS phosphate buffer, loaded equally, and separated on 12.5% polyacrylamide gels. Protein was transferred to PVDF membranes and incubated with rabbit anti-CSH. Bands were visualized and imaged. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. Melatonin supplementation and restricted nutrition did not affect BNC number, area, or diameter, or CSH protein expression. While we reject our hypothesis that melatonin supplementation and nutrient restriction would alter the CSH concentration and BNC characteristics in COT, we continue to evaluate if the BNC produce angiogenic or vasoactive factors that may influence placental and mammary gland functions in sheep.

Force balances between interphase centrosomes as revealed by laser ablation

Numerous studies have highlighted the self-centering activities of individual microtubule (MT) arrays in animal cells, but relatively few works address the behavior of multiple arrays that coexist in a common cytoplasm. In multinucleated Dictyostelium discoideum cells, each centrosome organizes a radial MT network, and these networks remain separate from one another. This feature offers an opportunity to reveal the mechanism(s) responsible for the positioning of multiple centrosomes. Using a laser microbeam to eliminate one of the two centrosomes in binucleate cells, we show that the unaltered array is rapidly repositioned at the cell center. This result demonstrates that each MT array is constantly subject to centering forces and infers a mechanism to balance the positions of multiple arrays. Our results address the limited actions of three kinesins and a cross-linking MAP that are known to have effects in maintaining MT organization and suggest a simple means used to keep the arrays separated.

Spatial signals link exit from mitosis to spindle position

In budding yeast, if the spindle becomes mispositioned, cells prevent exit from mitosis by inhibiting the mitotic exit network (MEN). The MEN is a signaling cascade that localizes to spindle pole bodies (SPBs) and activates the phosphatase Cdc14. There are two competing models that explain MEN regulation by spindle position. In the 'zone model', exit from mitosis occurs when a MEN-bearing SPB enters the bud. The 'cMT-bud neck model' posits that cytoplasmic microtubule (cMT)-bud neck interactions prevent MEN activity. Here we find that 1) eliminating cMT– bud neck interactions does not trigger exit from mitosis and 2) loss of these interactions does not precede Cdc14 activation. Furthermore, using binucleate cells, we show that exit from mitosis occurs when one SPB enters the bud despite the presence of a mispositioned spindle. We conclude that exit from mitosis is triggered by a correctly positioned spindle rather than inhibited by improper spindle position.

Developmental and Cytochemical Features of Male Reproductive Organ in Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers.

In this study, the development of male reproductive organ was analysed in Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers., endemic to Turkey. Androecium is composed of 20 stamens which are attached at the base of the filaments. The anther wall formation follows the dicotyledonous type. The undifferentiated anther is ovoid-shaped, and the differentiation starts with the appearance of archesporial cells. Mature anthers are dorsifix and tetrasporangiate. The anther wall is composed of an epidermis, endothecium, two or three rows of middle layers and secretory tapetum. Endothecial cells show fibrous thickening. Tapetum is characterized by enlarged secretory types with binucleate cells, which presented an intense reaction with regard to proteins, insoluble polysaccharides and lipids. Features of chromatin condensation and nucleus disorders identified with the application of DAPI (4´,6-diaminido-2-phenylindole) point out programmed cell death. Epidermal and endothecial layers remain intact until anther dehiscence; however, middle layer and tapetum disappear during development. At the end of regular meiotic division, tetrahedral microspore tetrads are formed. Pollen grains are tricolparatae, tectate and sphaeroidea. Exine is made up of lipoidal substances and proteins, but the intine includes insoluble polysaccharides. Further, cytoplasm of pollen grains are rich in proteins, lipids and insoluble polysaccharides.

Anther Ontogeny and Microsporogenesis in Helianthus annuus L. (Compositae)

In this study, anther ontogeny and microsporogenesis were analysed in Helianthus annuus L. The undifferentiated anther is ovoid-shaped and the differentiation starts with the appearance of archesporial cells. Mature anthers are tetrasporangiate. The anther wall is composed of epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and plasmodial tapetum. Endothecial cells show no fibrous thickening. Tapetum is amoeboid type with binucleate cells. Epidermal layer remains intact until anther dehiscence; however, middle layer, endothecium and tapetum disappear during development. At the end of regular meiotic division tetrahedral microspore tetrads are formed. Pollen grains are triporate, suboblate and angulaperturate.

Some characteristic of Rhizoctonia spp. in sharp eyespot of wheat

Isolates of <i>Rhizttctonia</i> sp. with multinucleate and binucleate cells were obtained from sharp eyespot lesions on wheat culms in Olsztyn region. (NE Poland). These isolates were compared to isolates of AG-4 and GAG-1 testers with reference to cultural morphology of colony, growth rate, hyphal anastomosis and pathogenicity to wheat seedlings. The wheat binucleate isolates were similar in morphology of colonies and anastomosed with the <i>Ceratubasidium</i> anastomosis group GAG-1 tester isolates of <i>R. cerealis</i>. Growth rates on PDA ranged from 9 to 11 mm/24h for wheat isolates and from l to 11 mm/24 h for tester isolates GAG-1 of <i>R. cerealis</i>. The wheat multinucleate isolates were similar in morphology of colonies and anastomosed with <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> Kühn group AG-4 tester isolate. <i>R. solani</i> AG-4 isolates were morphologically distinct from the <i>R. cerealis</i> isolates. These isolates on PDA were dark and grow rapidly (20-30 mm diam./24 h/20°C) and significantly contrasted with slowly growing white-creamy isolates of <i>R. cerealis</i> (GAG-1). Isolates of <i>R. solani</i> (AG-4) and <i>R. cerealis</i> (GAG-I) developed sharp eyespot lesions on culms and white head symptoms typical of the disease. None of the wheat isolates of <i>R. cerealis</i> (GAG-I) caused root-rot on wheat seedlings. In the present work the classification system of vegetative groups of <i>Rhizoctonia</i> spp. in present work is also discussed.