Biography:

Abstract:

Pesticides are ubiquitous on the planet, and they are employed to control or eliminate a variety of agricultural and household pests that can damage crops and livestock and reduce productivity. Anthropogenic activities are continuously introducing extensive amounts of these compounds into the environment regardless of their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Despite the many benefits of the use of pesticides in crop production and their significant contribution to the lifestyles we have come to expect, pesticides can also be hazardous if not used appropriately, and many of them may represent potential hazards due to the contamination of food, water and air. However, it is well known that the indiscriminate use of pesticides can generate pest resistance, the emergence of new pest species, environmental pollution, toxic effects, genetic alterations on target and nontarget organisms including humans, and biodiversity loss, among other side effects. Pesticides may be introduced into the aquatic environment since they are applied directly on surface water to control aquatic weeds or via air onto crop fields. Indirect entrance into the freshwater environment is associated with runoff, erosion and lixiviation events resulting from terrestrial application. Furthermore, they may provoke harmful effects on the fish population and other aquatic organisms, e.g., amphibians, contributing to long-term effects in the environment. One of the major goals of our research laboratory is to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects exerted by several agrochemicals and their technical formulations on endemic vertebrate Neotropical species, namely Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Actinopterygii, Poeciliidae) and Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Bufonidae) employing several end-points for geno and cytotoxicity. Among them are listed the herbicides dicamba, flurochloridone, glyphosate and 2,4-D.

Biography:

Leon F. Stankowski, Jr., PhD, received BS degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in pre-medicine and biophysics; studied toward a MS in biochemistry at the University of Scranton; and received a PhD in biomedical sciences, specializing in genetics, from the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Since then, he has held various scientific and management positions in contract research organizations and the pharmaceutical industry. He has served a study director for a variety of in vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology assays, and as a program manager or consultant. This latter involves advising clients who have encountered adverse genetic toxicology findings, including the design of custom protocols and mechanistic studies to resolve them. Dr. Stankowski has directed thousands of assays in multiple in vivo and in vitro test systems; has had a lead role in developing and validating novel mutagenesis, in vitro toxicity and biochemistry methods and services; and has published original research results in multiple journals and presented at numerous meetings. He is a member of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society and the Genetic Toxicology Association (GTA), and served on the GTA Board of Directors from 2000 to 2003, as the GTA Assistant Treasurer from 2003 to 2006, and as the GTA Treasurer from 2006 to present. He has been a reviewer for several journals in the field, served on numerous industrial workgroups involving in vitro and in vivo mammalian mutagenesis assays, including ASTM, IWGT, US EPA, and ILSI-HESI, and is a US Delegate to the Expert Working Group for the review of most of the OECD Test Guidelines on Genotoxicity.

Abstract:

In vitro genotoxicity assays that are commonly used for regulatory purposes can be categorized into two main groups based upon the endpoints analyzed: gene mutation and chromosome aberration. The single most commonly performed test is the bacterial reverse mutation assay, generally referred to as the Ames assay, which is often used as the first go/no go decision point in product development. Gene mutation can also be evaluated in mammalian cell test systems, such as the mouse lymphoma or CHO/HPRT assays, where the cells become resistant to metabolic poisons after loss of specific gene function. The other main group of assays is based upon cytogenetic analyses that examine changes in chromosome structure or number. Clastogens induce structural changes that can be detected microscopically and may manifest as breaks or rearrangements involving one or both chromatids of one chromosome, or multiple chromosomes. While chromosome aberration assays may detect limited types of numerical aberrations (polyploidy and endoreduplication), the micronucleus assay is better suited for that purpose since it can detect aneugens (spindle poisons) that cause more limited changes in chromosome number (i.e., gain or loss of single chromosomes). The basic principles underlying these assays and their basic design will be presented, as well as a discussion of the pros and cons of each.

Biography:

Rohan Kulkarni is currently serving as the Director of Genetic Toxicology-Study Management at BioReliance. Rohan received B.Sc. degree in Zoology from Mumbai University, in 1998 and M.Sc. degree in Zoology and Marine Science from Mumbai University in 2000. Before relocating to the US in 2003, he worked as a Product Development Specialist at TechnoSource, a start-up Biotech company in India. He received his Ph.D. from Wayne State University, MI in Biological Sciences in 2008 under Dr. James D. Tucker. He received the Prestigious Alexander Hollander Travel award in 2003 at the 38th EMS Meeting in Atlanta. Dr. Kulkarni completed his postdoctoral fellowship from National Center for Toxicological Research, US FDA in 2011 in the Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology. He joined BioReliance in October 2011 as a Senior Scientist for in vivo and in vitro cytogenetic assays at BioReliance, with Study Director Responsibilities for GLP and non-GLP cytogenetic studies. In 2015, he was appointed as the Director of Genetic Toxicology-Study Management. He has presented much of this work in several book chapters, poster presentations and many journal articles. Dr. Kulkarni is a full member of Society of Toxicology, Genetic Toxicology Association and an Associate Member in the American College of Toxicology. He is also a member of the Genetic Toxicology Technical Committee organized by the ILSI-HESI group and a member of the Core committee for In vivo follow-up testing.

Abstract:

In vivo genetic toxicology testing is performed usually in rodents such as rats or mice to determine the potential of DNA damage that can affect chromosomal structure or mitotic apparatus such as spindle fibers that in turn could changes chromosome number. In vivo assays can also detect genotoxic agents missed in in vitro tests. These assays are mainly divided into two broad categories; either to detect chromosome damage or DNA damage. The positive result of induced chromosomal damage is an increase in frequency of micronucleated PCEs or increase in chromosome aberrations. Micronucleus is a small nucleus that forms whenever a chromosome or a fragment of a chromosome is not incorporated into one of the daughter nuclei during cell division. This is typically caused by loss of chromosomal fragments due to clastogenicity or loss of entire chromosome due to spindle fiber malfunction as a result of aneugenicity. The mammalian in vivo chromosome aberration test is used for the detection of structural chromosome aberrations in bone marrow. The in vivo alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay, also called alkaline Comet Assay is a method measuring DNA damage. This Assay can be used to detect DNA damage caused by double strand breaks, single strand breaks, alkali labile sites, oxidative base damage, and DNA cross-linking with DNA or protein. The basic principles underlying these assays and their basic design will be presented along with the regulatory guidelines governing these assays.

Biography:

Marcelo L. Larramendy was born in La Plata, Argentina and obtained his Ph.D. at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum from the National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina, in 1978. Appointed Member of the Research Career of the National Scientific and Technological Council of Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET) in 1981, coating today as SeniorResearcher. Since 1991,he serves as Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the UNLP. Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Latin American Association of Environmental Mutagensis, Teratogenesis and Carcinogenesis (ALAMCTA). Author of more than 450 contributions in the field, including scientific publications, mostly in high impact and prestigious scientific journals, research communications and conferences worldwide. Lecturer at many conferences and courses worldwide. Recipient of several national and international awards including, among others, the \"Bernardo Houssay 1987\" and the \"Diamond Cover Award 1992\" granted by CONICET, Argentina and the American National Society for Histotechnology (USA). Prof. Dr. Larramendy is a regular Lecturer at the international A. Hollaender Courses organized by the International Association of the Environmental Society (IAEMS). He has carried out post-Doctoral research activities at the National Cancer Institute (NIH), Bethesda, USA and has been Guest Scientist at the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Expert in Molecular Cytogenetics, Genetic Toxicology and Ecotoxicology. He is, or has been, referee for more than 20 international scientific journals including some of the top periodicals within his scope of work. Editor of eight books in his field which have been widely acknowledged internationally. Member of the International Panel of Experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, WHO, Lyon, France) in 2015 for the evaluation of DDT, 2,4-D and Lindane. Presently, Prof. Dr. Larramendy is Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genotoxicology at the UNLP, a multidisciplinary research team which includes researchers, research students and staff, keeping strong collaborative links with several Argentinean and international research groups as well as the industry.

Abstract:

Pesticides are ubiquitous on the planet, and they are employed to control or eliminate a variety of agricultural and household pests that can damage crops and livestock and reduce productivity. Anthropogenic activities are continuously introducing extensive amounts of these compounds into the environment regardless of their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Despite the many benefits of the use of pesticides in crop production and their significant contribution to the lifestyles we have come to expect, pesticides can also be hazardous if not used appropriately, and many of them may represent potential hazards due to the contamination of food, water and air. However, it is well known that the indiscriminate use of pesticides can generate pest resistance, the emergence of new pest species, environmental pollution, toxic effects, genetic alterations on target and nontarget organisms including humans, and biodiversity loss, among other side effects. Pesticides may be introduced into the aquatic environment since they are applied directly on surface water to control aquatic weeds or via air onto crop fields. Indirect entrance into the freshwater environment is associated with runoff, erosion and lixiviation events resulting from terrestrial application. Furthermore, they may provoke harmful effects on the fish population and other aquatic organisms, e.g., amphibians, contributing to long-term effects in the environment. One of the major goals of our research laboratory is to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects exerted by several agrochemicals and their technical formulations on endemic vertebrate Neotropical species, namely Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Actinopterygii, Poeciliidae) and Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Bufonidae) employing several end-points for geno and cytotoxicity. Among them are listed the herbicides dicamba, flurochloridone, glyphosate and 2,4-D.

Biography:

Kamala Pant is Principal Scientist and study director for various genetic toxicology assays at BioReliance. She received her master’s degree in physical chemistry from Agra University, India. She has more than thirty five years of experience in conducting and directing different mutation and DNA damage assays. Kamala has represented Bioreliance in several international Validation and Guideline development Programs such as, European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) - SHE Cell Transformation assay, Japanese Center for Validation of Alternative Methods (JaCVAM) - comet assay, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan (NEDO) project - Bhas Cell Transformation Assay and OECD guideline program for genetic toxicology with emphasis on in-vivo comet and cell transformation assays. She has been involved in the International Working Group on Genetic Toxicology (IWGT) for comet assay. She has been a long time member of the Genetic Toxicology Association (GTA) and has served as a member of the Board of the GTA.

Abstract:

In drug development, genotoxicity testing is an essential part of preclinical safety evaluation. Before a potential drug candidate is selected, many chemicals have to go through pre-screening in drug discovery/lead optimization to weed out any “bad actors”. Non-GLP assays used at early stages to select candidates for further development as they have lower cost, quick turn-around time, minimal test article requirement. However, these assays should be predictive of the standard GLP assays. For impurities that are not feasible to isolate or synthesize or when compound quantity is limited, it may not be possible to achieve the highest test concentrations recommended for an ICH-compliant bacterial mutagenicity assay according to the current testing guidelines. In this case, bacterial mutagenicity testing could be carried out using a miniaturized assay format with proven high concordance to the ICH-compliant assay to enable testing at higher concentrations with justification. Virtually any regulatory assay can be scaled down to conserve test article, time and money by using fewer dose levels, replicates, strains or animals. Also in some cases fewer cells are scored. For Ames assay, modifications of the standard assays (e. g. 24-well, 6 well methods) or different techniques with good predictive qualities (e.g. Ames II assay with liquid format) are available. For cytogenetics assay, modified designs with either reduced scoring or reduced culture size are offered. Different designs and the pros and cons of these design modifications will be discussed during the workshop.

Biography:

Roberts has a MS in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Joint Graduate Toxicology Program at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at Rutgers University. He started his genetic toxicology career at Litron Laboratories by assisting with flow cytometric micronucleus kit development while learning how to conduct and direct bacterial reverse mutation assays. Mr. Roberts started a flow cytometry lab at Covance Laboratories, Inc., and as a Research Associate in the Genetic and Molecular Toxicology Department, he supported the development of multiple assays including aneugenicity detection, using CREST antibodies and pan centromeric probes, and the flow cytometric rat Pig-a gene mutation assay, to phenotypically evaluate in vivo gene mutation. Currently, he is a Research Scientist in the Genetic Toxicology Department of Bristol-Myers Squibb and is responsible for conducting and supporting non-clinical safety studies to ensure worker and patient safety. Mr. Roberts is presently serving a 3-year term as a board of director for the Genetic Toxicology Association and was nominated to be the 2016 Chair of the organization. He is actively interested in developing new genetic toxicity assays for hazard identification purposes, with focus on utilizing newer technologies like next generation sequencing to advance the science of genetic toxicology.

Abstract:

The purpose of genotoxicity assays are to prevent human exposure to potential carcinogens. Carcinogenicity testing is not conducted until the last phases of drug development and genotoxicity assays are used as surrogates to predict their outcome by measuring initial key events in the carcinogenic process. During lead optimization, screening assays are used to assist in selection of a drug candidate lacking significant safety hazards. These screening assays include; computerized assessment for the presence of structural features known to represent mutagenic hazards, bacterial reverse-mutation assays (Ames tests), in vitro mammalian cell assays, and appropriate animal studies. Once identified, drug candidates progress to full development where more extensive genotoxicity testing is conducted in compliance with formalized regulatory guidelines. A positive outcome in any of the in vitro assays triggers follow-up testing in vivo to better understand the biological relevance of the positive finding. Ideally, in vivo follow-up testing is conducted using integrated study designs where genotoxicity endpoints are added on to general toxicology studies. This creates a powerful data set as drug exposure levels, organ toxicity, histopathology, clinical pathology, body weights, and clinical observations are obtained concomitantly with genotoxicity endpoints from each biological replicate. This presentation will summarize pathways for enabling first in human drug studies and discuss strategies for developing new chemical entities that are mutagenic, clastogenic, aneugenic, or contain genotoxic impurities.

Biography:

Kim Strifert was previously employed as a healthcare administrator at the Mayo Clinic, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Office of Academic Analytic Support at Baylor College of Medicine. She is currently affiliated with the Graduate School, School of Public Health, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her recent article \"The link between oral contraceptive use and the increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder\" is available through the Elsevier Journal Medical Hypotheses. The article is of significance to all women and their families as it hypothesizes that the increase in the occurrence of autism coincides with the increase in the use of hormonal contraceptives. It is important because it identifies the lack of medical research into the neuro developmental effects of oral contraceptive use on offspring and calls for further research.

Abstract:

It is now estimated that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD in the United States. So far, no definitive cause or contributing factors have been established to account for the increase in prevalence in ASD. Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use is one possible risk factor for the increase in prevalence that has been overlooked in the existing biomedical and epidemiologic literature. One of the compounds found in combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is the synthetic estrogen Ethinylestradiol (EE2). EE2 is a known endocrine disrupting compound (EDC) capable of causing harmful effects to the endocrine system and to progeny. Since COCs were developed to mimic natural human hormones and disrupt endogenous endocrine function to prevent pregnancy, there is reason for concern that the EE2 component may be associated with the adverse neurodevelopmental effects that lead to the increase in ASDs. This hypothesis is compelling due to several considerations. As the prevalence of COC use has risen over the last fifty years so has the prevalence of ASDs. As a category of agents there are specific documented mechanisms through which COCs can affect the oocyte and/or developing embryo. As COCs are taken deliberately, exposure occurs at pharmacologically effective concentrations. The possibility exists that the effects of COC use could intensify over generations due to transgenerational transmission of altered epigenetic programming, with continued exposure across generations imparting sensitivity to developing ASDs. Lastly, the specific demographic at risk, women who are likely to have children, is the exact demographic that is taking COCs.

Biography:

Michael B Morgan completed his PhD at Georgia Institute of Technology. His Postdoctoral training included a position as a Postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech followed by a position as a Postdoctoral Associate at Georgia State University. He is currently an Associate Professor of Biology at Berry College. His research interests are in stress responses of aquatic invertebrates. Specifically he investigates how cnidarians respond to various types of anthropogenic stressors. His molecular expertise is in using differential gene expression techniques to detect, isolate, and characterize gene transcripts expressed from corals experiencing stress.

Abstract:

Cnidarians do not have endocrine organs; however they are capable of responding to signaling molecules such as hormones. Endocrine disruption has been suspected in cnidarians but no direct hormone interaction has been identified. Regulatory pathways associated with hormone bio synthesis and signaling are essentially uncharacterized in cnidarians. Representational Difference Analysis (RDA) is a differential gene expression technique that can successfully be applied to cnidarians experiencing stress. The objective of this study was to isolate transcripts that were responsive to a sublethal exposure of estradiol. The sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida was exposed to 20 µg/l estradiol for four hours. Results identify transcripts that appear to have functional significance related to steroid exposure. Results presented also demonstrate how small labs with limited financial resources can use RDA coupled with Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) to perform transcriptional analyses in hypothesis driven experiments to identify potentially important biomarkers of stressor-specific exposures. Conclusions will discuss how human pharmaceuticals through sewage treatment effluent are representative of a class of anthropogenic stressors capable of impacting aquatic invertebrates.

Biography:

Qingcheng Mao is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Berne in Switzerland, and completed Postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina and Queen’s University in Canada before joining the faculty of the University of Washington in 2002. His research mainly focuses on mechanistic understanding and prediction of drug/xenobiotic disposition during pregnancy including fetal exposure to drugs and xenobiotics. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member for “Drug Metabolism and Disposition”.

Abstract:

Glyburide is commonly prescribed for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus; however, fetal exposure to glyburide is not well understood and may have short- and long-term consequences for the health of the child. Glyburide can cross the placenta; fetal concentrations at term are nearly comparable to maternal levels. Whether or not glyburide is metabolized in the fetus and by what mechanisms has yet to be determined. In this study, we determined the kinetic parameters for glyburide depletion by CYP3A is oenzymes; characterized glyburide metabolism by human fetal liver tissues collected during the first or early second trimester of pregnancy; and identified the major enzyme responsible for glyburide metabolism in human fetal livers. CYP3A4 had the highest metabolic capacity towards glyburide, followed by CYP3A7 and CYP3A5 (Clint,u = 37.1, 13.0, and 8.7 ml/min/nmol P450, respectively). M5 was the predominant metabolite generated by CYP3A7 and human fetal liver microsomes (HFLMs) with approximately 96% relative abundance. M5 was also the dominant metabolite generated by CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and adult liver microsomes; however, M1-M4 were also present, with up to 15% relative abundance. CYP3A7 protein levels in HFLMs were highly correlated with glyburide Clint, 16α-OH DHEA formation, and 4′-OH midazolam formation. Likewise, glyburide Clint¬ was highly correlated with 16α-OH DHEA formation. Fetal demographics as well as CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 genotype did not alter CYP3A7 protein levels or glyburide Clint. These results indicate that human fetal livers metabolize glyburide predominantly to M5 and that CYP3A7 is the major enzyme responsible for glyburide metabolism in human fetal livers.

Biography:

Mary M Staehle is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Rowan University. Before joining the faculty at Rowan in 2010, she worked at the Daniel Baugh Institute for Functional Genomics and Computational Biology at Thomas Jefferson University and received her PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware. She also holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. Her research interests include neuro regenerative dynamics, the characterization of toxicity in novel materials, systems biology, and biomedical control systems.

Abstract:

Schmidtea mediterranea (Smed) planaria are small, freshwater flatworms with a centralized nervous system, a sequenced genome, and a large population of pluripotent stem-like cells known as neoblasts. These worms have remarkable regenerative capabilities, including the ability to regenerate any or all of the nervous system. We hypothesize that head regeneration in Smed is analogous to neurodevelopment in higher level organisms like humans and that these processes require similar mechanisms such that characterization of the disruption of head regeneration in Smed provides insight into neurodevelopmental effects in humans. We have tested this hypothesis with exposure to two known teratogens: ethanol and bisphenol A (BPA). Our results indicate that the reacquisition of cognitive function in head-regenerating Smed exposed to either of these is delayed, as evidenced by delayed movement-normalized photophobic behaviour. This suggests direct effects on neuro regenerative processes that can be characterized at the molecular level. We have also begun to use this system to assess BPA-alternative materials. Taken together, our results suggest that the Smed could be a “coal-mine canary” for neurodevelopmental effects of novel materials.

Biography:

P Sampath Kumar has completed his UG and PG in Medicine from University of Madras, India. He has more than two decades of experience in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology consultation at Sri Ramachandra University, Madras. For the past 15 years, he has been working as a Professor and Head and Vice-Principal of this institute. He is also the President of Medico Legal Society of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. He is also the Member of Advisor Committee of IXth Annual Conference of Indian Society of Toxicology to be held in August 2015 at Chennai.

Abstract:

For a patient, doctor is equivalent to God and the God is infallible. But that is for patients. In reality, doctors are human beings and to err is human. Combined drug intoxication (CDI), also known as multiple drug intake (MDI) is an unnatural cause of human death. CDI is confused with drug overdose, but it is a different phenomenon. The reasons for toxicity vary depending on the mixture of drugs. Most victims die after using certain combinations that suppress breathing, lowers blood oxygen level and causes brain death. These include mixtures of over-the-counter the drugs, legally or illegally obtained prescription drugs, herbal mixtures, and home remedies. Ingestion of alcoholic beverages, in combination with other drugs, increases the risk of CDI. Analgesics, antihypertensive, multivitamins are the common drugs which are used in CDI. Easy availability of these drugs has resulted in their abuse. Antihypertensive drugs constitute leading form of cardiovascular drug overdose. Among these calcium-channel blockers and beta blockers take the lead. Toxicity with these drugs causes refractory bradycardia, hypotension, pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest which are a great challenge for any treating physician. This article is presenting a case of a 19 year old college student with alleged history of multiple-drug intake of amlodipine, atenalol, and aspirin with ethyl alcohol. The patient treated initially in a tertiary care center casualty, failed to respond to treatment. He was shifted to a multidisciplinary coronary care unit wherein he was given treatment using state of the art facilities and he survived.

Biography:

T G Borovskaya has graduated from the Tomsk State Medical University got Doctoral degree and completed her Postdoctoral studies from the Goldberg Research Institute of Pharmacology. She is the Head of Laboratory of Pharmacology. She has published 3 monographs, more than 160 papers in reputed journals and is the author of 14 patents. Her field of interests covers toxicology, andrology and embryology.

Abstract:

At present there are oncologic diseases that are considered to be fundamentally curable, but with chemotherapeutic agents only. Effectiveness of treatment of these patients includes keeping their reproductive function actual. The aim of this work was to study experimentally the reproductive status of female rats depending on cytostatic impact of drugs. The objective also included a comparative assessment of toxic effects of anti-neoblastoma agents on posterity, as well as investigating the ways of pharmacological correction of pathological changes in posterity. Platidiam, carboplatin, epirubicin, etoposide, paclitaxel were administered to female rats in a maximally tolerated dose. It was obtained that the earliest menopause can be expected after administration of anthracycline antibiotic. Fertility was significantly decreased after application of second-generation platinum compound and inhibitor of topo-isomerase activity. The largest number of pathological changes in viable posterity was observed after administration of paclitaxel. Among the drugs correction of posterity the uromitexan, glutoxim and kortagen are considered.

Biography:

Patrícia Pereira, after her PhD, was awarded a grant for Post-doctoral research from the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) and she established fruitful research collaborations like those successfully achieved in 3 recent FCT projects. She is the sole aquatic toxicologist being part of the Portuguese team for polar research. She has published 37 papers in international journals with referees, 1 book chapter and 3 conference papers. She has presented 45 communications (35% in oral format).

Abstract:

Eyes have a central role in the perception of the surrounding medium and in maintaining organisms’ homeostasis. Mercury (Hg) (including methylmercury - MeHg) is a ubiquitous contaminant of natural waters and a potent neurotoxicant that affects visual functions but few studies concerning to wild fish are available. This study contributes to fill this knowledge gap by the evaluation of Hg accumulation in the eye wall of wild grey mullet (Liza aurata) together with the assessment of biochemical endpoints related with the oxidative stress status and neurotransmission. This approach was complemented by the characterization of environmental contamination profiles (both in water and sediment). Sampling was conducted in two sites of a Portuguese coastal lagoon (Aveiro lagoon): (i) Largo do Laranjo (LAR) located in an Hg contaminated confined area, and (ii) São Jacinto (SJ) closer to the lagoon inlet and selected as reference site. Winter and summer conditions were considered. Eye wall was analysed for total Hg (tHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels, as well as for antioxidant responses (CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, GST), peroxidative damage and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Inorganic mercury levels (iHg) were estimated by the difference between tHg and MeHg levels. tHg, iHg and MeHg in eye wall were higher at LAR than SJ in winter and summer, reflecting environmental spatial differences of water column and surface sediments. Moreover, fish caught at LAR in winter showed a significant decrease of CAT and SOD, in line with the occurrence of peroxidative damage. A different spatial pattern was recorded for those biological endpoints in summer, being characterised by the increment of GR and GPx at LAR, eventually preventing the occurrence of lipid peroxidation. Additionally, AChE was enhanced at LAR in summer pointing out an interference with the cholinergic system. The PCA analysis allowed discerning a cause-effect relationship between accumulated iHg and MeHg with GPx and LPO, particularly at LAR. Current data pointed out the vulnerability of fish eyes to environmental contamination by Hg. This neurotoxicant can be accumulated in eye wall leading to alterations in the cellular protection against oxidative stress. Such repercussions could eventually compromise fish visual capacity.

Biography:

Suhera M. Aburawi has completed her Ph.D at Cairo University (1999), and M. Phill at London Hospital Medical College (1984). She has published more than 23 papers in reputed journals, and contributed to more than 24 conference papers. She was invited, by several journals, to review submitted manuscripts. She also contributed the chapter on Libya in several editions of D’Vanzo, C.E. and Geissler, E.M. (eds.), Cultural Health Assessment, Mosby Inc.

Abstract:

Introduction: Infertility is a source of psychological and sometimes social stress on parents who desire to have children. Formaldehyde is used chiefly as disinfectant, preservative and in the chemical synthesis. The medical uses of formaldehyde are limited, but focused especially on laboratory use. Selenium is an essential trace of mineral element for human; it is essential for sperm function and male fertility. Selenium deficiency has been linked to reproductive problems in animals. Objectives: To investigate the prophylactic and curative effect of selenium on male infertility induced by formaldehyde using male albino mice. Method: Forty male albino mice were used, weight 25-30gm. Five groups of male mice (n=8) were used. Group 1 was daily administered water for injection (5ml/kg) for five days, group 2 was daily administered selenium (100 μg/kg) for five days, group 3 was daily administered formaldehyde (30mg/kg) for five days, group 4 (prophylaxis) was daily administered a combination of formaldehyde and selenium for five days, while group 5 (curative) was daily administered formaldehyde for five days followed by daily administration of selenium for the next five days. Intraperitoneal administration was adopted. At the end of administration, seminal fluid was collected from vas deferens. Sperm count, morphology and motility were scored; Histopathological screening of genital system was carried out. SPSS software was applied for comparing groups. Results & Conclusion: It was found that formaldehyde toxicity did not change the sperm count and percentage of motile sperm; unhealthy sperm was increased, while healthy sperm was decreased. Formaldehyde produces degeneration/damage to the male mice genital system. Selenium alone produces an increase in sperm count, volume of seminal fluid and the percentage of motile sperm. Selenium has prophylactic and curative effects against formaldehyde-induce genital system toxicity. Future work is recommended to find out if selenium protective effect is through antioxidant or other mechanisms.

Biography:

Adamma A. Emejulu Completed her PhD in 2012 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Nigeria, where she is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Biochemistry. She has up to 18 publications in both local and international reputed journals to her credit. She is an officer of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, FUTO chapter.

Abstract:

Renal and hepato-protective effect of Irvingia gabonensis juice on sodium fluoride-induced toxicity in wistar rats: Twenty-four male albino rats divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and all, except normal control(NC), were intoxicated with 20mgKg-1body weight of sodium fluoride(NaF) daily by gavage for 35 days. Sodium fluoride control group(NaFC) received only the toxicant. Test group(IG) received I. gabonensis juice concurrently with the toxicant, while the standard control(Q + Vit. E) received concurrently,15mgK-1 body weight Quercetin + 100 mgK-1 bodyweight α-tocopherol throughout the 35 days. Normal control(NC) received only standard pelletized diet and water. Serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, serum creatinine and electrolyte levels were assayed among test, standard and control animals. Irvingia gabonensis significantly(p < 0.05) reduced AST activity in the IG group (137.68 ± 12.66 U/L) compared to NaFC group (175.12±10.63 U/L). This compares to the reduction in the standard(Q+ Vit. E) group(135.69 ± 10.66 U/L). ALT activity was also reduced in the IG group. Effect of I . gabonensis on albumin and cholesterol levels were similar to that of the standard group. Administration of I.gabonensis also significantly (p<0.002) reduced elevated creatinine and Cl- concentrations, while significantly (p<0.05) elevating serum Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion levels. I.gabonensis fruit juice has some renal and hepato -protective potential which may be due to the presence of secondary plant metabolites like flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids found in the plant. The fruit is also rich in Ca2+ and Mg2+ . Increased domestication is encouraged.

Biography:

Kristen Comfort obtained her PhD in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University and completed her Postdoctoral studies as a National Research Council fellow with the Air Force Research Laboratories at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Dayton with a joint appointment in Bioengineering. Her research focus is evaluating nanomaterial behavior and subsequent biological responses in enhanced in vitro environments; an area in which she currently has over 10 publications, many of which in high impact journals.

Abstract:

Due to their distinctive physiochemical properties, nanomaterials (NMs) have been incorporated into an increasing number of products and applications. However, studies have identified that these same properties introduce a serious health concern, with NM-dependent toxicity directly correlating to specific physiochemical variables, such as size, composition, and surface coating. While much has been accomplished with regard to basic nanotoxicology, significant alterations to basal biological functionality can occur, even in the absence of cytotoxicity; introducing a novel subset of health concerns. For example, we have shown that chronic exposure to low, sub-toxic dosages of silver NMs produced a long term stress response, genetic modification, and altered cell functionality. Moreover, as NM transport and agglomeration differs from traditional chemicals, due to their insoluble nature, their behavior following cellular exposure is directly relevant to toxicological outcomes. We have identified that multiple in vitro variables, such as fluid composition, dynamic flow, and cellular models modify both NM characteristics and biological responses. A combination of surface chemistry and the composition of the surrounding environment were the critical factors for NM behavior, such as degree of agglomeration and ionic dissolution. The introduction of shear stress through dynamic flow modified the nano-cellular interface through changes to cell morphology and NM deposition efficiency: producing a subsequent shift in the biological response. Therefore, these studies highlight the need for nanotoxicological evaluation to be carried out in a physiologically relevant system in order to best predict potential health concerns associated with NM exposure.

Biography:

Qing Huang has completed his PhD from University of Goettingen in Germany. He is now a Professor in biophysics, the Director of the Department of Physical Biology, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has published more than 80 papers in reputed journals such as J. Am. Chem. Soc., Adv. Mater., Adv. Funt. Mater., Chem. Commun., J. Hazard. Mater., Environ. Sci. Tech., Water Res. and etc. He has served as the reviewers for many international journals, and an expert member for Chinese National Natural Science Foundation.

Abstract:

The increasing industrial use of manufactured nano materials (MNMs) during the last decades poses a potential threat to the environment and in particular to organisms living in the aquatic environment. To evaluate the ecological and human health risks of MNMs released to the environment properly, it is necessary to investigate the involved physicochemical transformations of MNMs under aging process in the environment and their toxicity to hydrophytes such as green algae. In the present study, the physicochemical changes of zinc oxide nanoparticles in aqueous media were characterized by SEM, TEM and XRD, and analyzed quantitatively by means of spectroscopic tools such as Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles under aging process in aqueous media was investigated in green algae Chlorella vulgaris. Our results confirmed the new compounds transformed in aging process which are identified as hydrozincite and zinc hydroxide, and revealed the lower toxicity of aged zinc oxide nanoparticles which is ascribed to the transformations of the aged zinc oxide nano particles. This work has therefore demonstrated the importance of consideration of aging process for evaluation of the toxicity of MNMs in aquatic surroundings.

Biography:

Debjani Nath completed her PhD from Jadavpur University on 1998 and pursued her research endeavor as post doctoral fellow from Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, a premier research institution of India. She has completed her teaching career for fifteen years in University of Kalyani, India and published several papers in international journals of repute and serving as the editorial board member of four international publications.

Abstract:

To develop a toxicokinetic model of acute myelolytic leukemia, benzene was used as a potent leukemogenic agent. The dose, period and time of cumulative benzene exposure of Swiss Albino mice were optimized and survival rate; alteration in cell cycle regulation and other clinical manifestations were analyzed at a cumulative dose of 300ppm × 6 hr. /day × 5 days/week for 2 weeks, i.e., 9000(a) ppm. Analyzing physiological parameters like plasma enzyme profile, complete hematology (Hb %, RBC indices and WBC differentials), hematopoietic cells morphology, expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, tissue histology and analysis of DNA fragmentation, optimum conditions were established. Elevated level of Plasma AST/ALT with corresponding changes in liver histology of optimally exposed animals also confirmed the toxicokinetic relation of benzne with leukemia. Down regulation of p53 and p21 and up regulation of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and E in this exposed group were marked as the optimum conditions of cellular deregulation for the development of secondary AML. The efficacy of this in vivo model has been tested for chemopreventive activity of two natural phytochemicals like catechin. a natural phenol and antioxidant from Saraca asoca (Roxb.) and monotarpenes from Ocimum basilicum L comparing with known chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. It has been concluded that this toxicokinetic model can be utilized as a testing template for the development of multiactive drugs for cancer chemoprevention in the near future.

Biography:

Friday E Uboh completed his Ph.D at the age of 35 from University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, and is presently an Associate Professor of Biochemistry, with Toxicology as his area of research interest. He served as the acting Head of Biochemistry Department in the Department of Biochemistry University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, from 2011 to 2013. Dr. Uboh is a member of Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria. He has more than 60 papers published in reputable Journals, and is a reviewer and editorial board member of many Journals of repute. He has also presented many conference papers, locally and internationally.

Abstract:

This study assessed the comparative protective potential of vitamins C (vit C) and E against nitrocellulose thinner-induced atherogenicity in male and female albino Wistar rats. Forty eight rats (24 males and 24 females), weighing 180–200 g, were used in the study. The animals were distributed into four groups, with six rats respectively for each of the male and female groups. The animals were orally exposed to 30 mg/kg bwt of nitrocellulose thinner (NCT) and respectively treated with vit C (200.0 mg/kg bwt) and E (100.0IU/kg bwt) daily for 30 days. At end of the experimental treatments, the animals were sacrificed and plasma collected for atherogenicity analyses. The atherogenicity was determined from the plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoproteins, and atherogenic indices of the plasma. The atherogenic indices were derived from the plasma lipid ratios, including TC:HDL, TG:HDL, (TC–HDL)/HDL and Log(TC/HDL). The results showed that the levels of plasma TC, TG, LDL, and the atherogenic indices recorded for male and female rats exposed to NCT were significantly (p<0.05) higher, while HDL levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower, compared respectively to the levels recorded for rats in the respective control groups. Also, the increase in TC, TG, (TC–HDL)/HDL and Log(TC/HDL) and decrease in HDL levels reported for rats exposed to NCT were observed to be sex-dependent, with females being more vulnerable. These results also showed that concomitant treatment of the respective groups of rats exposed to NCT with vitamins C and E significantly (p<0.05) protected both the male and female rats against NCT-induced in atherogenicity. However, the protection potential of vitamin E was observed to be significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of vitamin C. The results of this study therefore indicated that oral exposure to NCT may cause a higher risk of atherogenic disorders in females than males; and that vitamin E is more potent than vitamin C in protecting the exposed animals against NCT-induced atherogenicity in male and female rats.

Biography:

Saviour UFOT completed his BSc in Biochemistry and MSc in Pharmacology from University of Calabar and Ibadan respectively. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry (Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology) from University of Calabar in 2014. He was a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria from 1993 to 1998. He is presently working with Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited as a Health, Safety and Environment specialist. He has published over 14 papers in reputable journals and has attended many scientific seminars and conferences.

Abstract:

The types and concentration of hydrocarbons accumulated in the serum and liver tissues of male rats orally exposed to bonny light crude oil (BLCO) was assessed in this study. Twenty male albino Wistar rats (180–200 g) used in this study were distributed into two groups (control and test groups), with ten rats each. The test animals were orally exposed to 60 mg/kg bwt of BLCO, once daily for twenty eight days, while the control animals were given distilled water. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, the animals in both groups were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia, blood and liver tissues collected for analyses. The whole blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, allowed to clot, and serum separated after centrifugation. The serum and digested liver tissue samples were extracted and analyzed for hydrocarbon levels using HPLC technique. The results showed that benzene, toluene, ethylmethylene, xylene, BTEX, pyrene, naphthalene and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the serum (0.066±0.004, 0.641±0.032, 0.470±0.030, 0.112±0.009, 0.370±0.080, 3.660±0.210, 0.009±0.001 12.540±0.720ug/dl, respectively) and liver tissues (0.063±0.003, 0.604±0.024, 0.450±0.034, 0.112±0.009, 0.365±0.080, 3.620±0.190, 0.008±0.002 and 12.680±0.630 ug/g tissue, respectively) of rats exposed to BLCO were significantly (p<0.05) higher, compared to respectively with the concentrations in the serum (0.020±0.001, 0.015±0.001, 0.010±0.000, 0.031±0.001, 0.010±0.000, 1.040±0.010, 0.003±0.005 and 2.270±0.120 ug/dl, respectively) and liver tissues (0.020±0.003, 0.015±0.001, 0.012±0.002, 0.031±0.001, 0.013±0.002, 1.040±0.010, 0.002±0.001 and 2.250±0.120 ug/g tissue, respectively) of control rats. The results of this study indicated that oral exposure to BLCO may results in the accumulation of different hydrocarbons in the blood and liver tissues of rats.

Biography:

K S Tilak is a Doctorate from Andhra University, Waltair, AP, India, the former Dean of faculty of Natural Sciences, Chairman Board of Studies (PG) Zoology and Head of the Department of Zoology and Aquaculture having 40 years of research experience in the field of “Aquatic Toxicology”, having guided 29 research degrees, published 72 research papers in international and national journals recipient of prestigious ‘Archana Gold Medal’ by Academy of Environmental Biology, editor and reviewer of reputed journals, attended and conducted international and national conference in Acharya Nagarjuna University, India.

Abstract:

With the standard methods and guidelines prescribed by EPA for TLC and GLC procedures, the tissues of fish and frog viz. Gill, Muscle, Liver kidney, Brain and Tests (Frog only) were extracted, cleaned up and concentrated to less than one ml and are qualified and quantified. The qualified residues are classified by their standard ‘Rf values’ and are repository at nano level. The residues are varied in different tissues of fish and also in different fish as well as in frog due to lipophillic nature. The latent residues are known to bioaccumulate via the food chain and reach human beings and the risk to the health of the people may be cautioned. The bio-concentrations will show an impact on reproductive impairment of the commercially important fishes and to higher carnivores especially to birds. The need to protect the fast declining population like frogs which are natural pest controllers from under exposure to insecticides cannot be ignored too a part from consumption of fish and frog. In disease management of aqua farming, the chemical treatment is contemplated and use of organo phosphates like chloropyriphos result to reach a level either acute or chronic and the fish are subjected to more stress, avoid feeding which is determintal for their growth. An attempt has been made to study the effect of three mixed pesiticides in ratios as 1:1:1 (Organochlorine-Endosulphate, Organophosphate-Dimetheote and a Synthetic pyrathrod Cypermethrin. The results of the study revealed that prolonged exposure to sublethal concentration of mixture of pesticides ratios in the fish Labeo rohita leads to increased accumulation. The study also revealed that at sublethal concentrations of pesticide mixture lead to high residue concentrations. The uptake and persistence of endosulphan, dimetheote and cypermethrin varies according to the residues which is a prerequisite to observe any biochemical or histopathological change which are really the indices of toxicity. It is also confirmed that many of the bio chemical changes in the tissues works from their normal functions and triggers a cascade mechanism that reverberate.