Mitchellboysen2317

Evidence from animal studies suggests that DDT and DDE can adversely affect immuno-competence while human data are less conclusive. We aimed to assess the association of plasma concentrations of DDT and DDE with biomarkers of inflammation among reproductive-aged women residing in homes sprayed with DDT through Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

This study included 416 women from the Study of Women and Babies, South Africa (2010-2011). DDT, DDE, and biomarkers of inflammation (immunoglobulins A, G and M, interleukins 1β, 6, and 8, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid-A, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) were quantified in plasma. Linear regression was used to assess associations of DDT and DDE with each natural log-transformed biomarker. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, parity, income, and season; beta estimates were expressed as percent differences.

Compared to women with the lowest plasma concentrations of DDT and DDE, those with the highest concentrations of both compounds had higher levels IL-1β, IL6, and TNF- α. While associations were statistically significant for both DDT and DDE, the magnitude of the associations was slightly stronger for DDT. Compared to women in the lowest quintile of DDT, women in the highest quintile were estimated to have 53.0% (95%CI 21.7%, 84.4%), 28.1% (95%CI 6.4%, 49.8%), and 26.6% (95%CI 12.0%, 41.1%) higher levels of IL-1β, IL6, and TNF- α, respectively.

Our results suggest that increased plasma concentrations of DDT and DDE resulting from exposure to IRS may increase concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers among reproductive-aged women in South Africa.

Our results suggest that increased plasma concentrations of DDT and DDE resulting from exposure to IRS may increase concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers among reproductive-aged women in South Africa.Residents in close proximity to agricultural land are at risk of higher pesticide exposures. The purpose of this study was to generate national population-level exposure estimates for Canada for three commonly applied pesticides that are suspected carcinogens (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate and chlorothalonil). Using geographic information systems, pesticide exposure was estimated for every - census subdivision (CSD) in Canada (n = 5054) by combining raster-based surfaces for the distribution of crops with average crop-specific pesticide application rates data. Analyses examined all identified crops in combination with different pesticide application rates to obtain a cumulative potential total exposure. Specifically, the number of acres of particular crops were calculated for each CSD and then multiplied by the average pesticide application rates data, summed across crops, and combined with population data by CSD to provide a potential pesticide exposure estimate for each CSD. Results demonstrate that the population exposure varies greatly depending on agricultural production by CSD region. For example, in Ontario, the 2,4-D application rate was an average of 361 kg/km2, while in Saskatchewan, which primarily grows field/cereal crops, 2,4-D application rates were much higher (3810 kg/km2). The highest potential exposures to all three pesticides were in the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) along with Prince Edward Island, Southern Quebec and British Columbia. This work can be used in conjunction with other exposure assessment approaches to better understand overall pesticide exposure among Canada's general population.IL-33 is constitutively expressed in the skin. MG101 Psoriasis is a common skin inflammatory disease. The roles of IL-33 in psoriasis have not been well-elucidated. We identified that keratinocytes (KCs) are the predominant cells expressing IL-33 and its receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2, in the skin. KCs actively released IL-33 on psoriasis inflammatory stimuli and induced psoriasis-related cytokine, chemokine, and inflammatory molecules genes transcription in KCs in an autocrine manner. IL-33‒specific deficiency in KCs ameliorated imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis. In addition, intradermal injection of recombinant IL-33 alone induced psoriasis-like dermatitis, which is attributed to the transcriptional upregulation of genes enriched in IL-17, TNF, and chemokine signaling pathway in KCs on recombinant IL-33 stimulation. Our data demonstrate that the autocrine circuit of IL-33 in KCs promotes the progression of psoriatic skin inflammation, and IL-33 is a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis.Lacosamide is a new-generation anticonvulsant acting on Na+ channels. Compared to the classic anticonvulsants targeting Na+ channels, lacosamide is unique in structure and in its molecular action requiring longer membrane depolarization. Selective binding to the slow inactivated state of Na+ channels was then advocated for lacosamide, although slow binding to the fast inactivated state was alternatively proposed recently. In addition, quantitative characterization of lacosamide action has been deficient. We investigated the interactions between lacosamide and Na+ channels in native mammalian neurons, and found that the apparent dissociation constant (~13.7 μM) of lacosamide to the slow inactivated state is well within the therapeutic concentration range and is much (>15-fold) lower than the dissociation constant of lacosamide to the fast inactivated state. Besides, lacosamide has extremely slow binding rates (3000 M-1sec-1) to the slow inactivated Na+ channels. Consistent with these biophysical characters, we further demonstrated that lacosamide is much more effective against the repetitive burst discharges with interburst intervals at -60 mV than -80 mV. With preponderant binding to the slow inactivation state in therapeutic concentrations and thus less propensity to affect normal discharges, lacosamide could be a drug of choice for seizure discharges characterized by relatively depolarized interburst intervals, during which more slow inactivated states could be generated and more binding of lacosamide would ensue.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most prevalent injuries in the military with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounting for approximately 70-80 % of all TBI. link2 TBI has been associated with diffuse and focal brain changes to structures and networks underlying cognitive-emotional processing. Although the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a critical role in emotion regulation and executive function and is susceptible to mTBI, studies focusing on ACC resting state functional connectivity (rs-fc) in Veterans are limited.

Veterans with mTBI (n = 49) and with no history of TBI (n = 25), ages 20-54 completed clinical assessments and an 8-minute resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) on a 3 T Siemens scanner. Imaging results were analyzed with left and right ACC as seed regions using SPM8. Regression analyses were performed with time since injury.

Seed-based analysis showed increased connectivity of the left and right ACC with brain regions including middle and posterior cingulate regions, preceneus, and occipital regions in the mTBI compared to the non-TBI group.

The rs-fMRI results indicate hyperconnectivity in Veterans with mTBI. These results are consistent with previous studies of recently concussed athletes showing ACC hyperconnectivity. Enhanced top-down control of attention networks necessary to compensate for the microstructural damage following mTBI may explain ACC hyperconnectivity post-mTBI.

The rs-fMRI results indicate hyperconnectivity in Veterans with mTBI. These results are consistent with previous studies of recently concussed athletes showing ACC hyperconnectivity. Enhanced top-down control of attention networks necessary to compensate for the microstructural damage following mTBI may explain ACC hyperconnectivity post-mTBI.Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic in the anthracycline class widely used for the treatment of several solid tumors and blood cancers. Cardiotoxicity is the major dose-limiting adverse effect of the drug. Chronic and accumulated doxorubicin administration cause myocyte damage and myocardial fibrosis. Doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity can be also observed after a short-course drug treatment even without clinical evidence of cardiac disease. link3 Nevertheless, acute underlying mechanisms involved in the initiation of drug-induced cardiotoxicity remain poorly explored despite their similarities with pathophysiological conditions where cardiac TRH (cTRH) plays a central role. We showed that cTRH mediates myocardial injury induced by hypertension, and angiotensin II. Further, cTRH overexpression induces cardiac apoptosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis.

To demonstrate that cTRH could mediate acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

A single injection of doxorubicin (10mgkg/dayi.p.) was used to evaluate acute cardiac damage in a short-term experimental model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. While inhibiting cTRH by small interfering RNA (siRNA), we evaluated the progression of cardiotoxicity.

We found a doxorubicin-induced TRH overexpression in the LV, which was associated with apoptosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis. siRNA-mediated cTRH suppression prevented the doxorubicin-associated cardiac histological lesions.

doxorubicin requires an active cardiac TRH system to promote heart injury.

doxorubicin requires an active cardiac TRH system to promote heart injury.

The increased incidence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in men compared with women suggests that male sex hormones significantly impact myocardial contractile activation. This study aims to examine associations among molecular alterations, cellular modulations and in vivo cardiac contractile function upon deprivation of testicular hormones.

Myocardial structure and functions were compared among sham-operated control and twelve-week orchidectomized (ORX) male rats with and without testosterone supplementation.

Echocardiography and pressure-volume relationships demonstrated a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction compared with sham-operated controls. The percentage of contractility reduction was generally similar to the decrease in tension development detected in both right ventricular trabeculae and skinned isolated left ventricular cardiomyocytes of ORX rats. Reductions in tension cost and the rate constant of tension redevelopment (k

) in ORX samples suggested a decrease in the rogression.

Cerebral ischemic stroke leads to mitochondrial alterations which are key factors for initiation of various cascades resulting in neuronal damage. Dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist, Sumanirole (SUM) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the role of SUM in ischemic stroke (IS) has not been studied yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective efficiency of SUM against ischemic injury and its possible effect on mitochondrial restorative mechanisms.

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was performed in Wistar rats for 90min occlusion and 22.5h reperfusion to mimic ischemic stroke. Post- treatment with Sumanirole (0.1 mg/kg and 1mg/kg; s.c.) was done at 1h, 6h, 12 hand 18h after surgery. In addition, neurobehavioral analysis, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometric analysis, mitochondrial complexes analysis, infarct size evaluation and histological analysis were performed.