Protective Effect of a Synbiotic against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Murine Infection Model

PubMed Central

Takahashi, Akira; Yuki, Norikatsu; Kaji, Rumi; Takahashi, Takuya; Nomoto, Koji

2016-01-01

This study investigated the ability of the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult (BbY) to protect against infection, as well as the potentiation of BbY activity by the synbiotic combination of BbY and prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS). The study employed a mouse model of lethal intestinal multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAb) infection. The endogenous intestinal microbiota was disrupted by the administration of multiple antibiotics, causing the loss of endogenous Bifidobacterium. Oral infection of these mice with MDRAb resulted in marked growth of this organism. Additional treatment of the infected mice with a sublethal dose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced systemic invasion by MDRAb and subsequent animal death. The continuous oral administration of BbY increased the survival rate and inhibited the intestinal growth and invasion by MDRAb in the infection model. Disruptions of the intestinal environment and barrier function in the infected mice were attenuated by BbY. Protection against the MDRAb infection was markedly potentiated by a synbiotic combination of BbY and GOS, although GOS by itself did not provide protection. Negative correlations were observed between intestinal MDRAb and BbY counts or acetic acid levels; positive correlations were observed between acetic acid levels and intestinal epithelium expression of tight-junction-related genes. These results demonstrated that the probiotic and synbiotic markedly potentiated protection against fatal intestinal infection caused by a multidrug-resistant bacterium. Probiotics and synbiotics are presumed to provide protection by compensation for the disrupted indigenous populations, thereby maintaining the intestinal environments and barrier functions otherwise targeted during opportunistic infection by MDRAb. PMID:26953197

Protective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on endotoxin shock in mice with retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency syndrome.

PubMed

Toki, S; Hiromatsu, K; Aoki, Y; Makino, M; Yoshikai, Y

1997-10-01

Mice with retrovirus-induced murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS) were hypersensitive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lethal shock accompanied by marked elevations of systematic interleukin 1beta (IL-beta) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) after LPS challenge. Pretreatment with 10 microg of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) protected MAIDS mice from hypersensitivity to LPS-induced lethal shock and this protection was concomitant with suppression of IFN-gamma production. Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited.

Therapeutic jurisprudence and sex offenders: a psycho-legal approach to protection.

PubMed

Birgden, Astrid

2004-10-01

Societal response to sex offenders is marked by uncertainty about whether punishment or treatment should occur. The distinction between punishment, prevention, and protection is useful to determine how best to assess, treat, and manage sex offenders within the criminal justice system. Once convicted, both law and psychology are concerned with sex offenders changing their behavior in order to protect the community. Therapeutic jurisprudence is a legal theory that aims to maximize therapeutic effects of the law and minimize anti-therapeutic consequences of the law. Therapeutic jurisprudence provides a framework to combine legal and psychological processes to balance prevention and protection. Legal and correctional practitioners can work together to address both community protection and offender protection concerns.

Mechanism of protection from primary bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. I. The effects of dexamethasone.

PubMed Central

Shope, R E; Muscoplat, C C; Chen, A W; Johnson, D W

1976-01-01

A series of investigations was designed to study the role of cellular immunity and passive antibody in protecting neonatal calves from primary bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. Administration of corticosteroids (dexamethasone) in doses capable of suppressing cellular immunity markedly potentiated systemic bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in calves which lacked bovine viral diarrhea passive neutralizing antibody. Immunosuppressed calves did not form neutralizing antibody to bovine viral diarrhea virus and developed a fatal viremia. Calves with high levels of passive bovine viral diarrhea neutralizing antibodies were protected from the effect of corticosteroids. The results suggest an essential role for humoral passive antibody, but not for cellular immunity, in protection from primary systemic bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in calves. PMID:187303

Liver protective effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni).

PubMed

Wang, Mian-Ying; Nowicki, Diane; Anderson, Gary; Jensen, Jarakae; West, Brett

2008-06-01

This study evaluated the protective effects of Noni fruit juice on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver damage (micro-centrilobular necrosis) was observed in animals pretreated with 20% placebo (drinking water) + CCl(4). However, pretreatment with 20% Noni juice in drinking water + CCl(4) resulted in markedly decreased hepatotoxic lesions. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the Noni group than the placebo group. In a correlative time-dependent study, one dose of CCl(4) (0.25 mL/kg in corn oil, p.o.) in female SD rats, pretreated with 10% placebo for 12 days, caused sequential progressive hepatotoxic lesions over a 24 h period, while a protective effect from 10% Noni juice pretreatment was observed. These results suggest that Noni juice is effective in protecting the liver from extrinsic toxin exposure.

Liver Protective Effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)

PubMed Central

Nowicki, Diane; Anderson, Gary; Jensen, Jarakae; West, Brett

2008-01-01

This study evaluated the protective effects of Noni fruit juice on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Liver damage (micro-centrilobular necrosis) was observed in animals pretreated with 20% placebo (drinking water) + CCl4. However, pretreatment with 20% Noni juice in drinking water + CCl4 resulted in markedly decreased hepatotoxic lesions. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the Noni group than the placebo group. In a correlative time-dependent study, one dose of CCl4 (0.25 mL/kg in corn oil, p.o.) in female SD rats, pretreated with 10% placebo for 12 days, caused sequential progressive hepatotoxic lesions over a 24 h period, while a protective effect from 10% Noni juice pretreatment was observed. These results suggest that Noni juice is effective in protecting the liver from extrinsic toxin exposure. PMID:18317933

Renoprotective effect of low-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharide from the seaweed Laminaria japonica on glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

PubMed

Li, Xinpeng; Wang, Jing; Zhang, Hong; Zhang, Quanbin

2017-02-01

We investigated the renal protective effect of low-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharide (LMWSP) fractions extracted from Laminaria japonica on glycerol-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. Glycerol treatment significantly increased serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Intraperitoneal injection of LMWSP fractions markedly decreased SCr and BUN levels and reduced renal swelling. The fraction of 1.0M NaCl displayed the best renal protective effect of all fractions in attenuating AKI and maintaining blood glucose. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recognition in context: Implications for trade mark law.

PubMed

Humphreys, Michael S; McFarlane, Kimberley A; Burt, Jennifer S; Kelly, Sarah J; Weatherall, Kimberlee G; Burrell, Robert G

2017-10-01

Context effects in recognition have played a major role in evaluating theories of recognition. Understanding how context impacts recognition is also important for making sound trade mark law. Consumers attempting to discriminate between the brand they are looking for and a look-alike product often have to differentiate products which share a great deal of common context: positioning on the supermarket shelf, the type of store, aspects of the packaging, or brand claims. Trade mark and related laws aim to protect brands and reduce consumer confusion, but courts assessing allegations of trade mark infringement often lack careful empirical evidence concerning the impact of brand and context similarity, and, in the absence of such evidence, make assumptions about how consumers respond to brands that downplay the importance of context and focus on the similarity of registered marks. The experiments reported in this paper aimed to test certain common assumptions in trade mark law, providing evidence that shared context can cause mistakes even where brand similarity is low.

48 CFR 703.104-5 - Disclosure, protection, and marking of proprietary and source information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Disclosure, protection, and marking of proprietary and source information. 703.104-5 Section 703.104-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL...

Potential protection of green tea polyphenols against 1800 MHz electromagnetic radiation-induced injury on rat cortical neurons.

PubMed

Liu, Mei-Li; Wen, Jian-Qiang; Fan, Yu-Bo

2011-10-01

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) are harmful to public health, but the certain anti-irradiation mechanism is not clear yet. The present study was performed to investigate the possible protective effects of green tea polyphenols against electromagnetic radiation-induced injury in the cultured rat cortical neurons. In this study, green tea polyphenols were used in the cultured cortical neurons exposed to 1800 MHz EMFs by the mobile phone. We found that the mobile phone irradiation for 24 h induced marked neuronal cell death in the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) and TUNEL (TdT mediated biotin-dUTP nicked-end labeling) assay, and protective effects of green tea polyphenols on the injured cortical neurons were demonstrated by testing the content of Bcl-2 Assaciated X protein (Bax) in the immunoprecipitation assay and Western blot assay. In our study results, the mobile phone irradiation-induced increases in the content of active Bax were inhibited significantly by green tea polyphenols, while the contents of total Bax had no marked changes after the treatment of green tea polyphenols. Our results suggested a neuroprotective effect of green tea polyphenols against the mobile phone irradiation-induced injury on the cultured rat cortical neurons.

Intranasal boosting with an adenovirus-vectored vaccine markedly enhances protection by parenteral Mycobacterium bovis BCG immunization against pulmonary tuberculosis.

PubMed

Santosuosso, Michael; McCormick, Sarah; Zhang, Xizhong; Zganiacz, Anna; Xing, Zhou

2006-08-01

Parenterally administered Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine confers only limited immune protection from pulmonary tuberculosis in humans. There is a need for developing effective boosting vaccination strategies. We examined a heterologous prime-boost regimen utilizing BCG as a prime vaccine and our recently described adenoviral vector expressing Ag85A (AdAg85A) as a boost vaccine. Since we recently demonstrated that a single intranasal but not intramuscular immunization with AdAg85A was able to induce potent protection from pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in a mouse model, we compared the protective effects of parenteral and mucosal booster immunizations following subcutaneous BCG priming. Protection by BCG prime immunization was not effectively boosted by subcutaneous BCG or intramuscular AdAg85A. In contrast, protection by BCG priming was remarkably boosted by intranasal AdAg85A. Such enhanced protection by intranasal AdAg85A was correlated to the numbers of gamma interferon-positive CD4 and CD8 T cells residing in the airway lumen of the lung. Our study demonstrates that intranasal administration of AdAg85A represents an effective way to boost immune protection by parenteral BCG vaccination.

48 CFR 1403.104-4 - Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source selection information. 1403.104-4 Section 1403.104-4 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GENERAL IMPROPER...

ACUTE-TO-CHRONIC ESTIMATION (ACE V 2.0) WITH TIME-CONCENTRATION-EFFECT MODELS: USER MANUAL AND SOFTWARE

EPA Science Inventory

Ellersieck, Mark R., Amha Asfaw, Foster L. Mayer, Gary F. Krause, Kai Sun and Gunhee Lee. 2003. Acute-to-Chronic Estimation (ACE v2.0) with Time-Concentration-Effect Models: User Manual and Software. EPA/600/R-03/107. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Envi...

Leaky vaccines protect highly exposed recipients at a lower rate: implications for vaccine efficacy estimation and sieve analysis.

PubMed

Edlefsen, Paul T

2014-01-01

"Leaky" vaccines are those for which vaccine-induced protection reduces infection rates on a per-exposure basis, as opposed to "all-or-none" vaccines, which reduce infection rates to zero for some fraction of subjects, independent of the number of exposures. Leaky vaccines therefore protect subjects with fewer exposures at a higher effective rate than subjects with more exposures. This simple observation has serious implications for analysis methodologies that rely on the assumption that the vaccine effect is homogeneous across subjects. We argue and show through examples that this heterogeneous vaccine effect leads to a violation of the proportional hazards assumption, to incomparability of infected cases across treatment groups, and to nonindependence of the distributions of the competing failure processes in a competing risks setting. We discuss implications for vaccine efficacy estimation, correlates of protection analysis, and mark-specific efficacy analysis (also known as sieve analysis).

Polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant potential and neuro-protective effect from Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim.

PubMed

Qin, Rulan; Zhao, Ying; Zhao, Yudan; Zhou, Wanrong; Lv, Chongning; Lu, Jincai

2016-12-01

Three new phenolic compounds (1-3), along with five known compounds (4-8) were isolated from the rhizome of Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and HR-MS techniques. DPPH method and protective effect on PC12 cells against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage model were carried to evaluate the antioxidant capability of these compounds. Compound 5 showed significant antioxidant activity with IC 50 values 9.33μM in DPPH assay and compound 2 displayed marked neuro-protective effect with 87.65% cell viability at the concentration of 10μM. Additionally, the possible structure-activity relationships of these phenolic compounds were tentatively discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Females Are Protected From Iron-Overload Cardiomyopathy Independent of Iron Metabolism: Key Role of Oxidative Stress.

PubMed

Das, Subhash K; Patel, Vaibhav B; Basu, Ratnadeep; Wang, Wang; DesAulniers, Jessica; Kassiri, Zamaneh; Oudit, Gavin Y

2017-01-23

Sex-related differences in cardiac function and iron metabolism exist in humans and experimental animals. Male patients and preclinical animal models are more susceptible to cardiomyopathies and heart failure. However, whether similar differences are seen in iron-overload cardiomyopathy is poorly understood. Male and female wild-type and hemojuvelin-null mice were injected and fed with a high-iron diet, respectively, to develop secondary iron overload and genetic hemochromatosis. Female mice were completely protected from iron-overload cardiomyopathy, whereas iron overload resulted in marked diastolic dysfunction in male iron-overloaded mice based on echocardiographic and invasive pressure-volume analyses. Female mice demonstrated a marked suppression of iron-mediated oxidative stress and a lack of myocardial fibrosis despite an equivalent degree of myocardial iron deposition. Ovariectomized female mice with iron overload exhibited essential pathophysiological features of iron-overload cardiomyopathy showing distinct diastolic and systolic dysfunction, severe myocardial fibrosis, increased myocardial oxidative stress, and increased expression of cardiac disease markers. Ovariectomy prevented iron-induced upregulation of ferritin, decreased myocardial SERCA2a levels, and increased NCX1 levels. 17β-Estradiol therapy rescued the iron-overload cardiomyopathy in male wild-type mice. The responses in wild-type and hemojuvelin-null female mice were remarkably similar, highlighting a conserved mechanism of sex-dependent protection from iron-overload-mediated cardiac injury. Male and female mice respond differently to iron-overload-mediated effects on heart structure and function, and females are markedly protected from iron-overload cardiomyopathy. Ovariectomy in female mice exacerbated iron-induced myocardial injury and precipitated severe cardiac dysfunction during iron-overload conditions, whereas 17β-estradiol therapy was protective in male iron-overloaded mice. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

Post-socialist forest disturbance in the Carpathian border region of Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

PubMed

Kuemmerle, Tobias; Hostert, Patrick; Radeloff, Volker C; Perzanowski, Kajetan; Kruhlov, Ivan

2007-07-01

Forests provide important ecosystem services, and protected areas around the world are intended to reduce human disturbance on forests. The question is how forest cover is changing in different parts of the world, why some areas are more frequently disturbed, and if protected areas are effective in limiting anthropogenic forest disturbance. The Carpathians are Eastern Europe's largest contiguous forest ecosystem and are a hotspot of biodiversity. Eastern Europe has undergone dramatic changes in political and socioeconomic structures since 1990, when socialistic state economies transitioned toward market economies. However, the effects of the political and economic transition on Carpathian forests remain largely unknown. Our goals were to compare post-socialist forest disturbance and to assess the effectiveness of protected areas in the border triangle of Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine, to better understand the role of broadscale political and socioeconomic factors. Forest disturbances were assessed using the forest disturbance index derived from Landsat MSS/TM/ETM+ images from 1978 to 2000. Our results showed increased harvesting in all three countries (up to 1.8 times) in 1988-1994, right after the system change. Forest disturbance rates differed markedly among countries (disturbance rates in Ukraine were 4.5 times higher than in Poland, and those in Slovakia were 4.3 times higher than in Poland), and in Ukraine, harvests tended to occur at higher elevations. Forest fragmentation increased in all three countries but experienced a stronger increase in Slovakia and Ukraine (approximately 5% decrease in core forest) than in Poland. Protected areas were most effective in Poland and in Slovakia, where harvesting rates dropped markedly (by nearly an order of magnitude in Slovakia) after protected areas were designated. In Ukraine, harvesting rates inside and outside protected areas did not differ appreciably, and harvests were widespread immediately before the designation of protected areas. In summary, the socioeconomic changes in Eastern Europe that occurred since 1990 had strong effects on forest disturbance. Differences in disturbance rates among countries appear to be most closely related to broadscale socioeconomic conditions, forest management practices, forest policies, and the strength of institutions. We suggest that such factors may be equally important in other regions of the world.

50 CFR 216.95 - Official mark for “Dolphin-safe” tuna products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... forth in the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, 16 U.S.C. 1385, and implementing regulations... mark on labels must allow the consumer to identify the official mark and be similar in design and scale...

10 CFR 603.850 - Marking of data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Marking of data. 603.850 Section 603.850 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.850 Marking of data. To protect the recipient's interests in data, the TIA should require the recipient to mark any particular data that it wishes to...

10 CFR 603.850 - Marking of data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Marking of data. 603.850 Section 603.850 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.850 Marking of data. To protect the recipient's interests in data, the TIA should require the recipient to mark any particular data that it wishes to...

The Protective Effect of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Chronic Liver Fibrosis in Mice via Upregulation of Nrf2

PubMed Central

Chen, Shaoru; Zou, Liyi; Li, Li; Wu, Tie

2013-01-01

This study was designed to investigate the potentially protective effects of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and the role of transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2(NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling in the regulation of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic liver fibrosis in mice. The potentially protective effects of GA on CCl4-induced chronic liver fibrosis in mice were depicted histologically and biochemically. Firstly, histopathological changes including regenerative nodules, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis were induced by CCl4.Then, CCl4 administration caused a marked increase in the levels of serum aminotransferases (GOT, GPT), serum monoamine oxidase (MAO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) as well as MAO in the mice liver homogenates. Also, decreased nuclear Nrf2 expression, mRNA levels of its target genes such as superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2), and activity of cellular antioxidant enzymes were found after CCl4 exposure. All of these phenotypes were markedly reversed by the treatment of the mice with GA. In addition, GA exhibited the antioxidant effects in vitro by on FeCl2-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver homogenates, and on DPPH scavenging activity. Taken together, these results suggested that GA can protect the liver from oxidative stress in mice, presumably through activating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, enhancing the expression of its target genes and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, GA may be an effective hepatoprotective agent and viable candidate for treating liver fibrosis and other oxidative stress-related diseases. PMID:23341968

EVALUATION OF MINIMUM DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR ACUTE TOXICITY VALUE EXTRAPOLATION WITH AQUATIC ORGANISMS

EPA Science Inventory

Buckler, Denny R., Foster L. Mayer, Mark R. Ellersieck and Amha Asfaw. 2003. Evaluation of Minimum Data Requirements for Acute Toxicity Value Extrapolation with Aquatic Organisms. EPA/600/R-03/104. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Re...

Antimutagenicity of WR-1065 in L5178Y cells exposed to accelerated (56)Fe ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, H. H.; Evans, T. E.; Horng, M. F.

2002-01-01

The ability of the aminothiol WR-1065 [N-(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane] to protect L5178Y (LY) cells against the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of exposure to accelerated (56)Fe ions (1.08 GeV/nucleon) was determined. It was found that while WR-1065 reduced the mutagenicity in both cell lines when it was present during the irradiation, the addition of WR-1065 after the exposure had no effect on the mutagenicity of the radiation in either cell line. No marked protection against the cytotoxic effects of exposure to (56)Fe ions was provided by WR-1065 when added either during or after irradiation in either cell line. We reported previously that WR-1065 protected the LY-S1 and LY-SR1 cell lines against both the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of X radiation when present during exposure, but that its protection when administered after exposure was limited to the mutagenic effects in the radiation-hypersensitive cell line, LY-S1. The results indicate that the mechanisms involved differ in the protection against cytotoxic compared to mutagenic effects and in the protection against damage caused by accelerated (56)Fe ions compared to X radiation.

49 CFR 1520.13 - Marking SSI.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECURITY RULES FOR ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION § 1520.13 Marking SSI. (a) Marking of paper records. In the case of paper records...

46 CFR 160.174-23 - Marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... the Coast Guard approval number. (b) Each storage case must be marked with the words “Thermal... GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT Thermal Protective Aids § 160.174-23 Marking. (a) Each thermal...

Protective Effect of Chitin Urocanate Nanofibers against Ultraviolet Radiation

PubMed Central

Ito, Ikuko; Yoneda, Toshikazu; Omura, Yoshihiko; Osaki, Tomohiro; Ifuku, Shinsuke; Saimoto, Hiroyuki; Azuma, Kazuo; Imagawa, Tomohiro; Tsuka, Takeshi; Murahata, Yusuke; Ito, Norihiko; Okamoto, Yoshiharu; Minami, Saburo

2015-01-01

Urocanic acid is a major ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing chromophore. Chitins are highly crystalline structures that are found predominantly in crustacean shells. Alpha-chitin consists of microfibers that contain nanofibrils embedded in a protein matrix. Acid hydrolysis is a common method used to prepare chitin nanofibrils (NFs). We typically obtain NFs by hydrolyzing chitin with acetic acid. However, in the present study, we used urocanic acid to prepare urocanic acid chitin NFs (UNFs) and examined its protective effect against UVB radiation. Hos: HR-1 mice coated with UNFs were UVB irradiated (302 nm, 150 mJ/cm2), and these mice showed markedly lower UVB radiation-induced cutaneous erythema than the control. Additionally, sunburn cells were rarely detected in the epidermis of UNFs-coated mice after UVB irradiation. Although the difference was not as significant as UNFs, the number of sunburn cells in mice treated with acetic acid chitin nanofibrils (ANFs) tended to be lower than in control mice. These results demonstrate that ANFs have a protective effect against UVB and suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of NFs influence the protective effect of ANFs against UVB radiation. The combination of NFs with other substances that possess UV-protective effects, such as urocanic acid, may provide an enhanced protective effect against UVB radiation. PMID:26703629

Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor Peptide Protects Murine Hepatocytes from Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Injury

PubMed Central

Shih, Shou-Chuan; Ho, Tsung-Chuan; Chen, Show-Li; Tsao, Yeou-Ping

2016-01-01

Fibrogenesis is induced by repeated injury to the liver and reactive regeneration and leads eventually to liver cirrhosis. Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) has been shown to prevent liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). A 44 amino acid domain of PEDF (44-mer) was found to have a protective effect against various insults to several cell types. In this study, we investigated the capability of synthetic 44-mer to protect against liver injury in mice and in primary cultured hepatocytes. Acute liver injury, induced by CCl4, was evident from histological changes, such as cell necrosis, inflammation and apoptosis, and a concomitant reduction of glutathione (GSH) and GSH redox enzyme activities in the liver. Intraperitoneal injection of the 44-mer into CCl4-treated mice abolished the induction of AST and ALT and markedly reduced histological signs of liver injury. The 44-mer treatment can reduce hepatic oxidative stress as evident from lower levels of lipid hydroperoxide, and higher levels of GSH. CCl4 caused a reduction of Bcl-xL, PEDF and PPARγ, which was markedly restored by the 44-mer treatment. Consequently, the 44-mer suppressed liver fibrosis induced by repeated CCl4 injury. Furthermore, our observations in primary culture of rat hepatocytes showed that PEDF and the 44-mer protected primary rat hepatocytes against apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and TGF-β1. PEDF/44-mer induced cell protective STAT3 phosphorylation. Pharmacological STAT3 inhibition prevented the antiapoptotic action of PEDF/44-mer. Among several PEDF receptor candidates that may be responsible for hepatocyte protection, we demonstrated that PNPLA2 was essential for PEDF/44-mer-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation and antiapoptotic activity by using siRNA to selectively knockdown PNPLA2. In conclusion, the PEDF 44-mer protects hepatocytes from single and repeated CCl4 injury. This protective effect may stem from strengthening the counter oxidative stress capacity and induction of hepatoprotective factors. PMID:27384427

10 CFR 603.850 - Marking of data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Marking of data. 603.850 Section 603.850 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.850 Marking of data. To protect the recipient's...

10 CFR 603.850 - Marking of data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Marking of data. 603.850 Section 603.850 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.850 Marking of data. To protect the recipient's...

The Continuing Evolution of Effective IT Security Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Voloudakis, John

2006-01-01

In the past three years, higher education institutions have made a number of moves to secure their critical systems and protect their users, resulting in a marked change in the techniques used to combat security threats. Today, continued progress may depend on the development of an enterprise IT security program. (Contains 10 notes.)

19 CFR 181.116 - Petition regarding adverse marking decision.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Petition regarding adverse marking decision. 181.116 Section 181.116 Customs Duties U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY... merchandise which was the subject of the adverse marking decision may file a petition with Customs requesting...

19 CFR 181.116 - Petition regarding adverse marking decision.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Petition regarding adverse marking decision. 181.116 Section 181.116 Customs Duties U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY... merchandise which was the subject of the adverse marking decision may file a petition with Customs requesting...

19 CFR 181.116 - Petition regarding adverse marking decision.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Petition regarding adverse marking decision. 181.116 Section 181.116 Customs Duties U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY... merchandise which was the subject of the adverse marking decision may file a petition with Customs requesting...

10 CFR 1017.16 - Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on documents or material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Review of a Document or Material for Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information § 1017.16 Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...

10 CFR 1017.16 - Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on documents or material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Review of a Document or Material for Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information § 1017.16 Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...

10 CFR 1017.16 - Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on documents or material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Review of a Document or Material for Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information § 1017.16 Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...

10 CFR 1017.16 - Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on documents or material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Review of a Document or Material for Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information § 1017.16 Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...

10 CFR 1017.16 - Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on documents or material.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Review of a Document or Material for Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information § 1017.16 Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information markings on...

16 CFR 304.6 - Marking requirements for imitation numismatic items.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Marking requirements for imitation numismatic items. 304.6 Section 304.6 Commercial Practices FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REGULATIONS UNDER SPECIFIC ACTS OF CONGRESS RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE HOBBY PROTECTION ACT § 304.6 Marking requirements...

16 CFR 304.5 - Marking requirements for imitation political items.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Marking requirements for imitation political items. 304.5 Section 304.5 Commercial Practices FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REGULATIONS UNDER SPECIFIC ACTS OF CONGRESS RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE HOBBY PROTECTION ACT § 304.5 Marking requirements for...

11β-Hydoxylase Inhibitors Protect Against Seizures in Mice by Increasing Endogenous Neurosteroid Synthesis

PubMed Central

Kaminski, Rafal M.; Rogawski, Michael A.

2011-01-01

Steroid 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1; EC 1.14.15.4) is a mitochondrial enzyme located in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex and also in the brain that mediates the conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) to corticosterone. Inhibitors of CYP11B1, such as metyrapone and etomidate, reduce glucocorticoid synthesis and raise levels of DOC providing greater availability for metabolic conversion to the GABAA receptor modulating neurosteroid allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC). Because THDOC is a potent anticonvulsant, it is plausible that CYP11B1 inhibitors could protect against seizures. Here we demonstrate that metyrapone affords dose-dependent protection against 6-Hz seizures 30 min after injection (ED50, 191 mg/kg), but is markedly more potent at 6 h (ED50, 30 mg/kg). Similarly, etomidate is also protective at 30 min and 6 h (ED50 values, 4.5 and 1.7 mg/kg). Finasteride, an inhibitor of neurosteroid synthesis, attenuated the anticonvulsant effects of both CYP11B1 inhibitors at 6 h, but not 30 min following their injection. Plasma THDOC levels measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were markedly increased 6 h after injection of both CYP11B1 inhibitors and this increase was attenuated by finasteride pretreatment. We conclude that inhibition of CYP11B1 causes delayed seizure protection due to slow build-up of neurosteroids. Early seizure protection is independent of neurosteroids. PMID:21458468

Effect of Antiviral Agents in Equine Abortion Virus-Infected Hamsters1

PubMed Central

Lieberman, Melvin; Pascale, Andrea; Schafer, Thomas W.; Came, Paul E.

1972-01-01

Equine abortion virus, a member of the herpesvirus group, produces a lethal infection in hamsters. With this system, the protective effect of certain inhibitors of deoxyribonucleic acid viruses, inducers of interferon and exogenous interferon, was evaluated. Of the various agents studied, 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine markedly suppressed mortality, and 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine, distamycin A, and N-ethylisatin β-thiosemicarbazone were inactive. Of the inducers tested, statolon, ultraviolet-irradiated Newcastle disease virus, and polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) were protective, and endotoxin, polyacrylic acid, and polymethacrylic acid did not protect. Administration of exogenous interferon did not afford protection. Statolon and ultraviolet-irradiated Newcastle disease virus induced circulating interferon in hamsters, whereas poly I:C, endotoxin, and polyacrylic acid did not produce interferon. Because of the severity of the disease produced in hamsters by equine abortion virus, lack of protective activity by an agent in this system should not preclude possible efficacy against other members of the herpesvirus group. PMID:4376907

Protective effect of Panax ginseng in cisplatin-induced cachexia in rats.

PubMed

Lobina, Carla; Carai, Mauro A M; Loi, Barbara; Gessa, Gian Luigi; Riva, Antonella; Cabri, Walter; Petrangolini, Giovanna; Morazzoni, Paolo; Colombo, Giancarlo

2014-05-01

This study investigated the protective effect of a standardized extract of Panax ginseng on multiple cisplatin-induced 'sickness behaviors' (model of cancer-induced cachexia) in rats. Cisplatin was administered twice weekly (1-2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 5 consecutive weeks. Panax ginseng extract (0, 25 and 50 mg/kg, intragastric) was administered daily over the 5-week period of cisplatin exposure. Malaise, bodyweight and temperature, pain sensitivity, and endurance running were recorded at baseline and at 5 weekly intervals. Treatment with cisplatin produced severe signs of malaise, marked loss of bodyweight, hypothermia, hyperalgesia and reduction in running time. Treatment with Panax ginseng extract completely prevented all cisplatin-induced alterations. These data indicate that treatment with Panax ginseng extract exerted a protective effect in a rat model of cachexia and suggest that Panax ginseng extract may be a therapeutic promising tool for supportive care in oncology.

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

33 CFR 118.160 - Vertical clearance gauges.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of the foot marks, read from top to bottom. Each gauge must be installed on the end of the right... directly on the bridge channel pier or pier protection structure if the surface is suitable and has... be marked by black numerals and foot marks on a white background. Paint, if used, must be of good...

33 CFR 118.160 - Vertical clearance gauges.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... of the foot marks, read from top to bottom. Each gauge must be installed on the end of the right... directly on the bridge channel pier or pier protection structure if the surface is suitable and has... be marked by black numerals and foot marks on a white background. Paint, if used, must be of good...

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced preconditioning in primary cortical neurons involves activation of MCL-1.

PubMed

Anilkumar, Ujval; Weisová, Petronela; Düssmann, Heiko; Concannon, Caoimhín G; König, Hans-Georg; Prehn, Jochen H M

2013-03-01

Neuronal preconditioning is a phenomenon where a previous exposure to a sub-lethal stress stimulus increases the resistance of neurons towards a second, normally lethal stress stimulus. Activation of the energy stress sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to contribute to the protective effects of ischaemic and mitochondrial uncoupling-induced preconditioning in neurons, however, the molecular basis of AMPK-mediated preconditioning has been less well characterized. We investigated the effect of AMPK preconditioning using 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) in a model of NMDA-mediated excitotoxic injury in primary mouse cortical neurons. Activation of AMPK with low concentrations of AICAR (0.1 mM for 2 h) induced a transient increase in AMPK phosphorylation, protecting neurons against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Analysing potential targets of AMPK activation, demonstrated a marked increase in mRNA expression and protein levels of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family protein myeloid cell leukaemia sequence 1 (MCL-1) in AICAR-preconditioned neurons. Interestingly, over-expression of MCL-1 protected neurons against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity while MCL-1 gene silencing abolished the effect of AICAR preconditioning. Monitored intracellular Ca²⁺ levels during NMDA excitation revealed that MCL-1 over-expressing neurons exhibited improved bioenergetics and markedly reduced Ca²⁺ elevations, suggesting a potential mechanism through which MCL-1 confers neuroprotection. This study identifies MCL-1 as a key effector of AMPK-induced preconditioning in neurons. © 2012 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Protective effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa against dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice.

PubMed

Chaudhary, Ghanshyam; Mahajan, Umesh B; Goyal, Sameer N; Ojha, Shreesh; Patil, Chandragouda R; Subramanya, Sandeep B

2017-01-01

The protective effect of methanolic extract of Lagerstroemia speciosaleaves (LS) was evaluated against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice. The administration of DSS (2.5% in drinking water ad libitum) in C57BL/6 mice induced ulcerative colitis in 7 days. The LS was orally administered for 7 days at daily doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. At the end of 7 days of treatment the animals were sacrificed, colonic tissues were removed and processed for further analysis of oxidative stress, and histopathology. In DSS treated mice the oxidative stress markers were elevated compared to controls. There was also significant reduction in the anti-oxidant defense levels marked by reduced cellular glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The DSS-induced damage to the colon epithelium was evident from a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation. The histology of colon sections revealed inflammatory changes and marked impairment in the integrity of the mucosal lining with inflammatory changes. Both the doses of LS significantly prevented DSS-induced inflammatory and ulcerative damages of the colon, reduced lipid peroxidation and also restored the levels of innate antioxidants in the colon tissue. These findings indicate the protective effects of LS against the DSS-induced inflammatory and oxidative damage in the mouse colon. Further investigation involving bioactivity guided fractionation of the LS can yield potent constituent which may have a significant role in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis.

The impact of marriage and parenthood on male body mass index: Static and dynamic effects.

PubMed

Syrda, Joanna

2017-08-01

Numerous cross-sectional studies investigated the link between marital status and BMI in the context of competing social science theories (marriage market, marriage selection, marriage protection and social obligation), frequently offering conflicting theoretical predictions and conflicting empirical findings. This study analysed the effects of marriage, divorce, pregnancy, and parenthood on male BMI in a longitudinal setting, avoiding the estimation bias of cross-sectional studies and allowing for an analysis of BMI fluctuation over time and the dynamic effects of these events. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics 1999-2013 dataset (N = 8729), this study was the first to employ a dynamic panel-data estimation to examine the static and dynamic effects of marriage, divorce, and fatherhood on male BMI. The study showed that married men have higher BMI, but marital status changes largely drove this static effect, namely, an increase in BMI in the period following marriage, and a decrease in BMI preceding and following divorce. Thus, this study found marked evidence in support of the marriage market and social obligation theories' predictions about male BMI, and supports neither marriage protection theory nor marriage selection theory. Wives' pregnancies had no significant effect on BMI; instead, men tend to have higher BMI in the periods following childbirth. Finally, analyses showed marked contemporaneous correlations between husband and wife BMI over the course of marriage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

32 CFR 37.850 - Should I require recipients to mark data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... AGREEMENT REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 37.850 Should I require recipients to mark data? To protect the recipient's interests...

32 CFR 37.850 - Should I require recipients to mark data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... AGREEMENT REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 37.850 Should I require recipients to mark data? To protect the recipient's interests...

Triamcinolone hexacetonide protects against fibrillation and osteophyte formation following chemically induced articular cartilage damage.

PubMed

Williams, J M; Brandt, K D

1985-11-01

Although corticosteroids have been shown to cause articular cartilage degeneration, recent studies of experimentally induced osteoarthritis indicate that under certain conditions they may protect against cartilage damage and osteophyte formation. The present study examines the in vivo effect of triamcinolone hexacetonide on the degeneration of articular cartilage which occurs following intraarticular injection of sodium iodoacetate. Three weeks after a single injection of iodoacetate into the knees of guinea pigs, ipsilateral femoral condylar cartilage exhibited fibrillation, loss of staining with Safranin O, depletion of chondrocytes, and prominent osteophytes. In striking contrast, when triamcinolone hexacetonide was injected into the ipsilateral knee 24 hours after the intraarticular injection of iodoacetate, fibrillation was noted in only 1 of 6 samples, osteophytes were much less prominent, pericellular staining with Safranin O persisted, and cell loss was less extensive. Knees of animals which received only one-tenth as much intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide after the iodoacetate injection also exhibited marked reduction in size and extent of osteophytes. However, the degree of fibrillation, loss of Safranin O staining, and chondrocyte depletion was similar to that observed in animals injected with iodoacetate but not treated with intraarticular steroid. No apparent morphologic or histochemical changes were observed after intraarticular injection of the steroid preparation alone. Thus, triamcinolone hexacetonide produced a marked, dose-dependent protective effect in this model of chemically induced articular cartilage damage.

Assessment of the effects of heat and NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protective clothing on performance of critical military tasks. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fine, B.J.; Kobrick, J.L.

Chemical protective clothing seriously degrades the performance of soldiers doing physical work in the heat. However, little is known about the combined effects of heat and protective clothing on mental performance. This study examined the effects of heat on the sustained cognitive performance of sedentary soldiers clad in NBC protective clothing. Twenty male soldiers trained for two weeks on tasks resembling those performed by fire direction center, forward observer and communications personnel. Then, they performed the tasks for seven-hour periods on four successive days in hot (91 F, 61% RH) and normal (70 F, 35% RH or 55 F, 35%more » RH) conditions, with and without protective clothing (MOPP IV). Conclusions: The data indicate quite conclusively that after four to five hours of exposure to a moderately hot environment, the cognitive performance of a group of highly trained soldiers, clad in the MOPP IV configuration of NBC protective clothing, began to deteriorate markedly. Two individuals became heat casualties and had to be evacuated from the chamber for medical reasons. A significant number of personnel had the integrity of their protective clothing compromised by sweat after as little as three hours of exposure to heat and virtually no physical activity.« less

32 CFR 37.850 - Should I require recipients to mark data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... from disclosure with a legend identifying the data as licensed data subject to use, release, or... 32 National Defense 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Should I require recipients to mark data? 37.850... Intellectual Property § 37.850 Should I require recipients to mark data? To protect the recipient's interests...

32 CFR 37.850 - Should I require recipients to mark data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... from disclosure with a legend identifying the data as licensed data subject to use, release, or... 32 National Defense 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Should I require recipients to mark data? 37.850... Intellectual Property § 37.850 Should I require recipients to mark data? To protect the recipient's interests...

Protect sensitive data with lightweight memory encryption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Hongwei; Yuan, Jinhui; Xiao, Rui; Zhang, Kai; Sun, Jingyao

2018-04-01

Since current commercial processor is not able to deal with the data in the cipher text, the sensitive data have to be exposed in the memory. It leaves a window for the adversary. To protect the sensitive data, a direct idea is to encrypt the data when the processor does not access them. On the observation, we have developed a lightweight memory encryption, called LeMe, to protect the sensitive data in the application. LeMe marks the sensitive data in the memory with the page table entry, and encrypts the data in their free time. LeMe is built on the Linux with a 3.17.6 kernel, and provides four user interfaces as dynamic link library. Our evaluations show LeMe is effective to protect the sensitive data and incurs an acceptable performance overhead.

Protective effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells caused by methotrexate.

PubMed

Li, Tiesong; Ito, Kousei; Sumi, Shin-Ichiro; Fuwa, Toru; Horie, Toshiharu

2009-04-01

Methotrexate (MTX) causes intestinal damage, resulting in diarrhea. The side effects often disturb the cancer chemotherapy. We previously reported that AGE protected the small intestine of rats from the MTX-induced damage. In the present paper, the mechanism of the protection of AGE against the MTX-induced damage of small intestine was investigated, using IEC-6 cells originating from rat jejunum crypt. The viability and apoptosis of IEC-6 cells were examined in the presence of MTX and/or AGE. The viability of IEC-6 cells exposed to MTX was decreased by the increase of MTX concentration. The MTX-induced loss of viable IEC-6 cells was almost completely prevented by the presence of more than 0.1% AGE. In IEC-6 cells exposed to MTX, the cromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and cytochrome c release were observed. These were preserved to the control levels by the presence of AGE. MTX markedly decreased intracellular GSH in IEC-6 cells, but the presence of AGE in IEC-6 cells with MTX preserved intracellular GSH to the control level. IEC-6 cells in G2/M stage markedly decreased 72 h after the MTX treatment, which was preserved to the control level by the presence of AGE. These results indicated that AGE protected IEC-6 cells from the MTX-induced damage. The MTX-induced apoptosis of IEC-6 cells was shown to be depressed by AGE. AGE may be useful for the cancer chemotherapy with MTX, since AGE reduces the MTX-induced intestinal damage.

2006 Homeland Security Symposium and Exposition. Held in Arlington, VA on 29-31 March 2006

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-31

Consequences , Vulnerabilities, and Threats) Prioritize Implement Protective Programs Measure Effectiveness 9March 2006 Major NIPP Theme: Sector Partnership... effect of exposure • Full understanding of the levels of exposure that mark the onset of miosis • Refined human operational exposure standard for GB...Untitled Document 2006 Homeland Security Symposium and Exposition.html[7/7/2016 11:38:26 AM] 2006 Homeland Security Symposium and Exposition

48 CFR 1503.104-5 - Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Disclosure, protection, and... 1503.104-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GENERAL IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Safeguards 1503.104-5 Disclosure, protection, and...

Allicin protects against cisplatin-induced vestibular dysfunction by inhibiting the apoptotic pathway.

PubMed

Wu, Xianmin; Cai, Jing; Li, Xiaofei; Li, He; Li, Jianfeng; Bai, Xiaohui; Liu, Wenwen; Han, Yuechen; Xu, Lei; Zhang, Daogong; Wang, Haibo; Fan, Zhaomin

2017-06-15

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug that causes the impairment of inner ear function as side effects, including hearing loss and balance dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of allicin against cisplatin-induced vestibular dysfunction in mice and to make clear the mechanism underlying the protective effects of allicin on oto-vestibulotoxicity. Mice intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin exhibited vestibular dysfunction in swimming test, which agreed with impairment in vestibule. However, these impairments were significantly prevented by pre-treatment with allicin. Allicin markedly reduced cisplatin-activated expression of cleaved-caspase-3 in hair cells and vascular layer cells of utricule, saccule and ampulla, but also decreased AIF nuclear translocation of hair cells in utricule, saccule and ampulla. These results showed that allicin played an effective role in protecting vestibular dysfunction induced by cisplatin via inhibiting caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptotic pathways. Therefore, allicin may be useful in preventing oto-vestibulotoxicity mediated by cisplatin. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The Great Recession, unemployment and suicide

PubMed Central

Norström, Thor; Grönqvist, Hans

2015-01-01

Background How have suicide rates responded to the marked increase in unemployment spurred by the Great Recession? Our paper puts this issue into a wider perspective by assessing (1) whether the unemployment-suicide link is modified by the degree of unemployment protection, and (2) whether the effect on suicide of the present crisis differs from the effects of previous economic downturns. Methods We analysed the unemployment-suicide link using time-series data for 30 countries spanning the period 1960–2012. Separate fixed-effects models were estimated for each of five welfare state regimes with different levels of unemployment protection (Eastern, Southern, Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian and Scandinavian). We included an interaction term to capture the possible excess effect of unemployment during the Great Recession. Results The largest unemployment increases occurred in the welfare state regimes with the least generous unemployment protection. The unemployment effect on male suicides was statistically significant in all welfare regimes, except the Scandinavian one. The effect on female suicides was significant only in the eastern European country group. There was a significant gradient in the effects, being stronger the less generous the unemployment protection. The interaction term capturing the possible excess effect of unemployment during the financial crisis was not significant. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the more generous the unemployment protection the weaker the detrimental impact on suicide of the increasing unemployment during the Great Recession. PMID:25339416

3. CASTIRON BOLSTER MARKED 'B & O RR CO. 1866' ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

3. CAST-IRON BOLSTER MARKED 'B & O RR CO. 1866' PROTECTING DOORWAY TO MACHINE SHOP. - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Martinsburg Machine Shop, West Side of Tuscarora Creek Opposite East End of Race Street, Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV

Antiviral Activity of Chlorite-Oxidized Oxyamylose, a Polyacetal Carboxylic Acid

PubMed Central

Billiau, A.; Desmyter, J.; De Somer, P.

1970-01-01

Intraperitoneal injection of chlorite-oxidized oxyamylose (COAM) protected mice against mengo, vaccinia, Semliki Forest, and influenza APR8 viruses. Topical administration in the eye of rabbits partially inhibited the development of experimental herpetic keratoconjunctivitis. COAM resembled polyacrylic acid in many aspects, but it was markedly less toxic. For systemic administration, the therapeutic index was on the order of magnitude of 1:300 to 1:500. Although the in vivo antiviral effect of COAM wore off faster than that of polyacrylic acid, protection lasted for several weeks. Against mengovirus, such prolonged protection was achieved only when polymer and virus were injected intraperitoneally. Protection against intravenous vaccinia virus was not dependent on the injection route of COAM. Experiments on the mode of action of COAM pointed to macrophages as possible mediators of the antiviral effect. The fact that small amounts of interferon appeared in the serum after administration of high doses of COAM suggests that interferon may play a role in the induction of antiviral resistance by COAM. PMID:4314554

Uncrackable code for nuclear weapons

ScienceCinema

Hart, Mark

2018-05-11

Mark Hart, a scientist and engineer in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) Defense Technologies Division, has developed a new approach for ensuring nuclear weapons and their components can't fall prey to unauthorized use. The beauty of his approach: Let the weapon protect itself. "Using the random process of nuclear radioactive decay is the gold standard of random number generators," said Mark Hart. "You’d have a better chance of winning both Mega Millions and Powerball on the same day than getting control of IUC-protected components."

Uncrackable code for nuclear weapons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hart, Mark

Mark Hart, a scientist and engineer in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) Defense Technologies Division, has developed a new approach for ensuring nuclear weapons and their components can't fall prey to unauthorized use. The beauty of his approach: Let the weapon protect itself. "Using the random process of nuclear radioactive decay is the gold standard of random number generators," said Mark Hart. "You’d have a better chance of winning both Mega Millions and Powerball on the same day than getting control of IUC-protected components."

Cardiopulmonary protective effects of the selective FXR agonist obeticholic acid in the rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.

PubMed

Vignozzi, Linda; Morelli, Annamaria; Cellai, Ilaria; Filippi, Sandra; Comeglio, Paolo; Sarchielli, Erica; Maneschi, Elena; Vannelli, Gabriella Barbara; Adorini, Luciano; Maggi, Mario

2017-01-01

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activation by obeticholic acid (OCA) has been demonstrated to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis development and even induce fibrosis regression in liver, kidney and intestine in multiple disease models. OCA also inhibits liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients. FXR activation has also been demonstrated to suppress the inflammatory response and to promote lung repair after lung injury. This study investigated the effects of OCA treatment (3, 10 or 30mg/kg, daily for 5days a week, for 7 and/or 28 days) on inflammation, tissue remodeling and fibrosis in the monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rat model. Treatment with OCA attenuated MCT-induced increased pulmonary arterial wall thickness and right ventricular hypertrophy, by i) blunting pathogenic inflammatory mechanisms (downregulation of interleukin 6, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MCP-1) and ii) enhancing protective mechanisms counteracting fibrosis and endothelial/mesenchymal transition. MCT-injected rats also showed a marked decrease of pulmonary artery responsiveness to both endothelium-dependent and independent relaxant stimuli, such as acetylcholine and a nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside. Administration of OCA (30mg/kg) normalized this decreased responsiveness. Accordingly, OCA treatment induced profound beneficial effects on lung histology. In particular, both OCA doses markedly reduced the MCT-induced medial wall thickness increase in small pulmonary arteries. To evaluate the objective functional improvement by OCA treatment of MCT-induced PAH, we performed a treadmill test and measured duration of exercise. MCT significantly reduced, and OCA normalized treadmill endurance. Results with OCA were similar, or even superior, to those obtained with tadalafil, a well-established treatment of PAH. In conclusion, OCA treatment demonstrates cardiopulmonary protective effects, modulating lung vascular remodeling, reducing right ventricular hypertrophy and significantly improving exercise capacity. Thus, OCA can restore the balance between relaxant and contractile pathways in the lung, promoting cardiopulmonary protective actions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exogenous Stimulation of Type I Interferon Protects Mice with Chronic Granulomatous Disease from Aspergillosis through Early Recruitment of Host-Protective Neutrophils into the Lung.

PubMed

Seyedmousavi, Seyedmojtaba; Davis, Michael J; Sugui, Janyce A; Pinkhasov, Tzvia; Moyer, Shannon; Salazar, Andres M; Chang, Yun C; Kwon-Chung, Kyung J

2018-03-27

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) patients, often due to infection by Aspergillus species refractory to antifungals. This motivates the search for alternative treatments, including immunotherapy. We investigated the effect of exogenous type I interferon (IFN) activation on the outcome of IA caused by three Aspergillus species, A. fumigatus , A. nidulans , and A. tanneri , in CGD mice. The animals were treated with poly(I):poly(C) carboxymethyl cellulose poly-l-lysine (PICLC), a mimetic of double-stranded RNA, 24 h preinfection and postinfection. The survival rates and lung fungal burdens were markedly improved by PICLC immunotherapy in animals infected with any one of the three Aspergillus species. While protection from IA was remarkable, PICLC induction of type I IFN in the lungs surged 24 h posttreatment and returned to baseline levels by 48 h, suggesting that PICLC altered early events in protection against IA. Immunophenotyping of recruited leukocytes and histopathological examination of tissue sections showed that PICLC induced similar cellular infiltrates as those in untreated-infected mice, in both cases dominated by monocytic cells and neutrophils. However, the PICLC immunotherapy resulted in a marked earlier recruitment of the leukocytes. Unlike with conidia, infection with A. nidulans germlings reduced the protective effect of PICLC immunotherapy. Additionally, antibody depletion of neutrophils totally reversed the protection, suggesting that neutrophils are crucial for PICLC-mediated protection. Together, these data show that prophylactic PICLC immunotherapy prerecruits these cells, enabling them to attack the conidia and thus resulting in a profound protection from IA. IMPORTANCE Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are highly susceptible to invasive aspergillosis (IA). While Aspergillus fumigatus is the most-studied Aspergillus species, CGD patients often suffer IA caused by A. nidulans , A. tanneri , and other rare species. These non- fumigatus Aspergillus species are more resistant to antifungal drugs and cause higher fatality rates than A. fumigatus Therefore, alternative therapies are needed to protect CGD patients. We report an effective immunotherapy of mice infected with three Aspergillus species via PICLC dosing. While protection from IA was long lasting, PICLC induction of type I IFN surged but quickly returned to baseline levels, suggesting that PICLC was altering early events in IA. Interestingly, we found responding immune cells to be similar between PICLC-treated and untreated-infected mice. However, PICLC immunotherapy resulted in an earlier recruitment of the leukocytes and suppressed fungal growth. This study highlights the value of type I IFN induction in CGD patients.

High Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is Associated with Low Incidence of Stress Fractures

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

hypocalcemia , and is essential for bone formation and resorption (1-4). Adequate serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is associated with...nutritional status, since it includes the effects of solar ultraviolet (UVB) exposure and oral intake from food and supplements, and it has a markedly...subjects may not have been high enough for a protective effect on fractures to occur. Previous research has shown that amenorrhea and history of

Hypothesis tests for stratified mark-specific proportional hazards models with missing covariates, with application to HIV vaccine efficacy trials.

PubMed

Sun, Yanqing; Qi, Li; Yang, Guangren; Gilbert, Peter B

2018-05-01

This article develops hypothesis testing procedures for the stratified mark-specific proportional hazards model with missing covariates where the baseline functions may vary with strata. The mark-specific proportional hazards model has been studied to evaluate mark-specific relative risks where the mark is the genetic distance of an infecting HIV sequence to an HIV sequence represented inside the vaccine. This research is motivated by analyzing the RV144 phase 3 HIV vaccine efficacy trial, to understand associations of immune response biomarkers on the mark-specific hazard of HIV infection, where the biomarkers are sampled via a two-phase sampling nested case-control design. We test whether the mark-specific relative risks are unity and how they change with the mark. The developed procedures enable assessment of whether risk of HIV infection with HIV variants close or far from the vaccine sequence are modified by immune responses induced by the HIV vaccine; this question is interesting because vaccine protection occurs through immune responses directed at specific HIV sequences. The test statistics are constructed based on augmented inverse probability weighted complete-case estimators. The asymptotic properties and finite-sample performances of the testing procedures are investigated, demonstrating double-robustness and effectiveness of the predictive auxiliaries to recover efficiency. The finite-sample performance of the proposed tests are examined through a comprehensive simulation study. The methods are applied to the RV144 trial. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

18 CFR 1301.65 - Derivative classification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... classification. 1301.65 Section 1301.65 Conservation of Power and Water Resources TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY PROCEDURES Protection of National Security Classified Information § 1301.65 Derivative classification. (a) In... classified, and the marking of newly developed material consistent with the classification markings that...

18 CFR 1301.65 - Derivative classification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... classification. 1301.65 Section 1301.65 Conservation of Power and Water Resources TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY PROCEDURES Protection of National Security Classified Information § 1301.65 Derivative classification. (a) In... classified, and the marking of newly developed material consistent with the classification markings that...

18 CFR 1301.65 - Derivative classification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... classification. 1301.65 Section 1301.65 Conservation of Power and Water Resources TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY PROCEDURES Protection of National Security Classified Information § 1301.65 Derivative classification. (a) In... classified, and the marking of newly developed material consistent with the classification markings that...

Protective effect of magnolol on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

PubMed

Ni, Yun Feng; Jiang, Tao; Cheng, Qing Shu; Gu, Zhong Ping; Zhu, Yi Fang; Zhang, Zhi Pei; Wang, Jian; Yan, Xiao Long; Wang, Wu Ping; Ke, Chang Kang; Han, Yong; Li, Xiao Fei

2012-12-01

Magnolol, a tradition Chinese herb, displays an array of activities including antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. To investigate the protective effect of magnolol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS (1 mg/kg). The mice received intratracheal instillation of magnolol (5 μg/kg) 30 min before LPS administration. Pulmonary histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin stain and lung wet/dry weight ratios were observed. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in lung tissues was determined by Western blot analysis. Magnolol pretreatment significantly attenuated the severity of lung injury and inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in mice with ALI. After LPS administration, the lung wet/dry weight ratios, as an index of lung edema, and MPO activity were also markedly reduced by magnolol pretreatment. The expression of COX-2 was significantly suppressed by magnolol pretreatment. Magnolol potently protected against LPS-induced ALI and the protective effects of magnolol may attribute partly to the suppression of COX-2 expression.

Differential effectiveness in patient protection laws: what are the causes? An example from the drive-through delivery laws.

PubMed

Dow, William H; Harris, Dean M; Liu, Zhimei

2006-12-01

In the mid-1990s, many states as well as the federal government began to regulate early postpartum hospital discharge. Length-of-stay patterns changed markedly in response, but effects were much greater in some states than others. In particular, laws directly empowering patients appeared more effective than laws requiring providers to follow practice guidelines. In addition, the effectiveness of regulation could potentially be influenced by state environment, such as managed care penetration as well as exposure to media attention and public pressure on the issue, though these factors alone were insufficient to cause general behavior change. Furthermore, the 1996 federal law had little effect beyond state laws, suggesting that it did not provide substantial benefits to women in self-insured plans exempted from state law regulation by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Findings from this study could provide lessons for similar patient protection initiatives.

Army and Marine Corps Active Protection System (APS) Efforts

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-30

efforts—the Expedited, Non-Developmental Item (NDI) APS effort and the Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) effort. The Marines describe their...17 Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) Effort .......................................................... 18 The Marine Corps APS...Merkava Mark 4 tank was designed around the Trophy APS. 32 The Army’s Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) effort, described below, is intended to

Sildenafil protects against bile duct ligation induced hepatic fibrosis in rats: Potential role for silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1).

PubMed

Abd El Motteleb, Dalia M; Ibrahim, Islam A A E-H; Elshazly, Shimaa M

2017-11-15

Hepatic fibrosis is a potential health problem that may end with life-threatening cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. Recent studies point out to the protective effects of silent information regulator1 (SIRT1), against different models of organs fibrosis. This work aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of sildenafil (SIRT1 activator) against hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Firstly, three different doses of sildenafil (5, 10, 20mg/kg/day) were investigated; to detect the most protective one against BDL induced liver dysfunction and hepatic fibrosis. The most protective dose is then used; to study its effect on BDL induced SIRT1 downregulation, imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant status, increased inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis. Sildenafil (20mg/kg/day) was the most protective one, it caused upregulation of SIRT1, reduction of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increase in expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), hemeoxygenease (HO)-1, reduced glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Hepatic content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) expression & content displayed significant reductions with sildenafil treatment, Furthermore, sildenafil caused marked reductions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β content, expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, collagen I (α1) and hydroxyproline content. However, sildenafil protective effects were significantly reduced by co-administration of EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitor). Our work showed, for the first time that, sildenafil has promising protective effects against BDL induced liver dysfunction and hepatic fibrosis. These effects may be, in part, mediated by up regulation of SIRT1. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The European standard for sun-protective clothing: EN 13758.

PubMed

Gambichler, T; Laperre, J; Hoffmann, K

2006-02-01

Clothing is considered one of the most important tools for sun protection. Contrary to popular opinion, however, some summer fabrics provide insufficient ultraviolet (UV) protection. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN), has developed a new standard on requirements for test methods and labelling of sun-protective garments. This document has now been completed and is published. Within CEN, a working group, CEN/TC 248 WG14 'UV protective clothing', was set up with the mission to produce standards on the UV-protective properties of textile materials. This working group started its activities in 1998 and included 30 experts (dermatologists, physicists, textile technologists, fabric manufacturers and retailers of apparel textiles) from 11 European member states. Within this working group, all medical, ethical, technical and economical aspects of standardization of UV-protective clothing were discussed on the basis of the expertise of each member and in consideration of the relevant literature in this field. Decisions were made in consensus. The first part of the standard (EN 13758-1) deals with all details of test methods (e.g. spectrophotometric measurements) for textile materials and part 2 (EN 13758-2) covers classification and marking of apparel textiles. UV-protective cloths for which compliance with this standard is claimed must fulfill all stringent instructions of testing, classification and marking, including a UV protection factor (UPF) larger than 40 (UPF 40+), average UVA transmission lower than 5%, and design requirements as specified in part 2 of the standard. A pictogram, which is marked with the number of the standard EN 13758-2 and the UPF of 40+, shall be attached to the garment if it is in compliance with the standard. The dermatology community should take cognizance of this new standard document. Garment manufacturers and retailers may now follow these official guidelines for testing and labelling of UV-protective summer clothes, and the sun-aware consumer can easily recognize garments that definitely provide sufficient UV protection.

An exogenous hydrogen sulphide donor, NaHS, inhibits the apoptosis signaling pathway to exert cardio-protective effects in a rat hemorrhagic shock model.

PubMed

Xu, Yanjie; Dai, Xiongwei; Zhu, Danxia; Xu, Xiaoli; Gao, Cao; Wu, Changping

2015-01-01

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been reported to be interwined in multiple systems, specifically in the cardiovascular system. However, the mechanisms underlying remain controversial. In the present study, we assessed the cardio-protective effects of H2S in the rat hemorrhagic shock model. Hemorrhagic shock was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by drawing blood from the femoral artery to maintain the mean arterial pressure at 35-40 mmHg for 1.5 h. The rats were assigned to four groups and the H2S donor, NaHS (28 μmol/kg, i.p.), was injected before the resuscitation in certain groups. After resuscitation the animals were observed and then killed to harvest the hearts. The morphological investigation and ultrastructural analyses were done and apoptotic cells were detected. The levels of relevant proteins were examined using Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. Resuscitated hemorrhagic shock induced heart injury and significantly increased the levels of serum myocardial enzymes, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Furthermore, it caused marked increase of apoptotic cells in heart tissue. Moreover, the expression of death receptor Fas and Fas-ligand, as well as the expression of apoptosis-relevant proteins active-caspase 3 and active-caspase 8 were markedly increased. Administration of NaHS significantly ameliorated hemorrhagic shock caused hemodynamic deterioration, decreased myocardial enzymes elevation, protected myocardial ultrastructure, and inhibited the expression of apoptosis-relevant proteins. It suggested that H2S might exert its cardio-protective roles via both the extrinsic Fas/FasL/caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway and the intrinsic mitochondria-involved pathways.

Soluble Dietary Fiber Can Protect the Gastrointestinal Mucosa Against Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Mice.

PubMed

Satoh, Hiroshi; Urushidani, Tetsuro

2016-07-01

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small intestinal damage is a serious problem in patients, but effective therapy is not available at present. The effects of feeding conditions and dietary fiber (DF) on NSAID-induced gastrointestinal lesions were examined in mice. NSAIDs (indomethacin, diclofenac, loxoprofen, aspirin) were administered to male mice in various feeding conditions. Gastrointestinal lesions were examined 24 h after NSAID dosing. Regular diets, dietary-fiber-free diet (FFD), and diets supplemented with various types of DF were given to mice. NSAIDs produced marked ulcers and perforations selectively in the gastric antrum when they were administered after feeding of regular diet for 2 h after a 22-h fast. When NSAIDs, except for aspirin, were administered in unfasted conditions, they caused marked lesions in the small intestine. When mice were given FFD, antral ulcers and intestinal lesions induced by indomethacin (30 mg/kg, s.c.) markedly decreased, but when cellulose, an insoluble DF, was added to FFD, the lesions appeared again. The addition of pectin, a soluble DF, to regular diet containing 4.1 % crude fiber significantly inhibited the formation of antral ulcers as well as intestinal lesions caused by indomethacin or diclofenac (100 mg/kg, s.c.). The results indicated that NSAIDs given after feeding of diet produced ulcers selectively in the gastric antrum. The severity of the gastrointestinal lesions depended on the concentration of soluble or insoluble DF in food. Our results suggest that soluble DF such as pectin may be a safe means for protecting the gastrointestinal mucosa against NSAIDs.

32 CFR 37.855 - How should I handle protected data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... AGREEMENT REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 37.855 How should I handle protected data? Prior to releasing or disclosing data marked...

32 CFR 37.855 - How should I handle protected data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... AGREEMENT REGULATIONS TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS Award Terms Related to Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 37.855 How should I handle protected data? Prior to releasing or disclosing data marked...

The Great Recession, unemployment and suicide.

PubMed

Norström, Thor; Grönqvist, Hans

2015-02-01

How have suicide rates responded to the marked increase in unemployment spurred by the Great Recession? Our paper puts this issue into a wider perspective by assessing (1) whether the unemployment-suicide link is modified by the degree of unemployment protection, and (2) whether the effect on suicide of the present crisis differs from the effects of previous economic downturns. We analysed the unemployment-suicide link using time-series data for 30 countries spanning the period 1960-2012. Separate fixed-effects models were estimated for each of five welfare state regimes with different levels of unemployment protection (Eastern, Southern, Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian and Scandinavian). We included an interaction term to capture the possible excess effect of unemployment during the Great Recession. The largest unemployment increases occurred in the welfare state regimes with the least generous unemployment protection. The unemployment effect on male suicides was statistically significant in all welfare regimes, except the Scandinavian one. The effect on female suicides was significant only in the eastern European country group. There was a significant gradient in the effects, being stronger the less generous the unemployment protection. The interaction term capturing the possible excess effect of unemployment during the financial crisis was not significant. Our findings suggest that the more generous the unemployment protection the weaker the detrimental impact on suicide of the increasing unemployment during the Great Recession. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Further evidence for the role of gap junctions in the delayed antiarrhythmic effect of cardiac pacing.

PubMed

Miskolczi, Gottfried; Gönczi, Márton; Kovács, Mária; Seprényi, György; Végh, Ágnes

2015-07-01

The objective of this study was to provide evidence that gap junctions are involved in the delayed antiarrhythmic effect of cardiac pacing. Twenty-four dogs were paced through the right ventricle (4 × 5 min, rate of 240 beats/min) 24 h prior to a 25 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Some of these paced dogs were infused with 50 (n = 7) or 100 μmol/L (n = 7) of the gap junction uncoupler carbenoxolone (CBX), prior to and during the occlusion. Ten sham-paced dogs, subjected only to occlusion, served as the controls. Cardiac pacing markedly reduced the number of ectopic beats and episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT), as well the incidence of VT and ventricular fibrillation during occlusion. The changes in severity of ischaemia and tissue electrical resistance were also less marked compared with the unpaced controls. Pacing also preserved the permeability of gap junctions, the phosphorylation of connexin43, and the structural integrity of the intercalated discs. The closing of gap junctions with CBX prior to and during ischaemia markedly attenuated or even abolished these protective effects of pacing. Our results support the previous findings that gap junctions play a role in the delayed antiarrhythmic effect of cardiac pacing.

Protection reduces loss of natural land-cover at sites of conservation importance across Africa.

PubMed

Beresford, Alison E; Eshiamwata, George W; Donald, Paul F; Balmford, Andrew; Bertzky, Bastian; Brink, Andreas B; Fishpool, Lincoln D C; Mayaux, Philippe; Phalan, Ben; Simonetti, Dario; Buchanan, Graeme M

2013-01-01

There is an emerging consensus that protected areas are key in reducing adverse land-cover change, but their efficacy remains difficult to quantify. Many previous assessments of protected area effectiveness have compared changes between sets of protected and unprotected sites that differ systematically in other potentially confounding respects (e.g. altitude, accessibility), have considered only forest loss or changes at single sites, or have analysed changes derived from land-cover data of low spatial resolution. We assessed the effectiveness of protection in reducing land-cover change in Important Bird Areas (IBAs) across Africa using a dedicated visual interpretation of higher resolution satellite imagery. We compared rates of change in natural land-cover over a c. 20-year period from around 1990 at a large number of points across 45 protected IBAs to those from 48 unprotected IBAs. A matching algorithm was used to select sample points to control for potentially confounding differences between protected and unprotected IBAs. The rate of loss of natural land-cover at sample points within protected IBAs was just 42% of that at matched points in unprotected IBAs. Conversion was especially marked in forests, but protection reduced rates of forest loss by a similar relative amount. Rates of conversion increased from the centre to the edges of both protected and unprotected IBAs, but rates of loss in 20-km buffer zones surrounding protected IBAs and unprotected IBAs were similar, with no evidence of displacement of conversion from within protected areas to their immediate surrounds (leakage).

10 CFR 603.855 - Protected data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Protected data. 603.855 Section 603.855 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.855 Protected data. In accordance with law and regulation, the contracting officer must not release or disclose data marked with a restrictive legend (as...

10 CFR 603.855 - Protected data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Protected data. 603.855 Section 603.855 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.855 Protected data. In accordance with law and regulation, the contracting officer must not release or disclose data marked with a restrictive legend (as...

10 CFR 603.855 - Protected data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Protected data. 603.855 Section 603.855 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.855 Protected data. In accordance with law and regulation, the contracting officer must not release or disclose data marked with a restrictive legend (as...

10 CFR 603.855 - Protected data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Protected data. 603.855 Section 603.855 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.855 Protected data. In accordance with law and regulation, the contracting officer must not release or disclose data marked with a restrictive legend (as...

10 CFR 603.855 - Protected data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Protected data. 603.855 Section 603.855 Energy DEPARTMENT... Other Administrative Matters Intellectual Property § 603.855 Protected data. In accordance with law and regulation, the contracting officer must not release or disclose data marked with a restrictive legend (as...

Counterfire Requirements in an Insurgency

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-07

2002): http://www.ausa.org/. 12 Larry Bovino and Mark Weber, “Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar,” Radar and Combat ID Division, Intelligence...of the legacy radars at a fraction of the cost and improves the troop force protection in the process. 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bovino , Larry., and Mark

Protein-enriched pea flour extract protects stored milled rice against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae.

PubMed

Pretheep-Kumar, P; Mohan, S; Ramaraju, K

2004-01-01

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of a protein-enriched pea (Pisum sativum var. Bonneville) flour extract against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae in its repellency, toxicity, effect on fecundity, stability and sensory properties. Milled rice admixed with pea flour extract at 1% concentration significantly repelled S. oryzae. Mortality of S. oryzae was found to increase and fecundity was markedly suppressed, in rice treated with 1% pea flour extract. The toxicity and reproductive effects of the pea protein-enriched rice were found to be stable for a period of 5 months. The sensory characteristics of stored rice when eaten were not affected by the treatment with pea flour extract. This study indicates that the protein-enriched flour extract obtained from the Bonneville pea may be feasible to protect stored milled rice from insect attack.

STABILIZATION OF PROTOPLASTS AND SPHEROPLASTS BY SPERMINE AND OTHER POLYAMINES

PubMed Central

Tabor, Celia W.

1962-01-01

Tabor, Celia W. (National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Bethesda, Md.). Stabilization of protoplasts and spheroplasts by spermine and other polyamines. J. Bacteriol. 83:1101–1111. 1962.—Spermine (10−3m) or spermidine prevents lysis of lysozyme-produced protoplasts of Escherichia coli W, E. coli B, and Micrococcus lysodeikticus in hypotonic media. Spheroplasts prepared by the action of penicillin are also stabilized by these concentrations of spermine and spermidine, but the protection is not as complete. Streptomycin, polylysine, and Ca++ are also effective or partially effective stabilizers, but 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, ornithine, Mg++, and monovalent cations have no protective action at 10−3m concentration, and only a slight effect at higher concentrations. The osmotic stability conferred on protoplasts by spermine is irreversible. However, the protective effect of polyamines against lysis is not accompanied by restoration of viability to lysozyme protoplasts. There is a marked reduction in the loss of ultra-violet-absorbing material from the protoplasts to the medium when 10−3m spermine is present. PMID:16561942

The Effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on Medical Research.

PubMed

Rumbold, John Mark Michael; Pierscionek, Barbara

2017-02-24

The enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will impact on European data science. Particular concerns relating to consent requirements that would severely restrict medical data research have been raised. Our objective is to explain the changes in data protection laws that apply to medical research and to discuss their potential impact. Analysis of ethicolegal requirements imposed by the GDPR. The GDPR makes the classification of pseudonymised data as personal data clearer, although it has not been entirely resolved. Biomedical research on personal data where consent has not been obtained must be of substantial public interest. The GDPR introduces protections for data subjects that aim for consistency across the EU. The proposed changes will make little impact on biomedical data research. ©John Mark Michael Rumbold, Barbara Pierscionek. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 24.02.2017.

6 CFR 29.6 - Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION § 29.6 Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking. (a... Program Manager's designees. (e) Validation of information. (1) The PCII Program Manager shall be... 6 Domestic Security 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and...

6 CFR 29.6 - Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 6 Domestic Security 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and... PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION § 29.6 Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking. (a... Program Manager's designees. (e) Validation of information. (1) The PCII Program Manager shall be...

6 CFR 29.6 - Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 6 Domestic Security 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and... PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION § 29.6 Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking. (a... Program Manager's designees. (e) Validation of information. (1) The PCII Program Manager shall be...

6 CFR 29.6 - Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 6 Domestic Security 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and... PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION § 29.6 Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking. (a... Program Manager's designees. (e) Validation of information. (1) The PCII Program Manager shall be...

6 CFR 29.6 - Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 6 Domestic Security 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and... PROTECTED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION § 29.6 Acknowledgment of receipt, validation, and marking. (a... Program Manager's designees. (e) Validation of information. (1) The PCII Program Manager shall be...

Flight set 360L007 (STS-33R) field joint protection system, thermal protection system, and systems tunnel components, volume 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The performance of the thermal protection system, field joint protection system, and systems tunnel components of flight set 360L007 is presented as evaluated by postflight hardware inspection. The condition of both motors was similar to previous flights. Four aft edge strikes were noted on the ground environment instrumentation thermal protection system. The hits all left a clean substrate, indicating that the damage was caused by nozzle severance debris and/or water impact. No National Space Transportation System debris criteria for missing thermal protection system were violated. Two problem reports were written against the field joint protection system. The first concerned two cracks in the K5NA closeout over the trunnion/vent valve location on the left-hand aft field joint. A similar condition was observed on Flight 5 (360H005). The second problem report referred to a number of small surface cracks between two impact marks on the left-hand forward field joint. Neither area exhibited loose material or any abnormal heat effects, and they have no impact on flight safety.

Prevention of SHIV transmission by topical IFN-β treatment.

PubMed

Veazey, R S; Pilch-Cooper, H A; Hope, T J; Alter, G; Carias, A M; Sips, M; Wang, X; Rodriguez, B; Sieg, S F; Reich, A; Wilkinson, P; Cameron, M J; Lederman, M M

2016-11-01

Understanding vaginal and rectal HIV transmission and protective cellular and molecular mechanisms is critical for designing new prevention strategies, including those required for an effective vaccine. The determinants of protection against HIV infection are, however, poorly understood. Increasing evidence suggest that innate immune defenses may help protect mucosal surfaces from HIV transmission in highly exposed, uninfected subjects. More recent studies suggest that systemically administered type 1 interferon protects against simian immunodeficiency virus infection of macaques. Here we hypothesized that topically applied type 1 interferons might stimulate vaginal innate responses that could protect against HIV transmission. We therefore applied a recombinant human type 1 interferon (IFN-β) to the vagina of rhesus macaques and vaginally challenged them with pathogenic simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Vaginal administration of IFN-β resulted in marked local changes in immune cell phenotype, increasing immune activation and HIV co-receptor expression, yet provided significant protection from SHIV acquisition as interferon response genes were also upregulated. These data suggest that protection from vaginal HIV acquisition may be achieved by activating innate mucosal defenses.

Eugenia dysenterica DC. (Myrtaceae) exerts chemopreventive effects against hexavalent chromium-induced damage in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Ávila, Renato Ivan de; Mattos Alvarenga, Cátia Belo; Ávila, Paulo Henrique Marcelino de; Moreira, Roger Cardoso; Arruda, Andréa Fernandes; Fernandes, Thaís de Oliveira; Rodrigues, Bruna Dos Santos; Andrade, Wanessa Machado; Batista, Aline Carvalho; Paula, José Realino de; Valadares, Marize Campos

2016-11-01

Eugenia dysenterica DC. (Myrtaceae) has been widely used in the folk medicine and it presents phytochemicals constituents associated to antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of E. dysenterica leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EDE) in vitro and in vivo using AMJ2-C11 cells and Swiss mice exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], respectively. AMJ2-C11 cells were pretreated with EDE and exposed to Cr(VI) to evaluate cytotoxicity and the pathways involved in the chemopreventive effects of the extract. Mice were daily pretreated with EDE and then exposed to Cr(VI). Survival analysis, histopathological examination and determination of Cr levels in biological tissues were carried out. In vitro studies showed that pretreatment of the AMJ2-C11 cells with EDE protected against the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by Cr(VI). Consequently, the pretreatment with EDE reduced reactive oxygen species and apoptosis triggered by Cr(VI), probably by a marked antioxidant and chelating activities demonstrated by EDE. Regarding in vivo studies, pretreatment for 10 days with EDE increased survival of the mice exposed to Cr(VI). In addition, EDE prevented liver and kidney pathological damages, in parallel with reduction in chromium levels found in these organs and plasma. EDE also showed a marked antioxidant potential associated with the presence of polyphenols, especially flavonoids and tannins, as confirmed by HPLC-PDA. The study showed that EDE protects against Cr(VI)-induced damage in vitro and in vivo supporting further studies for the development of therapeutic products applied to prevent the damage induced by toxic metals, especially Cr(VI).

[The riboxin treatment of workers in the electron vacuum tube industry suffering from dermatoses].

PubMed

Shulipa, I V; Turkevich, Iu N; Zaĭchenko, A I

1990-01-01

Analysis of the treatment results in 85 patients with occupational skin diseases, working at the Kineskop industrial amalgamation in Lvov, evidences that application of a liniment containing riboxin (10%) and dimexide (40-50%) results in a marked clinical effect and normalization of impaired protective-barrier function of the skin. The treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis without cessation of work.

Fiber-Mediated Nourishment of Gut Microbiota Protects against Diet-Induced Obesity by Restoring IL-22-Mediated Colonic Health.

PubMed

Zou, Jun; Chassaing, Benoit; Singh, Vishal; Pellizzon, Michael; Ricci, Matthew; Fythe, Michael D; Kumar, Matam Vijay; Gewirtz, Andrew T

2018-01-10

Dietary supplementation with fermentable fiber suppresses adiposity and the associated parameters of metabolic syndrome. Microbiota-generated fiber-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and free fatty acid receptors including GPR43 are thought to mediate these effects. We find that while fermentable (inulin), but not insoluble (cellulose), fiber markedly protected mice against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome, the effect was not significantly impaired by either inhibiting SCFA production or genetic ablation of GPR43. Rather, HFD decimates gut microbiota, resulting in loss of enterocyte proliferation, leading to microbiota encroachment, low-grade inflammation (LGI), and metabolic syndrome. Enriching HFD with inulin restored microbiota loads, interleukin-22 (IL-22) production, enterocyte proliferation, and antimicrobial gene expression in a microbiota-dependent manner, as assessed by antibiotic and germ-free approaches. Inulin-induced IL-22 expression, which required innate lymphoid cells, prevented microbiota encroachment and protected against LGI and metabolic syndrome. Thus, fermentable fiber protects against metabolic syndrome by nourishing microbiota to restore IL-22-mediated enterocyte function. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) has protective actions in the stomach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacNaughton, W.K.; Wallace, J.L.; Cirino, G.

1989-01-01

The role that nitric oxide, an endothelium-derived relaxing factor, may play in the regulation of gastric mucosal defense was investigated by assessing the potential protective actions of this factor against the damage caused by ethanol in an ex vivo chamber preparation of the rat stomach. Topical application of glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitroprusside, which have been shown to release nitric oxide, markedly reduced the area of 70% ethanol-induced hemorrhagic damage. Topical application of a 0.01% solution of authentic nitric oxide also significantly reduced the severity of mucosal damage. Pretreatment with indomethacin precluded the involvement of endogenous prostaglandins in the protectivemore » effects of these agents. The protective effects of NO were transient, since a delay of 5 minutes between NO administration and ethanal administration resulted in a complete loss of the protective activity. The protection against ethanol afforded by 10 ug/ml nitroprusside could be completely reversed by intravenous infusion of either 1% methylene blue or 1 mM hemoglobin, both of which inhibit vasodilation induced by nitric oxide. Intravenous infusion of 1% methylene blue significantly increased the susceptibility of the mucosa to damage induced by topical 20% ethanol.« less

Minocycline Protects Against NLRP3 Inflammasome-Induced Inflammation and P53-Associated Apoptosis in Early Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

PubMed

Li, Jianru; Chen, Jingsen; Mo, Hangbo; Chen, Jingyin; Qian, Cong; Yan, Feng; Gu, Chi; Hu, Qiang; Wang, Lin; Chen, Gao

2016-05-01

Minocycline has beneficial effects in early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been clearly identified. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of minocycline on inflammation and neural apoptosis and the possible mechanisms of these effects in early brain injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage. SAH was induced by the filament perforation model of SAH in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Minocycline or vehicle was given via an intraperitoneal injection 1 h after SAH induction. Minocycline treatment markedly attenuated brain edema secondary to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which controls the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Minocycline treatment also markedly reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. To further identify the potential mechanisms, we demonstrated that minocycline increased Bcl2 expression and reduced the protein expression of P53, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. In addition, minocycline reduced the cortical levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are closely related to both NLRP3 inflammasome and P53 expression. Minocycline protects against NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation and P53-associated apoptosis in early brain injury following SAH. Minocycline's anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect may involve the reduction of ROS. Minocycline treatment may exhibit important clinical potentials in the management of SAH.

46 CFR 185.612 - Fire protection equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... instructions for the operation of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be located in a conspicuous place... a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be clearly and conspicuously marked “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS... extinguishing system and the fire main, must be plainly, conspicuously, and permanently marked indicating the...

46 CFR 185.612 - Fire protection equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... instructions for the operation of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be located in a conspicuous place... a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be clearly and conspicuously marked “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS... extinguishing system and the fire main, must be plainly, conspicuously, and permanently marked indicating the...

46 CFR 185.612 - Fire protection equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... instructions for the operation of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be located in a conspicuous place... a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be clearly and conspicuously marked “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS... extinguishing system and the fire main, must be plainly, conspicuously, and permanently marked indicating the...

46 CFR 185.612 - Fire protection equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... instructions for the operation of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be located in a conspicuous place... a fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be clearly and conspicuously marked “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS... extinguishing system and the fire main, must be plainly, conspicuously, and permanently marked indicating the...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii... 29 Labor 5 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144 Section 1910.144 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH...

32 CFR 2001.25 - Declassification markings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., “Declassified;” (2) The identity of the declassification authority, by name and position, or by personal... authority must be protected, a personal identifier may be used or the information may be retained in agency files. (3) The date of declassification; and (4) The overall classification markings that appear on the...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

42 CFR 84.113 - Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Canisters and cartridges; color and markings; requirements. 84.113 Section 84.113 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE...

77 FR 14505 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Gear-Marking Requirement for Atlantic Large...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-12

... Collection; Comment Request; Gear-Marking Requirement for Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan AGENCY... of large whales, especially right whales, due to incidental entanglement in the United States (U.S... Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), developed under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection...

Predator perception and the interrelation between different forms of protective coloration

PubMed Central

Stevens, Martin

2007-01-01

Animals possess a range of defensive markings to reduce the risk of predation, including warning colours, camouflage, eyespots and mimicry. These different strategies are frequently considered independently, and with little regard towards predator vision, even though they may be linked in various ways and can be fully understood only in terms of predator perception. For example, camouflage and warning coloration need not be mutually exclusive, and may frequently exploit similar features of visual perception. This paper outlines how different forms of protective markings can be understood from predator perception and illustrates how this is fundamental in determining the mechanisms underlying, and the interrelation between, different strategies. Suggestions are made for future work, and potential mechanisms discussed in relation to various forms of defensive coloration, including disruptive coloration, eyespots, dazzle markings, motion camouflage, aposematism and mimicry. PMID:17426012

Labelling Of Textile Products From The Perspective Of Quality, Maintenance, Safety And Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draxlerová, Mária; Rusko, Miroslav; Kuracina, Marcel

2015-06-01

Fundamental right of all consumers is the availability of necessary information to protect their own health. Information should be obtained from the marks referred to the product which they come into contact with. Marks are integral parts of everyone's life. We can see various types of marks at home, in stores and everywhere around us. Symbols indicate to the consumer the importance assigned to them in an opinion system (labelling scheme).

DebriSat Pre Preshot Laboratory Analyses

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-27

plate on up range side. MLI Down range Up range SBU Marking Witness Plates: Post Test (protected) 17 Surfaces of samples under Whipple plates are...s SBU Marking Witness Plates Post Test : Whipple Plates 59 Bottom Middle Top Up range is to the right – note sharp band of deposits on up range side...Marking Hold down plates: Post test 63 Up range Note larger deposit fragments on the down range plate. Similar larger deposits were observed on

The protective role of melatonin on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats.

PubMed

Sadek, A S; Khattab, R T

2017-01-01

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. AP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 15-40% in its severe form. Oxidative stress plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell injury in case of AP. Melatonin (Mel) is proven to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work was to investigate the protective role of Mel against L-arginine (L-arg)-induced AP in adult male albino rats. Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into four groups; Control group (Group A; n = 6), Mel group (Group B; n = 6), L-arg group (Group C; n = 12) receiving two doses of L-arg injection with 1 h interval in-between, and L-arg+Mel group (Group D; n = 12) receiving Mel 1 h after each L-arg injection. 24 h after the second L-arg injection, the serum levels of amylase (AM), lipase (LP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Then, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentage of VEGF and collagen content were measured by digital image analysis. Microscopic examination revealed that animals received L-arg only (Group C) showed loss of the pancreatic lobular architecture with marked fibrosis, acinar degeneration, inflammatory reaction and marked oedema with vascular congestion. Also, L-arg-induced AP caused a significant elevation of the serum levels of AM, LP, IL-6. All these histo-pathological and serological parameters were markedly improved by Mel administration. Melatonin exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of AP. Hence, the use of Mel as adjuvant treatment in AP is recommended.

Protective role of ellagitannins from Eucalyptus citriodora against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats: impact on oxidative stress, inflammation and calcitonin-gene related peptide.

PubMed

Al-Sayed, Eman; El-Naga, Reem N

2015-01-15

The gastroprotective activity of an ellagitannin-rich fraction obtained from Eucalyptus citriodora (ECF) was investigated against ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. The rats were pretreated with ECF (25, 50 and 100mg/kg) 1h before the administration of absolute ethanol to induce acute gastric ulceration. The gastric lesions were significantly reduced by all doses of ECF. Notably, pre-treatment with ECF (100mg/kg) conferred 99.6% gastroprotection, which is significantly higher than that produced by omeprazole. Moreover, ECF administration markedly increased the mucin content in a dose-dependent manner. The potent gastroprotective effect of ECF could be partly mediated by attenuating ethanol-induced oxidative stress. ECF-pre-treatment markedly increased the depleted GSH and SOD levels in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ECF significantly decreased the elevated MDA tissue levels induced by ethanol administration. The results demonstrated that ECF administration exerted a powerful anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by the reduction in the pro-inflammatory markers; IL-1β, TNF-α, 5-LO and COX-2. Additionally, the caspase-3 tissue levels were significantly reduced in the groups pre-treated with ECF. These results suggest that ECF could exert a beneficial gastroprotective effect through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. Furthermore, ECF pre-treatment significantly attenuated the ethanol-induced decrease in CGRP expression, which has a protective role against gastric ulceration. Histopathological examination revealed intact mucosal layer, absence of hemorrhage and necrosis in groups treated with ECF. Ellagitannins were identified as the major active constituents responsible for the marked antioxidant and gastroprotective properties of ECF. The HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS/MS technique was employed to identify the ellagitannins of E. citriodora. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Updated postlicensure surveillance of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in England and Wales: effectiveness, validation of serological correlates of protection, and modeling predictions of the duration of herd immunity.

PubMed

Campbell, Helen; Andrews, Nick; Borrow, Ray; Trotter, Caroline; Miller, Elizabeth

2010-05-01

Meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccines were licensed in the United Kingdom more than 10 years ago based on correlates of protection that had previously been established for serogroup C-containing polysaccharide vaccines by using the serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay. These correlates of protection were subsequently validated against postlicensure estimates of observed vaccine effectiveness up to 7 to 9 months after the administration of the MCC vaccine. Vaccine effectiveness was, however, shown to fall significantly more than 1 year after the administration of a 3-dose course in infancy. Despite this finding, the marked impact on serogroup C disease has been sustained, with the lowest recorded incidence (0.02 case per 100,000 population) in the 2008-2009 epidemiological year, mainly due to the indirect herd immunity effect of the vaccine in reducing carriage. Updated estimates of vaccine effectiveness through 30 June 2009 confirmed high short-term protection after vaccination in infancy, at 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91% to 99%), falling to 68% (95% CI, -63% to 90%) more than a year after vaccination. The observed vaccine effectiveness more than 12 months postvaccination was consistent with measured declining SBA levels, but confidence intervals were imprecise; vaccine effectiveness estimates were consistent with SBA titers of 1:4 or 1:8 as correlates of long-term protection after a primary course in infants. Modeling suggested that protection against carriage persists for at least 3 years and predicted the stabilization of serogroup C disease at low levels (fewer than 50 cases per year) up to 2015-2016.

Updated Postlicensure Surveillance of the Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine in England and Wales: Effectiveness, Validation of Serological Correlates of Protection, and Modeling Predictions of the Duration of Herd Immunity ▿

PubMed Central

Campbell, Helen; Andrews, Nick; Borrow, Ray; Trotter, Caroline; Miller, Elizabeth

2010-01-01

Meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccines were licensed in the United Kingdom more than 10 years ago based on correlates of protection that had previously been established for serogroup C-containing polysaccharide vaccines by using the serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay. These correlates of protection were subsequently validated against postlicensure estimates of observed vaccine effectiveness up to 7 to 9 months after the administration of the MCC vaccine. Vaccine effectiveness was, however, shown to fall significantly more than 1 year after the administration of a 3-dose course in infancy. Despite this finding, the marked impact on serogroup C disease has been sustained, with the lowest recorded incidence (0.02 case per 100,000 population) in the 2008-2009 epidemiological year, mainly due to the indirect herd immunity effect of the vaccine in reducing carriage. Updated estimates of vaccine effectiveness through 30 June 2009 confirmed high short-term protection after vaccination in infancy, at 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91% to 99%), falling to 68% (95% CI, −63% to 90%) more than a year after vaccination. The observed vaccine effectiveness more than 12 months postvaccination was consistent with measured declining SBA levels, but confidence intervals were imprecise; vaccine effectiveness estimates were consistent with SBA titers of 1:4 or 1:8 as correlates of long-term protection after a primary course in infants. Modeling suggested that protection against carriage persists for at least 3 years and predicted the stabilization of serogroup C disease at low levels (fewer than 50 cases per year) up to 2015-2016. PMID:20219881

[Blunt trauma with bullet-proof vests. Skin lesions are no reliable predictor of injury severity].

PubMed

Doll, D; Illert, B; Bohrer, S; Richter, C; Woelfl, C

2009-04-01

It is well known that so-called bullet-proof vests offer protection against a wide range of penetrating trauma, but their protection against blunt trauma is less well understood. Fast projectiles may result in hematomas and contusions behind the armour. We report a traffic accident involving a young soldier wearing a ballistic protection vest resulting in a right thoracoabdominal blunt trauma leading to a confined liver compression rupture. As nearly no skin marks were detectable, we point out that every emergency department surgeon should be very suspicious if a patient wore a ballistic vest at the time of the accident--there may be no skin marks despite severe intra-abdominal trauma. Our patient recovered following hypotensive ICU treatment, thrombocyte mobilization, and factor VIIa substitution.

Involvement of arterial baroreflex in the protective effect of dietary restriction against stroke

PubMed Central

Liu, Ai-Jun; Guo, Jin-Min; Liu, Wei; Su, Feng-Yun; Zhai, Qi-Wei; Mehta, Jawahar L; Wang, Wei-Zhong; Su, Ding-Feng

2013-01-01

Dietary restriction (DR) protects against neuronal dysfunction and degeneration, and reduces the risk of ischemic stroke. This study examined the role of silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) and arterial baroreflex in the beneficial effects of DR against stroke, using two distinct stroke models: stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SP-SHRs) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sirt1 knockout (KO) mice were used to examine the involvement of sirt1. Sinoaortic denervation was used to inactivate arterial baroreflex. Dietary restriction was defined as 40% reduction of dietary intake. Briefly, DR prolonged the life span of SP-SHRs and reduced the infarct size induced by MCAO. Dietary restriction also improved the function arterial baroreflex, decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced end-organ damage. The beneficial effect of DR on stroke was markedly attenuated by blunting arterial baroreflex. Lastly, the infarct area in sirt1 KO mice was significantly larger than in the wild-type mice. However, the beneficial effect of DR against ischemic injury was still apparent in sirt1 KO mice. Accordingly, arterial baroreflex, but not sirt1, is important in the protective effect of DR against stroke. PMID:23443169

Vitamin D receptor-modulated Hsp70/AT1 expression may protect the kidneys of SHRs at the structural and functional levels.

PubMed

García, Isabel Mercedes; Altamirano, Liliana; Mazzei, Luciana; Fornés, Miguel; Cuello-Carrión, Fernando Darío; Ferder, León; Manucha, Walter

2014-07-01

Previous hypertension studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are linked to elevated renin-angiotensin system. The heat shock protein 70 regulates signaling pathways for cellular oxidative stress responses. Hsp70 has been shown to protect against angiotensin II-induced hypertension and exert a cytoprotective effect. Here, we wanted to evaluate whether the vitamin D receptor (VDR) associated with Hsp70/AT1 expression may be involved in the mechanism by which paricalcitol provides renal protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). One-month-old female SHRs were treated for 4 months with vehicle, paricalcitol, enalapril, or a combination of both paricalcitol and enalapril. The following were determined: blood pressure; biochemical parameters; fibrosis; apoptosis; mitochondrial morphology; and VDR, AT1 receptor, and Hsp70 expression in the renal cortex. Blood pressure was markedly reduced by enalapril or the combination but not by paricalcitol alone. However, VDR activation, enalapril or combination, prevented fibrosis, the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells, mitochondrial damage, and NADPH oxidase activity in SHRs. Additionally, high AT1 receptor expression, like low Hsp70 expression (immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence studies), was reversed in the renal cortices of paricalcitol- and/or enalapril-treated animals (SHRs), and these changes were most marked in the combination therapy group. Finally, all of the recovery parameters were consistent with an improvement in VDR expression. Data suggest that Hsp70/AT1 modulated by VDR is involved in the mechanism by which paricalcitol provides renal protection in SHRs. We propose that low AT1 expression through VDR induction could be a consequence of the heat shock response Hsp70-mediated cell protection.

Transduced human copper chaperone for Cu,Zn-SOD (PEP-1-CCS) protects against neuronal cell death.

PubMed

Choi, Soo Hyun; Kim, Dae Won; Kim, So Young; An, Jae Jin; Lee, Sun Hwa; Choi, Hee Soon; Sohn, Eun Jung; Hwang, Seok-Il; Won, Moo Ho; Kang, Tae-Cheon; Kwon, Hyung Joo; Kang, Jung Hoon; Cho, Sung-Woo; Park, Jinseu; Eum, Won Sik; Choi, Soo Young

2005-12-31

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the development of various human diseases. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the major means by which cells counteract the deleterious effects of ROS. SOD activity is dependent upon bound copper ions supplied by its partner metallochaperone protein, copper chaperone for SOD (CCS). In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of PEP-1-CCS against neuronal cell death and ischemic insults. When PEP-1-CCS was added to the culture medium of neuronal cells, it rapidly entered the cells and protected them against paraquat-induced cell death. Moreover, transduced PEP-1-CCS markedly increased endogenous SOD activity in the cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that it prevented neuronal cell death in the hippocampus in response to transient forebrain ischemia. These results suggest that CCS is essential to activate SOD, and that transduction of PEP-1-CCS provides a potential strategy for therapeutic delivery in various human diseases including stroke related to SOD or ROS.

Chamomile confers protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity through activation of Nrf2-mediated defense response.

PubMed

Bhaskaran, Natarajan; Srivastava, Janmejai K; Shukla, Sanjeev; Gupta, Sanjay

2013-01-01

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of various human diseases. Aqueous chamomile extract is used as herbal medicine, in the form of tea, demonstrated to possess antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. We demonstrate the cytoprotective effects of chamomile on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cellular damage in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of cells with chamomile markedly attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms by which chamomile-protected macrophages from oxidative stress was through the induction of several antioxidant enzymes including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and increase nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor Nrf2 and its binding to antioxidant response elements. Furthermore, chamomile dose-dependently reduced H₂O₂-mediated increase in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Our results, for the first time, demonstrate that chamomile has protective effects against oxidative stress and might be beneficial to provide defense against cellular damage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chamomile Confers Protection against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Toxicity through Activation of Nrf2-Mediated Defense Response

PubMed Central

Bhaskaran, Natarajan; Srivastava, Janmejai K.; Shukla, Sanjeev; Gupta, Sanjay

2014-01-01

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of various human diseases. Aqueous chamomile extract is used as herbal medicine, in the form of tea, demonstrated to possess antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. We demonstrate the cytoprotective effects of chamomile on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cellular damage in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of cells with chamomile markedly attenuated H2O2-induced cell viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms by which chamomile-protected macrophages from oxidative stress was through the induction of several antioxidant enzymes including NAD (P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and increase nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor Nrf2 and its binding to antioxidant response elements. Furthermore, chamomile dose-dependently reduced H2O2-mediated increase in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Our results, for the first time, demonstrate that chamomile has protective effects against oxidative stress and might be beneficial to provide defense against cellular damage. PMID:22511316

Protective effects of platinum nanoparticles against UV-light-induced epidermal inflammation.

PubMed

Yoshihisa, Yoko; Honda, Ayumi; Zhao, Qing-Li; Makino, Teruhiko; Abe, Riichiro; Matsui, Kotaro; Shimizu, Hiroshi; Miyamoto, Yusei; Kondo, Takashi; Shimizu, Tadamichi

2010-11-01

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis play important roles in the ultraviolet (UV)-induced inflammatory responses in the skin. Metal nanoparticles have been developed to increase the catalytic activity of metals, which is because of the large surface area of smaller particles. Platinum nanoparticles (nano-Pt) protected by poly acrylic acid were manufactured by reduction with ethanol. A marked increase in ROS production was observed in UV-treated HaCaT keratinocytes cell lines, while a decrease in ROS production was observed in nano-Pt-treated cells. Pretreatment of the cells with nano-Pt also caused a significant inhibition of UVB- and UVC-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that mice treated with nano-Pt gel prior to UV irradiation showed significant inhibition of UVB-induced inflammation and UVA-induced photoallergy compared to UV-irradiated control mice. These results suggest that nano-Pt effectively protects against UV-induced inflammation by decreasing ROS production and inhibiting apoptosis in keratinocytes. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Children's Environmental Health: 2007 Highlights. Environment, Health, and a Focus on Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007

2007-01-01

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970 to protect human health and the environment. The year 2007 marks 10 years of concerted Federal effort to address children's environmental health risks as mandated by Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. Much of the agency's…

32 CFR 37.855 - How should I handle protected data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false How should I handle protected data? 37.855 Section 37.855 National Defense Department of Defense OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DoD GRANT AND... Intellectual Property § 37.855 How should I handle protected data? Prior to releasing or disclosing data marked...

32 CFR 37.855 - How should I handle protected data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false How should I handle protected data? 37.855 Section 37.855 National Defense Department of Defense OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DoD GRANT AND... Intellectual Property § 37.855 How should I handle protected data? Prior to releasing or disclosing data marked...

32 CFR 37.855 - How should I handle protected data?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 32 National Defense 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false How should I handle protected data? 37.855 Section 37.855 National Defense Department of Defense OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DoD GRANT AND... Intellectual Property § 37.855 How should I handle protected data? Prior to releasing or disclosing data marked...

Protective effects of deferasirox and N-acetyl-L-cysteine on iron overload-injured bone marrow.

PubMed

Shen, J C; Zhang, Y C; Zhao, M F

2017-10-19

Using an iron overload mouse model, we explored the protective effect of deferasirox (DFX) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on injured bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) induced by iron overload. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with 25 mg iron dextran every 3 days for 4 weeks to establish an iron overload (Fe) model. DFX or NAC were co-administered with iron dextran in two groups of mice (Fe+DFX and Fe+NAC), and the function of HSPCs was then examined. Iron overload markedly decreased the number of murine HSPCs in bone marrow. Subsequent colony-forming cell assays showed that iron overload also decreased the colony forming capacity of HSPCs, the effect of which could be reversed by DFX and NAC. The bone marrow hematopoiesis damage caused by iron overload could be alleviated by DFX and NAC.

Protein-enriched pea flour extract protects stored milled rice against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae

PubMed Central

Pretheep-Kumar, P.; Mohan, S.; Ramaraju, K.

2004-01-01

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of a protein-enriched pea (Pisum sativum var. Bonneville) flour extract against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae in its repellency, toxicity, effect on fecundity, stability and sensory properties. Milled rice admixed with pea flour extract at 1% concentration significantly repelled S. oryzae. Mortality of S. oryzae was found to increase and fecundity was markedly suppressed, in rice treated with 1% pea flour extract. The toxicity and reproductive effects of the pea protein-enriched rice were found to be stable for a period of 5 months. The sensory characteristics of stored rice when eaten were not affected by the treatment with pea flour extract. This study indicates that the protein-enriched flour extract obtained from the Bonneville pea may be feasible to protect stored milled rice from insect attack. PMID:15861241

The Protective Effects of IGF-I against β-Amyloid-related Downregulation of Hippocampal Somatostatinergic System Involve Activation of Akt and Protein Kinase A.

PubMed

Aguado-Llera, David; Canelles, Sandra; Frago, Laura M; Chowen, Julie A; Argente, Jesús; Arilla, Eduardo; Barrios, Vicente

2018-03-15

Somatostatin (SRIF), a neuropeptide highly distributed in the hippocampus and involved in learning and memory, is markedly reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. The effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) against β amyloid (Aβ)-induced neuronal death and associated cognitive disorders have been extensively reported in experimental models of this disease. Here, we examined the effect of IGF-I on the hippocampal somatostatinergic system in Aβ-treated rats and the molecular mechanisms associated with changes in this peptidergic system. Intracerebroventricular Aβ25-35 administration during 14 days (300 pmol/day) to male rats increased Aβ25-35 levels and cell death and markedly reduced SRIF and SRIF receptor 2 levels in the hippocampus. These deleterious effects were associated with reduced Akt and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Subcutaneous IGF-I co-administration (50 µg/kg/day) reduced hippocampal Aβ25-35 levels, cell death and JNK activation. In addition, IGF-I prevented the reduction in the components of the somatostatinergic system affected by Aβ infusion. Its co-administration also augmented protein kinase A (PKA) activity, as well as Akt and CREB phosphorylation. These results suggest that IGF-I co-administration may have protective effects on the hippocampal somatostatinergic system against Aβ insult through up-regulation of PKA activity and Akt and CREB phosphorylation. Copyright © 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The eastern box turtle at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 1940s to the present: another view

USGS Publications Warehouse

Henry, P.F.P.

2003-01-01

Several long-term mark recapture studies have been conducted on box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) providing valuable information on life span, basic demography, home range, and apparent effects of environmental changes on box turtle survival. One of the longest studied populations was first marked in 1942 on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, and has been surveyed every 10 years until 1995. The age structure and gender ratio of these turtles in the field may support differential habitat use and survival estimates. A few of the turtles first marked during the 1945 study are still observed throughout the Center. Data collected from turtles marked in the more upland habitats during 1985-2002 indicate a younger age class distribution than that observed in the more protected biota of the bottomland floodplain study area. Extrapolating ages of turtles described in data collected throughout the long-term study, it was estimated that turtles, both males and females, can show reproduction-intent behaviors at ages greater than 54 years old. It is suggested that count data collection be continued on a more frequent cycle, extending over a larger part of the Center.

48 CFR 603.104-4 - Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source selection information. 603.104-4... contractor bid or proposal information and source selection information. (a) The following classes of persons may be authorized to receive contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information by...

12 CFR 324.34 - OTC derivative contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... calculating PFE. (E) The PFE of the protection provider of a credit derivative is capped at the net present... single OTC derivative contract is the greater of the mark-to-fair value of the OTC derivative contract or... with a negative mark-to-fair value, is calculated by multiplying the notional principal amount of the...

Landmine Warfare in Support of Multi-domain Battle: Balancing Discrimination and Military Effectiveness

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-25

Combat Team CCW Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons CTC Combat Training Center EMS Electro- Magnetic Spectrum FASCAM Family of...of a person or vehicle .”13 In the immediate aftermath of WWII, the economy of force, counter- mobility, and protection functions of landmines were...threat posed by the Soviet Union and the need for discrimination in the employment of persistent landmines by organizing them into well-marked fields

Trehalose protects against cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in primary rat proximal tubular cells via inhibiting apoptosis and restoring autophagic flux

PubMed Central

Wang, Xin-Yu; Yang, Heng; Wang, Min-Ge; Yang, Du-Bao; Wang, Zhen-Yong; Wang, Lin

2017-01-01

Autophagy has an important renoprotective function and we recently found that autophagy inhibition is involved in cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of trehalose (Tre), a novel autophagy activator, against Cd-induced cytotoxicity in primary rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells. First, data showed that Tre treatment significantly decreased Cd-induced apoptotic cell death of rPT cells via inhibiting caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, evidenced by morphological analysis, flow cytometric and immunoblot assays. Also, administration with Tre protected rPT cells against Cd-induced lipid peroxidation. Inhibition of autophagic flux in Cd-exposed rPT cells was markedly restored by Tre administration, demonstrated by immunoblot analysis of autophagy marker proteins and GFP and RFP tandemly tagged LC3 method. Resultantly, Cd-induced autophagosome accumulation was obviously alleviated by Tre treatment. Meanwhile, blockage of autophagosome–lysosome fusion by Cd exposure was noticeably restored by Tre, which promoted the autophagic degradation in Cd-exposed rPT cells. Moreover, Tre treatment markedly recovered Cd-induced lysosomal alkalinization and impairment of lysosomal degradation capacity in rPT cells, demonstrating that Tre has the ability to restore Cd-impaired lysosomal function. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Tre treatment alleviates Cd-induced cytotoxicity in rPT cells by inhibiting apoptosis and restoring autophagic flux. PMID:29022917

10 CFR 1017.25 - Reproduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Reproduction. 1017.25 Section 1017.25 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.25 Reproduction. A document marked as containing UCNI may be...

10 CFR 1017.25 - Reproduction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Reproduction. 1017.25 Section 1017.25 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.25 Reproduction. A document marked as containing UCNI may be...

77 FR 74678 - Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-17

...), National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP.../IP/ISCD Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Manager, 245 Murray Lane SW., Mail Stop... should be appropriately marked and submitted by mail to the DHS/NPPD/IP/ISCD Chemical Facility Anti...

10 CFR 1017.24 - Storage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Storage. 1017.24 Section 1017.24 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.24 Storage. A document or material marked as containing UCNI must...

10 CFR 1017.24 - Storage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Storage. 1017.24 Section 1017.24 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.24 Storage. A document or material marked as containing UCNI must...

10 CFR 1017.24 - Storage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Storage. 1017.24 Section 1017.24 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.24 Storage. A document or material marked as containing UCNI must...

10 CFR 1017.24 - Storage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Storage. 1017.24 Section 1017.24 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.24 Storage. A document or material marked as containing UCNI must...

10 CFR 1017.24 - Storage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Storage. 1017.24 Section 1017.24 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.24 Storage. A document or material marked as containing UCNI must...

40 CFR 273.35 - Accumulation time limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... container became a waste or was received; (2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e... Section 273.35 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste...

40 CFR 273.35 - Accumulation time limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... container became a waste or was received; (2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e... Section 273.35 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste...

40 CFR 273.35 - Accumulation time limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... container became a waste or was received; (2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e... Section 273.35 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste...

40 CFR 273.35 - Accumulation time limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... container became a waste or was received; (2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e... Section 273.35 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste...

40 CFR 273.35 - Accumulation time limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... container became a waste or was received; (2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e... Section 273.35 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste...

Working with child protective services and law enforcement: what to expect.

PubMed

Kellogg, Nancy D

2014-10-01

The process whereby a clinician decides that child abuse is a diagnostic possibility is often marked with doubt and fear. Abusive parents can present convincing lies, and children with suspicious injuries can have unusual accidents. Personal thresholds for reporting suspected abuse vary considerably. Clinicians may mistrust or misunderstand the roles and responsibilities of the investigators and legal professionals involved. This article aims to improve understanding of the community responses to a report of child abuse, and enable the clinician to work effectively with child protective services, law enforcement agencies, and legal professionals to ensure child safety and family integrity when appropriate. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of protection of transepithelial barrier function by Lactobacillus salivarius: strain dependence and attenuation by bacteriocin production.

PubMed

Miyauchi, Eiji; O'Callaghan, John; Buttó, Ludovica F; Hurley, Gráinne; Melgar, Silvia; Tanabe, Soichi; Shanahan, Fergus; Nally, Kenneth; O'Toole, Paul W

2012-11-01

Enhanced barrier function is one mechanism whereby commensals and probiotic bacteria limit translocation of foreign antigens or pathogens in the gut. However, barrier protection is not exhibited by all probiotic or commensals and the strain-specific molecules involved remain to be clarified. We evaluated the effects of 33 individual Lactobacillus salivarius strains on the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced barrier impairment in human epithelial Caco-2 cells. These strains showed markedly different effects on H(2)O(2)-induced reduction in transepithelial resistance (TER). The effective strains such as UCC118 and CCUG38008 attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced disassembly and relocalization of tight junction proteins, but the ineffective strain AH43324 did not. Strains UCC118 and CCUG38008 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in Caco-2 cells, and the ERK inhibitor U0126 attenuated the barrier-protecting effect of these strains. In contrast, the AH43324 strain induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38, which was associated with an absence of a protective effect. Global transcriptome analysis of UCC118 and AH43324 revealed that some genes in a bacteriocin gene cluster were upregulated in AH43324 under TER assay conditions. A bacteriocin-negative UCC118 mutant displayed significantly greater suppressive effect on H(2)O(2)-induced reduction in TER compared with wild-type UCC118. The wild-type strain augmented H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38, whereas a bacteriocin-negative UCC118 mutant did not. These observations indicate that L. salivarius strains are widely divergent in their capacity for barrier protection, and this is underpinned by differences in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, bacteriocin production appears to have an attenuating influence on lactobacillus-mediated barrier protection.

Protective Effects of Processed Ginseng and Its Active Ginsenosides on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies.

PubMed

Park, Jun Yeon; Choi, Pilju; Kim, Taejung; Ko, Hyeonseok; Kim, Ho-kyong; Kang, Ki Sung; Ham, Jungyeob

2015-07-01

Although cisplatin can dramatically improve the survival rate in cancer patients, its use is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Previous investigations showed that Panax ginseng contains components that exhibit protective activity against cisplatin-induced nephropathy. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of microwave-assisted processing on the protective effect of ginseng and identify ginsenosides that are active against cisplatin-induced kidney damage to evaluate the potential of using ginseng in the management of nephrotoxicity. The LLC-PK1 cell damage by cisplatin was significantly decreased by treatment with microwave-processed ginseng (MG) and ginsenosides Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1. Reduced expression of p53 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase proteins by cisplatin in LLC-PK1 cells was markedly ameliorated after Rg3 and Rg5/Rk1 treatment. Additionally, elevated expression of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced by ginsenosides Rg5, Rk1, and with even greater potency, Rg3. Moreover, MG and its fraction containing active ginsenosides showed protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephropathy in mice. We found that ginsenosides Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 generated during the heat treatment of ginseng ameliorate renal damage by regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Results of current experiments provide evidence of the renoprotective effects and therapeutic potential of MG and its active ginsenosides, both in vitro and in vivo.

INCREASE IN THE CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC COEFFICIENT OF MECHLORETHAMINE BY THE ACTION OF THE RADIOPROTECTIVE AGENT SODIUM DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE (in Italian)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cima, L; Pozza, F

1963-01-01

In mice of the SMZ strain the protective effect of various kinds of radioprotectant agents against the toxicity of the alkylating agent mechiorethamine (HN2) was investigated. HN2 was injected subcutaneously in doses of 6 mg/kg, corresponding to the LD/sub 99/6/. The most effective protective agent tested was the chelating agent Na diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), which when injected intraperitoneally in doses of 335 mg/kg raised the 4-day survival rate to 90% from a control value of 20%. Other chelating agents were less effective, showing the specific action of the dithiocarbamate anion: tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram), 2-guanidinothiazolidone, and diethylamine. Moderately effective against the toxicitymore » of HN2 were (in decreasing order): reserpine, chlorpromazine, propylene glycol, malononitrile, glutathione, cysteamine, oxytocin, and Na ethylenediaminetatraacetate. Tryptamine was ineffective and cysteine augmented the toxicity of HN2. DEDTC did not modify the carcinostatic effect of HN2 against Ehrlich ascites tumor and thus, by markedly reducing the toxicity of HN2, enhances the therapeutic index of HN2 3 fold. The protective effect of DEDTC and the other radioprotectant agents against HN2 suggest that alkylating agents and ionizing radiation have analogous effects on tissue constituents. (H.H.D.)« less

Protective Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Myocardium Against Remote Tissue Injury Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Kumas, Meltem; Altintas, Ozge; Karatas, Ersin; Kocyigit, Abdurrahim

2017-01-01

Background Remote ischemic preconditioning (IPreC) could provide tissue-protective effect at a remote site by anti-inflammatory, neuronal, and humoral signaling pathways. Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the possible protective effects of remote IPreC on myocardium after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in streptozotocin- induced diabetic (STZ) and non-diabetic rats. Methods 48 male Spraque Dawley rats were divided into eight groups: Sham, STZ, IPreC, MCAo, IPreC+MCAo, STZ+IPreC, STZ+MCAo and STZ+IPreC+MCAo groups. We induced transient MCAo seven days after STZ-induced diabetes, and performed IPreC 72 hours before transient MCAo. Remote myocardial injury was investigated histopathologically. Bax, Bcl2 and caspase-3 protein levels were measured by Western blot analysis. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) of myocardial tissue were measured by colorimetric assay. Oxidative stress index(OSI) was calculated as TOS-to-TAS ratio. For all statistical analysis, p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results We observed serious damage including necrosis, congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration in myocardial tissue of the diabetic and ischemic groups. In these groups TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher; TAS levels were lower than those of IPreC related groups (p < 0.05). IPreC had markedly improved histopathological alterations and increased TAS levels in IPreC+MCAo and STZ+IPreC+MCAo compared to MCAo and STZ+MCAo groups (p < 0.05). In non-diabetic rats, MCAo activated apoptotic cell death via increasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspase-3 levels. IPreC reduced apoptotic cell death by suppressing pro-apoptotic proteins. Diabetes markedly increased apoptotic protein levels and the effect did not reversed by IPreC. Conclusions We could suggest that IPreC attenuates myocardial injury via ameliorating histological findings, activating antioxidant mechanisms, and inducing antiapoptotic activity in diabetic rats. PMID:29160389

Protective effect of wedelolactone against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice.

PubMed

Lu, Yang; Hu, DongMei; Ma, ShanBo; Zhao, Xian; Wang, Shan; Wei, Guo; Wang, XiFang; Wen, AiDong; Wang, JingWen

2016-05-01

Eclipta, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat liver disease for centuries. However, the chemical basis and biological mechanisms of Eclipta remain elusive. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of wedelolactone (WEL), a major coumarin in Eclipta, using C57BL/6 mice with carbon tetrachloride CCl4-induced acute liver injury (ALI). Our data showed that WEL markedly decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, and improved hepatic histopathology changes. WEL also significantly decreased the content of MDA in liver tissues, meanwhile increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px. In addition, WEL reduced the protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as mRNA expression. Western blot results revealed that WEL repressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus and enhanced the phosphorylation of c-Jun. N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, results showed that WEL significantly inhibited CCl4-induced hepatocytes apoptosis, markedly suppressed the down-regulation of Bax and active Caspase-3 expression and accelerated the expression of Bcl-2. Overall, the findings indicate that WEL exhibits a protective effect against CCl4-induced ALI in mice by enhancing the antioxidative defense system, suppressing the inflammatory response and cell apoptosis of liver. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of Schizandrin B against damage of UVB irradiated skin cells depend on inhibition of inflammatory pathways.

PubMed

Gao, Chenguang; Chen, Hong; Niu, Cong; Hu, Jie; Cao, Bo

2017-01-02

Schizandrin B is extracted from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. This study evaluated the photoprotective effect of Schizandrin B on oxidative stress injury of the skin caused by UVB-irradiation and the molecular mechanism of the photoprotective effect of Schizandrin B, and we firstly found that Schizandrin B could block Cox-2, IL-6 and IL-18 signal pathway to protect damage of skin cells given by UVB-irradiation. In the research, we found that Schizandrin B can attenuate the UVB-induced toxicity on keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in human body, and can outstandingly eliminated intracellular ROS produced by UVB-irradiation. These results demonstrate that Schizandrin B can regulate the function of decreasing intracellular SOD's activity and increasing the expression level of MDA in HaCaT cells result from the guidance of UVB, and it markedly reduced the production of inflammatory factors such as Cox-2, IL-6 or IL-18, decreased the expression level of MMP-1, and interdicted degradation process of collagens in UVB-radiated cells. Therefore, skin keratinocytes can be effectively protected from UVB-radiated damage by Schizandrin B, and UVB-irradiation caused inflammatory responses can be inhibited by attenuating process of ROS generating.

Smart security and securing data through watermarking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ritesh; Kumar, Lalit; Banik, Debraj; Sundar, S.

2017-11-01

The growth of image processing in embedded system has provided the boon of enhancing the security in various sectors. This lead to the developing of various protective strategies, which will be needed by private or public sectors for cyber security purposes. So, we have developed a method which uses digital water marking and locking mechanism for the protection of any closed premises. This paper describes a contemporary system based on user name, user id, password and encryption technique which can be placed in banks, protected offices to beef the security up. The burglary can be abated substantially by using a proactive safety structure. In this proposed framework, we are using water-marking in spatial domain to encode and decode the image and PIR(Passive Infrared Sensor) sensor to detect the existence of person in any close area.

40 CFR 204.5-1 - Testing exemption.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....5-1 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMS NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT General Provisions § 204.5-1 Testing exemption. (a... training, and so labeled or marked on the outside of the container and on the product itself, shall be...

76 FR 15333 - Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; OMB...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-21

...-0066; Marine Mammal Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Certificates AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service... INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 1018-0066. Title: Marine Mammal Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Certificates... Totals 1,395 1,395 349 Abstract: Under section 101(b) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA...

Age-related effects of heat stress on protective enzymes for peroxides and microsomal monooxygenase in rat liver.

PubMed Central

Ando, M; Katagiri, K; Yamamoto, S; Wakamatsu, K; Kawahara, I; Asanuma, S; Usuda, M; Sasaki, K

1997-01-01

To evaluate the age-related response of essential cell functions against peroxidative damage in hyperthermia, we studied the biochemical response to heat stress in both young and aged rats. Passive hyperthermia was immediately observed in rats after exposure to hot environments. In aged rats, the rectal temperature maintained thermal homeostasis and increased to the same degree as in young rats. In these aged animals, the damage from heat stress was more serious than in young animals. In aged rats under normal environmental conditions, hepatic cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities were markedly higher than those activities in younger rats. Hepatic cytosolic GSH peroxidase activities were induced by heat stress in young rats but were decreased by hot environments in aged rats. Hepatic catalase activities in young rats were not affected by hot environments, whereas in aged rats, hepatic catalase activities were seriously decreased. Catalase activities in the kidney of aged rats were also reduced by hot environments. Lipid peroxidation in the liver was markedly induced in both young and aged rats. Because the protective enzymes for oxygen radicals in aged rats were decreased by hot environments, lipid peroxidation in the liver was highly induced. In aged rats, lipid peroxidation in intracellular structures such as mitochondria and microsomes was also markedly induced by hot environments. In both young and aged rats, hyperthermia greatly increased the development of hypertrophy and vacuolated degeneration in hepatic cells. In aged rats, both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatic cells showed serious distortion in shape as a result of exposures to hot environments. Microsomal electron transport systems, such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities, were seriously decreased by heat stress in aged rats but not in young rats. Although the mitochondrial electron transport systems were not affected by acute heat stress in young rats, their activities were simultaneously inhibited after long-lasting heat exposure. In isolated hepatic cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in animals, the 70-kDa heat shock-induced proteins were markedly increased by heat stress. In conclusion, the heat stress-inducible oxygen radical damage becomes more severe according to the age of rats. Because aging and hyperthermia have a synergistic effect on lipid peroxidation, protective enzyme activities for oxygen radicals may be essential for surviving and recovering from thermal injury in aged animals and also in humans. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. A Figure 2. B Figure 2. C Figure 2. D Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. A Figure 6. B Figure 7. A Figure 7. B PMID:9294719

Amlodipine Inhibits Vascular Cell Senescence and Protects Against Atherogenesis Through the Mechanism Independent of Calcium Channel Blockade.

PubMed

Kayamori, Hiromi; Shimizu, Ippei; Yoshida, Yohko; Hayashi, Yuka; Suda, Masayoshi; Ikegami, Ryutaro; Katsuumi, Goro; Wakasugi, Takayuki; Minamino, Tohru

2018-05-30

Vascular cells have a finite lifespan and eventually enter irreversible growth arrest called cellular senescence. We have previously suggested that vascular cell senescence contributes to the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis. Amlodipine is a mixture of two enantiomers, one of which (S- enantiomer) has L-type channel blocking activity, while the other (R+ enantiomer) shows ~1000-fold weaker channel blocking activity than S- enantiomer and has other unknown effects. It has been reported that amlodipine inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in humans, but the molecular mechanism of this beneficial effect remains unknown. Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice on a high-fat diet were treated with amlodipine, its R+ enantiomer or vehicle for eight weeks. Compared with vehicle treatment, both amlodipine and the R+ enantiomer significantly reduced the number of senescent vascular cells and inhibited plaque formation to a similar extent. Expression of the pro-inflammatory molecule interleukin-1β was markedly upregulated in vehicle-treated mice, but was inhibited to a similar extent by treatment with amlodipine or the R+ enantiomer. Likewise, activation of p53 (a critical inducer of senescence) was markedly suppressed by treatment with amlodipine or the R+ enantiomer. These results suggest that amlodipine inhibits vascular cell senescence and protects against atherogenesis at least partly by a mechanism that is independent of calcium channel blockade.

Efficacy of Recombinant Canine Distemper Virus Expressing Leishmania Antigen against Leishmania Challenge in Dogs

PubMed Central

Yoneda, Misako; Takenaka, Akiko; Doki, Miho; Goto, Yasuyuki; Sanjoba, Chizu; Endo, Yasuyuki; Fujiyuki, Tomoko; Sugai, Akihiro; Tsukiyama-Kohara, Kyoko; Matsumoto, Yoshitsugu; Sato, Hiroki; Kai, Chieko

2015-01-01

Canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccination confers long-term protection against CDV reinfection. To investigate the utility of CDV as a polyvalent vaccine vector for Leishmania, we generated recombinant CDVs, based on an avirulent Yanaka strain, that expressed Leishmania antigens: LACK, TSA, or LmSTI1 (rCDV–LACK, rCDV–TSA, and rCDV–LmSTI1, respectively). Dogs immunized with rCDV-LACK were protected against challenge with lethal doses of virulent CDV, in the same way as the parental Yanaka strain. To evaluate the protective effects of the recombinant CDVs against cutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs, dogs were immunized with one recombinant CDV or a cocktail of three recombinant CDVs, before intradermal challenge (in the ears) with infective-stage promastigotes of Leishmania major. Unvaccinated dogs showed increased nodules with ulcer formation after 3 weeks, whereas dogs immunized with rCDV–LACK showed markedly smaller nodules without ulceration. Although the rCDV–TSA- and rCDV–LmSTI1-immunized dogs showed little protection against L. major, the cocktail of three recombinant CDVs more effectively suppressed the progression of nodule formation than immunization with rCDV–LACK alone. These results indicate that recombinant CDV is suitable for use as a polyvalent live attenuated vaccine for protection against both CDV and L. major infections in dogs. PMID:26162094

Efficacy of Recombinant Canine Distemper Virus Expressing Leishmania Antigen against Leishmania Challenge in Dogs.

PubMed

Miura, Ryuichi; Kooriyama, Takanori; Yoneda, Misako; Takenaka, Akiko; Doki, Miho; Goto, Yasuyuki; Sanjoba, Chizu; Endo, Yasuyuki; Fujiyuki, Tomoko; Sugai, Akihiro; Tsukiyama-Kohara, Kyoko; Matsumoto, Yoshitsugu; Sato, Hiroki; Kai, Chieko

2015-01-01

Canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccination confers long-term protection against CDV reinfection. To investigate the utility of CDV as a polyvalent vaccine vector for Leishmania, we generated recombinant CDVs, based on an avirulent Yanaka strain, that expressed Leishmania antigens: LACK, TSA, or LmSTI1 (rCDV-LACK, rCDV-TSA, and rCDV-LmSTI1, respectively). Dogs immunized with rCDV-LACK were protected against challenge with lethal doses of virulent CDV, in the same way as the parental Yanaka strain. To evaluate the protective effects of the recombinant CDVs against cutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs, dogs were immunized with one recombinant CDV or a cocktail of three recombinant CDVs, before intradermal challenge (in the ears) with infective-stage promastigotes of Leishmania major. Unvaccinated dogs showed increased nodules with ulcer formation after 3 weeks, whereas dogs immunized with rCDV-LACK showed markedly smaller nodules without ulceration. Although the rCDV-TSA- and rCDV-LmSTI1-immunized dogs showed little protection against L. major, the cocktail of three recombinant CDVs more effectively suppressed the progression of nodule formation than immunization with rCDV-LACK alone. These results indicate that recombinant CDV is suitable for use as a polyvalent live attenuated vaccine for protection against both CDV and L. major infections in dogs.

Base-Level Management of Laser Radiation Protection Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-02-01

safety eyewear . special considerations for medical lasers and optical fibers, and summary evaluations of common Air Force laser systems... optical density of 2. Laser safety eyewear should have the optical density clearly marked for ail wavelengths for which the eyewear provides protection. c...density of protective eyewear . The optical density required for laser safety eyewear is dependent on the irradiance or radiant exposure-of the

L-Ascorbate Protects Against Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity of Cortical Cells via Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Autophagy, and Apoptosis.

PubMed

Huang, Ya-Ni; Yang, Ling-Yu; Wang, Jing-Ya; Lai, Chien-Cheng; Chiu, Chien-Tsai; Wang, Jia-Yi

2017-01-01

Methamphetamine (METH)-induced cell death contributes to the pathogenesis of neurotoxicity; however, the relative roles of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy remain unclear. L-Ascorbate, also called vitamin (Vit.) C, confers partial protection against METH neurotoxicity via induction of heme oxygenase-1. We further investigated the role of Vit. C in METH-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy in cortical cells. Exposure to lower concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1 mM) of METH had insignificant effects on ROS production, whereas cells exposed to 5 mM METH exhibited ROS production in a time-dependent manner. We confirmed METH-induced apoptosis (by nuclear morphology revealed by Hoechst 33258 staining and Western blot showing the protein levels of pro-caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3) and autophagy (by Western blot showing the protein levels of Belin-1 and conversion of microtubule-associated light chain (LC)3-I to LC3-II and autophagosome staining by monodansylcadaverine). The apoptosis as revealed by cleaved caspase-3 expression marked an increase at 18 h after METH exposure while both autophagic markers, Beclin 1 and LC3-II, marked an increase in cells exposed to METH for 6 and 24 h, respectively. Treating cells with Vit. C 30 min before METH exposure time-dependently attenuated the production of ROS. Vitamin C also attenuated METH-induced Beclin 1 and LC3-II expression and METH toxicity. Treatment of cells with Vit. C before METH exposure attenuated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and reduced the number of METH-induced apoptotic cells. We suggest that the protective effect of Vit. C against METH toxicity might be through attenuation of ROS production, autophagy, and apoptosis.

Osthole protects lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice by preventing down-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

PubMed

Shi, Yun; Zhang, Bo; Chen, Xiang-Jun; Xu, Dun-Quan; Wang, Yan-Xia; Dong, Hai-Ying; Ma, Shi-Rong; Sun, Ri-He; Hui, Yan-Ping; Li, Zhi-Chao

2013-03-12

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a protective role in acute lung injury. Osthole, a natural coumarin derivative extracted from traditional Chinese medicines, is known to have anti-inflammatory effect, but the effect of osthole on the ALI is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to explore whether and by what mechanisms osthole protects lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury. Herein, we found that osthole had a beneficial effect on LPS-induced ALI in mice. As revealed by survival study, pretreatment with high doses of osthole reduced the mortality of mice from ALI. Osthole pretreatment significantly improved LPS-induced lung pathological changes, reduced lung wet/dry weight ratios and total protein in BALF. Osthole also inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-6. Meanwhile, osthole markedly prevented the loss of ACE2 and Ang1-7 in lung tissue of ALI mice. ACE2 inhibitor blocked the protective effect of osthole in NR 8383 cell lines. Taken together, our study showed that osthole improved survival rate and attenuated LPS-induced ALI and ACE2 may play a role in it. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Attenuation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity by resveratrol: a comparative study with different routes of administration.

PubMed

Ishida, Takumi; Takeda, Tomoki; Koga, Takayuki; Yahata, Masahiro; Ike, Ayako; Kuramoto, Chihiro; Taketoh, Junko; Hashiguchi, Isamu; Akamine, Akifumi; Ishii, Yuji; Yamada, Hideyuki

2009-05-01

The activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known to be antagonized by co-treatment with resveratrol. However, such a protective effect has been suggested from studies using subcutaneous injection of this polyphenol. To evaluate the practical usefulness of resveratrol, this study examined the protective effect of oral resveratrol on the sub-acute toxic effects of TCDD in C57BL/6J mice. A TCDD-induced wasting syndrome was not alleviated by treating mice for 28 d with oral resveratrol. However, subcutaneous injection of resveratrol for 5 d significantly improved the symptoms. Neither oral nor subcutaneous administration of resveratrol alleviated TCDD-induced hepatomegaly and thymic atrophy. Steatosis produced by TCDD was markedly counteracted by co-treatment with oral resveratrol, whereas resveratrol injected subcutaneously had no effect. The reason for the lack of protective effect via the latter dosing route was assumed to be due to the minor accumulation of hepatic lipids 5 d after TCDD treatment. To clarify the mechanisms, the activity of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the liver were measured. Both indices increased by TCDD treatment were significantly suppressed by subcutaneous injection of resveratrol. In contrast, oral resveratrol failed to rescue them. In agreement with the greater protective effects of subcutaneously-injected resveratrol, pharmacokinetic studies indicated that the area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC(infinity)) was 8.2-times greater following subcutaneous injection compared with oral administration. These data suggest that 1) oral resveratrol is attractive candidate as an agent capable of combating dioxin toxicity and 2) increasing the bioavailability of this polyphenol enhances its protective effect.

Preservation of myocardium during coronary artery bypass surgery.

PubMed

Kinoshita, Takeshi; Asai, Tohru

2012-08-01

Myocardial protection aims to prevent reversible post-ischemic cardiac dysfunction (myocardial stunning) and irreversible myocardial cell death (myocardial infarction) that occur as a consequence of myocardial ischemia and/or ischemic-reperfusion injury. Although the mortality rate for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting has been markedly reduced during the past decade, myocardial death, as evidenced by elevation in creatine kinase-myocardial band and/or cardiac troponin, is common. This is ascribed to suboptimal myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass or with off-pump technique, early graft failure, distal embolization, and regional or global myocardial ischemia during surgery. An unmet need in contemporary coronary bypass surgery is to find more effective cardioprotective strategies that have the potential for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with suboptimal cardioprotection. In the present review article on myocardial protection in contemporary coronary artery bypass surgery, we attempt to elucidate the clinical problems, summarize the outcomes of selected phase III trials, and introduce new perspectives.

30 CFR 75.601 - Short circuit protection of trailing cables.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Short circuit protection of trailing cables. 75... MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Trailing Cables § 75.601 Short...

30 CFR 75.601 - Short circuit protection of trailing cables.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Short circuit protection of trailing cables. 75... MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Trailing Cables § 75.601 Short...

30 CFR 75.601 - Short circuit protection of trailing cables.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Short circuit protection of trailing cables. 75... MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Trailing Cables § 75.601 Short...

30 CFR 75.601 - Short circuit protection of trailing cables.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Short circuit protection of trailing cables. 75... MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Trailing Cables § 75.601 Short...

50 CFR 679.24 - Gear limitations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... contrasting color visible above the water line and shall be maintained so the markings are clearly visible. (b... material that is brightly colored, UV-protected plastic tubing or 3/8 inch polyester line or material of an... of wind. (7) Have streamers constructed of material that is brightly colored, UV-protected plastic...

Possible protective effect of royal jelly against cyclophosphamide induced prostatic damage in male albino rats; a biochemical, histological and immuno-histo-chemical study.

PubMed

Abdel-Hafez, Sara Mohammed Naguib; Rifaai, Rehab Ahmed; Abdelzaher, Walaa Yehia

2017-06-01

Almost all the chemotherapy treat many cancer types effectively, but it leads to severe side effects. Chemotherapy like cyclophosphamide (CP) not works only on the active cells, such as cancer cells, but also acts on the healthy cells. Royal jelly (RJ) was reported to have a lot of therapeutic effects besides being an anti-oxidant and anti-cancer agent. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible protective role of RJ in ameliorating the toxic effects of CP overdose in the rat prostatic tissue. The rats were separated into 4 groups; control group, RJ group, CP group and RJ with CP group. Prostatic specimens were processed for biochemical, histological and immune-histo-chemical studies. The mean area fractions of eNOS and Bax expression were measured in all groups, and statistical analysis was carried out. The results showed that in CP treated group, there were marked biological changes in the form of significant increase in prostatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and C - reactive protein (CRP). Additionally there was a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in prostatic tissue if compared with the control group. Furthermore, the histological changes showed marked acinar and stromal prostatic degeneration. Most prostatic acini showed less PAS reaction and more (eNOS and Bax) expression if compared with the control group. Concomitant administration of RJ with CP revealed a noticeable amelioration of these biochemical and histological changes. In conclusion, RJ provided biochemical and histo-pathological improvement in CP induced prostatic tissue toxicity. These findings revealed that this improvement was associated with a decrease in the tissue oxidative damage and apoptosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Marked enhancement of the immune response to BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) by the TLR9 agonist CPG 7909 in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Rynkiewicz, Dianna; Rathkopf, Melinda; Sim, Iain; Waytes, A Thomas; Hopkins, Robert J; Giri, Lallan; DeMuria, Deborah; Ransom, Janet; Quinn, James; Nabors, Gary S; Nielsen, Carl J

2011-08-26

Immunization with BioThrax(®) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) is a safe and effective means of preventing anthrax. Animal studies have demonstrated that the addition of CpG DNA adjuvants to BioThrax can markedly increase the immunogenicity of the vaccine, increasing both serum anti-protective antigen (PA) antibody and anthrax toxin-neutralizing antibody (TNA) concentrations. The immune response to CpG-adjuvanted BioThrax in animals was not only stronger, but was also more rapid and led to higher levels of protection in spore challenge models. The B-class CpG DNA adjuvant CPG 7909, a 24-base synthetic, single-strand oligodeoxynucleotide, was evaluated for its safety profile and adjuvant properties in a Phase 1 clinical trial. A double-blind study was performed in which 69 healthy subjects, age 18-45 years, were randomized to receive three doses of either: (1) BioThrax alone, (2) 1 mg of CPG 7909 alone or (3) BioThrax plus 1 mg of CPG 7909, all given intramuscularly on study days 0, 14 and 28. Subjects were monitored for IgG to PA by ELISA and for TNA titers through study day 56 and for safety through month 6. CPG 7909 increased the antibody response by 6-8-fold at peak, and accelerated the response by 3 weeks compared to the response seen in subjects vaccinated with BioThrax alone. No serious adverse events related to study agents were reported, and the combination was considered to be reasonably well tolerated. The marked acceleration and enhancement of the immune response seen by combining BioThrax and CPG 7909 offers the potential to shorten the course of immunization and reduce the time to protection, and may be particularly useful in the setting of post-exposure prophylaxis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wild jujube polysaccharides protect against experimental inflammatory bowel disease by enabling enhanced intestinal barrier function.

PubMed

Yue, Yuan; Wu, Shuangchan; Li, Zhike; Li, Jian; Li, Xiaofei; Xiang, Jin; Ding, Hong

2015-08-01

Dietary polysaccharides provide various beneficial effects for our health. We investigated the protective effects of wild jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H. F. Chou) sarcocarp polysaccharides (WJPs) against experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by enabling enhanced intestinal barrier function. Colitis was induced in rats by the intrarectal administration of TNBS. We found that WJPs markedly ameliorated the colitis severity, including less weight loss, decreased disease activity index scores, and improved mucosal damage in colitis rats. Moreover, WJPs suppressed the inflammatory response via attenuation of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MPO activity in colitis rats. And then, to determine the effect of WJPs on the intestinal barrier, we measured the effect of WJPs on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and FITC-conjugated dextran permeability in Caco-2 cell stimulation with TNF-α. We further demonstrated that the alleviation of WJPs to colon injury was associated with barrier function by assembly of tight junction proteins. Moreover, the effect of WJPs on TER was eliminated by the specific inhibitor of AMPK. AMPK activity was also up-regulated by WJPs in Caco-2 cell stimulation with TNF-α and in colitis rats. This study demonstrates that WJPs protect against IBD by enabling enhanced intestinal barrier function involving the activation of AMPK.

Chitooligosaccharides protect human embryonic hepatocytes against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide.

PubMed

Xu, Qingsong; Ma, Pan; Yu, Weiting; Tan, Chengyu; Liu, Hongtao; Xiong, Chuannan; Qiao, Ying; Du, Yuguang

2010-06-01

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) has many biological activities, such as antitumor activity and hepatoprotective effect. Herein, we investigated the protective effect of COS against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress on human embryonic hepatocytes (L02 cells) and its scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical in vitro. The results showed that the lost cell viability induced by H2O2 was markedly restored after 24 h pre-incubation with COS (0.1-0.4 mg/ml). This rescue effect could be related to the antioxidant property of COS, in which we showed that the radical scavenging activity of COS reached 80% at concentration of 2 mg/ml. In addition, COS could prevent cell apoptosis induced by H2O2, as shown by the inhibition of the cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase and increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Furthermore, we have utilized confocal laser microscopy to observe cellular uptake of COS, an important step for COS to exert its effects on target cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that COS could effectively protect L02 cells against oxidative stress, which might be useful in clinical setting during the treatment of oxidative stress-related liver damages.

Neuroprotective effect of antioxidants on ischaemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury.

PubMed

Gupta, Ram; Singh, Manjeet; Sharma, Ajay

2003-08-01

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of dietary flavanoid rutin, micronutrient selenium and garlic oil on ischaemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury. Global cerebral ischaemia was induced by occluding right and left common carotid arteries for 10min followed by reperfusion for 24h. Cerebral infarct size was estimated using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Elevated plus maze was employed to estimate short-term memory. Degree of motor incoordination was evaluated using inclined beam-walking test and lateral push test. Mitochondrial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay was employed as an index of oxidative stress. Global cerebral ischaemia followed by reperfusion produced a significant impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination and produced a notable increase in mitochondrial TBARS. Administration of rutin and garlic oil before global cerebral ischaemia markedly reduced cerebral infarct size and attenuated impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination. Administration of sodium selenite either before or after global cerebral ischaemia markedly reduced cerebral infarct size and attenuated impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination. The protective effect of rutin, sodium selenite and garlic oil was accompanied by a marked decrease in mitochondrial TBARS. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that rutin and garlic oil administrated before cerebral ischaemia may scavenge reactive oxygen species and consequently attenuate global cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury. Sodium selenite administrated before and after cerebral ischaemia may be neuroprotective due to its antioxidant effect.

The potential beneficial effect of nicardipine in a rat model of transient forebrain ischemia.

PubMed

Alps, B J; Hass, W K

1987-05-01

In a rat 3-day survival model of 10-minute four-vessel occlusion, halothane anesthesia was used to attenuate the ictal blood pressure elevation of the cerebral ischemic response and thereby maintain an isoelectric EEG. Selectively vulnerable regions of the brain were protected by preischemia plus postischemia maintenance treatment with the calcium entry blocker nicardipine. Compared with untreated animals, repeated doses at 500 micrograms/kg IP were markedly more effective than doses of 50 micrograms/kg. Ongoing studies demonstrate a neurocytoprotective action of nicardipine when deferred treatment is given postischemia.

Searching for Partners: Regional Organizations and Peace Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-06-01

directed force, the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR), performed abysmally in Bosnia and had to be replaced by a combination of NATO and other forces...African regional organization. Other examplars were the operational support provided by NATO during the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR) phase of...body capable of organizing or directing field operations. 34 Lewis a n d Marks Even in the realm of protecting human rights, OSCE has lost

[Protective effects of luteolin on neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury via improving Na+/K+ -ATPase activity].

PubMed

Fang, Lumei; Zhang, Mingming; Ding, Yuemin; Fang, Yuting; Yao, Chunlei; Zhang, Xiong

2010-04-01

Luteolin, a flavone, has considerable neuroprotective effects by its anti-oxidative mechanism. However, it is still unclear whether luteolin can protect neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) induced injury. After 2 hours oxygen-glucose deprivation and 24 hours reperfusion treatment in primary cultured hippocampal neurons, the neuron viability, survival rate and apoptosis rate were evaluated by MTT assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay and Hoechst staining, respectively. The activity of Na+/K+ -ATPase was examined in cultured neurons or in the hippocampus of SD rats treated by 10 minutes global cerebral ischemia and followed 24 hours reperfusion. Treatment by OGD/R markedly reduced neuronal viability, increased LDH leakage rate and increased apoptosis rate. Application of luteolin (10-100 micromol x L(-1)) during OGD inhibited OGD/R induced neuron injury and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to the control group or OGP/R-treated neurons, the activity of Na+/K+ -ATPase was significantly suppressed in global ischemia/reperfusion group or OGD/R-treated neurons. Application of luteolin during ischemia or OGD preserved the Na+/K+ -ATPase activity. Furthermore, inhibition of Na+/K+ -ATPase with ouabain attenuated the protective effect afforded by luteolin. The data provide the evidence that luteolin has neuroprotective effect against OGD/R induced injury and the protective effect may be associated with its ability to improve Na+/K+ -ATPase activity after OGD/R.

Chloroform-Methanol Residue of Coxiella burnetii Markedly Potentiated the Specific Immunoprotection Elicited by a Recombinant Protein Fragment rOmpB-4 Derived from Outer Membrane Protein B of Rickettsia rickettsii in C3H/HeN Mice

PubMed Central

Gong, Wenping; Wang, Pengcheng; Xiong, Xiaolu; Jiao, Jun; Yang, Xiaomei; Wen, Bohai

2015-01-01

The obligate intracellular bacteria, Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii, are the potential agents of bio-warfare/bio-terrorism. Here C3H/HeN mice were immunized with a recombinant protein fragment rOmp-4 derived from outer membrane protein B, a major protective antigen of R. rickettsii, combined with chloroform-methanol residue (CMR) extracted from phase I C. burnetii organisms, a safer Q fever vaccine. These immunized mice had significantly higher levels of IgG1 and IgG2a to rOmpB-4 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), two crucial cytokines in resisting intracellular bacterial infection, as well as significantly lower rickettsial loads and slighter pathological lesions in organs after challenge with R. rickettsii, compared with mice immunized with rOmpB-4 or CMR alone. Additionally, after challenge with C. burnetii, the coxiella loads in the organs of these mice were significantly lower than those of mice immunized with rOmpB-4 alone. Our results prove that CMR could markedly potentiate enhance the rOmpB-4-specific immunoprotection by promoting specific and non-specific immunoresponses and the immunization with the protective antigen of R. rickettsii combined with CMR of C. burnetii could confer effective protection against infection of R. rickettsii or C. burnetii. PMID:25909586

Protective Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Saline on Rats with Smoke Inhalation Injury

PubMed Central

Chen, Xing; Liu, Qi; Wang, Dawei; Feng, Shihai; Zhao, Yongjian; Shi, Yun; Liu, Qun

2015-01-01

Objective. To explore the protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline on rats with smoke inhalation injury. Methods. 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 12 per group): sham group (S), inhalation injury plus normal saline treatment group (I+NS), and inhalation injury plus hydrogen-rich saline treatment group (I+HS). 30 min after injury, normal saline and hydrogen-rich saline were injected intraperitoneally (5 mL/kg) in I+NS group and I+HS group, respectively. All rats were euthanized and blood and organ specimens were collected for determination 24 h after inhalation injury. Results. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expression, and apoptosis index (AI) in I+HS group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were increased compared with those in I+NS group; and a marked improvement in alveolar structure was also found after hydrogen-rich saline treatment. Conclusions. Hydrogen-rich saline treatment exerts protective effects in acute lung injury induced by inhalation injury, at least in part through the activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways and inhibition of apoptosis. PMID:26090070

Hydrogen gas protects against serum and glucose deprivation‑induced myocardial injury in H9c2 cells through activation of the NF‑E2‑related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathway.

PubMed

Xie, Qiang; Li, Xue-Xiang; Zhang, Peng; Li, Jin-Cao; Cheng, Ying; Feng, Yan-Ling; Huang, Bing-Sheng; Zhuo, Yu-Feng; Xu, Guo-Hua

2014-08-01

Ischemia or hypoxia‑induced myocardial injury is closely associated with oxidative stress. Scavenging free radicals and/or enhancing endogenous antioxidative defense systems may be beneficial for the impediment of myocardial ischemic injury. Hydrogen (H2) gas, as a water‑ and lipid‑soluble small molecule, is not only able to selectively eliminate hydroxyl (·OH) free radicals, but also to enhance endogenous antioxidative defense systems in rat lungs and arabidopsis plants. However, thus far, it has remained elusive whether H2 gas protects cardiomyocytes through enhancement of endogenous antioxidative defense systems. In the present study, the cardioprotective effect of H2 gas against ischemic or hypoxic injury was investigated, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. H9c2 cardiomyoblasts (H9c2 cells) were treated in vitro with a chemical hypoxia inducer, cobalt chloride (CoCl2), to imitate hypoxia, or by serum and glucose deprivation (SGD) to imitate ischemia. Cell viability and intracellular ·OH free radicals were assessed. The role of an endogenous antioxidative defense system, the NF‑E2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO‑1) signaling pathway, was evaluated. The findings revealed that treatment with CoCl2 or SGD markedly reduced cell viability in H9c2 cells. H2 gas‑rich medium protected against cell injury induced by SGD, but not that induced by CoCl2. When the cells were exposed to SGD, levels of intracellular ·OH free radicals were markedly increased; this was mitigated by H2 gas‑rich medium. Exposure of the cells to SGD also resulted in significant increases in HO‑1 expression and nuclear Nrf2 levels, and the HO‑1 inhibitor ZnPP IX and the Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol aggravated SGD‑induced cellular injury. H2 gas‑rich medium enhanced SGD‑induced upregulation of HO‑1 and Nrf2, and the HO‑1 or Nrf2 inhibition partially suppressed H2 gas‑induced cardioprotection. Furthermore, following genetic silencing of Nrf2 by RNA interference, the effects of H2 gas on the induction of HO‑1 and cardioprotection were markedly reduced. In conclusion, H2 gas protected cardiomyocytes from ischemia‑induced myocardial injury through elimination of ·OH free radicals and also through activation of the Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway.

The insulation of genes from external enhancers and silencing chromatin

PubMed Central

Burgess-Beusse, Bonnie; Farrell, Catherine; Gaszner, Miklos; Litt, Michael; Mutskov, Vesco; Recillas-Targa, Felix; Simpson, Melanie; West, Adam; Felsenfeld, Gary

2002-01-01

Insulators are DNA sequence elements that can serve in some cases as barriers to protect a gene against the encroachment of adjacent inactive condensed chromatin. Some insulators also can act as blocking elements to protect against the activating influence of distal enhancers associated with other genes. Although most of the insulators identified so far derive from Drosophila, they also are found in vertebrates. An insulator at the 5′ end of the chicken β-globin locus marks a boundary between an open chromatin domain and a region of constitutively condensed chromatin. Detailed analysis of this element shows that it possesses both enhancer blocking activity and the ability to screen reporter genes against position effects. Enhancer blocking is associated with binding of the protein CTCF; sites that bind CTCF are found at other critical points in the genome. Protection against position effects involves other properties that appear to be associated with control of histone acetylation and methylation. Insulators thus are complex elements that can help to preserve the independent function of genes embedded in a genome in which they are surrounded by regulatory signals they must ignore. PMID:12154228

Antioxidant properties of repaglinide and its protections against cyclosporine A-induced renal tubular injury

PubMed Central

Li, Dao; Li, Jin; Li, Hui; Wu, Qiong; Li, Qi-Xiong

2016-01-01

Objective(s): Repaglinide (RG) is an antihyperglycemic agent used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It has a good safety and efficacy profile in diabetic patients with complications in renal impairment and is an appropriate treatment choice, even for individuals with more severe degrees of renal malfunctions. The aim of the present study was to examine the protective effect of RG on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced rat renal impairment and to evaluate the antioxidant mechanisms by which RG exerts its protective actions. Materials and Methods: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250–300 g were randomly divided into five groups: administrations of olive oil (control, PO), RG (0.4 mg/kg, PO), CsA (30 mg/kg in olive oil, SC), RG (0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg, PO) plus CsA (30 mg/kg in olive oil SC) every day for 15 days. Results: SC administration of CsA (30 mg/kg) to rats produced marked elevations in the levels of renal impairment parameters such as urinary protein, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), serum creatinine (SCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). It also caused histologic injury to the kidneys. Oral administration of RG (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) markedly decreased all the aforementioned changes. In addition, CsA caused increases in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glutathione in kidney homogenate, which were reversed significantly by both doses of RG. Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that RG may play an important role in protecting the kidney from oxidative insult. PMID:27635199

Thyroxin treatment protects against white matter injury in the immature brain via brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

PubMed

Hung, Pi-Lien; Huang, Chao-Ching; Huang, Hsiu-Mei; Tu, Dom-Gene; Chang, Ying-Chao

2013-08-01

Low level of thyroid hormone is a strong independent risk factor for white matter (WM) injury, a major cause of cerebral palsy, in preterm infants. Thyroxin upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor during development. We hypothesized that thyroxin protected against preoligodendrocyte apoptosis and WM injury in the immature brain via upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Postpartum (P) day-7 male rat pups were exposed to hypoxic ischemia (HI) and intraperitoneally injected with thyroxin (T4; 0.2 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) or normal saline immediately after HI at P9 and P11. WM damage was analyzed for myelin formation, axonal injury, astrogliosis, and preoligodendrocyte apoptosis. Neurotrophic factor expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Neuromotor functions were measured using open-field locomotion (P11 and P21), inclined plane climbing (P11), and beam walking (P21). Intracerebroventricular injection of TrkB-Fc or systemic administration of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone was performed. On P11, the HI group had significantly lower blood T4 levels than the controls. The HI group showed ventriculomegaly and marked reduction of myelin basic protein immunoreactivities in the WM. T4 (1 mg/kg) treatment after HI markedly attenuated axonal injury, astrocytosis, and microgliosis, and increased preoligodendrocyte survival. In addition, T4 treatment significantly increased myelination and selectively upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the WM, and improved neuromotor deficits after HI. The protective effect of T4 on WM myelination and neuromotor performance after HI was significantly attenuated by TrkB-Fc. Systemic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone treatment ameliorated hypomyelination after HI injury. T4 protects against WM injury at both pathological and functional levels via upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-TrkB signaling in the immature brain.

Poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) nanoparticles markedly improve immunological protection provided by peptide P10 against murine paracoccidioidomycosis

PubMed Central

Amaral, André C; Marques, Alexandre F; Muñoz, Julián E; Bocca, Anamélia L; Simioni, Andreza R; Tedesco, Antonio C; Morais, Paulo C; Travassos, Luiz R; Taborda, Carlos P; Felipe, Maria Sueli S

2010-01-01

Background and purpose: The present study reports on the preparation and testing of a sustained delivery system for the immunomodulatory peptide P10 aimed at reducing the in vivo degradation of the peptide and the amount required to elicit a protective immune response against paracoccidioidomycosis. Experimental approach: BALB/c mice were infected with the yeast Paracoccidioides brasiliensis to mimic the chronic form of paracoccidioidomycosis. The animals were treated daily with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim alone or combined with peptide P10, either emulsified in Freund's adjuvant or entrapped in poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles at different concentrations (1 µg, 5 µg, 10 µg, 20 µg or 40 µg·50 µL−1). Therapeutic efficacy was assessed as fungal burden in tissues and the immune response by quantitative determination of cytokines. Key results: Animals given combined chemotherapy and P10 nanotherapy presented a marked reduction of fungal load in the lungs, compared with the non-treated animals. After 30 days of treatment, P10 entrapped within PLGA (1 µg·50 µL−1) was more effective than ‘free’ P10 emulsified in Freund's adjuvant (20 µg·50 µL−1), as an adjuvant to chemotherapy. After treatment for 90 days, the higher doses of P10 entrapped within PLGA (5 or 10 µg·50 µL−1) were most effective. Treatment with P10 emulsified in Freund's adjuvant (20 µg·50 µL−1) or P10 entrapped within PLGA (1 µg·50 µL−1) were accompanied by high levels of interferon-gamma in lung. Conclusions and implications: Combination of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim with the P10 peptide entrapped within PLGA demonstrated increased therapeutic efficacy against paracoccidioidomycosis. P10 incorporation into PLGA nanoparticles dramatically reduced the peptide amount necessary to elicit a protective effect. PMID:20136827

Anti-inflammatory effects of Tat-Annexin protein on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Sun Hwa; Kim, Dae Won; Kim, Hye Ri

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We construct a cell permeable Tat-ANX1 fusion protein. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We examined the protective effects of Tat-ANX1 protein on OVA-induced asthma in animal models. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Transduced Tat-ANX1 protein protects from the OVA-induced production of cytokines and eosinophils in BAL fluid. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Tat-ANX1 protein markedly reduced OVA-induced MAPK in lung tissues. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Tat-ANX1 protein could be useful as a therapeutic agent for lung disorders including asthma. -- Abstract: Chronic airway inflammation is a key feature of bronchial asthma. Annexin-1 (ANX1) is an anti-inflammatory protein that is an important modulator and plays a key role in inflammation. Although the precise actionmore » of ANX1 remains unclear, it has emerged as a potential drug target for inflammatory diseases such as asthma. To examine the protective effects of ANX1 protein on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in animal models, we used a cell-permeable Tat-ANX1 protein. Mice sensitized and challenged with OVA antigen had an increased amount of cytokines and eosinophils in their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. However, administration of Tat-ANX1 protein before OVA challenge significantly decreased the levels of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and BAL fluid in lung tissues. Furthermore, OVA significantly increased the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in lung tissues, whereas Tat-ANX1 protein markedly reduced phosphorylation of MAPKs such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, p38, and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase. These results suggest that transduced Tat-ANX1 protein may be a potential protein therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung disorders including asthma.« less

19 CFR 134.23 - Containers or holders designed for or capable of reuse.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Containers or holders designed for or capable of reuse. 134.23 Section 134.23 Customs Duties U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING Marking of Containers or Holders § 134.23 Containers or holders designed for or...

Past, Present & Future of the US EPA: Protecting Human Health & the Natural Environment

EPA Science Inventory

The time line of events that lead to the creation of the US EPA are marked by grassroots efforts by average citizens voicing concerns to politicians in Washington. Visionary leadership by Congress and the President led to the birth of a Federal Agency dedicated to protecting huma...

37 CFR 7.41 - Renewal of international registration and extension of protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... RELATING TO THE MADRID AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION OF MARKS Renewal of... Madrid Protocol. (b) A request to renew an international registration or extension of protection to the....193(h) Letters, address for mailing to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 2.190 M Madrid Protocol. (See...

Protective effect of chitosan from Sepia kobiensis (Hoyle 1885) cuttlebone against CCl4 induced hepatic injury.

PubMed

Ramasamy, Pasiyappazham; Subhapradha, Namasivayam; Shanmugam, Vairamani; Shanmugam, Annaian

2014-04-01

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent hepatotoxic agent causing hepatic necrosis and it is widely used in animal models for induction of acute and chronic liver damage. The antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of chitosan from Sepia kobiensis against CCl4 induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats was studied by measuring the activity of lipid peroxidation (TBARS, lipid hydroperoxides), non enzymatic antioxidant (GSH), antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and GPx), liver marker enzymes (ALT and AST), lipid profile (FFA, TG, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) and histopathological changes. Rats treated with chitosan against CCl4 toxicity showed significantly decreased levels of ALT and AST activities, total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid in plasma and tissue. Whereas the treatment with chitosan along with CCl4 showed markedly increased level of hepatic and circulatory in SOD, CAT, GPx and reduced glutathione and decreased the malondialdehyde level. Histopathological observations proved the marked hepatoprotective effect of chitosan. The CCl4 induced alterations in circulatory and hepatic antioxidant defense system were normalized by chitosan and it could be concluded that the hepatoprotective effect of chitosan may be due to its antioxidant and antilipidemic properties. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

n-Butanol extract from Folium isatidis inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages and protects mice against lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock

PubMed Central

Jiang, Lili; Lu, Yili; Jin, Jiahui; Dong, Lili; Xu, Fengli; Chen, Shuangshuang; Wang, Zhanyue; Liang, Guang; Shan, Xiaoou

2015-01-01

Sepsis, which is caused by severe infection, is an important cause of mortality, but effective clinical treatment against sepsis is extremely limited. As the main component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in inflammatory responses. Studies have shown beneficial pharmacological effects for Folium isatidis. The present study further illuminated the effects of n-butanol extract from Folium isatidis in LPS-induced septic shock and identified the main active chemical components. Our study showed that pretreatment with n-butanol extract from Folium isatidis not only significantly inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 production but also markedly and dose dependently enhanced the recruitment of MyD88, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and the degradation of IκB-α. Additionally, the extract exhibited dramatic protective effects against lung injury and death in mice with septic shock. Eight main active compounds were identified, including organic acids, glycoside, indolinones, and flavonoids. These findings provide a perspective on the respiratory protection offered by n-butanol extract from Folium isatidis in LPS-induced sepsis and outline a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of sepsis. PMID:26491261

Comparative protective effect of hawthorn berry hydroalcoholic extract, atorvastatin, and mesalamine on experimentally induced colitis in rats.

PubMed

Malekinejad, Hassan; Shafie-Irannejad, Vahid; Hobbenaghi, Rahim; Tabatabaie, Seyed Hamed; Moshtaghion, Seyed-Mehdi

2013-07-01

The protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of hawthorn berries (HBE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis in rats was investigated. Forty-two Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, including control and test groups (n=6). The control animals received saline, and the test animals were treated with saline (sham group), mesalamine (50 mg/kg; M group), atorvastatin (20 mg/kg; A group), HBE (100 mg/kg; H group), mesalamine and HBE (HM group), or atorvastatin plus HBE (HA group), 3 days before and a week after colitis induction. Colitis was induced by administration of 1 mL AA (4%) via a polyethylene catheter intrarectally. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that HBE contained 0.13% and 0.5% oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, respectively. Elevated myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were attenuated in the HA group. The H and HM groups showed marked reductions in colitis-induced decreases in total thiol molecules and body weight. The histopathological studies revealed that HBE decreased colitis-induced edema and infiltration of neutrophils. Our data suggest the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of HBE and atorvastatin protect against AA-induced colitis. The anti-inflammatory effect of HBE may be attributable to its ability to decrease myeloperoxidase activity as a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration.

Organic honey supplementation reverses pesticide-induced genotoxicity by modulating DNA damage response.

PubMed

Alleva, Renata; Manzella, Nicola; Gaetani, Simona; Ciarapica, Veronica; Bracci, Massimo; Caboni, Maria Fiorenza; Pasini, Federica; Monaco, Federica; Amati, Monica; Borghi, Battista; Tomasetti, Marco

2016-10-01

Glyphosate (GLY) and organophosphorus insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) may cause DNA damage and cancer in exposed individuals through mitochondrial dysfunction. Polyphenols ubiquitously present in fruits and vegetables, have been viewed as antioxidant molecules, but also influence mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, honey containing polyphenol compounds was evaluated for its potential protective effect on pesticide-induced genotoxicity. Honey extracts from four floral organic sources were evaluated for their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and potential protective effects on pesticide-related mitochondrial destabilization, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation, and DNA damage response in human bronchial epithelial and neuronal cells. The protective effect of honey was, then evaluated in a residential population chronically exposed to pesticides. The four honey types showed a different polyphenol profile associated with a different antioxidant power. The pesticide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction parallels ROS formation from mitochondria (mtROS) and consequent DNA damage. Honey extracts efficiently inhibited pesticide-induced mtROS formation, and reduced DNA damage by upregulation of DNA repair through NFR2. Honey supplementation enhanced DNA repair activity in a residential population chronically exposed to pesticides, which resulted in a marked reduction of pesticide-induced DNA lesions. These results provide new insight regarding the effect of honey containing polyphenols on pesticide-induced DNA damage response. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Marriage and the homosexual body: it's about race.

PubMed

Keenan, Deirdre

2012-01-01

Any analogy between race and homosexuality cannot erase the fact that skin color has marked and continues to mark bodies for special punishment and necessary protection. Yet, the analogy has also been forged in the struggles against sexual discrimination and in the courts to recognize same-sex marriage as a basic civil right. My purposes here are, first, to review the role the race-sexual orientation analogy has played in same-sex marriage debates, second to examine the analogy within the context of race and queer theories and, finally, to suggest a racial dimension to sexuality that marks the homosexual body.

Protective effects of fucoxanthin against ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress in murine hepatic BNL CL.2 cells.

PubMed

Liu, Cheng-Ling; Liang, Ai-Ling; Hu, Miao-Lin

2011-10-01

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid that is rich in some seaweed. Although fucoxanthin has been reported to possess radical-scavenging activities in vitro, little is known whether it may protect against iron-induced oxidative stress in cultured cells. In this study, we examined the protection of fucoxanthin against oxidative damage in BNL CL.2 cells induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA). The data show that incubation of BNL CL.2 cells with Fe-NTA for 30 min significantly decreased cell proliferation, whereas pretreatment with fucoxanthin (1-20 μΜ) for 24h significantly recovered cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, fucoxanthin pretreatment significantly decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage in BNL CL.2 cells incubated with Fe-NTA for 30 min. Moreover, fucoxanthin markedly decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl contents in BNL CL.2 cells induced by Fe-NTA. By contrast, fucoxanthin significantly increased the levels of GSH in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that fucoxanthin at 1-20μΜ effectively prevents cytotoxicity in BNL CL.2 cells treated with Fe-NTA, and that the protective effect is likely associated with decreased intracellular ROS, TBARS, protein carbonyl contents and increased GSH levels. Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hesperidin protects against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity by upregulation of PPARγ and abrogation of oxidative stress and inflammation.

PubMed

Mahmoud, Ayman M

2014-09-01

The most important reason for the non-approval and withdrawal of drugs by the Food and Drug Administration is hepatotoxicity. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of hesperidin against cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of CYP of 200 mg/kg body mass, followed by treatment with hesperidin, orally, at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg for 11 consecutive days. CYP induced hepatic damage, as evidenced by the significantly elevated levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, serum transaminases, liver lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide. As a consequence, there was reduced glutathione content, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were markedly reduced. In addition, CYP administration induced a considerable downregulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and upregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. Hesperidin, in a dose-dependent manner, rejuvenated the altered markers to an almost normal state. In conclusion, hesperidin showed a potent protective effect against CYP-induced oxidative stress and inflammation leading to hepatotoxicity. The study suggests that hesperidin exerts its protective effect against CYP-induced hepatotoxicity through upregulation of hepatic PPARγ expression and abrogation of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Transient prehypertensive treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats: a comparison of losartan and amlodipine regarding long-term blood pressure, cardiac and renal protection.

PubMed

Peng, Feng; Lin, Jinxiu; Lin, Liming; Tang, Hong

2012-12-01

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of transient prehypertensive treatment with losartan compared with amlodipine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) on long-term blood pressure (BP), cardiac and renal protection. SHRs were prehypertensively treated with losartan, amlodipine or saline. Rats were followed up until 46 weeks of age. The left ventricular (LV) geometry and function were assessed by echocardiography. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and aldosterone (Aldo) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Ang II type 1 (AT1R) and type 2 (AT2R) receptor protein expression was determined by western blotting. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) in losartan-treated SHRs (SHR-Los) was persistently reduced until 46 weeks of age, but returned to untreated SHR levels in amlodipine-treated SHRs (SHR-Aml) from 30 weeks onwards. Compared to untreated SHRs, the albuminuria excretion in SHR-Los at week 46 was markedly decreased, the plasma, myocardium and renal tissue Ang II and Aldo levels in SHR-Los at week 46 were markedly decreased; AT1R and TGF-β1 protein expression was downregulated and AT2R protein was upregulated. Compared to untreated SHRs, the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and collagen volume fraction (CVF) in SHR-Los were markedly decreased until week 46, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac brain natriuretic peptide mRNA expression were improved, whereas similar LVMI and elevated CVF were observed in SHR-Aml, and the LVEF decreased significantly below that of untreated SHRs at week 46, with cardiac BNP mRNA expression increasing slightly. Prehypertensive treatment with losartan was more effective than amlodipine on delaying long-term BP increase and ameliorating cardiac, renal structure and function, which may be related to the permanent attenuation of the circulating and local renin-angiotensin systems.

Allicin protects auditory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons from cisplatin - Induced apoptosis.

PubMed

Wu, Xianmin; Li, Xiaofei; Song, Yongdong; Li, He; Bai, Xiaohui; Liu, Wenwen; Han, Yuechen; Xu, Lei; Li, Jianfeng; Zhang, Daogong; Wang, Haibo; Fan, Zhaomin

2017-04-01

Cisplatin is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug that is commonly used in the clinic. Ototoxicity is one of the major side effects of this drug, which caused irreversible sensorineural hearing loss. Allicin, the main biologically active compound derived from garlic, has been shown to exert various anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities in vitro and in vivo studies. We took advantage of C57 mice intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin alone or with cisplatin and allicin combined, to investigate whether allicin plays a protective role in vivo against cisplatin ototoxicity. The result showed that C57 mice in cisplatin group exhibited increased shift in auditory brainstem response, whereas the auditory fuction of mice in allicin + cisplatin group was protected in most frequencies, which was accordance with observed damages of outer hair cells (OHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the cochlea. Allicin markedly protected SGN mitochondria from damage and releasing cytochrome c, and significantly reduced pro-apoptosis factor expressions activated by cisplatin, including Bax, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3and p53. Furthermore, allicin reduced the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA), but increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). All data suggested that allicin could prevent hearing loss induced by cisplatin effectively, of which allicin protected SGNs from apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway while protected OHCs and supporting cells (SCs) from apoptosis through p53 pathway. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protective Effect of Zingiber Officinale against CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis Is Mediated through Downregulating the TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-ĸB/IĸB Pathways.

PubMed

Hasan, Iman H; El-Desouky, M A; Hozayen, Walaa G; Abd el Aziz, Ghada M

2016-01-01

No ideal hepatoprotective agents are available in modern medicine to effectively prevent liver disorders. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the potential of Zingiber officinale in the regression of liver fibrosis and its underlining mechanism of action. To induce liver fibrosis, male Wistar rats received CCl4 (2 ml/kg/2 times/week; i.p.), with and without 300 or 600 mg/kg Z. officinale extract daily through oral gavage. To assess the protective effect of Z. officinale, liver function parameters, histopathology, inflammatory markers and gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB)/IĸB pathways were analyzed. Results demonstrate that Z. officinale extract markedly prevented liver injury as evident by the decreased liver marker enzymes. Concurrent administration of Z. officinale significantly protected against the CCl4-induced inflammation as showed by the decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels as well as the downregulation of the NF-ĸB)/IĸB and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways in CCl4-administered rats. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that the protective effect of Z. officinale against rat liver fibrosis could be explained through its ability to modulate the TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-ĸB)/IĸB signaling pathways. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Evaluation of the protective effect of agmatine against cisplatin nephrotoxicity with 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy and cystatin-C.

PubMed

Salihoglu, Yavuz Sami; Elri, Tarik; Gulle, Kanat; Can, Murat; Aras, Mustafa; Ozacmak, Hale Sayan; Cabuk, Mehmet

2016-10-01

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether agmatine (AGM) has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Saline (control); (2) Cisplatin (CDDP; 7.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally); (3) Agmatine (AGM; 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally); (4) Cisplatin plus agmatine (CDDP + AGM). Agmatine was given before and two consecutive days after cisplatin injection. All the animals underwent renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA. The levels of serum creatinine, cystatin C, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in addition to examination of the tissue samples with light microscopy. Acute renal injury was assessed with biochemical analyses, scintigraphic imaging, and histopathological evaluation. In the cisplatin group, the levels of BUN, creatinine, and cystatin C were significantly higher than that of the controls. Histopathological examination showed remarkable damage of tubular and glomerular structures. Additionally, cisplatin caused markedly decreased renal 99mTc-DMSA uptake. AGM administration improved renal functions. Serum creatinine, BUN, and cystatin C levels had a tendency to normalize and, scintigraphic and histopathological findings showed significantly less evidence of renal toxicity than those observed in animals receiving cisplatin alone. Our data indicate that AGM has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it may improve the therapeutic index of cisplatin. In addition, the early renal damage induced by cisplatin and protective effects of AGM against cisplatin nephrotoxicity was accurately demonstrated with 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy.

Role of nitric oxide and KATP channel in the protective effect mediated by nicorandil in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

PubMed

Mohamed, Yasmin S; Ahmed, Lamiaa A; Salem, Hesham A; Agha, Azza M

2018-05-01

Liver fibrosis is one of the most serious conditions affecting patients worldwide. In the present study, the role of nitric oxide and KATP channel was investigated for the first time in the possible protection mediated by nicorandil in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Nicorandil (3 mg/kg/day) was given orally 24 h after bile duct ligation for 14 days till the end of the experiment. Nicorandil group showed marked improvement in liver function tests, hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as well as inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expressions. Furthermore, nicorandil administration led to significant decrement of phosphorylated protein kinase C, fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells activation as indicated by decreased alpha smooth muscle actin expression. Oral co-administration of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) (a KATP channel blocker) with nicorandil mostly showed similar improvement though not reaching to that of nicorandil group. However, co-adminstration of L-NAME (15 mg/kg/day) (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) completely abolished the protective effects of nicorandil and produced more or less similar results to that of untreated bile duct ligated group. In conclusion, nicorandil is an effective therapy against the development of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats where nitric oxide plays a more prominent role in the protective effect of nicorandil than KATP channel opening. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cytoprotective doses of erythropoietin or carbamylated erythropoietin have markedly different procoagulant and vasoactive activities.

PubMed

Coleman, Thomas R; Westenfelder, Christof; Tögel, Florian E; Yang, Ying; Hu, Zhuma; Swenson, Leanne; Leuvenink, Henri G D; Ploeg, Rutger J; d'Uscio, Livius V; Katusic, Zvonimir S; Ghezzi, Pietro; Zanetti, Adriana; Kaushansky, Kenneth; Fox, Norma E; Cerami, Anthony; Brines, Michael

2006-04-11

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is receiving increasing attention as a potential therapy for prevention of injury and restoration of function in nonhematopoietic tissues. However, the minimum effective dose required to mimic and augment these normal paracrine functions of erythropoietin (EPO) in some organs (e.g., the brain) is higher than for treatment of anemia. Notably, a dose-dependent risk of adverse effects has been associated with rhEPO administration, especially in high-risk groups, including polycythemia-hyperviscosity syndrome, hypertension, and vascular thrombosis. Of note, several clinical trials employing relatively high dosages of rhEPO in oncology patients were recently halted after an increase in mortality and morbidity, primarily because of thrombotic events. We recently identified a heteromeric EPO receptor complex that mediates tissue protection and is distinct from the homodimeric receptor responsible for the support of erythropoiesis. Moreover, we developed receptor-selective ligands that provide tools to assess which receptor isoform mediates which biological consequence of rhEPO therapy. Here, we demonstrate that rhEPO administration in the rat increases systemic blood pressure, reduces regional renal blood flow, and increases platelet counts and procoagulant activities. In contrast, carbamylated rhEPO, a heteromeric receptor-specific ligand that is fully tissue protective, increases renal blood flow, promotes sodium excretion, reduces injury-induced elevation in procoagulant activity, and does not effect platelet production. These preclinical findings suggest that nonerythropoietic tissue-protective ligands, which appear to elicit fewer adverse effects, may be especially useful in clinical settings for tissue protection.

Cytoprotective doses of erythropoietin or carbamylated erythropoietin have markedly different procoagulant and vasoactive activities

PubMed Central

Coleman, Thomas R.; Westenfelder, Christof; Tögel, Florian E.; Yang, Ying; Hu, Zhuma; Swenson, LeAnne; Leuvenink, Henri G. D.; Ploeg, Rutger J.; d’Uscio, Livius V.; Katusic, Zvonimir S.; Ghezzi, Pietro; Zanetti, Adriana; Kaushansky, Kenneth; Fox, Norma E.; Cerami, Anthony; Brines, Michael

2006-01-01

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is receiving increasing attention as a potential therapy for prevention of injury and restoration of function in nonhematopoietic tissues. However, the minimum effective dose required to mimic and augment these normal paracrine functions of erythropoietin (EPO) in some organs (e.g., the brain) is higher than for treatment of anemia. Notably, a dose-dependent risk of adverse effects has been associated with rhEPO administration, especially in high-risk groups, including polycythemia–hyperviscosity syndrome, hypertension, and vascular thrombosis. Of note, several clinical trials employing relatively high dosages of rhEPO in oncology patients were recently halted after an increase in mortality and morbidity, primarily because of thrombotic events. We recently identified a heteromeric EPO receptor complex that mediates tissue protection and is distinct from the homodimeric receptor responsible for the support of erythropoiesis. Moreover, we developed receptor-selective ligands that provide tools to assess which receptor isoform mediates which biological consequence of rhEPO therapy. Here, we demonstrate that rhEPO administration in the rat increases systemic blood pressure, reduces regional renal blood flow, and increases platelet counts and procoagulant activities. In contrast, carbamylated rhEPO, a heteromeric receptor-specific ligand that is fully tissue protective, increases renal blood flow, promotes sodium excretion, reduces injury-induced elevation in procoagulant activity, and does not effect platelet production. These preclinical findings suggest that nonerythropoietic tissue-protective ligands, which appear to elicit fewer adverse effects, may be especially useful in clinical settings for tissue protection. PMID:16585502

Veterinary and human vaccine evaluation methods

PubMed Central

Knight-Jones, T. J. D.; Edmond, K.; Gubbins, S.; Paton, D. J.

2014-01-01

Despite the universal importance of vaccines, approaches to human and veterinary vaccine evaluation differ markedly. For human vaccines, vaccine efficacy is the proportion of vaccinated individuals protected by the vaccine against a defined outcome under ideal conditions, whereas for veterinary vaccines the term is used for a range of measures of vaccine protection. The evaluation of vaccine effectiveness, vaccine protection assessed under routine programme conditions, is largely limited to human vaccines. Challenge studies under controlled conditions and sero-conversion studies are widely used when evaluating veterinary vaccines, whereas human vaccines are generally evaluated in terms of protection against natural challenge assessed in trials or post-marketing observational studies. Although challenge studies provide a standardized platform on which to compare different vaccines, they do not capture the variation that occurs under field conditions. Field studies of vaccine effectiveness are needed to assess the performance of a vaccination programme. However, if vaccination is performed without central co-ordination, as is often the case for veterinary vaccines, evaluation will be limited. This paper reviews approaches to veterinary vaccine evaluation in comparison to evaluation methods used for human vaccines. Foot-and-mouth disease has been used to illustrate the veterinary approach. Recommendations are made for standardization of terminology and for rigorous evaluation of veterinary vaccines. PMID:24741009

Protective effect of intranasal immunization with Neospora caninum membrane antigens against murine neosporosis established through the gastrointestinal tract

PubMed Central

Ferreirinha, Pedro; Dias, Joana; Correia, Alexandra; Pérez-Cabezas, Begoña; Santos, Carlos; Teixeira, Luzia; Ribeiro, Adília; Rocha, António; Vilanova, Manuel

2014-01-01

Neospora caninum is an Apicomplexa parasite that in the last two decades was acknowledged as the main pathogenic agent responsible for economic losses in the cattle industry. In the present study, the effectiveness of intranasal immunization with N. caninum membrane antigens plus CpG adjuvant was assessed in a murine model of intragastrically established neosporosis. Immunized mice presented a lower parasitic burden in the brain on infection with 5 × 107 tachyzoites, showing that significant protection was achieved by this immunization strategy. Intestinal IgA antibodies raised by immunization markedly agglutinated live N. caninum tachyzoites whereas previous opsonization with IgG antibodies purified from immunized mice sera reduced parasite survival within macrophage cells. Although an IgG1 : IgG2a ratio < 1 was detected in the immunized mice before and after infection, indicative of a predominant T helper type 1 immune response, no increased production of interferon-γ was detected in the spleen or mesenteric lymph nodes of the immunized mice. Altogether, these results show that mucosal immunization with N. caninum membrane proteins plus CpG adjuvant protect against intragastrically established neosporosis and indicate that parasite-specific mucosal and circulating antibodies have a protective role against this parasitic infection. PMID:24128071

Curcumin attenuates quinocetone induced apoptosis and inflammation via the opposite modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-kB pathway in human hepatocyte L02 cells.

PubMed

Dai, Chongshan; Li, Bin; Zhou, Yan; Li, Daowen; Zhang, Shen; Li, Hui; Xiao, Xilong; Tang, Shusheng

2016-09-01

The potential toxicity of quinocetone (QCT) has raised widely concern, but its mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on QCT induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocyte L02 cells. The results showed that QCT treatment significantly decreased the cell viability of L02 cell and increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which was attenuated by curcumin pre-treatment at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 μM. Compared to the QCT alone group, curcumin pre-treatment significantly attenuated QCT induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. In addition, curcumin pretreatment markedly attenuated QCT-induced increase of iNOS activity and NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, curcumin pretreatment markedly down-regulated the expression of nuclear factor -kB (NF-kB) and iNOS mRNAs, but up-regulated the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNAs, compared to the QCT alone group. Zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO-1 inhibitor, markedly partly abolished the cytoprotective effect of curcumin against QCT-induced caspase activation, NF-kB mRNA expression. These results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit QCT induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in L02 cells, which may involve the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of NF-kB pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protection from obesity and diabetes by blockade of TGF-β/Smad3 signaling

PubMed Central

Yadav, Hariom; Quijano, Celia; Kamaraju, Anil K.; Gavrilova, Oksana; Malek, Rana; Chen, Weiping; Zerfas, Patricia; Zhigang, Duan; Wright, Elizabeth C.; Stuelten, Christina; Sun, Peter; Lonning, Scott; Skarulis, Monica; Sumner, Anne E.; Finkel, Toren; Rane, Sushil G.

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Imbalances in glucose and energy homeostasis are at the core of the worldwide epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Here, we illustrate an important role of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in regulating glucose and energy homeostasis. Smad3 deficient mice are protected from diet-induced obesity and diabetes. Interestingly, the metabolic protection is accompanied by Smad3−/− white adipose tissue acquiring the bioenergetic and gene expression profile of brown fat/skeletal muscle. Smad3−/− adipocytes demonstrate a marked increase in mitochondrial biogenesis, with a corresponding increase in basal respiration, and Smad3 acts as a repressor of PGC-1α expression. We observe significant correlation between TGF-β1 levels and adiposity in rodents and humans. Further, systemic blockade of TGF-β1 signaling protects mice from obesity, diabetes and hepatic steatosis. Together, these results demonstrate that TGF-β signaling regulates glucose tolerance and energy homeostasis and suggest that modulation of TGF-β1 activity might be an effective treatment strategy for obesity and diabetes. PMID:21723505

Tsunami hazard assessment in the southern Colombian Pacific basin and a proposal to regenerate a previous barrier island as protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otero, L. J.; Restrepo, J. C.; Gonzalez, M.

2014-05-01

In this study, the tsunami hazard posed to 120 000 inhabitants of Tumaco (Colombia) is assessed, and an evaluation and analysis of regenerating the previous El Guano Island for tsunami protection is conducted. El Guano Island was a sandy barrier island in front of the city of Tumaco until its disappearance during the tsunami of 1979; the island is believed to have played a protective role, substantially reducing the scale of the disaster. The analysis is conducted by identifying seismotectonic parameters and focal mechanisms of tsunami generation in the area, determining seven potential generation sources, applying a numerical model for tsunami generation and propagation, and evaluating the effect of tsunamis on Tumaco. The results show that in the current situation, this area is vulnerable to impact and flooding by tsunamis originating nearby. El Guano Island was found to markedly reduce flood levels and the energy flux of tsunami waves in Tumaco during the 1979 tsunami. By reducing the risk of flooding due to tsunamis, the regeneration and morphological modification of El Guano Island would help to protect Tumaco.

Tsunami hazard assessment in the southern Colombian Pacific Basin and a proposal to regenerate a previous barrier island as protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otero, L. J.; Restrepo, J. C.; Gonzalez, M.

2013-04-01

In this study, the tsunami hazard posed to 120 000 inhabitants of Tumaco (Colombia) is assessed, and an evaluation and analysis of regenerating the previous El Guano Island for tsunami protection is conducted. El Guano Island was a sandy barrier island in front of the city of Tumaco until its disappearance during the tsunami of 1979; the island is believed to have played a protective role, substantially reducing the scale of the disaster. The analysis is conducted by identifying seismotectonic parameters and focal mechanisms of tsunami generation in the area, determining seven potential generation sources, applying a numerical model for tsunami generation and propagation, and evaluating the effect of tsunamis on Tumaco. The results show that in the current situation, this area is vulnerable to impact and flooding by tsunamis originating nearby. El Guano Island was found to markedly reduce flood levels and the energy flux of tsunami waves in Tumaco during the 1979 tsunami. To reduce the risk of flooding due to tsunamis, the regeneration and morphological modification of El Guano Island would help to protect Tumaco.

G6PD A- deficiency and severe malaria in The Gambia: heterozygote advantage and possible homozygote disadvantage.

PubMed

Sirugo, Giorgio; Predazzi, Irene M; Bartlett, Jacquelaine; Tacconelli, Alessandra; Walther, Michael; Williams, Scott M

2014-05-01

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is frequent in Africa, because it confers resistance to Plasmodium falciparum malaria; however, the nature of the protection and the genotypes associated with it have been controversial. In 1972, Bienzle and others described protection from malaria in West African females heterozygous for G6PD A-. They determined that G6PD A- heterozygotes had lower parasite counts than A- homozygotes, hemizygous males, and normal individuals. However, other studies have reached different conclusions about the protective genotypes. DNA samples from 135 children with severe malaria and 146 children with mild malaria from The Gambia were genotyped for the G6PD A- mutation that is most frequent among Gambians (G6PD 968 T->C); there was a marked deficiency of heterozygotes and an excess of homozygotes with severe malaria, producing a strong deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our results support the protective effect in G6PD A- heterozygous females and suggest that homozygotes might be more susceptible to severe malaria attacks.

[Clinical significance of gastrointestinal decontamination under protected environment].

PubMed

Nagao, T; Yonekura, S; Komatsuda, M; Nozaki, H; Arimori, S; Sawamura, S; Ozawa, A; Sasaki, S

1991-01-01

Many infections are caused by the patient's own oro-intestinal microbial flora under a protected environment. Thirty-eight patients with acute leukemia and two patients with blast crisis of chronic myelocytic leukemia were treated under a protected environment with or without prophylactic antibiotics. Antibiotics used for decontamination were vancomycin (V), polymyxin B (P) and nystatin (N). The number of patients in the VPN, PN and the no antibiotic group were 13, 13 and 14, respectively. While the intestinal microbial flora was almost completely eliminated in VPN group, the number of bacteria decreased slightly in PN group. The mean number of pharyngeal and anorectal bacterial species decreased most markedly in the VPN group, but there were no significant differences among the three groups. The number of febrile days was significantly lower in the VPN and PN group than the no antibiotics group with neutrophil counts of less than 100 microliters. The average number of episodes of infection per patient was lowest in VPN group and highest in the no antibiotic group. These data indicate that VPN administration is effective for eliminating intestinal bacterial flora and resultantly protecting endogenous infections.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ames, B.N.; Cathcart, R.; Schwiers, E.

During primate evolution, a major factor in lengthening life-span and decreasing age-specific cancer rates may have been improved protective mechanisms against oxygen radicals. We propose that one of these protective systems is plasma uric acid, the level of which increased markedly during primate evolution as a consequence of a series of mutations. Uric acid is a powerful antioxidant and is a scavenger of singlet oxygen and radicals. We show that, at physiological concentrations, urate reduces the oxo-heme oxidant formed by peroxide reaction with hemoglobin, protects erythrocyte ghosts against lipid peroxidation, and protects erythrocytes from peroxidative damage leading to lysis. Uratemore » is about as effective an antioxidant as ascorbate in these experiments. Urate is much more easily oxidized than deoxynucleosides by singlet oxygen and is destroyed by hydroxyl radicals at a comparable rate. The plasma urate level in humans (about 300 ..mu..M) is considerably higher than the ascorbate level, making it one of the major antioxidants in humans. Previous work on urate reported in the literature supports our experiments and interpretations, although the findings were not discussed in a physiological context.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Hao; Lunt, Barry M.; Gates, Richard J.

A novel write-once-read-many (WORM) optical stack on Mylar tape is proposed as a replacement for magnetic tape for archival data storage. This optical tape contains a cosputtered bismuth–tellurium–selenium (BTS) alloy as the write layer sandwiched between thin, protective films of reactively sputtered carbon. The composition and thickness of the BTS layer were confirmed by Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The C/BTS/C stack on Mylar was written to/marked by 532 nm laser pulses. Under the same conditions, control Mylar films without the optical stack were unaffected. Marks, which showed craters/movement of the write material, were characterized bymore » optical microscopy and AFM. The threshold laser powers for making marks on C/BTS/C stacks with different thicknesses were explored. Higher quality marks were made with a 60× objective compared to a 40× objective in our marking apparatus. Finally, the laser writing process was simulated with COMSOL.« less

Protected interoperability of telecommunications and digital products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hampel, Viktor E.; Cartier, Gene N.; Craft, James P.

1994-11-01

New federal standards for the protection of sensitive data now make it possible to ensure the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of digital products, and non-repudiation of digital telecommunications. Under review and comment since 1991, the new Federal standards were confirmed this year and provide standard means for the protection of voice and data communications from accidental and wilful abuse. The standards are initially tailored to protect only `sensitive-but-unclassified' (SBU) data in compliance with the Computer Security Act of 1987. These data represent the majority of transactions in electronic commerce, including sensitive procurement information, trade secrets, financial data, product definitions, and company-proprietary information classified as `intellectual property.' Harmonization of the new standards with international requirements is in progress. In the United States, the confirmation of the basic standards marks the beginning of a long-range program to assure discretionary and mandatory access controls to digital resources. Upwards compatibility into the classified domain with multi-level security is a core requirement of the National Information Infrastructure. In this report we review the powerful capabilities of standard Public-Key-Cryptology, the availability of commercial and Federal products for data protection, and make recommendations for their cost-effective use to assure reliable telecommunications and process controls.

Gypenosides protect retinal pigment epithelium cells from oxidative stress.

PubMed

Alhasani, Reem Hasaballah; Biswas, Lincoln; Tohari, Ali Mohammad; Zhou, Xinzhi; Reilly, James; He, Jian-Feng; Shu, Xinhua

2018-02-01

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration. Gypenosides are the major functional components isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. They have been shown to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation and have also demonstrated a protective effect on experimental optic neuritis. In order to determine the protective properties of gypenosides against oxidative stress in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, ARPE-19 cells were treated with H 2 O 2 or H 2 O 2 plus gypenosides for 24 h. ARPE-19 cells co-treated with gypenosides had significantly increased cell viability and decreased cell death rate when compared to cells treated with H 2 O 2 alone. The level of GSH, the activities of SOD and catalase, and the expression of NRF2 and antioxidant genes were notably decreased, while there were marked increases in ROS, MDA and pro-inflammatory cytokines in ARPE-19 cells exposed to H 2 O 2 ; co-treatment with gypenosides significantly counteract these changes. Our study suggests that gypenosides protect RPE cells from oxidative damage and offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal degeneration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel antiepileptic drug lacosamide exerts neuroprotective effects by decreasing glial activation in the hippocampus of a gerbil model of ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Ahn, Ji Yun; Yan, Bing Chun; Park, Joon Ha; Ahn, Ji Hyeon; Lee, Dae Hwan; Kim, In Hye; Cho, Jeong-Hwi; Chen, Bai Hui; Lee, Jae-Chul; Cho, Young Shin; Shin, Myoung Chul; Cho, Jun Hwi; Hong, Seongkweon; Won, Moo-Ho; Kim, Sung Koo

2015-12-01

Lacosamide, which is a novel antiepileptic drug, has been reported to exert various additional therapeutic effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide against transient cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal cell damage in the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)-1 region of a gerbil model. Neuronal Nuclei immunohistochemistry demonstrated that pre- and post-surgical treatment (5 min ischemia) with 25 mg/kg lacosamide protected CA1 pyramidal neurons in the lacosamide-treated-ischemia-operated group from ischemic injury 5 days post-ischemia, as compared with gerbils in the vehicle-treated-ischemia-operated group. Furthermore, treatment with 25 mg/kg lacosamide markedly attenuated the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the ischemic CA1 region at 5 days post-ischemia. The results of the present study suggested that pre- and post-surgical treatment of the gerbils with lacosamide was able to protect against transient cerebral ischemic injury-induced CA1 pyramidal neuronal cell death in the hippocampus. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide may be associated with decreased activation of glial cells in the ischemic CA1 region.

Protective effect of Jolkinolide B on LPS-induced mouse acute lung injury.

PubMed

Yang, Hailing; Li, Yan; Huo, Pengfei; Li, Xiao-Ou; Kong, Daliang; Mu, Wei; Fang, Wei; Li, Lingxia; Liu, Ning; Fang, Ling; Li, Hongjun; He, Chengyan

2015-05-01

Jolkinolide B (JB), an ent-abietane diterpenoid, isolated from the dried root of Euphorbia fischeriana, has been reported to have potent anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effects of JB on acute lung injury (ALI) and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of JB on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Male C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with dexamethasone or JB 1h before intranasal instillation of LPS. The results showed that JB markedly attenuated LPS-induced histological alterations, lung edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as well as the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Furthermore, JB also significantly inhibited LPS-induced the degradation of IκBα and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and MAPK. Therefore, our study provides the first line of evidence that pretreatment of JB has a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in mice. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of JB may be attributed to its suppression of NF-κB and MAPK activation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Selenium ameliorates isotretinoin-induced liver injury and dyslipidemia via antioxidant effect in rats.

PubMed

Saied, Nashwa Mostafa; Hamza, Alaaeldin Ahmed

2014-09-01

Isotretinoin (Iso) is a widely used retinoid for the treatment of dermatologic conditions. Although it has broad side effects, there is no well-designed study about preventive effects against its hepatic toxicity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of selenium (Se) against Iso-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into four groups. The first group served as control. The second, third and fourth groups received Se, Iso and Se & Iso, respectively, for 28 days. Se was administered daily orally at a dose of 50 µg / 100 g body weight. Iso was given daily orally at a dose of 0.75 mg/ 100 g /day in olive oil. Iso caused significant increases in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipids content. Animals also showed significant rise in thiobarbituric acid reacting substance and nitric oxide content with concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione content and the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver tissue after Iso exposure. Se administration produced a significant protection against the hepatotoxic effects of Iso and markedly alleviated alterations in these parameters. The results obtained herein clearly indicate that Iso causes induction of oxidative stress and the co-administration of Iso and Se provides protection against Iso-induced liver injury.

Oestrogen upregulates the expression levels and functional activities of duodenal mucosal CFTR and SLC26A6.

PubMed

Jin, Hai; Wen, Guorong; Deng, Shili; Wan, Shuo; Xu, Jingyu; Liu, Xuemei; Xie, Rui; Dong, Hui; Tuo, Biguang

2016-11-01

What is the central question of this study? Duodenal ulcer is a common disease. A sex-based difference in the incidence of duodenal ulcer has long been observed clinically, but the cause is unclear. What is the main finding and its importance? Duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion is the most important protective factor in duodenal mucosa against acid-induced damage. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the solute-linked carrier 26 gene family A6 (SLC26A6) are two key bicarbonate transport proteins that mediate duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. We demonstrate that endogenous oestrogen upregulates the expression levels and functional activities of duodenal mucosal CFTR and SLC26A6, which contributes to the sex difference in the prevalence of duodenal ulcer. The incidence of duodenal ulcer is markedly lower in women than men, but the cause of the sex difference is not clear. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the solute-linked carrier 26 gene family A6 (SLC26A6) are two key bicarbonate transport proteins that mediate duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion, which is an important protective factor against acid-induced duodenal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oestrogen on the expressions and functional activities of CFTR and SLC26A6 in duodenal mucosa. We found that the expression levels of duodenal CFTR and SLC26A6 were markedly higher in young (20- to 30-year-old) women than in young men and old (60- to 70-year-old) women and men. The expression levels of CFTR and SLC26A6 in young women were markedly higher in preovulatory phases than in premenstrual phases, which was consistent with the changes of serum estradiol concentrations. Further results showed that duodenal CFTR and SLC26A6 expression levels in female mice were markedly decreased after ovariectomy, and supplementation with estradiol reversed the changes in CFTR and SLC26A6. 17β-Estradiol increased CFTR and SLC26A6 expression levels of human duodenocytes in experiments in vitro. Functional experiments showed that basal and forskolin- and prostaglandin E 2 -stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion in ovariectomized mice was markedly decreased and, likewise, supplementation with 17β-estradiol reversed the changes. In conclusion, endogenous oestrogen upregulates the expressions and functional activities of CFTR and SLC26A6 in duodenal mucosa, which could contribute to protection of the duodenum and explain the sex difference in the prevalence of duodenal ulcer. © 2016 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2016 The Physiological Society.

Erdosteine protects HEI-OC1 auditory cells from cisplatin toxicity through suppression of inflammatory cytokines and induction of Nrf2 target proteins

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Se-Jin; Park, Channy; Lee, Joon No

Cisplatin has many adverse effects, which are a major limitation to its use, including ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. This study aims to elucidate the protective mechanisms of erdosteine against cisplatin in HEI-OC1 cells. Pretreatment with erdosteine protects HEI-OC1 cells from cisplatin-medicated apoptosis, which is characterized by increase in nuclear fragmentation, DNA laddering, sub-G{sub 0}/G{sub 1} phase, H2AX phosphorylation, PARP cleavage, and caspase-3 activity. Erdosteine significantly suppressed the production of reactive nitrogen/oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in cisplatin-treated cells. Studies using pharmacologic inhibitors demonstrated that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt)more » have protective roles in the action of erdosteine against cisplatin in HEI-OC1 cells. In addition, pretreatment with erdosteine clearly suppressed the phosphorylation of p53 (Ser15) and expression of p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis. Erdosteine markedly induces expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which may contribute to the increase in expression of glutathione redox genes γ-L-glutamate-L-cysteine-ligase catalytic and γ-L-glutamate-L-cysteine-ligase modifier subunits, as well as in the antioxidant genes HO-1 and SOD2 in cisplatin-treated HEI-OC1 cells. Furthermore, the increase in expression of phosphorylated p53 induced by cisplatin is markedly attenuated by pretreatment with erdosteine in the mitochondrial fraction. This increased expression may inhibit the cytosolic expression of the apoptosis-inducing factor, cytochrome c, and Bax/Bcl-xL ratio. Thus, our results suggest that treatment with erdosteine is significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced damage through the activation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant genes, inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling, and mitochondrial-related inhibition of pro-apoptotic protein expression in HEI-OC1 auditory cells. - Highlights: • Erdosteine significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in HEI-OC1 cells. • Erdosteine markedly increased the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. • Erdosteine induces the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes. • Erdosteine significantly attenuated the accumulation of p53 in mitochondria. • Erdosteine suppressed the release of AIF and cytochrome c from mitochondria.« less

Protective effects of Forsythia suspense extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in a model of rotenone induced neurotoxicity.

PubMed

Zhang, Shuai; Shao, Si-Yuan; Song, Xiu-Yun; Xia, Cong-Yuan; Yang, Ya-Nan; Zhang, Pei-Cheng; Chen, Nai-Hong

2016-01-01

The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Forsythia suspense extract in a rotenone-induced neurotoxic model. FS8, one of the herbal extracts, markedly protected PC12 cells against rotenone toxicity and was selected for the in vivo study. Gavage administration of FS8 (50 and 200mg/kg, but not 10mg/kg) for 25 days significantly improved the behavior function, decreased the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (SN), and maintained the level of dopamine in striatum after unilateral infusion of rotenone in SN. Wherein, the protective effects of FS8 at the dose of 200mg/kg were better than selegiline. Further study indicated the excellent antioxidant activity of FS8 on the 5th and 21st days after intranigral injection of rotenone. Moreover, FS8 could inhibit microglia activity and accumulation in SN, and obviously decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and COX-2), which indicated the anti-inflammatory effects of FS8. In the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and MAPK pathways, FS8 significantly down-regulated the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-IκB, p-P65, cleaved Caspase 8, p-p38 and p-JNK but not p-mTOR, cleaved Caspase 3 and p-ERK. Therefore, FS8 protected dopamine neurons against rotenone toxicity via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which suggested the promising application of FS8 in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cobalt Chloride Upregulates Impaired HIF-1α Expression to Restore Sevoflurane Post-conditioning-Dependent Myocardial Protection in Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Wu, Jianjiang; Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Maimaitili, Yiliyaer; Wang, Jiang; Ma, Haiping; Yang, Yining; Zheng, Hong

2017-01-01

Previous studies from our group have demonstrated that sevoflurane post-conditioning (SPC) protects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury via elevating the intranuclear expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). However, diabetic SPC is associated with decreased myocardial protection and disruption of the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 ) can upregulate HIF-1α expression under diabetic conditions, but whether myocardial protection by SPC can be restored afterward remains unclear. We established a rat model of type 2 diabetes and a Langendorff isolated heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Prior to reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane was used as a post-conditioning treatment. The diabetic rats were treated with CoCl 2 24 h before the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, tests were performed to assess myocardial function, infarct size, mitochondrial morphology, nitric oxide (NO), Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein levels. In addition, myocardial protection by SPC was monitored after the blood glucose levels were lowered by insulin. The diabetic state was associated with deficient SPC protection and decreased HIF-1α expression. After treating the diabetic rats with CoCl 2 , SPC significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and eNOS, which markedly improved cardiac function, NO, mitochondrial respiratory function, and enzyme activity and decreased the infarction areas and ROS. In addition, these effects were not influenced by blood glucose levels. This study proved that CoCl 2 activates the HIF-1α signaling pathway, which restores SPC-dependent myocardial protection under diabetic conditions, and the protective effects of SPC were independent of blood glucose levels.

[The respiratory effects of smoking].

PubMed

Peiffer, G; Underner, M; Perriot, J

2018-06-01

A marked increase in the morbidity and mortality of a large number of broncho-pulmonary diseases has been documented in relation to smoking. The influence of tobacco smoking on various respiratory conditions. is discussed: incidence, severity or natural history modification of some respiratory illnesses: obstructive lung diseases (COPD, asthma), lung cancer, bacterial, viral respiratory infections, with the impact of smoking on tuberculosis. Finally, the relationship of tobacco with diffuse interstitial lung disease: protective role of smoking (controversial in sarcoidosis, real in hypersensitivity pneumonitis). The benefits of smoking cessation are described. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Losartan protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis through β-arrestin1-mediated phosphorylation of Akt.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Ren, Zhiping; Wei, Xinbing; Wang, Shuaishuai; Wang, Yimeng; Cheng, Yanyan; Gao, Hua; Liu, Huiqing

2017-11-15

Losartan, an angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), has been revealed to protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the mechanism by which losartan protect brain ischemia injury is still obscure. In this study, we investigated whether losartan protected against cerebral I/R injury by reducing apoptosis and the possible signaling pathways. Wistar rats were pretreated for 14 days with 5mg/kg losartan, and then subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2h followed by reperfusion. Meanwhile, PC12 cells pretreated with losartan were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation-reoxygenation (OGD/R), an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia. Our results showed that administration of losartan significantly inhibited the apoptosis by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells, decreasing the protein level of cleaved caspase-3, cytochrom C and Bax, and increasing the level of Bcl-2 both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, losartan treatment markedly enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and blockade of PI3K activity by wortmannin dramatically inhibited Akt phosphorylation and attenuated the anti-apoptotic effect of losartan. Furthermore, pretreatment with losartan significantly increased the protein level of β-arrestin1 and silence of β-arrestin1 by siRNA partly attenuated losartan-induced anti-apoptotic effect and the phosphorylation of Akt. These results suggested that β-arrestin1 modulated the activation of Akt in losartan-induced anti-apoptotic effect in cerebral I/R. Our data would provide a new molecular basis for further understanding of protective effect of losartan in cerebral I/R injury and may provide benefits of using losartan in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Products containing microorganisms as a tool in integrated pest management and the rules of their market placement in the European Union.

PubMed

Matyjaszczyk, Ewa

2015-09-01

Products containing microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) can be used in plant production as an intervention as well as a prevention method for pest control. Their utilisation is strictly in line with the principles of integrated pest management, provided that they are effective and safe. The rules of registration of microorganisms for crop production in the European Union differ, depending on whether they are placed on the market as plant protection products or not. For over 20 years, uniform rules for registration of plant protection products have been in force. Currently, 36 microorganisms marked up to the strain are approved for use in pest control in the Community. The decision concerning market placement of plant protection products containing approved microorganisms is issued for each member state separately. The approaches to market placement of other products with microorganisms differ within the EU, ranging from a complete lack of requirements to long and costly registration procedures. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of recommendations for the protection of short-stay travellers to malaria endemic areas: Memorandum from two WHO Meetings*

PubMed Central

1988-01-01

In the past, since malaria chemoprophylaxis was assumed to be of benefit and with no serious complications, it was recommended to all travellers who were at risk of acquiring the disease. The current epidemiological situation of malaria is marked by the increasing spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine and by problems due to the toxicity of other drugs. Recommendations for malaria prophylaxis should therefore be based on an epidemiological approach which takes into account the risk of acquiring the infection, the toxicity and effectiveness of the available antimalarial drugs, the traveller's perception of these risks, and the human factors that influence the use of all possible protective measures against malaria. This Memorandum describes the epidemiological approach and the data bases required for the development of recommendations on prophylaxis for short-stay visitors in malaria endemic areas, and gives guidelines on the protective measures and drugs that may be used in defined situations. PMID:3293826

Palonosetron as an anti-emetic and anti-nausea agent in oncology.

PubMed

Aapro, Matti S

2007-12-01

Palonosetron (Aloxi(®), Onicit(®), Paloxi(®)) is a second-generation 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist (RA) with an extended half-life of ~40 hours and high binding affinity for the 5-HT₃ receptor that is markedly different from other 5-HT(3) RAs. Phase III trials demonstrate that a single dose of palonosetron compared with traditional 5-HT₃ RAs is more effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) during the first 24 hours following chemotherapy (acute CINV), and also exhibits prolonged efficacy to provide significantly better protection from CINV in the delayed and overall phases. This superior and extended protection from CINV conferred by palonosetron following a single intravenous dose before chemotherapy simplifies dosing schedules. Recent research has focused on optimization of palonosetron-based antiemetic regimens, particularly in combination with steroids and neurokinin-1 RAs. The available clinical data indicate high control rates for palonosetron, suggesting a synergistic potential for protection in patients scheduled to receive emetogenic drug regimens.

The effects of PEP-1-FK506BP on dry eye disease in a rat model.

PubMed

Kim, Dae Won; Lee, Sung Ho; Ku, Sae Kwang; Lee, Ji Eun; Cha, Hyun Ju; Youn, Jong Kyu; Kwon, Hyeok Yil; Park, Jong Hoon; Park, Eun Young; Cho, Sung-Woo; Han, Kyu Hyung; Park, Jinseu; Eum, Won Sik; Choi, Soo Young

2015-03-01

As FK506 binding proteins (FK506BPs) are known to play an important role in the regulation of a variety of biological processes related to cell survival, this study was designed to examined the protective effects of FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) on low humidity air flow induced dry eye in a rat model using transduced PEP-1-FK506BP. After the topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP, tear volumes were markedly increased and significant prevention of cornea damage was observed compared with dry eye rats. Further, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PEP-1-FK506BP markedly prevented damage to the cornea, the bulbar conjunctiva, and the palpebral conjunctiva epithelial lining compared with dry eye rats. In addition, caspase-3 and PARP expression levels were found to be decreased. These results demonstrated that topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP significantly ameliorates dry eye injury in an animal model. Thus, we suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP can be developed as a new ophthalmic drop to treat dry eye diseases.

Antioxidant and protective effect of inulin and catechin grafted inulin against CCl4-induced liver injury.

PubMed

Liu, Jun; Lu, Jian-feng; Wen, Xiao-yuan; Kan, Juan; Jin, Chang-hai

2015-01-01

In this study, the antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of inulin and catechin grafted inulin (catechin-g-inulin) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury were investigated. Results showed that both inulin and catechin-g-inulin had moderate scavenging activity on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and H2O2, as well as lipid peroxidation inhibition effect. The antioxidant activity decreased in the order of Vc > catechin >catechin-g-inulin > inulin. Administration of inulin and catechin-g-inulin could significantly reduce the elevated levels of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase as compared to CCl4 treatment group. Moreover, inulin and catechin-g-inulin significantly increased the levels of hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity, whereas markedly decreased the malondialdehyde level when compared with CCl4 treatment group. Notably, catechin-g-inulin showed higher hepatoprotective effect than inulin. In addition, the hepatoprotective effect of catechin-g-inulin was comparable to positive standard of silymarin. Our results suggested that catechin-g-inulin had potent antioxidant activity and potential protective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cycluridine: A novel antiviral effective against flaviviruses

PubMed Central

Galabov, Angel S; Mukova, Lucia; Abashev, Yuriy P; Wassilewa, Lilia; Tzvetkov, Petko; Minkov, Vassil; Barinskiy, Igor F; Rice, Charles M; Ouzounov, Sergey; Sidzhakova, Dorotea

2017-01-01

This review describes the contemporary state of research for antivirals effective against flaviviruses, especially focusing on inhibitors of the pestivirus causative agent of bovine viral diarrhoea virus. We highlight cycluridine, an originally synthesized Mannich’s base [a tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinones derivative], as a highly effective antiviral possessing a strong inhibitory effect on bovine viral diarrhoea virus replication. Cycluridine was active against replication of a wide variety of bovine viral diarrhoea virus strains in cell cultures. The drug-sensitive period in the bovine viral diarrhoea virus replication cycle included the latent period and the exponential phase; a 90-min delay in the peak of viral RNA synthesis was observed. Cycluridine administered orally manifested a pronounced protective effect in calves with natural mucosal disease/viral diarrhoea and calves experimentally infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus. Its magnitude of activity and selectivity places cycluridine in the lead among all known substances with anti- bovine viral diarrhoea virus activity. Additionally, cycluridine applied subcutaneously showed anti-tick-born encephalitis virus activity, manifesting a marked protective effect in mice infected with tick-born encephalitis virus. Cycluridine could be a prospective antiviral in veterinary and medical practice for the treatment of bovine viral diarrhoea virus and other flavivirus infections. PMID:28768435

N-acetylcysteine reverses immunotoxic effects of methyl mercury and augments murine lymphocyte proliferation in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Omara, F.; Fournier, M.; Bernier, J.

1995-12-31

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a thiol antioxidant used clinically to treat chronic inflammatory lung disorders and acetaminophen poisoning in humans. The authors evaluated in vitro the effect of NAC on mitogen-induced blastogenesis in C57BI/6 mouse splenocytes by {sup 3}H-thymidine uptake, and its ability to protect against the immunotoxic effects of methyl mercury on lymphocyte proliferation. Lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by optimal and suboptimal concentrations of concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or a combination of calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) were markedly enhanced by NAC. NAC itself was a weak mitogen. The kinetics of the NAC effect on splenocyte proliferation weremore » mitogen dependent. NAC enhanced Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent and linear manner but enhanced the LPS-induced response at 50--400 {micro}g/ml of NAC followed by a decline in response to control value at higher concentrations. In splenocytes stimulated with PMA plus A23187, NAC increased proliferation at 50--200 pg/ml followed by a constant response at 200--1,000 {micro}g/ml NAC. When splenocytes were stimulated with higher concentrations of Con A (10 {micro}g/ml) or LPS (150 {micro}g/ml) which markedly suppress splenocyte proliferation, NAC significantly enhanced the Con A-induced response and reversed the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of LPS. NAC also protected lymphocytes against mitogen activation-induced cell death. Methyl mercury at 5 {times} 10{sup {minus}7}--1 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} suppressed Con A- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation by over 80%. However, NAC completely reversed the immunotoxic effects of methyl mercury on the mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation even when the cells were pre-incubated with methyl mercury for 6 or 24 hr before stimulation with the mitogens.« less

Flaxseed oil as a neuroprotective agent on lead acetate-induced monoamineric alterations and neurotoxicity in rats.

PubMed

Abdel Moneim, Ahmed E

2012-09-01

Lead remains a considerable occupational and public health problem, which is known to cause a number of adverse effects in both man and animals. Here, the neuroprotective effect of flaxseed oil (1,000 mg/kg) on lead acetate (20 mg/kg) induced alternation in monoamines and brain oxidative stress was examined in rats. The levels of lead, dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), lipid peroxidation, nitrite/nitrate (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were determined; also, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase were estimated on different brain regions of adult male albino rats. The level of lead was markedly elevated in different brain regions of rats. This leads to enhancement of lipid peroxidation and NO production in brain with concomitant reduction in AChE activity and GSH level. In addition, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT were decreased in the brain. These findings were associated with BAX over expression. Treatment of rats with flaxseed oil induced a marked improvement in most of the studied parameters as well as the immunohistochemistry features. These data indicated that dietary flaxseed oil provide protection against lead-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects.

Low level light in combination with metabolic modulators for effective therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Tingting; Zhang, Qi; Hamblin, Michael R.; Wu, Mei X.

2015-03-01

Vascular damage occurs frequently at the injured brain causing hypoxia and is associated with poor outcomes in the clinics. We found high levels of glycolysis, reduced ATP generation, and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in neurons under hypoxia. Strikingly, these adverse events were reversed significantly by noninvasive exposure of injured brain to low-level light (LLL). LLL illumination sustained the mitochondrial membrane potential, constrained cytochrome C leakage in hypoxic cells, and protected them from apoptosis, underscoring a unique property of LLL. The effect of LLL was further bolstered by combination with metabolic substrates such as pyruvate or lactate both in vivo and in vitro. The combinational treatment retained memory and learning activities of injured mice to a normal level, whereas those treated with LLL or pyruvate alone, or sham light displayed partial or severe deficiency in these cognitive functions. In accordance with well-protected learning and memory function, the hippocampal region primarily responsible for learning and memory was completely protected by a combination of LLL and pyruvate, in marked contrast to the severe loss of hippocampal tissue due to secondary damage in control mice. These data clearly suggest that energy metabolic modulators can additively or synergistically enhance the therapeutic effect of LLL in energy-producing insufficient tissues like injured brain. Keywords:

DOE Fire Protection Handbook, Volume I

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The Department of Energy (DOE) Fire Protection Program is delineated in a number of source documents including; the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), DOE Policy Statements and Orders, DOE and national consensus standards (such as those promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association), and supplementary guidance, This Handbook is intended to bring together in one location as much of this material as possible to facilitate understanding and ease of use. The applicability of any of these directives to individual Maintenance and Operating Contractors or to given facilities and operations is governed by existing contracts. Questions regarding applicability should be directedmore » to the DOE Authority Having Jurisdiction for fire safety. The information provided within includes copies of those DOE directives that are directly applicable to the implementation of a comprehensive fire protection program. They are delineated in the Table of Contents. The items marked with an asterisk (*) are included on the disks in WordPerfect 5.1 format, with the filename noted below. The items marked with double asterisks are provided as hard copies as well as on the disk. For those using MAC disks, the files are in Wordperfect 2.1 for MAC.« less

Supplementation of Magnolol Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Bladder Cancer-Bearing Mice Undergoing Chemotherapy via Suppression of FoxO3 Activation and Induction of IGF-1.

PubMed

Chen, Meng-Chuan; Chen, Yen-Lin; Lee, Chi-Feng; Hung, Chih-Huang; Chou, Tz-Chong

2015-01-01

Skeletal muscle atrophy, the most prominent phenotypic feature of cancer cachexia, is often observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Magnolol (M) extracted from Magnolia officinalis exhibits several pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol supplementation protects against the development of cachexia symptoms in bladder cancer-bearing mice undergoing chemotherapy. Combined treatment of magnolol with chemotherapeutic drugs, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin (TGCM) or gemcitabine (TGM), markedly attenuates the body weight loss and skeletal muscle atrophy compared with conventional chemotherapy (TGC). The antiatrophic effect of magnolol may be associated with inhibition of myostatin and activin A formation, as well as FoxO3 transcriptional activity resulting from Akt activation, thereby suppressing ubiquitin ligases MuRF-1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1 expression, as well as proteasomal enzyme activity. Notably, magnolol-induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production and related protein synthesis may also contribute to its protective effects. The decreased food intake, and intestinal injury and dysfunction observed in the mice of TGC group were significantly improved in the TGCM and TGM groups. Moreover, the increased inflammatory responses evidenced by elevation of proinflammatory cytokine formation and NF-κB activation occurred in the atrophying muscle of TGC group were markedly inhibited in mice of combined treatment with magnolol. In summary, these findings support that magnolol is a promising chemopreventive supplement for preventing chemotherapy-induced skeletal muscle atrophy associated with cancer cachexia by suppressing muscle protein degradation, and inflammatory responses, as well as increasing IGF-1-mediated protein synthesis.

Supplementation of Magnolol Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Bladder Cancer-Bearing Mice Undergoing Chemotherapy via Suppression of FoxO3 Activation and Induction of IGF-1

PubMed Central

Chen, Meng-Chuan; Chen, Yen-Lin; Lee, Chi-Feng; Hung, Chih-Huang; Chou, Tz-Chong

2015-01-01

Skeletal muscle atrophy, the most prominent phenotypic feature of cancer cachexia, is often observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Magnolol (M) extracted from Magnolia officinalis exhibits several pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol supplementation protects against the development of cachexia symptoms in bladder cancer-bearing mice undergoing chemotherapy. Combined treatment of magnolol with chemotherapeutic drugs, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin (TGCM) or gemcitabine (TGM), markedly attenuates the body weight loss and skeletal muscle atrophy compared with conventional chemotherapy (TGC). The antiatrophic effect of magnolol may be associated with inhibition of myostatin and activin A formation, as well as FoxO3 transcriptional activity resulting from Akt activation, thereby suppressing ubiquitin ligases MuRF-1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1 expression, as well as proteasomal enzyme activity. Notably, magnolol-induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production and related protein synthesis may also contribute to its protective effects. The decreased food intake, and intestinal injury and dysfunction observed in the mice of TGC group were significantly improved in the TGCM and TGM groups. Moreover, the increased inflammatory responses evidenced by elevation of proinflammatory cytokine formation and NF-κB activation occurred in the atrophying muscle of TGC group were markedly inhibited in mice of combined treatment with magnolol. In summary, these findings support that magnolol is a promising chemopreventive supplement for preventing chemotherapy-induced skeletal muscle atrophy associated with cancer cachexia by suppressing muscle protein degradation, and inflammatory responses, as well as increasing IGF-1-mediated protein synthesis. PMID:26600425

Stable sulforaphane protects against gait anomalies and modifies bone microarchitecture in the spontaneous STR/Ort model of osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Javaheri, Behzad; Poulet, Blandine; Aljazzar, Ahmed; de Souza, Roberto; Piles, Miriam; Hopkinson, Mark; Shervill, Elaine; Pollard, Andrea; Chan, Boris; Chang, Yu-Mei; Orriss, Isabel R; Lee, Peter D; Pitsillides, Andrew A

2017-10-01

Osteoarthritis (OA), affecting joints and bone, causes physical gait disability with huge socio-economic burden; treatment remains palliative. Roles for antioxidants in protecting against such chronic disorders have been examined previously. Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring antioxidant. Herein, we explore whether SFX-01®, a stable synthetic form of sulforaphane, modifies gait, bone architecture and slows/reverses articular cartilage destruction in a spontaneous OA model in STR/Ort mice. Sixteen mice (n=8/group) were orally treated for 3months with either 100mg/kg SFX-01® or vehicle. Gait was recorded, tibiae were microCT scanned and analysed. OA lesion severity was graded histologically. The effect of SFX-01® on bone turnover markers in vivo was complemented by in vitro bone formation and resorption assays. Analysis revealed development of OA-related gait asymmetry in vehicle-treated STR/Ort mice, which did not emerge in SFX-01®-treated mice. We found significant improvements in trabecular and cortical bone. Despite these marked improvements, we found that histologically-graded OA severity in articular cartilage was unmodified in treated mice. These changes are also reflected in anabolic and anti-catabolic actions of SFX-01® treatment as reflected by alteration in serum markers as well as changes in primary osteoblast and osteoclast-like cells in vitro. We report that SFX-01® improves bone microarchitecture in vivo, produces corresponding changes in bone cell behaviour in vitro and leads to greater symmetry in gait, without marked effects on cartilage lesion severity in STR/Ort osteoarthritic mice. Our findings support both osteotrophic roles and novel beneficial gait effects for SFX-01® in this model of spontaneous OA. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interleukin-13 protects mouse intestine from ischemia and reperfusion injury through regulation of innate and adaptive immunity.

PubMed

Farmer, Douglas G; Ke, Bibo; Shen, Xiu-Da; Kaldas, Fady M; Gao, Feng; Watson, Melissa J; Busuttil, Ronald W; Kupiec-Weglinski, Jerzy W

2011-04-15

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major factor leading to intestinal dysfunction or graft loss after intestinal surgery or transplantation. This study investigated the cytoprotective effects and putative mechanisms of interleukin (IL)-13 after intestinal I/R injury in the mouse. Mouse warm intestinal I/R injury induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 100 min with tissue analysis at 4 and 24 hr after reperfusion. Treated animals received intravenous recombinant murine IL-13 (rIL-13) and anti-IL-13 antibody, whereas controls received saline. rIL-13 administration markedly prolonged animal survival (100% vs. 50% in saline controls) and resulted in near normal histopathological architecture. rIL-13 treatment also significantly decreased myeloperoxidase activity. Mice conditioned with rIL-13 had a markedly depressed Toll-like receptor-4 expression and increased the expression of Stat6, antioxidant hemeoxygenase-1, and antiapoptotic A20, Bcl-2/Bcl-xl, compared with that of controls. Unlike in controls, the expression of mRNA coding for IL-2/interferon-γ, and interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10/monocyte chemotactic protein-1 remained depressed, whereas that of IL-13/IL-4 reciprocally increased in the mice treated with rIL-13. Administration of anti-IL13 antibody alone or in combination with rIL-13 resulted in outcomes similar to that seen in controls. This study demonstrates for the first time that IL-13 plays a protective role in intestinal warm I/R injury and a critical role in the regulation of Stat6 and Toll-like receptor-4 signaling. The administration of IL-13 exerts cytoprotective effects in this model by regulating innate and adaptive immunity while the removal of IL-13 using antibody therapy abrogates this effect.

Prior exposure to repeated immobilization or chronic unpredictable stress protects from some negative sequels of an acute immobilization.

PubMed

Pastor-Ciurana, Jordi; Rabasa, Cristina; Ortega-Sánchez, Juan A; Sanchís-Ollè, Maria; Gabriel-Salazar, Marina; Ginesta, Marta; Belda, Xavier; Daviu, Núria; Nadal, Roser; Armario, Antonio

2014-05-15

Exposure to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) is gaining acceptance as a putative animal model of depression. However, there is evidence that chronic exposure to stress can offer non-specific stress protection from some effects of acute superimposed stressors. We then compared in adult male rats the protection afforded by prior exposure to CUS with the one offered by repeated immobilization on boards (IMO) regarding some of the negative consequences of an acute exposure to IMO. Repeated exposure to IMO protected from the negative consequences of an acute IMO on activity in an open-field, saccharin intake and body weight gain. Active coping during IMO (struggling) was markedly reduced by repeated exposure to the same stressor, but it was not affected by a prior history of CUS, suggesting that our CUS protocol does not appear to impair active coping responses. CUS exposure itself caused a strong reduction of activity in the open-field but appeared to protect from the hypo-activity induced by acute IMO. Moreover, prior CUS offered partial protection from acute IMO-induced reduction of saccharin intake and body weight gain. It can be concluded that a prior history of CUS protects from some of the negative consequences of exposure to a novel severe stressor, suggesting the development of partial cross-adaptation whose precise mechanisms remain to be studied. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Work experience, work environment, and blood exposure among home care and hospice nurses.

PubMed

Leiss, Jack K

2012-01-01

Blood exposure rates among home care and hospice nurses (RNs) in the United States are markedly lower for nurses with more home care/hospice experience, whether or not they have more total years of nursing experience (i.e., in other work environments). This study examined whether the protective effect of home care/hospice experience was greater for nurses who worked under three types of circumstances that are typical of the home care/hospice work environment and conducive to blood exposure. A mail survey was conducted in 2006 among home care/hospice nurses in North Carolina, a largely rural state in the southeastern U.S. The adjusted response rate was 69% (n=833). Blood exposure rates were higher among nurses with ≤5 years' experience in home care/hospice. Contrary to expectations, the protective effect of more experience was greater among nurses who did not have limited access to safety devices/personal protective equipment, did not have to rush during home visits, and did not often visit homes with unrestrained pets, unruly children, poor lighting, or extreme clutter. These results suggest that characteristics of the home care/hospice work environment limit nurses' ability to use their experience to prevent blood exposure.

Protective effect of quercetin and/or l-arginine against nano-zinc oxide-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faddah, L. M.; Baky, Nayira A. Abdel; Mohamed, Azza M.; Al-Rasheed, Nouf M.; Al-Rasheed, Nawal M.

2013-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of quercetin and/or l-arginine against the cardiotoxic potency of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NP)-induced cardiac infarction. ZnO-NPs (50 nm) were administered orally at either 600 mg or 1 g/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days. The results revealed that co-administration of quercetin and/or l-arginine (each 200 mg/kg body weight) daily for 3 weeks to rats intoxicated by either of the two doses markedly ameliorated increases in serum markers of cardiac infarction, including troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, and myoglobin, as well as increases in proinflammatory biomarkers, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein, compared with intoxicated, untreated rats. Each agent alone or in combination also successfully modulated the alterations in serum vascular endothelial growth factor, cardiac calcium concentration, and oxidative DNA damage as well as the increase in the apoptosis marker caspase 3 of cardiac tissue in response to ZnO-NP toxicity. In conclusion, early treatment with quercetin and l-arginine may protect cardiac tissue from infarction induced by the toxic effects of ZnO-NPs.

Vinpocetine protects liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PubMed

Zaki, Hala Fahmy; Abdelsalam, Rania Mohsen

2013-12-01

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a clinical problem that leads to cellular damage and organ dysfunction mediated mainly via production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines. Vinpocetine has long been used in cerebrovascular disorders. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of vinpocetine in IR injury to the liver. Ischemia was induced in rats by clamping the common hepatic artery and portal vein for 30 min followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Serum transaminases and liver lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, liver inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and liver histopathology were assessed. IR resulted in marked histopathology changes in liver tissues coupled with elevations in serum transaminases and liver LDH activities. IR also increased the production of liver lipid peroxides, nitric oxide, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-6, in parallel with a reduction in reduced glutathione and interleukin-10 in the liver. Pretreatment with vinpocetine protected against liver IR-induced injury, in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by the attenuation of oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and liver injury biomarkers. The effects of vinpocetine were comparable with that of curcumin, a natural antioxidant, and could be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Gut microbial metabolites limit the frequency of autoimmune T cells and protect against type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Mariño, Eliana; Richards, James L; McLeod, Keiran H; Stanley, Dragana; Yap, Yu Anne; Knight, Jacinta; McKenzie, Craig; Kranich, Jan; Oliveira, Ana Carolina; Rossello, Fernando J; Krishnamurthy, Balasubramanian; Nefzger, Christian M; Macia, Laurence; Thorburn, Alison; Baxter, Alan G; Morahan, Grant; Wong, Lee H; Polo, Jose M; Moore, Robert J; Lockett, Trevor J; Clarke, Julie M; Topping, David L; Harrison, Leonard C; Mackay, Charles R

2017-05-01

Gut dysbiosis might underlie the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. In mice of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) strain, we found that key features of disease correlated inversely with blood and fecal concentrations of the microbial metabolites acetate and butyrate. We therefore fed NOD mice specialized diets designed to release large amounts of acetate or butyrate after bacterial fermentation in the colon. Each diet provided a high degree of protection from diabetes, even when administered after breakdown of immunotolerance. Feeding mice a combined acetate- and butyrate-yielding diet provided complete protection, which suggested that acetate and butyrate might operate through distinct mechanisms. Acetate markedly decreased the frequency of autoreactive T cells in lymphoid tissues, through effects on B cells and their ability to expand populations of autoreactive T cells. A diet containing butyrate boosted the number and function of regulatory T cells, whereas acetate- and butyrate-yielding diets enhanced gut integrity and decreased serum concentration of diabetogenic cytokines such as IL-21. Medicinal foods or metabolites might represent an effective and natural approach for countering the numerous immunological defects that contribute to T cell-dependent autoimmune diseases.

Protective Effect of Sundarban Honey against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatonephrotoxicity in Rats

PubMed Central

Tanvir, E. M.; Gan, Siew Hua; Parvez, Mashud; Aminul Islam, Md.; Khalil, Md. Ibrahim

2014-01-01

Honey, a supersaturated natural product of honey bees, contains complex compounds with antioxidant properties and therefore has a wide a range of applications in both traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, the protective effects of Sundarban honey from Bangladesh against acetaminophen- (APAP-) induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in experimental rats were investigated. Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with honey (5 g/kg) for 4 weeks, followed by the induction of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity via the oral administration of a single dose of APAP (2 g/kg). Organ damage was confirmed by measuring the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological alterations observed in the livers and the kidneys further confirmed oxidative damage to these tissues. Animals pretreated with Sundarban honey showed significantly markedly reduced levels of all of the investigated parameters. In addition, Sundarban honey ameliorated the altered hepatic and renal morphology in APAP-treated rats. Overall, our findings indicate that Sundarban honey protects against APAP-induced acute hepatic and renal damage, which could be attributed to the honey's antioxidant properties. PMID:25530774

Curcumin protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced injury through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ function.

PubMed

Liu, Zun-Jing; Liu, Hong-Qiang; Xiao, Cheng; Fan, Hui-Zhen; Huang, Qing; Liu, Yun-Hai; Wang, Yu

2014-11-01

The turmeric derivative curcumin protects against cerebral ischemic injury. We previously demonstrated that curcumin activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in both neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. This study tested whether the neuroprotective effects of curcumin against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury of rat cortical neurons are mediated (at least in part) by PPARγ. Curcumin (10 μM) potently enhanced PPARγ expression and transcriptional activity following OGD/R. In addition, curcumin markedly increased neuronal viability, as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase release and reduced nitric oxide production, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis. These protective effects were suppressed by coadministration of the PPARγ antagonist 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide (GW9662) and by prior transfection of a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PPARγ, treatments that had no toxic effects on healthy neurons. Curcumin reduced OGD/R-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, as indicated by reduced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor and maintenance of both the mitochondrial membrane potential and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Again, GW9662 or PPARγ siRNA transfection mitigated the protective effects of curcumin on mitochondrial function. Curcumin suppressed IκB kinase phosphorylation and IκB degradation, thereby inhibiting nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation, effects also blocked by GW9662 or PPARγ siRNA. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PPARγ interacted with NF-κB p65 and inhibited NF-κB activation. The present study provides strong evidence that at least some of the neuroprotective effects of curcumin against OGD/R are mediated by PPARγ activation. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Therapeutic effect of aqueous extracts of three dietary spices and their mixture on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in a rat model of chronic alcohol consumption.

PubMed

Otunola, Gloria Aderonke; Afolayan, Anthony Jide

2016-07-01

The protective effect of aqueous extracts of three dietary spices, garlic, (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and pepper (Capsicum frutescens) singly and combined was investigated using a rat model of chronic alcohol intake. Rats were given 30% ethanol, with or without aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, pepper or mixture of the three administered at 200mg/kg body weight by oral gavage for 28 days. Lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, oxidative and antioxidative profiles of serum, faecal, liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues of the rats were analyzed. Alcohol treatment significantly elevated liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, depleted antioxidant system and induced histopathological changes in the liver. These alterations were markedly ameliorated by treatment with aqueous extracts of the three spices singly or mixed at 200mg/kg body weight. These results suggest that aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, pepper or a blend of the three protects against alcohol- induced hypercholesterolemia, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress and liver damage.

Protective effect of taurine on cardiotoxicity of the bufadienolides derived from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans Canto) venom in guinea-pigs in vivo and in vitro.

PubMed

Ma, Hongyue; Jiang, Jiejun; Zhang, Junfeng; Zhou, Jing; Ding, Anwei; Lv, Gaohong; Xu, Huiqin; You, Fenqiang; Zhan, Zhen; Duan, Jinao

2012-01-01

In China, toad venom is an anti-inflammatory agent used in small doses for the treatment of various types of inflammation. Bufadienolides are cardioactive steroids responsible for the anti-inflammatory actions of toad venom. We studied the protective effect of taurine on the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolides in guinea-pigs. Bufadienolides (8 mg/kg) caused arrhythmias, cardiac dysfunction and death in guinea-pigs. Pretreatment with taurine (150, 300 mg/kg) significantly prevented bufadienolide-induced cardiotoxicity and reduced the mortality in vivo. Taurine markedly increased the cumulative doses of bufadienolides and resibufogenin required for lethal arrhythmia in ex vivo isolated guinea-pig heart. Taurine did not compromise the anti-inflammatory activity of the bufadienolides on concanavalin-A-stimulated proliferation of guinea-pig splenocytes in vitro. These data indicate that taurine can prevent bufadienolide-induced cardiotoxicity and could be a novel antidote in combination with bufadienolide therapy.

Antimutagenic and antirecombinagenic activities of noni fruit juice in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Franchi, Leonardo P; Guimarães, Nilza N; De Andrade, Laise R; De Andrade, Heloísa H R; Lehmann, Maurício; Dihl, Rafael R; Cunha, Kênya S

2013-01-01

Noni, a Hawaiian name for the fruit of Morinda citrifolia L., is a traditional medicinal plant from Polynesia widely used for the treatment of many diseases including arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hypertension and cancer. Here, a commercial noni juice (TNJ) was evaluated for its protective activities against the lesions induced by mitomycin C (MMC) and doxorrubicin (DXR) using the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. Three-day-old larvae, trans-heterozygous for two genetic markers (mwh and flr3 ), were co-treated with TNJ plus MMC or DXR. We have observed a reduction in genotoxic effects of MMC and DXR caused by the juice. TNJ provoked a marked decrease in all kinds of MMC- and DXR-induced mutant spots, mainly due to its antirecombinagenic activity. The TNJ protective effects were concentration-dependent, indicating a dose-response correlation, that can be attributed to a powerful antioxidant and/or free radical scavenger ability of TNJ.

Protection against the Metabolic Syndrome by Guar Gum-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Depends on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1

PubMed Central

den Besten, Gijs; Gerding, Albert; van Dijk, Theo H.; Ciapaite, Jolita; Bleeker, Aycha; van Eunen, Karen; Havinga, Rick; Groen, Albert K.; Reijngoud, Dirk-Jan; Bakker, Barbara M.

2015-01-01

The dietary fiber guar gum has beneficial effects on obesity, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia in both humans and rodents. The major products of colonic fermentation of dietary fiber, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been suggested to play an important role. Recently, we showed that SCFAs protect against the metabolic syndrome via a signaling cascade that involves peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ repression and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanism via which the dietary fiber guar gum protects against the metabolic syndrome. C57Bl/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 0% or 10% of the fiber guar gum for 12 weeks and effects on lipid and glucose metabolism were studied. We demonstrate that, like SCFAs, also guar gum protects against high-fat diet-induced metabolic abnormalities by PPARγ repression, subsequently increasing mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 expression and AMP/ATP ratio, leading to the activation of AMPK and culminating in enhanced oxidative metabolism in both liver and adipose tissue. Moreover, guar gum markedly increased peripheral glucose clearance, possibly mediated by the SCFA-induced colonic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1. Overall, this study provides novel molecular insights into the beneficial effects of guar gum on the metabolic syndrome and strengthens the potential role of guar gum as a dietary-fiber intervention. PMID:26292284

Methyl helicterate protects against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress, NF-κB activation, Fas/FasL pathway and cytochrome P4502E1 level.

PubMed

Lin, Xing; Huang, Renbin; Zhang, Shijun; Zheng, Li; Wei, Ling; He, Min; Zhou, Yan; Zhuo, Lang; Huang, Quanfang

2012-10-01

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the methyl helicterate (MH) isolated from Helicteres angustifolia L. against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicities in rats. Liver injury was induced in rats by the administration of CCl4 twice a week for 8 weeks. Compared with the CCl4 group, MH significantly decreased the activities of ALT, AST and ALP in the serum and increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd in the liver. Moreover, the content of hepatic MDA was reduced. Histological findings also confirmed the anti-hepatotoxic characterisation. In addition, MH significantly inhibited the proinflammatory mediators, such as PGE2, iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Further investigation showed that the inhibitory effect of MH on the proinflammatory cytokines was associated with the downregulation of NF-κB. Besides, MH also markedly decreased the levels of Fas/FasL protein expression and the activities of caspase-3/8, as well as the activity of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1). In brief, the protective effect of MH against CCl4-induced hepatic injury may rely on its ability to reduce oxidative stress, suppress inflammatory responses, protect against Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis and block CYP2El-mediated CCl4 bioactivation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Resolvin D1 attenuates CCl4-induced acute liver injury involving up-regulation of HO-1 in mice.

PubMed

Chen, Xiahong; Gong, Xia; Jiang, Rong; Wang, Bin; Kuang, Ge; Li, Ke; Wan, Jingyuan

2016-01-01

Acute hepatic failure involves in excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, leading to a high mortality due to lacking effective therapy. Resolvin D1 (RvD1), an endogenous lipid mediator derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, has been shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions, however, whether RvD1 has protective effects on hepatic failure remains elusive. In this study, the roles and molecular mechanisms of RvD1 were explored in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury. Our results showed that RvD1 protected mice against CCl4-induced hepatic damage, as evaluated by reduced aminotransferase activities and malondialdehyde content, elevated glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities, and alleviated hepatic pathological damage. Moreover, RvD1 significantly attenuated serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels as well as hepatic myeloperoxidase activity, whereas enhanced serum IL-10 level in CCl4-administered mice. Further, RvD1 markedly up-regulated the expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). However, inhibition of HO-1 activity reversed the protective effects of RvD1 on CCl4-induced liver injury. These results suggest that RvD1 could effectively prevent CCl4-induced liver injury by inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, and the underlying mechanism may be related to up-regulation of HO-1.

Evaluation of antimutagenic and protective effects of Parkinsonia aculeata L. leaves against H2O2 induced damage in pBR322 DNA.

PubMed

Sharma, Sonia; Sharma, Sushant; Vig, Adarsh Pal

2016-01-01

The in vitro antimutagenic and DNA protecting potential of organic (methanol, hexane, n-butanol) and aqueous extract/fractions of Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Fabaceae) was investigated by employing Ames assay and DNA nicking assay. DNA damage by hydroxyl radicals was effectively inhibited by all the extract/fractions. A marked antimutagenic effect was observed against 4-Nitro-o-phenylenediamine and sodium azide (direct acting mutagens) and 2-Aminofluorene (indirect acting mutagen) in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium. In Ames assay, two different modes of experiments i.e. pre-incubation and co-incubation were performed and it was observed that all the extract/fractions showed better results in the pre-incubation as compared to co- incubation mode. Out of all the extract/fractions tested, n-butanol fraction was found to be the most effective in preventing DNA damage and inhibiting mutagenesis. UHPLC analysis of extract/fractions revealed presence of polyphenols such as gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, umbelliferone, coumaric acid, rutin, and ellagic acid etc. DNA protecting and antimutagenic activity of this plant could be attributed to presence of these polyphenols. The results of this study indicate the presence of potent antioxidant factors in Parkinsonia aculeata L, which are being explored further for their mechanism of action.

Comparative Protective Effect of Hawthorn Berry Hydroalcoholic Extract, Atorvastatin, and Mesalamine on Experimentally Induced Colitis in Rats

PubMed Central

Shafie-Irannejad, Vahid; Hobbenaghi, Rahim; Tabatabaie, Seyed Hamed; Moshtaghion, Seyed-Mehdi

2013-01-01

Abstract The protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of hawthorn berries (HBE) on acetic acid (AA)–induced colitis in rats was investigated. Forty-two Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, including control and test groups (n=6). The control animals received saline, and the test animals were treated with saline (sham group), mesalamine (50 mg/kg; M group), atorvastatin (20 mg/kg; A group), HBE (100 mg/kg; H group), mesalamine and HBE (HM group), or atorvastatin plus HBE (HA group), 3 days before and a week after colitis induction. Colitis was induced by administration of 1 mL AA (4%) via a polyethylene catheter intrarectally. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that HBE contained 0.13% and 0.5% oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, respectively. Elevated myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were attenuated in the HA group. The H and HM groups showed marked reductions in colitis-induced decreases in total thiol molecules and body weight. The histopathological studies revealed that HBE decreased colitis-induced edema and infiltration of neutrophils. Our data suggest the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of HBE and atorvastatin protect against AA-induced colitis. The anti-inflammatory effect of HBE may be attributable to its ability to decrease myeloperoxidase activity as a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration. PMID:23875899

[Pharmacological study of nicergoline. (II). Protective effect on ischemic brain damages in animals].

PubMed

Shintomi, K; Itakura, T; Yoshimoto, K; Ogawa, Y; Fukushima, T; Matsuoka, Y

1986-04-01

Effects of nicergoline on ischemic brain damages induced by bilateral carotid arterial ligation (BCAL) in ICR-strain mice and mongolian gerbils and lipid peroxide formation (LPOF) in normal brain homogenate of rats were compared with those of dihydroergotoxine (DHE). In mice, nicergoline (16 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the cumulative mortality rate after BCAL (from 80-83% in the control to 50-55%). In gerbils, nicergoline (32 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly prolonged the mean onset time of ischemic seizure following recirculation after the 30-min BCAL (from 45.8 min in the control to 94.9 min). DHE also showed protective effects in these animals. In the ischemic brain of mice, marked decreases of creatine-P, ATP, glucose and glycogen; a remarkable increase of lactate; and elevation of L/P ratio were observed 1 to 10 min after BCAL. Nicergoline (16 mg/kg, i.p.) slightly prevented these decreases and significantly suppressed the increase of lactate and the elevation of L/P ratio 2 min after BCAL. The inhibitory action of nicergoline (20-100 microM) on LPOF is more potent than those of alpha-tocopherol and DHE. These results suggest that nicergoline may have protective effects against ischemic brain damages due to its ameliorating action on cerebral energy metabolism and partially due to its inhibitory action of LPOF.

Biotechnology for Near Real-Time Predictive Toxicology for Warfighter Protection

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

prevent serious injury to the deployed warfighter exposed to toxic substances and to minimize mission degradation due to environmentally related...Schlager Mark P . Westrick AFRL/HEPB 2729 R. Street, Bldg 837 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-5707 Victor Chan ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc. P.O...NUMBER *Nicholas DelRaso, Richard R. Stotts, Hojn J. Schlager, Mark P . Westrick 1710 **Victor Chan e. TASK NUMBER ***Nicholas V. Reo 1710D5 5f. WORK UNIT

18 CFR 415.43 - Mapped and unmapped delineations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... data submitted, soil surveys, historic flood maps, high water marks and other empirical data, the... establish the flood protection elevation for the particular site. (c) Pending the preparation and completion...

18 CFR 415.43 - Mapped and unmapped delineations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... data submitted, soil surveys, historic flood maps, high water marks and other empirical data, the... establish the flood protection elevation for the particular site. (c) Pending the preparation and completion...

Protective effect of crocin on ultraviolet B‑induced dermal fibroblast photoaging.

PubMed

Deng, Mingwu; Li, Dong; Zhang, Yichen; Zhou, Guangdong; Liu, Wei; Cao, Yilin; Zhang, Wenjie

2018-06-11

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the aging of dermal fibroblasts. Crocin, a bioactive constituent of Crocus sativus, possesses anti‑oxidation effects. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of crocin on UVB‑induced dermal fibroblast photoaging. Human dermal fibroblasts were isolated and cultured with different concentrations of crocin prior to and following exposure to UVB irradiation. The senescent phenotypes of cells were evaluated, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, senescence‑associated β‑galactosidase (SA‑β‑gal) expression, intracellular ROS, expression of antioxidant protein glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX‑1) and extracellular matrix protein collagen type 1 (Col‑1). Crocin rescued the cell proliferation inhibited by UVB irradiation, prevented cell cycle arrest and markedly decreased the number of SA‑β‑gal‑positive cells. In addition, crocin reduced UVB‑induced ROS by increasing GPX‑1 expression and other direct neutralization effects. Furthermore, crocin promoted the expression of the extracellular matrix protein Col‑1. Crocin could effectively prevent UVB‑induced cell damage via the reduction of intracellular ROS; thus, it could potentially be used in the prevention of skin photoaging.

Using AHP to analyze and ascertain the priority protective order of endangered plants in East Alashan-West Erdos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Zhang; Wei, Wang; Wang, Gary Z.; Luo, Hongyan; Liang, Cunzhu; Liu, Jiahui; An, Huijun; Pei, Hao; Zhong, Huidong; Chen, Xiaojun

2006-08-01

AHP is a kind of very effective systematic analytical method, widely applied to energy utilizing and resource analyzing, talent predicting, economic management project, urban industries planning, communications and transportation, water resource using and so on, using this method to solve the problem of ecology also have very strong practicability and validity. Using 15 kinds of endured plants in East Alashan-West Erdos as the research objects, this paper adopts 3S technique and outfield investigates to confirm the geographical distributions, extent density in the distribution area, plant community construction, and plant community environment of the plants. Then invite the experts to give marks according to this datum and using the AHP method to deal with the results, thereby get the priority protective order of endangered plants in East Alashan-West Erdos.

Dendrobium officinale Prevents Early Complications in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Hou, Shao-zhen; Liang, Chu-yan; Liu, Hua-zhen; Zhu, Dong-mei; Wu, Ya-yun; Liang, Jian; Zhao, Ya; Guo, Jian-ru; Huang, Song; Lai, Xiao-Ping

2016-01-01

Background. Dendrobium officinale (DO) Kimura et Migo is a precious Chinese herb that is considered beneficial for health due to its antioxidant and antidiabetes properties, and so on. In this research, we try to determine the preventive effect of DO on the early complications of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods. Type 1 diabetic rats were produced with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). DO (1 g/kg/day) was then orally administered for 5 weeks. Blood glucose, TC, TG, BUN, CREA, and GSH-PX levels were determined, and electroretinographic activity and hypoalgesia were investigated. Pathological sections of the eyes, hearts, aortas, kidneys, and livers were analyzed. Results. Treatment with DO significantly attenuated the serum levels of TC, TG, BUN, and CREA, markedly increased the amplitudes of ERG a- and b-waves and Ops, and reduced the hypoalgesia and histopathological changes of vital organs induced by hyperglycemia. The protective effect of DO in diabetic rats may be associated with its antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the marked increase in the serum level of glutathione peroxidase. However, DO had no significant effect on blood glucose levels and bodyweight of diabetic rats. Conclusions. DO supplementation is an effective treatment to prevent STZ-induced diabetic complications. PMID:27034693

Astrocyte truncated-TrkB mediates BDNF antiapoptotic effect leading to neuroprotection.

PubMed

Saba, Julieta; Turati, Juan; Ramírez, Delia; Carniglia, Lila; Durand, Daniela; Lasaga, Mercedes; Caruso, Carla

2018-05-31

Astrocytes are glial cells that help maintain brain homeostasis and become reactive in neurodegenerative processes releasing both harmful and beneficial factors. We have demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression is induced by melanocortins in astrocytes but BDNF actions in astrocytes are largely unknown. We hypothesize that BDNF may prevent astrocyte death resulting in neuroprotection. We found that BDNF increased astrocyte viability, preventing apoptosis induced by serum deprivation by decreasing active caspase-3 and p53 expression. The antiapoptotic action of BDNF was abolished by ANA-12 (a specific TrkB antagonist) and by K252a (a general Trk antagonist). Astrocytes only express the BDNF receptor TrkB truncated isoform 1, TrkB-T1. BDNF induced ERK, Akt and Src (a non-receptor tyrosine kinase) activation in astrocytes. Blocking ERK and Akt pathways abolished BDNF protection in serum deprivation-induced cell death. Moreover, BDNF protected astrocytes from death by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an effect also blocked by ANA-12, K252a, and inhibitors of ERK, calcium and Src. BDNF reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels induced in astrocytes by 3-NP and increased xCT expression and glutathione levels. Astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) from untreated astrocytes partially protected PC12 neurons whereas ACM from BDNF-treated astrocytes completely protected PC12 neurons from 3-NP-induced apoptosis. Both ACM from control and BDNF-treated astrocytes markedly reduced ROS levels induced by 3-NP in PC12 cells. Our results demonstrate that BDNF protects astrocytes from cell death through TrkB-T1 signaling, exerts an antioxidant action, and induces release of neuroprotective factors from astrocytes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Food insecurity and social protection in Europe: Quasi-natural experiment of Europe's great recessions 2004-2012.

PubMed

Loopstra, Rachel; Reeves, Aaron; McKee, Martin; Stuckler, David

2016-08-01

Food insecurity rose sharply in Europe after 2009, but marked variation exists across countries and over time. We test whether social protection programs protected people from food insecurity arising from economic hardship across Europe. Data on household food insecurity covering 21 EU countries from 2004 to 2012 were taken from Eurostat 2015 edition and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Cross-national first difference models were used to evaluate how rising unemployment and declining wages related to changes in the prevalence of food insecurity and the role of social protection expenditure in modifying observed effects. Economic hardship was strongly associated with greater food insecurity. Each 1 percentage point rise in unemployment rates was associated with an estimated 0.29 percentage point rise in food insecurity (95% CI: 0.10 to 0.49). Similarly, each $1000 decreases in annual average wages was associated with a 0.62 percentage point increase in food insecurity (95% CI: 0.27 to 0.97). Greater social protection spending mitigated these risks. Each $1000 spent per capita reduced the associations of rising unemployment and declining wages with food insecurity by 0.05 percentage points (95% CI: -0.10 to -0.0007) and 0.10 (95% CI: -0.18 to -0.006), respectively. The estimated effects of economic hardship on food insecurity became insignificant when countries spent more than $10,000 per capita on social protection. Rising unemployment and falling wages are strong statistical determinants of increasing food insecurity, but at high levels of social protection, these associations could be prevented. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of cinnamaldehyde against glutamate-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells.

PubMed

Lv, Chao; Yuan, Xing; Zeng, Hua-Wu; Liu, Run-Hui; Zhang, Wei-Dong

2017-11-15

Cinnamaldehyde is a main ingredient of cinnamon oils from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia, which has been widely used in food and traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects and the potential mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells were investigated. Exposure to 4mM glutamate altered the GSH, MDA levels and SOD activity, caused the generation of reactive oxygen species, resulted in the induction of oxidative stress in PC12 cell, ultimately induced cell death. However, pretreatment with cinnamaldehyde at 5, 10 and 20μM significantly attenuated cell viability loss, reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species, stabilised mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), decreased the release of cytochrome c and limited the activities of caspase-9 and -3. In addition, cinnamaldehyde also markedly increased Bcl-2 while inhibiting Bax expression，and decreased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio. These results indicate that cinnamaldehyde exists a potential protective effect against glutamate-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Extract of Adenanthera pavonina L. seed reduces development of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

PubMed Central

Pandhare, Ramdas; Sangameswaran, Balakrishnan

2012-01-01

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the renal protective effect of Adenanthera pavonina (A. pavonina) seed aqueous extract (APSAE), in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: The renal protective effect of A. pavonina seed aqueous extract (APSAE) was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. APSAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day) was given daily to diabetic rats for 13 weeks. Blood glucose, serum parameters such as albumin, creatinine, total protein, urea, lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and urine parameters such as urine protein and albumin were examined. Kidney histopathology was also done. Results: After 13 weeks of treatment, in STZ-induced diabetic rats, severe hyperglycemia was developed, with marked increase in proteinuria and albuminuria. However, APSAE treatment significantly reduced proteinuria, albuminuria, lipid levels, and HbA1c deposition in diabetic rats. Conclusion: These results suggested that APSAE has reduced development of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and could have beneficial effect in reducing the progression of diabetic nephropathy. PMID:25050253

Sulforaphane protects rodent retinas against ischemia-reperfusion injury through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.

PubMed

Pan, Hong; He, Meihua; Liu, Ruixing; Brecha, Nicholas C; Yu, Albert Cheung Hoi; Pu, Mingliang

2014-01-01

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces oxidative stress, leukocyte infiltration, and neuronal cell death. Sulforaphane (SF), which can be obtained in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, exerts protective effects in response to oxidative stress in various tissues. These effects can be initiated through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This investigation was designed to elucidate the neural protective mechanisms of SF in the retinal I/R rat model. Animals were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with SF (12.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil) once a day for 7 consecutive days. Then, retinal I/R was made by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 130 mmHg for 1 h. To determine if HO-1 was involved in the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, rats were subjected to protoporphyrin IX zinc (II) (ZnPP, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) treatments at 24 h before retinal ischemia. The neuroprotective effects of SF were assessed by determining the morphology of the retina, counting the infiltrating inflammatory cells and the surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells, and measuring apoptosis in the retinal layers. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was studied by immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. I/R induced a marked increase of ROS generation, caused pronounced inflammation, increased the apoptosis of RGCs and amacrine cells and caused the thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), and these effects were diminished or abolished by SF pretreatment. Meanwhile, SF pretreatment significantly elevated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and the level of HO-1 expression in the I/R retinas; however, ZnPP reversed the protective effects of SF on I/R retinas. Together, we offer direct evidence that SF had protective effects on I/R retinas, which could be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.

Sulforaphane Protects Rodent Retinas against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through the Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Pathway

PubMed Central

Liu, Ruixing; Brecha, Nicholas C.; Yu, Albert Cheung Hoi; Pu, Mingliang

2014-01-01

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces oxidative stress, leukocyte infiltration, and neuronal cell death. Sulforaphane (SF), which can be obtained in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, exerts protective effects in response to oxidative stress in various tissues. These effects can be initiated through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This investigation was designed to elucidate the neural protective mechanisms of SF in the retinal I/R rat model. Animals were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with SF (12.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil) once a day for 7 consecutive days. Then, retinal I/R was made by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 130 mmHg for 1 h. To determine if HO-1 was involved in the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, rats were subjected to protoporphyrin IX zinc (II) (ZnPP, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) treatments at 24 h before retinal ischemia. The neuroprotective effects of SF were assessed by determining the morphology of the retina, counting the infiltrating inflammatory cells and the surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells, and measuring apoptosis in the retinal layers. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was studied by immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. I/R induced a marked increase of ROS generation, caused pronounced inflammation, increased the apoptosis of RGCs and amacrine cells and caused the thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), and these effects were diminished or abolished by SF pretreatment. Meanwhile, SF pretreatment significantly elevated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and the level of HO-1 expression in the I/R retinas; however, ZnPP reversed the protective effects of SF on I/R retinas. Together, we offer direct evidence that SF had protective effects on I/R retinas, which could be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. PMID:25470382

Curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles ameliorate adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

PubMed

Arora, R; Kuhad, A; Kaur, I P; Chopra, K

2015-08-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic and systemic inflammation, results in destruction of joints and cartilages. Effectiveness of curcumin has been established in a wide variety of inflammatory disorders, but its utility as a therapeutic agent is limited by its poor absorption, rapid metabolism and fast systemic elimination. To apprehend these limitations, we propose to use highly bioavailable curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (C-SLNs) for the treatment of RA. In the present study, the protective effect of curcumin and its SLNs was evaluated in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. Arthritic rats exhibited marked decrease in paw withdrawal threshold in Randall-Selitto and von Frey hair test along with decreased reaction time in hot plate. Arthritic rats also showed significant joint hyperalgesia, joint stiffness and increased paw volume along with marked decrease in mobility score. Arthritic rats showed a significant increase in blood leukocyte count, oxidative-nitrosative stress, tumour necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody levels and radiological alterations in tibiotarsal joint. C-SLN administration (10 and 30 mg/kg), when compared with free curcumin (10 and 30 mg/kg), significantly and dose dependently ameliorated various symptoms of arthritis in rats, improved biochemical markers and preserved radiological alterations in joints of arthritic rats. The current findings suggest the protective potential of curcumin-SLNs in ameliorating CFA-induced arthritis in rats through attenuation of oxido-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cascade. Further, the results emphasize that SLNs are a novel approach to deliver curcumin into the inflamed joints and improve its biopharmaceutical performance. © 2014 European Pain Federation - EFIC®

A comprehensive approach to evaluating and classifying sun-protective clothing.

PubMed

Downs, N J; Harrison, S L

2018-04-01

National standards for clothing designed to protect the wearer from the harmful effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) have been implemented in Australia/New Zealand, Europe and the U.S.A. Industry standards reflect the need to protect the skin by covering a considerable proportion of the potentially exposed body surface area (BSA) and by reducing UVR-transmission through fabric (the Ultraviolet Protection Factor; UPF). This research aimed to develop a new index for rating sun-protective clothing that incorporates the BSA coverage of the garment in addition to the UPF of the fabric. A mannequin model was fixed to an optical bench and marked with horizontal lines at 1-cm intervals. An algorithm (the Garment Protector Factor; GPF) was developed based on the number of lines visible on the clothed vs. unclothed mannequin and the UPF of the garment textile. This data was collected in 2015/16 and analysed in 2016. The GPF weights fabric UPF by BSA coverage above the minimum required by international sun-protective clothing standards for upper-body, lower-body and full-body garments. The GPF increases with BSA coverage of the garment and fabric UPF. Three nominal categories are proposed for the GPF: 0 ≤ GPF < 3 for garments that 'meet' minimum standards; 3 ≤ GPF < 6 for garments providing 'good' sun protection; and GPF ≥ 6 indicating 'excellent' protection. Adoption of the proposed rating scheme should encourage manufacturers to design sun-protective garments that exceed the minimum standard for BSA coverage, with positive implications for skin cancer prevention, consumer education and sun-protection awareness. © 2017 British Association of Dermatologists.

Protective Services Chili Cookoff Full of Good Food, Good Fun, and “Tough Choices” | Poster

Cancer.gov

This year’s Protective Services Chili Cookoff was marked by blazing-hot chili and fiery competition as 15 entrants contended for the attention and adoration of approximately 150 hungry attendees. The competition is a fixture at NCI at Frederick and regularly features an array of culinary concoctions, from which the visitors rank their choices for first, second, and third place.

77 FR 69838 - MON 87410 and MON 87411 Pesticide-Incorporated Protectant Corn Events: Pesticide Experimental Use...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-21

... permit (EUP) for the plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) corn events with a double stranded RNA (dsRNA... that may be affected by this action. B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 1... mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the...

A new update for radiocontrast-induced nephropathy aggravated with glycerol in rats: the protective potential of epigallocatechin-3-gallate

PubMed Central

Palabiyik, Saziye Sezin; Dincer, Busra; Cadirci, Elif; Cinar, Irfan; Gundogdu, Cemal; Polat, Beyzagul; Yayla, Muhammed; Halici, Zekai

2017-01-01

Abstract Contrast media (CM) is known to have nephrotoxic adverse effects. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant and active catechin in green tea, and has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated whether EGCG can reduce contrast-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN), alone or with glycerol (GLY)-induced renal damage, and to understand its mechanisms of protection against toxicity, using models of GLY and CIN in rats. The rats were separated into eight groups (n = 6 in each), as follows: Healthy, GLY, CM, GLY + CM, CM + EGCG 50 mg/kg (po), GLY + CM + EGCG 50 mg/kg (po), CM + EGCG 100 mg/kg (po), and GLY + CM + EGCG 100 mg/kg (po). Both doses of EGCG protected against CM-induced renal dysfunction, as measured by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In addition, EGCG treatment markedly improved CIN-induced oxidative stress, and resulted in a significant down-regulatory effect on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor (NF)-κB mRNA expression. Moreover, histopathological analysis showed that EGCG also attenuated CM-induced kidney damage. Considering the potential clinical use of CM and the numerous health benefits of EGCG, this study showed the protective role of multi-dose EGCG treatment on CIN and GLY-aggravated CIN through different mechanisms. PMID:28100100

Vasculoprotective effects of heme oxygenase-1 in a murine model of hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia

PubMed Central

Fernandez-Gonzalez, Angeles; Alex Mitsialis, S.; Liu, Xianlan

2012-01-01

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by simplified alveolarization and arrested vascular development of the lung with associated evidence of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, increased oxidative damage, and iron deposition. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been reported to be protective in the pathogenesis of diseases of inflammatory and oxidative etiology. Because HO-1 is involved in the response to oxidative stress produced by hyperoxia and is critical for cellular heme and iron homeostasis, it could play a protective role in BPD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of HO-1 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury using a neonatal transgenic mouse model with constitutive lung-specific HO-1 overexpression. Hyperoxia triggered an increase in pulmonary inflammation, arterial remodeling, and right ventricular hypertrophy that was attenuated by HO-1 overexpression. In addition, hyperoxia led to pulmonary edema, hemosiderosis, and a decrease in blood vessel number, all of which were markedly improved in HO-1 overexpressing mice. The protective vascular response may be mediated at least in part by carbon monoxide, due to its anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiapoptotic properties. HO-1 overexpression, however, did not prevent alveolar simplification nor altered the levels of ferritin and lactoferrin, proteins involved in iron binding and transport. Thus the protective mechanisms elicited by HO-1 overexpression primarily preserve vascular growth and barrier function through iron-independent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory pathways. PMID:22287607

Structure-activity relationship of sulfated hetero/galactofucan polysaccharides on dopaminergic neuron.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Liu, Huaide; Jin, Weihua; Zhang, Hong; Zhang, Quanbin

2016-01-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and more-widespread neuronal changes that cause complex symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure-activity relationship of sulfated hetero-polysaccharides (DF1) and sulfated galactofucan polysaccharides (DF2) on dopaminergic neuron in vivo and in vitro. Treatment with samples significantly ameliorated the depletion of both DA and TH-, Bcl-2- and Bax-positive neurons in MPTP-induced PD mice, DF1 showed the highest activity. The in vitro results found that DF1 and DF2 could reverse the decreased mitochondrial activity and the increased LDL release induced by MPP(+) (P<0.01 or P<0.001) which provides further evidence that DF1 and DF2 also exerts a direct protection against the neuronal injury caused by MPP(+). Furthermore, the administration of samples effectively decreased lipid peroxidation and increased the level/activities of GSH, GSH-PX, MDA and CAT in MPTP mice. Thus, the neuron protective effect may be mediated, in part, through antioxidant activity and the prevention of cell apoptosis. The chemical composition of DF1, DF2 and DF differed markedly, the DF1 fraction had the most complex chemical composition and showed the highest neuron protective activity. These results suggest that diverse monosaccharides and uronic acid might contribute to neuron protective activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation, characterization, and radiation protection of Sipunculus nudus L. polysaccharide.

PubMed

Li, Na; Shen, Xianrong; Liu, Yuming; Zhang, Junling; He, Ying; Liu, Qiong; Jiang, Dingwen; Zong, Jie; Li, Jiamei; Hou, Dengyong; Chen, Wei; Wang, Qingrong; Luo, Qun; Li, Kexian

2016-02-01

Sipunculus nudus Linnaeus polysaccharide (SNP) was purified from S. nudus L. via NaOH extraction, trichloroacetic acid deproteination, DEAE-cellulose 52 and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The monosaccharide analysis and molecular weight was detected with HPLC. FT-IR, 1H spectrum and 13C NMR spectrum were performed to detect the chemical characteristics. The antioxidant activity was assayed in vitro. The radiation protection effects were detected on mice. The results showed that SNP was composed of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, arabinose and fucose, and the average molecular weight was 680 kDa. Above the concentration of 10 mg/mL, SNP showed powerful scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical. In the animals irradiated with a 7.5 Gy γ-rays, the 90 mg/kg and the 270 mg/kg SNP groups survived significantly longer than the radiation control group. In the animals irradiated with a 4.0 Gy γ-rays, SNP showed significant protection effect. The contents of DNA in bone marrow cells were significantly increased by SNP treatment, and the micronucleus rates of 30 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg SNP groups were decrease significantly compared to the radiation control group. These findings suggest that SNP possesses marked antioxidant and bone marrow damage protection capacity which play important roles in the prevention of radiation damage. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peripheral-specific y2 receptor knockdown protects mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity.

PubMed

Shi, Yan-Chuan; Lin, Shu; Castillo, Lesley; Aljanova, Aygul; Enriquez, Ronaldo F; Nguyen, Amy D; Baldock, Paul A; Zhang, Lei; Bijker, Martijn S; Macia, Laurence; Yulyaningsih, Ernie; Zhang, Hui; Lau, Jackie; Sainsbury, Amanda; Herzog, Herbert

2011-11-01

Y2 receptors, particularly those in the brain, have been implicated in neuropeptide Y (NPY)-mediated effects on energy homeostasis and bone mass. Recent evidence also indicates a role for Y2 receptors in peripheral tissues in this process by promoting adipose tissue accretion; however their effects on energy balance remain unclear. Here, we show that adult-onset conditional knockdown of Y2 receptors predominantly in peripheral tissues results in protection against diet-induced obesity accompanied by significantly reduced weight gain, marked reduction in adiposity and improvements in glucose tolerance without any adverse effect on lean mass or bone. These changes occur in association with significant increases in energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio, and physical activity and despite concurrent hyperphagia. On a chow diet, knockdown of peripheral Y2 receptors results in increased respiratory exchange ratio and physical activity with no effect on lean or bone mass, but decreases energy expenditure without effecting body weight or food intake. These results suggest that peripheral Y2 receptor signaling is critical in the regulation of oxidative fuel selection and physical activity and protects against the diet-induced obesity. The lack of effects on bone mass seen in this model further indicates that bone mass is primarily controlled by non-peripheral Y2 receptors. This study provides evidence that novel drugs that target peripheral rather than central Y2 receptors could provide benefits for the treatment of obesity and glucose intolerance without adverse effects on lean and bone mass, with the additional benefit of avoiding side effects often associated with pharmaceuticals that act on the central nervous system.

Fructose and tagatose protect against oxidative cell injury by iron chelation.

PubMed

Valeri, F; Boess, F; Wolf, A; Göldlin, C; Boelsterli, U A

1997-01-01

To further investigate the mechanism by which fructose affords protection against oxidative cell injury, cultured rat hepatocytes were exposed to cocaine (300 microM) or nitrofurantoin (400 microM). Both drugs elicited massively increased lactate dehydrogenase release. The addition of the ketohexoses D-fructose (metabolized via glycolysis) or D-tagatose (poor glycolytic substrate) significantly attenuated cocaine- and nitrofurantoin-induced cell injury, although both fructose and tagatose caused a rapid depletion of ATP and compromised the cellular energy charge. Furthermore, fructose, tagatose, and sorbose all inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner (0-16 mM) luminolenhanced chemiluminescence (CL) in cell homogenates, indicating that these compounds inhibit the iron-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated peroxidation of luminol. Indeed, both Fe2+ and Fe3+ further increased cocaine-stimulated CL, which was markedly quenched following addition of the ketohexoses. The iron-independent formation of superoxide anion radicals (acetylated cytochrome c reduction) induced by the prooxidant drugs remained unaffected by fructose or tagatose. The iron-chelator deferoxamine similarly protected against prooxidant-induced cell injury. In contrast, the nonchelating aldohexoses D-glucose and D-galactose did not inhibit luminol CL nor did they protect against oxidative cell injury. These data indicate that ketohexoses can effectively protect against prooxidant-induced cell injury, independent of their glycolytic metabolism, by suppressing the iron-catalyzed formation of ROS.

Gleason drift in the NIHR ProtecT study.

PubMed

Oxley, Jon; Simpkin, Andrew; Goepel, John; Varma, Murali; Griffiths, David; Grigor, Ken; Mayer, Nick; Warren, Anne; Deshmukh, Nayneeta; Bhattarai, Selina; Dormer, John; Hounsome, Luke; Adamczyk, Lukasz A; Metcalfe, Christopher; Lane, J Athene; Davis, Michael; Donovan, Jenny L; Neal, David E; Hamdy, Freddy C; Robinson, Mary C

2015-02-01

There is increasing evidence of Gleason score (GS) drift in prostatic core biopsies during the last two decades. The ProtecT study is a randomized controlled study and provides an excellent cohort to study the effect of time, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, perineural invasion, tumour length and age on GS. The ProtecT study recruited men in the United Kingdom between 1999 and 2010. The Gleason scores were grouped into four categories ≤ 3 + 3, 3 + 4, 4 + 3 and ≥ 4 + 4 for analysis. Data from England between 2000 and 2012 were also available. A total of 3282 biopsies containing cancer were analysed. For each year of the ProtecT study, the odds of being diagnosed with a higher GS category increased by 4.9%. Higher GS was also associated with perineural invasion, increasing tumour length, age and PSA level. While biopsy GS from England was incomplete, it also showed a marked decrease in GS five and six tumours during the same period. There was GS drift from 3 + 3 to 3 + 4 with time in the ProtecT study, but there appeared to be no significant change in percentage of GS 4 + 3 or higher. This drift was less dramatic when compared to GS in the rest of England. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A study of ecological red-line area partitioning in the Chishui River Basin in Guizhou

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, S. F.; An, Y. L.

2016-08-01

Maintaining ecosystem balance and realizing the strategic goal of sustainable development are key objectives in the field of environmental sciences. Accordingly, drawing ecological red lines in sensitive and vulnerable environmental areas and important ecological function areas, determining the distribution range of ecological red-line areas, providing scientific guidance for developmental activities, and effectively managing the ecological environment are significant work tasks supported by policy guidance from the State Council and from knowledge gained in educational circles. Taking the Chishui River Basin in Guizhou as the study object, this research selected water and soil loss sensitivity, as well as assessments of karst rocky desertification sensitivity as background assessments of the eco-environment. Furthermore, the functions of soil conservation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection were integrated with exploitation-prohibited areas, and an organic combination of ecological needs and social service functions was created. Spatial comprehensive overlay analysis and processing revealed that the combination marked nine major ecological red-line areas in a total area of 5,030.58 km2, which occupied 44.16% of the total basin area. By combining the current eco-environmental situation of the Chishui River Basin with the marked out red-line areas, this research proposed corresponding ecological red-line area management suggestions. These suggestions are expected to provide a scientific foundation for eco-environmental protection and subsequent scientific research in Chishui River Basin.

Protective role of polyphenols from Bauhinia hookeri against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity in mice.

PubMed

Al-Sayed, Eman; Abdel-Daim, Mohamed M; Kilany, Omnia E; Karonen, Maarit; Sinkkonen, Jari

2015-08-01

The hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity of a polyphenol-rich fraction (BHPF) obtained from Bauhinia hookeri was investigated against CCl4-induced acute hepatorenal toxicity in mice. BHPF was administered (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) for 5 days, then CCl4 was administered. BHPF pretreatment significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited the CCl4-induced increase in ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid, urea and malondialdehyde in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, BHPF pretreatment markedly increased the contents of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the liver and kidney tissues, indicating the strong in vivo antioxidant activity of BHPF. Pretreatment with BHPF preserved the hepatic architecture and conferred marked protection against necrosis and ballooning degeneration. Pretreatment with BHPF reduced the inflammatory cell aggregation and degenerative changes in the lining epithelium of the kidney tubules. It can be concluded that BHPF has a remarkable hepato- and nephroprotective activity by enhancing the antioxidant defense status, reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting against the histopathological changes induced by CCl4 in the liver and kidney tissues.

Coastal nurseries and their importance for conservation of sea kraits.

PubMed

Bonnet, Xavier; Brischoux, François; Bonnet, Christophe; Plichon, Patrice; Fauvel, Thomas

2014-01-01

Destruction and pollution of coral reefs threaten these marine biodiversity hot stops which shelter more than two thirds of sea snake species. Notably, in many coral reef ecosystems of the Western Pacific Ocean, large populations of sea kraits (amphibious sea snakes) have drastically declined during the past three decades. Protecting remaining healthy populations is thus essential. In New Caledonia, coral reefs shelter numerous sea krait colonies spread throughout an immense lagoon (24,000 km2). Sea kraits feed on coral fish but lay their eggs on land. However, ecological information on reproduction and juveniles is extremely fragmentary, precluding protection of key habitats for reproduction. Our 10 years mark recapture study on Yellow sea kraits (L. saintgironsi >8,700 individuals marked) revealed that most neonates aggregate in highly localized coastal sites, where they feed and grow during several months before dispersal. Hundreds of females emigrate seasonally from remote populations (>50 km away) to lay their eggs in these coastal nurseries, and then return home. Protecting these nurseries is a priority to maintain recruitment rate, and to retain sea krait populations in the future.

Coastal Nurseries and Their Importance for Conservation of Sea Kraits

PubMed Central

Bonnet, Xavier; Brischoux, François; Bonnet, Christophe; Plichon, Patrice; Fauvel, Thomas

2014-01-01

Destruction and pollution of coral reefs threaten these marine biodiversity hot stops which shelter more than two thirds of sea snake species. Notably, in many coral reef ecosystems of the Western Pacific Ocean, large populations of sea kraits (amphibious sea snakes) have drastically declined during the past three decades. Protecting remaining healthy populations is thus essential. In New Caledonia, coral reefs shelter numerous sea krait colonies spread throughout an immense lagoon (24,000 km2). Sea kraits feed on coral fish but lay their eggs on land. However, ecological information on reproduction and juveniles is extremely fragmentary, precluding protection of key habitats for reproduction. Our 10 years mark recapture study on Yellow sea kraits (L. saintgironsi >8,700 individuals marked) revealed that most neonates aggregate in highly localized coastal sites, where they feed and grow during several months before dispersal. Hundreds of females emigrate seasonally from remote populations (>50 km away) to lay their eggs in these coastal nurseries, and then return home. Protecting these nurseries is a priority to maintain recruitment rate, and to retain sea krait populations in the future. PMID:24670985

Protective Effect of Dietary Xylitol on Influenza A Virus Infection

PubMed Central

Yin, Sun Young; Kim, Hyoung Jin; Kim, Hong-Jin

2014-01-01

Xylitol has been used as a substitute for sugar to prevent cavity-causing bacteria, and most studies have focused on its benefits in dental care. Meanwhile, the constituents of red ginseng (RG) are known to be effective in ameliorating the symptoms of influenza virus infection when they are administered orally for 14 days. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary xylitol on influenza A virus infection (H1N1). We designed regimens containing various fractions of RG (RGs: whole extract, water soluble fraction, saponin and polysaccharide) and xylitol, and combination of xylitol with the RG fractions. Mice received the various combinations orally for 5 days prior to lethal influenza A virus infection. Almost all the mice died post challenge when xylitol or RGs were administered separately. Survival was markedly enhanced when xylitol was administered along with RGs, pointing to a synergistic effect. The effect of xylitol plus RG fractions increased with increasing dose of xylitol. Moreover, dietary xylitol along with the RG water soluble fraction significantly reduced lung virus titers after infection. Therefore, we suggest that dietary xylitol is effective in ameliorating influenza-induced symptoms when it is administered with RG fractions, and this protective effect of xylitol should be considered in relation to other diseases. PMID:24392148

Roles of calcitonin gene-related peptide in maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity and in enhancement of ulcer healing and angiogenesis.

PubMed

Ohno, Takashi; Hattori, Youichiro; Komine, Rie; Ae, Takako; Mizuguchi, Sumito; Arai, Katsuharu; Saeki, Takeo; Suzuki, Tatsunori; Hosono, Kanako; Hayashi, Izumi; Oh-Hashi, Yoshio; Kurihara, Yukiko; Kurihara, Hiroki; Amagase, Kikuko; Okabe, Susumu; Saigenji, Katsunori; Majima, Masataka

2008-01-01

The gastrointestinal tract is known to be rich in neural systems, among which afferent neurons are reported to exhibit protective actions. We tested whether an endogenous neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), can prevent gastric mucosal injury elicited by ethanol and enhance healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer using CGRP knockout mice (CGRP(-/-)). The stomach was perfused with 1.6 mmol/L capsaicin or 1 mol/L NaCl, and gastric mucosal injury elicited by 50% ethanol was estimated. Levels of CGRP in the perfusate were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Gastric ulcers were induced by serosal application of absolute acetic acid. Capsaicin inhibited injured area dose-dependently. Fifty percent ethanol containing capsaicin immediately increased intragastric levels of CGRP in wild-type (WT) mice, although 50% ethanol alone did not. The protective action of capsaicin against ethanol was completely abolished in CGRP(-/-). Preperfusion with 1 mol/L NaCl increased CGRP release and reduced mucosal damage during ethanol perfusion. However, 1 mol/L NaCl was not effective in CGRP(-/-). Healing of ulcer elicited by acetic acid in CGRP(-/-) mice was markedly delayed, compared with that in WT. In WT, granulation tissues were formed at the base of ulcers, and substantial neovascularization was induced, whereas those were poor in CGRP(-/-). Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was more markedly reduced in CGRP(-/-) than in WT. CGRP has a preventive action on gastric mucosal injury and a proangiogenic activity to enhance ulcer healing. These results indicate that the CGRP-dependent pathway is a good target for regulating gastric mucosal protection and maintaining gastric mucosal integrity.

Omega-3 fatty acid oxidation products prevent vascular endothelial cell activation by coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Majkova, Zuzana; Layne, Joseph; Sunkara, Manjula

Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may facilitate development of atherosclerosis by stimulating pro-inflammatory pathways in the vascular endothelium. Nutrition, including fish oil-derived long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6{omega}-3), can reduce inflammation and thus the risk of atherosclerosis. We tested the hypothesis that cyclopentenone metabolites produced by oxidation of DHA can protect against PCB-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. Oxidized DHA (oxDHA) was prepared by incubation of the fatty acid with the free radical generator 2,2-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Cellular pretreatment with oxDHA prevented production of superoxide induced by PCB77, and subsequent activation of nuclear factor-{kappa}B (NF-{kappa}B). A{sub 4}/J{sub 4}-neuroprostanes (NPs)more » were identified and quantitated using HPLC ESI tandem mass spectrometry. Levels of these NPs were markedly increased after DHA oxidation with AAPH. The protective actions of oxDHA were reversed by treatment with sodium borohydride (NaBH{sub 4}), which concurrently abrogated A{sub 4}/J{sub 4}-NP formation. Up-regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by PCB77 was markedly reduced by oxDHA, but not by un-oxidized DHA. These protective effects were proportional to the abundance of A{sub 4}/J{sub 4} NPs in the oxidized DHA sample. Treatment of cells with oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5{omega}-3) also reduced MCP-1 expression, but less than oxDHA. Treatment with DHA-derived cyclopentenones also increased DNA binding of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and downstream expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), similarly to the Nrf-2 activator sulforaphane. Furthermore, sulforaphane prevented PCB77-induced MCP-1 expression, suggesting that activation of Nrf-2 mediates the observed protection against PCB77 toxicity. Our data implicate A{sub 4}/J{sub 4}-NPs as mediators of omega-3 fatty acid-mediated protection against the endothelial toxicity of coplanar PCBs.« less

Countermeasures for unintentional and intentional video watermarking attacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deguillaume, Frederic; Csurka, Gabriela; Pun, Thierry

2000-05-01

These last years, the rapidly growing digital multimedia market has revealed an urgent need for effective copyright protection mechanisms. Therefore, digital audio, image and video watermarking has recently become a very active area of research, as a solution to this problem. Many important issues have been pointed out, one of them being the robustness to non-intentional and intentional attacks. This paper studies some attacks and proposes countermeasures applied to videos. General attacks are lossy copying/transcoding such as MPEG compression and digital/analog (D/A) conversion, changes of frame-rate, changes of display format, and geometrical distortions. More specific attacks are sequence edition, and statistical attacks such as averaging or collusion. Averaging attack consists of averaging locally consecutive frames to cancel the watermark. This attack works well for schemes which embed random independent marks into frames. In the collusion attack the watermark is estimated from single frames (based on image denoising), and averaged over different scenes for better accuracy. The estimated watermark is then subtracted from each frame. Collusion requires that the same mark is embedded into all frames. The proposed countermeasures first ensures robustness to general attacks by spread spectrum encoding in the frequency domain and by the use of an additional template. Secondly, a Bayesian criterion, evaluating the probability of a correctly decoded watermark, is used for rejection of outliers, and to implement an algorithm against statistical attacks. The idea is to embed randomly chosen marks among a finite set of marks, into subsequences of videos which are long enough to resist averaging attacks, but short enough to avoid collusion attacks. The Bayesian criterion is needed to select the correct mark at the decoding step. Finally, the paper presents experimental results showing the robustness of the proposed method.

Role of Spm-Cer-S1P signalling pathway in MMP-2 mediated U46619-induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells: protective role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Animesh; Sarkar, Jaganmay; Chakraborti, Tapati; Chakraborti, Sajal

2015-10-01

During remodelling of pulmonary artery, marked proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) occurs, which contributes to pulmonary hypertension. Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) has been shown to produce pulmonary hypertension. The present study investigates the inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the TxA2 mimetic, U46619-induced proliferation of PASMCs. U46619 at a concentration of 10 nM induces maximum proliferation of bovine PASMCs. Both pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of p(38)MAPK, NF-κB and MMP-2 significantly inhibit U46619-induced cell proliferation. EGCG markedly abrogate U46619-induced p(38)MAPK phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, proMMP-2 expression and activation, and also the cell proliferation. U46619 causes an increase in the activation of sphingomyelinase (SMase) and sphingosine kinase (SPHK) and also increase sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) level. U46619 also induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which phosphorylates SPHK leading to an increase in S1P level. Both pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of SMase and SPHK markedly inhibit U46619-induced cell proliferation. Additionally, pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of MMP-2 markedly abrogate U46619-induced SMase activity and S1P level. EGCG markedly inhibit U46619-induced SMase activity, ERK1/2 and SPHK phosphorylation and S1P level in the cells. Overall, Sphingomyeline-Ceramide-Sphingosine-1-phosphate (Spm-Cer-S1P) signalling axis plays an important role in MMP-2 mediated U46619-induced proliferation of PASMCs. Importantly, EGCG inhibits U46619 induced increase in MMP-2 activation by modulating p(38)MAPK-NFκB pathway and subsequently prevents the cell proliferation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Novel antiepileptic drug lacosamide exerts neuroprotective effects by decreasing glial activation in the hippocampus of a gerbil model of ischemic stroke

PubMed Central

AHN, JI YUN; YAN, BING CHUN; PARK, JOON HA; AHN, JI HYEON; LEE, DAE HWAN; KIM, IN HYE; CHO, JEONG-HWI; CHEN, BAI HUI; LEE, JAE-CHUL; CHO, YOUNG SHIN; SHIN, MYOUNG CHUL; CHO, JUN HWI; HONG, SEONGKWEON; WON, MOO-HO; KIM, SUNG KOO

2015-01-01

Lacosamide, which is a novel antiepileptic drug, has been reported to exert various additional therapeutic effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide against transient cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal cell damage in the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)-1 region of a gerbil model. Neuronal Nuclei immunohistochemistry demonstrated that pre- and post-surgical treatment (5 min ischemia) with 25 mg/kg lacosamide protected CA1 pyramidal neurons in the lacosamide-treated-ischemia-operated group from ischemic injury 5 days post-ischemia, as compared with gerbils in the vehicle-treated-ischemia-operated group. Furthermore, treatment with 25 mg/kg lacosamide markedly attenuated the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the ischemic CA1 region at 5 days post-ischemia. The results of the present study suggested that pre- and post-surgical treatment of the gerbils with lacosamide was able to protect against transient cerebral ischemic injury-induced CA1 pyramidal neuronal cell death in the hippocampus. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide may be associated with decreased activation of glial cells in the ischemic CA1 region. PMID:26668588

Preventive Effect of Dihydromyricetin against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Nephrotoxicity is a frequent severe side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy, limiting its clinical use despite being one of the most potent chemotherapy drugs. Dihydromyricetin is a highly abundant compound purified from the leaves of Ampelopsis grossedentata. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Dihydromyricetin both in vitro and in vivo, but little is known about the effects of Dihydromyricetin on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we investigated its potential renoprotective effect and found that Dihydromyricetin ameliorated the renal functional impairment and structural damage caused by cisplatin. Moreover, Dihydromyricetin markedly attenuated cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, as well as protecting against cisplatin-induced inflammation and apoptotic cell death in mouse kidney tissues. These results collectively highlight the potential of DMY as a rational renoprotective agent against cisplatin. PMID:27642358

Heat Stress Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The heavy, cumbersome body protection suits worn by members of hazardous materials response teams cause marked elevation of body temperatures, which can reduce effectiveness and lead to heat stress and injury. The CorTemp System, marketed by Human Technologies, Inc., provides the basis for a body temperature monitoring alarm system. Encased in a three-quarter-inch ingestible capsule, the system includes a mini-thermometer, miniature telemetry system, a microbattery and temperature sensor. It makes its way through the digestive system, continuously monitoring temperature. Findings are sent to the recorder by telemetry, and then displayed and stored for transfer to a computer.

Hydrogen milestone could help lower fossil fuel refining costs

ScienceCinema

McGraw, Jennifer

2017-12-27

Hydrogen researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory have reached another milestone on the road to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the nation against the effects of peaking world oil production. Stephen Herring, laboratory fellow and technical director of the INL High Temperature Electrolysis team, today announced that the latest fuel cell modification has set a new mark in endurance. The group's Integrated Laboratory Scale experiment has now operated continuously for 2,583 hours at higher efficiencies than previously attained. Learn more about INL research at http://www.facebook.com/idahonationallaboratory.

76 FR 76387 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-07

... pays all application, publication, and other processing fees. The America Invents Act, Public Law 112... [email protected] , or by fax to (202) 395-5167, marked to the attention of Nicholas A. Fraser...

[Hypothesis and application of bimolecular marking methods in Chinese materia medica].

PubMed

Huang, Lu-qi; Qian, Dan; Deng, Chao

2015-01-01

Based on the current shortage of genuine/false authentication and quality evaluation in the molecular identification, and the weak functional gene research in the establishment of two-dimensional molecular markering methods for Chinese materia medica, the authors proposed a new method, the bimolecular marking methods (BIMM) for Chinese materia medica, combining DNA marker and metabolomics marker, that could simultaneously research the species and quality differences at the molecular level at the present stage. The authors introduced the concept, principle, methods, and technical process of BIMM, and summarized the technical advantages in this paper. Meanwhile, the application of BIMM in the identification of multiple sources of Chinese materia medica, years-identification, different locations, elite germplasm research, discovery of new drugs resources, protection of new varieties was also discussed. As a supplement of two-dimensional molecular markering method for Chinese materia medica, BIMM would not only expand connotation of identification of Chinese materia medica but also provide another effective way for quality evaluating.

Development of fluorescent probes based on protection-deprotection of the key functional groups for biological imaging.

PubMed

Tang, Yonghe; Lee, Dayoung; Wang, Jiaoliang; Li, Guanhan; Yu, Jinghua; Lin, Weiying; Yoon, Juyoung

2015-08-07

Recently, the strategy of protection-deprotection of functional groups has been widely employed to design fluorescent probes, as the protection-deprotection of functional groups often induces a marked change in electronic properties. Significant advances have been made in the development of analyte-responsive fluorescent probes based on the protection-deprotection strategy. In this tutorial review, we highlight the representative examples of small-molecule based fluorescent probes for bioimaging, which are operated via the protection-deprotection of key functional groups such as aldehyde, hydroxyl, and amino functional groups reported from 2010 to 2014. The discussion includes the general protection-deprotection methods for aldehyde, hydroxyl, or amino groups, as well as the design strategies, sensing mechanisms, and deprotection modes of the representative fluorescent imaging probes applied to bio-imaging.

Matrine attenuates focal cerebral ischemic injury by improving antioxidant activity and inhibiting apoptosis in mice

PubMed Central

ZHAO, PENG; ZHOU, RU; ZHU, XIAO-YUN; HAO, YIN-JU; LI, NAN; WANG, JIE; NIU, YANG; SUN, TAO; LI, YU-XIANG; YU, JIAN-QIANG

2015-01-01

Matrine, an active constituent of the Chinese herb, Sophora flavescens Ait., and it is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. It has been demonstrated that matrine exerts protective effects against heart failure by decreasing the expression of caspase-3 and Bax, and increasing Bcl-2 levels. In this study, we aimed to determine whether these protective effects of matrine can be applied to cerebral ischemia. Following 7 successive days of treatment with matrine (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg) and nimodipine (1 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection, male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Following reperfusion, the neurobehavioral score and brain infarct volume were estimated, and morphological changes were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and electron microscopy. The percentage of apoptotic neurons was determined by flow cytometry. The levels of oxidative stress were assessed by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. Our results revealed that pre-treatment with matrine significantly decreased the infarct volume and improved the neurological scores. Matrine also reduced the percentage of apoptotic neurons and relieved neuronal morphological damage. Furthermore, matrine markedly decreased the MDA levels, and increased SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activity, and T-AOC. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining revealed a marked decrease in caspase-3 expression and an increase in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the group pre-treated with matrine (30 mg/kg) as compared with the vehicle-treated group. The findings of the present study demonstrate that matrine exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemic injury and that these effects are associated with its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. PMID:26135032

Resveratrol Confers Protection against Rotenone-Induced Neurotoxicity by Modulating Myeloperoxidase Levels in Glial Cells

PubMed Central

Chang, Chi Young; Choi, Dong-Kug; Lee, Dae Kee; Hong, Young Jun; Park, Eun Jung

2013-01-01

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) functions as a key molecular component of the host defense system against diverse pathogens. We have previously reported that increased MPO levels and activity is a distinguishing feature of rotenone-exposed glial cells, and that either overactivation or deficiency of MPO leads to pathological conditions in the brain. Here, we provide that modulation of MPO levels in glia by resveratrol confers protective effects on rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. We show that resveratrol significantly reduced MPO levels but did not trigger abnormal nitric oxide (NO) production in microglia and astrocytes. Resveratrol-induced down-regulation of MPO, in the absence of an associated overproduction of NO, markedly attenuated rotenone-triggered inflammatory responses including phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species production in primary microglia and astrocytes. In addition, impaired responses of primary mixed glia from Mpo −/− mice to rotenone were relieved by treatment with resveratrol. We further show that rotenone-induced neuronal injury, particularly dopaminergic cell death, was attenuated by resveratrol in neuron-glia co-cultures, but not in neurons cultured alone. Similar regulatory effects of resveratrol on MPO levels were observed in microglia treated with MPP+, another Parkinson’s disease-linked neurotoxin, supporting the beneficial effects of resveratrol on the brain. Collectively, our findings provide that resveratrol influences glial responses to rotenone by regulating both MPO and NO, and thus protects against rotenone-induced neuronal injury. PMID:23593274

Protective effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidins against alcohol-induced liver steatosis and injury in mice.

PubMed

Wang, Zhiguo; Su, Bo; Fan, Sumei; Fei, Haixia; Zhao, Wei

2015-03-20

The long-term consumption of alcohol has been associated with multiple pathologies at all levels, such as alcoholism, chronic pancreatitis, malnutrition, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and cancer. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) against alcohol-induced liver steatosis and injury and the possible mechanisms using ethanol-induced chronic liver damage mouse models. The results showed that OPC significantly improved alcohol-induced dyslipidemia and alleviated liver steatosis by reducing levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density cholesterol (LDL-c) and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), and increasing levels of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), liver superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further investigation indicated that OPC markedly decreased the expressions of lipid synthesis genes and inflammation genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (Srebp-1c), protein-2 (Srebp2), interleukin IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Furthermore, AML-12 cells line was used to investigate the possible mechanisms which indicated that OPC might alleviate liver steatosis and damage through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation involving oxidative stress. In conclusion, our study demonstrated excellent protective effect of OPC against alcohol-induced liver steatosis and injury, which could a potential drug for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver injury in the future. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Health effect of vegetable-based diet: lettuce consumption improves cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant status in the rat.

PubMed

Nicolle, Catherine; Cardinault, Nicolas; Gueux, Elyett; Jaffrelo, Lydia; Rock, Edmond; Mazur, Andrzej; Amouroux, Pierre; Rémésy, Christian

2004-08-01

It is often assumed that fruits and vegetables contribute to protect against degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. Besides epidemiological observations, scientific evidences for their mechanism of action are scarce. In the present study, we investigated the mean term and post-prandial effects of lettuce ingestion on lipid metabolism and antioxidant protection in the rat. Feeding rats a 20% lettuce diet for 3 weeks resulted in a decrease cholesterol LDL/HDL ratio and a marked decrease of liver cholesterol levels (-41%). Concurrently, fecal total steroid excretion increased (+44%) and apparent absorption of dietary cholesterol was significantly depressed (-37%) by the lettuce diet. Lettuce diet also displayed an improvement of vitamin E/TG ratio in plasma and limited lipid peroxidation in heart as evidenced by TBARS. In post-prandial experiment, lettuce intake significantly increased both ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol plasma levels which contribute to improve plasma antioxidant capacity within 2 h of consumption. Other lipid-soluble antioxidants (lutein and vitamin E) may also improve the plasma antioxidant capacity. Lettuce consumption increases the total cholesterol end-products excretion and improves antioxidant status due to the richness in antioxidants (vitamins C, E and carotenoids). In our model, lettuce clearly shows a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and on tissue oxidation. Therefore regular consumption of lettuce should contribute to improve protection against cardiovascular diseases. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Ltd.

TLR9 ligation in pancreatic stellate cells promotes tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Zambirinis, Constantinos P.; Levie, Elliot; Nguy, Susanna; Avanzi, Antonina; Barilla, Rocky; Xu, Yijie; Seifert, Lena; Daley, Donnele; Greco, Stephanie H.; Deutsch, Michael; Jonnadula, Saikiran; Torres-Hernandez, Alejandro; Tippens, Daniel; Pushalkar, Smruti; Eisenthal, Andrew; Saxena, Deepak; Ahn, Jiyoung; Hajdu, Cristina; Engle, Dannielle D.; Tuveson, David

2015-01-01

Modulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling can have protective or protumorigenic effects on oncogenesis depending on the cancer subtype and on specific inflammatory elements within the tumor milieu. We found that TLR9 is widely expressed early during the course of pancreatic transformation and that TLR9 ligands are ubiquitous within the tumor microenvironment. TLR9 ligation markedly accelerates oncogenesis, whereas TLR9 deletion is protective. We show that TLR9 activation has distinct effects on the epithelial, inflammatory, and fibrogenic cellular subsets in pancreatic carcinoma and plays a central role in cross talk between these compartments. Specifically, TLR9 activation can induce proinflammatory signaling in transformed epithelial cells, but does not elicit oncogene expression or cancer cell proliferation. Conversely, TLR9 ligation induces pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to become fibrogenic and secrete chemokines that promote epithelial cell proliferation. TLR9-activated PSCs mediate their protumorigenic effects on the epithelial compartment via CCL11. Additionally, TLR9 has immune-suppressive effects in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via induction of regulatory T cell recruitment and myeloid-derived suppressor cell proliferation. Collectively, our work shows that TLR9 has protumorigenic effects in pancreatic carcinoma which are distinct from its influence in extrapancreatic malignancies and from the mechanistic effects of other TLRs on pancreatic oncogenesis. PMID:26481685

TLR9 ligation in pancreatic stellate cells promotes tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Zambirinis, Constantinos P; Levie, Elliot; Nguy, Susanna; Avanzi, Antonina; Barilla, Rocky; Xu, Yijie; Seifert, Lena; Daley, Donnele; Greco, Stephanie H; Deutsch, Michael; Jonnadula, Saikiran; Torres-Hernandez, Alejandro; Tippens, Daniel; Pushalkar, Smruti; Eisenthal, Andrew; Saxena, Deepak; Ahn, Jiyoung; Hajdu, Cristina; Engle, Dannielle D; Tuveson, David; Miller, George

2015-11-16

Modulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling can have protective or protumorigenic effects on oncogenesis depending on the cancer subtype and on specific inflammatory elements within the tumor milieu. We found that TLR9 is widely expressed early during the course of pancreatic transformation and that TLR9 ligands are ubiquitous within the tumor microenvironment. TLR9 ligation markedly accelerates oncogenesis, whereas TLR9 deletion is protective. We show that TLR9 activation has distinct effects on the epithelial, inflammatory, and fibrogenic cellular subsets in pancreatic carcinoma and plays a central role in cross talk between these compartments. Specifically, TLR9 activation can induce proinflammatory signaling in transformed epithelial cells, but does not elicit oncogene expression or cancer cell proliferation. Conversely, TLR9 ligation induces pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to become fibrogenic and secrete chemokines that promote epithelial cell proliferation. TLR9-activated PSCs mediate their protumorigenic effects on the epithelial compartment via CCL11. Additionally, TLR9 has immune-suppressive effects in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via induction of regulatory T cell recruitment and myeloid-derived suppressor cell proliferation. Collectively, our work shows that TLR9 has protumorigenic effects in pancreatic carcinoma which are distinct from its influence in extrapancreatic malignancies and from the mechanistic effects of other TLRs on pancreatic oncogenesis. © 2015 Zambirinis et al.

[Definition of parameters of the condition of oxidizing stress in smooth muscle cells under influence of exogenous nitroso-glutatyon in vitro].

PubMed

Kapilevich, L V; Nosarev, A V; D'iakova, E Iu; Andrushkevich, V V; Nasedkina, A K; Nosareva, O L; Davlet'iarova, K V; Ogorodova, L M; Kovalev, I V; Baskakov, M B; Medvedev, M A

2007-08-01

Influence of exogenous nitroso-glutatyon on intensity of oxidizing processes in smooth muscles of colon and bronchial tubes in intact and atopic sensitised porpoises (guinea pigs) was studied. In sensitised porpoises, antioxidant protection has been initially reduced against the background of increased maintenance of products of oxidizing that reflects a picture of oxidizing damage and can be associated with an inflammatory process. In incubation with nitroso-glutatyon, a decrease in activities of syperoxiddismutase and catalase is marked and, in sensitised animals, this effect has been expressed to a lesser degree. Syperoxiddismutase and catalase are antioxidant for the enzymes participating in protection of cells from free-radical damage. A dose-dependence decrease in activity catalase and syperoxiddismutase is defined by a parity of the enzymes participating in disintegration of nitrosoglutatyon and the enzymes which have kept antioxidant activity.

Hypoxia as a therapy for mitochondrial disease.

PubMed

Jain, Isha H; Zazzeron, Luca; Goli, Rahul; Alexa, Kristen; Schatzman-Bone, Stephanie; Dhillon, Harveen; Goldberger, Olga; Peng, Jun; Shalem, Ophir; Sanjana, Neville E; Zhang, Feng; Goessling, Wolfram; Zapol, Warren M; Mootha, Vamsi K

2016-04-01

Defects in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) underlie a spectrum of human conditions, ranging from devastating inborn errors of metabolism to aging. We performed a genome-wide Cas9-mediated screen to identify factors that are protective during RC inhibition. Our results highlight the hypoxia response, an endogenous program evolved to adapt to limited oxygen availability. Genetic or small-molecule activation of the hypoxia response is protective against mitochondrial toxicity in cultured cells and zebrafish models. Chronic hypoxia leads to a marked improvement in survival, body weight, body temperature, behavior, neuropathology, and disease biomarkers in a genetic mouse model of Leigh syndrome, the most common pediatric manifestation of mitochondrial disease. Further preclinical studies are required to assess whether hypoxic exposure can be developed into a safe and effective treatment for human diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Causes of variation in BCG vaccine efficacy: examining evidence from the BCG REVAC cluster randomized trial to explore the masking and the blocking hypotheses.

PubMed

Barreto, Mauricio L; Pilger, Daniel; Pereira, Susan M; Genser, Bernd; Cruz, Alvaro A; Cunha, Sergio S; Sant'Anna, Clemax; Hijjar, Miguel A; Ichihara, Maria Y; Rodrigues, Laura C

2014-06-24

BCG protection varies and in some places (nearest the equator) is low or absent. Understanding this variation can inform the efforts to develop new vaccines against tuberculosis. Two main hypotheses are used to explain this variation: under masking, new vaccines are unlikely to increase protection; under blocking new vaccines have a greater potential to be effective when BCG is not. We conducted a cluster randomized trial to explored the masking and blocking hypotheses by studying BCG vaccine efficacy of neonatal vaccination and when administered for the first or a second (revaccination) time at school age in two sites (Manaus close and Salvador further south from the equator). Seven hundred and sixty three state schools were matched on socio economic characteristics of the neighborhood and 239,934 children were randomized to vaccine (BCG vaccination at school age) or control group. Protection by first BCG vaccination at school age was high in Salvador (34%, 95% CI 7-53%, p=0.017) but low in Manaus (8%, 95% CI t0 39-40%, p=0.686). For revaccination at school age, protection was modest in Salvador (19%, 95% CI 3-33%, p=0.022) and absent in Manaus (1%, 95% CI to 27-23%, p=0.932). Vaccine efficacy for neonatal vaccination was similar in Salvador (40%, 95% CI 22-54%, p<0.001) and Manaus (36%, 95% CI 11-53%, p=0.008). Variation in BCG efficacy was marked when vaccine was given at school age but absent at birth, which points towards blocking as the dominant mechanism. New tuberculosis vaccines that overcome or by pass this blocking effect could confer protection in situations where BCG is not protective. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methotrexate hepatotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress, and down-regulation of PPARγ and Nrf2: Protective effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid.

PubMed

Mahmoud, Ayman M; Hussein, Omnia E; Hozayen, Walaa G; Abd El-Twab, Sanaa M

2017-05-25

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is a bioactive component of licorice with promising hepatoprotective activity. However, its protective mechanism on methotrexate (MTX) hepatotoxicity in not well defined. We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of 18β-GA, pointing to the role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and the redox-sensitive nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Wistar rats were orally administered 18β-GA (50 and 100 mg/kg) 7 days either before or after MTX injection. MTX induced significant increase in circulating liver function marker enzymes and bilirubin with concomitant declined albumin levels. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, and liver malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were significantly increased in MTX-induced rats. Treatment with 18β-GA significantly reduced serum enzymes of liver function, bilirubin and pro-inflammatory cytokines. 18β-GA attenuated MTX-induced oxidative stress and restored the antioxidant defenses. In addition, 18β-GA improved liver histological structure and decreased the expression of Bax whereas increased Bcl-2 expression. MTX-induced rats showed significant down-regulation of Nrf2, hemoxygenase-1 and PPARγ, an effect that was markedly reversed by 18β-GA supplemented either before or after MTX. In conclusion, 18β-GA protected against MTX-induced liver injury, possibly by activating Nrf2 and PPARγ, and subsequent attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, 18β-GA can provide protection against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid protects against methotrexate-induced kidney injury by up-regulating the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathway and endogenous antioxidants.

PubMed

Abd El-Twab, Sanaa M; Hozayen, Walaa G; Hussein, Omnia E; Mahmoud, Ayman M

2016-10-01

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) has multiple beneficial and therapeutic effects. However, its protective roles on methotrexate (MTX)-induced renal injury are not well defined. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective effects of 18β-GA against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. 18β-GA (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered for 7 days either before or after MTX. The rats were decapitated and kidney and serum samples were collected. MTX-induced renal injury in rats was evidenced by the significant (p < 0.001) increase in circulating kidney function markers and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as the histopathological alterations. MTX-induced rats exhibited significantly increased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) and nitric oxide (p < 0.001) levels, with concomitant marked (p < 0.001) decline in the antioxidant defenses. 18β-GA, administered either before or after MTX, produced a significant amelioration of circulating kidney function markers, TNF-α, kidney lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and antioxidant defenses. In addition, 18β-GA supplementation significantly up-regulated the mRNA abundance of both nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemoxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the kidney of MTX-induced rats. These results indicate that 18β-GA has a protective effect on MTX-induced nephrotoxicity with possible mechanisms of attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation through up-regulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling. These findings make 18β-GA candidate as a potent agent in preventing MTX-induced kidney injury.

Gastric cytoprotective anti-ulcerogenic actions of hydroxychalcones in rats.

PubMed

Yamamoto, K; Kakegawa, H; Ueda, H; Matsumoto, H; Sudo, T; Miki, T; Satoh, T

1992-10-01

The preventive effects of hydroxychalcone derivatives on ulcer formation induced by severe necrotizing agents such as 60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl (HCl-ethanol) and 0.2 N NaOH in rats were examined. Among the compounds tested, 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone gave the strongest activity in both experimental models and protected the gastric mucosa from the insult of either necrotizing agent at oral doses ranging from 1 to 10 mg/kg, as evidenced by a dose-related reduction in the ulcer index. The mucosal protective activity of 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone was not affected by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.). To investigate the detailed mechanism of the mucosal protective action of 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, its inhibitory effects on the decrease in the hexosamine content from the gastric mucus induced by HCl-ethanol were studied by using it in combination with a dye, Alcian blue. As a result, 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg inhibited the decrease in the dye-recovery from the gastric mucus induced by HCl-ethanol. PGE2 at an oral dose of 0.1 mg/kg exhibited a similar action. These results established that 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone is a potent cytoprotective agent similar to PGE2 effectively preventing gastric ulcer formation induced by strong necrotizing agents and seems to suggest that this compound protects the stomach against its own peptic secretions by reinforcement of gastric resistances. In fact, 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone prevented ulcer formation induced by water-immersion stress in rats and also showed a marked enhancement of the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

I1 Imidazoline Receptor: Novel Potential Cytoprotective Target of TVP1022, the S-Enantiomer of Rasagiline

PubMed Central

Frolov, Luba; Ovcharenko, Elena; Angel, Itzchak; Youdim, Moussa B. H.; Binah, Ofer

2012-01-01

TVP1022, the S-enantiomer of rasagiline (Azilect®) (N-propargyl-1R-aminoindan), exerts cyto/cardio-protective effects in a variety of experimental cardiac and neuronal models. Previous studies have demonstrated that the protective activity of TVP1022 and other propargyl derivatives involve the activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. In the current study, we further investigated the molecular mechanism of action and signaling pathways of TVP1022 which may account for the cyto/cardio-protective efficacy of the drug. Using specific receptor binding and enzyme assays, we demonstrated that the imidazoline 1 and 2 binding sites (I1 & I2) are potential targets for TVP1022 (IC50 = 9.5E-08 M and IC50 = 1.4E-07 M, respectively). Western blotting analysis showed that TVP1022 (1–20 µM) dose-dependently increased the immunoreactivity of phosphorylated p42 and p44 MAPK in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). This effect of TVP1022 was significantly attenuated by efaroxan, a selective I1 imidazoline receptor antagonist. In addition, the cytoprotective effect of TVP1022 demonstrated in NRVM against serum deprivation-induced toxicity was markedly inhibited by efaroxan, thus suggesting the importance of I1imidazoline receptor in mediating the cardioprotective activity of the drug. Our findings suggest that the I1imidazoline receptor represents a novel site of action for the cyto/cardio-protective efficacy of TVP1022. PMID:23166584

I1 imidazoline receptor: novel potential cytoprotective target of TVP1022, the S-enantiomer of rasagiline.

PubMed

Barac, Yaron D; Bar-Am, Orit; Liani, Esti; Amit, Tamar; Frolov, Luba; Ovcharenko, Elena; Angel, Itzchak; Youdim, Moussa B H; Binah, Ofer

2012-01-01

TVP1022, the S-enantiomer of rasagiline (Azilect®) (N-propargyl-1R-aminoindan), exerts cyto/cardio-protective effects in a variety of experimental cardiac and neuronal models. Previous studies have demonstrated that the protective activity of TVP1022 and other propargyl derivatives involve the activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. In the current study, we further investigated the molecular mechanism of action and signaling pathways of TVP1022 which may account for the cyto/cardio-protective efficacy of the drug. Using specific receptor binding and enzyme assays, we demonstrated that the imidazoline 1 and 2 binding sites (I(1) & I(2)) are potential targets for TVP1022 (IC(50) =9.5E-08 M and IC(50) =1.4E-07 M, respectively). Western blotting analysis showed that TVP1022 (1-20 µM) dose-dependently increased the immunoreactivity of phosphorylated p42 and p44 MAPK in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). This effect of TVP1022 was significantly attenuated by efaroxan, a selective I(1) imidazoline receptor antagonist. In addition, the cytoprotective effect of TVP1022 demonstrated in NRVM against serum deprivation-induced toxicity was markedly inhibited by efaroxan, thus suggesting the importance of I(1)imidazoline receptor in mediating the cardioprotective activity of the drug. Our findings suggest that the I(1)imidazoline receptor represents a novel site of action for the cyto/cardio-protective efficacy of TVP1022.

6-gingerol ameliorates gentamicin induced renal cortex oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult male albino rats.

PubMed

Hegazy, Ahmed M S; Mosaed, Mohammed M; Elshafey, Saad H; Bayomy, Naglaa A

2016-06-01

Ginger or Zingiber officinale which is used in traditional medicine has been found to possess antioxidant effect that can control the generation of free radicals. Free radicals are the causes of renal cell degeneration that leads to renal failure in case of gentamicin induced toxicity. This study was done to evaluate the possible protective effects of 6-gingerol as natural antioxidant on gentamicin-induced renal cortical oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study and were randomly divided into four groups, control group; 6-gingerol treated group; gentamicin treated group and protected group (given simultaneous 6-gingerol and gentamicin). At the end of the study, blood samples were drawn for biochemical study. Kidney sections were processed for histological, and immunohistochemical examination for caspase-3 to detect apoptosis and anti heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) to detect oxidative damage. Gentamicin treated rats revealed a highly significant increase in renal function tests, tubular dilatation with marked vacuolar degeneration and desquamation of cells, interstitial hemorrhage and cellular infiltration. Immunohistochemically, gentamicin treated rats showed a strong positive immunoreaction for caspase-3 and anti heat shock protein 47 (HSP47). Protected rats showed more or less normal biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical pictures. In conclusion, co-administration of 6-gingerol during gentamicin 'therapy' has a significant reno-protective effect in a rat model of gentamicin-induced renal damage. It is recommended that administration of ginger with gentamicin might be beneficial in men who receive gentamicin to treat infections. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic diversity of Morato's Digger Toad, Proceratophrys moratoi: spatial structure, gene flow, effective size and the need for differential management strategies of populations.

PubMed

Arruda, Mauricio P; Costa, William P; Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei M

2017-01-01

The Morato's Digger Toad, Proceratophrys moratoi, is a critically endangered toad species with a marked population decline in southern Brazilian Cerrado. Despite this, new populations are being discovered, primarily in the northern part of the distribution range, which raises a number of questions with regard to the conservation status of the species. The present study analyzed the genetic diversity of the species based on microsatellite markers. Our findings permitted the identification of two distinct management units. We found profound genetic structuring between the southern populations, on the left margin of the Tietê River, and all other populations. A marked reduction was observed in the contemporary gene flow among the central populations that are most affected by anthropogenic impacts, such as extensive sugar cane plantations, which presumably decreases habitat connectivity. The results indicated reduced diversity in the southern populations which, combined with a smaller effective population size, may make these populations more susceptible to extinction. We recommend the reclassification of P. moratoi as vulnerable and the establishment of a special protection program for the southern populations. Our results provide important insights about the local extinction of southern populations of this toad.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against trimethyltin-induced hippocampal neuronal injury.

PubMed

Kaur, Sukhwinder; Sharma, Neha; Nehru, Bimla

2018-02-01

Despite the immense neuromodulatory potentials of Ginkgo biloba extract as a memory enhancer, its underlying mechanism seems inadequate particularly with regard to its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of the present study is to investigate the protective potentials of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against hippocampal neuronal injury induced by trimethyltin (TMT), a potent neurotoxicant. Male SD rats were administered trimethyltin (8.5 mg kg -1 b.wt) single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, followed by Ginkgo biloba extract (100 mg kg -1 b.wt i.p) for 21 days. The co-administration of GBE with TMT showed marked improvement in cognitive functions. Concomitantly, there was a significant decrease in oxidative stress as evident by reduction in MDA and total ROS levels. In addition, there was a marked suppression of astrocyte activation (GFAP), transcription factor NFκB and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, 1L-6), which were found to be elevated by TMT administration. Histopathological observations showed remarkable improvement in hippocampal neuronal injury in the conjunctive group. Therefore, it is suggested that Ginkgo biloba extract is an effective agent against trimethyltin-induced hippocampal neuronal loss owing to its antioxidative as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

A selective, non-peptide caspase-1 inhibitor, VRT-018858, markedly reduces brain damage induced by transient ischemia in the rat.

PubMed

Ross, Jerard; Brough, David; Gibson, Rosemary M; Loddick, Sarah A; Rothwell, Nancy J

2007-10-01

Numerous preclinical studies have reported neuroprotective effects of new agents in animal studies. None of these agents has yet translated into a successful clinical trial and therefore to a new therapy. There are many possible reasons for this failure, including poor design of clinical trials, mismatch between preclinical and clinical protocols, and insufficient preclinical data. The enzyme caspase-1 has been implicated in neuronal death. Deletion of the caspase-1 gene, or administration of partially selective inhibitors, reduces neuronal injury induced by cerebral ischemia in rodents. We report here, for the first time, that VRT-018858, the non-peptide, active metabolite of the selective caspase-1 inhibitor pro-drug, pralnacasan, markedly reduced ischemic injury in rats. VRT-018858 was neuroprotective when delivered at 1 and 3h (42% and 58% neuroprotection, respectively) but not 6h after injury, and protection was sustained 7 days after the induction of ischemia (66% neuroprotection). These data confirm caspase-1 as an important target for intervention in acute CNS injury, and propose a new class of caspase-1 inhibitors as highly effective neuroprotective agents.

Protective Performance of Plate-Cell Rubber Tiles against Childhood Head Injury on Playground Surfaces — A Finite Element Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Li-Tung; Huang, Tsai-Jeon

Rubber tiles are commonly used in playgrounds as protective surfacing to reduce the incidence of head injuries in children caused by falling from equipment. This study developed a rubber tile model consisting of a surface layer of solid and a base layer of plate-cell and used it to investigate head injury protective performance. An explicit finite element method based on the experimental data was used to simulate head impact on the rubber tile. The peak acceleration and head injury criterion (HIC) were employed to assess the shock-absorbing capability of the tile. The results showed that compared to the peak acceleration, use of the HIC index provided a more conservative assessment of the shock absorption ability, and ultimately the protection against head injuries. This study supports the feasibility of using rubber tile with plate-cell construction to improve shock-absorbing capability. The plate-cell structure provided an excellent cushioning effect via a lower axial shear stiffness of the surface layer and lower transverse shearing stiffness of the core. The core's dimensions were an important parameter in determining the shearing stiffness. The analysis suggested that the cushioning effect would significantly reduce the peak force on the head from a fall and delay the occurrence of the peak value during impact, resulting in a marked reduction in the peak acceleration and HIC values of the head. Two plate-cell constructions with honeycomb and box-like cores were proposed and validated in this study. The better protective ability of the honeycomb core was attributed to its lower transverse shearing stiffness.

19 CFR 133.27 - Civil fines for those involved in the importation of merchandise bearing a counterfeit mark.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES, AND COPYRIGHTS Importations Bearing Registered and/or Recorded Trademarks or Recorded Trade Names...

Experimental use of temporary traffic delineators : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1988-12-01

During construction, there is a safety need to provide highly visible channelizing delineation for temporary protection and direction of traffic. "Super Duck" Surface Mounted Delineator (SDR-328, Rounded) by Carsonite is marked to meet the safety nee...

Superoxide Dismutase

PubMed Central

Lee, Edward H.; Bennett, Jesse H.

1982-01-01

An experimental chemical N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N′-phenylurea (EDU), is an effective protectant against acute and chronic foliar injury due to ozone (03) when sprayed on intact leaves or supplied to the plants through soil application. An 03-sensitive snap bean cultivar (Phaseolus vulgaris L. `Bush Blue Lake 290') was systemically treated with EDU (0, 25, 50, and 100 milligrams per 15-centimeter diameter pot) to determine if EDU-induced or activated protective oxyradical and peroxyl scavenging enzymes. EDU-enhanced tolerance to O3 injury always correlated with increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the leaves. Peroxidase levels correlated more closely with foliar injury. Greater SOD levels in young leves compared to older leaves were associated with lower ozone sensitivities in these tissues. Polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis separations and specific determinations of SOD activity showed that EDU-treated plants possessed markedly greater SOD activity than non-treated plants. Tolerant plant tissues may have enhanced enzyme scavenging capabilities for the protection against toxic oxyradicals. Experimental confirmation for the oxyradical theory for O3 phytotoxicity and SOD involvement in the detoxification process are presented. Images PMID:16662420

Chlorogenic acid protects mice against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

PubMed

Zhang, Xu; Huang, Huang; Yang, Tingting; Ye, Yin; Shan, Jianhua; Yin, Zhimin; Luo, Lan

2010-07-01

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in human diet. Our previous in vitro study demonstrates that CGA presents anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 cells. Here we show that CGA protects mice against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We treated mice with CGA (5, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight) 30 min or 3 h after intratracheal administration of LPS. The histological results showed that CGA, at dose of 50 mg/kg, protected mice from LPS-induced ALI which displayed by edema, haemorrhage, blood vessel and alveolar structural damage. CGA inhibited LPS-increased pulmonary MPO activity and migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, CGA markedly decreased the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissues and thus prevented nitric oxide (NO) release in response to LPS challenge. In conclusion, these results indicated that CGA was greatly effective in inhibiting ALI and might act as a potential therapeutic reagent for treating ALI in the future. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modulatory potentials of the aqueous stem bark extract of Mangifera indica on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

PubMed Central

Adeneye, Adejuwon Adewale; Awodele, Olufunsho; Aiyeola, Sheriff Aboyade; Benebo, Adokiye Senibo

2015-01-01

Among Yoruba herbalists (Southwest Nigeria), hot water infusion of Mangifera indica L. (芒果 Máng Guǒ) stem bark is reputedly used for the treatment of fever, jaundice and liver disorders. The present study, therefore, investigates the protective effects and mechanism(s) of chemopreventive and curative effects of 125–500 mg/kg/day of Mangifera indica aqueous stem bark extract (MIASE) in acute CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Rats were treated intragastrically with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day of MIASE for 7 days before and after the administration of CCl4 (3 ml/kg of 20% CCl4, i.p.). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were estimated. In addition, hepatic tissue reduced glutathione (GSH) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, catalase (CAT), superoxide (SOD) activities in the hepatic homogenate, and histopathological changes in the rat liver sections were determined. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening for bioactive compounds in MIASE was also conducted. Results showed that oral treatment with 125–500 mg/kg/day of MIASE significantly attenuated the increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP, FBG, TB, CB and LDL-c levels in acute liver injury induced by CCl4 treatment. Findings also revealed significant elevations in the serum TC, TG, HDL-c, TP and ALB levels. There was marked architectural remodeling in the hepatic lesions of hepatocyte vacuolation and centrilobular necrosis induced by CCl4 treatment, coupled with significant weight loss. MIASE also markedly enhanced SOD and CAT activities while reducing MAD formation; and increased GSH concentration in the hepatic homogenate compared with untreated CCl4-intoxicated group, with more protection offered in the curative than the chemopreventive models of CCl4 hepatotoxicity. Thus, these results indicate that MIASE has a profound protective effect against acute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, which may be due to its free radicals scavenging effect, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and its ability to increase antioxidant activity. PMID:26151020

Rapamycin prevents N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced retinal damage through an ERK-dependent mechanism in rats.

PubMed

Ichikawa, Atsuko; Nakahara, Tsutomu; Kurauchi, Yuki; Mori, Asami; Sakamoto, Kenji; Ishii, Kunio

2014-06-01

Recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) protects against neuronal injury, but the mechanisms underlying this protection are not fully understood. The present study investigates whether rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mTOR pathway, protects against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced retinal neurotoxicity and whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway contributes to this protective effect in rats. Significant cell loss in the ganglion cell layer and a reduction in thickness of the inner plexiform layer were observed 7 days after a single intravitreal injection of NMDA (200 nmol/eye). These NMDA-induced morphological changes were significantly reduced by rapamycin (20 nmol/eye). The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive apoptotic cells had increased 6 hr after NMDA injection, an effect that was significantly attenuated by rapamycin. The ERK inhibitor U0126 (1 nmol/eye) almost completely abolished rapamycin's inhibition of NMDA-induced apoptosis. Immunohistochemical studies showed that NMDA caused a time-dependent increase in levels of the phosphorylated form of the ribosomal protein S6 (pS6), a downstream indicator of mTOR activity. The increased pS6 levels were markedly decreased by rapamycin. Both NMDA and rapamycin increased the level of phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in Müller cells, and coinjection of both agents further increased pERK levels. These results suggest that rapamycin has a neuroprotective effect against NMDA-induced retinal neurotoxicity and that this effect could be patially mediated by activation of the ERK pathway in retinal Müller cells. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of Route of Administration on Immediate and Extended Protection in Rats Immunized with Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin

PubMed Central

Klipstein, Frederick A.; Engert, Richard F.

1980-01-01

The effect of route of administration, dosage, and number of boosts employed during immunization with the polymyxin-release form of Escherichia coli heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin on the degree and duration of protection afforded was evaluated in rats which were challenged by the ligated loop technique. Increasing the boosting dosage by fivefold from 50 to 250 μg resulted in a marked increase in protection against challenge with toxin in rats immunized either just by the parenteral route (i.p./i.p.) or by a parenteral prime, followed by peroral boosts (i.p./p.o.) in rats pretreated with cimetidine to ablate gastric secretions; such was not the case, however, even with a 50-fold increase in dosage in rats immunized just by the peroral route (p.o./p.o.). Four weekly peroral boosts were required to achieve the strongest degree of protection. Increasing the boosting dosage also increased the degree of protection against challenge with viable LT+/ST− and LT+/ST+ strains (ST indicates heat-stable enterotoxin) in rats immunized by the i.p./p.o., but not by the i.p./i.p., route; no protection was evident against an LT−/ST+ strain. Protection was lost within 3 weeks after immunization in rats immunized by the i.p./i.p. route. In contrast, protection was extended over the 3-month observation period in those immunized by the i.p./p.o. route; the degree of protection was enhanced in rats which received an additional boost at 2 months. These observations establish the fact that immunization with LT is similar to that with cholera toxin in that arousal of the local immune intestinal response by means of peroral immunization provides maximal extended protection. PMID:6987180

The chemoprotection of a blueberry anthocyanin extract against the acrylamide-induced oxidative stress in mitochondria: unequivocal evidence in mice liver.

PubMed

Zhao, Mengyao; Wang, Pengpu; Zhu, Yuchen; Liu, Xin; Hu, Xiaosong; Chen, Fang

2015-09-01

Acrylamide (AA) is one of the most important contaminants occurring in heated food products. Accumulating evidence indicates that AA-induced toxicity is associated with oxidative stress and long-term exposure to AA induced mitochondria collapse and finally leads to apoptosis. Whereas anthocyanins are natural antioxidants and have a strong ability to reduce oxidative damage in vivo. This study investigates the protection of a blueberry anthocyanin extract (BAE) against AA-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress in mice models. The activities of electron transport chain complexes, oxidative status, and the structure and function of mitochondria were measured. Results showed that pretreatment with BAE markedly inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and prevented the successive events associated with the mitochondrial damage and dysfunction, including recovered activities of electron transport chain, ATPase and superoxide dismutase, ameliorated depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and membrane lipid peroxidation, reduced release of cytochrome c and protection of mitochondria against swelling. In a word, mitochondria are a key target at the organelle level for the protective effect of BAE against AA toxicity. These results will be helpful to provide new clues for a better understanding of the AA toxicity intervention mechanism and for exploring effective dietary constituents for intervention of AA toxicity.

Ursolic acid protects against ulcerative colitis via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in mice.

PubMed

Liu, Baohai; Piao, Xuehua; Guo, Lianyi; Liu, Shanshan; Chai, Fang; Gao, Leming

2016-06-01

Ursolic acid (UA) has been reported to have a protective effect in colitis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, experimental ulcerative colitis was induced in male BALB/c mice by the administration of 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days, followed by treatment with UA for another 7 days. Hematoxylin & eosin staining was performed to evaluate colon tissue damage, and enzyme assays were used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in colon homogenate. In addition, serum levels of interleukin (IL)‑1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α were measured using an ELISA, and the level of nuclear factor (NF)‑κB p65 in the colonic tissues was assessed by western blotting. The 7‑day DSS administration induced marked colon damage, increased the serum levels of IL‑1β and TNF‑α, increased MDA content and decreased SOD activity in the colon homogenate. These changes were significantly improved by treatment with UA. UA also reduced the DSS‑stimulated high nuclear level of NF‑κB p65 in the colon tissues. These results demonstrate a protective role of UA in ulcerative colitis, and suggest that anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are involved in the underlying mechanisms.

Carbon monoxide protects rat lung transplants from ischemia-reperfusion injury via a mechanism involving p38 MAPK pathway.

PubMed

Kohmoto, J; Nakao, A; Stolz, D B; Kaizu, T; Tsung, A; Ikeda, A; Shimizu, H; Takahashi, T; Tomiyama, K; Sugimoto, R; Choi, A M K; Billiar, T R; Murase, N; McCurry, K R

2007-10-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) provides protection against oxidative stress via anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a low concentration of exogenous (inhaled) CO would protect transplanted lung grafts from cold ischemia-reperfusion injury via a mechanism involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Lewis rats underwent orthotopic syngeneic or allogeneic left lung transplantation with 6 h of cold static preservation. Exposure of donors and recipients (1 h before and then continuously post-transplant) to 250 ppm CO resulted in significant improvement in gas exchange, reduced leukocyte sequestration, preservation of parenchymal and endothelial cell ultrastructure and reduced inflammation compared to animals exposed to air. The beneficial effects of CO were associated with p38 MAPK phosphorylation and were significantly prevented by treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor, suggesting that CO's efficacy is at least partially mediated by activation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, CO markedly suppressed inflammatory events in the contralateral naïve lung. This study demonstrates that perioperative exposure of donors and recipients to CO at a low concentration can impart potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects in a clinically relevant model of lung transplantation and support further evaluation for potential clinical use.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Nitro-Substituted Aroylhydrazone Iron Chelators with Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities.

PubMed

Hrušková, Kateřina; Potůčková, Eliška; Opálka, Lukáš; Hergeselová, Tereza; Hašková, Pavlína; Kovaříková, Petra; Šimůnek, Tomáš; Vávrová, Kateřina

2018-05-23

Aroylhydrazone iron chelators such as salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH) protect various cells against oxidative injury and display antineoplastic activities. Previous studies have shown that a nitro-substituted hydrazone, namely, NHAPI, displayed markedly improved plasma stability, selective antitumor activity, and moderate antioxidant properties. In this study, we prepared four series of novel NHAPI derivatives and explored their iron chelation activities, anti- or pro-oxidant effects, protection against model oxidative injury in the H9c2 cell line derived from rat embryonic cardiac myoblasts, cytotoxicities to the corresponding noncancerous H9c2 cells, and antiproliferative activities against the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma and HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. Nitro substitution had both negative and positive effects on the examined properties, and we identified new structure-activity relationships. Naphthyl and biphenyl derivatives showed selective antiproliferative action, particularly in the breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cell line, where they exceeded the selectivity of the parent compound NHAPI. Of particular interest is a compound prepared from 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-nitroacetophenone and biphenyl-4-carbohydrazide, which protected cardiomyoblasts against oxidative injury at 1.8 ± 1.2 μM with 24-fold higher selectivity than SIH. These compounds will serve as leads for further structural optimization and mechanistic studies.

Creatine kinase isoenzyme patterns upon chronic exposure to cigarette smoke: protective effect of Bacoside A.

PubMed

Anbarasi, K; Vani, G; Balakrishna, K; Devi, C S Shyamala

2005-01-01

Cigarette smoking is implicated as a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Creatine kinase (CK) and its isoforms (CK-MM, MB, BB) have been advocated as sensitive markers in the assessment of cardiac and cerebral damage. Therefore, in the present study, we report the isoenzyme patterns of CK in rats upon exposure to cigarette smoke and the protective effect of Bacoside A against chronic smoking induced toxicity. Adult male albino rats were exposed to cigarette smoke and simultaneously administered with Bacoside A, the active constituent from the plant Bacopa monniera, for a period of 12 weeks. The activity of CK was assayed in serum, heart and brain, and its isoenzymes in serum were separated electrophoretically. Rats exposed to cigarette smoke showed significant increase in serum CK activity with concomitant decrease in heart and brain. Also cigarette smoke exposure resulted in a marked increase in all the three isoforms in serum. Administration of Bacoside A prevented these alterations induced by cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is known to cause free radical mediated lipid peroxidation leading to increased membrane permeability and cellular damage in the heart and brain resulting in the release of CK into the circulation. The protective effect of Bacoside A on the structural and functional integrity of the membrane prevented the leakage of CK from the respective tissues, which could be attributed to its free radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidative effect.

Protective effect of alpha glucosyl hesperidin (G-hesperidin) on chronic vanadium induced testicular toxicity and sperm nuclear DNA damage in male Sprague Dawley rats.

PubMed

Vijaya Bharathi, B; Jaya Prakash, G; Krishna, K M; Ravi Krishna, C H; Sivanarayana, T; Madan, K; Rama Raju, G A; Annapurna, A

2015-06-01

The study was conducted to evaluate the vanadium-induced testicular toxicity and its effect on sperm parameters, sperm nuclear DNA damage and histological alterations in Sprague Dawley rats and to assess the protective effect of G-hesperidin against this damage. Treatment of rats with vanadium at a dose of 1 mg kg bw(-1) for 90 days resulted in significant reduction in serum testosterone levels, sperm count and motility. Further, a parallel increase in abnormal sperm morphology and adverse histopathological changes in testis was also associated with vanadium administration when compared to normal control. Moreover, sperm chromatin dispersion assay revealed that vanadium induces sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation. A marked increase in testicular malondialdehyde levels and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase indicates vanadium-induced oxidative stress. Co-administration of G-hesperidin at a dose of 25 and 50 mg kg bw(-1) significantly attenuated the sperm parameters and histological changes by restoring the antioxidant levels in rat testis. These results suggested that vanadium exposure caused reduced bioavailability of androgens to the tissue and increased free radical formation, thereby causing structural and functional changes in spermatozoa. G-hesperidin exhibited antioxidant effect by protecting the rat testis against vanadium-induced oxidative damage, further ensures antioxidant potential of bioflavonoids. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Leniency and halo effects in marking undergraduate short research projects.

PubMed

McKinstry, Brian H; Cameron, Helen S; Elton, Robert A; Riley, Simon C

2004-11-29

Supervisors are often involved in the assessment of projects they have supervised themselves. Previous research suggests that detailed marking sheets may alleviate leniency and halo effects. We set out to determine if, despite using such a marking schedule, leniency and halo effects were evident in the supervisors' marking of undergraduate short research projects (special study modules (SSM)). Review of grades awarded by supervisors, second markers and control markers to the written reports of 4th year medical students who had participated in an SSM during two full academic years (n = 399). Paired t-tests were used to compare mean marks, Pearson correlation to look at agreement between marks and multiple linear regression to test the prediction of one mark from several others adjusted for one another. There was a highly significant difference of approximately half a grade between supervisors and second markers with supervisors marking higher. (t = 3.12, p < 0.01, difference in grade score = 0.42, 95% CI for mean difference 0.18-0.80). There was a high correlation between the two marks awarded for performance of the project and the written report by the supervisor (r = 0.75), but a low-modest correlation between supervisor and second marker (r = 0.28). Linear regression analysis of the influence of the supervisors' mark for performance on their mark for the report gave a non-significant result. This suggests a leniency effect but no halo effect. This study shows that with the use of structured marking sheet for assessment of undergraduate medical students, supervisors marks are not associated with a halo effect, but leniency does occur. As supervisor assessment is becoming more common in both under graduate and postgraduate teaching new ways to improve objectivity in marking and to address the leniency of supervisors should be sought.

Cobalt Chloride Upregulates Impaired HIF-1α Expression to Restore Sevoflurane Post-conditioning-Dependent Myocardial Protection in Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Wu, Jianjiang; Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Maimaitili, Yiliyaer; Wang, Jiang; Ma, Haiping; Yang, Yining; Zheng, Hong

2017-01-01

Previous studies from our group have demonstrated that sevoflurane post-conditioning (SPC) protects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury via elevating the intranuclear expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). However, diabetic SPC is associated with decreased myocardial protection and disruption of the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that cobalt chloride (CoCl2) can upregulate HIF-1α expression under diabetic conditions, but whether myocardial protection by SPC can be restored afterward remains unclear. We established a rat model of type 2 diabetes and a Langendorff isolated heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Prior to reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane was used as a post-conditioning treatment. The diabetic rats were treated with CoCl2 24 h before the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, tests were performed to assess myocardial function, infarct size, mitochondrial morphology, nitric oxide (NO), Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein levels. In addition, myocardial protection by SPC was monitored after the blood glucose levels were lowered by insulin. The diabetic state was associated with deficient SPC protection and decreased HIF-1α expression. After treating the diabetic rats with CoCl2, SPC significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and eNOS, which markedly improved cardiac function, NO, mitochondrial respiratory function, and enzyme activity and decreased the infarction areas and ROS. In addition, these effects were not influenced by blood glucose levels. This study proved that CoCl2activates the HIF-1α signaling pathway, which restores SPC-dependent myocardial protection under diabetic conditions, and the protective effects of SPC were independent of blood glucose levels. PMID:28659817

Don't ban PVC: incinerate and recycle it instead!

PubMed

Menke, Doris; Fiedler, Hiltrud; Zwahr, Heiner

2003-04-01

Plastics are making a growing contribution to sustainable development. For example, over an expected lifetime of 50 years, the use of window frames and insulating materials made of plastic in buildings save many times the energy required to manufacture them. Plastics for packaging purposes provide protection against damage and dirt contamination, thereby saving considerable amounts of material and energy. Choosing appropriate disposal strategies for plastic waste also helps to protect the environment (Mark 2000).

Adverse life events and delinquent behavior among Kenyan adolescents: a cross-sectional study on the protective role of parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem.

PubMed

Kabiru, Caroline W; Elung'ata, Patricia; Mojola, Sanyu A; Beguy, Donatien

2014-01-01

Past research provides strong evidence that adverse life events heighten the risk of delinquent behavior among adolescents. Urban informal (slum) settlements in sub-Saharan Africa are marked by extreme adversity. However, the prevalence and consequences of adverse life events as well as protective factors that can mitigate the effects of exposure to these events in slum settlements is largely understudied. We examine two research questions. First, are adverse life events experienced at the individual and household level associated with a higher likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents living in two slums in Nairobi, Kenya? Second, are parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem protective against delinquency in a context of high adversity? We used cross-sectional data from 3,064 males and females aged 12-19 years who participated in the Transitions to Adulthood Study. We examined the extent to which a composite index of adverse life events was associated with delinquent behavior (measured using a composite index derived from nine items). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of three protective factors: parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem. Fifty-four percent of adolescents reported at least one adverse life event, while 18% reported three or more adverse events. For both males and females, adversity was positively and significantly associated with delinquency in bivariate and multivariate models. Negative associations were observed between the protective factors and delinquency. Significant adverse events × protective factor interaction terms were observed for parental monitoring (females and males), religiosity (males), and self-esteem (females). Similar to research in high income countries, adverse life events are associated with an increased likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents living in urban slums in Kenya, a low-income country. However, parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem may moderate the effect of adversity on delinquent behavior and pinpoint possible avenues to develop interventions to reduce delinquency in resource-poor settings in low and middle income countries.

Natriuretic Peptide Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase-A in Podocytes is Renoprotective but Dispensable for Physiologic Renal Function

PubMed Central

Staffel, Janina; Valletta, Daniela; Federlein, Anna; Ehm, Katharina; Volkmann, Regine; Füchsl, Andrea M.; Witzgall, Ralph; Kuhn, Michaela

2017-01-01

The cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs), atrial NP and B-type NP, regulate fluid homeostasis and arterial BP through renal actions involving increased GFR and vascular and tubular effects. Guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A), the transmembrane cGMP-producing receptor shared by these peptides, is expressed in different renal cell types, including podocytes, where its function is unclear. To study the effects of NPs on podocytes, we generated mice with a podocyte-specific knockout of GC-A (Podo-GC-A KO). Despite the marked reduction of GC-A mRNA in GC-A KO podocytes to 1% of the control level, Podo-GC-A KO mice and control littermates did not differ in BP, GFR, or natriuresis under baseline conditions. Moreover, infusion of synthetic NPs similarly increased the GFR and renal perfusion in both genotypes. Administration of the mineralocorticoid deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) in combination with high salt intake induced arterial hypertension of similar magnitude in Podo-GC-A KO mice and controls. However, only Podo-GC-A KO mice developed massive albuminuria (controls: 35-fold; KO: 5400-fold versus baseline), hypoalbuminemia, reduced GFR, and marked glomerular damage. Furthermore, DOCA treatment led to decreased expression of the slit diaphragm-associated proteins podocin, nephrin, and synaptopodin and to enhanced transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel expression and ATP-induced calcium influx in podocytes of Podo-GC-A KO mice. Concomitant treatment of Podo-GC-A KO mice with the TRPC channel blocker SKF96365 markedly ameliorated albuminuria and glomerular damage in response to DOCA. In conclusion, the physiologic effects of NPs on GFR and natriuresis do not involve podocytes. However, NP/GC-A/cGMP signaling protects podocyte integrity under pathologic conditions, most likely by suppression of TRPC channels. PMID:27153922

Vinpocetine prevent ischemic cell damage in rat hippocampus

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sauer, D.; Rischke, R.; Beck, T.

1988-01-01

The effects of vinpocetine on hippocampal cell damage and local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) were measured in a rat model of forebrain ischemia. Duration of ischemia was 10 min. LCBF was determined after 2 min of recirculation using the /sup 14/C-iodoantipyrine technique. Hippocampal cell loss was quantified histologically 7 days post-ischemia. Intraperitoneal application of vinpocetine 15 min prior to ischemia significantly reduced neuronal cell loss in hippocampal CA 1 sector from 60% to 28%. The drug led to a marked increase in blood flow in cortical areas, whereas LCBF remained unchanged in hippocampus and all other structures measured. It ismore » suggested that the protective effect of vinpocetine does not depend on increased postischemic blood flow.« less

Protective Effects of Curcumin on Manganese-Induced BV-2 Microglial Cell Death.

PubMed

Park, Euteum; Chun, Hong Sung

2017-08-01

Curcumin, a bioactive component in tumeric, has been shown to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects, but the effects of curcumin against manganese (Mn)-mediated neurotoxicity have not been studied. This study examined the protective effects of curcumin on Mn-induced cytotoxicity in BV-2 microglial cells. Curcumin (0.1-10 µM) dose-dependently prevented Mn (250 µM)-induced cell death. Mn-induced mitochondria-related apoptotic characteristics, such as caspase-3 and -9 activation, cytochrome c release, Bax increase, and Bcl-2 decrease, were significantly suppressed by curcumin. In addition, curcumin significantly increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) and moderately potentiated superoxide dismutase (SOD), both which were diminished by Mn treatment. Curcumin pretreatment effectively suppressed Mn-induced upregulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), total reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, curcumin markedly inhibited the Mn-induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss. Furthermore, curcumin was able to induce heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. Curcumin-mediated inhibition of ROS, down-regulation of caspases, restoration of MMP, and recovery of cell viability were partially reversed by HO-1 inhibitor (SnPP). These results suggest the first evidence that curcumin can prevent Mn-induced microglial cell death through the induction of HO-1 and regulation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptotic events.

78 FR 30294 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-22

... responses per year. Out of a sample size of 3,000, the USPTO estimates that 420 completed surveys will [email protected] , or by fax to 202-395-5167, marked to the attention of Nicholas A. Fraser...

Ecosystem services in European protected areas: Ambiguity in the views of scientists and managers?

PubMed

Hummel, Christiaan; Provenzale, Antonello; van der Meer, Jaap; Wijnhoven, Sander; Nolte, Arno; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Janss, Guyonne; Jurek, Matthias; Andresen, Magnus; Poulin, Brigitte; Kobler, Johannes; Beierkuhnlein, Carl; Honrado, João; Razinkovas, Arturas; Stritih, Ana; Bargmann, Tessa; Ziemba, Alex; Bonet-García, Francisco; Adamescu, Mihai Cristian; Janssen, Gerard; Hummel, Herman

2017-01-01

Protected Areas are a key component of nature conservation. They can play an important role in counterbalancing the impacts of ecosystem degradation. For an optimal protection of a Protected Area it is essential to account for the variables underlying the major Ecosystem Services an area delivers, and the threats upon them. Here we show that the perception of these important variables differs markedly between scientists and managers of Protected Areas in mountains and transitional waters. Scientists emphasise variables of abiotic and biotic nature, whereas managers highlight socio-economic, cultural and anthropogenic variables. This indicates fundamental differences in perception. To be able to better protect an area it would be advisable to bring the perception of scientists and managers closer together. Intensified and harmonised communication across disciplinary and professional boundaries will be needed to implement and improve Ecosystem Service oriented management strategies in current and future Protected Areas.

Ecosystem services in European protected areas: Ambiguity in the views of scientists and managers?

PubMed Central

Provenzale, Antonello; van der Meer, Jaap; Wijnhoven, Sander; Nolte, Arno; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Janss, Guyonne; Jurek, Matthias; Andresen, Magnus; Poulin, Brigitte; Kobler, Johannes; Beierkuhnlein, Carl; Honrado, João; Razinkovas, Arturas; Stritih, Ana; Bargmann, Tessa; Ziemba, Alex; Bonet-García, Francisco; Adamescu, Mihai Cristian; Janssen, Gerard; Hummel, Herman

2017-01-01

Protected Areas are a key component of nature conservation. They can play an important role in counterbalancing the impacts of ecosystem degradation. For an optimal protection of a Protected Area it is essential to account for the variables underlying the major Ecosystem Services an area delivers, and the threats upon them. Here we show that the perception of these important variables differs markedly between scientists and managers of Protected Areas in mountains and transitional waters. Scientists emphasise variables of abiotic and biotic nature, whereas managers highlight socio-economic, cultural and anthropogenic variables. This indicates fundamental differences in perception. To be able to better protect an area it would be advisable to bring the perception of scientists and managers closer together. Intensified and harmonised communication across disciplinary and professional boundaries will be needed to implement and improve Ecosystem Service oriented management strategies in current and future Protected Areas. PMID:29140983

Resveratrol protects rats from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by the reduction of iNOS expression and lipid peroxidation.

PubMed

Huang, Tai-Chun; Lu, Kwok-Tung; Wo, Yu-Yuan Peter; Wu, Yao-Ju; Yang, Yi-Ling

2011-01-01

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of β-amyloid (Aβ)-containing senile plaque. The disease could be induced by the administration of Aβ peptide, which was also known to upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and stimulate neuronal apoptosis. The present study is aimed to elucidate the cellular effect of resveratrol, a natural phytoestrogen with neuroprotective activities, on Aβ-induced hippocampal neuron loss and memory impairment. On adult Sprague-Dawley rats, we found the injection of Aβ could result in a significant impairment in spatial memory, a marked increase in the cellular level of iNOS and lipid peroxidation, and an apparent decrease in the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). By combining the treatment with Aβ, resveratrol was able to confer a significant improvement in spatial memory, and protect animals from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. These neurological protection effects of resveratrol were associated with a reduction in the cellular levels of iNOS and lipid peroxidation and an increase in the production of HO-1. Moreover, the similar neurological and cellular response were also observed when Aβ treatment was combined with the administration of a NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME). These findings strongly implicate that iNOS is involved in the Aβ-induced lipid peroxidation and HO-1 downregulation, and resveratrol protects animals from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by suppressing iNOS production.

Resveratrol Protects Rats from Aβ-induced Neurotoxicity by the Reduction of iNOS Expression and Lipid Peroxidation

PubMed Central

Wo, Yu-Yuan Peter; Wu, Yao-Ju; Yang, Yi-Ling

2011-01-01

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of β–amyloid (Aβ)-containing senile plaque. The disease could be induced by the administration of Aβ peptide, which was also known to upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and stimulate neuronal apoptosis. The present study is aimed to elucidate the cellular effect of resveratrol, a natural phytoestrogen with neuroprotective activities, on Aβ-induced hippocampal neuron loss and memory impairment. On adult Sprague-Dawley rats, we found the injection of Aβ could result in a significant impairment in spatial memory, a marked increase in the cellular level of iNOS and lipid peroxidation, and an apparent decrease in the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). By combining the treatment with Aβ, resveratrol was able to confer a significant improvement in spatial memory, and protect animals from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. These neurological protection effects of resveratrol were associated with a reduction in the cellular levels of iNOS and lipid peroxidation and an increase in the production of HO-1. Moreover, the similar neurological and cellular response were also observed when Aβ treatment was combined with the administration of a NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME). These findings strongly implicate that iNOS is involved in the Aβ-induced lipid peroxidation and HO-1 downregulation, and resveratrol protects animals from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by suppressing iNOS production. PMID:22220203

Low-molecular-weight lignin-rich fraction in the extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

PubMed

Yoshioka, Yasuko; Kojima, H; Tamura, A; Tsuji, K; Tamesada, M; Yagi, K; Murakami, N

2012-01-01

The extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) is a medicinal food ingredient that has hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we fractionated the LEM extract to explore novel active compounds related to hepatoprotection by using primary cultures of rat hepatocytes exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). The LEM extract and the fractions markedly inhibited the release of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from hepatocytes damaged by CCl(4) into the culture medium. The strongest hepatocyte-protective activity was seen in a fraction (Fr. 2) in which a 50% ethanol extract was further eluted with 50% methanol and separated using reverse-phase HPLC. Fr. 2 had an average molecular weight of 2753, and the main components are lignin (49%) and saccharides (36%, of which xylose comprises 41%). Therefore, Fr. 2 was presumed to be a low-molecular-weight compound consisting mainly of lignin and xylan-like polysaccharides. The hepatocyte-protective activity was observed even after digestion of xylan-like polysaccharides in Fr.2 and confirmed with low-molecular-weight lignin (LM-lignin) alone. In addition, Fr. 2, the xylan-digested Fr. 2 and LM-lignin showed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity than the LEM extract. These results suggested that the effective fraction in the LEM extract related to hepatocyte protection consisted mainly of LM-lignin, and its antioxidant activity partially contributes to the hepatocyte-protective activity of the LEM extract.

Ketoconazole-induced testicular damage in rats reduced by Gentiana extract.

PubMed

Amin, Amr

2008-04-01

Ketoconazole (KET) is an antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of activity that also induces reproductive toxicity in humans and animals. The protective effect of Gentiana (GEN) extract (Gentiana lutea) against KET-induced testicular damage was evaluated in male Wistar rats. GEN extract was administered orally (1g/kgbwt/day) for 26 days. Three weeks after extract administration, KET was co-administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 100mg/kg once a day for 5 days. KET-induced reproductive toxicity was associated with clear reductions of the weights of testes and epididymides, sperm indices and serum testosterone levels. KET also induced severe testicular histopathological lesions such as degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and depletion of germ cells. In addition, marked oxidative damage to testicular lipids and alterations of natural antioxidants (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were reported in association with KET toxicity. Most of the KET-induced effects were greatly decreased with the concomitant application of GEN extract. This study suggests a protective role of GEN extract that could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.

Short interfering RNA confers intracellular antiviral immunity in human cells.

PubMed

Gitlin, Leonid; Karelsky, Sveta; Andino, Raul

2002-07-25

Gene silencing mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a sequence-specific, highly conserved mechanism in eukaryotes. In plants, it serves as an antiviral defence mechanism. Animal cells also possess this machinery but its specific function is unclear. Here we demonstrate that dsRNA can effectively protect human cells against infection by a rapidly replicating and highly cytolytic RNA virus. Pre-treatment of human and mouse cells with double-stranded, short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to the poliovirus genome markedly reduces the titre of virus progeny and promotes clearance of the virus from most of the infected cells. The antiviral effect is sequence-specific and is not attributable to either classical antisense mechanisms or to interferon and the interferon response effectors protein kinase R (PKR) and RNaseL. Protection is the result of direct targeting of the viral genome by siRNA, as sequence analysis of escape virus (resistant to siRNAs) reveals one nucleotide substitution in the middle of the targeted sequence. Thus, siRNAs elicit specific intracellular antiviral resistance that may provide a therapeutic strategy against human viruses.

Protection of 310l Stainless Steel from Wear at Elevated Temperatures using Conicraly Thermal Spray Coatings with and without Sic Addition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yan; Zhang, Tao; Li, Kaiyang; Li, Dongyang

2017-10-01

Due to its high oxidation resistance, 310L stainless steel is often used for thermal facilities working at high-temperatures. However, the steel may fail prematurely at elevated temperatures when encounter surface mechanical attacks such as wear. Thermal spray coatings have been demonstrated to be effective in protecting the steel from wear at elevated temperatures. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of high velocity oxy-fuel(HVOF) spraying CoNiCrAlY/SiC coatings in resisting wear of 310L stainless steel at elevated temperature using a pin-on-disc wear tester. In order to further improve the performance of the coating, 5%SiC was added to the coating. It was demonstrated that the CoNiCrAlY/SiC coating after heat treatment markedly suppressed wear. However, the added SiC particles did not show benefits to the wear resistance of the coating. Microstructures of CoNiCrAlY coatings with and without the SiC addition were characterized in order to understand the mechanism responsible for the observed phenomena.

Protective effects of decursin and decursinol angelate against amyloid β-protein-induced oxidative stress in the PC12 cell line: the role of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes.

PubMed

Li, Li; Li, Wei; Jung, Sang-Won; Lee, Yong-Woo; Kim, Yong-Ho

2011-01-01

The protective effects of decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA) purified from Angelica gigas Nakai on amyloid β-protein (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Aβ plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by eliciting oxidative stress. It significantly increased cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation, but decreased glutathione contents and antioxidant enzyme activities. All of these results were markedly reversed by pretreatment with D or DA. Nuclear transcription factor Nrf2, which regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes, was significantly increased by D or DA pretreatment. Furthermore, D and DA suppressed Aβ aggregation. These results suggest that D and DA increase cellular resistance to Aβ-induced oxidative injury in the rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, presumably through not only the induction of Nrf2 and related antioxidant enzymes, but also the anti-aggregation of Aβ. Thus D and DA have therapeutic potential in treating AD and other oxidative stress-related diseases.

Enriched environment protects the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and induces astroglial reaction in the 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Anastasía, Agustín; Torre, Luciana; de Erausquin, Gabriel A; Mascó, Daniel H

2009-05-01

Enriched environment (EE) is neuroprotective in several animal models of neurodegeneration. It stimulates the expression of trophic factors and modifies the astrocyte cell population which has been said to exert neuroprotective effects. We have investigated the effects of EE on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neuronal death after unilateral administration to the medial forebrain bundle, which reaches 85-95% of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra after 3 weeks. Continuous exposure to EE 3 weeks before and after 6-OHDA injection prevents neuronal death (assessed by tyrosine hydroxylase staining), protects the nigrostriatal pathway (assessed by Fluorogold retrograde labeling) and reduces motor impairment. Four days after 6-OHDA injection, EE was associated with a marked increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein staining and prevented neuronal death (assessed by Fluoro Jade-B) but not partial loss of tyrosine hydroxylase staining in the anterior substantia nigra. These results robustly demonstrate that EE preserves the entire nigrostriatal system against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity, and suggests that an early post-lesion astrocytic reaction may participate in the neuroprotective mechanism.

nNOS inhibitors attenuate methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity but not hyperthermia in mice.

PubMed

Itzhak, Y; Martin, J L; Ail, S F

2000-09-11

Methamphetamine (METH)-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity is associated with hyperthermia. We investigated the effect of several neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors on METH-induced hyperthermia and striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Administration of METH (5 mg/kg; q. 3 h x 3) to Swiss Webster mice produced marked hyperthermia and 50-60% depletion of striatal dopaminergic markers 72 h after METH administration. Pretreatment with the nNOS inhibitors S-methylthiocitrulline (SMTC; 10 mg/kg) or 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole (3-Br-7-NI; 20 mg/kg) before each METH injection did not affect the persistent hyperthermia produced by METH, but afforded protection against the depletion of dopaminergic markers. A low dose (25 mg/kg) of the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) did not affect METH-induced hyperthermia, but a high dose (50 mg/kg) produced significant hypothermia. These findings indicate that low dose of selective nNOS inhibitors protect against METH-induced neurotoxicity with no effect on body temperature and support the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite have a major role in METH-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

Protective effects of bilobalide against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in vivo/vitro.

PubMed

Hui, Shi; Fangyu, Wang

2017-01-01

Bilobalide (BI) has been widely known as a unique constituent extracted from Ginkgo biloba. The aim of the current study was to reveal the potential efficacy as well as the underlying mechanism of the action of BI on ethanol-induced lesion in gastric mucosa in vivo/vitro. Ethanol (0.2ml/kg) was applied to induce gastric ulcer mice model. Our results indicated that treatment with BI markedly decreased the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in vivo. Additionally, BI intervation exhibited elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in stomach, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) content in serum and stomach when compared with those of the model group. It could be also observed that inhibited MAPK/NF-κB pathway expressions occurred after BI treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, BI exerted a gastro-protective effect against gastric ulceration, which was presumed to be associated with MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Intervention of ginger or propolis ameliorates methotrexate-induced ileum toxicity.

PubMed

Abdul-Hamid, Manal; Salah, Marwa

2016-02-01

The long-term clinical use of methotrexate (MTX) is restricted due to its severe intestinal toxicity. The protective effect of ginger or propolis on the toxicity induced by MTX is relatively less understood, so the possible protective effect of ginger or propolis, used separately, was investigated. A total of 60 male albino rats were divided into six groups as follows: (1) control group; (2) ginger group; (3) propolis group; (4) MTX group; (5) ginger + MTX group; and (6) propolis + MTX group. The present results show that MTX caused ileum injury, including shortening and fusion of the villi, inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell depletion. Administration of ginger or propolis ameliorated the MTX-induced ileum injury as shown by histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural investigations and statistical analysis. This is revealed by intact villi, which shows marked increase in brown colouration of proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive nuclei in the crypts region, improvement in the number of goblet cells and brush border length of ileum. The current results conclude the efficacy and safety of ginger and propolis, which may be due to their antioxidant properties. © The Author(s) 2013.

Protective effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome on the development of metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet-fed rats.

PubMed

Nammi, Srinivas; Sreemantula, Satyanarayana; Roufogalis, Basil D

2009-05-01

Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance that predisposes type 2 diabetes is a major disease problem around the world and a plethora of herbal medicines are claimed to be effective in controlling these disorders. The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) is commonly used as a spice in various foods and beverages. Apart from its other traditional medical uses, Z. officinale has been used to control diabetes and dyslipidaemia. In the present study, the protective effects of an ethanolic extract of Z. officinale on the development of metabolic syndrome were investigated in a high-fat diet-fed rat model at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The marked rise in body weights, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in serum of the rats that followed 6 weeks of high-fat diet treatment were significantly reduced by Z. officinale treatment. However, no significant change in serum HDL cholesterol was observed either with high-fat diet or Z. officinale compared to both control groups. The present results provide scientific evidence to substantiate the traditional use of Z. officinale in preventing metabolic disorders.

Consumption of polyphenol-rich Morus alba leaves extract attenuates early diabetic retinopathy: the underlying mechanism.

PubMed

Mahmoud, Ayman M; Abd El-Twab, Sanaa M; Abdel-Reheim, Eman S

2017-06-01

Beneficial effects of white mulberry against diabetes mellitus have been reported. However, the molecular mechanisms of how white mulberry can attenuate diabetic retinopathy remain poorly understood. Here, the mechanism underlying the protective effect of Morus alba leaves ethanolic extract on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy was investigated. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin. One week after, M. alba (100 mg/kg) was administrated to the rats daily for 16 weeks. Morus alba extract showed high content of polyphenolics and free radical scavenging activity. Oral M. alba administration significantly attenuated hyperglycemia and weight loss, and decreased sorbitol, fructose, protein kinase C, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in retinas of the diabetic rats. Moreover, M. alba produced marked down-regulation of caspase-3 and Bax, with concomitant up-regulation of Bcl-2 in the diabetic retinas. M. alba also reduced the expression of VEGF in the retina. These results indicate that M. alba has protective effect on diabetic retinopathy with possible mechanisms of inhibiting hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, polyol pathway activation, and VEGF expression in the retina.

[The effect of selected preparations for the protection of draft horses against dipterous blood-sucking insects].

PubMed

Ríha, J; Minár, J; Skaloud, J; Janes, K; Králík, O

1986-03-01

Dipterous blood-sucking insects (horseflies, black flies, gnats, midges) have negative impacts on the performance of draught horses in forest enterprises. For the protection of these animals, the following preparations were applied at the interval of 24 hours: diethyltoluamide, Oxamat (N,N-diethyloxamine acid, USSR) and Stomoxin (synthetic pyrethroid, product of the firm Wellcome, England). In the course of 66 working days, the performance of test animals treated with 10% water emulsion of diethyltoluamide increased by 49.25 cu. m. of skidded wood, i.e. by 0.74 cu. m. wood per horse/day (21.65%), as compared with the control group. The daily savings of prime costs per test horse/day made 16.99 Kcs (Czechoslovak crowns). In comparison with the control group, the performance of horses treated with 5% water emulsion of Oxamat increased by 85.50 cu. m. wood, i.e. by 1.29 cu. m. wood per horse/day (38.00%). Stomoxin at the concentration of 0.05% acted as a good insecticide but had no marked repellent effect. The results of this study document that the production of effective repellents should be introduced in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

Effects of alcohol on platelet functions.

PubMed

Renaud, S C; Ruf, J C

1996-03-15

Recent epidemiologic studies have consistently shown that moderate intake of alcoholic beverages protect against morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. By contrast, alcohol drinking may also predispose to cerebral hemorrhage. These observations suggest an effect of alcohol similar to that of aspirin. Several studies in humans and animals have shown that the immediate effect of alcohol, either added in vitro to platelets or 10 to 20 min after ingestion, is to decrease platelet aggregation in response to most agonists (thrombin, ADP, epinephrine, collagen). Several hours later, as, in free-living populations deprived of drinking since the previous day it is mostly secondary aggregation to ADP and epinephrine and aggregation to collagen that are still inhibited in alcohol drinkers. By contrast, in binge drinkers or in alcoholics after alcohol withdrawal, response to aggregation, especially that induced by thrombin, is markedly increased. This rebound phenomenon, easily reproduced in rats, may explain ischemic strokes or sudden death known to occur after episodes of drunkenness. The platelet rebound effect of alcohol drinking was not observed with moderate red wine consumption in man. The protection afforded by wine has been recently duplicated in rats by grape tannins added to alcohol. This protection was associated with a decrease in the level of conjugated dienes, the first step in lipid peroxidation. In other words, wine drinking does not seem to be associated with the increased peroxidation usually observed with spirit drinking. Although further studies are required, the platelet rebound effect of alcohol drinking could be associated with an excess of lipid peroxides known to increase platelet reactivity, especially to thrombin.

Role of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and the Protective Effect of Silymarin in Cisplatin-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rats.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Mohamed El-Tantawy; Bana, Eman El; El-Kerdasy, Hanan I

2018-01-01

Cisplatin is a highly effective antitumor agent whose clinical application is limited by its nephrotoxicity, which is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. We aimed to study the protective role of silymarin and mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeutic tool of cisplatin nephrotoxicity. We injected rats with cisplatin in a dose of 5mg/kg body weight for 5 days to induce acute renal failure (ARF). Silymarin was administrated 6 hours before cisplatin injection and mesenchymal stem cells were injected 24 hours after cisplatin-induced ARF. We assessed the ARF biochemically by elevation of kidney function tests and histopathologically by an alteration of the histological architecture of the renal cortex in the form of shrinkage of glomeruli, lobulated tufts and glomerular hypertrophy with narrowing capsular space. The tubules showed extensive tubular degeneration with cellular hyaline materials and debris in the lumen of the renal tubules. The renal blood vessels appeared sclerotic with marked thickened walls. When silymarin was given in different doses before cisplatin, it decreased the toxic effect of cisplatin in the kidney but sclerotic blood vessels remained. Injection of mesenchymal stem cells in rats with cisplatin-induced ARF improved the histopathological effects of cisplatin in renal tissues and kidney function tests were significantly improved. There was a significant improvement in kidney function tests and renal histopathology by using silymarin as protective mechanism in cisplatin-induced ARF. Administration of mesenchymal stem cells denoted a more remarkable therapeutic effect in ARF. Copyright © 2018 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective effects of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide against LPS-Induced acute lung injury in dogs.

PubMed

Song, Zhi; Cui, Yan; Ding, Mu-Zi; Jin, Hong-Xu; Gao, Yan

2013-11-01

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common component of systemic inflammatory disease without more effective treatments. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) has anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we found that rhBNP could prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in a dog model. Dogs were injected with LPS and subjected to continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) of saline solution or rhBNP. We detected the protective effects of rhBNP by histological examination and determination of serum cytokine levels and lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. Histological examination indicated marked inflammation, edema and hemorrhage in lung tissue taken 12h after rhBNP treatment compared with tissue from dogs which received saline treatment after LPS injection. LPS injection induced cytokine (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretion and lung MPO and MDA activities, which were also attenuated by rhBNP treatment. Inductions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly attenuated in the L-rhBNP and the H-rhBNP groups. The ratios of the L-rhBNP group and H-rhBNP group were lower than that in the lung injury group. Furthermore, MPO and MDA activities were significantly lower in the H-rhBNP group compared to those in the LI group. Our data indicate that rhBNP treatment may exert protective effects and may be associated with adjusting endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Thus, rhBNP may be considered as a therapeutic agent for various clinical conditions involving lung injury by sepsis. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant outer membrane proteins of Haemophilus parasuis serovar 5 in a murine model.

PubMed

Li, Miao; Cai, Ru-Jian; Song, Shuai; Jiang, Zhi-Yong; Li, Yan; Gou, Hong-Chao; Chu, Pin-Pin; Li, Chun-Ling; Qiu, Hua-Ji

2017-01-01

Glässer's disease is an economically important infectious disease of pigs caused by Haemophilus parasuis. Few vaccines are currently available that could provide effective cross-protection against various serovars of H. parasuis. In this study, five OMPs (OppA, TolC, HxuC, LppC, and HAPS_0926) identified by bioinformatic approaches, were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins. Antigenicity of the purified proteins was verified through Western blotting, and primary screening for protective potential was evaluated in vivo. Recombinant TolC (rTolC), rLppC, and rHAPS_0926 proteins showing marked protection of mice against H. parasuis infection, and were further evaluated individually or in combination. Mice treated with these three OMPs produced humoral and host cell-mediated responses, with a significant rise in antigen-specific IgG titer and lymphoproliferative response in contrast with the mock-immunized group. Significant increases were noted in CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and three cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ) in vaccinated animals. The antisera against candidate antigens could efficiently impede bacterial survival in whole blood bactericidal assay against H. parasuis infection. The multi-protein vaccine induced more pronounced immune responses and offered better protection than individual vaccines. Our findings indicate that these three OMPs are promising antigens for the development of multi-component subunit vaccines against Glässer's disease.

European standards for protective apparel against UV radiation.

PubMed

Laperre, Jan; Foubert, Fred

2002-01-01

The first European standard which describes the test procedure to determine the UV-protection factor of clothing is about to be completed. A second part of the same standard, dealing with labelling and marking aspects, is ready to be submitted to public enquiry. In this effort a group of experts from most EU member states have cooperated with a high degree of consensus. In this chapter we explain this European standard together with the standard developed in the UK.

Gauging the threat: the first population estimate for white sharks in South Africa using photo identification and automated software.

PubMed

Towner, Alison V; Wcisel, Michelle A; Reisinger, Ryan R; Edwards, David; Jewell, Oliver J D

2013-01-01

South Africa is reputed to host the world's largest remaining population of white sharks, yet no studies have accurately determined a population estimate based on mark-recapture of live individuals. We used dorsal fin photographs (fin IDs) to identify white sharks in Gansbaai, South Africa, from January 2007-December 2011. We used the computer programme DARWIN to catalogue and match fin IDs of individuals; this is the first study to successfully use the software for white shark identification. The programme performed well despite a number of individual fins showing drastic changes in dorsal fin shape over time. Of 1682 fin IDs used, 532 unique individuals were identified. We estimated population size using the open-population POPAN parameterisation in Program MARK, which estimated the superpopulation size at 908 (95% confidence interval 808-1008). This estimated population size is considerably larger than those described at other aggregation areas of the species and is comparable to a previous South African population estimate conducted 16 years prior. Our assessment suggests the species has not made a marked recovery since being nationally protected in 1991. As such, additional international protection may prove vital for the long-term conservation of this threatened species.

Gauging the Threat: The First Population Estimate for White Sharks in South Africa Using Photo Identification and Automated Software

PubMed Central

Towner, Alison V.; Wcisel, Michelle A.; Reisinger, Ryan R.; Edwards, David; Jewell, Oliver J. D.

2013-01-01

South Africa is reputed to host the world’s largest remaining population of white sharks, yet no studies have accurately determined a population estimate based on mark-recapture of live individuals. We used dorsal fin photographs (fin IDs) to identify white sharks in Gansbaai, South Africa, from January 2007 – December 2011. We used the computer programme DARWIN to catalogue and match fin IDs of individuals; this is the first study to successfully use the software for white shark identification. The programme performed well despite a number of individual fins showing drastic changes in dorsal fin shape over time. Of 1682 fin IDs used, 532 unique individuals were identified. We estimated population size using the open-population POPAN parameterisation in Program MARK, which estimated the superpopulation size at 908 (95% confidence interval 808–1008). This estimated population size is considerably larger than those described at other aggregation areas of the species and is comparable to a previous South African population estimate conducted 16 years prior. Our assessment suggests the species has not made a marked recovery since being nationally protected in 1991. As such, additional international protection may prove vital for the long-term conservation of this threatened species. PMID:23776600

Occurrence of Opportunistic Pathogens Legionella pneumophila and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in hospital plumbing systems

EPA Science Inventory

Occurrence of Opportunistic Pathogens Legionella pneumophila and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in hospital plumbing systems Jill Hoelle, Michael Coughlin, Elizabeth Sotkiewicz, Jingrang Lu, Stacy Pfaller, Mark Rodgers, and Hodon Ryu U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati...

Multi-Variant/Capability Next Generation Troop Seat (M-V/C NGTS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

John Plaga , Work Unit Manager MARK M. HOFFMAN Deputy Chief Biomechanics Branch Biosciences and Protection Division Human...John A. Plaga a. REPORT U b. ABSTRACT U c. THIS PAGE U SAR 20 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (include area

Protection of mice against Giardia muris infection.

PubMed Central

Roberts-Thomson, I C; Mitchell, G F

1979-01-01

Strains of mice showing relatively rapid (BALB/c) and defective (C3H/He) spontaneous elimination of Giardia muris displayed marked differences in the degree of resistance to infection induced by prior injection of trophozoites in Freund complete adjuvant. PMID:468385

29 CFR 1918.97 - First aid and lifesaving facilities. (See appendix V of this part).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... in permanent locations shall be mounted to prevent damage and be protected from the elements if located out-of-doors. If concealed from view, enclosures shall be marked to indicate the location of the...

Chronic aerobic exercise training attenuates aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction through preserving aortic mitochondrial function in aged rats.

PubMed

Gu, Qi; Wang, Bing; Zhang, Xiao-Feng; Ma, Yan-Ping; Liu, Jian-Dong; Wang, Xiao-Ze

2014-08-01

Aging leads to large vessel arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction, which are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. The aim of present work was to assess the effects of chronic aerobic exercise training on aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction in aged rats and investigate the underlying mechanism about mitochondrial function. Chronic aerobic exercise training attenuated aortic stiffening with age marked by reduced collagen concentration, increased elastin concentration and reduced pulse wave velocity (PWV), and prevented aging-related endothelial dysfunction marked by improved endothelium-mediated vascular relaxation of aortas in response to acetylcholine. Chronic aerobic exercise training abated oxidative stress and nitrosative stress in aortas of aged rats. More importantly, we found that chronic aerobic exercise training in old rats preserved aortic mitochondrial function marked by reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial swelling, increased ATP formation and mitochondrial DNA content, and restored activities of complexes I and III and electron-coupling capacity between complexes I and III and between complexes II and III. In addition, it was found that chronic aerobic exercise training in old rats enhanced protein expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH-2), prohibitin (PHB) and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in aortas. In conclusion, chronic aerobic exercise training preserved mitochondrial function in aortas, which, at least in part, explained the aorta-protecting effects of exercise training in aging. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leniency and halo effects in marking undergraduate short research projects

PubMed Central

McKinstry, Brian H; Cameron, Helen S; Elton, Robert A; Riley, Simon C

2004-01-01

Background Supervisors are often involved in the assessment of projects they have supervised themselves. Previous research suggests that detailed marking sheets may alleviate leniency and halo effects. We set out to determine if, despite using such a marking schedule, leniency and halo effects were evident in the supervisors' marking of undergraduate short research projects (special study modules (SSM)). Methods Review of grades awarded by supervisors, second markers and control markers to the written reports of 4th year medical students who had participated in an SSM during two full academic years (n = 399). Paired t-tests were used to compare mean marks, Pearson correlation to look at agreement between marks and multiple linear regression to test the prediction of one mark from several others adjusted for one another. Results There was a highly significant difference of approximately half a grade between supervisors and second markers with supervisors marking higher. (t = 3.12, p < 0.01, difference in grade score = 0.42, 95% CI for mean difference 0.18–0.80). There was a high correlation between the two marks awarded for performance of the project and the written report by the supervisor (r = 0.75), but a low-modest correlation between supervisor and second marker (r = 0.28). Linear regression analysis of the influence of the supervisors' mark for performance on their mark for the report gave a non-significant result. This suggests a leniency effect but no halo effect. Conclusions This study shows that with the use of structured marking sheet for assessment of undergraduate medical students, supervisors marks are not associated with a halo effect, but leniency does occur. As supervisor assessment is becoming more common in both under graduate and postgraduate teaching new ways to improve objectivity in marking and to address the leniency of supervisors should be sought. PMID:15569395

Detoxified extract of Rhus verniciflua stokes inhibits rotenone-induced apoptosis in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y.

PubMed

Sapkota, Kumar; Kim, Seung; Park, Se-Eun; Kim, Sung-Jun

2011-03-01

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), traditionally used as a food supplement and in traditional herbal medicine for centuries in Korea, is known to possess various pharmacological properties. Environmental neurotoxins such as rotenone, a specific inhibitor of complex I provide models of Parkinson's disease (PD) both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of RVS against rotenone-induced toxicity in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y. Cells exposed to rotenone for 24 h-induced cellular injury and apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment of cells with RVS provided significant protection to SH-SY5Y cells. Further, RVS offered remarkable protection against rotenone-induced oxidative stress and markedly inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disruption. RVS also attenuated the up-regulation of Bax, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, pretreatment with RVS prevented the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in SH-SY5Y cells. Interestingly, RVS conferred profound protection to human dopaminergic cells by preventing the downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). These results suggest that RVS may protect dopaminergic neurons against rotenone-induced apoptosis by multiple functions and contribute to neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases, such as PD.

Impact of relationship dynamics and gender roles in the protection of HIV discordant heterosexual couples: an exploratory study in the Puerto Rican context.

PubMed

Orengo-Aguayo, Rosaura; Pérez-Jiménez, David

2009-03-01

Most of the HIV/AIDS prevention efforts have not taken into consideration the context of the relationship and the gender constructs that influence relationship dynamics. These efforts have failed to view HIV prevention as a collaborative process between partners. Therefore, it is important to explore how relationship dynamics and gender constructs influence how men and women involved in an HIV discordant heterosexual relationship, visualize their role in the protection of their partners in order to design more effective prevention interventions. Five Puerto Rican HIV discordant heterosexual couples were interviewed via a qualitative semi-structured interview. The taped interviews were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis according to a set of defined categories. Women visualized their role as one of convincing their partners to use protection as well as being strong and firm in the demand of its use. Men viewed their role as one of being more supportive and willing to use protection, but recognized their resistance towards the use of condoms. Relationship dynamics such as communication and support promoted protection. Traditional and non-traditional gender roles were assumed by both men and women. Traditional gender roles inhibited protection but were also used in positive ways to promote it. Men showed a greater initiative to break with traditional gender norms. A positive relationship, marked by communication and support could serve as a facilitator in the protection and in the transformation of traditional gender norms. This points out to the need of viewing HIV/AIDS prevention as a collaborative rather than individualistic process.

The effect of grazing on the plant cover in the north of Caspian lowland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novikova, Nina; Vyshivkin, Alexey

2017-04-01

Transect and key sites methods were used for investigation of solonetz complex vegetation changes under different impact of cattle herd (cows, ships and goats) in Northern Caspian area, Russia. The groups of plant species differently responding to stocking pressure are revealed: avoiding, preferring, indifferent. Compiled list of plant species that grow only on the protected area of steppe Dzhanybek research station. Determined, that along a gradient of strengthening of cattle grazing decrease the plants height, numbers of species and projective cover within communities. It was shown, that optimum condition for vegetation is marked within the area of low grazing.

Chronic intermittent fasting improves the survival following large myocardial ischemia by activation of BDNF/VEGF/PI3K signaling pathway.

PubMed

Katare, Rajesh G; Kakinuma, Yoshihiko; Arikawa, Mikihiko; Yamasaki, Fumiyasu; Sato, Takayuki

2009-03-01

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the major cause of death in the developed countries. Calorie restriction is known to improve the recovery in these patients; however, the exact mechanism behind this protective effect is unknown. Here we demonstrate the activation of cell survival PI3kinase/Akt and VEGF pathway as the mechanism behind the protection induced by intermittent fasting in a rat model of established chronic myocardial ischemia (MI). Chronic MI was induced in rats by occlusion of the left coronary artery. Two weeks later, the rats were randomly assigned to a normal feeding group (MI-NF) and an alternate-day feeding group (MI-IF). After 6 weeks of observation, we evaluated the effect of intermittent fasting on cellular and ventricular remodeling and long-term survival after CHF. Compared with the normally fed group, intermittent fasting markedly improved the survival of rats with CHF (88.5% versus 23% survival, P<0.05). The heart weight body weight ratio was significantly less in the MI-IF group compared to the MI-NF group (3.4+/-0.17 versus 3.9+/-0.18, P<0.05). Isolated heart perfusion studies exhibited well preserved cardiac functions in the MI-IF group compared to the MI-NF group (P<0.05). Molecular studies revealed the upregulation of angiogenic factors such asHIF-1-alpha (3010+/-350% versus 650+/-151%), BDNF (523+/-32% versus 110+/-12%), and VEGF (450+/-21% versus 170+/-30%) in the fasted hearts. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed increased capillary density (P<0.001) in the border area of the ischemic myocardium and synthesis VEGF by cardiomyocytes. Moreover fasting also upregulated the expression of other anti-apoptotic factors such as Akt and Bcl-2 and reduced the TUNEL positive apoptotic nuclei in the border zone. Chronic intermittent fasting markedly improves the long-term survival after CHF by activation through its pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-remodeling effects.

Effect of marine collagen peptides on markers of metabolic nuclear receptors in type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension.

PubMed

Zhu, Cui-Feng; Li, Guan-Zhi; Peng, Hong-Bin; Zhang, Fan; Chen, Yun; Li, Yong

2010-04-01

To explore Effects of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) on markers of metablic nuclear receptors, i.e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs), liver X receptor (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXRs) in type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension. METHOD Study population consisted of 200 type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension and 50 healthy subjects, all of whom were randomly assigned to MCPs-treated diabetics (n = 50), placebo-treated diabetics (n = 50), MCPs-treated diabetics with hypertension (n=50), placebo-treated diabetics with hypertension (n = 50), and healthy controls (n = 50). MCPs or placebo (water-soluble starch) were given daily before breakfast and bedtime over three months. Levels of free fatty acid, cytochrome P450, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, bradykinin, NO, and Prostacyclin were determined before intervention, and 1.5 months, and 3 months after intervention. Hypoglycemia and the endpoint events during the study were recorded and compared among the study groups. At the end of the study period, MCPs-treated patients showed marked improvement compared with patients receiving placebo. The protection exerted by MCPs seemed more profound in diabetics than in diabetics with hypertension. In particular, after MCPs intervention, levels of free fatty acid, hs-CRP, resistin, Prostacyclin decreased significantly in diabetics and tended to decrease in diabetic and hypertensive patients whereas levels of cytochrome P450, leptin, NO tended to decrease in diabetics with/without hypertension. Meanwhile, levels of adiponectin and bradykinin rose markedly in diabetics following MCPs administration. MCPs could offer protection against diabetes and hypertension by affecting levels of molecules involved in diabetic and hypertensive pathogenesis. Regulation on metabolic nuclear receptors by MCPs may be the possible underlying mechanism for its observed effects in the study. Further study into its action may shed light on development of new drugs based on bioactive peptides from marine sources.

Protective Effect of Fragaria ananassa Crude Extract on Cadmium-Induced Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Enzymes Suppression, and Apoptosis in Rat Testes

PubMed Central

Elmallah, Mohammed I. Y.; Elkhadragy, Manal F.; Al-Olayan, Ebtesam M.; Abdel Moneim, Ahmed E.

2017-01-01

Cadmium is a deleterious environmental pollutant that threats both animals and human health. Oxidative stress and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently been reported to be the main cause of cellular damage as a result of cadmium exposure. We investigate, here, the protective effect of strawberry crude extracts on cadmium-induced oxidative damage of testes in rats. Four groups (n = 8) of 32 adult male Wistar rats weighing 160–180 g were used. The control group received 0.9% saline solution all over the experimental period (5 days). Group 2 was intraperitoneally injected with 6.5 mg/kg CdCl2. Group 3 was provided only with an oral administration of strawberry methanolic extract (SME) at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with SME before cadmium injection with the same mentioned doses. It was shown that cadmium exposure results in a significant decrease in both relative testicular weight and serum testosterone level. Analyzing the oxidative damaging effect of cadmium on the testicular tissue revealed the induction of oxidative stress markers represented in the elevated level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and a decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Considering cadmium toxicity, the level of the antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), and glutathione reductase (GR) were markedly decreased. Moreover, gene expression analysis indicated significant upregulation of the pro-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2-associated-X-protein (BAX), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA) in response to cadmium intoxication, while significant downregulation of the anti-apoptotic, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) gene was detected. Immunohistochemistry of the testicular tissue possessed positive immunostaining for the increased level of TNF-α, but decreased number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. Administration of SME debilitated the deleterious effect of cadmium via reduction of both LPO and NO levels followed by a significant enhancement in the gene expression level of CAT, SOD2, GPX1, GR, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), Bcl-2, and PCNA. In addition, the SME treated group revealed a significant increase in the level of testosterone and GSH accompanied by a marked decrease in the gene expression level of Bax and TNF-α. In terms of the summarized results, the SME of Fragaria ananassa has a protective effect against cadmium-induced oxidative damage of testes. PMID:28475120

The effect of donor treatment with hydrogen on lung allograft function in rats.

PubMed

Kawamura, Tomohiro; Huang, Chien-Sheng; Peng, Ximei; Masutani, Kosuke; Shigemura, Norihisa; Billiar, Timothy R; Okumura, Meinoshin; Toyoda, Yoshiya; Nakao, Atsunori

2011-08-01

Because inhaled hydrogen provides potent anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects against acute lung injury, we hypothesized that treatment of organ donors with inhaled hydrogen during mechanical ventilation would decrease graft injury after lung transplantation. Orthotopic left lung transplants were performed using a fully allogeneic Lewis to Brown Norway rat model. The donors were exposed to mechanical ventilation with 98% oxygen plus 2% nitrogen or 2% hydrogen for 3 h prior to harvest, and the lung grafts underwent 4 h of cold storage in Perfadex (Vitrolife, Göteborg, Sweden). The graft function, histomorphologic changes, and inflammatory reactions were assessed. The combination of mechanical ventilation and prolonged cold ischemia resulted in marked deterioration of gas exchange when the donors were ventilated with 2% nitrogen/98% oxygen, which was accompanied by upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and proapoptotic molecules. These lung injuries were attenuated significantly by ventilation with 2% hydrogen. Inhaled hydrogen induced heme oxygenase-1, an antioxidant enzyme, in the lung grafts prior to implantation, which might contribute to protective effects afforded by hydrogen. Preloaded hydrogen gas during ventilation prior to organ procurement protected lung grafts effectively from ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in a rat lung transplantation model. Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of Bauhinia tomentosa on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis by regulating antioxidant and inflammatory mediators.

PubMed

Kannan, Narayanan; Guruvayoorappan, Chandrasekharan

2013-05-01

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis (UC), are life-long and recurrent disorders of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown etiology. The present study is designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Bauhinia tomentosa during ulcerative colitis (UC). Three groups of animals (n=6) were treated with B. tomentosa (5, 10, 20 mg/kg B.wt respectively) for 5 consecutive days before induction of UC. UC was induced by intracolonic injection of 3% acetic acid. The colonic mucosal injury was assessed by macroscopic scoring and histological examination. Furthermore, the mucosal content of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity confirms that B. tomentosa could significantly inhibit colitis in a dose dependent manner. The myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression studies and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay also supported that B. tomentosa could significantly inhibit experimental colitis. The effect was comparable to the standard drug sulfasalazine. Colonic mucosal injury parallels with the result of histological and biochemical evaluations. The extracts obtained from B. tomentosa possess active substances, which exert marked protective effects in acute experimental colitis, possibly by regulating the antioxidant and inflammatory mediators. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NAD+ and SIRT3 control microtubule dynamics and reduce susceptibility to antimicrotubule agents

PubMed Central

Harkcom, William T.; Ghosh, Ananda K.; Sung, Matthew S.; Matov, Alexandre; Brown, Kevin D.; Giannakakou, Paraskevi; Jaffrey, Samie R.

2014-01-01

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an endogenous enzyme cofactor and cosubstrate that has effects on diverse cellular and physiologic processes, including reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and axonal degeneration. A major goal is to identify the NAD+-regulated cellular pathways that may mediate these effects. Here we show that the dynamic assembly and disassembly of microtubules is markedly altered by NAD+. Furthermore, we show that the disassembly of microtubule polymers elicited by microtubule depolymerizing agents is blocked by increasing intracellular NAD+ levels. We find that these effects of NAD+ are mediated by the activation of the mitochondrial sirtuin sirtuin-3 (SIRT3). Overexpression of SIRT3 prevents microtubule disassembly and apoptosis elicited by antimicrotubule agents and knockdown of SIRT3 prevents the protective effects of NAD+ on microtubule polymers. Taken together, these data demonstrate that NAD+ and SIRT3 regulate microtubule polymerization and the efficacy of antimicrotubule agents. PMID:24889606

10 CFR 603.420 - Disclosure of information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... types that are exempt: (i) Proposals, proposal abstracts, and supporting documents; and (ii) Business plans and technical information submitted on a confidential basis. (c) If proposers desire to protect business plans and technical information for five years from FOIA disclosure requirements, they must mark...

New Directions in Chicano Scholarship.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romo, Ricardo, Ed.; Paredes, Raymund, Ed.

Representing various scholarly interests and ideologies, 7 of the 12 essays discuss ethnographers frequent misrepresentation of Chicano culture because they are unaware of the "performance" element of Chicano behavior; "agringado joking", a tactic used by Texas Chicanos to mark ethnic boundaries and to protect their cultural…

76 FR 22849 - DoD Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-25

... computer or other information technology systems shall enforce protection from unauthorized disclosure or..., and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, shall: (1... slides) containing DoD UCNI shall be conspicuously marked ``DOD UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR...

Metallothionein provides zinc-mediated protective effects against methamphetamine toxicity in SK-N-SH cells.

PubMed

Ajjimaporn, Amornpan; Swinscoe, John; Shavali, Shaik; Govitrapong, Piyarat; Ebadi, Manuchair

2005-11-30

Methamphetamine (METH) is a drug of abuse and neurotoxin that induces Parkinson's-like pathology after chronic usage by targeting dopaminergic neurons. Elucidation of the intracellular mechanisms that underlie METH-induced dopaminergic neuron toxicity may help in understanding the mechanism by which neurons die in Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we examined the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the METH-induced death of human dopaminergic SK-N-SH cells and further assessed the neuroprotective effects of zinc and metallothionein (MT) against METH-induced toxicity in culture. METH significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species, decreased intracellular ATP levels and reduced the cell viability. Pre-treatment with zinc markedly prevented the loss of cell viability caused by METH treatment. Zinc pre-treatment mainly increased the expression of metallothionein and prevented the generation of reactive oxygen species and ATP depletion caused by METH. Chelation of zinc by CaEDTA caused a significant decrease in MT expression and loss of protective effects of MT against METH toxicity. These results suggest that zinc-induced MT expression protects dopaminergic neurons via preventing the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species and halting the decrease in ATP levels. Furthermore, MT may prevent the loss of mitochondrial functions caused by neurotoxins. In conclusion, our study suggests that MT, a potent scavenger of free radicals is neuroprotective against dopaminergic toxicity in conditions such as drug of abuse and in Parkinson's disease.

Protective Effects of Thymoquinone and Melatonin on Intestinal Ischemia–reperfusion Injury

PubMed Central

Tas, Ufuk; Ayan, Murat; Sogut, Erkan; Kuloglu, Tuncay; Uysal, Murat; Tanriverdi, Halil I.; Senel, Ufuk; Ozyurt, Birsen; Sarsilmaz, Mustafa

2015-01-01

Background/Aim: In the present study, we aimed to compare the potential protective effects of thymoquinone and melatonin by using equivalent dose, on oxidative stress-induced ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in the intestinal tissue of rats. Materials and Methods: The study was performed using 32 male Wistar–Albino rats (weighing 180–200 g) randomly divided into four groups: Group I, sham group; Group II, IR group; Group III, IR with melatonin group; and Group IV, IR with thymoquinone group. After laparotomy, ischemia and reperfusion were performed for 60 and 120 min, respectively, on all the groups. Intestinal tissue sections were stained using routine histological methods and examined under the light microscope. In addition, the sections were immunohistochemically stained using the TUNEL method for determination of apoptosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the intestinal tissue were also measured. Results: The IR group had significantly elevated tissue SOD activity, GSH-Px activity, and MDA levels compared with the sham group. Administration of thymoquinone and melatonin efficiently reduced these increases. Statistically significant number of apoptotic cells was observed in the intestinal tissue of IR group rats compared with the sham group. Treatment with thymoquinone and melatonin markedly reduced the number of apoptotic cells. Conclusion The effects of melatonin and thymoquinone on IR-induced oxidative stress in rat intestines were similar. Our findings suggest that melatonin and thymoquinone protect against IR-induced injury to intestinal tissues. PMID:26458854

Extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) protects against gamma-radiation induced testicular damage in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Adaramoye, Oluwatosin Adekunle; Adedara, Isaac Adegboyega; Popoola, Bosede; Farombi, Ebenezer Olatunde

2010-01-01

Ionizing radiation is an important environmental risk factor and, a major therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of extract of Xylopia aethiopica (XA) on gamma-radiation-induced testicular damage in rats. Vitamin C (VC) served as the reference antioxidant during the study. The study consists of 4 groups of 11 rats each. Group I received corn oil (vehicle), groups II and IV were pretreated with XA (250 mg/kg) and VC (250mg/kg) for 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after exposure to gamma-radiation; group III was exposed to a single dose of gamma-radiation (5 Gy). Biochemical analysis revealed that gamma-irradiation caused a significant increase (p < .05) in serum and testicular lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels by 217% and 221%, respectively. Irradiated rats had markedly decreased testicular catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Irradiation resulted in 59% and 40% decreases in spermatozoa motility and live/dead sperm count, respectively, and a 161% increase in total sperm abnormalities. Histologically, testes of the irradiated rats showed extensive degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and defoliation of spermatocytes. Supplementation of XA and VC reversed the adverse effects of gamma-radiation on biochemical and histological indices of the rats. These findings demonstrated that Xylopia aethiopica has a protective effect by inhibiting oxidative damage in testes of irradiated rats.

Diallyl disulfide attenuated carbon ion irradiation-induced apoptosis in mouse testis through changing the ratio of Tap73/ΔNp73 via mitochondrial pathway

PubMed Central

Di, Cui-xia; Han, Lu; Zhang, Hong; Xu, Shuai; Mao, Ai-hong; Sun, Chao; Liu, Yang; Si, Jing; Li, Hong-yan; Zhou, Xin; Liu, Bing; Miao, Guo-ying

2015-01-01

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a major organosulfur compound derived from garlic, has various biological properties, including anti-cancer effects. However, the protective mechanism of DADS against radiation-induced mouse testis cell apoptosis has not been elucidated. In this study, the magnitude of radiation effects evoked by carbon ion irradiation was marked by morphology changes, significant rise in apoptotic cells, activation expression of p53, up regulation the ratio of pro-apoptotic Tap73/anti-apoptotic ΔNp73, as well as alterations of crucial mediator of the mitochondrial pathway. Interestingly, pretreatment with DADS attenuated carbon ion irradiation-induced morphology damages and apoptotic cells. Additionally, DADS elevated radiation-induced p53 and p21 expression, suggesting that p53 might be involved in the inhibition of cell cycle progression through up regulation of p21. Furthermore, administration with DADS prevented radiation-induced Tap73/ΔNp73 expression and consequently down regulated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 expression, indicating that the balance between Tap73 and ΔNp73 had potential to activate p53 responsive genes. Thus, our results showed that radio protection effect of DADS on mouse testis is mediated by blocking apoptosis through changing the ratio of Tap73/ΔNp73 via mitochondrial pathway, suggesting that DADS could be used as a potential radio protection agent for the testis against heavy-ion radiation. PMID:26526304

Thyroid hormone suppresses hepatocarcinogenesis via DAPK2 and SQSTM1-dependent selective autophagy.

PubMed

Chi, Hsiang-Cheng; Chen, Shen-Liang; Tsai, Chung-Ying; Chuang, Wen-Yu; Huang, Ya-Hui; Tsai, Ming-Ming; Wu, Sheng-Ming; Sun, Cheng-Pu; Yeh, Chau-Ting; Lin, Kwang-Huei

2016-12-01

Recent studies have demonstrated a critical association between disruption of cellular thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we showed that disruption of TH production results in a marked increase in progression of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in a murine model, and conversely, TH administration suppresses the carcinogenic process via activation of autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy via treatment with chloroquine (CQ) or knockdown of ATG7 (autophagy-related 7) via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, suppressed the protective effects of TH against DEN-induced hepatic damage and development of HCC. The involvement of autophagy in TH-mediated protection was further supported by data showing transcriptional activation of DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2; a serine/threonine protein kinase), which enhanced the phosphorylation of SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) to promote selective autophagic clearance of protein aggregates. Ectopic expression of DAPK2 further attenuated DEN-induced hepatoxicity and DNA damage though enhanced autophagy, whereas, knockdown of DAPK2 displayed the opposite effect. The pathological significance of the TH-mediated hepatoprotective effect by DAPK2 was confirmed by the concomitant decrease in the expression of THRs and DAPK2 in matched HCC tumor tissues. Taken together, these findings indicate that TH promotes selective autophagy via induction of DAPK2-SQSTM1 cascade, which in turn protects hepatocytes from DEN-induced hepatotoxicity or carcinogenesis.

Tetramethylpyrazine analogue CXC195 protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway in rats.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Wei, Xinbing; Hou, Yunfeng; Liu, Xiaoqian; Li, Senpeng; Sun, Baozhu; Liu, Xinyong; Liu, Huiqing

2014-01-01

CXC195 showed strongest protective effects among the ligustrazine derivatives in cells and prevented apoptosis induced by H2O2 injury. We recently demonstrated that CXC195 protected against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by its antioxidant activity. However, whether the anti-apoptotic action of CXC195 is involved in cerebral I/R injury is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of CXC195 in apoptotic processes induced by cerebral I/R and the possible signaling pathways. Male Wistar rats were submitted to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2h, followed by 24h reperfusion. CXC195 was injected intraperitoneally at 2h and 12h after the onset of ischemia. The number of apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL assay, apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax and the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3β in ischemic penumbra were assayed by western blot. The results showed that administration of CXC195 at the doses of 3mg/kg and 10mg/kg significantly inhibited the apoptosis by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells, decreasing the level of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and increasing the level of Bcl-2 in rats subjected to I/R injury. Simultaneously, CXC195 treatment markedly increased the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3β. Blockade of PI3K activity by wortmannin, dramatically abolished its anti-apoptotic effect and lowered both Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation levels. Our study firstly demonstrated that CXC195 protected against cerebral I/R injury by reducing apoptosis in vivo and PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway involved in the anti-apoptotic effect. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The investigation of the possible protective influence of selenium on antioxidant barrier in heart of rats exposed to lithium.

PubMed

Musik, Irena; Kocot, Joanna; Lewandowska, Anna; Żelazowska, Renata; Kiełczykowska, Małgorzata

2015-07-01

Selenium is an essential element possessing antioxidant properties and the treatment with it has displayed protective effects against toxicity of different substances occurring in the environment and food as well as against the side effects of some drugs. Lithium is used in medicine although numerous side effects can occur during therapy, including disturbances of the heart. For these reasons studies to find protective adjuvants have been performed. In the current study the possibility of selenium (as sodium selenite) application as a protective adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied. Male Wistar rats were treated: control - with saline; Li-group - with Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se-group - with Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li+Se-group simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by a stomach tube for a period of three weeks, once a day. In heart homogenate activities of antioxidant enzymes - catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentrations of low-molecular-weight antioxidants - ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) values were determined. GPx/SOD and CAT/SOD ratios were evaluated. In comparison with control selenium caused no significant changes of the studied parameters except for GPx, whereas lithium slightly disturbed TAS and markedly GPx, CAT and CAT/SOD ratio. In Li-treated rats co-administration of selenium displayed tendency towards restoring the impaired parameters. The results suggest that research on selenium application as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worthy to be continued. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

IL-30 (IL27p28) alleviates sepsis via modulation of cytokine profiles produced by NKT cells

PubMed Central

Yan, Jun; Mitra, Abhisek; Hu, Jiemiao; Cutrera, Jeffery J; Xia, Xueqing; Doetschman, Thomas; Gagea, Mihai; Mishra, Lopa; Li, Shulin

2016-01-01

Background & Aims Sepsis is an acute systemic inflammatory response to infection associated with high patient mortality (28-40%). We hypothesized that interleukin (IL)-30, a novel cytokine protecting mice against liver injury resulted from inflammation, would generate a protective effect against systemic inflammation and sepsis-induced death. Methods Sepsis was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The inhibitory effects of IL-30 on septic inflammation and associated therapeutic effects were determined in wild-type, IL-30 (p28)−/−, IL10−/−, and CD1d−/− mice. Results Mice treated with pIL30 gene therapy or recombinant IL-30 protein (rIL30) were protected from LPS-induced septic shock or CLP-induced polymicrobial sepsis and showed markedly less liver damage and lymphocyte apoptosis than control septic mice. The resulting reduction in mortality was mediated through attenuation of the systemic pro-inflammatory response and augmentation of bacterial clearance. Mice lacking IL-30 were more sensitive to LPS-induced sepsis. Natural killer–like T cells (NKT) produced much higher levels of IL-10 and lower levels of interferon–gamma and tumor necrosis factor–alpha in IL-30–treated septic mice than in control septic mice. Likewise, deficiency in IL-10 or NKT cells abolished the protective role of IL-30 against sepsis. Furthermore, IL-30 induced IL-10 production in purified and LPS-stimulated NKT cells. Blocking IL-6R or gp130 inhibited IL-30 mediated IL-10 production. Conclusions IL-30 is important in modulating production of NKT cytokines and subsequent NKT cell–mediated immune regulation of other cells. Therefore, IL-30 has a role in prevention and treatment of sepsis via modulation of cytokine production by NKT. PMID:26767500

Protective effects of amifostine and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor against normal human epidermal keratinocyte toxicity induced by methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.

PubMed

Maiguma, Takayoshi; Kaji, Hiroaki; Makino, Kazutaka; Teshima, Daisuke

2009-07-01

Our study aimed to find more effective protective agents against mucosa toxicity induced by methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. We focused on the relationship between oral mucositis and keratinocyte injury and examined methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in normal human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines. Cell viability and superoxide radical activity were measured based on converting WST-1 (4-[3-(4-indophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzen disulfonate) to a water-soluble formazan dye. DNA synthesis by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation was measured as an indirect parameter of cell proliferation. Allopurinol and amifostine were used as the radical scavengers. l-glutamine was used as a mucosa-protective agent. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor interrupting the production of hydroxyl radicals in the arachidonic acid cascade was also examined. 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate caused cytotoxicity due to the activation of intracellular superoxide radicals specifically on normal human epidermal keratinocytes. From the electron spin resonance study, it was found that allopurinol was a superoxide radical scavenger, while amifostine was hydroxyl radical scavenger. Allopurinol showed no effect on the cytotoxicity due to 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate. The cell injury induced by methotrexate was restored by amifostine. However, the cell injury induced by 5-fluorouracil was markedly recovered by a selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor compared to amifostine. It was suggested that amifostine and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor could be useful protective agents against methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapeutic toxicity. Additionally, this in vitro cell injury model using normal human epidermal keratinocytes may be useful for understanding the pathophysiology of oral mucositis induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

Protective effect of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot L. Medic against poststroke depression injury in mice and its action mechanism.

PubMed

Liu, Mei; Jiang, Qiu-Hong; Hao, Ji-Li; Zhou, Lan-Lan

2009-03-01

Total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot L. Medic (TFA) is the major active component isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Abelmoschus manihot L. Medic. We investigated the protective effect of TFA against poststroke depression (PSD) injury in mice and its action mechanism. A mouse model of PSD was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MACO) 30 min/reperfusion, followed by isolation feeding and chronic unpredictable mild stress for 2 weeks. Treatment groups received TFA at three different doses (160, 80, and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) or fluoxetine (Flu, 2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 24 days. Change in behavior, brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression of BDNF and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Treatment with TFA (160, 80, and 40 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated mice escape-directed behavioral impairment induced by PSD, markedly reduced MDA levels, and increased the activity of SOD, GSH-Px close to normal levels. TFA administration also attenuated PSD-induced neuronal death/losses, upregulated expression of BDNF both at mRNA and protein levels, as well as CREB mRNA levels. TFA had a protective effect against PSD injury in mice. Cardioprotection involves the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and upregulation of BDNF-CREB levels in the hippocampus, which may also be important mechanism of its antidepressants. This potential protection makes TFA a promising therapeutic agent for the PSD. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Protein oxidative damage and heme oxygenase in sunlight-exposed human skin: roles of MAPK responses to oxidative stress.

PubMed

Akasaka, Emiko; Takekoshi, Susumu; Horikoshi, Yosuke; Toriumi, Kentarou; Ikoma, Norihiro; Mabuchi, Tomotaka; Tamiya, Shiho; Matsuyama, Takashi; Ozawa, Akira

2010-12-20

Oxidative stress derived from ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight induces different hazardous effects in the skin, including sunburn, photo-aging and DNA mutagenesis. In this study, the protein-bound lipid peroxidation products 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) were investigated in chronically sun-exposed and sun-protected human skins using immunohistochemistry. The levels of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase 1 and 2, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase, were also examined. Oxidative stress is also implicated in the activation of signal transduction pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the expression and distribution of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were observed. Skin specimens were obtained from the surgical margins. Chronically sunlight-exposed skin samples were taken from the ante-auricular (n = 10) and sunlight-protected skin samples were taken from the post-auricular (n = 10). HNE was increased in the chronically sunlight-exposed skin but not in the sunlight-protected skin. The expression of heme oxygenase-2 was markedly increased in the sunlight-exposed skin compared with the sun-protected skin. In contrast, the intensity of immunostaining of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase was not different between the two areas. Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated JNK accumulated in the ante-auricular dermis and epidermis, respectively. These data show that particular anti-oxidative enzymes function as protective factors in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin. Taken together, our results suggest (1) antioxidative effects of heme oxygenase-2 in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin, and that (2) activation of p38 MAPK may be responsible for oxidative stress.

Bonum vinum laetificat cor hominum.

PubMed

Stoclet, J C

2001-01-01

Beneficial effects of wine consumption on health have been suspected since the antiquity. Recent epidemiological studies show that coronary heart disease mortality markedly decreases from northern to southern Europe and is lower in Mediterranean than in other developed countries. Because wine is a component of the Mediterranean diet, it has been suggested that moderate wine especially red wine consumption may produce additional beneficial effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared to consuming the same quantity of alcohol in other beverages. Polyphenols are good candidates to explain the putative cardiovascular protective effect of wine, because they are abundant in wine especially red wine, and possess antioxidant and superoxide ion scavenging properties. Because it is readily accessible from blood and produces cardioprotective agents like nitric oxide (NO) the endothelial cell may be a privileged target for wine polyphenols. Polyphenols from red wine can prevent oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL). As oxidized LDL inhibit agonist-activated NO release from endothelial cells and subsequent endothelium-dependent relaxation of arteries, wine polyphenols might prevent LDL-induced alterations of endothelial function. Furthermore some wine polyphenols contained in oligomeric condensed tannins- and anthocyaninsD enriched fractions can act directly on endothelial cells to cause calcium-dependent release of NO. The latter effect is independent from superoxide scavenging and antioxidant properties of the polyphenols, and it is produced by compounds with specific structures only. Thus, decreased oxidation of LDL and enhanced release of NO from endothelium caused by polyphenols from red wine may result in cardiovascular protection. However further studies are required to demonstrate whether or not these effects are involved in the putative protective effect of wine on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Effect and mechanism of evodiamine against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice by suppressing Rho/NF-кB pathway.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhongyan; Gong, Shilin; Wang, Shumin; Ma, Chunhua

2015-09-01

Evodiamine (EVD), a major alkaloid compound extracted from the dry unripened fruit Evodia fructus (Evodia rutaecarpa Benth., Rutaceae), has various pharmacological effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible anti-ulcerogenic potential of EVD and explore the underlying mechanism against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice. Administration of EVD at the doses of 20, 40mg/kg body weight prior to the ethanol ingestion could effectively protect the stomach from ulceration. The gastric lesion was significantly ameliorated in the EVD group compared with that in the model group. Pre-treatment with EVD prevented the oxidative damage and decreased the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, EVD pretreatment markedly increased the serum levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) content in serum and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in stomach tissues compared with those in the model group. In the mechanistic study, significant elevation of Rho, Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1), ROCK2, cytosolic and nucleic NF-κBp65 expressions were observed in the gastric mucosa group, whereas EVD effectively suppressed the protein expressions of Rho, Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1), ROCK2, cytosolic and nucleic NF-κBp65 in mice. Moreover, EVD showed protective activity on ethanol-induced GES-1 cells, while the therapeutic effects were not due to its cytotoxity. Taken together, these results strongly indicated that EVD exerted a gastro-protective effect against gastric ulceration. The underlying mechanism might be associated with the improvement of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status through Rho/NF-κB pathway. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sunglasses, the European directive and the European standard.

PubMed

Dain, Stephen John; Ngo, Thi Phuong Thao; Cheng, Brian Barry; Hu, Angel; Teh, Adrian Ghim Boon; Tseng, Jane; Vu, Nam

2010-05-01

The Optics and Radiometry Laboratory (ORLAB) provides a testing service for the Australian sunglass industry to assist its compliance with the mandatory Consumer Product Safety Standard. In doing so, a number of sunglasses carrying the CE mark (in effect a claim of compliance with the European Union Personal Protective Equipment Directive) have been tested. Since there is no mandatory testing in Europe (the sunglass industry is deemed self regulating), evaluating their performance will give an insight into compliance with the Directive. Consecutive submissions to ORLAB over a period of 18 months were examined for CE marked sunglasses. The results for 646 CE marked pairs of sunglasses tested during 2003 and first half 2004 were examined and evaluated for compliance with EN 1836 (the European sunglass standard) on the basis of refractive power, prismatic power, transmittance (visible, UV and coloration) and polarization. A total of 17.3% failed EN 1836 and 3.3% were borderline (i.e. within our uncertainties of measurement of the requirement). The failures comprised: 0.9% lens defect; 12.5% polarization alignment error; 2.7% excessive vertical prism; 22.3% excessive horizontal prism; 27.7% excessive spherical power; 14.3% excessive cylindrical power; 1.8% excessive UV transmittance; and 23.2% transmittance difference between lenses (always gradient tints). With up to 20% non-compliance, self regulation is not working particularly well in providing the public with complying sunglasses.

Adenosine and inosine exert cytoprotective effects in an in vitro model of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

PubMed Central

MÓDIS, KATALIN; GERŐ, DOMOKOS; STANGL, RITA; ROSERO, OLIVÉR; SZIJÁRTÓ, ATTILA; LOTZ, GÁBOR; MOHÁCSIK, PETRA; SZOLECZKY, PETRA; COLETTA, CIRO; SZABÓ, CSABA

2013-01-01

Liver ischemia represents a common clinical problem. In the present study, using an in vitro model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, we evaluated the potential cytoprotective effect of the purine metabolites, such as adenosine and inosine, and studied the mode of their pharmacological actions. The human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell line HepG2 was subjected to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation (COGD; 0-14-24 h), followed by re-oxygenation (0-4-24 h). Adenosine or inosine (300–1,000 μM) were applied in pretreatment. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase methods, respectively. The results showed that both adenosine and inosine exerted cytoprotective effects, and these effects were not related to receptor-mediated actions, since they were not prevented by selective adenosine receptor antagonists. On the other hand, the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride (EHNA, 10 μM) markedly and almost fully reversed the protective effect of adenosine during COGD, while it did not influence the cytoprotective effect of inosine in the same assay conditions. These results suggest that the cytoprotective effects are related to intracellular actions, and, in the case of adenosine also involve intracellular conversion to inosine. The likely interpretation of these findings is that inosine serves as an alternative source of energy to produce ATP during hypoxic conditions. The protective effects are also partially dependent on adenosine kinase, as the inhibitor 4-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-7-(6-morpholino-pyridin-3-yl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 2HCl (ABT 702, 30 μM) significantly reversed the protective effect of both adenosine and inosine during hypoxia and re-oxygenation. Collectively, the current results support the view that during hypoxia, adenosine and inosine exert cytoprotective effects via receptor-independent, intracellular modes of action, which, in part, depend on the restoration of cellular bioenergetics. The present study supports the view that testing of inosine for protection against various forms of warm and cold liver ischemia is relevant. PMID:23232950

Adenosine and inosine exert cytoprotective effects in an in vitro model of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PubMed

Módis, Katalin; Gerő, Domokos; Stangl, Rita; Rosero, Olivér; Szijártó, Attila; Lotz, Gábor; Mohácsik, Petra; Szoleczky, Petra; Coletta, Ciro; Szabó, Csaba

2013-02-01

Liver ischemia represents a common clinical problem. In the present study, using an in vitro model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, we evaluated the potential cytoprotective effect of the purine metabolites, such as adenosine and inosine, and studied the mode of their pharmacological actions. The human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell line HepG2 was subjected to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation (COGD; 0-14-24 h), followed by re-oxygenation (0-4-24 h). Adenosine or inosine (300-1,000 µM) were applied in pretreatment. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase methods, respectively. The results showed that both adenosine and inosine exerted cytoprotective effects, and these effects were not related to receptor-mediated actions, since they were not prevented by selective adenosine receptor antagonists. On the other hand, the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride (EHNA, 10 µM) markedly and almost fully reversed the protective effect of adenosine during COGD, while it did not influence the cytoprotective effect of inosine in the same assay conditions. These results suggest that the cytoprotective effects are related to intracellular actions, and, in the case of adenosine also involve intracellular conversion to inosine. The likely interpretation of these findings is that inosine serves as an alternative source of energy to produce ATP during hypoxic conditions. The protective effects are also partially dependent on adenosine kinase, as the inhibitor 4-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-7-(6‑morpholino-pyridin-3-yl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 2HCl (ABT 702, 30 µM) significantly reversed the protective effect of both adenosine and inosine during hypoxia and re-oxygenation. Collectively, the current results support the view that during hypoxia, adenosine and inosine exert cytoprotective effects via receptor-independent, intracellular modes of action, which, in part, depend on the restoration of cellular bioenergetics. The present study supports the view that testing of inosine for protection against various forms of warm and cold liver ischemia is relevant.

Mosaic H5 Hemagglutinin Provides Broad Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses against Influenza Viruses

PubMed Central

Kamlangdee, Attapon; Kingstad-Bakke, Brock

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The most effective way to prevent influenza virus infection is via vaccination. However, the constant mutation of influenza viruses due to antigenic drift and shift compromises vaccine efficacy. This represents a major challenge to the development of a cross-protective vaccine that can protect against circulating viral antigenic diversity. Using the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus, we had previously generated a recombinant vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) based on an in silico mosaic approach. This MVA-H5M construct protected mice against multiple clades of H5N1 and H1N1 viruses. We have now further characterized the immune responses using immunodepletion of T cells and passive serum transfer, and these studies indicate that antibodies are the main contributors in homosubtypic protection (H5N1 clades). Compared to a MVA construct expressing hemagglutinin (HA) from influenza virus A/VN/1203/04 (MVA-HA), the MVA-H5M vaccine markedly increased and broadened B cell and T cell responses against H5N1 virus. The MVA-H5M also provided effective protection with no morbidity against H5N1 challenge, whereas MVA-HA-vaccinated mice showed clinical signs and experienced significant weight loss. In addition, MVA-H5M induced CD8+ T cell responses that play a major role in heterosubtypic protection (H1N1). Finally, expression of the H5M gene as either a DNA vaccine or a subunit protein protected mice against H5N1 challenge, indicating the effectiveness of the mosaic sequence without viral vectors for the development of a universal influenza vaccine. IMPORTANCE Influenza viruses infect up to one billion people around the globe each year and are responsible for 300,000 to 500,000 deaths annually. Vaccines are still the main intervention to prevent infection, but they fail to provide effective protection against heterologous strains of viruses. We developed broadly reactive H5N1 vaccine based on an in silico mosaic approach and previously demonstrated that modified vaccinia Ankara expressing an H5 mosaic hemagglutinin prevented infection with multiple clades of H5N1 and limited severe disease after H1N1 infection. Further characterization revealed that antibody responses and T cells are main contributors to protection against H5N1 and H1N1 viruses, respectively. The vaccine also broadens both T cell and B cell responses compared to native H5 vaccine from influenza virus A/Vietnam/1203/04. Finally, delivering the H5 mosaic as a DNA vaccine or as a purified protein demonstrated effective protection similar to the viral vector approach. PMID:27194759

Controlled nanostructures formation on stainless steel by short laser pulses for products protection against falsification.

PubMed

Ageev, E I; Veiko, V P; Vlasova, E A; Karlagina, Y Y; Krivonosov, A; Moskvin, M K; Odintsova, G V; Pshenichnov, V E; Romanov, V V; Yatsuk, R M

2018-01-22

The coloration of stainless steel surface due to the formation of spatially periodic structures induced by laser pulses of nanosecond duration is demonstrated. The period of microstructures corresponds to the laser wavelength, and their orientation angle depends on the adjustment of laser polarization. The marking algorithm for the development of authentication patterns is presented. Such patterns provide several levels of protection against falsification (visual, colorimetric and structural) along with high recording speed and capability of automated reading.

Advances in process overlay on 300-mm wafers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staecker, Jens; Arendt, Stefanie; Schumacher, Karl; Mos, Evert C.; van Haren, Richard J. F.; van der Schaar, Maurits; Edart, Remi; Demmerle, Wolfgang; Tolsma, Hoite

2002-07-01

Overlay budgets are getting tighter within 300 mm volume production and as a consequence the process effects on alignment and off-line metrology becomes more important. In a short loop experiment, with cleared reference marks in each image field, the isolated effect of processing was measured with a sub-nanometer accuracy. The examined processes are Shallow Trench Isolation (STI), Tungsten-Chemical Mechanical Processing (W-CMP) and resist spinning. The alignment measurements were done on an ASML TWINSCANT scanner and the off-line metrology measurements on a KLA Tencor. Mark type and mark position dependency of the process effects are analyzed. The mean plus 3 (sigma) of the maximum overlay after correcting batch average wafer parameters is used as an overlay performance indicator (OPI). 3 (sigma) residuals to the wafer-model are used as an indicator of the noise that is added by the process. The results are in agreement with existing knowledge of process effects on 200 mm wafers. The W-CMP process introduces an additional wafer rotation and scaling that is similar for alignment marks and metrology targets. The effects depend on the mark type; in general they get less severe for higher spatial frequencies. For a 7th order alignment mark, the OPI measured about 12 nm and the added noise about 12 nm. For the examined metrology targets the OPI is about 20 nm with an added noise of about 90 nm. Two different types of alignment marks were tested in the STI process, i.e., zero layer marks and marks that were exposed together with the STI product. The overlay contribution due to processing on both types of alignment marks is very low (smaller than 5 nm OPI) and independent on mark type. Some flyers are observed fot the zero layer marks. The flyers can be explained by the residues of oxide and nitride that is left behind in the spaces of the alignment marks. Resist spinning is examined on single layer resist and resist with an organic Bottom Anti-Reflective Coating (BARC) underneath. Single layer resist showed scaling on unsegmented marks that disappears using higher diffraction orders and/or mark segmentation. Resist with a planarizing BARC caused additional effects on the wafer edge for measurements with the red laser signal. The effects disappear using the green laser of ATHENAT.

An experimental study of the protective effect of simvastatin on sepsis-induced myocardial depression in rats.

PubMed

Wang, Yu; Zhang, Lichun; Zhao, Xin; Yang, Wenping; Zhang, Rong

2017-10-01

Many patients with sepsis died of heart failure caused by sepsis-induced myocardial depression. Patients with cardiovascular diseases treated by statins have a lower incidence and mortality of sepsis, although the mechanisms remain elusive. To investigate the protective effect of simvastatin on sepsis-induced myocardial depression and to explore possible mechanisms of action. Thirty six adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with simvastatin (0.2μg/g, q12h) for one week before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). It was found that in simvastatin-treated rats, cardiac function indices, including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVESP) and maximal rate of rise and fall of left ventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax) and mean arterial pressure(MAP) markedly improved. Myocardial cells examined with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) were only partially swollen and degenerated and with fewer inflammatory cells infiltrating. Expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 protein were significantly lower in simvastatin-treated rats than that in sepsis rats at the same time point. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and NO in myocardial tissues, together with levels of CTnI in serum were significantly declined in simvastatin-treated rats. Simvastatin has a protective effect on myocardial depression caused by sepsis. The effect may be mediated by the inhibition of TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway, which leads to reduced levels of downstream inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and NO. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Protective Effect of Procyanidin B2 against CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

PubMed

Yang, Bing-Ya; Zhang, Xiang-Yu; Guan, Sheng-Wen; Hua, Zi-Chun

2015-07-03

Procyanidin B2 has demonstrated several health benefits and medical properties. However, its protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity have not been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of procyanidin B2 in CCl4-treated mice. Our data showed that procyanidin B2 significantly decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase activities, as well as improved hepatic histopathological abnormalities. Procyanidin B2 also significantly decreased the content of MDA but enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GSH-Px. Further research demonstrated that procyanidin B2 decreased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as inhibited the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 from the cytosol to the nuclear fraction in mouse liver. Moreover, CCl4-induced apoptosis in mouse liver was measured by (terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling) TUNEL assay and the cleaved caspase-3. Meanwhile, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-xL was analyzed by Western blot. Results showed that procyanidin B2 significantly inhibited CCl4-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, markedly suppressed the upregulation of Bax expression and restored the downregulation of Bcl-xL expression. Overall, the findings indicated that procyanidin B2 exhibited a protective effect on CCl4-induced hepatic injury by elevating the antioxidative defense potential and consequently suppressing the inflammatory response and apoptosis of liver tissues.

Detail view of the leading and top edge of the ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Detail view of the leading and top edge of the vertical stabilizer of the Orbiter Discovery showing the thermal protection system components with the white Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (AFRSI) blanket and the black High-temperature Reusable Surface Insulation (HRSI) tiles along the outer edges. The marks seen on the HRSI tiles are injection point marks and holes for the application of waterproofing material. This view was taken from a service platform in the Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. - Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Effects of sympathetic stimulation on cerebral and ocular blood flow. Modification by hypertension, hypercapnia, acetazolamide, PGI2 and papaverine.

PubMed

Beausang-Linder, M

1982-02-01

The effect of unilateral, electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic chain in rabbits anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and vasodilated by hypercapnia, acetazolamide, papaverine or PGI2 was investigated to determine to what extent the sympathetic nerves to the brain and the eye cause vasoconstriction and prevent overperfusion in previously vasodilated animals. Evans blue was given as a tracer for protein leakage. Blood flow determinations were made with the labelled microsphere method during normotension and acute arterial hypertension. Hypertension was induced by ligation of the thoracic aorta and in some animals metaraminol or angiotensin was also used. Acetazolamide caused a two to threefold increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and hypercapnia resulted in a fivefold increase. CBF was not markedly affected by papaverine or PGI2. In the choroid plexus, the ciliary body and choroid, papaverine and hypercapnia caused significant blood flow increases on the control side. Sympathetic stimulation induced a 12% blood flow reduction in the brain in normotensive, hypercapnic animals. Marked effects of sympathetic stimulation at normotension were obtained under all conditions in the eye. In the hypertensive state the CBF reduction during sympathetic stimulation was moderate, but highly significant in hypercapnic or papaverine-treated animals as well as in controls. Leakage of Evans blue was more frequently seen on the nonstimulated side of the brain. In the eye there was leakage only on the control side except in PGI2-treated animals where 2 rabbits had bilateral leakage. The effect of sympathetic stimulation on the blood flow in the cerebrum and cerebellum in vasodilated animals seems to be small or absent if the blood pressure is normal. In the eye pronounced vasoconstriction occurs under these conditions. In acute arterial hypertension sympathetic stimulation protects both the cerebral and ocular barriers even under conditions of marked vasodilation.

[Protective effects of five different types of Dendrobium on CCl4-induced liver injury in mice].

PubMed

Wang, Kai; Sui, Dan-Juan; Wang, Chang-Suo; Yang, Li; Ouyang, Zhen; Chen, Nai-Fu; Han, Bang-Xing; Wei, Yuan

2017-05-01

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of Dendrobium huoshanense, D.officinale(Huoshan), D.officinale(Yunnan), D.moniliforme and D. henanense on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, high-dose(7.5 g•kg⁻¹) and low-dose (1.25 g•kg⁻¹) groups of the five Dendrobium. Each group was intragastrically administered with drugs for 2 weeks. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with Olive oil solution, while the other groups were intraperitoneally given 0.5%CCl4combined with Olive oil solution 2 h later after the last administration. Subsequently, ALT and AST activities in serum, SOD activities and MDA contents in liver tissues were determined in all groups 16 h later after administration. The liver index was calculated, and hepatic histopathological examination was performed. The mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed by Real-time PCR. Compared with the CCl4 model group, the activities of ALT and AST in serum decreased significantly in the five different Dendrobium groups. Meanwhile, in liver tissues, the levels of MDA reduced obviously, while the SOD activities markedly increased. Furthermore, liver tissue damage induced by CCl4 was ameliorated according to the histopathological examination. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in D.huoshanense-treated liver tissues were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the five different Dendrobium groups showed hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. However, there were differences among Dendrobium of different types and origins. The protect effect of D.huoshanense is the most obvious, and the order of the protective effect of the other Dendrobium from high to low is D.officinale(Yunnan), D. officinale(Huoshan), D.henanense and D.moniliforme. The differences between the different types of Dendrobium might be related to their chemical components. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Mitigation of septic shock in mice and rhesus monkeys by human chorionic gonadotrophin-related oligopeptides

PubMed Central

Khan, N A; Vierboom, M P M; van Holten – Neelen, C; Breedveld, E; Zuiderwijk-Sick, E; Khan, A; Kondova, I; Braskamp, G; Savelkoul, H F J; Dik, W A; ‘t Hart, B A; Benner, R

2010-01-01

The marked improvement of several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases during pregnancy has drawn attention to pregnancy hormones as potential therapeutics for such disorders. Low molecular weight fractions derived from the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) have remarkable potent immunosuppressive effects in mouse models of diabetes and septic shock. Based on these data we have designed a set of oligopeptides related to the primary structure of hCG and tested these in models of septic shock in mice and rhesus monkeys. We demonstrate that mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated subsequently with selected tri-, tetra-, penta- and hepta-meric oligopeptides (i.e. MTR, VVC, MTRV, LQGV, AQGV, VLPALP, VLPALPQ) are protected against fatal LPS-induced septic shock. Moreover, administration of a cocktail of three selected oligopeptides (LQGV, AQGV and VLPALP) improved the pathological features markedly and nearly improved haemodynamic parameters associated with intravenous Escherichia coli-induced septic shock in rhesus monkeys. These data indicate that the designed hCG-related oligopeptides may present a potential treatment for the initial hyperdynamic phase of septic shock in humans. PMID:20345979

The effect of trans-ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol on ethanol-induced liver injury in C57BL mouse.

PubMed

Chotimarkorn, Chatchawan; Ushio, Hideki

2008-11-01

The effects of the oral administration of trans-ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol (mixture of steryl ferulates) with ethanol (5.0 g per kg) for 30 days to c57BL mice on ethanol-induced liver injury were investigated. Preventions of ethanol-induced liver injury by trans-ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol were reflected by markedly decreased serum activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and significant decreases in hepatic lipid hydroperoxide and TBARS levels. Furthermore, the trans-ferulic acid- and gamma-oryzanol-treated mice recovered ethanol-induced decrease in hepatic glutathione level together with enhancing superoxide dismutase activity. These results demonstrate that both trans-ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol exert a protective action on liver injury induced by chronic ethanol ingestion.

Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 down-regulates inflammatory responses and protects against endotoxin-induced acute kidney injury

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Jiao; Shetty, Sreerama; Zhang, Ping

The presence of endotoxin in blood can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and septic shock. Resolvins, the endogenous lipid mediators derived from docosahexaenoic acid, have been reported to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory action. Using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI, we investigated the effects of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) on inflammatory kidney injury. Administration of AT-RvD1 1 h after LPS challenge protected the mice from kidney injury as indicated by the measurements of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and morphological alterations associated with tubular damage. The protective effects were evidenced by decreased neutrophil infiltration in the kidney indicating reductionmore » in inflammation. AT-RvD1 treatment restored kidney cell junction protein claudin-4 expression, which was otherwise reduced after LPS challenge. AT-RvD1 treatment inhibited endotoxin-induced NF-κB activation and suppressed LPS-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in the kidney. Moreover, AT-RvD1 treatment markedly decreased LPS-induced IL-6 level in the kidney and blocked IL-6-mediated signaling including STAT3 and ERK phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate that AT-RvD1 is a potent anti-inflammatory mediator in LPS-induced kidney injury, and AT-RvD1 has therapeutic potential against AKI during endotoxemia.« less

The Triterpenoid Betulin Protects against the Neuromuscular Effects of Bothrops jararacussu Snake Venom In Vivo

PubMed Central

Ferraz, Miriéle Cristina; de Oliveira, Jhones Luiz; de Oliveira Junior, Joel Reis; Cogo, José Carlos; dos Santos, Márcio Galdino; Franco, Luiz Madaleno; Puebla, Pilar; Ferraz, Helena Onishi; Ferraz, Humberto Gomes; da Rocha, Marisa Maria Teixeira; Hyslop, Stephen

2015-01-01

We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 μg/mL), but only partial blockade (~30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.m.) after 120 min. In PND, preincubation of venom with commercial bothropic antivenom (CBA) attenuated the venom-induced blockade, and, in EPSTA, CBA given i.v. 15 min after venom also attenuated the blockade (by ~70% in both preparations). Preincubation of venom with betulin (200 μg/mL) markedly attenuated the venom-induced blockade in PND; similarly, a single dose of betulin (20 mg, i.p., 15 min after venom) virtually abolished the venom-induced decrease in contractility. Plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated 120 min after venom injection in the EPSTA but was attenuated by CBA and betulin. These results indicate that betulin given i.p. has a similar efficacy as CBA given i.v. in attenuating the neuromuscular effects of B. jararacussu venom in vivo and could be a useful complementary measure to antivenom therapy for treating snakebite. PMID:26633987

Vagus nerve stimulation mediates protection from kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury through α7nAChR+ splenocytes.

PubMed

Inoue, Tsuyoshi; Abe, Chikara; Sung, Sun-Sang J; Moscalu, Stefan; Jankowski, Jakub; Huang, Liping; Ye, Hong; Rosin, Diane L; Guyenet, Patrice G; Okusa, Mark D

2016-05-02

The nervous and immune systems interact in complex ways to maintain homeostasis and respond to stress or injury, and rapid nerve conduction can provide instantaneous input for modulating inflammation. The inflammatory reflex referred to as the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway regulates innate and adaptive immunity, and modulation of this reflex by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is effective in various inflammatory disease models, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Effectiveness of VNS in these models necessitates the integration of neural signals and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) on splenic macrophages. Here, we sought to determine whether electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve attenuates kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), which promotes the release of proinflammatory molecules. Stimulation of vagal afferents or efferents in mice 24 hours before IRI markedly attenuated acute kidney injury (AKI) and decreased plasma TNF. Furthermore, this protection was abolished in animals in which splenectomy was performed 7 days before VNS and IRI. In mice lacking α7nAChR, prior VNS did not prevent IRI. Conversely, adoptive transfer of VNS-conditioned α7nAChR splenocytes conferred protection to recipient mice subjected to IRI. Together, these results demonstrate that VNS-mediated attenuation of AKI and systemic inflammation depends on α7nAChR-positive splenocytes.

Protective effects of a topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid against ultraviolet irradiation-induced photodamage in Chinese women.

PubMed

Wu, Yan; Zheng, Xin; Xu, Xue-Gang; Li, Yuan-Hong; Wang, Bin; Gao, Xing-Hua; Chen, Hong-Duo; Yatskayer, Margarita; Oresajo, Christian

2013-04-01

The objective of the study was to investigate whether a topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid can protect solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation (ssUVR)-induced acute photodamage in human skin. Twelve healthy female Chinese subjects were enrolled in this study. Four unexposed sites on dorsal skin were marked for the experiment. The products containing antioxidant complex and vehicle were applied onto 2 sites, respectively, for 4 consecutive days. On day 4, the antioxidant complex-treated site, the vehicle-treated site, and the untreated site (positive control) received ssUVR (5 times the minimal erythema dose). The fourth site (negative control) received neither ssUVR nor treatment. Digital photographs were taken, and skin color was measured pre- and postirradiation. Skin biopsies were obtained 24 hours after exposure to ssUVR, for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining. A single, 5 times the minimal erythema dose of ssUVR substantially induced large amounts of sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, overexpression of p53 protein, and depletion of CD1a+ Langerhans cells. The antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid conferred significant protection against biological events compared with other irradiated sites. A topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid has potential photoprotective effects against ssUVR-induced acute photodamage in human skin.

Inactivated infectious bronchitis virus vaccine encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles induces mucosal immune responses and effective protection against challenge.

PubMed

Lopes, Priscila Diniz; Okino, Cintia Hiromi; Fernando, Filipe Santos; Pavani, Caren; Casagrande, Viviane Mariguela; Lopez, Renata F V; Montassier, Maria de Fátima Silva; Montassier, Helio José

2018-05-03

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is one of the most important viral diseases of poultry. The mucosa of upper respiratory tract, specially the trachea, is the primary replication site for this virus. However, conventional inactivate IBV vaccines usually elicit reduced mucosal immune responses and local protection. Thus, an inactivated IBV vaccine containing BR-I genotype strain encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (IBV-CS) was produced by ionic gelation method to be administered by oculo-nasal route to chickens. IBV-CS vaccine administered alone resulted in markedly mucosal immune responses, characterized by high levels of anti-IBV IgA isotype antibodies and IFNγ gene expression at 1dpi. The association of live attenuated Massachusetts IBV and IBV-CS vaccine also induced strong mucosal immune responses, though a switch from IgA isotype to IgG was observed, and IFNγ gene expression peak was late (at 5 dpi). Efficacy of IBV-CS was evaluated by tracheal ciliostasis analysis, histopathology examination, and viral load determination in the trachea and kidney. The results indicated that IBV-CS vaccine administered alone or associated with a live attenuated heterologous vaccine induced both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses at the primary site of viral replication, and provided an effective protection against IBV infection at local (trachea) and systemic (kidney) sites. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protective Effects of Carvedilol and Vitamin C against Azithromycin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats via Decreasing ROS, IL1-β, and TNF-α Production and Inhibiting NF-κB and Caspase-3 Expression

PubMed Central

El-Shitany, Nagla A.; El-Desoky, Karema

2016-01-01

The Food and Drug Administration recently warned of the fatal cardiovascular risks of azithromycin in humans. In addition, a recently published study documented azithromycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. This study aimed to justify the exact cardiovascular events accompanying azithromycin administration in rats, focusing on electrocardiographic, biochemical, and histopathological changes. In addition, the underlying mechanisms were studied regarding reactive oxygen species production, cytokine release, and apoptotic cell-death. Finally, the supposed protective effects of both carvedilol and vitamin C were assessed. Four groups of rats were used: (1) control, (2) azithromycin, (3) azithromycin + carvedilol, and (4) azithromycin + vitamin C. Azithromycin resulted in marked atrophy of cardiac muscle fibers and electrocardiographic segment alteration. It increased the heart rate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, interleukin-1 beta (IL1-β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), and caspase-3. It decreased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Carvedilol and vitamin C prevented most of the azithromycin-induced electrocardiographic and histopathological changes. Carvedilol and vitamin C decreased lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, IL1-β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and caspase-3. Both agents increased glutathione peroxidase. This study shows that both carvedilol and vitamin C protect against azithromycin-induced cardiotoxicity through antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms. PMID:27274777

Pretreatment with β-Boswellic Acid Improves Blood Stasis Induced Endothelial Dysfunction: Role of eNOS Activation

PubMed Central

Wang, Mingming; Chen, Minchun; Ding, Yi; Zhu, Zhihui; Zhang, Yikai; Wei, Peifeng; Wang, Jingwen; Qiao, Yi; Li, Liang; Li, Yuwen; Wen, Aidong

2015-01-01

Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in modulating anti-thrombus and maintaining the natural function of vascular by secreting many active substances. β-boswellic acid (β-BA) is an active triterpenoid compound from the extract of boswellia serrate. In this study, it is demonstrated that β-BA ameliorates plasma coagulation parameters, protects endothelium from blood stasis induced injury and prevents blood stasis induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Moreover, it is found that β-BA significantly increases nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine 3’, 5’-monophosphate (cGMP) levels in carotid aortas of blood stasis rats. To stimulate blood stasis-like conditions in vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to transient oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). Treatment of β-BA significantly increased intracellular NO level. Western blot and immunofluorescence as well as immunohistochemistry reveal that β-BA increases phosphorylation of enzyme nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at Ser1177. In addition, β-BA mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation can be markedly blocked by eNOS inhibitor L-NAME in blood stasis rats. In OGD treated HUEVCs, the protective effect of β-BA is attenuated by knockdown of eNOS. In conclusion, the above findings provide convincing evidence for the protective effects of β-BA on blood stasis induced endothelial dysfunction by eNOS signaling pathway. PMID:26482008

The protective effects of pomegranate on liver and remote organs caused by experimental obstructive jaundice model.

PubMed

Yilmaz, E E; Arikanoğlu, Z; Turkoğlu, A; Kiliç, E; Yüksel, H; Gümüş, M

2016-01-01

We aimed to investigate the protective potential of pomegranate extract on the liver and remote organs in rats with obstructive jaundice. The rats were split into 4 groups. In Group 1 (G1) (sham group) rats, the common bile duct was mobilized without any ligation. Group 2 (G2) received a combination of the sham operation and synchronous treatment with pomegranate. Group 3 (G3) received common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Group 4 (G4) were subjected to CBDL and treatment with pomegranate. After 8 days, we measured total oxidative status (TOS) and antioxidant capacity in the rats' liver tissue and remote organs, and evaluated blood levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). G3 rats showed significantly raised malondialdehyde level as compared to G1 rats (p < 0.001). Following the pomegranate therapy, a decrease in malondialdehyde was observed (p = 0.015). TAC levels were significantly raised in the G3 rats compared to the G1 rats (p = 0.004). TAC levels dropped after pomegranate therapy (p = 0.011). CBDL caused elevated TOS levels in the liver and remote organs, with a statistically significant increase in the lung tissue (p = 0.002). TOS levels in the CBDL groups decreased after pomegranate treatment (p < 0.001). This study reveals the marked protective effect of pomegranate on the liver and remote organs in obstructive jaundice.

43 CFR 8343.1 - Standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... off-road vehicle may be operated on public lands unless equipped with brakes in good working condition... excessive noise exceeding Environmental Protection Agency standards, when established, may be operated on public lands. (c) By posting appropriate signs or by marking a map which shall be available for public...

29 CFR 1917.115 - Platforms and skids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... safe condition. Safe working loads, which shall be posted or marked on or adjacent to platforms and... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR... nets, to protect employees against falls. (b) Any employee working below a second-story platform or...

46 CFR 176.810 - Fire protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...) Inspection of each hand portable fire extinguisher, semiportable fire extinguisher, and fixed gas fire..., and valves, and the inspection and testing of alarms and ventilation shutdowns, for each fixed gas...) Checking of each cylinder containing compressed gas to ensure it has been tested and marked in accordance...

Government Classification: An Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Karen M.

Classification of government documents (confidential, secret, top secret) is a system used by the executive branch to, in part, protect national security and foreign policy interests. The systematic use of classification markings with precise definitions was established during World War I, and since 1936 major changes in classification have…

Cryopreservation of boar semen. III: Ultrastructure of boar spermatozoa frozen ultra-rapidly at various stages of conventional freezing and thawing.

PubMed

Bwanga, C O; Ekwall, H; Rodriguez-Martinez, H

1991-01-01

Ejaculated boar spermatozoa subjected to a conventional freezing and thawing process, were ultra-rapidly fixed, freeze-substituted and examined by electron microscopy to monitor the presence of real or potential intracellular ice and the degree of cell protection attained with the different extenders used during the process. Numerous ice crystal marks representing the degree of hydration of the cells were located in the perinuclear space of those spermatozoa not in proper contact with the extender containing glycerol (i.e. prior to freezing). The spermatozoa which were in proper contact with the extenders presented a high degree of preservation of the acrosomes, plasma membranes as well as the nuclear envelopes. No ice marks were detected in acrosomes before thawing, indicating that the conventional assayed cryopreservation method provided a good protection against cryoinjury. The presence of acrosomal changes (internal vesiculization, hydration and swelling) in thawed samples however, raises serious questions about the thawing procedure employed.

Grape seed procyanidin B2 protects podocytes from high glucose-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis via the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α axis in vitro.

PubMed

Cai, Xiaxia; Bao, Lei; Ren, Jinwei; Li, Yong; Zhang, Zhaofeng

2016-02-01

Grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) was reported to have protective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) as a strong antioxidant. Our previous studies demonstrated that GSPB2 was effective in ameliorating podocyte injury in rats with DN. However, little is known about the benefits of GSPB2 in protecting against podocyte apoptosis and its molecular mechanisms in vitro. In the present study, we investigated whether GSPB2 could protect podocytes from high glucose-induced apoptosis and explored the possible mechanism. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry, respectively. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured using a dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was used to determine the gene expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. Western blots were carried out for the related protein expression in podocytes. Our results showed that GSPB2 significantly inhibited high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis and increased the expression of nephrin and podocalyxin. GSPB2 treatment also suppressed intracellular ROS production and oxidative stress. The mRNA expressions of NRF-1, TFAM and mtDNA copy number were markedly increased, and mitochondrial swelling was effectively reduced in podocytes cultured under high glucose after GSPB2 treatment. The AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α axis was also activated by GSPB2 intervention. In conclusion, GSPB2 protected podocytes from high glucose-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis via the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α axis in vitro, suggesting a potential role of GSPB2 in the treatment of DN.

Agmatine induces gastric protection against ischemic injury by reducing vascular permeability in rats

PubMed Central

Masri, Abeer A Al; Eter, Eman El

2012-01-01

AIM: To investigate the effect of administration of agmatine (AGM) on gastric protection against ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Three groups of rats (6/group); sham, gastric I/R injury, and gastric I/R + AGM (100 mg/kg, i.p. given 15 min prior to gastric ischemia) were recruited. Gastric injury was conducted by ligating celiac artery for 30 min and reperfusion for another 30 min. Gastric tissues were histologically studied and immunostained with angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) and Ang-2. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured in gastric tissue homogenate. To assess whether AKt/phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) mediated the effect of AGM, an additional group was pretreated with Wortmannin (WM) (inhibitor of Akt/PI3K, 15 μg/kg, i.p.), prior to ischemic injury and AGM treatment, and examined histologically and immunostained. Another set of experiments was run to study vascular permeability of the stomach using Evan’s blue dye. RESULTS: AGM markedly reduced Evan’s blue dye extravasation (3.58 ± 0.975 μg/stomach vs 1.175 ± 0.374 μg/stomach, P < 0.05), VEGF (36.87 ± 2.71 pg/100 mg protein vs 48.4 ± 6.53 pg/100 mg protein, P < 0.05) and MCP-1 tissue level (29.5 ± 7 pg/100 mg protein vs 41.17 ± 10.4 pg/100 mg protein, P < 0.01). It preserved gastric histology and reduced congestion. Ang-1 and Ang-2 immunostaining were reduced in stomach sections of AGM-treated animals. The administration of WM abolished the protective effects of AGM and extensive hemorrhage and ulcerations were seen. CONCLUSION: AGM protects the stomach against I/R injury by reducing vascular permeability and inflammation. This protection is possibly mediated by Akt/PI3K. PMID:22611311

Genetic diversity of Morato's Digger Toad, Proceratophrys moratoi: spatial structure, gene flow, effective size and the need for differential management strategies of populations

PubMed Central

Arruda, Mauricio P.; Costa, William P.; Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei M.

2017-01-01

Abstract The Morato's Digger Toad, Proceratophrys moratoi, is a critically endangered toad species with a marked population decline in southern Brazilian Cerrado. Despite this, new populations are being discovered, primarily in the northern part of the distribution range, which raises a number of questions with regard to the conservation status of the species. The present study analyzed the genetic diversity of the species based on microsatellite markers. Our findings permitted the identification of two distinct management units. We found profound genetic structuring between the southern populations, on the left margin of the Tietê River, and all other populations. A marked reduction was observed in the contemporary gene flow among the central populations that are most affected by anthropogenic impacts, such as extensive sugar cane plantations, which presumably decreases habitat connectivity. The results indicated reduced diversity in the southern populations which, combined with a smaller effective population size, may make these populations more susceptible to extinction. We recommend the reclassification of P. moratoi as vulnerable and the establishment of a special protection program for the southern populations. Our results provide important insights about the local extinction of southern populations of this toad. PMID:28590500

Natriuretic Peptide Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase-A Protects Podocytes from Aldosterone-Induced Glomerular Injury

PubMed Central

Ogawa, Yoshihisa; Yokoi, Hideki; Kasahara, Masato; Mori, Kiyoshi; Kato, Yukiko; Kuwabara, Takashige; Imamaki, Hirotaka; Kawanishi, Tomoko; Koga, Kenichi; Ishii, Akira; Tokudome, Takeshi; Kishimoto, Ichiro; Sugawara, Akira; Nakao, Kazuwa

2012-01-01

Natriuretic peptides produced by the heart in response to cardiac overload exert cardioprotective and renoprotective effects by eliciting natriuresis, reducing BP, and inhibiting cell proliferation and fibrosis. These peptides also antagonize the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but whether this mechanism contributes to their renoprotective effect is unknown. Here, we examined the kidneys of mice lacking the guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) receptor for natriuretic peptides under conditions of high aldosterone and high dietary salt. After 4 weeks of administering aldosterone and a high-salt diet, GC-A knockout mice, but not wild-type mice, exhibited accelerated hypertension with massive proteinuria. Aldosterone-infused GC-A knockout mice had marked mesangial expansion, segmental sclerosis, severe podocyte injury, and increased oxidative stress. Reducing the BP with hydralazine failed to lessen such changes; in contrast, blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system markedly reduced albuminuria, ameliorated podocyte injury, and reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, treatment with the antioxidant tempol significantly reduced albuminuria and abrogated the histologic changes. In cultured podocytes, natriuretic peptides inhibited aldosterone-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest that renoprotective properties of the endogenous natriuretic peptide/GC-A system may result from the local inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and oxidative stress in podocytes. PMID:22652704

Protective action of the immunomodulator ginsan against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury via control of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shim, Ji-Young; Kim, Mi-Hyoung; Kim, Hyung-Doo

2010-02-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate immunomodulator ginsan, a polysaccharide extracted from Panax ginseng, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl{sub 4})-induced liver injury. BALB/c mice were injected i.p. with ginsan 24 h prior to CCl{sub 4} administration. Serum liver enzyme levels, histology, expression of antioxidant enzymes, and several cytokines/chemokines were subsequently evaluated. Ginsan treatment markedly suppressed the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and hepatic histological necrosis increased by CCl{sub 4} treatment. Ginsan inhibited CCl{sub 4} induced lipid peroxidation through the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) downregulation. The hepatoprotective effect of ginsan was attributed to induction ofmore » anti-oxidant protein contents, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) as well as restoration of the hepatic glutathione (GSH) concentration. The marked increase of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IFN-gamma) and chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-2beta, KC) in CCl{sub 4} treated mice was additionally attenuated by ginsan, thereby preventing leukocyte infiltration and local inflammation. Our results suggest that ginsan effectively prevent liver injury, mainly through downregulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.« less

Magnesium Supplementation Diminishes Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte DNA Oxidative Damage in Athletes and Sedentary Young Man

PubMed Central

Petrović, Jelena; Stanić, Dušanka; Dmitrašinović, Gordana; Plećaš-Solarović, Bosiljka; Ignjatović, Svetlana; Batinić, Bojan; Popović, Dejana

2016-01-01

Sedentary lifestyle is highly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. It is known that regular physical activity has positive effects on health; however several studies have shown that acute and strenuous exercise can induce oxidative stress and lead to DNA damage. As magnesium is essential in maintaining DNA integrity, the aim of this study was to determine whether four-week-long magnesium supplementation in students with sedentary lifestyle and rugby players could prevent or diminish impairment of DNA. By using the comet assay, our study demonstrated that the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with basal endogenous DNA damage is significantly higher in rugby players compared to students with sedentary lifestyle. On the other hand, magnesium supplementation significantly decreased the number of cells with high DNA damage, in the presence of exogenous H2O2, in PBL from both students and rugby players, and markedly reduced the number of cells with medium DNA damage in rugby players compared to corresponding control nonsupplemented group. Accordingly, the results of our study suggest that four-week-long magnesium supplementation has marked effects in protecting the DNA from oxidative damage in both rugby players and in young men with sedentary lifestyle. Clinical trial is registered at ANZCTR Trial Id: ACTRN12615001237572. PMID:27042258

Effect of Ezetimibe on Insulin Secretion in db/db Diabetic Mice

PubMed Central

Zhong, Yong; Wang, Jun; Gu, Ping; Shao, Jiaqing; Lu, Bin; Jiang, Shisen

2012-01-01

Objective. To investigate the effect of ezetimibe on the insulin secretion in db/db mice. Methods. The db/db diabetic mice aged 8 weeks were randomly assigned into 2 groups and intragastrically treated with ezetimibe or placebo for 6 weeks. The age matched db/m mice served as controls. At the end of experiment, glucose tolerance test was performed and then the pancreas was collected for immunohistochemistry. In addition, in vitro perfusion of pancreatic islets was employed for the detection of insulin secretion in the first phase. Results. In the ezetimibe group, the fasting blood glucose was markedly reduced, and the total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly lowered when compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). At 120 min after glucose tolerance test, the area under curve in the ezetimibe group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but the AUCINS0−30 was markedly higher. In vitro perfusion of pancreatic islets revealed the first phase insulin secretion was improved. In addition, the insulin expression in the pancreas in the ezetimibe group was significantly increased as compared to the control group. Conclusion. Ezetimibe can improve glucose tolerance, recover the first phase insulin secretion, and protect the function of β cells in mice. PMID:23118741

Pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways which compromise sperm motility and survival may be altered by L-carnitine

PubMed Central

Helal, Gouda K; Al-Yahya, Abdulaziz A; Aleisa, Abdulaziz M; Al-Rejaie, Salim S; Al-Bakheet, Saleh A

2009-01-01

The testis is an immunologically privileged organ. Sertoli cells can form a blood-testis barrier and protect sperm cells from self-immune system attacks. Spermatogenesis may be inhibited by severe illness, bacterial infections and chronic inflammatory diseases but the mechanism(s) is poorly understood. Our objective is to help in understanding such mechanism(s) to develop protective agents against temporary or permanent testicular dysfunction. Lipopolysaccaride (LPS) is used as a model of animal sepsis while L-carnitine (LCR) is used as a protective agent. A total of 60 male Swiss albino rats were divided into four groups (15/group). The control group received Saline; the 2nd group was given LCR (500 mg/kg i.p, once). The third group was treated with LPS (5 mg/kg i.p once) and the fourth group received LCR then LPS after three hours. From each group, five rats were used for histopathological examination. Biochemical parameters were assessed in the remaining ten rats. At the end of the experiment, animals were lightly anaesthetized with ether where blood samples were collected and testes were dissected on ice. Sperm count and motility were evaluated from cauda epididymis in each animal. Also, oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring testicular contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-HDG, the DNA adduct for oxidative damage) in testicular DNA. The pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) in addition to lactate dehydrogenase (LDHx) isoenzyme-x activity as an indicator for normal spermatozoal metabolism were assessed in testicular homogenate. Serum interlukin (IL)-2 level was also assessed as a marker for T-helper cell function. The obtained data revealed that LPS induced marked reductions in sperm's count and motility, obstruction in seminiferous tubules, hypospermia and dilated congested blood vessels in testicular sections concomitant with decreased testicular GSH content and LDHx activity. Moreover, the testicular levels of MDA, 8-HDG (in testicular DNA) and NO as well as serum IL-2 level were increased. Administration of LCR before LPS returned both sperm count and motility to normal levels. Also, contents of testicular GSH, MDA, 8-HDG and NO returned back to the corresponding control values. In addition, serum IL-2 level as well as histological abnormalities were markedly improved in LCR + LPS-treated rats. In conclusion, LPS increased proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the testis leading to a marked testicular dysfunction. L-carnitine administration ameliorates these effects by antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory mechanisms suggesting a protective role against male infertility in severely infected or septic patients. PMID:20357928

Age and Gender Differences in the Associations of Self-Compassion and Emotional Well-being in A Large Adolescent Sample.

PubMed

Bluth, Karen; Campo, Rebecca A; Futch, William S; Gaylord, Susan A

2017-04-01

Adolescence is a challenging developmental period marked with declines in emotional well-being; however, self-compassion has been suggested as a protective factor. This cross-sectional survey study (N = 765, grades 7th to 12th; 53 % female; 4 % Hispanic ethnicity; 64 % White and 21 % Black) examined whether adolescents' self-compassion differed by age and gender, and secondly, whether its associations with emotional well-being (perceived stress, life satisfaction, distress intolerance, depressive symptoms, and anxiety) also differed by age and gender. The findings indicated that older females had the lowest self-compassion levels compared to younger females or all-age males. Self-compassion was associated with all emotional well-being measures, and gender and/or age moderated the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among older adolescents, self-compassion had a greater protective effect on anxiety for boys than for girls. Additionally, older adolescents with low and average self-compassion had greater levels of depressive symptoms than those with high self-compassion. These results may inform for whom and at what age self-compassion interventions may be implemented to protect adolescents from further declines in emotional well-being.

Age and Gender Differences in the Associations of Self-Compassion and Emotional Well-being in A Large Adolescent Sample

PubMed Central

Bluth, Karen; Campo, Rebecca A.; Futch, William S.; Gaylord, Susan A.

2016-01-01

Adolescence is a challenging developmental period marked with declines in emotional well-being; however, self-compassion has been suggested as a protective factor. This cross-sectional survey study (N=765, grades 7th to 12th; 53% female; 4% Hispanic ethnicity; 64% White and 21% Black) examined whether adolescents’ self-compassion differed by age and gender, and secondly, whether its associations with emotional well-being (perceived stress, life satisfaction, distress intolerance, depressive symptoms, and anxiety) also differed by age and gender. The findings indicated that older females had the lowest self-compassion levels compared to younger females or all-age males. Self-compassion was associated with all emotional well-being measures, and gender and/or age moderated the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among older adolescents, self-compassion had a greater protective effect on anxiety for boys than for girls. Additionally, older adolescents with low and average self-compassion had greater levels of depressive symptoms than those with high self-compassion. These results may inform for whom and at what age self-compassion interventions may be implemented to protect adolescents from further declines in emotional well-being. PMID:27632177

Soluble Dietary Fibers Can Protect the Small Intestinal Mucosa Without Affecting the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Indomethacin in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rats.

PubMed

Satoh, Hiroshi; Matsumoto, Hiroki; Hirakawa, Tomoe; Wada, Naoki

2016-01-01

How to prevent the small intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs is an urgent issue to be resolved. In the present study, we examined the effects of soluble dietary fibers on both anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic effects of indomethacin in arthritic rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used. Arthritis was induced by injecting Freund's complete adjuvant (killed M. tuberculosis) into the plantar region of the right hindpaw. The animals were fed a regular powder diet for rats or a diet supplemented with soluble dietary fibers such as pectin or guar gum. Indomethacin was administered once a day for 3 days starting 14 days after the adjuvant injection, when marked arthritis was observed. The volumes of the hindpaw were measured before and after indomethacin treatment to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on edema. The lesions in the small intestine were examined 24 h after the final dosing of indomethacin. Hindpaw volume was increased about 3 times 14 days after injection of the adjuvant. Indomethacin (3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased hindpaw volume dose-dependently, but caused severe lesions in the small intestine at doses of 6 and 10 mg/kg. The addition of pectin (1-10 %) or guar gum (10 %) to the diet markedly decreased the lesion formation without affecting the anti-edema action of indomethacin. The same effects of pectin were observed when indomethacin was administered subcutaneously. It is suggested that soluble dietary fibers can prevent intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs without affecting the anti-inflammatory effect of these agents.

Prevention of Excitotoxicity in Primary Retinal Ganglion Cells by (+)-Pentazocine, a Sigma Receptor-1-Specific Ligand

PubMed Central

Dun, Ying; Thangaraju, Muthusamy; Prasad, Puttur; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Smith, Sylvia B.

2013-01-01

Purpose σRs are non-opioid, non-phencyclidine binding sites with robust neuroprotective properties. Previously, we induced death in the RGC-5 cell line using very high concentrations (1 mM) of the excitatory amino acids glutamate (Glu) and homocysteine (Hcy) and demonstrated that the σR1 ligand (+)-pentazocine ((+)-PTZ) could protect against cell death. The purpose of the present study was to establish a physiologically relevant paradigm for testing the neuroprotective effect of (+)-PTZ in retinal ganglion cells. Methods Primary ganglion cells (1°GCs) were isolated by immunopanning from retinas of 1-day-old mice, maintained in culture for 3 days and then exposed to 10, 20, 25 or 50 µM Glu or 10, 25, 50 or 100 µM Hcy for 6 or 18 h in the presence or absence of (+)-PTZ (0.5, 1, 3 µM). Cell viability was measured using the Live/Dead and ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Assays. Expression of σR1 was assessed by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and western blotting. Morphological appearance of live ganglion cells and their processes was examined over time (0, 3, 6, 18 h) by differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy following exposure to excitotoxins in the presence or absence of (+)-PTZ. Results 1°GCs showed robust σR1 expression. The cells are exquisitely sensitive to Glu or Hcy toxicity (6 h treatment with 25 or 50 µM Glu or 50 or 100 µM Hcy induced marked cell death). 1°GCs pre-treated 1 h with (+)-PTZ followed by 18 h co-treatment with 25 µM Glu and (+)-PTZ showed a marked decrease in cell death: (25 µM Glu alone: 50%; 25 µM Glu/0.5 µM (+)-PTZ: 38%; 25 µM Glu/1 µM (+)-PTZ: 20%; 25 µM Glu/3 µM (+)-PTZ: 18%). Similar results were obtained with Hcy. σR1 mRNA and protein levels did not change in the presence of the excitotoxins. DIC examination of cells exposed to excitotoxins revealed substantial disruption of neuronal processes; co-treatment with (+)-PTZ revealed marked preservation of these processes. The stereoselective effect of (+)-PTZ for σR1 was established in experiments in which (−)-PTZ, the levo-isomer form of pentazocine, had no neuroprotective effect on excitotoxin-induced ganglion cell death. Conclusions 1°GCs express σR1; their marked sensitivity to Glu and Hcy toxicity mimics the sensitivity observed in vivo, making them a highly relevant model for testing neuroprotection. Pre-treatment of cells with 1–3 µM (+)-PTZ, but not (−)-PTZ affords significant protection against Glu- and Hcy-induced cell death. σR1 ligands may be very useful therapeutic agents in retinal diseases in which ganglion cells die. PMID:17898305

Globalization and multi-spatial trends in the coverage of protected-area conservation (1980-2000).

PubMed

Zimmerer, Karl S; Galt, Ryan E; Buck, Margaret V

2004-12-01

This study is focused on the global expansion of protected-area coverage that occurred during the 1980--2000 period. We examine the multi-scale patterning of four of the basic facets of this expansion: i) estimated increases at the world-regional and country-level scales of total protected-area coverage; ii) transboundary protected areas; iii) conservation corridor projects; and iv) type of conservation management. Geospatial patterning of protected-area designations is a reflection of the priorities of global conservation organizations and the globalization of post-Cold War political and economic arrangements. Local and national-level factors (political leadership and infrastructure) as well as international relations such as multilateral and bilateral aid combine with these globalization processes to impact the extent, type, and location of protected-area designations. We conclude that the interaction of these factors led to the creation and reinforcement of marked spatial differences (rather than tendencies toward worldwide evenness or homogenization) in the course of protected-area expansion during the 1980--2000 period.

Renoprotective effect of the isoflavonoid biochanin A against cisplatin induced acute kidney injury in mice: Effect on inflammatory burden and p53 apoptosis.

PubMed

Suliman, Faiha A; Khodeer, Dina M; Ibrahiem, Afaf; Mehanna, Eman T; El-Kherbetawy, Mohamed K; Mohammad, Hala M F; Zaitone, Sawsan A; Moustafa, Yasser M

2018-05-21

Cisplatin is a potent widely-used chemotherapeutics; however, its clinical use is associated with nephrotoxicity. Renoprotective approaches are being discovered to halt the tubular cell death due to inflammatory and apoptotic burdens. In the present study, the renoprotective effects of different doses of biochanin A (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg) in mice treated with a single injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg) were reported. Cisplatin administration resulted in marked increases in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Further, renal homogenates showed increased level of inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of the expression of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), p53 and caspase 3 but downregulation in Nrf2 expression. Furthermore, cisplatin group showed marked necrosis and degenerated tubular lining epithelial cells with frequently detected apoptotic bodies. Mice treated with biochanin A (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg) for 14 days prior to cisplatin abrogated cisplatin-mediated damage. Furthermore, the elevated serum creatinine and urea levels were lessened by some doses of biochanin A, indicating protection against renal injury. Similarly, the changes in apoptosis and inflammatory markers have ameliorated to significant levels (P < 0.05). The results suggest biochanin A as a nephroprotective agent against cisplatin toxicity. Overall, this nephroprotective effect of biochanin A involved anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prostaglandin E2 blocks menadione-induced apoptosis through the Ras/Raf/Erk signaling pathway in promonocytic leukemia cell lines.

PubMed

Yeo, Hyun-Seok; Shehzad, Adeeb; Lee, Young Sup

2012-04-01

Altered oxidative stress has long been observed in cancer cells, and this biochemical property of cancer cells represents a specific vulnerability that can be exploited for therapeutic benefit. The major role of an elevated oxidative stress for the efficacy of molecular targeted drugs is under investigation. Menadione is considered an attractive model for the study of oxidative stress, which can induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cell lines. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) via its receptors not only promotes cell survival but also reverses apoptosis and promotes cancer progression. Here, we present evidence for the biological role of PGE(2) as a protective agent of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in monocytic cells. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells with PGE(2) markedly ameliorated the menadione-induced apoptosis and inhibited the degradation of PARP and lamin B. The EP(2) receptor antagonist AH6809 abrogated the inhibitory effect of PGE(2), suggesting the role of the EP(2)/cAMP system. The PKA inhibitor H89 also reversed apoptosis and decreased the PKA activity that was elevated 10-fold by PGE(2). The treatment of HL-60 cells with NAC or zinc chloride showed a similar protective effect as with PGE(2) on menadione-treated cells. Furthermore, PGE(2) activated the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway, which in turn initiated ERK activation, and ultimately protected menadione-induced apoptosis. These results imply that PGE(2) via cell survival pathways may protect oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in monocytic cells. This study warrants further pre-clinical investigation as well as application towards leukemia clinics.

A Protective Hsp70-TLR4 Pathway in Lethal Oxidant Lung Injury

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yi; Zhang, Xuchen; Shan, Peiying; Hunt, Clayton R.; Pandita, Tej K.; Lee, Patty J.

2013-01-01

Administering high levels of inspired oxygen, or hyperoxia, is commonly used as a life-sustaining measure in critically ill patients. However, prolonged exposures can exacerbate respiratory failure. Our previous study showed that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) confers protection against hyperoxia-induced lung injury and mortality. Hsp70 has potent cytoprotective properties and has been described as a TLR4 ligand in cell lines. We sought to elucidate the relationship between TLR4 and Hsp70 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury in vitro and in vivo and to define the signaling mechanisms involved. Wild type, TLR4−/− and Trif−/− (a TLR4 adapter protein) murine lung endothelial cells (MLEC) were exposed to hyperoxia. We found markedly elevated levels of intracellular and secreted Hsp70 from mice lung and MLEC after hyperoxia. We confirmed that Hsp70 and TLR4 co-immunoprecipitate in lung tissue and MLEC. Hsp70-mediated NFκB activation appears to depend upon TLR4. In the absence of TLR4, Hsp70 loses its protective effects in endothelial cells. Furthermore, these protective properties of Hsp70 are TLR4 adapter Trif-dependent, MyD88-independent. Hsp70-deficient mice have increased mortality during hyperoxia and lung-targeted adenoviral delivery of Hsp70 effectively rescues both Hsp70-deficient and wild type mice. Our studies are the first to define an Hsp70-TLR4-Trif cytoprotective axis in the lung and endothelial cells. This pathway is a potential therapeutic target against a range of oxidant-induced lung injuries. PMID:23817427

(-)-Patchouli alcohol protects against Helicobacter pylori urease-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory response in human gastric epithelial cells.

PubMed

Xie, Jianhui; Lin, Zhixiu; Xian, Yanfang; Kong, Songzhi; Lai, Zhengquan; Ip, Siupo; Chen, Haiming; Guo, Huizhen; Su, Zuqing; Yang, Xiaobo; Xu, Yang; Su, Ziren

2016-06-01

(-)-Patchouli alcohol (PA), the major active principle of Pogostemonis Herba, has been reported to have anti-Helicobacter pylori and gastroprotective effects. In the present work, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of PA on H. pylori urease (HPU)-injured human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Results showed that pre-treatment with PA (5.0, 10.0, 20.0μM) was able to remarkably ameliorate the cytotoxicity induced by 17.0U/mg HPU in GES-1 cells. Flow cytometric analysis on cellular apoptosis showed that pre-treatment with PA effectively attenuated GES-1 cells from the HPU-induced apoptosis. Moreover, the cytoprotective effect of PA was found to be associated with amelioration of the HPU-induced disruption of MMP, attenuating oxidative stress by decreasing contents of intracellular ROS and MDA, and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activities. In addition, pre-treatment with PA markedly attenuated the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), whereas elevated the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the HPU-stimulated GES-1 cells. Molecular docking assay suggested that PA engaged in the active site of urease bearing nickel ions and interacted with important residues via covalent binding, thereby restricting the active urease catalysis conformation. Our experimental findings suggest that PA could inhibit the cellular processes critically involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection, and its protective effects against the HPU-induced cytotoxicity in GES-1 cells are believed to be associated with its anti-apoptotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and HPU inhibitory actions. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Innate defense regulator peptide 1018 protects against perinatal brain injury.

PubMed

Bolouri, Hayde; Sävman, Karin; Wang, Wei; Thomas, Anitha; Maurer, Norbert; Dullaghan, Edie; Fjell, Christopher D; Ek, C Joakim; Hagberg, Henrik; Hancock, Robert E W; Brown, Kelly L; Mallard, Carina

2014-03-01

There is currently no pharmacological treatment that provides protection against brain injury in neonates. It is known that activation of an innate immune response is a key, contributing factor in perinatal brain injury; therefore, the neuroprotective therapeutic potential of innate defense regulator peptides (IDRs) was investigated. The anti-inflammatory effects of 3 IDRs was measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine microglia. IDRs were then assessed for their ability to confer neuroprotection in vivo when given 3 hours after neonatal brain injury in a clinically relevant model that combines an inflammatory challenge (LPS) with hypoxia-ischemia (HI). To gain insight into peptide-mediated effects on LPS-induced inflammation and neuroprotective mechanisms, global cerebral gene expression patterns were analyzed in pups that were treated with IDR-1018 either 4 hours before LPS or 3 hours after LPS+HI. IDR-1018 reduced inflammatory mediators produced by LPS-stimulated microglia cells in vitro and modulated LPS-induced neuroinflammation in vivo. When administered 3 hours after LPS+HI, IDR-1018 exerted effects on regulatory molecules of apoptotic (for, eg, Fadd and Tnfsf9) and inflammatory (for, eg, interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor α, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules) pathways and showed marked protection of both white and gray brain matter. IDR-1018 suppresses proinflammatory mediators and cell injurious mechanisms in the developing brain, and postinsult treatment is efficacious in reducing LPS-induced hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. IDR-1018 is effective in the brain when given systemically, confers neuroprotection of both gray and white matter, and lacks significant effects on the brain under normal conditions. Thus, this peptide provides the features of a promising neuroprotective agent in newborns with brain injury. © 2014 Child Neurology Society/American Neurological Association.

Tamoxifen Provides Structural and Functional Rescue in Murine Models of Photoreceptor Degeneration

PubMed Central

Wang, Xu; Ma, Wenxin; Gonzalez, Shaimar R.; Kretschmer, Friedrich; Badea, Tudor C.

2017-01-01

Photoreceptor degeneration is a cause of irreversible vision loss in incurable blinding retinal diseases including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. We found in two separate mouse models of photoreceptor degeneration that tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator and a drug previously linked with retinal toxicity, paradoxically provided potent neuroprotective effects. In a light-induced degeneration model, tamoxifen prevented onset of photoreceptor apoptosis and atrophy and maintained near-normal levels of electroretinographic responses. Rescue effects were correlated with decreased microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine production in the retina in vivo and a reduction of microglia-mediated toxicity to photoreceptors in vitro, indicating a microglia-mediated mechanism of rescue. Tamoxifen also rescued degeneration in a genetic (Pde6brd10) model of RP, significantly improving retinal structure, electrophysiological responses, and visual behavior. These prominent neuroprotective effects warrant the consideration of tamoxifen as a drug suitable for being repurposed to treat photoreceptor degenerative disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Photoreceptor degeneration is a cause of irreversible blindness in a number of retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for the treatment of breast cancer and previously linked to a low incidence of retinal toxicity, was unexpectedly found to exert marked protective effects against photoreceptor degeneration. Structural and functional protective effects were found for an acute model of light-induced photoreceptor injury and for a genetic model for RP. The mechanism of protection involved the modulation of microglial activation and the production of inflammatory cytokines, highlighting the role of inflammatory mechanisms in photoreceptor degeneration. Tamoxifen may be suitable for clinical study as a potential treatment for diseases involving photoreceptor degeneration. PMID:28235894

The Beneficial Effect of Cape Gooseberry Juice on Carbon Tetrachloride- Induced Neuronal Damage.

PubMed

Al-Olayan, Ebtesam M; El-Khadragy, Manal F; Omer, Sawsan A; Shata, Mohamed T M; Kassab, Rami B; Abdel Moneim, Ahmed E

2016-01-01

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family. Physalis has many medicinal properties however, the beneficial effect of physalis in protecting against neurotoxins has not yet been evaluated. This experimental study investigated the protective effect of physalis juice against the oxidative damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in the rat brain. The degrees of protection by physalis in brain tissues were evaluated by determining the brain levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase), after CCl4) induction in the presence or absence of physalis. Adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, Group I served as the control group, Group II was intraperitoneally treated with 2 ml CCl4)/kg bwt for 12 weeks, Group III was supplemented with physalis juice via the drinking water for 12 weeks, Group IV was supplemented with physalis juice and was intraperitoneally injected weekly with CCl4). Treatment with CCl4) was significantly associated with a disturbance in the oxidative status in the brain tissues; this was marked by a significant (p<0.05) elevation in the lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels with a concomitant reduction in glutathione content compared to the control, along with a remarkable reduction in antioxidant enzymes. The administration of physalis along with CCl4) juice significantly (p<0.05) alleviated the changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity when compared to the CCl4) treated group. Furthermore, physalis juice supplemention inhibited apoptosis, as indicated by the increase of Bcl-2 immunoreactivity in brain tissue. Our results suggest that physalis juice could be effective in preventing neurotoxicity and the neuroprotective effect of physalis might be mediated via antioxidant and anti-apoptosis activities.

Protective effect of latex of Calotropis procera in Freund's Complete Adjuvant induced monoarthritis.

PubMed

Kumar, V L; Roy, S

2009-01-01

The protective effect of latex of Calotropis procera in Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced monoarticular arthritis was evaluated in rats. Arthritis was induced by a single intra-articular injection of 0.1 mL of 0.1% FCA in the right ankle joint. The effect of dried latex (DL, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and its methanol extract (MeDL, 50 and 500 mg/kg) following oral administration was evaluated on joint inflammation, hyperalgesia, locomotor function and histology at the time of peak inflammation. The effects of DL and MeDL were compared with antiinflammatory drugs phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg), prednisolone (20 mg/kg), rofecoxib (20 and 100 mg/kg) and immuno-suppressant methotrexate (0.3 mg/kg). Daily oral administration of DL and its methanol extract (MeDL) produced a significant reduction in joint inflammation (about 50% and 80% inhibition) and associated hyperalgesia. The antihyperalgesic effect of MeDL was comparable to that of rofecoxib. Both DL and MeDL produced a marked improvement in the motility and stair climbing ability of the rats. The histological analysis of the arthritic joint also revealed significant reduction in oedema and cellular infiltration by MeDL that was comparable to that of rofecoxib. Thus, our study suggests that the latex of C. procera has the potential to be used as an antiarthritic agent. Copyright 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Neuroprotection by Curcumin in Ischemic Brain Injury Involves the Akt/Nrf2 Pathway

PubMed Central

Wu, Jingxian; Li, Qiong; Wang, Xiaoyan; Yu, Shanshan; Li, Lan; Wu, Xuemei; Chen, Yanlin; Zhao, Jing; Zhao, Yong

2013-01-01

Oxidative damage plays a critical role in many diseases of the central nervous system. This study was conducted to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in the putative anti-oxidative effects of curcumin against experimental stroke. Oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) was used to mimic ischemic insult in primary cultured cortical neurons. A rapid increase in the intracellular expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) induced by OGD was counteracted by curcumin post-treatment, which paralleled attenuated cell injury. The reduction of phosphorylation Akt induced by OGD was restored by curcumin. Consequently, NQO1 expression and the binding activity of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to antioxidant response element (ARE) were increased. LY294002 blocked the increase in phospho-Akt evoked by curcumin and abolished the associated protective effect. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion for 60 minutes. Curcumin administration significantly reduced infarct size. Curcumin also markedly reduced oxidative stress levels in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats; hence, these effects were all suppressed by LY294002. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that curcumin protects neurons against ischemic injury, and this neuroprotective effect involves the Akt/Nrf2 pathway. In addition, Nrf2 is involved in the neuroprotective effects of curcumin against oxidative damage. PMID:23555802

Royal jelly attenuates azathioprine induced toxicity in rats.

PubMed

Ahmed, Walaa M S; Khalaf, A A; Moselhy, Walaa A; Safwat, Ghada M

2014-01-01

In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effects of royal jelly against azathioprine-induced toxicity in rat. Intraperitoneal administration of azathioprine (50 mg/kgB.W.) induced a significant decrease in RBCs count, Hb concentration, PCV%, WBCs count, differential count and platelet count, hepatic antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione and glutathione s-transferase) and increase of serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes) activities, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde formation. Azathioprine induced hepatotoxicity was reflected by marked pathological changes in the liver. Oral administration of royal jelly (200 mg/kgB.W.) was efficient in counteracting azathioprine toxicity whereas it altered the anemic condition, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by azathioprine. Furthermore, royal jelly exerted significant protection against liver damage induced by azathioprine through reduction of the elevated activities of serum hepatic enzymes. Moreover, royal jelly blocked azathioprine-induced lipid peroxidation through decreasing the malondialdehyde formation. In conclusion, royal jelly possesses a capability to attenuate azathioprine-induced toxicity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Noise-resilient quantum evolution steered by dynamical decoupling

PubMed Central

Liu, Gang-Qin; Po, Hoi Chun; Du, Jiangfeng; Liu, Ren-Bao; Pan, Xin-Yu

2013-01-01

Realistic quantum computing is subject to noise. Therefore, an important frontier in quantum computing is to implement noise-resilient quantum control over qubits. At the same time, dynamical decoupling can protect the coherence of qubits. Here we demonstrate non-trivial quantum evolution steered by dynamical decoupling control, which simultaneously suppresses noise effects. We design and implement a self-protected controlled-NOT gate on the electron spin of a nitrogen-vacancy centre and a nearby carbon-13 nuclear spin in diamond at room temperature, by employing an engineered dynamical decoupling control on the electron spin. Final state fidelity of 0.91(1) is observed in preparation of a Bell state using the gate. At the same time, the qubit coherence time is elongated at least 30 fold. The design scheme does not require the dynamical decoupling control to commute with the qubit interaction and therefore works for general qubit systems. This work marks a step towards implementing realistic quantum computing systems. PMID:23912335

Protecting group and switchable pore-discriminating adsorption properties of a hydrophilic-hydrophobic metal-organic framework.

PubMed

Mohideen, M Infas H; Xiao, Bo; Wheatley, Paul S; McKinlay, Alistair C; Li, Yang; Slawin, Alexandra M Z; Aldous, David W; Cessford, Naomi F; Düren, Tina; Zhao, Xuebo; Gill, Rachel; Thomas, K Mark; Griffin, John M; Ashbrook, Sharon E; Morris, Russell E

2011-04-01

Formed by linking metals or metal clusters through organic linkers, metal-organic frameworks are a class of solids with structural and chemical properties that mark them out as candidates for many emerging gas storage, separation, catalysis and biomedical applications. Important features of these materials include their high porosity and their flexibility in response to chemical or physical stimuli. Here, a copper-based metal-organic framework has been prepared in which the starting linker (benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) undergoes selective monoesterification during synthesis to produce a solid with two different channel systems, lined by hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, respectively. The material reacts differently to gases or vapours of dissimilar chemistry, some stimulating subtle framework flexibility or showing kinetic adsorption effects. Adsorption can be switched between the two channels by judicious choice of the conditions. The monoesterified linker is recoverable in quantitative yield, demonstrating possible uses of metal-organic frameworks in molecular synthetic chemistry as 'protecting groups' to accomplish selective transformations that are difficult using standard chemistry techniques.

A neuroprotective role for angiogenin in models of Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Steidinger, Trent U.; Standaert, David G.; Yacoubian, Talene A.

2010-01-01

We previously observed marked downregulation of the mRNA for angiogenin, a potent inducer of neovascularization, in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) based on overexpression of alpha-synuclein. Angiogenin has also been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this study, we confirmed that mouse angiogenin-1 protein is dramatically reduced in this transgenic alpha-synuclein mouse model of PD, and examined the effect of angiogenin in cellular models of PD. We found that endogenous angiogenin is present in two dopamine-producing neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and M17, and that exogenous angiogenin is taken up by these cells and leads to phosphorylation of Akt. Applied angiogenin protects against the cell death induced by the neurotoxins MPP+ and rotenone and reduces the activation of caspase-3. Together our data supports the importance of angiogenin in protecting against dopaminergic neuronal cell death and suggests its potential as a therapy for PD. PMID:21091473

Prenatal choline supplementation attenuates neuropathological response to status epilepticus in the adult rat hippocampus

PubMed Central

Wong-Goodrich, Sarah J. E.; Mellott, Tiffany J.; Glenn, Melissa J.; Blusztajn, Jan K.; Williams, Christina L.

2008-01-01

Prenatal choline supplementation (SUP) protects adult rats against spatial memory deficits observed after excitotoxin-induced status epilepticus (SE). To examine the mechanism underlying this neuroprotection, we determined the effects of SUP on a variety of hippocampal markers known to change in response to SE and thought to underlie ensuing cognitive deficits. Adult offspring from rat dams that received either a Control or SUP diet on embryonic days 12–17 were administered saline or kainic acid (i.p.) to induce SE and were euthanized 16 days later. SUP markedly attenuated seizure-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration, dentate cell proliferation, hippocampal GFAP mRNA expression levels, prevented the loss of hippocampal GAD65 protein and mRNA expression, and altered growth factor expression patterns. SUP also enhanced pre-seizure hippocampal levels of BDNF, NGF, and IGF-1, which may confer a neuroprotective hippocampal microenvironment that dampens the neuropathological response to and/or helps facilitate recovery from SE to protect cognitive function. PMID:18353663

Noise-resilient quantum evolution steered by dynamical decoupling.

PubMed

Liu, Gang-Qin; Po, Hoi Chun; Du, Jiangfeng; Liu, Ren-Bao; Pan, Xin-Yu

2013-01-01

Realistic quantum computing is subject to noise. Therefore, an important frontier in quantum computing is to implement noise-resilient quantum control over qubits. At the same time, dynamical decoupling can protect the coherence of qubits. Here we demonstrate non-trivial quantum evolution steered by dynamical decoupling control, which simultaneously suppresses noise effects. We design and implement a self-protected controlled-NOT gate on the electron spin of a nitrogen-vacancy centre and a nearby carbon-13 nuclear spin in diamond at room temperature, by employing an engineered dynamical decoupling control on the electron spin. Final state fidelity of 0.91(1) is observed in preparation of a Bell state using the gate. At the same time, the qubit coherence time is elongated at least 30 fold. The design scheme does not require the dynamical decoupling control to commute with the qubit interaction and therefore works for general qubit systems. This work marks a step towards implementing realistic quantum computing systems.

Persimmon Leaves (Diospyros kaki) Extract Protects Optic Nerve Crush-Induced Retinal Degeneration

PubMed Central

Ryul Ahn, Hong; Kim, Kyung-A; Kang, Suk Woo; Lee, Joo Young; Kim, Tae-Jin; Jung, Sang Hoon

2017-01-01

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is part of many retinal diseases. Here, we report that the ethanol extract of Diospyros kaki (EEDK) exhibits protective properties against retinal degeneration, both in vitro and in vivo. Upon exposure to cytotoxic compounds, RGC-5 cells showed approximately 40% cell viability versus the control, while pre-treatment with EEDK markedly increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Further studies revealed that cell survival induced by EEDK was associated with decreased levels of apoptotic proteins, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, p53, and cleaved caspase-3. In addition to apoptotic pathways, we demonstrated that expression levels of antioxidant-associated proteins, such as superoxide dismutase-1, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase-1, were positively modulated by EEDK. In a partial optic nerve crush mouse model, EEDK had similar ameliorating effects on retinal degeneration resulting from mechanical damages. Therefore, our results suggest that EEDK may have therapeutic potential against retinal degenerative disorders, such as glaucoma. PMID:28425487

Protection against Chlamydia psittaci in mice conferred by Lyt-2+ T cells.

PubMed Central

Buzoni-Gatel, D; Guilloteau, L; Bernard, F; Bernard, S; Chardès, T; Rocca, A

1992-01-01

A murine model was used to study the respective roles of L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ T cells in protection against Chlamydia psittaci. Donor mice were intravenously (i.v.) infected with 1 x 10(5) plaque-forming units (PFU) per mice of live C. psittaci. One month after inoculation, splenic cells from donors were transferred into syngenic recipients (5 x 10(7) cells/mouse). As measured by splenic colonization on Day 6 after i.v. challenge (1 x 10(5) PFU/mouse), transfer with primed (untreated) cells conferred a 3 log protection in this model. In vitro treatment, before transfer, of splenic cells with anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and complement, markedly impaired the protection in comparison with control mice transferred with primed untreated cells, whereas treatment with anti-L3T4 mAb did not reduce the transferred protection. Resistance to a reinfection with C. psittaci was also studied after selective in vivo depletion of L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ T cells. One month after primary infection, mice were treated with anti-L3T4 or anti-Lyt-2 mAb and challenged thereafter (i.v., 1 x 10(5) PFU). The splenic colonization on Day 6 after challenge demonstrated that treatment with anti-Lyt-2 mAb impaired resistance against a subsequent infection with C. psittaci. Treatment with anti-L3T4 mAb in vivo had no effect on protection, as previously described in vitro. The mechanisms by which Lyt-2+ T cells could participate in the elimination of bacteria were discussed. PMID:1427980

An Application of Generalizability Theory on Writing Assessment: Effects of Marking Components Weighting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lam, Ling Chi Tenny

2010-01-01

In writing assessment, there are quite a number of factors influencing the marking stability and the reliability of the assessment such as the attitude towards marking and consistency of markers, the physical environment, the design of the items, and marking rubrics. Even the methods to train markers have effects on the reliability of the…

77 FR 60677 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-04

... DC 20230 (or via Internet at [email protected] ). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for..., electronic reports, satellite-linked vessel monitoring devices, radio and telephone calls, gear and vessel markings are required from participants and methods of transmittal include Internet, satellite, facsimile...

Parental Socialization, Vagal Regulation, and Preschoolers' Anxious Difficulties: Direct Mothers and Moderated Fathers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hastings, Paul D.; Sullivan, Caroline; McShane, Kelly E.; Coplan, Robert J.; Utendale, William T.; Vyncke, Johanna D.

2008-01-01

Parental supportiveness and protective overcontrol and preschoolers' parasympathetic regulation were examined as predictors of temperamental inhibition, social wariness, and internalizing problems. Lower baseline vagal tone and weaker vagal suppression were expected to mark poorer dispositional self-regulatory capacity, leaving children more…

46 CFR 115.810 - Fire protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... extinguisher, semiportable fire extinguisher, and fixed gas fire extinguishing system to check for excessive... testing of alarms and ventilation shutdowns, for each fixed gas fire extinguishing system and detecting... gas to ensure it has been tested and marked in accordance with § 147.60 in subchapter N of this...

46 CFR 115.810 - Fire protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... extinguisher, semiportable fire extinguisher, and fixed gas fire extinguishing system to check for excessive... testing of alarms and ventilation shutdowns, for each fixed gas fire extinguishing system and detecting... gas to ensure it has been tested and marked in accordance with § 147.60 in subchapter N of this...

48 CFR 3452.227-72 - Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... marked with Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) data rights legends only for government purposes... example, enhance, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the software; time share; or use a computer... designed to protect these data from inadvertent release or disclosure to unauthorized third parties. (3...

48 CFR 3452.227-72 - Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... marked with Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) data rights legends only for government purposes... example, enhance, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the software; time share; or use a computer... designed to protect these data from inadvertent release or disclosure to unauthorized third parties. (3...

48 CFR 3452.227-72 - Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... marked with Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) data rights legends only for government purposes... example, enhance, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the software; time share; or use a computer... designed to protect these data from inadvertent release or disclosure to unauthorized third parties. (3...

48 CFR 3452.227-72 - Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... marked with Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) data rights legends only for government purposes... example, enhance, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the software; time share; or use a computer... designed to protect these data from inadvertent release or disclosure to unauthorized third parties. (3...

15 CFR 272.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MAKING OF TOY, LOOK-ALIKE, AND IMITATION FIREARMS MARKING....397.2740, Email: [email protected] A copy is available for inspection in the Office of the Chief Counsel for NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Telephone: (301) 975-2803, or at the...

46 CFR 28.880 - Hydraulic equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... hydraulic equipment and the adjacent work area. Protection shall be afforded to the operator of hydraulic... personnel. (h) Nonmetallic flexible hose assemblies must only be used between two points of relative motion... (method). (j) Nonmetallic flexible hose shall be marked with the manufacturer's name or trademark, type or...

Immunity-dependent reduction of segmented filamentous bacteria in mice infected with the helminthic parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Immune modulation by helminth (worm) parasites could protect the host against autoimmune diseases. We report that the parasitic nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis induces changes in the expression of antimicrobial peptides that are associated with marked microbial composition shifts, including re...

Interference of silibinin with IGF-1R signalling pathways protects human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells from UVB-induced apoptosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Weiwei; Otkur, Wuxiyar; Li, Lingzhi

Highlights: ► Silibinin protects A431 cells from UVB irradiation-induced apoptosis. ► Up-regulation of the IGF-1R-JNK/ERK pathways by UVB induces cell apoptosis. ► Silibinin inhibits IGF-1R pathways to repress caspase-8-mediated apoptosis. -- Abstract: Ultraviolet B (UVB) from sunlight is a major cause of cutaneous lesion. Silibinin, a traditional hepatic protectant, elicits protective effects against UVB-induced cellular damage. In A431 cells, the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was markedly up-regulated by UVB irradiation. The activation of the IGF-1R signalling pathways contributed to apoptosis of the cells rather than rescuing the cells from death. Up-regulated IGF-1R stimulated downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), suchmore » as c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). The subsequent activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 led to apoptosis. The activation of IGF-1R signalling pathways is the cause of A431 cell death. The pharmacological inhibitors and the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IGF-1R suppressed the downstream activation of JNK/ERK-caspases to help the survival of the UVB-irradiated A431 cells. Indeed, silibinin treatment suppressed the IGF-1R-JNK/ERK pathways and thus protected the cells from UVB-induced apoptosis.« less

Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant outer membrane proteins of Haemophilus parasuis serovar 5 in a murine model

PubMed Central

Li, Miao; Cai, Ru-Jian; Song, Shuai; Jiang, Zhi-Yong; Li, Yan; Gou, Hong-Chao; Chu, Pin-Pin; Li, Chun-Ling; Qiu, Hua-Ji

2017-01-01

Glässer’s disease is an economically important infectious disease of pigs caused by Haemophilus parasuis. Few vaccines are currently available that could provide effective cross-protection against various serovars of H. parasuis. In this study, five OMPs (OppA, TolC, HxuC, LppC, and HAPS_0926) identified by bioinformatic approaches, were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins. Antigenicity of the purified proteins was verified through Western blotting, and primary screening for protective potential was evaluated in vivo. Recombinant TolC (rTolC), rLppC, and rHAPS_0926 proteins showing marked protection of mice against H. parasuis infection, and were further evaluated individually or in combination. Mice treated with these three OMPs produced humoral and host cell-mediated responses, with a significant rise in antigen-specific IgG titer and lymphoproliferative response in contrast with the mock-immunized group. Significant increases were noted in CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and three cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ) in vaccinated animals. The antisera against candidate antigens could efficiently impede bacterial survival in whole blood bactericidal assay against H. parasuis infection. The multi-protein vaccine induced more pronounced immune responses and offered better protection than individual vaccines. Our findings indicate that these three OMPs are promising antigens for the development of multi-component subunit vaccines against Glässer's disease. PMID:28448603

Cross-protective efficacies of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 vaccines against a recent H5N8 virus.

PubMed

Park, Su-Jin; Si, Young-Jae; Kim, Jihye; Song, Min-Suk; Kim, Se-Mi; Kim, Eun-Ha; Kwon, Hyeok-Il; Kim, Young-Il; Lee, Ok-Jun; Shin, Ok Sarah; Kim, Chul-Joong; Shin, Eui-Cheol; Choi, Young Ki

2016-11-01

To investigate cross-protective vaccine efficacy of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses against a recent HPAI H5N8 virus, we immunized C57BL/6 mice and ferrets with three alum-adjuvanted inactivated whole H5N1 vaccines developed through reverse-genetics (Rg): [Vietnam/1194/04xPR8 (clade 1), Korea/W149/06xPR8 (clade 2.2), and Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 (clade 2.5)]. Although relatively low cross-reactivities (10-40 HI titer) were observed against heterologous H5N8 virus, immunized animals were 100% protected from challenge with the 20 mLD50 of H5N8 virus, with the exception of mice vaccinated with 3.5μg of Rg Vietnam/1194/04xPR8. Of note, the Rg Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 vaccine provided not only effective protection, but also markedly inhibited viral replication in the lungs and nasal swabs of vaccine recipients within five days of HPAI H5N8 virus challenge. Further, we demonstrated that antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of an antibody-coated target cell by cytotoxic effector cells also plays a role in the heterologous protection of H5N1 vaccines against H5N8 challenge. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Melatonin protects bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against iron overload-induced aberrant differentiation and senescence.

PubMed

Yang, Fan; Yang, Lei; Li, Yuan; Yan, Gege; Feng, Chao; Liu, Tianyi; Gong, Rui; Yuan, Ye; Wang, Ning; Idiiatullina, Elina; Bikkuzin, Timur; Pavlov, Valentin; Li, Yang; Dong, Chaorun; Wang, Dawei; Cao, Yang; Han, Zhenbo; Zhang, Lai; Huang, Qi; Ding, Fengzhi; Bi, Zhengang; Cai, Benzhi

2017-10-01

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are an expandable population of stem cells which can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Dysfunction of BMSCs in response to pathological stimuli contributes to bone diseases. Melatonin, a hormone secreted from pineal gland, has been proved to be an important mediator in bone formation and mineralization. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin protected against iron overload-induced dysfunction of BMSCs and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we found that iron overload induced by ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) caused irregularly morphological changes and markedly reduced the viability in BMSCs. Consistently, osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was significantly inhibited by iron overload, but melatonin treatment rescued osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Furthermore, exposure to FAC led to the senescence in BMSCs, which was attenuated by melatonin as well. Meanwhile, melatonin was able to counter the reduction in cell proliferation by iron overload in BMSCs. In addition, protective effects of melatonin on iron overload-induced dysfunction of BMSCs were abolished by its inhibitor luzindole. Also, melatonin protected BMSCs against iron overload-induced ROS accumulation and membrane potential depolarization. Further study uncovered that melatonin inhibited the upregulation of p53, ERK and p38 protein expressions in BMSCs with iron overload. Collectively, melatonin plays a protective role in iron overload-induced osteogenic differentiation dysfunction and senescence through blocking ROS accumulation and p53/ERK/p38 activation. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Short-term and long-term effects of GDP on traffic deaths in 18 OECD countries, 1960-2011.

PubMed

Dadgar, Iman; Norström, Thor

2017-02-01

Research suggests that increases in gross domestic product (GDP) lead to increases in traffic deaths plausibly due to the increased road traffic induced by an expanding economy. However, there also seems to exist a long-term effect of economic growth that is manifested in improved traffic safety and reduced rates of traffic deaths. Previous studies focus on either the short-term, procyclical effect, or the long-term, protective effect. The aim of the present study is to estimate the short-term and long-term effects jointly in order to assess the net impact of GDP on traffic mortality. We extracted traffic death rates for the period 1960-2011 from the WHO Mortality Database for 18 OECD countries. Data on GDP/capita were obtained from the Maddison Project. We performed error correction modelling to estimate the short-term and long-term effects of GDP on the traffic death rates. The estimates from the error correction modelling for the entire study period suggested that a one-unit increase (US$1000) in GDP/capita yields an instantaneous short-term increase in the traffic death rate by 0.58 (p<0.001), and a long-term decrease equal to -1.59 (p<0.001). However, period-specific analyses revealed a structural break implying that the procyclical effect outweighs the protective effect in the period prior to 1976, whereas the reverse is true for the period 1976-2011. An increase in GDP leads to an immediate increase in traffic deaths. However, after the mid-1970s this short-term effect is more than outweighed by a markedly stronger protective long-term effect, whereas the reverse is true for the period before the mid-1970s. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Dermostyx (IB1) - High efficacy and safe topical skin protectant against percutaneous toxic agents.

PubMed

Dachir, Shlomit; Barness, Izhak; Fishbine, Eliezer; Meshulam, Jacob; Sahar, Rita; Eisenkraft, Arik; Amir, Adina; Kadar, Tamar

2017-04-01

Prevention of the penetration of toxic agents through the skin is crucial for both military troops and civilian populations. We have developed a novel topical skin protectant (TSP), coded as IB1 and commercially available as Dermostyx protective solution (Rekah Pharm, Israel). The formulation afforded significant protection against chemical warfare agents such as sulfur mustard (SM) and VX (2LD50), pesticides such as parathion and irritants such as acrolein. The efficacy of the protectant was evaluated in the pig model using clinical, histological and biochemical monitoring. A single topical application prior to exposure to the toxic agents reduced significantly the size and severity of skin lesions and ameliorated or prevented systemic clinical symptoms. The barrier properties of IB1 are immediate upon application and remain effective for at least 12 h. It is absorbed into the stratum corneum of the skin and remains there until rinsing with water, yet the ingredients are not absorbed into the body. The formulation is a hydrophilic water-based solution, composed of magnesium sulfate and glycerin that are widely used in cosmetic and medicine, and was shown to be safe in preclinical and in Phase I clinical studies. The suggested mode of action is based on the unique interaction of glycerin with the stratum corneum, changing its properties to hydrophilic and on the "salting out" effect of magnesium sulfate. The expected use of the TSP is by application on exposed skin areas and sensitive skin sites (e.g. armpits, groin, waist), when necessary. A quantity of 10 ml is sufficient for one application covering approximately 20% of the body surface area. The formulation was approved for human use by the Israel Ministry of Health and a CE mark certificate in Europe has been recently issued (Class I). Dermostyx has been adopted by the IDF and first responders as a skin protectant for special needs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptors in taurine release in the adult and developing mouse hippocampus.

PubMed

Saransaari, P; Oja, S S

1999-01-01

The inhibitory amino acid taurine has been held to function as an osmoregulator and modulator of neural activity, being particularly important in the immature brain. Ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists are known markedly to potentiate taurine release. The effects of different metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists and antagonists on the basal and K(+)-stimulated release of [3H]taurine from hippocampal slices from 3-month-old (adult) and 7-day-old mice were now investigated using a superfusion system. Of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists, quisqualate potentiated basal taurine release in both age groups, more markedly in the immature hippocampus. This action was not antagonized by the specific antagonists of group I but by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione (NBQX), which would suggest an involvement of ionotropic glutamate receptors. (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) potentiated the basal release by a receptor-mediated mechanism in the immature hippocampus. The group II agonist (2S, 2'R, 3'R)-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG IV) markedly potentiated basal taurine release at both ages. These effects were antagonized by dizocilpine, indicating again the participation of ionotropic receptors. Group III agonists slightly potentiated basal taurine release, as did several antagonists of the three metabotropic receptor groups. Potassium-stimulated (50 mM K+) taurine release was generally significantly reduced by mGluR agents, mainly by group I and II compounds. This may be harmful to neurons in hyperexcitatory states. On the other hand, the potentiation by mGluRs of basal taurine release, particularly in the immature hippocampus, together with the earlier demonstrated pronounced enhancement by activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors, may protect neurons against excitotoxicity.

No evidence for induction of key components of the Notch signaling pathway (Notch-1, Jagged-1) by treatment with UV-B, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and/or epigenetic drugs (TSA, 5-Aza) in human keratinocytes in vitro.

PubMed

Reichrath, Sandra; Reichrath, Jörg

2012-01-01

Notch signaling is of high importance for growth and survival of various cell types. We now analyzed the protein expression of two key components of the Notch signaling pathway (Notch-1, Jagged-1) in spontaneously immortalized (HaCaT) and in malignant (SCL-1) human keratinocytes, using western analysis. We found that Notch-1 and its corresponding ligand Jagged-1 are expressed in both cell lines, with no marked change following UV-B treatment. Moreover, treatment of both cell lines before or after UV-B irradiation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), the biologically active form of vitamin D, and/or epigenetic modulating drugs (TSA; 5-Aza) did not result in a marked modulation of the protein expression of Notch-1 or Jagged-1. Under the experimental conditions of this study, treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) protected human keratinocytes in part against the antiproliferative effects of UV-B-radiation. In conclusion, our findings do not point at a differential expression of these two key components of Notch signaling in non-malignant as compared to malignant human keratinocytes, indicating that alterations in their expression are not of importance for the photocarcinogenesis of human squamous cell carcinomas. Moreover, our findings do not support the hypothesis that modulation of Notch signaling may be involved in the photoprotective effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), that we and others reported previously. Additionally, we demonstrate that epigenetic modulating drugs (TSA, 5-Aza) do not markedly modulate the expression Notch-1 or Jagged-1 in UV-B-treated human keratinocytes in vitro.

Carbon dioxide laser effects on caries-like lesions of dental enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Featherstone, John D. B.; Zhang, S. H.; Shariati, M.; McCormack, Sandra M.

1991-05-01

Previous studies by the authors have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) laser light has marked effects on dental hard tissues and that these effects are wavelength-dependent. The aim of the present study was to determine whether treatment by CO2 laser of caries-like lesions in human enamel would inhibit subsequent lesion progression. Nine groups of 10 teeth each with preformed caries-like lesions were treated with/without CO2 laser (9.32 micrometers , 15 mJ or 25 mJ per pulse) by a pulsed laser (100-200 nsec) for either 200 or 400 pulses. Preformed lesions were then treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride for 5 minutes with control groups with no fluoride treatment. Teeth were subjected to a subsequent pH cycling challenge to determine the protection against lesion progression. Low energy laser treatment coupled with fluoride treatment entirely inhibited subsequent lesion progression in this model system.

A marked difference in pathogenesis and immune response induced by different Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes

PubMed Central

LÓPEZ, B; AGUILAR, D; OROZCO, H; BURGER, M; ESPITIA, C; RITACCO, V; BARRERA, L; KREMER, K; HERNANDEZ-PANDO, R; HUYGEN, K; VAN SOOLINGEN, D

2003-01-01

In the last decade, an unprecedented genetic diversity has been disclosed among Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains found worldwide. However, well-conserved genotypes seem to prevail in areas with high incidence of tuberculosis. As this may be related to selective advantages, such as advanced mechanisms to circumvent [M. bovis Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG)-induced] host defence mechanisms, we investigated the influence of strain diversity on the course of experimental disease. Twelve M. tuberculosis strains, representing four major genotype families found worldwide today, and the laboratory strain H37Rv were each used to infect BALB/c mice by direct intratracheal injection. Compared with H37Rv, infections with Beijng strains were characterized by extensive pneumonia, early but ephemeral tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) expression, and significantly higher earlier mortality. Conversely, Canetti strains induced limited pneumonia, sustained TNF-α and iNOS expression in lungs, and almost 100% survival. Strains of the Somali and the Haarlem genotype families displayed less homogeneous, intermediate rates of survival. Previous BCG vaccination protected less effectively against infection with Beijing strains than against the H37Rv strain. In conclusion, genetically different M. tuberculosis strains evoked markedly different immunopathological events. Bacteria with the Beijing genotype, highly prevalent in Asia and the former USSR, elicited a non-protective immune response in mice and were the most virulent. Future immunological research, particularly on candidate vaccines, should include a broad spectrum of M. tuberculosis genotypes rather than a few laboratory strains. PMID:12823275

Effectiveness study on temporary pavement marking removals methods.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-06-01

"This study was conducted to identify effective temporary marking removal methods and procedures on concrete and asphalt pavements. Pavement markings provide guidance to road travelers and can lead to accidents when not properly removed. Current stat...

Effectiveness study on temporary pavement marking removals methods.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-06-01

This study was conducted to identify effective temporary marking removal methods and procedures on concrete and asphalt pavements. Pavement markings provide guidance to road travelers and can lead to accidents when not properly removed. Current state...

Hepatoprotective Effects of Chinese Medicine Herbs Decoction on Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

PubMed Central

Lim, Tong-Hye; Nor-Amdan, Nur-Asyura

2017-01-01

Hepatoprotective and curative activities of aqueous extract of decoction containing 10 Chinese medicinal herbs (HPE-XA-08) were evaluated in Sprague–Dawley albino rats with liver damage induced by thioacetamide (TAA). These activities were assessed by investigating the liver enzymes level and also histopathology investigation. Increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were observed in rats with cirrhotic liver. No significant alterations of the liver enzymes were observed following treatment with HPE-XA-08. Histopathology examination of rats treated with HPE-XA-08 at 250 mg/kg body weight, however, exhibited moderate liver protective effects. Reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins within the hepatocytes were noted in comparison to the cirrhotic liver. The curative effects of HPE-XA-08 were observed with marked decrease in the level of ALP (more than 3x) and level of GGT (more than 2x) in cirrhotic rat treated with 600 mg/kg body weight HPE-XA-08 in comparison to cirrhotic rat treated with just water diluent. Reversion of cirrhotic liver to normal liver condition in rats treated with HPE-XA-08 was observed. Results from the present study suggest that HPE-XA-08 treatment assisted in the protection from liver cirrhosis and improved the recovery of cirrhotic liver. PMID:28280515