A depth-adjusted ambient distribution approach for setting numeric removal targets for a Great Lakes Area of Concern beneficial use impairment: degraded benthos.

We compiled macroinvertebrate data collected from 1995 to 2014 from the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) of Lake Superior. Our objective was to define depth-adjusted cutoff values for benthos condition classes to provide an analytical tool for quantifying progress toward achieving removal targets for the degraded benthos beneficial use impairment.

Polymorphisms of CXCR3-binding chemokines in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Although the precise mechanisms leading to the destruction of islet beta cells are unknown, diverse studies support a role of the CXCR3-binding chemokines. A combination of a case (n = 447)-control (n = 300) and family (n = 221) analysis was performed to investigate the role of the CXCL9 (rs10336, rs3733236) and CXCL10 (rs3921, rs35795399 and rs8878) polymorphisms and their interaction with HLA high-risk haplotypes DQ2(DQA*0501-DQB*0201)-DQ8(DQA*0301-DQB*0302) in T1D.

TIM-3 polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes families.

TIM-3 is a transmembrane protein preferentially expressed on differentiated Th1 cells, which play a role in Th1-mediated diseases including type 1 diabetes. We investigated the role of the rs10515746 (A/C), rs1036199 (A/C), and rs10053538 (A/C) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the TIM-3 gene in 186 German type 1 diabetes families (558 individuals) and its interaction with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) high-risk haplotypes DQ2(DQA*0501-DQB*0201)-DQ8 (DQA*0301-DQB*0302). Alleles A, C, and A of the rs10515746 (A/C), rs1036199 (A/C), and rs10053538 (A/C) SNPs were found in a frequency of 20.

Effects of di-n-butylamine on the respiratory system of Wistar (WU) rats after subchronic inhalation.

Aim of the study was to investigate the potential toxic effects of di-n-butylamine (DBA), a known skin and eye irritating compound, on the respiratory tract after inhalation exposure for up to 91 days in male and female rats [Crl:(WI)WU BR]. To check whether and to what degree the no-observed-(adverse)-effect level (NO(A)EL) decreases with increasing study duration, serial sacrifices were performed after 3 and 28 days, respectively. Based on two dose range-finding studies, the concentrations for this study were determined with 0 (clean air), 50, 150, and 450 mg/m(3).

Pulmonary inflammation in rats after intratracheal instillation of quartz, amorphous SiO2, carbon black, and coal dust and the influence of poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO).

Effects of poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO) were investigated in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies published in the nineteen sixties and seventies. These studies showed that PVNO inhibited development of fibrosis from quartz dust and improved lung clearance of quartz after inhalation exposure. Ameliorating effects of PVNO were observed also for pulmonary damage from colloidal SiO2 and organic substances, and the fibrogenic inflammation caused by carrageenan.

Cross-fostering inhalation toxicity study with HCFC-123 in lactating Sprague-Dawley rats.

A study was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats (Crl:CD BR) to differentiate between effects of hydrofluorocarbon 123 (HCFC-123) on the lactating dam or on the fetus using fostering and cross-fostering of the offspring. Pregnant and/or lactating dams without the pups present were exposed to the test substance (1000 ppm) or clean air by whole-body inhalation for 6 h/day from day 6 to 19 post conceptionem (p.c.

Investigation of Chronic Toxic and Carcinogenic Effects of Gasoline Engine Exhausts Deriving from Fuel without and with Ferrocene Additive.

Chronic toxic and carcinogenic effects of gasoline engine exhaust inhalation were investigated in rats. The exhaust from the combustion of commercial fuel containing 30 ppm ferrocene additive was compared to exhaust from the same fuel without ferrocene. This study was part of a procedure to get a special authorization for the use of ferrocene as gasoline additive according to the German Gasoline Lead Act.

Detection and quantification of complexed and free soluble human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) by ELISA.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important factor for endothelial cell proliferation and a key regulator of blood vessel development in embryos and angiogenesis in adult tissues. Its biological activity is mediated by two receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR). In contrast to VEGFR-2, a naturally occurring soluble form of the VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) is produced by endothelial cells by differential splicing of the flt-1 gene, and it is a secreted gene product.

[SUSILAP-G: a surgical simulator for training minimal invasive interventions in gynecology].

After a brief introduction about virtual reality and model-building this paper describes the special technical and theoretical requirements of dynamic surgical simulation in contrast to traditional static systems. This is done by means of the simulator SUSILAP-G. With SUSILAP-G an example of an application in telemedicine is given.

Absence of effect of caffeine on the thyroid in the Syrian golden hamster: results of a 90-day study.

Caffeine in drinking water was offered ad lib. to male and female Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus W) for 90 days. Animals were randomly assigned to three dose groups (91.

Elevated surfactant protein A in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis patients.

Interstitial lung diseases often are accompanied by histopathologic evidence of alveolar type 2 cell alterations. In the alveolar milieu, the surfactant-specific protein A (SP-A) is a secretory product of alveolar type 2 cells. Therefore, we measured SP-A levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from patients with untreated sarcoidosis (n = 35) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP [n = 10]) and compared the results with those from 21 healthy control subjects.

Pharmacokinetics of the organic nitrates trans-N-(4-nitroxycyclohexyl)-urea in dogs and trans-N-(4-nitroxycyclohexyl)-acetamide in dogs and in man.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of the organic nitrates BM 12.1247 (trans-N-(4-nitroxycyclohexyl)-urea) and BM 12.1307 (trans-N-(4-nitroxycyclohexyl)-acetamide, CAS 137291-91-3) were examined in beagle dogs after oral and intravenous administration.

Anabolic steroids--action on cellular level.

Although the nature of actions of anabolic steroids is principally that of androgens, it still remains difficult to relate the effects observed to specific cellular processes and to describe them clearly as related to specific mechanisms of action. The dissociation between "anabolic" and "androgenic" actions of a steroid can in part be explained by organ specific patterns of steroid-metabolizing enzymes, which lead to the formation of more or less active compounds in different organs. Some actions of anabolic steroids, particularly that in skeletal muscle are obviously also mediated by interaction of the parent compound or a metabolite with receptors of other steroid classes than androgens, e.

Pharmacokinetics of the organic nitrates trans-2-amino-2-methyl-N-(4- nitroxycyclohexylmethyl)-propionamide in dogs, and of 4-(2-nitroxyethyl)-piperidine in dogs and in monkeys.

The plasma concentrations of the organic nitrates (nitric acid esters) trans-2-amino-2-methyl-N-(4-nitroxycyclohexylmethyl)-propionamide (BM 12.1200) and of 4-(2-nitroxyethyl)-piperidine (BM 12.1173, CAS 129999-77-5) were determined in dog plasma by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD).

Increased surfactant protein A content in human alveolar macrophages in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) appears to have an important function in the assembly and maintenance of the alveolar surfactant monolayer. SP-A has also been implicated in modulating the activity of immunoactive cells, such as increasing the bactericidal capacity of alveolar macrophages. In this immunocytochemical study the SP-A content of alveolar macrophages from seven patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis was compared with the results obtained from six healthy controls.

The surfactant system of the adult lung: physiology and clinical perspectives.

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II cells and constitutes an important component of the alveolar lining fluid. It comprises a unique mixture of phospholipids and surfactant-specific proteins. More than 30 years after its first biochemical characterization, knowledge of the composition and functions of the surfactant complex has grown considerably.

Vasodilatory action of carvedilol.

Carvedilol is a dual-acting drug designed to produce two complementary effects: beta-blockade and vasodilation. These effects are induced in the same dose range, a prerequisite for utilizing both properties in an appropriate manner. The vasodilation is mediated predominantly by specific alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade.

Pharmacological profile of beta-adrenoceptor blockers with vasodilating properties, especially carvedilol--rationale for clinical use.

The rationale for the combined use of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and vasodilators is to improve the efficacy of the antihypertensive therapy and to reduce the incidence of side effects. If suitable coagents are selected and used at appropriate doses, the disadvantages of each separate component (compromised blood flow to individual organs, increase in total peripheral resistance, unfavorable lipid profile for beta-blockers; stimulation of counter-regulatory mechanisms, retention of water and electrolytes for vasodilators) can be balanced. In addition, the favorable effects of each (reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for beta-blockers, and favorable hemodynamic profile for vasodilators) may be used to advantage.

Pharmacological characteristics of the stereoisomers of carvedilol.

The racemic compound carvedilol possesses two complementary pharmacological effects, vasodilation and beta-blockade. The R- and S-enantiomers of carvedilol and the racemate were investigated with respect to the beta-blocking, vasodilating, and hypotensive actions. In agreement with results obtained with other beta-blockers, only the S-enantiomer of carvedilol exerts beta-blocking effects.

Steroid sulfate sulfatase in human benign prostatic hyperplasia: characterization and quantification of the enzyme in epithelium and stroma.

Characteristics and activities of estrone sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) sulfatases were studied in epithelium and stroma of benign hyperplastic tissues from human prostates. Tissues were obtained by suprapubic prostatectomy, and epithelium and stroma were separated mechanically by standard techniques. The assay procedure comprised homogenization in Tris-buffer, incubation of the homogenate with [3H]E1S or [3H]DHAS, separation of free steroids from nonhydrolyzed steroid sulfates by extraction with ether, and their final quantification by LSC.

Inhibition of human placental aromatase in a perfusion model. Comparison with kinetic, cell-free experiments.

In vitro perfusion of human placenta was evaluated for characterization of aromatase inhibitors. The results were compared with those in kinetic experiments in cell-free system. Inhibition constants (Ki) were determined by measuring the release of tritiated water during coincubation of human placenta microsomes with varying amounts of [1 beta,2 beta 3H]androstenedione and inhibitor in the presence of NADPH-generating system.

Hemodynamic profile of BM 14.478: a new positive inotropic and vasodilating agent.

BM 14.478 (7,7-dimethyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-6,7-dihydro-3H,5H pyrrolo [2,3-f]benz-imidazol-6-one) was investigated in anesthetized rats and cats and conscious dogs. Left ventricular dp/dt was increased after intravenous injection of 0.