Sublethal effects of the flame retardant intermediate hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD) on the gene transcription and protein activity of Daphnia magna.

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD) is a chlorinated chemical of high production volume used as an intermediate in the production of flame retardants. HCCPD may be released to the environment during production, use, and as a result of product degradation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sublethal effects of HCCPD exposure to Daphnia magna at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.

Taking microarrays to the field: differential hepatic gene expression of caged fathead minnows from Nebraska watersheds.

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of microarrays as a biomonitoring tool in field studies. A 15,000-oligonucleotide microarray was used to measure the hepatic gene expression of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) caged in four Nebraska, USA watersheds - the Niobrara and Dismal Rivers (low-impact agricultural sites) and the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers (high-impact agricultural sites). Gene expression profiles were site specific and fish from the low- and high-impact sites aggregated into distinct groups.

Minnesota's Prescription Monitoring Program: how to identify patients who may be abusing controlled substances.

The Minnesota Prescription Monitoring Program, which was launched by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy last year, is collecting data on prescriptionsof controlled substances. Reporting is required from in-state pharmacies and others including physicians who dispense medications as well as from out-of-state pharmacies that ship controlled substances to Minnesota residents. This article describes the program, how it works, and how it can benefit physicians.

Thyroid hemiagenesis: a case series and review of the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present a case series and review recommendations within the literature concerning thyroid hemiagenesis.

Materials And Methods: This is a (1) retrospective case series review of 5 patients and (2) literature review (using Medline) on thyroid hemiagenesis.

Results: Most reported cases are female with the left thyroid lobe absent.

Gene set enrichment analysis of microarray data from Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque), a non-mammalian model organism.

Background: Methods for gene-class testing, such as Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), incorporate biological knowledge into the analysis and interpretation of microarray data by comparing gene expression patterns to pathways, systems and emergent phenotypes. However, to use GSEA to its full capability with non-mammalian model organisms, a microarray platform must be annotated with human gene symbols. Doing so enables the ability to relate a model organism's gene expression, in response to a given treatment, to potential human health consequences of that treatment.

Adult guardianship: human rights or social justice?

Adult guardianship in English-speaking countries has its roots firmly planted in the protective parens patriae principle. In the last 20 years, in response to societal changes and international developments, concerns about human rights have fundamentally challenged the historic basis of guardianship. This article argues that social justice offers a better framework than human rights for adult guardianship legislation.

Transcriptional response of hepatic largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) mRNA upon exposure to environmental contaminants.

Microarrays enable gene transcript expression changes in near-whole genomes to be assessed in response to environmental stimuli. We utilized oligonucleotide microarrays and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to assess patterns of gene expression changes in male largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) hepatic tissues after a 96 h exposure to common environmental contaminants. Fish were exposed to atrazine, cadmium chloride, PCB 126, phenanthrene and toxaphene via intraperitoneal injection with target body burdens of 3.

Effects of brevetoxin exposure on the immune system of loggerhead sea turtles.

Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, occur almost annually off the Florida coast. These blooms, commonly called "red tides", produce a group of neurotoxins collectively termed brevetoxins. Many species of sealife, including sea turtles, are severely impacted by brevetoxin exposure.

Agrichemicals in Nebraska, USA, watersheds: occurrence and endocrine effects.

The objective of the present study was to determine the occurrence and endocrine effects of agrichemicals in four Nebraska, USA, watersheds--the Elkhorn, Platte, Niobrara, and Dismal rivers. Land use in the Elkhorn River and Platte River watersheds is characterized by intense agriculture, including row crop and beef cattle production. In contrast, land within the Niobrara River and Dismal River watersheds consists primarily of grasslands.

The genomic transcriptional response of female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to an acute exposure to the androgen, 17beta-trenbolone.

We investigated the genomic transcriptional response of female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to an acute (4 days) exposure to 0.1 or 1.0microg/L of 17beta-trenbolone (TB), the active metabolite of an anabolic androgenic steroid used as a growth promoter in cattle and a contaminant of concern in aquatic systems.

Gene expression changes in bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, skin cells following exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

Methylmercury (MeHg) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the environment and increasing concentrations of these pollutants have been found in wildlife and humans. Both chemicals are worldwide contaminants with wide ranging biological effects and have been identified in relatively high concentrations in apex level marine mammals such as bottlenose dolphins. The primary objective of this study was to determine if exposure to MeHg or PFOS would alter the gene expression in primary bottlenose dolphin epidermal cell cultures.

Adherence in patients on dialysis: strategies for success.

Adherence is a major problem in patients with chronic kidney disease. Patients can be nonadherent with different aspects of their treatment, which includes medications, treatment regimens, and dietary and fluid restrictions. Although many lessons have been learned from adherence research, the evidence of how to modify adherence is somewhat mixed.

Development and validation of a 2,000-gene microarray for the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas).

Gene microarrays provide the field of ecotoxicology new tools to identify mechanisms of action of chemicals and chemical mixtures. Herein we describe the development and application of a 2,000-gene oligonucleotide microarray for the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas, a species commonly used in ecological risk assessments in North America. The microarrays were developed from various cDNA and subtraction libraries that we constructed.

Safety of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in patients on dialysis: current issues for nephrology nurses.

Clinical data have repeatedly shown that the erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are safe and efficacious to treat anemia in patients on dialysis when used in accordance with the product label The safety profile of ESAs has recently been updated based on reports from clinical investigations that studied off-label uses of ESAs at doses designed to raise the Hb to above 13.0 g/dL. This article reviews the recent safety data and the current prescribing recommendations, with an emphasis on the need to follow the guidelines found in the products' package inserts to ensure the safe and efficacious use of these agents.

A graphical systems model to facilitate hypothesis-driven ecotoxicogenomics research on the teleost brain-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Graphical systems models are powerful tools that can help facilitate hypothesis-driven ecotoxicogenomic research and aid in mechanistic interpretation of results. This paper describes a novel graphical model of the teleost brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis designed for ecotoxicogenomics research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals using small fish models. The model incorporates six compartments representing the major organs involved in the fish reproductive axis and depicts the interactions of over 105 proteins and 40 simple molecules, transcriptional regulation of 25 genes, and over 300 different reactions/ processes.

Documentation of surgical specimens using digital video technology.

Context: Digital technology is commonly used for documentation of specimens in anatomic pathology and has been mainly limited to still photographs. Technologic innovations, such as digital video, provide additional, in some cases better, options for documentation.

Objective: To demonstrate the applicability of digital video to the documentation of surgical specimens.

Single and multiple congenic strains for hydrocephalus in the H-Tx rat.

The H-Tx rat has fetal-onset hydrocephalus with a complex mode of inheritance. Previously, quantitative trait locus mapping using a backcross with Fischer F344 rats demonstrated genetic loci significantly linked to hydrocephalus on Chromosomes 10, 11, and 17. Hydrocephalus was preferentially associated with heterozygous alleles on Chrs 10 and 11 and with homozygous alleles on Chr 17.

Genetic loci for ventricular dilatation in the LEW/Jms rat with fetal-onset hydrocephalus are influenced by gender and genetic background.

Background: The LEW/Jms rat strain has inherited hydrocephalus, with more males affected than females and an overall expression rate of 28%. This study aimed to determine chromosomal positions for genetic loci causing the hydrocephalus.

Methods: An F1 backcross was made to the parental LEW/Jms strain from a cross with non-hydrocephalic Fischer 344 rats.

Genetic analysis of inherited hydrocephalus in a rat model.

Congenital hydrocephalus is a serious neurological disorder with a diverse etiology. Although there is strong evidence for genetic causes, few genes have been identified in humans. The rodent model, the H-Tx rat, has hydrocephalus with an onset in late gestation and a complex mode of inheritance.

Paranasal sinus development: a radiographic study.

Objective: To demonstrate the development of the paranasal sinuses in a pediatric population by computed tomography scans.

Study Design: Radiology records at a tertiary care institution were reviewed for the computed tomography scans of the face, orbit, or paranasal sinuses in patients aged 0 to 12 years.

Methods: Computed tomography scans were reviewed by a head and neck radiologist and otolaryngologist for the development of the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses.

Characteristics of hydrocephalus expression in the LEW/Jms rat strain with inherited disease.

Materials And Methods: The expression and severity of hydrocephalus was characterized in LEW/Jms rats with inherited hydrocephalus.

Results: The frequency of overt disease (lethal) was 27.7%, but varied depending on breeding line.

The frequency of inherited hydrocephalus is influenced by intrauterine factors in H-Tx rats.

H-Tx rats have fetal-onset inherited hydrocephalus. Linkage analysis has determined the genetics is complex, with at least three loci associated with hydrocephalus. In addition, maternal and/or intrauterine factors influence the frequency of expression.