Single-Center Comparison of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Evacuation Outcomes Under Local Versus General Anesthesia.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a neurosurgical pathology of an aged populace. Pathogenetic risk factors include traumatic brain injury, prolonged use of antiplatelet drugs, hypertension, and some inflammatory processes. The incidence increases as patients age.

COVID-19 DEATHS AND VACCINATION IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL.

Background/aim: Some estimates indicates that by 2021 ending, more people as a share of the vulnerable population in Africa, Nigeria inclusive, have died than elsewhere due to late and inadequate vaccination. With the pandemic phase of high daily deaths formally declared over, COVID-19 deaths before and after vaccination commenced were compared to observe how vaccination impacted COVID-19 deaths.

Method: COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccination rates in World Health Organization databases up to 07 June 2023 and other variables of interest unavailable there but found in other open- sources were all extracted and examined.

TNFα-Induced LDL Cholesterol Accumulation Involve Elevated LDLR Cell Surface Levels and SR-B1 Downregulation in Human Arterial Endothelial Cells.

Excess lipid droplets are frequently observed in arterial endothelial cells at sites of advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Here, the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in modulating the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) content in confluent primary human aortic endothelial cells (pHAECs) was investigated. TNFα promoted an up to 2 folds increase in cellular cholesterol, which was resistant to ACAT inhibition.

A Review on Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Effective Applications in Membranes and Adsorbents for Water Treatment and Gas Separation.

Globally, environmental challenges have been recognised as a matter of concern. Among these challenges are the reduced availability and quality of drinking water, and greenhouse gases that give rise to change in climate by entrapping heat, which result in respirational illness from smog and air pollution. Globally, the rate of demand for the use of freshwater has outgrown the rate of population increase; as the rapid growth in town and cities place a huge pressure on neighbouring water resources.

In-situ remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil by application of plant-based surfactants toward preventing environmental degradation.

Remediation in this study employs the use of green plants and their extracts in enhancing the remediation process of polluted soils. GC-MS & FTIR techniques were employed in determining the constituents of the soil during the investigation. 60 ml of the extracts were applied on 1 by 2 ft segments of hydrocarbon polluted site and observed for two months.

Porphyromonas gingivalis infection alters Nrf2-phase II enzymes and nitric oxide in primary human aortic endothelial cells.

Background: Periodontal disease (PD) is known to be associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery and/or cardiovascular disease. In our study, we sought to explore the virulence of P. gingivalis (Pg) affecting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β)/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/tetrahydrobiopterin (BH )/ nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in primary human aortic endothelial cells (pHAECs).

Risk assessment of human exposure to radionuclides and heavy metals in oil-based mud samples used for drilling operation.

This study investigates heavy metals and naturally occurring radionuclide materials (NORM) possible presence and pollution rates in oil-based drilling fluids system used to drill an oil and gas well. It also estimates the health risks of the drilling crew due to their exposure to these substances. Measurements from Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) revealed that, the concentrations of the metals present in the drilling mud samples varied significantly and decreased in the order of Zn > Al > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cu > As > Hg > Cd.

Toxicology of Heavy Metals to Subsurface Lithofacies and Drillers during Drilling of Hydrocarbon Wells.

This study investigates the toxicological effects of heavy metals on lithofacies of the subsurface in a drilled hydrocarbon well as well as, to the drilling crew and people in an environment. The pollution levels of selected heavy metals were considered alongside their ecological effects during dry and wet seasons. The health hazard potential of human exposures to the metals, were estimated in terms of intensity and time using the USEPA recommended model.

Assessment of naturally occurring radiation in lithofacies of oil field in Niger Delta region and its possible health implications.

The accumulation and increase in radionuclide activities of NORMs beyond permissible levels, will lead to health hazards and environmental damages if proper measures are not taken to control their occurrence as well as protect the lives of drillers and the environment. Therefore, evaluations and risk assessments of subsurface lithofacies is inevitable in order to protect people and the environment. Lack of existing Federal environmental regulations to address the presence of NORMs in oil and gas exploration activities in Nigeria, gives credence to this study.

Radiological and toxicity risk exposures of oil based mud: health implication on drilling crew in Niger Delta.

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and the presence of toxic metals in drilling fluids/their additives have raised research interests in recent times owing to the risks associated with the exposure times for drillers of petroleum wells. In this study, two drilling fluids A and B were formulated, while two other Mud Samples C and D were obtained from drilled shale and shale-sand formation zones. All four fluids were collected and analyzed for the presence of radioactive and heavy metals.

Transport of Apolipoprotein B-Containing Lipoproteins through Endothelial Cells Is Associated with Apolipoprotein E-Carrying HDL-Like Particle Formation.

Passage of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (apoB-LPs), i.e., triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDLs), and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), through the endothelial monolayer occurs in normal and atherosclerotic arteries.

Overexpression of Catalase Enhances Benzo(a)pyrene Detoxification in Endothelial Microsomes.

Unlabelled: We previously reported that overexpression of catalase upregulated xenobiotic- metabolizing enzyme (XME) expression and diminished benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) intermediate accumulation in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most active organelle involved in BaP metabolism. To examine the involvement of ER in catalase-induced BaP detoxification, we compared the level and distribution of XMEs, and the profile of BaP intermediates in the microsomes of wild-type and catalase transgenic endothelial cells.

Akt isoform-dependent regulation of ATP-Binding cassette A1 expression by apolipoprotein E.

We previously reported that apolipoprotein E (apoE) upregulates ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) transcription through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Here we demonstrate that treatment of murine macrophages with human apoE3 enhanced Akt phosphorylation, and upregulated ABCA1 protein and mRNA expression. Inhibition of PI3K weakened apoE3-induced Akt phosphorylation, and ABCA1 protein and mRNA increase.

Western diet enhances benzo(a)pyrene-induced colon tumorigenesis in a polyposis in rat coli (PIRC) rat model of colon cancer.

Consumption of Western diet (WD), contaminated with environmental toxicants, has been implicated as one of the risk factors for sporadic colon cancer. Our earlier studies using a mouse model revealed that compared to unsaturated dietary fat, the saturated dietary fat exacerbated the development of colon tumors caused by B(a)P. The objective of this study was to study how WD potentiates B(a)P-induced colon carcinogenesis in the adult male rats that carry a mutation in the Apc locus - the polyposis in the rat colon (PIRC) rats.

Increase in Blood Glutathione and Erythrocyte Proteins Related to Glutathione Generation, Reduction and Utilization in African-American Old Women with Diabetes.

Data from this report demonstrate that the plasma and erythrocyte levels of total glutathione (TGSH) are significantly lower in nondiabetic old women than in their young counterparts, and significantly higher in diabetic patients than in age-matched nondiabetic controls. The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) declines with age and diabetes, and shows an order as follows: nondiabetic young > nondiabetic old > diabetic old women. In addition, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulates in RBCs obtained from diabetic patients but not in those from young and old nondiabetic controls.

A Subregion of Reelin Suppresses Lipoprotein-Induced Cholesterol Accumulation in Macrophages.

Activation of apolipoprotein E receptor-2 (apoER2) and very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) inhibits foam cell formation. Reelin is a ligand of these receptors. Here we generated two reelin subregions containing the receptor binding domain with or without its C-terminal region (R5-6C and R5-6, respectively) and studied the impact of these peptides on macrophage cholesterol metabolism.

High-density lipoprotein-mediated transcellular cholesterol transport in mouse aortic endothelial cells.

Accumulation of unesterified cholesterol-rich lipid vesicles in the subendothelial space contributes to atherogenesis. Transport of cholesterol from the subendothelial intima back to the circulating blood inhibits atherosclerosis development; however, the mechanism for this process has not been fully defined. Using cultured mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs), we observed that unesterified cholesterol can be transported across the endothelial cell monolayer from the basolateral to the apical compartment.

Up-regulation of cholesterol absorption is a mechanism for cholecystokinin-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Excessive absorption of intestinal cholesterol is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. This report examines the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) on plasma cholesterol level and intestinal cholesterol absorption using the in vivo models of C57BL/6 wild-type and low density lipoprotein receptor knock-out (LDLR(-/-)) mice. These data were supported by in vitro studies involving mouse primary intestinal epithelial cells and human Caco-2 cells; both express CCK receptor 1 and 2 (CCK1R and CCK2R).

Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and atherosclerosis by 2-aminopurine in apolipoprotein e-deficient mice.

We previously reported that the apolipoprotein (apo) B48-carrying lipoproteins obtained from apoE knockout (apoE (-/-) ) mice, so called E(-)/B48 lipoproteins, transformed mouse macrophages into foam cells and enhanced the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 α (eIF-2 α ). Furthermore, the eIF-2 α phosphorylation inhibitor, 2-aminopurine (2-AP), attenuated E(-)/B48 lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation. The present report studied the effect of 2-AP on atherosclerosis in apoE (-/-) mice.

Cholecystokinin elevates mouse plasma lipids.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone that induces bile release into the intestinal lumen which in turn aids in fat digestion and absorption in the intestine. While excretion of bile acids and cholesterol into the feces eliminates cholesterol from the body, this report examined the effect of CCK on increasing plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in mice. Our data demonstrated that intravenous injection of [Thr28, Nle31]-CCK at a dose of 50 ng/kg significantly increased plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels by 22 and 31%, respectively, in fasting low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR(-/-)) mice.

Apolipoprotein E4 is deficient in inducing macrophage ABCA1 expression and stimulating the Sp1 signaling pathway.

ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) is a membrane protein that promotes cellular cholesterol efflux. Using RAW 264.7 macrophages, we studied the relative effects of apolipoprotein (apo) E3 and apoE4 on ABCA1 and on the signaling pathway that regulates its expression.

Up-regulation of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 expression by very low density lipoprotein receptor and apolipoprotein E receptor 2.

Activation of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (apoER2) results in either pro- or anti-atherogenic effects depending on the ligand. Using reelin and apoE as ligands, we studied the impact of VLDLR- and apoER2-mediated signaling on the expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and cholesterol efflux using RAW264.7 cells.

A novel function of apolipoprotein E: upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 expression.

Despite the well known importance of apolipoprotein (Apo) E in cholesterol efflux, the effect of ApoE on the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) has never been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ApoE on ApoB-carrying lipoprotein-induced expression of ABCA1, a protein that mediates cholesterol efflux. Our data demonstrate that ApoB-carrying lipoproteins obtained from both wild-type and ApoE knockout mice induced ApoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in mouse macrophages, which was associated with an enhanced ABCA1 promoter activity, and an increased ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression.