Acute psychological stress induces short-term variable immune response.

In spite of advances in understanding the cross-talk between the peripheral immune system and the brain, the molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid adaptation of the immune system to an acute psychological stressor remain largely unknown. Conventional approaches to classify molecular factors mediating these responses have targeted relatively few biological measurements or explored cross-sectional study designs, and therefore have restricted characterization of stress-immune interactions. This exploratory study analyzed transcriptional profiles and flow cytometric data of peripheral blood leukocytes with physiological (endocrine, autonomic) measurements collected throughout the sequence of events leading up to, during, and after short-term exposure to physical danger in humans.

Biochemical markers of possible immunodepression in military training in harsh environments.

Prolonged, exhaustive exercise frequently leads to an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract illness (URTI) which is linked to transient immunodepression. We investigated potential biochemical markers of stress and fatigue, and URTI symptoms as a surrogate of immunodepression, in US Marines undergoing intensive winter training at altitude. Selected plasma amino acids and leptin (p[Lep]) were measured as possible markers of fatigue and immunodepression, together with nonesterified fatty acids (p[NEFA]) and total antioxidant capacity (p[TAC]).

Effects of training and strenuous exercise on hematologic values and peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in racing sled dogs.

Objective: To determine the effects of training and sustained submaximal exercise on hematologic values in racing sled dogs.

Design: Cohort study.

Animals: 39 Alaskan sled dogs bred for endurance racing.

Disparate LDL phenotypic classification among 4 different methods assessing LDL particle characteristics.

Background: Our study seeks to clarify the extent of differences in analytical results, from a clinical perspective, among 4 leading technologies currently used in clinical reference laboratories for the analysis of LDL subfractions: gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE), ultracentrifugation-vertical auto profile (VAP), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and tube gel electrophoresis (TGE).

Methods: We collected 4 simultaneous blood samples from 40 persons (30 males and 10 females) to determine LDL subclasses in 4 different clinical reference laboratories using different methods for analysis. LDL subfractions were assessed according to LDL particle size and the results categorized according to LDL phenotype.

Importance of riparian forests in urban catchments contingent on sediment and hydrologic regimes.

Forested riparian corridors are thought to minimize impacts of landscape disturbance on stream ecosystems; yet, the effectiveness of streamside forests in mitigating disturbance in urbanizing catchments is unknown. We expected that riparian forests would provide minimal benefits for fish assemblages in streams that are highly impaired by sediment or hydrologic alteration. We tested this hypothesis in 30 small streams along a gradient of urban disturbance (1-65% urban land cover).

Negative mood endures after completion of high-altitude military training.

Background: Associations between physical and emotional stress and negative mood states have been documented in a variety of populations. In military personnel, more physical symptoms and decrements in ability to perform critical tasks have been shown to accompany such stress-induced negative mood. Most research in this area has focused on immediate effects of stress on mood.

Exercise improves plasma lipid profiles and modifies lipoprotein composition in guinea pigs.

These studies were conducted to determine the effects of exercise training on plasma lipoprotein levels and metabolism in the guinea pig to evaluate potential utilization of this model for studies of exercise-mediated effects on the regulation of sterol and lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis regression. Male guinea pigs (n = 5 per group) were randomly assigned to either a control or an exercise group. The exercise protocol consisted of a 7-week training program, 5 days/wk on a rodent treadmill.

Oxidative stress in humans training in a cold, moderate altitude environment and their response to a phytochemical antioxidant supplement.

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of an antioxidant mixture containing vitamin E, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl 1-cysteine, catechin, lutein, and lycopene to reduce oxidative stress in US Marines undergoing 24 days of cold-weather field training at a moderate altitude.

Methods: Forty physically active male volunteers (ages 18-40) were randomly assigned to a treatment (antioxidant) group (n = 21) or a control (placebo) group (n = 19). Breath pentane (BP), serum lipid hydroperoxides (LPO), urine malondialdehyde (MDA), urine 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and serum and urine oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) were measured as indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant status.

Myogenic differentiation requires signalling through both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and p38 MAP kinase.

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) or of Akt induces myoblast differentiation. Activation of p38 MAP kinase also triggers myogenic differentiation. The current paper shows that PI 3-kinase and p38 MAP kinase signalling are activated by two separate pathways during myogenic differentiation; both are required for muscle differentiation.

Cyclic nucleotide responses in control and cystic fibrosis labial glands.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured in labial gland slices from controls and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Incubation in vitro with 10 microM epinephrine, 50 microM isoproterenol, or 10 microM carbachol increased cAMP levels by 2.3-fold, 3.

Potassium release in labial glands from controls and patients with cystic fibrosis.

Labial glands from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were tested for a disease-related decrease in cholinergically-induced K release. Labial gland slices from normal controls and patients with cystic fibrosis were incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of cholinergic and adrenergic agonists and with or without a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Both control and CF glands released K in response to cholinergic stimulation only; no K release response was detected to alpha- or beta- adrenergic stimulation.

Evidence for two conductance/exchange pathways for chloride in rat parotid secretory granules.

Electron probe x-ray microanalysis was used to determine that bromide is localized to rat parotid secretory granules at early stages of an in situ Cl/Br washout experiment. Chloride efflux and bromide influx across the secretory granule membrane occurred with a time order of minutes. Since the Cl washout data indicated minimal Cl binding within the granule, and therefore minimal Br binding, the Br localization results suggest the presence of two or more anion conductance/exchange pathways in the granule membrane for the Cl (Br) ion.

Autonomic regulation of potassium release from human labial salivary glands in vitro.

Labial salivary-gland slices from normal human subjects were incubated in vitro according to various protocols. The autonomic regulation of these was significantly different from that of most major salivary glands. K release was stimulated by incubation with a cholinergic agonist but not with alpha- or beta-adrenergic agonists.

Sialochemistry of whole, parotid, and labial minor gland saliva in patients with oral lichen planus.

This study was undertaken to determine whether oral lichen planus in otherwise healthy patients is associated with sialochemical abnormalities. Unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva, stimulated parotid saliva, and stimulated labial minor gland saliva were collected from 25 patients with oral lichen planus and from 25 age- and sex-matched controls. Flow rate and salivary concentrations of immunoglobulins A and G, albumin, amylase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and total protein were determined by standard analytical techniques.

Electron microprobe analysis of human labial gland secretory granules in cystic fibrosis.

X-ray microanalysis of freeze-dried labial gland cryosections revealed that Na concentration was doubled and the Ca/S concentration ratio was decreased in secretory granules of labial glands from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) when compared with glands from normal subjects. Other results suggested that the decrease in the Ca/S concentration ratio resulted from an increase in S concentration. These findings imply that mucous granules in labial saliva showed a CF-related increase in Na and S content, and such changes would be expected to affect the rheology of the mucus after exocytosis.

Graft versus host disease-related secretory immunoglobulin A deficiency in bone marrow transplant recipients. Findings in labial saliva.

Graft versus host disease-dependent decreases in salivary IgA levels were sought in labial gland saliva samples from bone marrow transplant recipients. Transplantation-associated, irradiation-related effects were also present, but these could be avoided if analyses were performed at 1 year or later after transplantation. Sampling of minor gland saliva eliminated the possibility of contamination with IgA-rich serum transudates arising from gingival or mucosal pathways which obscured results from previous studies using whole saliva samples.

Radioprotection by WR-2721 of gamma-irradiated rat parotid gland: effect on gland weight and secretion at 8-10 days post irradiation.

Changes in rat parotid salivary gland weight and functional parameters were evaluated at 8 to 10 days post irradiation in WR-2721 protected and non-protected animals following exposure to a single 15.3 Gy dose of Cs-137 radiation to the head. Glandular fluid secretory capacity was assessed by maximum flow rate, total volume of saliva and duration of secretion following pilocarpine stimulation.

The predictive value of elevated labial saliva sodium concentration: its relation to labial gland pathology in bone marrow transplant recipients.

Labial minor gland salivary flow rate and sodium concentration were analyzed in relation to 1) histologic findings in labial biopsy specimens and 2) the occurrence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients who received bone marrow transplants. Biopsy specimens and samples were obtained from 61 recipients of marrow transplants (including three twins) 51 to 1,260 days post transplantation. Labial saliva sodium concentrations were elevated in some patients, and these increases were associated with inflammation and destruction of minor salivary gland acini and ducts by chronic GVHD or other factors.