Bucindolol Modulates Cardiac Remodeling by Attenuating Oxidative Stress in H9c2 Cardiac Cells Exposed to Norepinephrine.

The increased circulation of norepinephrine, found in the diseased heart as a result of sympathetic nervous system overactivation, is responsible for its cardiotoxic effects including pathological hypertrophy, cell death, and oxidative stress. Bucindolol is a third generation adrenergic blocker, which acts on the 1 and 2 receptors, and has additional 1 antagonist activity. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the action of bucindolol on oxidative stress, hypertrophy, cell survival, and cell death signaling pathways in H9c2 cardiac cells exposed to norepinephrine.

Sensitive electrochemical detection of nitric oxide based on AuPt and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites.

Since nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in many biological processes, its precise detection is essential toward an understanding of its specific functions. Here we report on a facile and environmentally compatible strategy for the construction of an electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles. The prepared nanocomposites were further employed for the electroanalysis of NO using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and amperometric methods.

Modulation of apoptosis by sulforaphane is associated with PGC-1α stimulation and decreased oxidative stress in cardiac myoblasts.

Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate capable of stimulating cellular antioxidant defenses and inducing phase 2 detoxifying enzymes, which can protect cells against oxidative damage. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are intimately involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases. Although sulforaphane is known for its anticancer benefits, its role in cardiac cells is just emerging.

Metformin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest mediated by oxidative stress, AMPK and FOXO3a in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the anti-diabetic drug, metformin, can exhibit direct antitumoral effects, or can indirectly decrease tumor proliferation by improving insulin sensitivity. Despite these recent advances, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in decreasing tumor formation are not well understood. In this study, we examined the antiproliferative role and mechanism of action of metformin in MCF-7 cancer cells treated with 10 mM of metformin for 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Olfactory recovery of wild yellow perch from metal contaminated lakes.

Fish depend on their sense of smell for a wide range of vital life processes including finding food, avoiding predators and reproduction. Various contaminants, including metals, can disrupt recognition of chemical information in fish at very low concentrations. Numerous studies have investigated metal effects on fish olfaction under controlled laboratory conditions.

An innovative approach to post-graduate education in veterinary public health.

The past decade has seen a substantially increased need for animal health professionals who have advanced education in areas that impact on veterinary public health (VPH). The University of Sydney has made a significant contribution to the international capacity for training in this field by developing an online, distance program in Veterinary Public Health Management. This paper describes the distinctive characteristics of this program, which combines technical material in a range of units that influence VPH with leadership and project management.

The outcome of non-typhoidal salmonella meningitis in Malawian children, 1997-2006.

Introduction: The clinical course and outcome of non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) meningitis in Malawian children over a 10-year period (1997-2006) is described.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected for all children over 2 months of age admitted with salmonella meningitis to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital from 1997 to 2006. In the 1st year, salmonellae were susceptible to chloramphenicol, and children received 2 weeks of chloramphenicol treatment.

School hearing screening programme in the UK: practice and performance.

Background: Paediatric audiology services and screening programmes are currently under review.

Aims And Methods: To investigate current practice and performance of the school hearing screening programme (SHSP) by means of a questionnaire.

Results: SHSP was found to detect previously unrecognised hearing loss at low cost.

Maori experience of community treatment orders in Otago, New Zealand.

Objective: To consider the impact of community treatment orders (CommTOs) on Maori patients and their whanau (extended family) and the associated views of mental health professionals.

Method: As a distinct aspect of a larger study of CommTOs, eight Maori patients under compulsory community care were interviewed and, where possible, members of their whanau. Associated interviews were held with their psychiatrists, key workers and other carers: 39 interviews in total.

The effect of HIV infection on paediatric bacterial meningitis in Blantyre, Malawi.

Aim: To compare presentation, progress, and outcome of acute bacterial meningitis in HIV seropositive and seronegative children.

Methods: A double blind randomised placebo controlled study of the use of dexamethasone as adjuvant therapy in acute bacterial meningitis, in children aged 2 months to 13 years, was carried out from July 1997 to March 2001. A total of 598 children were enrolled, of whom 459 were tested for HIV serostatus.

Causes and outcome of bacterial meningitis in Malawian children.

598 children with bacterial meningitis were admitted to the paediatric wards of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi from July 1997 - March 2001. Patients were followed up at 1 and 6 months after hospital discharge when physical, neurological, developmental and hearing assessments were made. The most common causes of pyogenic meningitis were Streptococcus pneumoniae (40%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (28%), Neisseria meningitidis (11%), Salmonella species (5%).

Dexamethasone treatment in childhood bacterial meningitis in Malawi: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Steroids are used as adjuvant treatment in childhood pyogenic meningitis to attenuate host inflammatory responses to bacterial invasion. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of dexamethasone in management of acute bacterial meningitis in a developing country.

Methods: In a double-blind, placebo controlled trial, we included 598 children with pyogenic meningitis who had been admitted to the children's wards of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.

Normal values for distortion product otoacoustic emissions in children: a study using primary levels previously demonstrated to be optimum for identification of hearing loss.

No published data exist for normal values of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in children at primary levels f1 = 65 dB and f2 = 55 dB SPL. These primary levels have been previously demonstrated to be optimal for identification of hearing impaired ears in adults. A total of 102 normal children underwent audiological assessment, including exclusion of middle ear disease, pure tone audiometry and DPOAE DP-grams (primaries L1/L2 = 65/55 dB SPL, f1:f2 = 1.

Identification of permanent hearing loss in children: are the targets for outcome measures attainable?

A collaborative nine-centre study was designed to follow the routes to identification of all children up to the age of seven years newly diagnosed with permanent hearing impairment (> or = 50 dB HL) during the period 1993-1994. Ages of identification were compared with the standards set by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), ascertaining whether these targets could be achieved with current service provision. Of the 126 children identified, 104 had congenital sensorineural hearing loss: 19% were identified by the age of six months and 39% by their first year.

Infantile overnutrition in the first year of life: a field study in Dudley, Worcestershire.

A survey of feeding patterns and nutrient intake in relation to the growth of 300 normal infants up to 1 year of age in Dudley, Worcestershire, highlights a problem of overnutrition in the group; 50 (16.7%) were found to be suffering from infantile obesity and a further 83 (27.7%) were overweight.