Perinatal diesel exhaust exposure causes persistent changes in the brains of aged mice: An assessment of behavioral and biochemical endpoints related to neurodegenerative disease.

Epidemiological studies support an association between air pollution exposure, specifically particulate matter (PM), and neurodegenerative disease. Diesel exhaust (DE) is a principal component of ambient air pollution and a major contributor of PM. Our study aimed to examine whether early-life perinatal DE exposure is sufficient to affect behavioral and biochemical endpoints related to Alzheimer's disease later in life.

Examining the role of paraoxonase 2 in the dopaminergic system of the mouse brain.

Background: Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme located at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Previous studies have found PON2 to be an important antioxidant in a variety of cellular systems, such as the cardiovascular and renal system. Recent work has also suggested that PON2 plays an important role in the central nervous system (CNS), as decreased PON2 expression in the CNS leads to higher oxidative stress and subsequent cell toxicity.

Evaluating Gait and Locomotion in Rodents with the CatWalk.

Motor deficits can significantly affect the completion of daily life activities and have a negative impact on quality of life. Consequently, motor function is an important behavioral endpoint to measure for in vivo pathophysiologic studies in a variety of research areas, such as toxicant exposure, drug development, disease characterization, and transgenic phenotyping. Evaluation of motor function is also critical to the interpretation of cognitive behavioral assays, as many rely on intact motor abilities to derive meaningful data.

Paraoxonase 2 deficiency in mice alters motor behavior and causes region-specific transcript changes in the brain.

Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme shown to play an important role in mitigating oxidative stress in the brain. Oxidative stress is a common mechanism of toxicity for neurotoxicants and is increasingly implicated in the etiology of multiple neurological diseases. While PON2 deficiency increases oxidative stress in the brain in-vitro, little is known about its effects on behavior in-vivo and what global transcript changes occur from PON2 deficiency.

Effects of air pollution on the nervous system and its possible role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Recent extensive evidence indicates that air pollution, in addition to causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, may also negatively affect the brain and contribute to central nervous system diseases. Air pollution is comprised of ambient particulate matter (PM) of different sizes, gases, organic compounds, and metals. An important contributor to PM is represented by traffic-related air pollution, mostly ascribed to diesel exhaust (DE).

Developmental impact of air pollution on brain function.

Air pollution is an important contributor to the global burden of disease, particularly to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, evidence is accumulating that air pollution may adversely affect the nervous system as shown by human epidemiological studies and by animal models. Age appears to play a relevant role in air pollution-induced neurotoxicity, with growing evidence suggesting that air pollution may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Diversity Snowball Effect: The Quest to Increase Diversity in Emergency Medicine: A Case Study of Highland's Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians make up 33% of the US population. These same groups are underrepresented in medicine. In 2013, the physician workforce was 4.

Metals and Paraoxonases.

The paraoxonases (PONs) are a three-gene family which includes PON1, PON2, and PON3. PON1 and PON3 are synthesized primarily in the liver and a portion is secreted in the plasma, where they are associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), while PON2 is an intracellular enzyme, expressed in most tissues and organs, including the brain. PON1 received its name from its ability to hydrolyze paraoxon, the active metabolite of the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide parathion, and also more efficiently hydrolyzes the active metabolites of several other OPs.

Peer Support for Whistleblowers.

Employees who report fraud, waste, abuse, or illegality at a federal agency find that it is often the first step in a long process frequently marked by retaliation. Peer support may help whistleblowers persevere under these sometimes difficult circumstances.

Autocrine regulation of stomatal differentiation potential by EPF1 and ERECTA-LIKE1 ligand-receptor signaling.

Development of stomata, valves on the plant epidermis for optimal gas exchange and water control, is fine-tuned by multiple signaling peptides with unique, overlapping, or antagonistic activities. EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR1 (EPF1) is a founding member of the secreted peptide ligands enforcing stomatal patterning. Yet, its exact role remains unclear.

Improving the stability of C-labeled L-methionine with ascorbate.

Background: Carbon-11 labeled L-methionine (C-MET) is a popular tracer used in the clinic for imaging brain tumors with positron emission tomography. However, the stability of C-MET in its final formulation is not well documented in literature. Recently, we observed fast degradation of HPLC-purified C-MET over time, and systematic investigation was conducted to identify the cause.

Developmental expression of paraoxonase 2.

Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is a member of the paraoxonase gene family also comprising PON1 and PON3. PON2 functions as a lactonase and exhibits anti-bacterial as well as antioxidant properties. At the cellular level, PON2 localizes to the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes where it scavenges reactive oxygen species.

Mechanisms of Neuroprotection by Quercetin: Counteracting Oxidative Stress and More.

Increasing interest has recently focused on determining whether several natural compounds, collectively referred to as nutraceuticals, may exert neuroprotective actions in the developing, adult, and aging nervous system. Quercetin, a polyphenol widely present in nature, has received the most attention in this regard. Several studies in vitro, in experimental animals and in humans, have provided supportive evidence for neuroprotective effects of quercetin, either against neurotoxic chemicals or in various models of neuronal injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

Molecular Framework of a Regulatory Circuit Initiating Two-Dimensional Spatial Patterning of Stomatal Lineage.

Stomata, valves on the plant epidermis, are critical for plant growth and survival, and the presence of stomata impacts the global water and carbon cycle. Although transcription factors and cell-cell signaling components regulating stomatal development have been identified, it remains unclear as to how their regulatory interactions are translated into two-dimensional patterns of stomatal initial cells. Using molecular genetics, imaging, and mathematical simulation, we report a regulatory circuit that initiates the stomatal cell-lineage.

Topical nitroglycerin decreases pain intensity in daily activities: a review.

Objective: To review the evidence for the effectiveness of topical nitroglycerin in treating acute and chronic tendinopathies among adults.

Data Sources: The investigators searched 27 databases for experimental studies, published from January 1990 to March 2009 in any language, on nitroglycerin application for tendon injuries. Further studies were sought from the reference lists of relevant articles.

Analysis of the paramedic administration of fentanyl.

Introduction: Pain is a common complaint among emergency medical services patients. When compared with the most commonly used morphine, fentanyl has a shorter onset of action, shorter duration, and far fewer side effects making it an appealing candidate for prehospital pain management. This study's intent is to prospectively assess the feasibility and safety of fentanyl for pain in prehospital patients in comparison with morphine.

Resident experience of abuse and harassment in emergency medicine: ten years later.

Background: In 1995, a Society for Academic Emergency Medicine in-service survey reported high rates of verbal and physical abuse experienced by Emergency Medicine (EM) residents. We sought to determine the prevalence of abuse and harassment 10 years later to bring attention to these issues and determine if there has been a change in the prevalence of abuse over this time period.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of abuse and harassment in a sample of EM residencies.

Quadriceps contusions: clinical results of immediate immobilization in 120 degrees of knee flexion.

Objective: Quadriceps contusions often result in significant time loss and the possibility of myositis ossificans. The objective of this descriptive case series was to document the results of an initial treatment regimen instituted within 10 minutes from the time of the injury.

Design: This study was a prospective case series of 47 midshipmen who sustained quadriceps contusions between August 1987 and December 2005 and who were treated identically and followed by serial examinations until the return to unrestricted full athletic activities.