Lipid-induced epigenomic changes in human macrophages identify a coronary artery disease-associated variant that regulates PPAP2B Expression through Altered C/EBP-beta binding.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 40 loci that affect risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the causal mechanisms at the majority of loci are unknown. Recent studies have suggested that many causal GWAS variants influence disease through altered transcriptional regulation in disease-relevant cell types. We explored changes in transcriptional regulation during a key pathophysiological event in CAD, the environmental lipid-induced transformation of macrophages to lipid-laden foam cells.

A retrospective analysis of catheter-based thrombolytic therapy for acute submassive and massive pulmonary embolism.

Catheter-based thrombolysis (CBT) is emerging as an option for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Although prior studies have demonstrated improvement in right ventricular function, little data is available regarding clinical patient outcomes. Our institution adopted CBT as an option for patients with submassive and massive PE and we evaluated its effect on patient outcomes.

Lysophospholipid mediators in the vasculature.

Acting through cell surface receptors, “extracellular” lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) influences cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and development in a wide spectrum of settings [–5]. Within the vasculature, smooth muscle cells [6, 7], endothelial cells [8] and platelets [9, 10] display notable responses to LPA [11, 12], which likely regulate blood vessel development and contribute to vascular pathology. The bioactive effects of LPA are mediated by a family of G-protein coupled receptors with at least six members (termed LPA that are encoded by the genes in humans and in mice) [–3].

Bisphenol-A removal in various wastewater treatment processes: operational conditions, mass balance, and optimization.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) was analyzed in 499 liquid and 347 solid samples collected from twenty-five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to investigate parameters affecting BPA occurrence, removal, and fate. Lagoons, chemically-assisted primary treatment, secondary treatment, and advanced treatment processes were included. Median BPA concentrations in influent and final effluent were 400 ng/L and 150 ng/L, respectively.

Metabolic abnormalities among people diagnosed with schizophrenia: a literature review and implications for mental health nurses.

Metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes, obesity and dyslipidaemia are found in much higher rates in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia when compared with the general population. This review discusses the most prevalent metabolic abnormalities associated with schizophrenia, their frequency and implications for mental health nurses (MHN). This review illuminates the need for MHN to acquire added awareness, knowledge and practical strategies in managing people at high risk of developing metabolic abnormalities associated with MetS.

Fate of anthropogenic cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes in a wastewater treatment plant.

The fate of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS) - octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) - was evaluated in a typical secondary activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Water samples (influent, primary effluent, and final effluent) and sludge (primary sludge and waste activated sludge) samples were collected at overnight low, morning high, afternoon low, and evening high flows. Concentrations of cVMS in influents fluctuated with the influent flows, ranging from 0.

The state of genetically modified crop regulation in Canada.

Genetically modified (GM) crops were first commercialized in Canada in 1995 and the 2014 crop represents the 20th year of successful production. Prior to the first commercialization of GM crops, Canada reviewed its existing science-based regulatory framework and adapted the existing framework to allow for risk assessments on the new technology to be undertaken in a timely and efficient manner. The result has been the rapid and widespread adoption of GM varieties of canola, corn and soybeans.

Risk, regulation and biotechnology: the case of GM crops.

The global regulation of products of biotechnology is increasingly divided. Regulatory decisions for genetically modified (GM) crops in North America are predictable and efficient, with numerous countries in Latin and South America, Australia and Asia following this lead. While it might have been possible to argue that Europe's regulations were at one time based on real concerns about minimizing risks and ensuring health and safety, it is increasingly apparent that the entire European Union (EU) regulatory system for GM crops and foods is now driven by political agendas.

Consensus review of the treatment of cardiovascular disease in people with hemophilia A and B.

With advances in care, increasing numbers of people with hemophilia (PWH) achieve near-normal life expectancies and present with typical age-related cardiovascular conditions. Evidence-based guidelines for medical or surgical management of cardiovascular conditions in individuals with hemophilia are limited. Published recommendations exist for the management of some common cardiovascular conditions (eg, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation), but identifying optimal strategies for anticoagulant or antithrombotic therapy constitutes the primary challenge of managing nonoperative cardiovascular disease (CVD) in PWH.

The effect of rosuvastatin on thromboinflammation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), early therapy with high-dose statins may reduce short-term adverse clinical outcomes. The mechanisms responsible are not known but could involve anti-inflammatory or anti-thrombotic effects. Compelling evidence from experimental models and clinical studies suggests that the interplay between inflammatory and thrombotic systems, typified by platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil interactions, might be a key regulator of ischemic vascular events.

Platelet secretion and hemostasis require syntaxin-binding protein STXBP5.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked genes encoding several soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) regulators to cardiovascular disease risk factors. Because these regulatory proteins may directly affect platelet secretion, we used SNARE-containing complexes to affinity purify potential regulators from human platelet extracts. Syntaxin-binding protein 5 (STXBP5; also known as tomosyn-1) was identified by mass spectrometry, and its expression in isolated platelets was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis.

Granule cargo release from bone marrow-derived cells sustains cardiac hypertrophy.

Bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, including platelets, may contribute to the progression of pressure overload-induced left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, the underlying mechanisms for this are still unclear. One potential mechanism is through release of granule cargo.

Creating a simulated Mental Health Ward: lessons learned.

The future of psychiatric-mental health nursing depends on the preparation of nurses who will meet the mental health care needs of society. The current article discusses the development of the "Mental Health Ward," a simulated mental health experience that was offered for the first time to undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at a Midwestern university in the United States. The Mental Health Ward is an innovative simulated hospital environment that includes the use of standardized patients and role play scenarios, resulting in a full mission simulation whereby students learn various psychiatric diagnoses and practice various pertinent skills, including nursing assessments, admission and discharge processes, medication administration, and therapeutic communication.

Glucose-fructose enhances performance versus isocaloric, but not moderate, glucose.

Purpose: The effects of glucose-and-fructose (GF) coingestion on cycling time trial (TT) performance and physiological responses to exercise were examined under postprandial conditions.

Methods: Eight trained male cyclists (age, 25 ± 6 yr; height, 180 ± 4 cm; weight, 77 ± 9 kg; V˙O2max, 62 ± 6 mL·kg·min) completed the study. Subjects ingested either an artificially sweetened placebo (PL), a moderate-glucose beverage (MG, 1.

'Seeing me through my memories': a grounded theory study on using reminiscence with people with dementia living in long-term care.

Aims And Objectives: To understand people with dementia, staff and relatives perspectives on reminiscence, its impact on their lives and experience of care and care giving.

Background: The quality of life of people with dementia living in long-term care is an important question for providers and policymakers. Reminiscence is thought to have potential for increasing resident-staff interaction, thereby contributing to enhanced personhood for people with dementia.

Occurrence and fate of four novel brominated flame retardants in wastewater treatment plants.

Four novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), i.e., decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), and hexabromobenzene (HBB) were studied in 377 liquid samples and 288 solid samples collected from 20 wastewater treatment plants.

Phosphodiesterase type 4 blockade prevents platelet-mediated neutrophil recruitment at the site of vascular injury.

Objective: Platelet-neutrophil interactions play a key role in cardiovascular disease and inflammatory processes. Src family kinases mediate P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1-Mac-1 cross talk necessary for firm platelet-neutrophil adhesion. Because Src family kinase activity can be regulated by cAMP-dependent pathways, in this work, we evaluated the role of phosphodiesterases in the signaling events that are required to sustain platelet-neutrophil interactions and neutrophil recruitment at the site of vascular injury.

Removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant.

Ninety-nine pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were analyzed in influent, final effluent, and biosolids samples from a wastewater treatment plant employing a membrane bioreactor (MBR). High concentrations in influent were found for acetaminophen, caffeine, metformin, 2-hydroxy-ibuprofen, paraxanthine, ibuprofen, and naproxen (10(4)-10(5) ng/L). Final effluents contained clarithromycin, metformin, atenolol, carbamazepine, and trimethoprim (>500 ng/L) at the highest concentrations, while triclosan, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, triclocarban, metformin, caffeine, ofloxacin, and paraxanthine were found at high concentrations in biosolids (>10(3) ng/g dry weight).

Adipose tissue macrophages promote myelopoiesis and monocytosis in obesity.

Obesity is associated with infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue (AT), contributing to insulin resistance and diabetes. However, relatively little is known regarding the origin of AT macrophages (ATMs). We discovered that murine models of obesity have prominent monocytosis and neutrophilia, associated with proliferation and expansion of bone marrow (BM) myeloid progenitors.