scholarly journals Immunological and genetic indices in workers under long-term exposure to low-doses of acrylonitrile

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (10) ◽  
pp. 1115-1122
Author(s):  
Nina V. Zaitseva ◽  
Tatyana S. Ulanova ◽  
Oleg V. Dolgikh ◽  
Tatyana V. Nurislamova ◽  
Olga A. Kazakova ◽  
...  

Introduction. Nowadays there is very relevant research on the study of the characteristics of the impact on the health of workers of low levels of harmful factors (acrylonitrile) of production during long-term exposure. Aim of the study was to examine peculiarities of immunologic and genetic indices in workers under the long-term exposure to acrylonitrile in low doses. Materials and methods. Our research object was working area air (MPCw.ar.=0.5 mg/m3) and biological media (blood and exhaled air) of workers employed at industrial rubber manufacture. Acrylonitrile was determined via a non-invasive procedure in exhaled air with samples being concentrated on sorption tubes that were then analyzed with capillary gas chromatography. Blood samples were examined to determine contents of malonic dialdehyde, lymphocytes (absolute and relative activated T-lymphocytes CD3+CD25+, absolute and relative activated T-lymphocytes CD3+CD95+), cytokines (VEGF), oncomarkers (PSA), and adrenals hormones; to do that, we applied ELISA tests and flow cytometry. Results. Acrylonitrile was established to occur in working area air in concentrations varying within MPCw.ar. range (0.007-0.015 mg/m3) being 2-3 times higher than in air inside offices at the same enterprise. We obtained statistically significant linear dependence between concentrations of acrylonitrile in the air exhaled by workers (y) and their working experience (x) that was given with the following equation: y=0.00046+0.00027x. According to the results of the laboratory examination of the workers, violations of the antioxidant defense were established. Contents of malonic dialdehyde and steroid hormones including progesterone, estradiol, and hydrocortisone that were pathogenetically linked to each other were authentically up to 3.2 times higher in the test group than in the reference one (p<0.05). Risk for antioxidant protection disorders such as elevated malonic dialdehyde contents in blood plasma might occur in the test group was 1.58 times higher than in the reference one. Conclusion. We revealed certain peculiarities in polymorphism of PPARGC1A Gly482Ser rs8192678 gene, the variability of which contributes to the formation of pathology of the cardiovascular, endocrine systems, oncoproliferative states that increase the likelihood of these undesirable events.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany K Hansen ◽  
Stephen R Ross ◽  
Lydia M Hopper ◽  
Amy Fultz

Sanctuaries are crucial to the survival and welfare of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). They also play an important role in educating the public about chimpanzee behavior and conservation. However, as many sanctuaries lack the capacity to collect long-term data, there is no standardized protocol for evaluating these aims. To address this, the Lincoln Park Zoo, USA, has partnered with Chimp Haven, Inc., USA. Chimp Haven houses nearly 200 chimpanzees in several enclosure types including traditional indoor-outdoor runs (~20m2 in area), open-top corrals (~300m2), and large forested habitats (up to 24,000m2). By leveraging the expertise from both institutions we will evaluate the aims of the sanctuary considering both the behavior and welfare of the chimpanzees and the impact of the sanctuary’s public education program. To address the first aim, we will use non-invasive focal observations to evaluate whether and how different housing types affect the chimpanzees’ activity budgets, enclosure usage, and social interactions. To inquire about the success of the second aim, we will evaluate education programs at Chimp Haven during which the public can view the chimpanzees. We will investigate whether public viewing opportunities affect the chimpanzees’ behavior through the use of observational data collected on the chimpanzees. Simultaneously, we will evaluate the learning outcomes and attitudes of visitors at Chimp Haven, using questionnaires and observations of visitor behavior. Findings from this research will inform decisions about the care and management of captive chimpanzees. This research will also provide information about how sanctuaries can best engage and educate the public.


Author(s):  
Mareike Daeglau ◽  
Catharina Zich ◽  
Cornelia Kranczioch

Abstract Neurofeedback (NF) is a versatile non-invasive neuromodulation technique. In combination with motor imagery (MI), NF has considerable potential for enhancing motor performance or supplementing motor rehabilitation. However, not all users achieve reliable NF control. While research has focused on various brain signal properties and the optimisation of signal processing to solve this issue, the impact of context, i.e. the conditions in which NF motor tasks occur, is comparatively unknown. We review current research on the impact of context on MI NF and related motor domains. We identify long-term factors that act at the level of the individual or of the intervention, and short-term factors, with levels before/after and during a session. The reviewed literature indicates that context plays a significant role. We propose considering context factors as well as within-level and across-level interactions when studying MI NF.


Author(s):  
Vincenzo Russo ◽  
Giulio Boggian ◽  
Maria Giulia Bolognesi ◽  
Domenico Maria Carretta ◽  
Simone Cencetti ◽  
...  

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Syncope Units (SUs) Activities in Italy. Methods: Data about types of SU activities and admissions were obtained from 10 SUs throughout Italy, certified by the Italian Multidisciplinary Working Group on Syncope (GIMSI), from 10 March 2020 to 31 December 2020 and compared with the same time frame in 2019. Results: A remarkable reduction in overall non-invasive diagnostic tests (−67%; p < 0.001) and cardiac invasive procedure. Elective cardiac pacing procedures disclosed a significant decrease (−62.7%; p < 0.001); conversely, the decrease of urgent procedures was not significant (−50%; p = 0.08). There was a significantly increased rate of patients who underwent both telemedicine follow-up visits (+225%, p < 0.001) and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) remote monitoring follow-up visits (+100%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a remarkable decrease in all clinical activities of Syncope Units in Italy, including both non-invasive tests and cardiac invasive procedures; conversely, a significant increase in telehealth activities was shown.


Thorax ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A69.2-A70 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Davies ◽  
D Horton ◽  
R Chadwick ◽  
NS Oscroft ◽  
TG Quinnell ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Bianchi ◽  
Stefan Emming ◽  
Chiara Zecca ◽  
Silvia Monticelli

IFN-β treatment is a commonly used therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), while vitamin D deficiency correlates with an increased risk of MS and/or its activity. MS is a demyelinating chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in which activated T lymphocytes play a major role, and may represent direct targets of IFN-β and vitamin D activities. However, the underlying mechanism of action of vitamin D and IFN-β, alone or in combination, remains incompletely understood, especially when considering their direct effects on the ability of T lymphocytes to produce inflammatory cytokines. We profiled the expression of immune-related genes and microRNAs in primary human T lymphocytes in response to vitamin D and IFN-β, and we dissected the impact of these treatments on cytokine production and T cell proliferation. We found that the treatments influenced primarily memory T cell plasticity, rather than polarization toward a stable phenotype. Moreover, our data revealed extensive reprogramming of the transcriptional output of primary T cells in response to vitamin D and IFN-β and provide the bases for further mechanistic insights into these commonly used treatments.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany K Hansen ◽  
Stephen R Ross ◽  
Lydia M Hopper ◽  
Amy Fultz

Sanctuaries are crucial to the survival and welfare of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). They also play an important role in educating the public about chimpanzee behavior and conservation. However, as many sanctuaries lack the capacity to collect long-term data, there is no standardized protocol for evaluating these aims. To address this, the Lincoln Park Zoo, USA, has partnered with Chimp Haven, Inc., USA. Chimp Haven houses nearly 200 chimpanzees in several enclosure types including traditional indoor-outdoor runs (~20m2 in area), open-top corrals (~300m2), and large forested habitats (up to 24,000m2). By leveraging the expertise from both institutions we will evaluate the aims of the sanctuary considering both the behavior and welfare of the chimpanzees and the impact of the sanctuary’s public education program. To address the first aim, we will use non-invasive focal observations to evaluate whether and how different housing types affect the chimpanzees’ activity budgets, enclosure usage, and social interactions. To inquire about the success of the second aim, we will evaluate education programs at Chimp Haven during which the public can view the chimpanzees. We will investigate whether public viewing opportunities affect the chimpanzees’ behavior through the use of observational data collected on the chimpanzees. Simultaneously, we will evaluate the learning outcomes and attitudes of visitors at Chimp Haven, using questionnaires and observations of visitor behavior. Findings from this research will inform decisions about the care and management of captive chimpanzees. This research will also provide information about how sanctuaries can best engage and educate the public.


2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beat Meier ◽  
Anja König ◽  
Samuel Parak ◽  
Katharina Henke

This study investigates the impact of thought suppression over a 1-week interval. In two experiments with 80 university students each, we used the think/no-think paradigm in which participants initially learn a list of word pairs (cue-target associations). Then they were presented with some of the cue words again and should either respond with the target word or avoid thinking about it. In the final test phase, their memory for the initially learned cue-target pairs was tested. In Experiment 1, type of memory test was manipulated (i.e., direct vs. indirect). In Experiment 2, type of no-think instructions was manipulated (i.e., suppress vs. substitute). Overall, our results showed poorer memory for no-think and control items compared to think items across all experiments and conditions. Critically, however, more no-think than control items were remembered after the 1-week interval in the direct, but not in the indirect test (Experiment 1) and with thought suppression, but not thought substitution instructions (Experiment 2). We suggest that during thought suppression a brief reactivation of the learned association may lead to reconsolidation of the memory trace and hence to better retrieval of suppressed than control items in the long term.


2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Garate-Serafini ◽  
Jose Mendez ◽  
Patty Arriaga ◽  
Larry Labiak ◽  
Carol Reynolds

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