Burrowing Crab (Neohelice granulata) as a Potential Bioindicator of Heavy Metals in the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

Bioindicators can be used to determine spatial and/or temporal variations of heavy metals in a certain coastal or marine environments. This study investigated the potential use of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in soft tissues of male and female crabs were measured. In addition, concentrations of the three metals in eggs were compared with concentrations in female crabs. No geographical differences were found for any of the three metals, whereas sexual and seasonal differences were obtained for Zn and Ni, with the winter season posing lower concentrations. Moreover, the three metals were detectable in eggs and were lower than concentrations in female crabs (except for Zn). Finally, the usefulness of this species as a potential bioindicator of heavy-metal pollution within this estuarine ecosystem is discussed.     

Buddies in Bad Times? The Role of Co-workers After a Work-Related Injury

Introduction Co-workers can play an important role after a work-related injury. They can provide details about the circumstances of an accident, offer emotional support to the injured worker and help with job tasks upon a co-worker’s return to work (RTW). Working with an injured co-worker, however, can also strain work relationships and increase workload. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that co-workers play after a work-related injury and during the RTW process in the unionized, electrical construction sector. Methods We conducted two focus groups with injured electricians and union representatives. We also interviewed co-workers who had worked with someone who had been injured in the course of employment. We examined the role that co-workers can play after a work-related injury and some of the factors facilitating and hindering co-worker support. Results The structure of work in the electrical sector—a focus on cost-cutting and competition, job insecurity, perceptions of “different camps” among co-workers, little modified work and poor formal communication—can impede co-worker support and contribute to making injured workers’ experiences difficult. Management can play an important role in setting an example for how injured workers are regarded and treated. Conclusions Future research should explore how workers can better be supported after a work-related injury and during the RTW process.     

The immune system as a physiological indicator of marginal copper status?

Cu appears to have many important functional roles in the body that apparently relate, among others, to the maintenance of immune function, bone health and haemostasis. Some have suggested a role for long-term marginal Cu deficiency in the aetiology of a number of degenerative diseases. Accurate diagnosis of marginal Cu deficiency, however, has remained elusive despite an increased understanding of the biochemistry of Cu and its physiological roles in the body. Traditional markers of Cu status, such as serum Cu and caeruloplasmin protein concentrations are insensitive to subtle changes in Cu status. Cu-containing enzymes, such as Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase, cytochrome c oxidase and diamine oxidase, may be more reliable but evidence to date is not conclusive. Development of markers sensitive to marginal Cu status is essential before conclusions can be drawn concerning the risks of long-term intake of suboptimal dietary Cu. As Cu appears to be essential for maintenance of immune function, activities of specific immunological markers, altered in Cu deficiency, offer alternatives. This review evaluates a selection of immunological markers that could be considered potentially sensitive markers of marginal Cu status. The indices of immune function reviewed are neutrophil function, interleukin 2 production, blastogenic response to mitogens and lymphocyte subset phenotyping.     

The Effectiveness of “Push-to-Web” as an Option for a Survey of New Mothers

Maternal and Child Health Journal - With shifting demographics and declining response rates, state and national health surveys are considering mixed mode approaches. Most states field the Pregnancy...     

Outcomes-based Risk-sharing Schemes: Is There a Potential Role in the Asia-Pacific Markets?

ObjectivesTo provide a commentary on outcomes-based risk-sharing schemes in Europe and the US, and to assess characteristics of such schemes and whether they have a potential role in the Asia-Pacific markets. This commentary also examines current experience in the Asia-Pacific markets and considers criteria for such agreements as they might relate to the different health care environments.SummaryFuture opportunities for patient access schemes, and specifically, a role for outcomes-based risk-sharing schemes, exist in the Asia-Pacific markets. Four types of agreements across the Asia-Pacific markets were identified that are not purely outcomes-based or risk-sharing, but cover innovative high-cost medicines, areas of high unmet need, areas affecting small patient populations, and medicines where the evidence is uncertain. Key factors for consideration are the public environment and the general acceptance of such agreements; the level of available resources that impact the health care priorities in each market and the public demand for access to medicines and to innovation. The ability to undertake such agreements appears to depend significantly on the degree of centralized decision-making and the dominance of a “single payer” for negotiation; the ability to manage data – both to undertake health technology assessments and to have systems/infrastructure to collect data and demonstrate outcomes; the nature of local health care structures and the capabilities to implement schemes where the financing is linked to outcomes. Caution was shared across markets with a trend to “watch and wait” while evidence emerges elsewhere.     

Syntheses of Nα-(β-naphthylsulfonylaminoglycyl)-argininamides as potential selective synthetic thrombin inhibitors

This paper deals with the synthesis of N^α-(β-naphthylsulfonylaminoglycyl)-argininamide compounds and the results of a pharmacological study (in vitro and in vivo). No thrombin inhibition was obtained with N^α-arylsulfonyl-aminoalkyl-(4-amidinophenyl)-alaninamide compounds in which the 4-amidinophenylalanyl residue was substituted by an arginyl residue.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 3-O-acylated (-)-epigallocatechins as 5α-reductase inhibitors

A series of 3-O-acylated (-)-epigallocatechins were synthesized and their inhibition of steroid 5α-reductase was studied. They were prepared from the reaction of EGCG with tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride followed by reductive cleavage of the ester bond. The resultant (-)-epigallocatechins penta-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether was esterified with different fatty acids then desilylated to provide the corresponding products. The activity of 3-O-acylated (-)-epigallocatechins increased with the increasing carbon numbers of the fatty acid moiety, reaching maximum for 16 carbon atoms (compound 4h) with an IC50 of 0.53 μM, which was ～12-fold more potent than EGCG (IC50=6.29 μM). Introduction of monounsaturated fatty acid provided the most potent compound 6 (IC50=0.48 μM), which showed moderate anti-tumor activity in vivo.     

The Excess Preterm Birth Rate Among US-Born (Compared to Foreign-Born) Black Women: The Role of Father’s Education

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To ascertain the component of the excess preterm birth (<?37 weeks, PTB) rate among US-born (compared to foreign-born) Black women...