Hormetic effects of noncoplanar PCB exposed to human lung fibroblast cells (HELF) and possible role of oxidative stress

Hormesis, a biphasic dose–response phenomenon, which is characterized by stimulation of an end point at a low‐dose and inhibition at a high‐dose. In the present study we used human lungs fibroblast (HELF) cells as a test model to evaluate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in hormetic effects of non coplanar PCB 101. Results from 3‐(4,5‐dime‐thylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazo‐lium bromide (MTT) assay indicated that PCB101 at lower concentrations (10^?5 to 10^?1 μg mL^?1) stimulated HELF cell proliferation and inhibited at high concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 20 μg mL^?1) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (except 48 h) showed a significant increase at higher concentrations of PCB 101 than those at the lower concentrations with the passage of time. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) exhibited decreasing trends in dose and time dependent manner. Lipid peroxidation assay resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) of MDA level in PCB 101‐treated HELF cells compared with controls, suggesting that OS plays a key role in PCB 101‐induced toxicity. Comet assay indicated a significant increase in genotoxicity at higher concentrations of PCB 101 exposure compared to lower concentrations. Overall, we found that HELF cell proliferation was higher at low ROS level and vice versa, which revealed activation of cell signaling‐mediated hormetic mechanisms. The results suggested that PCB 101 has hormetic effects to HELF cells and these were associated with oxidative stress. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1385–1392, 2015.     

Kyasanur Forest Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Strategy,Shimoga District,India, 2013–2014

We investigated a Kyasanur Forest disease outbreak in Karnataka, India during December 2013–April 2014. Surveillance and retrospective study indicated low vaccine coverage, low vaccine effectiveness, and spread of disease to areas beyond those selected for vaccination and to age groups not targeted for vaccination. To control disease, vaccination strategies need to be reviewed.     

Neurobehavioral alterations in a mouse model of chronic partial sleep deprivation

Metabolic Brain Disease - The night shift paradigm induces a state of chronic partial sleep deprivation (CPSD) and enhances the vulnerability to neuronal dysfunction. However, the specific neuronal...     

The implications of the ezetimibe and simvastatin in hypercholesterolemia enhances atherosclerosis regression trial: a return to first principles

To outward appearances, the publication of the Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression (ENHANCE) trial has led to a monolithic backlash against the use of ezetimibe by cardiologists for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Rather than be swayed by popular opinion, we should each put the results of ENHANCE into context and ask the questions: should I put my trust in an imaging surrogate or in low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL‐C), and how do the safety and efficacy of ezetimibe compare with other nonstatin lipid‐lowering agents? Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chemical composition of essential oil and oleoresins of Zingiber officinale and toxicity of extracts/essential oil against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

Abstract

Essential oil (EO) of ginger and oleoresins isolated from extraction solvents by GC–MS. Zingiberene was the major constituent in all the samples, and ethanol could extract the maximum quantity (21.2%) from the dried de-oiled cake (EDD) followed by EO (20.3%) as compared to oleoresins. Hydro-distilled EO contains higher oxygenated monoterpenes (22.4%) than oleoresins. EDD showed more toxicity to larvae of Plutella xylostella (LC₅₀?=?4957.9?mg L^?1) after 96?h and was followed by EDW (LC₅₀?=?5067.6?mg L^?1) and EF (LC₅₀?=?6631.2?mg L^?1). EO also showed promising efficacy (LC₅₀?=?5875.9?mg L^?1) and repellency (97.1%) against P. xylostella.     

Protective effects of melatonin against spinal cord injury induced oxidative damage in rat kidney: A morphological and biochemical study

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induced oxidative stress affects multiple organ systems including the kidney. We studied the possible protective effects of melatonin on SCI-induced oxidative damage in renal tissues of rats. Wistar albino rats (n = 24) were exposed to SCI and divided into vehicle- or melatonin-treated SCI groups. Melatonin was administred intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg for seven days. Renal tissues were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Furthermore, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also determined. In the vehicle-treated SCI group, the renal histology was disturbed compared to controls, whereas the melatonin-treated SCI group showed significantly reduced degeneration of renal tissue as seen by both light and electron microscopy. MDA levels, MPO and SOD activities were increased and GSH levels were decreased in the vehicle-treated SCI group compared to controls. On the other hand, decreased MDA levels and MPO activities and increased GSH levels were observed in the melatonin-treated SCI group compared to vehicle-treated SCI group. These results showed that experimentally induced SCI caused oxidative stress in the rat kidney, whereas melatonin treatment reduced oxidative stress, suggesting that it may be used as a complementary therapy of renal problems occurring following SCI.