Modulation of Respiratory Burst Activity and Mitogenic Response of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Murine Splenocytes and Peritoneal Cells by Malathion

Modulation of Respiratory Burst Activity and Mitogenic Responseof Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Murine Splenocytesand Peritoneal Cells by Malathion. RODGERS, K. E., AND ELLEFSON,D. D. (1990). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 14, 309–317. Previousstudies showed that acute administration of noncholinergic dosesof malathion In vivo elevated the humoral immune and mitogenicresponses but did not alter the generation of the cytotoxicT lymphocyte (CTL) response to alloantigen of splenocytes fromtreated mice. However, in vitro exposure to malathion suppressedthe generation of a CTL response. In this study, the effectsof In vivo and in vitro (with and without an NADPH-regeneratingliver enzyme system) exposure to malathion on the mitogenicresponses of murine splenocytes or respiratory burst activityof peritoneal cells were examined. The effect of in vitro exposureto malathion on the ability of human peripheral blood mononuclearcells (PBMC) to perform these functions was also examined. Invivo exposure to malathion significantly elevated proliferativeresponses of murine splenocytes to mitogens. Cell separationand reconstitution studies indicated that adherent splenocytesfrom treated mice could elevate the proliferative responsesof nonadherent splenocytes from control mice. Alternatively,in vitro exposure of murine splenocytes or human PBMC to malathionor malathion metabolized by a liver enzyme system suppressedor did not change, respectively, the proliferative responsesto mitogens. In addition, cell separation and reconstitutionexperiments indicated that in vitro exposure to malathion affectednonadherent splenocytes and PBMC. In vivo exposure to malathionalso elevated the production of hydrogen peroxide, followingstimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, by murine peritonealcells. In vivo exposure of murine peritoneal cells to malathionsuppressed or elevated the respiratory burst activity followingexposure to malathion or malathion metabolized by a liver enzymesystem, respectively. Exposure of human PBMC to metabolizedmalathion in vitro enhanced their ability to produce hydrogenperoxide.     

Young People and AIDS Mental Health Promotion in Action

This article describes the development and implementation of a two part health promotion and primary mental health prevention program developed for junior high students. AIDS education was used as a vehicle for promoting the development of a responsible decision-making framework in the students. Both cognitive and affective learning strategies were used in the program. The reactions of the students, their parents, and the educational system are described.     

The short-term effects of benzoyl peroxide lotion on the resolution of inflamed acne lesions

A double blind study carried out in two centres showed that a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion ? ? Topex Acne Lotion (U.K.), Mytolac (Europe), Richardson-Merrell Ltd, Egham, Surrey.
used topically for only 5 days significantly reduced the number of inflamed acne lesions. The possibility that such a rapid resolution of acne lesions may be due to an antibacterial or a direct effect on mediators of inflammation is discussed.     

Comparison of Energy and Nutrient Sources of Elderly Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites in New Mexico

OBJECTIVE: Identification and comparison of frequently consumed foods and important food sources of energy, protein, total fat, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, folate, and calcium of elderly Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. DESIGN: Dietary intake data were collected using a modified Health Habits and History Questionnaire (a food frequency questionnaire) for 735 subjects who participated in the New Mexico Elder Health Survey. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 330 Hispanics (176 men and 154 women) and 405 non-Hispanic whites (214 men and 191 women) between the ages of 65 and 96 years. Subjects were those with food frequency data among 883 participants who completed the clinical visit of the New Mexico Elder Health Survey. RESULTS: Results show the top-ranked frequently consumed foods by gender and ethnicity and top-ranked food sources of energy and 8 nutrients. Regional foods were important sources of nutrients in the diets of both Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, however, more so for the Hispanics. Chile sauces were notable sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate among both groups. Both ethnic groups demonstrated selection of low-fat and skim milk and moderation in consumption of red meat. APPLICATIONS: These data will be useful for designing nutrition education programs, for studying the relationship between diet and disease among elderly Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, and for designing assessment instruments for the elderly and other ethnic populations.     

Soman-Hydrolyzing and -Detoxifying Properties of an Enzyme from a Thermophilic Bacterium

Soman-Hydrolyzing and -Detoxifying Properties of an Enzyme froma Thermophilic Bacterium. Chettur, G., DeFrank, J. J., Gallo,B. J., Hoskin, F. C. G., Mainer, S., Robbins, F. M., Steinmann,K. E., and Walker, J. E. (1988). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol 11, 373-380.An enzyme that hydrolyzes soman (1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate)and two other phosphonofluoridates, but does not hydrolyze DFP(diisopropylphosphorofluoridate), has been partially purifiedfrom a rod-shaped spore-forming gram-positive OT (obligate thermophilic)bacterium. The enzyme shows a marked Mn²⁺ stimulation, and inthis and its substrate preference does not resemble the organophosphorusacid anhydrolase (sometimes termed DFPase) found in squid. Likethe squid enzyme, it is not inhibited by mipafox (N. N‘-diisopropyl-phosphordiamidofluoridate),is not inactivated by ammonium sulfate, and does hydrolyze theacetylcholinesterase-inhibitory pair of diastereoisomers ofsoman as well as the relatively nonin-hibitory pair, thus detoxifyingsoman. In these three properties the OT enzyme does not resemblethe ubiquitous organophosphorus acid anhydrolase often purifiedfrom mammalian and bacterial sources by cold ethanol fractionation.Thus this phosphono-specific OT enzyme may have a natural substrateand a physiological role distinct from other organophosphorusacid anhydrolases.     

Social support and hostility interact to influence clinic, work, and home blood pressure in Black and White men and women

The effects of hostility and social support support on clinic, work, and home systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were evaluated in 129 healthy adults. High hostility was related to higher SBP and DBP in Whites; low hostility was related to higher SBP and DBP in Blacks. These relationships were significant for men at home and at work and for women at screening. The relationship between low hostility and higher BP in Blacks was largely due to Black men who reported low hostility plus high anger-in (suggesting suppressed hostility). In contrast, high hostile Black men with high tangible support tended to exhibit lower BP than all other Black men. In White women, high belonging support was related to lower BP, independent of hostility, and low tangible support plus high hostility was related to higher clinic BP. In high hostile subjects, regardless of ethnicity or gender, high appraisal support was related to lower overall BP. These data suggest that the adverse BP effects of hostility and the beneficial effects of social support interact in a complex manner, reflecting contextual, ethnic, and gender specificities.     

THE EFFECTS OF THREE DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER MYOTROPINS ON THE FREQUENCY OF FOREGUT CONTRACTIONS DIFFER

Myotropic peptides can be grouped into different families based on their structure. Three Drosophila melanogaster myotropin families are represented by TDVDHVFLRFamide, dromyosuppressin (DMS), pEVRYRQCYFNPISCF, an allatostatin C-type peptide named flatline (FLT), and SDNFMRfamide, a FMRFamide, a FMRFamide-containing peptide. The structures of DMS, FLT, and SDNFMRFamide differ and each peptide is encoded by a different gene. In addition, the spatial and temporal distributions of DMS, FLT, and SDNFMRFamide are dissimilar. DMS, FLT, and SDNFMRFamide each decreases heart rate; however, their effects are profoundly different. Likewise, the effects of these three myotropins on the frequency of the spontaneous contractions of the crop, an anterior portion of the foregut, differ. DMS stops crop movement without recovery for at least 10-min period after applying the peptide, FLT significantly decreases the frequency of spontaneous contractions, but its effect partially reverses within a few minutes after applying the peptide, and SDNFMRFamide only slightly decreased crop motility, an effect that was not significantly different from the effect of saline. The differences in the structures, distributions, and activities of DMS, FLT, and SDNFMRFamide suggest their synthesis and release are under different sensory inputs and regulatory mechanisms, and that roles in affecting the frequency of crop contractions differ.     

OUTCOMES FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A GROUP INTERVENTION FOR HIV POSITIVE MEN AND WOMEN COPING WITH AIDS-RELATED LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a group coping intervention for HIV-positive men and women who have lost a loved one(s) to AIDS in the past 2 years. Two hundred thirty-five participants, diverse with respect to race/ethnicity and sexual orientation, were randomly assigned to a 12-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention or to an individual therapy on request comparison condition. Measures assessing grief and psychiatric distress were administered at baseline and 2 weeks post-intervention period. Although a strong gender effect was observed in outcome, both men and women participating in the group intervention demonstrated significantly more reduction in psychiatric distress than controls. Further, women in the group intervention demonstrated significant reductions in grief and depressive symptoms over men in both conditions and women in the comparison condition. Brief cognitive-behavioral group interventions for coping with grief have a positive impact on the psychiatric functioning of HIV-positive participants. This appears to be especially true for HIV-positive women; a group not previously focused on in clinical research related to AIDS bereavement.     

A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITION AND FOOD-SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES LIVING IN SUPPORTED ARRANGEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

This preliminary study characterized the adequacy of planned diets in two community-based, supported-living arrangements for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Montana. The goals were to clarify the residents’ nutritional risks and to identify appropriate areas and means for intervention. Observations, interviews, and analyses of menus, shopping lists, and grocery receipts led to conclusions about the residents’ dietary adequacy. We conclude that the food systems, with their strong (and unhealthful) food traditions, lend themselves to systematic environmental changes, including targeted practice guidelines and support materials, to improve the diets and food habits.