Placental p,p''-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and cord blood immune markers

Placental p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) concentration and cord blood atopic markers were determined in 19 neonates. Increased placental p,p'-DDE was associated with a statistically significant increase in cord plasma interleukin (IL)-13. Furthermore, both cord plasma IL-4/interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-13/IFN-gamma ratios were significantly positively associated with placental p,p'-DDE concentration.     

The regioselectivity of glutathione adduct formation with flavonoid quinone/quinone methides is pH-dependent

In the present study, the formation of glutathionyl adducts from a series of 3',4'-dihydroxy flavonoid o-quinone/p-quinone methides was investigated with special emphasis on the regioselectivity of the glutathione addition as a function of pH. The flavonoid o-quinones were generated using horseradish peroxidase, and upon purification by HPLC, the glutathionyl adducts were identified by LC/MS as well as (1)H and (13)C NMR. The major pH effect observed for the glutathione conjugation of taxifolin and luteolin quinone is on the rate of taxifolin and luteolin conversion and, as a result, on the ratio of mono- to diglutathione adduct formation. With fisetin, 3,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone, and quercetin, decreasing the pH results in a pathway in which glutathionyl adduct formation occurs in the C ring of the flavonoid, being initiated by hydration of the quinone and H(2)O adduct formation also in the C ring of the flavonoid. With increasing pH, for fisetin and 3,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone glutathione adduct formation of the quinone occurs in the B ring at C2' as the preferential site. For quercetin, the adduct formation of its quinone/quinone methide shifts from the C ring at pH 3.5, to the A ring at pH 7.0, to the B ring at pH 9.5, indicating a significant influence of the pH and deprotonation state on the chemical electrophilic behavior of quercetin quinone/quinone methide. Together the results of the present study elucidate the mechanism of the pH-dependent electrophilic behavior of B ring catechol flavonoids, which appears more straightforward than previously foreseen.     

The insecticidal activity of four medicinal plants against the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Background  The larvae of Lucilia sericata induce myiasis and transmit mycobacterial infections to humans and animals. Consequently, the blowfly should be controlled for human welfare and economic reasons.
Methods  The insecticidal effect of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum ), celery ( Apium graveolens ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), and mustard ( Brassica compestris ) against the third larval instars of L. sericata was evaluated, for the first time, through ingestion assays. The effect of sublethal concentrations on certain biological aspects, such as the pupation rates and adult emergence, was revealed.
Results  The LC₅₀ values were 2.81, 4.60, 6.93, and 7.92% for fenugreek, celery, radish, and mustard, respectively. The adverse effects on larval treatment also included the survival of pupae and adults. The pupation rate was strongly decreased after treatment with 16% fenugreek and celery. Moreover, adult emergence was suppressed after treatment of larvae with 8% mustard, 12% radish, and 16% fenugreek and celery oils. The number of emerged males exceeded the number of females, which could lead to population decline. Morphologic abnormalities of larvae, pupae, and adults were recorded after treatment with all tested oils.
Conclusion  The results suggest that oils may represent new and safe potential insecticides for the control of blowflies.     

Increased Intracellular Potassium and Water Contents in Rat Heart after α-1-Adrenoceptor Stimulation

Abstract: Potassium accumulation in rat heart after α-1-adrenoceptor stimulation has previously been reported from indirect measurements. Here we present data on intracellular potassium content measured directly in the heart. Isolated rat hearts perfused in a non-recirculating system were exposed to α-1-adrenoceptor stimulation (5 × 10_-5 mol/1 phenylephrine in the presence of 10^?6 mol/1 timolol). ¹⁴C-Sucrose was used to estimate the extracellular space. From heart homogenates intracellular potassium, magnesium and cellular water contents were determined and the ion concentrations calculated accordingly. The intracellular magnesium content remained unchanged during all experimental conditions. α-1-Adreno-ceptor stimulation evoked an increase in potassium content by 9% (4, 14; 95% confidence interval (CI), P=0.0006). Due to an observed increase in intracellular water by 17% (9, 26; 95% CI, P=0.0006), the potassium concentration apparently decreased by 8% (0.3, 15; 95% CI, P=0.04). During partial inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase by 10^?5 mol/1 ouabain, there was an increase in potassium content by 5% (1, 9; 95% CI, P=0.008). There was, however, no significant increase in intracellular water in this situation. Calculated intracellular potassium concentration showed accordingly a slight increase. The effects upon potassium and water both in the absence and presence of ouabain were eliminated by the α-1-adrenocep-tor blocker prazosin (10^?6 mol/1). α-1-Adrenoceptor stimulation apparently increased cellular dry weight by 10% (2, 18; 95% CI, P=0.02). Changes in translocation of potassium and water must be considered as part of the α-1-adrenergic heart effects.     

Safety and efficacy of early start of iron chelation therapy with deferiprone in young children newly diagnosed with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia: A randomized controlled trial

Iron overload is inevitable in patients who are transfusion dependent. In young children with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia (TDT), current practice is to delay the start of iron chelation therapy due to concerns over toxicities, which have been observed when deferoxamine was started too early. However, doing so may increase the risk of iron accumulation that will be manifested as toxicities later in life. This study investigated whether deferiprone, a chelator with a lower affinity for iron than deferoxamine, could postpone transfusional iron overload while maintaining a good safety profile. Recently diagnosed TDT infants (N = 64 their age ranged from 10 to 18 (median 12) months, 54.7% males; receiving ≤6 transfusions; serum ferittin (SF) >400 to < 1000 ng/mL were randomized to “early start deferiprone” (.ES‐DFP) at a low dose (50 mg/kg/day) or to “delay chelation” (DC), and remained in the study until their serum ferritin (SF) level reached ≥1000 μg/L. 61 patients continued the study Levels of transferrin saturation (TSAT) and labile plasma iron (LPI) were measured as well. By approximately 6 months postrandomization, 100% of the subjects in DC group had achieved SF > 1000 µg/L and TSAT > 70% compared with none in the ES‐DFP group. LPI level > 0.6 µM was observed in 97% vs. 40% of the DS and ES groups, respectively, (P < 0.001). The time to reach SF > 1000 µg/L was delayed by 6 months in the ES‐DFP group (P < 0.001) without escalating DFP dose. No unexpected, serious, or severe adverse events were seen in the ES‐DFP group.