Hours Of Exposure Research Articles

Health problems and injury management in adolescent handball: the Safeplay one-season cohort study of 679 players

ObjectivesTo assess (1) the 1-year prevalence of previous shoulder, knee and ankle injuries; (2) the in-season prevalence proportion (prevalence) of injuries and illnesses, injury incidence rate (ir) and injury burden (product of ir and weeks with injuries); (3) initial injury management strategies.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of 679 highest-division Danish handball players aged 14–18. Players self-reported past-year shoulder, knee and ankle injuries at baseline, and weekly information on any handball-related injuries (irrespective of time loss and medical attention), illnesses, exposure hours and injury management over 31 weeks.ResultsAt baseline, 46% (95% CI 42% to 49%) of the players reported a past-year shoulder, knee or ankle injury. The weekly average injury and illness prevalence was 21% (95% CI 19% to 23%) and 2% (95% CI 1.7% to 2.3%), respectively, and the ir was 9.4 (95% CI 8.7 to 10.2)/1000 hours. Females experienced the highest injury burden from knee injuries (ir: 1.7 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.2) × 6.7 (95% CI 4.7 to 8.7) weeks with injury/1000 hours), while males experienced the highest injury burden from shoulder injuries (ir: 1.3 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.7) × 5.7 (95% CI 3.6 to 7.8) weeks with injury/1000 hours). Health professionals were consulted in 58% (95% CI 54% to 62%) of injuries, players independently made the return to sport decision in 44% (95% CI 37% to 51%) of injury recurrences, and used analgesics, mainly (91% (95% CI 85% to 95%)) sourced from home, in 24% (95% CI 21% to 28%) of injuries.ConclusionAlmost half of highest-division adolescent Danish handball players reported a previous past-year shoulder, knee or ankle injury. Any time during the season, 21% reported an injury and 2% an illness. The highest injury burdens were from knee injuries in females and shoulder injuries in males. Health professionals often managed injuries, but players frequently made return to sport decisions independently and commonly used analgesics sourced from home.

Response of four Vallisneria taxa to aquatic herbicides

Abstract Native aquatic macrophytes such as Vallisneria americana Michx. are often desirable in aquatic ecosystems due to the ecological benefits they provide but are threatened by competition from invasive taxa including nonnative Vallisneria taxa and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle). Identifying potential selective herbicide management options can provide options to minimize impacts to native taxa in restoration and aquatic invasive plant management programs. Greenhouse mesocosm experiments were conducted in 2023 to investigate herbicide efficacy on two native eelgrass species (V. americana and V. neotropicalis Vict.), two nonnative taxa (V. australis S.W.L. Jacobs & Les and V. spiralis × V. denseserrulata Makino) and H. verticillata. Herbicide applications included endothall, diquat, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, fluridone, and flumioxazin and select combinations of these herbicides used in H. verticillata management. Endothall alone provided 90 to 100% aboveground biomass reduction at 3000 µg L-1 with at least 24 hours of continuous or intermittent exposure to all native and invasive species at six weeks after exposure, whereas florpyrauxifen-benzyl applied alone resulted in minimal aboveground biomass reduction. A 45 day of exposure of fluridone (10 µg L-1) resulted in 95% biomass reduction on V. americana and 7 to 48% other tested taxa. The combination of flumioxazin and florpyrauxifen-benzyl resulted in 90 to 100% aboveground biomass reduction and endothall combined with florpyrauxifen-benzyl resulted in 93 to 100% aboveground biomass reduction across taxa. Reductions in belowground biomass mirrored trends observed in aboveground biomass. No treatments selectively controlled invasive Vallisneria without injury to native Vallisneria, although efficacy was observed on hydrilla. These insights provide an understanding for differences between these Vallisneria for researchers moving forward with selectively targeting H. verticillata in the presence of native Vallisneria species and two new aquatic invasive plants. Future research should expand treatment scenarios, increase the study period, and identify potential integrated plant management strategies for field scenarios.

The Growth Inhibition Effect of Different Extracts of Taraxacum Peregrinum Leaves on Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-468

Background and Objectives: The dandelion plant (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the plants with beneficial effects. In this study, we evaluated the growth inhibition of different extracts of Iranian dandelion (Taraxacum peregrinum) on breast cancer cells. Methods: Ethanolic, methanolic, hydroalcoholic, and aqueous extracts and juice of dandelion leaves were first prepared by the Maceration method. Seven concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10000 mg/mL) were prepared from different extracts. Cisplatin was used as a standard anticancer drug. Their half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were evaluated by the MTT assay. Data analysis was done in Excel and GraphPad Prism 8.0.2 software. Results: By increasing the concentration of different extracts, the growth inhibitory effect on cancerous cells increased after 72 hours of exposure. The greatest growth inhibition effect was shown by ethanolic extract (IC50=0.75±0.31 mg/mL) after 72 hours of exposure followed by methanolic extract (IC50=6.25±0.76 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (IC50=6.59±0.94 mg/mL). Their effects were much more significant and better than Cisplatin (IC50=42.57±1.73 mg/mL). However, hydroalcoholic extract and juice of dandelion leaf did not show a significant growth inhibition effect. Conclusion: Given the significant effects of ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous extracts of Taraxacum peregrinum leaves on inhibiting the growth of the MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line, this plant can be used as an herbal supplement for the treatment of breast cancer.

Effect of Amygdalin on Murine Melanoma Cancer Cell Line and Normal Human Fibroblast Cells

Background and Objectives: Melanoma is the most aggressive and fatal type of skin cancer caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes. The ineffectiveness of existing therapies has encouraged researchers to use herbal medicines. Amygdalin is a natural cyanogenic glycoside that is found in fruits and seeds of different plants and has antiproliferative, antioxidant, and immune-regulating activities. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of amygdalin against murine melanoma cancer cell line and normal human fibroblast cells. Methods: The murine melanoma cancer cell line (B16F10) and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) cells were exposed to different concentrations of amygdalin and dacarbazine (a standard anticancer drug) for 24 and 48 hours. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of amygdalin was obtained using the MTT assay and analyzed in GraphPad Prism and Excel applications. Results: Amygdalin had a high cytotoxic effect on the melanoma cell line within 48 hours of exposure, which is comparable to the cytotoxicity of dacarbazine at the same time. Amygdalin had no cytotoxic effect on HFF cells, while dacarbazine caused a high toxicity on HFF cells. Conclusion: Amygdalin, by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, may prevent the adverse effects of chemical drugs on healthy cells and can be an appropriate treatment option for melanoma.

Duration of Light Exposure Using White Light-Emitting Diode (LED) on the Performance of White Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.)

Background: In the dynamic world of mushroom cultivation, optimizing growth conditions is paramount for maximizing yield and quality. This research sought to evaluate the influence of varying hours of exposure to white light through light-emitting diodes (LED) on growth and yield performance of white oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.). Its aim was to determine the most effective light exposure duration for enhancing mushroom growth and yield. Research Design: Using a completely randomized design (CRD), the study used four treatments: 8 hours of lighting (T1), 12 hours of lighting (T2), 16 hours of lighting (T3), and a control group that received natural light (T4). The study was conducted in Palayamanan (8° 27’ 5.3118" N and 126° 9’ 59.7739" E) area at North Eastern Mindanao State University’s -Tagbina Campus from July 2023 to November 2023. Results: Results from the study provided interesting insights into the indirect nature of the relationship between light exposure and mushroom development. The findings of the study indicate that the duration of light exposure significantly affects the growth and yield of white oyster mushrooms. Both mycelium growth (29.80 days) and fruiting body formation (7.83 days), as well as harvesting time (10.87 days), were improved by 12 hours of lighting, while the control group consistently showed poor performance. Conclusion: Based from the analysis, it is evident that 12 hours of lighting consistently performed very well, with the exception of a minor under-performance in the case of yield per harvest, suggesting that 12 hours might be the ideal duration. Hence, 16 hours of lighting also demonstrated some advantages in certain variables, indicating potential for further study.

Agonists of the nuclear receptor PPARγ can produce biased signaling.

Biased signaling and ligand bias, often termed functional selectivity or selective nuclear receptor modulation, have been reported for nuclear receptor partial agonists over the past 20 years. Whether signaling differences produced by partial agonists result from less intense modulation, off-target effects, or biased signaling remains unclear. A commonly postulated mechanism for biased signaling is coactivator favoritism, where agonists induce different coactivator recruitment profiles. We find that both GW1929 (full agonist) and MRL24 (partial agonist) favor recruitment of 100-300 residue regions from S-motif coactivators compared to a reference full agonist (rosiglitazone), yielding 95% bias value confidence intervals of 0.05-0.17 and 0.29-0.38 respectively. Calculations based on these data indicate that GW1929 and MRL24 would induce 30-60% higher S-motif coactivator occupancy at the receptor compared to rosiglitazone. We compare the transcriptional effects of these same three ligands on human adipocytes using RNA sequencing and exploratory KEGG pathway analysis. Only 50% (rosiglitazone) and 77% (GW1929) of all gene expression changes are shared between these full agonists after 3 hours of exposure. After 24 hours of exposure, 13/98 KEGG pathways appear more intensely modulated by rosiglitazone than GW1929 (e.g., 95% CI of bias in the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes pathway is 0.03-0.09), despite similar signaling for the remaining 85 affected pathways. Similarly, rosiglitazone has an unusually large effect on several lipid metabolism-related pathways compared to the partial agonist MRL24. These data indicate that nuclear receptor full and partial agonists can induce biased signaling, likely through differences in coactivator recruitment. Significance Statement Many nuclear receptor partial agonists cause fewer adverse effects and similar efficacy compared to full agonists, potentially by inducing biased agonism. Our data support the idea that partial agonists, and a full agonist, of the nuclear receptor Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) are biased agonists, causing different signaling by inducing PPARγ to favor different coactivators. These data indicate that biased agonism can occur in nuclear receptors and should be considered in efforts to develop improved nuclear receptor-targeted drugs.

Long-term inhalation exposure: A model for phthalate accumulation in the respiratory tract

BackgroundInhalation is a major pathway for phthalates (PAEs), an endocrine disruptor, to enter the human body. The actual internal exposure amount that participates in metabolism cannot be estimated by calculating total inhalation intake. ObjectiveTo estimate the accumulation in each region of the respiratory tract after long-term exposure to PAEs in different populations. MethodsA mass transfer model was developed to simulate the long-term accumulation of PAEs in respiratory tract through inhalation. The model considered (1) mass transfer of PAEs in three phases across seven regions, (2) the effect of temperature differences on the mass transfer process. Based on this model, we simulated adult exposure to PAEs in a laboratory, identified key model parameters, and further simulated various scenarios for children, adults, and elders. ResultsPAEs are not completely cleared from the respiratory tract after 16 hours, following 8 hours of daily exposure. Under regular laboratory environment, accumulation after 30 days is 3.8 times higher than that after the first day. The distribution of PAEs between the gas and mucus phases has a greater impact on the results than between the gas and particle phases. Children are at the highest risk to Diethyl phthalate (DEP) exposure compared with adults and elders. Nearly 80 % of DEP is exhaled, with 14 % accumulating in the alveolar region after an hour. ConclusionThis model links indoor air PAEs to human internal exposure, showing that most PAEs are exhaled, while the remainder accumulates in the respiratory tract and may participate in human metabolism.

Epidemiology of ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability in elite adolescent dancesport athletes

ABSTRACT Background Dancesport is performed in high-heeled shoes. Dancesport athletes may have a higher prevalence and incidence of ankle sprains, which can affect their performance. However, the occurrence of ankle sprains among dancesport athletes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of ankle sprains among elite dancesport athletes and to investigate the related information. Method We conducted a mixed descriptive epidemiological study (cross-sectional and longitudinal) involving 198 elite adolescent dancesport athletes, using past medical records and questionnaires administered to the participants. Data on the occurrence of ankle sprains among all participants were compiled using medical records and information on injury mechanisms, missed days, severity types, and countermeasures for ankle sprains were collected. The prevalence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) among the participants was assessed using a questionnaire. Following the initial survey, we conducted a one-year follow-up study to investigate the incidence of ankle sprains, incidence rate per 1000 exposure hours, and recurrence of ankle sprains. Result The cross-sectional study and longitudinal study included 198 participants and 92 elite dancesport athletes, respectively. The prevalence of ankle sprains and CAI was 49.5% and 45.1%, respectively. Of all ankle sprains, 88% were medial injuries. The most common injury mechanisms were turning (46.9%) and jumping (46.9%). The average number of missed days due to ankle sprains was 11.2 days. Most injuries were managed with rest, and only one male athlete underwent surgery due to an ankle sprain sustained during dancing. During the one-year follow-up, the incidence of ankle sprains, incidence rate per 1000 exposure hours, and recurrence rate of ankle sprains were 46.6% (male, 41.2%; female, 48.8%), 0.65 ankle sprains/1000 h, and 35.3%, respectively. No sex-related differences were observed. Conclusion It is crucial to focus on the occurrence of ankle sprains and CAI in dancesport athletes with high heels. Future research should clarify the impact of ankle sprains on dancesport performance and develop preventive measures to reduce the incidence and recurrence of these associated injuries.

Study of Some Apoptotic Protein Expration in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a significant health concern, particularly during pregnancy, as it can lead to fetal harm and birth abnormalities. Specific Background: The role of apoptosis in managing T. gondii infection remains poorly understood, particularly regarding its molecular mechanisms. Knowledge Gap: The impact of T. gondii infection on apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human umbilical cords has not been thoroughly studied in existing literature. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the activation of apoptosis and its regulatory mechanisms in human Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) during T. gondii infection. Results: Using non-enzymatic techniques, we isolated T. gondii from infected and aborted phase-specific placentas. Our findings demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of apoptosis-activating genes (CASP2, CASP3, Bak1) in WJ-MSCs following infection, with a marked decrease in cell viability observed within 2 to 4 hours of exposure to the parasite (P≤0.05). Novelty: This study provides novel insights into the relationship between T. gondii infection and apoptosis in WJ-MSCs, highlighting the specific gene expression changes that occur in response to infection. Implications: Research on T. gondii's apoptotic pathways is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to mitigate pregnancy-related adverse effects and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. Highlights: Increased Apoptosis: T. gondii enhances apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Viability Impact: Significant decrease in WJ-MSC viability after infection. Clinical Relevance: Insights can inform strategies to reduce fetal infection risks. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, apoptosis, Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells, pregnancy, gene expression

Chitosan-polyethersulfone mixed matrix composite membranes utilizing amine and non-amine hafnium-MOFs for enhanced CO2 separation

Exploring the realm of advanced membranes with customizable separation capabilities holds great promise in CO2 separation. A particularly exciting path is the utilization of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) to surpass the performance of commonly used polymeric membranes. In recent times, there has been a surge of interest in hafnium (Hf) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their multiple potential sites for CO2 adsorption. These MOFs feature four bridging hydroxyl groups (μ3-OH) positioned at the corners of the tetrahedral cavity, electronegative linker moieties, and Bronsted acid sites arising from undercoordinated metals. In this study, we synthesized task-specific UiO-66(Hf) and UiO-66-NH2(Hf) MOFs and integrated them into a chitosan (CS) matrix to explore their effects on CO2 separation performance of MMMs. Comprehensive analyses using various analytical techniques were conducted on synthesized MOFs and MMMs. At an optimal loading of 5 wt% of UiO-66-NH2(Hf) under humid conditions, the MMMs demonstrated a remarkable 408 % increment in CO2 permeance and a 113 % improvement in CO2/N2 selectivity compared to unfilled CS membranes. Notably, the UiO-66-NH2(Hf) MOF, enriched with amino ligands, exhibited superior dispersibility and enhanced CO2 separation ability compared to the UiO-66(Hf) MOF within the CS matrix. These findings not only approach the 2008 Robeson upper bound curve but also demonstrate consistency in the CO2 separation performance for over 120 hours of exposure at elevated temperatures (85°C) and a feed pressure of 2.21 bar under humid conditions. These challenging conditions, mirroring real-world applications, highlight the stability of the synthesized MMMs as efficient gas separation technologies.

The Anticancer Poperties of Diosgenin on Colorectal Cancer Cells Induced by Wnt/Β Catenin Signaling Pathway

Background: Colorectal cancer (CC) is one of the most prevalent cancers globally. Due to the severe side effects and the development of drug resistance in CC treatments, current therapeutic strategies often prove ineffective. As a result, there is a growing interest in exploring traditional medicinal plants as alternative treatment options for various human diseases. Diosgenin, a bioactive compound derived from plants, has shown potential in inhibiting the growth of human CC cells. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a critical role in colorectal tumorigenesis. Objectives: This study investigates the effects of Diosgenin on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CC cells. Methods: Colorectal cancer cells were treated with Diosgenin, and cell viability and plasma membrane integrity were assessed using the MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay, respectively. Apoptosis was evaluated through Annexin V/PI staining. The expression of Wnt/β-catenin-related genes was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Diosgenin significantly inhibited CC cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of exposure (P < 0.05). The IC50 values were determined to be 203.55, 122.95, 70.11, and 7.34 µM at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively. Diosgenin at its IC50 concentration induced a significant increase in cell apoptosis after 24 hours of treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, it caused a significant reduction in the expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1, and Pin1 (βCP). Conclusions: Diosgenin exhibits anti-CC effects by inhibiting the expression of βCP genes involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for CC.

Improving the Efficiency of Submersible Multistage Pumps Based on the Hydrophobization of the Flow Part Surfaces

The paper presents an experimental study of an assembly of five stages of an electric centrifugal pump (ECP) installation, the flow part of which is modified according to the principles of biomimetics, namely using the “lotus leaf effect”. The object of the study was a 5A-35 ECP. The surfaces of the blade systems of impellers and guide devices of stages 5 A-35 were hydrophobized using the method of applying surfactant layers. The degree of impellers hydrophobicity was estimated by the wetting angle average value measured by three drops at three different points on the impeller surface. The impellers surface roughness under study was determined by the arithmetic mean profile deviation Ra and the profile height irregularities Rz. The issues related to the surfactant coating modification effect salt deposition and corrosion were studied. For this purpose, the surfaces of the original and modified impellers were subjected to intensive forced salt deposition as a result of prolonged exposure to saline solution. The conclusion about the samples corrosion resistance degree was made by changing their mass, which was due to the salt deposits formation during 15 hours of stay in solution, as well as using the drop method. Both methods have shown that the surfactant coating can serve as a salt deposition inhibitor, and the pump impeller modified by it has increased corrosion resistance. Thus, during comparative tests, a smaller mass of salt was deposited on the modified impeller sample during 15 hours of exposure in saturated saline solution than on the original sample. This indicates that the surfactant layer prevents the salt deposits fixation on the working surfaces of the pump stage. On the modified sample examined by the drop method, the indicator color changed in 20 minutes, and on the original one – in 2 minutes. Experimental studies have been carried out, during which the operation energy parameters of a five stages 5A-35 pumping package with initial and modified surfactant-coated impellers have been determined. The studies have shown a 2 % increase in efficiency in the pum-ping package of stages with modified impellers. The results of the study can be useful in the oil production, chemical industry, as well as in the housing and communal services sector.

Fire performance of CFRP-strengthened piloti-type columns with fire-resistant materials during standard fire exposure

This paper presents a numerical investigation into the fire endurance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)-strengthened columns, shielded with fire-resistant materials, in piloti-type reinforced concrete buildings. The strengthened column, equipped with a fire protection system, underwent exposure to the ASTM E119 standard time-temperature curve for a duration of 4 h. To comprehensively evaluate the thermal and structural performance of the strengthened column at elevated temperatures and substantiate the effectiveness of the fire protection system, a fully coupled thermal-stress analysis was conducted. The numerical modeling approach employed in this study was rigorously validated through previous experimental studies in conjunction with adherence to the ACI design guideline, specifically ACI 440.2R-17. Using the validated structural fire model, the thermal and structural behaviors of the RC column with an insulated CFRP strengthening system were investigated based on four key performance criteria: glass transition temperature, ignition temperature of polymer matrix, critical temperature of reinforcing bars, and the design axial load capacity at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, a comparative assessment of fire endurance was performed using diverse fire-resistant materials, including Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) and Sikacrete®-213 F, with insulation thicknesses ranging from 10 to 30 mm, during the 4-hour fire exposure period.

Evaluation for the Effect of Heat Stable Enterotoxin (a) Produced by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli on Different Cancer Cells In Vitro

This study was conducted for evaluating the cytotoxic effect of heat stable enterotoxin a (STa) produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli on the proliferation of primary cancer cell cultures, obtained from tumor samples that were collected from (13) cancer patients and as follows: (five colon cancer patients, two bladder cancer patients, two breast cancer patients, two stomach cancer patients and two lung cancer patients), and on normal cell line (rat embryonic fibroblast / REF) (in vitro) with the use of different concentrations starting from (1) mg/ml and ending with (0.0002) mg/ml by making two fold serial dilutions by using the 96- well microtiter plate, and in comparison with negative (PBS) and positive (MMC, at concentration of 10 µg/ml) controls . Results showed that, after (24) hours of exposure to STa, the growth of all primary cancer cell cultures obtained from colon cancer patients was inhibited by STa treatment and this inhibition was concentration dependent. Also it was shown that the cytotoxic effect of the high concentration of STa was close to that seen after MMC treatment. While no differences were seen in the growth of all primary cancer cell cultures that were obtained from the other cancer patients, which mean that STa treatment neither inhibit nor enhanced their growth. At the same time STa did not show or has any cytotoxic effect on the normal cell line (REF).

Can flow cytometry be an alternative method for the detection of antimicrobial resistance?

Background: The inappropriate use of antibiotics may cause antibiotic resistance, cause side effects, and eventually cause an increase in healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine a flow cytometry-based test to detect ESBL E. coli and MDR p. aeruginosa in a short time. Methods: The study included 25 E.coli isolates and 25 P.aeruginosa isolates identified by Phoenix TM 100 automated system [Becton Dickinson, USA]. In the flow cytometric method, the percentages of death cells exposed to cephalosporin including ceftazidime [CAZ] or cefotaxime [CTX] and clavulanic acid [CLA] combination, were compared with death cells exposed only to a cephalosporin [CAZ or CTX]. CLA index values [CAZ-CLA and CTX-CLA indices] were obtained for CTX and CAZ. Index values that were higher than 1.5 just for one cephalosporin were accepted as positive. Results: Cell viability was performed after 1-hour exposure to the drugs. When PI staining was applied to ESBL-treated and MDR-treated bacteria, 65% and 85% had nonviable membranes, indicating the method efficiently identified only cells with damaged membranes. Conclusion: Flow cytometry is a rapid and reliable method for the detection of ESBL and MDR in clinical microbiology laboratories Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; ESBL; flow cytometry; MDR.

7888 Mitotane Induces Different Modes Of Cell Death In Treatment Resistant And Sensitive Models Of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Abstract Disclosure: S. Feely: None. N. Mullen: None. C. Hong: None. C. Hantel: None. W.E. Rainey: None. M.C. Dennedy: None. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive cancer with poor survival. Adjuvant mitotane is the only approved drug for treatment of ACC. It improves survival but its use is limited by poor tolerability and drug resistance. For metastatic ACC, combination chemotherapy, using mitotane and etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin improves survival, but efficacy is limited. Better understating the cytotoxic mechanisms of mitotane offers potential to develop improved therapeutic options for ACC. To investigate the underlying mechanisms in vitro, human ACC cells (HAC15 and H295R), in monolayer cell culture were treated with increasing concentrations of mitotane. Cell death was evaluated at 6 and 24 hours using flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V and Sytox Blue. This was complemented by Incucyte ® Live-Cell Analysis System imaging of annexin V and Sytox Blue staining. Expression of the markers of apoptosis, cleaved caspase 3, and necroptosis, phosphorylated MLKL and RIPK1 was measured at 6 and 24 hours. Mitotane significantly reduced the viability of H295R cells at 6 and 24 hours at the therapeutic concentration of 50uM (p>0.0001), thereby demonstrating treatment-sensitivity. In HAC15 cells, a supratherapeutic dose of 200uM was needed to significantly reduce viability (p>0.05) at 24 hours, indicating resistance to mitotane treatment at therapeutic concentrations. There was increasing Annexin V fluorescence with increasing mitotane concentration in H295R and HAC15 cells ar 6 and 24 hours without higher coinciding staining with Sytox Blue. Video analysis demonstrated these findings. Cleaved caspase 3 expression was associated with mitotane-induced cell death in H295R cells at 6 and 24 hours, indicating apoptosis. HAC15 cells demonstrated cleaved caspase 3 expression only at the highest concentration of mitotane exposure (600uM) at 6 hours, without appreciable expression at 24 hours. Phosphorylated-MLKL and RIPK1 expression was seen in controls and all mitotane doses in both cell lines at both timepoints, indicating necroptosis. In this study, H295R cells, representing a treatment-sensitive model of Mitotane undergo both apoptotic and necroptotic cell death at 6 and 24 hours of mitotane exposure. In contrast, HAC15 cells, demonstrated relative treatment resistance to mitotane, and undergo necroptotic cell death only. These results highlight the importance of understanding and targeting non-apoptotic and necroptotic cell death pathways, particularly when evaluating mechanisms of treatment resistance in ACC. Given the difference in the mechanism of cell death in treatment-sensitive and treatment-resistant cells, further exploration of necroptosis is necessary to better understand how ACC cells may manifest treatment resistance. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Sensitization of Visually Induced Motion Sickness by Prior Provocative Physical Motion

INTRODUCTION: Habituation to motion has therapeutic applications for motion sickness desensitization and rehabilitation of patients with vestibular disease. Less attention has been devoted to the opposite process: sensitization. METHODS: Subjects (N = 50) were randomly allocated to four sequences: Baseline visual stimulus; then 15 min of time gap; cross-coupled motion (C-C) or a Control condition; then a time gap of 15 min or 2 h; then a retest visual stimulus. Motion exposures were for 10 min or until moderate nausea, whichever was sooner. The visual stimulus was a scene rotating in yaw at 0.2 Hz with superimposed "wobble". C-C was whole-body rotation on a turntable with eight 45° head tilts during each 30-s period. Control was head tilt without rotation. Rotational velocity was incremented in staircase steps of 3° · s−1 every 30 s. RESULTS: Groups were equivalent for Total Motion Sickness Symptom scores elicited by the first visual stimulus (combined: mean ± SD 10.8 ± 8.4). C-C produced greater Total Symptoms (20.3 ± 6.8) than Control (3.1 ± 3.7). Subjects recovered subjectively from C-C before retest of visual stimulus. For the retest visual stimulus, Total Symptoms were higher following C-C (15.1 ± 9.0) than following Control (8.3 ± 7.1) for both the 15 min and 2 h retests. Sickness ratings (SR) mirrored these effects of C-C. DISCUSSION: C-C motion sensitized subsequent responses to visual stimulation up to 2 h later. Sensitization of visual stimulation crossed modalities and appeared subconscious since it occurred despite subjective recovery from C-C. For some individuals, a previously relatively innocuous visual stimulus became nauseogenic on retest. The results have implications for the use of visual technologies within hours of exposure to provocative motion. Golding JF, Alund D, Gresty MA, Flynn MB. Sensitization of visually induced motion sickness by prior provocative physical motion. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(10):741–748.

Determination of insecticidal potential of selected plant extracts against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a devastating pest that attacks a wide range of crops, including sugarcane, rice, and maize. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the toxicity potential of native plant extracts (Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cannabis sativa, Citrullus colocynthis, Nicotiana tabacum) against S. frugiperda. Four different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 400ppm) of the ethanolic plant extracts was evaluated against S. frugiperda third-instar larvae to determine their median lethal concentration (LC50). After 72 hours of exposure, the LC50 values of A. indica, E. globulus, P. hysterophorus, C. sativa, C. colocynthis, N. tabacum, and positive control (Spinetoram) were 186.104, 518.438, 320.027, 334.259, 252.651, 720.980 and 189.369 ppm respectively. The maximum percent mortality was caused by the highest concentration (400 ppm) of A. indica (64±0.18), E. globulus (48±0.22), P. hysterophorus (56±0.18), C. sativa (56±0.18), C. colocynthis (60±0.00), and N. tabacum (40±0.28), after 72 hours of treatment while Spinetoram induced 100±0.00 percent mortality of S. frugiperda and only 4±0.18 percent mortality was recorded in a control group. Results showed that all plant extracts were found to be effective against S. frugiperda. The compounds from the two most effective ethanolic plant extracts were identified by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). The key compounds identified in neem leaf extract and kortuma fruit extract are predominantly biologically active molecules. Many of them were volatile compounds that belonged to different chemical categories, such as fatty acids, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and amines. Terpenes exhibited a wide range of different biological activities, such as serving as insecticides and antifeedant. The presence of various functional groups in the plant extract was determined by conducting a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Farmers should employ these kinds of environmental friendly insecticides to lessen the impact of fall armyworm because these products are cheaper to use and better for the economy and the environment.

Teflon flu: Is it a rising concern of only developed country?

Abstract: Teflon flu also known as polymer fume fever is a temporary flu-like illness caused by inhaling fumes released when polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the chemical used to make non-stick coatings like Teflon, is heated to very high temperatures. This condition typically occurs when non-stick cookware is overheated to above 500°F (260°C), releasing fumes that can cause symptoms in humans. Teflon flu is manifested with fever, chills, headache, body aches, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath which usually appear within a few hours of exposure and may last for a day or tw. Teflon flu is generally not considered dangerous for healthy individuals but repeated exposure could have more serious effects. Although in India cases are not widely reported as in countries like the U.S., India’s medical community, including the Indian Council of Medical Research has advised caution and advocated use of earthen pots for cooking. Here we discuss in detail the causes, and ways to prevent Teflon flu in Indian context.

Purification of textile wastewater by collective degradation using nanorods of cesium titanium bromide (CsTiBr3) perovskite

The present work recommends a sustainable environmentally safe method for the removal of textile dyes in an economically viable way.The wastewater expelled from the textile dying units contains a mixture of dyes. Here we address the challenge of using a single catalyst for the collective photocatalytic degradation of mixture of six dyes and two samples of textile effluents collected from a local dying unit under direct sunlight. The lead-free perovskite of CsTiBr3 nanorods prepared via the solvothermal process is effective in the collective photocatalytic degradation of dye mixture containing toxic dyes like congo red, crystal violet, malachite green, methylene blue, rhodamine, and methyl orange. The six-dye mixture turned colorless within three hours of direct sunlight exposure. The collective photocatalytic degradation ability of CsTiBr3 perovskite nanorods is successfully exploited for the degradation of the textile effluents. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis guarantees the degradation of dye into non-toxic components. The recycling of wastewater is made possible by the removal of CsTiBr3 catalysts through adsorption using biochar derived from invasive plants. The biochars are extracted from invasive plants such as Acrostichum Aureum, Alternanthera bettzickiana, cyclosorus interrupts, and Quisqualis indica in which Acrostichum Aureum showed maximum adsorption. The scavenger studies using isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) suggest that holes control the photocatalysis mechanism.