Effects Of Exposure Research Articles

Effects of Noise Exposure on Peripheral Auditory Function, Binaural Envelope Coding, and Speech Perception in Student Musicians With Normal Hearing

Objectives: Musicians face an increased risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and repetitive exposure to high-noise levels. Detecting early signs of hearing loss, which are subtle and often elusive to traditional clinical tests like pure-tone audiometry, is essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of noise exposure on the electrophysiological and perceptual aspects of subclinical hearing damage in young musicians with normal audiometric thresholds. Design: The study included 33 musicians and 33 nonmusicians, all aged between 21 and 35 years, with normal audiometric thresholds. Participants underwent a comprehensive test battery, which encompassed standard and extended high-frequency (EHF) pure-tone audiometry (0.25 to 16 kHz), a Noise Exposure Structured Interview, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to clicks at various presentation rates and levels, thresholds for detecting interaural envelope time difference, and a spatial release from masking (SRM) paradigm in which the target speech was presented in the presence of either colocated or spatially separated time-reversed two-talker babble. Results: The results indicated the musician group reported greater lifetime noise exposure than the nonmusician group, but the Noise Exposure Structured Interview scores were neither correlated with the ABR results nor with the speech perception outcomes. The ABR analyses indicated diminished level-dependent growth and increased rate-dependent decline in wave I amplitudes among musicians compared with nonmusicians. The student musicians exhibited better binaural envelope processing skills than nonmusicians, emphasizing their perceptual advantages in auditory processing associated with musicianship. Speech perception results indicated no significant differences in SRM between student musicians and nonmusicians. However, in both groups, individuals with poorer EHF hearing exhibited reduced SRM compared with those with normal EHF hearing, underscoring the importance of assessing and addressing EHF hearing. Conclusions: Student musicians exhibit peripheral neural deficits; however, no clear relation was found between these neural deficits and their perceptual skills. Notably, reduced EHF thresholds were clearly related to reduced SRM, which poses a challenge for speech perception in complex multi-talker environments, affecting both musicians and nonmusicians alike.

Acute Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Sulpiride in Adult Zebrafish.

Affective and psychotic disorders are highly prevalent and severely debilitating mental illnesses that often remain untreated or treatment-resistant. Sulpiride is a common antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drug whose well-established additional (e.g., antidepressant) therapeutic effects call for further studies of a wider spectrum of its CNS effects. Here, we examined effects of acute 20-min exposure to sulpiride (50-200mg/L) on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, as well as on brain monoamines, in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Overall, sulpiride exerted overt anxiolytic-like effects in the novel tank test and showed tranquilizing-like effects in the zebrafish tail immobilization test, accompanied by lowered whole-brain dopamine and its elevated turnover, without affecting serotonin or norepinephrine levels and their turnover. Taken together, these findings support complex behavioral pharmacology of sulpiride in vivo and reconfirm high sensitivity of zebrafish-based screens to this and, likely, other related clinically active neuroleptics.

Metabolic status is a key factor influencing proteomic changes in ewe granulosa cells induced by chronic BPS exposure.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is the main substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known plasticiser and endocrine disruptor. BPS disrupts ovarian function in several species. Moreover, a few studies have reported that the effects of BPS might be modulated by the metabolic status, and none have characterised the granulosa cell (GC) proteome after chronic BPS exposure. This study aimed to decipher the mechanisms of action of chronic BPS exposure on the proteome of ewe GCs while considering the interaction between a deliberate contrasted metabolism and reproductive function. Forty ewes were split into two groups with contrasted diets: restricted (R, n = 20) and well-fed (WF, n = 20). The R and WF ewes were subdivided according to the dose of BPS administered through the diet (0-50µg/kg/day), forming four groups: R0, R50, WF0 and WF50. After 3-month BPS daily exposure, GCs were recovered during the pre-ovulatory stage and proteins were analysed by nano-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Chronic exposure to BPS affected the GC proteome differently according to the ewe metabolic status. Fifty-nine out of 958 quantified proteins were differentially abundant between groups and are mainly involved in carbohydrate and lipid pathways. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) identified four clusters of 34, 6, 5 and 14 proteins according to the BPS exposure and diet interaction. Pairwise comparisons between groups also revealed a strong effect of BPS exposure and diet interaction. Functional analysis of DAPs highlighted that BPS upregulated β-glucuronidase (GUSB; p = 0.002), a protein especially able to deconjugate bisphenol glucuronides (BP-g). Moreover, among unexposed ewes, GUSB was detected only in well-fed ewes. Conjugation of glucuronides inhibits the oestrogenic activity of bisphenols. Upregulation of GUSB in ewes dosed with BPS would prolong the oestrogenic effects of BPS by deconjugating BPS-g into free BPS. In addition, literature has reported an up-regulation of GUSB in people suffering from obesity. Therefore, people suffering from obesity could be subjected to prolonged and aggravated exposure to BPS. These data highlighted the deleterious effects of BPS and its interaction with metabolic status.

Sex-specific GABAergic microcircuits that switch vulnerability into resilience to stress and reverse the effects of chronic stress exposure.

Clinical and preclinical studies have identified somatostatin (SST)-positive interneurons as critical elements that regulate the vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders. Conversely, disinhibition of SST neurons in mice results in resilience to the behavioral effects of chronic stress. Here, we established a low-dose chronic chemogenetic protocol to map these changes in positively and negatively motivated behaviors to specific brain regions. AAV-hM3Dq-mediated chronic activation of SST neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PLC) had antidepressant drug-like effects on anxiety- and anhedonia-like motivated behaviors in male but not female mice. Analogous manipulation of the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) had such effects in female but not male mice. Moreover, the activation of SST neurons in the PLC of male mice and the vHPC of female mice resulted in stress resilience. Activation of SST neurons in the PLC reversed prior chronic stress-induced defects in motivated behavior in males but was ineffective in females. Conversely, activation of SST neurons in the vHPC reversed chronic stress-induced behavioral alterations in females but not males. Quantitation of c-Fos+ and FosB+ neurons in chronic stress-exposed mice revealed that chronic activation of SST neurons leads to a paradoxical increase in pyramidal cell activity. Collectively, these data demonstrate that GABAergic microcircuits driven by dendrite targeting interneurons enable sex- and brain-region-specific neural plasticity that promotes stress resilience and reverses stress-induced anxiety- and anhedonia-like motivated behavior. The data provide a rationale for the lack of antidepressant efficacy of benzodiazepines and superior efficacy of dendrite-targeting, low-potency GABAA receptor agonists, independent of sex and despite striking sex differences in the relevant brain substrates.

Isoliquiritigenin induced hepatotoxicity and endoplasmic reticulum stress in zebrafish embryos.

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a naturally occurring flavonoid derived from licorice root, exhibits antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties, and is frequently detected in both environmental and human samples. Previous studies from our lab have demonstrated that ISL exposure can lead to developmental deformities and aberrant immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ISL toxicity in zebrafish embryos remain incompletely elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the effects of ISL exposure on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in zebrafish embryos by assessing the expression levels of ER stress markers HSPA5 and CHOP, along with associated apoptosis factors, under various ISL concentrations, with tunicamycin (TM) serving as a positive control. Furthermore, targeted analyses of ER stress-related pathways were conducted using RNA transcriptome sequencing, and the up-regulated gene was verified by western blot. The results revealed that ISL exposure significantly elevated the expression levels of HSPA5 and CHOP, concomitantly activating ER stress pathways, including pPERK-eIF2α-ATF4 and ATF6 pathways in zebrafish embryos. These findings suggest that the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways may contribute to the developmental deformities observed in zebrafish embryos following ISL exposure, thereby highlighting the potential ecological risks associated with ISL usage.

Effects of exposure to outdoor light at night on blood lipids in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Previous studies have reported that a potential association between exposure to outdoor light at night (LAN) and diseases. However, there is no evidence regarding the impacts of outdoor LAN exposure on lipid metabolism in humans. This study aims to evaluate the associations between outdoor LAN exposure and the prevalence of dyslipidemia, using a nationwide sample of 10,894 adults aged ≥ 45 years from 150 investigated sites across China in 2011-2012. Outdoor LAN exposure was assessed by using satellite imaging data. The prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated. The present study found that a per-quintile LAN exposure was positively associated with the prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol (PR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16), high triglyceride (PR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.12), low HDL-cholesterol (PR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08-1.16), and dyslipidemia (PR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03-1.09). The fifth quintile of LAN exposure was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of dyslipidemia (PR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.07-1.35) compared with the first quintile of exposure. Long-term exposure to outdoor LAN was positively associated with dyslipidemia prevalence. Public policies aimed at reducing light pollution at night, guided by the spatial distribution patterns, could lessen the adverse effects.

Cognitive Benefits of Reducing Indoor Particulate Matter Exposure During Sleep: New Evidence from a Randomized, Double-blind Crossover Trial.

There is increasing evidence that particulate matter (PM) pollution may adversely impact cognition. Considering that sleep is critical for cognitive health and occupies about one-third of human life, understanding the cognitive effects of indoor PM exposure during sleep and the potential cognitive benefits of reducing such exposure is crucial, yet currently unknown. This randomized, double-blind crossover intervention trial was conducted among 80 college students with real and sham PM filtration in their dormitories. Real-time indoor PM levels and nocturnal sleep parameters were monitored, followed by quantification of serum neurotransmitter metabolites and cognitive assessments in the mornings. We found that PM exposure during sleep, particularly PM1 and PM2.5, affected immediate and delayed memory, executive function, and global cognition. Reducing PM exposure during sleep resulted in improvements in multiple cognitive domains, with a 0.21 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.36) increase in global cognitive z-score, in which increased sleep oxygen saturation (SpO2) and alterations in dopamine metabolism and histidine metabolism played important roles. Notably, even when indoor PM2.5 levels were below the WHO air quality guidelines, further reducing PM exposure could still improve sleep SpO2 and neurotransmitter metabolism. This study provides a promising strategy to mitigate indoor PM-induced cognitive impairment.

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemicals and Gene Expression in Soybean (Glycine max) Under Acute Moderated and Severe Elevated Ozone: Unravelling the Role of Antioxidant Defence

ABSTRACTThe increasing concentrations of ground‐level ozone (O3) resulting from industrialisation and anthropogenic activities present a substantial environmental threat to agricultural productivity, particularly affecting O3‐sensitive crops such as soybeans. The effects of acute O3 exposure on soybean yield attributes and seed quality and whether soybean showed different detoxification mechanisms in response to moderate and severe O3 stress are not extensively explored. In this study, soybean seedlings were exposed to moderate (80 nmol mol−1) and acute severe (200 nmol mol−1) O3 stress, and then growth parameters, yield attributes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant properties and associated gene expression in the leaves were assessed. The results revealed that moderate O3 exposure enhanced growth parameters but reduced the 100‐grain weight, while acute severe exposure sharply depressed growth parameters, yield attributes and the 100‐grain weight. Moderate O3 fumigation significantly increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and catalase (CAT) activity from 4 to 32 h. Acute severe O3 stress induced the overproduction of superoxide anions (O2.−) and H2O2 during nearly the whole experiment period, but only enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 32 h, and showed no stimulatory effects on CAT activity. Additionally, the relative expression levels of the SOD and CAT gene family in soybean leaves exposed to elevated O3 were upregulated, peaking at 8 h. Moderate O3 treatment enhanced reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsA) levels and increased the activities of AsA–GSH cycle‐related enzymes. In contrast, acute severe O3 exposure inhibited GSH and AsA contents and markedly suppressed AsA–GSH cycle‐related enzymes, particularly from 8 to 32 h. Redundancy analysis indicated that CAT and AsA play crucial roles in scavenging O3‐induced ROS under moderate stress, while ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and GSH were more effective under acute severe stress conditions. These findings provide insights into the differential impacts of acute O3 stress on soybeans, emphasising the importance of considering both crop yield and grain quality in assessing O3 risks to crops.

A multi-scale integrative approach to study the impact of a common pesticide, the dimethoate, on a mangrove fiddler crab Tubuca urvillei.

At land-sea interface, mangroves are likely to be exposed to pesticides due to agricultural run-offs. In Mayotte Island (Comoros archipelago, Mozambique Channel), dimethoate (DMT) is found in high concentrations in tomatoes, but no data confirm its presence in mangroves. We aimed at screening the presence of DMT in three mangroves of Mayotte at different levels (highest point above crops, village, upstream mangrove, downstream mangrove) and assessing the impact of DMT coupled with reduced salinity on mangrove crab physiology. To do so, we performed 24-h exposures at sublethal concentrations (10 and 100µg L-1) corresponding to 100 × and 1000 × the environmental standard (no data exist on environmental concentrations), in seawater (SW) and diluted SW (dSW). We exposed male fiddler crab Tubuca urvillei, one of the most common fiddler crabs living in mangrove areas regularly flooded and exposed to agricultural run-offs. Different physiological endpoints were considered: behaviour, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, muscle energy metabolism, DNA oxidative damage and osmoregulatory capacity using hemolymph samples, posterior gills and claw muscle. We confirmed the presence of DMT in one mangrove and the effect of pesticide exposure at the different endpoints. Changes in behavioural and physiological parameters highlighted in this study could warn us of recent pesticide use upstream and help us understand past or future community-level changes in mangrove ecosystems affected by pesticide inputs.

Dimly illuminated nights alter behavior and negatively affect fat metabolism in adult male zebra finches.

This experiment investigated the effects of an ecologically relevant level of dim light at night (dLAN) on behavior, physiology and fat metabolism associated gene expressions in central and peripheral tissues of adult male zebra finches that were hatched and raised in 12:12h LD cycle (Ev, day = 150 ± 5lx; Ev, night = 0lx) at 22 ± 2°C temperature. Half of the birds (n = 8) were maintained on LD cycle and temperature, as before (control), to the other half of birds the 12h dark period was dimly illuminated at ~ 5lx (dim light at night, dLAN; Ev, day = 150 ± 5lx; Ev, night = ~ 5lx) for 6weeks. The exposure to dLAN altered the 24h activity and feeding patterns with enhanced activity and feeding at night. Birds under dLAN fattened and gained weight, and had higher night glucose levels. Concurrently, a negative effect of dLAN was found on mRNA expression of ppar-alpha and cd36 genes involved in the fat metabolism in the hypothalamus, intestine, liver and muscle. These results suggest a more global effect of dLAN exposure on obesity and perhaps long-term health risks due to obesity-related complications to diurnal animals including humans inhabiting an urbanized environment.

The Effect of Seeing Paintings or Photojournalistic Images Depicting Refugees on Their Infrahumanisation

Abstract Images are powerful cultural agents that can inform, shape and change the attitudes and behaviours of viewers. The ways in which marginalised groups are depicted in photographs shape people's attitudes towards them. For example, viewing photojournalistic images portraying refugees in large rather than small groups results in the infrahumanisation of refugees. However, the impact of artworks vs photojournalistic images depicting refugees on their infrahumanisation remains a key and unexplored topic. In this pre-registered study, we investigated whether viewing different types of visual images (e.g., paintings vs photographs) of refugees using distinct visual framings (e.g., large or small groups) influences viewers' infrahumanisation of refugees and the intensity and valence of the viewers' felt emotions. Contrary to our predictions, no evidence was found for an effect of visual framing (large vs small groups) and different image types (paintings vs photos) portraying refugees on their infrahumanisation. Moreover, and in line with our predictions, photojournalistic images were evaluated as more emotionally intense than paintings, whereas paintings rather than photojournalistic images engaged more positive emotions, demonstrating that different types of images involve distinct affective responses. Furthermore, exploratory findings revealed that increased positive appraisals of photojournalistic images depicting small groups rather than large groups led to greater humanisation of refugees. This suggests that positive emotions can decrease the infrahumanisation of marginalized groups, particularly when these are evoked by photojournalistic images. Overall, these findings shed new light on the effects of audience exposure to different forms of visual representation and their social and emotional consequences.

Long-term effects of sub-chronic exposure to L-NAME on reproductive system of male rats.

Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) has been utilized as a nitric oxide synthase antagonist for many years in both basic and clinical research settings to assess its therapeutic potential. Though a number of studies have shown the effect of L-NAME on testicular function, the information regarding the reversibility of these effects upon L-NAME withdrawal is limited. In the present study, male rats (68-80days old) divided randomly into three groups received different doses of L-NAME, i.e. 20mg/kg bw (L20) and 10mg/kg bw (L10) in drinking water, and drinking water only (control) through oral gavage daily for three weeks. The rats were monitored for and sacrificed after 60days of L-NAME treatment termination. The animals had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) mean blood pressure compared to control. Aberrant histological changes were observed in the testes of L-NAME-treated rats. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the sperm count and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology (p < 0.05) was observed in L-NAME treated rats. Moreover, the spermatogenic cycle was found to be altered in L-NAME treated rats. No change was observed in serum estradiol levels, while serum testosterone levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in L10 and L20 animals. The intra-testicular testosterone was increased significantly (p < 0.01) in L20 animals. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase activity was observed in L20 animals. The sub-chronic exposure to L-NAME resulted in higher mean arterial blood pressure and long-term testicular tissue damage, affecting sperm quality and spermatogenesis.

Ecotoxicological effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) ontogeny: a study on antioxidant system, oxidative stress and cholinergic system.

Brazil is an important global agricultural producer and to increase production the country has extensively used glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), surpassing consumption and sales records. Consequently, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of GBH on ecosystems and non-target organisms. Thus, the effects of GBH exposure were evaluated throughout the cricket Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis ontogeny, with five developmental stages. Each period contained 3 control and 3 treated boxes, with 15 crickets each, resulting in 90 insects at a time. The control groups received water, while the treated ones were continuously exposed to GBH (0.864 mg.GBH.L-1), with the solutions changed every 48 h. After each exposure time the crickets' group were euthanized to assess the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GST, GR, GPx, and CAT), cholinergic enzymes (ChE), and lipid peroxidation (LPO). The results revealed changes in the systems throughout different developmental phases. Specifically, CAT activity exhibited a significant increase during the nymphal phase, associated with the dismutation of hydrogen peroxide. The GBH increased GST, indicating its role in cellular detoxification, particularly during adulthood. In the senescence stage there was a considerable rise in ChE enzymes, suggesting their involvement in both, choline esters breakdown and potential pesticide detoxification. The action of these enzymes to effectively control lipid peroxidation shows the adaptability of this species to environmental contamination. These findings underscore the long-term effects of agrochemical pollution and emphasize the importance of sustainable practices, effective regulations, and alternative weed control methods.

Source-specific acute cardio-respiratory effects of ambient coarse particulate matter exposure in California’s Salton Sea region

Abstract Windblown dust is an ongoing air quality and public health concern among residents living around California’s Salton Sea. As particles emitted from different surface types can differ greatly in terms of composition and other properties, variability in the resulting health impacts of windblown particulates may likewise be source dependent. Here we use observed coarse particulate matter (PMc) concentrations and modeled atmospheric back trajectories along with land surface data to estimate individual source region contributions to particulates observed in the Salton Sea region. We then apply these data products to an analysis of source-specific acute cardio-respiratory impacts using a time-stratified case crossover design with conditional logistic regression based on 171,465 hospitalizations cases recorded from 2008 to 2019. Using a remote sensing chlorophyll-a data product, we further investigate the possible influence of periodic bloom events on those hospitalizations. Results suggest that a 10 g/m3 increase in coarse PM coming from over the Salton Sea is associated with a 8.6% (Risk Ratio, RR = 1.086, 95% CI: 1.028 - 1.147) increased risk of respiratory hospitalizations; increases that are greater than those for dust likely originating from other surface types. Furthermore, we find even higher RR values for dust associated with Salton Sea back trajectories during bloom events: a 24.9% (RR = 1.249 95% CI: 1.031 – 1.514) increased risk in respiratory hospitalization. Our findings suggest that exposure to aerosols potentially originating from the Salton Sea or surrounding surfaces is associated with increased respiratory, especially during observed bloom events. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for these health impacts, as well as possible primary or secondary preventive strategies.&amp;#xD; &amp;#xD;&amp;#xD;

The Hidden Dangers: E-Cigarettes, Heated Tobacco, and Their Impact on Oxidative Stress and Atherosclerosis—A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of the Evidence

Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have seen significant growth in sales and usage in recent years. Initially promoted as potentially less harmful alternatives to traditional tobacco, recent scientific evidence has raised serious concerns about the risks they pose, particularly in relation to atherosclerosis. While atherosclerosis has long been associated with conventional tobacco smoking, emerging research suggests that electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco may also contribute to the development of this condition and related cardiovascular complications. In a narrative review, we examined the potential effects of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. Several studies have shown that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco increase oxidative stress through the activation of enzymes such as NADPH oxidase. One of the primary effects of these products is their pro-thrombotic and pro-atherosclerotic impact on endothelial cells and platelets, which promotes inflammatory processes within the arteries. Furthermore, the chemicals found in electronic cigarette liquids may exacerbate inflammation and cause endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, through a systematic review, we analyzed the effects of chronic exposure to electronic and heated tobacco cigarettes on endothelial function, as assessed by brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Although electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco cigarettes are often perceived as safer alternatives to traditional smoking, they could still present risks to cardiovascular health. It is essential to raise public awareness about the potential dangers associated with these products and implement protective measures, particularly for young people.

Children's reliance on pointing and mutual exclusivity in word-referent mapping: The role of vocabulary and language exposure.

This study explored monolingual and multilingual two- to five-year-olds' reliance on a non-verbal and a verbal cue during word-referent mapping, in relation to vocabulary knowledge and, for the multilinguals, Dutch language exposure. Ninety monolingual and sixty-seven multilingual children performed a referential conflict experiment that pitted a non-verbal (pointing) cue and a verbal (mutual exclusivity) cue. Mixed-effect regressions showed no main effects of vocabulary and language exposure. An interaction between vocabulary and group showed that lower vocabulary scores were associated with a stronger reliance on pointing over mutual exclusivity for multilinguals (but not monolinguals). Furthermore, an interaction between vocabulary, language exposure, and cue word (novel vs. familiar label) indicated that multilinguals with lower exposure and lower vocabulary showed a stronger reliance on pointing over mutual exclusivity when a novel rather than familiar word was used. These findings suggest that multilingual and monolingual children go through different trajectories when learning to map words to referents.

Combined Effect of Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity on Skin Aging Phenotypes in the Era of Climate Change: Results From an Indian Cohort Study.

Background: There is no doubt that global warming, with its extreme heat events, is having an increasing impact on human health. Heat is not independent of ambient temperature but acts synergistically with relative humidity (RH) to increase the risk of several diseases, such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Although the skin is the organ in direct contact with the environment, it is currently unknown whether skin health is similarly affected. Objective: While mechanistic studies have demonstrated the mechanism of thermal aging, this is the first epidemiological study to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to heat index (HI) as a combined function of elevated ambient temperature and RH on skin aging phenotypes in Indian women. Methods: The skin aging phenotypes of 1510 Indian women were assessed using the Score of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Skin Aging (SCINEXA™) scoring tool. We used data on ambient temperature and RH, combined into an HI with solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and air pollution (particulate matter <2.5 µm [PM2.5]; nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) from secondary data sources with a 5-year mean residential exposure window. An adjusted ordinal multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the effects of HI on skin aging phenotypes. Results: HI increased pigmentation such as hyperpigmented macula on the forehead (odds ratios [OR]: 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.54) and coarse wrinkles such as crow's feet (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.30) and under-eye wrinkles (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.47). These associations were robust to the confounding effects of solar UVR and age. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, as indicated by high HI, contributes to skin aging phenotypes. Conclusion: Thus, ambient temperature and RH are important factors in assessing the skin aging exposome.

Clinical Impact and Safety Profile of Intravenous Lacosamide Administration as Adjunctive Therapy for Neonatal Seizures.

The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to evaluate the clinical impact and safety profile of lacosamide in neonates with symptomatic refractory seizures.Patients diagnosed with symptomatic refractory seizures who received lacosamide were included in the study. Follow-up assessments were conducted until 24 months of age, during which data on lacosamide dosage, duration of exposure, concurrent treatments, and potential side effects were collected. A total of eight patients were enrolled, with lacosamide administered as a third- or fourth-line treatment for symptomatic refractory seizures. Following loading dose, 62.5% of the patients achieved complete remission of seizure activity without recurrence. In the remaining cases, a reduction in seizure frequency was observed. No adverse effects attributable to lacosamide were reported.In conclusion, lacosamide may be effective in achieving seizure remission in newborns with symptomatic refractory seizures, and all patients demonstrate excellent tolerance. Brief exposure to lacosamide was sufficient, and no adverse effects were observed up to 24 months of age. However, randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings.

Is there a genetic relationship between blood glucose and osteoarthritis? A mendelian randomization study.

The relationship between blood glucose levels and osteoarthritis (OA) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the genetic causal relationship between blood glucose-related traits and OA. We first performed univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analyses using published genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets with fasting glucose (FG), 2h-glucose post-challenge glucose (2hGlu), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as exposures, and hip osteoarthritis (HOA) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) as outcomes; then, we performed inverse analyses of them. We used Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis as the primary analysis, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Moreover, we performed multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) to estimate the independent effect of exposure on outcome after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Summarized data for blood glucose-related traits were obtained from the MAGIC Consortium study of the glucose trait genome and for OA from the UK Biobank and arcOGEN. Summarized data for BMI were obtained from the GIANT Consortium meta-analysis of individuals of European ancestry. A two-sided p value < 0.05 in UVMR was considered suggestive of significance when p < 0.0167 (Bonferroni correction p = 0.05/3 exposures) was considered statistically significant. We found significant negative genetic causality of FG for HOA and KOA, and these associations remained significant after we adjusted for the effect of BMI [odds ratios (ORs) of 0.829 (0.687-0.999, p = 0.049) and 0.741 (0.570-0.964, p = 0.025)]. HbA1c also had an independent negative genetic causal effect on HOA after adjustment for BMI [0.665 (0.463-0.954, p = 0.027)]. At the same time, there was no evidence of reverse genetic causality of OA on blood glucose-related traits. We further elucidated the relationship between blood glucose-related traits and OA by adjusting for the effect of BMI from a genetic causal perspective. This study provides new insights to further clarify the relationship between blood glucose levels and OA, as well as the pathogenesis, etiology and genetics of OA.

Effects of different exposures to normobaric hypoxia on cognitive performance in healthy young adults.: Normobaric hypoxia and cognitive performance.

Normobaric hypoxia has become an innovative non-pharmacological therapy to treat cognitive dysfunction. Nevertheless, the acute effects of exposure to hypoxia on cognitive performance remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects of different normobaric hypoxic exposures on cognitive function in healthy young adults. Nineteen participants (13 men and 6 women; 23.7±3.9 years; 172.0±8.4 cm; 69.1±12.2 kg) completed a cross-over randomized control trial with the following doses of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2): a) 21%, b) 15%, c) 13% or d) 11%. During experimental trials, the physiological response (blood oxygen saturation and heart rate) and the following cognitive abilities were evaluated: memory, sustained attention, anticipation, and reaction time. Sustained attention improved under hypoxia at 15% FiO2 (mean difference (MD) 0.024, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.005 to 0.044 s; P=0.018) compared to 11% and 21% FiO2. During 11% and 15% FiO2, participants showed improved anticipation ability compared to normoxia (MD -0.023, 95% CI -0.042 to -0.003 s, P=0.020, and MD -0.009, 95% CI -0.016 to -0.001 s, P=0.022, respectively). However, reaction time was impaired under 11% compared to 21% FiO2 (MD 0.033, 95% CI 0.008 to 0.059 s, P=0.013). Finally, we did not find significant effects of hypoxia on memory (P>0.05). Severe normobaric hypoxic exposure (11% FiO2) produces detrimental effects on reaction time, although anticipation seems to be improved, compared to normoxia. In addition, cognitive processes of attention and anticipation appear to improve with moderate hypoxic exposure (15% FiO2).