Low to moderate dose 137Cs (γ) radiation promotes M2 type macrophage skewing and reduces atherosclerotic plaque CD68+ cell content in ApoE(-/-) mice.

The effects of low doses of ionizing radiation on atherosclerosis remain uncertain, particularly as regards the generation of pro- or anti-inflammatory responses, and the time scale at which such effects can occur following irradiation. To explore these phenomena, we exposed atheroprone ApoE(-/-) mice to a single dose of 0, 0.05, 0.5 or 1 Gy of 137Cs (γ) administered at a 10.35 mGy min-1 dose rate and evaluated short-term (1-10 days) and long-term consequences (100 days). Bone marrow-derived macrophages were derived from mice 1 day after exposure. Irradiation was associated with a significant skewing of M0 and M2 polarized macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, as demonstrated by an increased mRNA expression of Retnla, Arg1, and Chil3 in cells from mice exposed to 0.5 or 1 Gy compared with non-irradiated animals. Minimal effects were noted in M1 cells or M1 marker mRNA. Concurrently, we observed a reduced secretion of IL-1ß but enhanced IL-10 release from M0 and M2 macrophages. Effects of irradiation on circulating monocytes were most marked at day 10 post-exposure, when the 1 Gy dose was associated with enhanced numbers of both Ly6CHigh and Ly6Low cells. By day 100, levels of circulating monocytes in irradiated and non-irradiated mice were equivalent, but anti-inflammatory Ly6CLow monocytes were significantly increased in the spleen of mice exposed to 0.05 or 1 Gy. Long term exposures did not affect atherosclerotic plaque size or lipid content, as determined by Oil red O staining, whatever the dose applied. Similarly, irradiation did not affect atherosclerotic plaque collagen or smooth muscle cell content. However, we found that lesion CD68+ cell content tended to decrease with rising doses of radioactivity exposure, culminating in a significant reduction of plaque macrophage content at 1 Gy. Taken together, our results show that short- and long-term exposures to low to moderate doses of ionizing radiation drive an anti-inflammatory response, skewing bone marrow-derived macrophages towards an IL-10-secreting M2 phenotype and decreasing plaque macrophage content. These results suggest a low-grade athero-protective effect of low and moderate doses of ionizing radiation.

Use of electronic cigarettes among African American cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing rapidly in the United States, although the negative health outcomes associated with these products are still unknown. Emerging research has examined the use of e-cigarettes in the cancer survivor population as a whole, yet none has focused on e-cigarette use in the African American (AA) cancer survivor population. METHODS: The authors used data from the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors cohort study, comprised of AA adult cancer survivors. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors potentially associated with e-cigarette ever use and current use. RESULTS: Of 4443 cancer survivors who completed a baseline interview, 8.3% (n = 370) reported ever using e-cigarettes, and 16.5% (n = 61) of those reporting ever use also reported current use of e-cigarettes. Ever users and current users were on average younger than those who did not use e-cigarettes (57.5 vs. 61.2 years; p < .001). Current cigarette smokers were >20 times more likely (odds ratio, 20.75; 95% confidence interval, 12.84-33.55) and former smokers were almost 10 times more likely (odds ratio, 9.50; 95% confidence interval, 6.03-14.97) to have ever used e-cigarettes than never-smokers. Preliminary data suggested that ever use of e-cigarettes is associated with later stage at diagnosis for breast and colorectal cancers. CONCLUSIONS: As the use of e-cigarettes increases in the general population, it is important to continue to monitor their use in cancer survivors and to gain more insight as it pertains to the AA cancer survivor population. Elucidation of the factors associated with e-cigarette use in this population may help inform comprehensive cancer survivorship recommendations and interventions.

Lived Experience: A Case-Based Review of Trauma-Informed Hospice and Palliative Care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Many individuals who present for hospice or palliative care might have experienced trauma during their lives, with some progressing to post-traumatic stress disorder. As these individuals face life-limiting illness, trauma might resurface. Consequently, physical and emotional health might suffer due to exacerbation of trauma-related symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, or flashbacks. Providing trauma-informed care can help mitigate the effects of trauma for those facing life-limiting illness who might not be able to tolerate formal trauma treatment due to limited prognosis, fatigue, or lack of willingness to engage in treatment. The goal of this narrative review is to describe how aging and the end-of-life experience can lead to a re-engagement with previous traumatic experiences and, using case-based examples, provide recommendations for all members of the interprofessional hospice or palliative care team on how to elicit and respond to a history of trauma to minimize the potential negative impact of trauma at end-of-life.

Protection of nuclear DNA by lifespan-extending compounds in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

DNA damage has been hypothesized to be a driving force of the aging process. At the same time, there exists multiple compounds that can extend lifespan in model organisms, such as yeast, worms, flies, and mice. One possible mechanism of action for these compounds is a protective effect against DNA damage. We investigated whether five of these lifespan-extending compounds, dinitrophenol, metformin, rapamycin, resveratrol, and spermidine, could protect nuclear DNA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the same doses under which they confer lifespan extension. We found that rapamycin and spermidine were able to decrease the spontaneous mutation rate at the CAN1 locus, whereas dinitrophenol, metformin, and resveratrol were able to protect yeast against CAN1 mutations induced by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). We also tested whether these compounds could enhance survival against EMS, ultraviolet (UV) light, or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) insult. All five compounds conferred a protective effect against EMS, while metformin and spermidine protected yeast against UV light. Somewhat surprisingly, none of the compounds were able to afford a significant protection against H2O2, with spermidine dramatically sensitizing cells. We also examined the ability of these compounds to increase lifespan when growth-arrested by hydroxyurea; only spermidine was found to have a positive effect. Overall, our results suggest that lifespan-extending compounds may act in part by protecting nuclear DNA.

Ustilago species as a cause of central line-related blood stream infection.

Ustilago, commonly referred to as "corn smut," rarely causes human disease. Serious clinical infections caused by Ustilago species have been sparsely reported in medical literature. In this study, a case of central line infection caused by Ustilago species is presented.