Cardiovascular risk in fire academy instructors during live-fire simulation activity.

Firefighting is an extreme occupation with a risk of cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death due to strenuous physical exertion and psychological stress during fire suppression activity. This study aimed to investigate the vital signs (hemodynamic status) and biomarkers related to cardiac disease during live firefighting activity. In this pilot case-controlled study, seven firefighting training instructors performed a live-fire simulation for 40 min in a multi-storey training tower at the Gyenoggi-do Fire Service Academy Institute. Seven participants in the control group undertook similar exercises while wearing personal protective equipment. Cardiovascular evaluation, including vital signs and related biomarkers, was done before and after simulation until 24 h later. Nonparametric statistics were used to compare between the two groups and within the simulation group. After live-fire simulation, pulse pressure, heart rate (HR) and body temperature (BT) in the simulation group were higher than in the control group (pulse pressure 74.6 mmHg vs. 53.3 mmHg, HR 110 beats per minute (bpm) vs. 77 bpm, and BT 37.6 °C vs. 36.0 °C, P < 0.05 for all). Inflammatory cytokines (IL- 6), coagulation protein (fibrinogen), and stress hormones (cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone) were elevated immediately after live-fire simulation, and IL-6 and fibrinogen remained elevated until 24 h after the simulation (all P < 0.05). Our exploratory analysis found increased altered hemodynamic status and stress-related biomarkers in live-fire firefighting simulations compared to controls. These markers have the potential to be used to decrease cardiovascular risk for firefighters, and warrant further investigation.

L'attaque de feu est une activité épuisante physiquement et psychologiquement stressante augmentant le risque cardio-vasculaire dont la mort subite. Cette étude pilote cas-témoin avait pour but d'étudier l'état hémodynamique et les biomarqueurs de pathologie cardiaque pendant l'attaque de feu. Elle a été menée sur 7 instructeurs de l'institut de formation du service d'incendie de la province de Gyenoggi-do, pendant un exercice de 40 mn en conditions réelles dans la tour d'entraînement. Le groupe contrôle effectuait un effort similaire, avec la même tenue, hors incendie. Les évaluations clinique et biologique étaient réalisées préalablement puis pendant 24 h. Des tests non paramétriques ont été utilisés pour les comparaisons entre groupes et au sein des groupes. En conditions réelles, la température corporelle (37,6/36°C), la PAM (74,6/53,3) et la fréquence cardiaque (110/77) étaient statistiquement plus élevées (p<0,05) que dans le groupe contrôle. De la même manière, IL6, fibrinogène, cortisol et ACTH étaient plus élevées en conditions réelles, IL6 et fibrinogène restant élevés à h24. L'élévation de ces marqueurs cliniques et biologiques de risque cardio-vasculaire et de stress nécessitent une étude plus poussée avant leur utilisation éventuelle pour évaluer la prévention.

Production of secoisolariciresinol from defatted flaxseed by bacterial biotransformation.

AIMS: Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) is increasingly recognized for potential clinical application because of its preventive effects against breast and colon cancers, atherosclerosis and diabetes, and its production through biotransformation has been attempted. However, previously reported bacteria all required stringent anaerobic culture conditions, precluding large-scale production. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of bacteria that produce SECO under less stringent anaerobic culture conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using defatted flaxseed as raw material, we isolated a facultative anaerobic bacterium from human faeces that hydrolysed secoisolariciresinol diglucoside-3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid (SDG-HMGA) oligomers in flaxseed to produce SECO. Both conventional assays and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated its close relatedness with Bacteroides uniformis. The transformation efficiency of SDG in defatted flaxseed to SECO was more than 80% by this bacterial strain. We investigated factors that might influence fermentation, such as redox potential and pH, for large-scale fermentation of defatted flaxseed to produce SECO. CONCLUSIONS: The method to produce SECO through biotransformation of defatted flaxseed with this bacterial strain is highly efficient and economic. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This bacterial strain can transform SDG to SECO under less stringent anaerobic culture conditions, which will greatly facilitate industry-scale production of SECO.

Potentiating effects of L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers on pentobarbital-induced hypnosis are influenced by serotonergic system.

In order to elucidate the mechanism(s) behind the interactions between barbiturates and Ca(2+) antagonists, the effects of three structurally diverse types of Ca(2+) antagonists combined or not with 5-HT on pentobarbital-induced hypnosis in mice were investigated. The results showed that dihydropyridine derivative nifedipine (10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg, p.o.) and other types of Ca(2+) antagonist, verapamil (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, p.o.) and diltiazem (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, p.o.) increased both the sleeping time in hypnotic dosage of pentobarbital (45 mg/kg, i.p.) treated mice and the rate of sleep onset in the sub-hypnotic dosage of pentobarbital (28 mg/kg, i.p.) treated mice in a dose-dependent manner, respectively, and these effects were significantly augmented by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the immediate precursor of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, significantly decreased pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and nifedipine (10.0 mg/kg, p.o.), verapamil (5.0 mg/kg, p.o.) and diltiazem (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) abolished this effect. From these results, it should be presumed that the augmentative effect of L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers on pentobarbital-induced sleep may be influenced by serotonergic system.

Fangchinoline inhibited the antinociceptive effect of morphine in mice.

Fangchinoline (FAN), a non-specific calcium antagonist, is a major alkaloidal component of the creeper Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (or fenfangji). It has been shown to possess antagonistic activity on morphine-induced antinociception in mice. This study was undertaken to assess the antagonistic mechanism. The results demonstrated that FAN (IP) attenuated morphine (SC)-induced antinociception in a dose-dependent manner with significant effect at doses of 30 and 60mg/kg body wt. (IP) in the tail-flick test but not the tail-pinch tests, carried out in mice. This antagonism was abolished by pretreatment with a serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, IP), but not by pretreatment with a noradrenaline precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, IP) in the tail-flick test. On the other hand, the development of morphine-induced analgesic tolerance was not prevented by FAN. These results suggest that the serotonergic pathway may be involved in the antagonism of morphine-induced antinociception by FAN and, in agreement with other reports, also indicates the possible dissociation of the morphine analgesic effect from its tolerance-development mechanism.

[Regulation of SWS by hormones and cytokines].

SWS is the most important component of sleep. (1) VLPO-TMN seems to generate sleep and wakefulness. The rostral basal forebrain, which was defined as PGD2-SPZ, may be involved in regulation of sleep. (2) PGD2 promotes sleep, especially SWS, while PGE2 prolongs wakefulness and depresses both SWS and REMS. (3) During SWS the activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortic axis is inhibited, while the release of growth hormone is accelerated. The soporific effects of melatonin may be attributed to its hypothermic effects. (4) Interleukin-1 prolongs sleep, especially SWS, which seems to be mediated by PGD2. Tumor necrosis factor (TFN) may promote SWS through 5-HT and its receptor. Therefore, the development of new hypnotics, which selectively prolong SWS, might follow the following ways: PGD2 and chemicals which act like PGD2; immuno-regulators; substances with effects on 5-HT receptors; hormone, such as melatonin and growth hormone, which play roles in the physiological regulation on sleep-wakefulness.

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor in the serum of patients with cervical carcinoma.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in a variety of malignancies, including breast, lung, gastric, and cervical carcinoma. Its overexpression has been associated with disease progression or poor prognosis in patients with cervical carcinoma. In the present study, the levels of EGFR were determined in serum from 38 patients with cervical carcinoma [invasive or recurrent carcinoma (n = 26) and carcinoma in situ (CIS; n = 12)] and 38 healthy female controls using ELISA. The mean serum level for EGFR in patients with invasive or recurrent carcinoma (165 +/- 60 fmol/ml) was significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) compared with that of healthy controls (66 +/- 17 fmol/ml) and also higher (P = 0.015) than that of patients with CIS (126 +/- 25 fmol/ml). In addition, there was a significant difference in the mean serum levels of EGFR between patients with CIS and healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Thirty-five patients (92%) with cervical carcinoma [invasive or recurrent (n = 24) and CIS (n = 11)] had elevated serum, EGFR levels above the cutoff value of 100 fmol/ml (defined as 2 SD above the mean of the controls). In conclusion, the serum EGFR level was elevated in a significant proportion of patients with cervical carcinoma, and it demonstrated an increasing tendency according to disease progression from normal tissue through CIS to invasive cervical carcinoma. Therefore, it may have a potential usefulness as a biological marker of cervical carcinoma.

[Stimulative effect of electro-blunt-tip needle on the points of human skin and its analgesia in rats].

The stimulative effect of electro-blunt-tip needle (a kind of electroacupuncture stimulating on the surface of skin point) on the 120 points of human skin was observed in 12 healthy volunteers. It was shown that the substitute typical electro-blunt-tip needle stimulator and its special pen-like electrode by a general electroacupuncture stimulator and a tape-like adjustable electrode and similar therapeutic effects. It was found in animal experiment that the pain threshold determined with rat tail flick analgesia method was raised by electroacupuncture and electro-blunt-tip needle, the optimal stimulating time being 10-20 minutes for both, the percentages of the maximal changing pain threshold being 206.6% and 175.4%, and the corresponding voltage being 2v and 7v respectively.

[Studies on antidepressant effects of several overshort peptides (OSP)].

The antidepressant effects of 5 OSP (TRH, KTP, CHP, gamma DGG, and AGF) were studied with two behavior despair models in mice. Only CHP was shown to decrease the spontaneous motor activity of mice, the others almost showed no effect in open field test. TRH significantly shortened the immobility produced by tail suspension test and the persistent immobility produced by cornea electrostimulation test. This indicates that the antidepressant characteristic of TRH is very similar to amitriptyline or that amitriptyline exerts its antidepressant effect by affecting TRH in CNS.

[Effects of biologically active peptides on the giant neurons of the giant African snail, Achatina fulica Férussac]. / Effets des peptides biologiquement actifs sur les neurones géants de l'escargot géant africain, Achatina fulica Férussac.

Effects of neuropeptides proposed as neurotransmitters of mammals and invertebrates and those of natural toxins, etc., on the identifiable giant neurones of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac) were examined. Oxytocin had a tendency to show the excitatory effects; this substance was excitatory on five neurones and inhibitory on one neurone. A substance related to oxytocin, vasotocin, also showed excitatory effects on the three neurones. On the other hand, FMR Famide was inhibitory on six neurones. Proctolin had excitatory effects on only one neurone.

Effects of catecholamine and monophenolamine agonists on identifiable giant neurones, sensitive to these amines, of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

The effects of 23 substances proposed as catecholamine (CA) and monophenolamine (MA) agonists were tested on the five CA-sensitive neurones, periodically oscillating neurone (PON), tonically autoactive neurone (TAN), left-visceral multiple spike neurone (1-VMN), dorsal-right pedal autoactive neurone (d-RPeAN) and visceral intermittently firing neurone (VIN), and the three MA-sensitive neurones, frequently autoactive neurone (FAN), dorsal-left pedal large neurone (d-LPeLN) and dorsal-left cerebral distinct neurone (d-LCDN), of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). Of these neurones, PON, VIN and d-LPeLN were excited by the most effective catecholamine or monophenolamine, i.e. dopamine, epinine or DL-octopamine, whereas TAN, 1-VMN, d-RPeAN, FAN and d-LCDN were inhibited by the same substances. Of the five CA-sensitive neurones, PON and VIN were markedly excited by ergometrine (effective potency quotients (EPQs) of these substances as compared with the effective potency of the most effective catecholamine or monophenolamine for these neurones: 3.0 for PON, 1.0 for VIN), methylergometrine (EPQs: 3.0 for PON, 0.3 for VIN) and mescaline (EPQs: 0.3 for PON, 1.0 for VIN). These two neurones were excited slightly by DL-metaraminol (EPQs: 0.03 for both neurones) and DL-neosynephrine (EPQs: 0.03 for PON, 0.1 for VIN); VIN was also slightly sensitive to 3-methoxytyramine (EPQ: 0.03). TAN and 1-VMN were inhibited by ergometrine (EPQs: 1.0 for TAN, 0.3 for 1-VMN) and methylergometrine (EPQs: 0.3 for TAN, 0.1 for 1-VMN), whereas d-RPeAN was inhibited slightly only by DL-neosynephrine (EPQ: 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histological and pharmacological investigations of the two symmetrically situated giant neurons, RPeNLN and LPeNLN, identified on the anterior surface of the pedal ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

Morphological and pharmacological investigations were made of two giant neurons, RPeNLN (right pedal nerve large neuron) and LPeNLN (left pedal nerve large neuron), situated symmetrically on the anterior surface of the pedal ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). The two neurons (about 250-300 microns in diameter) were the largest ones identified in the ganglia of the snail species. The axonal pathways of the two neurons were symmetrical; of their four main axonal branches, the three main branches innervated the ipsilateral pedal nerves, whereas the last main branch projected to the contralateral pedal nerves. The pharmacological features of the two neurons were very similar. Both were inhibited markedly by dopamine [minimum effective concentrations (MECs): 3 X 10(-6)-10(-5) M], DL-octopamine (MECs: 2 X 10(-6)-2 X 10(-5) M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (MEC: 3 X 10(-6) M), GABA (MEC: 3 X 10(-4) M), L-homocysteic acid (MECs: 3 X 10(-5)-10(-4) M) and erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (MEC: 3 X 10(-5) M). Acetylcholine showed varied effects, either excitatory or inhibitory, on the two neurons examined. No substances were found to have any marked excitatory effects on the neurons.

Effects of catecholamines, monophenolamines and phenylamines on identifiable giant neurons of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

The effects of catecholamines, monophenolamines and phenylamines on eight identifiable giant neurons of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac) were examined to classify these neurons into several categories according to their sensitivities to the various substances. The five neurons, PON (periodically oscillating neuron), TAN (tonically autoactive neuron), 1-VMN (left-visceral multiple spike neuron), d-RPeAN (dorsal-right pedal autoactive neuron) and VIN (visceral intermittent firing neuron), were sensitive to catecholamines. Of these neurons, PON was excited most markedly by dopamine (dopamine-sensitive); TAN, 1-VMN and d-RPeAN were inhibited most markedly by epinine (epinine-sensitive); and VIN was excited equally by the four catecholamines, dopamine, epinine, L-noradrenaline and L-adrenaline (widely sensitive). The three other neurons, FAN (frequently autoactive neuron), d-LPeLN (dorsal-left pedal large neuron) and d-LCDN (dorsal-left cerebral distinct neuron) were sensitive to monophenolamines. DL-Octopamine was the most inhibitory on FAN and d-LCDN, but was the most excitatory on d-LPeLN. DL-Synephrine had the same but somewhat weaker effects on the three neurons as did DL-octopamine. The three phenylamines, L-phenylalanine, beta-phenylethylamine and DL-beta-phenylethanolamine, had no effect on any of the eight neurons examined.

Pharmacological characteristics of four giant neurons identified in the cerebral ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

Two giant neurons, d-RCDN (dorsal-right cerebral distinct neuron) and d-LCDN (dorsal left cerebral distinct neuron), with a diameter of about 100 microns, were found symmetrically on the dorsal surface of the cerebral ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). They showed spontaneous spike discharges at a stable frequency. Two giant neurons, v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neuron) and v-LCDN (ventral-left cerebral distinct neuron), (diameter, approx. 150 microns) were identified on the ventral surface of the same ganglia. No spontaneous spike discharges were evident. Both d-RCDN and d-LCDN were equally inhibited by dopamine, octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine. Acetylcholine sometimes showed inhibitory effects, but they were not so stable. No substance having excitatory effects on the neurons was found. Both v-RCDN and v-LCDN were equally excited by octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABA and acetylcholine and inhibited by dopamine and beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid.

Identification and pharmacological characteristics of the two giant neurons, v-RPLN and v-VNAN, on the ventral surface in the suboesophageal ganglia of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

Two giant neurons, v- RPLN (ventral-right parietal large neuron) and v- VNAN (ventral-visceral noisy autoactive neuron), were identified on the ventral surface in the caudal part of the suboesophageal ganglia of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica F erussac ), and their pharmacological features to the common putative neurotransmitters and their related substances were examined. The giant neuron examined, v- RPLN , is situated in front of the exit of the right anterior pallial nerve in the right parietal ganglion. The neuron, which is 250-300 microns in diameter, one of the largest neurons in the ganglia, was usually silent without spontaneous firing. The neuron was excited by L-norepinephrine (L-NE), DL-octopamine (DL-OA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), L-homocysteic acid (L-HCA) and erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (erythro-L- BHGA ); and inhibited by dopamine (DA), GABA, acetylcholine (Ach) and its related substances. Another giant neuron examined, v- VNAN , is situated very close to the right side of the exit of the right posterior pallial nerve in the visceral ganglion. The neuron is elliptical and about 150 micron in diameter. It showed spontaneous firing highly modified by the synaptic influences. DA, 5-HT, glycine (Gly), GABA and its related substances, L-HCA, erythro-L- BHGA , and Ach and its related substances all had the direct (not via synaptic influences) excitatory effects on the neuromembrane examined. Some of them, for example, L-NE, 5-HT and Ach and its related substances caused transient excitation of the neuron, probably due to the synaptic influences, immediately after their application. No substance producing any inhibition of the neuron could be found in the present study.

Identification of three further giant neurons, r-APN, INN and FAN, in the caudal part on the dorsal surface of the suboesophageal ganglia of Achatina fulica Férussac.

In addition to the neurons of Achatina fulica Férussac examined previously, three more giant neurons, r-APN (right-anterior pallial neurons), INN (intestinal nerve neuron) and FAN (frequently autoactive neuron), were identified in the suboesophageal ganglia of the same animal. R-APN (200-250 microns in diameter), the somatic membrane of which was usually silent, was found near the exit of the right anterior pallial nerve in the right parietal ganglion. The most important feature in identifying the neuron is the one-by-one correspondence of somatic spikes to impulses in the right anterior pallial and the left anterior pallial nerves. R-APN was excited markedly by dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, L-homocysteic acid, erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid and acetylcholine, and inhibited by GABA. INN (150-200 microns in diameter), which was also silent, was situated near the intestinal nerve in the visceral ganglion. INN somatic spikes corresponded to the impulses in the intestinal nerve. INN was excited by 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine. Acetylcholine had biphasic effects (inhibitory followed by slight excitatory). FAN (100-150 microns in diameter), showing frequent spike discharges, about 60-120/min, was situated somewhat further from the exit of the left posterior pallial nerve in the visceral ganglion. No clear correspondence was observed between the FAN somatic spikes and impulses of any nerves. FAN was excited by 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABA and acetylcholine, and inhibited by octopamine and erythro-beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid.