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Fragmented nucleic acids are potent stimulators for inflammatoryresponses provoking pathological outcomes by activating adaptive immunity.In this study, highly cationic surfaces were prepared on electrospunnanofibrous meshes to scavenge nucleic acids to the surfaces. Poly(ε-caprolactone)[PCL]-poly(ethylenimine) [PEI] block copolymers were synthesized bycoupling the carboxyl-terminated PCL to the primary amines of branchedPEI. Polymeric solutions composed of PCL–PEI and PCL were electrospunto nanofibrous mats, and the surfaces were further methylated to preparehighly cationic surfaces on the mats. Raman spectroscopy revealedthat the presence of increased methylated amines on the surfaces ofthe mats compared to unmodified mats. The methylated surfaces showedsignificant increases of wettability after methylation, suggestinghighly charged surfaces caused by methylation of the primary amines.When the blend ratio of PCL–PEI was increased, the scavengedDNA was also increased, and the methylation further strengthened thescavenging ability of the mats. Fluorescently labeled oligodeoxynucleicacids were significantly adsorbed on the surface of the mats dependingon the amounts of PCL–PEI and the degree of methylation. Inthe presence of the methylated nanofibrous mats, inflammatory responsesinduced by CpG oligonucleotides in murine macrophages were significantlyreduced, which was confirmed by measuring inflammatory cytokine levelsincluding TNF-α and IFN-γ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study surveyed physical, chemical, and biological parameters in a dammed pool in comparison to those of the adjacent main stream. Because the dammed pool in this study was a unique zone formed by a slit check dam, the properties of the pool and the main stream could be considered representative of the conditions with and without a slit check dam, respectively. Data were collected in the dammed pool and in the reach of the main stream above the slit check dam in the Wasada Stream, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The dammed pool exhibited a lower velocity and finer substrate than those of the main stream. In addition, the water temperature in the dammed pool was slightly higher than in the main stream. Dissolved Oxygen and Chemical Oxygen Demand in the pool were lower than the allowable standards for water pollution. The pool exhibited worse biological indices of water quality than the main stream. Out of a total of 18 taxa found in the stream, only 5 taxa were found in the dammed pool. Most individuals in the dammed pool belonged to the genus Chironomus, which tends to colonize heavily polluted sites. According to these various indicators, the water quality of the dammed pool was lower than that of the main stream. The longest durations of the presence of the dammed pool mainly occurred during snowmelt and during the rainy season. The average duration of the presence of the dammed pool was calculated as 14 days. The dammed pool exhibited a short-duration cycle of formation and extinction according to seasonal variations in water discharge. This cycle reduces the negative effects of the pool on water quality. Therefore, the dammed pool has a minimal negative effect on restoration of the entire reach of the Wasada Stream. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of hazardous materials and combustion products during operational and training activities, as well as in fire stations. However, exposure to diesel exhaust emissions, classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is also present in the fire station environment. In this study, concentrations of elemental carbon (EC), which is a surrogate of diesel exhaust and indoor air pollutants, has been measured to compare the effect of an exhaust reduction system (ERS) that was installed in the engine bays of two fire stations to mitigate indoor air pollution levels in the garage, duty offices, and dormitory/shower areas. The levels of most pollutants were reduced after the installation of the ERS. Pollutants may disperse inside of fire stations. Therefore, the ERS is a valuable strategy to mitigate pollutant exposure among firefighters and outdoor air pollution using the filtration ability of an ERS. The results of this study suggest that all truck bays should install an ERS to reduce pollutant exposure and that installation is especially necessary for EURO 3 fire vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]