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Environmental pollution can promote oxidative stress by exposing the body to various elements and substances that generate free radicals, such as lead and vanadium. These free radicals can negatively impact the respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, and neurological systems of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases. To prevent or reduce oxidative stress, it is recommended to consume a balanced diet rich in natural antioxidants. These antioxidants can be found in various foods, especially in fruits and vegetables with intense colors, seeds, and spices. In recent decades, the effectiveness of consuming natural antioxidants such as resveratrol (found in wine), coffee, curcumin, garlic, vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea has been demonstrated. These antioxidants have beneficial effects on the body, including the protection of cell membranes, regulation of gene expression associated with inflammation, prevention or reduction of endothelial damage, and the decrease or diminished severity of neurodegeneration, liver, and pulmonary disorders. Additionally, they stimulate the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sosiologia is the property of Westermarck Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related health conditions result from a complex interaction of genetic, neural and environmental factors, with differential impacts across the lifespan. From its inception, the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) has focused on the importance of brain function as it relates to the risk and consequences of alcohol use and AUD, through the examination of noninvasively recorded brain electrical activity and neuropsychological tests. COGA's sophisticated neurophysiological and neuropsychological measures, together with rich longitudinal, multi‐modal family data, have allowed us to disentangle brain‐related risk and resilience factors from the consequences of prolonged and heavy alcohol use in the context of genomic and social‐environmental influences over the lifespan. COGA has led the field in identifying genetic variation associated with brain functioning, which has advanced the understanding of how genomic risk affects AUD and related disorders. To date, the COGA study has amassed brain function data on over 9871 participants, 7837 with data at more than one time point, and with notable diversity in terms of age (from 7 to 97), gender (52% female), and self‐reported race and ethnicity (28% Black, 9% Hispanic). These data are available to the research community through several mechanisms, including directly through the NIAAA, through dbGAP, and in collaboration with COGA investigators. In this review, we provide an overview of COGA's data collection methods and specific brain function measures assessed, and showcase the utility, significance, and contributions these data have made to our understanding of AUD and related disorders, highlighting COGA research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Magyar Gerontológia is the property of University of Debrecen and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Facial attractiveness plays a significant role in interpersonal interactions, influencing various aspects of life. This study is the first to explore, from a neurological perspective, the impact of facial attractiveness on individual cooperative behavior in the context of the Stag Hunt game. 26 participants took part in a two-person Stag Hunt experimental task while their electroencephalogram (EEG) data was recorded. Participants had to decide whether to cooperate with or to defect from a virtual partner in the game, with photos of these partners (high or low attractiveness) shown before the decision. Analysis of the behavioral data indicates that faces with high attractiveness can promote individual cooperative behavior. EEG data analysis revealed that during the facial stimulus presentation phase, low attractiveness faces elicited more negative N2 amplitudes, smaller LPP amplitudes, and larger alpha oscillations compared to high attractiveness faces. During the outcome feedback phase, high attractiveness faces elicited smaller FRN amplitudes, larger P300 amplitudes, and stronger theta oscillations than low attractiveness faces, while loss feedback elicited more negative FRN amplitudes, smaller P300 amplitudes, and larger theta oscillations than gain feedback. These findings indicate that the processing of facial attractiveness occurs early and automatically, and it also influences individuals' evaluation of behavioral outcomes.

The tungsten erosion within Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) assuming tungsten main wall and tungsten divertor has been estimated with ERO at the inner and outer divertor, at the inner and outer midplane and at the outboard baffle entrance. Plasma parameters are based on SOLPS simulations applying argon puffing for edge cooling. The plasma parameter range covers peak electron temperatures T _e between 3 and 25 eV in the divertor. At the inner midplane T _e ∼ 13 eV, at the outer midplane ∼7 eV and at the outboard baffle entrance between 1 eV and 4 eV. The modelled peak gross erosion is highest in the divertor with up to 1E19 W m ^−2 s ^−1 within the inner and 7E19 W m ^−2 s ^−1 in the outer one for the plasma parameter range studied. At the main wall the gross erosion is about 2E18 W m ^−2 s ^−1 at the inner midplane and 1.3E17 W m ^−2 s ^−1 at the outer one. However, tungsten deposition within the divertor is much larger with amounts between 88% and 98% and only between 10% and 60% at the midplane. At all locations studied, tungsten erosion due to deuterium ions is negligibly small compared to the erosion by argon ions. Erosion due to deuterium atoms has been studied for the outer midplane and is there at least four times smaller than the erosion due to argon ions. The simulations have been performed considering singly ionised Ar. However, according to the SOLPS runs the mean charge of Ar impinging the surfaces is about two at the locations of largest erosion, which leads to an increase of the gross erosion by a factor between 1.5 and 5 with the largest increase occurring at the outer divertor target.

Copyright of Revista do Instituto de Laticínios Cândido Tostes is the property of Revista do Instituto de Laticinios Candido Tostes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, quantitative variables derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG) attract an increasing interest for the evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases, as EEG registers the neuro-electric activity with a high temporal resolution and provides a cost-effective and easily accessible, non-invasive method. Event-related oscillations (EROs) as oscillatory responses in the EEG to specific events further provide the possibility to track the cognitive decline in a task-specific manner. Current study in search for potential ERO biomarkers to distinguish different stages of cognitive decline along the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) continuum re-analyzed a combined set of data collected and analyzed in previous studies by Başar and coworkers. Target responses of a visual oddball experiment recorded from 33 AD patients, 46 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients and 48 age, gender, and education matched normal elderly controls were analyzed for both evoked (phase-locked) and total (phase-locked + non-phase-locked) ERO powers in delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma bands by applying continuous wavelet transform (WT) on averaged and single trial data, respectively. The cluster-based nonparametric permutation test implemented in the FieldTrip toolbox revealed significant differences among the three groups. While the total delta and theta responses already significantly declined in the MCI stage with further spatial expansion of the decline in AD, the evoked delta response reached a statistically significant reduction level in the AD stage. We obtained no significant difference among groups for alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands. These results suggest that total delta and theta EROs to oddball targets may be useful for early detection of the disease in MCI stage, while the evoked delta response allows detecting the conversion to AD. • The total delta and theta responses decline in the MCI phase. • The evoked delta response was specifically affected in the AD phase. • Total delta and theta EROs to oddball targets may be useful for early detection of the MCI. • Evoked delta response allows detecting the conversion to AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo: As vitaminas são compostos orgânicos necessários em poucas quantidades no organismo, todavia indispensáveis para as funções metabólicas. Elas se inserem em inúmeras reações metabólicas, fisiológicas e imunes das células, necessárias para a manutenção da saúde animal, além de atuarem como imunoestimulante. Embora a dieta rica em folhagens verdes frescas forneça quantidades suficientes de vitaminas A, D e E a suplementação intensiva com alimentos conservados na forma de feno ou silagem pode reduzir em até 50 % dos teores destas vitaminas no alimento. Diante disso, a proposta do trabalho foi verificar se a administração parenteral de vitaminas A, D e E age como imunoestimulante em garrotes estabulados e alimentados exclusivamente com feno de tifton. Para tanto 14 bovinos foram divididos em dois grupos homogêneos, sendo o grupo S, suplementado com vitamina A, D e E em dose única de 30 mL por via intramuscular; e o grupo C, sem suplementação. Ambos os grupos foram alojados em baias parcialmente privadas de sol, e alimentados com feno por um período de três meses. A avaliação imune foi realizada por hemogramas e ensaio de função leucocitária (metabolismo oxidativo e fagocitose) nos momentos antes do tratamento, três e dez dias após os tratamentos. Tendo em vista que a suplementação com polivitamínicos A, D e E aumentou a porcentagem da atividade de células granulocítica e a intensidade da atividade de células mononucleares, além de intensificar o efeito antioxidante prolongando a sobrevida de hemácias e neutrófilos, conclui-se que esta suplementação promoveu efeito benéfico na resposta imune de bezerros da Raça Holandesa, apesar dos efeitos deletérios da alimentação exclusiva com feno e da privação parcial da incidência solar direta.

The P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP) is a well investigated phenomenon in the human electroencephalogram (EEG) and has been related to stimulus processing and attentional mechanisms. Event-related oscillations (ERO) represent a potential mechanism responsible for generating the ERP. In particular, oscillatory activity in the delta and theta frequency range has been associated with the generation of the P300 component. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is capable of modulating oscillatory brain activity in a frequency-specific manner. In this study, we aimed to modulate P300 amplitude using tACS by stimulating the individual ERO involved in the generation of the P300 component. TACS was applied precisely in time to the target P300 occurring in a visual oddball task. In order to achieve an appropriate current distribution, we designed an electrode configuration consisting of two clusters of stimulation electrodes on central-parietal locations. We could not demonstrate a group difference in P300 amplitude after applying tACS in the stimulation condition (N = 17) vs. the sham condition (N = 11). TACS condition and sham condition did not differ regarding their reaction times in response to target stimuli or their event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) at stimulation frequency. Although a significant influence of stimulation could not yet be revealed on a statistical level, we suggest that the proposed method of using tACS for modulating EROs merits further investigation. Modulation of the P300 component in the ERP could help to gain further insights in the role of EROs generating ERPs and the functional relevance of the P300 component. In this study, we propose a novel approach of applying tACS and provide advice on using tACS for the modulation of EROs.

Spittlebugs is considered the main pest insect in sugar cane, this due to mechanical damage caused by the insertion of its stylet in the leaves. This research is focused on the response of the plant to the presence of said hemiptera, which involves the production of callose expressing β-glucans and high presence of reactive oxygen species (ERO) with the reaction of peroxides. These cause cell deaths in the damaged area and limit cell damage. In this document, the presence of callose and ERO is expressed in sugarcane seedlings subjected to spittlebugs infestations. The tissues of the damaged leaves were treated with fluorescent dyes such as aniline blue fluorochrome that adheres to the (1-3) β-glucans of the callose and the CM-H2DCFDA that binds to the intracellular glutathione of ERO by the presence of peroxides. This expression was measured in nanometers based on the intensity of fluorescence expressed by the presence of β-glucans (700 to 7 000 nm) and peroxides expressed between 1 000 to 6 400 nm. These results reveal the real damage caused by the insect's stylet on the leaf and its effects on the surface and inside the leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP) is a well investigated phenomenon in the human electroencephalogram (EEG) and has been related to stimulus processing and attentional mechanisms. Event-related oscillations (ERO) represent a potential mechanism responsible for generating the ERP. In particular, oscillatory activity in the delta and theta frequency range has been associated with the generation of the P300 component. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is capable of modulating oscillatory brain activity in a frequency-specific manner. In this study, we aimed to modulate P300 amplitude using tACS by stimulating the individual ERO involved in the generation of the P300 component. TACS was applied precisely in time to the target P300 occurring in a visual oddball task. In order to achieve an appropriate current distribution, we designed an electrode configuration consisting of two clusters of stimulation electrodes on central-parietal locations. We could not demonstrate a group difference in P300 amplitude after applying tACS in the stimulation condition (N = 17) vs. the sham condition (N = 11). TACS condition and sham condition did not differ regarding their reaction times in response to target stimuli or their event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) at stimulation frequency. Although a significant influence of stimulation could not yet be revealed on a statistical level, we suggest that the proposed method of using tACS for modulating EROs merits further investigation. Modulation of the P300 component in the ERP could help to gain further insights in the role of EROs generating ERPs and the functional relevance of the P300 component. In this study, we propose a novel approach of applying tACS and provide advice on using tACS for the modulation of EROs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening test for alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients has been of subjective nature and could be misleading in particular cases such as a misreporting the actual quantity of alcohol intake. Although the neuroimaging modality such as electroencephalography (EEG) has shown promising research results in achieving objectivity during the screening and diagnosis of AUD patients. However, the translation of these findings for clinical applications has been largely understudied and hence less clear. This study advocates the use of EEG as a diagnostic and screening tool for AUD patients that may help the clinicians during clinical decision making. In this context, a comprehensive review on EEG-based methods is provided including related electrophysiological techniques reported in the literature. More specifically, the EEG abnormalities associated with the conditions of AUD patients are summarized. The aim is to explore the potentials of objective techniques involving quantities/features derived from resting EEG, event-related potentials or event-related oscillations data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The developmental trajectories of theta band (4–7 Hz) event-related oscillations (EROs), a key neurophysiological constituent of the P3 response, were assessed in 2170 adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 25. The theta EROs occurring in the P3 response, important indicators of neurocognitive function, were elicited during the evaluation of task-relevant target stimuli in visual and auditory oddball tasks. Associations between the theta EROs and genotypic variants of 4 KCNJ6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to vary with age, sex, scalp location, and task modality. Three of the four KCNJ6 SNPs studied here were found to be significantly associated with the same theta EROs in adults in a previous family genome wide association study. Since measures of the P3 response have been found to be a useful endophenotypes for the study of a number of clinical and behavioral disorders, studies of genetic effects on its development in adolescents and young adults may illuminate neurophysiological factors contributing to the onset of these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in the injury and death of sensitive plants treated with auxin herbicides. However, their precise role in the phytotoxicity of these compounds has not been completely elucidated. ROS might not only be essential for inducing epinasty, senescence, and tumours, but they might be crucial to the generation of ethylene, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid, which are known to be triggered upon application of these compounds. Also, the main sources of ROS overproduction and their subcellular location in plants treated with auxin herbicides have not yet been clarified. Recent studies have suggested a role for xanthine oxidase (XOD) (which produces superoxide radical () and has activity related to nucleic acid catabolism) and for peroxisomes in the oxidative stress and senescence induced by auxin herbicides in the leaves of sensitive plants. However, confirmatory studies at the molecular level are still needed, as well as studies on the possible involvement of other hormones, such as gibberellins, cytokinins, and polyamines, and their corresponding crosstalk with ROS, in the mode of action of auxin herbicides. The results from these studies could not only help to clarify the mechanism of phytotoxicity of these compounds, but also to enable the design of ecologically safer herbicides for agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subsolidus phase relations of the CaO-REO-CuO systems (RE = Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Lu and Sc) were investigated in air at 900 °C. The pseudo-ternary sections with RE = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Lu have a similar structure. They have in common with the RE = Eu system a solid solution of CaRECuO composition but the system with RE = Eu differs by the presence of an EuCuO phase instead of RECuO for RE = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Lu. In contrast, the CaO-ScO-CuO section does not contain a CaScCuO solid solution and is dominated by the CaScO phase, which has no equivalent in the other systems at 900 °C in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This study compared sensorimotor alpha and beta brain oscillations in young and older adults, to examine their functional distinctness and susceptibility to aging. Methods Electroencephalographic data were compared between young (age 23 ± 3) and older adults (age 64 ± 7) in terms of event-related spectral perturbation in alpha and beta bands during a go/nogo task. Results Age selectively influenced beta rhythms, with younger compared to older adults showing, first, less attenuation during movement preparation and execution, and, second, a greater rebound after movement end. Alpha rhythms differed after response inhibition, with an additional alpha rebound occurring in older, but not younger adults. Conclusion The results indicate neural over-recruitment in healthy aging, which appears most likely linked to alterations in multiple factors associated with sensory and cognitive aspects of motor control, and which does not consistently or directly impact response speed. Significance The results imply that sensorimotor alpha and beta rhythms may reflect different neural trajectories in aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3D ERO code, which simulates plasma-wall interaction and impurity transport in magnetically confined fusion-relevant devices is described. As application, prompt deposition of eroded tungsten has been simulated at surfaces with shallow magnetic field of 3 T. Dedicated PIC simulations have been performed to calculate the characteristics of the sheath in front of plasma-exposed surfaces to use as input for these ERO simulations. Prompt deposition of tungsten reaches 100% at the highest electron temperature and density. In comparison to more simplified assumptions for the sheath the amount of prompt deposition is in general smaller if the PIC-calculated sheath is used. Due to friction with the background plasma the impact energy of deposited tungsten can be significantly larger than the energy gained in the sheath potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira is the property of Colegio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal - CBPA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Two spider families (Mysmenidae and Synaphridae) are reported from Turkey for the first time. Mysmenidae are represented by two species and two genera: Mysmena leucoplagiata (Simon, 1879) and Mysmenella jobi (Kraus, 1967). Synaphridae are represented by only one unidentified Synaphris species. In addition, one species of Mimetidae, Ero furcata (Villers, 1789), is reported from Turkey for the first time. Both mysmenid species and Ero furcata are illustrated. These new records increase the number of spider families recorded from Turkey to 50, although this is still an underestimation of the expected total.

The developmental trajectories of theta band (4-7 Hz) event-related oscillations (EROs), a key neurophysiological constituent of the P3 response, were assessed in 2170 adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 25. The theta EROs occurring in the P3 response, important indicators of neurocognitive function, were elicited during the evaluation of task-relevant target stimuli in visual and auditory oddball tasks. These tasks call upon attentional and working memory resources. Large differences in developmental rates between males and females were found; scalp location and task modality (visual or auditory) differences within males and females were small compared to gender differences. Trajectories of interregional and intermodal correlations between ERO power values exhibited increases with age in both genders, but showed a divergence in development between auditory and visual systems during ages 16 to 21. These results are consistent with previous electrophysiological and imaging studies and provide additional temporal detail about the development of neurophysiological indices of cognitive activity. Since measures of the P3 response has been found to be a useful endophenotypes for the study of a number of clinical and behavioral disorders, studies of its development in adolescents and young adults may illuminate neurophysiological factors contributing to the onset of these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) preferentially accumulates in the kidney, the major target for Cd-related toxicity. Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been considered crucial mediators for renal injury. The biologically significant ionic form of cadmium (Cd+) binds to many bio-molecules, and these interactions underlie the toxicity mechanisms of Cd. The present study was hypothesized to explore the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) on Cd-induced renal toxicity and to elucidate the potential mechanism. Male Wistar rats were treated with Cd as cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5 mg·kg−1 bw, orally) and orally pre-administered with GSP (100 mg·kg−1 bw) 90 min before Cd intoxication for 4 weeks to evaluate renal damage of Cd and antioxidant potential of GSP. Serum renal function parameters (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) levels in serum and urine, renal oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, enzymatic, and non-enzymatic antioxidants), inflammatory (NF-κB p65, NO, TNF-α, IL-6), apoptotic (caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2), membrane bound ATPases, and Nrf2 (HO-1, keap1, γ-GCS, and μ-GST) markers were evaluated in Cd-treated rats. Pretreatment with GSP revealed a significant improvement in renal oxidative stress markers in kidneys of Cd-treated rats. In addition, GSP treatment decreases the amount of iNOS, NF-κB, TNF-α, caspase-3, and Bax and increases the levels Bcl-2 protein expression. Similarly, mRNA and protein analyses substantiated that GSP treatment notably normalizes the renal expression of Nrf2/Keap1 and its downstream regulatory proteins in the Cd-treated rats. Histopathological and ultra-structural observations also demonstrated that GSP effectively protects the kidney from Cd-induced oxidative damage. These findings suggest that GSP ameliorates renal dysfunction and oxidative stress through the activation of Nrf2 pathway in Cd-intoxicated rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High fat diet (HFD) is associated with oxidative stress induced fatty liver. Curcumin, an extract of Curcuma longa, has been shown to possess potent antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin treatment on hepatic heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression along with pro-oxidant-antioxidant status and lipid accumulation in rats fed an HFD. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed among 4 groups: Group 1, which was fed the control diet (10% of total calories from fat); Group 2, which was fed the HFD (60% of total calories from fat); and groups 3 and 4, which received the HFD supplemented with curcumin and the control diet supplemented with curcumin (1 g/kg diet; w/ w), respectively, for 16 weeks. HFD caused increases in hepatic lipid levels, production of reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation. Further, HO-1 expression was significantly decreased. Histopathological examination showed hepatic fat accumulation and slight fibrotic changes. Curcumin treatment reduced hepatic lipids and oxidative stress parameters, and HO-1 expression was significantly increased. These findings suggest that increased HO-1 expression, along with suppressed oxidative stress as well as reduced hepatic fat accumulation and fibrotic changes, contribute to the beneficial effects of curcumin in attenuating the pathogenesis of fatty liver induced metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the cytotoxic activities of crocin and crocetin, 2 major carotenoids isolated from the stigma of Crocus sativus (saffron), on 5 human cancer cell lines and proposed their possible anticancer mechanisms. Crocetin, a glycosylated carotenoid, showed approximately 5- to 18-fold higher cytotoxicity than crocin, a carboxylic carotenoid (IC50 of 0.16-0.61 mmol/L for crocetin vs. 2.0-5.5 mmol/L for crocin). This suggests that structural differences account for the different efficacies between them. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that crocetin induced a significant level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells, whereas crocin did not. This ROS induction supported the cytotoxicity of crocetin, but not of crocin. A significant activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was observed in both HeLa cells treated with crocin and crocetin: a 3.0-fold increase by 1 mmol/L crocetin and a 1.6-fold increase by 0.8 mmol/L crocin compared to the control. Furthermore, both crocetin and crocin reduced the protein expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), one of the targets for chemoprevention in cancer cells, by 34.2% and 10.5%, respectively, compared to the control in HeLa cells. These findings suggest that crocetin and crocin have different mechanisms for their observed cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An ErO coating-type selective emitter for themophotovoltaic application was prepared by plasma spray technology. The test results show that plasma spray technology could be used to prepare the ErO coating-type selective emitter with good stability at 1400°C. Based on the measurements of the high temperature normal spectral emissivity and the spectral hemispherical emissivity of the samples at room temperature, the influence of the coating thickness was discussed, and the selective emission performance of the sample was evaluated using radiative efficiency as the criterion. The results demonstrate that the emission of substrate could not be neglected unless the coating thickness would be larger than the penetration depth, which is around 100 μm. The selective emission peak of the ErO coating occurs at 1550 nm, matching well with the GaSb cells. However, the radiative efficiency is not larger than that of the SiC emitter, because the non-convertible emission of 1.725-5 μm accounts for a large proportion of the total radiation power, especially at high temperature. Effective suppression of this band emission is essential to the improvement of the radiation efficiency of the emitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of ErO addition on electrical conductivity of c-ZrO was investigated by analyzing the impedance spectra of undoped and various amounts of ErO-doped cubic zirconia (c-ZrO). The undoped and 1-15 wt% ErO-doped c-ZrO powders were prepared via colloidal process. The doped powders were then pelletized under a pressure of 200 MPa. In addition, the undoped and ErO-doped c-ZrO specimens were sintered at 1500 °C for 1 h. The electrical conductivity of the specimens was measured using a frequency response analyzer in the frequency range of 100 mHz-13 MHz, in the temperature range of 300-800 °C. Electrical conductivity results indicate an increase in the conductivity with increase in the test temperature. The addition of 1 wt% ErO into c-ZrO led to an increase in the grain interior, grain boundary, and total conductivities. The distortion caused by the addition of Er cations in the c-ZrO lattice leads to an increase in the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the c-ZrO matrix, resulting in an enhancement in the electrical conductivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 is a novel regulator of insulin-independent glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and has glucose and triglyceride lowering effects in rodent models of diabetes. In this study, we found that FGF-21 can significantly attenuate ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced damage in H9c2 cells (rat heart). However, it is unclear which signal transduction pathway is involved in the cardioprotective effect of FGF-21. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the potential mechanism induced by FGF-21. The results showed that FGF-21 treatment prevented the oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with I/R damage by reducing the levels of superoxide anions, inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β by activating Akt phosphorylation, and recovering the levels of ATP synthase pyruvate kinase isozymes M1 and protein kinase C, thereby improving energy supply. In summary, we conclude that FGF-21 protects H9c2 cells against I/R injury mainly through the Akt-GSK-3β-caspase-3 dependent pathway, preventing oxidative stress, and recovery of the energy supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) with mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel openers such as diazoxide, provides protection against ischemia in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and other tissues. Effects on Ca2+ homeostasis during the late phase of PPC have been described in cardiomyocytes, but no information is available regarding intracellular Ca2+ changes in skeletal muscle fibers during late PPC. Intracellular Ca2+ signals were measured in single fibers of adult mouse skeletal muscle, with fluorescent probes, 48 h after the administration of diazoxide. Parvalbumin levels in the myofibers were quantitated by Western blot. Diazoxide induction of late PPC was confirmed by partial protection of muscles from peroxide-induced damage. Late PPC was associated with a significant decrease in the duration of Ca2+ signals during single twitches and tetanus with no changes in peak values. This effect was prevented by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger tiron. Late PPC was accompanied by a 30% increase in parvalbumin levels, and this effect was also blocked by tiron. Our data show, for the first time, a role of parvalbumin in late PPC in skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrete time survival analysis was used to assess the age-specific association of event-related oscillations (EROs) and CHRM2 gene variants on the onset of regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. The subjects were 2,938 adolescents and young adults ages 12-25. Results showed that the CHRM2 gene variants and ERO risk factors had hazards which varied considerably with age. The bulk of the significant age-specific associations occurred in those whose age of onset was under 16. These associations were concentrated in those subjects who at some time took an illicit drug. These results are consistent with studies which associate greater rates of alcohol dependence among those who begin drinking at an early age. The age specificity of the genetic and neurophysiological factors is consistent with recent studies of adolescent brain development, which locate an interval of heightened vulnerability to substance use disorders in the early to mid teens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spinnerets from Phobetinus sagittifer and an undescribed Phobetinus species were examined by scanning electron microscopy to gain a better understanding of this genus' relationships to other genera in the family Mimetidae. Consistent with placement of Phobetinus in Mimetinae, females possessed two synapomorphies of this subfamily; enlarged cylindrical silk gland spigots with domed shafts and a single cylindrical spigot per posterior lateral spinneret (PLS). Spinning field features overall suggest Phobetinus is most closely related to Mimetus, followed by Australomimetus, then Ero. A possible synapomorphy of a clade including Mimetus and Phobetinus is a pair of modified piriform silk gland spigots on each anterior lateral spinneret of adult males located adjacent to the secondary major ampullate silk gland tartipore. These spigots were present in P. sagittifer; however, similarly positioned spigots in the undescribed species were not obviously modified (i.e., wider or with larger openings relative to the other piriform spigots). Close affinity to Mimetus was also indicated by tartipore-accommodated PLS aciniform silk glands in both Phobetinus species. These have been consistently observed in Mimetus, but not in Australomimetus or Ero. Somatic and genitalic drawings of P. sagittifer are provided to aid identification and similarities are noted between male pedipalps of Mimetus and Phobetinus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We rarely consider whether and how plants benefit from making antioxidant-rich fruits, despite our dependence on fruits as routine sources of these compounds. The hypothesis presented here is that storage of the antioxidant materials is advantageous to the survival of the plant species. This hypothesis is based on the premise that at different stages from flower bud opening to seedling formation, the concentrations of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) needed vary tremendously. Exposing seeds of several plant species to ROS aids germination. However, ROS can cause considerable damage by mutagenesis during plant embryogenesis. It is suggested that the antioxidant-rich environment in fruits protects the developing plant embryos from this damage. It also allows for an antioxidant environment for packaging the embryos into seeds with tight seed coats. After fruit maturation and seed dispersal, a prolonged exposure to oxygen and moisture enables the seeds to produce the ROS needed for seed germination. There is a simultaneous increase in the ROS scavenging systems to allow for protection of the dividing cells afterwards. These observations are unified into the hypothesis that the antioxidant rich fruits aid in the survival of plant species, and discussed in the context of vascular plant evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in normal cellular function and physiology. However, oxidative stress resulting from an accumulation of ROS has a detrimental impact on cellular function, and ROS has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. This review provides a summary of the impact of ROS on cardiovascular health and diseases, highlighting the therapeutic use of antioxidants. In addition, this review summarizes the health benefits of polyphenols, and the recent progress on understanding the cellular and physiological actions by which polyphenols may impart their beneficial properties on cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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