There are more asthmatics in homes with high cockroach infestation

Although asthma has been commonly associated with sensitivity to cockroaches, a clear causal relationship between asthma, allergy to cockroaches and exposure levels has not been extensively investigated. The objective of the present study was to determine whether asthma occurs more frequently in children living in homes with high cockroach infestation. The intensity of household infestation was assessed by the number of dead insects after professional pesticide application. Children living in these houses in the metropolitan area of Recife, PE, were diagnosed as having asthma by means of a questionnaire based on the ISAAC study. All children had physician-diagnosed asthma and at least one acute exacerbation in the past year. Children of both sexes aged 4 to 12 years who had been living in the households for more than 2 years participated in this transverse study and had a good socioeconomic status. In the 172 houses studied, 79 children were considered to have been exposed to cockroaches and 93 not to have been exposed. Children living in residences with more than 5 dead cockroaches after pesticide application were considered to be at high infestation exposure. Asthma was diagnosed by the questionnaire in 31.6% (25/79) of the exposed group and in 11.8% (11/93) of the non-exposed group (P = 0.001), with a prevalence ratio of 3.45 (95%CI, 1.48-8.20). The present results indicate that exposure to cockroaches was significantly associated with asthma among the children studied and can be considered a risk factor for the disease. Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana were the species found in 96% of the infested houses.

Neuroprotective effect of ketamine/xylazine on two rat models of Parkinson's disease

There is a great concern in the literature for the development of neuroprotectant drugs to treat Parkinson's disease. Since anesthetic drugs have hyperpolarizing properties, they can possibly act as neuroprotectants. In the present study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effect of a mixture of ketamine (85 mg/kg) and xylazine (3 mg/kg) (K/X) on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat models of Parkinson's disease. The bilateral infusion of MPTP (100 µg/side) or 6-OHDA (10 µg/side) into the substantia nigra pars compacta of adult male Wistar rats under thiopental anesthesia caused a modest (~67%) or severe (~91%) loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunostained cells, respectively. On the other hand, an apparent neuroprotective effect was observed when the rats were anesthetized with K/X, infused 5 min before surgery. This treatment caused loss of only 33% of the nigral tyrosine hydroxylase-immunostained cells due to the MPTP infusion and 51% due to the 6-OHDA infusion. This neuroprotective effect of K/X was also suggested by a less severe reduction of striatal dopamine levels in animals treated with these neurotoxins. In the working memory version of the Morris water maze task, both MPTP- and 6-OHDA-lesioned animals spent nearly 10 s longer to find the hidden platform in the groups where the neurotoxins were infused under thiopental anesthesia, compared to control animals. This amnestic effect was not observed in rats infused with the neurotoxins under K/X anesthesia. These results suggest that drugs with a pharmacological profile similar to that of K/X may be useful to delay the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Novissima Russiae tabula Authore Isaaco Massa. Doctrina et humanitate praedito d. Isaaco Bernart, rerum quae per Moscoviam maxime trahuntur mercatori peritissimo, hanc Moscoviae tabula dedicat affinis finis Hen. Hondius.

[N. 1:7400000].

Novissima Russiae tabula Authore Isaaco Massa. Doctrina et humanitate praedito d. Isaaco Bernart, rerum quae per Moscoviam maxime trahuntur mercatori peritissimo, hanc Moscoviae tabula dedicat affinis finis Hen. Hondius.

Janamittakaavat: Wirst, seu Milliaria Russica ; Miliaria Germanica.

Rvssiae, vulgo Moscovia dictae, partes Septentrionalis et Orientalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa.

Janamittakaavat: Wirst, seu Milliaria Russica ; Miliaria Germanica comm.

De abysso animae

Invokaatio: I.N.D.

Meditationes sanctarum epistolarum 22

Invokaatio: Deo duce.

De ironia ethica

Invokaatio: Σὺν Θεω̣̃.

Affectuum & dispositionis, repraesentans ideam

Invokaatio: I.N.D.

Observationes nonnullae philosophicae, aphorismis comprehensae

Dedikaatio: Anders Johan Lilljebrunn [ruots. pr.], Anders Johan Meurman [ruots. pr.], Petrus Svebilius, Immanuel Foenander, Michaël Sallgeen [ruots. pr.].

De galeis Homericis 2

Dedikaatio: Isaac Arenander [ruots. pr.], Helena Cath. Arenander född Neuman [ruots. pr.].

Observationes in calculum domini De la Lande, hujus anni 1764 Ephemer. Gallic. p. 206 contentum

Invokaatio: D.D.

Possible roles of COX-1 in learning and memory impairment induced by traumatic brain injury in mice

People who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience cognitive deficits in spatial reference and working memory. The possible roles of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) in learning and memory impairment in mice with TBI are far from well known. Adult mice subjected to TBI were treated with the COX-1 selective inhibitor SC560. Performance in the open field and on the beam walk was then used to assess motor and behavioral function 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days following injury. Acquisition of spatial learning and memory retention was assessed using the Morris water maze on day 15 post-TBI. The expressions of COX-1, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-6, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), synapsin-I, and synaptophysin were detected in TBI mice. Administration of SC560 improved performance of beam walk tasks as well as spatial learning and memory after TBI. SC560 also reduced expressions of inflammatory markers IL-6 and PGE2, and reversed the expressions of COX-1, BDNF, PDGF-BB, synapsin-I, and synaptophysin in TBI mice. The present findings demonstrated that COX-1 might play an important role in cognitive deficits after TBI and that selective COX-1 inhibition should be further investigated as a potential therapeutic approach for TBI.

Karpòn kheiléon omologoúnton, ex dicto Paulino ad Hebraeos cap. XIII: v. 15

Invokaatio: Eis ónoma tû Kyríu!

De insignibus nobilium

Invokaatio: I.N.J.