Activation of inflammatory responses in human U937 macrophages by particulate matter collected from dairy farms: an in vitro expression analysis of pro-inflammatory markers

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to investigate activation of inflammatory markers in human macrophages derived from the U937 cell line after exposure to particulate matter (PM) collected on dairy farms in California and to identify the most potent components of the PM. Methods PM from different dairies were collected and tested to induce an inflammatory response determined by the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes, such as Interleukin (IL)-8, in U937 derived macrophages. Gel shift and luciferase reporter assays were performed to examine the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4). Results Macrophage exposure to PM derived from dairy farms significantly activated expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including IL-8, cyclooxygenase 2 and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which are hallmarks of inflammation. Acute phase proteins, such as serum amyloid A and IL-6, were also significantly upregulated in macrophages treated with PM from dairies. Coarse PM fractions demonstrated more pro-inflammatory activity on an equal-dose basis than fine PM. Urban PM collected from the same region as the dairy farms was associated with a lower concentration of endotoxin and produced significantly less IL-8 expression compared to PM collected on the dairy farms. Conclusion The present study provides evidence that the endotoxin components of the particles collected on dairies play a major role in mediating an inflammatory response through activation of TLR4 and NF-κB signaling

Correction: S1PR1 drives a feedforward signalling loop to regulate BATF3 and the transcriptional programme of Hodgkin lymphoma cells.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

Additional file 1 of A single-arm pilot study: can a parental sleep intervention for sleep-disturbed young children in individual settings improve children’s sleep, crying, eating, and parental distress in mothers and fathers?

Additional file 1: Table 1. Descriptive statistics for outcomes at baseline across age groups, sexes, and sample attrition (drop-out after T1 vs. non-dropout). Table 2. Spearman correlations among the sleep variables for T1 (pre-intervention, N=59). Table 3. Spearman correlations among the sleep variables for T2 (post-intervention, n=36). Table 4. Spearman correlations among the sleep variables for T3 (three months after the intervention, n=25). Table 5. Spearman correlations among the sleep variables for T4 (six months after the intervention, n=18). Table 6. Spearman correlations among the sleep variables for T5 (twelve months after the intervention, n=14)

Sleep-related parental behavior and sleep of children. a review

Schlarb A, Achterberg K, Brocki S, Ziemann A, Wiater A, Lollies F. Schlafbezogenes Erziehungsverhalten und kindlicher Schlaf. Ein Überblick. Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde. 2017;165(3):239-246.Background. Sleep disorders are prevalent in childhood and their causes are much discussed. Parental behavior seems to have a special influence on a child's sleep. Method. This review focuses on the correlation between sleep disorders in childhood and sleep-related parenting behavior. Ten studies are included that collected family data, primarily through self-evaluation of the parents. The age of the children varied from zero to five years. Results. The results of the included studies evince that active soothing of the child and/or spatial proximity is positively correlated with sleep problems. It can be assumed that the parental behavior lessens the conation of the child to develop its own reassurance strategies. In contrast, autonomy-promoting strategies, emotional availability and bedtime routines have soporific effects and can improve the quality of sleep of the child. The results are discussed with regard to their practical importance. Conclusion. The complex system of child sleep consists not only of sleep-related parenting strategies, but includesmany other factors

Elternschlaf bei kindlichen Schlafbeschwerden - ein Überblick

Schlarb A, Kreienborg A-K, Peveling LS, Schneiders J, Bihlmaier I, Lollies F. Elternschlaf bei kindlichen Schlafbeschwerden - ein Überblick. Pädiatrische Praxis. Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin in Klinik und Praxis. 2016;86(1):163-174

Sleep apps for children—a critical view

Schlarb AA, Kater M-J, Werner A, et al. Sleep apps for children—a critical view. Somnologie. 2021;25(1):4-10.**Background** During the last few years, technology support for various health-related areas is becoming increasingly common. Not only are nutrition apps or sports apps available, but apps regarding sleep are also available. As the prevalence of sleep disturbances in infancy and childhood is quite high, supportive strategies are necessary to help families to sleep healthy. Thus, this study addresses the topic of sleep apps for babies and children. **Methods** Sleep apps were searched using different strings. Age-oriented apps were scored using different criteria which were theoretically based (e.g., description, costs, downloads). **Results** We found 573 sleep apps using the Apple App Store and Google Play Store with the search strings “sleep” and “app” and “baby” or “children”. Of these, 15.4% were not declared for children or babies. Content of most apps was lullabies or music and songs. Sleep-related aspects as sleep information or sleep education was very rare. **Conclusions** There is a new field of sleep help—with sleep apps used by families. Because of the high prevalence concerning sleep problems, the market concerning sleep helping apps is well used. However, most of the sleep apps did not have declarations concerning age and other factors. Parents should be careful using sleep apps for their offspring.**Hintergrund** Während der letzten Jahre hat sich technologische Unterstützung in verschiedenen gesundheitsbezogenen Bereichen zunehmend verbreitet. Nicht nur Ernährungs-Apps oder Sport-Apps, sondern auch Apps für den Schlaf sind verfügbar. Da die Prävalenz von Schlafstörungen bei Säuglingen und Kindern ziemlich hoch ist, sind unterstützende Maßnahmen erforderlich, um Familien zu einem gesunden Schlaf zu verhelfen. Daher richtet sich in der vorliegenden Studie das Hauptaugenmerk auf Schlaf-Apps für Babys und Kinder. **Methoden** Schlaf-Apps wurden unter Verwendung verschiedener Zeichenfolgen gesucht. Altersorientierte Apps wurden nach unterschiedlichen Kriterien, die theoretisch begründet waren (z. B. Beschreibung, Kosten, Downloads), bewertet. **Ergebnisse** Es fanden sich 573 Schlaf-Apps im Apple App Store und Google Play Store mit den Suchbegriffen „sleep“ und „app“ und „baby“ oder „children“. Davon waren 15,4% nicht für Kinder oder Babys deklariert. Inhalt der meisten Apps waren Wiegenlieder oder Musik und Lieder. Schlafbezogene Aspekte wie Informationen zum Schlaf oder Aufklärung über den Schlaf waren sehr selten. **Schlussfolgerung** Es gibt einen neuen Bereich der Hilfen zum Schlaf – mit Schlaf-Apps, die von Familien verwendet werden. Wegen der hohen Prävalenz von Schlafstörungen ist der Markt im Bereich der Schlafhilfe-Apps stark frequentiert. Jedoch enthielten die meisten der Schlaf-Apps keine Hinweise zu Alter und anderen Faktoren. Eltern sollten bei der Verwendung von Schlaf-Apps für ihren Nachwuchs Vorsicht walten lassen

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling regulates NF‐κB RelB activation during dendritic‐cell differentiation

How the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates dendritic-cell (DC) differentiation is unknown. We show that activation of AhR by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) caused enhanced differentiation from immature DCs (IDCs) to mature DCs (MDCs) in the bone-marrow-derived DCs (BMDC) from B6 wild-type mice but not in the BMDCs from AhR-null mice as indicated by the expression of CD11c and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Enhanced maturation of BMDCs was associated with elevated levels of CD86 and an increased AhR-dependent nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) member RelB in BMDCs. The expression of interleukin (IL) 10 and chemokine DC-CK1 was suppressed, whereas that of CXCL2, CXCL3 and IL-22 was significantly increased in AhR-activated BMDCs. Furthermore, TCDD induced expression of the regulatory enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-like 1 (IDO2). Increased expression of IDO2 was associated with coexpression of the cell-surface marker CCR6. Interestingly, mRNA expression of the chemokine receptor CCR6 was drastically decreased in AhR-null IDCs and MDCs. Overall, these data demonstrate that AhR modifies the maturation of BMDCs associated with the induction of the regulatory enzyme IDO and altered expression of cytokine, chemokines and DC-specific surface markers and receptors