Effects of common pesticides on prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) inhibition in SC5 mouse sertoli cells, evidence of binding at the cox-2 active site, and implications for endocrine disruption

Background: There are concerns that diminished prostaglandin action in fetal life could increase the risk of congenital malformations. Many endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been found to suppress prostaglandin synthesis, but to our knowledge, pesticides have never been tested for these effects. Objectives: We assessed the ability of pesticides that are commonly used in the European Union to suppress prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) synthesis. Methods: Changes in PGD2 secretion in juvenile mouse Sertoli cells (SC5 cells) were measured using an ELISA. Coincubation with arachidonic acid (AA) was conducted to determine the site of action in the PGD2 synthetic pathway. Molecular modeling studies were performed to assess whether pesticides identified as PGD2-active could serve as ligands of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) binding pocket. Results: The pesticides boscalid, chlorpropham, cypermethrin, cyprodinil, fenhexamid, fludioxonil, imazalil (enilconazole), imidacloprid, iprodione, linuron, methiocarb, o-phenylphenol, pirimiphos- methyl, pyrimethanil, and tebuconazole suppressed PGD2 production. Strikingly, some of these substances—o-phenylphenol, cypermethrin, cyprodinil, linuron, and imazalil (enilconazole)— showed potencies (IC50) in the range between 175 and 1,500 nM, similar to those of analgesics intended to block COX enzymes. Supplementation with AA failed to reverse this effect, suggesting that the sites of action of these pesticides are COX enzymes. The molecular modeling studies revealed that the COX-2 binding pocket can accommodate most of the pesticides shown to suppress PGD2 synthesis. Some of these pesticides are also capable of antagonizing the androgen receptor. Conclusions: Chemicals with structural features more varied than previously thought can suppress PGD2 synthesis. Our findings signal a need for in vivo studies to establish the extent of endocrinedisrupting effects that might arise from simultaneous interference with PGD2 signaling and androgen action

Duty, Imperialism and Militarism in the British Public School, 1850 - 1918

Within this thesis, I investigate the ways in which British public schools, from 1850 to 1918, interacted with wider society on the themes of duty, imperial and militarism. Hierarchical systems of authority within the schools, and an emphasis on developing manly character through sport, were used to prepare boys for a leadership role within military or civic life. At the same time, a Socratic movement formed in opposition to the cult of athleticism, emphasising friendship and the arts. The entry of alumni into perceived duty-bound careers, such as the military and the civil service, were found to be driven by social advantage, as well as a sense of duty. Juvenile literature and textbooks from the period were found to encourage imperialist ideology amongst their readership, and promote moral justifications of imperialism, labelling it ‘the white man’s burden’. Investigation of middle-class girls’ schools during the same period revealed that duty was central to middle-class female identity and rigorous education and employment were believed by some to hinder a woman’s ability to perform her primary duties as wife and mother

Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project FY2018

This report marks the thirteenth year of the Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project (TMBP). The report provides performance and cost data for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. In this FY2018 annual report, there are a total of eleven service areas measured and analyzed: 1) Building Code Enforcement 2) Employment Benefits 3) Finance 4) Fire 5) Human Resources 6) Information Technology 7) Parks and Recreation 8) Planning and Zoning 9) Police 10) Property Maintenance Code Enforcement 11) Refuse Collection, Disposal, and Recycling

Differential rotation of short-lived solar filaments

We have measured the rotation rate of short-lived solar filaments as a function of their latitude. The resulting rotation curve appears to be somewhat flatter than the corresponding curve for long-lived filaments

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 10

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

A description of interventions promoting healthier ready-to-eat meals (to eat in, to take away, or to be delivered) sold by specific food outlets in England: a systematic mapping and evidence synthesis

Abstract Background Ready-to-eat meals (to eat in, to take away or to be delivered) sold by food outlets are often more energy dense and nutrient poor compared with meals prepared at home, making them a reasonable target for public health intervention. The aim of the research presented in this paper was to systematically identify and describe interventions to promote healthier ready-to-eat meals (to eat in, to take away, or to be delivered) sold by specific food outlets in England. Methods A systematic search and sift of the literature, followed by evidence mapping of relevant interventions, was conducted. Food outlets were included if they were located in England, were openly accessible to the public and, as their main business, sold ready-to-eat meals. Academic databases and grey literature were searched. Also, local authorities in England, topic experts, and key health professionals and workers were contacted. Two tiers of evidence synthesis took place: type, content and delivery of each intervention were summarised (Tier 1) and for those interventions that had been evaluated, a narrative synthesis was conducted (Tier 2). Results A total of 75 interventions were identified, the most popular being awards. Businesses were more likely to engage with cost neutral interventions which offered imperceptible changes to price, palatability and portion size. Few interventions involved working upstream with suppliers of food, the generation of customer demand, the exploration of competition effects, and/or reducing portion sizes. Evaluations of interventions were generally limited in scope and of low methodological quality, and many were simple assessments of acceptability. Conclusions Many interventions promoting healthier ready-to-eat meals (to eat in, to take away, or to be delivered) sold by specific food outlets in England are taking place; award-type interventions are the most common. Proprietors of food outlets in England that, as their main business, sell ready-to-eat meals, can be engaged in implementing interventions to promote healthier ready-to-eat-food. These proprietors are generally positive about such interventions, particularly when they are cost neutral and use a health by stealth approach

Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project FY2011

In this FY2011 annual report, there are a total of seven services measured and analyzed: police, fire, refuse collection and disposal, employment benefits, human resources, financial services, and code enforcement/building inspection/planning and zoning