The evolution of synoptic ozone anomalies during the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment in winter 1991/1992

The evolution of ozone anomalies over the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the winter 1991-1992 is studied in this work. The largest monthly mean negative deviations in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere were about 10 percent in November and December, and up to 20 percent in January, February, and March over Eurasian territories, and much smaller over the Canadian sector. At the end of January, on individual days, total ozone values of 190-210 D.U. were observed over Eastern Europe and European part of Russia, that is 40-45 percent below normal. On the whole, the 1991-1992 winter was one of the most anomalous over all the period of ozone observations. Finally, an attempt is made to quantify the contribution of transport in the ozone layer changes over Europe during this period

Knockdown of zebrafish Nav1.6 sodium channel impairs embryonic locomotor activities

[[abstract]]Although multiple subtypes of sodium channels are expressed in most neurons, the specific contributions of the individual sodium channels remain to be studied. The role of zebrafish Nav1.6 sodium channels in the embryonic locomotor movements has been investigated by the antisense morpholino (MO) knockdown. MO1 and MO2 are targeted at the regions surrounding the translation start site of zebrafish Nav1.6 mRNA. MO3 is targeted at the RNA splicing donor site of exon 2. The correctly spliced Nav1.6 mRNA of MO3 morphants is 6% relative to that of the wild-type embryos. Nav1.6-targeted MO1, MO2 and MO3 attenuate the spontaneous contraction, tactile sensitivity, and swimming in comparison with a scrambled morpholino and mutated MO3 morpholino. No significant defect is observed in the development of slow muscles, the axonal projection of primary motoneurons, and neuromuscular junctions. The movement impairments caused by MO1, MO2, and MO3 suggest that the function of Nav1.6 sodium channels is essential on the normal early embryonic locomotor activities.[[notice]]補正完畢[[journaltype]]國

Sodium channel Nav1.6 accumulates at the site of infraorbital nerve injury

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sodium channel (NaCh) expressions change following nerve and inflammatory lesions and this change may contribute to the activation of pain pathways. In a previous study we found a dramatic increase in the size and density of NaCh accumulations, and a remodeling of NaChs at intact and altered myelinated sites at a location just proximal to a combined partial axotomy and chromic suture lesion of the rat infraorbital nerve (ION) with the use of an antibody that identifies all NaCh isoforms. Here we evaluate the contribution of the major nodal NaCh isoform, Na_v1.6, to this remodeling of NaChs following the same lesion. Sections of the ION from normal and ION lesioned subjects were double-stained with antibodies against Na_v1.6 and caspr (contactin-associated protein; a paranodal protein to identify nodes of Ranvier) and then z-series of optically sectioned images were captured with a confocal microscope. ImageJ (NIH) software was used to quantify the average size and density of Na_v1.6 accumulations, while additional single fiber analyses measured the axial length of the nodal gap, and the immunofluorescence intensity of Na_v1.6 in nodes and of caspr in the paranodal region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The findings showed a significant increase in the average size and density of Na_v1.6 accumulations in lesioned IONs when compared to normal IONs. The results of the single fiber analyses in caspr-identified typical nodes showed an increased axial length of the nodal gap, an increased immunofluorescence intensity of nodal Na_v1.6 and a decreased immunofluorescence intensity of paranodal caspr in lesioned IONs when compared to normal IONs. In the lesioned IONs, Na_v1.6 accumulations were also seen in association with altered caspr-relationships, such as heminodes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of the present study identify Na_v1.6 as one isoform involved in the augmentation and remodeling of NaChs at nodal sites following a combined partial axotomy and chromic suture ION lesion. The augmentation of Na_v1.6 may result from an alteration in axon-Schwann cell signaling mechanisms as suggested by changes in caspr expression. The changes identified in this study suggest that the participation of Na_v1.6 should be considered when examining changes in the excitability of myelinated axons in neuropathic pain models.</p

Gene duplications and evolution of vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2006. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Molecular Evolution 63 (2006): 208-221, doi:10.1007/s00239-005-0287-9.Voltage-gated sodium channels underlie action potential generation in excitable tissue. To establish the evolutionary mechanisms that shaped the vertebrate sodium channel a-subunit (SCNA) gene family and their encoded Nav1 proteins, we identified all SCNA genes in several teleost species. Molecular cloning revealed that teleosts have eight SCNA genes, comparable to the number in another vertebrate lineage, mammals. Prior phylogenetic analyses had indicated that teleosts and tetrapods share four monophyletic groups of SCNA genes and that tandem duplications selectively expanded the number of genes in two of the four mammalian groups. However, the number of genes in each group varies between teleosts and tetrapods suggesting different evolutionary histories in the two vertebrate lineages. Our findings from phylogenetic analysis and chromosomal mapping of Danio rerio genes indicate that tandem duplications are an unlikely mechanism for generation of the extant teleost SCNA genes. Instead, analysis of other closely mapped genes in D. rerio supports the hypothesis that a whole genome duplication was involved in expansion of the SCNA gene family in teleosts. Interestingly, despite their different evolutionary histories, mRNA analyses demonstrated a conservation of expression patterns for SCNA orthologues in teleosts and tetrapods, suggesting functional conservation.The authors’ work was supported by NIH grants (NS 38937; AEN, ADT and ABR, NS 25513; HHZ and YL and NSF IBN 0236147; MCJ)

Allelic mutations of the sodium channel SCN8A reveal multiple cellular and physiological functions

Allelic mutations of Scn8a in the mouse have revealed the range of neurological disorders that can result from alternations of one neuronal sodium channel. Null mutations produce the most severe phenotype, with motor neuron failure leading to paralysis and juvenile lethality. Two less severe mutations cause ataxia, tremor, muscle weakness, and dystonia. The electrophysiological effects have been studied at the cellular level by recording from neurons from the mutant mice. The data demonstrate that Scn8a is required for the complex spiking of cerebellar Purkinje cells and for persistent sodium current in several classes of neurons, including some with pacemaker roles. The mouse mutations of Scn8a have also provided insight into the mode of inheritance of channelopathies, and led to the identification of a modifier gene that affects transcript splicing. These mutations demonstrate the value of mouse models to elucidate the pathophysiology of human disease.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42795/1/10709_2004_Article_5381441.pd

Assessing anxiety and depression in parents of preterm infants

Purpose: To measure state and trait anxiety, as well as depression, among parents of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Design: A convenience sample of 200 parents of preterm infants (124 mothers and 76 fathers) hospitalized in two Greek pediatric hospital NICUs participated in the study. Results: Among the 200 participating parents, mothers (which constituted 62% of the total sample) experienced higher levels of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression than the fathers (p = 0.04, p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). State anxiety scores were also higher in individuals aged ≥40 years (p = 0.038). Other factors that contributed to higher levels of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression included being unemployed, living in rural areas and having complications during pregnancy. Conclusion: The severity of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression among parents of preterm infants hospitalized in NICUs is influenced by various socio-demographic factors and by clinical characteristics of the infants. © 2018 Neonatal Nurses Associatio

Immune responses in children infected with the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis in central Greece

Previous studies have suggested an immunomodulatory and even protective role for Enterobius vermicularis, the least pathogenic human intestinal helminth. Here, in a study using haematological and serological parameters, we tested a total of 215 children from central Greece, with a mean age of 8.39, of whom 105 (48.84%) were infected with E. vermicularis and 110 (51.16%) were matched healthy controls. In particular, we analysed eosinophil counts (EO), serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total and specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the ECP/EO ratio. The atopic status and the potential occurrence of clinically expressed allergic diseases were both taken into account. Eosinophils, ECP and IgE were found to be higher in infected than in uninfected children, indicating a type-2 immune response activation during infection. Atopic infected children exhibited higher IgE levels compared to non-atopic ones. EO and ECP were found to be lower in atopic children who had a history of allergic disease than in those with no such history. The type-2 oriented immune response elicited against E. vermicularis could contribute to a balanced activation of the immune system in the examined children. Interestingly, although the atopic children showed a stronger activation, they did not exhibit any symptoms and, moreover, there seemed to be some indication of immunosuppression in those children with a positive history of allergic disease. Copyright © 2015 Cambridge University Press

Urban traffic noise monitoring program in the city center of Thesaloniki, Greece

This presentation describes systematic urban traffic noise measurements, at the Municipal permanent noise &amp; air pollution monitoring station, at the commercial center of Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, for a period of more than a year (December 2003-December 2004). Mean hourly, daily, weekly and seasonally noise levels (Leq, L1, L10, L50, L90, L95) were calculated, for the above period. The mean daily value of Leq(08:00-20:00) was found equal to 72.1 dB(A), significantly higher than the national limit for transportation (road projects) set at 67 dB(A). A significant correlation of diurnal variation of noise levels and traffic volume was found at the urban city center. Also, the differences between 1989 and 2004 for traffic noise levels, at the main streets of the city with relatively high traffic loads are presented. The measurements show that the city of Thessaloniki has a significant traffic noise problem, due to the recorded 5, 4% annual increase of traffic volume