Simvastatin Prevents and Reverses Depigmentation in a Mouse Model of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common autoimmune disease of the skin that results in disfiguring white spots. There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments, and current treatments are time-consuming, expensive, and of low efficacy. We sought to identify new treatments for vitiligo, and first considered repurposed medications because of the availability of safety data and expedited regulatory approval. We previously reported that the IFN-γ-induced chemokine CXCL10 is expressed in lesional skin from vitiligo patients, and that it is critical for the progression and maintenance of depigmentation in our mouse model of vitiligo. We hypothesized that targeting IFN-γ signaling might be an effective new treatment strategy. Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is required for IFN-γ signaling and recent studies revealed that simvastatin, an FDA-approved cholesterol-lowering medication, inhibited STAT1 activation in vitro. Therefore, we hypothesized that simvastatin may be an effective treatment for vitiligo. We found that simvastatin both prevented and reversed depigmentation in our mouse model of vitiligo, and reduced the number of infiltrating autoreactive CD8+ T cells in the skin. Treatment of melanocyte-specific, CD8+ T cells in vitro decreased proliferation and IFN-γ production, suggesting additional effects of simvastatin directly on T cells. Based on these data, simvastatin may be a safe, targeted treatment option for patients with vitiligo. © 2015 The Society for Investigative Dermatology

GROWTH AND YIELD OF BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS) AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES AND VARYING RATES OF NUTRIENTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN IN GIDAN KWANU, MINNA, NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA

Two experiments were conducted concurrently at the Horticultural Nursery of the Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology. Gidan Kwanu, Minna (latitude 6o 30’ N and Longitude 90 40’ E) during the dry season of 2016. The objective of the two trials was to determine the nutrient source and rates required in the production of beetroot (Beta vulgaris). The experimental treatment consists of three organic nutrient sources namely; cow dung, poultry manure and goat droppings at ratio by weight of 1:1:2 and 1:1:4 of sand: topsoil and organic nutrient. The experiments were laid arranged in completely randomized design.(CRD) and replicated thrice. Improved seeds of beetroot were soaked for 24 hours and sown at 3cm depth. Data were collected on growth parameters such as crop germination, crop vigor, plant height, number of offshoot, leaf area index, shoot girth, and fresh leafy yield. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan multiple range test(DMRT). Result obtained indicated that 10t ha-1 poultry manure exhibited better growth performance of beetroot and resulted in higher fresh leafy yield than all other organic sources and rates. The study therefore recommends the application of poultry manure at the rate of 10 t ha-1 for beetroot farmers in the study area

Subjective status and perceived legitimacy across countries

The relationships between subjective status and perceived legitimacy are important for understanding the extent to which people with low status are complicit in their oppression. We use novel data from 66 samples and 30 countries (N = 12,788) and find that people with higher status see the social system as more legitimate than those with lower status, but there is variation across people and countries. The association between subjective status and perceived legitimacy was never negative at any levels of eight moderator variables, although the positive association was sometimes reduced. Although not always consistent with hypotheses, group identification, self-esteem, and beliefs in social mobility were all associated with perceived legitimacy among people who have low subjective status. These findings enrich our understanding of the relationship between social status and legitimacy

Subjective status and perceived legitimacy across countries

The relationships between subjective status and perceived legitimacy are important for understanding the extent to which people with low status are complicit in their oppression. We use novel data from 66 samples and 30 countries (N = 12,788) and find that people with higher status see the social system as more legitimate than those with lower status, but there is variation across people and countries. The association between subjective status and perceived legitimacy was never negative at any levels of eight moderator variables, although the positive association was sometimes reduced. Although not always consistent with hypotheses, group identification, self-esteem, and beliefs in social mobility were all associated with perceived legitimacy among people who have low subjective status. These findings enrich our understanding of the relationship between social status and legitimacy