Cultural Resources Survey and Monitoring of Joint Task Force Six (JTF-6) Actions in Webb, Zapata, Dimmit, La Salle, Duvall, and Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

Joint Task Force Six (JTF-6) Operation AT-93 involved multiple actions in six south Texas counties. These actions included the repair and construction of approximately 240 km (150 mi) of existing firebreaks, the repair/upgrade of approximately 9.5 km (5.9 mi) of road along the Rio Grande River near Laredo, the upgrade of two small-arms firing ranges, and the construction of a fitness/obstacle course. Extensive previous disturbance was noted within the impact areas of the firebreaks and at the two firing ranges; no cultural resource sites were located in these areas. Along the Rio Grande, the survey identified the site of Star Fort (part of historic Fort McIntosh), which was crossed by the road improvement project. The proposed fitness/obstacle course is located within an old industrial area, which has been previously determined to lack significant cultural resources. The sites of Star Fort and the San Ygnacio Historic District were recognized as National Register properties that needed to be avoided. Avoidance of these properties was successful except for the grading of an existing road adjacent to the remains of Star Fort that had been marked for avoidance. Fortunately, this action resulted in no damage to the historic property. In summary, Operation AT-93 resulted in no impacts to the cultural resources of the region

Chronic morphine-induced changes in signaling at the A3 adenosine receptor contribute to morphine-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, and withdrawal

Treating chronic pain by using opioids, such as morphine, is hampered by the development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH; increased pain sensitivity), antinociceptive tolerance, and withdrawal, which can contribute to dependence and abuse. In the central nervous system, the purine nucleoside adenosine has been implicated in beneficial and detrimental actions of morphine, but the extent of their interaction remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that morphine-induced OIH and antinociceptive tolerance in rats is associated with a twofold increase in adenosine kinase (ADK) expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Blocking ADK activity in the spinal cord provided greater than 90% attenuation of OIH and antinociceptive tolerance through A 3 adenosine receptor (A 3 AR) signaling. Supplementing adenosine signaling with selective A 3 AR agonists blocked OIH and antinociceptive tolerance in rodents of both sexes. Engagement of A 3 AR in the spinal cord with an ADK inhibitor or A 3 AR agonist was associated with reduced dorsal horn of the spinal cord expression of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (60%-75%), cleaved caspase 1 (40%-60%), interleukin (IL)-1 β (76%-80%), and tumor necrosis factor (50%-60%). In contrast, the neuroinhibitory and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased twofold. In mice, A 3 AR agonists prevented the development of tolerance in a model of neuropathic pain and reduced naloxone-dependent withdrawal behaviors by greater than 50%. These findings suggest A 3 AR-dependent adenosine signaling is compromised during sustained morphine to allow the development of morphine-induced adverse effects. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that A 3 AR agonists may be useful adjunct to opioids to manage their unwanted effects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The development of hyperalgesia and antinociceptive tolerance during prolonged opioid use are noteworthy opioid-induced adverse effects that reduce opioid efficacy for treating chronic pain and increase the risk of dependence and abuse. We report that in rodents, these adverse effects are due to reduced adenosine signaling at the A 3 AR, resulting in NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3-interleukin-1β neuroinflammation in spinal cord. These effects are attenuated by A 3 AR agonists, suggesting that A 3 AR may be a target for therapeutic intervention with selective A 3 AR agonist as opioid adjuncts

Recent Trends in Breast Cancer Among Younger Women in the United States

Increases in the incidence of postmenopausal breast cancers have been linked to screening and menopausal hormone use, but younger women have received less attention. Thus, we analyzed trends in breast cancer incidence (N = 387 231) using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program 13-Registry database (1992–2004). Whites had higher incidence rates than blacks after age 40 years, but the reverse was true among younger women (black–white crossover). Among younger women, the rate per 100 000 woman-years was 16.8 for black vs 15.1 for white women; the highest black–white incidence rate ratio (IRR) was seen among women younger than 30 years (IRR = 1.52, 95% confidence interval = 1.34 to 1.73). This risk pattern was not observed in other ethnic groups. The black–white crossover among younger women was largely restricted to breast cancers with favorable tumor characteristics. The annual percentage change in the incidence of invasive breast cancers decreased modestly among older women but increased among younger (<40 years) white women. Continued surveillance of trends is needed, particularly for molecular subtypes that preferentially occur among young women