Pharmacological regulation of neutrophil activity and apoptosis: Contribution to new strategy for modulation of inflammatory processes

Novel strategies of antiinflammatory therapy are based upon pharmacological agents capable to enhance the resolution – i.e. the termination of the beneficial inflammation before it may turn into an adverse chronic stage. In contrast to the current therapy, which antagonises the formation of proinflammatory mediators, the “proresolving” therapy promotes natural antiinflammatory processes. It is likely that several drugs and phytochemicals would act in this way, but this point has not been investigated and thus might be totally overlooked. In this paper, effects of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) were analysed, considering the ability of this natural compound to affect resolution of inflammation through modulation of its important inputs – activity and apoptosis of neutrophils. The presented data indicate that, besides its well-known ability to suppress mechanisms engaged at the onset and progression of inflammation, curcumin could support resolution of inflammation through decreased activity and enhanced apoptosis of neutrophils. This substance decreased the formation of oxidants in neutrophils, both under in vitro conditions and after oral administration to arthritic rats. Moreover, curcumin accelerated spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils, as indicated by increased externalisation of phosphatidylserine, by intercalation of propidium iodide and by enhanced activity of the executioner caspase-3

Using Minimum Path Cover to Boost Dynamic Programming on DAGs : Co-linear Chaining Extended

Peer reviewe

Occupational Risks of Bladder Cancer in France: A Multicentre Case-Control Study

International audienceThe relationships between occupational risk factors in France and bladder cancer were assessed from a hospital-based case-control study conducted between 1984 and 1987 in five regions representing various industries, including mining, textile manufacture, metallurgy and the production of rubber and chemicals. The study concerned 765 cases (658 men and 107 women) and the same number of controls. Odds ratios (OR) adjusted for matching variables (age, place of residence and hospital), and tobacco smoking were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. A significantly increased risk of bladder cancer was observed among men employed in coal mining (OR = 2.42; 95% confidence interval (Cl) : 1.25-4.67) and the chemicals industry (OR = 2.36; 95% Cl : 1.23-4.53). Aircraft and ship's officers (OR = 11.8; 95% Cl : 1.46-95.7), managers (OR = 1.64; 95% Cl : 1.11-2.43) and street vendors (OR = 3.60; 95% Cl : 1.15-11.3) also had an increased risk. Among women, employment in the clothing industry was associated with a high OR (= 3.21; 95% Cl : 1.34-7.71). Assessment of individual exposures by a panel of industrial hygiene experts showed that significantly more cases than controls had been exposed to the following substances: chlorinated solvents (OR = 1.86; 95% Cl : 1.19-2.90), industrial oils and greases (OR = 1.44; 95% Cl : 1.10-1.89), welding fumes (OR = 1.40; 95% Cl : 0.98-2.01), coal dust (OR = 1.71; 95% Cl : 1.02-2.89) and metallic oxide dust (OR = 2.99; 95% Cl : 1.12-8.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

Hot teflon coating A method for controlling air pollution in workshops

Translated from French (Cah. des Notes Document. 1978 (90) p. 57-63)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:9022.381(HSE-Trans--16109)T / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Assessment of bus drivers exposure to the pollutants of urban traffic

Translated from French (The Science of the Total Environment 1993 no. 134 p. 39-49)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:9022.381(HSE-Trans--15787)T / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo