Structure and growth of atmospheric boundary layer as observed by a tethered balloon payload

312-315Temperature, humidity, pressure, horizontal wind speed and its direction were measured by a tethered balloon (kytoon)-bome payload at the Central Agricultural Meteorological Observatory (CAMO), Pune, during 22 Feb. 1989-2 Mar. 1989 to study the evolution of atmospheric boundary layer and its other properties up to 1000 m. On an average 8-9 kytoon flights per day were arranged. The data collected on the above flights are analysed to study (i) the rise of inversion layer, (ii) transformation of stable boundary layer into thoroughly mixed layer, and (iii) temporal variation of mixing ratio

Activation of the Cholinergic Antiinflammatory Pathway Reduces Ricin-Induced Mortality and Organ Failure in Mice

Exposure to ricin, either by accident through ingestion of castor oil plant seeds or intentionally through its use as a bioweapon, invariably leads to multiple organ damage and death. Currently there is only a vaccine in advanced development to ricin, but no other antidote. Ricin causes systemic inflammation with increased proinflammatory cytokine release and subsequent multiple organ failure, particularly kidney and liver dysfunction. Activation of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway, specifically through the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (either indirectly through vagus nerve stimulation or directly through nicotine treatment) reduces proinflammatory gene expression. This activation also increases release of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, and has proven effective in a variety of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nicotine treatment protected against ricin toxicity in mice. Male Balb/c mice exposed to ricin had increased serum levels of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α and markers of both kidney (blood urea nitrogen, creatine) and liver (alanine tranaminase) dysfunction, with a subsequent increase in mortality. Nicotine administration 2 h after ricin injection significantly delayed and reduced ricin-induced mortality, an effect coupled with reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and markers of kidney and liver dysfunction. Both the kidney and liver had markedly increased cellular oxidative stress following ricin exposure, an effect attenuated by nicotine administration. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that in cases of ricin poisoning, activation of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway may prove beneficial by reducing organ damage, delaying mortality, and allowing for a greater chance of survival