IL-2 and regulation of stress hormones and BDNF neurotropic factor levels after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Experimental traumatic brain  injury  (TBI)   causes  a  stable  stress  response   and  changes   the expression  of various cytokine genes and neurotrophic factors.  The goal of this study was to reveal changes  in the  levels of the  corticosterone and  testosterone hormones and  the  BDNF cytokine in blood  serum,  as well as the expression  of the BDNF gene in hypothalamus in order  to determine the opportunity of correcting the TBI damage  with rIL-2. We used a rat model  of “dropping load”:  mild TBI was caused  by falling of the 115 g load from the height  of 80 cm,  or 120 cm to produce a moderate-degree trauma. After TBI (immediately, or 72 hours  later), the  rats were injected daily with recombinant human interleukin-2 (Roncoleukin) at a dose of 30 μg/kg, a total  of 3 injections. Control animals  (also with TBI)  received  0.15 M NaCl  injections. Blood serum  concentrations of corticosterone, testosterone, and  BDNF were measured with ELISA  tests.  BDNF gene expression in hypothalamus was measured using RT-PCR. Results: the experiments showed a relationship between  hormone concentrations and severity of head injury. In mild TBI,  blood corticosterone levels reached a peak  2 hours  after the  injury, while in moderate TBI,  the  peak  concentration of corticosterone was lower, being delayed  in time  (after  24 hours). Corticosterone and  testosterone concentrations changed reciprocally in the both groups of injured  animals. With injection of rIL-2 in both groups,  corticosterone and testosterone levels were significantly  increased. On  day 7 after  TBI,  the  BDNF level in blood  serum  was decreased, but it was raised  in experimental group  that  received  rIL-2. On day 7, the increase  of BDNF gene expression  in hypothalamus was more  pronounced, when  rIL-2 was administered at 72 hours  after  the  head  injury.  The revealed  positive  association of BDNF levels and  glucocorticoid hormones after  mild  TBI,  like as possible coordination of these  parameters with rIL-2 injection after experimental moderate TBI  provides  a reason  to assume  that  the favorable  impact of rIL-2 on the CNS  recovery  after TBI is, in part,  mediated by the mutual modulating interaction of BDNF and glucocorticoid hormones

The impact of smoking cigarettes and hookah on human health

A study was conducted to obtain data on the prevalence of smoking, including hookah smoking, among first-year students of USMU. The motivation for such smoking is determined. The results of the research by a number of scientists on this problem are presented. Measures to overcome the commitment to hookah smoking among young people are proposed.Проведено исследование с целью получения данных о распространенности курения, в том числе курения кальяна, среди студентов первого курса УГМУ. Определена мотивация к такому курению. Представлены результаты исследований ряда ученых по данной проблеме. Предложены меры по преодолению приверженности к курению кальяна среди молодеж

Immunomodulatory and neurotropic activities of synthetic peptides in a model of brain injury in rats

Treatment of consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the current problems of medicine. To increase the effectiveness of treatment of post-traumatic complications, various drugs are recommended, including the peptide with neuromodulatory activity Semax.The present study aims to determine the presence of neuro- and immunoprotective properties of the synthetic peptide PR5, composed of fragments of proline-rich antimicrobial peptides.The work was performed on male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g. The “falling weight” model of mechanical brain injury was used, which mainly causes diffuse brain damage. The synthesized peptide PR5, composed of fragments of known proline-rich peptides of animal neutrophils, and the peptide preparation Semax in the form of a 1% aqueous solution were used. The drugs were administered intranasally 1 hour after TBI, then twice a day for 4 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Control animals received physiological saline in the same regimen as the peptide preparations.TBI led to a significant decrease in body weight, but in rats receiving the peptide preparation Semax, the decrease in body weight was significantly less than in control animals, and the PR5 preparation completely prevented the decrease in body weight after TBI. After TBI, the proliferative activity of lymphocytes was suppressed and the cytotoxicity of NK cells decreased. In animals treated with peptide preparations, there was no significant suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity, and the proliferative activity of lymphocytes was restored to the level of control animals by day 14 after TBI. Both peptide preparations used contributed to higher locomotor activity, and in animals treated with the PR5 peptide, this type of activity reached the parameters of control animals. The reduction in freezing duration in groups treated with peptide preparations indicates the presence of a sedative effect.The peptide preparation PR5 was active in this series of experiments, showing immunotropic and neuroprotective activity comparable to the Semax preparation. Further studies aimed at confirming the identified types of activity of the peptide preparation PR5 may justify its prospects for clinical use as a new nootropic agent

Deafening silence? Marxism, international historical sociology and the spectre of Eurocentrism

Approaching the centenary of its establishment as a formal discipline, International Relations today challenges the ahistorical and aspatial frameworks advanced by the theories of earlier luminaries. Yet, despite a burgeoning body of literature built on the transdisciplinary efforts bridging International Relations and its long-separated nomothetic relatives, the new and emerging conceptual frameworks have not been able to effectively overcome the challenge posed by the ‘non-West’. The recent wave of international historical sociology has highlighted possible trajectories to problematise the myopic and unipolar conceptions of the international system; however, the question of Eurocentrism still lingers in the developing research programmes. This article interjects into the ongoing historical materialist debate in international historical sociology by: (1) conceptually and empirically challenging the rigid boundaries of the extant approaches; and (2) critically assessing the postulations of recent theorising on ‘the international’, capitalist states-system/geopolitics and uneven and combined development. While the significance of the present contributions in international historical sociology should not be understated, it is argued that the ‘Eurocentric cage’ still occupies a dominant ontological position which essentially silences ‘connected histories’ and conceals the role of inter-societal relations in the making of the modern states-system and capitalist geopolitics

Geospatial Resolution of Human and Bacterial Diversity with City-Scale Metagenomics

The panoply of microorganisms and other species present in our environment influence human health and disease, especially in cities, but have not been profiled with metagenomics at a city-wide scale. We sequenced DNA from surfaces across the entire New York City (NYC) subway system, the Gowanus Canal, and public parks. Nearly half of the DNA (48%) does not match any known organism; identified organisms spanned 1,688 bacterial, viral, archaeal, and eukaryotic taxa, which were enriched for harmless genera associated with skin (e.g., Acinetobacter). Predicted ancestry of human DNA left on subway surfaces can recapitulate U.S. Census demographic data, and bacterial signatures can reveal a station’s history, such as marine-associated bacteria in a hurricane-flooded station. Some evidence of pathogens was found (Bacillus anthracis), but a lack of reported cases in NYC suggests that the pathogens represent a normal, urban microbiome. This baseline metagenomic map of NYC could help long-term disease surveillance, bioterrorism threat mitigation, and health management in the built environment of citie

The Survival of Non-capitalism

This article explores the importance of non-capitalist space within the global political economy. The issue of how to categorise and understand space in so-called peripheral regions such as Latin America has been a contentious one. Whilst many radical analyses have focused on the dynamics of capitalism in relation to the geography of development, explaining how it has been able to survive and grow, this article makes the case for a more multi-linear theoretical framework with which to view the socio-economic landscape. This is inspired not only by the later writings of Marx but also the specific Marxian class analysis of those involved in Rethinking Marxism. Via a focus on Oaxaca in southern Mexico, this article highlights both the survival and the recreation of spaces of non-capitalism, and provides an argument for why we should consider these to be important for transformative action more broadly, whilst also discussing their potential limitations

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol policy yet few studies have explored nightlife drinking behaviours. This study examines alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drinking environments in four European cities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A short questionnaire was implemented among 838 drinkers aged 16-35 in drinking environments in four European cities, in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. Questions included self-reported alcohol use before interview and expected consumption over the remainder of the night. Breathalyser tests were used to measured breath alcohol concentration (converted to BAC) at interview.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most participants in the Dutch (56.2%), Spanish (59.6%) and British (61.4%) samples had preloaded (cf Slovenia 34.8%). In those drinking < 3 h at interview, there were no differences in BAC by gender or nationality. In UK participants, BAC increased significantly in those who had been drinking longer, reaching 0.13% (median) in females and 0.17% in males drinking > 5 h. In other nationalities, BAC increases were less pronounced or absent. High BAC (> 0.08%) was associated with being male, aged > 19, British and having consumed spirits. In all cities most participants intended to drink enough alcohol to constitute binge drinking.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Different models of drinking behaviour are seen in different nightlife settings. Here, the UK sample was typified by continued increases in inebriation compared with steady, more moderate intoxication elsewhere. With the former being associated with higher health risks, European alcohol policy must work to deter this form of nightlife.</p