Internal cardiac defibrillation: Histopathology and temporal stability of defibrillation energy requirements

The automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator is tested intraoperatively to ensure effectiveness by performing a number of induced fribrillation-defibrillation trials. The temporal stability of defibrillation energy requirements and the histopathologic effects of multiple defibrillating shocks were studied in 12 dogs chronically instrumented with an internal spring-patch lead system identical to that used in humans. Dogs were studied on days 1, 11, 18, 25 and 32. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and the energy required for 50% (E50) and 80% (E80) success was compared. On day 32 the dogs were killed and the heart was removed for gross and microscopic pathologic examination.There was a significant decrease in energy requirements from day 1 to day 11, as the E50decreased from 6.9 ± 4.5 to 4.9 ± 2.5 J (p < 0.02) and the E80decreased from 8.5 ± 5.2 to 6.1 ± 3.4 J (p < 0.02). The energy requirements then remained stable over the remainder of the experiment. The dogs were administered 209 ± 18 shocks (range 1 to 24 J) for a total cumulative dose of 1,524 ± 571 J. In all cases, both grossly and microscopically, there was no evidence of pathologic changes in the myocardium or coronary vessels. In all cases there was a fibrous plaque beneath the patch electrodes, at times containing an area of patchy hemorrhage; in a single specimen a mixed inflammatory infiltrate accompanied the hemorrhage. Endothelialization of the spring electrode with mild right atrial endocardial fibrosis was also observed.Therefore, the energy requirements for successful defibrillation decrease during the first 11 days after testing at implantation, and then remain stable. Also, multiple, closely spaced defibrillating shocks applied through the spring-patch electrode system do not cause myocardial damage or changes other than those associated with the implantation

Short versus long silver nanowires: a comparison of in vivo pulmonary effects post instillation.

BackgroundSilver nanowires (Ag NWs) are increasingly being used to produce touchscreens for smart phones and computers. When applied in a thin film over a plastic substrate, Ag NWs create a transparent, highly-conductive network of fibers enabling the touch interface between consumers and their electronics. Large-scale application methods utilize techniques whereby Ag NW suspensions are deposited onto substrates via droplets. Aerosolized droplets increase risk of occupational Ag NW exposure. Currently, there are few published studies on Ag NW exposure-related health effects. Concerns have risen about the potential for greater toxicity from exposure to high-aspect ratio nanomaterials compared to their non-fibrous counterparts. This study examines whether Ag NWs of varying lengths affect biological responses and silver distribution within the lungs at different time-points.MethodsTwo different sizes of Ag NWs (2 μm [S-Ag NWs] and 20 μm [L-Ag NWs]) were tested. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with Ag NWs (0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg). Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained at 1, 7, and 21 days post exposure for analysis of BAL total cells, cell differentials, and total protein as well as tissue pathology and silver distribution.Results and conclusionsThe two highest doses produced significant increases in BAL endpoints. At Day 1, Ag NWs increased total cells, inflammatory polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), and total protein. PMNs persisted for both Ag NW types at Day 7, though not significantly so, and by Day 21, PMNs appeared in line with sham control values. Striking histopathological features associated with Ag NWs included 1) a strong influx of eosinophils at Days 1 and 7; and 2) formation of Langhans and foreign body giant cells at Days 7 and 21. Epithelial sloughing in the terminal bronchioles (TB) and cellular exudate in alveolar regions were also common. By Day 21, Ag NWs were primarily enclosed in granulomas or surrounded by numerous macrophages in the TB-alveolar duct junction. These findings suggest short and long Ag NWs produce pulmonary toxicity; thus, further research into exposure-related health effects and possible exposure scenarios are necessary to ensure human safety as Ag NW demand increases

Size-Dependent Deposition, Translocation, and Microglial Activation of Inhaled Silver Nanoparticles in the Rodent Nose and Brain.

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNP) are present in personal, commercial, and industrial products, which are often aerosolized. Current understanding of the deposition, translocation, and health-related impacts of AgNP inhalation is limited.ObjectivesWe determined a) the deposition and retention of inhaled Ag in the nasal cavity from nose-only exposure; b) the timing for Ag translocation to and retention/clearance in the olfactory bulb (OB); and c) whether the presence of Ag in the OB affects microglial activity.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to citrate-buffered 20- or 110-nm AgNP (C20 or C110, respectively) or citrate buffer alone for 6 hr. The nasal cavity and OB were examined for the presence of Ag and for biological responses up to 56 days post-exposure (8 weeks).ResultsThe highest nasal Ag deposition was observed on Day 0 for both AgNP sizes. Inhalation of aerosolized C20 resulted in rapid translocation of Ag to the OB and in microglial activation at Days 0, 1, and 7. In contrast, inhalation of C110 resulted in a gradual but progressive transport of Ag to and retention in the OB, with a trend for microglial activation to variably be above control.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that after rats experienced a 6-hr inhalation exposure to 20- and 110-nm AgNP at a single point in time, Ag deposition in the nose, the rate of translocation to the brain, and subsequent microglial activation in the OB differed depending on AgNP size and time since exposure. Citation: Patchin ES, Anderson DS, Silva RM, Uyeminami DL, Scott GM, Guo T, Van Winkle LS, Pinkerton KE. 2016. Size-dependent deposition, translocation, and microglial activation of inhaled silver nanoparticles in the rodent nose and brain. Environ Health Perspect 124:1870-1875; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP234

Trim9 Deletion Alters the Morphogenesis of Developing and Adult-Born Hippocampal Neurons and Impairs Spatial Learning and Memory

During hippocampal development, newly born neurons migrate to appropriate destinations, extend axons, and ramify dendritic arbors to establish functional circuitry. These developmental stages are recapitulated in the dentate gyrus of the adult hippocampus, where neurons are continuously generated and subsequently incorporate into existing, local circuitry. Here we demonstrate that the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM9 regulates these developmental stages in embryonic and adult-born mouse hippocampal neurons in vitro and in vivo. Embryonic hippocampal and adult-born dentate granule neurons lacking Trim9 exhibit several morphological defects, including excessive dendritic arborization. Although gross anatomy of the hippocampus was not detectably altered by Trim9 deletion, a significant number of Trim9−/− adult-born dentate neurons localized inappropriately. These morphological and localization defects of hippocampal neurons in Trim9−/− mice were associated with extreme deficits in spatial learning and memory, suggesting that TRIM9-directed neuronal morphogenesis may be involved in hippocampal-dependent behaviors

A Comparison of Teachers Perceptions, Misconceptions, and Teaching of Students with Dyslexia

Teachers commonly work with students with dyslexia. They may not have been aware that the reason a student struggled with many academic tasks, was due to challenges with mental processing associated with the dyslexia. Dyslexia tends to be difficult to recognize. However, the commonly associated behaviors such as acting out, withdrawing, or simply trying and failing are readily noticeable. Because of the hidden nature of dyslexia, many teachers may attribute students’ lack of academic success to other easily explainable issues, such as attention deficit disorder or issues with family function. Students’ academic and potentially life-long success, could be influenced by the lack of teacher awareness or ability to recognize the executive functioning issues of students with dyslexia. Thus, there is a need for teachers at all levels to understand what dyslexia is, hold accurate conceptions of dyslexia, and know how to effectively support the learning of students with dyslexia. Given the critical role teachers play in working with students with dyslexia and the potential teachers have to support or hinder students long term success, there is warrant for examining the perceptions, attitudes, misconceptions, and practice of teachers working with students with dyslexia

Animal-Assisted Interventions: Relationship Between Standards and Qualifications

Ethical practice of animal- assisted interventions (AAI) requires appropriate qualifications and experience for all parties involved. Recently introduced and updated Standards of Practice emphasize the importance of AAI- specific training and qualification for different types of AAI, which should only be delivered within the scope of one’s professional competence. The purpose of this study was (1) to explore how a self- selected group of practitioners delivering AAI describe their work in relation to recent attempts to develop a terminological consensus (IAHAIO, 2014, 2018), and (2) to describe how AAI best practice recommendations (AAII, 2018) are implemented into professional practice among these AAI professionals working with dogs. The study employed an online survey that identified the participants’ qualification level, AAI specific training background, level of AAI experience, and their compliance with recommended guidelines on the documentation and measurement of clients’ progress. Data was collected from an international sample of 239 AAI professionals. A high proportion of respondents who were practitioners in a given field reported holding the necessary basic academic qualification for delivering animal- assisted education (AAE) (82.1%) or animal- assisted therapy (AAT) (91.4%). A substantial proportion delivered specific types of AAI that were beyond their scope of professional practice. A large proportion of respondent practitioners reported that they do not document (27.5%) or measure (28.5%) their clients’ progress as recommended by the professional standards. Experience in AAI was not a significant predictor of compliance with the recommended guidelines on documentation and measurement of clients’ progress; however, professional experience was related to their AAI experience. It is suggested that limitations in the provision of AAI- specific training and awareness of recently updated best practice recommendations influence the quality of AAI across practitioners. Overcoming these issues is essential to further professionalize AAI practice and enhance the quality of intervention programs