Zhang H, Schools GP, Lei T, Wang W, Kimelberg HK, Zhou M.
Neural and Vascular Biology, Ordway Research Institute, Center for
Medical Science, 150 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Accumulating evidence indicates that the polyphenol resveratrol
(trans-3, 5, 4"-trihydroxystibene, RVT) potently protects against
cerebral ischemia neuronal damage due to its oxygen free radicals
scavenging and antioxidant properties. However, it is unknown
whether RVT can attenuate ischemia-induced early impairment of
neuronal excitability. To address this question, we simulated
ischemic conditions by applying oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to
acute rat hippocampal slices and examined the effect of RVT on
OGD-induced pyramidal neuron excitability impairment using
whole-cell patch clamp recording. 100 microM RVT largely inhibited
the 15 min OGD-induced progressive membrane potential (Vm)
depolarization and the reduction in evoked action potential
frequency and amplitude in pyramidal neurons. In a parallel neuronal
viability study using TO-PRO-3 iodide staining, 20 min OGD induced
irreversible CA1 pyramidal neuronal death which was significantly
reduced by 100 microM RVT. No similar effects were found with PQQ
treatment, an antioxidant also showing potent neuroprotection in the
rat rMCAO ischemia model. This suggests that antioxidant action per
se, is unlikely accounting for the observed early effects of RVT.
RVT also markedly reduced the frequency and amplitude of AMPA
mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in
pyramidal neurons, which is also an early consequence of OGD. RVT
effects on neuronal excitability were inhibited by the
large-conductance potassium channel (BK channel) inhibitor
paxilline. Together, these studies demonstrate that RVT attenuates
OGD-induced neuronal impairment occurring early in the simulated
ischemia slice model by enhancing the activation of BK channel and
reducing the OGD-enhanced AMPA/NMDA receptor mediated neuronal EPSCs.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Resveratrol attenuates early pyramidal neuron excitability impairment and death in acute rat hippocampal slices caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation.
*/State identifies toxic chemicals/*
By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Center
for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released a list of about
1,700 “chemicals of high concern”— substances that pose a significant
risk to human health that also are used in manufacturing common consumer
goods.
The release of the list, mandated by a state law passed in 2008, was
hailed by state officials and environmental health advocates as an
important step toward protecting Maine’s natural environment, as well as
children and women of childbearing age, from the toxic effects of
chemicals. But a spokesman for the chemical industry expressed concern
that Maine may not have the resources to accurately identify or regulate
chemicals that pose the greatest risk.
“Increasing public awareness of toxic chemicals and their presence in
children’s products will promote the use of safer chemicals in Maine and
move us toward our long-term goal of protecting the public and the
environment,” said DEP Commissioner David Littell.
At 83 pages, the list includes many compounds whose names would be
unfamiliar to most people. But some, such as lead, mercury and
formaldehyde, are widely recognized for their toxic effects on babies
and young children.
Others, such as phthalates, bisphenol-A and deca, have become more
familiar in recent years as public health and environmental groups have
sounded the alarm about their presence in household goods.
Infant formula, plastic shower curtains, toys, cosmetics, furniture and
home electronics are among the products that can contain and emit the
toxic chemicals.
Littell said the list was distilled by DEP and Maine CDC staff from
existing rosters of toxic substances developed by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other groups.
Despite the length of the chemicals list, the law that created it calls
for action to be taken on a minimum of just two. The next step is for
agency staff to select two or more “priority chemicals” that could be
prohibited in products sold in Maine. Those chemicals can be banned only
if safer alternatives are available at a comparable cost. The priority
chemicals must be named by Jan. 1, 2011.
Littell said Maine and Washington are leaders among the 50 states in
regulating the presence of toxic chemicals in consumer goods.
“Far too often we are forced to confront the risks and benefits of
chemicals in products only after we discover they are present in
children’s bodies at levels of possible concern,” said Dr. Dora Anne
Mills, director of the Maine CDC. “We need to be assured that children’s
products are safe from toxic chemicals when they are put on the market.
The Maine [chemicals of high concern] list is an important first step
toward that critical goal.”
Also applauding the release of the list on Friday was House Speaker
Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven.
“Maine is being bold, and other states and the federal government are
watching what we are doing,” said Pingree. “This list may seem like a
small thing, but it is moving the national debate forward and the result
will be safer products for Mainers and, hopefully, all Americans.”
In 2007, Pingree was one of 13 Mainers from across the state who
submitted specimens of blood, urine and hair for testing at independent
laboratories. The samples were tested for the presence of 71 toxic
substances, including flame retardants, chemicals used in
water-repellent clothing, nonstick cookware, and plastics, and toxic
elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury. The testing found 46 of the
71 chemicals in the samples. Pingree had among the highest level of
phthalates, described in the test reports as “hormone-disrupting
chemicals that threaten normal development and reproductive health.”
The report of the testing was used to support the passage of the 2008
Kids Safe Products Act, which mandated the creation of the list released
Friday.
Michael Belliveau of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, a
Maine-based nonprofit organization, said Friday’s listing should “send a
signal” to manufacturers.
“Hundreds of these chemicals, known to wreak havoc on our hormone
systems and cause cancer and learning disabilities, are in the products
used by Maine families every day and concern is building among the
public about the long-term effects on our health,” he said.
Roger Bernstein, vice president of state government affairs for the
American Chemistry Council, said Friday that the organization is not
opposed to states working to identify and regulate chemicals in consumer
products.
But many states lack sufficient resources to develop a “science-based”
method for determining the actual risk posed by certain chemicals, he said.
“We don’t think the legislation in Maine was science-based enough,” he
said. “It was almost driven by a zero-risk principle.” Bernstein said
such an approach is “neither realistic nor informative” when determining
risk. The organization will work with Maine DEP staff to identify the
short list of high priority chemicals for further regulation, he said.
The American Chemistry Council opposed the passage of the Kids Safe
Products Act in Maine.
On the Web: http://www.maine.gov/dep/oc/safechem
mhaskell@bangordailynews.net
BDN Staff
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Center
for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released a list of about
1,700 “chemicals of high concern”— substances that pose a significant
risk to human health that also are used in manufacturing common consumer
goods.
The release of the list, mandated by a state law passed in 2008, was
hailed by state officials and environmental health advocates as an
important step toward protecting Maine’s natural environment, as well as
children and women of childbearing age, from the toxic effects of
chemicals. But a spokesman for the chemical industry expressed concern
that Maine may not have the resources to accurately identify or regulate
chemicals that pose the greatest risk.
“Increasing public awareness of toxic chemicals and their presence in
children’s products will promote the use of safer chemicals in Maine and
move us toward our long-term goal of protecting the public and the
environment,” said DEP Commissioner David Littell.
At 83 pages, the list includes many compounds whose names would be
unfamiliar to most people. But some, such as lead, mercury and
formaldehyde, are widely recognized for their toxic effects on babies
and young children.
Others, such as phthalates, bisphenol-A and deca, have become more
familiar in recent years as public health and environmental groups have
sounded the alarm about their presence in household goods.
Infant formula, plastic shower curtains, toys, cosmetics, furniture and
home electronics are among the products that can contain and emit the
toxic chemicals.
Littell said the list was distilled by DEP and Maine CDC staff from
existing rosters of toxic substances developed by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other groups.
Despite the length of the chemicals list, the law that created it calls
for action to be taken on a minimum of just two. The next step is for
agency staff to select two or more “priority chemicals” that could be
prohibited in products sold in Maine. Those chemicals can be banned only
if safer alternatives are available at a comparable cost. The priority
chemicals must be named by Jan. 1, 2011.
Littell said Maine and Washington are leaders among the 50 states in
regulating the presence of toxic chemicals in consumer goods.
“Far too often we are forced to confront the risks and benefits of
chemicals in products only after we discover they are present in
children’s bodies at levels of possible concern,” said Dr. Dora Anne
Mills, director of the Maine CDC. “We need to be assured that children’s
products are safe from toxic chemicals when they are put on the market.
The Maine [chemicals of high concern] list is an important first step
toward that critical goal.”
Also applauding the release of the list on Friday was House Speaker
Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven.
“Maine is being bold, and other states and the federal government are
watching what we are doing,” said Pingree. “This list may seem like a
small thing, but it is moving the national debate forward and the result
will be safer products for Mainers and, hopefully, all Americans.”
In 2007, Pingree was one of 13 Mainers from across the state who
submitted specimens of blood, urine and hair for testing at independent
laboratories. The samples were tested for the presence of 71 toxic
substances, including flame retardants, chemicals used in
water-repellent clothing, nonstick cookware, and plastics, and toxic
elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury. The testing found 46 of the
71 chemicals in the samples. Pingree had among the highest level of
phthalates, described in the test reports as “hormone-disrupting
chemicals that threaten normal development and reproductive health.”
The report of the testing was used to support the passage of the 2008
Kids Safe Products Act, which mandated the creation of the list released
Friday.
Michael Belliveau of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, a
Maine-based nonprofit organization, said Friday’s listing should “send a
signal” to manufacturers.
“Hundreds of these chemicals, known to wreak havoc on our hormone
systems and cause cancer and learning disabilities, are in the products
used by Maine families every day and concern is building among the
public about the long-term effects on our health,” he said.
Roger Bernstein, vice president of state government affairs for the
American Chemistry Council, said Friday that the organization is not
opposed to states working to identify and regulate chemicals in consumer
products.
But many states lack sufficient resources to develop a “science-based”
method for determining the actual risk posed by certain chemicals, he said.
“We don’t think the legislation in Maine was science-based enough,” he
said. “It was almost driven by a zero-risk principle.” Bernstein said
such an approach is “neither realistic nor informative” when determining
risk. The organization will work with Maine DEP staff to identify the
short list of high priority chemicals for further regulation, he said.
The American Chemistry Council opposed the passage of the Kids Safe
Products Act in Maine.
On the Web: http://www.maine.gov/dep/oc/safechem
mhaskell@bangordailynews.net
Low-dose naltrexone effects on plasma chemistries and clinical symptoms in autism: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Bouvard MP et al. Psychiatry Res. 1995 Oct 16;58(3):191-201.
The effect of month-long naltrexone (NTX) treatment at a daily oral
dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day was contrasted with placebo (PLC) in a
double-blind study with conjoint clinical and biochemical
evaluations of therapeutic effects. Modest clinical benefits were
achieved with both PLC and NTX, with marginally better overall
results following NTX, and degree of improvement appeared to be
related to plasma chemical profiles. Massively elevated levels of
beta-endorphin were observed in all children with assays using
C-terminal antibody but not with an N-terminal antibody assay. In
addition, 70% of the children exhibited abnormally low levels of
adrenocorticotropic hormone, and smaller subsets exhibited elevated
norepinephrine (60%), arginine-vasopressin (50%), and serotonin
(20%). The best clinical responders exhibited the clearest
normalization of the elevated plasma chemistries, especially in
C-terminal-beta-endorphin and serotonin. There was some evidence of
therapeutic carry-over effects in both clinical and biochemical
measures in those children who received NTX before PLC. The results
suggest that NTX only benefits a subgroup of autistic children, who
may be identified by the presence of certain plasma abnormalities.
These results suggest a possible linkage between abnormal plasma
chemistries, especially those related to the pro-opiomelanocortin
system, and autistic symptoms.
PMID: 8570775
The effect of month-long naltrexone (NTX) treatment at a daily oral
dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day was contrasted with placebo (PLC) in a
double-blind study with conjoint clinical and biochemical
evaluations of therapeutic effects. Modest clinical benefits were
achieved with both PLC and NTX, with marginally better overall
results following NTX, and degree of improvement appeared to be
related to plasma chemical profiles. Massively elevated levels of
beta-endorphin were observed in all children with assays using
C-terminal antibody but not with an N-terminal antibody assay. In
addition, 70% of the children exhibited abnormally low levels of
adrenocorticotropic hormone, and smaller subsets exhibited elevated
norepinephrine (60%), arginine-vasopressin (50%), and serotonin
(20%). The best clinical responders exhibited the clearest
normalization of the elevated plasma chemistries, especially in
C-terminal-beta-endorphin and serotonin. There was some evidence of
therapeutic carry-over effects in both clinical and biochemical
measures in those children who received NTX before PLC. The results
suggest that NTX only benefits a subgroup of autistic children, who
may be identified by the presence of certain plasma abnormalities.
These results suggest a possible linkage between abnormal plasma
chemistries, especially those related to the pro-opiomelanocortin
system, and autistic symptoms.
PMID: 8570775
Vaccines - Dire/Fatal Effects On Recently Injected Zimbabwe Children
Zimbabwe
July 05, 2009
Ministry looks into vaccine effects
Itai Mazire
THE Government has intensified investigations into reports of prolonged side effects among children who were recently immunised against the major child killer diseases.
This comes amid unconfirmed reports that some of the vaccine batches had fatal effects on a number of children in various areas across the country. Speaking in an interview yesterday, the Acting Secretary for Health and Child Welfare, Dr Christopher Tapfumaneyi, confirmed that investigations were in progress, but added that they had not received any reports of fatalities.
He said the ministry had requested reports from all of the country’s provincial health institutions.
"We have not yet received any death-related cases among young children who were vaccinated and, as a ministry, we have asked for detailed reports from all our health institutions.
"Cases of side effects are expected after vaccination, but they usually last for only two or three days. The recent vaccination programme was aimed at lowering the country’s infant mortality rate," said Dr Tapfumaneyi.
Health Minister Dr Henry Madzorera had earlier said his ministry was aware of the reports of prolonged side effects, adding that investigation teams would be deployed to assess the situation.
"We have been hearing about these cases from media houses and parents, but our health centres have not given us any detailed reports with regard to these claims.
"As a ministry, we are going to carry out investigations to determine if these cases are true. What usually happens is that most children experience a fever that lasts for a day or two after immunisation," said Dr Madzorera.
Early this month the Government authorised a vaccination programme under which over two million children were immunised against measles, tetanus, typhoid, polio, tuberculosis and diphtheria.
The programme targeted children between zero and six years of age. Health experts countrywide commended the programme as a success as the response was good with mothers coming in their thousands to have their children immunised.
However, the usual expected side effects became prolonged among some of the children, leaving parents in a state of panic. A medical practitioner from Harare Central Hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity last week confirmed that they have been treating children who have been experiencing these prolonged side effects.
"We have been receiving cases of children with these drug side effects and most of these cases involve children suffering from chills, nausea, vomiting and few reported cases of diarrhoea," she said.
When The Sunday Mail visited Ruwa Council Clinic last week, parents were heard complaining about the drug’s side effects on their children. A parent at the clinic said that it was now worrying because these cases were being reported in Ruwa, Damofalls and Windsor Park with similar signs and symptoms.
"What worries me is that after the immunisation programme, my son just developed a fever and I have been coming here to get new treatment for my child. I know several other mothers who have reported the same symptoms and we would really like the authorities to investigate the issue," said Mrs Joyce Marumbi.
Dr Madzorera said the ministry’s policy was that children who are sick should not be vaccinated, adding that there was need to confirm whether the affected children did not have previous medical problems.
"It is Government’s policy that we do not vaccinate children who are sick, so there is need for us to launch comprehensive investigations into these allegations," he said.
Dr Tapfumaneyi said these reports were quite worrying because the drugs used in the vaccination were identical to those used in previous campaigns.
"We get our drugs from impeccable sources, who are also responsible for supplying other African countries. Therefore it is quite worrying to receive reports that there are now side effects amongst children," said Dr Tapfumaneyi.
July 05, 2009
Ministry looks into vaccine effects
Itai Mazire
THE Government has intensified investigations into reports of prolonged side effects among children who were recently immunised against the major child killer diseases.
This comes amid unconfirmed reports that some of the vaccine batches had fatal effects on a number of children in various areas across the country. Speaking in an interview yesterday, the Acting Secretary for Health and Child Welfare, Dr Christopher Tapfumaneyi, confirmed that investigations were in progress, but added that they had not received any reports of fatalities.
He said the ministry had requested reports from all of the country’s provincial health institutions.
"We have not yet received any death-related cases among young children who were vaccinated and, as a ministry, we have asked for detailed reports from all our health institutions.
"Cases of side effects are expected after vaccination, but they usually last for only two or three days. The recent vaccination programme was aimed at lowering the country’s infant mortality rate," said Dr Tapfumaneyi.
Health Minister Dr Henry Madzorera had earlier said his ministry was aware of the reports of prolonged side effects, adding that investigation teams would be deployed to assess the situation.
"We have been hearing about these cases from media houses and parents, but our health centres have not given us any detailed reports with regard to these claims.
"As a ministry, we are going to carry out investigations to determine if these cases are true. What usually happens is that most children experience a fever that lasts for a day or two after immunisation," said Dr Madzorera.
Early this month the Government authorised a vaccination programme under which over two million children were immunised against measles, tetanus, typhoid, polio, tuberculosis and diphtheria.
The programme targeted children between zero and six years of age. Health experts countrywide commended the programme as a success as the response was good with mothers coming in their thousands to have their children immunised.
However, the usual expected side effects became prolonged among some of the children, leaving parents in a state of panic. A medical practitioner from Harare Central Hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity last week confirmed that they have been treating children who have been experiencing these prolonged side effects.
"We have been receiving cases of children with these drug side effects and most of these cases involve children suffering from chills, nausea, vomiting and few reported cases of diarrhoea," she said.
When The Sunday Mail visited Ruwa Council Clinic last week, parents were heard complaining about the drug’s side effects on their children. A parent at the clinic said that it was now worrying because these cases were being reported in Ruwa, Damofalls and Windsor Park with similar signs and symptoms.
"What worries me is that after the immunisation programme, my son just developed a fever and I have been coming here to get new treatment for my child. I know several other mothers who have reported the same symptoms and we would really like the authorities to investigate the issue," said Mrs Joyce Marumbi.
Dr Madzorera said the ministry’s policy was that children who are sick should not be vaccinated, adding that there was need to confirm whether the affected children did not have previous medical problems.
"It is Government’s policy that we do not vaccinate children who are sick, so there is need for us to launch comprehensive investigations into these allegations," he said.
Dr Tapfumaneyi said these reports were quite worrying because the drugs used in the vaccination were identical to those used in previous campaigns.
"We get our drugs from impeccable sources, who are also responsible for supplying other African countries. Therefore it is quite worrying to receive reports that there are now side effects amongst children," said Dr Tapfumaneyi.
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