Multi-walled carbon nanotube induced frustrated phagocytosis, cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory conditions in macrophages are length dependent and greater than that of asbestos.

The potential toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been compared to pathogenic fibres such as asbestos. It is important to test this hypothesis to ascertain safe methods for CNT production, handling and disposal. In this study aspects reported to contribute to CNT toxicity were assessed: length, aspect ratio, iron content and crystallinity; with responses compared to industrially produced MWCNTs and toxicologically relevant materials such as asbestos. The impacts of these particles on a range of macrophage models in vitro were assessed due to the key role of macrophages in particle clearance and particle/fibre-induced disease. Industrially produced and long MWCNTs were cytotoxic to cells, and were potent in inducing pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic immune responses. Short CNTs did not induce any cytotoxicity. Frustrated phagocytosis was most evident in response to long CNTs, as was respiratory burst and reduction in phagocytic ability. Short CNTs, metal content and crystallinity had less or no influence on these endpoints, suggesting that many responses were fibre-length dependent. This study demonstrates that CNTs are potentially pathogenic, as they were routinely found to induce detrimental responses in macrophages greater than those induced by asbestos at the same mass-based dose.

Distance learning improves attainment of professional milestones in the early years of surgical training.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a surgical sciences e-learning programme in supporting the academic development of surgical trainees during their preparation for professional examination. BACKGROUND: In 2007, a 3-year online part-time Master of Surgical Sciences (MSc) degree programme was launched, utilizing an innovative platform with virtual case scenarios based on common surgical conditions addressed by the curriculum relating to the Membership Examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS). Multiple-choice questions with feedback and discussion boards facilitated by expert clinical tutors provided formative assessment. Summative assessment comprised written examination at the end of each of the first 2 years (equivalent to MRCS level), culminating in submission of a research dissertation in year 3 toward an MSc. METHODS: Students' age, gender, and level at entry to the programme were documented. Anonymized student feedback from 2008 to 2012 was examined using online questionnaires, and performance in the MSc programme was compared to MRCS examination outcomes for students who had consented to release of their results. RESULTS: A total of 517 surgical trainees from 40 countries were recruited over the 6-year period, and 116 MSc students have graduated to date. Of 368 students, 279 (76%) were foundation doctors (interns) and had not commenced formal surgical training on enrolling in the MSc programme. However, level at entry did not influence performance (P > 0.05 across all 3 years). Average pass rates since the programme launched, for those students completing all of the required assessments, were 84% ± 11% in year 1, 85% ± 10% in year 2, and 88% ± 7% in year 3 of the MSc programme. MSc students had significantly higher MRCS pass rates than nonenrolled trainees (67% vs 51%, P < 0.01, n = 352). There was a significant correlation between MRCS examination performance and overall performance in the MSc (R = 58%; P < 0.01, n = 37). Of 248 respondents, 202 (81%) considered that the MSc would improve their chances of gaining a surgical training post, and 224 (90%) would recommend the programme to their peers. CONCLUSIONS: The online MSc programme supports academic development of trainees in the early years of surgical training, is well received by students, and is associated with improved success in their professional examination.

Aerobic fitness is associated with lower proportions of senescent blood T-cells in man.

Senescent T-cells accumulate with age, lowering the naïve T-cell repertoire and increasing host infection risk. As this response is likely to be influenced by certain lifestyle factors, we examined the association between aerobic fitness (VO(2max)) and the age-related accumulation of senescent T-cells. Blood lymphocytes from 102 healthy males (18-61 yr) were analyzed for KLRG1, CD57, CD28, CD45RA, CD45RO surface expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells by 4-color flow cytometry. Advancing age (yr) was positively associated with the proportion (%) of senescent (KLRG1+/CD57+; KLRG1+/CD28-) CD4+ (B=1.00; 1.02) and CD8+ (B=0.429; 1.02) T-cells and inversely associated with naïve (KLRG1-/CD28+) CD4+ (B=-1.000) and CD8+ (B=-0.993) T-cells. VO(2max) was inversely associated with senescent CD4+ (B=-0.97) and CD8+ (B=-0.240). Strikingly, age was no longer associated with the proportions of senescent or naïve T-cells after adjusting for VO(2max), while the association between VO(2max) and these T-cell subsets withstood adjustment for age, BMI and percentage body fat. Ranking participants by age-adjusted VO(2max) revealed that the highest tertile had 17% more naïve CD8+ T-cells and 57% and 37% less senescent CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, respectively, compared to the lowest tertile. VO(2max) was not associated with latent cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection, indicating that the moderating associations of VO(2max) were not confounded by persistent viral infections. This is the first study to show that aerobic fitness is associated with a lower age-related accumulation of senescent T-cells, highlighting the beneficial effects of maintaining a physically active lifestyle on the aging immune system.

Cannabinoid CB(1) receptor activation stimulates neurite outgrowth and inhibits capsaicin-induced Ca(2+) influx in an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy.

Cannabinoid CB(1) receptors mediate, in part, the neuroprotectant properties of endocannabinoids, and altered signalling via the CB(1) receptor may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. We investigated CB(1) receptor function in PC12 cells differentiated into a neuronal phenotype with nerve growth factor (NGF, 50 ng/ml) in 5.5 and 50 mM concentrations of glucose. High glucose was associated with impaired NGF-induced neurite outgrowth (P < 0.01; n = 185-218) and reduced expression of CB(1) receptor mRNA (P < 0.01; n = 6) on day 6 of culture. Whilst treatment of hyperglycemic cells with HU210 (0.03-3 microM) increased neurite length in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.01; n = 136-218), CB(1) receptor expression was not significantly altered by chronic agonist stimulation (P = 0.32; n = 6 per group). Application of the CB(1) agonist HU210 (1 microM) inhibited capsaicin-induced calcium transients to a similar degree in cells cultured in high glucose (40%) versus normal (43%) (P < 0.05; n = 33-50). HU210-mediated rescue of neurite outgrowth and inhibition of calcium influx was blocked by the selective CB(1) antagonist AM251 (1 microM), but not by the selective CB(2) antagonist AM630 (1 microM), confirming the role of CB(1) receptors. High glucose treatment did not significantly elevate endocannabinoid levels. These results suggest that high glucose concentrations are associated with decreased expression, but preserved function of CB(1) receptors in nerve cells.

Expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in models of diabetic neuropathy.

A clearer understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of diabetic neuropathy is likely to indicate new directions for the treatment of this complication of diabetes. In the present study we investigated the expression of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in models of diabetic neuropathy. PC12 cells were differentiated into a neuronal phenotype with nerve growth factor (NGF) (50 ng/ml) in varying concentrations of glucose (5.5-50 mM). CB(1) receptor expression was studied at the mRNA level by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level via immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. CB(1) expression was also compared in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) removed from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats versus control animals. Total neurite length induced by NGF was reduced in cells cultured in 20 to 50 mM glucose at day 6 (P < 0.01 versus 5.5 mM; n = 6). Cell viability assays conducted in parallel on day 6 confirmed that the total cell numbers were not significantly different among the various glucose concentrations (P = 0.86; n = 12). RT-PCR, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analysis all revealed down-regulation of the CB(1) receptor in cells treated with high glucose (P < 0.05; n = 4-5 for each), and in DRG removed from diabetic rats compared with controls (P < 0.01; n = 5 for immunohistochemistry, and n = 3 for Western blot). These results suggest that high glucose concentrations are associated with decreased expression of CB(1) receptors in nerve cells. Given the neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids, a decline in CB(1) receptor expression may contribute to the neurodegenerative process observed in diabetes.

Perivascular nerves induce cardiorespiratory reflexes in response to algogens in anaesthetised rats.

In the present study we measured cardiovascular and respiratory reflexes evoked by administration of bradykinin and capsaicin into the hindlimb vasculature of anaesthetised rats, whilst simultaneously recording activity of sensory afferents on the adventitial surface of femoral arteries and veins. Bradykinin (0.9 nmol) and capsaicin (0.3 nmol) caused a rapid reflex fall in mean arterial pressure (delta mmHg: -37 +/- 8 and -28 +/- 3, respectively; P < 0.01) and an increase in respiratory minute volume (delta ml min(-1): 180.0 +/- 39.2 and 156.1 +/- 24.5, respectively; P < 0.01), associated with an increase in neural discharge in arterial afferents (from basal 0.4 +/- 0.3 to 8.5 +/- 2.9 impulses s(-1) following intra-arterial administration of bradykinin, P < 0.05, n = 7; from basal 0.2 +/- 0.1 to 7.5 +/- 3.7 impulses s(-1) with capsaicin, P < 0.01, n = 18). The antagonists FR173657 and capsazepine confirmed bradykinin B2 and vanilloid VR1 receptors mediated the responses to bradykinin and capsaicin, respectively. Topical administration of algogen to the vessel surface, and electrical stimulation of the adventitia also evoked cardiovascular and respiratory responses. These data support the hypothesis that stimulation of sensory nerve endings within the hindlimb vasculature contributes to systemic cardiorespiratory reflexes in the rat.

Cannabidiol lacks the vanilloid VR1-mediated vasorespiratory effects of capsaicin and anandamide in anaesthetised rats.

The results of vasorespiratory studies in rats anaesthetised with pentobarbital show that (+/-) cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that lacks psychotropic actions and is inactive at cannabinoid (CB) receptors, does not affect respiration or blood pressure when injected (1-2000 microg; 3.2-6360 nmol i.a.). Cannabidiol in doses up to 2 mg (6360 nmol) i.a. or i.v. did not affect the fall in mean blood pressure or the increase in ventilation (respiratory minute volume) caused by capsaicin and high doses of anandamide, responses that are mediated by activation of vanilloid VR1 (TRPV1) receptors in this species. Similar results were obtained with (-) cannabidiol (30-100 microg i.a.; 95-318 nmol). It has previously been shown using human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells over-expressing vanilloid human VR1 (hVR1) receptors that cannabidiol is a full agonist at vanilloid VR1 receptors in vitro. However, in the intact rat cannabidiol lacked vanilloid VR1 receptor agonist effects. We conclude that there are substantial functional differences between human and rat vanilloid VR1 receptors with respect to the actions of cannabidiol as an agonist at vanilloid VR1 receptors. Studies in vivo show that cannabidiol lacks any significant effect on mean blood pressure or respiratory minute volume when injected i.a. or i.v., and that this cannabinoid does not modulate the vanilloid VR1 receptor-mediated cardiovascular and ventilatory changes reflexly evoked by capsaicin or anandamide in rats anaesthetised with pentobarbital.