High physical fitness is associated with reduction in basal- and exercise-induced inflammation.

C-reactive protein (CRP) increases after strenuous exercise. It has been a concern that prolonged strenuous exercise may be harmful and induce a deleterious inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess and quantify the magnitude of CRP response following an endurance cycling competition in healthy middle-aged recreational cyclists. (b) Identify important determinants of this response. (c) Identify the relationship between CRP, myocardial damage (cardiac Troponin I (cTnI)), and myocardial strain (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]). (d) Identify the relationship between CRP and clinical events, defined as utilization of healthcare services or self-reported unusual discomfort. Race time was used as a measure of physical fitness. A total of 97 individuals (43±10 years of age, 74 [76%] males) were assessed prior to and 0, 3, and 24 hours following the 91-km mountain bike race "Nordsjørittet" (Sandnes, Norway, June 2013). There was a highly significant increase in CRP from baseline to 24 hours (0.9 (0.5-1.8) mg/L vs. 11.6 (6.0-17.5) mg/L (median[IQR]), P<.001), with no correlation of CRP to cTnI and BNP at any time-point. CRP was strongly correlated to race time at baseline (r=.38, P<.001) and at 24 hours following the race (r=.43, P<.001), In multivariate models, race time was an independent predictor of CRP both at baseline and at 24 hours (P<.01). There was no relationship between CRP levels and clinical events. In conclusion, high physical fitness was associated with reduction in both basal- and exercise-induced CRP. No adverse relationship was found between high intensity physical exercise, CRP levels, and outcomes.

Increased interleukin-1ß levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and remodelling following acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between interleukin (IL)-1-related molecules, infarct size and left ventricular (LV) remodelling following acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Forty-two patients with first-time diagnosis of ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), with a single occluded vessel successfully revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were recruited to this observational study conducted at a university teaching hospital and followed for 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of IL-1ß, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-18 and caspase-1 were analysed before and 2 days, 1 week and 2 months after PCI. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was used for the assessment of infarct size and LV remodelling. CMR findings at 1 year was the primary outcome variable. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that IL-1-related mediators were strongly (IL-1 ß), moderately (caspase-1) and weakly (IL-1Ra) associated with impaired myocardial function and noninfarct mass, but not infarct size, 1 year after reperfused STEMI. In multivariate analyses, troponin T predicted LV ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct size and LV end-diastolic (LVEDVi) and end-systolic volume index (LVESVi). However, significant additional variance was explained by IL-1ß, IL-18 and caspase-1. IL-1ß levels at 2 months, IL-18 at 2 days and pre-PCI caspase-1 were predictors of LVEF. Caspase-1 and in particular IL-1ß at 2 days were the only predictors of noninfarct mass. IL-1ß and IL-18 at 2 days were predictors of LVEDVi, whilst pre-PCI levels of IL-1ß contributed to prediction of LVESVi. By contrast, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, IL-6 and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) had no or only a weak (TGF-ß1) association with these CMR parameters in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1ß levels after STEMI were strongly associated with impaired myocardial function and noninfarct LV mass after 1 year, suggesting a potential role for IL-1ß as a predictor of maladaptive myocardial remodelling following reperfused MI.

Comparison of vitellogenin induction, sex ratio, and gonad morphology between zebrafish and Japanese medaka after exposure to 17alpha-ethinylestradiol and 17beta-trenbolone.

The pharmaceutical estrogen 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and the anabolic androgen 17beta-trenbolone (Tb) can interfere with the endocrine and reproductive systems of fish. The potency of these chemicals in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) was assessed using the core end points vitellogenin (Vtg) concentration at 38 days post-hatch and sex ratio and gonad morphology at 60 days post-hatch. Vtg concentrations were measured in fish whole-body homogenate samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Increased Vtg concentration and feminization of fish after exposure to 10 ng/L EE2, as well as masculinization after exposure to 50 ng/L of Tb, were observed in zebrafish. Intersex was observed in medaka exposed to EE2. A decrease in Vtg production after Tb exposure (50 ng/L) was measured in both zebrafish and medaka. Analyses of gonad morphology revealed increased testicular area and sperm percentage in Tb-exposed zebrafish, whereas increased sperm percentage was measured in Tb-exposed medaka. The higher sensitivity of zebrafish compared with medaka to both EE2 and Tb was revealed in the study.

Bioaccumulation of selected PCBs in zebrafish, three-spined stickleback, and arctic char after three different routes of exposure.

The uptake and elimination of 20 structurally diverse tetra- to heptachlorinated biphenyls were studied in zebrafish (Danio rerio), three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were administered to the fish through food, intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil, or intraperitoneal implantation of silicone capsules. The retention of the PCBs in fish exposed through their diet was related with the substitution patterns of the compounds. Ortho-substituted congeners with no unsubstituted meta-para positions had high biomagnification potential. PCBs with low biomagnification all had adjacent vicinal hydrogens, indicating that congeners with this feature may have been metabolically eliminated. The retention characteristics of the PCBs in the diet-exposed and the injected zebrafish were similar. The pattern of congeners in Arctic char indicates that they have a lower capacity to metabolize PCBs compared to three-spined sticklebacks and zebrafish. The levels in the fish exposed to the PCBs through a silastic implant were negatively correlated with the hydrophobicity of the congeners. Most probably congener-specific release rates of the PCBs from the implants mask their retention characteristics. It is suggested that food, mimicking the natural intake route, should be used in PCB exposure studies to validate extrapolations to natural situations.

Environmental monitoring of the kafue river, located in the Copperbelt, Zambia.

Zambia is a country with an extensive mining industry with the majority of mines located in the Copperbelt province. Through this region of the country, the Kafue River drains and receives effluent water from mining activities as well as from other industrial point sources. In addition, production of agricultural products and pest control requires use of different pesticides in the area. Information on industrial and agricultural pollution has not been clearly identified in Zambia, and little attention has been paid to pollution control and possible impact of metals, pesticides, and other persistent compounds in the environment. The objective of this study was to introduce and to evaluate a few methodologies based on in situ bioassays for environmental assessment to promote sustainable and environmentally sound water resource management of the Kafue River. The results show that caged threespot tilapia exposed downstream of industrial points sources rapidly bioaccumulate several trace elements, i.e., Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni. These elements also occurred in much higher concentrations in water samples downstream of the industrial area compared with a locality upstream. Furthermore, the use of a semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) for passive absorption of lipophilic pollutants in the water showed relatively high concentration of several pesticides, i.e., DDT with major metabolites, PCB, and dieldrin. The present study shows that only 2 weeks of in situ studies in waters contaminated by pollutants affects in situ exposed fish and that the correlation between water and tissue concentrations was relatively good. Both trace elements and persistent organic pollutants occurred in such high concentrations that they must be considered from ecotoxicological aspects and may affect aquatic animal health.

Pharmacotherapy following myocardial infarction--a review of current treatment practices.

Modern treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), including thrombolysis and early interventional strategies, has reduced mortality rates but increased the number of patients requiring medical treatment. Post infarction treatment with aspirin, statins, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has improved morbidity and mortality and is cost-effective. The major successes of secondary prevention have been seen in the prevention of reinfarction, recurrent ischaemia and the development of heart failure. However, in spite of recent advances and increasing knowledge, the mortality rates remain high, partly due to the under use of the established and documented medical strategies. Implementation of the current treatment strategies into general practice remains a challenge. The field is undergoing rapid change due to the increasing use of early invasive strategies. The primary objective should remain the prevention of underlying aetiology: coronary artery disease (CAD). Secondary prevention following myocardial infarction (MI) will remain a major challenge in clinical practice within the foreseeable future.

The impact of musk ketone on reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Nitro musks are a group of nitrated benzenes mainly used by the fragrance industry as a substitute for natural musk. Two of the most common nitro musks, musk xylene and musk ketone, have been detected in water, fish, human adipose tissue, as well as in human breast milk. In this study, female zebrafish were dietary-exposed to musk ketone, prior to spawning with unexposed males. The fish were exposed for 8 weeks at two different dose levels. Accumulation of the compound in the fish as well as reproductive success were studied. Exposed females had reduced body weight and length, as well as reduced liver- and gonad somatic index. The results from the reproduction study showed a dose-dependent reduction in fecundity. Early life-stage mortality was increased and the median survival time was reduced. In addition, an embryo/larvae toxicity test was performed, using newly fertilized zebrafish eggs from unexposed parental fish. Eggs were exposed to a series of different concentrations of musk ketone via the surrounding water. A NOEC value of 10 micrograms/l and a LOEC value of 33 micrograms/l was determined. Conclusively, the present study clearly shows that musk ketone negatively affects reproduction and early life-stage survival in zebrafish.

The impact on reproduction of an orally administered mixture of selected PCBs in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were orally exposed to a mixture of 20 PCBs in three different dose levels (0.008, 0.08, and 0.4 microg of each congener per gram of freeze-dried chironomids). Generally, the PCBs accumulated in a dose-related manner. After 13 weeks of exposure body, liver, and ovary weights, as well as the liver and ovary somatic index, were significantly lower in exposed groups. In addition, the PCB mixture was an effective inducer of hepatic EROD activity. The reproduction study performed with exposed females and unexposed males after 9 weeks revealed that median survival time for larvae was only 7.7 days in the high-dose group as compared with 14 days in controls. Furthermore, egg production was reduced in all three groups exposed. No differences in hatching frequency or median hatching time were recorded. Histologically, females in both the intermediate and high-dose groups contained a reduced number of mature oocytes. The present study demonstrates that the potency of the mixture of selected PCBs induces hepatic EROD activity and has a clearly negative effect on zebrafish reproduction.

[Familial clustering of asbestos-related diseases]. / Familiaer opphopning av asbestrelatert sykdom.

This article describes the case histories of four individuals in the same family, all of whom developed asbestos-related disease. Special emphasis is placed upon the case of a woman, who after seemingly minimal exposure to asbestos, in the form of cleaning her husband's working clothes, developed a malignant mesothelioma. The incidence of asbestos-related disease has increased steadily over the past ten years. This probably reflects the extensive use of asbestos in Norway since World War II, and the long latency period of the disease. The authors recommend obtaining an in-depth history of exposure when asbestos-related disease is suspected.