Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Oct 2008
Sex differences in dopamine- and vesicular monoamine-transporter functions.
Men and women differ with regard to their use of, and responses to, methamphetamine (MA). Analogous sex differences with regard to MA are observed in animal models. In this report, data from a series of experiments that focus upon dopamine transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter2 (VMAT2) function are reviewed by way of providing some understanding for these sex differences to MA. ⋯ Administration of the VMAT2 blocker, reserpine, in vivo resulted in a significantly greater amount of striatal DA depletion within female mice and infusion of reserpine in vitro into striatal tissue produced significantly greater levels of extracellular DA in females. The data of these reserpine experiments suggest that females possess a more active/efficient VMAT2 function. Collectively, the data provide evidence for sex differences in both DAT and VMAT2 functioning, and we propose that the interaction of these two transporter systems contributes to the differences in response to MA between males and females.
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Primary brain tumors account for less than 2% of all cancers in adults; however, they are often associated with neurologic morbidity and high mortality. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has been a focus of new therapy development in neurooncology because it is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Standard-of-care therapy for newly diagnosed GBM includes surgical resection, radiotherapy, and temozolomide, administered both during and after radiotherapy. ⋯ Nonetheless, first-generation targeted agents have failed to demonstrate survival benefits in unselected GBM patient populations. Several mechanisms of treatment failure of the first-generation designer drugs have been proposed, whereas new strategies have been developed to increase effectiveness of these agents. Here we will discuss the recent development and the strategies to optimize the effectiveness of designer therapy for GBM.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Oct 2008
Study of the current status and factors that influence indoor air pollution in 138 houses in the urban area in Xi'an.
Indoor air pollutants were monitored in 138 households in urban Xi'an that were recently decorated, and the concentrations of formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), amines, benzene, methylbenzol, xylene, and radon were monitored in the bedrooms, sitting rooms, dinning rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and studies of the houses. The most seriously elevated pollutants were TVOC and formaldehyde, whose rates exceeded standards by 69.8% and 60.8%, respectively. Ammonia was 13.2% above the standard, and xylene was 8.7% above the standard. ⋯ In addition, pollutants in the decorated rooms have a strong positive dependence on the monitoring seasons. Summer was the peak time of indoor pollutant levels. Households should pay extra attention to ventilation and take other effective measures to avoid health problems caused by indoor air pollutants.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Oct 2008
Solid-waste management practices of households in Manila, Philippines.
The experiences and practices of household waste management of people in a barangay (village) in Manila, Philippines are documented. The data were gathered through an interview with household members using open-ended questions. Interviews were also conducted with garbage collectors as well as scavengers. ⋯ They are also aware that their work affects their health. Most of the respondents said that garbage collection and disposal is the responsibility of the government. The results of the study showed that RA 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, is not fully implemented in Metro Manila.
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Cancer pain is prevalent and often multifactorial. For a segment of the cancer pain population, pain control remains inadequate despite full compliance with the WHO analgesic guidelines including use of co-analgesics. The failure to obtain acceptable pain or symptom relief prompted the inclusion of a fourth step to the WHO analgesic ladder, which includes advanced interventional approaches. ⋯ There are several sites for neurolytic blockade of the sympathetic nervous system for the treatment of cancer pain. The more common sites include the celiac plexus, superior hypogastric plexus, and ganglion impar. Today, interventional pain-relieving approaches should be considered a critical component of a multifaceted therapeutic program of cancer pain relief.