(Press-News.org) Researchers from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine have found that inhaled carbon black nanoparticles create a double source of inflammation in the lungs.
Their findings were published online in the April 27 edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Martha Monick, Ph.D., UI professor of internal medicine, was lead author of the paper, "Induction of Inflammasome Dependent Pyroptosis by Carbon Black Nanoparticles," which outlined the results.
Monick said researchers expected to find one level of inflammation when cells were exposed to carbon black nanoparticles. They were surprised, however, to find that nanoparticles activated a special inflammatory process and killed cells in a way that further increased inflammation. She said the research showed that the intake of carbon black nanoparticles from sources such as diesel fuel or printer ink caused an initial inflammatory response in lung cells. The surprising results came when the team discovered that these nanoparticles killed macrophages – immune cells in the lungs responsible for cleaning up and attacking infections – in a way that also increases inflammation.
"Apoptosis is one way cells die in which all the contents stay in the cell, the cell just keeps shrinking onto itself and the surrounding tissue is protected," Monick said. "We thought that was what was happening with the carbon nanoparticles; we were wrong. A different process called pyroptosis was occurring, causing the cells to burst and spill their contents."
That, she said, can cause a secondary inflammatory response.
Monick cautioned that the doses of carbon black nanoparticles used in the study were much more concentrated than the amounts to which a person might typically be exposed.
"This doesn't mean that walking through a cloud of diesel exhaust will hurt your lungs," she said. "It does show that we may have an environmental exposure that could contribute to inflammation in the lung."
###
The study was a collaborative project involving researchers in the Department of Internal Medicine in the UI Carver College of Medicine and the Department of Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In addition to Monick, a key contributor to the research was Vicki Grassian, Ph.D., UI professor of chemistry who holds the F. Wendell Miller Professorship.
The research team also included Anna C. Reisetter, Linda Powers, and Amit Gupta from internal medicine and Larissa V. Stebounova, and Jonas Baltrusaitis in chemistry.
The study was funded in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Carbon black nanoparticles can cause cell death
Nanoparticles activate immune cells
2011-05-19
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
24-7PressRelease Announces Launch of Partnership with Prompt Proofing to Meet All PR Needs for Customers
2011-05-19
Well-known press release distribution service, 24-7PressRelease.com, recently announced its partnership with press release writing, editing and copy writing service, Prompt Proofing.
24-7PressRelease.com has a faithful following with more than 60,000 customers and is in its seventh year of business. Offering distribution packages for all price points, the press release service has a service for every business, no matter how big or small. Customers submit releases through the easy-to-use self-serve system on 24-7PressRelease.com's website, and the company's editors will ...
Electronic medical records lower infant mortality, study finds
2011-05-19
Expanded use of electronic medical records would substantially reduce infant mortality in the U.S., according to a study forthcoming in the Journal of Political Economy.
A 10 percent increase in hospital use of basic electronic records would save 16 babies for every 100,000 live births, the study found. A complete national transition to electronic records would save an estimated 6,400 infants each year in the U.S.
Many health professionals have advocated electronic records as a way to improve care and curb costs. For obstetricians, electronic records might make it ...
African-Americans with SLE more responsive to flu vaccine than patients of European descent
2011-05-19
New research shows that African Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a higher antibody response to influenza vaccination than European American patients. Treatment with prednisone, a history of hemolytic anemia, and increased disease flares were also linked to low antibody response in SLE patients who received the flu vaccine according to the study now available in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a peer-reviewed journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
The ACR estimates that up to 322,000 adult Americans are ...
Researchers create nanopatch for the heart
2011-05-19
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — When you suffer a heart attack, a part of your heart dies. Nerve cells in the heart's wall and a special class of cells that spontaneously expand and contract – keeping the heart beating in perfect synchronicity – are lost forever. Surgeons can't repair the affected area. It's as if when confronted with a road riddled with potholes, you abandon what's there and build a new road instead.
Needless to say, this is a grossly inefficient way to treat arguably the single most important organ in the human body. The best approach would be ...
Cuervo y Sobrinos Clearance
2011-05-19
This unique opportunity is a rare event in the world of elite watch making. Brands like Cartier, Rolex, and Cuervo y Sobrinos usually never sell at such low prices.
The current discounts are a limited time offer to clear inventory. Cuervo y Sobrinos Benelux was an official Cuervo y Sobrinos distributor and is now selling its surplus inventory online. Discounts range from 40% up to 50% off the official retail price.
Watch lovers and collectors can now own one of these superior watches at very low prices. Cuervo y Sobrinos Benelux already has customers, watch collectors ...
Pitt researchers build a better mouse model to study depression
2011-05-19
PITTSBURGH, May 19 - Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a mouse model of major depressive disorder (MDD) that is based on a rare genetic mutation that appears to cause MDD in the majority of people who inherit it. The findings, which were published online today in the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics EarlyView, could help to clarify the brain events that lead to MDD, and contribute to the development of new and better means of treatment and prevention. This report also illustrates an advance ...
New report on health reform implementation: How to ensure access to coverage is maintained
2011-05-19
NEW REPORT ON HEALTH REFORM IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDS WAYS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE INSURANCE IS MAINTAINED THROUGH JOB AND INCOME CHANGES
Full-Year Coverage, Combined Small Business and Individual Health Insurance Exchanges Could Reduce Administrative Burdens and Prevent Coverage Gaps
New York, NY, May 19, 2011—Modifications to current policies could help ensure that health insurance coverage and subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act remain stable even through major life changes, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report released today. At least ...
Women entering the workforce expect less than men, study finds
2011-05-19
Women have lower career expectations than men, anticipating smaller paycheques and longer waits for promotions, according to a new study involving a University of Guelph researcher.
When comparing career expectations of Canadian female and male university students, Prof. Sean Lyons discovered that women predict their starting salaries to be 14 per cent less than what the men forecast. This gap in wage expectations widens over their careers with women anticipating their earnings to be 18 per cent less than men after five years on the job.
As for their first promotion, ...
Whataburger Releases Online Survey Results Naming Customer Favorite, in Honor of National Hamburger Month
2011-05-19
Whataburger today announced the results of an online survey conducted in honor of National Hamburger Month. The Southern burger icon, with more than 700 locations in 10 states, asked its Facebook fans to name their favorite way to order a Whataburger.
The winning combination? According to the nearly 20,000 fans of Whataburger's Facebook page who participated in the survey, a Whataburger burger is best when ordered with mustard, cheese, bacon and jalapenos, served on the chain's unique Texas Toast.
When asked to name their favorite side item to go with their burger, ...
Napa Technology 2011 Wines By The Glass Survey Results
2011-05-19
Napa Technology, developer of the WineStation Intelligent Wine Preservation and Dispensing System, commissioned a survey of more than150 top sommeliers, wine directors, hotel and restaurant operators to find that wine by the glass consumption is on the rise and consumers are willing to pay more for the experience of wines by the glass that would otherwise be cost prohibitive by the bottle.
1. Do you believe that consumers are more wine savvy today than they were four years ago?
- Yes 88.2%
2. Are wine consumers demanding more wines by the glass choices now than in ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Korea University researchers analysis of income-related disparities in mortality among young adults with diabetes
Study shows link between income inequality and health and education disparities may drive support for economic reform
HonorHealth Research Institute’s Chief Medical Officer is recognized by the world’s leading organization for cancer doctors
InsectNet technology identifies insects around the world and around the farm
Restoring predators, restoring ecosystems: Yellowstone wolves and other carnivores drive strong trophic cascade
Corn’s ancient ancestors are calling
Mass General Brigham’s Kraft Center Announces the 2025 Kraft Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Community Health
Whale poop contains iron that may have helped fertilize past oceans
Mercury content in tuna can be reduced with new packaging solution
Recycling the unrecyclable
Alien ocean could hide signs of life from spacecraft
Research unveils new strategies to tackle atrial fibrillation, a condition linked to stroke and dementia risks
Research spotlight: Researchers identify potential drug targets for future heart failure therapeutics
Air pollution clouds the mind and makes everyday tasks challenging
Uncovering how developmental genes are held in a poised state
Multimillion-pound research project aims to advance production of next-generation sustainable packaging
‘Marine Prosperity Areas’ represent a new hope inconservation
Warning signs may not be effective to deter cannabis use in pregnancy: Study
Efforts to find alien life could be boosted by simple test that gets microbes moving
Study shows some species are susceptible to broad range of viruses
How life's building blocks took shape on early Earth: the limits of membraneless polyester protocell formation
Survey: Many Americans don’t know long-term risks of heart disease with pregnancy
Dusting for stars’ magnetic fingerprints
Relief could be on the way for UTI sufferers dealing with debilitating pain
Testing AI with AI: Ensuring effective AI implementation in clinical practice
Researchers find improved method for treating rare, aggressive, pregnancy-related cancer
Half of the fish you eat comes from the Great Barrier Reef’s marine reserves
McDonald’s thwarts council efforts to stop new branches by claiming it promotes ‘healthier lifestyles’
Is CBD use during pregnancy as safe as people think? New study uncovers potential risks to babies
Drying and rewetting cycles substantially increased soil CO2 release
[Press-News.org] Carbon black nanoparticles can cause cell deathNanoparticles activate immune cells