Biochemical Changes Associated with Long Term Exposure to Pesticide among Farmers in the Gaza Strip

The study characterized the biochemical changes associated with long term exposure to pesticides. Practical parameters of pesticides were collected using 500 questionnaires. Farmers having 10 years working period were invited to a private clinic for blood sampling and enzyme analysis. All participants were male farmers of different age groups, and education levels. Occupational parameters indicated that majority of farmers used manual methods for pesticide works. About 130 pesticides are currently used in Gaza. Toxicological symptoms indicated that dizziness, headache, and nausea were dominant among farmers, whereas vomiting abdominal colic and tearing were less dominant. Acetyl Cholinesterase (ACHE) cumulatively inhibited among farmers after work whereas Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities were above range after long term exposure. It can be concluded that long term exposure to pesticides may damage liver and kidney cells resulting in hepatic-toxicity and/or nephrotoxicity.

Long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure attenuates cognitive dysfunction in 5×FAD mice by regulating microglial function

We have previously found that long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in 5xFAD mice with severe late-stage Alzheimer’s disease reduced both amyloid-βdeposition and glial activation,including microglia.To examine whether this therapeutic effect is due to the regulation of activated microglia,we analyzed mic roglial gene expression profiles and the existence of microglia in the brain in this study.5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to sham-and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields-exposed groups and then animals were exposed to 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at a specific absorption rate of 5 W/kg for 2 hours/day and 5 days/week for 6 months.We conducted behavioral tests including the object recognition and Y-maze tests and molecular and histopathological analysis of amyloid precursor protein/a myloid-beta metabolism in brain tissue.We confirmed that radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure for 6 months ameliorated cognitive impairment and amyloid-βdeposition.The expression levels of Iba1(pan-microglial marker)and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R;regulates microglial prolife ration)in the hippocampus in 5xFAD mice treated with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields were significantly reduced compared with those of the sham-exposed group.Subsequently,we analyzed the expression levels of genes related to mic rogliosis and microglial function in the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields-exposed group compared to those of a CSF1R inhibitor(PLX3397)-treated group.Both radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and PLX3397 suppressed the levels of genes related to microgliosis(Csf1r,CD68,and Ccl6)and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β.N otably,the expression levels of genes related to mic roglial function,including Trem2,Fcgr1α,Ctss,and Spi1,were decreased after long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure,which was also observed in response to microglial suppression by PLX3397.These results showed that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields ameliorated amyloid-βpathology and cognitive impairment by suppressing amyloid-βdeposition-induced microgliosis and their key regulator,CSF1R.

Effect of Long-term Thermal Exposure on Microstructure and Stress Rupture Properties of GH3535 Superalloy

The evolution of microstructure and the stress rupture properties of long term thermally exposed GH3535 alloy have been investigated. It was found that M6 C carbides presented in the solid solution heat treated samples. During long term thermal exposure at 700 C, fine M12 C carbides precipitated preferentially at grain boundaries. These carbides coexisted with the pre-exiting M6 C. The stress rupture life of700 C/1000 h exposed sample under creep testing at 650 C/324 MPa is 93 h. It is much longer than that of the solid solution samples. No noticeable changes could be detected in both the microstructure and stress rupture lives when the samples were exposed for time longer than 1000 h M12 C carbides were found to be beneficial to the creep properties. The cracks initiated at the interface of M6 C carbides and matrix, which led to a lower creep rupture life.