Summer

In cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) domoic acid (DomA) induced neuronal cell death, either by apoptosis or by necrosis, depending on its concentration. The apoptotic cell death was mediated by the p38 and JNK MAP kinase pathways which were activated by oxidative stress following exposure to low concentrations of DomA (≤ 0.1 µM).

Published estimates of water-skin permeability coefficients of organic contaminants found in potable water are highly variable due to differences both in experimental conditions and mathematical approaches.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common of all serious human birth defects. Studies have identified genetic components that may be linked to increased susceptibility to environmentally-induced NTDs. The SWV and C57BL/J6 mice strains have shown to have a large disparity in sensitivity to environmentally-induced NTDs.

Prenatal ethanol exposure induces aberrations in brain development leading to CNS dysfunctions. Astrocytes contribute to neuronal development and functions through the release of proteins and peptides. Stimulation of astrocytes with the cholinergic agonist carbachol induces hippocampal neuron neuritogenesis, which was inhibited when astrocytes were co-incubated with carbachol and ethanol.

The use of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides has been consistently high in the agricultural sector in the United States. the high use, ease in dermal absorption and the potential for cholinesterase inhibition make OP pesticides a necessary target for frequent exposure assessment.

Significance: The built environment has become an area of recent interest in public health. Neighborhood walkability is one way to meaningfully quantify the potential impact of a built environment on health behaviors, specifically walking. Exercise, including walking, is positively associated with physical function in older adults.

Aluminum smelter potrooms are unique in that workplace exposures to hydrogen fluoride (HF), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM) occur simultaneously for many tasks. Peak exposure to these contaminants have become of increasing interest in discovering the etiology of respiratory health effects.

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems are commonly used to prevent exposure to harmful fumes generated by welding operations. Welding processes are hazardous activities that pose a unique combination of both safety and health risks to more than 500,000 workers nationwide in a wide variety of industries.

The main purpose of this study was to determine gaseous air pollutants, specifically for NO, NO2, and SO2, at two sites in Seattle via optical absorption using differential optical absorption spectroscopy (UV-DOAS). Ambient concentrations for the first site were measured at the Beacon Hill on March 9-23, 2005, using the UV-DOAS compared with point measurements as a benchmark analysis.

Human enteric viruses are important agents of waterborne illness. They are typically distributed in environmental waters in low numbers, which necessitates concentration of tens to hundreds of liters for effective detection.

The principal objective of this project was to determine if children with autism have an altered urinary porphyrin excretion pattern compared with that observed in age-matched neurotypical controls.

Background: High blood pressure remains a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. Stress has been postulated to disrupt cardiovascular equilibrium causing short-term elevations in blood pressure acutely, and hypertension with chronic exposure.

Childhood lead poisoning, while diminishing in industrialized nations, continues to be a common and preventable public health threat throughout the world. This is particularly true among poorer communities where lead recycling, especially from used car batteries, is an important source of revenue.

The aims of this study were to quantify fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and Staphylococcus spp.

Background: An association between residential proximity to roadway and coronary artery calcium score (CAC) has been previously described. CAC is a measure of coronary artery calcification that reflects the extent of atherosclerosis.