Single-Cell Mapping of Progressive Fetal-to-Adult Transition in Human Naive T Cells

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The effect of negative air ions on the respiratory organs and blood

The effect of ionized air containing negatively charged ions at a concentration of 320000–350000 ions/cm³ inhaled by rats was studied. It was demonstrated that the inhalation of negative air ions for 60 min activated the secretion of goblet cells without impairing the tracheal mucosa and changing the protein profile of bronchoalveolar lavage. It was also found that the level of spontaneous production of reactive oxygen species by unfractionated blood cells increased after the action of negative air ions in both males and females. However, the intensity of their generation induced by opsonized zymosan increased only in females. Different sensitivities of the female and male blood antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase—to negative air ions were observed. These results allow the effect of negative air ions on the respiratory organs and blood to be interpreted as priming and weak activation via a direct action on the mucosa of primary target respiratory organs and then on the blood.     

Cancer morbidity in psychiatric patients: influence of lithium carbonate treatment

The relationship between mental diseases and cancer development has been examined in a number of studies but the findings are still inconclusive and suffer from methodological problems. Studies conducted to examine the effect of lithium on malignant cells yielded inconsistent results. The study group included 609 patients treated by lithium carbonate and 2396 controls. A lower but non significant risk (RR=0.79; Cl=0.17–3.60) to develop nonepithelial tumors was found among lithium carbonate treated psychiatric patients as compared to controls. A significantly (P=0.05) inverse trend of cancer with lithium dose was observed. The risk of cancer development among each group of psychiatric patients was significantly lower than in the general population (RR=0.68 for the lithium treated group versus 0.78 for controls). Mental patients have a lower cancer prevalence than the general population and lithium may have a protective effect.