Black Hawk College

About: Black Hawk College is a education organization based out in Moline, Illinois, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Humor styles & Loneliness. The organization has 15 authors who have published 30 publications receiving 847 citations. The organization is also known as: BHC.

Common angiotensin receptor blockers may directly modulate the immune system via VDR, PPAR and CCR2b

Abstract: There have been indications that common Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) may be exerting anti-inflammatory actions by directly modulating the immune system We decided to use molecular modelling to rapidly assess which of the potential targets might justify the expense of detailed laboratory validation We first studied the VDR nuclear receptor, which is activated by the secosteroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D This receptor mediates the expression of regulators as ubiquitous as GnRH (Gonadatrophin hormone releasing hormone) and the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Additionally we examined Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARgamma), which affects the function of phagocytic cells, and the C-CChemokine Receptor, type 2b, (CCR2b), which recruits monocytes to the site of inflammatory immune challenge Telmisartan was predicted to strongly antagonize (Ki≈004nmol) the VDR The ARBs Olmesartan, Irbesartan and Valsartan (Ki≈10 nmol) are likely to be useful VDR antagonists at typical in-vivo concentrations Candesartan (Ki≈30 nmol) and Losartan (Ki≈70 nmol) may also usefully inhibit the VDR Telmisartan is a strong modulator of PPARgamma (Ki≈03 nmol), while Losartan (Ki≈3 nmol), Irbesartan (Ki≈6 nmol), Olmesartan and Valsartan (Ki≈12 nmol) also seem likely to have significant PPAR modulatory activity Olmesartan andIrbesartan (Ki≈9 nmol) additionally act as antagonists of a theoretical modelof CCR2b Initial validation of this CCR2b model was performed, and a proposed model for the AngiotensinII Type1 receptor (AT2R1) has been presented Molecular modeling has proven valuable to generate testable hypotheses concerning receptor/ligand binding and is an important tool in drug design ARBs were designed to act as antagonists for AT2R1, and it was not surprising to discover their affinity for the structurally similar CCR2b However, this study also found evidence that ARBs modulate the activation of two key nuclear receptors-VDR and PPARgamma If our simulations are confirmed by experiment, it is possible that ARBs may become useful as potent anti-inflammatory agents, in addition to their current indication as cardiovascular drugs

Psychological health and sense of humor.

Abstract: Scores on the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS) are shown to be related positively to a number of factors associated with psychological health, such as optimism and self esteem, and negatively with signs of psychological distress such as depression Humor is a multidimensional construct that seems to be intimately related to quality of life

The Relation Between Humor Styles and Empathy

Abstract: The Humor Styles Questionnaire and Interpersonal Reactivity Index were given to 103 (28 men, 75 women) undergraduates in a community college in the Midwestern United States. As predicted, significant positive correlations were found between affiliative humor and empathic concern (r = .23, p < .05) and between self-enhancing humor and perspective-taking empathy (r = .28, p < .01). Also, as predicted, there were significant negative correlations between self-enhancing humor and personal distress (r = -.34, p < .001), and between aggressive humor and perspective-taking empathy (r = -.40, p < .001), empathic concern (r = -.29, p < .01) and personal distress (r = -.20, p < .05). Predictions involving self-defeating humor and empathy were not supported. The differences in the correlations for affiliative humor and those of self-enhancing humor were examined in terms of the greater importance of perspective-taking and stress reduction in self-enhancing humor versus affiliative humor, which is more involved with social relationships. The implications for future research were discussed.

Effect of yeast culture on in vitro fermentation of a high-concentrate or high-fiber diet using equine fecal inoculum in a Daisy II incubator.

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of a closed system, fermentation apparatus (Daisy II incubator) and determine the effects of a yeast culture (YC) preparation (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on in vitro microbial populations, diet digestion, and fermentation patterns in horses. In Exp. 1, 4 mature horses were fed a pelleted concentrate and alfalfa cubes in a 50:50 (%, as-fed) ratio. Fecal samples were taken from each horse to form the inoculum and placed in 4 separate incubation vessels. Twenty nylon bags (10 with 0.25 g and 10 with 0.50 g of the total mixed diet) were placed in each vessel, and in vitro fermentation was carried out for 48 h to determine DM, NDF, and ADF digestibility. In Exp. 2, fecal samples were taken from 4 mature horses consuming either a high-concentrate (HC) or high-fiber (HF) diet. Filter bags containing the HC or HF diet were added to the 4 incubation vessels along with their respective inoculums. Yeast culture was added to 2 of the vessels containing the HC or HF diet, whereas the other 2 vessels served as controls. Vessels were incubated as in Exp. 1 with samples taken at 24 and 48 h. Filter bags were used to determine DM, NDF, ADF, and OM digestibility, whereas vessel fluid was analyzed for lactate, ammonia, VFA, and microbial concentrations. Results of Exp. 1 indicated that DM, NDF, and ADF digestibility were greater (P < 0.05), whereas the corresponding CV was lower (P < 0.05) for the 0.25- vs. the 0.50-g sample size. In Exp. 2, YC tended (P = 0.10) to decrease ammonia concentrations in the HF diet and increased (P < 0.05) acetate production in the HC diet when compared with the control. There were no effects of YC on pH, lactate, or the measured microbial populations, as well as DM, NDF, or ADF digestibility. The results did, however, show that in vitro and in vivo DM digestibility estimates were similar within a diet. Data from Exp. 1 indicated that the 0.25-g sample size provides a more accurate estimate of DM digestibility with less variation. Although YC had little, if any, effect in Exp. 2, the results indicated that the Daisy II incubator does provide valid estimates of total tract DM digestibility in the horse. These data provide further evidence that this process would be an effective and practical means of approximating the digestibility of diets with varying concentrate to forage ratios.