Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

Roflumilast N-oxide reverses corticosteroid resistance in neutrophils from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract: Background Glucocorticoid functions are markedly impaired in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast N-oxide (RNO) is the active metabolite of roflumilast approved as a treatment to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with severe COPD. Objective We sought to characterize the differential effects of RNO versus corticosteroids and their potential additive/synergistic effect in neutrophils from patients with COPD, thus providing scientific rationale for the combination of roflumilast with corticosteroids in the clinic. Methods Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from patients with COPD (n = 32), smokers (n = 7), and healthy nonsmokers (n = 25). Levels of IL-8, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and biomarkers of glucocorticoid resistance were determined by using ELISA and RT-PCR. Neutrophils were incubated with dexamethasone (0.1 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L), RNO (0.1 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L), or the combination of 1 nmol/L RNO plus 10 nmol/L DEX and stimulated with LPS (1 μg/mL) or cigarette smoke extract 5%; levels of IL-8, MMP-9, and other biomarkers were measured at the end of the incubation period. Results Peripheral neutrophils from patients with COPD showed a primed phenotype with an increased basal release of IL-8 and MMP-9 and expressed a corticosteroid resistance molecular profile characterized by an increase in phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and glucocorticoid receptor β expression and a decrease in HDAC activity and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 expression. RNO demonstrated robust anti-inflammatory effects on neutrophils from patients with COPD, reversing their resistance to corticosteroids. The combination of RNO and dexamethasone showed additive/synergistic effects, which were consistent with the reversal of corticosteroid-resistant molecular markers by RNO. Conclusion RNO reverses corticosteroid resistance and shows strong anti-inflammatory effects alone or in combination with corticosteroids on neutrophils from patients with COPD.

Intersterility groups of Heterobasidion annosum in some spruce and pine stands in Byelorussia, Lithuania and Estonia

Abstract: Heterobasidion annosum isolates were collected from spruce, pine and mixed stands growing on forest and former agricultural soils. Intersterility groups of the isolates were identified. Pine was attacked by the P group only and spruce mostly by the S group. Frequency of the P group on spruce was higher on old forest soils and in mixed spruce and pine stands. Based on its in vitro compatibility with the F group, the S population in Byelorussia and Lithuania is more closely related to the Finnish S population than to the Alpine S population of H. annosum.

Physiological and subjective responses to maximal repetitive lifting employing stoop and squat technique.

Abstract: To establish safe levels for physical strain in occupational repetitive lifting, it is of interest to know the specific maximal working capacity. Power output, O2 consumption, heart rate and ventilation were measured in ten experienced forestry workers during maximal squat and stoop repetitive lifting. The two modes of repetitive lifting were also compared with maximal treadmill running. In addition, electromyogram (EMG) activity in four muscles was recorded and perceived central, local low-back and thigh exertion were assessed during the lifting modes. No significant difference was found in power output between the two lifting techniques. Despite this the mean O2 consumption was significantly greater during maximal squat lifting [38.7 (SD 5.8) ml·kg−1-·min−1] than maximal stoop lifting [32.9 (SD 5.7) ml·kg−1·min−1] (P<0.001). No significant correlation was found between O2 consumption (in millilitres per kilogram per minute) during maximal treadmill running and maximal stoop lifting, while O2 consumption during maximal squat lifting correlated highly with that of maximal treadmill running (r=0.928, P<0.001) and maximal stoop lifting (r=0.808, P<0.01). While maximal heart rates were significantly different among the three types of exercise, no such differences were found in the central rated perceived exertions. Perceived low-back exertion was rated significantly lower during squat lifting than during stoop lifting. The EMG recordings showed a higher activity for the vastus lateralis muscle and lower activity for the biceps femoris muscle during squat lifting than during stoop lifting. Related to the maximal voluntary contraction, the erector spinae muscle showed the highest activity irrespective of lifting technique.