The PCBs 138, 153, and 180 were the most abundant PCBs congeners found in the fin whales samples. Males had significant higher concentrations of Sigma OC, Sigma DDTs and Sigma PCBs than females (P < 0.05), although the p,p’-DDE/Sigma DDTs ratios were similar between the sexes. Although the OC concentrations found in this population were generally below the levels that would be expected to cause deleterious health effects, the maximum values observed (2700 ng g(-1) lw) in some animals were higher than those

associated with reproductive effects in whales. Given the small population size and highly isolated characteristics Crenolanib of Gulf of California fin whales, health effects in individuals could readily translate into population-level effects.

Future research on this topic will be necessary to better understand the role that these compounds may have on the health of this population. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 25: 381-390, 2010.”
“Aim: Evidence suggests that orexin regulates food consumption, glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Orexin may have a role in the pathogenesis of type II diabetes mellitus, however its role in gestational diabetes mellitus is not known. We aimed to assess maternal serum and cord blood orexin-A (OXA) concentrations in pregnant women selleck products with gestational SNS-032 solubility dmso diabetes mellitus (GDM). Material and Methods: Thirty-five pregnant women with GDM and 35 gestational-age-matched healthy pregnant

subjects participated in the study. Maternal serum and cord blood OXA levels were measured with enzyme immunoassay at the time of birth. The correlations between maternal serum and cord blood OXA levels, anthropometric and metabolic parameters were also assessed. Results: The mean maternal and cord serum OXA (1.16 +/- 0.37 and 1.35 +/- 0.20 ng/mL, respectively) in the GDM group were significantly different from those of the controls (1.58 +/- 0.59 and 1.25 +/- 0.21 ng/mL, respectively). The mean maternal fasting-glucose-to-OXA ratio was significantly higher in the GDM group. In the GDM group, the mean maternal serum OXA levels were similar in the insulin (n = 24) and diet (n = 11) treated cases, respectively (1.13 +/- 0.36 ng/mL and 1.21 +/- 0.41 ng/mL). Maternal serum OXA levels positively correlated with fetal serum OXA and maternal glucose levels. OXA concentrations in maternal serum were negatively correlated with the fasting glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index. Conclusions: Maternal serum OXA levels decrease, and fetal serum OXA levels increase in women with GDM.