Adhesion molecule expression by peripheral blood monocytes and regulation of monocyte adhesion to decidual endothelial cells in normal and in type I diabetic pregnancy

Abstract Background: Pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus develop vascular lesions similar to atheroma in the placental bed. These lesions are characterised by an accumulation of activated macrophages around spiral arteries, where they can stimulate a vigorous inflammatory reaction and impair vascular integrity and threaten blood flow. Diabetic pregnancies carry a high risk of development and rapid progression of preeclampsia and decreased placental blood flow causing fetal growth restriction. In the development of the vascular lesions, peripheral blood monocytes are recruited, adhere to endothelium and migrate to subendothelial space where they initiate an inflammatory response. These events are mediated by surface adhesion molecules on both monocytes and endothelial cells. Earlier work from our research group had shown increased in vitro adherence of monocytes from diabetic pregnancy to decidual endothelial cells from normal pregnancies, Experiments described in this thesis explore further the mechanisms subserving this abnormal monocyte adherence to decidual endothelium in diabetic pregnancy. After initial studies comparing adhesion molecule expression by monocytes from normal and diabetic pregnancies, the role of monocyte-derived Mac-1 in monocyte-decidual endothelial cell adherence was further investigated by the use of a blocking antibody. Methods: Mixed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three groups of pregnant 3rd trimester subjects, (i) normal, (ii) gestational diabetes, and (iii) type I diabetes, were isolated by density gradient centrifugation through Ficoll-Paque. Monocytes were identified (CD 14+) and their adhesion molecule expression (LFA-1, Mac-1, VLA-4) determined by double staining flow cytometry. DECs were isolated from decidual biopsies collected from normally pregnant women at elective caesarean section. For subsequent flow cytometry, DECs were identified CD45-, and their ICAM-1 expression was measured by double staining flow cytometry. A highly enriched population of monocytes was then isolated (by density gradient centrifugation through iodixanol) from the blood of normally and type I diabetic pregnant women. Monocytes underwent incubation under basal and stimulated conditions followed by a further incubation with or without a blocking antibody to Mac-1. Monocytes were then co-cultured with DECs, and their adhesion and expression of Mac-1 were assessed. Results: Monocytes from type I diabetic pregnancies displayed increased expression of Mac-1 and LFA-1 but not VLA-4. Adhesion molecule expression in gestational diabetes was between normal and type 1 diabetes. There was no significant direct correlation with adequacy of diabetic control as assessed by concomitantly measured blood glucose or HbA1c levels across the three groups in this study. LPS pre-treatment of monocytes from normal pregnancy caused an increase in Mac-1 expression and was associated with an increase in their adherence to normal DECs. ICAM-1 expression by normal DECs was stimulated by the presence of adherent monocytes, but no further increase in this ICAM-1 expression was seen when the monocytes had been pre-stimulated by LPS. Exposure of monocytes from normal pregnancy to high levels of glucose also caused an increase in Mac-1 expression, associated with an increase in their adherence to normal DECs. The cause-and-effect nature of this Mac-1 expression was shown by monocyte pre-treatment with a Mac-1 monoclonal antibody, which prevented their adhesion to DECs in both basal and stimulated conditions, both in normal and in type I diabetic pregnancy. Conclusion: The increased adhesion molecule expression of monocytes from type I diabetic pregnancy is paralleled by their increased adhesion to decidual endothelium, and may be causally involved in production of placental bed vascular disease in diabetic pregnancy .Pre-treatment of monocytes with stimuli that increased Mac-1 expression resulted in an increase in their adhesion to decidual endothelium, an effect prevented by specific Mac-1 antibody blockade. The experiments conducted in this study examine only a part of the adhesion interaction of monocytes and decidual endothelial cells. While monocyte Mac-1 expression is clearly of central importance, other factors are involved, some resulting from the initiation of monocyte adherence, such as the observed DEC-derived ICAM-1 which may amplify the adhesion. Other adhesion molecules could be involved, as could be the release of chemo-attractant peptides. These results add significantly to our earlier report of increased adhesion of monocytes from pregnant woman with type I diabetes to normal decidual endothelial cells, and provide evidence related to the mechanisms subserving this increased adhesion

The Pillars that Support School Principals in Cultivating Inclusive, Equitable Practices for Diverse Learners

Special education students benefit in important ways from receiving academic and social-emotional support in the general education classroom and natural learning environment of their nondisabled peers. This capstone proposes a theory of action that can serve as the foundation for creating a leadership development program to support principals in promoting the adoption of inclusive practices for Diverse Learners in their schools. When properly organized, inclusive schools become cohesive, supportive communities where all members learn and value each other. Autoethnography was the methodological approach used to invoke, account for, and analyze experiential data from the author’s 30 years of service as an educator within a large suburban school district in the Midwest region of the United States. The project captures the researcher’s trajectory, evolution, and lessons learned as a teacher, case manager, principal, and principal supervisor through the lens of special education

Phytoplankton Abundance and Species Composition in Relation to Environmental Paramenters in Coastal Mississippi Waters

Phytoplankton pigments from Coastal Mississippi waters were measured to determine the spatial and temporal distributions and composition of phytoplankton communities. Concentration of phytoplankton pigments were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and the compositional changes in phytoplankton communities were determined with CHEMTAX 1.95. Surface water was collected for two years (September 2007-November 2009) at three sampling sites on a monthly basis. The stations were located at the Bay of St. Louis (station 1), the Mississippi Sound (station 4) and the Mississippi Bight (station 8), following a salinity gradient. A time series of the observations documented the variability of different taxonomic groups and phytoplankton abundance in Mississippi waters. Phytoplankton abundance and species group composition were related to environmental variables. Phytoplankton abundance did vary within stations and seasons being greater in coastal waters during the summer months. Diatoms were the major group at stations 1 and 4 where there was no major seasonal trend. At station 8 there was a clear seasonal trend where diatoms predominated in the winter, prymnesiophytes increased in spring, and cyanobacteria and diatoms predominated during the summer

Teamwork in organizations

La investigación sobre el tema del Trabajo en Equipo abarcará el concepto, la importancia de contar con un equipo para poder alcanzar una posición ventajosa para la organización, de la misma manera, se enunciaran los planteamientos para construir un buen equipo de trabajo, y la función que cumple un líder y la capacidad que tiene para accionar las capacidades y las actuaciones de sus trabajadores, con el fin de cumplir a cabalidad la misión a alcanzar por la organización.Research on the subject of Teamwork cover the concept, the importance of having a team in order to achieve an advantageous position for the organization, in the same way the statements setting forth to build a good team, and the role plays a leader and the ability to drive capacities and actions of its employees in order to comply fully with the mission to be achieved by the organization

Adhesion molecule expression by peripheral blood monocytes and regulation of monocyte adhesion to decidual endothelial cells in normal and in type I diabetic pregnancy

Abstract Background: Pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus develop vascular lesions similar to atheroma in the placental bed. These lesions are characterised by an accumulation of activated macrophages around spiral arteries, where they can stimulate a vigorous inflammatory reaction and impair vascular integrity and threaten blood flow. Diabetic pregnancies carry a high risk of development and rapid progression of preeclampsia and decreased placental blood flow causing fetal growth restriction. In the development of the vascular lesions, peripheral blood monocytes are recruited, adhere to endothelium and migrate to subendothelial space where they initiate an inflammatory response. These events are mediated by surface adhesion molecules on both monocytes and endothelial cells. Earlier work from our research group had shown increased in vitro adherence of monocytes from diabetic pregnancy to decidual endothelial cells from normal pregnancies, Experiments described in this thesis explore further the mechanisms subserving this abnormal monocyte adherence to decidual endothelium in diabetic pregnancy. After initial studies comparing adhesion molecule expression by monocytes from normal and diabetic pregnancies, the role of monocyte-derived Mac-1 in monocyte-decidual endothelial cell adherence was further investigated by the use of a blocking antibody. Methods: Mixed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three groups of pregnant 3rd trimester subjects, (i) normal, (ii) gestational diabetes, and (iii) type I diabetes, were isolated by density gradient centrifugation through Ficoll-Paque. Monocytes were identified (CD 14+) and their adhesion molecule expression (LFA-1, Mac-1, VLA-4) determined by double staining flow cytometry. DECs were isolated from decidual biopsies collected from normally pregnant women at elective caesarean section. For subsequent flow cytometry, DECs were identified CD45-, and their ICAM-1 expression was measured by double staining flow cytometry. A highly enriched population of monocytes was then isolated (by density gradient centrifugation through iodixanol) from the blood of normally and type I diabetic pregnant women. Monocytes underwent incubation under basal and stimulated conditions followed by a further incubation with or without a blocking antibody to Mac-1. Monocytes were then co-cultured with DECs, and their adhesion and expression of Mac-1 were assessed. Results: Monocytes from type I diabetic pregnancies displayed increased expression of Mac-1 and LFA-1 but not VLA-4. Adhesion molecule expression in gestational diabetes was between normal and type 1 diabetes. There was no significant direct correlation with adequacy of diabetic control as assessed by concomitantly measured blood glucose or HbA1c levels across the three groups in this study. LPS pre-treatment of monocytes from normal pregnancy caused an increase in Mac-1 expression and was associated with an increase in their adherence to normal DECs. ICAM-1 expression by normal DECs was stimulated by the presence of adherent monocytes, but no further increase in this ICAM-1 expression was seen when the monocytes had been pre-stimulated by LPS. Exposure of monocytes from normal pregnancy to high levels of glucose also caused an increase in Mac-1 expression, associated with an increase in their adherence to normal DECs. The cause-and-effect nature of this Mac-1 expression was shown by monocyte pre-treatment with a Mac-1 monoclonal antibody, which prevented their adhesion to DECs in both basal and stimulated conditions, both in normal and in type I diabetic pregnancy. Conclusion: The increased adhesion molecule expression of monocytes from type I diabetic pregnancy is paralleled by their increased adhesion to decidual endothelium, and may be causally involved in production of placental bed vascular disease in diabetic pregnancy .Pre-treatment of monocytes with stimuli that increased Mac-1 expression resulted in an increase in their adhesion to decidual endothelium, an effect prevented by specific Mac-1 antibody blockade. The experiments conducted in this study examine only a part of the adhesion interaction of monocytes and decidual endothelial cells. While monocyte Mac-1 expression is clearly of central importance, other factors are involved, some resulting from the initiation of monocyte adherence, such as the observed DEC-derived ICAM-1 which may amplify the adhesion. Other adhesion molecules could be involved, as could be the release of chemo-attractant peptides. These results add significantly to our earlier report of increased adhesion of monocytes from pregnant woman with type I diabetes to normal decidual endothelial cells, and provide evidence related to the mechanisms subserving this increased adhesion

La regulación de la justicia universal en España: problemas interpretativos

En este trabajo se analiza cómo se ha implantado el principio de justicia universal en el ordenamiento jurídico español a través del artículo 23.4 de la Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial y su evolución, pasando de ser absoluta a restringida o limitada; especialmente con la última modificación realizada por la LO 1/2014. A partir de diversas sentencias, se compara por un lado cómo fue interpretada esta última reforma por los Juzgados Centrales de Instrucción y la Audiencia Nacional, de forma tal que varios narcotraficantes extranjeros capturados en aguas internacionales fueron excarcelados y, por otro lado, la interpretación que realizó el Tribunal Supremo anulando tales excarcelaciones. Finalmente, se plantea la necesidad de que se mantenga el principio de justicia universal en los distintos ordenamientos nacionales, hasta que de otra forma los Estados se pongan de acuerdo para combatir la impunidad de este tipo de delitos internacionales

The Colombians abroad in the recent migration policy: analysis of Colombia Nos Une program

En el presente artículo analizamos la dimensión política del fenómeno migratorio en el contexto colombiano en particular durante los periodos presidenciales de Álvaro Uribe Vélez (2002-2010), abordando principalmente el Programa Colombia Nos Une (CNU), como organismo central en la construcción y ejecución de la política migratoria colombiana. En este sentido, pretendemos aportar a la comprensión de la relación entre las prácticas estatales y las concepciones y categorías que sobre las migraciones y los migrantes colombianos se han afianzado en el discurso oficial, determinantes al observar hacia dónde y a quienes se dirigen las acciones desarrolladas por CNU. Se busca evidenciar los ejes en los que se enfatiza cuando se habla de migración desde CNU y que revelan una forma particular de comprender los procesos migratorios colombianos fuera del territorio nacional, forma que a su vez condiciona la intervención estatal. Así, en primer lugar haremos referencia al contexto general en el cual surge dicho programa. Posteriormente y vinculado a lo anterior, plantearemos algunas categorías que frente a los procesos migratorios y los sujetos migrantes emergen desde los discursos estatales, articuladas con las estrategias de vinculación propuestas desde CNU, en línea con las directrices planteadas por el gobierno nacional.In this paper we analyze the political dimension of the phenomenon of migration in the Colombian context during the presidential periods of Álvaro Uribe Vélez (2002-2010), tackling mainly the program Colombia Nos Une (CNU) as the central institution in the construction and implementation of the Colombian migration policy. Accordingly, we intend to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between state practices, and concept and categories pertaining to the migration and Colombian migrants that are present in the state discourse. We are resolved to see where and who lead the actions developed by CNU. We seek to show the axes which are emphasized when discussing migration from theCNU’s perspective and reveal a particular way of understanding migration processes of the Colombians outside the country, and which in turn determines the State intervention. We will first refer to the general context in which the CNU program starts. Subsequently, we propose some categories to describe migration processes and migrants, which emerge from the speeches of the State, related to linking strategies proposed from CNU in line with the national government guidelines.Fil: Clavijo Padilla, Janneth Karime. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio Sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin

Algumas categorias na relação entre o Estado e os migrantes na política de imigração recente

Los cambios en la dinámica de los procesos migratorios en el contexto colombiano en los últimos años, han traído consigo efectos para el Estado tanto a nivel interno como externo, y ha suscitado un creciente interés por parte del gobierno en la temática; este trabajo presenta un análisis de la política migratoria adoptada por el Estado en los periodos presidenciales de Uribe Vélez. Buscamos indagar desde una perspectiva crítica la dimensión política del fenómeno migratorio en el contexto colombiano a partir de las estrategias de vinculación entre el Estado y los emigrantes colombianos en el marco de la política migratoria, y en particular en el desarrollo del programa Colombia Nos Une (CNU).Desde donde se revela la centralidad que adquieren los aspectos económicos, haciendo énfasis en la canalización de las remesas, así como de todo lo que es considerado “recurso” o “aporte” que derive de los procesos migratorios. En este sentido, se construye al sujeto migrante como agente de desarrollo, en la forma en que los entes gubernamentales piensan al migrante. El estudio se apoya en una metodología cualitativa basada en el análisis de documentos de actores de carácter nacional, regional e internacional vinculados al tema, y entrevistas a funcionarios.The changes in the dynamics of migration processes in the context of Colombia in recent years have brought with them effects to the State both internally as externally, and have aroused a growing interest from the government on the issue. This paper presents an analysis of migration policy adopted by the State during the presidencies of Uribe Vélez. From a critical perspective, we seek to explore the political dimension of migration in the Colombian context, from the linking strategies between the State and Colombian migrants in terms of migration policy, especially in the development of the Program Colombia Nos Une (CNU) (Colombia Unites Us). There is a marked centrality acquired by economic issues with an emphasis on the channeling of remittances, as well as all things considered to be "resources" or "contributions" resulting from the migration processes. In this sense, the migrant is constructed as an agent of development by the way in which government entities conceive of migrants. This study is supported by a qualitative methodology based on the analysis of documents of national, regional, and international actors related to the topic, as well as interviews with policy makers.As mudanças na dinâmica dos processos de migração no contexto da Colômbia nos últimos anos, trouxe efeitos para o Estado, tanto interna como externamente, e tem atraído um interesse crescente do governo sobre a questão, este trabalho apresenta uma análise do política de imigração adotada pelo Estado nas presidências de Uribe Vélez. Procuramos explorar a partir de uma perspectiva crítica a dimensão política do fenômeno migratório no contexto colombiano, desde as estratégias de ligação entre o Estado e os migrantes colombianos no contexto da política de migração e, em particular o desenvolvimento do programa na Colômbia n Une (CNU). Desde onde se revela a centralidade adquirida pela economia, enfatizando a canalização das remessas, bem como tudo o que é considerado "recurso" ou "contribuição" resultante dos processos de migração. Neste sentido, o sujeito migrante é construído como agente de desenvolvimento, na maneira em que as agências governamentais pensam os migrantes. O estudo é baseado em uma metodologia qualitativa, baseada na análise de documentos dos atores nacionais, regionais e internacionais, relacionados com o tema, e entrevistas com funcionários.Fil: Clavijo Padilla, Janneth Karime. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio Sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin