Pyruvate: immunonutritional effects on neutrophil intracellular amino or alpha-keto acid profiles and reactive oxygen species production

For the first time the immunonutritional role of pyruvate on neutrophils (PMN), free α-keto and amino acid profiles, important reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced [superoxide anion (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] as well as released myeloperoxidase (MPO) acitivity has been investigated. Exogenous pyruvate significantly increased PMN pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, asparagine, glutamine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, citrulline, alanine, glycine and serine in a dose as well as duration of exposure dependent manner. Moreover, increases in O2− formation, H2O2-generation and MPO acitivity in parallel with intracellular pyruvate changes have also been detected. Regarding the interesting findings presented here we believe, that pyruvate fulfils considerably the criteria for a potent immunonutritional molecule in the regulation of the PMN dynamic α-keto and amino acid pools. Moreover it also plays an important role in parallel modulation of the granulocyte-dependent innate immune regulation. Although further research is necessary to clarify pyruvate’s sole therapeutical role in critically ill patients’ immunonutrition, the first scientific successes seem to be very promising

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet—undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well

Chitinase-like proteins promote IL-17-mediated neutrophilia in a tradeoff between nematode killing and host damage

Enzymatically inactive chitinase-like proteins (CLPs) such as BRP-39, Ym1 and Ym2 are established markers of immune activation and pathology, yet their functions are essentially unknown. We found that Ym1 and Ym2 induced the accumulation of neutrophils through the expansion of γδ T cell populations that produced interleukin 17 (IL-17). While BRP-39 did not influence neutrophilia, it was required for IL-17 production in γδ T cells, which suggested that regulation of IL-17 is an inherent feature of mouse CLPs. Analysis of a nematode infection model, in which the parasite migrates through the lungs, revealed that the IL-17 and neutrophilic inflammation induced by Ym1 limited parasite survival but at the cost of enhanced lung injury. Our studies describe effector functions of CLPs consistent with innate host defense traits of the chitinase family

Detection of small implanted tumors growing during repeated magnetic resonance imaging of the rabbit liver: application of an interpretation model.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldPURPOSE: To apply experimentally and further develop a new image interpretation model based on repeated imaging and aimed at improving assessments of technical efficacy and diagnostic accuracy in the detection of small lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: VX2 carcinoma was implanted in the liver of 14 rabbits as two 1.1-1.7 mm3 cores. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and 4 days after implantation and then every second day up to the 14th to 20th day. One T2-weighted sequence (TSE T2) and three T1-weighted sequences (SE T1, GE T1, and TFL T1) were used. Interpretation was performed stepwise: three readers independently interpreted image sequences chronologically (step 1). Tumors were included at the last examination (step 2). By concurrent interpretation of repeated examinations, the earliest day at which tumors became visible and tumor size were recorded (step 3). Records were corrected (step 4) and autopsy was performed (step 5). Two procedures for use in calculating repeated detection rates of tumors with different magnetic resonance imaging sequences are presented and discussed. RESULTS: Of 40 macroscopic tumors, 34 were included. They were mainly small (size range SE T1: 1-3mm, TSE T2: 1.5-5 mm) when they became visible as determined at step 3, which was consistently earlier than observed at step 1. TSE T2, SE T1, and GE T1 did not differ significantly regarding earliest day of detection (step 3), while TFL T1 revealed the tumors later. The initial repeated detection rates were higher with TSE T2 than with the other sequences. Frequency of false positives varied over time, indicating fluctuating criteria for reporting tumors. CONCLUSION: A theoretical image interpretation model previously described proved to be applicable for detection of experimental liver tumors. The model was improved by introducing calculations of repeated detection rates for initial image interpretation using an imaging reference standard