Myeloperoxidase induces monocyte migration and activation after acute myocardial infarction

IntroductionMyocardial infarction (MI) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many individuals who survive the acute event continue to experience heart failure (HF), with inflammatory and healing processes post-MI playing a pivotal role. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and monocytes infiltrate the infarcted area, where PMN release high amounts of the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). MPO has numerous inflammatory properties and MPO plasma levels are correlated with prognosis and severity of MI. While studies have focused on MPO inhibition and controlling PMN infiltration into the infarcted tissue, less is known on MPO’s role in monocyte function.Methods and resultsHere, we combined human data with mouse and cell studies to examine the role of MPO on monocyte activation and migration. We revealed a correlation between plasma MPO levels and monocyte activation in a patient study. Using a mouse model of MI, we demonstrated that MPO deficiency led to an increase in splenic monocytes and a decrease in cardiac monocytes compared to wildtype mice (WT). In vitro studies further showed that MPO induces monocyte migration, with upregulation of the chemokine receptor CCR2 and upregulation of inflammatory pathways identified as underlying mechanisms.ConclusionTaken together, we identify MPO as a pro-inflammatory mediator of splenic monocyte recruitment and activation post-MI and provide mechanistic insight for novel therapeutic strategies after ischemic injury

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Influencer Marketing in fashion indusrty

Die vorliegende Bachelorarbeit befasst sich mit dem Thema Influencer Marketing in der Modebranche. Influencer besitzen in den sozialen Medien eine unglaublich hohe Reichweite und haben einen großen Einfluss auf deren Community. In der Arbeit wird veranschaulicht, welches Potential Influencer Marketing für Unternehmen hat. Durch Kooperationen zwischen Influencer und Unternehmen können Werbebotschaften, Produkte oder auch Dienstleistungen über die Kanäle an die Community verbreitet werden. Ziel heirbei ist es zu analysieren, inwiefern Influencer Marketing in Unternehmen angewandt wird, um Produkte oder Dienstleistungen professionell und vor allem glaubwürdig zu vermarkten

Motivation for Psychotherapy in Patients With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background: The motivation of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders to accept psychotherapy (PT) as a treatment option is not known. Objective: The authors investigated motivation for patients' refusal to participate and dropout from PT/medical management programs. Method: Consecutive patients with symptoms suggestive of functional bowel disorders, seen at the outpatient clinic of a tertiary gastrointestinal (GI) center were evaluated for their motivation to undergo PT. Data from 85 patients were evaluated in two phases: In Phase 1, patients were asked about willingness to participate in PT if it were offered; in Phase 2, patients were offered PT. In both samples, PT motivation was also measured by standardized psychometric scales. Results: Age, gender, social status, and clinical symptom severity did not predict willingness to participate in or accept PT. Motivation was higher when patients were directly recruited in a GI setting than a psychosomatic outpatient unit. Quantitative assessment of PT motivation also did not correlate with declared PT motivation or participation. Assessment of interpersonal problems were among the few variables that were related to participation in PT. Conclusion: Motivation for PT in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders is low and is not determined by clinical, but, rather, by interpersonal problems that may exist beyond and independent of GI symptoms. (Psychosomatics 2010; 51: 225-229