Differential Influence of Clinical Mycobacterium avium Strains on Distinct Autonomous Defense Capacities of Human Neutrophils

Neutrophils are phagocytes that are known to be fast responders and reach the site of an infection as an innate immune response. Neutrophils, in addition to monocytes and macrophages, have been implicated during the initial phase of mycobacterial infection. However, neutrophils are less well studied than other components of the host response to mycobacteria such as the macrophages, the natural primary host cell and T cells. Whether neutrophils are able to actively kill mycobacteria and thus contribute to mycobacterial clearance remains controversial. Our group has shown that human neutrophils are able to phagocytize and kill the avian type strain Mycobacterium avium TMC 724 (M. avium) in vitro. In this study we used two clinical strains of M. avium hominissuis, SCH 228 and SCH 215 that have been previously characterized to be differential with regard to their generation time within macrophages as a feature of mycobacterial virulence. Such variation in virulence may be responsible for differences in disease outcome. Here we tried to understand the cell autonomous functions of neutrophils in mycobacterial infection and also how clinical isolates of M. avium hominissuis (SCH 228 and SCH 215) considered of high and low virulence impact on neutrophil functional capacities. Our study demonstrates that SCH 228 and SCH 215 limit the activation of human neutrophils by differentially down regulating the activation of p38 MAPK pathway. Such differential regulations promote bacterial survival by impeding the p38 MAPK-mediated immune functions such as ROS, degranulation and cytokine induction in neutrophils. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report on how the virulence of clinical M. avium hominissuis isolates impacts on various innate immune functions of human neutrophils. We also demonstrated the ability of degranulation from cytB/fMLP-activated human neutrophils in controlling the extracellular growth of clinical M. avium hominissuis isolates, SCH 228 and SCH 215. Furthermore, the degranulated supernatants from neutrophils infected with these isolates show the capacity to inhibit extracellular growth of Staphylococcus aureus whereas they have no bactericidal effect on SCH 228 and SCH 215 themselves. Investigation of neutrophil-macrophage interaction in the defense of these clinical M. avium isolates revealed that neither naïve nor LPS-stimulated neutrophils when co-cultured with infected human macrophages did impact on intra-macrophage bacterial survival of SCH 228 and SCH 215. However, macrophages infected with these isolates induce predominantly degranulation of specific/gelatinase granules in naïve neutrophils, indicating that neutrophil-macrophage interaction impacts on the microenvironment of local infection thereby potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, this study underscores the importance of exosomes released from macrophages infected with M. avium as a cell-mediator molecule involved in the interaction of infected macrophages with other immune cells, as these exosomes attract human neutrophils. As a perspective, our finding that cytB/fMLP stimulated degranulation controls the extracellular growth of clinical M. avium hominissuis isolates, SCH 228 and SCH 215, encourages us to further carry out extensive comparative proteomic analyses of cytB/fMLP and M. avium stimulated supernatants from neutrophils in order to identify possible factors that might be able to control M. avium infection and may qualify as potential anti-mycobacterial drugs. Also, proteomic analysis of exosomes from infected macrophages suggests follow-up studies to identify the potential chemoattractive factors for neutrophils. This would allow one to study the role of such factor(s) present in the exosomes in the interaction of infected macrophages and neutrophils, and possibly, other immune cells

Correlation of Neck Circumference with Body Fat Percentage by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Introduction: Obesity is a significant public health concern associated with various health risks. Accurate and accessible methods for assessing body fat percentage are essential for obesity evaluation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck circumference and body fat percentage, considering bioelectrical impedance analysis as the reference method. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 63 male medical and paramedical students aged 18 to 25 years. Neck circumference, body fat percentage, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured using standardized techniques. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and significance testing. Results: The mean neck circumference was 37.4 cm (SD = ±1.6), and the mean body fat percentage was 22.8% (SD = ±4.5). A strong positive correlation was observed between neck circumference and body fat percentage (r = 0.75, p ≤ 0.001). The results indicated that neck circumference can serve as a practical and accessible measurement for estimating body fat percentage. Conclusion: Neck circumference strongly correlated with body fat percentage, suggesting its potential as an obesity assessment tool. Further research involving larger and more diverse populations is needed to validate these findings and explore the clinical implications of using neck circumference in obesity evaluation.Introducción: La obesidad es un importante problema de salud pública asociado a diversos riesgos para la salud. Los métodos precisos y accesibles para evaluar el porcentaje de grasa corporal son esenciales para la evaluación de la obesidad. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la relación entre la circunferencia del cuello y el porcentaje de grasa corporal, considerando el análisis de impedancia bioeléctrica como método de referencia. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 63 estudiantes de medicina y paramédica del sexo masculino con edades entre 18 y 25 años. La circunferencia del cuello, el porcentaje de grasa corporal, el peso, la altura y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) se midieron utilizando técnicas estandarizadas. El análisis estadístico incluyó estadísticas descriptivas, análisis de correlación y pruebas de significación. Resultados: La circunferencia media del cuello fue de 37,4 cm (DE = ±1,6) y el porcentaje medio de grasa corporal fue del 22,8% (DE = ±4,5). Se observó una fuerte correlación positiva entre la circunferencia del cuello y el porcentaje de grasa corporal (r = 0,75, p ≤ 0,001). Los resultados indicaron que la circunferencia del cuello puede servir como una medida práctica y accesible para estimar el porcentaje de grasa corporal. Conclusión: la circunferencia del cuello se correlacionó fuertemente con el porcentaje de grasa corporal, lo que sugiere su potencial como herramienta de evaluación de la obesidad. Se necesita más investigación que involucre a poblaciones más grandes y diversas para validar estos hallazgos y explorar las implicaciones clínicas del uso de la circunferencia del cuello en la evaluación de la obesidad

Integrating IoT digital technologies with LCA analysis at SMEs

Analyzing the environmental impacts of products and processes has evolved into a standard practice through the utilization of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). However, assessments of carbon footprints frequently encompass uncertainties stemming from challenges in accurately measuring emission factors and obtaining dependable data, processes which can be both intricate and time-consuming. In today’s highly competitive market, the rise of Industry 4.0 has brought forth a range of new technologies that companies can use to track, combine, and follow processes through digital systems. These technologies gather and analyze manufacturing information by utilizing a combination of sensors and control systems. This thesis endeavors to expound upon the architecture and integration of LCA tailored for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating within manufacturing environments, leveraging the capabilities of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies harmonized with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The study is underpinned by a case analysis conducted at a steel pin fastener manufacturing company situated in Järna, Sweden. Conducting an exhaustive Systematic Literature Review (SLR), we delved into incentives, advantages, and obstacles inherent in integrating LCA and ERP systems. The primary objective was to explore the viability of employing IoT technologies to facilitate LCA. The insights gleaned from this comprehensive review serve as the cornerstone for our recommendations tailored to SMEs. Within this thesis, we put forth a comprehensive framework that enables the fusion of IoT-driven LCA and ERP systems. This framework facilitates the digitized aggregation of data, which is pivotal for executing environmental life cycle evaluations within manufacturing entities, with a particular focus on SMEs. By leveraging accurate data, the framework significantly enhances a company's operational efficiency by precise calculation of emissions. It is noteworthy that the proposed framework was meticulously designed around a single process, specifically oriented towards energy consumption, and holds the potential to be effectively adapted across diverse operational capacities within various facilities

Integrating IoT digital technologies with LCA analysis at SMEs

Analyzing the environmental impacts of products and processes has evolved into a standard practice through the utilization of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). However, assessments of carbon footprints frequently encompass uncertainties stemming from challenges in accurately measuring emission factors and obtaining dependable data, processes which can be both intricate and time-consuming. In today’s highly competitive market, the rise of Industry 4.0 has brought forth a range of new technologies that companies can use to track, combine, and follow processes through digital systems. These technologies gather and analyze manufacturing information by utilizing a combination of sensors and control systems. This thesis endeavors to expound upon the architecture and integration of LCA tailored for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating within manufacturing environments, leveraging the capabilities of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies harmonized with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The study is underpinned by a case analysis conducted at a steel pin fastener manufacturing company situated in Järna, Sweden. Conducting an exhaustive Systematic Literature Review (SLR), we delved into incentives, advantages, and obstacles inherent in integrating LCA and ERP systems. The primary objective was to explore the viability of employing IoT technologies to facilitate LCA. The insights gleaned from this comprehensive review serve as the cornerstone for our recommendations tailored to SMEs. Within this thesis, we put forth a comprehensive framework that enables the fusion of IoT-driven LCA and ERP systems. This framework facilitates the digitized aggregation of data, which is pivotal for executing environmental life cycle evaluations within manufacturing entities, with a particular focus on SMEs. By leveraging accurate data, the framework significantly enhances a company's operational efficiency by precise calculation of emissions. It is noteworthy that the proposed framework was meticulously designed around a single process, specifically oriented towards energy consumption, and holds the potential to be effectively adapted across diverse operational capacities within various facilities

A CAD integrated analysis of flatness in a form tolerance zone

10.1016/S0010-4485(00)00108-1CAD Computer Aided Design3312853-865CAID

FORMULATION, OPTIMIZATION AND EVALUATION OF ENROFLOXACIN SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR SUSTAINED ORAL DELIVERY

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate enrofloxacin SLNs using a hot homogenization coupled with ultrasonication method. The SLNs were prepared using tripalmitin as lipid carrier, tween 80 and span 80 as surfactants and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) as a stabilizer. The influence of factors such as concentration of lipid carrier, composition and concentration of surfactant on the particle size were investigated to optimize the formulations. The optimized SLNs formulations were utilized to entrap 0.1% enrofloxacin and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential (using dynamic light scattering), shape (using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), drug encapsulation efficiency (using by dialysis and ultracentrifugation methods), and in vitro drug release (using by dialysis). The prepared SLNs were analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy to confirm the cross-linking reaction between drug, lipid and surfactants. The results demonstrated that the particle size, polydispersivity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of the SLNs were 154.72± 6.11nm, 0.42±0.11, -28.83±0.60mV, 59.66±3.22% and 6.13±0.32%, respectively. TEM and AFM images showed spherical to circular particles with well defined periphery. In vitro drug release exhibited biphasic pattern with an initial burst release of 18% within 2h followed by sustained release over 96h. FT-IR study suggested that during the process of formulations, lipid and surfactants have not reacted with the drug to give rise to reactant products and it was only physical mixture