Decreased inducibility of TNF expression in lipid-loaded macrophages

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immune responses are considered to be very important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Lipid accumulation in macrophages of the arterial intima is a characteristic feature of atherosclerosis which can influence the inflammatory potential of macrophages. We studied the effects of lipid loading on the regulation of TNF expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages. RESULTS: In macrophages incubated with acetylated low density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) for 2 days, mRNA expression of TNF in cells stimulated with TNF decreased by 75%. In cell cultures stimulated over night with IL-1β, lipid loading decreased secretion of TNF into culture medium by 48%. These results suggest that lipid accumulation in macrophages makes them less responsive to inflammatory stimuli. Decreased basal activity and inducibility of transcription factor AP-1 was observed in lipid-loaded cells, suggesting a mechanism for the suppression of cytokine expression. NF-κB binding activity and inducibility were only marginally affected by ac-LDL. LDL and ac-LDL did not activate PPARγ. In contrast, oxidized LDL stimulated AP-1 and PPARγ but inhibited NF-κB, indicating that the effects of lipid loading with ac-LDL were not due to oxidation of lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Accumulation of lipid, mainly cholesterol, results in down-regulation of TNF expression in macrophages. Since monocytes are known to be activated by cell adhesion, these results suggest that foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques may contribute less potently to an inflammatory reaction than newly arrived monocytes/macrophages

How can students-as-partners work address challenges to student, faculty, and staff mental health and well-being?

Mental health has emerged as a critical area of attention in higher education, and educational research over the last 15 years has focused increasingly on emotions and wellbeing at all stages of education (Hill et al., 2021). While definitions of well-being vary, most are premised on “good quality of life” (Nair et al., 2018, p. 69). Within the last few years, we have experienced an intersection of several forces that undermine or threaten good quality of life. These include the uncertainties prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Hews et al., 2022, U.S. Surgeon General, n.d.), climate change (Charlson et al., 2021), racism and social injustices (Williams & Etkins, 2021), the cost-of-living crisis (Montacute, 2023), and the lack of motivation and higher incidence of mental health issues associated with growing concerns about job prospects and income (Chowdhury et al., 2022). This fifth iteration of Voices from the Field explores some of the ways in which students-as-partners work can address challenges to the mental health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. This focus, proposed by members of the IJSaP Editorial Board, both responds to the intersecting realities named above and remains true to the goal of this section of the journal, which is to offer a venue for a wide range of contributors to address important questions around and aspects of students-as-partners work without going through the intensive submission, peer-review, and revision processes. The prompt we included in the call for this iteration of Voices was: “In what ways can students-as-partners work address challenges to the mental health and well-being of students, staff, and faculty posed by the current realities in the wider world (socio-political, environmental, economic, etc.) that affect higher education?

Macrophage Activation and AP-1 in Atherosclerosis

High levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) have been identified as independent risk factors for coronary heart disease. Hypertriglyceridemia is generally associated with an increased expression of inflammatory makers and inflammation is thought to contribute to atherosclerosis and its complications. The present investigation was aimed at providing further information on the effect of native VLDL and fatty acids on inflammation and regulation of gene expression. According to our data, VLDL strongly potentiated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of TNF mRNA and secretion of TNF protein in human monocyte-derived macrophages. VLDL activated mitogen-activated protein kinase-ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), and potentiated LPS-induced activation of AP-1 and MEK1/2. Furthermore, VLDL induced caspase-1 activation, IL-1b release and IL-1b mRNA expression in macrophages. A mixture of fatty acids stimulated TNF secretion and increased TNF mRNA expression. This was associated with activation of transcription factors nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and AP-1. These findings demonstrate that VLDL and fatty acids can promote inflammation. In addition, human carotid plaques associated with symptoms were characterized by increased AP-1 activity as compared to asymptomatic plaques. AP-1 activity correlated with cholesteryl ester and elastin content of the plaques. High serum triglycerides and elevated free fatty acids are associated with diabetes. On the other hand, the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes is coronary heart disease. Thus our results suggest that the inflammatory response induced by VLDL and fatty acids could be a link between atherosclerosis and diabetes

Upacara Gakwaru Pada Masyarakat Belobao,Wulandoni, Lembata, NTT (Kajian Dengan Pendekatan Struktural Dan Hermeneutika)

Upacara Ga Kwaru, Kajian Dengan Pendekatan Structural Dan Hermenutika Setiap daerah di Indonesia memiliki keanekaragaman budaya. Keragaman budaya dari setiap daerah di Indonesia berbeda-beda. Oleh karena itu, sebagai masyarakat yang bangga memiliki keunikan di setiap daerahnya, harus bisa mempertahankan sejarah dan keanekaragaman sebagai bukti nyata atas kehadiran kebudayaan tersebut. Salah satu kebudayaan yang ada di Indonesia yaitu Upacara Ga Kwaru, yang berasal dari pulau kecil di bagian timur yakni Pulau Lembata, tepatnya di Desa Belobao. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan structural dan hermeneutik. Data yang ada dalam penelitian ini berupa data verbal dan noverbal. Data verbal berupa transkip paparan doa yang di ucapkan saat prosesi upacara ga kwaru. Sedangkan data nonverbal berupa sarana atau perlengkapan pada upacara ga kwaru. Jenis metode penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian ini mendekripsikan unsur verbal berupa doa, mendeskripsiakn unsur nonverval berupa sarana atau perlengkapan, unsur prosesi dan makna prosesi. Berdasarkan penelitian ini, saran peneliti yakni (1) Penelitian ini dapat di manfaatkan sebagai referensi untuk penelitian lanjutan dan pengembangan kebudayaan yang dimaksud berupa tardisi atau upacara tradisonal (2) diharapkan menggunakan buku-buku yang ditulis oleh penulis asli (3) diharapakn menggunakan terori-teori lain yang masih saling berkaitan agar dapa menemukan temuan yang baru pada tradisi ini

Der "Pankreasapoplex" : eine schwerste nekrotisierende Pankreatitis nach resezierender Pankreaschirurgie

$\bf Einleitung:$ Eine fulminante Form der postoperativen akuten Pankreatitis (POAP) wurde untersucht: der "Pankreasapoplex (PA)". $\bf Methode:$ Pat., die vom 1/2011 bis 12/2019 nach PD eine Restpankreatektomie (RP) erhielten, wurden retrospektiv untersucht. Pat. mit PA wurden mit Pat. und RP bei anderen Ursachen hinsichtlich der Daten zu den OPs, Labore (CRP, Leukozyten, Amylase, Lipase, LDH) und Histologie verglichen. $\bf Ergebnis:$ 33 von 612 Pat. erhielten eine RP. 8 Pat. hatten einen PA mit Multiorganversagen (MOV). Am Tag der Revision waren bei PA Leukozyten, CRP, Amylase, Lipase, LDH, Amylase und Lipase im Drainagesekret signifikant erhöht. Histologisch war die ganze Restdrüse nekrotisch destruiert. Die Mortalität war 62,5%. $\bf Diskussion:$ Ein PA ist die gefährlichste Form der POAP. Bei entsprechender Klinik und Laborkonstellation sollte man frühzeitig operativ reagieren

Inflammatory effects of very low-density lipoprotein and fatty acids.

High plasma triacylglycerol (triglyceride, TG) levels is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Very large lipoproteins, such as chylomicrons, alone are not considered atherogenic, but TG-rich remnant lipoproteins can penetrate into the vascular wall. Importantly, accumulating evidence suggests that all TG-rich lipoproteins stimulate cytokine expression in circulating monocytes. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) stimulates monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and expression of inflammatory genes in macrophages. Furthermore, fatty acids released from large lipoproteins can stimulate both vascular cells and circulating monocytes. It is likely that fatty acids released from TG-rich lipoproteins contribute to atherogenesis, but the role of fatty acids in ischemic heart disease is not as direct as that of cholesterol. Fatty acids influence plasma lipoprotein levels and either stimulate or suppress numerous cellular functions relevant to atherogenesis. While certain n-3 fatty acids are good for health, most other medium- to long-chain fatty acids appear to promote inflammation in cell culture studies and need to be studied further. Nevertheless, the existing evidence supports the general conclusion that TG-rich lipoproteins and fatty acids greatly accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis. This may be because of their inflammatory effects

Students´ Experiences of Participation in a Research Team : Evaluation of a Research-based Teaching Activity in HigherEducation

AbstractIn Sweden as well as internationally the teaching and research nexus has been described as the defining charac-teristics of higher education promoting generic skills such as information analysis and critical reflection. Vertically Integrated Projects has been proposed as one educational strategy where research and teaching are linked by in-viting students to take active part in actual research projects. The strategy is well aligned to Scholarship of teaching and learning enabling the transition from a teacher-centred accepted knowledge to a student-centred perspective where students are invited as producers of knowledge. The aim of the current study was to explore students’ experiences of participation in a research-based learning activity with academia and industrial partners, designed as a qualitative explorative study using focus group interviews. Findings describe not only factors students find motivating for learning, but also their experience of being part of professional life with its benefits and challenges. KeywordsFocus group, Interdisciplinary, Research-based learning, Students, Vertically Integrated Projec

Students´ Experiences of Participation in a Research Team: Evaluation of a Research-based Teaching Activity in Higher Education

In Sweden as well as internationally the teaching and research nexus has been described as the defining charac-teristics of higher education promoting generic skills such as information analysis and critical reflection. Vertically Integrated Projects has been proposed as one educational strategy where research and teaching are linked by in-viting students to take active part in actual research projects. The strategy is well aligned to Scholarship of teaching and learning enabling the transition from a teacher-centred accepted knowledge to a student-centred perspective where students are invited as producers of knowledge. The aim of the current study was to explore students’ experiences of participation in a research-based learning activity with academia and industrial partners, designed as a qualitative explorative study using focus group interviews. Findings describe not only factors students find motivating for learning, but also their experience of being part of professional life with its benefits and challenges