Exometabolomics and MSI: deconstructing how cells interact to transform their small molecule environment

Metabolism is at the heart of many biotechnologies from biofuels to medical diagnostics. Metabolomic methods that provide glimpses into cellular metabolism have rapidly developed into a critical component of the biotechnological development process. Most metabolomics methods have focused on what is happening inside the cell. Equally important are the biochemical transformations of the cell, and their effect on other cells and their environment; the exometabolome. Exometabolomics is therefore gaining popularity as a robust approach for obtaining rich phenotypic data, and being used in bioprocessing and biofuel development. Mass spectrometry imaging approaches, including several nanotechnologies, provide complimentary information by localizing metabolic processes within complex biological matrices. Together, the two technologies can provide new insights into the metabolism and interactions of cells

The Production of Bioethanol Fermentation Substrate from Eucheuma cottonii Seaweed through Hydrolysis by Cellulose Enzyme

AbstractThe aim of this research was to produce high reduction sugar component of bioethanol fermentation substrate using E. cottonii seaweed. The dried E. cottonii was taken from Buton district, South East Sulawesi. The seaweed was hydrolyzed using cellulose for 24hours with various enzyme concentrations (19, 36, and 52 AU) and temperatures (40 and 50°C). The reduction sugar was analyzed by Nelson-Somogy Method then statistical significance test (t-test) was processed by using SPSS software. The results showed that the reduction sugar was 8.045mg/mL, obtained during 12hours of hydrolysis process using 36 AU cellulose at 50°C. However, this hydrolysis result was not significantly different (tested by t-test analysis) with the result shown by 19 AU cellulose enzyme hydrolysis at 50°C temperature which produce 7.937mg/mL of reduction sugar component

Monocytes and macrophages in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

Preeclampsia is an important complication in pregnancy, characterized byhypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. Generalizedactivation of the inflammatory response is thought to play a role in thepathogenesis of preeclampsia. Monocytes may play a central role in thisinflammatory response. Monocytes are short lived cells, that mature in thecirculation and invade into tissues upon an inflammatory stimulus anddevelop into macrophages. Macrophages are abundantly present in theendometrium and play a role in implantation and placentation in normalpregnancy. In preeclampsia, these macrophages appear to be present in largernumbers and are also activated. In the present review we focused on the roleof monocytes and macrophages in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

Nursing considerations to complement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines

Objectives: To provide a series of recommendations based on the best available evidence to guide clinicians providing nursing care to patients with severe sepsis. Design: Modified Delphi method involving international experts and key individuals in subgroup work and electronic-based discussion among the entire group to achieve consensus. Methods: We used the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines as a framework to inform the structure and content of these guidelines. We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to rate the quality of evidence from high (A) to very low (D) and to determine the strength of recommendations, with grade 1 indicating clear benefit in the septic population and grade 2 indicating less confidence in the benefits in the septic population. In areas without complete agreement between all authors, a process of electronic discussion of all evidence was undertaken until consensus was reached. This process was conducted independently of any funding. Results: Sixty-three recommendations relating to the nursing care of severe sepsis patients are made. Prevention recommendations relate to education, accountability, surveillance of nosocomial infections, hand hygiene, and prevention of respiratory, central line-related, surgical site, and urinary tract infections, whereas infection management recommendations related to both control of the infection source and transmission-based precautions. Recommendations related to initial resuscitation include improved recognition of the deteriorating patient, diagnosis of severe sepsis, seeking further assistance, and initiating early resuscitation measures. Important elements of hemodynamic support relate to improving both tissue oxygenation and macrocirculation. Recommendations related to supportive nursing care incorporate aspects of nutrition, mouth and eye care, and pressure ulcer prevention and management. Pediatric recommendations relate to the use of antibiotics, steroids, vasopressors and inotropes, fluid resuscitation, sedation and analgesia, and the role of therapeutic end points. Conclusion: Consensus was reached regarding many aspects of nursing care of the severe sepsis patient. Despite this, there is an urgent need for further evidence to better inform this area of critical care

Modulatory Effects of Pregnancy on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The disease course of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis is altered during pregnancy, and a similar modulatory role of pregnancy on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been proposed. Hormonal, immunological, and microbial changes occurring during normal pregnancy may interact with the pathophysiology of IBD. IBD consists of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and because of genetic, immunological, and microbial differences between these disease entities, they may react differently during pregnancy and should be described separately. This review will address the pregnancy-induced physiological changes and their potential effect on the disease course of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, with emphasis on the modulation of epithelial barrier function and immune profiles by pregnancy hormones, microbial changes, and microchimerism

Immunology of pregnancy

Tijdens een zwangerschap moet het immuunsysteem van de moeder zich aanpassen om het kind niet af te stoten. Cytokines, stoffen geproduceerd door immuun cellen zoals monocyten, ‘natural killer’ cellen en lymfocyten zijn bestudeerd om meer inzicht te krijgen in de verandering van het immuunsysteem van gezonde zwangere vrouwen en vrouwen met preeclampsie (zwangerschapsvergiftiging). Deze cytokines worden in typen verdeeld. Gebleken is dat type 1 cytokines ongunstig zijn voor een gezonde zwangerschap. De productiecapaciteit van type 1 cytokines bleek bij 30 weken zwangerschap verlaagd ten opzichte van niet-zwangere vrouwen, terwijl dat tijdens de eerste weken niet zo was. Concluderend lijken type 1 cytokines belangrijk voor de implantatie van de foetus in de baarmoeder en de vorming van de placenta. Verder lijkt de dominantie van type 2 cytokines later in de zwangerschap belangrijk te zijn voor een gezond verloop. Echter kan een te veel van deze type 2 cytokines leiden tot zg. late preeclampsie (>34 weken zwangerschapsduur). Deze - relatief milde - preeclampsie lijkt derhalve een andere ziekte dan vroege - ernstige - preeclampsie waarbij juist sprake is van een teveel aan type 1 cytokines. Verder blijken monocyten, die ons aangeboren afweersysteem vertegenwoordigen, tijdens de zwangerschap meer geactiveerd te zijn. In preeclampsie zelfs nog sterker. Als ‘trigger’ hiervoor zou gedacht kunnen worden aan ziektes van de moeder zoals suikerziekte of vetzucht. Echter ook virusinfecties zouden van invloed kunnen zijn.

The immunology of successful pregnancy

Immune responses play an important role in various reproductive processes, including ovulation, menstruation and parturition. Clearly, during pregnancy, when the mother must accept a semi-allogeneic fetus, immune responses also play a very important role. This was first recognized by Medawar in 1953, when the concept of the fetal allograft was presented in order to explain the immunological relationship between mother and fetus. Since then, the immunology of pregnancy has been the leading subject within reproductive immunology research. Yet, the question of why the semi-allogeneic fetus is not rejected by the mother remains unresolved. The present review provides an update of current knowledge on the subject of the so-called 'immunological paradox of pregnancy'

Cytokine production by monocytes, NK cells, and lymphocytes is different in preeclamptic patients as compared with normal pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: To measure cytokine production in ex vivo stimulated leukocyte populations of women with normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia. METHODS: Whole blood from preeclamptic and normal pregnant women was stimulated with LPS or PMA/Ca-ionophore. The percentages of IFN gamma and IL-2, 4, and 10 producing lymphocytes and NK cells and the percentages of TNFalpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-12 producing monocytes were measured by flowcytometry. RESULTS: In women with preeclampsia, there was a significantly increased percentage IL-4 producing cytotoxic T cells. Also, a significant decreased percentage IL-2 producing T helper cells and IL-12 producing monocytes was seen as compared with normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Th1 cytokine production of lymphocytes and monocytes appears to be decreased in our group of preeclamptic patients compared with normal pregnant wome